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Look for a "EXCELLENT SURGEON" in your state or area. When you look up the Hospitals, Look for whats called "CENTER OF EXCELLENCE'" in Bariatric surgery. A lot of your Ins Companies will require that you go to a Center Of Excellence only ! After you have figured out who you want to go to "people here can give you feedback in your area, if you say were you are from" Give them a call, and you will attend a Orientation. In the meantime check out if your Ins. covers this, or maybe you are self pay? Let your family Doctor know so you can be set up for monthly visits Weigh inns. Your Ins. company could be a couple months of visits or up to 2 yrs. If you are self pay? You will still have to talk to your Doctor to see about tests that you might have had done that are under a year old. The surgeon will set it all up. But you still need to find out so you know what this whole process consists of. I wouldn't suggest Mexico... Because if anything goes wrong ! You have to travel back to the surgeon that worked on you. It can be hard to find a surgeon to re-do someone else's work. I know,, I am going threw that now. My Port or Tube leaks, and I have moved, so I am trying to get this surgeon to look at it, and hope he will re-do the whole thing. That way I can go to him for my fills... There are fill centers to go to, but if you see a surgeon in your area, they will do all your fills. Hope this helps. You will enjoy your journey. I'm sure. Just remember, this is a plastic tool, and it will break in time. So be prepared for Revision or Repair Surgery. It might take years, but eventually things need to be replaced. Welcome to Lap Land. Shirley Banded 10/31/06 Dr Genaw Henry Ford Hospital "Center of Excellence" Michigan

Wow, where do I begin.. About a year ago I began a journey to get a revision from a "supposed" RNY. It was really a mini gastric loop. I did TONS of research and decided that the DS was the best thing for me. Jan 26, 009 I went in for the procedure-that's when the problems began. I had so many adhesions that I ended up losing my spleen, and part of my pancreas. I ended up with a VSG instead.I was in ICU for 2 weeks. During that time they found after a swallow test that I had a stricture and they had to go back in and fix that. 4 days later they took the NG tube back out again and found I had a leak. So nothing by mouth continued from then for weeks to follow. I was sent back home 4 days later on Home Health Care on IV antibiotics and tube feeding. Weeks later I developed pluerisy twice, and ended up with some pretty nasty ulcers which still give me trouble. I am on the up-swing now for the most part. The weight is coming off and I can eat a lot of things. (-65 lb so far) I do my best to get my Protein in first and stay away from the junk. That part is hard because the junk stays down easier, but I'm being careful. I am having a huge hair loss problem, so if anyone has any advice, let me know. I have lots of hair. but it's not going to last forever at this rate!..lol.. I have been taking madnesium to help, but no luck so far. Oh and BTW- I have been in recovery for a couple years now, so if anyone can relate, msg me up:) In Love and Light, Robin

I revised from a band I got in 2008, it slipped in 2017, I got RNY in December 2020. With my band I had several issues, pain with eating, throwing up, not losing weight. my surgeon said she would only do RNY because it was safer due to the scaring from the band, so my choice was an easy one. I’m a female, 5’9” and I have hormonal issues that hinder me from losing weight. But, I started at 255 in December and am 207 today, so it’s still been effective, even if slower than I expected. The best part is, no pain while eating. I actually don’t feel much when eating. So, that old feeling of band “restriction” is totally out the window. You have to relearn your body’s hunger cues, but the essentials of how, what, how much to eat is quite similar to the band.

I can certainly offer you my experience on this type of issue. I also had my approval with a surgeon, and their office was beyond incompetent- but because I am a unique revision patient I felt like I didn't have many surgeon options and tried to bear with it. Their office staff took THREE MONTHS to get my approval processed. Then, 2 wks before surgery was to happen, I find out they were trying to pull a fast one that involved insurance fraud. Needless to say, I didn't have to think very long about changing surgeons. Fortunately I found another one quickly and was able to get the re-approval (formality mostly) through Aetna PPO, and had surgery within a month's time. The surgeon I ended up going with also has a pretty MESSED UP office staff, but didn't realize how much until after I had the surgery. I guess because I didn't have to deal with them to get the original approval, I wasn't seeing it as much. No insurance fraud stuff, but half the time they never answer their phone (DURING BUSINESS HRS), they WAY overbook their office visits making you wait an hr beyond your appt time because they are behind, most of the time you can never get an answer on anything important because the person you need to talk to isn't there.... the list goes on. Thank goodness the surgeon seems to be good at cutting anyways, and although that ranks higher on my list, I do expect competency from the office staff. They can actually screw A LOT of things up making your life miserable with missing paperwork, wrong information, etc.... Their office messed up my paperwork for disability from work and had I not caught it, it would have caused problems at work- or at the very least a great deal of frustration getting fixed after the fact. My surgery was out of state I will NOT be going back to them for follow ups. My local PCP cares more about my post-op than they do- and seeing him doesn't require going out of town. So, just some things to consider. Getting the re-approval is not that big of a deal. If you have concerns about the staff, I would SERIOUSLY consider finding another surgeon.

Good morning Kai You should be feeling much better this morning. The first 24 hours are the worst. It sounds like you know what you are doing, walk, rest, walk!!! It is so important to keep moving, you will heal so much faster. I just re-read your posts, you are a revision so yes you know what you are doing!! Just keep moving and you will be fine! I wish you a pain free recovery and quick weight loss!!

i want you to make your own decision, but i had the band for 4 years and i have hade the sleeve for 17 days. i wish i would have started with the sleeve and never had the band. its totally different...like night and day. the band is a lot of maintenance and for me i never found that sweet spot. i was either way too tight and throwing up everything i ate or it was too lose and i would gain back what i lost from vomiting. i hope you make this decision on your own and make peace with it before surgery, but my opinion is get the sleeve. ive done both and i can tell you i hated that damn band and im so happy its gone! have you been to the thread on here "band to sleeve revisions"? there are quite a few of us on here and im sure you can read other stories about the differences between band and sleeve on there. dont be nervous... i know its scary ,i had 2 band surgeries and 1 sleeve surgery. i was scared too, but you will be so happy when you start losing weight. good luck! shaundra

Sorry this happened to you, the lap band has caused respiratory issues in MANY lap banders when acid reflux gets so bad, the acid reflux can get very dangerous if not treated with removing saline and medications, timely, and as you can see cause respiratory issues, many have also reported aspiration pneumonia from long term reflux and band slippage. Please be advised the Sleeve CAN cause horrible reflux as well and MANY now are having to revise to the Bypass if the reflux get really bad with the Sleeve, since there is no turning back after you get your stomach removed. I hope you can find relief and answers, good luck.

Had my band to sleeve revision last month with Dr Aceves. So far so good. Who would have thought I could put 1/4 cup of chili in a bowl, sit down and eat a teaspoon and actually feel full. So far this is what I thought the band was going to do. Good Luck

I won't bore you with my band horror story. I highly recommend you checking out the research links at the bottom of this very long post for VSG information. This huge entry is directly from the band makers. It's a study they did, it's not just personal stories, this is scientific evidence. Easy break down, 1 in 4 band patients will have another surgery to either remove, reposition (after a slip then you're risks for another slip quadruple), revise to another surgery, or repair the band will happen in the first 3 years of having the band. Think twice, cut once. I had the band for 8 short months, if you'd like to add me as a friend so you can read my torrid tale of my band life and the VSG revision feel free to do so. I've included some of the information for you to read now. I have tons of information in my blog. I could NEVER in good spirit recommend the band knowing what I know now. I have recommended the sleeve to 7 friends, 5 have followed through with the surgery and we're all living fabulous, full active lives. http://www.lapband.c...ty_information/

Chiming in, I have my sleeve to bypass revision surgery that day!

I've never blogged before but I'm going to give it a try. This is basically me trying to work out whether to have another weight loss surgery (got a band in 2008) and, if yes, which one. It will probably be extra long and all over the place. To be honest, I've pretty much decided to have another surgery. I hate it and it terrifies me but after 40 plus years of fighting and losing, its becoming pretty obvious that diet and exercise aren't going to work. And I'm just so tired of fighting every day and never winning. And I'm not just mentally tired. I'm physically tired, also. I can barely get myself up for work in the mornings. I'm sucking air like a fish out of water just walking from the car to the office. My knees and hips hurt. Somehow, I've managed to aggravate/pinch my sciatic nerve while sleeping (yes - sleeping!) twice just this year. I know I've been very lucky up until now with being this heavy and not having too many medical problems. But I think that is changing. Forty four years is just too long to put this much weight on my poor joints and bones and heart. I can only hope I haven't done so much damage that I can't come back from it. As I said, its felt inevitable for some time but I just got back from vacation with family I hardly ever get to see. There are so many things this weight keeps me from being able to do. I'm constantly stressed over where I can sit/fit and can I walk that far and that fast. I hated slowing everyone down. I even had to take a rest while walking to a restaurant. Granted, it was hilly and three blocks but no one else had issues. Just me. Everything I do is impacted by my weight. In fact, everything about me has been shaped by my weight. I haven't told too many people yet but once I get the insurance approval and the appointments start, I will tell everyone close to me. When I got the band, I kept it a secret from my co-workers and cringed whenever family would try to discuss it. In fact, I still don't really tell anyone. I'm really very ashamed at my failure with the band. I think I don't tell people about the band because I don't want people to know I'm fat. As if they can't see me trying to bust out of my size 26/28 clothes. Also, I think it was sort of a fail safe for me - if I don't tell people, they won't see if/when I fail. This time, I'm going to be open about it and take away my ability to deny everything after the fact. I'm also going to start seeing a therapist to help with my food issues and binging. I am hopeful that the surgeons office will have someone to refer me to. I think this will be very important for me. If I could do this alone I'd have done so by now. I'm also thinking maybe some medication to help with mood swings and cravings. When I first decided to consider another WLS, I was not really aware of what the sleeve was. I thought it was just another new type of gastric bypass. So now I'm trying to decide which WLS would be best for me. The gastric bypass truly scares me. Re-routing intestines just seems like playing with fire. If we didn't need them just like they were we wouldn't have them in the first place. I like the idea of the sleeve. Cut out most of the stomach and hunger hormone. No hunger and a tiny stomach. My cousin got the sleeve and has lost 200 lbs in 3 years. She says she often forgets to eat cause she's just not hungry. Wow - what is that like? Just the idea of not being hungry makes me hungry (yeah, I'm broken). But the sleeve is restriction only and I already have a restriction only device inside me. I was hungry immediately following my band surgery and it never made me feel full, just sick but still hungry. For my own decision making purposes, below are some questions I think I need to address in order to make a decision: 1. Do I want to be normal sized or just not so fat? Weird question, I know, but a friend of mine had the gastric bypass a few years back and lost so much weight the docs wanted her to gain 20 lbs, She is a couple of years younger than me but she looked so old. Nearly twice her age. BUT, she had a lot of bad complications and is/was very malnourished. Maybe a sleeve would allow me to lose enough weight to get healthier but not too much. Yes, I'm very vain. I'm not sure, though, that going through surgery to maybe lose a little weight is a good idea. If I'm going to have surgery, why not go big and try to lose the majority of my excess weight? 2. Can I give up food? This should be number 1. A tiny little voice in my head is telling me this is the real source of my fear. Food is my ultimate frenemy. Seriously, I only just gave food the title of frenemy yesterday. I smoked for over 20 years and quit 10 years ago. To date, that is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But to give up food - the thought terrifies me and nearly brings me to tears. When I think of it, I think of an episode of My 600 lbs Life about Lupe. She is 39 years old and immobile. She's nearly died a few times. She hides food and binges. Food is her comfort. Because of her heart issues, she gets a sleeve instead of gastric bypass. At one point, she asks out loud if she can give up food because its been her comfort for so long. I think about her asking that a lot. For her, it wasn't just maybe food was killing her. It had already tried a couple of times. Food has such a hold on her that despite the knowledge, she was still asking if she could give it up. I realized watching that episode that I would have to give up food if I have surgery. I don't believe I can have both because food (my frenemy) wants me to be sick and tired and die young. I will definitely need the therapist for this one. 3. What will I do without food? Breakfast. lunch and dinner are currently the highlights of my day. What will I do without them? I'll need something to look forward to and concentrate on. This is probably where the therapist will come in handy. 4. Can I handle the post surgery diet? I'm going low carb on Monday to sort of get ready for eating high protein after surgery. Not the same, I know, but close. Sort of. I diet well for a limited amount of time and then I start to slip, eventually binging on all the forbidden foods. I've never been able to maintain the momentum of a diet, though. I lose interest. Get tired of it. Confuse myself by reading about a different kind of diet and then fall off and into a binge. 5. If I choose gastric bypass, will the fear of dumping be enough to keep me away from my fave foods - cake and cookies? This probably goes with #2. I'm scheduled to attend a WLS seminar on 16 April. I can't wait. The surgeons office said its about two weeks after the seminar before you get an appointment with the surgeon. I feel like he would recommend the gastric bypass due to my BMI of 59 and because it would be a revision from the lap band. My health insurance currently offers a free weight loss coaching program that I am participating in (not successfully). It uses the DASH diet. I'm wondering if they would consider that to be medically supervised. Also, my primary care docs office has a weight loss program I'm doing. Maybe that would also count. Not that either have really helped me much. They've actually been kind of non-starters for me. The one through my insurance allowed me to get weight loss drugs at a lower cost but they didn't really do what they were supposed to do so I didn't continue. Definitely my insurance has records of my weight issues, though.

I ask myself this over and over again. I don't know who knows about my very long and extensive background with complications after complications beginning in February of 2008 with my first WLS the Lap Band and then I had a revision to Sleeve in Sept. of 2010. I'm not here to knock any surgery. Some surgeries work well with some people, and sometimes it doesn't. I'm one of those it didn't. I was told by my first bariatric surgeon that I was a good candidate for the Bypass, but I still went with the Lap Band. It seemed less invasive, and it seems like it would be my best choice. Turned out for me it wasn't. So here I am 6 years later laying up recovering from my Rny Gastric Bypass surgery. I am doing exponentially well. I do have an infection in my drainage incision, however but the antibiotics are helping with that. I am stronger than any enemy faced against me! I will always survive! The Gastric Bypass in only 2 weeks has worked wonders for me that YEARS of struggling with the Band and Sleeve could not. The Sleeve gave me things like weight goals, looking good in clothes and other superficial things BUT the one dream of mine was to beat my health problems. Mainly my HBP. My Uncle died at the age of 44 due to complications of it, and I was officially diagnosed with it at age 31. I was given a vision and extreme measure to help me but I was too scared to take it. The Bypass would be my saving grace. I'm only glad that I have it now. My GERD is 100% gone as of surgery day. My blood pressure has dropped so low in only 2 weeks that my regular Dr. wants me completely off but put me on 25% until we see each other again in a month. I don't feel beat up or tired which is amazing for only being 2 weeks out. I feel good, upbeat and HEALTHY... which means I am FINALLY a TRUE SUCCESS STORY. God bless everyone, and never be afraid to take any extreme measure to save your life. ETA: I'd like to say I just surpassed my 100th day sugar free as well.

Well done!!! That's so inspirational for me. I had my Omega loop (revision from band then sleeve) just over 2 weeks ago and have lost 6kgs. So happy for you, thanks for updating us! Any tips on eating/habits/learnings?

Honestly the bypass of course has its own risks and complications but that is going to be any surgery. The best thing to do is weigh out the risks you know will occur if you remain overweight/obese vs the possibility of a complication with the bypass. As for the sleeve it is kind of a hit or miss. There seems to be a leak issue that is higher then I would feel comfortable with. Also we must remember with the sleeve there is the fact that acid and reflux issues will almost always occur. While this may not be the case for everyone it definitely seems to be a good majority. The concern for me there would be erosion of the lining of our throats. To me that is too big of a risk. My secondary concern with the sleeve would be that your stomach is being cut out. That is not reversible period so God forbid one later on down the line is diagnosed with stomach cancer. That would be devastating. I personally don't feel the sleeve has been around long enough for me to feel confident in it's ability. Personally I would only recommend it to folks who are extremely obese as part of a two step procedure due to them being too much of a risk to do the bypass initially. Have them lose the weight and get more stable then proceed to the bypass. Even then I would use extreme caution. We just don't honestly have enough long term studies on the sleeve. Then of course we could also look at the amount of current sleeved individuals who are no regaining a substantial amount and who are also needing revisions due to the weight loss stopping before a healthy weight is obtained. In the end it is judgement call that one must make for themselves but with the research I have done and my personal education I would not choose the sleeve.

I understand your frustration about being overweight. I was there over two years ago, wow, does not seem that longago. I did not chose the lap-band, I chose the gastric by-pass. In the area I live in the sleeve was not even on the table. If it had been, that is what I would have choosen. Per Ted Smith, I needed the by-pass not the lap-band. Now, until I decide to have the by-pass revised I have to take extra vitamins, minerals just so I don't die of malnutrition. Yes, it is a permanate life-style change, but if you are not also working with someone professional and have a local support group of others whom have had the same surgery the weight will come back. My weight at the time of surgery was 310, I have been at 210 for a year and half. I have two problems with why the last 60 pound has not come off; One being I am not sure who I would be at 150, and two I can't leave the Dr Pepper alone. By the way this December it will have been three years since the surgery was done.

What an awesome doc. I am glad you listened. Seven years ago and endocrinologist told me had i ever considered weight loss surgery. I was taken back a bit cause i wasn't 100 pounds over weight. But he wanted me to do it for my type 2 diabetes. Well being all stubborn and thinking I knew so much more, I got the lap band, he told me I needed the gastric bypass, but nope not me, I didn't need anything so drastic, so I fought for the band. I have gained and lost the same 35 pounds many times over in the past seven years. Never did the lap band help my diabetes. The doc was right. NOW i know what he meant. I am having my band removed and revised to RNY this coming Wednesday. I have about 60 pounds to lose now, I have lost 20 since May. Doesn't sound Like a lot, but hopefully this surgery will reduce or eliminate my need for insulin, and help me lose the weight my very short under five foot body is carrying and give me some healthy years. I never had any horror stories with the band. And I think if I had not had anything done, I would weight a lot more now then if I had no band at all. But I think how much healthier I would have been these past seven years if I had listened to the doc.

Hello all....I'm 5 weeks post op, lab band revised to sleeve, starting weight was 244, day of surgery I was 234 and today I'm at 217.5. Weight loss wise, I had a great first 2.5 weeks after surgery and dropped 16.5 consistently and quickly. But now for the past 2.5 weeks I haven't been able to lose even one pound! And I'm barely eating and doing exactly what I've been doing since surgery. I'm so frustrated! Is this normal? What can I do to start losing weight again? I have my doctors visit next week on May 3rd so then he will clear me for exercise I hope, not that I enjoy it, but I've heard it helps later with saggy skin. So please anyone out there, I'd love any advice on what to do now that I'm 5 weeks post op and stuck and totally stalled!!!! HELP

I had two barium swallow tests that showed my band was in perfect position, but I was still tossing up most of what I ate, so my surgeon said I had to get it removed, and he would do an RNY in the same surgery. He likes to do it in one surgery if he can...less cost and one less chance for anaesthesia complications. He thinks the bypass is actually better to do than the sleeve on a one-surgery revision. Well, he got in there, and my band HAD slipped, and on top of that I had a hiatal hernia! When he cam to see me after the procedure I asked him why everything looked good on the xrays, he said it's not uncommon for slips and hernias not to show up on the xrays.

I haven't had much trouble with pain, still a little tender but that's about it. I only have one problem right now, which unfortunately is a major one, I can't keep fluids down. I'm just hoping I don't need anything more than an edg with dilation. A revision surgery would be a nightmare. I'm just relying on prayers and steroids to get me through Tuesday when I see the dr. I do have occasional gas pains but no big deal. I'd give anything to keep fluids down.

I had bypass 4/29 been stalled for weeks. Glad to know I'm not alone. I keep losing and gaining the same one pound. I'm a revision but I feel like it should be coming off more. He said I'd have a stall weeks three and four but it'd been since then:( Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations on following thru to revision to the sleeve. I truly enjoyed reading your journey!! I am 59 & hope to get my surgery date later this month if approved. Thank you soo much for sharing, soo encouraging!!

I don't know what the percentage of band to sleeve revisions are, but I agree that your choice to start with a sleeve is best. As for the seminars, usually, whichever doc does the program is who you sign up for. They are both good. I haven't been to the support group in several months. Mainly because of my band issues. I didn't feel I would be a good spokesperson until I get resolution....band out, change to sleeve, etc. I am going to call my insurance again this afternoon to check on the status of the revision. I never have been a patient camper.

Hi Bernie, I don't mind helping out. I had the Lap Band in 2005 and then had a revision to the Gastric Sleeve last month. You can email me if you'd like @ kekerene@hotmail.com, just put your name in the subject line so I don't delete it thinking it's junk mail.

I was revised in KCMO self pay at KC Bariatrics. I felt the price was reasonable and they offer finance options.

Hi Vickie and WELCOME to VST!! :thumbup1: I am a revision from Band to Sleeve and good for you on taking the short-cut to the much more superior surgery! I have some things in common with you. It was so weird that once I'd decided I was finally going to revise to the Sleeve, things just started falling into my lap to have it done. One MIRACLE after another!!! You will do fine, and all the best in your upcoming journey! Read all you can, and prepare yourself. Hang on to your hat lady because you are in for the ride of your life!! In a good way of course.. lol I have these in chocolate, French vanilla, strawberry, Caramel, and Raspberry! They are made by Torani and they do amp up the flavor some. I highly recommend it! You can mix and match alot too so you're not feeling too much like you have no choices. I got mine from BevMo, if any of you have one in your area. You will find it in the "Mixers" section.