Search the Community

@@ryebread I definitely don't think you should be hard on yourself about the weight. You did well with the lap band which doesn't work for many. I am included in that bunch. I had similar symptoms to yours and also had revision. So far it's been an overall positive experience. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery.

I had revision surgery in 8-11

I had my revision from band to sleeve in Aug 11.

I am scheduled for Monday, August 24. I am on day 2 of a five day clear liquid diet. I'm not so much hungry, but I am kind of weak. I have been making and drinking homemade broths. I see a lot of you have protein included in your diet - my Dr. said nothing about protein only clear liquids and I have been wondering about not getting enough protein. I am very nervous and excited (at the same time) about the surgery. My Mother had a revision from the Sleeve to Rny n April and had several complications - she is still not feeling up to par. So, all those complications are in the back of my head and making me anxious. Btw, I am in Pittsburgh.

I actually giggled reading your post because I really don't think he was paying attention to you lol. I wouldn't worry. The NUT is required to see if you have body dysmorphic disorder, BDD, or any form of eating disorders. I think sometimes, they make people feel intimidated because they are watching your body language and your responses to their questions. I am surprised that they were having you fill out questionnaires, usually its just a Q&A. How many appointments do you have to go to? I have seen quite a few people on many of the forums that have to go to 3! I only had to go to 1 appt with my band and passed with flying colors and I will only have to go to 1 appt with my revision to bypass in October. Just remember to express why you want the surgery in the first place, and what your coping mechanisms will be, and who will be your support system, and what you will do to change your behaviors. That's usually all they want to know. Best of luck to you! given our phone history, I'm sure I paint a lovely picture of flakey LOL I just had the 1 appt(as long as I passed) and it was 30 mins of the same loop of questions at every one of these things. Name, age, job, children, when first had a weight problem, ideal weight, mental illness in family, any addictive behaviors other than food/sugar like drugs or alcohol and some weird question this time about do I fall asleep and stay asleep. I'm guessing it was to try to determine if I wake up from sleep apnea maybe? I dunno. Then the true or false questionnaire of like 600 questions. One more thing checked off though so whew! LOL he definitely won't be my go to guy if things get traumatic after surgery and I need some counseling! I'll be looking for someone a little more...human? ????

SuninUT, Absolutely!!!!!I tried to go with the sleeve but it reminds me of the band....the hot thing at the time!!!!I agree ....this revision is it...."Bypass all the way!!!

I am so glad you are NOT going with the lapband. Some tough talk here, you are pretty high BMI and the band is completely unsuited for that situation in my opinion based on my personal experience of being the not so proud owner of one of them for a decade.... I was a BMI of about 52 when I revised from the band to sleeve. The first surgeon thought I was too high of BMI/failed history for the sleeve and I should go with RNY. I chose a different surgeon who did think I was a good candidate for the sleeve and i have done very well (I revised to sleeve in Dec 2011) If I was higher BMI, I would seriously consider the RNY or the DS procedures. I don't know much about it, but there is a new DS technique that seems to have less side effects and for people with alot to lose, the DS is by far the most effective. It is also the procedure with the most "issues" including defieciencies so it is about tradeoffs... Anyway, do your research because failing and revising to another procedure is really tough, physically, emotionally etc. Really learn about the options and chose the one that has good research to back it up being successful for your goals, amount of weight loss desired etc. Good luck!!!

I am sorry I didn't go with the sleeve to start with. I chose the band at first because it wasn't a permanent solution that couldn't be reversed. Big mistake. I could no longer eat chicken or turkey in any shape, sort or form. 2 years in I started throwing up everything including liquids. I couldn't get adjusted properly with the fills. I had to go every 8 weeks for adjustments. The port would move inside and scrape across a nerve and make me scream. Or my son would poke my and hit the port and OUCH! I don't regret having revision surgery at all. I'm much happier with the sleeve.

I had the band. Note I said had. It was fine for the first 2 years. Then we couldn't get it adjusted any longer so that I wasn't throwing up everything including liquids. I had a revision to the sleeve on June 1st and I do not miss that band at all. I don't miss throwing up. I don't miss having that port in my body that would slide across a nerve and give me a major sharp stabbing pain. I don't miss those giant needles being stuck into my stomach. I don't miss having to go for adjustments to the fill all the time. I don't have quite as much restriction with the sleeve, but I also don't have an appetite. I don't get hungry and don't think about eating all the time. With the band after surgery I could not eat chicken. I don't care which part or how you cooked it, it would not stay down ever. Now I can eat chicken again. I haven't had problems with any foods so far.

Revision surgery 9/2/15 at the Brigham. Lap Band to Sleeve. Very anxious and nervous.....

I just had a revision from band to sleeve 17 days ago. I have lost 26 pounds, which is faster than my weight loss with the band. However, my rapid loss is due to reflux which has plagued me from day one post op. Hiccups are very irritating and getting proper calories/protein is a problem. My Dr. says it just takes time and is complicated by a large hiatal hernia repair.

Hi there! I had my stupid band removed on 08/11 and revised to RNY so today is post op day 10! I was also nervous about the RNY and had considered the sleeve but I wanted one surgery and that was it. The sleeve has been great for some people but for me...I was only doing this one more time. I should have done the RNY in the first place! Anyway....I don't regret it! Good luck to you! No matter what, you're going to feel better with that thing out!????

Hey PinkP, I'm so glad to hear your on your way and your not going to be hassled by insurance anymore! I wish I had known about the advocates much earlier on in my situation too but, they really came through in a big way for me! I would use them again in a heartbeat if I ever get another denial. You never know what I may need down the road. If I ever ask for revision I have the feeling I would be in the same boat again. When it comes to WLS, these companies seem to have no issues being out right discriminatory towards us. Lindstrom is really involved with lobbying for new laws regarding our surgical needs. Since obesity is such a nation wide issue, they really do need to amend the laws. Bobbe, let us all know how it goes, I have my fingers crossed for you!

I have been miserable with this band since day one .I had it in 2004...lost 35 pounds and now right back to where I started.....Up until this week I have been trying to talk myself into the sleeve but after My upper GI today...the radiologist showed me my reflux on real time and that it!! I want a revision to the RNY...no more hesitating....I want the "Gold Standard".No more quick fixes...I can't afford ulcreration or sleeve leakage and I need to lose about 125 pounds...Bypass please.

I have been miserable with this band since day one .I had it in 2004...lost 35 pounds and now right back to where I started.....Up until this week I have been trying to talk myself into the sleeve but after My upper GI today...the radiologist showed me my reflux on real time and that it!! I want a revision to the RNY...no more hesitating....I want the "Gold Standard".No more quick fixes...I can't afford ulcreration or sleeve leakage and I need to lose about 125 pounds...Bypass please.

I have decided to go for the bypass.I am not cutting my stomach.It has been through too much band torture.I want a revision to the "Gold Standard"that's it.

I was initially going with the sleeve but now I have finally made up my mind.The revision to bypass is the way for me.This lap and has caused me problems for 11 years .I am revising to the "Gold Standard"....plain and simple.....want the band out!

Thanks for all of the support...I am going with the Bypass...I have a hiatal hernia,dial aged duct at the tail of my pancreas due to difficulty with my removed gallstones and the reflux in my stomach is out of control....No one is cutting my stomach after what I have put it through with the band....Next week is my endoscopy.I am building a case for a revision ...hopefully insurance will pay.

HI there, My doctor just removed my band three weeks ago and will do the second surgery for the sleeve in October. I just completed a 6 month prep program for the sleeve that was required for my sleeve surgery by my insurance company. I had my Fluid removed in March and the band removed on July 29th. Per my doctor the reason for the two surgeries is due to letting the stomach go back to a normal size, this way when they do make the cut for the sleeve, they get a better shaped pouch, which in the long run makes a difference in the success of your weight loss. if they did the surgery all in one, the stomach would be misshaped. When you think about it, it does make sense. They have seen better results with the sleeve revisions when the surgeries are done in two steps. If it causes me to have better success, then I am for it. Since March when the fluid was removed I have gained almost 45 pounds back. It is very disheartening, as I have tried everything and have been watching my Protein and calorie intake and still gaining, I feel like there is nothing I can do to stop it. I know this weight gain is only temporary and look forward to starting my life with the sleeve. Having patience is hard, but will be worth it.

That's scary!! I'm not sure how that works if none of the food you take in is passing through the band. I'd definitely have it out if that's the case. I am pretty well settled on a revision to the sleeve I think. It wasn't an option when I had my band done in 2009 and like you I did NOT want the bypass. You will probably get a lot more response if you post in the forum for band to sleeve revisions under the main gastric sleeve section if you haven't posted there already. I sure did. Good luck!! I hope things work out for you.

My sister has the sleeve and it worked great for her. I was banded in 2009 and am going to be getting it out and switching to the sleeve. I've been having many issues with reflux, stomach pain, etc. I never know from one day to the next what I'll be able to eat or IF I'll even be able to hold Water down. There's a whole forum under the gastric sleeve section for band to sleeve revisions too, btw Lots of helpful info there!

I am heading this way as well - band out and getting sleeve. I have to wait until next next year, but I'll be sure to start the process in January at the latest!! I'm over not being able to even keep down liquids one day to being able to eat everything under the sun the next. The port pain. The reflux. I have to pay about $350 up front to go through the program before insurance will cover revision...this is why I can't do it this year - too much going on that requires my money and is important/necessary.

I've didn't seem to keep up with the blogging thing. But always appreciated the nice responses and well wishes I did receive the past year. Maybe if I didn't wait until 1,2 3 am I would have kept up more. A year ago I replied to "Steph" about regretting surgery 14 yrs ago. Got bombarded with recent and healthy patients (hope all stay healthy) asking what " I did wrong"' & continue doing wrong. "Why didn't do more homework" etc . Well, July 31st @ 6 am Dr. Robert Davis will be doing a revision, "take down of RNY". OF course I'm terrified.. Wonder what is the point now... I already look like a freak. It's not going to give me my teeth back, that were once perfect now gone, won't fix my marriage of 14 years, certainly won't have men knocking down my door , the disability will never be enough for the estimated $20K to repair my mouth. So I'll avoid pics at call costs, don't have many with my kids past couple of years, taking bites or trying will be an issue. All the other body, mind damage won't all be repaired. This will hopefully stop it from getting worse, of course that's no guarantee either. But for what reasons ? This is what I keep asking myself OVER, OVER AND OVER . Just more financially in debt? More strain on marriage ? If you're considering the gastric bypass with RNY or any weight loss surgery, I can't say do your homework because I did mine . It just didn't work out for me and I look and feel the worst I ever have in my entire life. I'm not being like this the drag everyone down , but I want people to know there are more people out there like me. I hear you!! I am in the same boat... I realize this is a very old post but I sure would like to talk with you.... Peggy

Hi all! I initially posted this topic in another forum, but found this forum and am hoping for a bigger audience, because I am anxious to hear from all of you! I wanted to start this thread because I am curious as to how many of you use activity trackers with your exercise and any fitness apps that have helped you in your weight loss journeys. What are your reviews and how do you like them? How have they helped you? I started out many years ago with my first activity tracker before I had been banded. I had bought a FitBit One. It worked remarkably well with the features of tracking miles, sleep, steps, calories burned, time and date, and a growing flower which would grow the more activity you did. I clipped it on my sports bra or my waist of my pants and it was discreet. It was about $100 back then when they first came out and it was an investment I was willing to make to boost my activity and help with my weight loss efforts. Loved it! I paired it with Fitness Pal app and it really helped!!! However, I found out that it does not do well in the washing machine haha. I forgot to remove it from my sports bra and that was money down the drain. I never replaced it and just used the Fitness Pal app, but I didn't have that added reminder to move. When I realized I was having all of these problems with my band, I was in the market for a new activity tracker and researched ALOT for something that would do everything I had before but less risky for me to toss in the washing machine! Activity trackers are NOT cheap and I wanted to make a sound investment that would last. I had researched the Fitbit Flex, and Fitbit Flex HR, Jawbone UP24, and the Garmin Vivofit and Vivosmart among others but found that the Fitbit Flex had problems with the band breaking or tearing after about 6 months, not to mention the band was wider than I would have wanted. My co-worker had a jawbone which was considerably cheaper, but again it was something to clip on. My Zumba instructor had the Jawbone Up24 which was pretty cool looking, the band was lightweight, looked durable, and easy to put on, but you would always have to look at the phone app to see what was going on with your info. A friend of mine had the Garmin Vivofit, and I liked the number display but the band was too wide and thick for me......yeah I know picky picky....so I finally noticed the Garmin Vivofit and I really liked it. It had all of the features that I wanted, plus a slim band. In addition, it has a move bar that reminds you to get your booty moving, by vibrating your wrist if you have been sitting too long which was exactly what I needed. I also can receive Facebook notifications and phone calls, and even can control my Pandora music! My husband actually surprised me with it. It is waterproof, but I don't want to chance it so I remove it for showers. It has an excellent battery life. I have gone over a week without having to charge it. I absolutely love mine. I pair it with my Fitness Pal and I am so glad I have it. It was a bit more than I wanted my husband to spend, but he knew it was something I really wanted. Normally its about 150.00, but he was able to pricematch it at Bestbuy for 129.00 yay! He liked my tracker so much, that he bought one for himself a few weeks later! It has already helped me keep moving. I keep increasing my goals every week when I continue to meet them. It's a great motivator and I know for sure that it will help me be more successful to stay on track when I have my revision surgery! Tell me what your activity tracker is, and what fitness apps that you use and your reviews and how it has helped you!

Hi all! I wanted to start this thread because I am curious as to how many of you use activity trackers with your exercise and any fitness apps that have helped you in your weight loss journeys. What are your reviews and how do you like them? How have they helped you? I started out many years ago with my first activity tracker before I had been banded. I had bought a FitBit One. It worked remarkably well with the features of tracking miles, sleep, steps, calories burned, time and date, and a growing flower which would grow the more activity you did. I clipped it on my sports bra or my waist of my pants and it was discreet. It was about $100 back then when they first came out and it was an investment I was willing to make to boost my activity and help with my weight loss efforts. Loved it! I paired it with Fitness Pal app and it really helped!!! However, I found out that it does not do well in the washing machine haha. I forgot to remove it from my sports bra and that was money down the drain. I never replaced it and just used the Fitness Pal app, but I didn't have that added reminder to move. When I realized I was having all of these problems with my band, I was in the market for a new activity tracker and researched ALOT for something that would do everything I had before but less risky for me to toss in the washing machine! Activity trackers are NOT cheap and I wanted to make a sound investment that would last. I had researched the Fitbit Flex, and Fitbit Flex HR, Jawbone UP24, and the Garmin Vivofit and Vivosmart among others but found that the Fitbit Flex had problems with the band breaking or tearing after about 6 months, not to mention the band was wider than I would have wanted. My co-worker had a jawbone which was considerably cheaper, but again it was something to clip on. My Zumba instructor had the Jawbone Up24 which was pretty cool looking, the band was lightweight, looked durable, and easy to put on, but you would always have to look at the phone app to see what was going on with your info. A friend of mine had the Garmin Vivofit, and I liked the number display but the band was too wide and thick for me......yeah I know picky picky....so I finally noticed the Garmin Vivofit and I really liked it. It had all of the features that I wanted, plus a slim band. In addition, it has a move bar that reminds you to get your booty moving, by vibrating your wrist if you have been sitting too long which was exactly what I needed. I also can receive Facebook notifications and phone calls, and even can control my Pandora music! My husband actually surprised me with it. It is waterproof, but I don't want to chance it so I remove it for showers. It has an excellent battery life. I have gone over a week without having to charge it. I absolutely love mine. I pair it with my Fitness Pal and I am so glad I have it. It was a bit more than I wanted my husband to spend, but he knew it was something I really wanted. Normally its about 150.00, but he was able to pricematch it at Bestbuy for 129.00 yay! He liked my tracker so much, that he bought one for himself a few weeks later! It has already helped me keep moving. I keep increasing my goals every week when I continue to meet them. It's a great motivator and I know for sure that it will help me be more successful to stay on track when I have my revision surgery! Tell me what your activity tracker is, and what fitness apps that you use and your reviews and how it has helped you!