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The removal of the band is definitely the harder part of the surgery. Where they remove the port and the scar tissue around it is where you will feel some pain afterword. I have had the band, a band revision, band removal and sleeve and the removal was the most difficult. But just rest and know it will get better. Good luck!

I have an huge amount of weight to lose, even by the standards of this forum. I have decided to do the sleeve for a few reasons. 1) I am concerned about the dumping syndrome issue that occurs with bypass and sleeve doesn't have this issue. 2) people can lose as much weight as those who do gastric bypass and things aren't rerouted. 3) revision to RNY is still possible if sleeve isn't enough. After lots of research, I felt that I was more comfortable with having the sleeve.

I have been banded 3 years. I am considering a tubal ligation revision to have a baby. It would put me roughly at 44 to get pregnant. Has anyone had a successful pregnancy at that age? I am so concerned of down syndrome and other defects.

I would say that your experience sounds like a slip. I experienced a slip about a year ago. Vomiting, couldn't keep food down, vomiting blood, reflux at night... As the other posters said...do get back to your surgeon. I had revision surgery and have been trouble free for a year.

Just had my band removed two weeks ago and I have to wait till november to consider the revision to bypass. Sucks to wait but I trust my doctor.

Hello it's been two years since I've had my bypass, while I lost a lot of weight due to leaving work and developing depression I have put on 12 kg and would like to know if anybody has had a revisional bypass to get weight back Back down again so that I can get my mind back into order. I feel like I cannot stop eating and I don't feel restriction any more

What about a revision? To say gastric bypass?

I belong to several band to sleeve, revision and band failure groups and forums. I have found that people that have the revision from band to sleeve in one surgery do have more issues than those that have to wait in between, (Just my informal observation.) I have only seen a couple that takes their ppi’s that have worse reflux with the sleeve than the band. Those also had bad reflux before the band/sleeve. If the insurance wasn't going to pay, I was going to go to Mexico for the sleeve.

I have the plication and love it. You ask a question like this and you will get all kinds of responses. There are certainly pros and cons to both. The plication is newer but the sleeve was new at one point too. I would suggest talking To surgeons and looking up Medical research to help you decide. Hearing stories or rumors from people who don't have it or haven't gone through it does an injustice to a procedure that is here to help you get healthier and live a longer life. I could have had the sleeve (same price) but chose the plication for personal reasons. The sleeve has worked for many and I have met some fantastic friends on here that are successful with it. But... My mother had it done just over a year ago and almost died. This last year for her has been unreal and she is still not working. Anyway I've come across way more success stories about the sleeve than not, but my moms experience hit too close to home. Was I scared of choosing a newer procedure? Hell yes, but for me after my research and personal experience it was the right choice for me. I am low bmi sw 203 5'7, dec 3/12 and am down to 165 now. I am grateful for this wonderful tool. Do I feel hungry sometimes? Yes but not like I used to. And the amount I eat to feel full Or satisfied has decreased immensely. It's like a miracle lol. No complications, I feel great. If you are worried about the ghrenalin horomone search it here and you will find that all sleevers have different experiences with feeling hungry. Some not at all, some all the time. You never know, that horomone might come in handy one day lol. Is it reversible? My surgeon says yes, but why would I want to reverse it lol? I just thought If something ever happens I could revise to a sleeve as opposed to rny. And that portion of my stomach that I kept might come in handy one day. You never know what we might need out organs for lol. Anyway I just wanted you to hear from someone that has it and is grateful for it. The plication board is a little slow but there are tons On the lb site and a few on here that have it but don't voice it for fear of bashing it;) good luck with your decision! I'm sure you will be successful either way!

Stacey - I too am a LB failure in the process of looking at a revision and scared of another WLS failure. Thank you for the thread and for everyone's replies! I copy/pasted Tiffy's standard replyas backup in case my insurance denies me! May we all be successful with the sleeve!

Hi, Tiffykins is the resident expert on revisions, as she has a compelling story and fantastic success. I am newer on my journey - 6 weeks out and have lost 20 pounds. I just shattered through my lowest lap-band weight as of today and I am thrilled about it. I, personally, was not expecting to lose much weight with the sleeve because I am a low BMI patient and had been very disappointed with the band. I was just happy to have the band out and I wanted a safety net to keep me from regaining a lot of weight. But, the sleeve has completely exceeded my expectations. The restriction is very consistent. There is no more discomfort from the port internally or externally (of course my port area is still healing from the removal and I can't put a lot of pressure on it rgiht now). I eat chicken - which I couldn't do with the band. I eat 1/4 of a piece of wheat toast, which i could never do with the band. The difference is wonderful and immediate. I am so sorry to hear about your lap-band problems. Take some comfort in knowing you are not alone in this experience. There are a lot of us out there that didn't see lasting results with the band. The sleeve has been a great option for the people here on the board. Good luck in your decision-- Lara

I had my band placed 09/2008 and had initial weight loss, but then wammo!! had a slip, an unfill, regained all I had lost +10 more, started having re-fills and have never lost any more weight or ever found the "sweet spot"! I currently do have Fluid in my band and now am too tight! This was my "last ditch" effort attempt with this band, i.e. trying yet another fill. I can't seem to eat solid foods! Maybe every 2-3 days, I can tolerate a few bits of chicken breast...maybe, if my band can keep it down that is! Anyway, I'm done! I have had a miserable 3 yrs with this band! I think the only thing it has caused me, other than severe aggravation, is a very poor diet! Only crap foods seem to go down without pain! I can't eat veggies or fruits and most meats! It has just not worked for me....AT ALL! Anyway, My surgeon says it is time to revise. She initially said to RNY, but I speak with her again on the 28th of this month and she is now performing VSG, so I will be discussing this with her. I am still just not comfortable with the whole re-arranging your bowel! I don't know why I'm soooo afraid of this, but I am. I also am just as afraid of staying 100-110 pounds overweight for the rest of my life too I might add! I also have some feelings of failing with WLS and scarred feelings of "what if another WLS fails".... probably all the normal fears everyone has going through a revision. I wish I knew the right answers and automatically knew the right surgery for me. I'm so afraid of picking the wrong surgery out of fear and then it not working! I know my ins. is soon changing to include a "once in a lifetime" WLS per person... so this revision is probably my last ins. covered surgery chance! My hubby, God bless him, said to me last night... "is this surgery new? and considered expiremental? and you might not lose the weight??" And I don't know how to answer that! I am currently 246 pounds at 5'6" tall. I am turning 40 yrs old this summer. Can I lose my weight with VSG? My bariatric program director had RNY and refers to it as the "gold standard", actually so does my PCP. Are they right? Is VSG too new and not tested/proven? I did lose iniitally with my band, until it slipped, but band life is not something I could ever tolerate for the rest of my life. The whole stoma thing just is a miserable way to go! I really just wanted some help with my portions and I wanted the ability to be able to decide on my food choices! I never expected to have such a limited diet with the band! I know there are going to be times, i.e. birthday parties or "special occasions", where I might eat something sweet. That's life. I just wanted that "choice". I also know I need to make a lifestyle change and have recently started attending some therapy groups with other women trying to lose weight and make better food choices. I feel like I have in place things to help enpower me on this weight loss journey! I just now have to chose what "tool" surgically to utilize.... and it is a tough, tough decision. I don't want another failure! It's my biggest fear! Please any insight / advice would be sooooo appreciated!

My surgeon says strictures can happen to anyone but they are mostly a concern for revision patients (lapband to sleeve) and a smaller bougie used during surgery. This was one of my major concerns because a friend of mine had to have a revision to bypass because of a twist. They tried dilation 6 times before they tried the stent. And eventually there was just nothing that could help other than a revision. I guess the point is she tried dilation 6 times and a stent before she gave in to bypass.. My opinion is keep trying that 3rd or fourth dilation may be the one that really helps. Most of us pick sleeve because we really don't want a bypass.. this is why I don't think some surgeons should shrug off a stricture like it's an easy fix..because sometimes it's not and its' important for people to know.

My sleeve didn’t cause my GERD, the tearing of a new hiatal hernia did. I had one repaired when I had my sleeve done in December 2019 (264lbs) I ended up developing a new hiatal hernia mid March (232lbs). My surgeon sent me for a barium swallow. So along with the GERD to mid esophagus and the hiatal hernia I also have esophagitis from it. I'm just waiting on insurance approval for my revision. I honestly loved my sleeve but since the hernia happened I have only lost 10lbs in the last 4 months and am currently sitting at 222lbs. Some days I find it hard to eat because I feel so nauseous all the time and developed intractable hiccups because of the GERD. If I could do it again, I’d still have a sleeve.

It depends on several factors. Your current medical condition, liver size, stomach size, your doctors preferences, etc. I'm in the process of Band to Bypass revision, I'm on 2 weeks liquids but I don't need to do the typical day before surgery "flush". As always, if you have a question, make sure to contact your surgeon's office. Never hurts to ask, and it's their job to provide you with the proper information. If you wish, you *could* start the diet on your own. There are plenty of write ups and instructions to be found online, but even still, I'd suggest making sure your doctor is aware. Good Luck!

I had the lapband removed in Sept. I am going to get the sleeve. I have talked with 2 surgeons . One uses a 36 bougie and the other uses a 32 bougie and over sews. I am concerned about the differences. Does anyone have an opinion on this? As far as weightloss, will it be harder with a 36 bougie. I have about 50 pounds to lose. Not sure what to do.

Thank you for that information! Hopefully, mine will be scheduled quickly then, too! Sorry, to hear you are still having acid reflux! It's funny, I didn't have it at all before the sleeve, now possibly revising to a bypass. Wondering if I had the bypass originally, would I have this problem at all.

@Phoenix20 I feel the exact way. I am now torn between a sleeve or bypass. My final weigh-in is Monday before submitting to insurance. The rate of revisions I'm seeing is not comforting, but I had my heart set on a sleeve. Acid Reflux terrifies me because I'm a singer. UGH. Good luck to you and your decision.

Have any of you CA Kaiser members out there had your bands done in Mexico/by other US doctors and had Kaiser do your fills or revisions? I have Kaiser (NorCal). I might have to get a port revision but since I'm self-pay with the band I may not be able to afford more money for this second surgery with my private doctor. I'm so worried I won't be able to get this fixed. I've only had the band for 6 mo. and 2 fills.

What is a revision?

Has your Gerd/Reflux cleared up? I had revision surgery in May and still have Gerd and am still on my PPI !!!

I'm hoping this will be more the case for me, versus the 4+ hour ones I've heard of here. Looks like you're down quite a bit in the short time since your revision. Nice!

So you did the revision in two procedures?

I gained 11lbs from IVs during my revision from VSG to RNY. All of it was lost during the week following. Don't stress about it.

Ok cause I'm seeing a new doctor ..I have diffrent insurance n I havnt been to a doctor in like 2 yea rs (lack of insurance) but now I have insurance but iv had issues for years.. throw up Dailey get stuck all day my port Jams in my rib cage ..hard to make healthy choices cause I always get stuck ..stopped losing weight and always hungry.. so we I see this new doctor I wonna ask him about the revision to sleeve just wasn't sure if it was a battle or doctors are getting on board because the band is failing alot of people