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If they ignore you and put you off now, they won’t be there for you post op if you have a complication. . I made every excuse for my surgeons failure to return my phone calls or the fact that he was never there and I never could discuss my pain and swallowing issues cause the nurse said I had to talk to him and she couldn’t do anything. It wasn’t until my other dr was angry I was being ignored that I realized how inappropriate it was. And all the very serious complications he didn’t care about have caused damage to my esophagus and sleeve. I now have attempted a revision from sleeve to bypass once which couldn’t be done due to damage at top of my sleeve caused by GERD. so I was referred to a third surgeon to attempt a revision again. I suggest you make it clear that you need to be a priority or find another surgeon who will make you one. I immediately realized how awful the first surgeons office was after getting many additional opinions and no other office treated me like that. Make sure you are confident and comfortable with the person you are letting put a knife to you.

Hi all - I'd love to hear your experience with spicy foods post sleeve. I've read that merely by the stomach being smaller, spicy foods will always cause heartburn. True for you? Full disclosure: I'm banded now, going in for revision 12/18, LOVE spicy food. Thanks!

I was sleeved in 2015 my surgeon wants to convert to bypass because of severe GERD and hiatal hernia. I have Aetna and yes I know they'll cover revision. However was wondering if anyone with Aetna have a sleeve to bypass revision? If so how long did approval take and we're you required to do the 3 or 6 month program for nutrition?

I know it has been quite some time. However I'm going in for revision if sleeve to bypass and also have Aetna. Did they require you to redo the 3mth or 6mth program? Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks

I don't know how they managed it, but the amazing insurance negotiator at my bariatric surgeon's office submitted my case for bat wings, man boobs, thigh lift, and pannulectomy (tummy flap). It was all approved on the first attempt, even though my insurance plan specifically excludes skin removal surgery resulting from massive weight loss. So, for those of you who want things cleaned up and can't afford it, get a pro to submit your case and see where it goes. You might get lucky! If you're curious: For surgery #1, I paid out of pocket for a part of my tummy tuck instead of the approved pannulectomy, along with my arms & chest which were covered. I had incisions from each elbow down my armpit and across my chest, and 180 degrees around my waist. For surgery #2, I paid out of pocket for some lipo on my chest and scar revision on my waist to make things more symmetrical while I was under for my thigh lift. I had incisions from each ankle up the inside of my thigh then curving out to meet my waist line.

Thank you for asking Melesg. You and everyone on this forum have been amazingly supportive. Well here is how my consultation today went—- I got there about 15 minutes before my appointment time and filled out some forms, very few because most I had filled out online which were more specific and asked about my medical conditions and medications etc. I was called back shortly after to consult with Dr. Sadek. I had a list prepared of questions to ask and here they are with his responses: 1- How many esg procedures have you performed? (I added that I knew it was a very new procedure so I wanted to know his experience) He told me about 40 and that he and Dr. Sharaiha were the only doctors in the northeast that do this. 2- Has any of your patients needed a revision and why? His answer was extremely interesting to me. He told me that only one patient needed a revision and the reason was that he, Dr. Sadek, needed to change his technique. He told me that initially he would suture the fundus of the stomach (I think that is what he called it) in a straight stitch but he found that doing that allowed for a greater possibility for the stomach to stretch because the sutures were not holding well this way. He now sews it up on a diagnol to ensure the best hold of the stomach. He believes this is the reason that some may need revisions to this procedure or why some sutures come undone. He also said scar tissue is good to form around the suture because it holds it well in place and increases the strength. 🤷‍♀️ 3- What happens to the actual stitches or sutures in your stomach? Do they dissolve or stay? He said the sutures are permanent and are not meant to dissolve or be removed. They are supposed to hold your stomach indefinitely. 4- So why then is it possible to gain back some weight? The sutures hold the lower part of the stomach so the upper part can stretch over time if one eats the wrong foods. 5- Any long term data further than 2 years? He said even though it has been performed in other countries for longer than 2 years ago, there is not a big enough group study to give us accurate info for more than 2 years. 6- is this procedure reversible? He explained that the sutures should stay in place but if the procedure does not yield enough weight loss or there is regain you can then go in laparoscopicly and cut the sutures and remove them and then proceed to a laparoscopic gastric sleeve. You can also after years if needed convert it to a laparoscopic gastric plication which is the same as the esg but done with incisions. I was told that the procedure would probably take one hour- one hour and a half to perform and he believes that if he starts at around 7:30 that by 10:30-11 I would be going home. He told me I didn’t need any clearances or blood work because I had no comorbidities. The only medicine I am taking is phentermine which he agreed because I was taking it for so long is no longer effective at all. He gave me a pamphlet with my preop diet of liquid only for one week prior or at the very least 3-4 days prior. Nothing after midnight the night before and nothing the day of. Post op diet is clear liquid for 3-4 days then liquid for two weeks. Then another two weeks of purée. Then one month post op is smaller portions but I will be into see him one week post op to go over that in more detail. He believes I should lose between 25-40% of my excess weight which he estimated should be 30-40 pounds. (I can only hope🙏) Finally, I booked a procedure date for FEBRUARY 6, 2018 I’m on my way guys!!😬😬

My lapband was removed in April and I am getting the gastric bypass on 12/21. I ended up with reflux and a small hernia from the band. I feel better since the removal, but I do not want to risk more issues by getting the sleeve. My bmi is around 39 now, but it was above 40 when I started the process. I am happy with my choice to get revision surgery. I'm getting closer to the date and I have a few nerves like everyone else. I think I would regret backing out at this point in the future, so I'm going to go forward to improve my overall health. Good luck with making your final choice.

So I am starting to get really nervous about this procedure. I am a prior WLS patient. Having a revision from the gastric band, but I had the band removed almost 3 years ago. I am so freaked out I am making poor food choices. I need some support!

I'm going through this exact thing after my revision to a sleeve. The lapband caused so much scar tissue that it's created strictures that won't even allow the barium to pass through for the upper GI they attempted.. I'm being referred to a surgeon.. unsure of what they will want to do. I feel scared and worried

Sleeve to DS (revision) in 1wk, any pointers? Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Well, going to Mexico means completely avoiding any kind of tests to make sure you're a good candidate, so.......... But I also disagree. But sure, we can go the cynical route, and my point still stands. Insurance companies are evil, maybe, but a huge part of why they do that stuff is to protect the patient -- because protecting the patient also protects them from added costs. By making sure you do 3-6 months supervised weight loss with a dietician, it means they know you're not going to eat something stupid and make yourself horribly sick post op, thus costing them a lot more money to deal with your care. By making you see a psychiatrist, it means they're not sending someone with a major binge eating problem into the program, thus saving them from having to potentially pay for a revision. By checking your vitals, they're making sure you're not going to go into cardiac arrent or die on the operating table, thus hurting their numbers. By providing additional care after surgery, they're making sure that you're doing well, which might lead other people to their insurance to do the same surgery. Just because it's not altruistic doesn't mean the end result isn't the same. It's better for you in the long run to put up with the "hassle". On top of that, just because the insurance companies may be evil doesn't mean the people at lower levels are. The people who you can call up to ask questions and get information, the local doctors who are within network if something goes wrong, are resources that are only at your fingertips if you work within the system, and I personally think they're very, very much worth the extra couple of months to do things right. Listen to your health care worker husband. He sounds like he's probably one of the good ones.

Hi! help!!!! i am new to this group. I am hoping for my sleeve revision this December. I had the Lapband emergency removed in August and keep gaining :(. Metabolism shot! I haven’t eaten any Pasta breadeating the same just more., not much.. less exercising because I am recovering and depressed from having it removed . My BMI lower than start so it’s been a struggle to get this done.. I have the other conditions to support the need in my opinion.. just waiting on insurance. Any low BMI ers 30 ? Anyone out there to give me insight on your experience and if this is a good decision for a revision. Since it’s permanent unlike the Lapband. Any input on your stories or advice on insurance .. lapband revision to sleeve.. success rate?? Etc Thsnk you.. I don’t want to go backwards ., didn’t want my Lapband Out was doing great keeping weight at a good place . i can get this done next week if I want to go it ., hopefully insurance 🙏🏻

Hi! i am new to this group. I am hoping for my sleeve revision this December. I had the Lapband emergency removed in August and keep gaining :(. Metabolism shot! I haven’t eaten any pasta bread eating the same just more., not much.. less exercising because I am recovering and depressed from having it removed . My BMI lower than start so it’s been a struggle to get this done.. I have the other conditions to support the need in my opinion.. just waiting on insurance. Any low BMI ers 30 ? Anyone out there to give me insight on your experience and if this is a good decision for a revision. Since it’s permanent unlike the Lapband. Any input on your stories or advice on insurance .. lapband revision to sleeve.. success rate?? Etc Thsnk you.. I don’t want to go backwards ., didn’t want my Lapband Out was doing great keeping weight at a good place . i can get this done next week if I want to go it ., hopefully insurance 🙏🏻

I was banded in October or November 2010, and lost about 80 pounds. By 2012 I'd had all the fluid removed due to regurg, pain, etc., even with minimal fills. Even with the band unfilled, foods still got stuck and some things were completely off limits. I just dealt with it for a few years, ignoring the problem. Earlier this year, I finally decided to do something about it and saw a bariatric surgeon here in Minneapolis (my band was placed in Omaha). In June of this year, I had a barium swallow xray done, and I was diagnosed with esophageal dismotility, a complication of the band. So, the band needed to come out. (For anyone reading this curious about the insurance approval process, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and it was pretty straightforward, I just had to show proof of getting fills done (got my records from my old surgeon's office) and proof of a complication (the barium swallow showing dismotility).) I had the band out in August, and will be sleeved on December 7, in just 2 days. My surgeon does the revision in two different procedures because she feels there are fewer complications this way. Though there are other surgeons in the same group who do the revision in the same procedure. Waiting in between is not exactly easy on the pocket book (though I would have hit my out of pocket max either way), and my sick time at work has really taken a hit, but I understand the reasoning. Looking back on it, I'm really glad I've had the time between getting the band out and getting sleeved. I've had time to unlearn all the unhealthy habits I developed while dealing with my failed band. (And yes, I realize the failure was likely partly my responsibility, too, for anyone looking to jump all over me for that one.) I had to sip with my meals to get food past the band, and I definitely wasn't getting enough protein because that was likely to stick, too. Basically, I've had time to practice the "way of the sleeve" to replace the "way of the failed band". Between the band and the sleeve, I also have been hungry. My stomach hasn't rumbled this hard in years! (Maybe because it couldn't physically do so?) Protein shakes have helped, and paying attention to whether or not I'm actually hungry (or have any right to be based on what I've already eaten) or if it's just mental "hunger" have kept me from gaining weight. I've actually lost about 20 pounds now, and not just from the liquid diet I'm on before surgery. While it's frustrating to have to do two procedures, I hope you find the time in between helpful. Good luck! Wishing you the best.

Thanks! I’ve tried to join the group on fb but been waiting a month and admin hasn’t added me. Revision is so specific it’s been tricky getting info.

Thanks! I’ve tried to join the group on fb but been waiting a month and admin hasn’t added me. Revision is so specific it’s been tricky getting info.

Hi there. I'm new to this forum and your post was the first one I read. I'm 5 yrs post op from a lap band to sleeve revision. I was doing fine with my weight loss, but this year I've started gaining weight back rather quickly. I'm having surgery on Wednesday for an unrelated problem, but truly want to get back on track. I've lost approximately 85 pounds total, but I've gained 35 of that back this year. I know what I should be doing, but find myself grazing on unhealthy foods and not exercising. It's depressing to look at pics when I was at my lowest weight after surgery and then look at current pics where I can clearly see the weight gain. I wish you much luck in getting back on track. Maybe we can encourage each other?

I saw the PA at my surgeons office today and she told me I wouldn't be done at the same time, however their website say she that if the circumstances are right and he thinks he can do it at the same time he will. I'm just confused and a little frustrated. I just want this thing out and a revision, and if it can be done all in one surgery I really really want that. I'm just so tired of this thing.

January 12th! Revision to sleeve from lapband. Had lapband removed oct 2016. So I’m basically starting the lifestyle all over again that I had done so great with for 5 years!! I am nervous!!

Wow! That would be quick! I'm hoping that once the surgery to remove my band occurs ( once I get approval for that too) that by the time I'm healed up I will have Been approved by my insurance for revision. Best of luck to you!!

Anyone from Kentucky have revision surgery? I'm at the beginning of the revision from band to sleeve journey. Just curious if anyone else out there has went through it too? Anyone have revision surgery with Dr Weiss? If so what was the process like for you?

Oh my! I'm so sorry you've had such terrible issues! Fortunately once the fluid was taken out of my band I was able to eat and drink normally again. I plan on getting this moving as quickly as possible because my appetite since my band was completely unfilled has been insatiable!! My dr put in a request for band removal in to my insurance today so hopefully I will hear something back soon. I just wish my surgeon wouldn't do the removal and revision at the same time.

I had two separate surgeries too. My stomach was far too inflamed when the band was removed to do anything else to it. I had not been able to swallow much at all. Yes, when I swallowed the stuff for a flouroscope, it stopped at the band. And that was AFTER the band was deflated. Between then and the band removal, even water hurt. I survived mostly on soft ice until at least 3 pm when I was able to eat a bit, generally baked potato. Make sure you do the revision to sleeve as soon as possible. I was delayed by a layoff and some other health problems so that had already gained back all the weight I had lost.

i had the lapband Nov 2010. I absolutely hated it. Initially I did alright ( lost 40 lbs) with it but over time I was vomiting almost daily and the weight slowly creeped back on. About a month ago I had all the fluid removed and had some tests done. Luckily there's no damage but my stomach is irritated/inflamed. And I'm now hungry ALL THE TIME! I have initiated the revision process, but I had no idea that it was going to be done in 2 stages. 1st is the band removal with a 3 month recovery time, then the sleeve. I was under the impression that it could all be done at once but my surgeon doesn't do that. Has anyone else gone through this as well? How was recovery from the band removal and how was your experience between removal and revision? Just a little overwhelmed with everything. I was so hopeful to have both done at once but it looks like my surgeon will not do both at the same time. I'm bummed to say the least.

Hello! I did, 08/30/17. So far, I'm pretty happy with everything! I'm a revision from band to SIPS, as well. Best of luck to you!