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Good afternoon, everyone. I'm new here. I was looking for some kind of forum where I could interact with others like me. I think I may have found it. I live in South Texas, and I had a sleeve gastrectomy in Mexico in 2009 when I was 35. I initially weighed 340 lbs and lost 149 lbs. and went from a size 32 to a size 14. My goal was a 12, but I was really happy. I was exercising 5x a week on the elliptical for a whole hour nonstop! I kept the weight off for approximately 6 years. Unfortunately, all kinds of tragic events started changing my life. In 2014 my father passed away, and I took it really, really hard. I ended up on Xanax and Ambien. In 2015, I got divorced. In 2016, my mother passed away. In 2017, I was transferred from a job I really enjoyed to a brand new location with all different people to work with. Then the COVID Pandemic kept me teaching from home for a year and a half. It was literally one heartbreak after another. Rather than looking for actual help, I helped myself... to pills, alcohol, and crap food. Over the past 9 years, I regained all my weight. Even though I still felt restriction in eating (i.e. only half a burger or 1.5 slices of pizza, with no sides or drinks and I was done). I was 10 lbs away from my original weight before my sleeve. Last year, though, my school district sent out an email stating that WLS was now covered by our insurance. I was so excited! I looked into it, made many calls, and thought coverage was out of the question because I had already had a surgery. Our insurance covers "one surgery per life." However, since my first surgery was private pay, they went ahead and accepted covering my revision to a bypass. Today is my 18th day post op. I've lost 42 lbs altogether since May 11, but only 10 of those lbs since the surgery. I feel a little blue because I was hoping for more than a 10lb loss in 3 weeks. I lost more weight at the beginning when I started a semi-liquid diet to prepare for surgery. I was doing 3 shakes and one solid, no-carb meal. I know that revisions are slower than virgin surgeries. I am doing as much reading and research as I can. I just can't help it, I guess. After my sleeve, the weight loss was phenomenal. Right now I am consuming 450 cals, 60 g protein, and keeping my carbs under 40g. I am walking around my house (not outside because South Texas) 4x a day and was told I could start on the treadmill this coming Monday. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I'm also trying to find ways to consume fiber without a lot of carbs. I've eaten 1/2 cup of pinto beans twice but, man, that's a lot of carbs. I wanted to try raspberries, but I'm afraid of the little seeds getting stuck in my sutures. Any advice, thoughts, suggestions?

Am 64 and am having revision - lap band to gastric bypass- on Aug 20. I know several folks who had bypass at or after 65 since Medicare covers it. I am very thrilled to be having the RNY as the lap vans caused such reflux that u have had repeated aspiration pneumonias for years winding up with a staph infection in my lungs. It took 5 years for them to figure it out! Looking for other 60 ers whomsy be having surgery in July/ Aug to buddy up with!

Original thread http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/382417-4-YEARS-vsg-post-op.-revision-twisted-sleeve-to-bypass-comin-up! Sent from my Z981 using the BariatricPal App

Just wanted to ask to see if anyone had issues with infections.or any type of complication

I had revision almost 3 months ago and just recently moved to more dense protein. I run, cycle, and train a lot. Pre op sleeve I had lost 100 lbs with my lap band. Had complications and started my revision at 168. I now weigh anywhere between 134 and 138. I feel like I eat all day and I'm hungry all day. I average 800-1100 calories a day with 80-100 g of protein and low carbs. If I eat too late, when I wake up, I feel a stretching sensation/pain in my stomach. Does anyone feel this way? Does anyone feel like they eat all day? My portions are appropriate as I'm eating 2-4 oz at a time. I'm feeling lost, hungry, and like I just eat all the time. Please share your insights! Also I made the popcorn mistake by eating too mucch felt nasty and got rid of all popcorn in my house.

I experienced this same thing...back in Oct of '01 I had WLS and in Mar of '02 found out I was expecting. What a shocker! Not only was I a recent WLS patient, but I had high blood pressure, and I was approaching 40. Now 11 years later I have a beautiful daughter that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world! Here's what I can tell you about my experience...I did continue to lose weight during my pregnancy. I did have gestational diabetes, but that is not uncommon. My advice is to make sure you have an OB/GYN that is familiar with WLS (mine actually did a bariatric rotation with my weight loss surgeon). Don't forget to take care of yourself. The demands of a pregnancy and taking care of a newborn can be so overwhelming and for me it was very easy to lose sight of my weight loss goals. I just had a revision in November and although I don't regret it, I sure don't recommend it. Take care of yourself now. Don't lost sight of your goals. What you do now to take care of yourself will make you a better mom. Enjoy your pregnancy, but take care of yourself!

Ok, the hiatal hernia is bcause the weight of the stomach area stretched the muscle that is around your esophagus near where it meets with the stomach. Imagine a hose attached to a balloon going through an uncooked bagel....stay with me here....if you pull the hose, the balloon is supposed to stop....if you have a hiatal hernia, the bagel is stretched so part of the balloon (stomach) pokes up through it. Now considering that the sleeve shapes your stomach like a banana, if that opening is stretched then a lot more stomach can shift up through there. Its not really age its more size and wether or not your "bagel" is stretched open or not. I hope I didn't sound too insane. Btw, I had a hiatal hernia repair on the same day as my sleeve and I hardly ever had pain or discomfort. Im 2 weeks+ out from a revision from the lapband to sleeve. As far as other hernias go, there's multiple reasons for them but age still doesn't save you. I was 21, in shape in the Army and got a hernia in my lower abdomen. Just happens.

Well, I guess it has been a few years since i wrote in this blog. So, I am having a revision from lap band to sleeve tomorrow. 9 Feb 15. I am excited but nervous. I would like to write every week. The exception will be this week. I will write after surgery and again over the week. See you on the Loser Bench!

Hm. Well I'm not here to defend my decision to you (unless you want to know because you care, not because you want to convince me I'm making a mistake and want to convert me), and more importantly, this topic is about the information you posted. So I'd rather focus on that, if you don't mind. What irked me about the post is that the whole tone is very misleading. If you are here to offer your experience and insight and possibly help others, then great. But you just posted a study summary that, after reading it, didn't pass my sniff test. I assume you downloaded (paid for) this entire study and didn't post just some vague conclusion about the lap band being inferior to the sleeve to explain why you made the choice to switch after a poor band experience. (which, by the way, is not everyone else's experience) I approach scientific data with healthy skepticism, and I'm happy to keep an open mind. So here are my questions on the abstract and results: What is gastrointestinal quality of life? What does it mean - how is it measured in this study? Are we talking good and bad bacteria, number of bowel movements, rate of intestinal distress? What is food tolerance? What does it mean - are we talking what variety of foods are able to be eaten? Quantity of food? This is most interesting to me because the band's primary purpose is to keep food tolerance low. I'm not sure why, otherwise, it would be part of a study. That's like measuring the light and heat from the sun and declaring that it's hotter and brighter than a lamp. lol. How significant is "significantly lower" did the AGB score? What do the numbers mean? Does it mean that because of these parameters, AGB patients had less long term weight loss? Lower quality of life? Less complications, less revision rates? Worse overall health? These things would get my attention, and cause me to look into my options again. Don't get me wrong, MsMaui, I wouldn't wish complications on anyone, I don't want the whole world to be banded. It's for specific people. And sometimes even good band candidates have a crappy surgical experience, like perhaps yourself. And maybe me, but I'm not convinced yet. As for me...My band has failed, yes, but for logical reasons. There is no reason to think it won't work again once replaced with a newer model and the port located to a less stressful place. Also, I am opposed to permanent surgical alteration, and will do everything in my power to avoid it. The band is still good in my eyes, especially seeing the results personally.

So I have a bit of a complex issue. I had the Lapband put in 2009 and had great success. In 2015 I developed an antibiotic resistant port infection and had to have my band removed. I’m trying to get approved for the gastric sleeve but my insurance has denied saying I’m only allowed one surgery per lifetime. Has anyone ever successfully got them to approve it with peer to peer review. Trying to arm myself with as much info as possible.

Wow Mymiserys - that is an awesome loss! How do you feel? Did you find the weight just fell of you quickly??? Amazing that your almost at goal! Will you be happy losing those last few pounds? Or will you revise your goal???

I was sleeves in Chicago by doctor Elli in January and up to date I only lost 33 pound very frustrated my sleeve was a revision from band to sleeve. Despite, I have seen successful revision why not me ? I had the revision to be healthy but it seems like it won't happen. My diabetes and blood pressure never went on remission. I went see my surgeon two month ago he assure to me that I had a good sleeve Really a good one ??? So why Am I struggling yo lose the weight then. I am stuck in 195 the scale don't move much it goes up and down and stay in the same weight for month. The funny things is that I don't eat much. When I had the sleeve I was told I will be 130lb not even close to that. It just unfortunate how I lost a part of my body to gain nothing. I had to have iron infusion last week and my protein was low although I drink about 60 g of protein a day. I just don't know what to do it some what very embarrassing hearing your friend saying you have not loss much. Well that my dilemma hopefully someone with the same situation that over come it will help me out. Sometime I wonder I my sleeve was done right but who am I to know since I am not a doctor please I need good advise.

I'm doing all the jumping through hoops for the insurance company before I can get a sleeve to RNY revision. Looks like tomorrow is the big day for you!!! Congratulations!

Thank you everybody ! Your input meant alot . I called my insurance today they so cover baractric surgey and revision surgey it just up to my doctor's notes on what they do . my appointment has been moved to friday the 16 or 17 th not surs what day lol . I now going around getting my diet doctor notes who I have seen every month for 2 years and lost a grand total of 12 lbs in two years lol ya after I had the flu which thank god she documented . Also have to get proof of my gym memembership and my personal trainer notes that I had for one month . Notes from my denist about how years of threwing up is really start to destroy my teeth and notes from my obgyn about my prenancy diabeties and the other weight related issues and also blood work and see my primary care doctor. I also have my husbands insurance as a secondy insurance so maybe they might step up where my insurance won't . Sorry I feel like I am a pain with all the questions . I just went into the lap band without thinking or doing my homework . Which I regret so bad now ! I have been heavy for 20 years now all I what is to finally be free from this weight ! And tyi dye best of luck with your surgey !

Here's my saga. I posted this elsewhere in the forums and was kind of surprised at the negative response, so let me say, this is just my story. I'm not bashing the band, I'm very thankful for the success I had with it. I'm not bitter or angry, it just didn't work for me long term. I had a Realize band placed in February of 2009. My starting weight was 268. The band was fantastic and I lost weight steadily, with the exception of a few months when I realized how easy Cookies were to eat. In December of 2010, I hit the 100 pounds lost mark, I also found out I was pregnant that same week. At about 4 weeks pregnant I had a really nasty 3 day stomach flu. A few days after recovering from that, I started throwing up again. I could keep food down for a few hours, but it was all coming back up. I lost another 15 pounds in 2 weeks. I thought it was just severe morning sickness, even though in 5 previous pregnancies I'd never had morning sickness. I saw my Ob who told me to immediately get my band unfilled and if I was still throwing up the next day he'd have to admit me into the hospital. I got a complete unfill and immediately felt better, but with no restriction and absolutely no mental/physical/spiritual preparedness for no restriction, my love affair with all things bread and pastry renewed like we were never apart. I gained 40 pounds in the first 4 months of my pregnancy. I managed to gain back a little control, but ended up gaining about 60 pounds before I had my daughter in August of 2011. The weight gain took a great emotional toll on me, but I just knew that 6 weeks postpartum I'd get a fill and be right back on track... You know where this is going, right? In October of 2011 I got my band refilled. Pre-pregnancy, my fill level was at 7.2cc in an 11 cc band. We filled it to 3.5 cc and 3 weeks later filled it to 5 cc. I had very little restriction and it just didn't seem right. I'd also started getting heartburn. I went back a few weeks later and we filled it to 5.5. That lasted 24 hours, I had to go back in for an unfill and we went down to 5.2 so I could get Water down. I still didn't have much restriction, but I did have terrible heartburn and vomiting in the middle of the night. I lived with this for a few months until I couldn't stand it and went back in and had .5 cc removed. This made the heartburn manageable with daily meds and tums always at hand, but there was no restriction. I could eat all the bread, Pasta, rice that I wanted. I knew I had a slip, but didn't have insurance to cover bariatrics, so I lived with it. I tried eating less, exercise, weight watchers, even a juice fast but I've gained 20 more pounds on top of the baby weight. Fast forward to now and I finally have insurance to cover bariatrics. I went in a few weeks ago and had my upper GI. It showed a slip above the band, virtually my entire stomach is above the band, which is why there is no restriction felt, but the band was so tight that flow into the rest of my digestive tract was severely restricted. Food just sat there for a really long time, and the results of that we're just kind of gross. We unfilled the band completely to see if the slip would fix itself, although, we all knew what that result would be. The pregnancy hadn't caused the slip, the stomach flu had and 9 months of an empty band hadn't helped it unslip. I got that confirmation this week. My band is still slipped and the restriction is still severe even empty. I'm frustrated, but quite relieved that there has been a real issue this whole time and it wasn't just me. We're now going through the process of getting insurance approval to revise to a sleeve and I couldn't be happier.

I had revision on 6/18 due to many of the same reasons as you. I'm glad I switched and love my sleeve so far. I have Kaiser and am glad I didn't have to go thru all the hops to get approved. Since we had 3 years of documented testing, issues etc that was enough to get it approved and paid for.

Yes I had it out May 8th. I was in the hospital 8 days due to an infection. They also thought I had a leak so went back in for surgery on the third day to check around for a leak but apparently there wasn't one. They put drains in on the second surgery and I got a lot better after that. I have lost 38lbs since may. Day of surgery I was 216. Now I am 178 and half way to goal. I have lost 53lbs all together since January when I started the revision process from a high weight of 231. It's the best thing I ever did!

Severe nightime reflux was also my only symptom of my slip. I sufferred with it for 4 mths before finally seeing my dr. I was afraid he'd unfill me and I'd gain back all 104 lbs I had lost. He did. When my reflux subsided, he started filling me slowly. By the time of my 3rd refill, my reflux came back. They took the previous 1cc out and told me it was now up to me, my band had done the job. Mentioned nothing of a revision or removal. 4 mths later, I had severe stomach pain and had to go to the ER. After a CT scan, it showed my band had finally had enuf and herniated (after continuing to vomit almost daily). I had an emergency total unfill and scheduled a sleeve revision. After a yr and a gain of 30 lbs, I finally had a light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a year since my revision (all at once) and I'm now 10 lbs from goal of 140. The first 100 lbs were easy peasy compared with the last 15. Good luck on ur new journey...

I had the revision to the sleeve on November 18 it was called a Duo Denal Switch and only lost 25 # so far. You should talk to your surgeon about it because the same thing happened to me. I lost 50 pounds and gained 15 back. The new surgeon advised me my sleeve was not done properly. I am happy now except my dr told me to eat 6 times per day and I find this very hard to do because I don't know what to eat anymore and I find when I don't eat 5-6 times per day I don't lose weight but when I do this consistently I lose a pound per day.

Hey everyone! I know there are a lot of posts on here but I'm new to this site and I'm still a little lost! I currently have a band, have for approx 3 years, the first year I lost 60 pounds, I've gained all but about 15-20 back. I have had no success for approx 2 years now and it sucks! I'm miserable. I recently got new insurance and it covers wls! I have an appointment on Thursday to talk to my doctor who did my original wls to see what options I have. I've done a lot of research and I'm thinking sleeve would be good as I'm sick of failing with this band! Can anyone who has had both please give some feedback/suggestions!? Did you fail with the band and succeed with sleeve? How much have you lost and in how long? How long were you in the hospital? Recovery? Etc!.... Thanks for everyone's time, I look forward to hearing from you!!

Has anyone had to have the 24 hour PH test??? Did it help with approval for revision?

I had my revision on April 25th. I have more new incisions that it looks like Swiss cheese. I had so much scar tissue from the band that he had no choice. The surgeon had to cut 1/3 of my stomach to clean up the scars. So I ended up with a mini sleeve and RNY.

I've never posted on boards before but someone suggested I might find support here. I'm one week away from band to bypass revision surgery and getting nervous! I'm anxious to get the band out due to problems I've had with it in the past four years and looking forward to the bypass to help with the weight. I do find that a few well meaning friends and family are not very supportive.

How long is the hospital stay for revisions?