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I am so sorry for your news about your hubby. And on top of that your health issues sound extremely painful and uncomfortable. I too am one of the 3-5 % of patients that have continued to have complications due to the sleeve. Mine are different then yours but I can relate to the time passing and things not getting better as far as the body adjusting. Like you this has been a long haul for me and others as well. I am wondering why you do not want to take the bypass option. This could be the answer to your situation. I had Roux-en-Y loop which is a type of bypass that worked for my leak.....I know your problems are different but I don't understand why you would not take any option open to you after 2 years of struggling with this much pain. You are a trooper I tell you that. I am 16 months out and wonder if I can keep up the journey... Still here so I guess so. Like you happy, happy, happy with the weight lost but wish the trouble was over. A lot of patients who had reflux trouble find it does return after a period of time. I hope that soon your health trouble will ease for you. Again so sorry about your hubby. Please let us know how things are going Yes, I know of four people that have revised because of GERD. One is doing well... all the other three aren't. One of the main reasons is I don't want to risk any more problems. I didn't want gastric bypass ever because I just don't. That is why I chose the sleeve and I know my problems don't compare to what you and others have been through. I've read your posts. I'm blessed really to just have this. The other reason is I can't afford it. I paid for my sleeve and my insurance will not pay for surgery even if I'm having problems. My husband is dying and I can't even think of that now. I'm taking care of him. I just know that if I had known that I would have developed my spasms, I wouldn't have had the surgery but everything is a risk and I've been blessed as I say not to have had more issues as you and others have. 1 in 4 is not good odds. Your problems are just as bad as mine. And deserve the help and attention of professionals. they helped cause the situation. They need to fix it.... You are dealing with so much right now and my heart goes out to you. Thank you for telling me why you are not having the bypass...It is up to each of us to chose for ourselves what is best. You are your own advocate! It is hard when you don't know what can happen. that is why I have put my story out there so it might help others to see that this is not the easy way out. There are people out there that have done this and are paying dearly for it.... I truly hope things improve for you and it bothers me so much that at this time you are dealing with a family night mare..... I am so sorry Lisa

I am so sorry for your news about your hubby. And on top of that your health issues sound extremely painful and uncomfortable. I too am one of the 3-5 % of patients that have continued to have complications due to the sleeve. Mine are different then yours but I can relate to the time passing and things not getting better as far as the body adjusting. Like you this has been a long haul for me and others as well. I am wondering why you do not want to take the bypass option. This could be the answer to your situation. I had Roux-en-Y loop which is a type of bypass that worked for my leak.....I know your problems are different but I don't understand why you would not take any option open to you after 2 years of struggling with this much pain. You are a trooper I tell you that. I am 16 months out and wonder if I can keep up the journey... Still here so I guess so. Like you happy, happy, happy with the weight lost but wish the trouble was over. A lot of patients who had reflux trouble find it does return after a period of time. I hope that soon your health trouble will ease for you. Again so sorry about your hubby. Please let us know how things are going Yes, I know of four people that have revised because of GERD. One is doing well... all the other three aren't. One of the main reasons is I don't want to risk any more problems. I didn't want gastric bypass ever because I just don't. That is why I chose the sleeve and I know my problems don't compare to what you and others have been through. I've read your posts. I'm blessed really to just have this. The other reason is I can't afford it. I paid for my sleeve and my insurance will not pay for surgery even if I'm having problems. My husband is dying and I can't even think of that now. I'm taking care of him. I just know that if I had known that I would have developed my spasms, I wouldn't have had the surgery but everything is a risk and I've been blessed as I say not to have had more issues as you and others have.

Wishing you the best! I am a revision from sleeve to RNY and I second your nervousness!!! I think it's to be expected. Please keep us posted on your progress!

I was a revision from lapband to sleeve on the 3rd. I feel good! I'm down 16lbs. Still a little sore and bruised on my largest incision. I think also because the lapband was removed, I have swelling around the port area. I'm in the same boat, trying to get in my liquids...boy is that hard! Also, trying to keep up with taking my vitamins. Sometimes I miss eating...lol. My family had a get together over the weekend and BBQ'ed hotdogs and hamburgers...smelled SO good...but I was content drinking my protein shake. Cheers to Our Weight Loss April Sleevers!

I just had a apt yesterday with my surgeon and he wants me to have the revision. My lap band been giving me reflux really bad. So I might do it

Gina. How's it going? I have one last pre op appointment the 19th. Then my paperwork will be submitted for approval through insurance. Michelle Pre-op revision band to bypass Starting weight 275 Healthy BMI 154.

I'm more shocked that there are surgeons still putting the band in. I was banded in 2011, worst choice in WLS I could have made, got stuck on foods I shouldn't have, could **NEVER** get to the "green zone" no matter what we did. Leafy greens and other things I should have been eating hurt to eat. Even though I had no major complications, my band was 100% encapsulated in scar tissue and took my surgical team more than 3 times longer to remove it than it should have taken. If I had left it in, I would have been faced with some serious complications. I didn't even know I had Grade 3 Esophagitis until I had my upper endoscopy to make sure everything was ok for the revision to the Bypass. The band caused the Esophagitis. 2 of the major manufacturers of the band, don't make them or replacement parts for them any longer because of how badly they are doing. I mean, good luck and all, but I'm very suprised your doc didn't alert you to all the issues, revision rates, etc https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3266497/ Seems on average 20-30% (depending on where you look) of all lap band patients will need revision of some nature.

I am still pre-op and would be considered a lower BMI, but your story could be my story... there's a huge amount of food/eating disordered history there in terms of your relationship with food and that's the part of you that needs the revision now - you have had your stomach size revised surgically, but you need to work on your head, too. I am constantly wondering how my own habits will have to change post-op b/c I COULD still eat a lot, just more often, and I COULD still eat lots of sweets/junk, but I will go into the procedure knowing that the fight is far from over... the sleeve is just your new secret weapon! There are some superb suggestions in this thread from veteran sleevers who know what to do to "work the sleeve" and I do believe you have to learn how to work it... you are still learning and maybe this time of sadness is bubbling your real issues to the surface so that you can face them and fight them both with your head and your sleeve so that you can be successful finally. I believe you CAN do it... you just need some direction and this is a wonderful place to get guidance.

Had the revision a few days ago. I went from vsg to rny. From day one with the sleeve, I was hungry. I don't know why. From beginning to end, the most I could eat was 10 oz with my sleeve, and I still lost weight but I remember it being a struggle to keep under 1200 cal. So with the RNY, the recovery pain isn't much different than the sleeve. Every pain was doable. I didn't feel nauseous, never threw up when I was in the hospital. I do feel like I did 1000 sit-ups. GasX helped a lot. I felt like I could've walked out of the hospital that evening but I had to stay overnight (due to insurance). I walked out of there at 11 am the next day. It's been 4 days, and I'm not hungry at all. The two days of clear liquid for pre-op was difficult, but now 4 days post-op RNY there is zero hunger. It's a new feeling for me. Some notes for the curious: I had a urinary catheter while asleep. My revision took less than 1.5hrs. I had a serious dry mouth and a sore throat that made me want to eat more ice chips and drink more water, which is good. No nausea, I took Aprepitant 40mg capsule two hours before. That helps with post-op nausea and vomiting. If any of you have any questions, please just ask and I will share my experience.

I would recommend Dr. Stewart in Denton: Weight Loss Surgery Specialists of North Texas | Bariatric Surgery | Denton | Dallas | Dallas-Fort Worth | Carrollton | South Ok He did my band-to-sleeve revision. Really easy recovery, nice private hospital, great staff and program. Well worth checking out. His personality is rather matter-of-fact, but that style works for me.

There is a forum for band to sleeve revision. There will be many helpful posts there. I had a revision after having my band also for 5 years. I had a fantastically skilled surgeon but did not have any issues with scar tissue from what I know. You won't regret doing this you will love your sleeve! Best of Luck! Happy New Year!!

Hey there hun, I was a band to sleeve revision, 20 days post op. Had no problems with scar tissue, my doctor actually reused my main scar to help minimize new scars. I had pouch dilation, a slip, turned out when they went in all my sutures to my stomach had came undone & band moved causing dilation to my lower esophagus. I feel 100x's better with that contraption out, I was sick for 5yrs with it. Started march 2008 banded (out of pocket) at 230, lowest 149 (for like a month), back to 198.5 when I had revision. I'm currently down 17.7lbs. Best decision I've made.

First...welcome to this site....you have really been through the war. Like you I am a band to sleeve revision and I can honestly way I am grateful every day I removed my band. I had too many issues with throwing up and my acid reflux got so bad my vocal chords were damaged. I lost my voice for 6 weeks. Having to run to the bathroom at a resturant became a regular issue for me. I lost a about 80 pounds with my band and gained 30 back when I was unfilled. Even unfilled I had foods that got stuck. I was back to 301 pounds when I decided I was one of the people the band wasn't going to work for....I have subsequently heard of a number of people who like you....had issues...like you. There are a ton of people on here who have better long term food advice than me...but I for one believe going slow is a good idea. THere are something I still haven't tried but I can do bread and some veggies as well...I still have 90'sh pounds to lose and you are very close to your goal.....sending you all good things for healing and good health!

I'm 12 wks out and eat EVERYTHING including bread. I can eat maybe 4 bites of a burger. I got wls so I would never have to diet again. I'm still losing. Some of us r carb watchers, some watch calories. Some listen to their bodies and don't count anything. I hate counting carbs (was on ATKINS Induction last Feb and would've killed my mom for a cookie). I'm still losing. Slowly (started after my revision at 174 so I knew Id lose it slower) but losing nonetheless. Id rather be happy and losing slower than miserable watching everything I put in my mought and losing faster. I don't think I eat enuf of anything (maybe 4 bites from a burger or sandwich, 4 bites of mashed potatoes, 6 fries, maybe 5 bites of pizza, etc) to go overboard on the unhealthy food. I eat Protein. I eat veggies. And I'm not afraid to eat bread, rice, potatoes, and Pasta. This is for the rest of my life and I would be very sad if I couldn't ever have those things again. Even if it was my choice. For those of u who say that wls was a "lifestyle cnoice" and that we should eat nothing but meat and veggies with our food enjoyment coming from an occasional pc of fruit - I say boo. While food is fuel, its also enjoyment, no matter what u tell urself now. I wouldn't enjoy myself if I never ate the foods I actually enjoy. The surgery didn't change my food tastes, still luv pizza, tacos, and fries. The surgery changed my pprtion sizes and that's why I went for the sleeve (and before it, the band) over the RNY. Whatever way u eat that will take u to goal is the way u should do it. I choose to not obsess over every bite of food I put into my mouth. Thank God my sleeve only allows me to eat very small portions!!!

I'm in a similar boat. I'm almost six years post-op and have done great until the last year and a half. After surgery I lost a total of 85 lbs; I've gained 30 of it back. I also notice that I've fallen back into some of my old habits; I don't get the 'full' sensation that I did originally and, unfortunately, I can eat as much as I used to. I'm so frustrated with myself! And disappointed. I've contemplated having a revision (Banding or sleeve or even redoing the pouch) but my surgeon won't do that. I try to take it one day at s time but find my thoughts are more and more on food. . Advice, thoughts, suggestions are welcome... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was banded in Jan. 2010 and did very well. I had my port revised in June last year..twisted, unfortunately it went down hill from there. He placed the port on my belt line. I have had nothing but pain and tenderness for the last 8 months and oh yeah, took him 7 months to convince him I had a leak. I know what restriction is and I never got it after the revision. Anyways, yes, my port incision for my port wouldn't close and I would have fluid poor out like a faucet. As long as it wasn't infected leave it alone they said..Its like a got a pocket around the site and it would fill up and poor out. Scared the crap out of me...My fills became so painful from them digging around I would lay on the couch with an ice pack and Tylenol and wishing I had pain meds. I felt all these months have been wasted and I gained my weight back. I fired my so called doctor and now am with someone who listens to me. I am converting to the gastric sleeve if my insurance will allow me. Please be strong and be your own advocate. I waited way to long to speak up to where he would listen to me...one time i asked my doc how many cc's i had, he said i don't know. so keep track of your cc's...I wouldn't change a thing but to be much firmer next time with my doctor. Lesson learned. So i feel for you and it does stink these bumps come up in the road. If you have a good doctor that communicates with you, you will be fine. If not, find another surgeon who cares..just my opinion..

I am in the same position as you - all food I eat is sliders, noodles, mashed potatoes, etc. carbs that go down easy so that I don't have to deal with throwing up or getting stuck. The pain is unreal! It's like literally being stabbed in the chest until that food passes through. I went three years every month for adjustments having them stick me with the needle, take some Fluid out, put some fluid in, lose 2lbs this month, gain 3lbs next month, this is the normal process, blah, blah, blah. I finally had enough! After all, I was paying $50 a month in copays to be told I was losing less weight than I would have on weight watchers! The band was NOTHING like I was told it would be. I am hoping that the sleeve will be what it is said to be. From what I am hearing from those that have gotten band to sleeve revisions, the sleeve is what they thought the band was going to be like. That would be a miracle for me! We have our surgery dates so close together, I hope that we can stay close on our journies and support eachother through this!!

Only three more days to tolerate the pain and complication this (#)% lapband has caused for the last three years. The removal and revision to RNY is on 06/01/16 and I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!! I thank everyone who posts on this forum for providing the insights, traumas, and laughter that has helped me through the last stages of this process. Though I lurk more than I write, I have gotten so much great information from all of you, information I needed to make this a smoother transition. The next step will be tough, and I really hate pain, but reading the stories you've shared gives me comfort and hope. See you on the other side! Rosie

Hi, I'm Sundie. Hopefully I'm doing this right. I'm scheduled for a revision from the Lapband to the bypass and I am, of course nervous. Especially since I'm self pay!! Gah! I'm just here reading and it's great! Thanks to everyone for sharing! I'm 5'4 and starting out at 307 big ones. I'll be 46 next month. Talk about a pivotal time in my life. Woot!

If u cant eat u need to go to your GP or the local A and E .. Even tho you had it done privately our NHS still has a duty of care for anyone with health problems whether they are a result of private surgery or not. If they refuse to help you i would insist that they do or make a complaint to your local health authority or health trust. The NHS is looking to fund all those revisions for those breast implants that have been in the news recently and your surgery wasnt even cosmetic. You still are under the NHS whatever your had done .. good luck Where are you located ?

I went into my initial consultation thinking that I wanted the sleeve, but my surgeon pushed me to get gastric bypass instead because I had a very high starting BMI (over 60). I had gotten the impression that the sleeve was a more modern, less risky, less extreme surgery, but my surgeon explained that the risks are about equal (although there are different risks), and gastric bypass typically results in more weight loss. I was unsure at the time, but as I learned more about both surgeries, I became more confident that gastric bypass was the right surgery. It might just be confirmation bias, but I've seen a lot of people talk about getting severe GERD with the sleeve, and/or not losing enough weight, and getting a revision to bypass. What surgery you get is YOUR decision, though, so if you are not comfortable with it, you have the right to cancel. However, it's best to avoid making big decisions when you're in a heightened emotional state, so what were your thoughts a few weeks ago when the surgery was a little farther in the distance and you were in a calmer state of mind?

I am RNY for several reasons, severe reflux, HBP, sleep apnea, severe arthritis since 25, and I wanted the quickest way to lose weight. I decided the RNY would work best for me, did not want to throw away 3/4 of my stomach, so I have a turkey-egg stomach instead of one some have described a banana but my search leads me to believe a garden hose just wouldn't do me. My surgeon didn't even ask or sway my thinking.When I announced I wanted a bypass he said I was making a wise choice. Would he have tried talking me into a sleeve, doubt it, at 72 I didn't feel I had enough Life Time to revise later, so since I wanted the Gold Medal surgery, I chose the best, if they were issued medals he would wear a Big Gold one. Chief of Baraiatric Surgery and Metabolic Weight loss, full professor in College of Medicine, trained many now-successful Bariatric surgeon's in the MidWest and God only knows where else. But he also is a very nice person.My son and I are very close, my middle child, his older brother died at 31 suddenly in 2008, my Husband died 4th of July 6 years ago. So we still live together, I go to his appointments, he comes to mine. We always band together. Well at my presurgery meeting with my Dr Needleman, he did something that impressed me greatly. He came over, shook my son's hand said " I promise to take very good care of your Mother" he was sensitive to enough to reassure my 👦. And he has treated me wonderful. If I had become a doctor, which had always been my dream, I would have been happy to be even an 1/8th as good, as he was and is. And the blip in recovery I am experiencing? Couldn't have been,planned for but they know how to repair it. And I believe in them, and. that helps.

I went home the same day. My surgery band to sleeve revision, was at 11:00 am and I was home by 8:30 pm.

My doctor is the one that suggested the sleeve would be better for me. I was also worried with the malabsorption with the bypass. I had reflux before surgery but not that bad, so I took a chance with the sleeve. I have a friend that had to get the revision because of the reflux. So far, I'm happy with what I've had. And just like you, I had heard a lot of horror stories with the lap band. I have a friend from high school that got it and she lost a good amount of weight, but she doesn't have the restriction and eats EVERYTHING and sometimes she'll get sick, but she's gained a lot back. I know that these are all just tools and we still have to do our work.

I’m freshly home from the hospital after gastric bypass revision surgery (after a failed lap band). I feel pretty bad still though. Wondered if others had similar issues after: Diarrhea Nausea Impossible to sleep in a comfy position Groggy and in/out Trouble getting in the 4oz per hour Would love to hear your stories. Also, what did you take for nausea? I have the omeprazole for the acid and am taking Tylenol for pain. But the nausea is pretty bad, as in the diarrhea.