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Marie, Yes I did have to stay overnight with the revision/rebanding. I am getting stronger every day. My doc allowed me to advance to full liquids now so I can drink some Protein shakes (a little at a time) so that gives me more energy. I am still very sore and it is just as sore as it was the first time around. I hope that goes away soon, but I know it will just take time to heal. The sinus drainage is better. I am so excited about that. I take the claritin nightly and it seems to work better than taking it first thing in the morning. Thanks for asking. Just to clear things up, I only had band slippage, not erosion at all. Take care and good luck to us all!

I made it through my revision surgery Friday. The surgery did take longer than the first surgery mainly because of adhesions and scar tissue from the first surgery. I was in surgery 4 hours. He also had to remove the old lap band and install a new one the reason being that my stomach that had prolapsed over top of the band was so swelled up and inflamed from my almost nightly vomiting that it would not pull back down through the band at all, so therefore he had to remove it and replace with a new one. Bless his heart, I know he must have been worn out after my surgery. I am pretty sore, but have been blessed to have not had any nausea at all and very little gas pains. God is so good. I am moving like a granny woman, but at least I have my new best friend back with me. Please pray I heal up well and that this sinus drainage drys up so I don't cough any. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers.

If your insurance covers VSG, but your surgeon does not have admission rights at any network hospitals, you can ask your insurance for an exception. They may pay for you to get it done at that hospital. It's worth asking. Be sure you choose your surgeon with care. Revisions are no joke, and you want a surgeon who's been vetted and is experienced with good outcomes. Obesityhelp.com is a good first resource for that IME. A DS (duodenal switch) is not like an RNY, BTW. Your pyloric valve remains intact, and you don't have a pouch, you have a stomach. A DS involves the same stomach reduction as a VSG, but they do re-route your intestines. It's the heavy duty WLS. VSG is often stage 1 of 2 for DS patients.

Hey, I just wanted to stop by and say that after almost 2 years of struggling with my lap band and not losing weight, I have decided to undergo a revision. I'm proud of all of you who have lost weight, or met your goal weight, but also want those of you have haven't to know that you're not alone. I'm not trying to tell anyone that they should do what I've done. Just that you shouldn't feel discouraged if you're not making the same progress as others. Best to all, Juniper

Very cool, Dr. Salzberg banded me in Norfolk VA in 2008. She was very nice back then, with a different team though. I recall going in for surgery day and expecting my DR Wolgmuth (sp) and she came in and I said hello and she started talking and then said so anything I can do for you and I said.... ummm no but when can I see my Dr? She said you are looking at her! Haha I was suprised bc I had never met her. She did a great job, even though it was removed last week and revision to sleeve with my dr now in Texas

Well back again, I have my Results Review to set up my revision Tuesday. My wife is not thrilled with the thought. It doesn't help that I had foot surgery 2 weeks ago, the Bone has healed well but the incision is still sore, So she is not excited and is very fearful of the revision, She would prefer I just have the band taken out. I am looking to have the revision done in may and would do both the removal and revision at one time. It doesn't help that she had lunch with a friend who's husband is in medical surgical equipment and told her about how they do the surgery etc. and she thinks I well be depressed as we entertain a lot and I wont be able to eat. I too am still thinking going back and forth with this. Again I have such a long history of Family and personal struggle with weight. The band was a good decision in that i have kept off a good amount of weight for 8 Years, and have adopted a much better life style. (I can't wait to get back to the gym and pool.) But the band has had it's issues, I am going to be 60 this year also. For some time now I drink Protein shakes and have to drink with meals as the pouch is painful even if i have a few bites - due to pouch issues. I am concerned that with out anything I might regain more weight. I know that Eventually will need knee replacement and can't afford to be any heaver. I see other family members who are now older and very overweight having so many issues to get around. I also have friends who have struggled with weight up and down 100/lbs and can not consider WLS as they now have other medical issues. The older one gets the more harder to recover etc. Also I've reached my out of pocket max for the year. (Knee injections, Foot Surgery, and all the Pre Op tests) I have kind of been thinking about this for years wanting to get these last Lbs off but also somewhat comfortable with how I am. But with so many visits to have Fluid put in and out and now my band is empty and Dr.says no more fills and the band needs to come out. My primary care Dr is OK with it but says realize you can have a huge thanksgiving meal. My Knee Dr set a letter that I needed it also. I have been so compliant insurance has agreed to pay for the revision. I have been praying and thinking on this for some time. My thought was that if ins approved it I would go ahead and now that they have i am concerned that i am tempting fate, as I am generally in good shape but would be helpful to looks additional 30/lbs or so. My Daughter was also banded a number of years ago but regained her weight , she actually was the first to start the revision process as she has 2 friends who have the sleeve a few yrs ago and have done well. She started WW back in Aug, while she started the revision process. Ultimately she was not approved Because of non compliance but has now lost 85/lbs on her own! She is very strict but she too is thinking she may need to do something later as she has been through this before and doesn't know if she can keep it off. She is encouraging me to get the sleeve as she know how I work out and have kept a good amount of weight off, She thinks I will do well with it. She says her friends who are a few years out generally eat 1/2 of what is served in a restaurant (Which is often what I do, unless its a salad). Even thought i don't have any fill I have some restriction but am definitely more hungry. Hopefully my Dr will put both of us at ease Any words of encouragement?

I’m wondering, I’m considering for myself as I am seeking to schedule a revision within the next few weeks if my body some peoples body might just handle a good old green smoothie better than I don’t know avocados and tunafish or some thing. I’m seriously considering becoming a vegetarian and I’ve been trying to figure out what would keep things really simple and keep me feeling the most energized with the most vitamins and thought Hey maybe I will just live on green smoothies for a few months after surgery.

Christina, Welcome to the board. Glad to see another Nebraskan here! I think everyone thinking weather they are MO or not that we are just not trying hard enough. I though the same way. Until I finally realize that MO is a disease. Wow six children! Girl sometimes I can't handle the three I have! You are Superwoman! Once again welcome to the group! You will find alot of information and friendships. Don't be afraid to ask any questions. XOXO~Teresa Gering, NE 34 yrs young Banded:5/14/02 Port Revision:9/22/03 Dr. Hollway & Dr. Forney Regional West Medical Center Scottsbluff, NE .80cc's 366/209/180-160 <~~Goal!

10 months to a normal BMI, I forget exactly how long until I got from a 24.9BMI to a 20BMI. A few months. After I got to a normal BMI I kept it up for the most part but would give myself days where I increased calories. Now I am sleeved (revision at goal) and today I have to eat 4 meals a day to maintain. I like to eat so it's not a problem. ;o) My doc was not supportive of 600 calories a day, he wanted 800. *I* wanted the fat chapter closed quickly. Thank you.

Hi Stefanie, I'm in toronto too. I'm going to Montreal for a revision (self-pay). I looked into both. Like others have said. Bypass is the proven gold standard, so should not be something to be too concerned about. I'm the opposite of you. I've been told they may not be able to do a bypass because of scar tissue and my have to do a sleeve. I won't know until I have woken up which I got. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I know many people state that the RNY is to invasive for them but...even tho they reroute our pouch etc think about the Sleeve they are removing your stomach like 85 to 90%. Thar is pretty invasive if you ask me. Also if you have GERD the Sleeve tends to make it worse. I do know some have to be revised to the RNY. Also I see that your weight is 245 right, my STATS are: Highest weight 249#'s Surgery weight 232 Current weight 125#'s. I went below my goal weight because of Strictures ( kind of like scar tissue) I got down to 117#'s and both my PCP and my Suregon were worried that I was losing muscle instead of the fat. I managed to gain 8#'s and it is amazing how healthy I feel!! I did get to my goal weight in 6 months and have managed to maintain at 125#'s. Just check out your options. It also depends on your diet if you love carbs sugar etc the RNY gives you restriction and the malobsorbsion too. Which means you don't absorb as many calories. Like I said do your research because noone can decide which is best for you.

I'm sorry I can't offer any insight to the revision aspect of your question, but I had my sleeve done on an outpatient basis! I walked into the hospital at 7:30 AM and walked out at 6:00 PM (with some help). I was able to go to the restroom by myself within hours of waking up from surgery. From my experience, a hospital stay wouldn't be out of the question. You'll be uncomfortable and possibly having a hard time getting/keeping liquids down. Having people to help is very important. My boyfriend was with me almost at all times for the next 4 days or so, making sure I get in liquids, helping me get around, and making sure I walked and used the incentive spirometer every hour for maybe 12-14 hours each day. I can assure you; it's very nice, possibly necessary, to have people around who care.

My surgeon has not given me a goal weight, either. His PA just gave me the average "excess weight lost" percentage range (60-70%) as an idea of what I could expect to lose. That would have put me between 165 and 175, which is still obese for my height (5'2"). Initially, I chose 145 lbs as my personal goal even though I would have still been in the "overweight" category, because it's a weight that I felt OK at in college, and I simply could not wrap my mind around being any smaller than that. But once I really started losing post-op, I revised my goal to 135 lbs, which put me at the top of the "normal" weight range. I'm now at 128.8, just a few pounds heavier than I was in high school! I had to postpone my 6-month follow up until after the holidays, but I'll see what my surgeon has to say then. @@WL WARRIOR - Where did you find the info about working towards a "set point"? Does Dr. Weiner have a website, or has he put out a book? I'd be interested to learn more!

I have suffered from severe depression and fibromyalgia for years. I have had several hospitalizations, and so many med changes I lost count. I even had electro-convulsive therapy. I had to give up my career and take my disability.That's a story all on its own. I opted for the sleeve, because my health had begun to fail me and I had to get the weight off. A lot of it is from medications I have taken over the years. Research your meds, and if any of them cause weight gain, you have to switch or you'll have a hard time losing. I ended up having severe bile reflux--my gallbladder was removed years before my WLS, so bile just backed up into my sleeve and into my esophagus. It was torture. I had to have a revision to bypass to cure the reflux. My psychiatrist had to change two of my meds because they were extended release and I need immediate release now. I have never felt better psychologically. My meds are working great, and the weight loss helps immensely. I still have to do the work in therapy, but for now I am doing surprisingly well. This is a decision that will always fall under great scrutiny; so many people know nothing about WLS and some of them believe in incorrect information. You will have to defend your decision often in the beginning. You are the one who has to live with it and make all the changes. You may just have to wait until you prove them wrong before they will accept it. Some people never will. They will maintain that you should have done it on your own. I make no apologies for my decision. It was right for me. All you can do is try to educate them as to why this is the choice you have made. If you truly believe it is best for you, then do it. Just make sure you are ready to change every aspect of your relationship with food if you have to. It is worth it. Even if you feel alone at first, trust in your decision and follow your instinct about it. Good luck to you. I hope you find your way to what is best for you.

I had a lapband and like you only lost about 30 pounds. I was revised to the sleeve last year in May, and I'm already under my original goal.

I am doing well, seem to be progressing nicely. My weight loss has been a little slower than some, but I've heard this is common with revisions. Since stating my 2-week preop edit on 5/9 I am down 23 pounds.

I meet with my doctor on 8/2 to see if he can do a fill and if not we will discuss other options. I can try to have fills un floro or have a revision to reposition the port. I think the nurses name that tried my fill was Lori. She was very nice but had a difficult time.

WOW!!!! It is all too familiar to me though. I had my band for ten years before it had to be removed 18 months ago and I still have separation anxiety! My fault because I didn't want to listen to my body and had all the same issues you had.. Happy you were able to revise and hope you have the results you wish for! Listen to your body, don't be afraid to ask for help and you'll succeed. If I had I would have the choice to revise to a sleeve. For me too much damage was done to my esophagus .

I may need to revise my goal for this challenge but I will wait until next week. Start of challenge - 151 Last week - 150 Today - 149 Goal - 140

I had VSG in Mx. with Dr. Illan. You can look at my previous posts for details, but I do know he does a ton of VSG to RNY/MGB revisions. I had a phenomenal experience and would absolutely HIGHLY recommend HospitalBC for anyone considering medical tourism. Don't let the US scare machine dissuade you.

I'm sitting in bed at my home sipping a bottle of Water waiting for my turn in the shower. I'm a mixed bag of emotions- nervous, excited, a little scared... my darling husband (the shower hog) is grumpy today. That's his way of showing me he's nervous. My bag is packed and I'm ready to get this show on the road! I'm second on the list for this afternoon and set for surgery at 3pm. Here's keeping my fingers and toes crossed that my surgeon is able to complete my band to sleeve revision in one operation and that everything runs as smooth as clockwork!

I too had to have my band replaced with another and they gave me a 14cc band. (after having a 4 cc band) The explanation they gave me was that on revisions they always used the largest bands because of the possibility of scar tissue. It look a lot of time and a lot of fluid to fill that band! I gained back 30 pounds while I waited for restriction... It sounds like you are not to the sweet spot yet. Is there any way you could find a more agreeable doc? Would he even be willing to do a fluroscope to check to see if you have any problems? (although problems are usually caused by being too tight, and if doesn't sound like you are) If he won't check you, I'd find a new doc, even if it meant traveling. Your health is important. The guy sounds like more of an ass then most surgeons. (mine is a sweetheart, I'm lucky. If you are around Ohio let me know) Don't be so down on yourself. It sounds as if you had a complication, yes, but it was out of your control. Now you can step up and find out what is going on. If you have another slip, it's not your fault because you haven't been throwing everything up (that's what causes slips). Just find out the facts and go on from there. Please keep me posted. I wish you the best and I hope there is nothing wrong and all you need is a little fill to go on your merry way to weight loss. If there is something wrong, there will be a way around it. Good luck,

I got a private message asking about the pre-op diet so I figure I would share it here. I am doing the one week sleeve pre-op diet even though I am a bandster revising to a sleeve. Some banded people are required to do a liquid diet (like Susan) depending on the symptoms they have. This is the diet MY surgeon requires. YOURS might want a different one. The diet for people with a BMI of less than 40 is NO DIET! LOL. Unfortunately, I don't fall into that category. I am in the 40-49 BMI range so my diet is: 1. Unlimited lean beef, chicken, fish 2. Low fat yogurt 3. Protein shakes 4. Protein Bars The problem is that I am limited to 30 grams of carbs a day. Many protein bars and shakes are high carb. I found a soy Protein shake that is 4 carbs per serving and am doing lean chicken and fish to stay right around the 30 gram mark. High protein and low fat and carbs serve to shrink the liver making doing the surgery easier and safer for the surgeon and the recovery less painful.

Five days and I'll be on the plane heading for my sleeve revision. I made a "to do" list and am rapidly checking off tasks. The time just seems to be flying by but I'll be ready. LOL.

As Elisabeth wrote, it's $12,500 for a revision. For a straight sleeve (not removing a band) it's $9,000 or $9500. I wish I would have done the sleeve to begin with.