Search the Community

Sorry Noo, I haven't been through the process, but I was looking the other day at the online centrelink form for early release of super and I couldn't see a field for adding savings or assets, nor does the documentation required specify copies of bank or investment statements. May it is something they follow up with? There is a company that helps with applying for early release of super, their fees seemed a bit exxy, but if they help achieve a good outcome it could be worth it. Feedback on facebook was a bit mixed but overall 4.2/5. Company name was My SuperCare. Perhaps Noo you may not be so out of pocket with a revision, as you may not be required to do all the aftercare for up to one or two years? Note that unless preservation age has been reached early release of super in most instances will be taxed at about 22%, so if $10,000 is released, tax will be $2,200 and funds received will be $7,800. So at the end of the day, we won't receive the full cost of the surgery, hospital and doctor fees etc. I am not sure if tax is paid directly by the super fund or if it is captured by the annual tax return process. I am considering early release of super for the surgery I am proposing (ESG, if deemed a suitable candidate) which is not covered by medicare (thus also not covered by private health insurance). For anyone in Australia considering early release of super for weight loss surgery, note that there is a government review underway at the moment, if early release of super for these circumstances continue I suspect that the criteria for early release will become a whole lot tougher than it is now. If all goes well with my consult etc I want to have the ESG in Sept or Oct, but what to go through the application for super release as soon as possible. If I am not successful, my chosen clinic is a member of MiFund and they have interest free plans (application fee and low cost montly fee only) so I will apply for that. To be honest this is possibly better than early release of super, as application fee and monthly fees would be less than the tax payable on release of super, with the added bonus that super remains intact. My fall back position if not sucessful for early release of super or MiFund is a surgery that is covered by medicare and private health insurance, but I really do want the minimally invasive ESG. Apologies for the waffle!

surgeons seem quick to blame vsg patients don't they, sounds like a revision to bypass would be good.

If you haven't run into this in your research, I found this to be an interesting point/counterpoint discussion of the LINX (the "Yes" vote is linked at the bottom). http://agaperspectives.gastro.org/is-linx-the-way-to-go-for-gerd-surgery-no/#.X7K6SWhKiUk I also found another source that indicated that LINX was not appropriate for bariatric patients, but didn't explain why (possibly simply because that group didn't have much experience with bariatric patients?) The "No" vote above did lift out the prospect of erosion from the foreign body, and given the history of the lapband, that is probably a good point of caution. I would suggest getting a second (and possibly third) opinion on this. I am a fan of second opinions, particularly when it comes to revisions and complications, as both the causes and solutions are often more varied than the original surgery, and hence the opinions as to the best way to go often vary more widely - what one doc is comfortable doing to solve the problem may not be the ideal for you, while another doc may have different experiences that allows him to offer something better for your need. Or maybe not - but as patients it is hard for us to evaluate, but one solution may make more sense to us than another. I have found that with the sleeve, being a relatively new procedure to most of the bariatric world, the solutions to problems that may crop up are often limited - some docs are limited to simply revising to a bypass as they don't have much experience with anything else. Most bariatric surgeons here in the States are fairly well experienced with the sleeve by now (as opposed to 6-10 years ago) but may not yet have that much experience in correcting problems with them, which is why it can pay to seek out alternate opinions. Sometimes there are shape issues with the sleeve, stemming from either the original surgery or from subsequent evolutions, and surgeons can vary widely on their ability to address these. Some can do fundoplications to address the hiatal hernia, while others can't (there isn't that much fundus to plicate after our VSG.) I would suggest a second opinion from Dr. Ara Keshishian, who does a lot of complex revisions (people come from across the country to see him, particularly as he is one of the few who can do the RNY/DS revision) and if anyone can get things working better without a major revision or devices, it is him. If one can avoid an RNY or an implanted device, that would be ideal. Conveniently, he is right around the corner from you in the Glendale/Pasadena area. I do have a hiatal hernia, though a fundoplication is inappropriate for my case, and as GERD is mild and well controlled with moderate OTC meds, and EGD shows nothing exciting happening, it is a wait and see thing for me at this point. Hope yours comes out well, whatever path you take,

I would either reschedule or try the pill route if that would work. Having just been through revision surgery this week it is very fresh in my mind and I would not want to deal with that situation myself on top of everything else!

I have acid reflux sometimes like maybe once a month. But also could it be that there's less of a revision rating bc there's nothing really to revise to? Except the duo switch but I hear that has alot of complications and you basically have horrible diarrhea for the rest of your life so not many ppl want to revise to that Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

Doc said the surgery was long, when I woke up I was in soon much pain. I was a revision from lapband to RNY. They were giving my pain meds in the IV but still the pain was horrible. Doc said it went great, my test results were great but he said u really look bad and I felt horrible. I think my first walk was day 2 and that was getting up and going to the restroom and i felt like i ran a race. Day 3 i walked the hall but could not do the lap. He made me stay so they could watch me.

Had a revision & second hiatal hernia repair done per GERD so bad damaging vocal chords and cancer risk. 10 weeks post op and very happy with results! No GERD , can eat things I wasn’t able to before . Liquid goes down easier than it did with sleeve and I am losing more weight and am now closer to goal weight (8lbs to go) which I never was with sleeve. No complications. No more GERD or acid reflux, so happy and feeling 10xs better!

I after 3 attempts of fixing a afferent limb and dilating my opening have to have a revision. I cant eat food been on liquids for 6 weeks my hairs coming out again and stay exhausted. Does anyone know how long it takes tricare to approve or deny. Its funny that i had my surgery done at a medical center. Im glad this time i was referred to a civilian.

Tomorrow is the day! I have to be there tomorrow at 6am. I am revision from sleeve to bypass, repair of my hiatal hernia and removing my gallbladder. I survived my 2 week liquid diet and lost 12lbs. Prayers and good vibes to all the September buddies! Sent from my VS996 using BariatricPal mobile app

SEPTEMBER 26th for me@shoregirl75! Revision sleeve to bypass and I am scared out of my wits but every now and again excitement peeks through! congrats pray all went well Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama blasted Senate Republicans on Monday for blocking a small-business assistance bill, calling their opposition "pure partisan politics." The country needs a "full-scale attack" on economic sluggishness, he said at the White House. "While we have taken a series of measures and come a long way ... too many Americans are still looking for work, and too many communities are far from being whole again," he said. The president also said his economic team is "hard at work" on a series of new measure designed both to spark short-term hiring and lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Among other things, Obama said the administration will continue to push for an extension of middle class tax cuts, new incentives for clean energy research and development, and initiatives to help rebuild infrastructure. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, released a statement immediately after Obama's remarks criticizing the president and Democratic congressional leaders for dramatically increasing the size of the national debt while doing little to restore stronger economic growth. "Instead of growing jobs as promised, Washington Democrats have grown the size of the national debt, the federal government and the unemployment rate," McConnell said. "It's no surprise that most Americans think the country is on the wrong track and that Democrat policies have failed to do anything to fix their top concern, the economy." Growing economic jitters amid new signs of a slow recovery remain a top political issue in the runup to November's midterm elections. The U.S. economy sputtered to a near stop in the second quarter, according to estimates from the government released Friday, although the slowdown wasn't as bad as many had feared. The nation's gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity, was revised sharply lower to an annual growth rate of 1.6 percent in the three months ending in June. The initial reading had been for a 2.4 percent growth rate in the period. The bill currently stuck in the Senate authorizes the creation of a $30 billion lending fund. The Treasury Department would run the program, which would deliver cheap capital to community banks, defined as those with less than $10 billion in total assets. The idea is that community banks are the ones that do the bulk of lending to small businesses and so by pumping capital into them, it will get in the hands of Main Street businesses. Other key components of the bill would provide $12 billion worth of tax relief for small businesses between 2010 and 2020, according to an estimate from the Joint Committee on Taxation. The bill also increases Small Business Administration loan limits and extends loan sweeteners through the end of the year. It offers several tax cuts for small businesses, to both encourage investment and entrepreneurship. The legislation also provides $1.5 billion in grants to state lending programs that can't rely on depleted state coffers for more cash. This bill is paid for and doesn't add to the deficit. The republicans are always yapping about small business but when they have a chance to vote for this bill they don't. More evidence that they just want the economy to get worse to improve their chances in November. How very sad that some will be duped to voting for these people. And to Mitch - I have this to say: This is the best you've got? Pres. Obama slams you for holding up this bill even for a vote and all you can do is say the democrats have increased the deficit? Hey, Mitch, why don't you tell us how much the deficit will increase with that unnecessary tax cut for the rich you support? Huh? What's that I hear? The silence is deafening.

I was a bit horrified at the amount of swelling I had when I had to have my band removed. I looked about 7 months pregnant and thought oh no...my nice flat tummy (achieved with abdominalplasty) was going to be a thing of the past :sneaky: But here I sit 10 months post emergency removal of my band and 7 months post RNY revision and my stomach is as flat as a board :leaving: So I was VERY lucky that things returned to normal!!

Hey all! I had a revision from VSG (2020) to a bypass without bowel reduction on 11/28. It’s been going fine, recovering is good and I’m tolerating food fine. However, since we did my revision for severe GERD and a large hernia, the surgeon told me that my bypass was minimal in terms of removal of bowel. Since I’ve basically maintained my weight loss since my sleeve, he did not want to create a situation where I would be malnourished so he did not remove bowel like a typical bypass. All that to say, I’m super hungry which is surprising since they did mess with my pouch, and I’ve lost a little weight which is fine too, but it’s like I cannot tell when I’m full. I’m on soft foods, so not full solids yet but have been eating real meals basically (soft foods allows canned veggies and some fruits on my plan). With my sleeve I could easily tell when it’s time to stop. Now it’s like I could just keep going. I haven’t had any nausea or vomiting caused by over eating, and I’ve been measuring because I’m nervous but it’s like I’m still hungry. I was hopeful leaving the bowel would help me not experience dumping as much (which I have no idea if that’s legit or I’m just telling myself that), but I’m also so worried about eating too much. On a happy note - I have only ate tums once since my surgery, and I guess now won’t have to continue to keep tums in business anymore. LOL! That was the goal, so far so good, still on protonix but I’ll take it over misery any day!

I am starting 5 weeks today. I have bad shoulder pain today so I am wondering if I over ate and opened up my stomach. I can eat one egg and maybe 4 Vienna sausages different times of course. I had a few chips and salsa yesterday at th restaurant maybe 5 but chewed them very well. How do I know if I am over eating? I really need to up my calories and protein so is it okay that I am eating every couple of hours? Mushy foods stage. I have lost 14 since surgery. Past 3 weeks the scale hasn't moved I am a low BMi to start with revision from band to sleeve. I am 148 now and am wondering if I will lose this extra weight and get to my 120 goal. Don't want this surgery to have Been a waste for me...... Help!!!! What I'd you all eat at 5 weeks as such??? Stalls etc?!?!

I am so happy to see this thread!! I am a band to sleeve revision. Had my band for 2 years and had my revision on the 15th of November 2012. I have lost 30 lbs since my revision. It's kind of upsetting because if I try to stay with 800 calories I feel sick like I am going to pass out. They ran all kinds of blood test and can't find anything wrong. Even took a look at my sleeve and everything seems fine. My surgeon says its all me and I need to stick my 800 calories. My PCP tells me to up my calories to 1000 to 1200 so that I don't feel sick and avoid the possibly of fainting. I honestly don't know what to do sometimes. I get hungry some days and others I have to remind my self to eat. I hope that as the months come by I will be able to find some kind of middle ground with my sleeve and at the same time satisfy the doctor so I don't get in trouble.

Well SH*T, I have been worrying that this same thing may be happening to me also. I think I can eat wayyy to much for my 6 week post op status. Compared to what most of the "successful" sleevers report being able to eat, my appettite is huge. Don't get me wrong I get full on a lot less then I used to but I can still eat a fairly large amount. The other day I ate a half a small sub sandwhich from Port of Subs. I was pretty full but I figure most people at my stage couldn't eat that. I worry I am going to stretch it. I wondered also if it did happen if for some reason my surgeons pouch was not small enough if it could be revised. That is looking like it is not the case huh? Your avatar pic looks great. Hopefully you have not had a regain.

I'm getting a revision from the band to the sleeve next Thursday. I was successful with the band while I had it for almost 1 1/2 years, before it slipped a few times. At the point where it's going to keep slipping so we're opting to remove it & get the sleeve instead. Having definite pain & taking liquid vicodin for it once a day, at night, to help soothe it. With the band, when I was full, I would burp, like a sailor. And I do mean, like a sailor. Not very lady-like at all. I'm praying the sleeve will continue working for me & keep me satisfied. I think I'll be able to sense when I'm full, but hopefully without burping & throwing up like I used to. It was not pleasant at all. I'd love to hear from other fellow banders to sleevers....

There is a whole forum for band to sleeve revisions here. I am sure you will find a lot of helpful feedback there.

Just got my date for revision, March 27th. My biggest fear is failing again. I'm not telling my family until after the surgery, the one person I told I was considering revision said,"oh, the other worked so well". Which blew all my confidence, so to keep positive, only people that are positive know before surgery. My doctor doesn't have me on Pre-op diet?

I am a revised lap-band. I've learned a couple of lessons, being banded first! I was sleeved on Feb. 3rd. This time around, when at a restaurant, I will NOT continue to eat until I'm not able to do anything but vomit. And I will NOT drink while I'm eating. I've decided that when the time comes to go to a restaurant, when I order my food, and no drink, I will also ask for a to-go box. When my food and my box arrive, I will leave the appropriate amount of food on my plate and the rest will go into the box, not to be seen again until the following day. I've never had a problem with leftovers. My son, who was sleeved 3 years ago, and his wife, still split an entre. He can only eat about 8oz and unless you're eating French, there's plenty on your plate to share! When I was banded, sometimes I would go the appetizer route. Usually Protein, but stay away from the fried stuff! NOT a good choice!!! Well, feel free to make other eating out suggestions! Good luck to everyone!!!

I have BCBS in Texas of course wouldn't pay for my revision so I did self pay.

I believe they meant Tore revision. I think autocorrect got them, lol. It's a revision for gastric bypass that is performed endoscopically. They make the pouch smaller by plicating and stapling a smaller pouch.

That is great!!! I am having sleeve to bypass revision on Monday, 9/28/15. I have BBS Fed Basic insurance. Good Luck with your upcoming surgery:-) Please keep me posted! I would love to know how it goes for you. What prompted your revision? I did email Alex to ask to a sleeve revision board. It seems like there are more of us.

I was a band to sleeve revision in one surgery and had no problems. I did not have success with the band at all, but am finding it with the sleeve. I agree with OTR in getting a revision. I think most of us have been able to lose weight, it's the keeping it off that has been the true challenge. Good luck with your decision.

Dr-Patient, Band2Sleever; Thank you for the help. I will certainly use your ideas/guidelines as I write and revise my letter.