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Thank you for taking the time to respond lellow. I was reading your story here last night. You look amazing. But I'm sorry your having this issue too. May I ask you a question? How do you feel about going under anesthesia so often? And the prospect of having to do that again with being banded? For someone like me who is so sensitive to it, that scares me. It scares me that i chose something that requires numerous surgeries as an upkeep. If I had known that, I don't know if I would have done this, especially with the lack of results I have had. My surgeon is on vacation so I told the snippy surgery coordinator that I need to speak with him. I'm going to tell him if he can fix the port under a local and sedation, then that's fine, otherwise I'm not going under anesthesia again. Not right now. I am deciding on NOT to revise and just let this non working band sit here until it has to come out, which judging by the posts I read, is a "when" not an "if." If I saw more long term success stories I'd think more on it, but I don't see them. I wish I did! And hey, if you folks can point me to some heartening long term stories, I'd be so grateful. Even then, my going under just scares me too much. I'll let you know what he says when I speak with him.

I am more comfortable with the least-invasive route possible. That was my primary reason for choosing the band. I think the sleeve is an interesting procedure, and will be interested in watching its long-term success/complication rate; it's still considered experimental. Which brings me to the second reason I chose the band: it's not experimental. And that leads directly to the third reason: my insurance won't cover experimental procedures! If, for some reason, I encounter difficulties down the road, I would consider revision to the sleeve if it turns out to be as promising as it seems. But I am confident in my decision to go with the band, at this point, and have no reason to think I will have problems.

I am 45 year old male 5'10 /260 pounds with a failed band. Very apprehensive about revision surgery. I have cancelled my date twice and was ready to go June 7 but my doctor has to cancel and reschedule for June 23. Beginning to second guess this decision. I know several people that have had great success. Any advice is welcome!

Jenny, I know you will have a great time. The clinic is so clean and modern and they make you feel like a queen. Dr. Ortiz is very outgoing and is very skilled. My surgery was about 3 times as long as other people's as I had a giant hiatal hernia with my stomach adhered in many places. They figured I had had the hernia for more than 25 years or that it was a birth defect. Those types do not just develop. Sliding hernias are very common and if you have one, they will fix it and most of the time only require a stitch or two and less than five extra minutes. Flying back I had to go through Vancouver and I asked for wheel chair assistance as I new there would be no way I could pick up my luggage and clear it through customs by myself. The day before my surgery I did some sight seeing / shopping. The first day back at the hotel I also went to costco (it is right across the street from the clinic, you'll be able to see it out the window of your room). Dr. Ortiz's mom works as the patient advocate at the clinic. She is extremely nice and will answer any questions you ask her. She will pick you up at the hotel and then will take you back the day following the surgery. As far as claiming money back from Alberta Health Care, if you go to their website, under forms, you will find one for out of country claims. You need to complete the form and send it in with an itemized receipt. It takes about 8 weeks to get the refund. It is nice to get a little bit back. Anything that they do not pay, as well as hotel, flight, food, and any other expenses are also claimable on your year-end taxes. Fill doctors - I go to see Dr. Descoteaux as I also heard not good things about Dr. Mitchell and I wasn't fond of his receptionist on the one day I called his office. I do know that Dr. Botha has made arrangements with Dr. Ortiz to do all of his patients as Dr. Ortiz has agreed to make any revisions, corrections, replacements, etc. if anything should happen. I have never heard anything but wonderful comments about Dr. Botha, so he would be a good choice. Dr. Botha is at Glenmore and Macleod and Dr. Descoteaux works from Peter Lougheed Hospital. Since you are in Airdrie, the PLC would be closer, but on Deerfoot, Glenmore is not that hard to get to either. Consider joining our Calgary lapbanders group in Yahoo Groups. We have a great time just talking about issues that concern us. We have regular get togethers, about every 6 weeks. Our next get together is on May 9 at 5:30 at Open Sesame on Macleod Trail. You are more than welcome to attend and just hear from everyone as we are all at various stages of the journey. It is very encouraging to hear everyone's story and it helps keep us all on track. As far as the weight loss goes, they say that the band is supposed to help you lose about 80% of your excess weight. I had about 100 pounds of excess weight, and so far I have lost 71, so I am getting close to the 80%. I have not been as fast as many other people, but I am sure happy being considered just "overweight" as opposed to "mobidly obese." Julie C 258/187/158 Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz

Well I have a band. I am here because I'm hoping to be approved for a sleeve revision. I'm not the typical band horror story (I.e. erosion, slips, reflux, etc). I was banded 09/2008 and still haven't reached any type of consistency. I can eat a meal today and it is fine...Tomorrow I can go for leftovers and not be able to keep any of it down...SAME MEAL. My story is only my story. Plenty of people have done well with the band...just not my case. I'm not in the convincing business, but if it helps...regardless if my insurance approves a revision to sleeve, I'm definitely getting this band removed. It gets annoying in social settings having to excuse yourself. I'm still noticeably overweight and some people that don't know I even have a band have rumored that I have an eating disorder. Now that is kinda funny, but not really. My reason for getting a band vs. bypass (didn't know too much about the sleeve when I was in the market for wls) was the fact that my body would remain as close to it's natural state as possible. Now for my 20/20 hind sight...I just don't think the band was a good idea. AND my health is still at risk... But again...that is my PERSONAL opinion. Another thing to consider...that I didn't...is life evolves. I never knew I'd keep getting promoted and my job has moved me 3 times since 09/2008. Some surgeons won't accept patients from out of town. I've been with my job 12 yrs, but another thing some may want to consider is if you switch insurance companies. Some companies won't cover band fills from a surgery they didn't authorize. None of that has been a problem for me, but I'm 31. It is very rare for most people my age ( well in these days, any age)to have the same job and insurance for 12 yrs. I'm not trying to come across high and mighty nor as a know it all. You asked. When I reach out for opinions I don't like people to hold back. I was just trying to throw some things out there for you to consider. Or....you could be a total band success and negate everything I've said...lol Good luck

I'm going to be really honest here. I had a band and many problems with it and due to those problems I revised to a sleeve. Even with band problems we still have to watch food choices. If you lost 20# in all that time maybe restriction alone isn't going to cut it for you. A sleeve is just another restrictive procedure. Sounds like you might want to consider bypass for a few reasons. If your reflux is due to the band then removing the band will help. If your reflux is not due to the band than a sleeve could make it worse. Bypass will fix the weight issue as well as reflux.

Any thoughts and advice are welcomed. I've done a ton of research on various WLS options, and have heard both success and horror stories for both Band and Sleeve. What made you decide to get the sleeve? Did you start with the Band and revised to sleeve? If so, why? I know that both take work and a lifestyle change - I just want some honest unbiased opinions on why you think one is better than the other.

I completely agree Mac . I feel like I have a time bomb in my stomach just waiting to hurt me. I have heard of so many people whose bands eroded into their stomach and did damage. I hope I can get the money to get revised. In the mean time, by band is really loose and I think that's best for my stomach so I am not getting a fill, even though I sure could use one.

I did not know that! My dr, basically tells us that we can eat what we want , just eat all a serving of Protein first, which as most know, doesnt leave much room for else! I do eat my Proteins before anything else that i usually dont have any room left. But the few local gals i know that have had the procedure done said they have not done a special diet. I was hard core atkins before i had my surgery and it worked pretty well, I had a lap band in at the time, for 10 years actually and I lost more when i would atkins than with the band itself. The band wouldnt let me eat meat so eventually, I decided to have the revision done and get the sleeve. I really did not realize that i would be on low carb the rest of my life. Its a little sad but too late now ESPECIALLY if i want to see some results. Makes me feel like i should have done more research and just gotten my LB taken out instead of the full on sleeve procedure.

I had the Lap Band and had to get it removed and revised to a sleeve. I wish I had not wasted so many years with the band but the sleeve didn't exist back then. I would strongly suggest you not go with the band due to the many cases of it being ineffective at weight loss as compared to the sleeve and bypass. If you are self-pay then your lower BMI should not stop you from getting the sleeve. Those BMI requirements are usually tied to insurance approvals. You should get a second opinion.

Welcome to the board! You'll find lots of supportive folks here. I had a revision from band to sleeve and I am very happy with it so far. I didn't have complications with my band like others, but it just plain wasn't working for me. I think most "revision" patients on the board here would say that the "reversable" claim on the band is an overstatement. We each had internal scarring and some have had some serious complications from removing the band. Good luck! Lara

Looking for a surgery buddy....I'm.doing revision from band to rny bypass....would love to chat sometime...

I was just wondering if I will go through a 2nd round of hair loss with the revision surgery? I had some hair loss after the band- it wasnt that bad actually. It was like post-partum hair loss for me. But was just curious if revision-ers have to go through a 2nd round of hair loss?

My Surgery date for revision is Aug 4th 2014.... So excited...

I have gastritis and GERD, plus I had to have several biopsies because my stomach is full of different kinds of polyps. I have to have 3 more endoscopies to remove them all. I was told I have to have a revision to bypass because the polyps are coming from the gerd and gastritis. So once all the polyps are removed, then we go in and do the bypass.

Of course!! The concerning thing was that I had no polyps at all before or right after surgery. Something happened in 8 1/2 months to cause this. And the gastritis and GERD became off the charts in the last 6 months, so I was told once all the polyps are gone (I have a few different kinds of polyps) then I'll go in for my revision.

I was in a very similar boat to you! I was just over a 40 BMI, 25 years old, with PCOS and asthma. I had the sleeve surgery in 2014 and lost over 100 pounds and have been maintaining for the past few years. Unfortunately I ended up needing revision surgery because of bad GERD (to bypass), but I am still very happy with my decision and live a pretty normal life. I am able to go out to eat and drink with friends. Feel free to ask questions!

My husband had a fundoplication in 1980 and revision surgery 3 years ago. He has to watch his portions, chew food really well and avoid anything 'gummy,' like cheesy mashed potatoes or soft bread. Sound familiar?

I was revised on 9/5 so I'm at a month too. That was an interesting read. I'm kind of middle of the road. Lol. I will start breaking my shakes up. I get Protein primarily from the shakes since. I wonder how it is with shakes when a person is months out?

My surgeon not the severe erosion on the inside of my stomach but on the outside, I don't know if that makes sense. But, my port had flipped early out, and my douchebag band doctor ignored my complaints of pain for months, it got to where the port migrated, and the tubing was pulling on my band that was wrapped around my stomach. 3.5 months for me to resume normal activity. I actually didn't have a pre-op liquid diet. I just had to low carb it, and then fast the night before surgery after midnight. I don't know many revision patients that have to do a prolonged liquid diet unless they are having major issues with their band and even then I've never read more than 2 weeks of Protein shakes and other liquids including yogurt, sugar free popsicles, pudding and Jello. My leak was directly where the band was wrapped around my stomach. I did lose additional stomach tissue from that area, but it was not at the esophagus/stomach connection. My leak was discovered on my 3rd and final leak test with contrast fluid(gastrographin Fluid should be used since barium is not Water soluble).

Wow Tiffykins, that's quite an ordeal. I think I read in a past post of yours that your leak was from your esophagus? What was the issue with your band - were you an erosion? All in all, how long did your recovery take - until you could resume normal activity? My band is completely unfilled - fortunately. And while I'm told my slip is bad enough that they don't want to attempt a reposition or reband, it's not really messing with me that much. I'm "tolerating" it in such a way as that I don't present with many of the typical symptoms. But who knows what I look like on the inside. I know that from my band surgery, there is a lump of scar tissue I can feel from the outside (if I "try"), so I know it's likely to be an issue. I suspect my surgeon will put me on a significant liquid diet prior to any procedures. His "generic" liquid pre-op diet is only 2 days, but I've heard his revision diet is more like 6 weeks. I never wondered why, but maybe it's to prevent secondary or tertiary swelling caused by processing solids. I too have had someone tell me that revision patients are at 3X the risk for complications. I think I'd gladly take a second procedure if it's an option. I'll just tell him to use blanket sutures & mesh "just in case" -- just do my sleeve as though I already have a leak. Yes, how to treat leaks is on my list of questions, and how to diagnose: how many leak tests, when, which types of tests does he use, how frequently -- as well as his accessibility to me or other providers post-op. He's only about 45 minutes from home, but when I live 5 minutes from another hospital, that can be significant if there's an emergency.

I've read many reports of consistent restriction from VSG vs. tha random restriction I had from AGB. Is your restriction consistent? Is it consistent both in terms of times of day you can eat and types of food you can eat? Does VSG seem to be effected by the same variables as AGB? (e.g. flying, stress, humidity, PMS/water retention...) My restriction is consistent except that I do notice that right before my period, I seem to be able to eat a little bit more (or maybe it is that I want to due to hormones). With AGB "stuck" foods caused me discomfort or pain, often quite a bit of pain, and often for a fairly long time. Does food stick with VSG? I've read about people brining stuff up, but is this because of failure to pass through some stoma, or is it because of eating more than you can hold? Or both? Does it hurt like it did with your band? When it comes up, is it "saliva + stuck bits" like with the band, or is it actual vomit? I hated being stuck with the band! I have never had anything get stuck with the sleeve. Sometimes, when I eat out, I may take that one bite too many and I feel extremely full. So full that I don't even want to think about food or be around it. That is what has allowed my great success though! I can only eat at small amount at a time~ I know some dumping can occur with VSG - do you dump? Is it on specific foods, or random? The only time I get that feeling is if I eat Cereal with milk. I am not sure if it is the the milk or that the cereal swells in my stomach, but I feel sick and like I need to lay down. I don't usually eat cereal becasue of this. If I drink milk alone or in something, I am fine. What period is the greatest risk for developing a leak? I see references to 2 weeks, 2 months...I am not sure but my doctor did say to follow the post op diet closely to avoid putting stress on the staple line and which can cause a leak. Is leak the (currently known) most likely complication of VSG? I see people talking about leaks, and pOuch stretching, but that's about it. Surely there's something else out there...You can have issues with Calcium absorption which can cause problems with your bones and teeth. You have to take calcium citirate regularly. WIthout the need for fills, what does your post-op care look like? Do you have periodoc leak tests as a bandster might have period fluoro or xray? I have just had blood tests and check ups. So easy and nice! I hated getting fills. What do you like best about your VSG? It works! I feel amazing. I can't sabotoge myself anymore with food. Food doesn't control me. What do you like least about your VSG? Maybe the scars, but I love the sleeve itself. I really feel it is one of the best decisions of my life! What did you not know going in, that you wish you did? I wish I had asked for the morphine pump for when I woke up after surgery. I didn't discuss it with my doctor because I just thought everyone got one. OUCH! I was fine once they started giving me pain meds through my IV though. I keep reading "recovery is a lot harder than with the band," but no one really elaborates. Can someone please share their comparison of recovery? I actually thought they were about the same. I didn't have a drain with my band and I did with the sleeve. I did not like the drain, but it is there to detect leaks. I would do it again in a heartbeat! How hard did you find the transition in terns of behavior? I'm assuming there are shared rules such as chewing to goo, small bites, waiting between bites, etc. My band never really worked right, so it is hard to compare. I know I always had to worry about getting stuck at the most inconvient times, like at a restaurant. I would have to run to the bathroom and pray no one else was in there when I slimed. With the sleeve I have restriction all the time. I do have to focus on Protein first, but I really can eat anything, just smaller amounts. Do you have a "soft stop" with VSG? (I never had one with AGB, but I'm wondering if it exists with VSG) I just have to stop at the first sign of fullness. Just one bite over my sleeve capacity and I am miserable from fullness. Did anyone out thyere have a difficult revision due to scar tissue/etc. with the band?I had some soreness where the port was, but that is gone now. Any bathroom problems? (e.g. the terrible stinkies DSers are known for) Nope It seems like most people encounter significant heartburn. Is reflux an issue with VSG? Is the heartburn long term, or does it resolve after a while? I get hearburn with certain foods (spicy usually). I had it a little the first three months after surgery and took my prescription. Now it is just on an as need basis. I rarely get heartburn. Are your food intolerances (if any) the same as with your AGB?For some reason, hamburger meat in the patty form does not agree with my sleeve. I have thrown up three times trying to eat it. I just avoid it now! I can eat it if it is ground up like taco meat. The three times I tried hamburger patties are the only times I have thrown up with the sleeve. Otherwise, nothing else has caused this issued. I LOVE the sleeve! Good luck with your revision~

I want to join in the fun. I'm 6 weeks post op and hoping to lose 20lbs so SW 329 GW 309 potentially to be revised depending on what my weight is on Friday.

Last year I almost died from my Lapband aspirating into my lung... I spent 3 weeks in ICU... I got a complete unfill and I still get sick on a daily basis.. How can I get my insurance to pay for a revision? I been banded since 2008 and I feel like this band is going to kill me! ????

Good luck! What kind of revision are u getting?