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Congrats!! I just approval last week for revision from band to sleeve. Surgery July 1, 2015.

I think the most appalling thing to me was the last bit about surgery being the easy way out. It certainly makes weight loss easier, but it's definitely not the easy way out. Best example I have is that my sort-of Sister also had the Gastric Sleeve a year ago, and she ate around her sleeve and maintained roughly the same weight she'd been at pre-op, and is now having a revision done. Meanwhile, I'm sticking with it and my weight loss is still dropping. She'd veered off her path as early as one week post-op, and kept at it. So you can definitely eat around the surgery if that's your goal. Meaning it can't be the 'easy' way out, because it takes so many lifestyle and diet changes to maintain proper weight loss and really take advantage of the surgery. That's a really bad message to give to post and pre-op people who want to have/have had this done. If they underestimate the changes necessary for these types of things to be really effective, they're going to go to their doctors thinking it's a quick fix, and it isn't. It really isn't. That said, there are a lot of valid points in the article about eating, and types of foods, but it feels like, especially two of the points up there really undermines the achievements and hard work that post-oppers put into losing weight and keeping it off, and all of the work we go through before and after the surgery. Especially the emotional/mental stuff that factors into our weight loss. I just can't agree with those bits.

I want to go from band to sleeve. I was to,d I need to do the whole pre op work up again which I am finding really annoying. Apparently insurance will approve removal at this point but won't even consider revision until I do the whole thing, psych, support group, etc. I just hope I don't do it all and then they still decline revision since I'm below a bmi of 40. I am like 36 right now.

Someone shared this article from bariatriceating.com that I wanted to share here: Don’t eat bread! That latte has 35g sugar! No macaroni salad. NO tortillas. No rice. It won’t last without change There is no delicate way to say this. We have always set ourselves apart from other bariatric groups in that we don’t look the other way while post ops continue to eat the bad carbs. We try and bring them back to the bariatric reality. We coax you to knock off the Pasta, rice, tortillas or bread and often people get mad or try and justify it. For years we’ve watched people blow through this surgery and they all have the same story. Everyone thinks they are ‘Different’, that they can handle the bad carbs and the sugar (they don’t get sick!) and ‘because they have lost 100 pounds in 7 months they must be doing something right’. The first hundred pounds is the surgery Hate to keep making the same point, but your surgery did it, not you. Remember that you are not driving the car for the first year. Eating the same foods that grew you to 300 pounds, but in smaller amounts is not a good long term plan as eventually you will be able to eat larger portions. Ask yourself why eating the same bad carbs would be a good plan. No doctor has advised you to eat the same way post op as you did pre op. Post ops pick this up somewhere, latch on to it and defend it, often to the bitter end of a total regain. No one fights for broccoli carbs! It’s not that the bagel will kill you, it’s that these carbs make you hungry. They rapidly turn to glucose and burn… poof, gone, #Lookingformore. They don’t give you any nutrients. They don’t create a feeling of satiety or lasting fullness. The empty carbs work against what you are trying to achieve. If you were arguing for eating salad or green bean carbs, more power to you… but people are trying to hang on to foods without value. If this big argument was for VEGETABLES… well it wouldn’t be a debate as vegetables didn’t make us fat, it was those ‘other’ carbs. Did you ever meet an obese vegetarian and wonder ‘HUH?’… how’d they get obese if they are vegetarian? Same deal… its not the vegetables, its the other stuff… the carbs… the potatoes, bread, macaroni, rice, tortillas and sugar! Square peg… round hole Stop looking for slightly better substitutes for bad choices and find new healthier foods to love instead. We keep trying to force that square peg into that round hole. Stop EATING crackers and chips… don’t find ones that you can justify because they have fewer carbs. Enough with the terrible fishy shirataki tofu noodles. Learn to live without bread and pasta so it will not call your name. We aren’t changing the behavior or trend if we continue eating them, just slightly shifting it. Before long you’ve got your hand back in the Doritos bag & fork in the Mac and cheese. Look It’s Protein Cheesecake! Don’t add protein to muffins and convince yourself they’re good for you. Stop with the Starbucks Creme Brûlée Lattes because ‘they’re your one indulgence'; they have 500 calories and thin people don’t even drink them. Stay the heck out of Wendy’s. I read an article the other day touting all the ‘good choices’ in fast food restaurants. How about stay out of them. That’s the best choice of all! Why go to the place where you know there is danger. Before you know it, oops… there are fries in your bag! You know people gain back weight, right? In our first month of new Facebook Support group I have cried for new members who have gained back all their weight. I am not immune either after fourteen years, three bariatric books and knowing better. When life hit the fan, I comforted my bruises in the way I knew best and it has taken me ten months to lose fifty pounds of it. People are having revisions, a lovely sounding word for a second serious body damaging operation. What will change? Unless there is major change along with that new surgery, won’t it have the same result? Step away from the bagel! Own that there was and maybe still is something wrong with your food picker! Use surgery as an opportunity to change, not cheat. I used be bothered by the ‘word on the street’ that we were the carb or food police, but am now proud of it. If you want to promote the virtues of Everything in Moderation while eating half a Subway, there are plenty of groups that will help you do it. If you want to eat right and learn new behaviors to make the feeling of slipping on those skinny jeans last… we have a support group that’s a healthier fit. Bariatric Surgery IS the easy way out It’s a personal food cop that is always with us, that helps us push away from the table. We make it hard when we don’t live by the bariatric rules we’ve been given. There is nothing harder then gaining weight back after surgery. There is nothing better than losing it a second time. Control is empowering. If you need to pick up and start losing again… If you need to work off a regain… it’s not too late and your pouch works just fine if you choose the right foods. Clean those lethal carbs from your life and go back to Bariatric Eating – protein first and lots of fresh salad and vegetables. We’ve got the support for you to make that change!

I'm 2 days away from a full week since post-op. Got revision from band to VSG on 5/19/15. Wanted to inquire about caffeine and mainly drinking coffee.. How much time is necessary to maybe introduce coffee again or will coffee be a forbidden thing forever now that VSG is in place. Surgeon gave me the green light to drink decaf coffee but let's be real it is not the same as regular coffee. I just tried to take a few sips of the half-caff kcups and felt some discomfort as i was swallowing the sips of the coffee.

I'm a band to sleeve revision. It's too early for me to talk about long term results but I have a neighbor who had the bypass and has gained a lot of her weight back. Both options are not going to lose the weight for us - we need to take advantage of this wonderful tool that has been given to us

I'm excited about my band to bypass revision on June 15th. I wish everyone the best in whichever surgery they decide.

I'm 4 days post-op lap band revision to sleeve. The Gas-X strips did nothing for me. Since the first day post-op, I take a sip of water, belch and feel better. Also, walking as much as possible. That really seems to be the big one. I had much worse pain (soreness and gas) after the lap band. It will get better!!!

I just found out last week that insurance said 6 months for revision--which is why i was denied for that procedure--because i dont have it. Thats when i hired Walter & Kelley Lindstrom! If I have the band removed (which, btw, they'll pay for) I'll continue to gain weight! I've already gained 11 lbs just since the fluid was completely removed a month ago! My BMI is under 40 but over 35. This 6-month thing is ludicrous for revision surgery!!!! AND obviously, genetics plays a major role in our situations! I'm amazed at the number of posts I see where people are required to follow 6 month documented plans when they're having health issues with a prior procedure!!! 6 months could mean the difference between life and death in some people and insurance companies should NOT be given the power to make that determination!!!!

I had a 1/2 of corn on the cob twice last week - no problems. I'm also 3.5 months post op. But I'm also a band to sleeve revision and have not had any problems with any foods

I am June 8! Very excited! Two weeks tomorrow also a little nervous. I am having a revision band to bypass. I cannot wait to start my weight loss journey.I am in Texas Corpus Christi to be exact. Any Texans here? Good luck to all June surgerys!

I've chosen the bypass revision from the band as opposed to the sleeve after consulting with my surgeon. Actually, after she explained it, the sleeve sounds much more drastic since a large portion of your stomach is completely removed. With bypass, that's not the case. AND if you've had issues with GERD with the band, having the sleeve wont solve that issue--could become much worse forcing another type of revision surgery down the road.

I too have UHC and they're most difficult! I was denied for a band to bypass revision; had a peer to peer -- band removal approved; bypass denied; so I've hired Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy. It's worth the money to have them handle this on my behalf because they KNOW what they're doing! 90 percent success rate. Been in business since 1996 and A plus rating with the Better Business Bureau.

I was banded in 2011 and much the same as others, am having issues. I've chosen bypass as my surgeon explained to me that the sleeve is another restrictive procedure and if you had issues with the band, you will more than likely develop issues with the sleeve. My insurance company approved the removal but not the revision, so I've hired an advocate to fight for me and am MORE than confident that I will be approved for both procedures.

Sugar is why I'm in the shape I'm in--hence, I chose band to bypass revision!!!! I'm an addict, and knowing the consequences of sugar consumption after surgery is just what I believe I need!

Hi I'm band to bypass revision. I have to go through another six month of appointments before I can have it done. Did anyone else have to go through this? I should be done with all the preop appts by the end of August . I was hoping I didn't have to go through the appointments but the surgeon said it mandatory for insurance purposes even with blue cross. I had my band put in on jan 2006, then was revised in March of 2013 for a slipped band. I initially lost about 70 pounds. Then slowly I regained all of the weight back. Can't wait to get this surgery lots of joint pains and pre diabetic. I have only one question. How long after surgery can I go back to an office job?

I am a band to bypass patient. I was banded in 2010, lost about 30 lbs, and began having issues. I was unfilled about 2 years and then started having swallowing issues. I started researching revision options summer 2014 and was sold on the sleeve. I read and watched every sleeve-related article or video I could find. When I had my consult in January, the doctor was all on board with the sleeve so I went for my pre op tests which included a esophageal manomtry (which is awful) and other GI tests. Long story short, the band damaged my esophagus and it was slowly swallowing which is why I'd get stuck even with thick liquids. Because of this my doctor felt the bypass was the better option and I trusted what my doctor suggested because he knows, I don't. I wanted whatever I was going to be most successful with regardless of what I thought I wanted. I'm almost 10 weeks post op and very happy with where I'm at and where I know I'm going. No vomiting and no swallowing issues!

wow...great thread for me to be reading right now. I had my initial consult yesterday. Went in totally sure I wanted a Band to Sleeve revision. but she told me that almost ALL of her sleevers get reflux. I had horrible reflux when my band was filled and hated, hated it. So now considering bypass. I had thought I was not obese enough, but she assured me I was ; ) I sort of have to start the research all over again, but this thread really was an eye opener.

I revised band to sleeve 3.5 years ago. First surgeon I went to "poo poo'd " the sleeve and we didn't even discuss it. I had an irrational fear of bypass so just couldn't do it I met someone who encouraged me to go to a very pro sleeve surgeon and he recommended sleeve. He also had the support network all set up. I lost over 150 and have been maintaining just fine. However I also think I was wrong to be so afraid of the bypass.

Congrats everyone! My surgery is scheduled for 6/19. I'm having a band to bypass revision. Pre-op visit is 6/3. Excited but really nervous too!

Re: the bad habits. I was doing really well with the band until I had a fill that was too tight. That was the beginning of the slider food phase that lasted me 2.5 years until I had my revision this past February. Now that I'm on a new path AGAIN- I'm praying that I don't slip back. The only thing I do know is that I won't be going in for an adjustment for the sleeve so there is no reason for me to go back to slider foods.

I agree with Twitty, I'm 3 days post-op too, I had a band to sleeve revision with a hernia repair. I am so surprised that the gas pain hasn't been horribly bad, I try to walk as often as I can, just mainly around my house, I do take 2 gas x strips at once every few hours. I mainly feel it when I swallow, I think I'm swallowing air with the small sips, I'd rather drink out of a straw. We're all in this thing together, I do know for sure it will improve with time. ????????

@@Bndtoslv I forgot to address your other question - the fear about not as good of results as a "revisionista" i asked my NUT about this and we talked at some depth about the "bad habits" I learned with the band. This is personal to me, I do not intend this as band bashing but this is what I learned from having a band and had to "guard against" post revision. 1. Sliders. Lets be honest, when I had a decent fill - all I could really eat were sliders. I couldn't eat dense Protein without pain so I learned quickly to like crackers, popcorn, chips, etc etc. 2. Sweets - pre band, I was more of a volume eater not so much into sweets. That changed overtime and I definately developed a sweet tooth. I suspect because sweets are basically sliders. 3. Snacking/grazing - seriously bad news for sleevers. enuf said. So my conclusion is that band to sleeve revisions have to be very diligent because you might have gotten used to that feeling... pouch packing, esophogus stuffing .. whatever you call it. Bottom line, you CANNOT eat until "full" (stuffed or whatever your former criteria was) - the goal is to eat until absence of hunger. Say what? A whole new concept for me but it works! I am 3.5 years post revision and i openly admit I am struggling WAY more than I have previously. Go figure... but it is never easy. @@CowgirlJane Thanks so much! This was a very helpful reply. What happens if I do eat until "full" or "stuffed" by my band criteria? I feel like what if (totally unscientific) my tolerance for that full/stuffed feeling I HAVE gotten used to (or did when I have the band) what is to make me stop if I am used to the feeling and what will happen. This is exactly, exactly my fear - that I won't be successful for this reason.

Oh Heather--I feel like I've made a new friend!!!! AND that I have an excellent chance of getting my revision paid for now that I have a knowledgable advocate! I'm so glad this forum was available so I could locate this help! I will keep you informed.

I'm so glad I could share my experience with you and that it may help you with yours! These people not only help us but, are actively working to change insurance legislation to end the discrimination that makes it so very hard for the obese to be treated medically. If you or I had a heart valve that needed replacement would they hesitate??? NO! However, obesity IS a recognized disease and yet, these insurance companies are allowed to exclude coverage, deny procedures or revisions based on almost no medical evidence! Most of the time they don't even have doctors reviewing our cases! That is why we need to fight back and stop taking no for an answer. We pay our premiums in good faith and shouldn't be denied life saving surgical intervention! Tell Lindstrom You were referred by Heather Budd, and I wish you all the luck in the world! You are in a much better spot than I was since your band is still in place, it's easier to get a revision at that point. I feel good about your chances! Keep in touch!