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Kyoto...this far out you shouldn't have to stick with such liquidy foods in order to keep them down dear and to still be having slight issues with those tells me something isn't right. Bridgette - you should also be able to eat solids without having issues and having "a sore throat from throwing up so much" is also a sign you're throwing up ALOT. Damage can be done to your esphogus. Be careful folks! What I can't stress enough is a simple swallow study that takes 15-30 min will allow you peace of mind or at least to know IF something is wrong with your band. BELIEVE ME......I've been there. I too was surviving on soup, soft cheeses, liquid protein drinks and a tell tale sign something is wrong is if it's been 2-3 hours later or more and you're still burping or tasting whatever it is you put in your stomach. NOT GOOD! I had my first band in 2/2006 and a revision surgery because of a slip in 12/2008 and my band removed in 2/2010 because of yet another slip and prolasp. I know all too well what can happen. This last time was a doozy in that my band that was placed inside me in the position of looking at my left shoulder was looking at my left foot by the time it was removed. PLEASE.....just get yourself a swallow study. As I said before whats the worse that can happen...1. you're ok and have peace of mind or 2. something is wrong and now you know why you're burping, throwing up and can't get healthy protein down. When folks have the band all that should be happening is that you can eat smaller portions and feel full...not feel pain, not throw up and you should be able to eat just about any healthy food you want other than foods that group or bloat when in your stomach like bread, rice and pasta. Any meat, veggie or fruit should be able to be eaten without too many issues or getting sick. Sure you'll have some foods that just won't agree with you but for the most part you should still be able to eat, exercise and be comfortable. If you're not then your band is either too tight or something is wrong.

Good luck!! You'll feel amazing. When I was in the hospital after having mine, the man beside me was having revisions to his gastric bypass. He'd been having problems for a few weeks. After both our surgeries I asked him if he regretted having the surgery in the first place due to his problems. He said he hasn't had 1 regret and he would do it all over in a heartbeat. He was 70 pounds down and said he still felt healthier than he had in years. He was very uplifting for me. I had my 2 week check up today and my incisions are almost completely healed. I'm on to full fluids and mashed potatoes now. And it feels like a delightful treat.

Actually, Saturday I plan on talking to my doc about revision to a sleeve. So far he's saying no. But I am saying yes. Not sure who will win this one. ;o)

Ok, I know this will be kind of long, but I am going to include as much info as I can about my slippage. Hopefully it will answer a question or two, or maybe help someone avoid a slip. To start, I was 209lbs, 5'2", not super overweight my BMI was 38 I think. My insurance stinks, so they wouldn't cover the surgery. I have no other medical problems or comorbidies. I was banded 2-8-08 by Dr Corvala in Tijuana, Mex. The surgery cost me $8,000, plus $350 airfare. My surgery went soo smoothly. No problems at all. I did have the regular gas pains, but I was up and walking the halls and outside the next morning. I found a local Bariatric Surgery hospital that accepted Mexico banded patients. I chose to go through them for my aftercare and fills. My first visit with the local doc was on 3-21-08 (6wks post-op). I met the doc, gave her all the info I had from Mexico. Did almost an hour consultation on the aftercare process. Then went into the x-ray room for my first fill. The fill doctor was super nice and explained the fills process. The contrast was gross, but oh well. I was filled 1.8cc. This initial visit and fill cost me $550. I was told to wait about 2 weeks and come back for another fill. I had no restriction, and my doc does not require any after fill diet. My 2nd appt was 4-10-08. I did not see the actual doctor, just the fill doctor. I was given 1.4cc and told to come back in 2 weeks. This visit cost me $385. I had no restriction still. My 3rd appt was 6-6-08. Again, just the fill doc. I was first given 1.6cc and could not swallow the contrast. He took out 1cc and I was fine. So, I was increased .6cc. Again, 2 weeks and come back. After my 3rd fill, I was restricted and loving it. I could eat right at 4oz of food and be very satisfied. If I tried to eat more, I would PB it. I was in heaven! Losing weight steadily and really with not much strenuous exercise. Just walking and playing with my kids a bunch. Then, on about 9-16-08 (7mo post-op), I started noticing that I couldn't eat or drink anything. I would drink and it would come right back up. I knew this wasn't good. I remember waking up on 9-17 and getting a drink of water and pb'ng a bite of food from dinner the night before (12 hrs later). I thought that I had just ate something that got stuck and it wasn't coming up or going down. I hoped it would clear up on its own, so I waited, and waited. At night when I was sleeping I would get woke up by my body pb'ng on its own. I had some heartburn, BUT NEVER ANY PAINS. Then found myself Friday morning (9-19-08) calling the doctor. I explained to them that I though I had something stuck and have been pb'ng for almost 4 days. The nurse very scheduled me for a "look and see" check. I went in about 3 hours later. When I got there the fill doc had me drink the contrast and said "uh-oh". My heart sunk. He said that I had a band slippage. Then he proceeded to accuse me of overeating. I told him that I was very set on keeping my portions to the 4 oz or less and I did not abuse the band by eating 'cheat' foods or such. When I defended myself with the 4oz comment, HE FREAKED OUT. He said that I should never eat 4oz, that is waay too much. He said that my meal size should be 1-2 oz and up to 5 meals a day. I was like "WHAT?!?!?" Finally he admitted that I probably did have something stuck in my band since I was borderline too tight. And that all of the pb'ng caused part of my stomach to come up through the band and enlarged the pouch. It is called a band slippage, but in reality unless a stitch is busted, it is really just the stomach moving up or down the band. The band didn't move on me, it was my stomach tissue. So, the fill doc took 3cc out of my 3.8cc fill. He advised me that I will come back in 2 weeks to see if the stomach tissue has went back down where it should be. I asked him about liquids or anything to help fix it. He said no liquids, that won't help pull the tissue back down. Just eat normal foods like chicken and steak, and keep the meals to 1-2oz, NO MORE. He also stated to me that if the unfill does fix it, we can SLOWLY proceed with very small fills and to be super vigilant on my eating because I will be more prone to slips from now on. If this doesn't fix the slip, I would need a revision. This visit cost me another $385. Then I get home, very depressed and upset thinking that I had done exactly as told and this crap happens. I came on LBT to see what info I could find about slippage and see what hope I have. I am very confused about different doctors having different directions and ideas on how to fix a slip. My doc says liquids won't help at all.... Oh, and I also found out when I got back home that all along I thought I had a 10cc band, when really I have a 4cc (10cm) band. So, I thougth I was lucky and got restriction with 3.8cc, when I was really very full and didn't know it. DAMN THE LUCK. So, now I am waiting, hungry all the time, I have 4 more days until I go back to see if the unfill helped fix my band slip. The good news, if there is any, is that I have lost 50lbs in 7.5 months. Only 34 more to go until I reach my goal of 125lbs!!!!!!!!!!!! I think that is everything, at least for now...:thumbup:

In my opinion, if you don't have acid reflux OR diabetes, they are both probably good choices. If you have those condistions, current evidence is that bypass is a better choice. My BMI was 52 when i revised to the sleeve and I have gotten to a normal weight/size and maintained for a few years now. The challenge in making this decision is that the sleeve has been around along time but not well studied for LONG term results. It appears to work "about" as well as the bypass, but the long term data just isn't there. At a high BMI, many surgeons nudge you toward the bypass because there is a clearer, well documented long term results history documented. I had my own reasons for choosing the sleeve and I think some of it was my bias against the bypass based on personal experience. I have known 3 bypass patients close enough to see them from pre surgery, through maintenance and they all "Scared me" 1. Died. but to be honest, she died because she was a diabetic who became an alcoholic drug addict after losing all that weight. It was absolutely terrible - in her 40s and died in her sleep. This was about 10 years ago. Lets be honest, that had nothing to do with bypass vs sleeve. 2. Horrible horrible recovery. But, this was mid 1990s. It only recently occured to me that her surgery was "open" not laproscopic. At the time, I thought the horrible recovery was due to the "rerouting" but I bet it had more to do with it being open surgery 3. The surgery and weight loss really aged her. She looked terrible post weight loss and never got to a normal weight. Again, to be fair, I don't know the reasons. This is someone I worked with about 5-6 years ago. She may have had other health problems and frankly most bypass patients I have seen pictures of or have met since then look great. I recognize my own biases and my views have changed. Now, 4 years post sleeve I tell everyone that I think they are both good procedures. I think they are both excellent choices versus remaining morbidly obese and suffering the increasing health issues over time. The bypass has more documented history, many more studies, and resolves reflux problems. Sleeve has been amazing for me, and many others too... but there are no 20 year studies either.

I had my revision surgery done on April 3rd. Doc said I had a lot of scar tissue and spent 45 minutes of the surgery removing it before starting the surgery. I am exactly two weeks out today and still having some pain, mostly at night. I am hoping to start working from home this week, but taking the time to really heal and make this surgery go right. I really want this weight off. Adapting to drinking water and protein takes some getting use to. I think your ability to go back depends on what happens during surgery and pain. Your body will require lots of rest the first week or so, so play it by ear. Go back when your body says it is ready. Don't .t rush.

So once you get to your limit on the bread, how do you feel? Are you just full? Does it hurt? Do you feel nauseous? Sorry for all the questions - I'm a band to VSG revision - with my band, when I ate something I shouldn't (or didn't chew enough) food would get stuck and it hurt. Bad. Sometimes had to make my self throw up. Thanks!

@MIKEYY84 I’ve read all you me comments. My question is have you had a revision? I understand you have the bypass but did you ever have the sleeve first then the bypass? If not trust me it’s much different.

I had my revision in March and lost 40 pounds. I had my sleeve in March ( 5 years ago ) and on this date lost 55 pounds so it’s definitely slower and I’m actually exercising and counting calories etc this time around. I’m trying to restrict myself just like the sleeve so I’m only eating protein and a very small amount at each sitting and drinking a lot a lot of water. It’s hard because that never full feeling is depressing. It makes food and eating ALL I can think about. I’m trying to occupy my time with other things also

Interesting thought. Maybe that is a reason why revision weight loss is often quite disappointing? Have you progressed to really solid "solids"? You need to be patient. I feel like I have about the same restriction I had with the MGB, maybe a bit more 3.5 months out and I guess it will be about the same as before later on. If progressing to eating really solid "solids" doesn't solve your problem it might be time to incorporate more of less calorie dense foods into your diet. That way you can embrace the feeling of less restriction without gaining weight. It might be helpful to read about the "pound of cure" or watch some of Dr. Weiner's videos about the diet he prescribes his WLS patients.

Just had my lapband removed 12/15...was hoping to convert to RNY at the same time, but my stomach was too beat up getting it out to continue (band in 7 years and had erosion). So looking forward to the second surgery in Feb or March now. I feel so much better already! It is almost hard to explain. I am a little sad that I have to do everything over again like the preop tests, insurance, incisions, and preop diet... but I am so happy to have it out and looking forward to the revision. I originally needed/wanted the RNY but insurance would not cover any WLS at the time...so the Band was it for cost and less downtime. I had hoped it would be my forever tool, but it was causing pain and damage, with a not so pretty helping of weight gain. I wish I had not been so stubborn, tired, and honestly scared to start the revision process sooner! The process has taken over 8 months but definitely worth it. I wish you the best of luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have had a band since 2009, was initially very successful but over the past 3 - 4 years it has stopped helping. Am now considering my options - my surgeon has recommended an RNY. Would love to hear from others that have had this revision and what the pros cons and successes are

I had the same issues after about 6 years with my VBG, but that was done 20 years ago. I feel great with the revision to RNY, but something did need to be done years ago, but I never found a Dr that could help till last year. I feel the medical knowledge is much better today, and hope you can find a Dr. that can really get to the bottom of it soon.

Is a revision like the origianl surgery? Does it cost as much? Is it just a matter of restitching it into place? Please explain how it works. Thanks! Mary Luke

Thanks Molly Molly, you look so happy in your picture, no one could ever be mad at you! I guess some of us just can't be as compliant either so that is something to take into consideration but why some can be compliant and others can't. I mean if I could have been compliant without the band I wouldn't really need it. I guess like I've heard some people say some are more or less bulk eaters so the band is like heaven to them and those are the types of people that it can really help. I wasn't like that. Everyone has their own story etc...about why they're obese but everyone is different I guess and maybe I didn't take that into consideration when I was getting banded. Naturally I passed the psyche eval and and everything else and lost the 10% of my bodyweight prior to surgery on the four week Medifast shake diet so thought I was good to go but I was wrong. I am looking now into a revision, researching that is, God knows if it would be covered or if my surgeon or his team would do it but I've heard some people say that the DS is the best surgery for a person like me. Anyway thanks for the words of encouragement and you've done really well and I'm happy for you! brandyII

You really shouldn't take this so personally, there are a group of us, whether we are the minority or not who deserve a safe place to discuss problems we are having with the band!!!!! If you do not have a problem you need not use this thread. It is a safe haven for people to help each, support each other as they go through various issues they've had since they were banded. You don't know what everyone's issue is, whether it is physical, mental, emotional or a plastic device. Not everyone has Cushing's Disease. We all have high expectations or we would not have been banded in the first place. We did not pay $30,000 each plus or minus a few$$$$$ to "diet" like we had failed many, many, many times before. What right do you have to legitimize one person's failure over another's? We all chose the band because we were sold a savior that was going to fix our dieting failures. No one jumped into this lightly, it was well planned out, we were all screened, we all researched and we paid a lot of money for something that has disappointed us. I've saw the Lap Band commercial twice today on TV, it showed obese people who wanted to lose weight, it did not say, hey, it's still going to be just as hard as sh&t to lose weight after the band than it was prior to being banded. Not everyone goes on forums prior to getting the lap band, no one ever told me to do that. It wasn't until after I started having problems that during my research this forum came up. If a person has "self control" in the first place they don't need a band, that's not what we were sold!!! Trust me this thread is only going to grow as people are not afraid to come out of the band closet like the lap band elitists" think they should be locked into. I still have a difficult time understanding why it upsets so many of you that people who are having problems with their lap band need a place to converse and get support!!! We're trying to get through a tough situation and work it out without revision or with revision depending on the persons' situation. I doubt any of us would ever take a revision lightly! After trusting that the lap band was going to be our saving grace do you think we'd just go and jump into another surgery? I don't think so. Most of us are trying to do the best we can by supporting each other with helpful ideas and not by acting like assh:angry:les to each other, thanks for the support brandyII:thumbdown:

Like others, i didn't care to have my plumbing rerouted, but originally i too had chosen RNY. I have severe GERD and hypertension, PCOS, insulin resistance, and on and on... My doc had a serious talk with me about TWO things he thought were pertinent regarding my choice: the fact that I am under 40 and have about 80 lbs to lose. He was concerned about the fact that I will likely have a normal longevity, and dealing with malabsorbtion of Vitamins for another 40+ years will be taxing on my system. The other issue was something called 'blind stomach'. I had stomach issues including the GERD and ulcers and other stuff. His BIG concern for me was the fact that with rny they essentially staple off the majority of your stomach and it sits there, closed up forever. there is never again a way to see inside of that organ other than to scope it externally from your ribcage area. he told me that a scope would be necessary every couple of years and that scopes are not meant to be inserted from the outside of your skin through an incision and it would require surgery and eventually revision of major scar tissue. YUCK. didn't want to deal with all that! after that appt it was VERY easy to decide!~

He just did my revision 1/22/15

I was at NWWLS for my band but I'm not impressed with their doctors. Srikanth will do the whole thing in one day ( I'm having band to sleeve revision). I wish my band surgeon was still doing bariatric surgery....he was the best.

Hi alexia I'm sleeve to bypass revision here on the 27th as well. Just got released home today I had hiatal hernia repair as well. I'm having diarrhea and passing gas so I feel better but having a slight migraine minimal pain as well. I start phase 2 full Protein liquids tomorrow for two weeks hope u r feeling better soon foreverbariatric Sent from my GalaxyNote4 using the App

I'm new here and live over on the Kitsap Penisula in Bremerton. Yeah, I'm a navy wife. LOL!! I just had the Lapband Removal and Sleeve Revision, and an Incision Hernia Repair on 3-19-13 at Madigan Army Medical Center. I "was" scheduled with Dr Sebesta, but he had to go out of town. Dr Hague stepped in and did my surgery. Feeling fine a week out and just want to say hello!!

10 days out for me. I had similar thoughts prior to having the surgery. I know I need this tool to help me revise and develop good eating habits, lose weight, get healthy and be able to do things I'm limited to due to wait. My experience has been very positive. The incisions are tiny and my pain was minimal. I was on painkillers for 3 days and Tylenol for 1. It is wonderful to feel full after drinking such a small amount. Yes, some of the shakes are horrible. I've found mixing the powder with soy milk and letting it sit for a while really helps. Nashua Nutritions sells samples of the majority of powders. I bought a bunch to try before buying a big container. You're going to do just fine. Waiting is the worst.????

Well, and I can revise my statement a bit, too. This past summer, at just shy of 2 years post op, my daughter's in laws were visiting from England. Being the ever so cordial hostess, we were having dinner and some wine out on my back patio and having a gay old time chatting it up getting to know each other. Keep in mind I literally can count on two hands how many times I've drank post op. A couple hours later, I had managed to polish off a whole bottle of red wine by myself and completely blacked out. I would say I that's the definition of a 'bad' thing You know what they say on the internet. "Pics, or it didn't happen!"

I have had my band unfilled for about 13 days and gained 6lbs. Good god I can't wait to get my revision surgery.

I had surgery on 9/24 weighing 252 lbs.and went in for my first fill yesterday.. I currently weigh 225 lbs. and guess what.. my port is backwards..... now I have to do a revision.. and I do not know if I should go through this again... because I am unable to get any fills... because she has to tilt my port and attempt to have the needle penetrate on an angle.. and it hurt soo much.. The office has given me a tentative date for Jan 11.. has anyone experienced this.. my goodness It's only been two months and 6 days!!!:wink2: