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Just wanted to get some feedback on my progress. I had a port revision on Oct 29. At the time of surgery There were 4CC put in my band. Since then I have had 3 fills. My last fill was Monday Jan 2 for a total of 6.5CC. Prior to the last fill this past monday I have been at a plateu with my weight. The scale does not move below 243lbs. Obviously with this last fill it is to early to tell, but prior to this one I was having signs of some restrictions, still able to eat anything. I am just wondering if anyone has experience the same thing. I guess my question is why am I not loosing weight. I am tracking everything I am eating staying within about 1200 cals a day. Exercising 3-4 times a week and My weight is not budgeting. To date I have lost about 15lbs.. When should I start seeing results??? I am really starting to get frustrated but trying to keep it positive. I am really hoping, this fill gives me what i need to get a push. I have a realize J&J band. Any suggestions????

Here is an update on me. One video is pics only and the other is an actual video. I had revision surgery in Mexico with Dr. Garcia 1/11/12. Hope you enjoy! (Pics only) (Video only) MsMook1979

I had surgery on 9/24 weighing 252 lbs.and went in for my first fill yesterday.. I currently weigh 225 lbs. and guess what.. my port is backwards..... now I have to do a revision.. and I do not know if I should go through this again... because I am unable to get any fills... because she has to tilt my port and attempt to have the needle penetrate on an angle.. and it hurt soo much.. The office has given me a tentative date for Jan 11.. has anyone experienced this.. my goodness It's only been two months and 6 days!!!:wink2:

Wow, I would say that it is still worth it. I am sure that the port revision will not be as bad as the whole surgery. Good luck!

I had my surgery on 9/24/09 I went in for my first fill in Nov. and found out that my port was at an angle that I was unable to receive my first fill. I now have to have it revised.. I go in for pretesting tomorrow and will have the revision on 1/11/10. I am very discouraged and have not been exercising and just eating what I want but small portions. My weight at the time of surgery was 252 lbs and as of today I am still at 229 lbs. Has anyone had this type of experience and how do you get back on track. I am angry because the surgery and healing time went so well but I did not expect to have a revision so soon after surgery! :drool:

Update : Had surgery on 9/24/09 lost 25 lbs went for my first fill to find out port is tilted had a revision done on 1/14/10. On date of surgery was 230 lbs now weighing 222 lbs. Feeling ok but kind of scared again I do not want to go through another revision. Does anyone have any suggestions of light exercises that I can do or should I wait until after my visit on 1/22/10?

To make a long story short 252 lbs at the time of surgery on 9/24/09. First fill scheduled for 11/17 but found that port had flipped. Revision on 1/14/10. My current weight is 218 and I had my first fill on 3/1/10. I have been on liquids since. but barely.. they tried 2cc but it was too tight and took someout so I believe that I have a bit of 1 cc.. and the liquid is so hard to go down.. I am going to try to go on mushies for dinner tonight because I am so starving!! does anyone have any suggestions? Also the protein was too dense to go down as well.

My name is Virginia and I had the LapBand Surgery on May 21st 2007. From that date until somewhere in August all was well, I was losing weight and feeling pretty good, except for one major issue. I began having gas. Not the 'oops excuse me' gas but full blown explosions that resulted in much embarrassment and stomach bloating. My husband and I work together and car pool to work or it would have been a much worst experience than it already was, because on the ride home at night I had gas so bad I felt I was in labor. I began doing research on the LapBand and gas and could not find much on it. I started to eliminate different foods from my diet like milk, beans, etc... I made sure I didn't drink from a straw, I made sure I didn't eat too late at night, the list of what I tried went on and on. So during one of my fills in September I told my surgeon that the gas was getting to be too much for me to deal with and I didn't know what to do about it. He said that no way was it the band that was causing this gas, that it had to be my food. Well as the days pass and my gas gets more and more uncomfortable something interesting happened in October. I got a fill that was too tight. Needless to say I had to go in for an unfill and that unfill was still too tight so I went in for another unfill and this time my doctor took out 1.5cc and I was left with absolutely no restriction. I decided that since I had a terrible Thanksgiving I would just leave things alone for awhile and get back to it after the New Year. Now here is the interesting part, during the time I had no restriction my gas all but went away. I ate anything I wanted, dairy, beans, veggies and even stuff I should have never eaten but since I was in a loving life to the fullest mood I ate sweets, fast food and my wonderful ice cream. I gained 17 pounds during this time and I have no regrets. I was gas free and comfortable for the first time in months. But of course all good things must come to an end. On January 12th I made an appointment for a fill and while my doctor was doing the fill I told him that if I got my gas back that I would be coming in with a request to have the band removed. I felt as though he didn't take me seriously all those months and the minute I said I wanted the band out all of a sudden he was all concerned. No one believed me that I KNEW the band was the cause for my discomfort. Needless to say the gas came back full force. Two weeks later, with a ton of research in hand and food logs I went back to him and told him that I wanted the band removed and I wanted him to do the RNY on me. I had been researching it for months and I was not willing to just have the band removed and go it alone, I wanted something to take its place and I choose the RNY. He read over what I had brought to him and when he was finished he said okay. His biggest concern was, he stuck to the fact that he has done 'a thousand' LapBand procedures and I was the first to complain about gas this far out. Well I guess there always has to be a first. I agreed to another endoscopy and colonoscopy. As soon as all that came back clear my surgery date was given and believe it or now Yesterday March 17th marked three weeks post-op. What I would like to add is my Surgeon(s) Dr. Michael Orris and Dr. John DeBarros via the Weight Loss Institute of Arizona. When I first had my LapBand surgery last May, both these surgeons took my insurance. Somewhere along the line, Dr. DeBarros decided to drop Aetna and therefore I was only able to see Dr. Orris for all my fills. That was okay because it really didn't matter. However, when it came time to do my revision, since both these doctors work hand in hand I was forced to pay out of pocket for Dr. DeBarros. I don't think this was right but I paid what they asked anyway. One of my biggest complaints that I have had since I walked though their door is you can expect a good two hour wait to get into see either doctor. By the time I went in for my last few visits all I could think about was how grateful I was going to be when I didn't have to go there any longer. There were times when so many people were complaining about the wait time that several just walked out. I don't feel I was taken seriously when I complained about my gas and I know I wasn't treated with respect when it came to my appointments. Some times it was as long as 4 hours in that office. Now that I have had the RNY I will not have to go back for three months. Anyway, this is my story, I wanted to share it with you. If you are having any kind of issues with your Band and you feel you have done everything you can to make it work, make sure you yell, kick and scream if you have to, to be heard. Now I am on a different road and it has been a long slow recovery, I am still not back to work. The area where the port was is still very sore due to the cutting of the muscle that the port was attached to. My surgery took 4 hours because of scar tissue. I can't tell you all if it was worth it or not at this point in time, but I will try and pop in from time to time and give you updates. Please feel free to ask me anything, I would love to help. virginiann@cox.net

I also had RNY and gained most of my weight back. My surgery was in January 2005. In January 2009 I started gaining after going through a horrific divorce. My life was turned upside down and I turned back to old eating habits. I could eat anything without any problem. I quickly gained back the weight. i never even thought about a revision or that my surgeon would do one since it was my own fault that I gained the weight. In January 2013 I started really thinking about what could be done. I did Weight Watchers, the gym, MFP all that stuff and nothing came of it. I called to get my medical records but never followed up. Then in July I thought I should really pursue it and see my surgeon said. I am a candidate for the revision. I am also treated like a new patient but so much has changed since 2005 I am really grateful for "starting over". I'm expecting to have surgery at the end of this month. Even though this thread is old it makes me feel soooo much better that I am not the only one that has gone through this and has had a successful revision.

Welcome to the site...there are a lot of people on here who has had the revision surgery...sorry for your complications but you are almost their...Good luck on your journey

I had revision from band to sleeve this past November. I Love the sleeve so much better.... I lost about 100 pounds when I was banded in 2005 and slowly I gained it back. I take responsibility for that. However, I was vomiting at almost every meal and turned to foods that were sliders. in 2011 I went to a different clinic as I felt my current dr. was not listening to me about how much I was vomiting and the reflux. I would literally wake up choking at night because Water or whatever I drank prior to going to bed was coming up on me. My poor partner thought I was dying. Anyway, when the new dr. ordered an upper GI it showed the band was waaayyy tooooo tight and he opted to empty it and then refilled it a few months later. Even with the tiniest fill, I was vomiting and having nighttime reflux. I ended up getting sleeved this past November. My surgery was rough and I had some complications from having such bad scar tissue. An overnight hospital stay ended up being 4 days. Dr. said I had an infection on the lining of my stomach where the band was. After a couple of weeks I felt so much better. Also during the past year I was diagnosed with Fibro as I had such wide spread chronic pain..... After about a month after being sleeved, I noticed I wasn't in pain anymore. Dr. felt that having the infection could have caused some of the inflammation in my body. Super glad to be rid of that damned band.

Hello Stars in your eyes, I recently went through the revision on 1/30/2014 so i am 21 days into this and unlike you I didn't lose all my weight with the band. I only lost about 40 lbs and was so tired of food getting stuck and feeling every meal was a challenge. So I had the revision and had a lot of scar tissue around my band which needed to be removed before he could remove the band and do the revision. I have lost a total of 23 lbs so far and feeling great! I wish this procedure was done 1st and foremost! The feeling of full is very quick and different than the band. I am still on mush foods but love being able to have the foods i can had until I start regular foods next week. You won't be disappointed. Of course I don't know what it feels like having regular meats, chicken, breads, etc till next phase but so far doing really great. Oh and by the way the dumping syndrome does happen with Sleeve patients. (I tried orange juice, and wish I hadn't)!!!

Thanks everyone! I'm glad I'm not alone, I was starting to get a little depressed. I had never heard of a revision until a few months ago. My mom had the surgery 17 years ago and was very successful until about 4 years ago. Her intestine had clappsed, therefor her smaller stomach reconnected with the old one. They did a barium swallow and the Dr. asked her multiple times if she was positive she had the surgey because there was no indication of her ever having it done...crazy huh? But they have to go in and do a full bypass because there's nothing to "fix" lol. The stomach is a crazy thing.

Hi, I hate to sound like I'm whining, because I really am happy I'm approved for surgery on July 12th, but since I've been with my surgeon through a lap band and now scheduled for a revision to the sleeve, I'm finding I'm angry. My surgeon orders everyone, band and sleeves, be on Clear liquids not only for 2 weeks before but 4 weeks after surgery. As you know that's 6 weeks. I was wondering if anyone else has such a strict doctor? When I read others have only 1 week of clear liquids and 1 week of full liquids, I get angry. I'm just hoping that after the surgery I won't want to eat and it will be fine. I know one reason my lap band failed was because I didn't always follow the rules, so I'm trying to be so good. I'm currently in my 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet and I'm finding it hard, very hard. I even failed a couple of times, really bad. I find that if I even take 1 bite of something not on the list, I end up eating like crazy. Just want to know what are others pre and post opt diet like? Thanks, lovcali

I am currently in the process of trying to get approved by Aetna for revision surgery from sleeve to bypass. I have GERD, regain and a "deformed fundus" (which looks like an addition pouch up top/ shaped like the letter "P") from my pouch stretching abnormally. My surgeons office submitted the pre-cert to Aetna on Friday. I am just wanting to hear people's Aetna revision experiences. Thanks!

Hello Everyone, Short story- 3 years ago I had a lap band placed. It worked pretty good for a few months when I began to have troubles eating foods like lettuce, chicken, veggies, etc. I have been fighting this issue this entire time, having my "stuck" episodes and constant adjustment with no sweet spot. Finally I had an unfill of almost all the Fluid and have left it. I still get stuck. I have finally hit a point where my weight is back up, I am tired of the pains associated with my port location and my band. So I have looked into a revision. I started out originally looking at getting converted to the Sleeve because the idea of not struggling with malabsorbtion is a bonus. Then after talking to the surgeon I plan to use, he stated I may need the RNY. I started reading up on both procedures and found lots of stories about people planning to get the sleeve but had to do RNY due to the damage their band caused. This is really opening me up to both ideas. I was just wondering what experience everyone had with revision and why you chose the surgery you did? I should mention that this will be an out of pocket expense for me and I will have to travel to Mexico, but I have a very good surgeon and know his nurse. My hopes are to have it done by the end of February. Feel free to share below. I wouldn't mind seeing progress pics or information from those who had revisions. Thanks!

After 10 years with the band, I finally had the revision to by-pass on December 9th, 2016. Being the holiday month and going through all of the holiday parties, this was a pretty difficult month for me as I was mainly on liquids. I was surprised about the initial depression I experienced. However, I have lost about 28 pounds in a month+ (from 205 to 177), my diabetes is virtually gone, my blood pressure is 117/70, and I am now getting my energy. I feel great. I have had no problems with eating correctly, getting my liquid and Protein in, etc. Have periods of feeling very tired, but those are resolving, as well. All in all, I am very happy that I made this decision. I have joined a gym for weight lifting to build muscle mass, joined a support group, taking my supplements, walking, and tracking what I eat. Again, I feel great. Weight loss is slower than I thought, but it is coming off and that is good enough. I do not look forward to some hair loss, but it comes back, so what? I had scar tissue from the band (lots of it) so the sleeve was not recommended. Best of luck, Gail

It does work for many people. I know a few. The problem as I see it is that if there are complications people tend to blame the patient or their eating issues. The honest truth is for some people it just is NOT a good fit no matter if they follow the rules or not. It has been hard to deal with the attitude that if you don't lose or your having complications that the person not the band is to blame. But I do see alot of that attitude on this site and with the WLS community. For me is is just alot of medical complications that I am trying to navigate around to figure out how I can work WITH my band. I have a good friend that had to have her band out becuase she was allergic to the silicon. And I sometimes wonder if my body just wants it out and it out and is trying to tell me that. If I ever get it out I would just revise to the sleeve. I am not eligible for the RNY per my doctor. The malabsorption would be a problem for me. At the time I was banded the sleeve was not an option just band or RNY. I will say that I got banded with about 8 people and that two lost 100 pounds. Those two have since gained about 25-30 back two years out. Not bad if you ask me I would be happy. Not perfect but better than me. Two gained all their weight back and a bit more. (our doctor won't give you fills in the beginning unless you lose alot of weight first and in between fills). They never really lost and thus could not get fills in the band and never got back on track. Since they were not losing they were embarrased to see the doctor an get yelled at. After getting yelled at a couple times they didn't go back. Two people lost 80 pounds. One got pregnant and gained it all day and than some. She lost her medical insurance and so no more fills now. The other got a divorce and asked for her fill to be totally removed as stress was making her PB all the time and she was losing to fast. She gained about half the weight back. The rest of us lost about 25-30 pounds and are at a standstill. One person I know lost 76 of the 150 she wanted to lose but is at a standstill for the last three years. The success stories are wonderful to hear but not the norm in my group. But here is the thing. For me even losing 25 makes me feel so much better. And when the fill is gone I gain period. So I know I use the band as a tool because I struggle MORE without it. I know it work at least for maintenance now. And it has helped my health so I would do it again. I am just afraid of fills because my body overreacts to fills. I need to lose another 75 pounds to make my goal. I have NOT given up. I figure my body tries to make a statement with every fill that it wants the darn thing OUT!! . I am just trying to figure out how to use my band in a way my body won't fight. But I won't be surprized if I have to get it taken out at some point. RNY you just have to be careful. I have had a couple friends almost die of malnutrition issues with the RNY issues. But others did fine. You just have to be on top of your health and know when to get to a doctor if something is wrong. Waiting or thinking it would work out and not going to ER has caused a few people some issues. So the labs are a good thing. For me more than 50% of the time I have been banded I have had no fill at all. I am sure that is a large part of my not losing as fast. WIth no fill you are basically on your own like pre band and back to willpower. I could even tell I had a band. It is a process.........................

I'm coming up for three years now and so far, absolutely no problems. I've begun having Fluid let out of my band, although its made it a bit harder to maintain, i want to find the point where I can have the least restriction possible and still remain at 70kg. I really believe that being tight for long periods of time leads to higher risks of problems. I also endeavour to maintain my weight as much as possible with exercise rather than relying on tight restriction for severe calorie control. So far its working well. I dont fear problems, but if they arise, I will have NO hesitation in being either rebanded or revising to the sleeve (which is becoming more and more popular here). I know I need intervention to remain at a normal weight, the difference in appetite with even small removals of fill is quite remarkable. But I just remain optimistic and thankful for the tool I have.

Good to hear that the revision surgery was approved. After you have an initial consultation with a lawyer you'll have more info to help you decide which legal route to take, even if that decision is to not pursue anything at all. Good luck!

I had the revision surgery 6 weeks ago.I am so happy getting the band removed.I lost 75 lbs from the band and was always sick.I was 25 lbs from my goal weight but my dr told me My body has been rejecting it and he had to take all the fluid out and I gained 40 lbs.My health was getting worse and my diabetes was geeting worse.I have lost 22 lbs in 6 weeks and i saw my general practioner and he could tell thedifference for my physical.I am a heart patient and January my condition deteriated.He told me when I saw him he didnt know i wuld make it by the end of the year.My bloodsugar has dropped from a fasting 180 to a average of 100-130.My nurse practationer shared with me the people that endured the band have much better reults you will love the diferance

My doctor won't let me have it till 3-6 months after surgery! Katy W- Louisburg, NC Lapband revision to VSG with DS HW- 297 Weight at Surgery-279 CW- will update at two week appt

I'm not clear on which surgery you had. Sounds like band revised to sleeve? But you mention bypass as well.... Anyway, when you say 2-3 cups of food at a meal, what kind of food and how long does it take for you to eat it?

I have not had the revision. I have had some of the issues you mention, but a lot of mine were caused by me not following the rules of the band. I might suggest that before you make the big step of having surgery that removes part of your stomach that you have your band emptied to allow yourself to heal completely. I did this and healed. Now that I have filled again, I have vowed to use the band exactly as recommended, no cheating that only hurts me. I recently read to only eat bites the size of a nickel, chew for 20, wait for 20 and everything is working perfectly. My surgeon advised this, saying that a sleeve can stretch anyway so why not just comply to the rules of the band?Hey I say only you know what you've been through and your doctor so do whatever you think is best for your health and your future!!! Good luck!

Meley24 Get a revision...get the lap band out... I'd really love to have an skype consult with you. It's free and I'm going to explain the metabolic aspects of weight loss surgery and why the sleeve or bypass are much definitive options thsn the lap band. If prople and even surgeons keep thinking about restriction as the main mechanism for weight loss they are going to fail in understanding the problen and of course, to fight it. Please check the videos on my website (undestanding obesity) at www.doctoraltamirano.com or send me an email to dra@bariatricpal.com to shcedule an appointment. Greetings Well said coming from someone who knows!