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I have a band, recently went to see my surgeon as it is no longer helping. He told me that a band to sleeve revision would not be recommended as there is a very high risk of reflux with a sleeve, apparently reflux is rare with RNY.

Had band since 11/08. Fluid in, fluid out, little loss. Had 2 ugi with little dialation 3 years ago. Decided to get it out this year. Saw a different physician due to insurance. Had another ugi. Didn't see anything wrong but lower abdominal erosions due to H. pylori. Scheduled for lap removal of band and revision to rny 10/22. Start preop diet monday. Preop testing 10/17. I was a cash pay also. So I started a seeing my pcp every month for 6 months and joined WW. I knew the insurance would want me to do that. So I was proactive. I got approved on the first try. I don't see why they wouldn't approve you.

I am getting a revision from lap band to sleeve. I got my lap band in 2010. Everything worked fine until I had minor complications almost a year later and after I had my daughter. So it really isnt working for me anymore. I have almost gained all my weight back. I look forward to my journey with my sleeve. However, my doctor's office submitted my paperwork to Aetna on Oct 24 and still havent heard anything. Ive checked with the coordinator and Aetna and they just tell me its pending. Today is the 10th business day from when it was submitted. Aetna said additional information was submitted on 11/2 and told me to check on Monday. Anyone else playing the waiting game? Im ready to get this party started lol

Great article....such a shame that some of the states that need it most (like Texas) are excluded. I am hopeful however because it IS getting better. Literally thanks to not being held hostage over preexisting conditions, my husband and I are able to get real insurance for the first time in 12 years because my gastric bypass made me a leper in the eyes of the insurance company. (we are self employed) Because I could get a well woman's exam they found something that would have killed me if left unchecked. I was also able to get a colonoscopy which was about ten years overdue especially since my mom lost her life to colon cancer. I think we are getting closer and like Susan said....contacting your representative really does help in most states. I'm a glass half full girl and I'm grateful for the progress made so far and looking forward to making more. Thanks Alex for a very informative article. I so hope that one day in the near future they will finally acknowledge food addiction so that thousands can possibly get the help they need.

I developed post-bariatric hypoglycemia. So, I got one of those MyID sleeves to wear on my step tracker band. It just says that I had a gastric bypass and that I have hypoglycemia. I didn't get the ID until I developed the blood sugar issue - if I hadn't developed that, I wouldn't've gotten it.

Mine was the morphine pump. I had one with my hysterectomy and they had told me how often I could push it, 30 or 45 minutes apart. After my gastric bypass I remember being in alot of pain and asking how often I could push it, all I heard was every 6 minutes and so I tried to do that. Going in and out of consciousness trying to see the clock, til I was all out. Then I had to wait a couple hours til they could refill. That time I figured out to find out how many doses and how long it was meant to last. Again it was back to 30 to 45 minutes apart. Man was I high that first batch, felt like a goof.

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery. This was the list that I was given. 3 Flintstone complete chewable Multivitamins daily. [This type of Vitamin is preferred because of absorption. Although if you are a few years post-op you might be able to substitute Multivitamin capsules. Gummy Vitamins are not acceptable.) Additional 65 milligrams elemental Iron daily for menstruating women. [should be ferrous sulfate for best absorption.] 1500 to 1800 mg. Calcium citrate daily. 500 to 1000 micrograms sublingual B12 daily [should be methylcobalamin for best absorption.] or 1000 mcg B12 injection monthly. 5000 I.U. vitamin D3. [but do not exceed 5000 I.U.] 100 mg Thiamine (vitamin B1) daily for one year following surgery and then weekly thereafter.

In ancient times, sailors would make sure they were staying on course by referring to the location of the North Star. A constant light in an otherwise black sky, the North Star kept sailors clearly focused on which direction they were traveling and where they wanted to go. However, the skies over the ocean could become cloudy and stormy and sailors might lose sight of the North Star. Sometimes sailors lost their way and became lost at sea. The quest for weight loss and long-term weight maintenance is much like journeying a great distance over an enormous ocean under an endless black sky. Like the sailors of old, to be successful on your journey you need to be clear about where you’re going. You need to stay on course. You need to remain focused. Like sailing across the ocean, losing weight can be stormy and treacherous. Your brain, like the ocean, is not your friend. Your brain is not terribly interested in your desire to lose weight. Your brain is busy trying to maintain your current weight. Trying to lose weight is putting your brain is at war with itself. Your forebrain is the thinker who understands that you want to lose weight. It agrees that losing weight is a good idea. Your midbrain is not logical. It’s a perpetual 2-year-old who is hungry and cranky and likes potato chips, candy, hot dogs and deep fried chicken. This is going to be a very difficult journey, and one that is going to go on for a very long while. What can you do? Look for your North Star(s). In ancient times, sailors would make sure they were staying on course by referring to the location of the North Star. A constant light in an otherwise black sky, the North Star kept sailors clearly focused on which direction they were traveling and where they wanted to go. However, the skies over the ocean could become cloudy and stormy and sailors might lose sight of the North Star. Sometimes sailors lost their way and became lost at sea. The quest for weight loss and long-term weight maintenance is much like journeying a great distance over an enormous ocean under an endless black sky. Like the sailors of old, to be successful on your journey you need to be clear about where you’re going. You need to stay on course. You need to remain focused. Like sailing across the ocean, losing weight can be stormy and treacherous. Your brain, like the ocean, is not your friend. Your brain is not terribly interested in your desire to lose weight. Your brain is busy trying to maintain your current weight. Trying to lose weight is putting your brain is at war with itself. Your forebrain is the thinker who understands that you want to lose weight. It agrees that losing weight is a good idea. Your midbrain is not logical. It’s a perpetual 2-year-old who is hungry and cranky and likes potato chips, candy, hot dogs and deep fried chicken. This is going to be a very difficult journey, and one that is going to go on for a very long while. What can you do? Look for your North Star(s). It goes without saying that you know your goal, right? In fact, it seems quite simple. You want to lose weight and keep it off for good. If you’re like most people, you’ve had this goal for many years and you’ve probably had some success in pursuit of this goal. But there’s a problem with your goal. Believe it or not, weight loss is not your true goal. Your real goal is not to lose weight. Your real goal is to accomplish and experience what you believe losing weight will provide. Therefore, you actually have multiple, specific goals. These are the reasons that inspire you to keep sailing when the ocean gets stormy. These are the reasons that keep you on course. These are your North Stars. To make it across, you must keep your North Star(s) squarely in view. Here’s how to keep away the storms and stay focused: 1) Think long and hard about why you want to lose the weight. Yes, you want to lose weight…but why? What’s in it for you? Take out a piece of paper and put a line down the middle from top to bottom. On the top of the left column write: “What I will gain if I lose the weight and keep it off.” On the top of the right column write: “What I could lose if I don’t lose the weight.” Think of the left side as the “positives” of losing weight and the right side as the “negatives” of not being successful. The left side is what you want; the right side is what you don’t want. As a general rule, positives motivate us more effectively and more consistently than negatives. However, our fears (the negatives) do have a place on the list. Some examples of positives include: improved health, reduced need for specific medications, improved mobility, wearing the clothes you want, improved confidence, and pride in your accomplishment. The negatives are probably more obvious to you: specific health problems, limitations in mobility, frustration, various difficulties in your personal, social and other areas of functioning. Don’t try to write the list all at once. Write down whatever comes to mind right now, but allow other reasons to come to you over the next several days. Take your time. When a specific motivation comes to mind, write it down and add it to the list. Consider asking loved ones for their thoughts. You may never be 100% finished with the list, but you can always add more items later. You’ll know you’re truly ready to begin your weight loss journey when you read the list and deeply feel the emotional impact of each of the items. As you well know, the struggle to lose weight and keep it off is very emotional. If the items on the list don’t move you, you need to revise the list. When it’s complete, this list is your North Star. 2) Make several printed copies of the list. Make a small one to keep in your wallet or purse. Make another to keep in your car. Make another to keep in your office. Make a document containing the list on your computer and keep it on your desktop, laptop, tablet and cell phone. Put a printed or electronic copy everywhere you spend your time. 3) Read the list every day, over and over and over and over. This list needs to be etched on your brain and be in the front of your mind as often as possible. You need to read the list every morning when you wake up, multiple times per day, and before you go to sleep at night. The list needs to be as familiar as possible and as accessible as possible. Rehearse it like a speech. 4) Read the list before you eat and every time you eat. Read the list when you’re cooking or serving yourself food. Read the list just before you start to eat your meal. Read the list just before you place your order in a restaurant. Read the list when you’re about to get up from the couch and wander into the kitchen. Read the list just before you go into the mini-mart to grab a snack when you’re out running errands. If the reasons to make choices consistent with your goals are not in the front of your mind when you are about to choose what or whether or not to eat, they might as well not be in your mind at all. We always seem to know each and every reason why we shouldn’t have eaten that cookie just after we eat it. It’s only by being aware of those reasons before we eat it that can help alter our behavior. (In case you’re wondering why, it’s a forebrain-midbrain thing. Once your cranky 2-year-old midbrain gets the cookie, she’s happy and quiets down, therefore you can now clearly hear your forebrain and all of her brilliant reasons not to eat the cookie….albeit too late.) Having this list is the single most important part of your weight loss journey, and quite frankly the rest of your efforts might be pointless without the list. Here’s why: no learned behavior is ever fully unlearned. Once a particular relation occurs it never returns to zero strength so you never forget that you love donuts, candy, potato chips or chicken wings. These foods will never become completely unappealing because the brain never forgets. Therefore, you have to practice reminding your brain of what you hope to accomplish by losing weight and why eating donuts, candy, etc. is incompatible with those goals. Your brain may never forget just how yummy those foods are, but if you maintain your focus on your goals and avoid overeating those foods (or learn to eat better foods or learn to engage in new behaviors that replace eating), the impulse to eat those foods weakens and you gain habit strength and confidence in new behaviors that are consistent with your goals and avoid getting lost at sea. All weight loss efforts falter when the reasons for persevering weaken. If you have a bright, shining North Star, a setback is just a setback. You just keep on sailing and don’t become adrift. You’re still clear on where you’re going. Even if you have a donut, you can refer right back to your list, view it as an “oops” and get back on track. In fact, when your reasons for losing weight are solid and deeply personal, you might even choose to have an occasional donut, knowing that it won’t cause you to lose your way. None of what I’m suggesting in this article is intended to minimize the importance of other skills in helping you achieve your weight loss goals. You know that losing weight and keeping it off is very difficult and that your brain and body are unrelenting in trying to sabotage your best efforts. Therefore, if your specific reasons to embark on this weight loss journey are unfamiliar, vague or uninspiring, it’s very unlikely that you will make it across a very treacherous, dark ocean. Take the time to make the list and keep your North Star shining bright. My best wishes to you for smooth sailing.

I'm in the process of band to bypass revision, and I find that progress pictures and success stories help keep me determined to keep working toward what I want. I'm 5'9" my highest recorded weight was 367, I'm 335 now. Anyone around these starting weight stats? Sent from my LG-H872 using BariatricPal mobile app

When first making the decision to open up to the tool of bariatric surgery I simply assumed that the sleeve would be the procedure that I preferred. This was due to having the full run of my plumbing and perceived ability to eat the foods I wanted, but restrict the amounts. Seemed simple. My younger sister had bypass 15 years ago and I just didn't think that "aggressive" a procedure would be needed for me. After all.....I've lost large amounts of weight in the past through diet and exercise....I just needed a little help......or so I was believing. My physician who was discussing this with me eased me into the conversation and led me to find my way to the surgeon I've selected. I've been to his group presentation.....the first required step. Even after listening to my sister and seeing her progress.......for 15 years......and for secretly thinking in some small way that she took the easy way out.........I didn't "get" it. That presentation really altered my thinking about restrictive and absorptive restriction. I realized in that group session my "hero" status as the big brother doing it on his own......over and over again......was a stupid cycle. I needed to get all the help available.....every tool in the toolbox to get the lifelong results I strived for. Dr Carlson addressed the full room and fielded every question asked. An hour went by....then more.......he'd long since made his informative presentation.....yet stayed to discuss our concerns. A lot of "ah-ha" moments were had. I heard the lady seated behind me speak to her friend, "The sleeve is what will work best for me". My wife, seated beside me, was quiet. She reserved her comments until much later when we were driving home. She proceeded carefully fearing that she knew my mind had already been made up on the sleeve. It was a relief to her when I acknowledged that I felt I needed the bypass.......like my brave little sister did so many years ago.....doing her own research.....as a young woman on her own.......when most folks hadn't heard of such. One of my issues is reoccurring reflux. Some nights it can be really bad. It subsided greatly once I completely cut out alcohol from my intake on April 2, 2015. Back in early April of this year I'd begun resuming the fight to loose my weight. I'd taken evaluation of my current state of living. I loved to grill out.........really loved it. It is therapeutic. I loved to crack open a cold beer and fire up the coals. More beer throughout the cooking and serving everyone had me relaxed and happy. After dinner, I'd normally get drowsy due to several beers......then it'd be time to hit a couple tequila shooters and another beer......or a rum & diet coke or two. I'd get my relaxed and happy state back. It was clear which non-essential calories to drop first......cut out the beer and liquor along with seriously revising the menu on my plate. Guess what.....these were the nights the reflux was bad. Drinking + spicy food (the only kind off my grill ) = reflux. I discussed this "revelation" with my wife. She pointed out a few times since when I'd complained of reflux....since I'd cut out alcohol. I realized she was right......it was still occurring but less often. I have decided that I'd prefer the bypass.......but don't even know yet if I'm approved for it. The waiting and suspense of insurance is driving me nuts. Don't get me wrong.....I'm glad the procedure isn't something as easy to get as a bad tattoo.......but I wish it was more straightforward from the insurance company standpoint. Down the road the results I get from the bariatric will certainly lessen the costs I'd otherwise pose to them, right ? Sorry for the rambling. I'm just eagerly impatient and ready to get this ball rolling in the direction that will lead to successful and long lasting health provided I continue to do my part. I'm checking stuff off the mandatory list at least.....and this website and the folks here are already helping me find answers to the tons of questions I have. My mandatory checklist: Attend the group session---done in early June. Meet with the bariatric program's & surgeon's nurse to review my case and 8 pages of medical Q&A i was to complete--done this past week. Meet with surgeon on official visit----scheduled for July 1. Meet with program's nutritional guru----first of the 6 visits is on July 7. This I understand will be the "start" date of the mandatory 6 month timeline to surgery. Meet with psyche guru----awaiting appointment scheduling now. Internal scope evaluation of stomach and other plumbing-------to be scheduled after visit with surgeon I still don't have any type of official indication that bypass is a covered procedure (United Healthcare). I don't know if I can hang on 6+ months before getting this latest umbilical hernia taken care of. I want to get on to eating the foods I'll be living by after the surgery......eat like I've had the surgery......begin accelerated weight loss now......not wait until the surgery. I just want to be sure that I can't lose "too much" on my own that the insurance balks and says, "No way buddy.....you got this.....do it yourself". I can do a lot off by myself.....but I fail to keep it off. I don't want to sabotage my chances for coverage. So many questions that I'm sure will be resolved and clear in the weeks ahead......it's just right now I want to get going with progress of some type......no matter if it's from bypass or from my jumping onboard with the new plan. The compelling reasons for the need to get going are probably no different than most other folks here: I'm having back spasms from reoccurring back injuries due to herniated T-12 vertebrae. Spine surgeon stated that bariatric surgeon can do more for my spine than he could with back surgery. Sounds legit. Umbilical hernia is driving me nuts. It's worsened when back goes out and my posture and such gets weird. Knees are shot....ortho doc says I need knee replacements sooner than later....he's saying 5 years tops.....plus hip, too. He also stated that 200 lbs off my frame would push those replacements back a long time. I already feel some benefit in my knees from the initial pounds coming off. Swelling in my ankles is greatly reduced. Sorry again for the rambling. I'm jittery after finishing up the last day of miracle steroids (4th round with them since April) on my back. The side effects are sleeplessness for me. I get jittery after the 6 day cycles. I'm hoping for a good long sleep later today....tonight. Aside from dropping the alcohol, fried food and reducing sugar & starch intake (doing these).........what can you advise me to do? What other dietary-related actions? Breakfast choices now are oatmeal (made with Water and small amount of salt) vs sausage biscuits and such. lunch & dinner has me eating lots of salads. Snacks are nuts, fruits like blueberries and apples and occasional whole grain toast with small amount of health choice butter substitute or Greek Yogurt. Drinking tons of water. 40oz of coffee every day during the first portion of the day......a lot, I know. I use nonfat creamer and Splenda or Equal (10 packs for 40oz coffee). I'm still having 2-3 20oz Diet Mt. Dew's every day. Sounds like a ton....but it's way down over the number I used to drink. I go to one a day on days off....but do poorly during workdays. No more drive thru's and only salads from fast food restaurants. What else should I be doing? Should I order the "Big Book on Bypass" and get started on it ??????? Stir crazy and tired of my 46 years of fat fighting. 5 years ago I burned off 120 and felt like a new man.......still have many of the 2X & 3X clothes. I saved most of them.....refusing to toss them due to that being symbolic of me throwing away my hope of wearing them again. I lost that weight.....but failed to keep it off. The brief period at that reduced weight was enough of a taste of healthier living that I have craved ever since. Virtually painfree and full of energy. Leaner.......able to wear my old high school letterman's jacket and button it up......too small still, but at least it would button up. Another 100 pounds off that and I feel like i'd be walking around feeling like a Gazillion dollar lottery winner. I may never get a winning lottery ticket.....but I'll be supremely happy to get 200 lbs off........and MAINTAIN that level. So ready to get this machine krunk up and in gear and burn some rubber down the track. This waiting is like sitting there with the engine revving up but the parking brake locked in place...........

I would be surprised if they only keep you in 1 night after a DS, it’s pretty major surgery.Here in Aus it is standard practice to keep bypass patients 3 or 4 nights. Why have you decided to go full DS straight away? It’s not a very common choice. Most people either do the sleeve and if that doesn’t work go the next step and have the DS or they have an RNY

It totally will depend on how your surgeon explains the need for the revision during the insurance submission and if your insurance requires the waiting period matter what. Call your insurance a d ask where you can find the information on Bariatric revision surgery. If possible ask for it in writing. Also find out if that particular revision procedure is covered. Good Luck ❤️

Hi- I had gastric bypass in 2016. Lost 100lbs. Since then, I’ve gained 60 of that weight. I have an appt in couple of weeks for a revision. From what I’ve looked, they do an endoscopic revision and it’s a 15 min procedure. My question is- do we have to wait the 6 months that we did for the original gastric (per insurance) or will this not be that long of a wait? How much have you lost since the revision? Thanks everyone!

I been craving for pickle juice since yesterday I'm 6 day post op by the way I had the rny gastric bypass,

Hi everyone! Saratoga Springs NY here! Dr. Baranov did my bypass in 5/18 - had my 3 wk appt yesterday and I'm down 35 lbs since April would love to find someone local to work out at the Y, walk, etc.... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my bypass 6 days ago and a surprise hernia repair. I’m healing nicely but have some constant low-level nausea. Now things like scented candles, my shampoo, dryer sheets, etc. are bothering me. I also get these phantom smells - where’s that cinnamon coming from?? It’s weird! Anyone relate?

Hello all! I'm researching getting the VSG surgery but I don't have my gallbladder. I had it removed about 4 years ago. While watching some YouTube videos I noticed a few people that were having complications simply because they no longer had their gallbladders. If I remember correctly, it was something about bile getting into their sleeves I think. It was giving them complications and some were told their only option was to have a revision to Gastric Bypass. Just wondering if those were just isolated events or rare events even. Has anyone who has had the VSG surgery after having their gallbladders removed either have/had complications as a result of that or haven't had any complications at all due to that? Thanks so much! mallymaven

Hi - I have to go for 7 monthly visits (1 consult & 6 visits) for a physician supervised nutrition and exercise program (or a dietician). it's stupid really. Like i haven't tried everything under the sun already. I have to "prove" to them that i have been unsuccessful with non-surgical attempts for obesity. Like my weight and health aren't proof enough. It's very discouraging. The part that really sucks is that Tricare doesn't pay for nutrition counseling. This will be out of pocket expense. They will cover everything else but this. You may not have the same criteria as i have though since yours is a revision. I hope not for your sake!

So smoking isn't about just healing. I'm an OR nurse in a facility that does a ton of bariatric cases (and a bariatric patient). Ive seen previous bariatric patients smoke and have to come back to the OR to completely get cut open to fix all the damage smoking caused them. Obviously it's much worse in bypass patients, but it's still terrible in sleeve patients as well. Knowing what I know seeing what I've seen, I think someone would have to be absolutely out of their mind to smoke after bariatric surgery, the risks are exponentially greater than just smoking (without bariatric) Of course I've also seen lots of thoracic cases, of which almost 100% of those patients are smokers... If you could completley keep it under control its still bad , but if it grows into something more well than its REALLY bad

I had band to sleeve surgery July 11th. I know I'm only 6 days out but I still have to have help getting up and down due to great pain on my left side. Anyone else experience this?

Thx@berry78. Good info. In my research, i also saw that alcohol can cause hypoglycemia and failure to absorb the critical vitamins we now need. Of course, this is from lots of drinking, but ppl be aware. Heres the info i read with that data http://bariatrictimes.com/alcohol-and-the-gastric-bypass-patient/

Personally, I could never choose the sleeve over the band. Yes, the sleeve will make it so that you loose weight more rapidly, but the band is reversible, and adjustable. My mom works in the hospital & she's seen so many fatalities & problems with the sleeve & gastric bypass, she told me she'd never support that decision. My opinion is that the band is safer. Ask your surgeon this question "if you had to recommend either the band or the sleeve to your sister, which would you recommend?" ...I guarantee his answer would be the band. Only because it's proven to be so much safer and so much less invasive. I'm 4 months out and already 40 lbs down. The band works! Hope this helped & I hope you don't feel like I'm shoving it down your throat. Just my opinion! Good luck in whatever you choose!

Pretty sure Jacqui is meaning 'using the lap band in addition to behavior modification and a bit of honestly with yourself works really well.' I'm not a 'veteran' bander, but would agree with that sentiment 100%. Have had my share of problems too, a post-op port infection and port revision surgery four months post-op. As far as which forum this thread was posted in, might be a good idea to ask a site moderator to move it to a more appropriate forum where you will hopefully get more feedback. Good luck.

Camille, sorry to hear you've had such a hard time. Life can definitely set you back. Just start with the next meal. Keep the sweets out of the house. You can do it. Why can you not eat sweets with bypass? It doesn't seem it would be any different.

ME TOO! Her and I are both nurses and we talk about it all the time. Makes no sense but they did say they think there is a correlation to what is going on with her bypass.....especially the kidney stones. She actually got septic from the kidney stones which caused a massive UTI and it went systemic... landed her in the ICU. She has had consults with infectious disease, oncologists, rheumatologists, urologists... you name it. It is so frustrating that they can't figure this out. She was doing really good for about 3 months and just a few weeks ago she started feeling run down again and they ran blood work only to find her blood counts were all low again, white and red... they had to give her another Iron infusion.. matter of fact the day I had my sleeve. She came to see me after her infusions. They are sending her for more tests. I will add you to my friend list and email you if they come up with anything. Hang in there... I know its maddening. :/