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LOL Sarah, saying and typing y'all is just normal for us Texans. I was really open about my surgery. I worked in a small insurance agency, and we were really close so they were super supportive of my decision. I really didn't catch a lot of flack from anyone. The best reply if someone does give you flack is " myself and my medical professionals know this is the best course of action for my future health, if I was having heart bypass surgery, would you be opposed?" That'll typically shut them up rather quickly. As for the post-op diet, I didn't return to work after my revision. My post-op diet was between me and the walls of my house. Once I did start venturing out, people did notice, and I was open about my surgery. I am glad I was open. A very dear friend of mine that I have gotten very close with over the last 9 months or so had her sleeve surgery today with one of my surgeons and is doing fabulous. I get to see her tomorrow, and I am elated for her. She told me she would have never considered it if I had not been open, and she was able to see that as the months went on, I dropped weight, but was still eating out with her and the other girls every week. Of course I was almost 3.5 months out when we all met, and well into normal foods, but my portions were tiny. She's been a rock for me, and I hope I can do the same for her now that she is on her way with the sleeve. If you aren't comfortable with telling people pre-op, tell them it's personal, and when you return, you'll fill them in on the details. That way you avoid all the questions, and possible negativity.

hi,the first time i was filled it was 1cc..and before the nurse put it she said let me see if he put any in during surgery,,she withdrew 1cc..sooo alalong i had some when i was on the liquids after surgery...right now i am suppose to have .3cc ..as far as i know i have 3cc..she called and said time for a fill i said no ty,,last i heard from anyone,,i guess if you don't get a fill and give 100..4 they don't call sad,,sad..By the way i had a revision cut from navel up to my rib..thats where my port is,,what a place for one,,right under my bra....I am faing another surgery after my weight loss,and it for repair work..in the abdomen area under my scar is a opening which is from the surgery and a hernia to boot,,I cant bend over because the hernia pops out ..its like 3 inches long...will see when i lose it all what happens...I can go on and on about my surgery a real nightmare...geegee

Well, I'm a revision and a slow loser. My surgery weight was 201. I have have hypothyroid but, I somethings wonder if the reason revision patients lose slower is because our metabolisms have already slowed down from "dieting" with the band. I know there are other revision patients who've done better than me. I'll be interested in seeing other responses.

So I was told by my doctor and the bariatric coordinator that in their experience people who had the band and are revised to the sleeve tend to lose weight slower than "virgin" sleevers. Im 6 weeks out and have lost 24 lbs (but that was all weight that I gained after the Fluid was taken out of my band because it slipped) and the scale is just moving so slow and its frustrating. There ARE other signs that Im losing weight- clothes are fitting better and Im having to get new clothes. But I want the scale to reflect the same. For those who are farther out than me, PLEASE tell me that it will come off. Im just a little frustrated at this point and needing some encouragement. Thanks!

Well, tomorrow I'll find out. I'm a 6-year Bandster who has had nothing but grief with the thing. PBing, vomiting, unable to eat solid proteins, esophageal stacking, reflux, dehydration leading to a monstrous kidney stone, you name it. I am having a revision to a sleeve tomorrow, and never considered the by-pass for more than a few seconds. My mother is a retired nursing instructor, and she said that no one should get the by-pass unless they weigh a 1,000 pounds. Osteoporosis is BAD in my family, and I can't even consider a malabsorptive procedure like the by-pass. The only thing my mom wants me to ask the surgeon about is B-12 shots, since the fundus of the stomach makes the intrinsic factor, which enables us to absorb B-12. That's all she's concerned about. For me, the sleeve is the only option. Good luck with your research. It's a very personal and individualized decision.

Merrywait; The Lap band has worked miracles for many people. However, you really need to be certain that it is the correct procedure for YOU. You mentioned that your Doctor recommended the Gastric Bypass for you. He could have done that for a lot of reasons, but you might want to consider what it is he has to say. He IS your Doctor, so I would hope that he knows your situation. Please be aware that not many GP doctors are all that Bariatric Surgery-aware. Some of them simply recommend what they know about, or have heard something about. Others, on the other hand, are quite knowledgable about it. It’s hard to know how deep their knowledge goes, because it varies a great deal. Going on the assumption that your Doctor DOES know something about WLS, then it is possible that he recommended GB for a specific reason, because he knows you and the difficulties you have had with your weight. The Lap Band and GB are meant for different types of people with different eating and metabolic disorders. People think they are interchangeable, and that is not always the case. While there are people who would do well with either, usually one of them is better than the other for you. There are a great many people who have had the Lap band, and then had to revise to a GB because the band was the wrong procedure for their particular situation. Trust me, you do NOT want to go through this process twice….make the RIGHT decision the FIRST time. The studies that the two posters above cited were funded by Lap Band manufacturers, and are not reliable. They have a product to sell, and they do it by producing “studies”. This is not to say that the Lap Band is not a good thing, but the fact is that it does not work for everyone, and most people do not lose all of the weight that they originally intended to. The other WLS procedures also have their drawbacks…..none of them are perfect. But….ONE of them could be the right one for you. Before you make a firm decision and commit to any of the procedures, I would encourage you to speak to several Bariatric Doctors and get a well-rounded consensus on the path that would be appropriate for you. This is a decision that could very likely have a profound impact on the rest of your life, so it is important to take the time to perform the proper research. You did not become fat overnight, so you should take your time in deciding on a solution to the problem. It could very likely turn out that the Lap Band is the right one for you, but you will not know until you have done the legwork and the research. Never let a conversation with ONE Doctor be the deciding factor in choosing a Weight Loss Surgery procedure. Good luck in your decision! S.

I felt comfortable going in for my revision - my confidence was based on my belief in the doctor I selected. He was a proven revision surgeon and there were lots of testimonials on this web site that kept me at ease. I did not have as hard a time with the band as you did - that sounds awful! I was worried about surgery because it was surgery and I knew what I was in for with regard to recovery. I had some mental anguish around needing a second weight loss surgery. It brings back all the questions about "why can't I do this on my own?" Let me tell you, I felt better immediately after waking up from surgery. All my complaints with my band disappeared - immediately. However, make sure you read through all the revision stories - check out the revision thread - and see all the different experiences. Some people have more complications with the surgery than others. I am still going through my recovery period and I don't regret it for a minute. I was THRILLED to get that band out of my body. Lara

:scared2:Anyone out there had a revision and care to share. I had an unfill due to pouch dilation and/or possible slippage as seen on upper gi....waited 6 weeks and pouch has gone down but my doc says it is still a little large and he is recommending surgery to correct it. He says sometimes revisions can't be done and he has to take out the band and/or convert to gastric sleeve or rny. I don't want either of those and just want my band to be back to normal. I loved it when it was working right. I guess I went too long with too tight a fill but my fills were never done under fluro so no one knew about my pouch dilation which was happening a little at the time I think. I had lost 100 lbs and have now gained 35 or 40 back and want to get this fixed if possible but am worrying about losing by band in surgery if he can't get it revised properly. I have had 2 doctors tell me that sometimes revisions are not possible because of all the restitching over stitching etc. I also was hoping to get a new band during revision as I have heard the newer ones are better. I got mine 4 years ago and it worked beautifully for the first 2.5 years. Please help me by sharing if you know anything!

WHEW that's a hell of a band story, I've been there too. I can honestly tell you that I never doubted the sleeve. I had the band knowing the complications and had hoped to beat the stats. Well, no such luck, it only lasted 8 months before I revised. The one thing I reminded myself is that before the complications really started kicking in is that I did lose weight with the band. Grant it, I gained 3/4 of it back waiting on my revision, but I was successful initially. So, for me, I knew the sleeve would be the solution, and I would make damn sure that I worked it until I was at goal and maintaining. I was extremely optimistic about my revision, and my life moving forward. I was prepared mentally for the increased risk of complications. Believed that I would WIN and WIN BIG. Best wishes on your revision, and believe me, the sleeve is absolutely fabulous ! ! !

Ok, so I have been reading lots of posts over the last several weeks on here. I’ve even made a few posts, but for the first time I would like to talk about my WLS journey. I started on my journey in April 2009 at 241 lbs. I was banded with the Realize Band in November 2009. I lost nearly 50 lbs in the first six months. From the time I was banded, as I know many of you are aware, my quality of life has decreased significantly. I will not discredit the fact that I lost nearly 50 lbs with it before gaining back 10 lbs. I would have just preferred to not have been a forced bulimic in the process. Through this whole process, I have experienced the typical complications for a band: sliming, PBing, vomiting, severe pain from food sticking, port site pain, port flipping, port detachment, severe reflux, chronic gastritis, H-Pylori bacterial infection, esophageal stricture, and now just constant pain. So much for something that was supposedly going to have few side effects…I’m thinking that is just hogwash!! As if having all of those complications weren’t bad enough, I lost my surgeon in February 2011. He and his family moved back to Kansas City, MO. He did send me to another surgeon who has excellent references and experience. So the new surgeon and I have spoken and we are going to remove my band and revise to the sleeve. I am just curious how you all felt going into your surgery? I know that a lot of my hesitation is coming from the fear of one failed surgery. I just want to make sure I am making the right decision and that it is going to work for me. Did anyone else have that fear that a second surgery could possibly fail? If so, how did you overcome it? Thank you all in advance for reading and support! Nichole

I received gastric sleeve in 2019 and was doing really well until covid hit. I lost my job and staying home when it first hit really made me depressed. Now I cant lose any weight i just keep gaining and gaining. Im trying to get some advice on if i should get revision surgery or bypass.

First of all, I just want to say I'm sorry you're struggling and I hope you know you're not alone. The last 2 years have been brutal for a lot of us and there is no shame in any if it. That being said, before you move on to revision/bypass, have you reached out to your surgery center and/or dietitian? They should be able to offer some guidance on how to get back on track. Most suggest going back to the basics: weigh and track everything, prioritize protein, get your fluids in, move your body everyday, etc. If they aren't helpful or available to you, maybe ask your PCP for a referral to an RD? Sometimes we just need someone to point us in the right direction. Also, have you gotten support for your mental health & wellbeing? Making sure you've dealt with the junk internally is SO important. If not, that might be a really good place to start. A few sessions of therapy can go a LONG way. Maybe do some reading on emotional eating or whatever patterns you find yourself falling into. Knowledge is power! Revision is always an option, and there is absolutely no shame in pursuing it. But it's not the only option. You already have the tools, maybe you could benefit from some guidance in how to start using them again? Whatever you decide, we wish you the best! Sent from my SM-A205U using BariatricPal mobile app

are you having a revision, as well? Sent from my LM-V405 using BariatricPal mobile app

Just got a call from my surgeon's office. My insurance apparently requires an EGD. The lady called me on my cell, which gets horrible reception, so I didn't hear everything and didn't have much opportunity to ask. I'm going to call her back as soon as I have a chance. I don't know if the EGS is required for the band removal part, or the revision part. Or if it's required b/c my chief symptom from my slip was reflux. Or if it's standard to check for hiatal hernias when doing a sleeve-type procedure. Or... who knows. Just curious if it was "standard" for band -> sleeve revisions. Hope to have more info soon.

I'm 5 weeks post op from my revision to bypass. I basically feel queasy after every meal. I guess my question is, will this ever stop or is this just the new reality of life? thanks

I have had a right knee replacement and the left might eventually be replaced. I had to stop taking NSAIDS right after my knee replacement because they were giving me duodenal ulcers. I have had a revision from a lap band to a RNY, and have only lost 34 pounds, and can already tell a MAJOR difference in both of my knees. If you have severe enough osteoarthritis, you may still need a knee replacement. But you will likely buy yourself several years before you might need one by losing weight. Good luck!

What are the symptoms of rapid acid emptying? I had a revision from sleeve to bypass in late December 2016 and for the past three days I've had horribly painful acidic burning bowl movements / diarrhea. So bad I'm crying . Is this what you mean and what can be done to fix it?

I was sleeved in December 2011, revised to bypass in Aug 2014 due to weight gain and acid reflux. And going for revision surgery in March 2017. The revision is for rapid gastric emptying. My pouch has not stretched at all. Has anyone had this?

Yeah surgery done. So happy was able to have the revision. Dr said my band was wrapped around my esophagus like a necklace. Extra day in hospital cause my blood pressure dropped way low but going home today. So happy I did this just getting down sips of Water with no problems just can't stomach broth for Breakfast. Hope everyone is doing well Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

We are coming upon our two year anniversary. I have just the lapband and have not had restriction for a over a year until a month ago. My port was revised in August after flipping and leaking 10 months after the initial surgery. I didn't go back to have it filled until April 2014 due to my job situation. I have not gained weight since the revision, but I am still sitting close to 300 pounds. Next I week I meet with the nutritionist to make a new diet plan since my old one is not working. How do you control the cravings when you can't mind over matter it?

I had the lapband 5 years ago it slipped at some point had surgery to fix it, about 6 months ago I had surgery to remove it. My surgeon didn't do revisions in one surgery she liked to allow your insides to heal... I've ballooned back to my starting weight. I am looking into doing gastric bypass but so very scared of complications that could arise I know surgery is always a risk but already having 3 surgeries due to the Crapband, I am worried about all the scar tissue or issues that could arise... I have an almost 2 year old that I need to be here for =( please tell me someone else has had multiple surgeries and came out fine and still is fine!

Hello All - I'm trying to identify surgeons who have done replacement bands as a revision procedure. I had a slippage (with no complications) a couple years ago and had my current band (it's an original model, 260 degree) unfilled as a preventative measure for any complications from the slippage and to give me time to decide how i wanted to proceed. I was highly successfull with the band until the slippage, which occurred after the band was overfilled on refill. Since have it unfilled in early 2015, i've slowly gained weight back and have decided I want to fix the issue by having the old band removed and a new band placed. (i've read the research on types of revisions and weighed various options and a new band is best for me). I am trying to identify suregons in the US or Canada that do lap band removal/replacement surgeries and googling has let me find any specific offices to contact and I thought I would ask here before I start cold calling bariatric surgeons. Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations of suregons that do removal/replacement of lapbands? Insurance coverage is not an issue; nor is travel, though I prefer a U.S. or Canadian surgeon just for convenience. Ideally, I'm looking for a surgeon with experience in band removal/replacement surgeries. But I'm open to suggestions of any one I may be able to schedule a consult with to discuss it. Thanks!

Hello. I was banded on 11/26/04. In April of 05, I got my magic fill and the weight loss began. I admit I was not a perfect band student. I ate horrible calories, but in perfect band quantities. I was so excited that I no longer had hunger - and along with that, I lost the "lust" for food that has plagued every diet and every waking minute of my life up to that point - that I was thrilled to have no limits on whatever I wanted to eat. My band told me when to stop. I listened. It was so glorious putting down the reins and letting this little thing inside me take up the steering. The nutritional impact wasn't so bad. Sure, my hair started getting a little voluminous on the backs of my suit jackets. I didn't let that get too bad...I made sure I was eating more Protein first, but salads were out of the question because of the pain involved in eating them (I was tight) and the struggle for protein. I hated Protein shakes. At worst, I got one cavity and dropped 100 lbs. My energy was fine. So there I was, 193 lbs. I stayed there for about a year. I haven't seen that weight since high school. I was in size 14's that were starting to get a little loose. I could suck in my stomach and look NORMAL. I began making plans for weight loss surgery. I researched surgeons in 2007, two years after my surgery, figuring it would motivate me to drop at least another 20 lbs. The problem was, I couldn't get under 193. It seemed like the magic was gone. I was so used to letting the band do the work, that I didn't notice it started getting loose on me. I was happy to throw all responsibility on the band, therefore, it took months to realize my eating habits were the same, but the quantities were slowly increasing. I went for a fill after 6 months of no weight loss. My hunger was back. And of course I panicked for a good 2 months, eating whatever, jamming in the calories and foods who were my friends and habits before dealing with it again, reverting back to all my horrible mental "lust" and obsession that marked my existence pre-band. God, how I hate that feeling. Then I started thinking that the band was working just fine, and it was me that was the problem. Once in a while I would have to PB, something would get stuck, but if I chewed really well I could get a couple of pieces of bread in, some fettucine alfredo...and if I kept at it for two hours, I could eat the whole thing. I was relating a stretched lower belly to being satisfied. I forgot how to be on the band. I went to my doctor and told her my hunger was back, and I believed it was my fault with the secret eating and long dinners I was finally enjoying again. My band felt empty. I thought I'd stretched it with my forced eating. Every good thing about this band was slipping away and I didn't know how to stop myself. Why did the band stop working? Why did I start eating more? Was I getting used to the discomfort of eating? I wasn't throwing up a lot... The doctor thought my band had slipped. I went for a procedure where they stuck a camera down. It's perfect. it's in place, there's no erosion. Then she tried one last thing....to give me a fill. My last fill was an overfill, so we couldn't figure out why I had zero restriction. The band was empty. As is common, the first response was, perhaps the port wasn't hit all the way the last time I got a fill. Which I think was 6 months - 1 year previously. Dammit!! I was really angry. I spent a whole year not losing weight, and maintaining, but thinking I'd screwed something up. She refilled me and all was good again. Life got in the way again, I was traveling extensively, I was in the middle of a divorce, and once more I found myself a year later (bringing us to Fall 2008) having actually gained a few pounds. I was living in a hotel from June to October for my job and eating hotel food every day. I gained about 10 - 15 lbs. When I went to try to lose it, I only gained more. The "lust" and obsession was back again. I decided to try to unfill (as I was having acid reflux, night coughs) and work on eating bigger healthier portions because I wanted to exercise. I finally, at 200 lbs, had a good time exercising. It didn't hurt. I felt powerful and strong. I felt GREAT afterwards, as opposed to on death's doorstep. It was wonderful. Well, my habits still suck. I cannot. CANNOT. control my eating easily. I tried to go to a weight loss therapist and she just wanted me to log everything. There is a psychological/compulsive underpinning to my issues with food that one day I will get to the bottom of. I know they're there. I know there is no magic fix...but good god, now I'm 230 lbs!! I don't fit into my 14's anymore. I'm fat around the middle. I'm turning back into the unhappy girl again and I'm panicked. I went to get another fill with Gaspar in NJ, and he noticed I was bone dry again. He said I may have a port leak, it's pretty common, I've had the band for 4.5 years. If this last fill didn't work, and I lost restriction, he said, go to Dr. Ren again and she can revise it. Simple procedure, not as traumatic as the band itself...great. Well I got filled that last time in the middle of March. I'm empty again. The second day after the fill, I could guzzle Water. I contacted Dr. Ren and let her know what was going on with me. I told her I was afraid I've messed something up with this problem in my head/genes with food, and I messed up the tool, and she assured me I did not. And it makes sense. There is NO WAY, with a proper fill, that I could force food down without feeling very sick, uncomfortable, or throwing up. I've had that feeling before, I told her, that sucker was the perfect tool for me, and I want it back. She said we can get it back easily. So I'm waiting to hear if my insurance will cover it. I'm pretty sure they won't. But the surgery is scheduled and I will take out financing if I have to to get this done. I have learned a few things about the lap band. There is, however, a difference between knowing something and experiencing something. And now I've experienced it. 1. I cannot rely on my band 100% to do the work for me. It was a wonderful year long vacation when it was working. I felt like normal people feel. I viewed food in a normal way - as fuel, not a hobby, or a friend. I made good decisions because I wasn't hungry. However... 2. Hunger and band efficiency will fluctuate and I must know how to deal with it and be WILLING to deal with it. I always knew it was a partnership with the band, it did its part and I did mine. I was trying to do my part for the last two years, I figured the honeymoon was over. Luckily for me, it's not! The band wasn't working properly. But I didn't have to let it go so far. So right now I am tracking my food, watching calories, practicing mindful eating. It's not easy, but it's better than not having the band at all or being 300 lbs again. I refuse to quit. I can't quit. I'm so damned close!!! It's a different ballgame for people who once were thin, and were now obese...you have that memory to draw on. I've never seen myself at a healthy weight, looking remotely attractive physically, so it was a vision I could never relate to...the "nothing tastes as good as thin feels." That phrase is meaningless to me. Well, WAS meaningless. I tasted normalcy for the first time in my life and I am now gonna chase it with everything I have. I will let you guys know how my revision drama and subsequent weight loss pans out. I just want you all to know that it never has to end. You just have to keep getting back up. You HAVE to try. And fight.

Hope it goes well for you and we are so glad you figured it out! Hi thank you all for posting this. Could some our symptoms be GALLBLADDER? Although I have had the Sleeve Plication, I am going through the same thing, even though I had a great, experienced, diligent surgeon who also fixed my hiatal hernia. PPIs, Anti Acids, Apple Cider Vinegar and Tums do not help me at all, and acid medicine should really fix it if ACID REFLUX is the problem. I've been tested for HPolyri, had an endoscope, even been on stomach ulcer medicine. It doesn't matter what I eat or drink or if I have a completely EMPTY stomach (Water on an empty stomach is especailly bad for me), the acid keeps firing and I have burning, gnawing pain from about 2 inches above my bellybutton upto my throat. Sometimes I have a pain on the right side, above my belly button, chest pains or backpains, but it is much more rare. The acid running between my rib cage upto my throat happens on and off throughout the day and night, into morning on an empty stomach and the burning wakes me up at night. Some people have reported getting relief from acid after their gallbladders come out. Usually fatty foods can could pain/discomfort when you have gallstones, but salads/raw veggies can as well. I usually have the worst symptoms from vinegar, citric acid, egg yolks, and bacon but cheese is no problem. My younger sister had an issue with veggies and had the acid reflux symptoms and they were relieved when she had her gallbladder out. Have any or all of you had your gallbladder out? I have stones, and a few of the doctors say that getting the GALLBLADDER OUT will take of this acid problem. Since I had acid all my life, I didn't know it was a problem, I just thought that was what hunger was. Now, 3 doctors seemed convinced that my acid problems are due to the Gallstones I have. I had an Upper GI where you swallow the barrium, and the results were "ACID FIRING CONSTANTLY" throughout the exam. One of the doctors, the surgeon changed his tune about Acid being fixed by gallbladder and said I should probably research to something else handle ACID converting over to the regular Gastric Sleeve or getting a Wrap (where part of the stomach is wrapped around the esphagous to protect it when acid comes up, this would not solve the long term weight loss issue and has it own set of problems) but I could not have both. I am wondering why he thinks getting a normal sleeve will help with the acid. Maybe having less stomach = less acid? At this point, I don't even know if CAN convert to a regular sleeve, I don't know if my stomach has stretched far enough yet or if a surgeon will do revision surgery. I am also researching if regular sleevers have ONGOING ACID issues too, so thank you for your posts. I told my gastro doctor and my surgeon about my "hunger pains" before and after surgery. Because I dealt with what I thought were "hunger pains" my WHOLE LIFE, I thought that was NORMAL. I thought STOMACH PAIN & BURNING, GNAWING FEELING = HUNGER. Usually when I eat something, it takes away the pain. Even now eating seems to help a little. But now, the pain comes back much quicker than before. At surgery I found out I have stomach polyps (this was before I ever took a PPI.) I had many tests, including a colonoscopy and no other polyps in the colon, only stomach. I had to make a decision on whether or not I should have 85% of my stomach out forever or folded over and sewn (at the time doctors seemed to think Plication was reversible, I doubt that it is due to scar tissue.) In the end, I went with plication, because I was afraid someday the polyups would cause a problem and I might need more of my stomach. I am happy to say I've almost lost ALL of my necessary weight, and although I know my sleeve had stretched alot, I am happy that I utilizee my powerful tool. (I can eat a small plate of food or probably 1 1/2 to 2 cups of food.) Someday I know if want a smaller stomach I will probably need to convert to a regular sleeve, but it is still a little scary. Let me know your feedback and if you haven't had a Ultrasound for Gallbladder, it might be a good idea. I had the hida scan (that made my gallbladder look fine), MRI, colonscopy, gastric emptying study but no ultrasound for gallstones and barium test until recently after I lost my weight. I think what I may do is try to have my gallbladder out first by a surgeon who also does sleeves too so he can look at what I've got and let me know if it is even possible down the road. Or I wonder if it is better to get it done sooner, although I would think a year is enough to get scar tissue from current surgery. Hope this helps and give me your feedback!

I am two days post op and doing good. Pain in the incision area, but overall not too much. Lapband revision to a gastirc sleeve, glad the lap band is gone. Directed by doc to start full liquids at home, but I am not ready. Clear fluids going down real good. I will stick with that for a couple more days. Sleeved at Fort Jackson. To God be the glory I came out alright. Also, thanks for all the replies and comments, I was truly prepared for most things. Appreciate you all!