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Look into the SIPS procedure revision. That may help and not as extreme as bypass SIPS procedure 12/11/17 SW 307 CW 226 GW 160

Thanks. It has been very rough. Looking forward to hopefully keeping down food after the revision. But, honestly, nervous about another surgery with more potential risks/complications. I am praying everything goes well for us both!

Following! I too am having a revision from sleeve to bypass due to a stricture and constant vomiting. Not really sure what to expect.

Hi, I was /had a revision on 6/25 to sleeved. Everything was going ok till Sunday (4days ago). I woke Sunday with back shoulder pain and it hurst to take deep breath. By Monday the breathing was almost unbearable and the pain moved to my rib under my cheast and right back. So went to my Dr. Office which said I'm 4 weeks post-op and should out of the woods for leaks or clots. U may have gas but if the problem is still there by Tuesday (day3) go to emergency room at the hospital where I had my gastric sleeve on 6/25. Well by 3rd day my pain was the roof. After all the test. I have a blood clot and small case of pneumonia in my lungs. ...wow...help

Best of luck with your surgery. My revision is May 22nd and I'm getting excited/nervous. I hope you have a quick recovery.

O i was revised to the sleeve on monday the 27th. Thngs have been getting progressivly better with minor setbacks that have left me in the hospital until today, in fact i am going to digning my dc papers. I have been sooooo pleased with vcu health because they really put my health and safety in the forefront. I ahve a couple of issues that maybe some already sleeved can answer. I have been having pain in the center of my chest, kinda like heart pain. It is made worse when i take a deep breath. Thw doctors tested me for pulmonary embolism and heart condition and everything is perfect. I am chalking it up to gas pain but wanted to know if anyone else had experienced this. There is no leak as they have been testing. The fluid from my drain and the pain is reallyo not severe so i convinced the dr to let me go home. I can honestly say that my pain rating throughout my stay never went above 2 and thats because i was out of bed and moving within 10 hours of surgery. And had great pain control. I did have low blood sugar once and after taking so sips of juice it corrected itself. So i just got home and guess what i did....hopped on thw scale and low and behold i am 1 lb heavier than when i went in for surgery. Wtf...i wasnt expecting much but it has been 5 days since surgery and so surely i am not still retaning that much fluid.

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!

HI Everyone, :laugh: I am really really struggling...I am seriously having the fight the insurance co & my PCP blues. Pasted below is draft copy of a letter that I am working on to send to the insurance co. and maybe even the insurance consumer division. Although a really tight squeeze for now, I am working on Plan B. Dr. Alvarez in Mexico, 9750 for sleeve. Here struggling...having gained 18 pounds since September 15--all of my clothes are fitting way way way toooooo tightly! Bumming Here's my letter! I just dont know what to do.... Any insight is greatly appreciated! I am not sure if I should be outright saying I want to request an appeal or just asking for an update. Please review and give me your insight. Thanks! Group/ID Number: XOH842901948/H06800 Primary Care Physician: Dr. Derek Kelly Diagnosis: 278.01 Morbid Obesity Procedure: 99241 Office Consultation Referred For: Office Consultation Requested: 12/9/08 Denied: 12/9/08 Services Requested: Consult with Dr. Vitello for a Sleeve Gastrectomy Referral Authorization No. 23,562'Denied (Referral Denied'This is a request for an out of network non-contracted provider with Managed Health Care Associates Managed Health Care Associates 2740 W. Foster Avenue, Suite 411 Chicago, Il 60625 FAX: 773-271-0264 Illinois Department of Insurance Consumer Division 100 W. Randolph Street Suite 15-100 Chicago, IL 60601 Greetings I a writing to formally request an updated status of the referral decision rendered in December 2008. First of all, the services requested are inaccurate. Since October 2007, Dr. Derek Kelly has provided referral authorizations for me to see Dr. Vitello regarding lapband adjustment. From October 2007 until September 2008, I visited Dr. Vitello for lapband adjustments and presented with complications of my adjustments on a monthly basis. Resultingly, September 2008, I had to have emergency surgery to remove my lapband due to slippage. I followed up with post-operative care with Dr. Vitello, who then consulted with me regarding revisional bariatric surgery. In the interim, I informed Maria, of Dr. Kelly's office and contacted the BCBS of IL to be advised of my benefits coverage and protocol for seeking revisional surgery. At that time, I was advised of the criteria for coverage, which I meet now and did so at the time of request, and advised Maria of the same. She advised me to have Dr. Vitello submit the referral authorization and that she would handle the request, as she had handed the processing of all of my prior referral authorizations to Dr. Vitello. Upon mutual interest, Dr. Vitello petitioned for referral authorization for revisional bariatric surgery, vertical sleeve gastrectomy. My last follow up appointment with Dr. Vitello was October 31 and the referral authorization was submitted twice by Dr. Vitello's staff (University of Illinois at Chicago) before warranting a response by the Managed Care Group. This petition submitted in full disclosure, my operative and post-operative reports and medical necessity substantiating the need for the procedure. According to my insurance terms, bariatric surgery is a covered benefit as long as it is deemed medically necessary; this is furthered for revisional bariatric surgery with indication that as long as the first bariatric surgery was medically necessary, there is no waiting period for clearance for the authorization of a revisional surgery. Additionally, according to my policy's terms and conditions, I have been advised of the following: Repeat of a covered bariatric surgery may be eligible for coverage only when ALL of the following criteria are met: For the original procedure, patient met all of the screening criteria, including BMI requirements The patient has been compliant with a prescribed nutritional and exercise program following the original surgery Significant complications or technical failure (i.e., slippage, etc.) of the bariatric surgery has occurred that required take down or revision of the original procedure that could only be addressed surgically Patient is requesting reinstitution of an acceptable bariatric surgical modality. Dr. Vitello submitted his referral authorization to Dr. Derek Kelly indicating my request to reinstitute an acceptable bariatric surgical modality, vertical sleeve gastrectomy. On December 9, I received paperwork advising of a decision of denial for a consultation. It indicated the denial was based on the fact that the services are available in-network and the request was from a non-contracted provider. The basis of this claim request for out-of-network coverage is due to this surgical procedure being revisional bariatric surgery, which is an acceptable bariatric surgical modality. Secondly, the letter advised of an alternative for the non-approved service, to contact Dr. Kelly for a referral to an in-network specialist. On December 15, 2008, I met with Dr. Kelly in follow-up to the denial. Dr. Kelly advised that he needed to submit supplemental supportive documentation along with the referral for processing to secure an affirmative decision. Dr. Kelly then proceeded to review my operative report records from the surgery and reviewed my other health records in my medical file and interviewed me regarding my health status. Dr. Kelly indicated this procedure should take approximately 30 days maximum and to anticipate an affirmative response to proceed with revisional bariatric surgery and that I had his medical support in substantiating the medical need. I have been waiting since December 15, 2008 and to date am more frustrated now than ever. For the past 2.5 months, I have meticulously called Dr. Kelly's office regarding a status update. Maria, the administrative assistant, has provided several updates. The updates have included the fact that the previous medical director retired and was replaced and the new director was then on vacation, to the medical director making request for additional paperwork (which was submitted), to the medical director needing to meet with Dr. Kelly regarding the details of the approval process for this type of referral authorization, to the medical director and Dr. Kelly being unable to meet to further discuss the nature of my referral, to Brenda communicating that there was never a properly submitted referral from Dr. Kelley to the Managed Care group which resulted in the initial denial decision. In my first direct contact with Brenda Blazek, the Referral Coordinator who signed the referral denial letter, she claimed to know nothing regarding my case and further indicated that there was no documentation in my file. When I followed up with Maria with Dr. Kelley's office, she advised that Brenda did not find any information in my file because all of the information was being held by the medical director. Whatever the real case is, this is neither professional nor acceptable in accordance to my patient's rights under section 502(a) of ERISA. Just yesterday, I called and spoke with Maria five times to get an updated status, to exhaustedly be declined, yet promised an update by the end of the work day. I have not spoken with Maria, nor have I missed an update call from Maria. This has been my experience for the last 2.5 months. Below is an excerpt of the fax sent to Dr. Kelly, which was confirmed as received by Maria on February 5, 2009. Maria, I would like to reiterate that on 12/9 the referral authorization stated that the procedure, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a covered benefit in-network; however my request was to have the procedure done by an out of network provider. Additionally, this was confirmed by Tammy on yesterday at 12:50 with Blue Cross Blue Shield that this is a covered medical benefit as long as it is deemed medically necessary. My appointment with Dr. Kelly in December was to have provided me with a specialist referral to have the procedure done or we could have executed an appeal. I think Dr. Kelly submitted an appeal for coverage of the procedure; however, I am requesting to have this surgical procedure done by Dr. Vitello or be advised of the in-network provider who can perform this surgical procedure. Even in accordance to the appeals process, the timeline has been elongated to address issue of medically necessity when that is not the matter'the issue is approval for out-of network coverage or referral to an in-network specialist. I hope this clarifies the situation more. I will call you tomorrow to see if you have an updated response. Additionally, I was contacted by the non-contracted provider's office as a follow-up to the request in January and February. Last week, I advised them of the insurance referral hassle that I have been experiencing and they formally resubmitted their request, directly to Dr. Kelly (attention Maria), to the medical director of the Managed Care Group and to Brenda Blazek. To date, no response has been received; however, they have confirmed receipt of such documentation. Resultingly, I am assuming that since the only official documentation I have received to date is the referral denial, then I am evoking my patient right to request an appeal, specifically an expedited appeal process. However, I am highly dismayed because Dr. Kelly advised that there would be no need to execute an appeal. I would like to seek clarity first on the status and if this is in order, I would like to request an activation of the appeals process and under separate cover I will or will have my attorney to handle the appeals process. Before escalating to that level, I am very much interest in seeking resolve immediately. If and when I need to activate an appeal, I am requesting an expedited appeal process because my health at this point is continually declining and it is therefore imminent and serves my best interest to not further jeopardize my quality of life by waiting for a decision. Since December, the following symptoms I have presented: my breathing has become labored and therefore results in extreme shortness of breath my severe obstructive sleep apnea condition has worsened (hypopnea with severe oxygen desaturation) my acid reflux has returned my amenorrhea has returned and I have again began experiencing tumultuous joint, knee and lower back pains __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

This information helps me, as I'm looking at revising from the Band to Sleeve. One of the worst things about the band is the gross stuck/full feeling you have while the bottom half of your tummy is still growling for food...to me that is SO miserable. Not to mention the horrible stuck feeling...I can eat ice cream, cake, pudding just fine, but if I try and eat something healthy (chicken breast and salad) I spend 2 hours trying to get it un-stuck. Yes, I'm a little grouchy, the lapband has NOT been good for me.

Snuff, I am a revision patient also. It sounds like you were full. The same area where I feel full now is around the area where my band used to be.

4 1/2 yrs ago, when I was banded, my dr suggested those little Dixie cups. I was to drink 1oz of Protein shake every hr and it makes it very handy to just fill 1/2 of 1 of those little cups, chug it down and toss them. I did the same thing for my revision 9 mths ago.U can get them for like $2.49 for 200 of em. The less dishes u have to do the first couple weeks, the better. SO I would recommend to those looking for ideas for post op items, that u buy these little beauties at ur local store.

I have always been told if you suffered erosion once, you are at a higher risk for future band complications. In my opinon, the band is just too much work and there are too many problems involved. For those who have success with it, I couldn't be happier for them. But for people like us, the sleeve is an amazing option well worth considering. I have not once regretted my revision.

I too was sleeved on the 12th and spent two days in the hospital. I was not given anything yucky to drink but as someone else stated that might have been done before I left the table. While I was in the hospital I was miserable and only drank Water. The Jello, crystal lite (SO BAD) and broth were all a no go. Not that I couldnt just that I didnt want to, which is kind of hard to describe. My hospital roomate who had gotten the Rou just a few hours after my surgery seemed to be in less pain which really got my goat but I am guessing it might be due to my revision of the band??? Who knows! I was really cranky pretty much the whole stay and the first night was a freaking nightmare thanks to the equipment in our room continuously malfunctioning. Her iv, My iv, someone was occluded, beeps, whistles, horns, flashing lights and 12 hours later I had gotten almost no sleep and I had some cheery newly shifted nurse standing over me like, well hun are you gonna walk????? LOL, I actually said that I would gladly walk if I would be granted a nap. (I said I was Cranky) She brought in some liquid Vicoden and a shot of hepperin and some nexium stuff they shot in my IV. FYI when they give you the shots of blood thinner and say do not rub or itch the site, THEY ARENT FOOLIN. I never even touched where they injected me in my belly and I have 6 tidy black and blues scattered around my belly around my already annoyed insicion spots. So post nap I still wasnt hungry but I did want to get up and walk around and it did help. I stepped on the scale this morning since it was 520 and I couldnt sleep. I weighed 311 the day before my surgery and this morning I weigh 308. Although I know its the water weight and probably every drop of IV SODIUM enhanced Fluid, I finally am feeling like this was a good decision. I knew that it was but there is something in the back of your mind when you are in bad shape that questions your intention and well SANITY..LOL Im glad I did this sugery and I look forward to every new step. I think I mentioned this in my post op post but I now have a 34 f for those of you who care. Oh and SHASTA, those empty burp things are the most painful things ever. Its like an implosion in your body with no way for the air to escape. Those have lessend thank goodness.. Feel better xoxoxooxo

If you do have a bad band some insurances will pay for a revision to something like the sleeve. It's worth looking into. From what I've read here, when everything is good it's REALLY GOOD but when it's bad it's the pits! Sorry your having such a hard time.

What made you choose sleeve over other options? DS or RNY? Looking to revise from band. Thanks!

Revision 8/14. Apparently my body was allergic to my lapband because I always had so much gunk in my throat and nose I could barely eat and when I did it came right back out. I’m 2 weeks post-op and I haven’t had sinus issues AT ALL..... until the Texas wind blew in and now I am throwing everything up. UGH!!!! And this is the week I could finally move to purée foods DANG IT!!

I have heard of this happening from being on this site for awhile. And most of what I have heard from the people with a band who have joined this site its because they are getting a revision to a sleeve. That was my deciding factor to not go with the band because I keep hearing people having problems later on. I wish it wasn't so and maybe we are just hearing all the issues on this site and not hearing the success stories (in regards to the band).

I am having stomach and abdominal discomfort in that area, which feels in a way like cramping. I've been having this for months. I actually want to go to the hospital to get it removed its really bad. I spoke with the doctor he said I should have an appointment but he doesnt want to get rid of it.. This seems strange if anything. Anyone have any advice? This seems really confusing. Would there be any steps I could take before I get rid of it?

Ughhh okay so today has not been my best day... I don't know WTF is wrong with me I know I'm not actually hungry... Quick backstory - Open RNY 03/2002 - revision via Endoscopic Soft Tissue Re-approximation to cinch stoma/pouch 02/09/16. I have been doing spot on fantastic the last 3 weeks and its like I lost my mind today. I'm on a soft modified diet meaning I should be introducing more solid foods as my pouch can manage it but I'm pretty scared to so I'm still eating mainly soft foods... Breakfast - 10oz chocolate Caramel Protein shake (33g protein) with FF lactose free milk Snack - 1 Hershey dark chocolate sugar free miniature Bottle of Water 16.9oz lunch - Ricotta Bake Mexican style (19g protein) Bottle of water 16.9oz Snack - Oikos triple zero banana cream Greek yogurt (15g protein) ANOTHER snack and I don't know why but I inhaled a Pure Protein Bar (20g protein) I have dinner prepped its a 1/3c portion of blended "Shepard's pie" kind of - just the beef, gravy & edamame (whirled in the blender a little) that I'll cover with cheese instead of mashed potatoes (26g protein). If I eat the dinner I'm sitting @ 1,063 calories 113g protein, 75 carbs 37 fat & 27 sugar. You'd think with all this protein I'd be stuffed - maybe I shouldn't have dinner and just drink a ton of water? Any advice?

Juditha, I had a lapband put in, in 2006, revised 2008 and removed 2010. It is a great tool for those it sits right, mine did for the first 14 months and I lost about 80 pounds with it but, then the trouble started. Never got it right after that and after the revision. It was years of hell with the reflux and no sleep because of it. I had my RNY 6 weeks ago. I've run into issues due to infection but, otherwise I feel good and no adjustments necessary! No reflux either and that in itself is great! Good luck!

I too will be having a revision from sleeve to bypass on 3/29 due to complications. I am sorry you have had a rough go. If it helps, your post is reminding me that it is going to be another major surgery with more recovery. You are helping me to be better mentally prepared. How are you feeling now?

I had a sleeve done in August 2010. Had typical post surgery issues, but lost and kept off 100+. Had hernia surgery 2x but reflux and gerd required revision. 3 weeks bypass post op. Now back to beginning but with less weight loss, excess terrible gas, insomnia, and depression. Need someone to talk through ledge sitting and weepiness.

Hi Lizzy, and welcome to the forums. Dr. Aceves did my sleeve, but I revised from band to sleeve. Because of the problems I was having, I was on a complete liquid diet for a week prior to my surgery to give my tummy a chance to heal from the problems the band had caused. So, I would not be a good one to answer your question. I am sure some of the others will answer you soon, though.

There's an entire forum dedicated to band to sleeve: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

Had appointment with Surgery Center and final appointment with Doctor this am. Revision surgery is at 7 am Tuesday and I was told it would last about 45 minutes to an hour. I am more excited than nervous.