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Gina, you need to get a dr to perform and EGD. I had the same issues and had 8 EGDS done one the first 2 years post op to learn After switching dr's for the last one that I had scar tissue that needed to be removed after that I was able to keep food down due to him "cleaning up that mess". Then bad news followed over the next 3 years I started to gain weight, developed a n ulcer and now a hiatal hernia in my new pouch. I am 6 years post op and getting ready to undergo a revision to remove the ulcer. This is something that you should now ignore. Please talk to your dr asap and if nothing else get a second opinion.

www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/ Look at this website. It is THE PREMIER group on the planet Earth. These are THE BEST doctors: those who pioneered laproscopic placement of the band and helped develop the surgical techniques to prevent slippage and the band revisions, i.e. to the band itself, facilitating placement via laproscopy. There are surgeons, and then there are GIFTED surgeons and Dr. Rumbaut falls into this latter category. He is SO INTERESTED in every patient. And, when he told me and my husband he was able to stitch the stomach around the band in the BACK as well as the front he was EXCITED and proud of himself. Imagine an american surgeon coming to the hotel to meet you the night before surgery and then coming to the hospital at 8:30 on a Saturday night to say goodbye before he left!!!!! (he was picking up his son from the movies). He has four children... 12, 10, 7 & 5. He is SO personable. Other surgeons in Monterrey are jealous because he has two operating rooms available to him ALL day on Tues and Thursdays. His office is IN the San Jose medical center. You'll see.... When you are in his office be sure to look at the large picture of a red headed woman dancing with a man.... it is classic. Nancy

I think the reason the band was focused on is because they lowered the BMI to enable smaller people to get the procedure. So many people see it as "less invasive" because that is how it's described and advertised. They aren't on these boards seeing how many problems and revisions that we see. I don't understand why this info isn't coming out in studies anywhere. I have relatives that suggested I do it rather than the sleeve due to it's "safety".

Thank you so much for responding! I feel better already. If you don't mind me asking, were your complications similar to mine, throwing up all the time? What was it that finally changed their mind? Although I'm not doing this purely for the purpose of losing weight (symptom alleviation is first for me), did you find it was easy to lose weight once you had it revised? Are the side effects of the RNY better to deal with? It sounds like the VBG was a disaster for lots of people, and I'll bet many of them just suffer in silence. I'm glad to find someone who can relate. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Research tells me that since I'm a revision from band to bypass, and have less weight to lose, that I will lose it more slowly. Research also tells me that I will stall through out. Now with that being said, to me the scales are good, I weigh every morning and they tell me what I might have to do different, little more excerise, increase calories, etc. Those scales to me are just like the bypass, a tool. It never means I'm doing something wrong, just that I need to change something. And DL is correct you need a food log, if you are logging too few calories and not losing, then your metabolism is in stravation mode, boost it up a little, increase the excerise, increase your calories. But just remember the scales are no different than the bypass, it is only a tool.

polly2107: hang in there! I can not imagine how hard this is for you. but never give up hope. the weight we are does not define who we are. you are so much more than extra pounds. I have not had any surgery yet. I am still waiting for my initial appointment, which they rescheduled to a later date!! I don't know what your options are but it seems that you might find a doctor that could do a revision. maybe a doctor that is at a teaching hospital close to you. don't lose heart. "for you are fearfully an wonderfully made"

I got a band to sleeve revision on 8/11/15. I have only lost about 38 pounds. One day I will be down 2 pounds and the next I will be up 2 pounds! What is happening? I'm getting in all my protein and eating very little carbs. It's just hard to see so many others losing quickly and here I am like " nope, didn't lose this month"!

I have Medica which is adminsitrated by United Healthcare, In fact the bariatric policy is United Healthcare's policy and Gastric sleeve is covered by UHC. No longer considered investigational. Ask to see a copy of their current policy, Do not take their word for it! I was originally told that the Sleeve was investigational and not covered. I pointed out the policy has been revised and offered to send them a copy of the one I found on their website. They were looking at an out of date policy!

You are losing very quickly. I had my revision on 6/30 and am down about 41. I do think revisit patients lose a bit slower but I am very pleased with my own progress and you should be too!

Wow, I think you are losing really quickly. I can tell you, you lost significantly more than I did in the first two months, and I am not a band to sleeve revision and I started at a much higher BMI than you did -- two factors that are supposed to mean that you lose slower than me! But I thought I did great and so did my surgeon and team. Being up and down 2 lbs and losing in an exaggerated stair step pattern is very normal, don't stress about that either. Overall, you are doing great except I will say maybe work on your expectations a little

HI everyone. I had a Lap band to a Mini Bypass revision on July 5th. So far. I have lost 23 pounds, but somehow I keep feeling that it should be a bit more. after some difficulty in the first two months with my eating. With a lot of food rejection, I now feel that I can eat quite well. I can eat a small size of fish, or one whole very well cooked and soft chicken thigh. I avoid carbohydrates to maybe one dry diet cracker in the morning with cottage and s bit at lunch (at the most have half a potato or a spoonful of carrots or zucchini with the protein) and concentrate on the protein. I walk a lot on my job (I am a tour guide) sometimes for two whole hours.. I try to drink enough ( I usually mix water with sugarless ice tea powder, as flavoured water goes down easier for me ) I completely avoid sweets, pasta, bread, and eat very little fruit. Also I am not experiencing any cravings really, and because I am eating protein 3 times a day I think that I am getting enough protein and still the weight loss seems to stall. Or am I being unrealistic?? Or maybe I am doing something wrong? Last week. I was at 24 pounds less, this week it came back to 23., I am starting to feel frustrated with this up and down effect!! I would really appreciate some feedback from those of you who went through this before, and how you managed to overcome this! For the record, as this might be an important detail, I am 61. Thanks a lot for taking the time to read and answer. All the best to everyone. Sent from my D6603 using BariatricPal mobile app Sent from my D6603 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my band out for 6 months before I could get my revision to RNY...I gained 30 pounds :/. I won't tell you what to do, there are risks associated with each surgery. I will say I love my RNY and feel better then I ever did with my band. There's no reflux or getting stuck, I don't feel like I'm starving all the time. I'm 5 months out and averaging 2-3 pounds a week loss consistently (doc says revisions tend to lose slower...as long as I keep losing I don't really care how long it takes!). I do have dumping if I get crazy with carbs but have absolutely no problem with normal healthy foods. Good luck! I wish you the best!

I did the RNY on Jun but I can eat almost everything even the potato chips. can you eat those things? and what happen to you if you do eat them? how much of food you can tolerate to eat in the same time? actually, I had a gastric banding revision to RNY and it's really new situation for me.

My surgeon not the severe erosion on the inside of my stomach but on the outside, I don't know if that makes sense. But, my port had flipped early out, and my douchebag band doctor ignored my complaints of pain for months, it got to where the port migrated, and the tubing was pulling on my band that was wrapped around my stomach. 3.5 months for me to resume normal activity. I actually didn't have a pre-op liquid diet. I just had to low carb it, and then fast the night before surgery after midnight. I don't know many revision patients that have to do a prolonged liquid diet unless they are having major issues with their band and even then I've never read more than 2 weeks of Protein shakes and other liquids including yogurt, sugar free popsicles, pudding and Jello. My leak was directly where the band was wrapped around my stomach. I did lose additional stomach tissue from that area, but it was not at the esophagus/stomach connection. My leak was discovered on my 3rd and final leak test with contrast fluid(gastrographin Fluid should be used since barium is not Water soluble).

Wow Tiffykins, that's quite an ordeal. I think I read in a past post of yours that your leak was from your esophagus? What was the issue with your band - were you an erosion? All in all, how long did your recovery take - until you could resume normal activity? My band is completely unfilled - fortunately. And while I'm told my slip is bad enough that they don't want to attempt a reposition or reband, it's not really messing with me that much. I'm "tolerating" it in such a way as that I don't present with many of the typical symptoms. But who knows what I look like on the inside. I know that from my band surgery, there is a lump of scar tissue I can feel from the outside (if I "try"), so I know it's likely to be an issue. I suspect my surgeon will put me on a significant liquid diet prior to any procedures. His "generic" liquid pre-op diet is only 2 days, but I've heard his revision diet is more like 6 weeks. I never wondered why, but maybe it's to prevent secondary or tertiary swelling caused by processing solids. I too have had someone tell me that revision patients are at 3X the risk for complications. I think I'd gladly take a second procedure if it's an option. I'll just tell him to use blanket sutures & mesh "just in case" -- just do my sleeve as though I already have a leak. Yes, how to treat leaks is on my list of questions, and how to diagnose: how many leak tests, when, which types of tests does he use, how frequently -- as well as his accessibility to me or other providers post-op. He's only about 45 minutes from home, but when I live 5 minutes from another hospital, that can be significant if there's an emergency.

I've read many reports of consistent restriction from VSG vs. tha random restriction I had from AGB. Is your restriction consistent? Is it consistent both in terms of times of day you can eat and types of food you can eat? Does VSG seem to be effected by the same variables as AGB? (e.g. flying, stress, humidity, PMS/water retention...) My restriction is consistent except that I do notice that right before my period, I seem to be able to eat a little bit more (or maybe it is that I want to due to hormones). With AGB "stuck" foods caused me discomfort or pain, often quite a bit of pain, and often for a fairly long time. Does food stick with VSG? I've read about people brining stuff up, but is this because of failure to pass through some stoma, or is it because of eating more than you can hold? Or both? Does it hurt like it did with your band? When it comes up, is it "saliva + stuck bits" like with the band, or is it actual vomit? I hated being stuck with the band! I have never had anything get stuck with the sleeve. Sometimes, when I eat out, I may take that one bite too many and I feel extremely full. So full that I don't even want to think about food or be around it. That is what has allowed my great success though! I can only eat at small amount at a time~ I know some dumping can occur with VSG - do you dump? Is it on specific foods, or random? The only time I get that feeling is if I eat Cereal with milk. I am not sure if it is the the milk or that the cereal swells in my stomach, but I feel sick and like I need to lay down. I don't usually eat cereal becasue of this. If I drink milk alone or in something, I am fine. What period is the greatest risk for developing a leak? I see references to 2 weeks, 2 months...I am not sure but my doctor did say to follow the post op diet closely to avoid putting stress on the staple line and which can cause a leak. Is leak the (currently known) most likely complication of VSG? I see people talking about leaks, and pOuch stretching, but that's about it. Surely there's something else out there...You can have issues with Calcium absorption which can cause problems with your bones and teeth. You have to take calcium citirate regularly. WIthout the need for fills, what does your post-op care look like? Do you have periodoc leak tests as a bandster might have period fluoro or xray? I have just had blood tests and check ups. So easy and nice! I hated getting fills. What do you like best about your VSG? It works! I feel amazing. I can't sabotoge myself anymore with food. Food doesn't control me. What do you like least about your VSG? Maybe the scars, but I love the sleeve itself. I really feel it is one of the best decisions of my life! What did you not know going in, that you wish you did? I wish I had asked for the morphine pump for when I woke up after surgery. I didn't discuss it with my doctor because I just thought everyone got one. OUCH! I was fine once they started giving me pain meds through my IV though. I keep reading "recovery is a lot harder than with the band," but no one really elaborates. Can someone please share their comparison of recovery? I actually thought they were about the same. I didn't have a drain with my band and I did with the sleeve. I did not like the drain, but it is there to detect leaks. I would do it again in a heartbeat! How hard did you find the transition in terns of behavior? I'm assuming there are shared rules such as chewing to goo, small bites, waiting between bites, etc. My band never really worked right, so it is hard to compare. I know I always had to worry about getting stuck at the most inconvient times, like at a restaurant. I would have to run to the bathroom and pray no one else was in there when I slimed. With the sleeve I have restriction all the time. I do have to focus on Protein first, but I really can eat anything, just smaller amounts. Do you have a "soft stop" with VSG? (I never had one with AGB, but I'm wondering if it exists with VSG) I just have to stop at the first sign of fullness. Just one bite over my sleeve capacity and I am miserable from fullness. Did anyone out thyere have a difficult revision due to scar tissue/etc. with the band?I had some soreness where the port was, but that is gone now. Any bathroom problems? (e.g. the terrible stinkies DSers are known for) Nope It seems like most people encounter significant heartburn. Is reflux an issue with VSG? Is the heartburn long term, or does it resolve after a while? I get hearburn with certain foods (spicy usually). I had it a little the first three months after surgery and took my prescription. Now it is just on an as need basis. I rarely get heartburn. Are your food intolerances (if any) the same as with your AGB?For some reason, hamburger meat in the patty form does not agree with my sleeve. I have thrown up three times trying to eat it. I just avoid it now! I can eat it if it is ground up like taco meat. The three times I tried hamburger patties are the only times I have thrown up with the sleeve. Otherwise, nothing else has caused this issued. I LOVE the sleeve! Good luck with your revision~

I'd like to echo the others and tell you to research all your options to exhaustion. I was banded in 2010 because I thought didn't want anything permanent...which is kind of silly to me now. I started at 245, lost 35 lbs in a couple months and then started having problems after problem after problem. For 4 years I dealt with unsuccessful fills and vomiting and stuck food and so on. The port flipped and the band damaged my esophagus... The stats on the band failure rate are super high and most band patients require more surgeries for one thing or another. I had the bypass revision about 10 weeks ago and I am so happy now. No stuck food, no vomiting, and I feel fabulous! Discuss your options with your surgeon and see what they think you will be most successful with. Most surgeons won't even do lap band surgeries anymore. Good luck!

Hi Jaymie, I'm only 2 weeks out from my band to sleeve revision so, I really can't tell you how well the band is helping with my weight loss. I was banded for 2 years. I lost 90# but gained back 20# while being unfilled. My problem was I could never achieve the "sweet spot" I was either too loose and could eat anything and quickly gain or too tight and would puke up everything and have horrible acid reflux. My doctor has been trying to convince me to revise to the sleeve for about a year. I needed that year to do a lot of research to see if it was going to be right for me. After my last complete unfill, I decided it was time. So far, so good! It is like night and day. I can eat without getting stuck, I haven't puked once, No more acid reflux and it doesn't hurt to eat like it did with my band. Right now, only 2 weeks out, I'm happy I've made the switch. I still have 15# to loose and I hope the sleeve will help me with that. However, at this point, I will be thrilled to just maintain my weight loss. In all the research I did, I found that the vast majority of people that went from the band to the sleeve are extremely happy with the switch. My doctor won't even do the band anymore because of all the problems associated with them. My revision was done in one surgery. It was much easier than my band surgery. Less pain and I'm feeling like myself much faster. The 1st week out I was very fatigued but not in pain. As a matter of fact, I haven't used any pain meds since coming home from the hospital. I know that everyone recovers in a different way. I guess I've been lucky. Good luck in you decision. If you have any other questions just ask. People on this board are very helpful and friendly. Shelli

I had revision surgery last month. My port had flipped and had to be turned back around a stitched back down. It was a much easier recovery than the first time for me - not nearly as much pain. The surgery itself was a simple outpatient procedure. It's wasn't bad at all. Good luck to you.

So far I have had good luck in revision due to weight gain. starting weight for sleeve 254 3 months out 204.5 weight loss of 50.5 ——————————— starting weight for bypass 245.5 3 months out I weigh 199 today (wooo!) weight loss 46.5 So the weight loss has been about the same but it has felt easier. I’m very glad I did the second surgery.

I've had the band 1.9 yrs.....been throwing up for 1.5 of that time. Having the revision on 21st of MAY! So glad to hear everyone's story. This gives me hope..... ready to do it!

I had a port revision on Monday with 1cc in a 4cc band. My surgeon added 1cc, so now I'm half full. I could probley get .5cc more and I know she will want to add atleast that much, but I don't want to. You see, I have severe anxtiey disorder, which tightens and sometimes even closes the opening in the band for me to the point where I can't even have a little Water and I'm vommiting all the time when I'm nervous. The holiday's are comming and I know this will be really stressful for me. And if I get tightened, I'll be sick all the time, but if I don't get tightened, I might not lose any weight. I promise not to overeat and gain, but when I go back to my Doc and I haven't lost, I feel like I'm being repramanded.:cry My Doc is doing this for free because of insurance problems. I'm really shy and I know I would have a hard time saying no to some one who's been so nice to me. What should I say to her exactly? A mini script would help alot. Thanks

For those who haven't been following my story............... I was diagnosed with an eroded band in November of 2011 and had it removed in March of 2012. I had to wait for six months before revising to the gastric sleeve as my surgeon wanted to wait for me to heal completely and do medical tests before confirming that I would be a good candidate for the sleeve. I have complete those tests and he was satisfied that I could have the sleeve. We also found that I had developed another hiatal hernia (the first one was repaired when I had my lap band surgery). My predetermination request for the sleeve surgery was denied. They stated that I needed to complete a six month weight loss program in order for them to consider my request. I asked my surgeon's insurance coordinator to appeal based on the reasoning that this was a repeat surgery for a lap band that had medically failed me and that I shouldn't have to complete the six month medically supervised weight loss program. She filed an appeal but no where in the letter did it address the six month weight loss program so of course they denied me again stating that we still hadn't submitted the records they had requested. Frustrated beyond belief, I took the initiative to write my own appeal letter. I used language from the BCBS-AL bariatric policy regarding repeat surgeries and their rationale for requiring the six month weight loss program and explained how I had met that rationale just by having a lap band for four years and that my waiting for six months before revising to another surgery was not conducive to improving my health. I just got off the phone with BCBS-AL and they have approved my surgery!!!!!! I am actually shocked that I succeeded in my appeal. I fully expected them to deny me and had already started the medically supervised six month weight loss program in preparation for that denial (and have lost 10 lbs over a six week period which is nice). I'm excited, relieved and nervous! I've been through this before so I don't know why but I am. I was very successful with my lap band (losing 94 lbs). I remember how wonderful it felt to be thin and feel good about myself and how I looked and not to be in pain anymore from carrying around all this extra weight (yes I packed the pounds back on after my band was removed). I can't wait to be there again! Yeah me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's cool to see another Tennessean on here. I didn't have a revision, so I'm not sure how the psych eval goes with that, but my Dr got my psych eval before I did. They emailed me saying they had it and a few days later the psych dr called saying he had sent over my eval then the next day, I got the copy of his letter to my surgeons office.