Search the Community

I can't believe this is really happening. I'm only a week and a half away. Somehow I have gotten lucky and only have to do a 2 day pre op diet (I was expected at least a week). Between now and then i know I'm probably going to eat an insane amount of food. But I'm ready to say goodbye to the foods that I was constantly going overboard on. I'm at peace knowing I'll never be able to eat the way I am now ever again. This is what I wanted in 2006 when I got the lap band. But somehow I've ended up almost right back where I started. My pre lap band weight was 285. I'm now at 250. 50 of those pounds, I gained in the last 6 months. Let's get this show on the road.

I'm going for my revision May 5th Lapband to sleeve! I'm scared but excited!!! Wish you the best! Hopefully we will be ok and love our sleeve, the band worked phenomenal for me until December 2014 I started developing GERD, so let's sleeve up!

Hello, I have had my band for 5 years.. The only weight I ever lost was in the first year then I just had problems getting my band to the right tightness. I developed heart burn and acid reflux problems not to mention it has turned me bulimic. I am at my pre surgery weight and I have nothing left in my band yet everything seems to get stuck. Has anyone had the Lap band removed and did the sleeve? I just want this band out and I don't feel like bypass is for me. I just need some advice.. What were the pros and cons, have you had any problems? I want the good and the bad! TIA

Yeah. I got my revision to bypass last week. So far, this has been easier than the sleeve, and I’m just exhausted, but nothing hurts. I had horrible GERD, so they corrected a large hernia and cut my prior sleeve even more, to make it look good (it was enlarged). After all, the surgeon said everything looked great, and I felt ok. I’m hungry, but I think this is more mental than anything. I need to lose around 50 pounds to meet my goal. I was around 20 pounds short with the sleeve, but I could not do it.

@@KS123 - I was 46 when I got my lap-band and 58 when I revised to the sleeve. You are, definitely, not alone. In fact, you're practically a youngster! I'm now 59!

I need some inspiration...I've had this love/hate relationship with food for the past 25 years! I've always been a stress/emotional/bored eater. In 2013 I had the Lapband...day of surgery weight 319. After 2 years, and for the first time in my adult life I saw 199 on scale. That was absolutely the most amazing feeling I'd had (weight related) in my adult life! A couple of months after that, things changed drastically, I began having complications with the band and ended up in the hospital for a week...discharged with all the Fluid removed from the band. Frustration and anger set in and the weight began to pile back on. Today I am 1 week and 1 day post op from band to sleeve revision. The original plan was band to bypass...during surgery, due to extensive scar tissue from the band and complications with my intestines, my surgeon went with the sleeve...which he had discussed with me prior to surgery, saying that could potentially happen. I kept my hopes up for a successful band to bypass...#1 reason being that I felt like I "needed" that restriction! I don't remember feeling hungry after the Lapband! I'm only a week post op and I'm hungry! I don't know what to do! I don't remember feeling this emotional after the Lapband! I read and I read and I read...I know that everything says follow your Drs post op diet to the "T" or you could damage your "new" stomach. Last night I made the mistake of getting on the scale. Morning of revision surgery I was 302...last night my scale read 297...I was devastated! Per dr recommendations, full liquids are to start today...in my hungry, desperation, feelings of failure...you name it...pity party, party of 1 ????...I ate about 4 teaspoons full of low fat cottage cheese. Now I'm beating myself up and I'm terrified that I'm not going to get this right! Can anyone offer me some advise on how to deal with this emotional roller coaster I feel like I'm on and how to deal with wanting to EAT, not drink?! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi SDC, yeah, I guess you can guess that tacos at 3 weeks wouldn't be a good idea. Do talk to your nutritionist and/or surgeon when you can start incorporating solid foods on your plan. If there is anything one will learn on this forum is that there are huge differences between surgeons/nutritionists/people opinions. Some go low carb, others prefer balanced... blahblahblah. hehe Once you're cleared for solids, may I suggest some healthy taco recipes. I had the band for a long time (been a member since 2010), and often enjoyed healthy tacos. I just recently revised to the sleeve due to issues with the band, so I'm still in the pureed stage. So like you, no tacos for me. However, in the future, here are some ideas. Hope this helps. http://www.self.com/story/3-ridiculously-delicious-and-healthy-summer-taco-recipes

that's the usual fix for it, yes. You don't want to mess around with unmanageable GERD. It could progress into Barrett's esophagus, which in turn could progress into esophageal cancer. Sometimes it can can be managed via meds - but your surgeon may be thinking this is a case for revision. Like the person above said, they can't force you to have surgery, but on the other hand, if you have dangerous GERD, I'd be inclined to at least listen to the surgeon. If you're really doubting it, you could always get a second opinion.

Can someone help me add my revision from lapband to bypass on my bio. Also need to know how to add the additional ticker. Things have changed here a lot since 2007! I also have not found any chat rooms - did they get rid of them? Thanks for your help for this tech-challenged member.

Hey, March 7th. I'm having 2nd revision now going to a bypass due to severe reflux

Today is my 4 yr bandiversary and I am depressed. I started at 225 and got down to about 180 but now am back at 190. I haven't had a fill in three years but have recently been having more and more reflux. I am thinking about having a revision to the duodenal switch because I seem to have no metabolism. I work out at Curves three or four times a week and also do a two hour Tai Chi class once a week. I still struggle with strong sweet food cravings in the pm. I went crazy over the holidays and gained six lbs....Back to the guilt and still holding on to those six lbs. How are you other March 2009 bandsters doing?

Good Luck! I had a band to sleeve revision and was dry-heaving for 3 days, had to sleep upright. The top of my stomach had completely swollen shut where my band was removed. It was rough, but I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING! You'll get through this in no time!! & while your in their care, ask for whatever you can get! lol

I went to Mexico 7 years ago and got sleeved, revision from band. I was in the hospital 3 nights, but I didn't need to be. That's just the way they do things. I was out of my room most of the time, walking around outside. Feel free to ask me anything.

I am 100% for the sleeve. !! Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App Get that band out before it ruins your stomach and you can't get any kind of revision surgery. I had my band out and got the sleeve in the same surgery, 7 years ago. i am 63 now. It was the best decision of my life. The sleeve works so well. I can still only eat small portions. Just like the sleeve though, candy is my biggest threat. The sleeve does not stop sweet cravings and unfortunately, most of them go down just fine. I'm still fighting a 10 lb regain but at 7 years, I am thrilled that's all it is. It's harder to lose weight the older we get. It could easily be 20 or more, if I didn't watch things so closely.

My surgeon's response to this question: Sleeve stretching is known with time. The sleeve will never ever stretch out to the original size though. But the larger the original sleeve (larger bougie used in surgery) and if funds of the stomach is left behind you will have a tendency to stretch out your sleeve. Nowadays most surgeons use bougies between 32-36 which reduces this risk. The surgical technique is important to make sure the sleeve is done correctly and removing the part of the stomach called funds (which also reduces the Ghrelin hormone). Now, patients with sleeves will notice that the restriction is amazing at the first few weeks at that is mainly due to the swollen tissue of the stomach because of the recent surgery. It is not your real capacity. As the swollen tissues comes down your stomach will have more "space" to hold food but still a fraction of what you used to eat prior to surgery. The etiology of the bypass patient who regains weight is or stretches the pouch is quite different since RNY patients have an anastomosis that will distend with time along with the small intestine that will enlarge in diameter giving more capacity to the patient. Since the sleeve lacks all these issues you just need to focus on healthy food and make the most of the weight loss specially the first 12 to 18 months. And here is the vid he shot on this subject back in January: So, yes like the previous poster, you will be able to eat a 'normal' sized meal eventually. However, your sleeve should never stretch the point it was before. Nor will it stretch like an RNY pouch, requiring revision like stomaphyx or other techniques. For the record, Dr Alvarez typically uses a loose 32 French Bougie. With this size I have incredible restriction at 8 weeks but my sleeve is not so small as to be intolerant or particularly picky. Recovery has been really easy for me.

Ginny C I am 63 and had a band(that had gone bad) to sleeve revision 3 weeks ago. It was hard on me for the first few days. I stayed overnight at the hospital and my husband drove me 150 miles home. I had a migrane for the first few days at home. I was wishing I had never had it done. But after a few days I felt fine and was very happy I had it done! I have lost 23 lbs in the 3 wks since my surgery. The best thing that happened to me is I found this forum. I am on a pureed diet til next week when i go on a soft diet for 2 weeks. I cant wait. I walk a mile on my treadmill every morning. I still get weak at times, but they are getting less and less. good luck with your surgery! Jeri

Well 1Cor, it DEF will happen, and yes it's a part of the process. But I hope that knowing that we've all been there and survived it will encourage you to just let it happen, keep working out and eating right, you're doing gr8! Just remember how b4 surgery, we gained, not stalled but gained and at least now after the surgery, you know that it too shall pass and Lord willing, you'll be back to losing. As much as we all dreaded it, it's actually a good thing for our bodies to be able to rejuvenate, recharge and reset after such massive weight losses. Although the docs, and praise God for them, had done something to our bodies to help us with significant weightloss, God made this temple and thank God that He won't allow more on our bodies than it can handle! Hopefully I gave encouragement to you and not just rambling on, at least that was my goal. I'm a revision from sleeve to bypass due to 2yrs suffering from vomiting due to severe acid reflux and a stricture and guess what, 3 weeks out exactly, my body stopped losing! It just has to happen:) and now I'm going on my 5th week and started back losing, not that that's my ultimate goal now but I still want to lose a little bit more. Take care and hang on and in there with us. We have your back!!

I had my surgery on 12/17 and my doc wants me to return on 1/15 I had a revision from the band to rny maybe that's why.

I was a virgin sleever and my cost was $9500 -- I think the revision is about $11,500 -- you could email Nina and ask her. Daisy and Ruthie were both revisions, so they may be able to chime in next time they are on line. If you need Nina's info, pm me and I'll send it to you.

Hi all. I'm a 34-year-old mom of 2, dd is 10 and ds is 7. I was banded in August of 2006. Immediately after my port flipped and needed to be repaired. THat should have been my first clue I made the wrong choice! I managed to lose almost 100 pounds with the band in the first 2 years, but it was s-l-o-w. At the end of 2008, my band surgeon said I should get a consult with a plastic surgeon about my huge apron of skin. It was horrible, hung down past my girlie bits, made me look a lot heavier than I was, my skin was constantly tearing and it gave me rashes. So, in Feb of 09 I had a tummy tuck and breast lift. Holy crap what a difference! He took off 16 pounds of extra skin and the surgery took 11 hours. The recovery was horrible. Because of the band, I've had problems with medication working right and it took a bit before we found an oral pain killer that actually worked. I was off work for 6 weeks and the recovery was horriblle. I managed to mess up my knee the day after surgery so it was always going numb and giving out on me. No one knew why. Then I got a stomach virus and puking after a tummy tuck, with a lapband, is it's own special kind of hell. Just as i was starting to feel human again I got scarlet fever. Which I thought went out of style with hoop skirts and mutton chops! Evidentally not though. My pcp said because my system was so screwed up due to the surgery, a strep infection just went haywire. That took another 2 weeks to recover from. I'd finally gotten to a weight that, while it wasn't as low as I wanted, I was happy with my body. I looked good, felt normal for the first time in my life and liked the way I looked in the mirror. I no longer walked into a room and got that horrible feeling of "Oh no, I'm the fattest person here". I felt like people noticed me and not my weight. A couple months ago I started having restriction problems, bouncing between too loose or too tight, and waking up at night with horrible reflux and choking on my stomach contents. Yuck! Had an upper gi done last week after an unfill didn't help matters and surgeon says the band needs to come out. It is extrememly tight, which he said makes no sense because it's empty and I don't feel like I have any restriction (which is why I've gained some weight back ). So, now we start the process of getting insurance approval for the band removal and revision to the sleeve. He said he'll push for the sleeve instead of bypass because bypass does not appeal to me. I'm already deficient in B12 and vit D and take injections and supplements for that. I'm afraid of what would happen if I had the malabsorption issues to deal with too. If insurance (Anthem Blue Cross) wil only cover the removal but not the sleeve, I'm hoping it will be cheap enough for me to self-pay for the sleeve. And I really want to get this done soon! The idea of being on a liquid diet over the holidays is not at all appealing. I've been reading all your stories since finding out I might lose my band and have gotten so much help from them! Thanks for sharing your stories. :001_smile:

I think maybe it's comparatively rare everywhere but where your first doctor is! It sounds like you're in kind of a "bubble" of people who have had this type of revision.... I know you said you don't need a support group but "looking for others' experiences" is pretty much what a support group would be about... And it sounds like there's plenty of individuals in your area!

Congratulations on your revision. Glad you're recovering well.

Hi Manatee, welcome to the boards! I am not very long-term, as I just revised from the band to the sleeve in April. I was having a ton of problems with my band and even my surgeon agreed that it was time to change. I can tell you there is a world of difference between the two. I no longer have to worry about fills and getting to the elusive "sweet spot." When I had my band, it literally occupied my mind 24/7. If I had a lunch meeting, do I dare try and eat at the meeting and risk embarrassing myself with the inevitable pb, or do I wait and take my food back to my office to eat after the meeting. Same thing with dining out. It was no longer about enjoying dining out with family and friends, it was worrying about whether I was going to be able to keep my food down or not, what is safe for me to try and eat, etc. Now, I just enjoy life. Dining out is about enjoying being with friends, family and coworkers. I just have a smaller tummy and cannot eat as much food as everyone else. No more pb's, no more getting stuck, no more fills, nothing. It has made a huge difference in the quality of my life.

Your surgeon knows your medical history. They have read through your psych eval and blood work. The chioce is ultimately up to you. Since you asked about the sleeve I will give you my two cents. Each of us are more than the statistics. I lost 120 pounds in 6 months with the sleeve. My goal was 140. I am five years out and maintaining in the 130s. Nothing magic about the bariatric process. Follow your plan and behavior changes. Weight gain can happen to any type of surgery: Small or large amounts of weight. After a year you may see a ten to twenty pound bounce. It can be lost again. Maintaining is if you have a gain you go back to your bariatric plan and get the weight off. If you can't change your relationship with food and exercise you will not have long term success with any type of surgery. People with bariatrics have revisions due to different issues. (medical, not following their plan, mobility and eating disorders etc) Sleeve realities: Things to know. (1) less chance dumping syndrome if you eat sugar. (some will experience it) If sugar is an issue for you, you might want a different type of surgery. Lots of debate about stomach stretching. (yes it happens but it's rare) I am going to pass on reading any following angry posts about stomach stretching. (2a) Your restriction will be less as time passes. This is normal with the sleeve. Your stomach has not grown back or stretched. It's a new feeling of stomach capacity. It's rare to see revision due to stretching. Think of how much food you would have to binge and force down in one sitting to cause stretching to the point of revision. 2b) Many people confuse grazing with stomach stretching. Grazing is eating several meals throughout the day healthy or unhealthy foods. Your calories will seriously increase. It is as if you didn't have surgery at all. (google it) I also see some surgeons take advantage of gain due to grazing. It's a money maker to do another surgery. This is life long change with any type of surgery. It is still work after you get to gaol.

With my sleeve, I had major pain for almost 2 weeks. With my revision to bypass, I had very little pain. Mostly, it was uncomfortable for about 4 days. Wish I had just done the bypass to begin with.