Need Revision....Realize Band to RNY or Sleeve????

knailnhair
on 5/18/11 2:24 am - Milford, NJ
Just saw my doctor this morning and long story short I need a revision...my band isn't working for me anymore. Yes, I'm sad, but this is life. My doc is suggesting RNY based on my numbers and eating habits and long term results.

Has anyone gone from band to either rny or sleeve??? Can you share your experience?

Kimi
Everything happens for a reason..Just believe...



(deactivated member)
on 5/18/11 9:48 am
There is also an option of revising to the duodenal switch. www.dsfacts.com

I would steer clear of RNY. You don't want your stomach bypassed.
terilynn112
on 5/18/11 11:25 am - maryland, NY
Kimi,

I love my band to RNY revision. In 4 short months I've lost more than 30 inches (all over), and 65 pounds. It's been so nice to eat and not have the problems I've had with my band. I'd do it every day over and over. I love my RNY

teri

Teri
Lapbanded 9-16-08 revision from Lapband to RNY on January 11, 2011
HW 273/ 1st surgery 243/Lapband removed 260/ Current 172/ Goal weight 169

                           

Holly O.
on 5/21/11 7:32 am - FL
Hi Terri, 

Glad your doing well.  I see my surgeon onMonday about myrevision from the band to the RNY.  Looking forward to it.........this band is way to fickle for me!!  Not losing weight to boot.........after 5 years I have had enough!!  -Holly
   Holly                                      
USAF Wife
on 5/18/11 10:10 pm
I revised from the band to VSG almost 2 years ago. Seriously, BEST thing ever. No pouch(which apparently my body doesn't like), no malabsorption, no physical hunger (still at almost 2 years out), small, satisfying portions, normal vitamin/supplement regimens.

RNY was never an option for me for many reasons, and I've copied/pasted an old reply for my reasons for choosing VSG over RNY for my revision. I really looked at long term, what I was willing to live with, and what I wasn't willing to compromise on. I lost 138lbs and maintained that loss for almost a year until the pregnancy (I'm 16 weeks pregnant today), and have gained a whopping 8lbs. My body and Sprout are both thriving in the pregnancy. I'll apologize for the extensive reply, but this is everything I considered when researching revisions.

This is my standard reply when this question pops up every couple of days. I won't try to sway anyone one way or another, but I'll give you my reasons for choosing VSG over RNY for my revision from the band. You can also check out the revision, failure, and food issue forums on here to get an idea of some long term RNY patients. For me, it was never an option. The cons outweighed the pros.

The VSG was my 2nd, and final WLS. I could have easily had RNY, but I fought to have VSG as my revision from the band. Some factors I considered in deciding on VSG. The pouch that RNY offers is similar to the pouch with the band. Least to say, a pouch sucks, I love having a normal tummy, just less capacity and still fully functioning.

1) No blind stomach left behind that can be difficult to scope yet can still get ulcers and cancer.

2) 2 years max on calorie/carb/sugar malabsorption, but a lifetime of vitamin/nutrient malabsorption. This process is called adaptation, and it happens with intestinal bypass surgeries. After adaptation, I would have to rely on restriction with a pouch and stoma. I figured "let's just go restrictive only from the beginning, and not worry about the other complications that come with RNY"

3) I had a pouch with the band, and it sucked. I'm pretty fond of my pyloric valve and the sleeve let me keep it. I love having a normal functioning stomach, just smaller in capacity.

4) Regain stats and #of RNY patients seeking revision truly scared the poop out of me. . . Look around on this board here at the number of RNY patients looking for revisions because of weight regain, or issues with their pouch/stoma

5) I have too many friends in real life that struggle with vitamin deficiencies post-RNY, and most of them either never got to goal, or have gained back a significant amount of their weight.

6) The long term complications with RNY were too numerous for my comfort level. Pouch or stoma dilation, strictures, vitamin/nutrient deficiencies, ulcers,

7) I researched gastrectomies that had been performed for stomach cancer and ulcer patients, and found comfort in the long term results and minimal complications of patients that had lost most or all of their stomachs had dealt with over several years.

8) I was a volume eater, and knew a restrictive only procedure would work for me. That was my thought process when I got the band, and I thought I could beat the odds on complications. Sadly, the band only lasted 8 months before I had to revise.

9) I did not want to have food or medication restrictions. I chose WLS to have a "normal" life, and I think it's normal to eat a couple of cookies. With RNY, I wasn't willing to go through the possibility of dumping if I wanted to have a couple of cookies, or a slice of cake on occasion. The big scare for me is medication restrictions for life. NSAIDS and steroids are a NO GO for life with a RNY pouch. I realize that I may never be diagnosed with a condition or disease that requires steroid use, but it is possible. I want the best long term results with the least amount of complications. Malabsorption is not anything to play with in my mind, and I was not willing to take that risk.

I lost all my weight in my ticker with the exception of 7lbs with the sleeve, and I did it in 10.5 months. The 115lbs fell off the first 6.5 months, and then the rest I lost as I was getting into maintenance over another 4 months.. It's been a fabulous journey, and I'm easily maintaining with zero issues for nearly a year at this point. I want to add that every WLS regardless of your choice will require discipline. Only a percentage of RNY patients dump on sugar/fat, pouches and stomas stretch, then you have the medication restrictions. I'm not trying to convince you, but these were my concerns when I knew I had to revise from the band. I started at 263 the day of my revision and today I weigh 127lbs. I bounce on the scale 125-130lbs any given week, and I couldn't be more ecstatic!

Best wishes in your research!
Band to VSG revision: June 3, 2009
SW 270lbs GW 150lbs CW Losing Pregancy Weight Maintenance goal W 125-130lbs


knailnhair
on 5/18/11 11:13 pm - Milford, NJ
Ladies, thank you so much for your replies and information!!! I wish you both the best of luck!!!!

Kimi
Everything happens for a reason..Just believe...



Frankie
on 5/20/11 4:51 am - NY
You will get great advice from people here.  I had RNY 7 yrs ago and did fine until 2008.  I am now seeking a revision to DS.  Do you research we can tell you our opinions but ultimately you have to decided what is best for you.  Best of luck in your WLS journey.

Fran
                    
Band to DS
on 5/20/11 2:13 pm, edited 2/4/12 3:15 am

Unfortunately, I had to delete this post due to privacy concerns.

Got a lap band in 2008. Tried hard, but didn't lose much weight & developed swallowing problems. Fought my insurance company for almost a year & finally had a band to DS revision on 5/11/12. Have now lost 125 pounds. Yay!

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