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I had the revision on July 10th for the same reasons. High weight before sleeve in July 2014 was 300, lowest after sleeve was 210 and then I regained 40+ and couldn’t get it off. Was 250 when revision was done, weight loss has been kinda slow but they said it would be. Stalled at week three for over three weeks but scale is finally moving again. Down 23 pounds so far. Best thing is my restriction is great, can’t even finish a quarter cup of protein most of the time. I’m glad I had it done, wish I would have gone with the bypass to begin with. Good luck to you.

Revision 8/14. Apparently my body was allergic to my lapband because I always had so much gunk in my throat and nose I could barely eat and when I did it came right back out. I’m 2 weeks post-op and I haven’t had sinus issues AT ALL..... until the Texas wind blew in and now I am throwing everything up. UGH!!!! And this is the week I could finally move to purée foods DANG IT!!

I had surgery on 7/12 for sleeve and then a revision on 7/15 to bypass due to scar tissue and blockage of my esophagus. Down 31 lbs so far and hit that stall for 2 weeks where nothing budged. It was about 2 weeks in and right at that time of the month so I hope it doesn't happen like that every month. I noticed when I write down what I eat, it makes me focus on eating more. If I only eat 5 bites each time I feel full then I lose weight (without writing it all down). I also haven't been eating any carbs without eating more protein grams than the carbs so that seems to be working.

Separ, I am trying to make the same decision myself and have been researching the heck of this subject. It doesn't help that the medical community is split on this subject--just like many of us. There are some facts about both procedures that are not in dispute. First, if you have Type 2 Diabetes, there are multiple studies that show that bypass has substantially greater likelihood of resolving diabetes when compared to other surgical options. Researchers don't know exactly what mechanism is triggered by bypass that makes so much more effective--but the result is clear (particularly for people with mild to moderate T2DM who have had the disease for 8 years or less). Gastric Sleeve is also beneficial for those with T2DM, but not to the same degree. Second, if you have acid reflux (all the time, not just after a crazy night of Mexican or Indian food), sleeve is probably not the way to go. It can make reflux worse and it can cause reflux in people that didn't have it before the surgery. The reflux can be control with proton pump inhibitors (pepcid ac etc.), but it's not great to be on those long term. In the alternative, bypass is used as a treatment to reduce reflux for people that suffer from it. Third, gastric sleeve is a less invasive procedure (although it is still major surgery), but the complication rate between the two procedures are pretty comparable. There are some small statistical differences that favor the sleeve, but those numbers don't really have much real world significance. Some of the historical data for bypass is skewed because the surgery was done as an open procedure in many cases before 2011. It's almost exclusively done laparoscopically today--which reduced the complication rate so it's pretty much the same as the sleeve. Fourth, the prep and recovery from both procedures is the same, so that shouldn't be a factor in your decision. Fifth, many people that have bypass experience dumping syndrome, which makes it difficult to process simple carbohydrates and greasy/fatty fried foods. If you have a carb addiction, this will stop you from eating those carbs--and it will punish you. There's a funny story about Al Roker (who had gastric bypass) having explosive diarrhea while he was visiting the White House years ago (worth a google). You can have some food intolerance after sleeve, but it's not the same by any means. Sixth, gastric bypass has a malabsorption component, which requires more supplementation than is required for the sleeve. There are some long term studies which show that after several years, your body adjusts and the malabsorption component is less of an issue (and less of a benefit). The jury is still out on this. Seventh, there is a dearth of long term studies on sleeve, so we don't know how effective it will be 10 years post op and what long term issues might arise. Bypass has been around for a lot longer, so we do know that it is generally very effective for the long term. We do know that sleeve and bypass have reasonably comparable weight loss results at the 3 and 5 year mark, although people tend to lose about 5-10% more with the bypass and they lose it faster (which may or may not be a good thing). Eight, gastric sleeve can be revised and converted to a bypass or a duodenal switch if you fail to lose sufficient weight or have difficulty controlling diabetes or reflux. The benefits of revision are limited when compared to your first surgery (at least as far as weight loss is concerned). The options for revising gastric bypass are more limited. That said, many bariatric surgeons believe that you should go with what they consider the more effective and proven surgery out of the box and that shouldn't go into your primary surgery thinking that if doesn't work out you can just switch it up later on. Moreover, there is a higher complication rate with revisions, revisions are less effective than primary procedures and some insurance carriers have more challenging criteria for qualifying for revisions than primary surgeries. Ninth, for people that: (i) extremely high BMI's (over 70); (ii) are older (over 65); (iii) have pulmonary or heart issues; and (iv) have had significant abdominal surgery in the past, gastric sleeve may be preferable. It takes less time to perform; therefore, you are under anesthesia for shorter period of time. It also doesn't require any rearrangement of the intestines/digestive track. Tenth, if you need to take time released medicine or NSAID's for pain management, gastric bypass may not be the way to go. You can develop ulcers in the unused portion of your stomach and they are not easy to treat. This is definitely a disadvantage of the bypass IMO. I am sure there are some other factors to consider, but these are some of the big ones that strike me as important. I have to make the same decision as you. I am a 44 year old man, 5'9'' and I weighed ~260 at my highest weight (around 245 now). I have mild-moderate T2DM, but a relatively low BMI (just over 35). I am leaning towards bypass because I really want this procedure to resolve my T2DM and I want what I hope will be the most effective. I will have to change some of my medications in the future if I go this route. The surgeon that I am currently working with is a big advocate for the sleeve. I have an appointment to meet with another surgeon in a couple of weeks for a second opinion--so I have definitely not made up my mind yet (and I was also told that I can change my mind last minute--although I assume that means a few days before the surgery date). Anyway, good luck with your choice and ask as many questions as you want!

North Fort Worth/Haslet/Alliance Corridor area here! Band to Sleeve revision on 5/17/18. Just had my 3 month surgeon visit today.

Had my first soft food today and had a potato pierogi. I could only finish one but I felt like I ate 5. Wow, I’m super excited about how fast I will be full. I’m a band to sleeve revision so I don’t feel as frustrated with not being able to eat more (because I was starving). I did feel that way the first time I went through this process. But the more you feel satisfied with what you do eat vs what you weren’t able to eat, that’s when you star to change the mind. I used to think ‘OMG, I can’t wait until we go out to dinner so I can eat that WHOLE plate of carne asada, with an enchilada an the side. Now I just can’t wait to taste a couple bites of meat and know I’ll be just as satisfied and full. So happy to have this tool!

Good luck with your upcoming gastric bypass!! I hope you’re working on resolving any emotional eating issues as the new surgery won’t prevent you from eating poorly or overeating. It is also common to lose less weight with a revision versus an original surgery. But if you follow recommendations to eat dense protein first then non-starchy vegetables, and to avoid sugar, processed food, simple carbs, alcohol, and liquid calories, you should be successful. This new way of eating needs to be a long term lifestyle change, and not just until you reach your goal weight. You can do this!

Anyone had the sleeve and getting a revision due to having no restriction and weight gain? I was Sleeved April 2015 and only lost 60lbs. I’m scheduled for revision on Sept. 4th. I lost my restriction with my sleeve 6 months out and could eat regularly. I don’t have GERD issues. I’m nervous for my bypass because I keep seeing soooo many stories of people not losing enough weight or really slow. My highest weight with the sleeve was 330 in 2015. I’m currently 320. Anyone loss 100+ lbs after revision?

Hi the preacher, please put me on your prayer list for my band to bypass revision on September 18. I’m embarrassed to say that I’m really scared. People ask me why I’m afraid if I believe God is with me and I can’t answer that. I know God loves me and has a plan for my life but does that mean nothing can go wrong? What am I missing?

And people, if your mind is set on Mexico as your surgical destination, please consider Bariatric Pal MX. Our founder, Alex Brechler trusted them brought to have his revision done there last March. Could have had his choice of all the world's hospitals, clinics and surgery centers and he still chose there. Pretty good recommendation from where I sit!😝👍😎

This is when it really hits home. You are going through food withdrawals. I just had a revision from band to sleeve and I’m 14 days post and feeling the same thing, just not as intense as the first time around. Just don’t push it, please. Let the internal incision heal. I also just had my 2 week dr visit today and 6 more days until mushy to semi solids. You can do this. You’ll make it through and look back and be glad you did. Protein helps keep you full. I hate shakes and put unflavored GenePro in my broth. It’s a little scoop that has 30 grams and it really keeps you from feeling hungry. I hope this helps!

I know I have survived the first day with no cheating but I have definitely thought about it and justified in my head why I would have been OK...lol. My surgery is 730 on 9/10. I am having a revision from sleeve to bypass, hiatal hernia repair and my gallbladder removed. Sent from my VS996 using BariatricPal mobile app

YAY! I found you on IG! Following! XOXO UGH!!!!!!! Bless you ... All of the above sounds so real and ditto for me as well. Just tired of being sick and tired! Please keep me posted and let me know how you do with the sleeve revision. Did your Dr. suggest sleeve over By-pass?

First off, congrats on taking this giant step toward improving your health! I wish you the best in your journey. This is a fabulous and supportive community who will help you. Hopefully I can give you some important guidance. Your statement about bariatric surgery being excluded on the one hand, but you having the chance to establish "medical necessity" on the other hand really are somewhat contradictory so be very, very sure you have the coverage you think you have. It's awful when folks go through the full process only to find out at the end they did not have coverage in the first place. Have you actually obtained a copy of your Florida Blue coverage certificate (Sometimes called a Summary Plan Description)? Remember you need to look at the full booklet, not just the Summary of Benefits and Coverage that's usually only a few pages long. If the exclusion includes words like "unless medically necessary" or similar, you should be OK. But you REALLY NEED to confirm coverage for your surgery exists - don't take the word of the "customer service" morons who answer their phones at Florida Blue. They aren't interested in customers, nor do they provide much service. I've attached their Medical Policy which was just revised in July. I'm also attaching their Medical Necessity checklist. Hope they help. Last quick thought: don't rely on your PCP writing a letter by itself. Be sure to have medical records which establish your OSA diagnosis and start gathering your proof of non-surgical weight loss efforts because no doubt you'll need those sooner rather than later. Good luck! Bariatric Surgery CMN.doc mcg.pdf

At least it doesn't seem to be that you just go out and have a revision like you can have an appendectomy when a surgeon says it's necessary.

UGH!!!!!!! Bless you ... All of the above sounds so real and ditto for me as well. Just tired of being sick and tired! Please keep me posted and let me know how you do with the sleeve revision. Did your Dr. suggest sleeve over By-pass?

Why should they? They simply refuse to pay the revision. Seems like quite a few insurance companies don't pay for revisions just like that.

I think the most telling proof for the low percentage of revisions is insurance. If there were a significant number of revisions, insurance companies would drop the sleeve like a hot potato and just require RNY to begin with. They don't.

I started a new job Dec of 2017. My last successful fill was Oct 2017 but my issues started in April of 2018 that lead to the revision. My revision was on Aug 13 and I e been out for 2 weeks. It’s only for one week, but my pay is critical for me to live! The denial on my claim states that the Oct. visit was for my “Condition”. WTF?

I think it’s best to look at studies that include random samples for a better picture, like the article posted above that shows only 2.5% of sleeves being revised. Not saying that they are extremes but they are by definition self selected as posters and not a cross section.

I wanted the RNY from the beginning but was told that it was irreversible and the band was. I chose the band which was a big mistake. When I had the revision to remove the band I once again wanted the RNY. Again I was told the sleeve was effective with less complications. A year later I was suffering from bile reflux and ultimately ended up getting the RNY which I originally wanted 9 years ago.

Hi, I am 11 years out with my band and I recently dealt with this issue. In January I was suffering with stomach pains right under my band and was having a lot of stuck issues with even mushy foods so I went in to get some tests because I thought I had to get rid of my band. Well it turns out that i had a small hernia and a dilated esophagus. The none surgical fix was to empty my band. My band was empty for 7 months. In the mean time I did gain back 28 lbs but most of that was due to not being able to be physical (I had surgery a month later and had an ovary removed.)and snacking all day from boredom. I had another swallow test on July 30th and everything is back to normal so I got my first fill that day. Did your doctor say how long to be on liquids? Mine actually told me that I had a choice empty my band and allow my body to heal or consider a revision. I chose time to heal. My I chose my band over everything else because it was the least invasive and not a final decision. So I am back at it again. Slowly getting fills chewing until my jaw hurts and counting my protein intake. Maybe getting a timeline for your reset may help. I know my pains did not stop for about 3 months. It took a long time for the swelling to go down and no time at all for all my bad food habits to come back. When you eat do you feel your esophagus move in like a wave motion? I had that going on. When I had my swallow test the radiologist said he never seen this happen before. I was so scared thinking I messed myself up and was going to loose my band. But in the end I just needed time to heal.

And I'll be praying for you both, I am a RuN on September 5th, 1st time so not a revsion but I'm a good friend to have and I'm 72. Our Bari-pal Ellie 123 just had a revision on August 22, she's 40 and doing real well. And I believe you both will also heal fine. So smile Gals we are on our way to better things!😛

Midwest Girl, I'll pray for you. I had band revision on 8/6, it went very well and I'm doing great🙏🙏🙏