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Wow. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. of course you are scared it's perfectly normal. I had revision surgery too from lapband to the sleeve. I also have my gallbladder removed and a hernia repaired the same day. And like you I get very sick from the anesthesia. I told the anesthesiologist about how badly I react and they gave me medicine through an IV and also a patch behind my ear that helped immensely. I won't lie the first couple of days were rough but by day three I was sitting out at my son's baseball game and on day 4 I was back at my desk job. I'm losing weight better and feel so much healthier than I ever did with my band because I can eat real food and I don't feel hungry all the time. It's nice not to be throwing up all the time of course 2. I just wanted to share that with you good luck in making a decision.

I had lap band surgery in October of 2012. From the beginning, it was nothing but trouble. I followed my instructions to the letter, so this was a band failure. Not a surgeon failure, not my failure. In almost a year and a half, I never hit the sweet spot. The band was either too loose, or too tight. I threw up every time I ate. I could not eat the things I was supposed to eat. No meat, no eggs, no vegetables, no fruit. Basically if it wasn't in liquid form, it came back up. Having food get stuck is unpleasant. Productive burps are unpleasant. No matter how well I chewed, everything got stuck. It got to the point where I was eating all the stuff I wasn't supposed to eat, because I couldn't get anything else to go down. I didn't lose any weight. Not an ounce, with the exception of the pre-op diet, and the couple of weeks after surgery where I survived on liquids. The final straw for me was being in the bathroom, violently vomiting, with my two small children standing outside the bathroom door, crying, because it sounded like mommy was dying. Plus, I didn't want them to think that vomiting after eating was the norm. That's not a healthy thing to teach children. My band came out in March of 2014. Best decision I made, regarding the band. I'm having revision to gastric bypass done, later this year. My surgeons are now trying to steer people away from the band, and are more focused on Sleeve and Bypass. I, personally, would not recommend the band, although I do know people who are happy with theirs. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using the BariatricPal App

So, I've had my port revision surgery and it's time for my next fill. I'm ready for it because I feel like my food cravings are getting out of control since my last fill was in September. Thankful though because I've still been losing weight. I'm ready to get back on target and my workouts have been very helpful but I want to keep the momentum going, I have a lot more I intend on losing!!

I have seen this referenced a couple of times before as a potential revision configuration, and it is distinct from a RNY conversion. With the RNY, they make a pouch with the tissue at the top of your stomach around the esophagus (whether from a normal or sleeved stomach) and join the bottom of that pouch to a limb of intestine typically 40-60cm downstream of the stomach, leaving the remainder of the stomach in place. What they are proposing in this variant is leaving the sleeved stomach intact, but making a hole in the side and joining that to a limb of intestine. So you wind up with two outlets to the stomach - one as normal through the pyloric valve at the bottom, and through the side into this "bypass loop". The sleeve has some predisposition toward GERD by virtue that the volume of the stomach is reduced much more than the acid producing potential, and in some people the body never fully adapts to that change. The second factor influencing this problem is that the sleeve is considered to be a "high pressure" system in that when the pyloric valve at the bottom closes to allow digestion, any gas produced in the stomach has no where to go other than back up (the normal stomach will stretch a lot more to accommodate this) while an RNY is a "low pressure" system in that the pyloric valve has been bypassed along with the rest of the stomach, so any gas buildup in the pouch can vent down into the intestines (part of why RNY folks can be "gassier". With this proposed configuration, any gas can be vented out this second outlet so it doesn't tend to force things back up, so there is some promise there, and since the duodenum is not entirely bypassed like on the RNY, there should be less of the nutritional deficiencies that are seen with the bypass. A couple of concerns that I would have (as a non-expert, non MD) - one is the long term prospects for the configuration. The bit of cursory research on this that I could do online indicated that one of the main uses of this procedure is to bypass blockages in the bottom of the stomach from tumors and similar that for one reason or another are inoperable (like from late stage cancers.) Given the relatively low life expectancy of such patients, are there other longer term uses for this procedure that provide experience that would give one confidence that this will work for you in the long term? The other potential problem that I see is that one of the weaknesses of the RNY is a propensity toward marginal ulcers, mostly around the anastomosis between the pouch and intestine because the part of the intestine that the pouch is now emptying into is not resistant to stomach acid like the duodenum (upper end of small intestine immediately downstream of the natural stomach), so that joint is easily irritated (this is the origin of the "no NSAID" rule for the bypass.) Now, this proposed configuration will have a similar anastomosis with similar sensitivities to acid, but with the sleeved stomach that is producing more acid than the typical RNY pouch - is this asking for trouble, or are there offsetting factors that address this issue? Always like seeing new things here, I remain cautiously curious...

Goodluck ladies!! Im one week from 6 mo and dwn 55 pounds and dwn 2 dress sizes!! I am band to sleeve, banded 2005 and revision 2014. Yesssss i noticed i am a slower wls patient than virgin sleevers and i was told i would be by the dr! I am still happy and proud of my results! I always have restriction and the first 3 mo i was not hungry ever i just ate because i had to and was on a schedule. I love my sleeve and its 110 PERCENT better than the band No COMPLICATIONS and no ISSUES with stuck food, throwing up, no problems with RESTRICTIONS and No Gerd

Hi there! You all have such great advice and insight as to who to tell and when. I had lap band several years ago and mine did not work at all. The only people who knew were my husband, my mom, and two friends. I didn't want many people to know because I didn't want them constantly "monitoring" my weight as time went on, and didn't want their assumed judgement if I should fail. Well, I did fail with the band. Or, the band failed me, depending on what research you look at. Now that I am about a month away from my revision to bypass, I feel like I'm in the same boat. My husband and mom are supportive, and I need to tell my children next. I worry about how to present this to my 16 year old daughter, who has a precarious view of her own weight right now, even though she is very thin and healthy. I think she worries that she will turn out like me. I know what that feels like, as I have spent a lot of my life worrying that I would end up like my sweet mom. She is close to 300 pounds now, and I just don't want that for my life. I need to find a positive way to present things to my daughter and focus on the HEALTH aspect instead of the outward appearance part. As for my other friends and family, I think I might wait until people start to notice my weight loss, then begin to tell people. I just don't think I could handle my (well meaning) friends always checking on me and wondering how much I have lost from the very beginning. I need to get a handle on it myself first.

I have aetna and they covered my revision, i also had hiatal hernia. I am 6 days post opp from having the duodenal switch.

The first thing my doctor said was that my BMI was at 31 and that insurance would not approve me. Then she brought up another procedure called Lynx. Some kind of magnetic bead thing that would keep the opening of your stomach closed unless things passed through. I don’t want it. I had the lapband and it’s was the worst and I feel like anything they put in your body that can be removed, it’s not going to help me. My bariatric doctor thinks I have a small hiatal hernia. They took me into radiology and made me drink the dye, but everything looked normal. In a week they are going to look down my throat to see if there is in fact a hernia. I have new insurance this year, but it’s still the same company. If I don’t have a hernia, I’m going to push for the revision or any other options. I can’t keep taking anti acids multiple times a day on top of vitamins, medications, etc.

LOL...this has been a sore subject for me for years! My DH and I have been together for 12 years and I never would tell him how much I weigh. He is a thin person and can eat anything and never gains a pound (good genes). So, I went through lapband surgery and started to lose weight, then my port flipped and I had to have revision surgery. As I was in the pre-op room waiting for to be rolled back for revision surgery, my DH was waiting with me. The anesthesologist came in and just blurted out "You weigh 275?" I was like "yeah" yeah...move on, hoping my DH didn't hear! Then after my surgery when we got home my DH said, "Does it bother you that the Dr blurted out your weight". I said no...because I had already steamed about it. Oh well...after 12 years this was the only thing he didn't know about me. Now he knows EVERYTHING!

That was my experience with the sleeve too. I never had heartburn before surgery, and it was in full force afterwards. My surgeon told me that if I still needed to take the reflux medication a year post op that I should make an appointment to see him. I was so stubborn and didn't want to have to get another surgery so I suffered through almost another year of really bad reflux. Finally 3 months ago I decided enough was enough. I had to go through some awful awful tests to give my surgeon enough info to recommend the revision surgery. I just hope after all this I can finally get some relief. Hopefully you won't still have the reflux after a year out but if you do just be prepared to possibly have to go through another surgery. This might help you down the line if you're doubting getting the surgery, I have to keep reminding myself of the bigger picture here because if I don't get the surgery to fix this then that acid will more than likely do some serious damage to my esophagus (more than it already has).

Hi, I hope you do well. I am also having a revision from sleeve to bypass. What happen with your sleeve? How long since your sleeve surgery? Sent from my SM-J727T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was self pay for band in 2001 and did well with weight loss at the beginning. Had some fills and unfills around 2009 and after that never felt right. Was too tight and did not eat well. Had imaging studies in 2011that showed esophagitis, gastritis, and a hiatal hernia. I had terrible shoulder pain and heartburn almost daily. Finally had the band emptied in 2013 but still have symptoms. Had a surgeon send in a letter in 2011 but was denied. I never got a copy of the denial. I want to try again but I have not been at a 35 bmi for two years. Anyone approved due to medical necessity for similar circumstances? Also my preferred surgeon is not at a center of excellence and I really want him to do my surgery. I have thought about self pay but am scared that if I develop complications since I have had band for 14 years that insurance will not cover the complications. Thank you for your thoughts!

I’m having revision surgery from sleeve to bypass also. I do have acid reflux. The sleeve did great for me until I became stressed and started eating the wrong things and gained back the 100 pounds I had lost. Very disappointed in myself but I’m determined this time. This is major surgery that I said I wouldn’t have but here I am. I know my triggers now. I also know what to avoid and how to deal better with the stress eating.

Completely understandable. Even 1200 kcal is not really much for a male your height. Did you weigh and track the food you eat by any chance to see how much calories you're really eating in a day? I know it's a real hassle but maybe try to track your intake for a week as accurate as possible? As for the amount of food. TBH, I can't really remember how much I was able to eat 6 months after MGB. I'm about three years out now of my revision and eating two bananas in one sitting is no problem at all. However, I don't feel hungry for a whole while after eating them.

I was just revised from the sleeve to the bypass on the 23rd and my pain is minimal. Doing my best to get fluids in. I gained 10 pounds during my hospital stay so hoping that will come off pretty fast. I haven't had any incidences of reflux so I'm super happy about that.

I am a little over 4 months out from my revision and close to goal. At first I was scared that the revision wasn't going to work because it didn't feel like I had the same restrictions as I did with the sleeve and I am able to eat things I couldn't with the sleeve> With the sleeve I felt more restriction but as I heal more I feel it more and things have been moving along great and I am pleased with my weight loss. It is slower as I am so close to goal (only about 4 more to go) and I had my revision per reflux. So happy to have the reflux and GERD cured and am having no problems whatsoever in that area. I am happy with my revision and growing to love it more every day! I still walk 30 minutes and log my food daily. I focus on maintaining water and protein levels as I notice this is what makes the scale move for me! Good luck! You are going to do great!

Happened to me after VBG I 2004. 12-03-2021 I had a revision to RNY do to complications with Gerd hernias and me closed esophagus. They did not repair hernias. I've lost 40lbs and can barely feel either hernia anymore and can eat without issues!

Hi I am new to the site and have had revision WLS (band over bypass) on the 9th January 2014. This has been my most happiest post operative experience so far (have had many surgeries) and I must say the peppermint tea that I have been drinking(recommended by a friend) has made all the difference. It's natural , almost calorie free and helps ease pain and wind..so thought I would share my experience and hopefully help others

I'm sorry it hasn't worked for you. This sounds miserable. Does your surgeon have any ideas, like a revision to sleeve?

I had gastric bypass 12 yrs ago and SERIOUSLY looking into self- pay for a revision. I'm looking for someone that can give me any advice/info on surgery in Mexico. Sent from my XT1650 using BariatricPal mobile app

On my invoice, the procedure is just called BRACHIOPLASTY. The side boob skin removal is not considered part of the arm lift/brachioplasty with my surgeon. It is part of a separate procedure invoiced as BILATERAL BREAST REDUCTION REVISION, which is basically a breast lift with auxiliary breast removal from flanks. My doc is awesome as he is charging me with a revision instead of a first time breast lift (which really is what I am getting but is about 5K less expensive) as I had a breast reduction several years ago, and he is already going to be there doing the arm lift anyway. With that said however, I did speak to another surgeon (who I didn't end up going with) who combined the arm lift and auxiliary breast removal (without breast lift) and he called it BILATERAL ARM LIFT WITH CHEST WALL EXTENSION. He wanted to do it as one continuous incision. Edited to add: Neither my surgeon nor the other fella I mentioned above post patient photos on their websites (I had to go in for appointments to look at their patient results books)

I have BC/BS Federal Texas I was denied twice being told that I was having revision surgery I would have to have no weightloss for two eyars and my BMI I was told was too low they said I was 35 well I have a BMI of 37 now and my weight nop matter what I do keeps increasing. My Dr.s Coordinator sent on all the information and I was given the letters to read during one of my visits and well it dd nto state any of the actual reason and problems that I actually ahd or was having. I feel no one seemed to care about me or my case any longer. I am now amost 4 years pot surgery. I vomit so hard and often each day that I ahve to sit on my toilet holding a buncket becuase I now lose control of my urine and well my poop (sorry) I just sob becuase I know this is not right but what can I do about it. I ahve bad heartburn, GERD well it is back, my esophagus when i swallow my food just hurts to where you don't want to eat. My diabetes has come back, my HBP has never went away and now I have high cholesterol. I feel a huge loss here and mis understanding with my Dr. that did my surgery. The last time I was in his office I was discussing this with him and well he could not get out of here fast enough for it seemed. I just want my insurance company to see that all my problems are for real and that no one is supposed to live their life as I have had too.

Just found out today that my band has slipped for the second time. In one week, a decision will be made as to what to do. Revision, gastric bypass after band removal or sleeve after band removal. Not sure what the revision entails yet. Not happy to have come this far (more than 3 years) to have this happen. In fact, I am pretty heart broken right now. Any advice anyone?

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!

Argh! LBT ate my post again! Anyway, Shalee and Manatee, I see many people posting that they are having a revision to their PS. Is this covered in the original costs paid or do you have to pay again?