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Yes!! You would be a good candidate. Have you lost any weight? I was banded in 2008, did really well the first 2 years and then a too tight fill was the start of my downfall. My surgeon who put in the band was 100% behind the revision. He said he's been doing it with all his lapband patients. I was lucky that I have a different insurance than I had back then because some will only do it once in a lifetime

Bandproblems, If nothing is going through and you are completely unfilled, it sounds like you have more damage than what they can see. In my honest opinion and the little time I experienced in between being unfilled and revision, you will gain your weight back, even with regular exercise. Your old eating habits will come back, it's so easy to find that old friend again. One of my concerns was once sleeved I would lose the same amount of weight as I did initially with the band which would leave me skin and bones, but, it doesn't work that way. You will lose weight quickly while you are on the pre-op diet and then the healing stage post op diet, but, once you build up to regular meals your weight loss stabilizes. Your body weight is at a very different stage now before you had the band done and the body now responds differently to weight loss, so, no you won't disappear. lol As far as the stomach size they leave behind for a revision patient depends on how much surgical scar tissue the band has created, thus, this is different for every person, but, the stomach size difference is minimal. Google "bougie size" and you will see the difference in the circumference on the sizes. Once I completed the progression diet after surgery and began eating normally again, I eat the same amount as when I had the band which is about 1/2 a cup. In time, your sleeve stretches a bit and you eat a bit more. What I've researched is usually 1 cup. Last, a UGI only shows if things are going through or not. If you doc hasn't mentioned yet, I would ask for an EGD to see how much damage you may have. Depending on what kind of damage the band has done or doing, your doc may be able to get your insurance to cover the whole revision. Keep us posted. jake

I am not sure it's depending on your insurance. My insurance is BCBS and they only cover ONE weight loss surgery a LIFETIME! That was another factor in weighing my decision, the dr said that if I didn't lose the weight with the lap band then I would have to pay out of pocket for a revision to the sleeve. Granted if I had any emergency complication they would cover them but absolutely NO revision surgeries. I hope your insurance is better than that and they will help you. I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone that has helped me with making this decision. It's going to be life changing and I just want to be totally informed

Hi, I chose the sleeve for the following reasons: didn't have to worry about doctor's visits for band adjustment don't have to worry about it slipping or eroding removed 85% of the stomach which reduces the grehlin (hunger) hormone by 75% don't have to worry about revision surgery (as I've read on this site that many have had) Good luck with your decision. Try searching the lapband on this site to get more info people's experience with it.

I know four people who have the LapBand. Each lost huge amounts of weight, but hated going in for fills. Three had complications (port infections requiring replacement). One got married and had all the Fluid removed and did not go back for a year and regained 90 of the 100 pounds he lost. The other two also grew weary of fills and stopped after maintaining weight loss for three years and have both regained a significant amount of weight. The final person did well and has no significant weight gain, but has slippage and erosion and is need of removal. Three of the people are now going through the process of revisions to the sleeve. All were afraid of going so drastically but all said they wished they had gone for the sleeve. There is also a man in my support group who has had his band for 8 years, he lost 160lbs but it is now creeping up and he is also going for a revision. It was the my wife, four friends/neighbors and this forum who helped me make the decision to get sleeved. I too was set on the band because it was reversible and less intrusive. My wife wanted me to have a more get it and forget it type surgery that did not require multiple fills. I was sleeved and I am now 65lbs lighter and shrinking after being sleeved on 2/19. My wife and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary next month, and she said this is the best gift I could ever give her. Good luck to you on your journey no matter what you decide. Sent from my iPad using VST

I have had the lap bad for just over a year now an i have exactly the same problems that you have written about. Do you know if insurance will cover a revision?

Well, you've convinced me! If I ever have a revision surgery I know which one I'm having. You're the best! Good Luck, Tek

Hi! I've been banded since 2009. I know there are many threads about band to sleeve, but I specifically would like to know: Those who switched from band to sleeve; what is the main difference you noticed as far as your eating habits (ability to eat, how much you could eat, how you tell you have eaten enough, etc) without the band giving you a "hard stop"? Do you feel just as or more successful? Do you think it's easier to over eat with the sleeve? I'll have to have my gallbladder out - and am considering having revision to the sleeve at the same time. I discussed with my surgeon and he said yes he could do both at once. I keep going back and forth about doing it. I'm back to feeling like I should just go ahead and do it. Ever since my band was too tight like 2 months ago and I had to have Fluid taken out I haven't felt very good. I got it re-filled with 1cc then 4.5 weeks later I got one more cc. That last one was about 3 or so weeks ago. It's so weird - sometimes I feel like I can eat way more than I should be able to - I have about 8.7cc in there now...maybe a tad more - and other times I can't keep anything down. I started having reflux again and went to liquids for a few days. It went away. Now it's back this morning and I haven't even had any solid food. I made a Protein shake for Breakfast and was only able to drink about half of it. I took all my medication, but it hurt (I guess I went to fast, I try to wait a few minutes between pills, but was running late today). I am starting to feel like I'd be better off having the band taken out and switching to the sleeve. Through all this annoyance of the last 3 or so weeks I haven't even lost any weight. Go figure. Since the symptoms for being too tight and a band slip are about the same I'm not sure what to think any more. I'm sure I probably do not have a slip but I'm kind of paranoid about it anyway. I know if I call the nurse at my surgeon's office she'll have me come in and get an un-fill. At which point I guess I'll just start whatever process I need to start to do the revision. It's quite scary to me. The only surgery I've ever had was the band surgery. And of course the anesthesia made me sick after they had to wake me up from it (I take after my dad in that respect lol). Thanks for listening to my little story. I'm sure it's very familiar.

Thanks! I live in Orange County, CA so Tijuana is only 2 hours away. I spoke w/ Dr. Ponce's assistant today and she was very helpful. Since mine is a revision I have to pay a bit more, but it was closer to $6,800. Not too bad, but not sure yet. I like the idea of staying here in the U.S. but I have lots of experience with great medical care in Mexico so that doesn't make me nervous or anxious. Thanks for your help! genepha

Drewer, I was a very successful patient with the lap band, until by chance, I discovered that it caused my esophagus some real issues. The scariest thing about my situation or what I now know was a blessing in disguise. I was doing awesome with the band and lost over 120 lbs. at the most successful point of my journey. I had no real obvious symptoms or problems, other than I could eat a bit more and had some very little night issues. My insurance company changed at work and so did the their bariatric service. I was forced to switch bariatric services and doctor and when I saw the new doctor, he asked for a UGI. To my surprise, the UGI technician told me to contact my doctor as soon as possible. Things took off very quickly after that and I ended up getting my band removed and revised to sleeve. Had I not seen the new doctor and UGI performed I would have ended up with much more damage that I had - Thank God! Wish I had gone sleeve originally. My vote: Sleeve 100%! Much luck to you! Jake

Hi drewr, I think I would opt for the sleeve. Having lived with the band for 6 years. I haven't done very well with it and now it seems cannot find the "sweet spot" again. It only took once to be too tight and have to get unfilled. Now it seems like I'm in every 3-4 weeks getting filled and unfilled and filled trying to hit that sweet spot and it just doesn't seem to be there. I'm hoping to be able to get a revision from the band to the sleeve in January or February 2016. But, some people have had great success with the band too...It's an individual thing. I'd definitely go to a seminar and ask a ton of questions. Good luck to you!

I have two friends who also went bypass and did well. I researched everything but the sleeve and still came up with the band. For me, I felt like all I needed was something to help with the satiety and help me to eat less food. Also, I liked the idea that it was adjustable and if it didn't work out I could have it removed or revised to bypass or sleeve. Keeping my stomach intact was important to me. You have to decide what's important for you. WLS may be what you need but only you know what the right choice can be? tmf

My restriction is still there and working after 4 years. Statistics I've seen say revisions are rare. I have compassion for anyone who has had a large weight gain or complications. The sleeve stretching scenario leaves me baffled. Are the mental health evaluations identifying eating disorders pre surgery? Are surgeons offices/medical community intervening if someone is binge eating past capacity repeatedly?(stretching their sleeve) Do people confuse stretching their sleeve with grazing? It's not that the sleeve has stretched. Grazing is not eating past the feeling of restriction. Grazing: Consuming poor food choices and/or excessive calories in many meals over, over and over throughout the day. The amount of calories would be as if you never had surgery. The weight would come right back. any thoughts?

I am African American and keloiding is more common. It happened to me with my lap band surgery five years ago and the scars have gotten better but are still quite noticeable. My surgeon tried to revise them a little when he did my sleeve but they are still quite noticeable. I am five months out.

thanks...I am currently a bandster waiting for appointments for revision

Hello fellow bandsters, I have been off the boards for a while, been so busy with work, but hope to be back as a regular now, I need you guys and have missed you all. Latest on me. I had my revision surgery on February 26th,2005 yeehaw!:banana and have lost a grand total of 138.5 pounds to date. I am scheduled for my first adjustment or "fill" on April 26th. I realize that is way later than normal for a first adjustment but my surgeon felt like we needed to wait a while and allow my stomach swelling to go completely down and for me to get healed up after the second band placement. I am so exctied to say the insurance did pay for the second band and Praise the Lord for that! (happy dance in progress):banana:banana:banana:banana:banana I have been kinda bummed out lately though cause I need my adjustment as I am back on regular food and I am able to eat way more than I should. Have to keep telling myself to eat the bandster way when you are SATISFIED, not necessarily FULL!!! I just have to make a conscious effort to watch it and that is why I have not lost any more. I also have got to get going on the exercise and Water intake again too. I feel like a failure as I have not been being very good lately in my snacking etc. I am sharing with you my goals now I need to lose 80 more pounds and here is what I plan to do to make it happen: 1. Be on this board daily as I need the support DAILY!!! 2. Drink at least 64 ounces of water per day. 3. Exercise 30 minutes (at least) every day. 4. STOP SNACKING BETWEEN MEALS!!! (those one or two bites of sugar free candy and sugar free icecream and sugarfree Cookies make a difference!!!) 5. Last and most importantly PRAY for guidance from above. Please pray with me as I start the second part of my journey. I need your support. You guys are great thanks so much for letting me vent.

... I'm going to get my revision. I scheduled everything today. Hiatoplastic, gastropexia and a change to RNY anastomosis. Dammit... I don't really want to do it...

Before my insurance started covering bands, they specified they would not cover complications. Also, remember with the one year coverage mentioned, slips and erosions can happen much farther out than that. Although a year is better than nothing. Even now my coverage specifies it will not covere a second WLS. I get one shot at it. They will cover complications, but not a revision to RNY if I wanted it. Not sure if I were to need it because the band eroded or something. That is a fight to be had it if happens. (With a prayer that it does not!) There was a recent thread of a bandster who had a slip at 13 months, that would be a pooper with that one year coverage, eh?

This all makes sense, and sounds reasonable. Which probably means the insurers are looking for ways out! :thumbup: What isn't reasonable is three hands! :smile2: I did read a post here of someone who needs her band removed, her doc wants to revise to RNY. Insurance will pay for the removal as it is medically necessary. If she does the revision at the same time, her surgeon charges a revision fee of around $1100.00. I know that my insurance specifically says it will not cover a second WLS procedure. I do wonder if my surgeon does something like this, though. If my band did -need- to come out, I'd want to revise to RNY or get a new band, and I'd want it at the same time...if the insurance will pay for the OR and the anesthesia--too cool! I found that an interesting way of going about it.

Hello my fellow May sleevers! I don't think I have introduced myself yet. I'm in Detroit, Michigan and I am a band to sleeve revision. I was initially scheduled for a gastric bypass in March but I chickened out the week of surgery. My sleeve date is May 16th! I feel so much better about this decision. My docs office was a bit irritated with me but I have to do what is right for me! I have had my crap band for five years with little weight loss and I have been taking off and putting back on the same twenty pounds for the last six months. I'm just sick of it and I need to do something different. I've been trying to get myself ready so months ago I quit soda, carbonation, and caffeine. I also gave up alcohol almost completely (never thought I'd be able to do that). I've also learned to love yogurt which, until two weeks ago I could not stand! I made a list of what I will need and posted in a thread. I purchased my Vitamins, belly band, ear plugs, and eye mask for the hospital today. My goal is to get to the gym everyday until surgery so that I go in in the best shape possible. My doc does not require a liquid diet but I would really like to try to do one for a couple of weeks prior. I figure there can't be any harm in trying to keep my liver out of the docs way! My surgery will include gallbladder removal, band removal, hernia repair (caused by the crap band), and my revision to a sleeve so I am anticipating being in a world of hurt or as the coordinator at the surgeons office put it a "hot mess"! She has assured me they will get me through it. I look forward to sharing this experience with all of you and wish you the best of luck!

I went back to work 10 days after my sleeve surgery (no revision). I work in an office setting and did fine at work. I will say that although I was back to work 9 hours each day, for the first 6-8 weeks after surgery I was extremely tired and in bed by about 7pm each night!

Chanelle, my heart is going out to you. On doing a cursory search of the academic medical journals on pregnancy after bariatric surgery (because as of yet, I have not found one which encompasses 'surgery whilst pregnant' and I concede the procedures documented do not encompass VSG), I found the following. Go straight to the abstracts/conclusions to get the gist of the research and findings. Sorry to everyone else for the information splat taking up your screens. This is clearly not merely an issue of the fetus being exposed to radiation through an x-ray or the impact of the anesthesia on the fetus during the VSG procedure (which is not to be overlooked and if you'd like me to send you a complete article privately, I can - 'cause it's very long to post here and you'd need to read all of it to get the baseline). It is also about the severe nutritional, Vitamin and mineral deficiencies present in the first weeks after the operation which appear to have a significant impact on the progress of the fetuses growth and development in utero. A point that would need significant evaluation, monitoring and intensive hands-on care. If you would like to ask any questions on the below, please do not hesitate to contact me. Much love x Analgesia, Anaesthesia and Pregnancy A Practical Guide 3rd Edition By Steve Yentis Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London By Surbhi Malhotra St Mary’s Hospital, London Publisher: Cambridge University Press Print Publication Year:2012 Online Publication Date:December 2012 Online ISBN:9781139012966 Paperback ISBN:9781107601598 Book DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139012966 Subjects: Anesthesia, Intensive Care, Pain Management ,Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Chapter 3 Anaesthesia before conception or confirmation of pregnancy Many women will require anaesthesia when they are pregnant and many will be unaware that they are pregnant at the time of the anaesthetic, especially in the first 2–3 months of their pregnancy. The thalidomide catastrophe initiated the licensing arrangements for new drugs and their use in pregnancy; the current cautious stance of the pharmaceutical industry is reflected in the British National Formulary’s statement that no drug is safe beyond all doubt in early pregnancy. The anaesthetist should have a clear knowledge of the time scale of the developing fetus in order to balance the risks and benefits of any drug given to the mother. A teratogen is a substance that causes structural or functional abnormality in a fetus exposed to that substance. Problems/special considerations The possible effect of a drug can be considered against the stage of the developing fetus: Pre-embryonic phase (0–14 days post-conception): The fertilised egg is transported down the Fallopian tube and implantation occurs at around 7 days post-conception. The conceptus is a ball of undifferentiated dividing cells during this time and the effect of Downloaded from Cambridge books Online by IP 129.215.17.188 on Wed Jan 29 01:41:58 GMT 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139012966.004 Cambridge Books Online © Cambridge University Press, 2014 drugs on it appears to be an all-or-none phenomenon. Cell division may be slowed with no lasting effects or the conceptus will die, depending on the severity of the cell damage. Embryonic phase (3–8 weeks post-conception): Differentiation of cells into the organs and tissues occurs during this phase and drugs administered to the mother may cause considerable harm. The type of abnormality that is produced depends on the exact stage of organ and tissue development when the drug is given. Fetal phase (9 weeks to birth): At this stage, most organs are fully formed, although the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and urogenital tract are still developing. Drugs administered during this time may affect the growth of the fetus or the functional development within specific organs. Management options The anaesthetist should always consider the possibility of pregnancy in any woman of child- bearing age who presents for surgery, whether elective or emergency, and should specifically enquire in such cases. If there is doubt, a pregnancy test should be offered. If pregnancy is suspected, the use of nitrous oxide is now generally considered acceptable, despite its effects on methionine synthase and DNA metabolism, as there is little evidence that it is harmful clinically. Similarly, although the volatile agents have been implicated in impairing embryonic development, clinical evidence is lacking. Some drugs cross the placenta and exert their effect on the fetus, e.g. warfarin, which may cause bleeding in the fetus. Key points The possibility of pregnancy should be considered in any woman of childbearing age. No drug is safe beyond all doubt in pregnancy. Further reading Allaert SE, Carlier SP, Weyne LP, et al. First trimester anesthesia exposure and fetal outcome. A review. Acta Anaesthesiol Belg 2007; 58: 119–23. 6 Section 1: Preconception and conception Pregnancy shortly after bariatric surgery. Transliterated Title: Svangerskap like etter fedmeoperasjon. Authors: Skogøy K; kristin.skogoy@nordlandssykehuset.no Laurini R Aasheim ET Source: Tidsskrift For Den Norske Lægeforening: Tidsskrift For Praktisk Medicin, Ny Række [Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen] 2009 Mar 12; Vol. 129 (6), pp. 534-6. Publication Type: Case Reports; English Abstract; Journal Article Language: Norwegian Journal Info: Publisher: Norske Laegeforening Country of Publication: Norway NLM ID: 0413423 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 0807-7096 (Electronic)Linking ISSN: 00292001 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. Subsets: MEDLINE Imprint Name(s): Publication: Oslo : Norske Laegeforening Original Publication: Chistiania : Alb. Cammermeyer, 1880- MeSH Terms: Bariatric Surgery/*adverse effects Pregnancy Complications/*etiology Adult ; Bariatric Surgery/methods ; Duodenum/surgery ; Female ; Fetal Development ; HELLP Syndrome/etiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Obesity, Morbid/metabolism ; Obesity, Morbid/surgery ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/metabolism ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Risk Factors; Time Factors ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Weight Loss Abstract: Bariatric surgery is increasingly used to treat morbidly obese patients. Fertility in women may be enhanced after these procedures, owing to substantial weight loss and possibly a decreased absorption of oral contraceptives. We report a pregnancy that occurred two months after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in a 32-year-old woman. She subsequently developed haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets count (HELLP) syndrome and had a weight loss of 43 kg (from the bariatric procedure) until the infant was delivered preterm by caesarean section (due to low activity). The infant was small in relation to the gestational age, with a weight of less than 50 % of the expected (780 g at 29.6 weeks). Histological examination demonstrated a small placenta with insufficient spiral artery trophoblast infiltration, possibly caused either by severe preeclampsia or by maternal nutritional deficiencies. Severe metabolic aberrations may complicate pregnancies after malabsorptive bariatric surgery. Patient preparations before weight-loss operations should include information on fertility and birth control in the postoperative period. Protocols for monitoring of patients that become pregnant after bariatric surgery are needed. Comments: Comment in: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2009 Mar 12;129(6):536-7. (PMID: 19291887) Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20090317 Date Completed: 20090319 Latest Revision: 20110330 Update Code: 20131125 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.09.34019 PMID: 19291886 Database: MEDLINE with Full Text The risk of adverse pregnancy outcome after bariatric surgery: a nationwide register-based matched cohort study Mette Mandrup Kjær, MD; Jeannet Lauenborg, MD, PhD; Birger Michael Breum, MD; Lisbeth Nilas, DMSc OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome after bariatric surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Nationwide register-based matched cohort study of singleton deliveries after bariatric surgery during 2004-2010. Data were extracted from The Danish National Patient Registry and The Med- ical Birth Register. Each woman with bariatric surgery (exposed) was in- dividually matched with 4 women without bariatric surgery (unexposed) on body mass index, age, parity, and date of delivery. Continuous vari- ables were analyzed with the paired t test and binary outcomes were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: We identied 339 women with a singleton delivery after bari- atric surgery (84.4% gastric bypass). They were matched to 1277 un- exposed women. Infants in the exposed group had shorter mean gesta- tional age (274 vs 278 days; P .001), lower mean birthweight (3312 vs 3585 g; P .001), lower risk of being large for gestational age (ad- justed odds ratio, 0.31; 95% condence interval, 0.15– 0.65), and higher risk of being small for gestational age (SGA) (adjusted odds ratio, 2.29; 95% condence interval, 1.32–3.96) compared with infants in the unexposed group. No statistically signicant difference was found between the groups regarding the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, labor induction, cesarean section, postpartum hemor- rhage, Apgar score less than 7, admission to neonatal intensive care unit or perinatal death. CONCLUSION: Infants born after maternal bariatric surgery have lower birthweight, lower gestational age, 3.3-times lower risk of large for ges- tational age, and 2.3-times higher risk of SGA than infants born by a matched group of women without bariatric surgery. The impact on SGA was even higher in the subgroup with gastric bypass. Key words: adverse pregnancy outcome, bariatric surgery, gastric bypass, pregnancy Pregnancy after bariatric surgery: a current view of maternal, obstetrical and perinatal challenges Ronis Magdaleno Jr • Belmiro Gonc¸ alves Pereira • Elinton Adami Chaim • Egberto Ribeiro Turato Received: 6 May 2011 / Accepted: 14 December 2011 / Published online: 29 December 2011 Ó Springer-Verlag 2011 Abstract With the increase in the number of bariatric surgeries being performed in women of childbearing age, physicians must have concerns regarding the safety of pregnancy after bariatric surgery. The aim of this review is to summarize the literature reporting on maternal, obstet- rical and perinatal implications of pregnancy following BS. Methods English, Spanish and Portuguese-language arti- cles were identied in a PUBMED search from 2005 to February 2011 using the keywords for pregnancy and bariatric surgery or gastric bypass or gastric banding. Results The studies show improved fertility and a reduced risk of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia, macrosomia in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. The incidence of intrauter- ine growth restriction and small for gestational age are increased. No conclusions can be drawn concerning the risk for cesarean delivery and the best surgery- to-conception interval. Deciencies in Iron, Vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin K, folate and Calcium can result in maternal and fetal complications. Conclusions Pregnancy outcome of women who deliv- ered after BS, as compared to obese populations, is better and safer and comparable to the general population. Close supervision before, during and after pregnancy following bariatric surgery and nutrient supplementation adapted to the patient’s individual requirements can prevent nutrition- related complications and improve maternal and fetal health. Keywords Bariatric surgery Pregnancy Pregnancy complications Morbid obesity Weight loss Vitamin A Deficiency in Pregnancy: Perspectives after Bariatric Surgery Cristiane Barbosa Chagas1, 2, Cláudia Saunders3, 4, 5, Silvia Pereira1, 6, 2, Jacqueline Silva7, 2,Carlos Saboya8, 9, 6, 2 and Andréa Ramalho3, 10, 11 (1)Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2)Center for Research on Micronutrients, Josué de Castro Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (3)FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (4)Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (5)Research Group in Maternal and Child Health (GPSMI), Josué de Castro Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6)Clínica Cirúrgica Carlos Saboya, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (7)Human Nutrition, Center for Research on Micronutrients, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (8)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil (9)Brazilian Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, São Paulo, Brazil (10)Social Applied Nutrition Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (11)Instituto de Nutrição Josué de Castro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Edifício dos Institutos Bloco J, 2° andar, sala 26, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Andréa Ramalho Email: aramalho.rj@gmail.com Published online: 12 December 2012 Abstract This study aims to describe the clinical consequences of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. Included are studies on VAD during pregnancy and after bariatric surgery conducted in humans from 1993 to 2011. There are few investigations on the relationship between pregnancy and bariatric surgery and on the damage to the binomial mother–child resulting from VAD in this relationship. The high percentage of VAD in the postoperative period is a cause for concern, especially considering the function of this vitamin in certain biological moments and in moments of intense nutritional demand. This vitamin serum evaluation is recommended during the prenatal period. Keywords Pregnancy Vitamin A Vitamin A deficiency Obesity Bariatric surgery Retinol Beta carotene Night blindness

I am 13 months post revision band to bypass and lately nothing seems to taste right. Meat in particular tastes weird. I don’t have an issue eating it, it doesn’t get stuck or make me sick but it tastes and often smells weird. For example the lamb mince we ate tonight tasted very gamey. I used to love pork and would often order it when we went out but the last couple of times that hasn’t tasted right either! At this rate I am going to end up vegetarian which could be a problem as there are a heap of veggies I hate ( the bitter ones) , don’t really like eggs ( I can do the yolks so long as they are runny) and only eat small quantities of cheese. On top of that if I try to turn my hubby veggie he will rebel! I can’t live on yogurt nuts and seeds! Has anyone else been through this and how did you deal with it?

Hi, I'm on my phone so I can't go into great detail but I also have a band and I will be revising to a sleeve plication. My esophagus is dilated and if I have even the tiniest fill I have horrible acid reflux. I researched plication thru YouTube as there are several helpful videos. You can also visit Dr. Ariel Ortiz or Dr. Lopez-Corvala's websites for more helpful information. Dr Cottam and Watkins are in the US and I believe charge around 8-10K for the procedure. Tijuana is about 10K with plication and band removal. If you have insurance they may pay for band removal and then you just pay for the plication. Hope that helps! Good luck to you!!!

Thanks msspicey for the kind thoughts! Well one week ago today, i was about to be taken in to the OR. The week had many ups and downs, but mainly ups. The first 2 days were really hard. I'm a revision patient so the pain was much worse this time for me than with the band. When you hear "a little better each day", believe that. Had to sty 2 nights and have a drain, again because of the revision. Today I start blenderized food, all liquids prior. Also need to start the 30/60 rule as well. Just wanted to update. I see my surgeon on Thursday and decided not to weigh myself till then. All in all, going very well....