Search the Community

Ooh my, I'm so sorry you are going through this I've had mine for almost 10 yrs. Never had any complications, till some regurgitation a few months ago. I only got it if I ate anything after 7pm. Got all the liquid out and slowly adding it but in that process I've gained 15lbs. I can't even loose what I gained and have no issues now but want to do a revision :/

I spent a year in anguish over the decision to revise from band to sleeve. It was not fun, but I think that helped me really come to grips with how important this is. How big this decision is. I never had any regrets post op because I KNEW I had no real choice - that my very life was on the line. I have been shocked at how well it turned out! I am 4 1/2 years post revision to sleeve and still a hot ole lady - ha! I am loving life.

Hi everyone my name is McKenna. I have gone to UT Physicians off 610 S. In Bellaire for my surgery. Dr. Eric Wilson did my first one, Dr. Todd Wilson will be doing my second one which will be my revision to the sleeve. To the person who started this post I have heard of Dr. Spiegel And I have done sided I would never go to him based on other reasons you can inbox me later If you wish on this topic. I chose UT physicians because they are a center of excellence. Through any of my processes I have not had a bad experience whatsoever. I would like to go through this thread and read all earlier conversations but I have not at this time. I also look forward to meeting with anybody in any groups that you guys have thank you

Did you have the same screen name on LBT? I was there for several years (since 2005 IIRC). We have similar stats and somewhat similar stories, though my slip occured during my pregnnacy (I'm 99% sure). I'm still a fan of the band, just not it's long-term implications. As a temporary tool, I think it's great. Bands do leak. Allergan (manufactures the Lap-Band brand) knows they leak. I know too many people who've had "disappeared" fill, it's ridiculous. It shouldn't be able to leak, but it can. Osmosis maybe, who knows! I know it's frustrating and financially stressful, but two surgeries Healthwise is a good thing (I guess that's the silver lining?). The complication rate when there's a minimum two month wait between procedures goes down ridiculously. I don't remember the exact numbers, but as of about a year ago it was something like 20% - 30% initially, and a bit more each subsequent month. A lot of surgeon's will refuse two-in-one procedures now, because of the high complication rates. Because of an insurance snafu I went 7 months between band removal and sleeve revision. I did great maintenance wise for about 2 or 3 months, then hit a hard downward spiral. In the first two-ish months I gained about 10 lbs, most of which was Fluid (I was so dehydrated from not being able to comfortably pass fluids regularly). But by the date of my revision, I was up about 60 lbs in 7 months. That's insane. Be glad the band is coming out now. The reflux can lead to some bad things. I was given the option of keeping my slipped band in because all in all, I was tolerating it OK (at first - it got a lot worse fairly quickly). I told them it wasn't an option, too much risk for something else to pop up. I think you'll like the sleeve. It's familiar, yet night-and-day opposite -- all in good ways. Revisioners tend to lose weight more slowly with the sleeve (I don't know if it's "with the sleeve" so much as "this time around"), but quality of life is so much better, it's worth it. I've said before, I'm not anti-band, it's just unable to do what made it successful to begin with. I am still surprise it's being marketed so hard and we aren't seeing more surgeons drop it. I guess it has too high of a profit margin. Having had both, if I knew then what I know now and it had been readily available, I'd have gone with the sleeve to start with. Especially if I was self pay (I wasn't, neither time). If I'd self-paid for my band, I would be pissed and some of the folks I know at Allergan would be hearing from me daily.

I am a long-time member of LBT, although I have read these forums for quite some time. Just thought I would share my story as I go about a likely band to sleeve revision. I was banded in Nov 2009 at 374 lbs. I had a long road to restriction, but once I got it, I rocked my band. To be perfectly honest, I probably kept it a bit too tight, but I LOVED the lack of hunger when my band was on the tighter side. For the first time in my life, I did not think about food 24/7. It was awesome! I followed the rules to a "T", and the weight slipped off. From my banding until Dec 2011 (2 years), I lost 190 lbs. I was thrilled! Despite the occasional PB and inability to eat certain foods, I was still 99.9% happy with my band. Right after Christmas this year, however, I got a terrible upper respiratory infection. I coughed and coughed and coughed. I coughed until I puked. The cough lingered and turned into terrible reflux. After about two weeks of the coughing and reflux, I went to my primary care physician, because even drinking the tiniest bit of Fluid caused me severe back pain. Long story short, I was diagnosed with a slip. While "they" claim it wasn't the coughing, I have no doubt that the severity of my cough caused it to slip. I got a complete unfill in early January. After not eating or drinking for weeks, I'd lost 200 lbs total. I was looking awesome! But the unfill was heavenly - I could eat! And eat I did, unfortunately. Once the slip was fixed, I started getting fills again. By late May, I was back up to 8 cc in my 14 cc band. I had good restriction, but I needed a bit more. I went in for one more small fill, and when I walked out, I had ZERO restriction. I went back later that week, and my surgeon was only able to remove 4 cc of the nearly 9 cc that should have been in there. He put the 4 back in along with 5 more. I walked out with ZERO restriction once again. Despite his claims that "bands can't and don't leak", a little googling proved that bands leak quite often, so I found a new surgeon to discuss my options with. I've gained back more weight than I care to admit. I finally met with the new surgeon yesterday. I had an Upper GI to confirm if I just have a leak or another slip. If, fingers crossed, there's not another slip, I will have the band out and revise to sleeve in one surgery on 8/31. If not, I'll have to do two surgeries. I was self-pay the first time and I will be this time as well, so my fingers are triply crossed that there is not another slip, because I'm not sure two surgeries are in our budget. I am fairly confident there is not, based on the immediate lack of restriction after that fateful fill, the fact that I have NO slip symptoms like I did last time, and because the Upper GI surgeon did not see evidence of a slip, although my surgeon will make the final determination. He is supposed to call me today with my results. I was the biggest fan of the band until six months ago. I had such tremendous success, but I am not willing to go through this again. A slip and a leak, and all of this making my waistline grow and my wallet shrink. I just want something more permanent and reliable. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! I'll update when I hear from my surgeon. A

i am so sorry to hear this. i just had a revision and i can't imagine what it would be like to have to live with a slipped band. can you appeal the insurance now that you've gained the weight? before my revision i was living on soups and ice cream too. i totally get it. luckily, i only had about 6 weeks of living that way. you really need to push for the surgery. there must be a way to make them see that it IS necessary for your health and well-being! that said, i am impressed at how you are taking the bull by the horns instead of letting it kick you in the rear. i am rooting for you and i'm here if you need support. f

Just my observations/research/opinions... The band as a long term solution - sometimes. Beyond the 4 year mark, I know, and have seen, and have read about, and have been told about a LOT more people who have it removed than who still have it. I personally do not have faith in it as a long term properly functioning device. I think people who keep their bands for more than a few years, and are truly complication free (not to be confused with have unknown/undiagnosed complications), are the exception rather than the rule. If your plan requires a supervised diet, you probably can't get around it. Having a history of going to the doctor and being weighed for your visit doesn't count, they want it to be doctor's visits specifically for the purpose of supervised diet. I had my band under UHC and they did not require the supervised diet, nor did I have comorbidities, and I was approved in about 3 days. But that's all so specific to your particular plan, take it with a major grain of salt. I've recently submitted my paperwork for revision surgery and my current provider (no longer UHC) requires a 6 month diet for all bariatrics. We're trying to see if the fact that I've had a lapband for going on 5 1/2 years, and have technically been under the surgeon's care during that time, will count. They are also trying to see if there's a waiver for revisions, or if it's truly required for all bariatrics. The office staff are more optimistic about that than I am, but we'll see.

I had a band placed in 2010, went from 239 to around 185. A year after that my gallbladder had to be removed and my weight shot back up to 242. I couldn’t get back into the green zone no matter how many fills/unfills we tried. By 2017 I was getting stuck with water. I couldn’t take it anymore and started my journey for a revision. I was 242 at my consult. August 8, 2017 I was revised from band to SIPS/LOOP DS. All in one outpatient surgery. I’m three months out and went from 242 at my consult to 189 today. My only complication was an issue with my incisions taking longer than normal to heal. Just wanted you to know that not everyone has bad experiences. The only negative I can come up with is that I wish I did this years ago instead of suffering with that torture band.

Just curious - what do you think is going to happen to your weight after your band is removed? Did you discuss this decision with your surgeon before you had the band put in? I know people have the band removed due to complications or revision to another WLS but almost anyone who got theirs removed and not revised to another WLS put all the weight back on. I have never heard of anyone who got the band as a temporary fix with the idea of having it removed after hitting goal. If it took the band to get you to goal what makes you think you will stay there after it's removed and your stomach goes back to normal capacity? These people that you heard of who had theirs removed after goal - did they stay at goal? I guess I am just stunned at your answer as I've never heard this before and am surprised a surgeon would agree to due it for that reason.

There seems to be some difference of opinion by some as to whether the band is meant to be permanent or temporary. While it can be removed or revised to a different WLS I am not aware of anyone in the medical profession, especially those putting bands in, saying that they are meant to be temporary. Would you have the band put in if you were told it wasn't meant to be permanent?

Like the others, it was a lap-band failure for me. Ironically, I had it for twelve years before having it removed. I had horrible acid reflux and never got the adjustments just right. After a while, I stopped going for fills/adjustments and regained the weight. Having said that, I have been successful with my revision. However, I am all in with exercise and eating better. No matter which surgery you have, the honeymoon period will wear off and when it does, you better be in position with good habits formed or you will see the weight creep back. I’ve maintained over 110+ lb weight loss for over three years, however, it’s no longer the surgery at work, but me as I can now eat about 90% of what I use to be able to eat. So maintenance has definitely been the “natural” way.

I'm having a revision due to GERD and associated esophageal damage. Sent from my Z6201V using BariatricPal mobile app

I had the sleeve 7 years ago. I lost 90 lbs. I gained back 70. I have terrible Gerd. My surgeon told me a few years out that the sleeve did what it was supposed to do and i won't lose like weight again. I went to a new surgeon and he recommended a revision to bypass. I'm 6 days out. I hope to hell I can maintain this time.

I just had the gastric sleeve surgery three months ago. I tend to find myself being really concerned about stretching my stomach or doing something that will cause a downfall. For those preparing to have revision surgery, is there any advice you can give regarding what led to having to have revision surgery? What wisdom would you pass on to those of us who just had our initial surgery? Thank you. Very very grateful.

I got the nicest message from Delarla today...at first I thought she was a bill collector (what, me?) and then I started crying because she was so sweet and so Lisa at the same time. Her message made me realize that I hadn't checked in to LBT in a long time...I think I've been avoiding you all because I don't think I'm able to make it to the bash and it makes me so sad I just couldn't face it. But today I realized that I may have one more option...I'm not promising anything but I'm going to try my darndest to get there. I need support, and I need to give support....and drink. Can't forget to cocktail. I had my port revision surgery last Friday. That just means that they moved my port to a spot where they think they can access it better. I didn't use any of the Vicoden (anyone want some? Maybe selling it on the black market could fund my Vegas trip...hmmmm) they gave me. They did the surgery under local anesthesia and some sedation that just made me feel drunk. I talked the entire time the surgeons were working on me...and I told the hot doctor that he had such kind eyes. I'm totally embarrassed but they seemed to think I was hilarious. I'm back on the weightloss losing train. I've lost 6 pounds in the last four days- I got a fill at the same time they moved the port. I've needed one for about four months but put it off because of the surgery. It's nice to be losing again, and I'm ready to get to another goal. That's the best thing about the band, if you ask me- when you're ready to get moving again, you get a little fill and you're off to the races. I love the feeling of restriction- of eating just a little bit and really not caring about it. The freedom from head hunger is wonderful. Well, that's my update. Lisa-I'll call you tomorrow...I can't wait to see how you are!Thanks for the call. I hope everyone else is doing well... Megan

Hi, I'm new on this forum. I was banded back in April 08. I first lost 13 lbs then I gained it back and then some. I did what I was supposed to do at first. However, I was still very hungry. I ended up eating more and I suppose I streched the pouch. Had 4 fills and 1 unfill. I know there is nothing wrong with the band, it just does not work for me. Had an upper GI and the doc said it is in place and looks normal. I'm going to get the sleeve done anyway. I need something a little better to help me. I know that I will have to stick to the portions and exercise on a daily basis. I just want to see if there is anyone out there that had this done. What is your progress? I'm 47 years old, 5'1", 204 lbs. Thanks. Please respond.

I think you may have misunderstood. No reputable surgeon is going to take out a functioning band and replace it with a sleeve for no reason. As an example, there is a lady in my support group whose surgeon suggested she get a sleeve because of how much weight she has to lose. She opted for the band instead, but now is sorry. But she's losing just fine -- has lost over 200 lb! -- and her surgeon has said she needs to keep plugging away with the band until it stops working for her. There are a few people on this forum who have had band to sleeve revisions. None of them got them "because they were on maintenance" though a few of them were at goal when it happened. In every case, they had problems with the band. In some cases it slipped or eroded. In others they had esophaegal spasms and couldn't keep down solid food. IOW, they had medical reasons for doing a revision. The rest got the sleeve because they weren't losing weight with the band. One of the reasons I went with the sleeve is because I was self-pay. I think the sleeve makes the most sense for a self-pay. My surgeon will tell self-pays who want bypass to go for the sleeve instead because it's cheaper but just as effective.

Mermaiddeams, I'm in a similar situation. Can't wait to get this thing out and heal. Then, I will consider revision surgery. Not sure if I can handle all that comes with wls again. It has been tough! Also, I experience the heart pounding as well. What the heck is that from!?!? Do you know? I never had it prior to the band and have been wondering if it is related to this crappy device.

Just got my new second band, but still thinking positive. New surgeon much more experienced than first surgeon. So I'm back on the liquids again, whoo-hoo. First band was June of '09. Totally unfilled in June of '10 because of multiple slips. Gradually filled again almost to complete capacity with no restriction until it was completely blocked again. Went in for revision in November '10 when surgeon found that my stomach had adhesed to my spleen...yippee. So now I have a hundred little titanium staples, and my band was removed to prevent any infection from a foreign body. His suggestion immediately was the sleeve. Went for second opinion to a much more experienced surgeon. My original surgeon had done four...thank you very much...but lots of bypasses. New surgeon even recommended the sleeve because of complications but at the same time was pretty confident that problems very well could have been from inexperience of first surgeon...of course, he didn't come out and say that in direct quotes...gawd forbid they speak ill of another doctor...Insurance approved either band or sleeve again...I was shocked. Over the course of June to November I had gained 40 lbs, but so much of my weight loss had been from vomiting all the time. So I signed on for the sleeve until the last minute when surgeon popped his head in the door before anesthesia hit me with the Michael Jackson happy juice and doubled checked which way I wanted to go, band or sleeve...so I opted for the sleeve again. My main concern with the sleeve is that I don't have that much more weight to goal...50 lbs and everyone I know that's had it has lost weight very very quickly and a lot. Wasn't sure about the maintenance. So Im a bandee again but it's gone so much differently than the first time around. They did x-rays before I left the hospital and a swallow test...didn't happen first time until much later. Came home last Thursday and just a little sore at this point, no pain meds since I've been back home. So I have a great feeling this time around plus I plan to be a much better bandee this time. I threw up so much the last time that ice cream was my go-to food and not sure if I always ate as slowly as I should have but having been through it once, I feel like I know the signs to look for that aren't normal. New surgeon is an hour closer so easier to get in if I need to quickly. So it's been a journey!!! My daughter is a bandee, of course, without any complications...I never like her anyway...lol Trisha

My port is completely flipped! I went in for my first fill on 6/7/11 and my doctor could not do the fill so he sent me to do my fill under flouro, and thats when it was discovered that my port had flipped! I was so upset. He said that he would do the port revision and that it was a 15 minute procedure, so I'm hoping it will be quick and painless. Im scheduled for 7/7/11

Thank you all so much for your support, I have seen my psyciatrist and she had said she cannot see a improvment happening with my depression untill i lose weight. My surgeon had emailed me and said he wants to speak to my psyciatrist as he does not want to make a isolated decison about revison. I think he wants to check i am emotionally stable enough to understand the implications of a revison and to handle more surgery. My psyciatrist said she will fully support the decison to goahead with more surgery to revise this band to another form of WLS DS or RNY i am not sure. Its been a very long time too since i hang out here i felt thurily assaullted last time i expresses my difficulties in fact i think last time i came here was when i had my pnumonia and i was then made to feel like the problems i was hing were down to me "not working with my band" I have 2 1/2 mills in a 9mill swedish band i dont mind a total unfil but this would be the second time in 2 19 months that i would need to do that just to get better surly i cant keep revolving around like this. i dont want to say the band is no good i know people who have done great with the band. But i have had nothing but problems i also know people who experience the same as me and people who do great then 2 or 3 years down the rd there having problems and thats why so many surgeons are stop doing it. Long term the more these bands are being done the more we are seing faliours and reops. A 30% faliour rate is terrable and thats only the people who do go on to have revisonal surgery what about the people who cant afford more surgery or have been totally put off more WLS purly because of there band experiences. I find that bandsters who do great are the worst for understanding its like no matter what you say its my fault and not the band they seem totally unwilling to accept the band can fail or be problematic, And they can leave you feeling really band they offer suggestions to try as if you have not tried and exausted everything before reaching this point of dispare. I have had other bandtsers call me lazy and acused me of sabotage its terable the things that are said its just all been too much. If i could work this i would i am almost 2 years post op why would i sabotage my band if it had worked i could have been at normal BMI by now why would i want to deliberatly not help myself its beyond me just trully how cruel some people can and have been. But for those here thank you for your support it has helped lift my spirits. xx

The people I know that have had a second or third band have never managed to achieve the same level of success they did when they first got banded. Potentially you may have lots of scar tissue and adhesions. At some point in your future this band is probably going to stop working or cause issues that require a revision. Why put yourself through that, especially because as Matt says bands are being phased out as they have been proven over time not to be the successful tool that they were initially thought to be. I would be considering my options and looking at something that hopefully won't need another revision 5 or 10 years down the line

awwwwww, thank you so much @FluffyChix, Sandra Nuelken & Bariatric Legend. Sandra - check out Mitchell in Minnesota on YouTube and let him know I sent you. He's one of my new BFF's on there and he's about 8 months post-op and succeeding with lapband revision to RNY. He's honest about the whole process.

Congratulations! I’ve been watching you for a few months now, cheering you on! Thanks for posting Mitchell in Minnesota’s name, I’ll start watching him as well. I’m a revision patient, 2/12/19, and have had a hard time finding youtubers that have had revision that keep up with posting videos.

I know exactly how you feel. For me, I had 1 fill and then when I went in for my 2nd fill, my port flipped, so I had to wait and have revision surgery. So, 3 months later and I feel like I have barely lost any weight at all and for those who do know about my surgery...I feel like I have to make excuses. My Dad had gastric bypass 5 years ago, so his weight came off really fast. He asks me every time I talk to him...and it is only like a few lbs more than the last time. His only response is "that's not bad". way to encourage me dad! I also didn't tell a lot of people, so that is good. So people aren't really "expecting" me to look thinner. I think I am more hard on myself than anything. Plus I work with this guy who lost 133lbs in 6 months after getting the lap band. Yes, 133lbs. He keeps asking me and says that he lost an average of 30lbs a month the first 3 months and that's what I should be doing. I tell him that women are different. Plus he NEVER excercised and I workout 1-2 hours a day and my weight is barely coming off. The only encouragement that I have, is that it will get better with your fills. Hang in there!!