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I was banded in January of '06. Lost almost 100 lbs in 9 mos which was awesome, but then something happened? Not sure what, but things just changed. Food started getting stuck all the time, I was having trouble even eating minced, moist chicken. I was PBing a lot and getting constant esophageal spasms....OUCHIE!!! All this and it started out of nowhere. I didn't have any sort of adjustment. After about another six months of struggling with it and having fill removed/added, my pshyche was just done....I guess I sort of gave up. (I know...shame on me!) Now it's 2010, I still have this useless band that's unfilled and I'm still having esophageal spasms and getting food stuck. I told my surgeon and they didn't do anything. I'm worried I may have adhesions or the band has slipped. I've gained soooo much weight. I weigh 75lbs more now than I did before my banding and I am just crying. I'm fairly young and I have been wanting to get revised to an RNY, but I am terrified of the mal-absorption and vitamin deficiencies that come with it. The restriction of the band, when it was working like it was supposed to, was great and very helpful....but then it just went all ape-sh*t on me. I learned about VSG recently and have been doing a lot of reading about it. I've read many people's comments and suggestions and been to many sites and I have not heard anybody say the regret getting revised to the Sleeve. I know after reading everything that I want the Sleeve instead of RNY. Although the thought of another surgery scares me, the fact that there isn't any bypassing of intestines is a relief for me. I just started with a new employer. I'm a Nurse and the Surgeons at the hospital I work for down in San Diego, CA do the VSG. My insurance kicks in in two months and I am HOPING that they will cover VSG. Some insurances will only cover banding and RNY. I am crossing my fingers and toes. Any suggestions, tips, or comments are welcome. By the way....a question for those of you who have or do have the band still. Do any of you experience a numbness and/or pinching sensation where your port is? Sometimes when I am sitting down, I get this pinching sensation beneath the port site and then the whole area goes numb? Just wondering.

I was approved through Anthem BCBS. My coverage required a 6 month supervised diet, but since I was a revision the requirement was waived (as would my BMI have been, but unfortunately I was unbanded long enough that my BMI went back up.) Psych approval was also required. If you're anxious, just get a copy of the rider from your employer. They will have contract changes (riders) on file, surely. You can also compare it to your SPD. ETA: I also had to do the nutritional class, which for my surgeon is a combo of pre-op education, nutrition, and physical therapy - with a test at the end. So given that I was a revision, psy approval and education class were my only real requirements. Oh, and my surgery had to be done at a full blown hospital (vs. a surgery clinic), and required an overnight stay (which my surgeon does anyway).

A final update for this thread: I had my gastric bypass on Feb 21! Check in went smoothly. I changed into my hospital gown, got my IV inserted, and was given a number of medications to take before being moved to a waiting area where I got onto a gurney. The various members of the surgery team came by to introduce themselves and check on various things. Finally, the anesthesiologist came by and gave me "something to relax" via my IV port. A minute later, I was being wheeled into the hallway, and that's the last thing I remember until waking up in my hospital room. I never saw the inside of the OR, and I have no memory of the recovery area afterward, either. The surgery itself took much longer than anticipated, about 6 hours. I was fine and safe the whole time, but the surgeon ran into some issues with my small intestine and a small abdominal mass (sent to pathology and was benign) that required additional steps. Because of this, I was surprised to wake up in my hospital room and discover it was already 9pm when my surgery began at 1pm! My poor mom had been so worried because we thought it would take maybe 3 hours max. The nurses checked on me several times that night. I was able to get up to use the toilet on my own, and the only real challenge was the IV pole having to be dragged along. I was very fortunate that I ended up with no roommate. It wasn't technically a private room, but no one else was assigned to it while I was there. In the morning, my surgeon came by and explained what had happened during surgery. He was concerned because some of the stitches ended up under more pressure than he considered optimal, so he wanted me to do a swallow test before I could have anything by mouth, including water. They got me in for that and it turned out okay, so about an hour after returning to my room, I was brought a bottle of water and a cup of red sugar free jello. I have to say, it was nice to have water because my throat was dry, but I really didn't care about eating. I did because they told me to, and I know at this point I hadn't had a single thing in my belly for over 40 hours, but I just didn't care. I felt zero hunger. But I at the jello, and later they brought me a popsicle, another jello, and a chicken broth. I ate it all over the course of about an hour. It was fine, but again, I just ate it because they told me to. Because I got such a late start on fluids after surgery, they kept me an additional night, just to be sure. But on Friday morning around 9am, I was discharged. I had a protein shake when I got home and worked all day on fluids. I was tired and a little sore, but my pain had been minimal enough that I was only on Tylenol. It worked well enough that I only had a few moments of real pain, mostly when shifting position that required the use of abdominal muscles. I was fortunate to have someone staying with me for the first few nights home, and my parents kept my kids (ages 12 and 15) with them for the first week so I wouldn't have to worry about all their activities and food. It took a few days to discover what worked best for me, which ended up being hot tea (decaf and herbal) instead of flavored waters as I'd been having pre-op. For the first week, I've met my 64oz fluid and 60g protein goals most days, but as time has gone on, I've become completely turned off anything with artificial sweetener and every protein shake except Syntrax Nectar Natural, which I can still manage. I definitely wasted a lot of money on shakes I won't be drinking, but I'm glad I had them for the 2 week pre-op diet and to take the pressure off finding things to try when I got home. Yesterday, I was allowed to start soft protein foods. So far, I've had tuna salad (2 Tbsp), refried beans with a sprinkle of melted cheese (1/4 cup), and 1 poached egg. No issues with anything so far. Tonight I will be cooking some haddock with pesto for dinner. I go in for my 2 week post-op appointment with my surgeon next Tuesday and hope by then my weight will be a little lower. I lost 15 lbs on the 2 week pre-op diet, but my weight was higher by about 5lbs when I got home from the hospital thanks to the fluids and swelling, and I'm only just back to where I was the day I went to the hospital. Still, 15lbs in three weeks isn't bad. As for other incidentals, I have been taking Benefiber daily in my morning tea and it really has helped. I had the first BM (very loose and not a lot) before leaving the hospital on day 2, and have managed to go at least every other day since, and daily the last couple of days, so I'm very grateful for that. My energy levels have been decent, but it's only today that I feel like I don't need a noon nap. Going without caffeine has been a struggle, but I'm getting used to it. After all the wait, I'm so glad to have this behind me and be able to focus on a healthy future!

You are an inspiration to me. I had the Lapband for 3 years and had nothing but trouble from the start. I had it removed this past May and im having the gastric bypass next month. I also suffer from pcos. I hope this surgery is different . I don't want to feel like a failure. People do not say good things when they hear you are having a second surgery. So I'm glad to hat there are others our here like me. And I'm super happy to see your success. You look amazing! Sent from my 0PM92 using the BariatricPal App

The patches seem to work OK for some, and not at all for others, so let your labs be the judge as to whether they work for you, and whether you need to supplement with something else. From what I have seen, most in the DS world find that they don't work at all for them, but there may be something about their altered metabolism at work there that doesn't apply to us with the VSG. For some nutrients, deficiencies aren't easy to detect until things are pretty low, and it can be hard to catch up if you fall behind the curve, so I would be cautious about depending upon the patches totally. For instance, I would maybe try them for part my calcium needs, using the patch instead of the extra dose or two per day of calcium that we usually need early out, but still take at least one dose with the pills or chewies. OTOH. the iron numbers measure out pretty easily, and we can usually catch up by doubling the dose if need be (something that the bypass folks have a harder time doing with their malabsorption) so that can be a good indicator as to whether the patches work for you.

I have my first initial intake appointment 12/17/15. I have read that if you are on aspirin therapy (I have 2 small holes in heart) that you can't have bypass. Then if you have reflux, the sleeve could make it worse. I know I have to talk to doctor and see what he says, but am I doomed in not being able to have surgery due to these issues? Anyone have bypass and on aspirin therapy? Any insight you have would be greatly appreciated!

After RNY gastric bypass surgery, your meal volume is incredibly small [2 ounces or 1/4 cup] per meal. Over the next year and a half, this volume is increased to 8 ounces or 1 cup per meal. So as your meal volume increases, the amount of weight loss decreases.

It wasn't bad at all. They spray something on your throat before you sleep. They found an ulcer. Sucks bc now my surgery got pushed back Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Due to my acid reflex, they will be doing the gastric bypass and not sleeve Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am scheduled for a sleeve revision from the band December 16th. Yay! My question is, will it be easier for me to start an exercise plan before my surgery or will it not matter because I cant exercise for a while after anyways.....yes I know all exercise is healthy, but what can you still even do post op....and when? Sent from my SM-J700P using the BariatricPal App

I think the thing to remember too is that small losses of weight can make big changes to health. We all want to lose all our excess weight but remember that as far as your problem with your spine goes, you wont have to lose ALL of your excess weight to improve your health. So there's no need to jump into a bypass if it worries you simply for that reason. there's every likelihood that even if you were one who didnt lose all your excess weight, you can still improve your health and quality of life with the 50% loss and not jeoapardise nutrition in the process. But you CAN lose it all. It just takes reasonable - not ridiculous - work and commitment.

I would ideally like to lose about 150 pounds (though 100 would be just fine, too). My doctor is just fine with me getting the lap band, but wanted me to understand that it's going to take more time to lose the weight initially. However, five years out lap band and bypass patients look about the same. You should make your decision for YOU. Weigh the pros and cons of both and then decide. If you work at it, the weight is going to come off with either option.

Hi Chentel, Im new here too so I dont have a ton of experience.But I had a similar experience except I went in thinking of the bypass and my surgeon talked me into lap band! I have very severe IBS and he felt the Bypass would make it worse.He told me that I could expect to lose about 75 lbs and I think he was aiming low so if I lose more I'll be ecstatic! My girlfriend who was going thru the same process,same surgeon asked about lap band and he recommended bypass as she has about 120lbs to lose & really no health conditions.........so I guess it depends & I think it's a personel choice.Do what you feel comfortable doing. A co-worker who is a RN & also had bypass told me they are both a tool & it all depends how you use it....one is not necessarily better than the other......I also know of others who have lost 100lbs or more on lapband.....I think it may just be a little more work?? Good Luck......hope it helps!!:smile2:

I think I agree with Paula. Unfortunately, the people I've known of that had eroded and were rebanded eroded again, even more quickly. :mad: I just don't think I'd want to take that chance the second time around. I have a friend there in the LA area who had a laparoscopic bypass with an apparently very impressive doctor. She has lost 110lbs since December and doing very well. No complications whatsoever. She is also about 60 years old. I am so very impressed with how well she's done. If you want, I can find out her doc's name as well. Whichever way you go. I sure don't envy you the decision or having to go through a second/third surgery, but I'll sure be sending good thoughts your way!!

all your feelings are normal they get better everyday... im having revision on 4/6 dr. ewing in NJ

I'm just curious about the major differences in the levels of post op pain people post about on here. Some people seem to be in excruciating pain that require high powered narcotics and they aren't able to get up and around for weeks. I (fortunately) had no pain, just low level soreness. I didn't take any pain meds (besides 2 days of a sublingual NSAID) and I was driving and shopping and taking care of myself, dogs, cats and horses immediately. Even went back to work as a vet tech after 7 days. And then there is everyone in between. Is there that big of a difference between surgical technique and periop drugs, or is everyone's pain perception just that different? For you health care professionals, do you see this much variation in pain levels for other "standard" surgical procedures like hysterectomies, cholecystectomy, cardiac bypass, hip replacement, appendectomies, etc.

I agree with you that it should not be a winner/loser type of thing. However, I've seen that happen and I think people need to understand what mindset their doctors come from. Its going to be getting you in for surgery. You haven't been far enough out yet. Its only 7 months for you. Wait until you hit the 2 year mark. Or even the 1 year. Its not a secret that there is not a lot of support for many in terms of that support like what you are talking about. Go to long term support groups and that's what you hear about. To be successful, the ones I know aren't in any specific program, they're more attached to the long term type of groups that are more online and the like. Either that or they get revisions. I'm also saying what I said because the surgeon, he stated that my anatomy is normal and there is nothing special about it. I can be treated just like any other patient. If that is true, that would be true for all sleeves. He goes against the ASMBS in that sense. One of the reasons why I say investigate your doctor. Had I known his outlook was this way, I would have thought differently. Its that far end, long term, look that you are looking at, that many people don't ask about. Its the surgery, its the big event. Its not what happens after when I've gotten regain. How many patients and what protocols do you do then. You don't see that advertised. You are right from terms of the persons' point of view, but the surgeon is not graded by the ASMBS for COE's in terms of how many people and how long people stay in a program. They are graded on # of surgeries done. As for satisfaction, again do you see any intro sessions that talk long term satisfaction? How they deal with complications 2 years out or more? No. Its the surgery. Medical ethics. If you allege a HIPAA violation and get your care dropped, and there are laws against retaliation, would you wonder about medical ethics? I sure would want to know if that situation came up. What about you all?

Hi and congrats! I had my bypass on 03/11 and I am still figuring it out slowly. They cut the nerves when they do this to us so, it takes a long time to really feel anything again. Once you start eating actual food, just go slow and see how your pouch feels. Mine is weird because, five minutes after a bite goes down and I think I can do another, I'm all of a sudden SURE I cant do one more bite! It's a learning process for sure. Also, they say this will even change because the scar tissue will loosen over time and it won't be so tight like it is now forever so, we just gotta roll wit it! Good luck and keep up the good work!

I'm 6 months out of my bypass, and I lost 75lbs, now finally have energy to work out, but after couple days I'm getting very tired and sore, should I slow down or push it?

@@Band07 Wow, so I'm just thinking, if you're bypass was 9' and you are still doing so well nutrition wise, then at a 5' bypass I shouldn't have a problem either.. Well at least that's what I hope for Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi. I know this is an old post but I am a current VSGER considering being revised to a MGB. I'm 5"6 and 220 lbs and I've just been wondering if I would be considered large enough for the MGB. My BMI is 35. I've heard of some Mrs not approving the MGB because patient wasn't overweight enough. I will also be going to Tijuana mexico btw. Thanks for any input.

Good morning CynthiaK. I watched all of his videos and he gets great reviews!!!! If I were you, I may think of taking a shuttle to the airport and then one home as well. That is if you don't find someone else to take you. My insurance covers the sleeve, but makes me go through a 3 month medically supervised diet program. I started that on Friday, so by early May we will submit my paperwork to BCBS Federal and once we get approval, we will schedual the surgery. We always go to teh beach in early June so I am trying to figure out when to have it, before or after. I feel we are making the right decision. Did you consider the Gastric bypass? I did, but, something about my intestines being re-routed is terrifying to me. I know it is the best in terms of success but, I don't like the possible side effects of the malabsorption..etc.....Do you have any co-morbidities? Well, I think you should go to your party and have some fun! How is the weather in TX? Cold and rainy up here in Nashville. Have a wonderful day!!!!! H

I had BCBS and I had to lose weight to get under their guidelines of a BMI of 50 or less for lapband. They wanted me to have gastric bypass. I lost the weight and resubmitted the claim and I got approved. I think you would do well with this idea. I lost 18 # on the pre-op diet and 1 wk of post op full liquids. Who cares what you weigh after the claim is submitted. Just have to weigh that for the weight the doc uses to submit.

I am almost 4yrs out and started gaining at 2.5 years out. DOS I was 346 my lowest 210 never even got to goal. On September 30,2013 I was back to 257. I had a revision done on September 30,2013. I hope with the revision I can make it to goal. You have to really want to change forever and I didn't. After 2 years I could eat everything. I tried to get back on track but my pouch was so stretched it was hard. I will keep you I'my prayers.

ps - yes I understand the difference between GS and GB and the fact that bypass is the gold standard, especially when it comes to diabetes resolution.

I had mine on Monday. Been pretty good thus far. Post op care is good and that is helpful in recovery. Some swelling but walking well. I have a revision from lapband to rny. So happy with this New Journey.