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Hi Sue, I have to get a sleeve to bypass revision, it will be fixing the stomach, as well as doing a partial bypass. They don't do a full bypass with the rerouting of all the organs they would for a full bypass, but partial. I was very much not for the bypass, that's why I had the sleeve, so this takes an emotional toll on me even more so because at this point I really don't have a say or option. I'm just trying to maintain a positive attitude with the 'everything happens for a reason' attitude. It will be laparoscopic, and they said they will try to go into the incisions from when I had the sleeve (I really pushed that one), but I may have an extra on or two. Because of the way this one is done it is unlikely. I am very happy with the healing of my scars from the sleeve as they are pretty much non existant. My recovery will be a couple to few days in the hospital, three day prior liquid diet (only had to do a day for the sleeve), as well as doing post op diet as if I was getting the full bypass. I was made aware this surgery has only been done once by my facility which draws extra concern and anxiousness, as this is a newer procedure. The one person that has had it has had an great out come.

Hi all - I was revised from a band to VSG Monday 12/18. I came home from the hospital Wednesday night - things are going ok, but I've been sticking mostly to more clear liquid type stuff. I thought I was doing myself a favor by drinking the Isopure Zero Carb pre-made drinks, which give me 40 grams of protein each. I've had four of them since Wednesday. Unfortunately, I've spent an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom, with some fairly explosive issues. Also, have had some pretty bad lower right side abdominal cramping/gas/pressure. Anyone else have problems with sucralose?

yes - I know. But she asked the following question near the end of her post - so I was responding to it: "just out of curiosity has anyone had a bypass and went to sleeve?"

My mom is notorious for saying one thing one time and then flip-flopping on it later on. She suggested surgery to me a couple times in the past, but frankly, the only surgery I knew about was gastric bypass which scared the bejeepers out of me and was a huge NO in my book. However, I know if I told her before the surgery that I am doing it, she would probably start talking against it. It also doesn't help that one of her neighbor friends is a very opinionated nurse. You can do the math from there. :sad_smile: Heck, even hubby doesn't know yet, and I just got my surgery date today! I was going to tell him about it last night, but we are still so jet lagged from a trip we got back from on Monday and he was so tired I said I'd tell him today. I wanted to be sure of what I was wanting and getting myself into before I involved anybody else.

I'll preface this by saying I am not a doctor or work in the medical field. However, I have been told that VSG patients do not need to worry about having an naso gastric tube puncturing their sleeve. That is "old" thinking based on the fact that it is a SERIOUS issue for those with an RNY gastric bypass and could easily puncture their pouch. The sleeve is a completely different animal but it seems the advice still sticks. Kinda like how NSAIDS are fine with a sleeve.....but some surgeons still tell their patients they can't have it. Just my two cents.

I had minimal bruising after my revision, and the leak repair which all happened within 48 hours of each other. I have more scars because I was a revision patient. But, 8 months out, my scars are light pink, no biggie. No one sees me naked other than my husband so it really doesn't bother me. In my opion (and that's all it is), all of the temporary discomfort, bruising and healing time is just that temporary. In the long run, all that becomes an afterthought. At least that has been my experience.

Hi everyone! I have my LapBand revision to sleeve next Tuesday. I'm starting my pre-surgery diet tomorrow. I'm starting to get more excited and nervous. Dr. Aceves will be my surgeon. For those of you who had him, can you tell me about cellular service at the hospital? I understand the hospital is very close to the border. Do you think I'll be roaming or charged for international usage if I use my cell phone there? Only one person knows I'm going to have the surgery, and I'm going alone. I don't want people getting worried if I don't answer my phone for an entire week. (I live alone, too, so my family checks on me every so often to make sure I'm okay.) Any thoughts? Closely related, I think the nurses will call someone when surgery is over to let my family know I'm okay. Is that correct? If so, I'll have them call my sister. She's the one person who knows I'm having the surgery. She's a nurse, too, and she's had the surgery, so she's been helping me about what to expect. Most of my questions now are specific to having surgery in Mexico and by Dr. Aceves. I'd greatly appreciate any other tips/suggestions you want to send my way. Thanks in advance!!

The fat content. I had a band and never worried about my fat intake for the day. Now all of a sudden since I got revised to the sleeve I have to track my fat (wasn't losing any weight at all the first couple months after revision surgery). Basically, when my NUT looked at my food log from my fitness pal she noted that I was having peanut butter or cheese every day and called them basically solidified fat and said I needed to drop them. I LOVE cheese and nuts so I still have htem in moderation (like a slice of cheese in my wraps for lunch) but miss just snacking on them. Then I stopped losing again and discovered that my sodium was over 3000mg a day with the food I was making to bring to work so now I have to watch that too. My snack options have just dwindled to where I have NO CLUE what to eat. No matter what my surgeon/NUT say I can't eat just 3 meals with no snacks, I get hungry.

But I'm terrified. I'm definitely a rule breaker (hence the slipped band 3 1/2 yrs later from frequent vomiting. Never did learn how to eat slowly). My band had a minor slip last year, my dr took out 1/2 of my fill and it worked. no more reflux, so he decided to leave it alone. In the last year I gained 21 lbs. I HATE dieting, why I got the band in the first place. So I've been on the fence for months whether I wanted to just go ahead and revise it even tho I had no symptoms. This past Friday nite, I started having stomach pain. Not bad, just bothersome. Monday nite (after having constant pain for 3 days) it got unbearable and I ended up in the hospital. My band was herniated (a bad slip). They unfilled my 6cc and told me I'd need a revision. My band dr is 3 hrs away, so I haven't been seen by him yet. I called the insurance girl at my drs office and asked if revision would be covered under my Medicare. It is, even tho my bmi is now 27 cuz it's a complication. They don't cover plication, however, which is what I wanted with my band - to improve my chances of future slips. She talked a little about the sleeve (which is also covered) and said most band patients convert to the sleeve. Like I said, I haven't even talked to my dr about it yet so I'm not sure what he's gunna say, but I started doing research on the sleeve today. I loved my band. Helped me to lsoe 104 lbs. But it's so much maintenance - always going 6 hrs round trip for fills/unfills/tweaking and alot of money involved (Medicare only pays for fills for the first year) and worries about slipping. The sleeve doesn't require maintenance, does it? How long do you spend in the hospital? Is it like gastric bypass where over the years your stomach can stretch back out? Whats the difference between GB and the sleeve? Any and all info is greatly appreciated!! Even tho I'm only about 28 lbs from my 135 goal, I know I'd gain back every lb that I've lost if I don't have a tool to work with. I proved that this past year with less than optimal restriction. I never did learn how to eat healthy - the band just stopped me from eating too much. Thanks! Marci

I had my band removed separately from my sleeve (band removed in April and will get sleeve at the end of the month). I don't think it was called a revision but my insurance was billed separately for 2 surgeries. Not sure if that helps you but my understanding is that the insurance companies require all of the same pre-op things (supervised diet, psych, etc.) before approval even if it is all done in one surgery. Edit to say that I also had a different insurance for my band placement in 2007 and my removal and sleeve in 2015. Hope that is helpful. I don't think that they care about this as long as your insurance doesn't have an exclusion. Your surgeon's office will write a history and they will hear about everything and consider it.,

Sorry to hear this. I guess the best I can do is give you a hug! (((hug))))!!!Best wishes, I had 2 slips, the 1st one was self adjusting after removal of a fill, the 2nd one, I had to go to the hospital for a revision. Karen

I think I agree with Paula. Unfortunately, the people I've known of that had eroded and were rebanded eroded again, even more quickly. :mad: I just don't think I'd want to take that chance the second time around. I have a friend there in the LA area who had a laparoscopic bypass with an apparently very impressive doctor. She has lost 110lbs since December and doing very well. No complications whatsoever. She is also about 60 years old. I am so very impressed with how well she's done. If you want, I can find out her doc's name as well. Whichever way you go. I sure don't envy you the decision or having to go through a second/third surgery, but I'll sure be sending good thoughts your way!!

My doc said about 50% of sleevers will have worse reflux after surgery and tried to talk me into bypass because I currently take Pepcid. I told him I believe weight loss in itself will help my heartburn (and it has) and I'm willing to risk it because I really don't want bypass. My endoscopy showed no Barrett's esophagus or any other damage from reflux so I'm comfortable in my choice. Do meds not work to control your symptoms after surgery? It seems a little drastic to me, to have additional wls just because of reflux.

Hi hoping someone where can help. I just had my final meeting with my doctor and scheduled my revision RNY to DS. 2 years ago my insurance denied my revision so I am 100% self pay. I got all my payment information today and the woman at the doctor's office told me she would need to "run the insurance info through" for the hospital just so they have the denial info? huh? the LAST thing I want is for my insurance company to have any info on this surgery. I majorly understand the risks of any complications in the hospital and being responsible for the costs personally since I am paying for the initial surgery. I understand that risk and am willing to take it. I also understand that if I go home a few days or weeks later sometype of complication happens, that I should be able to run that through insurance and have it be covered (different medical coding). So with all this being said the LAST thing I want is for the insurance company to have any inkling of this surgery Has anyone ever had this experience? I am very concerned now that she said that this morning and I cannot think of anything else...any insight would be appreciated.

oh good!!! I hope you're able to get a surgery date that soon!!! My partner is having bypass with Dr. Soloman and we're hoping for the end of March/beginning of April!! Oh, and after you see Dr. Takahashi, they are going to have you do a 4 hour bariatric surgery class over where the support groups are. I had to wait 3 weeks to get into that class because the first one was full and I think it's only offered every two weeks. They sure make you jump through a ton of hoops!!!!

I had to gain 20 pounds before insurance woild approve me for the revision. Amd had to redo all.the classes

my friend did not weigh enough she gained 40 lbs to get the bypass done ...soo crazy

I got my band in Dec 09 and I lost 40+lbs but then nothing. Band was tight bc like u I would puke probably 3-4 meals a week. At 211 I just felt like I failed though much healthier than 260. I went to Mexico for a revision to gastric sleeve. The sleeve surgery was 5k and I paid an extra $500 for band removal. Best decision! I am 6 weeks or so out and down to 186 pounds. Good luck whatever u decide!

I had the same thoughts when considering which surgery I wanted....i considered the sleeve for several reasons...a few being that the actual surgical procedure was less than half the time it would take to do the bypass and I heard recovery wasn’t as bad. I also have a few close friends who had the sleeve and are more than happy with their results. I ended up deciding on RNY due to my occasional acid reflux and I was nervous about regaining my weight and falling back into the old habits that got my in the situation I was in before surgery. I didn’t want to have to deal with the possibility of needing revision surgery and having to go through everything twice. I figured I was already going to be under anesthesia so I just thought “I’m not going to know how long I’m asleep” lol But I know several people that had the sleeve and it was a perfect fit for them with long term success to back it up! It’s really just up to you!

It's been a very long 7 1/2 months for me.... but I can confidently and proudly say that I finally feel as though the inside matches the outside! I'm about 5lbs to my goal, (although I'm only about 3 months out from my actual bypass procedure), and I went on a mini shopping spree today, and it felt SO good! From size 22 pants and 1x or 2x shirts, to size 8 or 10 pants, and a size M shirts. Everyone who is struggling in the first few days or weeks after surgery, just keep your mind on the end result. Everyone with complications, surround yourself with love and support and you'll make it through. You'll make it through, just keep pushing!

Well, I am coming off my summer hiatus and am returning feeling successful after 11months with lap band and plication. My time away this summer has given me time to reflect and revise my plan as to where I want to finally be as far as my WLS journey goes. I just returned from a trip to Hershey Park with my 4 & 7 year old and am measuring my success in all new ways now. This is the first real get away vacation since I had my surgery last September. I went on rides and was much less fearful of the ride restraints not fitting….they ALL did! I was happy not to be that "fat mom" that I saw get off the roller coaster before the attendant came over to check that the restraint was locked….she could not get the restraint to lock and left her son to ride alone. I silently cried for that mom because that was me a year ago in Disney….but unlike her I was not brave enough then to even try that for fear of being embarrassed or embarrassing my kids. I am not judging her at all but I am glad that I am no longer in that situation, for myself and my kids. I often find myself looking at people (especially ladies and moms) and thanking the stars that I am no longer at "that point". I see myself in others now (the old me)…and although I am not judging anyone because I lived as obese for so so so many years but I find myself thinking…that was you….that is what you looked like…that is how you moved…that is how others saw you….it makes me feel sad at times. But as I look to the successes I've had Im happy to have lost 93 pounds in the past 11months. I look now at reaching that goal number I picked out of the air…off "those" charts that say what i "should" weigh given my age and height and I wonder if 140 is realistic for me. Although I haven't been online on this site I have been lurking around and reading all of these posts about stalls and not reaching your goal and its made me think….I've held the same weight for the past 3 months. I haven't been the poster child for lap band surgery….especially this summer….Im off for the summer and with that comes off schedule. I've enjoyed my summer SO much. I've eaten (sometimes too much and have felt it), good choices (although not always), I've even gained a pound….at first i cried and beat myself up over that pound than I got a grip….in the past…that would have been 10 pounds….i've basically maintained my weight for 3 months while eating and enjoying….what a success that is. People tell me I've lost enough and I look great. What they don't know is Im still about 190 lbs (almost 50 lbs from THAT goal number) and when I tell them that they all say "WOW--you look more like 160. I even had the plastic surgeon tell me how narrow I was…that was nice to hear. I watch people here torture themselves about getting to THAT number…and then they go below it and that is all and fine…but I realized that I am still successful w/o reaching THAT number. I want to eat like a real person and not worry that every morsel of food is going to put 5 lbs back on me. I want to live with food and enjoy it and not be in a constant state of panic….in my opinion there is WAY MORE to being successful than just reaching that number we assign ourselves. My successes lie here….. 93 pounds off my 5'4" frame Biking 12 miles Walking w/o knee or back pain anymore Going on amusement rides (even kiddie ones) with my kids and not feeling panic. Able to walk around museums/zoos etc for 6-7 hours w/o having to sit down every 10 mins. Looking in the mirror and LIKING who and what I see Fitting into size 12 pants and size 16 shirts Feeling ok w/myself to go consult w/ the plastic surgeon to remove the excess belly and skin Eating….good and bad at times Normal BP Not obsessing with the scale everyday Liking to shop for clothes Believe me…I could go on and on. Its been an up and down journey at times. And I don't beat myself up as much over my choices but its all still a learning process for me….and Im guessing it will be for quite some time. But it was nice to go off and live this summer…just to be me, and appreciate me, and cut me some slack….Im not perfect and I never will be…. BUT I AM A SUCCESS!! And it does not matter that i haven't met that ridiculous number that some chart tells me I SHOULD be. SUCCESS LIES HERE:

Here is both sides of the coin. I had a lapband in 2007, I could never get the right restriction, too tight or too loose. I couldn't eat healthy foods, chicken, most vegetables, most fruit. If I tried I would vomit, I resorted to eating slider foods. Fast forward to 2012 had my revision to sleeve, FANTASTIC!! I never would have thought I would reach my goal weight UNDER 200 pounds! It has been amazing for me. Yes you have to work your WLS that you chose BUT the lapband besides being difficult to eat properly can cause many medical issues; erosion, gerd, vomiting, slipped bands and leaking ports. Don't waste your time with the band. For me I now have a $16000.00 band souvenir!!

Was your revision done in the US ? Im curious if it depends on the damage , if its a US vs Mexico thing to have them done in one or 2 steps ? Thanks for the link i asked to join .

@@ld33 Woo Hoo that's great!!!! big milestone in my life getting nod for surgery having WLS living life after sleeve (lapband, gastric bypass etc) good luck speedy recovery kathy congrats

I personally never had it past week 4, and what little I had was barely there. Most people notice it after they start solids. I didn't. I had my revision to bypass on the 28th and I'm on week 3 foods and feel no restriction. I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones.