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Hi there! Dr ponce did my surgery on June 15 & trish was my coordinator! My surgery went great! I also have little ones at home. When I came home from surgery I had an 8-month-old & a almost-two-year-old.... Even with my husband home--it was rough!! I was hobbling around on the floor on in my knees to try and avoid picking up my kids. Even going out of my way to not lift my children, I still ended up picking them up sometimes, and it hurt (I may have had more pain than a typical patient, but only because my surgery was revision from lap-band--so excess scar tissue). I guess what I'm trying to say here is, if you can get ANY extra help when you return, do it! But if you can't, you should be ok!

I regret having sleeve as my first surgery. I woke up with severe GERD that never went away. I just had revision to bypass and am so happy I went through with it!

I am one year post revision. It is much different then the previous one which did not come with support or education. I'm in Alberta Canada and I had a whole team assess me for about 6 months before they determined that a revision was warranted and to get me into a frame of mind that would set me up for success this time. It has been wonderful. I haven't lost as fast as I did the first time but I know that this time I have been able to make the necessary changes and to sustain those changes for the rest of my life. The big difference for me was in working with a psychologist who helped me to understand why this time would be different and successful. I'm now down to a size 16 from size 24 and continue to lose at least 1 pound per week. Doesn't sound like much but I can be patient and ensure that the lose I"m experiencing is sustainable and part of my new normal.

I was banded in 2009, lost about 80 pounds total, then started to have major issues and had to have surgery to repair it in 2012. It hasn't worked since then and I've gained over 50 pounds back since then. My new doctor does not do the revision in one go so he removed my band in Feb 2017 and I'll get my sleeve surgery on Nov. 1. I'm thrilled that after going through all the hoops my insurance finally approved it.

So what I don't understand is do people get a revision because the first one didn't work or because a few years passed? Sent from my Moto E (4) using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks and congratulations on your revision. I can't wait for the RNY revision surgery approval from my insurance companies. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had a revision from sleeve to bypass in March. I do not have any more heartburn—that’s completely resolved. I have had a much harder time eating this time around and still do not have solid stool. As a result, I lost 50 lbs since my revision which is more than I ever planned to be honest. I was successful with the sleeve—losing 110 and only gaining back 10 lbs over 5 years. But the heartburn was too much. The recovery has just been harder. But as a trade off I’m seeing numbers on the scale I never thought I’d see.

I was revised to RnY on Tuesday (from VSG) my team said their revision patients have all been successful in loss. They did remind me I’m 80# less than when I started last time and went from a BMI of 52-39, so I will lose but the amounts will be less but percentage wise they should even out.

Hi Curves, welcome to VST. This is a great forum. I be you're going to be so darn happy with your revision!

My story is almost the same as REV ME UP. I had no real complications. My surgeon was so wonderful, my port was sewed in amazingly well and wasn't going anywhere. That's one reason I had him do my revision - he's a top notch doctor. I just hated living with the band and all the problems it created. It was so tight in the mornings I was never able to eat Breakfast. Then later in the day when I could eat, things were always getting stuck even when I chewed my food really well. I couldn't eat healthy foods like salad, broccoli, oranges, etc. But milkshakes and cheese dip went down with no problem. So of course I was stalled and unable to lose that last 40-50 lbs. Getting the band out and being able to have the VSG has been just what I needed. I feel free now to eat whatever I want in moderate portions. I can eat all the healthy foods I crave and not have to worry about them going down. That horrible port is gone and not in the way - bumping on my ribs and poking through my skin. Life is good now!

I just had a lap band to sleeve revision Jan 13. With my lap band (9 years ago) I told most people who knew me. Later regretted it as I had a lot of problems with the lap band and even tho it may have been my imagination I felt all those eyes on me wondering why I lost weight and regained it. A few would ask and some were sincere and some were just plain nosey. So this time the only two people know outside of the clinic I went to: my husband and my niece who took care of me the first week. WHY? There is plenty of time to tell them later. I can decide on an individual basis. It's my business. When I lose enough to show, I can revisit it. If they are my best friends family they will understand and care about me no matter what. I'm 7 days out and no regrets that I didn't tell anyone. In the end it's an individual choice.

I had my lap band done in May 2011 at the time I weighed 281 lbs. I was able to get down to 230 within 6 months but then just stalled out. In 2013 I got pregnant and had my daughter 2/25/15 but after having her I could not get back under 250. (I had extreme port pain the last few months of my pregnancy I think from my growing belly and stuff, some days I wanted to cut it out myself because it hurt so bad) So, I decided to have it converted to gastric bypass. I went into it like it was no big deal and thought I would be fine because I didn't have much pain when I had the band put in. But, on 3/19/15 I woke up in recovery is the worst pain on my left side where the port was. It's now been 6 days and I still hurt so bad. My right side doesn't hurt at all it's just the left. Has anyone else had the same problem if so how long did your pain last. It's making taking care of a 1 yr old who doesn't walk yet suck as I can't move without having sharp pain like I'm being ripped open. Oh they also had to remove my gallbladder as during pre-op testing they saw I had gallstones. On a side note I'm so glad I found this forum because I don't know anyone that has had revision surgery to know what is normal.

I had the sleeve done in Mexico in 2017 and am now ten days post op on a revision to bypass (which I got done in Estonia). I had no problems with either and in fact I think I’m doing much better this time around. Gas pain gone in a day, all scars healing very rapidly, I’ve been walking over 10,000 steps a day since day three post op (sometimes over 20000), and haven’t had any food issues yet (still on liquids/purées) v However, I’ve been on this site long enough to know that it’s not the norm. It’s kind of strange, since I don’t do well with pain in my everyday life, but seem to recover quickly from surgeries.

I'm scheduled for a lapband revision sleeve October 21st at lenox hill hospital but Dr Roslin will be doing mine's almost 6 days away & I'm excited I live in NJ though but in the city time to time & sure to be at the office for post ops visits

I had the gastric sleeve 9 years ago and now Im having a gastric bypass revision this tuesday feb 23rd. Gerd issues and I gained 65 lbs back throughout the years.

I just had a band to bypass revision on October 24. It took them a while to get my band out too with all the scar tissue and mine ended up being slipped even though they didn't think i t was going to be. I am so sorry you are dealing with so much pain, I didn't have any real significant pain. But I will tell you, being band-free is SO nice, all the pain should be worth it! Congrats on your revision!

I'm considering revision fro band to bypass and you just sparked a question in my brain....so, if your pouch is a certain size and only hold between 1/4 to 1/2 to 1cup of food....how does one gain weight? Is it the choice of food or is it eating past when one is full? Don't mean to hijack...just figuring it all out...thanks! Marieze

I understand your frustration about being overweight. I was there over two years ago, wow, does not seem that longago. I did not chose the lap-band, I chose the gastric by-pass. In the area I live in the sleeve was not even on the table. If it had been, that is what I would have choosen. Per Ted Smith, I needed the by-pass not the lap-band. Now, until I decide to have the by-pass revised I have to take extra vitamins, minerals just so I don't die of malnutrition. Yes, it is a permanate life-style change, but if you are not also working with someone professional and have a local support group of others whom have had the same surgery the weight will come back. My weight at the time of surgery was 310, I have been at 210 for a year and half. I have two problems with why the last 60 pound has not come off; One being I am not sure who I would be at 150, and two I can't leave the Dr Pepper alone. By the way this December it will have been three years since the surgery was done.

I'm home until Thanksgiving weekend. Then I'm back in NYC for 4 weeks, then back down here for the THIRD AND FINAL PS phase on December 20th!! So exciting. Dad says the last surgery will be a breeze compared to this one. It'll be inner thighs, breast implants, and a very minor TT revision (mons lift and port replacement). Then that's IT, I'm DONE! WOOHOO!!! I'm pretty sure Dawn's talking about Disneyworld, not Disneyland because Disnewworld's 1/2 is in January. It's also supposed to be a very flat course, which is why I want to run it sometime -- easier to break personal records on a flat course. Plus, having Disney characters cheer you on at each mile marker must be a trip. I'm planning to do it in 2009. Betty, what are you thinking about your weight? Are you able to say that it's just a matter of getting a fill and you'll get it later this month, or is there more to it than that? I guess I'm just a little nervous for you. There was a time last month when I was training hard and I went from 148 to 161 from all the carbs/high point in my cycle. It only lasted a couple of days (and came back down to 152 with no effort, which is kind of a set point for me), but I was completely freaked out. I guess you're getting your fill this week, actually, so there's nothing to worry about, right? Boo, if running hurts, don't do it. No pain, no gain when pushing through a running plateau, but not when pushing through a disc injury. Do you see a sports med doc? I'm thinking we might actually be athletes who deserve specialized docs at this point. Ha!

It's totally normal (it happens to almost all of us) to stall between weeks 3 and 5 post-op. I'm also seeing a trend of stalling again around month 5. Most of the March 2017 sleevers I know report stalling about 5 months out. It's true that revision patients lose slower -- I made a very conscious decision to throw everything I have at losing wait in the first six months. I started exercising (walking) 2 weeks post-op. At month 5, I'm doing cardio (elliptical) 4x a week, weight training 4x a week and doing yoga 2x a week. My calories are hovering between 800 and 1000 a day. As my weight loss has started to slow a bit, I've just started experimenting with Intermittent Fasting. I figure the harder I work during the "honeymoon" phase, the more likely it is that I'll have good habits to sustain me as I approach goal and maintenance.

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

Hi, I am curious to know too. I currently have the lapband (since 2008) but seeking revision to sleeve. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease last year. Good luck on your journey!

Mine is not where B-52's is but as you lose weight it will stick out even more. Mine wasn't visible but I could feel it. Then one day I woke up and the port was sticking out really bad. My port had flipped and my band ceased to work properly. Well, I finally had a port revision which is day surgery. My port is in place and working again. You should feel something however. If it bothers you a lot call your doctor.

Wannabe - congrats on finding your doc! I would have added the question "What is your revision clause" to the list. If a scar needs revising or if anything goes wrong whatsoever. Some docs have a 1 year revision, etc. Where they will not charge you to fix it, though you may need to pay hospital charges. I'll be staying at a hotel the second night after my surgery, too, to make sure there's no complications. I agree with you, it's a smart move! March will be here before you know it!!

Thanks for the info faith. They did explain at the seminar in May that they were now doing three bands every Monday and RNY bypass on Wednesdays, so they could concievably do a dozen bands a month. Maybe the secretary miscommunicated the information to you about the dozen lapbands. Dr. Birkmeyer was at the seminar and I asked some very pointed questions about the band and if revisions could be done to RNY should there be complications from the band. He explained that he and Dr. Finks were both present for every band operation and that they were the ones doing the procedures - together. I also heard from my PCP that Dr. Finks was very... meticulous and to the point. I assumed from that description (knowing my PCP) that althought the man was a very talented surgeon, but had little to no patient skills. Thus, I'm interpreting that I can expect to find the man abrasive, but my procedure done with the highest level of skill. A small price to pay for a job well done, as I do not expect to talk much to the surgeon anyway, and really only care that the job is done correctly the first time. As I am a UM patient for several other specialities, my PCP suggested I might find that the coordination of care would be far easier to implement as I am in their system and have been for more than a decade. Should any of my other physicians require information or need to see me in the hospital after my procedure for any reason, I would be in the best place possible, as all records are kept electronically. As I am diabetic, and other things, I do feel if there was an emergency, I would rather my own endocrinologist be available for that situation than another doctor. In effect, I would be more comfortable with UM as a hospital, even if it meant that I had to work with a practice that had less 'practice'. As far as them quoting the 130 lapbands, I did believe Dr. Birkmeyer when he gave that information. He realized that it was a small number, but immediately gave the statistics of their complication rate (which was a blood clot in one patient with a history of clotting), and the fact that they were relatively new to the procedure, but that they supported lapband as it was a good choice for so many patients. If you take into consideration the fact that they could do a minimum of 12 procedures a month, they can easily rack up the 130 he quoted. It is clear, however, that they are far more skilled at RNY due to the fact they have done so many of those surgeries over the last few years. I actually watched the lapband surgery online, and found it is really not very complicated. After hearing from my PCP the intense, lifesaving procedure that Dr. Finks completed on one of his family members, this procedure should be easy for them. I do wish I could find someone that had the lapband from them so they could confirm the costs, and any 'surprises' that they experienced along the way, as it is expensive anyway you look at it. I find it slightly irritating that each program requires you to attend their seminar, even if you have sat through several. It's the same info over and over, and boring if you have heard it more than once. I really do not find it necessary to sit through another, and Hurley is requiring the same as the others. It was illuminating, however, during one I was at last spring, they were actually trying to convince people that they would need to purchase their supplements directly from their program ONLY, and should they not follow their specific program using THEIR supplements, you would be asked to find another doctor. That was unacceptable!