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As someone who is undergoing revision from lapband to the sleeve, I definitely would not advocate for the band. But you should get all of the information you can because it might be the right choice for you.

You know my 1st choice was not the lapband--it was the "sleeve." But my friend and this website changed my mind because the sleeve was relatively new and not a lot of data on it. Well, this website has a forum on "lapband to sleeve revision" which I have been reading. I know its costly but maybe insurance might cover it. Anyway, read that forum to get an idea on why those banders changed their thinking on the band and went with the sleeve. It mostly has to do with food getting stuck and not having the quality of life they desire. Its just a thought--an alternative.

Jenny, I know you will have a great time. The clinic is so clean and modern and they make you feel like a queen. Dr. Ortiz is very outgoing and is very skilled. My surgery was about 3 times as long as other people's as I had a giant hiatal hernia with my stomach adhered in many places. They figured I had had the hernia for more than 25 years or that it was a birth defect. Those types do not just develop. Sliding hernias are very common and if you have one, they will fix it and most of the time only require a stitch or two and less than five extra minutes. Flying back I had to go through Vancouver and I asked for wheel chair assistance as I new there would be no way I could pick up my luggage and clear it through customs by myself. The day before my surgery I did some sight seeing / shopping. The first day back at the hotel I also went to costco (it is right across the street from the clinic, you'll be able to see it out the window of your room). Dr. Ortiz's mom works as the patient advocate at the clinic. She is extremely nice and will answer any questions you ask her. She will pick you up at the hotel and then will take you back the day following the surgery. As far as claiming money back from Alberta Health Care, if you go to their website, under forms, you will find one for out of country claims. You need to complete the form and send it in with an itemized receipt. It takes about 8 weeks to get the refund. It is nice to get a little bit back. Anything that they do not pay, as well as hotel, flight, food, and any other expenses are also claimable on your year-end taxes. Fill doctors - I go to see Dr. Descoteaux as I also heard not good things about Dr. Mitchell and I wasn't fond of his receptionist on the one day I called his office. I do know that Dr. Botha has made arrangements with Dr. Ortiz to do all of his patients as Dr. Ortiz has agreed to make any revisions, corrections, replacements, etc. if anything should happen. I have never heard anything but wonderful comments about Dr. Botha, so he would be a good choice. Dr. Botha is at Glenmore and Macleod and Dr. Descoteaux works from Peter Lougheed Hospital. Since you are in Airdrie, the PLC would be closer, but on Deerfoot, Glenmore is not that hard to get to either. Consider joining our Calgary lapbanders group in Yahoo Groups. We have a great time just talking about issues that concern us. We have regular get togethers, about every 6 weeks. Our next get together is on May 9 at 5:30 at Open Sesame on Macleod Trail. You are more than welcome to attend and just hear from everyone as we are all at various stages of the journey. It is very encouraging to hear everyone's story and it helps keep us all on track. As far as the weight loss goes, they say that the band is supposed to help you lose about 80% of your excess weight. I had about 100 pounds of excess weight, and so far I have lost 71, so I am getting close to the 80%. I have not been as fast as many other people, but I am sure happy being considered just "overweight" as opposed to "mobidly obese." Julie C 258/187/158 Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz

I have BC/BS Federal Texas. I just found out that I have what the Dr. said I have what is called mechanical breakdown of my 4 year old lap band and now a hernia too boot that I never had in the beginning. I now have to have the band removed, the hernia done and a revision to RNY and I am trying to see if this might be a procedure that would be approved or not? Hope some one will answer me back

Nicole, I am just starting my journey (that sounds cheesy when I write it, doesn't it?), but I feel for you. I believe there are a few posters around who had to revise to something else, after having an erosion. Maybe taking a look around the complications forum found here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/70-lap-band-complications/ Good luck!

Nicole, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Please don't beat yourself up over regaining weight. I had to say goodbye to my band 3 weeks ago and I've regained also. My band was removed because of a congenital problem with my esophagus that contraindicates the gastric band, so eventually (when my esophagus is sorted out) I hope to revise to the sleeve. People often say that the band is the least invasive of bariatric surgeries, but let's face it. Any surgery that requires the patient to be anesthetized while a surgeon cuts holes in their abdomen, pokes instruments into those holes, and implants a medical device, is pretty invasive. People also say that the band is good because it's removable. Well, that's true, but it doesn't mean that removing it is easy and safe. RNY is reversible, if need be, but that doesn't mean it's easy or safe. So I guess you have to choose the lesser of the evils. I think we'd all like to say we can lose and maintain our weight on our own, but if we had a big enough problem that we qualified for weight loss surgery, it's not likely that another attempt to do it "on your own" is going to work longterm. On the other hand, presumably you've acquired some healthier habits since being banded, and can rely on those now, at least until you're healed and ready to consider a different surgery. Good luck!

I have a second band, but my problem was the first band had a leak. My doc wanted to revise to a sleeve when he took out the defective band, but my insurance refused to pay. In fact, it took almost four months for them to agree to put in a replacement band and not just remove the leaky one. As for revision after a slip, google for academic quality articles on what to do after a band slippage. You may find that slips are more frequent in a second band if it happened with the first. Also, research the statistics on the sleeve, then find out what your insurance will pay with regard to revision. This should give you enough information to make a decision.

What doctor did you go to? I'm in Northern NJ and am looking for a good physician. I have had two gastric bands erode through my stomach and would like to have the gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass this time. I'm not sure about going to my past physician, or possibly trying a new doctor. I have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ and am thankful to hear that you were approved for the sleeve. Would possibly like to go to the same physician as you since you were approved for the procedure. Thanks "I have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ and they got rid of the 6 month wait right when I went through the process to be submitted (dec 10). Before that time my friend had a revision from a band to sleeve and after 3 denials did get approved and didn't have to do the 6 month wait. Be sure to call because requirements change and you may not be aware. I was approved very quickly. Within a few days of submitting and approved the first time. I was very surprised. Good Luck"

I just had my band removed and have to say it was very emotional, since going in didn't expect that it would be coming out. Surgeon wanted to go in and revise the band, but when he got in he found a lot of adhesion of the stomach to pancreas. Plus, I found out by hearing the nurses talking, not from my surgeon. So I'm really in a quandary what to do next as I don't have answers as to what is the long term effect of having my stomach stapled where the separated it from the pancreas. And not sure if there are no long-term effects, whether I trust my surgeon at this point. Still kind of on an emotional roller-coaster but surgery was just two days ago trisha pennreporter

I just found out about 2 weeks ago that my band has slipped. This is what lead up to finding out and the problems I’m having and facing now that I know.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I had the band placed on 10/25/07 and have lost about 120 lbs so far. During last summer I was filled too much and had crazy reflux and two months in a row I had unfills. Then I was fine for 6 months. Then this past holiday season, between xmas and new years I started having weird symptoms. It started with weird side pains when I ate. I'd have the tight pain in my left chest/shoulder, felt short of breathe from the side pains, couldn't breathe very deep. (I actually passed out around new years once). Over the course of three weeks it lead to reflux on everything even water, just burping up a little bit of everything all day. Then progressed into 24/7 uncontrollable heart burn. On Fri 1/9 I called the hospital because I couldn’t sleep at all or eat any solid food. I had to wait until the following Wednesday to see my surgeon. I was on liquids for nearly a week until I saw him.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> On 1/14 my surgeon removed just over a CC of fluid and ordered a full blood panel and an upper GI. He said it could be one of 3 things. 1) mega esophagus 2) slippage or 3) erosion. He thought it was #1 for sure since I wasn't throwing up, I could keep food down. It just reeked havoc on me until it passed. He said if it was the esophagus problem, worst case would be band removal. (freak out!) I had the upper GI done on 1/16.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I felt great after the unfill and the upper GI. The Upper GI found that my band had indeed slipped. My surgeon isn't concerned with it as is unless it keeps causing me problems. Now he says that I might just need a revision surgery, he didn't speak of removal. His plan if it keeps acting up is to remove all fluid, then if worse, schedule a revision surgery. I’m set to see him again in 8 weeks, but he said that if the reflux returns or any other symptoms to come back and see him.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> In the last week my symptoms have started flaring up again. I’m hoping to get in to see him next Wednesday. My poor husband can’t sleep at night when I’m up pb’ing, choking on acid reflux and coughing up spit foam (I can’t seem to throw up even when I try because I hope to get some relief, just sliming and pb’ing).<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Note, I’ve also had other weird abdominal symtoms that I’ve checked with my GP with, she then referred me to the GI specialist. Whenever there is food in my stomach at all no matter what it is, I get these weird side pains, still short of breathe, crazy abdominal cramping and weird uncomfortable radiating back pain. They don’t seem related to the band other than it only happens when food is in my stomach. My lapband surgeon didn’t seem to know what those pains were from and how they were related. So that’s why I’m going to see the GI specialist. Who knows!<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I'm so scared. I don't want another surgery, I don't want it removed. It's done for me what I can't do for myself. I've made drastic changes to my life and food habits, but I still don't trust myself without it. I want this band to work. I want to be able to live with it.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p> If anyone has experience with slippage like this, please continue to share. All of this informaiton in this thread has been really helpful. I noted the smoking, coffee, chocolate, mint and articicial sweetners as triggers. This week I am going to cut out these items (coffee has already been reduced to 2x's per week from daily.)</o:p>

I have BC/BS Federal Texas I was denied twice being told that I was having revision surgery I would have to have no weightloss for two eyars and my BMI I was told was too low they said I was 35 well I have a BMI of 37 now and my weight nop matter what I do keeps increasing. My Dr.s Coordinator sent on all the information and I was given the letters to read during one of my visits and well it dd nto state any of the actual reason and problems that I actually ahd or was having. I feel no one seemed to care about me or my case any longer. I am now amost 4 years pot surgery. I vomit so hard and often each day that I ahve to sit on my toilet holding a buncket becuase I now lose control of my urine and well my poop (sorry) I just sob becuase I know this is not right but what can I do about it. I ahve bad heartburn, GERD well it is back, my esophagus when i swallow my food just hurts to where you don't want to eat. My diabetes has come back, my HBP has never went away and now I have high cholesterol. I feel a huge loss here and mis understanding with my Dr. that did my surgery. The last time I was in his office I was discussing this with him and well he could not get out of here fast enough for it seemed. I just want my insurance company to see that all my problems are for real and that no one is supposed to live their life as I have had too.

Vegas- It's great not having to shop in the woman's section, you look so great now, you'll be smokin' hot at a 12! I don't think I could look anorexic, but I revised my goal higher because I know that I don't want to look deflated all over like I do in my chest and butt:-)

Hi, I hope you do well. I am also having a revision from sleeve to bypass. What happen with your sleeve? How long since your sleeve surgery? Sent from my SM-J727T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was a band to sleeve revision on 5/23. I am one ounce away from having lost 30 pounds. To some, this may seem slow, but according to several different scales I've seen, based on my SW of 225, it is quite good. I am now 196. The BMI charts say I have another 63 lbs to lose, but I may be happy somewhere around 145. We'll see... I've got a ways to go but taking it one day at a time.

Well on Monday 7/30/07 @ 7:30 am my band is officially leaving me! I found out on 6/1/07 that I had a slip with some errosion and was trying to hold out for my insurance to cover a revision from Lap Band to RNY, but my stomach will not let me wait any longer. The reflux is so bad and the esophogitis is really painful even being on 3 different meds to try and help settle things for a bit (nexium, carafate, and reglan). My paperwork went in this afternoon for my revision surgery and it was a total joy to have to do EVERY little thing over from scratch again (cardio, psych eval, pulmonary, dietary, support group, endoscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal sono and primary care MD). So unfortunately I'm going to have 2 surgeries now :car: I'll probably have the RNY revision after 8/27 when I get my daughter settled into her freshman year at college. So this is my tale of woe for now Jane

That was my experience with the sleeve too. I never had heartburn before surgery, and it was in full force afterwards. My surgeon told me that if I still needed to take the reflux medication a year post op that I should make an appointment to see him. I was so stubborn and didn't want to have to get another surgery so I suffered through almost another year of really bad reflux. Finally 3 months ago I decided enough was enough. I had to go through some awful awful tests to give my surgeon enough info to recommend the revision surgery. I just hope after all this I can finally get some relief. Hopefully you won't still have the reflux after a year out but if you do just be prepared to possibly have to go through another surgery. This might help you down the line if you're doubting getting the surgery, I have to keep reminding myself of the bigger picture here because if I don't get the surgery to fix this then that acid will more than likely do some serious damage to my esophagus (more than it already has).

I’m having revision surgery from sleeve to bypass also. I do have acid reflux. The sleeve did great for me until I became stressed and started eating the wrong things and gained back the 100 pounds I had lost. Very disappointed in myself but I’m determined this time. This is major surgery that I said I wouldn’t have but here I am. I know my triggers now. I also know what to avoid and how to deal better with the stress eating.

My surgery is booked for May 6th with one of the fat doctors from the TV show here in the UK - but Im terrified of blood clots, bleeding, hernias adhesions, ruptures and god knows what else, am I doing the right thing? Does this surgery fix you short term but decrease your life expectancy because of lots of long term side effects from having your digestive system re built? I have had a gastric band, I lost 6 stone (14 pounds in a stone) anyway, I looked and felt great, went and lived in LA for fun, and was an american size zero, worked out in the gym every day, and felt fab, then my dad died, I came back here to the UK, and then the climate and food and misery got to me, no more gym - replaced it with cakes, anyway, then my band slipped, and in Jan this year had it removed, now, Im back where I swore I would never be.... what do I do, do I dare to go ahead with what they say is more risky revision surgery or do I just slip into my fat invisible world.....

Congratulations @BypassDiva2023. I’m so glad you’ve finally had your revision surgery. Praying for a much smoother journey for you this time. NSAIDS are always on the forever no list post surgery. However, some surgeons do allow their use after a period of time with a sleeve which may be why you are surprised with the instruction with your bypass. My surgeon allowed me to have them after two years because I didn’t take them regularly but he still gave me strict instructions: half dose & not consecutive days. The swallowing pill advice seems to be varied across surgeons & surgeries. Did the same surgeon do your bypass as sleeve? Maybe they’re treading more carefully because of your history.

Jan 22, now one week out and still in significant pain. I had revision sleeve to gastric bypass.

I was a band to sleeve revision on May 8th weight pre surgery 231. Day of surgery 216. Current weight 183. Lost 32 since surgery and 48 all together. A size 20 tight to a 16. Best thing I ever did. :-)

I think the surgeons office tries to collect sufficient information for approval process. I know with my revision my office want proof that I complied to previous surgery. Luckily i had all my post op nut visits with measurements and weigh ins. It was not a requirement but helped in the process.

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.

I thought you all may want to see the infor below.. Insurance Company to Cover Newer Method of Bariatric Surgery by Kerri Seidler on April 21, 2010 ? Comments | Weight Loss Surgery Aetna, one of the nations largest health insurers, revised its policy on obesity surgery this month to include open and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy among its covered bariatric procedures. The sleeve gastrectomy procedure, often referred to as the gastric sleeve, is a newer method of bariatric surgery that is gaining in popularity as a treatment for morbid obesity. The gastric sleeve promotes weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach to help patients eat less and feel full faster. It appeals to many patients as it does not require a medical implant or need adjustments like laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and does not require cutting and rerouting the small intestine like the gastric bypass procedures. Prior to the policy change, Aetna considered the sleeve gastrectomy ?investigational? and did not cover the surgery. As of 4/9/2010, Aetna revised its Clinical Policy Bulletin for Obesity Surgery and stated that the ?sleeve gastrectomy is considered medically necessary when criteria are met.? The policy now reads: Aetna considers open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), open or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, open or laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with or without duodenal switch (DS), or laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) medically necessary when the selection criteria listed below are met. Although the sleeve gastrectomy is included under bariatric procedures, coverage for obesity surgery is still dependent on benefit plan details and approval by Aetna. Aetna?s decision follows in the footsteps of United Healthcare, another healthcare giant, which began covering the procedure in October 2009. In response to the Aetna and United Healthcare change in policy, The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) issued a press release announcing its support. In the statement, John W. Baker, MD, FACS, President of ASMBS, said ?We are pleased that Aetna and United Healthcare now includes sleeve gastrectomy among its covered bariatric procedures?Sleeve gastrectomy has now reached that threshold where the data and our experience with the procedure supports its safe and effective use in people affected by the chronic disease of morbid obesity.? The ASMBS, which is the largest organization for bariatric surgeons in the world, is a non-profit group committed to educating medical professionals, patients, and the general public to the various effects, risks, and benefits of bariatric surgery. The decision of Aetna and United Healthcare to cover gastric sleeve will benefits patients who are morbidly obese and considering weight loss surgery. While weight loss surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity, it should not be considered a ?one size fits all? approach. As the best surgical intervention for obesity can vary from patient to patient, insurers who cover a wider range of options will better allow surgeons to treat patients on a more personal basis.

When I was banded I knew that being banded was hard but I thought that meant hard to lose weight, more effort required. Not so, banding is hard because of what folks are writing here. The fills, unfills, restriction problems, gas, constipation, pain, esophageal spasms, reflux, pain, all of it. THAT is what is hard about the band. I realized that I learned to accept this as a way of life, it is what it is. Then things got worse in a hurry and with an unfilled band I was on liquids for 4 months. That's when I had enough and revised to a sleeve. I guess my point here is that if you can't get these problems resolved you really need to consider removing the band or getting a revision. I have a sleeve now and a sleeve is like a band that actually works without all the risks and complications. NO STOMA! Just a tiny little stomach. I waited too long and now I have esophageal damage. Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't sit on this, get something done.