Search the Community

All I can say is ... the haters can kiss my (thanks to my band) cute, small(er..) bee-hind!! I find that kind of thing so ridiculous. All of these kinds of surgery seem to work really well when done by good surgeons and on people who work the tool they are given. I don't view one as better than another -- I think it's really a matter of personal situation and preference. That said, I'm hearing good things about the sleeve from a few former bandsters who had to revise to the sleeve due to complications. But, otherwise, I don't know too much about it. The band worked very well for me -- I'll be 4 years out in October, and I've been at or under goal for more than 2 years. Best, Catherine

Well, it's been a while since I've been to the forums. Life happens! Just a little background. I have been a member for 6 years. I did my research on what I wanted for WLS and I chose LapBand. December 30,2011 I had a hectic start to my surgery with my doctor giving me morphine ( which I'm allergic to). Which landed me in the hospital for 2 days, when it was supposed to be an outpatient procedure. I was on 100% oxygen and they had issues getting my heartrate above 40. Fast forward a few months. I had quite a few fills and unfills, never finding that "sweet spot". I kept having issues with food staying stuck in my chest, even puree foods. I felt like a momma bird. There was no slim, it was just chewed up food that hadn't hit the pouch. I literally felt like a momma bird, ready to feed her chicks! I fell off the eat healthy wagon and just tried to manage getting anything down while we relocated jobs and purchased a home. Finally in Sepetember 2013 I couldn't take it anymore... only being able to eat cheat foods. I went to a new doctor in Dallas and said look I'm broken! Fix me! I can't eat the healthy solid foods! I'm living off of empty calories and this isn't what I wanted from Lap-Band! So he scheduled a EDG scope. I was so worried what he would find. what was wrong with my band?? When I woke up he told me that the 10cc band I had was positioned so far up on my esophagus that I wasn't creating a pouch at all. That the food was just sitting in my chest not going down well at all. He also said that since I had a partial plication with my lap-band that about 25% of my stomach is just scar tissue now. You can't exactly undo another surgons sutures with plications. He also said that i had beginning stages of erosion. (wonderful). So he emptied my 10 cc band completely, and it was like a relief. I was able to eat fruits and solid veggies again. I was able to hold down my Protein bars! From sepetember 28th to now, I've dropped 16lbs. We discussed my options and I chose to have the lap-band removed and go for gastric sleeve. I had my sleep study in October, my stress test Novemeber 15th and they submitted everything to the insurance on the 15th of November. On the 18th the doctors office said insurance called back and said I needed a psych eval and a nutritional appointment. I scrambled but managed to get them scheduled for the 19th and 20th of November. Here we are 5 days later and they called back with approval and surgery date! I go in December 4th for the revision. He is also going to remove the plication which is basically a big ball of scar tissue in my stomach. I'm a little nervous but more worried about being off work again. So far this is my WL journy. I've got from 260lbs to 215 lbs. But it's taken almost 2 years to get that far. I'm hoping to accomplish more this time around. I don't want to be "skinny" I want to be HEALTHY!

I just had revision surgery from band to sleeve last week. I had the band 3 1/2 yrs and it slipped 2 years ago. I never knew if I was going to be able to eat or not from day to day. It got much worse about 2 months ago. I couldn't take it any longer. I'm at work today - still weak but functioning. I only took 4 days and the weekend. Good luck to you.

I must put this out there. I was banded in 08, went from 272 to 185 and loved it. Then life hit me smack pat in the kisser. My husband lost his job & we moved to a very 420 friendly state - literally. South FL to Vermont and I was clinically depressed so I utilized the good ole' for depression - without a "wake & bake" I wouldn't do anything. Once I par took I was up doing my thing get a groove on. However, I ruined my band. Just found out its slipped and being taken out. Now can I say it was from the EXCESSIVE DAILY "medical mary" - no, but I coughed like a fiend! I got stuck because yes the munchies do happen, but Ben & Jerry's was my main friend. Now I didn't gain my weight until recently, but I'm not certain it wasn't to my failed attempts at living normal in a bad place. Now my sad news - band is coming out, hopefully insurance is going to pay for revision to the sleeve, not sure yet and I've gained - 242lbs is my current weight. All I'm saying here is pay attention to your choices and make good ones. A drink, red wine, no vodka tonics, or rum & cokes - leave the carbonation out, and a little puff-puff here and there is one thing, but make good life choices - SPOKEN FROM SOMEONE WHO'S been there, done it. I'm more sad now buying "Fat clothes" again. All said with love

Hello, My name is Miranda and I'm from NYC. Going to see my surgeon this upcoming Wednesday(at NYU) to discuss getting the VSG done. I had the lap band before but had too many complications so it was removed. Has anyone else had revisional surgery? How long is the hospital stay ? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

You can do anything but.................why don't you want the RNY? Would it not be a better option for you? I would hate to see you have to go back in for a revision surgery to reach your goal. Discuss it with your surgeon, loved ones and do some more research. You want to be successful first time 'round.

Hello Everyone. I have my revision from lapband to sleeve scheduled for the 25th of this month. I am currently 220lbs, 5.5" and plan on being around 215 lbs the day of surgery. My question is, will the sleeve help me reach my goal of 150 lbs. I have seen a lot of posts of lower 200's not loosing very much with the sleeve (when it is a revision). Looking for personal experiences and insight! Thanks

Hello - I am new to the site, looking for some support, encouragement, and advice. I am about 15 years post op, but have regained and am hoping for a second chance with a revision. Has anyone had experience with this insurance wise and just overall success wise? What are the pitfalls to avoid, how do you prep for this, etc? I was over 400lbs when I had the surgery, and have kept off about 70lbs but have really struggled due to not handling allot of stressful situations well - allot of relocating, five deaths including my father, aunt an uncle all within three years, a bitter divorce, a foreclosure, leaving my job and starting a new job with Disney in Orlando, etc.... I am hoping my surgeon can revise my roux en y by making the pouch smaller, and thus getting me back on the road to health. I have struggled over the last five years and am in such a positive place mentally and emotionally now. Any advice? Thank you in advance!!

Hi, I have my appointment to see the surgeon's LPN, or maybe even my Doc as well, IDK, on 4/9. I've given them all the necessary paperwork, test results, etc. They know me from my Banding in 07. Here's the thing. As educated as I am, I am feeling scared to death! I don't know what this appointment is for. I'm freaking out about having someone go in and tear my insides apart. I'm scared I'm not prepared. It's just such a major event! Doc wanted me to lose weight before surgery, I lost 33. I am for the most part, chair bound, except when I go to my desk job. (I use a Rollator to help me walk, and hold my oxygen.) How long will I be out of work? Oh this all is driving me crazy! Is this normal?

I am sorry that you are having a hard time when it comes to your weight loss. I am also a revision patient as well. I will keep you in my prayers and I wish you all the best.

Guess every surgery is individual with every individual. If I were you I'd probably go to the sleeve forum and ask questions there because there are those over there who hae had band to sleeve revisions.

My revision is scheduled for January 25th. I will have the band removed and then have RNY done at the same time. Please keep us updated on your progress!

Is there a possibility of adding a Forum for revisions like VSG to MGB, since there are so many people getting revisions done??

Maybe get a revision to the DS.

I haven't had BOB (band over bypass) but know a few folks who did that. It didn't help one of them, another did fabulously well and lost all the weight she'd regained plus another 10 or so pounds and has been maintaining fine. I've lost track of the other BOBsters. I would urge anyone who's considering revision to think carefully about exactly how their original surgery "failed". Did your original surgical tool stop working, or did you stop working it, or a combination of both? You really need to have that clear in your head before you have more surgery. Every bariatric procedure requires some degree of hard work on the patient's part. If your regain after RNY has been medically shown to be due to a stretched pouch or dilated stoma, you also need to talk to your surgeon about how to avoid those conditions once you're banded. Good luck, and congrats on the baby!

Hello Everyone! Quick overview.... Started with my highest weight at 328, and was banded at 280 on March 30th 2010 in Mexico. I got all my fills and aftercare from Kaiser North Bay. Lowest weight was 190 in 2014 right after having my first baby. Now after my second baby I am up to 235. I am having problems with my band and finding a "sweet spot" for getting back on track. I am sure my pregnancies did a number on moving things around. I just went to a bariatric doctor yesterday in South San Francisco (my normal one is on vacation, so I saw his colleague) He was unable to fill be due to not finding the port and saying I was too heavy. I was very frustrated since I have NEVER had a problem having a fill even at 260+. My original doctor has told me before when I have asked for a revision that they do not take lapbands out unless it is an emergency situation. The doctor I saw yesterday told me he would take my lapband out anytime without question, but the revision was a different story. He said to even consider it I would have to get down to at least 210, and then we could go from there. I guess I am just wondering if anyone has gotten a revision from Kaiser South San Francisco or Richmond, voluntarily. My doctor keeps saying scar tissue will hinder him from doing anything.... Thanks everyone

Had lapband to rny on May 21,2014. Lost 20 and then bam I have been stalled!!! I go up and down 2 pounds for the past week. It's so frustrating, makes me think I am doing something wrong. I know it's a stall but I worry I won't lose anymore.. It's messing with my head major! I really expected to continue losing like I was. I know it's not reality though. When I was banded in 2008 I was 300 pounds lost 120 in 9 months. Had to gain some to get the revision to rny so day of surgery I was 245. Now I am 225 and stuck. I wish I had the power to not weigh daily but I am so OCD I need to know lol. Any veteran revisioners to through this at the beginning??

I am also having a revision to RNY and my tentative date is Oct 10th. I had the sleeve done in February of 2014 but have suffered with severe reflux ever since. I am so nervous about this. Do you know anyone else who has had this done already? I'm anxious about what to expect.

Hi! About 12 years ago I had the lap band. I started at about 280 lbs and got down to 200 lbs but now I’m back to about 240 lbs (I should be around 140 lbs). I have terrible reflux, morning bile in my throat, and vomiting multiple times a week. I found a great revision doctor and he has approved me for revision to gastric bypass. I’m going in on 4/23 to make sure my band has slipped so that insurance pays. But regardless (I will self pay at this point- even if I have to sell plasma), I’m having the bypass and I’m so excited. Any one out there that can give me some good advice? What to expect? I appreciate any guidance!! Thank you so much! 💜

Hi there, I am going through the process of band to sleve revision. I am excited but very nervous about surgery this time. I am a adoptive mom of two beautiful boys and I just feel nervous. I have been banded since 12/09 and have only lost about 45 lbs. my sister had a very bad time with her band and finally had to have it removed. I haven't had any major concerns with my band like she had. I have never had heartburn or my band break like her. We just can't find a sweet spot for me and my band. I am worried that I may have a lot of heartburn with the sleeve even though I haven't really had any to speak of with the bad. I just want better results. What are some of the possible side effects from band to sleeve revision, and have any of you experienced them?

I'm having a revision too bypass 11/14/16. Good luck to you on yours !

Since Aetna denied my request for a revision I will be a self pay . What kind of complications Policy is out there to cover the potential of costs due to complications? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi! I had a Lap to RNY conversion on Wednesday. The surgery was scheduled for Tuesday, but the anesthesiologist pumped me up with too much gas & they had to try to do the surgery the following day. I was an add on patient for Wednesday. The procedure was supposed to be strictly a laparoscopic surgery. I noticed when I came home that I have 10 lap sites & 1 open incision on my left side. The site is puckered in VERY deep & looks like a huge/wide/ scary roll with sores inside of it. The "sinkhole" is completely disproportionate to my body. I didn't know if this was normal. It's extremely painful & I am so upset. I'm not trying to complain. I am completely grateful that i was given the opportunity for a revision... I just don't know, if this will look like this forever... Or if it should be this painful... Has anyone else went through this? I don't know if this matters, but I started out at 285. Thanks, guys!

I had my band removed separately from my sleeve (band removed in April and will get sleeve at the end of the month). I don't think it was called a revision but my insurance was billed separately for 2 surgeries. Not sure if that helps you but my understanding is that the insurance companies require all of the same pre-op things (supervised diet, psych, etc.) before approval even if it is all done in one surgery. Edit to say that I also had a different insurance for my band placement in 2007 and my removal and sleeve in 2015. Hope that is helpful. I don't think that they care about this as long as your insurance doesn't have an exclusion. Your surgeon's office will write a history and they will hear about everything and consider it.,

just had my port revision yesterday...its a breeze..way less painful then the surgery! I agree I've been blessed as well, my port flipping was my own stupid doings (tried to carry 80pounds of topsoil on my shoulder...didnt end well! LOL) I'm down about 110 pounds and feel amazing... i hope all goes well for you on friday and keep up the great weight loss! ~Megs