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Hi, I'm considering the lap band and am favoring it over the gastric bypass. Hopefully I won't have a problem but I've been wondering about this scenario: I lose a bunch of weight and then there's a problem with the band (erodes into stomach or whatever) and I need a revision to say the gastric bypass. Would the insurance pay even though I now have lost most of the weight? Would they require me to regain it first? I hope this doesn't happen but just trying to prepare...I have BCBS federal employees plan (FEP).

Hello everyone! Haven't ever posted on here so I might be a little shy or nervous! Lol Just getting back on YouTube (where I first documented my journey) and saw all the rough stuff everyone has been through.. I had a slip and they were able to fix it by just removing saline. A couple of months went by and the same thing happened. I ended up having revision Surgery on Dec 2nd. The doctor wanted to do it in 2 steps but my insurance company wouldn't go for it. After he got it approved for me to get a sleeve he ended up doing 3 surgeries in one. I had my band removed, a sleeve, and a huge hiatal hernia fixed/removed. It was the most painful thing I have ever felt in my life!! Today I am 5 days post op and dying for some food that I could chew!! I snuck two saltines and chewed, chewed, chewed... Anyone ever had a problem with this? I'm gonna try to keep posting regularly! Thanks for reading!! Stay strong and healthy!! Cris

I'm currently in the process of jumping through all the hoops to get revised from band to bypass. I was dead set on getting the sleeve until I saw that many people needed to be revised from the sleeve to bypass because of GERD issues. My GERD issues were so awful with the band, I would wake up with acid choking me and coming out of my nose. So I'm not taking any chances this time.

I felt that during certain periods early on that my body was not sending the "full message" early enough. I suspect it was lapband caused espophagus dialation. Like you have similiar capacity to other sleevers, but your body doesn't send the "enough" signal as early. According to my NUT, this is the reason they theorize that some revision patients don't lose as well as "virgin sleevers". My solution was to use the itty bitty dishes and silverware. Focus on eating slow. When I would eat my 2-3 oz portion, but didn't feel satiated, I would wait at least 15-20 minutes before deciding I needed more food. Pretty much always, I was actually satiated, it just took time for the brain to catch up. Then, I went through several months of just having very little interest in food - the forgetting to eat type thing. Now, I am having more hunger and just wanting to eat more. I think this is a fairly typical pattern. I stil use a little 4oz dessert dish as my bowl, and a tiny salad plate as my "plate" and even though I am hungrier/wanting more now, it is still pretty small portions!

I just wanted to say that I think your weight loss is fantastic! I am going for revision on the 10th and I can only hope to have such a great weight loss, congratulations!

Hi all, I had my band done in June 2010. I did well for the first 2 years lost 85lbs. All of a sudden I started having problems with my band, not being able to keep food down, not able to get the nutrients I needed. My doctor ended up taking out most of my fill and I was fine for a while. I started gaining my weight back slowly but surely. Currently I have gained most of my weight back. I have been miserable with my band not being able to find my "sweet spot", fluctuation of my weight, and not able to keep my food down. I am meeting with my doctor next Friday to discuss having a revision done to the sleeve. my main concern now is I dont want to make a wrong decision with the revision. I'm newly married and my husband and I also want to start a family someday. Im worried about those future pregnancies and how the sleeve will effect my baby. Any advice or experiences are appreciated. Thank you!

I thought I better start writing about this journey now so I don't forget. I had lap band surgery November 3, 2007. I actually lost about 60 pounds with the lapband at one point but gained most of the weight back. For the first four years of the lap band I was in constant flux. I dieted more in that four years than in the rest of my life. In December 2011 I was back up to 255 pounds. At that point I realized the lap band had failed me and I needed to consider other options. Through a long drawn out process I was accepted by my insurance company to get a revision to the Sleeve. On December 27 I decided to make a radical change in my lifestyle and eating. After confirming with my bariatric surgeon that I qualified for the revision I decided to become a raw foodist for the next five months. It was a very positive experience and I learned a great deal about health and nutrition. I have to say I read everything I could get my hands on regarding raw foodism, veganism, and the like. I finally understood what it is to make a very real lifestyle change. Understanding that eating processed, boxed, bagged food was not the answer, it finally dawned on me that what I was missing was the live enzymes of fresh fruits and vegetables that no one seems to think are important, or simply don't know that they're absolutely necessary and needed in the body. I watched quite a few documentaries and I'd like to recommend that you also consider watching these few. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead was the first documentary I watched; that became life-changing. Foodmatters, Food Inc., The Gerson Miracle, Burzynski, Forks over Knives, and The Beautiful Truth. Sorry more than I thought... Anyway I guess what I'm trying to elude to is that we've all had an eating problem to the point where we've had to have surgery once or twice and for some of us it is still escaping us as to how we can actually make a real change that will ultimately save us. So many times I have heard people say I could never give up sugar, coffee, meat, wheat, bacon, soda, etc... When I hear this I think then a lifestyle change for you is probably not something that is going to happen for you. How much do you truly want good health? Maybe it's time to start pushing yourself in new and different directions, maybe there is new and exciting information to be gleaned that will help you to a better and healthier you. For me being a 80-10-10 raw foodist wasn't for me. But I did adopt eating a high fresh fruit and raw vegetable diet into my new lifestyle. I have decided to include cold blooded sea creatures in my diet as well as cooked Beans and rice in moderation, but also to maintain a balanced healthful diet for me. Please understand I am writing this as much to myself for my own remembrance as I am sharing my experience with you. The day of surgery I weighed 204 lbs. Two days after surgery I weighed 213 lbs. that was disappointing but the Water weight gain from th IV was to be expected. Today is 7/1/2012 and I am at 202. So from December 27th 2011 to June 25th 2012 I lost 56 lbs. I am so excited about where I am going... God bless us and keep us! Mardee

45 years old and doing this again. My 1st surgery had developed a fistula "whole" they need to repair/redo surgery . Anyone having problems with drain tube? It has been a week and I am still draing 3oz a day.

I'm looking for a revision buddy I'm sleeve to Rny but lost like a band so that's why I'm doing Rny I'm 37 5'6 mother of 3 I go up and down from 206/210. My date is first week of June So anyone want to be buddy's

I live in central Il, but my surgeon is Dr. Prachand at the U. of Chicago Medical Center. He says that there are no pretests to ascertain the condition of the stomach except to go back in and see if the stomach is in better condition after 1 yr. I could end up having a second procedure without ending up with a bypass again. I have not gotten a second opinion since I feel my Dr. has been hesitant, in order to protect me from possible complications and is erring on the side of caution, where some Drs. may just go ahead and do it. He said there is a 60 % chance the stomach may not be smoothed enough to do the bypass, so I am just looking for others who may have had this problem. Thanks for replying.

Ok hi all I'm wanting to Touch base with the light weights and revision RNY's. I myself am a lightweight and a so to be revision. Sleeve to Rny . I had the sleeve 6 months ago and only lost 35lb after 12 weeks if no weight loss and 14 weeks of no inches lost It was suggested to me to get a revision . I'm getting the RNY for its metabolic reset value and to loss the rest of my 60lbs. I was 244 the day I was sleeved and 209 today 5"6. So how was your weight loss? Did you loss slow? How many lbs a week did you loss? Are you a first time lightweight or are you a revision light weight?

Hi Everyone, I ended up in the ER a few weeks ago after a routine fill on my band, unable to swallow even liquid. My body thought I was choking so it kept sending saliva to my espophagus, with no way for it to go down (completely swollen shut). It was horrible. Radiologist said I need to get it out asap. Primary care doc is not familiar with bands at all and wasn't sure what to write. So I offered to write the letter of request to Cigna for her to put on her letterhead. I've searched everywhere online for a letter that outlines the dangers of leaving the band in, as well as the benefits of replacing it with the sleeve. To no avail. There are plenty of letters about bariatric surgery, but none dealing with the dangers of a failed band. Can anyone direct me? We need to submit something asap. Thanks so much.

Aloha, I am in San Diego tomorrow and going to Mexico tomorrow for my sleeve. I've had the lapband for 6 years now. I was told that I have to do a test in the morning first to make sure my band hasn't eroded. If it has they won't do the revision. I am very nervous. I had an upper GI endoscopy 2 months ago and my GI doctor from Utah didn't see that my band was eroded. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, was there symptoms?

Had you dilated your pouch? Congrats on the revision..

Hi all, I wanted to say "HI" and tell a little about me. I have to admit I'm a little nervous so please bear with me I had the lap band placed August 2002 by Dr. Phillip Schauer at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (he has since moved on but I still follow with the practice). It did very well for me up until about 2-3 years ago ( I went from pre-op wt 263/ surg wt 240/ lowest wt 173. I felt the best ever at that weight. I started to learn how to eat around the band and slowly began putting the weight back on. Then about a year ago I got pretty sick (vomiting) which required hospitalization. I was afraid that my band had slipped. But the medical team didn't seem too concerned. I had a CT done at that time but somehow it got "lost" and I was lost to follow up. Well, I went back for a fill in Feb 2011 and they did an upper GI (Yuk!). This showed that my band slipped and was no longer functioning properly. I could have told them that when I gained all of the weight back! Anyway, My new surgeon, Dr. George Eid from the same practice, said that I would need to choose which of three surgeries I would need done. Either band revision, bypass, or something relatively new they have been doing called Sleeve gastrectomy. He said that I would be a good candidate for sleeve but that they haven't had much luck with insurance approval with my type of insurance (cash is not an option at this time), but that they would submit and push for the sleeve. So, I went home to think and do much research. I didn't want a lap revision since I've about had it with fills, etc. Bypass seemed too extreme for me. The more I researched, I found I really wanted the sleeve. I wasn't sure what I would choose once I got the call from the Dr wanting my decision fully expecting the sleeve to be denied. To my surprise, THE SLEEVE WAS APPROVED!! So they will do a lap removal to sleeve revision. Wow! I wasn't expecting that and had mixed feelings. I want to have weight loss surgery very much (i'm tired of being fat) but am TERRIFIED of anesthesia. I keep telling myself that I did it once, I can do it again. Also, I don't have much of a support system since I am divorced since my band. I have a wonderful >18 yr old son who is very supportive but hate the thought of him having to care for me even for just a week. The docs called me end of March with the good news stating they could do the surgery April 14th! Everything seemed to be happening so fast. I wasn't ready so soon. My son would not be done with college until first week of May, so I had to schedule for when he was home to take care of me and to make arrangements with work for 4 weeks off. My surgery date is May 12th. I have mixed feelings and don't know why. I am excited to start my life over again with my new weight loss journey but at the same time have a healthy respect for what's to come. I feel I have very experienced surgeon who is ranked among the highest in the nation. So my fears don't rest in that department. I still have to have my pre-op testing (labs, EKG, endoscopy, PCP, xray, Gyne). I hope all goes well so I don't have to postpone. I'm sure I'm not alone with my feelings but would sure appreciate any encouragment and/or advice. Thanks for being patient with me

Well, GERD is nothing to mess around with, as it can lead to cancer of the esophagus. If it were me, I'd just go for the bypass and get the HH fixed at the same time. That's what I had done, and can't be happier. My GERD resulted in a Barretts polyp - very high cancer risk. Since the surgery I have had no GERD issues, and subsequent exams and biopsies have shown that the Barretts is completely resolved. Personally, I think it is riskier to keep going under the knife, trying to fix things bit by bit.

I was banded by Dr. Jawad 7/15 & am doing great. I live in Daytona Beach. Can I ask something personal? Where is your port site? I may have to get a port revision. Every day just gets easier...CONGRATS!:whatchutalkingabout

I am 3 weeks out from having rny gastric bypass and I was admitted back into the hospital. Despite the 4.5 bags of fluid I have had since Friday I am still dehydrated because I cannot eat or drink anything. I have not ate in 2 days. I can't even do clear liquids. Water even makes me sick. Going in for a scope in the morning. Hope I get some more rest at some point tonight. Has anyone else had this problem?

Yep, I was banded by Dr Snow. Soon after the banding with plication, he was impossible to get into see. He kept cancelling his appts hours ahead of the appointment. Did this three times to me. I started going to Forest Park Medical Center for my fills because, well, he is absolutely inaccessible. Does not return phone calls, etc. Just wound up in the ER because of my band, and he was inaccessible. Not surprised at all. Of course, the dr in the ER refused to touch my band and referred me back to Dr Snow. I try to get into see him, and instead got referred to the true results office in the room next to his. For someone with a band slip who hasn't eaten in days, I would have expected my surgeon to show some kind of concern. At this point, I'm looking for a surgeon who will "adopt" my case, but the search for one has been discouraging to say the least unless I want a complete revision. His aftercare is horrid and scary...

You'll probably find conversions over on the gastric bypass forums. Best of luck to you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You may need to have your doctor send you for an ultrasound to see if your gall bladder has stones. Everything you describe is typical of gall stones. The sour cream has fat (even the fat free) and triggers the attack - anything with fat will if you have stones. That sour taste is very typical of gall stones, as is the late night pain, etc. Almost 80% of people who have the band or bypass have gall bladder issues. For bypass patients, their rate of gall stones is SO high that many surgeons actually take out the gall bladder at the same time of the bypass to prevent future problems. You have also lost a lot of weight in a short time, which is also another major cause of gall stones. Check with your doctor to have an x-ray or ultrasound - even the tiniest stone can cause horrible pain. My mom went thru this about a year ago. Her symptoms were identical to yours. As a nursing student, I forced her to give up the Maalox and see her doctor. Two stones the size of a pencil lead, but that was all it took!

Hi, I'm pre-op, 660 pounds - getting the sleeve in June/July sometime -not sure yet. I think as far as concerns go - I chose the sleeve because for one - Bands are a waste of money they have a pretty high failure rate from what I've read online and I've done a lot of research for the past 4 years. I didn't choose this lightly. Secondly, I don't really want dumping syndrome, and as far as I know most cases Sleeve patients don't really get that. Thirdly - absorption - I don't want to have to take 3x the medicine a normal person takes when I get older. People 65+ take a lot of medicine to maintain their health - vitamins, Cholesterol Medicine, Heart Medicine, Diabetes, whatever comes up - not being able to absorb the meds is going to be an issue down the line that I really don't want to deal with. Fourthly - it may be somewhat new for weight loss - but it's been highly successful and just looking at this forum you can see all the great results, and not too many negative ones. I also did research before, and I can't tell you now, but I do know I read somewhere that the mortality rate for Sleeve is less than for Gastric Bypass. Lastly, I personally just think I can maintain a healthier lifestyle with Gastric Sleeve because I will get a lot more nutrients that I need, and stand a less likely chance of malnourishment. Thank to removal of Ghrelin part of stomach, I will also have less cravings - which the people on this forum have told me is true, most of them have said they don't want the trigger foods they once did. These are MY reasons, don't necessarily make them yours - but I think that if you see why I personally am choosing this surgery, you might think of something you didn't that might help you to make up your mind.

Hi, I am! I am from London. Banded about 8 years ago and now looking at getting it revised to a bypass.

Hi my name is Tina and i have been trying for 3 years to get the gastric bypass they told me 6 months then my doctor sold out and now i have to start over. But all they had to do is refax it to medicaid and it could be done by now so if this is going to superior. Please let me get it call the doctor. The name is Dr Rigsby the number is 972875-6600 it was Dr White my name is tina I have done everything on the list i was at 235 now i am 215 thats doing what they tell me to do i need this done it really hurts my back and i really cant do anything i have done more then what was on the list and on some i have to get it twist.

pretty normal, glad you went with the sleeve instead of bypass. You won't be sorry...