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I was given the option of Sleeve vs Bypass but chose bypass because I didn't want the risk of revision if GERD and also wanted a surgery that had better statistics to back up given my history of PCOS. So have you considered of Bypass? I think out of pocket means it may little more expensive for you to get bypass but do give it a thought and do your research to ease your nerves. Also like others mentioned, you shouldn't get intimidated by certain some a experiences. If some have had not so great experience, there are also others out here who have found success and turned a new leaf in their lives. Every experience is different and not everyone is going to describe their detailed medical history here. So best option for you is to speak to your surgical team and see what they have to say about your dilemma.

My surgery was Dec 2011 and Tiffikins in particular was someone who really helped me get prepared to take this on! I think she moved on once she started having babies ... i like to think she is living a nice normal life. To some extent, I tried to pick up the band to sleeve revision torch she carried. She really shed light on the whole topic for me... that it was worth trying AGAIN after my epic fail with the band.

I was wondering the very same thing! I have 2 cats.. spoiled rotten. I'm having the Lapband removed & revised to RNY on tues 8/11. Thanks for asking that question & to those who replied. Good luck to you!

I didn't realize the hospital in Mac had a support group. I had surgery 7/1/15 which was revision from band to sleeve. Surgery was done at Legacy Good Sam in Portland but hard to get back to in the evening from the Forest Grove area. I am gonna have to check out the support group dates and times. How are you all doing after surgery?

Hello, I may as well say I am new here. Did not visit or participate much when I had the lap-band on 06/28/11. Have had a hard time with the lap-band. Did loose 40 lb's, even though I never got above a 5ml fill. Had a lot of problems with GERD and had to stay below 5ml's. Now I have damage to my esophagus and the insurance approved a revision, so here I go. The RNY has always scared me, and that is why I did not have it done the first time. But, here I go, having it done now. I am looking for advise on how to handle all the changes that are heading my way, and how to get my husband and sons to understand what it will be like. After all this time, my husband still can't remember why I can't drink with my meal. So, I look forward to this new journey.

I totally agree with your NUT, either Bypass or the Duodenal Switch (DS). I see too many people end up doing revisions to Bypass after doing the sleeve. This was one of the reasons why I changed my mind as well. This surgery is a huge deal and I didn't want to go under the knife more than once. After all the Bypass is the standard of all WLS. The sleeve only gives you restriction, but with the Bypass you get both the restriction and malabsorption (not as much as the DS though). I say do your research speak with ppl that did both.

I can't. Tell since my port revision surgery yet. When my port flipped it was sticking out sideways and looked like a hernia. So I had to have a revision and I think it's above my belly button. Not sure though.

Hi Lara! Welcome! I don't think you're alone in feeling nervous -- having had surgeries myself prior to my sleeve, I too was nervous. Some other really active posters here that have had the revision are Tiffykins and LilMissDiva -- I know I'm forgetting some, but they're very helpful about revisions Good luck to you on your surgery -- I know it will go great!

For my revision it took maybe a total of 4-5 weeks. Sent all to insurance company got approval for revision in less than 2 weeks. Went to education class the next week and surgery 2 weeks later. Had surgery on a Thursday and back to work the following Wednesday working 10-11 hour shifts.

Hi. I had the revision from band to sleeve on 1/23 also. So glad I did it. No pain from sleeve only from where the port was removed. Just started the purée stage and feeling better every day. Down 12 pounds since 1/23. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Update: I got my date for the DS revision, coming up in 2 weeks. I have only 1 week of pre diet this time around. Anyone else?

It's been four months today since I had band to sleeve revision. After a complicated surgery and a rough recovery I was feeling really good. I've lost 72 pounds, have lots of energy and best of all, I haven't been in any pain. Fibro was a huge part of my life prior to surgery and honestly, after surgery I haven't had any fibro pain. However, the past 10 days have been very reminiscent of the pain I had experienced before. I know I'm walking much more and am more active than I have been in years. Maybe the increased activity is causing a fibro flare up, I don't know. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

That's good news for your husband! I am sorry that you are going through all this. Would you be denied from your surgeon or insurance? I thought it was pretty common these days to have the revision. I started at 40 bmi (back in August) and was so nervous I was going to drop below and get denied - that I unintentionally gained more weight over the course of 9 months. My process was a bit longer than most, because I was on anti-depressants, but not seeing a therapist. They wanted me to do 12 weeks of therapy. When that was completed, I was weighed in and was told I needed to lose 15lbs to before I was even allowed to meet with my surgeon. It never dawned on me that sleep apnea (I had just been diagnosed) would be considered a co-morbidity, until my nurse confirmed it. Extra anxiety over nothing. You should contact your insurance/surgeon and ask, just in case. Keep me posted on how you both are doing!

This happened to me with fluids, it would not go down. The reflux, heartburn were so painful I would throw up. Not to mention I was severely dehydrated, it was awful. I had a scan that showed the fluid stuck literally in my throat. They said this was very dangerous because it can go into the lungs and I went into surgery days later, right in the middle of the pandemic when hospitals only took emergency cases, last July. I was so scared, everyone in the hospital was paranoid as was I. My surgeon looked like an astronaut he was so covered up when he performed the surgery. I had to mention this because that showed how incredibly dangerous the lap band can be. And that is where the nightmare began. I had this weight so under control that I truly felt I would never put on the weight again. Exercising daily, eating very healthy, I really thought this was it. No more struggles after 10 years of keeping it under control. And then in one year, it all came back and then some. I remember my surgeon saying, most people have a revision to remove scar tissue and then have the sleeve done to keep the weight under control. Who could have known that this would be so incredibly hard? It was devastating. If I knew then what I know now I would have done it even thinner because this is, for me anyway's, a way of life. I must always try and try hard to stay on the path of mindful eating and exercising. Day 16 post op 13lbs weight loss Started bike riding. I had mine on the 26th and have lost 13 lbs. I am so excited !!!!! i have the go-ahead to exercise but I am not really eating so I am being careful. so excited to start this next chapter. It was impossible for me to lose 13 lbs before, I feel so much better knowing the weight is finally starting to come off!

Research tells me that since I'm a revision from band to bypass, and have less weight to lose, that I will lose it more slowly. Research also tells me that I will stall through out. Now with that being said, to me the scales are good, I weigh every morning and they tell me what I might have to do different, little more excerise, increase calories, etc. Those scales to me are just like the bypass, a tool. It never means I'm doing something wrong, just that I need to change something. And DL is correct you need a food log, if you are logging too few calories and not losing, then your metabolism is in stravation mode, boost it up a little, increase the excerise, increase your calories. But just remember the scales are no different than the bypass, it is only a tool.

I also need my gallbladder out and want the revision at the same time.I hope it can be done.Has anyone had all this surgery done in one surgery?If so how was the recovery for you?

Found out I would have to go through a 6 week program and pay out around $300+ and then MAYBE my insurance would cover the revision surgery from band to sleeve. So I'm still on the fence about what I will do. I'm trying to buy a house and save money and then I'll have to move in October, so spending that kind of money right now isn't really ideal for me so I thought I might wait until next year as long as the gallbladder doesn't give me any more fits. I did get another fill in my band. I have more trouble with more foods now, but I'm losing weight, so I'm reluctant to say anything. I go back in a couple weeks anyway. I can eat solid foods, but not a lot and if I'm not careful it's painful I think when it's hitting the band and trying to pass through, but it is only a short burst of sharp pain. I just have to remember to be careful. This is the best I've done - as far as losing weight - with the band since the first week post op.

I'm on Pantoprazole also. I'm almost six weeks post op revision, and I have to only take it for three months and then I can discontinue it. I don't want to continue on a PPI any longer than I have to due to their side effects.

I had my consultation with the plastic surgeon today. The first thing Dr. Weiss said after I told him I've lost 130 lbs. is, "Well you look great!" And I laughed and said, "Well yeah, with my clothes on!" He asked what my biggest concerns were and I told him stomach, boobs and side boobs (that bit that spills over the top sides of my bra). After I got undressed he was impressed with the amount of excess skin I had. It was funny sitting there and him gathering and poking to see how much is skin. The good news is he said I can get away with an extended tummy tuck, I won't need a body lift (whew!). He said he should be able to remove nearly all of the loose skin, including my stretch marks on my stomach. He showed me where he would cut and I could not believe how high up he would be able to go. He said I should end up with a nearly flat stomach and he and his assistant said I have a very nice body shape/build because I'm a natural hourglass and under my loose skin is a small waist so I will avoid looking boxy like most tummy tuck patients. ???? He said there is quite a bit of loose skin in the breasts and showed me where the nipple should go. Again, I was surprised. We are talking about six inches or so. He also said I really REALLY need implants because I have zero upper breast. I'm basically pectoral muscles and then breasts below that. He wants to remove all the loose skin, some of my existing breast tissue and then put implants at the top where I'm completely lacking anything. Without them I can get a lift but will end up with the man boob look I'm dreading so much. Right now I'm a 36DDD and I told him I'd like to end up a 34DD. He also said he can easily fix the side boob issue with expanding the lower incision line. I asked him about my back rolls and he said they are all loose skin. He basically said there is nothing to lipo. I'm just skin! Which blows my mind because I still feel so fat when I look in the mirror. But he said that could be fixed later down the road if I decide to do any other surgeries. He said there is an increased bleeding risk when there has been extreme weight loss which is defined as losing more than 60 lbs. However, he has never had to give anyone a transfusion and he is very confident I will have no issues since I've never smoked and my skin is in great condition. He does want me to have a CBC done to make sure I haven't developed anemia from bariatric surgery. He said I could probably return to work after a few weeks if I'm sitting but I still plan on taking at least three, if not four. I can begin light cardio like walking after four weeks but no high impact exercise or lifting for many months. Also, no resistance exercise for many months although I can use my own body weight. It will cost $8,150 for tummy tuck only or $15,310 for tummy tuck and breasts. He offered to repair the side boobs for free. The cost includes all post-op care and if I'm not happy with my results he will do a free revision. He said, "If you're not happy with the results, I'm not going to be happy with the results." Now on to the mental/psychological part of this. I had a bit of a meltdown on the ride home. Part of it was because I made the mistake of listening to "Reflection" on the way home and started bawling. "Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show who I am inside?" ???? So I did a lot of thinking. On one hand, I feel selfish for spending $15,000 on myself. I don't feel like I deserve it. I don't know why I feel that way. I also don't know why I feel so weird about implants. I've always had very large breasts. But I've always kind of thought of women who got implants as phonies trying to be something they aren't. Just accept your natural body! But now I'm trying to replace what I've always had. And now I'm becoming more understanding towards those who want/need plastic surgery. On the other hand, when I see myself in the mirror I can see my potential but I feel like I'll never feel complete until this excess skin is gone. I really want to finish my marathon and get the medal at the end, my new body.

I’m looking to have a sleeve to bypass revision but I’m not sure what my insurance will cover. Is anyone on BCBSIL PPO 204 plan?

My surgeon explained that a minority of people will have Gerd after surgery. He said that for the vast majority of those people, medicine alleviates it. He said there is a small percentage, I forget whether it was one or 3%, for whom the medicine does not work, and they need revision surgery.

I am going to have my husband take pics tonight to send to Dra. Cardenas and see what my options are for my thigh lift and a possible revision to my breasts. I had planned to wait until the fall, so I could run more races over the summer, but this thread has got me all anxious to do it sooner!

Hi there- I am a revision patient. I had a band for almost 4 years - lost 40 pounds, gained back 20. Totally not worth it. That said, only you can decide if the sleeve is the right thing to do after the band. I wanted an "insurance policy" after I had my band taken out. I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't baloon up again after the band was gone. It has been 6 weeks since my revision and I am ECSTATIC with the results. The recovery was hard, but the positives outweigh the negatives. I am at a point where I can eat almost anything (but very small quantities) and it feels really good. Make sure you read through this board extensively - there is so much infromation here! Also, there is a band to sleeve revision topic on the main page (scroll down until you see it). A lot of us revision folks post info there. As far as your questions: 1. Is all this true? Averag weight loss is just that - an average. Since I have less to lose, I am not sure how close I will get to my goal or how soon. People lose well over 100 pounds with the surgery. 2. Are there more than 1 type of sleeve operations? There is one variation that I know of - sleeve plication. You might want to do a search on this board for "plication" and send messages to some of the folks who have had it done. It is not nearly as common. 3. Is it difficult to transition from the lapband to the sleeve? Surgically, it can be challenging if you have had complications or excessive scarring. The doc won't really know until they get in there and see what is going on. My revision was not terribly complicated - Dr removed scar tissue and adhesions from my liver and my total surgery time was less than 90 minutes. Emotionally, the transition has its ups and downs. You will feel restriction like you never had with the band. This is good, but the first few weeks on all liquids and very strict diet can be tough on you emotionally. The good thing is that it doesn't allow you to cheat. After 4-6 weeks you are eating normally (but a lot less) and it gets much easier. 4. Does Insurance cover it? (I have Blue Cross) For some people it does - you will have to explore that option. 5. Are there other important questions that I am not asking? Read through the boards extensively and you will most likely come up with a list of questions for your doctor. Also, feel free to ask all of us questions about our experiences. The knowledge and support here is invaluable. Good luck to you in your decision! Lara

Hi skinnymom, I really have done a lot of research, and that is why I did NOT opt for the RnY Bypass! I have read too many threads that they are looking for revisions, too, because they have re-gained. That is why I am opting for the Duodenal Switch, which has the best longterm success rate. There are MANY bypass patients looking for a revision from rny to ds, but not one DS person looking for any kind of revision, to anything! At least, I cannot find one. I have read, out of hundreds and hundreds of threads, of 3 people with less than satisfying results, and this seems pretty rare. I hope the DS will be my solution, after all this! thank you!

Hi everyone Was great to stumble across this forum and find out that Aussies visit too! I was banded on the 3rd of April (so 13 days today) at Bethesta Hospital (by Mr Kierath) in Perth. Im 6.5kg's down as I type, but have started to notice that my weight is starting to fluctuate (Im a scale junkie unfortunately!) and the last few days have seen me go from 99.9kg - 98.5kg then right back up again. Is this normal whilst you are still on liquids? I have my first appt with my surgeon since the "borg" was put in on the 24th of April - and boy I am filled with questions! My port is definitely noticable (which Im not happy about) and even my DH can see it sticking up through my tummy, just under my ribs. I am having nightmares that it has flipped or turned on an angle, and can see myself having some type of revision surgery. Has anybody had their port turn/flip - and if so whats the general action taken? Revision surgery? Sometimes I feel as though mine is floating around - or maybe Im just freaking myself out here! Lucylee - I had that tightness in the chest area that you talked about, and ended up ringing the hospital (because I was concerned) and they told me it was all perfectly normal. They reminded me that even though I had keyhole surgery, (and yes, it is less invasive) its still major surgery and that my internal organs were basically not settled and that the discomfort was caused by swelling of the organs and the gas that they use to pump you up to see what they are doing. Mine has only recently let up the last few days, so give yourself a good couple of weeks to let everything settle. However, if it doesnt feel right to you, the best advice I can give would be to ring your surgeon! Anyhow, enough of my blather.. I appreciate finding Aussies on the board, and look forward in getting to know you all better