Considering Revision Surgery

Hi Folks, I am on a sleeve forum. To make a long story short, I had been a bandster many, many, years ago. After 10 yrs. of multiple complications I converted to the sleeve. 

Before any of my WLS I was at most 225lbs. with a 5' 4" frame. Be that as it may, I haven't weighed that much in years as my bariatric surgeon converted me to sleeve straight from the band. After sleeving I went down to 140 lbs. About 6-9 months out I hovered around 150-155 lbs. I was sleeved in 2010. I was able to hold that weight until last year. Since last Spring I have been steadily gaining. I currently hover around 165-170lbs. and am not pleased as my clothes are getting tight. Up until last year I was able to eat in small quantities with satisfaction. Now that no longer seems to be the case. I don't think I'll balloon back up, but I wish I was back down again.

I discussed it at length on my sleeve forum and they suggested I go back to liquids, then soft foods, to see if I can take off the weight. I do have restriction, however not as it was. After surgery, my doctor did mention that a few years out after surgery, some sleevers do start to regain as the stomach heals and many times will go in for revision surgery. I am reading up on it. Apparently sleeving doesn't keep the weight off permanently. I did read that the DS procedure does. So I would like those who have converted from sleeve to DS to give me some feedback. I'm not morbidly obese, I guess I would be considered a "skinny-fat gal". Has anyone in my shoes converted. If so, tell me about your experience. I have heard I could either be re-sleeved or convert to DS. I had my surgery in Mexico and probably would go back there for revision. 

I wouldn't take the conversion lightly and would think it over carefully doing more research and taking my time. I believe sleeving is 1/2 the DS procedure and I would only have to go in for the 2nd half of the procedure. Also, I would like to know does everyone get loose bowels and smelly stools. Has any sleever converted with minimal side effects. I had terrible dizzy spells for about a year after surgery, due to low blood sugar but now that experience is practically nonexistant. I look forward to hearing any replies.

I am in the process of re-sleeve and DS, after regaining 40 lbs in 2 yrs. Without the increased malabsorption, higher even than GBS, it is impossible for my metabolism to maintain the loss, according to my GP. I am up and almost all my new clothes are too tight. It feels like dying al little, even though I know that weight will come right off. I hope following DS I will be as convinced, as I am now, that it is THE answer for me...

Yep, I got switched but didn't get re-sleeved.  If you can get re-sleeved then that's definitely worth considering although my surgeon thought my stomach was fine when he got in there.  I did get dizzy post DS and things resolved for me when I started having Dioralyte which is a brand of hydration salts available in the UK.  I think something like Powerade Zero should do the trick too.

I did have loose stools early out although I've been dealing with constipation recently (I'm nearly 18 months out).  I've not had any 'accidents' post DS but I have had nights where I've eaten badly and ended up making numerous trips to the bathroom.  My stools never smelled of roses and yes they are a little worse now, but honestly that's what jos sticks and Febreze are for.

If you're heading to Mexico then the only options I'd consider would be either Dr Ungson in Hermosillo or Dr Ungson with Dr Aceves in Mexicali.

If you go ahead with the DS then you need to commit to having more than 100g a day (OK, 30g by 30 days out, 60g by 60 days out and 90g by 90 days) and taking your vitamins.  I highly recommend starting off with the Vitalady pre-packaged vitamins with extra vitamin K2 which she sells but doesn't include in the packs.

I'm glad I did this and haven't looked back, although a re-sleeve may have helped me get lower in the healthy range as I'm at the top end.

How is DR. Aceves? He seems to do a lot of WL revision surgeries?

I've not had him as a surgeon, but he has a good reputation when it comes to doing sleeves.

I'm a virgin D.S.er. I've read about lots of band and sleeves who have continued on with the rest of the D.S. malabsorbtion part of the D.S. with successful loss and maintaining. My surgeon said it is easier to lose as a virgin D.S.er because the body figures out ways to hold on to the weight. You will have to use the D.S. as a tool to help you reach your goal and maintain, with lots of protein and few carbs for a while.  I have had no trouble maintaining within 4 lbs either side of 120 for 18 months now. The amount of fat you eat will determine the speed at which you" may "have to run to the bathroom. I am hypothyroid, tend to be constipated always, having daily fiber and prunes to function normally. An over abundance of carbs do loosen things up a bit, and fruit and veggies too. Everyone is different, we have all tried to find our "normal", and gas is relative to what we eat too. I am in total control by my food choices. More protein, less gas and racing to the restroom. I never dump, or throw up like some of the other surgeries. I think the total D.S. is the way to go. I'm glad I had it from the start. I was able to enjoy all the holiday foods, gaining 2 lbs, which will disappear on their own when I return to a more carb limiting life. Gluten free diet helps a lot with weight loss, gas, and fast trips to the powder room. I feel its very easy to maintain my weight goal I set for myself. My surgeon never set any goal for me.  My internist said I am the healthiest I have ever been in my life. P.M. me with any questions, happy to help.

Thanks for responding to me folks. Especially you gals. I was questioning this surgery on different forums. On my sleeve forum many were against me going for the second surgery. I do believe many sleever's convert and just don't advertise it. I want to make sure I make the right decision. This holiday I am weighing in at 170lb. I don't want to be a stick, but I'd be happy weighing between 135-150lbs. I like the sleeve better than the band but many of the sleever's are telling me to diet back down. Easier said than done. Did you gals get sick for many months after surgery? Some folks on another WLS forum were telling me as long as I weigh under 200lb. I should be content and as a lightweight I shouldn't be so vain, looking to get slim, whereas, the DS is reserved for the morbidly obese. 

I do know for several months after my surgery I doubled up on my multiple vitamins as it made me feel a lot better. However, now I only take them once a day as I don't get as sick anymore. I do know if I convert to the switch I'll be taking a lot of more vitamins. Did you gals have a point were you started feeling a lot better? How long did it take you to recover. I breezed through the sleeve surgery, with minimal side effects and was up on my feet in no time. I was out shopping 2-3 days post surgery. 

On another forum, some of the DS folks are really sick and weak. Do you think I would be okay with the 2nd surgery? I was sleeved by Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico. He was one of the early pioneer's of the banding procedure. He is well-known and respected on a lot of forums and he charges more for the sleeve than the other Mexican doctor's do because he has more experience.  He did both my band when I was 40 and my sleeve at 50. I have to chat with him and see what he thinks of the 2nd conversion. He does the gastric bypass RNY but I don't know if he does the DS switch. 

Do you gals eat anything you want? I don't like the diet mentality of the sleeve. With the band, I never counted calories. I converted because the band was giving me a lot of trouble. Does the switch keep you perpetually slim? I like your forum the best. Will hang around and learn and ask more questions till I get more knowledgeable.  

Lorna

Hi Lorna,

The D.S. is not just reserved for the morbidly obese. Check out the OH Lightweight Forum. Insurance Co's have minimum weight and months of dieting before covering the D.S. Its a very expensive surgery for the insurance co. My D.S.Insurance  covered  light weights with comorbidities.I had painful hip and knee arthritis preventing walking and exercising, all pain gone now. My surgery was fully covered. BCBS of Mi would cover one weight loss surgery in a lifetime. I chose the one with the biggest guns to preserve the pylorus, and maintain the weight loss for health reasons. I have never counted one calorie, eat what I want, as long as I eat the protein I need daily first. During my losing phase I was eating along the lines of the Atkins diet food list, but heavier on protein like their induction weeks. Now maintaining, still having at least 100g protein in a shake form because I like shakes, and protein fruit drinks, and all the foods I like. I can eat everything. The system is short, food is not all absorbed. I don't have room in my sleeved stomach for large portions. I don't feel deprived with the D.S. or feel like I am on a diet counting calories. I don't see on any forum the real foods people are eating. What would you like to eat with a sleeve, and still maintain your weight?

I have not heard of D.S'ers being weak, or stick weight. I'm 59, can out lift my husband, out work him, for hours. I have been on many forums for years, reading about D.S.er's experiences, and their ways of living happily with this surgery, a life changing experience for them. The amount of vitamins necessary are determined by your labs. I personally have not needed the amounts I read some D.S.ers say they take. My labs are continually in super shape, monitored by my bariatric surgeons group and my internist.

The D.S. is not done by every WL surgeon, they push their other surgeries. More care on the patients part is necessary for good health with the D.S. Some people are just not capable of maintaining this level of expertise for life. Protein, vitamins, exercise and keeping up with Dr check-ups  are all necessary for keeping healthy, with WLS or not. I have noticed when people shop for WL surgeries, some surgeons diss the D.S. making up unpleasant long lasting issues to guide them into the surgeries they can perform. The sleeve takes less time, and less expertise than the D.S. The on line, and in person support groups are the best help you need to be successful with any of the WLS. Research is necessary before choosing any of them.

Recovery from the D.S. as a second stage is no more involved than any laparoscopic abdominal surgery. My Virgin D.S. recovery was just the same as recovering from my gallbladder, or hiatal Hernia surgery recovery. My surgeries have been laparoscopic, less pain, less recovery time. Internal surgical healing takes 5-6 weeks. Most people report feeling good at the 5 week point. Liquid/soft foods are required during recovery just like the sleeve surgery. Anesthesia takes a bit of time to recover from with all surgeries. In about a week I was taking extra strength Tylenol for pain exclusively.

Sandra, What vitamins do you take after surgery? Can you give me a sample schedule. Include vitamin strengths. Also how often do you go for labs? For example once a year? Twice a year? Also what lab tests are required?

Thanks,

Lorna