Search the Community

When I saw my surgeon last month he completely demoralised me by saying I was slow. I spoke to my psychologist about his comments and she can see how hard I'm trying. I log everything - on 3 different Apps (because I'm a freak about it at the moment!) and I am so strict with everything. My psych thought it was because I'm revision from band to sleeve - and I've had so many diets over the years that I've affected my metabolism. There's a great article on this https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weight-loss.html which I found really interesting. I'm so pleased to hear from others who are struggling with the slowness of the loss. But, I am losing every month - but only about 7lbs or 8lbs. And, I do feel hungry a lot of the time. But, am trying to eat no more than 900cals per day. I was thinking of trying to drop that down to 800cals to see if that made a difference...

A similar stomach revision is called a StomaphyX. There are several that make the stoma between the stomach and small intestine smaller.

My office submitted paperwork to my insurance for approval. Now is a waiting game. My doctor said that my surgery will be most likely done mid August or end. This will be a revision since the sleeve only helped me for 2 years a my stomach pouches dilated throughout those years. Now I'm getting the bypass. Best of luck to all. Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Surgery date August 28, presently on Optifast liquid diet till the 27th. Excited and nervous. Having robotic assisted bypass surgery. Good luck to all to our journey to healthy living.

Hey all, I'm a newbie here. I'm 24, from Pennsylvania. I'll be having bypass on December 7th. Anyone else share the date? Could use as much support and friends as possible! 5'8 CW: 262 GW: 160 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, that definitely helped Auri. Thank you! I'm pretty sure I'm still going to go with bypass and pray everything is ok. As much as I hate the thought of being closed back up and having no surgery for another week or two--I'd still rather go ahead with the surgery I really want. I know for me, the "stricter" restrictions with the bypass is really what I want/need--I know what my weaknesses are, and I feel I'll get the best results with that. BUT....with that being said, IF the sleeve ends up being my only option, I'll of course do that over nothing. Tacycakes--I really do wish he'd just use his judgement, as long as I've given him permission. But he really wasn't comfortable with doing that.

Hi all! I had a band in 2006, revision to sleeve in 2015. Now having excrutiating nausea, GERD, heartburn, etc. Had the endoscopy PH study and am having reflux episodes/vomiting every 16 minutes!! Having an upper endoscopy tomorrow to rule out Barrett's. My doc gave me three options this morning. 1. Fix hiatal hernia and hope that works, 2. Revise sleeve to by pass and hope that works, 3. Do nothing and live with it. I started at 234 pre band and have only lost 40 or so pounds and have lost and regained the weight many times over the past years. Considering taking all my records and getting a second opinion closer to home. My doc does not do a ds, so would like to hear what another surgeon may say about that. Any words of wisdom?? Thank you!

Sara, I am not sure about the band revision cost of surgery. The website for Dr. Aceves is www.mexicalibariatric.com and they should have everything listed for price. You could also call or email them. Nina, who schedules all the surgeries, is wonderful and quick to get you any answers that you need. Information that I kept says: Lap Gastric Sleeve after lap band ( includes band removal) $12,500 Hope this helps.

Most times the erosion itself isn't painful but the fix is. :tongue_smilie:( Surgery to remove it and repair the stomach is an ouchy. Erosion can have painful symptoms but it usually does not. There was a person that went to Huacuz (gahhh) and she had nothing but one problem after another with fills. She could not get restriction. Everyone thought it was a faulty band with a leak in the diaphragm of the band. She wanted to revise to a sleeve and couldn't get her insurance to help. She finally went to Aceves for a revision and turns out it was an erosion. The reason fills were not working was that stomach acid ate through the plastic part of the band and there was a huge hole there. She said that Aceves said it was the worst erosion he's ever seen. Only the buckle of the band was not in her stomach. She had a rough recovery due to the damage and repairs to her stomach. She had no pain, just reflux and no restriction. She said that he told her it would take a good six months before her stomach was healed enough to revise to a sleeve.

I just gat back from Mexicali yesterday and I paid 10,500 for lap band to sleeve revision. Dr Aceves is amazing. I can't say enough good things about those people.

This information helps me, as I'm looking at revising from the Band to Sleeve. One of the worst things about the band is the gross stuck/full feeling you have while the bottom half of your tummy is still growling for food...to me that is SO miserable. Not to mention the horrible stuck feeling...I can eat ice cream, cake, pudding just fine, but if I try and eat something healthy (chicken breast and salad) I spend 2 hours trying to get it un-stuck. Yes, I'm a little grouchy, the lapband has NOT been good for me.

I had my revision surgery on 11-14-2012 after surgery they told me the band removal went fine and they were able to repair a hiatal hernia , that was a surprise to them ( and me ) and sleeve me in one procedure. I was SO relieved to have had it done in once procedure. The day after surgery I started throwing up Water and unable to keep it down . After a couple more tried they ordered an EGD for me . They told me if the scope went through easily then and showed no obstructions I should be fine and not need another surgery , but if it did not I could have excess scar tissue from the band and I could need another surgery . WHAT !! Yikes . So they did it and it showed no obstruction some swelling around the band area ( where the band was ) they told me to take liquids slow . For several days I was still throwing up just water, in fact it freaked me out because it looked like I was throwing up some blood as well. Finally around day 3 or so the water was staying down . So finally I was able to go home today . NOT an easy process that's for sure , but I am glad its over. The doc told me to progress my liquids slowly , as long as I was keeping liquids down I was fine , the minute i started if i did throwing up liquids I needed to come back . But to just take it slow . Now 10 days out and I hae had a few instances of throwing up since i got home. But I just back track and go on Clear Liquids again and It gets better. Since I was unable to eat prior to surgery due to my band i sometimes wonder if I will ever be able to eat solids again , but this HAS to be better than the band and the pain and issues i had with them .

I would love to know if insurance covers revisions and what circumstances, if any, this is the case...I have searched my heart out and can’t find any answers in forums-feel I may need an evaluation to consider revision or *something* to address my October 13th ‘19 sleeve with current weight loss(3/24) of only 15lbs post surgery...I am devastated

I know I felt like you on and off for a a couple weeks before surgery. I was scared and tempted to back out, even at the hospital I was ready to run for the hills. But I didn't and I didn't have any complications with the surgery. I followed my pre op diet to the letter to ensure my best possible condition before surgery. You've obviously researched the gastric bypass surgery, you've taken the courses and you've made the decision to proceed with the surgery. I stopped researching and reading threads about complications when I started to worry, because I knew they would scare me. Also people don't tend to start threads when everything is going well and they have no complications. I think we all go into it with that fear in the back of our minds that we will be one of the ones with complications, not just for WLS but for any surgery and that's natural. In the end it's only a decision you can make for yourself.

Hi everyone, so last year August I spoke with my primary care doctor about getting weight loss surgery. We both agree its the best choice for me.I did all my classes with my nutritionist & got approved for gastric bypass surgery. My surgery date is April 19 but for some reason I'm scared. I read a few entries about people regretting doing surgery & some horror stories. I read stories about people gaining back weight & others in n out of hospitals for various things.I'm scared. I'm terrified and honestly don't know if I should continue this journey. I'm 5'7 273lbs. I try so much different weight loss pills/diets and none work. I want to get the surgery so bad to save my life but at the same time I'm scared it's going to make it worse. I'm having mix feelings about this, anyone ever felt this was before surgery? Please help!!!! Sent from my SM-G925T using BariatricPal mobile app

I have bypass last July and haven't been able to loss any weight for last 6 months. Not going up, just staying the same. Any advise how to get the weight loss going again? Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

OK - I understand now. With that longer intestinal bypass part, you'll have to be REALLY diligent with your vitamins. It's going to be even more critical now because you'll be even more prone to vitamin deficiencies than you were before. Good luck to you, by the way...hope this does the trick for you!

Had conversion from band to bypass on 12/9, had to go back in for lower intestinal constriction surgery on 12/14 and spent 3 more nights in the hospital. When I got out of the hospital, I weighed 180 (25 pounds lost on milk diet and during hospitalization of a total f 7 nights). One month later I weigh about 179. I do get about 80-90 grams of Protein, drink plenty Water, exercise, light weigh-lifting at gym,and I am eating regular food now, which I carefully measure. Calorie intake of 800-900 per day. Tracking everything. So...never get sick, never feel nauseous, never feel like I have hit capacity, even with just plain 2-3 oz. chicken or tuna. I read somewhere that my pouch will be bigger than normal because it is a conversion. I hold myself to about a 1/2 cup + a very small amount of soft vegetables per meal. I typically am not hungry, but I have no problem eating and am diligent about getting protein in. Also, all Vitamins. BUT I feel like the surgery didn't work because I am not having a "full" feeling, not feeling nauseous like others report, and can consume at least a 1/2 cup or better with no problems. I know others may think I am crazy to complain about no symptoms, but it makes me worried that I will not lose weight, even though I feel like I am doing everything right, and it has been about a month now with no loss. Has anyone out there gone through the same level of "stall"? Any similar experiences where loss does finally come?

I know this is an older post but I just wanted to comment anyway. I am feeling the exact same way. I am 6 days post op and down a whopping 1 pound. I am sobbing uncontrollably and thinking that I must be the biggest, fattest pig to have had two WLS's and am still unable to lose. Why did I do this? Money, time and pain all down the drain! I could've lost way more than this by using Slim Fast or something. I watch the show you mentioned also and I sit here feeling I've made a horrible mistake. They are doing so well and I'm losing nothing. I am SO FULL OF SHAME! This was my absolute biggest fear and it is coming true. Months have passed since you posted here and I pray you are feeling better. I pray I feel better soon also. Transitioning from lapband to bypass on June 12! HW: 402, CW: 314, GW 185

About the extra skin when I lost 130 on my band I was able to have extra skin removed as I seem to have a rash on the skin that hung the same with my boobs I got the sink removed from my stomach insurance paid for it was going to have books done when I found out I had cancer-no related to the weight loss surgery. Lost 130 on the band found it slipped and I have a big hernia. So with the bypass he is going to fix hernia I am hopping to lose another 85 lbs. I have gained about 65 back. My goal with the combo of surgeries win be from 310 to 150-160. Now

If anyone else gets a diet like this, I found out it is for stomach issues. Makes sense, I have gerd/esophagitis and am awaiting a revision to RNY for that reason. Sent from my SM-N986U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, it worked initially, I'm 3 1/2 years out and got down to 142 and stayed there until about a year ago. It was amazing!! I've since gained back almost 35 pounds and having terrible GERD. I have a history of esophageal strictures with dilations, and the sleeve has made it much worse. I got approved for the mini bypass as few days ago. BMI of 29 with comorbidities.

Just a thought, can you talk to your doctor about doing the DS but limiting the bypass part of it? In other words, still do the entire operation as your insurance requires, but ask him to limit the amount of small intestine that gets bypassed. I'm not super familiar with the surgery, but it seems like it would be worth asking about.

Hi babyka16, I started a Thread to show my story and my process into getting the Lapband to help people that are just starting out at (http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/introducing-myself-my-story-so-far-98091/#post1276858). I've searched Lapbandtalk.com and other websites to try to find out as much info as I possibly can and I'm still confused sometimes, lol. I posted steps on how the process on my thread and I've also included it below. I hope this helps you and wishing you luck on your process. I also have tricare prime with triwest... So for people who are just starting out I'll give you the rundown of what to do so far so your process will run more smoothly. **Remember: some doctors and different regions might run differently from mine but I'm sure the whole process is very similar (I have tricare prime with triwest)** 1.First: See if you fit tricare’s criteria for bariatric surgery... TRICARE defines "morbid obesity" as meeting one of the following conditions: a. The body weight is 100 pounds over the listed weight for height and bone structure (according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table) with one or more of the accompanying severe medical conditions which are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints—conditions shown to have higher mortality rates when associated with morbid obesity b. The body weight is 200 percent or more of listed weight range for height and bone structure (according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table) Example: if your ideal weight is 112 and your weight is 224 or more than you are 200% over your ideal weight. In addition, TRICARE will cover the gastric banding surgery if a patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery. **Note: Tricare does not require a 6 month diet plan but you primary care physician might require it before they will give you a referral** 2.Second: 1st If you haven’t already, sign up for your region’s online service so you can know if your referrals have been approved (I’m triwest so my website is triwest.com if you don’t know your region got to tricare.mil and find out). 2nd If you think you fit one or more of the above conditions for tricare, go to your primary care physician and ask for a referral to a lap band surgeon. Your best bet for getting the referral is to show and tell that you’ve tried everything to lose weight and have dealt with weight for many years (usually 5 years or more). 3. Third: When you get your referral and get approved for your first consult, which you can check online to see if your approved at triwest.com, make an appt with your surgeon of choice and print or bring the approval letter to your surgeon’s office when you go for your appt. **Some people have to see a base doctor for their surgery so you don’t have to wait for approval from tricare if you have a base doctor doing your surgery, you would have to wait for approval from the base doctor them self’s** 4. Forth: After/during making your appt make sure to ask what tests (blood tests) and classes (seminars, pshyc eval, ect.) do you have to have or can have done prior to your visit to your doctor so that after you see the doctor it won’t take longer to get approved for your surgery. The blood tests usually include (some doctors might want more blood work done): CBC & differential count, CMP, TSH, and H-pylori blood test. · A CBC is a complete blood count that is a series of lab tests that measure the amount, shapes, and sizes of red and white blood cells in a sample. The differential is a blood test that measures the different types of white blood cells and compares their amounts to the total count. · The CMP is a comprehensive metabolic panel blood test that provides information about: how the kidney and liver are functioning, sugar (glucose) and Protein levels in the blood, and the body's electrolyte and Fluid balance. · The THS is a thyroid stimulating hormone test that is a common blood test used to evaluate how well the thyroid gland is working. · The H-pylori blood test tests are used to detect a Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. H. pylori can cause peptic ulcers; however, most people with H. pylori in their digestive systems do not develop ulcers. The Blood antibody test for H-pylori blood test checks to see whether your body has made antibodies to H. pylori bacteria. If you have antibodies to H. pylori in your blood, it means you either are currently infected or have been infected in the past. 5. Fifth: After your doctor’s office has all of your blood work, their required classes and evaluations in and you’ve been cleared by your surgeon as a good candidate for the surgery (which usually you will be cleared by your surgeon if you have a BMI of 35+ with a co-morbid OR have a BMI of 40+ and have been cleared by an nutritionist and physiatrist). The nurse or staff at your surgeon’s office will fax all the documentation to your insurance company (which would include your blood work, doctors notes, your comorbids (if any), weight, height, and bone structure, ect.) 6. Sixth: After your doctor’s office faxes your documentation to your insurance company the wait begins. For tricare I’ve heard all different things but most say they were approved within 24-48 hours. If you just can’t wait for a letter to come in the mail for your approval I would suggest to check online to see if you are approved (triwest.com or tricare.mil). If you see that you are denied don’t be alarmed just file a appeal. From what I’ve read most of the time the reason for denial’s are because your doctor’s office wrote down the wrong information (e.g. your weight is 250 but they put 225 or your height is 5’4 but they put down 5’7, ect.) or the doctor’s office left out information that is crucial to getting approved (e.g. They left out your weight or height, ect.). Just call tricare and ask why you were denied and have your surgeon’s office change what was wrong and re-fax it in to tricare and usually you will be approved if what was wrong was changed and it fit tricare’s conditions. 7. Seventh: After you get your approval your doctor’s office should get notification and so should you, either through the mail, a phone call, or you tricare region’s website. If you find out off the tricare’s website you most likely found out before your doctor’s office, I would suggest you call your doctor’s office and tell them so you can schedule your surgery. If you are anything like me when I get my letter of approval or see that I’m approved online I will first jump for joy and second call my doctors office to schedule my surgery, lol. I’m probably leaving something’s out but this is an overview of what you will have to do in trying to get approved for the Lapband. I hope this helps some of you just starting this process. I’ve looked high and low and it is really hard to find a “one stop” list of “how to” on the lapband process with tricare. I will say again that some procedures are a little different according to what region you’re in with tricare, if you have a base hospital that does Lapband there, and if you have tricare standard instead of tricare prime. But overall the process is kind of the same and will at least give you an overall look at what you have in store. I’m by far not an expert on this but I’ve read and lerked around these and other forums to get informed on the subject. I’m still on step number 4(blood work)/6 but I’m just a little step closer to my goal. I’ve been dreaming of having this tool to help me change my life I’m hoping this is it for me! I’ll keep yall updated on my progress, and I hope this helps anyone considering this surgery. Much love for you guys, wish me luck!!! :smile:

Well I passed my Psych evaluation yesterday. I also started the three month diet and exercise program. So Now I wait for three months and then I am scheduled for surgery. I called my friend who had the bypass in late December hoping she would be a good support source and she was totally negative. She has had complications but should be accountable for some of them. First i think she rushed into surgery and decided to have the procedure that she could loose the most weight on. Second, I dont think she told the truth about her medical history as she has had several surgeries from previous accidents and has needed and steroroids. That is why she was big to begin with and she slound not have has the bypass with that history. So now she had the bypass, and then got her gall bladder out and they just told her she needs to have her pouch made larger. She called me begging me to leave my nutrition appoinment and not to get this done saying I dont need it. That her hair is falling out in handfuls and she is so weak all the time and regrets her choice. I was so mad! I feel like if she would drink the water, eat the right foods, exercise, and take her suppliments she would feel differently. She has lost almost 100 pounds and isnt complaining about that! I dont care if she cant eat chipoltle anymore..we shouldnt eat that anyway. I am not doing this to be skinny! Is is not an easy out for me!This is for my lasting health! My dad died at 50 years old. i do not want the same fat and thats my motivation for this. i also hold myself accountable for my failures as well as my successes and I feel like those who don't should not be on here or in the community dissing people who are considering WLS. I care about my friend but she is not helping herself by eating the same crap foods and not drinking water. I advised her she needs to get her vitamins in some how and she just said they are gross and she refused to take them. So i feel like its your choice just like this is mine, just dont discourage me because you arent taking advantage of this...SHHHHHEWW!! That is off my chest now!