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There is a "Band to Sleeve" revision section on this forum. I would encourage you to visit, ask the same question there, as I am sure you will receive great feedback of very experienced patients. I did consider the band at some point, but the feedback I received from patients, surgeons and other professionals in the bariatric industry was that the band proved to be very problematic, while the sleeve was gaining popularity because of its risk/result profile. Best of luck!

My port flipped after surgery as well - well we believe it was the week of surgery. I didn't find out until my first fill. I too had to have revision surgery. It was a breeze. Apparently mine wasn't stitched down well and the stitches came loose. It really wasn't a big deal to get corrected. It delayed my fills (recovery and all) and well frankly ticked me off but it was so worth it!

Glad the revision is working out for you Nancy! I knew you'd had lots of problems and were thinking of getting it but didn't know it had been done. n How long ago did you have it? My doc said that he doesn't do a restrictive diet before revising to the sleeve but there is the normal clear liquid diet afterwards with gradual adding of mushy, etc. He said you still have the shoulder pain afterwards like with the band but he only keeps you in the hospital for a day - a little longer than the band. C'sM: You're one smart lady!

I too had dilation in my esphogus....my doc said it would not go away, and the way he made my sleeve I can eat just a little more than the typical sleeve patient because of my dilation.... I also had my lapband unfilled 2 weeks prior to my procedure....I too was self pay because my insurance refused to cover any revision....he told me that I may have to have 2 surgeries but was able to do it in one procedure (which I am thankful) I honestly dont think there is much difference between either waiting or having a all in one....I think it has more to do if you had any major complacations like erosion or abnormal slippage...

I had my gall bladder removed in 2001, after losing about 40 lbs. I had problems before removing the gall bladder eating greasy foods such as fresh ham, or other fresh pork. I don't eat much beef or pork now, so can't say whether it will affect your band. Best wishes on quick healing and congrats on your maintenance. I have been for 2 years, but after a revision in Nov 2011, I have gradually gained and plan to get a slight fill today to stop the effect! Karen

I also had the DS on 6/9/17 and was revised from the band. The doctor did it in a few hours. I had three times the amount of pain when I had my band surgery because the port would pull when I bent over until it was healed and the doctor didn't give me any painkillers post-op. He handed my husband a few pills and sent me on my way. With the band, it was impossible to bend over for weeks. Let's put it this way, no one left the house until Mom's shoes were tied. I couldn't do it on my own. With the DS, I was able to bend over and pick things off the floor the first day home from the hospital and I only spent one night in the hospital. I was tired after the DS for the first two weeks, but by the third week, my life got back to normal. The pain was very minimal, at least for me. Now if you want to talk painful surgeries, a total knee replacement takes the prize in my book. I haven't had any experience with just the gastric sleeve part, only the full DS. Since the sleeve is part of the DS, I'm not sure why you've been told the DS would be an easier recovery. The DS is more complicated than the sleeve. Anyway, the recovery wasn't bad at all.

I'm glad you made it through okay. I hope you heal well and feel better really quickly. Two friends of mine who used to post here regularly just had their bands removed due to erosion, as well. One was worse than the other- one was able to revise to VSG, the other wasn't. Best to you. Feel better soon.

Is the process to get insurance to pay for the revision the same as the process for getting the original sleeve ?

Depends on insurance. Usually for a revision you have to have some type of complication w the original wls

Naomi, I know you mean well, but I think you've missed a few important pieces of data here. 1. The chief finding of the study you mentioned was that successful bandsters in Australia do drink (but not guzzle) while eating. Those findings did not explain why that's so. The "why" part is conjecture on the part of the study's authors. Also, I question their claim that "There is no pouch or small stomach above the band. There should never be food sitting there waiting." I agree with the last part of that ("There should never be food sitting there waiting") but I disagree with the first part and have no idea where they came up with the idea that there's no pouch or small stomach above the band. Yes, the band has been used in Australia a lot longer in the USA, but that statement completely contradicts everything I've read in Allergan and J&J literature and surgeon resource sites. And I have watched my own upper GI tract during several upper GI studies, and there was indeed a small stomach pouch above my band every single time, no matter what else was going on in there (or not) at the same time. The radiologist pointed it out to me on every occasion, so I wasn't misreading the images. And by the way, that pouch was a normal finding, not an anomaly. 2. According to American bariatric surgeons I've talked to or whose seminars I've attended or whose articles I've read, NO bariatric surgery patient should drink while eating. In fact, at a bariatric conference 2 years ago, I heard that stated by 3 different surgeons who were giving 3 speeches. All of them stated that failure to separate consumption of solids and liquids is the most common cause of WLS "failure" (that is, no or disappointing weight loss, or weight regain). Since many LBT/Bariatric Pal members live in the USA and have surgeons in the USA, I think it behooves us to follow the instructions of our American doctors. Or, go to Australia for surgery and every fill and unfill and all aftercare. Hey, if I had the money to do that, it might even be fun to travel there, but it would sure disrupt the rest of my life. But hey, a mere $8,000 per trip (not counting hotels, meals, taxis, surgeon's fees, etc.) would be nothing for us rich Americans, right? 3. Every bariatric surgeon I've encountered (in person, on the telephone, online) has stated that the band does not and should not control the movement of food and liquids from the esophagus into the stomach. If the band is far enough up to do that, it has slipped or the surgeon who placed it was incompetent. What controls the movement of food and liquid from the esophagus into the upper stomach (the fundus) is a sphincter at the base of the esophagus where it joins to the stomach. Continually eating in a way that causes food to be stored in the esophagus is asking for trouble. It can cause serious and permanent damage to the esophagus and the esophageal sphincter. 3. No bandster should ever, ever eat in a way, with or without liquids, that allows food to sit in the esophagus for more than maybe 30 seconds. The esophagus is not meant to store food for any period of time. It's designed to move food up or down (preferably down) only. If food is sitting in the esophagus, any liquid consumed after that is probably going to come back up rather than flushing through the stoma, because at that point the upper stomach pouch and the stoma created by the band are probably already jammed up with food. PB's (or regurgitation of food) usually come from the esophagus, not from the upper stomach pouch, for the very reason I mentioned above. The stomach is designed to stretch to accommodate food, while the esophagus will resist stretching until the food has to come back up or (over time) the esophagus becomes dilated - something we all want to avoid, because even if the band is unfilled and the upper GI tract given a good long rest, there's no guarantee that the esophagus will ever go back to its normal state. And no one should have to live the rest of their life with a malfunctioning esophagus or sphincter. Esophageal dysmotility problems caused by careless eating can become a serious health issue, with the patient eventually having to live on liquids, live with a a feeding tube, and/or hope that an attempt at surgical repair will help. Surgery in that part of the upper GI tract is not something to take lightly, because the scar tissue that develops after surgery can also interfere with esophageal function. I speak from personal experience here. I had an esophageal stricture (from reflux damage). I lived on liquids for months, was unable to revise to the sleeve at the first try because my surgeon couldn't get the small (about the size and shape of a Sharpie marker) bougie calibration instrument through the stricture, and eventually had to have the stricture dilated enough to make eating possible, but not enough to make the stricture disappear forever (it was still there when I had an EGD 6 months later). I think esophageal dysmotility has also been a problem for an LBT member known as MsMaui, and last I heard, even an unfill, months of upper GI rest, and band removal have not resolved her problem. 4. So in my opinion, the best way to avoid these unhappy events and their consequences is not to drink while you eat but to avoid keeping too much fill in the band; to practice good band eating skills: take tiny bites, chew very well, eat slowly, don't drink while you eat, avoid problem foods, learn and heed your unique satiety or "stop eating" signals, and give your body the respect it deserves. But what do I know? Jean

I have watched this site for several months now and it has been so so helpful. I had my band to sleeve revision ( after a slip, and then non-functioning port). Had another hernia that they had to repair as well. Today it has been a week and I am down 11 pounds and feel great although I have over done a bit. You all have been very helpful even to those of us who kinda stay in the shadows most of the time-- Thanks!

Its for revision patients only so he can check out the band and see what he has to deal with during surgery. We will not have to have anything extra like that done.

Hi I had a lapband to sleeve revision surgery on 6/15. I feel ok just tired. I’ve read others comment on here and I’m exactly the same it takes me all day to get in my protein. The only problem I’m having off and on is right side pain. It comes and goes. I’m not sure if it gas pains or what. It feels like a catch or a bad cramp then it will just go away. Have any of y’all experienced this??

I have had my LapBand 3 years today. So it is my anniversary....I have never had one single problem with it. Yes, I have slimed or gotten stuck a few times, but that was probably because I ate too fast. It doesn't happen often. No pain. I get full after a couple of bites of food. But the biggest problem I have had is that I HAVE NOT LOST ANY WEIGHT!!! I feel like a failure. I don't have the issues with the band that a lot of you have had. So I am lucky in that regard. But I read where some of you have lost weight and then either plateaued, had slippage, erosion...all types of unlucky stuff. I have had none of that. Which is great except for the fact that I am still 300 lbs. I eat very slowly with this band. I get full after half a pizza, but I will stay eating another 2-3 slices, if it takes me an hour. I eat everything. I know this is a tool and I need to put my part in, but you come to a point where you just give up and it becomes a habit to take an hour to eat. I don't eat because I am hungry, I eat for other reasons. So changing to this amazing sleeve that you all rave about seems like a great idea, but is it going to work for me if I have the same mindset? I see how some of you exercise 3-5 times per week. That is great. If I were able to do that, I would not even need the band that I have. So I am sure my insurance would cover this revision, but would it even work for someone who just doesn't have the strength that you all have. I have seen a therapist many times over to try and deal with my food and eating problem, but that doesn't seem to work. What is going to happen, is I am going to have a heart attack if I don't change my ways. Even with 3 kids you would think you can control your health for THEIR sake, not even yours. But I still can't. Thanks for listening to me. It always feels good to cry and share!

I too am doing the revision from band to sleeve due to complications with the band and honestly i think it depends on the office and MD ur working with and their schedules also. i have BCBS and i started the whole process on 10/03/13 & I literally had everything i needed on my list done and my last test (EGD) on 11/07/13. I just spoke to the patient navigator today & we made an appt for me for the surgical consult on 11/21 which i will then get my date of surgery & she PROMISED me my surgery would be done by 12/31/13! Im SO excited but also SO nervous...i dont like the fact that they make u go through ALL of the pretesting and everything else and THEN AFTER u get ur date is when they go for the approval...but from what she told me, she thinks i'll get approved very quickly with this insurance! Im keeping my fingers crossed Good luck on ur journey and hope the process is also quick for u

Hi there, I recently had my band removed due to several issues since placement in sept 2008. My insurance company revised there policy on their revision surgeries. I had appealed it all the way to the state level in 2012 and denied, they said not medically/clinically necessar . Gained all my weight back since the after having 2 babies. Made an appointment to see my surgeon in July after I found Priority Health's revised policy on a fluke.fHe mentioned the BPD with DS is an option for the "super obese". I had to decide after my appt on Tuesday so they can submit for approval. I went for long term success over safety. With 2 little girls at home, I hope I chose right! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Sue, Congrats on your decision to get the lap band! I had my first fill of 2 cc's during my port adjustment/revision surgery, which was about a little more than 2 months after I had the original lapband surgery. My doctor gave me another 2 cc's in his office two weeks later, then 1 more cc about a week ago. I have a 14 cc capacity band, with 5 cc's in it so far. I feel that I could use another fill, but I am just going to wait it out and see what the weight loss results are when I go for a followup appointment in 3 weeks.

Anyone have any thought or comments about my situation? Looking for some feedback. What I'm seeing is that the info my NUT gave me is not consistent with the #'s you all are using. For example. The amount of carbs v. Protein. I was told to keep carbs at or under 80 and protein at or above 60 for weight loss. Per item carb 6gm or lower, sugar 5gm or lower, otherwise don't touch it. Don't count calories but stay under 1000. I've been averaging 800-950 or so. Sometimes get to 1000. I would appreciate any feedback. Especially if anyone is dealing with taking large amounts of meds due to other conditions (4 back surgeries, chronic pain, nerve damage, chronic migraine, 4 jaw sx with instrumentation, hypothyroidism, depression) have had 13 surgeries since 2006 ????. It has not been easy and I am not esp open to the possibility of a revision to a RNY in the GERD does not get under control. Thanks.

I'm a Crisis Screener in an ER and in the community. I took the full 6 weeks and I am going back to work next week. I actually decided that I'm not returning to the same company as it's high stress and is not healthy given my recent surgery and ongoing self care needed especially in the beginning. I took a position doing the same work but for a different organization, in a different county, with lower demand for the services I provide. Just do what's best for you as this is a life changing surgery. Mine was actually a revision due to complications. I only took off for 2 weeks for the first one and regret that. Your job will survive without you for an extra couple of weeks...take as much as your doctor will give you. YOU are more important than your job! [emoji3] Sent from my LGMS210 using BariatricPal mobile app

This is a pretty subjective area, *most* don't see any real losses in that area until much later down the road, belly fat seems to be the last to go for most people. I've still got a decent amount even after over 100 lbs since revision and 160 lbs lost since I started...

I love the idea of a reference/newbie section with reading material, a different thread for each of the basic areas of knowledge. Your newbie post would be a perfect framework for that, divided up as separate standalone posts. I think those threads should be locked, though, so no messages could be placed on them. Each one could say something like: "For discussion on this topic go to [link to appropriate section]. Read and post to existing threads or start a new one!" Linking to live threads is a good idea. I think it backfires when people bump old threads rather than link to them. Then we see threads that look current but are really months old or more. That's the kind of thing that can give people a false impression, for example, of a "rash" of events when actually there's just old ones being bumped. Donali, what do you think of the idea of a separate "problems" section? Any other revisions needed to the forum arrangement? We've had a request to add Canadian provinces to the local support boards, are there any other things to be done?

Not because of that. But yes, I bled from the incision at the top of my stomach where my Lap Band had caused some damage that required a follow up surgery and transfusions. I'm fine now, and very happy to have made the revision. I was right at 30% BMI before surgery, so maybe that was why I didn't have to to the pre op. I don't know.

I'm going to second that it's more than likely yeast, check out some of the jock itch creams / antifungals, and please make sure you see your PCP and have them document that, it can help you in the future to support a request for excess skin removal, lots of insurances require documented rash/skin issues before they approve skin removal. @Biddy zz your signature block has an error. The procedure where one WLS is changed to another is called "Revision" not "Decision" So your signature should say "revision to RNY 2017" Also, RNY means Bypass, so saying "Bypass Bypass" is redundant. Just a friendly heads up.

Hi ladies! I'm another one who hasn't posted here in a loooooong time. I am completely stalled, haven't lost anything in over 6 weeks. I went on vacation the begining of December and hadn't wanted to get a fill before then for fear I would get too restricted while out of state. Then, didn't have time to fit one in before the holidays. I finally went in last week he couldn't access my port at all. He thinks it's totally flipped now. So I'm going in next Tuesday to get a port revision. I don't even have to be put completely under. They just give me a local and enough Versaid so I don't care what they're doing and make a new incision over my old one, reposition the port, and stitch it back into place. He's going to put it closer to the skin so it shouldn't flip and will be easier to access. Which means if I ever get to goal weight (God willing!) I may need a low profile one put in, but at this point I don't care. I just want it to work finally. I feel like I haven't even been banded this last 2 months. I have no restriction at all, so can eat pretty much anything. Not as much as before, but I can eat more than I should. I'm a little nervous to finally get it fixed though. I feel like I'm first getting banded. I never did get good restriction, so I'm not even sure what it feels like. He's going to give me a nice big fill while he's fixing my port, so by next week I'll be finally able to work with my band! Yay! Now I just need to stock up on some liquids and mushies for the first few days after I get my revision and fill. Keep up the great work ladies! I'm so jealous of some of your stats. You are all doing fantastic.

I just completed a mini bypass revision: had the sleeve done in 2011. I’m 12 days post-op. Feeling fantastic. Way better than when I had the sleeve. I believe weight loss is a bit slower after revision? Time will tell . Best of luck with your surgery.