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Today I am exactly one month out had a band to sleeve revision happened so fast and unexpected was only expecting to have band removal and my amazing surgeon offered me the sleeve and two months later here I am started 248 did my pre op diet for a month doc was worried about my esophagus expanding surgery day 227 and this morning weighed in at 211 a lil slow compared to most but I am happy. The only thing I am worried about is going back to work on Thursday I am a charge nurse a nursing home and people can be very nosey or shall I say nurses lol I went in last week to pick up a check and I was literally huddle by about 6 of my co workers and they were all saying comments in how I look great and that I have lost weight and I was so surprised on how extremely uncomfortable I was !! I did not tell anyone what I was doing just told them I requires surgery and I'm ok now thank you for the concern well while in this huddle a coworker of mine had the nerve to blurt out in Spanish right directly in front of me and say something I had no idea what was said seeing how I do not speak Spanish but what she said seemed to upset a friend of mine who does speak Spanish I later asked my friend what that was about and apparently my co worker said "she's lying she was never sick she had that fat surgery like the other girl" a couple of girls at my work have had the surgery and been successful but people are just so rude and really make judgements and insensitive comments especially when we have pot lucks they will make comments on what they eat how little they eat or how much they eat which is exactly why I have not chosen not to tell people about my surgery so lets just say I am not happy about going back to work I am not a person that like attention or the spotlight on me I was at work literally for 10 min and I was extremely uncomfortable. Anyone else have the same experience and how did you deal with it ?

MsUjima - I understand what you are saying about planning for the worst and then get pleasantly surprised if I feel better than expected. Good advice! Not having dinner here isn't an option, but I think if I turn everyone loose in the kitchen and let them share the cooking amongst themselves, it will be fine. I won't plan on doing any of it myself. My crowd is way too picky for me to please everyone anyway. My son actually loves to cook, so he might really enjoy an opportunity to show off his skills. :-) I think I will plan on resting and just enjoying everyone's company and let them do all the work. Djmohr - thanks for the feedback about going anywhere. It is a little hard for me to wrap my head around that still. I was thinking earlier "we can stop for lunch somewhere after picking them up from the airport." So now, that doesn't sound like a good plan, does it? I guess a better plan would be have my husband go pick them up while I take a nap and rest up, and they can pick up something for lunch on the way here. I think I need to revise all my thinking about this and plan around me NOT to be able to do much of anything.

I'm vertically challenged at 5'1 so my original goal weight was 110 pounds, which would have placed me at a very normal BMI of 20 and into single-digit clothing sizes. At three months post-op I adjusted my goal upward to 130. The weight was coming off at a painfully slow rate of about 5 to 6 pounds monthly, so I thought I'd never make it to my original goal. I reached my revised goal of 130 pounds at 14 months out. My surgery day weight was 218, so I decided to lose a nicely even 100 pounds by getting to a body weight of 118. 118 pounds was my new goal. It took another 4 months to lose the additional 12 pounds to get to 118. I've been maintaining this body weight without a great deal of effort while eating in the ballpark of 2000 calories daily. This is the first time in my adult life I've been weight-stable. I wear a size 4 and enjoy life as a normal-weight person.

I'm waiting to hear back from the insurance. All they required was one neutrino class and a psych eval for the revision. I'm from Texas and Dr John Pilcher will be performing my revision. He has also given me the choice between resleeving and rny. I'm not too sure what to do. What is a bougie?

I saw the new surgeon with my UGI results today. The lapband must be removed due to esophagus and pouch dilation. Yes, pouch dilation is a real complication. I am getting sleeve revision during the same removal surgery in 3 weeks. I have an enormous amount of mixed feelings, but, I know one thing and that is, I will be forever grateful to the band because it saved my life and I made a promise if I were to lose the band, I would never bash the band or become a band hater or make anyone feel like the band was a bad decision! Facts are facts, when I signed on the dotted line, I knew that this type of surgery, like all others, had potential complications and it was my decision to take a gamble on the band. Period! I become angered with the opinions of others that don't understand what a banded person goes through. As it has been said again and again that support sites, we mainly hear about the negative or about issues and we don't hear much about the very successful banded people that have been banded many, many years and don't post on these site often. I definitely have no regrets!I I will miss the band! The only thing that I will say is that I thank God that I have insurance that covered most of my fills, checkups and now revision. I can't even imagine if I were out of coverage. If complications are becoming more pronounce with the band, Ehthicon should provide help for people that no longer have insurance coverage or help push for affordable bariatric insurance coverage. Just my opinion. Did I fail the band? I'll take some responsibility, but not all. I think of myself as a compliant band patient, but who knows anymore. I have talked about my severe allergies and massive drainage in multiple posts. I will reiterate - if you have severe allergies - the band is NOT for you. I will admit that at one short period of time, I became non-compliant with the rules especially with not eating slow and chewing well and stretched my pouch the first time. I had a deflate for 6 weeks and pouch shrunk back to normal. Once you've stretched the pouch once, it will probably happen again. I started measuring my meals to prevent pouch stretching, but, allergies continued which probably contributed to pouch and esophagus dilation. On top of this, the revision doctor tells me that I was fitted with a standard size Allergan band and I probably should have been fitted with a large, which makes the most sense. May be why I could only hold 2.2cc's at most without being too tight. With all the fills, unfills due to allergies, which were always done under fluoroscopy, my band doctor checked my band frequently and is why we found my issue early enough. If you don't get anything out of my post, Please, Please have the band checked at least once a year. I want to thank many of you for your help and suggestions that you offered in my many times of distress. Be well, Be safe and most of all Be respectful to one another and beware of opinions of others. Remember a very successful banded person is not a doctor! Always, check with your doctor when you are not sure. The "know it alls" mean well, but they are way off at times. I will probably not be coming back here as often because I joined a band to sleeve revision support group and am enjoying the respect and compassion they seem to all have in common. Good luck in your journeys and may God bless each one of you! Jake

Hi there! I had my band in 2007 and I am through with the band as well. As far as revisions, insurance will cover the sleeve if you have an problem with your band pretty easily. I am not sure about coverage if nothing is wrong. I read that if you have not lost significant weight, they will consider a revision. All insurance policies are completely different though. You can call or go online to see what your coverage is. Most people have the revision surgery in one operatation. That is how mine will be and I believe most on the forum. Sometimes, if there is too much damage from erosion or scar tissue, they have to perform the surgery in two operations. My doctor performed an endoscope to make sure it was safe to do everything at once. Good luck and I really hope you get approval for your sleeve. Bands are such a pain! I can't wait to get rid of mine!

Ok. I wonder if anyone has had this experience with FEPB. I'm having lap band revision to sleeve or RNY. I call the insurance company on Wednesday of last week and the guy said I was approved. All excited... didn't rush into anything until the next day. I get a call from my doctors office Friday saying that they need more documentation ( 3 month diet plan, psych eval, etc.) I never had to have all this when I had my lap band in 2010 so I was fuming because I already purchased airline tickets for family members to come down to Texas for surgery. I called the insurance and they sent out two letters. One that is approving the procedure for lap band removal. The 2nd letter is coded for the sleeve/rny and it says before they can look at it need the 3 month diet, etc. So, I call... and I told the lady what happened and she had referred it to the person that sent the letters out to look at it. She called me back and I explained to her basically you are approving one surgery and you are pretty much going to force me into doing two surgeries. She was so persistent on the documentation telling me over and over they need that. I asked her do you even look at the cost of two surgeries and does that justify me not having to do the 3 month, diet. etc. She said they do but that they still need the documentation????? Has anyone gotten through this problem without having to jump through hoops?

Hello all, I'm going in for a Sleeve to Bypass revision in a few days. Dr. Alexander will perform the surgery at Pine Creek Medical Center in Dallas. Wondering if there are any other patients of his on here

@@Fatty McFatster sorry you had problems with your band in my "biased" opinion - the sleeve is the greatest!!! having revision surgery shows your determination you are brave enough to go through MORE surgery you want to get it right/successful with weight loss you are starting all over most of the rules with lapband are same/similar to sleeve??? you are a winner, but i'll save you a seat on the "loosers" bench!!! good luck speedy recovery kathy

Im still having complications with my tummy tuck any suggestions. My insicion is still open. Waiting on insurance to notify me of a revision. Any suggestions on a great plastic surgeon for a belt lipectomy

Because I was a band to sleeve revision I had to go 15 days on each phase. Talk about I was about to puke at the thought of broth at day 14, lol. It was so so hard but I stuck to it. I did not want to risk messing up anything and having to take another trip back to Mexico. I hate flying so just flying there to have the surgery was enough for me. It gets better, stay strong

Hi, I'm new here... I am 5 days post op revision surgery (band-sleeve). I'm feeling absolutely fantastic! No gas pain, no incision pain...etc But I am feeling hungry with the little food I'm getting, should I risk eating something heavier? Like, Cereal n milk? A banana? Wanna eat something....I don't love my Protein shake, but I'll have it anyway. Any suggestions for something ok to eat at this early stage??

This is gerd and is quite common with the sleeve. I too would wake up with acid flowing from my nose and mouth. It was horrible. Best option is to revise to a bypass. you need to see a surgeon. They may put you on a ppi but those are not safe long term. Gerd can lead to much worse things like cancer. Please see a Dr ASAP.

Just an update: I had my revision on 3/22 and I have to say it was the best thing I've done in a long, long time! It was done in one surgery and lasted only 2.5 hours -- and he was able to do it lapriscopically! I am so happy with my sleeve! No more getting stuck, no more sliming! I am on the "soft/mushy" phase, but so far it's been well worth it!

This just makes me SICK. OK, I can see the list of excuses they can more than likely come up with as to why they can't TREAT you since your revision - but to not even allow you to attend the SUPPORT GROUP!? What a crock of bologna. This right here is one of the many reasons I have little respect for american bariatric doctors. They're all crooks. And when you don't want to willingly and without questions shell out 40k to them for a surgery that costs them a quarter of that if not less they get all butt hurt and send you packing. So much for compassion for the patients and wanting to see them succeed. GRRRR!!!! I am so glad you're doing well now - and to hell with that doc. Goodness! >:o/

Every doctor/surgeon is different on this one, just like most other things lol. I was wondering the same thing, as I started mushies today after having a revision surgery two weeks ago. Felt kind of stupid calling as I've done this all before and I should know the answer that mine would give me, but called to double check when I couldn't find it in the paperwork. So for me, its eat until you feel satiated (not stuffed). They said that they wouldn't give me a exact amount, cause half a cup or one cup or whatever, may not make me full .. or it may make me too full. Just eat until I was no longer 'hungry'. That works for me *shrugs*. Last time around, one of the hardest things for me was learning the difference between no longer being hungry and being full. Just like alot of other people out there, prebanding, I ate until I hurt quite often. So finding that fine line was difficult. The easiest way for me to do it, was to make sure I really slowed down and took very small bites (ie, if I'm eating with a teaspoon, I may only eat 1/4 of the teaspoon with each bite). My meals last like 30 minutes or more sometimes, just cause I drag it out that long .. but its worked (or it did with the last band). Let's just hope I can use the same common sense this time around lol.

Hi Bernie, I don't mind helping out. I had the Lap Band in 2005 and then had a revision to the Gastric Sleeve last month. You can email me if you'd like @ kekerene@hotmail.com, just put your name in the subject line so I don't delete it thinking it's junk mail.

I applied for medcaid today . It seems like i should be approved based on what I have read ? BUT who knows. Does anyone know what the medicaid guildlines are in Texas for revisions ? thanks Mindy

@nssmia A thought, bmi 30 and over is obesity range, WIll lyposuction get you healthy long term or will you regain with that proceedure? I'm also concerned about all the posts recently about weight gain and revisions. Know there are many of us that bounce back from surgery with no complications and have kept the weight off. I had the sleeve in 2014. I reached goal in six months. I maintain in the 130's. Many people at goal or maintaining no longer need the support on this site.. the positive is not getting enough recognition. You will see mostly. People researching, new to wls complications, weight gain and a handful of vets that stick around I have a link of positive experiences to help balence out the other posts. It may help calm someone's anxiety. Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

Good luck w/ all the revisions! I am 2 weeks, 2 days post-op & generally, feel pretty good! Down 16 lbs. so far & just trying to remind myself to DRINK!!! LOL! So glad I did it & looking forward to maintaining for life!

I posted this over in the post-op forum, then remembered things over here. Sorry if it is a duplicate! I'm back. It is hard to believe it has been 16 months since banding! I've lost 65 pounds, but have basically plateaued in the last 6 months. I just got a fill yesterday and am definitely feeling a difference. I started running last summer and actually ran/walked a 5k. Then I developed a bladder problem and that slowed me to a stop. I'm told it is more age related, not weight loss related. Now that its under control, I'm starting back to my exercise. Winter is just not cooperating! While I haven't loss weight recently, my clothing size is smaller,so I'm guessing in dealing with the weight of muscle compared to fat. What I m struggling with is a change in surgeon, as mine moved out of state. I within the same center, but the difference in philosophy is creating stress. I think he is basically anti-band and pro- bypass. Anyway, he's telling me that revised stats show only 10% of banders achieve weight loss goals! And that many are having the band removed and getting bypass done because the band hasn't worked. My band has worked, and I know that with a 65% loss of pounds over target, I'm ahead of the stats. But it still bothers me. Have the stats changed? Is the success rate less than we were told two years ago? Are the failures due to those who don't follow the guidelines? (That is what my first surgeon said- that the total stats included tho who drank their calories, didn't exercise, and didn't use the band as a tool to change behaviors) What are all of you hearing? How are you doing on weight loss continuing the second year? Are you struggling or is it going the way you thought?

I have been banded 3 years. I am considering a tubal ligation revision to have a baby. It would put me roughly at 44 to get pregnant. Has anyone had a successful pregnancy at that age? I am so concerned of down syndrome and other defects.

Hi I actually started this Bariatric Surgery in the beginning of 2013. I had the lap band put in July 2013. My HW ever was 255. My LW after the band was 225, and because I had problems with them getting me in the Green (Right) Zone. I couldn't lose anymore and as of the beginning of 2016 I was at my highest post Lap Band in 2013 which was 244.4. Considering to have a revision, I called my insurance company who said the maximum number of Bariatric Surgeries was 2, I decided to start the Process. I had my revision done in one day on Nov 14, 2016, the day after my 50th Birthday, at which time I was down to 231. Also, I actually almost backed out the day of surgery, but so glad I didn't. As of today Dec 17, 2016 I'm down to 218.8, AND I'M DETERMINED WITH THE HELP OF GOD TO REACH MY GOAL. A suggestion for anyone considering any of these surgeries for the first time or revision, PLEASE PRAY AND ASK GOD, WHICH I DID EACH TIME, AND HE GAVE ME THE OK EACH TIME. SO HERE I AM TODAY. Ps I'd recommend the Sleeve Over The Band. Yes the band can be reversed and said to be the safest, but if you don't get the Right Fill, you'll probably end up like me losing then gaining some back and headed back in the wrong direction overall.

It took me close to a year to get the courage to revise from a band to a sleeve. I had all the same fears... fear of reflux, fear of failing AGAIN, fear of horrible complications and it not being "reversible". I am just a few months out, but feeling very confident this was the right decision. I am not saying it is easy, but I love that i am not hungry all the time. When I eat a meal, it is not just a pouch that fills, it is your whole stomach and to me I feel pretty normal, just eat small quantities. I never felt normal with the band. I think people who have been through a band first find some of the "challenges" with the sleeve to be a piece of cake by comparison. The main thing that was harder with the sleeve was the exhaustion/recovery during the first 6 weeks post surgery. I don't remember anything like that after being banded. I have a long way to go on my weight loss journey, but so far, hands down, 1000% better then the lapband.

It is relative to each patient. The best he could give you would be averages, and I don't think a lot of surgeons are yet tracking AGB - VSG revisions yet. It would be nice if he had some current data to give you. There are also a lot of variables. For example, length of time banded may play a role, as does success while banded, and reasons for that success (e.g. did you actually change behaviors in a positive way, or did you just irp up everything you tried to shove down as though you were eating pre-op). The statistics also vary for AGB -> VSG "all in one" procedures (removal and revision at the same time) compared to requiring a waiting period (so do the rates for complications). My surgeon's statistics are currently about 80% EWL with a virgin sleeve. 70% - 80% EWL with his mandated waiting period between revision procedures. 60% - 75% EWL simultaneous procedures. (Complication rates from simultaneous procedures to stayed procedures ran about 20% less, respectively). I know it's been beat to death, but remember it really is a tool. Weight loss will happen if you work with your tool. Weight loss will not be automatic. Not with this procedure, anyway.