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I had heartburn and could not sleep because of it. If I ate anything after 8pm I had sleep upright just to get even the smallest amount of sleep because it would wake me up. No pain at all. But immediately I could eat things like pasta and bread that I couldn't before and larger amounts of other things. There was still restriction but it wasn't the same. My slip was only diagnosed when I had an egd in order to be approved by insurance for removal of the band and revision to sleeve.

I had the lap band to sleeve revision surgery. Ever since I had the first surgery I've been experiencing a compression and cramping pain in the middle of my abdominal. If I sit on a chair it will get worse within the hour. The thing is I contacted my lap band doctor and he told me that there was nothing wrong. They did an upper GI and apparently there was nothing wrong with it. I have a feeling it has something to do with my abdominal muscle because I can feel it in my back sometimes also. I dunno what to do now because he didn't find anything and I may go get this checked out. I really don't think it is just my imagination because this doesn't feel normal.

They are doing a revision because of problems im having so maybe that will jump start the weight loss!

super upset here. I'm a revision patient. got my approval denied. going through appeal now. BMI is 39.8 and they're denying it based on a BMI below 40 and that it hasn't been 2 years since surgery. (15 months isn't enough I guess). super upset!

I am so 'happy' to come across this post. I know that's the wrong word but it's just so nice not to feel like a freak of nature and that there are other people out there with the same issues. I'm so glad you had a revision and that it's been sucessful. Like you, I'm self pay and paying for yet another surgery is just not possible. I had a band to bypass conversion on 10th October and from week two, I suspected that I had little or no restriction. For a few weeks I was told 'you'll be fine' and then I had my first visit with the dietician who nearly fell off his chair when I told him I could eat a whole sandwich for lunch! I felt someone was finally listening and they sent me for x-rays and the x-guy said all looked fine ... so that confused me. How can all be fine when I can eat a whole baguette? I have an appointment to see one of the surgeons next week but can't help but think I might be fobbed off. Despite my asking, I'm not seeing my own surgeon (who, by the way has now performed surgery on me twice. Once with the band and this time with the conversion to bypass). I'm seeing his collegue which seems weird and I'm hoping that it's just because my guy is on holiday. Anyway, we'll see what they have to say but as I'm in the UK, I don't have many places I could go and seek a second opinion. If they tell me to go away and nothing's wrong, I'm kinda left out in the cold with nowhere to go :-(

So my drs. office has TONS of support groups, classes, phone-chat, etc. It is one of the reasons that I picked him. However, right before I was having surgery, I was told that all the support groups were undergoing a radical overhaul, and to 'stay tuned'. So in one of my post-nutrition classes I met a lady. She and I were the only two in the classes so we got chatty and friendly and exchanged email addys. She had the RNY procedure a few days before I had the VSG. I got an email from her yesterday saying "there is a support group tonight, let's go!" And even though I couldn't find it on my calendar from the surgeon's office, I decided 'what the heck' and went. I got there, sat down and then realized....this support group is for lap band people. Whoopsie! But the group was facilitated by my NUT and I do really like her and they didn't ask us to leave or anything. So there was probably 10 people total there and my friend and I were the only non-lap banders. So this is how the breakdown of the room went: * 2 people - Super-happy with the band (and less than 4 months out...one lady had lost 40lbs in 4 months...not too shabby) * 2 people - Completely unfilled due to issues (one lady was headed to the ER after class she was in SO MUCH PAIN...I really worried about her...poor thing she was over 1 year out) * 1 person - Happy with her loss, but unhappy because she could never eat for 10 days after a fill, she was banded in June and spends more than a week after a fill being sick and having to survive on liquids) * 1 person - Didn't say much, but was very obese (not sure when banded) and said she was struggling but didn't elaborate. * 1 person - Was pre-surgery and trying to get a feel for things during post-op life, etc. * 1 person - Struggling with 'getting back on track' just having issues in general. And then there was me (VSG) and my friend (RNY) and I felt SO BAD for the bandsters. They had all sorts of questions about why I choose VSG, and some of them called it "radical" etc. SO there I was saying 'um I didn't get the band because I can't stand to throw up, plus I don't view the band as a long-term solution' ...I wasn't expecting all the questions. I ended it by saying that those were having trouble could consider revising to the VSG. It was all very eye-opening. And every single bandster who had thrown up was blaming THEMSELVES! Truly. "I did it to myself, I ate too fast, too much, too big of a bite, etc." Wow. So I'm glad I went but next time will go by the schedule. Interestingly enough, they don't have a stand-alone sleeve support group...we are lumped into the RNY category. Oh well, it will be interesting to hear all of their stories too. I did ask pre-surgery for them to make a sleeve support group since they are in the process of restructuring, etc. Oh and the reason I put 'real' in quotes is because I truly consider this to be my TRUE support group...love this board!

i used to be a lapband patient that had an unknown slipped band. i was losing so much weight that i looked sick but i was obsessed with losing weight. i vomitted multiple times a day but i thought i was bulimic. i weighed a skeletal 116 pounds before i decided to get my band checked. when they found the slip they took all the fluid out and told me to EAT. and eat i did! i gained 30 pounds in 2 months before deciding to revise to the sleeve. i basically feel like i have the same restriction with the sleeve as i did with the band BUT i no longer throw up. i know now i'm not bulimic, just a person with a slipped band. i'm so much happier now being able to eat and not worry how close i am to a bathroom!

Sandy, You've answered your own question. You can't do it without the band because you get tired of being hungry...and that's what the band is supposed to take care of. Cleo is right. It doesn't work for some people but they don't know what percentage are failed by the band (like Cleo) and what percentage fail the band. All you can do is go into this with the hope that you will be the one the band works for. I've struggled for the better part of a year with my band but I did finally find that sweet spot. Some people have a shorter learning curve and are successful from the day of surgery. I wasn't one of them. I ended up being overfilled, then completely unfilled and was actually on the verge of a revision to a vertical sleeve. The only point I'm trying to make is that I never gave up and I actively worked at making this band work for me. Now, not only do I not have hunger for about 4 hours after a meal but I've even lost the desire to eat. I eat my 3 oz of Protein and 1/2-1 cup of vegies and I'm content until my next meal. *That* is what the band does for me. It gets rid of that all consuming, constant hunger that I've lived with for most of my life which means I have a much better chance at controlling the eating. .

Hi all, I wanted to say "HI" and tell a little about me. I have to admit I'm a little nervous so please bear with me I had the lap band placed August 2002 by Dr. Phillip Schauer at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (he has since moved on but I still follow with the practice). It did very well for me up until about 2-3 years ago ( I went from pre-op wt 263/ surg wt 240/ lowest wt 173. I felt the best ever at that weight. I started to learn how to eat around the band and slowly began putting the weight back on. Then about a year ago I got pretty sick (vomiting) which required hospitalization. I was afraid that my band had slipped. But the medical team didn't seem too concerned. I had a CT done at that time but somehow it got "lost" and I was lost to follow up. Well, I went back for a fill in Feb 2011 and they did an upper GI (Yuk!). This showed that my band slipped and was no longer functioning properly. I could have told them that when I gained all of the weight back! Anyway, My new surgeon, Dr. George Eid from the same practice, said that I would need to choose which of three surgeries I would need done. Either band revision, bypass, or something relatively new they have been doing called Sleeve gastrectomy. He said that I would be a good candidate for sleeve but that they haven't had much luck with insurance approval with my type of insurance (cash is not an option at this time), but that they would submit and push for the sleeve. So, I went home to think and do much research. I didn't want a lap revision since I've about had it with fills, etc. Bypass seemed too extreme for me. The more I researched, I found I really wanted the sleeve. I wasn't sure what I would choose once I got the call from the Dr wanting my decision fully expecting the sleeve to be denied. To my surprise, THE SLEEVE WAS APPROVED!! So they will do a lap removal to sleeve revision. Wow! I wasn't expecting that and had mixed feelings. I want to have weight loss surgery very much (i'm tired of being fat) but am TERRIFIED of anesthesia. I keep telling myself that I did it once, I can do it again. Also, I don't have much of a support system since I am divorced since my band. I have a wonderful >18 yr old son who is very supportive but hate the thought of him having to care for me even for just a week. The docs called me end of March with the good news stating they could do the surgery April 14th! Everything seemed to be happening so fast. I wasn't ready so soon. My son would not be done with college until first week of May, so I had to schedule for when he was home to take care of me and to make arrangements with work for 4 weeks off. My surgery date is May 12th. I have mixed feelings and don't know why. I am excited to start my life over again with my new weight loss journey but at the same time have a healthy respect for what's to come. I feel I have very experienced surgeon who is ranked among the highest in the nation. So my fears don't rest in that department. I still have to have my pre-op testing (labs, EKG, endoscopy, PCP, xray, Gyne). I hope all goes well so I don't have to postpone. I'm sure I'm not alone with my feelings but would sure appreciate any encouragment and/or advice. Thanks for being patient with me

Please do! My husband had a lap band placed June 2008, he lost almost 100 lbs with it and then gained it all back. He is set to have the band removed 3/24 and then wait 2-3 months to get the gastric sleeve. I am looking to learn more from everyone so that I may be the best support for him! Please let us know how the revision goes

Good luck to you! Prayers for a smooth revision and speedy recovery

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: Sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope that your revision works out well. You've been so successful so far. I'm sure you'll continue to do well because you've come so far and done so well already. I've never heard of a sleeve revision. What do they revise? Please educate this community by sharing what you know and how you proceed through this revision. Thank you. Sue

August 13th revision lapband to bypass

My suggestion is to ask your doctor how much out of pocket it would be to add plication to a new band. Since plication is still investigational, it seems doctors aren't charging a tremendous amount to do it. I know "tremendous" is different for everyone, but it may be a better option over removing 3/4 of your stomach permanently. Plication makes your stomach the same size as the sleeve, without any permanent revisions. My biggest concern and fear on the sleeve, is the possibility of leakage from the staples. There are so many, and if they do leak, the hospital stay can be 4-6 weeks. VERY dangerous. If you are seriously considering that procedure, do your homework, and leave no stone unturned. There are many who have had great success, but as with all of these procedures, it's best to go in knowing all the pros & cons.

I had a port revision on Monday with 1cc in a 4cc band. My surgeon added 1cc, so now I'm half full. I could probley get .5cc more and I know she will want to add atleast that much, but I don't want to. You see, I have severe anxtiey disorder, which tightens and sometimes even closes the opening in the band for me to the point where I can't even have a little Water and I'm vommiting all the time when I'm nervous. The holiday's are comming and I know this will be really stressful for me. And if I get tightened, I'll be sick all the time, but if I don't get tightened, I might not lose any weight. I promise not to overeat and gain, but when I go back to my Doc and I haven't lost, I feel like I'm being repramanded.:cry My Doc is doing this for free because of insurance problems. I'm really shy and I know I would have a hard time saying no to some one who's been so nice to me. What should I say to her exactly? A mini script would help alot. Thanks

I never had the band but wanted to say welcome!! There are several people here who revised. I bet you will hear from them soon!

With the sleeve you can eat whatever you want after the post op diet. I do have trouble telling when I am full. I have to stop eating by looking at the portion and knowing how much I can eat. If I eat until I am full at the table, I am too full and uncomfortable 15 min. later. There are a lot of us who are band to sleeve revisions and we are all thrilled to be rid of the band. As far as I know, there are only a couple of people who have trouble eating early in the day. I have been able to eat and drink right away from day 2 of surgery. I had to force myself to slow down when I was in the hospital, because I was supposed to only drink 2 oz every 15 min. I could have easily drank whatever they put in front of me. Feel free to ask anything. We are all glad to help. I revised to the sleeve after I gained 15 lbs back from having my band unfilled. I was a self pay though.

My start weight was 326 or 320 can't remember after 2 years out , that was when I started thinking about it that was my weight then after my consult after the weigh in at the Surgeons office he gave me the pre op papers and instructions and after pre op right before and at time of surgery I weighed 276 , I chose the band because I knew it was revisable if anything happened , I also chose it because I needed help and I saw what happened with other wls on friends, family, and coworkers , I knew when my health started going down and I had to walk with a cane just to hold up my weight because my legs couldn't hold my weight now I can move and walk without a cane and have lost 110 lbs. so far I have 40 more to go to get to my goal of 135 & when I do it will be 150 lbs. I will have lost

I had the Sleeve done in 2013 I lost 90 pounds now almost gained it all back. I’m going back to my surgeon to see if I have any options. I feel as if my stomach stretched out. I’m also suffering from GERD. I have Aetna PPO II plan does anyone know the process they put you through for a revision approval?

Thanks for the well wishes. I am counting the days until I start on liquids. That sounds strange, but I am ready to get this going again. I have BCBS of Alabama. I understand their hesitation on fixing, since literature says more and more band patients are asking for revision. But, I believe not fixing problems in the long run will be more expensive for them. Good luck to you!

I revised from band to sleeve 6 1/2 weeks ago. So glad I made the decision. My lapband slipped however. I did well with it, losing 104 lbs, within 14 lbs of goal. Had it about 3 1/2 yrs. Vomited almost everyday, causing my slip last year. My dr took an extra 30 minutes digging my band out of my stomach, it had embedded itself. I like the sleeve because I got restriction immediately, instead of waiting for the elusive "sweet spot" which took 3 fills and 4 mths for me. I haven't vomited once. I've only lost 18 lbs but I started at 174 so I knew I would lose slower than someone starting at say, 250. I'm 26 lbs from my goal of 130. You need to check to see if your insurance will pay for it just because it isn't working. My insurance only paid cuz there was a complication. They wouldn't have paid otherwise. I like that there's nothing in my body that can cause future complications. I think the lapband was a fad, like Phen-Fen was in the 90's. My dr still does them to those who insist but doesn't recommend them anymore. Good luck with your decision. There's alot of us on this forum who luv their sleeve. I actually loved my band until it slipped and started causing severe nightime reflux. Then it actually herniated, I was totally unfilled and everything I ate hurt. I'm on soft food now and can eat anything without any pain. Again, good luck!

I'll be honest with you...I seem to hear nothing but horror stories from the band. Just my personal opinion, but I think they're eventually going to do away with the band. It seems people are unhappy over not losing enough, having complications, etc. etc. More and more people are getting their band revised to the sleeve or bypass. I think as technology and weight management studies advance in the future, the band will no longer be an option. Just my opinion! Bypass has been around the longest. Good luck.

I have the band and I'm getting ready to have a revision to the sleeve due to issues with the band. My insurance won't cover anything bariatric related so I'm looking at going to Mexico. Anyone recommend a good surgeon or have good advice for me? Thanks.

Hi, I am just looking into revision do to metabolic reasons and I am not sure I should. I had the sleeve 11/30/I2. I lost 60 lbs. SW 289 CW 229 I have been stuck this weight for almost a year I go back and forth from 232 down to 228. It is soooooooo frustrating. I have been reading up and it seems I may have a issue???? I eat 1200-1300 calories daily sometimes less and it is mostly low carb less than 50 carbs a day. Infact recently I have been doing 20 carbs a day, I don't work out like I should be I do work out at least 2 times a w aim for 3-4 though. This last week I didn't at all becasue I was sick but I am back in the game now. Anyway, I am at my wits end the hospital where I had my surgery thinks I just need to keep trying the 1200 calorie plan. Obviously my body like where it is at! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So just curious if anyone has tried it for weight loss issues.