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Mine worked for about a year and then I went crazy. I had an extreme amount of stress and was always a stress eater; I overate. After the sleeve I could no longer eat large portions but I could eat anything. Nothing made me sick or disagreed with my sleeve. I began eating entire bags of candy in a day mutliple times per week. I gained back 65% of my weight in a year. My sleeve was done becuase I was too high risk for the RNY and he did not think I could lose all 300 lbs with one suregery anyway. I was always to have a second surgery but with the gain, I had no choice, there was just an added element of embarassment. It boils down to not following the rules. For the first year, I was vigilant and tracked everything and then it all went out the window. I have now been revised to the RNY and hope to have dumping syndrome (but do not intend to test it). I beleive I have learned from my mistakes and now know how serious my sugar/junk addition really is. I can NEVER touch those things again. I also must "diet" for life and track my food.

I am one that does not tolerate a band well. I just have one problem after another. Band induced reflux that no drug resolves, esophageal spasms, now esophageal motility issues, my voice has been affected by the reflux, port pain, etc. I am just simply one that does not tolerate a band easily and this is something that could not have been known before I actually had a band and experienced it. I'm tired of fighting one issue after another so I'm considering a sleeve. I need to decide quickly because I either need to have my band removed or revise to a sleeve. I am pretty pro-sleeve, it has the fewest complications long term between bypass, sleeves, and bands. There is no aftercare, you get a sleeve and you are done. That sounds very appealing to me at this point.

Please tell me more about your experience with Dr Arturo Rodriguez. What sort of problems did you have? When did this occur? Have you had any revision WLS? What about surgery was the problem?

Another point to consider is if your insurance limits you to one bariatric surgery per lifetime. If that’s the case, you should consider RNY over VSG, cut once, as there are a number of people that are requiring revision surgery after VSG and you would hate to have to self-pay for a 2nd surgery. As well, weight loss is typically better with an original surgery than a revision surgery. Long term use of PPIs is also not recomneded as they cause risks for serious health issues/diseases.

I used to love my band until I started choking on vomit in my sleep. I am revising to a sleeve soon. The band was great at first, until that started happening. I am not having trouble now, but I have no restriction. I ate a plate of spaghetti and 2 pieces of garlic bread tonight. okay, call me an over eater, but that is what I got the band for. If I were to get a fill, I would go back to choking on vomit in my sleep. It's a very fine line between being too tight and being too loose. I am tired of worrying about fills and unfills so I am getting the sleeve surgery. Sorry, but I have to be truthful here.

Yes I do but I can't go back in time but hopefully will be able to revise to a different surgery that will work for me.

I am not a surgeon but that seems like a lot to me. I have a 32F and at 5 weeks I can hold 2 - 3 oz. 2 oz for me is the rule but some real soft foods I can hold 3 oz (like pudding or yogurt). Maybe you should talk to him about a smaller size? Ask what size he is using and why. It is your body, you have a right to ask. I seem to remember that it is difficult to revise again once you have been sleeved because the staples can't be found after healing has taken place. Seriously, this might be your only chance. Be cautious even if it means a delay in surgery. Just my humble opinion.

I questioned how her surgeon was getting a non-covered procedure covered with Tricare after years of it being denied. Our bariatric program has been shut down at our MTF where I had my revision. Every spouse is getting referred off base and the band or bypass are the only allowable surgeries. Congressional complaints, appeals, and all the hoops have been filed and jumped through with zero approvals. We went round and round about it via private message some time last year. I should have recalled the screen name when she posted, but because I quit frequenting this forum, my memory lapsed. And, I was truly hoping it wouldn't be turned into a drama fest of my surgeon got it approved. Other military wives are struggling to get this surgery. It's cloak and dagger stuff, and it saddens me that others have struggled for years, postponed surgery, or had to self-pay because the codes used won't get disclosed. It's all secretive and in my opinion unfair if there is a way to get it covered, yet the information can not be shared unless you go through this particular surgeon. Out of the hundreds of denials, how in the heck is this ONE surgeon getting approvals and getting paid by a government ran insurance program. It really saddens me that this surgeon is not willing to help others in other states get approval. The rules of our insurance is strict enough as it is. IF there is a legal and legitimate way to get VSG covered with a civilian surgeon, it would help 1000s of other military wives/dependents who deserve to have the surgery they need. Like I said, Medicare has approved it, Tricare will follow, hopefully sooner than later.

Hi, Fort Jackson does the sleeve as well, pretty quick process if you are revising, did not have to go throug Tricare. Surgery is very soon.

I live in Jackson, but had my surgery in Muskegon as my daughter's surgeon was there. Good luck with your revision. I'm so glad I have my sleeve!!!

Hey Y'all! Had surgery on Monday and I am so BLESSED!!! My doc was able to do my revision as well!! WhooHoo!!! I don't have to go back in August to get sleeved!!!! He said everything went really well, if long. I went in about 10:30 and made the recovery room (which I have no memory of!) about 1/1:15-ish. I did bleed enough for him to mention it but nothing overtly worrying. He was a little surprised was all. Said I had very little scar tissue so doing the revision was a no-brainer for him and he was happy to do it. Monday night was a little rough. I went too long between pain med doses and got in to a little too much pain/uncomfortablness with it. My BP spiked up to 168/115 and to say my nurse wasn't happy is an understatement. When she checked me again 2 hrs later, after the pain meds had kicked in, I was back in a good place again. Tuesday was good, drank my 2 oz of shake for Breakfast and again for lunch. Then they went ahead and gave me more at dinner since it was taking so long for the pharmacy to process my Rxs to go home. Didn't finish it b/c my wheelchair arrived and it was time to go home! Long trip home. An hour. In a 4x4 on big tires and cruddy mtn roads. Took more pain meds and went to bed! Slept well. Had some nausea this morning and dry-heaved for a bit. Called in and got an Rx for nausea. Hubby went and got that for me and I've been fine since. Getting ready to head to bed in a bit. My kindergartener has "graduation" in the morning and I think I'll be up for it! Very happy about that! I'll be doped up but I'll be there!!! So that's it in a nutshell. So glad to be on the other side of it all. Best wishes to all who are following!!!!

I had thrush, a yeast infection, blood transfusions, and plasma after surgery. Plus I had to have a second surgery to repair the internal bleeding. I wouln't wish it on anyone. But it really is reminder that this is a major surgery, not to be taken lightly. Mine was a revision from band to sleeve, which is the reason I had complications. But after all this, eight weeks out. I'm still very happy that I did it. My weight loss is completely stalled right now, but I'm extremely relieved to be rid of that Lap Band! I am wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care!

Nychkole2, yep! Same here! I am African American and have always had super long, thick hair. No longer the case! My hair is so thin that it scares me to think of what revision wls surgery would do to what's left. I am SO afraid of losing the rest of it! I can't afford to have it become any thinner!!! I have to get this thing out if my body!!! Surgery freaks me out though. Yikes!

My first lap band was amazing. Second one has sucked, but I was informed and the band changed my life. Now having revision due to some complications. But I was aware of these complications. Sorry everyone's experience wasn't good. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Willie (my band name for free Willy(fat)) lol Willie and i did great at the beginning we worked together and understood each other until he turned on me. I too was told this band can stay forever if there is no complications, slips, infections ect.. But after about 6 to 7 years he refused to get filled properly so insurance paid for fills and unfills more fills and unfills sometime 2 times in one day, xrays, barium swallows prescription omerprazoles, Over the counter TUMS, Endoscopy ect. ect. They could have paid for the removal of band and getting the sleeve done with that money. And to thing i was denied and had to resubmit (last week) while they (insurance) continued to pay for three back procedures in 2 months ranging from 4000 to 6000 plus a whopping 2500 for accupuncture lol and they (insurance ) think they are saving money by denying the revision. For crying out loud i have degenerative disk, sciatica, bulging disk slipped disk, lumber L2, L3, L4, L5 something that is getting worse with my increasing weight. Oh i'm sorry, i lost track of what we were talking about Yes sign me up!!

I have had a hiatal hernia and major hair loss.I had a revision with hernia repair on12/23/13

I am a band to sleeve revision. On Monday, I will be 6 weeks post-op. I had a band for 10 years. If you pull up my profile you can access my story. I explained all of my troubles before the sleeve surgery in that section. So far I have not had any complications and I am feeling really good now. I am back on a regular diet again. I worry about the leaking problems too so I try to follow the food plan and just hope that I don't feel any leaking symptoms. My surgery was done at one time. He removed the band, performed the sleeve procedure, and repaired a hiatal hernia. It's still pretty new to me. Maybe someone else can help you with your questions. Good luck to you.

Mine was eleven years old and even though I had no fill in mine and was still vomiting almost every time I ate. I could only get things like ice cream, pudding and yogurt through it. I went to a different surgeon (the one who did the band moved away about 5 years ago) and said it had to come out because eventually I wasn't even going to get water through it. During the band removal and revision to a RNY they discovered that the band had slipped, and the slip caused a hiatal hernia. I had this done a bit over 4 months ago and weigh less than the lowest weight I ever got with the band. If your surgeon doesn't want to consider removing it, maybe you should consider finding another surgeon who will work with you before it gets worse.

Hello January Sleevers! Can you believe that all of us have been "together" in this journey for 3-7 weeks. Still just newbies really. This blog is such a support for me. In general I'm very happy with how I am doing at 5 weeks. (I was a band to sleeve revision) No regrets but I am learning every day that life will be very different now, especially how, what, and when I eat. I am still struggling with what I can eat and how much. I still vomit if I eat too fast or too much. (And too much is over 1/2 cup of food. And too fast is about 1000 times slower than I ate pre-sleeve.) It's hard to get in 800 calories a day. Water still tastes weird and the only liquid I can get in is watered-down no sugar Fruit drinks. When I see all of you taking long walks, hikes etc I do get a little envious. I can walk about 1/2 mile before I get kind of tired. I am older (63) and have an arthritic hip from carrying this excess weight so long. Weight loss will make it easier but as my Doc said, WLS isn't going to heal that worn down hip. I can certainly do more than before the surgery and weigh loss but I am not running any marathons just yet. (I am so happy when I see some of you in your younger years losing this weight before you ruin a hip) Today I have to share that I am missing the feeling of over-eating and the haze/daze it gave me. The brief emotional feeling of fullness and satisfaction of some binge food. Of course I am overjoyed that now I can be outside more, be more active, feel better, look better, etc. I am still learning to accept this activities as my new satisfied full feeling. However, I've used food as an emotional support for so long, I am feeling some loss that I can no longer eat to get that feeling from eating. It's great that now I eat to stay alive. But still, if I'm honest, at least today, I miss that old eating experience. (I know it was always followed by the self-hate, but there was a few moments of feeling pretty darn good.) Hummmm, is the honeymoon over for me? I had a lap-band so I am well aware of the initial high of losing weight and feeling so great. I know it feels like it will last forever. I'm a little leary of that high because at some point we will all be past the easy weigh loss (and even now some are struggling) and we'll have to work a little harder and be more aware of the downs and find the inner emotional means and external support to get thru them. I know this loss I'm feeling today will pass, and I'm not looking for advice just sharing where I am. Maybe someone else might the same. Rather than having this feeling of loss and emotional changes trip me up now or later in my weight loss, I think I may look for a councilor that knows about this stuff. All the best to you all. baj

I'm 4 yrs out and the weightloss has been super slow but I now weigh 150. It's almost impossible to lose that last 15 lbs. Ive lost and gained the same 5 lbs for months. Everyone I know in my Facebook WLS board seems to think that maybe 150 is my good spot and my body is rebelling againt more loss. On July 19th I'm having a RNY revision. I've had 4 years of severe reflux with my sleeve. Hoping my post op diet and new tool, I may be able to get to goal. Hope so! My before (160) and after (150). If I lose more on my legs, I won't be able to hold the top part up. I look like a marshmallow held up with 2 toothpicks!

I had Lapland too for over 6 years, lost some weight, had it revised to Rey gastric bypass, Jan 14 th, how r u doing now?

Hello, I had the Sleeve January 9th 2013. Had Gallbladder removed February 1st 2013? Contained to have pain on right side, and acid reflux. I reached my goal weight of 155 in August, My start weight was 263. I continued to lose weight, and be sick. Throwing up, nausea, and heart burn. Surgeon found out I had Bile Reflux in October. I lost down to 130lbs, and was in hospital for dehydrations every few weeks until November. I was revised on November 21, 2013. I ended up in hospital December 8th, for extremely Low blood pressure, and dehydration, was in hospital for 6 days. I am slowly getting better. They have my blood pressure under control with medication, and I am starting to be able to keep small amounts of food down, I have gained 4 lbs. I did not want the Gastric Bypass, but it is what I had to do. Surgeon said I should be much better and able to start working out by end of February. Good luck, and keep us posted.

I have my "tentative" surgery date and they just submitted for approval. Keeping my Fingers crossed for the revision approval! Good Luck!

Yes I would definitely join as I listened to my Dr that assured me this was safe and 7 years in I have had 2 port revisions and a band revision and now it needs to come out from the damage it's done to my stomach. I don't know how they get away with selling these things. I did lose my weight and just now have gained some back but that's not the point. Health is the point and this device puts people at risk and it's a temporary fix at best. So either way we should want our money back. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using the BariatricPal App

I would definitely be interested. I had the lapband back in 2003. I have had other surgeries due to slippage and to put in a new band. I just got it taken out on the 19th of December due to dilated esophagus in which they expected to get better when they took the saline back in February. I got the lapband done in Colorado where they have since closed the clinic. Which I don't understand since they had at least 900 patients. I was 281 down to 140 and now back to 220. My insurance denied a revision to the sleeve. I will be working with primary and surgeon who took it out to hopefully get a sleeve. Kinda stupid that got denies since I am headed to the same place I was before. I have invested so much time and money in the lapband. I live in New Mexico and the many trips to Colorado due to problems and other surgeries such as tummy tuck and arms done due to that insurance doesn't cover. I have paid out AT LEAST $40,000. out of pocket for me. I AM DEFINITELY INTERESTED. And still wondering about the Doctors where the clinic closed.