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No recliner but I second the wedge. I had one handy due to years of gerd, and it made me so much more comfortable when I got home from my revision. I didn't like my hospital bed at all. Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi there. From everything I read your first was sleeve w\ Sadi is going to be wonderful. I’m a revision surgery, so unfortunately I can’t tell you much. My experience is slow, BMS are bad with a lot of simple carbs, but I’m thankful for the opportunity

Some Lap Band and VSG patients end up developing GERD or reflux several years post op those two weight loss surgeries. I'm one of them (Lap Band). Both surgeries operate under a high pressure system and years later for whatever reason the high pressure placed on the esophageal sphincter causes reflux/GERD. So now I'm awaiting revision. My surgeon told me that anyone with reflux or GERD currently or in the past, she recommends RNY. Sure repairing the hernia now will fix the reflux issue currently. But then years later you may be impacted by reflux/GERD again due to the high pressure on the esopageal sphincter (nothing to do with a hernia). When that happens to "cure" the reflux/GERD many revise to RNY.

I got the sleeve on April 18th. I have had a few days where the reflux was extremely painful. I have yet been unable to lay down to sleep because of it. I am on a medication for 30 days called pantoprazole 40mg. It worries me a lot because i cant afford to get a revision. I never had this issue before surgery. If you have heartburn. Getting the bypass may be best. It basically eliminates GERD for most people.

May 11 for VSG to RNY revision. Due to reflux.

My surgery is scheduled for Monday, May 2nd! I'm starting to get nervous. My previous Nissen Fundoplication (hiatal hernia surgery) has to be revised and hopefully the surgeon will be able to do the gastric sleeve at the same time. If not, it will be a few months before he can do the sleeve. But he thinks he'll be able to do both at the same time. I've been on my liquid diet since Sunday and it's going well. I've been pleasantly surprised. I was dreading it, but I haven't been as hungry as I expected.

May 11 for Revision from VSG to RNY for reflux. Sorry, I posted in the wrong forum.

Unfortunately you will not find a plan that will cover it in Texas thru the affordable care act (obama care) I have done lots of research on this specifically because here in Florida its also excluded... These are the states where its covered. Your option would be to move to one of these states temporarily, Establish residency, get healthcare, get your surgery and leave. If you notice most southern states are excluded because people in southern states tend to be overweight when compared to northern states. (according to multiple articles i read about bariatric surgery. This is my backup if i end up needing a revision is to move. South Dakota seems to be the easiest from the research i did.

I told some people about my first surgery. I learned quickly that in the future to keep to myself and talk in forums like this where people are supportive. I didn't tell anyone but my husband about my revision and things are easier to stay on track without all the background noise. When asked what am I doing, I tell them about my logging, counting calories, getting enough liquid and protein, my exercise (or lack thereof) and relay all the hints that I've learned that has helped me stay on track or get back on track... Etc. I do NOT mention surgery due to people's prejudices and/or intense nagging by family members. So, in essence, I lie by omission.

I'm in the process of revision. My band was removed one year ago. I'm about to have bypass surgery very soon. I can tell you that medicare covers revision and it's based upon medical necessity, and they review each case individually. I had GERD. So before removing my band, my surgeon did a couple of tests. An EGD and also a special fluoroscopy test that looks for dysmotility of the esophagus and also reflux/GERD. You basically eat a marshmallow and then a piece of bagel (if neccessary) on fluoroscopy while they tilt the table that you're secured on to certain degrees. It's almost like swallowing food at an angle. It's really strange. I didn't even get to the bagel before the marshmallow refluxed upwards and outward. The test reports are sent to the insurance company to establish medical necessity for removal. So because Lap Band failed me, I can get revision. So if you're having issues with your band, I would say you will be approved very easily. When you have issues with the band, those issues override BMI. Because you're not asking for revision so much for weight loss, but primarily due to the intolerance or issues the band has created. I wish you well on your journey to revision!

Yes there is a whole forum for revision surgeries and sleeve to bypass seems to be mentioned on here quite often because of GERD. It’s a pretty common procedure.

I would just go see the surgeon and see what They say. For revision if it’s medically necessary your BMI shouldn’t matter. For instance if you haD sleeve and develop untreatable GERD they wouldn’t care what your BMI was to revise to bypass. I am not sure but band intolerance may make it medically necessary.

I’ve had a lap band for 11 yrs. I’ve begun to have problems ( band intolerance) and also have gained 30 of 100 pounds back. I’m not considered obese anymore but I am wanting the band out and feel that I need the sleeve so that I don’t gain it all back. I’m disabled and have Medicare. Does anyone have experience with this. Insurances seem to want you to gain it all back ( to have a higher bmi again ) before they will cover. They covered the band. Wouldn’t it make sense to cover the revision.

I hadn’t heard of it either & it wasn’t an option with my surgeon. Is it a Sydney thing?? I wonder if stomach stretching after sleeve was either an old wives tale or to scare patients to encourage them to eat correctly (portion size, frequency, etc.) so that wouldn’t happen. I do recall Dr Nowzaradan operating again on one of his patients saying they had stretched their tummy again but they had been eating exactly the same way as they always had: huge portions, many times a day every day for a long time. So they deliberately worked to stretch it again. No surgery would have helped them. As others have said it sounds similar to lapband (gastric banding) which are not performed as often because of higher risk of complications. There are a lot of people here who have had to have a revision to sleeve or more commonly to bypass because of issues with their band. On googling I noticed that some weight loss clinics don’t identify the possible side effects of the minimiser but did discover one (Perth) clinic that did: … placing a ring around the top of the sleeve can cause obstructive symptoms much like adjustable gastric banding resulting in difficulty swallowing and food intolerance. It can cause dilatation of the top of the sleeve which we consider to be the most critical part. It may also increase the risk of reflux, volume regurgitation and possible aspiration. But if you’ve done your research, weighed the pros & cons, and you know yourself & your challenges with eating best, & your surgeon supports you, it is ultimately your decision. All the best.

Just as a preface, I had the sleeve in Dec. 2016 and dropped about 120 lbs in 6 months, then screwed up and slowly went back up almost to where I started. I had a revision to bypass in Nov. 2021 and have been doing very well, about 80 lbs down so far. Last week was spring break for my kids so we decided to take a vacation, my first since the most recent surgery. We went to Virginia (drove from NY). I was very worried for a few reasons. First, I weigh myself every single day (yes I know some recommend against it, it works for me). I didn't want to bring my scale so it would be a week without monitoring my weight loss (or gain). Second, I rarely eat out and I weigh everything I eat when I make it. I wasn't going to be bringing my food scale and I knew I'd have to eat out more than usual. Finally, we were going to a lot of places where there weren't the healthiest options to eat. So I resolved to try my best not to blow it and see what happened. We stayed at a timeshare resort which had a full kitchen (stove, oven, microwave, utensils, pots/pans, etc) which was fantastic because we were able to go shopping for a lot of stuff to make in the room so I knew exactly what I was eating. I was able to make my usual breakfast (2 scrambled eggs with shredded cheese) almost every morning. I bought a few pre-packaged salads and some other stuff for the room. I only had to actually eat out 4 or 5 times the entire trip, not counting during the drive to and from VA. When we ate out I was able to check the calories for what I was eating to make a healthier choice, and made sure to stop when I was full instead of cleaning my plate. I was able to find something to eat at both Waffle House and Cracker Barrel that wasn't too horrible. Even at Busch Gardens we went to the German area restaurant and I got something called a German Chef Salad that was pretty good and not too heavy or unhealthy. Bonus at Busch Gardens: Last year (pre-surgery) we went to an amusement park and I wasn't able to ride most of the roller coasters because I just couldn't fit - no problem at all this time, got in with room to spare! I stayed away from snacks and desserts (I got Halo Top ice cream for the room to have at night). When we got back I was concerned what the scale might say, but I was down 2 lbs from when we left, so I'll consider that a win! I had a nice NSV before the trip too - I was looking for clothes to bring and found a bunch of shirts I got when I lost all the weight the first time, and they all fit comfortably and looked great. Before the surgery I wore XXL shirts, and even those were getting a little snug, I even had one XXXL I think. Lately I've been wearing XL's which were getting roomy, all the shirts I found were L and fit great, so that was awesome. I also had to buy a new pair of jeans that was 4 sizes smaller and fits great. I found my old bathing suits which were too tight last year, now half are too big and the rest fit OK (almost too big but not quite yet). So it's been a good week, hoping to continue on my path to onederland again! Here's a pic of the family having fun.

There is also a revision forum where you may find more people who actually have experience with band to sleeve if you post your question there.

Most insurance companies require a bmi of 40 or 35 with comorbidities for first time surgery but if you have a medical reason for needing a revision BMI can be less.

Looking for advice on band to sleeve with Medicare. I’ve had band for 11 yrs. Very complicated health history. Staying thinner /healthier is imperative for me. I’ve gained back 30 lbs. My bmi is 29.1. Last time I checked several yrs ago it was going to be a problem to get surgery to revise to sleeve because I hadn’t gained all of my weight back and now my bmi wasn’t high enough Anyone else have experience with needing to keep weight down but not being high enough with your bmi now to have revision surgery done ?

Well this just makes me sad. You're in your honeymoon phase with your sleeve and you're already thinking about the possibility of revision. And being self pay, and the steps you'd have to take to get said revision. It shouldn't be this way. I was curious about The Affordable Care act and what Obamacare covers. So I just looked into it. It covers substance abuse in every state. But only select states cover bariatric surgery. It makes no sense. I hope the pain in your chest turns out to be nothing, especially not acid reflux and you have a long and happy marriage with your sleeve!

Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum and planning to have revision from lap band to sleeve. Lap band experience was not good a waist of insurance money. Is a month wait for approval the usual weight time?

Boy that's a lot of planning and hoops to jump through. Hopefully you won't need a revision.

So i had sleeve done last Monday. So far so good. I do get some pain in my chest if i lay flat in a bed (Maybe acid reflux) but if i just prop up my head i am good. But never know if revision may be needed in the future and since i am self pay that could be a problem. here in Florida bariatric surgery is not covered under the affordable care act (obamacare) So i have been doing research on which states do. One in particular is South Dakota. So if i were to say move to South Dakota, establish my residency there and get health insurance thru the affordable care act, Bariatric surgery is covered. one great resource there is a company called America's Mailbox, where you can setup your own residency (in a RV) get a drivers license, south dakota plates ect... Think that will be my backup plan if one day in the future i need a revision which i hope i do not.

Wishing you all all the best! My RNY was 4-5-22. Every day just gets better. My energy is still a lil low on purée 2 tbs plus liquids and shakes so not a ton of calories. All of my surgical incisions have healed. My surgery was on Tue and I was driving on Saturday for a pedicure and store run. My only advice is to toss the Food Bucket List! Start focusing on your goals of better health and go into your surgery as healthy as possible. It will help you heal and it sets the foundation mind and body for a healthy YOU. This surgery is only a tool, if you can’t wrap your head around what it means to have a different relationship with food you will risk regain and misery on the other side. My procedure was a revision after 23 yr. Pls know I would hate anyone to have my experience of regain, shame, and fear. I wish I knew back then what I know now! Tina 2.0

I always LOVED drinking soda, it was my favorite (and usually almost only) thing I ever drank. When I was in college one summer we were on a meal plan where we got $25 to spend in the school cafeteria a week, Every week I bought 8 2 liter bottles of Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi (forgot which) and filled up a little mini-fridge I had in my room. I drank all 8 bottles every week. And that was just when I was in my room, that doesn't include the sodas I would drink throughout the day. And yes I drank them right out of the bottle like an animal. That was admittedly excessive, but for the next 20+ years I still drank a LOT of soda, had it every day with most meals and throughout the day. Preferably Diet Coke but I'd take Diet Pepsi if DC wasn't available. Also loved Diet Cherry Coke and Diet Cherry Pepsi. The caffeine never even affected me, I'd drink it right before going to sleep with no problem. I would definitely feel miserable if I went a day or two without, like caffeine withdrawal headaches. I had my last glass of soda the day before my first 2 week liver shrinking diet before my sleeve surgery, back in December 2016. The first week was absolutely miserable going without both food and soda but I managed. My doctor advised no more soda EVER so I followed his instructions and never had a full glass of any type of soda ever again since then, and honestly I don't even miss it. After a while I tried a sip once or twice when I was really thirsty and nothing else was around and I discovered that I can't stand the taste anymore. It's too fizzy, too saccharine, just unappealing. I really don't miss it. Even when I screwed up and put most my weight back on before I had my revision to bypass, I never started drinking soda again. I get bored drinking water so I drink tons of crystal light lemonade and I actually just found something new this week - I'm on vacation in Virginia and found a brand called Milo's that makes Sweet Tea which of course I can't/won't drink, but they have a Zero calorie version which I got and it's delicious, I already found a store near me that sells it so I'm going to start adding it to my shopping list. Good luck!

I’m a revision from sleeve to bypass on 5/6. The sleeve gave me awful GERD and some regain. If you have GERD already I’d get a bypass to avoid the likelihood of having to revise.