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I am converting from the band to the sleeve. I am so nervous. I should have got the sleeve the first time around.

I was reading a doctor's advice concerning pre-op at realself.com awhile ago and apparently there is a debate whether pre-op is necessary or not. Both of my surgeons (lap band 09 and revision) required a strict pre-op.

I don't know if ur on solids yet but this site is a really good suppor system and we do look at each others reciepes if ur on mushies still then I know I loved drinking the premixed musle milk I especially liked the banana flavored and someone posted a protein drink that they said tasted like a butterfinger just without the crunch and I mixed one it was so good also I love non fat or sugar free frozen yougurt but I went from a large to a small one with fruit , sometimes nuts but it helps if u have a sweet tooth so every once in a while that's what I get I'm going to the doc for my 3rd fill tomorrow , oh I wanted to let u know go to lapband reciepes and scroll on spark people receipes then u can scroll to whatever I know my son revised some holiday foods and they tasted normal so that was good k ttyl good luck

This is a pretty subjective area, *most* don't see any real losses in that area until much later down the road, belly fat seems to be the last to go for most people. I've still got a decent amount even after over 100 lbs since revision and 160 lbs lost since I started...

I was revised from sleeve to bypass 3 weeks ago and I have had 3 episodes of severe heartburn. Is anyone else still getting heart burn after bypass?

Ditto what Susan said. I am band to sleeve revision too and like all the others would not recommend it now. VSG is great!

I haven't heard of many people getting a catheter... where was your surgery? Congrats on your revision! I will be joining you on the sleeve side soon!

Thought I would finally do a few before and after pictures. I've been in a bit of a funk, despite my best efforts. Having plastic surgery and then knee surgery shortly thereafter sucks! I know I'll be glad this spring when I'm finally back in shape. Physical therapy is going alright, not bending my knee as well as I should be, but it's not from lack of trying. I'm back into pilates (everything but foot and leg work) and this is helping my mental attitude. Patience never is easy, is it? Anyway, here are the pictures. The first picture is before my original tummy tuck. The second is before the revision of my tummy tuck. The third is my anchor revision. I guess I should have wore some nicer underwear, oh well. Sometimes I wonder if it was all worth it. I need a chill pill!

After trying numerous times to fill my band the second time my dr decided it was twisted so I had to go in and have port revision surgery. It went pretty well except that they gave me some pain meds on an empty stomach so I threw up ALOT!! That sucked but after a few days of being extremely sore I was fine. Things are going much better now. I've lost another 10 pounds and am on my way! Thank goodness. The doctor said that the band was empty when he filled it during surgery. I have really noticed a difference in eating now! I can't eat very much at all now and I've learned what sliming is too...YUCK!! Oh well, I've started working out again and things are on the right track so I guess we'll see how it goes from now on...to be continued!

I was revised on Tuesday, too! Staci, I had my surgery early in the am and NOTHING by mouth until about 2 pm on Wed...after doing the xrays with contrast to check for leaks. I didn't experience any extreme pain, although I did have one bout of severe gas for about 1.5 hrs later that evening. That hurt like hell and the dr had left orders for morphine if I needed it...nurse didn't give it...only gave the "regular" stuff. I didn't find that out until the NEXT day, so instead, I walked, stood, rocked from foot to foot, etc...and it went away. Probably better in the long run that I dealt with it that way vs being doped and in bed. But t the time, I would definitely have preferred being doped! So try not to worry about the pain...sometimes the anticipation of it is worse than the reality. Right now, I'm VERY glad to have my band out. I think the band was causing some irritation and chest discomfort for much longer than I realized. And to be able to lie down without gurgling, sleeping through the night without coughing or reflux...even WITH the surgery incisions and drain is just HEAVEN!

Girl, yay! I am so excited for you. I'm glad your pain is so well managed. I had a drain after my revision to bypass and I hated every second of it, so more power to you for dealing with four of them. Can't wait to see the end result, especially the dragon tattoo!

RNY revision to duodenal switch. I'm a little nervous. I've started this journey in March so I'm ready. I hope to post updates as time goes on. I know God is with me and i feel very positive that this time i will make it to goal weight and keep it off. When i had my original bypass almost 15 yrs. ago, i didn't have as much guidance or knowledge that i do now. Much has changed over the years and I'm so ready. Is anyone else having your revision tomorrow or very soon. I'm here for anyone who wants to chat or vent or contemplating getting a revision done. My best to all of you. God Bless!

Hi! I'm new here, I just googled "Weight Loss Surgery Discussion Boards" and this is the first site that popped up. I hope I'm in the right place... I had Open RNY GB in May of 2002. My weight the morning of surgery was 310lbs. I lost over 100 lbs in the first 10 months and got down to my lowest weight of 153lbs about 2 years after surgery. I was feeling fabulous! However, over the years, I was able to maintain at about 170-180lbs consistently, until I gave birth to my son in 2012. After he was born, I wasn't able to lose all of the weight I gained during pregnancy. I was around 200 - 205 lbs at my lowest after he was born. But, due to some other life circumstances and traumatic life experiences that happened to me in 2016, I have gained back over 100lbs and am now sitting at about 268lbs. I'm crushed. In May 2021 I decided to research revisions and found a surgeon in my area (St. Louis, MO) who specializes in revisions and I found out that I am a candidate for a revision to Duodenal Switch. After meeting with a dietician for 6 months, psychologist, primary care physician, etc. I'm finally having my revision next week... April 14, 2022!! I'm so scared and nervous this time around. I don't know what to do or where to go. I wasn't this nervous before my first surgery and I think it's because I didn't have as much to lose back then when I was 21. Now I have a 10 year old son who is everything to me and I'm terrified that if something goes wrong, he won't have a mom. Has anyone else in the forum gone through this and if so, can you please share your experience with me?

I totally understand. I'm also very worried about strictures and possible dumping. I've been very fortunate with my sleeve, besides having reflux, which is actually manageable with medications, but I don't want to be on these for life as they can also cause problems with long-term use. I recently tried stopping them for a couple of days just to see if I really needed to have this revision. Even just oatmeal was causing me to reflux, so I guess it is the best thing for me right now. I will also miss being able to use ibuprofen occasionally for aches and pains. I didn't start using it until about a year out from sleeve, and it's not even once a week, but sometimes it's the only thing that really helps. Best of luck to you!

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.

I'm 10 wks out from a band revision. I lost 18 lbs (I started at 174 so I knew Id lose slower) 5he first 6 wks. Haven't lost a lb in 4 wks. I'm traveling now visiting family in a different state. Guess I'm using that as an excuse to eat crap. Not very much crap, but crap nonetheless. My sleeve tolerates everything but ice cream (including burgers, fries, corndogs {went to the fair} and Cookies. Haven't tried pizza yet bbut I'm sure it'll go down just fine). I wish my sleeve would reject all of these things and make the right choices for me but alas, I've figured out I have to make the decisions for my sleeve, not the other way around. I'm happy I can only eat 1/3 of an In and Out Burger, maybe 6 fries, maybe 1/3 of a corndog. Otherwise Id be gaining all I lost back. Hopefully when I get back home and all becomes normal again I will make better choices. At least I'm hoping...

My surgeon like many in South Fla no longer does the band. Too many are saying the revision rates are higher then the success rates. Thus, the band requires far more maintenance then the sleeve.

Im so happy to read your reply. Was it a hard process to get Aetna to cover it? Also, didnthey do your revision to sleeve all in one surgery!? Congrats on all of your weight loss! I am getting excited now. Appt at 1030 today! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

WASaBubbleButt, Thank you so much for replying. I have read your posts over the past year or so and appreciate your honesty. After being unfilled for two weeks (liquids only), I had an upper GI done. It came back "absolutely perfect". No slip, erosion, ulcers, or irritation. Because of this, Dr. Aceves said I could eat anything. I have been careful, but have eaten half a hamburger and a few fries for the first time in 2 1/2 years. It was nice to have real food and throw it up! The doctor now feels very confident that he can do the band to sleeve revision in one surgery. That was what I was hoping for. When you have some time, can you tell me exactly what to expect from getting to Mexico to leaving? I was happy to hear that Dr. Aceves has not had any leaks. I think she said no complications in any sleeve operation. Thank you for your help. I know I can trust that you will be honest in your experience. Cheryl __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Thank you for all the well wishes. I am anxious to get this done. I have been totally unfilled for almost 3 weeks now. I have been able to eat just about anything for the past 2 weeks. I haven't gained but a pound or so. I'm happy for that. We will be leaving for Mexicali tomorrow. We plan on meeting a driver on the US side of the border at 1:00, Saturday afternoon. They are letting me have all of the tests done on Saturday. That way, we have all day Sunday to do some sightseeing. That should be fun. I have surgery on Monday, and should be out on Thursday morning. I am a little concerned about the long drive home (Seattle area). We plan on going slow and stopping every hour or two. Denise, the revision from lapband to sleeve is costing me $12,500. My insurance won't cover it. Since I've already had the TT done, this should be it for me. Cheryl __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

That was fun!!!!!! I got to the hospital and they were all ready for me! This part was just like the banding surgery in March. This is the tale of what happened next! First of all what is a Port Revision? Most of you already know but for the few who do not......it is when there is a leak in the port itself or the tubing going to the band! It is possible for the port to be damaged when the Doctor is doing a fill or adjustment. When there is a leak the doctor must go back in thru the belly button and fix the leak or replace the port. He finds the leak or problem with the port with a dye that is put into the port/tubing. This is all done with a local anesthesia so you are awake the whole time they are working on you and what ever is broken gets fixed, done, it was really quite fun......but then you hear the words of the Doctor, "Cheryl, The port has detached itself from the tubing and the tubing has gone up inside of you and I can not get it without doing it laparoscopically!", okay cool here we go on a nice trip to who knows where for a little while, I told them all night night and thanks for the great job and out I went! I woke up in the middle of a cartoon version of The Road Runner, it was really funny! I only had to stay at the hospital for a few hours, then I went home. So now today, it is almost the same as when I came home from the initial banding! I have three cuts from the laparoscopic part and the belly button cut! A bit sore today, feels like a Mac truck rolled over me a couple of times. BEST OF ALL!!!!!!!!! even though I am only on liquids, RESTRICTION, SWEET RESTRICTION! Oh how great it feels to have my old friend back in my body! Doc Feiz gave me a fill yesterday also just a little one. I can not say this enough, This young Doctor Feiz is amazing, kind, caring and very very special. Even my husband thinks so! So now back to loosing the tons and back to eating small portions. Just a side note! I was without any restriction for over 2 weeks, I ate a little more in portion size then with restriction and officially at the hospital yesterday I had only gained 2 pounds which I am sure is already gone with being on the liquids! This says to me that even with my band not being tight, I stayed in control of my hunger, the band was still doing its job, I still one night got food stuck eating too fast! I love my BAND!

Any one experience pain in esophagus after band to sleeve revision? I thought it was acid reflux, but now I'm not sure. (11 days post op) Also having pain chest in left side at times? Any suggestions?

I was banded October 1, 2008, flipped port happened soon after. I was ignored for months by my first surgeon about the flipped port and abdominal pain. After 6 months, I started looking at getting a revision to the sleeve. I found a surgeon who agreed it needed to come out, and was able to have the revision covered by insurance due to the tubing of the band actually tugging on my stomach and causing increasing pain. Plus, I had 2 fill attempts under fluoro that were unsuccessful due to the flipped port. I had my revision on June 3rd. On June 5th, a leak was found during my last leak test with gastrographin and the cat scan. The top portion of my stomach was damaged by the band, and had weakened the tissue. I was immediately sent to the OR for the leak repair. After the leak repair, my lungs would not recover. I landed in critical condition on a ventilator for 3 days, and spent about 4 days in ICU. Finally moved to a regular surgery floor, and was released on June 12th with a pic line (kind of like a central line catheter) in my left arm, and went home on TPN for the next 10 days. The TPN was discontinued, and the line was pulled on the 24th of June. I started Clear liquids. I left with 2 JP drains in my abdomen, and while at home I had a home healthcare nurse come in every few days to change my pic line dressing. I had a follow up on July 9th where a UTI was detected. Levaquin antibiotics, and I went home. I had family over during that week. They left on Saturday July 11th. On the 13th, I was taken to the hospital again because of severe abdominal pain, cramps, and I knew I was dehydrated. They did a leak test again, and there were 3 Fluid pockets/abscesses found, no leak. 2 in my abdominal cavity, 1 in my pelvic cavity. Unfortunately, I was admitted for treatment. I had to go to a interventional radiologist so they could place a different type of drain in my abdomen. Unfortunately, they could not reach the one in my pelvic cavity. In hopes the antibiotics would resolve them, I was hospitalized for 1 week then released. I went home on 2 antibiotics, 2 anti-nausea meds, and pain meds. I had follow up appointments a couple of weeks later with more ct scans, and the drains were eventually removed. I have been off all anti-nausea meds for about a month, and have had no further set backs in my recovery. The most challenging aspect for me has been eating and getting in my Protein. But, every day has gotten a bit easier. I am now able to eat 3 small meals a day, and protein is still my arch nemesis, but it's getting better. Even with everything that I endured with this surgery, I have zero regrets. I know that the band would of continued to damage my stomach. Every day brings a new challenge, but I know that I made the very best decision to have the band removed.

January 17th revision from band to sleeve! Excited and scared. Have to travel to be in a wedding on January 5th so I'm nervous about the liquid diet at that time. But no one said it would be easy. Congrats to everyone!

Alabama checking in!! Having band to sleeve revision on January 9th 2013. Very Very Nervous!