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@Tim C Thank you for your reply! This made me so glad to read! I know you just had the surgery, but do you have any issues with heartburn or anything so far? My only worry about getting the revision from band to sleeve are all the people I see here who are getting their sleeve revised to something else because of GERD, hernia, etc.

I just had this surgery on 2/23. I absolutely hated the band and should have done this years ago. I could not get any salava to go down with minimum restriction. I finally just gave up. I had the sleeve approved and could not be happier about it. The surgeon that put the band in did the revision. I have had no pain and no hunger since leaving the hospital. I wish I had done this 10 years ago. Good luck to you. You have made a good decision.

I finally bit the bullet and called up my doctor's office down in Florida who placed my lap band back in 2013, and I made a consultation for the 23rd to speak to him about a revision to a sleeve. I'm very excited to finally get the ball rolling on this and see if this will be a sure thing. I was hoping to not have to travel back to FL for a revision, but it seems this is really the best way to go since this doctor did my first surgery and his prices are reasonable so far (I am self pay). Anything I should prepare for before this consult? Any general band to sleeve revision advice?

I had gotten a fleur de lis tummy tuck on January 5th of this year, lucky my insurance covers it fully along with the breast lift and thigh lift I will be needing later in the months. I would highly suggest checking with your insurance and plastic surgeons who work with those to save you some cash then if you want to have scar revisions or smaller ones it will be much much cheaper.

For me the first 6 weeks after both my VSG (12/2019) and revision (8/2020) the focus was on protein/water and slowly reintroducing foods. After 6 weeks my calorie goals were 6-900 calories a day and a minimum of 60g of protein. Now that I’m at goal it’s 1000-1200 a day and a minimum of 90g of protein.

I developed another hiatal hernia 3 months post VSG (had one repaired with my VSG. I then developed GERD, esophagitis, and hiccups. It was to the point that I was suffering with my work and sleeping. The picture is from my Upper GI. The stricture from the hernia was so bad my surgeon faxed over approval paperwork the day he called me with the results. I ended up having to appeal it over the phone while hiccuping the entire call with the insurance company but ended up having revision with hernia repair surgery 3 weeks after my phone call to insurance at 8 months post VSG. And technically while they remove most of the fundus you still have one even after VSG because it’s upper most part of the stomach connected to the esophagus farthest from the pyloric valve. Outpouching might be the beginnings of a hernia and coupled with the GERD might be what’s making the hiccups so bad.

My sleeve surgery I’d have been ready by week 3 but had hardware removed from my knee during the same leave period so went back after 9 weeks. When I had my revision surgery it took a full 6 weeks before I felt better but my hemoglobin was really low after surgery causing me to be anemic. I went back to work 2 weeks after that. I had an internal hernia repair in November and was back to work after 2 weeks. Then in December I was hospitalized for 2 weeks (12/18-12/31) with a small bowel ischemia that required a resection. I didn’t go back to work until 2/16. Every person and every surgery is different but it’s totally possible to go back to work later in the week or the next week.

Yes. Thank you. I'm having a revision from band to sleeve and I agree about the part who you tell. The judgement is real from certain people, and not always who you think it will be from. And when I put on the weight again after my band didn't work for me anymore, it was heartbreaking to me--I was grateful for my privacy.

I'm 9 months out from VSG, saw the bariatric clinic follow up staff, and am so GRR now. I never had that "I'm never hungry" feeling once I recovered from the surgery but shrugged it off. I could drink 2 oz. fluids at once literally the day of surgery so I was like... OK, cool. Weight loss was slow despite being diet compliant and exercising, stopped at 25 pounds after 3 months, then gained 10 back after a foot injury (off again since getting back to my daily 5k jog). I've been having reflux for ages despite avoiding trigger foods/drinks and I get hiccups 20+ times a day regardless of how I'm eating, drinking, or not doing either. So they referred me back to the surgeon's office. Last week I had an upper GI study. The radiology report says I have mild decreased lower esophageal motility and mild outpouching at the fundus... um, I shouldn't HAVE a fundus after gastric sleeve. The weakened esophageal muscles explains the fluid that backs up when I drink sometimes, especially if not sitting straight up or standing, and the chest lock I feel when eating dryer foods or meats. I'm confused about the fundus. Is the radiologist mistaken and unfamiliar with VSG anatomy? Did the surgeon leave part of my fundus? The surgeon's office is awful at communicating so I'm in limbo. They didn't even call me before ordering the upper GI, they just had the radiology department call to schedule me without notice. All I can think about is where I go from here. Meds for the reflux and live with the hiccups? Revision surgery for the reflux and basically start over (the big GRR)? Anyone else have anything similar like a retained fundus, outpouching, or GERD with esophageal motility disorders like weakened muscles after VSG surgery?

I have a band and struggle with potatoes--they become like glue and get stuck. (Not that I should be eating it) A McDonald's hashbrowns or french fries will be painful for me. Also eating bread could sometimes be a problem for me, sometimes not. I don't do well with reheated chicken or shrimp--they become tough and hard to chew small enough. I never touch celery with strings, and once a piece of raw broccoli sent me to the ER, so CHEW CHEW CHEW!!! I lost 95 lbs with my band. I felt incredible! Then they unfilled me when I got pregnant, and I never was able to get back to my sweet spot. Gained all back plus due to bad habits, slider foods, sugar addiction, stress, and then lockdown boredom eating. I too am getting a revision to VGS in 3 weeks.

I think it really depends on you and the amount of fill in your band, but I had a hard time with certain meats, eggs, toasty breads, and fibrous fruits (oranges, pineapple, etc). Because of complications with the band, I had a revision last week to the sleeve.

With differences. Mine was not a revision. I was also more than triple your current weight. So take these differences into account. I was in the hospital for 3 days. It hurt a lot. I also had a drain until my first followup at 10 days. Something you won't have to deal with is that because of my weight they brought in a special bed and it was horrible. I spent most of my time sitting in the comfy chair in the room. I'd say I could move about pretty well after the 10 days, Laying down was a series of new adventures in pain as finding a comfortable position that didn't pull the staples or the drain was difficult. There were other painful issues I left out because I don't think they will apply to you. I don't want to totally freak you out. I knew there would be a lot of pain. It was totally worth it.

It’s one of the reasons we’re advised to eat slowly. It takes time for the message you’ve had enough to get through. You don’t ever want to reach that I’m stuffed stage of being full. Just I’ve had enough & don’t need any more. I still take ages to eat 30 - 60+ minutes depending on what I’m eating. When I was losing & eating small meals I ate over 20 minutes. Sometimes I distract myself between bites by watching tv or reading when eating. I know some say you should focus on your eating but I find it works for me to be distracted. I don’t shovel in the spoonfuls then. Put your cutlery down. Sit back from the table. Wait a couple of minutes before you have the next bite. I used to ask myself if I really needed that next bite or did I just want it. Still do sometimes. There is a huge difference between needing that bite & wanting it. It’s not unusual for me to pick up my fork & then put it back down again because I realise I don’t need that bite. Much like discovering what real hunger feels like for you versus head hunger, you have to discover what enough means for you. That is what the physical, mental or other signals are for you. I don’t get that running nose thing either so I’m very conscious of the portion size I’m eating & don’t overfill my plate beyond what my portion size should be. I get like a heaviness in my chest. This is followed by a slight tightness before my restriction really kicks in though sometimes it does very quickly with no warning. Good luck with your revision surgery.

You got this, one thing is for sure with the revision we are more determined than ever before so just keep focused on your goal follow the steps and you’ll get to where you want to go. I’d be looking to hear your success story of losing the 100lbs became coincidentally that is my goal as well and I believe with exercise and following the plan we got this. Wishing you well

100 lbs. I’m hoping i could do it. They say you lose very slow with a revision. Some people don’t lose at all. Staying hopeful.

It looks like my revision from lap band to bypass will probably be open surgery and not laparoscopic. I’ve got lots of internal adhesions that we can blame. Have you had this surgery and how was your recovery? Did you have to stay overnight in hospital? How many days? How long before you could move without pain meds? Any tips? I have been waiting years for this surgery and want to be prepared and get this journey going and reach my goals. Thanks for your help!

Hi! Going to revise band to bypass. I have always had a problem with feeling full (even before my lap and) before I eat that “mouthful too much”. I don’t want any problems throwing up after I get my bypass. I never got that runny nose or any of the other signs. How do you know you’re one bite before trouble hits?

I’m new here . I just had revision surgery from sleeve to bypass. I’m currently on my full liquids & doing ok. The gas pain is no joke. But tums do help & walking. I’m Down 12 lbs. anyone else had revision surgery & what was your experience.

I’m new here. Just had revision from sleeve to bypass. I’m on a full liquid diet until Thursday & than puréed. Anyone else that had revision surgery on had surgery in February 2021?

You were one day after me 🙂 I have been surviving on Protein shakes, broth, sugar free popsicles, and crystal light. I really believe our bodies are in a totally different place with the bypass than they were with the sleeve. With sleeve the just took 2/3 of our stomach with the revision to bypass they hooked two things together that were never together before. Definitely more pain and the feeling of being exhausted. I have been home since last Thursday and so far I have had 3 showers. One assisted on a tub bench, one unassisted on a tub bench, and this morning standing the whole time. I am a water baby. I love to shower, swim, and so forth and I promise you that was one of the quickest showers I have ever had. By the time I put my clothes on I needed to lay back down. I have faith we will get back to our normal selves again but might just be a few weeks. Be gentle with yourself through this process. I keep stated it but this was major surgery 🙂

Had my revision to bypass on 2/24. Originally had a sleeve and needed to revise because of GERD. I don't remember being this exhausted when I had the sleeve. I can barely go from one room to another without sitting. Just started pureed stage and I'm hoping it will help with my energy levels. Living off of crystal light, broth, and protein shakes. Just had some egg drop soup and it tasted like heaven! Started at 181# and I'm down to 167. So far...no GERD. Hoping this worked.

@DeonneG I had my gastric bypass on 2/24. I too am a revision...kinda. I was one of the first people to undergo lap band surgery in 2003. My band slipped and I had to have it removed 13years later. I think I was slightly traumatized by my band slipping and all the medical issues and hospitalizations that ensued (but that’s a story for another day). I had met my weight loss goals and was falsely confident that I could keep the weight off without any wls tools. Flash forward 5 years and too many diets to count here I am at my highest weight ever. I’d love for us to share ideas, recipes and experiences! ❤️ So far I’ve been living off of Premier Protein shakes, Unjury protein broth and crystal light. I have had no restriction and no discomfort when I eat so I was just given the go ahead to advance to non clear liquids. My doc also told me to give a soft scrambled egg a try. Last night my friend dropped off a puréed lobster bisque. I strained it and drank 1/2 cup. It was divine!!! Still no restriction, never felt full. I felt like I could’ve had 2 bowls without my new stomach speaking up but I stopped on my own. I’m starting to worry that the lack of restriction and a very crappy metabolism are going to impact my weight loss. Patience has ever been a strength of mine 😏

Before my revision to a mini bypass I experience horrible Gerd daily. I had revision on 2/23 and haven’t had any since surgery.

I was revised to mini gastric bypass on 2/23. I had to have it do to developing Barrett’s Esophagus from my sleeve which I had 12/20/15. This was the hardest surgery I have ever had. I am home one week as if today and finally feel human again. Looking for someone to share ideas, recipes, goals and ups and downs. Preferably someone who had surgery around same time as me.

Hello, everyone! So, after having little to no restriction for quite some time, I finally found a doctor here in South Carolina who was willing to do fills without charging a huge amount of money and making me jump through hoops like Roper St. Francis hospital systems did. After multiple appointments with this new doctor it became clear that I have some sort of leak or disconnection somewhere in my band. The very first appointment he pulled almost no fluid out, then even after adding fluid in the band for two more appointments in a row after that, the same amount of fluid was not pulling back out and I really didn't feel anything restriction-wise. On our 3rd appointment, after once again only being able to pull a tiny amount of fluid out, the saline had a yellow tint which my doc stated indicated that blood was present and getting into the band. This solidified his suspicions that I had a leak. He felt that was the issue at the previous appointments, but he said seeing that tint was a dead giveaway. This doctor and his staff were so helpful and wonderful, but I feel their total pricing for having a revision is a little steep. Perhaps I am simply ignorant, and I expected it to be expensive, but wow. It's not the pricing of the VSG itself that I'm surprised by, it's the price they're adding on top of that for just taking out the band. They want about $25,000 total to revise me from band to sleeve and it also seems like they want me to do two surgeries rather than one. Financing is available, but I worry about taking out that amount. To break it down, they are charging $15,500 for the VSG (which is fine) but then another $9,000 on top of that just for the removal of the band itself. Just to clarify, the only doctors who ever touched my port and/or band was my doctor in Florida who placed my band back in 2013 and then this new doctor in SC who only did those fills I was speaking of prior. I know that the doctor here in SC who did the fills did not cause the leak with a puncture or anything since there was little to nothing in the band in the first place at the first appointment. I also hadn't seen my original doctor in a few years, and in between him and this doctor here in SC, no one else has messed with my band/port. The last time I saw/had an adjustment with my original doctor, I was good to go and had the right amount of fluid and restriction. It's been the last couple years that my weight has started to creep back up and I began losing restriction. I have no clue why the band began to leak or what caused it. As stated before, no other doctor messed with it, and I've not had any sort of accident that could have caused damage to the line, port, etc. I even had an Upper GI in 2020 when I was trying to go through Roper St. Francis hospital's bariatric department for fills and they told me the band was in it's proper place and there was no indication of a slip. They just said the liquid they had me drink during the imaging was going through fine and there seemed to be no restriction present. The point of my rambling is this...since the issue with my band is not anyone's fault and seems to be some sort of malfunction with the band itself, does anyone know ANY loopholes, per say, in order to avoid paying an arm and a leg for the charge of the removal of the band. Again, I'm not haggling over the price of the VSG, I'm attempting to haggle the price of the removal of the band itself. I know business is business, time is money, revisions take more time and resources, and our medical system here in the US is crazy expensive. But, I personally feel like I should not be financially penalized by way of extra cost for the removal of the band itself. The VSG part of the surgery itself I'm happy to pay for and am not trying to negotiate the price of, it's just disheartening that the band is essentially broken and my options feel like, 1) either keep a useless foreign object inside my body that serves no purpose, or 2) pay an exorbitant amount for it to be revised even though its failure is not my doing. To add to my annoyance over the situation, the band has been intermittently causing me discomfort; particularly at the port area. My surgical doc placed the port in the center of my abdomen right above my navel and as of lately, it'll feel sore and has even felt slightly swollen a couple of times. It almost feels as if the port moved or was pulled from the inside. The discomfort is similar to the discomfort you feel when a surgical incision or a cut is still tender...that's the best way I can describe the pain/discomfort. **In addition. I do have insurance, but it covers nothing bariatric. Any constructive advice is welcomed and I appreciate anyone who took the time to read this long-winded post!