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March 6th for me! Sleeve to bypass revision due to GERD. Good luck to you all. Let’s stay in touch!

Hi everyone, Mini here. Can't wait to read the posts. I see some of you have been doing great and some are having problems. I can relate to the problems. I had to go and have my fills all removed. Had a huge problem with acid reflux since around last march. Then over the past weekend while on vacation...lost 4 pds..couldn't eat anything..nothing would go down..pb's 3 to 4 times per day...even on fluid. Went to doc on tues and he sent me for xrays..yup, nothing would get through band while they were watching on the xray machine. He withdrew all fluid and I go back Nov 12 for a fill under floroscopy. He said that I may have to have the band removed. He is willing to try and give me a few more fills but at the first sign of trouble he is done with fills and will remove it. The ins won't cover a revision because I am at 29 BMI. He said if I regain the weight..then maybe I can get a revison. I don't want to regain the weight...but am very depressed, because, I am already starting to overeat and it's only thursday. I see my self looking like my old self by Jan. Sorry to be a downer.

I experienced the weight stall and constipation. However, the weight that I have lost took a big load off my back, and I’m not in as much pain from that. I actually ended up in the ER because I was so constipated. I had tried to get it out the natural way, but it got stuck, and I was in so much pain and didn’t know what to do (this was the first time I had ever been constipated), so I called 911. Now it’s something I have to watch out for. I have Miralax and Lactulose on hand if it gets really bad. Try the Miralax first. Get incontinence pads, like Tena, and place them in pairs in the usual place and behind those (you’re going to leak). Also get disposable incontinence Chuks for wherever you sleep, because you’ll leak there, too. Have disposable gloves on hand and be prepared to glove up and get it out manually when it gets stuck, and you can’t push it out without feeling like you’re going to split in half. I know it’s gross, but I lost 6 pounds in about 5 days. I spoke with my surgeon, and she told me that stalls and constipation are to be expected with revision surgery. Talk to your surgeon about your concerns, and ask if there are other options that you can do. I learned that the Argon Coagulation surgery I had was only the first of several to expect.

Hi! Dec 30 band to sleeve revision for me. Can't wait!!

I used mederma and I think it made a huge difference they are very light. My tummy tuck scar is below my bikini line yep I wear a bikini! I just was revised from band to bypass so have some new scars but will be using mederma again.. Tummy tuck was awesome and I love my new belly button

I had gastric sleeve in 10/2013 and even with following the diet plan I still felt hungry, cravings don't go away and the sleeve allows slider foods and sweets to go down without complications and I now have GERD. I lost 63 lbs of the 100 lbs I needed to lose and have slowly been creeping back up. I am in the beginning stages of having a sleeve to bypass revision. Only you know what's best for your situation but I just wanted to share my experience. Good luck.

Welcome!   I have learned so much from the people on BP. So did you get a revision?

Welcome Francine2! Glad to hear you are doing well! My husband is having an umbilical hernia repaired 7/3. He was sleeved in 2010. No GERD or revision needed though. Phew!

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.

I meet with my doctor on 8/2 to see if he can do a fill and if not we will discuss other options. I can try to have fills un floro or have a revision to reposition the port. I think the nurses name that tried my fill was Lori. She was very nice but had a difficult time.

I'm not updating mine right now. I went yesterday to the doctor for my followup from surgery and was up 4 pounds since this past Friday! I had my port revision then and was on liquids and mushies throughout the weekend. The nurse told me it was Water weight still left from the fluids I had in me from surgery. I hope so - still not posting the gain. I'm going to wait a couple of days to see what happens. Urrgggghhh... I'm so glad everyone else is doing well!

Stacy Yeah Liz is a B*tch just to warn you. I was warned so I kept my mouth shut. She is way ruse. Made a lady almost cry at my orientation! She screamed at some ol;der woman for having gum. Just ignore her-that is what I did and that was very hard for me. lol! Robin I like her she is our dietician. I have DR. IM and LOVE LOVE LOVE him. Wear your heaviest jeans, t-shirt, sweatshirt, shoes heaviest everything to the first weigh in!!!! lol..a little trick. hee hee. anyways. Dr. Baggs I have heard great things about him. I have heard not so nice things about Dr. Fisher but he is older and old school and WAY strict of weight. Dr. Bags is really easy on weight from everyone I ever met. I had to loose 222 pounds but Dr. Im made everyone else I met in the program only loose 10!! I was like wtf?? hah ha I have not ONE complaint with Dr. Im. I loved him and think he is wonderful. I wanted him or Baggs. The other two park (a woman) and Fisher is the STRICT ONE. He gave a bander 80 something pounds to loose! CRAZY. DONT be late they will close the doors it is a little silly how strict they are. NO JOKE! Just stay there for your break too. She locked 2 people out cause they were late from break but there was a long line in the restroom! My husband was there with me and he had some not so nice words to say. ha ha. Tina I am all for you whatever you decide! This surgery seems so simple and too good to be true dosent it? Ash says she now can eat what she wants and be completely satisfied, john too just smaller amounts! Seems like a dream! I would do EVERYTHING it takes to get that revision! I know what you mean. A LOT of people on the board would switch but just don't say anything. I proll have already rocked the boat over there enough but ohh well! It is just super duper scary about all the things that can happen. And most of these people that are saying this lived through it and had the band! Check out that chick Tiffykins-her story is nuts.

All the best to you and your wife. Dr. Woodman is an awesome surgeon. He's a bit blunt but its necessary.I was sleeved by Woodman and never had an issue with him until my last visit. He came into the room complaining about the lady he saw before me had been, "eating ice cream" and then he went on a tirade about how i had only lost 5 lbs since my last visit and how I wasted my time and his by having the surgery. I will not go back to see him again. I have followed his guidelines as best as I can. I dont eat crap, I excercise, I get my proteins.....i have not gained an once and I have lost 10 inches from my waist....also went from a 3x shirt to an XL. .....i didnt need any discouragement from somebody I am paying. .....BTW....he charges $500 up front and my insurance said he is not allowed to do that. Like I said, I will not see him again.. Dr Woodman did my lapband surgery in 2008 and was so mean and nasty to me and other people that I knew that had used him for the lapband. He has a reputation amongst local doctors for being so horrible to his patients. Even though I lost 90lbs that year after the lapband he wrote such awful things in my medical records that I am unable to get a revision now and having to go through the appeals process. All because of him and what all he wrote. My insurance advocate read me some of it when she received the records but said she couldn't even read it all because he had been so mean.

I am so sorry for your news about your hubby. And on top of that your health issues sound extremely painful and uncomfortable. I too am one of the 3-5 % of patients that have continued to have complications due to the sleeve. Mine are different then yours but I can relate to the time passing and things not getting better as far as the body adjusting. Like you this has been a long haul for me and others as well. I am wondering why you do not want to take the bypass option. This could be the answer to your situation. I had Roux-en-Y loop which is a type of bypass that worked for my leak.....I know your problems are different but I don't understand why you would not take any option open to you after 2 years of struggling with this much pain. You are a trooper I tell you that. I am 16 months out and wonder if I can keep up the journey... Still here so I guess so. Like you happy, happy, happy with the weight lost but wish the trouble was over. A lot of patients who had reflux trouble find it does return after a period of time. I hope that soon your health trouble will ease for you. Again so sorry about your hubby. Please let us know how things are going Yes, I know of four people that have revised because of GERD. One is doing well... all the other three aren't. One of the main reasons is I don't want to risk any more problems. I didn't want gastric bypass ever because I just don't. That is why I chose the sleeve and I know my problems don't compare to what you and others have been through. I've read your posts. I'm blessed really to just have this. The other reason is I can't afford it. I paid for my sleeve and my insurance will not pay for surgery even if I'm having problems. My husband is dying and I can't even think of that now. I'm taking care of him. I just know that if I had known that I would have developed my spasms, I wouldn't have had the surgery but everything is a risk and I've been blessed as I say not to have had more issues as you and others have.

I am so sorry for your news about your hubby. And on top of that your health issues sound extremely painful and uncomfortable. I too am one of the 3-5 % of patients that have continued to have complications due to the sleeve. Mine are different then yours but I can relate to the time passing and things not getting better as far as the body adjusting. Like you this has been a long haul for me and others as well. I am wondering why you do not want to take the bypass option. This could be the answer to your situation. I had Roux-en-Y loop which is a type of bypass that worked for my leak.....I know your problems are different but I don't understand why you would not take any option open to you after 2 years of struggling with this much pain. You are a trooper I tell you that. I am 16 months out and wonder if I can keep up the journey... Still here so I guess so. Like you happy, happy, happy with the weight lost but wish the trouble was over. A lot of patients who had reflux trouble find it does return after a period of time. I hope that soon your health trouble will ease for you. Again so sorry about your hubby. Please let us know how things are going Yes, I know of four people that have revised because of GERD. One is doing well... all the other three aren't. One of the main reasons is I don't want to risk any more problems. I didn't want gastric bypass ever because I just don't. That is why I chose the sleeve and I know my problems don't compare to what you and others have been through. I've read your posts. I'm blessed really to just have this. The other reason is I can't afford it. I paid for my sleeve and my insurance will not pay for surgery even if I'm having problems. My husband is dying and I can't even think of that now. I'm taking care of him. I just know that if I had known that I would have developed my spasms, I wouldn't have had the surgery but everything is a risk and I've been blessed as I say not to have had more issues as you and others have. 1 in 4 is not good odds. Your problems are just as bad as mine. And deserve the help and attention of professionals. they helped cause the situation. They need to fix it.... You are dealing with so much right now and my heart goes out to you. Thank you for telling me why you are not having the bypass...It is up to each of us to chose for ourselves what is best. You are your own advocate! It is hard when you don't know what can happen. that is why I have put my story out there so it might help others to see that this is not the easy way out. There are people out there that have done this and are paying dearly for it.... I truly hope things improve for you and it bothers me so much that at this time you are dealing with a family night mare..... I am so sorry Lisa

I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy in August of 2015 and have lost 90 pounds, going from squeezing into a size 14 / XL to wearing a size 2/4 and S or XS. I surpassed my goal weight, and have had very minimal negative side effects. My endocrinologist had recommended the VSG to me because other women my age and size with PCOS have benefitted from it, and said that some had gone to Mexico because the costs were so high in Los Angeles (I was quoted $29,000 to $35K, vs $4200 for the same surgery a couple of hours drive away in Mexico). My BMI was under 35 so insurance would not pay for anything. I started researching surgeons in Tijuana and reading reviews from patients, and felt confident with Dr. Garcia. I wrote to several of his patients who'd posted about their experiences for more insight. I'm very pleased. Wow congrats! I'm researching at this point to get a revision. And I live in the inland empire.

I am finished with my full liquid diet. Today I start my clear liquid diet however my clear liquid diet consists of jello, sugar free popsicles, crystal light, water, clear liquid protein shakes(I don’t have), decaffeinated sugar free coffee and tea. I have to be at the hospital at 5:15am and I am determined that this tool will help me to reach my goal weight. I am getting a revision from sleeve to bypass. I have craved every food in the world even the food that I will never eat. I didn’t have anything outside of my diet because with needing knee replacement in both knees I can’t play with getting this weight off and keeping it off.

Hi! My name is Tiffany. I am a 50 year old mom of 3 adult kids. I had the lap band from 2005-2012. Never lost weight. Followed the program to the letter. My doc used to guilt me and tell me I was his only “failure”. He didn’t even offer me the choice of revision when I had the band removed. Unfortunately I’ve been misinformed for the past 7 years. People told me I couldn’t have another bariatric surgery after failing one. My PCP moved and I mentioned it to my new doc and she told me I could indeed have another bariatric surgery. I’m an oncology RN that has been disabled since 2012. All of my visits are done, I’m waiting for the surgeons office to call with a date, but he thinks the end of June. Not, by the way the same surgeon!!

I am April 4th. Sleeve to MGB revision. BariatricPalMX with Dr. Illan. Can’t say I am nervous. More anxious about leaving my one year old twins for a few days. I’ve never been away over night so it’s going to be hard on me as a mom. Needs to be done though.

GIRL!!!!!!!!! you worry to much about what others think of you... you have to let it go. think about what you accomplished and how far you gotten. no one helped you you did this all on your own. its better that you excerise instead of sitting at home eating your life away and watching people get thin on tv. people that dont excerise sometimes dont understand the benefits of it. i had to get a port revision because i was excerising and my ab muscles popped out the stitches for my port. i remember asking the doctor so i wouldnt have to have surgery if i didnt excerise? and am i doing to much. and he said no way. your doing great and to much excerise is never to much. they had a dietian there that i spoke with since my journey began and he said i look way better then the ones that lost 100lbs and look sick because they didnt excerise. so my advice to you is stop stressing about the negative feedback and start looking to your goals your almost there and you would be surprised how much better you look then the ones that are knocking you. REMEMBER POSTIVE PEOPLE MAKE POSTIVE OUTCOMES!!!!!

Hi Everyone!!! I have a tentative date of 3/26. I am having a revision from lap band to RNY. I have not submitted to insurance yet I have one more doc visit on 3/6 before I can submit for approval. I have completed all other tests required! im not sure what my Pre-op diet will be but i know i will have one! I have a great doc and i am thankful. I'm excited, scared, nervous and looking forward to time off work. Lol. I wish you all the best, speedy recoveries and to loose lots of weight!!!! Elle

Congrats to everyone who has commenced their journey, I've not yet posted but started reading bp as the nerves are setting in, I'm having rny on Friday 6/6, I'm in Australia. I had a gastric sleeve in 2011 and needed revision, I could eat too much fro day 1 and reflux was horrible so this is the only solution for me. Lucky I have a great surgeon although he is never the chatty one, he breezes in and out and always minimises concerns so never get the support and reassurance I would like at the moment. I've joined the Facebook post op group so hope to speak there soon. Looking forward to starting to hear from people as they come out of surgery. AJ

Well I did it! After 14 years with the band almost to the day, I had the band removed, a hernia repaired, and the sleeve on October 1st. The first few days were rough due to pain but today I am two weeks out, back at work, and feeling pretty good. I am still on full liquids and start pureed foods tomorrow. I am glad to have the revision behind me and look forward to life with the sleeve

Thank you everyone for your responses! For some reason I lost this thread and glad I found it again I have been approved for my revision and I am very nervous. I am taking 3 weeks off from work then returning to a sedentary job. Do you think that will be enough? I am also going on a short cruise (3 nights) at 5 weeks out of surgery. Anyone think it will be an issue? Thank you all for sharing. I sometimes feel very alone in this whole thing and your words mean a lot to me

It's really hard to tell for sure, especially since you are a revision and that may effect the size and shape of your sleeve. I have read that a lot of revisions from lap-band have scar tissue in their stomachs that their surgeons have to work around. The good news is, a LOT of the outcome of your surgery is in your control! If you stick to the plan, get your water, get your protein, get your vitamins, and exercise regularly, then you'll lose the weight. The sleeve is just a tool, remember. It's up to you how you use that tool to achieve success.