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I currently weigh 405 lbs. I was banded in 2008 and lost 90 lbs the first year, but anytime I would get a fill my reflux would land me in the hospital with aspiration pneumonia due to reflux in my sleep. So I have been unfilled since 2009 after I decided I was done being hospitalized from band fills. All the weight came back and I am back to where I started at 405. I am currently working towards a revision to gastric bypass. I have so much to lose. I see all kinds of stories of people losing over 200 lbs with the bypass, but I have yet to run across a story of someone losing that much that was a revision from lapband. I have googled and googled but can't find a story of anyone losing several hundred as a revision. So please, if you or anyone you know has been a lapband revision that lost 200+ lbs, I would greatly appreciate the encouragement. I just need to hear that it can be done.

I was revised 4/30/13. I had the lap band done 10/24/10 and on 4/30/13 I had the band removed and the sleeve done. I'm still going through fears but this site and my nut has helped me so much. You will always have fears but make sure you have a support system in place. The pain is so much less than the band. You will be up much quicker. Just follow the rules in your discharge plans and you will be fine. I will keep you in my prayers. We are all here for you. You are doing this for a better life. Good luck!

I think by "user error" my surgeon meant compliance, that in his experience band people were less likely to follow the rules. But with any procedure we have to follow the rules to be successful. We all know that. @@laceemouse Yeah, I agree with that. I just see a lot of people who are forced to have revisions due to band complications through no fault of their own, and others insisting it didn't work because of their "user error". Product liability type of issue. Hehe Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Actually slippage isn't mentioned in the 2013 study...these were the complications and rates..... "A high number of revision procedures were performed-proximal pouch enlargement (26%), erosion (3.4%), and port and tubing problems (21%)." Happy you are happy and I hope you stay in the 50% with no issues. I never had a slip. I had irritation, reflux and then eventually device broke. I lost as well and I felt great as well for the first 3 years. The point of my post is for people to know that if it does go bad...don't put your head in the sand. Do something...

I can so relate to you. The first thing I would do is see a gastroenterologist (GI doctor) and have an EGD. You're just NPO (no food/drink) after midnight and then get intravenous (IV) sedation to put you to sleep. The MD will pass a flexible tube (scope) down your throat to look at the first part of the digestive tract (you need a barium swallow to see the mid-portion and a colonoscopy to see the last portion) and determine if you have damage to your esophagus. Depending on your insurance, you may not need a referral. Call your insurance company and find out the "next step" once you have the results of the EGD. A year will little to no weight loss with the band is considered weight loss surgery failure by many insurance companies and some pay for revisions. When you call the insurance company, ask for a case worker and get his/her name. If you can afford it, you could always do the self-pay and that puts you in control. The surgeon who banded me does not do the sleeve. I could no longer live the way I am and decided to look into Mexican surgeons. I want THIS surgery to be the LAST surgery so it was very important that I find the BEST surgeon. There are a few to choose from and I will be placing my trust in Dr. Aceves. I did not want to jump through insurance hoops and wait up to a year to build a "paper trail" for the insurance company. The acid regurgitation and daily vomiting is dangerous and damaging. Please take measures to prevent complications (I'm a nurse) and do whatever you need to. Keep us posted on your progress.

I have been denied coverage from BCBS insurance company for requesting lapband to bypass revision. Because they can find nothing wrong with my band, they won’t do the surgery. Even though the band is okay, I’m not. It has caused esophageal dilation and dysmotility. I lost weight with the band but I was vomiting a lot at night. Id wake up from a dead sleep vomiting out of my nose and mouth at least three nights a week. Very scary due to possibly getting that into my lungs. Has anyone else filed an appeal that was accepted by insurance?

I am having a T.O.R.e procedure on the 6th. I was wondering if anyone here has had one or even heard of it (lol). Any advice would be helpful!! I had my bypass 11 years ago and made some bad choices which led me here.

My surgeon submitted my information to my insurance company, My insurance sent it back stating that they needed a letter from my primary care physician. My primary care physician wrote a letter stating I needed the surgery. I was denied by my insurance company however my surgeon did a peer to peer with the insurance company. My surgeon called stating that they need another letter from my primary care physician stating that they she recommend the revision and the letter must have her signed signature. A little history I had the sleeve in 2015 and lost 30 pounds and have gained 30 plus back. Now I want the gastric bypass. Do you think the insurance company will now approve me.? My primary physician will submit a new letter on Monday and then my surgeon will submit the information again for approval. Anyone ever experience this before. My insurance company is APWU

Did you get a revision?

Now I'm just waiting on the Nurse to call and schedule things.. Sent from my SM-G991U using BariatricPal mobile app

re: "I asked my doctor and he said that I could have the surgery on a Friday and go back that Monday. But the more I read on the internet I'm seeing that people take anywhere from 2-6 weeks!" My bet is the doctor estimate is right.... At 58 my surgery went so well I was headed home the same day, had a couple days recovery & by day 3 was (somewhat feebly, given) carrying a few bits of firewood in for the stove. I gladly returned to modified work by day 5. I've heard of a few folks needing as much as a week, but we are all different. IIRC, it was near the 3rd week postOp I went on a solo road trip of 4 or 5 days. Learning how to eat in mushie stage in a non-protected envionment was a challenge. Certainly read up on all options to your situation and explore any questions before you consent. Sleeve wasn't an option when I had my Band done in 2004....yet given a bit of hassle and annoyance at times, I'm satisfied it saved my life, and consider myself a Happy Bandster. Should the time come for revision, replacement or repair, certainly I would hope further advanatages were obtainable. As it is, the worst day of my PostOp Band life has been better than the Best day of the last 5 years PreBand. If anyone asks about the (small) port bulge, I tell them that's my Alien Implant. Good luck in your journey.

My revision from sleeve to bypass is on June 9th, my question is , is it easier to get out of bed or recliner? Recliner seems like it would pul on stomach to get in and out of. Please let me know your experience. Thank you

Hi Dan ~ I revised to bypass 12/13. My nurses sent me home with a stack of little cups like the size of a cough syrup cup and I just put 3-4 of those out by me every day and kept drinking them and refilling and I found they really helped me get my water in and kept me sipping instead of gulping. Hope your recovery goes well!

Can you kind of walk me through the first day? Check in, tests, etc? My flight arrived in San Diego at 10:30 am. Ernesto the driver picked me up at the airport and we drove about 3 hours to Mexicali. He stopped once at a convenience store so that you could buy a cold drink or a snack and use the restroom if you needed it. After we arrived at the hospital at about 1:30, I gave a urine sample, a blood sample, had a chest X-ray and an EKG. The coordinator gave me an antibiotic and an Ativan to take that evening, and if you have not already paid she will collect the balance of the money due for surgery. Ernesto drove me to the hotel. Pickup the next morning was at 7:00 a.m. Catheter? If so, before you are asleep or after and when does it come out? No catheter, but I had a surgical drain that came out on the 3rd day.. How long are you hooked up to an IV? I was on an IV the day of surgery, the day after, and part of the 3rd day. It was taken out before my contrast study. Are you feeling well enough to walk to the pharmacy by yourself the day before you leave? Is there an opportunity on the pre-op day? Yes, I felt well enough to walk to the pharmacy on the 3rd day, and depending on what time you get to Mexicali on the pre-op day there is time after your testing. Are you allowed to eat whatever you want for dinner on pre-op day? Is there a decent place to eat at or very near the hotel? Yes, I could eat anything I wanted on pre-op day. I ate at the hotel, I didn't think it was expensive--I had a glass of wine and rib-eye tacos for $14 including tip. Do they really not have wash cloths at the hospital? I don't know, I don't use wash cloths. Did you have diarrhea on going home day? No. I had diarrhea 4 days after coming home when I tried my first Protein shake. If anyone had a revision: On me, Dr. Aceves plans on doing a barium swallow test and an endoscope under heavy sedation on pre-op day. If you had this done, how groggy were you after? I didn't have a revision.

I had my band out and revised to sleeve in one procedure recovery was tough but I wouldn't have it any other way. Same issues as you got banded 2009 had port replaced 6 months later had issues with being too tight had my band emptied numerous times gained and lost same 50 lbs I've been sleeved for 2 months now and I'm down 30 lbs post op.. I tell you what I don't miss that port or the stuck feeling I can eat everything just a lot less now

Hi mumoftwo, I am a recent band to sleeve revision patient. I had my lapband put in July '07 and started having problems a couple of years later. I never found "the sweet spot" with it. In August of this year my band was unfilled so it was only taking up space in me at that time. I had my band removed and the sleeve performed on 10/25/13. During this period I was able to stay within 6 pounds. You can do it. Good luck to you on your band removal and upcoming sleeve surgery.

I have not checked into Belite .. I will check them out , you had a revision done ? My husband is not very keen on me going to Mexico . At this point he might consider it but its not been an option .. If Medicaid does not cover it he may .

That is good to hear. I have also followed everything to a t. Need a revised letter saying I have clearance. Can't get a response from her. I will keep calling. Want everything ready by last last appointment . Thanks for all who responded.

I totally understand your fears. Mine were so similar. The one thing I did know was the band needed to come out! I wasn't really having any problems but I felt like something wasn't quite right and had gained most my weight back. Remember how well you did with the band in the beginning when it was all so new? Once you get a bad fill then it's all downhill from there. Well, did the revision- turns out the band had slipped and formed a hernia. I'm in the beginning phases of the sleeve and am following the rules just like I did with the band. I know it's up to me for this to be successful. I know I'm going to have my ups & downs but this was a chance I was willing to take. Good luck to you in your journey

I just had my revision yesterday......My port was detached and flipped.....DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU WANT A POSITIVE RESPONSE!! so it just started out bad bad to begin with.. instructions were to get there at 730... have blood work and then check in for surgery by 830 I was scheduled for the 10 oclock slot... I did all that was asked of me.. sat there for 3 hours and didnt go in for surgery till almost 11. ugh! Ok so they stuck me like 5 times looking to get an IV... I am terrible at getting IV's my veins just do not cooperate well... The best place is deep inside my arm between my wrist and elbow... hard to visually see the vein but if the person knows the anatomy then they can get it easy.... Last two surgeries that is where it has been....OK.. they wouldnt even look there... so I end up with a 22 guage needle in my finger...like a 2 year old would have... and they said once you are under we will get another IV in.... I say ok.. as long as I am asleep cause I cant take much more of the poking and searching..... Ok so fast foward to waking up... they didnt time it right and I woke up BEFORE the tube was out... so instantly the NEED to fight to breath happens and I cant because there is a tube in there.... thrashing and choking and cant breath... so they finally get the tube out and my throat is RIPPED up... sooo sore... raspy voice scratched throat... so not fun.... Had to go to short stay after surgery because my BP was 83/52 and it wasnt coming up... it was scary low... so they monitored that for a LONG time in recovery.... Ohhh and as I am waking up and trying to get my bearings after all that has been happening.. obviously weak from BP being so low... sore from surgery and everything else.. I realize I have an IV in my left shoulder... of all places... ugh! ok so back to short stay... she tries to give me some morphine for the pain...through the iv in my shoulder....it BURNS BURNS... she realizes that my shoulder is hard and swollen... the Fluid is collecting in my shoulder....OMG! what else can go wrong right?... Ok so finally I get home at 515pm....long ass day... Ohh and also... I was having my period on top of all of this... today is cycle day 3.... LOVELY!!! So the port is sutured back down... I am stitched up... and I have a small fill so I am on liquids till tomorrow... and then soft foods for 2 days...then I can eat normal after that... I am taking motrin and hydrocondone.... Pain is pretty intense..less then the actual lapband surgery ... but still intense...Hope to be off narcotics by tomorrow....Painful sleeping getting up and down...

Pretty sure Jacqui is meaning 'using the lap band in addition to behavior modification and a bit of honestly with yourself works really well.' I'm not a 'veteran' bander, but would agree with that sentiment 100%. Have had my share of problems too, a post-op port infection and port revision surgery four months post-op. As far as which forum this thread was posted in, might be a good idea to ask a site moderator to move it to a more appropriate forum where you will hopefully get more feedback. Good luck.

Hi folks, I hope I don't offend anyone here, but when I keep reading people saying they're a "big juice person or a big Bolt drinker" etc, I realize they're probably just mourning the passing of their old ways (that in part got us into this position!) and I get that, but sometimes it sounds like it hasn't sunk in that we have to meet this surgery half way, that is, by this time to be well aware that what we use to eat or enjoy must be completely revised and changed. I don't know, just some of the comments here occasionally make me worry for my compatriots here. Let's do this, Folks!

I followed Dr. Aceves post op diet to the letter. Since he did your revision, I sincerely doubt you need to worry about a leak. He has never had one, so I can't see any reason why you would be his first. On my 10 days of full liquid, I had egg drop Soup from the Chinese restaurant. I had a lot of different Protein shakes and tomato soup with cottage cheese blended in a blender so that it was smooth and creamy. I also had yogurt. On my 10 days of soft foods, I ate a lot of chicken salad, tuna salad and egg salad. I choose whatever foods were on the list I was given. When I moved to solids, I decided I didn't like the feeling so I stayed on mushies longer and tried a couple bites of solids per day. It was not easy in the beginning. I got full from 2-4 bites of food. One time I ate some fish and thought I was going to explode. I needed to learn to stop eating before I felt full. I was much more full 20 min after I was done eating than I was at the table. I bought those little cans of already made chicken salad. I looked at my portion on my plate and imagined if it would fit in that can. If it was more than that, I knew I would be sorry later. I am much better now at knowing when to stop. I can eat anything I want and I just know by looking at it when to stop. It's hard to get a full signal Feel free to ask anything you need to. We are all happy to help!

I just had a revision on the 18th of May. I love it!! I had so many problems with my band for the last 2 yrs. not to mention the money spent for the port flip, fills and unfills..I had Dr. Aceves do the revision and I couldn't be happier. I know it is a process and much to learn here unlike the band..but I am thrilled..I had gained 25 pounds over the last 5 months due to band slippage ..knowing myself so well and the history of my family..a tool of this nature was the way to go for me..good luck!

Hi my name is honor I'm from utica ny and Ive been over weight all my life! I got the lap band 3years ago and lost about 80lbs and felt pretty good but was unable to eat food got stuck all the time and due to food getting stuck and getting sick my esophagus swelled up so the dr had to unfill the band and I gained all my weight back and feel so uncomfortable. Well I decided to have a revision and get the bypass I am currently waiting for insurance approval. .they are deciding if they will just approve it due to complications with the band or if I have to do a 3month supervised diet. I am so nervous since I hear some bad stories about the bypass and I feel that my family is not happy about my decision but I need to do this for myself!!