Need Revision Which to Choose

I had a VBG in 1995 since then have gained 100pds back, though I am not 300 anymore I am now again 100 pds over wt at 5ft 3 and 235.  I have severe gastric reflux so bad that my throat burns in the mornings and my voice is starting to go hoarse in the mornings and deepen a little.  The enamal is wearing off my teeth and I have had to have a lot of dental treatment.  I cant eat very many meats or raw veggies.  I need a revision but don't know which one to do.  I  have a girl at work that had the RNY but she has lost a lot of hair.  I lost a small amount of hair after my VBG and cant afford to lose more and the most disturbing thing is she has really bad smelling bowel movemnts so bad sometimes she smells the hallways up at work and it is not just smelly it is nauseating.  I don't want either of those.  I just want to stop the reflux and stop the return of all the co morbidities that are slowly returning.  After my VBG I have gas but not that bad odor wise and am always constipated as well.  If anyone or any doctors can shed some light.

I to had a VBG in 1985. The VBG is a 95 per cent fail rate. I had a revision to a RNYand have no regrets. I dont think the lapband will help you. I think they can only do the RNY. Call Dr Richard Tillquist he did mine. He is my life saver. I lost 110 pounds with the VBG and gained back all of it and some. MY highest weight ever was 285 now I am at 130 and living life.  I do have some gas and I did loose some hair but it all grew back. I got rid of my diabetes and living a normal and happy life. I am 5 yers out. it can be done. Carla klein

where is this doctor located and did you have trouble with the insurance

My Dr is Dr Richard Tillquist and he is in Englewood Colorado. I didnt have any problems with the insurance paying for the revision. I had pacificare at the time. Now I have BCBS. Dr Tillquist is on 601 Hampden Ave. Englewood. Carla Klein

My Dr is Dr richard tillquist and he is located in Englewood Colorado. No I didnt have any trouble with the insurance. I had pacificare at the time and they approved me within 24 hours of submitting the paperwork. Now I Federal BCBS and I think that is another story. I do go for follow ups and they do pay without a question though. cArla

Hey Carla    Did your insurance pay for the RNY and was that the only revision they would allow or did you pick it

Samantha T, yes my insurance paid for the RNY no questions asked!!!!!! It was the only surgery they would do as lap band wasnt available 5 years ago. I wouldnt do the lap band anyway. To many complications could go wrong with it. Like slippage, the port getting lost ect.

Hi, Sweetie; I recently had a revision from a lap-band to a simplified gastric bypass. It is the same surgery as the "Mini-gastric Bypass" you can read about on www.clos.net, but Dr. R. has a patent on the name. I have a banana-shaped pouch, and only one attachment, rather than two. I have a great surgeon down in Canon City if you'd like to know more. Warmly, Nancy

any problems like hairloss and  very smelly bowel movemnts and what was your weight loss

Well, so far I am 6 weeks out and have had a rapid recovery, feeling great! My doc had me progress fairly quickly thru liquids and soft foods, and right now I'm on a more-or-less regular diet. I've lost 20 lbs, which is a little slow, but steady ~ and I was something of a lightweight to start with; I began my journey at 217 lbs. This was after losing 45 lbs with the lap-band after three+ years. I really struggled with my band, wound up in ER several times due to swelling resulting in blockages (couldn't even keep fluid down). I had a hard time eating anything healthy with my band, so I turned to things that would go through easily; and boy, those Starbucks Frappaccinos would slide right on down!! My doc recommended the simplified bypass because of my food history ("Hello, my name is Nancy, and I'm a sugar addict..."). No hairloss yet, no smelly BM's (Thank you Lord!). I have a ridiculously thick head of hair, so if I lose some, it will be a small price to pay. I feel normal for the first time in years. Again, take a look at the clos.net site for more info on how the surgery works, and many patient's experience with it. HTH, Nancy