Search the Community

It absolutely can and will stretch if you're not careful ! Iv worked with sleeve patients for years and have seen plenty of patients gain weight back from stretching the sleeve. I myself am one of them and I have xray pics at one day post op and one year post op to prove how much it has stretched. Why do you think their are revision surgeons that now resleeve patients? Just be careful, don't over eat to the point of misery and avoid carbonation. My sleeve was a 42 Bougie and I had scar tissue as well which made mine easier to stretch but it happens to others too.

Hey Krestel, Have you had surgery yet? I'm having RNY revision surgery on July 16th and can't wait for it to be done. My reflux is so much worse than it was before I had sleeve surgery on October 25th 2016 . Hopefully you are doing great. Have an awesome day. Allie in SC (South Carolina)

I was a band revision 3 mths ago. I chose the sleeve for the same as the above posters: No malabsorbtion, no dumping (but I still can't eat ice cream cuz it causes tummy cramping and diarrhea). I also liked the fact that I wasn't gunna look gaunt - I would lose slower (as I did with the band). So glad to see the lapband isn't on ur list of things to choose from. Had mine for almost 4 yrs and the 1st 2 were great, the last 2 weren't so great. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone... Good luck on ur choice. Also, I've known several people who regained almost all the weight they lost with the bypass. It's easier to stretch out ur intestines (which r still stretchy) than to stretch out the part of ur tummy they actually leave (the 85% they take out contains the stretchy part. It will stretch a LITTLE over time, but no where near where it was). Even tho there's no long term data on the sleeve, I've heard the regain is much less.

I'm a newbie to the sleeve although not to WLS. I will be having lapband to sleeve revision surgery June 23rd. I am so nervous about the possibility of my doctor finding a lot of scar tissue left over from the lapband. I'm just really ready for it to be over already so I can stop worrying.

You're me too! Band to sleeve revision, lost about the same amount with the band then stopped. Gained weight back. Got the sleeve. Lost 16 lbs. Stalled at about 2 1/2 weeks and have been stuck here. I'm three weeks out today and am on softs, getting in a good amount of protein, tracking everything carefully on MyFitnessPal, getting in my fluids, staying away from carbs, etc. I'm stuck, frustrated, pissed off and am miserable because I wonder why I put myself through this for nothing. Closest I've ever followed a diet and I'm not getting anywhere. This sucks.

ND I had revision surgery because I've been suffering with Reflux for about 1-1.5 years. I had a feeling something was wrong but, my doc would do unfills and it would go away. After gaining back some weight, I wanted to try a fill again but, with the promise from my doc that tests would be done this time if the reflux came back. The day before Thanksgiving I had a fill and BINGO that night reflux a little bit and then the full blown thing the next night and every night since. I had to sleep in an upright position for more than a week until I was finally able to see him again. I went in the next Tuesday, had an upper GI and the radiologist told my doc the band slipped. I was told to come back in on Wed for a complete unfill and we booked surgery for the 18th of dec. I went into surgery not knowing if I'd wake up with another band because it would depend on what he saw when he was in there. Turns out the slip was worse than they thought so they took out the band and fortunately they were able to put another on in, in a slightly higher position and this time around they tacked it a bit more torwards the back of my stomach to make sure it didn't move. I'm feeling great except I'm still on liquids. Man liquids are TOUGH especially the 2nd/3rd time around. I can't eat mushies until I see my doc again on 1/7. Then I praying I can get something with more bulk down that will keep me feeling full longer. Liquids do not keep you satisfied for long when there is no fill in the band, that's for sure! I can't give you a typical daily diet because of all I've gone through. I won't know what it's even like for another 4-5 weeks. I do know that I used to eat my Protein first, then fruits & veggies and carbs last if there was any room at all left. I couldn't eat bread or anything that would take a long time to digest like Pasta because it bunches back up in my stomach and doesn't want to digest so I skip those things. I'm looking forward to being able to have solid Proteins again though, that's for sure! Hope you're feeling better. The 2nd time around wasn't as sore as the first because they didn't have to replace my port. They used the same one I already had so this time I only had 4 incisions instead of 6. I'm still pretty bruised and I have some scarring but, doing ok. Some jeans are too uncomfy yet to wear still because the waistline lands on the incisions. Sweatpants are my favorites right now lol

I went to a nurse practitioner here in Salem for a couple of lap band fills when I was still banded, and she knew of Dr Tersigni in Coos Bay, since I was asking about revisions, and she recommended him, however my insurance approved me to go to the OHSU bariatric surgery program for my emergency lap band removal, and after I completed their program to have the gastric sleeve done, my insurance wouldn't cover surgery there, and we appealed but nothing happened. So I was planning on going to Mexico again because I was desperate, but then I remembered Coos Bay, and when we called they were so helpful! Dr Tersigni has been performing weight loss surgery for over 15 years, and his program and facility have the Center of Excellence label. And his coordinators have been completely helpful through the process. And at the time we did not know of Dr Higa, or we would have checked him out too! Sorry that is such a long explanation!!

Hi there. I believe you have to totally do your research and decide what is right for you,. I am someone who has had a band to sleeve revision and will only tell you my expeirience. Take is as intended...more data. Here's somethings that are important to know with the band. 1. You need to be sure your surgeon will provide you with "fills" for your band. I had my surgery done in Mexico in 2007 and when I moved to Philadelphia NO DOCTORS in Philadelphia would do a fill on a band they didn't do the surgery on. So if you move or plan to move...keep that in mind. 2. I had such horrible acid reflux I lost my voice for 6 weeks. I had acid reflux induced laringytis. The damage can become permanent. 3. It was very difficult for me to find a "sweet spot" for my fills. If you band is too loose you will not lose weight and too tight you can't even get down a sip of Water. 4. I had an uncomfortable tightness in my throat the entire time and had severe vomiting after many meals. I can't tell you how many times I had to run to the bathroom in a resturant becuase I was going to throw up suddenly. Again...please do your homework....there are people who have good luck with the band...I was not one of them. Whatever you decide. I wish you good luck and good health.

I saw a woman who is looking to get a revision to bypass or DS because she lost 140lbs with the sleeve, then gained back 125 of those pounds. How does that happen? Sent from my EVO using VST

After my band to sleeve revision 4 mths ago (I started out at 250 lbs 4 yrs ago but was only 174 when I had my revision), I was in the ER for a bad medication reaction (thought I had a leak). They did an xray to be 100% certain there was no leak. I heard the tech behind the window say to the other tech "They will do wls on anyone nowadays. She probly paid cash" Meaning I wasn't fat enuf for wls. Maybe I wasn't fat enuf for wls #1 (at 174 and a bmi of 28) not sure if any dr would have done the sleeve on me (even with cash) but it doesn't matter if ur below target weight for revision. I knew if I had my band taken out without a revision, I would've soon weighed 250 again. Oh and btw, my insurance paid for it, not cash. Actually made me feel kinda good. Like she was saying I was skinny or something!

Simple ...removed band and revised to sleeve

Well i am 1 day post op and i feel pretty darn good. I didnt ask for pain meds a second ago for the pain but i asked for pain meds for my headache. Lol Here is my surgery story. I had the lapband in 2007 and did great with it at first. Then the last two years most everythi ng i would eat or drink would start coming up. Started having severe pain in my esophagus and started throwing up blood. An endoscopy revealed that i had a class c esophageal erosion. The band had to come out Met with surgeon and determined the bnd would come out and he would revise to sleeve!!!! Scheduled my op for july 26 yesterday. Had to be at the hospital at 5 am for an 8 am surgery. Prep for surger i got a patch for nausea to help with any nausea from meds. Then they gave me a shot in my tummy To help with possible clots. Met with sirgeon and andsthesiologist to discuss surgery. Then they gave me versed before wheeling me back to surg. Best "margarita" ever. Then i was totally worry free. I was still awake in or. They hooked me up with all the electrodes and the anesthesiologist said ok its nap time im putting u to sleep. I said just please make sure i wake up. Then make sure i wake up sleeved!!!!! I was so worried there would b such a mess in my body that wiuld have to hold off on the sleeve. Next thing i knew theybwere waking me up. Zero pain. I just said yayy im alive and ong was i sleeved??? They said u sire were. Then my main concern was going to peepee. I had to go really bad. Surgery took an hour and a half and i was in my own room by 11. They immediately got me to the pot. Was sore but not bad pain. No gas pains yet either. I wone up with a binder on which feels great. Especially when i get up to walk or go to the bathroom. Ive probabky walked about 6 laps. Blood pressure has been a little low but they said its expcted because of the pain meds No fever. Nurses are amazing. Getting woken up so often is for the birds tho. Other than that ive been sleeping a lot. Sleep with my binder on and the pumps on my legs to prohibit clots. I had a popsicle and some sips of broth and sips of Water. Did not hurt when first going down but i was apprehensive at first. I did take a swig too large and it was uncomfortable but not painful. Have only drank half bottle of water. But staying hydrated thru iv for now They did my barium swallow this mirning to check for leaks and NO LEAKS. Yayyyyyyy. I feel so so much better without the band in i can already tell a big difference. I have 6 incisions. Some are rather large but im ok with that. Ill attach a pic which shows three i think. Three large incisions mid tummy and the other smaller ones are up under breasts. It was all a success and very pleasant. So happy to be on the loser bench. Fyi BIOTINE mouth rinse helps so so much with dry mouth. So get that for sure. Hope everyone is doing well!!!!!! Here is a pic of my incisions. So excited to begin my healthier happy life!!!!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

July 27th lapband to sleeve revision--So excited

I wish I had more restriction. I'm almost 7 mos post op and I've only vomited twice. Both times the meat was to dry. I haven't slimed. I'm thankful for that. I used to do that plenty when I had the lapband. I don't know if it's because I'm a revision, bougie size or what. I'm scared I'm stretching my sleeve. I definitely need to work on better eating habits and behaviors.

The first step would be to talk to your surgeon and see if a revision is necessary. Then, if you are going through insurance, I am sure they will require a whole new approval process for the revision.

@@Band07 That pic is interesting. I don't really know what I'm looking at, either, but you can tell a difference for sure. Revising to what? Bypass? Yes, keep us posted! I'm interested as to what he says about your sleeve size. I was told by my surgeon that sleeves do not stretch either. Maybe they are blowing smoke up our butts so we don't get discouraged?

I'm 13 days post op revision to rny and I'm having the same problem. The only shakes I like are Herbalife and they don't have enough protein and are higher in carbs than I'm supposed to have right now. I'm really struggling because I don't like the protein waters either. Nothing tastes right.

This happened to me after revision as well. The premier shakes that I loved before revision no longer taste good and do not stay down for me. The powdered syntrax and the slimfast high protein premade are the only ones that work for me now.

I am scheduled for a sleeve revision to gastric bypass, however I never heard of a mini bypass. Can you explain what the difference is?

Got my sleeve the same day, after revision from a lapband that made me vomit daily for 4 years. So, I feel your pain. Is it going to get better. I can't drink hot or cold. G2 is staying down a little. But what makes it better??

I'm scheduled for surgery August 7th and I am so nervous! I'm doing a revision from failed lap-band surgery 5 yrs ago. Let's all keep each other posted on all the good and bad things associated with this journey......I'M Terrified!!! I am worried because this is a permanent change to my body and I fear recovery, I have read some horror stories about problems after surgery. But I am staying positive and prayerful that all will go well. Most of all that I am making a decision to improve my overall health with weight loss surgery. I haven't told anyone other than my husband that I am having this surgery. I feel like this is my private decision, also I am embarrassed because of failing the first surgery in 2009. Does anyone else feel like me? Keeping surgery a secret?

No revisions in my future. I was cash pay for the lapband, and have wls exclusion on my insurance. I'll be back to the battle we've all had... however, my doctor is sending me to a nutritionist, and I am going to continue my daily exercise, and see how it goes. I'm not looking forward to it, but hopefully since I will be trying to maintain, and not have that huge mountain in front of me (of losing 90 lbs) it might not be quite as bad. But I am not kidding myself, it's gonna be a battle. Seppi - hang in there - sounds like you are going down the right path!

May I ask how you are all getting in now? I have only lost 6kg in the first month. Revision from sleeve to MGB CW 120KG

Hi TRISH4. I'm having my surgery on 4/5 and I too had a very difficult time over the VSG vs gastric bypass. I have acid reflux as it is and I'm hoping that with the med I currently take I can keep it in check after surgery. My HMO will not pay for a revision if I find that I do not loose enough weight from VSG, so that was also a consideration for me. But after thinking about it for several months, I've decided that I will do just as good with the VSG without the malabsortion problems. It is a very difficult decision to make, isn't it? However, I am at peace with my decision. Keep us posted.

How is everything going now? I am 3 1/2 months out from my sleeve and for the first time in my life, I started having HORRIBLE gerd symptoms 2 days ago. I'm uncomfortable during the day, but at night is when I'm in agony. I'm on 40mg of Omeprazole for 6 months because of the surgery, so I'm shocked this is happening. I made a post titled "Is this GERD?" because I literally have never felt anything like this before and it's freaking me out. I'm scared that if GERD is starting 3 1/2 months out from surgery, I'm going to have to be miserable for years before I can be approved for a revision. And I thought bypass was kind of the gold standard for eliminating GERD, and now I'm nervous having read a few threads on here about people getting the bypass and developing GERD after, or getting it because of GERD and it not going away.