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See, I was kind of comparing it to college. Many times (not all times) kids whose parents pay for their college tend to goof off more and not take it quite as seriously as those who have to pay for it themselves. I know for me, since I am self-pay, I can't afford to do anything that would jack it up, because if I were to have to go in and do a revision, it would be out of my pocket. I agree with what many of you said that you have struggled to get to this point and have done your research and you will work the program like it should be worked regardless of how it is or was paid for. Thanks for all of your thoughts and feedback.

That should be told to the revision patients, and maybe it is but it wasn’t told to me..If that would have been explained to me my expectations would be different.. “catwoman7” what is a virgin bypass?

March 21st is my surgery date for revision. Proximal gastric bypass to distal. Good luck to you.

I was banded may 2013. My first year went like textbook. i lost a total of 81 lbs and felt great. But than problems started and july of 2014 my band was emptied and stayed empty for a year. My surgeon didn't want to put any fill in do to the complications i had. We discussed revision and on july 31,2015 i was revised to a gastric bypass. Surgery was difficult due to adhesions and scar tissue. When the band was placed i had gone to surgery to have a bypass but that surgeon couldn't do it do to the scarring. When i was in the recovery room the first words out of my mouth were ,what type of surgery? if he couldnt do the bypass i signed papers for a sleeve. but he was successful. I was so happy. post surgery i have had no complications. Have lost 27 lbs in 26 days. and am doing well with my new way of eating.

I Hope they can give you the fill you need, I need one bad. I just found out in December my port is flipped and they couldn't give me a fill even after trying to find it several times. I go in tomorrow for my port revision and I pray it doesn't happen again. I can't wait to get back on my lossing weight!

I am super super excited!! I'm having trouble sleeping at this point. I'm so damn calm, no anxiety. My approval process for revision was around 3 weeks from the day I had the endoscopy to the day I got the phone call telling me the good news. With the kind of reflux damage I have surgery almost always happens. I had a second scope a few weeks ago and the damage had gotten worse, not better. However, the ulcers did heal thanks to the medication they put me on. I didn't really have any food funerals. I had a few things I wanted to eat one last time, but was very underwhelmed with all of it. Yes, there will be some food I'll miss but I've been wanting to get sugar out of my diet anyhow. I'm more ready for the change this time than for my sleeve 7 years ago. I'd love to lose another 25 pounds to get down to 160. I think it's very realistic. Are you having any food funerals or are you kinda sick of food as thus point? Sent from my Z6201V using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi welcome! I'm pretty new here too but had my sleeve 4 weeks ago and have lost 30 lbs. I have heard its 2-3 lbs per week after the first month, so that would work out to 8-12 lbs per month, which is a nice steady loss. I hope that all goes well with your revision, please keep us posted! __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I had a sleeve July 2019 due to a lot of issues had a revision to gastric bypass 2/2020 had not had any candy at all in that timeframe. We had a 21st birthday celebration for my daughter and I avoided all cake, soda and other goodies at the party but while cleaning up there was one leftover peanut butter cup left in the candy dish and I rationalized it in my head that well it’s peanut butter and peanut butter is a source of protein (I know I was making excuses to myself to eat it) so I popped it in my mouth and chewed it up. About 5-10 minutes afterward I started feeling sweaty and nauseated (not like I need to vomit just an icky feeling). My family has a history of diabetes (not me personally but my dad and brother are both insulin dependent. Do you think since I had the surgery I better get checked for diabetes? (I don’t plan to try and eat candy again but wasn’t sure if this is a “normal” reaction to introducing sugar to my new body or something else)

I arrived in Mexicali on Sunday afternoon, 10/2. I rode in with 2 other patients and we all visited and shared our stories. After our labs at the hospital, we were taken to the hotel and checked in about 4:30 pm. Since we were all really hungry, we met up in the hotel restaurant a few minutes later and had a really wonderful dinner. For a large plate of chile rellenos , Beans, rice, tortillas, chips and a margarita......my bill was $13.00! With a full tummy and a sleeping pill from Dr. Aceves, I had a very relaxing night at the hotel. Ernesto picked us up at 7:00 am, Monday morning and drove us back to the hospital. Since my surgery was the 2nd of the day, I was given a sedative to relax. The rest of the day is a blur. I remember people coming in to get me....blur........I remember looking up at the ceiling as I was being wheeled to surgery......blur.........I remember someone telling me to turn on my side and bend my knees for the spinal block....blur.....and OUT. I don't remember recovery at all. The next thing I remember is being back in my room, thinking it must be over and then falling back asleep again. I was in and out of sleep for the rest of the night, knowing that nurses came in and out, taking my temp and blood pressure, but not really ever becoming fully alert. Sometime early Tuesday morning, I told one of the nurses I needed to use the bathroom. Although I stumbled a bit, I made the trip successfully and immediately fell back asleep. Later that morning, they brought me those infamous 4 little cups of blue "apple juice." They weren't good, but they were tolerable. I sipped and slept, sipped and slept, sipped and slept for hours. Several times that day, Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos and the nurses came in and told me to try to get up and walk. I'd answer "Sure, ok." with every good intention of doing it, but I'd always fall back asleep. I really had a tough time coming out of all that med-induced sleepiness. By late afternoon Tuesday, I finally got up and walked the halls. I was completely pain-free (yes, really.....it must have been the spinal block), but I felt unsteady on my feet and climbed back into bed about 5 minutes later. Tuesday night was pretty much the same as Monday night, but I woke up Wednesday morning feeling alert and energetic. I took a shower and even put on a little make-up! Wednesday, I walked several times, visited my neighbors, sipped tea and finally got a bowl of that wonderful chicken broth everybody raves about. Yes, it IS that good. By the time I left on Thursday morning, I felt pretty good - minimal pain and absolutely no nausea. It may have been this sense of well-being that caused me to completely overdo it on Friday. BIG Mistake! I met up with a friend Friday afternoon to do a "little" shopping that turned into a 5-hour shopping spree. I thought I was listening to my body.......I sipped Isopure all day........I took sitting breaks pretty often, but by the time I got home, I felt awful. My abdomen was completely swollen with Fluid and gas. I looked 9 months pregnant and felt equally uncomfortable. That was the first time all week I broke down emotionally. I remembered reading somewhere that Day 4 after surgery is the worst..........and that was definitely true for me! So, I sobbed myself to sleep Friday night and woke up Saturday with renewed energy and renewed resolve. I really took it easy that day. I stayed in all morning, sipping Protein and napping. By 3:00 pm, I felt good enough to take my son to a birthday party. It was a huge event, and EVERY single person there must have told me to eat......twice! But I politely told them I had eaten before I came and continued to sip on my bottled Water. The party lasted about two hours and I was definitely ready to come home by then. I went to bed about 7:30 pm, slept pretty soundly, and here I am at 5:00 am on Sunday, finally getting on the Internet for the first time since surgery. To sum up, I've really had a fairly easy recovery. Considering the mess my Band had made of my stomach and liver (Dr. Aceves told me it was NOT and easy revision) I've had very little pain except for the incision sights. I've experienced none of the shoulder "gas" pain I had with the Band surgery. I've had no nausea or stomach pain......just a lot of gas and gurgling. No doubt about it, those first four days kicked my butt, however, I think I'm over the "hump" now. I have one more week of recovery before I have to go back to work and I'm sooooo glad I didn't try to rush it and go back any sooner.

There's a lot of revision patients that revise super close to goal so you'll be fine, and hit goal. Your body will stabilize quicker than most of us, and maintenance might be tricky, but it can be done. There's only 2.3mm difference between a 32fr and 40fr bougie so not a huge difference at all. I hope everything goes well for your revision. You'll love the sleeve and zero maintenance lifestyle.

I'm new to the vsg forum but not to the band forum. Yes, another bander to revise to a sleeve! June 20th is my date for surgery. I have had such esophagus issues I can't wait till this band is out of me too. Glad your doing well with your sleeve but I'm curious what damage you have to the esophagus? Acid scaring from reflux, stretching or what. I'm so worried about my own, I hope they will scope mine when they do my sleeve to check it out. I'm again self pay like with my band, so I'm afraid to ask them to do more due to cost, but I'm concerned since I've had such reflux for 2 + years of the 3 I've had the band. And the additional sinus drainage from allergies makes sleeping at night without gagging a major pain. Gloria

I am to the point of just giving up. I had a band to sleeve revision on July 14th 2011. I lost 15 lbs on the liquid diet within the first two weeks.. That is all I have lost. This is not a stall. My concern is that I am still able to eat anything in any amount. I dont feel like my stomach is any smaller then it was before surgery. What can I do. How can I find out truthfully what was done to me. I have done the whole count calories, have joined weight watchers, I can lose 3 to 4 lbs only to gain it back the next week. I have been experiencing massive hair loss for the last 3 weeks. The last time that happened was when I was losing weight at about 5 lbs a week with the band. I'm not looking for the whole keep it up, it will happen replies or even the calories in calories out thing.. I want to know if if there are peolpe out there who have not experience any sort of change from having had the surgery. And if so, what did you do. Who can I contact to see what size my stomach is. the whole point of the sleeve was to help me portion control when I couldn't do it myself, well it doesn't. And it doesn't matter if I eat dense protien or if I eat slider foods.. HELP

Michelle, I knew from the beginning that I'd be getting my fills as close to home as possible. And Michigan is a LONG way from TJ. I knew when I got on the plane to come home that the only way I'd be going back was if I had to have the band revised or removed. The airfare, taxi, hotel, food and fill would be over 1000.00 each time if I returned to TJ, and unfortunately that's just not possible. And truthfully.... I felt VERY uneasy just being in Mexico itself. That's why I found someone who's (in my opinion) highly qualified and close to home. he's done over 200 bands himself and has a nice weight loss clinic set up- he was one that I called to get a price from and talked to before I found out how much surgery costs. If I had insurance that would have covered the band I would have had it done in Port Huron Michigan. So now,I need to have my fills take up no more then 1/2 of a day due to my schedule and the schedules of my 4 young children. I wish I could go back to Dr. Kuri, I'd be crazy not to if I lived close like you do. His fills are FREE for life. And yes, this Dr. will do flouro. not every time, but he does use an ultrasound to guide the needle into the port so that the chances of damaging the port or puncturing the tubing are lessened.

Can you do another sleeve? Interesting! I hear people talking about revision to rny. I wish you all the best!!

https://www.endobariatric.com/weblog/2018/05/09/resleeving-revising-other-bariatric-surgeries/

I'm new here and have my band revision surgery scheduled for June 20th. I of course can't wait to get this thing out of me and get some relief from the reflux and the sinus drainage that backs up my throat at night. I do have a few questions I haven't found answered here so far and hope you kind people might weigh in (pun intended) on some possible answers. !. Are any of you still plagued by mucus drainage backing up at night from your stomach up and out? Either when you have a cold or it's sinus season (which for me has been quite long each fall and spring)? My surgeon says this may still be an issue for me but hopefully not as bad as with the band. 2. My nutritionist thinks since my allergies seem heightened right now that I may be slightly allergic to whey, which is making my mucous thicker aggravating the issue. She said to stay off milk products for 2 week to see. Since my band is giving me issues I have been drinking milk for Protein and drinking RTD Meal Replacements with whey. I have stopped the milk /whey products and it does seem to help. My question is since soy is not a good protein for post op diet but whey seems to aggravate the mucus issue what can I substitute for the whey protein during the clear and liquid stages? I hope that with the band out the mucus won't be as big an issue and I can do the whey but if the sleeve is swollen from the revision surgery I may still have this issue. Any other allergy sufferers out there that are band to sleevers? 3. After reading about the hopefully less hunger sensations I'm hoping to be one of the the no hunger folks. But head hunger is an issue with most of us who ate ourselves into needing WLS for a solution. I've passed my second psych evaluation (first was with lap band), I lost 85 pounds with the band in 2 1/2 years but in the last 6 - 8 months I've gained back 18. Some of this is band issues, fills, unfills, etc. but I have to admit there is a part that is from depression over the band issues, constant reflux, esophagitis, and slidder foods as comfort foods. I'm so afraid the head hunger will still be an issue. Have any of you had to deal with the head demon just as bad as before the sleeve? If so how have you dealt with it? This being my second WLS, I want it to be my last, the band failed me and has probably caused some damage to my esophagus and then there is the scar tissue. But I want the sleeve to be my long term answer. 4. Last question: Who still replies on Protein drinks for nutrition after the post op surgery recovery? And how far out are you? I appreciate your answers and think this forum is great, such a kind group of folks. Thank you all for having this out here for us all. Gloria

I had my revision all in one surgery on July 14th. Did good the first ten days out, lost 15. Then the hunger set in. After reading on here about an acid blocker, I went back on the one sent home with me after surgery, didn't help. Moved on to nexium, nope no luck, am now on to OTC proposed, two pills, totally 40mg a day. Am still feeling the knowing feeling in my stomach. You know like how iy feels when you realize you've gone too long without eating.I have to stay under 1000 calories a day and still no weight loss, I can go for about a week before breaking down and just eating. That's the other problem too, I am feeling no restriction what so ever. This is my second was surgery and I feel like such a failure.

Im officially 5 months post op!! Down 70+ lbs with 40 to gooooooo. But i don't think I want to lose another 40 anymore Maybe another 15 or 20... Wanted to drop a few pics...Sorry they are sideways!!! I don't know how to fix SW 253.6 CW 182.4 GW 135-140 (40-45 MORE lbs to go more) Revised goal weight 160-165 (20-25 more lbs to go) Pic #1 is me last night before i went out #2 me last month 4 months post op. At the amusement park with my fam #3 is me and my puffy face on my bday last year. my aha moment that something had to change #4 me and another night out pre surgery #5 me again on my birthday full body

Got my date, 6/8/15!!! I'm a teacher so summer works best. I am 28 years young but have had bad diabetes since I was 18. The band worked at first, lost 80lbs from my highest weight...but I hate it now. Gained almost all weight back and didn't help my diabetes like I was promised. Was looking at the sleeve revision but my Dr recommended RNY instead...I am hoping RNY helps. Anyone else diabetic with some encouraging words?

I had a vsg in 2012 and initially lost 75lbs before finding out i was pregnant. Something about metabolism changing and birth control not being enough. I have gained all but 20lbs back. I am wanting to have revision surgery to bypass. Do you know of anyone who had a bypass but failed in the first year? Two years? I dont have to be skinny. I just want to be healthier.

I'm desperately looking for some advice...I really don't need negative feedback, please. A little about me--I was banded in May 2007. I lost 10-12 pounds on the PRE-op diet and NOT 1 POUND since then. I admit, I have not followed all the rules. I have made poor food and drink choices and I've not exercised. However, I can honestly say that the band has done its part in controlling my portions, which brings me to wonder why I haven't lost ANY weight. I am not perfect, and I don't ever plan to be; however, I have made enough changes that I should have seen SOME loss by now. I am very depressed and frustrated about this. I have recently made some changes - I am now making healthier choices (not perfect ones) and I am exercising 3-4 x per week. According to the scale and my clothes - I am GAINING weight! WTH? I'm at a loss here. I am seriously considering checking into either the sleeve or a mini bypass - neither of which I know a lot about. I know quite a bit about the gastric bypass - how does the mini bypass differ, if at all? Or is it just a terminology thing? I know very little about the sleeve, as well. I don't know what the likelihood is of insurance covering a "revision" WLS. I'd have to check into that too. But, for now, I'd just like to get information - and I really like getting firsthand info from those that have actually "been there and done that". Again, save your negative comments. I KNOW that the band is only a tool, and does not work alone. I KNOW that I haven't always "done my part". But, I also KNOW that the band isn't for everyone - and I think I may be one of those statistics.:biggrin: Thank you in advance for any help, advice, comments you can offer. Have a Safe, Happy, and Healthy New Year!:tongue:

My doctor will not do ESG on anyone who hasd previously had a gastric balloon as there is a high failure rate there, but do they know why the stitching had come apart? Did your surgeon do a bad ESG eg too loose stitching? Do you know how many ESGs they have done and what that surgeon's failure / revision rate is? I am a member of three facebook ESG groups and while there are people on there who haven't had success or much success there are so many more who have lost plenty of weight many longterm and maintaining. There are many reasons for failure just as VSG or RNY fail and until the reason is determined we can't say ESG (or even VSG and RNY) is a waste of money.

I have had a band to sleeve revision, too. I can tolerate small amounts of fried foods. In general, I just don't want them because they make me feel horrible. Every now and then, I get a craving for something and so I may have a bite of something fried. For instance, I will eat one or two of my son's fries. I get satisfied off of a very small amount. Certain foods do make me sick though. Fried tortilla chips make me feel like throwing up and I used to be able to eat an entire basket of chips by myself. Some people can eat fried foods with no issues, so you will just have to try and see if you can.

My hair thinned about 3-4 months after I had the lapband. It finally grew back and I just revised to bypass. I'm dreading the day when I start losing more hair in the shower

Welcome KMR! I can tell you, as well as many others, that I would not go with the band. This is from my own personal experience. I currently have my band and am in the process of getting a revision to the sleeve. I have had numerous complications and to this day I am in pain constantly. I would recommend that either you self-pay for what you know is right for you or hang in there until BCBS of MA adds it to the approved list of surgeries. As far as insurance goes, I would definitely appeal to them with lots of evidence. You never know what they are going to say. I would look on the internet for appeals specifically geared towards the sleeve. That will help you with your appeal. Feel free to email. I'm more than glad to share my personal experience with my band. Also check out the band to sleeve revisions section tons of good information. Good Luck! Let me know if I can be of any help. Nichole