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My port flipped about 6mnths after my intial surgery n Jan 2010. My surgeon would flip it manually. My surgeon left, and I got a new surgeon who did port revision surgery--he flipped up and moved it to a more accessible area. I was unfilled for the surgery. Like another OP said, my weight loss slowed down some. Hope everything works out okay for you.

I realize that most people will probably gloss over this topic...because for most 1 surgery works and is enough and if you fall into this category, please know how fortunate you are. This is not my story I am 5'8. In 2007 I was 273lb's and miserable! I got a Band. Following 13 fills and unfills the best I lost was 60lb's, I never achieved restriction, and unfilled to have 2 kids. All weight returned. In an unrelated accident my port flipped, and in 2015 at 265lb's I was revised to a Gastric Sleeve (Also had my gallbladder taken out, a Haital hernia repaired and the band removed). I lost 60lb's in the first 4 months and then...stopped loosing. At 205lb's I would have been happy with my results, but then, I felt no restriction and started to regain! Fast forward almost 3 years to today...I have developed GERD pretty bad and I've regained most of what I lost back! My stomach feels hungry every hour or two, I could always eat WAY more than my sleeved friends, and once I got myself full, it would not take long for the deep primal hunger to return. I have no relief from hunger. Especially at night, I'm ravenous! I became a grazer! I felt that the Ghrelin was back with an Army to fight me! A 80% international traveling job plus unlimited access to food in the best restaurants around the globe did not help. I have felt dejected, humiliated, like a failure, angry, frustrated and the list goes on for miles, if you are still reading, you probably know how I feel. And indeed, It's not just about how I look...it's about how I feel. Horrible!! My weight is pressing, intrusive and pervasive. There is no time that I am not aware of it. I have sleep Apnea, I can't keep up with my 6 and 7 year old's and the simple things in life are hard again. Completely demoralizing... After almost 3 years, I finally said "Enough" and went back to a new Surgeon. An Endoscopy revealed it has not all been my fault. My Sleeve was cut too big to begin with! My new surgeon reveled he knows the work of the previous surgeon who apparently was not very skilled at the time and making sleeves too big to be successful. A Bougie 42 was was too big to begin with but in my case, even that was very loosely cut. To top it off, my Sleeve was mis-shapen to begin with as well, setting me up for failure and I have a Stricture in the middle, causing me to have an Hourglass shape. Top fills up, stretches, bottom is hungry, then food goes to the bottom and is still there, top is hungry, in short...a hot mess! Miraculously given the Haital Hernia, GERD, Stricture and botched initial surgery, my insurance (that does not cover Bariatrics) has approved a revision to Bypass on Aug 22nd. I've been combing the internet for Sleeve to RNY revision but such information is not as readily available as 1st timers. I am so nervous...so frightened to go through with this. Scared of Anesthesia, scared how I would do, scared of the 3 week post op liquid only phase. Scared that I will fail again, that this will not work. Some Surgeons (like the Pound of Cure guy say you can only expect to loose 10 - 25lbs on a Sleeve to RNY revision, woa?? ) But I have to try...I want to live a full and vibrant life and not just exist like an Amoeba! This is truly Project last chance. My husband is supportive, but my friends, judgmental and not supportive. and if ever I needed some advice, encouragement, support etc...it's now... Nervous but cautiously hopeful, and very much in need of your support... Ellie

Hi! I am in your same boat. My original bypass was 11 years ago, and I am having a revision on Tuesday. It is a much more risky surgery because less is known about modifying a previous bypass. My doc is making a smaller stomach pouch and POSSIBLY distallizing (moving the anastamosis between stomach and intestine) further down the line. He tells me that after this process I will likely lose 10-20% of the excess weight. We shall see! Surgery 11am Tuesday. I should add that I see a bariatric team and they are very particular about candidates for revision; I'm not sure I would trust a surgeon who is not specifically doing WLS to make a revision recommendation. The science/data is just not out there yet. So! Good luck! See a doc who knows what they're doing! Let me know if you have questions - I'm happy to update along the way.

1. What made you choose the Sleeve over the Lap Band? My surgeons office no longer does this type of surgery. Google band revisions. I had the sleeve because it was less invasive. My intestines are not altered. 2. Have you had Hair loss with the Sleeve? Yes, its typical and temporary. It will grow back. 3. What can you absolutely NOT eat now with the Sleeve? I can tolerate anything. Sweet, salty, Spicy. To be successful it's healthy eating and behaviors. I choose and enjoy eatting healthy. 4. At what point did you know you made the right decision with the Sleeve surgery? The moment I chose it was the right decision. It's been successful long term. 5. What as been the best tool you've used in keeping your weight loss progressing?. Keeping my weight loss progressing/maintaining has been staying on my Dr's food and exercise plan. Best thing that has assisted me was a food tracking app. It was eye opening to see how you fuel your body.

No, Mark. But there are some VBG (the older non-adjustable gastric band) conversion patients, but I don't know if they converted to the Swedish band. (And there is a Cousin band in Belgium, right?) All the different international band names can be a bit confusing. Hopefully some one will come here with better information. Meanwhile I would also check the ObesityHelp*com forum called "Revision" - I've seen quite a few former VBG patients there. Good Luck. ("Bumping Up" this thread so others will see it.)

Well I have just found out that I have been approved for a revision! I have had the Lap band for 2yrs now with little to no results, but I have managed to have bad acid reflux and a lot of getting stuck days! So, my question today is has anyone out there had to have the revision and how has it worked for you? I must a admit I'm afraid to do this again and not have any results and be stuck like this!

i absolutley cannot vomit with my band -- food gets stuck and i litterally have to force it out... sometimes to the point where i broke all the blood vessels in my face and it looksliek i just gave birth again.... LAP-BAND® 9/2005 02/06 - slip 03/06 - re band throught the past 5 years I have STRUGGLED and the ONLY time i lost weight was when the bad was so tight I barely could drink Water. One day I would be able to eat yogurt, the next day it would get stuck -- it was this way constantly and Id never know what i coul or couldnt eat unless i tried - so in teh end I have a band with 1/2 fill so i can eat normally but it defeats the purpose of even having TWO surgeries because here I am weighig in 10lbs les then my 1st surgery and 10 more then my second.... Just went to the Dr. yesterday and he suggested I look into the bypass revision. He made it sound really good but he also didnt leave out the fact that because it is a revision - the risks are automatically higher for compications. I sit here wondering if my body had this many compications with a simple band who will ti react to a bypass? Maybe I will do great with bypass and i will finally see results Ive been striving to see forever what is I am the 15% that thigs go drastically wrong My job now covers this revision - if I waitr health care might change ................................... I too dont know what to do! Complications? What kind of complications? Like is its "dumbing" more often.. k I can handle that.. If its leakge... that can cause death.. IDK I wish I could survey 100 ppl who had this themself!

I did not have a good experience with the Realize band.....I just had revision surgery, he took out the band and did the gastric bypass....I told my doc that if he did not do the revision i might not come back for the bypass....so he did it all in one four hour surgery!

I never had to go through all of this because I was private pay for my lap and and then my revision was done as an emergency surgery (so it wasn't planned) but I did work for an insurance company and while they all have their own rules and guidelines but the surgeons know the criteria. Just go with it and do everything they tell you. I can also tell you if you are denied go through their appeal process because a lot of times it gets approved the second time around. I may wish I had gone through all the hoops as I now have about 60,00.00 in medical bills from the revision and insurance hasn't paid any of them.....YIKES!!!

It depends on two things: first, what your health plan's guidelines are for revision from band to sleeve (they all differ). And second, each surgeon may have requirements of their own for revisions. Call your health plan and ask for a copy of their guidelines for revision of bariatric surgery. Good luck!

Yes, you are definitely working yourself up lol If you know it's the right thing for you, don't psych yourself out. I am one of the very unlucky ones that has to have a revision. I never had gerd or reflux before my surgery, so I chose the sleeve. I have LOVED my sleeve. Unfortunately, it caused horrible gerd that also caused gastritis and esophagitis, so I was put on 80mg of Nexium. I've been on it for 7 months now, and it caused polyps all through my stomach. I've had 2 surgeries to remove them, and now nodules all through my duodenum, which also have to be removed. Once they are, I'll be cleared to have my revision to bypass. I'm told that should take care of the gerd, which will allow me to get off the Nexium, which will stop the formation of polyps and nodules. I still don't regret my sleeve. I've lost over 110 pounds, gotten off all 3 of my diabetes meds, gotten off my blood pressure med, my mobility is way way better, I work out 5 days per week, all my labs have come back normal repeatedly, I can honestly say it's still the best thing I've ever done, even with the complications.

Marfar -- I'm wondering if you're hitting all of your basic goals at this point, and if adjusting to that first might produce the results you want. I've watched your posts for a while now, and I've seen you say you revised to the sleeve to be able to eat what you want and not feel like you're on a diet. I also know you eat out a fair bit (based on your posts), and I'm just wondering if these months out you're still tracking calories and macronutrients. My family eats out a fair amount, and those restaurant calories are so sneaky! Perhaps add back some shakes to ensure Protein goals are being met, and become more restrictive on calories and carbs until you're losing again.

Thank you so very much for taking the time to elaborate. Im scheduled to have my revision on November 5th so my mind is made up.. I just wanted to hear some success stories so that I can get my mindset. Im just a jaded lapbander and want to get it right the second time around.

Jb1176- I have surgery the 16 th too! I had similar thoughts until I found this site as well. I know I can do this, I just a a little support to tell me when to stop eating! I think this will be great for me. I work in healthcare and see soooo many sleeve and bypass patients that have terrible complications and/or gain the wt right back. I rarely see band patients and if I do, they admit they never followed the plan or used the band as a tool. Several had revisions to sleeves/bypass but the same regaining of the wt. This makes ME and only me accountable if it works or not. We have some April band buddies on the pre-op thread....come join us

Does anyone know how I would go about finding a reputable and experienced VSG surgeon in the Denver, CO area? I currently have a lapband, but am considering revision to a vertical sleeve. My band surgeon is very new at doing VSG I believe, because in the past he has always said he only did Band or RNY (as does his website), but today he told me he does VSG but only recently. I don't know if I should stick with him or if I should look for someone more experienced, and how to even begin looking? Thanks!

For most people, no it really isn't that bad. I had two c-sections and this was a breeze compared to them, IMO! However, if you have a complication, it can seem like the world is ending. One thing I have noticed is that every time I'm stunned by someone's complaints about pain, nausea, etc, it turns out that person has some kind of complication. The complication rate is very low, but it's sure painful when you're the one who has that complication. The other thing that could be going on is that your friend could have a very low pain tolerance. There are people who can't handle much pain at all without feeling like they are dying. If she's young, has no previous medical procedures, or has never had a child, your friend may truly be feeling as if the pain is overwhelming. I've unofficially noticed that people who are older seem to have less pain with VSG. Maybe that's luck and maybe it's because we've dealt with so much more than the younger folks. Don't let your friend's misery become your misery. Just because she's having a tough time does NOT mean that you will have a tough time if you're considering revision to the sleeve. Oh, and from what I understand, the pain from a tummy tuck is way worse than the pain from the sleeve as well!

Welcome to the boards Rhonda there are several on here who have had the revision or are in the process of getting it. Stay away from the crap food and you won't dump. Rny is a tool to help you lose weight. The things I worry about is getting all my protein in and exercising. It will all come together... Again welcome to the boards!!

I was sleeved 2016 went in for a check up found out that I have hernia consulted my surgeon and now awaiting for a date for my revision. For me I think it’s the best option will keep u posted if you would like

I was only about 25lbs away from having a BMI of 55. I started the VSG journey as a revision patient at BMI 49. I did lose fast, and didn't ever have a stall. I attribute the no stall thing to pushing fluids, and low carbs. It's what worked for me. I didn't go one single week without losing something, it might have only been 2lbs, but the next week, I'd drop 7lbs. With more to lose, statistically, we lose faster. I dropped 142lbs in less than 11 months with VSG alone. I was set to lose 115lb to goal in a year, but I hit goal at 6.5 months post op and continued to lose for the next 3-4 months.

I was a revision from lapband to sleeve on the 3rd. I feel good! I'm down 16lbs. Still a little sore and bruised on my largest incision. I think also because the lapband was removed, I have swelling around the port area. I'm in the same boat, trying to get in my liquids...boy is that hard! Also, trying to keep up with taking my vitamins. Sometimes I miss eating...lol. My family had a get together over the weekend and BBQ'ed hotdogs and hamburgers...smelled SO good...but I was content drinking my protein shake. Cheers to Our Weight Loss April Sleevers!

Good morning all! was hoping someone could share their story for a sleeve revision to RNY. I am still waiting on my approval and surgery date, but want to start mentally preparing. my revision is due to reflux and regain Did you have to follow a pre op diet for the revision? is the weight loss slower after a revision? how much can I expect to lose a month? I lost on average 7 lbs monthly with sleeve. was the recovery and post op pain a lot different than the sleeve or about the same? how long was hospital stay? for my sleeve I only stayed over night any other information would greatly be appreciated! thanks in advance!

Okay, the surgeon I picked is very experienced. He used to do mostly lapbands, with some gastric bypass. Now there are almost all sleeves - with the occasional bypass and lapband thrown in. He has done hundreds of Gastric Sleeves and keeps records and stats on his patients. They have good data for 3 years and have results that exceed the "published" success rates. I guess I didn't ask the question of how many actual revisions they have done. It is less then 50. That is a drop in the hat compared to what some of the Mexican surgeons have done. I like my surgeon and their office, have no other reasons of concern, am blessed to have insurance coverage so I am inclined to stay with the path I am on.... but I have always heard that "100" of a given procedure is what makes a surgeon an expert. I am not sure if I should be worried. Given the relative "newness" of the gastric sleeve as such a popular procedure I am curious what others find in their surgeon's level of experience with revisions from the band to the sleeve.

He did tell me that the main concern on a revision is increase risk of leaks those first few weeks. There isn't alot of published data on leaks for revisions, but he said based on his very limited data, it is probably twice the risk of a "virgin" stomach based on his own practice. We are still talking single digit percent risk. He also told me that revision to bypass has much higher rate of complication - various complications had different risks, but they tended toward the double digit percentages. They told me that they had not lost any sleeve patients (ie no deaths) - revisions included in that ZERO number, so that counts for alot with me.

Hi, I saw my Dr Monday, an upper GI confirmed that my band has slipped and my pouch I'd dilated. I am assuming that my insurance is going to cover the repair/ and revision to the sleeve. I decided to wait until Dec 16th due to schedule issues. I can eat some, but I stay nauseous and have incredible heartburn. I've been reading post for several days, but I don't see many people with slippage. I found that odd. Thanks for letting me in. I need lots of support. Lol I was banded in 2008 and have lost 135 lbs. I regained the 35, but I have it under conrtol. I am not losing now. Even with really low calorie intake. scales just not moving.

Hi I'm 7 weeks out of band to sleeve revision, I was at my goal weight with the band but it had slipped, since then I have gained 22lbs I was dhydrated before and had a terrible time, everything is great now except I'm hungry, my insides were in a terrible state with gastritis and esophigitis, I desperately want to get back to my goal weight and lose this hunger feeling, does the ghrelin affect come in at different stages?