Search the Community

Aaaargh, I wrote you a long message and it got deleted Here we go again. I'm so sorry you have been through such a long and frustrating ordeal!! I am glad you have found your way here though as it's a very supportive environment and there are always plenty of people ready to jump in and answer your questions. I want to try to answer some of your food questions. I'll share with you what my guidelines are that I've been given if you are interested. This is how our nutrition goals have been explained to me. Protein needs to be the #1 focus because we can eat so little that if we don't focus on it, we don't get enough. Protein is super important to everyone but especially to us because it builds muscle (which burns fat and cals), and it helps trick the body out of starvation mode when we are eating so low calorie, so that our body doesn't hang onto everything. Getting 65-75g of protein a day is the goal. Also getting your min 64 oz of Water a day is important. On my plan, the first 6 weeks before full solid food, each meal is to be 90% protein and 10% complex carbs from fruits and veggies. At 6 weeks when getting onto solid food, it can be more like 75% protein and 25% complex carbs. Simple carbs from breads, pastas, etc are not recommended especially during the losing phase - but most people do eat them once they are maintaining their weight... or once they can't take it anymore hehe. With the sleeve nothing is off limits, but you are just supposed to try to keep your focus on the right protein rich foods and let other things be occasional. Salads - they put that on our list of things to stay away from. Not because there's anything wrong with it, but because it doesn't provide too much nutrition for us, lettuce is mostly water and also hard for the system to digest. They told us when we want salad, stick to spinach leaves, but focus more on the stuff goin ON the salad, and make a protein like chicken, shrimp, or beef a main part of the salad. Again everything in moderation :thumbup: As for what to expect out of your weight loss - it's anyone's guess. Our bodies are so different. There is a whole sub-forum on here for band to sleeve revisions, so maybe in there some people with similar experiences could give you a better idea... but my educated guess would be that you will lost at least that extra 20 lbs, but it may be slow because your body has been through such an ordeal and may really need time to adjust and to "believe" and let go of the fat that is stored. Be patient and dilligent in your food choices right now until you get to a place where you are comfortable. Hope this helps!!

Jaffa Now that was good, I wish i would have thought about doing that!!! Those things are just awful!! How are you by the way?? And when are you going to do your revision?

DITTO.....what Tiffykins said!! I had my CRAPband for a whopping 9 months!! Don't do it! My sister just had her revision surgery yesterday, she had her band for a year and a half....not worth having to go through another surgery!

I know your revision was today. When you feel up to it, update us. We r praying for you and success.

I have had unusually bad problems with GERD post-surgery. Please note that I'm still happy that I did the sleeve, however. I was always a GERD patient, but 2x Prilosec a day would take care of it for me. However post-sleeve the acid become intolerable, and I was vomiting stomach acid repeatedly 3-4 days after coming home. I can't say this has totally resolved for me, but it's calmed down to a level that for now is manageable, particularly when I got past the liquid phase of the diet and could get some food in my stomach to absorb the acid. Since getting sleeved my GP has informed me that stomach acid is the single most common reason for people getting the sleeve revised. Things that helped: * When I got to full liquids, I added low-sodium V8 to my liquids list. For some reason this helped to quiet down my stomach a bit, which led to my belief that I might have been suffering from low acid instead of high. I'm still puzzled about this; if you do some Google searching you will find that they have quite similar symptoms. Part of me thinks the increased acidity of the V8 just helped activate the Prilosec. * An old household remedy - a shot of apple cider vinegar right before bed, followed by a teaspoon of honey to soothe the flavor a bit. Please note there is, so far as I know, absolutely no scientific evidence that this does anything at all. But I started doing it the day I started feeling better, and superstition or not, I feel not desire to wake up choking again, so I keep doing it. * Once I got to mushies, eat every 2 hours. This means my calorie intake is higher than most peoples' around here (I get about 1500 calories a day), but given my weight this actually still allows for great weight loss - in 4 weeks I have lost 41 lbs. Eating small amounts regularly - which is not what's recommended by many nutritionists - has helped keep my stomach calm. My doctor promises that, as the inflammation goes down and time passes, my stomach will reduce its production of acid and this will get better. I remain hopeful. But as I said at the outset, even with the acid, I'm glad I did this. Don't disregard it as a factor though - it's a real issue that impacts many sleevers and could cause you to need a revision, so it's something you should discuss with your doctors.

May I ask what worked and what didn't work out so well? Any luck with finding a surgeon for revision? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

My office submitted paperwork to my insurance for approval. Now is a waiting game. My doctor said that my surgery will be most likely done mid August or end. This will be a revision since the sleeve only helped me for 2 years a my stomach pouches dilated throughout those years. Now I'm getting the bypass. Best of luck to all. Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sorry you've had such bad GERD. I suffer from it too now which is why I told my surgeon that I wanted the bypass instead of the sleeve. This forum is where I found out about the prevalence of GERD worsening after sleeve. Good luck with your revision!

We all wish you the best. I still think it's a good idea to gain some insight from the folks who got revisions. They have a lot of good info to give on symptoms of complications of the lapband and such. Only you know what's best for you right now, so good luck!

I was just wondering....which pain was worse? Lap-band or the revision surgery? Or were they both about the same? Also, is there lots of pain where the port was? Just a few questions I had as I count down the days until I have this ridiculous band out! Just for kicks, I would like to add that I have not had restriction for months and then today, out of nowhere, I start slimming! Really??? LOL

Got my surgery date!! September 17th!!

Wait and speak to your surgeon because they may have a way that complies the results to get insurance approval (hypothetical example: insufficient weight loss + gastritis + esophageal emptying issues) But just so that you're aware if you are converted to RNY (not DS or SIPS), the gastric emptying time may be quicker because the pyloric valve is no longer used (unless your surgeon does a pyloric valve sparing procedure - I'm not sure those are perfomed for revisions but that's something to discuss with your surgeon). Good Luck ♥️

I had a sleeve 7 years ago and wish I would have known about the high prevalence of damage due to acid reflux after the sleeve. I now need to revise to bypass to stop the damage from getting worse. If you have any history at all of reflux, I'd be talking to your doctor about doing a bypass instead Sent from my Z6201V using BariatricPal mobile app

I think I'll post this in the insurance area Just wanted to see if anyone has found a way around this...I've been referred for a band removal (Big Surprise, NOT!). I was hoping to get referred to the nearest MTF so I could hopefully revise to the VSG because if I have to go civilian I can only get RNY due to the Dr they want to send me to. I will not even consider RNY, severe malabsorption, stricture risks, the five year failure rate, etc. it's just not for me. Help

Good luck with your insurance company and on making your decision. I too was concerned about the person I was showing to my child. I wanted to be here to see him grow up and to be healthy and have the energy to keep up with him. I researched the band and the bypass also. I did not like the idea of them rerouting my bowels and I also did not like all the people I read about on the forums that had trouble with the band. There are a lot of people on this board who had the band first and had problems with it. There are many people who then had revisions to the sleeve because of complications. It seemed to me that there were less risks with the sleeve. That was how I reached my decision anyway. Good luck with yours.

You look fantastic! You've come really far. I know you're a real inspiration to a lot of folks on here. Back when I was researching, I started out on the band site and saw you posting there. I'm glad you made the decision to revise so that you could get to goal! You're definitely doing things "the right way" and you look fabulous. ~Cheri

I live in Plano and am scheduled to have the band to sleeve revision on 11-8-09. I'm excited to get the band out as I never lost any weight with it. Dr. Jayaseelan is doing my surgery. He did the original band surgery along with gall stone & hiatel hernia repair.

I enjoyed meeting both of you as well. It's nice to put real faces with names. My husband feels so much better about the whole process and surgery after attending with me last night. Since I am self-pay and a revision, I have a consult with Dr. Nick tomorrow afternoon. I will let you know how it goes. He said last night he thinks I should do this in 2 surgeries, one to remove the band and let the stomach heal and then do the sleeve later. That makes the most since, but of course will not happen as fast as I want it to. Anna

SUrgery: revision from band to sleeve with Dr Aceves, Mexicali on Monday this week. Arrived in MX SUnday night. Driver was amazing and the hotel was VERY NICE. Me and my man had tacos the night before and they were delicious. I took a valium to help me sleep / relax and slept ok. Monday morning, pick up at 7am. Got to the hospital and took care of adminsitrative items. Got into a gown. They frist sent me to xray (I didn't get my tests the day before like we planned). Then back to my private room to wait. Next, someone came to take my blood. Then I saw the anesthesiologist. He spent about 20 minutes with me talking about my surgery experiences. They decided to to an epidural, but not use morphine because it makes me sick. Dr Aceves came in after a while and talked to me for over 1/2 an hour. He really cares about his patients and his work - it shows. It was the most relaxing surgery event I have ever been a part of. About 45 minutes before surgery, I get the happy pill. Looks like xanax, but i'm not sure. I get very relaxed and wait for them to call me up for my turn. All this time I am in my private room, reading, watching TV, talking - very relaxed. I had an urge to have a BM and urinate a few minutes before they came to get me (yay!) so I was completely empty when my turn was up. I remember walking to the OR, looking up at someone putting an IV in me and then it was lights out. According to my report, they put in the epidural after I went to sleep, pumped in anti nausea meds right away, hooked up some propofol, and then pushed the narcotic pain blocker. The revision and sleeve took less than 2 hours. THey pushed some Zofran when they were done to ease any possible nausea, and I was on my way to recovery room. I was in recevery for almost 3 hours - a little longer than normal, but I always have hard time coming out of anesthesia. I remember being wheeled to my room and seeing my man there. No nausea, just tired. Slept on and off during the day, but couldn't really get up to go to the bathroom because the epidural made my legs wobbly. From what I remember, I did get up a couple of times. I swished with Biotene and used a lot of chapstick to keep the dry mouth away. My pain was never too out of control. When I started to feel bad, someone would bring a sublingual pill or give me another hit from the epidural (which I had until the day I was released). Pain management was EXCELLENT. I was never in an unbearable amount of pain. I loved the epidural shots, but I would avoid asking for it because I couldn't walk for a couple hours after they gave it to me. I didn't have a catheter, so no problems with urination. I had to get up and go the old fashioned way. The first day after, I wiped down with some baby wipes and put on pj pants for comfort. Walked around as much as I could. After the 2nd day, the real pain was localized to the drain area. I swear I could feel it inside me. It was not excrutiating, just a weird awareness. The second day they brought the die test, and then fluids to drink. The third day, I did the xray leak test and they took the drain out. They knew teh drain was going to be uncomfortable, so they gave me a hit of the epidural first. I felt the drain coming out (sucked, but not the worst thing ever) because the epidural was taking 15 minutes or so to really settle in. But, I was able to sleep after they took it out and concentrate on healing. After the drain was out and I woke up from the shot, I took a better shower and changed into a clean set of PJ's. Mnay walks through the day. Tried to go out and see the sun a fe times. Walked down to the farmacia to get some extra nexium MUPS. Also had a little diahrea on this day, but it went away after 3 hours. Good to know the pipes were still working :-) On my release date, I had a sublingual pill, had my epidural cath taken out, removed my IV, and took the ride to the border. During the whole stay Dr Aceves visited the patients 3-5 times perday, along with the anestesiologist. They were truly remarkable. On the last day the Dr asked if I would like to stay for another day to relax, but I had to decline. Even though I was sore from the pain, I almost felt like I had been in a spa - I was so relaxed!!!! Usual questions: Was there pain? Yes - but the staff was so good at pain management. My pain was all about the drain and drain site. I found it terribly uncomfortable. But I was never in a lot of pain. Epidural? Yes, please! I would recommend it to anyone - unless they are pumping morphine, that can make you very nauseous. Naseous? Not once - it was a miracle!!!! I have always vomitted with anesthesia, but these guys really knew what they were doing to control it. Mexicali? Awesome! I live close to TJ and know a lot about that city. I was so surprised by how much smaller, cleaner and less crowded Mexicali was. Fantastic esperience. Dr Aceves? Simply the best. I have had several surgeries in my day and he is the best surgeon so far. great bed side manner, and very skilled with the revision. My old lap band port sight doesn't even have a bruise - the guy knows what he is doing. Worth the money? Yep. Now that I am home, I still take a sublingual painpill in the morning that lasts about 6 hours. More drain area pain... I will then use a heating pad in the afternoon to get me through to bed time when I will take another sublingual to ease the pain so I can sleep. I am getting better every day (more mobile) and I should be off the meds in the next day or so. The weirdest thing right now is that I literally spend every waking minute of my life sipping a drink. I start at 7:00am and continue until 6:00pm. I am still coming up a little short, but I don't want to tempt acid reflux, so I stop drinking a couple hours before bed. The sweetness of the Isopure is getting to me, but I gutting my way through it. I usually only drink Water and iced tea with no sweetener or lemon - the flavored drinks are killing me! I am sure there is a lot I missed because of a groggy head. But my overall impression was that they did a great job, I was as comfortable as possible, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Now, I can't wait to be done with these 2 weeks so I can feel a little more normal. I have made a promise to myself not to weigh in for a month. I am still super bloated from the surgery and can't wear regular pants. Good luck to all of you on your journey! Lara

Hi! I am new to this forum. I got my lapband in 2013. My starting weight was 280lbs and I am about 5'3". In the first year I lost 95 pounds and was down to 185lbs. I never had a fill as my doctor never recommended one. In the last 4 years I have shot back up to 225lb as menopause had set in and I started to lag going to the doctor which was no help. I am now 56 years old and can't seem to budge even a couple of pounds off. I have moved out of the state where I had the procedure years ago and had a consult with the local general/bariatric surgeon about 10 months ago. He agreed to remove the lapband and do a revision to bypass. I met remotely with the bariatric nurse and participated in the orientation zoom meeting. I went for my first weigh in as I was told I would have to start from scratch and in the program and work with a doctor or dietitian for 6 months before they would get approval for the surgery which Iwas more than willing to do. I was turned off by the nurses attitude as she never answered my calls to guide me in the right direction to get started so I gave up on the idea. I feel stuck, depressed and frustrated and I don't know where to turn. My insurance has changed and I can't seem to find a doctor to help me. Thanks for listening. Sent from my SM-A505U using BariatricPal mobile app

Good luck with your rny! I am now more than 5 weeks out and I know it will be a life long change but already revision of band to bypass was best decision of my life. My diabetes was gone from 2 days after surgery. That alone makes it worth the surgery and worth avoiding sweets again.

Im on the 3 months nutrionist stage. Hopeful rny revision by Nov or Dec

Are you going to get a revision? I'm hoping to get the duodenal switch just on my intestines later this year. I want my stomach left as is. I'm 16 months out and the regain only gets worse.

No, I'm probably not going to get a revision as I really cant afford it after paying for the plication out of pocket. I'm kind of bummed out about the whole thing, though. It feels like I'm back to fighting for every pound. Good luck to you if you get the duodenal switch!

The scale has finally started to move after losing and gaining the same 2 pounds for over a month! I have revised my goals accordingly--NOt to give up, but to be more realistic. We are having an unseasonably cool weekend here in Virginia. Makes me think of the holidays coming....