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I had my band removal and VSG done all in the same surgery; however, my band had been unfilled for several months prior to my surgery. I have heard several people able to have the removal and revision done in one procedure but have heard others that required some healing time after the removal. I guess it will depend on her specific condition. I was sad when I first decided to do a revision and realized my band wasn't ever going to work the way I thought it was going to...but now I couldn't be happier! I hope all goes well and she gets that band cut out! Best of luck!

If there is swelling she will not be able to get the sleeve until the swelling goes down. My doctor unfilled my band 3 weeks before surgery and then took it out and revised to sleeve in one operation. I hope all goes well with your mom.

Well, I am officially approved for band to sleeve revision on Oct. 24th. My doc wants to do it in ONE surgery. My band has been drained for 2 years so he feels one surgery would be fine. I pray that is the right decision. I am having a bitter sweet moment... I am excited for the new journey and praying it is the best decision for myself and that I am successful especially since I was NOT on the band. But the biggest struggle to me is having a 15 month old son that needs me. The thought of not picking him up for 6 weeks seems like eternity and I am sure will be so hard on both of us. I can't really afford to put it off because insurance approved it and I my deductibles are met for this year. So I really hope and pray this decision works out for both of us I think having an active mom in the future will pay off. So I'm joining the Oct new band to sleeve revisions

"I think there are a lot of people out there who opt to leave the band expecting other WLS just to be that much easier to lose the weight and maintain... and from what I have seen from the people I know that just isn't true. All the people I know who switched from the band to the RNY are still morbidly obese, the second surgery didn't help them lose more.. they weren't ready to change their patterns and behavior. " I would have to respectfully disagree with you here. Personally, I believe the band is more of a tool for weight loss, where other malabsorbtion proceedures are a method. Bottom line is, I've done both. The band will hold your hand, but the hard work is squarely on the patients shoulders. They do surgery on your belly, not your brain. Compared to a band, the rny or ds weight loss is easy. If I were in a burning building, I want the easiest way out. I tried the hard way, and got burned. I believe it takes an exceptionally motivated, strong willed person to get to goal with a large amount of weight to lose with the band. It is tough, tougher than I was! But even some of those people have been faced with their worst fear, losing their band. Some have been successful in maintaining their loss after removal. Alot have not. It's hard when you're a food addict. Even those who believe they have their demons tamed find them sneaking back out with no restriction or removal. "It is individual, I just hope the people who are on here after lapband removal are just not on here to say how unhappy they are but on boards that support them and give them the information that they need to cope with the alternate surgery they opted for. Personally I would have just left the band boards behind if my band was out and not going back and joined things that supported my choices rather than a board that obiviously will be proband." My journey and experience with my band and revision validate my choice to post on this board. If I can bring something to the post that I deem important, I will. Especially when I see misinformation, fingerpointing and cherry picking. Facts are facts. Experiences/journeys are priceless. If I can help one person from thinking they are a failure or reassure them their intestines will not fall out, and they won't explode from noxious gases if they decide to have another surgery beside the band, than I'm happy. There will be people who want me to go away here, Simply because I didn't have the same experience they have and they don't agree with me. That's just silly. Reading back, yes, I would seem negative toward the band, actually I'm trying to get people to see the whole picture. You can see alot more with a few views than just one, and you can also see alot more with an open mind than a closed one. I frequent many boards, the best one being www.wlsforum.org I have been involved with that community since 2002 when it was Spotlight Health. Why is it the best? Because all surgeries are represented there, and we learn as a community, yet still small enough that you are not "LOST" in the crowd like obesityhelp. If misinformation is posted, someone will be quick to point it out, even if it wasn't their surgery of choice. There are far less misconceptions about other surgeries, because as we get to know and support each other, we are also educated. Our destination is the same, although we may have choosen to take different paths. As far as band revisions go, there are 3 band to DS, 1 band to sleeve, and 2 band to rny (and one in process). Oh, and none of those have failed to lose weight with the revisional surgery. And one cannot have another surgery because of nerve damage during her band surgery. Her name is Nicci. There are more than a handful that have reached goal and maintain. There are many frustrated people who haven't. And as Forest Gump would say "That's all I have to say about that."

Boy, Heather! You have been through the grinder with your band. But my experiences in observing which wls surgery is the most effective don't match yours. Mine more closely match what all the medical research says. A group of us--about 40-50 wls patients--got together a couple of years ago. Someone asked, "Which ones had the DS?" I--inadvertantly, because I was still banded--said, "Just look around...it's the skinny bitches." And it was. I've been researching wls since about the time you were banded and I haven't met anyone--not one person--who had a DS and was unhappy with the way the surgery had performed. I *DID* encounter a person with a drug and alcohol problem who returned to drugs and alcohol and regained about 50 pounds, but even she didn't regain everything. OTOH, many of the banded people I know have had to have revisions and many are still MO, even after years of trying to make the band work for them. I really think that, especially for someone who has had all the problems you have had, your success is really outside the normal range of results. But bravo to you for achieving it! Sue

I'm waiting to be sleeved, but a good friend of mine was revised from the band to RNY because of complications. My surgeon does a lot of revisions and said he doesn't think the band will be around in 5 years. Who knows if that's true or not but on these boards, it seems like a lit of people are considering revision. Good luck to you in whatever you choose:)

I've been reading through this thread and have a question. Im having revision surgery next week. Went from sleeve to MGB and now to RNY because i have horrible reflux. I had excessive weight gain in the years of trying to get to a solution, so I'd love to lose some weight with this as well, but it is not the reason Im having surgery. I see a lot of people asking for stories of success and mostly Im reading that "it's just not as fast" or "I miss my sleeve" but you guys still lost weight right? Just took longer, so had success, but not as fast as you wanted?

Right which is bypass. Do you think revision bypass is the same. Or is that not a thing? Revision just means another procedure?

Where do you do your revision surgery for gastric sleeve

I would listen to your surgeon. I never even considered the band because I known a few people in the family one had a few slips and they both gained some of the weight back. Then I come on here and see so many revisions .

@Bri_Guy Thank you so much! I am very happy! Good luck to you in your surgery! @Jen727BF Thanks! @ckfaith Thank you!! @Pea523 Thank you! Insurance has approved it! The revision extra skin surgery I might need when I get to goal will not be covered though. @Pazza Aww! Thank you so much! @melskee55 Thank you so much!! @beege Thank you! I can't wait to get to goal! @Sweet as peaches Aww! I'm glad I could share my story with you! It is so hard to be so big! I wish you the best of luck in your journey! For reference I am 5'10!

Hello to revision from lapband to sleevers. I’m 22 days out and just wondering how everyone is doing. I’m having a lot of heartburn no matter what I eat. I’m still very fatigued if I do something for more the two hours straight, like housework. I actually feel faintish. Sometimes I’m hungry sometimes not. When I eat I have to be very careful because I don’t feel full until it’s to late then I’m sick, I’m trying to measure out food but I’m so hungry at that moment that I feel that one more tablespoon is not going to make a difference..wrongo! Otherwise I’m feeling great, no pain or soreness anymore I never took pain meds so that wasn’t and issue. Sleeping is getting better can lay on my side now without discomfort!! Just like to know how everyone else is doing and stage they are in?

Hi everyone! I just got approved to get the band out and the sleeve ASAP. I really haven’t spent a lot of time researching what to expect and it just dawned on me to come here! My band was a disaster and never was viable. The port came out after 2 revisions and I had MRSA. 12 yrs later it’s coming out. So excited for that. Did everyone have the revision to sleeve in multiple surgeries? Reading about the intolerance to artificial sweeteners has been interesting ...I’ve been trained since WW in the mid 80’s to have fake sugar. Any major advice for someone who is about to start this journey again? allison

Hi. I had my gastric band removed after 10 years with revision to sleeve just 3 weeks ago. How can I help?

Have you tried Dexilant ? That sleeve will give you restriction with all foods. That wont be the case with the bypass. ( at least not for me and others posting on this page) If you read through this thread there are a couple of ladies who have posted how much weight they have lost and how much harder it is . I am sure if your Dr. feels you need a revision you will lose the 30 lbs but something is telling me it will be harder to keep off if you are using the sleeves restriction to tell you when to stop eating. I am only a week in but that is what it is feeling like to me at this time. GL

Summerset thank you so much !! You hit the nail on the head on so many things. I don not feel as crappy or wore down as I did after the sleeve. I can drink just as I did the day before the revision and I asked the surgeon about that and he said it was okay just a mouthful at a time. Chobani yogurt is 5 oz and I just ate one for breakfast different brand with 15 grams of protein, no problems. It is very scary because I have no idea of what I am living with now and how this is going to work. I will say I have not gotten sick and thrown up on anything yet, but I didn't with the sleeve either so I am hopeful there, but what is this gas thing and is this something that is forever with the bypass ? Thank you for making me feel not alone, I really do appreciate it.

Dr. Matthew Weiner has a lot of informational videos on YouTube. He covers a wide range of topics, I’ve learned a lot by watching him. This first video on metabolic thermostat/set point was a lightbulb moment for me. How bariatric surgery changes your hunger, metabolism and even your tastes for certain foods. Metabolic Thermostat This one is titled: Bariatric revisions, Will they help or not? Bariatric revision As always, listen to your own Doctor

Fedz, We need to talk ASAP!! You and I almost have the same exact story!! Dr. Geiss banded me in July 2007 and I have lost 56 lbs. He implanted the 4cc band at that time. That 56 lb weight loss came with exercise, weight watchers, weight gain and loss, etc. I'm not going to give up so I decided to have a revision done in November because my band is maxxed out to 4cc. I got fill after the fill with some restriction but I never got that "sweet spot" feeling that many banders talk about. There's no room for anymore fills with my current band. We REALLY need to talk. I want to give you my phone number.

I 100% agree with you. I miss my sleeve. I was on the way to getting esophageal cancer from GERD...Btw, I still have acid problems, just not as bad....so I had to get revised to the bypass. I hate it. I can't possibly understand how less stomach let's me eat more?? Idk, I feel like I am. I've only lost 20lbs in 2+ months also. So miserable and nauseous all of the time, don't get me started on toilet stuff....ugh. HATE THIS

I am sorry, just know you are not alone. When did you have your revision ?

Hey there. I am new here and not sure about posting but I feel like I am all alone. I had surgery 10 years ago, I didn’t ever lose that much weight with it and ended up getting sick and not being able to keep up with my running which I miss more than anything. Anyway, I am 20 lbs over the weight I was before my surgery. I am always so tired and I could sleep anywhere at anytime, although the test said I didn’t have sleep apnea. My BMI is a shameful 45. I wasn’t sure who to contact so I contacted my Bariatric Doctor’s office. I am unable to go to the one that originally did my surgery. I’ve been dealing with a NP (which I really adore) that told me no to a revision, but she’s put me on phentramine and they don’t even give me energy and I never had a problem with over eating I have a problem with forgetting to eat 🙄 All of my pills I have to take now makes me sick, I feel nauseous all of the time, zero energy. I have been checked for depression (of course vitamin levels) I take those even though they make me nauseous. This dr is 3 hours a way we’ve only been able to do telemed visits. I would like another opinion but I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes and get in trouble with dr shopping or have anyone mad. I wasn’t sure if people start out with their PCP or surgeon. sorry I rambled I’m nervous and so confused! Idk where in the world to go from here. Lol thanks for listening to me.

I was banded Sept. 2010 and I am in the process of getting an RNY revision approved. I hate this band and it is time for it to come out. I had no success in losing weight and I am back up to where I was when I had surgery. I’m nervous but excited to be healthier. Good luck!

It's funny, I read this thread this morning and just got a call from the doctor saying the results of my blood test show me to be low in Vitamin D. He has prescribed a 50,000 IU tablet/capsule every week for 12 weeks. Then he will retest. Does this dose sound right? I do crave chocolate and eat it daily. I never cared much about chocolate before. Could this be because of the low D? History: Had a revision from band to sleeve in October 2008. My weight is 110, height 5' 4".

Do you happen to have a support group in your area you can attend? It's how I made the decision to go on ahead and get my band revised. (Hopefully the group you find, if you're able to, is as wonderful and supportive as the one I attend.) The people that are there have had EVERY version of WLS performed on them. I was leaning more toward going for the Roux-en-Y procedure, but after talking to others in the support group, along with my surgeon, I decided that the sleeve would be best in the long run. I wish you the best of luck!!!

GO FOR THE SLEEVE!!! I made the mistake of not listening to my surgeon. Now, three years later after dealing with TOO many complications, he will be revising me to a sleeve. If I had known what I did three years ago, the Lap Band would have been the scarier route for me to go and I would have chosen the sleeve.