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Cole I worry to but I have lost almost 50 pounds. Once I hit the 50 pound mark I am considered a lap band success!! So I have been successful I try to focus on that to.......I just want to lose another 50 to consider myself a success!! But I am off the blood pressure meds, the GERD is gone, and the irriatable bowl thing they told me I had is totally gone too. So if I am down 50 and considered a success than maybe revisions are not an option. Like Annalyn said the goal is to lose and maintain lose. Maybe I am already a success and the rest is extra :-) That might be closer to reality My mom is driving my crazy lately wanting to know why I am not down the 100 I aimed for in the beginning!! Ughhh...sorta annoying me cause than I start to wonder the same darn thing!!

Becca, yes you deffinetly need to do your research. I am 26 (just as young as you and I have little ones so i know what worries you have) and had the sleeve/ To be perfectly honest it was the best thing that I have ever done beside having my two babies. The hard facts of the sleeve are #1 there is NO malabsorbtion. In other words, if you require more Iron, food, nutrition, you can get it in if need be with out the worries that your body is not absorbing it. #2, you can get pregnant and carry a healthy baby to term with the sleeve, again because there is not malabsorbtion. My Dr. specifically discussed this with me. I am considering more children in the future. and She told me there are several ways to make sure I am getting enough calories in, for example, 6 meals a day or 1 extra Protein shake. #3 Gerlin - SOME people do experience hunger pains early out, most of which may have acid reflux issues and MISTAKE them for hunger and just need a new or different PPI. However, with most people the hormone doesn't come back until 1-2 years back and is not as bad as having your full stomach present, besides, the simple fact is your stomach at that point can only hold 2-3 oz or 1 cup of food. #4 leaks- they are a direct result of the surgery itself not a long term complication. In other words, those who form an absess at 6-8 weeks post opt. had the leak from the first day out and it was just to small to notice therefore they got an absess. Those things can be fixed. At my 6 week apt. my Dr. explained to me that I am not at risk of a leak or one developing because of that simple fact. Also most of the people that I have found in MY research that have developed leaks are those who had either issues with their band (doing a revision) or stomach (ulcers and what not) prior to their sleeve surgery. #5 history - People say the VSG is new. It is not. It has simply been the same procedure for years that was used for the DS and for those people who have had stomach cancer and or ulcer issues. The procedure itself has changed slightly over the years depending upon the surgeon. In my opinion if you are doing research, do what i did and check out several message boards of those people who have had stomach cancer and sever ulcers and have had part or all of their stomachs removed. I had found people who have had no stomach (one formed out of intestines) who have lived 30+ years and are still thriving. #6 Complications - Since there is NO dumping, No Malabsorption, the only major complication is Acid Reflux. i personally take a PP 2x a day and will continue to do so for life. There is no side effect to this besides the occasional burping episodes that may occur. Do i think that the sleeve is a marical cure? NO. Do I belive that it is a tool that can be used right? YES. But I am also fully aware that it can be abused just like the band can. Also keep in mind, you may be able to remove the band if need be later in life but not the sleeve, but your stomach will still be altered as they will not be able to remove the stitching that they do to keep the band in place. So some might also reason that the band is a permanent alteration of your body. Ultimately this is YOUR decision. My main advise would be just like anyone else, Research and discusses it with your Dr., after all they are thoroughly educated on this subject and there is a reason that they will recommend you to go one way or the other.

J ~ I miss Dr. Baggs SO MUCH!! I don't have KP anymore because I work for Blue Shield. I actually CALLED him a few months ago asking if he would revise me and how much out of pocket a month it would be LOL! He told me it would be so expensive as well as 2 surgeries. He told me the surgeon I have right now is an excellent Dr., so that made me feel ablittle better! HI REGGIE!!!! How scary about your band!!! Mine is still in there, perfectly hanging on from what we can tell, but it's just not doing it's job as it should. I tried to get a fill once after I changed insurances in 2020, and I literally made it to the car and was throwing up my spit, she had to take the fill out. I have another friend trying that med as well, but like you is dealing with the shortage.

Chrissy, I accepted your friend request at verticalsleevetalk. Start reading over there and you'll find lots of good information. Put the word "revision" into the search box and you'll find banders that had to be revised to sleeve because of malfunction etc. I think it's good information to have when making your decision.

Well, there may be some who would raise issue with you being on LBT with being a bypass patient---but do you really go out all over LBT? Aren't you mostly here or in threads you are already known in? Some revisioners---especially those who have gone to the sleeve, and feel it is a superior choice as opposed to just another option they are using, trying to acheive the same thing we all are---try to belittle those who are still trying to use the band to acheive success. Others who have revised---still feel they are in the same struggle and have remained accepted. There are bandsters, who appear bipolar with their band!!! They love it---they hate it---and they want an audience along for the ride. They plan revision, then change their minds....it is attention mongering, and THAT is what annoys me, not wth kind of surgery they had!!! It is really no different than us all trying all different diets prior to WLS---Atkins, South Beach, WW----we just have to find our way, and it helps to have support. But what some see as "lack of support" or alienation due to them not being Banded anymore---I could care less what surgery THEY have, please don't belittle me for what I have---I don't do it to them. Those that had that attitude, yep I am not friendly with anymore. On the other hand, several I know have changed without a change in the level of our friendship. I cannot imagine you belittling anyone, especially us here---for continuing to work with our bands----so why would we see you any different for trying another tactic??? We know who you are----you are a smart a$$ with a band, and I am betting you will be a smart a$$ with a bypass!!! LOL. That is how we love you!!!! Quarter round is trim----like baseboard----it is almost triangular----fits between the wall and the floor, or along a door jam---to make it be "finished". Today is the anniversary of Rick's heart surgery! Sure am glad to still have him around. He woke up on his birthday the next day with his heart repaired! It has been a wild ride! Spoke with my grandson and oldest granddaughter last night. She is visiting in Louisiana. Was good to hear Connor. Rick heard something at work in relation to his DD, he was kinda depressed by it----not sure what it is, but he has to work through it, then we will talk it out. It might be something major (don't think so) or it might just be someone saw her getting inked again---which totally depresses him. She has skanky tattoos he thinks. They are actually very well done, very realistic---which just makes them ugly....not skanky!! LOL, she has a sea theme for some reason---she was raised in a desert! LOL, a starfish tramp stamp, across her lower back, with oceanic things surrounding it, but then she has a big pink toned octopus on her shoulder with tentacles coming down her back, and arm, and chest a few inches. He despises it! Could also just be he is more scared than ever that she is like her Mom!!! LOL, that would be really sad!His ex is so psycho, she has been calling my MIL, and acting all caring, then refers to her, to the mutual friend we have, as a snaggle toothed old hag. Makes me want to hurt her! She looks like a dried up old catchers mitt herself, it isn't like she is a pretty young thing anymore either! None of us are!!! But he was in a good mood soon after getting home. Kinsey come and stayed while Manda did laundry, and grocery shopped. She had her Papa in a good mood pretty quick. The little girl across the street come over with her Mom to play for a few minutes, she refers to Rick and I as "her" and tschopper Rick" sound it out---it is a 2 year old calling him Chopper Rick!!! She always tells her Mom she wants to go to "Hers" house!!! My house! She loves Kinsey! Well I am off to play some games, and relax so I can get to sleep earlier tonight!!! See y'all tomorrow!

October 1st revision lapband to Sleeve, could use some support

well I have to go through the 7 month visit with my family dr. and all the other steps that I did with the first surgery before I can have my revision. I guess if I want insurance to pay I will just have to go with the plan. I had planned on having the surgery before I put on too much weight but I guess I will have to work harder to keep it off. - which is going to be even harder because I am going to have surgery on my foot most likely in May - and there will be no weight allowed on that foot for a month and then very little for the next. By the time I am getting over that surgery I will be nearing my time to have my sleeve surgery. I just hope I can balance my diet to not gain a lot of weight before I have that surgery. because there wont be to much exercising. I am so happy you are so close to your surgery. I will be praying for you. Just remember the goal you will be reaching for when you are struggling through the bad days. Just grasp that picture of the smaller jeans and not squeezing into those tinny chairs.

Wow, so many have to wait a while between procedures. My band is coming out tomorrow - 3/10/14 and revision to sleeve on April 17th - only a 4 week wait.

Good Morning! Tina, there are a lot of people over at verticalsleevetalk . com that have had the band to sleeve revision. From what I've read, it's better to have the revision before a slip or erosion as that makes it more difficult to revise. There are some that have the band out, then have to wait months until they are healed enough to be revised. I don't know what Kaiser does about revisions since the Sleeve is still so new there. Who knows what problems might arise with the Sleeve, ten years down the road. Riley, I'm so happy that you're feeling better today. So this cranberry juice, I know it's no sugar added which is great, but what's the carb count? Could someone please check for me? Thanks! Any Oakland (or close) people on this board? I'm always looking for someone to walk with. Have a fun Saturday everyone.

Just checking in - been busy baking - made 170 Swedish Heirloom cookies - 72 are for a cookie exchange I am going to tomorrow and the rest are for my parents and us for Christmas. I only ate one. I also got all the presents wrapped and four loads of laundry done. My back is killing me. My kids are at my mom and dad's house. I put Benefiber in at least two of my waters each day - I use the unflavored one and it works well as long as I get my water in. Yep, Metamucil is not allowed after banding and too much MOM can harm your system - it tastes so nasty it would have to be a medical emergency before I would drink it again. yuck. I'm guessing Kaiser won't do any revisions unless you have a problem with your band? I definitely have more restriction when I get nervous or anxious - I had lunch with my daughter's teacher yesterday at school and I could only eat 2 tempura shrimp - was too afraid I would get stuck and he doesn't know I am banded so pbing would not have been cool.

Wow I was surprised to get emails that this board was still going!! How are you ladies?? I had my band removed on 12/17/14 because it has erroded and I had a hiatal hernia. I got revised to the sleeve. So far so good. I was off track for so long because I had all of my fluid removed when I got pregnant. I was empty for over two years and when I went to go get some put back in my dr did an upper GI and saw the issues. I was honestly so happy to get the band out!! But yea the brain is the hardest part of this whole thing.

Tina - I was reading about revisions from band to sleeve and they said there were less complications when the band and port are taken out and then after that heals they do the sleeve. I can't remember the main point of it but you might want to check it out - not sure how Kaiser does it. I'm interested to see what they tell you - I would be surprised if they will pay for it if their is no medical reason to have the band removed.

Jes, Clear Liquids start at 6pm the night before surgery but NOTHING after midnight. Then you stay on clear liquids for 2-3 days after that is solid liquids. Nicole: I just double checked the binder and there is so separate mushie stage listed. In the puree stage is says cottage cheese is ok too. maybe my binder has been revised since you got yours. Mine goes as follows 1. clear 2. full liquids 3. puree 4.soft foods 5. modified regular diet. What is the difference between mushy & puree? is it that the puree is thinner ?

Hi Everyone, Im just wondering had anyone had any problems with a port/ tubing leak with Dr. Chris? I had a leak in August 2011 and have just found out i might have one again Im devastated and furious and just keep asking, why me? I got my band on 29th June 2010 and had a rocky start. they couldnt find my port to fill it and i ended up going over to brussels in November 2010 to Dr chris. he was able to fill it but told me my port was loose and hanging off. I was terrified but he assured me it would be fine and i could still get fills and loose weight, but i would eventually need a revision surgery. In April 2011 i achieved perfect restricition and was loosing weight steadily, by May i got down to 17 stone and was feeling amazing. In july i noticed my restriction had decreased so i booked another fill to top it up. three days after the fill i realised something was wrong, i couldnt feel my band restricting me anymore. It was empty. Frederik arranged for me to go back to belgium for a revision and ECFS paid for everything except my fiance's flight. The operation wasnt as painful as the first but i still had to take two weeks to recover. Since that operation i have not felt restriction once. After my last fill in April i had enough, i decided to fly over to dr chris in brussels and get checked because ecfs were telling me i had 7.75 lks in my band but i felt nothing. I know what restriction feels like so i was worried that the band had slipped or something. dr chris pulled out the contents of the band and surprise surprise there was barely anything in the thing. So he tells me its possible there is another leak. He advised me to contact frederik and arrange further action. I am sick and tired of these problems when everyone else i know has had none! Has anyone had an experience like this? Am i just unlucky? I'm considering having it removed at this point. Amanda

Back to not being able to change print size. I don't get this new site and why it does this. Quick post. Quite the morning around here. Sprung a water leak where the pipe comes into the house. Better now than when we are gone. Glad DH caught it. He's on his way to town for new pipe and joints. Also, found out late yesterday I have to revise some contracts. Was not in the plan but gotta get them done b/4 we leave. Have them all saved on computer but a real pain and very detailed. Mini blizzard here this morning so maybe it's best we leave late anyway. Don't even know if we will make it to Omaha tonight but does not matter. Will stay in contact...should have WIFI but you all know how that goes sometimes. Won't vanish off the face of the earth. Eva is expecting us and if we don't show, she can send out the posse. Talk to you soon. So happy so many of you guys jumped on to get back on track. Keep it going. Focus on what it will do for you and how good you will feel both physically and emotionally. Hey Phyll, good to hear you are back "home". Love to all.

No, I haven't heard that, but there is a revision for bypass patients who stretch their pouch. She needs to ask that question on the bypass forum. I am sure they know. Okay, it looks like we have a plan for October, so let's get started!:thumbup:

I was very surprised the other day when I logged into the Realize Band web site and a message popped up that my weight seemed to be at a plateau and I needed to revise my eating plan and contact my surgeon! I knew they moniterd progress, but I didn't know they really watched you! Sooooo! I took a really good look and can cut some things out. I don't think I am ready for another fill yet, I come too close to getting things stuck now. I have to sit and wait and it seems like the band relaxes and I can continue to eat then. Perhaps, I am doing it wrong. Perhaps my band is still not quite tight enough to stop the food from slipping through right away and once it gets lubricated with a little food then it lets it go down. Does that sound reasonable? It is always at the first bite that I do that. Well, I will get back, I am working and students need help!

Hi everyone. So much going on, you all have been busy. Apples, incredible pic -- you look exactly the same -- wow. And your boys were so adorable -- I'm sure they still are -- just larger versions of adorable now. LOL. Janet, good going on your working out and eating -- I've also been well behaved eating wise and working out. Did a 5 mile walking tape and then went to the Y and did the recumbant bike (very slowly and very little resistance) for 30 mins. and some circuit machines on my arms only. Then did my water aerobics class -- was able to do most everything in that -- just a few stretches I passed on as the angles wouldn't have been good on my new hip. Jessica, congrats on having your surgery behind you -- you will always remember the day you were banded. You've done so well -- just continue on the same path with eating healthy and exercise and you'll continue to do great. Glad you had no problems and were able to be home so quickly. Julie, sorry about the SD -- honestly, I don't understand that behavior either -- I know how hard it is, but like others have said, don't put yourself out there anymore -- they can't hurt you if you don't put yourself out there for them -- it's easier said than done, but just dwell on your own DD and Mimi and forget the rest. JB, sorry about your baby - I understand completely -- I still grieve for my almost 20 year old baby that died in 2001. I found another dog in a shelter that looked similar to her and that did make the transition easier -- our new little baby has just been the sweetest little baby -- and now she's getting old too. It's been so cold here (-18 last night) and when she goes out to do her no. 2 business her little legs and back get so cold she can barely make it back in the house -- we had to go out and pick her up one night -- she only weighs about 13 lbs. I'll be thinking of you and your baby -- sending love and hugs to you. Deb, nice pic -- you look very much like your avitar. Someone asked what we do - I was a legal assistant for 30 years -- worked for civil defense trial lawyers - mostly in product liability -- and then I "retired" and moved to Iowa -- didn't work for about a year and then was bored and got a part time customer service job which then turned into full time -- it's a very low stress, fun job -- I turn lights on all over the country -- and perform other customer service. Much less stress than working witih attys. But I miss it some times, it was exciting work and I loved it -- loved the investigative parts of it and just loved using my brain. Now I don't have to use it as much. I also took some writing classes and actually have had a couple of children's stories published -- have a children's book mostly done -- just need to make final revisions but it's been a busy year - hopefully will get it sent out soon. Laura, good going on the gym -- keep it up -- I know it's hard when you're so busy, but you'll feel better if you take that time every day for you. I fired my cleaning people too about 3 months ago -- they never seem to do a good job -- I just decided between the two of us we'd be able to get it done - -he does the vacuuming and I do all the rest. I guess that's fair. LOL. Well, gotta get to bed, sorry if I missed responding to anything. Love to you all. Linda

i was a revision from the band to a sleeve. my sleeve surgery was 4 weeks ago today. i lost 70 lbs with the band and 15 lbs so far with the sleeve. with the band i went from a size 24w pants to a 14w/16w pants. well since i had the sleeve my14w are looking baggy, so this weekend i went shopping. i tried on a 14p pants and they fit good, so i decided to try the 12p. they fit, they were a little snug,but okay. i was so excited. i dont ever remember wearing that size ever.plus everyone at work is calling me skinny. i have never been called that in my whole entire life. ijust cant believe it

Yes! I have lost approx. 45lbs. but I have been at a plateau since december. i will be having a follow up with the surgeon for checkup and will ask him what is going on but I have a feeling i'm not getting in enough protein and haven't been nearly as active as i should be! Are you considering a revision?

Sleeve revision for July 25th in Pennsylvania

Got a souvenir pic of my revision...sorry if your squeamish but I thought it was pretty interesting....my stomach in the first pic looks flat because the rods had it pinned. They were able to cut out the excess dilated portion the stomach and reshape it. The first go around, the surgeon did not get as much as he should have. I call my new stomach a sausage link from the second pic

And people, if your mind is set on Mexico as your surgical destination, please consider Bariatric Pal MX. Our founder, Alex Brechler trusted them brought to have his revision done there last March. Could have had his choice of all the world's hospitals, clinics and surgery centers and he still chose there. Pretty good recommendation from where I sit!😝👍😎

i already have the revision to the sleeve; but i am not losing weight. i am not a big person. date of surgery i was 170lbs and as of today 156lbs but it been almost 7 months since surgery. i should be al goal right now but thats not the case!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm talking to my surgeon about this right now as well. I've had my band for a long time and I've hit a plateau that just won't budge. You have 3 options really. Removal with no revision. Removal with revision to a sleeve (if your surgeon will do that, mine won't) and Removal with revision to bypass. I was told that going from the band to the sleeve won't have the same effect that going from nothing to the sleeve would. Because you have already reduced your intake through lap band restrictions. So the effectiveness isn't the same. The bypass would add the malabsorption to mix increasing effectiveness. Now, here's why my surgeon won't do band to sleeve revisions. With the band, you will have some scar tissue build up (unless you've only had the band for a very short while) and the cut they make for the sleeve differs from the bypass. The cut they need to make for the sleeve, passes right through where the band, and scar tissue is, so, this greatly increases the risk of leaking and in a location that's tougher to work in due to it's location being higher up in the stomach cavity. Scar tissue doesn't heal to scar tissue quite the same way that healthy tissue heals to healthy tissue. Do doctors do band to sleeve revisions. All the time. Do some people have no issues with this, sure. But... it does increase your risk, so you should be aware of that risk. I went into my follow up / revision discussion appointment, pretty much set on the sleeve. I left leaning towards the bypass. And after doing my own research, review of both procedures, factoring in the different prospective losses with each. I'm pretty sure I'm getting revised to a bypass. Just my inputs, but worth sharing.