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I don't think it is a matter of defining who they are, I think it is something different. If the band didn't work for me it is almost a threat that the band might not work for another and that is frightening to some people. Maybe they spent all their money on a band and if it does not work they have no financial options left. One thing I find annoying as hell is when people automatically assume that if the band did not work for someone is it because they didn't change eating habits or something similar. Sure, there is work that needs to be done but sometimes the band just really isn't doable such as in my case. I did change my eating behaviors, I overhauled my diet, I exercised my butt off, I dealt with head issues, I worked on head hunger and I lost weight but I still hated the band due to what it was doing to me. Yet I have had people tell me I didn't have a right to a revision because I am at goal. I'm self pay, btw. Or people that suggest I don't know how to chew well after 18 months and on liquids only for three months. I think it boils down to a fear that the same thing might happen to another and that is when people come out fighting for the band.

BJean, I feel like singing the song to the munchkins from Wizard of Oz "come out come out where ever you are.... I too have a lot of those same issues that you spoke about which make it more difficult to lose. I'm on anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, have a thyroid issue but medicated, type II diabetes, not medicated at the momement, I'm 48 years old. My weight is 248 and I wanted to get down to 200, which to most people seems like a lot to weigh but for me it was basically my first goal and would probably be satisfied to get that far. I had gotten close to 220 on Medifast right after surgery but since then with the fills adjustments, no fill, too much fill whatever I just put it all back on. So getting down to 220 was a big deal to me and I was almost thrilled at that weight! Then to go back up to close to the 253 where I started just about killed me! So I never lost I gained. I don't think I was the right candidate and have been chatting with people on another forum that my nutritionist suggested and they have very similar problems and most are getting revisions or have already had them. I'm afraid at this point or paranoid that no surgery would work for me or I for it, I've lost confidence. I'm at the point now with only 2 ccs that I can eat a WW tv dinner and try to follow the points plan but I can't always stick to it and exercising on the treadmill isn't always the best thing for me because I'm built like a candy apple! I have very thin legs and gain belly up. So I end up getting really muscular legs and thinner ones and it makes me look bigger on top. Anyway that's about the gist of it. So like I said I just have a feeling it wasn't the right surgery for me (without sounding like a basher) and I'm trying to figure out what to do now. I had the surgery last august and that's almost 9 months now and I don't know how much longer I should go without making some drastic change. Thanks for your help brandyII.

Hi there I had my band to bypass revision on the 13 may. I'm from Perth western Australia.. Where are you all from. When did you have your surgeries..??

Hi There, Nice to see some Aussie voices on this site. I am due to have my band removed on 10 July for revision to Rny scheduled for October. (The mandatory 3 month wait with my Dr). I had around 4 yrs of success keeping weight off with the band and was down to around 85kg from original 145kg. Unfortunately I developed esophigal issues (too much vomiting I suspect) and ended up having all Fluid removed from my band. Now I'm back to my pre band starting weight and feeling incredibly depressed about it - can't wait until Oct but very scared all at the same time. Would love to hear from others especially anyone in syd - what doctor / clinics are u going to.

@Firebolt. Will do! I'm supposed to go to education class this week on revision process and still waiting on endoscopy to be scheduled Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Finally down a little this week. 174.0 now. I am thinking of having a third fill since I am not losing at 1-1.5 per week. At least it's moving in the right direction again. John I am glad to hear you are on the other side of the revision, and feeling better. 114lbs, you are amazing!

I had my revision on September 10th. Besides all of the weight loss issues you have, I do believe that the band is NOT forever and sooner or later you will have to get it removed. So what would you do? I will bet that without the band you will have a significant increase in hunger and most likely food intake. I say go with the sleeve, remove your band(keep for a souvenir) and see what happens with the sleeve, all you have to lose is weight!

Good Morning All, I am New here! My name is Mischa I am 5’4.5 and I am from Colorado. Would you believe that it is snowing in our Mountains! Any-who… I had my VSG April 2014, but I fell into depression, Stress. My husband cheated, so I gained my weight back. The exact amount I had before! I had a revision (Gastric Bypass) Nov 9th 2021... SW 260 CW 194 GW 165-170… I am down 65lbs with 25 more to go.

I was banded 8/03 and lost close to 60 pounds. But, I had slippage 5/04 and my band was unfilled. I gained 20 pounds...then had revision surgery last March. Lost about 10 pounds and had to have another unfill because of acid reflux and other complications. I need to go to my regular doctor to make sure everything is okay before I go back for another fill. The good news is I am NOT typical of most bandsters -- whose experience is far better than mine. But I'm still hopeful. I love Savannah...St. Simons...haven't really been to other parts of S. Georgia. Good luck with your surgery on the 29th. Who's doing it?

My husband had a fundoplication in 1980 and revision surgery 3 years ago. He has to watch his portions, chew food really well and avoid anything 'gummy,' like cheesy mashed potatoes or soft bread. Sound familiar?

I first had a hiatal hernia repair 5yrs ago due to the fact insurance wouldn't pay for it if I did it in conjunction with a lap band. So, I had the hernia repair then the lap band. After the lap band, my lung collapsed after discharged home. Spent nine days in ICU. No problems for another yr and lost 80 lbs 20 lbs from goal. Began having severe reflux. nothing helped. Dr claims my band didn't slip per xray. Went back to OR for either a lap band revision or nissen/fundoplication. He was to decide based on his expertise. I woke up to find I lost the band but had fundoplication. I was devastated. He said the band severely slipped so he took it off instead of putting it back in place. I did not want to lose the band. The moron left the port in place for unk reasons. Said he couldn't get the band back on and couldnt completely wrap the stomach around like he wanted for the nissen. I have not had any more reflux and have gained all my wgt back! I am so upset with myself. I want the band back. I am trying to find a dr who will do it. If Ihave to undo the nissen I would. I am afraid of Barrets esophagus if I reflux again. I dont want bypass. If anyone knows of surgeon in Texas who will do the lapband with nissen already done please let me know. I am desperate! I loved the band until it slipped. I dont think I needed the nissen to start with just a revision of the slipped band!

NOV 19TH...I am so anxious...Im having a revision from a band...so worried it wont work but dont have the time or money for the RNY

I have lived with a lap band for 7 years or so and just had it changed for a sleeve. My surgeon is very pro sleeve and was glad to revise my surgery. I picked a vsg because you can make healthy food decisions and the malabsorption isn't as big a deal as an RNY. My doctor said the sleeve is the best tool he's ever had in wls. Most if the staff in his office have had it and they are all thrilled.

Yes! I just had yet... another scope, (my 14th. in less than 6 yrs.) due to urping, puking my food and constant nausea. My Dr. expected to stretch a stricture again and to take a peek at my ulcer... possibly schedule for a joint revision... (re-do surgery.) Ulcer has healed, no strictures... BUT I now have an, "extended, candy cane limb." So I'll be having a barium swallow, (again!) soon so he can decide if that's causing my nausea, small food consumption, puking and urping. So I guess it's likely for a surgical procedure for that as well. Geeze!

I live in Denver, and my revision surgery is on June 28th. I'll come to you or meet you in the middle somewhere, if the offer is still available.

There's an entire forum dedicated to band to sleeve: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

It's interesting to see how many of us relative "oldies" have made their way over to this thread. I'd love to see a poll of how many of us have either lost our bands, or need to lose them (as in my case - I'm working on approval for a revision). Or are having complications that aren't yet being properly diagnosed -- I was treated as someone who first needed a series of unfills, then who needed to change eating habits, then who was just "one of those" responding unfavorably. OP is more generous than me. I'm going on 6 years out, and would have to cite the failures I've seen upwards of 75% - 80%. I've seen it at abou t95% or higher for women who have had babies with a band. I do not have much faith in the lap-band (or any other brand of AGB) as a long-term solution. I'm just not seeing enough people keep their bands. I was diagnosed with a slip last month. I believe it happened in 2008 (when I had an onset of stnrage symptoms, that didn't seem to add up to a "slip"), but my body is tolerating it. As in - I still have moderate restriction, I am not getting sick, etc. But my slip was described to me as "profound" and options such as unfill for self-repositioning, or surgical repositioning are not an option. My options were "live with it like this, and since you're tolerating it, maybe you can even get a fill some day" or "removal." I'm going removal, and revision to a sleeve. Years ago my surgeon told me my band would slip if I didn't follow the rules. I'm not a model bandster - I eat carbs, I'm not a rigorous exerciser... but I followed the rules, and even better than rules if it worked out better for me. I don't hate my band. I'm sad to see it go. I didn't have constant misery or pain, I didn't hate the consequences it enforced, or intolerances, or a lot of the other "baddies" people often experience. It helped me lose 175 pounds and if it hadn't moved, I would still be happy keeping it. Though I would be more and more wary that it's probably gonna have to come out one of these days.

July 13th surgery. I am having a revision from sleeve to bypass for GERD. I don't have to do a two week diet just a 3 day liquid one. I have my pre op visit tomorrow

is there any way you can get revision surgery to a sleeve? With a sleeve, you have restriction without worrying about fills ever again. Do some research on the vertical gastric sleeve, if there is any possible way to have your band taken out and get the sleeve surgery.

Ok, so I had my port revision surgery in June and got a fill this week so I am FINALLY losing again!!!!! I am down 9 lbs since Tuesday, but now I can finally show a loss on this thread!! YAY! Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy......................289................228.9..........160........ 68.9 Angie64.................270................270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom.............254................254...........170............ . .84 Babe.....................265................265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie.........172.5..............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB..................226.6..............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma..............209................209...........135............ . .74 Bklynike.................258...............258...........150......... . .108 BobbieND...............224...............207...........150..... .......57 Bree99..................259...............234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198................198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157................157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217................217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229.............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274..............200....... ....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............183............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5...........150.............6 5 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............275..............225........... . 50 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5...........130.......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............168.............145.......... . ..23 Healthy-me-in-Az...242................183.6..........139.............44.6 HummingBird..........204...............164.............150............ .14 jenibeni.................224...............188.............165........ ....23 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... .......102 Jeni 85..................185..............192..............150............. 35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... ......90 kyleegirl01.............245................194.............160...... ......34 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... ......95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... .......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! lotzasunshine..........271..............270.4............225.......... ...46 MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... .. 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... .. ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... . ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... .......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... .. ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............164..............150........ ....14 RAYNE913.............234...............210..............160....... ......50 RobinAnn.............232.4.............187.2.............160...... ....27.2 scoutmama...........270...............270...............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............291.2.............233........ ....58.2 skinny31................261...............236..............182..... .......54 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150........... 44.5 sueinne.................220................226.............180.... ........46 swjtlongdrive..........242................217.............179......... ....38 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............259..............225....... .....34 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............174...............150...... . ....24 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... .....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 Tinksmom..............256................213................145....... .....43 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40 wonderwoman2009 175...............175................160..............15

I am finally meeting with the Surgeon on Thursday morning and would like help with what questions I need to ask him. I will write them down so I don't blank and forget until after the appointment. I am having a lapband to gastric sleeve revision. I've been told that this surgeon is excellent and I feel very comfortable with having him do the surgery. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'm not so sure it's a bad thing .... dumping. That is exactly why many people opt for bypass, they are hoping they will be one of those that do dump. I have a friend that eats her 800 calories a day in good food and 5# of candy. Yes, daily. She has the worst true sugar addiction of anyone I have ever met. (She's banded) If she had bypass and dumped that would be a wonderful thing. The reason she isn't getting bypass is because it's not a given she will dump. When they first realized bypass could lead to dumping it was a concern. Today they don't look at it as a bad thing, they look at it as a benefit and if you talk to most bypass folks with sugar issues they hope and cross their fingers that they will dump. The issue with the person that claims one will dump with bypass isn't that it was a "potential" complication, it was that she flat out demands and insists bypass folks will have this issue and that simply isn't accurate information. And whether dumping is a complication or a benefit is ... opinion. Personally, I think it's a benefit. The reason I was banded was not because I really wanted a band, the real reason is that I did not want bypass. There were no United States long term studies on the band or the sleeve. I couldn't even find any long term studies on the sleeve anywhere in the world at the time I was banded. We had no idea what the long term results (regarding weight loss) would be. So, I got a band. That was one of the biggest mistakes in my case. I've since revised to a sleeve and it's a much MUCH easier journey. Personally, I'd never get another band. I honestly do not believe it is going to last more than 10 years at best in most people. Newbies want reversible. Once they get to goal they want permanent and forever. ;o)

The band is supposed to be a permanent fix. You should not think that it is temporary. The only times the band needs to be removed is if it errodes, slips, etc. I believe some of the people who had to have revision surgery was due to complications. I know for me if anything happens with my band I will have no second thoughts about getting a revision and keeping it. I love my band and I'm so glad I have it.

I'm very happy with my sleeve. My sister in law had the GB (and two revision surgeries) and has regained all her weight, despite have horrible malabsorption and dumping issues. She's given me some great advice on how to avoid sliming and vomiting, unfortunately she's knowledgeable about it because she has such tough issues of her own! I'd do the sleeve again in a heartbeat, but I'd rather be fat than have GB or RNY. I know that because I waiting years for a new procedure that wasn't GB or RNY to appear on the horizon. After learning about the sleeve, I feel like angels are singing and the sun is shining! Yes, I'd do the sleeve again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks I see its fairly common to stall around this time. I am waiting for it to kick back in ! I see you were a revision too ! thanks