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Thanks for all the support, and yes it has been hard. I am on cymbalta and been in couseling since the sucide and the other deaths. It's been a full year of counseling so don't worry about my mental health, thats undercontrol. But...No amount of counseling can get ride of how lonely it is after everything like that. Being in such a small town there is nothing within 100 miles as a banding suport group. I know some get VGB after or gastric bypass. Has anyone had that done? and if not has anyone been successful after a full removal and no revision? It seems people in this forum keep getting told that band removal is an absolute death sentance. Shouldn't this be a place for those to be supported?

I don't think sharing personal experiences is a negative thing. I truly wish the band worked for me the way it did for the few people I know personally that have done well. Now that many people have had the band placed for 3-5 years, we're hearing about complications that SOME are having. With any new surgery, this is bound to happen. If I were considering the band today, I would want to know the good, the bad, and the ugly. That is exactly the approach I took when I decided to revise to the VSG. I'm sorry you see this as a bad thing.

Hi--I had my initial surgery done 1/15/08. After the first couple of fille, it became more difficult to access my port. X-rays were done, looked ok. Then in April, the port was totally inaccessible. I was going away for 2 weeks, plus insurance had to approve the port revision, so surgery was scheduled for a month away. On 4/20, the port was reattached. The surgeon said he had never seen anything like it, the suture material broke at all four attachment points---seemed like defective suture material. Anyway, I went home three hours later, and except for minor soreness, felt fine. The hardest part was going on a vacation with no restriction!! I ended up gaining a pound. Best of luck. Carol

My esophagus was dilated before I revised to a sleeve. I could see it on the screen myself. I have an x ray I took home from the hospital when I had my sleeve surgery that shows it. If you want to have your esophagus go back to normal, you need to be on a liquid diet. It's very common for bandsters to use their esophagus as a stomach. It's called pouch packing.

Just as a preface, I had the sleeve in Dec. 2016 and dropped about 120 lbs in 6 months, then screwed up and slowly went back up almost to where I started. I had a revision to bypass in Nov. 2021 and have been doing very well, about 80 lbs down so far. Last week was spring break for my kids so we decided to take a vacation, my first since the most recent surgery. We went to Virginia (drove from NY). I was very worried for a few reasons. First, I weigh myself every single day (yes I know some recommend against it, it works for me). I didn't want to bring my scale so it would be a week without monitoring my weight loss (or gain). Second, I rarely eat out and I weigh everything I eat when I make it. I wasn't going to be bringing my food scale and I knew I'd have to eat out more than usual. Finally, we were going to a lot of places where there weren't the healthiest options to eat. So I resolved to try my best not to blow it and see what happened. We stayed at a timeshare resort which had a full kitchen (stove, oven, microwave, utensils, pots/pans, etc) which was fantastic because we were able to go shopping for a lot of stuff to make in the room so I knew exactly what I was eating. I was able to make my usual breakfast (2 scrambled eggs with shredded cheese) almost every morning. I bought a few pre-packaged salads and some other stuff for the room. I only had to actually eat out 4 or 5 times the entire trip, not counting during the drive to and from VA. When we ate out I was able to check the calories for what I was eating to make a healthier choice, and made sure to stop when I was full instead of cleaning my plate. I was able to find something to eat at both Waffle House and Cracker Barrel that wasn't too horrible. Even at Busch Gardens we went to the German area restaurant and I got something called a German Chef Salad that was pretty good and not too heavy or unhealthy. Bonus at Busch Gardens: Last year (pre-surgery) we went to an amusement park and I wasn't able to ride most of the roller coasters because I just couldn't fit - no problem at all this time, got in with room to spare! I stayed away from snacks and desserts (I got Halo Top ice cream for the room to have at night). When we got back I was concerned what the scale might say, but I was down 2 lbs from when we left, so I'll consider that a win! I had a nice NSV before the trip too - I was looking for clothes to bring and found a bunch of shirts I got when I lost all the weight the first time, and they all fit comfortably and looked great. Before the surgery I wore XXL shirts, and even those were getting a little snug, I even had one XXXL I think. Lately I've been wearing XL's which were getting roomy, all the shirts I found were L and fit great, so that was awesome. I also had to buy a new pair of jeans that was 4 sizes smaller and fits great. I found my old bathing suits which were too tight last year, now half are too big and the rest fit OK (almost too big but not quite yet). So it's been a good week, hoping to continue on my path to onederland again! Here's a pic of the family having fun.

I do think the band is on the way out. So does the Lap Band manufacturer. I think they have changed the band to every possible option and there are still very big problems with it. Slips and erosion are not decreasing, erosion is staying the same and slips are increasing. I think people should have all the information possible about all surgery types so they can make the best choice for them. Don't you think? And this IS a thread asking about bands vs. sleeves. Why wouldn't sleeve folks post here? The rate that mods are revising to other surgery types is about standard for band revisions globally. Don't you think there is a reason so many doctors, hospitals, and even the country of Chile isn't banding anyone anymore? I don't care which surgery someone gets as long as they have information on all surgery types. Then they can choose what is right for them.

Just an update..... Okay, very excited!!! Scheduled for revision surgery on Aug 7th. Going to be part insurance and self pay. BCBS will pay for the band removal, but want me to be overweight for 2 years before paying for the sleeve. I am sorry, but just do not want to wait and be overweight that long. Plus.... the job I have had for the past 25 years may be coming to an end, I may be unemployed in the next 30-60 days, and I will loose all insurance. So, DH and I talked it out, with time off work needed, the need to find a new job in the near future, loosing current insurance, etc. DO IT NOW. Take the time off now, get healthy, get fit, and be ready to enter this new chapter in my life. Got to love my DH, he is my rock. So here I go.....................

I did a lot of research on the band before I had it and on VSG before I revised. Here are two peer reviewed studies: Comparison of weight loss and body composition cha...[surg Obes Relat Dis. 2009] - PubMed Result A 10-year experience with laparoscopic gastric ban...[Obes Surg. 2006] - PubMed Result I DO believe the band is working for many but I also believe it's failing others who HAVE followed the rules. As they say, there's good and bad in everything.

In my opinion - and it is just that, an opinion - the band is not on the way out. For some strange reason the experience in the USA seems to be very different to that here in Australia.Why I have no idea. Now I am not saying that it is problem free here but the percentage of problems here seems to be a lot lower and it is still the preferred surgery. Maybe it is because aftercare here is easily accessible and not expensive. Maybe it is because Australian Dr's prefer a conservative rather an aggressive fill schedule. maybe it is something else. I know a number of people here that have had their bands for longer than 3 years and are very happy. I know of others that have had them a lot longer. Some have had to have them replaced but they chose to have them replaced not to revise to something else. It may turn out that the sleeve is the perfect WLS surgery. It may be discovered in the future that there are problems with the sleeve that are not yet apparent.They may discover some other magical cure.Whatever. Whatever the future holds we don't know. But in the meantime the band is a safe and effective surgery and it should not just be written off. The most important thing as has been said many times before is to do your research and find the WLS that suits you. Pick your surgeon very carefully and then make sure you stick to the recommendations that your surgeon has given you.

Look for a "EXCELLENT SURGEON" in your state or area. When you look up the Hospitals, Look for whats called "CENTER OF EXCELLENCE'" in Bariatric surgery. A lot of your Ins Companies will require that you go to a Center Of Excellence only ! After you have figured out who you want to go to "people here can give you feedback in your area, if you say were you are from" Give them a call, and you will attend a Orientation. In the meantime check out if your Ins. covers this, or maybe you are self pay? Let your family Doctor know so you can be set up for monthly visits Weigh inns. Your Ins. company could be a couple months of visits or up to 2 yrs. If you are self pay? You will still have to talk to your Doctor to see about tests that you might have had done that are under a year old. The surgeon will set it all up. But you still need to find out so you know what this whole process consists of. I wouldn't suggest Mexico... Because if anything goes wrong ! You have to travel back to the surgeon that worked on you. It can be hard to find a surgeon to re-do someone else's work. I know,, I am going threw that now. My Port or Tube leaks, and I have moved, so I am trying to get this surgeon to look at it, and hope he will re-do the whole thing. That way I can go to him for my fills... There are fill centers to go to, but if you see a surgeon in your area, they will do all your fills. Hope this helps. You will enjoy your journey. I'm sure. Just remember, this is a plastic tool, and it will break in time. So be prepared for Revision or Repair Surgery. It might take years, but eventually things need to be replaced. Welcome to Lap Land. Shirley Banded 10/31/06 Dr Genaw Henry Ford Hospital "Center of Excellence" Michigan

Jus found you all. Surgery on the 18th. Revising from LapBand. This is starting to get real, people! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my revision surgery on 9/8, and the gas pain was insane. It took three days for it to subside. Shortly after that, I had a sharp pain near one of my incisions, which has finally started to go away as of yesterday. I have lost 13 lbs, and I feel pretty good. I plan to keep this thread updated for people who are thinking of revising.

Today is five weeks exactly, and I am down 21 lbs. Last week was weird; for some reason, I gained a few lbs, and then within six days, I started dropping an lb a day. My dietician would like me to stay between 80-100g of carbs, which I was reluctant about reading other revision experiences, but I am happy to say that I am still losing at 80g daily. I can eat many things without issue, but only if I eat them in small portions. Pooping is weird... It smells, often loose, and I have had some oily moments (TMI), but it is definitely diet-related. I have noticed that I have gas early in the morning and have to poop first thing, so that is something to keep in mind if you are considering revising to SADI.

When I met my husband of 8 years ago I already had RnY surgery...and was at my lowest adult weight at that time and looking and feeling fabulous! But about 4-5 years ago I started gaining weight and I can tell although he does not say anything he does not like the weight gain. I decided finally to seek a revision of my previous procedure and I am currently in the preop surgery process with all the tests and appts., we have talked about it and he is happy either way with my decision to do the revision surgery or to continue trying to lose it without surgery. People's inner self can manifest at any time,so for some the weightloss was their catalyst sadly!!

@@Steven1954, thank you for the information. By coincidence I learned this evening that NYS, it is the state which is the external reviewer. Even better, it seems that NYS always or virtually always approves in cases where the patient has a Medicare-related plan or Medicare. I do know of the Lindstrom office. Are you in NYS? Mine is Oxford Medicare, a.k.a. AARP Medicare Complete. My source told me that the state approves if traditional Medicare covers revision, which is what I'm googling to find. My band has not been removed. I have an appointment week after next to start determining whether it still has life in it, but I doubt it. My chances of succeeding under my own steam, without the aid, are nil. I'm open to going to sleeve. Are you planning further surgery?

Does anyone have Cigna for a revision and didn't have them before? I'm wanting to switch to them but don't want to if they like to give the run around. I'm leaving BCBSIL and heard good thing about them but it was always someone who didn't have any bariatric surgery. Any advice would be loved! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I wonder why Mary Poppins? Did he give a good why? I have heard of people getting a revision from sleeve to bypass but it,never could happen the other way!😪

I had bypass 4/29 been stalled for weeks. Glad to know I'm not alone. I keep losing and gaining the same one pound. I'm a revision but I feel like it should be coming off more. He said I'd have a stall weeks three and four but it'd been since then:( Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App

I am doing well, seem to be progressing nicely. My weight loss has been a little slower than some, but I've heard this is common with revisions. Since stating my 2-week preop edit on 5/9 I am down 23 pounds.

I had a band to sleeve revision and a hiatal hernia repair all at the same time. Surgery took 4 hours and I had no complications during or after surgery. I was really sore and in a lot of pain for about a week afterwards but I got through it. I am over 2 years post op now. I feel really good and all my lab work is excellent. When you start eating solid food again make sure you measure everything. After a while of doing this you will be able to eyeball it. Don't overeat. Protein first. No liquids an hour before during or after meals. You will get used to this routine and eventually you can eat whatever you want and even sip wine with your meal or some other beverage during your meal. No carbonated drinks though. Can't have the bubbles expanding in your stomach. I really miss drinking cold beer. When I say that you can eat anything that you want that means a portion only. You will not be able to eat very much but it can be anything that you want. That's the beauty of it. I don't feel deprived like when you are on a diet. I can go to the fridge and make myself whatever I am in the mood for. My wife can cook anything that she wants because I can eat it. I end up throwing most of it away but I feel satisfied. Good luck.

I appreciate the updates. I just had revision on 11/17.

I had a lapband and like you only lost about 30 pounds. I was revised to the sleeve last year in May, and I'm already under my original goal.

I will be completely honest. RNY is a great surgery. I myself was hoping to do it but I was self pay and just couldn't afford it. It was almost double the price. My nurse said she had RNY patients lose hardly anything compared to sleeve and vice versa. AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU ARE THE "DRIVER" AND YOU WILL CONTROL HOW MUCH YOU LOSE. *To an extent. Obviously your body will retain fluids, hormone changes and some weeks you just stall no matter how hard you try. But if you eat clean, do what you are supposed to and work out you will see good results regardless of which surgery you decide to do. I am not denying people lose weight faster than others. Anyway. Because you only have 85 pounds to lose and you didn't list any problems (diabetes, etc) I would say the sleeve is a great for you. You can choose to do RNY if you prefer, it's your decision, but the sleeve has done wonders for so many people, including myself. I started at 364 and I hit the 50 pound loss mark today after 5 weeks (1 week pre-op included) and I even gained 10 pounds of gas after surgery that took 4 days to lose, LOL. Also, you can have the sleeve revised to a bypass if it doesn't work for you. You don't want to "Settle" when it comes to your body and what you want. This is a major operation and it's life changing. There are also a lot of risks involved with all of the surgeries available. Be passionate about your decision and research a lot. Be aware of risks, the goods, the bads and the uglys. I will admit - I did settle for the sleeve but after awhile of doing more research and getting involved, I was very happy that I chose this instead of RNY.

@@Steven1954, what do you mean by "external appeal?" I expect to be told very soon that my band must be removed and believe that my insurance company will deny revision to sleeve.

Yeah, it's almost like we're more likely to need them. I keep saying this - the second we understand obesity as something other than a moral failure, this whole system needs to be revised top to bottom.