Search the Community

Happy bandiversary, Carlene! You and Alexandra are both "Long-term Success" stories! Don, the beautiful thing about the band is that it is adjustable. So, even when you're at goal weight, you can get it tweaked if you need some extra help. With RNY, the stoma can stretch over time, allowing food to pass through too quickly. That's why some RNY patients regain their weight, and occasionally get revision to the band. Tami

I'm a revision & had no reflux with the band. I'm 3 weeks post op & have reflux all the time. I have been taking prilosec everyday & if I miss one day, the reflux is back. Not sure why I have this issue now, never had it before!

I agree with Christopher the Dummies book is great! It was recommended to me by my bariatric group and I can understand why. Very informative! I chose the gastric bypass because I had already had the lapband for 4 years. I had complications from the lapband until if finally came out in 2010. After that I knew it was the gastric bypass for me because I didn't want to fail "again" even though the lapband issue wasn't my fault. I was very successful with the band for the first 14 months then I had issues. The issues lead to unfills that lead to weightgain. Had the band revised in 2008 and then never had it adjusted correctly again. For the next two years I suffered with overfills, unfills etc until it finally prolapsed and had to come out. So far so good with the bypass - I"m 3-3.5 weeks post op.

One thing I have learned about plastic surgery is the amount of pain after surgery has a lot to do with your surgeon. When I had my arm surgery last year, it hurt like hell for at least the first 2 weeks. My surgeon did not mention arm support sleeves, I learned about those from a surgery support website, so I quickly ordered a pair which really helped a lot. My arms did not turn out as well as I would have hoped, they need a revision. The incision was not place correctly which lead to a 3 inch pulled area on both arms. My new surgeon will be doing the revision for this surgery also. Not worried about any pain with the revision as my new surgeon (Dr. Victor Gutierrez) is very gentle when handling tissue....

I'm very surprised your surgeon revised you to a gastric sleeve after band removal due to acid reflux. Acid reflux is a contraindication for gastric sleeve surgery. They should have gone right to the gastric bypass or the Mini gastric bypass. Good luck on your Pandescopy and surgery! Please keep us updated.

Not sure if I'm on track or above average. Going off my starting weight for my revision of 310, and using https://www.obesitycoverage.com/weight-loss-surgeries/gastric-bypass/how-much-can-i-expect-to-lose I see that I should expect to hit 222 with ease within 18 months... seeing as I'm at 230ish right now, not quite 6 months out of surgery... I have a 20% chance to reach 182 within 18 months... so we'll see how it goes I guess. I'm just shooting for 200 by Nov 13-15th. (so I can be the same weight I was at 20 when I got married, when I turn 40)

Sorry you are having all of this trouble. Do you have a bulge that protrudes still ? I took a calcium chew without food today and it was awful !! I kept dry heaving and had to go lay down. I truly dislike this revision and new way ugh. Prayers for you.

I guess I'm the exception, Was revised 5/9 and have lost 6 lbs and put 1.5 back on. At a loss as to what is causing it.

I had my revision done on July 9 by Dr. Almanza. Couldn't be happier! It was $5,000.

Almost reminiscent of when my lapband had slipped last year. I'm now 4 mths post op and take 20mg of RX Prilosec 2x a day. I literally ate 1/2 bottle of Tums last nite. Also had to take 150mg of OTC Zantac to be able to even lie down. Had to wait for it to kick in before lying down. This is absolutely the worst my reflux/heartburn (I had both the last couple nites. Usually it's either/or) has been since getting sleeved. I plan on taking my PPI forever (if thats what I have to do to prevent being obese again, I will) but will I also have to add several Extra Strength OTC Zantacs also? That was my "before surgery" pill ratio. Thought that was over. And yes, I know I shouldn't eat before going to bed. I can eat very little and to keep from starving at 2 am, I usually eat 1/4 of a PB and banana sandwich before bed. I will try and cut that out tonite and see if that makes a difference. Thought this was 1 of the reasons I had sleeve revision (besides the fact that the slipped band HAD to come out anyway!)

May 11th revision to gastric bypass

They don't recommend the sleeve to people who have reflux or gerd because when they do the sleeve, the stomach is not aware that 80% of it has been removed and it keeps making acid for a whole stomach. I have to take an acid blocker, almost 5 years post op. I tried to get off of it, but I had way too many acid problems. If your gerd can't be controlled with an acid blocker, you should not get the sleeve. I do know several people who have had to revise to RNY (gastric bypass) because of acid problems.

Hi everyone, I had my initial surgery 10 years ago. I lost 98 lbs and it brought my 5'6" frame to a svelte 156.00 lbs. I was looking and feeling great. Then I started to get sick and was passing out about 2 years post-op. I found out my lapband had slipped and I went in for a revision. Again 3 years later I had to have another revision. After that time I gained weight and leveled at 180 lbs. I didn't like the number but with exercise I looked okay and felt good, so I was okay with it. Push forward 4 years and I have gained another 25 lbs and now weight 205 lbs. I have tracked my food intake for one-full year and I average 1100 calories per day. So how in the heck can I now weigh 205 lbs? I went to the surgeon and was sent for a swallow test and was told my lapband had been tilted and was extremely tight and there was no reason to gain weight. I was documenting food right down to one tic tac. Last month I had a double hernia surgery and it was performed by a surgeon who also handles gastric weight loss surgeries (not my original surgeon). He stated that my port was located in a weird area, and not the norm, the port was disconnected from the band and therefore, was not working! Not what I was told by my original surgeon. This surgeon re-connected the band and stated, the band is not tilted, nor is it too tight since it was empty, and he can fill it in February. My question is this: I keep feeling bloated and I continue to gain weight, I am currently 209 lbs. I cannot locate anything online that states how many calories is normal for labband patients. I find diets up to 4 weeks post op but nothing for long term. Would I be okay with 1100 calories and making that up with 75-80 grams of protein per day? Should I be doing less calories? Has anyone been successful with 21 day fix or some other program in addition to the lapband? I really need help I do not want to continue to climb the ladder of weight until I am adjusted. Thank you!

I was hungry after my sleeve back in start of 2018. It was real hunger and I am sure of it. just got revised to bypass 6 weeks ago. Thankfully this time around I am not hungry anymore. head hunger can be hard to deal with though. My dr told me that if it is real hunger you are hungry for anything. If you get hungry for something specific, it is most likely head hunger. hang in there. It does get better.

Well, it sounds like you already have the right attitude. Just be there for her through it and when she gets excited about her weight loss be happy with her. Help her in any way you can but don't be too critical. My husband doesn't have a weight problem so I don't expect him to eat like me. I also don't need him telling me what to do. I am aware of what I need to be doing. Is this her first weight loss surgery or is she having a revision?

I'm also struggling. I guess boredom is a little bit of an issue, but I'm a happy introvert so staying home for long periods of time is not a big problem. But because I live in a small apartment, the kitchen is always a few steps away. It's hard to keep track of time since I don't have a regular schedule and I've stopped tracking. I just had a revision 7 weeks ago but I feel no restriction - I can eat whatever I want. To be clear, I don't (but I could). It's really hard to stick to tiny portions when they are so unsatisfying to eat. I've realised that I just enjoy the act of eating/chewing. It doesn't matter what. So I need to be careful about that. But I'm sticking to protein and veggies (mostly) and the weight is still slowly coming off. I usually get my 10,000 steps daily (a two-hour, 7-8 km walk at night, usually after 9 p.m.) which is keeping me sane. I find the most important thing for me is to keep busy and not in front of the computer! I start teaching online in 2 weeks so that will give me a bit of a schedule, but I need to work out how I can get my work done, but still do other things as well, including going outside for some fresh air and sun. Not sure how it'll work out. I live alone, have already been self-isolating for 6 weeks and will have about 4 months more to look forward to (unless things dramatically get better). The struggle really hit me this week. I've decided that I also need to start doing some weight training and core exercises, to help keep my body conditioned.

It's been some time since you posted about your revision from Band to RYN. I am having mine in 3 weeks; the Band caused terrible reflux and I had the fill removed two years ago. Now that some time has passed, how do you feel about the RYN. Any suggestions?

Hoping2BSleeved, I thought I would share my perspective with you as well, regarding the "tone" of your post(s) so that you may understand why some of us may be reacting negatively. The interpretation of who the "best" surgeon is, whether it be in Mexico, the United States, or anywhere else in the world, is HIGHLY subjective. Just a few of the influencing factors in people's decisions include: - highest level of experience, regardless of cost. - complication factors related to the environment (hospital vs. clinic) where that surgeon practices - level of experience in their support staff (such as anesthetist, nurses, etc.) - type and duration of post-op care and support - exact surgical technique (drains vs. no drains, placement and number of incisions, experience with complex cases involving previous abdominal adhesions, etc.) - some patients are revising from the lapband to the sleeve - not all surgeons have this experience and it can be tricky and finally, for some, cost is an ABSOLUTE factor. This surgery can save their lives, but if they can't afford the most expensive surgeon, does that mean they shouldn't have it done at all? I don't believe that...and many people here have very successfully had wonderful surgical outcomes with less expensive surgeons. Myself, I travelled from Canada. We have national healthcare, and if I was willing to wait long enough (5-7 years) and get the substantial medical backing that I would have needed to justify the surgery, I could have had it done for free here. I chose to not wait any longer (I'm already 42 and still healthy, but with a long history of obesity-related disease in my family). I chose a Mexican surgeon based on my own personal influencing factors. I too had a list of several choices and after exhaustive research here on VST and many other resources, as well as speaking directly with surgeons and their former patients, made my choice. I am very happy with my experience and my outcome thus far. So are many many others on VST who made their own choices based on their own individual factors. At no time did anyone try to talk me into, or out of my choice. They simply provided information in an unbiased and factual way. For example. For myself, based on my personality, I knew that I would prefer a hospital and hotel environment for my post-op time, as I tend to be a care-giver and would find myself trying to help others if I was in a recovery house. This was time for me to focus on myself, and I knew that it would best be achieved if I was more alone and introspective. Others find they do much better in a group environment and have the ability to share the experience with people going through the exact same thing as they are. That is why so many of us are here on VST! Those individuals would benefit the most from the recovery house experience. Please try to remember that we are all here to offer assistance to one another, through all phases of the VST journey (planning, pre-op and post-op). Our individual choices and experiences are unique to ourselves and while we share much common ground in how we got here and how we're improving our lives with this surgery, NONE of us are better than the other. Not in our choice of surgeon, in the amount of money we spend or spent, in how fast we're losing, how long we've stayed at goal, etc. We're all just walking this path together and we all value our lives, our families and our health. Valuing your community here on VST in that same way will get you a long way towards more support and friendship here. Perhaps re-read your post(s) before you hit the "post" button, and try to read your comment through other people's eyes. It may help you "soften" your tone a bit and get you the help and feedback that you are hoping for, rather than the flood of "reaction" that you appear to be getting instead.

Did you get a fill while having the port revision done?

Had my port revision yesterday. Glad it's over is all I can say. But here's my takeaway story for the day. So I'm wearing the horrible hospital gown with the sock thingies on as well and waiting with the BF for my surgeon to come in to see me. Already got alot of comments from the nursing staff about the weight loss and was OK with it knowing it would stop once I went home. So as you likely know, the surgical floor is kept fairly cold and while waiting for the surgeon, I tucked my legs up under myself to keep warm. The surgeon walks in and first thing she says after good morning is 'well...look who's all curled up in the chair there.' Figures she would spot that right away knowing that was an impossible position for me at one time. A NSV is a NSV no matter where it happens...

Just had my lapband removed 12/15...was hoping to convert to RNY at the same time, but my stomach was too beat up getting it out to continue (band in 7 years and had erosion). So looking forward to the second surgery in Feb or March now. I feel so much better already! It is almost hard to explain. I am a little sad that I have to do everything over again like the preop tests, insurance, incisions, and preop diet... but I am so happy to have it out and looking forward to the revision. I originally needed/wanted the RNY but insurance would not cover any WLS at the time...so the Band was it for cost and less downtime. I had hoped it would be my forever tool, but it was causing pain and damage, with a not so pretty helping of weight gain. I wish I had not been so stubborn, tired, and honestly scared to start the revision process sooner! The process has taken over 8 months but definitely worth it. I wish you the best of luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have had a band since 2009, was initially very successful but over the past 3 - 4 years it has stopped helping. Am now considering my options - my surgeon has recommended an RNY. Would love to hear from others that have had this revision and what the pros cons and successes are

Did the tube disconnect at the band, the port or is it in between? Any idea why this happened? If you can have it revised I'd go for that? Seems like a small incision and scope to reconnect the tube would be easy?

I just read some of your past posts and it seems we have GERD in common as well as the revision . Wishing you success!!

Hello everyone - I am a newbie to this site and am looking for some help with Aetna Question for those of you with Aetna seeking revision from LB to VSG - how did you get Aetna to pay? My band has a severe prolapse (documented with GI, showing that barium just sits on my espohagus causing reflux and spasms. Originally had lost 130 lbs and have regained 30. When I got banded in 4/2010 Aetna approved the proceedure in 48 hours. And I was very happy with the band and my weight loss. Flash forward to 5/2012 when I began being unable to eat solid Protein, but could eat things like saltines with out any problem! Made an appt for a my first ever fill 3cc and have been so unhappy since. The doc removed the fill completely in 6/2012 and then sent me for an GI in 7/2012 and called me last week and doctor is suggesting revision to sleeve. Think it would be best for me as I have battled nausea and reflux, for quite sometime now. Thinking that he must feel that my case is valid and Aetna will approve, but I am worried. So - those of you with Aetna who were able to revise, please tell me your experience and what your approval process looked like. Did Aetna treat the revision from LB to VSG as a new surgery? Meaning did you have to requalify for the surgery or were you able to just get the revision to VSG approved with proof of the problem? Hoping that they will approve soon as I have pain and the doctor is concerned about my needing the procedure done as an emergency. Also, were you able to have the LB removed and the VSG done at the same time? How long were you in the hospital for? Appreciate any feedback or advice from those of you who have been there and done that! Hoping for the best and preparing for the worst when it comes to dealing with Aetna!! Tori