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I'm a Lap-Band WLS post-op. Sounds a bit like AA. Obesity is a disease, and fighting it is a life-long fight, that will never go away for me. Not only do I have a Lap-Band, but I’ve done more Lap-Band WLS procedures than anyone in the world. I started doing them in Brisbane, Australia in 1996, and still do them, every week, at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, where I’ve worked the last 10 years. I perform all of the other bariatric operations and a lot of revision surgery, but I still love doing the Lap-Band, because it’s safe, and it works. I’ve had my own Lap-Band for 16 years. I’ve lost 120 lbs and kept it off. I was on 12 medications for obesity-related diseases and am now on three-one BP med, aspirin, and a Statin, which is sensible for anyone my age, 59. I weigh less than I did when I was 16 and playing high school rugby. So, what have I learned from all this? Here are a few insights and tips that I’ve accrued over the years. 13 Things To Know About Living With the Lap-Band 1. Lap-Band and Other WLS Procedures. The Lap-Band can work as well as any bariatric operation, if it’s done right, and managed properly. It is by no means a lesser operation. It does, however, need you and your surgeon to work, and keep working. 2. Follow-up With Your Surgeon. It’s a two-way street. You have had your Lap-Band placed, which is usually a gentle, safe surgery that takes about 30 minutes, as a same day procedure. After surgery, you have to come regularly to have it adjusted, and your surgeon has to listen to you. I encourage my patients to come in for an appointment once a month for about 18 months, and in that time, they will normally get seven to eight adjustments. After that, it’s usually four times a year for a couple of years, then annually, or whenever the patient needs an adjustment. We have an open door policy for adjustments. Your doctor has to listen to you. 3. Lap-Band and Hunger. The aim of the adjustment is to control hunger. If you tell me you’re more hungry, if you’re eating after dinner at night while you watch TV, if you wake up starving in the morning, then your Lap-Band is loose. You don’t need to see a dietician, you don’t need to go to the gym, and you don’t need to change your diet. You need your band tightened a little. 4. What the Lap-Band Does. Having a Lap-Band is not about restricting yourself or not eating. It’s about eating a lot less, feeling satisfied, and not being hungry after you eat. The aim of a Lap-Band adjustment is to reduce hunger, to reduce the urge to eat, and secondarily, to allow you to get full and satisfied quicker. When your Band is doing this, it’s quite tight. 5. First Law of the Lap-Band. Which brings us to the first law of living with a Lap-Band. Like Newton’s first law, it’s absolute, and it’s true...you can’t live with a tight, well-adjusted band as if you don’t have one. It will beat you every time. Every. Single. Time. 6. How to Eat With a Lap-Band. With a Lap-Band, you have to eat slower than you ever thought. It takes about 20 seconds for the esophagus to push a piece of food into the stomach. You have to eat at that rate, or food will get stuck, it will hurt, and you will have an uncontrollable reflex to vomit, to get that stuck piece of food out. I am lucky enough to be married to a great woman, Chris Ren, the Chief of Bariatric Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. She’s a size 6 on a bad day. She doesn't eat much. Lucky her. With my Lap-Band, I eat about the same, or a little less than Chris. If I eat quicker than her, food gets stuck. For certain. Every time. So, mostly I don’t. If I’m excited, say watching the Giants beat the Cowboys, and I forget and gulp a couple of bites of my dinner, she rolls her eyes at me. I shrug, say It’s Eli, baby, and go to the bathroom. It’s how it is, and how it always will be. 7. Eat Slower. I just don’t understand the whole I can’t eat this or that, especially about vegetables and salad. It is always, always, about eating slowly. If you work out the slow eating thing, and you keep your band adjusted, you will not regain weight. 8. Be in the Moment When Eating. The next law of living with the Lap-Band is to be in the moment. If you’re in a nice restaurant with friends, or on a date, have a cocktail and relax. Order food you know you can eat easily - Oysters, soup, risotto, steak or tuna tartare, flaky fish, salmon, veal, stews. Order Sashimi, not rolls. Try tomatoes, lentils, beets or arugula. Have thin pasta, not rigatoni or lasagna. Have the pasta a little overcooked, not al dente. Get an 8 oz filet rare, and eat half of it. Don’t eat the bread!! Push food around the plate. Focus on eating slowly. Stop when you’ve had enough. Don’t mind leaving food on the plate (or take the rest home for another meal). Tell your dinner companions, if they ask, that you’re watching what you’re eating. Don’t rush. Have a glass of wine. It will relax you, and your esophagus. Have two if everyone else is. Above all else, enjoy yourself. Make it not about the food, but the experience. 9. The Lap-Band is About Moderation. Don’t obsess about what you choose to eat. Everything in moderation, like our grandmas told us. Skinny girls eat what they want. They just don’t eat a lot of it. I eat less than my wife, but I eat what I feel like eating. Have a scoop of ice cream every now and then. Have a slice of pizza. When did a slice ever hurt anyone? It's when you eat a pint of ice cream or a whole pizza pie that it’s a problem. Let the Lap-Band help you. All it asks of you is that you eat slowly. If it’s adjusted correctly, you’ll only want a slice, not a pie. 10. How to Take a Break. There’s no harm in having a break for a week or two. If you’re going on a trip to Paris, or Tuscany, and you’ve been waiting your whole life to try all the restaurants you’ve read about, and are nervous, loosen it before you go. Relax, enjoy the moment, then come back and get retightened. But make sure you get retightened, or you will regain weight. 11. Keep Your Adjustment. Everyone who empties their Lap-Band so they can eat “healthier” regains weight. A lot of weight. As sure as the sun rises in the morning. You can eat as healthy as you want if you eat slowly. 12. Eat According to Your Band and Time of Day. The power of the Lap-Band varies by time of day. It’s because the esophagus’s ability to push food is weaker in the morning. Have a cup of coffee, a little yogurt, a soft boiled egg, slowly. It’s looser at night because the esophagus is pumping strongly. Adjust your Lap-Band to deal with the evenings, so you're not hungry after dinner, then adapt to having less in the morning. Emotions affect your Band. It’s the stress hormones affecting your esophagus. If you’re overtired, angry, sad about something or just plain frazzled, stop for a bit before you eat. Sit down, calm down, then eat your meal slowly. Put your knife and fork down between bites. Put the sandwich down between bites. Go slow. Wait until you’ve calmed down. 13. Stay Connected to Your Surgeon. The final thing I’ve learned is to stay in touch with your doctor. If you start getting hungry again, get a fill. Don’t be embarrassed that you haven’t been for a year or two. If you’re getting hungry, if you’re gaining weight, go back. The Lap-Band works. You can’t live with a Lap-Band WLS as if you don’t have it!

My story is similar and I'm in the process of deciding whether or not to do the revision surgery. My band was successful at first and I lost about 60 pounds in 9 months. Then the problems started and I got really sick with a terrible sinus infection and coughing up the post-nasal drip caused my band to slip. Yes, it was some pretty violent coughing! At that point, the Fluid had to come out and it's been a struggle for 18 months ever since. The acid reflux, vomiting, and overall discomfort made me crazy. I got to the point where I couldn't eat anything. A few weeks ago, I visited the doctor and when he checked the band, it was so skewed that not even the barium was going through! No wonder I was dehydrated and sick. We talked about getting me qualified for the revision surgery. He said he can remove the band and do the bypass at one time. The part my husband doesn't understand is that when I don't feel well and when I can't eat anything, I don't feel like exercising. I take the dog for 2 one-mile walks a day. but I don't also feel like going to the gym or even running around and running errands. I have no energy more than I have any energy. I know the bypass isn't a panacea and won't cure all of my problems...and I know I have to still eat right and exercise.. but for those of you who have made the switch, do you find it less challenging than the band? Thanks in advance.

I had my band removed and revision to sleeve on 3/9/2016. I lost 66 lbs with the band, then started being able to eat a little more than I should so I had 1 cc of Fluid put in my band. After 6 months of throwing most of my meals up. I made an appt to have the fluid removed. After that the vomiting continued and I wasnt even able to get applesauce through the band. I had good days and bad days. When the doctor took my band out he said that it was into my liver and my esophagus was a little elevated, that is probable the reason why I was having such a hard time eating. I went into surgery at 194 and am now 184. Having that band removed was the best thing I have ever done. The only thing that makes me nervous is learning how to eat with something new again. I think it helps that we are already in the wls mode. I dont drink soda, I dont drink 30 minutes before and after my meals, so dont have to get used to that. haha.

@oregondaisy..I was widowed at 36. it was also a long time ago but I sure do have a good idea what you went through and what Julie is going thru. She and I have PM'd as well. Also sorry to hear about your band. I too am banded and am always super alert to anything in order to be proactive. I'd hate to have issues and have to revise to another WLS.

@oregondaisy..I was widowed at 36. it was also a long time ago but I sure do have a good idea what you went through and what Julie is going thru. She and I have PM'd as well. Also sorry to hear about your band. I too am banded and am always super alert to anything in order to be proactive. I'd hate to have issues and have to revise to another WLS. @oregondaisy..I was widowed at 36. it was also a long time ago but I sure do have a good idea what you went through and what Julie is going thru. She and I have PM'd as well. Also sorry to hear about your band. I too am banded and am always super alert to anything in order to be proactive. I'd hate to have issues and have to revise to another WLS.

Hi Mico Your story is really interesting. I am Australian but have lived many years in Europe as I'm married to a Swiss. Europeans approach food quite differently to Americans. Food us so culturally important in Europe and is a major focus of family and socialising. Even though the food is good and nutritious ...as opposed to fast food...its easy to consume too many calories of "healthy" food. I battled with my body image all my life although i didnt really have an obesity problem until 20 years ago. After years of being anorexic my bidy just rebelled against food and i strated to gain weight at about 5 kilos a year for 10 years. I need to lose 50 kilos! I had a gastric band operation in 2009. Initially i lost 30 kilos and was going well, but then i gad probkems with my band and started to gain all the weight back. My gastric band has to be removed and i am going to have it revised to a mini gastric bypass. I tecommend you look into thus surgery and compare this with the sleeve gastrectomy. All reports show the mini bypass as the "gold standard" in Weightloss surgery. Please do some research as thete is more tgan 15 years of excellent data to support the bypass. Good luck with your journey. I lost my mother just before a gastric band revision procedure and i understand your pain and longing. I can only say it does get better day by day. Blessings Julie x Sent from my GT-I9505 using the BariatricPal App

In 2008 I did the lap band which I lost around 30kg then had gained due to releasing the pressure of the band due to sinuses mucus blocked my stomach and I was not able swallow even my own saliva. In 2012 I did the band removal and replaced it with gastric bypass.. I lost 20kg and since then my weight is stable ( fluctuate up and down by up to 4kg). I'm so mad at myself honestly, that I stopped trying to lose weight. I don't know if I should go for a bypass revision or not?!! Am totally confused and disappointed. Any one here to help me?!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Jnt1 I am hoping for a revision soon. I am sick of being sick from this band. Can't wait to see what he says Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Not yet. I have my consult for the revision surgery tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had a revision surgery on the 4th of February from sleeve to bypass due to bile reflux. I keep losing weight and I think I look sick smaller...and darn it I wish I could stop throwing up and having fatigue. My nerves are shot I'm constantly depressed more than before. My senses have gotten more sensitive. I'm wishing now I just stuck with the sleeve. I have been in the hospital 3 days due to low Vitamins...potassium, magnesium and was dehydrated. Will things get better or am I stuck not eating regular food anymore..? I'm scared and hurt. All I can think about is my depression and my regrets. Actually I wish I was large again...at least I wouldn't be sick and could eat what I wanted....please help....I'm tired of pain and sadness and sickness.... Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

I am currently waiting for my revision from band to bypass in 4 weeks time. What really shocked me was finding out that way back in 2010 a Swiss study on gastric bands found that 80% would be removed within 10 years of initial insertion! So the manufacturers of these bands have been pushing a medical product that they know is dodgy for 6 years. Almost as bad as the tobacco industry! Having said that I'm still terrified of the bypass because it is so permanent. Any tips or advice on the bypass? How has it impacted on your life...especially when going out with friends? Sent from my GT-I9505 using the BariatricPal App I am also in process of revision to RNY and I am also terrified which is why I went with the band but after all these years of suffering and still being overweight I am facing my fears. I cannot let fear stop me this time around, I have had it :)hope your fear goes away, I hear it's so much better without that annoying band

Oh pm me if you want to. I was widowed suddenly at the age of 35. That was a long time ago . That definitely led to my obesity. I started throwing up in my sleep with the band. I had to have the band completely unfilled and keep it that way. Restriction was always changing. I was worried the band was damaging my stomach. I knew people who were not able to revise to sleeve because the band damaged their stomach. Is that what you were asking me?

I sent it to you but here is the part about revisions. A conversion from an adjustable band to a sleeve gastrectomy, RYGB or BPD/DS for individuals who have been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the band procedure, and there are complications that cannot be corrected with band manipulation, adjustments or replacement. Inadequate weight loss due to individual noncompliance with postoperative nutrition and exercise recommendations is considered not medically necessary for revision or conversion surgery and is non-covered. Repeat procedures for repair, revision, or conversion to another surgical procedure following a gastric bypass or gastric restrictive procedure are considered not medically necessary when the criteria listed above are not met. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I work for insurance and also have Highmark pa, it all depends on your benefits and if your employer chose to cover revisions. If they didn't choose yes or no either way, it would come down to medical necessity and medical policy. If you call your insurance, they will send you the medical policy just for reference. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My story is fairly similar to yours. I had my band out in November 2013 due to infection. It was a miserable last few months with the band, so I had NO interest in another WLS at that time. I slowly and consistently gained my weight back over the following 2 years. Despite all the exercise and diets, it came back. I finally started to pursue the sleeve in November 2015 on my PCP's recommendation. I had to go through all the pre-op stuff again: psych eval, NUT visits, 3 month supervised diets..... Because so much time had passed, I was not considered a revision. I had to start at square 1 and complete all the requirements, including the 2 year "obese" weight history required by my insurance company. I was approved Feb 17, and had my sleeve March 14. No regrets!! It was worth jumping through the hoops (again). This probably isn't exactly what you want to hear. I'd say your first step is to call your insurance company and see if they would consider you a revision because of the "once per lifetime" clause. Good Luck!!! Hope for the best!!

That;s if you find or have a doctors office that will go beyond for you. sometimes they just have to many patients to get through the process than to spend all their time on one... Do you think the insured should contact their own insurance company also and stress them out like they do us. im denied 2x i just put a call to my lawyer to get involved appeal letter. i was denied first time because of missing information and now because bmi is not high enough .... from what i have heard a bmi is shouldnt be considered in A BAND TO SLEEVE REVISION. correct me if i heard wrong. has anyone been approved after being denied twice for a Failed band to sleeve Revison. please comment. thanks

I am currently waiting for my revision from band to bypass in 4 weeks time. What really shocked me was finding out that way back in 2010 a Swiss study on gastric bands found that 80% would be removed within 10 years of initial insertion! So the manufacturers of these bands have been pushing a medical product that they know is dodgy for 6 years. Almost as bad as the tobacco industry! Having said that I'm still terrified of the bypass because it is so permanent. Any tips or advice on the bypass? How has it impacted on your life...especially when going out with friends? Sent from my GT-I9505 using the BariatricPal App

I am having VBG to RNY revision May 17. VBG was done 20 years ago. I am having it done laparoscopic. All my Dr. asked is that I loose some weight to get as much weight out of my liver as possible. I am soooo looking forward to get rid of this damn band. Sorry you have to have open. May be due to too much adhesion or other issues? Good luck

I'm in the same boat as you were. I was banded in 2007. Lost 97 lbs and kept it off for 6 years. Then I got pregnant (after years of fertility treatments! So happy!) , had to get the band unfilled due to severe morning sickness. After I gave birth, I tried to get fills again but oh. My. Gosh. Horrible pain. Burning severe reflux. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat anything healthy. Even Water made me sick. I would reflux so bad I would cough and vomit. I felt like I couldn't leave the house! I ate what I could, which we all know as "slider foods". I gained back the 97 lbs, plus another 37 on top of that. I was heartbroken and I'm horrible pain. As soon as I weaned my daughter (she nursed for 28 mths) I started the process to get a revision to RNY. I had my surgery last week on March 10th. Through the preop diet process and my first week, I have lost a total of 54 lbs already. I'm so happy. Gaining that weight so fast was really hard on me physically and mentally. I'm so glad to be taking it off now. I'm excited about the future again! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Gotcha beat. Lapband placed in 08 age 51. Revision to RNY 7/15 age 58. It is by far the best decision ever made. Wish my sister would consider. Sent from my LG-H740 using the BariatricPal App

hi azdmelissa, im researching now for a revision in Mexico if my insurance doesn't approve me i had 2 denials as of TODAY and so my doc is going to do a peer to peer thats my last chance/hope so in the meantime i have been reading and getting information from people here that had revision in Mexiico. Is Mexico an option for you? i actually call bill here on bariatric pal and he is going to send me information to add on to all the other information that i have received thus far. Is's overwhelming..

I am waiting to be cleared by NUT, then my doctor will set a date. I'm having a VBG to RnY revision. My doctor says it is going to be an open, no "if's, and's or but's". Anyone else have this revision or an open procedure? If so, what was your down time (Im a nurse and need to get back to work as soon as possible)? I would appreciate hearing yall's stories. My VBG was over 20 + years ago, and like childbirth, I have forgotten all the pain etc. Then again, it may be just that old age thing. ???? 55yo 5'5.5" Heaviest weight 320 lbs Currently down 22 lbs in 1 mo pre op supervised diet. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

I was not successful with the band but have done well since revising to the sleeve in 2011. I do not agree with the implications that "you can't fail " with the sleeve. Yes you can, you can fail with any WLS. For many of us the sleeve is more effective and less "fussy" in terms of getting it just right. I was one of those banded people who still had hunger but experienced pain when eating dense Protein. Sleeve has felt alot more normal...just a smaller tummy. My feeling is that the sleeve and bypass are effective procedures, each with pros and cons. Education on what to expect with each, and your own situation is the way to make the decision! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

I currently have a lap band and am considering revision to either Gastric Bypass or Sleeve. I like the idea of the sleeve - no equipment left inside me and no unused stomach just hanging out doing nothing (hopefully). It just sounds cleaner. But I am a lap band "failure" (I fully admit it). I don't want to add sleeve "failure" to my resume. Both lap band and sleeve are restrictive. How does the sleeve work differently than the lap band? It certainly seems to be more effective from what I read but other than the actual surgery and removal of part of the stomach, I can't figure out how the two are different. I am scheduled for a WLS seminar on 16 April. It should cover both Gastric Bypass and Sleeve. But I'd like to have a good clue before the seminar. The last WLS seminar I went to was for the lap band and wow did it differ from the reality.

You sound like a busy lady. Are you looking to go back to Mexico to revise?