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Of course you're scared; hearing statistics will do that to you, especially when you've just had laid out for you every worst-case scenario in the book. Here are a couple things to remember. First, Any surgery of any kind has a risk - your band had risk. And you did that successfully and are healthy enough to consider revision. Second, most people don't get leaks. and of those who do, only some of those end up in the worst-case scenario your surgeon described to you. Third, the studies that result in those complication statistics are done with pretty small sample sizes. here is a link to some of them (scroll down on the page) http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/lap-band-revision-surgery.html It may make you feel a bit better to actually read the studies. I know I like facts. Good luck, whatever you decide.

I guess my next question to the surgeon would be what is his average for for pts having leaks post op and of that percentage how many were revisions. I would also ask what measures does he take to prevent leaks from occurring. Personally speaking my surgery was easy breezy, but I was a straight VSG procedure. You have a choice of developing comorbs that may prevent you from taking care of your babies, and possibly developing a leak. ETA: Here's a success story that might be helpful to you.

What did you mean by revision? From band to sleeve? I think the figure he gave you is incorrect. I was told it was closer to 1% risk for a leak or other complication.

Just had an appt with my Dr. and talked about revision. He let me know that the risk for leaks can be 15-20%. He said that could require tubing and being fed through and IV for weeks. (just explaining all complications per my request) I have two babies and couldn't even imagine having to deal with a leak! I am currently 232lbs. I have a couple options to consider.... 1. Take lapband out now and try to lose the weight with diet (which I have obviously failed at my whole life hence the lapband) NO revsion 2. Get down to 220lbs and have the lapband taken out and revision done in one operation 3. Have the lapband taken out now; try to lose weight on my own and if I fail, talk about having the revision done later. I was all for getting a revision, but now I am more nervous and scared about the whole process. I have a 1 and 2 year old and am not sure I want to risk my life and having complications to have a huge portion of my stomach removed.... I wish I could see into the future. Super anxious, nervous, and feeling defeated at the moment!

My story is a complicated one, but I thought for those of you deciding about this surgery or who were nervous, I would share it here. Please forgive the long post. I was banded in 2008. My band gave me complications about 2 years in. I lost 40 pounds with my band (wanted to lose about 80) but over the years it became a struggle sometimes to eat at all. Other times, I could eat as much as I wanted with no issues and I gained 20 of that back. Even with a couple of Upper GIs and being told I was okay - I still had issues. A couple of friends had sleeves and seemed to be doing well. So, I decided to have a revision. I went to my original surgeon and we planned it for May 13 2015. Same day band removal and sleeve. I was totally up for this and went in feeling great. However, when my band was removed, I was told my band had eroded into my stomach and caused some major damage. Thankfully, my doctor did not do the sleeve at the same time. He wanted to give me a chance to heal. At the time I was frustrated, but in hindsight I'm glad. So we reset the date to 3 months out. But I began to have misgivings and sought a second opinion. I found another surgeon who I absolutely love and trust, and reset the date again. This time we set it to September 23. I did a 2 week pre-diet like I did before. However, my Mother, who had been sick a long time, was declining and I was worried she might pass so I rescheduled to October 28. My Mom died on 9/23 (so glad I moved the date). That was hard and because of that I think I began to be so anxious about everything and was feeling really worried about the surgery. My doctor was so helpful and kind and his staff were patient and very helpful, and I decided to go through with it anyway. I just made myself do it. I went through another 2 week pre op diet, yes, that means I did three of those in 6 months.... My surgery was on 10/28. When I got out of surgery, I was told that due to scar tissue, my surgeon had to change normal procedure a bit and use a different template for my sleeve. He said my sleeve was a little bit bigger than he would normally use, but still small enough to get good restriction. That first day home, I felt so bad - I was nauseated a little bit and had some trouble drinking. I wondered if I had made a mistake. But every day I improved. I was on full liquids and drank 1-2 ounces every 30 minutes. Each day I was able to get a little more in. I'm now on the 3rd week and just stared the liquid pureed kind of foods, like beans/oatmeal, etc. I can probably get 4 oz. down without restriction, but as soon as I get a little bit more, I feel full. I'm having to watch out for head hunger, and reflux - which mimics real hunger. But overall, I'm learning what it feels like to be full. That didn't happen with my band, I was always hungry. I'm so glad my 2nd surgeon made sure he put the sleeve staples in healthy tissue so that the risk of leaks was minimized. Even if I lose weight more slowly, I did not want a leak. He even knew that if there wasn't a safe place to put the staples, he would stop and just close me up. I have lost 25 pounds since the start of my preop diets in September, and I feel amazing. So far I have had no real complications <knock wood> and I'm following the post diet pretty easily. I go back to work next week and will have to manage working and taking food, getting my Vitamins in. But I'm looking forward to that. My advice is, find a surgeon who listens to you and who has a staff that listens. Don't spend hours on the internet reading about complications. Understand that band complications may complicate your sleeve, but it's still possible to get a sleeve and have good results. I'm sure I'll hit stalls and plateaus and even though the sleeve helps enormously, it's really only a tool. If I fill that 4-6 ozs with ice cream and Cookies I will not lose weight. SO be honest with yourselves about stuff like that. I'm very glad I did this. Your mileage may vary. But so far so good.

I had lapband surgery back in March 2012...the first 18 months I did really well with very little issues. Then they put my band at 5cc, and everything went down hill from there. I had to have Fluid removed because I couldn't hold anything down, and even when fluid was taken out, within a few weeks the same problem came back. Long story short - August 2014, I had to wait over a month to get an appointment, so I went over a month throwing up daily solids, liquids, mushy foods. Nothing stayed down period. So when I finally got in, I asked them to just take the fluid out completely. They got most of it, or so I was told, and my per visit price "doubled" to almost $200. I was fine for about 2 months after, and then I started occassionally having episodes where something wouldn't stay down. Mind you, I gained 10lbs before the fluid came out when I couldn't hold anything down, and then gained 20lbs within 2 weeks after the fluid was removed. So I gained back everything I had lost prior to the whole 5cc fiasco. They called me in October telling me I was overdue for my yearly check up from August, but I don't have $200 for a 10 minute appointment. Now in the last 2 weeks, I am throwing up most things (including liquid) almost daily. Some days it's all day I can't hold anything down, and some days it's hit and miss. Has anyone else had this problem? I shouldn't being repeating last year with an unfilled band. Ironically, the doctor that did my procedure doesn't even offer lapband surgery at his location. Revision surgery is $15,650 for self-pay, and I just don't have any way to come up with it. So it's pretty depressing. I'm trying to get the weight off I gained back unnaturally quick, and it's not budging much, maybe 5lbs. But has anyone else had similiar problems with their band?

Getting my first fill on Friday after nearly three years banded. It can't come soon enough. I seem to be able to make good choices one day and then the next, I'm not. I went back for a handful of pretzels three...no...four times last night. I couldn't stop myself. So for punishment, I got on the scale this morning and saw that I was above 125. I swore I'd never put the weight back on but it's now more than 12 pounds from my lowest. I'm learning such a good lesson over this struggle to keep the weight off. I will always have the disease of obesity. I may have it under control at times, but I'll never be free of it. If my band isn't working, I'm going to put the weight back on. Simple as that. I've seen plenty of people post about running into trouble at some point but stupidly felt that I would somehow be immune as my head is/was so in the game. It's hard to admit I'm not Superwoman and I struggle like everyone else when my tool is not working the way it should. If I ever find myself having to remove the band, I won't hesitate to revise the surgery to another procedure. I won't fool myself into thinking I'm doing this on my own because I'm not. I told my sister on Sunday that I am gaining weight back because I need a fill. She is obese and I'm hoping she comes to the realization that WLS might help her as well. She has maintained that my success is about what's in my head, and not around my stomach and that I lost all that weight because I was in the right frame of mind. I'm hoping this shows her that it's not my will power alone that helped me but a combination of making good choices, along with a tool to tamp down the hunger so I could make those good choices. So...today is a new day and again I make the pledge to make the right choices. Here's hoping I can stick to it.

I'm having my revision surgery December 22. The band didn't work for me it filled inside of me causing me to be unable to be filled without X-rays. They tried filling it by ultrasound but that didn't work. I haven't been filled in 3yrs. My doctor told me it was going have to be removed and replaced and I just decided to have it removed but opted for the sleeve. I was so scared that I was going to have to go through the process again but after the insurance company got my file and see I have went to 3 Doctors and they all said the same thing I was approved Asap my original date was October 26th but I pushed it back to December since by working for the schools I will be off anyway. My process started September 16th and I'm so excited for this new lifestyle change. Any December's Revisions

Im having revision December 1st due to small intestine damaged during original surgery (2013) , its a must, but gaining a fee pounds isnt reason for revision kust start back from beginning with liquids if needed.

I don't think number of posts means a damn thing. I have been maintaining 150# loss for some years now - post revision - so I have some personal experience with both failed and successful WLS Congrats on your approval and I hope you find much success .

I am another one with bypass and don't dump for foods that should trigger it. It comes down to me not eating something simply because I shouldn't not because I can. Unfortunately, there are a lot of foods that I should be able to eat and can't so a revision isn't necessarily your answer to your situation. Keep your eye and mind on the journey!

I suffer from aniexty and that plays a major role in my complications. If I'm stressed, even over the slightest thing, my band gets tight and I can't eat anything. I haven't completely figured it out why it does, but it does. For me, the band isn't helping no matter how much I follow the rules. There are days when I try to drink a Protein shake and I'm tight. I am unfilled right now and still having complications. My doctor said that my body just cannot tolerate the band. The band works for a few, and, yes, you most definitely have to follow the rules, but for most people, no matter how much you try, the band just doesn't work. I am having the band removed in two weeks and I have chosen not to do another revision. I did a lot of research on the sleeve and I'm not happy with the results. Instead, I'm going to see to a therapist who specializes in food addiction and hire a personal trainer. I wish you the very best with your band; I love hearing success stories because I truly want to believe that the band works. Good luck on your journey and please keep me posted!

I revised from the sleeve to the gastric bypass; having said that I suggest you go with the DS. It is not hard to take vitamins everyday actually I enjoy it. I had looked into the DS instead of GB but do to the cost went with the GB and am very happy I did. My stomach is now 1/3 size of my sleeve stomach. Having that much weight to lose you will probably be more successful with the DS than the sleeve; in my opinion.

It is brand new and I think sleevers should all be interested in what they have to say there, in the event we go for revisions later on in life. Best of luck, and I think at some point there should also be a revision-specific board.

It's great that this forum exists now. I am a sleever, and I am eager to read the experiences of DS people, in the event of a revision years down the road. Good luck!

Seems soft foods are less restricting and allowing more consumption. I have been trying to avoid soft foods to keep my calories down and also because I seem to be satisfied longer when I eat meat vs. soft foods like refried beans. One thing I like to snack on is homemade cole slaw, it's low in calories, gives me a crunchy consistency that I crave and I'm filled up with a 1-2 ounce portion. I hope I have the same results in month two as you have. Did you stall during month one? I'm a band to sleeve revision and on another discussion board for us revision patients it seems to be very common for a longer stall than people who haven't had the band too. Not much of a stall -- 3 days max during week 4. Since then, I've been dropping every day (0.2 - 1.5 lbs/day). I like Asian Salads (similar to a slaw), but I'm not cleared for raw veggies til next week, but nothing has been a problem (yet).

Excellent question, as I hadn't heard of it either until a friend mentioned it -- Here's one resource on the topic: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CEkQFjAEahUKEwja2NOhiobJAhVQ32MKHTlyA6o&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tijuanabariatrics.com%2Fblog%2F2014%2F06%2F20%2Fsleeve-gastrectomy-revision-surgery-why-145250&usg=AFQjCNHPrKz4tFDkt1fBWrquG0sR6j_Rmg

Seems soft foods are less restricting and allowing more consumption. I have been trying to avoid soft foods to keep my calories down and also because I seem to be satisfied longer when I eat meat vs. soft foods like refried beans. One thing I like to snack on is homemade cole slaw, it's low in calories, gives me a crunchy consistency that I crave and I'm filled up with a 1-2 ounce portion. I hope I have the same results in month two as you have. Did you stall during month one? I'm a band to sleeve revision and on another discussion board for us revision patients it seems to be very common for a longer stall than people who haven't had the band too.

@@jessicabell620 I agree with winklie 110%! I had surgery at Mayo and went in wanting the sleeve and after hearing both sides of the story, opted for RNY. I didn't have GERD but had been a type II diabetic for 10+ years. I was told RNY would give me an 85% chance of sending my diabetes into remission. That's the route I chose and off the all my meds I came immediately after surgery. That included my high blood pressure meds as well. Mayo doesn't even do the band surgery anymore because their research found that merely restricting calories did not prove to last long term. While they do perform the sleeve procedure, they fear it may have the same results. I was just in my aftercare meeting last night and it broke my heart to hear one of the men, who had the sleeve only 2 months ago, say that he told his fellow firefighters to just cook like they always do and he'd just eat smaller portions. Last month he even stated he ate half of a Subway sandwich and felt no discomfort. Was so proud he only eaten half. I winced. This surgery is a tool to give us a once in a lifetime chance to change our food choices, not to just eat less of the crap we ate before we had it. They remind us each month at our meetings "This isn't brain surgery, it's gut surgery!" Once our cravings come back, in a year or so, then what?! If you haven't made those life changing choices, you'll gradually increase your portions, begin snacking and you will regain the weight. So many people do!!!! I encourage you to do as much research as you possibly can and make the best choice for yourself. I see so many people, on here especially, do a "revision" from band to RYN or "sleeve" to RNY and for me I wanted it to be One and Done! FYI - I had RNY at 8 a.m. on a Tuesday and was home at 6 p.m. the next day. Took 2 pain pills as a precaution the day after and then I was done. Felt wonderful from that point on. Best of Luck to you

I have not had the revision. I have had some of the issues you mention, but a lot of mine were caused by me not following the rules of the band. I might suggest that before you make the big step of having surgery that removes part of your stomach that you have your band emptied to allow yourself to heal completely. I did this and healed. Now that I have filled again, I have vowed to use the band exactly as recommended, no cheating that only hurts me. I recently read to only eat bites the size of a nickel, chew for 20, wait for 20 and everything is working perfectly. My surgeon advised this, saying that a sleeve can stretch anyway so why not just comply to the rules of the band?Hey I say only you know what you've been through and your doctor so do whatever you think is best for your health and your future!!! Good luck!

I had my lap band in 2008. I lost weight, but gained back a ton after I had my son. I found a surgeon who was willing to do my revision. I had the consultation, I started doing my surgical clearances. My insurance (HealthPlus Amerigroup) changed to BCBS HealthPlus. Everyone was made aware of this change happening. I was scheduled to have my lap band out on 10/27. On 10/05 I called the office to ask a question, and they informed me that they no longer take my insurance. I was floored that no one even bothered contacting me to let me know I wouldn't be having surgery in two weeks. So for a couple weeks I sat depressed, until I found an awesome Surgeon willing to do my revision, and who accepts my new insurance. So now I've been doing the 6 month diet because I've been headed towards this surgery for a while. I was at month 5!! I went into my PCPs office for a visit, only to be told he doesn't work there anymore!!!! They wouldn't give me any info, where he went, why he left, nothing. Finally I tracked him down and I'm going to see him this week. Idk what happened, but now I missed my weigh in for the month of October. Idk if my new insurance even requires this 6 month diet because when I call, they tell me they won't know the requirements until the surgeon submits paperwork for the surgery. Is that the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard?? Does anyone know if they require it? Does anyone know if my insurance will somehow accept that my dr went MIA in the middle of my diet? Maybe I can convince my doctor to add a weight in my chart for the month of October I can't start over! I cannot wait until May! I only have my psychiatrist and nutritionist left to do. I've been doing this diet and it was ruined by this fucking doctor. I'm so pissed. Idk if I'm even asking a question, just venting I suppose :/ I'm not even sure if I technically have BCBS or healthplus now. I'm so upset.

I have not had the revision. I have had some of the issues you mention, but a lot of mine were caused by me not following the rules of the band. I might suggest that before you make the big step of having surgery that removes part of your stomach that you have your band emptied to allow yourself to heal completely. I did this and healed. Now that I have filled again, I have vowed to use the band exactly as recommended, no cheating that only hurts me. I recently read to only eat bites the size of a nickel, chew for 20, wait for 20 and everything is working perfectly. My surgeon advised this, saying that a sleeve can stretch anyway so why not just comply to the rules of the band?

I just had my revision from lap band to sleeve on October 29th and I live in Cloquet, or 30 minutes south of Duluth.

Congrats!! So glad to hear you are doing so well my friend. Just 11 more days until my band to sleeve revision.