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I have had a complete unfill twice, and still managed to loose weight. The reason is that I maintained my Bandster portions, and did what little I could to exercise. Your current issues seem more to be with your faulty thinking and relationship with food. If you could revise your thinking into seeing eating as self sabotage of the progress you have made to date, and recognizing that telling yourself "NO", you will not eat out of control, it goes a long way to help you through challenging times such as you are experiencing now. It is very easy for us to become our own "self fulfilling prophecy" when the self talk messages are negative in nature. If you dispair and tell yourself you have no self control, you will be correct, because you have given yourself permission to eat to your heart's content. If you tell yourself I will empower myself to maintain my weight, and not allow my faulty thinking with regards to food to rule me, then you will overcome your feelings of helplessness. The band is a highly self empowering tool. You have been quite successful thus far. Don't throw any of that success away because of your mindset. Remember, just because you can eat more than the allowed portion does NOT mean that you should. You can do this...if you want to. Only you can determine your path by your choices.

Myra - so sorry to hear that you are having port issues, but I'm sure the revision will be a peice of cake for you. Good Luck! Linda - well, that sucks! I'm sorry that your hubby's job is stressing you out so. I know that the best thing for your family will happen, always have faith! God Bless, and I'll be praying for a good resolution to your delimma. Missy - I eat in the same range of calories as you, but my weight loss is stalled. This is soooo frustrating. Guess I'll just really try to restrict what I shove in the old "pie hole" until I can get my next fill on Feb. 13th. Keep up the great work!

Hey Punk, I understand your anger. I was so mad and didn't know whether to be mad at myself, the band or God. I started having problems about 14 months out. I first had a major stuckage which passed but after that, it was back and forth, back and forth from not being able to eat any thing to being able to eat only at certain times of the day. It went on almost two more years and then started getting really bad. I started having major reflux. Every night i had it. Had to sleep sitting up in recliner. Then I got to the point where I was vomiting even when I had not been eating. I was essentially vomiting my own saliva. I could eat one time a day generally and usually did not puke it up, but anything else was gonna come up. Then the last few days I puked everything and nothing. It didn't matter if I had eaten or not, I was just constantly puking. The meds didn't help. I decided to call my local doc and couldn't reach him immediately, I went to the ER and my prealbumin level was below severe malnutrition and some of my electrolytes were out of whack. I had talked to my Mexican surgeon about having my band replaced with one of the newer ones and he had advised me to have it removed and then to wait a few months and get it replaced or get revised to a sleeve. I didn't want a sleeve. I had loved my band when it worked right, but I didn't want to go on with the problems I had been having. It got so bad the day I went in the hospital I passed out and woke up with my head in the dogs bowl. Fortunately not face first, lol! I had my local doc remove my band and I had hopes I could keep my wt. off without a band. I was down to around 165, maybe less. Wrong! I wonder if I should have had him replace it, but I didn't. I proceeded to gain 65 lbs then loose 20 then gain it back, then lost 15 as I prepared to go back to Mx. for a new band as my insurance would not cover my band replacement. I was extremely depressed during the time I was bandless. I felt like I had killed off someone I loved who was hurting me. I called my friend and told him that I felt like I should have tried harder! Anyhow, long story I know, but I have my new band, lower slippage risk than old one, and I am keeping my fingers crossed, and hope to make use of my experiencee with the previous band. Hang in there, you still have your band, just be very careful, and make it work if it will. If not, get it out, and get a sleeve or a new band. It is just a tool. Corliss

Hi All I'm having my sleeve revision surgery in two weeks and I'm nervous. Just wondering if anyone has had a revision and would love to hear how it's working for you. How long was the recovery the second time around?

Well, I am officially approved for band to sleeve revision on Oct. 24th. My doc wants to do it in ONE surgery. My band has been drained for 2 years so he feels one surgery would be fine. I pray that is the right decision. I am having a bitter sweet moment... I am excited for the new journey and praying it is the best decision for myself and that I am successful especially since I was NOT on the band. But the biggest struggle to me is having a 15 month old son that needs me. The thought of not picking him up for 6 weeks seems like eternity and I am sure will be so hard on both of us. I can't really afford to put it off because insurance approved it and I my deductibles are met for this year. So I really hope and pray this decision works out for both of us I think having an active mom in the future will pay off. So I'm joining the Oct new band to sleeve revisions

I recently looked into this and am at the stage of deciding which surgery I want: Re-Sleeve or Bypass. I'll preface the following by stating you can research many articles on "pubmed.com" to read published papers by physicians. There is a re-sleeve procedure and it's either done by plication or utilizing Overstitch; key difference is that part of your stomach is NOT cut and removed, as is done in the initial sleeve. The stomach is made smaller by suturing to make it smaller. In my case, revision, even if it is to a re-sleeve, would be covered by my insurance. Re-sleeves can be done endoscopically (through the throat, no incisions on the abdomen); this is the approach I am being offered. Bypass would require abdominal incisions as it is performed laparoscopically. Bypass would yield a greater overall weight loss, initially. There's a study that indicated the long term weight loss between those re-sleeved vs. conversion to bypass levels out and is similar. Articles: Re-sleeve Gastrectomy - An Efficient Revisional Bariatric Procedure - 3 Years Results Re-Sleeve Gastrectomy for Failed Primary Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Short-term outcomes of revisional surgery after sleeve gastrectomy: a comparative analysis of re-sleeve, Roux en-Y gastric bypass, duodenal switch (Roux en-Y and single-anastomosis) Laparoscopic re-sleeve gastrectomy as a treatment of weight regain after sleeve gastrectomy Weight Regain After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Look at the Benefits of Re-sleeve Reverse: Laparoscopic revision of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to sleeve gastrectomy: A ray of hope for failed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass As to which procedure has higher risk, in general, risk increases with every subsequent surgery. In this case, it would depend on the approach your physician would take to re-sleeve; endoscopic or laparoscopic. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a case-matched study If both options would be performed laparoscopically, then it would be a matter of you deciding which procedure you feel the most comfortable with to achieve the long-term results you are looking for. Endoscopic surgery is performed using a scope, a flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip, allowing the surgeon to see inside and perform procedures without making major incisions, allowing for easier recovery time and less pain and discomfort. Laparoscopic is performed by making several small incisions in the abdomen, which increases risk when compared to the SAME PROCEDURE performed endoscopically (no incisions). The approach with the highest risk is open. Bigger incision. Bigger incision, bigger risk. One type of surgery that has taken off in the last few years is minimally invasive spine surgery. Many spine surgeries can be done laparoscopically versus open -- even fusions. The difference? Patients that have it done laparoscopically can have it done in an ASC (ambulatory surgical center), meaning they leave the same day, no hospital stay or large incisions in the back. And...always remember, whichever surgery you have, it's a TOOL, not a magic pill (those don't exist either). Hope this helps!

I brought: Chapstick Deodorant (didn't use) Phone charger + extension cord Magazines (didn't even take them out) Non-slip flip flops Extra clothes (didn't use, went home in what I came in) Hair ties Band to Vsg revision: 5/23/17 HW: 315+ Starting weight: 294 Surgery Day: 281 Current: 235 Goal 170

That is exactly what happened to me. I had horrible gerd and had a revision 4 years after surgery. Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

for some it gets better, but for about 30%, it gets worse. I'm surprised your surgeon is recommending it, to be honest. He may be more comfortable doing that surgery - it's less complicated. But I don't really like his comment about how you can always revise to bypass. Yea, but... I had GERD before surgery. I didn't want to take the risk of it getting worse.

Ditto all of this. Maybe I have a skewed perception because I've succeeded with my lap-band and then regained weight (due to complications and issues with the band). Back when I first had surgery, I was all gung-ho about educating people about WLS and spreading the gospel, so to speak. The problem is, most people consider WLS surgery to be a magical cure-all for obesity, and if you start gaining weight back, you become the "friend of a friend of a friend" that everyone warns you about when you first tell them you're looking into surgery. They think that because you're sharing something private with them, that it's public knowledge and can then be gossiped about, or that you want their advice on how to lose weight. Bottom line is that it is not your responsibility to educate the masses about the joys of WLS. If you aren't 100% comfortable telling people about having surgery, dealing with all of the extra input that people will think you want (because God forbid we don't want to know about the friend of a friend of a friend that died, or regained weight, or had major complications), or with their suggestions on "better" ways to lose weight, then don't tell anyone. For me, I don't plan on telling any more people than absolutely necessary about my revision from lap-band to RNY (more people know about it now than I'm comfortable with, due to my parent's inability to respect my personal privacy). I'm no one's WLS mentor or the poster-child for WLS, and I don't wish to become one.

I had revision from lapband to bypass Dec 28 2015.I am so happy....Was off of Metformin 3 days post op....no Metformin since...I feel great...those horse pills 850 x 2 a day is over.

Hi all I know we're all at different stages and we're all going to consume various foods but I am curious about calories! As a band to sleeve revision patient and now 6ish weeks out, I am getting those horrible 'OMG am I going to succeed? Is my sleeve tight and small enough? Am I eating way more than everyone else?' thoughts...... I've started tracking calories and I generally have around 800-1000 calories but I feel like it's quite easy to get up to 1000. At weeks 2-4 I struggled A LOT with foods and just didn't really have the drive to watch my food intake and protein. Now, I feel like my hunger is coming back and that freaks me out. No heartburn or anything, and I've had my 40 grams of Somac on a daily basis, but I KNOW I feel hunger. I just get in a bit of a negative headspace and worry that the sleeve won't be 'viable' for me. I am very determined, yet am at a stall. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to know what you guys typically eat in a day too! THANKS

My period stopped for a few months after surgery and then it was back to normal. The hunger may also be due to the reflux. Will it go away? Only time will tell. I've had reflux for 2 years and maxed out on several meds. A revision is in my near future. Are you on a PPI???

I also have RA (was diagnosed post-VSG) and am headed toward a revision for GERD in the next few months. My rheumatologist automatically put me on injectable methotrexate so i didn't have to deal with any GI side effects. It's really easy and cheap - I still have to draw it up myself from the vial with an insulin needle. But I have no side effects from it. My bigger problem will probably be figuring out what i can take for as-needed pain relief...

Sorry I can’t offer any help in regards to a revision to bypass & rheumatoid arthritis. I did find the article below about managing methotrexate side effects. (I was interested because I have a non bariatric friend who takes it for RA too.) May be worth another conversation with the bariatric surgeon in regards to the suggestion that taking folic acid can reduce side effects. Repairing your hernia may alleviate some of your reflux issues too. It’s unfortunate that while it’s helpful managing arthritic pain, methotrexate can also cause weight gain. ☹️ https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/treatment-plan/disease-management/methotrexate-managing-side-effects

I had the sleeve in 2016 then had two babies and ultimately, regained almost all of it back. I have PCOS and infertility (had to do IVF), but no gerd. Will I be approved for revision from regain? I have BCBSIL PPO.

I too am scared of losing too much weight with a revision. I had the sleeve done in 2014. I'm 5'4" and my lowest was 102. After 3 years I hit my happy spot of 115. I've stayed there for the last 6 years. I'm intentionally gaining now for fear of going too low. I'm at 125 right now and do not yet have a date. I've already had EGD and upper GI series. I just had my manometry done on the 20th and my pH with Bravo is on the 29th. He will submit to insurance after that. I'm really really scared and wish there was another option besides bypass but the 3 doctors I've seen say bypass is my only option. I'm glad to see you're doing well, and hope that I do too, but I sure am scared.

I'm going to be getting my revision sometime in July. My surgeon said that with the revision, expect to lose about 40-45% of the weight you would have lost if it was your original surgery. So he said I could expect to lose about 60-65 pounds in a year for my current weight and BMI. I lost 116 pounds in a year with the sleeve, so if I can lose another 65 pounds in a year with my revision, I'll be ecstatic. I'm really good at watching my diet and working out, so I think my "dream goal" is to lose 75 pounds in a year with the revision, but my "realistic goal" is the 60-65 in a year. We'll see. I would be lower than I am now if I hadn't run into so many complications and health issues. But this revision is going to get me back to living my life so I can refocus on my health and weight loss.

My husband and I are both getting band to sleeve revisions. The Dr wants to wait a month between surgeries, but we are hoping for 3 weeks. Hopefully late July and mid August. We got our approvals Friday so just playing the waiting game for our surgery dates, hoping to hear tomorrow!! Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App

So I'm now just over 3 weeks post op (revision of band to sleeve), in the first 9 days I lost 9 pounds, since then not a darn thing which is pretty frustrating so early on! So having read so much on this forum about "myfitnesspal" I have decided to give it a go and already I feel more in control. I like logging stuff, like my weight graph etc and I hoping that this might help me to focus a bit more on what exactly I'm eating. I haven't logged my food intake since my Slimming World days and it's much more high tech now! Can anyone give me a guide to what Protein, carbs etc I should be aiming for and is it possible to tailor the details on myfitnesspal to this? I have looked but can't find a way. I think I read about 60g protein and 50g carbs, does this sound about right. (I don't have a nut, they are pretty rare around here and my dr only gave me the most basic of info.) Onwards with my journey, I hope that this will end my early stall and get me on my way towards goal again. Just wanted to add that I find this site fascinating and the information & stories very helpful and have become quite addicted

Argh! LBT ate my post again! Anyway, Shalee and Manatee, I see many people posting that they are having a revision to their PS. Is this covered in the original costs paid or do you have to pay again?

On my way to the hospital.I did not sleep all night.The day is finally here and I hopefully will by the grace of getting GOD I will come out of this surgery victorious and ready to spring ahead on my new improved life.I have suffered with the lap band since 2004 .I never came close to the amount of weight loss I needed.I have dealt with sliming,frequent trips to the bathroom to puke,carrying plastic bags to stop off on the side of the road to vomit.Obsessed with eating...what could I eat to avoid an episode....weight gain....constant pain and protrusion on or around the port area and acid reflux to no end. I lived with it for so long because I was convinced I could make it work.Other health problems ensued DVT ,gallbladder,breast cancer,hysterectomy and PCOS.These were immediate needs that I attended to with band issues simultaneously.I really tried to make it work....All the weight has returned. I need a reboot in my life and this is my new chapter ..."I want me back"!!! Wish me luck...this site and everyone has really informed me with such useful information and shared experiences..I am grateful. Almost there.....surgery scheduled for 11:30....psyched!

Had yet another followup with the Doc today. He's declared me fit and 'normal'. Personally I'm still disappointed. I look so good right after surgery, and then, without gaining a pound, things get saggy and bloated looking again. Doc and his assistant warned me about unrealistic expectations, and that "people who have cosmetic surgery are the type to be the toughest on themselves." I've never thought of myself as a perfectionist, but maybe in this aspect I am becoming one. I must think on that. There is one slight issue. The Doc didn't want to do much lipo around the port itself, because he was rightfully afraid of damaging it or the tubing. That's left me with an imbalance right to left, where the left side is slightly blobby and convex vs the right which is not. For other reasons, I am going to have to get the band revised yet again. I am going to ask the band doc to put in a low profile port when he goes back in, and place it on the right hand side. That will clear up the space to allow for just a touch of liposuction. Getting there...anyone know anything about pectoral implants? :mad2:

Hi All, Having a revision from the sleeve to by-pass on an emergency basis on Monday due to GERD. I live several hours from the hospital so my surgeon wants me to stay for couple of days in a hotel. Started packing for the hospital and have been so preoccupied that it suddenly occurred to me I will need to bring food. Not Snacks this time LOL! I will have a fridge but not a freezer and also a microwave. Can anyone here suggest what to take/buy that will help with me those first few days. I will have to bring a cooler to keep things cold on the day of surgery. Thanks for your help.

I am looking to have band revision as well. I wanted traditional DS but there are no in network providers. Now looking at SIPS but I am not sure if insurance will cover it. Did insurance cover revision to SIPS for you? If not, how much did it cost?