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Dr. Murr will be doing my band to sleeve revision on Tuesday, June 7th.

Hi Scole. Wondering if you have had your surgery as of yet? I am hoping to have the same revision and would love to hear from someone who has gone through it.

Hey there- I'm so sorry to hear you don't feel good right now. I had a revision from a brand to a sleeve (had sleeve for 6 years) and am doing great almost 6 weeks out. Other than the restriction and the small scars I never would have known I had surgery. I can promise you this does get much better!!! Remember you just had major surgery so go easy right now. The gas pains are the worst but the sooner you can get up and move around the better. Read some of the veteran posts here for inspiration and to see what you have to look forward to. This part is the worst but every day you will heal and every day you will feel a bit better. In a few weeks you will shake your head when you think of saying you regret this- because you won't. Follow your teams directions, take care and keep us posted. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Thank you for the inspiring post. Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

Hey there- I'm so sorry to hear you don't feel good right now. I had a revision from a brand to a sleeve (had sleeve for 6 years) and am doing great almost 6 weeks out. Other than the restriction and the small scars I never would have known I had surgery. I can promise you this does get much better!!! Remember you just had major surgery so go easy right now. The gas pains are the worst but the sooner you can get up and move around the better. Read some of the veteran posts here for inspiration and to see what you have to look forward to. This part is the worst but every day you will heal and every day you will feel a bit better. In a few weeks you will shake your head when you think of saying you regret this- because you won't. Follow your teams directions, take care and keep us posted. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon usually puts a drain in for a revision, so I will have one. Not looking forward to it.

I suppose some may be able to handle "the old foods" in moderation, but I learned early on....about 7 months post-op....that's not me! Having something sugary, carby, etc can set off days or even weeks of bad eating. I was a food addict. When I open that door to let those same triggers back in, yeah....doesn't work. And you will find (as it sounds you have) that with time, you can eat pretty much anything and things that may have made you sick in the beginning don't now that you've healed completely. And yes. I actually have a friend who had her sleeve revised to a bypass, and she hasn't lost a single pound more. They are both tools. The key is in how you use your tool.

I wanted to add my experience. I will have had my lapband now for almost 14 years come this August. Dr Pedro Kuri in Mexico did my surgery and I will undoubtedly say that because of his experience even back then is testament to his skill and increased outcomes with the band. Back in 2002, the band was barely approved by FDA for a few years and most US surgeons had maybe done a handful of bands. Back then it was all about Gastric Bypass. Dr Kuri had already done 300+ bands when I went in. To date, he has installed 5500 bands. I lost a total of 130lbs over the first 6+ years of banding..don't recall how long it took, but since I was not a "compliant" bandster at all times, it took me longer,but maintained same weight for at least 6 years. What is most important with the band is surgeon's experience with the band and HOW they place the band on YOUR body and the aftercare. I believe now that doctors with less experience with this band probably have higher erosion, slippage rates. Surgeons are "cut and run".. they want to cut you up..be done..move on..the band sucks for them because it requires years of aftercare. Fills, dieticians, etc..bandsters I believe who say they get food stuck or can only eat Soup or liquids get filled too tight with "blind" fills and then live with it. They want to keep eating and thus OVEREAT the band and then you throw up..it basically becomes surgical bulemia. The whole premise of ANY weight loss surgery is to restrict you..magically your brain telling you that you love food will change and you won't want to eat past the point of throwing up. We basically become like dogs who will eat themselves to throw up level if you let them. With our now small stomachs..we cannot mentally wrap our heads around that we now can only eat about a cup of food at a time. Or you resort to liquids and then you think the band sucks and it has failed because you throw up all the time? I unfortunately did not continue to go to Mexico after the first 3-4 years to get aftercare from Dr Kuri who always does fills under flouroscopy to make sure you are not too tight or have started packing your esophagus like I did..after getting "blind fills" from a more local surgeon. Lesson learned! I have more than abused this poor band for 14 years and and still have it..no erosion, no slippage. Unfortunately I just had to have port removed because of an infection I was most likely given by a local surgeon's office who gave me a fill that lead to a port infection. This was after at least 9-10 fills over the last 14 years by three different surgeons..one finally got me an infection. Port will be put back in once I heal but thankful to know my band is safe. Who knows what my total run with this silicone "noose" will be...will pray as long as possible! I would not trust a doctor who discourages one surgery over another..surgeons hate the follow up so the sleeve to them makes sense..cut and run..I don;t like that like the bypass..you can expand your stomach and have no way to adjust it. The sleeve was just the first 1/2 of gastric bypass for overly obese patients to lose some weight before the bypass part. I may be missing something but seems like gastric bypass patients, your little stomach can grow..thus needing to go back and add restriction back..revision. Dr Kuri told me he has been banding sleeve and bypass patients because of this..hmm.. The band is not perfect..I would not take this surgery lightly. RESEARCH your doctor..how many bands has he performed and over how many years. What is the aftercare like? I personally would want a surgeon who has well over 1000 bands placed at this point..16 years after FDA approval. Do they always do blind fills or do they do under flouroscopy? DO NOT go for a surgery based on just what your insurance covers at the moment or your local surgeon prefers. Whatever surgery you end up with make the decision based on your long term future with this surgery. This band has been in my body for 14 years..we have a love/hate relationship..mostly because I love to eat food..and when it is delish I want MORE..but this bitch wont let me eat more. I tell people I got the band NOT because I wanted to lose the weight ( I did of course) but more important was to KEEP IT OFF. Something that never happens with just diets. You have a 5% chance of keeping off weight you lose..that SUCKS! 5%..yup! So look at a lifelong commitment to this surgery...not just what procedure will get the weight off but which one has higher odds of keeping it off. With the band...there is an art and science to proper fills and hunger satiation..hunger goes away when you are at the right fill..BUT you have to get your head right...you need to know that scarfing down a whole hamburger is not in your future...barely even a slider..or enjoying pizza or other doughy breads is a thing of the past..you mentally need to wrap your head around being different from everyone else that has no extra thought as to what foods or combination of foods they can eat. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best. I will end with if I had to do it over again..now with more options..I still would choose the band. I like the adjustability..it can be removed if anything does go wrong..my head has not always been in the game..I want to outeat this thing all the time..I learned the hard lesson when I didnt go back to MY surgeon for proper followup from a more experienced surgeon who cares about his patients outcomes and not just lining his pockets with the latest surgical procedure.

Honestly, I don't have enough sick time to cover the revision. Plus I really do love my band. It's a strange thing to say but I really have grown to love and depend on it. I'm pretty sure other bandsters that have had success would understand what I mean.

Why not revise to sleeve now anyway? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I just made one trip to Tijuana for the surgery, but have been there several other times for various reasons. I'd been in touch with my surgeon's office via email prior to booking the surgery. I volunteer about an hour south of Tijuana with my church group, so I've been to the city enough times to be at peace. When you are going there for surgery you'll be picked up at the border by a driver who has a pass for the medical express lane, which is must faster and simpler to get through. My surgeon's name is Dr. Fernando Garcia. I believe he does a revision, but I never researched that since I had the VSG. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/369341-getting-family-support-for-surgery-in-mexico/#entry4174990 The coordinator he uses is based in the US and accredited with the BBB, if that helps provide any measure of reassurance.

Clementine Sky, how many trips did you have to take down? And do you mind to share the name of your surgeon? Curious if (s)he does revisions to RNY or not. I'm wandering if my pouch is expanded what it would entail to redo it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@mythreekids This doctor sounds like he is very uneducated... If you have the sleeve you can have a revision to bypass!! If he doesn't know that basic information i would not trust him to cut off 80% of my stomach. Because you are getting a large portion cut out.. i would not use him.. he obviously has not had much experience with the sleeve. The surgeon needs to cut the right size for your stomach and get the curvature correct...otherwise there can be difficulties with eating later... i don't believe this surgeon would understand this stuff if he is inexperienced. For your own health, get a second opinion! This dude sounds like a quack!

Oy. I am 6 years post op from my first surgery, and almost 2 years out post op from my band to bypass revision and I was successfully maintaining my weight for over a year and recently the scale has gone UP 10lbs!!! My husband asked me if that was bad (uh hello!) I was maintaining at 147lbs and now the scale said 158lbs. It scares the life out of me seeing it go back up. I know what my issues are and I need to remind myself carbs are NOT my friend and I have to keep myself more active. I used to spend 4-5 days a week working on a farm I volunteer but I've had to scale back recently due to home issues. And sadly because I've been so stressed out I've been looking at eating as my coping skill again. I know what I need to do to get back on track and I am damn determined to do it, I just need a little nudge and support from those who know where I am right now. Thanks!!

@, thank you for your encouragement. I lost about 60 pounds with band and gained it all back. My surgeon actually said I would be a good candidate for the sleeve. When we discussed today, his concern was a small site of what might be Barrett's cells in the esophagus - so he didn't want to risk the sleeve related reflux. I want to give myself the best chance to be successful and he said that is definitely bypass, especially for a revision, so - bypass it is!

I'm six years & +30 lbs post op. Incredibly frustrated and disappointed in myself. I watch what I eat and exercise daily but find my thoughts revolve around food and I don't get that 'full' feeling I once did. I've considered a revision of some kind but it's embarrassing to admit I failed... Again. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That is precisely the position I'm in. I LOVE MY SLEEVE. It is perfect. It offers great restriction but allows me to eat anything. It's perfect except it's trying to kill me with the excess acid. I'm going through a mourning period right now and know that I'll be sad to see it go when I revise to bypass on 7/1. My sleeve gave me a life I could never imagine. I'm really tired of people bashing the sleeve as an inferior surgery and reassuring new patients that you can revise to the better surgery when your sleeve fails. For the most part, sleeves don't fail, people do. Do the hard work and your sleeve will reward you. Although I'm losing my sleeve and will technically be a "RNYer" I will always consider myself part of the VSG family. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had the gastric sleeve done 2 and 1/2 years ago and I lost 70 pounds. I have kept it off and I love my sleeve. I follow my diet and I'm very comfortable with the sleeve but unfortunately I have developed severe Reflux and Gerd and no amount of medications helps me. I am going to do a revision to a bypass just to keep from getting esophageal cancer. I prefer the Sleeve and I'm sad I'm having to get the bypass but I have no choice at this point. For all of you who are undecided, if you have heartburn or acid reflux, go with the bypass, otherwise the sleeve is awesome. I'll be doing my revision in August.

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 had the gastric sleeve done 2 1/2 years ago and I lost 70 pounds and have kept it off. I LOVE MY SLEEVE. But I have terrible GERD and Acid Reflux that has caused many problems. I am going through the process now of getting ready to have a revision to a bypass. I prefer the sleeve but the bypass will clear up the reflux issues I'm having now. All of the surgeries work but they are just tools and its up to you to pick your meals and stay on your diet. Good luck to all who have not had surgery yet, you are going to love it.

I developed severe reflux after my sleeve surgery. I'm 2 years post surgery and will be revising to bypass on 7/1. There is not a particular food or drink that causes my acid. I can have it just with Water. My acid level was measured at 409% greater than normal. I'm currently taking a combination of Protonix/Dexilant/Zantac daily and I remain uncontrolled. I hope it resolves for those of you having issues with reflux

Hey there! I was a lower BMI going in for revision from band to sleeve (34.6). I'm 6 weeks out and feel like I could do anything. I live in Florida and it's HOT. Hot hot!!! I'm outside most of the day and if anything, I have a lot more endurance than before and no issues at all with staying hydrated. I kind of don't understand the hydration issue some people are talking about... After the initial swelling goes getting fluids in is no problem- or maybe I was just lucky!! I also went on an overnight kayaking trip exactly a month out from surgery. Just me and my 12 year old daughter. We kayaked the entire day, set up camp totally on our own, kayaked the next day and loaded gear into truck. Again, no problems at all. I packed a lot of low cal Gatorade and Water in my mini cooler and of course too my Protein shakes. I totally agree with others that your should listen to your doctor and take it slow to begin with. I just wanted to share my experience- it's been so much easier physically than I ever anticipated. The food and hunger part is different- that's mental work! But I'm so glad my body is enjoying the challenge. Enjoy all the activities, stay safe and hydrated! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

There is no "need" to revise a sleeve (except for severe gerd or acid reflux). The need is in revising your eating habits. Most people who have gotten sleeve revisions could not control their eating. In either case, if you cannot/do not change your eating habits, it doesn't matter which procedure you get.

When I first got my band I was 325lbs. Up until about 280lbs I hadn't really felt that bad and considered myself a 'healthy' fat person. As I got closer to 300-325 I started feeling worse. I got banded, lost 127lbs and stayed happily between 200-225lbs for about five years. However, I had constant reflux and heartburn from the band. About a year ago I finally had enough and had some Fluid taken out of my band. Holy crap did I gain weight fast!!! I went from 213 to 293 in less than a year and felt miserable. Gaining weight at the rate of 10lbs per year allows your body to adjust and get used to it but gaining 80lbs quickly made me feel like I was trapped in a fat suit and couldn't get out. I'm now having revision surgery next week on Tuesday, June 7th and I cannot wait! I'm so excited. I just wanted to share a brief synopsis of my journey and encourage anyone out there that is unhappy with their chosen weight loss surgery to never give up!

I'm on my pre-op diet now and will have surgery in less than a week on June 7th! I'm so excited to be getting my band out and revising to the sleeve!

@@hernewselfie when all is said and done, people have success with either surgery. It's up to you to decide if you want more accountability, longer weight loss period, no need to revise, or if you want safer, less restrictive, less surgery time, less long-term data. Realistically speaking, there isn't a huge discrepancy between the two surgeries concerning most of these things. "safer" means a fraction of 1% safer. "Less surgery time" means 30-60 minutes less surgery time. The main differences between them that matter in the end are a need to revise, the amount of restriction you want or feel you need to be successful, and whether you're willing to need to take a couple Vitamins a day for the rest of your life. Either way, you will be successful if you do what your plan requires of you. So you play it safe and get the sleeve if that is something that concerns you, or you take a risk and get the bypass, knowing that it is a step beyond the sleeve and wanting that extra step. Good luck to you!