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Every doctor/surgeon is different on this one, just like most other things lol. I was wondering the same thing, as I started mushies today after having a revision surgery two weeks ago. Felt kind of stupid calling as I've done this all before and I should know the answer that mine would give me, but called to double check when I couldn't find it in the paperwork. So for me, its eat until you feel satiated (not stuffed). They said that they wouldn't give me a exact amount, cause half a cup or one cup or whatever, may not make me full .. or it may make me too full. Just eat until I was no longer 'hungry'. That works for me *shrugs*. Last time around, one of the hardest things for me was learning the difference between no longer being hungry and being full. Just like alot of other people out there, prebanding, I ate until I hurt quite often. So finding that fine line was difficult. The easiest way for me to do it, was to make sure I really slowed down and took very small bites (ie, if I'm eating with a teaspoon, I may only eat 1/4 of the teaspoon with each bite). My meals last like 30 minutes or more sometimes, just cause I drag it out that long .. but its worked (or it did with the last band). Let's just hope I can use the same common sense this time around lol.

I went to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. I was a revision from band to sleeve and that is a more complicated procedure than working on a stomach that had never been operated on before. The risks and potential complications are greater for a revision vs. a newbie sleeve. Thus... the only doctor I wanted was Dr. Aceves. OMG NO! Not Huacuz! Adrianne is just one example. I'm still trying to find out if Marty, his DS patient survived or not. I can't find anyone that knows one way or another. By the time Huacuz was done with Marty he had a lacertated liver, had to remove his spleen, his intestines were necrotic, and he was bleeding out. He was in an induced coma in a San Diego hospital trying to undo the damage Huacuz did. Last I heard he has about a 20% chance of survival. Adrianne, if she would have stayed in Tijuana with Huacuz for one more day she would have been dead. She signed herself out of his clinic AMA and got to a US hospital where she too, was in an induced coma for 3 weeks fighting for her life after Huacuz was done with her. The US docs did not believe she would pull through it but thankfully, she did. A sleeve is more invasive than a band, this is all the more reason NOT to have surgery in a clinic! Only a hospital and only by a surgeon that knows what they are doing.

My band slipped and I'm scheduled for a revision next Monday! I am not looking forward to it, but there is no option, so in I'll go. I suspect that it happened after surgery this summer when I was sick in the postop room from anesthesia. But who knows.

I absolutely love love love Dr. Ku!!! I cried when he left reading. He is the most wonderful surgeon I have ever met. He did my band and a year and a half later he did my hiatal hernia and band revision. U will not be let down with him!!!'

I see my surgeon in 3 weeks at which point I am hoping he will give me the go ahead for a revision from band to RNY. I am hoping I can still get a date this year as my 25th anniversary is mid Feb and hubby and I are wanting to go on a short trip, preferably somewhere warm with sea and sand. I want to be far enough out from surgery that I can eat "regular" food ( as opposed to still being in the soft or puree stages and also don't want to have any other issues. What are the general recommendations for international travel after bariatric surgery?

The revision that you are contemplating, a RNY to DS is a very complex procedure, so tread very carefully and research, research, research. I haven't been as up on the DS world as I used to be (my wife is 12+ years out on hers,) but 4-5 years ago there were only about a half dozen surgeons in North America that one would trust to do this revision, none of whom were in Mexico. A virgin DS is already a step up in complexity to an RNY or VSG, which is why there are relatively few bariatric surgeons that offer it; the revision from an RNY is another step up from there. The Mx doc with the longest DS experience that I;m aware of is Dr. Gilberto Ungston (he was the only doc doing them reliably in MX 4-5 years ago, and had been working on training others to do the DS. Whether he is tackling the RNY/DS revision, I don't know, but he would be a good place to start if you want to keep it in Mx. You need to find people who have had that specific procedure done by surgeons that you can consider. I have run into a few people who have had it done, as I have dealt with a couple of the Calif surgeons who do the procedure, and it has been very worthwhile, at least if done by the right surgeon. You can't depend on advertising or online profiles of surgeons, as many will say they do this or that procedure and then sell you on what they actually can do once they get you in their office (something like a distal RNY is sometimes offered as "DS-like" revision that doesn't work nearly as well). It gets even trickier when you are self-pay as you don't have an insurance company on your side as an enforcer - a doc saying that he is doing one procedure and billing insurance for it and then doing a different procedure is guilty of insurance fraud, and the companies take a dim view of such things. So, you need to be extra careful when you are self pay, whether in Mx or the US. Good luck in your search....

Wow... I'd have a hard time with a doctor doing my fill and then trying to talk me into a revision.

If you are having complications, then consider revision. But revision for revisions' sake? No thank you! Most insurance companies in the US don't cover the sleeve yet, so you'd likely have to pay out of pocket for it (if that is a factor for you).

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!

So assuming I may have misunderstood your point I just looked up the medical papers you cited and read the abstracts in full. I also read the associated articles. My assessment is that you have misinterpreted the data. I interpret the data to be saying that the surgery is equally successful to other WLS in long term application but due to the possible complications it should only be used in patients with a decreased likelihood of long term complications and should not be used for patients where the cited complications would likely be life threatening. I do think the more complete paper is a bit misleading though since it lumps all complications occurring between 30 days post op and 12 years in an aggregate sample. Whereas in the paper MIssy cites they break down the occurrence of complications showing a decreased occurrence the longer the time frame from the initial surgery before a complication occurs. They also aggregate surgeries with no complications post revision (which hade a much lower incidence of further complication) with complications which were no treated with revision. The data is actually relatively consistent (in statistical terms) with the data from the Australian study. The difference is the Austrailian paper is highlighting information for people who are prime candidates for WLS (the relatively young morbidly obese who suffer from co-morbidities but are otherwise healthy) while the American study you cited highlights the risk to people who may not be good WLS candidates (people who are simply overweight or have additional non-weight related health risks).

So all of these real people's experiences are discredited because they've posted them on Facebook? As far as the two stage VSG/DS point. It was that way early on and still is for super MO folks in some situations. What they found doing the 2 stage DS is that many people lost successfully on the first surgery, VSG, and there was no need to do the second, malabsorptive procedure to revise to DS. Also, partial gastrectomy has been done since the late 1800's to treat cancer, ulcers etc and those people have lived normal lives with just part of their stomach. Bear in mind, I'm not "anti-band", I have one and have lost 90 lbs. BUT, as a person with a pre-existing inflammatory GI disease aggravated by the band and facing removal/revision, I would not make the decision to get one today. I love that my band has helped me to lose and maintain the loss, restored my mobility and improved my overall quality of life, but my GI tract is truly not functioning as it should and this makes life pretty miserable a lot of the time.

I too had the sleeve 2 years ago an suffered with severe acid reflex an they said only thing would save my stomach an asophagus was revision to bypass an i had it august 18th no more acid reflex but scared how small I will get because everyone in my family that had bypass is like a size 0 so far I'm 37 pounds down an they want me to start working out an i told the doctor I still can't hold solid foods down an she said she's not to much concerned with that as long as I stay hydrated lol but I am concerned all I can hold down is liquids an yogurt an i tried smashing avocado that stayed down

I am assuming you want advice. Skip the band and go straight to sleeve. Just go peek at the thread of "band to sleeve revision". I personally dont know anyone 5 years out that still have their band. I lost great in the beginning too with my band. But only for one year then nothing. Well slowly, very slowly started to gain. Maybe 1-2 lbs a month. Then maybe 3 or 4 lbs on vacation. With band you are constantly chasing the "sweet spot" where you aren't too tight or too loose. The sleeve eliminates all that. Just food for thought. If I had to do it over again, I would have skipped all the band drama, sliming and fills. Best of Luck, in your decision and process. Keep us posted <3

Hi all: I think that the band slipping upwards from what I understand is rare. My band is sitting where the esopogus joins the stomach and usually the stomach will slip up through the band and then it is further down on the stomach. I am after much thought and reflection leaning towards a revision to the sleeve. I know that without something to restrict my eating I will be back where I started in no time. At this point I have zero restriction and find myself eating way to much of everything - which is why I had the band in the first place. I guess at this point I could have the band repositioned but I have been told that if your band has slipped once that you will be prone to that again. I am a self paying Canadian and it is becoming very hard to find someone to do fills for us here in Alberta - so I am thinking maybe I should just go for a sleeve and be done with continuing expenses and the possibility of a slip and an another trip and surgery :thumbup:

Kathy, good luck tomorrow, you will do great. I was a band to sleeve revision and can honestly tell you I had no issues with head hunger at all. In fact, I never thought about food. Even now, at one year out, I still don't experience hunger and have to force myself to eat sometimes.

I had revision surgery from band to sleeve on 11/27/13 no complications but had a lot of scar tissue. I was able to go home 11/29 but have a drainage tube that has to be kept in for a week. I am finally starting to pass gas wooohooo lol. I am up walking, sipping, walking and sipping and taking my meds. I am down 12lbs pre liquid diet and looking for the new healthier me.

I'm going to try to get in on this challenge this month. I'd like to lose 5kg before Christmas but it may be difficult. I have a port revision scheduled for Tuesday so I doubt I will win the challenge, but I'm gonna try to walk on the treadmill in the days after. When I feel better I'll get back to curves. I started there just last month and I really liked it, but then I got sick and haven't been back in a week. I'm hoping that with the port revision and my 2nd fill (it will be 6cc in a VG band) I will be able to get some restriction, after these 6 months I have still been able to eat more or less normally and I haven't had much success so far, so wish me luck!

Boo, what can I say that the others haven't already said, I am absolutely amazed!! Running is not an option for me yet. K@t, sorry to hear about them postponing your revision. It will be here soon though, and you will hopefully have good restriction after that. I am over my "trauma" from my overfill on Monday. It only lasted a few hours, but I never want to be overfilled again and certainly would never wish that on anyone. I had some mushies last night and wow, I think I have found my sweet spot again, thank goodness! I was able to eat about 3 1/2 ounces and was stuffed! Have a good day everyone! 11/1: No exercise. 50 oz. Water 11/2: 40 minutes treadmill. 48 oz. water (48 is my daily goal) 11/3: 40 minutes treadmill. 60 oz. water 11/4: No exercise, 48 oz. water 11/5: 55 minute fast-paced walk around the neighborhood, 60 oz water <!-- / message -->11/6: None - too miserable from overfill experience. About 30 oz water 11/7: 40 minutes on the treadmill. 60 oz water. <!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

It's getting closer to port revision day, I know I should have done some exercise today but I've just been so tired...I'm trying to kick a cold as well. Well, I hope the port revision is as simple as everyone says it is cuz tuesday is the day! Everyone else sounds like their doing great...I just checked out the weight thread and its amazing how much people have lost since April. I hope after my revision I'll get some restriction and I'll be on my way as well!

Hello, I am 1 month band revision to gastric sleeve...doing well down 28 lbs but am very tired no energy at all, trying to get my all my protein and vitamins and have been trying to walk but without energy its really difficult. When will I get my energy back ? Looking forward to get back to gym but it does not look like it will be anytime soon.

Alright this used to be called "My small and pathetic NSVs!" but they told me off and said it wasn't small and pathetic... I did try to revise the thread name but it won't let me :scared: So I have two NSV's which gave me a bit of a smile today. Here they are in all their glory.... 1. I am wearing my old workout shirt today. This shirt once was "toit loik a toiger" (tight). It is now looking like a comical dress that comes halfway down my thighs. 2. I just got back from the grocery store. Normally after hauling the cases of Water and all the groceries, plus walking around the store, my heart is beating like a snare drum from a thrash metal band. Today after checking my pulse... it wasn't even off of resting (thanks dreadmill). Okay, thats my teeny little flag waving for the day. Feel free to share yours

Girl, I am no kidding once every 7-10 days! I feel totally fine but this can't be normal! On June 12, 2017 I had my gallbladder removed, my lapband removed and revised to an RNY. HW: 402, SW 306, CW 294.8, GW 185

I definitely think you really need to take an honest look at your eating habits as well as your comfort levels regarding both surgeries. All WLS is a tool... and a tool which does a lot of the work at first, but requires more work for you long-term. That's why you read about people needing revisions LT. I know people who've had VSGs (look into that surgery as well... try ObesityHelp), RNYs, and DSs after their Lap-Band. I know quite a few RNYs who've had Lap-Bands added to their pouches due to pouch dilation. You will probably lose slower with the Lap-Band vs. an RNY--but you will still lose. Most studies show that weight loss equalizes between the two procedures (assuming you get fills and such) 18-24 months post-op. The big difference is the adjustability of the Band. This is good and bad. The pros are that you can adjust your Band's tightness depending on your needs/health. Great in case you get pregnant. The cons are that you will need to have regular follow-ups with your surgeon or fill person in order for your Band to work. For 95% of people (perhaps 99%), the Band is pretty much useless unless you get fills. Most Bandsters that I know have problems with certain foods as things get tighter... bread, Pasta, meat, salad... can all cause problems. BUT, if you decide that you can't handle life without them, you can always have some fill removed. RNYs face dumping, which Bandsters do not. Some view this as an advantage, others a disadvantage. Among RNY folks I know, the dumping effect does tend to lessen over time... so if it is something you rely on to keep you from high sugar foods, you may have to go at it alone at some time. Lap-Band is an easier procedure, with less operative risk... mainly because the intestines are left alone... as is the stomach (no cutting). You don't hear about the hernias, adhesions, and such that some RNYers face. One disadvantage with the Band can be longevity of the operation. I've been Banded for almost 6 years now, and I have to say... I know very few Bandsters who were Banded at the same time and still have their Bands. GERD, Band slippage/erosion, frustration with never-ending fills, slow weight loss, pouch dilation... have all caused them to choose other operations. BUT, most do not regret being Banded at first. In many ways, it's a good introduction to WLS with little risk (other than financial). With the other operations, if you decide you just can't live off of such small amounts... or hate dumping... or whatever... there's not a lot open to you other than an expensive and complicated reversal. For Bandsters, one can always have all fill removed... or chose to have the Band removed. One other advantage is regarding Vitamin issues/etc. One doesn't hear about them nearly as often with Bandsters... as well as osteoporosis and such. Those tend to be much much more common in malabsorption ops like RNY and DS.

Hi Gary, I just went for my first fill this morning (under flouro) and found out that my port had flipped. My doctor was extremely apologetic and said that a relatively simple outpatient procedure would take care of the problem. Basically, he's going to schedule me for a revision where I'll be put under again, though not as intensely as for the original surgery. Then, they open up the port area, turn and relocate it, then stitch me back up. He said I'd be off work a day and would have to take it easy thereafter, but he assured me that all would be fine afterwards, albeit a bit sore. Of course, I'm concerned, but I'm not freaked out about it. I know it happens and have a friend who went through the very same thing and has been incredibly successful with her weight loss. But I do know one thing for sure...I'm going to make him promise to sew that baby down like crazy this time!!!

Tummy Tuck is more painful by far. They go in and repair the muscle as oneflew said. With a breast reduction they are staying out of the body and just (I laugh at the "just" because it's extensive) are on the outside of body and only cutting tissue. However, you can manage a tummy tuck, I'm sure. BTW, on the scale of ease of recovery for me. My breast reduction was easier to deal with than my banding procedure. My recent lower body lift, (2.5 weeks ago) braciaplasty, breast revision, is a harder recovery just due to the extent of all the incisions than either banding or the reduction. The tummy hurts a lot. Getting out of bed-standing up, the drains, etc. are something different to contend with. HTH