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@bearhugs1975......so you had a journey filled with complications post op from your initial revision and yet you recommend the revisions! Lool. So you're a triple threat in the world of WLS! Please be honest, your complications are due to your revision! These ppl are asking questions to seek advice and not hear meaningless platitudes. They want to avoid our mistakes! There's no shame in admitting your revision from the band to the sleeve led to so many complications you needed to be revised to the bypass. That the revision may have staved of diabetes but led to more surgeries and other issues

I was back to work in a week after my band to sleeve revision and also had gallbladder out. Not a whole lot of pain for me either after the first few days. I work in the office 3 days a week and I work at home 2 days. Also desk job. I could've taken more time but didn't really feel Like I needed it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had gastric band in December 12 years ago, and a revision surgery one year later. I just had my bypass last week just in time for holidays. Will I miss turkey this year? Probably.but I will be with my family for the first time in a year. Also ironically I’ve always had a sweet tooth, but since my surgery, I can barely tolerate sweet tasting anything. Even if it is sugar free. You’ll do well. my way of expressing myself was to do a sketchbook for the Brooklyn art library sketchbook project. That’s been a great outlet for me. best of luck and positive thoughts to you! 🥰

The possible saving grace, is that people who want to test run the sleeve, can revise to RNY. (I understand it would be a second surgery and all that that brings.) I do think I'd follow surgeon's advise. I do believe it's smart to preop investigate the cause.

I dropped 50+ lbs pre-surgery by cutting out all foods containing sugar, flour, white potatoes, rice, and processed foods. These are my trigger foods. I consider myself to be a sugar/food addict. I can never go back to eating these things with abandon. I started using the Baritastic app. I occasionally used liquid protein shakes during that period. My calorie count dropped to around 1000 per day. I attended water exercise classes three days a week, including swimming 1/4 mile each time. I also increased my mileage on my walking tricycle to at least a mile a day. I've lost another 50+ lbs since my RNY>RNY revision surgery. I still strive to avoid my trigger foods. It's harder to resist now and weight loss is slow going, but I'm still dropping a few pounds a month with lengthy stalls.

I think the tummy tuck with abdominal wall tightening is called Abdominoplasty. I saw a disscussion about this on the TV show called "The Doctors". The plastic surgeon on the program showed a drawing that explained how this surgery is different than the "old" tummy tuck. The surgeon used a criss-cross stitching that sort of looked like shoe laces. He did say the recuperation takes longer and is more painful, but the results are permanent and make for a flatter stomach. With the old type of tummy tuck the patient sometimes needed a revision sugery down the road. My last (and third) baby weighed 11lbs 5oz. so I would opt for the abdominoplasty because my abdominal muscles are shot. Here's a website with lots of pictures of plastic surgery patients: www.locateadoc.com/pictures/cosmetic-surgery.html

WOW! what a ride. Much more than I expected. I am home. Trying to find something to drink that A. does not make my ankles swell. B. tastes tolerable.. I am still on the anitbiotics so I wonder if that is what makes every thing taste bad. Except S/F pudding. Sweet things taste OK. I am wanting something hot so I have been drinking herbal teas. Now, does any one have this swelling problem? Even with low sodium soups? Should I just make my own? seems such a waste as I can eat/drink only 1 or 2 oz at a sitting. The Experience was quite different. I really liked the care I recieved. If you choose Dr. Almanza. I would suggest the option of the hotel. I did not care for the recovery house. Here is why. rooms are small/tiny. no air conditioning. barking dogs outside. one shared bathroom upstairs. food is prepared down stairs for all. When you cannot eat that is hard to deal with. My hubby stayed there the two nights I was in the clinic/hospital. When I was to come out, he got us into the Hotel. I was concerned as I would not have a nurse, but, the fine staff brought me my meds and juices and teas and all was perfect. Hubby got American TV (baseball and football) He could go down stairs and get any food and drink he wanted. American newspapers, with sunday funnies. The Hotel provided free popsicles, soups, yogurts for me. Our room had two queen sized beds all soft and comfy. I had a table to sit and drink my meals, LOL. The hallway was safe/great to walk around for exercize. Walked at 12 and 2 AM one time, and, I got up to three times around before I left. The last night there I felt good enough to get dressed and go down for dinner. The Chef made me special soup, chicken broth blended with mashed potatoes. It tasted yummy. I am sure that is where the sodium overload started, but I loved that soup, all 1/4 cup of the huge bowlful they gave me..God I am still food obsessed, LOL I am sure the staff at the house does all this also. The nurse from the Clinic that did my IV came to the hotel and removed my drain tube. He was so good. (thanks again Edgar) I also had Sevier (on staff at house) come and give me a massage. He is excellent. My back was hurting and my right leg was numb from laying on my back for so long, so, he was a pleasant relief. Could not talk Hubby into massage, heehee. Overall my rating for the experience is an 8. (1 to 10) Here are my reasons for 2 points off. I would have liked to see the hand cleaning stations on the wall inside the rooms. I would have liked the appratias used to come in sealed bags that the nurses opened in front of me. I would have liked the nurses to put on gloves and dispose of them in my room. I wish the cleaning crew would come in after each shower and disinfect. I was lucky to be first both days. I hated (one full point off here) the drive clear across T.J to get the Xray Leak test done. yes, I understand the necessity, I still hated that dam trip.There was a parade outside the lab, so surreal. I know some go shopping and do stuff on their 3rd day, just not for me. I was finally ready on the 5th day. Felt good and upbeat. Finally felt good about what I had done. Met a lady that was escorting two friends having sleeves. (Canadian) She was 7 months out and looks soo cute. She is 5'7 and 165ish, So I have revised my goal to that. It has been so long since I was a "normal" weight I did not have a realistic goal in my head. I was 240 at weigh in, but 245 when I left. All the liquid retension I guess. Dr. Almanza got snippy with me under surgery,....I am a Moley person lots of raised moles. He asked my hubby for permission and they removed 4 from my lower mid section. Love that. Extra stiches, but who cares? Thinking of that,,,, did any of you remove your own stiches? Did that go OK? Gotta do that on the 25th or so.:crying: So, that is my experience. Great, positive and LOVED the staff/people I delt with.. My hubby even liked it. He got to talk with several couples and Dr's about this whole deal and got a MUCH better attitude towards my weight. He is much more supportive in a positive way, for that I am truly grateful. If I need any futher surgery, IE: tummy tuck, etc. I would go back there. But, I would drive straight to the Hotel and be picked up from there. Marriot, TJ. Hope that does not turn anyone off to this deal, it is the best. The nurses I had were so darn caring and good at their jobs. Ricardo was my assigned personal support staff. He spoke very good english and tried very hard to accomdate all my wishes. It all went well for me, hope it does for you where ever you choose to go. Just do not be afraid to get-r-done. Onward and Downward---weightwise:thumbdown::001_tongue:

I had the sleeve and then revised to RNY. I only had GERD woth the sleeve. I had rumbling noises with both surgeries but not loud enough for others to hear. And I have no GI issues with the RNY. No uncontrollable gas or poo

I get it. Went for band revision on 10/21/19 to do the sleeve. So until 11/30/20. I still found rare occasions for food sticking. Sleeve wasn't done last year due to scar tissue so that is why I had issues. Sent from my SM-J337V using BariatricPal mobile app

I have seen a lot of people that are having to have the revision after the sleeve due to inadequate weight loss or severe reflux. BUT there are also alot of people who have had major success with the sleeve. Its just a personal choice. The bypass is a better deterrent from going back to eating the junky, sugary and fattening foods that got us here to start with. Lol. I know thats what i need. Lol. I need something that will force me to change my habits and keep me in line. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

I am not sure that I have heard of any. I am a year out exactly (had surgery 3/18/11). It is the best thing I have ever done. I have heard of people needing revisions. Buy the book "The Bandwagon" by Jean McMillen. You have to follow your gut but I know 4 people who have had lap band surgery personally and all are doing wonderful. Two are years out from surgery with no complications. Follow the diet they give you...do not cheat post-op. Listen to your body and the people working with you (your surgeon, doctor). Go to follow up appointments. Make sure your surgeon is experienced and knows what he/she is doing. Do research on him/her. Please don't let your nerves get in the way....obesity is more likely to kill you than band complications. Lots of hugs and if there is anything I can do, let me know!!! Rachael

I'm 30. Have two boys 13 and 8. They understood when I got my band. I haven't talked to them about my revision until I get approval.

I've been in a 6 week stall (8 weeks post op), curious as to the longest stall anyone has had. Revision 1/31/13 by Dr Cabrera and Venezuela in MX

Hi, Dr Zapata put my lapband in back in 2007. It now needs to come out due to a slipped band. I am considering going back to Dr Zapata. Can you tell me what the cost was to have the revision? Did he require an endoscopy? Also does the sleeve cause you any heartburn? Thanks

When I went for my psych evaluation, the Dr. suggested 2 books: Eating Mindfully: How to End Mindless Eating and Enjoy a Balanced Relationship with food and The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person. They also have this on CD and there's a workbook you can buy that goes with it. He said they are both good since they don't focus on a specific diet but on changing the way you think about food and yourself. I have both but have only started reading the first one yesterday. I also have The Sleeved Life and that was a good book, depending on how much research you have already done. If you are far into the process, you may not learn too much but it's still a good read. I also ordered recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery, Revised and Updated: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You and the Latest Information on Lower-BMI Gastric Banding Procedures. I reviewed it and have begun to mark recipes that I'm going to test. The best part of this book is that it associates each meal with which phase you are in. So it has liquid, puree, soft, mechanically soft and regular meals. It also gives you eating tips for the type of bariatric surgery you are getting. This is one of the few that specifically discussed The Sleeve. Hope this helps.

good luck!! I thought you and the band were done so this is nice to find out you still might be able to lose without having to get a revision.

Since signing on for BP, I've occasionally mentioned in various places having strayed and wanting to get serious again. Finally, Step #1 for the second time.. Band surgery was October, 2009. My highest weight was 311. From about three weeks before surgery until mid-February, 2011, I lost 115 pounds. At 197, my goal of 145-150 was in sight. "Something," an event with emotional fallout, happened and that February, I stopped losing and soon began to gain. I went as high as 268 and mostly have hovered at 265-270. Twice in between I buckled down, lost about 25, only to regain them. All along I've wanted to get back to business. Just in the last couple of weeks, the feeling really set in. I made appointments for esophagram and to see the NP yesterday, ending a two year absence. Sure that I had great dilation (the band had been loosened twice before for that reason) and that the band was out of position, it was a thrill to find that I was wrong on both counts. I'd prepared myself to discuss revising to sleeve, but decided to give the band another shot. The NP agreed that it's worthwhile. The band had been rearing its head for several months, giving signals that I'd eaten enough. Other band signals and sensations that I vaguely recalled from the past were absent, so I had an adjustment, adding .5 cc for now, and already feel hints of the old effects. My next appointment is in August. We'll see what comes next at that time. How nice it will be if the band becomes a good partner again, "nice" being one hell of an understatement.

I wouldn't trade my sleeve for just 2 years of malabsorption with the RNY, and a lifetime of possible Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. That was a huge reason why I refused to revise to RNY when I got my band out. Not to mention, the regain stats, and number of patients that seek revisions due to complications or weight regain just kept me away from RNY.

I am also 8 months post RNY. Surgery December 14 and presurgery wt was 195. 208 two weeks prior. I’ve finally hit my goal of 140 but I really had a hard time stomaching some of the foods you mentioned. Still do! Chicken and beef still gets “stuck” and hurts, and I can’t handle the sweetness of protein bars anymore! It sounds like you can tolerate a lot so you may be overeating and not realizing it. I’m a grazer so this is the only way I can get enough protein in. I hope The keeping track of intake helps you! I’ve revised my goal to 130 but I’m stalled right now so it may not be doable. Good luck!

I'm having the lapband to bypass revision next month. I just got approved for surgery today! I'm a little nervous about whether it'll be different than with someone who didnt have a band first.

Hello Third time should definitely be the charm for you, I hope it goes well. I can relate, last 4+ months have been hell, horrible GERD, no solids for months...getting tired of pureed soups, as they at the only things that don't get "stuck" and cause severe pain, vomiting, etc. Tired of having to supplement w/ protein powder all the time. They missed the hiatal hernia (how?) with first endoscopy and hospital stay back in Feb. Had the barium swallow last month...radiologist saw the hernia right away. Had another endoscopy a week ago, confirmed fixed hiatal hernia (medium in size). Now I'm on more meds, waiting for blood work results to check for vitamin deficiencies.... and, not too thrilled that I will be needed to take a road trip to have the torture manometry test before they decide whether to do a Nissen procedure or just go ahead and do the revision to gastric bypass. I'm hoping for the latter. Had my sleeve back in Nov 2016. For me, I hope the 2nd time is the charm. Good luck w/ your surgery!

I know there is a forum here for band to sleeve revisions. Maybe check that out to see what some issues with the band vs sleeve are?

Thanks to all for chiming in!! For those who have surgery scheduled this month all the best and please please keep us posted.. For those whom have had success with revision thank you for sharing it is encouraging to hear about your journeys. And for those whom are skeptical of people who use WLS a a crutch.. I see your point but I can only speak for myself and say am I fully in control of my efforts, no..I'm always the first to admit it but the effort I need to put towards any kind of weight loss is 3x more the norm due to my PCOS and after battling this for so long and having that delay things like building a family my BIGGEST demon is to not feel sorry for myself day to day, to not feel like a failure and all I can do is try try try to focus on what I DO have and what I HAVE achieved and hope that in time my body will cooperate..

I was banded in 2001 at 272. Lost to about 205 in a year. Had issues. ..unfilled by 2003 By 2005...All time high 332. Band removed and revised to sleeve in Dec 2011 at 308; lost 150 over 14 months. Now maintaining in the 150 ballpark...total loss 160. So for me the sleeve has worked alot better.

I too am a band to sleeve revision patient. I'm scheduled to have my surgery Monday, 4/7. While I haven't had the surgery yet, I've been researching it for well over 2 years. There are many on this board that I believe confirm the following: 1. Yes, many who have a band to sleeve conversion lose all their excess weight and more. It requires working with the band and following the eating guidelines your doctor has set out for you, but it is totally possible. 2. The rate of weight loss seems to be slower (for some), my doctor told me this would happen and said it was because your body already understands what you are trying to do (drastic calorie reduction) and will work to hold on to weight longer. There are several on this board that I've read who did not have this issue, and several who do seem to lose slower, but they lose and that, to me, is the most important part. 3. Your doctor was telling you the truth about the hormone that causes the hunger sensation. It is called the ghrelin hormone and it is produced (for the most part) in a part of your stomach that is removed. Many people on these boards report no sense of hunger (or minimal sense of hunger) for several months (6-9 months appx.) after surgery. Beyond that point, your body increases the production of this hormone, and you do feel a stronger sense of hunger, but, I've read, not like it was prior to surgery, however, you still have to manage it. In addition things like acid reflux, GERD, and head hunger can make you think you are hungry when in fact it is something else. We have to train ourselves to recognize the difference. I hope this helps, there are many, many posts on these boards about these exact topics from those who have had the surgery. It has helped me in planning to read what others have experienced and to understand that this isn't a magic bullet, but a powerful tool that we can use to help us in our weight loss goals.