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Sounds Great, I have been struggling with the Lap Band three and a half years, I did lose about 70 lbs from my highest weight, 300 down to 235, my doctors got all upset because I want a revision. I am going to be 55 yrs old any advice or experience you can share with me?

I'm a revision patient waiting to convert from a band to a sleeve. I was banded in 2009 and lost 50 pounds. After about a year,I began to have problems with food getting stuck which is excruciatingly painful. I ended up in the hospital 3 times because of stuck food. During this time, I switched jobs and had to start over with a new bariatric surgeon who had to do extensive testing in order to figure out what was was wrong. Dr finally determined that my band had slipped and removed all fluid. That was a year ago. It has taken me this long to do everything required to submit for revision surgery. I've gained back 25 pounds. I'm just waiting for insurance approval again so I can get this painful, useless thing out of me. I would not recommend the band to anyone.

I have had a hiatal hernia and major hair loss.I had a revision with hernia repair on12/23/13

I'm going through the process of having a revision surgery. I lost 20 pounds with the lapband but I had complications. My surgeon told me that he can not perform the revision if my BMI was lower than 35. Long story short, I had to gained all my weight back and start from 0 in order to qualify for a revision surgery. I'm at 35.5 BMI right now and I have several health problems. My insurance and surgeon require documented lap-band complications and compliance with follow-up Lapband appointments (for the Lapband removal part), at least 35 BMI and 1 comorbidity, 6 months diet, pschy evaluation, documented active methods of weight loss (gym memberships, etc), 1 surgeon visit and 1 NUT visit. I'm submitting to insurance this week. I'm going to a center of excellence so their requirements are super strict. Every surgeon is different and I hope you can find one that help you through this process, good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Welcome! My revision surgery is scheduled for 5/23 (my surgeon is doing both the removal and the sleeve the same day). So we will both be May Sleevers!! I can absolutely relate to what you said. I lost a total of 40 pounds with my lap band (but that is TOTAL, including the 17 I lost during the 2-week pre-op diet). For so long I was too embarrassed to tell anyone I had a lap-band, and I also avoided going back to my surgeon for an adjustment because I was ashamed that "I had failed". It wasn't until recently that I learned how many people experienced the very same results and then I began to realize that it was the band that failed - not me. You will do great! Keep us posted on how you're doing after your band is removed Monday. Wishing you a speedy recovery and look forward to moving onto the losers bench with you.

My lap-band will be removed on 4/14 and my sleeve will be done on 5/19. The past couple of months have been quite the whirlwind for me!! My story: I had my band placed in Oct 2008 and lost 45 pounds during the first year . I have been able to maintain the weight loss mainly because the band made me bulimic - unless I ate slider foods. I did not go for a follow-up for almost 2 years because I knew I was not on track or following the program. I also had multiple ankle surgeries over 2011 & 2012 which put my band on the back burner) So in Jan 2014 I decided to go for a follow up just to make sure the band was not slipped etc.I had no issues other than the ability to eat anything of substance. That was on 1/30 and two months later here I am scheduled for band /sleeve revision. I had no intention of doing the sleeve when I went to see my dr ..I really did not even know what it was. But after a lot of research I have decided this is the path for me. I have been lurking on this forum for months, but decided to come forward because I wanted to thank everyone for posting their stories and taking the time to answer everyone's questions. This forum was an incredible resource for me !!

Today was my 2 week check up from my revision. I am so happy that I am down 12 lbs!! I am very excited about this. I also get to start back on my Zumba class and lifting weights to music class next week. It is strange I am feeling the need to do more of that type of exercise than I am of walking.

I arrived in Mexicali on Sunday afternoon, 10/2. I rode in with 2 other patients and we all visited and shared our stories. After our labs at the hospital, we were taken to the hotel and checked in about 4:30 pm. Since we were all really hungry, we met up in the hotel restaurant a few minutes later and had a really wonderful dinner. For a large plate of chile rellenos , Beans, rice, tortillas, chips and a margarita......my bill was $13.00! With a full tummy and a sleeping pill from Dr. Aceves, I had a very relaxing night at the hotel. Ernesto picked us up at 7:00 am, Monday morning and drove us back to the hospital. Since my surgery was the 2nd of the day, I was given a sedative to relax. The rest of the day is a blur. I remember people coming in to get me....blur........I remember looking up at the ceiling as I was being wheeled to surgery......blur.........I remember someone telling me to turn on my side and bend my knees for the spinal block....blur.....and OUT. I don't remember recovery at all. The next thing I remember is being back in my room, thinking it must be over and then falling back asleep again. I was in and out of sleep for the rest of the night, knowing that nurses came in and out, taking my temp and blood pressure, but not really ever becoming fully alert. Sometime early Tuesday morning, I told one of the nurses I needed to use the bathroom. Although I stumbled a bit, I made the trip successfully and immediately fell back asleep. Later that morning, they brought me those infamous 4 little cups of blue "apple juice." They weren't good, but they were tolerable. I sipped and slept, sipped and slept, sipped and slept for hours. Several times that day, Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos and the nurses came in and told me to try to get up and walk. I'd answer "Sure, ok." with every good intention of doing it, but I'd always fall back asleep. I really had a tough time coming out of all that med-induced sleepiness. By late afternoon Tuesday, I finally got up and walked the halls. I was completely pain-free (yes, really.....it must have been the spinal block), but I felt unsteady on my feet and climbed back into bed about 5 minutes later. Tuesday night was pretty much the same as Monday night, but I woke up Wednesday morning feeling alert and energetic. I took a shower and even put on a little make-up! Wednesday, I walked several times, visited my neighbors, sipped tea and finally got a bowl of that wonderful chicken broth everybody raves about. Yes, it IS that good. By the time I left on Thursday morning, I felt pretty good - minimal pain and absolutely no nausea. It may have been this sense of well-being that caused me to completely overdo it on Friday. BIG Mistake! I met up with a friend Friday afternoon to do a "little" shopping that turned into a 5-hour shopping spree. I thought I was listening to my body.......I sipped Isopure all day........I took sitting breaks pretty often, but by the time I got home, I felt awful. My abdomen was completely swollen with Fluid and gas. I looked 9 months pregnant and felt equally uncomfortable. That was the first time all week I broke down emotionally. I remembered reading somewhere that Day 4 after surgery is the worst..........and that was definitely true for me! So, I sobbed myself to sleep Friday night and woke up Saturday with renewed energy and renewed resolve. I really took it easy that day. I stayed in all morning, sipping Protein and napping. By 3:00 pm, I felt good enough to take my son to a birthday party. It was a huge event, and EVERY single person there must have told me to eat......twice! But I politely told them I had eaten before I came and continued to sip on my bottled Water. The party lasted about two hours and I was definitely ready to come home by then. I went to bed about 7:30 pm, slept pretty soundly, and here I am at 5:00 am on Sunday, finally getting on the Internet for the first time since surgery. To sum up, I've really had a fairly easy recovery. Considering the mess my Band had made of my stomach and liver (Dr. Aceves told me it was NOT and easy revision) I've had very little pain except for the incision sights. I've experienced none of the shoulder "gas" pain I had with the Band surgery. I've had no nausea or stomach pain......just a lot of gas and gurgling. No doubt about it, those first four days kicked my butt, however, I think I'm over the "hump" now. I have one more week of recovery before I have to go back to work and I'm sooooo glad I didn't try to rush it and go back any sooner.

Hello Blondie311, I had a sleeve to bypass on Feb. 3. I had my revision to help with my reflux and it has taken it away. That being said please call your doctor your reflux should not be getting worst.

Thank you! Too many think the band is supposed to lose the weight for them. It is a tool. You have to make healthier choices and develop better eating habits. The band is a lifelong committment. I recently had to have my band revised as well as have tons of scar tissure removed and have a hiatal hernia repair due to a fill that became too tight and caused the band to slip. So be careful with the fills and any doctor that is has my vote.

A lot of people just assume that because there are band problems, that we did not follow the rules. They claim they are doing better because they follow the rules. I followed the rules. I did lost a lot of weight with the band. I would have gained all of it back too, when I started having band problems. I gained back 15 lbs in a very short time, waiting for my revision. I did that following all the rules!

Hi Dave, welcome! Your story sounds veeery familiar. *wink* I just wanted to wish you well for your revision surgery coming up next Saturday. Please check in and let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it. Take care!

Not near California but Hello and welcome. Also, your profile says your surgery is lap band. Are you doing a revision??

I had RNY may 1, 2009. The smallest I ever got was 147.5 and that was only for a short time. I'm 5'7". Upon graduating from my masters program j moved back home to Indiana and since jan 2012 I've steadily watched the scale move up and up. Now I weigh 190 plus or minus .5 pounds depending on the time of the month. I'm ready to take back my life! My family is loving and supports me but my mom who also had RNY and a revision is a good pusher. I'm single and feel like I'll never be loved by anyone until I love myself. And I don't think I will live myself until I get back on track. I just don't know where to start. I need support from a community that understands all that I've been through and I'm hoping to find that here.

I was in a similar situation. Was banded in June 2013. Started at 289 and got down to probably 240. Had to have a revision surgery due to a leak in my port.went back to my old ways of eating. I weighed a few weeks ago at 266. I totally recharged. Went back and started following all my rules. Exercising every day. Logging all my food getting in my protein .I feel so much better and I already lost over10 pounds in two weeks. So my advice is to just go back to the beginning following all of your rules and do this before more time passes if I can do it anyone can.

I am sorry you've had problems but it's good that you got it checked out. The hiatal hernia is most likely causing a lot of your problems with acid that is why most surgeons repair at the same time they do the sleeve. I don't think it's likely that you suddenly got the hernia post op. You may have had it pre-op. As high as 85% of overweight ppl have hiatal hernias. Now the narrowing is a post op complication, but i don't think it's real common for the sleeve. It's strange to me they are already talking revision to rny but not a hernia repair. Good luck and feel better!!!

Hi, I had revision from band to gastric bypass on 8/1/13 and I am still struggling getting my Protein, liquids and calories. On a good day, I get the minimum (48 oz liquid 45-60 protein but approx. 500-600 cal). I just feel too full and can't fit anything else in. Getting these amount is a real painful struggle. I did have a recent complication of a hernia with my intestines twisted up and around the pouch. During that whole month of dire pain I was only getting 300-400 calories. I am healed up now, but I still struggle like I did before the complication getting 500-600 calories. Is there anyone else that struggles because they are just too darn full all the time? Oh I also have more pronounced food sensitivities. Most of the time I am in pain from trapped gas and I think about how I can't continue living like this. It's really depressing. I am happy that I am losing weight, but I don't feel successful, because I feel like crap everyday (lack of energy, dizzy, very depressed from lack of calories, and borderline wanting to end it all). Hubby says take it one day at a time, but I don't know if I can anymore. Doc told me to take beano, digestive enzymes and gave me prescription strength antacid. These things don't seen to work well. Please, is there anyone else going through this?

Welcome Caaattt! There's even a forum here about people who have had revision from the lap band so I'm sure you'll get a lot of useful information. Hope you get your May date!

Sorry your revision was rough. The theory that the lapband is reversible is a joke. They have to remove all kinds of scar tissue and it is painful. Keep up with your pain meds the first three weeks. I promise it gets better each and every day. I would try Milk of Magnesia and see if that helps with the tummy problems. The first few weeks are a challenge, but I promise it will all be worth it! The sleeve works!

For everyone who has had a MGB or RNY, what can I expect as far as diarrhea? I’m sure everyone’s experience has been different. I will be having my sleeve revised to a MGB on 8/1 and really the diarrhea issue I’ve heard about post op is what has me worried! I understand it happens initially post-op....... but is it a forever thing?? Every time you eat you have to run to the bathroom? How does it affect your work life daily? Going out to dinner or to a special event? In my mind this diarrhea is going to be a full time job. Lol. Any thoughts to share?

I'm in the Seattle area too! I go to Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett, Wa! They are absolutely amazing! I had the band about 3 years ago and not to much success, however I went in on Thursday and will be getting revision to sleeve with the same doctor! They have support groups that are amazing and fun! All the patients and staff are very supportive and understanding, my favorite is almost every person that works for them has personally had WLS! So they can relate and it's real. I am very nervous about the revision. I do have to wait 3 months as my insurance has requirements, and one of them is meeting with a nutritionist 4 times in 90 days, and then request approval for the surgery. I am hoping I will be getting the surgery in February!

My revision was yesterday. I feel pretty good with very little pain. Not hungry at all just concentrating on drinking so I can go home. My doctor did say that I had a lot of scarring but said he was able to do the sleeve pretty easily. Now on to recovery!

I am finding myself getting closer to becoming a vegetarian. I rarely eat meat at this point. All of this is post banding. Before being banded I was a total carnivore but my meat of choice was red meat which I can no longer do. I never ever thought I would ever be writing this post. I never could eat fish and have not been a huge fan of pork or chicken. Chicken at this point is too mediocre for me. Often it is too dry and I have horror stories about being stuck. Even at this time I have no Fluid in my band because of a revision but meat just doesn't do it for me anymore. Is anyone else in the same boat? I do think that I get enough Protein but do admit it is more of a challenge because it tends to get a bit boring. Anyone else? I'd love to hear more.

My story is almost the exact same - same fears and concerns. I had my revision on the 8th so I'm too early to comment on the differences but after a long process of thinking and debating I decided that I was not going to conquer this life long battle by myself without help. What made me really decide to move forward was the metabolic change that comes with the sleeve. It's so different than what we had with the band. Good luck with your decision process!

I had lapband surgery 11 years ago. I had moderate success but not nearly what I thought I would have. I failed the band or it failed me. Maybe a little of both. I am considering revision surgery but I just don’t know. What if I “fail” again. Not sure I could mentally or physically handle it. I’ve seen people have greater success once having the revision surgery. I also am very unhappy with the surgeon that did my lapband and I am looking to find another surgeon that will work with me and actually help me succeed. I never had that from my previous doctor. I’ve got a million things to figure out. My insurance didn’t cover weight loss surgery back then and now it does but I don’t know how revision surgery plays into that. Making calls this week to possibly get the ball rolling. Any advice from someone that has had lapband to sleeve revision or any advice at all would be greatly appreciated!