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i had lapband done in 09, had my son in 2011, lost a total of 120 pds. I had a breast Aug. done, as I went from a ddd to a b cup. I also had my tummy done last summer. I can say that it was the best thing I did. My insurance covered the tummy part. I found out last month that my lapband caused my Hiatal hernia and I was able to get the revision to bypass. I can say that I should have done this before hand. I feel that the only thing that I will have to have done is my arms. I gained back 50 pds and I have lost about 25 of it before my surgery on the 30th.

My answers below in blue. First, for those of you that have lost the weight, is the port identifiable under your skin? I have a mental image of seeing a small circle protruding from some part of the body where the fill port is pushing from the inside out onto the skin. Hopefully this is just a crazy, paranoid question but I might as well ask. I'm down about 175 - 180, still have 30 - 50 lbs to go. So far my port is not visible, but I can easily find it by touch. Where mine is placed, I'm not sure it would be visible unless I actually became underweight. The boxing class does not allow blows to the head but body-blows are acceptable. Same for the martial arts classes. Considering I'll have a port near/at the surface of my skin, should I rethink my exercise choices and take up Yoga instead? I was an avid Aikidoer pre-op, but gave it up post-op. For one, the port area is sensitive to the touch, even when you're healed. Not to the everyday touch, but direct pressure smarts a bit. I talked to my surgeon's nurse about this and she thought I was crazy for even thinking about it. It amkes sense, a direct hit could do some damage. I'm not thinking of trying to do this in the next week or two after surgery - more like six months or so (or what ever the doctor recommends). I'm just wondering if anything changes as a result of having a port... Women mostly find that some sexual positions become uncomfortable. I take it "Mike" is not used in a female way. :biggrin: Some people have their port placed in an area where it does show, so they either deal with it (I have seen them to where they show through clothing), or seek revisions to low profile ports. If it's something you're concerned with, maybe talk to your surgeon now about a low profile port. Can't think of any other times that my port is even something I remember I have... Hope this helps.

Hi Michele, I'll just cut to the chase and answer your questions: I am my son's only parent! -- Which is a perfect reason to do EVERYTHING in your power to give him the best Mom you can be. Wouldn't you like to run with him? Play with him? Feel confident around his friends? Have his little arms be able to reach all the way around you? Live as long as you possibly can, without worrying if you won't be able to see him grow up, get married, graduate college... etc.?? Sorry to be so blunt, but when I was Super Obese, I may have been ALIVE but I didn't TRULY LIVE until I took my life back, and took control of my disease. What if it doesn't work, just like the band? -- I was revised from band to sleeve on 9.15.10 and I went in wondering the same thing. I had many of the same issues you did... I simply never was able to find that sweet spot and I was constantly in pain, especially in my port area. I was banded on 2.11.08. It took me over a year to finally take that step to have a second WLS once I'd heard of the sleeve and how wonderful it was. I can say today that it DID work and the sleeve for me was EVERYTHING that I was always hoping my band could be. Shouldn't I try Medifast first? -- "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting different results" ~Albert Einstein People tell me it is TOO extreme, and try to help me figure out what else I can do. -- extreme yes... but sometimes that is exactly what it takes to beat a demon. I certainly don't regret doing this extreme surgery, because today I am everything I dreamed I could be, and so much more. I wouldn't give it back for all the tea in China. Besides that, there comes a time in our lives when we have to make our own decisions, be dammed of what anyone else thinks! No one but YOU is walking in your shoes, so no one but YOU should make such a huge decision on what is right and wrong for YOU. What if it doesn't work? -- See all above Maybe there is a hormonal reason I can't lose? -- Yes there is a possibility that there is a hormonal reason you can't lose. Have them checked, BUT that doesn't mean you still shouldn't take the bull by the horns. Excuses will only keep holding you back. What if it doesn't work? -- See all above With that, I'd like to formally welcome you to VST. Take a good look around. We have an entire section of Band to Sleeve stories and most if not ALL are successful in some manner or another. I have yet to see one where they weren't glad they did it. All the best to you and please let us know how you're doing! Chime in and make yourself home.

I had my first appointment with my new surgeon today. Since it had been two and a half years since I'd seen my original one, he did a fluoroscopy on me. We saw that my band was extremely tight and that my pouch was extremely dilated/stretched. The tight band was news to me, since I hadn't felt much restriction in a long time and could eat close to a full meal. The band was so tight that we couldn't see the barium emptying out of the pouch at all. He said that my opening between pouches was probably about the size of a pencil eraser, and that he was amazed that I'd lived with it for as long as I did. He did an immediate complete unfill, since he said that it was pretty dangerous. He said that eventually it would migrate and close off my stomach entirely and I'd have to have emergency surgery to remove it. He gave me three options, all of which are surgery. Remove the band and leave my stomach alone, go in and reposition the band, or do a revision to a sleeve. Right now, I don't meet the BMI requirements for revision, but he thinks we may be able to make an argument that it's a medically necessary surgery anyway. Ideally, we'll revise, if that isn't possible, I'd rather have the band repositioned than removed. I admit that I was kind of hoping to have something wrong with the band in order to justify revising to a sleeve, but actually KNOWING that something is wrong bothers me more than I thought it would. I almost started crying at the surgeon's office. Now it's time to hurry up an wait while we get everything together and submitted to insurance. It's going to be at least a week until anything gets done, since the insurance coordinator is on vacation this week.

Hello everyone. I'll get straight to the point, I never wanted a bypass but i got a botched gastric sleeve surgery and was unable to eat and drink for nearly 3 months. My only option to was having a gastric bypass-it was a necessary revision surgery if I ever wanted to eat or drink again. I'm nearly three weeks out and having a very hard time. I was eating ok two weeks out then all of a sudden i started becoming nauseous and losing my appetite. I have a Gtube and a jp drain tube in-jp comes out Wednesday thank God. I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact some things I'll never be able to eat again. It saddens me. I would really love to meet someone in the Toledo or Michigan area to buddy up with, or someone i can talk to that's been through or that's going through the same. What foods work for.you what doesn't, etc. thanks in advance

I agree, I also went back and forth but ultimately went with Bypass. I wanted to lose as much as possible and it is gold standard. I seen too many issues w/ the sleevers along with the revisions.

Got my answer...in my soil slinging fury LOL I flipped my port... Somehow the way I twisted I managed to pull a few of the stiches right out of the fascia/muscle... however on the bright side...my dr is amazing, he had me in the O.R. within an hour and I was home with a port revision completed by 6pm! And I got to upgrade ports...my doc just got in the new lower profile ports, about half the size of the old ones...so he put that in with some surgical mesh...so I can't flip it again playing super hero gardening girl! :thumbup:

Wow, Leo - I don't think you're supposed to be able to see your port THAT well... lol Ah, I love a good ribbing... When I had my surgery 1/23/03, Dr Lopez told me that I would have the new mini-port (this is the Inamed lap-band). I'm not positive what it looks like, as he only had the "old" port on his display model, but I must say that when my port flipped, it sure did not feel like a "mini" ANYTHING - lol. Even now, after my revision, it seems very close to the surface (and not "flat", as far as low profile type "flat") and slanting from top to bottom, the top pushing out more. It doesn't hurt (which is all I care about!!) but the appearance certainly is not aesthetically pleasing, particularly with the big dent below (where the heck did that come from?!?!). I know you are all dying to see what I mean. I'll have to get the camera out and take a picture for posterity... :eek: I'd check into how much that little one day surgery is going to cost you (mine was $1821 just to reposition the existing port, not replacing it). If it's going to cost you $$$, and your port isn't causing you any problems, I personally would skip it. But then, no one ever accused me of being a fashion plate...

In my opinion the sleeve should be the default surgery for everyone unless they are dealing with: 1. Type 2 diabetes (especially if they are on insulin, or have trouble controlling their blood glucose levels) 2. GERD 3. Food addiction (we all like to eat, but the true food addict would benefit from possible dumping and the malabsorption component) 4. Particularly high BMI.. in which case a DS might be a better option than RNY 5. Physiological factors (for example: lap bands can damage the stomach, making RNY a better option) 6. The patient doesn't want to risk "another surgery". RNY is "one-and-done" (usually). Sleeves sometimes need revision.

I didn’t have GERD/ acid reflux until after the sleeve. I ended up with 4 ulcers in my esophagus. I just had revision surgery to the gastric bypass on Monday.

This was a concern of mine too. Especially on the Facebook bypass support groups I was on. They were saying that 25% of sleevers end up getting converted. Yikes! But you can’t believe everything you read on the internet and so I went looking for more reliable sources of information - namely medical studies. Sorry I didn’t save the links so you can read them for yourself but I have screenshots of the information I wanted: As you can see, the numbers are actually quite small! So don't feel you have to worry about getting a revision - statistics are in your favor!

no I had no idea until I went for my first fill, my doc sent me to the ER for X-ray then called an we scheduled the surgery for two days later. I just went back last week for my second fill ( he put 2 cc in at the port revision) and it went like a dream

Eek! I'm considering revising so that scares me that I might be starving after surgery!

I had my revision on September 10th. Besides all of the weight loss issues you have, I do believe that the band is NOT forever and sooner or later you will have to get it removed. So what would you do? I will bet that without the band you will have a significant increase in hunger and most likely food intake. I say go with the sleeve, remove your band(keep for a souvenir) and see what happens with the sleeve, all you have to lose is weight!

Okay, so the "reason" that the sleeve will work - beyond the portion control - is because of the insulin resistance issue going away. I had not heard this, but it makes some sense although I don't understand the reasons that a smaller stomach causes this. I have had fasting blood sugar of just under 100 for many many years - borderline. My A1C was in the pre diabetes range. The first bloodwork post surgery at 3 months showed a tremendous drop - my fastiing blood sugar was more like 77. I thought it was due to my dietary changes only, but I NEVER saw that drop when i was doing weight watchers and lost quite a bit of weight. Maybe there is something about the sleeve that helps with the insulin issue. I guess I would still be skeptical, BUT, what I do know is that for many of us it only takes eating a little bit more then we should to keep the weight on. Maybe the shift in insulin response is enough to help? So, although I am a sleeve advocate, I am not sure about the strategy of planning another revision if it doesn't work. Ask your surgeon, but I thought that each successive WLS increases risk of serious complications. If I didn't believe in the sleeve, I would go straight for the RNY or more like the DS (although THAT is a scary procedure!).

Woo Hoo!! Yes, it is hard work, but you will see the results and know you made the best decision for you. I am out 4 weeks with my revision and down 12 pounds (after a 6 month stall with the band, LOL) Just got back to the gym and doing my RIPPED classes with modifications.

On Tuesday I had a revision from a band to a bypass. I am extremely swollen and actually weigh 9 pounds more than I did the morning of surgery. How long did the swellinglast for others before you saw actual weight loss. Thanks!

Reserving spot Dr. Ariel Ortiz - revision from lap band to sleeve

How are you ladies doing now after the revision? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The reason I would never consider RnY is due to malabsorption. I am on several medications and cannot afford for them not to be absorbed. My sister had it and the malabsorption of medications was a real problem. I was dead set on lap band until I went to Dr Gs seminar and changed my mind to sleeve. I have also read too many revisions and lots of docs not doing sleeve any more.

At the beginning of April I all of a sudden had no restriction and was able to eat anything. I went for a fill thinking that I had just waited awhile and that maybe the band just loosened after losing weight, but still no restriction. I went back the next week and got another fill, and yet still no restriction so they decided to check to see how much fluid there was. They were only able to pull out 3cc, when my chart said that I should have had a little more than 9cc. She gave me a fill of 4cc (which would bring me back up to 7cc) and told me to come back the next week. I came back and they checked the fluid again..... still only found 3cc! They told me that it had to be a port leak and that I would need to get a port revision. I freaked at the sound of $1550 seeing as how I am a self-pay and still paying on my surgery. Well I got the loan regardless and had the surgery on May 7th. When I got out of surgery, my doctor told me that he was not able to see the leak in the port. I was furious seeing as how they did not even offer me the option to have the barium to see if it was even a port leak.. they were just so sure that they knew what it was. I mean the barium would have only been $100 vs. $1550 for the surgery and for a college student I would have rather taken the lesser of the two and prevented a surgery that I did not need. So I went back to the doctor this past Tuesday to get a fill. He told me that during surgery he gave me a fill of 5cc and that he was going to give me another fill of 4cc on that day (which would bring me up to 9cc). When he checked the fluid after giving the fill, I only had 7cc! I have to go back tomorrow to see if the 7cc are still in there.. if not then it's something to do with the band, which is something he has never heard of happening! I'm beginning to get extremely discouraged because I am only 13 months banded and already running into problems when I haven't even reached my goal weight... not to mention all of these expenses that I am incurring on top of the surgery I am still paying for. I go back tomorrow to see if the 7cc are still in there.. I will keep you all updated! Wish me luck..

Hi, I haven't been revised yet but if you go look at the responses to my previous posts you'll get a lot of answers to these questions. 1. 500 cal??? Maybe in the beginning but not forever. 2. Nope - not recommended with any surgery - its just one of the things you need to accept 3. The part of the stomach left is very muscular and less likely to stretch (unless you really push it) 4. I can't attest to that as I'm not revised yet 5. For some the reduced Ghrelin does suppress appetite 6. hair loss is common after general anesthesia and if you are low on Protein so expect some around 3 months post op (happened with the band to) as long as you keep your protein up though it should grow back and be fine. Good luck!

I live in Denver, and my revision surgery is on June 28th. I'll come to you or meet you in the middle somewhere, if the offer is still available.

I can't recommend one or the other but here are my thoughts: Advice for those researching Lapband: Ask what your doctor's experience is with removing lap bands. How long can I expect to keep my band before it needs to be removed? (Bands are being removed anywhere between 2 years out and onwards. I personally know of only 3 people who have had their bands 5+ years and one of those is on band #2.) What long term negative effects have your patients experienced with Lapband? Lapband is a high pressure system. The band creates a great deal of pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. The esophagus, in attempting to move food into the pouch, puts tremendous pressure on the LES, as well. Over time this causes damage and the sphincter fails to open. This creates a feeling of being "stuck" but your food hasn't even made it to the pouch. This situation is becoming more and more common in the banded population and causes permanent long term damage that cannot be reversed. This is what is called "difficulty swallowing" on the disclosure. It's actually band induced achalasia. Often on the various wls forums or social media groups, people will speak of random tightness, difficulty with swallowing yogurt, liquids, etc, regurgitation of meals despite cutting their food, chewing thouroghly and eating only 1/2 cup meals. What's your practice's re operation %? (Re operation following Lapband is upwards of 50%) any claims of lower % might mean your doctors patients are seeking help elsewhere when problems arise. How many of your Lapband patients have reached goal weight? (Average EW loss is in the 40-60% range...if you have 100 lb to lose, you can expect to lose 40-60 lb.) What do you consider compliance? -attendance at support meetings? -weighing, measuring, logging food intake? -adherence to a particular diet? -steady weight loss? -monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual band check ups? -what is the protocol for fills? (Many doctors consider failure to lose 1-2 lb per week noncompliance despite their patients claiming to adhere to a strict protocol.) I hear a lot about certain complications such as: achalasia, gastroparesis, adhesions of stomach to liver, erosion, band slips, band tightening without a recent fill. What's your experience with these issues. (More and more banded patients are experiencing these complications starting as early as 1 year post op and as long as 9-10 years out.) Will you band someone with autoimmune disorders? (This is a mixed bag...my personal experience is that having a foreign object in my body exacerbated my IBS) Do you screen for contraindications using EGD, esophageal manometry and upper GI? (These tests should be done to evaluate your ability to tolerate banding) If I have a hiatal hernia, what procedure do you use to repair it? What type of sutures do you use? (Nissen fundoplication and pledgeted sutures are never used in conjunction with bariatric surgery to repair existing hiatal hernia). As a final warning, recently there have been increasing reports of cardiac issues following banding...irregular heartbeat, arrhythmias, palpitations, etc. The heart and the esophagus lie sued by side in the chest. The vagus nerve(controls heart rate, breathing and GI tract) is also in the same area. Food retained in the esophagus puts pressure on the nerve and heart. This is not good. I'm posting this because although I lost over 100 lb while I had my band, I now have permanent esophageal damage, cardiac problems and I'm on additional medications to manage the complications caused by my band. I was compliant with diet and lifestyle changes. Part of the problem was that my hiatal hernia was repaired using a nissen fundoplication and pledgeted sutures. Also, upon removing my band it was found to be placed very high on the stomach. I didn't have esophageal manometry testing prior to my band placement. (My band doctor was recently named as one of Seattle's Best Bariatric Surgeons for 2013.) 3 years later I had 0% motility when tested. I never had swallowing problems before banding. I still have difficulty with many foods. Bands are a money maker for doctors who are still implanting them. They get paid to put them in, fill them, empty them and remove them, then revise their patients. Many reputable medical institutions will no longer implant a band and many who still do, consider it a short term device and remove within 2-3 years then revise to gastric sleeve before permanent damage is done. I thought the band was least invasive. I have 15 incisions on my belly I didn't have when I started this. 3 surgeries, dozens of diagnostic, invasive tests, $150,000 later and I don't have a WL tool. I have a cardiac condition I didn't have, esophageal dilation and achalasia + 3 new meds costing me $150/month out of pocket. Do your research and be open to hearing the "negative" along with the positive...it might save you from years of suffering.

I'm 153cm which is 5foot! My journey is different to yours though as I had a band first , had that removed and revised to RNY a month ago