I had reflux issues prior to my surgery so it was advised that if I went the sleeve route (with was pretty early on) it would potentially get worse, so I went with the RNY. I have heartburn every now and then but it's usually because I ate something RIGHT before bed that was acidic or took meds without enough water. All manageable and usually with Tums. Bypass means that you have some rules to follow (sugars, carbs, fats) otherwise consuming too much of something may make you sick. Everything is manageable, though.

Best of luck!

I have had several friends (unfortunately, not on OH) who have had a revision from VSG to Bypass for that reason and all are pretty happy with the end result.

I'm a rule follower. If you follow the rules of not drinking with meals, eating protein first and then veggies if you have room, limiting carby foods like bread, pasta, sugary food, potatoes. etc. you will succeed. I also drink a minimum of 120 ounces of fluid daily.

I am in the same boat...RNY in 2004...great success with 170 loss and now over 100 regain 16 years later. My new job/insurance won't pay for anything to do with Gastric Bypass so I will have to go the cash route...which is NOT doable. Dying inside because of the shame of the regain.

Good luck with your revision and praying you get the approval.

With my original VBG I lost 105 pounds. Then I gained back about 50 pounds. After my revision I lost 90 pounds and got to 15 pounds below my goal weight. I went from an original weight of 275 down to 142 after my revision. I am ten years out from my revision and my weight today is 162. I would like to get back down to 150.

The sleeve creates a high pressure system in your stomach just because of the way it is shaped (long and skinny) which forces the acid into the esophagus. RNY bypasses the lower part of the stomach, where cells that produce stomach acid are located, by cutting it away and rerouting intestines. The remnant stomach is left in place and the stomach acid continues move into the intestines to aid in digestion, but can not get to the esophagus to cause GERD. Sometimes a few cells are left in the new RNY pouch and people can get heartburn after RNY, but it usually can be controlled with diet.

I had an old VBG surgery and suffered for 25 years with GERD and was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus. I revised to RNY and woke up from surgery GERD free. That was ten years ago and the GERD has never returned. I do not even take medication for GERD any more!

Run...don't walk... to the nearest revision surgeon. Living a life with uncontrolled GERD is dangerous, as is living on GERD medication for the rest of your life.

The plus side...if you take things seriously and follow the RNY rules, you will lose the rest of your weight.