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I am having revision surgery next Tuesday - 11/10 - and it's covered by my insurance - Cigna. My band has a leak and hasn't worked in 2 years. During that time I beat myself up thinking that I was losing my mind because I was so hungry and could eat more than I knew I should. My doctor had to write a letter to my insurance company and must have made one hell of an argument on my behalf. I was fully approved and scheduled within 2 weeks. Hopefully your doctor can make a good case to your insurance company and get it covered for you. Good luck and keep me posted.

I got my band in 2006 and lost well over 100 pounds. My plan was, if the band didn't work for me, I would revise to the RNY. Now I have gained some of the weight back due to (unrelated health issues) an over fill, dilated pouch etc. When I decided on the band back then, it was purely financial, I was self-pay and had it done in Mexico. Had I been able to, I probably would have opted for the RNY because my BMI was over 60, however I was not willing to have that done in Mexico and the cost in the US was too high. Now I also am considering revising to the sleeve if I can't get my band to keep working for me. It is a tool and you do have to change your lifestyle period. Even with the RNY and the Sleeve they all involve a long-term commitment to changing your lifestyle or they won't work for you either.

I saw the Dr. today. He showed me my x-ray compared to a person with a closed band and I agree the band diameter on mine appears larger. He described how the new allergan band locking mechanism was changed so that patients that needed revisions (like from a slipped band) could re-use their original band and not have to pay for a new one. Anyway, I have a second surgery date of Aug. 5th and I hope the Dr. is right that locking it is all I need.

It sounds like your Dad is capable of making his own decisions so he's aware of the consequences. If he's fallen twice and continues to make his own decisions, you can't do anything. I would not put my life on hold waiting to see when the next shoe will fall. If something happens and you're unable to run to his side, your brother, kids, etc. will have to handle things until you are able to tend to them. When I had my surgery, the man who had it the same day that I was there was permitted to leave a day early but it's only 3 nights in the hospital. For me, the recovery from the revision was a lot easier than the banding. Happy Easter/Passover.

I had Lap Band Revision Surgery on April 9, 2007 and went from the 4cc Lap to the New 10cc Lap Band. Has anyone here had there Lap Bands changed, if so do they feel a difference from the 4cc to 10cc Lap Band. Also, would like to know if this new 10cc Lap Band works differently. Thank you, Jill Pre-op Weight = 205 Current Weight = 191 (4/17/07)

There are different types of weight loss surgery. The different types affect the amount of weight loss expected and the speed of weight loss. They affect the revision rate (this relates to how often one might need to have the surgery modified or corrected or adjusted or changed to another type of surgery). I choose RNY gastric bypass because it had the smallest revision rate. It also produced the quickest and deepest weight loss. Also because of a pre-existing medical condition "major acid reflux or GERD", it was the only procedure recommended for this type of condition. But it also means that I have to follow a strict Vitamin regime for the rest of my life because my body no longer synthesizes Vitamins from the food that I eat. The process of getting surgery is not simple. It has many steps. Qualifying for insurance is one of them. But then you need to undergo an evaluation by a Psychologist. There is a half day of pre-op testing to uncover any medical condition that may impact the surgery. Generally there is also a half day of classes in which almost all aspects of the surgery and meal plan and vitamin regime and exercise are covered. Many insurance plans require that you undergo a medically supervised dieting and exercise program in order to qualify.

Hello I was wanting to talk to someone who had lapband surgery then had a revision to the gastric sleeve. Would you do it again? If so why?

Hi all, I'm hoping to have my sleeve (2013) revised to a mini gastric bypass sometime in July, and I'm having a terrible time booking a surgeon. I'm finding coordinators seem super-busy and struggling to find time to answer questions. There must be a lot of us hoping to have surgery soon! I've also had a couple of coordinators make errors on their initial quote, and then explain that the cost is actually much higher. And I've had two different coordinators from the same surgeon give me quotes $1,200 apart. I know Dr. Illan is highly recommended, but I can't get in to BariatricPal Hospital MX until fall, and I am a school teacher so that won't work for me. Does anyone have recent experience with a surgeon/coordinator that they can recommend? Thanks!

I just had a revision from sleeve to bypass 2 weeks ago.. But I had a leak that would not heal.. Was sick for almost 3 months.

Hi Rachel... Congrats on your surgery going so well and that you had such a good experience with Dr. Aceves and his staff! I love hearing the experiences that others are having with Dr. Aceves as I will be there April 1st for a revision from the Lap Band (Be really happy with your decision not to be banded) to the Vertical Gastric Sleeve. I am scared silly but hearing your experience eases my mind. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Darcy

jst4kel, I did not have the same issues as you did but have revised from lap band to RNY and have been very pleased with the results so far. Hopefully you have a good doctor/support system to help you look into your options for revision. Also there is another wl forum called www.obesityhelp.com that actually has a revisions section where people revise from and to every WLS out there and it was very helpful to me when I was making my decision. Anyway good luck and health to you, Nancy.

Your liver sits on top of your stomach, so the surgeon needs to prop it up out of the way to get to your stomach. The smaller it is the less likely your liver will get damaged in surgery and it also provides more room to access the stomach and work properly - and quickly. Surgery is safer overall because of all this when the liver is smaller. I've heard stories of people waking up from surgery without the actual bariatric procedure being done because the patient's liver was too large to safely go ahead. After my two surgeries (lap band and revision) the first thing I asked after waking up was how my liver was because I was so worried about it. Both times I was told that my liver was perfect. I will stick to my pre-op diet again this time for the same reason. I want to do everything within my power to ensure a safe, complication-free surgery.

I read posts about these butthead docs and I realize even more how much I adore my surgeon. Sorry you have to go through this. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure your doc is very experienced. Revision surgeries are always more complicated. Not all docs can do them, of those that can not all docs do them well. Ask a specific number of surgeries he has done of THIS type. Not just sleeve, but band to sleeve with esophageal problems.

I was banded in March 2010, and had slow and not too steady success with my band - some other health issues got in the way. Things were moving along nicely combining my band with Weight Watchers. Like everyone else, I had those occasional PB's, those foods you learn are not going to go down, the occasional, "Oops - forgot and eat too much/too fast" and from the beginning, I usually could not eat wearing a bra. In July 2012 things changed...now I couldn't eat while sitting down, and never before 10a. Every night I'd sit down to dinner with my tablespoon of whatever Protein or main dish, a tablespoon each of that evening's veggies, maybe a 1/4 cup salad and three thumb nail sizes bites in, I'd be in the bathroom throwing up. After expelling my three bites and a giant mucus ball, I might be able to get my portion of the main dish down...in about 45 minutes and only if I was standing up. I had to give up eating out after a mortifying "3 Bite" episode @ a business meeting. I started having that burning sensation in my throat. I was getting sick everyday. What happened in July? The only thing I can think of was that I'd had carpal tunnel surgery. I have always had to be "patched" before surgery because of severe nausea. Before this procedure, though, the anesthesiologist told me I didn't need it since I'd only be under 15 minutes. It was day surgery so I was home that afternoon. Hadn't eaten and wasn't hungry. Took the dog out to do her business, and my world tilted - I began retching and couldn't stop. My weight crept up from 216 to 227 - combination of not eating &/or just getting what I could get down. When you're beat, and you need a quick pick up before a meeting and you can't risk an incident, a chocolate bar goes down without returning. After a long day of keeping nothing "real" down, a pint of ice cream is soothing. Not making excuses, not saying it was the right thing to do, but it's what I did. Instead of homing in on the real physical reactions I was having (my husband, friends, oncologist all noticed and encouraged me to go see my WLS), I kept blaming myself for not trying hard enough. Finally in December, I'd had it and made an appointment. They told me I should've come in six months ago. Since then, I've had an upper GI and will be having an endoscopy next week. I'm eating mostly soft foods the consistancy of yogurt. Couple of days ago, I attempted a single slice of deli ham chew 45 times(I counted) and made six trips to the bathroom. Had a piece of toast last night - no problem. Had a piece of toast this morning - not so good and really creepy in that at 11am in addition to being unable to keep toast down, I could taste what I'd had for dinner the night before!(TMI). Like anything, the band has it's good points and it's not so good points. It's taught me a lot and if it needs to come out, so be it. Since my original surgery, I'm about 50 pounds thinner(hey only 81 pounds to go!) and I've learned what full feels like. I've also learned that most people with a gastric band will need to have it replaced by the 10 year mark and many much sooner. A some point though, the inconveniences and embarassments become a bit too much to deal with. Revision surgery - hadn't even thought about that yet!

Sorry, no I'm not here to convince you or anyone to do anything. I didn't pay for the information, it came from medscape.com, an online medical professional resource. I posted it as just that, a resource. Gastrointestinal Quality of Life is important. It does affect weight loss...esophogeal, gastric and intestinal spasms kept me on a soft, low fiber diet (maladaptive eating). These foods aren't ideal for weight loss. Food intolerance (inability to eat fresh veggies, fruit, lean dense protein) are also counterproductive to weight loss, so it is very relevant. I posted on this forum, in particular because many banded patients DO look to the sleeve, since it is the other purely restrictive surgery. Hope this helps you to understand. No one having to revise, ever expected to need it.

and if so, any problems getting coverage for revisions/removals? i assume if blocked under pre-existing condition, this should not be a factor once obamacare kicks in? thoughts?

this is a major decision. Cutting a body part out...cost is factoring in somewhat, don't want to cheap out and get an infection. gonna call a few local MD and see what the price is I'm thinking twice Mex price for a revision. Since I had the band placed in Mex I'm over the concern of "going to Mex yikes!" HATE this band it is coming out no matter what my final decision. Having a total unfill done soon (tommorow if I can talk the surgeon I am seeing into doing it...-I could do it myself for that matter!!!) Don't freak out :scared0:if you are reading this I am an RN and would make sure it was a sterile procedure!-still I wouldn't do it ethics..)

I have a hiatal hernia that will be fixed during my sleeve surgery. My surgeon said I may have to have a revision later if it gets worse. They should do an EDG to check the health of your esophagus and severity of your GErd. He will know for sure what direction to go on then.

So, I get a call 2 weeks ago from Park Nicollet Clinics Bariatric clinic. The lady tells me they are in a partnership with the state of MN, a local paper and local tv channel for an ad campaign starting in October to endorse getting healthy. They wanted to do a write up on some of the success stories for lap band in the Twin Cities. She then tells me my name was the first to come up as one of their "Star" patients and would make a good story. They ask me if I would be willing to do a phone interview with a reporter or two for about an hour and maybe have my pic taken for an article or two. Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather. While I know I have been doing very well with the lb and my exercise, it's nice to hear your doctors office giving out respect as well. Of course, I agreed to it. I want to educate as many people as possible. Marketing person calls me back to verify that I am good to go and sets up appt. for interview. I was on the phone for almost an hour discussing everything that I have accomplished so far. Even did some history on me to give everyone an idea of what I went through before and after. I even put a plug in for LBT, hope it gets in the article as this place has been a HUGE resource for me. I'll see the article beforehand and will get a chance to make some revisions if needed. If LBT does not get in, I will make sure to put it in. Once the article comes out, I'll post it in the Magazine section. Just thought I would share this as I am looking forward to seeing some positive media attention given to the LB instead of all the negative stuff that gets said. More on this later.

I have not posted on here in a long time, ( a few years) I used to be a regular post on Obesity Help too, until all the band bashing made all the veteran bandsters leave. It seems like a place now for people seeking revisions from the band to something else, and it is no longer a place where anyone with a lap band or seeking a band should post, in my opinion. I also got busy with life, marriage, traveling, etc, living a great post op life, and I have not posted in any forum for a while, and thought I would come back home to LBT to share my journey /accomplishments and struggles and help newbies. I had a hiccup in my journey last year due to an un-diagnosed hiatal hernia that was never repaired during my first band placement, which also contributed to a small pouch dilation (surgeons were not routinely repairing hernia back in 2005), and had my old 4cc/10cm lap band replaced with the new AP small band. I had to switch surgeons to seek a highly qualified revision surgeon because a lot of surgeons are now moving away from the band which in my opinion, at least until a "new buyer is chose for the lap band" which is a disservice to those who really want bands, and what I've read and researched, those who are really wanting lap bands need to search carefully for band-friendly surgeons to offer great aftercare, which is more important than getting the band. Aftercare is the key to success with the band, and having a surgeon that believes in you, and will follow your progress. I was on vacation recently for about 3 weeks out in California and Vegas and I put back on some pounds by eating sweets and I want to take those pounds back off. I started my journey in a size 26 8 years ago, and my lowest size was 8/10, I maintained my weight in a size 10/12 for a solid 6 years until I got married and started having band issues last year but, I settle around a size 12/14, which is not too bad considering where I came from. I am overall happy with my new band, however my old 4cc band felt tighter, and I got restriction quicker with my older band, than with this new AP small band, but I am happy with my new AP band because I have never PB, or had any real issues so far, and I am very optimistic with my new "improved AP band".

This has been my life since I was banded April, 2011. I finally went to my surgeon and said I'm done! We had a long meeting and I discovered what I thought was food getting stuck in the band was not actually making it to the band at all. My esophagus does not like the restriction of the band so when I try to eat it spasms and closes off and I have to throw my food back up. Basically he said the band is not compatible with my body so I am having the revision to the sleeve. This will give me a smooth transition from esophagus to stomach which will calm the spasms. I was unfilled on Weds and I have been able to eat and drink without a hitch! I feel like that might be what's going on with you because you say you get two or three bites down and then you have to vomit or one day something will go down and the next few times you try it, it won't. That was the hardest part for me because I was always scared of not being able to eat when I would sit down to. And more times than not I couldn't. I hope you get yours figured out and find a solution! Good Luck!

Mine was 05, its 4 years now. Jack's at least 5 years. Marmar, in all honesty, you probably wont have your band in 30 or 40 years time. Every bit of research I did, and my own surgeon, led me to believe that theoretically, the band COULD be in there for a lifetime, but that in reality, probably the balloon will fail over time (yet another reason to avoid stuffing round with it too much, fill/unfill/fill and unfill again) and it will need to be replaced. Also, we just dont know how over a 20 or 30 year time frame our bodies will adapt to the band. After 4 years, my band works absolutely fine, my appetite and what I can eat low enough to keep me at a pretty thin weight. However, i've definitely learned to eat around my band, I know how to get food in when I feel like a bit of a pig out, I know how to manage it to eat foods I shouldnt eat but want to eat, etc. I remain dedicated 150% to running for an hour a day. THAT makes at least as much difference to my weight as my band does. I feel more in control of that, more able to guarantee I'll keep doing it than I do making promises about my eating behaviour. but every year goes by, I figure, thats one more year my body has been used to being thin. I truly think if I can strike up 5 years of normal weight, surely that has to count for something. Surely I can eventually establish a new normal for my body that it wont want to stray from quite so easily? who knows really? But I'd rather have taken this risk, and this leap of faith than stayed the way i was. And truly, I'm not the least bit worried about the band failing/breaking. That's easily fixed with another surgery. What, I'd be considering getting my boobs done but a second lapband surgery is the worst thing that could ever happen? I just dont understand that from the lapband knockers - they bleat about how they dont want to have second surgeries whilst in the next post they're talking about their tummy tucks. Makes no sense to me at all. Then again, our health system here is such that any revision surgery I may need wont cost me a cent. What I am worried about is my resolve, my continued behaviours, and my body deciding that fat is what it is meant to be. Hopefully none of that comes to pass.

Kim, Answer to your first ? A Port Revision is when your port becomes disconnected. I had to have my port removed and a new one put in a different site and reconnected.This does not happen very much anymore because the company that makes the band has fixed the problem. Now your second ? .80cc's is less that 2cc's. Hence the higher the # the tighter the restriction. To me it seems that you would have to get more cc's to get better restriction. But since I had my revision being at .80cc is just like being at 2cc's for me. That is what is great about the band. It can be ajusted to fit your needs. XOXO~Teresa

Well if your band has slipped, you need to figure out WHY it slipped. If it slipped from non-compliance and keeping it too tight and vomiting and purging, then it may not be a good idea to get a band replacement. The Sleeve has been a good viable for option for those who've had band slippage, some surgeons wait for the stomach to heal before revising to the Sleeve and some surgeons will do it all in one surgery, I guess depending on the damage and adhesion's left from your band. Also, some people have had slipped bands, learned their lessons and have gotten rebanded, and have been complication free and successful, but from what I've read getting rebanded comes with more risk and everyone is not a candidate for rebanding depending on the damage the band may have caused. Edited to add: I got rebanded last year, and had the old band removed hiatal hernia repaired and new AP band placed, however I did not have band slippage, so your case may be a bit different, I am very happy that I decided to get a new band, it's working great so far. Talk it over with your surgeon, they know more about your medical history and what may be best for you. Good luck!