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Hi Bonbini, Welcome to Bariatric Pal. You and your doctor will decide the best option for you. Sometimes you are not a good candidate for a particular surgery. I, like Laughing Cat, am a revision patient. I had a lap-band and now have the sleeve. With any weight loss it is a tool and you still have to work with it in order to have long-term success. I have had no problems with keeping things down with the sleeve at all since my surgery. I was able to start swallowing pills a week after sleeve surgery. When I had my band, my surgeon did not allow me to start swallowing pills until 6 weeks post-op. One thing you will find on this site, is that different doctors have different pre-op and post-op diets and lengths of time before you are allowed to do things. One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to follow the instructions your doctor and nutritionist give you especially while you are still healing and recovering from surgery.

Good morning everyone, Somehow I missed this forum when I first joined. I posted in the pre-surgery Q & A and felt like a loner, but I included the post on my profile too. I am scheduled for a gastric sleeve revision on December 2, 2019. Someone asked why I did not choose to a have a bypass the second time and the reason is that I have a form of anemia that make the bypass too dangerous to manage. The irony is not only was my last surgery December 3, 2013, I am at the exact pre-surgery weight I was back then. I had quick early success and dropped 80 pounds in the first three months. That was both scary and exciting and I had this fairy tale belief that I could eat very small amount of my favorite foods and still be successful. Not to mention, I was drinking tequila probably every other Friday night. I do not have those misconceptions and gave up most of my vices - coffee with splenda is the last vestige to go...as a sheepishly sip my last cup. My weight crept up drastically between 2015-2016 as I battled depression and suicide attempts, not specifically because of my weight. In 2017, I started thinking about having surgery again, but it would be another year before I was even emotionally stable enough to have a real conversation about it. I knew in 2017 I would not get back on that table until I was ready to change my life, not just my weight. I languished a bit in the last couple of months after finishing my preoperative testing. I still had not made my an appointment for my final surgery review and scheduling a date. Although I am more spiritual than religious, I asked God to give me a sign of what the right was for me. Well, my answer came when I fell out of the shower (can't believe I said hospital before) and had no choice but to struggle to get off the floor. My knees hurt terribly when I finally got to them and in that moment I thought 'I am 46 and there is no reason I should not be able to get off the floor.' I made it up off the floor, went to the ER to make sure I did not have any new broken bones, and scheduled my appointment the next day. When I finally had a surgery date three weeks ago, I felt empowered and excited for the first time. I have traveled down this road before and I know the hard work begins after Monday. I have stumbled a bit this week, but I am ready. Mya

How was your flight home? Did u have to do anything special? I have 12 hours back to London after my revision! Would love tips to make it easier! X

Hi all of my supportive buddies! I am doing so well weight loss-wise, IMHO but have to deal with a setback. Before I had my VSG in 2014 I had both of my hip joints replaced. Obesity blew them out. In the last year I joined a gym and have been trying to get in shape and was definitely succeeding! But in January (just starting to feel more fit and strong) i had an accident of my own fault. Thinking I was more fit I forgot "the rules" for protecting a hip joint replacement and I damaged it by too much bending flexion. So now I have to have surgery for a hip joint revision and wil be unable to exercise like I am now for a couple of months, minimum. So disappointed! But it is what it is I suppose. Obviously it's a necessary situation, but I feel so sad that I have to be "off the grid" with activity when it was going so well for the first time in my life. It's scaring me that I might have trouble restarting. Anyone ever go through something similar?

Thank you! Your words really uplifted me! So you were a revision also? Did your surgeon do both procedures in same surgery? Leaving in 30 minutes to take my husband. Anxious!

I can feel it, and when more of the fat is gone, I imagine it will stick out a little...I'm not planning on baring my midriff, so it shouldn't be much of a problem. My niece's port really does stick out, noticeably. She younger, and might wear a two piece swimsuit, so it bothers her. I'll see her tonight and tell her about the port revision option. Cindy

Thank you. I asked how long he felt like this may go on and he told me that the most he has ever had to do was four dilations. He has no idea if that will be the case with me. He said it is quite possible that they may have to do a revision. It would be nice for me to be well some day. I never thought going into this surgery that I would be so unwell afterwards. I had so much hesitation before the surgery and it very well may be that I should have listened to myself. =(

I was a lap band to sleeve revision and had to do all the same requirements as an initial patient would do, but that was my insurance requesting it... VSG 7/26/16, Newby to the Losers Bench

Will your doc be removing the band and converting to the sleeve at the same time? Or have u had the band removed already. Please keep me posted....I am just starting that journey...met surgeon and getting necessary test required by ins company. Btw.....congratulations on getting revision approved. What ins provider do u have?

Has anyone else gone this route and did you have to fight the insurance company? I had one insurance when I had the sleeve and now I have a different one. Has anyone else revised from sleeve to bypass and been successful?

I was diagnosed with a slip and waited almost two years before having revision surgery. I don't know, I guess I hoped it would fix itself? I have to say, even though I'm just five days out from revision surgery, having my band fixed is amazing. I feel so much better and eating goes SO much more smoothly. Don't hesitate with that slipped band, have it fixed. You will be happy you did.

Honestly, the sleeve is completely different than the band. It does what a band is supposed to do without all the b.s. complications, and food restrictions. I'm still never hungry, and have great restriction. You'll still have to be mindful of what you put in your mouth. You can't suck down milkshakes and ho hos and expect results. But, you can eat Protein first, followed by a few veggies, and see results. Once you get to regular foods and out of the post-op diet stage, you can have a variety of foods, just in smaller portions. The basics of the sleeve are protein first and if you have any room, veggies, and last carbs. I can imagine it's scary to be put in this rushed position, and no one can tell you what is the right thing to do. But, I can tell you that the sleeve is not like the band. Can your surgeon remove the band, and give you a couple of weeks to research the sleeve? I would not have chosen RNY if VSG was not an option for my revision. I would have had my band removed, and stayed fat the rest of my life. Best wishes, and I'll keep you in my thoughts.

I have been soooo nervous about whether or not I would be approved for my revision, but I called BCBS yesterday and was approved! So grateful, yet extremely worried and nervous. My husband is being sleeved this Monday, May 2. This was the original plan. We both get sleeved and he goes first to start tackling his diabetes! But now that it's so close, I am pretty much a nervous wreck. We aren't youngsters like so many others out there in Bariatric Pal Land, lol. I hope we can withstand the pain/discomfort and carb withdrawal! I know I'm not saying anything new!!

I had revision from sleeve to RNY in Oct. my GERD is still here. My surgeon said with the more weight I lose it will hopefully go away. There is no guarentee. I have had no complications and I was scared! I am happy my decision.

My band surgery (2009) was easy peasy compared to my sleeve revision (5 mths ago). I don't work so I'm not much help there but with my band I guess I could gone back to a desk job in maybe a week. Now if I were returning to work as say, an RN (my past lifetime) I'd have been ready in mayb 2-3 weeks. Now with my revision, they had to spend an extra 30 mins digging my band outa my stomach, making me sore than anticipated. I would've had to wait at least a month for either job. Recovery from my sleeve sucked, big time. regretted it for a while. But as my husband reminded me I had to have my band out anyway. What a little more pain in addition to the pain of taking it out? So there's ur answer...

I'm getting sleeved Monday, yes, THIS Monday, March 3. Band to sleeve revision. I am always blase' about surgeries, then have last minute "Oh my God, what was I thinking?" I'm starting that a bit early this time. Like now. But I know it is the right thing, and it is great to read how pleased everyone is with the sleeve. Let's stay in touch March Sleeves! What is the best way? By the way, I am 69. Yep. But a (surprisingly) healthy, 60 pounds overweight almost 70 serious swimmer. My surgeon did my band eight years ago, so he knows me well, and says he has no concerns about my age. I am hoping to double check that with him just before surgery. But I definitely trust him, soo...off I go.

I felt the need to respond I actually agree with Carlos and several of the other repliers in that it is not the patient fault that her band slip. Before I got my band on 2/16 I was very concern about all of the side effects I was reading about on this site. I know everyone experience is different but some of you really seem to have had a hell of a time. On my final preop visit with my Surgeon she notice I was more nervous than she had notice before. I started to explain what my concerns were and why. She explain that yes slips are a possible side effect but it is not the norm. I told her I am starting to feel like it is after visiting this site some have had more than one slip revision procedure. She question the surgeons qualifications and the weight loss center program. My program is hospital base and a Center of Excellence of by the Bariatric Surgery Board. As a nurse this was important to me because it demands that you run program a certain way because of the regulatory issues and have handy your statistics for side effects. Anyone getting any surgery should want to know the surgeons stats. For example my surgeon has done 217 lapbands since 2003 and has had only 1 slip. Now is that a coincendence or skill. I hear many say my doctor is great or I went to Mexico and it was excellent. But when we use these adjectives we should be speaking of skill not personalities. Weight loss is a booming business and many are not qualified and just in it for the money. I just wanted to add my two cents. I know we all are striving for the same result. To live healthier lives for ourselves and our families.

I got my surgery date today-I'm having revision from LapBand to VSG on October 18th. I'm thinking that by Thanksgiving, I'll be able to eat at least a little bit:)

I'm 1 week post op sleeve to bypass revision

I thought I had already posted a blog over here, but I can't find it so I thought I'd start again. I had my band to sleeve revision on 4/16/12 after having the band since 6/2006 and I haven't regretted it for a minute! Just as a disclaimer - I do work with Dr. Ortiz from Obesity Control Center - he was my band surgeon back in 2006 and of course I wouldn't have chosen any other doctor to perform my surgery. I choose him as my surgeon before I started working with him. In fact I asked to join his team after my wonderful experience as a patient. My experience during my surgery is WHY I work for him... I've had several offers from other patient brokers to come to work for them, but I honestly believe I already work for the BEST - so why would I work for anywhere else? I believe in him! Instead of starting from scratch here, I thought I would just link you to my blog that i've already started on the OCCForum. This is not a sales pitch, otherwise I would do like so many other Patient Coordinators/Facilitators out here and speak to you with a fake name... that isn't how I roll! So here is my journey so far from band to sleeve revision! I update pretty regularly, so feel free to follow me! Good luck everybody! http://www.occforum.com/index.php?app=blog&module=display&section=blog&blogid=332

After my 13 hour shift tonight, I'll be heading to the airport to have my revision to the VSG on 4/1. Yes, it will be a marathon day for me with no sleep until Wed evening. Three years ago today, I was banded. I am so looking forward to this revision. I'll post when I can.

Elizabethsew, Good luck with your revision to VSG. I don't even know any surgeons in my area that do them. I'm upstate NY. Since I was the one who never did well from the beginning on the band I'm hoping the RNY will help me this time. Anyway good luck a revisioner is a revisioner is the way I look at it, we'll all be exbanders! Nancy:smile:

After 3 1/2 yrs with my band (which I lost 104 lbs with, btw), we're about to part ways. Good. Causes much reflux and stomach pain. Last year, I was at my all time lowest (144) when I got a minor slip. After much unfilling/filling/tweaking, it was shown to not have changed. So I was left with whatever fill was there that didn't cause major nightime reflux. My band worked at about 50%. Sometimes it didn't feel like I even had a band. I gained 18 lbs. 2 mths ago, after 4 days of increasing stomach pain, the ER diagnosed me with a herniated band from a CT. Not only had it slipped but my stomach was protruding up over the band. I was totally unfilled and told it needed to come out. Another 12 lbs. A total of 30 gained in 18 mths. Last month, after my appt with my surgeon about a sleeve revision, I was so excited I was getting this done. he showed me how he folds over the excess skin of the cut part of my stomach over itself reducing the chance of a leak.. Yeah. Then I went to talk to the insurance coordinator and schedule a surgery date. I found out that because I cancelled my Part B Medicare 2 yrs ago (I was paying $110 a mth for something I never used once in 12 yrs), I had to pay a $5400 drs charges in cash. Wow. I don't have $5400 lying around the house. By the time I can resign up for my Part B (July 2014) my stomach is likely to be so damaged by my band that I will have no choice but to just take it out and not revise. What to do, what to do... We have poor credit so no loans for us. We don't own a house so no mortgage for us. We make a decent income, but it would take YEARS to save that much. A friend offered us her 0% interest for 16 mths credit card. Making 450.00 a month payments are not something that sounded good to us (we luv to travel so we'd have nothing left to travel) and we couldn't ask a friend to do that, But it's nice to fall back on if we HAD to. The last 2 weeks, we've been in Ca vacationing with my inlaws and my mom (we're from OR). My inlaws are so concerned about my bad band causing me pain. Today they offered to pay for it. Wow. Couldn't believe it. They told us there was no need to pay them back, by hubby and I talked about it today and we will eventually pay them off, little by little. Goodbye good friend that allowed me to have more confidence in myself while losing 104 lbs. You allowed me to enjoy single digit clothing sizes, allowed me to cross my legs, polish my toe nails, and say no to seconds. I loved my band. However, it's hard to be perfect all the time and maintenance with the band is crucial. Did I follow all the rules? Nope. I ate whatever I wanted, just much less of it. So happy that my new tool will take little maintenance and will start working right away (not waiting for proper adjustment and keeping it there forever) so happy that they cut out the part of the stomach that has the ghrelin, so I won't be so hungry. Also, the part they removed is the least stretchy part keeping a stretch to a minimum. I've heard that it starts out at 2 oz and over a year can stretch to 4-8 oz, but nothing more than 8 oz. I've heard so many stories about RNY patients gaining all the weight they lost back. Anyway, I'm so relieved. I have the best in laws in the world. My mother in law loves me so much and is so happy I married her son (we've only been married 18 mths). I think they offered me the $$ cuz she doesn't want me to get too fat so he leaves me...hubby disagrees! They've noticed my weight gain but are the most concerned about the damage the band is doing right now. I have raging nightime reflux and occasional stomach pain. Now hopefully my stomach is good and unswollen now so they can do both surgeries at the same time.A whole new set of worries if they get in there and can only removed my band. Prayers that I wake up without most of my stomach. Can't wait to be satiated with 1/4 of a sandwich or 1/2 carton of yogurt (like I did with my new band). Please wish me luck!

Never heard of the 3 mth rule for flying. Personally, the band recovery was easy peasy compared with my revision. Everyday for 12 days I felt like I was hit by a truck. My liquid Vicodin was my best friend for 12 days. I had a rougher than average recovery tho. Ur might be much better. 1 week after, however, is being mighty optimistic. U could be great, climbing mountains. Or more like me, lying in agony. U never know. If it were me, Id give myself at least 2 weeks before I expected to travel. But again, that's just me...good luck

Good luck! I hope it all goes well. After 3 consultations with my PS and paying ahead of time, I had a major slip over Thanksgiving last year and my surgery was scheduled the following week....and was canceled. Money returned...I was 'unclamped' and without a band for nearly 7 months. 30 pounds later, I'm relieved I didn't go ahead with PS. I'd definitely need revision if I had. I'm using my PS money for a down payment on a house. I had my band 're-clamped' and am working on getting back on track now. I hope to one day get that PS I waited so long for. Good luck with your legs. Post pics when you're feeling well enough to do so!