Hi Ziggy,

I am almost 4 weeks after my revision surgery. It was a revision from Lap-Band placed in 2009; everything was fine at the beginning, however after 5 years I started having a horrible reflux and since I had to eat soft creamy stuff to alleviate the acidity I started gaining weight; the reflux was progressively increasing to the point I had too sleep on a sitting position for almost a year.

I finally went to another surgeon, since the previous did not accepted my insurance anymore. My surgeon recommended to remove the band and going for gastric by pass instead of sleeve, since one of the complications of the sleeve is also reflux. My GI doctor agreed with that.

I had the Lap-Band removed and the gastric by pass done on the same day and my surgeon said the band and the stitches were very hard to remove, but still with patience it was done.

It is not true anymore that you have to get the band removed and wait 4-6 weeks for the other surgery to be done. That may be decided at the time of the surgery, on a case by case basis. It was a possibility in my case, but my surgeon told me that if was possible and safe to complete the removal and the conversion at the same time, she will do it.

I am doing great after my surgery; the process is the same you learned the time you went for the band. Eating and exercising properly. It is your second chance and you already know the surgery is 50% of the process, the rest is on you.

A nurse I meet at the hospital had the same experience as you; her band removed and for months she went without it and of course she gained weight; it is just physics since you do not have the restraint anymore and we, people who needed bariatric surgery are not like others people who don't have problems with weight and food addictions. Now this nurse is doing great with a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Go back to your surgeon to complete your revision; o change surgeons if you think it is a better option.

The best of luck

hello all, had my surgery 19 years ago. Gained 40 pounds, really wanting a revision, mostly due to gerds, really cant eat anything without throwing up. I lost 225 pounds, current weight 240. After 19 years, need to do something, also have another hernia. Will see, wish me luck

So your revision was about two weeks ago? And you just started having the reflux although you'd had cyclic vomiting prior to the revision? Is the vomiting gone now?

I'd be calling my surgeon right now if you haven't already. Sometimes strictures and such come up early post op and basically nothing gets through your system the right way. The reflux feeling may not even be true reflux. Frankly reflux is pretty rare in bypass patients. But you've had the vomiting history so who knows at this point. A medical professional needs to do some testing.

(You might also go back and figure out when you ate last before you're woken up at 2:30am. Are you a late night eater? That can affect reflux like tendencies. And it's a question your doc is likely to ask anyway.)

IF your surgeon is the one that's ignoring you find another one ASAP. You need to figure out what's going on in there. Two weeks out from any abdominal surgery with your symptoms is a red flag. Find someone who will pay attention and don't be quieted until you've found an answer.

Good luck. If you think about it come back and let us know what happened. We can all learn from these posts.

That is correct liquid diet 47 days the. Purée 14 days then start introducing foods. This is how my Dr's work I am not sore of this is the norm but in addition to the stitches they cordarize the tissue to be sore scar tissue is created to keep the stitches in place so needs a good long time to heal properly.

msromagnola, I had the procedure this past Thursday, mild sore throat is really the only physical discomfort related to the procedure. Diet prior to the overstitch was not changed, I had to stop eating and drinking midnight the night before (no prep). The post diet is rough, I will not lie- day one is nothing by mouth, day 2 is clear liquids only at a goal rate of 2oz per hour. Day 3-47! Liquid diet consisting of non caloric drinks and protein shakes with goal of 60-70 gm of protein daily. Drinking no more than 8oz per hour. After day 47 it progresses to a purée diet for 2 weeks then slowly progress to normal diet of course going back to all the basics of post RNY diet. I am trying to stay focused on swing it as a jump start and allowing the stitches to heal and form the scar tissue necessary to keep everything tightened up. There is no physical hunger but the head hunger is the battle. Hope this is helpful.