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Im now 3 months post revision op, after having the lap band for about 8 years. I was also bad with the fills too. i would have to drive an hour and a half to the hospital, wait around from 1pm until at least 6 and sometimes longer to see the surgeon for 5 minutes. And the lots of times to return after a few days to the er to remove the fill because i could drink anything. I wish i had done it years ago. Its so good to eat without that horrible chocking feeling. And now i know what full feels like, which i never got with the band. I had revision rny and my gallbladder out in the same operation. But i did have all the fill of the band out for two months before to help with the chances of doing the op all at once. My surgeon was very experienced, and everything went very smoothly. I hope it does for you too.

Well my advice is to keep fighting and go for the appeal. The BCBS plan statement actually has to be administered uniformly across the country but some local companies doing the administration (like Regence here in Washington) are disregarding the benefit guidelines and denying it. I had a slipped lapband and was told that VSG and band removal are both covered. VSG is supposed to have been allowed as a gastric restrictive procedure by Fed BCBS as of January 1st 2008. (My lap band was originally covered by my insurance because I met the >35BMI + 2 comorbidity requirements.) Even after both the doctor and I were told the revision would be covered, the local Regence office sent a denial letter. They appear to know nothing about weightloss surgery or the lap band, much less the VSG -- they were so far in the weeds they actually denied removing the band and claimed they couldn't remove it because my BMI wasn't high enough any more (huh?). And they denied the VSG revision under the investigational claim. They even denied letting me have it unfilled so we could get the pain and vomiting under control. They said fills are only covered when your BMI is over 35 too. That's going to be news to lap band patients everywhere - don't bother contuing to use your band once you lose some of your weight. That was such a stupid thing for them to do all I could do was laugh about it. They backed off that pretty quick, after hassling me about it they suddently stopped mentioning it and just paid the claim. I ended up appealing. For the first round of my appeal I wrote my own letter and won the band removal portion only but they denied the VSG again. They dropped the investigational reason and their denial to being because I don't qualify for weightloss surgery with a <35 BMI. Since I did qualify for the original lap band surgery that's kind of dumb. The standard of care with revisions is not to treat the revision as if you're starting over pre-WLS so it makes no sense. You don't give someone a knee replacement and then when it breaks and the doctor needs to replace it with a different type of artificial knee that the patient is out of luck - you only get one shot a knee replacement. My BMI is back up to 33 so they won't have to wait long until I qualify again . Although the surgeon and I wanted to do the removal and revison in a single procedure, I went ahead and just had the lap band out in October. The insurance company gave me four weeks to have it out from the date of their appeal decision so I just needed to get it done. And I was miserable. I can't believe anyone would force me to keep a slipped lap band in for over 7 months - that's crazy. It's great not to be in so much pain. But it's scary to no longer have any kind of restriction. I went ahead and hired Walter and Kelley Lindstrom to handle the appeal from here. Well worth the money just to have someone fighting for me after going it alone for so many months. We'll see what happens, I should know what the Office of Personnel Managment in D.C. wants to do next in a couple of weeks. I'm going to take it all the way to the end to make sure this gets their attention - that some state administrators are making up their own rules that go against the benefit statement. I posted the letter and addendum I used for my first appeal in case it's useful to anyone else. All I know is that it did seem to get them off the investigational part of the denial. Best of luck! Britt vsgappeal: Appeal Letter

Is port revision the same as going in and moving the port? Let me know if that's what your dr decides to do and how it goes. IM LORI - I don't know if you were asking me, but my port is on the left side, right under my ribs and off to the side a little bit. And mine can't be my gallbladder, since I don't have one anymore. I believe it is the port rubbing on my rib...ouch!

Highly recommend Dr Ponce De Leon in TJ, MX his price is $4500 ($5000 revision) There are a lot of excellent drs in TJ. PM if you want more info. Good luck on your search

Welcome to VST and many here are/have gone though the looooooong insurance process. I didn't, but I know how the band difficulties can be. Glad your going or the revision. Good luck!

I was unfilled last May, due to alot of heartburn and jsut simply not being able to eat at all. I have now found a place that will fill me w/ floro for $50.00 (Forest PArk Medical Center). I was banded in 2003 and revised in 2005. Any advice for me being that I am so far out being unfilled?

Ive been on liquids since I lost the ability of swallow and keep solid foods down back in mid July. The only mushey food I seem to be able to keep down for the most part is mashed potatoes, but they have to be very wet. Ive tried other foods and its a hit and miss kind of experience. The only good thing is that I lost 22 lbs in 6 weeks. I would give up the lbs lost for the ability to swallow normally again, thats why I decided to get the revision to a sleeve. Keep me updated on your progress.

Thanks just posted my heaviest pictures I had the revision surgery

I am having revision surgery next Tuesday - 11/10 - and it's covered by my insurance - Cigna. My band has a leak and hasn't worked in 2 years. During that time I beat myself up thinking that I was losing my mind because I was so hungry and could eat more than I knew I should. My doctor had to write a letter to my insurance company and must have made one hell of an argument on my behalf. I was fully approved and scheduled within 2 weeks. Hopefully your doctor can make a good case to your insurance company and get it covered for you. Good luck and keep me posted.

I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy in August of 2015 and have lost 90 pounds, going from squeezing into a size 14 / XL to wearing a size 2/4 and S or XS. I surpassed my goal weight, and have had very minimal negative side effects. My endocrinologist had recommended the VSG to me because other women my age and size with PCOS have benefitted from it, and said that some had gone to Mexico because the costs were so high in Los Angeles (I was quoted $29,000 to $35K, vs $4200 for the same surgery a couple of hours drive away in Mexico). My BMI was under 35 so insurance would not pay for anything. I started researching surgeons in Tijuana and reading reviews from patients, and felt confident with Dr. Garcia. I wrote to several of his patients who'd posted about their experiences for more insight. I'm very pleased. Wow congrats! I'm researching at this point to get a revision. And I live in the inland empire.

It goes to show you that everyone reacts so differently. I was rebanded in 2009 (org. surgery 2007) and I cannot take as much fill....was 6cc now am 4cc's in a 10cc band. Also in 2010 had a port revision so when surgeon snipped the tubing and hooked it back up (lost my fluid then) was refilled slowly and go back up to 4cc's. That is a perfect amount for me. I had an upper GI in Oct. which indicated I needed more fill but I know my own body and I know I cannot take anymore so even the upper GI isn't accurate...you just got to know you body and how it responds. I have maintained for 3 1/2 years.

You're welcome. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. I love my sleeve and I love it when somebody is getting a revision because living with a band is a nightmare, and people just think it's a normal way to live. It's not!

I'm scheduled for 5/28. Went through a 2 hour preop class today. My daughter in law had band to sleeve revision surgery last Wednesday (it was unanticipated). I feel pretty prepared for what to expect since I took care of my DIL and the nurses doing the education for my program are very detailed on what is going to happen before, during, and immediately following surgery. I've already purchased the stage 2 foods since I will be on stage 2 for 2 weeks. I'm sure I'll be more anxious next week. Good luck to all.

Nov10th here. You are all doing great. I was a revision from band. My loss is much slower. I am down 22 lbs since pre-op 11 lbs since surgery. I have 35 to go. I wish it was faster but I continue the journey. Great things to look forward to this year!

Hi there I had my band revised to RNY 6 weeks ago. I do wonder if the band has made me not so good at portion control - I seem to be lousy at recognising when I am full. So I take my lunch every day. A can of tuna or salmon or pack of shredded chicken, and a bit of fruit or veggie. I think lunch is my easiest “go off the rails” meal, so I prepare each evening - hope that helps. 40lbs! What a fantastic thing, you must be so pleased! Inspirational...

Sometimes you all need to hear how wonderful you are to share your experiences. Wow! I did not realize how comforting it feels to know I'm not alone. I haven't posted on LBT in a while. The good news is that I lost more weight than I ever expected, from 250 to 150 in about 14 months. The tough news is that I started having problems keeping solid food down, and had to insist on a GI. The PA told me it was unnecessary. I paid out of pocket, and did the GI on 9/1. The test revealed esophageal dilation, and the barium would not go down for 10-15 minutes. The band doc took out all of the fill, then told me that the band should come out. I will go for an endoscopy this month, and depending on the results, the band may need to come out. Do I feel failure? Heck, no. The band helped me lose 100 pounds that I never could have lost on my own. Am I scared? Heck yes! I can eat more since I have no restriction. Thank goodness that I am physically active, and a picky eater. Will I rely on willpower to keep the weight off? Willpower did not work before, why would it magically work now? My plan is, if the band needs to come out, I will want to do a revision at the same time. I have bariatric coverage, but it may not pay for a skinny woman's revision. I may have to pay for it all myself, but I would rather invest in maintaining my weight than go back to high blood pressure, gasping for breath, pre-diabetes, and afraid of fitting in an airline seat. Thank you all for having the courage to share your very personal challenges. Love and Blessings,:whoo:

I think I read some where that 70% of lap band patients have it removed within the first 5 - 6 years. I had mine done in August of 2012. I started having issues with it in April 2013. I wound up getting an unfill then refill in April, August, Oct then most recently in Dec. where I had 6 cc taken out of my 7cc, Basically, left with hardly any restriction. During these times, it seemed like almost everything I ate made me burp, and several times throw up. Fast forward, this last time in Dec was awful. I was on vacation in NYC (live in CO), and wound up in the ER for 15 hours. Yup, what a blast. It was confirmed that I had a partial slip, again. The good news, I suppose, is that I've lost 90 pounds while having the band. I'm at 155-156. The bad news, this is considered "elective" surgery so I'm going to owe about $12-$15K after all is said & done. I'm scheduled to have my band removed, and a revision to the sleeve this Thursday. I'm quite nervous about not having much of a stomach left. I'm on full liquids starting today. Not liking it! I'm not sure how tomorrow will go at work with full liquids. Trying to stay focused on the big picture, so I don't get hungry. Any suggestions?

Hi there! I issues with the lap band as well, I was always using the restroom with it and caused more harm then it did good. I regained all my weight back that I lost and plus some, but I had a revision surgery to the sleeve. Way to go on losing 5 pounds since surgery!

I am taking it easy today. Seemed the experience went so fast . Dr. Aceves in Mexicali did a revision for me. Had a band for 2 yrs. prio,r but experienced so many problems, decided to have a verticle sleeve.So far so good and I feel wonderful..just exhausted from the trip back. Sp many delays in the airport coming home that it took 24 hours to return to my home of Florida. Just sip, sip, siping away. All went very well. What a wonderful experience with such a great Doctor and hospital staff.

girlfriend someone just started a new topic a few minutes before you called "Gastric Band Revision to a Sleeve" check it out - good luck ps this is not really a new topic - many threads around here with comments - band to sleeve - check it out

Hello everyone, I am new here and have some questions about having the revision, for those of you that have had it or are going to. Why did you choice to go with the RNY/Bypass instead of doing the sleeve? (looking at the post size in here vs the sleeve it appears the sleeve is much more popular for revision of band to sleeve, this forum just over 200 posts vs over 1100 in the band to sleeve forum) For those of you post op, with still having the stomach there does it still send off the signals of hunger? If you had to do it over again would you still go with the RNY or would you rethink it? Was it your doctor that pushed the RNY? (Mine would rather do the RNY than the sleeve as feels I will have more success with weight loss with that and reverse my co morbidities right away) Which is another question, as I am reading that the weight loss for some has not been that great, what about curing health, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea... How long is it taking to reduce them? I was banded in 2009, never really worked, lost some weight but gained most of it back all within the first year of having it. Never thought about having a revision, till my PCP talked to me about it earlier this year. First surgeon I saw would not even think about it as everything appears to be working with my band, no slippage, erosion, band still has Fluid, no leakage found etc... Felt defeated, till talking to my PCP again who was very upset that the surgeon would not even consider it so referred me to another and I was hesitant due to what happen with the first one. Now I wish I had done it sooner, she did not even question it and knew right away what she would say to my insurance to get it approved. Warned me not to get upset if denied at first, that usually happens but she would appeal to get it approved. She said she will do either one, I just have to decided which one. When I started looking into having WLS, when I got my band, I wanted the sleeve at that time and my surgeon vetoed it so I decided to go with the band over the bypass as I really do not want to reroute any of my organs. I just have read a few too many horror stories of complications with the RNY. So that is why I need some help as I am on the fence, I am leaning more to the sleeve, but I don't want to rule out the RNY till I know a little more...which is what brings me here. Any help would be great and thank you for reading...sorry so long.

I am newly revised, so I won't be able to answer all of your questions. I had a band placed in January 2004. I lost 90 lbs but then had continuous problems with adjusting, had an infected port, leaky something...and eventually developed reflux. I didn't have a major complication like a slip or erosion either, but I couldn't keep a fill in due to reflux. My dr. didn't really steer me one way or the other, although his nurse seemed to be in favor of the sleeve...talked about how that was what "most people" were doing now. I chose the RNY because of the reflux issue (there can still be refux issues withthe sleeve) and because I wanted the malabsorbtion and dumping to keep me honest. I also wanted to go with the tried and true this time rather than the latest new surgery. I had my surgery one week ago today, so I can't tell you how successful it is, only why I chose it. I can tell you that since surgery, I have had zero real hunger or head hunger. For some that lasts a long time, but not for everyone. Good luck with your choice!

today is one year anniversary of the revision from band to sleeve. height is 6'1 and weight 183 today. i was 226 day of surgery with a low BMI, I have dropped the weight and now I'm under the BMI guidelines for my height and weight. wanted to inquire with all of you about any further weight reduction after hitting the one year mark . Will this be it for me? Or is more weight reduction even possible. any feedback is appreciated.

All the best. I recommend you check the obesityhelp.com DS forum. Such great and knowledgeable folks Were you a band to sleeve revision?

It will grow back. Trust me. Dont do anything to it. If youre insecure, about hair loss, do what I done, cut it off and wear wigs. Mine look so real, and tbh theyre not so expensive. And believe it or not since I havent touched my hair, and keep it regularly groomed and clean, its thicker than it was before. Yes its strange, but it just happened that way. Ill keep it short until I get both my surgeries done. My revision from the band to gastric. Thats 3 hours under, and I can imagine Im going to be losing lots more. Thank God for the invention of wigs. :thumbup: