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I also had these se problems. I had a revision in May to the RNY. Best section I have ever made. I also wish I had done the RNY in the first place. Please be cautious of the throwing up and acid reflux. I now have Barrett's esophagus from having the band and will have to take medicine for the rest of my life. Not something to play with at all.

Chi everyone, I saw that this thread was active again so I wanted to pop in and say hello. Congrats on the new babies. I'm so sorry so many of you have had problems. I know a lot of RNY patients who had no problems if you're considering a revision. I still love my sleeve, but it's a daily mindfulness(diet) to maintain my weight loss. Getting off the weight was slow going for me. Keeping it off takes a lot of work eating low carb, but it's possible. Take care everyone. Happy 2015!!!

I am also having the same concerns as you in deciding on a surgery. I need to lose 125 pounds and my doctor also recommended the sleeve instead of the switch because I'm 28 and want to have children very soon. But he said I would only lose 60 pounds also with the sleeve and i could come back and do the switch after I'm done having kids. I don't want to have to have another surgery, I want to do it right the first time. I've already had the lap band 3 years ago and am now getting a revision, so a 3rd surgery for me is not an option. My man in concern is having children right after the switch.

I had a "secret lap band" in 2008 and it was REALLY hard not telling people. only my parents and husband knew of the surgery. The fact that everybody knows me for my hefty eating habits made me self conscious during holidays and dinners with friends and family. This made me try to be discrete and I would eat more than I should have with did not help me in the long run. My band slipped during my last pregnancy (less than 1 year post-op) and I've had reflux issues and weight gain. Now I weigh more than I did at 9 months pregnant and I'm preparing for a revision surgery to get the sleeve after the band comes out. I don't want to hide this surgery, I don't want to come up with excuses for not eating, not being hungry and actually even eating more than I should. Who cares what people say, EVEN IF IT YOUR MOTHER, we are adults and this is a medical decision for our health.

I have BCBS FL but there are lots of different plans. My employer chose a plan that doesn't cover it. I understand, there are only 30 employees and we have no monthly premium. Anywho, I had Dr. Alejandro Lopez do my surgery. It cost $4,500. I did not have any other issues like hernia and I wasn't a revision surgery so there weren't any extra costs. While I was happy with the outcome, I believe it is very very important to do your own research and find a surgeon you feel most comfortable with. There are lots of excellent surgeons in Mexico, you just have to find one you are comfortable with. Hospital is also important. There's a brand new gorgeous hospital there, I can't remember what it's called but it is supposed to be a state of the art facility.

@@ShannonbKSU i've only heard of them by their name, not their reputation wouldn't hurt to check it out you can never have tooooo much support you are one month PO since you didn't say otherwise things are going well ???? no problems you are a lapband revision to sleeve, right??? keep up the good work kathy

Revision from band to sleeve. I had the lapband from 2001 to 2011 - 10 years filled with much disappointment and physical discomfort. I really didn't think I could succeed with any WLS after that. Band had to come out due to slippage and I was more obese in 2011 than I was in 2001 so I took a leap of faith and was sleeved Dec 2011. I am currently maintaining a 160# weight loss so pleased as punch. So you asked what I think about the various procedures. I feel more normal sleeved than I ever felt with the band. I hated the port, hated fills and unfills, hated the varying restriction I experienced. Sleeve is more consistent and requires less ongoing maintenance from doctor. However, best thing was the proper education and coaching this time. When I saw my surgeon at one year follow up he said something very important.... that year two was just as important. Then...he said..year 3 was just as important. I don't care which procedure you have, maintenance is effort. I feel the sleeve has given me the tooling to FINALLY manage my obesity. I love my life as a normal weight woman...makes me sad I missed out on so much in the past.

Just to say, my mother had the lap-band put in 7 years ago and she struggles everyday with it and she has to pay a fee every time she needs a "fill" she now wants the sleeve. My doctor told me he does 3 revisions a week. So that is pretty telling if you ask me, I originally wanted the band also but then did my homework and The Sleeve It Is! So good luck and be well!

Welcome. It depends on a lot of things. And you need to discuss it worth your doctor. I am having the vertical sleeve(vsg) on March 2nd. For me after research on here and online I liked it cause I wasn't completely rerouting my system and I have allot of weight to lose. Im only doing this once so I don't want a band revision in the future so that's one of the reasons I didn't choose the band. The surgery is a tool. How much our little you lose will depend on you and your body. If you eat things you shouldn't then you won't lose as much. If you stick to a high protein low carb diet then you should do well

Hi - I did great with the band at first, but then had a slip, and a revision surgery (just readjusted the band) and still had major issues after the revision and couldn't tolerate a fill. Gained all the weight back. Revised to sleeve in June and am down almost 90 pounds! About 10 less than the lowest I reached with band so far. Hoping to lose some more. My recovery from sleeve surgery wasn't much different from my two prior surgeries. Good luck

You have to qualify for a revision too so yeah you probably wouldn't. I got in very quickly too. I am happy with the sleeve. It's so different it's crZy. Miss all you ladies!

Congrats! So happy for you! I love my (revision to) sleeve too!

Girl with ur current weight u probably won't qualify for a revision... I was 220 when I got mine. Gaining is a pain in the arse I get it totally. I recommend dr Jenkins in auburn:). He got me into surgery quick and whenever I get right I get an endo fast

219.8 Last Week About 227 This Week. I've been binge eating a lot. I need some serious help and a fresh start with this. I have a revision appt tomorrow for my sleeve... I've sought out a support group and I'm looking at a start over with healthy eating and hopefully a fill before the revision.

Congratulations. ...you are doing awesome! My experience was similar. I am 3 years from revision and very happy too!

Here's news released today by the FDA: FDA approves first-of-kind device to treat obesity The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the Maestro Rechargeable System for certain obese adults, the first weight loss treatment device that targets the nerve pathway between the brain and the stomach that controls feelings of hunger and fullness. The Maestro Rechargeable System, the first FDA-approved obesity device since 2007, is approved to treat patients aged 18 and older who have not been able to lose weight with a weight loss program, and who have a body mass index of 35 to 45 with at least one other obesity-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes. BMI, which measures body fat based on an individual’s weight and height, is used to define the obesity categories. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of all U.S. adults are obese, and people with obesity are at increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain kinds of cancer. “Obesity and its related medical conditions are major public health problems,” said William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director for science and chief scientist in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Medical devices can help physicians and patients to develop comprehensive obesity treatment plans.” The Maestro Rechargeable System consists of a rechargeable electrical pulse generator, wire leads and electrodes implanted surgically into the abdomen. It works by sending intermittent electrical pulses to the trunks in the abdominal vagus nerve, which is involved in regulating stomach emptying and signaling to the brain that the stomach feels empty or full. Although it is known that the electric stimulation blocks nerve activity between the brain and the stomach, the specific mechanisms for weight loss due to use of the device are unknown. External controllers allow the patient to charge the device and allow health care professionals to adjust the device’s settings in order to provide optimal therapy with minimal side effects. The safety and effectiveness of the Maestro Rechargeable System were evaluated in a clinical trial that included 233 patients with a BMI of 35 or greater. The weight loss and adverse events of 157 patients who received the active Maestro device (the experimental group) were compared to 76 patients in the control group who received a Maestro electrical pulse generator that was not activated. The study found that after 12 months, the experimental group lost 8.5 percent more of its excess weight than the control group. About half (52.5 percent) of the patients in the experimental group lost at least 20 percent of their excess weight, and 38.3 percent of patients in the experimental group lost at least 25 percent of their excess weight. The clinical study did not meet its original endpoint, which was that the experimental group lose at least 10 percent more excess weight than the control group. However, an FDA Advisory Committee (the Gastroenterology and Urology Devices Panel) found the 18-month data supportive of sustained weight loss, and agreed that the benefits of the device outweighed the risks for use in patients who met the criteria in the device’s proposed indication. In considering the benefits and risks of the device in its review of the Maestro Rechargeable System, the FDA considered the clinical study and the Panel’s recommendations. Additionally, the Agency looked at an FDA-sponsored survey relating to patient preferences of obesity devices that showed a group of patients would accept risks associated with this surgically implanted device for the amounts of weight loss expected to be provided by the device. As part of the approval, the manufacturer must conduct a five year post approval study that will follow at least 100 patients and collect additional safety and effectiveness data including weight loss, adverse events, surgical revisions and explants and changes in obesity-related conditions. Serious adverse events reported in the clinical study included nausea, pain at the neuroregulator site, vomiting, as well as surgical complications. Other adverse events included pain, heartburn, problems swallowing, belching, mild nausea and chest pain. The Maestro Rechargeable System is manufactured by EnteroMedics of St. Paul, Minnesota. The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products. ###

When I had lap band surgery in 2008 I did so against my surgeon's recommendations (he wanted to perform gastric bypass because of the amount of weight I had to loose). I picked the band because I wanted something that was reversible, plain and simple. I've had a whole host of complications, never found true restriction, and have gained and lost the same 50 pound 4 times. My biggest issue with the band is that I cannot eat the foods I am supposed too. Fruits and veggies have too much Fiber and lean Protein tends to be too dry. And, the band is picky (I often say it has a mind of its own) and what I can eat one day, I may not be able to eat the next. So, it is reversible and I am having a revision to the gastric sleeve on the 29th. I understand where you are, I've been there. You will know what decision is right for you. I don't regret the band. This journey gave me enough time to get my head in the right spot and be ready for the permanent change that comes with the sleeve. I wish you luck! Jennifer

My choice was Gastric Bypass because it gave me the best prognosis at: 1. Losing the 120 lbs I would like to lose 2. Preventing/reversing diabetes (was pre-diabetic) 3. Keeping me on a restrictive diet as to meal size and type (fat and sugar bio-feedback) too much sugar and/or fat causing dumping syndrome 4. Met a number of people doing revisions from Lapband and Sleeve at the various support group meetings I attended. Knowing myself I was sure this was it for me. Time was running out and I had to choose the Bypass as I was not prepared to do revisions. But the fact that it is considered the gold standard in WLS was appealing to me. However, I hope we improve upon it very soon. It is a rather drastic procedure and I have no doubt a few years from now it will be considered barbarian. But I would go through it all over again for the enormous benefits I am already experiencing 11 weeks post surgery and 56 lbs gone.

I had my band removed and my bypass done on the same day and I'm glad I did. My band was empty for a couple of years after I started having major problems with it and it STILL gave me grief. Having it out felt like a whole new person. There's no guarantee leaving it in and empty will not cause you issues later on. Personally I would want it out and I would hazard a guess that there are more revisions with the band removed then not so... Best of luck to you!

seemed like so many revisions from lap-band people to sleeve, so I never considered having a lap-band, plus I didn't want something surgically implanted in me and the need for several repeated tweaking/tuning visits did not sound fun. bypass seemed very intense and requirements for lifetime supplements and higher potential for gastric dumping didn't sit well with me. I chose the sleeve and have been very happy. whatever you choose is great, not looking for debate, just sharing my thought process. cheers!

Well, I DO know the band has worked great for some people but I have to agree with Bittersweet....there are complications and while they may sound minor, they are terrible to live through. Band complications increase over time (I had my band over 10 years) and all of my old bandster buddies from 2001 vintage are band free now...not because they didnt need a tool to maintain weight anymore...because of complications. I hear the band is better now, but even so the removal rate is still high. So you go this route...be educated on 2 key things 1. While removable it often damages your stomach and makes subsequent WLS higher risk. For sleevers, revision are are about DOUBLE the risk of leaks and other serious complications as "virgin" sleevers. 2. To be successful with the band you need to work very closely with surgeon to fine tune fills. Be prepared to carefully manage that. Get support from current band patients and go in with eyes open. I wish you the best.

I was banded almost 2 years ago. I've learned that the band just isn't for me. I eat too much and too fast and it's a lifelong habit I just haven't been able to completely shake off. I have a full blown slip and have been living in discomfort/ pain for the past few months. X-ray tomorrow to see if the slip has corrected some after a couple weeks of liquids (I don't think it has). I'm asking them to do a revision to sleeve when I get there. Worried about the cost- I paid cash for lap band and now I don't have the funds for second surgery. Just recently joined blue cross blue shield of Texas so here's hoping insurance can cover some or most of it? Lost 120 with the band and hope I can lose some more and rid myself of the pain and complications with a sleeve revision

Like Carolie btw I'm not kaiser anymore I hear hey are hard for revision..... I'm so sorry some of you are having a hard time that is so hard:(. Do u still have kaiser?

Hey everyone! It sounds like everyone is on the same boat with the band. Well let me tell you all I regret the band. I had it removed last year due to it getting disconnected..yeah prettyu much the tube was floating in my stomach dr baggs said I was very lucky that I didn't damage my spleen or something else. I have not been the same. I am very sensitive to foods, I get so much heartburn..my side where the port was is so painful...baggs said it would be a few years before the pain goes away due to the scar tissue. Im back to my weight I was presurgery maybe 10lbs less. But I am very swollen on my upper stomach not sure why. Unfortunately this happened to me..but I was told it was very rare. Getting a revision wasn't an option..I was so scared I just wanted it out..I didn't realize how quickly the weight came back

@@A. Stoot the above says it all short and sweet so happy that YOU are happy with your revision 47 lbs down party dance party dance keep up the good work kathy congrats