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Thread: Failed Sleeve?

  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member martin64's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Monica
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    Default Failed Sleeve?

    I am a very strange case. I can't find any others like me. I was banded 7 years ago (2003) and lost 90 lbs in 18 months (250 to 160 lbs). I loved my band, but started having terrible reflux problems (I mean really, really severe) so it had to come out. It was like losing an arm! I started to gain weight back quickly. Ended up gaining 40 lbs back (up to 200 lbs). Decided to have the gastric sleeve and got that about 2.5 yrs ago (Jan. 2009). Initially, I lost 15 lbs the first 3 months (down to 185) but only with great effort and hunger. I never felt like I had much restriction. I have now gained back the 15 I lost and am back up to 200 - the weight I was when I got sleeved. I am very upset that I only lost 15 lbs with the sleeve. I have never felt like I had much restriction. How can this be? I had both surgeries (band & sleeve in MX by the same doctor). I've contacted my doctor numerous times and I'm just told to cut my carbs. Surely something must be wrong? I have researched and researched and can't find anyone else that had a failed sleeve. It must be very rare. I had no complications after the surgery, but my surgeon did say that there was a lot of scar tissue from the band and it took him much longer than planned to perform the sleeve surgery (I think it was about 6 hrs - my husband was going crazy waiting). He removed the band and did the sleeve all in one surgery. Has anyone else had this (no weight loss) happen to them? I'm so frustrated. I am about to have to have my gallbladder removed and consulted with a bariatric surgeon here who said he can revise my sleeve while removing my gallbladder. I'm waiting to find out the cost. Insurance will not pay for the revision. Sorry this was so long. I'm just really hoping to find others who may have had similar problem and found out why. Thanks!


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  4. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    I have have never heard of a case like this either! :-( Obviously you are doing all the right things if you have already been so successful with the band! Have you asked for an MRI scan or another scan where you can see the size of the stomach? If you were in the UK I would suggest hassling your doctor to get you one but it's obviously difficult and expensive for you guys if insurance doesn't cover it. Do you have any post op notes which state what size bougie your surgeon used? I seem to have slightly less restriction than other people on here and can eat slightly more but still no where near enough to not lose weight. I'm sorry for you it must be really disappointing. I really hope your gall bladder surgeon is able to sort it out for you! Hopefully it will not cost you too much more. It's probably an extra 30 mins in the operating theatre at most! Post op care should be the same! Can't see a reason for them to charge you too much!

    Let us know how it goes!

    Steph x
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  5. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member holeymoley's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    HI Monica.....after your vsg was there any stomach restriction?


  6. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member FlowerGalTX's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Wendy
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    You are the first case that I've read about who had a Band and Sleeve Failure. While, there may be some lack of restriction in your sleeve that could be corrected with further restriction, there could also be a lot of room for error on your part in diet and exercise. What does your diet look like/what are you eating? Total calories consumed during a day? What exercise do you do in a day? There are a lot of people who are quite skilled on the board at looking at a diet and seeing gaps. Maybe you could post your diet/food log and they could help?

    There are many things that come into play here. You could have a thyroid issue. I've dealt with thyroid issues and thyroid cancer and know firsthand how deviously that one little organ can manipulate the whole body. Or you could be like so many of us heading into the menopausal or peri-menopausal range and hormones can come into play in weight loss/gain. It may be worth it to have some blood work done if you haven't already.
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  7. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member jdecker11's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Janine
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    Hello:

    Wow, this is my biggest fear too! I have a failed lap band that will be removed shortly and a sleeve completed in the same operation. Can you tell me....do you feel full after about 1 1/2 cups of food? Do you eat all your protien first? How about protien shots? I bought a few the other day at Vitiam World. I haven't tried them yet, but will shortly. Protien seems to be the ticket to weight loss. I'm learning so much on this site. It's full of good advice. I hope all goes well with the gallblader issue. May be they can do something with the sleeve at that time. I too have a lot of scar tissue around the band. I hope that don't cause a problem with me. Just another thing to worry about. I too, haven't come across anyone with a failed sleeve....but believe me....If there is one, it will be me too. Thanks and Good luck.


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  9. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Laura
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    Thanks for posting. I hope you can get a revision to your sleeve. Please keep us posted. I'm interested in hearing how things turn out for you. I'm 3 weeks post op and still a little uneasy because I feel I can comfortably eat more than most people on this forum. I'm trying to be careful what I'm eating though.


  10. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member Dana's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Dana Gaar
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    No restriction? I think the doctor that did the surgery should be allowed an opportunity to fix the sleeve at no charge. If its the diet that's one thing bc we al have to do the diet. But if you really have no restriction then that's unacceptable. I think I the insurance might understand and be able to advise you, knowing they paid for a surgery that wasn't done correctly.
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  11. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member martin64's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Monica
    Surgery date
    08/03/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Andrew Hargroder
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    07-17-2014 08:39 PM
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    Hey Steph x,

    Yes, my surgeon here (in the US) had me get an upper GI. I meet with him tomorrow to see what he thinks. His nurse told me that it looked a little big but he couldn't really tell. She said a hiatal hernia I had (repaired twice already) is back bigger and badder than ever and he said it needs to be repaired along with removing my gall bladder.

    My post op notes say my doctor that did my band and my sleeve (in MX) used a "Fr 32 Bougie". Is that "average" or big?

    I can't wait until tomorrow to find our how much my doctor is going to charge me to revise my pouch - if he feels that is what is needed. His office called me today to see if I can come early because he wanted me to be able to attend the sleeve seminar - so he must be thinking he is going to do it.

    Thank you!
    Monica


  12. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member martin64's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Monica
    Surgery date
    08/03/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Andrew Hargroder
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Last Activity
    07-17-2014 08:39 PM
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    Hi Holeymoley,

    Yes, I had some restriction - just not much. I just forced myself to not eat as much as I felt I could. I really expected to not be hungry after the surgery and that never happened. I would eat my protein and be hungry in an hour. I loved my band - I could only eat a very small amount and I was full. I lost 90 lbs with it. I just had to have it out because of a hiatal hernia I had and they told me that the pressure from the band was not good for it. I had the hernia repaired and slowly tried to go back to very small fills but the reflux was terrible and they told me I could keep the band - unfilled, which I tried for about a year (and gained 40 lbs) or get the sleeve. After gaining so much back, I got the sleeve. I just don't stay full. The hunger drives me crazy.


  13. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member martin64's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Monica
    Surgery date
    08/03/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Andrew Hargroder
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Last Activity
    07-17-2014 08:39 PM
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    Denham Springs, LA, USA
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    Hi FlowerGalTX,

    Actually, my band did not fail me - it was only due to a hiatal hernia that I had to have it removed. It worked beautifully (lost 90 lbs). As far as my diet after the sleeve, I followed the "diet" great for about 6 months and then, honestly, gave up. If I could diet, I wouldn't have gotten a band/sleeve. During the first 6 wks (liquids/mushies) I lost 15 or 20 lbs) then very slowly (last 2.5 yrs) I have gained it back. At about 3 months, I was eating 1200 cal a day. I know that is too much, But I was starving. I didn't feel like I had had any surgery. I felt like I had totally wasted a LOT of money. I was walking a mile a day too. I eat a lot of protein but still eat close to 2000 cal a day.

    I did have a full blood work up - I was anemic and low Vit D and low testosterone, but thyroid was fine. And yes, I am menopausal (HRT).

    Thanks,
    Monica


  14. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member martin64's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Monica
    Surgery date
    08/03/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Andrew Hargroder
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Last Activity
    07-17-2014 08:39 PM
    Location
    Denham Springs, LA, USA
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    Hey Janine,

    I've never measured how much I can eat according to a cup. I can tell you I can eat a half of a cup of raw oatmeal that is then cooked with a cup of water and a TBS of walnuts. This makes quite a bit of oatmeal. This is my usual breakfast. I can EASILY eat a frozen diet lunch such as a Lean Cuisine (my usual lunch). This does not fill me up, but I just eat it. For dinner, I just eat what I cook for my family and I eat a normal portion. I know normal is relative, but it is what I would call a serving according to the recipe. When we go out on the weekend, I can usually eat whatever I'm served, but only let myself eat half and bring half home. I can easily eat half of a large restaurant (i.e. Chili's) burger. I easily eat a whole grilled chicken breast and steamed veggies (and be hungry in 2 hrs). I can eat 6 chicken McNuggets and fries, 3 or 4 pieces of pizza, etc. Now don't think I eat these often, I just know I can from the times I have. I don't want to scare you. I see you have not had your surgery yet. I think I am very, very rare! Most people have no problems and are VERY happy with their sleeve. Good luck to you!

    Oh, the best protein I found (and protein is a very personal choice) is Unjury. I love it. I went through a lot of proteins to find this one. Also, as a coffee replacement I like Click. It doesn't have as much protein, but it is very good.

    Thanks,
    Monica


  15. #12
    Gastric Sleeve Member martin64's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Monica
    Surgery date
    08/03/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Andrew Hargroder
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Last Activity
    07-17-2014 08:39 PM
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    Hey Laura,

    Thanks. I will post tomorrow when I find out what my surgeon says. Good luck to you!


  16. #13
    Gastric Sleeve Member martin64's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Monica
    Surgery date
    08/03/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Andrew Hargroder
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Last Activity
    07-17-2014 08:39 PM
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    Denham Springs, LA, USA
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    Hi Dana,

    I was actually self-pay so no luck with getting my insurance company involved. . I have been in communication with my original doctor, but he just says that I need to eat less. Well, he is correct! But I never would have paid this kind of money if I would not have felt any different than I did before the surgery. I know what restriction feels like. I lost 90 lbs with my band. That was restriction!

    thanks,
    Monica


  17. #14
    Gastric Sleeve Member Dana's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Dana Gaar
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    05/11/2011
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    Dr. Eric Rau
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    I hear ya, Im so sorry. I dont understand. I think a 32 bougie is normal for this surgery. I do eat often myself many days. I am hungry too. but as long as I keep my carbs low, i can nibble protein all day and lose weight. I wish i could help you, I hope you keep us updated, we like to learn about how to help each other. ((hug))
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  18. #15
    Gastric Sleeve Member martin64's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Monica
    Surgery date
    08/03/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Andrew Hargroder
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Last Activity
    07-17-2014 08:39 PM
    Location
    Denham Springs, LA, USA
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    Default Re: Failed Sleeve?

    OK, met with the bariatric surgeon today. I really like him! Dr. Hargroder in Baton Rouge, LA. He said one view of my films it looks like a "normal" sleeve, but on another view, it looks like it is larger from the back. He said he knows of possibly two reasons I may be having trouble. If my sleeve surgeon did not dissect the stomach far enough, it would have left a bulb-like protrusion on the back side, which he thinks he is seeing on the film. This would mean I have a much too big pouch. The other problem my be the hernia repair surgery he (Dr. Hargroder) performed on me when I had my band. He said it was a Nisson fundoplication (sp?) in which the upper stomach is wrapped around the esophagus. My sleeve doctor may not have unwound it and just "sleeved" (stapled) around it making a larger pouch. He also may have unwound it, cut/stapled the stomach and not wound it again - also resulting in a larger pouch and explaining why the hernia came back.

    So, he proposes that he look at it while removing my gallbladder and repairing my hiatal hernia. If it looks too big, he will resection it - just like the original surgery. But it would have to be pretty big to have enough room to do this. The other possibility is he may be able to do a pliacation (pleat the upper, enlarged pouch - fold it over on itself). He really won't know until he get in there to see what was done and if it looks "unusual".

    I think I'm having it done on 8/2 or 8/4. They will confirm with me tomorrow.

    Thanks,
    Monica


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