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I had my revision on 6/30/15 and they put a pressure dressing over my former port site to prevent this. It's just a clear tagaderm dressing over sterile cotton balls that keep pressure on the site so no fluid will form in that pocket that your port was in. I was told to leave it on until my two week checkup but if it fell off before that was ok. I showered every day and it didnt fall off until my appointment day and only because that was the first time I'd worn jeans since my surgery. I don't know if I could have handled what you guys went. Happy to hear that a lot of you have stopped having drainage.

Hey everybody! I pray all of you are doing great!! Looks like y'all are from the threads I'm reading. I'm sure 99.9% of you don't even know who I am, LOL. I was here in Feb and March praying to be approved by insurance for the sleeve but it did not happen because I'm not a footstep away from dying on paper and my BMI wasn't high enough. Fooled around for awhile and finally got myself on Atkins at the end of May. Lost 9 lbs in 2 weeks with 8.5 of those in the first week. Went on vacation last week to Panama City Beach, went off plan and came back with 4.5 lbs of those 9 back on me so I'm back on plan as of today. Anyway, while on vacation my hubby saw me almost break down several times over different situations. On the beach, seeing all the normal people walking around in their cute suits and coverups. On the way down there noticing how fat the back of my arms have gotten. Having to crop all the photos before sharing with family and friends so I could cut out the parts I didn't want anyone seeing. Going into I don't know how many surf shops and not finding anything near my size in suits, sun dresses or coverups. And then going to one that advertised a plus size section only to find that most of them looked like nothing I would want to wear and on top of that, it costing like $40 for a no name swim top only. I don't mind paying that for a brand that I know but no way I'm paying that for these cheesy cheaply made things those shops along the beaches carry. I had a blast but there were hard times and every single one of those hard times was due to my weight. So, while there and again on the way home, my hubby tells me that he noticed how upset I had gotten and to find out how much it would cost us a month to just pay for surgery. I should be excited right????? Well, part of me is, but now that I know he would pay for this for me, I'm scared to death. So, I'm back researching and am also considering the POSE procedure. But since that procedure is so new, it's impossible to find people that have actually had it to see how they are doing so I can do my research. Only thing I can do on that surgery is talk to the only doc in Louisiana that does it and hope that it's all truth. So, if anyone knows where someone is that has had the POSE procedure or even the ROSE (same surgery except for ppl revising from bypass or other wls) I'd love it if you could point me in the right direction. If we are going to go into debt to pay for this, I want to do what's best and what is least likely to have complications but I also want to do what's going to help me get healthy and stay that way for the rest of my life. Don't want to do the POSE and end up revising that to a sleeve later on or something, kwim?? Anyway, sorry I didn't keep up with the boards and the buds I had started making here better than I have. I was kinda down and sad for awhile after I gave up the hope for surgery and still kinda am. But, thats no excuse for keeping in touch. Take care everyone and have a blessed night!!! PS posting this on OH as well so ya don't have to re-read it over there God bless ya! Krystal

Polly - my heart goes out to you. I recently had my band removed due to a slip. I had horrible pain, vomiting blood - just awful. Like you, I was discharged and sent home without a real plan. The comment - "well, you know how to eat now, so this should not be a problem". HAHA..BS..I knew how to eat when I got my band, I just chose to eat too much and the wrong stuff. My band stopped me from doing those bad things and now it is gone. I feel empty (and not from food). I am trying very hard not to put weight on, but it is impossible. I am walking, writing down what I eat, not drinking with my food...the whole deal, but I am up about 5 or 6 pounds and I don't see an end in sight. It has been less than a month since I lost my band and I feel lost ! I don't know if I will be able to get any revision since I am not exactly fat anymore. I do still have the plication that I got when I got my band and that is supposed to help me..so far. My stomach feels bloated and I am not being a good girl in the food department. I see my doctor again next week and I am really hoping he can give me some type of guide to get me through this dark tunnel I feel I have entered. I had my band almost 3 years and it did work..now, I am not sure what lies ahead. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. You aren't alone in this one. Melinda in Florida

Yes the dietitian was especially focused on protein when we talked! Did you find it hard to get in all the protein you needed at first? I'm really curious how your diet and typical day is now, 10 years later? I've heard that about the 2 step DS being safer as well. I've also seen a lot of posts and discussions in the forums about doctors recommending the 2 step simply to make more money. I have no idea which is more accurate! I want the one step because I know getting insurance to cover another surgery will be a nightmare... If I do go with the sleeve I'm going to make sure I document EVERYTHING so that if it fails and I need a revision, I have plenty of evidence that I followed the rules. I could come to NYC. Do you have a recommendation? I don't mind travel if it means the best care. Thanks so much!! :-)

My insurance paid for band removal and revision to sleeve - I had two surgeries. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

HI there. I am considering a revision form SVG to RNY. What all are you required to do pre-op? You have to do everything before you know if insurance will cover your procedure? DO you have any concerns/reservations?

Please Please dont get the lapband!! Many of us have gone through such medical nightmares from the lapband. I would double check with your doctor and see how many succesful patients he has had with the lapband. Also do they do the adjustments under florescope? If not it is litterally a stab in the dark, really the adjustments are done by feel and the chances of having your lapband adjustment via needle blindly (because there is skin between the port and the needle adjustments to be made.) I had an adjustment where the doctor couldnt get a proper feel for the port after being stabbed with the needle over 7 times, he hit me with such force that the I could feel my stomach muscles when he pulled the needle/plunger and nothing came out. this all happened in front of my child blood shot out my stomach was badly bruised for days this was the last time i got adjusted with out the help of going to a radiologist. I used to be a medical assistant and I had never been treated so bad by a doctor and the treatment was awful. After that my band leaked. I am not saying that you will have a nightmare of adjustments and band failure. but I am saying surgery once for WLS is important! So do your research, yes i understand about all the pro's for lapband, but i have lived the negative from lapband and it is not worth it unfortunately the sleeve surgery wasnt an option for me at that time. It became popular with in months after my surgery. I am now awaiting my lapband revision surgery date, and thankful for the right tool and doctor to do the revision surgery. John you need to do what works for you and you are taking the best steps by researching first here. I pray for wisdom for your healthy life and the right path for what works for you.

Another point to consider is if your insurance limits you to one bariatric surgery per lifetime. If that’s the case, you should consider RNY over VSG, cut once, as there are a number of people that are requiring revision surgery after VSG and you would hate to have to self-pay for a 2nd surgery. As well, weight loss is typically better with an original surgery than a revision surgery. Long term use of PPIs is also not recomneded as they cause risks for serious health issues/diseases.

I had my revision on September 10, 2012 and had no issues at all. When progressing through the food stages, as I listened to my body, I did extend some phases by a couple of days and it was well worth it. I have had no vomiting, no sliming, but I also do not overeat. I learned many lessons with the band so the sleeve has been quite easy for me. I reached my goal weight in 6 months less a day and currently am still losing. WOOHOO sleeve!!!

those must be your particular surgeon's requirements, because I don't think that's universal - except maybe in the early weeks or months. I have a virgin RNY (not a revision), but I didn't have any restrictions at all once I get a ways out. I don't drink a lot (maybe three or four times a year), but I eat tacos every time we go to a Mexican restaurant. There's literally nothing I can't eat (although I watch my portion size)

I am using Dr. Strain at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, NJ. He is at a Bariatric Center of Excellence. He works with two other surgeons, Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Morales. Dr. Morales just took out my Lap Band yesterday. She was great and Dr. Strain will be doing my Revision in September, he is great too. They also have a nutritionist right in the office (which is located on Engle St.) Their website is www.bergenlap.com

Hi all! I had a band in 2006, revision to sleeve in 2015. Now having excrutiating nausea, GERD, heartburn, etc. Had the endoscopy PH study and am having reflux episodes/vomiting every 16 minutes!! Having an upper endoscopy tomorrow to rule out Barrett's. My doc gave me three options this morning. 1. Fix hiatal hernia and hope that works, 2. Revise sleeve to by pass and hope that works, 3. Do nothing and live with it. I started at 234 pre band and have only lost 40 or so pounds and have lost and regained the weight many times over the past years. Considering taking all my records and getting a second opinion closer to home. My doc does not do a ds, so would like to hear what another surgeon may say about that. Any words of wisdom?? Thank you!

I'm going through the same thing with BCBSIL, I'm in the 30 day waiting period too. They don't want to cover a revision due to severe GERD or my hernia repair. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have no shame in saying that I go to OE meetings. They have helped sooo much. Its helps me figure out why I turn to food. Is it emotional is it an actually physically hunger? Plus it put me in contact with people who know what I'm going through and when I'm really struggling with wanting to binge I have someone from group I can call. Just like anything food is a real addiction and can be found so much more easily that your common addictions. I had to learn how to basically re-eat. It sucks and yes occasionally I cheat or slip and have things I shouldn't but instead of a binge on that food, now I have one and then can easily go oh you naughty girl you know this is wrong and just move on. It is hard to change eating styles and learn how to eat properly, but with determination and will power you can really work your revision and lose this weight and have the long lasting effects you are seeking. Rooting for you!

I was reading on port pain after a revision. My port twisted and where the port use to be and still after 3 months it hurts like a #!@%#!! 3 months of weight gain and still no relief. Finally a CT Scan on Monday. I have had enough of hearing this is normal. This pain in not normal. I can't even bend over or cough without it hurting. Talk about my doc blowing me off. I had a lot of serous fluid after my revision. I mean a lot!! I was told no concern. See what happens on Monday. I am ready to remove my band. Its been costly and aggravating. My first 1 1/2 years went great then the port flip. I knew something was wrong from the start. NO ONE LISTENS!!! Thank god for this site....

I was pretty scared when I used to think about having most of my stomach cut out. My revision went great though. I am almost and year out and I still can't believe how amazing I feel. The surgery is totally 100% worth it. I love my sleeve and I would go through the surgery again to have the life I have now.

I think your feelings are prefectly normal. Especially, since you are having a revision surgery (I'm assuming you haven't had much luck with the band). You will do great!! Good luck and keep us posted!!

sorry i meant to put 2017 its been 2 years since my surgery ,i want to revise it to any procedure to loose more weight

I had the band to sleeve revision this week. Once my stomach healed I never felt full / satisfied from the band. The full-o-meter never worked like it was supposed to. I am hoping for better from the sleeve - I can’t keep gaining because I am taking years off my life.

I was banded in October or November 2010, and lost about 80 pounds. By 2012 I'd had all the fluid removed due to regurg, pain, etc., even with minimal fills. Even with the band unfilled, foods still got stuck and some things were completely off limits. I just dealt with it for a few years, ignoring the problem. Earlier this year, I finally decided to do something about it and saw a bariatric surgeon here in Minneapolis (my band was placed in Omaha). In June of this year, I had a barium swallow xray done, and I was diagnosed with esophageal dismotility, a complication of the band. So, the band needed to come out. (For anyone reading this curious about the insurance approval process, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and it was pretty straightforward, I just had to show proof of getting fills done (got my records from my old surgeon's office) and proof of a complication (the barium swallow showing dismotility).) I had the band out in August, and will be sleeved on December 7, in just 2 days. My surgeon does the revision in two different procedures because she feels there are fewer complications this way. Though there are other surgeons in the same group who do the revision in the same procedure. Waiting in between is not exactly easy on the pocket book (though I would have hit my out of pocket max either way), and my sick time at work has really taken a hit, but I understand the reasoning. Looking back on it, I'm really glad I've had the time between getting the band out and getting sleeved. I've had time to unlearn all the unhealthy habits I developed while dealing with my failed band. (And yes, I realize the failure was likely partly my responsibility, too, for anyone looking to jump all over me for that one.) I had to sip with my meals to get food past the band, and I definitely wasn't getting enough protein because that was likely to stick, too. Basically, I've had time to practice the "way of the sleeve" to replace the "way of the failed band". Between the band and the sleeve, I also have been hungry. My stomach hasn't rumbled this hard in years! (Maybe because it couldn't physically do so?) Protein shakes have helped, and paying attention to whether or not I'm actually hungry (or have any right to be based on what I've already eaten) or if it's just mental "hunger" have kept me from gaining weight. I've actually lost about 20 pounds now, and not just from the liquid diet I'm on before surgery. While it's frustrating to have to do two procedures, I hope you find the time in between helpful. Good luck! Wishing you the best.

I'm scheduled for my VSG in September and have only come out and told one co-worker who is actually very supportive and was sleeved years ago. The others (inluding one who is having a band to VSG revision in Oct) have pretty much guessed that I am either deep in the contemplation phase or am scheduled and they are being a bit catty, saying amongst themselves "She won't be able to do it, she eats all the time", ""She thinks it will be easy but it isn't", "She's going to Mexico because she doesn't really need the surgery" and the like. I know, blow it off and chalk it up to people just being catty -- which is what I plan to do. But, why does it seem that weight loss surgery is a topic people can be just so darn vicious about? I've heard more stories about cattiness in regard to WLS than breast augmentation!

Hey! I'm doing really well. Thank you for checking in on me! As of this morning, the scale showed 197.9. That's a total loss of 60 lbs. I'm in awe at my progress but so so grateful to be where I am so far! I hope everything goes well for you and UHC covers thst revision. I've heard/read such horrendous experiences with the band and feel horrible for anyone stuck with it and the complications they have to endure. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Hey, if you're with Kaiser I had my revision done last May and it's been great. Best of luck on things.

Sassyfrass,I recently read many of your posts since I have UHC also and waiting to hear requirements for revision to RNY from band. I'd be interested to hear about your progress and experiences. Do let us know.

I am just curious how many people had to wait to have their VSG revision done during a second operation. I am worried that once the surgeon gets "in there" it will be an "ut oh" situation where I will have to have revision done at a later time. I am self pay... so that would really not bode well.