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My port has tipped forwards and it is very difficult to access. It is also very deep, because, where it has been placed is where i carry most of my fat. My question is, if i have to have a revision of my port is there any where else they can position it so it doesn't have to be so deep as this is increasing the difficulty of accessing it? It is half way between my sternum and belly button now. Thanks

I had a revision almost 4 months ago to the day (August 26, 2010). All is okay at this point, until today. Tonight I decided to finish my Christmas Shopping and was in the Toy Dept. at my local Target. Suddenly I began to experience pain in the same area where my port was located prior to my surgery. It feels like someone has a knife in my incision and twists it occasionally. I think it's just nerves growing back but don't recall having such a pain after having my two c-sections in fact almost 2 years post op from my last c-section most of my incision is still numb. So with all that, anyone have incision area pain 4 months post-op?

I had my bypass on 7-7-17 & had a complication that led to a revision on 7-19-17. I have been doing well on my post op program outside of another complication(collapsed lungs).Lately, I been talking more about food that I had in the past(good food&bad food). When I saw a pizza hut commercial I saw the cheese&tomato sauce and it kind of perked me up to where I started discussing with my father how I loved cheese pizza with extra tomato sauce. Then later my dad asked me about oatmeal and honey and I was like oh I love oatmeal&honey and that conversation continued on with me telling him that adding butter to oatmeal & even steel oats are the best. Then I sat back in my recliner and just thought about how great oatmeal is. Then peanut butter & jam came up later in the day and I was like oh yes I love it. This has been the theme in the past 2 days. Im not tempted to have them but it is refreshing to talk about them. Is that weird? Has anyone else liked to talk about food they ate in the past? Im sure its just a phase iamready4this

Hi everyone! I had the lap band in 2015 and thought I would be completely different within a year. I initially started to lose weight but even at the beginning felt like I shouldn't be able to eat as much as I could. I was constantly hungry and felt like I was starving all the time. I had several adjustments and even got to the max allowement then had to have it drained because I couldn't even drink Water.. It was aweful! My heaviest weight was 289.7 and I didn't even realize it! I seen a picture of myself and had no idea who that person was. I am 5'8 and have always been told that I'm curvy and look "good" so it never occurred to me that I was actually that big since I carry my weight well. Don't get me wrong, I knew I was a big girl but still felt like I wasn't that bad. My horrible motto and cop out was, "You can fix chubby but you can't fix ugly!" How horrible right?? Smh.. Well, I had pain, brusing on my belly button and could no longer hold down real food. But let me tell you that chips and candy went down super easy. I ate the big Reece's cups everyday! I felt like a complete and total failure and started feeling like everyone who loves me was being nice to me and telling me I was beautiful because they knew my heart. I am currently 33 and was 17 when my beautiful mother died and 19 when my amazing father died. I raised my 2 brothers and 1 sister when that happened and worked 3 jobs to make sure we had a roof over our heads. I sang in a band for many years and always felt like the fat girl. I even had a miscarriage 5 years ago that devastated me to the core. I was tired, and tired of being tired. Last week, October 19th I changed my life!! I had the revision to sleeve!! Let me tell you the honest raw uncut truth... I NEVER EXPECTED THIS! My amazing, supportive fiancé got me a scale yesterday as a surprise. I almost felt like maybe my doctor didn't actually do the sleeve since I don't notice any changes. I went into surgery at 281.7 and I weighed myself this morning at 262.4!!!!! I AM IN AWE!! I go to the doctor today for a follow up and am honestly in pain (mostly super tenderness) and man oh man do I want a cheeseburger.. Lol.. But this has been all worth it! I know that if I stay focused, stay connected, stay honest and give my all.. I will have amazing results! This site has been so inspirational. I have literally been reading stuff all night!! Haha.. I had to tell everyone a part of my story and really stay accountable. Thank you for reading my extremely long story. I hope that someone out there can relate and feel encouraged. My new motto is, "Live the life that you want to live and live it well!" Bee Sent from my LGMS550 using the BariatricPal App

So, anyways, as much as I hate to admit it, I was just dying over waiting on my insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, who I have through my husband's workplace. Well, all that is over now. Hurrah! I could hardly sleep over the fact that I spent 6 months going to Mayo out here, had a physcologist, worked out like crazy, etc. and it all would have been for not except for Blue Cross. Oh, I love them. And it wasn't that hard once I jumped through all the hoops at Mayo ( the craziness is, is that I did this for the bypass, and last month my surgeon said, "get the lap band" much less trama for your young body." ) And all these people said Blue Cross would never cover it, but they did! I guess they revised once in 2004, and then back again shorty after. Mayo wrote my letter, (and probably included the book's worth of info on me they collected in 6 months). After the secretary for my surgeon said they sent it to pre-authorization, I called them 2 days later and the gal there said,"I was very lucky to have Blue Cross/Shield, they are very good for approval and fast", they had it mailed, and exactly 12 days later ( including 4th of July) I and Mayo got the approval by mail. So anyways, for anyone out there like me, who was literally freakin' out, it was easy and painless with the insurance, the approval said "deemed medically necessary" . And also, Mayo in MN just started doing lap bands. Dr. Flo Que, she's great, and gets you in fast! Anyways, I didn't want to post this to gloat, just to let other worry-warts like me get some positive stuff, because I always loved the positive posts for insurance. Surgery 8-8-06

Hi Everyone! I'm leaving for Mexico tomorrow morning to have a LapBand-to-Sleeve revision on Tuesday by Dr. Aceves? Will anyone else be there during the same time? It would be nice to "know" someone before I get there.

I've had my band for almost 3 1/2 yrs. Altho I'm having problem with mine currently (it's slipped), I never want it taken out. May have to have revision surgery tho. This time I'm going to ask about the plication being added to it so it doesn't slip again. I don't think it was available when I had mine put in. I always wonder just how "permanent" the band is also, since the longest a person can have it now is like 12 yrs (thats when they started being routinely done). Good luck in your research! Marci

I can't believe it! I have lost 69 lbs. My goal was 90 by now, but I think I've done pretty darn well and that I'll get at least to 85. It hasn't been an easy year. Some of you know what's been going on. My husband's been ill for more than a year, and he got so sick in August that my band literally froze up, and I've had problems ever since. I've had 3 unfills! I am proud of myself for being a "responsible bandster" and getting unfilled when I was way too tight instead of trying to ride it out. I am grateful for lining up good aftercare BEFORE being banded Mexico. I am happy I chose Dr. Ortiz & that he's been in constant touch w/my doctors here to resolve my stupid nutcracker problem. I'm happy that I've been a positive example for my daughter. I think I'm doing better with medication and looser fill. A looser fill makes me more aware of what I eat. And believe it or not, I'm happy that I've lost so much weight that I have to have my abdominal surgery (related to my mastectomy) revised to remove the majorly buldging stitches and that it will result in a tummy tuck. That's why I might have to stop at 85 lbs.; if I lose too much I will bulge again. What a problem to have! On that subject, I am happy that my plastic surgeon, who will perform that surgery, is so amazed by my weight loss. I've taught him (and my internist) that bypass is not the only successful WLS. Surprisingly enough, when I saw him the other day, I brought along a detailed image from of a banded stomach & the port location so he doesn't damage it when he "peels back" my previous surgery. The area is from just above the pubic area to just below my belly-button. He said, "Karen, I know where the port is, I've helped some other surgeons re-position them". That really blew me away and gave me peace of mind. I'm grateful for the past year and in light of people's recent problems pray that I will be able to keep my band. Besides marrying my husband and having my two wonderful children, it's the best thing I've ever done. I'm happy that I've made friends on this board, and I'm very grateful for your support and encouragement. Thank you.

In looking for a surgeon, I first need skill and sucess with band to sleeve revision, hospital setting and then cost. I'm a stay at home mom with a young daughter so I am on budget and my husband is making sure of that! I will not sacrifice going the "cheaper" route when we are talking about my life but I'm having a hard time trying to squeeze out that extra $5,000 to have this done or convincing my husband to unclench his pocket. He's understanding but doesn't understand what it's like to be overweight since he's been a bean pole his whole life. I asked him if he would take the money out of his 401k and he looked at me like I was crazy! Lol maybe I just need to save a little bit longer.

I have done TONS of research and been on these forums for months and I have't heard anything at all about VSG causing a build-up of scar tissue. I've heard a LOT of lap-band patients having trouble with scar tissue from their bands when revising to VSG. I don't think you'll have to be a "gym rat" to maintain your weight loss, but regular exercise is a requirement for maintained weight loss no matter how you lose the weight. I lost 90 pounds "on my own" a few years ago and stopping regular exercise contributed greatly to my regain. As for stretching the sleeve, it will relax and expand some by about a year out, but it can never be back to anything remotely resembling your old, full-sized stomach.

Having had a lap band for 9 years, and it failing quite spectacularly! I have just been approved for revisional surgery. I have been given the option of Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass.... and I am struggling to decide which will be best for me. I understand both have their pro's and con's... Im aware of all the post surgery risks, but Im more concerned / would like to hear from people who have had sleeve / bypass for a number of years... at least 5 years ideally..... I would really appreciate any feedback on the following points that are worrying me: Bypass - Very little / No revisional options... has anyone had anything go wrong after a number of years? Dumping... How often does this actually effect people? Ive heard you get very 'noisy' digestion.. and a lot of wind!! Is this the same for everyone who has had bypass? Sleeve - Given this is relatively 'new' Im very interested in long term satisfaction / issues, if any? Ive heard after a few years the stomach can stretch and revision is likely to maintain restriction? Ive heard people revising from lapband to sleeve, often feel no restriction? it this common? Ive also heard the chances of getting heartburn are high with a sleeve? Are there many people who never had heartburn before surgery, who were effected post surgery? I am naturally a bit nervous having to have surgery again, and would appreciate your feedback. Look forward to any help from anyone. Thanks!

That's a great video! For us Band to Sleeve Revisions, here is one that is also narrated and describes the procedure as it goes along!

I had my band removed at 25 BMI due to complications... a slipped band (twice), acid reflux, Gerd and pain. However, I did not qualify for a revision since my BMI was so low and my sleep apnea went away. Since the removal I have gained all my weight back and more due to medical issues and medication I'm on. I am now at a 36 BMI and reapplied for a revision but my old insurance denied it 3 times stating it was not medically necessary although I regained, BMI is over 36 and sleep apnea returned. I went through the process over and over, classes, paperwork, dr appts you name it and although my band was removed due to medical necessity I struggled to finally get the revision approved. Point is you may have a difficult time getting a revision approved if you are at a low BMI.

I'm really interested in this too. I am actually going to be a sleeve to bypass revision because of GERD/Barrett's, and am wondering if the recovery is any easier than your initial surgery if you now how a normal BMI. I'm also sort of nervous about losing too much too quickly.

Well I did mine the other way around---had the hysterectomy then the band. Have you discussed the band with your gyno? That seems like the first step. Where abouts is your port? My port is fairly high, and my hysterectomy scar is low, across at the base of my belly, just above my pubic bone----nowhere near where the port/tubing/band would be affected. As for the tummy tuck during the hysterectomy, if he would do it, I would jump on it!!! If he doesn't do it, you will end up having it later. Which would be 2 surgeries, if it is still tight when you get to goal, then this way you saved yourself the 2nd surgery, if not, you can have it revised then, and you have lost nothing! I was still at my heaviest when I had my hysterectomy---I only wish I had done it to where I could have some of this belly removed!!! Sounds like it is time to talk to the Doc!!! I can o nly imagine how much easier it would be to heal without the weight of that on the incision....good luck to you. I love my band---and I love the hysterectomy just as much I think!!!! Kat

60 Sandy: i have had gerd or years. At my first consult the doc told me with the sleeve gerd can get really bad 4 to 5 years out. Then after an EGD at my last consult, he saw the hernia I had on the pic of the EGD and seemed to think for me I would be fine with the sleeve. I do not have heartburn that much anymore and have about 75 lbs to loose. So im praying he is correct. Im 58 and do not want to have any revision down the line.

I'm having a revision from the band to bypass. Focus on the two week pre-op diet. You will be amazed some of the weight and other changes during this period.

Because when I had revision back in 2012 my BMI was 62 now I believe is like 47 or something now, and he thinks because I've been at the same weight for 6 months my body may have lost all it could with the sleeve procedure... He told me to give it my all the next 3 months and if I still cannot break the stall then we may need to explore me revising to DS... I really dont want another procedure, but I've heard good things about the DS....but ultimately the only way I will get it is with insurance approval, I had to pay out of pocket for the revision to sleeve, I honestly cant afford another procedure... So, I am going to give it my all the next couple of months and pray I can break this stall, which is now 8 months and counting

I hear terrible things about those procedures to be honest. Poor results. Have you considered a revision? If you are on Facebook I have a longtimers group you are welcome to Join

I had the band a week ago, and so far I've lost 41 pounds in a month including the pre op diet. On this site, I'm seeing all these horror stories of people who need revisions, and that most people don't get the band anymore. My doctors talked me out of the other surgeries, because I'm very young (24) and am realtime lay healthy, which by their admission is extremely rare in someone my size. (praise be to G-d!) I would like to know if anyone here has had the band for a long time and hasn't had a horror story. I'd like to be reassured. Thanks!!

Yes, all the time! I am having a revision on Sept, 16th, hope everything goes smoothly for you!

I just recently had surgery and am new to this forum, but I have noticed that there are quite a few people who have had bands removed, replaced, port revisions, stomach erosion, etc... Anyone care to share their experiences or advice on how to prevent these???

Nothing is risk free. "Most" people dont end up having their bands out within the first few years at all, though there's not a lot of idea whether anyone will last 20, 30 years with one band. I was told to be aware that although the band is designed to last a lifetime, the likelihood of mechanical failure at some point should be considered. I dont see one as better than the other. I got a band, and I may have to have revision surgery (and is likely to be something I could recover from, and even get rebanded), had I had a sleeve half my stomach would be gone. The *likelihood* of something going wrong may be much less with a sleeve but it could be pretty bloody awful if it did. Imagine splitting a suture line early on or leakage or something like that. both surgeries have some risks that have to be weighed up against the improvement to your health that they offer. If I lived in the US and had to deal with your medical system, the sleeve would have one major thing in its favour - the reduced need for follow up care. Bands can be tricky, here in Australia its no big deal. Fills cost nothing, doctors are nearby, in every suburb, every city. You can be operated on by one doctor, move interestate and simply get referred onto another without a doctor arguing about taking patients that he didnt operate on, or charging you feels to enter his program, we dont rely on our insurance companies to allow us to have fills or unfills, none of that stuff. So having a band is pretty easy in Australia. All those things are factors to consider, and the way they fall for you is what makes either surgery the right choice.

My hubby had a BMI of 64 and wanted the RNY but they couldn't do it due to some prior surgeries etc. But he had the Sleeve in June 2016 and has only lost 70#'s. Now I know there are people that have had GREAT results with the Sleeve. He doesn't seem to have enough restriction. Most Dr.'s will suggest the RNY for the weight that you have. But you are young and seem to be in good health. He had a Lap Band for 13 years but it malfunctioned so he went in for a revision to an RNY which they couldn't do. His Band had eroded into his Liver. His starting weight when he had the Sleeve was 420#'s. Most Dr.'s would suggest the RNY at your weight but you seem to be fairly healthy so who knows. Now I had the RNY 3 years ago and I have had GREAT results. Granted my weight wasn't as high but I started out with a weight of 249#'s this time I was 285 but managed to lose down to 249. I got below my goal weight in 6 months and have maintained my 124# loss for 2 and 12 years. You are the only one that can make that decision which surgery you will have. Talk to your Surgeon to help you with that decision. Good Luck and I look forward to seeing your journey.

Do you have any chance of having a revision to a different surgery? I think the feeling of "I couldn't have this before but now I can" can cause really big problems, because your current situation likely isn't going to change soon