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I'm not telling anyone because I'm a revision from lapband to sleeve.. and a lot of people in my life are extremely judgemental on how I spend my money and feel like I wasted all this money on a lapband, that it would be foolish to get another surgery that is "unecessary" they just don't get it. 8 years of this is enough.. I am telling my co workers because they are extremely supportive and a few very close friends, most are also revision patients that I met when I originally got my band..

i said the following statement up above post IMO i agree with surgeon - i would have the bypass over the sleeve any day of the week and twice on sundays!! ________________________________________________________________ @Kawkab i didn't say the above statement correctly even i got confused when i re-read it!! i meant to say i think bypass would be a better choice if you already have reflux many OP choose the gastric bypass over the sleeve to avoid acid reflux I hardly ever had heartburn in the past no revision for me from sleeve sleeve and have walked "arm and arm" almost 6 years"we" couldn't be happier 105 lbs down and maintaining (fluctuate a little) G O A L !!! good luck bud with your important decision kathy

i'm 3.5 years out; gained about 25 lbs. have little control. don't have great access to doctors-had to change docs due to insurance change and new doc only wants to see me if i'm going to discuss revision. don't feel I need revision. yes I have reflux again, but I've gained a lot of weight back which was always the cause of my reflux in the first place. NUT recommends a 'balanced diet' which I don't agree with. I can't eat hoards of fruit, sugar, and carbs and be successful. just looking to connect with some true vets and try to tackle this together. hubs needs some help too. we're both drinking pop, although i'm drinking mostly diet. trying very hard to get off the pop. we're just not sure if we should be doing a 'bariatric' type diet with protein base, shakes, broths, etc like post op and progress from there, or if something like Keto is the correct route. honestly I've had issues with milk post op-lactose intolerance- so doing shakes makes me a little nervous, also experiencing serious dumping syndrome with heavy fat meals, so that makes me nervous about Keto. thinking that a baseline bariatric plan is they way to go, and maybe try Fairlife milk, or coconut milk??? I appreciate ALL help, advice, etc. I feel very lost, 3.5 years ago I was the MOST driven, focused patient that my former surgeon had. he was convinced I would be totally successful, and I feel like a total failure.

I think it all depends on you. I was sleeved 4 months ago (revised from band 6 years prior). Both times I was alone post op. I have two dogs 25 and 30 lbs. I had absolutely no problem taking care of them. Did it hurt bending down, yes, but it only hurts for a minute then went away. I just put my knee up when my dog tried to jump on me just to try to avoid that pain. I was walking my dogs for their longer walk the day after I got home. I never took pain meds after the first night. Never had gas pain or anything So it depends on how you heal

@Kawkab if you have acid reflux now, it "probably" will continue PO. (maybe worse feelings) if you never had reflux problems you might still get reflux PO sleeve some peep that have the sleeve, then major heartburn - will get a revision to gastric bypass i had the sleeve, no probs with heartburn IMO i agree with surgeon - i would have the bypass over the sleeve any day of the week and twice on sundays!! good luck with your decision kathy

Hello, I having surgery on September, 18. I know how you feel I'm not ready. This is a revision for me band to bypass. Sent from my SM-G900V using BariatricPal mobile app

That is the best part about the sleeve! No "stuck" feeling!!! Now if you overeat, expect super urgent projectile vomiting. I have only done it twice. One time I ate rice (such a bad idea!) and one time I drank after eating. It is completely different and takes some getting used to after having lived with the band for so long. I used to have issues when eating any "clean" foods like meats and veggies. There is no longer that issue. The loss is slower than for those that went with the sleeve originally, but so worth the revision! (Even for those of us that paid out of pocket!) Heather Banded 2010. Sleeved Dec 2016 137 lbs lost

TDS: Dr Ayoola (Dallas) is fantastic and does revision surgeries. I did not have the RNY but some of his patients have -- give his office a call. It can't hurt to speak with professionals. People from all over the country come to him because he is just that excellent of a surgeon!

I had the sleeve Jan 2013 then a revision to RNY on March 7th. My weight loss was always slow and I knew it wasn't working then after like a year or two I started to gain the weight back. Unfortunately I've personally had so many complications since the revision so I'm not sure how helpful of a source I am. I have lost about 50lbs in the last almost 4mons and feel like it should be more but my body is so confused.

Since sleeve surgery I have heartburn. I take 1 prilosec at night. I get mine from Mexico when I go there because I get 120 capsules of the generic for $3 compared to 42 for $18 in the states. The meds there are just as good as what I get in the US and much more reasonable. That is why so many people go to Algodones MX for dental and Rx's. If I do not take it the heartburn comes back. I didn't realize it was a side effect of the sleeve. I've only lost 25 lbs total and have been stuck for almost 3 yrs at current weight unless I go on a super restrictive diet of which at 70 I'm not about to do. I only need to loose 25 lbs or so. I would check BP sleeve complications groups and soon as you get Medicare consider like Berry said a RNY revision. If you close to Miami I would check out Dr's there or what ever US city would be closest to fly to. Good luck and keep us informed on your progress

I had the RNY 16 yrs ago and lost 140 lbs. I started out at 388 lbs and now weigh 270 as I have gained about 30 lbs back. I never reached my goal weight and am struggling to lose any more. I am considering having a revision to the duodenal switch. Has anyone had this done? Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated!!

Don't worry it will all come together. I have BCBS also. I had psych evaluation at the start. I didn't have any med tests until 2 weeks before surgery. Chest X-ray, blood work. They didn't scope me in advance. Read about surgeries. Watch #askdra online at youtube. He answers every question about sleeve and the differences. Most doctors won't do lap band anymore. Mine only does revisions now. Do sleeve or RNY ; I chose sleeve but I think my loss would have been more with rny. It's still the gold standard but either one takes commitment. Your surgeon should help steer you. The seminar really will answer a lot. Make a list of questions and bring them. Now focus on whatever they tell you. For me it was giving up my bad caffeine habit and learning to eat slower.

I'd say you are a likely candidate for another revision to RNY bypass. To have uncontrolled GERD is concerning, because it can lead to increased risk of esophageal cancer. You'd be looking at going to Mexico again, most likely, if you did choose to have a revision. (Many times RNY fixes acid issues.. it isn't guaranteed, however). A concern is your lack of aftercare in where you live. RNY requires more maintenance than the sleeve, and of course, what would you do if you had complications? Man, you are in a tough spot. While you are trying to figure things out, maybe list which medicines you've tried.. maybe there is something else... Food and drinks that commonly trigger heartburn include: Alcohol, particularly red wine. Black pepper, garlic, raw onions and other spicy foods. Chocolate. Citrus fruits and products, such as oranges and orange juice. Coffee and caffeinated drinks including tea and cola. Peppermint. Tomatoes. Also, if you really don't want a bypass, you could see if you just need a hiatial hernia repair. That might help without the long term issues of a bypass.

First off, a short back story as I havent visited this forum in years. I was banded in 2005 and had fantastic success, losing over 100% of my excess weight. I've had some regain since then due to a number of factors but not terrible. In 2010 I was diagnosed with rectal cancer - some of that fabulous weight loss, I believe the last 10kg, was due to having active cancer. I was treated, and am fine, albeit with a colostomy and I had my band totally unfilled (it was NEVER the same again) upon reflilling) I went through a sudden menopause, a brutal one, went back to full time work, stopped being able to focus entirely on myself etc and am now *just* within my healthy weight range. Still, all in all, a great success, although having a BMI of 19-20 was very very nice while it lasted. Anyway, since the early years, really, I had some very infrequent attacks of chest pain. It would start as a warning ache deep in my chest, and would radiate - the roof of my mouth, my jaw, the backs of my arms, through to my back, even my ears - it is excruciating - deep and vice like. It literally happened 3 or 4 times over 5 years though. I did mention it to a GP who really had not much to offer (when do they ever?). Last year I started to get a little night time reflux - I was too tight. In an effort to offset the weight gain, I'd overtightened rather than admit I needed to recommit to exercise and eat better around my crazy schedule. I had some fluid out and BAM the pain was frequent and the attacks unpredictable. When it starts, I know I cant stop it. It just aches, so deeply and radiates and its agony. Sometimes a hot drink can relieve it, and I always take a Nexium. I had a gastroscopy with my surgeon and I had esophagitis and was put onto Somac which I have stayed on. Havent had a problem in a year now but now I have a cough and its back, probably cuased by the coughing. Its honestly really frightening to think it may happen in public, last year I had to go off in an ambulance from work and had a full cardiac workup which was all normal. I guess my question is - if anyone can relate to this, could it be apband related? I assume it is, since unfilling tends to trigger it and I know i have a slight pouch and my band is ever so slightly out of position. I think I would find it comforting to hear that others have the same issue - I will be looking at my options as this cant go on. I fear revision surgery is on the cards. I am still so happy I made this decision, its been 12 good years and I always knew the band would need attention at some point in time, particularly since I have the old old 4ml version. I will also go to my GP this afternoon, I think more cardiac investigation is warranted, as well as looking at my lungs - this is some serious pain!

I had no fullness with drinking h liquids of any kind. I still have no restriction with liquid unless it is on top of food. I actually watched my liquid swallow and leak test on my release date from the hospital. Liquid went through stomach and down through intestines relatively quickly. I have lost 65 lbs since my band to sleeve revision so it is obviously working correctly! Just follow your doctors orders on eating and recovery and make sure you drink constantly. Good luck to you! Banded 2010. Sleeved Dec 2016 137 lbs lost

Here's the link to my testimony after my surgery. Please read it. If you have any more questions let me. I'm down 64lbs total since my revision. My weight loss is much better than when I first got my sleeve in 2010. I plan on giving a detailed update next week around my 5month post op.

I know that I had a pretty major surgery. I had a revision from Lapband to DS. I'm actually starting to feel "normal". But, I am still having the incision pains or feel like I have to hold myself when I walk. I guess I'm wondering if it's normal.

Oh, and wanted to add.. with your height, a "normal" weight would be 165lbs. (unless you work out and have tons of muscles). The bypass could be expected to get you to about 225lbs, the sleeve 235lbs. The duodenal switch should get you lower still. But, your comment about not wanting to take vitamins.... You'll HAVE to take vitamins with any of the procedures. But, with the sleeve, it'll be swallowing maybe 2-3 pills. The bypass is around 5-6 pills I think. The duodenal switch is a handful of pills, several times a day. Not knowing your situation.. I think you'd be happiest with a sleeve, and keeping the potential for a revision open down the line. (Unless you have GERD). If you only get heartburn after a heavy meal or specific foods.. that's different. GERD happens regardless of what you ate, and is HORRIBLE. You'd know it if you had it. Many times insurance won't cover a revision unless it's from medical necessity. So keep that in mind too..

I have a theory that I want to share. When I was in college, I ate at the all-you-can-eat buffet style cafeteria. I lost weight. Being confronted with so many choices, I naturally gravitated to eating pretty much the exact same meal for breakfast every day, and dinner was essentially the same each night as well. I found comfort in a consistent meal routine. Getting married, having children, fixing dinner that kids would eat, having leftovers, not wanting to waste food.. all these things really played a part in my gaining 150lbs after leaving college. During the preop and post op diets, I had to completely separate my eating from that of the family. I actually found it extremely easy with our set-up, and so it is now 2nd nature. I eat the same things every day, and it is comforting to me (not boring). I always know what I'm going to have, so that stress of "what's for dinner" doesn't apply to me anymore. Granted, I'm only 3.5 months out of surgery, so we'll see how I feel in a couple more years. My theory is that people that don't mind a limited palette of foods do exceptionally well (mentally) after surgery. Those people that always want something different all the time.. they are going to have a harder time. There are a ton of ways to make salads, but ultimately, it's still salad. How does all this play in for you? Are you someone that would say "But we had chili last night!" or "Do we ALWAYS have to have spaghetti Mondays?!".. you would probably do better with a bypass. But if you're more like me (and have no history of GERD), then the sleeve would probably work well for you. Men lose about twice as fast as women in general. I think the ultimate success is up to your individual body and mind, and less about the procedure you choose. Another thing to think about is your willingness to undergo a second, revisional surgery. Sleeves leave this as a possibility, whereas a bypass is "one and done". A revision doesn't have the dramatic success of an initial surgery, but sometimes is needed if the weight loss stops too soon, or you develop severe GERD.

I'm pre-revision from band to DS but I've used zzzquil for years. It's 50mg of diphenhydramine (benedryl) in liquid form. I actually prefer the target version to the brand name because of the taste. But they both work great. A single dose of benedryl (the pink tablet) is only 25mg of diphenhydramine.

Girl, I am no kidding once every 7-10 days! I feel totally fine but this can't be normal! On June 12, 2017 I had my gallbladder removed, my lapband removed and revised to an RNY. HW: 402, SW 306, CW 294.8, GW 185

I had a prolapsed band and a total until 18 months before bypass conversion. In spite of no fluid, I kept getting worse. I couldn't eat for months and I had low energy and pain for a year. My revision was an emergency due to perforated stomach and more in there.

I've been banded for 7 years and in the process of getting authorization for band to sleeve revision. It's up and down with the band. Too tight or too loose. Lose/gain/lose/gain and hit repeat! I've never had slippage but being too tight had many vomiting episodes and too loose I'm ravenous. My body at 5' 3 and with band I dropped at lowest to 164. But that was 30 miles per week of running/6 days per week of working out and throwing up or not being able to eat like I needed with band. Also the adjustment costs add up after a while

My mom was the one that actually brought the subject of wls up to me. She has a failed lap-band.. The port is literally flipped so she cant get fills anymore and her surgeon brought up her getting a revision to sleeve. She said I should get on board and we could do it together as a team support. Unfortunately her insurance messed her up so I'm going through it first. She is going to switch to my Dad's insurance and try again after that. My Dad knows, my husband and tween children know. I told my sister and my grandmother as well but no one else in the family knows that I am going through this. I have mentioned the nutrition visits because when I learn interesting things I like to share the knowledge. I have already been on a weight loss journey for two years ( and gone up and down on the scale ). I am a stay at home mom so really people that don't know will think I just did it on my own when they happen to see me again. I mean once I am a success story and have maintained for a year or more then maybe I will be more open about it . I just wouldn't want people that aren't supportive to scrutinize every bite and everything I do while I going through the process. This process is hard enough without negative people.

In general, the bypass is favored for PCOS. You have quite a few comorbidities, and may want the more aggressive procedure. If you wanted to try the sleeve, it might work for you.... but be sure you are willing to consider a revision down the road if things don't turn out how you want them to. (A sleeve can be converted to a bypass or duodenal switch). The problem with revisions are they don't work as quickly or effectively as the virgin procedure, and the scar tissue gained from the first procedure makes the 2nd one a little harder to perform, and has a little more painful, lengthy recovery. Insurance companies also frequently have clauses that limit the number of procedures and revisions. Vitamins are required either way, but you'll take more of them with the bypass. One thing that will make you happy to hear.. the intestines get used to the new arrangement over the first couple years, so people with bypasses typically stop "dumping" after that time. They also absorb more nutrients as well. (This is how people start gaining after a couple years if they don't modify their diets permanently). Do plenty of research, and be comfortable with your choice. The sleeve is performed twice (?) as much as the bypass nowadays.. but it doesn't mean all those that get the sleeve have received the correct procedure for them. There are plenty of revisions being performed (mostly for newly-developed GERD). I'm 3 months out from the sleeve, and am very happy. I had high blood pressure (that has gotten better), but that was my only comorbidity.