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I can't can't can't believe that I am only 5 days pre-op. Unreal that the big day is almost here. So incredibly grateful for finding this board and all of the wonderful and helpful people on here. This board is a gem. I hope Monday-Wednesday goes by quickly at work. I want to get on that plane and head to San Diego NOW!!!

1) depends on your policy....I had a total exclusion on any WLS so I had to pay out of pocket for my revision 2) I would have done it again in a heart beat! I'm 7 months post-revision and my life has been great! with the lapband I only lost 40 pounds, then gained it back and then some...with the sleeve I have restriction, I'm doing the right things and it is paying off....love it!

Interesting articles. I had revision surgery for a slipped lap band and had a new lap band placed 1 1/2 years ago. The new band slipped twice and I had my lap band removed totally a month ago. I'm sure that is a complication of revision surgery because my surgeon said that I had so much scar tissue from my previous surgeries that the scar tissue pushed my band up into my esophagus. Certainly this is a complication of revision surgery?

Research: Bariatric Surgery Revisions Carry Greater Risks Than Initial Procedure Revisional bariatric surgery appears to be associated with a higher risk of complications than the initial procedure, according to a study published in the February issue of Archives of Surgery. News - Bariatric Surgery Revisions Carry Greater Risks Than Initial Procedure <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

thanks for answering my ?'s i have found this site soooo helpful thanks to others like you. Initially I thought I'd get bypass but after reading here I opted for "the band"

Hi! Am joining to share with others like me. Had lap band dec 2011- had oesophageal dilatation band was opened from oct 2013 till my new surgery on July 31 2014; roux en y bypass . Am learning to live with new surgery. Found to be loosing hair now a little worried and still learning how to eat. Tonight had pistachios and had bad cramps and bloating . Not sure if blockage am waiting to see how it goes, am having hot water to help things go down... A little worried and new at this... Anyone with suggestions or just comforting words?

I'm sure after the surgery you should be up and walking as much as possible, but about how long until you can do something like jogging again? With my tummy tuck it was 6 weeks but I'm not sure whether a tummy tuck is a better or worse surgery than a revision...

Hey goldengirl1. As mentioned before on this thread I also am sleeved and am getting my revision to bypass on the 4th December. So excited/nervous it’s getting closer. Wish you all the best with your revision too :)

I had my band to sleeve revision done on the 2nd. First thing I asked when I woke up was if it was successful since it was being done in one operation vs two. When I heard "yes", I was ecstatic. I'm happy and excited for you! I'm like on post day 7, I believe and well, it's been wonderful vs my first week with the band.That is awesome!! How's your recovery going?First day was a little rough, but after I got home that evening, it was smooth sailing. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Yay. Congrats! I had my band in 2009 too. I went through something very similar. It worked and it helped so much but it was a pain to find and re-find my sweet spot, being unfilled due to being too tight, and being filled too much.. etc. I just had my revision to sleeve on Sept. 9, 2016. I love it.

I had my band to sleeve revision done on the 2nd. First thing I asked when I woke up was if it was successful since it was being done in one operation vs two. When I heard "yes", I was ecstatic. I'm happy and excited for you! I'm like on post day 7, I believe and well, it's been wonderful vs my first week with the band.That is awesome!! How's your recovery going?First day was a little rough, but after I got home that evening, it was smooth sailing. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App That's good. I hope my recovery is just as good.I hope so too. I believe it will be . Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App Thanks!!!

Someone suggested that I post my list of questions that I brought to my consultation. Some are redundant, sorry about that. I hope this helps and please add your questions too. ABOUT THE DOCTOR: How many gastric banding procedures have you done? Is he a board certified surgeon? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery and recovery and life with band? Is there a difference among the two different adjustable gastric bands? Do you have other Lap-Band® patients that I can talk to? Do you have a video or presentation that I can watch that shows the surgery? Do you specialize in the Lap-Band® or do you perform other procedures as well? Do you perform other gastric band procedures? What is the Realize band, pros/cons of each? What are the short term issues? What are the long term issues? What is the doctor's policy when a complication occurs during a procedure? (ie: does he discuss options with family or immediately convert to bypass or other WLS). What qualifications does this doctor have regarding the specific brand of band that will be used? (Lap-Band System, by Allergan or Realize Band by Ethicon/Johnson&Johnson) ABOUT THE PROCEDURE: Lap Band vs Realize? What is the “scarless surgery?” Do you perform the procedure on an outpatient basis or will it require an overnight stay in the hospital? What kind of anesthesia will I be getting? Will an anesthesiologist be present during the entire procedure Is the surgery being done at a surgery center or at a hospital? How will you protect me from infection/staff infection during the procedure? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery? PREPARING FOR SURGERY: What tests do I have to have prior to surgery? Will I need to have a special diet before surgery? Will you notify my primary care doctor about the procedure? Do you need any of my medical records prior to surgery? AFTER SURGERY CARE AND FOLLOW UP When can I resume taking medications? How soon after surgery do you want to see me for a follow up visit? How do does the doctor determine whether or not my band will need to be adjusted? Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies? When should I have my first adjustment/ fill? What will I need to have prepared when I get home in way of food items? When can I resume exercise? How will I manage my pain after surgery? How will I have to change my eating habits after surgery? How much weight should I expect to lose in the first month? FRIENDS AND FAMILY What help can you give me to help educate my family and friends so that they can also support me? LIFE AFTER BAND: How do adjustments work and how often will I need adjustments during the first year? Ongoing? How often will I have to see the doctor over the next year and at what cost? How is it better than other forms of bariatric surgeries like Gastric c Bypass and Gastric Sleeve? What is the expected weight loss? How much time will be required for losing weight? Is there possibly a better weight surgery for me?

I had RNY Gastric Bypass on November 14, 2016. On my day of surgery, I weighed 334 and have lost a lot of weight. In February, I was rushed to the ER with a perforated intestine (hole) caused by a Marginal Ulcer near where my Roux limb attaches to my stomach pouch. I survived that ordeal, staying in the hospital for 5 days after nearly dying from sepsis. In mid-April, something changed...my "intestinal motility" slowed way down and my (sorry) poop practically turned to clay. I wound up back in the hospital during the 3rd week of April with a diagnosis of "Prostatitis" but my CT scans revealed my entire pelvis was inflamed. I was on strong antibiotics (liquid Bactrim) for six weeks and took probiotics to combat diarrhea. I had completed my course of antibiotics during the first week of June. Several weeks later, I still struggle with very slow intestines and my weight loss has plateaued for 3 months now. I am "hovering" between 251 and 247 and my size or shape hasn't changed in months. I am seeing my surgeon in a couple of days for a follow up, but I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Has anyone else experienced such a long plateau? It is disheartening to think this could be the end of my weight loss. I feel like I could lose another 100 pounds...I know...that may not be realistic, but I feel like I haven't lost enough and my BMI is at just under 36...I started out with a BMI of 52. I feel like my stall is related to the slow down in my intestines...almost like my body decided it was going to try to absorb more from the food I was eating and hang on to more, preventing me from losing more weight. I am starting to feel helpless and depressed just writing about it. Ugh. I know that's not the intention of these forums, but I guess writing about it made me really express how I was feeling. Does anyone have any answers? Has anyone else been through this? I feel like I can't travel without stool softeners and Senna tea to try and keep me going.

Yes mrsroyale there’s a lot of us out here. In BariaticPal, I recommend you go to the forum, Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Groups, General Weight Loss Surgery Forums, Vegetarian or Vegan Eating. Good luck in your journey.

Hi All, I have the Sleeve about 16 months ago and had an overall good result, lost about 55% of my excess weight. I was pretty surprised though that I really never had much feeling of restriction after the surgery, never got sick, never felt overly stuffed, and my hunger only decreased moderately. I kinda felt like most of my weight loss was really attributable to the lifestyle changes I made associated with the surgery, although it definitely helped some. I recently was diagnosed with an inflammatory spine disease for which the only real treatment is aggressive weight loss and moderation of inflammation. I'm considering having a revision of the sleeve or conversion to a bypass and would really like to find someone great in the Los Angeles area. My previous surgeon was fine operatively but didn't really listen to me and I'd be hesitant to discuss my current situation in that setting as this feels like a really big decision given my recent diagnoses. I'm considering Dr. Feiz and Dr. Dorwaiswamy. Any other great people I should consider who are great surgeons but also willing to spend a minute listening to concerns?

So my questions: 1. How will the LAP-BAND® help me lose weight? There is something magical that once you hit your "sweet spot" you can only eat about a cup of food at a sitting - and your body stays satisfied with that - thinking it is full....I find I don't crave sweets or junk food...bread has NO pull at all as my body craves the Protein that it needs to function well. I would've NEVER believed that pre op - as i was a carbaholic! 2. What kind of diet needs to be kept after the LAP-BAND® is installed? Like she said - you first eat your protein - as I found if you aren't getting enough protein your hair will start to fall out...not cool! You will find that once you have eaten your protein you haven't room for much else! But if you want to eat a scoop of frozen yogurt or something as a treat you can, and it is no big deal...you just have to be careful at the "slider" foods that go through the band and don't leave you feeling satisfied. I shoot for more solid protein that will stay with me longer. 3. If I/We/anyone can’t maintain a diet regiment before the LAP-BAND®, how can we expect that it would be any different after the LAP-BAND®? You still have to work on WHY you overeat -or make the choices that you do...it isn't an easy fix, which folks seem to think it is. (common misconsception) If you are prone to turn to food when upset - you still will even with the band, and you can "eat around" the band by overeating with slider type foods that go right through....and thus circumventing the band. So it isn't a cure all - but it helps you control your portions of foods and you can still eat "real food" - it just takes a LOT less to satisfy your body. 4. Are there medications or supplements that need to be taken after the LAP-BAND® is installed? I just take my gummy Vitamin - some docs recommend a Calcium supplement, too.....your doctor will go over what they recommend. It isn't like the gastric bypass, though, where you have to take a lot of things for the rest of your life. (or so I am told by others...) 5. If insurance covers the procedure (I am investigating that with my insurance right now), and there is a problem with the device such as a leaky port, who covers the expense of fixing it? My mom's friend had to have her lapband replaced as it sprung a leak - her insurance covered it...I think typically if they cover putting it in, they would cover anything else that had to be done...but I would definately check with your insurance company. 6. Are there other manufacturing defect problems that can occur with the LAP-BAND®, and if so who absorbs the cost of repair? Haven't heard of anything on this either....... 7. I am noticing the number one side effect of the LAP-BAND® is nausea and vomiting. Is that a temporary problem or an ongoing problem? Can be ongoing depending on what you are trying to eat! If you are sticking to the right types of foods (protein - not breads and things that get stuck) then you won't have any trouble with PB'ing (which reminds me of a baby spitting up -just a burp) - but once you hit your sweet spot and have good restriction you will find that you have to eat slow and chew well ---- or else you can still struggle a lot with the "vomiting". I struggled the first 4 months or so...but then everything became habit and I haven't had any problems for a long time. 8. Is there any restriction on drinking alcohol when you have a LAP-BAND®? Not that I know of - course you wouldn't want to drink too much since it is empty calories.... Good luck! Kim

I also had my revision from lapband to sleeve on October 9th . Band was put in place in April of 2012 and removed July 31, 2019. Sleeved on Oct 9, 2019. I love my sleeve. None of the procedures was particularly painful. I expected the sleeve to be more painful but it really wasn't. I think the worst of the three was having the lap band removed, at the incision site where the band came out.

Why would you opt for a revision? The sleeve won't stop you from eating the wrong foods or too much anymore than a band will. You're looking at bariatric surgery as if it were a governor placed on your body that completely controls your intake and that's just not how it works. Any WLS is a tool but if you don't use the tool, you won't find success. I see posts from others who also deal with the non supportive families and I have to admit I'd struggle with the issue too. I think that this is an area that surgeons don't evaluate well enough. Some patients should be screened out or not encouraged to have WLS until they're in control of their own environment. Although, I have seen some patients who also work in a restaurant who have had WLS. Sorry, I have willpower, but not in the quantities needed to refrain from not cheating in that environment. It must be very difficult to plan and execute a healthy eating lifestyle when you're not in control over the meal planning? tmf

Dumping is not guaranteed. So maybe not the best ideas to make a decision on that. You posted on the bypass thread so you'll get a lot of pro bypass perspectives, too. I decided bypass because I wanted the greatest chance of my co morbidities being completely resolved. I wanted long term data. I've been on this site a while and I can't figure out if sleeves are just being offered more lately and there by we are hearing more about folks not being able to eat being 6 wks, 6 months out and other stuff or if sleeves are more vocal about it. Can't tell. I'm two weeks out and can tolerate everything I tried with no problems, nausea, vomiting. I know when I'm am eating too fast but I think that would be the same for everyone at this point. You need to make this decision with your surgeon. I think most people go with their guts and at their fear edge. Some people are gonna be creeped out by the re routing, I was afraid of the long line of stitching with the sleeve or developing any sort of reflux, heartburn etc. Also, what sealed the deal for me and you might ask your surgeon. How many of each procedures has he/she done? Which one has he/she done the most revisions or fixed complications with? And how comfortable with it are they? If his or her child needed bariatric surgery which would they recommend? Honestly, you are young and healthy and would probably do well with a uncomplicated sleeve or bypass process, but you may not need all the bypass has to offer.

Depending on what food you mean, and what procedure you're having, a lot of food that got us all obese in the first place isn't on the post-op plan (for good reason). Some people who are in maintenance are able to pretty much eat normally (though still a balanced diet), but bypass and SADI folks especially need to be mindful of making nutritious choices due to the malabsorption factor. High carb, high sugar and high fat foods can also bring on dumping syndrome. Thankfully the surgery really helps a lot of folks with reigning in cravings, and bad food loses most of its allure. As for coffee, I was offered it in the hospital along with my water and broth, whereas others are told never-ever. So it seems to depend on your surgeon's team. Hopefully someone with experience with emotional eating issues can help you out there, and I'm sorry for your trauma. That's rough.

Happy here! My ticker says it all. My friend that had a gastric bypass has had trouble but I've totally fine since about 48 hours post-op. You'll never believe how easy it is to eat very little until you feel it!

Hey Everyone! I am 2 1/2 weeks out of my banding. The actual surgery went fine. Before that when Dr. Schram talked to me right before the surgery, he didn't know who I was and got the wrong procedure. He thought I was having gastric bypass ...........I almost got off the gurney and left. I was very upset. Anyway I did get banded and he said everything went well. I was very sick afterward and had to stay an extra day and night. I went through the "what did I do to myself" stage and totally regretted what I did. It was a good thing Dr. Schram didn't come in during my really sick period because I would have made him take it out. After I was released I had a 4 hour drive home and that was torture. But,...I feel MUCH better and I am down #25. The FL stage was not bad at all. I made sure I had a variety of stuff to drink. Soup really satisfies me. For exercise, my driveway is almost a mile long and I try to walk it at least 2-4 times a day. (It is very hard because I have a MCL tear in my knee) I am going to start swimming now as I just had my checkup yesterday. I am now in the puree and some soft foods stage. I am really glad I had it done. So far so good! Hey does anyone have some good ideas for puree and soft foods? Thanks again for all your support! Stacey

Questions for everyone out there! I have a million and appreciate all the information you have. Well first off I am wondering if everyones doctor gave them an option of lap band versus the gastric bypass? My doctor told me that I am a canidate for either one. I am 5'1 and weight 225lbs. Honestly, I never really considedered gastic bypass, but when he mentioned it as an option it made me rethink things a little bit. I think the lap band may be a better choice for me because I do want more children; I have one daughter and I am 26. I feel as if the lap band is less intrusive and obviousy less dangerous, faster recovery etc. I am also curious at how long the process will take. I have heard it varies, but I am wondering how many tests I will take etc. I got all my blood work done yesterday and then he said I will come in in two weeks and as long as the tests are okay we will book the surgery, but it seems to easy?!? Thanks everyone!

i had this surgery and highly recommend it.. Gastric Plication (Stomach Folding) Gastric Plication is a relatively new procedure that is quickly becoming one of the most popular options in weight loss surgery. It consists in reducing stomach volume by folding the grater curvature of the stomach to its inside part, Forming a tube form or “sleeve type” of pouch, similar to a gastric sleeve surgery, but without THE stomach cutting or stapling required in other surgeries. The pouch is formed by hand stitching and confection. Advantages Reduced Surgical risks compared to a gastric sleeve surgery. There is no foreign body inserted, so there is no foreign body failure. There is no counter indication and a good option for women who would like to get pregnant. It’s a lower cost surgery as it doesn’t require lap band or lap band staple costs. Recuperation time is also quicker than with bypass or gastric sleeve surgeries.

I am having my gastric bypass on the 25th. My pre-op at the doctor's office and hospital is this Thursday. I am more anxious about the pre-op than I am the actual surgery. This will be my 7th surgery, I have already had 5 lumbar surgeries and spinal cord stimulator implanted in my back. I am more worried about the fear of the unknown since I have never had an abdominal surgery before. Not sure what to expect.