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Hi I am new to the site and have had revision WLS (band over bypass) on the 9th January 2014. This has been my most happiest post operative experience so far (have had many surgeries) and I must say the peppermint tea that I have been drinking(recommended by a friend) has made all the difference. It's natural , almost calorie free and helps ease pain and wind..so thought I would share my experience and hopefully help others

ROBIN, My preop diet is liquids only. I have cheated several times with a hard boiled egg or a slice of turkey or chicken. Nothing like the cheats I used to do on diets. I am allowed to drink 5 low calorie, low fat, high protein shakes a day (my doc lets me choose out of 5 different brands.) Nothing is provided to me. I purchase them locally. Since I'm a revision patient, and need two surgeries, I've been on the diet for over a month now and I still have 13 days till surgery. I'm SO TIRED OF SHAKES. I swear. I only had 315 calories yesterday because I just could not force myself to drink another shake. I just couldn't. I can't wait for this part to be over!

Are you getting the sleeve, bypass or a revision or would you like to talk about anything else? I'm understanding, my friend is getting a revision on the 24th and we've been focusing on other topics for now. These group can be the support you need...

I revised to RNY. I had reflux with the band so it was a no brainer to go to RNY. I use Vitamin Patches and so far no issues with vitamin levels. I am not concerned. Dumping is manageable if you are even someone who does get it. I get it if I eat (or drink my Protein shake) too fast (large gulps vs sips...so I don't eat too fast, then I don't get it. Pretty simple. I haven' t tested out sugar (other than a bite of my husband's dessert) and that was fine. If i sat down and ate a whole dessert would I dump? Maybe...probably...i'm not going to try to find out. I did ask my Dr about dumping because that was a concern for me (still wanted to have avocado with sushi etc). he said none of that would be a problem. He described a patient who would eat a bowl of Pasta, wait 15 minutes and then eat another one etc as the type of behavior that would cause dumping.

Good morning April. Just checking in on you since ur revision yesterday. Hope everything went well for you! I did send you a email so when you have time let me know how your doing. Take care. Danielle

I had a band for 2 1/2 years. It slipped 1 1/2 years and had it repositioned last January 2013. Then I was taking it slow because I heard it it slips once the band is likely slip again. Well, I found out in October 2013 it slipped again and my Dr said it is best to come out because it will continue to slip. He said I could remove the band all together, remove the band and revise it to the sleeve later or remove the band and revise to the sleeve at the same time. I chose remove the band and revise to the sleeve in one surgery. I choose the sleeve because i didnt what my everything rerouted and have problems with malabsorbtion.My Doctor does very few bands nowadays, unless someone's insurance will not cover the sleeve. He still does bypasses but not as many as before because of the sleeve. He said it's kinda known in the profession as "sleeve 'em and leave 'em". Sounds kinda mean but it means there is less upkeep with the sleeve than with the band. Just do all the research you can on both and you'll make the best decision for you.

Interestingly enough some people never seem to lose that feeling of hunger. Nobody will ever know if these patients never lost physical hunger at least temporarily in the first place or if they're confusing "head hunger" with "physical hunger". There is no test that can differentiate between the two. Acid reflux is the devil. Bile reflux is the devil's big fat mother. I got two revisions because of these issues, both times associated with hiatoplastic because of hiatus hernia. My second revision was on 26th February and this time eating is more "problematic" so to say. The MGB seems to be more "forgiving" than the long limb RNY in some way. Or maybe I just don't remember several issue I had in the first months after MGB, not sure. In general dense foods tend to give me stomach ache and sometimes sit in the stomach like a brick and I hate this feeling so I understand not wanting to eat heavy/dense foods. It's always hard to tell via internet. Regarding the vomiting after dense food it might be that you're eating too fast or too much or don't chew well enough or a combination of this. However, this is something only you can tell. Maybe you could try a denser food, chew the heck out of it, stop after a few bites or set a timer to e. g. 20 min and take your time. Regarding the reflux you could play around with different foods. I'm sensitive to e. g. dairy, dry red wine and in general very fatty foods, with nuts and nut based foods being an exception. The combination of high protein and fat is the worst regarding my stomach issues. It also can help having a time span of about 2 h between last meal and going to bed. However, if your reflux is that bad you might consider revision to RNY anyway regardless of weight.

I had severe acid reflux prior to surgery, so I had gastric bypass because sleeve will only make the condition worse. Many on this site had sleeve only to have it revised to gastric bypass because of problems with GERD after they were sleeved.

Hi I'm researching getting a revision from a VSG to a MGB. I was sleeved in July 2010. I never experienced the "Honeymoon phase" and my weight loss was slow from the beginning. I was able to lose 80 lbs over two years with dieting and vigorous exercise, but now my weight is rapidly creeping back up. I have a few questions for those who went from a sleeve to a Mini Gastric Bypass. Did your surgeon resleeve you and then bypassed you or did he/she bypass you only. I watched a few revision videos from Dr. Rutledge and he doesn't recommend resleeving unless the sleeve is very large or deformed due to the increased risk of complications when resleeving. Are you satisfied with the outcome of the MGB and would you recommend your Surgeon? Also, if you can please list your Surgeon's name I would appreciate it. Thanks

I have carefirst blue choice of MD. I was approved for the lapband 2 years ago within 3 days. I'm waiting to be approved for a revision from lapband to gastric sleeve. The documentation was sent in November 5, 2014. So we will see. I'm praying that you get your approval.

I've had the band since 27 Feb 2003. I've done alright with it - went from 133 kg to about 47 kg and then back up to current 70 kg. Throughout this time, I've had 3 or 4 hospital admissions due to total blockage of the band, even with relatively small amounts of saline in the band. The last admission was in Sept 05. Then they realised that there was slight slippage. I've not had a fill since then and have steadily put on a fair bit of weight. Barium Study done in May 2005 shown grouse dilation of the proximal pouch as well as further slippage of the band. Am scheduled for revision surgery at the end of the month. Anybody had that? Can tell me more? By the way, I'm from Singapore. A tiny island out in South East Asia.

So I've never really been a huge eater. Honestly. I do admit to a sweet tooth, but my personal hell is being forced to sit down to chicken wings with ranch dressing and a coke. Genetics is also not on my side an both my brother and I are quite large people. I've got pictures of my great Aunt Fanny in the midst of the depression and if she's not a solid 350lbs... Anyway, with 30 years of fibromyalgia, I had myself banded in 2009 at 311lbs at my doctor's suggestion to see if I could get some of my weight off, and to try to prevent more weight from accumulating. My body did not take to the band well. Either I had zero restriction or I had total restriction and I could barely even drink water. Two solid years of tomato soup and beef broth as I was pushed to suck it up and "quit lying about what I could eat" by my band doctor. (no protein shakes for me as I'm allergic to them) Total weight loss in two years: 5lbs. Finally as half my hair was falling out and I was sick as a dog, I had no choice but to force them to empty out my band completely. 2011 I revised to an RNY by a doctor funded by the province (FYI the province isn't putting in bands anymore because of their dismal failure rate) and his words were "you can't fail to lose weight with an RNY". Well I did lose weight on the stupid pre-op diet. Now, I'm still allergic to the opti-fast so I did this insane version of an all-food diet that induces ketosis. I lost so much hair, I started walking into walls, and I may or may not have promised to foster a pink hippo, but it did the job for the surgery. After surgery though, no real weight loss ensued. Yes I followed the post-op diet, the nutrition plan, etc. I don't get as much exercise as I should, but when you're thinking of shopping for canes and collapsing on the floor when you get out of bed in the morning, it's a touch hard to meet that goal, but I'm doing my best. Again, the surgeon said I must not be telling the truth and I must be chowing down on high calorie foods or something because it's hard to eat around an RNY. They deemed me an RNY failure and I've been put in the provincial database as such (since the government paid for it, the government keeps stats on everybody). A few weeks ago they decided to play with my fibromyalgia medications. They took me off a drug I've been on for the last 15 years. I lost 30lbs in 3 weeks. Yup, it's been the drugs all along. I lost my entire malabsorption window post-op, had to sit through years of disapproving lectures from doctors about my lying and cheating on my eating, and got the stink eye from my other WLS friends because they all agreed with the doctors that I could't get with the program and stick with the rules. Worst thing is that now I really do need canes and it's getting so hard to walk as my joints might as well be welded metal, and while I could have exercised away the weight in 2011, I'm not sure I can now. That makes me cry. The vindication makes me laugh. Sadly it's not continuing to come off that fast, but at least after 4 years, the stall is broken.

Hi there, here is my story and I am very open to ideas: I am back at 1 1/2 yrs out. lost 45lbs, had major back surgery in January so 6 months of no or little exercise. Thank goodnes for the band. I had a weird problem. I think I need to have a little taken out of the band but I am scared. If I eat three hours before bed and it is not practically liquid, I wake up choking. I try real hard not to do that.I am now really aware of what I am eating, definatly Protein. I cannot eat in the early morn so I have a warm Protein Drink, the warmth seems to open the band. If I have some removed I am worried that I will be able to get too much in. I finally got filled to what I felt was the right amount. I just hate choking and figure it is really a must to pay attention and not eat meat that is not ground, or anything too heavy at dinner. I have stayed at this weight, otherwise without the band and a surgery( had 7 knee replacement revision in 5 years) why I gained so much, I would surely have gained again. I have not read of anyone being maybe overfilled and choking and or coughing during the night..... It does not happen if I am very aware of dinner and lots of Water, but I would love to hear if anyone has had this... ??? Info would be great. Debra

I am 7 1/2 years into my band and it is being removed and revised to the sleeve in about 2 weeks. It was great the first 2 years, then GERD and vomiting, then issues with dilation of the upper pouch (which I of course am likely responsible for, too), which causes food waste to be trapped in the upper pouch, and then recently a gastric bleed from the band slipping down and causing a blood vessel to pop, which caused me to lose half my blood and spend a week in the hospital. My gastroenterologist said he wanted it out of me asap due to the risk of another bleeding episode. I have been advised by doctors involved that it just seems like everyone who has the band will need to have it out at some point. My insurance will not cover bariatric so I am off to Mexico. $18,000 here to remove band. $4500 in Mexico to remove and revise to sleeve.

I just had a revision from band to sleeve. My worry was that small risk that it would be a 2 part surgery. However, it went well but the doc said it was an 8 out 10 on the difficulty scale because the band was stuck to everything and was encased in fat. Really scary but recovering fine. Insurance covered 100% thank god. I can’t imagine leaving the country for this.

Insurance is covering mine (besides the $100 co-pay). I'm having my band removed on Feb 5th. I had no issues getting it approved. I haven't had a slip or erosion, but I had alot of inflammation in my throat and stomach, but I'm sure that's due to the fact that I've thrown up on a daily basis for almost 2 years because most foods were getting stuck and it progressively got worse. All the fluid is out of my band which has helped that but I've gained weight. I'm back to where I started pre band (and then some). But I would eat foods that I knew I could tolerate (which were typically not the best choices....but I was hungry and tired of vomiting). My surgeon won't do the revision at the same time....so I have to wait 3 months to have that done (pending insurance approval for that one). I wish you the best of luck!

My sister who had VSG has never made it to goal. her starting weight was over 300#, lowest she made it to was about 250ish. She works out hard core, but IMO wasn't eating well and drinks too much alcohol. She is now @ 260 and doesn't like the fact I'm approaching where she is. She is working at eating better. My neice who had lap band lost almost all her excess weight, from over 300 down to 178ish. She has gained back to about 230. She's young and in love for the first time in her life-- love will make you gain every time :-) Though-- her BF just had VSG-- so i think she's determined to not let him get lower than her. My cousin has a band complication now and had to be unfilled-- and she has started to gain. Her insurance won't cover revisions- so she's stuck. I chose RNY because I saw my sister with VSG was still able to eat a lot of crap after her surgery. I knew the malabsorption feature would help *if* I chose to eat crap. And we both loved sweets...I also wanted the 'safeguard' of dumping to keep me away-- but it looks like I tolerate sugars so far. My sister gets heartburn and throws up more than I care for-- I didn't want to live like that. (and for the record-- I thrown up a handful of times in my life-- mostly pregnancy related-- anything beyond that is abnormal in my head.) I never wanted band-- too many complications and too much risk of not maximizing my weight loss considering my high starting BMI.

I am having my band out/revision to sleeve on the 17...day after you. I hope you feel better way before than! Why did your doc choose to do 2 separate operations? How long was your band in? Mine is only 15 months old so maybe its a scar tissue thing if yours was in longer? In any event, you are 1/2 way home! Go you!

Hi all; I had my band out last wednesday. Before the band removal, my doc said that in 1-2 months after the band removal that we could do the sleeve revision. I went back in for a post-op check up today, and now he is talking 2 months! He didnt give any emperical evidence about why we need to wait 2 months, he just said that this was just a post-op visit, and that we needed to start the bariatric surgery back from the beginning about getting me qualified, etc. I brought out the big guns and told him my company was talking about layoffs(what else is new, right?, but they really ar), the time frame is may-june, and that since I know I have coverage with my current insurance, I wanted to make sure it was done before that happened. He didnt appear particularly moved with my argument. I am BUMMED. I was hoping to come away with a date today since we both went in knowing I was getting the revision and not just the band removed. Sigh.... Another trip back to him on Monday with the packet for the bariatric work up. I was hoping to finish the summer with most of my weight gone, not sure where it stands now. blech Lisa

Y'know, folks, a slower rate of weight loss may be a letdown, but thinking about it is known in the trade as 'maladaptive cognition.' In real-life terms, it means thinking things that aren't good to think. Lost weight is lost weight. Would you even be losing at the slower rate without the revision to sleeve? I'm not one of you and don't know if I will be. Having lost 115 in 15 (?) months at the start, I then regained about 65-70, letting an event derail me, not because of band failure. I'm finally seeing the NP on Monday (last time was about two years ago), positive that I have dilation, but won't know until the esophagram about erosion. In short, I'm thinking revision is what I'll need. I have yet to find out if my medical plan will cover it. I'd go for sleeve and would have to get past my own biases against it. With luck, at least some of he biases are based on ignorance of the procedure. Anyway, I really stopped in primarily to say that lost weight is lost weight.

I'm a little confused - did you lose 100lbs and that wasn't a typo or did you lose 4 and it was a typo? I'm a revision too, and I weighed 255 on surgery - currently at 244 and I'm 4 weeks out... its been slow but its coming off.

Hi Timarland, I totally understand where you are at. I had the lapband for 14.5 years until my revision this week. I was surprised how short the stay was in the hospital. I checked in at 9:30 am on Tuesday and surgery was at 11:30 am. I stayed one night and the let me go home at 7:30 am the next day. It has been so different from the lapband and so far I love it.:)

I just had my revision done on 9/25. I did a two week liquid diet and was in the hospital for two overnights. Surgery only took 1.5 hrs. My surgeon said there was minimal scar tissue and my liver had nicely shrunken so it made it go faster. I work from home and was able to start working again by the end of the week but only for a few hours. Last week I worked all week but had to take breaks and nap in the afternoon. Today is my first day back full time and so far I have a ton more energy. I even went back to my morning walks although only 2 miles today instead of my usual 3.

Apparently this is the method that Dr. Oritz prefers for sleeve revision to tighten a loose sleeve. Yes I'm having a hard time finding much on it though I do know that the original plications (non sleevers) showed very little success long term.