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There is much confusion surround WLS surgery and WL in general. Some people think- oh WLS is easy, now you can eat what you want and not have to worry about it. That is soooo wrong. Actually, I worry about what I put in me more. Rather think about, I have to make sure what I am eating has protien, is healthy, and won't get stuck. Some, and I have even been guilty of this, think the scale is the only sign of success. What gets me and I have had this confersation with the doc, is that doctors look at BMI only. You get on the scale and they say oh you are over weight- shame, shame, you must diet. They don't look at everything- your over all health. While we know being morbidly obese is not good and leads to many healthy problems, being slightly over weight is another ball game. I weight 187 lbs, I have been in a 14 for months and now I am starting to move to 12's. While my weight isn't going down, apparently I am toning and my waist is smaller. My wedding rings are falling off my hand. My glasses slide down my nose. Heck, even my socks are big on my feet. So while I see the scale number not moving, something has to be happening because of my clothes. Some seem to think that WLS is a magic bullett and it will cure all that ails you. No way, I wish my mental fatness was cured. I still feel the part of the fat girl. I am amazed when smaller clothes fit, I still feel huge. I still crave the unhealthy. I still have to fight the demons that make me want to eat when I am not really hungry. The triggers are still there, I just have to recognize them and fight them. It's funny many people I work say nothing about my weight loss, ignore it. No one says hey you look good or gee you've lost a lot of weight. I know I must look smaller after loosing 60 lbs, but I wish people would notice. I actually like it when people ask, I like educating people on WLS. Some think it's a good thing, other think I was crazy. But, it is my decision, I made it and I believe in it. My band may mess up some day, I may have to have a revision, but for now it's working just fine and I am happy with it. My brother who is a medic, freaked when I told him. He said I was making a mistake. He worked with some one who thew up everything he eats and he hurts all the time. The band has made his life miserable. I told my brother, that isn't how the band is suppose to work, likely the dude is to tight or is trying to eat to fast and or to much. Now my brother sees what the band can do if worked properly. So, if people as- yes I had the band and this is how it works for me.

Success rate? 1)You call a 43% excess weight loss at 36 months with expert surgeons a success? You need to investigate- and further, 2)The largest or widest band available is NOT the Realize, its the LapBand APL 14cc vs 9cc. also their backing is wider, not the bladder. 3) If your doctor is a proctor - he is getting paid $5,000 per proctoring event and $10,000 per month for advertising from J&J - they offered my doc the same deal and she refused because it' an inferior prodcut. And trust me- she could use anything she wants. 4) If the Realize Band has such great success - please explain why 35 of 36 bands implanted in Canada had to be EXPLANTED. This was such a problem the Canadian FDA sent a letter to doctors asking them not to use it. You can try and make yourself feel better and rationalize it but your doctor did you an injustice by not giving you all the facts and information- don't be mad at me - be mad at him Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band: erosion and other reported incidents leading to explantation The Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB) is an implantable, adjustable gastric band indicated for use in the treatment of morbid obesity in adults.1 It consists of a reinforced silicone gastric band fitted around the stomach and an injection port placed under the skin and connected to the band by tubing. The SAGB is designed to reduce food intake and can be inflated or deflated as needed after implantation to meet weight-loss requirements without the need for further surgery. The SAGB was originally licensed for sale in Canada in November 2002. A modified version of the device, the SAGB Quick Close (SAGB-QC), was added to the licence as part of a device licence amendment in August 2004.2 Although band erosion is listed among the possible adverse events in the device labelling for physicians,2 the device labelling for patients states that the overall rate of reoperation following placement of the SAGB is low and that extensive use of the SAGB has led to a method where failure is uncommon.3 By definition, band erosion is "a situation where a part of the band has eroded through the full-thickness gastric wall and migrated into the lumen."4 This represents a total failure of the gastric banding procedure.5 From Nov. 1, 2002, to June 15, 2007, Health Canada received 19 reports of incidents suspected of being associated with the SAGB and 17 with the SAGB-QC. Thirteen of the 36 reports described cases of band erosion necessitating removal of the band. Other reports described incidents such as band slippage, band leakage, abscess, dysphagia and regurgitation. In 35 of the 36 reports, band explantation was reported as an outcome. Although reported rates of band erosion vary across published studies, evidence in the medical literature suggests that the frequency of band erosion is approximately linear over time following surgery, with erosions still being diagnosed 5 or more years after implantation.4 5 Since band erosion is often asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic initially and since the condition is best diagnosed by gastroscopy, which may not be included in the follow-up of asymptomatic patients, the true incidence of band erosion is underestimated in the literature and its diagnosis can be markedly delayed.4 5 Moreover, band erosion is associated with dense scarring and distortion of tissues, which can complicate revision procedures.5 The complication rates and outcomes associated with SAGB and reported in the literature are variable. Although the authors of some studies have concluded that use of the SAGB demonstrates acceptable levels of safety and effectiveness,6 7 others have reported high long-term complication and failure rates and poor long-term outcomes.4 5 The medical literature suggests that, until reliable selection criteria for patients at low risk for long-term complications are determined, alternative treatment options should be considered and gastric banding should be performed only in carefully selected and fully informed patients.5 Andrew Gaffen, BSc, DDS; Gina Coleman, MD; Health Canada References Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band [Canadian instructions for use]. Baar (SWI): Obtech Medical AG; 2000. Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band Quick Close [Canadian instructions for use]. Zug (SWI): Ethicon Endo-Surgery in cooperation with Obtech Medical AG; 2003. Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band Quick Close [Canadian patient manual]. Zug (SWI): Ethicon Endo-Surgery in cooperation with Obtech Medical AG; 2003. Gustavsson S, Westling A. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: complications and side effects responsible for the poor long-term outcome. Semin Laparosc Surg 2002;9(2):115-24. [ PubMed] Suter M, Calmes JM, Paroz A, et al. A 10-year experience with laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity: high long-term complication and failure rates. Obes Surg 2006;16(7):829-35. [ PubMed] Steffen R, Biertho L, Ricklin T, et al. Laparoscopic Swedish adjustable gastric banding: a five-year prospective study. Obes Surg 2003;13(3):404-11. [ PubMed] Zehetner J, Holzinger F, Tiraca H, et al. A 6-year experience with the Swedish adjustable gastric band. Prospective long-term audit of laparoscopic gastric banding. Surg Endosc 2005;19(1):21-8. [ PubMed]

I was sleeved 4 years ago by Dr. Ariel Ortiz. Since then, I have had GERD. I have gone through several diets and tests to get rid of the pain, but only a high dosage of Omeprazole twice a day helps. I also have about 40-45 lbs to lose. So I have been considering revision to the Bypass. Would love to hear from any of you who have gone through this major step: What were your reasons? What were your results like? Most importantly, who was your surgeon? And can you tell me about your experience? I am currently in the process of deciding on a revision surgeon in Mexico. Looking into having surgery by December or so. Thank you for reading and for anything you can share.

I researched here, and all over the internet, reading anything I could. I used Obesity Goodbye and dr. Ponce de leon, and paid $7000 for my surgery. (I called during a limited special offer, and saved $500). I bought 2 round trip tickets from IL to Sandiego, and they cost $555. I also chose the midband because of what I'd read on my own about different percentages of problems, i.e. slippage, port revision, erosion, etc. I didn't want to be persuaded to choose one over the other, I wanted to be educated and make my own choice. I did that, and so far I'm quite happy with my results. I don't know what's going on with the posts regarding a patient getting a different band than they asked for. I have no way of verifying the information posted, one way or the other, but have seen the posts that accuse Dr Ponce de Leon's other group, "Bajanor" of putting the cheapest band in a patient, regardless of what she said she wanted. I'd like to hope it's a mistake or fake, but I can believe that it could happen, so I'm just thankful & hopeful that I got what I asked for. I was treated very well, by the whole obesity goodbye group, and the hospital. I had a good time in Tijuana, and have healed remarkably well. ALL my incisions are healed. I was told to expect some seepage from the port site, that it is usually the last wound to heal, but didn't have any seepage at all. It could be because I applied tea tree oil over my whole abdomen 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks after surgery, and it probably helped keep away any infection, and speed healing. You'd have to read up on it, to see if it's something you'd consider. You have to read about all the doc's, look at all the sites, and decide for yourself what fits you. The only way you'll make the best choice is if you educate yourself about all your choices. Read, Read, Read... then decide. Good Luck to you, the only regret I think you'll have about getting banded, is waiting so long to get to it.

WLS is hard. I knew this going into my band back in 2011. I knew this going to my revision to bypass this past March. I expected it to be hard. I'm getting very frustrated with the struggle. Granted this is coming from a place where I'm working 10+ hour days, we just had to put a dog down, and I'm stalling hard every few days. My body fat has been slowly reducing but not the weight. And again, I get that it's a process. Just venting I guess. I'm in the gym almost every day, only missed 2 days total in over a month. One was because a friend needed help with his car, so I spent several hours in the junk yard getting a door off for him, so I might have missed the gym, but I certainly didn't miss the workout that day! And the other day was this past Tuesday, because my pup got put down while I was at work. She was old, and I knew it was coming, but that doesn't change the waves of depression and emotional break downs the loss is causing. Just need a win this week and everything is coming up crap. Our dryer stopped working and 4 parts later, too much money and too much effort and it's still not working. Just feels like this whole week has it out for me.

Mine is on my right side. I was banded 12/22/11, and when I went in for my first fill at the beginning of Feb, my port had flipped. So the doctor had to go back in and revise it. Now it is much closer to the surface and I can easily feel it, whereas before, I could not feel it at all.

This is all so great to hear! I am scheduled to have my revision from band to RNY on April 5th. I have been vomiting 5-6 per day for the last 3 months and I found a new surgeon who is excited for me to get this revision. Since I have had such a hard time with the band I am not so sure what to expect with the bypass but I am trying to do as much education for myself as i can!

I started with the lap band in 2008 which is how the GERD started. I revised to the Sleeve in 2010 thinking it would help, not knowing back then it would get worse. It has progressively gotten so bad over the years my reflux is out of control. I take tons of medications and now including cough pills, syrups, drops, I regurgitate in my sleep... etc. My insurance has just recently approved me for another revision to the Rny Gastric Bypass (thank GOD). I do try to put the word out not to take that chance, who wants to be revised so many times? It's either revision for me or future Barrett's or esophageal cancer. Guess which one I chose?

I have carefirst blue choice of MD. I was approved for the lapband 2 years ago within 3 days. I'm waiting to be approved for a revision from lapband to gastric sleeve. The documentation was sent in November 5, 2014. So we will see. I'm praying that you get your approval.

I'm set for September 11, 2023, so I'll be your buddy!!! I literally have no one here local to bounce things off of, I'm traveling 5 hours away for my surgery in Jacksonville so I'm really hoping for a smooth departure after surgery. But I'm also having the switch done for medical reasons and the weight loss is just a huge bonus to it. I had a nissen fundoplication in 2005 and it's coming undone and like 75% of the revisions from that end in gastric bypass and my doctor said with what he could see it was more like a 95% chance that I'd have to have it done so now I'm jumping through the hoops for it all.

Its definitely time for a second opinion. I'm certainly no doctor or lawyer, but it seems like the esophageal dilatation was caused by the band being placed too high in the first place and you deserve damages for all this has put you through in the last 18 months. Personally, I would not go back to the same surgeon after I suspect he has been negligent or, worse, used me as a guinea pig to test out his own theory. Was your initial lapband placement covered by insurance? If so, you should be able to see a different surgeon and get the ball rolling w/investigating the problem and fixing things right away. Not all surgeons will take on revision surgeries, but generally, the best of the best will and they take pride in being able to fix problem cases. If you are self-pay, its a bit more tricky because then you probably need this settled in order to have the money to proceed w/revision surgery. But, still, I would not be tempted by your original surgeon's promise that he can fix this for free. You don't want him messing you up so badly that another surgeon can't fix it. Even though I'm sure its heartbreaking to put the weightloss on hold, I would unfill the band if you have to in order to get your settlement first if necessary. Best wishes to you and I'm so sorry you have to go trough this.

hang in there. take all the time you need to decide about a revision. just focus on trying to take care of yourself as best you can.

I definitely need plastics, and have every intention of getting it done. It's not about vanity, it's really about comfort. I have skin everywhere and I deal with infections, skin breakdown, etc. I don't want to use shape wear because it makes me sweat, making the skin problems worse. I'm 4 years out from VSG and have persistent GERD so I'm actually looking at a RNY revision first, then once I get to final goal I'll look into plastics. Definitely breast reduction and tummy tuck, everything else I'm ok with.

as of Jan 1, 2019 I weigh 140lbs from my revision on Apr 11, 2018. My weight loss has slowed but I work out 3-4 days/week and run a 3mi almost daily

I want to revise my goal for Jan. Previously I said I wanted to be 185 by then (was 208 then) but I am now 192.So I think I will drop it with 10 pounds and try for 175 by 1 January 2013.Will revise again if needed.

I had the sleeve done in 2017 and lost about 75 lbs. I have gained about 20 of that back now. BUT the main reason I am having a revision done is because of the awful acid reflux I've had since my sleeve surgery. It seems to be getting worse too. I am 63 yrs old but I just can't handle it anymore. If I'd have known this before, I would definitely have done the bypass then.

My choice on the bypass was solely made because I have GERD and I didn't want to possibly make it worse by getting the sleeve. I cannot imagine going through a revision surgery. A lot of people do, but that was definitely something I didn't want to experience, especially since the first 6 weeks after were very unfun. That said, it's your choice and either surgery will give you great weight loss results; just look at the possible cons of each surgery as well. As far as dumping with the bypass, it keeps me in check when choosing what to eat. I hope that works for my advantage later down the road.

When he told me the band was a much better option, I was like WTF!!!!! I'm like he wouldn't dare say that to the score of people that have HAD to have revision. He's a great surgeon, don't get me wrong. Top notch hospital and all that. But I refuse to do the band. Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

I’m 5’ 2, I had a band to sleeve revision. My weight on the day of my sleeve surgery was 174. I am currently at 162.6... and have been for 2 weeks, this is the lowest I have ever gotten even with the band. It is slow going, hopefully I will start dropping again.

Pebbles it may seem like the sleeve is new, but it's actually not. There's a category of overweight called the Extreme Morbidly Obese. For those the option that was chosen over gastric bypass was a surgery called the Duodenal Switch. Patients would go through all the hoops and have the sleeve surgery. They would lose a certain amount of weight and then about 10 months to a year later they would go back in for a second surgery, the duodenal switch. Doctors started to note that goal weight was being achieved with just the Gastric Sleeve and the second part of the surgery was canceled. Since the sleeve was considered part of a two-part (two surgeries) it does not have it's own Medicare Code. Many insurance companies sort of follow what the Government considers the norm. Also, since it was not considered a stand-alone surgery it took a little while to get the data back on where the sleeve stands in comparison to Lap Band and Gastric Bypass. There have been so many issues in the past with lap band, and now so many revisions, or people having to get it taken out and problems with adhesions many surgeons are backing away from doing lap band lately because of it. The sleeve has been around for a while now, but the statistics are showing that in the long run it is comparable with Gastric Bypass with less complications from dumping, malnutrition, etc. Of course, it's a surgery so it's not full-proof, some people have issues with it. I only wanted the sleeve, I had no interest in Gastric Bypass, however, with Gastric Bypass there is less issue with GERD or acid reflux, that has given me some pause because I suffer from acid reflux, but then I realized, wow that's because i was eating late at night and eating too much. Since I started the 6 month pre-supervised diet I haven't had any issues with acid reflux in months and I haven't been sleeved yet. Good luck on your decision making and what you are doing is awesome, research research research and start working on adjusting the way you eat now, eat your meats first, vegetables second, lower your carbs, and try practice not drinking with your dinner, try to lower your caffeine in advance because you will have to give up caffeine. Try to monitor what you are eating in advance by joining something like myfitnesspal.com and keep track of your Water, Protein & carb intakes.

Hi OilSooner, My previous banding experience was with an inexperienced surgeon. He was young, and I believe I was his 22nd band placement. I don't think he did it right to be honest. My whole experience was miserable and it failed big time. So, when I decided to get revised I went out of my way to choose a Dr. who was very experienced, especially with my revision circumstances. My personal opinion based on my experiences is that I preferred to have an experienced surgeon this time around. My sleeve is perfect and my choice turned out in my best interest. That being said, just because a Surgeon is new doesn't mean they are not worthy. Everyone starts somewhere, that including my Surgeon. Someone was his first patient... know what I mean? Just have 110% confidence in your choice and decision. Good luck!!

I am so sorry your surgery had complications. I had a sleeve to bypass revision for GERD on 6/29. I was unable to stand up to begin walking without becoming tachycardic and dizzy on 7/1. My hemoglobin was 7.1 and I got 2 units of packed red cells. I felt much better afterward. My drain was left in for 10 days as I continued to produce a lot of blood from the chest. My surgeon suspects I bled from several areas as I had more than one procedure done. I feel much better now. I hope you feel better soon, you have been through a lot.

Yes I'm from Chicago, my doctor is dr.lufti, he did my lapband so I consulted with him may 1st about revision surgery, I had my hopes on the gastric bypass, but he wants to do the sleeve. I have a day long appt at his office on next Wednesday to get a trans nasal endoscopy, psych and nutritionist. I hope that I will not be much longer than that! I'm ready to do this surgery.

Hi there, I am scheduled for my surgery on July 1st (revision from lapband to plication) so I can answer alot of your questions. Two questions: 1) What is NSV? no scale victory - 2) Does anyone have extremely serious regrets for having the surgery? well even with having to have a revision on my band - I don't regret it - lost 170 lbs - gained back 50lbs due to an enlarged pouch - but will have the plication and get back to my lowest weight in no time. Hope this was helpful. Donna in Seattle surgery lap band 3/2003 - scheduled for plication on July 1st with OCC TJ 310/145/200 and counting down again!

I had revision from lapband to bypass Dec 28 2015.I am so happy....Was off of Metformin 3 days post op....no Metformin since...I feel great...those horse pills 850 x 2 a day is over.