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I was in the hospital three days, came home on the morning of the 4th. Although I didn't have a revision, I had a complicated hernia repair as well as the sleeve. I was tired but fine to fly on the 4th day. I had no nausea and little pain post-op. My suitcase had wheels and I did not pack too much so I could lift it into the overhead bin. From what I hear, Dr. Aceves is an experienced band to sleeve revision surgeon. I had my surgery three weeks after I decided it was what I wanted.

Thank you so much DeeDee and everyone else as well. . . Y'alls word mean a lot to me. I was able to eat a little bit tonight for dinner. I took Caysen out for fajitas at our local mexican joint. I ate a bunch of carmalized onions, and about 2oz of fajita chicken with sour cream. I just hate that my stomach is so irritated. It's one of those things I didn't really think about, but I would almost venture to guess this contributed to my eating issues and nausea through the recovery phase of my revision. I have the most emotional sleeve in the world.

I have come to believe that no matter which WLS one chooses, most of the change has be done in the mind. If the patient is ready, willing and able to make changes, they will succeed. If the patient thinks that the band, sleeve or bypass is going to do the work and they will passively watch the weight melt away; they will fail. If I ever have to lose my band, I will revise to a sleeve, if I can.

I'm 4 years post VSG and also looking at a RNY revision. I had significant GERD all my life. With my surgery I lost about 90 lbs, regained 40. have lost the majority of that using Keto but still, the GERD remains. Surgeon says RNY revision will cure the GERD. I want off of meds, which I've been on for 15 years. I understand the decision to consider a revision. There are many vets who have revisions for various reasons.

Has anyone dealt with Health Alliance for a revision. Some yrs ago I had BCBSIL and they didn’t even want to cover my hernia repair let alone the revision. So here I am three yrs later trying it again. The only difference is this i Sudan remains requires you to meet all requirements plus have a complication. I’m just nervous of trying it again to be let down and still be in pain.

Thats the PONT! If WLS is for life Why would you want it reversed? It only needs revisonal surgery if its going wrong and the complications again are rare and if like happen very early days. Unlike the band most people experience probs around 18 months to 2 years. It can be devastateing if the band has been great then suddenly slippes and needs removing. Not every one is likely to keep the weight off! You ONLY usually have the band removed when there is complications and the long term chance of complications are way higher with a band than any other method of WLS. A Doc will endourse the band if thats all there doing and most general practioners dont know enough about anything so have a say eather way. (in a specialist manner) A Specialsit bariatric surgeon should be skilled in all the surgeries and should have enough experience to assess a patient and there suitablility for what ever procedure. The patient should of course consult with the surgeon and heed the surgeons advice. This less invasive and reverasble thing is sooo repetative it seems like the laimest excusess for a band i have ever heard. It says you expect it to fail and when it does its easy to fix. Whats the point in entering into a lifetime commitment to change with the expoectation its likely to fail. All surgeries to some extent are reversable. The band completely reversabe and usually with that there is a very high chance the weight will regain. Thats prob one of the sole reasons why lots of insurance companies in the US dont fund banding and lots of people have to fight for it. Surly that tellls you something! i seriously cannot see why you would ever want it reversed if things are going well. And in most bypass cases things go well like the stats say there is higher complications probs with a band than any other method of WLS so again if this are going great why would you consider revision?

Well, the first time around when I got the band, one week wasn't quite enough... felt extremely dizzy and light-headed and the seventh day post-op, which was my first day back at work, I thought I was going to die. I've just had revision of my slipped band with plication, and took two weeks off to play it safe... only this time I feel great! Other than just very minimal pain the first couple of days I've been fine!! In fact, I feel so good, that I rearranged all my living room furniture yesterday and got the house completely decorated for Christmas, which was my post-op day 8... that might have been a bit stupid, but I still feel fine. How you will feel after surgery is an entirely individual process. Is it possible to "play it by ear" with your time off? Take as much time as you're able, but go back sooner if you feel like it?

I was like you no comorbities. I was a great sleeve candidate. I was a terribly slow loser which I learned to live with. I have since had some complications post pregnancy and will be revised to bypass soon. I have developed terrible GERD with my sleeve. Also, some sleeve drs still do not advise taking NSAIDS. I took them after my c-section and thought I was gonna have a heart attack. Since then my surgeon had told me to stop using them. I think this is an area that is still conflicting amongst the sleeve community. People have success with both and there can be complications with both.

I personally feel that I have been wildly successful with the sleeve, as well as could be expected for a virgin sleever. I lost 100# in about 6.5 months. It has been slow going since then, but I am not really complaining - i think I will finish my first year having lost 120-125# out of my goal to lose 150#. I feel very successful because even at the weight i am now, I am quite happy and my life has been transformed beyond my wildest dreams! One of the things I recognized during my decade of "band failure" is that I needed more support, more information, more strategies for success. I guess I really understood this time that WLS is "just a tool". I knew it before, but I REALLY KNOW it now. I have the personality fault of having a hard time accepting "help" and nutritionalists had always been completely useless to me in the past, but I knew that I had to try again, and be open to it. So, what I did was find a surgical practice that believed so strongly in the sleeve, has a whole support structure set up, emphasized education and had mandatory follow up. I too roll my eyes at the NUTs who know less then I do, but at this practice I had a NUT to work with that was absolutely brilliant. Everytime I met with her, she made some small suggestion, or something to try that worked. She was also very supportive and had a great way of keeping me focused on the main things to stay successful. That whole practice has this structured, but easy to understand approach to supplements, food recommendations etc. The whole thing made a difference, but the NUT was my real hero post surgery. Because of her, I still eat most meals using appetizer utinsils, a little tea plate and my bowl only holds 4 oz filled to the rim. I can assure you, I would not have continued doing that after the early weeks had it not been her counsel. It is so easy for someone like me (a lifetime of bottomless pit stomach) to drift back to larger portions as it is my history, it is my nature. Side note: surgeon told my hubby that my stomach was very large compared to average patient. Portion control is my single biggest issue - my stomach has always been a bottomless pit. I never really got that "satisfied" feeling - hungry or stuffed were my two feelings. I am not a true binge eater, I don't finish off a half gallon of ice cream at a sitting or eat multiple meals or anything you like that you hear people talk about - more like I would eat like a "growing boy" when I am really a middle age lady...lol... have seconds and then be ready for dessert in an hour or two type of person. So, the band really didn't reduce my hunger, and I didn't have someone who would ask me the hard questions and give me the tough love. This time, I had that. My view, this procedure is about 1000 times better then the band. My view is also that I would not have been as successful without that monthly in person coaching from someone who really knew her stuff. So, everyone is different, and not everyone needs this - there are many paths to success. I guess there are many paths to NO success too. Anybody who thinks their weight loss and maintenance is guaranteed with the sleeve is fooling themselves. I would say the same about the RNY as I have known of people with complete regains after that procedure too. This whole deal still takes work, focus, committment and frankly some sacrifices. This probably doesn't help you any....lol. I am a huge sleeve advocate because so far my personal experience has been wonderful and so much easier to live with then the band. I think you are very very very smart to be questioning, doubting and probing for answers before you committ to the revision. Each successive WLS increases your risk of complications. It was a big lie that the band is "completely reversible" - it leaves damage and scarring that incrases odds of leaks and excess bleeding during your revision. It is my understanding those risks are even higher with the revision to the RNY - but these are all questions to ask your surgeon to be sure you really understand the risks and benefits of all procedures.

My surgeon is near giving up on the band completely due to the high complication rates. He does nearly (I'm told) as many band to sleeve revisions as he does bands alone.

I would like to share my lapband experience. I was banded in 2003, at a weight of 245 lb. I initially lost 75 lb in about the first year, but only after several balancing acts that was adjusting. I was either too tight to eat anything solid OR I had little to no restriction. Fast-forward to now, weight is (was) 220 lbs. Started working with a new doctor. 6 adjustments and 1 EGD later I had enough of the band. I was revised to the sleeve 3 weeks ago (Nov 6). Re: Risks- The sleeve is a more involved and invasive surgery. This naturally makes the risk of complication higher than the band, at least in the short term. Leaks seem to be the worse complication from the sleeve, but it is very rare. I don't have data to support but I'm pretty sure you are only at risk for a leak for a certain time period after surgery. On the other hand, many complications from the lapband can occur at any time post surgery. Scarring, erosion, slipping, and possible autoimmune response can all be pretty serious. Re: Recovery- My recovery was longer after the sleeve than wih the band. Of course I was 9 years younger then. After the band I was fine to go back to work after a few days. This time with the sleeve I had 2 full weeks off and then 1 week part time before returning full-time. I know some people can return to work after a few days with the sleeve, I personally did not feel well enough to. Re: Weight loss not as much?- Thise who are successful with the band can lose down to goal, but is generally slower than with the sleeve. Again looking at the long term, many with the band re-gain, and often end up heavier than when they started. Not sure about statistics with gaining back after the sleeve, but I would guess it is not as much. The band does work for some but unfortunately does fail many times. Do all the research you can, connect with people from both "sides" and see what you feel is the best choice. Good luck on your journey!

I am having stomach and abdominal discomfort in that area, which feels in a way like cramping. I've been having this for months. I actually want to go to the hospital to get it removed its really bad. I spoke with the doctor he said I should have an appointment but he doesnt want to get rid of it.. This seems strange if anything. Anyone have any advice? This seems really confusing. Would there be any steps I could take before I get rid of it?

I also have tricare prime I just basically said id like to have bariatric surgery for my health and quality of life, I said I was ready to commit to it and understood the decision I was making. I honestly didnt have any issues when I went on base, I just said I want to have bariatric surgery for the reasons I just stated and the doc was like ok lets get things started. Im not saying your doc may be that easy but I couldnt see why they wouldn't put a referral in at your request to better your health. If you have any questions plz ask me ill try and help. I have had lap band surgery already here in Oklahoma on friday I have a revision to also have the plication done... I guess it would be no better of a time for me to write out my journey on here to help others like yourself who have tricare!

Once in San Diego my Phone decided to crash and I lost David’s number in which I was to call once reaching San Diego. Fortunately I knew his email and knew that he is always online and would answer right away. Once he did he informed me that Big Robert was on his way but stuck at the border and would get there as soon as possible. Robert and I found each other and he swiftly loaded my luggage and we were on our way toward the Mexico Border. To say the least I was nervous getting in the car with a stranger but after just a few moments he had me at ease and we were talking about family and cooking and I had forgotten I had just met him moments ago. Just as I was Settling in for the drive, we pulled up to the Recovery house. Robert grabbed my luggage like the gentlemen he was and walked me in to the gated community of duplexes. That is when I met Juanito,who is the guy that lives in the duplex next to the recovery condo. He is there for the patients before and after surgery. He is a great guy and will be that shoulder that you need to have if coming to Mexico alone.He showed me to my room offered to show my how the TV worked and asked if there was anything he could do for me.That is how I met Penny in passing Big Robert dropped me off and picked her up to whisked her away,and back across the border,after stopping at the coach outlet.That night I met David Lopez the coordinator for bariatricpal whom was sleeping most of the day because he had been at one of the hospitals with a patient that needed him. The next day I waited knowing that at any time they could tell me it was time to leave to go to the Hospital. Not sure why I was taken by bariatricpal’s main plastic surgeon and his wife to the hospital but I’m sure it was because Big Robert was picking someone else up or needed a day off. Once we arrived, it was as like clock work, an ekg was done,and Consuela came in to prepare me for surgery.Not to mention Little Robert was brought into the picture to keep me company also during my stay at Santa Fe Medical Center. Later that day I awoke to Consuela in my room putting antibiotics and pain meds in my IV,and Lillte Robert sitting on the couch in my room. Consuela tried very hard in broken english to tell me I was fine and to go back to sleep, but in most cases Robert would tell me what she was saying.Many times during that day she came in to check on me and to make sure I didn't need for anything.Then as the night came to a close she came in one last time,after Robert left to let me know she was heading home. Not to be unfair but the other nurses at the Santa Fe Medical Center were nice but not as mothering as Consuela. There was also many interpreters wandering the hall if needed. My favorites were Salvador or Edwin.Awaking the next day I was told to take a shower they would change the bandages and then it was time to walk.That is how I met my neighbors in the next room also going through the same procedure. With every walk I tried to push a little further and knew the gas would dissipate with more movement.Soon enough the Plastic surgeon and his wife were back and I was packed up and taken to a near by to a x-ray lab. The swallow test was done and we were headed back to the recovery house. This is where I met Kim my roommate, for the first time. we had both had surgery yet hers had been a revision. we talked and watched TV and Robert took us walking through the neighborhood. Juanito also has the most wonderful chicken broth he can get you. It is about 3 dollars US when he arrives with it but WELL worth it. That night I started my period, from Hell!!! Both Kim and I were visited by our surgeons and video taped our journeys.That is when I met Kim’s doctor, and she met mine.Dr. Lopez was very kind and did a great job on my surgery and came highly rated by my new pen pal and his education, yet lacked bedside manner and english to communicate. Though I had been warned of this before choosing him as my doctor.Though Dr. Zavalta was just the opposite of Dr. Lopez and was very comfortable talking to his patients in english. David was asked to print up Dr. Zavalta’s nutritional guide lines for healing for Kim,who in turn gave them to me since my doctor gave me nothing for followup but medication. Dr. Zalvalta also sat down with me and discussed everything and explained and answered questions. While my surgeon sat arguing with David over combining Nuts for all the Doctors.He also disagreed with me getting a copy of Dr. Zavalta’s guidelines(too late) .The next day Kim and I were saying goodbye and dropped off to start our journeys home.

Hello everyone! Haven't ever posted on here so I might be a little shy or nervous! Lol Just getting back on YouTube (where I first documented my journey) and saw all the rough stuff everyone has been through.. I had a slip and they were able to fix it by just removing saline. A couple of months went by and the same thing happened. I ended up having revision Surgery on Dec 2nd. The doctor wanted to do it in 2 steps but my insurance company wouldn't go for it. After he got it approved for me to get a sleeve he ended up doing 3 surgeries in one. I had my band removed, a sleeve, and a huge hiatal hernia fixed/removed. It was the most painful thing I have ever felt in my life!! Today I am 5 days post op and dying for some food that I could chew!! I snuck two saltines and chewed, chewed, chewed... Anyone ever had a problem with this? I'm gonna try to keep posting regularly! Thanks for reading!! Stay strong and healthy!! Cris

If yours did slip, you probably won't feel it at first. Mine happened after I got a hianial hernia almost two years after surgery (that would be 1999). Besides late night acid reflux/indigestion, there was actual pressure on my band. It was excruciating. Getting an Xray confirmed the slippage. My band was on an angle. I got a revision in Sept. 2004, and haven't had reflux since. Please see your doctor to put your mind at ease. Good luck!

Hi Mac, I got a VBG in 1991. Worked for about a year and now I have gained all my weight back plus more. I did not have any complications at all but now I need a revision. Don't know what to do. Would love a sleeve, band seems like alot of complications as a revision and I live in a state where there is no aftercare. What would you suggest for me to look into. Thanks!!! __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Not really, Mac. In the procedures used from the 70s - 90s they used the mesh around the VBG and after the mesh you really can't revise to anything except a band safely, there is a 50/50 chance of a leak. That's just too dangerous. ~~~Edit, changed "sleeve" to band. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Yes I had it out May 8th. I was in the hospital 8 days due to an infection. They also thought I had a leak so went back in for surgery on the third day to check around for a leak but apparently there wasn't one. They put drains in on the second surgery and I got a lot better after that. I have lost 38lbs since may. Day of surgery I was 216. Now I am 178 and half way to goal. I have lost 53lbs all together since January when I started the revision process from a high weight of 231. It's the best thing I ever did!

Here's my saga. I posted this elsewhere in the forums and was kind of surprised at the negative response, so let me say, this is just my story. I'm not bashing the band, I'm very thankful for the success I had with it. I'm not bitter or angry, it just didn't work for me long term. I had a Realize band placed in February of 2009. My starting weight was 268. The band was fantastic and I lost weight steadily, with the exception of a few months when I realized how easy Cookies were to eat. In December of 2010, I hit the 100 pounds lost mark, I also found out I was pregnant that same week. At about 4 weeks pregnant I had a really nasty 3 day stomach flu. A few days after recovering from that, I started throwing up again. I could keep food down for a few hours, but it was all coming back up. I lost another 15 pounds in 2 weeks. I thought it was just severe morning sickness, even though in 5 previous pregnancies I'd never had morning sickness. I saw my Ob who told me to immediately get my band unfilled and if I was still throwing up the next day he'd have to admit me into the hospital. I got a complete unfill and immediately felt better, but with no restriction and absolutely no mental/physical/spiritual preparedness for no restriction, my love affair with all things bread and pastry renewed like we were never apart. I gained 40 pounds in the first 4 months of my pregnancy. I managed to gain back a little control, but ended up gaining about 60 pounds before I had my daughter in August of 2011. The weight gain took a great emotional toll on me, but I just knew that 6 weeks postpartum I'd get a fill and be right back on track... You know where this is going, right? In October of 2011 I got my band refilled. Pre-pregnancy, my fill level was at 7.2cc in an 11 cc band. We filled it to 3.5 cc and 3 weeks later filled it to 5 cc. I had very little restriction and it just didn't seem right. I'd also started getting heartburn. I went back a few weeks later and we filled it to 5.5. That lasted 24 hours, I had to go back in for an unfill and we went down to 5.2 so I could get Water down. I still didn't have much restriction, but I did have terrible heartburn and vomiting in the middle of the night. I lived with this for a few months until I couldn't stand it and went back in and had .5 cc removed. This made the heartburn manageable with daily meds and tums always at hand, but there was no restriction. I could eat all the bread, Pasta, rice that I wanted. I knew I had a slip, but didn't have insurance to cover bariatrics, so I lived with it. I tried eating less, exercise, weight watchers, even a juice fast but I've gained 20 more pounds on top of the baby weight. Fast forward to now and I finally have insurance to cover bariatrics. I went in a few weeks ago and had my upper GI. It showed a slip above the band, virtually my entire stomach is above the band, which is why there is no restriction felt, but the band was so tight that flow into the rest of my digestive tract was severely restricted. Food just sat there for a really long time, and the results of that we're just kind of gross. We unfilled the band completely to see if the slip would fix itself, although, we all knew what that result would be. The pregnancy hadn't caused the slip, the stomach flu had and 9 months of an empty band hadn't helped it unslip. I got that confirmation this week. My band is still slipped and the restriction is still severe even empty. I'm frustrated, but quite relieved that there has been a real issue this whole time and it wasn't just me. We're now going through the process of getting insurance approval to revise to a sleeve and I couldn't be happier.

Severe nightime reflux was also my only symptom of my slip. I sufferred with it for 4 mths before finally seeing my dr. I was afraid he'd unfill me and I'd gain back all 104 lbs I had lost. He did. When my reflux subsided, he started filling me slowly. By the time of my 3rd refill, my reflux came back. They took the previous 1cc out and told me it was now up to me, my band had done the job. Mentioned nothing of a revision or removal. 4 mths later, I had severe stomach pain and had to go to the ER. After a CT scan, it showed my band had finally had enuf and herniated (after continuing to vomit almost daily). I had an emergency total unfill and scheduled a sleeve revision. After a yr and a gain of 30 lbs, I finally had a light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a year since my revision (all at once) and I'm now 10 lbs from goal of 140. The first 100 lbs were easy peasy compared with the last 15. Good luck on ur new journey...

I had revision on 6/18 due to many of the same reasons as you. I'm glad I switched and love my sleeve so far. I have Kaiser and am glad I didn't have to go thru all the hops to get approved. Since we had 3 years of documented testing, issues etc that was enough to get it approved and paid for.

Hi Dawn I'm also going to see Dr Hii. I'm getting a revision from failed band to mini bypass. I live around half an hour from you, would love to hear your experiences. Sent from my SM-G900I using the BariatricPal App Hello, good to hear from you.. you are not that far away. Mr Hii is a wonderful surgeon. I am again suffering GERD and I had a gastroscopy Monday, performed by Dr Adam Cichowitz in Wangaratta. I have another hiatus hernia and severe reflux esophagitis.. I see Dr Cichowitz on the 5th of r he next move for me. I am taking Nexium and it is not helping.. Dawn Oh no you poor thing hope they can get it sorted soon.Do you have much restriction? Sent from my SM-G900I using the BariatricPal App Hello What do you mean by restriction? As in what sort of foods I can eat? regards Dawn

I depend upon the band to take away ALL my hunger and cravings, mentally, and to control my portion sizes which I happy to say it does........I don't count calories,have not for over 2 years now...... just make wise food choices with what little I am able to eat.... I am unable to stick with any plan and eat a measured amount of food....I need the band to do that for me.....and it does.... If I were to get a un-fill, it would all be a disaster for me....I depend upon the band for everything....that's why I had the surgery in the first place, was unable to loose weight without it no matter what diet I tried.... Mosts posts you read about people "Failing" and gaining their weight back can usually be linked to some medical issue where they needed a un-fill or band revision....OR they never where in the Green Zone in the first place and depended upon their own selves and discipline for the weight loss.... But with the bands adjusted as it is...it would be IMPOSSIBLE for me to gain any weight back...I know, I have put it to the test and it was a no-go...could not over eat....

I had the band in Mexico when I was 20 in 2003. I lost all the weight Dow to 130lbs on average and maintained that healthy weight for all these years . I also had 4 kids in that time. Until this last year my little band issues became severe band issues. Especially acid reflux and back pain . I hadn't had water in 4 years. Only soda could go down. I had my band I filled 3 months ago and have gained big time. I'm now 167lbs . In 3 months:( my revision band to sleeve surgery is October 3. My endo is this Monday then liquid diet for 2 weeks. I totally get how you are feeling. All the what ifs and fear and tired of band complications.:(