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Post op 15 days today. Had my lap band since 2009 before my revision on Sept. 2, 2016. I'm 15 lbs down since I had my surgery. I average 597 cals, 60 carbs per day since the surgery. I talk a daily walk for 20 minutes. Super fast weight loss is almost always Water weight. People just don't lose 5 lbs of fat per day. The way I look at it, if I intake 600-800 cal a day, I'm going to lose weight at a good rate unless I'm retaining water for some reason. If I'm not losing, then I have to figure out why I'm retaining water. That's the way I look at it. Btw, the sleeve makes it easier to cut back on calories/carbs, way easier... I'm really happy with the switch. Really happy.

I'm a Lap Band revision ( I had the band for 10 years) and BCBS didn't require me to do the 6 month supervised diet. I'm due to be sleeved on 10/26 (can't wait!!!) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I hadvthe sleeve 8.5.15...yes the reflux is very bad doctor saying i might need revision...after reading your post...i have to really think. I really hope you feel better soon. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

I'm also going through the hoops to get revised to a sleeve. I've been having issues with my band since last year and started the process a few months ago. I've had all of my meetings, but am waiting for the weight center to send approval to the surgeon. I'm getting tired of waiting. In the meantime, I've been having pain and pressure when I swallow. Need this stupid thing out!

Before my revision I noticed that my port pain was directly affected by what I wore. If I wore jeans my port would be sore the next day. Usually while driving I would unzip my jeans. If I had port pain I would wear stretch pants, sweats or a dress. Now all of that is a distant memory. So happy with my new sleeve. No more slimming, getting stuck or port pain!

I had my lap band for 7 years and felt similar to you. I wrote about it in blog here just recently if you'd like to read it. I was mortified of having it unfilled and removed at first because it served me so well. I had my revision on Sept. 2, 2016. I was worried about the slower weight loss too but I am delighted with the speed I'm losing, especially because although I had gained some back due to being unfilled, I was still down the majority of my weight loss from my lap band. Think of it this way, if one eats 800 calories, and exercise a bit, they are going to lose weight, no way around that . I've lost six lbs a week in my first two weeks, total of 12 lbs. Sending you a *hug*. Hang in there and listen to your doctor. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

They don't pay for revisions at BCBS. They consider them "experimental". Doesn't matter, if you've already had a surgery then they won't do it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Unfortunately if they deem it not medically necessary, especially a revision, they won't approve. I'm sorry I went through this 2 years ago. They won't cover 2 procedures at all. It's listed under the qualifications for the surgery Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

BCBS doesn't approve any revisions as they consider them "not medically necessary" and "experimental". Legally I believe you are allowed 3 appeals Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think revisions in general tend to be complicated surgeries - that's why a lot of surgeons won't do them. And some are more complicated than others, so...

might want to find someone who specializes in revisions and see what they say. Someone on another board I'm on found someone at the Mayo Clinic who was willing to do it. So she may have to travel....

Had the lap band for 7 years (successfully) and during that time my Breakfast was always liquid (I was always a little tighter in the mornings). I would put all my fruits & veggies in glass of homemade milk kefir with a scoop of unflavored Protein powder. lunch was also liquid, usually a big bowl of healthy Soup with lots of veggies, and it wasn't till dinner that I ate true solids. My favorite protein was always fish (usually sashimi), with ~1/4 c rice and medium salad. I ate a balanced diet. Just recently I had a sleeve revision so I will have to see how my diet changes as I am on the full liquid stage with Soups (14 days post). I'm content at this stage because as I noted above, I love soups .

I had vertical band and stomach stapling 20+ years ago. Not till this year did I find a bariatric surgeon that did revisions, and knew how to convert mine to RNY. Every person is different based on past surgery, adhesions and history. Finding the right Dr. is important. 5 years ago I went to U of M hospital with recommendations that they knew what to do for my problems with VBG, but even they only guessed at what may be done. I did not want to be a guess & try subject, so put up with issues till this year. Glad I waited, because all went very well and I have not felt this good in years.

Normally you do have to do the supervised diet with Blue cross/Blue shield but you may not have to if you did it the first time around with the Lap Band. I am also a Lap Band to revision and I didn't have to do the supervised diet this time around. Good luck with everything!!

I am starting the process to revise my band to a sleeve. When I got my band i was self pay, however now I have insurance that will cover removal of my band and the revision. I understand that i'm probably going to have to go through all the testing. I have blue cross blue shield..PPO. im wondering if anyone has this insurance and if you were required to do a 6 month diet since I already have the band.

I used OCC for my band in 2011. They were quite a bit more expensive for the revision than Dr Fernando Garcia. So I used him in May 2016 for VSG. I had a great experience, they took great care of me and the Hospital CER was new and state of the art.

I used Dr Garcia in May for VGS revision. GREAT experience. Wouldn't change a thing. I used Dr Ortiz in 2011 for my band he and his staff were great too. Just too expensive for my sleeve revision. Dr Garcia charged $5200 for revision and Ortiz wanted $8000. No brainer. Good Luck, you will be in good hands. My post op was super uneventful and NO gas pains

I did revision to sleeve from band all in one ! I was 211 on surgery day June 6 th I am now at 178 loosing slowly but I feel so awesome ! The band was terrible vomiting reflux stuck none of that so far 13 weeks out ! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good morning from Anchorage Alaska! Congratulations on your surgery! You are on a life long journey for a healthier you. Bypass is a tool that I believe God has given us to use. What a blessing! I had Gastric Bypass 16 months ago on the 16th of this month. I have lost more weight than my surgeon told that I would and have had to revise my weight loss goal! He told me I would loose 75 pounds, I have lost 100 pounds and feel great! Well, with following orders and exercising, Protein and Water I have exceeded his prediction. When I went for my last doctor visit my blood work showed that my body was absorbing nutrients very well, so well that my doctor asked what kind of Vitamins I was taking and I told him the bariatric vitamins and some of my own that I had previously taken. He asked me not to take vitamins everyday for the next 6 months but only once per week. I was 61 when I had my bypass and am now 62 and glad that I did it. My family was afraid for me at first. But I did my research before the surgery and was able to put their mind at ease. I exercise and get in at least 60 grams of protein each day with sips of water every 10 to 15 minutes. I have had no physical or medical complications from the surgery. I now realize how much time and energy I have spent in the past relating to food. I no longer do that! That's freedom! I have cravings sometimes but I look at where I was and compare it to where I am and decide if I am really hungry or if I'm experiencing head hunger. Usually real hunger is for natural foods not carbs or sugary foods. When you follow the protocols for this surgery it works and you develop new habits that can carry you through the rest of your life. Scripture and Prayer has helped me. Scriptures like Galatians 5:1 and Philippians 4:13. I plan to live this way for the rest of my life. How about you? Again Congratulations to you. Love to hear from you! Vickiebc

I transitioned so well with the sleeve. I seem to be failing at the RNY and I feel myself depressed and with no motivation. I can not get in my vitamins, my protein or my fluids daily as required. I am full constantly. I have thrown up twice attempting to take in more. The first time I felt ill afterwards. The second time, I felt like I had an eating disorder. I just threw up and then it was like all better! My surgeon, I must say I feel did my surgery and has jumped ship. I follow up Wednesday, but I will not see him. I will just see the MA. He is not even in the office. I believe this meeting is for weight, measurements and to ask me questions. I will not see the surgeon again until I am three months out. Like I stated, I feel full consistently. To take my Prilosec 40 mg and with two sips of water and I am full for hours. I have tried to drink small amount of liquids through out the day, yet when it's time for nutritional soups/shakes, I can not get in more than 4 oz. I have lost 25 lbs since my RNY procedure. I did the gastric sleeve surgery for my health and got assistance with my GERDS. After my sleeve and a hiatal hernia repair on my first surgery, I found myself a year and a half out waking up coughing with emesis in my throat of acid tasting bile. I did the modified barium swallow as ordered and my sleeve looked great but the hernia looked as if it was never repaired and was worse. My surgeon said I might could have a "lazy" sleeve and perhaps it wasn't dumping in a timely manor. He added Reglan to the regimen, but I saw no changes. We did an EGD and then he was saying that he recommended a revision to the RNY and he would repair my hernia again. I never saw my surgeon since I was in the PACU waiting to go back. I was discharged from the hospital by a hospitalist home. At the time I thought he was offiliated with the Bariatrics group. I had my surgery in San Antonio and live in Houston. I developed and ileus and had to be hospitalized again the day after my discharge in the Woodlands hospital. I saw a Bariatrics surgeon there when I was hospitalized. He helped get my bowels going when my ilius resolved. Was somewhat intrigued upon the surgical entry points my surgeon had taken. He recommended I follow back up with my surgeon. I had my surgery 8/29/16. Was released 8/31/16. Was readmitted 8/31/16 in the early morning hours were I stayed until 09/02/16. It was Labor Day weekend and no provider was available at my surgeon's office so I had to speak to a nurse practitioner when I called with hurting and my JP drain had put out over 800 mls in a 24 hr period. All I was asked was if I was febrile and then was told to push the fluids, take my liquid tylenol3.... Well now I am at my two week mark and I somewhat feel like since I am not at my goals they have set or their guidelines for this point in time, that I am failing. I know and understand the importance of protein and actually loved my Bariatrics Advantage shakes with my gastric sleeve. I bought and have a protein powder chicken broth, and the Bariatrics Fusion shakes. As suggested prior to surgery because they were thin in consistency. I have tried Isopure, can't drink it. The taste of artificial sweeteners are too much. I do not even like Minute Maid 15 calorie juice cut with water or sugar free popciles anymore. The taste of the artificial sweeteners makes everything taste too sweet or not appealing. I never had this issue prior with the sleeve. Nothing taste appealing except I am craving the taste of salt. I regret the surgery daily due to the pain when I am forcing fluids. I do not even care of the 25 lb weight loss I have reached. I feel depressed and I feel somewhat alone in this. Not everyone can understand or I have those who would love to say that's why you should not have did that.... Never mind the health risk I was at for aspirating in my sleep from reflux. Please help me. Tell me it gets better. If there are any Houston people on this forum I would love to find a local provider. I tried Dr. Jason Balette in the Woodlsnd area, but was told he would not see me because I was a revision by his office staff. The provider I saw in the hospital was a Dr. Turnquest and he was phenomenal. I am a nurse, so I know way too much and I know better. Perhaps that's why I am so hard on myself. I am not looking for pity. I just need suggestions, a support group I feel would be great and perhaps a new Bariatric Doctor locally. I feel my spouse is concerned about me more than they lead on, but feel hopeless as they haven't a clue how to help me. Medical issue are always or have always been my field of advise and treatment. Can anyone help me?

Been using it for since it's release (lapband since 2009). I rarely ate any meat due to issues being too tight, and I got stuck a lot (just recently had a band to sleeve revision). Blood test taken 8/24/16, Results for my protein were perfect.: My albumin lvl was 4.4 gm/dL (reference range is 3.5-5.2) and my Protein total was 7.7 gm/dL (reference range 6.4-8.3).

I am scheduled for the revision 9/27. My surgeon explained at first visit a possibility of having to do 2 surgeries. If she can do in one she will. I am hoping she can as 3 month wait and I believe my company changing insurance at end of year. Hopefully not much scar tissue. Hoping you get it all in one. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I apologize for the duplicate thread, please see: Revision from VSG to RNY Due to GERD http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/376066-Revision-from-VSG-to-RNY-Due-to-GERD Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you all so much for your feedback! I recently found this interesting study and it notes two promising points: • "Our experience appears to be one of the largest in the literature." • "Acid reflux symptoms resolved in 100% of patients..." Not sure if I'm allowed to post links on here, but here it goes: Revision of Primary Sleeve Gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Indications and Outcomes from a High Volume Center http://www.sages.org/meetings/annual-meeting/abstracts-archive/revision-of-primary-sleeve-gastrectomy-to-roux-en-y-gastric-bypass-indications-and-outcomes-from-a-high-volume-center/ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had a revision from band to sleeve on 5/19/15. It has been 16 months now and I had achieved what I was expected to drop in weight. I am aware that I had not much to drop since I was only 230 pounds. I'm 6'1 in height. I had dropped down to 180 pounds and had been weighing for a while now between the 181-185 range consistently.. In the past month or so I have noticed that now I have added 7 pounds and have started to be very concerned because nothing has changed on the approach/routine in my daily life. I consume over 100grams of Protein daily, drink at least 96oz of Water, take my multi-Vitamins, do exercise (walking) for 1.5 hrs and the scale reflects a different story. Don't want to hit the panic alarm but i guess is natural to be concerned especially since nothing has changed for me personally. I know i have heard and read stories from fellow sleevers that have had to be re-sleeved due to pouch stretching/enlargement. I surely do not want to think of that especially since it has been only 16 months since I got the revision done. All my labs are normal and the surgeon did a quick swallow test (upper GI series) in his office and said that the sleeve looked good/normal. I'm supposed to be gettting an EGD done in the next few days so the surgeon can check. Any comments will be appreciated. Just feel a bit frustrated because I don't want to think or believe that wrong about the sleeve because I don't regret getting it done. It has done good to me and for me. Just want to keep on maintaining the healthy lifestyle I have.