Gastric bypass revision

[Overweightgrandmaof6]

Hi all. I had gastric bypass Roux-En-Y surgery on 2/18/2002. I did really well at losing weight for quite some time. Within the past 10 years, my weight has worked its way back to my pre bypass weight. I am now going to attempt to have the OverStitch revision done. 17 years ago, it was believed that you had the surgery and you were cured for life. Not the case here. I became a grazer and have stretched out my pouch to be able to eat almost as much as before my initial surgery. I have become extremely depressed and embarrassed because of my weight. I go to the bariatric surgeon Friday for my consultation. I have COPD, tachycardia, Diabetes, incontinence, bilateral neuropathy of my feet and extreme depression/anxiety. I HAVE to lose this extra weight or I’m going to die. I’m already requiring supplemental oxygen and have been in and out of the hospital since last June due to flare ups of not being able to breathe. And the treatment is heavy doses of steroids. Not good for any diet. And the lungs are now working so hard it’s affecting my heart rate.

My question is this:
Is there anyone out there who has went through the revision surgery and done really well? Or not done well? I’d love any input from anybody who’s been in my shoes. I’m scared to do it again but definitely know that with hindsight being 20/20, things will be done extremely different this time. I will have close follow up monitoring, diet and psych involvement, and huge support groups, all which were lacking in 2002. I look forward to hearing from anyone and everyone who may be or have been in my situation. Have a blessed day.

 

[MamaBearOf4]

I hope all goes well for you. I have not even had my surgery yet. But you opened my eyes to be caution about things. Even more not to push my limits. If you need someone to talk to after your procedure just let me know. I will be there for you. And depression hits everyone. But it depends on you to beat it. You are beautiful and strong in your own ways. Don't let mistakes keep you down. Bring yourself back stronger then ever. Show people who you are and don't let them make you feel bad about it. And this is coming from the 600lb girl with 4 boys and a husband that sticks by her through thick and thin. You can do it and we will see you through it.

 

[Rashetaf]

Hi all. I had gastric bypass Roux-En-Y surgery on 2/18/2002. I did really well at losing weight for quite some time. Within the past 10 years, my weight has worked its way back to my pre bypass weight. I am now going to attempt to have the OverStitch revision done. 17 years ago, it was believed that you had the surgery and you were cured for life. Not the case here. I became a grazer and have stretched out my pouch to be able to eat almost as much as before my initial surgery. I have become extremely depressed and embarrassed because of my weight. I go to the bariatric surgeon Friday for my consultation. I have COPD, tachycardia, Diabetes, incontinence, bilateral neuropathy of my feet and extreme depression/anxiety. I HAVE to lose this extra weight or I’m going to die. I’m already requiring supplemental oxygen and have been in and out of the hospital since last June due to flare ups of not being able to breathe. And the treatment is heavy doses of steroids. Not good for any diet. And the lungs are now working so hard it’s affecting my heart rate.

My question is this:
Is there anyone out there who has went through the revision surgery and done really well? Or not done well? I’d love any input from anybody who’s been in my shoes. I’m scared to do it again but definitely know that with hindsight being 20/20, things will be done extremely different this time. I will have close follow up monitoring, diet and psych involvement, and huge support groups, all which were lacking in 2002. I look forward to hearing from anyone and everyone who may be or have been in my situation. Have a blessed day.

I am 4 years post-op and I have gained at least 20 pounds within the last 6 months...it's been a struggle to get back on track and I was thinking about a revision but not sure about if I want to do it or not... I hope that your health gets better and you're able to get back on track

 

[Festusbodine]

Similar to you (except I don’t have serious health problems, I had RNY in 2004 and went from 325 to 210. 16 years later I have gradually regained it. For whatever reason, unlike most RNY patients, I never had the feeling of tightness and never had any dumping or negative effects from eating too much. It felt as if I never had surgery. I lost my weight because I was super vigilant about exercise, and changing my habits, not because I felt any restriction from fullness. Over time, old habits and weight returned. My new surgeon who will do my overstitch explained too that most RNY done in 2004 when I had mine done was less aggressive in terms of pouch size. That also may have been a factor.

Overstitch scheduled on 7/29/19. I have done a ton of research. ESG (overstitch) is a relatively safe, low risk procedure compared to any other type of bariatric surgery as their is no cutting of any kind. Entirely endoscopic. The main risk is anesthesia which will be the case with any other procedure, particularly given your set of health problems. Success of the procedure is entirely determined by how well we stick with post surgery compliance (doing precisely as we are advised.) For those reading this who are not familiar, ESG is revision procedure perform under general anesthesia where an endoscope is inserted down the esophagus and a stretched out stomach pouch is then made small against by cinching it in from the inside by placing sutures to draw it in small again. Nothing is cut whatsoever either internally or externally. All done through the scope, and a device made by Apollo Medical that allowed the surgeon to perform the suturing through the endoscopic procedure. The risk of leakage or sepsis is nearly zero because there is no cutting. There is some minor risk that comes from any encdodcopic procedure that the esophagus can be damanged during the procedure but this is quite rare. Another possibility is that one or more sutures placed during the procedure could fail which really isn’t a hazard, but it just means the stomach pouch would increase in size. (Remember, no cutting. Broken sutures just mean you could end up losing some of the restriction. My surgeon said that over time, either broken sutures, or a stretched pouch could mean the need to “touch up” the procedure by repeating it down the road. Repeating it is not any riskier than the first overstitch procedure.

My thought here is, even if I don’t lose as much as I’d like, and even if I need to touch it up years from now, any years of my life that I can significantly reduce my weight is going to mean delaying or preventing other health problems. I have no regrets about my RNY and while I feel like I failed sometimes, ultimately, I lost over a 100 l s and kept most of it off for about 10 years. My current health might be much worse had I not had the benefit of a really healthy time from my mid 30’s to mid 40’s. I am almost 50 now. Even if I don’t get down to 210 again, whatever I lose will help me be healthier than I am now.

I know that I will need to be super vigilant about measuring food and not exceeding portion sizes regardless whether my body allows me to eat it. At about 3 months post op and beyond, I need to keep meals no larger than 1 cup, with about 1/2 of that volume coming from low carb green veggies, 1/4 from protein, and 1/4 from higher quality carbs (beans or whole grains rather than bread). Sweets are a downfall for me. Will need to get (and keep) a handle on it.

 

[ttyson]

Similar to you (except I don’t have serious health problems, I had RNY in 2004 and went from 325 to 210. 16 years later I have gradually regained it. For whatever reason, unlike most RNY patients, I never had the feeling of tightness and never had any dumping or negative effects from eating too much. It felt as if I never had surgery. I lost my weight because I was super vigilant about exercise, and changing my habits, not because I felt any restriction from fullness. Over time, old habits and weight returned. My new surgeon who will do my overstitch explained too that most RNY done in 2004 when I had mine done was less aggressive in terms of pouch size. That also may have been a factor.

Overstitch scheduled on 7/29/19. I have done a ton of research. ESG (overstitch) is a relatively safe, low risk procedure compared to any other type of bariatric surgery as their is no cutting of any kind. Entirely endoscopic. The main risk is anesthesia which will be the case with any other procedure, particularly given your set of health problems. Success of the procedure is entirely determined by how well we stick with post surgery compliance (doing precisely as we are advised.) For those reading this who are not familiar, ESG is revision procedure perform under general anesthesia where an endoscope is inserted down the esophagus and a stretched out stomach pouch is then made small against by cinching it in from the inside by placing sutures to draw it in small again. Nothing is cut whatsoever either internally or externally. All done through the scope, and a device made by Apollo Medical that allowed the surgeon to perform the suturing through the endoscopic procedure. The risk of leakage or sepsis is nearly zero because there is no cutting. There is some minor risk that comes from any encdodcopic procedure that the esophagus can be damanged during the procedure but this is quite rare. Another possibility is that one or more sutures placed during the procedure could fail which really isn’t a hazard, but it just means the stomach pouch would increase in size. (Remember, no cutting. Broken sutures just mean you could end up losing some of the restriction. My surgeon said that over time, either broken sutures, or a stretched pouch could mean the need to “touch up” the procedure by repeating it down the road. Repeating it is not any riskier than the first overstitch procedure.

My thought here is, even if I don’t lose as much as I’d like, and even if I need to touch it up years from now, any years of my life that I can significantly reduce my weight is going to mean delaying or preventing other health problems. I have no regrets about my RNY and while I feel like I failed sometimes, ultimately, I lost over a 100 l s and kept most of it off for about 10 years. My current health might be much worse had I not had the benefit of a really healthy time from my mid 30’s to mid 40’s. I am almost 50 now. Even if I don’t get down to 210 again, whatever I lose will help me be healthier than I am now.

I know that I will need to be super vigilant about measuring food and not exceeding portion sizes regardless whether my body allows me to eat it. At about 3 months post op and beyond, I need to keep meals no larger than 1 cup, with about 1/2 of that volume coming from low carb green veggies, 1/4 from protein, and 1/4 from higher quality carbs (beans or whole grains rather than bread). Sweets are a downfall for me. Will need to get (and keep) a handle on it.

I have never heard of this. Please keep us posted. Good luck!

 

[Festusbodine]

hey Festus, congratulations for having the coolest name here!

Regarding the ESG, people should also know it's a newer procedure with very little follow-up and no longterm research. It's also not covered by insurance because of that.

I see some disadvantages with it, too. in RYGB, the old stomach is left in the belly. It still creates digestive fluids & aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals & other supplements. in ESG, the stomach is made smaller & even though nothing is cut out, the remainder of the stomach is unavailable for assistance in digestion. It's rather like the sleeve in that regard, but no incision is made.

If you must have a non-surgical option, this is it, but whether it will prove to be useful in the long run has yet to be seen.

And I hate to be a wet blanket, but I want to offer you a reality check. You lost 115 pounds 16 years ago because you were vigilant about exercise & diet. You said, "Over time, old habits and weight returned." How is this stitching up going to change your life? I'm sorry, but what habits have you changed now, or how will having surgery again force you to return to a healthy lifestyle? I just don't see it.

You also quoted your surgeon as saying, "... most RNY done in 2004 when I had mine done was less aggressive in terms of pouch size. That also may have been a factor." That doesn't comport with history, & people who had RYGB 30 years ago are still maintaining a healthy weight because they used it as a tool to change their bad habits, which never returned. Even if your surgeon is right, how "unaggressive" were doctors back then? How big or small was the pouch? What difference could it make?

Look at you, for instance. You had your surgery long ago, but your pouch size didn't cause you to lose 115 pounds. Your lifestyle did. Like many people who have the surgery, after the novelty wore off, food started beckoning with its siren call, and sitting in a lounge chair was way more fun than going to the gym. Food is so seductive, & all around us, people are going overboard to make it as gooey, sugary, salty, delicious, irresistible as possible. It's like being a sex addict who's dropped into a pit of desirable, willing partners who are calling to you.

You gained 115+ pounds over the last 16 years or so because your old eating disorder grabbed you & took over your brain. I'm glad you're excited about this procedure, but it won't do a thing for you unless you deal with the compulsion you have to let yourself go from healthy to sick. That's your stinking brain taking over your life. Are you seeing a therapist, or at least a trainer? Do you have a support group? Are you already cutting back on your food, or are you just eating everything in sight because you know the surgery is coming up?

I had my surgery 12 years ago. I'm able to eat a "normal" amount of food if I'm given 90 minutes to digest a meal. I could easily gain back a lot of weight, but I don't want to. I am committed to my weight loss & when my brain tries to take hold, I just give it the finger & do something else to shut it up. I never could have gained back my 115 pounds in a million years. Lately, I've even dropped 15 of the 20 pounds I naturally gained back a year after surgery.

Your surgery is scheduled, but your doctor should be working with a team of professionals who can advise & support you. The surgeon will disappear when it's done. Who are you going to reach out to then? You need to have a nutritionist & an eating plan & a therapist & a support group in place. If you don't agree with me, just look at how you did last time you lost all that weight because of surgery. You were vigilant, but who's going to be vigilant this time? Why is this going to be different? How is this surgery going to result in your success?

It's really not the type of surgery you have so much as it's the mental adjustment you need to make. I wish you luck, but I'm not convinced this type of procedure will do for you what RYGB did 16 years ago. I also think people who read your story should weigh your experience in the balance before they perhaps run off to get the overstitch surgery, expecting it to be a cure all.

If nothing changes, nothing changes.

hey Festus, congratulations for having the coolest name here!

Regarding the ESG, people should also know it's a newer procedure with very little follow-up and no longterm research. It's also not covered by insurance because of that.

I see some disadvantages with it, too. in RYGB, the old stomach is left in the belly. It still creates digestive fluids & aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals & other supplements. in ESG, the stomach is made smaller & even though nothing is cut out, the remainder of the stomach is unavailable for assistance in digestion. It's rather like the sleeve in that regard, but no incision is made.

If you must have a non-surgical option, this is it, but whether it will prove to be useful in the long run has yet to be seen.

And I hate to be a wet blanket, but I want to offer you a reality check. You lost 115 pounds 16 years ago because you were vigilant about exercise & diet. You said, "Over time, old habits and weight returned." How is this stitching up going to change your life? I'm sorry, but what habits have you changed now, or how will having surgery again force you to return to a healthy lifestyle? I just don't see it.

You also quoted your surgeon as saying, "... most RNY done in 2004 when I had mine done was less aggressive in terms of pouch size. That also may have been a factor." That doesn't comport with history, & people who had RYGB 30 years ago are still maintaining a healthy weight because they used it as a tool to change their bad habits, which never returned. Even if your surgeon is right, how "unaggressive" were doctors back then? How big or small was the pouch? What difference could it make?

Look at you, for instance. You had your surgery long ago, but your pouch size didn't cause you to lose 115 pounds. Your lifestyle did. Like many people who have the surgery, after the novelty wore off, food started beckoning with its siren call, and sitting in a lounge chair was way more fun than going to the gym. Food is so seductive, & all around us, people are going overboard to make it as gooey, sugary, salty, delicious, irresistible as possible. It's like being a sex addict who's dropped into a pit of desirable, willing partners who are calling to you.

You gained 115+ pounds over the last 16 years or so because your old eating disorder grabbed you & took over your brain. I'm glad you're excited about this procedure, but it won't do a thing for you unless you deal with the compulsion you have to let yourself go from healthy to sick. That's your stinking brain taking over your life. Are you seeing a therapist, or at least a trainer? Do you have a support group? Are you already cutting back on your food, or are you just eating everything in sight because you know the surgery is coming up?

I had my surgery 12 years ago. I'm able to eat a "normal" amount of food if I'm given 90 minutes to digest a meal. I could easily gain back a lot of weight, but I don't want to. I am committed to my weight loss & when my brain tries to take hold, I just give it the finger & do something else to shut it up. I never could have gained back my 115 pounds in a million years. Lately, I've even dropped 15 of the 20 pounds I naturally gained back a year after surgery.

Your surgery is scheduled, but your doctor should be working with a team of professionals who can advise & support you. The surgeon will disappear when it's done. Who are you going to reach out to then? You need to have a nutritionist & an eating plan & a therapist & a support group in place. If you don't agree with me, just look at how you did last time you lost all that weight because of surgery. You were vigilant, but who's going to be vigilant this time? Why is this going to be different? How is this surgery going to result in your success?

It's really not the type of surgery you have so much as it's the mental adjustment you need to make. I wish you luck, but I'm not convinced this type of procedure will do for you what RYGB did 16 years ago. I also think people who read your story should weigh your experience in the balance before they perhaps run off to get the overstitch surgery, expecting it to be a cure all.

If nothing changes, nothing changes.

You have made many assumptions about me, my surgeon, and my situation. My procedure is being covered by Blue Cross as a bariatric surgery. My surgeon is working with a team including 2 in-house nutritionists, and a weekly facilitated support group. They also refer to counselors who work with patients with eating disorders. I’m not sure what about my post led you to believe that I believe this to be a cure all. I have been losing weight on a 6 month plan as part of my efforts to get approval for insurance coverage and to jump start my own weight loss. Thank you for your super supportive and helpful feedback. I was completely deluding myself. You have clearly saved me (and countless others) with your wisdom. If I had known all these years that I could just give a finger to my cravings, my life would have worked out just like yours. Congratulations on being so much better than those of us who failed to keep weight off.

 

[Festusbodine]

Also to clarify, ESG, when performed as a revision procedure on a post RNY patient, does not impact the existing (bypassed) portion of the stomach that continues to produce and send digestive juices downstream.

 

[Festusbodine]

Had my overstitch procedure this morning following a 2 week full liquids diet. Procedure went about 75 minutes and came home after waking up in recovery. I have been moving around the house a good bit and using the breathing measuring tool thing (not clear of the actual name for this) to get the anesthestics out of me. My surgeon said I might have a sore throat for a couple days. That was not a problem. I do have a general stinging sensation further down, like bad heartburn. Doc also said this is normal. It’s from the equipment rattling around inside the esophagus. They recommended Zantac or Pepcid Complete for this. Drinking clear liquids for a few days sipping slowly. Moving onto full liquids for 2 weeks after that. NutritionIst Told me I can have clear ice up here protein shakes while I am in the clear portion of the diet, but I found they leave a weird film in my mouth kind of like cooked egg whites. That has me a little concerned so I am going to postpone those for a few days.

 

[QueAnd]

@Festusbodine, I had surgery today also....sleeve gastrectomy. I'm on clear liquids as well. The breathing tool is called an incentive spirometer. I have been using my hourly and walking around my house also. It's "fun" to know someone else is doing about the same things you're doing. I was given Pepcid to use also. Had to take one this afternoon/evening because as my liquids passed into the stomach, it felt like it was passing over a ball; very uncomfortable. It has decreased some, but kinda feels like heartburn trying to start.

I'm wishing you the best this go round. You can do it. You know where you went wrong the first time. Take advantage of the other services being offered to you (nutritionists, counseling, etc). Cheering you on (along with myself).

 

[10yrdafterRouxenYWtGain]

Had my overstitch procedure this morning following a 2 week full liquids diet. Procedure went about 75 minutes and came home after waking up in recovery. I have been moving around the house a good bit and using the breathing measuring tool thing (not clear of the actual name for this) to get the anesthestics out of me. My surgeon said I might have a sore throat for a couple days. That was not a problem. I do have a general stinging sensation further down, like bad heartburn. Doc also said this is normal. It’s from the equipment rattling around inside the esophagus. They recommended Zantac or Pepcid Complete for this. Drinking clear liquids for a few days sipping slowly. Moving onto full liquids for 2 weeks after that. NutritionIst Told me I can have clear ice up here protein shakes while I am in the clear portion of the diet, but I found they leave a weird film in my mouth kind of like cooked egg whites. That has me a little concerned so I am going to postpone those for a few days.

Hello. Checking into having this done also in Benton, Arkansas. Wish there was a place in Tulsa. How has it been going? Just want to make sure this will work -I’m gaining my weight due to age and a full hysterectomy and I want something that will get me back on track to loss this extra 40 lbs that I have put back on.

 

[10yrdafterRouxenYWtGain]

Let me be very direct. I have also had a hysterectomy and am pushing 69 (July 23, 1951 in case y'all want to mark your calendars, and I KNOW you do!). I had my surgery in 2007 and haven't gained any weight back, except the initial 10-20 lb. regain all bypass patients experience a year or so after surgery.

Your question is directed wrongly. You ask about the surgery, which is a methodical, cut-and-dried thing, using a method all doctors use to achieve an end. It does work, every time. If you regain, it's because your eating disorder is messing with you. That is the question you need to ask: "Does this work even though I have an active eating disorder?" The answer is yes, unless you won't let it work.

It's been 13 years for me so I feel qualified to say. You can screw it up. But why would you let your head mess with your body like that? It's not a rhetorical question. It's more important to confront the saboteur than the surgery.

The fact that you are already blaming two things, as if you expect it not to work, is telling. Why would you even wonder that? Neither of those things has anything to do with gastric bypass surgery.

Spend some time in your head, looking at the bogeymen who live there and want to make you fail. You can beat them. If you want to have a revision and you qualify, make sure you take a holistic approach: do it ALL. check your diet, activity, desire, motivation, previous results, state of health, willingness to change, level of happiness in your life, preoccupations, including weight... and spend time with each one of these things, and more.

The surgery is nothing. Your ability to use the tool is everything. You are guaranteed 100% you will lose weight with the surgery, as long as you combine everything holistically into one thing: your new life.

Welcome to the group if you haven't been here before, and best of luck with the lottery. You don't need luck with the surgery. You need to decide to be faithful and ditch all the baddies that are pursuiing you, trying to make you sicker and make you fail. Find your motivation and visualize your new life. Please hang out and let us know how it goes, and ask more questions as they arise. We all want to support you, but you also have to want to support your own dreams and goals.

Thanks for the direct answer. I’ve thought about it and if I do this I will have to go back to eating protein shakes, liquid diets, throwing up when I didn’t chew enough. So I think if I can achieve doing all that without having the procedure Bc I will have too. Then let’s do it. Thanks again