Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums

2,213 topics in this forum

I had my band done in March and already it has to come out, to say the least I'm a little upset! Especially considering I'm self pay and I will be having 2 surgeries within 9 months. I tore my port away from the stomach wall so I had my choice of repairing it or doing the sleeve, so sleeve here I come!!! I started out loving my band and being able to work with it but it got harder and harder as it went on. I couldn't eat and if I did, it would not stay down. If I was even slightly upset about anything not even Water would stay down. I tell you this has been a bad dream. And I did everything I was supposed to do. Anyway I'm going back to Tijuana to see my surgeon aga…

When did you get unfilled before your revision. I am looking at mid March (have time off from work, scrapping and get the $$) Do I need to get a complete unfill??? So afraid of gaining too much weight back. Thank you for your advice (Of course I am going to ask the MD.. leaning towards Dr. Aceves but he may be too expensive (I know..cost isn't everything..) Did anyone get a revision from him and he had you get unfilled?? What was the time frame?? D.

What prompted your revision? Was it an emergency with the band, or just frustration. Problems with the band, or lack of progress? Did insurance cover either of your surgeries, both or just one? Is there another thread where this was discussed that I missed? I know there was a story thread, I guess I was looking specifically for causes for the revision, and costs.

Susan, Oregondaisy, Elizabethsew, Wasabubblebutt, Vegasangel & Fianc?: anyone who has had a revision from LapBand to Sleeve: can you please give us all an update of your progress, successes, and obstacles/ stumbles along the way? How much have you lost thus far?? I have been avidly reading your posts! You insight is invaluabel to me (as I'm sure it is to so many out there quietly reading the boards)! I haven't seen an update on your tickers for some of you that began your journey in April. I just scheduled my revision with Dr. Aceves for August 20th (ahhh, nervous, excited!!!), I haven't told my family, don't think I will, not supportive of a Mexico surgery. I j…

Hey All, My insurance Co., Aetna Health Care has approved the cost of removing my band but NOT the sleeve revision. My Dr says he can perform the procedure at the same time. Price will be $8000 for hospital and $1736 for his fee. Total $9736. I asked about a discount as it seems my insurance company is already paying for hospital, surgeon, anthestiga, etc. They are telling me no because it is two different procedures even though performed in in the same operation. Has anybody else run into this?? I expect to cover the cost difference and I am sure there are some but this really sounds like I am being double dipped.

I've been banded 2 1/2 years. The first year was great. Found that sweet spot on the second fill. When I was 5-10 pounds away from goal, I started having problems. I was unfilled, and the battle began. I haven't been able to get that sweet spot again, and have constant problems with back aches, heart burn, acid reflux, former banders, you have all been there. In the short time I was unfilled completely, I gained back about 20 pounds. I've since lost that, but am sick of all this. I currently most likely have an expanded pouch yet AGAIN. The problem is that I was self pay, and insurance isn't even covering unfills due to dehydration (twice, yet they pay to have me go to…

Hello! I have reached my weight loss goal and will be having surgery next month to remove excess skin, tummy tuck and breast implants. At the same time, I have asked my Lap Band surgeon to do a port revision because the one I have now is a bit bothersome in some clothing (ie - tights, nylons, some tighter waistband pants/skirts). He's agreed but I'm wondering about any insurance coverage issues. The pain is really not a concern, since I'm going to be pretty miserable from everything else - what's a little bit more? lol Anyway, has anyone had experience with BC/BS PPO with regard to coverage on the low profile port placement? Thanks!

I am not sure what to do at this point. I got my band in March of 09 and I've only lost 20 lbs. My starting weight was 269 and now I'm 249. I'm grateful for the 20 lb. loss and I know that my band prevents me from binge eating. Although I'm very disappointed with my loss, I'd rather have the band than nothing. I lost great at first...lost the 20 lbs the first 2 months. I haven't lost anything since June. I have 8 ccs in my 9cc band so I'm pretty sure that I have enough restriction. I haven't been able to get under 1600 calories though (I need to eat between 1000-1200 to lose). I think I'm always hungry but I've talked with my nutritionist and she thinks that I m…

I wanted to know if anyone had any luck with insurance approvals on revisions, specifically those that do not include removal of the band. I'm asking because I have AETNA POS and they approved my revision but when I went in for surgery all the surgeon could do was remove it. They plan on trying to do the revision later. Will I have to apply again? Do the diet all over again? I'm confused, especially since it was too difficult to do both at the same time.

Hi all. Just curious and wondered if anyone had similar experience that could offer input. I have Anthem BC/BS Ohio. I have a leak and surgeon wants to do a port replacement. Insurance said they needed a letter of medical necessity and that was sent last week. Anyone have the same situation and if so, how long did it take to get approval. According to Anthem's website and the rep I spoke with, this is covered under my plan. Thanks for the input!

Hello, I was banded on April 4, 2007. I was at 285lbs and it is now 2009 and I am only at 263lbs:mad:. I have discussed this with my physician because she do not have a clue of what is going on:huh2:. I go get a fill and in less than a week my restriction is gone.:sad: Then I go right back to her and the same thing happens again:frown:. Then she restricted me so much that I could not even get a bottle of Water down. So I went back to get it unfilled. She talked to a DR in KY who told her to have me under fluro, drink barium and look at the band which she did. According to her she do not see any leakage:smile2:, she filled the band again and the same thing happen. I am …

Well, after much discussion and worry with my surgeon I am having a lap band port revision. I am happy with this even though it will be on November 19th - only 5 months after my original surgery- you see, my port bonks against my ribs causing me considerable pain. So, we have the day and the insurance will pay - thank god. I will be out from the 19th of November until the Friday after Thanksgiving and then of course I will have that weekend as well. I am finally at a point with only 2 fills where I have great restriction and am finally losing weight, I will be all set after this surgery is competed. Wish me luck and feel free to tell me about your port revision …

Hello all, I come to you with a heavy heart. I am, by all definitions, a successful bandster. I am 5 1/2 years out from surgery and had an initial weight loss of 165 lbs. I am still maintaining a 115 lb weight loss. However... I have what has been identified as "lap band intolerance." My lap band continues to get tighter and tighter, the longer I have it. I had a revision 3 years ago to switch from a 4cc band to a 10cc Vangaurd. That gave me plenty of room... for a while. But this band is now getting too tight. I have been admitted, more than once, for I.V. hydration after an accute obstruction. I also have a chronic issue with inflammation that no one c…

I am having my lap band removed and I cannot wait! I was banded November 20, 2008 and did well only for the first couple of months. I have had so many problems and pain that I have been unfilled more than i have been filled--every time that i try to get filled back up i start pb-ing constantly and cant keep anything down--sometimes even water! I have a constant pressure/sharp pain at the site of the band. I am having the band removed and the MGB (mini-gastric-bypass) done by Dr. R in Las Vegas on October 1st and I cannot wait....I am looking for other previously banded that have had this revision! Please if you are out there i would love to hear how your mbg has been…

I just recently had surgery and am new to this forum, but I have noticed that there are quite a few people who have had bands removed, replaced, port revisions, stomach erosion, etc... Anyone care to share their experiences or advice on how to prevent these???

Hello, I was banded on April 4, 2007. I was at 285lbs and it is now 2009 and I am only at 263lbs:mad:. I have discussed this with my physician because she do not have a clue of what is going on:huh2:. I go get a fill and in less than a week my restriction is gone.:thumbup: Then I go right back to her and the same thing happens again:frown:. Then she restricted me so much that I could not even get a bottle of Water down. So I went back to get it unfilled. She talked to a DR in KY who told her to have me under fluro, drink barium and look at the band which she did. According to her she do not see any leakage:smile2:, she filled the band again and the same thing happen. I…

To make a long story short, I had my band put in October 13, 2008. My first two fills were okay, but then it became increasingly hard for the doc to find my port. We then started doing fills under xray. I never really had full restriction at any point. Then, it got to the point where he was struggling to access the port even under xray and the surgeon stated that my port had flipped. I had had no pain or anything to indicate that this had happened. I asked my doc what the cause could have been. He said he couldn't know for sure. I had been given the green light for Pilates, but I think that this might have been the cause as there is a lot of abdominal work during it. Mid …

Well I went and talked to my surgeon with my husband. On our way there I was thinking I would just take the band out because I was too scared to do the Sleeve. Once we talked to my surgeon I am very excited about the sleeve revision and can not wait. I have confidence in my surgeon, and I know he will do right by me. He has done revisions, he did not give me a number, but he has not had any leakage problems, which made me really happy. Well I have to start my diet ASAP so that should be fun, but I do not want to screw this up in anyway so I need to do this!

I was so surprised when I actually got approved to have this revision. They called me today and wanted to schedule my surgery and I froze. I told them I wanted to speak to my surgeon to see exactly how many of these he has done and what is leak percentage is. My husband does not want to me to do this so I want him to go with me to the doctor to ask all these questions. I have two young children and he is afraid of what can happen. My aunt works in a hospital and told me to please not do it. I had so much scar tissue INSIDE my stomach after the first lap band I had, she said I am going to have a lot in there again with staples! I just do not know what to think or do,…

I have been doing amazing but at my last fill we noticed that part of my Realize port has come unhooked. We could have gotten around it but since my insurance is taking care of everything they just want to get it over. I go in Tuesday for it to be fixed but I do have some questions: Downtime, any ideas if it will be just like the banding? The nurse mentioned it would be a lot more painful than when I was banded? Will I need an unfill(I asked the nurse and she didn't know) Exersise, will I have to wait again? Any tips? Thanks!

I went in for surgery this morning because my port had turned upside down. I switched to a new surgeon, because my previous (original) surgeon was not very good. The new surgeon said that it looked as if the 1st doc has attempted sewing the port to my ab muscles but only one 1 side. So he reattached it to the ab muscle and then sewed my back up. To my surprise he also did my first fill. He gave me 6ccs. He said he always starts off at six when the band holds 14ccs. He also said he did not understand why I was given a 14cc band because the Standard AP Band that holds 10cc would have been perfect for me. Oh well, can't change that now. The surgery went great, only I am mo…

So I went in for my first fill and low and behold. Murphy's Law, what can go wrong will go wrong. F-ing A. My port is upside down and I have to go in for another surgery to turn it the right way and suture it to my ab muscles. Yay for me! Anyone else have this happen?

Has anyone had a port revision?

I have had 2 fills with no problems and went on Friday for my third fill. They had trouble with the port and must have stuck me at least 8 times. The first 2 fills I got they hit it on the first try each time. They called the Doctor down and he said that the port has flipped 180 degrees and they will have to go in and fix it. I asked if this was caused by something I have done and he said no, that sometimes with weight loss the port has to be repositioned. Then because it was after closing hours by the time we were finished he said to call on Monday and schedule a Pouch Revision. Have any of you had this done? I have only lost like 40 pounds and I don't see how …

I went to the doctor last week and I was expecting a fill after being unfilled for several weeks! The nurse told me that my pouch was twisted up over my band and it is still dilated so I have to have a revision surgery to move my band back up over the stretched pouch. Just wondering if anyone has ever had this done, I am worried they are going to have to take it out. I go talk to the surgeon on Tuesday and then set a date for surgery! A little nervous but excited, if I keep my band this is a new start, I have been at this same weight for 2 years now!

I haven't been in a good place with my band for a few months now, ever since I started having to have my fills under xray because he couldn't access the port in the office. My doc told me during the last fill that my port had flipped. It was almost a relief because I've been spiraling out of control in terms of my eating because I was so depressed about my band not working. So, I set up the date for my revision surgery, but now I am worried. Did I do something that caused it to flip? The doc said that it wasn't the pilates and hard work outs that I do, but I have felt pain while working out and am worried that this is what caused the flip. The doc told me that it wasn't, …

I had my lap band surgery June 16, 2008, had a port revision done November 19, 2008 and had my low profile port put in instead. And here we are now a year later from my orginal surgery and I having my low profile port removed from the right side of my body and a new one put in the left side. Why you ask? Beats me, it isn't flipped, isn't leaking...but causes me pain again, now mind you I have had two ports put in on the right side and a tumor removed very very close by at that site as well, so the thought is too much going on over there perhaps and too much scarring? So, July 20, 2009 I go in to have the two surgeries done, I am comfortable with this as my band is …

I had port revision done about 2 weeks ago and felt the normal soreness that comes from having that surgery so after a week I felt totally fine and healed but just yesterday which was day 12 from my port revisoin surgery I started to get some pains and pinches in the port area. What could be going on? I did lift a small dog yesterday that was about 25 pounds and I also worked out my abs about 4 days ago so maybe that is what is causing this. Will this pain go away? I am so scared!

Hi All, I was banded last May and have been on a plateau since around November. After some bad fills and attempts at fills, I had a fill under flouroscopy and the Dr. realized my port had flipped and I am waiting to get a date for my port replacement surgery. I have read some accounts that say it happens all the time and some that say it is very rare. Does anyone have any advice? What was the recovery time like? I have had more discomfort than usual in the last couple of weeks since the dr. was poking me under the floroscope and am really anxious to get this taken care of. Thanks for your help! Libby

I have got to have my band removed as it has seriously eroded. I have asked my surgeon about a revision and he says he might be able to do one to RNY or a Sleeve. Not knowing much about the Sleeve, I thought I had better look it up. I am amazed how many people on this site alone have revision to a Sleeve....something which still gives them no malabsorption. I have been dieting and struggling for 6 years with the band and now will put on even more weight waiting for the revised surgery....and the thought of restrictive only procedure just terrifies me....what if I fail this too. I would much prefer the RNY....but I look at alot of my fellow former bandsters and you all g…

Hello :thumbup: I was banded on 8/14/06 and have had problems w/the band since Jan 08. I've had several fills and un-fills and nothing has been working. In November I was rushed to the Emergency room w/complicated pneumonia and Fluid on my right lung that was attributed to acid reflux and in December 08 I had an endoscope and it's been shown I have a hernia as well. My lap-band dr would like to do one of two things 1. Replace and re-position the lap band + repair hernia 2. Do a Revision to one of the gastrics + repair hernia I've been reading up. I have about 80-90 pounds that I need to still lose and I don't know what gastric surgery is best for me. I'm sti…

I had my band placed on in April, 2006. The first year was a breeze and I lost a ton of weight. In month 13 of my journey, I was overfilled and slipped my band. Since then, I seemed to have developed an intolerance for my band. I have slipped it twice, constantly choke on my food, and have been miserable. On April 2nd, I will be revising from the lapband to the gastric sleeve. Dr. Aceves will be doing the revision in Mexico. I have decided to chronicle my experience here, so others that have band issues and decide to convert can have an idea of what to expect. I spoke with Nina, the patient coordinator yesterday and we now have everything scheduled. I am excite…

I don't post often, and I don't come here often enough, especially when things are going good, and they are going pretty good. However, I developed a big adhesion on my port scar which tugs at my skin, especially when I am running or stretching. It can feel like someone is trying to rip my skin off from the inside. So I am having a little revision done this next Monday. Not only will they be releasing the scar tissue though, my doctor is also going to move my port (already a low profile) behind my abdominal muscle. This move is scaring the bejebes out of me! Just because I know they will need to go through muscle for adjustments which means pain and lidocain and it'…

:sad:HELLO ALL, I AM SORRY IF THERE IS A THREAD ON THIS ALREADY, BUT I DIDN'T SEE ONE. SO HERE'S MY STORY. I AM 2 MONTHS POST-OP, HAVE HAD TWO FILLS. LAST FILL WAS ON THURSDAY THE 9TH OF APRIL, WAS TOLD MY PORT SEEMS TO HAVE FLIPPED ON IT'S SIDE. SHE THEN SAYS I MIGHT NEED A REVISION. I AM DREADING ANOTHER SURGERY. CAN ANYONE SHARE THEIR STORY ON THIS WITH ME? THANKS A BUNCH!

Hey everyone, I was initially banded in 12/07 and at the time I weighed 386 pounds. It's now 14 months later and I was down over 100 pounds when I discovered that I couldn't keep anything down. I went in for an esophogram and there it was--a slipped band. They wanted me in for surgery very quickly to remedy it. In the meantime they took all of the Fluid out of it so I could eat and drink. I had my revision surgery on Friday, 2/27...it was much like the first surgery. He basically had to fix the position of the band...so he went in through the same incisions (the big incision that he initially used to put the band in wasn't completely reopened, just a small incisio…

Hi, I'm new on this forum. I was banded back in April 08. I first lost 13 lbs then I gained it back and then some. I did what I was supposed to do at first. However, I was still very hungry. I ended up eating more and I suppose I streched the pouch. Had 4 fills and 1 unfill. I know there is nothing wrong with the band, it just does not work for me. Had an upper GI and the doc said it is in place and looks normal. I'm going to get the sleeve done anyway. I need something a little better to help me. I know that I will have to stick to the portions and exercise on a daily basis. I just want to see if there is anyone out there that had this done. What is your p…

I was wondering what people thought about having a section in LBT call "REVISIONS"? It appears that a lot of us who seem to have a real attachment to this forum are revising now or have revised a while ago and it might be time to have a major section in LBT. I know there is another WLS site that has one and I've found it helpful but still feel more attached to LBT. Would it just be redundent or is it a good idea, any thoughts? Thanks Nancy.:huh2:

Hi all! About to have my final appointment with the doctor before setting the surgery date. I talked to the pt advocate this morning about what it would cost to have a revision (in case something happened) or to clear up an infection (like a port infection). She said it would be about $6000 for the surgeon! I also asked if I would have to pay up front (I am self pay) before anything was done. She said that I would most likely have to pay up front. So, here are my questions: 1) If I get an infection, isn't it wrong that I have to pay up front before they will fix it?, 2) What does it typically cost someone to have a revision?, 3) If you have a gastric sleeve instead, wil…

I have decided I am sick of the band and I want it out. I can't tell my boss why I need time off work. I really had no recovery with the band surgery. I had it on a fri and went back to work on Monday. I had no pain what so ever and really could not even tell I had surgery. I have heard that the revision surgery is more painful due to having the port removed. Does anyone know how much time I will need off from a desk job? I really plan to sneak out of town and only tell my kids what I am doing. Not many people even know I have the band. Thanks, I appreciate any advice anyone can give me.:hurray:

My surgeon (Dr. Oldham) was in the news today. They performed the first incisionless gastric bypass in the US on Monday. Yes, they do incisionless surgeries on people who need a revision, but this is the original surgery that was incisionless. Check it out: Hospital performs 1st incisionless bariatric weight-loss surgery - Latest News - Kentucky.com :sneaky:

Hello, I am probably going to have a band revision done at sometime this year due to a hital hernia (my first dr. stated in her paper work I did not have one before the surgery and now 3 years later I have one) and my current LB doctor would like to do a revision and fix the hernia and maybe reposition the band....has anyone had this done at all? I had such a hard time trying to find a new doctor as my old one left to open up a new center in Chicago...sometimes I regret my decision to have the surgery if I knew then what I know now about other LB doctors not wanting to take on new patients....what happens when you move/or your doctor leaves the practice? Thanks!

Anyone posting that lost their band and revised to another procedure? What procedure? Do you like it? Planning on a revision if you haven't had it done yet?

I had to have a port revision yesterday because my line was kinked going from the port to band. My band acted as a one way vaule effect. My doctor said there would be no down time but I am laying here and A LOT pain. Has anyone had this done? How long were you down? I am a teacher and would really like to be back at work on Monday. Do you thin that is going to be possible?

Probably the numbers are few or is that low, small for you grammar freaks, and probably you don't even come here anymore, lol, but has anyone had their band removed just because it wasn't what you expected or wasn't working and did not get a revision? I'm curious as I just had all my fill removed today, my one year bandiversary, and will be scheduling in the future the removal of "lappy". Thanks Nancy

My port turns sideways and sticks out sometimes. My surgeon thinks that a stick must have loosened. I can still get fills because I can actually hold the port between my fingers and turn it the right direction. It feels gross, but it doesn't hurt. My surgeon says he's never seen this happen before. He seemed somewhat fascinated, even. I have the option of having another surgery to reattach the port so that it stays put and doesn't poke out. I am wondering how major the surgery is. If you've had port revision surgery please let me know what it was like. Did you have to go in the hospital for a full day? Do you go under general anesthesia? Did your tummy scars …

I arrived in Mexicali, Mexico this afternoon. I will be having my Lap Band to Sleeve surgery on Monday morning. Dr. Aceves will be doing the surgery for me. I had all the pretests done today. My husband and I will enjoy the pool and walk the city tomorrow. I'm excited to be having this done!!

I arrived in Mexicali, Mexico this afternoon. I will be having my Lap Band to Sleeve surgery on Monday morning. Dr. Aceves will be doing the surgery for me. I had all the pretests done today. My husband and I will enjoy the pool and walk the city tomorrow. I'm excited to be having this done!! __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

i have had my band for a little over 2 years, for the first year it was pretty good. of course there were the days that i could not eat anything but i did have 110 pound loss after 1 year. then everything went wrong. i had a death in the family and was very upset, i stopped being able to eat and after about 8 days of that i couldn't drink either. i got unfilled and within a month and a half i gained 25 pounds :thumbup: i went back to get refilled and the nurse said they needed a current flouroscopy when they did that they discovered that apparently i had been overfilled for sometime. so basically they said sorry we can't fill you and have a nice day. so for about 9 months…

Has anyone out there ever had revisional surgery from a failed vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) to getting the Lap Band surgery? I have been to several doctors and the majority say that in order to get revisional surgery, I have to get the gastric bypass. The gastric bypass scares me. But then I went to Dr. Felix Spiegel in Houston and he said he could do it, because that is all he does. I am confused. Have any of you heard of or had the revisional surgery from vbg to lap band? Please let me know. Thanks, DEbi :eek:

My port is detached and my surgeon sent in for an approval to have the port revision done. Tricare DENIED the surgery..... They state it is because the FDA has not proven that the surgery is needed to make the initial surgery work... Hmmmmm so I have the lapband placed.. BUT it cant be accessed.... how is it NOT needed....??? :confused2: I have filed an appeal.....The process could take 60 days...I am in a bad place right now... this is TERRIBLE... band placed May 21st....can not use it.... I feel like I am in a bad dream and need to wake up..... Anyone else have this experience.....and can offer advice or outcome?