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I am a 49 year old female with a BMI of 35, high blood pressure. For years I have been wanting a lapband but neither my insurance nor my husbands would cover it. Since the kids are now out of school my husband said if you really want this then do it. I talked with a surgeon in my city and then went to Houston to see one that my friend had used. I was all ready to get it scheduled and then when he heard that I wanted to lose 50-60 pounds he said, no I'm not going to do it because you will not lose that much weight and you will be wanting a revision in less than 5 years. He wanted me to do the sleeve and I said no and he still wouldn't do the lapband. Now I am a self pay and this is a real good surgeon. So after crying all the way home I started thinking why would he say this to me if its not true. I believe that you can search these forums and find the responses that you want to find, I always mostly read to good about lapband. I have to say that I can't find too much negative about the sleeve. My only problem is that I am so scared of complications since I am a selfpay. I don't want my family to have financial problems because of me. My husband says whatever I want to do he is behind me but added that he really doesn't think I am big enough to have the surgery, just exercise and follow my diet. Oh of course, I hadn't even thought about that. Anyway, I read these forums daily and just can't decide what to do, its not the money, its not having to deal with eating small portions, its just being scared of a leak. I just want to cry every morning when I get dressed cause I look so fat.

Shareefa: same scenario here. I'm waiting at hospital now to have band out & revision to sleeve. Nervous but ready to get it over with. Good new is that I lost 14# in 11 days!! Best of luck to you!

I had a revision done on the 29th. From band to sleeve. So far I can tolerate almost anything. Except today I tried some watered down hummus and felt terribly sick after. That was the 1st real time I've had any nausea, or thought I might throw up. I'm terrified of vomitting, and rupturing a suture. I'm still struggling to get all my Water in. But so far, I've had blended Beans, oatmeal, avocado w/ plain Greek yogurt, and Protein shakes. Everything is blended super fine. Maybe the hummus was too thick still, or too heavy. Activity wise, I can walk around stores and the mall, but have to take it very slow, or I'll feel faint. I have a lot of head hunger, and feel like I need to chew things. Luckily, I haven't had much gas pains, walking seems to help. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I also got a sleeve on Mon. the 28th. They did a revision on me from the band to the sleeve. I think I'm doing ok, I am also having trouble getting enough liquids in. I feel full so easily. Also, do you know if it is normal to feel chilled all the time unless I have a ton of blankets on. My incisions are not infected, they seem fine, I know that is a symptom of infection. I'm sore also, but nothing I can't tolerate. I can't bend over and pick up anything from the floor and I hate sleeping on my back, but it is too uncomfortable to even try. Each day I'm sure will get better...I hope!

(post revised 1-28-08) I was banded 5-23-07 and am down about 61 pounds. I am 56.

I am having my band revision to VGS in a couple of weeks. ON MY DIME! I guess my insurance felt that 2 WLS covered were the max! LOL Background here......Banded in 2005 ( insured), Band slipped and rebanded 2012 (insured), Revision set for 12/27 ( Out of pocket). Insurance denied because of prior surgeries. Oh well screw 'em! I'll pay for #3 my own dang self! Hopefully, with God's grace, this will be the answer!

@RayLandry. I agree with jendkopp and I would challenge this. With your surgery 2 weeks away, the clock is ticking. Do not wait! To me, this is clearly a failed implantable device and your insurance should have provisions for surgical correction of an implantable device (ie: revision). Think about this in terms of an artificial joint. They are known to fail sometimes, but an insurance company really shouldn't have limitations on how many surgeries you can have on your artificial joint. Best of luck!

I had my revision surgery (lapband to sleeve) at Star Medica with Dr. Rodriguez in april. I was a little leary about going to Juarez. From where I currently live, Juarez is only about a 4 hour drive away. TJ would have been 14 hours or more in the car or a plane trip. I didn't think I would be up for that on the return trip especially. I believe that Dr Rod does surgery in TJ only once or twice a month so there was more availability in Juarez. I felt very safe with our driver (Sergio) and in the hospital. Sergio picked us up at the El Paso airport. My friend and I stayed in the hospital the entire time. We both agreed that we would not venture out of the hospital. We arrived on Thursday and was scheduled to stay until Sunday. We ended up leaving a day early on Saturday. We were both ready to be home. Star Medica Hospital was great. Clean and Modern. The staff was great. There were several doctors and nurses that spoke english to varying degrees. I didn't not have a lot of difficulty understanding them or being understood. Gilly

Your revision was only three weeks ago don't stress over one week. This a life/long marathon. Stick to your Doctors rules/goals and the weight will come off. I had times just like that. Set daily goals and try your best to reach them. If you struggle one day go back after it the next. Three weeks out your water is essential and just do your best with protein as you adjust. Keep us updated on your progress.

This is a picture of just my 3 of my lap sites from the band surgery. This was taken around April 2009 (so 6 months post band placement). I have 7 other scars/lap sites 3 from the sleeve revision, and from the 4 drains being placed. I scar really easily. I did buy some Mederma, but I gave up on using it.

Is there a military hospital that you can go to and get the sleeve if that is the surgery you really want. I refused RNY/bypass when I had to revise from the band and I listed the reasons below. I've also included the basic information about both surgeries. There are many reasons why I chose VSG instead of RNY, and my VSG was covered at a military hospital 100%. I would recommend checking out the obesityhelp.com website, look under surgical forums, check out the Revision forum so you can see how many people are looking to revise from RNY because of weight regain or complications, and then check out the failed weight loss surgery forum just so you can get an idea of people that are further out. Here are my reasons for getting VSG instead of RNY: The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure (also called Sleeve Gastrectomy, Vertical Gastrectomy, Greater Curvature Gastrectomy, Parietal Gastrectomy, Gastric Reduction, Logitudinal Gastrectomy and even Vertical Gastroplasty) is performed by approximately 20 surgeons worldwide. This forum is titled “VSG forum” to include the two most common terms for the procedure (vertical and sleeve). The earliest forms of this procedure were conceived of by Dr. Jamieson in Australia (Long Vertical Gastroplasty, Obesity Surgery 1993)- and by Dr. Johnston in England in 1996 (Magenstrasse and Mill operation- Obesity Surgery 2003). Dr Gagner in New York, refined the operation to include gastrectomy(removal of stomach) and offered it to high risk patients in 2001. Several surgeons worldwide have adopted the procedure and have offered it to low BMI and low risk patients as an alternative to laparoscopic banding of the stomach. It generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food (and therefore calories) that can be eaten by removing 85% or more of the stomach without bypassing the intestines or causing any gastrointestinal malabsorption. It is a purely restrictive operation. It is currently indicated as an alternative to the Lap-Band® procedure for low weight individuals and as a safe option for higher weight individuals. Anatomy This procedure generates weight loss solely through gastric restriction (reduced stomach volume). The stomach is restricted by stapling and dividing it vertically and removing more than 85% of it. This part of the procedure is not reversible. The stomach that remains is shaped like a very slim banana and measures from 1-5 ounces (30-150cc), depending on the surgeon performing the procedure. The nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) remain intact with the idea of preserving the functions of the stomach while drastically reducing the volume. By comparison, in a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is divided, not removed, and the pylorus is excluded. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass stomach can be reconnected (reversed) if necessary. Note that there is no intestinal bypass with this procedure, only stomach reduction. The lack of an intestinal bypass avoids potentially costly, long term complications such as marginal ulcers, vitamin deficiencies and intestinal obstructions. Comparison to prior Gastroplasties (stomach stapling of the 70-80s) The Vertical Gastrectomy is a significant improvement over prior gastroplasty procedures for a number of reasons: 1) Rather than creating a pouch with silastic rings or polypropylene mesh, the VG actually resects or removes the majority of the stomach. The portion of the stomach which is removed is responsible for secreting Ghrelin, which is a hormone that is responsible for appetite and hunger. By removing this portion of the stomach rather than leaving it in-place, the level of Ghrelin is reduced to near zero, actually causing loss of or a reduction in appetite (Obesity Surgery, 15, 1024-1029, 2005). Currently, it is not known if Ghrelin levels increase again after one to two years. Patients do report that some hunger and cravings do slowly return. An excellent study by Dr. Himpens in Belgium(Obesity Surgery 2006) demonstrated that the cravings in a VSG patient 3 years after surgery are much less than in LapBand patients and this probably accounts for the superior weight loss. 2) The removed section of the stomach is actually the portion that “stretches” the most. The long vertical tube shaped stomach that remains is the portion least likely to expand over time and it creates significant resistance to volumes of food. Remember, resistance is greatest the smaller the diameter and the longer the channel. Not only is appetite reduced, but very small amounts of food generate early and lasting satiety(fullness). 3) Finally, by not having silastic rings or mesh wrapped around the stomach, the problems which are associated with these items are eliminated (infection, obstruction, erosion, and the need for synthetic materials). An additional discussion based on choice of procedures is below. Alternative to a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass The Vertical Gastrectomy is a reasonable alternative to a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass for a number of reasons Because there is no intestinal bypass, the risk of malabsorptive complications such as vitamin deficiency and Protein deficiency is minimal. There is no risk of marginal ulcer which occurs in over 2% of Roux en Y Gastric Bypass patients. The pylorus is preserved so dumping syndrome does not occur or is minimal. There is no intestinal obstruction since there is no intestinal bypass. It is relatively easy to modify to an alternative procedure should weight loss be inadequate or weight regain occur. The limited two year and 6 year weight loss data available to date is superior to current Banding and comparable to Gastric Bypass weight loss data(see Lee, Jossart, Cirangle Surgical Endoscopy 2007). First stage of a Duodenal Switch In 2001, Dr. Gagner performed the VSG laparoscopically in a group of very high BMI patients to try to reduce the overall risk of weight loss surgery. This was considered the ‘first stage’ of the Duodenal Switch procedure. Once a patient’s BMI goes above 60kg/m2, it is increasingly difficult to safely perform a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or a Duodenal Switch using the laparoscopic approach. Morbidly obese patients who undergo the laparoscopic approach do better overall in their recovery, while minimizing pain and wound complications, when compared to patients who undergo large, open incisions for surgery (Annals of Surgery, 234 (3): pp 279-291, 2001). In addition, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass tends to yield inadequate weight loss for patients with a BMI greater than 55kg/m2 (Annals of Surgery, 231(4): pp 524-528. The Duodenal Switch is very effective for high BMI patients but unfortunately it can also be quite risky and may be safer if done open in these patients. The solution was to ‘stage’ the procedure for the high BMI patients. The VSG is a reasonable solution to this problem. It can usually be done laparoscopically even in patients weighing over 500 pounds. The stomach restriction that occurs allows these patients to lose more than 100 pounds. This dramatic weight loss allows significant improvement in health and resolution of associated medical problems such as diabetes and sleep apnea, and therefore effectively “downstages” a patient to a lower risk group. Once the patients BMI is lower (35-40) they can return to the operating room for the “second stage” of the procedure, which can either be the Duodenal Switch, Roux–en-Y gastric bypass or even a Lap-Band®. Current, but limited, data for this ‘two stage’ approach indicate adequate weight loss and fewer complications. Vertical Gastrectomy as an only stage procedure for Low BMI patients(alternative to Lap-Band®and Gastric Bypass) The Vertical Gastrectomy has proven to be quite safe and quite effective for individuals with a BMI in lower ranges. The following points are based on review of existing reports: Dr. Johnston in England, 10% of his patients did fail to achieve a BMI below 35 at 5 years and these tended to be the heavier individuals. The same ones we would expect to go through a second stage as noted above. The lower BMI patients had good weight loss (Obesity Surgery 2003). In San Francisco, Dr Lee, Jossart and Cirangle initiated this procedure for high risk and high BMI patients in 2002. The results have been very impressive. In more than 700 patients, there were no deaths, no conversions to open and a leak rate of less than 1%. The two year weight loss results are similar to the Roux en Y Gastric Bypass and the Duodenal Switch (81-86% Excess Weight Loss). Results comparing the first 216 patients are published in Surgical Endoscopy.. Earlier results were also presented at the American College of Surgeons National Meeting at a Plenary Session in October 2004 and can be found here: www.facs.org/education/gs2004/gs33lee.pdf. Dr Himpens and colleagues in Brussels have published 3 year results comparing 40 Lap-Band® patients to 40 Laparoscopic VSG patients. The VSG patients had a superior excess weight loss of 57% compared to 41% for the Lap-Band® group (Obesity Surgery, 16, 1450-1456, 2006). Low BMI individuals who should consider this procedure include: Those who are concerned about the potential long term side effects of an intestinal bypass such as intestinal obstruction, ulcers, anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency. Those who are considering a Lap-Band® but are concerned about a foreign body or worried about frequent adjustments or finding a band adjustment physician. Those who have other medical problems that prevent them from having weight loss surgery such as anemia, Crohn’s disease, extensive prior surgery, severe asthma requiring frequent steroid use, and other complex medical conditions. People who need to take anti-inflammatory medications may also want to consider the Vertical Gastrectomy. Unlike the gastric bypass where these medications are associated with a very high incidence of ulcer, the VSG does not seem to have the same issues. Also, Lap-Band ® patients are at higher risks for complications from NSAID use. All surgical weight loss procedures have certain risks, complications and benefits. The ultimate result from weight loss surgery is dependent on the patients risk, how much education they receive from their surgeon, commitment to diet, establishing an exercise routine and the surgeons experience. As Dr. Jamieson summarized in 1993, “Given good motivation, a good operation technique and good education, patients can achieve weight loss comparable to that from more invasive procedures.” Next: Advantages and Disadvantages of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy >> This information has been provided courtesy of Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (LAPSF). Please visit the Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco. Advantages and Disadvantages of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Advantages Reduces stomach capacity but tends to allow the stomach to function normally so most food items can be consumed, albeit in small amounts. Eliminates the portion of the stomach that produces the hormones that stimulates hunger (Ghrelin). Dumping syndrome is avoided or minimized because the pylorus is preserved. Minimizes the chance of an ulcer occurring. By avoiding the intestinal bypass, almost eliminates the chance of intestinal obstruction (blockage), marginal ulcers, anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency. Very effective as a first stage procedure for high BMI patients (BMI > 55 kg/m2). Limited results appear promising as a single stage procedure for low BMI patients (BMI 30-50 kg/m2). Appealing option for people who are concerned about the complications of intestinal bypass procedures or who have existing anemia, Crohn’s disease and numerous other conditions that make them too high risk for intestinal bypass procedures. Appealing option for people who are concerned about the foreign body aspect of Banding procedures. Can be done laparoscopically in patients weighing over 500 pounds, thereby providing all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery: fewer wound and lung problems, less pain, and faster recovery. Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Disadvantages Potential for inadequate weight loss or weight regain. While this is true for all procedures, it is theoretically more possible with procedures that do not have an intestinal bypass. Higher BMI patients will most likely need to have a second stage procedure later to help lose the rest of the weight. Remember, two stages may ultimately be safer and more effective than one operation for high BMI patients. This is an active point of discussion for bariatric surgeons. Soft calories such as ice cream, milk shakes, etc can be absorbed and may slow weight loss. This procedure does involve stomach stapling and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur. Because the stomach is removed, it is not reversible. It can be converted to almost any other weight loss procedure. Considered investigational by some surgeons and insurance companies. Next: >> Frequently Asked Questions About Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy This information has been provided courtesy of Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (LAPSF). Please visit the Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco. Bypass information

This happened to me with fluids, it would not go down. The reflux, heartburn were so painful I would throw up. Not to mention I was severely dehydrated, it was awful. I had a scan that showed the fluid stuck literally in my throat. They said this was very dangerous because it can go into the lungs and I went into surgery days later, right in the middle of the pandemic when hospitals only took emergency cases, last July. I was so scared, everyone in the hospital was paranoid as was I. My surgeon looked like an astronaut he was so covered up when he performed the surgery. I had to mention this because that showed how incredibly dangerous the lap band can be. And that is where the nightmare began. I had this weight so under control that I truly felt I would never put on the weight again. Exercising daily, eating very healthy, I really thought this was it. No more struggles after 10 years of keeping it under control. And then in one year, it all came back and then some. I remember my surgeon saying, most people have a revision to remove scar tissue and then have the sleeve done to keep the weight under control. Who could have known that this would be so incredibly hard? It was devastating. If I knew then what I know now I would have done it even thinner because this is, for me anyway's, a way of life. I must always try and try hard to stay on the path of mindful eating and exercising. Day 16 post op 13lbs weight loss Started bike riding. I had mine on the 26th and have lost 13 lbs. I am so excited !!!!! i have the go-ahead to exercise but I am not really eating so I am being careful. so excited to start this next chapter. It was impossible for me to lose 13 lbs before, I feel so much better knowing the weight is finally starting to come off!

I have PCOS and slow metabolism but I wanted something that had better stats in the long run and RYN has that. Not to say sleeve doesn't since many have been successful on it as well. But personally given my medical history and plethora of PCOS related side effects, I opted for bypass. Plus chances of revision is also high with sleeve because of reflux issue. And I didn't want take the route of having to have a second surgery if revision was needed. "ONE surgery and that should be the end of it" was my thought process. Hence even after being confused, I finally opted for bypass. I know many prefer sleeve because of less chances of dumping and malnutrition, so it depends if those look tempting for you. Though there are 70% of by-passers who also don't dump, myself including. I always wanted a weight loss route that didn't restrict my diet (reason why I hated Keto and other carbs restrictive diets, my binge eating always worsened with them). Even then I took my chance with bypass thinking I shall see when I cross the bridge. And fortunately, I don't dump (at least with some of the sugary and fatty foods I have tried till now). So give consideration to your medical history, your metabolism, stats and pros and cons of each and go with your gut feeling. That's what I did and so far I haven't regretted it *fingers crossed*

I’m having revision on December 17th. Congrats n your journey!!

I'm about 4 months post-sleeve (revision from band). For me, it depends on the restaurant. I definitely check the menu online first to see if there is some sort of lean Protein that I can order. I try to pick 2 things so I'm prepared in case I need a back up plan, LOL . I stay away from breads, rices & pastas as main dishes, and focus on good Proteins. My eating habits are quite different even now with the sleeve than what it was like with the band. But, I will allow myself a bite / nibble of something (yummy dessert) here & there as a treat.

I am getting a revision..I have indigestion....going to see an gastro to see what is going on as a result of this band...it has caused me a lot of damage.i am also a breast cancer survivor..,.if the sleeve ain't right ...bring on the bypass...either or.....get it done!!!!

Thanks, mzchyll924! At this point, self-pay is off the table, but now that I've seen the certificate of coverage for my plan next year, I'm really hoping it's a pretty easy process given the requirements. I'm so glad to hear all of your revision will be covered!

Startingover, I had my band removed last October and am planning on revising to RNY on 6/11/09. I'm using the same surgeon who did my band and the part of the same team that did my 20 year old daughter's RNY last May. I think you need to get as much info as possible and will have a difficult finding all that on this site because it is designed for lap band patients but obesityhelp.com and thinnertimes.com are two that cover RNY. Also there are books out there and I have read Weightloss Surgery for Dummies and it was helpful for my daughter and myself. I don't think you can judge a surgery by one person's opinion even if it's positive. I've been there with my daughter from day one and she did have issues in the beginning with a stricture where her new stoma actually closed and she couldn't get any food or Water in so they had to do an endoscopy with a balloon twice to stretch it open. That also involved an er visit and two day stay for IV fluids and to wait until the following Monday for someone who could do the endocopy to be there. I don't know the percentages as to how many people get them but I wouldn't be surprised if I were to have one also. Also she has never had "dumping syndrome" and from what I read only 40% of people do but it doesn't also mean she never will some people won't have it until a year post-op. She has lost well over 100 lbs and it was fairly quick due to her stricture but she has tapered off for now. It's been almost a year and I think that's normal. I think there is a honeymoon period where you lose easily and quickly and it can stall. Then it requires more work from the individual. I've also read a statistic that you lose 1/3 of your weight so my daughter has met that statistic. She is only required to take one supplement that I can purchase at her surgeon's office now which is nice. She's able to eat regularly now but she definitely has to chew her food very well! You also are not supposed to drink about a half hour before you eat and I've heard a half hour to an hour after you eat as you do not have a pyloric valve that would slowly empty food from your stomach so you basically are self flushing with liquid. Anyway I hope I didn't mess any of the info up for you which is another reason why you can't depend on a few opinions to decide on a surgery, lol. But good luck and discuss this with a surgeon and ask as many questions even the ones you think maybe stupid with him/her! Take care Nancy.

sometimes all the fluid is removed for a time and the band will go back into place it's self, if not surgery is required - if the band is slipped badly then it will have to be removed, replaced or you opt to have a revision to a diffent type of WLS.

I have noticed lately that my carb count is high even when I try to make wise Protein choices. My diet consists of Protein shakes, greek yogurt and cottage cheese. I need to move away from these, at least in part. I am not good at cooking... I hate it. I am on a mission this evening to shop for quick go-to protein items that are low in carbs. As a band-to-sleeve revision, my weight loss is much slower than my roommates (went to Mexico on same date). Also, I have hypothyroidism and I just want to ensure success! I am down 32lbs in 3 months and have 45 to go to goal. Suggestions please!!

I had a lap band implanted when I lived in Chicago, fast forward 7 years, and I had moved to Florida, I needed to have my band checked, I was having reflux and my band was empty. I called about 6 surgeons in the Jacksonville area, and the best "program fee" I found was still $1000, with most charging $1500. I was told that since they didn't do my surgery my fees were higher. Basically she explained that was how they make up for people going to self pay centers, or out of the country and then coming to them for followup. The surgeon became a surgeon to do surgery not to do followups for other surgeons. I explained that not only had a used a US surgeon, covered by insurance, but that my surgeon had moved away from Chicago before I did. What if I had paid a huge program fee in Chicago, and then they all wanted me to pay them at least $1000, some were as much as $2500. I would understand if they were having to fight my insurance, or having to do pre/post op classes, but I was just looking for someone to check me for a slip. I ended up needed my band removed, and I was revised to the sleeve, but because I was originally brought in as a general surgical consult (after a GI doc told me it was 99% band related) I didn't have a fee, and I was approved after one phone call for my revision.

Forget the hypothetical, here is my situation. I’m 43, and 5’5” and my highest weight was 190, which was my pre-op diet weight in June 2014. I was thin as a child, and my weight has gone up and down, and up and down, since my 20’s. I have ACA insurance, so coverage was not available no matter how much weight was involved or which procedure. I decided the weight was just getting higher and higher and my doctor said my cholesterol and triglycerides were too high. I have dieted every type of diet, some with great success for a while and other not. I went to a group that advertised Lap Band locally. I was told that if I had a hiatal hernia that insurance would pay for some, and I would have to pay out of pocket for the rest. I told them that I probably didn’t have a hernia, because I did not have reflux, pain, or anything like that. I left doing more research and I chose another doctor to go see for the Band. I met with the surgeon on the first visit and I told him I wanted the band. I started my process and began meeting with the nutritionist, having the psych exam, etc. I was told the same thing about the hernia and I was scheduled for the EDG one week before surgery. I was given two out of pocket costs depending on the outcome. In the meantime I went to my OB, PCP, and Psychiatrist. All three were 100% on board. My psychiatrist was concerned that with the band, the size of the stomach opening was altered to smaller than a pencil width. I take three medications daily for MDD and she wanted to make sure I could continue to take my meds. She asked why I did not consider sleeve because the opening was not changed, and I told her that I thought I was only a candidate for Band. She said she had another patient about my size that did sleeve very successfully. So, I went home and really did some research a comparing band to sleeve. I was also concerned about the band slip and erosion, and possible additional surgery for a revision. I called the surgeon’s office and asked them to talk with the doctor and see if I could have the sleeve instead of the band. I told them my concern about the medication and band failure. They called back and said I could switch to sleeve. I did the EDG and when I woke up they showed me images of the procedure and said: You do have a hernia and quite a few ulcers on your stomach. Many of those will be removed during the sleeve procedure, and the rest should heal with the PCP. I was shocked. I had no idea and no symptoms. One week later, and about 2 months into the entire process, I was sleeved. Was this my last resort, no. I could have tried dieting and failing again and again until I gained more and more weight. This was my decision, and I made it after doing enough research to make an informed, educated, and more importantly, right decision for myself and my body. Believe me, if you read my other posts, you will know that there were so many other reasons for my decision. I wanted to leave those out of here though. If blanket statements are going to be made, then go ahead, judge me. I’m the exact subject of this post, but I stand behind my decision, and my surgeon, and everything about the sleeve. I am willing to be anyone’s friend in this journey, no matter where either of us started. It’s the common goal we all should share.

There is some debate about this, but most surgeons say no carbonation after being banded. Soda passes right through the band because it's a liquid, but the carbonation expands below the band and pushes upward against it. This can cause slips. When I had my Lap Band surgery, the woman who shared the room with me was in for a revision of her band. She had been drinking soda and it not only resulted in a slip but her stomach actually prolapsed up through her band. She also gained back 40 pounds. I can't speak for anyone else, but you couldn't pay me all the money in the world to ever drink carbonation again. It's just not worth the risk.

My port has tipped forwards and it is very difficult to access. It is also very deep, because, where it has been placed is where i carry most of my fat. My question is, if i have to have a revision of my port is there any where else they can position it so it doesn't have to be so deep as this is increasing the difficulty of accessing it? It is half way between my sternum and belly button now. Thanks

Interestingly enough some people never seem to lose that feeling of hunger. Nobody will ever know if these patients never lost physical hunger at least temporarily in the first place or if they're confusing "head hunger" with "physical hunger". There is no test that can differentiate between the two. Acid reflux is the devil. Bile reflux is the devil's big fat mother. I got two revisions because of these issues, both times associated with hiatoplastic because of hiatus hernia. My second revision was on 26th February and this time eating is more "problematic" so to say. The MGB seems to be more "forgiving" than the long limb RNY in some way. Or maybe I just don't remember several issue I had in the first months after MGB, not sure. In general dense foods tend to give me stomach ache and sometimes sit in the stomach like a brick and I hate this feeling so I understand not wanting to eat heavy/dense foods. It's always hard to tell via internet. Regarding the vomiting after dense food it might be that you're eating too fast or too much or don't chew well enough or a combination of this. However, this is something only you can tell. Maybe you could try a denser food, chew the heck out of it, stop after a few bites or set a timer to e. g. 20 min and take your time. Regarding the reflux you could play around with different foods. I'm sensitive to e. g. dairy, dry red wine and in general very fatty foods, with nuts and nut based foods being an exception. The combination of high protein and fat is the worst regarding my stomach issues. It also can help having a time span of about 2 h between last meal and going to bed. However, if your reflux is that bad you might consider revision to RNY anyway regardless of weight.