Search the Community

Hi Everybody! My name is Rebecca and I am almost 29, married, and from NJ. I have about 70-80lbs to lose....I just got my band removed yesterday. I had it for a year and it gave me nothing but trouble...not being able to keep solids down, throwing up 2-3 times a day, only losing 15 lbs, etc. I am set to get the sleeve in September. I have to do a medically supervised diet for 3 months so my insurance will cover everything. I have already got clearances from a psychologist and a therapist so I've started taking the necessary steps for preparing for my revision in September. I am nervous about spending the next couple of months dieting since I will have no "aid" to help me and I was always a binge eater. I also know I will really need to incorporate exercise into my normal routine. I am a big fan of yoga and meditation and try to go at least 1-2X a week to the local studio. I would LOVE some friends or a buddy/mentor to talk to as I continue this journey. If anyone wants to talk, feel free to message me or email me at rebeccaabrooks86@hotmail.com

I had my revision from band to sleeve on the 18th ! Feeling pretty good

worked for me..... I was a successful band-member for nearly 8 years. Never had any issues till march 2017. I got a bad stomach virus and threw up violently and slipped my band. I was my worst fear with the band.... LOSING HER. So i went on through life... divorce, dating, meeting someone else, moving out of state..... 2017-2019 on my own with no WLS. For years i tried to get a revision and no dr. would do it. My insurance didn't cover the band removal nor a revision. But i still looked ... same answer over and over.. "you don't weight enough". Over those years I gained 30lbs back. No matter what i did and menopause hit and wow... Now i've gained 30lbs. I was going to go to Mex to have the MGB. But as luck would have it, i found a dr 10 min from my work that did WLS. Went in for a consult and he agreed to do the sleeve..... That was nearly 1 year ago. 11/10/2009 band SW: 232lbs. size 18-20 pants, shirt 2xl (or bigger), bra 44G, shoe 7-7.5 (143lbs) 3/23/2017 band removal: 143lbs. size 6, shirt large, bra 34H, shoe 6.5-7 8/28/2019 sleeved: 173lbs. size 10, shirt large, bra 36G/H, shoe 7 (14k out of pocket) Today: 120lbs, size 0, shirt sm/med, bra 32FF, shoe 6-6.5

Hello, I was banded on November 9, 2010 and about 10 days later noticed a small bulge right above my port incision and became painful. The surgeon thought that my port had totally become unstitched and scheduled me for surgery on the 3rd week post op. My surgeon found that the port was fine and actually about 1 inch below the port incision, but the cord to the port had buckeld. He said it was also in a 'capsule', whatever that means. Now I am 5 days post op from the second surgery, still in pain and have a small bulge above the port incision. *sigh* I hope that this is not another problem Anyone has a similar experience?

I had the sleeve done 2009 and it has been a week since they sent my information to the insurance... Im still waiting to hear from my insurance so I will keep you posed . As for tour situation I cant see why they wouldn't approve since the insurance you have now i different and your doctor says the revision is needed.

My name is Emily. I had the lap band in 2007 and I have not been as successful as I had intended. To me, it seems that having the lap band has only created more issues in my life. Since having the lap band I have been unable to actually sit down and have a meal or drink. The doctors have tried everything and the problem remains. I have recently decided to undergo a band to sleeve revision rather then just a band removal. I am interested to hear from everyone regarding their experiences but would like to hear about anyone else who has had this revision. I am hesitant but my cousin has the sleeve and has been extremely successful. Also, I am interested to hear from anyone who can recommend a good dr in the spring, tx area.

I revised from sleeve to rny 3 months ago. I had hernia repair with mesh. So far I am down 42 pounds and very happy about it! Only less than 20 to goal and I have no doubt at all that I will get there.

Having a bypass, revision, on 5/27 - just spoke to my surgeon via teleconference... finally moving forward. I didn't have any hair loss with the original surgery - sleeve, back in 2015. I had thinning but was on Biotin. Is the revision, bypass, worse for thinning/losing hair?

I tried for a revision late last year and was denied by my insurance company. Lap band in 2008, 80 pounds lost in 2 years, 60 pounds regained in 1 year. I was devastated for years and decided to try to do something about it again and was denied. At that point I decided to just love myself for who I am and I met a man soon after who loved me as I am but also supports my weight loss. I've decided to go in again and try again. I'll keep you posted!

Hi Michelle!!! Wow!!! Port Revision!!! I hope all goes well! Let us know how you are doing. As for me, I am doing great. I get my 3rd fill on tomorrow--which I am hoping will put me at my "Sweet Spot"...YAY!!!! Exercising is going well also! How did you know that your port flipped? Was it discovered during your fill or were you experiencing problems prior?

Thanks all! I do have gastric bypass. I'm a revision. I just don't know how to change that on here. Lol

Hi there! Fingers crossed for you that your referral goes smoothly and you can have a good meeting with your doctor about bariatric surgery options. I've had two bariatric procedures. The first was in 2011 when I got Lapbanded. At that time, the only real options for me were Lapband or Bypass as insurance carriers in my area viewed Sleeve Gastrectomy as "too new" (never really got that as it was part of Duodenal Switch, but also my insurance didn't cover that outside of extreme circumstances). I chose Lapband because frankly, RNY scared the hell out of me, despite the fact that my Mom underwent it and was and remains wildly successful with it. I was younger and the thought of rerouting everything was too much for me, plus I'd seen my mom go through dumping and that also freaked me out. So I went with what felt like a good choice for me. And it was good until it wasn't. I did lose weight! Until it started coming back. And then my band slipped and I apparently developed a minor hiatal hernia from it that I likely lived with for a long while without knowing it was there. When I found out about it as part of my revision process, it suddenly made all of the regurgitation I'd suffered from for years make sense. The Lapband is really the best option for people who are in the 30-35 BMI scale and need that extra help to get closer to what is considered healthy. It is rare that Lapband weight loss is equivalent to that of RNY, VSG, or DS. The Lapband requires a lot of upkeep because it's effectiveness is based on how filled the band is. So you will have a lot of appointments in the first year or two where your doctor adds more saline to the band to give greater restriction...takes some out to lessen the restriction...then adds more...removes some. It's all a game of finding the elusive "sweet spot" where the band is filled the right amount to allow for continued and consistent weight loss. It is fairly common for a Lapband to slip, which present all kinds of difficulties. When it slips, it is no longer in the position is it supposed to be. Thus your pouch ends up no longer being the right size. It can also lead to hernias when it slips. Slippage CAN be fixed, but you're looking at another laparoscopic procedure so that they can put it back to the right position. Which requires removing all of the fluid from the band, doing the procedure, and essentially starting at square one again. That said, it is STILL a useful weight loss tool for those that it is appropriate for and who achieve success with it. There are plenty of Lapband success stories! In July, I had revision surgery to remove my Lapband and to have a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy done instead. I am older than I was in 2011 and realized that making major adjustments to my insides was not actually a horrible thing in light of dealing with bad knees, a bad back, sleep apnea, CPAP dependence, and the risk of onset of any number of other comorbidities that I have been fortunate to avoid. I'm only 12 weeks out as of today, so I don't have the breadth of post-op experience that others here have when it comes to VSG, but I can't say that I regret the decision. I have continued to lose weight since surgery, adding to my pre-surgery weight loss. None of my clothes fit me anymore, yet I am still wearing them because I can't see the point of shopping for new clothes when I am still losing weight. Seems like a waste of money to do that! The cons for VSG? Strangely, I'm not encountering too many yet. I actually found I was in more pain post-op from my Lapband surgery than I was recovering from VSG. Any of the others cons I've experienced are not exclusive to VSG surgery. Almost every bariatric patient complains about dealing with constipation at some point. Discomfort from eating too much in the immediate post-op phase as I learn my body's signals and how to read them to know when to stop? We all go through that too. The biggest con that I can think of is that if I'd chosen RNY over VSG, my post-op weight loss would likely have been quicker, so I might have been down another 10-20 pounds by now, though that is not guaranteed. It is just very likely as RNY statistically has a greater percentage for weight lost than VSG. As for what you've heard about bariatric surgery patients only being able to eat small portions, that is generally true across the board. That is one of the key features of ANY of the weight loss surgeries. It's a GOOD thing, though. Many people get to the point where they consider these surgeries because of eating too much. It's an unfortunate aspect of how many world cultures have evolved when it comes to food. The US is probably the worst about it. Think about when you go out to eat at a restaurant, especially a chain restaurant. You open the menu and you get a list of appetizers in your face to tempt you. So we order an appetizer or two. Then we order our entree which comes to the table is a massive sized portion that is, realistically, enough food for at least 2 people. Yet we're trained to believe that this is an appropriate portion of food. Let alone the fact that it's frequently overloaded with carbs and fat. So between appetizers and your entree, you've probably eaten 3 meals worth in one sitting. On top of everything else you ate that day. So by getting a surgery that provides you with a tool that limits how much you can eat at a given time, you're able to retrain your body and brain to realize exactly what and how much the human body needs to survive and thrive. A good bariatric team will be there to help you change your relationship with food so that every meal and snack you eat during the day, provides you with the good nutrients that the body needs, while limiting the intake of the "bad" ones that the body still needs, but only in the quantities that it needs. Carbs and fats are not actually bad. The body needs them to survive. It just doesn't need them in the quantities that we frequently take in. It is NOT an easy journey, but it is a deeply rewarding and fulfilling one that will, quite literally, change your life. Welcome aboard and I look forward to seeing your journey and offering support every step of the way!

Keep fingers crossed I go Friday for my consult. I hope it is as easy as it was for me to get the band. I had hardly any trouble with insurance getting it put in now lets hope they'll take it out and revise.

Was finally approved for a revision from band to bypass!!! I'm excited. EXCEPT...I'm getting married in December and I already have my dress (which is in the middle of being altered), I won't be able to eat (I probably won't want to anyway from the stress) and I'm afraid that I might be sick if I get it beforehand. The earliest is at the end of September, wedding date is December 5. Also, if I weight too long then I might lose my approval. My questions is, how long did it take after surgery for you to feel "normal" and not sick? Thoughts? (is this the right forum to post on?) Thank you!!

Thanks for the reply Bearhugs1975!! Did you have pain after your revision? I had no pain after my lapband surgery. But in all fairness at that point I had had 4 c-sections so in comparison the lapband was a cakewalk lol. Lately I have food getting stuck more often than not and I am just tired of it. I won't be able to have a revision until March because I am self pay. I am just ready to have something close to normal again. I don't even go out to eat anymore because the incidents of stuck food cause me to spend the majority of the time in the bathroom

I had my band place 6/2006 just had the revision done 7 days ago. no pain but the gas pressure was unreal. You don't get that with the band. I was walking laps with the band the sleeve had me bed ridden because of the gas but the only way to relieve it was to walk. No problems with scar tissue but my surgeon wasn't able to use my previous incisions so I have 5 more lol. I'm down 12 lbs so far. Definitely free from being STUCK!! first time in 8 years I can eat scrambled eggs

It took my insurance about a month to approve my revision I have anthem blue cross blue shield

I had revision surgery March 2nd, like most I was have severe reflux and couldn't keep any food down. When I went in for a consult I was 148 and pretty happy. I still had 10lbs to lose to get to pre-baby weight but I wasn't too worried about it, I felt good. Dr unfilled me in December and I gained about 20lbs before revision! I've lost 15lbs in 2 months, definitely not what I thought since with the band I lost weight so fast. I have heard that revision patients lose slower so I'm trying to not stress about it. So the reason I'm writing this... I've noticed that I still have my band mentality. With the band since it was soooo hard for food to go down I would slowly eat food for hours and not get much down. Well now I'm struggling with the grazing. Obviously with my new stomach food isn't sitting in a pouch it goes down. I know this is not good and probably a big part of why I'm not losing weight. Any one else struggle with this? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I got my band about the same time. My revision to sleeve was on May 17th. My band went bad right away and I chose to struggle with no fill, pain, port problems, vomiting, etc., for over a decade rather than do anything. Still, my surgeon did the whole thing in one operation and said that it was fairly simple. If it had been any more difficult he would have done an RNY rather than a sleeve (he had my prior authorization to choose once he saw what he was really working with). I think it depends on the surgeon, how much discussion/flexibility you have, and what’s really going on inside when they start poking around. I know some take the band, have the patient heal, then go back in later if it’s a real mess. That makes no sense to me...you’re already there! But, I don’t have their knowledge base.

Last night I woke up choking from acid back up and even threw up a little. Throat on fire and still have nasty taste in my mouth no matter how many times I brush and swish around listerine. I also am wheezing and go no sleep after fear of it happening again. I had revision from vsg to DS (9.17.20)and never suffered from this before but since the revision, this has been an issue(not as scary as last night).I have chewable antacids that helped little but boy was this scary. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have had the band since 2011 and am going to Mexico to Dr IIIan to have it removed and revised to the sleeve. I have had nothing but issues since getting it. I was wondering did you all have issues with the port once it was removed? Like pain in the port area? I am doing as much preparation as possible so I know what to expect My surgery is scheduled Jan9th In Mexico

I had my Lapband removed on 5/28/13 and revised to VSG. I was in the hospital for 5 days and have been home trying to recover since. I had a fall backwards at the hospital where I was certain I split my staples or new stomach, but apparently I didn't. I believe because of the fall I am healing less rapidly than others. My one week follow up appointment is tomorrow morning. I have been up and walking faster every day every few hours. My incisions (5 in all) are unbelievably painful when standing from seated and sitting from standing. I have been drinking as much liquid as possible and am eager to meet with my surgeon tomorrow to hear his opinion on my progress. Is it normal to have such massive pain this far out? I've been reading of people who experience no pain even a day after surgery. I feel like I am in so much more pain than anyone else that has had this surgery. I want to be sure I am on the right track but I know I will be physically unable to function when my pain medicine is gone. I was only prescribed a weeks worth of pills. I am extremely concerned I will not get a renewal of pain medication tomorrow and I feel this is also causing anxiety that is hindering my healing process. How are those of you who had your revision the same date as me doing? Thanks for listening.

This is a shot in the dark but I really need to find information so here goes.... First off.. HI EVERYONE!! In 1995 I had the "molina band" WLS (I believe Dr. Oria still uses this band to date but was in training when I had mine put on). I weighed in at 285 and got down to around 160-70 in about a year or two. I have yo-yo'd with my weight for the last 13 years and am now sitting at 210 and feel like I am gaining daily. I have lived with this band and all that goes with it for 16 years. It is time for a change!!! I am looking for ANYONE that has or knows someone that had this band and now has a sleeve. I cannot find any information on any of the websites I have googled and from what some of the doctors are telling me, the sleeve is not the best option for "molina band" revisions, the RNY is. I dont want the RNY, period. Dumping? No freaking way! I have "dumped", thrown up, gotten sick or whatever you want to call it for the last 16 years and i am DONE with that!!! I had an EGD last Friday and the band hasnt eroded into my stomach. THANK GOD FOR THAT!! My doc says that he will remove the band but he is sure I will have scar tissue to get around and he might have to leave part of the band in. Since insurance will not pay for a revision (exclusion on policy for ONE WLS per LIFETIME, awesome!) I am going to be heading to MX using my FSA funds to have Dr. Kelly complete the sleeve. Right now I am debating having the band removed here in the USA under my insurance and then heading to MX in January or just having Dr. Kelly do it all in January. I am setting up a phone call with him for next week too. This is why I am so desperate for information from anyone with experience with this damn band! Sorry! I just keep thinking to myself.. how much more different could the removal of my band be compared to the stories I am reading about the lapband removals? Thank you all in advance for your input. I have soooo enjoyed reading and learning from each of you and seeing your transformation is soooo inspiring!

I can't add any specifics about that kind of band, but with the current crop of bands it does seem to be fairly common for the revisions to be staged with the removal done in one procedure and then the sleeve done in another procedure some weeks or months later to allow the stomach to heal from any damage that may have been done by the band. I don't know how many are planned that way versus decided upon when the surgeon gets inside, but there is a band to sleeve forum here where you should be able to get some general insight on that issue. Good luck in making the change,

I've never heard of the Molina band but I really hope that the removal goes well and that your revision is successful!