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They don't recommend the sleeve to people who have reflux or gerd because when they do the sleeve, the stomach is not aware that 80% of it has been removed and it keeps making acid for a whole stomach. I have to take an acid blocker, almost 5 years post op. I tried to get off of it, but I had way too many acid problems. If your gerd can't be controlled with an acid blocker, you should not get the sleeve. I do know several people who have had to revise to RNY (gastric bypass) because of acid problems.

Banded at 47, waiting for band to sleeve revision at 53.

I chose the sleeve over bypass for three main reasons: 1) I was afraid of dumping 2) I wanted to be able to use Nsaids. I have had a lot of broken bones, and fear arthritis is in my future 3) I heard a rumor that those that do bypass have a higher rate of farting. I already fart a lot, didn't want to increase it Lol! Originally I was going to go lap-band. The high revision rate, low overall success rate, complications, all factored into changing my mind. Also, I was told that many insurances make it extremely difficult to do a revision. It is a "one surgery" chance!

The hair cycle is about 12 weeks, the surgery confuses the hormones that regulate this cycle, and many follicles are sent into shed mode. So, yes, it can take 3-4 months for it to start, and it can last several months too. I have actually found the hair loss to be shocking. I had very little hair loss with the lap band, but after my revision to the sleeve, I started losing hair by the handful every day at month 3, and it just keeps going. My pony tail is about half as thick as I'm used to. For awhile there my hair would clog the shower drain every day. But, the good news is that it does grow back. I just cut my hair short right after surgery, and started taking biotin to make regrowth go fast. Don't worry about the short term, there are ways to deal with anything for the now. The important thing is to focus on long term health goals.

I was 46 when I got the lapband, 52 when I had the revision to sleeve.

It is a huge decision, and much more significant surgery than the lap-band. It is wise of you to consider all your options and look and the pros and cons. I am 64 and had the revision BUT I am 130 pounds overweight so it was a much easier decision of me. Also my band and port hurt al the time, an constant irritation. (That's gone!) I can tell you I didn't have much reflux before but I do now. It is getting better but I wonder if it will ever go away completely. I'm still only 6 weeks post-op. Too soon to tell about any of this. Best wishes to you in making your decision.

I was in your shoes and was upset because my doctor pretty much flat out refused to do the sleeve because of it. I continued to research and found the bypass addressed the barretts as well with the elimination of reflux and then some. It completely changed my decision. I also found many who had the sleeve got the revision to bypass due to the gerd. I don't know about you but I'd rather get the cadillac and do it once then to continue and bring my ass into the shop over and over. Im not knockin the sleeve though...I was all for it for a reason and it works with many...just not me.

Although I want my band out, I am not sure I want to get the sleeve - for the following reasons: 1) Age: 64 2) Doctor said I could lose AS MUCH AS 45 pounds (my current BMI is 35) 3) Not being able to take NSAIDS (I have chronic back problems and arthritis) 4) I was diagnosed with GERD many years ago and have no symptoms while using daily nexium. 5) Not a lot of encouragement on here when they assess my situation. Considering the problems that might occur after surgery with everything - food issues, acid reflux, pain relief - I am wondering if it is worth it for "as much as 45 pounds". It's a very difficult decision for me. The doctors and staff just tell you the risks but aren't going to be much help in making this decision.

Most of you know me. you know that I had bad medical care when I complained to both my surgeon and pcp. they used medications to correct reflux and pain instead of upper gi with barium. so I ended up with a messed up esophagus. I cannot or lets say the doctor will no longer do fills. I have 5 cc in a 14 cc band. I need to diet. as you all know diet doesn't work when your tool isn't helping in the lest. but I can do a bit more to start the wt. loss again. my only option is a revision. if I go that route I will do a ds. it is easy on the esophagus and that's what I need. I got down to 215 when I couldn't eat due to the reflux and pb'ing. I have gained 15lbs when the band was completely empty and have maintained that for months. I just want ppl to listen to their bodies. It isn't normal to have reflux. It isn't normal to have pain. It isn't normal to have your chest pulse so you can see it. doubleing up on medications will not solve the problem. Please when you are having problems insist on a barium swallow. don't fret if you have your band unfilled. at least my band is still there and I have managed to have a slip corrected and most of my esophagus problems corrected. I am going to have next month a full upper gi and lower gi to get a good picture of everything. I would rather keep my band than do a revision. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOUR BAND IS TELLING YOU. That is my message.

HELLO, My revision took about 2 hrs. My surgery was at 11 and I was wheeled into my room at 2:15. (Time includes revision and recovery room time). The recovery room time was roughly an 1 1/2. I had my band unfilled a fews months before. Brigette

Our stomachs do not understand that at least 80% of our stomachs were removed., and continues to make acid as if it were a whole stomach. Most sleevers are on an acid blocker. Do you have a costco there? You can get the generic of an acid blocker for pretty cheap. If you have insurance, just tell your doctor to prescribe and acid blocker. There are some sleevers who have revised to a gastric bypass because their acid problems were really bad and could not be controlled by medicine.

I had a revision on Oct 20 after having pretty well the same issues as you are having. Let me just say, I love my sleeve. It is like being "normal" again. When you are full, you just feel naturally full. I have stopped mid bite because I just don't feel the need to swallow that bite. No worries about it. No mourning your meal when the band didn't allow. I just feel satisfied and done. I also no longer worry about that belch that may end badly. The valves at the entrance and exit of the sleeved area are your original stomach valves so everything works as nature intended. I hope this helps! I had my band for 5 years.

Right now, I am banded and have been since 2011. I am getting revision surgery to the sleeve mid-March of 2015. As far as my surgeon has shared with me, both the band and the sleeve are restrictive procedures. There is no dumping as with the bypass surgery which works in part due to malabsorption and where dumping syndrome is more common. Still, parts of mindful awareness can be beneficial to eating slowly and saviring one's foods for several types of surgical procedures. Perhaps not all aspects will apply to everyone and bariatric rules such as eating protein first, etc must always be followed.

If I do consider a revision, I think I'd do the sleeve. What about you? I'm just so happy to get that poison out of me that I'm just focusing on feeling normal again.

I just had mine removed on Mon due to many complications. It was originally placed in 2007. I was able to get it removed within 1 month of my decision to do so. Insurance tried to fight it was not medically necessary but I had plenty of documentation to show it was!!! My surgeon will not revise to another procedure for at least 3 months, longer if there was a lot of internal damage and/or erosion.

I have Cigna and had my revision done in 1 surgery which they approved. This was after the 3 month requirement was met

I had the revision a few weeks ago after having the band for 6 years. I have posted this before but I truly believe that we have an easier time adjusting because we've been through it before. I haven't vomited, and each week I add a new food to my diet ( except for dense meat- still too early) and am not having any problems. I think it's because I'm already used to eating slow, chewing thoroughly and know when to stop. Today at work we had a free pizza delivered, I was kind of hungry so I took a slice/square, pulled off the topping and just are that. Threw the crust away and it was so good!! Good luck to you!

So I've come to the end of my band journey ... and I am relived! The last few years have been pretty miserable and I hope my story can help someone else. I was banded in Aug 2007. GREAT results! I was very lucky and didn't have to mess w/ too many fills/unfills or have any complications. (that I knew of) Pre-op weight of 311 and low of 160 in under a year. I didn't maintain the 160 for long but was happy in the 175-190 range for a few years. I'm back up to 240 and feeling like a complete failure. I just had my band removed on Mon and I'm feeling pretty good. They used 2 of my old small incisions and had to open up the old port incision a bit. The port site is what's killing me. My band had slightly slipped but the removal was quick and uneventful. Didn't even have to spend the night in the hospital. I was thankful my surgeon supported my decision to have it removed and helped fight my insurance to get it covered. (Not medically necessary? What a joke! I'd love to know how much they've paid out in doc visits and tests for stuff all caused by the band because I know I've spent a fortune in copays & missed work. I guess it's the same as so many insurance company's paying for women to have a babies but not for birth control?!) About 3 years ago I started having dizzy spells coupled with severe upper abdominal bloating/pain. The symptoms were very similar to diverticulitis, minus the bathroom troubles. Attacks started to get more and more frequent. Multiple visits to PCP, band doc, and finally a gastroenterologist. Multiple tests; barium, CAT scan, endoscopy, allergy tests, etc. The gastro theorized that I was experiencing aerophagia (swallowing too much air that gets trapped in your intestines and creates pockets - similar to diverticulitis) and the band was really trapping that extra air. I fought it and didn't think it was band related but after a year we did a complete unfill and guess what - no more attacks!! That was Dec 2013 and I've remained unfilled since. Still getting stuck often and having lots of indigestion. Sometime during that year I developed horrible heartburn and have been on 40 mg Omeprazole since Sept 2013 w/ no relief! Around the same time I also developed left shoulder pain. It was occasional and bare-able. I assumed maybe an injury or tendinitis. The shoulder pain finally got really bad and consistent about 6 months ago. Multiple visits to PCP, Orthopedic, & Physical Therapy. The therapist wanted me to get an MRI because the X-rays weren't showing anything, Cortisone shots didn't help, and my symptoms and range of motion didn't really sync up to a rotator cuff injury and/or tendonitis. I broke down in his office - "MORE EFFIN TESTS AND COPAYS AND PAIN AND AND ... wait a minute? Could this also be band related?" Did a little research and learned about the Vagus nerve and how it can be affected by the band. That little bastard really causes trouble! The body is so complex! I developed sciatica about 1 yr after being banded but have severe Scoliosis so I chalk all back stuff up to that. I had a major episode last week and was barely able to walk or work for about 5 days leading up to my band removal. I was really nervous about recovering from abdominal surgery with my back in that state. My back has been 100% fine since coming out of surgery on Mon and I haven't taken much in the way of pain meds. Anyone w/ sciatica knows - a magic overnight cure does NOT happen. Now I'm thinking that was also band related because of the Vagus. Only time will tell how my heartburn, shoulder and back are long term but I'm pretty optimistic the worst is behind me. I can't remember a time I went 5 days without saying "My shoulder is on fire!" I'm also still a little shocked and angry that something I did [voluntarily!] to make myself healthier made me so sick. So I guess I'm starting over on the weight loss journey - thinking about Weight Watchers again. I keep telling myself it's a lot easier to lose 50lbs than 100 and am trying not to back slide any more. Maybe a revision in the future but not something I'm even ready to think about right now. I hope someone reads this who may be experiencing similar symptoms and it helps turn that light bulb on because it took me awhile and a lot of wasted time and energy.

Thanks so much Lisa. I think I finally found the section on band-to-sleeve revisions, and I will be spending some time there in the next few days. Looking forward to the spring and to our spring meeting. I'm going to ask my local library if they have a free meeting room that we might be able to use for an hour or so. If not, I'll see you at the Atrium! Best to you, your dear husband and your fur baby!

I had the band placed on March 10, 2011. Now, I will be having the band removed and will be undergoing the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on March 16, 2015. That is very soon! My history: The band worked very well for about three years. Then changes in my esophagus were noted on the Barium Swallow tests, and that was followed by band unfills, more Barium Swallow Testing, band refills, more Barium Swallow Testing and on and on and repeated for about a year. Now it is clear to both my surgeon and to me that the band must come out as it is not restricting my intake with the unfills and my esophagus issues arise when I get fills. I put on a significant amount of weight that I had previously lost with a working band. My hope is to utilize the sleeve procedure to lose that weight and more, to reach my goal weight! I hope that others who are facing the same issues will chime in. In any case, best of luck to all who will be undergoing band to sleeve revisions. ~~ Barbara

Hi Kelly, It took me a while to find it, but I think this is the forum we need for band to sleeve revision information and questions. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/ I hope this is helpful. See you in the forum!

@@CowgirlJane - I tried to search band to sleeve revision forums and couldn't find one. Can you help me? Thanks!!!

@@sleeveee that's great news!! I know you have been waiting to get your date so I am happy for you! I hear lots of great things about the sleeve and revision surgery, as @@CowgirlJane mentioned there are some threads you might want to check out as your getting ready for your surgery. Oh and yes what they said about the "newbie" part is all about how many posts you make so get to posting lady, we all wanna hear how great your doing!!

I was denied - I'm shocked. I meet their requirements. BMI 35 2 meds for HBP Supervised diet not required for surgery before March 15 (I'm scheduled for March 13) Blue Cross The peer to peer is on Tuesday and I have no idea what to expect

I never had reflux until I had a lapband. I could not keep any Fluid in it - I had elevated head of my bed, didnt eat close to bedtime, took pills etc and with the band, my reflux was actually not tolerable. It was scary revising to sleeve, BUT what i knew is that with no fluid in band I was okay and the 3 months after band was removed - no reflux - so i took that chance with the sleeve. 3 years out and KNOCK ON WOOD I don't suffer from reflux. If you have a known, chronic problem with reflux, think very very hard about the band or sleeve as they can both cause reflux problems. It seems the RNY is a better choice. A comment about weight loss statistics.... that is an average across large populations. Many of us DID lose 100% of our excess and keeping it off so those things are possible but may require extraordinary efforts.