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Hi Johnny, we're here to help. I was sleeved in Feb. 2018, then revised to RnY in Oct. 2018 due to reflux. I think it was worth it. 1. How long did you take off work? I'm told 2 weeks. I usually work from home at a computer. Was there much pain? I took 2 weeks to return to a desk job. Pretty much the same as the sleeve and similar pain level. 2. How long before you could work out again? I had other complications that skewed this one, so I won't comment. 3. Did you lose more weight than you wanted? No, I still had about 20# to goal and it took me 4-5 months to get there. 4. Did it resolve your acid reflux (if that was the reason)? Absolutely and immediately. 5. Were you able to enjoy good food at special meals (holidays, etc.) with RNY? I'm terrified of losing ability to have a nice meal with family. What does a normal meal capacity look like at a year out? I have less restriction with my RnY than I did with the sleeve. I am eating 1-2 cup meals now (10 months out). 6. Are bowel movements normal at some point? No problems, in general. 7. Could you drink alcohol again? I'm fine going months without but at some point would like to enjoy a glass of champagne again. I can't right now as carbonation is brutal. I enjoy the occasional 1-2 glasses of wine. I can't handle carbonation, though.

I’ve had the RNY 18 years ago and my depression improved with the weight loss. Some of the meds I was taking dropped off but I’ve been on other meds for decades. Recently had a revision to DS and my moods have been up even under extreme stress. I’m hoping that I will be able to decrease some of my meds as my body shrinks. The surgery is totally worth it. Ping if you have any questions.

I had VSG on 11/30/2012 and have kept off about 110# in the 6.75 years since then. I am ~ 25# overweight but right about at my original goal. I'm 5'11" (male), 195#, 34" waist, very fit and active, etc. I was down to 175# when I ran marathons but have had a few hip issues that are now resolved and had a minor regain. I actually really like how I look / feel at this weight as I looked a lot older at the lower end. I'm pretty happy with my weight loss. But since about 2 weeks out I've had ridiculously bad GERD. I get an annual endoscopy (familial cancer syndrome) and ever since VSG, I have had erosions show up from the reflux. This last time it was diagnosed as Barrett's Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous syndrome. I cannot control it fully with meds. I either take 5-6 PPI (200-240mg esomeprazole magnesium) or 6-8 extra strength Zantact (900-1200mg ranitidine). These are of course way above the recommended limits and in the case of the PPI there are long-term risks associated with it they don't want for me as I need good bone density for my hip implant. The bariatric surgeon (University of Wisconsin) has recommended for years that I convert to RNY and after the Barrett's Esophagus diagnosis, my PCP and the genetic cancer team both strongly recommended it as well. So I'm going to do it despite not really wanting to. I have been approved by my insurer and have an early November surgery date. I have several concerns, most notably that I don't really have more than 25# to lose or I drop to the < 18 BMI range and I don't want to be there. The surgeon says he will make a larger pouch and a smaller bypass portion but it's still there and I work out all the time so I already know I will lose more than I want in the beginning. I guess I have a bunch of questions. Feel free to answer any and all if you've had this type of revision: 1. How long did you take off work? I'm told 2 weeks. I usually work from home at a computer. Was there much pain? 2. How long before you could work out again? 3. Did you lose more weight than you wanted? 4. Did it resolve your acid reflux (if that was the reason)? 5. Were you able to enjoy good food at special meals (holidays, etc.) with RNY? I'm terrified of losing ability to have a nice meal with family. What does a normal meal capacity look like at a year out? 6. Are bowel movements normal at some point? 7. Could you drink alcohol again? I'm fine going months without but at some point would like to enjoy a glass of champagne again. I can't right now as carbonation is brutal. I'm just reluctant even though I know I have to do this. Any re-assurances would be helpful.

Thank you both, Orchids&Dragons and MsBosse! I appreciate your insight. I really have no clue what the policy will look like until open enrollment since it was previously a written exclusion and this is the first time they've covered it. I'm a state employee with group health insurance/uniform benefits, so I'll be curious to see if each plan will have the same language regarding revision, or if they'll be different. I spoke to a nurse with the bariatric program last week and felt a little defeated because I felt like she was pushing towards the idea that if there's nothing wrong with the band, I'm SOL. Now, whether or not that is true, I don't know. That may just be me being hyper-sensitive. Again, I appreciate the feedback from you both! Once the plans are out, I'll start digging, calling, and consulting. Thank you!

I have had the lap band for 10 years now and it wasn't until the last 3 years I started having issues with it. Now I am back over 240 and my doctor had to remove fluid because of my heartburn/gerd. I ended up with ulcers on my esophagus that are now cleared up. I have gotten almost all my clearances done in about 2 months and wondering if anyone has had UHC approve that quickly? My doctor is submitting to insurance this week. Everything I am reading says 6 months but its also all for initially getting one of the surgeries done not the revision.

Had my first phone consult the other night. This surgeon also specializes in post bariatrics, and uses some different techniques, such as a flankplasty vs a LBL. He publishes about these techniques extensively as well. I loved what he told me he could do to my body. He talked a lot about body contouring, narrowing my waist, creating a shelf booty, etc. Hr then sent me the quote, and it was on the lower end. I was excited.... Then I went back and took a good look at his photos. Everything he talked about did not show in his pics. He actually had a lot of outcomes that I wasn't impressed with at all. I'm feeling a little like Goldilocks right now. I think there are several surgeon out there who can give me a flat stomach and improved thighs. But finding surgeons who excel at body contouring in addition to skin removal, are few and far between. I don't want to make this investment of money, time and pain, and then be unhappy with a boxy figure and flat butt Here's where I'm at on consults Dr. NB - The only surgeon so far I'm confident can give me the figure I want, but pricing was astronomical. Benefit of being local Dr. B - Local, probably the front runner so far. He wasn't enthused about doing any butt contouring/fat augmentation. Need a revised quote, but more reasonable then the other local surgeon Dr. P - Not at all impressed with his result pics, out of the running Dr. N - Phone consult later this week. I'm very impressed by how lean and taunt his results are, but all results have a flat butt Dr. B2 - Local consult next week. Need to look at photos more closely Still need to look at and potentially schedule consults with a few of the other surgeons mentioned on this thread.

I was banded in 2012 and now I am doing a revision to the sleeve with insurance. I have Aetna and they pretty much approve anything. I did have a revision on the band in 2015 due to acid reflux and my gallbladder. After my gallbladder was removed I started to gain the weight I lost back and the band gives me horrible pain in the port. If possible I would see if your insurance shows the clinical information on what they approve for certain procedures and what the requirements are to get approved. Aetna has it where you just call them and tell them what you are trying to do and they give you a clinical id that tells you what you need to be approved. Based on that information I should be approved soon for my revision to the sleeve. I would just check with the insurance company and ask. I hope this helps.

Mine was a revision from RNY to DS. It took 9 hours.

You may not think it’s the band’s fault but having a band actually makes healthier foods difficult to eat whilst the slider foods are really easy. It has been shown that over time it is dangerous for the oesophagus to have to continually work that hard to push food down. They are now seeing a lot of cases of band related oesophageal failure. My diet is far healthier now that I have revised to bypass and my band was neither tight nor effective. I eat less now and am far less hungry.

Hi, All: I was banded in 2009 and never had much success with it. Any time I got restriction, it came with a lot of heartburn (which manifested itself as nausea). I also struggled with a lot of food intolerance. Eventually, because my insurance switched and I have a written exclusion regarding bariatric surgery, I had the band mostly unfilled due to too much restriction and cost. At any rate, in January, my health insurance plan will now include bariatric surgery, although it’s unclear as to what language looks like regarding revisions. One concern I have is how to make a case to the insurance company deeming the revision medically necessary. I have had many EGDs, which showed mild irritation in my esophagus, but nothing extreme. Grandest, it’s been almost 10 years since anyone’s looked at the band and who knows what the current state of affairs is—I will have an evaluation once my insurance kicks in. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips in dealing with insurance companies covering revision when severe symptoms, slippage, erosion, etc isn’t present?

Dr Joyce(main surgeon) /Dr Lahman, just completed my sleeve to bypass revision due to extreme GERD.

I hope all goes well in getting your revision to sleeve and that you are on your way to feeling your best soon.

@SeattleLady I agree that health insurance is terrible - we pay a lot of money for what? "kind of" like car insurance?? - pay a lot, one accident you are cancelled!! i've enjoyed reading your "tale of 2 cities" / tummies😂 your determination - getting approved - woo hoo excitement is a great emotion felt by most OP - i can only your imagine not knowing what and when things are happening - makes you upset/mad and a little crazy all at the same time - frustration about the "whats and when" of your revision. hopefully you will find out the "plan" soon, and things will go forward good luck kathy God Grant Me Patience, Just Hurry Up About It!!

I was banded on 2/27/12 I was 250 pounds at the time. The band was great for a while. My lowest weight was 186. Then I started vomiting for no reason. So I went to a gastroenterologist he had me do two hida scans on my gallbladder and said one came out bad and one good. So he kept pumping me with reflux medication. I was so worried because I’ve learned one thing is you can not vomit. Then after this long year of vomiting i went to my PC and he said it’s your gallbladder it needs to be taken out . I was like what! The other doctor wouldn’t. Well my surgeon who did my realize band took it out and behold it was a giant thing. During the whole year of vomiting I got to 186 pounds. However the band was damaged. So while taking out the gallbladder the band had to be revised and the port stitched to my muscle. Well that lead to other issues. Now I am back at 230.l and not happy. Now I am getting a revision to the sleeve. My PC had been on me for years to take the band out due to so many issues. My surgeon that did the band doesn’t even do it anymore so i had to find a new surgeon that will remove the band and do the sleeve. Hopefully I will be having surgery in a couple of weeks. I am nervous all over again!

I had it all done in one procedure removal and revision. The more incisional sites you have the more chance of a incisional Hernia. I Loved Loved Loved my band and then it slipped and all I did was throw-up. I have to say this has been great my stomach is still the size of an Egg and so much easier than the band. No more frothing or vomiting and the food does not get stuck. Not to mention appts for the fills. I had 1cc in a 4cc band, so not even full. I would not think twice about the conversion. I will say a lot longer healing process, the progression of food is slow. Its like the first week Lap band post-op when drinking was a full-time job. You honestly after a few sips were so full. Im 3.5 months out and at present I can handle about 40gms of Protein with food and drinks, and about 54oz of fluid. So it does go slower regarding recovery time. On the most positive I have only vomited once and it was my fault I took a big sip of protein drink and gulped it so it came back up. That was nothing compared to vomiting everyday with the band regardless of how much I chewed.

I had a sleeve and then, 8 months later, had to revise to RnY due to GERD. Believe me, you're better off doing the surgery just once.

Is best to go with bypass as there are so many ppl being revised to it from sleeve anyways for numerous reasons. One post I seen this lady had to be revised only weeks after sleeve. Yes the bypass is a little more complex but It is better for long term success !

That is very odd for a medically necessary revision due to GERD. Did the insurance company even read your history? Maybe surgeon can fight the six month wait?

Well, that was a horrendous experience. BUT, all is well now. My gastric sleeve was performed on August 12th 2019. All the pre-op stuff was fine and I was excited and looking forward to a quick exit on day 2. I notice that most of you are in the USA, which I am not so there are a few things we do differently. My blood's were all good and the day before my op I just had to ring the private hospital I was going to, to check on what time my admission was on the Monday. I was first on the list for the day so was taken to theatre at 0830am. I hopped onto the operating table myself, which was a bit weird, but I know some places do it this way. I was just trying not to stress and go with the flow! Cannulas were inserted into both hands and then off to the land of fairies I went. I am oblivious to how much later I woke, but I was in absolute agony and the Dr's struggled to get my pain under control. Eventually, after lots of vague voices/mumbling/crying, I must have zonked out again before being taken back to my room. Now the next 8 days are a bit jumbled and blurred. My family have clarified some things for me so I 'kind of' have a correct recollection of events. I was in constant and severe abdominal pain. I could not stop vomiting. I could not keep in 2.5ml of water per 5 mins. By Day 8 post-op, my Surgeon decided to do a Dilation via Endoscope because he had decided that I had a constriction. By this stage, I was on regular morphine, IV potassium (it had dropped due to the vomiting) and constant fluid balance. As you can imagine I was desperate and delirious by this point. I woke from the endoscopy....in the same pain, still unable to hold anything in. I'm not sure how soon after this I was transferred via emergency ambulance to the big local hospital and had a revision done, so have ended up with a '1 anastomosis bypass'. Finally being able to drink and keep it down was amazing and such a huge relief. Lots of other bits went on during all this as I had to have a midline catheter put in rather than the normal cannulae that you would have in your hands/arms etc, lots of medication tweaking, iv fluids, blood tests etc So you can see my abdomen day 1, then a few days later and then starting to fade well today All in the wrong order lol the middle pic is today. I also had a fall in the bathroom on the 20th and landed on the toilet, I only vaguely remember the fall and thought I had broken my ribs (obvs hadn't), then had no recollection of the fall for a few days lol! ANYWAY! Now the horror is over and I am finally home, I am tolerating protein fluids well, got my high protein milk made up and add it to my breakfast smoothie and tomato/chicken soup. Not so keen on the slight texture the protein powder leaves in my mouth but hey ho. I am super weak and wobbly and showering myself and getting my 'drinks' are my limit, but just trying to do a little more each time I stand up AND I must remember I had not 1 but 2 major ops plus all the stress and strain in between I am absolutely dying to taste REAL food and not thick claggy high protein things with so much sweetness. Even tinned soup is too sweet sigh I have my 2 weeks follow up with my surgeon and Dietician next week. Weight is falling off I have lost 15kg/33lbs to date

Hello Everyone, I was banded 2/27/2012. The band has been nothing but problems for me. My primary doctor has been wanting me to get this removed but I was scared. The doctor that did my lapband isn’t doing it anymore so I had to find another surgeon. I finally had my appointment with him and couldn’t be happier. I did loose some weight but back at 230. My lowest was only 186 in 2014. I am having a revision to the sleeve. Can’t wait for my surgery date but I am excited.

I had my revision on August 21st, so as of right now I’m one week post-op. I’m still having a lot of pain where they “did all of the work”. It’s almost like a burning/sharp pain every time I move or walk. Did anyone else experience this a few days after surgery? I know there’s going to be some pain during the healing process, but this doesn’t feel normal.

My surgeon said that an RnY on a "virgin" stomach is more restrictive than on a revision. However, adding the malabsorption is what would improve weight loss. This was why I chose the sleeve initially. I really didn't want to deal with malabsorption issues, but you gotta take it as it comes. Still no nsaids, though. Good luck with your surgeon appointment. Let us know how it goes.

I was sleeved in Feb. 2018, revised to RnY Oct. 2018 for reflux. I was taking the max dose of prescription omeprazole twice a day plus Tums, as needed. Still woke up sometimes with acid in my nose. I had not had reflux prior to the sleeve surgery. The RnY did completely resolve the GERD issue, but I miss the restriction I had with my sleeve. It was really tight, which I considered a good thing. I do have restriction with the RnY, but nowhere near as much. Regardless, I am happy I had the revision before I destroyed my esophagus and teeth.

Hello Sleevers, has anyone revised their sleeve to a bypass surgery? Can you explain how it went and how was the journey? I am seriously considering this due to a major increase in reflux after my sleeve. I went from taking a prilosec once in a while or when needed (before sleeve) to 2 doses everyday (post surgery) to stay reflux free. I feel I would had been a good bypass candidate due to my Gerd history something my surgeon did not inform me of nor did I know until further investigating. The bypass surgery disables gastric juices from flowing back up instantly relieving the need for PPI. I am overall satisfied with the sleeve however I am not too thrilled about the amount of PPI medication I now have to take due to its longterm side effects.

Hello August sleevers, my anniversary is on the 29th and I have lost 75lbs exactly in a year. I was 275 on surgery date and now I weigh 200. I feel very good for the most part except for my increase of acid reflux symptoms after surgery. Are any of us on any type of PPIs like Prilosec or Nexium due to reflux??? Since surgery I have been on 40 mgs a day to stay reflux free, I have started to take it to once a day. I suffered from gerd before this surgery but now with the sleeve acid reflux is more active even though I am thin now. I personally think I should had went with a bypass instead of the sleeve due to my Gerd history. I would like revise my surgery to a bypass to complete eliminate having to take any PPIs. Something these doctors are not telling us is the dangers of longterm use of PPIs.