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Hi, I was sleeved in 2011. I lost 140,but regained 40. I'm still obese and considering revision. So as I've been reading up on revision and sleeve research that's happened since I was sleeved, I was shocked to find a JAMA article (November 2015 "Long-term Metabolic Effects of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy") and saw that nearly HALF of sleeve patients regain "significant" weight by 5 years post surgery. Excess weight loss is at 77% 1 year out, but drops to 56% 5 years out.
So this made me realize there must be a lot of sleeve patients like me that were "early adopters" and are now realizing the sleeve wasn't quite what we had hoped. There were no long-term studies back when I did my surgery. I'm still really really glad I did it. I've kept off 100 lbs, which is awesome. I'm very grateful.
I've been struggling with weight loss these past few years. I've been on back-on-track, HMR, and other commercial and medical diets. I've finally called my surgery to discuss revision options.
Is the gastric bypass the most common revision option for sleeve patients? I'm sure my sleeve has stretched a bit over the years, so perhaps re-sleeving will be sufficient? Is it possible to have too much scar tissue and not be able to have a revision? I've had a lot of surgeries... (gallbladder out, ovary out, thyroid out... just slowly removing parts, haha)
I want to study up and be ready with good questions when I see my surgeon in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for your input.
That is exactly what happened to me minus the throwing up and add in a severe case of GERD. My surgeon says the hernia fix is only temporary and we would be back in the same place 2-3 years later. We submitted the revision to both my insurances and they have both approved. Now, I am just waiting on a surgery date. I told my surgeon if I never lost another pound I wouldn't care as long as the GERD is corrected.
Good luck,
Heather
Kelly,
I have the same thoughts. Sometimes I'm sad because food was so enjoyable for me and everything revolves around it. Other times I worry that I'm not losing fast enough and yet I've lost 15# since the surgery. It really is an emotional rollercoaster. And I'm still in pain on the one side and exhausted but I'm going to push myself to walk because I know that will help both the healing and my mental state. Good luck to you. Talk soon!
Kimberly
on 8/23/18 5:23 am - Nanuet, NY
HI fwiw, No back when I had the VSG, there was no hernia and my stomach was straight.
Hi All, I had my sleeve done in 2012. Everything was fine except for my gaining back most of my weight until about 3 months ago. I started all of a sudden throwing up. No nausea, just throwing up. Because of this I went to Doctors and got a tons of tests done. It is now found out that I have an anatomical defeat that has resulted in a Hiatal hernia where my stomach is bent up and in my diaphragm. The Surgeon says in order to fix it she doesn't want to just fix the hernia, but she wants to convert me to a RNY. She says that just fixing the hernia, it will more then likely come back. And doing the RNY, it won't. I am going for a second opinion, but wanted to know if anyone else else experienced this? If so, what is your experience with it? I originally did not do the RNY because I could not wrap my head around rerouting my pipes so to speak.
I am trying to understand... was this anatomical defect present in 2012 when you had your sleeve done? If not, it might be that the reason your Dr wants to convert to RNY is that somehow your sleeve bent over the years leading to a change in pressure causing the hiatal hernia and that converting to bypass will change the pressure exerted internally, resolving the hernia recurring. If your stomach is bent, simply resolving the hernia won't do anything to help restore your nutrition and stop vomiting, if that makes sense. Your pipes are already rerouted if your stomach is bent. A bypass is likely the only way to restore flow. My (non surgical) 2 cents fwiw
Hi Kimberly,
I am struggling with the same thoughts. I sometimes can't believe that I've done this and even sometimes worry it won't work for me. UGH! Thankfully, I have a great support system.
I've also got a pulled muscle in my stomach from sneezing! It's a constant dull pain but, when I sneeze or cough, it's quite painful.
I hope your recovery continues to go well. Keep in touch!
Kelly
Have you asked your surgeon for an abdominal binder? It helped a lot! So much so I go back to work tomorrow!!! Hope you're healing nicely!
Hi. I'm doing okay. I've had a little bit of pain because I pulled something a few days ago. Had a little bit of a breakdown upset about how little I can eat. I usually only have maybe a protein drink or two and maybe about 4 oz of pureed Foods a day. I really can't get more than that in because I just can't seem to eat that much. There are some times that I feel hungry but at the same time nauseous so I don't really eat. I'm hoping to get walking soon cuz I know that will help. Hope you're doing well.
Kimberly
Hi. I'm doing okay. I've had a little bit of pain because I pulled something a few days ago. Had a little bit of a breakdown upset about how little I can eat. I usually only have maybe a protein drink or two and maybe about 4 oz of pureed Foods a day. I really can't get more than that in because I just can't seem to eat that much. There are some times that I feel hungry but at the same time nauseous so I don't really eat. I'm hoping to get walking soon cuz I know that will help. Hope you're doing well.
Kimberly
