6 months out from VSG. Had to convert the RNY

Hi guys,

I had sleeve  surgery on 10-5-15.

I have lost 72 lbs. Recently I went into see my sugeon because I was having some chest pain and a pain under my left ribs. He sent me for CT scan. It turned out the hiadial hernia that I had fixed during my sleeve surgery, appeared again. This time it was much worse. My sleeve creeped up through my diaphragm And half of it is sitting in my chest next to my esophagus. So we decided on surgery and I was admitted yesterday so he could correct it. Well once he got in there he realized that there was too many adhesions that were attaching it to my lung and heart! So to make a long story short, I had to revise my surgery to a bypass. It's done as of yesterday and I am scared about having to deal with all of this again. Has anyone had this revision and if so, can you share your experience? What was recovery like, differences between the two surgeries?

Thanks in advance,

Laura

Sorry you had to go through that. Especially when you seemed to be doing well with the sleeve. I didn't have a revision, but I can say I had 2 friends who had the sleeve after my RNY.... and there recovery didn't seem all that different, or their diets. I don't think you should be too surprised by anything.

Having to go through the food stages again stinks, but glad it got taken care of and you are on the road back to health.

My real life friend had the sleeve done in March of 2015.  She had issues with severe nausea and pain for months and finally after several procedures to try to fix it, they realized that the way that her stomach healed was causing it to flip on itself when she ate or drank anything.  She had revision to RNY on August 3rd (the day before I had my RNY).  She has lost a total of 135lbs and looks fantastic.  She adjusted well and is happy with her surgery now.

Things will be a little different, but overall it shouldn't be too much different from having the VSG.

Good luck and I hope that you heal up quickly.

Sorry that you had such a bad experience. I would have been terified! Glad that you are on the mend now.

Hey there!  I just had a similar revision this week.  Paraesophogeal hernia repair and a conversion to RNY because of worsening reflux (I knew this was a possibility when I had my sleeve more than three years ago).

So I understand completely.  Basically, if we'd wanted RNY, we would have had one to begin with!  So far, my recovery is going fine.  I had no problems post-op with the sleeve, and none with the RNY.  In my plan, you are on full liquids when you are released (which was Thursday, April 14).  No problem getting in my water or protein.  

I am still taking it pretty easy -- very short walks and I get tired fast, but no other issues.  Best of luck in your journey!

I deleted the other message because it posted twice!  Just wanted you to know!

Wow! I'm glad someone I know has has the same issue. I am having no problem getting liquids in. But I still have major chest pain and abdominal pain. They said it's because of the has left in me. And because the hernia was attached to my heart from the scar tissue. I am hoping the pain goes away soon! 

Glad to hear you are coming along!  The only pain I have is if I take a deep breath.  My follow up appt is on Tuesday.  I'll get the details then -- all I know was that mine was bigger and more involved than he thought!  But I'm doing well with my liquids and protein (LOL - -well everything is a liquid right now!).

Take care and keep in touch!

I'm so curious how your follow up apt was? Mine is on Thursday. Can I ask what you have been eating / drinking? I was not given much info about food stages for RNY so I am just following the old ones for VSG. I find that I am already ok having my protein shakes and even Greek yogurt. My pain is better every day. I am just hoping since I e already been through this once maybe I will heal quicker?!