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Hi everyone! I have my LapBand revision to sleeve next Tuesday. I'm starting my pre-surgery diet tomorrow. I'm starting to get more excited and nervous. Dr. Aceves will be my surgeon. For those of you who had him, can you tell me about cellular service at the hospital? I understand the hospital is very close to the border. Do you think I'll be roaming or charged for international usage if I use my cell phone there? Only one person knows I'm going to have the surgery, and I'm going alone. I don't want people getting worried if I don't answer my phone for an entire week. (I live alone, too, so my family checks on me every so often to make sure I'm okay.) Any thoughts? Closely related, I think the nurses will call someone when surgery is over to let my family know I'm okay. Is that correct? If so, I'll have them call my sister. She's the one person who knows I'm having the surgery. She's a nurse, too, and she's had the surgery, so she's been helping me about what to expect. Most of my questions now are specific to having surgery in Mexico and by Dr. Aceves. I'd greatly appreciate any other tips/suggestions you want to send my way. Thanks in advance!!

My surgeon - the bariatric team at St Joe's hospital in Chicago does it so it was provided as an option. I know not all surgeons do it though. Here's some more info from a press release I found: SILS -- A New Houston Weight Loss Surgery -- Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery Posted on : 2010-02-01 | Author : PRWeb News Category : PressRelease In Houston, Texas, a new weight loss surgery technique known as SILS – single incision laparoscopic surgery – is now available for some bariatric operations (weight loss surgeries), including the Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB) and the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG). It involves performing the entire obesity-surgery through a single small incision... (PRWEB) February 1, 2010 -- A new weight loss surgery technique known as SILS – single incision laparoscopic surgery – is now available for some bariatric operations, including the Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB) and the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG). It involves performing the entire procedure through a single small incision, ideally at the umbilicus (belly button). SILS is usually less painful than standard laparoscopic surgeries (4-6 small incisions), and the cosmetic effect is thought to be superior. Some obesity surgery cases still need a balance of diet and exercise after the surgery to maintain long term results. SILS weight loss surgery is done under general anesthesia with the patient completely asleep. A small incision is placed at the umbilicus and either 3 standard trochars (tubes through which the instruments are passed) or a single specialized SILS port is placed to gain access to the abdominal space. The space is then insufflated with carbon dioxide to create enough room to manipulate the instruments. SILS requires specialized instruments that are able to articulate (bend into angles), and a novel camera that can be turned to a variety of angles. The operation is done using the same methods as the regular laparoscopic surgery. For the AGB procedure a tunnel under the skin and fat layer is created to place the port for later band adjustment. This is required to move it away from the umbilicus. Postoperatively, the patient will only have one incision, usually with less pain than a weight loss surgery with 4 to 6 incisions. Also, as the scar heals and contracts it usually becomes less noticeable as it is partially hidden by the umbilicus. Most weight loss patients feel this has a better cosmetic result. Not all patients can have the SILS approach. It is best used in patients of lower weight (BMI of 35 to 45) and whose body habitus (the physical and constitutional characteristics of an individual) is favorable. This depends on the individual patient and their surgeon’s judgment. Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. BMI-Body Mass Index formula is a specific calculation. For basic understanding of the BMI, here is a simple example. A person who is 5’5” to 6’0” with a weight of 225 to 300 pounds could be a possible SILS candidate. For each 7 to 8 pounds of body weight, they will get 1 point of BMI. So, if you divide 250 pounds by 7 you will have an estimated BMI of 36. If you are dealing with obesity or are interested in the SILS version of either the AGB or the LSG operations, please ask your Houston surgeon prior to starting the process to qualify for Houston weight loss surgery in Texas. There is also the option of a gastric bypass surgery for people with higher BMI. Houston Surgical Specialists Operating on a Personal Level (713) 993-7124 Houston, Texas

Bypass they do specifically to cure diabetes. PCOS is a metabolic/insulin type issue. Usually just losing weight cures it. If you have diabetes in the family. Bypass is a good option but it has to be the insulin resistant one. I'm not sure if that's type 1 or type 2. [emoji16]

Hi Nicki, I'm having revision from lapband to bypass and I can tell you, I wish I would have just gone with the bypass to begin with. For me, the gas pains from having the lapband was terrible and I'm not looking forward to that again and the lapband didn't work at all for me. I do have a sweet tooth so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I dump to keep me away from those foods, not that I'm even thinking of having those things anytime soon after my surgery. Ultimately the choice is yours and you have to do what makes you feel comfortable. Good luck in your journey!!! Heather Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Nicki24 my BMI is extremely high and I'm only 22. I'm going with bypass. It'll get me closer to my goals, and, like you said I would like the other restrictions! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm so sorry you are not feeling well. The first advice that I can give you is call your doctor and go see him/her. Let them know how you are feeling. I had gastric bypass done 10 years ago and I remember that the first days were fine, but around 2 months after I couldn't even drink water. Your symptoms could be do to several possible causes. Some people just experience this normally a few months after surgery. Or it could be that the bile that was stores before in your gallbladder is working differently to help with digestion. Some people develop scar tissue around the incision from the gastric bypass surgery. It could be different things or just the body attempting to recover after two surgeries. I remember I could only drink Crystal Light for about 4 months after the surgery, as water would make me gag. I'd make an appointment with your doctor to make sure everything's working well. It's always good to check. Good luck on your road to recovery! Life will be normal again. It takes a while, but it gets better!

First I asked about getting the MGB before I got my revision to RNY for gerd, I was told that there are recent studies that MGB is linked to bile reflux. Because I was in the minority groups of VSG that got severe reflux (I think it's 15-20% of VSG), there is no way I was going to risk getting bile reflux. Also, my surgeon cautioned me against the MGB and told me to go RNY to help with my gerd. So, I was apprehensive like everyone else. I just suffered so bad and so long from gerd, I was actually looking forward to sleeping and no fake gnawing feelings of hunger that gerd gave me, or burning throat all day long... Etc. So 15 months since my revision, and no severe gerd. I also do not have any side effects like dumping, fluctuance, and am getting great post-op blood tests. I am feeling so normal (pre WLS op normal) but the only difference is I eat very little comparatively speaking. It has been an incredibly smooth ride.

Hi - My doc said I could take my naproxin (anti-inflamatory) right after surgery..... he said the issue with it is really one of people who have gastric bypass and not the band due to the way the stomach processes it and that a portion of the stomach and intestine are removed for bypass patients with regard to erosion or something. I take 500mg 2x/day for a while because of tendonitis, arthritis and back issues I have already so I would think the doc wouldn't have an issue with you taking it for a few days. That's my 2cents Faith

These comments are encouraging. I’m revising from my VSG (2015) to RNY in 8 days and I have SOMUCH anxiety about it! I’ve lost more weight this year than I did post VSG thanks to a combination of severe GERD, aerophagia from my CPAP, and Ozempic. It’s worth it if it resolves the GERD and aerophagia (maybe sleep apnea altogether but I won’t hold my breath 😜). I’m just worried I’m trading one set of problems for another. One specific thing I’m worried about is immediately post op. I still can feel viscerally the heaving/gagging in PACU once I was extubated and they were trying to wake me up. It felt like I could breathe due to those dry heaves! I’m scared of going through that again!

that's really the best thing to do. I researched both the bypass and the sleeve for quite awhile. I was almost certain I didn't want the bypass but scared the sleeve wouldn't give me weight loss either. But this forum has soooo many ppl post sleeve who have done such a great job at losing weight. They are very very inspirational.

My long time PCP retired last year. He was always so supportive of me wanting to try anything to help me lose weight. When he retired I started seeing a woman (who really is a wonderful doctor and nice lady). We started talking about my weight struggle and how I had my band removed from complications. I told her my new surgeon suggested the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. She said "Oh honey, you aren't big enough to have one of those barbaric surgeries" and suggested a diet book and prescribed an appetite suppressant. Jump to 8 months later. I couldn't get in to see her for a refill on my ADHD meds so they put me in with her partner. My quick "I just need a refill" appt became an hour long discussion on my medical history, my weight and my type 1 diabetes. She then asked if I had thought about weight loss surgery again and I said I had brought it up to the other doc but she clearly wasn't on board. My new doctor ( I had already adopted her as my new doc before we even got to the WLS talk) then went on to tell me about her brother who was obese and had the band. He had a band failure story similar to mine and then had the sleeve. What I loved was she didn't just say "you need this" but she gave me a real, personal story about her brother who really was near death and now has a healthy fulfilling life. We ended the appointment with her simply asking me to go see my surgeon again. She encouraged me to take my husband and ask all our questions and voice our concerns. So we did. I'm scheduled for surgery 2/13 and am so grateful for my new PCP. I know my first one meant well. She was never mean and always encouraged me to try something new, whether it am activity or meal plan. But I do wonder where I could be now if I had started off with Dr. Warner. I guess it's all about the journey. It's a learning experience.

Hi. My name is Telisa Swan and I am working toward getting sleeved. My daughter had a gastric bypass six years ago and is down from 500 lbs to a healthy 160. The bypass worked very well for her but I think the sleeve is a better choice for me. I am 5'10, weigh 311 with a BMI of 44.7 and am 44 years old. I don't have a lot of co-morbidities, but I did get a heart stint in 2003. I am self-pay with no insurance and started this process in October with a lot of research. In November I attended two seminars by a couple of different area bariatric surgeons. I really like the surgeon I have chosen but he wants me to lose 10% of my total body weight before he will even schedule surgery. That could take months! I really want to get sleeved as soon as possible so it is a little frustrating. My surgeon charges $23,000 for this surgery and I know I could get it a lot cheaper in Mexico but, at the same time, I want an excellent local support system and all aftercare is included in that price. I will do my best to loose the 30+ lbs. as soon as possible, but it won't be easy (any suggestions?) Anyway, I just wanted to let you know who I am, where I am at, and what is going on for me. You will see me around the forum over the next year or so and I am looking for friends and support in this. Who is with me?! I think this forum is the best, most informative thing I have encountered on the internet. It has already been incredibly helpful to me. Thank you to all of you who have lost your weight, or well on your way, but are still here on this forum to help those of us who are just starting out on our journey. Much thanks!!!

Those of you that have had gastric bypass have you had a lot of problems with dumping syndrome? I'm real leary about that too. I'll be having my surgery in February. Sent from my LGMS550 using BariatricPal mobile app

I hadn’t heard of it either & it wasn’t an option with my surgeon. Is it a Sydney thing?? I wonder if stomach stretching after sleeve was either an old wives tale or to scare patients to encourage them to eat correctly (portion size, frequency, etc.) so that wouldn’t happen. I do recall Dr Nowzaradan operating again on one of his patients saying they had stretched their tummy again but they had been eating exactly the same way as they always had: huge portions, many times a day every day for a long time. So they deliberately worked to stretch it again. No surgery would have helped them. As others have said it sounds similar to lapband (gastric banding) which are not performed as often because of higher risk of complications. There are a lot of people here who have had to have a revision to sleeve or more commonly to bypass because of issues with their band. On googling I noticed that some weight loss clinics don’t identify the possible side effects of the minimiser but did discover one (Perth) clinic that did: … placing a ring around the top of the sleeve can cause obstructive symptoms much like adjustable gastric banding resulting in difficulty swallowing and food intolerance. It can cause dilatation of the top of the sleeve which we consider to be the most critical part. It may also increase the risk of reflux, volume regurgitation and possible aspiration. But if you’ve done your research, weighed the pros & cons, and you know yourself & your challenges with eating best, & your surgeon supports you, it is ultimately your decision. All the best.

Hello to everyone. This is my first post. I started here because I just made up my mind that I want to have the lap band. I haven't even gone to a seminar yet, but I have been researching different weight loss surgeries for months now. I am worried now because I haven't been on a supervised weight loss program for 6 months, but from past experience, I can't do it. I looked in to this about 4 years ago when I was 6 feet tall and 268 pounds and they told me I "wasn't fat enough". Also, the doctor was trying to force gastric bypass surgery on me, which I definitely did not want. So here I am 4 years later, weighing 335 pounds and miserable. Once I go to my seminar, if they require me to start a six month diet program I will be very disappointed. I was hoping to have my surgery before the end of the year. But, I'm joining this group for support just in case I do get the bad news. By knowing there are others in the same boat as me will help. Any suggestions or stories that may give me some insight would be appreciated. And again, hello!

Don't you just hate when people tell you, “You really don't need the lap band. You look like you can work it off". Well if you don't I do! I had a woman at my church tell me this and she has had the Gastric Bypass. My first impression of her statement was, well don't that just beat all. She has lost a lot of weight and is looking real nice; why wouldn't she want the same for me... Not that I care about her opinion it's just as I am traveling down this journey I am look for encouraging words only. Maybe her words were meant to be encouraging however, she has had GASTIC. LMBO! A co-worker who has had the lap band tells me daily how much it’s not worth eat while she snacks at her desk daily. I am excited and I am working hard in the gym, I have my eyes set on the prize and I am not letting no one and that means no one get in my way of a new me! UGH! I feel better now. LOL

Thank you everyone, post op about 21 days, down 20 lbs in 20 days, size 20 down to 16. No real pain after surgery. I can't believe how painless surgery was. I was unable to get the bypass surgery due to my blood pressure being very unstable. So I had the sleeve done. But I went from taking 18 Medications per day down to Only 1 med plus vitamins. B/S 84-104 off all Diabetic meds. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Just trying to learn how to eat and just starting my exercise program today. Slowly but surly! God bless each of you...

You go gurl!! I know you will succeed as I will too. Can you answer this for me? I am still not 100% on the lap band or gastric Bypass. I know that this is a decision I have to make for myself. but can you tell me why you opted for the lap band and not the other? and why was UC davis so against the lap band? I told myself I would concentrate fully on getting rid of the 10% weight loss before worrying to much on which procedure to do. But I really would like to know more from other peoples opinions. Thanks

my doctor has known about my weight problems and had tried to help by prescribing Meridia at one point. i went in for my annual physical and brought up my interest. she was very supportive and said she'd send over any information that would be needed to the surgeon i choose. now, at my first free seminar, the surgeon admitted he preferred the results of gastric bypass than banding but he knew that banding was more affordable and the recover time better. someone asked him how many bands he had done. his answer was ZERO. i walked out.

My PCP is super supportive, said she would do whatever she needed to to get me through the process. Her brother had gastric bypass and she believes that part of obesity is related to genes and not just lifestyle. My FORMER doctor, when I asked her about the surgery, said that she didn't believe in obesity, didn't believe in weight loss meds, and said that gastric bypass was a cop out. I hope your doctor is receptive to you getting WLS

I was banded in 2003 in TJ. At my highest weight of 310 (I am 5'7"). The band worked great for me - I lost a total of 170 lbs and went from a size 32 to a 6. I got some plastics done (TT, BA, Lipo and face lift) Really loved my new body and most importantly I was no longer obsessed with food. I ran a marathon, started swimming and walking. This continued for 6 years! Then I lost my saiety - and was able to eat more and more. I tried to stay with the program but it wasn't working. Went back to TJ and OCC says - stretched pouch. Took out all my fill (gained 10 lbs) got a bit of fill back - nothing. We did this 3 times - resulting in a total of 30 lbs...plus a few more I managed to pack on...I started beating myself up - why couldn't I do this..I had been so successful. My clothes didn't fit..my tummy tuck hurt...Holy Heck fire...Back I went to OCC and we talked about revisions - Plication seems to be my best bet - lower BMI - didn't want to cut anything out..So I start the second leg of this journey on July 1st- hopefully I will lose the 38 lbs to get back to my lowest weight and use this new tool to help guide me back to where I want to be..

It's been 10 mths since my band to sleeve revision but I remember that 4 weeks of full liquids like it was yesterday. Definately hard. After being banded in 2009, I only made it to the 2nd week and then I cheated. Regretted it for yrs. I was single back then and it was easier to cheat. It was also easier to cheat knowing I couldn't really damage myself withe the band. But I could with a sleeve. Plus I gained a "food Nazi" husband who woulda tattled on me had I cheated. I got my hunger back on day 10 (was easy till then) and then I could eaten my arm - had I been able to suck my arm thru a straw. I ate tomato and split pea Soup, Jello, sf pudding, yogurt, and popsicles. Hot stuff satiates (not "fills" u asn liquids don't do that much) better than cold stuff. So sip tomato soup. Sip, sip, sip. Gawd, how I wanted a french fry or a taco. But then I'd be paranoid about causing a leak and my craving would go away - for about 5 minutes. Nothing I can say that will make u feel better. Hang in there. It WILL get better soon. No, u won't feel "full" while on liquids but u certainly won't die. I wouldn't rush out there and eat something - just in case ur the 4% that get a leak. When ur able to eat soft foods, it will get much better. Good luck!

no date yet. my husband and i are both having bypass, and have requested for the same day or close to it. Our adult twins agreed to help us out for the first week. we have all our clearances finished. Our first appt with the surgeon was in october. We are still doing our monthly nutrition class and weigh-in. we are in fairmont. How is everything going with you?

HI there! Sounds like we have similar paths. I was banded in 2010 and lost 80+ pounds. It was the best thing I ever did for myself. I kept the weight off for more than 10 years before I started having issues with the band a couple of years ago. It was either too tight or not tight enough. Sadly, without a functioning tool, I gained quite a bit of weight. I had my Lapband removed in April 2021 with hopes to convert to the gastric sleeve a month later. Long story short, my insurance denied the conversion and it took almost a year and a couple of appeals to get the denial overturned. Fast forward to today, my gastric sleeve is approved and scheduled for 4/27. I am so looking forward to getting my tool back so that I can get back on track and live my healthiest life That is great you have lost 85 pounds! Have you been able to maintain the loss all this time? It sounds like your surgeon is removing your band and converting to bypass all in one surgery, is that right?

Melissa, I can't say that I am in the same situation, but I can see your frustration. It is a hard thing for someone without a weight issue to wrap their minds around it. I have surgery Monday and it wasn't till yesterday that my hubby asked why I think I need this. HELLO??? Couldn't this conversation have happened earlier? I h=know it is hard but give your sig other time. Ask him if he has questions. Be honest with your answers. I found that just throwing out comments to probe for questions worked. He finally has an understanding now as to why I need this. And, lets not forget about the eventual outcome. You will be thinner, happier, more energetic, basically you will be a little different. I have a friend that has been married almost 20+ years and she hd bypass done. Well, she was about 5'1 and close to 300lbs. She now is like 150 lbs. She has fire, spunk, energy, and she smiles all the time. She said her hubby had a very hard time dealing with the "new" wife. They almost had to re-introduce themselves to each other. I know you want him to be there for you, but be sure you are there for him. You hopefully have a strong partnership and support will be needed for both of you. Good luck with everything. I hope I didn't scare you, I just wanted to shed light on other things to think about. Take care! - Ann