Question:
WANT REVISION SURGERY--5 YEARS AFTER WLS

I HAD WLS RNY 5 YEARS AGO. I AM THINKING OF HAVING A REVISION. I HAVE PICKED UP 60 LBS. I LOST A TOTAL OF 105 LBS. I AM GETTING VERY DEPRESSED AND WONDERING IF ANYONE HAD IT DONE AND PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INFO. THANKS LIN    — JSLS2298 (posted on June 24, 2007)

June 24, 2007
i was revised at 5 yrs, go here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG, where 100's of us have been revised
   — vitalady

June 24, 2007
cant get into this site.
   — deb44m

June 24, 2007
Hi Are you eatting to much maybe, or eatting high fat foods?
   — miss-350

June 24, 2007
Hi Lin, thanks for writing. It can be discouraging when you gain weight. I do fully understand that. I am 3 1/2 years out, so I am not out as far as you, but I fear the weight gain. I have kept mine off so far, and I praise God for that, but it is a scare sometimes. I am compassionate about your situation, but I would like you to think about a few things if you don't mind. The first thing I catch here is that you are depressed. I would think that this means you are probably not eating right and probably talking yourself out of exercise and perhaps water is a think you think about but not drink? Here's the thing Lin, if you have a revision, you can lose more weight, but the risks of revision are much higher than an original surgery. That is enough to scare me anyway, and I don't scare easily. It is a decision you need to take really seriously (although I am certain you are doing just that:)). Here is a suggestion that perhaps before you have a revision or schedule one, I would encourage you to deal with the depression that you have. You can do this in a few ways. You can get counseling and/or medication. This really does help in the temporary realm and can motivate you past this point. You can find a support group, whether or not it weight watchers, overeaters annon, or something like that, or a wls support group to gain support and push passed the "slug" feeling. You need to accept that you have done in regard for weight gain, but I personally think that you are very able to re lose this weight. Weight loss is always about diet and exercise. You still have a good tool. Even if you stretched it some, it is not as big as it used to be. Your tool can still work for you, but YOU have to work it. It is that way now, and Lin, it will be that way if you survive a revision. You have to work it. I strongly encourage you to go back to basics, water, protein, exercise (and maybe a salad). Begin exercising, and drink plenty of water, forsaking all over beverages with caffine or carbonation in them. Have a good talk with yourself and let yourself know that you are worth fighting for. Obesity is a head issue with a body consequence, and so your head needs to take the challenge, and when it does, I do believe your body will begin to respond and have a good consequence without additional surgery. There has never been an easy way to lose weight, so a revision is not gonna take away any depression or make you active. Why not try those two things first before you let a surgeon revise the great tool you already have? I really hope you do well, and find a motivation for moving forward. You are worth it, and I am not personally certain that a revision is worth the risk. Not until all other avenues have been explored completely first at least. I wish you well. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

June 25, 2007
Hi, My name is Courtney and I had a revision on 5/2/07. I curently have the RNY I went from Lapband to RNY. I got the lapband on 11/10/04 lost about 50lbs. gained back 80 so I know what you are going thru. The revision isnt so bad it is hard to get approved thru insurance you have to have a good sneaky doctor unless you have changed carrier since you had your first surgery then that will be fine. I changed carriers and my doctor never told the new carrier I had the lapband so keep that in mind...............I was APPROVED and I am off to starting my new life I am determined to make this work where the lapband failed. GOOD LUCK please let me know if you have more questions......... Thanks
   — crlindfw

June 25, 2007
Unfortunately, if there is nothing wrong with your pouch mechanically, then a revision may not be the answer. If you have a problem with the outlet being too big and allowing food through too quickly, that could be an issue. At this stage, you do have a mature pouch, and that means you can hold 6-8 ounces at a time. It also means that if you graze, you can eat more that way, also. I feel for you, as I am about 4 1/2 years out. I haven't gained any weight back and I attribute that to getting on the scale almost every morning. It is just as hard to lose a pound now as it was before surgery. I still have about 30 more I'd love to lose.
   — koogy

June 25, 2007
I had a Gastiric bypass in October of 2002 and then had it taken down in June of 2003 . I had a take down becuase I got really sick and I could not keep anything down , so doc. did not know what to do but to take it down. I was able to keep off the weight for 2 years until the birth of my son . I gained back most of the wieght. So here today I am back going through the process of having a revison done. I have found a wonderful Doc. that is willing to do the procedure. I had a date of June 26th however after my Doctor did an upper G.I and an Endo. he said he needs to wait about one month so it won't be until the end of July or August becuase I can only be the one he does surgery on that day becuase it is going to take a long time. I did understand. He was very nice about it. I do understand how you feel to regain the weight. My best freind did not have a take down but is also looking into having a revison with my Surgeon becuase she to has gained back about 50lbs. My Doctor is in Sanantonio Texas his name is Ramiro (Sonny ) Cavasos. Hoped that I could help you with a name of a Surgeon that may help. I came to find out that alot of Doctor's do not want to do revisions or do not now how.I am glad to have found won that does and fight's with the insurance to help people.
   — Odom