Search the Community

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

I'm on day 4 of a 7 day pre-op liquid diet - semi-skimmed milk and any tea, coffee etc - using milk from the allowed amount. I'm not losing much - and as mousecat said, I've had much better results on a very restricted low carb diet in the past. But, I'm just trying to keep it going. My op is on Wednesday! Sleeve - revision from Band!...

I'm curious as to how you and your doctor made the decision for revision to bypass?? I'm a revision from lapband to sleeve....and I too lost the bulk of my weight the first 6 months....now I'm 13 months post op and I've lost 13 pounds in the last 7 months..... I'm praying that I'm a slow loser, but my doctor wants to see me again in sept to see if I've lost any more weight, but my scale hasn't budged in weeks

Congratulations Teshadb. I am about 6 and a half weeks post-op now on a band to sleeve revision. I've read lots of different surgical experiences here on this forum. Some easy and painless and some pretty bad. I guess my experience would fall in the middle of that. I can say that now I am feeling pretty good. Getting back to my old self again. Good luck to you on this new journey and hopefully you have only good feelings. Let us know how it goes.

Yes the dietitian was especially focused on protein when we talked! Did you find it hard to get in all the protein you needed at first? I'm really curious how your diet and typical day is now, 10 years later? I've heard that about the 2 step DS being safer as well. I've also seen a lot of posts and discussions in the forums about doctors recommending the 2 step simply to make more money. I have no idea which is more accurate! I want the one step because I know getting insurance to cover another surgery will be a nightmare... If I do go with the sleeve I'm going to make sure I document EVERYTHING so that if it fails and I need a revision, I have plenty of evidence that I followed the rules. I could come to NYC. Do you have a recommendation? I don't mind travel if it means the best care. Thanks so much!! :-)

HI everyone. I had a Lap band to a Mini Bypass revision on July 5th. So far. I have lost 23 pounds, but somehow I keep feeling that it should be a bit more. after some difficulty in the first two months with my eating. With a lot of food rejection, I now feel that I can eat quite well. I can eat a small size of fish, or one whole very well cooked and soft chicken thigh. I avoid carbohydrates to maybe one dry diet cracker in the morning with cottage and s bit at lunch (at the most have half a potato or a spoonful of carrots or zucchini with the protein) and concentrate on the protein. I walk a lot on my job (I am a tour guide) sometimes for two whole hours.. I try to drink enough ( I usually mix water with sugarless ice tea powder, as flavoured water goes down easier for me ) I completely avoid sweets, pasta, bread, and eat very little fruit. Also I am not experiencing any cravings really, and because I am eating protein 3 times a day I think that I am getting enough protein and still the weight loss seems to stall. Or am I being unrealistic?? Or maybe I am doing something wrong? Last week. I was at 24 pounds less, this week it came back to 23., I am starting to feel frustrated with this up and down effect!! I would really appreciate some feedback from those of you who went through this before, and how you managed to overcome this! For the record, as this might be an important detail, I am 61. Thanks a lot for taking the time to read and answer. All the best to everyone. Sent from my D6603 using BariatricPal mobile app Sent from my D6603 using BariatricPal mobile app

That's terrible that Medicare patients would have to pay out of pocket. I wonder if they would pay for a revision to a sleeve rather than just simply band removal?

From what I've seen on this and other forums, it does seem to be true. Revisions do seem to lose a bit slower. Not all, but some. I don't really know the reason why, but now I'm curious and may use my Google Fu to look it up

I had the band to sleeve revision too. My surgery was on feb 16. I had to do the preop diet for 2 weeks prior. I have lost a total 17 pounds since 2/2 . I started at 242 preop , 233 day of surgery and 224 as of today 2/25. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

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?

When will I be thin?!?!? I joke, I joke . I guess I'd be most interested in the differences in recovery and post op diet between your sleeve and the RNY. Also any particular complications you are at an increased risk for since you're a revision. How many revisions has he performed? How often does he see strictures? What supplements will you need post-op? What does he expect your weekly weight loss to be? Is this the same surgeon that did your sleeve or are you going with someone new? Good luck!!!! HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 204.2

I have to have a band revision/replacement and was wondering if anyone knew anything about the newer Dr. Jahnavi Srinivasan at Emory Atlanta? Also Dr. Lin.

I'm sending lots of white light and positive energy to all my Feb surgeries across the country... I am on countdown to Feb 6th for my own revision and hope to meet my surgery sister Kat77 walking the halls of Parkview:-)

My surgery is Thursday June 9th, my question is has anyone lost a 100 lbs or more? I know everybody is different and loses differently, but I’m curious about losing a 100 or more. Thank you

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

I was banded seven years ago. And yes that is what it is like, "sticking your toe in the water" I was afraid of doing anything more invasive or "drastic" as I thought at the time. But I should have went the rny route then and saved myself seven years of up and down weight, still all the comorbities I had and all worse now. I don't have any horror story to say about the band, but it just was either too tight, too loose, and between me and it we just didn't do what we should do. I have lost and gained the same 30 to 40 pounds, and now at my heaviest and sickest. I am waiting for insurance approval to revise from the band to rny. Again, I could have been living life and enjoying health benefits if I had just "jumped all the way in" I hope you have that option.

Good luck with your rny! I am now more than 5 weeks out and I know it will be a life long change but already revision of band to bypass was best decision of my life. My diabetes was gone from 2 days after surgery. That alone makes it worth the surgery and worth avoiding sweets again.

Schlesinger??? Oh Lord... I had no idea. I wish I would have seen this sooner. Schlesinger has more paid posters than any other AZ doc, not here but on OH. It's sickening to see them in action. Check out the revision boards on Obesity Help - Weight Loss Surgery, Obesity Support Groups, Obesity Forums, Surgical Procedures and you'll see what I mean. If anyone writes anything the least bit negative about the doc on the patient testimonials the paid posters dog pile them. OP... you seriously need to have an upper endoscopy to rule out erosion. When you have a port infection the bacteria can often times travel up the tubing to the band and cause erosion. This is a big deal. Are you in AZ? If there is anything I can do to help please let me know. Stay on top of this, don't let any doctor pooh pooh this, this is a big deal. You can lose your band over something like this. As for Simpson... he's okay. I don't like that he doesn't follow his patients after surgery, the rest of his staff do. There are several very good surgeons in Phoenix and surrounding areas. Burger and Aldridge in Flag are good, St. Lukes docs are good. OP, if there is anything I can do to help please let me know.

hi....my bmi the day of surgery was 31. yesterday i was one month out. i have lost 18 lbs since surgery. my bmi is now in the 28 range. you will do good. who is doing your revision? kelly

Meliwriter, That is the best post I've seen in a while. I am fed up with my band. I got banded at 202 lbs (5'2") in October of 2008. At first I starved myself and lost 30 lbs effortlessly. But, my hair was falling out, I was exhausted, and my anxiety was through the roof. Psychologically, I was a mess. Then, I gained and gained and got up to 206. At 206, I said, this has got to stop! I got back down to 174 by again starving myself. I was so hungry and I just would starve and be miserable and hungry all the time. This time I had more energy and my hair stayed. I was doing a strict vegan diet and that took the weight off, but put my triglycerides and cholesterol through the roof, caused me to have blood sugar crashes, and caused high blood pressure. I would have stayed starving myself, but I hurt my back pretty badly and moved back in with my parents. Food is plentiful here. I have gone back up to 206 again! I spent three months doing the Paleo diet. I corrected my triglycerides and blood pressure, although my LDL is still a tiny bit high. I did not lose any weight eating Paleo. But, my blood sugar didn't crash out the whole time and I was feeling better than I ever had. My sleep was good, my body felt good. Slowly, I fell off the wagon with Paleo and that is how I ended up gaining back up to 206. Now, at this weight, I have quit menstruating (I'm only 32) and my sleep apnea is at a record high. I am not convinced that my band has helped me at all. What seems to have worked is not eating to the point of being hungry all the time. Being poor and not being able to afford food was the most effective diet I've ever been on! I do believe my band is adjusted correctly. I have some restriction and do throw up a few times a week, but am not too tight that I can't eat solid food. I have made some significant life changes since I injured my back and moved back in with my parents last spring. I have changed career paths, am doing much better with my depression/anxiety which can get severe, and my back is completely rehabilitated. I feel like I am in a good place in life to address my weight problem. Right now I just want to have the band removed and have gastric bypass or gastric sleeve. I hate this band! All it makes me do is throw up! I do want an easier way. But, I haven't been doing right by my band. I have been eating whatever I want, lots of sugar and carbs. I have only been walking for 45 minutes about 3 times a week. I haven't been doing yoga, lifting weights, or jogging lately. I get intense sugar cravings in the middle of the night. I wake up and eat sweets and then go back to sleep again. Sometimes this will happen twice in a night. I am not wearing my CPAP (which I also hate). I drink liquids with meals. I drink carbonated diet soda. I drink through straws. I do only eat about 1 cup of food at a meal, but at times have more, up to 1.5 cups at dinner if I am really enjoying the veggie or meat I've cooked. I think I will give my band one last shot before I contact a surgeon about revision surgery. Tomorrow I'm starting the 5 Day Pouch Test, and after that I am going to immediately do The Whole 30. I'm going to continue walking and also go to yoga twice a week (Christmas present from my mom). After those 35 days I will see where my weight is. If I have lost nothing or have continued to gain, I will be seeing the surgeon. Any thoughts or words of advice would be much appreciated! Best, Hilary

Though I have not traveled for that length of time post op, a few suggestions that helped me on my relatively short sojourns were to plan ahead. I always travel with a few bottles of Water to stay properly hydrated and to help stave off hunger if it's too soon to have my next meal. Keep healthy Snacks with you in the event that you are delayed with having your next meal. Nuts travel well and don't need refrigeration. Be careful to continue to watch your portion sizes, and get some exercise as often as it is possible. The most important thing, as Cheryl shared is to revise your thinking about food; yes you will be traveling to exotic places...but is the local food really the main reason you are there? How about looking at the local customs and scenery your priorities, along with your research the priorities... Safe travels...

My Mom passed this past Christmas but I am telling you I wouldn't have wanted to tell her. She was the perfect person to make everything about her. She would have drove me nuts. And it is kind of sad cause you know when you are sick and not feeling good sometimes you want your "mommy" and that was always sad that I couldn't depend on her for "ME" I always had to protect her from worrying or protect myself from her . Very hard to explain, And even now waiting to have the revision from the band to the RNY, you hate to talk about it to people, cause they say things like "you had that there band thing and that didn't work did it?" ya da ya da ya da. Tell those that you know will support you and be there to put a cool cloth on your head that is what you need.

PAID POSTERS!!? Too bad the AZ OH boards aren't reading about what he's doing to this poor woman. They should know about this. This person should report him to the medical board. I am wondering why didn't he didn't give her antibiotics in the first place for that size of an infection? Ignoring internal infection is very serious - people can die from infection! In fact, TJWOOD hasn't posted lately and the last message said she had 103+ fever!! Interesting that his office told TJ that the doctor wouldn't be in the office until Tuesday. I just looked at the AZ OH board for fun and someone whose profile name is "Lizzie" just posted on her profile today that he performed revision surgery on her LAST Friday, Nov. 21st! So, apparently, he WAS in town! But, I guess he was only available for new patients! $$$$ TJ, please give us an update! I'm concerned! Even more so because your doctor's office lied to you! This is awful beyond words!

There is also a band to sleeve revision forum - an excellent place to hear detailed input on this subject as this forum was intended for vets to discuss vet issues. I was a revision and can share my personal experiences but bottom line - with the sleeve I don't have food restrictions. Sleeve has been for me a good tool, whereas the band was a midevil torture device.

Hi, I'm waiting on my insurance to approve my band to RNY revision. They have approved my port revision (three months ago - which I had to wait on pre-existing condition clause) until now to have. I was banded April 11, 2008 by Dr. John Bagnato, Albany GA. Assessment day I was at 271, with a pre-op diet I went into Surgery at 259 pounds. By my first fill I was down about twenty pounds - or perhaps I should say attempt at a first fill - my port had flipped. So I had to schedule revision surgery, which I had in July. I think lost an average of 15 pounds a month. I found out right after my revision surgery my husband was having an affair - emotionally I was a wreck but I think it gave me a push. By November I was down to 214 (my lowest weight). I worked out, followed all the rules - strictly and even ran in a 5k. My marriage continued to deteriorate and by December I asked for a divorce. We separated in February. I ended up moving to my hometown in Florida (four hours away) in March. It never dawned on me the impact of moving to another state would have on my health due to my band. I ended up getting sick and had to get an unfill a few months after moving to Florida. I went back to Georgia for one fill which I had to have removed due to esophagous spasms. When my divorce was final in October 2009 I lost my benefits. I quit my job when I left and it took me four months to find a job (and it didn't offer benefits). But with two small children to feed I didn't feel I had much choice. So no doctor, no follow-up. I tried to find a doctor in Florida to see me, closer than four hours away. No one would take me. I tried everything. I finally found a doctor in Pensacola that would see me. He was able to put in 1cc (I have a 10cc band) in November 2010. I went back in March for my second fill and he couldn't access my port. By the way my port is in my chest, stitched to my left breast muscle). He said it has to be moved. We filed the insurance and they denied me due to pre-existing condition (June 2010 is when my insurance took effect, so I had to wait until June 2011 for anything related to my band). In May I started having port pains and reflux issued - I had an upper GI done. I have mobility issues in my esophogus and some erosion...so I'm told that the band has to come out. I had an appointment Wednesday of this week with him. He confirmed it and we discussed alternatives. I had been reseraching the RNY for a few weeks (once he told me bye bye band)...so now I'm waiting on insurance approval. I'm curious how many of us are out there? and if it is specific to the doctor or type of band? Is there a specific timeline when the failures/complications begins. For the longest time I blamed myself - thought I'd done something wrong. It appears after getting back on LBT (after a two year departure), I'm not the only one. I really hope this RNY site takes off...looking forward to talking to everyone...