Sleeve 5 years ago; now revision to bypass??

[KristinaW 3]

Hi! I lost almost 140 lbs w/my sleeve but have slowly regained 35 lbs over the last 3 years. I'm scared I'll be back to where I started at this rate.

Since my original bariatric surgeon passed away, I went to see another WLS doc and he performed an endoscopy. Said I have a hernia, reflux, kink in my sleeve and stretched out sleeve, so that is why I'm gaining weight. He recommends a revision from sleeve to bypass. He also said the surgeon who did my sleeve had a different (inferior) technique for doing sleeves, thus this Dr. does a lot of revisions for my original surgeon. Insurance has approved but I'll have out of network coverage.

Here is my concern: In the waiting room of this surgeon's office, it just so happened there were 5 revision patients, and they told horror stories of complications, and ending up in severe pain, kinked intestines, needing additional emergency surgeries, not being able to eat, pain months after, regret, etc. I'll be honest....it scares me!! I asked this surgeon about those patients, and the doc said it was flukes, that there are a few people who have complications, but they may not be following directions, or maybe they had numerous WLS before, etc.

I'm scared if I do go forward with my planned revision, I could end up in worse health and have regrets, but I am scared if I don't, I'll end up where I started 5 years ago....very unhappy!!

Would love to hear from a good number of folks who have had sleeve to bypass revisions, and what your experience was? Thank you in advance!!

[GreenTealael 25,377]

Not a revision patient but stopped by and answered because this sends up red flags.

Why would this office schedule 5 dissatified patients at the same time to be in the same room discussing the same thing within earshot of new patients?

Sloppy.

Either it's not a fluke they have a lot of issues or they need a significantly better office manager. Either way, never a *good* thing IMHO

I would totally get a second and third opinion, diligently research the surgeon you chose.

Edited September 20, 2018 by GreenTealael

[J San 1,071]

I 2nd @GreenTealael 's sentiment. It's either really bad scheduling or he's got so many "flukes" there is no way around scheduling them all together. I would definitely consult a 2nd surgeon, maybe even a 3rd. Sorry I can't give you any input on the revision but the bigger concern is this surgeons response to your question about the complainers. Best of luck to you!!

Sorry @GreenTealael I wound up getting my curser stuck in the box of your name and can't type anything after it when that happens. So you get 3 shouts.@GreenTealael

[KristinaW 3]

Thank you guys...that's kind of what I've been thinking, and feeling like I should go with my gut. But yikes, it's scary too.....I am scared about what will happen if I don't do something drastic (i.e. revision). Ugh!

What I'm shocked about....surely this has to be more common, right....sleeve to bypass revisions? Why is no one talking about it?

[SHNGSTAR 9]

My thoughts exactly. I just returned from my endoscopy this morning. sleeved over 6 years ago and noticed return of reflux (weight gain) and wanted to check it out. Turns out my sleeve is a little stretched and although I was nervous about bypass, I'm moving forward after today as I am not going back and I know what I didn't do with the sleeve..I fully own my part in this setback. I'm doing the pre stuff for revision to bypass and wondered if I was the only one as this doesn't appear to be a big topic. This is my 2nd chance to get it right.

[marfar7 1,533]

I also had the sleeve in 2013 (after my lapband slipped). and severe reflux ever since. I tried everything (adjustable bed, diet, ppi's) and nothing worked. I was up for 2 hrs at nite about 3 nites a week. It was awful. I didn;t have enuf stomach for the reflux surgery, Nissen Fundoplication. So, my GI dr sent me to the bariatric surgeon. Also a different dr (moved out of state since my sleeve) who recommended the RNY (did u know the RNY has been around for 70 yrs, first 30 just for reflux. They noticed that people lost weight so it later became a weightloss procedure.

I had a rough recovery (surgery sposed to take 90 min to 2 hrs and it took 5 hrs due to lots of scar tissue from pervious wls's). When I woke up, my eyes were swollen shut and they felt like they had sawdust in them. For the first day, I couldn't see anything and my eyes burned. I had diarrhea and my toilet was broken so I had to walk down the hall to the employee bathroom (by day 3, they moved me to another room). It sucked. I spent 4 days in the hospital cuz I wasn't getting enuf fluids and they had to restart my iv. I cried when they told me they were keeping me. I just wanted to be home in my own bed. Oh, and I didn't sleep AT ALL the first 2 days/nites. I had a pain pump and my dr was scared t order my usual sleeping pill till nite 3, when I was on oral meds - and I don't sleep AT ALL without them. Hubby stayed all 4 nites with me, sleeping in the recliner in my room. Drove 2 hrs to work 2 of those days. I live an hour away and his job is about an hour away from home. It helped much having him there. I regretted my sugery the first week. A week after my surgery, I was 100% and have forgotten about the pain.

But, guess what? I have NO REFLUX! I can even put my bed flat and sleep on my side! I've experienced a couple episodes of dumping (when will I learn) and it truly sucks but I'm finally glad I did the revision. I went in weighing 155 and I now weigh 144.6 (yep, .6) and haven't lost 1 lb in 2 weeks. Had my 6 weeks appt this past week and my dr said I was a normal, healthy woman and if I didn't lose 1 more lb, I'd be great. My bmi i 24. However, why have a goal if I don't reach it? My goal is 135. Hoping my body hasn't stopped losing. I've been exactly 144.6, down to the ounce for 2 weeks. I can eat almost anything (I ate 4 Nilla wafers this past week and thought I might die. So Cookies r not in my menu plan for a while!). I wish u the best. Chances r u will do well post op and receive the benefits of the revision immediately.

Good luck!

[KristinaW 3]

2 hours ago, SHNGSTAR said:

My thoughts exactly. I just returned from my endoscopy this morning. sleeved over 6 years ago and noticed return of reflux (weight gain) and wanted to check it out. Turns out my sleeve is a little stretched and although I was nervous about bypass, I'm moving forward after today as I am not going back and I know what I didn't do with the sleeve..I fully own my part in this setback. I'm doing the pre stuff for revision to bypass and wondered if I was the only one as this doesn't appear to be a big topic. This is my 2nd chance to get it right.

Thank you SHNGSTAR. I've felt so frustrated I can't find anyone else in my position. I'm shocked still it's crickets on the bariatric support groups. Wish you were in TX too! Ha!

[KristinaW 3]

1 hour ago, marfar7 said:

I also had the sleeve in 2013 (after my lapband slipped). and severe reflux ever since. I tried everything (adjustable bed, diet, ppi's) and nothing worked. I was up for 2 hrs at nite about 3 nites a week. It was awful. I didn;t have enuf stomach for the reflux surgery, Nissen Fundoplication. So, my GI dr sent me to the bariatric surgeon. Also a different dr (moved out of state since my sleeve) who recommended the RNY (did u know the RNY has been around for 70 yrs, first 30 just for reflux. They noticed that people lost weight so it later became a weightloss procedure.

I had a rough recovery (surgery sposed to take 90 min to 2 hrs and it took 5 hrs due to lots of scar tissue from pervious wls's). When I woke up, my eyes were swollen shut and they felt like they had sawdust in them. For the first day, I couldn't see anything and my eyes burned. I had diarrhea and my toilet was broken so I had to walk down the hall to the employee bathroom (by day 3, they moved me to another room). It sucked. I spent 4 days in the hospital cuz I wasn't getting enuf fluids and they had to restart my iv. I cried when they told me they were keeping me. I just wanted to be home in my own bed. Oh, and I didn't sleep AT ALL the first 2 days/nites. I had a pain pump and my dr was scared t order my usual sleeping pill till nite 3, when I was on oral meds - and I don't sleep AT ALL without them. Hubby stayed all 4 nites with me, sleeping in the recliner in my room. Drove 2 hrs to work 2 of those days. I live an hour away and his job is about an hour away from home. It helped much having him there. I regretted my sugery the first week. A week after my surgery, I was 100% and have forgotten about the pain.

But, guess what? I have NO REFLUX! I can even put my bed flat and sleep on my side! I've experienced a couple episodes of dumping (when will I learn) and it truly sucks but I'm finally glad I did the revision. I went in weighing 155 and I now weigh 144.6 (yep, .6) and haven't lost 1 lb in 2 weeks. Had my 6 weeks appt this past week and my dr said I was a normal, healthy woman and if I didn't lose 1 more lb, I'd be great. My bmi i 24. However, why have a goal if I don't reach it? My goal is 135. Hoping my body hasn't stopped losing. I've been exactly 144.6, down to the ounce for 2 weeks. I can eat almost anything (I ate 4 Nilla wafers this past week and thought I might die. So Cookies r not in my menu plan for a while!). I wish u the best. Chances r u will do well post op and receive the benefits of the revision immediately.

Good luck!

Wow, Marfar, I am feeling for you, as I read your story. Yikes! But, that gives me much hope....like you said that first week or so sucks, right?! Sounds like you have a great hubby, and so glad you are doing well now! That's amazing your reflux is gone!

What do you find is the biggest difference between sleeve and gastric bypass?

I should probably read up on it more and educate myself, but I tend to get anxiety then if I "know too much". I know, many of you reading this are probably shaking your head. Just how I cope and get through life. Ha ha! I study after. I did everything to a tee the first 2 years post-sleeve. I still haven't had a sip of soda since my sleeve, nor do I drink during a meal, etc. etc.

I am a little scared about multiple abdominal surgeries and scarring because I've had 1. sleeve/gallbladder removal 2. Ovarian cyst 3. FOUR c-sections and 4. Tummy Tuck. So.... yikes!

[MissPoodle 58]

I got a second opinion for sleeve to bypass revision...i went with the 2nd opinion. Sounds like a good idea to may be not have this surgeon. Complications should be low so 5 people is a lot

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[KristinaW 3]

9 hours ago, MissPoodle said:

I got a second opinion for sleeve to bypass revision...i went with the 2nd opinion. Sounds like a good idea to may be not have this surgeon. Complications should be low so 5 people is a lot

Sent from my SM-G950F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks MissPoodle. Did you have your revision surgery yet? If so, how far out are you and how has your experience been?

[MissPoodle 58]

Thanks MissPoodle. Did you have your revision surgery yet? If so, how far out are you and how has your experience been?

I had mine 5 days ago!!! I did a lot of research and asked my surgeon a lot of questions. The complication rate is not as high as you would think. I know a few people that saw the same surgeon as me and they haven't had any trouble. I'm going well so far. The pain and nausea I'm having is not too bad now with pain relief. If I had heard from my surgeon's patient's that more than one had complications i would have run for the hills!!!

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[MissPoodle 58]

Hi! I lost almost 140 lbs w/my sleeve but have slowly regained 35 lbs over the last 3 years. I'm scared I'll be back to where I started at this rate.
Since my original bariatric surgeon passed away, I went to see another WLS doc and he performed an endoscopy. Said I have a hernia, reflux, kink in my sleeve and stretched out sleeve, so that is why I'm gaining weight. He recommends a revision from sleeve to bypass. He also said the surgeon who did my sleeve had a different (inferior) technique for doing sleeves, thus this Dr. does a lot of revisions for my original surgeon. Insurance has approved but I'll have out of network coverage.
Here is my concern: In the waiting room of this surgeon's office, it just so happened there were 5 revision patients, and they told horror stories of complications, and ending up in severe pain, kinked intestines, needing additional emergency surgeries, not being able to eat, pain months after, regret, etc. I'll be honest....it scares me!! I asked this surgeon about those patients, and the doc said it was flukes, that there are a few people who have complications, but they may not be following directions, or maybe they had numerous WLS before, etc.
I'm scared if I do go forward with my planned revision, I could end up in worse health and have regrets, but I am scared if I don't, I'll end up where I started 5 years ago....very unhappy!!
Would love to hear from a good number of folks who have had sleeve to bypass revisions, and what your experience was? Thank you in advance!!

Also...I would be wary about a surgeon who called his complications "flukes". That sounds very dismissive and not very caring to me IMHO.

Sent from my SM-G950F using BariatricPal mobile app

[MissPoodle 58]

Sorry about the multiple replies....another thing...i had mine done because of a kink in my sleeve also, worsening GORD and weight regain. The kinks usually do need fixing surgically.

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[KristinaW 3]

Thanks MissPoodle. Congrats and very glad to hear you are doing well!!

1st q: Do you mind if I ask...was yours covered by insurance?

I have sought a couple 2nd opinions and they say it won't be covered (I have no bariatric benefits with my insurance; but the one said "fluke" doctor is able to get it covered under insurance because of GERD/hernia, etc. (I asked other docs' billing folks why they can't do the same....just their policy).

2nd q: did you see how many abdominal surgeries I've had? Have you or any of the folks who you know that just had the revision had as many?

Thanks again! Really appreciate the input!

[greenlitego70 3]

I had revision from sleeve to bypass. I also had lap band to sleeve before that. I had so many issues with the sleeve it wasn’t even funny. My stomach kept kinking and I vomited everything up. I tried a gastric stent and that did not work. Although the revision to bypass has been drastic (I was already down to 170lbs, I’m male) I had complications due to scar tissue from previous WLS that was preventing me from drinking and had to have a subsequent surgery to remove the scar tissue and a huge hematoma at one of my incisions. I lost over 20lbs while in the hospital (almost 3 weeks). They waited too long to put me on TPN. However, since then, aside from being fatigued and tired things have been going relatively well. My main concern is trying to eat enough calories in stage 3 that I at least maintain my weight. I really can’t afford to lose another pound. Does anyone out there have anything similar and have suggestions on higher calorie food to eat in this stage. I have 3 more weeks before I can then begin trialing “normal” food.

I know I got sidetracked a bit, but for what it’s worth, even though this has been a life changing surgery, at least I can eat now whereas I could not before so I don’t regret it.