Search the Community

Hi everyone, I haven't spoken to my doctor about this yet because I want to have as much information as possible before bringing it up with him. HISTORY: I had a standard lapband implanted in March 2011. At the start of the band process I was 315 lbs and on surgery day I was 276 lbs. I am 6'0" and currently weigh 255 lbs (BMI=34). My lowest weight was 236 lbs a little over a year ago before adopting a baby and buying a business. I got back up to 265 lbs because of the stress of those events (now back into a regular routine of eating the right foods and exercising regularly) plus my doctor removed a lot of the saline from my band because he said I have esophageal dysmotility and an inflamed esophagus due to reflux but I never feel acid indigestion. I just feel inflammation of the esophagus and often feel a lump in my throat. I have been taking nexium or omeprazole 20mg twice a day and the inflammation is a little bit better and the lump gone. My port site is frequently sore like I pulled a muscle and protrudes so much it is visible if I wear a tight shirt and you know what to look for. I recently had an endoscopy and was told that the lapband is fine. There is no slippage, erosion, ulcer or other problem with the band. The doctor took biopsies of the esophagus because of the inflammation. I see the GI doctor on Friday for the biopsy results which I predict will only be caused by acid reflux. The lapband doctor recently (after the endoscopy) added .5 cc to the band (now at 3.5 cc total) because I was able to eat WAY too much without getting full. I can now regularly eat a 12oz prime rib, veggies, salad, some bread and dessert (which is less than before the fill). I also have many days (now and before the fill) when I can't eat 2-3 bites of moist meat without throwing up. A lot of times I throw up (sometimes with the right foods, other times with fiberous foods, bread, Peanut Butter etc) but am still hungry. My doctor is very reluctant to add more Fluid to the band because he thinks it will further aggravate the esophageal dysmotility and inflammation. Although I hate the problems of not being able to eat certain foods that clog the band and make me vomit, I could live with it if I can get more restriction. If I can't get more restriction, I will not lose any more weight and fear I will regain even more weight. I am doing the initial research to determine if the gastric sleeve would be a good choice for me. QUESTIONS: Can I get a sleeve with the esophageal dysmotility and inflammation? Can I qualify for the sleeve (self-pay) with a BMI under 35? My insurance will cover medically necessary band removal, but not weight loss surgery. Any suggestions for getting at least some insurance coverage? Is the feeling of fullness with a sleeve really different than the feeling of the band pouch being full? Can I go back to eating some of the foods (in small quantities) that I can't eat all now without clogging the band? Any suggestions for surgeons in Raleigh, NC in case I decide to switch surgeons? Anything else I need to know? Any other thoughts? ​Thank you all very much. Tom

I had a revision as well, but my band was removed in December and my revision in April. Band removal was a breeze. RNY, not so much. I had HORRIBLE referred gas pain to my left shoulder and I also had a lot of belly pain. I don't do pain meds normally (I absolutely hate the way they make me feel) but I definitely did after bypass. It was a much harder surgery than any other I have had (band, hysterectomy, bladder sling, band removal...). I was also so extremely nauseous right after surgery they kept me an extra day. Well, that and I could not keep my oxygen level up. It sucked. BUT--10 weeks later I feel amazing. Actually, I started to feel a whole lot better about a week post-op. You will start to feel better about surgery very soon. I am so, so sorry about you losing your dad. I have no words to help with that... I am also sorry to hear that your hospital experience was less than stellar. You have the right to file a complaint if you want to. The hospital I worked for until just recently was really good about listening to patient complaints. It helps identify problem areas and improve on patient experience. It might make you feel better, too. Do you have any Gas-X strips? They might help with the pain your you are having in your rib cage. I know that my pain meds didn't touch that gas pain.

When I read the postings from those that had bypass, they seem very happy. And the same is said for those that had the sleeve. I choose to revise to the sleeve because it seemed more natural for me, I didn't want any re-routing of my organs. I would just read both forums so you can see the different views from people. And talk to your surgeon about the pros & cons of each Oops , just realized your surgeon recommends the sleeve.

Dave, The plication is much like a sleeve without the removal of the stomach or stapling. It is a backup in case I have problems with the band. Also, the "sleeving" has a faster weight loss result. I end up losing the weight faster than with solely the band, and have the benefit of a fill if I have stalled weight loss or the plication is unsuccessful. Over time many sleeve patients have a larger stomach capacity and are able to eat more than they should. Should this happen, the band can be used to correct intake. Plication also is an added reinforcement to band slippage - they are MUCH more likely to stay in place if the stomach is plicated. My surgeon loves this surgery and has had excellent results with the patients who have had it. I feel like I'm gonna be under the knife anyway, why not have some extra reinforcement? Since reading the VGS boards, I've also seen several ppl who have had to remove their band for a variety of reasons and have had to wait several months to get back in to be sleeved. If I do have to have the band removed (which I don't foresee), I won't have to wait months on end to have a revision surgery, it'll already be done! How scary is it to thin k of losing you band and gaining all that weight back waiting for surgery!? I'd be so mad!

I think what @@clc9 means is as long as you are following the 'rules' of WLS like you were in the beginning, you should be able to jump start weight loss again. Although in all fairness, it is so much harder to get regain off once it's there, whether it be 5 pounds or 50 pounds. This is something I honestly think newer post ops don't understand, and can't possibly if they haven't been there. If your insurance is willing to pay for a revision, go for it! Just remember, no amount of revisions will help keep the weight off if you aren't following the basic rules of WLS, no matter what the surgery. This unfortunately is a life time commitment, and if we get lax in any area of the commitment, regain (as you know) will easily happen. You kind of had the double whammy of pregnancy and meds, unfortunately. Good luck to you!

I was concerned about that. I do have gerd that did get better when I had a hiatal hernia repair with my band. Now I'm waiting to hear if I get approved to revise to sleeve (had my last appointment on Friday, yay). I had asked and my surgeon said it can be controlled with meds if it happens. Not that I want to be taking a PPI for the rest of my life. But maybe I won't have to and I'll b ok Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm wanting to get a revision to the sleeve I had in 2015 I've gained roughly 70lb and I feel like I or the sleeve failed me. So I want the bypass now. Any input on this

Thanks so much. I had my revision performed at an MTF over 2 years ago so I'm all set, it's all the other spouse's out there getting denied and then settling for a surgical option they really do not want just because they are desperate to have some sort of WLS. So, if anyone can give details on how they got it covered, the surgeon, location, either Tricare Prime, Standard, Prime Remote, Tricare for Life, ICD-9 codes, process and procedures that had to be completed before VSG was approved, all of that information can be used as ammo for other spouses. It's illegal for them to approve it for some dependents and deny others. I've been fighting with Tricare and trying to help my friends with appeals and congressional complaints to get it covered with Tricare Prime or Standard with civilian surgeons.

im sorry what happened. i dont get on here as much as i like. i had a revision on 6/28 from the band to the sleeve. i certainly didnt have happen what you did, but the surgery was tougher than the band. it is taking me longer to recover

I asked the hospitals bariatric nurse that one today.. she said it you have to have time for the sutures that hold the port to heal and mold around it.. people who rush into ab exercises risk having to have a 2nd surgury for port revisions. the lady next to me was having one today, and did not look too happy about it.. she was real uncomfortable. I look at it this way.. Dr. Spiegal may not be all warm and fuzzy, but he has done more than anyone else. I can follow the rules for 3 months. Someone told me a great way to indirectly work the abs without straining them is to do the hula hoop. but even then I think I'll wait awhile

Wow, Little Miss Diva. This post of yours really spoke to me. I could have written most of it. Hunger has always been my biggest problem and when I was young and thin I used to eat a lot to feel satisfed but I didn't gain weight and I didn't think about food. Hungry? Eat until not hungry then don't think about food. But that all changed as I started to put on a few pounds. Went to my first WW meeting weighing 136 pounds at 5'6". And when I started dieting I put on over 120 lbs the next 30 years. I am currently banded and it has never worked for me. I have been banded for 2 1/2 years. I have a 4cc band. At no fill level from zero to 3cc did it ever stop me from being hungry. At 3cc's I had pain, pressure, reflux and heartburn and my former surgeon blamed me. But an upper GI showed I was too tight. I got all my information and went for a second opinion to my current doctor who told me I had a 4cc band (my former surgeon told me it was a 10cc). Like you, any weight I lost was through the 6 month pre-op and the 2 week liquid only diet both pre and post op. I was starving. All of this resulted in a loss of 60 lbs. and I only lost 15 pounds since then. So, 75 lbs and most of it was from starving and willpower. I exercise every day and eat healthy but I am always hungry. I am totally unfilled now due to a very bad stuck episode a year ago that resulted in a trip to the ER and overnight stay. It hurt so bad I couldn't speak and felt like I was shot. I am 60 years old and I think I am too old to get a revision but when I read the experience of those who went from band to sleeve it sounds like everything I thought the band would be but isn't. I thought it would control my hunger and I could just eat small quantities of healthy food and exercise and I would lose weight and not have to think about food all the time and struggle. I fear putting on weight and am so tired of being hungry. I don't know what to do since insurance doesn't pay for the sleeve and I can't afford it as of yet. I don't think they'd do it on someone my age, anyway. Would they? I am getting criticized and insulted on LBT because I don't like it when people post harsh comments to struggling posters. Or tell them that they failed the band not the other way around. Or tell the truth about my band experience. Did you get that? I'm not sure what to do at this point. Any suggestions?

@@tattooedmum72, you definately need to talk with your surgeon. Here's the thing, the sleeve can make reflux even worse. Most patients that suffer from reflux or Gerd are moved over to RNY for that very reason. RNY gastric bypass can resolve all of those things you listed. I was dead set on going with the sleeve and after I was told by the bariatric team that the best surgery for me was bypass because of this issue I was initially devastated. I met with my gastroenterologist and he confirmed that I would be making a mistake and would possibly be looking at a revision to bypass down the road. I had my RNY completed on sept. 29. I left the hospital with no medication for diabetes. Within 30 days I was removed from nexium, cholesterol drugs and high blood pressure drugs. I have never regretted making the decision to bypass. I only wish I would have done it a lot sooner. There is a reason RNY is the gold standard. Please do all your research so you only have to go through this once. There is a ton of it on this site and of course leverage your bariatric center, if in the end the only option is sleeve because of your scar tissue issue, then make sure your surgeon has a solid plan to address the reflux issue before moving forward. Good luck to you, I hope all goes well. Regardless of what you choose it is absolutely positively worth it!

I'm having a revision due to GERD and associated esophageal damage. Sent from my Z6201V using BariatricPal mobile app

I had the sleeve 7 years ago. I lost 90 lbs. I gained back 70. I have terrible Gerd. My surgeon told me a few years out that the sleeve did what it was supposed to do and i won't lose like weight again. I went to a new surgeon and he recommended a revision to bypass. I'm 6 days out. I hope to hell I can maintain this time.

Hello, was yours a revision from a different surgery or was sips your first surgery ?

@@cbk you're lookin at her! I had a lapband in 2008, revised to sleeve in 2010 and now I'm revising to bypass tomorrow.

hello all, I'm going from the band to a sleeve now to the bypass, has anyone else done this. my revision is august 12th in ma.

The 10 year Swiss study also supports the Dutch results. It hasnt been a success long term. And erosion of the stomach is a real concern.My experience long term confirms this and after 7 years I'm revising to bp. Sent from my GT-I9505 using the BariatricPal App

I researched it pretty heavy. I went into the the process pretty convinced that I was going to do the lap band because I wanted minimally invasive. I never seriously considered the bypass for the same reason. After research and talking to people I found out that the maintenance on the lap band is much more time consuming with all the "fills" then I found out that the lap band is slower than a sleeve. Then I began to hear horror stories about lap band failures that required a revision to a sleeve. I am now post op 3 weeks. I started at 502 two weeks before surgery. I am down 73#s already with no real pain or strain (except the clear liquid diet which got easier after 3 or 4 days).

Research both carefully. Some surgeons don't even do the Lapband anymore though, because of the high rate of complications. I had lapband and was happy with it for years until it slipped on me. By the time I had it removed I had massive scar tissue and adhesions that had to be removed before my surgeon could do the revision to Sleeve. Everyone that was in my original Lapband group has had it removed now due to erosion, slippage, or just scar tissue build up. I personally wish I had just done the Sleeve to begin with.

I was banded in 2009, lost about 80 pounds total, then started to have major issues and had to have surgery to repair it in 2012. It hasn't worked since then and I've gained over 50 pounds back since then. My new doctor does not do the revision in one go so he removed my band in Feb 2017 and I'll get my sleeve surgery on Nov. 1. I'm thrilled that after going through all the hoops my insurance finally approved it.

On another forum I posted that I was banded in 2007. For me, it was a nightmare.....either too tight or too loose and my doc couldn't get a handle on it. It was taken out, port and all, in October 2014 after months of being awakened in the middle of the night with vomit forcefully coming out of my nose...... Since then, believe it or not I have gained back almost 60 pounds! I have new insurance which is Blue Shield of California. After a consult with my surgeon on a Monday a few weeks ago, I decided to revise to RNY. I asked her about the sleeve and she said she will not revise to a sleeve, ever, due to scar tissue as she believes there is a greater chance for leakage. Also, if someone has a predisposition for reflux like I did, she is especially adamant. Anyway, they submitted whatever they needed to submit to my insurance two days later on Wednesday and on Monday I was approved! I figured they must have seen my photo and said, "hell, we better get this gal in here quick", being that I'm gaining so fast, lol! I spoke with my surgeon on the Monday I was approved and she scheduled me for bypass on Monday, 3/31/15. Everything happened so fast my head is spinning! She asked me to lose 10pounds by then which I think I can do but no special diet or anything. And since I'm revising, I don't have to do the whole psychologist, nutritionist thing. I am feeling a little scared yet blessed at the same time! Marieze

Hi All, I just had my 4th upper GI. This is my 3rd time having a hiatel hernia show up. My band was placed Dec. 2008, slipped and revision June 2010 with a hiatel hernia present. Now back again with another hernia. Should I just give up? I have had numerous fills and unfills. Lost 80lbs and now have gained back 20 lbs. My band has only 3 cc in it and I have heartburn. I am at my wits end????

Hey Melissa, What is your BMI? The requirements are BMI 35 with at least 2 co-morbidities, or BMI of 40 without co-morbidities. The sleeve is covered at military hospitals on post/base, but not by civilian surgeons Dr. Nick Nicholson Dr. Wade Barker Dr. David Kim Are the 3 surgeons I researched for my revision when I was trying to get my revision from band to sleeve covered and approved and was looking at self-pay options. All of my family is in D/FW Texas so I would be close to family/friends if I had to go that route. I'm not sure what area of Texas you are in, but there are some great surgeons in San Antonio and Houston. If you need anything, feel free to contact me. I've gone round and round with Tricare for 2 years now on the sleeve so I'm fairly well-versed.

It varies by facility. Here at Eglin, my revision took 3 months to get done, and I did NOT have to jump through any of the normal hoops, like the psych or nut evals. However, I had to have more labs done, and had to get some extra stuff done due to being a revision. I've seen other MTFs require these appointments, the basic seem to be(marked with an * are ones I had to do as a revision) : Labs*, eKg*, endoscopy (I did not have this one), psych and nut eval, chest xray*, informational seminar (typically the very first appointment). Some require a manometry (up in the Northern region is the only place I've read about this requirement. In the Pacific NW (Oregon, Washington area MTFs) they require a 6 month supervised diet/weigh in, with multiple nut visits, but that could have changed. With my band, I had a civilian place it and it was covered by Tricare Prime 100% with zero out of pocket. I had a psych eval, 3 nut visits, labs, chest xray, eKg, psych eval. I'm really sorry that you are having to go through all of this Heather. I am not surprised that Tricare isn't picking up the VSG(as we've heard they were going to do so since 2009, 1 October comes and goes without changes in their bariatric profile of approved surgeries) since Medicare is still NOT fully covering it with all of their plans.