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My doctor does sleeve-to-bypass revisions for those who have GERD or those who don't lose weight with the sleeve.

Revisions from restriction only to restriction and malabsorption are common. I'm a Band to Bypass revision myself. Reasons will cover a wide range of situations. Maybe someone ended up with GERD after the sleeve, or they lost some weight but plateaued out and couldn't lose more (like with a lot of folks with the band did), maybe the sleeve didn't "work" (IE the person didn't change their habits enough or figured out how to eat around the sleeve), maybe they had complications that required the revision. There are quite a few reasons. But all of them fall into one big category "something didn't work right the first time"

Nancy, I think I've been kicked off more boards than Sandy. Well, I'm banned more often, that's for sure. I'm here...I'm not thrilled with my tummy tuck, but I was warned in advance that a revision was likely. So, it's a few months off. Lipo, they tell, to even things out. But they don't want to do it until everything "settles." thank you for asking. Neicy, It's never a good idea to encourage me. I'm outta control enough on my own...but thanks for letting me know that I'm not alone in my thinking on the topics at hand! Sue And I'm closer to 60 than 50...way closer. So, I think I'm gonna start saying that 60 is the new 43. ;-D

Hi Redhead...My cousin had her sleeve done with Dr. Vohra. She was very pleased with him. She had the lapband to sleeve revision. Lap band was also done with Dr. Vohra.

Irene- I have that same issue - too tight/not tight enough! It's a never ending battle. I am hoping that with this revision things will be smooth sailing and I can lose that last 50. I hate feeling like a failure. I know I"m not, but it's hard not to compare yourself to those who have lost 90+ in 1 year! I'm getting ready to begin my 3rd year!! I'm so happy that you are doing well and it makes it that much sweeter when it's almost effortless!! Best of luck and drop me a line if you'd like to stay in touch! Carol

I am out 10 weeks now. I too have not had any complications and I can tolerate pretty much anything. For me because I was a band to sleeve revision I had to stay on Clear liquids 15 days, full liquids 15 days, then pureeds for 15 days. I followed those instructions to the T. That is important to follow especially while your stomach is healing and to protect your staple line. As times passes you can tolerate more food than in the beginning but you will get to a point where you feel very uncomfortable if you eat too much. You won't want to feel like this every time you eat which should teach you to learn when to stop. Now, even though you are eating less, you also should make smart choices. My doctor told me that 50% of this is the surgery working for me but the other 50% I have to do on my own. I can fill up my small stomach with a milkshake that has 1200 calories or I can stick with my Protein like a small piece of chicken and some steamed veggies. I will definitely have a higer success rate if I make better choices with food. If you are still on the liquid/mushy phases you may get down quite a bit without that super full feeling because the liquids go down very easy. When you get to the solid foods, you will notice the restriction much quicker. Important thing is to make sure you are taking your Nexium or Priolsec to avoid the acids from making you feel hungry. Try to stay away from the carbs, they make you feel sluggish and tired and make you hungry faster. High protein keeps you fuller longer and keeps you up and you feel better all around. I really thought this was a crock of crap but now that I haven't had coffee or a soda in 3 months I see the difference it has made. I used to depend on the caffeine to make it through the day and now I feel even more alert, awake, and energetic than ever because I am having hardly no carbs and I am getting about 80-90 grams of protein a day. I would say that if you think that you might "push the envelope" or if you find yourself to be a snacker just make sure it is healthy foods you are having. Also, don't get discouraged if you hit stalls along the way. I have hit so many in just 10 weeks that I thought I would not lose any more weight, lol. Sometimes I go 2-3 weeks and don't lose a single pound. Then next thing you know, I lose 3 lbs in 1 day. It is very strange but all of our bodies are different. Keep up the good work and you guys will do fine. Take care and feel free to message with any questions. I am happy to help! Take Care!

Tough decision you have make, and I sure can understand why you feel so confused and frustrated! Sorry for all the stuff you've been going through. I hope you can get some answers here that will help you with your decision. This is just a general, overall statement from observations I've made after three years of personal reading and listening to people in support groups. Of course, there are undoubtedly many people who have had the LB for years with no complications. It seems though that more people, overall, have issues with their LB than those who have GB or sleeve. And it also seems that there are a lot of LB people who later end up doing a revision to either sleeve or GB. Again, this is just what I have observed. Just FYI, I've had sleeve for 3 years, never any complications, and best decision I ever made. There is some pretty good scientic data out there now on the sleeve, and it is very favorable. I think the whole "stretching sleeve" thing has become this crazy urban legend. If sleevers are following the eating plan and lifestyle, there is no such thing. Good luck to you and let us know how you're doing.

Good luck! I go in for my band to bypass revision on October 4.

How long did you have to stay in the hospital? My self pay price allows for 3 days. Also if you have to walk and walk are you able to walk how soon after surgery

Yes I've started the process. I have a edg to have on Nov 6th. Once they confirm the GERD it's off to have the revision that's the only thing needed to do atm the Doc said. I had called the insurance company they said all they need is a doctors necessity and then we're good to go. Sorry it took me do long Baller mom

:eek:Everyone I know that has has the lap band.. Has been dis-satisfied with it ! In most cases.. it does what it is supposed to, BUT.. the side effects are the HUGE negative. When I was contemplating My choice of surgery, I very quickly Ruled out the lap band First off, The next "OFF my list" was The D.S. !! I then thought i needed the Mini-Bypass, ( I chose Dr.Alberto Aceves, BTW ) And he voiced his concerns, With my BMI ...saying,.. At my weight at the time..He didn't feel it was safe to perform the Mini ByPass, and Then Suggested I consider the gastric Sleeve, .. SO.. I did some more research.. and agreed the sleeve was for me.. It was less Invasive,.. NO FILLS or adjustments, Less risk, Faster recovery, And what I liked the best.. None of the mal-Absorption issues or Dumping syndrome. It has Now been 6 month since my Gastric Sleeve, And I have lost over 115 lbs !! I am eating healthier, and am OFF all The Meds I was On !! and I don't need that #$%ing C-PAP machine.. which i could Never use anyway ! I have 2 close friends.. That are getting a revision.. ( removing their bands and getting the sleeve Like me ! :biggrin:THANK YOU DR. ACEVES !!!!!:tongue2:

The sleeve stomach is more the size of a man's index finger. It holds about 4-5 oz. by year end. It doesn't stretch out more than that because it's made from the more muscly part of the stomach, not the stretchy part. [in the early days, they used a bigger size and those stomachs did sometimes stretch out, but the new smaller size doesn't.] As for what it feels like to be full, it's a normal functioning stomach, just smaller. So, for example, you can wash food out of it with liquids about as well as you can with a regular stomach. (Which is to say, you can a little, but not really, not like with a band.) You still aren't supposed to drink while eating because of the size -- you can't get in all your nutrients if you fill up your sleeve with Water. I think if you weren't able to make the lifestyle changes necessary with a band, then you might want to look at the DS as well as the sleeve. Both surgeries cut out the portion of the stomach that produces ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates your appetite, so hunger control is a more sure thing than it is with a band. However, the DS also has a malabsorption component that allows people to continue to eat similar types of food to what they ate before -- it's more Atkins based than South Beach diet -- which the sleeve (and the band and RnY, for that matter) work best with. Which is not to say there aren't food restrictions -- too many carbs make some DS patients have smelly farts and diarrhea. As far as being reversible is concerned, the only reason to remove a band is that it's causing health problems. A VS isn't going to do that because it's a real stomach, just smaller. It turns out you don't even need a stomach to live (my aunt lost hers to cancer) so you shouldn't be having health problems just by having a little one. Most of the sleeve complications come early on and are fixable -- over production of acid, strictures, etc. Other complications are the sort of things that can happen to anyone and are extremely rare. The only serious complication is a leak and that generally isn't an issue after two weeks. Your stomach heals around the staple line and then you can't "bust a gut" any more than you will bust your current stomach if you eat too much. The DS does sometimes come with health problems because of the malabsorption. In that case, the intestinal switch part can be reversed but not the stomach part. RnY can technically be reversed but it's a big scary operation and is usually only done if your RnY is killing you. Even then, you may have an atrophied pylorus value and scar tissue that keeps you from having a real stomach like you had before. The band is easier to reverse but it sometimes causes permanent problems, too, because of scar tissue that forms around it. You need to accept that if you get/have one, your stomach may never go back to the way it is before if it has to be removed. In the end, being reversible doesn't seem like a big deal to me. If you aren't willing to commit to WLS because it's not reversible, then they shouldn't have a band either IMO. WLS is a big commitment and you need to go into it thinking it's for life, because it almost always is. But the big thing you need to think about if you want to revise your surgery is why exactly did it fail... if it didn't fail mechanically, if your head is the problem, then whatever you revise to will fail as well IMO. You can eat around any WLS even the a bazooka surgery like the DS. If you didn't like the full feeling of the band, maybe you'll find something to not like about another WLS and you'll eat around that too. The surgery only works on your guts... the head work needs to come from somewhere else.

Hello Everyone I just found this forum and I'm excited about it. It is good to find individuals who was banded the same month that I was banded and to see their results. I like to know if I'm on track or if there are changes that I need to make towards my healthier lifestyle. I was banded on May 11, 2011. I had a revision of my ports in August. The port kept flipping when my surgeon tried to fill. In surgery, I received a 2 cc fill. That was my first fill. I don't know if the ports flipping is something that I have done. My surgeon did let me know while I was in surgery that the ports were good. I don't if I was nervous about my first fill or what. She is very pleased about my weight loss. To date, I have lost 32.6 pounds. At times, I feel satisfied but then other times I don't. I don't think I have met my happy medium. Hopefully, I will get another fill at my next appointment on the 12th of September. Exercise has never been an advantage for me. I have been trying to exercise more. To date, I have been walking 4.5 miles a day 3 times a week. My short term goal is to increase to 4 times a week. I did have a membership at the gym. For some odd reason, I don't seem to walk as much when I'm on the treadmill. I don't know if it is due to walking in one place and the scenery bores me. We have a park in my area and I walk that trail and I walk more and at a faster pace. I have to decide how I will get my exercise in during the winter months? Any suggestions would be great. I was thinking about rejoining the gym in the winter but I'm afraid that my length of exercise will decrease which I don't want to happen. I can remember when I could only walk a mile twice a week. Anywoo, I guess that I have carried on long enough but I just wanted to share my progress with the bandster in May.

Well the time has come, pre op diet starts tomorrow for 2 weeks, surgery is on 29th May. This is a sleeve revised to Omega loop Bypass (otherwise none as mini gastric bypass). The emotions have kicked in and started to feel very nervous.

I'm self-pay, too, and this is why I chose not to get a sleeve. And since you're paying yourself, you have options! Also beyond sleeve or RNY. I absolutely love my mini gastric bypass, which isn't 'mini' anything. Consider it, maybe? (Other names: one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), omega loop gastric bypass, single-anastomosis gastric bypass). More room for food, better weight loss than both sleeve and RNY, long-term maintenance statistics look great, easy to revise or reverse if you need it, and better resolution of co-morbidities. Downsides are you need to take your vitamins (like, you must) and the potential for bile reflux. However, the anti-reflux stitch they do now helps with that (thanks to Dr. Carbajo in Spain for inventing it). It's been done since 1997 and is a popular surgery in Europe, Australia, and Asia. I have no idea why American insurance companies aren't getting on the train, but that's not of concern to you as a self-pay. Anyway, I know Dr. Illan is close with Dr. Rutledge who literally invented the MGB and he does MGB in Mexico. There's tons of MGB surgeons in America, too. Feel free to reach out for more questions. I posted a long thread about my first year experience with it in the Mini Gastric Bypass Forum. https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/mini-gastric-bypass-surgery.html

I've decided not to have revision. I've read of so many complications and I'm taking my chances with theBile reflux, Gerd, esophageal spasms I have now. Even though they bypass and you don't feel burn anymore, it does nothing for spasms and also the ulcers which GB is famous for. I've read of people on feeding tubes and more surgery to remove the ulcers. One young woman is really having a hard time. They have no more stomach to work with. No, not all have problems with GB but a lot do. So I guess it is what it is for me. There is a new procedure called Stretta Procedure and it helps the LES stay closed. Researching this for sleeve patients. Thanks to all for your input.

Lisa I am so sorry for what you are going through. I am not sure if you are in grief counseling but my feeling is that working through emotional pain while you await the revision would help. I am sure you know this but coffee is terrible for you when you are having esophagus issues. You are using/abusing it instead of eating properly. Last spring I went through an emotional downturn and couldn't eat comfortably. I was scared I had a sleeve "issue" but what happened was that I stopped eating, lost my appetite, felt horrible from poor eating, felt too ill to eat..and of course felt even worse from too little food/too low carbs. . Well, as soon as I started addressing the emotional issue and then eating food like a prescription I felt alot better. Over time both my mental and physical health improved and I felt good again. My appetite came back! I know this doesn't fix the GERD etc. But maybe you can start feeling better in the meantime by cutting the coffee and eating clean healthy food. I have suffered painful losses too and haven't been the best at taking care of myself. I bet our departed loved ones would want us to though. I wonder if you would get more responses on the revision in the bypass forums?

Yes I was calling around to for the revisions surgery uggh dont think my insurance will pay for it. Just ashamed of myself went through all that pain and gaining.. I really have been embarrassed

Artsong, have you started the process yet, to revision.

I was finally able to get some clarification regarding my coverage. Knowing what to expect puts me at ease. Gastric Bypass Surgery (Bariatric Surgery) is covered only if specific medical criteria are met:  Bariatric surgery may be indicated for patients 18 to 60 years of age. Requests for bariatric surgery for patients less than 18 years of age should include documentation that the primary care physician has addressed the risk of surgery on future growth, the patient's maturity level and the patient’s ability to understand the procedure and comply with postoperative instructions, as well as the adequacy of family support. Patients above 60 years of age may be considered if it is documented in the medical record that the patient’s physiologic age and co-morbid condition(s) result in a positive risk/benefit ratio. • The patient has been clinically evaluated by an MD or DO. The physician has documented failure of non-surgical management including a structured, professionally supervised (physician or non-physician) weight loss program for a minimum of six consecutive months within the last four years prior to the recommendation for bariatric surgery. The six consecutive month weight loss program listed above is waived for super morbidly obese individuals who have a BMI ≥50. Documentation should include periodic weights, dietary therapy and physical exercise, as well as behavioral therapy, counseling and pharmacotherapy, as indicated. • Documentation that the PCP and the patient have a good understanding of the risks involved and reasonable expectations that the patient will be compliant with all postsurgical requirements. • A psychological evaluation must be performed as a pre-surgical assessment by a contracted mental health professional in order to establish the patient’s emotional stability, ability to comprehend the risk of surgery and to give informed consent, and ability to cope with expected post-surgical lifestyle changes and limitations. Such psychological consultations may include one unit total of psychological testing for purposes of personality assessment (e.g., the MMPI-2 or adolescent version, the MMPI-A). • The physician needs to be aware and follow-up with individuals who have had gastric surgery for any long-term complications. • In cases where a revision of the original procedure is planned, documentation of all of the following is required: - Date and type of previous procedure - The factor(s) that precipitated failure - Any complications from the previous procedure that mandate (necessitate) the takedown - If the indication for the revision is a failure of the patient to lose a desired amount of 51 weight then the patient must meet all of the initial preoperative criteria. Note: The following surgical procedures are considered experimental/investigational because their safety and/or effectiveness have not been proven: • Loop gastric bypass gastroplasty - also known as mini-gastric bypass • Stomach stapling Endoscopic procedures to treat weight gain after bariatric surgery to remedy large gastric stoma or large gastric pouches are considered experimental/investigational.

@@CowgirlJane what was your success with the band? I was very successful 100% EWL until kids and complications. I struggle with a fear that as a band revision patient I will not be as successful…. I see these older posts about "slow losing" and I worry that I have damaged my esophagus and I will not feel the restriction. This, despite my surgeon and GI doctor performing testing and assuring me that "there is no reason not to get the sleeve"! I had a nightmare about it last night - surgery is at end of June!

Great to hear about easy recoveries. I dont have a surgery date yet and not sure yet if I'll have to have one or two procedures for my revision from band to bypass. Hope it's one though.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I had the band in 2008 but didn’t loose significant weight until 2013. I stopped thinking of it as a solution and started using it as a tool as intended. It was hard but I lost 100+ pounds, kept it off for 3 years and had my tummy tuck. Late 2017 I had a full slip and it had to be removed. I chose not to revise at that time because I thought I could maintain on my own. I couldn’t and I gained most of my weight back. 10/22 I had the sleeve done. I am down 36.6 lbs so far (20.22% of my excess weight)

I was definitely nervous about my appointment, but I filled out all the paperwork and answered all the questions she asked and it turns out I'm perfectly sane (and mentally prepared for my revision) All that stressing for nothing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My recovery from revision surgery was very easy. I was I was 45 when I got the band - 52 for revision. It was done in 1 surgery and I did not have the gas pain like I did with the band surgery. I was expecting the recovery to be long & painful and was pleasantly surprised how easy it was