Search the Community

I had my surgery on March 22; I've lost 102 pounds. My starting weight at home was 308.6 and my weight this morning was 206.4. However, my rheumatologist has my highest weight at 314.8, so according to him, I've lost 108 pounds. Whatever the loss, it's great. I still see a heavy person when I look in the mirror, but my clothes were a 4x and now I can wear a large. I had the sleeve and I've had terrible reflux. So bad, I have inhaled it into my lungs while I sleep several times. My doctor wants to do a revision after the holidays. 😒

Had my consult with a sleeve surgeon and was told that I'm unlikely a candidate for the sleeve. I was so disappointed, I started crying right there in front of the doctor. He said there is a 5% chance someone who has NEVER had reflux will develop it after the sleeve. There is a 10% chance people with reflux that have no symptoms will develop reflux symptoms. Of course I HAVE symptoms, which increases the chance of getting reflux that cannot be controlled with drugs - I have been on an on/off regimen of Omeprazole and Pepcid for several years. He said getting the gastric bypass would completely cure the reflux and I could lose weight, so in essence - "kill 2 birds with one stone". I told him I couldn't wrap my head around bypass at this time. He agreed to re-visit the possibility of getting the sleeve after getting pathology from an endoscopy... Anyone been in my situation and went ahead with Sleeve surgery? PS - The doctor also said he had 2 patients just like me who insisted on getting the sleeve and he revised them to bypass 2 years later (they were already skinny for bypass surgery!) to cure the reflux because it had gotten so bad and could not be controlled with meds. Please reply, thanks!

Anyone out there who carries the slightest belief that weight loss surgery (of any type) is the "easy" way out should have to read your story. I'm a RNY and so have no experience with the band so I can't offer you any more then my sincerest wish that you are able to get a revision some day. My heart truly goes out for you.

HI, Dr Aceves did my band to sleeve revision about 7 weeks ago. I was self pay for both the band (done in the US) and the revision. Never in a million years did I ever think I would go to Mexico but after researching revisions and how many the surgeons did I went with him. Obviously it was also 50% + or - of what most surgeons wanted in the US. There is also a Dr. that I wanted to use in San Francisco but ended up going with Dr Aceves after talking with several of his band to sleeve revisions. I don't know anything about any of the other doctors in Mexico and would suggest that you find out how many revisions the surgeon has actually done. I would also not shop for a doctor in Mexico based on price. Mexicali is much different that TJ or Juarez but have read that several who have had the sleeve are also happy their surgeons in those areas but don't know if they had revisions. There also is a lot of good doctors in the US I am sure. I read a post earlier from someone complaining about those who talk about how great the Mexico surgeon is/was and was actually questioning if the posts were actually "true". Sure wish she lived in my shoes maybe she wouldn't be so judgmental. We actually pay A LOT of money every month for our health insurance and WLS is not covered. In any case good luck and my advise would be to do it as soon as possible so that you don't continue to gain weight.

August 22, 2006..I remember that day like it was yesterday. I arrived at the hospital so happy so excited so full of joy and ready to prove my doctor WRONG. You see my pre-op weight was 416lbs and the surgeon wanted me to undergo a gastric bypass or a duodenal switch (which I don't think they do anymore) because my BMI was so high. But at that time I was only 20 years old no serious medical issues and my mother didn't want me to have either of those surgeries so lapband it was. Moreover, my bariatric doctor made it very clear that I wasn't going to lose any weight and in two years I'd be back for a gastric bypass. Fast forward a few years and I was making tremendous progress. I'll never forget when I walked into Dr. Prachand's office in August 2008 for my two year post-op appt and I was down 138 lbs. And he looked at me with a smile and said "well Liqui you proved me wrong" that was the best feeling I ever felt. I was on a mission..I had a point to prove. Needless to say a few years went by and the weight slowly stop coming off...I was getting discouraged...I was losing my motivation and I had to switch doctors (I started a job and my health insurance changed). In 2011, I started seeing a new bariatric doctor (who I'm stilling seeing today) and it was like starting all over again at the time I had gained some weight back and I was about 310. At my first appointment with Dr. Mihil he told me to tell him my journey to this point...although he had my huge file in front of him. I told him my story anyway and he said "so let's start campaign prove Dr. Prachand wrong again." I laughed through my tears of disappointment and agreed. He proceed to say "I don't know Prachand personally but I want you to succeed because he wrote everywhere in your file. Placed band despite better judgement." When I tell you that doctor was AGAINST the band he was AGAINST the band and if I'm not mistaken he doesn't place them anymore at all. Moreover, my motivation started to come back I was checking in regular with the new doctor, losing weight, then BAM in 2013 I found out I was pregnant with TWINS. I was sooooo happy and excited yet sad because I knew I was going to gain weight. Well needless to say I gained more weight than I and the doctor expected. During my pregnancy I gained 73lbs I was mortified. I delivered my twins 4weeks early so I can't imagine how much more weight I would've gained if I carried them full term lol. My babies were born completely healthy but I was left with almost 60lbs of weight to loss. I avoided the bariatric doctor for two years...I kept saying "I wanna loss the weight before I go see him." I hadn't seen him since I was 4 months pregnant and he removed all my Fluid from my band. Then one day a few months ago I realized that I wasn't going to lose the weight on my own (which is why I needed weight loss surgery in the first place). And I finally made in appointment to go see him. I felt like a dead man walking.. I weighed in at 359. Which I was okay with considering I was 374lbs post babies. So I had lost weight but I still wasn't where I started. I was sitting in the room so nervous I thought the doctor was going to chew me out for waiting two years to see him and gaining so much weigh. He came in the room, gave me a hug and asked to see the babies. I just started to cry. I felt like I let him down. But he reminded me that "you're doing this for YOU and now those babies not me." That visit was such a breath of fresh air until he tried to give me a fill and to our surprise my port has flipped around. We played around with it for a while but no luck he couldn't get the fluid in. Another doctor came in and tried to give me a fill as well... No luck So I left that day with no fill but gained my sense of hope back. I have an appointment in the 26th of this month. And we're going to try it again or discuss possibly going in for a revision surgery which I really don't want. But I know something has to be done because right now I have no fluid in my band and feel no restrictions. I know everyone feels differently about the band and although weight wise I'm not were I want to be I'm still pretty happy with it because I haven't had as many complications like I hear about from the other WLS. And when I have fluid in my band it works of course with exercise and eating right. Moreover, I just really hope at my next appointment they can find the top of my port and give me a fill. Has anyone had a lap band revision surgery? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

First, there is a specific Mexico/Self Pay forum here that might get more or better answers. I can't speak specifically for any of the MX practices, though my wife was self pay here in the states, Most follow up care is done by your PCP including routine labs, and those are generally covered by insurance. From what I have seen, most US bariatric practices aren't keen on doing follow up for other doctors (partly not wanting to support the competition, partly not wanting to get involved in someone else's surgery and potential problems) though longer term if revisions are needed, they are more than willing..... I would expect that the better practices would offer some kind of remote follow up (phone/fax/email/skype, etc.) for some time, but don't know for sure on that. The practice that we used here in the states was set up for travelling patients, so that is routine for them to do the periodic post-op follow ups as well as the annuals. One can also often join the support group for local surgeons to get that kind of support - many welcome patients from other practices - and that may also be a way in to see them if there are any problems that need attention (ask questions at the group meeting - I'm having this or that problem - and that may interest them enough to invite you to make an appointment, whereas they may refuse if you just call the office cold.

Sorrynametaken, I could have written your post. My story is exactly the same. Mine is also 10 years old, and even with no fill in it I'm struggling to get food down. The barium swallow doesn't show any problems with dilation or slippage, but I still slime and vomit every other meal. I thought it was going to last a lifetime but it's so stressful being hungry but dreading that next meal, and my surgeon thinks the stoma will eventually totally close off so even water can't pass, so I'm having it removed with a revision to a RNY. I know I'll never eat an average size meal again but I'm OK with that as long as I can do so without dread!

From what I understand there are 2 main reasons. 1. If you have a large amount of weight to loose, they will start with the sleeve and when you max out the potential weight loose they can do a revision to bypass and you kind of "start over" and loose a lot more weight than if you just had the sleeve. 2. Acid reflux/GERD. Apparently it is VERY common to end up with it from the sleeve surgery and sometimes it becomes unmanageable which in turn can cause serious damage so they so a revision to bypass to stop the GERD. I am only speaking from, what I have read and what my surgeon explained to me. I have SEVERE GERD so the sleeve was not even an option for me. I am on 2 medications already, and eat tums constantly and have damage to my esophagus already. I need it resolved before I end up with major problems.

I made a HUGE mistake telling co-workers about my surgery. I kind of had to because my doctor requires three weeks off for a revision in most cases. I am just a little sick of thin people telling me that I can just lose weight with exercise and diet. Ummm....no. I was working out at one point EVERY DAY taking spinning class, yoga, etc. and hit a plateau. I have had weight problems since I was young, too. I just tell them now that I am having my lapband taken out and that is it. I don't mention the sleeve and refuse to talk about it. It's just not worth the frustration!

I am on June 12th and very excited I am a band to sleeve revision

I have to admit I have seen many people mention it on here but had never tried it till today. I failed with the sleeve and I’m trying other things before I go the revision route. The NP said to try tea, especially when I know it hasn’t been long since I have eaten and surprisingly I think it worked.

Hi there. . . Yes, you can switch to Prime when he deploys. You will not be covered for the sleeve with Standard unless you find an MTF to take you with Standard which is a rare, rare, almost never happens find. Here's the catch, since VSG is NOT a covered procedure, anything you have done upon his return and you go back to Standard MIGHT not be covered by Tricare. Now a way around this is to have your PCM pull annual labs for you, but NOT mention it is follow up care for VSG on the coding. There is minimum follow up after the first few weeks. For example, many patients go abroad for surgery, come home after 48-72 hours, and only have labs performed annually by their PCM, and they are doing fine. My MTF requires follow ups every 6 months for the first 3 years. But, we do have free access to psychs and nutritionists if needed. I recommend that your PCM communicate with whichever surgeon you get to perform your surgery. I'm up in the NW Florida Panhandle by Pensacola. Eglin AFB is where I had my band to sleeve revision performed. MTF Locator. http://www.tricare.mil/mtf/ Tricare won't cover the sleeve outside of MTF or VA hospitals. So don't waste your time trying to jump hoops for that surgeon. It won't work. I've fought for myself ( and with friends) in every Tricare area, Tricare South, West and North. One friend went congressional and still got denied through a civilian after getting pre-approval and everything. You'll have to put in some footwork to find an MTF that will take you on as a patient for the sleeve. But, I will say that you should not settle for just any surgery. The band really does suck especially if you can't get fills/unfills easily. I've been there done that, and had all the lovely band issues that come with it. Certain plans with Medicare are starting to cover the sleeve, Tricare might be following suit, but I've been hearing that trash since January 2009. But, Medicare wasn't covering the sleeve at all, now they are on some of the plans. So, fingers, toes, every part crossed Tricare pulls their head out, and will start covering it. If you need help, please feel free to contact me. I've been through the trenches with Tricare on this issue. I know how the process works as most MTFs follow a similar program. I'm more than happy to help.

Tomorrow will be one week out. I a doing 1 week clear, 1 week full fluids, 1 week puree, then soft... My concern is I have been sipping sipping sipping. Today I got a medium wawa chicken noodle. They just gave me broth. I ate the whole thing in like 10-15 minutes. I measured it to be around 8-9 oz. Should that have gone in so easily? I didnt feel like I was overful or anything. No issues at all. Does Fluid just go in easy after a week? I guess im concerned with the amount. Seems too much to me but again...no discomfort at all. At 5:30 I had 6 oz of broth and 2 popsickles that are 20z each then 4 oz of protien drink. I did feel full but no discomfortAll within an hour? Do I just have a bigger stomach or do fluids go right through? Tanks! OH BTW!! HI!!! LOL. Been reading, I had a band to sleeve revision. Had band in July 2008 and lost 115 pounds roughly. Went from 350 to 235. Gained and lost a bit here and there with band the last year amd was hovering around 245-250. Decided to get sleeve. Lots of reasons....hated band. February 2011 band came off but because of scar tissue was not sleeved. Sleeved last Thursday at 260lbs. Down to 250.

August 29th for part 2 of my band to sleeve revision!

Big debate on if you can stretch your sleeve. Very few people need a revision..Enough said. A couple gulps and you feel uncomfortable. To me, it sounds like you are feeling the restriction from your surgery. I distance run. I can't chug or gulp water at the aid/refueling stations on the route. I feel the same sensation you are describing. Stop gulping and chugging water. Start sipping.

I was very scared about dying myself! That was probably my only concern lol Mind you I had 2 operations, I had the lap band and then my revision to the gastric sleeve so I had double the "panic/scare". But at the end of the day, I looked around and saw that everybody else came out alive and did very well. And I also knew the risks were very low for someone like me. I prayed and I believed that I would be alright. Sometimes you have to let go and believe with all your heart that you will be alright, and not only that, you will be very successful with your tool. Because alot of people do forget to realize that this is just a "tool". So pray not only to have a sucessful surgury day, but also to lose weight and keep it off! Everything else (your fears) will only be major distractions and are geared to throw u off track, stay focused

I did the same thing in 2009 with the lapband. I'd read a few things on the internet, made an appt with a dr and within 2 weeks I had completed my nutritionist and psych appts and was in surgery. Had no idea what I was getting myself into. Not sure why my insurance didn't require at least a time of consideration, but they moved quickly. While I loved my band - until I didn't and I lost most of my excess weight with it, it finally ahd enuf of my destruction to it. I couldn't figure out how to eat slowly, making me vomit frequently. Causing a slip. When I was facing a revision, I did alot of research on the RNY and the sleeve. I had gained 30 lbs in the year my band was unfilled after the slip so all I had to lose was 40 lbs (bmi was 28 at 174 lbs). I felt the RNY was a bit drastic for my purposes. But I knew if I just had the band removed without a revision, I would be back up to 250 soon. So while I did virtually NO research on my first wls, I did tons of research for my sleeve. WHile I'm 13 months out I still have 15 lbs to goal. It's going very slowly now, very slowly. The first 100 lbs is easy peasy compared with the last 15. But do I regret surgery? Never. Not the lapband or the sleeve. Comparing the 2 would be another whole post so I won't bore anyone with those details. Do ur research tho. U can't back pedal afterwards... Good luck!

Oh the lapband, the first year was great. I was mostly compliant and lost 65 lbs. Then, in one weekend, I thought I was going to die. Turns out I had a slippage with 2 little pouches. So I went in for a revision. I tried my best to hold onto that band. I didn't want to gain the weight back. You know the deal, vomiting all the time, but worst than that, trapped gas. So after another year of all that, it had to come out. Now, 3 yrs later, I'm heavier than ever at 343. In this year I have been down to 313 and back up to this weight. I can drop and gain the same 7/lbs over and over. Water weight. So now I want to thoroughly investigate the sleeve. My concerns are #1: excessive Scar tissue as that was to blame for band removal, #2 do you get trapped gas with sleeve, heck I still have it, and #3: I have Dercum's Disease. Does anyone else have Dercum's and WLS? So can some of you help me make a decision? I'm not doing good on my own. I have severe osteoarthritis and this weight is dragging me down. I thought I had done my investigating with the band but no, I didn't do enough. Really, mostly concerned about Scar tissue... Please give me your thoughts.

My Dr. told me that It would be a little higher risk to do both at the same time, but it would also cost less to do it at the same time. I had my band removed 2.5 years ago and my comorbidities are now worse especially my B/S. I'm going through the process over again and will now meet with my surgeon again in 4 weeks for sleeve surgery. I don't weigh a whole lot at this time, but need to do this for health reasons. I hope you get to the right place with your revision and things get better for you very quickly....

I was banded in 2013 and it slipped. Most like due to the fact that I continued bad habits like bread, rice and other junk. I had the band removed and revised to a sleeve on jan 23rd. I feel great. 1st week was the worst. Pain from where the port was. My surgeon was excellent. He said there was a lot of scar tissue but he was able to it. Weight loss is slower due to this being my second surgery but loss is a loss and I will take it. Not screwing up this time. Good luck!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

O-town. My dr is making me do all the requirements as if it was the primary surgery. How do I avoid this? Should I call Aetna? Get a different dr? I need revision due to GERD.

That's all you had to do prior to your revision??

I am only 5 pounds overweight now but may need a revision to bypass for GERD

I’m scheduled for bypass in a week. It’s a revision from a sleeve. I’m having bile reflux and that’s the primary reason I’m doing the surgery. I’ve had some pretty mixed feelings about it, but logically it is the best choice.

There are a number of threads, including mine, about having RNY for GERD in the Revision forum.