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This isn't that unusual. It's easily addressed. And if it's just the anastomosis that has to be "revised", it shouldn't be so bad. Yes, it's another procedure, but it will all be worth it. Meanwhile, keep taking frequent, small sips of Water or suck on a sugar free popsicle; whatever it takes to get the fluids in. There'll be time for work once you get your health and stamina back. And isn't it a great thing you're doing for yourself and your family!

Fatty M- for once in my life I don't have to really worry about being overweight or overeating. I had my revision on June 23 and weighed 264.8 the day I came home from surgery . I now weigh 204.4 on 11/5. That is 60 pounds in 4.5 months. Surgery was a breeze - had some weak spells early but feel great and have went from 2x to L in a short amount of time and am 4 pounds away from my 1st real goal. Best decision I have ever made. You will do great! I second guessed it and cancelled my surgery twice before I did it. No sweating, snoring, knee pain, high BP disappeared, and I dress way better in nice clothes because they feel great. Has added years to my life.

I currently have an empty lap band and will be having the sleeve revision surgery on November 20th. I hope and believe I will be a success story, so I will have to check back in 6-12 months. Good luck to you!

Hello everyone, my current employer's health insurance does not have any bariatric benefits, neither will the new health insurance for 2016. Any suggestions as to where I could get health care insurance? Other than Obamacare? I have a complication on my sleeve and I need revision. Thank you.

Hi there @@kmt1973 -- there is a group of very successful banders who post on a thread called Banders #7. With so many different surgeries represented here on Bariatric Pal, Banders are somewhat of a minority so I always look there first. And I try to avoid the negative band talk from those who have had revisions. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that and hope that you're on track now -- sounds like the unfill and now refill process is going well. I think some doctors are annoyed at all the followup that a band requires. Most surgeons would rather be in the OR than discussing the finer points of appetite. There are a couple of links in my signature below which really helped me a lot -- the O'Brien Eight Golden Rules of Lapband on videos and the Dr. Simpson link. Best wishes to you!

My post op diet was similar to friends. One week of full liquids, puréed for 2 weeks and after 3 week checkup phase in regular foods. I've done fine. I'm a revision patient also. I'd stay out of it even if you mean well.

As band veteran ..and now a sleeve veteran I think that the band is in some ways "harder to get just right". There are plenty of success stories but there are plenty of us who wound up revising because we never got the hunger reduction and "just right " fill level. You might check out the band to sleeve revision forum (or band to bypass) to share experiences with people who can related.

Well im atheist and I am having the bypass done on November 16th. My reflux is too bad and the sleeve is not an option. Many people revise from the sleeve to the bypass cause the sleeve tends to give you bad reflux. Can't go that route. I already had my gall bladder out earlier this year.

How are you doing so far I would like to know more about your journey. Awesome to know there is someone close w/ same day surgery...Did u have a revision or ? Back 2009 I was going to use him but I wanted someone close to me so I went southeast memorial

Pasadena, TX HERE Had my revision on July 9 2015 Started at 230 plateaued at 210 then wt myself Monday morning and I was 202 I could believe my stall was broke so I weighed myself again Tuesday NIGHT yea I know I know but I had to. Then my scale said 210 so I'm now a firm believer in not weighing myself everyday once a week only but 3x's back to back..????

Houston TX Revision July 9 2015 I'm at a stall I was 230 then at surgery 221 now I'm 202 or 210 I say that cause Monday I weighed 202 couldn't believe the stall was over and had to wt my self again and it read 210 Tuesday night. I was told many times not to wt myself everyday so I'll weigh again next Monday morning. Just had a complete hormone panel done so I can detox and get them balanced for a way More successful wt loss.

Other than the really bad acid reflux which I am going to see the doctor about in my appointment in a few days, I feel pretty good. My resting heart rate is now 70. It used to be around 80-85. I used to have the band and had a revision to gastric sleeve. Whenever I used to take deep breaths, I could feel the band and it felt like a stricture. Not having it in my body feels great just because I was always aware that it was there and it was always bothering me. I huff and puff less when climbing the stairs.

Thank you Lilly I'm actually going through kaiser. I have read that most dilated esophagus need to heal before any revisions. I WILL look into the hormone balance for sure though! Makes a lot of sense

I believe that dr wants to get paid its all about tha $$$$$ If he does a revision all in one he won't make as much if he did 2 surgeries and make you wait. Pfffft

Get your hormones balanced. Get your cortisol levels androgen levels progesterone testosterone all do a complete panel of your hormones. Cortisol holds fat makes your brain say go in to survival mode because of stress. Just do research on all hormones you are your best dr and there are natural approaches to healing. I been studying even after the revision why my brain thinks I can slam a burger or drink a malt or eat anything fried I can't do nothin crazy like that. I don't even crave nothin. They said when they give you a sleeve they remove a hormone that is in the out of the stomach that makes you crave. So now I don't but still have some consequences I'm fighting back with that is with knowledge. I'm not leaving my life in the hands of a stranger even if the dr has all types of degrees. Drs are regulated by the govt and well don't have 45min to sit w you and diagnose you. You know why they have you fill out a pt history form so they can have something to go by. You see females take after the father biologically and makes take after the mother so I'd look into what up w your grandma on your father's side. I struggled w my wt since I was in 3rd grade then I lost it and gained it again after 21 and at 31 got banded and 36 just sleeved thinkin this would solve my fat issues. Come to find out balance your hormones balance your everything.. Clearer thinking, Peace, regular me trial cycle and we do not have to put up w PMS or premenopausal or menopause all this is hormones. I went to a psychologist thought I should seek help for panic disorder anxiety I been taking meds since I was 23 and well this dr says put a band aid on it I can't fix u but take this. " man made chemicals" The body was made from ashes/ dirt so go back to natural not chemical. Another Dr said take these pills for diabetes and this for cholesterol SHEESH HOW MUCH STRESS CAN WE PUT ON OUR organs really.... Knowledge is power. That dr don't make no sense to me why your esophagus needs to heal it's not like while they do a revision at the same time when you get out ur gonna slam a steak. You will be on liquids for a while. I'd go to another bariatric dr who will do it. Get 3-10 different opinions don't just believe one stranger. I went to 4.. The prices got cheaper the attitudes got more peculiar. They knew I did my homework... This is your life and you are very much valued and important but pray and ask God to give you Godly knowledge and to guide you. Talk to God about this don't complain but listen there are other things going on besides wt. start with another opinion there is lots of free consultations. Next start getting those hormones in alignment. God Bless ya ~ Lilly

Hi all, I also had my surgery on 10/19,revision from lapband to sleeve, just started mushy food stage 4 YIPEE! scrambled eggs never taste so good! Paul from Boston

Banded 3/19/2012 this summer had to get all fluid taken out. Lost total of 40 lbs, gained back 30 recently. Dr wanted to do revision, bc of stomach coming up over band. Insurance wouldn't pay for new wls so, I said to keep my band. I'm all good now, it went back down with unfill and liquid diet. I go next week for another fill(3rd since unfilled), right now I still have no restriction. With my Dr hating the band now, and not doing them anymore, I feel so isolated. Started local support group this week, but no one has had the band. I feel like I'm on my own. Could anyone give me an encouraging lapband story?

I've traveled the world. The things we've heard about Tijuana are not true. I just returned and I would walk around most anywhere alone. It is beautiful, clean, with not so clean areas, upscale areas, great restaurants, excellent food stands. There is some trash on sidewalks in some locations, just like your hometowns or big cities. It is a large city and you will be isolated in one very small perfectly safe area. You are taken care of and will have everything you need. I went alone. My roommate had never traveled before and she managed perfectly well on her own. Doctors can be pompus asses, and friends give you advice on stories heard from their past based on disinformation. "I heard that it is........" without any knowledge or background or personal experience. I would go again, and recommend you join Dr. Altamirano face book page, and do a skype interview with him. Because if you go to Mexico, you will get nothing but excellent care from an attentive, physician, care from hospital attendants immediately, clean rooms, expert service. All, English speaking. Bet your doctor cannot speak Spanish. And to add, after leaving surgery, Ive had no pain meds. Mine was a complicated band to sleeve revision. Plus, if your doctors agreed, they or their friends would not collect the $14-$20,000 they expect to charge. Go, its perfectly fine, and you will learn something valuable and gain new experiences like a quiet hospital and no noise from the nurses' station all night.

@bettiann The surgeon and the person who processes insurance papers at the practice know how to get you covered. Remind them up front that you need the coverage so that their busy little minds don't wander slack off. I haven't had revision, but have been told by some that it may take a couple of attempts. The closest I've come was having my band replaced four days after it was inserted. I had absolutely no involvement in filing the necessary, additional papers with the insurer, but, as far as I know, they consented right off. I say this because I've wondered if they could have told the surgeon just to remove the first band and send me home. Not only did they cover the second procedure, but five inpatient days and whatever else as well.

I was revised from band to sleeve in Dec 2011 - nearly 4 years ago. I hit goal in Feb 2013 after losing half my body weight. I spent some time under goal, spent sometime with a small regain to slightly over goal and am now at goal again. A success story as I have never maintained a weight loss of signficance for any length of time. I am gaining confidence that I will remain in the ballpark of my goal weight for the long haul these days. I had major plastics in Oct 2013 and while I got off my workout schedule, i got back to it according to a very clear plan and it didn't interfere much. However, I have had a very disappointing turn of events that have impacted me alot, especially over the last year. Even when I was in the 250-300# weight class I was as active as I could be. I pushed through pain and discomfort to keep up with my slender friends, to do horse events, take care of my little farm etc. One of the biggest joys for me of losing all that weight was becoming very fit and capable. I worked out alot.... then.. the problems started showing up. Overuse injury triggered by an overzealous and under educated personal trainer - hip injection needed in 2014 Elbow overuse injury got so bad I had to send my horses to live elsewhere for several months which triggered a bunch of other issues (horse behavior related) Left knee starting to hurt - I believe compensating for hip Find out right hip actually has arthritis, looking at a replacement in a few years and now get injections a couple of times a year to manage the pain Right breast starts mysterously swelling earlier this year - massive tests, MRI, labwork and no conclusions really. Good news cancer has been ruled out. A week ago I had to have the implant removed since nothing worked to resolve the swelling issue. I don't have the labwork back but I am optimistic that I can have a new one put in after the 3 month resting / healing period. So, I now have a plan to deal with the hip pain, the elbow is "ok" but I am avoiding pushups for sure and the breast surgeries interfere, but I also know it is temporary... just disappointing and not part of "the plan" So, I give myself a pat on the back for maintaining my weight even as my fitness level is disappearing. I need to get back on the fitness train (hip doctor has a very good plan for my hip anyway!) but have to wait to get clearance post current surgery and then wait for a new hip injection as it is hurting again. So, the moral of my story to pre-ops: one thing to consider the longer you remain morbidly obese, the more likely you are to have problems. It is pretty clear that i had a childhood injury or perhaps birth defect that triggered the hip issue, but packing around all that extra weight is of course a major component to that hip issue, the knee issue and ongoing back pain too Moral of the story to active post ops: your body is not as healthy and strong as it seems if you have a long history of morbid obesity. Losing the weight, getting fit improves all those bloodwork, the blood pressure and all that stuff, but the muscular skelatel system damage may have already been done. I was careful to avoid high immpact workouts like aerobics, but I very much enjoy high intensity, high fitness creating activities and while they didn't cause any of my issues, they helped expose them, that is for sure. Moral of the story to all of us - don't self identify so strongly with one thing. I got really into my physical prowess (for my age), became a much bolder and stronger horseback rider and loved it. I had to cancel plans to do an intense equitrekking adventure to Iceland because with that hip - I can't spend 8 hours a day in the saddle for a week or two anymore... it is sad to me. I had also planned to do barrel racing, drill team and other speedy events that were on hold for a bit - but i think i can see my way back to some of those goals again. It has been heart breaking to watch myself very quickly drop in capability. At times it has felt a bit sad or depressing. I am currently working on creating a life with more balance - physical fitness and identification with the inner athlete, balanced with other things in life that are still satisfying even when my body isn't quite cooperating. I thought that I would feel horrible at having one implant removed. Truth of the matter is my implants were pretty small, intended to give me that lost "upper pole" fullness so I actually don't look as mismatched as I feared. I am finding my ability to deal with this physical set back that impacts my feminity/looks so much pretty okay so far and I am happy with myself for being able to handle it. It will be alot better once the effing drain comes out, but overall I am coping pretty well with this set back.

Good luck to you tomorrow! I know you'll do great!! I am having the band to sleeve revision on November 20th.

I am having revision surgery next Tuesday - 11/10 - and it's covered by my insurance - Cigna. My band has a leak and hasn't worked in 2 years. During that time I beat myself up thinking that I was losing my mind because I was so hungry and could eat more than I knew I should. My doctor had to write a letter to my insurance company and must have made one hell of an argument on my behalf. I was fully approved and scheduled within 2 weeks. Hopefully your doctor can make a good case to your insurance company and get it covered for you. Good luck and keep me posted.

It's going to be fun being able to enjoy foods again. The right foods. The right portions. The right times. Going to be very tasty. I'm going to have to revise things for my chicken breasts. The rubs ( I generally use store-bought or mail order rubs for most of my grilling) need to be evaluated for sugar content...... The brine may be tricky as my prior method was simple: Water, salt, sugar and whatever herbs & spices seemed good at the time. Obviously, the sugar is now gone. There may very well be an aftermarket brine that's low carb. Heck....even marinating the boneless breasts in Italian dressing overnight will work great. 165 internal is the key. A fast reading food thermometer is a great aid to grilling. I'm not averse to boneless thighs, either. They take a nice marinade and a quality rub works well on them, too. They may even be a better choice for chicken dips and such. Another thing that is going to be fun is getting busy on some Soups and stews. Low country boils will be great family meals.....I can sidestep the corn and potatoes and enjoy the rest.

If your head isn't in the right place, there is no amount of sleeving, bypassing, banding, revising to bypass, or re sleeving that will do a damn bit of good. Period.

I would have to agree with the above topic. I have had my sleeve balloon dilated 3 times between Dec 2012 and August 2013 as a last ditch effort (well in addition to two hiatal hernia repairs and a lychees of adhesions procedure) prior to revising to the gastric bypass. I had lost all of my weight 100+ pounds and still then some and have never had one single actual hunger pain. My stomach as my doctor refers to it now is the size of a shrunken walnut and I am on TPN for malnutrition. The balloon dilations however were very welcome procedures as at the time I was unable to keep anything down due to the strictures of the esophagus.