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Also, notice on this forum there are groups for sleeves, RNY, and band to bypass revisions. There is no forum for people getting a band simply because there is no reason to get it. Having a forum specifically for those who have to have a SECOND surgery to change their band to a bypass should tell you all there is to know about bands. HW: 328 (02/22/17) SW: TBD CW: 292

I am a band to sleeve revision. Sleeved 12/29/16 and down 53 lbs. down 122 total. I haven't had any hair loss, but it is probably coming. I have been taking 30,000 mg of biotin daily since early December so maybe that is helping. Banded 2010. Sleeved Dec 2016 122 lbs lost

Will your surgeon advocate for you to get a revision? In my insurance policy, if the band fails I can get a revision (due to the fault of the equipment or malfunction, not failure to lose weight). It sounds like you've already lost the weight but if you need that restriction to keep it off I'd argue for a revision. Have you gained weight since you lost your band? Document it and tell your surgeon. It's his (and his office's) job to speak up for you!

Did you have a revision from sleeve to rny? How different was it to the sleeve? Any complications? I'm going to see my surgeon next week for a revision from sleeve to rny. Any help is appreciated.

I have to say that I don't have this -- but I'm a band to bypass revision, so perhaps therein lies the difference? I can take normal sips of water, G2, protein shakes, etc, but I have a feeling when it comes to eating solid food, the rubber will meet the road. At least I hope so. I'm having trouble getting in enough liquid, simply because there's so much of it! I don't have much of an appetite, but food smells don't turn me off like they do you. I start eating soft foods on Tuesday -- eggs, chopped meat and mushy veggies, etc. I'm looking forward to it and I'm supposed to be supplementing with at least 1 shake a day, divided in half -- one half for morning snack and one half for afternoon snack. I'd love to form a support group here for those of us who are just a few weeks out. Bunny

Thank you !! Yes, I was banded in 2008 Revised to Sleeve in 2013 and going to DS completion with possible sleeve adjustment hopefully by June 2017.

I had my band removed Monday and revision to sleeve right after. Surgery altogether was three hours. My surgeon says he rarely does it the other way because it means more time under anesthesia and two recoveries. I'm glad that band is gone. I can already tell the sleeve is more user friendly:)

Hello all!! I had my revision surgery from the band to the sleeve on March 8th 2017. I must say overall I am pretty damn happy with it. I am still having pain where the port was but I have heard that is normal, also it is still hard there not sure how long that will last or if it will be forever. It has been about 6 weeks from surgery and I have no more pain at all other then the port site, and that is just some slight discomfort once in a while not really pain, my wounds are all pretty much healed. I have lost to date a total of 49 pounds putting me at 210 down from 259, I am pretty excited about losing 11 more pounds because then I hit onederland!! (wiggles) Ok, so now for some things that I have noticed happening to me after surgery and with the weight loss. First one is my butt hurts a lot lol...I think it is because I am losing my cushion there, also I have been having a lot of back pain since and I never had back pain before. I get really cold often now which is new since I used to always be hot. My hormones are out of wack, sometimes I cry for no reason and I am not depressed or anything it just happens. This maybe tmi but my periods are much heavier and afterwards I notice I feel warn out, just so wiped out I don't want to do anything but sleep, it only seems to last during and a few days after but it really takes everything out of me for those few days. Also my sex drive seems to be amped up, hubba hubba..lol . I walk everyday and do ok with that but I have noticed if I try to go to the gym and work out I get light headed and tired real quick, not sure if that is because I am just about 6 weeks out or if that is because something else. Another thing I am really struggling with it trying to get all my food, liquids and proteins in a day, I am never hungry so trying to get all that in I always have the feeling of being overly stuffed. So that is about all I can think of for now, but if anyone can help a newbie out with some of these issues I would be most grateful!! Also if you do not use protein shakes to get in your protein, what do ya use?

I had the vgs 5 years ago started out at 367 day of surgery weight was 321 my lowest weight was 266 and now im back up to 325 . Im planning to see Dr Johnny Perez to make a plea for a revision. Any and all advice would be dearly appreciated

Update!!!! I am still absolutely in love with the sleeve over the band! I have figured out what "satisfied" feels like. I had been used to the "stuck" feeling and equating that to full, but it is very different with the sleeve. I am 53 lbs down since the revision and 120 lbs down total. I am keeping my protein and water up, sugar and bad carbs waaaayyy down and taking my vitamins every day. I feel amazing and like I have control for the first time in a long time (instead of the band controlling me!) I workout for at least 1 hour M-F and sometimes twice a day. I never thought I would be one of those people, but I am! I love being active! Walking, Zumba, Barre, Trampoline class, kettlebell, and even some running! I hit Onederland in 5 more pounds. I haven't been there since the 8th grade. I'm going down in sizes faster than I can buy clothes to wear. It took me a few months to really get the hang of it, but I can't be stopped now! Heather in Texas SW: 327 CW: 205 Goal ????? We will see! I never thought I would get to 199, but here I am! Banded 2010. Sleeved Dec 2016 117 lbs lost

All the best. I recommend you check the obesityhelp.com DS forum. Such great and knowledgeable folks Were you a band to sleeve revision?

I've only had the sleeve since December. I was banded for 8 years prior to that. The last 5 banded were horrible. So many complications, one thing after another - but couldn't afford a revision. Finally - I was able to have the revision, and I haven't regretted it once. Best decision ever, just wish I could have done it sooner. And at 4 months post-op, I haven't found one food I am unable to eat (in small amounts). Actually wished I had more restriction - but I can work with this for sure!

I've gone to Mexico twice, first time for my LapBand in 2005 and just last month for my revision to the VSG. Both times, Dr. Pedro Kuri was my surgeon. His price was $5,500 + $1,000 to remove my band. Travel expenses to San Diego Airport are not included. I trust Dr. Kuri and his team implicitly.

@hardwork&dedication It is nerve wracking to me as well. I have having the extra skin on my stomach removed on June 5th even though I am not at goal yet. It is very large already and giving me issues so insurance is covering it, I will have to pay for my revision when I get to goal out of pocket though. I also will want a thigh lift and as mentions a breast lift. I may or may not want my arms done too. They don't bother me as much as my thighs and breasts. My surgeon said he does not recommend the thigh surgery though and quotes a 90% complication rate.

I had heartburn and could not sleep because of it. If I ate anything after 8pm I had sleep upright just to get even the smallest amount of sleep because it would wake me up. No pain at all. But immediately I could eat things like pasta and bread that I couldn't before and larger amounts of other things. There was still restriction but it wasn't the same. My slip was only diagnosed when I had an egd in order to be approved by insurance for removal of the band and revision to sleeve.

Hello, After 2 failed wls attempts...I'm on my last attempt to convert to a sleeve. Dr. Voellinger at Novant BAriatrics, formerly Southeast Bariatrics is my Dr. I have my consult on MAy 19, 2017. Is anyone else with this office?

I am beyond ecstatic. I am now below 300 pounds! I started at 540 pounds on October 29, 2015 when I started this whole journey. I had surgery on May 29, 2016 at 480 pounds and Now, 10 1/2 months later I weigh 297.8! I have not had a 2 in the front of my weight in FOREVER. I only have 98 pounds to go until I hit my goal! (Which may change, I'm more going for a clothing size goal now more than a number goal ) I used to have to be on oxygen all the time because I was so fat I could not breathe properly. Now I can walk for over an hour with no break and not be out of breath! I am so extremely happy with my progress! I used to HATE getting my picture taken, it was the WORST. Now I love getting in front of the camera, I ASK for pictures to be taken! This is the craziest thing for me. I feel pretty for the first time in a very very long time. I started out at a size 6x (36-38) and now wear a an 18/20 on top and 22 on bottom. I even wear leggings now! I have a large hanging skin on my stomach which I am having removed on June 5th! I will need a revision surgery when I get to goal but I am very excited for the surgery and the relief it will give me. Here are some before and after pics for you guys!

I am beyond ecstatic. I am now below 300 pounds! I started at 540 pounds on October 29, 2015 when I started this whole journey. I had surgery on May 29, 2016 at 480 pounds and Now, 10 1/2 months later I weigh 297.8! I have not had a 2 in the front of my weight in FOREVER. I only have 98 pounds to go until I hit my goal! (Which may change, I'm more going for a clothing size goal now more than a number goal ) I used to have to be on oxygen all the time because I was so fat I could not breathe properly. Now I can walk for over an hour with no break and not be out of breath! I am so extremely happy with my progress! I used to HATE getting my picture taken, it was the WORST. Now I love getting in front of the camera, I ASK for pictures to be taken! This is the craziest thing for me. I feel pretty for the first time in a very very long time. I started out at a size 6x (36-38) and now wear a an 18/20 on top and 22 on bottom. I even wear leggings now! I have a large hanging skin on my stomach which I am having removed on June 5th! I will need a revision surgery when I get to goal but I am very excited for the surgery and the relief it will give me. Here are some before and after pics for you guys!

My wife had a DS 12 years ago and I had a VSG 6 years ago. She started out at a mid 60's BMI and I was a near 50. During her pre-op period of trying to get insurance to cooperate (it was still "investigational" then) and we did the semi-typical insurance 6 month diet/exercise program, I lost around 50lb - about 1/3 of my excess weight - and subsequently kept it off for a number of years (settling out around a 40-41 BMI. Once we got her on the table, and into the losing phase, I felt I was too low to go for the DS, and still had some prospect of maybe losing some more on my own. Ultimately, I maintained what I had lost and when our insurance started covering the VSG, I went for it. Had I regained what I had lost, as often/usually happens, I would have gone for the DS as that would have shown me that I needed its better regain resistance. A few things that I have picked up over the years in DS-land: A 2-step DS is a good option for those who are too ill to withstand the longer 1-step procedure. As a "plan B" option in the event of regain it is less satisfactory. Discussing this with our surgeon, his experience has been that the second step works best if it is done before any substantial regain is experienced - the weight loss after revision is usually less than what would have been experienced with a "virgin" DS. There is a general characterization that is sometimes used that "the sleeve loses your weight, while the switch keeps it off." That may not be entirely correct, but it's probably an 80/20 thing. Another consideration is that the DS is usually performed with a larger version of the sleeve than the VSG, so the restriction is a little less than the VSG, offset for weight loss purposes by the malabsorption. This also means that reflux problems that are a not unusual problem with the VSG is less common with the DS. These above considerations really tend to push one toward an either/or decision, rather than a more casual approach of "I'll go with the VSG and the DS is always there if that doesn't work out." We often see threads here about VSG vs. RNY or DS, and it is common for thsoe who decided on the VSG to state that they didn't want their guts rearranged, etc., which is a fair perspective - who does? But we all got comfortable with the idea of removing 80% of our stomach, which many consider a radical step. Fact of the matter is that some people need a malabsorbing procedure to get that job done. In my mind, the more one is inclined toward yo-yo weight patterns and increasing weight over time, the more appropriate the DS becomes over the VSG (and RNY, for that matter.) Indeed, some who fit that pattern do succeed long term with the VSG, but it's more of a long shot; OTOH, I see several 10-15 year DSers every month at our support group who continue to maintain well (and wake up every morning with one!)

Hello All...I have story to tell. In 2007 I was sleeved..I weighed about 220 lbs..I wasn't that successful with it ..I lost about 25 lbs...In 2010 I had the band removed, I got the sleeve..I was about 210 lbs...I lost about 50 lbs..I did not take my sleeve seriously...I ate what I wanted..I did no exercise...Over the years I started packing on the pounds..I had acid reflux that was out of this world..I was too embarrassed to go back to my bariatric doctor..Finally in November 2016..I returned to my bariatric doctor..weighing 257 lbs...Im sure my doctor was disappointed but he never said anything.I became a diabetic..my blood pressure was elevated..mind I'm only 5ft 4in ..In February my doctor did a hernia repair and a revised sleeve..because I had stretched the first sleeve....This time around I take my sleeve very seriously..Im 2 months post op...I weigh 201lbs..I exercise and eat very healthy ...Im looking forward to a new journey in my life. Sent from my SM-G935T using BariatricPal mobile app

I just cringed when I read this! Why would you trust the same surgeon? Also, you do realize your risk for complications was increased significantlyas this is your third wls and second revision. Furthermore with a tighter sleeve your far more prone to gerd, strictures and gastric torsion. Is it really worth it? Anyway, hope your okay post op

The first time was a band to sleeve revision and I had so much scar tissue that I don't think the dr was able to remove as much as my stomach. I am using the same doctor and he is going back in to resleeve and do the fundus.

I didn't have the DS or the Sleeve but I did have a RNY. I just wanted to add my 2cents worth. You hear people state that they had the Sleeve because it is less invasive. Well I think removing 80 to 85 of your stomach seems like it is pretty invasive. I have heard of lots getting revised to the RNY because of complications from their Sleeve. Lots with acid reflux. I had lost my weight in 6 months. My lowest weight was 117#'s but I did gain 8#'s back, Health wise those 8#'s made a huge difference in how I felt. So I have maintained my 125#'s for over 3 years. I know your ?'s were which surgery should I go with. If someone said I opted for the Sleeve because of the malabsorption that is a little better to swallow than not getting the RNY because it is to invasive is another thing. I know that each of us need to investigate every WLS offered. Just do yourself a favor and look at all of the offered surgeries!! Let your DR help you decide because they have been in this for qui and know which is best for you!! Sorry for blowing up your post. Have a great day!!te awhile

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....

Thank you for the information. I know the malabsorption can be an issue but I don't want to have to go back under the knife for a revision.