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Hey everyone! I know there are a lot of posts on here but I'm new to this site and I'm still a little lost! I currently have a band, have for approx 3 years, the first year I lost 60 pounds, I've gained all but about 15-20 back. I have had no success for approx 2 years now and it sucks! I'm miserable. I recently got new insurance and it covers wls! I have an appointment on Thursday to talk to my doctor who did my original wls to see what options I have. I've done a lot of research and I'm thinking sleeve would be good as I'm sick of failing with this band! Can anyone who has had both please give some feedback/suggestions!? Did you fail with the band and succeed with sleeve? How much have you lost and in how long? How long were you in the hospital? Recovery? Etc!.... Thanks for everyone's time, I look forward to hearing from you!!

I had the the band in 2007, had tons of complications and had it removed and got Sleeved in Dec of 2010. I did great, lost all my excess weight (110 pounds) then got pregnant, did great in the pregnancy but since having the baby 18 months ago I have gained back 50 pounds. Can't seem to get it off no matter what. Can't seem to stick to my diet. It's like before I was sleeved..no restriction whatsoever, plus bad acid reflux. So I saw my surgeon today to ask about getting resleeved and he let me know that resleeving is high risk for leakage and he recommends gastric bypass I am freaked out by that. I have to have a swallow upper GI xray coming up to look at my sleeve. Am I reading these posts right? Am I seeing that you DON"T lose weight as well with RNY after sleeve as with the original sleeve? I had always thought RNY was the most drastic WLS and the one you lost the fastest with. I am scared to do RNY, scared to have my intestines jumbled around...lol....and scared of the after effects. I lost hair terribly with the sleeve and with all my pregnancies and I am just now getting a normal amount of hair back. I am worried I will go bald with RNY, for real! Scared of the malabsorbtion, which is why I wanted Sleeve to begin with.... Any advice? Not sure I want to do this again...but I am feeling its the only way.

Hi guys. I'm having my revision on 10th October - was all set for a sleeve but having seen my bariatric nurse today, I'm considering a bypass. My mum thinks I should have the bypass as I'm a grazer and the sleeves don't help as much with that - also I read a report that said the standard advice for people revising from bands was for them to go to bypass. I'd really like to hear people's experiences.

I have BCBS federal. I am trying to get a revision of gastric bypass originally done in 2004. They denied me because with the original surgery, I lost at least 50% of excess weight. My doctor did a peer to peer but still denied. Has anyone ever had this happen to them

I had Band to Sleeve revision on 12/9/2013. I had my 1 month post-op yesterday and have lost 36.6lbs. Able to move to any foods just slowly and carefully. Surgery Weight: 306 Today: 269.4

One of the reseasons I am getting a revision from vsg to rny is because I developed severe GERD.

I'm 15 months post gastric sleeve. Before surgery, I had bad acid reflux. I've been on Protonix since surgery. Over the last several weeks, nausea, vomiting, can't eat solid food, pain, GERD is awful. Got dehydrated, hospital 4 days; endoscopy revealed no stricture, but erosions, scar tissue and bad GERD. Now I am not very pleased that I am most likely facing a revision to gastric bypass. I never knew that with GERD it might be better to have the bypass instead of the sleeve.

Thank you for your response. I got approval from my insurance today - and my surgery is scheduled for July 25. It is good to hear from someone that has gone through the revision. Two short weeks - I know it will fly by. Take care of yourself and feel better soon - I'll be joining you in not too long. I hope this site picks up - I've always enjoyed LBT (although left for a while - which is why I'm a newbie now).

I was banded in April 2008. I lost close to 70 pounds with my band within the first year. I have some some complications (which I will go through on introducing myself) in the past two years. In a nutshell, my band has to come out due to port and esophogus issues. A few questions on Band to RNY Revision for those who have gone through it? 1. Were you able to do it in one surgery? 2. Did your insurance require any further 'pre-requisites' or did your band-pre work qualify? (I know all/most insurances will be different - just looking for examples) 3. What was the recovery like in regard to the band? 4. Was there a difference in the diet? 5. The Good and Bad of RNY for you? I have been reseraching as much as I can and have decided to have the RNY, but there isn't a lot of research out there on Band to RNY revisions. Thank you for your feedback!

Help Center -Department of Managed Care This I my appeal letter to ask that you reconsider and approve the Sleeve Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery that was denied by Anthem Blue Cross because they consider the procedure investigational. I believe this surgery is exactly the tool I need to improve my health and the quality of the rest of my life. I have been told by several of Anthem Blue Cross customer service representatives that 43775 is a covered procedure and that as long as my HMO approved they would pay for the surgery. This is not what I am being told now. I have been getting the runaround on this for two months. I received a letter from my HMO dated 2/6/10(copy enclosed) stating this is not a denial of service but Anthem considers this procedure experimental and has to go to the Utilization Dept for a decision. The number to call this department was on the letter. I called this Dept. a minimum of 5 times and was told they don’t know what I am talking about, this dept. doesn’t handle HMO. So I call my HMO and they say “oh you have to appeal” so I send my appeal letter to Anthem on 2/16 and wait the 30 days for a decision. On the 28th day they inform me that I cannot appeal because I haven’t been denied, oh and the people in the Utilization Dept. don’t know that their department handles this?? So they send it back to the Utilization Dept and now I have officially been denied. This part of this process has taken two months, very frustrating. I. PATIENT BACKGROUND My name is Jeani Xxxxxxx and I am insured under group plan xxxxxxxxxx. My member ID # xxxxxxxxxxxxx. I am now 59 years old. I am 5/5 tall and at this time I weigh 233 lbs. I am seeking approval for weight loss surgery. I have been overweight to one degree or another since I was a young child and was advised by my pediatrician to diet at age 10. I have made numerous efforts at weight loss throughout my teenage years and adult life. I dieted frequently as a teenager and young adult. Numerous times I have lost 40-80 pounds or more but eventually the weight returns. Weight loss programs I tried include juice fasts, traditional calorie counting on quite a few occasions, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Nurti-system, the Atkins diet, Cabbage soup, Mayo Clinic diet, the Zone, gym membership, lap swimming, weight training, water aerobics, walking programs, various buddy-system diets and individual, self hypnosis, ”Think yourself Thin” “ Think yourself Thin Automatically, tape you listen to in the car” Dexatrim, Metabalite, Hoodia, Green Tea Extract, and numerous other fad diets. In all cases I lost weight but each time the weight crept back, usually with a little more. Eventually I realized that traditional dieting seemed to actually cause weight gain due to increased hunger that seems to occur after significant weight loss. I believe science is only now beginning to understand the reasons for this phenomenon which is consistently reported by clinically obese people. Studies also show that genetics plays a larger role than once thought and there are morbidly obese people in my family as well as slim people. My co-morbidities include high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low good cholesterol, have had abnormal EKGs, borderline diabetes, and osteoarthritis in my hip, which my doctor said weight loss would help significantly. I have also had sever back pain most of my life. I take hydrochlorothiazide and verapamil for high blood pressure which is effective. I take medicine, Niacin for high triglycerides. I have a family history of cancer as well as strokes, heart disease and severe arthritis. I take nabumetone almost daily and ibuprofen to help with severe leg pain related to arthritis in my hip. I have taken ibuprofin for back pain that i have had most of my life even when I was not overweight. I believe I will need NSAIDS even after WLS which is why I need the sleeve as this is the only WLS that you can still take anti-inflammatory medications. I buy over the counter ibuprofen as I can get 500-200mg pills for $10.00 which last over 6 months, whereas when getting prescription I only get 30 -800 milligrams for a co-payment of $10 which only last a month. My excess weight and other health issues makes everyday activities difficult including housework, shopping, standing, walking significant distances, working and recreation. It effectively makes my world smaller limiting the number of things I can do each day. I have lived with obesity for years and strongly wish to change this aspect of my life. I fear the consequences of my high triglycerides especially considering the family history i have of heart disease. Many members of my family died of heart attack and stroke. I was stunned to learn that my weight is in the obese category but heartened to learn of this newer treatment with fewer side effects and shorter recovery. I am highly motivated to succeed with VSG and understand that food intake will be significantly limited for the rest of my life and that I must continue to exercise to be successful. Before I found out about the arthritis, which is the result of a subtle fracture at some point in my life that affected the curvature and angle of my right hip bone (this was found by an MRI that was done after pain medication didn’t help and physical therapy made the pain worst), I used to walk a minimum of 30-60 minutes a day at least 5 days a week. Since this pain in my leg as a result of the hip arthritis I no longer can do that and I am afraid that the weight will just continue to creep up on me. My particular problem is in volume eating. I eat good food, lots of chicken and turkey, lots of fruits and vegetables, the thing is I am always hungry and I eat until I am full. Having a smaller stomach and feeling full sooner seems like exactly the kind of help I need. I had given up on traditional dieting as it always resulted in failure and am pleased to have found the VSG surgical option which appears to be the only tool offering a realistic possibility of lifelong weight control for me. I believe VSG is the best surgery for me because it offers restriction like the lap-band and the RNY but without the malabsorption of the RNY. The RNY is not an option because I very much need regular doses of nabumetone and ibuprofen for the leg pain related to my hip pain and even once I lose the weight believe I will still need ibuprofen for my back pain which I have suffered with most of my adult life. Tylenol is not effective for me. I am allergic to codeine, vicodin, any pain medication of that type I cannot take. Narcotic pain relievers make my head seem fuzzy but do not help with pain. I have the same concern about the lap band. I also understand that as many as 27 percent of lap band patients require band removal and weight loss is often unsatisfactory (I think the number is even higher now). Most importantly, the VSG removal of a large portion of the stomach removes many of the cells that produce the hormone ghrelin which is known to cause hunger and appetite. The RNY and lap band don’t have this advantage. At age 59 I am concerned about the side effects of the RNY and do not want to spend 6 or more months with dumping syndrome and feeling rotten. I also worry about the ability to take and absorb other medications I might need in the future as I age. The VSG appears to offer the fastest recovery, weight loss similar to the RNY and the least amount of side effects. One recent publication, “The Best Bariatric Operation for Older Patients “ by Drs Lee, Cirangle, Taller, Feng and Jossart, 2005, concludes that “These data suggest that the best bariatric operation for older patients may be the laparoscopic VG because it achieves the greatest weight loss with the shortest operative time and the fewest complications”. I have investigated this procedure very thoroughly including attending support groups and talking with others who have had it. I have completed most of the preoperative testing and strongly believe this is the best procedure for my circumstances II. THE VSG SHOULD NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED INVESTIGATIONAL The only stated reason for denying approval for the VSG is that it is investigational and …” current available medical studies do not show that this service improves health outcomes, is as good as or better than standard alternatives, or shows improvement outside the research setting”. It is respectfully submitted that this conclusion is incorrect. The conclusion ignores the 36 studies now available on the effectiveness of VSG which indicate that excess weight loss is similar to the RNY and that complications from surgery are actually lower than RNY. It also ignores the fact that the VSG is now widely performed and is routine for many bariatric surgeons and has long been performed outside the research setting. Anthem’s policy on Surgery for Clinically Severe Obesity is set forth in a document with an effective date of April 22, 2009. This document reviews the various forms of bariatric surgery and explains when weight loss surgery is considered medically necessary. VSG is excluded from ever being medically necessary because it is designated as investigational and that “…there is insufficient convincing evidence in the peer reviewed medical literature, in terms of safety, to support the use of …sleeve gastrectomy…other than biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch, in individuals with clinically severe obesity.”. Nevertheless, the lap band and Realize band procedures are approved as medically necessary in this same document based upon what appears to be two three year studies involving 219 and 352 patients respectively. There is now a considerable body of data and studies supporting the safety and effectiveness of the VSG as a primary procedure for weight loss. The June 2009 Supplement to Bariatric Times reporting on the Second International Consensus Summit on Sleeve Gastrectomy (available at www.bariatrictimes.com) includes 10 papers pertaining to the safety and effectiveness of the VSG presented by leading bariatric surgeons. In Reducing Risk in Bariatric Surgery: Rational for Sleeve Gastrectomy, Dr. Eric J. DeMaria concludes that “A growing body of evidence suggests sleeve gastrectomy may be an appropriate primary bariatric surgical procedure primarily due to low risk and ease of surgical revision when required.” In the paper presented by Drs Jossart and Cirangle, four years of data showed a 68% excess weight loss by VSG patients, a figure not largely different than RNY patients of the same time range. Most significantly, in Debates and Consensus: a Summary by Dr. Michael Gagner, important questions concerning the VSG were debated and conclusions reached by the 400 conference participants. Question 6 was as follows: “Question 6: In your opinion, is there currently enough published data to support the sleeve gastrectomy as a primary procedure to treat morbid obesity on par with adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass? Several groups presented cohorts of patients with follow-up periods of 4 to 8 years the day before. Jossart and colleagues in San Francisco presented eight years’ experience including 1,200 cases, whereas at more than four years, weight loss resulted in a similar curve to gastric bypass. At higher BMI (greater than 55kg/m2) a plateau of nearly 40kg/m2 demanded a second stage, but below a BMI of 55, the operation was terrific. Schauer and colleagues assessed the literature from 35 reports, studied more than 3,000 published sleeve gastrectomy cases, and found an extremely low mortality rate (near 0.12%). Results have shown excellent weight loss and co morbidity reduction that is comparable to or exceeds other bariatric operations and that the sleeve gastrectomy is safe and efficacious. Himpens of Belgium analyzed his patients from 2001 through 2002(sic) to attain six-year follow-up. Sixty-five percent of 46 patients were considered a “success” (%EWL greater than 50 ) at two years. At six years the success rate was maintained at 59 percent. Weiner from Frankfurt and MacMahon of Leeds, who started in 2000, also had similar results. *** Certainly, the audience thought there was enough evidence published to support the sleeve gastrectomy as a primary procedure to treat morbid obesity on par with adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a yes vote of 77 percent. This is perhaps the strongest contribution to this second consensus conference.” A review article entitled “Systematic Review of Sleeve Gastrectomy as Staging and Primary Bariatric Procedure” was recently posted on the web site of the American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons dated May 26, 2009. The authors are Drs Brethaur and Schaur and Jeffrey Hammel M.S. of the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. Thirty-six studies involving 2570 patients who had the VSG procedure were analyzed. Their conclusion was: “From the current evidence, including 36 studies and 2570 patients, LSG is an effective weight loss procedure that can be performed safely as a first stage or primary procedure. From this large volume of case series data, a matched cohort analysis and 2 randomized trials, LSG results in excellent weight loss and co-morbidity reductions that exceeds , or is comparable to, that of other accepted bariatric procedures. The postoperative major complication rates and mortality rates have been acceptably low. Long-term data are limited but the 3- and 5- year follow up data have demonstrated the durability of the SG procedure. “ To date ten thousand patients have had the VSG surgery with good success. Many are going to Mexico or other foreign countries because their insurers refuse to pay for the VSG even though it is less expensive than the RNY procedure, the so called “gold standard” of weight loss surgery which takes several hours and requires a hospital stay of 3 or 4 days. The VSG can be completed in one hour by a skilled surgeon and most patients stay only one night in the hospital. While there is certainly follow up care, the repeated fill and unfill procedures required by gastric banding are unneeded for the VSG. Nutritional supplements are much less of a problem than with the RNY. Many insurance companies are recognizing the value and cost effectiveness of the VSG and have approved the VSG for at least some patients, including BSBC Federal, Tri-west Tri-care Prime, United Healthcare, the Veterans Administration, Aetna, Blue Care Network HMO, Healthnet, Anthem BC of Connecticut, Definity Health/United Healthcare, PPO, Empire Blue Cross Anthem, and UHC. The VSG sleeve gastrectomy is now routinely offered by Kaiser Permanente to all patients that qualify for Weight Loss Surgery and would not do so if this surgery was not proven to work. I don’t think it is fair that if you have five people, one with Kaiser, one with United, one with Aetna, one with Cigna and me with Anthem Blue Cross of California, the other four will be offered the sleeve and I will not. The California Department of Insurance has recognized that VSG is widely accepted by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery as a standard procedure at medical centers for excellence. In Decision #EI09-9645 the physician reviewers reversed the health plan’s denial of the patient’s VSG request and concluded that VSG was the most appropriate option for the patient. The same conclusion was also reached in EI06-5882 though the patient had significantly more co-morbidities. That decision noted the important fact that the VSG is nothing more than the first part of the duodenal switch operation which includes the second step of intestinal modification and as such, the VSG portion has been performed for many years as part of the DS procedure. Some patients have the VSG first as part of a two stage procedure and find that they do not need the second stage. Thus, the VSG is not as new and investigational as Anthem’s conclusions seem to imply. Anthem does cover the DS procedure which includes the VSG as one part. According to an article published in the Detroit Free Press on August 17, 2009, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, in conjunction with the University of Michigan, has been compiling a large detailed data base on bariatric surgery in order to improve surgical outcomes and provide cost savings. In three years of data collection, it appears that the VSG now accounts for as much as 12% of all bariatric procedures. This percentage indicates that the procedure is far beyond investigational status. This data base indicates that 10,000 VSG procedures are known to have been performed. My Anthem group policy excludes investigational procedures and defines that term as procedures: “ 1) that have progressed to limited use on humans, but which are not generally accepted as proven and effective procedures within the organized medical community; or 2) that do not have final approval from the appropriate governmental regulatory body; or 3) that are not supported by scientific evidence which permits conclusions concerning the effect of the service, drug or device on health outcomes; or 4) that do not improve the health outcome of the patient treated; or 5) that are not as beneficial as any established alternative; or 6) whose results outside the investigational setting cannot be demonstrated or duplicated; or 7) that are not generally approved or used by Physicians in the medical community. It appears that the VSG, based upon the articles cited above, has been performed on thousands of patients, has been accepted by a consensus of participating members of an international conference devoted to this subject, is widely accepted by the ASMBS, does not require FDA or similar government approval, is in fact supported by at least 36 studies analyzed by highly respected physicians, is as effective as the RNY and more effective than gastric banding in terms of percentage of excess weight loss, has fewer complications than the RNY, has as good or better reduction of co morbidities as other procedures, and has results that are similar in studies by both United States and foreign physicians. The VSG therefore no longer falls within the definition of investigational procedures excluded from coverage. The conclusions stated in the previously cited Anthem Policy on Surgery for Clinically Severe Obesity are simply no longer correct and that policy should be updated to include VSG coverage or disregarded. With the VSG patients lose about 68% of excess weight and lower BMI patients like me often do much better. Weight loss will most certainly help my back and hip pain and improve ability to exercise. High triglycerides, high blood pressure, and borderline diabetes are corrected in about 76 percent of WLS cases and I am hoping for this result. It is therefore highly likely that my health will be improved by this procedure and I respectfully ask for your reversal of this denial. I am a mother and soon to be a Grandmother and I want to improve the quality of my life so that I will be healthier and able to help raise my grandchildren and be able to take an active role in their life.Thank you for your review of this matter. I greatly appreciate the fact that the state of California has a procedure to help insured patients who find themselves in disagreement with their insurance companies. I strongly believe this decision will greatly affect the quality of the rest of my life. Thank you for your time. I eagerly await your decision regarding this. I can be reached as indicated below if further information is needed. Enclosed is a copy of my denial letter from Anthem Blue Cross My HMO is Healthcare Partners Primary Care Provider is xxxxxxxxxxxxx Gastric Surgeon xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sports Medicine xxxxxxxxxxxx who ordered MRI and diagnosed arthritis Cardiologist xxxxxxxxxxxxx did my last EKG and stress test All these doctors agree Weight Loss Surgery is a good option for me. Respectfully yours, Jeani Anderson xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (xxx) xxx-xxxx Work info: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx CA 91101 (xxx)xxx-xxxx ext. 244

As of now I'm scheduled for a revision from a lap band to RNY on Nov 20. Fingers crossed!

My surgery is considered a revision because I had the Lap Band a few years ago. I am going to Juarez, Mx with Dr. Rodriguez and it is costing me 8500.00, I am paying down 4000.00. It is pricey for Mexico but I will be in the hospital 3 nights. Payments are only 200.00/month. I checked at Dr. Ariel Ortiz and I believe you could get sleeved for 4800.00, but it was in a surgery center, then out to a hotel.

I wanted to point one thing out, as I leave in the am. I'm actually a bit glad I came by myself! I think when someone is with you, you feel like you need to keep them entertained, not bored and happy. Without someone here, I don't have to worry about anyone but ME. Its been nice, if I want to shower, nap, sleep, not talk - I don't have to do any of that, no one pushing me to walk more or get more fluids down other than nurses. I actually don't think I would have liked it any other way. Look into Dr Aceves. He is a bit more, but you are in the hospital 3 days so there is 24 hour care. He does a very good sleeve (he does a LOT of revisions on BAD sleeves, so don't risk going to a cheaper surgeon, get the best the first time.)

My mom is super against surgeries in general. So I'm in Mexico by myself. I don't mind. This is for me. I chose Mexico for a lot of reasons. Quality of doctor and care is above par than what is by my house. No hoops to jump. More hospital care. The sleeve is an art if done right. I didn't want to need a revision in years to come. I wanted a record of above excellent results. Tomorrow I am being sleeved and today the surgeon spent an hour with me and the other two getting sleeved discussing what was going to happen, how the new stomach works, signs your stomach is saying it's full and how to make sure you use your tool right long term. I've never had a US doc spend an hour with me answering questions, not rushing through, etc. Amazed so far! My 3 nights in the hospital start tomorrow. It comes down to what you want. You can't make people sorry you when they a are scared. The unknown is scary for people. This isn't a surgery that's required, it's elective and some people have a hard time accepting that. Be brave, change your life, your the only one that can!

I had lapband in 2011. Did very well with it. Got to goal, but as others have said, had complications and had to have it removed. I revised to bypass at the end of March. My doctor is revising many of his band patients due to complications. It was a great tool when it wasn't causing problems, but it doesn't seem to be a long term surgery without having additional surgeries later on down the road. And this is not to bash the band, because I loved it when it wasn't causing problems, but more of an observation of what I've seen and experienced. Sent from my LG-H631 using the BariatricPal App

Hello All- I am scheduled for Sleeve Revision to Mini-Bypass on Sept 29th. I do not have enough vacation time to take extended time off, so I will be returning to work in 5 days. I am having my surgery with Dr. Ilan. Any tips, advice, input, or expectations you would like to share? I took off 2 weeks with my sleeve and was bored to tears after about 5 days. So, I'm confident I'll be fine to return to my desk job so quickly. Also, it has been rumored that my weight loss will much slower with the second surgery than it was with the Sleeve. Anybody have any insight on this? Thanks in advance.

Thank you for responding to my post! And you are right about a "tricky revision". I am following my Doctor's orders right down the line. I forgot to mention that my band had also came unbuckled sometime during the almost 4 years I had it. I really feel like my Band Doctor should have found my problems. After all I was getting fill after fill with no restriction after only a few days. One time he put in 9cc under fluroscope.....he had to have seen it or was just plain ignoring my problem. He actually did me a favor by quitting and moving away. Or I would have never known what was going on with my band. I have a great Doctor now, who cares about me, fixed my problem, and that is what counts. Thanks again Tryin

I have this same question. Did you get an answer on the 6 month diet again? I go to Dr next month and hoping I can just get scheduled for revision to gastric. Thank you

I also had the lap band 10 years ago and loved it. I lost over 100 pounds and life was good until the gastric reflux started. It got so bad I was aspirating stomach acid into my lungs and I had to sleep in a chair. They removed all of the fluid from the band and the reflux went away and then I started on the track to get a revision to a sleeve. It seemed to me that I shouldn't have had to gone through the whole program for approval again but I did. I'm now waiting to get my surgery date finally after 6 months, which was probably a little longer because of Covid. Unfortunately having the band deflated and my gym closing (I was working out like crazy and now I've just stopped) I've gained a ton back. I'm so frustrated. Hoping to get the sleeve in 4-6 weeks, fingers crossed.

I spent about 3 days immersed in reading info online, emailing coordinators and clinics for info, and reading about experiences on this website. At first, I was sure I was going to do the lapband, primarily because it was reversible. I think that would have been a huge mistake based on what I have read about complications and revisions. I happened to meet a gal thru work who had surgery in Mexico a year ago so was able to talk to her face to face. As you research, you will find that many clinics have several coordinators working for them. Think of it as a salesperson representing the service. As I found out while in Mexico for surgery, these coordinators are not all equal and I was very fortunate to have hired a good one. I don't think I am allowed to post her info but can send you a personal message. She is usually present for her clients' surgery and recovery. Others are not. I am usually very frugal but I told myself this wasn't the time to pick the cheapest option out there. I based my decision on the coordinator who communicated with me the quickest with the least amount of pressure. I also based my choice on airfare. It seemed a couple of clinics were receiving equally positive reviews and were similiarly priced, so I calculated airfare in as well. For me it was less expensive to fly to San Diego and go to Tijuana, and I have been to Tijuana so was familiar with the area. I was also able to book a Southwest flight which is a huge advantage. They are one of the few airlines who allow you to change or cancel your flights without penalty. The unused funds are available for another flight within one year or you can rebook immediately at the going rate but without a penalty. My concern was if I wanted or needed to extend my return flight home. I did change my flight, but flew home earlier in the day! I was very happy with my surgery experience in Tijuana and would go back for other procedures if necessary or elective.

I had surgery December 21st. Everything went really well, had little to no pain, and have recovered nicely : ) Back at work and the gym after two weeks, and now I'm about 3.5 weeks post op. I lost 17 pounds pre surgery and 13 pounds the first week while on the Clear Liquids phase. However, I've stopped losing weight, and have even gained 1.5 lbs. since I started introducing solids. I'm doing everything right: measuring food, chewing slowly, not drinking with meals, Protein first, stopping when I'm full. I should note, I had Lap Band done in 2007, but had band to bypass revision 12/21/15. Has anyone else experienced this? I have a post-op appt this Monday, but I'm looking for some answers! Stats: height - 5'10 HW - 269 Surgery Weight: 252 CW: 241

First off my heart goes out to you with such an extensive medical history, and chronic extreme pain. I can't imagine how agonizing it must be on a daily basis. There are so many contributing factors to your symptoms that's it's hard to say if a revision to a RNY would bring about the results you're hoping for. It's going to be a blind risk either way, with no guarantee of improvement. But I will say this. There are some who chose the sleeve and then started suffering severe GERD/reflux issues afterwards, who then revised to the RNY and experienced a marked improvement. I had never even known it was a possibility myself until reading the posts here. It's part of the reason why I switched my decision from sleeve to RNY myself. Which I'll be getting in a short while. Let me stress that GERD doesn't happen to everyone, but when it's *you*, I know you'd do anything to get away from its devastating effects. It is not a pleasant way to live. I hope whatever you decide in the end that it brings you the answer you are seeking. Good luck!

Yep, me. I had to be on 80mg of Nexium daily, Pepcid as needed for breakthrough, and it still didn't help. I had severe gerd, gastritis, esophagitis, and polyps all through my stomach and duodenum. 4 endoscopies later, I had to have a revision to a bypass. Changing my diet didn't help. Eliminating exercising didn't help. All the antacids didn't help. I never had any gerd or reflux before the sleeve, but it was debilitating after. Revision was the best thing I ever did.

hello people! i am so excited today...i just found out that medicare has approved me for lapband revision surgery! now i am waiting for a pre-op appt.,meeting agian wiht the NUT and psych evaluation. i pray i can have the surgery in May as hoped for.finally a second chancce to lose at least 120 pounds.i have been desperat as i lost 200 from my gastric bypass and had gained back 100. i can use all the prayers adn advice i can get so plz feel free to reach me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!on cloud nine,abbagirl

I am 5 days post sugary, gastric bypass. It is NOT easy. I finally today am feeling a little bit better. I keep telling myself that this period is going to be HELL but follow the program and it will be ok. I had to meditate through the pain at times. Tomorrow I am going to begin with a 2000 step walk. I was feeling low today also but then I got a recipe book in the mail that really lifted my spirits. The food in it looks amazing. Really good looking stuff but prepared in a high Protein low calorie way. I have NOT read the entire book yet but I know the future will look brighter. I have not yet had a chance to read it but I did thumb through it. A GREAT looking pizza recipe in there and I can't wait to try it. Book is: recipes for after weight loss surgery, revised and updated by Margaret Furtado. There are so many amazing looking recipes in there. Pizza, Humus, Sausage and Lentil Soup, Latkes, crab cakes, stroganoff. Looks amazing and the book is loaded with pictures and lots of wonderful looking stuff. I am actually excited and it lifted my spirits. One example recipe is below. AGAIN, I have not read the entire book so I am not sure at what stage I can start this but it is promising. I was miserable but 5 days after surgery I am finally feeling better. Sharing one of the recipes in the book. Pita Pizza: 284 calories. 25.6 grams protein. Makes 4. 4 small 4 inch whole wheat pita breads. 1 can 6 0z, low sodium tomato paste 1 teaspoon dry oregano 1 teaspoon dry basil 1 teaspoon dried thyme 4 tablespoons grated parm cheese 1 cup cooked boneless skinless chicken breast cut into small cubes. Or, chicken italian sausage, or ground meat. 1/2 cup fresh slices mushrooms 1 can, 2.5 oz sliced black olives 3/4 cup (85g) shredded part skim mozzarella cheese Oven 375. Lightly spray a sheet pan with cooking spray. Put on all toppings and bake aprox 15 minutes. Picture of the pizzas look AMAZING. NOW, I have to say I have not read the entire book yet so I am not sure when this recipe can be used but it is good to know that down the road a healthy pizza is possible. Looking through this book raised my spirits. John