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Just checking in--you all know my crazy life. Insurance was giving my doctor such a hard time for port revision surgery, so he is going to use some machine to flip it manually? The surgery will be right in his office--it is scheduled for September 28. I am trying to research so I ask the right questions--will need to post a thread to see if anyone has ever heard of this?:smile::biggrin:

I am the great debater when it comes to sleeve vs. band I have done lots of research and see good and bad with both. But I was never offered the choice. Maybe that is why I am still debating now. Everyone needs to make their own choice. Don't let me influence anyone with my wishy/washy mindset!! If I were to revision it would be with alot of thought and research first and my docs recommendation. I just wish I had the choice is all.............

HEY LADIES!!!! I'm still here. Personally things have been rough, but somehow I make we make it through...one day at a time. My band has probably been my saving grace (weight wise) I am quite sure with out, emotionally eating would have taken control and I would be in a heap of a mess. but as it stands I am doing ok. Still looking for the sweet spot since my revision surgery, the good thing is that since the revision and with all the family drama my weight has only varied 2-4pounds depending on the day and the TOM. I am still working out and trying to do the best I can. I am trying to get these lat 30lbs off by the end of July (i like to set my goal realistic and attainable) so wish me luck. I am going to take it 10 pounds at a time and get this done!!!!! Big Kisses to everyone for all the love and support. It is much appreciated. BTW I posted some pics on my profile. the befores are scarry but the afters...well I like them. TTFN!

Hello Everyone! So excited to see fellow surgery buddies. My name is Kelly. I'm married to an amazing man and have a four year old son and three bonus kids. I just turned 39 two weeks ago. I found out from my surgeon last week that I was approved and started on my liquid diet. I've alway been a chubby kid. I was on phen/fen when I was in middle school and did ok until college and gained the weight back with a vengeance. I had a Lapband placed in 2003 and was very successful with it until it slipped after the birth of my son. The Lapband was removed at the first of this year and that surgeon would not do a revision. So, again, I started WW and lost a whole 15 pounds despite following it diligently and training for a half marathon. So, here I am scheduled for the 13th. I am getting wishy washy, nervous, and excited. Not feeling very prepared for life after sleeve but I am trying to learn about the diet in the first few weeks. Good luck to all and I look forward to success for us all. Bright blessings.

Okay I'll be at Mi Hospital but I will be at the Marriott. Maybe we can get together. Don't stress they treat you like royalty. I had the band in Mexico in 2005 and am returning for a revision. You are in for a sweet surprise. Just relax! I am so confident I am bringing a close friend of mine to have the sleeve done. Just remember positive thoughts! And walk walk walk!!!

As of Friday 4/11 I weighed in at 213.4. I weighed 248.0 the day of surgery on 1/16. It's been a slow process since my band to bypass revision surgery..I'm being patient..

Neck Wattle cure - please do share! I don't actually think I need a facelift YET, and i am afraid of the scars and more importantly the numbness, but I would love to do a wattle reduction! Cathy, good luck - hope the house stuff sails along smoothly. I admit I am not fasting of late. I am down in my bounce range again barely - low 150s - but have kiddo home from college. I do want to take a run at getting more solidly into the 140s but thinking that will be more successful once he is gone. The other day I was looking at my chubby thighs, knowing that the chub is mostly skin (I had the small thigh lift which was very much a partial solution) wondering if i should revise to the long thigh lift. My surgeon finally sent me the mark up photos... oh good heavens, wowza, even I forgot how much I have improved. It helped me reset my brain a little. Like wow, how far have I come???? I never really shared photos of how awful my thighs were pre-plastics - some of the photos I had were taken at beneficial angles. These photos are shocking even to me. April 14 will be my 6 month plastics and I hope to have actually put together some sort of photo collage really showing side by side. I don't have any pre weight loss photos that show any skin at all... but seeing what I looked like pre weight loss, then post weight loss (without spanx), then post plastics is amazing. when I was preop, I had no idea this was even possible...

Yes, that is exactly how I feel. I had the VSG in December 2014. A month or so after I had horrible GERD and my “full sensor” was way off within about 6 months. I only lost about 45 pounds total in the last 4 years and decided to get the revision. I got the bypass a few weeks ago and immediately there was no sign of Gerd. I’m praying my weight loss is much better.

I am going to challenge you on this - in a caring way! You are very close to your goal range - every freaking middle aged woman in the developed world wants to weigh 10-20 pounds less than they do. I don't think you NEED a revision. I think you are expressing the same dang annoying thing I am experiencing. I can eat more. I like to eat - especially delicious food . I have to either up the activity or up my personal committment to eating "right" to get back to skinny chick zone. Ain't nothing like an amazing man in your life to tell you that you are the hottest ticket in town..haha... and i keep thinking, you should have seen me a year ago! ha! but i will take the compliment

Okay, I finally caught up on all the back posts. How wonderful to see everyone posting here. What I'm seeing is a lot of us settling into real life and trying to figure out how to incorporate the changes we made from having a band into what our daily lives hold. It is certainly a process and I am glad to have the support of you all during it. Crystal, if you truly think the band can't work with your stomach properly have you looked into other options like a gastric sleeve? I've read quite a bit about that on this site. I have had virtually no problems with my band, but if i ever did have complications I would seriously consider revising from band to sleeve. I think a sleeve would eliminate the being-too-tight thing. It's funny, but at first I wanted the band because it was reversible if needed. Now that I've lost so much weight, there's no way in the world I want this reversed! So a more permanent solution is a more realistic option. On running. It surprises me that it's something that I've gotten into. I hated running. Couldn't figure out why someone would do that on purpose unless a large animal was chasing them. But as I started walking I felt empowered. So eventually I tried running a few steps. It freed me from this pre-conceived notion that I couldn't run and was too weak to ever do so. I was strong enough to do that little bit and strong enough to add to it day by day. I used the couch to 5K and thought it was pretty challenging. I didn't know any couch potatoes that could do the amount of walking/running that it prescribes to begin with. But eventually I got there and was able to progress a bit at a time. Like Angie said, I don't know if you'd really call what I do running, it's more what most people would consider jogging, but I call it running because to me that's what I'm doing. I'm not sprinting, but I'm running at a pace that I can sustain for 2 miles or more. Sometimes, though, my workouts fizzle out. I went to the gym yesterday, having had a great run on Monday, and just couldn't do it. I ran for about 5 minutes and just didn't have the oomph to keep going. My goal is 45 minutes of exercise, so walking counted. I got tired of doing the walking eventually and moved to the stationary bike for the last 13 minutes. :biggrin: Today we are going to walk to the library for our exercise. I think it's about a mile away. We'll see how long it takes with the kids in tow. There's a mom and toddler group, followed by a mom's group with free babysitting. I'm looking forward to it. I hope you all have a fabulous day!

I'm March 8th with Dr. Aceves in Mexico! Revision from band to sleeve! Super excited and a tad nervous! Wish it was now!!

I am also having a revision on the 28th

March 26th. Revision from lapband. I'm nervous and excited. Hope to get back to running and fitting into my old clothes again.

Hi all! I had surgery on 6/13 sleeve to bypass revision. I was struggling with the liquid diet and I had some fish (cod & salmon) in small portions but only 10/11 days post op. I feel an aching pain in my left side all of a sudden but am passing stool so I dont think a blockage. I didnt lose any weight on my 2 week marker, I remained the same. Did I damage something? Also having a hard time knowing when I am full. Good luck to everyone out there

60 Sandy: i have had gerd or years. At my first consult the doc told me with the sleeve gerd can get really bad 4 to 5 years out. Then after an EGD at my last consult, he saw the hernia I had on the pic of the EGD and seemed to think for me I would be fine with the sleeve. I do not have heartburn that much anymore and have about 75 lbs to loose. So im praying he is correct. Im 58 and do not want to have any revision down the line.

Change of taste also and I think you mourn food that is the only way I can describe it but you make the appropriate decision and keep going-in the morning I am still rely on my shakes then I can drink liquid till lunch and do better then and supper-my surgery was the day before yours and a revision-I just keep going and follow plan as much as you can

oh BBK, i'd be so pissed .. sorry that happened. since it was his decision, the revision (and all related costs) should be waived or charged to him... i really need to look into the powdered Peanut Butter.... i love the stuff but havent eaten it in ages due to the fat content..

I have pretty much stayed out of the “drama” and let Alex deal with things the past few days. However, I did want to comment on a couple of things. First being, I love this site and I love Alex’s sleeve site as well. I am passionate about weight loss, helping others in their efforts to lose weight, and gaining the support I need as I also continue in my weight loss journey. Alex has done a great job building his weight loss forums and I, as well as hundreds and hundreds of other people get the support they need as a result of his vision. A couple had indicated because I no longer have the band, I do not belong on this site anymore. True, I am now sleeved. However, I am still a person who has had three years of personal experience with the band. I am still a person who has experienced weight loss surgery. And, I am still a person who is battling against the disease of obesity. That is a common struggle all of us share. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be here. Saying I don’t belong here because I am sleeved is like saying, “you have reached goal, are no longer obese and therefore you don’t belong on this site anymore.” It just doesn’t fly. The bottom line is, as I said, I am passionate about weight loss and supporting others in their efforts. That is what this and Alex’s forums are about. That is the common goal we all share. Whether we are just starting, revisions, or at goal, we all still share that common battle of obesity, and we all deserve to be here and help each other out in any manner that we can. Some of you started voicing your “opinions” that I should step down as administrator on this site. However, I sleep well knowing that overall, I feel like I do a very good job for Alex. He has done a great deal for me, and I am happy and honored that he allows me to be a part of his forums and do what I do for him. And, while there have been seven or eight people who were very adamant that I resign, I have learned there are far, far more people who appreciate what I do. To all of those who have sent me emails, pm’s, facebook messages, etc., thank you. Thank you so much for showing me your support and that you do care and do feel I am doing a good job on these forums. The numbers who have contacted me in a show of support far, far outnumber those few here that do not appreciate what I do. I am okay with that. Not everyone in life is going to like you. We just have to do the best we can every day. I know I am doing that. And, I will continue to do that. I think it is time for all of this to end. We have over 72,000 members on this site. Only a few of those seem to be unhappy. And, unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, Alex tries, or anyone tries whether it be on the internet, at work, or anywhere else in our lives, you simply cannot please everyone. You either accept things, or you move on. Life is too short to carry over such anger and hatred. And to allow something to continue to eat at you, and to continue to fester is unhealthy. Have a great evening everyone.

G4E - good to hear from you - Prayers for you and BIL! Thanks for the well wishes on my mouth - oddly I am not having any pain (not sure thats good) the root canal originally was done beginning of the year - never felt right and then all of a sudden an abscess developed above the root. So revision on monday with endodontist specialist - $$$ (their hoping this will take care of the infection.) To top it off I have a cavity - right in between 2 teeth - so it's actually 2 and because of the odd location they have to do a partial crown. I mean seriously - I take care of my teeth - WTH?! I wanted it done all at once - but there on opposite sides of the mouth so they said they wont because I'll be numb all over. I tried to explain that I can handle a liquid diet for a day (duhh!) They don't seem to understand - so back to the dentist on Tuesday. Just what I want to do on my 2 days off - oh well!

I have not been having BMs as often as before, but I'm not eating much either. I just transitioned to solids from the soft foods. It's been a few days and I think I'll drink some "smooth move tea" tonight. Haven't had to take anything else, but that is a natural way to get things moving. Just noticed we are both 4 weeks out. I had my surgery on November 10 in Juarez, Mexico with Dr. Rodriguez. I was self pay and had a revision from the lap band that was done in July 2006.

Hi, Nicole. I'm new here, too. I'm hoping to revise from LapBand to either the sleeve or the bypass. Are you having the bypass? If so, how did you make that decision. I had decided on the sleeve but then an endoscopy showed my esophagus to be like "ground hamburger" so I'm not thinking I should maybe go with the bypass since the sleeve can cause more reflux. I never thought I wanted a bypass because it seemed too extreme to me, but now I'm trying to come to grips with the possibility. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Very interesting Florinda - and chin up darlin, keep fighting the good fight - you are doing what you need to do to take good care of yourself. The SWANK plan sounds like anything but - it sounds terrible. Makes me think of one of my clients when I lived in NYC who went on a raw macrobiotic diet to help combat Lyme disease and she just started looking like death warmed over - like she had been drained of blood - then another client came waltzing in how had been doing Atkins for the first time looking fit as a fiddle, rosy cheeked - and quite slim. I found a doc closer to us who looks like he has significant experience with revision - I think I might see if I can attend one of his seminars to ask about the gerd issues and a RNY - I am scared of having to get a manometry (hubby had to have it and said it was the worst experience of his life - its where they thread sensors through your nose down your esophagus to place sensors for overnight study, his desciption of it is terrifying and hubby is no puss by a long shot lol) though I am more scared of Barretts esophagus!

My Surgery was the same date I had the revision from Band to Sleeve I was 244.4 Highest Weight 231 Day of Surgery 221 Today You Are DOING GREAT???????????? KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Hi all! So I had Lap Band surgery in 2014 and lost about 100 lbs. Only to start having chest pains that my doctor said were caused by my band. So the fluid was drained, and back came all of the weight lost (except 10 lbs.). I asked for revision, and was denied by my insurance, but after writing a letter asking for an appeal, they have reversed that decision. Yay! Now back to life. Surgery for revision to gastric bypass is set for 11/07/2017. Excited scared!

I have a date of June 17 for a Lap Band Revision to a Sleeve with Dr Alvarez at EndoBariatics. 3 weeks from today!