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I had the sleeve in December of 2012 and lost over 100 pounds! Well over my goal weight. And that was before they revised me to the bypass for GERD reasons. I am still losing and have been put on TPN for weight gain, malabsorption, and malnutrition.

Does gastric dilatation limit the success of sleeve gastrectomy as a sole operation for morbid obesity? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16469218 Research Study http://www.weightlosstriumph.com/does-gastric-dilation-limit-the-success-of-sleeve-gastrectomy.html further discussion of research results Great news! This research indicates that dilataion (stomach streching) does not necessarily lead to weight gain. In fact, most of the research that I've done (scientifically based) parallels the results of this study. The reason I've researched this topic is because my capacity has increased after one year post op and sometimes wonder if my stomach is dilated. I don't think my eating behaviors caused dilatation because I can only remember 3-4 times that I ate to the point of discomfort in the past year. Even if my stomach is dilated, I can still keep the weight off. The surgery did its job by helping me lose over 150 pounds and now I have to put my effort into overdrive during the maintenance phase. For me, this maintenance phase is actually harder than the weight loss phase because it is less structured and I really have to watch my portions because my stomach can hold so much more than before. The article recommends revision surgery through bypass or duodenal switch if the stomach becomes dilated. However, according to Dr. Weiner (well known bariatric surgeon, search on youtube for his videos), most patients that undergo this revision only lose an average of 15-25 pounds afterward. He often notices (during the revision surgery) that many patients DO NOT even have a dilated stomach. FYI: Dilation (stretching) does happen, but mostly to larger sleeves. You are going to have many people tell you that it just can't happen, they are wrong. This seems to have a great deal to do with how much of the fundus is cut out. The remaining fundus can stretch up to four times it's original size. Research shows that about 50% of the ghrelin is still produced in our bodies. I can also attest to the fact that my hunger and cravings are about at 40% compared to before surgery. I've read that most sleeves hold about 2 ounces after surgery but will eventually hold 4-6 ounces. This means that it is normal for the sleeve to enlarge 2-3 times its original size over time, despite not overeating. Really, what counts is NOT the size of our stomach, but what we put in it. I've seen patients regain weight no matter what their sleeve size. It's interesting to note that I've lost much more weight than those that boast at meetings that they are full after a few tablespoons. Even if your capacity has increased, the key is to stay positive! You can and will be successful! Further info: http://myaceinhand.blogspot.com/2012/01/bougie-size.html

Hi there! On my little blog you asked about my BMI. I had lost 80 pounds in the first year after Lap-Band! After the full adjustment was removed from my band I was told I would need to gain about 20 pounds which brought my BMI to 33 I believe! Are you going to go to a sleeve revision? I believe I have been very fortunate to have had a great surgeon and in reality a very easy go of the revision! I will be two weeks post op tomorrow I have lost 21 pounds so almost back to what was normal Lap Band weight still a ways from goal weight! I found gaining weight was very easy so be careful! Good Luck!

What was your bmi that allowed you to have the revision?? Just curious because from being fine and gaining 20 lbs doesn't seem like much. Im getting my lapband removed and supposedly I don't need to gain weight to be approved of getting the revision if I maintain my current weight.

I had RNY on 9-15-15. All was going well until it stopped going well. On 10-14, I was re-admitted at the hospital I had my surgery for dehydration and the next day had my first EGD with dilation. I was released to come home (3 hours away) the next day. My surgeon gave me the green light to see a local GI. On 10-20-15, I was re-admitted to local hospital same problem with dehydration and the stricture was closed to 2mm. Dilation #2 occured, then a week later #3 and today was #4. The local GI has not scheduled any more and says I need to return to surgeon for revision of the astimosis. Has this happened to anyone else?? Another surgery to fix the first one?? 1, 2, and 3 did not cause me any discomfort. Today after #4, I am quite sore on the inside and only hope I can make it 5 more days until my surgeon returns from his vacation. Any revision stories... Is there hope?? Thanks..

Sorry to hear about your hard time. Good luck on the revision!

Hi Eveyone - I am writing on this forum to share my own story, not to disparage the Lap Band because I know many people are successful supporters. At the weight of 263 I had a Lapband placed in 2008, paying out of pocket. At that time GERD was my bigggest CM but I have a sister who was approaching 400 pounds so I was worried. At that time my weight was such that Bypass wasn't really considered and the band was new enough that there weren't too many horror stories and I had high hopes that it would be my answer. Since that time my lowest weight was 150 (as a result of a huge bleeding fybroid) but has hovered at about 200 pounds - not great, but not terrilbe. I have had spells of success with the band but most of my experience has been unplesant. Pain around the port and on the side of the port (I've been checked for Gallstones multiple times), unable to lose weight then unable to swallow meat, back pain, etc. The port is placed in an area that I can ALWAYS feel when I bend or wear any type of waistband - it's BAD. Recently I have had consistant chest pain which has been ruled out as being cardiac and is likley more GERD. So, after much thought and discussion with my surgeon I am having it removed and a RNY revision done (one surgery, again self pay, ugh). If I had it to do over again I WOULD NOT have a band placed and I would've had RNY in the first place. There is something about the foreign object nature of the band and port that never felt quite right to me, even when it was working. If you're considering a band and have doubt please ask folks questions before you do so, make sure you've thought about everything, I wish I had. Best of luck to everyone in their journeys!

Today, at a routine visit with a new lapband surgeon, I learned my band had slipped. Rather than being at the traditional 45 degree angle, it was pretty much vertical. I was not experiencing any pain or other sign that anything was off, other than some esophegal spasms from time to time. But I'd had those spasms since being banded in 2013, so this wasn't worrisome to me. I actually set up this appointment just for a routine band check. I used a new surgeon because my banding surgeon would not respond to any phone calls or emails. The new surgeon doesn't do lapbands anymore and hasn't in years, but he knows bands and showed me on the xray what a slipped band looks like. Those of you who've followed by lapband story (from "Fantastic tool! Wish I'd done this years ago!" to "uh-oh. I'm having some complications") know that my band has been pretty much dormant (with little restriction) since I developed heart arrythmia (due to the band's placement). Still, I kept the band in, mainly because I don't relish the idea of surgery, but also since the damage was done and removal wasn't going to fix my heart. I figured a dormant band was better than no band, in terms of helping keep my weight down. But now it has to come out. I will not be moving forward with any other weight loss surgery, for reasons that I will keep off this board so I don't offend any members who have opted for revisions. My emotions right now include being angry that I ever chose the lapband (I hate that fact I fell on the wrong side of the statistics) to being sad that I wasn't one of the successful bandsters I had been so certain I'd be. I'm also frankly fearful of the surgery and how my heart arrythmia will be managed during the procedure, but I'm sure the surgeon can address these fears. I'll close this now with great thanks to all of you who were in my original bandster cohort (March 2013). So many of you are no longer on this board (whatever happened to Carolina Girl?) which I'm hoping means that you are all out there living good, slim lives. For those who are still around, thank you for all the inspiration and support you show each other.

After insurance verification with the hospital here at home, I am probably going to have my surgery here on November 20th. I will only owe about $1,200 to $1,800 total for the lap band to gastric sleeve revision, so that saves us about $3,000 over me having it done in Mexico. And also, if my surgery is here and my wife's surgery in Mexico, it will give us a chance to compare the surgery and recovery processes and share that information with others in order to help them. I am interested in seeing those differences (both pros and cons) firsthand as I will also be accompanying my wife to Mexico for her surgery.

Maraki - I had band out and revision to bypass on the 26th. I have been miserable ever since. My left shoulder was put into a not normal position during surgery, possibly had been dislocated. Since my band has been in since 2010 and has been out of place, there was a lot of scar tissue that had to be removed, so my belly was very swollen and large bruises near every incision. Where the port had been was and still is the worst. It is about 3 inch long incision, and is so swollen that the incision is nearly buried. Iam on 8, 5mg oxycodone per day plus 2, 40mg oxycontin er for pain. So far the first week I have been completely useless and have had troubles getting in fluids on protein, the only thing I have positive to say is that I know it's getting better, and my Dr's and support staff have been fantastic. My weight loss so far since beginning preoperative diet is 32 pounds. I don't see it in the mirror but I know when I put clothes on, and friends are shocked when they see me. So for me, all the pain and emotional fighting I've had has been worth it.

I had to meet all the requirements again. 3 month diet, psych eval etc. I also had to show that I followed my program post sleeve. Additionally, my surgeon did a barium swallow and EDG that should medical cause for revision. I was approved quickly and had my surgery on the 21st of Oct.

I got sleeved 1 1/2 ago and read really want a revision I'm really not sure what to tell my doc

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery 30 months ago. Two days after surgery when I left the hospital I was taken off all my Type 2 diabetes meds and about a couple weeks later I was off all my high blood pressure medicines. I no longer had sleep apnea and the GERD went away. These conditions all remained in remission ever since. I lost almost 120 pound and kept the weight off. The main reason why I choose RNY gastric surgery was to take care of my health issues. If you have GERD, they recommend this type of surgery. Also my position was that if I underwent the knife once, I did not want to repeat the process over and over again. RNY had one of the lowest revision rates. I put my experiences with the surgery in a couple short articles. If you want to read them, here are the links. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

I'm having band out on dec 18th and bypass revision on the same day. Very happy but afraid of the pain afterward. Some people say it's tolerable and others say it's so unbearably painful! I'm 52 please share your stats Thanks

I am having a REALLY hard time choosing between having my band to sleeve revision surgery here on November 20th or in Mexico with Dr. A. Would love any input from others. I have so many Pros and Cons for each that my mind is just tired. If I go to Mexico I could have it with my wife the exact same day and we would be side by side every step of the way on this journey. However, I have already invested my time, emotions, and money (about $800) into having it here in the US. I am also VERY impressed with Dr. A in Mexico. We talked to him on the phone via FaceTime a few days and I was VERY impressed with him. When have you ever talked to your doctor on the phone? Personally, I have never talked to a US doctor on the phone in all of my 38 years. That was just a big eye-opener to me. He was so friendly, intelligent, and a joy to talk with (even though the call was with my wife). But on the flip side it is a little nerve-wracking to travel to another country to have such a major procedure done...and I won't be able to be right there waiting for my wife to come out of surgery if I am also undergoing the surgery the same day. So, we can't really take care of each other and help each other if we are having the sleeve done the same day. Another Pro to having it here is that it will be run through my insurance, so we have a few months before we get the bills AND we can then setup a payment plan. In Mexico it would all be due the same day...and even though it is much cheaper than here in the US it is still a lot of money to come up with all at once. I am also already a little envious of how awesome the BariatricPal Mexico team has taken care of my wife in regards to e-mails, phone calls, questions answered, etc. I don't get even 10% of that kind of specialized treatment from my weight management team and surgeon here in the US. And once she has had surgery and spent time in the recovery house I have a feeling I will be 100% envious of how awesome the Mexico team took care of her and I might even possibly regret having it here in the US...and I don't want that. Well, I guess I have done enough rambling. Just having a really hard time making the decision on what would be best for me and for us. So, if anyone has any advice I would much appreciate it. Thanks for listening.

Sounds good. As I may be revising to sleeve, I'll be following your reports. My fate has yet to be determined, as I'll be reacquainting myself with my surgeon, NP and the gang. It's been a while, not a good one. I was banded twice four days apart at age 61. You're the only other person I've come across who had a similar experience, but moreso. If my second surgery had been problematic, I don't know that I would have gone for a third. My med plan required an overnight stay which worked in my favor. For the rest of the day after surgery #1 (10cc band), I was able to sip Water easily. Went for esophagram the following morning; the barium came right up. After that, not even the smallest sips of water would stay down. My surgeon thought that there may have been much fat on the side of the liver not visible during surgery or that I may have had swelling at the band site (or both, I suppose). I was put on IV for hydration and we decided to wait a few days to see if any internal swelling would go down. My initial feeling was, "Get this damned thing out of me and let me go home." Then I switched to, "After all this there is no way in hell that I'm leaving here without a band." Still unable to tolerate sips, we went back to surgery on day #4 (14cc band). All was well thereafter; went home the following day. I love my surgeon and never found fault with her. She truly felt bad for my experience and was supportive all the way. To make a long story longer, I did wonderfully well the first 15 months and then went downhill, an incident started me on regaining much of what I'd lost. On two occasions my band was loosened due to dilation and I'm sure I'm dilated again. Hence, my expectation that revision is on the horizon (the NP suggested I see the surgeon to discuss this quite a while ago). I don't want to walk away from the whole thing. I want to see through what I started way back. Your big smile is visible in your message. Keep going.

Hi. I have heard of people doing that but unfortunately Medicare does not do revisions or additions. So, I'm kind of forced into having 1 surgery.

Any who want my whole story can look me up, I am thetig. I had three band surgeries in 2009 and finally in July of 09 all was well. From July 2009 until July 2015 when I was told that my band had slipped I had lost 80 pounds. I had never reached my goal but was very happy with how much I had lost. My BMI was pretty normal so once all of the adjustment was removed from the band I was able to eat a lot again ( I missed my Band) and I gained 20 pounds which was enough for my BMI to be at the right place! Having already had the endoscopy to show the band was slipped I was off and running waiting for a date for the revision. Well here I am two and half weeks post op and I am feeling good! All the liquids suck but it is necessary! I am down 20 pounds already so that means I am ready to start into a new faze of life. Please do not be afraid of the revision! I am doing well at age 62. No hunger at all just BRAIN HUNGER! LOL! Please feel free to ask questions!

I was band to sleeve revision on Aug 21st I am not doing as great as I had hoped. Only down 21lbs but not giving up I am from Salisbury Maryland

the pain you are possibly feeling are spasms in your esophagus. they are very painful. suggestion is to discuss with your doctor about taking more fluid out even emptying it and starting over with a break. if your esophagus is involved you can suffer damage that is irreversible. that is what happened to me, needing this revision I now have.

My surgery for revision band to bypass is scheduled for Nov 16th also and I'm not looking forward to starting this liquid diet on Monday. Smh I've had the nectar sample pack for months now and have yet to try one. ????

I had my lapband 11 years ago in NYC.Fast forward I have Horizon NJ Health and had to find a dr that takes this plan.I went to Goldstein because I want to get this horrific band out..At first I wanted the sleeve and saw on his impressive site that he performed revision from band to sleeve.Waited weeks to get an appointment..He was lackluster and not very engaged...and his assistant is an unorganized lazy dingbat.I changed to another dr in the practice and He performs all surgeries as well as revision from band to bypass...His assistant is much more efficient and I am a bit more satisfied.The NUT is wonderful and I am trying to go through all testing in order to get approved. Yes I am with Neff...,very happy I made the change.....

My revision is 2 surgeries, first band removal then i need 2 months to heal before he will bypass me, so unless I chicken out bypass will be around Christmas time!

Did you have only the band removal? Or did you have a revision surgery as well?

I don't know of anyone who maintained after band removal. It must be possible, but take great commitment, determination and discipline and, let's not forget, a positive attitude. One person who'd been a champion band owner, maintaining about 14 years, had it removed due to a strenuous movement that cause a major slip. At first she chose to try to maintain on her own. However, she had sleeve surgery three or four months after band removal because she'd begun to gain. She's the only one whose details I know. Some people here have gone from band to sleeve. Perhaps they'll stop in and tell you what they know. Who says you have to wait a year for sleeve? Is that the surgeon or something else you believe on your own? Did you ask why the band has to be removed? There is a theory that, once loosened, a band never works quite as well once refilled. I don't know if that's true or, if it is, whether it applies to everyone. Sometimes a band is loosened so that the dilation can correct itself. It usually takes a few months, and then the band can be tightened again gradually. Did the surgeon mention that as an option before going to the OR again? If you expect to regain, you will. If you have to ask the point of continuing to work out, your planning to regain. GEt your thinking, emotions and head straight before you even think of revision surgery now or later. Surgery is no guarantee of weight loss -- you have to do the work. YOu might consider a therapist, one who has some particular knowledge of the weight-loss/emotional intersection. It's a shame that your mother piled her insecurities onto you, especially when you were so young. That's got to have a large role in your struggles now.. Always question medical advice at least to the point of asking if there is an alternate to try before going the more drastic route. What caused the dilation? There may be other causes, but I know only about overeating and eating too quickly, not chewing thoroughly and not pausing between bites. However the current situation is resolved, I wish you the best. I also wish I had time now to do some editing so that this note would be more cohesive.