Going to see the nutritionist on 12/28

Finally starting to make some headway here. I called and got an appointment with the nutritionist who helped me before. More than likely, she will place me on the protein sparing modified fast (PSMF) which will be both good and bad. It helps you drop the weight quickly, but I get very irritable when I am hungry--and they don't call this a fast for nothing!

I should (cross your fingers!) have health insurance by March of next year. It's Anthem BCBS and I have a tiny idea of what they might require should I seek a revision, so the PSMF will definitely count as a monitored diet plan should I need one.

You  know, one day I am all for a revision to an RNY and the next I just don't know. I have gotten so much help and information from here-but I am still unsure what to do with myself.

I guess the best step for me is to keep learning on my own about revisions and wait for the counseling from the bariatrics department to help me make the right choice for me. As soon as I have a better idea of what kind of coverage I will have, I will also make a psych appointment. Obviously I nee some serious head shrinking! (and butt, and tummy...) :)

Thanks for all the help I have gotten from everyone. I truly appreciate it. I have felt very defeated by this situation, but finally, I feel like I might be getting some control back.

 What kind of revision could you get from vsg?

The most obvious choice is the Duodenal Switch. However, I have been seriously considering going to an RNY.

I have tried to get more information about the DS, but the shrews on that board are ridiculous.

 the DS is not only the most obvious choice, it is the best one - please please PLEASE don't base a decision about surgery on what you think about other people. 

What was your starting weight? I got the VSG just in case I did not loose enough I could get the revision to the RNY, even if I had to do a self pay :-)

Can you share why you want the revision? I am curious.

I am 5'2" and I started at 330lbs. I lost about 15lbs on the pre-op diet.

I did well for the first 6 months and dropped about 80 total. I have been struggling with increased hunger and weight gain for the last 2+ years. I am nearing my pre-op weight and just miserable.

I self-payed and went to Mexico. I would recommend Dr. Alvarez to anyone who has to self-pay the VSG. However, I have had no health insurance to speak of since the surgery and have relied on patient assistance through the Cleveland Clinic.

Though he is absolutely wonderful, with Dr. Alvarez there was no follow-up care, ancillary services (nutritionists, support groups...etc) or direction. I knew that going into surgery with him, but I didn't think those things would affect me as negatively as they did. I am just one of those people who needs hand holding during this and instead I was left floundering and figuring it all out on my own.

No one has ever checked on my stomach since surgery and I have no idea what is going on internally. My first goal is to get that looked at and have a determination made as to the size/shape/capacity of my sleeve. I have always blamed myself for this failure.

I have a sister who had RNY 18 mths ago and is doing great. She also goes to the Cleveland Clinic and it is my preferred hospital since all of my specialists are there. (I have severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis)

I want (I think) to revise so that I can get to a healthy weight. I am able to eat waaaay too much food and I am often hungry. Like every 2 hours.

This has been a really tough journey and hard to admit that I failed on the VSG. At this time, I don't know if I failed the surgery, or it failed me-or a combination of both.

 Wow...I am hoping things work out for you...just curious you must of had appetite and stomach restriciton the first 6 months...so does the sleeve stretch out ? I was not sure this happens. How frustrating.

I can't speak for the original poster but  in a ways the sleeve once the swelling goes down "relaxes" more then stretches and about 2 years out from MY experiences whatever your capacity is it'll remain UNLESS you are an habitually over eater and are constantly binging.  My sleeve was about about 8oz at 2  years and it has remained that way since.  My capacity depending on MY CHOICE of food and tha'ts REAL food is about 6-10 oz.  Crap I can eat WAYYYY to much of that and it's a struggle I have daily because I STILL want to eat craptastic food =(

Ms Shell

after being through a 20+ lb regain i can relate to some of what you have been going through and i really do feel your pain...

I think if it was to hit me again id be looking at every possiblity of ds,  have you considered writing to some of the ds revision surgeons? and getting their feeling on how the ds would help you after having had the vsg or whether they think that the rny would be a better choice...

they maybe able to put you intouch with patients that have been revised so you can talk to them personally..