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well, fwiw, even the skinniest dressage queen should use a mounting block to mount because it's better for the horse's back and the saddle. I started my late BS Paint myself when I weighed 290lbs and I weigh 250 now (having band complications that will require band removal and hopefully a revision to RNY). I ride 3-4 days a week on my 7yr old Thoroughbred and am learning Dressage now. I asked my dressage trainer whether my weight was hurting my mare and he said no basically because I know how to ride. I'm not a sack of potatoes that can't balance in the saddle. So, don't let your current weight stop you. It took me a while to get my surgery but my initial weight loss was significant (40lbs in 3 months). You'll be fine!!!

Im sorry you had to revise...I was originally going for the band & my surgeon advised against it in regards to long term results. I then went with sleeve but my reflux is too bad (after EGD). Now I've accepted bypass. Thanks much for your input & heads up on insurance!

Is your question that you are worried about malabsorption issues? I would be more concerned with sleeve issues such as heartburn and not losing enough weight. That's why I chose the rny. I figured if I'm going o do this, it will be once, no revisions for me. I chose the surgery that provides the most weightloss. A lot of bad stuff has been coming out about the sleeve in terms of results. I think with the sleeve you need to have much more willpower. The bypass is a lot harder, nearly impossible for some, to cheat on. My best friend had bypass and her husband the sleeve. She lost 170 pounds in one year. He lost 70 pounds and gained back 35 so only a 35 pound lost. He can and could eat around the surgery the whole time. She had dumping and major restriction. Given she was more motivated but he clearly needed a stronger tool to help with his weightloss. I don't think her really made the choice to lose weight and she did. But statistically people with sleeves don't lose as much. People with rny do get Vitamin issues along the way. Not everyone, but it happens. You have to commit to taking the pills for life. I feel it's worth it to get the health benefits of weightloss even if I have to have Iron transfusions some day. I was going to end up diabetic so I would have had issues anyway. The sleeve can give you heartburn and many end up with a revision. I didn't want two surgeries

Had my revision two days ago after being banded for six plus years. I'm glad it's gone-found out after surgery that I actually had a slip and stomach prolapse along with needing a repair to an already repaired hernia. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I too just had revision surgery to repair a posterior slip, but also had my gallbladder removed at the same time. I have had a lot more pain this time around. I talked to the dr. about it and he said it's to be expected. I know my situation is a little different from yours, but I thought it might help to hear it. I also had a lot of the shoulder pain from the abdominal gas they use this time, and I didn't have that the first time at all.

I had revision surgery earlier this week and didn't at all mess with my port. I notice a lot more pain this time. Any else have this happen. On a side note my pouch is much smaller as the band was reposition higher up. I never imagined it smaller!

As I've not had either surgery (I am trying to revise to another procedure from lap-band due to a slip, though, so I'm doing a lot of research), the only advice I can give is to take predictions of how good the sleeve is going to be with a grain of salt. After all, researchers were saying the same thing about the lap-band back when I was first banded. It was supposed to be the wave of the future and it had a predicted long-term success rate that rivaled or exceeded that of the bypass. We all know how that turned out. I can't tell you which procedure is best for you, that's up to you and your surgeon to determine. I can share a few things that I've found while researching: Malabsorbtion of calories with RNY lasts for 12-24 months, Vitamin malabsorbtion lasts forever. There are new transdermal vitamin Patches on the market that mean you don't have to worry about malabsorbtion of those nutrients since they aren't passing through your digestive tract. "Dumping" is not a guarantee with RNY. VSG can cause severe GERD, so if you already have GERD, it's not recommended that you have that surgery. You can succeed or fail with either procedure. Success with either one depends on your particular food issues, on how successful you are at resolving those issues, and how you've changed your lifestyle. There are a lot of people out there that are trying to revise from sleeve to bypass and from bypass to DS or band-over-bypass.

I had complications with my gastric plication from OCC in Mexico (nausea, not surgeon error), and I also had to have the lap band that they placed during my plication revision removed in an emergency surgery here in the states (not due to surgeon error though). I saved up and now I'm getting sleeved here in the United states, but I have heard good things about Mexicali bariatric center. With that being said, the care I recieved at OCC was very good, and the facility was clean! And Dr Ortiz has great bedside manner, the sleeve patients when I was down there were practically bouncing out of bed right after surgery! Just email them and theyll get info to you ASAP

Thanks Mis73 - Trust me, I'm not even entertaining the Sleeve comment, I was just horrified and couldn't believe he even said it. As I mentioned, he gave me a fill/adjustment yesterday, I called today because now I'm so tight that I can hardly swallow my own spit, but my stomach is growling and I'm still starving. Evidently, he is i surgery tomorrow and I as told not to force food, drink hot liquids and come in on Saturday. My husband is staring at me like I'm a space alien because every time I swallow anything at all loud ungodly noises come racing out of me. They did do a barium thing yesterday, he does one every time we do a fill or adjustment so I assume the placement is fine as he didn't say a word. It was after my barium thing that he made the Sleeve comment and said the revisions don't work. That is a really good idea about the informational seminar, I hadn't even thought of that, a great example of why the forum boards are helpful.

I had a port revision (mine had a hole and was leaking the saline) and I didn't have any issues whatsoever so please don't think that is how you are supposed to feel!

That is for sure! Dr. Nowzaradan is a bariatric surgeon. WTF is he doing performing plastic surgery? I have never in my life, through all of my research of plastics and bariatric surgery heard of a surgeon that was doing both. They are both very highly specialized fields! I would never let a bariatric surgeon perform plastics on me or vice versa. It's insane! And the two younger doctors on the show... what is up with them doing tummy tucks with no muscle repair? That's pretty useless! No muscle repair, no lipo, everyone of their patients have a shelf and a terrible scar. Well, I'll cut them a little slack with the scar, because we aren't really seeing the patients a year or more out, when scars will really start to fade. But the no muscle repair or lipo makes it truly just "skin removal" surgery, which is not what most people think when they think of a tummy tuck. It will definitely require later revision with muscle repair for anyone to get the "flat stomach" they are hoping for.

I was banded by Dr. Jawad 7/15 & am doing great. I live in Daytona Beach. Can I ask something personal? Where is your port site? I may have to get a port revision. Every day just gets easier...CONGRATS!:whatchutalkingabout

Thanks so much Sue for your response. You bring up a good point and I have thought a little bit about that. I don't think that I can go at it alone. If I could of gone at it alone in the first place I wouldn't be fat to begin with right?? LOL!! It's like a never ending vicious cycle!! I wouldn't have to go through 3 surgeries. He said he would take the band out and do the revision at the same time. I don't know too much about the DS, but it's something to look into. But I am taking your advice to heart. I'm at a crossroads and I have a lot of thinking and decision making to do. With the help of God and my friends and family and with help from people on here like you I hope I can make the right decision. Jo Ann

I don't think that I could consider a surgery that many doctors are not willing to do anymore.. Hi, Jo Ann. I just wanted to clear that up real quick. It's not that the Dr's are not willing to do the DS, they are just not trained to do it. It is a more complicated surgery, and required more learning, which most surgeons are quite happy with the status Quo if they are making money with the RNY. For some people (myself included) the DS has many, many advantages over the RNY. I'm not trying to sell you my surgery, I just wanted to say before you decide please do some research on the pros and cons of both, RNY and the DS. The DS still has the highest rate of EWL and the lowest rate of regain. I don't regret revising from the band to the DS, not for a minute. Good luck, and I'm very sorry about your band. I know how it feels, I've been there. Rachele

Very good questions indeed. I don't know if I qualify to even respond to this, since I know many European Bandsters who have had theirs for some time (longer than me, I've had mine 5 yrs this upcoming month). There are also some Mexican Bandsters who are around with longer term band experiences, if not on this forum, then certainly on others. What's a "long" period of time? I don't know. Mine has stayed in (even though almost 5 ys ago, I had life-threatening illness after being banded) partially because no one knew much about the complications back in 2001. Rejection is always a possibility but so far apparently the Band and I have found some truce. I did have my port & tubing replaced 13 months ago but it was done surgically as usual (*shrug*) and I don't think there were signs of me rejecting the band, per se. However, my biggest concern is that after 5 years and 2 LapBand surgeries later, I've only gotten my BMI down to 30 or so. So technically I'm still listed as 'obese' according to BMI charts. That's hardly acceptable to me, and far more important, I still have more weight to use. So to answer your second question sometimes I wonder why " I " particularly went through this. Had I known a year ago that I still wasn't going to lose weight - then band rejection or not - instead of having my band port/tubing replaced - I would have been revised then (*sigh*) to another form of surgery. I wouldn't have gone through all I have done just to get down to this size. I'm VERY frustrated about that. Here's the irony - now that my BMI is down to 30 - I no longer qualify for a revision. So it's a tough position. So now I am undergoing series of tests to make sure the band is still OK. If the band has a defect or needs to be removed - then I would DEFINITELY need a revision to another surgery at the same time. Period. Or else I have to fight it out with the band. I can't lose any more weight with my band being under-restricted but at least it's there. - if I am unbanded and without a restriction, then I fear I will return to my former weight without a doubt. And so help me, I live in fear that I'd get even bigger. I'd be inconsolable. So it makes this a bit tough, but I'm not down yet. Happy Band (and UnBanded) Journeys to all, New Sho

Penni, I can not put into words how much my heart aches for you and DeLarla. For you two and the other struggling Bandsters and DeBanded Bandsters (because no matter the status of your band, you're Bandsters for life) you have been confronted with issues and responsibilities that no patient deserves. I go out of my way to move forward and not move backward in my life but it ain't always easy. Complication sucks and the attitude of some of the people here who are basically saying "suck it up" just devastated me. I only hope and pray they never walk a mile in the shoes of someone who has been let down or worse, injured by their band journey. But I hope that we can find some sense of brotherhood and sisterhood with Penni and the others who had fought the Band fight? Does the current status of the Band (whether it's currently implanted, currently removed, currently about to be revised or currently sitting still in a box in a hospital warehouse) make a difference on how we receive each others' comments? All those who sit smugly saying "oh if this happens, I'll do this" are just speculating on how they HOPE they will react. The reality may be and probably would be different. Like any technology or procedure, the LapBand will continue to improve as will the techniques used with the LapBand. But realize that those who come along later critising those who are struggling will hopefully be spared an unfortunate lesson in karma. A bit of tolerance and understanding goes a long way. Hopefully all of us will realize we may have more in common with our DeBanded Bandsters than some think. As is said, "There by the grace of God, go I." Happy Band Journeys and DeBanded Bandster Journeys to all, New Sho

I would say no, the sleeve can not be done again. You can however have a revision to the gastric bypass. The problem is finding a dr to do it. My surgeon will only do revisions because of medical reasons. (Gerd) he will not do a revision if the patient didn't follow the program.

June 2nd lap band to rny revision! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am going to have my husband take pics tonight to send to Dra. Cardenas and see what my options are for my thigh lift and a possible revision to my breasts. I had planned to wait until the fall, so I could run more races over the summer, but this thread has got me all anxious to do it sooner!

I was not a revision. My surgeon is Dr Max Hammer in Springfield, IL.

I personally think that while the leak rate MIGHT be 1%, I think the overall complication rate is higher... I think I saw a study that suggested around 2-3% since leak isn't the only complication. I was a band to sleeve revision and the surgeon told me that our risks were probably "about double" that of a virgin sleeve. Scared the crud out of me, but I was in a pretty bad way at 308 pounds, 52 BMI so finally decided I was going to die of obesity if i didn't take the risk. I thank God on a regular basis how well this has gone, no complications so far, and that while I am not at goal I am a normal sized person and my life has changed for the wonderful! It is so scary to read about the complications, but it makes me so happy to read the "happy endings" when people get over it and get back to the business of losing weight and being healthy!

I had my consultation with the plastic surgeon today. The first thing Dr. Weiss said after I told him I've lost 130 lbs. is, "Well you look great!" And I laughed and said, "Well yeah, with my clothes on!" He asked what my biggest concerns were and I told him stomach, boobs and side boobs (that bit that spills over the top sides of my bra). After I got undressed he was impressed with the amount of excess skin I had. It was funny sitting there and him gathering and poking to see how much is skin. The good news is he said I can get away with an extended tummy tuck, I won't need a body lift (whew!). He said he should be able to remove nearly all of the loose skin, including my stretch marks on my stomach. He showed me where he would cut and I could not believe how high up he would be able to go. He said I should end up with a nearly flat stomach and he and his assistant said I have a very nice body shape/build because I'm a natural hourglass and under my loose skin is a small waist so I will avoid looking boxy like most tummy tuck patients. ???? He said there is quite a bit of loose skin in the breasts and showed me where the nipple should go. Again, I was surprised. We are talking about six inches or so. He also said I really REALLY need implants because I have zero upper breast. I'm basically pectoral muscles and then breasts below that. He wants to remove all the loose skin, some of my existing breast tissue and then put implants at the top where I'm completely lacking anything. Without them I can get a lift but will end up with the man boob look I'm dreading so much. Right now I'm a 36DDD and I told him I'd like to end up a 34DD. He also said he can easily fix the side boob issue with expanding the lower incision line. I asked him about my back rolls and he said they are all loose skin. He basically said there is nothing to lipo. I'm just skin! Which blows my mind because I still feel so fat when I look in the mirror. But he said that could be fixed later down the road if I decide to do any other surgeries. He said there is an increased bleeding risk when there has been extreme weight loss which is defined as losing more than 60 lbs. However, he has never had to give anyone a transfusion and he is very confident I will have no issues since I've never smoked and my skin is in great condition. He does want me to have a CBC done to make sure I haven't developed anemia from bariatric surgery. He said I could probably return to work after a few weeks if I'm sitting but I still plan on taking at least three, if not four. I can begin light cardio like walking after four weeks but no high impact exercise or lifting for many months. Also, no resistance exercise for many months although I can use my own body weight. It will cost $8,150 for tummy tuck only or $15,310 for tummy tuck and breasts. He offered to repair the side boobs for free. The cost includes all post-op care and if I'm not happy with my results he will do a free revision. He said, "If you're not happy with the results, I'm not going to be happy with the results." Now on to the mental/psychological part of this. I had a bit of a meltdown on the ride home. Part of it was because I made the mistake of listening to "Reflection" on the way home and started bawling. "Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show who I am inside?" ???? So I did a lot of thinking. On one hand, I feel selfish for spending $15,000 on myself. I don't feel like I deserve it. I don't know why I feel that way. I also don't know why I feel so weird about implants. I've always had very large breasts. But I've always kind of thought of women who got implants as phonies trying to be something they aren't. Just accept your natural body! But now I'm trying to replace what I've always had. And now I'm becoming more understanding towards those who want/need plastic surgery. On the other hand, when I see myself in the mirror I can see my potential but I feel like I'll never feel complete until this excess skin is gone. I really want to finish my marathon and get the medal at the end, my new body.

I just found out today that my band has slipped and I soon will have to make a decision what to do. You say you revised to bypass, did your insurance cover this? Can you provide me some details? I honestly want this thing out of me. I never expected this journey to be easy, but I am tired of vomitting daily and my teeth and body aching. My son told me today he wants it out too because he is tired of seeing sick all the time. Ugh, decisions...

I have thrown up for TWO years!!!!! After I revised to bypass, I am not throwing up anymore and there are others that had revised from band to other wls have stopped throwing up as well. It is not a mental thing, it is band induced. I couldn't eat dense Protein without it coming back up. I did not have any damage.

Right on!! I'm glad you are doing better now, not vomiting ... I revised to bypass. Are you planning on revising?