Re: Needed-The Good, Bad and the Ugly on Revision Surgery

[Guest guest]

The recovery really isn't any different from banding.  The worst part is where your port was, that hurts like a buggar, at least mine did.I have horrific reflux but mine isn't from the sleeve, it's a leftover from my band.  Esophageal damage.

I love my sleeve, keeps me in check.  I have no sleeve complaints at all.On Sat, Jul 30, 2011 at 1:00 AM, articfever <articfever@...> wrote:

 

It has been a long time since I have posted anything on this board. First and foremost, I want to congratulation everyone on your wonderful success!! It is still so exciting to hear about how people's life has changed from being a bystander in so many enjoyable things in life to living life at it's fullest!Dr. Aceves, Dr, Compos, Yolanda and the rest of the team are angels to me!

I was banded in 2006 by Dr Aceves. I have had good success with my band by clinical standards and I resigned myself to live with the " finickness " of having my band, however it certainly has not been sunshine and roses as many of you bandsters know. Trust me, I went into this with my eyes wide open so I was willing to make sacrifices to achieve health and well being, but who what have thought that it would have compomised my life so much. Please hear me in balance, because I would rather have the band than not, however my bandster's life has not been easy.

At this time, I am planning on scheduling a revision to the sleeve. I have read all of the great benefits of the revision from the band however I would love to hear from you on some of the challenges w/ the sleeve w/ no sugar coating.Ther are many suffering with chronic reflux. I am already dealing with this with the band and I HATE it!! My hope is that the sleeve will resolve this. Ihear about weight gain at around the 2 year mark.Is there any evidencethat shows the sleeve is a long term solution?

I would hate to think that a 3rd surgery would eventually be needed!

I only say this because back when I was banded,there was very little negative feedback on this forum, howeverI now know that others were experiencing negative side effects. I really want to make a good decision as we all know that this effects our whole family finacially and emotionally.

I look forward to your candor and honesty.

[Guest guest]

I am 5 months out with a virgin sleeve, but not a revision, so my input is not helpful to you.

I would suggest going to OH and doing some reading. The "Lighweights Forum" has a few long term sleevers. They are very level headed and generous with their kind advice. I can remember some 3 to 4 year veteran sleevers at Light Weights. Hard to find anyone who has had it longer than that. This was my major issue about getting it but went ahead with it anyway. They can be found at:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/

Also I like the VSG Maintence group on OH. You can find them at:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/

YOu will find a lot of good results at these two blogs because these are folks who are working it and getting support. As you already know this is key.

YOu can also search on these sights to read old posts.

I think it's harder to find the negative's because these folks don't come to the blogs.

Goodluck in your research. If you go to a surgeon here in the states, I wonder how many revisions he or she has done? I would think it would be hard to find one who has done more revisions than Aceves. Just a thought.

K

[Guest guest]

I too have a lapband. I have hard alot of difficulties as well, but having said that, I am still glad I got it. I have very little fluid left in it now and life is pretty good. I still use willpower to make wise choices but the band reminds me not to overeat even healthy foods. Would I get a sleeve now if I had the money? Probably not, I think I have learned enough from the band, I would opt to have no more surgery. Seems they always find out the problems AFTER I get the procedure! But if you think you still need a tool, have removed the fluid from your band, and still are miserable, then I would opt for the sleeve too. I wish you all the luck in the world. Take care

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Well, I can tell you it has been almost 3 years since I have sleeve surgery. I NEVER plan on any more WLS--this is all I will ever need.. I have never had a lap band, but I do hear about all the problems and issues that you are talking about. I do have a little acid reflux, but nothing like you must be having. 1 Prilosec pill in the morning solves that problem. That is an easy fix for all the benefits that I get. At one point I did gain about 10 pounds, but figured out real QUICK how to get it off again. So this is a very easy way of life for me. I am NOT on a diet, I have a lifestyle change. We share a lot of meals with my husband if we go out to eat. When you go out to eat they give you way too much food to eat.

I never feel deprived when it comes to food. You can have a treat now and then, and small amount, just not every day. You do have to MAKE the choice to eat healthy--protein first, then some veggies, and a small amount of fruit--fresh if you can. Watch your carbs--no white refined carbs. No more than 20 carbs per day when you are trying to lose the weight.

You need to have some form of exercise. When it comes to exercise find something that you like and will do a regularly. I think you will love having the "sleeve" it is a tool--not a magical cure. It does require work and effort on your part.

If you have any questions about anything please feel free to send me an E-mail. I am more than happy to talk with you about all this stuff.

Hugs,

Suzanne

Sleeved 10/21/2008

Lost 105 pounds.

In a message dated 7/30/2011 8:18:01 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, articfever@... writes:

It has been a long time since I have posted anything on this board. First and foremost, I want to congratulation everyone on your wonderful success!! It is still so exciting to hear about how people's life has changed from being a bystander in so many enjoyable things in life to living life at it's fullest!Dr. Aceves, Dr, Compos, Yolanda and the rest of the team are angels to me!I was banded in 2006 by Dr Aceves. I have had good success with my band by clinical standards and I resigned myself to live with the "finickness" of having my band, however it certainly has not been sunshine and roses as many of you bandsters know. Trust me, I went into this with my eyes wide open so I was willing to make sacrifices to achieve health and well being, but who what have thought that it would have compomised my life so much. Please hear me in balance, because I would rather have the band than not, however my bandster's life has not been easy.At this time, I am planning on scheduling a revision to the sleeve. I have read all of the great benefits of the revision from the band however I would love to hear from you on some of the challenges w/ the sleeve w/ no sugar coating.Ther are many suffering with chronic reflux. I am already dealing with this with the band and I HATE it!! My hope is that the sleeve will resolve this. Ihear about weight gain at around the 2 year mark.Is there any evidencethat shows the sleeve is a long term solution?I would hate to think that a 3rd surgery would eventually be needed!I only say this because back when I was banded,there was very little negative feedback on this forum, howeverI now know that others were experiencing negative side effects. I really want to make a good decision as we all know that this effects our whole family finacially and emotionally.I look forward to your candor and honesty.

[Guest guest]

I have more reflux now than I did with the band BUT prilosec twice a day takes care of it! If I have caffeine or something really spicy I may still get some discomfort but then I lean on gaviscon and cut out the caffeine. I also have the head (only the head) of my bed on risers! When I had the revision to the sleeve they did tell me that if reflux is too much of a problem the only thing they could do is a bypass. I don't want a bypass and all its nutrition problems so I use prilosec twice a day (as Dr. Campos told me to do!) and drink decaf. I love my sleeve!!Gloria