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You've gotten great advice so far and I don't have any practical advice to add. I would like to say, enjoy the process as much as you can. I know it sounds weird but when I had my sleeve surgery 7 years ago I rushed things and kept thinking about the next step. For my revision to bypass on Tuesday the 1st, I treated myself to new pajama pants to take to the hospital, I bought exciting flavors of protein shakes. My backpack is going to be light... Phone, long charging cord, lip balm, my noise cancelling headphones to help block out some of the hospital noises, my 3 ring binder of surgery info, pajama pants and not much else. I've had 2 endoscopies and another unrelated procedure in the past few months and I did much better with letting myself relax. Sent from my Z6201V using BariatricPal mobile app

Trying to decide if I pay 19k to have band revision surgery in Toronto or make the trip to Mexico but travelling alone makes me nervous and I don't know if I have anyone I can take with me as my hubby needs to stay home and look after kids. I had had my band surgery I Toronto 8 years ago and that was just as long of a flight. Is anyone from BC travelling to Mexico for sleeve surgery? I'm looking for someone to travel with or to talk to someone who has travelled alone.

Be careful! That candy craving took over about 1 1/2 years out . Since nothing made me sick, I began eating loads of candy every day and gained back 60% within a year. I have been revised for a month to the RNY so I cannot eat candy ever again! When I was on the wagon I used Livestrong's My plate to track everything I ate & was told to stay under 1000 per day but you should really ask your Nutritionist what is right for you, your height, age and ideal weight. Calorie goals can vary by person...

I wanted to say good luck. My time line is different since I was a revision so I didn't have to go thru everything. I had my surgery in 6/18 out of south San Fran kaiser. On 4/29 my dr and I said it was time for revision he gave me 3 days in June and I picked the 18 th and I was in.

Well, that was a horrendous experience. BUT, all is well now. My gastric sleeve was performed on August 12th 2019. All the pre-op stuff was fine and I was excited and looking forward to a quick exit on day 2. I notice that most of you are in the USA, which I am not so there are a few things we do differently. My blood's were all good and the day before my op I just had to ring the private hospital I was going to, to check on what time my admission was on the Monday. I was first on the list for the day so was taken to theatre at 0830am. I hopped onto the operating table myself, which was a bit weird, but I know some places do it this way. I was just trying not to stress and go with the flow! Cannulas were inserted into both hands and then off to the land of fairies I went. I am oblivious to how much later I woke, but I was in absolute agony and the Dr's struggled to get my pain under control. Eventually, after lots of vague voices/mumbling/crying, I must have zonked out again before being taken back to my room. Now the next 8 days are a bit jumbled and blurred. My family have clarified some things for me so I 'kind of' have a correct recollection of events. I was in constant and severe abdominal pain. I could not stop vomiting. I could not keep in 2.5ml of water per 5 mins. By Day 8 post-op, my Surgeon decided to do a Dilation via Endoscope because he had decided that I had a constriction. By this stage, I was on regular morphine, IV potassium (it had dropped due to the vomiting) and constant fluid balance. As you can imagine I was desperate and delirious by this point. I woke from the endoscopy....in the same pain, still unable to hold anything in. I'm not sure how soon after this I was transferred via emergency ambulance to the big local hospital and had a revision done, so have ended up with a '1 anastomosis bypass'. Finally being able to drink and keep it down was amazing and such a huge relief. Lots of other bits went on during all this as I had to have a midline catheter put in rather than the normal cannulae that you would have in your hands/arms etc, lots of medication tweaking, iv fluids, blood tests etc So you can see my abdomen day 1, then a few days later and then starting to fade well today All in the wrong order lol the middle pic is today. I also had a fall in the bathroom on the 20th and landed on the toilet, I only vaguely remember the fall and thought I had broken my ribs (obvs hadn't), then had no recollection of the fall for a few days lol! ANYWAY! Now the horror is over and I am finally home, I am tolerating protein fluids well, got my high protein milk made up and add it to my breakfast smoothie and tomato/chicken soup. Not so keen on the slight texture the protein powder leaves in my mouth but hey ho. I am super weak and wobbly and showering myself and getting my 'drinks' are my limit, but just trying to do a little more each time I stand up AND I must remember I had not 1 but 2 major ops plus all the stress and strain in between I am absolutely dying to taste REAL food and not thick claggy high protein things with so much sweetness. Even tinned soup is too sweet sigh I have my 2 weeks follow up with my surgeon and Dietician next week. Weight is falling off I have lost 15kg/33lbs to date

Teri, So the twisted port, it is okay now? Will it go back to normal? If they revise it, that means they go back in? I still look like I have a third boob. I swear I thought it would be hidden. Even so where the swelling is turns out the port is lower. If I try I can even feel it. But I do worry, which is why no sit ups. Teri, really, my stomach hangs so low anyway, will it really do any good. I have a Turkey Neck - gobble gobble gobble Hanging Turkey Arms Hanging tummy But my but and thighs are getting firm from walking. Hey I am over 50, I don't need a tight butt, I would like a less saggy neck though. Everyone tries to be helpful and they say, Oh you can take care of that. WHAT ANOTHER SURGERY. No way, I guess I will come to love the extra skin. Don't they have that squishy undies that sucks you in??? Besides, as down as I might get, when I see as I was told by my Band Buddy - two wet tube socks hanging from your chest, I remember my real reason for the band. To get healthy. I just have to keep my eye on the ball - a healthy heart. Sorry for being down, bad day, terrible day, shitty day, you pick the word. Debbie:blush:

I'd be happy with a 14, thrilled with a 12. At my lowest weight of 270 I fit into a comfortable 18, tight 16 so I have no idea what weight I would be to fit into a 14. Maybe like 230lbs, but my goal weight is around 190. I'll revise it if and when I get there lol.

I had my sleeve done September 2016. I lost 145lbs. I now weigh 165lbs & my acid reflux has not gotten any better. I know I need a revision but I’m scared & my doctor moved away😭

I am so sorry to hear about your ongoing discomfort and discontent. You have been referred to another Surgeon? That is a priority so you can now address & reconcile the acid reflux and move on with your revision. Typically, a revision is not as complicated as the original surgery. It should alleviate your acid reflux and improve weightloss. Sometimes the stomach can expand...I realize you know all this. Your trepidation is reasonable & understandable, especially when the Dr. you developed a trusting relationship has moved. Have you met the new Surgeon? Do not allow fear to create anxiety. Evidentially, you are incredibly strong, in every way....emotionally & mentally your are formidable. Has your Dr recommended any medication for the reflux? I do not know anything about your history, I joined today. But I am here, happy to help & always listen...

Thank you for the response. I'm trying to figure out if getting my band revised to a sleeve is worth it. I know the stomach functions more physiologically with the sleeve, so you don't get all the esophagus problems and potential for pouch dilation or slips. My band anatomy is normal and I don't have to have it removed due to complications. I'm wondering if not needing to eat/getting full/staying full is superior with the sleeve. I feel like the band is somewhat helpful but not nearly enough to drastically control my weight long-term. I suspect that the sleeve would produce superior results and be a more permanent operation with less risk for long-term complications. In my situation would you get the revision if your band did not have to come out?

I have a pretty good awareness of who will be supportive, who won't, etc. Right now, 6 people know: my sister and one of my nieces (both have thought about surgery but are nervous about it), my boss (I've had to take time off), and my three best friends (one had bypass surgery 10 years ago and is thinking about a revision and the other two are supportive either way). I'll probably let the rest of my office mates know after my insurance approval comes back and I get a date, because it'll be a sure thing then. I don't anticipate any judgment or issues, but I don't want them all to know I'm planning this and have it fall through for any reason. We're a small enough office that there's no point in trying to hide anything! As for the rest of my family? It was a hard lesson to learn, but I've finally figured out that I'm going to be judged and found lacking no matter what I do (in every area of my life, not just weight). I don't care if they know about it, but it would be my preference to fill them in after the deed is done just so I don't have to listen to any crap.

I am so sorry to hear that. I know exactly what you are going through. I first started trying to revise 3 years ago. I went through two insurance companies that denied me bc they said since I gained the weight back, I was non compliant even though the testing showed damage. I finally got approved with my new insurance but my plan ends on 07/1 and I am still trying to get cardiac clearance. It has been a long fight but worth it for my health. Hang in there and maybe a law firm would help, I never thought of that option. I would go to Mexico and get it done, but I feel like my husband would not support me in the option even if we found a really good program. He still pictures old rusty equipment and dark infected rooms... Any way I wish you all the best and a speedy appeal and approval.

I first thought I wanted to get the sleeve too, but then I started seeing the statistical chance of having to have a bypass revision is pretty high. I, too, started at a pretty high weight - over 400 pounds when I first started at the bariatric center. Yes, the sleeve is a little less invasive, and has less absorption issues. But when I went to the seminar and listened to my surgeon talking about the pros and cons of both, and then also based on all the research I did on my own and the sleevers and rny-ers I talked to, I changed to the bypass. My main reasons are these: - I started at a high bmi (upper 60s) and most of the people who had the sleeve at that high weight ended up in maintenance before they had even lost all their weight, and also many of them ended up with a bypass anyway. - I wanted to avoid going under the knife for a second time, and since so many people get revisions, the bypass just seemed smarter. - I wanted the extra accountability. One of the big reasons I got surgery in the first place was to give my body the best tool I could for controlling what I eat and how much I eat. The bypass goes a step beyond the sleeve and also gives you malabsorbtion. - In the end, ultimately, I chose the bypass for all these reasons and because I want the most bang for my buck. If I had started at a much lower weight, perhaps my current weight, I might have chosen the sleeve. As things stand for me now, I'm very, very happy that I chose the bypass. I have PCOS and even now after losing 160 pounds from my highest weight, I still have to fight my body tooth and nail to continue to lose. I'm nowhere near maintenance (282 pounds as of this morning) and I'm glad that I chose the more intensive surgery. In the end it's your and your surgeon's decision. I would recommend the RNY for someone who began as heavy as me, but that's just me.

I am 4 years post revision from band to sleeve. My starting BMI was 52, I weighed 308. This morning I weighed 153, I have been successful with the sleeve. First surgeon I went to pushed me (wouldn't even discuss sleeve) to bypass due to high BMI and history of failure with a restriction only surgery. I have been involved in WLS forums for 5 years and have formed some opinions based on my personal as well as experiences shared by others. Bypass and sleeve are both good, effective surgeries. There are some conditions that pushes you toward one or another (Gerd - go bypass for example ). I have seen people succeed and fail with either, especially over the long run. So much of long term success is that perseverance over the long haul. I am very pleased with my results and am so happy with my sleeve but I kinda think the higher the overweight the more a person should look into bypass or DS. I say that knowing there are sleevers who have lost and maintained hundreds of pounds - I just think have an open mind, do your research and make a rational choice for your circumstances. They are both effective but have different risks and positives. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

I don't have any advice, I just want to offer you some support! You said you can't get another band, have you looked into revision to a different surgery?

I asked my surgeon about the port in these situations, given that I did karate and wrestling and can't wait to go back to them... He seemed to think it would all be fine, and I he chose the type of band based on which port had a lower profile with the contact sports in mind. He has said that if I lose all my abdominal padding () that he can revise the port's location in the future.

Thank you all so much for your support, I have seen my psyciatrist and she had said she cannot see a improvment happening with my depression untill i lose weight. My surgeon had emailed me and said he wants to speak to my psyciatrist as he does not want to make a isolated decison about revison. I think he wants to check i am emotionally stable enough to understand the implications of a revison and to handle more surgery. My psyciatrist said she will fully support the decison to goahead with more surgery to revise this band to another form of WLS DS or RNY i am not sure. Its been a very long time too since i hang out here i felt thurily assaullted last time i expresses my difficulties in fact i think last time i came here was when i had my pnumonia and i was then made to feel like the problems i was hing were down to me "not working with my band" I have 2 1/2 mills in a 9mill swedish band i dont mind a total unfil but this would be the second time in 2 19 months that i would need to do that just to get better surly i cant keep revolving around like this. i dont want to say the band is no good i know people who have done great with the band. But i have had nothing but problems i also know people who experience the same as me and people who do great then 2 or 3 years down the rd there having problems and thats why so many surgeons are stop doing it. Long term the more these bands are being done the more we are seing faliours and reops. A 30% faliour rate is terrable and thats only the people who do go on to have revisonal surgery what about the people who cant afford more surgery or have been totally put off more WLS purly because of there band experiences. I find that bandsters who do great are the worst for understanding its like no matter what you say its my fault and not the band they seem totally unwilling to accept the band can fail or be problematic, And they can leave you feeling really band they offer suggestions to try as if you have not tried and exausted everything before reaching this point of dispare. I have had other bandtsers call me lazy and acused me of sabotage its terable the things that are said its just all been too much. If i could work this i would i am almost 2 years post op why would i sabotage my band if it had worked i could have been at normal BMI by now why would i want to deliberatly not help myself its beyond me just trully how cruel some people can and have been. But for those here thank you for your support it has helped lift my spirits. xx

I had vsg in 2020 but I’m getting a revision to RNY. I had no troubles my first surgery actuall surgery went great. but TikTok has me panicking and getting scared that something bad will happen to me.

Well technically yes they can, the surgeon will tell you which one he would suggest, but ultimately if you have the cash, most will do the procedure... both my lapband and revision were self-pay....my surgoen for my lapband was against giving me the lapband, he recommended RNY (the sleeve wasn't around in 2005) but I insisted on the lapband...fast forward 7 years I wish I'd paid the extra 5,000 for the RNY.....but I learned my lesson, I have the sleeve now, and I dont regret it....

I went with the sleeve because I am young and active and I wanted to lead a normal life. As a single person I felt RNY was too risky for me. I have a friend that had RNY and never made it to goal, and regained. The long term differences in the weight loss between the sleeve and the bypass are almost the same. In the end it more about how you manage your tool. Also I felt I was too young to deal with malaborption from RNY. If the sleeve didn't exist, I don't think I would have ever had surgery. I knew RNY wasn't for me, and the lap band just doesn't even make sense to me. The sleeve is the only thing that made me think WLS might be for me. Also lastly I knew I could revise with the sleeve to a DS later in life if I had serious regain. Once you have RNY and fail at it, there really isn't any more surgical help. It is a hard decision so you should do your own research and decide on what fits your life.

What do you mean.. ""Iike the gastric"? I revised from band to sleeve II n 2011 and currently maintaining 160# weight loss. Best decision EVER.

Domik03, I'm not sure about Kaiser (CO) but I'm Kaiser (CA) and since I was having a problem with the band, they covered the removal. But to cover the revision I had to attend the 12 wks. of education classes as if I were a new WLS patient. Did I care...nope! It got me the revision needed. Good luck.

Hey there. I had a band back in 2007 and was down 60 lbs. 2 yrs. later I began having reflux issues and had gained 30 lbs. back. Now, by 2012 I was told the band should come out because it was causing all my stomach issues as well as my esphogus beginning to become stretched. So, May of 2013 I had a revision....and for me, my results have been how I expected the band to work. I'm a weight I've not seen in 30 yrs. and a size I've never known in a woman's body! Yes, it was a scary thought at first but then I thought about the decision to be banded...it was about being healthy and living a long life and what I was dealing with pre-band and post band were not making that happen. Are there risks, YES! But, I was willing to do it because I could see what my future could be looking at my family's health. My mother is only 20 yrs. older than me (66) and she can't walk the mall, can't climb stairs, etc. because of her weight. She just had her first grandchild but she'll never be able to play on the floor with him, fling him around...you know, all those wonderful things a kid should have with grandma. In fact, she might not be here beyond his 10th birthday. THESE things pushed me toward doing this revision. You review and contemplat ALL your options...you could just have it removed...that was the option given to me. However, be honest with yourself (very honest)....will that be enough or will you still need a tool to help keep off the weight long term? Hugs and best of luck in making your decision. Annette

I'm really clueless about bands. Can someone explain to me briefly why people have revisions? Why is the band so awful? I'm being nosey, that's all. :-) Thanks!

my band will be removed before the end of the year. i've had him for 4.5 years. i lost ALL my excess weight but it was because i was throwing up all the time. i just found out in august that my band had slipped. i have mixed emotions. i lost a lot of weight with the band but not in a healthy way. since i've had all the fluid removed from the band, i've gained 20 pounds. i can't wait to have it removed and have the revision!