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As of now I am still banded. I am hoping to revise to the sleeve. Pretty much waiting on my Dr to deem it medically necessary. For insurance to cover it.

I know how you feel. My surgeon did the same to me... I was July 1 now the 8th. They tried to make me feel better by saying he was leaving town after the the 3rd and he wanted to be in town in case he was needed since I am a revision from band to sleeve. Anyway it sounded good so I let it go. I was so ready for July 1.

I had RNY surgery 29 months ago. Severe acid reflux or GERD is incompatible with the sleeve. RNY is definitely the better choice here. I had several episodes of severe acid reflux before surgery and none since. I had a number of medical conditions prior to surgery and the main reason why I did the surgery was to get those under control. Within days after surgery, my diabetes, high blood pressure, GERD, sleep apnea, frequent urination problems went into remission and stayed there. I was off my meds. One of the reasons why I liked RNY was that it caused you to lose weight the quickest and produced the deepest weight loss and most importantly had the least amount of revisions. If I went under the knife once, I sure did not want to do it again, and again. RNY surgery is not like dieting. I tried dieting a couple times and it was a complete failure. After surgery I completely lost my hunger. It wasn't difficult to lose weight when hunger was not constantly gnawing at my bones.

YAY for you!! I had my revision 5/20/13. THE best decision I could have made after 6 yrs w/the band (4 of those yrs. dealing with complications). I am now a weight & size I've not seen in 20+ yrs. I tell people this is what I had hoped the band would do for me. I'm the "turtle"...slow ands ready will win the race. So, good luck and best wishes!

It's been four months today since I had band to sleeve revision. After a complicated surgery and a rough recovery I was feeling really good. I've lost 72 pounds, have lots of energy and best of all, I haven't been in any pain. Fibro was a huge part of my life prior to surgery and honestly, after surgery I haven't had any fibro pain. However, the past 10 days have been very reminiscent of the pain I had experienced before. I know I'm walking much more and am more active than I have been in years. Maybe the increased activity is causing a fibro flare up, I don't know. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

i had gastric bypass a little over 10 years ago and the weight is back and then some. i'm looking for other options, as it's unlikely that my bypass would be revised (it's not broken, just stretched). i've seen lap band commercials, and since i believe everything i see on tv, i figured it must be worth a look :thumbdown: has anybody around here had lap band as a second weight loss surgery? to which section of the forum should i venture for this info? thanks! ffff

Thank you so much! I have learned so much the last couple of days. I may be having my revision on June 13th. My gosh it is going so fast. I am excited to not have to deal with all the issues that my band has given me. Thanks again for the information

HI Mary!! Welcome to VST. I am also a revision patient from band to sleeve. I love my sleeve!! Best things I ever did for myself. For me I did experience some pain and I also had nausea and even a little vomiting. Even with all that though I do NOT REGRET my decision what so ever. I'm so thankful I was given a second chance and here I am today sitting at goal and continuing to improve daily! I took 3 weeks off from work and have a desk job. It was more than enough time, but it was nice that I didn't have to be on liquids while getting back because it can be a little tough remembering to sip sip sip all the time. I'm not sure if 2 weeks would be enough time for you, as I'm not sure all that entails being a bus driver. It does seem a little physically demanding, having to move that large steering wheel for hours and hours. But again, I'm not privvy to that. Good luck to you!!!! You're going to be fine. Nervous is normal, it's totally ok. Like favored mentioned above, we do have a section here specifically for band to sleeve revisions. Here's the link: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/13-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

I didn't have the band to sleeve revision, but I was in the hospital for 3 days (standard per insurance)... When I got home, I didn't use my pain meds at all.. I was off work for 6 weeks, my PCP thought I should just rest and adjust... I think you will be fine.. you should also trying looking at some of the groups on here.. I think there is one for band to sleeve revisions..

That really stinks! I am sorry that you are having to consider more surgery. I know there are a lot of people on this site that had revisions to bypass so hopefully you will get your questions answered. Many of them have done fantastic with bypass. I can tell you that from what I have read, the initial weight loss is much slower but I have seen folks get to goal. Personally I am so thankful I went the bypass route because it put several illnesses into remission for me. One of them was very severe Gerd, I have not had a single bout of heartburn at all. My diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, anemia and stage 3 kidney disease are also all in remission. Do you still have the same insurance? You might want to give them a call to better understand coverage. I had Medica United Health Care and I was only allowed 1 Bariatric WLS surgery in my lifetime. Now I have a completely different insurance and they cover nothing. It really depends on your specific insurance. I wish you the best of luck!

As you wrote your note, you're actually asking two questions: Does the band work? and Does the band work and remain viable for the long haul. You're going to hear the good, the bad and the neutral in response to both questions. In answer to the first, the band works if the owner works it, as "they" say in the street. It will not work for losing weight f not considered and used as an aid, a partner, so to speak. It usually takes a few adjustments to get it set as an optimal aid. Because it's fickle, adjustments to loosen or tighten may be needed from time to time; there's no way to predict. Then there are the band owners whose bands are just right for them out of the gate. Second question: The band isn't perfect and many have revised to other surgeries. They include those who had legitimate cause and I have no doubt that others just didn't work their bands or abused them. With a band, as with any of the bariatric procedures, regain is always a possibility. Maintenance for the long term is the individual's responsibility and demands vigilance. One downside with the band is that it requires pretty much life-long attention, e.g., annual esophagrams (a.k.a. barium swallows) to be sure it's in place and that liquids and food continue to move from mouth to stomach as they should. Slips are always a possibility; some can be avoided (by not gorging and/or eating too quickly and the like) and some not (perhaps a wrenching movement, which doesn't mean, by the way, giving up ice-climbing or whatever dare-devilry is your passion, which reminds me: No need to give up sex, either). One band star is @@Alex Brecher who founded BP. He had surgery about 14 years ago and has maintained his boyish figure since reaching his goal as far as I know. He's not your deciding factor, of course, but, if he stops in, may be able to give you perspective that I can't. I'm one of those who was doing wonderfully, with goal in sight, but was thrown by a life event and regained most the the weight I'd lost. I'm back on track now. For a while I thought my band might have breathed it's last, but my July esophagram was good and the band is doing its thing. I must take care to pay attention to the signals it sends -- again, that personal responsibility thing. To make a long spiel longer, I'll end by suggesting that you read your replies and compose a list of specific questions to pose to people at the surgery practice you're considering. Also attend its support group to ask and listing to people face to face. This last is not to advise you to abandon BP. All the best.

I was told by my doctor that when you lots of weight quickly the fat lost releases hormones which can make you emotional and irritable. I know I experienced that when I was losing weight quickly with WLS round one. I recently revised from the band to the sleeve and expect to be experiencing the same again soon.

I had the band placed in the U.S. but to get the band out, the insurance company wanted 9-12 months of documented problems. I could not live the way I had been for an addition 9-12 months and went to Mexico for a revision... no regrets!

I am really glad I went to Dr. Aceves. I loved being there, and would love to go back just for fun. There is no way my band surgeon who is now doing sleeves would have been able to do the surgery for the price I paid in Mexico by a dr. who is extremely experienced with doing revision surgery.

If you weren't nervous you wouldn't be normal We all have that fear of the unknown and worse case scenario!! I promise you'll come home and be happy it's over.. and onto a better healthier life.. I had a really complicated surgery, and losts of recovery issues (I was revised from band to sleeve with a TON of scar tissue...) and I would still do it again!

Band7 I did well with the band, had a revision and has gained 22 pounds since having it. I have had a upper GI and only about 50 percent of my stomach removed. My problem is will do it, trying to decide

Hi Jeffrey, welcome to the BEST support website for the Vertical Sleeve... I just wrote about my recent experiences with Band Vs Sleeve. I was revised on 9/15/10 and to date it is the best thing I've ever done. In going further, we do have a LOT of well established sleevers here who like to continue chiming in. They are all a great help, and none I've seen ever stop Loving their sleeves. Good luck to you!! Here is the link to my last 2 progress posts: 5 Months Post Op and My Revision is the Best Thing

Was this her initial gastric bypass or a revision type surgery, I'm a bit confused.

They are all tools... If one failed for you it wasn't because it wasn't the right surgery for you... It was because you were not ready to make the lifestyle changes you needed to in order for the tool to do it's job. No matter what surgery we have, we all have rules to live by. Don't follow the rules.. Don't get results... They are all tools that will work! If you do your part. If your stuffing cake, soda, chips down your throat being lazy not working out, whatever. It isn't going to work!!!! You are better off asking for a feeding tube than to keep having these revisions thinking that there going to do anything different than the last surgery did... It's what you put into it.. Yes I can go get bypass and definitely lose the weight. But It will alllllll come back if I don't follow the rules. There is no easy way out for us! We have to come to terms and make a life long commitment to change everything about our lifestyle and eating habits. I support every one of the surgery's there are out there... They all will help you... Pick the one you are comfortable with doing... Don't think one is better than the other or one you don't have to work as hard at.. blah blah.. Sure if you have a sweet tooth... I might consider the ones that cause dumping.. But I should know enough by now, to realize I can't eat that crap anymore if I want to be healthy! In moderation.. ha... I wish it were that easy... I sure as heck wouldn't be where I am today If I had the ability to have that kind of stuff in moderation... That's like telling a ex smoker, just one cigarette every now in then is okay... Yeah maybe for a few times, then it's back to the full blown addiction eventually... Food is like drugs... We are addicts.. Oh gosh... I can go on and on.. But.. I just felt like venting a little.. LOL

Well I did mine the other way around---had the hysterectomy then the band. Have you discussed the band with your gyno? That seems like the first step. Where abouts is your port? My port is fairly high, and my hysterectomy scar is low, across at the base of my belly, just above my pubic bone----nowhere near where the port/tubing/band would be affected. As for the tummy tuck during the hysterectomy, if he would do it, I would jump on it!!! If he doesn't do it, you will end up having it later. Which would be 2 surgeries, if it is still tight when you get to goal, then this way you saved yourself the 2nd surgery, if not, you can have it revised then, and you have lost nothing! I was still at my heaviest when I had my hysterectomy---I only wish I had done it to where I could have some of this belly removed!!! Sounds like it is time to talk to the Doc!!! I can o nly imagine how much easier it would be to heal without the weight of that on the incision....good luck to you. I love my band---and I love the hysterectomy just as much I think!!!! Kat

First off, I am sleeved so lets get that out of the way! Lol Rarely have ANY reflux or indigestion BUT as a rule, if you have had GERD or acid reflux prior to VSG, it is not a recommended surgery as it is known to CAUSE increase in GERD. There are several vets (LilMissDiva, Lisas Hope included) who have experienced severe GERD/acide reflux and one is in the process of revision from sleeve to RNY because of it. I would seriously consider now, talk to your Doctor strongly about this and also those who are experiencing this now. It's worth your time to truly research to make sure that the sleeve is what is best for you and your history. Best to you and keep us updated.

Don't be nervous, be excited. I had the band in 2005 and removed/revision September 18. I can already feel the difference, best dession I ever made because so far, I don't miss the sleepless nights, the vomiting, and the terrible acid reflux. Good look to you and congratulations on your new beginning????

Hi All I am hardly a newbie to the lap band but have only had 2 fills in the entire time I have had it and both were within 3 months post op. I was banded in Jan 04 and have lost around 140 pounds but my weight has been pretty much the same for the last 18 months or so because I haven't been as committed as I should be eating the right foods and I get hungry quite often ......... so this brings me to my question. I get full on small amounts of food still so I don't think I have an issue with my pouch being stretched (which previously I have had) or with slippage. The problem is I am hungry again within an hour or two of eating so I am snacking all day because I am never satisfied for long. I eat small amounts each time but it's SEVERAL times during the day, not just 3 or 4 times. Do you think this is indicative of needing a fill? My band has been entirely empty for just over 18 months (No coincidence really is it that my weight loss came to a screaming halt around the same time??!!) so I probably could do with a fill. I had port revision surgery in Dec 06 and have not had a fill since then. I am scared it is something more serious even though I can only eat small amounts and have no pain or anything else unusual going on. I have an appt with my surgeon next week and they want to do a fluoroscopy first just to make sure everything is ok because it has been so long. I guess it is just a precaution to make sure its all ok before they fill me. I know you guys arent doctors but hearing your opinion would calm me down a little if you just think a fill is all that is needed. I'm a bit scared. :crying:

My port flipped, my doctor found this out while trying to give me a fill. As far as I know, this can happen, but isn't "normal". I am his only patient that this has happened to, just my luck. It's been two years since the port revision and I haven't had any problems with the port. I had a lower body lift 6 months ago and the only difference is that my port scar is now much lower than my actual port, as the plastic surgeon took off over 12 inches on my abdomen. Good luck with your revision.

Not really sure even how to begin. I have been banded since June 2005. Had great success up until about one year ago. I went through a series of fills and unfills which culminated in a slip. I was completely unfilled from October last year until January of this year. I've played around with varying fill amounts since then Through this all, (from my low last summer) I've gained 16 pounds. Not too bad. I had a small fill at the beginning of August (went from 3.5cc to 4.5 cc in an 11cc). All has been going great...until yesterday. Had my normal lunch, crackers ff cream cheese, and wham...stucksville. Slimed quite a bit at work (that's always delightful) but felt pretty good by the time I went home. I took it pretty easy last night...Ice Cream for dinner..yea I know..., but that got stuck as well. Got up this morning, coffee went down ok. Got to work, had a slimfast, and there it sat, and sat and sat. Finally that came back up. I called the doc and they got me in right away for an unfill. My doc's office has always been super about getting me in right away. I immediately felt better. So, this is where I'm at now. My doc's office is submitting a request to my insurance company for removal of the lap band and revision to VSG. I was fortunate that my insurance covered the Lap Band this first time around. I've been doing some research on VSG and it seems like it might be a route I'd like to go. My doc also has said, that he will do all and anything he can to faciliate approval. Guess I'll have to wait and see what happens. Thanks all, feel better for having written this.