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So, anyways, as much as I hate to admit it, I was just dying over waiting on my insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, who I have through my husband's workplace. Well, all that is over now. Hurrah! I could hardly sleep over the fact that I spent 6 months going to Mayo out here, had a physcologist, worked out like crazy, etc. and it all would have been for not except for Blue Cross. Oh, I love them. And it wasn't that hard once I jumped through all the hoops at Mayo ( the craziness is, is that I did this for the bypass, and last month my surgeon said, "get the lap band" much less trama for your young body." ) And all these people said Blue Cross would never cover it, but they did! I guess they revised once in 2004, and then back again shorty after. Mayo wrote my letter, (and probably included the book's worth of info on me they collected in 6 months). After the secretary for my surgeon said they sent it to pre-authorization, I called them 2 days later and the gal there said,"I was very lucky to have Blue Cross/Shield, they are very good for approval and fast", they had it mailed, and exactly 12 days later ( including 4th of July) I and Mayo got the approval by mail. So anyways, for anyone out there like me, who was literally freakin' out, it was easy and painless with the insurance, the approval said "deemed medically necessary" . And also, Mayo in MN just started doing lap bands. Dr. Flo Que, she's great, and gets you in fast! Anyways, I didn't want to post this to gloat, just to let other worry-warts like me get some positive stuff, because I always loved the positive posts for insurance. Surgery 8-8-06

I had my sleeve revision done by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. My PCP knows all about it and she is very open to helping me along post op. She did a panel for me, which everything looked great and wants me to come in every few months to weigh in. However, I am still going to get the big check ups with Dr. Aceves. I am going to see him on January 8th for an upper GI to see how everything is going in there. It doesn't hurt to talk to your regular Dr. though, and it really should be advisable. They should know everything about your medical history. HTH!

Sorry to hear that you had to have a second revision. I hope this mesh thing does the trick. I had to have a revision 3mths out, like you, it had flipped. My Dr also said it was very rare. I was only his second patient out of hundreds, this had happened to. He also said mine was b/c the scar tissue had not had enough time to develop and help hold it in place. I certainly hope that same scar tissue doesn't cause it to flip again.lol I would definitely have a second revision. Good luck and thank you for sharing your experience.

I am SO glad that I didn't get the LapBand. I think that the sleeve is going to give me much greater results! I didn't like the fact that the band can erode your stomach. What a pain to have to go in for fills/unfills too. I also don't like the fact that it seems like there are a whole lot of band to sleeve revisions. I have a friend who has the band and she has done well. I am happy for her and she works the band well. I just don't think it is for me.

I am having a really hard time with my band. In the last month I had my gallbladder out unneccesarily (my band was too tight), an $8000 ER visit, 2 unfills and an upper GI with a refill. I keep getting spasms of my stomach and esophagus that cause vomiting and abdominal, chest and back pain. The only way to keep it from happening is to get an unfill but then I don't have good restriction and I gain weight. I'm just really frustrated. Danielle

I am interested in finding about an experienced veritical sleeve doctor in the US that would convert or do a plication revision to regular sleeve. I have maintained weightloss due to strick calorie counting, but I live a unsatifying life of deprevation/hunger and live on veggies since a bigger stomach - although GPS worked for awhile. However most should know that my results probably aren't typical and GPS does work for other people. Does anyone know a doctor that would consider plication revision to regular vertical sleeve? I hope I don't have to gain all my weight back if I am self paying for revision surgery. If a stomach has stretched out or stitches have come undone, I really don't understand why it is a big deal to convert to regular sleeve since they would be cutting that part out anyway.

I had the sleeve done at the end of November, 2013. It was a band to sleeve revision. I was what I would have called a "slow loser" but found out some things I was doing wrong. So, I changed some of what I was doing - went to 1000 calories/day, added fruits and vegetables to my diet instead of just Protein and began walking and working out some. Now, I know you're going to say, "If you're working out you're adding muscle which weighs more than fat." Ok, I'm not working out THAT hard. A couple of weeks ago I had an NSV by getting into size 20 clothes from a size 26/28. I hit the 40 pound loss mark in 4 months. I was feeling really good. But things have changed. I'm still in a 20, which I'm happy about. But I'm losing my hair. The one thing that I have ALWAYS prided myself on. Even when I was over 300 pounds, my hair always looked good. It was healthy, bouncy and in really good shape. Then, pieces of it started coming out when I showered. I'd go to soap myself up and have to remove strands of hair from the bar of soap. I thought, "Well, that's the price of bariatric surgery I suppose." I started taking Biotin after reading some messages on here. I also made sure I got at least 60 grams or more of protein a day and have been averaging over 60 grams a day for over a month now. I thought it probably wasn't as bad as I was making it out to be. Then, I went to my hair dresser for a cut yesterday. She started washing my hair and said, "Oh my, you're really getting thin." My daughter is getting married in 2 months and my hairdresser said we may have to get a hair piece to help cover up some of thinness if it doesn't get any better. What?!?!?!?!?!? Are you frickin' kidding me? Oh, and it gets worse. I stepped on the scale this morning and was 3 pounds heavier!! WHAT?!?!?!!?!?!?!? I've been following my diet strictly and haven't gone over 1000 calories. I've looked at the snack cakes in my daughter's snack drawer and walked away. ARE YOU FRICKIN' KIDDING ME?!?!?!? 3 POUNDS?!?!?!!?!?!? And this is after a 2 week plateau. I'm ready to give up. I know this weight didn't come on over night but I really expected more than 40 pounds in 4 months. And, I know that we all have weight fluctuations but mine have only been a pound here and there. 3 pounds? Higher??? That's crazy. If I was cheating, sure, I can see that. But I'm not. I'm a bit fed up. I don't want to hear about losing inches vs. pounds and changing things up. I've done that. I guess I just want to bitch and complain. Has anyone else gone through this mental torture and how did you get your HEAD back in the game? I'm beating myself and my sleeve up right now. I need a mental kick in the ass. Any advice?

Not yet. Sorry to hijack the post. She's also band to sleeve so wondering it a remnant left behind is a possibly? Lap band 2009 Sw 200/lw 161 Sleeve revision 17 May/17 Sw 217 CW 193

I had a CT scan. No cysts or abscesses but a possibility a piece of the old lapband left behind... Lap band 2009 Sw 200/lw 161 Sleeve revision 17 May/17 Sw 217 CW 193

Brad, great job. Aren't the new clothing choices great? I love that you get to revise your goal. I am hoping I will get to mine and decide to revise! Thanks for the post.

1) 45 lb. in 3.5 months is actually a good weight loss especially with a band. 2) Esophageal stacking is bad news and can lead to bad health problems. Personally, if I had it, I would be asking about a revision to another WLS, not going to see a shrink. (Though maybe your surgeon wants you to go for other reasons?) 3) Mini-bypass is WORSE NEWS. The surgery is dangerous and people gain their weight back. The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons does not include mini-bypass in their list of viable procedures and reputable docs don't do this procedure. But there are other WLS types you can revise to such as the regular bypass, the sleeve and the duodenal switch. Since you have done so well with the band, I would consider a restriction-only surgery like the sleeve over something with malabsorption like bypass or the switch. But those others are viable options too. Here's a chart that explains the differences: Weight-Loss Surgeries Compared

How long have you been banded? It might be time to consider a revision to something like RNY

If she will provide the recommendation for the sleeve then let her do her thing. If she tries pushing the Lapland you can easily point out the huge failure rate of the band along with the success rate of sleeving. Not to mention, how many band to sleeve revisions are being done, I for one dont want to set myself up for a second surgery. And on top of this I wouldn't want the foreign object in my body, nor would I want to deal with the ongoing hassle & cost of maintaining the band.

Hi all, I was originally told by my surgeon's office that the insurance "approved" the band-to-bypass revision, but unfortunately there were some miscommunications on their end and the insurance company actually denied (they are saying that it's not sufficient enough to approve this surgery because the band is still technically in place and hasn't "failed" even though medically it has failed in terms of WL success and more than occasional vomiting). Talk about a roller-coaster - - excitement and hope followed by sadness and dispare... but I want this badly (and NEED it), so I'm about to draft an appeal letter. Do any of you have advice on what I should state in the appeal letter? Any other suggestions? Thanks, ~Micheal

I'm really sorry you have to deal with such a putz. I've been so lucky that my PCP is very pro-WLS. He, along with the entire staff, have cheered me on, fought to get my referral approvals when I was going through my revision to VSG, and have shared my story with his other patients. He has been nothing short of amazing in the WLS support department. I wish more general med doctors would get on board, and lose their bias towards weight loss surgery.

Wow you've really done well! Congrats! I'm just worried also cause I have the lap band and having a revision next Friday. I had a good amount of success with the band till it slipped and I don't want to fail with the sleeve. They say revisions don't loose as much weight as virgin sleevers. So I'm praying it will work for me.

There have been lots of posts that discuss why we chose VSG over other procedures, so you might want to do a little light reading of the site for additional info. However, my reasoning was pretty basic. I decided against the band because I didn't want a foreign object installed in me that had to be tended to constantly (filling and unfilling) and as the years have progressed, more and more people are having complications from their lapband and having it removed/having a revision surgery to another option like sleeve or bypass. I didn't choose bypass because of similar reasons to yours. After doing a lot of research, I could see that the sleeve appeared to be less intrusive to my digestive system (no re-routing of the system, thus malabsorption problems are not typical). While short term complications are slightly higher than the band, long term the fact seems to be that there are less complications. There are other reasons, but these are probably the most obvious ones.

Actigall (Ursodiol generic name) is the name of the drug. There are also contraindications for this medication if you have liver issues. My surgeon only has 1/4 of his patients that need their gb out after WLS. I opted to NOT take Actigall. #1 Our livers work double time when losing weight rapidly especially when we're in ketosis. I didn't want to task my liver anymore than necessary. #2 The gb helps break down fat. During my losing stage, I ate full fat foods because light or fat free food had more carbs and sugar counts. #3 I had my GB out at 8 months post-op, and a lot of my food choices were nixed because my body would not process fat the same it did before losing my GB. I struggled with a lot of foods post gb removal. I can't imagine not having my GB during my losing stage. I would have been miserable. It's a hiatal hernia repair, and it is not the "norm". I didn't have one, and I had a band as well. Hiatal hernias often go undiagnosed until surgery, and they are repaired simultaneously as the sleeve surgery. These particular hernias can cause reflux, and repairing them can prolong recovery. The esophagus sometimes has spasms for several weeks to months post repair. It's not related to the sleeve at all. I researched so much that really I had zero surprises. I was a revision, and I walked in knowing my risks, complications, and that recovery would probably be extended. Of course, no amount of research prepared me for my specific complications, extensive recovery, but for the actual sleeve life I was well equipped for the ins and outs of surgery, and life post sleeve. I completely agree with buying samples of Protein, don't get hung up on a flavor because more than likely your tastes will change post-op. Don't buy any tubs, or large quantities of protein mixes/shakes until a couple of weeks post-op. If you do, more than likely, you'll end up with them being dust collectors. I bought only samples, and found one that I loved. But, 2 weeks into drinking it(4 weeks post-op), I started puking. Lovely, lactose intolerance hit me, and hit me hard. All whey Proteins were out for me. The soy and veggie proteins were horrible tasting and textured. I gave the one tub I did purchase away to friend. I never experienced a true stall. I always lost weight, every week. Some weeks I only lost 1-2 pounds, but I never the 2 full weeks without weight loss. BUT, stalls happen, and I would say 98% of WLS patients experience them. Our bodies really can't lose a pound a day forever, and it has to adjust. Start instilling better habits NOW. I had the learning curve with the sleeve pretty much beat because of my band experience. I had already quit drinking with my meals, already ate small bites, and always set my eating utensil down in between bites to help me slow down on eating. If you start these little changes now, as a pre-op, you'll find the transition to eating with the sleeve much easier. Also, eat your protein first, take at least 20 minutes to eat your meals, stop bringing a beverage to the table with you when you eat. Learn to identify your trigger foods, and avoid them, or enjoy them in moderation. Go ahead and start sucking down Clear liquids on a daily basis. If you're not a Water drinker, you might want to learn to start liking water now. If you hate water, find something that you can add to it. Clear liquids are essential in your recovery. Also, try to prepare yourself mentally for all the changes. If you have food issues such as emotional and compulsive eating, tackle those demons now. Don't think the sleeve will resolve these issues alone. They operate on our stomachs not our brains, and conquering the mental aspect of WLS is 75% of the battle. Best wishes, and keep reading, researching, and preparing yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Me? Yes. I'm scheduled for revision on May 11th.

I'm unsure where to begin. I had the Lapband back in 2008 and had nothing but health issues from day one. I had 2 surgeries then the third was the removal. I initially lost around 40 lbs but once it was gone the weight came back. The next step was the sleeve 3/2012. I lost 10lbs before the surgery and 25lbs after. I worked so hard ate right but had no restriction, hired a personal trainer, walked, did it all. 25lbs is all I lost. I gave up and have now gained it all back plus a few (5lbs). After long consideration I am considering a revision. I spoke to my surgeon (who all along wanted me to do the bypass) he said he put in the largest bougie and maybe it was to large for my stomach. He is no longer in my state so I will be meeting with a new surgeon in the next week. I'm so afraid of being a 3 time non loser. I have seen a shrink, considered hypnosis, Ate less in the process of going gluten free. I can't fail again. Please no negative posts. I am doing my best.

I am so sorry you are going through this - but I really admire your "don't give up" attitude! I was absolutely devasted, embarrassed and had a certain disbelief about my own failure with the lapband, I was so sure I could make it work and be successful, but after 10 years I weighed significantly more than I did when banded. If it were me, I would want to better understand the "whys". It is true that the RNY has the malabsorptive element, but studies show very little difference in percent of excess weight loss compared to the sleeve. i failed miserably with the band, and I spent a fair amount of time "pondering" the why question. I asked the surgeon and my NUT - why do revisions not do as well? Why do so many not do well on the lapband longer term? What can I do to influence my outcomes? What I learned from that did help me overcome some of the pitfalls that some revisionistas run into. I of course have NO IDEA how come different people have different outcomes and I in no way "blame the patient". I am just sharing how I would consider looking at it. There were several shifts in mindset that I personally had to make - the number one being accepting just how little a woman my age, my genetics (apparently my anscestors survived famines very well) needs to eat. I think when I was banded, I never really "got" it. I thought I was "eating small" but I really wasn't. Also, I had to learn to forget about feeling "full" but rather trained myself to strive for "absence of hunger". Wow. That meant alot in terms of portion size, but also how often I really needed to eat. the final thing I had to adjust to was really understanding the role of sliders and carbs in my previous "failures". Turns out I am pretty carb sensitive and so I don't lose weight (after a certain point) unless I restrict them which isn't particularly fun as carbs are my favorite foods. I am not saying those are your lessons - but they were some of mine. I have to be honest, if I needed to revise due to poor weight loss, I would be considering the DS. It is the highest risk WLS (get a GREAT surgeon) but also statistically the most successful due to significant malabsorption. However, DSers do have a much bigger issue with nutritional defeincies. Ask alot of questions, choose a great surgeon, keep up your great attitude and I know you can make this a success!

Idid have one stone in my gallbladder but we realized that it wasn't the problem the day after surgery when I had my first solids and spent the next 8 hours in agony. After about $40,000 in medical bills I found out that muscle spasms in your stomach and esophagus from band tightness is the same pain you can get from gallstones. The problem now is that I am able to eat just about anything now at 6cc but when I had good restriction at 8 and 9 cc's I would have these attacks every couple of days. I asked my doc about revision and he said he won't even consider it until I am 2 years post-op. Hopefully I can make the band work still with less restriction. Luckily, I didn't have a slipped band or any dilitation. Just beware letting your band stay too tight. Danielle

Hi everyone. Here's a bit of my background Lapband done April 2011 Only lost 40 lbs Went in for revision to sleep Nov 5, 2016 And they were only able to take my band out Since it had slipped I needed time to recover. Friday is my surgery, and I decided to go bypass instead of sleeve. I'm very nervous, about dumping and feeling like I'm starving. Plus I'm a very thirsty person and I can chug a bottle of Water lol, so the sipping is going to be a huge adjustment. Anyone else having surgery in January, what day? And what surgery you getting? I'd love to have some fellow BariatricPal friends to embark on this new journey with! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So this morning I had my second and hope last port revision. It had flipped again so I decided to get it fixed. Feeling sleepy and tired and hopefully I will be up and running soon.

I am being revised from a sleeve to bypass on the 23rd