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I had VSG on 11/30/2012 and have kept off about 110# in the 6.75 years since then. I am ~ 25# overweight but right about at goal, 5'11" (male), 195#, 34" waist, very fit and active, etc. I was down to 175# when I ran marathons but have had a few hip issues that are now resolved and had a minor regain. I actually really like how I look / feel at this weight as I looked a lot older at the lower end.
I'm pretty happy with my weight loss. But since about 2 weeks out I've had ridiculously bad GERD. I get an annual endoscopy (familial cancer syndrome) and ever since VSG, I have had erosions show up from the reflux. This last time it was diagnosed as Barrett's Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous syndrome.
I cannot control it fully with meds. I either take 5-6 PPI (200-240mg esomeprazole magnesium) or 6-8 extra strength Zantact (900-1200mg ranitidine). These are of course way above the recommended limits and in the case of the PPI there are long-term risks associated with it.
The bariatric surgeon (University of Wisconsin) has recommended I convert to RNY and after the Barrett's Esophagus diagnosis, my PCP and the genetic cancer team both strongly recommended it as well. So I'm going to do it despite not really wanting to. I have been approved by my insurer and have an early November surgery date.
I have several concerns, most notably that I don't really have more than 25# to lose or I drop in the < 18 BMI range and I don't want to be there. The surgeon says he will make a larger pouch and a smaller bypass portion but it's still there and I work out all the time so I already know I will lose more than I want in the beginning. I guess I have a bunch of questions. Feel free to answer any and all if you've had this type of revision:
1. How long did you take off work? I'm told 2 weeks. I usually work from home at a computer. Was there much pain?
2. How long before you could work out again?
3. Did you lose more weight than you wanted?
4. Did it resolve your acid reflux (if that was the reason)?
5. Were you able to enjoy good food at special meals (holidays, etc.) with RNY? I'm terrified of losing ability to have a nice meal with family.
6. Are bowel movements normal at some point?
7. Could you drink alcohol again? I'm fine going months without but at some point would like to enjoy a glass of champagne again. I can't right now as carbonation is brutal.
I'm just reluctant even though I know I have to do this. Any re-assurances would be helpful.
Yahoooo on the Gerd part!
Hopefully things will resolve soon. I too have issues with the artificial sweeteners.
I have been doing lemon,cucumber and ginger waters.Refreshing. Wishing you the best.Thank you for your reply.
I'm doing pretty well! I'm down 25lb, which is good progress. Still having a little bit of trouble with food-- I keep getting food stuck and having to throw it up, which is pretty miserable. And I'm struggling a bit with getting enough water in, I'm super sick of artificial sweetener. But at least the GERD is completely resolved, which is the best part :)
Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!
Good morning.
Wondering how are you doing post op?Hoping all is well with you.
Currently I'm doing my pre-op fast.Surgery in two weeks. Hope you are doing great!
I had my original gastric bypass in 2007. I lost 90 pounds and began experiencing a lot of pain and couldn't lose and started to GAIN weight. I was approved and had a bypass revision in 2012 with a hernia repair. Since then I went on to lose 176 pounds and felt SOOOO good! I became sexually active for the first time in my life and decided to go on birth control and has MAJORLY messed me. I had gotten down to 181 and had steadily been losing. More slowly, but losing and maintaining and lower number all the time. After coming off the birth control, I have had a NEVER ENDING hunger and I'm back up to an astonishing 213 sounds. I have not felt this low in YEARS and I'm really really struggling emotionally. Has anybody ever heard of someone getting a SECOND REVISION? I'm seriously considering it but I don't know if it's even possible. Let me know what you all know/have heard/have experienced. I'm so downhearted right now and really emotionally distraught that I did SO MUCH WORK only to take something that was advised by my doctor (I also have PMDD) that has wreaked so much havoc on my body and has put me through all of the emotional pain I once suffered as result of the humiliation I felt by being so big before. I really need some kind of solution. Can any of y'all help? Lemme know anything you might know about this. Thank you!!!!!!
Erin b
Thanks!
Connie B / Irving TX 
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Connie B / Irving TX Card made by Jazelle
Yes, he said he may have to "rebuild" everything and even take out part of my intestines to do it. Time will tell. Since the food was just going into my intestines, parts of them are stretched because they were holding undigested food. Considering I was a "vegan" for years and ate mainly raw....that means a lot of raw veggies have been stretching out my intestines. Fortunately they are all FIBER so they pass through. Now when he redoes everything I can't be Raw vegan or even vegan anymore. He said I have to eat what he says to eat if I want success and I'm willing to do it. I can't take the "moral" high ground here. LOL I can figure out other ways to save animals. I need my "health" above all. He's been retraining my digestive tract the past month with special diets and including LOTS of protein. I've had to slowly reintroduce meat, which would make me gain weight but he isn't allowing me hardly any carbs or fat. He's had me on a diet of 70+ grams of protein, 30 grams or less carbs and 10 grams or less fat. (daily) It figures out to about 600 calories a day, but I've been doing it. I'm down almost 10 pounds just from the diet change and to me that is amazing because I have been on WW (weigh****chers) for years and unable to lose. But I was happy with maintaining, because I was NOT going back up...no way no how. It's just going to be nice now to "eat and get full" because I haven't felt that in about 10 -12 years.
Wow I missed that about your stoma being actually gone but it makes absolute sense given what you're dealing with. Will he attempt to make some type of new one when he's in there taking care of everything else?
and FWIW, I believe you. That you didn't push any food boundaries or cause your own issues. It's really great that you didn't put all of the weight back on and I bet you'll have an easier time and lose more weight than much of the revision patients we see here.
The majority of the time we see enlarged/stretched stomas in here it's due to operator error. Pushing the limits of the rules, or flat out ignoring the instructions for pouch care, etc. You happen to be the exception it sounds like, but that may be why some of the posters brought up examples of stoma stretching behaviors.
Good luck for a successful surgery.
He's basically said I don't even have a stoma anymore. He said it's very common for the stoma to stretch but mine is gone. It's all just one long tube. It was not from my poor choices though. I have always adhered to the "rules" which is why after 19 years I have not gained all the weight back. He said I am the "exception" not the rule. He's very impressed at how I have kept the weight off and my determination. That is why he's willing to do this surgery on me. He said that someone who had just "eaten" because they could would have gained the weight then some. I've stayed on a diet, exercised and remained healthy. No I didn't stay down to the lowest, but I didn't get back up over 300 or anywhere near it.
He changed my surgery date from the 6th to the 5th. I'm getting super excited. I can't wait to be out of "this" pain. I know I have a long recovery ahead, as he said it will probably have to be done "open" but I'm ready. I'm not going to waste this gift.
