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I was sleeved on the 20th (revised from band). Feeling pretty good, just struggling to get Protein down. Any tips? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats on your December 5th sugery date. Absolutely do this for yourself and your health. I hope your sleeve will be a better experience than the band. We are all here to help along the way. You will also find others here that are a revision from band to sleeve. Question... Would your husband consider surgery if he is also struggling?

I used Dr. Illan for my sleeve surgery. I had prior band surgery that went all wrong. (See my story). So when I had my sleeve my band was already gone. The doctor is amazing and I know has done many band to sleeve revisions. None have woken from anesthesia without a sleeve. I had a ton of scar tissue from my previous surgery and he cleaned it all up and did a wonderful job! I would surely call the patient care coordinator (Omar) and talk with him about it. He can answer every question and you can even speak with Dr. Illan.

I had mine done on the 18th. My surgery was a revision where they removed the band and did the sleeve at one time. I would say the first night I was just achy and sore. Kind of like a mack truck hit me. The meds kept it pretty in check though. Day 2 was pretty much similar but the pain was more annoyance type feeling. Like pulling on the wounds. I came home on day 3 from the hospital and haven't taken pain meds since being there. I have some but never taken them yet. As of today day 5 I would say I hardly have any pain at all. I think most pain came from sudden movement and when I coughed. Stay the course and don't worry so much because even in this short time I have had it I know it will be worth it. Down 12.2 lbs since 5 days ago.

hi all, I am very new to these kind of forums . I had failed my lap band that i did in 2007, initially i lost about 50 lbs with it but then i developed acid reflux n my doc has to unfill it to the point that i started to gain weight and in the past 5 years with no liquid in band and a pregnancy, i gained all my weight back. I wanna to convert to by pass my surgeon said that sleeve is better option for me so i got my revision to sleeve done on this thursday may10th, 2012. The day of surgery i was weighing 265 lbs ,mmy surgey went, upper GI xray look good the second day. I m home now n trying to keep my self hydrated. I m not really sure how much i should be drinking or eating, i m just sipping isopure zero carb all day n water all day. Anyway i m gonna weigh my self 2 weeks post op and then will post updates, meanwhile if u guys can suggest how much/ when/ what to eat. By the way i m on full liquids now for next 2 weeks. I m excited nd hopping that this surgery will solve my weight related problems.

Help! Haha I'm leaving for a 10 day vacation and I'm 4 months out from surgery. Down 73ish lbs from preop and feeling great! I'm so worried about how I'm going to stay on track in Europe. I don't know what the food will be like and how I will get in all my protein. Thinking about packing 10 protein drinks but that's silly right? Not sure. Thought about 100 calorie nuts packets and protein bars. Any suggestions for what I can bring with me or any suggestions from anyone that has been to Paris/Loire Valley or Barcelona while on track and seen or know of any good ideas or options so I don't come back 10 lbs heavier. My weight loss journey has been a battle and I fight the demons every day. I haven't had an easy, not hungry time of it and I really don't want to lose now! Thanks in advance for your help! Band to sleeve revision surgery 1/16/17 HW: 283 CW: 210 GW: 160

I had an issue, which I've written about here, that the tubing of my port was sticking out of my stomach in an extreme fashion, so I had to have an additional procedure done to fix that. After the second procedure, which was 16 days ago, I started having very strong pain at the port site, which I didn't have after my initial lap band surgery. It's not a steady constant pain, but it hurts badly when I touch it or something bumps into it, lay in bed on my stomach or my right side, and when I make certain movements like bending etc. The pain is very strong and stinging, and it's unlike anything I've experienced after my first surgery. I can only sleep on my left side, otherwise the pain is unbearable. It hasn't gotten any better in the last two weeks, it's been the same level pain since the procedure. I saw my surgeon today, and he said that the pain isn't something out of the ordinary, and since he has had to reposition the port and had to resurture the port to the abdominal wall, and he claims he made it tighter this time so the tubing wouldn't come out of place again, he claims that as far as the port site is concerned, it's as if I've had lap band surgery all over again and the pain is normal. But I'm very skeptical of him, and I have had too many issues already since surgery. So my question is, if it's normal to experience sharp pains at the port site for a prolonged period of time after surgery? And is it normal to go a few weeks without any reduction in said pain?

I have my "tentative" surgery date and they just submitted for approval. Keeping my Fingers crossed for the revision approval! Good Luck!

I took 3 weeks also - no pain, but fatigue. I think I also had a slight case of the blues which sucks your energy. Lots of people go back after 1 week, but I was a band to sleeve revision, high BMI and I am guessing all that factors in.

It's difficult. I was banded in 09. I've kept off 50 lbs. but it's been a struggle. I have had fill put in and out so many times I can't remember. Ins will want to see compliance and if you gained that say you were not compliant. Many dr mine included are doing the sleeve for $10,000 all inclusive, hospital etc. with 3 yr follow . My ins is covering a revision but I have Years of compliance history even then it was denied at first. So ask your dr about private pay especially for revisions.

I need to give a little back story here. My husband is 26 (will be 27 on Sunday), he's a great looking, attractive, naturally fit/lean guy. He's 6'0" and 165lbs dripping wet. He is currently deployed to Afghanistan and will be returning late September/early October (4 months after my post op revision). Ever since I told him I was moving forward with the revision surgery, his mentality has changed. He's working out, weightlifting to what I consider an extreme. He's bragged that he's "getting bigger" and I will be able to see a difference. I asked him "why are you working out?" He brushed it off that he was was just "passing the time". Now today, he has ordered a whey Protein supplement online from a bodybuilding website. He overpaid for what he is getting, and the email I sent, once the email confirmation came through, let him know that he overpaid for something I could of gotten here and shipped to him for less. I could care less about the money, or that he had ordered a supplement, just the fact that I asked him about that a couple weeks ago, he said he had no desire to "bulk up". My question is: Have any of ya'll experienced this with your husband/significant other? I almost feel like he is threatened by the fact that I will be losing weight. Kind of like he wants or feels the need to 'one up' me. We've never had jealousy/insecurity issues in our relationship/marriage. We've dealt with long distance relationship for over half of 3 years together. This is our 1st deployment as a married couple, I'm just really perplexed by all of this. He isn't the work out type. He hates working out when he is here. He has always loved me for me regardless of my pant size. He was and still is extremely supportive of my WLS decisions. He has mentioned a few times about me changing, but after the initial surgery back in October all of that was never mentioned again. We did talk about me sending him progress pictures. He decided that he wanted it to be a surprise. . . I just need to know if this is normal. I kind of feel like he is threatened by the thought of me losing weight. He knows that I get hit on now as a "hot fat chick". I feel like he is doubting me, or my fidelity, and he wants to make sure when he comes home that I am going to still want him, or even worse that he is the "better looking half". I may be overthinking all of this, but I can't shake this feeling that something other than "passing the time" is the driving force behind his 5-6 day a week working out/weightlifting. Thanks for any input. I appreciate it. . .

Hey all! Using my daughter's account because it was already logged in. I am 60 years old and have had my band for 8 years with no problems. SW was 256 and CW is 180. I never really had any of the typical complications associated with the lap band. However, finding that "sweet spot" has never been easy. My port needs to be replaced, not the band, just the port. Yesterday, I saw my daughter's surgeon (she had a sleeve in Dec) and he asked me if I had ever considered converting to a sleeve. So my question is, if you had a lapand that was fairly successful and am happy where I am, what would you do?

I am 8 days PO revision. Feel great, came back to work on Monday, only 5.5 hrs. Very tired when I got home. Actually took a nice baby nap. Now that I can do the Protein shakes, I don't feel so tired. Tomorrow, I get the staples out. Will be asking lots of questions. Still a bit swollen on the left side, which is where they did the most work.

This is helpful.The sleeve is irreversible and leakage is very dangerous.On other forums and blogs.I see people complaining years later that they wish they had gotten the bypass because the gherelin returned and they were regaining.I can't go through a third surgery...this revision from the band has got to be it.Sort of leaning to the bypass.

I am getting a revision..I have indigestion....going to see an gastro to see what is going on as a result of this band...it has caused me a lot of damage.i am also a breast cancer survivor..,.if the sleeve ain't right ...bring on the bypass...either or.....get it done!!!!

I had a band to sleeve revision with Dr. Aceves on 6/23/11. Everything from the doctors, staff, facility could not have been better. Just make sure that if you have surgery in Mexico that you do your research on the doctor you select. I chose Dr. Aceves because he is the best, not because of the price. They do have other doctors in Mexico that are cheaper, don't let that be your deciding factor. You also want to make sure that you are recovering in a hospital and not a hotel or recovery house like some Mexico doctors do. I guess some people are fine with that but I was not. I wanted to make sure I was in a fully equipped hospital with a full staff in the event that an emergency takes place. I also think that Mexicali where Dr. Aceves is located is a little safer than some of the other locations in Mexico. The hospital is about 1 mile across the border. Just make sure you do your research on the doctor first is my only recommendation. Best of luck to you!

Up until last week I was all set in pursuing a revision to a sleeve.Its new I saw a couple of celebrities Graham Elliot,Lisa Lampanelli and Rosie O Donnell to note.All are first time procedures for them. Ok I felt the same way back in 2004 when I saw Sharon Osbourne and a few other stars opt for the "newest"surgery in WLS at the time the lapband.I was approved for both but decided that the less invasive.Lapband was the way to go.Had the best surgeon who performed bypasses on Al Roker,Star Jones etc...,she and Dr.Roslyn are pioneers of WLS in NY.She offered me the Up until last week I was all set in pursuing a revision to a sleeve.Its new I saw a couple of celebrities Graham Elliot,Lisa Lampanelli and Rosie O Donnell to note.All are first time procedures for them.Back in 2004 I had the option between bypass and the lapband.I immediately opted for the lapband ....not taking into account the fills/u fills and slippage.The procedure was new and long term data was not available such as RNY. Big mistake!!!!I lost about 40 pounds initially and the fills and unfills were not wonderful and I never achieved the right fill.I started to not be able to handle several types of foods so I developed involuntary bulimia.One day I could eat a salad the next day I would violently throw up.Going to restaurants were a nightmare...a secret nightmare ...I would have dinner and have to go to the ladies room because I would need to throw up.Years of acid reflux and just fighting with my weight was a losing battle.....I developed PCOS,insulin resistance...pre diabetic...gall bladder attacks,had it removed,high cholesterol returned,developed breast cancer in 2012 And the chemo had steroids and oh boy ...gained all the weight back.Indigestion and chronic acid reflux plus port pain and stomach aches and bloating.I am miserable. My friend who is extremely obese just had sleeve surgery as well as her daughter.It is there first WLS.It seems to be working for them.(2 months)She has lost a good amount of weight but has a long way to go.She feels great so I was all in...I spoke to her last week and she told me that one day she wasn't able to eat one of her small scheduled meals because she was very busy at work....she got home famished and had egg salad she ate a bit to quickly and felt like throwing up but said that slime and bile came up.AHHHHHH....by the way she doesn't know I have the band....she experienced what I go through almost every day. My stomach is lap band abused I have all kind of gastro tests because my esophagus and stomach is a mess...The reflux rules out the sleeve for me.I would hate to make that mistake.It is not reversible,long term data is not available and on a lot of other sites I am seeing people who have had the sleeve complain of increased acid reflux...its .worse with revisions,ulcerative sleeves,leakage which can cause infections and inadequate weight loss.Some are seeking yet another revision to RNY.I am not going to put myself through this with my lapband abused stomach.Cutting out 85% of my stomach which can't be reversed is not appealing to me.I will opt for the Good Standard once and for all the bypass....the data is there and it is the Gold Standard.No more fad procedures for me.

Welcome! My surgery will be band removal and sleeve revision in one operation. Monday morning 9am check in, same day as you! I too am hopping I will do well with the sleeve. I was (mostly) happy with the band until it went bad. If it helps, I have never read anyone post that they went from band to sleeve and wish they still had a band. But I have read about so many people that revised and love their sleeve.

I know that there are a lot of posts about surgeons in Mexico, and even about Dr. Aceves, however I'm hoping to get in contact with anyone who had their surgery with Dr. Aceves of Mexicali Bariatric within the past year, and to ask what your thoughts are about the experience. I was banded back in 2009 and am going for a band to sleeve revision. I have done lots of research and believe that Dr. Aceves is the way to go for surgery in Mexico. I'm about to go ahead and book my surgery and flights, etc. But, I would LOVE to hear from anyone who has gone down their more recently to see if the standards are still the same, how they felt, etc. Also, if there is anyone who had the band-to-sleeve revision with Dr. A, would particularly love to hear from you! Very excited and nervous, but mostly excited! :-)

My hubby had a BMI of 64 and wanted the RNY but they couldn't do it due to some prior surgeries etc. But he had the Sleeve in June 2016 and has only lost 70#'s. Now I know there are people that have had GREAT results with the Sleeve. He doesn't seem to have enough restriction. Most Dr.'s will suggest the RNY for the weight that you have. But you are young and seem to be in good health. He had a Lap Band for 13 years but it malfunctioned so he went in for a revision to an RNY which they couldn't do. His Band had eroded into his Liver. His starting weight when he had the Sleeve was 420#'s. Most Dr.'s would suggest the RNY at your weight but you seem to be fairly healthy so who knows. Now I had the RNY 3 years ago and I have had GREAT results. Granted my weight wasn't as high but I started out with a weight of 249#'s this time I was 285 but managed to lose down to 249. I got below my goal weight in 6 months and have maintained my 124# loss for 2 and 12 years. You are the only one that can make that decision which surgery you will have. Talk to your Surgeon to help you with that decision. Good Luck and I look forward to seeing your journey.

PKB said: You mentioned..."If that happens, you'll be in the same place as you would be post-revision with an infection." - I'm not sure what you mean? Knee revision or Sleeve revision? What I meant by that is that if you don't have any kind of WLS, you will probably not lose a significant amount of weight, which would lead to another knee replacement in the future. I read your OP as you being worried that an infection from a leak would lead to a knee replacement, so I wondered whether you'd end up having to do the knee replacement whether you had WLS/sleeve or not. My point is that your weight is damaging the knees anyway, so it might be worth the risk to have the sleeve, especially if it helps you take off the weight and allows you to keep the current knee replacements longer than normal. As for finding Tiffykins' leak story, I believe she has parts of it posted in her profile and I know that she has posted extensively about her journey. To use the search function, you need to go to the forums home page, then do the search so that you can search for her posts. There are other band to sleeve revisions who have had some complications, but Tiffykins is the one whose name came to mind first for me. As I said, you definitely want to discuss this risk with your surgeon and your medical posse (stole that term from Eggface, y'all!) to see if the risk/benefit ratio is acceptable to you! Good luck whatever you decide!

OK so I'm 9 weeks out from my revision and I've been hovering between 28 to 32 pounds lost for the past 3 weeks! Grrrr!!! Wth?! Sorry, just had to vent.

Hey there, and welcome to VST. I'm a band to sleeve revision as well, and I can honestly tell you that I think you'll love the sleeve. I never saw myself skinny either. But, here I am at 130lbs, and really loving it. Yeah, I got the excess skin, and flabbiness, but I wouldn't trade them in for the fat rolls and misery that came with my obesity. Cheers to you on having your date, and keep us posted on your progress.

@Simply_Divine sorry you are going through acid reflux bummer, painful!! my dr told me prior to surgery that the reflux is a common side effect from the VSG he told me if i was prone to it before, the sleeve might make it worse. Or you could just start having the reflux for the 1st time in your life, Luckily it never bothered me over these past 5+ years. I've read that many Peeps that suffer like you do, might have a revision surgery to gastric bypass. That should get rid of the problem ! hope you can take care of this problem sooner than later good luck kathy

That's a very clear-cut list. I'm encouraged by Karen's approval for what amounts to a revision, even though her BMI is under 40, but still there's no sure thing. My doctor's office told me yesterday that they are filing an expedited appeal and expect a medical review to take place today. I asked what the experience was with this, and the answer was that she's never filed an appeal to have a band replaced. In this practice when bands have been removed it's always been for people who had been unsuccessful losing weight and therefore still qualified for replacement or revision. She didn't know if my lower BMI would completely prevent approval or not. :confused: