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I had my revision done Monday the 28th. The band procedure was lil to no pain. The revision was a lot more painful, but not due to the incisions but because of the gas they fill us up with. I certainly did use the PCA and was also getting the taradol. Right now I'm on the Vicodin every 4 hours. But it's getting better.

Funny about the surgeons. I don't know what all will need to be done. My ticker shows -131. My real weight loss from my highest known weight is -158. And I actually think I was as high as 350 at one point so that would put it more like -169. Wow I've not looked at it like that. I think I need a minute. Okay, the point is my skin is STRETCHED beyond reason. My arms definately. Pannis, very much needs to go, a TT would be great. My back side, I don't know that I want a full lower body lift, but I probably need it. My thighs need skin removed too. I had a breast reduction 6 years ago, the girls are still a D now, but it needs revised. The fourth boobies, under my armpits need to be removed. and I'd love to get my chin skin taken off. No other face stuff though. That's a lot of surgery. Whew.

OK so i was initially submitted to insurance for approval(revision from lapband to vsg) in Dec 2016. I was initially denied because they said I didnt have enough documentation stating it was medically necessary to remove my band nor that I had followed up with the post op diet recommendations after my lap band. I went to meet with my surgeon and he submitted more info per BSBS request. Well they denied it again, this time I was told they thought my band was removed in July 2016.. ummmm no this damn thing is still in me. Sooo they submitted again.. so where along the line a peer to peer happened(which no one even told me we were at that stage), apparently that was denied so now it's in the appeal process!!! It's been like 2 weeks and still no answer!!! Has anyone ever had to go through all of this I have BCBSIL???? Please tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel. Has anyone ever done an external appeal? HELP!!!! #tiredofbeingfat #thissucks #i'msofrustrated

Hi. I am 6'2" tall and massively built. My wrist, with no fat on it at all, is 11 inches around. I have a very long torso. The BMI chart says I should weigh 194 pounds or less. When I was 17 years old, I was only 5'10" and weighed 194 pounds. I was still built like a boy back then, not like a mature man, yet I fit into men's 32X32 slacks. I am 4 inches taller, and much "thicker" than when I was a young man, so I did some soul-searching and decided to revise my goal weight to 225 pounds. Technically, that makes me "Obese" under the BMI guidelines. Oh well, if I hit 225 I think I will have more than achieved my goal.

Aha.. dehydration. No fun:( Do you think you were filled too much, and not able to get enough fluids in? Or maybe you got a bug or something? 4 bags of fluid seems like a ton, you must've been feeling pretty icky! I still have soreness around my port. Dr. Trieu seems to think from what I explain that it's just the muscle where it's attached being tugged at? He said he's not worried unless it's really bothersome, then we need to think about a port revision.. It's not horrible pain, just more uncomfortable, and I know it's there when moving around. I think my band is too tight, and I'm hoping I don't get dehydrated.. Friday night I had water stuck?? It was the same lodged feeling,, sliming, and serious sharp pains in my chest. Ugh. It's hard to get fluids down, they seem to sink like a rock, and I can feel as it trickles through. The nurse said to stay on liquids until today, so I have. I did try spaghetti sauce and ricotta last night and I was stuck again.. The nurse said think of yogurt or pudding consistency as liquids, and I thought that would count,but I guess I can't handle it? Ugh I just want real food. It's been since Thursday, and I'm really over it. I'm going to try the ricotta thing again tonight and see how it goes. I hope the swelling has gone down, because I really don't want an unfill. Well enough complaining for now.. How did the wedding go? Did you save me a piece of that cake? lol Just kiddinggggg... Unless of course it's pureed:) Hope all is well:) ~Kerri

I have seen a few people post about significant regains on the Obesityhelp Revision Forum. I have also seen some posted on an Aussie sleeve forum where they have been doing vertical sleeves longer than in the U.S. A few of the ladies had significant regains after pregnancies which we all know could happen because pregnancy can obviously make people gain weight (although I know one lady who is about to have her 2nd post op baby and has remained slim throughout!!). Some of the people had simply not lost enough weight to get out of the obese or morbidly obese BMI range. And yes, some people had gone back to eating crap and gained weight back. Unfortunately it can happen with any surgery if you revert back to snacking on high carb foods especially like cookies or ice cream on a very regular basis. A couple of people experienced regains after going on a medication for an illness that causes weight gain. A few of them had been sleeved back when the stomachs were made quite a bit bigger than they are now and didn't remove all of the fundus like most surgeons do now. We always have to remain forever vigilant and learn the good habits after surgery. Not eating and drinking at the same time---protein first--things like that are big rules for a reason. Good luck everybody!

Tricare’s website doesn’t list revisions as a covered service but it doesn’t....NOT say that. It just has “unlisted procedure” as a non covered. If you pick a DS procedure instead of another rny it may pay. Definitely call Tricare and see what they can do for you. 🤞🤞

I spent the last month before my lapband (4 yrs ago) eating food I thought I'd never get to eat again. Now 4 yrs later, lapband and sleeve revision (5 mths ago) I can honestly say: I can eat everything. I still enjoy the occasional burger (more like 1/3 of a burger from In and Out), taco from Del Taco, 3/4 of a pc of pizza, 1/2 sandwich, 1/4 of a Pasta entree at Olive Garden, 4-6 garlic fries from Red Robin, and even a little dessert once in a while. The only thing I find my tummy cannot tolerate is ice cream. 2 bites is my limit. Even 1 scoop gives me horrendous tummy cramps/diarrhea. So, moral of the story: You WILL be able to eat ur favorite foods again. And in the meantime, new foods will become ur favorites (ie: Soup, Protein shakes, and sf jello!). Please don't be afraid that ur never gunna eat those foods again. U will eventually will. Or maybe u won't want to. Lots of people lose their taste for some foods. Lucky them... Good luck!

One point I did not make clear and I regretted it as soon as I hit send (although this is not necessarily responding to your comment but just something I should have qualified) is that I am NOT a fan of revision. I'm a fan of picking the right surgery type for you the first time around. But if losing weight would get you to a healthier place where you could eventually afford a sleeve if ins would not pay for it then banding could afford you weight loss and IF you suffer complications then revise to what you actually want? If you get bypassed then that is your surgery forever. There are a handful of surgeons that can take down the RNY and do DS but it's not a promise that you would be one of those people. If you get a band you can revise to anything you want if the need arises. I view bypass as a necessary evil like chemotherapy. I hate chemo but in some people they have to have it. I hate malabsorption but some people have to have it. I consider myself more than lucky that I'm good to go with restrictive techniques alone.

I find that people either have problems right away with the band or a few years out. It's considered the safest weight loss surgery and is the least invasive in terms of procedures. All weight loss surgeries require learning to eat healthier and adopting an exercise plan so none are guaranteed. I guess the big decision for you to make is waiting for sleeve procedures to gain approval versus not waiting and having the band placed. When the band failed me, the U.S. surgeons wanted to place another band or see about getting me approved for the bypass. I don't absorb Iron and get intravenous iron treatments when my ferritin is low. Malabsorptive procedures are not in my best interest. Self pay in the U.S. for sleeve surgery was quoted at $25,000 for the surgery and a one night hospital stay. I used saving and borrowed money from my sister to have surgery in Mexico. A virgin sleeve is $9000.00 and a revision is $12,500 with Dr. Aceves. That included the transportation to and from the airport, the hotel stay, the transportation to the hospital, pre-op testing, the surgery, medications, and a three night stay in the hospital. It was a big expense for me and it was hard for me to spend that money on myself but I deserved a better quality of life. I don't regret my decision.

Glad to hear you're dong so well Karen. :car: I'm so happy that you can eat a lot more normally yet still have a weight loss tool that works for you! I just had an esophogram done... as my original surgeon thought an undiagnosed slip might be the reason for all my re-fill problems. Well, the Band looks picture-perfect... and as a bonus, they informed me that my subclavian artery is abnormal in that it goes behind/in front of (can't remember which) my esophogus. Nothing to be worried about... just a nice to know. So... this all means that in mid-October I'll be heading out to see if I can be refilled. We'll see. If not, it's revision time sometime next year.

HI Secret, I was banded in Feb, 2008 and I am now a revision to RNY as of 10/5/2016. It took me 2.5 years to lose 80 pounds with the band, and now, at 9 months out from RNY, I am down to 142 (69 pounds down and almost to goal). I will say good luck to you, you will need it - and using your word - BUUUUUTTT - my surgeon says that it is not a matter of "if" but a matter of "when" that it comes out. It is a foreign object and might cause problems for you in the future. My mother had her's out 3 years after getting banded. She ended up with an erosion. And as of 2 weeks ago also had a revision to RNY. It would be cool if it does work for you long term. I can eat better now. SALADS, chicken, beef. Happy days! Good luck to you :-)

After thinking about this, I feel I need to say that I understand that not every one can have a revision, or even WANT a revision. I met a woman at my work today and she still has her band (she was banded a couple of months before I was) and right now she is unhappy with it but her BMI is not high enough, and she's not sure if it will be covered. I myself was denied for a revision in 2014 with a BMI of 37 because I technically had no issues with the band at that time. What helped was that my barium swallow showed in 2015 that the band had moved, and even though it wasn't officially a slip it was enough for the dr to convince the insurance company. So Secret, I DO hope you make it work!!

I was 6 years out and had a revision roux n y on June 8. I threw up all the time. Come to find out my previous doctor left a not needed piece of intestine called a blind loop. Food was going to my new stomach and to this intestine and creating bacteria. I also had a hiatal hernia. If it wasn't for the strictures I would feel great. I am very great full my new doctor took the time to solve the problem.

Hi there! I am 2.5 months out from band to bypass and I am 62lbs down total! 270-208lbs right now. Still have long ways to go! the revision was the best decision of my life!

Hopefully in July. The final hurdle is getting approval on the hospital stay from my insurance as this will be done out-of-state (by a revision WLS expert).

Yes I do take biotin and use a shampoo that is supposed to block dht and prevent hair loss. I had sleeve in March 2018. Started losing hair then and never stopped losing it. Praying that I don’t lose more with this revision! i meant that I don’t have to take calcium and iron separately

I have been relearning how to eat because I too would trick the band. Drinking lots of water, enjoying a lot of oil and butter to help the food slide through the stoma, Self-induced bulimia due to overeating, etc. I had a revision on March 27 and I can tell you that it is really truly different trying to eat because there is nowhere else for the food to go when you are full. There is no waiting to wash it down through the stoma, no adding extra oil and butter to get things to slide down, et cetera. I am not a very good rule follower, but with the sleeve I have never had an incident where I had to vomit due to overheating. Again, I do have a really good shrink who helps me through the detours on my path of reinventing myself. It's a really hard struggle, but I am worth it.

I got the sleeve knowing if I wasn't successful that I could get the DS as a revision to lose the rest. I have been very happy with my results from the sleeve and the DS isn't needed for me. If I was going to revise to the DS from the sleeve I wait until after the 2 year mark. I lost another 50 plus pounds so far after the 1 year mark. I would also look at how you are eating. What are you daily protein and carbs?

Congrats on your approval and upcoming surgery. I am still waiting and becoming more anxious as the days go by. I am looking to revise from Lapband to RNY.

I had a lapband for 7 years before revising to the sleeve this year.... What they dont tell you about the band is that there is a 40% success rate, and there are some foods you will be unable to eat anymore, doesn't matter how far out you are, if you eat them they will make you sick, and some of those foods are actually healthy for you... Once your doctor does your band, you are stuck getting fills and unfills, to find your sweet spot....my fills were covered unlimited for the first year....after the first year he charged me $150 per visit...that can add up... My cousin wanted the lapband and I begged and begged her not to do it, but she just couldn't get over having part of her stomach removed, so she went ahead and got it...and now she is living the life I warned her about... The lapband is the worst thing created, and eventually doctors are not going to do the procedure...well any doctor worth anything

He will consult with me regarding nutrition but not regarding a revision. His representative said they will only do revisions if you live in Dallas. Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

He will consult with me regarding nutrition but not regarding a revision. His representative said they will only do revisions if you live in Dallas. Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App I'm willing to bet they didn't disclose that little tidbit when they were signing you up for self pay surgery either! I'm sorry, that sucks. Have you tried any of the other Dallas surgeons? I know you are out of state, but we have lower prices here than many places. I used Nicholson Clinic for my sleeve (not a revision). I know they do revisions, maybe check with them? Ps You have every right to pursue this with medical professionals. Some of the newly-sleeved like to preach. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Unless they are bought in by the original surgeon to consult surgeons seldom touch another surgeons work, the liability it too high. They would lose their malpractice insurance. When you see a surgeon for a second opinion you have to sign all sorts of agreements A few years ago our contractor was arrested ( ended up getting 30 years in prison for child abuse, his wife got 24 years) a theory for another time and another thread. He was a good carpenter who did excellent work but the day the police came for him the central chimney was halfway knocked out, all the siding was off one side of out house and five of the seven Windows where completely out and the only the studs and framing where done on the 2nd floor dormer. We had paid $35,000 of the $50,000 total and they probably spent close to $35,000 on salaries and building supplies. We had to hire other contractors to finish and everyone of then insisted on partially deconstructing the house to inspect it before they would work on it. We ended up suspending $85,000 for $40,000 in improvements. Doctors have a lot more invested in their careers they don't take risks. As for the OP, I am hoping that Runaround Sue will research her options and realize she has the tool and doesn't need a revision.

After a great deal of soul searching Hubby and I realized we both had a lot of weight to lose. We also considered the fact that dieting and exercise only would take years to lose the weight and that's ONLY with us being a customized diet and workout routine and sticking to it no matter what. We decided to have a consultation with Dr. Robert O. Powell in Dallas, TX. We went online and checked his medical license with the states he had worked in and all was well. I searched and read references from others who claim to have been succefully banded by Dr. Powell and were happy. We found no negative posts. Our first consult was with a Physician's Assistant and he showed us a demo band and answered all our questions. Then we submitted to insurnace. Months past and still no word from the insurnace people he was using at the time. Finally after several months I decided to call one last time and the company had forgotten to submit our paperwork to our insurance. :thumbup: Dr.. Powell's Office Manager who also turned out to be his sister submitted the paperwork and Hubby and I were both approved in less than 24 Hours! This was back in August 2005. I had my surgery first. It was in the day surgery part of a regular hospital. All went well and I was discharged a few hours later as planned on my clear liquid diet. I developed an infection at the incision sites that laid immediately under my breasts. Dr. Powell blamed this on me. Simply because he had NEVER had a problem with infection and I must have picked it or something besides the fact that my boobies were laying on it. He placed me on an oral antibiotic and sent me home. About a week later I noticed a clear hard, yet flexible string outside of a few of my incisions. I called the office and they said it was normal and to pull them out. YUCK! Like someone waiting to be shot, I relunctly pulled the little strings that ended up being dissolveable sutures. It didn't hurt but was worrisome at the time. The exact same thing happend to Hubby so I believe it's common but not anything to worry about even though I think it's freaky and they should have warned us about it potentially happening instead of freaking us out. After losing around 100 pounds, I began to develop pain around my port area. Take into consideration I was banded in 2005 and they used a larger port than the ones they use today.I believe the no longer place the ports on the lower left side as much sas the use to. I spoke with Dr. Powell's office and he suggested that I have a Port Revision done under local anesthesia. He stated it would be day surgery and it would be simple and easy under local. I said sign me up and made arrangements with a co-worker to help me with more of the bending/heavy stuff for a week or so afterward. One Friday afternoon at work I get a phone call from Sandy at his front desk asking me to go to Lab Corps to have my blood drawn. I asked why and she informed me that whenever a person is placed under General Anesthesia they must have current labs and blood available in case they need it. I told her no, that there must be a communication problem with what procedure I was to have the coming Monday. Come to find out that instead of me being put down for a simple port revision under local, Dr. Powell had decided to do a full blown exploritory surgery with general anesthesia. The only problem is they forgot to inform me, the patient who had a 10 month old and a full time job at the time. Needless to say I was upset and I cancelled the surgery. This was the beginning of the bad experiences I had with Dr. Powell. I have another blog with dates and more precise issues that I faced in dealing with Dr. Powell at another one of my blogs. This blog is intended to hopefully document a new start in my life, not ponder over the many ways that Dr. Powell screwed all his patients. Let's just say that eventually EVERY LAST ONE of his patients were handed out to other physicians based on insurance. None of us got to choose who we went to. Which made for many unhappy folks. Dr. Robert O. Powell currently operates in California. He left his Texas patients high and dry and has moved onto another state to start the same old routine. I figure there are only 50 states and hopefully some day he will move on and find some obese Terrorists that pose a threat against America. In closing, you may ask, why did she chose "Meeting Pamela" as the title to this post. Well, my band is named Pamela. Just like a famous actress we all know named Pamela. She is full of saline with a little silicone and has some crazy mood swings, she can be quite the litttle b1tch if you know what I mean!