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Hi All, I just had my 4th upper GI. This is my 3rd time having a hiatel hernia show up. My band was placed Dec. 2008, slipped and revision June 2010 with a hiatel hernia present. Now back again with another hernia. Should I just give up? I have had numerous fills and unfills. Lost 80lbs and now have gained back 20 lbs. My band has only 3 cc in it and I have heartburn. I am at my wits end????

I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time. I hate to say it, but I think this is something that only you can answer. Maybe you should sit down and write a list of pros and cons regarding both being re-banded and just having it removed. I would think that a larger band would relieve some of your discomfort, but there is still the possibility that it may not. If you have it removed, will you revise to a different WLS? If you have it replaced, do you have a backup plan if your issues don't go away? If you don't revise or re-band, are you going to do it on your own? Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck.

No band.I know so many who have major issues, lifetime issues. I am having a band to sleeve revision

I finally feel good. Since I was a revision from a vbg to vsg, it took them 4 hours to do my surgery on Wednesday. I had a lot of scar tissue plus a conversion from a vbg to vsg is not always easy and usually they end up doing a by pass, so i feel very fortunate. They finally did the UGI this morning and no leaks and out went that nasty NG tube. Yay. Had my first meal and no issues there either. I will be staying here till Sunday and I'm ok with that. Wondering how the others are doing.

Hi everyone! I'm new to this, but I'll tell you what I can. I had a gastroplasty 20 t years ago that failed. From what the dr.s tell me, these always fail. Now I'm scheduled to be "revised" May 1. They are going to open me up right down the middle. I know it's probably awful,but right now I 'm eating all the things I figure I won 't be able to eat after the surgery.

My story is so like yours, I am scheduled for a revision next wednesday. My band will be removed at the same time. (I am having some other non related issues that may put my surgery off but i am still certain I will have it eventually.) My Doc is very experienced so the revision is not a concern of his. I too have diabetes (very uncontrolled) losing 30 to 40 pounds and gaining it back and forth with the band never had any effect on the diabetes, That is my biggest reason for doing the RNY now. I should have done it in the first place, seven years ago, but I thought it was so drastic and that I didn't have that much to lose. But I had the co morbidities and should have went that route. So as I sit here waiting to here if an ovary acting up will delay my surgery and still on the pre op diet, I just wait. I was scheduled for revision on Nov 7, Doc came in right before I was to be wheeled back and said my blood sugars were too high. I was devastated. So rescheduled for Dec 5 and now this stomach pain that has had me in pain and doing scans and ultrasounds and having to find a GYN doc (haven't seen one of those in 20+ years) to either be cleared for surgery or possibly need the ovary removed. Something tells me I may have an operation just not the one I was hoping for just yet. I too am 57. And really want to have a life.

Thanks Kristy. I was thinking to find a surgeon thats been in bariatric surgery longer than my new surgeon. No disrespect to him, but he is fairly new and has yet to do a revision.

Go for RNY. I had my revision done in april. Totally worth it!! good luck!

I've heard a lot of people say on here that they can't tell the difference. I think that with all the dieting I've done over the years I've always noticed it in my clothes but never through my image. Why don't you do the side by side comparison from before surgery to your current post op I'm sure you'll see it and it's true that we get use to how we envision ourselves so I think it's natural that others will take notice before we do. I'm proud of both of you! Another you can try is to put on a pair of pants, a dress or a shirt that didn't fit before surgery and compare how it fits now. I'm sure I'll probably go through the same thing when I have my revision since that's how it was for me when I first got the lap band in 2007.

This has been my personal experience with the band and why I am getting rid of it. I was banded 3 1/2 years ago. My band worked alright, although it was hard work for me to lose weight. I had to exercise five times a week and the way the band worked was frustrating. It was tight in the morning, but at night it was loose and I could eat whatever I wanted. Then I stopped having restriction altogether due to a leak. I was able to eat what I wanted and I gained much of the weight I lost back. Next, I started having SEVERE pain in my stomach area that migrated to my right side. I went to the ER after days of this pain. They did a scan and found that my lapband slipped and that the tubing broke off. Right now the tube is poking me all over causing pain and I am so thankful for my upcoming revision to get rid of the band. Look at the LONG TERM statistics of the band. I believe most have to have a secondary surgery to remove or fix the band within ten years. There is lots of maintance with the band for fills and other tests. I hope my experience can help you make the best decision for YOUrself! Good luck~

Don't blame Scout, I believe that was me that made that statement. Since then, I've seen the same aweful hack jobs in the states. When I first started researching LBLs I saw alot of pictures of some really terrible jobs. So I revise my opinon that there are alot of terrible plastic surgeons. Sue Sorry if I offended anyone.

My journey started with me at 388 pounds. Lap band was in for 8 years before it scare tissued to my stomach. In 8 years I had lost about 140 pounds. Flew down to Mexicali and had VSG revision, band our and revision same day! Would not change a thing and would never look back. I now hover in the 190-200 range, a few pounds up and a few down. Had absolutely no issue with the revision and in fact the second day walked down the street to the shopping Mall 4 long blocks away just to air my head..... If your thinking about it stop, JUST DO IT! It changed my life..... Will your also....

Well back again, I have my Results Review to set up my revision Tuesday. My wife is not thrilled with the thought. It doesn't help that I had foot surgery 2 weeks ago, the Bone has healed well but the incision is still sore, So she is not excited and is very fearful of the revision, She would prefer I just have the band taken out. I am looking to have the revision done in may and would do both the removal and revision at one time. It doesn't help that she had lunch with a friend who's husband is in medical surgical equipment and told her about how they do the surgery etc. and she thinks I well be depressed as we entertain a lot and I wont be able to eat. I too am still thinking going back and forth with this. Again I have such a long history of Family and personal struggle with weight. The band was a good decision in that i have kept off a good amount of weight for 8 Years, and have adopted a much better life style. (I can't wait to get back to the gym and pool.) But the band has had it's issues, I am going to be 60 this year also. For some time now I drink Protein shakes and have to drink with meals as the pouch is painful even if i have a few bites - due to pouch issues. I am concerned that with out anything I might regain more weight. I know that Eventually will need knee replacement and can't afford to be any heaver. I see other family members who are now older and very overweight having so many issues to get around. I also have friends who have struggled with weight up and down 100/lbs and can not consider WLS as they now have other medical issues. The older one gets the more harder to recover etc. Also I've reached my out of pocket max for the year. (Knee injections, Foot Surgery, and all the Pre Op tests) I have kind of been thinking about this for years wanting to get these last Lbs off but also somewhat comfortable with how I am. But with so many visits to have Fluid put in and out and now my band is empty and Dr.says no more fills and the band needs to come out. My primary care Dr is OK with it but says realize you can have a huge thanksgiving meal. My Knee Dr set a letter that I needed it also. I have been so compliant insurance has agreed to pay for the revision. I have been praying and thinking on this for some time. My thought was that if ins approved it I would go ahead and now that they have i am concerned that i am tempting fate, as I am generally in good shape but would be helpful to looks additional 30/lbs or so. My Daughter was also banded a number of years ago but regained her weight , she actually was the first to start the revision process as she has 2 friends who have the sleeve a few yrs ago and have done well. She started WW back in Aug, while she started the revision process. Ultimately she was not approved Because of non compliance but has now lost 85/lbs on her own! She is very strict but she too is thinking she may need to do something later as she has been through this before and doesn't know if she can keep it off. She is encouraging me to get the sleeve as she know how I work out and have kept a good amount of weight off, She thinks I will do well with it. She says her friends who are a few years out generally eat 1/2 of what is served in a restaurant (Which is often what I do, unless its a salad). Even thought i don't have any fill I have some restriction but am definitely more hungry. Hopefully my Dr will put both of us at ease Any words of encouragement?

All the best to you and your wife. Dr. Woodman is an awesome surgeon. He's a bit blunt but its necessary.I was sleeved by Woodman and never had an issue with him until my last visit. He came into the room complaining about the lady he saw before me had been, "eating ice cream" and then he went on a tirade about how i had only lost 5 lbs since my last visit and how I wasted my time and his by having the surgery. I will not go back to see him again. I have followed his guidelines as best as I can. I dont eat crap, I excercise, I get my proteins.....i have not gained an once and I have lost 10 inches from my waist....also went from a 3x shirt to an XL. .....i didnt need any discouragement from somebody I am paying. .....BTW....he charges $500 up front and my insurance said he is not allowed to do that. Like I said, I will not see him again.. Dr Woodman did my lapband surgery in 2008 and was so mean and nasty to me and other people that I knew that had used him for the lapband. He has a reputation amongst local doctors for being so horrible to his patients. Even though I lost 90lbs that year after the lapband he wrote such awful things in my medical records that I am unable to get a revision now and having to go through the appeals process. All because of him and what all he wrote. My insurance advocate read me some of it when she received the records but said she couldn't even read it all because he had been so mean.

So I went in for my check-up on the 4th. My doctor wanted to give me a fill. But after poking and digging around forever he sent me to get x-rays taken. And yes, my port had flipped. I went into surgery yesterday for the revision. He cut along the same scar as before. Of course the pain isn't nearly as bad as after getting the band "installed". It is frustrating because I have to pay for all of this. My insurance doesn't cover any complications from getting the band. I'm not sure the hospital fee but my doctors is $1200. So I'm setting up a payment plan... yippee. :confused_smile: I do try to look on the bright side of things though. I mean I'd rather have this happen than have my band slip or erode. I just worry it'll happen again. Other than that things are okay. I got a third fill during the surgery. I am up to 4cc's in a 14cc band. I only ate solid food once today. I'll have to wait and see how this fill works. Up to this point I've been able to eat basically whatever I've wanted. Sometimes I want more restriction and other times I'm glad I can eat toast if I so choose. Yet, it would be nice to lose a little faster. I'll just have to wait and see how things go. Hope all of you bandsters and soon to be/hoping to be bandsters are doing well. Take care!

So I went in for my check-up on the 4th. My doctor wanted to give me a fill. But after poking and digging around forever he sent me to get x-rays taken. And yes, my port had flipped. I went into surgery yesterday for the revision. He cut along the same scar as before. Of course the pain isn't nearly as bad as after getting the band "installed". It is frustrating because I have to pay for all of this. My insurance doesn't cover any complications from getting the band. I'm not sure the hospital fee but my doctors is $1200. So I'm setting up a payment plan... yippee. :biggrin: I do try to look on the bright side of things though. I mean I'd rather have this happen than have my band slip or erode. I just worry it'll happen again. Other than that things are okay. I got a third fill during the surgery. I am up to 4cc's in a 14cc band. I only ate solid food once today. I'll have to wait and see how this fill works. Up to this point I've been able to eat basically whatever I've wanted. Sometimes I want more restriction and other times I'm glad I can eat toast if I so choose. Yet, it would be nice to lose a little faster. I'll just have to wait and see how things go. Hope all of you bandsters and soon to be/hoping to be bandsters are doing well. Take care!

I had the sleeve in June 2018. My weight on surgery day was 242. I got down to 169 and not a pound less. I’m 5’4”. I never got rid of the GERD, which I had before the sleeve. In hind sight, I wish I had the bypass and not the sleeve initially. I a, scheduled to have a revision to bypass on 8/11. I am also scared …. But I am so tired of the extreme GERD and the damage that it’s doing. I have had significant weight regain from my sleeve - gained ALL back. The regain is very depressing. It’s to the point that I avoid social situations and am just down on myself for the regain 24/7. Hindsight is a b!tch. I’m ready for the revision and know that I will feel better without the GERD. Second chances aren’t to be taken lightly and this is mine.

i keep a blog of interesting articles about wls, interesting posts, etc. it is on obesityhelp.com search angelarias you may "friend" me here and on obesityhelp.com Hi All: I was banded in July 2004 and will be banded 5 years. I check the board monthly and am so glad there is so much more information available today than there was when I was researching weight loss surgery. I chose to be banded because it was a reversible procedure and I thought in 10 or 20 years, with medical technology as quickly as it is progressing, banding would no longer be done, RNY, DS and VSG would be long gone as viable surgical options and instead replaced with true, safe, non-invasive procedures. My band is just fine (Thank God) but I have never believed that it is a lifetime implant. For example, my dad's pacemaker has already been replaced and my mom's hip replacement from 10 years ago needs to be revised. These are lifetime implants. Hopefully, our bands will last 10-15 years-let us pray! For newbies out there, no matter how good insurance you have, never asssume emergency surgery for you is going to be free or lowcost. For those of us thast have insurance (with a wls exclusion), an emergency medical fund is essential. I have been thrilled when I read about one you being able to save enough for plastics but I have never read anyone mention that they have money set aside just for a wls emergency. IT IS essential. I travel extensively for work and wherever I go, I have the name of the local band surgeon and where to go for a fill. Here are my stats. I am 35 yrs. old, 5'5" and started at 260. I lost 10 pounds on the pre-op liquid diet which took me to 250. I lost another 30 pounds on the 6 week liquid diet which took me to 220. In the next 2 years I lost an additional 40 pounds which took me to 180 in 2006. I am now 200 so i have lost and maintained a 50% weight loss. Was weight loss surgery a good investment? I think so. I like to do a cost per pound analysis. I have currently spent $3500 for fills and $8500 for the surgery. $12000 for 60 pounds or $200 a pound. For those of you bandsters that paid out of pocket divide your pounds lost by your surgery and maintenance visit costs and you'll get a cost per pound. I would love to see posts on this forum from patients 5-10 years out of surgery--what ever surgery type you had. Share with us what the "weight loss real world" is like. More importantly, the questions I'd like to pose to everybody out there. What weight loss surgeries will we be discussing on this forum 10 years from now? Will our bands be still in place? Will the DSers have a modified new DS? Will the RNY still be the gold standard in the U.S. I'm not looking to start a debate about weight loss surgery methods or inspire negativity or drama. Just posing a straight up question to look 10 years into the future. As you can imange 10 years ago, we were discussing phen-fen and had no idea what a RNY or a DS or a VSG or a gastric band was! So 10 years from now guys, what do ya think? Will peple have gastric stimulators, a revised TOGA procedure via endoscopy, biodegradable bands (yes, gastric bands that do their job and break down in the body with no surgery), brain electrodes to lose weight (like recently featured on Oprah), a weight loss pill. I am not a medical person but I love to discuss technology. So chime in everyone. What new wl technolgy will we be discussing 10 years from now on the OH boards? By the way, I am filled to 6cc in a 4cc band and I have little restriction. I do like my band and am not thinking about a revision. I'm happy with my 60 pond weight loss and will try to lose 60 pounds in a year's time. ALL the best, Angel Banded July 2004 Drs. Ortiz/Martinez Tijuana,Mexico band filled 6cc in 4cc (band still in good position but little restriction) cannot get any more fills--band full 260 starting weight 250 surgery weight 200 plus or minus 5 pounds current weight 50 percent weight loss goal weight 135-140 :wub:

I'm currently waiting on my insurance to approve my hernia repair with a band revision to bypass. I have been very nervous about the change but I need relief from the abdominal pains and vomiting. Has anyone had this done and if so, what was your recovery like.

I've already had it all...LOL. I guess that means possible revisions for me. I had full body lipo., breast lift and tummy tuck in 2005. Would I do it again? Only the TT. I wouldn't pay the money for the BL or Lipo again......love the TT.

I am new to this feed I’ve been enjoying all the comments support suggestions and recommendations. My goal is revision from the lap band to the sleeve my final visit with the nutritionist is the 20th of this month and then I have a few more labs in the tube that has to go down my throat I’m a little nervous about that as I was told I have to be put to sleep has anyone else experienced this?

I am scheduled for a revision from VSG to RNY with Dr. Francisco Gonzalez at Oasis of Hope hospital in Tijuana in October. I’d love some feedback and experiences with either the surgeon and/or hospital. Nervous but excited! Thank you!

Following you.... Hoping to have your success as we are about the same status.... are at least my "original" ones. 42ish y/o 5'2" Banded in 2009 HW: 232lbs. SW 223, Weight are band removal (3/2017 due to slip) 143 51 y/o Revision to sleeve Aug 28, 2019 SW: 173.5, Day of surgery 165, today 144.2 I am very inspired by your results. I would love to start a dialogue with you if you're interested.

My original surgeon was with kaiser, and he wouldn't give me a revision surgery. I changed to PPO and found a surgeon who said he would give me the surgery but didn't think it would help. I eventually found the bariatric institute in Utah, and Dr. Medlin gave me my yes. Getting approved was a BREEZEEEEEE. I guess it depends on your insurance.

Thanks, everyone for the well-wishes!!! This board kept me afloat for the first 3 months. I remember being on this site for hours a day during the first 2 weeks - holy moly, that was tough!!! This is such a great, positive place and a great source for information. This site is the reason I got the revision, the place where I found my surgeon (shout out to Dr Aceves!!), and where I met some really fantastic people. Wow, I'm getting emotional now :-) Anyway, thanks to everyone for your support!