Considering Revision from Lap Band to Bypass. Need Advice

I'm still looking for those. My PCP is good at referring me out to specialists. It tends to be the specialists that shrug. My libido for instance. It started to wane after surgery. I had some other symptoms i thought might indicate low testosterone. My PCP referees me to a urologist. Sure enough, low testosterone. He gave me medication for that, and my levels bounced back quickly. But my libido stayed non-existent. He just shrugged and said "it's not physical, probably in your head". I also checked with my bariatric surgeon and he said "I almost exclusively hear the opposite. That's very strange, but I'm pretty sure it's not related to the surgery"

And that's that. No one is interested in actually solving the problem. I've lost some interest in solving it myself at this point!

Another issue i have is that the inside of my cheeks are totally torn up. I asked my dentist, he took a look and said "yeah, wow, your cheeks are really torn up - you're chewing them". I was like "what?!?!" He said "probably in your sleep". I asked what could be done about it because it's really annoying. He said "nothing". Then he said "I could make you a mouth guard, but you would never wear it. No one does. And they aren't cheap".

And that's that on the cheek issue!

These aren't life threatening issues by any stretch, but the relative disinterest in helping is disheartening. I don't think they're cruel, or negligent. I just think they have no idea what to do.

But I'm fairly confident if I was still obese the answer to both of my problems would be "lose some weight".

My gastro was suggested indirectly by my PCP. He suggested a "functional medicine" doc and she then referred me to my gastro. I saw 2 gastro's before and they were useless, iMO. The one I see now is very good, and I referred him to some people I know have issues. So far everyone agrees the guy is good. Plus he is younger than me, so most likely he would practice for a few years.

Try asking around people you trust. I have a few great docs that I asked for recommendations. I ask them " if you or someone close to you need to see an XYZ doc, who should you suggest?". If you have a good report with one great doc, they can stir you to other great docs. The area I live in is not big, but we have some great doctors.

I had to wait 9 months to see my Endo, but it was worth the wait.

Ask around, read reviews.

FYI - cholesterol is the precoursor to hormones. How is your cholesterol?

I have issues with my hormones. My age plus pittuatary issues.

I am on Hormones Replacement Therapy. I get hirmones, most of them. Deliver is an issue IMO. Check into pellets delivery option. Unfortunately--most insurance does not pay for that. Low cholesterol can cause low sex hormones. Even when we supplement, with low cholesterol our body can fight us. I had to increase fat intake to feel better.

As for your mouth issues - low zinc may be a problem plus vit A. Low normal is not enough for me. I need at least mid range or higher than mid range.

I aim to keep my cholesterol under 150 for heart health. Overall was 142 at last testing. Interesting about the cholesterol/hormone link. I'll have to read up on that - had not heard that before.

I am also going to check my zinc and Vit A issues and read up on that as well. I was actually wondering if maybe it's possible to have extra skin on my cheeks much like many of us have extra skin in other places, and this was causing me to bite them more? Just a theory, I also was having other mouth issues the first 12 months or so - lots of canker sores and "blisters". I have a feeling that may have been nutrition/nutrient related, but as I've moved into maintenance it seems to have resolved itself.

If you happen to have any links to articles or studies for these two items I would be super grateful. Thanks for the info!

I have a nasty habit of biting the inside of my cheeks. I do that when my zinck is low. All the time.

I use zinc lozenges for a while now. As long as I have them, I don't feel a need to "chew on the inside of my mouth".

Sometimes, trying things are better than "studies". You know it works for you when you try.

People chew on ice when their iron is low. If iron is normal, they have no desire to chew on ice. Simple, no?

I think similar may be with zinc.

As for cholesterol- Google low cholesterol and low sex hormones. You may be able to find good articles.n

Just try to Google info, add "study" to get more scientific info

https://www.google.com/search?q=zinc+canker+sores&oq=zinc+ca nker+&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l2.11092j0j7&client=tablet-andro id-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?client=tablet-android-verizon& ei=AJ4VW96oAaiAtgXxqKLoBw&q=zinc+canker+sore+studies&oq=zinc +canker+sores+stud&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-serp.1.0.33i22i29i30j 33i160.115351.119589..121078...0....118.485.3j2......0....1. ........0i71j0i22i30.H3oVmp6ZkvU%3D

Thanks. I've been googling and reading since your reply, just wondering if there were any articles/studies you found especially helpful. No worries, I'm pretty handy with the Google and the Sci-Hub.

I have had some nutritional deficiencies along the way, the biggest one being iron. I had RNY in 2003. BUT as long as you get your annual labs and take your supplements and eat healthy then you should be fine. I had a bariatric doctor tell me to stop taking iron because it was constipating me... and I listened to her and ended up with iron deficiency anemia. I also went anemic a few years ago and had to get infusions. I am completely drawing a blank as to why I went deficient that time.

Beware of multivitamins labelled "bariatric" that do not meet the ASMBS Guidelines for Nutritional Supplements.

Thank you MyBariatricLife. This is good advice that I will keep in mind after my surgery.

I am a successful Band to RNY revision. I am 11 years out from LapBand and almost 5 years out from my revision to RNY. I was not a candidate for the Sleeve as I already had a restrictive only WLS procedure that did not work for me. I also had GERD and hernia caused by the Band, so again, the Sleeve wasn't even on the table.

Life with RNY is 100x better than living with my Band. I have had no malnutrition issues so far except for low iron. Taking supplements, getting regular lab work and doing your own tracking of the results means you can stay on top of any issues that need to be addressed. I also advise keeping your Primary Care doctor in the loop so that when and if you stop seeing your surgeon, you have a doctor who will work with you to keep you in good shape.

I lost all of my excess weight, getting below my goal and staying there for the past 4 years. Life is good - I would do it over and over again. I detail the first 18 months on my profile if you want more details. I am happy to answer any specific questions you have....

Thank you Ashley. I'm so happy for your success and I'm hoping and praying that's me (I think it will be). I'll check out your profile and I may have questions.