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Part of the deal with the lap band is frequent follow-up care. Have you seen your surgeon consistently post-op? It's been said many times before but I'll say it again - WLS is not a cure in and of itself, but it is a tool. A very, very powerful tool but it has to be used correctly for it to work. I'm sorry you're unhappy with your experience. I've been very happy myself seeing as I've lost 30 pounds in 3.5 months. I've still not reached 100% restriction yet but I'm getting there and I'm so glad I did this! I hope you find a way to either revise the surgery or remove your band altogether. I highly recommend seeing your doctor.

2012, so sorry to hear about your band and the erosion. Good thing you kept alert and kept getting things checked out. I had my band just shy of 3 years, got deathly ill this April and almost 30 hours of vomiting blood later, my band was removed. My band had slipped and almost 1/3 of my stomach was on the wrong side. I was throwing up my stomach lining. I had plication at the same time I got my band so when my band was removed, the plication remained (like a sleeve except it can be reversed). All of this happened 4/25/14 and I promptly gained 11 pounds..I am now headed back down. The doctor told me it was normal and not to panic. Keep walking and try to stay away from the carbs. Now I am at almost no carbs and the weight is coming off. Yes, I am scared and I really wish this had not happened, but it did and now I have to move on. Good luck with your surgery and what ever decision you make down the road about revision. There are lots of us out here who no longer have our bands - you have lots of company. Best Wishes Melinda in Florida

I agree with Jane 100%. pumpkin, I'm over a year out, and all my Vitamin counts are perfect, and guess what I'm not exactly perfect with my multi. I mean I rarely miss, but when I do it might be 2-3 days in a row. I can eat such a varied diet now that honestly, I don't see how I could get deficient in anything. Also, the only one I've seen sleeve patients report getting low on is Vit D, D3, and Iron. Some of those patients had deficiencies before surgery, or other medical issues that can contribute to deficiencies. I'm not trying to bash your doctor, but maybe he should read up on the stats of the band, and see just how horrible the complications can be. The sheer fact that 1 out of 4 patients he refers to the band will need another (if not multiple) surgeries to either replace, remove, revise, reposition the band should make him reconsider his pro-band opinion. Those stats are from the band manufacturer, it's not like people are out there making this stuff up. By the way, it's my understanding that 90-95% of our vitamin absorption occurs in the intestines, not the stomach. So, I'm not really sure what missing 80%+ of our stomach has to do with vitamin absorption. Could it happen, yes, but the fact is most sleeve and band patients do not experience vitamin or nutrient issues because there is zero malabsorption.

Dr Kelly was Doing a revision the week after I was there with a guy who admittedly stretched his through always over eating. I guess he did great for a year and then started just falling back into habits and stretched.

3 weeks 2 days post op band to sleeve revision. Down 31pounds and feel great! I'm on my "thin purée stage". I am eating a scrambled egg or some cream of wheat for Breakfast, blended Healthy Choice Soup for lunch ( 5 ounces), blended chili or mash potatoes or puréed cauliflower and a ice pop or two for Snacks. Getting around 450 cals a day. Also get a test tube of whey Protein with 40 grams of protein in addition to my daily food intake. I take mega mens liquid Vitamins and citri-cal daily. What are you eating or did you eat when you were at my stage? Thanks for sharing. Happy and Healthy New Year to all.

I had a stricture....found morning after surgery....done revision surgery and so far all I well.

Congrats to all of you and thanks for replying. Alot of variance I see! Monisue - I am able to eat more than I would think I should be able to as well - of some things - but I do feel very restricted. I can eat almost 3/4 a cup too - and I find that to be about 3-4 oz. which is actually pretty typical my Dr. said. I am having trouble staying away from junk food and stopping myself from grazing and snacking especially in the evening. I finally got rid of most of the junk food in my pantry just 2 days ago and that has helped. I am still snacking on things like popcorn, ice cream, popsicles (not always sugar free). I suppose if I got rid of those too I would not snack on them... I had not had any of the nauseau or vomitting others claim - so I am not limited in what I can eat at all. Although for the last 3 days, when I ate my regular scrambled eggs for Breakfast, i got horribly nauseaous. Very tickly mouth and salivating profusely- ran to sink - but nothing happened - weird..... OK - I am making a commitment to myself - today I will throw away ALL the NOT SF popsicles, all the icecream and all the popcorn in my house!!! And all the cake batter too!! (yes, I will make a small bowl of it mixed with just Water to eat like pudding!! UGH, the horrible habits of fat people right?) And the package of cookie dough in the fridge too - its going in the trash..... (Whew- admitting I was snacking on this crap still has really made me accountable) ****. I really thought the sleeve was going to be 'magic' and make it easy - but this is just as hard as any other diet I ever did. I sure hope that once I loose the weight the sleeve keeps me from gaining it back. Maybe that is where the magic lies? Does anyone know if the sleeve can be revised to a bypass of any kind?

I had a lower body lift, arm lift and breast revision on January 25, 2023. My Surgeon implants a pain pump (a medical device he invented) in the abdominal area that lasts about 3 days after surgery so I really had much less pain than anticipated. I feel pretty good so I constantly have to remind myself not to do too much and jeopardize my recovery. My main area of soreness are my arms. The itching is the most difficult issue I'm having. My Plastic Surgeon, Dr. John LoMonaco in Houston, TX, co-wrote a book on plastic surgery specifically for bariatric patients. "Bariatric Plastic Surgery: A Guide to Cosmetic Surgery after Weight Loss". I found it on Amazon/Thrift Books and it's a great resource! If you're researching Surgeons, I highly suggest you check him out. He is a truly gifted Surgeon who specializes in Bariatric Patients, and in addition is an excellent human being! Best of Luck!

You know.... i really don't know. but a very good question.... I do have a few that are doing ok..... one just revised to the sleeve and he is doing great.... down 100lbs

Hey y'all! I was banded 1/2009 and for the first two years, lost about 65 pounds. I could never get the fills in the green zone- too tight or too loose. I threw up 3 times a day for 4 years. Not throw up but the regurgitation(sorry for tmi) Basically, I lost all my weight by starving and working out like I was the next contestant on Biggest Loser, except there weren't cameras or Jillian Michaels screaming at me. I had a band slip in 2011- while on a cruise... First cruise I didn't gain weight on but was miserable. Once back home, all Fluid was taken out and I played the guessing game for a few more years. I then gained all the weight I had lost due to my band empty and poor food choices. Like many who have had a failed WLS know, it's extremely shameful and disheartening. Finally in 2015, I visited a new doctor in DFW who suggested a revision. My biggest fear is losing the weight with RNY and gaining it back. Food has and still is an emotional comfort. First step in recovery is admitting, right?! So I've started a food journal with triggers that make me want junk food. I refuse to invest in this surgery (scheduled surgery is next Tuesday... Thank you Jesus!) and gain all the weight back So anyone out there a big sweets person- did your cravings die down after the revision to bypass? What are some tricks that worked for you? I'm thankful for your help and insight! Xx Alyssa Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, I thought I'd provide an update on my possible leakage issue. I went in and, to no one's suprise and everyone's dismay, I had lost 1.5 ccs out of a 2.0 fill from the week before. My surgeon came in extremely disappointed. He told me that, just yesterday, he did a revision on a patient who had the same problem I did...2-3 months with a loss of saline. They had filled him again to last until the surgery date...and when my surgeon went in, he found *all* of the saline still in the band! He wasn't saying that the leak "corrected" itself- he still corrected the leak- but he believes there's some sort of design flaw with the type of band/port system that Inamed has designed and that he used on me and this other guy. SOmetimes the saline goes through and sometimes some leaks out when you're getting filled. Either way, the band isn't working right. They filled me up to 2.5 cc, and I was good for about 5 days, but I can feel that the restriction has lessened significantly. I ate maki rolls today, so I'm pretty sure I have less than 2.5 in there. I'm supposed to check in with them next Thursday, at which point we'll make a decision about repair. I'm just dreading the pricetag on this. I cleaned out my retirement savings to have this done...I'm going to have to go into even more debt to pay for this now. :angry The PA at the office has the band as well, and she said to me that, as the band gets "older" as a method of WLS, they're discovering that there's a lot more maintenence that needs to be done than anyone had originally thought. This isn't the "until eternity" method that a lot of docs are selling at as. Caveat emptor and all that jazz.

Bypass is pretty amazing for GERD sufferers. There are a fair number of those that have had revisions from sleeve to bypass on this site. That said, my surgeon says there is a way to make a sleeve that is less likely to cause GERD if they already know you have issues with it. Something about the top being a bit wider? I'm most likely going with the DS which causes much more malabsorption than the bypass. The way I see it though, I'd rather trade my meds and chronic illnesses for daily vitamins and stable weight maintenance. It is important to remember that each person has a surgery that is right for them. I have gone over the medication malabsorption issue with my psych several times. But she says that in the end it comes down to the individual. Sometimes even sleevers need med adjustments after surgery. And sometimes bypass and DS people do fine with no adjustments. It all depends on the person and their individual system. Things can be adjusted, there are always options. I'm lucky that my ADHD meds are a disintegrating tablet because its most often given to children. And I have always chewed my benzos so they kick in faster (I only take them in emergencies). My biggest worry is my anti-depressant but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. DSers tend to absorb tablet vitamins well so I'm hoping the tablet anti-depressant will do equally well!

"Everyone here must agree with me and validate my feelings or I may get sulky." If you took offense, it wasn't my intention to imply that you were actively seeking validation. To revise, it simply appears that posting your position here in R&R has resulted in several responses that are in accordance with what you've put forth. Whether or not you sought or benefited from that is irrelevant. Clearly, you've told us that you were able to convert your frustration into a healthy lifestyle choice (the marathon). The ability to do that is a great asset for any lapbander. "Psychobabble," however you are defining it, obviously isn't for everybody. I myself believe that mental and physical health should be actively sought after simultaneously. If you are of the position that mental disorders and therapy which addresses past trauma do not impact weight problems (or lifestyles that cause them), then I'd suggest saving yourself future frustration and not visiting that thread anymore. Unless of course you do want to read things that rub you the wrong way, then use that to go out and exercise. That seems productive as well!

Reflux is my biggest worry going into my band to sleeve revision. Ive been dealing with svere reflux for over a year now and I've heard it doesn't get better with the sleeve. Im hoping that's a falacy.

I am new here...looking to share experiences with people who have been sleeved as a revision surgery following failed LapBand. My surgeon told me (post op) that those who have been previously banded lose weight at a slower pace, although they don't know exactly what the mechanism is. Any experiences?

So mine is a little different- I met the guy I’m talking to about 3yrs ago when I was 330lbs at 5’7” (170cm). I didn’t see him much from nov. 2019 (VSG dec 2019 and RNY revision for gerd aug 2020) to Sept. 2021 (155lbs) (I was either on medical leave or working a bunch because of Covid). Anyway, I was super nervous about being seen naked or intimacy related things because of skin and scars (I have a midline scar from sternum to pubic bone). He told me that it’s not the outside that he cares about it’s what’s on the inside because the outside doesn’t always stay the same. And while I’m still super self conscious about the loose skin and scars he makes feel okay with just being myself around him.

So, I am 2 weeks post op today and doing okay. Trying to get my 85g of protein in daily but I'm getting to 60s some days if I'm lucky. Water, 64oz. is in a far off galaxy but I am doing my best at about 35 oz. I had a revision sleeve from the original VSG in 2012. I am extremely fortunate to not only have a second chance and get my health back. I lead by example of what not to do as my husband is also having the surgery done later in the year or early next year. I had my first post op visit with the dr.s office yesterday and everything looked great! Surprisingly, she told me my water % looked very good so, I'll take it. I am out on short term since the day of my surgery, July 25th and come to find out this past Monday that I will no longer be employed of my job of almost 9 years. Basically, I am bonded every year because I handle money and every year that bond is renewed. So now enter in my story of why... Last May of 2017, my dog suddenly went limp in his hind legs and needed emergency surgery. French bulldogs are prone to a condition called IVDD or Intervertebral Disk Disease. It is a common cause of back pain, rear limb paralysis, and inability to walk or feel the back legs. Basically, the pressure on his back from the disk was pressing on his nerves that send signals to the brain to control his back leg movement. Without removing that part of the disk, he would be paralyzed. With our minds racing, it was emergency surgery with a 90% success rate or pain management over time to see if he would recover,a 50/50 shot. My mind was made up immediately. My dogs are my world. His emergency surgery was 8k. Crazy to some but to me, I wouldn't have thought twice and would do it again if I had to. My boy was recovering nicely with his medication management and physical therapy at home. I would sit with him and stretch his back legs and use massage like they showed me at the vet. He improved and I am happy to say he is back to himself today! This 8k bill was put on a care creditcard and paid on time for 3 months. After that, I couldn't keep my head above water anymore. I reached out to a debt consolidator and had all of my bills rolled up into one monthly payment. It couldn't have come at a worse time. My son was going to be turning 1 in July and we had a bunch of expenses with him understandably along with some other typical bills that go along with owning a home. This debt wasn't the worse thing in the world but I knew I had do to take action. Fast forward to now. I have faithfully paid my bill every month but took a risk. This consolidation dipped my credit rating. I had forgotton about this. Enter in my job. They do my background check and can't bond me so I can't work for them so here I am. They have a severance package for me along with COBRA if I decided to take it. YEAH THE F *** RIGHT...At 900 bucks for 1 month for just my son and I, yeah, I think i'll pass. My husband is putting us on his for now through his full time job. I am currently seeking employment but it stings knowing I'm getting penalized for making a decision I needed to make. Just gonna keep my head up. That's all I can do. I have my health back, my family and that's all I need..well a job too

Don't do strength everyday - you need to break up your training. From what trainers I've had in the past have told me, you need to give your muscles a day to rest and recoop. I walk every day and will probably strength train M-W-F once I am able to use weights again. I can do lower body now, but will be having a port revision next Friday and will have to rest for a while. Do something you think you can stick to. If that is strength 3x a week and cardio 2x. I use my MP3 Player if I am at the gym - it takes away the monatony of just walking/moving in place and makes the time fly by quicker.

My mom was the same way when I told her I wanted the lapband in 2009. She said "why don't u just do it the old fashioned way?" Her husband late wife died 3 months after have RNY. Got a blood clot. So she thinks everyone dies from wls. The first time I went out to eat with my mom I made the mistake of taking a sip of soda AFTER I ate a bite of food. Came right up. And of course my mom reminded me that woould have never happened had I done it the "right way".. Now that I've lost 100 lbs and kept it off (sleeve revision last year) she's proud and agrees with my decision. Just wait. Ur mom will feel differently when she sees how wonderfully it affects ur life. Good luck!

I'm 3.5 years post op. Super glad I did it:) Wish I'd done it years ago. I wish I'd known the true statistics of what percentage of people have outcomes they are happy with. I'm extremely happy, but I know several people who are struggling and revising and in my opinion have not gotten the help they need to address the core issues....the disordered eating that drives obesity. This surgery will fix your guts temporarity so it's difficult to overeat. It doesn't fix your head. Eventually, you will be able to eat pretty freely again and can easily self sabotage if you don't fix your eating issues. I do think I'll be able to stay at a healthy weight for the long term. Last year, my yearly exam was a phone exam due to Covid. This year I went in and was weighed for the first time in two years...and was within one pound of what I weighed two years ago. I'm stupid proud of that. If I gain five pounds, I see the bariatric therapist ASAP. I talk about all the events leading up to the gain and try to figure out what triggered it and how to avoid the behaviors, and replace them with different coping mechanisms. I always feel better, and in short order, am back down 5 pounds. See the therapist. It works and can be just as important as the surgery. If you qualify for the surgery, I would absolutely recommend it. Best wishes!

Totally freaked especially cause I just had revision surgery on my port!

Look up Molina Band. It was before the adjustable gastric band, was mesh and has caused a lot of problems. I found Dana on Facebook and she's for real, was considering revising to a new band, which is why she was here. Me thinks the "troll antennae" are on hyper-vigilant setting...geesh!

I don't think anyone should be hateful. If you have had success with the band then that is awesome however complications are real and they happen to real people even if they were compliant. I knew the complications going in and decided to do it any way. I had mine in almost 6 years ago. About 5 months in I had a dilation that slipped my band and I have had horrible pain ever since. I was fully nailed 3 years ago and that is when I began my battle to get the insurance to approve taking it out. They have denied me two times which is a different topic altogether even though the tests proved there was damage. I am finally approved and scheduled to get it out on 06/25 and even though there could be complications I have chosen to revise to the sleeve. Let me say this though: I DO NOT regret getting the band. I know that if I had not intervened and had the band put in that I would be over 400 lbs by now. The band has forced me to change the way I see and feel about food. That alone is priceless. But I believe everyone's story should be heard whether the band was successful for you or you had complications and people should be supportive to people with both success and complications. Good luck to all

If you're deadset on believing that Lapband is perfect and can do no wrong and don't want to hear about complications, then move on to the next topic. Given what I've gone through, I think I'm obligated to say something. When I was first investigating whether I wanted to get this surgery for sure, I would have appreciated a lot more honesty and more stories about what HAS happened to people. I got my lapband in 2007. I followed all the rules and did what I was supposed to - so I'd appreciate not pointing fingers. It is a FLAWED mechanism. I would be shocked if this device never got recalled. I've had problems off and on over the years. Success and failure, both. Since about 2011, I started having problems with severe heartburn, pain, and fluctuating weight. I was in the hospital a few times. An upper GI in December showed a major slip. I went in for surgery two days ago to have it removed. The surgeon told me it's one of the worst cases he has seen. No fault of my original surgeon, and nothing I had done wrong. He said the band had deteriorated INTO my stomach and was in pieces. He had to open up my stomach to get it out. I now have two drains - one coming out of my gut and one through my nose down into my stomach. It was supposed to be a quick turn around surgery with me flying home yesterday. The surgeon is keeping me here at hospital until Sunday and the NG tube will be in until tomorrow. Who knows the state of my stomach once everything has healed. I know part of the appeal of this surgery is that it's "reversible." Is this really what you'd consider reversible?? I urge everybody to read the story in "complications" called "My Stomach Died" and tell me if that sounds reversible to you. It's a dangerous surgery. I know this won't be EVERYBODY's outcome. But had I known 7 years ago that this (and ESPECIALLY the "stomach died" story) was possible at all, I never would've done it. Do tons of research. Be sure you can live with ANY of the possible complications. I share this story because I don't want anyone else to have to go through it. Research other surgeries. I refuse to get a revision. But knowing what I know now - if I'd known it in 2007, I probably would've gone with the sleeve or similar. I would do a ton of research and find the worst complications to decide if I could live with that possible outcome. Just be careful, people - I don't want anyone to have to go through this.

I had a band placed in 2011. Worst medical decision I ever made. I caused major problems ... Acid reflux, night coughing, and more. In the last three or so years I had horrible doubling over pain at least 3-5 days a week. After a gastro did an EGD on me he found gastritis and esophagitis to where my pouch opening to the stomach was nearly closed due to inflammation. He referred to to a Bariatric surgeon suggesting a revision the the sleeve. I ended up having an emergency revision to gastric bypass. I did not choose the LB removal only because of weight regain. My surgeon said that the sleeve would make my GERD worse so I chose the RNY. No More GERD! No More Pain either! I feel great! During the surgery he found my stomach high in my chest due to a hiatal hernia caused by the band. He also did repairs to the esophagus (was in an S shape). Also my port was nearly detached. My new bariatric surgeon’s Center for Bariatric Excellence no longer places Lapband... but does a lot of removals and revisions due to serious so many complications.