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I arrived in Mexicali on Sunday afternoon, 10/2. I rode in with 2 other patients and we all visited and shared our stories. After our labs at the hospital, we were taken to the hotel and checked in about 4:30 pm. Since we were all really hungry, we met up in the hotel restaurant a few minutes later and had a really wonderful dinner. For a large plate of chile rellenos , Beans, rice, tortillas, chips and a margarita......my bill was $13.00! With a full tummy and a sleeping pill from Dr. Aceves, I had a very relaxing night at the hotel. Ernesto picked us up at 7:00 am, Monday morning and drove us back to the hospital. Since my surgery was the 2nd of the day, I was given a sedative to relax. The rest of the day is a blur. I remember people coming in to get me....blur........I remember looking up at the ceiling as I was being wheeled to surgery......blur.........I remember someone telling me to turn on my side and bend my knees for the spinal block....blur.....and OUT. I don't remember recovery at all. The next thing I remember is being back in my room, thinking it must be over and then falling back asleep again. I was in and out of sleep for the rest of the night, knowing that nurses came in and out, taking my temp and blood pressure, but not really ever becoming fully alert. Sometime early Tuesday morning, I told one of the nurses I needed to use the bathroom. Although I stumbled a bit, I made the trip successfully and immediately fell back asleep. Later that morning, they brought me those infamous 4 little cups of blue "apple juice." They weren't good, but they were tolerable. I sipped and slept, sipped and slept, sipped and slept for hours. Several times that day, Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos and the nurses came in and told me to try to get up and walk. I'd answer "Sure, ok." with every good intention of doing it, but I'd always fall back asleep. I really had a tough time coming out of all that med-induced sleepiness. By late afternoon Tuesday, I finally got up and walked the halls. I was completely pain-free (yes, really.....it must have been the spinal block), but I felt unsteady on my feet and climbed back into bed about 5 minutes later. Tuesday night was pretty much the same as Monday night, but I woke up Wednesday morning feeling alert and energetic. I took a shower and even put on a little make-up! Wednesday, I walked several times, visited my neighbors, sipped tea and finally got a bowl of that wonderful chicken broth everybody raves about. Yes, it IS that good. By the time I left on Thursday morning, I felt pretty good - minimal pain and absolutely no nausea. It may have been this sense of well-being that caused me to completely overdo it on Friday. BIG Mistake! I met up with a friend Friday afternoon to do a "little" shopping that turned into a 5-hour shopping spree. I thought I was listening to my body.......I sipped Isopure all day........I took sitting breaks pretty often, but by the time I got home, I felt awful. My abdomen was completely swollen with Fluid and gas. I looked 9 months pregnant and felt equally uncomfortable. That was the first time all week I broke down emotionally. I remembered reading somewhere that Day 4 after surgery is the worst..........and that was definitely true for me! So, I sobbed myself to sleep Friday night and woke up Saturday with renewed energy and renewed resolve. I really took it easy that day. I stayed in all morning, sipping Protein and napping. By 3:00 pm, I felt good enough to take my son to a birthday party. It was a huge event, and EVERY single person there must have told me to eat......twice! But I politely told them I had eaten before I came and continued to sip on my bottled Water. The party lasted about two hours and I was definitely ready to come home by then. I went to bed about 7:30 pm, slept pretty soundly, and here I am at 5:00 am on Sunday, finally getting on the Internet for the first time since surgery. To sum up, I've really had a fairly easy recovery. Considering the mess my Band had made of my stomach and liver (Dr. Aceves told me it was NOT and easy revision) I've had very little pain except for the incision sights. I've experienced none of the shoulder "gas" pain I had with the Band surgery. I've had no nausea or stomach pain......just a lot of gas and gurgling. No doubt about it, those first four days kicked my butt, however, I think I'm over the "hump" now. I have one more week of recovery before I have to go back to work and I'm sooooo glad I didn't try to rush it and go back any sooner.

I regret my Lapband 100% because after a year it stoped working and now here I am six years later and i'm just a big as before. Time to revise, To what I have no clue. my advice: Look at your other options such as bypass or vsg(formerly called stomach stapling) This balloon thing that is a sham and only a temporary fix.

Hello good people! I'm so excited to find some folks that can relate to me. I have been trying for more than 2 year to have my revision from the band to the sleeve. I was sleeved in late 2008. I started off good, but I never lost more than 60, and that was a fight. I realize that although any surgery is just a tool and the work comes from the person, I realize that I need more help that I thought. So I am scheduled for the 19th. I was initially scheduled for the 12th, but I think I need more time to mentally prepare myself. I was just told I was approved, and then I was told to just let then know when I am ready. Soooooo....... now you might feel some of my apprehension. I know this is my dream, I'm just nervous. I want to do well. I know that the journey with the sleeve is completely different. I just need some encouragement and understanding from some people that know just what I am going through. Thanks in advance

Well back at the gym today...I went through my first day of C25K but my knee is throbbing. I may have to revise and stick to the elliptical...Which is very sad because it was fun but after ward, Oooouuccchhh. I went and did zumba. I liked the instructor but I still have to do it more low impact than others but I love it. Some of the girls did three classes. THey have a step class that I may have to check out next Saturday for sure...It looked really fun..So I did 20min C25k, 10min elliptical, and zumba class. Good to be back in the saddle!

Thanks, DiBaby! And good for you getting back to spin class! I was all ready to sign up when I realized the class was only one night a week...is that typical?!?!? I'm taking Fish Oil, yes. They are huge, yes. But nothing compared to the CLA I am taking! Gels go down fine for me, no matter how large, thank goodness. The pills just kill me. I am also using Creatine, Glutamine, RedLine, B6, L-Carnitine, Flaxseed, and ZMA. I will tell you what I believe about Protein if no one kills the messenger! When I discussed it on another thread, I felt I was gonna be lynched. But this IS an excercise thread, so I should be safe, right? LOL First of all, that's bull-puckey about only being able to absorb ANY specified amount of protein and expect that to apply to the masses. The amount of protein you can take in at any given time depends on your body weight, your current level of excercise, if you consume it immediately before or after your workout, what KIND of protein you are consuming, etcetera. Example, my smoothie has already "grown up" in just a week and now contains 70 grams of protein. But I only get it immediately after a workout. That is simply preference, as you could/should load up either an hour before or immediately following a workout. I use whey protein during the day, as it is utilized generally within two hours. I use casein protein immediately before bed because it is slow release and lasts up to seven hours while I sleep. How much protein you should consume in a day depends on your goals, but a general rule-of-thumb is minimum one gram of protein for each pound of body weight. That should increase to minimum one and a half grams if you are trying to add muscle mass. My goal is a blend of first body fat percentage reduction and second adding muscle mass, and I go with the one and a half grams per pound of body weight. This is a brand new revised goal for me, based on research through tons of reading and talking with trainers and the folks at The Vitamin Shoppe and Max Muscle. I didn't revise the amount of protein I shoot for, but revised how much and how often I need to eat...meaning I need to eat tons more frequently, resulting in eating a lot more over the course of a day. I just can't keep at the ultra-low calorie intake I've been on since June and get all this protein in, so calorie counting went out the window for me. I finally realized that I work out WAY too much to be concerned with how many calories I'm taking in. I was constantly trying to hit my protein goal and stay under my calorie goal, and it just wasn't working for me anymore. It took a lot of research to convince me, though! We will see if I made the right decision soon enough. You should go get this months' copy of the magazine that The Vitamin Shoppe puts out, "Muscle & Body"...fantastic info. I don't know a flippin' thing about the glycemic index stuff yet. Keep us posted!

I arrived in Mexicali, Mexico this afternoon. I will be having my Lap Band to Sleeve surgery on Monday morning. Dr. Aceves will be doing the surgery for me. I had all the pretests done today. My husband and I will enjoy the pool and walk the city tomorrow. I'm excited to be having this done!! __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Three years ago, I had my band surgery at almost the same time I'm having VSG next week. My first day of "real food" literally landed on Thanksgiving Day, 2008. It was actually one of the most special holidays ever. I ate one bite of EVERYTHING, including the pumpkin pie! I left feeling wonderfully satisfied and absolutely convinced I would have no problem eating like that forever. And I probably wouldn't have, if this stupid band hadn't sprung a leak.:cursing: Although I'm excited to have the revision and get back on track again, I'm entering this surgery with a little less confidence than last time. With the band, I lost 100 pounds in 1-1/2 years..... and then gained back 65 pounds in 8 months! I hate that I'm having to "start over" and terrified that I may not be so successful this time. I just can't go through this disappointment again.:crying: So.........the point is.........Thanksgiving and Christmas will be absolutely wonderful for all of us. We will feel and look so much better by then and we won't feel the least bit deprived of our favorite foods!

Hi all I know we're all at different stages and we're all going to consume various foods but I am curious about calories! As a band to sleeve revision patient and now 6ish weeks out, I am getting those horrible 'OMG am I going to succeed? Is my sleeve tight and small enough? Am I eating way more than everyone else?' thoughts...... I've started tracking calories and I generally have around 800-1000 calories but I feel like it's quite easy to get up to 1000. At weeks 2-4 I struggled A LOT with foods and just didn't really have the drive to watch my food intake and protein. Now, I feel like my hunger is coming back and that freaks me out. No heartburn or anything, and I've had my 40 grams of Somac on a daily basis, but I KNOW I feel hunger. I just get in a bit of a negative headspace and worry that the sleeve won't be 'viable' for me. I am very determined, yet am at a stall. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to know what you guys typically eat in a day too! THANKS

It's taken me a little longer than the first time to lose the weight post-revision, but I'm a few years older and also I started out a little lower. It's been about 8 months after my surgery and I'm at about the weight I was about 7 months after the sleeve. I'm approaching the lowest I ever was post-sleeve and hoping to break through and go lower now.

I can't speak on revisions but when I was deciding on sleeve over bypass everything I read told me bypass was more effective and my doctor confirmed it. As far as warning signs there aren't any, you will start to feel full and a "heaviness" and very uncomfortable. If you eat too much too fast you may regurgitate/ throw up. Your pouch will only take what it can take. In the 7 weeks since my bypass surgery I've thrown up 2x and each time I wasn't paying attention and either took too big of a bite or ate too much too fast. I also went from GERD every other night pre-op to none post-op. I'm off my Diabetes meds and IBS meds. I haven't had a single regret.

Physically I don't feel a difference. I spent one night at the hospital after the revision to RNY and released the next morning. The recovery is about the same, probably less painful with the RNY but that may be because I was prepared for gas pains... Etc. I want to say don't let the re-routing part concern you but I'm not one talk, I put off the revision to RNY quite a few times, but in retrospect, I was so silly. This has been the best decision of my life. Honestly.

I'm scheduled for the revision on Dec 9. Can't wait to enjoy the sleeve happy to hear that you're doing so great!!

Looking great! I'm having my revision surgery on 2nd April and hope to do as well as you. Sent from my SM-G920F using the BariatricPal App

Shalee, lol, I failed on liquids so far. Heh. I'm eating well, but after a fill on Sunday I'm loose again :thumbup: oh well, it's the LAST TIME this will happen after a fill. The suggestion was great for that Protein bullet. Never heard of it! I use Shakeology + a Peanut Butter bolster. I like it because it also has Probiotics, anti-oxidants, Vitamins, minerals, and Fiber, and will be a great post-op regimen to help with the slow-down of digestion. Man those percocets really mess me up, so I might get some additional stool softeners. Thanks too for the reassurance about the "not being at goal" thing. I'm taking this as the blessing it is. :biggrin: Kydime - I asked the doctors I interviewed: - Did they have experience with lap band patients - How many similar surgeries have they done (Mine has done over 600) - How many required revisions has he had within 6 months - What is their revision clause - Did they have anyone else in the OR performing the operations (am I a teaching patient) 80% of the docs could not answer the first question right...so I kept going. I ended up choosing the surgeon my lap band doctor (Dr. Ren) suggested. It was important to me to find someone who knew lap band/massive weight loss. I'm so, so glad I held out. Well it's ten days away. I sent all money away. Every last penny. I'm not really nervous, just impatient for it to be over. I do get a little nervous thinking about waking up after surgery...I absolutely hate that feeling of disorientation and realizing it's over and I missed it all. LOL. It was the reason I never took naps as a five year old, much to my mother and pre-school teachers' dismay hehe. I also don't like the feeling of gas and drugs in my body as soon as I wake up from surgery. Just ready to get on with healing.

I had my lapband done in Mexico and I got all sorts of crazy reacations from people. I actually loved it when I went and had a great time! It was fun seeing another country. I had my revision to the sleeve done at home because my insurance started paying for WLS. If they hadn't covered it, I would have gone back to Mexico. You will do great. You are only there are few days and then you will be home and have the wonderful sleeve. We are here for you. Best wishes!

I was just approved for a revision to a sleeve and my current BMI is 31. Of course, every patient and insurance is different. I have now had 2 slips, each a year apart, and my surgery is scheduled for 2 June. Wishing you the best of luck.

I don't understand getting the revision when you're at goal weight. I understand your concerns. My Dr. Does the Linx Procedure for GERD, have you looked into that yet? Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

I have a second band, but my problem was the first band had a leak. My doc wanted to revise to a sleeve when he took out the defective band, but my insurance refused to pay. In fact, it took almost four months for them to agree to put in a replacement band and not just remove the leaky one. As for revision after a slip, google for academic quality articles on what to do after a band slippage. You may find that slips are more frequent in a second band if it happened with the first. Also, research the statistics on the sleeve, then find out what your insurance will pay with regard to revision. This should give you enough information to make a decision.

I was really scared going in, but seven weeks out, I do not regret my choice at all. At first, I thought I wanted the sleeve, too. My doctor made my choice for me, basically, and now I'm glad he did. He knew best. I see so many who are having their sleeve revised to RNY because it no longer works properly, or they didn't lose, quit losing, or gained weight back. I had a lap band for 7 years that did not work and had to be removed in an emergency surgery. I'm lucky to be alive. Wish I had done the RNY back then instead of the band. That is my only regret.

I'm a jumpin' too. This is the year I will lose more than 100 pounds. How are you starting? I already told my family to either eat up all of that junk food that is in this house or I will throw it out. Not having it in the house to take "just one bite" will make this long journey a lot easier. By the way, Babs, what is a port revision? Why did you need one? I too was banded in June of '08 and my port is sideways. So I was just wondering what a port revision is. Anyway, Happy New Years everybody. And let's get this weight off!

I had a port revision because my port bonked against my ribs continuously, I couldn't get comfortable no matter how I slept or sat, I tried to adjust myself all the time - lean to the side LOL, but it just wasn't working. The new port is a low profile port that is smaller and thinner (this is what the Doc says) it was placed inside using the same incision site and they moved it slightly further away from my ribs. Feels great now! No pain at all

That's terrible that Medicare patients would have to pay out of pocket. I wonder if they would pay for a revision to a sleeve rather than just simply band removal?

One of my issues is that my right knee needs replacing and it is so painful to walk. That is all I’ve been cleared to do at this point. However with a few fewer pounds on me its slightly less painful so I pushed myself to go for it tonight. I only made 15 minutes and had to switch to recumbent bike and then hand weights. It’s so discouraging that the knee is preventing me from doing what I want to do after going through this revision but I am trying to make peace with it.

I feel ur pain. I'm almost 7 weeks out and lost 17 lbs. been losing and gaining the same 1-2 lbs for the past 2 weeks. it's getting old really fast. I started at 174 (band revision) so I knew I would lose it slower, but this is ridiculous. I'm almost 2 mths out with only 17 lbs lost. Wish I was 30. Count your blessings. I could cut my calories even more than they are but then I'd be miserable and on a diet. Thats why I got the sleeve in the first place, so I would never diet again. I've already lost a size in clothing and that feels good. Good luck!

I would look in several places for information...on this forum read throught the posts under lap band to sleeve revisions. Read Sleeve success stories. Also search for post about would you do it again on this forum to get the pros and cons of sleeve. Then go to the Lap Band forum and read the success stories, but also search for posts for the struggles people are having. I would look at success rates, weight loss totals, long term weight loss maintenance and complications. Finally I would ask your surgeon. My two cents. I was planning on getting the lap band. Several reasons I chose sleeve instead: 1. better overall percentage of weight loss with sleeve vs band 2. faster weight loss with sleeve vs band 3. no maintenence (fills, unfills etc.) on sleeve 4. no foreign device in my body that could errode, slip or cause other complications. I am 11 years older than you and had starting weight of 272 at 5'9". I had no health issues other than mild sleep apnea and being overweight. I am glad I made the choice I did.