Search the Community

Welcome to the site. You will find lots of information here and personal experiences. The answer to you questions will be found mostly in the Post-Op section. I am still preop but hope to be scheduled for surgery soon. Good luck in your journey. There is also a section just for Lap Band to Sleeve revisions. Welcome aboard.

Did you have your band to sleeve revision done all at one time or two separate surgerys?

I was self pay for my lap band ($10,000 -plus). My bariatric group (not the same one that did the band, as I have moved to a different city since then) charges $16,000 for band to sleeve revision. I am paying approximately a third of that in Mexico. But I also am very comfortable because Medical Tourism is nothing new and I am excited about the experience and reputation of my doctor. And yeah, health insurance... um, yeah. My coverage is pretty excellent overall, but bariatrics definitely are excluded.

I am a 38 year old married man with 3 children. I weigh 275 pounds and have a BMI of 40. I am a football coach and have decided to do something about my weight. I saw a doctor for about a year supplementing thyroid, and testosterone and it did not help. I graduated high school and went into the military weighing 145 pounds and have been skinny until about age 23. I have went through all the tests (psych, upper gi, 6month nutrition, sleep study) The main reason I want to lose weight is to feel better and sleep better, and live longer for my kids (7,9, and 18 years old). I have had 5 knee surgeries from age 18-36 and need some weight off my knees. I have been discovered to have sleep apnea (makes sense why I was tired all the time). Monday ends my 6 month nutrition required by my insurance and we will actually set a surgery date. I am using Dr. Sonny Cavazos in San Antonio, Texas Please help me with these questions Thanks, JT 1. I want to keep this fairly private what do I tell my coworkers? 2. Anyone know anything about my doctor. 3. What percentage of people banded have to have some sort of revision?

It's funny how everyone can have completely different experiences with the same operations. I was a little nervous about getting the sleeve (mostly because of the time I need for work). I've had Lapband, revision, removal, and gall bladder and all of them was super easy. Went grocery shopping when I came home. Hopefully I will feel this way with this one too.

Hey all! I'm 3 weeks post op today, from band to sleeve revision. I really did not work on my bad habits of drinking alcohol before surgery. Now at 3 weeks out, I'm feeling great, and I'm dying for a glass of wine. Since I can't have wine, then I'm grabbing a piece of dark choc. If I don't have that I'm reaching for my leftover pain meds. I'm feel like I'm controlling these urges but they are coming on stronger. This is only at night too, that was my nightly routine, after 5, glass of wine. I have a very addictive personality obviously, and I'm worried. I don't want to talk about this to my surgeon bc I already feel like she looks at me as a failure bc of the Lapland. I'm sorry for rambling or if this is even making sense. It's so hard to not fall back into old routines when you start feeling back to normal.

I work in the health industry, and this article came across my desk today... it's an opportunity for you, the patient, speak up regarding their proposal to NOT cover surgery for patients whose BMI's are under 35 who are dealing with diabetes. Their argument is that it won't make a dramatic difference in a person's health. CMS Proposes Covering Bariatric Surgery to Treat Diabetes Written by Stephanie Wasek Monday, 17 November 2008 After an extensive evidence review, CMS has announced a proposal to revise its existing coverage policy for bariatric surgery to include type 2 diabetes as one of the co-morbidities CMS would consider in determining whether bariatric surgery would be covered for a Medicare beneficiary who is morbidly obese (an individual with a BMI of at least 35 is considered morbidly obese). CMS is also proposing to not cover bariatric surgery when it is used to treat type 2 diabetes in a beneficiary with a BMI below 35. In 2006, CMS expanded coverage of bariatric surgery for Medicare beneficiaries who receive one of four procedures — gastric bypass, open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and open and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch — in bariatric centers of excellence, as certified by the American College of Surgeons or the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, and as reported on the Medicare coverage Web site. To be considered for coverage, Medicare beneficiaries must have a BMI of 35 or higher and must have exhibited a serious health condition in addition to morbid obesity, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, or osteoarthritis. Type 2 Diabetes would join the list of serious health conditions. However, after "a careful review of the medical evidence available on bariatric surgery," CMS is also proposing to not cover bariatric surgery for patients who do not meet the definition of morbid obesity, even if they do have type 2 diabetes. "While recent medical reports claimed that bariatric surgery may be helpful for these patients, CMS did not find convincing medical evidence that bariatric surgery improved health outcomes for non-morbidly obese individuals," says the agency. CMS is seeking comments from the public about this evidence and its implications for coverage, and about which groups of patients should be covered for this surgery. Public comments may be submitted directly to CMS's Coverage Web site for 30 days from the Nov. 17 posting of the proposed decision memorandum. CMS will issue a final decision memorandum within 90 days of the proposed decision. Read the proposed decision memorandum and submit comments at the CMS Coverage Web site.

So far, I'm really enjoying it. I never moved it to my arm or ankle, but will hopefully try it this week. I signed up for the Virtual Trainer 15 day free trial yesterday. There was a problem with my account where it said there was more than one Actitrainer associated with it. I emailed customer service and they responded and had it fixed within 15 minutes. Awesome! I think if I commit to wearing it... and looking at my data nightly... regardless, I will make changes. It's so eye opening! I'm also thinking of using the data as part of my revision insurance appeal... showing that I stuck to an exercise program.

Hi Tracy- I had a leak in the tubing right at the port site. It was very difficult to diagnose. They had me go through xrays, nuclear medicine. Finally the doctor decided to go in surgically and check the port and tubing. That's when he found the problem. Assuming that the issue is only with the port and tubing, corrective surgery is much easier than the original banding. Mine was done in a surgical suite as an outpatient. I was home the same day and had minimal pain. I was back at work the next day. Actually, I had port revision surgery twice. (the first time was to reposition a flipped port, second time was to fix the leak). Both times were an easy recovery. Lots of prayers to you for graceful resolution!

Congratulations. I had a revision of lapband to sleeve on Dec 11 with Dr Garcia in Tijuana. I am currently down 38 pounds and still losing slowly. Some of this is my fault as I continue to find ways of talking myself out of going to the gym. I am getting some exercise as I take my dog out for a nice long walk daily when weather permits. I just need to start back to the gym so that my weight drops a little faster. I know that the rest will not just fall off over night but I have made a committment to this and want to follow through and reach my goal. For those who have set a goal and can not seem to reach it do not be so hard on yourselves. Maybe if you are at a weight close and have been there for 3 months or more your body is trying to tell you something. I know we all have an idea of what we want to weigh but lets face it........if we have lost 50, 80, 100 or more we are still better off than we were before we had the surgery and much healthier. Congratulations to all of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I revised to RNY from VSG because of severe reflux. I'm 4 months post op. I eat berries every now and then, but I really can't eat any fruit. All fruit makes my heart beat like it's pounding out of my chest and I feel very sick. My surgeon said that that reaction should mellow with time, but at this point, I'd rather avoid the fruit than suffer the consequences.

I had my revision surgery yesterday. I’m surprised how easily I drink fluids.

Been using it for since it's release (lapband since 2009). I rarely ate any meat due to issues being too tight, and I got stuck a lot (just recently had a band to sleeve revision). Blood test taken 8/24/16, Results for my protein were perfect.: My albumin lvl was 4.4 gm/dL (reference range is 3.5-5.2) and my Protein total was 7.7 gm/dL (reference range 6.4-8.3).

I had the banded plication surgery approximately 3 years ago. Apparently there was a bulge in the upper part of the stomach where they sewed up the stomach. The stiches weren't stitched and half of the plication was there. Would this explain why I have bad food choices and a difference in my diet? I am going to get it undone. Would anyone know what my options are as far as re-banding in the future or fixing this surgery?

I had lap band surgery in May 2017. I have a full band, no restriction, and have lost no weight since the procedure. I switched to a new doctor who seems to think the band has slipped and we have discussed revision to the bypass or sleeve. I am just wondering if I will have to go through the 6 months of nutritional visits, psych exam, etc...again since I just completed all of those requirements about a year ago. I just hate the idea of starting over with all of that. I have Molina Medicaid in Ohio. Any input would be appreciated!. Thanks! Sent from my Pixel XL using BariatricPal mobile app

There's an entire forum dedicated to band to sleeve: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

I just revised 4 days ago. My head hunger is practically non existent. I have jo stomach hunger yet either. It feels like my stomach use to feel before the band. That is the most refreshing feeling as I was consistently stuck even while unfilled. I'm having pain but I would assume it's due to having to clear scar tissue to rid the band from my body. My surgeon wouldn't do it because he said it would be the same as having the band in as far as little results I've had on the band. I already feel like a failure for the band and I didn't want to do that again with another surgery. The next surgery I ever want to do is augmentation. I can't answer about co morbidity e's since I had none going in to whether surgery, just short and fat which gave me a bmi over 40. I was afraid of the rerouting too but after a year I believe the tiny finger nail hairs in our small intestines get longer, therefore absorbe more nutrients. We are getting in 3/4 ths of the calories we consume now (per my NUT). I hoped I answered some of your questions.

My surgeon like many in South Fla no longer does the band. Too many are saying the revision rates are higher then the success rates. Thus, the band requires far more maintenance then the sleeve.

Wednesday I will be five weeks out from my revision from lap band to sleeve and I have lost 42 pounds. I am beyond thrilled. My problem is I will be returning to work next week Wednesday and most of my work clothing is too big. While I am excited about this problem, I have conflicting feelings about having to fork out money for new clothes knowing I am so new into my journey and I will be changing sizes a lot. What do other people do to work a professional wardrobe while trying not to spend a small fortune?

IDK. I think you are a fairly unique lady and VET. Maybe in the top 1-3% of people/"types". You DID learn your lessons while losing. You DID incorporate your doc/RD instructions and adapted them to work for you long term. And when you experience regain for any reason, you've set a protocol that is inspiring and amazing to watch. And it gives me hope for my future--that I'm not doomed to regain it all without being able to maintain. Because you quickly and efficiently go back to your roots and get rid of the regain. I feel like the OP has not done the work. Or maybe the surgery was the wrong surgery for him/her? We are all so unique, one solution won't fit all. They claim the reason for the regain and for not getting lower to their goal was based on undisciplined behavior. But if you lack discipline before, what will change this time? How will you magically change for good? Any of us can do things for short periods of time. But being "habilitated" sometimes, even more than being "RE-habilitated" is important. Not all of us can do that on our own. Not everyone learns things the first time. Maybe some of us DO need the surgeon revision or the RD new plan/accountability that meetings provide? Maybe we DO need bariatric therapy to discover what is driving us to self-harming behaviors? It usually isn't the short game that's the problem for any of us...it's playing for the long game. It is about changing lifelong behaviors for long term success. And that's a TALL order for most of us (the other 97%). Dunno...just spit balling here.

You are here looking for help, that's a good start. Its not impossible to re-lose what you lost. You might consider therapy first then a possible revision 2nd... just my opinion. Its not hard to regain the weight, I am almost 2 years out and if I didn't keep track of myself I could go back easily. Do you still have some restriction?

I am also band to sleeve revision. My surgeons office submited insurance papers yesterday, and now I wait. My surgeon mentioned once that there is a chance it will be denied and it may take a few tries, he may have to do a one on one with my insurance. I think I have read this refered to as a peer to peer review? But he seemed confident that it would happen in the end. I believe the reasoning for the request is band intolerance. I am vomiting much more than I used to, and can never tell when it will happen. Maybe the office worker was just having a bad day, and came across negative. I have read many times about people fighting to get approved, it may take time. But I find it hard to believe they can make us keep a device in us, one that was suppose to help us, but instead is causing us pain! Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear about your wife's band. I was under the impression that if your band eroded, you would NOT be a candidate to be re banded. I would think that whatever caused it to erode in the first place would happen again. CatLady: the band is designed to be permanent, but yes their is a percentage of people that develop complications like erosion or slippage and need a revision or removal. I hope that helps! Good luck.

Did they do any special tests to diagnose you with GERD? Or did they diagnose you only by your reported symptoms? I have gerd and I am wonder what i need to do to get approval for revision . Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

There's been some patients that had part of the hospital bills from complications covered by insurance, but others have had complete exclusion of any complication bills being paid by insurance that do not cover the initial procedure. It seems it's all in how the hospital bills the charges, and how the doctor handles the complications. It's a tough situation to be in as I would not want bypass, and I would have self-paid for my revision if insurance would not have come through for me.