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I just found out, 2 weeks before my scheduled revision from band to sleeve, that my insurance denied the whole thing. I have to go through the 6 month nutrition thing AGAIN. Also the psych AGAIN! Well,i hope i pass cause this is making me craaaazy! I got the band in 2005 and the most weight lost was in the month before and 2 months after. I had a hard time with the band w/o drinking something when I eat. it also made me gag, drool, sweat. I wish i had done more research. And i never felt satiety...just an overloaded gullet! So now I hope the insurance will at least cover getting the band out. And then hopefully cover the sleeve. But we are all at the mercy of the insurance companies.

Hi! I don't have MS but I have RA. I know it's like comparing apples and oranges, but they're still fruit. They're both still autoimmune diseases. I've had umm about six surgeries since my diagnosis and I've never experienced a flare from surgery. I do experience flares still occasionally, so it's not that I do not flare, but surgery never brings them on. My rheumy attributes my lack of flares to be that my RA is pretty much in remission. My rheumy is my biggest cheerleader for getting revision to RNY. She says getting to a more normal bmi will decrease inflammation and make my disease even milder. She says if I do flare after surgery, no problem, she'll just administer a steroid injection. So your neuro cleared you for surgery, they must feel that the benefits of the surgery will outweigh the risks. If you have any doubt, schedule another appointment with your neuro and discuss it with them. Has your wls surgeon okay'ed you for continuing the celebrex after sleeve surgery? I stopped mine after committing to revision to RNY. I had to know I could survive without it forever. I wish you all the best!

Pouch reset diet won’t shrink your stomach. It will help you feel your restriction better. It's a kick start to get back on track with healthy habits. Yes, I’m on my soap box because this topic comes up so often. Your best restriction is in your first six months to a year. With the sleeve you feel less restriction as you progress *it’s not back to full size* this sensation seems common for sleeves but, won’t happen to everyone. I wish people knew this before choosing the sleeve. Just because we have more space does not mean you have to eat over your calories and macros and gain weight. You can eat more bulk in food and keep your calories in range. With the other foods allowed on your plan, Eat dense protein and as much veggies you want to fill the extra space. ***For anyone who feels they have stretched their surgery, get it diagnosed by a surgeon. Look into revisions. Address why you are over eating so you don’t stretch your next surgery***

I'm another that has bad reflux with the band. Mine started a couple of days after a large fill, and when I called my surgeon (I lived 6+ hours away at the time), she gave me the option of starting proton pump inhibitors for the acid or getting some fill taken out. Since I liked the weight loss, I chose the drugs. I wish I'd done differently. 10 months later, I finally couldn't stand it anymore. For some reason, after I had a tummy tuck and breast lift surgery, the acid got worse. Even with the PPI, I was having to sleep basically sleeping upright and still waking up coughing multiple times a night. My chest/esophagus was aching 24/7. I made an emergency trip and got a partial unfill. The acid is better, but still there. That was almost 3 years ago, and I haven't seen that doctor since. I lost a job, then started a new job and was waiting for my new insurance to kick in (my insurance through my parents which I'd had surgery under, had a $1500 deductible, which I could not afford at the time), then got a different job that took me across the country. I've dragged my feet on getting another surgeon because I didn't want to face the music and admit that I've gained back more than half of what I lost, but I finally bit the bullet and made an appointment for next Monday. I want to get my band checked out. I haven't had any imaging done whatsoever since before my band, so I'm almost certain that I've got a slip and have had one for years. If it is slipped or eroded, I want to revise to a sleeve. I'm sick of the acid, I'm sick of the port pain, I'm sick of not being able to get enough restriction to keep me on track without causing more acid reflux, I'm sick of sometimes not even being able to drink a latte in the morning without sliming and puking.

And I'm also a band to sleeve revision

I can relate for sure! One thing that really rang true for me was getting my first fill, it was painful even with fluoro and that was when I decided the only way I was going to get another was if they numbed me first - voila much more comfortable! I have had two more fills since then that have been numbed first. I should also say that I had a regular port for the first 5 months and then on November 19th I had a port revision and now have a low profile port. So that being said, there is no shame in getting a numbing shot first before you next fill - I was very adamant about it when I spoke to my surgeon and he finally understood how painful it was for me. I understand about losing focus and I struggle every day. I try to just track my food intake, exercise - even if it is only for 20 minutes at a time. Good luck, be assertive with your needs in regards to your fills and take good care of yourself :thumbup:

Thanks...good advise..why did you need a port revision??

i had lapband done in 09, had my son in 2011, lost a total of 120 pds. I had a breast Aug. done, as I went from a ddd to a b cup. I also had my tummy done last summer. I can say that it was the best thing I did. My insurance covered the tummy part. I found out last month that my lapband caused my Hiatal hernia and I was able to get the revision to bypass. I can say that I should have done this before hand. I feel that the only thing that I will have to have done is my arms. I gained back 50 pds and I have lost about 25 of it before my surgery on the 30th.

well i am up for revision but was denied. i have heard of people writing letter and things like that i am just so lost as to what to do now.

Yes that is prob my main concern too ! I finally gotten over my fear of being kidnapped by drug cartels or shot by random gunfire lol and I'm more comfortable with the flight though it's not my favorite thing to do but I'm still left worrying about 1) post op complications and 2) I worry it won't work for me since I'm a revision. I don't have anyone set up to follow up with at home so there is that as well. I know they do leak tests and I plan to do an excessive post op diet (with my sleeve I did 4 whole weeks of liquids!) to make sure I heal really well ! I'll prob do that again this time too just so I don't take any chances of eating too soon ! Other than that it's just really playing the odds ! Thankfully only a 1% chance of a leak are pretty good odds ! Lol

I'm on the puree diet right now. I hope you stay strong and take it day by day. Each Post OP day was way better than the last. During my first week post OP I've taken my family to fast food restaurants and sit with them drinking water while they eat. I've cooked dinner or baked cookies or bread which I was not going to eat. For me, I am so sure I will follow the nutrition plan, it isn't tempting at all. They feel bad eating in front of me but I tell them it honestly isn't an issue. I did this twice, once for the sleeve, then once for the revision to DS. Something that made it even easier this year is that I dieted for 5 months prior to my surgery. I dropped all sugary foods, fried foods, and sugary beverages. Another thing that helps me is having a finite list of things I am allowed to eat. If I see or smell something else, I just say that's not one of the 10 things I plan to eat during this phase. I understand the position you are in now craving things you may have had recently but knowing if you eat them you could put your health at risk. There is definitely a need to set boundaries with your spouse regarding where he eats since this is troubling you.

i found a third story different scenario. Thanks for all the replys! I have had problems with the band from the beginning! 2 days after the Surgery I was admitted back into the hospital! I could not even keep my own saliva down. After a week in the hospital I had lost 25 pounds and of course I could not even have a drink of water! All I had was an IV. When they took a picture of the band it was not quite placed where it is normally on most patients but they felt that it could work! For the first 2 months I was on mostly liquids and soft foods. All together I have lost 45 pounds! I have never been able to keep down chicken no matter how many chews I chew. I have vomited almost everyday since I went to solid foods, 3 months after surgery. I don't think I have lost alot of weight because I will eat ice cream many times after I vomit to soothe my throat. At first I thought it was me, maybe I was eating too much or not chewing enough. Then my best friend had the band done it April and she is DOING GREAT!! We can sit down and she will eat more than me, same kind of food, and her band is tighten and mind is completely empty and I will still vomit. So I realized that the band is just not working for me! This had caused me to have bloody ulcers and I am on a double dose of previcid. The Drs have decided that my band needs to come out. I was hoping they just revise it but the Dr says there is no guarantee he could do that! Thats why I have decided on the RNY. I refuse to go back to my old weight. For all you bandsters to be: my Dr says that my case does not happen very often! Like I said before, my bestfriend is doing great and she hasnt vomited once! Best of luck to everyone!!!!!!

You can check out Dr. Gagner on Obesityhelp.com He was in Florida for a short time, and then went overseas to teach the sleeve and other bariatric and lap procedures to surgeons in Europe. I believe the last I saw on the Florida forum, he is now practicing in NY. He's one of the best, and has a phenomenal reputation. I have zero personal experience with him. But, his name came up during my research for my revision. Unfortunately, he was already in Europe when I was able to get my insurance stuff figured out for revisions. I liked his stats, his patient testimonials, and the sheer fact that he is a well rounded surgeon, not just for bariatrics. I did independent research as well on him as I did with many US and Mexico surgeons. And of course, there is the Weill Cornell Medical Hospital in NY, New York. Again, no personal experience, but their guidelines, stats, and reputation for bariatric procedures are well respected and documented. Best wishes in your research. I know one member here (bushidomaster) is having his surgery in NY, but I don't remember his surgeons name. You could find him through the member list at the top of the forum, and possibly shoot him a message.

Hello BariatricPal Friends! It's been close to 4 years since I've posted on here and didn't realize this site was still kicking! Anyway, I'm here to tell you about my story about me and my Lap-Band. I've had my Lap-Band for 2 and a half years before I had revision surgery because mine slipped due to me losing too much weight and my adjustments were very frequent. Before revision surgery, I was down 120lbs. After revision, I haven't gone back to the doctor. The last four years of my life have been a roller coaster. I'm close to my starting weight before starting my journey in 2013. Well after getting married, my daughter being born and fast forward to 2017, I'm back where I started before getting weight loss surgery... Crazy huh? It's not a good feeling by any means that's for sure. I could sit here all night and give a list of excuses. The biggest area of my problems was in my marriage (currently getting divorced). My significant other was against my surgery after my revision and it was a downward spiral from there emotionally, mentally and spiritually among other martial issues that hindered my weight. I got into bad habits again and just felt like my self worth and self esteem was non exist. I picked up all my weight I worked so hard to lose. Worst feeling in the world and feel like my surgery wasn't worth it and that I'm just another lap band patient that picked all their weight back up! Well now going through the motions of a divorce and will be putting it in the past once everything is settled, I've started to get back in the groove of things and I'm getting back to my old self again of taking control and have already seen weight loss and have seen my Lap Band doctor. I'm glad to be back on track and I can't wait to see the what future holds! -I'm a 5 year veteran with plenty of experience with the lap band so if anyone needs advice or wants to ask questions let me know! I used to be very active on this site! -Amine

I have never regretted the sleeve for a second. From pumping the pain meds, to changing my diet, to stalls. It’s all good. I would only get a revision if I got GERD, and no sign of it 14 months out.

Honestly, at this point, I'm beginning to wonder why I did this. I mean, I'm thrilled with the weight loss so far...80lbs in 11 months. But, with all of the problems I've been having and the thought of possible erosion being in the back of my mind at all times, I'm just not sure. I never really thought up front about what I'd do financially if the band had to be removed and now that's a very real possibility. I am still paying off the original surgery because my insurance only paid half. There's no way I can afford to have this thing taken out, much less have revision surgery too. My insurance changed 3 months after I was banded and the new insurance considers everything band-related to be pre-existing so refuse to pay anything. So I'm seriously stuck. I've been having these pains in my stomach around the band area for a while now and have no idea what it could be and I couldn't get an appointment to see my doctor until September. Once I see him and have tests done (no telling how much those will cost me!) I'll know what I'm facing. Meanwhile, all I can do is try not to think the worst and that's pretty much impossible. :cursing:

I know exactly where you're coming from. I was banded in Oct 2009 and originally lost 104 lbs (9 lbs from goal of 135) last year. Then my band had a minor slip and they took some fill out. I gained 18 lbs. Then, 2 months ago, I had a major slip and they took out ALL of my fill (awaiting revision to sleeve in late June) and I gained another 12 (8 of them on my 7 day Alaskan cruise last week). So I've gained a total of 30 lbs in about 18 mths. Wow. I also thought once I lost it, it would be easy to keep it off. I don't fit into many of my clothes anymore. I'm not trying to lose weight but I'm also trying not to gain weight before my revision surgery. I know that I'll lose what I have left after that. Good luck taking it off. It sucks to think you're a failure (you're not, btw) Marci

You should go to the section of the board where people tell their stories. There are so many of us who have had revision surgery because there is no other way to put it. The band sucks. There is nothing good about it. Feel free to ask me anything.

I had my revision on April 16th. I have seen a lot of comments about individuals not being able to get their fluids in. I have had no problem getting my fluids in from the beginning and have started on soft (pureed) foods and am feeling good. I have not ate much when I do, but am having no problems (except some stomach acid). Is there anyone else who is feeling this good and not having problems with Fluid or food? I seem to read all about the problems and wonder if something is wrong that I am not having any???

Revision has gotta happen.

I had the band to sleeve revision so I did not have to wait 6 months but since yours has been off a while..you may have to start the process all over again. The best answer is to read your insurance coverage and then contact them.

There's a revision board on here and at least 1 thread full of sleeve to RNY revisions. I was a band to RNY and I'll tell ya what I've told everyone else. After the misery I had with my band I wasn't having anything but RNY, the success rates are the highest and I wanted nothing but the best. I had HORRID reflux with my band and absolutely wouldn't risk having similar misery with a sleeve. Sorry it's been such a long road for you! Good luck!!!!

Well, as the title suggests I've been a member of the form for a while but just as a reader I haven't posted anything yet. I figured it was time to post my story so I could get some feedback, and possibly a little guidance. My journey started about a year ago when I had made the final decision to go ahead with the gastric sleeve. I was very confident in my surgeon and was excited about the surgery. As per protocol, he did and endoscopy beforehand and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I had my sleeve gastrectomy done on August 28th 2017. Almost immediately, I noticed what I would call an agonizing amount of pain and extreme gastric reflux. This was before I was even off of my post-surgery liquid diet. Over the coming weeks it didn't get better, only worse. I was continually told by my surgeon that it's normal, and it happens to some people. Within about 2 months the pain in my stomach to get better, at that point I was developing a pain on my right hand side below my rib cage. I had done some research, so I had a pretty good idea that it was my gallbladder. My surgeon agreed with me, and without even running any tests he decided to remove my gallbladder. My gallbladder was removed in January of 2018, and almost immediately I noticed the pain in my abdomen was gone. However, the gastric reflux still persisted. In early February of this year by surgeon decided to do an endoscopy to see what could be causing the acid reflux. He told me that I had numerous moderate to severe ulcers and that revision surgery would be advised. I was scheduled for traditional gastric bypass on March 22nd of this year. I'm pleased to report that the gastric reflux has gone away. However, I'm not able to keep down any solid foods without violently regurgitating them. I was following my post surgery diet without any deviation. The first soft food that I tried was mashed potatoes, no salt or butter and it didn't go well. Almost immediately I violently regurgitated them. Within about three minutes of that I had some of the most excruciating pain I've ever had in my life, it started near my stomach and felt like a travel down. I told my wife that I had to go to the emergency room immediately, once I got there she called my surgeon. The surgeon conferred with the emergency room physician and ordered a CT scan with contrast. I was advised that my stomach was clear and I didn't have any blockages. My surgeon had told the emergency room physician to prescribe me Prilosec 40 mg and I was to take it twice a day until I saw him again. A few days later I saw the surgeon, and he informed me that it was most likely an irritated stomach and that it was normal. This was about 3 weeks ago. I'm still not able to keep down any soft food of any type. I'm still on liquids, and even when I take in liquids I feel very uncomfortable. I'm not exactly sure how to describe it, it's not cramping, it's not nausea or pain it's a very awkward feeling. At this point, I've decided to get a second opinion and had all my records sent to another surgeon. I'm just curious if anyone has had these symptoms, rather these combination of symptoms or if anyone has any ideas for me to try. If you're reading this and considering weight loss surgery please I implore you to not let this deter you. From people I've talked to and information I've read, this amount of side effects is very out of the ordinary. I've lost almost a hundred pounds since my first surgery and I am feeling pretty good other than the symptoms I've described. Thanks everyone so much for taking the time to read, I look forward to any advice that can be offered. I hope everyone out there is doing great, and I wish everyone the best of luck and whatever stage of the journey they may be in!

Hi. I had a lap band and then revised to sleeve. Lost over 100 lbs with band and then 40 something more with sleeve. I have to have a revision due to gerd and other complications from my sleeve. Luckily, I did not lose any of my hair on either procedures listed above... And I know losing weight is much slower after each revision so maybe I'll be lucky again this time around. I was wondering if any of you lost your hair after revising from sleeve to bypass. Thank you in advance.

Don't be nervous, be excited. I had the band in 2005 and removed/revision September 18. I can already feel the difference, best dession I ever made because so far, I don't miss the sleepless nights, the vomiting, and the terrible acid reflux. Good look to you and congratulations on your new beginning????