Search the Community

I just left my appointment where I expected to get a fill only to be told that my port has flipped! I had my surgery in October and had to have a revision in December after my port flipped. Now I'm told that it flipped again! I was told that I haven't done anything to cause this. Apparently this "rarely happens". I'm so frustrated and upset! Has anyone else experienced this?

I know exactly how you feel. For me, I had 1 fill and then when I went in for my 2nd fill, my port flipped, so I had to wait and have revision surgery. So, 3 months later and I feel like I have barely lost any weight at all and for those who do know about my surgery...I feel like I have to make excuses. My Dad had gastric bypass 5 years ago, so his weight came off really fast. He asks me every time I talk to him...and it is only like a few lbs more than the last time. His only response is "that's not bad". way to encourage me dad! I also didn't tell a lot of people, so that is good. So people aren't really "expecting" me to look thinner. I think I am more hard on myself than anything. Plus I work with this guy who lost 133lbs in 6 months after getting the lap band. Yes, 133lbs. He keeps asking me and says that he lost an average of 30lbs a month the first 3 months and that's what I should be doing. I tell him that women are different. Plus he NEVER excercised and I workout 1-2 hours a day and my weight is barely coming off. The only encouragement that I have, is that it will get better with your fills. Hang in there!!

@Red Robin I was a band to bypass revision as well. My surgeon refused to do the band to sleeve because of increased risk of staple line issues across the scar tissue caused by the band. I'm glad I decided to go bypass over sleeve, because when my surgeon went to remove my band, it was totally encapsulated in scar tissue, they wouldn't have been able to proceed with the sleeve if I was going that way anyway. Now, my surgeon did refuse, but she said there were others in her group that would do it and she offered to send me to them if I wanted to proceed with the band to sleeve revision. I trusted her judgement and it paid off. Either way, congrats on deciding to continue your journey! Good luck and Stay Strong!

I think 21days post op and losing 16-18lbs is great! I just learned in this community that revision surgery have slowly weight loss. My doctor and me doing my own research never came up till I found this site. i am also feeling that I am having multiple stalls. Before pre op diet I lose 15lbs on my own, then during pre op diet I lost 8 lbs on the first week of liquid diet and stall for one week have no weight loss. Then went into surgery while having the stall. After the surgery, I gained 7 lbs of water retention from the iv I got from the hospital. It took a few days and get back to my surgery day weight, then I loss about 5 lbs in a week. so almost 2 weeks after surgery only loss 5 lbs. So 16-18lbs is great! I am jelly here. But like many said everyone is different, although it’s hard, but I am trying to positive.

First time starting a thread -- a long time coming! My lap band journey began just before my Senior year of college back in December 2008, I have a dense family history of morbid obesity and was finding myself headed in the same direction tipping the scales at 240 lbs my Junior year of college (I'm only 5'2"). I opted for lap band as I was young, worried about a permanent procedure, and excited to be able to control my restriction. My lowest weight was 135 lbs and although I definitely wasn't always good to my band, I found it to be an overall positive experience and certainly life changing. There are so many things I was able to do, feel and experience because of my weight loss at such a pivotal time in my life. At times I've wondered what the fate of my band would be but as the years went by the restriction and presence of my band became a part of me (UNTIL IT ACTUALLY BECAME A PART OF ME...lol...read on). The only major side effect besides the occasion "stuck" incident was debilitating gas pain. I would get gas so bad I'd become totally bloated and doubled over, but like the band, I learned to live with these episodes...and stopped eating Beans altogether. Three months ago I began to feel a faint "airyness" in my tummy, similar to the gnawing sensation that you might feel with an ulcer (I'm guessing). It wasn't painful but a noticeable difference. As weeks went on, other symptoms began to appear -- two or three isolated feelings of nausea, slight chest tightness/esophagus pain, slight heartburn (never acid in the throat though), upper back pains, NEW pain when food passed through the band, and as a result of all of these: randomly rapid heart rate! I've come to believe the heart rate was anxiety and/or my bodies' reaction to these symptoms. I knew it was time to get some tests done... After a visit to my surgeon and near-perfect upper GI (no slip), we took all of the saline out of the band (I had been at the same restriction for a good while) and waited to see if symptoms improved. A few did, a few did not. I began to wonder if it was even band-related or maybe just new stress-related gastro issues. Needless to say I was falling down a deep, scary WebMD hole of worry. I made an appointment with a wonderful gastroenterologist to rule out other causes, he had me get an ultrasound and endoscopy. Ultrasound: perfect! Wonderfully placed organs. Then finally the Endoscopy: your band has eroded! Yep. Lap Band erosion, there it was, poking through my tummy. It wasn't as severe looking as some I've seen so I'm hoping/thinking it hasn't been like that for too long. After the test results I immediately went into see one of my two phenomenal surgeons (both have been practicing bariatric surgery as a team for years - they are amazing humans). He said there was definitely a hole in my tummy and that both the band would need to come out and that my tummy would need to be repaired. He assured me that although I had been maintaining at 165-170 lbs, I would surely gain the weight back once the band was removed. So he offered to revise to a sleeve -- basically free of charge. He concluded that because I would need repair anyways, they might as well just take a bigger chunk out of me. Although, I wasn't quite ready for the conversion, I trust my surgeons and knew that my insurance would not cover a sleeve down the road. My brother and aunt have both had the sleeve with great results and I started remembering where I was when I had first elected to get the band -- I would love to avoid going back to that weight. In the back of my mind though, I wondered if it might be a fight with insurance for "band removal," low and behold -- IT IS. Although I am on track to get the surgery on April 26th, insurance has already messed everything up. HELP! Questions... 1) My insurance (which is supposedly AMAZING) doesn't cover ANYTHING related to bariatric surgery or weight loss (ugh). Not removal, not fills, nothin! However, there is a hole in my stomach. As the doctors have said, this is not a sustainable situation. If I don't get it fixed now, I will end up in the ER. Today, I received the initial denial letter. Has anyone else found themselves in this situation? I'm not "electing" to have the band removed -- IT JUST NEEDS TO COME OUT, my stomach has a damn hole in it! 2) My surgeon seems confident in a one-stage revision. In fact, both of my skilled surgeons will be performing the procedure. Has anyone else with erosion done a one-stage revision? How'd it go? Any help is much appreciated and thanks for reading my long-winded story. These forums have been a real help as I've gone through these many symptoms. Currently, the only real pain I'm experiencing is sometimes when eating, intermittent back pains, and at night -- hoping it doesn't get worse before surgery... Cheers!

Thank God I found this post. I’ve been feeling guilty for wondering why my weight loss has stopped. My revision date was January 11 and have been stalled since January 31. The doc told me that the weight loss will be slower this time around and honestly, im feeling good health wise. Im not complaining but good to know its a bit common.

I know this may be stupid question but this sight has helped me so much! I am supposed to have band to sleeve revision oct 24th and in have to start a 2 week preop liquid diet, however the list of approved items included fruit, apple sauce, salad with fat free dressing only and hot cerel. NO meat at all. My question is after this diet I will still have to drink Protein drinks or put protein in drinks/food ad Kroger actually squeezes fresh OJ every morning and they do not put a thing in it. It is 100% just oranges squeezed - the NATURAL sugar content says 25grams but it is NOT added sugar or sweetener it is just naturally that sweet. To ME since they out absolutely nothing in it and it is straight orange I am considering that a fruit that I just don't have to peel! Am I crazy or do you guys think it would be ok to at least drink one 8 ounce glass with added protein in it a day? I figure the Vitamins in fruit couldn't hurt either. I hate fruit and healthy food but I do love that fresh squeeze OJ Opinions ...

I had surgery with Dr. Garcia on February 21st. Dr. Garcia had four surgery patients that day: an RNY revision; a band removal with revision to a sleeve; a sleeve plus gall bladder removal; and my sleeve surgery. I got to know the three other patients and we spent time together at the Marriott...we all recovered quickly and had minor discomfort (but no pain) after being discharged from the hospital. For me, it was noteworthy that Dr. Garcia leads a team of doctors who care for you. He is the surgeon (an exceptional one, in my opinion!); the other doctors on his team handle your hospital and post-op care. I felt very well cared for by all of them. I am home now and I feel great! I highly, highly recommend Dr. Garcia and his entire team.

I also had a band failure and will be having my sleeve revision surgery shortly. In the meantime, I hope to see more "success with sleeve after band failure" stories.

Well, I looked at this grup, and thought, "one day I will join them", I checked my ticker yesterday, and only had 1lb to lose to qualify, I weighed again today, and I can join!!! So I'm 5 months and a week (or so) out, I have lost 51lb, and am already lighter than the goal I had set at my initial consultation last year, but am 30lb away from my revised, and far more sensible end goal. Looking at the average rate of loss the last couple pf months it will realistically be another 5-6 months before I get to goal, which I do find a bit depressing TBH, however as I said a year ago I'd have killed to get down to 188lb, and now at 184, I guess I see the bigger picture and know there is still some of that road to travel. It is great to be able to consider myself to be on the "final stretch" though that has made me smile!

Am a revision and have had the band since June 2011. It has slipped so I am having it removed and sleeved at the same time. New to this and quite nervous about surgery next week. I chose to tell only a few select people. My husband and daughters.... I am going for pre-op tomorrow.

Be careful! That candy craving took over about 1 1/2 years out . Since nothing made me sick, I began eating loads of candy every day and gained back 60% within a year. I have been revised for a month to the RNY so I cannot eat candy ever again! When I was on the wagon I used Livestrong's My plate to track everything I ate & was told to stay under 1000 per day but you should really ask your Nutritionist what is right for you, your height, age and ideal weight. Calorie goals can vary by person...

I was started on meds as well and am feeling tons better! Even though we are required to do psych evals doesn't mean that we won't have problems. I have NEVER EVER had trouble with anxiety and I was a revision from lap band. BUT I had a cardiac complication post surgery and I think that was my trigger.

I wanted to post this to the LapBander’s out there... Banded Dec 2012 and was doing great! I went from 230 to 138 and stayed that way with fills up to the end of 2015. Then when I got to 165 in Feb of 2018, I went in for a fill and they found that my band had slipped and I started having lower muscle esophageal problem. I’m thinking great...my BMI isn’t high enough to get the revision paid for and I don’t want to have to go through proving AGAIN, that I need a tool for managing my weight. Plus, my blood pressure is starting to go through the roof! (I’m apple shape so my fat is around my organs) The dr told me I would probably get a denial but we could appeal and do a peer to peer review. Low and behold after waiting 1 week, on the first submission, I got approved. surgery is August 13th 2018!! Eeeek!! I have United Health which has a “once a lifetime” bariatric surgery coverage ( BCBS of Texas did my band). So for all those who are thinking about a revision or band not working, I highly recommended checking into it.

The people I know that have had a second or third band have never managed to achieve the same level of success they did when they first got banded. Potentially you may have lots of scar tissue and adhesions. At some point in your future this band is probably going to stop working or cause issues that require a revision. Why put yourself through that, especially because as Matt says bands are being phased out as they have been proven over time not to be the successful tool that they were initially thought to be. I would be considering my options and looking at something that hopefully won't need another revision 5 or 10 years down the line

You know.... i really don't know. but a very good question.... I do have a few that are doing ok..... one just revised to the sleeve and he is doing great.... down 100lbs

Anytime that I see someone contemplating a revision, I would advise getting a second (and even third) opinion, both from the perspective that revisions are typically more complicated than a virgin surgery, and also the reasons for the revisions are more varied, and this is where the perspectives of different surgeons with different experiences is most valuable. Strictures and twists like you are describing are an indicator of technique problems (which isn't to say that there is something particularly quirky with your individual anatomy that would have caused problems with any surgeon, just that they are frequently associated) so it is quite possible that another surgeon who is more experienced specifically with the sleeve and sleeve related surgeries may have some other ideas of how to tackle your problem. There are some surgeons out there who routinely perform some very complex revisions (such as converting a problematic RNY to a DS) and this is the type of doc that you would like to consult with, as they would be best able to straighten out your sleeve (and if they concur that an RNY is the best approach for your particular problem, that provides a lot of confidence in deciding to go that route.) I tend to like DS surgeons for sleeve problems as they typically have a lot more experience with the sleeve and correcting sleeve problems (as the sleeve is a part of the DS, most of them have been doing sleeves for over twenty years, while most bariatric surgeons have been doing them part time for 5-10 years, and some less. https://www.dsfacts.com/duodenal-switch-surgeons.php gives a very incomplete listing of DS surgeons, and unfortunately, there aren't any very close to you - NY/NJ/PA area is the closest, but probably worth the effort; most can do initial consults over phone and email. Dr. Roslin in NYC and Dr. Greenbaum in NJ both have good reputations in the DS world for complex revisions. As a side note, the mini bypass isn't often done in the States as US insurance rarely approves it, and it has never been accepted by the ASMBS.

do you have that allowed for the new surgery!!!!! Right now my insurance will not pay for it. My husband has gotten a new job and we will be getting new insurance. Advise needed for picking a company please.

I have Anthem Keycare and getting approved for the revision was relatively painless. I met with the surgeon, the dietician and the psychologist. The only outside thing I needed was a letter of support from my PCP. It took 12 hours to get an approval once everything was submitted.

Anthem bc/bs approved within 2 wks for a revision

Many folks that select VSG either don’t reach goal, do not get resolution of diabetes long term, or develop GERD and end up revising to gastric bypass. I recommend RNY so you don’t have to have a second WLS down the road. Good luck!

That's great news BJean, there's a lot of happy post bandsters here. I also think its prudent to keep up with what's what in WLS. Bands probably ARENT forever, even when they work as well as mine have. It might be me seeking revision one day and there's no better way to be informed than following the long term journey of people who have experienced it.

I too had called his office and was told the same. I called our GI doctor and couldn't get in for an appt until the middle of Oct (that didn't include scheduling for the test). So, my other choice was Dr. Kim. I saw him last week and absolutely feel very comfortable with him and glad that I am going that route. He is in Colleyville and is also highly commendable for revisions, etc. We talked at length about my band and the long stall in weight loss. I am scheduled for a revision on Sept 27th....with a full liquid diet one month prior. That will be the hard part, but well worth it in the end! Good luck on your choice!!!

Had my revision done on Monday and I feel great! I had all your fears as well. My doctor found a small hiatal hernia and sewed it up but said my band did little damage, though I only had it in for 16 months. It was so much easier than I thought, no worse than the band surgery. I am off pain meds, walking a lot, and just still blown up with so much gas which I can't pass that I gained weight. You will be fine and look back in a few months so happy with your decision. The band never gave me anything but issues.