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Dr. Schweitzer is MY doctor, and he SOO rocks. You have got the best. He did my Lap Band in 2002, I had scar tissue that blocked the tubing and rendered the band useless. Throughout a pregnancy and a short period of time afterward, I regained much of the original 110 (give or take) that I had lost. He gave me the choice of scraping out the scar tissue and starting again. (I feel for you here, because it is devastating beyond devastating to lose it and then regain it) I requested a DS (Duodenal Switch). He was ok with that since my bmi was back up to 40something. Honestly, I think if I hadn't had the problem with the scar tissue that I still wouldn't have been, long term, successful with my band. I am totally an addict, I have never been successful with a diet, and for real, I had to diet with the band, especially after I lost that large portion of weight in the beginning. (Some people may disagree with me, but this was MY experience, and mine alone) The bottom line is for me, I NEED the malabsorption. The DS also removes part of the stomach where the "hunger hormone" Ghrelin (sp?) is produced. This has done alot for me. A restrictive proceedure, which is what the band and the sleeve are, just did not suit my needs. I couldn't eat hardly anything, especially anything that could be considered healthy such as chicken, vegtables and fruit unless it was slathered in sauce (lube!). I was miserable. This is how it went. I gained weight because I ate soft foods because I had a fill we couldn't get out. The soft foods caused more weight gain, which caused the band to be tighter, which caused more soft foods.....you see what I mean? I had UHC, and they approved it without any problems at all. The removal and revision, I mean. Who is your insurance company? I know my primary care doctor had to write a letter recommending the removal, maybe that is what your insurance company means? I had my primary care doctor fax a copy of the letter to Debbie, who was handling all of Dr. Schweitzers stuff, and she faxed them all in together.

Thanks to all of you for the support! I'd love to be starting over buddies! The circumstances were: I had a slip 5 1/2 months out...from being too tight and getting some Ibuprofen caplets stuck. I vomited about 5 times in a 2 day period and that was enough to slip my band (although they told me it typically takes WEEKS of violent vomiting to slip a band..... that is not so!!! It can happen very easily - I'm the proof!) I then had a revision surgery and I did ok for a while, but around November of last year I started having acid reflux, coughing all night, having to sleep in the recliner, being able to eat too much, weight gain, etc. My Dr. ordered an upper GI and it was discovered that I was (again) too tight. This time, instead of feeling uncomfortable or feeling like vomiting after eating too much, the food was not passing through my band at all and was accumulating in my pouch and in my esophagus, causing my esophagus to stretch out to three times it's normal size. I could not figure out why I was able to eat normal sized portions and why I was gaining weight. I could not tell that the food was not going through. It felt normal the whole time, except for the terrible heartburn anytime I layed down. I kept going in for fills telling them I needed to be tighter (hence, making the problem worse). Also, I was drinking a lot of diet pop, which my Dr. allows (I know some Dr's say don't drink it, but mine always said he didn't think it mattered). The treatment for a distended esophagus is a complete unfill for several months to allow the esophagus to return to normal size. That meant even more weight gain. If I was able to control what I eat, I wouldn't have needed a LAP-BAND®, right?! LOL I went for my first fill yesterday and have already lost 2 pounds!! I just didn't know all these things could happen. I am a Registered Nurse who researched the LAP-BAND® for nearly a year prior to having it done! I considered myself to be the most likely person to succeed, with all the knowlege I thought I had. I see people on here with the exact same problems I have faced. I joined this site right after my initial surgery, but for some reason I never got on here. I think I was scared...I didn't want to hear about complications because I wasn't planning on having any! As I said before, I think a lot of my problems could have been avoided if I had learned from others ahead of time. Let's all keep in touch!

Hi PrettyinPink: Wanna be starting over buddies? I've been unfilled since May and have a small slip that probably started in April. I'm having revision surgery next Tuesday. I've gained 30 pounds in the last year, of which most of it has been since April. Thought I needed a fill in May, went in and found out I had a slip, which was allowing me to eat more. I miss my belly cop. I'd love to be "starting over" buddies with you. I think we'll be more successful this way. What do you think? Sue

I went in for a revision 6/10 but woke up without a sleeve. There was too much scar tissue for the doc to want to do both in one step. I was so so disappointed. But... On rescheduled for 8/29! I'm ready to get it going!

@@AvalonNeeCee So because you say your surgeon doesn't do lapband anymore, you think that's a reason not to get one?????? Who is your surgeon? Why doesn't he/she do them? I find it almost comical you would post such a reply to someone who is asking for advice on HOW WE. ...THOSE OF US WHO HAVE IT, selected our surgeons. Some of us are very successful and HAPPY with our lapband results. I think it's relevant because if the OP dismissed out of hand any surgeon who no longer does lap bands, just because he or she is considering a lap band, he or she may not get the best surgeon/procedure for him or her. If you narrow the pool you skew the results. BTW, I was sleeved April 20, my surgeon does not do lap bands (that I am aware of), but does revisions. Also, the Lapbanders I talked to said that if they were to have surgery now, they would go with the sleeve.

The lapband is "no walk in the park" It takes months to get the fills to the point where you have any real restriction. I had the most fill allowed before I could feel restriction. After a couple of years I finally lost weight and got to where I wanted to be 110 on 5ft frame. Happy happy...until....lap band slipped and I had to have it removed...lots of quick weight return.. I have read so many comments from so many people on the sleeve as it is my next surgery. I think if you read the lapband to sleeve revision forum you will better be able to decide if you want to waste time on the lapband first. Many doctors do not even do the lapband anymore due to its failure rates which are becoming more and more apparent as more people are having to do revisions. At the time I wanted the less permanent option because that feels safer, but in the end you may have to deal with a revision, have slippage, have indigestion, have erosion, and many other things that can go wrong with the band. If I can spare you that I would because I have been there and done that. I read that the weight loss with the sleeve is much more immediate and you really start to see results quickly. In my experience with the band I lost during my pre surgery diet, then the first couple of weeks after surgery because swollen and sore, but then I could eat and I did. It took over a year for the fills to be tight enough to restrict my eating and finally stop gaining and start loosing. They only can put so much in each time they fill you. When I finally was at a point that I loved my weight I had the vomiting issues. I put up with that for months because I didn't want to gain. Had regurgitation, indigestion etc. Finally had to get band loosened as I couldn't keep anything down...turns out band had slipped...removal...... You will read of many people that still love their band and have been successful, as there are many. But please consider that this is something that they may have to have removed at some point and there are complications with removal of bands, especially that have been in the body for a long time. Please take the time to read up on revisions, check statistics, and talk to people that have had the band and both love it and hate it. Cause even those that love their band as I did have to admit it took awhile to work, and they may have other issues such as the reflux and regurgitation. whatever you decide I wish you the best. Just please do your research, as you seem to be doing, so you can feel what you choose was best for you with no regrets, even if you end up doing a revision later on. And you will if that becomes your option, because you are going to love being smaller and healthier. Best of luck to you and always happy to chat about my experience.

Hi, I had the band in 2007. Lost a whole 40 lbs in 5 years, probably from throwing up and not being able to eat chicken, shrimp, vegetables, the usual healthy foods got stuck, so I ended up eating a lot of slider foods and drinking alot of pineapple juice to help get unstuck. Total painful nightmare. So last Oct 2012, I went in for surgery for revision from band to sleeve. When I woke up from the anesthesia the doctor said there was no way he was going to sleeve me because the band did so much damage to my stomach. We waited 9 months and I had my sleeve done July 8 2013 so far so good except for the stalling. But I love the restriction and I love that I'm able to eat healthy food without it getting stuck. I feel like I'm a slow loser but I'm losing and the scale is going down slowly, and I'm very happy I had the surgery and I'm so glad that that dreaded band is out of my body!!! :-D No more pain!!!!! Yaaaaaayyy! !!

I was extremely happy with my lapband results...until it slipped and had to be removed. I just think the person who wrote the post should read some of the lapband to sleeve stories and see the many many reasons why people had to switch. If they find that they still want the lapband that is up to them. My surgeon doesn't put in lap bands anymore because of the plethora of problems with them and the constantly having to do revisions. The statistics on lapbands are getting worse, not better. It may save them some money and aggravation, and time if they just go with a different procedure to begin with, as I wish I had done. My Dr. is among the best and by the best I mean he doesn't lose patients and is safe and cautious with his procedures. I selected my Dr because he has many years of experience, over 20 of those my friend worked for him and knows the statistics for him and for the different procedures. I choose the lap band at the time because I thought of it as not as invasive, easy to adjust (not) and not as permanent of a choice. Well now I am years down the road, had to have the band removed due to slip (as I was warned), lots of $$$ gone, and gaining fast while I wait to have my sleeve done. I spent hours researching the sleeve and I see both good and bad results, but mostly good. I suggested she go to that forum and read because there are many opinions about the band and the sleeve in addition to mine and I know that my surgery experience is not the only experience that someone should consider. Considering not just my Dr but many Dr's are no longer doing the lap band should also be a warning sign of things to come. Additionally the lap band is not permanent and even with the best success with it eventually it will have to be removed. It is costly to have fills after fill and takes a great deal of time to get it to the sweet spot...and then your body changes and you have to fill it up or down again. Many of us suffered vomiting, phlem balls, indigestion to the point you sleep sitting up, things getting stuck in the band, pain at the port site, etc etc. You may not want to even choose a doctor that still chooses to do lapbands after looking through the forum and doing research on the success and failure of the band. So that is why I responded as I did. It is important to do research on your procedure choice and look at both the success and failures of your option before you spend money and risk your body. The band was great when I was able to hit my sweet spot, but I threw up almost every day during that time and then discovered it had slipped which required removal of the band. It was my choice at the time, but now there is so much more information, so many more people have lapbands, and more statistics to show the issues with the band. I am sure she/he will make the best choice for their own situation if they do research. As far as finding a doctor do your research, check their statistics, talk to people that had surgery done by that Doctor, google the Dr. How long have they been doing each procedure that you are considering. Talk to people that had that procedure done and done by him/her. Talk to people that had different procedures done by the Dr you are considering. What are their statistics for losing patients (this is reality, not always Dr fault, but still don't you want to know?) How many times have they performed each procedure? What hospital is used? What is the cost to use that provider? Check the bariatricpal forums for the procedure you want, read both success and failures. Check the forums for having revisions from the surgeries you are considering in case it doesn't work out for you (lapband to sleeve revision forum). Choosing your Dr often times is a matter of what insurance you have and the providers that take that insurance. Advocate for yourself and research everything. And just to be clear I do not regret having the band. It was my choice at the time, but it didn't end as well as I had hoped. @@catfish87

Hi Everyone - There are 15 days until my lap band surgery, & I am excited and a little nervous too. I really appreciate everyone's posts and the great tips/information. It seems like I have been reading about a considerable amount of complications/ revisions lately. My general question is how long have you had your lapband, and what complications have you experienced? Any one out there 10 years or more?

Par1959 you are so right, logging is a key factor in weight loss success for most people. I know that When I am brutally honest with myself not logging my food intake is first on the list of things I haven't been doing also not chewing enough, not waiting between bites and eating to many carbs. This certainly explains my weight gain. I will be having my revision surgery in two weeks to fix the incredible heartburn that I'm having. I'm not looking forward to starting over but I do feel like I have a second chance to relearn everything to keep my weight loss successful.

Glad there are other March 8 people out there! I can honestly say that Dr. Aceves and his staff are amazing! I'm not back to work yet --- recovering while in vacation in Florida with my parents, husband and daughter and then return to Canada next week. I won't return to work until April 1 but I took extra time off only because for any sick occurrence I have to bring in a doctor note so I'm using up some sick time I have banked I'm on a strict clear liquid diet only right now --- that's his post op instructions. I'd love some cream Soup . Each doctor seems to be different --- looks like I won't be eating for 4 weeks!! But in 10 more days (15 days for revision surgery) I can add in some other stuff. Still a little sore but looking forward to recovering on the beach in a few days when it warms up here! Does anyone else have an issue with trying to get in all of the required liquids? I sure am! I'm happy with my decision and so looking forward to all the new clothes that I just bought and to wear this summer!! Alana

I just had my revision on Sept 10. And so far I have had zero acid reflux. Normally I have it 2-3 x a week. Still really early to tell since I am only on Clear Liquids but I am looking forward to losing the 50lbs of the 100 I gained.  Oh and I can sleep flat on my back now. Instead of at a 45 degree angle. 

I'm having the same problem. My measurements don't seem to be budging that much. I've been taking measurements since I started my pre op diet and I'm budging up top. I was on my loosest bra hook and I just put it on the tightest. Surgery was March 6th. Also my body fat percent isn't moving either. I work out 4 times a week for an hour. I've checked my body fat with one of those hand held devices and I'm only down 3.2% since my pre op. I'm so upset about this. I mean I don't expect it to drop overnight but I expected a little quicker. I am a revision from lap band and I was a slowish loser then too. But I felt I lost inches more. I've only lost 32# since my pre op diet. I'm trying to up my calories and protein to try to help. Since I've only been averaging 700 calories and I don't want to kill my metabolism.

Hi... I would like to join too. My revision surgery is June 16, 2014. I need buddies too.

Band removed & Sleeve done 5/27/14. Mind you I was first Banded in 2010 then Band replaced in 2014. I had success in the beginning with the Band, then the slips & not being able to tolerate food. Also the Band is not a FOREVER thing in which is not told in the beginning. I work in the medical field & 3 Nurses that had the Band for 7 plus years revised to sleeve & the Scar tissue from the band had started attaching to the Liver. My scar tissue wasn't bad at all being that I just had it replaced in 2014. I'm in the healing process but thanking GOD everyday that I not only maintained, but that I'm making it through day by day. Much success to each of you. Correction 5/27/15 revision

Yes, I have the band now and is in the approval process for revision surgery. I hope to have surgery as early as June.

I have lost 160 since my revision and am at a healthy weight.

Thread re-activater! I am in Macomb County, live in Warren. Heading for band to sleeve revision in July or August. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

How are all the revisions doing with weight loss now that you can eat things you couldn't with the band? I am at a total standstill....I lost 15 imediately after the revision, but have gained it back and not losing anymore. Is anyone else experiencing this? Nancy

I know this is an old thread but thought maybe people are still interested. I was interested enough to click on it. I'm at 8 years, 2 months. I lost 15 pounds below goal weight in 14 months and maintained for several years. I eventually gained back 50 pounds. Then I lost 45 pounds and now I've gained back 20. I'm in process to get the band removed and a revision to gastric sleeve. My band is too tight even when unfilled. Most foods won't go through even after sitting in the pouch for hours. I was able to gain weight because I found certain, unhealthy foods (cheetos, cookies) would pass through. Thus the revision. My diet has been horrible since banding because even Water won't go through a lot of the time. The sleeve will let me eat a variety of healthy foods.

I had a band placed and hate it. What is the cost for a revision? I am selfpay.

This is a journey, not a simple fix. Of course you will have good and bad days, now as always. But I expect that over time your eating habits will change, as mine have. I don't miss bagels or pasta. Sometimes I'll have a bagel crust, or a piece of pasta, but that's it. I've had enough for many lifetimes and am so glad that I don't crave them any more. It takes time to get to the right fill level for each person, so in that time you gradually learn what you can eat and cannot eat, how much, when etc. The band gave me something I lacked-- an internal brake, something physical to say that I'm full. Without that I'm a bottomless pit. It did not happen immediately, but it did happen. It's been 4 1/2 years now (including two revisions) and I'm really happy. Love my band! Good luck to you.

How do you like Dr. Powell? I went to him for my first fill and after almost 20 minutes of him poking and prodding me, he told me my port was flipped and I would have to have another surgery to fix it. I was devistated!! After almost 2 weeks of waiting for the insurance to approve the "port revision" surgery I got a call from one of the girls in the Beverly Hills office who told me that Dr. Tashjian was confident that he would be able to do my fill. I made the appt with Dr. T thinking "What do I have to lose". Dr. T found my port on the first try!! No numbing needed even!!

Colorchic, good to know. Let's home BCBS of AL will do the same. How long did it take for them to approve? As a side note, I have been reading reseach on the band and discovered that they have a 40% fail rate and if rebanded instead of revised, the fail rate for the second go round is over 50%. Hope the insurance companies realized revising it once is cheaper and healthier than replacing it twice. Gigi

I am a post op patient for 3 years with a revision done approximately 2 years ago after the band slipped. I went through a lot of what your going through. Make sure you follow your diet closely, don't drink with your meals. The first 4-6 months after surgery are the hardest and you will have all kinds of new pains. Call your doctor and ask the staff, trust me you aren't the only one with the same problems. I don't regret at all having the surgery, it gave me my life back and I lost over 100#s. Good luck!