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I had a revision from a VBG/SR from 16 years ago. Back then I lost 90 pounds and kept it off about 4 years. This time (surgery was 10/24) I had RNY and am down 27 pounds as of Monday. I had the RNY because my silastic ring from my previous surgery was migrating upward and causing choking issues. I wasn't in the best frame of mind and definitely not the best health this time around. I mainly have head hunger. I was sent home with a fork - tender diet. I've definitely been cheating (i.e. had a fun - sized bag of Cheetoes, had a piece of Halloween candy less than 5 grams) so I bought baked Cheetoes and sugar free hard candy trying to curb this. I feel like I'm failing before I start. I have really bad fibro and am extremely exhausted almost every day. I lost my insurance Nov 1st. I am working on that. I go to a support group once a month, but they don't want to be friends really. I need more than a monthly meeting. Help? Sent from my SM-N900T using the BariatricPal App

Wow, we have almost the exact story - banded in 2008, lost 70, you gained 30, I gained 35! I'm also restarting and am totally committed. I went so far as to be approved for a revision surgery then canceled a week before because I was nervous about changing my anatomy permanently. This is my last try and then I will get the surgery I really don't want. As for now, I'm determined to lose it and am coming on here every day for support and reading the success stories. I'm hoping that will keep me on the right track. I wish you the best of luck and know we can do this!

I was originally banded in Richmond, VA in 2008. I've gained and lost the same 50 pounds 4 times in the last couple years. I was never truly successful with the band and have had a whole host of complications. After jumping through hoop after hoop for the last two years I have finally been approved and will have the devil band removed and the surgery revised to the gastric sleeve in February 2015. I am anxious, afraid that I will fail at yet another procedure, but cautiously optimistic at the same time.

Great job!!! You're an inspiration! Band to VSG revision:5/23/17 HW: 315 Pre-op: 294 SW: 283 CW:268.7 GW: 175

I do wish you the best of luck in whatever route you take, but in the end, the weight-loss starts with you. RNY, DS, the sleeve, Lapband; no matter what WLS method you choose, you have to be willing to make the lifestyle change, and it seems that you aren't ready or just don't want to. WLS to me is just a tool. Yes those who get RNY/DS lose quickly, but in the end it comes down to you to make the healthy choices, both food and exercise wise. Maybe the band isn't for you, but with your mindset and eating habits, another WLS may not get you to where you want to be either. None of them are a perfect answer; they're all tools to use to help you during the lifestyle change. While the malabsorption may help you more than the band could, still eating improperly will cause you to gain the weight back. I'd consider therapy or just talking to someone about your eating habits. You can't eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight just because you revise to DS or RNY. It's not that easy.

Sue, Per my doctor's orders I was on liquids the first day and then could eat normally again after that. Just told not to go crazy. I didn't revise at the time and had no complications either. Good luck to you, Nancy.

Good morning......panda, so sorry for the ice cream disaster last night. Today is a new day and hopefully will be a good one for you. I know you said that you don't have a Meijer's by you, but you probably can still order the Pure Protein shakes on line from somewhere. Honestly, they are pretty descent. As for my weight loss, please remember that I started with a band and then had it revised to the sleeve. With that being said, my so-called pre-op weight will be a little less than most. Pre-op for me was 205 lbs. Post op day #9 is 197 Total weight loss is 8 lbs Just curious what you and GeeeWhy consider a "meal" versus a "snack" versus "regular Fluid intake". Talk to ulu later!

I could use a little help, I live in Minnesota and I’m having trouble finding a doctor or clinic that handles revision surgery. I was sleeved about 6 years ago and do to some ne meds I’m gaining weight back. If can make a suggestion on a doctor or clinic would be much appreciated. thank you Paul

How long has the process been for you? I have BlueCrossMN and they have no protocol for revision surgery, I was hoping to have done within 3 months. I also looked up Alina clinic and there is one less than two miles away from me. Lot better than driving to Rochester. thank you

Working hard!! Thanks and God bless! Band to VSG revision:5/23/17 HW: 315 Pre-op: 294 SW: 283 CW:268.7 GW: 175

My story is similar...banded in 2011...going through revision process and nervous about all the same things you're all mentioning. Great to have the support.

That's awesome. Keep me posted. I swear this is such an emotional roller coaster. One moment I'm excited the next scared out my mind of all the worst possibilities. Never imagined I would need a revision.

I got the lap band in 2009, and was successful in that I lost 129 lbs with it within the 18 mo. time frame and kept the majority of it off for many years. In April of this year, I felt I better go in and get a check-up to make sure everything is in order because I felt like I was hungry more often. The new doctor felt it was time for me to do a sleeve revision, told me that I have a dilated pouch. I had that once before years ago, and had to go 3 months with only half my Fluid to let my esophagus "rest". I dreaded to be unfilled again because I always gained some weight back, and I had to work twice as hard to get it off again. I couldn't talk them into not unfilling me hehe, so I said I'll go for the revision. I had my revision on Sept. 2, 2016, and am thrilled at the way I feel. No slimming, no painful pressure in the center of my chest... All those things one gets used to having the band all those years. I love it, and although I'm hungry during the liquid phase, it's not that bad at all. Lost 11 lbs in the last couple of weeks but I am prepared for the slower pace. As long as I'm losing, I'm happy with that. Good luck all, and hope you are as happy (or will be as happy) as I am with my new sleeve.

Did u go through this? How do u feel. Are you able to eat? I'm so scared of hairloss too... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App No, I haven't but I have seen and talked to a lot of people who has gone through it. When I went to my check up at my bariatric center, I spoke to one girl who said she cried every day since her revision, poor thing . Yeah, I'm worried about hairloss too. I didn't go through it with my band because the weightloss wasn't as drastic, a normal 2-3 lbs a week or slower... So I'm a little worried this time around because our calories are sooo much lower.

How are you doing today? Lap band 2009 Sw 200/lw 161/cw 214 Sleeve revision booked 17 May

Where do you do your revision surgery for gastric sleeve

Are you going to have revision surgery? Hope you're feeling okay. I haven't been on here in a while, I've been so busy at work it's not even funny. The last time I went in for a fill 4/2/12, I only lost 6 lbs in a month, but I spent a week on vacation not working out and eating like crap. The APRN decides to put me on Adipex. This past Wednesday I went in for a f/up appt and lost 7 lbs. IDK if it's the band or the medication, but I can eat small meals and be satisfied for 4 + hours. I go back on May 21st for a fill. I have a 4 cc band and I think I'm almost at capacity. If that happens, and I don't lose a ton of weight in six months, I may look into revision surgery. I'm tired of the ups and downs.

I paid $3000 just prior to my op as an out of pocket expense with no medicare rebate or private health rebate. Every single visit and fill ive had since has been bulk billed (meaning medicare is billed direct and only the scheduled fee) so ive never paid a cent more for aftercare. Any revision surgery i should ever need will also incur no cost to me at all. Elcee by all means blame the weather. I had fish and chips and n ice cream down at Dromana today. But Iv pretty much done liquids for ten days. And i just had a potato cake and about five chips!

I was banded 1/08. I lost ~125, then lost full, gained a bunch back, had revision surgery 10/09. I got back to a total loss of 110 then got preggers. Had an unfilled and gained most all back. My baby is 13 mos and I finally got a fill again this week. So now I'm down about 60 from original and 100 to get to goal. Exercise....just keeping the faith...that's me

If there was no sleeve procedure, MBC surgeon will perform gastric sleeve and the only charge she will be responsible is the revision part ($1400). Plus travel and related expenses, additional time off work, etc...for something that should have been done correctly the first time --and was paid for. I didn't even know a "loose sleeve" was an option...I haven't seen that term used in all of the research I have done. I will make sure I ask my Dr. about this. Mexico Bariatric Center fully paid for Debra Stienmen original surgery to Dr. Ramos Kelly. MBC has fulfilled its contractual obligations with Mrs. Steimen and deems it unnecessary to provide compensation at this time. Did Mexico Bariatric Center fully pay for Debra's surgery to Dr. Kelly with Debra's money that she paid to MBC for the surgery and additional services as contracted or did MBC fully pay for Debra's surgery as a gift to her? I understand Mexico Bariatric Center trying to defend themselves. The coordinators are not the ones performing the actual procedure and can't control the doctors actions in the OR. There is a level of professional business integrity that looks to be lacking. To say that Mexico Bariatric Center has gone "above and beyond in this case" may be a stretch. The actions of A Lighter Me, Janese and Sandy show what going above and beyond means. They were able to "clean up the mess" that Debra was in --- which should have been handled by MBC. It shows there was a way to work through the negative situation and make it right. Maybe if MBC had handled the situation differently, it would have portrayed them in a different light without a need for a rebuttal within this forum. The subject of obesity and the struggles with weight are very personal. I hope this was an isolated incident that was mishandled by a small representation of the business and doesn't reflect the core values of a company that should be customer focused.

Hello, My name is Debra Steimen. It has taken me several months to recover from my mexico bariatric experience to talk on these forums. Now it is time. Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding my experience. If you don't ask you may fall victim to: Mexico Bariatric Center mexicobariatriccenter.com WeightLossMex.com SOURCiS, Inc., doing business as, Mexico Bariatric Center. Address: 705 E. Bidwell Suite 2-111 Folsom, CA Last April my lapband of 5 years slipped and needed removal. I was told that it would cost me $40.000 out of pocket to have it removed because my insurance did not cover the removal. Desperate, I contacted Christy at mexicobariatriccenter. Christy told me that the owner was in business for years leading me to believe that the company was in business for years. Christy was very believable and seemed very concern with my welfare. I trusted her and the company and went ahead to schedule a lapband removal and a gastric sleeve. Christy suggested that I use a specific doctor because of his experience, since she did not think the other doctors had enough experience with revisions. It would only cost me $6,500. My Surgery was scheduled a few weeks later. I arrived in San Diego and was taken to a little hospital. The Mi Hospital. I was being registered by a Mexico bariatric center assistant that seemed very shady. He made me feel uneasy. After being register I was moved to a normal hospital room. I was undressing when a staff member came in and told me I needed to be moved. I was then escorted down to a different floor in a room with no nursing attendant and no other patients. I was a little confused but I was trying to go with the flow until I realized my hand had swollen up three times it size. The needle that was inserted penetrated my vein. I rushed out into the hall asking for help by anyone that I thought could understand english. Finally someone ran upstairs to get a nurse. I was so freaked at this moment. Debra Swiszcz <dswiszcz@gmail.com> 4/9/13 to cindy Hi Christy, I'm pretty nervous right now. They have not been able to get an IV in me. I was put into one room and moved to another room down on the second floor. I don't think there is a-nurses station on this floor. Finally they called a surgery nurse to put the Iv into my hand. She thought she go it in however 20 minutes later I look down and my hand was swollen 4x it's size with fluids. People are all very nice here but I'm still a little confused about my room. It has no call buttons for a nurse. I had to run and find someone to look at the IV in my hand. I'm really getting worried about the safety. Sent from my iPad Debra Swiszcz Things didn't get better during my stay. I was in that room for a day and a half before they moved me into a real room. 4/12/13 to christy Hello Christy, I hope you had a nice day. I was up early and walked a total of 5 miles. I paced myself and did it in intervals. I spoke to Daniel this afternoon around 2pm and he told me doctor Kelly was going to stop by this evening with the return to work certificate. It is now 7:55 and I haven't heard anything from anyone. No note, not what time I should be ready in the morning to leave for the airport. It's a really good thing Im very independent and smart enough to reach out to you early enough so you can help with some answers. With that said. Can you please find out what time Victor will pick me up at the hotel? Victor told me that Daniel should have contacted me with the information. Also is doctor Kelly really coming or do We need to figure out another way for me to get note. I really don't understand why Daniel couldn't run the note over this afternoon to make sure it was in my hands. It's only a five minute drive. I really don't know what his problem is with me. Yesterday he's ask me if I would like him to pick up omeprazol since he was going for other patients. I.asked how much was it and he told me around $15.00. I didn't have change and I gave him a twenty. I told him he owed me five dollars back. Some how I knew he would not give me the money back. If he handed it back to me I probably would have told him to keep it but since he didn't bring it up again. I just though wow he thinks he deserves at 35% tip. He is leaving a bad taste in my mouth and today is just adding to the pot. Ps my phone does not work in Mexico. I'm in room 219 if you want to call me at the hotel. Warm regards, Debra S Desperate to have the revision that I went through hell, something I would never have accepted in the States. In Mexico I guess I just expected this was normal. I'm well traveled so once I was at the hotel I was pretty much on my own. I felt fine after the surgery and could eat just about anything I wanted. I was starving. What was wrong with me? Several months after the surgery I gained 20 lbs. I contacted the doctor and Mexico Bariatrics. No response. I finally got this email telling me to stop eating. "Really" Stressed and my whole self esteem deflated I just felt something was wrong. I contacted MBC and spoke to the owner Ron. I told him of my concerns. I didn't believe the doctor they recommended preform the gastric sleeve. He ask me to get some test done in the states to verify my concerns. Again out of my pocket $3000.00 later I was told by my doctor her in the states the procedure was not done. Mexico Bariatrics washed their hand of me. I was shit out of luck. My story got out to others by an x-employee of Mexico Bariatrics Janice from A LIGHTER ME called me and asked me about what had happened with my surgery. I told her my story and she was dumbfounded. She then confirmed the rumors I heard about Mexico Bariatrics. MBC was only in business for a few months at the time of my surgery. The owner Ron at MBC was the webmaster for a Lighterme and had no experience. Janice reached out to her boss and owner of A Lighter Me, Sandy Johnston. Sandy contact me herself and listened to my story. She was so nice. She offered me to come to Mexico with A lighter Me at cost to find out what exactly was performed on my stomach that cost me $6500. On February 2014 I had a surgery performed by Dr. Ortiz from A Lighter Me On his report ( I have copies ) It states that no gastric sleeve was performed. He himself performed the gastric sleeve. It is now two months later and I have lost about 10 pounds. I hear from Ronda the dietitian once every two weeks to make sure i stay on track Sandy the owner has called me as well as Dr. Ortiz himself. The care and concern from the staff at A lighter me has been wonderful. A difference of Night and Day from MBC. The moral of the story. Research carefully what you are about to do with your body in Mexico. The Dr. that performed my surgery was DR. RAMOS KELLY ( I am not the first patient that he has done this too.) Please if you have questions contact me. I would love to help anyone about to undergo a bariatric surgery in Mexico.

Hi when were you sleeved? I'm 9 weeks post op and had hair loss at the beginning and no more I've been on biotin months before my sleeve and I also put these drops on my scalp to prevent hair loss. @ajsI was revision band to sleeve 4/9/2014 and banded 9/2005

Lapband -> Riverside Medical Clinic (Dr. Zainabadi) Terrible, terrible Doctor (No longer performing surgeries, no longer with medical group). Also the medical group cancelled the program. RNY Revision -> Loma Linda University Medical Center (Dr. Scharf) Amazing Doctor, has unbelievable credentials. Their program is absolutely fantastic. Based on my experience, I would suggest to go with a teaching university, they stay on top of the latest technologies, usually have state of the art equipment, and are borderline OCD on your stats, your health, and your education. In my instance, only "real" surgeons perform the surgery, but student surgeons observe. Benefit? Two sets of eyes for everything (My morning rounds were a real doctor followed by 15 medical students). I gave the one student doctor a hard time (tongue in cheek). I could tell he was nervous. He asked me if I could tell him my name. I replied "Yes". He smiled, the 15 students chuckled, and I broke the ice for him. He thanked me later.

I also had a revision from sleeve(early 2017) to bypass (dec 2020) due to GERD and some weight regain. Happy to say that I no longer have GERD. I’m just over 10 weeks post op and I’ve lost 20kg. May be ‘slower’ then some but I’m so so happy with this progress. Slow and steady :)

I am glad the surgery is over for you. I had port revision surgery also. My port had a leak from the start. My doctor was very nice and said I didn't do anything it was just a defective port. (Although he didn't believe me until 7 months later that there was a problem.) I lost that first 50 myself. He did put a 5cc fill in a surgery and said he would do a fill every two weeks. That is the program we are on. I think your doctor is just being a little ornery. But, just my opinion. I just had the regular port put back in. I didn't have any other options for a low profile port.