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I'm a band to sleeve revision. It's too early for me to talk about long term results but I have a neighbor who had the bypass and has gained a lot of her weight back. Both options are not going to lose the weight for us - we need to take advantage of this wonderful tool that has been given to us

I think that both surgeries are reasonable options. Posting here, you are obviously going to get a pro sleeve bias. I am very happy with my choice, but I can understand why another person would chose the rny. I think that 3 critical things need to go into the decision: 1. Relative risk of complications (revisions are always higher risk, but ask about the difference between sleeve and rny) 2. Outcomes based on the data available. Factor in some risk for lack of long term weight loss/maintanence data for the sleeve. 3. Lifestyle/eating/long term living with either procedure. This in the end was probably the deciding factor for me. I am scared of GERD with the sleeve (so far doing great!) but I had a pouch with the band and ultimately decided I never want THAT AGAIN. I am not trying to sell anybody on the sleeve, but you can read mine and other revision patient posts. After the initial few months, I feel like I eat very normally just small quantities. IT is a huge leap better then the band and I honestly felt like it was being sentenced to h*ll to have to spend the rest of my life with a pouch that restricted food in that way and that caused vomiting.

Hi Squeaky, I'm new here too and in a very similar boat. Also had band in 2008, lost similar, gained back similar, and now just DONE with it (the band). So I'm, obviously, going in for revision. I'm on the fence now between having just the sleeve, and having the Duodenal Switch. I would like to think that I'll do well with the just the sleeve, but........I thought I'd do well with just the band too. I have found a surgeon, apparently the ONLY one in Melbourne who does the DS. He's agreed to do it, as the final stage of a 3 stage op. First stage being removal of the band, second stage getting the sleeve 10 weeks later (although I'm going to see if he won't agree to do it at 8 weeks), and then stage 3 a year out from the sleeve he'll do the DS, if it needs to be done. He doesn't think it will. I am not so confident myself. The more I read on here, the better I feel about having just the sleeve but.........I just remember how I started out really well with the band, and started having endless stuckage problems, sliming, vomiting, (the scale wasn't moving, at all)........ultimately I too figured out how to eat around it to avoid those painful and often embarrassing problems. I'm just afraid that the weight is not going to come off at a pace that I'm going to be happy with. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect to lose 10 lbs a week or anything, and i am aware that there will be some weeks that I don't lose at all. But I know that I am unable to deal with that scale not budging for weeks at a time, especially if I AM busting my a**. that's where I'm worried........because when I'm putting in 300% effort and getting nothing in return (on the scale and shrinking I mean....I know there are health benefits that one doesn't see), I get angry and frustrated. I suppose that is classified as impatience? I think expecting to drop a couple of lbs a week, as an average, is fairly realistic. Note I say as an average, so I know that some weeks it will be more or less. But I've been on the 10 week stall, and by the end, I was so angry! It didn't help that my doctors were telling me it was ME, when I knew it wasn't, and my husband suddenly became the food police and I wasn't even eating naughty stuff yet........talk about throwing in the towel! Anyway, sorry to ramble. I just wanted you to know you're not alone, up there on the fence! Cheers. :-)

Well, apparently I joined here back in June but never posted anything, don't remember that, but here we go. I'm 28, I've been overweight since birth, 12 pound butterball. Played all the typical big boy sports and filled the typical big boy roles throughout my school years. Now, a married father of 3, with aspirations of becoming a patrol officer for the department I currently work for, it was time to jump ship from conventional wisdom and methods as my blood work was getting worse, family history started to bleed over in to my history, thyroid was jacked, metabolism in the crapper, I turned to lap band, and Dr. Kim here in Texas. I've always been active, I work out lifting at least 4 days a week, and do cardio hard at least 1 day, and do some sustained lighter cardio at least 1 day as well. I'm a certified NSCA-TSAC (Tactical Strength and Conditioning) coach, mostly done for my own gain but also to be able to spread knowledge to others regarding physical preparedness. I'm a competitive power lifter, and hold 2 current records in Texas. I'm an outdoors kind of guy, hunting, fishing, off roading in my big ol' truck, camping, etc. At my heaviest I was 464, 2007. At that time, I freaked out. I dieted down to around 320 with the help of a doctor on a liquid diet for a long time, but of course, it all came back. I've tried low carb/high fat (which works to drop body fat for a while and adding muscle for me wonderfully) however the weight, of course, came back. I even tried HCG, which is what my doctor felt possibly screwed my thyroid and metabolism up, but it's not totally sure, blood levels changed quite a bit from before, to after HCG. I went to Dr. Kim and had several consultations and meetings, it was determined gastric sleeve would be the better, more successful route for me, and after reading and collecting my own information, I agreed. So, after a 6 month turned in to a 3 month nutrition class (insurance changed in 2013 with lesser requirements), I was approved 5 days after a submission my Aetna insurance company for a 20,000 lifetime coverage, revisions/emergency treatment not included in that amount. My sleeve date is going to be February 26th at Baylor Trophy Club, TX. Before then of course I have my stomach scope thing, and a pre-op class along with my physical and cardio testing. I'm crazy excited about things, and the pace in which it has moved along so far. Of course I'm nervous, but way more excited versus nervous about the whole thing. My wife and family have been amazingly supportive throughout the entire process. I guess I've ranted long enough, probably too long to actually read, but I'm long winded at times, especially when typing things out. I'm hoping, obviously, for a smooth recovery and surgery experience, but I'm prepared for things to not be so great from time to time. My Dr, and his staff have been amazing, and have gotten great results from past patients, so we'll see how things go. I'll get some before shots up in my profile eventually, I have some trouble areas I'm worried about for loose skin and such, but I think overall things will work out just fine. Thanks for reading.

Yes it's still a revision, first surgery with them but still a revision. If it was me, I'd get back in with my bariatric surgeon ASAP for a possible fill/unfill and to discuss options. You want her records to show that she is currently actively trying to lose weight... Good luck!!! Life without that stupid band is heaven!!!! HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 231.4

I'm hoping this will be more the case for me, versus the 4+ hour ones I've heard of here. Looks like you're down quite a bit in the short time since your revision. Nice!

Hi all - sorry if this is an annoying repost, but I'm 1.5 months pre-op and I'm trying to get a general sense of how long people are generally in the OR? I think my band procedure was about 45 minutes. I know a lot of the length depends on complexity which depends on what they find when they get in there, but any stories would be appreciated!

Really depends on what's going on inside. I had it done in one procedure and had a TON of scar tissue and it took him like 4.5 hours. Most of it was removing the adhesions. I had my band in for 9.5 years. Good luck! Band to Vsg revision: 5/23/17 HW: 315+ Starting weight: 294 Surgery Day: 281 Current: 226 Goal 170

So you did the revision in two procedures?

I took 2 for months off for vsg ..and revision and hernia surgery 3 months but due to some complications I needed more time just getting back to myself. Go back to work july 9th. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

My other captain aboard my vessel just received a phone call saying that his aunt is having surgery today. She has gotten banded 4 years ago and the last couple of days shes been feeling real funny and weak. Finally she collapsed twice before the ambulance arrived. She was also spitting up blood. Upon CT scan a hole was found caused by erosion from the lapband. So as of now they put a stent in and some clamps to help it heal. I told him to tell his family now would the perfect time to do the band to sleeve revision. If they dont see an improvement. I almost did choose the lapband until the seminar showed me the sleeve. And from that point on knew it was the way to go

Thanks for the post, CaptDerel! I did entertain getting the lap band very shortly when I first started researching weight loss surgeries but all of the erosion and slippage stories scared me into definitely getting the vertical sleeve. I hope that your acquaintance's Aunt gets well and recovers fine. I think a sleeve revision may be a good idea but only the doctor knows i guess.

Hi All, I am considering a revsision from a lap band to a sleeve. I've gained all my 150-lbs. back from my initial weight loss. I realize there is a forum just for band-to-sleeve but I'd like to hear from people who've had their sleeve many years. I am concerned I will gain my weight back just like I always do. And then I'll be with most of my stomach gone. I am also afraid of constant nausea, diarrhea, etc. complications. I know there can always be problems. I worry because this is a no-going-back procedure. I've had problems with my lapband and it is unfilled, but now I have this option of getting it removed and trying something else. With permanent removal of part of my stomach, there's no revision to turn to. I guess bypass would be an option. So scared of that. Any replies appreciated.

Just speaking from a personal stance, I believe in insurance because life is unpredictiable....the surgeon I chose office tried to help me in getting the complication insurance but the insurance compan rejected me because I was a revision patient, I thought about changing doctors because I knew of another doctor and the insurance company would cover me, but I decided to have faith and stick with my doctor.... Now post-op I'm praising God I made it, I'm having a few bumps in the road but I believe its from doing too much too soon.... In my opinion, get it, because you just never know, esspecially since you are planning to leave the country

I am still waiting for approval! I want this band out however, I am told that my best chance for a revision to sleeve is to have it done at the same time. I do not know how much longer I can wait. If I have not heard the words "APPROVAL" by June 3rd I am going to schedule the band removal and hope for the best. what is the problem? I have insurance, I meet the criteria, I have a failed band that is documented.. Come on BCBS bust a move!

I was a band to sleeve revision. I never had issues with acid prior to getting sleeved, but unfortunately, have been one of the unlucky ones to develop major acid issues post-sleeve. My doctors have tried everything, but nothing has worked. Thus, I am now looking at revising to bypass.

I was banded 03/2012 with my highest weight being 318. The lowest I saw with the band was 237 around 07/2014. I rarely felt real restriction and worked out 5-6 days a week, 2 hours a day, to get to 237. Once I couldn't keep up the workout routine I began gaining. My doctor/nutritionist put me on a diet pill around 10/2015 which I didn't see much results and hated the side effects. I was unbanded on 05/2016 and am on schedule for my revision 12/2016. Currently, I am about 305. My surgeon suggested a sleeve, but I am wondering if bypass would give me better results despite the complications that can come from bypass. Should I push for a bypass instead of the sleeve? Do others feel they would've been more successful with a band to bypass revision? I have a goal weight of 155-170 pounds.

Hey everyone so I got the lap band on Feb 10th 2010 and I only had 1 successful fill. So far I went from 261 pounds to 208. I been feeling really frustrated because I was told about 6 months ago that my port had flipped over and I'm finally going to have a revision. I really didn't think this would happen to me and I don't want to go under the knife again. My surgeon said that I have to go under all the way is that true??

I felt the same way right after my revision. It'll get better when u can actually eat real food/restaurants again - I promise. Hang in there...

I agree. I'm sick of this band. Congrats on your date! My revision is May31st... 45 more days!

Hi, I am Scheduled for a Band to Sleeve revision due to complications, but have good amount of weight off. I was talking with my wife last night about upcoming surgery, She brought up how hard it to see me after surgery, and the Body Lift was the worst. it was actually done Out Patient, in an Excellent 1st Class Facility here in Raleigh. The Surgery was 8+ hr long. She was not prepared about how bad I would look, Guess I looked more than half dead as they wheeled me out to the car! ( They explained when i was brought out that is how they want you to go home) . I could walk and get to my chair etc, still kind of out of it, but I have no idea how bad I looked) Still Don't. So due make sure to discuss this with the Dr. so your partner knows what to expect when they see you! Especially if you go home.

Hey do ya'll think we should start a thread under the monthly support section. That way our May 06'rs won't have to search through pages of threads trying to find us. Anyway ya'll probably know I am currently dealing with slip #2 and I am considering a revision to RNY. I am seeing my PCP tomorrow for my annual pap smear (there is a joy to behold). I think I will talk to him about it then. I don't know what my insurance will do. But I know I have been told that once you slip you are always prone to it again. I feel depressed.:think M

Well, I walked into Surgilite and waited about 2 hours to be seen, and the other Dr. completely unfilled me and was SHOCKED that I had waited that long to come back. It was a few months of being overfilled, and I seriously couldn't wait til the 24th to go in. He unfilled my band and I have an upper GI on the 24th now. I don't know if I have to pay out of pocket for it, but I know I will find out. The Dr. also told me that the other Dr. never wrote down how many ccs he put in me last time. I guess I will go from whatever results I get on my upper GI, I might need a revision..but I really don't want them to fully take it out. So as of now, I am a little confused and worried, and still having some weird pain in my chest when I lay down.

I understand that everyone is talking about a two week pre op diet and that makes sense, but My doctor wants me to lose 25lbs. (in no set time) before considering the revision... just frustrating to me. Thanks for everyones responses

Keep notes on everything for your visit to the dr.Start building your case for revision.