Search the Community

I had a revision from band to sleeve on 06/23/11 by Dr. Aceves. I am doing and feeling great. Dr. Aceves and his team are all wonderful and the hospital is super clean. I returned to work 6 days after surgery. No worries, you will be in great hands

I have a date of 12-28-13 for my sleeve revision ....I can't wait but I'm very nervous ...

Congratulations! My mom had a revision done in September of last year - and she has said it was the best decision she ever made. Good luck!

Well, you are pretty low BMI compared to many of us (including me!). My BMI is now 35 and my weight loss has slowed alot compared to when it was in the 40s. I suspect that people who are revised when they have less to lose are going to be quite slow BUT it will help keep you from regaining too. Looking at your stats, you are a success in my book even if it is slow going!

Hey all! Most of you probably know my story: I was banded in OCt of 2009 and did well. Lost 104 lbs in 2 yrs, was down to within 9 lbs of my goal when I started having severe nightime reflux last year. Had to sleep on my back only propped up on 3 pillows, taking RX Prilosec, OTC Zantac, and popping Tums like crazy. I refused to tell my dr cuz I was scared he would take out some of my fill. My husband got tired of my whining about my reflux (some mornings I'd wake up with brown stomach acid on my pillow, sorry if tmi) and insisted I see my dr. I made the 6 hr round trip visit to my dr and he did an xray. My band was slipped. So he took out about 1/2 of my 10cc fills (I have a 14cc band) and let me rest for 4 weeks. The reflux stopped right away. Yeah. In 4 weeks I made the trek again (not to mention that everytime I say hello to my dr, it's $160 + the xray) and without doing a followup xray, he put in 1cc. Well, that was fine, still nor reflux, but also no restriction. So 3 weeks later, he put in another 1cc. The reflux came back that night. Went back (yet anoter 6 hr journey - it's an all day affair + $160) so he finally did another xray. It was still slipped (could've done the xray earlier and prevented all this) and said that "he treats the symptoms, not the xray" so he took out the previous 1cc he had put in. I still have 7 cc in my band. I haven't had reflux too bad (maybe 2x a month or so - I can handle it), but much, much less restriction. In the past year, I've gained 24 lbs. I started Atkins 3 weeks ago in hopes to get rid of it. I promised myself I'd never diet again after getting the band and prided myself on never counting anything and still losing 104 lbs. The portion control only works till about 6 pm then it's a free-for-all. I've lost 11 lbs in the past 3 weeks. Still 20 lbs from my 135 goal. Here's my dilemma: I have this very expensive tool inside me that not's working correctly. Should I go to my dr and pay the over $300 I owe him (no clue where that'll come from) and insist that he correct my problem? That may mean surgery again and starting from scratch, with monthly fills, monthly 6 hrs trips and a liquid diet for 4 weeks (HATED that). Or should I continue to diet and lose the weight (I'm doing well on Atkins, but I'm not really happy right now. I sure miss carbs!) and rely on my band to do just PART of the job? Like I said, I have SOME restriction, just not optimal to lose more weight. No clue what to do. I'm sure Medicare would pay for revision surgery, but I don't want to demand to my dr that he operate when I have no symptoms anymore. He said this was up to me now, not to rely on my band so much. What would you do? I HATE dieting, that's why I got the band in the fist place. I luv being able to eat just a few bites of everything I luv and still lose. HATE not being able to eat about 95% of food. Suggestions? Marci

Me neither, but just as every other medical therapy on this planet doesn't work in 100% of the cases with 100% success it's not realistic to expect 100% of WLS patients being 100% successful. I think most surgeons have a way more distant and neutral view of this treatment method than most patients. The patient's view seems to be loaded with emotions (no surprise here) and that is reflected on this board as well. It's never the treatment method that fails, it's always the patient who isn't strong enough, disciplined enough, motivated enough if goal weight isn't 100% or 100% maintained for the rest of life. This is very interesting because we used to be the same with diets. Then came the "diets don't work" movement along, backed up scientifically. And then as a last resort there is WLS - it's kind of depressing to accept that this last resort treatment isn't 100% fool proof either. It's easier to blame the fellow patients because it's quite frightening to think about the fact that you yourself might be one of the patients where it doesn't work 100%. And this sword of doom looms above your head for a very long time, if not forever. You always worry and if it's only in that little chamber in the back of your brain: "Will I be able to get down to a normal BMI?", "Will I be able to maintain my weight loss?", "Will I regain everything I lost or most of it?", "I simply can't accept even a slight gain or I'm a failure", "Will I be able to function on this high level of discipline and vigilance for the rest of my life?", "What about my 15 h per week exercise program when I suffer a serious injury and have to pause for several months?", "Am I really doomed to always follow a rigid diet for the rest of my life?" I dunno - maybe after having had surgery almost 17 years ago now and having had one revision and adhesiolysis I tend to see things differently than I had 10 or 15 years ago. I went through quite a few things during these years, including some regain when I stopped smoking, being obsessed with clean eating, exercise addiction before several sports related ailments stopped me in my tracks and being just burnt out from all the above. This is why I'm convinced that we should strive for a sustainable middle ground when it comes to eating and exercise and I can't see that much on the various WLS boards so I'm still searching for a place to settle down. Maybe it's because there aren't much people around whose surgery lies back so many years. Here you are a "veteran" after you're - what? - 18 months out IIRC. I personally think this is not a very long time out. Also being 2 or 3 years out is not much. I'm not sure how I can bring my point across without sounding like a total ass. Think about long term relationships maybe. All the couples who're together for 5,10,15,20,25 years or longer will know what I'm talking about when I say "that's not a very long time".

I too am having a revision due to weight regain. My problem wasn't emotional it was situational. I was taking care of my mom and living in her tiny apartment sleeping with with my head six feet from bread and cookies. I have a tremendously hard time resisting food (maybe emotional, maybe an addiction or compulsion) that is right in front of me which is why I don't keep it in my house. I thought I was only going to be there for a week or two but it turned out to be a year while I looked for a situation where I could be near my Mom full time and not live next to her food. In the interim, I gained 75 lbs. OUCH! I lost 25 of it on my own but it took two and half years. I applaud all your hard work and wish you the best! Good luck with your surgery!

my doctor told me as I get closer to goal weight, I may have to have a port revision surgery to place it deeper under my muscle tissue

Hi Everyone, I had my second meeting with my surgeon last night. At the first meeting I didn't know what procedure I wanted and he talked me into a Sleeve. Last night I explained I had done a lot of research and had decided the Sleeve was too drastic for me and I wanted the Band. The surgeons jaw hit the desk and he spent the next 5 minutes telling me what a mistake I was making. "Bands only work 50% of the time; I've cleaned up so many messes with the band; the weight loss is temporary and slow; at least 40% of bands require some sort of revision at some stage" ....and on and on and on....blah blah blah !!! BUT - he followed this with "I will do the band if you really want it". I came away from the meeting disillusioned, upset and confused. I think I need to find another surgeon....I don't think I can progress with someone who doesn't believe in the procedure I want. (His stats 600 Bypass surgeries; 300 Sleeves and 100 Bands.) BUT - I am really annoyed and disappointed that I have already invested so much time in this process ....meeting psych's, nutritionists; etc... AND around $500 for these pre-surgery meetings too!! If I move surgeons, I will have to start again. I am booked in for surgery on July 16. SHould I stay with him and get the surgery done on 16th? Or bite the bullet and find another surgeon? Thoughts? Regards Kiwi PS: Another thought has crossed my mind - and wondering what you think. Do you think surgeons are anti-band due to the more intensive follow up care that is required. I think they like the idea of cutting off your stomach and setting you free - never to see you again. I think the fill/unfill thing makes us less attractive as patients from a commercial and time perspective. Am I being a conspiracy theorist?? Or is there something in that?

Nope...not a revision. I went from the original stomach to the VSG stomach. I just know of the struggles that result from complications from banding. You two are going to do really well !!!

Lissa, I must not be searching right, I came up with my own post's. I searched "Tiffykins", found nothing on leaks, but sure enjoyed the photo's of her family! WOW, what beautiful people! She does sound very happy. I have an appt with my WLClinic next week, I will definately be bringing up the sleeve. I've read almost every post in the Band to Sleeve section here. The journey sounds very difficult and unpleasant, but people nevertheless are pleased with their Sleeve. The longevity of my knee's is greatly reduced by the wear and tear I put on them with my weight alone. Part of why the Sleeve piques my interest. My surgeon said they should last 20 yrs under the best circumstances. I'm hoping for 10-15 yrs. You mentioned..."If that happens, you'll be in the same place as you would be post-revision with an infection." - I'm not sure what you mean? Knee revision or Sleeve revision? Lissa, thanks SO much for trying to help me out here! I was hoping I'd find some help!

First...i am 110% happy and pleased with the band...last ALL my excess weight, AND in my case, was the EASIEST thing I could have done...the band did all the work! All I needed to do was change my lifestyle to meet the bands demands.... I never counted calories or measured portions other than within the first 2-3 months.... Have not had a single complication, no complaints, and today live a day by day normal life without giving anything much of a second thought, it has all become 2nd nature... I am not afraid of ever gaining any weight back, and cannot understand how I can ever "Fall off the wagon"...as long as the band is still there, properly adjusted and doing what it is, and has been doing for 3 years now.... Having said all that, I often think that perhaps I should have had the sleeve....I am always careful of the possible complications such as erosion, slippage that many people talk about here... I'm also concerned about leakage? I have 0% belly fat...which means my port is right there under a thing layer of skin, pressed tightly against my abb's....you can see every nook and cranny, even the tubing as it snakes 2-3" before going deep....looks like a tumor or something...it's hard, being a man, to walk around topless at the beach, etc...(always have to hold my beer in front of it) I'm 62 years old, and have considered revision to the sleeve before I'm 65? I am also well aware that the problems associated with the band are mostly exaggerated, and there is a "Sky is falling" mentality....a few people have a legitimate problem, then suddenly everybody is worried they are having the same thing.... But like I said...I am completely happy, could not be more pleased with the results and the quality of my life right now....

I had the sleeve and a hiatal hernia repaired and I have severe acid reflux to the point that we are revising to a bypass. One thing that concerns me that I've read on this thread is that people with the sleeve don't have to take Vitamins for the rest of their lives which is false. For both the bypass and the sleeve you need Vitamin supplements for the rest of your life. The choice is of course yours to make but neither is a bad option and IMO bypass isn't only for people with more weight to lose. If you are worried about the reflux you may go with the bypass but the sleeve is much less restrictive which also has pros and cons. With the sleeve, you have the option of eating ice cream, drinking soda, etc. which if those choices are made you won't lose weight. The bypass is more restrictive and will hold you accountable physiologically. Dumping syndrome doesn't usually happen unless you are eating sugar and carbs again holding you accountable because you will feel crappy if you cheat. There are pros and cons to every single surgery ever and complications and risks. You have to figure out what you are most comfortable with good luck!

I wish I had better suggestions for you but I just don't. With that mesh around your stomach it makes your choices for revision verrrry limited. When I see people that are still looking at that procedure (the one you had) I cringe. If banding does not work they are amazingly limited in what they can do. I'm not concerned about my sleeve, if something happens I could do bypass (and I wouldn't) or I could do DS (damn sure wouldn't) but at least I have options. I could have more of my sleeve shaved off too. That, I would do. But when people get that damned mesh they just can't revise to anything but a band. But you know, banding does work for some people. Seems to me your choices are to do it on your own or revise to an adjustable band. Can you do it on your own? And maintain?

Well the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons has this to say about VBG: ASBS - American Society for Bariatric Surgery For myself, I don't like the idea of the mesh band they place around the top of the pouch. That kind of mesh often leads to infected tissue and creates a lot of scar tissue that can cause other problems. It also makes it extremely difficult to revise at a later date if you have problems because it can be near impossible to get the band out of the equation.

I'm having a revision. I had my sleeve 3 years ago. Im getting bypassed In a week. Is week good to stop smoking pot? I'm nervous because I smoke but i stopped i have week

You are going to love the bypass! I was revised from band to rny may 2014. I am below my goal weight which is a normal bmi. I wear a size 6 and honestly I am so much healthier than I was with the band. The band worked for me but I could never lose the last 20 pounds and I had a lot of sliming and throwing up. I have had no sliming and haven't thrown up at all! It's so much easier than the band. Wish I had done it first lol good luck!

I was able to have my revision done in 1 surgery

Joyful, I just had my revision from lapband to sleeve done by Dr. Aceves on 12/18. It was the best medical experience of my life. I have worked in hospitals all over the world and been a patient in hospitals in several other countries. Swear to God, it is so clean there you can eat off the floor. My surgical experience was wonderful. My surgery was a bit longer than usual because of all the adhesions, scar tissue, etc. If I needed medication for nausea or pain I had it immediately after asking. Both Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos checked on me so many times each day that I lost count. By checking, I mean hands on checking, not like most of the Docs here in the U.S. who just come into the room and only ask how you are doing. Dr. Aceves and Campos did a look, listen, and feel exam. The day of my surgery, I know they were there quite late to recheck me (like around 9:30 p.m. ish). I never suffered in pain or with nausea like I have with other procedures I've had. I can honestly say that this was the least painful surgery I've ever had. Many of the staff speak perfect English. If they didn't it really wasn't a problem as between the both of us we could figure out what the other meant. I had no difficuty understanding all of the instructions I received both pre-op and post-op (and believe me, I had better instructions than I've ever had anywhere else). I am now 1 week post op and have been taking day trips to San Diego, Phoenix, and out into the Mountains with my family who are here for Christmas. Yes, I know that I've had something done, but I haven't had to lay around for days in recovery. Once in a while I feel a "pulling" type sensation in the muscle which is my signal to stop what I'm doing. It is normal to be afraid. Please know that you have nothing to be afraid of by going to Mexicali and having your surgery done with Dr. Aceves.The hospital has a fully accredited lab/blood bank. The ICU has an excellent reputation. Of course, you know the reputation of Dr. Aceves. I don't know if you are going alone or not. If you are, there are alot of other patients there with a family member or friend with them. You will all just sort of become a "family" while you are there and your "family" looks out for you (not that there is anything they would need to look out for). I never felt uncomfortable as far as being afraid for my safety. In fact, I felt very safe and secure. Even left my passport/purse in my room in full view as I was wandering around in the hospital. No problem. Some of the family members with the patients took taxis to the malls, etc and never had problems. Mexicali is much different than TJ and some of the other cities. Many Americans live here in Yuma and in El Centro and commute to Mexicali daily to work as there are many American factories :thumbup: there who have American supervisors. Please P.M. me if you want and I will give you my phone number. OR you can give me your phone number and I will call you back as I can call you for free and talk as long as needed to answer your questions.

I'm a sleeve to bypass revision...sleeved 12/13/12 and rny 8/16/13...mine was for extreme GERD/reflux reasons...I'm past my goal weight of 145 at 133 currently...I was told by my dr that I needed to wait 6 months before he would do the revision, and I was his first sleeve to bypass.

I would suggest that you keep your mind open - to the problems that can happen but also to the wonderful things that will happen! Educate yourself for sure, but remember that there are a lot people who have had some issues - I myself had a port revision - but I love my band, I wouldn't change anything. Only you and your surgeon can decide what is best for you Good luck!

I had a mommy make-over (152 lbs 10 years after lap-band) and 6 months later started gaining weight really fast (gained 60 lbs within 4 months which is why I’m back on the Bariactric site), got tested and I was IN menopause at 48. I read that surgery can push you in to it. I having a revision done on Tuesday and I’m scared to death it won’t work as well thanks to the hormone/surgery thing.

You can be modified from a sleeve to a bypass. My Dr. at Kaiser Fremont mentioned this is done if GERD is very bad post-op. I wouldn't say many people revise to DS, but some do. There is a DS board on Obesity Help so you could get more info about DS there. There are many more side effects with DS, but for some it is a life saver if they can't take the weight off another way. The restriction alone has been enough to get me to goal. My program uses a 40 bougie to size the stomach. I have started a blog on this site and discuss bougie size there: http://www.verticals...-and-then-some/ For North Carolina references, check the Gastric Sleeve Surgery Support Groups → Local Gastric Sleeve Surgery (VSG) Support Groups → USA Local VSG Support and then search for North Carolina. I found three threads for that state. Best wishes on your journey! Lynda

I'm a sleeve to RNY revision too... surgery date is May 7th. Would love to be your buddy

Hi guys, here. Am band to sleeve revision on jan 9th. Have not been loosing a lot, but in all honesty, I only have 50 to loose. 20 lbs from pre surgery to today but still with anything I have not felt a lot of restriction. I've been confused and actually wondering if the surgery was done leaving me with 15%of my stomach. I'm wondering if they left me more since I didn't have a lot to loose. I am discouraged to say the least and I see my surgeon tomorrow. I am going to ask in a nice way but really, I want to know. My leak swallow test showed a round stomach like the size of a baseball...there was no banana shaped anything. I hope to get answers tomorrow because if I went through all this and it's not what I wanted that would suck