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I had a consult with a surgeon and he's trying to talk me into the band. Given my bmi is only 36, He thinks I will loose a great amount of weight and become malnourished. I believe there are other reason for his push on the band. Like follow ups and the fills, means more $$. I over heard him through the wall, to the room next to mine, trying to push the band on another patient. Should I give the band a try first then have revision later if it fails?? So stressed over this!

I had lap band in 2006 and loved it ! I lost all my weight and have kept it off with the exception of 20lbs that I let creep back on knowing I was going to revise to the sleeve. I have never once regretted my decision for the band. It changed my life. Many people have been unsuccessful just as with every other procedure out there, you have to find what works for you. I am revising because I'm ready for a change and a new stage in my life. Iv had some issues with things getting stuck and some reflux on and off at times but overall my experiences have been positive. At this point my concerns are more about the band 20 yrs from now and what it could do to my stomach over time.

Hi all, I am experiencing reflux sypmtoms two years post Gastric Bypass (revision from lap band) and ultrasound didn't show anything so I now have to have an esophageal manometry and 24 hour PH test done. Both tests involve having tubes inserted up my nose and down the back of my throat, and it's causing me some anxiety thinking about having it done. I woke up with an NG tube after the surgery and having it removed was quite uncomfortable, so I'm nervous about being awake while having two seperate tubes inserted. Can anyone talk me through their experience? Did you gag/choke while they were putting the tubes in?

Some good news: I got a surgery date! I'm having my band-to-bypass revision on August 24th! They only gave me about 3 weeks notice, so I've been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, trying to get all my clearances done. I got my labwork, chest xray, and cardiology clearance done this past Thursday, I have my pulmonology clearance scheduled for Tuesday, and my education class on Wednesday! I'm so excited! I've been trying to get everything in order for surgery, since my mom is flying down to stay with me. I've ordered all of my pre-op Vitamins (even though I don't have to start them for 6 weeks), a zip-front soft bra for leaving the hospital, and I'm going to go buy some more Premier Protein shakes at costco this week (they're on sale!), and I'm trying to get my apartment as clean and organized as possible.

Ugh, I'm going to have to jump through hoops to get this revision done! Surgeon says I'm going to need to get a letter of medical necessity from a PCP, problem is that I haven't had a PCP in years. Can anyone recommend a good one that is easy to work with? Prefer Dade/Broward area, but will drive if necessary.

I would call your doctor and let them know what is going on..how you are feeling..and what they suggest you do.....If it doesnt get better INSIST on being seen..... As I sit here and type this my port is detached and I am awaiting a revision surgery if my insurance appeal goes through.....it was denied and is now in review... I had lots of pulling feelings when moving certain ways...and a burning sensation as well.. VERY early on.....

Hi! I was banded on the 26th and had the exact same thing as you. My doctor assured me it was a stitch used to hold the port pulling on a muscle. It's like when you put your hair in a ponytail, sometimes a stray hair is sitting at an awkward angle and it pulls and hurts, but eventuallu things settle down and find a place. He said it would get better on its own, and it has. So don't get too worried about port revisions and such (I was freaking myself out worrying). It sounds normal. Just take it easy and don't strain the area any more, and it will heal up soon.

Thanks Terry, I noticed your history: you said you had a revision from the bypass to the band? I have never heard of that--or do you still have your bypass in addition to the band? Also, how did you know you had irritation of the esophagus and needed an unfill?

Hello, I have had my band for 5 years.. The only weight I ever lost was in the first year then I just had problems getting my band to the right tightness. I developed heart burn and acid reflux problems not to mention it has turned me bulimic. I am at my pre surgery weight and I have nothing left in my band yet everything seems to get stuck. Has anyone had the Lap band removed and did the sleeve? I just want this band out and I don't feel like bypass is for me. I just need some advice.. What were the pros and cons, have you had any problems? I want the good and the bad! TIA

I chose the bypass because I had a significant amount to lose, I wanted the extra accountability, and I knew my insurance would only cover one surgery. If I failed with the sleeve, I would never have an option to revise, I would just fail. It's possible to fail with the bypass, as with any gastric surgery, but I felt that the bypass would be giving me the biggest chance for success possible. Yes, the sleeve is (by a very small percentage) safer/faster but honestly, that tiny extra bit of risk was completely worth it to me. I'll be 11 months post op in six days. I've had no complications, not even dumping, and I've lost 166 pounds since surgery and 221 pounds overall. You've gotta be really willing to follow your plan to the letter, as there is less room for error than the sleeve from what I've seen because of the higher risk of dumping and so on, but that habit change and hard work has been so worth it for me and many, many others. Hope this helps! Good luck on whatever you choose. It's entirely possible to be successful with either surgery.

I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I lost a lot of weight and my health improved significantly. I went from 3X in shirts down to a size Small. Think of it, a size Small. One of the best decisions I ever made. RNY is almost a gold standard in weight loss surgery. It has been around a long time and most of the bugs have been worked out. One of the reasons why I choose this procedure was because the weight falls off the quickest, the weight loss at bottom is phenomenal. I now have a normal BMI. And more importantly it has a very low rate for revision. If I went under the knife once, I sure did not want to go through it again. Also I had severe acid reflux (GERD). For GERD, having a sleeve will only make the condition worse.

That is one of the reasons I am getting a revision surgery from band to sleeve. Once I started having band complications, it really got expensive. My insurance pays nothing band related. Once you get a sleeve, you are done. There are no problems with restriction, no fills, no unfills. You have restriction immediately after surgery and you keep it the rest of your life. The part of the stomach that you have is not stretchy so it doesn't stretch out like it does with gastric bypass. I am very excited to get this over with and going back to eating small portions of anything I want!

My surgeon was Dr. Kim, and I have zero complaints about Baylor Trophy Club. My wife has been in and out of hospitals numerous times, so I do have a basis for comparison. Good luck on your revision!

Beginning weight 296. Surgery weight 286 (lost 10 lbs on pre-op diet), 3 days post op weight 273. (13 lbs since surgery - total 23 lbs lost) Recovery and healing is going good. Liquids...liquids... and more clear liquids. I can actually take regular size drinks now instead of baby sips. I don't gulp and do take one or two swallows at a time.. but it's feeling wonderful. I'm having less and less pain at my incision sites and can walk around and do light (very light) housework for 10 to 15 minute stretches at a time. I'm able to get in 50g of protein (unsweetened and unflavored powder in 12 oz. water each time). I'm drinking 80 oz of water, around 30 oz. of beef, chicken or vegetable broth, 100% juice jello, gelled broth, and an occasional zero vitamin water. I'm not a fan of sweet protein shakes. I don't mind them, and I'll drink one occasionally and they taste great, it's just that I'd rather have something not sweet. I like fruit and fruit juice okay, but prefer savory, salty, creamy, sour and sometimes spicy tastes. Anyway, that's why I got the plain protein powder to mix in water. I found it on Amazon - Now Sports brand of Whey Protein Isolate. I'm glad I only have two days left of clear liquids. I'm craving something more "full". I look forward to fruit smoothies, creamed cottage cheese, yogurt, and creamed soups. I can use my protein powder in any and all of my "full liquids" so I'll be sure to get my 80 grams per day goal met that way. I'm keeping my food journal and going to make it a habit. I'm still feeling very optimistic and positive and happy every day. I'm so glad I did this!!! When it comes time in my sleeve diet progression that I can add all of the ingredients, I plan to use my morning smoothies to get a great nutritional boost every day. I may have one for a snack each afternoon too. I have a magic bullet so I can make a small powerful blast of nutrition. I'll put in fresh frozen spinach cubes (using fresh spinach blended with a small amt of water then put into ice cube trays to freeze), with a couple frozen strawberries or blueberries, banana chunks, peaches, pineapple, etc. (usually I pick two fruits, sometimes three) Then I'll add barley grass powder and veggie/fruit concentrate powder, chia seeds, protein powder and epa oil. Occasionally I may put in a tbsp of fresh peanut butter, almond butter, avacado, coconut oil, or cocoa powder. Yum.. I can't wait. I've got several soups frozen in individual serving size all ready for when I start my pureed stage... plus frozen cooked chicken left from when I made all my broth... and I'm going to get my crock pot going when it's time to make more mushy veggies and things to puree. Awww.. now just to be patient with myself as I walk day by day in the moment and do what I need to do to get to each new goal. That's the hard part. I love the planning, list making, preparing, etc. The fulfilling part of reaching goals is so motivating. Every time I get to mark something off my "to-do" list, or write down a goal accomplished or realize I need to begin working on the next phase - I just smile and remind myself that YES, I can do this... I AM doing this...and I am going to keep moving forward. The challenges, set-backs, revising, unexpected interruptions, changes and knock downs are there to make me stronger. I usually don't see it that way in the midst of the "problem" or "issue" or "failure" and can get downright depressed and feel sorry for myself. But that's only temporary. Failure is NOT final. Success is mine because I keep getting back up and shaking off the bad stuff - I'm stronger and more focused than ever.

I am 10 weeks post op revision and I have no sign of the port. I was sore in that spot longer then the other. Good luck! Revision 1/31/13 by Dr Cabrera and Venezuela in MX

Glad you are home and doing well. I go in for my revision on Monday and I am starting to get very nervous. Why did you have a tube down you nose? I did not have that for the band and don't think I get that with the sleeve surgery either? How is the pain factor?

Thanks for sharing this as I too have gastritis and the hernia. I'm having the revision because I'm not losing any more weight, I'm slowly gaining. I initially lost 99lbs. with my band, and kept the weight off a good two and a half years. My arthritis started acting up, was put on meds, and the rest is history. Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Well I’m definitely no expert on this but I’ve always had IBS among other stomach issues. I did a lot of food tracking and sensitivity tests to see what foods were my triggers. I found out that milk and whey are my biggest triggers so if I completely take those out of my diet it really helps. I had the sleeve in 2011 and lost 80 pounds but have only kept 25 pounds off. I NEVER planned on going to go through with another weight loss surgery unless I became totally miserable with myself or something. I workout daily and try to eat right but don’t eat like I should. I’m scared to death to have the revision and I’m TRULY NOT doing it for weight loss although I do hope that I lose weight. I believe that people should do EVERYTHING possible to lose the weight and change their lifestyle before going through any major surgery because in truth the surgery is just a tool. You have to have the right mindset to change your lifestyle. I have gone and still go to organized meetings to help me with my food addiction. I hope this helps....you can PM me if you’d like.

I am as usual late to the thread. So glad that you are healing and up moving about! Thank you for a few laughs as my freezer is full of Popsicles that are all mine... recovering from some nasty complications following plastics which has had me on the popsicle pity party for the last six weeks. Also it is excellent that people are beginning to speak of revisions and some of the long-term decisions post WLS. Yes I initially gained 15 pounds after surgery and I’m down to eight lbs but am still draining....

Hoping that all goes well for you now. My revision is scheduled for tomorrow at 11am. The info that you have shared is invaluable to me. Thanks so much!

I may need to revise for GERD. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

How are you doing so far after the revision? Any reflux or heartburn? I just got all of my tests results back and definitely need to have the revision due to severe GERD, hiatal hernia, and really bad esophagitis. I am very nervous because I feel like nothing will ever get rid of my heartburn. I guess I’ve had the hiatal hernia and heartburn for so long that I don’t know what it’s like not to suffer from it.

When the 20s got baggy, I went to my closet where I had multiple wardrobes in different sizes. When the 18s got too big, I started on the 16s. At that point I started cleaning out and bagging up. Then I was in 14s, then 12s, which were the smallest size I had. I kept a few tops that were passable, and two skirts that I could pin at the waist. The rest was taken to Goodwill or consignment. At Goodwill I found several pair of higher end name brand capris and pants in size 10. I've been this size for 2 months now (7 months since surgery). I have 2 pr of 8s that are still too tight. I have yet to go clothes shopping. I don't know if this is the size I will be or if I will drop another size. I am afraid to start culling through the looser size 10s. Until you are in the actual predicament, it is impossible to know how that feels, though encouragement is well intentioned and mostly appreciated. So many of us have wired ourselves to negative internal dialogue and the anticipation of failure. This sounds completely nuts, but I feel that I have had some success, but failed to even reach my revised goal. Hoarding or holding on to clothes is both crutch and security. Now my size 10s are feeling like failure. It isn't the specific number printed on the tag. It's that I have been able to cleanse my closet and psyche with each size change. Now that it isn't changing, it feels very different.

Revision might be an option for you. Have you talked with a sergon? Methodist Hospital has a weight loss center Sent from my SM-J727T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Completely anecdotal but I've had both surgeries. I had the band in 2008 and got revised to rny in june 2013. Both surgeries had the same recovery tine for me and the stages for food were virtually the same. The only difference for me is I was hungry post band (that shocked me and was hard emotionally). Whereas with rny I didn't have any hunger and literally had to put my eating on a schedule. The pros and cons are well documented. Consult with your doctor. My philosophy is if I trust this person enough to open me up I sure better trust their judgment too. My story isn't a bash against the band or a rah rah for rny, it is simply my story. My last bit of advice is to enjoy the process. Recovery physically goes fast and is over in a blink. It is the mental stuff that's harder... I still struggle with my new body but am told that will get better with time. Good luck!