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Thanks for the reply. I’m scheduled for Apr 11. Was your mgb 1st time or revision?

Here's my saga. I posted this elsewhere in the forums and was kind of surprised at the negative response, so let me say, this is just my story. I'm not bashing the band, I'm very thankful for the success I had with it. I'm not bitter or angry, it just didn't work for me long term. I had a Realize band placed in February of 2009. My starting weight was 268. The band was fantastic and I lost weight steadily, with the exception of a few months when I realized how easy Cookies were to eat. In December of 2010, I hit the 100 pounds lost mark, I also found out I was pregnant that same week. At about 4 weeks pregnant I had a really nasty 3 day stomach flu. A few days after recovering from that, I started throwing up again. I could keep food down for a few hours, but it was all coming back up. I lost another 15 pounds in 2 weeks. I thought it was just severe morning sickness, even though in 5 previous pregnancies I'd never had morning sickness. I saw my Ob who told me to immediately get my band unfilled and if I was still throwing up the next day he'd have to admit me into the hospital. I got a complete unfill and immediately felt better, but with no restriction and absolutely no mental/physical/spiritual preparedness for no restriction, my love affair with all things bread and pastry renewed like we were never apart. I gained 40 pounds in the first 4 months of my pregnancy. I managed to gain back a little control, but ended up gaining about 60 pounds before I had my daughter in August of 2011. The weight gain took a great emotional toll on me, but I just knew that 6 weeks postpartum I'd get a fill and be right back on track... You know where this is going, right? In October of 2011 I got my band refilled. Pre-pregnancy, my fill level was at 7.2cc in an 11 cc band. We filled it to 3.5 cc and 3 weeks later filled it to 5 cc. I had very little restriction and it just didn't seem right. I'd also started getting heartburn. I went back a few weeks later and we filled it to 5.5. That lasted 24 hours, I had to go back in for an unfill and we went down to 5.2 so I could get Water down. I still didn't have much restriction, but I did have terrible heartburn and vomiting in the middle of the night. I lived with this for a few months until I couldn't stand it and went back in and had .5 cc removed. This made the heartburn manageable with daily meds and tums always at hand, but there was no restriction. I could eat all the bread, Pasta, rice that I wanted. I knew I had a slip, but didn't have insurance to cover bariatrics, so I lived with it. I tried eating less, exercise, weight watchers, even a juice fast but I've gained 20 more pounds on top of the baby weight. Fast forward to now and I finally have insurance to cover bariatrics. I went in a few weeks ago and had my upper GI. It showed a slip above the band, virtually my entire stomach is above the band, which is why there is no restriction felt, but the band was so tight that flow into the rest of my digestive tract was severely restricted. Food just sat there for a really long time, and the results of that we're just kind of gross. We unfilled the band completely to see if the slip would fix itself, although, we all knew what that result would be. The pregnancy hadn't caused the slip, the stomach flu had and 9 months of an empty band hadn't helped it unslip. I got that confirmation this week. My band is still slipped and the restriction is still severe even empty. I'm frustrated, but quite relieved that there has been a real issue this whole time and it wasn't just me. We're now going through the process of getting insurance approval to revise to a sleeve and I couldn't be happier.

Severe nightime reflux was also my only symptom of my slip. I sufferred with it for 4 mths before finally seeing my dr. I was afraid he'd unfill me and I'd gain back all 104 lbs I had lost. He did. When my reflux subsided, he started filling me slowly. By the time of my 3rd refill, my reflux came back. They took the previous 1cc out and told me it was now up to me, my band had done the job. Mentioned nothing of a revision or removal. 4 mths later, I had severe stomach pain and had to go to the ER. After a CT scan, it showed my band had finally had enuf and herniated (after continuing to vomit almost daily). I had an emergency total unfill and scheduled a sleeve revision. After a yr and a gain of 30 lbs, I finally had a light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a year since my revision (all at once) and I'm now 10 lbs from goal of 140. The first 100 lbs were easy peasy compared with the last 15. Good luck on ur new journey...

@@jazzyjay I'm very conscious of my BP b/c I've had issues for many years & high BP & heart disease runs in both sides of my family. You are new to the high BP family so you aren't as aware of the numbers, lots of people aren't. I bet your Dr will be able to get the insurance to revise the decision after the talk. Try not to stress about it. ❤️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I revised to RNY from VSG because of severe reflux. I'm 4 months post op. I eat berries every now and then, but I really can't eat any fruit. All fruit makes my heart beat like it's pounding out of my chest and I feel very sick. My surgeon said that that reaction should mellow with time, but at this point, I'd rather avoid the fruit than suffer the consequences.

My lap band port pain is increasing daily as I jump through the insurance hoops to get approved for revision to sleeve. But I have my EGD tomorrow and nutritionist visit on Weds., then I'm done. Is anyone else going through this? Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I had severe port pain when I had the Lap Band. When I would complain, the surgeon would always tell me that the Lap Band was on the other side and that the port shouldn't hurt. As soon as I revised to sleeve, the pain immediately subsided. I'm just glad that I had the revision!! Good luck on getting approved. Don't give up!!

updated: my band eroded and had to be revised on May 21, 2014 to bypass.

Hi, I had the lapband as well and lost 100lbs. like you, with a lot of hard work. Then it tightened too tight but wasnt slipped or stretched and they took Fluid out. Then it did it again. Each time going in was 300.00. The last time they tried to refill it, I got GERD so bad I couldn't stand it. So only partially filled now and almost back to preband weight. I am going through the revision to rny and I am worried about what family will say about another surgery. My husband is super supportive and Im so thankful for that, but Im worried about what his family will say for sure. Good luck with everything! Jen

Hi to all who come after me! My story, huh? Well, I've been overweight for 20 years now, and I've tried a lot of diets, exercise programs, and have had only marginal success. Two years ago I took the next step for me and had the Lap Band Surgery. That wasn't a good experience for me at all. The "minor" reflux I had pre-surgery turned into a monster, and I was always either too tight or not tight enough... and that was in the same day. After two years of foaming, vomiting, and spitting my way through practically every meal, I decided it was time to take control of my life again. At first, I was just going to have the band removed, but when I learned about revision from band to RNY, and how common it was, I found the courage to go through with it. I had my surgery June 3rd, 2011. It has been a rough recovery, but I'm happy to say it's getting better every single day. I'm excited about my future again, and can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store for me!

Hello all...I too will be a Band to RNY revision. I'm waiting now on insurance approval. I have gained back all of my weight lost along and decided well that cellulite may be lonely , so lets add another 20 pounds to it... I'm glad to find others out there to talk to about these issues. Sometimes the Rose Coloured Glasses mentality can be frustrating...I know the band does work for some, but I unfortunately cannot include myself in those numbers. I look forward to talking to all of you. Leslie

Hi Lucy, I am scheduled for April 3rd myself. Getting nervous and excited. I had the band done 3.5 years ago and have had issues with since. They are to remove and do the revision at the same time. I am very excite to have someone scheduled the same day. Jennie

Dr. Rawlins is great. I'd have him do my revision if I could afford him. I think I've found a good doc out of state who will help me though. Good luck to you!

Hi Katydid, and welcome to our forums. I am sorry you had so much trouble with the band. There are just some of us that seemed destined to have problems with it. I am also a band to sleeve revision and the difference is night and day. I am so much happier with the sleeve. You are not a failure. food is just as much an addiction as alcohol and drugs are. The difference is, we can't just quit eating. Until someone has actually walked in our shoes, it is difficult for them to understand how hard it is to commit to exercise and diet. Many of us need help, such as weight loss surgery. If it were as easy as some make it out to be, then there would be no obese people in this world. We are all here to support one another. You will find we are more a big family here than anything. And we are here for you whenever you need us.

What doctor did you go to? I'm in Northern NJ and am looking for a good physician. I have had two gastric bands erode through my stomach and would like to have the gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass this time. I'm not sure about going to my past physician, or possibly trying a new doctor. I have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ and am thankful to hear that you were approved for the sleeve. Would possibly like to go to the same physician as you since you were approved for the procedure. Thanks "I have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ and they got rid of the 6 month wait right when I went through the process to be submitted (dec 10). Before that time my friend had a revision from a band to sleeve and after 3 denials did get approved and didn't have to do the 6 month wait. Be sure to call because requirements change and you may not be aware. I was approved very quickly. Within a few days of submitting and approved the first time. I was very surprised. Good Luck"

Yeah, vacation may be a little bland without the martini, but I bet you'll not even be in the mood for drinking by that time. I had 3 abscesses develop 6 weeks after my revision that landed me in the hospital again for 7 days. I had drains, and antibiotics and all that fun stuff all over again. They think little microscopic bacteria was stuck in my abdomen from the leak, and they formed pockets. It was a pain in the butt, and very exhausting. I was my surgeon's first leak. Not really proud of it, but he did an amazing job saving my life. I know in my heart of hearts (after reviewing pics/xrays/video from surgery) that my stomach was damaged by the band. It really wasn't my surgeon's lack of experience or "fault".

HI, Can only speak about band to sleeve revision. Dr Aceves did mine about 6 weeks ago. I would read on this board about not being able to eat a few tablespoons early out and about 5-6 ozs 6 months to a year out. Found it unbelievable since that is what my band surgeon (not Dr Aceves) also said and it never came true. I can eat 1-2 ozs at a time if I eat sold Protein and chili and Soup about 1/4 cup. I know those numbers will go up as I get further out. The sleeve it what I thought the band would be after the fill level was correct. Not true, it is SO much better. Good Luck.

Hi Everyone This is my first time message so I wasn't sure where to post it, but I figured I would try here. Long story short I was banded at the end of July. I had a lower BMI and have lost 40 pounds so far and am more than half way to my goal. I had to have two revision surgeries due to excessive burping, which has been fixed due to a new band (so thankful!). I had the realize band put in a little over a month ago. These past few days I have been experiencing severe port pain. It is very difficult to bend over and go from sitting to standing or visa versa. If I even move the wrong way a little bit I get a very painful twinge. I know it is common to be uncomfortable with the realize band port in the beginning, I just wanted to know if anyone has had an onset of more severe pain a few weeks after. I did see my surgeon today and he does not seem to be concerned about it. He checked for infection and said that I don't seem to have one, but obviously to come back if I develop any of the symptoms (I already had an infection so I know what to look for). He also said that my body is healing from the three surgeries in a short period of time. I trust him completely and I do think it is my body just getting used to the hooks in the muscle, but was hoping to hear from someone that had a similar experience and has advice as to how to make it feel a little better because it is pretty painful. My other question was to see if anyone had any granulation tissue at the incision site. After the third surgery I had an infection. After it went away I noticed a hard scab on my bellybutton. Once the scab came off I realized that I had what looked like a hard sac of Fluid covering my bellybutton. The doctor put silver nitrate on it and said it was granulation tissue that had pushed out through the incision. He said the silver nitrate only works in 30% of patients and that if it didn't work it would have to be removed. I was so nervous because I did not want to have anymore procedures. Luckily I went back today and it has reduced so much. The doctor put more of the silver nitrate on and said to monitor it, but it should disappear. I just wanted to know if anyone else had granulation tissue at the incision site because I have searched through the threads and haven't really found anyone that has. Sorry for the randomness of the questions. I am in grad school and don't really have anyone else to relate to about this. I just want to be back to myself as soon as possible and really appreciate any advice or helpful info anyone has Thanks!

As a scientist I have read the published papers of those bariatric surgeons who pioneered VSG. About 5 years ago there were only about 15 surgeons who did VSG. Let me pass on some of the history of this operation. Around 2000, some surgeons who were performing the Duodenal Switch Operation began to do VSG as a first-stage for poor-risk patients. They intended to do the rest of the Duodenal Switch Operation about one year later. The thinking was that a two-stage operation would lower mortality and complication rates for the Duodenal Switch procedure. Of the patients operated on in 2000, when the year was up, many of the patients had lost sufficient weight so that the second state was unnecessary. Thus, the first VSGs were performed in 2000. By 2002, a handful of physicians worldwide began to do VSG as a stand-alone procedure. Between 2002 and 2007 surgeons performing this operation gradually revised the VSG procedure to what it is today, publishing their findings as they learned how to improve the operation. In 2007, The First International Consensus Summit for Sleeve Gastrectomy as held in New York City. The first day consisted of live surgery by experts performing VSG for the 250 attendees wishing to learn the procedure. Afterwards, presentations were given by the experts. The presenters (experts) at this conference were: Gagner of New York, NY Dakin of Cornell, NY Parikh of New York Pomp of New York Jossart of San Francisco Crookes of Los Angeles Elariny of Virginia Schauer of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Rosenthal of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Assalia of Israel Langer of Austria Himpens of Belgium Kotidis of Greece Melissas of Greece Basso of Italy Baltasar of Spain Lacy of Spain Mognol of France Krawczykowski of France Weiner of Germany Won Woo Kim of Korea Boza of Chile De Paula of Brazil So, here is your list of those considered "experts" in this field by their peers as of 2007. So, I think the discussion of who has a lot of experience and who does not has already been established by the medical community itself. The list is above. The procedings of the conference were published in Obesity Surgery 18:487-496 2008. See for yourself. Best wishes,

I hear the weight loss is slower, but I have not had a revision. There are tons of posts on here asking about revision. Have a look around and you'll probably find your answers. Good luck. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I was a revision also and my surgery was just under 2 hours. I had a lot of adhesions and scar tissue so that accounted for the extra time. The man who had surgery the same day as I did was a first time surgery person and he was sleeved in just under an hour.

I was in the hospital 4 nights but that is unusual. In the US it's usually one night, in Mexico it is usually 2-3 nights. My surgery was 1.5 hours but it was a revision and not just a straight sleeve. Usually it's less than an hour unless your BMI is very high then it can take longer.

I don't know where you are reading these things. Not only do you not have to have a re-operation in 5-7 years for the band, but there are people in one study who had their bands twelve years! There are also people who have had a problem with slippage or erosion and many of them were able to heal up and get a new band in as months, not years. There are others who decided to do a revision for RNY or another WLS and were quite able to. OTOH, if you decide RNY is not for you, you can't have it undone and get a band. Also, most of the complications of bypass are due to the malabsorption issues, not the co-morbidities. Maybe it was the mortality rate that is related to co-morbidities? RNY is often done on people with really high BMIs and serious co-morbidities and any surgery is more dangerous for them because of that. OTOH, it's not accurate to say that only they have a higher risk of dying than lap band patients. It's a more involved surgery -- organs are cut -- and it takes longer. Both of those things increase the mortality rate over an less invasive surgery that takes less time. There definitely good reasons to get RNY but don't do it based on bad information.

@@lovemyself Good luck! Glad you researched and came to a decision. I just had the sleeve (revision from band) on 5-25 and feel good. I'm very glad that I took action. Keep in touch.

I made a HUGE mistake telling co-workers about my surgery. I kind of had to because my doctor requires three weeks off for a revision in most cases. I am just a little sick of thin people telling me that I can just lose weight with exercise and diet. Ummm....no. I was working out at one point EVERY DAY taking spinning class, yoga, etc. and hit a plateau. I have had weight problems since I was young, too. I just tell them now that I am having my lapband taken out and that is it. I don't mention the sleeve and refuse to talk about it. It's just not worth the frustration!