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It has a high failure rate. If you check out the revision board on OH, you can find tons of information on Stomaphyx. They go in and reduce the existing pouch and stoma size after patients stretch it out, but it's no where near close to a VSG procedure.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/ Here is the link specifically related to band to sleeve revisions. Good luck.

Hi all, Well, I met with the new Dr today, and he agrees that I need the band out, it is prolapsed. He also agrees that I can have a sleeve, and do not need a bypass at this point. So, I have a few questions from you all that are experienced. If you had a band and then switched to a sleeve, did you do it all in one surgery? he is giving me the option to have 1 or 2. What size is your sleeve, he mentioned that his normal size is a 42 bougie? He can make it smaller if I want, but will not go to small as to avoid nausea. If you had a band, did your insurance cover it as a revision surgery? I have UHC, and they said they just need a pre-determination letter to make that decision, but it is a billable code so it is covered. Think that is all i have for now. thanks so much, Nervous Patti!

I want you sleevers to tell me--do you still have to take very small bites and chew, chew, chew like with the band? And what happens if you don't? And why would you have to eat any differently than normal if there is no restriction at either end of the stomach opening and digestion is normal except for the quanity of food the stomach can hold? The band was a disaster for me. I have vomited for 3 years. I can't deal with another similar experience.

i HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. Had the band for 2 yrs, and it was basically a nightmare for me also. many issues and problems. I did do the revision on the 18th of this month. I can't give you the expert advice others can because of the newbee stage I am in. I will say that from all the research I did, it seems like the only alternative I was willing to do. so far, I am quite happy..have to stay focused on a post op diet for a month..but it is well worth what I will receive for the effort....Bev

I was reading some information on stomaphyX procedure which is done through endoscopy....isn't that basically the same as VSG, though it is done to patients who have had RNY previously and stretched out the stomach? StomaphyX - Bariatric Revision for Gastric Bypass Surgery Would sure as heck be nice to have it done without incisions.

Tomorrow is 5 weeks post op for me for revision from mgb to rny. The first 2 weeks I was constipated, the next 2 weeks I had severe diarrhea and then BAM constipated for the last week! I have no idea what's going on and how it can go from one extreme to the next in a matter of one day.

I am hoping since the original post was 2011 your revision has been performed but it took me many years to find a doctor to help me out. I had the Molina band in 2003 by Dr. Molina. In 2006 I began having complications but at the time I wasn't aware it was band related. I would be woke up out of a dead sleep coughing and chocking on stomach acids. I just thought I had reflux. Now i know it was that I was forming an obstruction due to scar tissue from the band. I had severe chronic reflux and vomitting from the food not passing thru. I tried for several years to find a doctor to help me. Due to the high risk of this complication of the Molina band I attempted to see many doctors but they did not do Molina band revisions. I went to several others but my insurance did not have bariatric coverage but in reality I wasn't obese and the surgery was not for weight lose it was for a complication. I was almost completely obstructed when I finally remembered seeing Dr. Nowzardan from Houston on TV and I worked for a plastic surgeon previously that worked with Dr. Nowzaradan. I gave his office a call on a Friday and they got me in the next day on a Saturday and by Monday afternoon my surgery was approved and scheduled. His insurance girl was great. They knew the correct way to code it since it was not a bariatic surgery. I had a hiatal hernia repair, gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy. So basically I had a hiatal hernia from years of throwing up so that was repaired. The gastrectomy was to cut the section out of my stomach that the band was adhered to and the gastrojejunotsomy was the gastric bypass. According to Dr. Nowzardan I was not a candidate for the sleeve gastrectomy and the only real option I had was gastric bypass surgery. Without him I do not know where I would be. Malnutrition for sure. I am going on 5 years since my bypass and it has been great. My weight stays within 138 to 145 over the past few years. Initially I got down to about 130 but then went up a few pounds after maybe the first two years. It's been the best thing for me. Other than dumping every so often I have no complaints. I have to take that back. I tend to be a noncompliant patient in regards to taking Vitamins so there are times I am Iron deficiant anemic but as long as I am taking my vitamins and supplements my levels are perfect. I hope this helps anyone that is suffering with issues from the Molina band.Angie

Thanks to all for chiming in!! For those who have surgery scheduled this month all the best and please please keep us posted.. For those whom have had success with revision thank you for sharing it is encouraging to hear about your journeys. And for those whom are skeptical of people who use WLS a a crutch.. I see your point but I can only speak for myself and say am I fully in control of my efforts, no..I'm always the first to admit it but the effort I need to put towards any kind of weight loss is 3x more the norm due to my PCOS and after battling this for so long and having that delay things like building a family my BIGGEST demon is to not feel sorry for myself day to day, to not feel like a failure and all I can do is try try try to focus on what I DO have and what I HAVE achieved and hope that in time my body will cooperate..

I was banded in 2001 at 272. Lost to about 205 in a year. Had issues. ..unfilled by 2003 By 2005...All time high 332. Band removed and revised to sleeve in Dec 2011 at 308; lost 150 over 14 months. Now maintaining in the 150 ballpark...total loss 160. So for me the sleeve has worked alot better.

Pancake, thank you for the reply. How did the revision go and how are you liking your sleeve? I just got the call this past Friday that UHC approved me!! They just accepted my dr's notes from the past few years, so I didn't have to do 6 months supervision! I'm having my ultrasound and pulmonologist appointment on 6/17 and then I'll get my surgery date. So excited I can believe everything is falling into place finally!!

I have UHC and I'm a railroad employee (BNSF) I had the lapband back in 2011 and they covered it 100% no deductable, no copay. Then in Jun 2012 insurance changed. I had a revision from band to sleeve in Jan 2014 and had to pay a deductable and copay ( it came to about $900.When I went for my lapband I just had to document my weight loss attempts over the years. UHC was very easy to work with on getting it covered.

I too am a band to sleeve revision patient. I'm scheduled to have my surgery Monday, 4/7. While I haven't had the surgery yet, I've been researching it for well over 2 years. There are many on this board that I believe confirm the following: 1. Yes, many who have a band to sleeve conversion lose all their excess weight and more. It requires working with the band and following the eating guidelines your doctor has set out for you, but it is totally possible. 2. The rate of weight loss seems to be slower (for some), my doctor told me this would happen and said it was because your body already understands what you are trying to do (drastic calorie reduction) and will work to hold on to weight longer. There are several on this board that I've read who did not have this issue, and several who do seem to lose slower, but they lose and that, to me, is the most important part. 3. Your doctor was telling you the truth about the hormone that causes the hunger sensation. It is called the ghrelin hormone and it is produced (for the most part) in a part of your stomach that is removed. Many people on these boards report no sense of hunger (or minimal sense of hunger) for several months (6-9 months appx.) after surgery. Beyond that point, your body increases the production of this hormone, and you do feel a stronger sense of hunger, but, I've read, not like it was prior to surgery, however, you still have to manage it. In addition things like acid reflux, GERD, and head hunger can make you think you are hungry when in fact it is something else. We have to train ourselves to recognize the difference. I hope this helps, there are many, many posts on these boards about these exact topics from those who have had the surgery. It has helped me in planning to read what others have experienced and to understand that this isn't a magic bullet, but a powerful tool that we can use to help us in our weight loss goals.

Hi Leena, I can only tell you what others here are telling me. And that is to hang in there. I'm freaking out too and sitting here waiting for my Dr's office to call me back with a date to have my band revision. I'm 5' 3" and weigh 213. I haven't even started the liquid diet phase yet. I'll keep you in prayer and ask the same for me. Keep in touch!

Hello and welcome...you can click in the search bar and you will find lots of ppl who had revision surgery....good luck on your journey

hope you are having luck on your hunt to find someone to cover the revision. Have you called http://www.legacyhealth.org/weight ? I am going through them. There staff is very nice and helpful. Give them a call. talk to their insurance guru. She may have a few insurance companies that cover those costs. If not, look into a self-pay outside the US?.?.?.

I mentioned before that Lexie, my only friend I've told about me getting bariatric surgery, told me that she heard the "sleeve" was better than the "band." My gastroenterologist said the same thing and wanted me to look into it and talk to the surgeon about the sleeve option. I mentioned it to the counselor today and she briefly said that she sees very few Gastric Bypass patients any more as most patients are choosing the band or the sleeve. She said it's been 50/50 on band vs. sleeve patients. She admitted that there's been more WL issues with the band patients (slower loss, not any loss, and band failure) in HER practice but she was quick to state that it doesn't mean that it isn't good and won't work. She simply said that in her practice there that the sleeved patients lose weight faster and have fewer WL issues apparently. She agreed with my gastro's advice in speaking with the surgeon and deciding what would be best for me. She told me to research both, have pros and cons, and analyze the options. Then have a list of questions for the surgeon when meeting with him. I planned to do that any way and I didn't get the feeling she was pushing sleeve. I think she was being very honest with me about her experience with both sets of patients which I appreciate. Here's my initial PRO/CON list for Sleeve and Band... (after I research more, I'll likely update and/or change and fix my list!) SLEEVE Pros: 1. One surgery, no "fills" (so I won't need to tote my toddler with me in for regular fills.) 2. Decrease in "ghrelin" hormone that induces hunger due to stomach portion removal 3. Faster weight loss (more immediate results) 4. No "bandster hell" 5. Much higher success rate associated with this procedure. 6. My friend and one of my dr's recommended this procedure and thought it might be the better option for me. Cons: 1. No way to fix or reverse at all 2. Staples may pop, cause leaking, or fail 3. No long term data including effects on pregnancies 4. There is still a possibility/likelihood that the sleeve will stretch out and may need revision later. 5. Hernias apparently more common with this procedure lately. 6. I haven't researched the dietary guidelines post op so I have no idea what the longterm eating management includes. (Maybe I'll research that next and do a post on the differences of that.) BAND Pros: 1. Reversible/removable 2. No removal of anything 3. Necessary dr appt followup (with fills) will cause constant analyzing of program/plan and communication with surgeon 4. As I need it, I can go in and get it adjusted tighter to meet my needs. 5. Two doctors recommended this procedure over sleeve or GB for me due to my medical history. Cons: 1. Possibility of infection of band OR port 2. Regular followup and fill appointments 3. Bandster Hell and the months it will take to get to Sweet Spot. 4. Possibility of necessary revision to sleeve or whatever..(have read several posts online of 3 and 4 year post banders going in for gastric bypass, sleeve, etc.) 5. May not solve my hunger issue. 6. Have heard from more than one person that as they got closer to goal- their port site or actual port became more visible- yikes! 7. Over fills.. this sort of worries me. I don't want to get overzealous and get over filled and then have to race back in to get unfilled and then wait weeks to get filled again. 8. The waiting between fills. I understand why it is set up that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it. This is just my preliminary thoughts on both. I'm not an expert, I haven't decided yet, and I don't even know if the surgeon will think I'm a candidate for the sleeve. I'm starting to consider it as an option though. I've got some research to do.

1. Dr. Michael Michel, he is a Major in the USAF, and stationed at and operates out of Eglin AFB. I've sent 2 of my close friends to him within the last month (he just returned from 7.5 month long deployment) and an "ex" friend of mine had her surgery performed by Dr. M last September. My secondary surgeon Dr. Riley, out of the same military facility, is amazing as well. Dr. R took over my care when Dr. M deployed. He's performed surgery on 2 of my friends within the last 4 months. 2. Insurance company first, PCP next, supporting letter from PCP and any other specialty physicians you may see. 3. I would imagine natural childbirth would be worse. I had a c-section (was awake for it), and the VSG was nowhere near as painful. I had a completely different recovery, and I'm not the norm therefore I can't comment on this one. I was a revision patient. Had the band first, then VSG. 4. Same as above 5. I've dropped 155lbs as of today in around a year. I started at 270 today I'm weighing in around 118lbs. My skin is wrinkly, but not sagging or flapping over. It's recovering nicely. Saw my surgeon last week, he looked at my skin, and said " considering how much you've lost, your age, and how fast you've dropped it, your skin looks amazing, I've had patients lose less, that are younger that have to have plastics. Don't do any other surgery for a minimum of 12-18 months". I moisturize like crazy. I exfoliate with a homemade sugar/salt scrub, I massage my skin. I do not wear shapers, girdles, or anything of the sort. I live in Florida, it's 99% humidity, and wearing spandex under clothes is self-induced torture. 6. Take Biotin or another hair/nail/skin supplement now, and continue taking it once you're released for meds/supplements post-op. It'll help with the regrowth. Nothing stops the shedding. I'm vain, I lost half of my hair, I chopped it off, and it's grown 4 inches in length since January. We measured the other day to find out how much growth I was actually seeing. I have new growth that is about 7" long that started coming in before the shedding stopped. For me, it last 3.5 months. It's temporary, it'll grow back. I used Folicure shampoo every other day when I started losing, and never took Biotin or other supplements on a regular basis. Interesting article: Telogen Effluvium: eMedicine Dermatology 7. I was released for alcohol at 3.5 months out. Was told to avoid wine. My surgeon doesn't forbid soda. He doesn't believe it causes sleeve stretching. It is empty calories/carbs, and if it's caffeinated, it doesn't count as a clear Fluid. I drink soda. No harm, no foul, no regain,no sleeve stretching. I'm not a beer drinker, but I drink rum/cokes and various shots on a fairly social basis. 8. Perfectly normal. Today, my 12 yr old son and I shared an order of beef fajitas with black Beans and rice at Chili's. Sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa, 8-10 tortilla chips, 3oz of fajita skirt steak cooked medium, and a huge amount of sauteed onions. I ate about 6 small bites of the rice, I skipped the beans, they put stupid pico de gallo in them, no flour tortillas. I ate about 2ounces of shredded cheese mixed with the beef, sour cream and salsa. I drank strawberry lemonade before my meal. We were in and out of the restaurant within 1 hour. We talked, laughed, and just hung out. I waited about 15 minutes after eating to take a few swigs of my lemonade because Mexican food tends to be salty. I needed to wet my whistle. I felt normal, and have for months. 9. Only puked a couple times and that was super early out. Nauseated only happened when on heavy antibiotics. Slightly dehydrated only once, but didn't require hospitalization/iv fluids. 10. Stick to your surgeon/nutritionist's post-op diet, don't reinvent the wheel, don't cheat, it's just not worth it regardless of other people's experiences, if you absolutely need to progress your diet call the medical professional that you trusted to staple off and excise 80% of your stomach and ask if there is a safe option that may get you through a horrible day, don't be negative nelly, your body needs you to be positive and encouraging it will have just took a major blow for you, be nice to it. Realize that some days might suck, you might be sore, you might not feel like doing much of anything, but the good ends up outweighing the bad 100 fold. Remember they operate on our stomachs not our heads. Our minds will beat us up if we allow it. Emotions will run high, you might be mad, angry, or feel like you're on a permanent PMS trip from hell, prepare your husband/family for this, it does get better, but it doesn't make it suck any less. Other than that, know that you are embarking on an amazing journey. You'll experience so much that it's hard to really wrap your head around all of it. Look for support when you need it, and know that whatever hurdle you may find in your path, there is probably someone else out here that's gone through or going through the same thing, don't be afraid to ask questions, have faith in yourself, your surgeon. Sorry for the ramble, run on and fragment sentences. Best wishes and keep us updated.

I am having my band to VSG surgery tomorrow morning and I just want it to be 24 hours from now and it will be over. I know this is normal but man, I was not this anxious and scared with the band surgery. I think a lot of it was kind of like having your first baby, you are scared because you don't know what to expect and with the second your scared because you know what to expect. Except with this, I have the added worries that I have scar tissue from the band, major organ getting removed, etc. So its not really the same thing, right? The following is my post on my blog today. I thought I would share it over here also. Hopefully any new followers will look back on my journey and realize that I've had a Lapband for 15 months and not think that I am a crazy person trying to become anorexic by getting VSG! Even I look at these pics and think "I think I look pretty good right now and I'm so close to goal. Why can't I just be like everyone else and have a band that likes being inside me and lets me continue to lose and maintain my weight!" Honestly, if my band would behave, I would stay at this weight even though I am not at goal. The problem is, it doesn't and I cannot maintain with an empty band. Been there and tried that. Not happening. Believe me when I say that I did not make the decision to have my band removed and revised to VSG lightly. I have and continue to agonize over it but I am putting myself into my doctors hands tomorrow morning and I know I will be ok. Here are some pics from my journey so far. I apologize for the pics that I took of myself today...my husband/photographer is not home right now and I do not own a decent full length mirror! A few days before Lapband surgery - March 2010 213 lbs. Day before Lapband removal/revision VSG - June 2011 160 lbs. Please wish me luck tomorrow!

everyone is different but typically 2 days if your having a revision. i was suppose to have the band to sleev revision and approved for two days with my insurance but i only had the removal of band done and i left the same day in the evening. got my letter for the sleeve in may approved for 1 day more if needed if medically necessary.

Our @Matt Z is, unfortunately, very knowledgeable about this complication. "The Band had become totally encapsulated in scar tissue, it took my surgeon and her team more than 3 times longer to remove the band than what's normal. My 3-4 hour surgery, lasted over 6 hours. Who knows what would have happened if I didn't revise. The band is gone. My insides have been rearranged. And I'm working my way down to my goal. One day at a time. " --https://www.bariatricpal.com/profile/120901-matt-z/

I honestly have never heard, met, talked to, read about anyone having a remotely bad experience with Dr. Aceves. Nothing negative pops into my head about Dr. Alvarez either. I can share my opinion with you. I was a revision patient, I have some medical issues that can cause complications outside of the actual surgery, I researched Mexico and US surgeons, and at the end of the day, Dr. Aceves would have been my surgeon if insurance would not have come through on my revision, and if I needed to travel outside the US. It was a comfort level thing for me. All the research led me to him, his staff, the facilities he operates out of, the sheer number of successful revisions he'd performed, plus additional years of surgical experience that he has under his belt, all contributed to my choice. I had some stateside surgeons picked out as well that are located in Texas because that is where my family lives. The aftercare that is available to you with Dr. Aceves via email and phone was big contributing factor to making him my choice for MX surgeons. Plus, the 3 months f/u labs and upper gi that he offers and recommends gave me another level of comfort with him. I mean seriously, how many MX surgeons offer aftercare at all? Not many. Just my 2cents.

Ok so yesterday I had my upper GI done and the radiologist was extremely distressed by the position of the band, the severe reflux, the dialation of the pouch and esophagus, and the fact that barely a drop a barium went through. Fast forward to this morning and after ignoring the radiologist's request that I immediately go upstairs to have my fill completely removed, I did just that. They quickly removed all of my fill. Then stated that I have a dialated pouch and stretched out my esophagus. My band may also be slipped, but not officially stated yet as such, but with all of the symptoms, it fits that diagnosis. They stated that more and more of us are having trouble as the years go by. I was a model patient for the first year, then complications struck. Major surgery to repair, then it was never the same. Extremely painful to eat, led to eating only foods that didn't hurt. I haven't gained much back, about 20lbs. But I see that changing. We are discussing a revision. Probably the VSG which they believe will phase out the band in the future. I don't knock the band completely, it did give me my life back, however with this foreign body inside of me, things have been complicated at times to say the least. So it looks like I'll enjoy a good thanksgiving dinner and that the new year will bring a new partner in helping keep off the weight. Any info on what to expect and/or consider would be appreciated.

Gosh! Such burden! ((hugs)) I can't waive a magic wand and keep you from feeling the things you are feeling, but if I could, I would. You are a strong productive person and you've done things you never thought you could do before and have succeeded SO WELL! You've been an inspiration to many here! I BELIEVE. Choose to believe. Even if you don't feel it in your heart. Choose to believe that this WILL end and that we will all rebuild! Escape if that helps you for now. But also plan or schedule time to do things that are constructive. For instance, I love the idea of being a "super cleaner." Maybe research what it takes to be a plague cleaner?! I know my niece has passed a cold around her house and asked the other day if there were any cleaners who would come in and deep clean...like DEEP clean. Clean toys. Sanitize. Etc. So research it! Charge a premium for it cuz you will become a front liner. You would be able to hire people. People are desperate for work. And you would be able to pay well. It would be pre-pay or pay on completion so no waiting for invoices to be paid. Also, there will be tax extensions, and tax forgiveness. This is being planned. There will be bailouts. I just believe that this is the beginning of a forced change for us all. And you WILL get to revise and conquer. Remember to deep breath. And start thinking creatively how to repackage your business to adjust to this changing need. People will still need to have cleaning!!! Businesses too.

My original goal weight was 180 lbs. Over the past 2 years, I've revised that goal & set it at 160 lbs. I'm 7 lbs away from my original goal weight. Over the weekend, I was looking at some pictures of our recent vacation. We travelled with a group of friends. I had an 'ah-ah' moment when looking at the pictures - I looked like the rest of my friends. I don't mean I looked identical to them but I fit in with the group in terms of weight. I was no longer the biggest girl in the group. In fact, I wasn't even the bigger girl in the group. It got me to thinking about goal. I'm not sure where I'll set my end goal weight. What I do know is that I look like I hoped I would when I started this process. I have arrived! So, now, I need to start tackling maintenance. I need to educate myself & learn what I need to know to be successful in maintenance. So, what does maintenance look like for a Bandster? Do we continue to eat 1000-1200 calories a day? That doesn't seem right to me. The average intake for a sedentary female is 1600-2000 calories a day. Do we increase our caloric intake?