Search the Community

I want to thank all of you for posting all this information. I go in tomorrow morning 4/10/19. For a Sleeve to DS revision. I am at 440 right now and my high prior to the sleeve was 535. August of 2017 - I was down to 390 - then was in a bad car accident with a mild TBI and I have a disc bulge and loss of sensation in my thumb and pointer finger. I was so depressed I put the weight back on. I've tried since February of 2018 to get the DS, but the one hospital didn't tell me they weren't considered a COE until five months into the process. I was lost and went back to the original hospital I got my sleeve from. I didn't have to, but I went through the 6-month weight loss. Kicked Coca-Cola. That's probably the best part. I've lost 18 pounds on the 2-week liquid diet and was told by the PNP that I will be able to eat pretty close to normal after the surgery. I'm honestly craving barbacoa and cooked purple carrots lol. Actually, right about now, I'm thinking of eating my desk at work. I'm on a clear liquids only diet today. I look at today... like... well I've gone through physical, emotional, and mental hell the last two weeks. What's one more day? For some reason, I keep having nightmares about dying. I know I wont, but I'm a person that operates on high anxiety. (Especially when I can't eat to comfort myself.) I am also a very strong willed person and know I have a huge road ahead for me. I need to get in the mid-200's, if not lower. My PNP said I should lose 180 pounds in a year. I like a challenge and so I want to lose 200. I'm not naïve and know this road will be very bumpy. I've tried to warn my wife about the gas, but I'm pretty sure she will experience hell soon. I am encouraged to read about your recoveries when doing revisions. I was super worried about that. I have about 2 1/2 weeks off of work after today. So, I should hopefully have some idea what I will be experiencing when I eat certain foods. I do like to workout and unlike some, I've seen increased weight loss when I do workout. I stay to more cardio and when I weight train I do it in a circuit and constant motion so my heartrate is staying in the cardio zone. It's a tip I learned from a professional weight trainer when I was in my 20's. It really cut me up then and I know now, approaching my 40's will hopefully continue to work. Some stats about me: Name - Josh Weight - 440 Surgery - 4/10/19 Married 1 daughter, but trying for one more - hopefully in July. Age - 38 - birthday in July. I started crying at my desk this morning, thank god I have an office I can close. I'm an emotional guy. Thanks for all the inspiration and I look forward to posting updates.

Were you a sleeve revision, or did you go from lap band to full SIPS in one shot? In other words, how many surgeries? I've had three: Lap band, VSG, then mini DS.

I had my revision on Thurs 4/18. Besides gas pains the first two days, I’m doing well. I am a little worried that I don’t feel the restriction I did with the sleeve at the beginning. I can drink as much as I want without any pain.

Is it pointless to fight an insurance company when they have denied a revision from lapband to gastric sleeve. My band has not slipped but it also doesn't work. With the exception of stuck food and throwing up every once in awhile, you'd never know I had one. My insurance company said it was a once in a lifetime procedure and more or less hung up on me. Any suggestions?

Had lap band and I never felt full. Even after several fills Of course I am only two weeks out of from sleeve surgery. There is certainly a difference already. There are so many lapband revisions to sleeve these days. What does your dr suggest. I was scared to have the sleeve.. But it all went well. Take your time in making a decision that is best for u. Research ..ask questions...and pray.over it. You will know what route u should take when the time comes.

I think you have some valid questions. I had the band removed 6 weeks ago and will revise to the sleeve on 12-28-13. With the band I lost almost no weight. I could never get the fills correct. To tight or to loss etc. My band slipped and had it removed. I think all insurance company might be different when it comes to revision. I know some insurance company only allow one weight loss surgery. You never know we're you will be in terms of insurance down the road. With my insurance I was already seeing a nutritionist for 6 months before going to see the weight loss surgeon. After they discovered the slip the submitted everything to insurance. My surgeon which does all type of weight loss.surgery said they band only has a 50 % successful rate and in 2013 the hospital only did 1. I think that speaks volumes. I think with any surgery you must make sure you have an experienced surgeon or things might go wrong.

@@sheetmetalgirl, I agree with @@Dairymary, maybe go back to the basics first and check to see if you have PCOS or insulin resistance. Also, check your insurance company to see if you ate a candidate for a revision. I don't know much about revisions...

I’m planning a revision from the sleeve. I look forward to keeping up with everyone’s journey

Hi Froufrou, I'm getting the gastric sleeve revision to gastric bypass, i'm a bit nervous, i gain most of the weight back and have had other health issues like, PCOS, arthritis in knee and diabetic along with acid re-flux. how much have you lost since the revision? was it worth it? i'm just a bit nervous.

Hi! Was your friend’s revision from a band to RNY? If so, did your friend have her revision in one or two surgeries? I have Kaiser and I hope it’s done in one surgery She had her sleeve a year and a half ago, but the acid reflux was doing terrible things to her. She had her revision last week on the 24th and has had a few complications, now she has a picque line and will have a nurse come to her house daily. Her process has actually scared me. The Dr isn't sure if she has some sort of blockage and may need another surgery. Damn

Also, I'm on a 3 day liquid diet...my surgeon tailors the length to your BMI. As long as you find protein you can tolerate it isn't too bad..I'm a revision from a sleeve so have been there done that (I had major complications and have been on liquids since 2012 so it's my normal) and if you guys need any suggestions or ideas on making it taste better let me know oh and I'm on August 1st so I'm right behind you!!

Snuggy2 thank you so much! It really helped to read your experience. I am a teacher and there are very few who support my decision and more who share concerns with me especially because I am going out of the country. My first American ortho botched a hip replacement when I was 30 and I had a revision the next year that left my left leg shorter than my right. Got that fixed in 2009 in Washington. So medicine is not an exact science all the time.

January 12th! Revision to sleeve from lapband. Had lapband removed oct 2016. So I’m basically starting the lifestyle all over again that I had done so great with for 5 years!! I am nervous!!

A face lift was going to by my next and last plastics procedure, but based on my less-than-optimal scar healing tendencies, both me and my surgeon decided its probably not best for me. While the incisions for the face lift are supposed to be hidden in your hairline and around your ears, it would likely not be so well hidden on me. And we are talking my face, so I don't want to risk it. Sooo....I decided I'm going the fillers route. I've been meaning to go for a proper consult for months, and reading this post spurned me into action, LOL. I've spoken to her briefly twice before when I was in for followups with my PS surgeon for scar revision. I've JUST got off the phone and booked a proper meeting for next week! My areas of concern are my sunken under eyes, the nasolabial folds (i.e., marionette lines), and my neck. Also I am considering addressing my jaw as the last time I spoke to her she said an inject-able in my jaw will relax my muscles there (as I am a night time teeth grinder) and will result in less headaches and a less wider face. Interesting, huh? In terms of cost, injectables are probably a little more expensive in the long run vs plastics, but its a scar thing for me. Further, most people who get face lifts, still get fillers anyway as face lifts alone don't address volume, only skin tightness. I have seen endless amounts of before and after pictures of people with face/neck lifts with FABULOUS results. I think your best place to start would be to book a consult (lots of places are doing virtual consults), with a surgeon to get basic info. It wouldn't have to be the surgeon you ultimately decide on, but at least you can get some info and a baseline to compare with other surgeons. Keep us updated if you can! ❤️

You can do a revision

I have been doing pretty well, overall. Life goes on after surgery for sure. But, I have been blessed. Really my only complaint about the sleeve is that I developed awful GERD immediately after surgery, so I am dependent on Prilosec twice a day. I suppose a revision to bypass would solve that problem.

My panni was just denied by insurance. I have a *** and needed to get a reference from my GP to see the plastic surgeon then approval from my GPs medical referral bc the doctor my Bariatric surgeon recommended was not in their office (eyeroll). I have lost 105ish lbs and I need one! I’m wondering a few things and hoping you all can help me figure this out. First I’m wondering if I got denied bc the surgeon I went to was not out of my GPs office? They had one to give me but when I researched him he was a hand doctor who did plastic surgery also. Secondly I’m wondering if the plastic surgeon I went to was ridiculously expensive and that’s why it was denied. Tummy tuck was 12,500 and breast lift was 12,000. I know only the panni part is covered but this surgeon does both for same price. Thirdly and most importantly I’m wondering what my rights are to appeal something like this. I plan to call in the morning but wanted to get my ducks in a row and have a clue what I was going to ask them at the insurance company. Band to sleeve revision surgery 1/16/17 HW: 283 CW: 177 GW: 160

Wow. Thank you so much for telling your story. I sincerely appreciate your honesty. And the words of wisdom, to "never give up" ...so powerful and so true. We are in this fight for life and I know that sometimes I do feel like giving up. But then I know what the consequences of giving up mean. So sorry about the DS not working out but enlightening to know about your friend who revised. At some point the surgery will only take you so far and the rest is up to you. Thank you again for sharing your story with us.

One Hot Grammy - Could you tell me why you are revising from a band to bypass? I'm doing a little info searching for myself. thanking you in advance.

Congrats Brittworman....That is so exciting. A size Small?!?!?!?!? That is Awesome. If you don't mind my asking, Has the RNY been a better WLS for you than the band? I'm looking into revision right now but I'm afraid RNY won't work for me either!

Thank you so much for starting this thread. Its threads like this and others that helped me make my mind up to get Gastric bypass in lou of the band. I dont want to ever have a revision or any of these problems so im skipping it ha im currently doing all my Pre op testing for my gastric bypass surgery ! =)

has anyone who is considering a revision gained weight with the lapband and then lost again. I went to the dr today and found out that back in 2010 when band adjusting dr/intern said I had 8.5cc in a 11cc band, they were wrong. Come to find out that I only had 6cc. They were not putting the fill in the port. I had lost 44 lbs and gained 20 back and now I am trying to get back on track. I stay 5hours away from bariatric center that did my surgery. I am very disappointed and frustrated that all that driving and traveling expenses = no fill. I am currently thinking of revising to the GB. I had my original surgery on 6/16/2009. Please give me advise!!!

Currently I'm awaiting insurance approval for revision from band to bypass.

had band on 6/13/06..trouble all along the way but persisted cause I thought it was normal (distress, pb's etc) my esophagus dialated and it was all over!! Had emergency revision on Nov 27,2008....I am now near perfect...no problems but I have not lost much weight since the revision and don't know why...but no throwing up thank G-d!! Feel great and am happy where I am...have lost 154# and want to lose another 30 or so but not going to have a hissy over it LOL..best to you all...

Hello, all.... After extensive research, I've decided to revise from band to sleeve in Mexico. I was banded in 2005, and want to know about the issues with scar tissue. I have read some posts here where some people had a lot of scar tissue, but the surgeon completed the revision. While other surgeons didn't complete the revision because of scar tissue. For those of you who had your band over 10 years, and revised to sleeve, what was your experience with the scar tissue? Does it develop because of he length of time the band is in place? Or does it develop based on the person's body? Any insight is appreciated.