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I'm new here I got banded in 2011 I'm 5ft & my weight was 199lbs. I had a lot of difficulties, throwing up, spitting up etc. my weight got down to 126lbs. I had band removed a year ago this June. My weight has came back to 188lbs. I have my revision surgery for sleeve 10-07-2015. I am scared we are paying cash, I'm worried about losing too much weight & im worried about leakage from the staples. I'm just scared. I'm back on blood pressure medicine & cholesterol medicine & I feel terrible, no energy. I want the weight off, but I don't want to look sick. My surgeon said he wouldn't do the kind of sleeve on me that would make me lose 100lbs. Is it stupid to ask has anyone lost to much weight? I want to lose 60lbs but I'm scared I will keep losing. My surgeon said since I had the band for 3 years the sleeve will just take the place of the band & I won't lose 100lbs. I guess I'm just worried I will not have any control if the weight starts falling off & I can't stop it. I hope I don't sound ridiculous ????

I started thinking about it 5 months after I started gaining weight and having terrible acid reflux. I had the band removed, but pondering over which revision to do. I'm thinking RNY due to diabetes but I only weigh 215. I'm worried of becoming too thin. Keep in touch!

@@Halfagain our stories are the same! Banded in 2001...removed Sept 2011...sleeved Dec 2011. Been at goal for awhile. Revision was the BEST decision ever. My port area was very sore and then weird for weeks. I got a little depressed after band was out... maybe the sense of failure? Anyway here I am years later with no regrets about my revision.

I have an huge amount of weight to lose, even by the standards of this forum. I have decided to do the sleeve for a few reasons. 1) I am concerned about the dumping syndrome issue that occurs with bypass and sleeve doesn't have this issue. 2) people can lose as much weight as those who do gastric bypass and things aren't rerouted. 3) revision to RNY is still possible if sleeve isn't enough. After lots of research, I felt that I was more comfortable with having the sleeve.

My surgery is 9/21 and I'm shocked about how calm I am. Mine is band to sleeve revision and I'm in Dallas????

I am good! Pending insurance approval it was submitted 9/11. So it looks like I will not be a Fair Oaks with you, probably will be there the following week. I am really ready to meet with my surgeon to discuss some of my concerns since this is a revision. I really need to write them down so I don't forget a thing!

Curious why the revision from sleeve to bypass? Doesn't the sleeve get SE results as a by pass?

As yu do your research you will also find that more and more people are having to have revisions from lap band to sleeve due to slipping of the band. There are tons of people out there who have done just fine with the bands, don't get me wrong but yeah my preference is still the sleeve. I agree that in thinking of the sleeve, it is a very permanent decision but I am committed to do this and I like that it is irreversible. I have waited too late in life to do this as it is and I want to make the most of it. Also an FYI, I was done as an outpatient so that may help if your surgeon does the same for your routine at home. I had surgery at 7:30am and was home by 1:26 pm. I had no post-op issues and while that isn't always the case for everyone, it really went great. I was tired but driving myself to the store 5 days post-op. The surgery itself is a really amazing process. The recovery takes time but has truly not been bad at all.

wow i have never heard of this but i don't know if you can have a revision and complete the surgery or if it will be like this forever im not a doctor nor do i play one on tv

Nice that you have graduated to soft foods. I cannot wait until I can, I am so sick of broth. I am still having a hard time drinking Protein shake or even getting in 5 small meals. My surgery was a revision from lapband to sleeve so recovery has been slow. The weight has been coming off rapidly which is good, I was advised since it was a revision it might take longer I have lost 32 pounds but that includes pre-op. Are you guys having difficulty sleeping at night?

The Bari-Buddies online cookbook has many pureed food recipes as well as recipes for all stages of the bariatric diet. You can download and print the book because there is no copyright. It's a great resource! http://www.mybaribud...46/cookbook.pdf ORIGINAL BARI-BUDDY COOKBOOK (few hundred pages) http://www.chicoweig...ookJuly2014.pdf UPDATED REVISED VERSION

Hi there Gaining weight quite rapidly with the band... When (mean what weight or bmi) did you start thinking about revison? I am self pay. Lost 6 stones and gained 2 back over the summer. Banded for 4 years Thanks

Even if you are preparing for bariatric surgery, you can start exercising (so long as you are cleared by your doctor) and lose a surprising number of pounds even before your gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or revision bariatric surgery. In addition, the better cardiovascular condition you are in before surgery, the fewer complications you’ll face during and after surgery. Not sure where to start? Here are instructions I offer to my own weight loss surgery patients here in Freehold, NJ: Bariatric Preoperative Stage Patients who start an exercise strategy before surgery have an easier time adjusting to exercising after surgery, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). But, admittedly, exercise is challenging for people who carry a lot of extra weight. For this reason, starting slow is imperative. If you are morbidly obese, talk with your bariatric surgeon about fitness guidelines for your current health situation. Generally speaking, these are reasonable goals to target: · Focus on cardiovascular exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your health and doctor’s recommendation. · Start walking for 10 minutes, twice a day and add 5 minutes each day, up to 30 minutes per day. · Realize that empowerment that fitness gives you over your body and your overall health. · Appreciate how good you feel after exercising—even for 10 minutes! Weight Loss Surgery Postoperative Stage For the first two weeks after surgery, focus on flexibility exercises, deep breathing and getting back into performing normal daily activities. · At your first post-op visit with your surgeon, he or she will carefully go over your customized exercise plan based upon your health, age and the procedure you had. · With your doctor’s approval, three weeks after your operation, begin to gradually incorporate low-intensity aerobic exercise (walking or swimming are my preferred choices at this stage). · If you feel prolonged pain or discomfort, you are doing too much too soon. · During the first six weeks after surgery, do not lift more than 15 pounds. One Month and Beyond Now your goal is to increase range of motion so you can easily take off your shoes and pick things up off the ground and move around more. · Strength-training (light weights) exercises are rebuilding muscle. · Work toward 30 minutes of continuous exercise five days per week. · Avoid abdominal exercises for the first eight to 12 weeks (allow the incision to heal). This also helps to alleviate abdominal hernias near or around the incision. · Change-up your workouts so your body is constantly challenged (walk around the park today, lift weights at the gym tomorrow and use the elliptical machine) · Introduce a wider variety of bariatric fitness options: biking, yoga, dancing, aerobics, Pilates, kickboxing. A year after weight loss surgery, you should be able to perform 45 minutes to an hour of exercise five times a week. Exercise is Insurance Against Future Weight Gain A lifelong exercise program is critical to a weight loss surgery patient’s long-term success. If a physically active lifestyle has not been adopted, weight gain will likely result. (Sadly, I have seen this firsthand on more than one occasion). Exercise is insurance for long-term weight-loss. If you have a slip, an extra 5 to 10 minutes spent working out will ensure that your metabolism stays elevated and this extra effort will burn more calories. Working out will not, however, save you if you overeat regularly—bariatric surgery or not. By sticking close to your daily calorie requirements most days, drinking plenty of water and focusing on fitness, you’ll look great, feel even better and be the healthiest person you can be. And that’s worth just 30 minutes out of your day, isn’t it? Photo Credit: Woman Exercising by Witthaya Phonsawat -FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Whether you are pre-op, a recent post-op or already well on your way to weight loss, exercise plays a starring role in the speed and longevity of your overall weight management after bariatric surgery. Even if you are preparing for bariatric surgery, you can start exercising (so long as you are cleared by your doctor) and lose a surprising number of pounds even before your gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or revision bariatric surgery. In addition, the better cardiovascular condition you are in before surgery, the fewer complications you’ll face during and after surgery. Not sure where to start? Here are instructions I offer to my own weight loss surgery patients here in Freehold, NJ: Bariatric Preoperative Stage Patients who start an exercise strategy before surgery have an easier time adjusting to exercising after surgery, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). But, admittedly, exercise is challenging for people who carry a lot of extra weight. For this reason, starting slow is imperative. If you are morbidly obese, talk with your bariatric surgeon about fitness guidelines for your current health situation. Generally speaking, these are reasonable goals to target: · Focus on cardiovascular exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your health and doctor’s recommendation. · Start walking for 10 minutes, twice a day and add 5 minutes each day, up to 30 minutes per day. · Realize that empowerment that fitness gives you over your body and your overall health. · Appreciate how good you feel after exercising—even for 10 minutes! Weight Loss Surgery Postoperative Stage For the first two weeks after surgery, focus on flexibility exercises, deep breathing and getting back into performing normal daily activities. · At your first post-op visit with your surgeon, he or she will carefully go over your customized exercise plan based upon your health, age and the procedure you had. · With your doctor’s approval, three weeks after your operation, begin to gradually incorporate low-intensity aerobic exercise (walking or swimming are my preferred choices at this stage). · If you feel prolonged pain or discomfort, you are doing too much too soon. · During the first six weeks after surgery, do not lift more than 15 pounds. One Month and Beyond Now your goal is to increase range of motion so you can easily take off your shoes and pick things up off the ground and move around more. · Strength-training (light weights) exercises are rebuilding muscle. · Work toward 30 minutes of continuous exercise five days per week. · Avoid abdominal exercises for the first eight to 12 weeks (allow the incision to heal). This also helps to alleviate abdominal hernias near or around the incision. · Change-up your workouts so your body is constantly challenged (walk around the park today, lift weights at the gym tomorrow and use the elliptical machine) · Introduce a wider variety of bariatric fitness options: biking, yoga, dancing, aerobics, Pilates, kickboxing. A year after weight loss surgery, you should be able to perform 45 minutes to an hour of exercise five times a week. Exercise is Insurance Against Future Weight Gain A lifelong exercise program is critical to a weight loss surgery patient’s long-term success. If a physically active lifestyle has not been adopted, weight gain will likely result. (Sadly, I have seen this firsthand on more than one occasion). Exercise is insurance for long-term weight-loss. If you have a slip, an extra 5 to 10 minutes spent working out will ensure that your metabolism stays elevated and this extra effort will burn more calories. Working out will not, however, save you if you overeat regularly—bariatric surgery or not. By sticking close to your daily calorie requirements most days, drinking plenty of water and focusing on fitness, you’ll look great, feel even better and be the healthiest person you can be. And that’s worth just 30 minutes out of your day, isn’t it? Photo Credit: Woman Exercising by Witthaya Phonsawat -FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I am revising from the lap band to....RNY ...final decision.I was going with the sleeve until I did my research and RNY is my decision.Do your research and ...listen to your dr....I didn't the first time so here I am 15 years later...finally RNY .

I had my revision done May 3. Lost 30lbs. while on pre-op and post-op diet, then, weight loss halted. All of July and August I was up 3 pounds, down three pounds. In July I added 1/2 hour light strength training, in addition to my 1 hour cardio and recently changed my cardio (mainly arch trainer) with intervals. I also, added 1 or 2 days of swimming and a weekend bike ride. Mid July I only weighed myself every 2 weeks, if that. I just got on the scale 3 days ago and am down 6 pounds. My point? Heck, I don't know, I was told so many things, but, what seemed to make the most sense to me was that my body was used to the same workout over and over. Once I changed this, I guess I shocked my body and the weight started dropping again. My portions are 1/2 cup. I follow the rules and I did increase my calorie intake to 1000 cals per day. I think for men 1200 is a good number to lose weight, but, for a female it think 1200 may be a little high, but, I'm no nutritionist. Anyhow, one thing that stuck out to me on a facebook support group was someone telling that I would eventually find what works for me. I googled "why am I not losing weight with working out" and discovered the interval cardio training with an explanation why my body was holding on to my weight and how interval training would help. I also learned that I needed some carbs before my workout session and I try to get in some oatmeal before my workout and gives me more strength and endurance. I say "some" because it fills me quickly. Anyhow, I hope this it and I found what works. I'm not out of the wood yet, but, am feeling much more encouraged. We have to be patient and above all we can't give up! jake

I agree with everything that's already been said here. To elaborate on one point: The gastric bypass surgery has been performed since the mid-1960s. We have over 50 years of data on how it works and how patients do with the surgery. It has changed somewhat over that time (it is generally done laparoscopically now), but we have lots of data on it. As some have said, it is the "gold standard", shown in study after study to provide the greatest average weight loss and lowest recidivism of any of the weight loss surgeries. The gastric sleeve and gastric band both started to be used widely in the early 2000s. There is much less long-term information on how they perform. Anecdotally, based only on the information I have read on this site, it seems that many patients have long-term difficulty with the gastric band, and some have required revision to gastric bypass. The gastric sleeve patients seem to be generally happy with their procedure. The only negative cases I have heard about are where the gastric sleeve causes reflux; in patients who already have reflux, the gastric sleeve is likely to only make it worse. These patients sometimes require revision to gastric bypass. Studies have shown a generally lower average weight loss with gastric sleeve compared with gastric bypass. Note that both gastric bypass and gastric sleeve require significant modification of the stomach, along with internal staples. However, in gastric sleeve, the unused stomach is removed, while with gastric bypass it remains in place. Therefore, it is possible to reverse the gastric bypass (although this is rare).

My surgeon refuses to do Lapband. He feels very strongly that it is not a safe method of WLS, While there are success stories, there are LOTS of stories that would indicate Lapband is both ineffective and comes with MANY complications. As far as the Sleeve surgery, there just isn't enough data (compared to that of Bypass) that suggests it is a better, safer alternative. Personally, I have known one too many people with either Sleeve or Lapband that end up needing revisions into Bypass. That information to me speaks volumes as to why choosing Bypass would be the best decision.

one word. reflux. I already suffer from it and I was told the sleeve wasn't a fit for me. I revised from the band and had the same problem with it. I haven't had one episode with the gastric bypass. I like the gastric bypass it really keeps you in check. no way am I going to be able to eat around it like ppl do with sleeve and lapband. my hospital and doctor won't do lapband anymore.

Hi all I had my revision done aug 10. My first doctor's appointment after surgery (10 days later) I lost 14 pound. 5 weeks later (and solid foods), I've gained 5. I'm eating 1200 calories and exercising 5 times a week. How am I gaining?!?!? Just feeling frustrated. Wondering if any other revisionist are having difficulties in month one.

I had band to sleeve revision 8/31 and will return to desk job this Wednesday...surgeon seemed to think 2 weeks was needed.....I agree with all the work to get in liquids Protein and Vitamins etc..but everyone is different. I know they say you can have 4-6 weeks to be off but that would be if you want/have that much time to take prolly....

HI! My first post op check up is next Monday, the 21st. I had my revision 9/3/15, so I'm not sure about the shape of my sleeve. I'm going to add that to the list of questions I have for the doc though! How are you doing Always Smiling? Have you progressed to soft foods yet? Best, Crash2015

From left to right: Pre band 2008, pre revision to bypass this January and on the right last week!

I think it depends on the patient and the surgeon. I was sleeved with GERD, but it had only been correctly diagnosed at my pre-op EGD. I'd been treated for asthma for YEARS as mine produced chronic coughing rather than heartburn. They found a hernia in that EGD and the doc was pretty confident that with the hernia repair, weight loss and medication, I'd be fine, but did warn me if I still suffered, the only "fix" was revision to bypass. It got worse for about a month, (uncontrollable coughing right after stomach surgery is NOT a good time), but then GREATLY improved as I healed and lost weight. I have been fine taking 40mg of Omeprazole 2x day and probably will for life. A small price to pay to regain my health!

Thank you so much for your kindness and encouragement. I am ready to have the revision surgery. Just waiting on my surgery date.