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Hey Fab, I was very sorry to read your story. But I have to tell you that I am jealous that you're scheduled for revision and I'm not. I can't wait to get mine out and no telling when I'm going to be able to afford to have it done. There is a patient in my doc's office whom I've befriended who had the same symptoms that you have. She had a revision to a sleeve and she is one happy camper!! I hope that everything goes well for you and this is the answer to your problems.

Oh my, where to begin. If there is a problem with the sleeve, (IOW, if restrictive alone does not work JUST like the band) then one can revise to RNY or DS. Education, it's a good thing. It's not on Google Cache. Funny how that works with drug companies that have unlimted pockets.

I don't think it's fair to present an all or none picture of this thread. I have had the band and revised to a sleeve after 3 years of band intolerance. I know several people who have the band and continue to do well with it. You stated you might have had the sleeve if more were known at the time that you had your band placed. I agree with you as I would have also. Knowing how much better the VSG surgery is for ME and having had the band and some of it's associated complications, my desire is to let those considering the band that it's NOT the only WLS option. Bottom line? Figure out what type of eater you are, talk to surgeons who perform various types of WLS, do independent research, and make an informed decision for YOURSELF.

I totally like and respect Wasabubblebutt! she knows that and I want you to know it too. I think she does good research. Having said that, I want to see the studies that back up her statistics. What I found, like the link below , lists MUCH lower repairs/revisions/replacement. The only other person I know besides me who has the lap band has had it since 2003 and loves it still, no issues. That is an admittedly SMALL sample, of 1. LAP-BAND: Statistics subframe and another, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/63973.php Again I say ask your surgeon for stats and get the sources of those stats, review, decide. Wasa may be right and I know she thinks she is or she wouldn't post that but until I can see those figures and consider the source myself, I have to kindly say ... well, maybe, or maybe not.

Thx Mildge, Sorry to hear about your difficulties:sad: Hope your surgery goes well, maybe they can do a revision or something?? Thankfully, the pain resolved itself in about two days, we were doing alot of yardwork, building a patio, a lot of heavy lifting, so I think I just strained the muscles that my port is attached to. No pain since. Sending good thoughts your way, hope it all works out for you:blush:

I got the last two, Jgandg and msgoat. I'll have you revised on the next post.

Ok so, I have been totally fine with my band. Never had any huge issues. Last year I went in and had a port revision and tummy tuck. Now about 10-11 months later I go to the gastroenterologist for different problems. But they do an Upper GI Xray and they said the barium won't go down. Well that's weird because I really haven't had any problems. If I eat super fatty food I get a little acid. But prilosec takes care of it. And say if I eat really tough meat or Pasta (which gives us all problems anyway)...then I may get burpy or like I'm stuck. But I have been getting increased burping (really gross ones too, sorry TMI)...that's probably my only symptom. The xray tech and gastro have NO clue about lapbands but after looking online and finding pictures of what a band slippage looks like...mine looked awfully like it. Plus they said that my band looked as though it was placed almost opposite the direction that it usually is placed. Which is something my initial doctor could have done anyway but...the full baggy pouch above the band...make me think slippage. Any opinions? Did any of you have almost no symptoms when your band slipped?

I'm an RN also and had surgery with Dr. Aceves. Yes, complications are covered. For example, one person had a "funny looking liver" and Dr. Aceves did a biopsy at no charge. He stands by his surgery but hasn't had a leak so there's no complications. LOL. I told two people and went to Mexico alone. Both were ready to have a stroke that I was (a) having surgery in Mexico and (:confused1: traveling alone and both are the only ones who knew I was having the revision to VSG from the band. I worked a 13 hour shift, went home and showered, grabbed my luggage, and flew 6 hours to San Diego from N.Y. The care at Almater Hospital was great and the hospital was immaculate. Pre-op testing was fast and efficient and the Lucerna resort was beautiful. I saw the surgeons 3 times a day and all the RN staff are BSN prepared. Grab your fiance and tell your family you're going on a short vacation. This is for you and not them.

My surgeon would take me. As a Revision, many surgeons didn’t want to touch another’s work. Especially since the other, very accomplished surgeon, is still practicing in the metroplex. I had no problems with the original other than no longer wishing to drive two hours in horrible traffic for every appointment and using a hospital so far from home. 12 years ago, when I got my band, that was the only option available. My PCP worked the phones until she persuaded someone local, that she trusted, to see me. And here we are!

good luck everyone, my revision is Thursday 23....

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.

Could you send it my way also Kit? I'm another looking at a revision. Have to do SOMETHING. I can't believe I'm back up exactly where I was when I got banded 8/05. The hopelessness is suffocating. I haven't seen any Penni updates. Are there some threads I'm missing? Did she disappear along w/ LaMadam & Vines? Kare

The port site was the most tender to me as well, but in two weeks time I had no pain at all so hang in there and take your drugs if you feel like you need to. The first time around I was religious about taking my pain meds the first four days and I honestly did not hurt nearly as bad as when I had my port revision surgery and decided to 'go it alone'. They give you the meds for a reason so use them if you feel you need to. Soon you will be in a lot less pain just hang in there!

Yes I feel so much better and am so much happier!!!:tongue_smilie: You Bandpal look amazing too!!!! Yes for the most part the tummy tis gone!~ For the first time ever I don't have a tummy that sticks out farther then my boobies!!! Thanks Sades!!! I now have something to smile about!!! Scarecrow you look great!! a whole new man!! And I agreee with you Scarecrow, everyone that's losing weight needs to look at before and after pix , becasue that's the one way we opurselves can truly see the weight loss, at least for me. Sure I know I lost weight, But there are times when I still see myself fat, So then I look at side by side pix and THEN I can see the difference and not be so hard on myself and nit pick at what I Still need to lose. Shortgal, Thanks. am feeling 110% better for the most part, I still have days when I am tired and have to take it easy. I am still having some woun d issues where it's not healing and still have to pack it 2 times a day with gauze. (oh how fun that is) For some reason it is not getting better BUT its not getting worse, it's just at a standstill. So he has me on some new meds, and I have have have to get my 125+ MG of Protein in. Some days that's hard . But I am trying. I am trying to stay positive abut all this, I know I have to have a revision when I finally heal becasue of the scar tissue, so that scares me. But we will cross that bridge when we come to it. I get to go back to the gym so that makes me happy, Laying in bed for 5 weeks wasn't good for upper arms and thighs. :eek: Tonight is my husbands Christmas party, Noone at his work has seen me since the surgery, So it will be my unveiling!!! WOHOOOOO :tongue: Keep up the great job everyone!!! Happy Holidays to each and everyone of you and your families!!!

Congrats on your surgery date. My revision is on Friday so maybe we'll run into each other. I can't wait! I'm a little nervous, any surgery makes me nervous, but am so ready to get a fill and get on with this.

any updates? i was so frustrated after gaining 20 pounds in the first three months after having my band removed, i was ready for any re-routing, stapling, removing -- or whatever they might want to do to my body to get the weight loss bus moving again... then i realized -- i've ALREADY been through enough with my band surgeries. (in, revision, out). i know what to do and how to do this...i need to at least give it a try. i've been exercising 5-6 week and limiting carbs. i quickly lost five pounds...after that i've averaged only one-half of a pound a week....if that's not discouraging, i don't know what is... no wonder we all quit! but i persevere and the good news is, while some weeks i stay stuck, my downward trend continues.. AND, what's great is this weight, because i'm doing it in a more healthy way -- doesn't come right back on if i stray for a day or two...and all the band weight would come right back... i still have a long way to go -- want to lose another 50 pounds. went to my nutritionist recently complaining about the slowness...she said, "what's your rush." that kind of made me think. and, one final thing... i have to say the 10+ pounds I've lost somehow seems like so much more of a victory than some of my band weight lost. NOT to take away from the effort that's required to make the band work. SO...if you decide not to go the surgical route, as of today, remember you DO have it in you to manage the weight! Don't forget that. Good luck! Elizabeth banded 08-28-03 revised 03-10-05 removed 03-13-06

I had pretty bad GERD before my surgery but it had only come with my weight so surgeon and I hoped it would disappear with weight loss. Straight after surgery I was so much better that I was able to drop from 40 to 20mg Nexium. Around 4 months out and 22kg lighter (2/3 of my total excess weight) it started getting worse. I am currently taking 80mg Nexium with poor control of symptoms - very painful and affecting my oesophagus, throat and Eustachian tubes (ears!). Seeing the surgeon tomorrow and hoping he has some "magic" suggestions. I also wanted the simplest possible procedure and am not at all keen on bypass, but I know there can be serious health consequences if my dr and I can't get these symptoms under control. Knowing that a bypass revision is always possible, is it worth talking to your dr to see about doing the sleeve in the hope that you are amongst the lucky ones whose GERD is not made worse by the sleeve? It would be nice to keep it simple if you could - ongoing need for vitamin/mineral supplementation is something I'm keen to avoid.

It's awesome to read about everyone's success, big or small, even one pound off is still a success. I had my port revision about a month ago and still have pain in the port area. It is really superficial pain, but it is like I didn't even have the procedure to fix it...blah. My scale IS NOT MOVING. I know it is because I am not eating the right things, but I got too comfortable and have now forgotten what the RIGHT things are. Any suggestions? I saw an earlier post about starting off with the thick protein shake in the morning, but I'm lost from then on. I work out a lot, but mostly strength training with a personal trainer. I have to add cardio, but I am sure many of you share my sentiments...cardio sucks. Any suggestions about food choices would be greatly appreciated

Ok, and I finally have a definitive answer to this question. I have a line from my elbow to the bottom of my armpit (from the arm lift), and then another line down my trunk with the starting point at the highest part of my side-boob and along the under-boob (from the breast revision reduction/breast lift)....so two unconnected lines. ...though I still haven't seen it myself. My surgeon used his finger to show me where the beginning and end lines were.

I had the revision from sleeve to RNY last August due to severe gerd. Have lost all my excess weight and I can finally sleep restfully all night long. No severe gerd. I can't say whether you will screw up again but I assure you, with the RNY, it'll be much harder to slide back into bad habits. I'm in my 10th month and it's been a lovely journey for me so far. I am still elated that I can get full on 2 eggs. Unfortunately, complications can happen with all surgeries. I had a complication with the lap band and the VSG. No fault of my own. RNY is no longer a permanent surgery, but it is a risky procedure to reverse it. The sleeve is considered permanent. As for vitamins, I had a complete bloodwork 2 weeks ago and I was not deficient in any vitamins, minerals or protein. Cholesterol, triglycerides, sugar, all perfect. I only take a vitamin patch by patchaid. It may not work for others but it sure works for me. I hope this helps.

Interesting article. http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/5-reasons-skip-breakfast-142000450.html 5 Reasons to Skip Breakfast By Details Magazine | Healthy Living – 4 hours ago Once considered the foundation of any healthy diet, the morning meal may now be negotiable. The belief that we won't have our get-up-and-go unless we down our bowl of Cheerios has turned the concept of eating upon rising into a die-hard dietary rule. Original research on whether breakfast made an impact on health did find that healthier people ate breakfast. But as we know, data alone doesn't always tell the whole story. "Lots of people who skip breakfast or practice intermittent fasting are healthy too," says Dr. John Berardi, co-founder of Precision Nutrition. "About 85% of the clients we work with eat breakfast and tend to follow a guideline of eating small, frequent meals throughout the day, but that's largely to help them learn to practice healthier eating habits. If you're a person who regularly makes good nutritional choices, then eating breakfast is more negotiable." The Virility Diet - What to Eat for Better Sex In fact, skipping that first meal may lead to some real benefits-from possibly losing a few pounds to increasing your level of anti-aging growth hormone. And don't worry, your metabolism won't suffer. Eating small meals throughout the day, starting with breakfast, isn't necessary to stimulate metabolism, says Berardi, who co-authored an extensive study review on meal frequency for the International Society of Sports Nutrition. His suggested revision to the dictate: Breakfast is optional. Hard-and-fast rules don't allow for much mindfulness, anyway-and that's an integral part of any nutritional approach. So if you love how breakfast gets you going, feel free to stick with that routine, but if you're not a morning person, there's no harm in forgoing food first thing. Foods That Will Make You Look Younger Here, Berardi's 5 reasons to skip breakfast: 1. It's not required to boost metabolism. The idea that metabolism slows radically in response to not eating certain meals in a single day just isn't accurate. The amount of calories you're taking in and the composition of those calories-Proteins, carbs, and fats-are really what impact metabolism. 2. It may lead to eating less overall. If you skip breakfast you can eat fewer, larger meals beginning later in the day, rather than six smaller meals throughout the day, which may be less satisfying. This can lower your total caloric intake for the day and may lead to weight loss. 3. There's a payoff even if you're only an occasional skipper. Intermittent fasting reduces insulin levels, so you can actually increase your insulin sensitivity for better blood sugar management. At the same time, your body will release more growth hormone, which helps to preserve lean tissue and burn fat tissue. 4. It can help lower your total carb intake for the day. Most of us are over-carbed. We eat too many refined carbs, too little Protein, and too much fat. Skipping breakfast can steer you away from the typical high-carb breakfast foods (toast, oatmeal, Cereal, pancakes) that may trigger an insulin response that kicks you out of fat-burning mode. 5. It can help you tune in to your body. You just might feel better sipping Water with lemon or a green juice instead of forcing down food first thing every day. If you're one of many people who feel nauseous early in the day, you're better off listening to your body's cues. Sure, you're co-workers come into the office, bagels with cream cheese in hand, but at the end of the day (and the beginning), you want to figure out what works best for you.

thank you for your comment. i thought i knew why i was doing this, and up until this week i was happy about it, despite some warnings and misgivings from others, i have a friend right now in kidney failure who was supposed to have revision surgery but the leak wasnt caught in time and he is now on dialysis. i know most wls stories are ones of success and happy outcomes. some arent. i just have been feeling depressed thinking others see me as a failure because i am overweight, and if i choose not to have surgery they are also going to see me as a failure, so either way i am feeling bad about which decision i make.

Great info. Especially the belly wrap. Hang in there. I had my revision yesterday. I was worried too about being alone, the staff here is great. I am staying a 2nd day. I have been face time my family. You got this!

That's interesting... I had revision surgery the day before you, so we should be on the same stage, but even over a week after you posted this, I'm only allowed 3oz protein and 1oz veg, fruit, OR starch. 4 oz. total, with no indication that these amounts will ever change moving forward. And I'm being told that I should not be using protein shakes anymore if at all possible. I'm struggling with how to consistently get 20g of protein per meal when I can only have 3oz. at a time. If I could just eat plain chicken breast for every meal, sure. But I'm not cleared for unrestricted textures yet, and canned chicken breast is only 15g protein for 3oz. The dietician also REFUSES to give me any guidance on how many calories I should be aiming for per day and says that I shouldn't be "restricting," because I'm in my "maintenance phase" now. Which I am extremely confused by, because according to their plan, I'm still on "soft foods" until Monday, 2/25. And I have 25-50lbs to lose, still at the high end of the "overweight" BMI range.

My doctor suggested 160 which I thought was WAY too high, but I think he was just being very conservative, Then I arbirarily put my own goal at 150, but by the time I got down there I realized I could get into the 40's pretty easily so I revised it to 140. Figured I didn't have a snowball's chance of getting any lower because of my age, but I was wrong. I don't want to get ANY lower than I am right now (135-137) because things are starting to droop. You gotta take into consideration your height and age.