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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

@@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 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.

I had a pt a little over a yr ago that had gastric sleeve done at hospital in Iowa, the first time she ate real food (mashed potatoes) she perforated her surgical site. After about a month in the hospital she was sent home. I seen her recently and we were talking about her complication. I told her I was looking into surgery in MX and she wished me luck. Even after all the complications she had she did not regret having the gastric sleeve. The surgeon she went to I would not go to as I have known another pt that recently had a revision, approx 2 wks later he died of a PE (blood clot in his lungs). He had a family history of blood clots. Both cases may not be the fault of the surgeon. I know that with any surgery there is a chance for complications, that being said I feel we are all willing to take our chances at a healthier life...

Found an interesting blog on Dr Jossarts website. Post Op Day 58 May 7th, 2010 Posted in Bariatric surgery, Protein and calories, Vertical gastrectomy, Weight loss surgery results, surgical weight loss, weight loss plan, weight loss surgery | No Comments ? Hello everyone! I had to wait until I could articulate my feelings of late without crying. I was so happy and pleased with the surgical weight loss progress I had made when I last wrote. The weight loss has continued and I was at 348.3 on Friday, April 23rd. I saw the surgeon that day and my balloon did not last long at all. He was not a happy camper and I was taken aback. I was crushed, stunned actually. Having said that, I must also say that I have never had an appointment with a doctor that lasted longer than the scheduled 15 minutes until that day. I think he was with me for 45 minutes!! He was concerned that I hit a stall so big for so long and that I lost valuable ground. Apparently, every month out from vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the amount of weight you can lose decreases by 10%. So, I essentially lost a month at a crucial high weight loss expectation point. He did emphasize that I had done nothing wrong and had followed all directions. He said that now I have to work that much harder to catch up and capitalize on the maximum rate of loss. The part about the 10% is complete new to me, I had never heard anyone say that. This was interesting as well, 10 lbs a week is a very agressive weight loss scheudle and this person was post op day 58. Well, needless to say, I am now only eating 2 ounces of protein at each meal. Everything else is the same. I have to also say that the scale continues a constant downward turn. Today, I am 343.2 pounds. My doctor wanted to see me lose about 10 pounds per week for the next 4 week s. Here is the link to the blog LAPSF Another interesting tidbit I would share. I noticed in my barium swallow the day after my surgery, I noticed a 'wing' shaped part of the stomach that was on my left side on the xray. then it seemed to narrow down to a small tummy at the bottom. doc said he did that to avoid the scar tissue left from my lapband, and that a lot of lap band revisions get into trouble if the doc cuts up to narrow and close to the esophagous as that is where many of the leaks happen, I wonder how this part of the tummy left will affect my weight loss journey. Lisa

Hi SwiftKate, I might be able to add something to the discussion. Four years ago I had the lap band inserted. After 2 years it slipped up towards the esophogus and big problems resulted. So all the fluid was removed. (lots more to say about the whole experience but that's for another post). So now I had the stupid band with minimal constriction. It took me another two years to work up the courage for more surgery (and a relatively unproductive one at that). I didn't go for revision for 2 reasons: 1) was going through the public system and they only do removal and implanting of lapbands, no sleeves. 2) I have a sneaky feeling that scar tissue from banding boosts the chance of complications far beyond what I am comfortable with. A few weeks after the band was removed, I spoke to the surgeon about getting a sleeve. He showed me the pictures of my scarred stomach, and strongly advised me to put off any weight-loss surgery for at least a year, maybe longer. Too dangerous, not necessary, only rich people are getting the sleeve because they need to look good, etc. etc. now that I think about it, the conversation was a bit strange. I went away not happy, but also kind of confused about why he was telling me these things. Basically he said if I was healthy in every other way then I would be crazy to have more weightloss surgery at this point. Something tells me he was thinking of our dear Lila S in Attention Aussie Sleevers forum. He would have definitely been one of the surgeons consulting on her case. And then he summed it up by saying if I put on weight over Christmas then by all means come back and talk about the sleeve. Which he thinks I will need. Eventually. Hmmm.

I’m sorry you are going through this. I don’t have personal experience with this procedure but I have had complications with the procedures I did have and I know it is hard. You may want to see a bariatric surgeon to see if they can do some kind of revision procedure on you. what you describe sounds similar to a procedure that used to be done that’s called “vertical banded gastroplasty” and I know that many people who had problems with that surgery ended up having revisions. It sounds like this issue should be fixable. Hope you find answers soon.

I've posted my story several times in other threads which you can find by clicking my name. To make the long story short(er), I had my sleeve 8/22/2013 & then on 12/29/2015 a revision of the (dilated) sleeve & the single-anastomosis duodenal switch. I also had my hiatal hernia repaired at the second surgery. A hiatal hernia can certainly be a cause of reflux symptoms. Personally, I would not have a gastric bypass. I don't like the artificial opening from the stomach pouch to the intestine. The duodenal switch (classic or SA-DS) has the sleeve gastrectomy that leaves you with a fully-functional stomach, just much smaller. I chose not to have a DS at the time of my original sleeve because the amount of malabsorption scared me. But 2 years later I was still at a BMI of just over 35, on 4 insulin injections a day, Metformin, atorvastatin (Lipitor) & 3 blood pressure meds so I decided something more had to be done. I am now 2½ months post-op & am off all insulin & the atorvastatin. One blood pressure med is discontinued & the other (a combo) is half what it was & I will probably be off of it by the end of the month. We did try decreasing the Metformin, but that didn't work - yet. And - drum roll - as of today, my BMI is below 30! I am no longer obese.

@@OutsideMatchInside Thank goodness someone gets it! Too bad the others don't get this is not about a piece of bacon. This is about helping others. It's everyone simply excusing the behaviors and worse yet, telling her to ignore her doctors orders and move on. Yes, we are all human but when you go through months/years of preparation and in the first week that's what you do? I don't know about you but honestly I was devastated everytime someone gets on here and they are denied by their insurance and cannot pay out of pocket. I remember being so I'll that my doctor told me I had one foot on a banana peel and one foot in the grave. I just don't get squandering your 2nd chance in life. And for those of you saying well, maybe I wasn't that sick...I ask then why did you have this surgery? Then we have newbies that simply disregard doctors orders and even worse yet, give some new person medical advice that you know they want to hear. What the heck??? We are not doctors nor do we know why her doctor has her on a liquid diet for so long. She was a revision, right? Why didn't the first one work? I don't know this nor does anyone else but maybe, just maybe there is more to the story. Others read this and assume that oh, 1 tiny piece of bacon didn't hurt her so I would probably be ok too? This is not all about the OP. This is about people who have not had the surgery yet, or just had it or have not even gotten to their goals giving the OP advice to disregard doctors orders. Some people want to hear those words.....and will act on it. Too bad if people think I am being mean. I think I am being upfront and direct. Read whatever you all want in to that but someone has to shake some sense into those that just don't get it. Ok.....I am officially done ranting.

Usually band-to-sleeve converters feel a lot less restriction than they did with the band. I think because tissue, by nature, is elastic, and plastic is rigid. So, it will be up to you to pay attention to what and how much you consume. (I feel this is why we say "revisions typically lead to slower losses"... because the patients... and their bodies.... are already used to restriction).

I had the stomach stapling in 1984. It was the Vertically Banded Gastroplasty. On the 15th of February I had it revised to a Gastric Bypass and I am doing splendidly. I never had any symptoms like you describe but I did gain my weight back after the 1984 proceedure. The good thing about the Bypass is it is harder to gain weight back. My surgeon was Dr. Stephen Boyce in Knoxville TN. He was the only surgeon in the state I could find who would tackle my revision. No one else wanted to touch me. I highly recommend him. I'm sure you could fine someone to do a revision for you but for some reason the old surgeries seem to cause most surgeons to shy away. Good luck.

As others have all said if you have reflux DS will not cure it. Your stomach stays the same the only thing that changes is the re-routing of your intestines. Personally I went from VSG to GB in September 2015 and haven't looked back. I had also considered DS but am so glad I revised to the GB. I have had no issues with dumping at all. I beleive I needed the smaller stomach created with the GB and the malabsorptive part in the bypass. As said definitely ask your surgeon what he suggests but if you have reflux only answer is GB.