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Wow. That's amazing. Mine was $15,000 with fills for a year. I'm having a port revision next week--they're coding it as an exploratory abdominal procedure so I only have my insurance deductible to pay for, but still. Coming up with that extra $500 was hard.

So, i am coming up on my band being removed for a recurring infection of my port. I have gone through a port revision, and now the new port is infected too. My physician has suggested that i have the entire band removed for a few months to let the infection heal, and for my body to rest. Has anyone tried/know anyone who has had a gastric balloon? they do it at the clinic where i go, and was wondering if while the band is out, and my soft tissue is recovering from the infection, if i would be able to have a gastric balloon put it? I know gastric balloons are for the short term, which seems to be exactly what i need until i can get my new band in. Any thoughts?

I was banded in 2003 and lost about 60 pounds. It slipped once; revised in 04. Slipped again and had it removed in 06. Think slips were from over-fills and testing the band limits too often. Quickly gained 20 pounds after removal. After three surgeries, I sure didn't want to have it end with me at original weight! I exercised, ate a healthy diet and lost 30 pounds. In the past two years, I've slowly re-gained 20 pounds. My doctors say it's aging/menopause and I have to cut back MORE and exercise more. It's sooo frustrating. SO: I contacted my surgeon to explore possibility of re-band. I'm scared I will have same experience, but hopeful the product, procedure and information have improved since original banding seven years ago. I'm worried about scar tissue; I also had tummy tuck to remove excess skin and am not sure how that will impact. Anyone know? My insurance won't cover so this is a big decision, assuming surgeon says it's viable. Feedback from re-banded and tummy tucks re-banded greatly appreciated!

I go for my second fill on Monday only 2 weeks from my port revision where I got 3.5 ccs and a little restriction. Haven't lost any more weight since a week after surgery Feb 1st...FRUSTRATING! I'm not gaining either but exercising almost every day!

If I understand you right one of the doctors wants to keep you filled with a slip? And work with you? If that is correct, RUN in the other direction unless he can scientifically prove you will be OK in the long term....slips often result in worse complications from what I have been reading for the past 3 years and experiencing for the past year. Please let us know what you decide to do....I went for the unfill and revision. Best wishes, Mimi

I have to admit, I'm a Dr. Aceves fan. He did my band then he did my revision from band to sleeve. I know first hand that Dr. A makes a very small and tight sleeve. Some doctors just don't have the technique down and they leave the sleeve too large and you don't lose well. I don't see the value in paying extra money in the US for a sleeve. You could spend more in the US for less experience and less hospital time... and for what? Just go to an FACS doctor, that way their background is totally verified.

I went in for my first fill under flouro (the dr. always does the first like this) He had a whole lot of trouble and mentioned that perhaps my port may be flipping around a little bit. After a couple of sticks he was able to give me a pretty good fill and I was on my merry way. Keeping my trouble with the first fill in mind I thought it would be to my advantage to remind the dr. and his nurse about my "tricky" port when I went in for my second fill two weeks ago. It must have fallen on deaf ears because they seem totally annoyed that they weren't able to stick me and send my packing. They had me do half sit-ups, leg lifts, and hold my breath to tighten up my stomach. I was physically exhausted by the time they decided to give up on filling me in the office. I was scheduled for a fill under flouro a few days later. I had a similar if not worse experience this time, that was a week ago and I am still bearing the bruises and needle marks from it. Somehow he even managed to get the needle stuck in me (I mean quite literally stuck in me, like leaning back in his chair, tugging on the needle to get it out stuck) it was bent when it finally popped out. So anyway now I am headed in for port revision surgery tomorrow at 11:00 am. I'm not sure what the problem with the port is anyway he never explained it to me, just said "we need to fix this" I guess that's how it has to be though, I need a fill pretty bad (I can eat any and everything I want) and I REFUSE to ever go through another fill like the last two I've suffered over.

Hi all I am booked for Monday. I am having band to rny revision. I have had heaps of surgery, but I will admit this is all bait scary.. Wish me luck.. Anything I should know for my hospital stay????

Hi Bright - I suspect that most of the "hardness" you are feeling is actually tissue swelling, in addition to the port - having just had my port revision surgery a week ago Saturday, I still have more "hardness" than what would actually be my port. Also, it shouldn't be "floating" around inside you - it should be sutured to the fascia of the muscle. Your skin will move around above the port, which can give the impression that the port itself is moving, but in reality the port is in a fixed place. Let us know what the doc says - maybe you're feeling some of the port tubing as well? But I think it's more likely swelling of some sort. So good to see you back on the boards!!!

Hi everybody, I'll try and keep this as brief as possible., but it will get a little long as there is a LOT to cover. I got my Band done in May of '05, in Long Branch NJ. I lost 90 pounds, and hit my goal almost without any major issues. I only experienced severe heartburn as a 'complication' along with the getting to know the learning curve of what I could and could not eat. However, in '09 I developed a complication, that somehow led to an infection of my port area. This turned out to be an internal MRSA infection, and I came about 12 hours away from leaving the planet for good. Luckily, they went in and managed to get everything cleaned out, and actually managed to replace my band and port during the same surgery. When the lab reports came back indicating MRSA, the doctors seemed to think the infection was caused by a belly button ring, but we were never sure. I was on a special treatment of antibiotics for 8 weeks to clear everything up. After my antibiotic regimen was finished I was given the 'all clear' and so, with the new band in place [but unfilled], I managed to gain weight at a rapid pace, putting on 35+ lbs. in a matter of 8 weeks. When they were finally able to do the new fills after I healed, I went back down to my goal weight, (which is around 125) proving that, the band was indeed needed and a much needed tool to effectively help me keep my weight in check. For those of you that are questioning my reasoning for getting the band done to begin with wen I was only in the low 219 area, I am, and have been disabled with many medical issues since 1996. At the time of my banding I had been thru many extensive surgeries in my spine including a 6 level lower spinal fusion, that failed miserably and was the causation (at least in theory,) for my severe Fibromyalgia. With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, and 'Fibro' already effecting my life, to add to my list of maladies, I was also diagnosed with Lupus SLE in 2009. *They also think that one of my Lupus meds may have led to my immune system to not be able to fight off the MRSA infection that led to the emergency Band revision surgery. Fast forward to today. I now live in Georgia after moving away from NJ in December of 2012. And while I know that I probably should have found a new doctor in Georgia before now, there was a very good reason for why. You see the day before we were supposed to move out of Nj and head for Georgia, Hurricane Sandy hit the coast of NJ, causing us to lose everything we owned to that damned storm. From both of our cars, to everything that was packed into our moving PODS, pretty much everything was gone. Life was shall I say "complicated" to say the very least. We now had to concentrate on rebuilding our lives all while adjusting to a new state! And so, I must stress that finding a new Gastro doc, just really wasn't on my mind. Add to this that I have had ZERO complications since my revision, it just was not important at the time. And when I say no complications, I cannot stress it enough - Other than getting some pain if I ate too fast or too much, there was no indication of any problems. No heartburn, no pain, literally zero side effects whatsoever. Until now. About 6 months ago, I started feeling a twinge on my low left back quadrant. Because I have a severe back problem anyway, I at first thought that it was my back. Then it started to get worse. I feared it was my Pancreas, Live or Gallbladder. My Rheumatologist sent me for a lung X-ray fearing pleurisy. Then I went for a CT scan that also came up pretty much negative, all for a slight sign of my port cath, 'rubbing' on my spleen. So I googled left side lap band pain - and it started filling up with pages of warning signs. Shoulder pain, pain when I sneeze, heartburn, rotten egg burps, excess gas in my tummy, etc. As I said in my topic header. I am literally heartbroken. Besides that freak infection in 2009, I have been pretty much a poster girl patient for the Lap Band. Up until now, you could ask anybody that knew of my banding surgery and they would tell you that they probably got tired of hearing me say "Getting the band was the BEST thing I ever did for my self and life". I was so over the moon happy about this tool that was given to me, that ended my lifetime struggle of weight issues. I'm only 5'0 tall, if I put on 40 lbs, its noticeable right away - heck if I put on 20 lbs, one can see the issue of a struggle with weight. My body simply cannot take the extra weight on its joints and limbs. I now know that I'm in for a issue with the band no matter what the outcome will be, I know that there is SOMETHING happening with my implant. And herein lies my problem. I'm at my goal. My BMI is way too low for an argument of why I would qualify for any revision surgery at least that is, for just my weight alone. But, if one were to look at my disability and health issues that was one of my main secondary qualifications for getting the surgery to begin with, well then, I hoping that there might be a hope and a prayer for a sleeve to be done if the band must come out. And that leaves me here. I'm in the Athens and Atlanta area. I'm looking for a doc that is willing to fight for patients for advocating the need to insurance companies for medical needs, as well as a skilled revision doctor. My current weight is going to work against me, that I know, but I'm scared to death of being left on my own accord for the rest of my days. I got the surgery when I was about to turn 40, and now here I am having just turned 50, and facing this horrible task. Again I'm looking for a great surgeon in either the Athens or Atlanta area. They are both a easy drive, but I want to go to a doc that is highly recommended. Thank you so much for listening to my plight - good night and God Bless

Yes I had the lapband surgery there. Several years aft my lapband I had the revision to sleeve.

Hi. I guess I should've posted this question in the Revision Forum instead of the Gastric Bypass. So here it is again lol. I had a lap band and then revised to sleeve. Lost over 100 lbs with band and then 40 something more with sleeve. I have to have a revision due to gerd and other complications from my sleeve. Luckily, I did not lose any of my hair on either procedures listed above... And I know losing weight is much slower after each revision so maybe I'll be lucky again this time around. I was wondering if any of you lost your hair after revising from sleeve to bypass. Thank you in advance.

Hopefull, It's not uncommon for the port area to be sore for a couple of months after your surgery. However, if you've lost enough weight that the port is visible and protruding......I'd say you have a problem. That means that you don't have enough tissue there to keep it hidden anymore. There are "low profile" ports available, but if you only had 75 lbs to lose I would wonder why your surgeon didn't put a low profile port in to begin with. I'd talk to my doctor, let him know the pain you're having and be sure to tell him that the port has become noticable. He may want to see you and consider a port revision to the low profile port. Also, remember that the port is stitched to your abdominal muscles. Any movement can be uncomfortable during your healing (Since you had surgery May '06, I would consider you still in a rather newly post-op period). Other bandsters have tried heating pads, ice packs, tylenol for the pain. But time is probably the only thing that's gonna help you here. Once you're feeling a little better, sex can be good but vigorous sex when you're still new may irritate the area.

If it were me i would wait until I lost all my weight and then do a port revision or the dr can also put in a low profile port when you have met your goal Unless of course the pain is intolerable.... Which of course you would want to fix it sooner

Please go to www.wlsforum.com You have to register or you can't see all the boards. You won't get lost in the confusion there. There are many revisions over there, and they will treat you well. Post on the band board if you like and they will direct you from there. Tell them I sent ya. Good luck!

Nanook Congrats and good luck. You know you can still post. You don't have to lurk. their are others who have had revisions of all types and they still post. I think the info from ya'll is very useful. It might help someones else who might be needing a revision or might have symptoms that they don't realize are problems until they read ya'lls post. So keep us posted.:redface: lol

Well to all of you who knew me as "BrandyII" as well as the current "Nanook" I have finally been approved for my RNY surgery. I wish all of you continued success with your lap bands and those that haven't had success and revised to sleeves or RNY or DS I wish all you all continued success also. This was the first forum I've ever joined and have made some good friends and learned a lot about everything from issues with the band to some things I can't even say out loud in the powder room! I'll probably keep a lurkin' as I doubt even if Alex does make a "revision" or "RNY" forum I'd go there as this was my home for such a long time. Anyway just want to say thanks for all your support you all have been fun! Thanks Nancy.:frown:

Hello everyone, This is the first time I have posted on this message board. I have had the band since 2005 and had one revision surgery in 2006 because of slip. Initially I lost about 85 pounds and have stayed pretty much the same since that initial weight loss. I still have about 50 pounds to go to get to my goal weight. Since May 09 I have had some trouble digesting, food was getting stuck and I would wake up in the middle of the night with severe reflux. Anyway, long story longer- I'm getting the band removed on Feb.8th because of another slip. I am getting the band removed and nothing put back in because I have had two slips with the band, I'm unsure if I want to do this again but I know that I need something to help me reach my goal. I'm having a really hard time realizing that the band is coming out. I know it has to come out because of the slip and I will feel better physically after but I'm an emotional wreck and often find myself getting very upset about potentially gaining weight back. I'm more or less just venting to people who understand and see if anyone has any words of encouragement or things they have found that work after band removal! Thanks

Search for posts by tiffikins. She is a band to sleeve revision AND she has had I believe 2 kids post op. I don't see her post here too much anymore, but she has been a great inspiration to many and is a few years out and maintaining good success with the sleeve.

go to the sleeve section of the board. There are a lot of us who had the band removed and had a revision to a sleeve.

Hi all, I am new to this group but looking forward to participating. Here's my story in a nutshell: I had a Realize band placed in February of 2009. My starting weight was 268. The band was fantastic and I lost weight steadily, with the exception of a few months when I realized how easy cookies were to eat. In December of 2010, I hit the 100 pounds lost mark, I also found out I was pregnant that same week. At about 4 weeks pregnant I had a really nasty 3 day stomach flu. A few days after recovering from that, I started throwing up again. I could keep food down for a few hours, but it was all coming back up. I lost another 15 pounds in 2 weeks. I thought it was just severe morning sickness, even though in 5 previous pregnancies I'd never had morning sickness. I saw my Ob who told me to immediately get my band unfilled and if I was still throwing up the next day he'd have to admit me into the hospital. I got a complete unfill and immediately felt better, but with no restriction and absolutely no mental/physical/spiritual preparedness for no restriction, my love affair with all things bread and pastry renewed like we were never apart. I gained 40 pounds in the first 4 months of my pregnancy. I managed to gain back a little control, but ended up gaining about 60 pounds before I had my daughter in August of 2011. The weight gain took a great emotional toll on me, but I just knew that 6 weeks postpartum I'd get a fill and be right back on track... You know where this is going, right? In October of 2011 I got my band refilled. Pre-pregnancy, my fill level was at 7.2cc in an 11 cc band. We filled it to 3.5 cc and 3 weeks later filled it to 5 cc. I had very little restriction and it just didn't seem right. I'd also started getting heartburn. I went back a few weeks later and we filled it to 5.5. That lasted 24 hours, I had to go back in for an unfill and we went down to 5.2 so I could get water down. I still didn't have much restriction, but I did have terrible heartburn and vomiting in the middle of the night. I lived with this for a few months until I couldn't stand it and went back in and had .5 cc removed. This made the heartburn manageable with daily meds and tums always at hand, but there was no restriction. I could eat all the bread, pasta, rice that I wanted. I knew I had a slip, but didn't have insurance to cover bariatrics, so I lived with it. I tried eating less, exercise, weight watchers, even a juice fast but I've gained 20 more pounds on top of the baby weight. Fast forward to now and I finally have insurance to cover bariatrics. I went in a few weeks ago and had my upper GI. It showed a slip above the band, virtually my entire stomach is above the band, which is why there is no restriction felt, but the band was so tight that flow into the rest of my digestive tract was severely restricted. Food just sat there for a really long time, and the results of that we're just kind of gross. We unfilled the band completely to see if the slip would fix itself, although, we all knew what that result would be. The pregnancy hadn't caused the slip, the stomach flu had and 9 months of an empty band hadn't helped it unslip. I got that confirmation this week. My band is still slipped and the restriction is still severe even empty. I'm frustrated, but quite relieved that there has been a real issue this whole time and it wasn't just me. We're now going through the process of getting insurance approval to revise to a sleeve and I couldn't be happier.

I had a barium swallow today and it showed that my pouch was hugely dilated. I couldn't believe it. I haven't been able to keep anything down for quite a while in spite of being totally unfilled and I have terrible heartburn. My surgeon wants to do a revision with a new band. My question is how do I avoid getting dilated again? This is a real drag and I'm not even losing that much weight with not being able to eat.

Hey Lori, So sorry to hear that this has happened. I realize how devastating it can feel when you find your band has slipped. I was diagnosed with slippage back in September. It had probably been that way for several months. The doctor did a barium swallow to confirm slippage after I kept having to go back and have fill removed, as reflux kept coming back and I was just staying too tight. They removed all the fill for two weeks, but when they added a little bit back, the symptoms came back as well. I spoke with my surgeon and he said it would be best just to replace the band. I went in this past Friday morning for the revision surgery. As the port was fine, he didn't have to touch that. He just took the old band out and put in a new one. Surgery went fine, except her accidentally made a small puncture in my stomach. That's sewn up now and I'll be on antibiotics for a month to ward off infection. After the revision, you go back to life as it was just after you were banded the first time around. I'm on liquids for the next 3 weeks, then introduce mushie foods. The good thing is there's not nearly as much pain this time around, because the port didn't have to be messed with. Sewing that into the muscle caused a good deal of discomfort last time. I did manage to put back on quite a few kilos between the slippage and the revision, but the surgeon sounded confident that that will come back off. Keep your chin up - while it may feel like its the end of the world, its definitely not. Make sure to talk to your doctor about the different options available. All the best!

Mary, I just had my band totally unfilled Friday. I started with heartburn in early June and it led to major reflux. Finally it was so bad I went in to have my band checked. Please do not wait.....you could be risking another surgery. They told me if my swelling doesnt go down and stuff that I will have to have a revision surgery. If you are coughing and spitting up in the middle of the night please go get checked. Not only did I have reflux really bad, but because of it I got dehydrated and passed out twice at the doctors office and had to be put on an IV. :thumbup:

Well I had my appointment with my doctor yesterday. And I have to go in for a Port Revision. Sill waiting on scheduling to call to let me know when their goin to do it. Im just ready for it to be done. Im tired of the bump on my stomach and the uncomfortableness with it. Their saying that a stitch came loose. So back under the knife I go..augh!!Ill keep you all updated Lapbandchic73