1. I have bcbs of Illinois and was denied 2 times they didn't consider GERD as a medical criteria so i now am going back for a second sleep study and going to try again with sleep apnea, high blood pressure and knee and feet issues that have been limiting me due to the weight. Hopefully they will approve me tis time. Also I'm going back to my surgeon and getting back on track.

I recently converted from VSG to RNY due to GERD, about a month ago.

1. I was off work for 2 weeks, but ended up calling out 3 days in my first week back because I was exhausted and feeling generally miserable. The pain was only bad for the first week, I took a little Tylenol during week 2 but it was much better by that point.
   
   
2. I was cleared to do walking, nothing strenuous, right as soon as I got home, though honestly I didn't have the energy to do much. 20 minutes on the exercise bike and I was ready to pass out. At 4 weeks out I was cleared for "everything," I did a 45 minute bike ride this weekend and it was kind of miserable but i pulled it off.
   
   
3. Can't speak to this as I'm currently working to lose weight (regained some after VSG). However, you should be able to prevent yourself from losing too much weight as long as you keep your calories at the maintenance level-- totally possible after RNY.
   
   
4. My GERD is completely resolved. I'm still on Prilosec for 6 months as a precaution, but I haven't had any acid trouble since the day I cam home from the hospital.
   
   
5. Your eating habits will honestly not be that much more different from after VSG, with the exception of the (possible) exclusion of refined sugar. So you can definitely do a fancy meal.
   
   
6. I don't know how to define "normal," but I'm not dealing with constipation or diaherrea right now. Stool quality is a little different because of the malabsorption, but it hasn't caused any trouble.
   
   
7. Alcohol is generally best avoided after ANY surgery. Transfer addiction is a dangerous possibility, plus the alcohol will hit you harder after having your digestive system altered. The empty calories don't help, either.

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.

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 :)

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