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I had revision from band to gastric sleeve in Mexico. I had the best care there. Actually the care I received there was better than I've ever received in the U.S., England, The Middle East, Singapore. I would go back to Mexico in a heart beat. You just have to be very careful about who you choose. Do your research. I've worked in hospitals all over the world and my experience in Mexico was fantastic. The surgeon I used is in the top 5 physicians I've ever met in skill and knowledge.

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.

I am starting the process myself. Tried to last year. Insurance would not cover it, but I knew with the Company merger we would be getting a better package. Just sent an inquiry to the Insurance compnay last week. My father felt the same way. Very concerned about the surgery. The problem is he knew of 2 friends that had pretty serious complications with Gastric Bypass. I educated him on some information on the lap band and that really seemed to help. You may ask your family to log in on this web site to hear all of the sucess stories too. Most people are fearful of the unknown. Give them some references so they know it will be the best thing for you. I know when those results start kicking in, they will be so proud of you. Stick to you guns my dear. All will be wonderful!:clap2: Sincerely, Heather

Hi I'm also new to WLS and live in Austin, TX. Looking at getting gastric bypass and working on talking to the staff at SW Bariatrics. Anyone have advice or suggestions regarding WLS & this location? Thanks Sent from my LG-H830 using the BariatricPal App

Can you consider bypass surgery instead?

The band didn't perform up to advertised / reported specs. Ended up with some minor issues and struggled to keep the weight off. Revised to Bypass, dropped the rest of my weight and have kept it off for over a year now. Coming up on 2 years post revision in March.

Hi everyone...once again I am here looking for support! Good thing you are all here! Well, like momma always said, "careful what you wish for...cause you just might get it!!" Well, I was hoping for a quick date when I met with my surgeon and I got it!! June 14th... two weeks from Monday! I sort of freaked out inside! Guessing that is normal... but what was weird for me was that my Doctor actually tried to talk me out of the band!!! Ok, so I have Gerd (gastric reflux) and a bad back (two back surgeries). She said... "you know.. the band might not help your Gerd and you may not be successful at all if you don't exercise 1 hour a day... so you might want to reconsider. I looked her in the eye and said... "So I guess I'm going to have to exercise an hour a day!" She also said I might not like it. I said... we'll we'll just give it a whirl and if I don't... you'll take it out. She actually smiled. Oh well...I'm a nurse and have worked with surgeons my whole life... just have to work around them I guess. Then I asked her about band erosion, slipping and vomiting, as I fear vomiting and having complications, i.e slippage/erosion etc. she said, "What are you a vomiter?" Since when did THAT become a noun I wondered. I am not a "vomiter," so I "guess" I'm ok! I heard she encouraged questions... but she didn't seem to like mine. At one point she said... "I'm not going to be your PCP!!" I said "fair enough." She is known for being a superb surgeon, and I'm ok with her crankiness... but this push for Gastric bypass is really creeping me out! Next she said, "Fluids for a month you know." I said, yes, I'm aware. She asked if I could do that. I said... it's not Cancer, not a life sentence of illness or fluids, it's a month... I can do most anything for a month. She smiled a little and said... ok, let's book you. I wanted to hear from her that I'd be successful! That the band was going to be a good tool, etc... instead I felt like I brow beat her into doing it!!! NOT what I expected today. Any thoughts my friends? Thanks, Tracy

This is exactly why I haven't told anyone but some, not all, family members and a couple of friends. Everyone sees articles and ads for WTS and lately a lot about the band. People have preconceived ideas about what it all means. The most important thing they think is that it is a revision that will keep us from getting hungry and it will keep us from eating the wrong foods. That's understandable. Many of us thought the LB would do just that. Even though we were told that it is a tool, just a tool, not a miracle, it has taken a surprising amount of work. We have to really work at not eating the wrong things. We have to work at keeping exercise in our daily routine. We have to do almost as much to lose the weight as we did before WLS. But you'd never convince them of that so we really shouldn't be surprised that their eyes glaze over and they lose interest when we don't respond, "Jenny Craig" or "Weight Watchers."

Hello I would suggest that you go with what surgery is best for you - not let your schooling decide for you! School can be postponed, your health cannot! However, that being said, I would say that in your situation, a band would be better as there's less healing to go through. Remember that with a Bypass you'll have had major major surgery, spent some time in Intensive Care and been pretty poorly. With a band there is not a single change to your anatomy, and to be honest, after 10 days I was feeling more or less back to normal. The "lack of food thing" you speak about - I feel no different - no ligtheadedness etc. I've had my 2nd fill and I'm still not at my sweet spot yet, but I'm getting there and am losing weight slowly. To those that don't know i've had the band, my diet is working well!!!! After the band the pain was completely tolerable - only 2 or 3 days of taking pain killers, and then rest for a few days. after 10 days I was out walking 3 miles a day and enjoying the rest of my time off work (My GP signed me off work for 3 weeks!!!!! - totally unecessary!)

I was banded may 2013. My first year went like textbook. i lost a total of 81 lbs and felt great. But than problems started and july of 2014 my band was emptied and stayed empty for a year. My surgeon didn't want to put any fill in do to the complications i had. We discussed revision and on july 31,2015 i was revised to a gastric bypass. Surgery was difficult due to adhesions and scar tissue. When the band was placed i had gone to surgery to have a bypass but that surgeon couldn't do it do to the scarring. When i was in the recovery room the first words out of my mouth were ,what type of surgery? if he couldnt do the bypass i signed papers for a sleeve. but he was successful. I was so happy. post surgery i have had no complications. Have lost 27 lbs in 26 days. and am doing well with my new way of eating.

So my drs. office has TONS of support groups, classes, phone-chat, etc. It is one of the reasons that I picked him. However, right before I was having surgery, I was told that all the support groups were undergoing a radical overhaul, and to 'stay tuned'. So in one of my post-nutrition classes I met a lady. She and I were the only two in the classes so we got chatty and friendly and exchanged email addys. She had the RNY procedure a few days before I had the VSG. I got an email from her yesterday saying "there is a support group tonight, let's go!" And even though I couldn't find it on my calendar from the surgeon's office, I decided 'what the heck' and went. I got there, sat down and then realized....this support group is for lap band people. Whoopsie! But the group was facilitated by my NUT and I do really like her and they didn't ask us to leave or anything. So there was probably 10 people total there and my friend and I were the only non-lap banders. So this is how the breakdown of the room went: * 2 people - Super-happy with the band (and less than 4 months out...one lady had lost 40lbs in 4 months...not too shabby) * 2 people - Completely unfilled due to issues (one lady was headed to the ER after class she was in SO MUCH PAIN...I really worried about her...poor thing she was over 1 year out) * 1 person - Happy with her loss, but unhappy because she could never eat for 10 days after a fill, she was banded in June and spends more than a week after a fill being sick and having to survive on liquids) * 1 person - Didn't say much, but was very obese (not sure when banded) and said she was struggling but didn't elaborate. * 1 person - Was pre-surgery and trying to get a feel for things during post-op life, etc. * 1 person - Struggling with 'getting back on track' just having issues in general. And then there was me (VSG) and my friend (RNY) and I felt SO BAD for the bandsters. They had all sorts of questions about why I choose VSG, and some of them called it "radical" etc. SO there I was saying 'um I didn't get the band because I can't stand to throw up, plus I don't view the band as a long-term solution' ...I wasn't expecting all the questions. I ended it by saying that those were having trouble could consider revising to the VSG. It was all very eye-opening. And every single bandster who had thrown up was blaming THEMSELVES! Truly. "I did it to myself, I ate too fast, too much, too big of a bite, etc." Wow. So I'm glad I went but next time will go by the schedule. Interestingly enough, they don't have a stand-alone sleeve support group...we are lumped into the RNY category. Oh well, it will be interesting to hear all of their stories too. I did ask pre-surgery for them to make a sleeve support group since they are in the process of restructuring, etc. Oh and the reason I put 'real' in quotes is because I truly consider this to be my TRUE support group...love this board!

I was placed on a medication to prevent gallstones for 6 months after my band surgery. There have actually been several studies about bypass and band surgeries and gallstones. Here are links to just a few. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16687027 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1858735 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14578732 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12677265 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11792152

I am not sure where you are in Southern Oregon. Dr. Tersigni's support group meetings are the 2nd tuesday of the month. They are in the basement of the North Bend Medical Center. You have to drive around to the back of the building and you will see a door propped open. They start at 7:00. There are a lot of gastric bypass patients but we are getting more and more lap band people all the time. There are usually at least 3 or 4 lap band people. Robin usually has a topic do discuss which benefits anyone trying to lose weight or maintain their weight loss no matter what surgery you had. You don't have to have had your surgery by him either. Anyone is welcome that wants support.

Severe heartburn is a recognized side effect of VSG. I was forced to revise to bypass to cure my heartburn. I would call your surgeon and see if they can put you on a different PPI. You may need to try different medication combinations to find one that gives you some relief. Also, try to drink something other than plain Water. Plain water gave me horrible heartburn. You need to drink because dehydration won't help you at all. In fact, it will make you feel worse. Good luck!

Im in a similar situation. I have not had surgery yet, as i will have my 2nd consult soon. I have gerd, have had it for years and when the surgeon and I discussed it he said, " well if you get reflux you always can convert to bypass". I was,a bit frustated with that comment and, I said, "No, at 58 years old im only doing this once". He said 1/3 of sleeve patients will still have gerd, and he has been seeing sleeve patients 3 to 4 years out with severe gerd and going the revision route because its very bad and happens daily. Thats why I decided the bypass route. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App 4 years sleeve post op. Had slight heartburn before my sleeve but nothing like this....I had an upper g.i. on Tuesday to find out the Fluid comes right back up and my sleeve has a slight twist in it I had a miscarriage last year and my gerd is now out of control. Submitting for bypass revision Nov 19th. I hope u feel better. I've taken allllll the medicines possible. I even went with natural remedies. Baking soda and apple cider vinegar to help. But it's useless. Im looking forward to relief and losing the last bit I have to hit goal. I still do not regret my sleeve !!!!! Sent from my Z981 using the BariatricPal App

Im in a similar situation. I have not had surgery yet, as i will have my 2nd consult soon. I have gerd, have had it for years and when the surgeon and I discussed it he said, " well if you get reflux you always can convert to bypass". I was,a bit frustated with that comment and, I said, "No, at 58 years old im only doing this once". He said 1/3 of sleeve patients will still have gerd, and he has been seeing sleeve patients 3 to 4 years out with severe gerd and going the revision route because its very bad and happens daily. Thats why I decided the bypass route. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I am totally doing the same thing.. my band is only at 1.7 right now.. but will i just continue to find more and more ways to eat around it? I always drank alot (not alcohal) and ate crispy junk... I shoulda got the bypass I think

Every weight loss surgical method has its' success and failure stories. No matter what method you choose you can only treat it as a tool and must work very hard to achieve long term success. There is no easy way to lose fat long term. I wouldn't give up my band for anything! And a band doesn't reroute your plumbing so you there's no nutrition absortion component like there is with the bypass. Brad

Yikes. I was bulimic as a teenager, but I'm so scared of slippage that it never occurs to me anymore. If you have to have your band out, don't replace it until you get your mind on track with the program. It's not worth it. BTW, my cousin had RNY bypass and she CAN'T vomit, it's physically impossible. That would be one way to lose weight and fight the bulimia. Extreme, I know, but only an option to consider. Do what's best for you.

I have not lost in almost two months. I went to Dr. Lopez, new to me today. I learned so much. He gave me my second fill. I am now 3ccs. I am so positive now. I could fill the difference within 20 minutes. I am full to the top even though I only drank today. I am on Clear Liquids today, smooth creams tomarrow, and anything I can mush with a fork the 3rd day and then back to normal diet. He also told me NO Protein shakes for banders, only bypass, usually. He told me to get "beach bars or snicker go bar. I was surprised! I have never had the confidence to change doctors before, but because of this support group I knew I needed a fill, and the other doctor could not get me in until April. I am on top of the world again. Thank you everyone for sharing!!!!!:speechles

Ok that's exactly what I was thinking, maybe with bypass but with the sleeve I am still absorbing pills. I was able to continue taking my pills the whole time even the day of surgery (didn't need to I was on the sugar pills). My dr never mentioned that I shouldn't take the pill anymore. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had an open band that needed to be done due to scar tissue from previous gastric bypass 9 yrs ago. Dr. Bhesania in Port Huron also repaired a small hernia. I was cut over 12 inches and had 39 staples. I've been back to work three days and really struggling. Struggling for more protein, tired, hungry and anxious to get my first fill on MLK day. I'm two weeks and two days post-op and started on Cream of Wheat w/skim milk to help get me over this hump along with Slim Fast. I've lost 20 lbs since I've started and hit a bump where I'm not losing now. A little worried... any ideas or encouragement would be really helpful for me. I'm not good at asking for help.

i was confused for a long time about which procedure to have as well. I decided on the Band because it is adjustable. If you need a little extra restriction... you can have it. If you decide you lost enough weight and want to eat normally you can have some taken out of the band or stop getting fills. I had no one in my life who has a band but quite a few who have the gastric bypass but they absorbtion only lasts for 15-18 months and then you could start gaining weight back...like Carnie Wilson from Wilson-Phillips and Randy Jackson from American Idol(He had a band put in over his gastrc bypass)... I wanted to learn to eat right and I am still learning. I am thrilled with my decision and excited that I have lost 44 pounds so far... and counting. It is a difficult decision to make but once I get this weight off, I need to have the band's support to keep it off and I will keep it off. Every pound that goes...Is not coming back. Alot of doctors are putting the band over a gastric bypass when they begin to gain back but I wasn't going to take the risk of getting my insurance to pay again... It was alot of hoops to jump through... to get here. The slower you lose weight, the less loose skin....bonus.:tongue2:

So I was revised 5/27. I’m feeling great... went to bed and awoke with a horrendous bruise on the left side of my belly button ... incision site. Didn’t have a bruise when I went to bed. It’s hard large and painful. Feels like a baseball underneath. All the others are greenish as it’s been over a week. I called the emergency service for my surgeon and his associate called me back. Just said if no fever it’ll be okay. ER if I want but with COVID unsure I wanna go but I had surgery and everything was impeccably clean. Maybe CITYMD. maybe it needs to be drained? 👩🏼‍⚕️

@@beachgal2935 your post made me upset! I too fear having a stroke and not being around for my husband and kids. I worry about heart disease and all the complications that come with diabetes. As I speak, my sugars are out of control even tho my diet has been exceptional and I'm taking all my meds. The dr says sometimes there's no explaination for the rise in blood readings but that doesn't sit well with me. You went thru so much all because of that, you have done really well, I'm happy you're alive and on the mend to show me the valuable lesson. I'm seeing clearly that for the sake of "food" I shouldn't let my health and future grow dim, and that's what will happen. I'm not an obese person, here in Australia we use (kgs) and I'm 80 kgs so while I'm not BAD, I could stand to lose 15-20 more kgs. And it seems that weight is what is keeping me from being well and healthy and being taken off the list for more serious things to go wrong. You know I was put on insulin 5 months ago and for 2 months after I felt normal again, my energy had returned and my hbac1 was looking great! Now my level has started to rise again and I fear this will continue to be a never ending roller coaster. It seems to be that bypass is the answer to getting off the roller coaster......... I feel nervous going into such a life changing move but if I feel good and I get to hang around and be with my kids, then it's a small payoff. I can't thank you enough for writing your story to send to me, it has shifted my thoughts on maybe to definitely for the surgery.