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I am is the prossess of trying to get my band to sleeve revision ... Had swallow test yesturday ... Band empty on the 30th and the endo. on the 26 of sept. . Are you vomiting alot ?I know I am and I fugured that why I had to do all that

Staten Island, NY here..going in for a revision Monday, Oct. 15...!!

I don't think her sleeve was a revision ! I believe she had a revision surgery

I think you would regret that. Your stomach will relax after a while and will be able to hold more. My doctor said it would never get as big as before surgery, though. I'm 4.5 years out and can eat half a sub with no room for anything else know eating and drinking). My nut said she would expect me to be able to eat that much (I thought it was a lot). I'm almost through with my preop for revision to bypass.

My surgeon refused to do them as well. Wasn't impressed by the results and too many complications. He did state that e does revisions all the time too. I considered the lap band but the more research I did the more I liked the sleeve. I am two months out from the sleeve and down almost 50lbs. No complications either, but I know there was always the chance!

I read a couple of the recent replies siince this thread was revised. My 2 cents - the sleeve NEVER felt as restrictive for me as the band did. I had to wrap my head around the idea that I COULD still over eat with sleeve (heck, I could overeat with band obviously!) but it did work very well for me as a tool to manage my food intake. It is dissappointing to wind up with a larger sleeve than some, but, I do not believe that means you cant do this. Even with a "bigger sleeve" if you eat DENSE Protein first, don't graze, stay hydrated and get active you will lose. One of my "learnings" is that I do still feel hunger, but it is okay, I will live. That sounds wacky, but I was so hungry for so long, I didn't realize I have almost a phobia of it. weird. but, normal people do get hungry, they live with it, then they eat a little (not too much) and are no longer hungry for awhile. novel concept, and one I finally experience with the sleeve. Best of luck to all.

Hey! Are you having bypass in February? We are starting a closed/secret group on Facebook and would LOVE to have you join us. 2 years ago I had a sleeve done, but due to complications they are revising me from sleeve to bypass. I had an AMAZING group on Facebook that all had the same surgery that month. We were going through the same things whether it was venting one day, sharing milestones, and made lasting friendships! Since it's a secret group there is some hoops to go through to get added (sorry, Facebook makes it harder) The good thing is that it's completely secret meaning none of your friends can know see posts or ever know you're in it This makes it a safe place for us because I know for some it's not something they want to share. Here's how to join: 1. Go to https://www.facebook.com/lanaepetersen and send me a friend request 2. I will accept the friend request, then send you an invite to the group. 3. After you are added to the group I'll unfriend

I just got my surgery date of May 23rd for Revision band to SIPS surgery. I am so excited right now! I know that someone had asked what CPT code was being used for this surgery and when I got my acceptance letter from Anthem BCBS they used 43845 and it was listed as Bilopancreatic Bypass with Duodenal Switch with partial gastrectomy, pylorus preserving duodenoileostomy and ileoileosteomy. Confused, I called my surgeons office and asked and they said 'yes that is the SIPS procedure with band extract' . I should mention that I am having my surgery at Nebraska Medicine.

I agree with those thinking maybe it is time for some counceling. It does not have to be WLS connected, just a bystander, who you can unload all the thoughts and burdens you refer to on. It is not something to be shameful about, many of us find ourselves needing an emotional outlet. And like you most of us found that with food for a long time, so it is an easy shoe to slip back on. It is so hard with the band to make blanket statements, because it truly is such an individual thing. With bypass, they actually cut away part of the stomach, and re route things the way they want them to be. With the band, they are in a sense banding you blind---they do not know exactly where the nerves are in conjunction with where they are placing the band. And where they place it seems to have serious differences in the early outcome of surgery. With some patients the band placement hits the nerve, or applies immediate pressure, to where hunger is reduced or eliminated, and in others it takes several fills to not only reach restriction, but also to cause pressure on these nerves eliminating the hunger issues. The immediate questions that come to mind for me, concern over all depression, and if you are being treated for such---and maybe it is time to explore that---or if you are maybe a medication change. The band is there, and 80 pounds in a year is nothing to sneeze at! I am 2.5 years out as well and lost it fairly slowly----but it beats me gaining in those 2 years which is what I would have done without the band. When you see your Dr. discuss revisions with him/her and see if that is something you want to look into, I do understand the band is not for everyone.....but I do hope you will come back here for some support, and see if you cannot make it work for you again----just think another 80 pounds would make you a total of 160---Well on your way. You did not gain it overnight, and will not lose it in a healthy manner overnight either---that is what I kept having to remind myself of!!! Good Luck, and I hope things begin to look up for you! Kat

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/29062-opinion-of-dr-almanza-and-his-facility-in-tijuana/ Read....This isn't the only place I've heard these things. It's all personal choice and comfortability level. I have no doubt that Dr. Almanza is a competent and capable doctor, (as I did say before). Obviously there are many happy with him! I am not a "hater," and I'm sad that this was said, not exaclty classy. I have friend who is connected closely with the mexican surgeon's community, and has had several surgeries herself there, one with Dr. Almanza in 2010. She told me what she knows... I was just presenting the info I had, and did not try to "knock" him. I am just more comfortable paying more and getting a different setting. And FYI, Dr. Aceves is one of the pricier doctors. My quote for surgery with Dr. Almanza--for a Lap Band removal and sleeve revision was more than half what Dr. Aceves' quote for the same procedure. Dr. Rod is in the middle of the two. I'm glad you are happy with your decisions! We are all entitled to our own respectful opinions! Good luck to everyone, and let's keep it positive on here.

I would recommend the sleeve, although I haven't had surgery yet. My dear friend's sister had a plication and part of the stomach that was stapled/stitched back became infected (from food particles) - it became gangrene and she turned septic - BAD STUFF!!! They actually had to revise her to a sleeve to save her life. Moral of the story...skip the chance of issues and go straight for the sleeve.

I had lapband and had to be revised. I thought I wanted the sleeve but since I am self pay my doc said go for the rny bypass when I asked why he said bypass has a better rate of success and a lot of times sleeve is step one of bypass. They get sleeves then bypass.. I was like oh no I'm done with wls surgeries this has to be my last.. Just my 2 cents..

I'm still pre-op for my revision from band to bypass, but even now, my nutritionist makes me get at least 80 grams of Protein a day.

I know the feelings you are having. I had a revision surgery from my lap band to the sleeve last year. When they went to remove my band, they were going to do the revision at the same time if possible. I can tell you that prior to having my band removed, I prayed that they couldn't do the sleeve! They actually were hooking me up to everything in the OR at that time. I was just sure that if God wanted me to try it on my own again, I would wake up without a sleeve. Well, when I woke up they were not able to do my sleeve because of damage. I was very relieved! However, over the next 2 months I gained 40 pounds. I quickly realized that God was actually showing me that it was ok to have the surgery. I had my sleeve in June 2011. I absolutley love it! I am so glad that I did it and where my sleeve and I have gotten to this point. I wish you lots of luck! Nichole

Hey all, I've lost about 200 lbs in my WLS journey (first lap band, then revised to gastric sleeve) and back in 2015 had a lower body lift and arm lift. As I've since gender transitioned, I am now looking to have breast augmentation as well as a bra line lift to remove the excess skin on my back. Not sure if that's the same as an upper body lift / back lift? Has anyone had any experience with this procedure? It seems pretty uncommon in relation to how many people deal with loose skin around their backs. Thank you!

I had the sleeve nearly 10 years ago. I gained a lot of weight since then and am blessed with the possibility of a do-over. I had a consultation today to start the process for a revision. An EGD will help the surgeon determine which surgery is best for me--the DS or the RNY, but he suggested I research to get an idea of what I might prefer. Per my reading, the DS is for people with severe morbid obesity (BMI >50), which I do not have. Also, there's supposedly a greater risk of complications from this surgery. However, I read it provides higher weight loss than the RNY. I read about possible ulcers, bowel obstruction, etc and I'm afraid. Is there any way to prevent these issues, or are they just inevitable with any type of bypass surgery? (I know this is a question for my doctor, and I do plan to ask.) Ultimately, like anyone, I just want help to get thin and healthy. I don't want to be sickly or have life-threatening complications as result of weight loss surgery. I want to take full advantage of this 2nd chance, lose all the weight I didn't lose the first time around, and KEEP IT OFF. If my surgeon does not have a firm opinion on which surgery I should get and he leaves the option to me, then I'm not sure whether I would get the DS or the RNY. Do you guys have any information or experience that might help?

So my paperwork has been submitted to my insurance company for review! I am excited and very anxious. I recently discovered that my insurance company did a revision to the policy on bariatric surgery and I am not so sure I still meet all the requirements. The old policy actually listed weight watchers as an acceptable 6 month weight loss attempt, the new policy doesn't list any specific program. I am concerned that weight watchers won't count and I will have to do a whole new 6 month program. So I am excited about submission, but I am unfortunately not very optomistic. :-(

I actually had my first consult last Wednesday. The six consecutive month non-surgical weight attempt was actually taken care of between my psych evaluation and my chat with the nutritionist. I discussed and they documented the different "fad" diets and weight loss attempts I've tried and failed at and that, apparently, is good enough to satisfy the insurance requirements. I do have to go through many pre-op tests but I believe that's because I'm band to sleeve revision. Good luck both of you!

I had the band several years ago and just had a revision done to the byass. They haven't done the band in the past 6 years where I live anymore. I'm 2 weeks post op and feel great. Good luck on your decision. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I just switched insurance to Anthem. I got denied by Aetna because they wanted me to do this stupid ph 24hr test. I appealed, but they didn’t care. So I was able to switch since my husband was moving jobs. how was your experience with them? mine is a revision to bypass.

Well I am officially on my way as of today. Scheduled for Lapband revision to VSG on March 7th at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, FL with Dr. Robert Marema. My prior journey was spread over the last six months during which I began to think that perhaps there was something wrong with my Lapband - that it wasn't just all my fault that I had gained back the weight I lost since having my Lapband surgery on 3/6/06. Now mind you, I do not blame the Lapband in total or probably even for most of the failure. I gave up on the whole thing a couple of years ago. I was so frustrated from either being too tight to eat or too loose and hungry to eat everything in sight and more. I was sick of the sliming, food getting stuck, excusing myself in restaurants, and never feeling full for more than 2 hours at a time. I went to multiple surgeons for fills. This past July I went to Dr. Marema who sent me for tests which revealed that the Lapband was not even on my stomach - it had slipped up on my esophagus which explained why food was always getting stuck but once it passed I was wide open as if I didn't have a band. For the first time ever I felt somewhat vindicated. It wasn't just my fault anymore. I have learned a lot of personal lessons and what I believe to be contributors to my failure and which I am absolutely convicted that I won't repeat them again. The past is in the past and it's time to move forward. It's been an emotional and physical at times roller coaster just getting to this point after two appeals, etc. to have this surgery finally deemed 'medically necessary', approved and scheduled - so I'll leave it at that. So..... drum roll please...... Today's official Pre-Op start and stats: YIKES!!!! Putting this out for the public to see.... what am I nuts!!! (I'll explain more below). 2/22/2012 - Measurements: Pre-Op Diet Weight: 286.2 lbs. Height: 5 1 1/2" Bust: 53 1/2" Waist: 49" Hips: 60" Thighs - L: 32" R: 32" Calves - L: 18" R: 18" Upper Arms - L: 21" R: 21 1/2" Forearms - L: 12 1/4" R: 13" Age = 52 I'm attaching some before photos taken first thing this morning. I purposely wore a close-fitting shirt and pulled up the shorts in front to show slightly above my knees for comparison purposes as I lose weight. No smiles there.... but I expect that to change in the future too The main reason I am putting this out here is specifically related to one of the things I think I did not do well with my Lapband surgery.... which was telling others about it and facing the facts. Prior to and just after my Lapband surgery only my husband knew about it. My kids didn't know - my sister who is a Nurse Practitioner didn't know - nor my other siblings nor my mother who lived with me at the time. I told no one at work either - I didn't want them to gossip and I didn't want the 'food police' around. I thought for sure I would lose all this weight and then I would tell them. Well my mother passed away in 2007 without ever knowing and still to this day the people I worked with do not know. I eventually told my kids, siblings and a select few friends. The most I ever lost with the Lapband though was 44 lbs so no one was exactly noticing any dramatic changes since I started at 273 lbs - some certainly did but most people are self absorbed anyway, in my experience. And when you are super morbidly obese 44 lbs is not as noticeable as when you are just obese. So.... this time it will be different. I've already told several people at work that I'll be having this surgery. My family and friends know also. And now.... so do you.... and so, once again, the journey begins.... Until next time, Susie

GasX will work wonders! Also, I'm about to have a revision surgery but when I had my band out in, I found holding a pillow to my stomach with a little pressure, helped the gas feelings a lot! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey Friends, I had RNY on 1/4/18. I had weeks of nausea before a barium swallow test revealed I had a stricture. When I went in to have it balloon dilated, they also found an ulcer. This greatly increased the risk of tearing during a dilation, and because I was already dehydrated, etc, they hospitalized me and started me on an IV and feeding tube. Now, my surgeon is giving me two options: Live with a feeding tube for at least 2 weeks, taking the coating medication for the ulcer, and hope the ulcer heals so we can try dilating it safely. OR Go in for revision surgery now. On one hand, the feeding tube is so uncomfortable, and I won't know if the ulcer is healing until they go in for a second endoscopy/dilation. If it still can't be dilated I'd be looking at revision surgery anyway. On the other hand, my first surgery was already very painful and a second might mean even more time off work. Ultimately, this is my decision, but I am really hoping someone out there might have went through something similar because google has failed me. Thanks!

I'm sorry Klopez002, it is definitely not pleasant. I would make your surgeon order a barium swallow test ASAP. That was how they found that nothing was really going down anymore, and not being able to tolerate liquids was the last straw for me. Basically, after finding the ulcer they decided to put me on a feeding tube for a few weeks. It goes in my nose and through my pouch, bypassing the ulcer so it can heal without being irritated. As much as I hate this feeding tube, finally getting nutrition has made me feel a lot better. I have another week and a half with this feeding tube (not eating or drinking otherwise), then they will go back in and try to dilate the stricture again. I'm really hoping the ulcer is healed by then, because the next option is revision surgery. I am so ready to be feeling better. Has anybody gone through something similar to this? My surgeon made it sound like it as a somewhat rare combination of complications.

You are doing this for YOU!!! That is a great goal. Stay focused on this factor. Those that doubt your intentions are just jealous, and uncertain about your successes--show them otherwise. I had my revision a month ago. Doing great with it. Took me 4 years to get it. Glad I had it done! Hang in there. We are here to support each other. Ronda