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Hello fellow WLS people I am new to this, I have had a lap band for 7 years with minimal wt. loss and a few problems along the way. 2 hernia surgeries 1 regular, 1 fondoplication. Recently went to the ER due to waking from a deep sleep choking on my own saliva/reflux?.. went from once in a while to more than a few times at night. A trip to my gastroenterologist to find my band had slipped and needed to be removed. I am a candidate for Revision Surgery and have researched Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery.... But I have some serious concerns about the choking issue with the band. Was I only choking because the band had slipped or can this problem happen again with the new surgery. It was very scary not to mention I would think dangerous (aspiration pneumonia) anyone else with this issue with band slip and what was the result after Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I should add since I have had all the Fluid removed from my band I have experienced no choking... Any insight or experiences to this issue would be helpful..Thank you, Angel-Whetstone.

My revision was yesterday. I feel pretty good with very little pain. Not hungry at all just concentrating on drinking so I can go home. My doctor did say that I had a lot of scarring but said he was able to do the sleeve pretty easily. Now on to recovery!

HI, Can only speak about band to sleeve revision. Dr Aceves did mine about 6 weeks ago. I would read on this board about not being able to eat a few tablespoons early out and about 5-6 ozs 6 months to a year out. Found it unbelievable since that is what my band surgeon (not Dr Aceves) also said and it never came true. I can eat 1-2 ozs at a time if I eat sold Protein and chili and Soup about 1/4 cup. I know those numbers will go up as I get further out. The sleeve it what I thought the band would be after the fill level was correct. Not true, it is SO much better. Good Luck.

:sad:HELLO ALL, I AM SORRY IF THERE IS A THREAD ON THIS ALREADY, BUT I DIDN'T SEE ONE. SO HERE'S MY STORY. I AM 2 MONTHS POST-OP, HAVE HAD TWO FILLS. LAST FILL WAS ON THURSDAY THE 9TH OF APRIL, WAS TOLD MY PORT SEEMS TO HAVE FLIPPED ON IT'S SIDE. SHE THEN SAYS I MIGHT NEED A REVISION. I AM DREADING ANOTHER SURGERY. CAN ANYONE SHARE THEIR STORY ON THIS WITH ME? THANKS A BUNCH!

Sorry - I didn't have a revision so I don't know the guidelines for a revision. I was also self-pay since my insurance policy does not cover any WLS. Hopefully my response will bump this & someone with insurance experience can chime in.

I know that Dr. Pleatman does revision and replacement surgery after banding. He will also do the surgery even though you are at or near goal weight because you had a previous weight loss surgery. He also has a self pay method. He is up in the Michigan area. Try looking up his name on here Dr_Pleatman and see if you can email him from here.

Hello everyone. Haven't been around for a while--real busy w/work, etc. But I'll try to stay more connected. The revision went fine, did I tell you that they were able to use the same holes that were used for my band? The recovery was longer than after banding, 2 weeks home; 3 would have been better. I'm doing well. So far I've lost 35 lbs, which my doctors insists is good, but I feel like a slow loser. I know it's because I "only" weighed 210 lbs. at time of revision. Still, I'm pleased with my ability to eat, believe it or not, more normally than I did w/the band & I think if I stick to my food plan, which is basically the same as when banded, I can get to goal within a year. If you go back & read my posts, you'll see that I had an unusual condition that necessitated being unfilled, and even then I had problems w/a lot of foods (tuna, chicken, hamburger & others). So, now I'm on a full foods diet. I can eat chicken, chile, hamburger, sushi (no rice, I have it rolled w/cucumber), cooked veggies & most fruits. I haven't tried steak yet, but I will next time I'm around it. I need to get 60 grams of Protein a day & 2 liters of Water. I supplement my food a whey Protein Drink most days. Also must take bariatric multi-Vitamin & extra Calcium every day. A huge treat for me was a grilled tomato topped w/melted cheese on a piece of whole wheat toast. I would have PB's on that w/my band. I had one minor complication, a stricture, which is is caused by scar tissure & causes a narrowing where the stomach & intestine meet--2 painless endoscopies later (they use the scope & inflate a small balloon at time of endoscopy) , 3 weeks apart & I was fine. I'm not one of those people who gets full after a bite or two of food, but my portions are small. I feel satisfied after 1 scrambled egg w/melted cheese on top. The denser the protein, the faster I get full. One very interesting thing: things that I didn't find sweet enough before, i.e. sugar free Jello pudding, now is just fine. That's really the only sweet "treat" I have, I don't crave sweets at all. Not ice cream, not Cookies, not cake. gone. It has something to do w/the bypass procedure; not sure it lasts forever, but for now it's very good. I'll take it while it lasts! (that's not to say it doesn't look when I see a candy bar or ice cream, but it's a passing thought, not a craving at all.) I love my surgeon. He does bands too. All his patients love him, he answers emails within 24 hours & if one has an urgent problem, the office connects you to him or his partner AT THE TIME OF YOUR PHONE CALL. Amazing, huh? I go to a support group @ the hospital he & his partner operate ,and the group is split between bandsters & RNY'ers. And guess what? We all get along. So, that's my progress so far. Take care, my friends. Karen

I think we're all at this mindset at one point or another. I just try to console myself that maybe our slower weight loss will mean less loose skin in the long haul. I think 30 lbs is great! I am three weeks out and stuck at 12 lbs, so I would take 30, LOL! I know what you mean though. I have definitely had to revise my goal dates. Hang in there!

Thank you for the responses. I thought I'd stop in and give you an update. Her doctor did drain the area (he got 9 or tem huge syringes full of yellow fluid out). There was another area that was not liquified, he is planning on trying again next week. She did seem to brighten up after and was moving around a lot better after that. Mom slept in her bed for the first time a few days later, and the pressure of laying on her side made the area start leaking- ALL OVER THE PLACE! It was really disgusting and she, we both, freaked out. We called the doctor and went back in to see him the next day. He's concerned. He said if it doesn't stop leaking and look much better next week, he'll need to remove the port. He'd leave the band and tubing in- remove the port for a few months then reinsert it. The thought of more surgery scares me, but mom says shes in... She's invested this much this far... I like mom's surgeon very much. He's thoughtful and checks in on her often by phone. He's was the only surgeon willing to take on mom. She 60 years old and a revision from the intestinal bypass days of the 70's. We knew she was high risk, and she is having the complications that come along with that. I'm not however impressed with the facility he practices at. She had surgery the day of that awful storm here in St. Louis, the hospital's electricity went out for 10 hours AND the generator failed for about 15 minutes. Rain poured in around the window in her room, we had to move in the dark. It was bedlam, and our nurse did not handle it well. Very stressful. The thought of another stay there is an unpleasant one. I hesitate to name mom's surgeon, mom and I both feel he's very competent. I would hate for anyone to associate her condition with his skills in the OR or otherwise. This forum, I'm sure, is frequented by his patients and colleagues. Thanks again for your replies. Rebekah

I'm considering a revision with Dr. Aceves and am also considering going on my own. Do you think that would be OK?

Thanks for sharing your story. I have had a similar journey in regards to the lap band. I was successful losing weight with it for a while, but had complications and the weight came back. I am hoping to have the band to sleeve revision surgery soon, but I'm currently having to jump through a few hoops. Grrrrrr. I have some of the same fears as well. Fears that the sleeve will fail since the lap band did. But I think these fears are normal. Anyway, I'm happy you made the decision to do something about it and equally happy (and jealous...lol) that your surgeon and insurance are making this process quick and painless. Good luck to you!!

Welcome to the board! You'll find lots of supportive folks here. I had a revision from band to sleeve and I am very happy with it so far. I didn't have complications with my band like others, but it just plain wasn't working for me. I think most "revision" patients on the board here would say that the "reversable" claim on the band is an overstatement. We each had internal scarring and some have had some serious complications from removing the band. Good luck! Lara

Up until last wk ( after a signifixant gain) I drank a glass of red wine everynite. Im 16 mths out of a band to sleeve revision. I never had that "tipsy on less" thing that some people have. The problem I have with alcohol is tjat it makes me tgink that unlimoted snacking is a fantastic idea... So no difference for me. Never noticed a difference with my band (2009) either. Guess Im a freak

Gastric bypass revision

Hello everyone my name is Ellie and I am about to get a sleeve on September 29! This was all very sudden and unexpected unlike some folks who have researched this for many years and gone through a long qualifying process, I have stumbled onto this procedure through a very roundabout way and in a matter of weeks I was approved. I am 37 years old and I weigh 270lbs at 5.8", I am hypothyroidic, I have sleep apnea and I'm prediabetic at this time. A Little history: In 2007 I weighed 273 pounds! I had mild sleep apnea but aside from that I was relatively healthy. I had the Lap band procedure done mostly because I did not like the way I looked. But the band yielded very little results, despite 13 fills and unfills to adjust, I never achieved an ideal restriction and was always hungry the weight that I did lose was because I was starving and working out and then I plateaued at about 245 pounds. Then I got pregnant in 2009 I decided to take all liquid out of the band (complete unfill) so that I could eat tons of vegetables and fruits. Funnily enough during the pregnancy and the one that followed I actually lost weight!? I guess something to do with the baby and the restriction I felt because the baby was pushing against the the band. At birth I was 214lbs. But as soon as my children came out in 2010 and 2013, even as I breast-fed, I was completely ravenous and the pounds returned at an alarming rate. So I have found myself right back to where I started at 270 pounds. Only this time mother nature has not been so kind... I am prediabetic and my sleep apnea has returned with a vengeance! On a day to day bases I ache and hurt like an old rickety roller coaster! I feel like I am walking through Jell-O all the time everything has just slowed down. Even so, being busy with a three-year-old and a five-year-old and being a full-time working mom I put myself in last place and have not focused much on trying to lose the weight. It's basically been, whatever I need to do to make it to the next day! I have ignored the aching that my body feels on a day-to-day basis and how hard it has become living and getting around at this weight. I have ignored the emotional and social impact of my weight, or maybe ignored is not the best word, more like drowned out with more food. And I experience some of what most mothers will relate to, I don't want to be in pictures with my children because I feel like I ruin the pictures with my presence. But even all this did not bring me to a decision to refill my lapband or do anything about it until a few weeks ago... In unrelated events I twisted funnily and managed to cause harm to my port. I was in severe pain like having stitches after running but the pain never went away. So due to that event, I finally went back to see my bariatric surgeon and upon further examination I was told that my port had ripped out of my muscles and was now flipped. Great! It was then that my surgeon told me that my options were to repair the port and try the band again or do something different. He recommended I try the sleeve because if I was initially unsuccessful with the band chances of me being successful the second time around were slim to none. I had heard about the sleeve before but never really in-depth. I also have gallstones and have had two attacks which I feel is not enough to warrant surgery but my surgeons seem to think differently. They say the gallbladder wall has thickened and that it is a matter of if and not when I will need to have it removed I hate surgery I do terrible with general anesthesia it takes me hours and hours of tortured nauseated foggy horrible sickness and pain to come out of it. And there is nothing I want more than to avoid having to go through another surgery. However My surgeon sent me to other surgeon who specializes in lap band revision who said he could perform all three surgeries at one time!! He would take out the Lapband remove my gallbladder and perform the gastric sleeve. And we are close to maxing out our yearly insurance maximum out of pocket, so if approved these procedures will be completely at no cost to me!! If I have to go under the knife anyways, I reason, I might as well get as much stuff done at one time, so that I don't have to go under the knife several times. I have not had too much time to do research on the sleeve or get emotionally prepared for the journey ahead but I have spent the past few weeks ferociously researching and ferociously reading up on it and doing a lot of soul-searching realizing that given my Freewill to eat, I am killing myself by being morbidly obese. My doctor submitted the proposal for surgeries to my insurance and I prepared for a long wait. However a week later I found myself getting approved by my insurance and my doctors office saying September 29 is available so start your diet now!! WOA????? No time for food funerals, no time for that last binge, no time to take a cruise which I love to do because of all the deliciousness, and no time to deliberate too long. I do have an option of doing it at the next available date in November but that would be very close to holidays and who knows what other circumstances could arise to prevent me from having the surgery at that time. It seems like all the factors have aligned together perfectly... my job is willing to let me go for that period of time the surgery will cost me nothing I can do three in one surgeries and I can have it relatively soon so that I don't have an agonizing time to wait and stress about it. It's like it's now or never. Most reviews I've read have people saying they wish they had done it sooner. I have already started my pre-op diet which means I would've only been on it for 10 days versus 12 like most people. And unlike most people rather than being on full liquids I have been placed on a South Beach supercharged phase 1 diet that includes lean meats, low-fat dairy and vegetables. I am finally wrapping my brain around what is about to take place mentally emotionally and physically. I have stocked up on many things and thanks to all you wonderful sharing caring people that have taken time to share your journey I have had a chance to very quickly catch up on all the information that I will need to be successful. But I'm so scared and so nervous not even about the liquid diet following surgery , (although, my coworker who got the sleeve weeks ago says that she is hungry all the time), or anything like that but of the surgery itself of being under Anastasia, of the pain I will feel when I wake up, and I wonder if I will miss the stomach that God gave me with which I was born...I'm sure all these things have crossed your mind too. And because my Lapband failed I fear that if this procedure does not work for me and I shall be that one anomaly for whom this did not work, there is not much else to be done. And since this is so life altering and Permanent, I don't know where to go from there if it does not work out for me. I know...I know...not thoughts I should be thinking .., but I'm being candid and sharing from the deepest parts of my heart the secret fears that I have, I would never admit to anyone. Any words of encouragement advice, solidarity, anything will be so very much appreciated at this time! Like many of you my weight loss journey is a very personal and private one and I don't have much support from the few friends with whom I have shared this information. I am sorry this has been long, but the welcome letter encouraged that we share details about our experience and I hope that Sharing this much will give you a more in-depth insight into my personal journey struggles and fears. Sending you blessings and green lights, Ellie

Hi, I didn't have a band revision, but I did have the sleeve. I think if you can get all 3 done at the same time that would be great. I was sleeved on 8/17. I was readmitted after surgery for 3 more nights because I had severe nausea and dry heaves. Once they got that under control I was fine. I had my gallbladder removed years ago - I remember the gallbladder attacks as being awful - I felt like I was having a heart attack and they made me vomit. I wish you all the best. I can tell you that I AM SO HAPPY I made the choice to get the sleeve. It's been a life changer. I think you will do well. BEST OF LUCK!

Dr. Rex Luttrell did my surgery & does my fills in Little Rock. Very nice man & easy on the eyes. He numbs you up before doing the fill. Don't know if he would fill you this early on though. I think he made me wait 4-6 weeks. I know he has done a port revision on a Mexico patient. I don't see him having a problem with it. Give him a call (501)552-4870. Good luck. They have also been advertising a Lap-Band clinic somewhere here in Arkansas. I have been seeing the commercials on TV the last couple of weeks. If I see it again I will post the name for you.............Jess

I am a band-to-bypass revision patient. I got banded in November of 2007 and had it removed in December 2014. I was such a mess that my doctor waited 4 months to do my bypass (04.08.2015) and I am SO glad I did the revision! My surgeon said that he likes to go with bypass for previously banded patients because of the trauma caused by banding. With the sleeve the new stomach is banana-shaped whereas with bypass a brand new pouch is created out of healthy tissue. It is incredible what a difference bypass is from banding. I was sick pretty much the entire time I was banded and I never could eat properly. Now I have what I was hoping the band was going to do for me; a tool that I am using to help me redesign my eating habits and live a healthy lifestyle! Of course ultimately the decision is up to you but I can tell you I am 100% happy with my progress so far. I actually feel like I can do things right this time!

13 Days post op revision and I feel great! Back to my normal routine minus the lifting and no problems. I just get tired by about 3pm but I just think its because I am not eating much for energy. Trying to get the protein in is hard. I can eat pureed/soft foods but I really don't have much of an appetite so I kind of have to force myself to eat. Best of luck!

Hello! I'm new to this site. I had Lapband surgery in 2005, with no results. I'm thinking about having it removed and possibly getting a different surgery. I'm not sure what would be best for me to look into! Anyone with a similar scenario? Thanks! -Amanda

Hi has anyone here had a revision from lap band to sleeve at UIC. Specifically with Dr. Hassan.

I had my surgery on 6/18/09 too!! I am currently on hold right now though. I went in for my first fill on 7/15/09 and found out that my port was flipped. So now I am waiting for the insurance company to approve a "port revision" surgery. My doctor told me that when they do the new surgery they can also fill the port at the same time. I was really looking forward to getting my first fill, because I am feeling very little restriction. Good Luck to everyone!!

Hi all, I had my sleeve revised to bypass on Monday, 8/31. I am 4 days in and weigh more than I did on surgery day. Is this still surgical fluids? I’m following my Stage 1 plan to the letter and frustrated.

Surgery date 12-6-12, not eating much. Food intake has been very hard since my surgery. I feel like at 4 mnths post op, I can only get 1 to 1 1/2 ounces in per meal. I have no appetite and have to force myself to eat. Let me explain, this surgery was a revision (to save my life) from the RNY I had in 2003. I don't remember it being this difficult to eat back then. What is everyone else eating and how much?

The band will have to come out and causes many problems if not right off then eventually. Just had a revision.....I was not told that when I chose the band.