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My band was removed because of esophageal damage from several decades of "silent" reflux whose symptoms I managed to ignore because I was never aware of any acid. My symptom was a persistent cough, and I didn't believe the ENT doc I saw for the cough when he suggested my problem was reflux. My band probably aggravated the problem. And to illustrate what a contrary person I am, I later revised to the sleeve despite knowing that reflux is extremely common in sleeve patients. So it looks like I'll be taking omeprazole for the rest of my life, and I hope that PPI (omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor) use doesn't cause me the problems it causes other folks.

Hi all - sorry if this is an annoying repost, but I'm 1.5 months pre-op and I'm trying to get a general sense of how long people are generally in the OR? I think my band procedure was about 45 minutes. I know a lot of the length depends on complexity which depends on what they find when they get in there, but any stories would be appreciated!

Really depends on what's going on inside. I had it done in one procedure and had a TON of scar tissue and it took him like 4.5 hours. Most of it was removing the adhesions. I had my band in for 9.5 years. Good luck! Band to Vsg revision: 5/23/17 HW: 315+ Starting weight: 294 Surgery Day: 281 Current: 226 Goal 170

RNY April of 2012, so that makes 9+ years out. My surgeon no longer practices bariatric surgery and most likely isn't even in my state any longer. I have had to make due with visits to hematologists, psychologists, primary care docs and more recently, went to a different WLS center for a consult and also to an endocrinologist to address the weight creep up that has taken years to put on--really can't blame the Covid, but rather letting a combo of sloppy habits and less intense exercise run the course to the expected outcome: the dreaded regain. To complicate matters, I have been so exhausted that I have been trying to get to the bottom of that as well. Ruled out anemia (I have had to get iron infusions three times), ruled out thyroid (although I do take NP thyroid and the endo upped the dosage a little bit), and while menopause is a factor, I got on bioidentical hormones to try and feel better. Somewhere in the middle of this, I had the brilliant idea that perhaps I should wean myself off antidepressants because they might have contributed to the weight gain as well. Uh. This is not the year to get off antidepressants, being all stressed out at work with all the students back to in-person learning and no clear direction about how to distance kids who seem determined to sit on top of one another, etc. After the new bariatric consult, where I was basically told that because I had open gastric bypass and then had incisional hernia repair and fleur de lis abdominoplasty, my insides are too messy to do any kind of revision, with the adhesions and all. But what I NEEDED to hear was what I have been doing: back to basics. Push that protein--90 grams. Watch the carbs and fat. Exercise. And eat less calories. 1200-1400. Since that visit I have tracked my intake on MFP and gave myself one day a week to have a higher calorie day and some kind of splurge. The rest of the week I do two very high protein meal replacement shakes, a Greek yogurt, a couple of hard boiled eggs and something small but proteiny and veg for dinner. I have to say, keeping it boring has kept the appetite at bay. And so far, so good. Nearly back to Onderland again, and I plan on keeping going until I get back to my lowest weight, which hilariously still has me in the overweight category according to the BMI. In addition, since not crawling into bed as soon as I get home is one of my major goals, I went back on the antidepressant, at a little higher dosage after explaining my symptoms of exhaustion. All this to say that the work is never done and I wouldn't have it any other way! This is my first post and I figured I would just throw it all out there and include the juice, since that is what it is all about for me and I have been very much enjoying reading all the posts here. Didn't want to be a freeloader with nothing to contribute

Hi all, I had a sleeve in 2014 and a revision to bypass in 2017 due to severe GERD. My resting heart rate has been low consistently for several years (40s-low 50’s) and although I exercise, I am by no means an athlete. I have dealt with on and off light headedness for a while, and have fainted probably 3-4 times over the years, the most recent time this last week. I honestly hadn’t even thought about my WLS being related, but came across an old post on here today that was talking about low heart rates and did some research online. It sounds like low heart rates aren’t that uncommon after surgery, but my understanding is that this is something that usually resolves itself eventually. Has anyone dealt with fainting or low heart rates this far out from surgery? I did reach out to my doctor this past episode and she’s referring me to a cardiologist, but I thought I would check here since I’m sure this isn’t something a normal PCP would come across often. Thanks so much!

Who did your surgery? Where? I read about someone else on here who also felt no restriction and was always hungry - and when another surgeon checked them out, nearly their entire original stomach had been left intact. They had it revised and are having great success with it now.

I was run off of another site years ago when I started complaining about my band not working and sharing my frustration. Some of the happy campers there didn't want to hear anything but good news. Truth is, no WLS fits everybody. I started feeling like I didn't belong there and left that site and stayed away for years. I returned only recently to learn more about a revision .I wish I had hung in there and not let my voice be silenced. Maybe I wouldn't have waited so long to revise and maybe my story could have helped someone else.

I was a revision from lap band, my surgery was Dec 10th 2012 so I'm about 4months out. Recovery had its ups and downs, I hated every creamy Protein drink, only found one I could stomach (no pun intended lol) but after 2months on them I can't drink any Protein drinks with out wanna to punch someone haha. I am still sore around my incision near my navel, makes it very hard to work out and run. But I do when I can. I'm a slow loser but started out with a lower weight since I was a revision from evil band complications. Dec weight 198.5, current 169. I have more I need to lose since I'm only 5'3" but am healthier now and with out all the sickness I had for 5 years with the band. I tolerate food better now and still can't eat certain things but its bad stuff I have no business eating (ie fried foods, sugary ect) I can finally handle my coffee again and can eat meat, though certain ones I handle better than others. You'll have your moments of regret that is VERY fleeting when your eating a delicious meal and its that moment that 3bites makes you full and sick to your stomach. Then I get mad because I want to be able to eat lol, then their are days that I can eat a nice plate of crawfish lol. It's hit and miss. But over all best decision I ever made, I really wish I would have gotten this originally but having the demon band hell has helped me know how to eat proper size portions, chew chew chew and appreciate how this is a true tool and gift to have had done.

I had mine for 9 years and got the revision. I eat small amts without difficulty. Losing weight very slowly.

I had mine for 10 years and got a Sleeve revision. So much better. Dr. Said it was tangled in scar tissue when he took it out. Best thing I ever did!!

Go to another surgeon and ask them to check out your sleeve. They can do an xray and tell you from there what your best course of action will be. Find out from your insurance if they will cover a revision, too, and what you need to do to start the process. What is your typical diet? Do you log your calories and intake? What exercise can you do?

I'm being revised from band on October 18th at Troy by Krause. He did my LapBand at Royal Oak. Troy is so much closer to home so I was happy to have the VSG scheduled there. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm hoping this will be more the case for me, versus the 4+ hour ones I've heard of here. Looks like you're down quite a bit in the short time since your revision. Nice!

So you did the revision in two procedures?

I recently had some dealings with SB and was very unimpressed with the result. In fact I have been going back and forth since last July (2013), and my complaints of pain in my abdomen have been mostly ignored. I got the same story about how a fill was now $200, and assorted reasons why TLBC no longer existed. I also cannot find my contract, I can find every other piece of paper associated with the procedure, including the receipt that I was issued. I am a very detail oriented person and misplacing my contract would not be something I would do, and I cannot recall ever signing one. During my recent dealings with SB I asked for a copy of my contract which they said they did not have, because SB is not TLBC and as such had no obligation to assume the contracts entered into by TLBC, nor were they obliged to treat any patients from TLBC. In fact the person I spoke with said that SB had "graciously taken on Dr. Yau and his patients." They also said that they kept NO files from TLBC. I called my lawyer, he researched it, said that neither SB or TLBC was registered by industry Canada. If you go to: https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html?crpNm=Slimband&crpNmbr=&bsNmbr= You can search Slimband, Slimband Inc. etc and nothing comes up. This may mean that Slimband Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of another company. Keep in mind that originally, TLBC was The Prince Arthur Medical Clinic Inc, that also owned the financing company that you could use to fund the surgery. "Slimband" is a registered trade mark. So if you search the trademark database: http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/vwTrdmrk.do?lang=eng&status=OK&fileNumber=1395712&extension=0&startingDocumentIndexOnPage=1 The current registrant is Slimband Inc. and the old owner is The Prince Arthur Medical Clinic Inc. Slimband is not registered with the Better Business Bureau, but if you search them there, you will find: http://www.bbb.org/kitchener/business-reviews/physicians-and-surgeons-weight-reduction/slimband-in-toronto-on-1188653 And that the business was started in 2006. As well, the BBB rated Slimband as a D-. There is no obligation to register with the BBB. In a further call to SB I was told that if I wanted to see Dr. Yau, I would have to have a referral from my regular family physician, so I asked for a copy of my file to give to my GP. Earlier they said they had no files, on this call I was told it would cost for copying etc. Ultimately I paid about $40 for my file. In my file was the 9 page document that I did sign called "Laparoscopic Banding Surgery" which had me acknowledge and sign off on all the risks and that Dr. Yau had explained same to me, etc etc. The contractual part of this document discusses the issue of self pay because the procedure was not covered by OHIP. There is no discussion of after care in any of the documents I was given. However, while I was waiting for my file I spoke to a Slimband representative and I asked her specifically for a copy of the SLA (service level agreement) that was in place. She told me that there was no SLA in place in 2007. I was not given a copy of the current SLA, even though I asked for one. I have repeatedly asked for a copy of the current SLA and have been ignored each time. Your results may vary, but in my discussion with my lawyer, because there is no service contract in place, and neither I, nor the clinic have any type of contract/ document discussing after care, it would be a case of he said, she said. Further he advised me that usually, in Canada to sue (not just doctors), one must be able to prove economic/financial loss. At this point, I have no loss, and I may be out $200 if I need a fill. That would be a matter for small claims court. I would need to have a whole lot of fills before hiring a lawyer would be worth the cost. If I had to pay for a revision, it might be worthwhile to pursue. When I was banded I was told that if I need to convert to bypass (the sleeve was not an option back then), I would be responsible for paying for the anesthesiologist but not the surgery. Currently gastric bypass is covered by OHIP, so I would assume that if I needed a revision, it might be covered. If I ever do need a revision, I will research all of my options before deciding to go forward. Having said all of that, I am disappointed with this current news, and I hope that the new doctors will take over where Dr. Yau left off, time will tell. As an aside, I did have an ultrasound, and a barium xray that indicate that I had a very slight dilation of the esophagus. I had a 0.5 cc defill and will have a follow up xray in a few weeks.

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?

Hi all,I'm 4 weeks out of a band to bypass revision and am consuming 2 low carb and sugar 25g protein shakes and water a day...plus 1 low carb puree but have only lost 9 lb....i lost 5lb on the lrd so its a stone in total.9lb in 4 weeks is so disheartening...i haven't lost anything at all this week ...

I just got my authorization for an appointment with the biatric team. Now its up to the case manager. I am crossing my fingers and hope she approves my revision !!! i really hope my Gerd and weight gain qualifies me to get REVISION !

Wow that is awesome!!!! Thanks for responding. I’m in debates my insurance denied my revision and I’m thinking about hiring an advocate agency to help me fight it. But before I pay them money I’m trying to see how beneficial it will be. I’ve heard different stories about revisions and I would love to check in with you and see how your progress is going if you don’t mind. That sounds exactly what my revision would be if I get it. Thanks again and congrats on your journey

that is so cool you were able to get a REVISION. That is what i am trying to get. I have a phone appointment with my primary dr to give authorization to schedule and appointment with my surgeon. I really hope i get approved for REVISION since i have gained 40 lbs and have really bad Gerd. I have Kaiser. I already had an endoscopy and cat scan. I just really hope my surgeon approves me for REVISION. i had bypass surgery 8 years ago.

Good luck to all fixing to have surgery!!! That’s awesome! And the ones who have had the revision already I would love to hear how things are going! You don’t hear much from people on revisions and how they are doing!

Yes I got insurance approval Humana. March 19th is my go date. Revision from lapband to gastric bypass. Guys look I am 66. If I can do this anybody can do this.

Where I'm going, the bypass is more expensive than the sleeve, which I dont mind, I said I'd be fine with either and had my concerns about sleeve revision but also dont want to need to visit my doctor every few months for b12 injections. Ive settled on the sleeve . My BMI is 36, i have no weight related illnesses other than earlty arthritis so my surgeon is confident that I'm a more suitable sleeve candidate. Especially as i quite enjoy exericise classes and am happy to be active when ive been at a lower weights, he's confident that I can do what is needed to maintain any losses and after speaking with him, I'm happy too

Yes. I am 4 weeks out from revision to rny. I saw my pa last Wednesday. She has a good sense of humor. She said the technical term for this phase in the ooey gooey phase lol it is when things inside are trying to stick to each other and settle in. It may be the same for you but still best to ask your dr.

@CCCross and all of Dr.Kelly's patients....The point is not to "scare" anyone!! It is to inform!!! That's why this is a forum. Just keep in mind that all of the "rumors" I did not say I only stated facts.....We are not sleeved so IT IS OUR JOB to state facts as the trip alone is scary enough..however, I would have been less than a human not to answer Mike when he asked a very valid question... Let's just get that clear and out of the way!!! To the ICU nurse I pray that your recovery is speedy and congratulations to a new life...I am a nursing student and you were a revision so that's why he probably used the drain on you...this may be to personal and you don't have to answer but I know U.S. nurses have the best insurance so why did you go to Mexico?!?! I am going because my Aetna insurance has a clause stating no bariatric surgery!!!