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I've had a leak almost 9 months now. They have tried everything, sometimes more than once, I go to a large hospital in Seattle. I had a consult last week with a bariatric surgeon and after talking with him, I am really considering getting the "fix it surgery" or Bypass, because I am not healing and I have very little quality of life. But my gastro doc says "just be patient, i'm confident it will heal." As of now I have a PICC line (3rd one) for food. I haven't eaten in a month in a half and the month before that only a few bites of Beans a few times. I am so hungry!!! Of course, my family has to eat so I have to smell food every night and I want to cry. I have a drain tube (the 3rd one) coming out my back. Have lost 2 jobs and was recently given one back, but is now rocky because I can get sick at any given time and they know that. I have went to work a few days then been hospitalized several times and back out for approx. 2 months at a time. I am in pain almost always, have been on pain meds almost every single day. I have been hospitalized probably 10 times ( 5 hours away from my family so no one is ever able to be there with me). The longest stay almost a month. I have to go back (5 hours one way) every couple of weeks and sometimes we have to borrow money for gas just to get there. I has ruined us financially. I do have insurance but I have racked up at least 350,000 dollars in hospital bills. There were months we could not afford dinner for our kids. I can't sleep but a few hours at a time. I try to work 3 days a week just to keep the lights on and food in the fridge, but its obviously very uncomfortable as I am a nurse and on my feet all day. I have very little family support, just my husband who has taken about 6 weeks of time off work to take me back and forth to Seattle (he worries about his job) . In fact, it has ruined several relationships in my family. My parents only live 10 miles away, young and healthy (at least my mom, my dad does have med prob), and they have not showed up one time to ask if I need help while my husband is gone 50 hours a week working. That hurts the worst. I could probably go on and on as you can imagine, but I want people to see how bad it has been for me going through this as I am sure many of you can relate. I was told the bypass was an option from the beginning. But I did not want that, so I think I have been strong and held out for a long time before considering the fix it surgery, or Bypass. I just feel I cant do this much longer. And now my gastro doc wants me to go back to Seattle to have open surgery for a feeding tube in place of the picc line in a few weeks. So this is obviously far from over. This will be my second feeding tube. The bariatric surgeon and his partner act like this is a good idea at this point. Yes, of course they say my chances of complication increase because its a fix it or revision surgery, at about 5%. They seem confident I can have a successful surgery and heal and be back on my feet in about a month. I just need advice, comments, if you have done it and are you happy you did? I am afraid, and I have seen this story on this site where someone went through similar things and still had to have the bypass and of course, says don't go through this for too long because you may end up having to have it anyway. How is the bypass different in the way of eating and quality of life versus the sleeve. My gastro doc said it took one patient a year and a half to heal, but she did. Of course she was much older than me, but still I CANNOT IMAGINE LIVING LIKE THIS FOR 9 MORE MONTHS!!!! Thank you so much, I really need the support and information on this big decision.

I had a band to sleeve revision on 4/30. I started my semi-soft foods today. It is nice to eat something. I can eat 1/4 cup and I'm full. Not that I get hungry anyway. It is just nice to taste something. In a week I can start on soft foods which includes eggs, ground meats, flaky fish, etc. I only had to do 2 days of clear liquids and then did full liquids until today. Odd how different each surgical group is with both pre and post diets. My surgeon told me at my two week check that I absolutely must eat six times a day. I read others are told only 3.

I am a sleever... and I am following topics on this new procedure with no angst.... I think some are a little over sensitive - just because people ask questions or make statements doesn't mean they aren't adding to the discussion. I think it is productive to express doubts and concerns... When I was sleeved in 2011 - i had some trepidation due to lack of long term success data. I was duped into believing that the lapband was a good solution (in 2001) and i paid a heavy price for that mistake for 10 years so I was gunshy about repeating that "error". However, I also think you need to research and make the best decision with the data you have at the time... and go for it. For me, the revision to DS has always been my "backup plan" should this sleeve deal not work for me. It is great to hear that there is an updated version of the DS that is becoming widespread. I look forward to hearing ongoing success stories!

Oh my, yes drink your Water. The first sign of dehydration (besides thrist of course) is headache. Why the angst? I can't say for sure, but I do know there are many people that are very "protective" of their surgery. Because the SADI/SIPS is a newer procedure it doesn't have a long history of results to look back on. Most of the negative comments come from people asking why choose something that hasn't been proven over a standard. My thought is stomach stapling was standard (not sure any doc performs that anymore), LapBand was popular but years later many people are requiring revisions (my doc doesn't perform lapband any longer). RNY had and in some circles is still considered the "gold standard" but is quickly being replaced by the sleeve. The full DS requires more time under anestesia and recovery can be harder. Often (not always) dumping, gas and bowel issues were known side effects. I look at it this way, ALL WLS procedures as well as ALL medical procedures were once new. They are constantly improving and learning what works best for various individuals. Imagine the first person that received a pace maker or organ transplant, chemo, radiation, etc... I feel I'm doing what is best for me based on my own research and discussions with them doctors. I would never judge or belittle another person on their decision. You make the choice that is right for you. We are a community that is here to support one another through advice and occassional butt kickings. Akin, to the saying if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything. On here, if you aren't offering support (and in many cases just copying and pasting comments directly from another user on a different board) then don't comment. Of course I might be a little old fashioned in that sense. Oh and used to play the SIMS many, many moons ago.

The band may sound less risky, but if you look at the actual complication rate of band vs sleeve and the long term results, I think you'll find the sleeve has less risk and better outcomes. I'm obviously biased as a successful sleeve, but know several people personally who've had the band and either didn't have good long term results, couldn't follow the prescribed diet because all dense Protein came back up, or had complications with the band in general... prolapse to outright rejection and it had to come out. Of most of the folks I know where it had to come out, one had so much damage her only choice was revision to bypass, one just had it removed and has maintained the weight loss on her own so far, and many have revised to the sleeve with much better results.

Well said. I'm a bandit trying to have a revision to sleeve. That problem, the one with too much scar tissue built up around the band, is my issue. I've never felt restriction due to this issue. I would be stuck 7, 8, 9 times and the needle would come out bent as a "L" smh. Im so glad you were successful though.

Please bear in mind that I am a very happy and very successful bandit now 9 years post-op. I do not regret my band, would do it all over again and if I ever have to have it removed, I would hope to have a replacement. When I was banded in 2006, it was a miracle surgery. And for some people, who accept that they will still have to work hard, it is just that. It was and still is for me. But over the years it has become clear that serious complications necessitating further surgery are much more common than originally thought, some of these are avoidable by careful eating and by not keeping the band tight; unfortunately others are beyond our control. We used to be warned about band slips, leaks and about ( very rare) erosion into the stomach tissue but it turns out that a build up of scar tissue round the band (causing it to tighten) is quite common. It can be very difficult to get the right level of restriction and some people are tempted to keep it tight enough to physically limit food, in fact it was once thought this was how it should be. But this causes food to back up into the oesophagus and that risks problems such as oesophageal dysmotility which may be irreversible. It can also damage the vagus nerve. Quite a number of doctors have stopped implanting bands as they found the removal rate was unacceptably high and it was too easy not to lose enough weight. Revision from band to sleeve is not uncommon! We still need lots of will power. The band makes it easier by dimming hunger, but it does nothing for head hunger and, contrary to popular opinion, it does not and should not physically stop us eating. If it does it is too tight! Having said all that, I love my band, I know many successful long term bandits in real life. My own experience has been good and so has that of almost all those I actually know and have met. But don't rule out bypass. For many people the element of malabsorption is a key factor.

I had one after surgery. My surgery was actually a revision after I had my lap band removed 4 months earlier. I was told that because the surgery after a band revision is trickier, with more adhesions to deal with, I would most likely be sent home with a JP drain and I was. I had mine for about 8 days, though, not 4 to 6 weeks. That is an extremely long time to have a drain in!

I am a successful revision. My band was not attached to my liver, but I had lots of scar tissue and adhesions attached to my liver. My surgeon cleaned out all the scar tissue and adhesions but was not willing to do sleeve at that time. I healed up and went back and had an easy surgery and a quick easy recovery. I have seen several other successful band/sleeve revisions after lapband damage... several that post here.

Today I started the 5 day pouch test.. I will be a year out from revision from band to bypass on May 21. I have found myself snacking on almond m&m's and have developed an addiction to them. I am at my goal weight but I don't want to fall in to this bad habit so this morning I set my mind to do liquids for the next 2 days and then mushy etc. I'm really hoping this helps me get back on the healthy eating track. Sugar does nothing to me unfortunately. I wish it did. I can't eat fatty or fried foods which has been great. I'll check back in with if it helps. Has anyone else found they couldn't stay away from something bad for you after bypass food wise? Did you find anything that helped?

Girl get the sleeve. I've heard of more ppl revising to sleeve and bypass than those who've actually experienced success. Now those ppl do exist but in my experience is it's far and few between. But continue doing research til you're comfortable.

I'm curious to see what my surgeon says. We are in Massachusetts and his views are so different than some other surgeons. He does not require a pre-op liquid diet and his post op diet progresses a little quicker than others. He did my band in 2008 and I only wanted to go to him for my revision. I followed him to his new practice last year.

Went (5/13) today for a one day revision but my band had eroded and attached to my liver as well. Rescheduling surgery for the sleeve in a month to let the inflammation heal. Any of you had a successful sleeve surgery after the removal of your eroded band?

Research both carefully. Some surgeons don't even do the Lapband anymore though, because of the high rate of complications. I had lapband and was happy with it for years until it slipped on me. By the time I had it removed I had massive scar tissue and adhesions that had to be removed before my surgeon could do the revision to Sleeve. Everyone that was in my original Lapband group has had it removed now due to erosion, slippage, or just scar tissue build up. I personally wish I had just done the Sleeve to begin with.

@@Shakti I had the sleeve due to the complications that could happen down the road with the lap band. I know many people who had the lap band, and had to have it revised to the gastric sleeve due to erosion, or other issues. (slippage, etc) I am super happy with my decision to have the sleeve. It is my new best friend, and I feel so awesome since my surgery. I am early on, but already have lost 35 pounds, and it is noticeable to me in how I feel and get around, as well as in my face, feet and ankles and how my clothes fit. I couldn't be happier with my sleeve. I am 53 in Kansas.

Woops your right -- I was referring to Dr Almanza NOT Alverez. So just so anyone reading this is clear.. Dr Almanza = BAD.. Alverez = GOOD. I'll revise the prior posts as well.

SO proud of you..... My band is being revised to sleeve next week. Hoping for great success. Keep it up

I was denied as well. A Peer-to-Peer was scheduled for yesterday and MY DOCTOR MISSED IT!!! I don't know if there was an emergency or not, but I was sooooooo upset. Now I have to wait another week. I know a week doesn't seem like a long time to some, but I too am just so anxious to get this over with. I have GERD so bad I can't sleep. I have to lie in an upright position. PLUS, my chest hurts and it's hard to breathe. I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired. Just want this revision so badly.

I am having band revision to bypass in June 8!! Super excited!!

My surgery is June 4 and I went in asking for sleeve and ended up at RNY mostly because I was having BAD acid reflux that day and she said with the sleeve that reflux can get much worse. I wasn't willing to do RNY in the beginning but 4 months later, I think I am finally ok with it. 1) Acid reflux / GERD elimination; 2) Type 2 Diabetic and RNY will resolve (mostly); 3) Longer track record; 4) My surgeon does A LOT Of sleeve to RNY revisions. She just said that many sleevers end up revising. I don't want to do this twice...

Actually this is a picture of me 1 day before my surgery! I am a revision so I got my Lapband unfilled December 2014 and gained 15 pounds from December to May! The Lapband worked wonderful for me until I developed GERD, so hoping to get those 15 pounds of with my sleeve have to say tho I am very conscious with eating natural healthy foods and I do hot yoga 3 times a week, still managed to gain 15 pounds being careful! I've already lost 10 in the week post op! So almost there! Same here. I lost 110 lbs back in 2007. 8 years and 2 kids later I'm almost up to pre-band weight. Band was out in April and I immediately gained 5 lbs! Ugh. 6/30 is my date assuming insurance doesn't give me a hard time!

My surgeon missed the Peer-to-Peer review to discuss my case!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE MISSED IT!!!! No one could find her -- they couldn't even find her PA. Now they can't reschedule it until May 20. I'm sooooo upset!!!! I have a lap band which has malfunctioned, but because I have a bmi of 38.6 and no "listed" co-morbidities other than asthma, pedal edema, and a major case of GERD, the insurance company denied my initial request for revision to gastric bypass. I've had a bilateral mastectomy and kidney cancer as well within the past 3 years, along with a knee replacement. So a Peer-to-Peer was scheduled for today and SHE MISSED IT!!!!

Actually this is a picture of me 1 day before my surgery! I am a revision so I got my Lapband unfilled December 2014 and gained 15 pounds from December to May! The Lapband worked wonderful for me until I developed GERD, so hoping to get those 15 pounds of with my sleeve have to say tho I am very conscious with eating natural healthy foods and I do hot yoga 3 times a week, still managed to gain 15 pounds being careful! I've already lost 10 in the week post op! So almost there!

There is a forum on Obesity help dedicated to the DS. It seems to me there are a lot more "long timers" there. I personally hate that forum, but it might be worth a quick cruise to check it out. what I am excited about are the new approaches to DS which reduce some of the nutrient deficiency risks that the traditional procedure had. I am curious why he thinks that the DS is a better option over sleeve or bypass? DS includes a sleeve (usually a larger one) and does tend to have statistically better weight loss over sleeve. It is my personal backup plan should this sleeve not continue to work for me (3.5 years since my band to sleeve revision and still going strong!)

@@B-52 was that aimed at me? If so, I totally agree. All we can do is share our experiences. The first thing to try if the band seems tight is always, try to eat more carefully and slowly. But I will always continue to say that whatever the reason for getting stuck regularly, it is dangerous. If eating more slowly solves the issue, great, but if it doesn't or if the individuals simply cannot remember to take extra care, they are too tight. Being tight is my personal paranoia. When I was banded in 2006, everyone was very enthusiastic about the band but gradually over the years, more and more of those banded around the same time as me started to develop problems, obviously I have lost touch with many, but at a guesstimate, only around 30% are still happily banded. Of my actual online friends, the ones with whom I am still in regular contact, only two are still banded. Many have revised to other Wls, several have permanent damage to the oesophagus or the diaphragm. For some being tight was the cause of the problem, for others it was the symptom. But whichever it was, it was important to get it checked. So I will continue to say, being tight is dangerous. Ask your doctor. Don't leave it. Don't wish for it. I will continue to say, in line with all the latest research, the band should not physically stop you eating.