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I am three days post op band to sleeve revision!! I seem to be doing okay. Looks like my surgeon may release me from nyu today! It feels good to be over the hump add that it is finally done. Now it is time to heal!

I agree with Isajck. I don't know how it would even work technically to sleeve with a band still in place. Ditto on the coverage: if your insurance pays for revisions, it should not be a problem. And if your insurance agrees to pay to remove the band, it probably will pay for the new procedure.

Yeah there was a lady in my seminar that needed the Band to Sleeve revision too... Just made me realize the Band is not for me Are you guys going to have one get the surgery than the other or try to do it at the same time? Who will take care of you if you are both having post op pains?!? Dr Oldham is super. He answered all my questions and the staff is great!! BTW I got approved YAY YAY doing the happy dance. It took 4 whole days but I just found out today. Good luck and keep us updated!

No questions are stupid but I cannot imagine a credible doctor that would leave the band on wile performing a revision. The band has to be removed so the stomach can be resized into a sleeve.

Well, i have lurked here off and on and it's time to tell my bit. I get so much help from just reading posts, i feel it's time to give back. I'll try to be concise, but that's not exactly my nature! Bear with me please LOL. Many moons ago, in August of 2001 to be exact, i got all excited about the upcoming FDA approval of the lapband in the US (where i live - California). I had never, ever considered a surgical weight loss option, even though i was over 300 lbs for much of my post baby life. I was one of those "healthy fat" people...i walked a lot, hiked some, got around pretty easy and my body was preportionate. I had a zest for life and enjoyed it. No high bp, no issues that i could tell were weight related. I had been a chunky teen, at 5'7" i had been about 170 to 190 lbs, and after i had my two children, i just ballooned up...gained 100lbs during the first pregnancy that i never fully took off, then more with the second. Being a housewife, my activity level dropped and i really had no education or thought i was the type of person that could even follow a diet, so i had almost never been on one. I had found my biological mother and family back in 1997. Out of a huge family, she was the only one that was big like me. We connected really well (it was a fairy tale, but that's another story!) and of course had the commonality of excess weight. For some reason, both of us at the same time started investigating surgical options, even though we had never before considered them! I think we ended up on the phone and realized we were excited about the same possibility...dealing with our weight with surgery. We read up on the bypass and were soon deflated. While knowing many do well, the thought of bypassing anything was scary and well, some people did have pretty negative effects and in some cases, didn't make it. We just weren't ready for that type of surgery yet. But lo and behold, the band!! Not FDA approved yet, but was done a lot in other countries. We scoured the internet, joined message boards, found that many were having their surgery's outside the US by self paying (and it was much cheaper too!) and we found a doctor in France that had lots of experience. We made a snap decision and booked our surgeries and flew to France with Grandma and my bio sister there for support. We toodled around France and Italy and Switzerland for a few weeks before surgery and while in Provence, 9/11 struck! We were scared and devestated. We were lucky enough to be in a bed and Breakfast with two fabulous English girls that ran back to "take care of the Americans" and translated for us and helped us reach our families. We had to decide whether to get home or to move forward with surgery 4 days later. We couldn't get flights out and decided we would move forward. Dr. Frering was excellent and we were successfully banded, i believe on about the 14th of September. We figured when we came back to the US, we'd be able to get after care once the band was approved and in the meantime we could manage with "underground fills" and/or going to Mexico. Well, as others have said, hindsight was 20/20. When we got back, we expected this tool to work for us, not with us. My mom had horrible pain issues with each fill and while she lost some weight, she unfilled and remained that way. I ran back and forth to Mexico, seeing Dr. Kuri there, who tried his best to deal with me, but my port was hard to access (they didn't secure down back then) and he even had to take me in and cut into the port area to find it. Evenutally my band was full and i was losing weight hand over fist by eating and vomiting for about 10 months. I dropped 170 lbs and was thrilled, but honestly was dying a little. I was so dehydrated that touching my skin left an indent! I couldn't swallow my own saliva and we rushed to a nurse who was also a bandster and doing fills on the side (secretly) and had her remove Fluid so i could swallow again. I maintained my weight for a little bit, maybe 6 months or a year, and one day was attending a Dodger game and took a bite of a hot dog and could swallow it....instead of thinking "uh oh", I thought "abondanza!!" and gained about 10 lbs a month for the next year and a half, eating my brains out now that i was not restricted. I gained all my weight back and even a bit more. I couldn't afford going to Mexico and getting fills anymore, and frankly, was just done with it and decided i had learned nothing (my own fault for not having good aftercare and not learning about nutrition or proper eating!) and needed to lose weight on my own. I tried Jenny Craig and some other things, lost little bits of weight but always gaining back. At band surgery, i weighed in at 341#. Evenutally, i hit 394#. My blood pressure was high, my back and knees were so bad i was barely walking, i started having chest pain and major anxiety issues...i was a mess for about 4 years. I knew i had to get healthy but really didn't know how. I knew the diet programs weren't for me, although with Jenny Craig i finally saw the connection between tracking food calories and losing weight when staying under a certain limit. I ended up joining My Fitness Pal and actually took off about 50lbs. Kept it off for a year, then regained it. My mom started my fitness pal and slowly lost her weight. It worked! Tracking calories and eating healthy really does work! But i still struggled and kept losing and gaining the same few pounds. My resistance to fun and happy hours and eating was minimal...i just couldn't say no. Eventually i lost about 65 lbs with MFP and felt good overall, that i had the secret to weight loss and maybe, over the next few years would be successful. In my mind though, i still wasn't sure i could ever keep it off. My primary care provider was convinced my chest pain was anxiety, but i was not. I pushed and pushed for all kinds of tests (found i had a premature heartbeat, a thyroid node, etc. etc.) and eventually asked for a referral to a surgeon who could check my gallbladder and also my band. I knew i had gallstones before band surgery, but they were big and unlikely to cause a problem, but i was at my wits end. I had done some research and chose a surgeon with a good reputation. Dr. David Martin in Pasadena. He was not a doc in my medical group referral system, but i convinced my primary that i needed to see someone close to home due to work time off and we took a chance on the approval and got approved to visit him. On my first visit we decided it was probably not my gallbladder causing pain (it was on the wrong side) but that it was my band. He agreed to take me on as a patient and I was elated! Over the previous 10 years, i either couldn't find a doctor who would touch me because my surgery was out of the country and my band was a MIDband, not the bands approved here in the US, or my insurance was not covering anything. I felt blessed that my insurance covered band fills now, and i was able to see this surgeon! We worked on filling the band, but at one point my port flipped over. Dr. Martin suggested we go in surgically and flip it and mesh it down so i wouldn't have that issue anymore. I agreed and asked to have my gallbladder removed at the same time as i was having pain issues that i were thinking might be referred gallbladder pain. He agreed and away we went. Had surgery in June of 2011 and everything went swimmingly. We went back to filling the band. But I was in the office every month adjusting, seemed my body just wasn't reacting very well to the band and although some pain did disappear with the gallbladder removal, overall, i was still suffering off and on with shoulder and other pains around the band location. Eventually i decided to talk to him about the sleeve. We decided to put in a request to the healthcare group/insurance to see if we could get an approval since i was already his patient and he knew me well at this point. Lo and behold I got a call a few days later. His office staff asked if i was sitting down, and then let me know i had been approved for the band removal and the sleeve! I really felt so blessed at this point, while i had struggled for so many years with no care, or no insurance approval, here this last year it seemed like i never got denied!! Of course my surgeon did not guarantee he would do both surgeries. My band was an unknown and he really cares about his patients and their safety. If my body was not in good condition, he would remove that band, but we would have to wait for healing before doing the sleeve. I was okay with that. Of course i wanted life more than a sleeve! And his reputation is so good, and he is such a caring doctor, that i trusted his opinions about my health. Problem was, the though of getting the sleeve was a bit of a whim, i hadn't really thought i'd even get approved...so my brain went a little wonky on that one! Then my company sold and my insurance was going to move over from Anthem Blue Cross to Cigna. I didn't want to take the chance on losing approval, so decided to just go with it...the stars had aligned after all...and picked a surgery date just 2 weeks later. I knew i wanted the band out, and knew i wasn't wanting a bypass and the problems that can come with that. I also knew that while i had lost weight calorie counting, my health still wasn't the greatest and i really worried about losing it all and keeping it off. It seemed to me that out of all the options out there, the sleeve was the most simple, requiring little after care throughout life and very successful. I was going for it. I was sleeved just 9 days ago, on October 17. The surgery was a little tough...we found a big hernia, and my esophogus was dilated from the band. I had a lot of scar tissue as my band was wider than the bands approved here, so more work for that. I was in the hospital for two days, mostly just because i was so nauseous and had a bit of a fever! But overall i'm doing great. I feel totally blessed to have found my surgeon and get all my approvals so easily. I don't know why i've gotten this lucky, but i have! I have to say that being on liquids is a little hard. Food does smell good, and overall i'm a little headachy and nauseous off and on. My mind is blown that i decided to forever cut off a portion of my stomach LOL, but in the end, i'm thrilled! I truly believe i have my life back, and knowing that my stomach capacity is reduced to approximately 1 1/2 to 2 cups of food when i'm all healed and eating regularly, helps me know that i have more than just my "feeling" of fullness to rely on, i can be sure that i'm not "overeating" by keeping an eye on quantity. Anyhoo, that's my story! I'm looking forward to support on this site and continuing with MFP once i share my story there. I think that the band works for some, and i definately feel that good support from a care provider is essential, but for me, i believe the sleeve is the right choice and i'm so happy to have had a revision. Feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

Don't do strength everyday - you need to break up your training. From what trainers I've had in the past have told me, you need to give your muscles a day to rest and recoop. I walk every day and will probably strength train M-W-F once I am able to use weights again. I can do lower body now, but will be having a port revision next Friday and will have to rest for a while. Do something you think you can stick to. If that is strength 3x a week and cardio 2x. I use my MP3 Player if I am at the gym - it takes away the monatony of just walking/moving in place and makes the time fly by quicker.

My surgery is June 4 and I went in asking for sleeve and ended up at RNY mostly because I was having BAD acid reflux that day and she said with the sleeve that reflux can get much worse. I wasn't willing to do RNY in the beginning but 4 months later, I think I am finally ok with it. 1) Acid reflux / GERD elimination; 2) Type 2 Diabetic and RNY will resolve (mostly); 3) Longer track record; 4) My surgeon does A LOT Of sleeve to RNY revisions. She just said that many sleevers end up revising. I don't want to do this twice...

Welcome to LapBandTalk! I'm surprised about Aetna since their revision policy is pretty generous. Did you have a WLS exclusion?

I am still pre-op and would be considered a lower BMI, but your story could be my story... there's a huge amount of food/eating disordered history there in terms of your relationship with food and that's the part of you that needs the revision now - you have had your stomach size revised surgically, but you need to work on your head, too. I am constantly wondering how my own habits will have to change post-op b/c I COULD still eat a lot, just more often, and I COULD still eat lots of sweets/junk, but I will go into the procedure knowing that the fight is far from over... the sleeve is just your new secret weapon! There are some superb suggestions in this thread from veteran sleevers who know what to do to "work the sleeve" and I do believe you have to learn how to work it... you are still learning and maybe this time of sadness is bubbling your real issues to the surface so that you can face them and fight them both with your head and your sleeve so that you can be successful finally. I believe you CAN do it... you just need some direction and this is a wonderful place to get guidance.

They also say those of us having revisions lose a bit slower....dunno if it's true or it but read it repeatedly. Good luck!!!

Hello, I joined today in hopes of finding others who are long term vsgers who had horrible gerd after surgery. I had my surgery in 2007 and by 2015, my gerd was so unbearable that I had something similar to a nissen fundo with mesh. That surgery has failed and my doctor is now suggesting a revision to rny. I am concerned about the risk and possible complications. Has anyone here had a sleeve to rny revision after nissen fundo-type surgery? I searched the forums and couldn't find anything specific to this order of surgeries. Thank you for any information you can offer. Lisa

It will do both. From my first surgery I lost 150lbs. I was happy with the weight I had lost. Still had a lot more to go but the heartburn was such a hinderance. Nothing like walking in the treadmill and eating tums at the same time just to get through :). I am feeling so blessed to have found a surgeon that specialized in revisions and took me seriously. 5 days post op and no reflux!

(HUGS) your not alone. We have had some very similar experiences. I got a lapband in 2011. The lab band is adjustable and everytime I get a "fill" / "adjustment" I have severe reflux. I can't wait to get this thing out of me. I have had to have all of the Fluid removed. I am now trying to get a revision to the RNY. I truly understand how you feel and wish you the best!

In 2010 I had the band and lost about 100 pounds....but it caused me horrible reflux and pain all the time. I developed esophagitis multiple times and sometimes went weeks unable to eat d/t the swelling. Finally in 2011 the band slipped...I almost died, was 22 weeks pregnant and has to have it removed. I ended up having to regain all my weight and finally got the sleeve this past January 14th (2 weeks ago). In retrospect I too believed the band would be safer being that it was reversible, but it was a mistake. I wish I had gotten the sleeve from jump street. During my revision I bled out the doctor told me from all the scar tissue and mess the band left behind. in my honest opinion I would go with your gut instinct. Best of luck with whatever u choose and please message me with any questions u may have. :-) Vicki Sent from my iPhone using VST

I am one year post revision. It is much different then the previous one which did not come with support or education. I'm in Alberta Canada and I had a whole team assess me for about 6 months before they determined that a revision was warranted and to get me into a frame of mind that would set me up for success this time. It has been wonderful. I haven't lost as fast as I did the first time but I know that this time I have been able to make the necessary changes and to sustain those changes for the rest of my life. The big difference for me was in working with a psychologist who helped me to understand why this time would be different and successful. I'm now down to a size 16 from size 24 and continue to lose at least 1 pound per week. Doesn't sound like much but I can be patient and ensure that the lose I"m experiencing is sustainable and part of my new normal.

You know I had revision surgery 10 mos ago And when I went to the sergeant he said for my height and weight that I with the revision surgery Would only lose 50 pounds So I still went with the surgery And you know what he was right the more you weight and the heavier you are the faster you will lose If I wanted to eat Protein everyday I would have Just stayed on a Akins diet Now my weight loss has came to a hold I try to get protein in I only get around 40-50 grms a day And it's hard getting Water in Does anyone have any ideals how I can get my body losing again I'm about 45 pounds away from where I want yo be in my whole Weightloss Journey Give me some ideal please on what to eat a And drink Would like to lose these 45 pounds before my anniversary date Any help would be appreciated Thanks

Did you revise from the band or the sleeve?

I had my lap band done in May 2011 at the time I weighed 281 lbs. I was able to get down to 230 within 6 months but then just stalled out. In 2013 I got pregnant and had my daughter 2/25/15 but after having her I could not get back under 250. (I had extreme port pain the last few months of my pregnancy I think from my growing belly and stuff, some days I wanted to cut it out myself because it hurt so bad) So, I decided to have it converted to gastric bypass. I went into it like it was no big deal and thought I would be fine because I didn't have much pain when I had the band put in. But, on 3/19/15 I woke up in recovery is the worst pain on my left side where the port was. It's now been 6 days and I still hurt so bad. My right side doesn't hurt at all it's just the left. Has anyone else had the same problem if so how long did your pain last. It's making taking care of a 1 yr old who doesn't walk yet suck as I can't move without having sharp pain like I'm being ripped open. Oh they also had to remove my gallbladder as during pre-op testing they saw I had gallstones. On a side note I'm so glad I found this forum because I don't know anyone that has had revision surgery to know what is normal.

I had my lap band for 7 years and felt similar to you. I wrote about it in blog here just recently if you'd like to read it. I was mortified of having it unfilled and removed at first because it served me so well. I had my revision on Sept. 2, 2016. I was worried about the slower weight loss too but I am delighted with the speed I'm losing, especially because although I had gained some back due to being unfilled, I was still down the majority of my weight loss from my lap band. Think of it this way, if one eats 800 calories, and exercise a bit, they are going to lose weight, no way around that . I've lost six lbs a week in my first two weeks, total of 12 lbs. Sending you a *hug*. Hang in there and listen to your doctor. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

I would be inclined to go with the DS, as it's the more straightforward revision (at least to a DS surgeon, where it is basically completing the DS) and it offers the best shot at countering the metabolic damage that you have suffered. With the RNY, the caloric malabsorption dissipates after a couple of years, so it may help you get the weight back off in the short run, but in the longer run you will be back where you are now, trying to get by on 1100 calories. Another thing to consider is that with the VSG, the revision to the DS is straightforward, and something that most any qualified DS surgeon can handle. However, if the RNY doesn't work out and you ultimately need to revise that to the DS, that's something for which only a handful of surgeons in the US are really qualified (maybe a half dozen.) That assumes that the RNY doesn't permanently screw up the sleeved stomach in making the pouch - I know quite a few who have had the RNY/DS revision (and even a couple who started with a band, revised to RNY, revised to DS) but don't know any who have gone the VSG/RNY/DS route yet.

It is hard when you see so many people post how quickly they are losing. I had revision surgery 2/4 - no pre-op diet and have only lost 11 pounds. I'm starting to get scared to face the scale and keep thinking I should stay off Bariartic Pal so as not to get frustrated reading about everyone's success but at the same time I need it to see I'm not alone

This is all sounding very familiar! I had discomfort, really bad heartburn and vomiting for over a year. The pain got so severe one day I was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, and a few hours later had my gallbladder removed. I had a few gallstones. I felt great immediately afterwards, and the heartburn which plagued my every day, was gone! However.... 2 weeks later, the previous discomfort started to return. I assumed it was just healing. After the pain spread round to my back, and i was having problems eating, I had a barium swallow, and it was clear something was wrong with the band. The camera swallow (gastroscopy) confirmed, I had quite severe band erosion. The band was visible on the inside of my stomach. I had to have the band removed a few days later. Prior to this all happening, I never had any problems with the band. It was an excellent tool to weight loss. I miss it! I am considering options for revision. (Sleeve v's Bypass)

Hi Terri, I'm new here as well, but not new to WLS. I think you will find lots of support here. Just remember it is ok to be a little scared. It's surgery. I'm sure you will do great! I can tell you having had my band since November 2009 that you get use to drinking your liquid away from food. I always feel that I am too full to put one more thing down. Have faith. It takes some getting use to. Good Luck! Let me know if I can be of any help. Nichole Waiting to be sleeved as a revision!

I had to wait about four months for my revision to be approved so I totally understand. Use the time to read the forums and study up on the sleeve. Youtube videos are great to watch too. I was so at peace with my decision and felt so ready when the time came for my surgery. It is a long wait, but we will be here to get you through it!

I believe you mean Dr. Aaron B. Bloomenthal. I went to Dr. Beth Ryder for both my band in 2011 and my revision to bypass this past March. Dr. Bloomenthal's reviews look good.