Search the Community

Ok, I had no idea food can get stuck also with bypass... I had band and that was happening to me a lot... I just had to walk around, maybe with my arms up, unbutton my bra, spit the slime and wait for it to pass. I am just revised to bypass so haven't had food yet for it to get stuck but that's definitely not a good feeling. Hope you feel better

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to answer me. It’s been over 2 months , so that’s why I’m kinda freaking out (my younger brother died of stomach cancer in his 30s… sooo the thought not getting my erosions to heal and this surgery not having been a success is really depressing me). I have an endoscopy scheduled for 3/15.. I can’t bear the thought of this revision not being a success … thank you , again 😢🙏🏽

Hello everyone, first post here. I tend to type a lot, so I will try to be short. I'm 41 and I have had the band for almost 8 years. 293 surgery weight, got down to 220, back up to 290. I have had it unfilled for a long time. I am tired of the restriction (even unfilled) and it's not working with me so I want to get it out. I am thinking about the RNY but I have a lot of questions. I won't ask all of them now, but if there is a good FAQ or resource of common revision questions, I would be grateful for the link. My lap band failed me because I failed it. That's the honest truth. I don't like timing when I drink, and I eat a lot of pasta, so I drink as I eat. I'm positive I have a huge slip. I eat very little in the morning and lunch, and then eat a lot in the evening. I mean a lot, like as much as I did before the band. I'm willing to do the work - I know I need to change if I go with the RNY. I just need to know what to expect. I've been up and down a lot with weight since the 4th grade. 220 > 180 > 263 (Extreme exercising and dieting) > 163 > 293 (Lap band operation) > 220 > 290 (Now) I have anxiety quite bad. I have panic attacks every once and a while, and I take Luvox and Lamictal to help me through it. I have been rushed to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack (That's the kind of panic attacks I have). I travel a lot for work, and I am involved in somewhat stressful situations while I work. When I'm working, I have to be "on it" and can't be sick (e.g. dumping syndrome) and sometimes I don't get enough time to eat a quality meal. Also, sometimes I work very long days...12-16 hours, once 30 hours. It isn't this way all the time, maybe twice per month, but I never know what kind of a cluster I'm walking into (I'm a IT consultant). I have to fly to these gigs, and even though I don't have a fear of flying, I have had a panic attack or two on the plane. I'm specifically worried about dumping syndrome while flying + panic attacks. I'm curious if anyone out there has the same situation as far as anxiety and travel, and so on. If you do, how has the band > RNY worked out for you? I think this is the most important thing for me. In regards to my many other questions, I'm going to do some searching on here to try and get a feeler for the answers. I meet with the Surgeon after Thanksgiving. I want to be better prepared than I am now. Thanks for taking the time to read or comment on this.

I had my revision from the lapband to the sleeve on June 26th. I'm feeling great!

I'm October 1 too in CO with Dr Snyder. I am a revision from band (2010) to sleeve. Maybe I will see you there. Best of luck!

Hi all, Well the new Dr office called and they are submitting my paperwork for the band to sleeve revision for June 28th. I am a total basket case now. I don't know why, I loved my band when it was working. My major problem is that I can eat everything now, and I do, and I LOVE it. I love having bagels for Breakfast again, and bread with my Pasta, and my hot dogs on buns! Oh and that nice COLD beer when it was 95 degrees out on Saturday! What is wrong with me? I feel like a kid in a candy store, going crazy because I think that when the sleeve is done, it will be like the band again. Please tell me I am CRAZY!!! I know i have to watch my carbs and follow the rules, but for real, why am I thinking this is the end of the world. I do have one major concern, since my band is totally empty, and I have a huge appetite, what is the pre-op diet like, if there is one for band to sleeve revisions? I know when I have to I can do this, but I just want to get a jump start on the Protein, and no carbs, any advice? Thanks, Patti

:confused1::confused1: Am I eating too much???? B - 12 oz of coffee w/scoop of Protein slice of bread w/peanut butter S - 1/2 of grapefruit L- small side salad about 1 1/2 cup of lettuce - I wasnt able to finish it all (almost) I was three months out on 3/11. Did my stomach stretch out of place already? If so is it possible to have a sleeve revision to a smaller pouch? T

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!

In the last two days I've had to revise my definition of hunger. I thought my band wasn't working because I was 'hungry' most of the time. Then I had a complete unfill two days ago because of the constant pain in my shoulder. *Now* I know what true hunger is. What I felt before was most likely (and I'm still testing that theory) just the craving/hunger created by swings in my blood sugar. It makes me appreciate my band all the more and can't wait until they 'fix' it so I can have it back! .

I can really empathize. My surgery was in April 2010 and I also had complications from a really bad hematoma at the port incision. My port stuck out a whole lot too and caused a lot of pain. I was complaining to the surgeon within two days of surgery. My hematoma finally healed up though while the pain did not. Turns out that the point at which my port was attached was rubbing on a nerve and that was causing the pain. In my experience it wasn't hard to get the insurance company to approve a port revision, but it was difficult to convince my surgeon that it was needed. I think he finally got sick of hearing me complain so much and gave in. After four months I had surgery to relocate the original port. It still sticks out, I still feel it and it's sometimes uncomfortable, but nothing like the pain that I had before. I was able to get two adjustments though between the original surgery and the revision so continued to lose weight and the band was working to provide restriction. I wish you the best.

I had issues with my gallbladder, when they found no gallstones, and no swelling they did the hida scan, it was the worst pain I have ever experienced, and I had a baby that was almost 7 pounds naturally. When they did the injection into the iv for the hida scan within about 2 minutes I was in the fetal position from the pain. I have a super high pain tolerance and that pretty much took me to my knees. The tech took a few images, but said the pain told her way more than the scan itself would. When I got into my car and called my lapband surgeon (I was revised to a sleeve after 8 years of being banded) to let him know the results would be in his office before the close of business he asked how I was feeling, I told him I thought being hit by a Grey Hound bus would have felt better, he said "I'll have my scheduler put you on the first opening of my operating schedule. My gall bladder was filling but not emptying correctly, so I felt like a giant balloon was being inflated in my chest. After it was removed I was back to my old self within 24 hours. Before I went to my surgeon I was in the ER 4 times with chest pain, vomiting and shortness of breath. They kept telling me I either had indigestion, GERD, or it was all in my head. I'm glad I insisted that my surgeon look into it, if not for him sending me for the HIDA scan I would still be dealing with it, or it would have ruptured. It's funny I walked into his office when the pain was still bad on a daily basis and told him to remove my lapband, and while he was inside my abdomen to poke around and see what was going on to cause the pain. At first he thought it might be my port pulling away from the muscle and the pain was from my stitches tearing, but he didn't give up or blow me off, he just made it better.

It is very frustrating. The reason I chose the Lapband is because the doctor felt I was “not obese enough” to get a sleeve or the other surgeries and I truly felt that the Lapband would work. It has worked but I am slowly giving up. At this point, I’m still not a candidate for the sleeve and I would have to wait a little longer before I can even try to get a revision. What surgery did you have? That’s awesome that you’ve lost 100 pounds!! So happy for you! [emoji846]

I had the band and I 100% back what TIffykins said. If you do lose weight, you will more than likely gain it back. I have had just about every complication there is and I feel so much better to have that thing out of me. I love my sleeve. At ten years out there are studies from other countries that say the band has a 85% failure rate. If I had known about the sleeve when I had the band, I would have picked the sleeve in a heartbeat. You are putting a foreign object in your body and you have no idea how your body will respond. Plus, you can get a defective band like I had and have all sorts of issues. Right before my revision, I could barely swallow. I wish you the best with your decision. I went into my lapband surgery with high hopes, yet it let me down in every single way. On the other hand, my sleeve has been exactly what I wanted. I have restriction and control over food.

One week I just had a revision to the rny it’s best to wait just about a week and yes I got tired after about and hour or two it took some time for that to ware off if it’s a shot distance that fine for about and hour but yes you will get tired at least I did I was tired for about a month

I was banded 3 years ago and lost around 43 lbs, (dress size 22 to 14) then the band started to act up. I had it deflated a few times and never could find the right spot. The band if now 1/2 filled and I still have problems. I on occasion regurg, but I just stay on thinner stuff. The heartburn and reflux is horrible, had none before banding. I use to be the healthy fat person, now I'm still 25+ and live horribly. I went to my primary Dr who said get it out, saw a GI dr who wants an endoscopy on Monday he says get it out and revise to sleeve. I see the surgeon Thursday. So my big questions are: how different is post op sleeve from band ( the first year I had the band I had no problems ). Will I loose the 25 lbs with a sleeve. Hopefully my insurance co will pay.

I had my revision on 12/9 of last year and have lost 75 pounds, down to 135. I am 62 years old so was concerned it would not work for me, but I am extremely happy. Down side is baggy skin, and I considered a facelift and many other "lifts" but decided against them. I am very happy with my decision and grateful to my surgeon... he was very supportive and did a great job. Lots more energy. I do get weighed 2x a week because I do not intend to regain and will modify my days accordingly, but I can tolerate just about anything. Advice is to keep up with the vitamins and water.

Hi everyone. I have been lurking around this board for a little while as I have been researching the band. I am going to an info session w/ Dr Carcamo in San Antonio, Tx next Monday. 3 of my coworkers have been banded by him (well...one by his partner, Dr Wright but from what I understand they do all surgeries together, but she sees Dr Wright pre&post op, the other two are w/ Dr Carcamo). I am fortunate that I work for an employer that is very supportive of WLS. A few other coworkers have had bypass. My BMI is right at 40 and I have no comorbid conditions...well, i have no diagnosed comorbid conditions by my PCP. I have had high cholesterol for the past 5 consecutive years but have never went to my PCP to discuss. My employer has a medical company come onsite once a year and performs physicals, including lab work, yearly. This is a requirement in order to have continued insurance coverage that my employer provides. My employer also provides weekly WeightWatcher meetings on site free to employees w/ a BMI over 35. I have been attending meetings regularly but I do not like WeightWatchers. Other than the high cholesterol that showed up on lap work I have no other comorbid conditions -- YET. It's only a matter of time before I do. My family history is horrible and puts me at risk for a lot of health conditions. I have been researching the band for a few months and feel it may be the right way to go for me. The 3 coworkers I have spoken to about it love it and are all for me getting it. One is about a year post op and the other one is nearly 2 years. The 3rd is only a few months out. In addition, all say that I should have no problem getting our insurance to cover it (I have United Healthcare). One coworker got denied the first time and she got HR involved and it ended up being approved in 2 days. My employer's healthcare coverage is 'self funded', meaning the company pays the claims an uses UHC as a benefit administrator only. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. My main concerns is what happens in 20,30,40 years? I am 32 yrs old and I plan on being around for awhile. Where are the studies that document the results after 20-30 year period? I am assuming there are none since this is a fairly new thing. Also, one coworker told me that Dr Carcamo has never had to remove a band. This concerns me. Obviously I am going to ask him myself to verify. It concerns me b/c what if mine needs to be removed for whatever reason? Do I really want to be his first guinea pig? At the same time all of my research on this doctor has shown him to be excellent. In addition, I keep thinking to myself -- if my 3 coworkers love the band...have had NO complications...have been successful -- what are the odds that the same will happen to me? I keep thinking I will be the one that the band slips, or needs a port revision, or something. I hate to think about the bad stuff, but the reality is, I HAVE to. I understand that the band is not the cure. I understand this isn't a magic pill. My lifestyle will change and I will only be successful w/ diet and exercise for the rest of my life. I have about 90 pounds to lose. That just seems so overwhelming to me considering as to how I can lose weight, but it's a struggle to keep it off. My husband at first was NOT supportive at all. We got in several huge fights about it and now he has come around. He understands that I need to do this for my health. At any rate, I am looking forward to my info session next week. Regards, J

Hi guys, For those who have had the mgb, how many ounces should we eat post op? I'm just planning everything for my op in August, I'm having a sleeve to mgb revision so want to make sure I get everything right this time around

I was going to suggest PB2 as well, but I will say this too - cravings can drive anyone crazy, but giving into them now, so early in the game, will make it that much harder to resist later on. I say this as someone who just got out of a gastric bypass revision for a failed sleeve which failed mostly because I caved to my addictions (chocolate specifically) which lead to falling off the wagon entirely.

I think you’re looking for me! 😀 I had my lap band revision in May. My BMI was 30. No one understood why, if I could lose 30-40 pounds in a couple of months anytime I wanted to, I’d ever need to have a sleeve after I got my broken band removed. I didn’t bother explaining it was because it was terrified my life would continue to be me losing 30 pounds, gaining 40, losing 50, gaining 55, losing...gaining...you know the drill. My band was bad for over a decade so the gaining/losing game was all me. The wear and tear...it was enough. If you are young and you think this is for you, do it while your BMI is low and your skin can bounce back. I’m 53 and my skin has had it with me. I was once over a hundred pounds heavier than I am now and it shows on my inner thighs and on my arms. If you’re not so young and it’s what your heart wants...go for it. The heck with everything else! I was treated wonderfully. The surgery was simple for me. No pain. I was right on my feet. I didn’t require help for much. They treated me like gold and one of the overnight staff cut a star out of gold felt and taped it to my gown for being so laid back and independent on a night when 1/3 of staff called out of work! (So I sure wasn’t discriminated against because of my smaller size!) You can ask me anything along you surgery path. I’m an open book. 🙂😉

I have posted that I have to have a revision surgery to fix my dilation (Revision Surgery for dilated esophagus). I had my second child almost two years ago, and ever since then I have been able to eat anything. I started getting fills very aggressively and we finally realized that something was wrong. Had the Upper GI and found that I was stretched. They took all of my fill out of 4 cc band, on liquids for a week, unfilled for 4 weeks was the plan. Had another upper GI, was still a little stretched so no fill again, had to wait another 3 weeks. Went to get my fill, so excited, and NO fill. The nurse said the DR said my pouch was stretched up over my band. So now I have to go talk to the surgeon on Tuesday to see what my options are, but regardless I have to have surgery for this to ever work again! I hope being on liquids really helps you and gets your pouch back down, because I do not wish this on anyone!

So far so good , I am loving the sleeve, it's nothing like the band, when I am full, I am full, no food getting stuck, no puking up when I eat or drink (yaaa) no hunger feeling, I absolutely love it!! I am 7 weeks out and have lost 29 lbs. I am very happy with the results so far, I am doing zumba again, and have joined a gym. the inches are melting off so glad I made the decision to have the revision. Just wanted to update!!!!

I have a band and my wife a sleeve. One day, I will revise to the sleeve. It is so much easier, so much less worry, and long term so much cheaper. This is a no brainer for anyone that can get the sleeve, they should get it. For people who have insurance that won't pay for the sleeve, but will pay for the band.....I would tell them, to figure out a way to self pay for the sleeve....it is that much better and worth that much more.

I started a year ago wanting to have the Band and ONLY the band. But after going to Dr. Husted's seminar I was not so sure that I wanted to go through all those fills ect... and being stuck with a needle. Then when I got on ObesityHelp.com and on this forum and read alot of the postings I started leaning towards the other procedure that Medicaid would cover called the Duodenal Switch. When I went to my first Doctor appointment on April 1 of last year, Dr. Husted told me that He thought the procedure that would be best for me would be the Sleeve (which is the first part of the Duodenal Switch---without having the intestines cut or rearranged.) But Medicaid did not cover the Sleeve at that time, but he encouraged me that it would possibly be covered in the near future. I found out in November that Medicaid finally would cover the Sleeve and I got the approval and two weeks after my pre-op diet I had my Sleeve done on Dec.2, 2009. Also right before I was to have the surgery done, he told me that he was doing the surgery with only one 2 inch incision instead of the normal 5 incisions. I was his 2nd patient that he performed the new way of doing the sleeve. I did not feel any pain at the incision site, the only pain I had was gas pains from the anethesia and I had bad nausea for 1 week. I have no regrets having the sleeve done. Especially after reading all the posting of so many having a revision done from the Band to the Sleeve. Now I don't have that to worry about. I thank God for working out everything to fall in place for me to have the Sleeve instead of the Band and for leading me to such a great surgeon as Dr. Husted. I am thankful that I had a Doctor with a good reputation and lots of experience with different procedures. I wish all the best to you, whatever decision you make. You are doing what you need to do by researching the different procedures and finding out what your insurance will cover and what it will not.

I had band revision to rny bypass.