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My suggestion is to ask your doctor how much out of pocket it would be to add plication to a new band. Since plication is still investigational, it seems doctors aren't charging a tremendous amount to do it. I know "tremendous" is different for everyone, but it may be a better option over removing 3/4 of your stomach permanently. Plication makes your stomach the same size as the sleeve, without any permanent revisions. My biggest concern and fear on the sleeve, is the possibility of leakage from the staples. There are so many, and if they do leak, the hospital stay can be 4-6 weeks. VERY dangerous. If you are seriously considering that procedure, do your homework, and leave no stone unturned. There are many who have had great success, but as with all of these procedures, it's best to go in knowing all the pros & cons.

I wish I could tell you what to do but I can't. It's such a personal decision. I think you need to do a lot of fact searching and soul searching. Some questions I'd be asking both myself and my doctor if I were you: -If you get a band replacement, are you at higher risk for another slip? -What caused the slip? Was it preventable and if so can you prevent it from happening again? -If you get the Sleeve, what are the possible complications? -Being as your BMI is only 27, do you really want to have 3/4 of your stomach removed? AJ was right about Jean. She had a revision to the Sleeve and has been very vocal about it. Have a look at her blog, she talks about it considerably: http://jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com/ I hope you find the info you need to make the best decision. Remember, it's your body and your life, you have to be honest with yourself and do what's best for YOU. ((hugs))

Research tells me that since I'm a revision from band to bypass, and have less weight to lose, that I will lose it more slowly. Research also tells me that I will stall through out. Now with that being said, to me the scales are good, I weigh every morning and they tell me what I might have to do different, little more excerise, increase calories, etc. Those scales to me are just like the bypass, a tool. It never means I'm doing something wrong, just that I need to change something. And DL is correct you need a food log, if you are logging too few calories and not losing, then your metabolism is in stravation mode, boost it up a little, increase the excerise, increase your calories. But just remember the scales are no different than the bypass, it is only a tool.

Hi Everyone, I go by SnohoGal98296 - I have been visiting and posting for a few months now. At first I was lurking to learn about your experiences and your pre and post surgery successes and failures. I also wanted to learn if you had the same experience as I have and if those experiences helped lead you to weight loss surgery. I did this research to determine if WLS was for me - and through this site, my outside research of specific surgeons and my own family who have made the leap for themselves and are very happy, I have made the decision to get weight loss surgery, specifically the sleeve. I am just in the process of determining which bariatric surgical center at which I will spend my hard earned money. I am self-pay, well employed and well insured, but with a WLS exclusion. As this is a huge investment for me I have closely examined specific reasons why I want this procedure. Below is my list (I apologize in advance for any TMIs :-D): I have tried nearly every diet on the planet - I am 45 years old and first realized I was overweight when I was about 10 years old. Here is a list of diets I have tried over the past 35 years: Lowfat / Nonfat liquid VLC diet (I snuck my Dad's Optifast in the 6th grade) Jenny Craig Weight Watchers Acupuncture Hypnosis Grocery Diet (Lean Cuisine, etc) Starbucks Diet Subway Diet Atkins South Beach Medically Supervised Optifast Medically Supervised High Protein / Low Carb (I was most successful here) Here are my physical observations since my last diet and regain, I don't make this list to complain but to remind me why I need to be proactive for my health, in no particular order: I am 5'6", I started my last diet at 275lbs, I lost around 50lbs. and was feeling pretty darn good about being in the 220's. I thought I could lose more and keep the weight off and did for almost a year, unfortunately the diet was too hard to maintain and I ended up gaining back the 50lbs. plus another 20lbs. Actually I am fluctuating between 295 and 298. At my first surgical consult their scale, fully clothed in the afternoon, said 302lbs. I have finally eclipsed the largest size of my favorite work slacks - Lee "khaki" style slacks. Their largest size is 24W. I wear 24W in other brands but not in Lee anymore. I have been on two business trips since October and on both occasions I had to ask for seat belt extenders, (funnily enough on the USA based airlines but not on the Japan based airline). When I bend over to tie my shoes I feel starved for oxygen, I often need to prop my foot up to reach. I am unable to wear my favorite pair of boots anymore, my calves won't fit anymore - and they are men's boots. I have resorted to fastening my bra before I put it on because my arms don't bend that way anymore. I have a few creases in different areas of my body that get raw and irritated if I get sweaty. I have had to have prescription yeast infection treatments for these areas. Needless to say I hate to sweat now, in fact it makes me itch. I barely fit in my son's car and the seat belt is fully extended when I fasten it. It is close in my car - but I have few inches there yet. Some public restrooms stalls are too small for me, I have to use the handicap stall to have the space to reach, if you know what I mean (sorry TMI). At a recent meeting at work, the chair I was sitting in broke, snapped underneath me with a loud crack and I barely caught myself before tumbling over backwards, and I yelped! My only relief from complete embarrassment? A normal size guy broke his chair too, a short while after mine did. When I go to bed at night, I have to sleep with 2 or more pillows because I can't lay on my back without my own neck flesh choking me, I also need the pillows to sleep on my side due to my body is larger than one pillows width from the mattress surface. I have borderline high blood pressure. I do not have type II diabetes, although my surgical consult reminded it hasn't been tested in a couple of years. Climbing the single flight of stairs at my work, walking between buildings, or trying to keep up with my family while we are on walks causes me to be out of breath. Walking or standing for more than 20 or 30 mins makes my feet and back hurt so badly that I have to sit down. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year was excruciating. Doing normal housework is now a workout. My hips brush the armrests of my office chair, not too small yet, but close. There is a woman at work who had to have facilities order her an XL chair and everyone knows about it. Regarding my family - My husband is truly supportive, he backs me 100%. My 17 year old son wonders why I can't diet and exercise more. My daughter really hasn't weighed in - I believe she supports me. I have a cousin who weighed over 440lbs. when she got the lap band, she got down to 300lbs and all weight loss stopped. After her band failed (i.e. broke internally, she didn't regain very much) she got a revision to RNY and has begun loosing again. Her son just got banded this year and has lost over 150lbs. and just got engaged. I feel comfortable within my own family with this decision. Regarding work - I have told my Boss and she supports my decision but I will only tell my coworkers on a person by person basis. Some will understand and support others just don't need to know. So these are some of the reasons why I have decided to get weight loss surgery, what are some of your reasons?

A revision won't cure mindless eating (I guess you're already well aware of this) but it can help with reflux issues. I got a revision to bypass myself and reflux issues got way better. If you're having reflux issues a surgeon will usually advice against a sleeve.

I was banded in 2011 and lost 80 pounds never quite got to my goal weight before I started having problems. Throwing up multiple times daily, bad acid reflux to the point I was needing 8 pillows to prop me up to sleep, frustrated. I was too tight at one point from the swelling from vomiting so much, that I had to get all fluid removed emergently so I could swallow my own saliva. I ended up getting all fluid removed and esophageal manometry done. I have a separate post about that experience. The manometry showed I had a slip. That was the documentation I needed in order to get a revision for mybinsurance to cover my revision. There needs to be documentation to support another surgery need. Unless you are cash pay. I initially wanted sleeve because I thought it was the best option....however after speaking with my surgeon, he told me that I would more than likely have problems with severe reflux due to the pressure from the sleeve and since I was already miserable from the severe reflux I had, I wasn't about to have to deal with any more. I also have several friends who had sleeve done and have significant regain with reflux issues. He said revising to RNY would resolve reflux and I wouldn't ever have to deal with that issue. I decided that was the best choice for me. I was revised to RNY back in 2015 and SO Happy! No reflux which is awesome! I can eat spicier foods again. I have lost a total of 125 pounds and at my goal weight of 175. I am also a Zumba Instructor and teach Zumba 4 days per week. I keep my protein first, then veggies and fruit. I take my vitamins daily and actually have not been sick as much either since revision. I have not had any issues. Love my RNY ❤ I only wished I had done RNY to start with. Do your homework, ask questions and decide what is right for you. Best of luck to you!

I also thought by going the distance with the RNY, I would avoid the possible need for sleeve and band revisions that I was reading about. However, there are other things to consider, like not being able to take NSAIDS ever again. If you develop arthritis as you age, you will miss out on a major class of pain relievers. I'm way past that point and about to have my 2nd joint replacement, but it is a valid concern.

I had a sleeve 5 years ago, and lost 75 lbs. I have been slowly gaining recently, have gained back 25. I am having a vsg to DS revision next month. I have 75 I want to lose ( 25 regain + 50 more) . I want to hear from ppl who have had this done. What has been your experience, what was recovery like, how much have you lost since, what do you eat now??

Brief background, got lapband about 11 years ago (starting BMI was 43). I did well and kept off 55 pounds (BMI 33)... until I started aspirating at night. I had a barium swallow which showed a distended esophagus and a endoscopy which showed reflux. Doc said band needs to come out. I had band unfilled, and as I expected, I've gained weight. I've gained about 30 lbs in the last 5 months (current BMI 38). I want to revise to a gastric bypass. I am well aware that I need surgical help to keep at a healthy weight. Prior to banding, and since being unfilled, I'm constantly hungry and never feel full. I finally felt "normal" with the lapband. When I'm not constantly hungry, I can maintain a healthy weight. But, even with the extra 30 lbs, my BMI is still not over 40, which as I understand it, would make insurance coverage easy. (I have Maryland CareFirst BCBS) My doctor has me doing all the things needed for insurance approval for the revision, including being on a supervised diet. But I'm gaining weight. This does not surprise me -- there was a reason I needed surgical weight loss in the first place -- but I'm getting mixed messages from my doctor and from my diet supervisor (who works for his office). Diet supervisor tells me that I'm less likely to get insurance approval due to my weight gain since being unfilled and being on the supervised diet. Doctor has made vague statements saying that the reflux found on the endoscopy may be enough to make it go through insurance successfully. Diet supervisor wants me to lose a significant amount of weight in the coming month, to try to offset my gains, by going on the pre-surgical diet early. Very honestly, I'm hesitant. If I do end up having to get up to a 40 BMI to have the surgery (12 more pounds...), I don't want to yoyo any more than I have to. And if the reflux finding will get me approved, I don't want to starve myself without the benefit of surgical help. Anybody been in any kind of similar situation? I can use any advice or commiseration available.

Hi everyone, my name is deb I'm 43 married with 2 kids and 2 granddaughters I live in Cheshire I'm 6 weeks post op, I had wls 10 years ago and lost 10 stones, havin putting my weight back I went back to my gp they agreed to do a revision from a vertical banded gastroplasty to a gastric bypass, there were a few complications but I think I'm finally on the better side, still in abit of pain but its alot better then it was, I've lost 20kgs but 8 of them were on my pre op diet, I've not lost any for 2 weeks and feel really disheartened I've not lost more, feels like I'm still in pain got nothing :-(

Hi Juniper, I was in about the same situation. I got my band in 2012 and started having significant reflux last summer. I had my band unfilled which helped the reflux but I packed on 40 pounds. I went to Inova Bariatrics and talked about revision to bypass; they said I had to go through the whole program again, which I did. I did not have the supervised diet part and I continued to gain weight until I went on the 2-week liquid diet just before surgery. I had the band removed and the bypass done March 21. I have Federal Blue Cross and they approved as soon as I met the requirements, including cardiac clearance, primary care physician clearance, etc. I don't quite get where your diet supervisor is coming from; I had comorbidities in addition to the high BMI - reflux was one of them (high bp was the other). I think your doctor is right that the reflux should be enough because reflux is one of the signatures of the band. I wish I had known that in 2012 - I would have done the bypass then instead. If you stay with that practice you might be stuck (pardon the lapband pun) doing as the diet supervisor commands. Different practices have different rules. I like my practice very much but they're in Fair Oaks and Woodbridge, likely a huge trip for you. Remember, even though the pre-op diet is very difficult the reward will be worth it. You can do this!

Welcome! I'm having my revision on the 21st!

Had lapband to rny on May 21,2014. Lost 20 and then bam I have been stalled!!! I go up and down 2 pounds for the past week. It's so frustrating, makes me think I am doing something wrong. I know it's a stall but I worry I won't lose anymore.. It's messing with my head major! I really expected to continue losing like I was. I know it's not reality though. When I was banded in 2008 I was 300 pounds lost 120 in 9 months. Had to gain some to get the revision to rny so day of surgery I was 245. Now I am 225 and stuck. I wish I had the power to not weigh daily but I am so OCD I need to know lol. Any veteran revisioners to through this at the beginning??

I went through the same mental agony (big time) about modifying the "original design" of my body. It's a big reason I chose sleeve over RNY (somehow I could justify it easier in my mind to not do the radical rerouting with RNY???). The way I found peace with my decision to go ahead is that my God was ok with me taking advantage of this awesome medical procedure now available that would enable me to dramatically improve my health and lifestyle for the rest of my life. For me, to be able to fulfill my spiritual purpose on this earth requires that my body and mind be healthy, and if I needed "artificial" help to do that, then so be it. Are you clear in your mind why you only want to lose 40 pounds? Another point you might want to think about--although there are many people who are living successfully with the LapBand, please make sure you do your exhaustive research about it vs. sleeve. There are growing numbers of people who are finding it necessary to revise their LapBands to the sleeve or RNY. Keep talking here and you will find your answer. . .

Hi Leena, I can only tell you what others here are telling me. And that is to hang in there. I'm freaking out too and sitting here waiting for my Dr's office to call me back with a date to have my band revision. I'm 5' 3" and weigh 213. I haven't even started the liquid diet phase yet. I'll keep you in prayer and ask the same for me. Keep in touch!

It's been quite a process but, I've finally been given a date for my revision surgery! June 6th they told me today. Zoiks, saw the nutritionist at 8am this morning and within hours after her telling me she gives her approval I got the call. June 6th is the date so far, just need to get a medical surgery approval letter from my PCP and approval from the insurance company. Preop work May 21st and off I go. I'm excited and nervous which I know is natural. Still a scary thought having my inner works re-worked but, I know it's the best choice for me. I did well with my lapband until the dang thing slipped TWICE! So I know I can do this and the proper way to eat etc. I'm so looking forward to losing these extra love handles and getting to a healthier me. Thank you for your support and friendship here and I look forward to our continued journies together. Crossing my fingers for all the paperwork to go as it has to

Congrats on your revision, please let me know how it goes. I hope all goes well for you.

I'm still pre op for bypass so I have no nuggets of wisdom to offer. Just wanted to welcome you and say how sorry I am that you've had such a difficult experience. I hope the revision gives you the results and healthier life you are seeking. Good luck and hang in there. You're young and have a lot of good living in front of you!

It can be due to the stress of the surgery and may have nothing to do with protein. My doc said if it's going to fall out, its going to fall out. My hair fell out when in had the lap band two years ago and started growing back after three months of losing it. Now I am almost three months post revision and can see my hair is beginning to fall out again, but I'm not worried because I know it will cone back.

Hi, new here, but had to put in my 2 cents. Have had PTC for about 10 years now, diamox, LPs and (unfortunately) loosing weight to within 15 pounds of normal/goal did not help,I have been shunted with multiple revisions. I have also unfortunately regained most of the weight lost, leading to my decision to get banded. After 3 attempts to be approved for the band I was successful in getting approved and was banded on June 1 so am still early in my band journey. Honestly my hopes are to improve my overall health, if my PTC were to stabilize that would be a bonus, but I am not optomistic. I am really curious to hear other peoples experience and outcomes. Good luck to all who suffer the PTC beast.

I am finding myself getting closer to becoming a vegetarian. I rarely eat meat at this point. All of this is post banding. Before being banded I was a total carnivore but my meat of choice was red meat which I can no longer do. I never ever thought I would ever be writing this post. I never could eat fish and have not been a huge fan of pork or chicken. Chicken at this point is too mediocre for me. Often it is too dry and I have horror stories about being stuck. Even at this time I have no Fluid in my band because of a revision but meat just doesn't do it for me anymore. Is anyone else in the same boat? I do think that I get enough Protein but do admit it is more of a challenge because it tends to get a bit boring. Anyone else? I'd love to hear more.

But I'm terrified. I'm definitely a rule breaker (hence the slipped band 3 1/2 yrs later from frequent vomiting. Never did learn how to eat slowly). My band had a minor slip last year, my dr took out 1/2 of my fill and it worked. no more reflux, so he decided to leave it alone. In the last year I gained 21 lbs. I HATE dieting, why I got the band in the first place. So I've been on the fence for months whether I wanted to just go ahead and revise it even tho I had no symptoms. This past Friday nite, I started having stomach pain. Not bad, just bothersome. Monday nite (after having constant pain for 3 days) it got unbearable and I ended up in the hospital. My band was herniated (a bad slip). They unfilled my 6cc and told me I'd need a revision. My band dr is 3 hrs away, so I haven't been seen by him yet. I called the insurance girl at my drs office and asked if revision would be covered under my Medicare. It is, even tho my bmi is now 27 cuz it's a complication. They don't cover plication, however, which is what I wanted with my band - to improve my chances of future slips. She talked a little about the sleeve (which is also covered) and said most band patients convert to the sleeve. Like I said, I haven't even talked to my dr about it yet so I'm not sure what he's gunna say, but I started doing research on the sleeve today. I loved my band. Helped me to lsoe 104 lbs. But it's so much maintenance - always going 6 hrs round trip for fills/unfills/tweaking and alot of money involved (Medicare only pays for fills for the first year) and worries about slipping. The sleeve doesn't require maintenance, does it? How long do you spend in the hospital? Is it like gastric bypass where over the years your stomach can stretch back out? Whats the difference between GB and the sleeve? Any and all info is greatly appreciated!! Even tho I'm only about 28 lbs from my 135 goal, I know I'd gain back every lb that I've lost if I don't have a tool to work with. I proved that this past year with less than optimal restriction. I never did learn how to eat healthy - the band just stopped me from eating too much. Thanks! Marci

Wow you've really done well! Congrats! I'm just worried also cause I have the lap band and having a revision next Friday. I had a good amount of success with the band till it slipped and I don't want to fail with the sleeve. They say revisions don't loose as much weight as virgin sleevers. So I'm praying it will work for me.

As a revision patient who gained the weight back I say the fear is good!!!

I love reading posts like this one where someone getting WLS is truly excited about it. It's infectious, and it certainly makes my decision to revise feel better. So keep 'em coming, peeps!