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I had port revision after a slip. I, also, may need to eventually get a smaller port because it has turned over to make room as my surgeon says happens after a large amount of weightloss. Best wishes. Karen

Dr. Rex Luttrell did my surgery & does my fills in Little Rock. Very nice man & easy on the eyes. He numbs you up before doing the fill. Don't know if he would fill you this early on though. I think he made me wait 4-6 weeks. I know he has done a port revision on a Mexico patient. I don't see him having a problem with it. Give him a call (501)552-4870. Good luck. They have also been advertising a Lap-Band clinic somewhere here in Arkansas. I have been seeing the commercials on TV the last couple of weeks. If I see it again I will post the name for you.............Jess

On most things you strive for 'healthy' levels, just like non-ops. You'll find that 60g of Protein is what non-ops should get. The extra may be to compensate for malabsorption, but my plan called for 60g. Sodium, like non-ops, you want to reduce. 600 calories is a draconian crash diet in non-op life and like I said folks that do that have willpower that I don't have. For my plan from day 1 I was learning how to eat for the rest of my life. I basically ate to maintain my goal weight and lost weight down to that balance point. At any rate, for everyone losing all that weight is/was great positive reinforcement, telling our lizard brain "plan = good." All minerals, vitamins and other nutrients: you need what a non-op needs. Except you may need a bit more iron and calcium as our malabsorption seems to hit those hard. Again, fat is the same as for non-ops. Reduce it. Some Gastric Bypass folks (like me) dump on fat, so be careful. Just because we are eating less and consuming fewer calories, it doesn't mean we can reduce everything by 75% or 60% or whatever. Generally, we still need 100% of most vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Bottom line is you need everything a non-op needs to be healthy, you just have to do it in 600 calories. If your nutritionist shrugged on this question, well... Good luck, Tek

In a previous article I introduced the concept of getting the most from what you are eating, in particular, feeling satisfied after eating. Whilst the purpose of weight loss surgery is to help you feel satisfied on a smaller amount of food, the type of foods you choose is important to help maximise this. There are two key ingredients in helping you to feel satisfied after eating: 1. High fibre, low glycemic index carbohydrate-containing foods 2. Protein-containing foods. The previous article explored the glycemic index, or GI. This article focuses on protein. Protein-containing foods help us feel satisfied for longer after eating, which is helpful in managing our weight. Protein is also involved in many bodily functions including: building and repairing body cells such as bone, hair, skin, nail and muscle producing hormones to help us burn stored energy, including body fat making enzymes to help digest food helping to protect our body against colds, hair loss, muscle weakness, and fatigue. Not eating enough protein can result in: a weaker immune system muscle loss hair loss inadequate weight loss. Why am I at risk of inadequate protein intake after weight loss surgery? As indicated in the protein counter (on my website), meat products contain the most protein per serve. An Australian study from The St George Upper GI Clinic in Sydney, Australia, found that those with a gastric band often find red and white meat difficult to tolerate whilst fish was tolerated more easily. Some people who have had sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass also reported difficulty eating these foods but it was far less common than it was among those with a gastric band. Red meat and chicken breast can be more difficult to eat if they are dry, overcooked, stringy, or if they have been reheated. Any meat can be difficult to tolerate if you are not using the correct eating technique. Some people will then avoid these foods, when working on improving eating technique may allow them to eat these foods comfortably. Food tolerance varies from person to person and is found by trial and error. Tolerance of all foods can be improved by following the correct eating technique as I have discussed previously. Following all surgeries, you will be eating smaller amounts of food. A reduced intake of food causes a decrease in protein intake. In the early stages following surgery, people who have had a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass are likely to tolerate only very small quantities of food. When you eat your meals, eat the protein-containing food first to ensure you have room for this important nutrient. How much protein do I need? There is no one exact recommended protein intake following weight loss surgery. A range of 60-120g has been suggested, however your individual protein needs will vary depending on your age, gender and your particular stage of recovery. It is best to speak to your dietitian about your protein needs. You can then use the protein counter below to see how you can achieve this. It is easy to confuse the weight of food with the protein content. For example, some may assume 100g of meat provides 100g of protein. This is not the case. Head to my website for a simple table on the protein content of common foods. Lean protein foods are the best choices, as they are lower in fat, particularly saturated fat. Meat should be trimmed of fat and chicken should have skin removed. Low fat milk, yoghurt and reduced fat cheeses are recommended.

I've been unfilled three times, once for my body lift and twice for port revision surgery, and each time, the restriction level to get to my 'sweet spot' changed. I have needed increasingly higher levels of fill to achieve the same restriction. Mind you, even people who have never been unfilled but who have had the band for a few years start to find that they move out of the 'green zone' and then have difficulty finding it again. But don't be alarmed that you're up to 5cc. I currently have 9cc in my 10cc band, and have had 10cc in it before. You have some room yet to find the right level of restriction again.

Don't you just hate when people tell you, “You really don't need the lap band. You look like you can work it off". Well if you don't I do! I had a woman at my church tell me this and she has had the Gastric Bypass. My first impression of her statement was, well don't that just beat all. She has lost a lot of weight and is looking real nice; why wouldn't she want the same for me... Not that I care about her opinion it's just as I am traveling down this journey I am look for encouraging words only. Maybe her words were meant to be encouraging however, she has had GASTIC. LMBO! A co-worker who has had the lap band tells me daily how much it’s not worth eat while she snacks at her desk daily. I am excited and I am working hard in the gym, I have my eyes set on the prize and I am not letting no one and that means no one get in my way of a new me! UGH! I feel better now. LOL

I normally exercise 1 or 2 times a day 30 to 40 minutes each. I have lost 81 pounds in less than 7 months. A friend of mine had the bypass 2 days before I was banded and she has only lost 90 pounds and the bypass is suppose to be so much faster upfront than the band... I am just so thanksful that I feel like exercising. and I also work 12 hour shifts so some days I don't get to the gym but I try to be pretty faithful except this month with the holidays I haven't worked out and I can really tell a difference. My out of town relatives just left today so I will probably be hitting the gym later today, it is a lifestyle now and I can't quit.... My Dr told me my weight loss was so good because of the exercise. Also I am near 50 years old so my metabolism has slowed and the exercise helps it pick back up, the most important is do what you can live with for the rest of your life, so your weight loss will last that long also.Don't know that I can exercise 2 x a day for the rest of my life but I don't ever want to give up on it, that is when I started gaining years ago..

Before my surgery (jan 9th gastric bypass) I was loving my Protein shakes (Isopure creamy vanilla) after surgery I am unable to keep it down, I tried drinking it at a slow pace, but it comes right up....I spoke to my doctors office today, and she told me to but the carnation essential (I also got it in vanilla) and It didn't come up although I had discomfort once I drank it.... Not sure if you want to try something else as a Protein shake or maybe ask your dr... everyday since they have put me on puree foods, I have been throwing up...*sighs*

Exciting! Congrats! It’ll be here before you know it! HW 242, SW 236- (Bypass 12/20/17) GW#1- 199 [emoji736] (2/11/18) GW#2- 180 [emoji736] (4/2/18) GW#3- 160 CW 178 5’6”

I'm just beginning my journey and have done some research, I have well over 150+ lbs to loose and just wanted to see if anyone has done that successfully with the sleeve, or would bypass be the better option?

my friend had bypass surgery close to 3 months ago....she claims to have lost 60 pounds...i saw her on saturday and was taken back...i saw absolutely no difference!!!!!!!!! none at all!!!!!!! in fact she looks as though she has put on weight in her chin and neck. she kept asking me if i noticed a difference...i stayed quiet and changed the subject...she kept telling me how much smaller her thighs and waist have gotten...i honestly didn't see any change...i wanted to...i tried to...but i don't see it...when i started my journey i weighed 10 more pounds then she did...after losing 60 pounds it was quite noticable...should i lie and tell her i see it??????? or just keep changing the subject...

I had bypass on 11/21/19, and I was diagnosed with SLE, Sjogrens, and PMR in 2017. Thanks God it’s well controlled with Plaquenil. The only issue I’m experiencing is the fatigue, and I’m noticing hair loss starting. That scares me the most, but I’ve added Biotin to my vitamin regimen. The pain and discomfort I’m still experiencing I’m not contributing that to my Lupus at this time. I had hernia repair too and that’s the area the bulk of my pain is, and lower abdominal region. I wish you the best of luck. Just know there’s no more oral prednisone if you have to use that for flare ups it has to be IV, or injection only from what my doctor told me. It cannot be long term.

I'm right behind you at 22 days. I did so much research on the bypass and the band; close to a year before I actually pulled the trigger. I read many online forums; heard all the ups & downs, complications, read studies ad nauseam, etc. Though my doctor favors the bypass, I didn't want to rewire my plumbing. I knew that I had to do something, but didn't want anything so.....permanent. These online forums can be very helpful, but there is also a downside. I was forewarned to be careful what I read online. I try & take what I need & leave the rest, and know for a fact the the percentage of people without major issues, is far greater than those with the types of problems we've been reading, lately. As terrible as some of the issues are for those who are experiencing them, it doesn't mean "the sky is falling". I hope you feel better soon, too. It's a lot to take on, and we can only hope that we get to where we wanted to be when we set out on this journey.

You are here looking for help, that's a good start. Its not impossible to re-lose what you lost. You might consider therapy first then a possible revision 2nd... just my opinion. Its not hard to regain the weight, I am almost 2 years out and if I didn't keep track of myself I could go back easily. Do you still have some restriction?

April will mark my 2 year anniversary of my sleeve. I still haven't told anyone at work, only my immediate family knows and 2 extremely trusted friends. The comments as regarding speculation have almost gone as no one seems to even remember the "fat" me anymore. I'm now the size they see and know. Anyone one else done this, in regards to not telling or talking about it. I found it interesting a few weeks ago, I was playing poker and sat next to a gentleman that had done the gastric bypass. We had a very interesting conversation about the differences between his surgery and a sleeve. I could tell he was curious as to how I knew so much about it and I was able to play it off by saying a girl I used to date had done it. That was enough to stop any further pushing into how I might know so much. He was very open about it, almost to the point of bragging. I'm not ashamed, but its not something I care to discuss with others. As the decision was an extremely personal one that came about for a variety of reasons.

I went for my first consult today for the sleeve. It went great. I wanted to know if most people need the second surgery (bypass) to achieve their goal weight. Can you achieve your goal weight with just the sleeve surgery?

Hi ya'll... I had the band in Feb 2010 and was sleeved on August 9, 2012 The surgery was supposed to be 1 hour but ended up being 3 hours due to scar tissue wrapped around my esophagus and a kink in my esophagus... I am so thankful for my surgeon Dr. Jawad who truly is an expert in the field and was very patient and able to finish the procedure. Dr. Jawad's associate came in and described in detail what had happened during the surgery... He commented about the medical jive being "make sure you know who is doing your revision"... then he looked me square in the face and said, "be thankful Dr. Jawad was doing your revision". I think he must have been a miracle worker!!!..... I also had the Fluid removed from my band about 4 months prior to surgery and gained about 20 lbs... I do feel your pain. But, I am now 16 days post op and doing great. I am on a full liquid diet until day 28!!! A lot of folks start the soft/mushie food a lot sooner...but, I'll stick to the full liquid for the added healing measure. I am also 14 pounds post op today,.,, God Bless... :wub:

I had my band removed in early June and have to wait until December for my sleeve because I had a band erosion and related scar tissue. At first, I was pretty depressed but know waiting is better than having a leak. Dr. Aceves, my surgeon, will do the revision in one surgery so long as there isn't an erosion or some other complication. It seems the practices vary quiet a bit so if you have the ability speak to a few different surgeons, i highly recommend doing so. Also be sure to ask how many revisions your surgeon has completed as revisions are more complicated than a virgin sleeve. good luck on your journey and hope you can get it done in one surgery!

I am so nervous and worried that I will have to undergo two surgeries. I had lap band surgery in Dec 2007 and scheduled to have sleeve surgery on October 11, 2012. I really want it all in one surgery but I do not want to take the risk of leakage or complications. My surgeon is NOT going to do both procedures in the same day if he feels that I have to much scar tissue, but he will not know until he is already in there if he can proceed with the sleeve. He is definitely a master at revisions and I trust his professionalism and expertise. My parents live in California and was planning to come to Texas to assist with my recovery. I am not sure if they should because there is no guarantee that I will be sleeved at that time. What do I do?

I just had my band removed on Thursday, July 19 and will be having VSG done but I was only told that I had to wait until I finished all the requirements of my insurance as I would if I did not have the band at all. For me that involves 12 weekly classes, two bariatrician appointments, one Psych appointment and another appointment with my surgeon after the other requirements are met. I already completed 7 of those classes and my surgeon was guessing that I would be seeing him again for the sleeve in November-ish. I was under for three hours for the removal and, according the my surgeon, the first 30 minutes was removing the band and the last 2 and a half hours was cleaning up scar tissue in preparation for the VSG. Now, I had my band for 9 and a half years so I completely expected a ton of scar tissue. And YMMV. I will be crossing my fingers for you that you don't have to wait a year. I'm going to guess that each surgeon has their own preferences and experiences with doing a revision.

I have to agree with CGJ, I had a lapband 5 yrs ago and only lost 60 lbs. It was extremely hard and very painful and the vomitting and reflux problems almost scarred me internally. I had to fight to get my sleeve, I wanted to give up but I knew inside that I was worth fighting for. When i finally got approved for my sleeve I knew it was the 2nd chance and I need to make it work for me. Yes, I have hit stalls just like others but it wont keep me down. Dont let the small stalls get you down push on towards your own victory. Many here have had revisions and it may take a little longer but you can do it!!

Thanks all! Kimmr--I looked at my specific company policy and my bariatric max is unlimited, so no issues with that. GivingItMyAll--I think I qualify under 2nd bullet also... Wheetsin--I got the impression that the insurance companies only considers it a revision if it's done in one surgery (because I'm having to do the 3 month program again before the sleeve is submitted for approval). I'm worried that my band will be removed and I won't qualify for the sleeve because of my BMI and no comorbidities... I'm going to see if the insurance person will just submit both right now without waiting for the 90 days...I'll copy this portion of my policy and email her. Just got a call to schedule my removal...more news soon as I hear something!

@@marissela928 Gastric Bypass

I agree. I was bullied about the bypass, but I had NO DOUBTS about the procedure I had chosen. I had an ethical problem of disposing of a perfectly funtional organ, and rearranging what GOD provided for me to be thin. Ridding yourself of your stomach is extreme. You will NEVER EVER be able to eat sugar of any kind. If you do, you will run to the bathroom with the dumping syndrome and have diarreah running down your legs. I personally couldn't live like that. I wanted to be a NORMAL thin and HEALTHY person. NOT one who can't absorb vitamins, be in poor health and have to take Vitamin B-12 shots for the rest of my life. What kind of life is that? Most of the bypass patients in my support group have pastey skin and look sallow. The more I researched, the more I was convinced that I had done the right thing. I also know a few bypass people who are suffering so much that they wish they had gone with the lap band. Now for the biggie. If you don't like the band and the sacrifices you have to make, it's REVERSABLE. It can be removed and you're back to the way you were. That was important to me. I wanted the options. I also worried, if I was ever in an emergency situation or in an accident, my band could be loosened to accomodate feeding tubes etc. If I were a young woman, I would be VERY concerned of any resulting pregnancies if I had a bypass and could not get the proper nutrition to support a fetus. That's just downright cruel to the infant to have them start out at a nutritional deficiet. With a band, you can have it loosened for the pregnancy and tightened back up when you've given birth. I just like the options. Bypass doesn't leave you with many.....

I have no real medical backing for that possibility, it's just based on things I have read & been told by others who have been through similar procedures -- anecdotes, really. In short -- I have no comorbidities, at least not that I or my current doc are aware of. For all intents & purposes I'm very healthy, but morbidly obese -- if that's not too much of an oxymoron! And I live an active lifestyle - no mobility issues: I play sports, I take martial arts, I scuba dive, I walk -- and I eat too much of the wrong things, and I have a damned hard time losing weight no matter how hard I work at it. A friend once asked her bypass surgeon about me, in passing, and he told her that I sound like "the perfect cadidate in terms of health and outlook for a strong & quick recovery, but possibly the least likely to be approved." I guess I'll just have to wait and see, depending on what I end up doing. Anyway - I read so much that says you need comorbidities for approval, but except for having tonsils & adenoids out at age 2, I've never had surgery... aside from ear infections & the regular bumps & breaks I've never been on prescription meds... but what they don't get is *I want to keep it that way*!!!! The only health-related thing I know of is that from my skinny days, when I was a sports nut, I have a torn ligament and cartiledge in my knee that has never been fixed (Dr's choice). Added weight is a HUGE stressor on that already damaged tissue, and my doc has confirmed that losing weight would help - but it's a joint, not my life (yet), and I don't know how much that would matter to my life insurance co. (I have United Health Care PPO). Now if weight alone is a qualifier, I may be in good standing! It was nice to "meet" all of you, and if you have any advice or similarities to my situation, please share! Like I said - it took 4 years to get to the point where I would even consider this, and it won't really be GOOD news if I can't even qualify!