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I have a lapband, but I understand your pain. I want to tell you, failing to lose has many causes--I know, I lived on less than 1000 calories a day for years and never lost an ounce. My lapband didn't help me lose much and my first doctor wouldn't give me a fill. So I found another who did. I am practically wheelchair bound (can only hobble around the house). So I started to lose--slowly. the big help was I didn't regain what I lost. One thing I've never heard a doctor explain to me is that excessive hunger can be giving you a message. So many diets I went on ended with me lying in bed, weak and starving within weeks. What I didn't realize was that my body was telling me those diets weren't nutritionally what I needed. I've tried low fat-high fiber, low calorie, vegetarian, all raw salads, lot's of nuts, praying the weight away, self-hypnosis, bodybuilding, lots of exercise...you get the idea. All of them failed because I wasn't listening to my body. When I got so hungry I would eat nails if there was ketchup to put on them, my body was telling me I was on the wrong diet. This isn't a normal,"Gee, that looks tasty." But was more like a weak pathetic cry from my bed that I was dying and had to eat. I kept experimenting and discovered a ketogenic diet helped, but I gained everything back quickly. As I worked with the keto diet, I learned I wasn't drinking enough water, and I wasn't sleeping enough. But the high protein with lots of greens was definitely a better choice than the others. Then I got the lapband, and the slow weight loss with no restriction was discouraging. But it was a tool. And once I got restriction, I used that tool. I mostly stayed on the ketogenic diet. Lots of protein was just a necessity for me. The fat I ate made the diet more enjoyable. The lapband made me eat small bites, or I spent days puking. If I got sick, I had to reduce what I ate because sickness caused my stomach to swell, and I puked. Over the last ten years I've lived on the ketogenic diet, except for two years when I lost control, (I gained 50 pounds and found I had cancer. I believe the sugar cravings after being in control so long were a result of the cancer.) Back in control, and the 50 pounds went away. I've managed to lose 160 pounds. Not a large amount, and I still have over 100 pounds to go. But I am happy not to be the woman I was. I don't know if the ketogenic diet will help you, but I'm sharing my experience to show you have to experiment to find the right diet. And you have to sleep enough to lose weight. So, get the junk out of your house--the chips, crackers, cake mixes, candy, soda, snack food, juices (fruit juice is just liquid sugar water with a few minerals, eat whole fruit instead), and the alcohol (You can go back to 1 drink a day after you've lost weight). And start the eating pattern you feel best on. Just practice eating a healthy diet for a bit. Don't eat much at a time and keep any easy to snack on food (like grapes or nuts) in the refrigerator. Then start working your tool. go longer between small meals, see what happens when you delete starches, or what foods change how you feel. I had to stop vegetarian because beans make me uncontrollably hungry(love those beans, yumm, yumm). Your body is unique, and just because you haven't found what works for you doesn't mean you're a failure. It just means you haven't found the balance of diet, sleep and exercise that works for you. The important thing is NEVER GIVE UP. After 10 years with the band, I'm revising to a sleeve this spring. I love my band, but there is evidence it doesn't do well after 10 years or so. I feel I will do even better on the sleeve.

One individual in our Bariatric Support Group Meeting had a band to RNY gastric bypass surgery revision because his band was wearing away into his stomach and the condition became life threatening.

Boy----lot's of prayers tonight for my Jersey Girls!!! Michaele---will be praying hard for good news for you, I know you are scared, and you can come here and unload anytime. I know when you get news like that, all sorts of emotions rear their heads! When I got my bad news, I was scared, and yet mad as hell, at EVERYONE!!! And no one had given me cancer, but I was still mad, I wanted to scream and cry, and I also wanted to hide and pretend I had never been told, so I would not have to deal with it. Last Fall I had a scare with my thyroid, I thought it too was cancerous, and I used these wonderful women to moan and cry to, and complain about my fears-----they did not let me down! They won't you either! Hang in there, many, MANY times those tests are just shadows and nothing is wrong, and that is what we are hoping for for you!!! Sherry----follow those rules girlie! Did they not mention any sort of surgery to reset the band so to say, it just has to come out? That sounds so bizarre!!! Have you thought about any sort of revision surgery? I have heard that the sleeve is having issues with reflux as well, because I thought that would be ideal if anything ever happened, but now I am guessing not!! Betty, hope you are hanging (nope no more hanging for you!!!) make that---hope you are feeling good!!! Hugs to all of you. I am exhausted, I hauled wood with my Dad today, and cleaned my house----all on about 4 hours sleep, so I am off to bed. ((((((HUGS))))))) Kat

As @catwoman7 said some of those changes you mentioned are just temporary. Like hair loss usually persists for about 3 months & your hormones settle once you’ve lost most of your weight (oestrogen is stored in fat so as you lose all the excess oestrogen is released into blood stream). Large weight regain can occur because of complacency & people slipping back into old eating habits. It can occur because how they were eating wasn’t sustainable &/or was too restrictive. It didn’t allow them to live their life as they wanted & hindered them doing what they enjoyed. Or they didn’t do the head work to understand & learn to manage their old eating behaviours & what drove them to eat. All things the surgery doesn’t do anything about. But it does give you the time to explore these factors. Also remember the average weight loss at about the three year mark is 60% of the weight that had to be lost. This can include the bounce back ‘resettling’ weight gain, complacency & adjusting to a more flexible eating plan. Or it could just be the weight your body is happier at. Sure there is always a chance to develop an issue that has to be monitored but it’s rare. Comparatively, there are very few complications from weight loss surgery. Some of the issues may not have anything to do with the surgery. I have a protein malabsorption issue. Not from my 3 yr old sleeve but from my gall being removed last year. (Malabsorption issues are very rare with sleeve.) I have low BP. I had a genetic predisposition before surgery now it’s all the time because of my lower weight not the surgery. Gerd is probably the highest risk after sleeve - about 15-20% I believe. But it can be managed or treated by a revision to bypass. Some issues may be revealed because you likely are being monitored medically more closely now then before or your weight & associated comorbidities may have been masking what were pre existing conditions. You’ll likely read & hear about people with problems because they they post to seek help & support. They don’t often post about what the cause was or the remedy. In comparison, people tend not to post or talk about their successes. I know many people who’ve had the surgery. No one has experienced long term or developed new issues because of the surgery. A couple regained most of their weight because they went back to their old eating habits. Certainly the benefits far outweigh any temporary side effects or the very rare problem.

Just to play devils advocate. My Dr wanted me to do the duodenal switch, but I was adamant I wanted the sleeve. If down the road I decide I'm gaining weight and want to I can do a revision to RNY. I like the fact there is no dumping and no malabsorption. I don't know the statistics on weight gain, but I worked with a girl who had the Rny and she previously weighed 600 lbs, I saw pictures. When I started working with her she weighed 220. By the end of one 1 year she had gained back to 400 lbs. Not sure how this is even possible? So I'm not sure if you can gain with either one? Personally, I don't ever want to he super thin. So, it might be something to think about. If you want to be thin, I think rny offers a better, longer weight loss future. Best wishes. You will do great!

Hello fellow WLS people I am new to this, I have had a lap band for 7 years with minimal wt. loss and a few problems along the way. 2 hernia surgeries 1 regular, 1 fondoplication. Recently went to the ER due to waking from a deep sleep choking on my own saliva/reflux?.. went from once in a while to more than a few times at night. A trip to my gastroenterologist to find my band had slipped and needed to be removed. I am a candidate for Revision Surgery and have researched Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery.... But I have some serious concerns about the choking issue with the band. Was I only choking because the band had slipped or can this problem happen again with the new surgery. It was very scary not to mention I would think dangerous (aspiration pneumonia) anyone else with this issue with band slip and what was the result after Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I should add since I have had all the Fluid removed from my band I have experienced no choking... Any insight or experiences to this issue would be helpful..Thank you, Angel-Whetstone.

Surgeon did say specifically 10 lbs., not 10%. That's the average they see with revisions. But Kaise only does revisions for complications such as GERD and ulcers, not for unsatifactory weight loss. However, some people getting revisions have had unsatisfactory weight loss, in addition to the complication that led to the revision surgery. I don't think they do band to sleeve revisions. It's more sleeve to RNY to treat GERD or revision of an existing sleeve or RNY to treat ulcers. Lynda

I’m having band to bypass revision in January. My band is 10 years old and has never been filled. If it was in good shape and in place/no erosion they can do it in one. If not, it’s a two step procedure. My fluoroscopy and endoscopy showed it’s in great shape and in place so it will be removed and bypass in one. I’m almost through my preop stuff, and hoping for a date in January after approval.

There are a lot of us revisioners / conversions here! Welcome! My band was removed due to "band intolerance". I had mine for five years and lost a whole 28 pounds! I have had my sleeve for five months and I have lost an additional 62 pounds! I was throwing up multiple times a day and could not eat normal healthy foods. I had to survive on sliders. This went on for five years because my band doctor wouldn't do anything about it. I went to a new program and a new surgeon. Right away they said "You have to get this band out quickly". I had vitamin deficiency, and gastritis and esophagitis (identified through a scope). There was nothing wrong with my band per se but it and my body just did not get along. Docs tried unfilling the band as well as meds for acid and calming/healing the stomach. Nothing worked. I was swollen inside because my body didn't like the band so having it unfilled made no difference. The doc also said that the constant vomiting would eventually lead to barrett's esophogous ( a pre-cancerous condition) and that I could eventually be dealing with repeated pneumonia. Once we had this info my insurance approved me almost immediately as a medically necessary procedure. Hopefully some others will chime in here that had removal due to band failure or mechanical failure vs intolerance. Do a search here on the boards. There is a section specifically dedicated to band to sleeve revisions. Good luck with your appointment!

my band slipped, had it revised and it slipped about a year afterwards for a 2nd time. i decided to have it removed.

I basically became bulimic I threw up everyday and had a hard time with "healthy" food. I just got approved for a revision for January 2014!

Pouch reset diet won’t shrink your stomach. It will help you feel your restriction better. It's a kick start to get back on track with healthy habits. Yes, I’m on my soap box because this topic comes up so often. Your best restriction is in your first six months to a year. With the sleeve you feel less restriction as you progress *it’s not back to full size* this sensation seems common for sleeves but, won’t happen to everyone. I wish people knew this before choosing the sleeve. Just because we have more space does not mean you have to eat over your calories and macros and gain weight. You can eat more bulk in food and keep your calories in range. With the other foods allowed on your plan, Eat dense protein and as much veggies you want to fill the extra space. ***For anyone who feels they have stretched their surgery, get it diagnosed by a surgeon. Look into revisions. Address why you are over eating so you don’t stretch your next surgery***

I have just started my research on revision surgery in Mexico! My head is spinning I'm looking to revise a failed RnY of 14years. I think I've decided on RnY to DS now to find a surgeon and start things on it's way! Any info on a good surgeon for revision would be so appreciated!!!

Had my sleeve to bypass revision today and in a lot of pain. I’ve had seven surgeries in the past for different issues and this by far is the worst for post-op. Hoping someone will tell me it gets better each day

Sooooo I had the band placed in 2008, did pretty will with it, (so I thought) lost about 50 pounds and held in the 180’s. However, it turns out I really didn’t do well with the band. Almost everything made me vomit. The vomiting continued until I had a hiatal hernia. Band was loosened, the weight came back. They retighten the band, and weight hasn’t budged. I’m about 10 pounds lighter than I was when I had the band placed. Not only am I embarrassed by my weight. I’m embarrassed for people to know I have the band, and it failed, and I am going to try this for a second time. I had an app with a surgeon this week. I’m going to get my band out, and be revised to bypass. This will hopefully help with the vomiting and get the weight off once and for all. He said based on the length of time I have had the band, he wants to do this in 2 steps. Band and scar tissue out and then bypass 1-2 months after. I’m terrified something will happen, the band will come out and then I can’t get the revision.

Hello, I need some help. I am looking into getting a band to sleeve revision. I really wanted to go to Mexico and get this done but unfortunately my dad, who is going to help me finance this adventure, will help me if I go to Mexico. I pleaded and pleaded my case that is was just as safe but he wouldn't listen, Over protective dads, even when the kids are all grown up..lol. Well anyways, I am looking for an affordable self pay revision surgeon. I am not meaning a cheap surgeon just someone who is reasonably affordable. I live in Utah and it is super expensive here. The lowest I can find is $18,000 and the highest is 22,000. I know that there has to be a slightly lower option out there. If any of you awesome people out there know of anyone please let me know. I don't mind to travel, a small vacation would be nice! Thanks everyone

I am currently banded but undergoing a revision & plication this Thursday August 29th! I'm so excited as I've been having problems for such a very long time and I'm ready to get back on the bandwagon!

Does anyone know about an average cost of having a revision on Mexico? Any places to stay away from? Any really good places? Do you need a passport?

I'm so happy that I found this place.....wahoo. I am 10 day to my revision From lab band to sips. So here's my story an I'm stickin to it lol. In 2005 I got my LB. My HW ever was 340 SW 270 LW 215 My CW 232 Because I've been on my per-OP for a week. Last week was 247.8 My first yr out I got to 215 My band was awesome.I had hit the sweet spot an life was amazing. Then in 2017 I got rear ended at a stop light an it broke my neck in 5 places an my back in two. Plus it tweaked my LB. I had to have it emptied. Never found my sweet spot again. [emoji26] My weight has bounced all over the place for the last 14 yrs. So I started doing research an decided I needed something with malabsorption. Cuz I really cant eat that much for the pass 8 yrs I have been at 236ish. I am very grateful for my LB. It has helped me to never see 340 again. But alas I must move on an get rid of the last 100lbs. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes that is prob my main concern too ! I finally gotten over my fear of being kidnapped by drug cartels or shot by random gunfire lol and I'm more comfortable with the flight though it's not my favorite thing to do but I'm still left worrying about 1) post op complications and 2) I worry it won't work for me since I'm a revision. I don't have anyone set up to follow up with at home so there is that as well. I know they do leak tests and I plan to do an excessive post op diet (with my sleeve I did 4 whole weeks of liquids!) to make sure I heal really well ! I'll prob do that again this time too just so I don't take any chances of eating too soon ! Other than that it's just really playing the odds ! Thankfully only a 1% chance of a leak are pretty good odds ! Lol

Not to freak you out, but when I lost restriction suddenly, and could eat whatever I wanted the bands latch had come undone from "scar tissue". I had to have revision surgery which was done just last week and now im back to liquids for a while. i hope that its just a phaze of tight and loose for you! good luck!

I have an appointment next week to discuss revision of RNY. What do I have to say or do to convince the surgeon I need this revision??! I had my original surgery in 2014. I lost 100lb in about 8 mo. Since the pandemic I have regained about 50 lb. I am so miserable. My BP is elevated again, sleep apnea returned , osteoarthritis acting up. Help me please, someone.

Thanks for sharing your story. I have my band to sleeve revision next Friday and have been worried about that. You helped ease some of my anxiety, so thank you!

I did not find a lot on Dr. Wilhlemy on this forum, so I wanted to share my experience for anyone researching him and the hospital in Mexicali. I flew in from Canada to have a revision from LB to VSG done. I learned about Mexicali Bariatric Center by 3 coworkers that had been there to have surgery with Dr. Aceves and they spoke very highly of the hospital, the staff and had marvelous results! I must admit that I looked at a couple lower priced places but immediately knew that I wanted a certified doctor a certified hospital, a place where I knew patients were having very good long term weight loss results and my chances of a complication were low. I found all of these in Dr Wilhelmy and the magnificent team at Mexicali Bariatric Center. I also found a lot of caring people, professionalism and made friends for life! The experience started out a bit bumpy because my flight was delayed for 5 hours. I had to be in San Diego Ca before 11 am and this delay would make me miss the shuttle to Mexicali. I called Nina at the office at 5 am ( sorry about the time honey) practically in tears not sure what to do. She calmed me and assured me they would not leave me in Sd and we would make it work. She kept her word and they had a driver to pick me up and take me to Mexicali that same day. It was too late to have all my tests done that evening so I just had EKG and x rays and spoke the nutritionist and bariatric doctor, Dr. Campos. Dr. Campos did a barium swallow and checked my band. Everything looked good. Yolanda and Carla met me and helped me through this stage. I spent the night at Lucerna Hotel and thanks to the sleeping pills I had a good night sleep. Ernesto, the driver, was bright and early at the hotel to pick me up and took me to the hospital. I had blood work done that early morning and was admitted into the hospital. We waited for my test results and in the meantime I was put on the IV, I was given blood thinners and did the final paperwork. Time flew by, my tests we done, I saw all doctors that morning, internal medicine doctor, anestheologist, Dr. Wilhelmy and nurses Sergio and Esmerald. By 9am I was in surgery! My band was removed and my sleeve done that morning. Surgery took 1.5 hours and was told I had a lot of adhesions but nothing they had not seen before. Phew! The next 3 days passed so quickly. I was in the hospital for 3 days in total, I had 3 leak tests and recovered without any problems. The attentiveness of the nurses was impressive. They have a caring spirit helping patients get as comfortable as possible and always with a smile on their face. The cleaning ladies are there all day, they clean over the clean, I swear I wanted to take one of them home! I saw the doctors 2-3 times a day and was reassured daily about my recovery and my questions were answered. My husband talked beer and sports with the doctors, he is a big fan of both so needless to say he is now a big fan of MBC's doctors too. I had NEVER gotten this care anyplace else. I was not a number, I was a patient, someone they cared about and that along with their surgical experience make them an exceptional medical team. It was a very big difference from my band experience at home.

I say RNY because its been out longer, more researches have been done on it and to be honest when revisions are done they always seem to revise that person to RNY. Might ad well start out the right way.