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My experience after revision was much much better than when I had lapband....but that could be because I was so happy to have the damn band out of my body!

I understand your thinking about having to have a major complication to have a revision. I was banded in 2007. After my pregnancy in 2010 my band never worked for me again. The upper GI didn't show any problems, I had a little bit of reflux but not much. The only indication for revision for me was that I had a large regain. I met Aetna's criteria for revision but they still denied it; they only reversed their decision when my BMI ended up back over 40. I had my revision on Saturday 12/29 and my surgeon found that the buckle on my lapband was unclasped and the band was loose on my stomach, hence the weight regain despite completely filling the band. So I guess my point is that this would be a major complication of the band since it was a mechanical failure, but no one was able to find it until they did the surgery. Obviously, I'm glad I had the revision now! Good luck to you.

I was banded in 2012 and almost immediately back on solids developed gallbladder problems. Unfortunately for me they went undiagnosed for just shy of a year. I was having weekly attacks, sometimes the 2 or 3 times a week. In the end I had it removed and it was the best thing for me. Sadly, my band needed unfilling for the surgery and has never quite been the same since. I'm being revised to a sleeve in a few weeks time!

Hang in there Carrie! I'd be worried about you if you weren't nervous about the surgery. I can't speak from my own experience, but a friend of mine was sleeved about 8 months ago and it was a pretty straightforward experience for her. Good news too--I won my appeal with Premera BCBS--based on medical necessity. A revision would seem to fit that ticket. Good luck and I'll send good thoughts your way- Fit

I totally understand how you feel!! On the one hand you have all the postives, no more port issues, tightness etc... and a wonderful sleeve to takes its place which I'm sure is what you and I both looked for when we got our bands... a permanent decision. On the other hand because we are revisions we run a higher risk for complications, leaks etc. That is a fact, we do have to think of these things, but I am willing to take that risk anyday rather than waiting for my band to erode through my stomach or just simply cause even more damage than it has already done. Or we can simply have our bands removed and gain the weight back and regain all the unhealthy disadvantages that come along with obesity. No... I don't think that's an option for either of us. Hugs!! You will do amazing, and trust me - there are some of us here who do and are going through the same thing as you. Now, I'm nervous but I'm sure as the date draws nearer I'll get ever more increasingly scared. It's a big deal! It's very normal. Please check in as soon as you are up to it and let us know how it went. You will be ok!!!

I will be having revision surgery in Oct. With Dr. Aceves. I wasn't working when I got the lapband three years ago, so this wasn't an issue. My co-workers know that I am having surgery, but not the details. I've been told that my surgeon will need to clear me to return to work with a letter. I don't want to reveal what type of surgery I had or explain why I had it in Mexico (I work at a US hospital!) Did any of you have this dilemma and how did you deal with it? Thanks.

I have developed a hiatal hernia, thought I had some food stuck was pretty scared. Went to the Ed after the most awful tests was Dx w/a hiatal hernia. I did not have this prior to my revision. Has this happened to anyone else? I am going to send an e-mail to Dr. Aceves. Going to see my PCP when I can get an apppointment. Just what I need another surgery!:thumbup1: Dee

45 years old and doing this again. My 1st surgery had developed a fistula "whole" they need to repair/redo surgery . Anyone having problems with drain tube? It has been a week and I am still draing 3oz a day.

My revision was yesterday. I feel pretty good with very little pain. Not hungry at all just concentrating on drinking so I can go home. My doctor did say that I had a lot of scarring but said he was able to do the sleeve pretty easily. Now on to recovery!

Hello everyone my name is Ellie and I am about to get a sleeve on September 29! This was all very sudden and unexpected unlike some folks who have researched this for many years and gone through a long qualifying process, I have stumbled onto this procedure through a very roundabout way and in a matter of weeks I was approved. I am 37 years old and I weigh 270lbs at 5.8", I am hypothyroidic, I have sleep apnea and I'm prediabetic at this time. A Little history: In 2007 I weighed 273 pounds! I had mild sleep apnea but aside from that I was relatively healthy. I had the Lap band procedure done mostly because I did not like the way I looked. But the band yielded very little results, despite 13 fills and unfills to adjust, I never achieved an ideal restriction and was always hungry the weight that I did lose was because I was starving and working out and then I plateaued at about 245 pounds. Then I got pregnant in 2009 I decided to take all liquid out of the band (complete unfill) so that I could eat tons of vegetables and fruits. Funnily enough during the pregnancy and the one that followed I actually lost weight!? I guess something to do with the baby and the restriction I felt because the baby was pushing against the the band. At birth I was 214lbs. But as soon as my children came out in 2010 and 2013, even as I breast-fed, I was completely ravenous and the pounds returned at an alarming rate. So I have found myself right back to where I started at 270 pounds. Only this time mother nature has not been so kind... I am prediabetic and my sleep apnea has returned with a vengeance! On a day to day bases I ache and hurt like an old rickety roller coaster! I feel like I am walking through Jell-O all the time everything has just slowed down. Even so, being busy with a three-year-old and a five-year-old and being a full-time working mom I put myself in last place and have not focused much on trying to lose the weight. It's basically been, whatever I need to do to make it to the next day! I have ignored the aching that my body feels on a day-to-day basis and how hard it has become living and getting around at this weight. I have ignored the emotional and social impact of my weight, or maybe ignored is not the best word, more like drowned out with more food. And I experience some of what most mothers will relate to, I don't want to be in pictures with my children because I feel like I ruin the pictures with my presence. But even all this did not bring me to a decision to refill my lapband or do anything about it until a few weeks ago... In unrelated events I twisted funnily and managed to cause harm to my port. I was in severe pain like having stitches after running but the pain never went away. So due to that event, I finally went back to see my bariatric surgeon and upon further examination I was told that my port had ripped out of my muscles and was now flipped. Great! It was then that my surgeon told me that my options were to repair the port and try the band again or do something different. He recommended I try the sleeve because if I was initially unsuccessful with the band chances of me being successful the second time around were slim to none. I had heard about the sleeve before but never really in-depth. I also have gallstones and have had two attacks which I feel is not enough to warrant surgery but my surgeons seem to think differently. They say the gallbladder wall has thickened and that it is a matter of if and not when I will need to have it removed I hate surgery I do terrible with general anesthesia it takes me hours and hours of tortured nauseated foggy horrible sickness and pain to come out of it. And there is nothing I want more than to avoid having to go through another surgery. However My surgeon sent me to other surgeon who specializes in lap band revision who said he could perform all three surgeries at one time!! He would take out the Lapband remove my gallbladder and perform the gastric sleeve. And we are close to maxing out our yearly insurance maximum out of pocket, so if approved these procedures will be completely at no cost to me!! If I have to go under the knife anyways, I reason, I might as well get as much stuff done at one time, so that I don't have to go under the knife several times. I have not had too much time to do research on the sleeve or get emotionally prepared for the journey ahead but I have spent the past few weeks ferociously researching and ferociously reading up on it and doing a lot of soul-searching realizing that given my Freewill to eat, I am killing myself by being morbidly obese. My doctor submitted the proposal for surgeries to my insurance and I prepared for a long wait. However a week later I found myself getting approved by my insurance and my doctors office saying September 29 is available so start your diet now!! WOA????? No time for food funerals, no time for that last binge, no time to take a cruise which I love to do because of all the deliciousness, and no time to deliberate too long. I do have an option of doing it at the next available date in November but that would be very close to holidays and who knows what other circumstances could arise to prevent me from having the surgery at that time. It seems like all the factors have aligned together perfectly... my job is willing to let me go for that period of time the surgery will cost me nothing I can do three in one surgeries and I can have it relatively soon so that I don't have an agonizing time to wait and stress about it. It's like it's now or never. Most reviews I've read have people saying they wish they had done it sooner. I have already started my pre-op diet which means I would've only been on it for 10 days versus 12 like most people. And unlike most people rather than being on full liquids I have been placed on a South Beach supercharged phase 1 diet that includes lean meats, low-fat dairy and vegetables. I am finally wrapping my brain around what is about to take place mentally emotionally and physically. I have stocked up on many things and thanks to all you wonderful sharing caring people that have taken time to share your journey I have had a chance to very quickly catch up on all the information that I will need to be successful. But I'm so scared and so nervous not even about the liquid diet following surgery , (although, my coworker who got the sleeve weeks ago says that she is hungry all the time), or anything like that but of the surgery itself of being under Anastasia, of the pain I will feel when I wake up, and I wonder if I will miss the stomach that God gave me with which I was born...I'm sure all these things have crossed your mind too. And because my Lapband failed I fear that if this procedure does not work for me and I shall be that one anomaly for whom this did not work, there is not much else to be done. And since this is so life altering and Permanent, I don't know where to go from there if it does not work out for me. I know...I know...not thoughts I should be thinking .., but I'm being candid and sharing from the deepest parts of my heart the secret fears that I have, I would never admit to anyone. Any words of encouragement advice, solidarity, anything will be so very much appreciated at this time! Like many of you my weight loss journey is a very personal and private one and I don't have much support from the few friends with whom I have shared this information. I am sorry this has been long, but the welcome letter encouraged that we share details about our experience and I hope that Sharing this much will give you a more in-depth insight into my personal journey struggles and fears. Sending you blessings and green lights, Ellie

13 Days post op revision and I feel great! Back to my normal routine minus the lifting and no problems. I just get tired by about 3pm but I just think its because I am not eating much for energy. Trying to get the protein in is hard. I can eat pureed/soft foods but I really don't have much of an appetite so I kind of have to force myself to eat. Best of luck!

Thank you cowgirl for your sensible and assuring reply. I remember when I was on the lap band forum - there was one thread for those who were revising to the gastric sleeve. This was several years ago. I remember that almost every one who had this done said: "The sleeve is what I thought the band was going to be like." I had the same experience with the band as you did. It didn't do one thing it was promoted as doing. A year after it was put in, I had a severe stuck episode that required a trip to the ER. I have never been in such pain in my life. I was in so much pain I couldn't talk. I don't think getting shot could be more painful. The person who drove me had to talk for me. I was given dilaudid (sp?) and even that just dulled the pain a little. I was vomiting, too. That was 2009. All the fill was taken out of my band. However, I still get stuck sometimes but have learned how to make myself vomit. Not pleasant. There is no rhyme or reason as to when that will happen. One small bite of chicken breast could do it. Do you get stuck with the sleeve? I sure never want to go through that experience again. Btw, I love the picture of the horse. When I was a young girl I used to fantasize about a horse like that. Beautiful.

Thanks for sharing your story. I have had a similar journey in regards to the lap band. I was successful losing weight with it for a while, but had complications and the weight came back. I am hoping to have the band to sleeve revision surgery soon, but I'm currently having to jump through a few hoops. Grrrrrr. I have some of the same fears as well. Fears that the sleeve will fail since the lap band did. But I think these fears are normal. Anyway, I'm happy you made the decision to do something about it and equally happy (and jealous...lol) that your surgeon and insurance are making this process quick and painless. Good luck to you!!

I'm here! I just had a port revision on 1-5-12 due to a flipped port, so I basically had no fills for the entire time! I just got a fill at the time of my port revision and have much better restriction. Hopefully it does not happen again.

I'm considering a revision with Dr. Aceves and am also considering going on my own. Do you think that would be OK?

I am 5 weeks post op revision tomorrow and am suffering the same thing all of a sudden. DId you happen to find out what it was?

Here is both sides of the coin. I had a lapband in 2007, I could never get the right restriction, too tight or too loose. I couldn't eat healthy foods, chicken, most vegetables, most fruit. If I tried I would vomit, I resorted to eating slider foods. Fast forward to 2012 had my revision to sleeve, FANTASTIC!! I never would have thought I would reach my goal weight UNDER 200 pounds! It has been amazing for me. Yes you have to work your WLS that you chose BUT the lapband besides being difficult to eat properly can cause many medical issues; erosion, gerd, vomiting, slipped bands and leaking ports. Don't waste your time with the band. For me I now have a $16000.00 band souvenir!!

I totally understand your fears. Mine were so similar. The one thing I did know was the band needed to come out! I wasn't really having any problems but I felt like something wasn't quite right and had gained most my weight back. Remember how well you did with the band in the beginning when it was all so new? Once you get a bad fill then it's all downhill from there. Well, did the revision- turns out the band had slipped and formed a hernia. I'm in the beginning phases of the sleeve and am following the rules just like I did with the band. I know it's up to me for this to be successful. I know I'm going to have my ups & downs but this was a chance I was willing to take. Good luck to you in your journey

Hi, I didn't have a band revision, but I did have the sleeve. I think if you can get all 3 done at the same time that would be great. I was sleeved on 8/17. I was readmitted after surgery for 3 more nights because I had severe nausea and dry heaves. Once they got that under control I was fine. I had my gallbladder removed years ago - I remember the gallbladder attacks as being awful - I felt like I was having a heart attack and they made me vomit. I wish you all the best. I can tell you that I AM SO HAPPY I made the choice to get the sleeve. It's been a life changer. I think you will do well. BEST OF LUCK!

Hi Ezma How are things going in Arizona? How is everything going with your band? Well I had my port revision surgery today but they didn't have to do anything with the port. My tubing was kinked, my surgeon didn't say anything about scar tissue on it. He straightened it out, put a 2cc fill in the band. I had it done under local anesthetic and it went really well. My surgeon sutured me up and I am supposed to get another fill and the sutures out next week. I am happy I got this done and I can continue my weight loss. Talk to you soon, Cami in Colorado

I hear you Jasmine. I went nuts after my band was removed. It's amazing how quickly the weight comes back. Now I'm miserable and feel the way I did pre-band which is why I don't want to have to wait another six months. The company I work for is in the process of being bought out so there is a very real possibility that I may not be covered in six months. I have started the six month diet (earlier this month) but that puts me into June at the earliest to have my surgery. By then it will have been fifteen months that I will have been without some sort of Bariatric assistance. It just doesn't make sense why the insurance companies would make us do this after already having a band. Why are you revising to the sleeve?

I'm starting to consider a band to sleeve revision and have heard only wonderful things about Dr. Aceves. Can anyone else provide me with personal experience regarding other surgeons? I'll be self-pay, and will probably head to Mexico/ San Diego Boarder area due to location and cost but am open to learning about other options. My band surgeon was Dr. Otiz, however I'm not really clear on how many revisions, or sleeves for that matter, that he has done. Has anyone had any experience with him with a sleeve? (All the threads about him seem to go unanswered, but I thought I'd try again). Thanks in advance for all of your input!

Do a search for a user on here called nailsbyniki. She went through very similar stuff. You can PM her and I am sure she would be happy to talk to you. I'm sure you really don't want to hear it, but in most cases, RNY cures GERD. It is a function of how RNY separates the food from the bile and mixes them in the intestine rather than the stomach. And GERD is very serious and puts you at grave risk for esophageal cancer. By all means, get a second or third opinion. But please think seriously about why you are resisting conversion to RNY. If you continue to have the GERD and the spasms, you could be setting yourself up for many painful surgeries in the future. By the way I suffered from GERD pre-op. I had the sleeve with the informed knowledge that I may have to convert to RNY later. I took the risk. Right now my GERD is managed by Nexium, but it may not always be enough. Throat cancer is so much worse than RNY, at least in my own opinion, and I won't risk it. Here is Niki's thread. It is long. She had a kink in her intestine as well as Addison's Disease in the end. It was a very long road for her. It is worth reading the whole thing and then PMing her. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/248633-sleeve-revision-to-gastric-bypass-tomorrow/

Hi Everyone- This is my first time posting on this board. I have had my band for about 2.5 years and I lost 50 lbs in the beginning and then i stopped losing. I started to eat bad again and starting drinking with my meals. then I got pregnant and about a year ago i started having problems. Food would constantly get stuck and i would have to vomit. And the problem is still happening. My surgeon took all the fluid out of a band and it is completely empty now still have problems. He claimed nothing was wrong with the band when he went a looked at my band under fluroscopy. Seriously contemplating a revision from band to sleeve.They originally recommended the sleeve but it scared the crap outta me so i went with the band. I have at least 100 lbs to lose. not really sure what to do. Anyone else run into these issues? I just found out my surgeon left the practice he was in so i am scheduled to see another surgeon tomorrow. I hope he can give me some answers. So tired of living like this! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

As someone who is undergoing revision from lapband to the sleeve, I definitely would not advocate for the band. But you should get all of the information you can because it might be the right choice for you.