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After struggling with keeping the weight off for years - I finally decided to have lap band surgery in 2013. I knew I didn't want a bypass and my insurance did not cover a sleeve (if they had I may have chose it). Anyway, it went very quickly. I went to the seminar on May 5th, Approval on May 15th, and surgery day was June 17th, 2013. I was 198 pounds the day of my surgery with a BMI of 40.3. My surgeon said everything went great - no Fluid in my band at that time - my recovery went well. I went home and lost 13 pounds before my first follow up appt which was 2 weeks post op. He said I was doing great and would get my first fill at 4 weeks post op. My first fill was 3 cc's. I continued to lose pretty steadily. I went for another fill 4 weeks later and that was 1 more cc for a total of 4. I followed the rules to a tee and continued to lose. In the meantime - my husband had got out of the military and we made a quick decision to move back where we came from before he had joined, which was California - I let my surgeon know and he said as long as I was losing, there was no reason for another fill and to just continue doing what I was doing and consult with a surgeon where I moved as soon as I could. Flash forward 6 months - this was easier said than done, there are not many surgeons doing lapbands in the area I live now, Northern Cali, and the ones that do want a program fee and/or dont even take the insurance I had at the time (tricare). By one year post op, I had still not found a new surgeon but I had lost 39 pounds. I stopped actively losing at about 8 months post op actually. In November of last year I obtained a new insurance carrier and was finally able to get some follow up! When I went in to get a fill though, the doctor could not get any fluid in or out - this started a series of tests to see what was going on. Finally I was diagnosed with a kink at the port site. Boo. By this time it was January 2015 and I had already gained back about 15 pounds. I felt hungry all the time. I could now eat things I couldn't before. The doctor I was seeing referred me to another surgeon who did the most bands in our area. She had a program fee but it was 500 dollars, which was low compared to others in my area. I went ahead and paid it and saw her. She studied all of my tests, looked at my xrays, and tried to access my band. Others had no luck before. The previous doc and the interventional radiologist both thought maybe I had no fluid left! They thought I had a leak! Anyway, my lovely doctor, who is Ahhhhh mazing, was able to access my port and with some manipulation (to straighten my kink) she was able to withdraw the 4cc and then put it back in with one more cc. Yay! I was so excited! I have had two more fills since and have 6cc in a 10cc band currently. Dr. Machado said as long as she can continue to access the port, even though some manipulation is required, we are okay to continue. Obviously, eventually I'll need a port revision. Anyway, I think I may be approaching the green zone. I don't think I'm completely there, however, I have re-commited to following all the rules! My surgeons prescription for now is as follows: start and end my day with a Protein drink 2-3 small meals in between, 1 of these meals may have a carb (other than veggies) The other 2 meals should be protein and veggies Drink my liquids between meals Set a timer and do not drink anything until 30 minutes after my last bite of food I've lost 6 pounds since my last fill and I feel like I am on track again! It feels amazing to be back in some control. My surgeon explained that I was never even in the green zone and she advises her patients that if they don't have any loss for a whole month then to come in for a fill! I am excited again to be on this journey!

When was your resleeve? It takes time for things to heal and feel the restriction. I have heard of other docs doing a sleeve revision, but it is not something I would take lightly... While I understand your disappointment, do you have any reason to think you were harmed by the resleeve?

@@VSGAnn2014 I think the OP was just confused about where the appropriate place to post this information was. While disparaging a specific surgeon does sort of seem like "coordinator-like" behavior, the fact that she is railing against re-sleeve as a procedure entirely and asking what to do now that her re-sleeve has had no effect on her weight loss, helps convince me that she is for real. @@Popsicle530 I'm sorry you went through a procedure that didn't achieve any results for you. There are other options available, like revision to RNY or DS, but that will of course cost you additional money. If you can't get any of your money back from Almanza, then it might be hard to come up with the money for revision procedures, as those are quite a bit more expensive than the sleeve from what I understand. I wish you the best of luck and hope you can find your way on this journey and get back to where you need to be with your weight and your health.

@@losinghope15 Everything you are going through sounds so rough. I am sorry you are enduring this. Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel at this point. If revision to bypass with permanently correct this leak issue, I really think you should pursue it. I can definitely understand your hesitation to undergo another surgery, but it really does seem like that may be the only way to fix the problem and get back to a more normal life. Good luck in whatever you choose!

I think if you going in to be re sleeved means you still have not learnt proper eating habits, revising surgeries are not always gonna work if you have not fixed up what's in your mind.

Wow, so sorry to hear about your experience. Dr. Almanza didn't even make my list when deciding on a surgeon, I didn't even need five mins of researching to know he was never to be considered. Unfortunately many others have also spoke of bad experiences with him. I'm always amazed when I see that people continue to schedule with him because of his prices. That being said, it doesn't mean that "resleeving" isn't a real thing or isn't an option for some. It is. I did extensive research for months and months looking to have it done myself. If your sleeve is large enough, a resleeving can correct it and put you back on the weight loss track but choice of surgeon is everything ! The only one I would trust to do it is Dr. Wilhmey. I however decided that if a sleeve can stretch once it can stretch again and went with a revision to a Mini bypass with Dr. Rodriguez. He took my small intestines and brought it right up to my existing sleeve a few inches from the top giving me a smaller pouch and also some (but not too much) malabsorption. Dr. Rodriguez doesn't believe in resleeveing because he doesn't think it will give the same results as the first time as your body is already used to restrictive procedures at that point. So far I'm very happy, my recover has been great (I did get dehydrated and pneumonia in both lungs) but bounced back very quickly. I don't know if you're looking for other options but I don't know why the MGB wouldn't work for you as well. Just a thought...

I do hot yoga, was revision too from Lapband to sleeve dr said I could start again in 2 weeks, I'm hot yoga you do so much core work I really think 2 weeks isn't enough for me to go in! I think dr doesn't understand what hot yoga is

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE WORDS OF SUPPORT! I really do appreciate all of you. I welcome and look forward to any and all information regarding a gastric sleeve leak, good or bad. I want to learn all I can. So any of you that are or have gone through it (or know someone who has) please share with me the information. UPDATE: I was in Seattle yesterday for my 2 week check up. I had a consult with a surgeon because my gastroenterologist wants me to have a feeding tube put into my stomach as opposed to this PICC line that is giving me my nutrition. It is better to feed the gut than put calories, Vitamins, etc through my veins. Also, a picc line (it's like an IV that goes into my arm advanced towards the heart) has a higher rate of infection. So, I will have that put in at the end of the month. He is also the surgeon that would do the revision surgery (or fix my leak surgery). One of the ways to potentially fix this gastric sleeve leak is to turn it into a Gasrtic BiPass so we discussed that too. They tell me its a big surgery and a long recovery, about 6 weeks. Also, the risk of complications is higher for me because we are fixing something as opposed to a stomach that has not been touched yet. However, it is so TEMPTING to just do now because I would at least know I was on the road to recovery and I could see light at the end of the tunnel. It's been 8 months and i'm still just as bad as I was in the beginning. I have a PICC line, a drain tube out my back that is draining what my stomach is leaking out of my body, I have not eaten in a month, in fact in over 2 months I have only eaten a few bites of Beans a few times. I'm sooooo hungry! We have to drive to Seattle every few weeks and we are barely getting by financially. My husband is running out of paid time off at work because he has taken off 6 weeks already taking me back and forth and sometimes staying with me in the hospital when he can. So I want this to end more than I have wanted anything in my life. But again the complications of another surgery scare me, look what happened the first time. I think i will hold out a few more months, my gastro doc really wants me too. He says Virginia Mason has the best outcome of gastric leak fixes on the planet!? After I saw the surgeon, I then had a CT and then a tube check. It it showing lots of air in the cavity that was created from when my stomach leaked into the outside area of my stomach. It caused a collection of Fluid around my left lung and spleen. That is what we are using that drain for, to get the infection and fluid out so the cavity will get smaller and eventually heal over. It has been especially painful the last 2 days and is draining out pure blood now. So they changed the type of drain to help with getting the air out. My gastro doc came to see me and said keep taking antibiotics, keep the drain, and change the picc to a stomach feeding tube and come back in a few weeks again. So, I am still very depressed and unsure of my future. I guess I can only take it day by day. I can't even imagine anymore what it was like to be well without tubes coming out of me. My boss has given me another chance to work, but its so hard to work with tubes and pain, but I have to make some money to keep us a float. Again, Thanks to all of you. It's nice to have people to talk to that are familiar with what I am going through. I hope one day I will be able to report good news. I just want to live and work again and have hopes and dreams like I used to. I did this for my health in the first place and am now sicker than I could have ever imagined. Also, if I can answer any questions to anyone else I would be more than happy. I have gone through this for 8 months now. Talk to you later!

Hey! I got my date too! June 17. It's a Wednesday, so barring complications, I should be out by Friday or Saturday. I'm a revision from band to RNY, doc says he does his in one shot most of the time. I hope I'm one of those times. Then I got hubby for the weekend, yeah! I CANT WAIT!!!!!!

Genepro protein is 30 grams tasteless approved by my doctor. My surgery revision 2 is scheduled for June

I had a lift and reduction in 2012 and I haven't seen a change yet after my gastric sleeve. I'm only 7 days post op from having the sleeve and I and not too worried but worst case scenario, another breast revision I guess lol. ????

Thank you cute1. I am having a revision from the lapband to the bypass. I have had way to many issues with the band for the 13 years i have had it. My reflux is the worst part. I think i had an easier time getting approved because it is deemed necessary.

I just heard that I received approval for my revision surgery through Aetna. It will be covered 90% as well. Soo excited for another chance and to be rid of this awful reflux. Im hoping for surgery the beginning of June. This Xmas i hope to have a new me this year.

I feel empathy..seriously this is hard crap to deal with. I am 5'5" and my lifetime high was about 350.... I started band to sleeve revision at 308 so I guess I know "failure" too. What can I say? I sincerely believe that once you are obese much of the problem is physical..our bodies drive hunger! I think no matter the surgery... long term success is up to the patient, however some of us need revisions. Have you considered the DS?

I have had the band for 7 years.2 years ago I was getting close to my goal weight. I had lost 80 lbs. and went in for a fill but my dr told me my body was rejecting it.I have gained 40 lbs. and have awful inflammation The last year and a half has been hell with all the stomach problems. I have scheduled surgery for June 5 for a revision surgery to the sleeve. Any advice

As with revision surgeries they are not as effective as the original surgery where they don't give you the same bang for the buck. I wish you well and hope it works out for you.

I had a RNY and the Vitamin requirements may be different that those who undergo a sleeve. I was directed to take 3 Flintstone multivitamins a day. I have heard that those requirements have been revised down within the last year. The current requirement is 2.

We're submitting to insurance either today or tomorrow! The coordinator thought we'd have a better chance of approval if it was submitted as an original surgery (different insurance company than my first band and rebanding) than as a revision, so I had to jump through a few hoops (slightly fast-tracked). Hopefully, will hear back relatively quickly!

I'm being revised on May 18th! Would love to be your buddy!

The revision that the surgeon did at the same time looks good, thank goodness. I just hope I get to enjoy it someday soon! ????

Yep, I had 2 extremely painful episodes of kidney stones after my lapband from not drinking enough. I had a revision on 4/23 and I'm really struggling with fluid, definitely worried I could end up with them again! It's the worst pain ever !!

. I've been Banded twice & revising to the Sleeve in a few weeks.

Omeprazole (or Prilosec) keeps the stomach acid levels down. It is good if you suffered from GERD. One of the individuals in our Bariatric Surgery Support Meeting group had a revision from a Lap Band to RNY. He had quite a bit of scaring from the Lap Band and as a result when they sewed up his pouch, it was smaller than most. This restricted his food intake at the beginning until he allowed his pouch to grow a little.

Hi, I am just starting the process for a revision from the lapband to RNY. Wanted to know if anyone has Tufts Healthplan and if you had to go through their "I can change" program. Was it hard to get approval from Tufts? Thanks!

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding over the sleeve with people thinking it is a simpler procedure. Yes, the intestines aren't cut or moved but a huge part of your stomach is removed forever. With the bypass, the extra part of your stomach is still present and producing digestive enzymes to help you digest; they just are added back in at a lower area of the intestine. So if there are problems a bypass can actually be returned to normal. Once your sleeve is done, there's no going back to the original, although you can be changed to a bypass at that point. I know there are a lot of people on here with great success at the sleeve; however it seems there are some who develop GERD afterward that requires revision to bypass. If you already have bypass the sleeve is likely to make it much worse. In addition, the sleeve only works by restriction. Eventually it begins to stretch back out, as will the bypass "pouch." However, with the bypass you also have the possibility of dumping to help keep you from eating the wrong things, or overeating, even once the pouch has stretched out. The longterm success of bypass has been proven for years; the sleeve's longterm success is still being proven.