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I had a lap band placed 3 years ago. At the time of surgery I weighed 407 pounds I am currently 295 pounds. Yes the band did work it wasn’t magic. I did have a lot of complications. After the first year all my complications started to happen. I threw up every day for the past 3 years. I was constantly sick and some days couldn’t even hold down water. I am currently 5 days post op from my revision. I had the band removed and had the bypass. During the operation my surgeon said my stomach had begun to grown around the band and was very difficult to remove. Yes the band does work to a certain point but in my opinion if you are going to go threw all the pain of having wls go for something more effective!

Hey, Vines. Just wanted to let you know. You know I'm trying to start getting second opinions on what I should do next. I'm kind of bummed to be starting over but I might as well try and pick up the pieces and see what's what. So I (finally) got to meet with another WLS surgeon today - he's a RnY specialist but is now doing Lap Bands. (As if enough surgeons haven't gotten a chance to practice on me :rolleyes ) Anyway I presented my full medical file (that clipboard soap opera that is also known as "As The LapBand Turns" ) and he didn't even run out of the room screaming, LOL. He thinks my original LapBand surgeon is one of the best around and concedes that my former surgeon knows WAYYYYY more about LapBands than he does. In fact, tomorrow he is observing and later being proctored by my original LapBand surgeon. (Oh boy isn't life ironic?) But he also agreed with me that my ex-surgeon is one of the most conservative around, and as he's been doing bands much longer than most U.S. doctors, he admittedly has some of least successful LapBand stats. It's an enigma. Anyway, we're trying to figure out what I can do to continue my weight loss. He also conceded that with my current BMI - a revision surgery will be probably not an option unless there is something wrong with my band. (And believe me, there is probably something wrong with my band. It's like a household appliance that has just gone out of warranty, LOL, and five years seems to be the "let's act up" point for LapBands.) Even then, his hospital requires 35 BMI for any surgery. But he fully understands why after 5 years of ridiculously slow weight loss, I'm trying to decide what I need to do to finally have some success. But he said he'd hate for me to have another surgical procedure just to lose 20 lbs. {I forgot to tell him that if I were to have to be revised to the dreaded RnY, I sure as H-LL plan to lose more than those unambitious <18 lbs that my Lap Band surgeon set as a goal weight for me.} Once he has some data in his hands he'll see what he thinks will be next - whether I have a working band that can be coaxed into being filled a bit, or whether the band is having issues, and I need to consider being revised to another form of WLS. Anyway, he thinks he's willing to explore options with me but first he wants me to have an Upper G.I., an analysis and a full nutritional workup with (drum roll) a basal metabolic test and probably a body/fat analysis. There, Vines. Are you happy? :clap2: I'm going to go let a licensed professional officially announce what we all know: My metabolism is remedial, if not downright dormant. As soon as they schedule me and I have my results - I promise to let you know. I have no idea what's next for me, but I sure don't want to spend the rest of 2006 at a BMI that defines me as 'obese.' Happy Band Journeys to all...

Imaginegirl, like people have already said, you might have trouble finding a surgeon who still do bands. Also, long term about 50% of people who got the band 10 years ago are having difficulty and getting them removed. There are LOTS of us here who have had to get revisions done. I went with the band those 11 years ago with the same reason you did, I just wish I knew then what I know now, and I'd have gone straight to the bypass and not wasted 10 years fighting with my band. Of course it's your body, but do your homework and be sure the band is really what you want. Either way, good luck!

I'm 2 years out, but just had a revision surgery so I'm back on the post op diet and I have been having non-stop super vivid dreams about eating, it's crazy. It's kind of funny because I guess my mind is just trying to cope with not being able to eat in it's own weird way! We all get it, the battle will subside, I promise! [emoji173]

Saying prayers. It sucks. Now what everyone doesn't want...duh duh dunnnhhhhhh--yes, that's right! It's time for the "Advice from a Pre-Surgery Newbie" Show, starring? FluffyChix! Ok, so now for some practical advice. You are a medical professional--so you must be aware of this stuff--if not, get to know it! 1. Take baby steps. Begin again. Today. Right now. Only focus on the next bite. Today your one job is to dump the carbonated diet drinks. Dump em baby. Use LaCroix as a sub if you must. 2. Tomorrow or when you feel you can, work on the next step...make your snacks healthy and filling: 2oz of protein, or PB3s, or 2oz of GS apple + 2tbsp peanut butter (I'm presurg and this snack right here fills me for 3 hours). 3. Next step, STOP drinking while eating. You can do this. It's actually the easiest step. Make it the first step if you want!!! 4. Next step, go back to eating protein first with every meal. Follow the baby step meal order: protein, non-starchy veg, high carb bs, dessert. 5. Next step, get rid of all the sugar and carby nonsense. Lose the desserts and high carb nonsense. Dump all the sugar from your diet. Tighten up your daily food intake. REALLY this is the fish or cut bait time. It may take several days...get rid of the CRAP. 6. Go back to planning your meals for 1 day. Weigh and measure everything. All. The. Things. Each day, recommit to weighing and tracking (and planning--don't forget the planning) for that day and that day only. Each day. Every day. Recommit. 7. Start walking every day--just around your house, inside your house if necessary...just 5 minutes if that's all you can do. Work up every day to more. And that's as simple as it gets. Don't eat within 3-4 hours of bedtime. Sleep elevated. Make low acid choices. Chew the crap outta stuff and makes notes on what makes the GERD and your esophagus feel worse. Take your PPIs. Treat yourself kindly and with respect. Congratulate yourself on getting through some serious ****. Congratulate yourself on graduating and improving your life. Go back to basics. Each day plan and log your food. Only focus on taking the very next BEST bite. Don't forget to surrender to your higher power. Read about CBT and food addiction. It's an awesome tool for overeating or eating with abandon. And lastly, don't put off a revision if it's called for with the GERD. Just jump in and get it done. Don't waste any more of your life on this. But you do need to get the overeating/eating off plan stuff together cuz as you know, you can eff any surgery if you're determined to do so. Do OA or Greysheeters. Go to therapy. Just concentrate on changing one thing at a time. Take baby steps and you can turn your life around. This is exactly how I backed into starting my new life on the pre-surgery plan. Before I could even do my plan, I had to slowly and gradually back into it until I had strung together so many successful days that I'd built momentum and resolve. Resolve and commitment grow exponentially with success. The more you see the scale move (or whatever your marker of success may be), the stronger the resolve to stay on plan. Good luck. If I can do this, you can do this. I'm the queen of recidivism. I practically wrote the book on it.

Sending thoughts and prayers! Have you had your gallbladder checked? Keto doesn't have to be all fat all the time, but a little bit of fat shouldn't make you miserable. If you've got gallstones or gallbladder problems, it can cause problems digesting fat. As for the reflux, sleeves can make that much worse, and I've heard of plenty of people needing revisions from a sleeve to a gastric bypass for that very reason. Hope you get some answers soon!

Oooh! Sorry that you had to have th eband removed, be careful of weight gain! Just my personal waring. I only had a revision in November of k]last eyar. I am just now starting to lose again since my intial weight gain while empty and it has been a battle of my own wits, not surgeon's. He is satisfied, but I am not. I am back to being overweight! Anyway, glad to hear that you are on the mend. It can happen to anyone, but it is not as common as people on this board seem to think. Mine was my 2nd slip, the 1st one was approxiamtely a year and half before, and it was easily fixed by an unfill for a month. I think the 2nd was because I sick and then let myself get dehydrated. People, take care, call your surgeon even if its Sunday, and don't do what I did, i didn't want to disturb him and flet it coudl wait for Monday! Good luck.Karen

So I’m a month out from my revision today! Losing very slowwwwly... I’m looking for some advice, so I’m on purée foods and I got asked on a date for tomorrow! I really like this guy but he has no idea of my revision, I do want to go on this date and I asked him to send me the name of the restaurant so I could scope out the menu... besides soup there was only one other thing that I think would be ok for me to eat, it’s Tilapia in coconut sauce with white rice... I’m thinking of skipping the sauce and asking for mashed potatoes in replacement for the rice. Any thoughts? I’m nervous and kinda want to cancel... I asked to just go to the movies lol but he is not having it...

Hi Everyone! How are you? Surgery went well, my doctor said there was a lil more scar tissue than anticipated. The first night was rough with the waves of nausea, but a little Zofran cleared that up. Got up on Saturday, washed up, went for a walk and I was pooped. Back to bed I went for a few hours until my family came to visit. Took another spin around the hospital floor and I was done for the day...sleep was calling my name. I was released on Sunday and all is going well. I have no appetite but I am making sure I get my fluids and Vitamins in. I'm walking twice a day, no driving yet. I've noticed that if I sit for more than an hour in one spot, I'm a lil stiff and sore when I get up. Yesterday, I braved costco with my dad. Again, I can home and took an hour nap. Each day it's getting better and better. The best decistion I've made was to have the revision surgery! First post-op is in August 1st. I'll keep you posted. Talk to you soon! MsE

Whatever you decide, PLEASE make sure your insurance company does NOT have a 1 weight loss surgery procedure per LIFETIME, or policy period exclusion. With the recent study out in 2010 showing 1 in 3 band patients need another surgery and it's typically a revision, you'll be stuck with a band. I have appeal letters, and there are SOOOOOOOOOOO many people on obesityhelp.com that had the same rule with their insurance, they appealed it and WON for the sleeve. I had the band because VSG was not available when I had to choose. So, believe me, I do understand in choosing the band, BUT VSG was NOT even offered in my area, along with government ran insurance through the military, I had to tackle 2 hurdles to get VSG. I say do NOT give up, do not settle for the complications that come with the band lifestyle.

You might want to repost this to the band to sleeve forum on the sleeve side of this forum? Many banders who have had revisions revise to the sleeve. You'll find some angry band haters over there but most are quite reasonable. Maybe someone else with your issue?

Hi Lizzy, and welcome to the forums. Dr. Aceves did my sleeve, but I revised from band to sleeve. Because of the problems I was having, I was on a complete liquid diet for a week prior to my surgery to give my tummy a chance to heal from the problems the band had caused. So, I would not be a good one to answer your question. I am sure some of the others will answer you soon, though.

I had a two step revision gained 20 lbs without my band and finally sleeved aug 5 it's been a journey

Having a band to sleeve revision. After 9 months of waiting to meet I durance requirements for revision I'm finally just 4 short weeks from surgery. I'm enjoying my last 2 weeks of solids before getting back on the pre-op mostly liquid diet. It's going to be nice to have the month of August off to recover. Who is with me?

If I remember correctly, you're a revision@elcee ? We don't tend to get the same level of restriction as virgin surgeries. I've never had a problem with fluids, can chugalug with the best of them. Sent from my SM-G930F using BariatricPal mobile app

re: "I asked my doctor and he said that I could have the surgery on a Friday and go back that Monday. But the more I read on the internet I'm seeing that people take anywhere from 2-6 weeks!" My bet is the doctor estimate is right.... At 58 my surgery went so well I was headed home the same day, had a couple days recovery & by day 3 was (somewhat feebly, given) carrying a few bits of firewood in for the stove. I gladly returned to modified work by day 5. I've heard of a few folks needing as much as a week, but we are all different. IIRC, it was near the 3rd week postOp I went on a solo road trip of 4 or 5 days. Learning how to eat in mushie stage in a non-protected envionment was a challenge. Certainly read up on all options to your situation and explore any questions before you consent. Sleeve wasn't an option when I had my Band done in 2004....yet given a bit of hassle and annoyance at times, I'm satisfied it saved my life, and consider myself a Happy Bandster. Should the time come for revision, replacement or repair, certainly I would hope further advanatages were obtainable. As it is, the worst day of my PostOp Band life has been better than the Best day of the last 5 years PreBand. If anyone asks about the (small) port bulge, I tell them that's my Alien Implant. Good luck in your journey.

update: Not what I wanted but at least there is answer. Sleeved 2.22.19 where esophagus meet sleeve a new pouch is there with no drainage. Stomach pain since March and only got worse. No food in 3 weeks only liquids no medications either. I will find out the game plan on Monday. GI Dr found it. Revision or Bypass?

Will do!. I agree waiting is the worst but it lets me go back to work and get my things in order before the revision

Hello! Am so excited to have my sleeve surgery on Tuesday September 20, 2011. I would love to hear from anyone with a date around mine. I would also be so grateful to a mentor to help me through this. I had two previous lap band revisions due to a slip and have since decided to have the band removed. I am afraid at failing yet another surgery, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hey, sorry about your good/bad experience. You seem strong and together, and you know what your next step should be, which is great. Keep your head up and continue holding yourself together and I hope that your revision goes well. Sorry about your mom.

I'm 5 weeks out from revision from band to sleeve and I have been taking Prilosec daily for acid reflux/heartburn. But the past couple of days I am have pretty bad heart burn. Any one else experience this while taking an acid reducer?

Well nothing similar but wanted to say that after having my band for 5 years, with no complications, I had a revision this past September. I don't think that you can have the band in forever and that is why I had it removed. It was the best decision I could have made to be band free. IMO it doesn't sound to me like it is band related, your husband's issue. What did he eat? Did he over eat?

I'm not sure if you'd ever consider this, but since you didn't mention whether or not you would - I had Dr. Aceves in Mexicali in Mexico. He charged $11,250 for my band to sleeve revision and it was quite literally the best 11K I've EVER spent on myself. My life has changed so much for the better, and I thank GOD daily for him and my sleevie.

I would love to hear what hoops you had to jump through to get insurance to approve a revision. My daughter had the band a year and a half ago. She lost 60 lbs right away, but stalled. We haven't been back for a band check/fill in a year. She still can't eat much at each sitting and only eats maybe twice a day. She also has PCOS. Had we known, we would have pursued sleeve or RNY. Advice?

Got the dreaded call today. UGI showing my esophagus is in trouble due to dilation and other issues with stretched pouch, then, to complicate matters my new insurance does not cover the bariatric programs in my local town where I got my lap band and I have transferred care to the new insurance bariatric program 400 miles away. I have an appointment with the new doctor in 3 weeks. The call today came from the new clinic letting me know that the band needed to come out and revision to sleeve will be done 6 months after band removal. I did not want to hear either one of these news. So, I understand the 6 month wait due to scar tissue caused by the band and time to allow healing. My question and concern is undergoing 2 surgeries, what are my chances of getting approval for the sleeve after lap band removal? What I am hoping to hear is that revision approval (if there is such a code) includes band removal and sleeve after the six months. What I am unfortunately expecting to hear is that both removal and sleeve are two separate approvals. What if I don't meet insurance requirements to qualify for the sleeve after removal is my biggest fear! I've been successful with my weight loss and the band, however, will my BMI meet the requirements after band removal? Will I need to gain weight to meet the BMI requirements? I will be devastated if I end up with no weight loss tool of any kind. Just with a few times that I had complete unfills of the band, I started gaining weight quickly. Anyone have any ideas how all this works? All insurances companies are different and I will contact mine to get more information, but, I am afraid I will end up with nothing. Jake