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So, I gained a total of 45 lbs back from my post op total, which was a total loss of about 115 lbs. I feel awful. My stomach feels huge. I’m grabbing it with both hands and it literally just disgusts me. Soon after my surgery I had an Appendectomy followed by having my gall bladder out about 3 months after the appendix. This resulted in the consumption of a lot of pain medicine as I’ve struggled with opioid addiction for about 10 years, it really got worse after my three abdominal surgeries in one year about a six month time frame. Well, I eventually checked myself in for recovery and have been on suboxone for about a year. The problem is that I eat too many sweets. In fact it’s the majority of what I eat. Eating protein makes me sick, in fact I can eat about a few bites of protein and feel full. But then I’m hungry again so I’m snacking sweets. I don’t know what’s wrong with me or what to do, but I don’t want to have revision surgery. I’ve started working out, intensive cardio, anaerobic exercise but I can’t lose weight anymore even with the workouts. I feel hopeless and at this rate bound to be back up to 300 lbs. I know a girl who I inspired to get weight loss surgery and she started where I was same weight and wears a size 8/10 now. I’m so sad that she killed it on her first year I’m a complete failure at three.

I am almost at 6 months and I have heard the hunger comes back at 6 months so I will have to get back to you on that. I am never really hungry since my revision from band to sleeve. I eat because it's time to eat. I have a Protein drink when I get up, lunch at noon and dinner around 5pm. Head hunger is in the evening when I usually have a fudgesicle.

that's why I changed my mind from the band to the sleeve....once I made that decision the apprehension and anxiety I was feeling about the band - just disappeared. Now for surgery and to make my excess weight disappear as well!! congrats to getting your revision surgery! glad your insurance covered it.

That's fantastic! So far, the surgeons I've contacted locally have only had experience doing revisions from band to RNY- and I really want someone experience in band to sleeve revisions.... so I will most likely have to travel. (My insurance is already out of network, as it's through Oxford in the New York area....so I don't THINK it would be a problem having an out-of-state surgeon....but who knows!!!) I am glad to hear that this worked out for you- and I hope you are having wonderful success, and feeling great now that the band is gone! =) -Charlotte

Sounds like my symptoms when I had a slip 7 months post-surgery. Time to get it looked at, xray or endo, and see what's happening. I ignored it and ended up having to get a revision and get ulcers in the esophagus treated.

She's not a surgeon right? Listen to them, not her. I had a similar experience with my primary care doctor telling me that I should use her new Protein shake program instead of having revision surgery. She doesn't know what she's talking about so I chose to not listen. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Has anyone ever had or knew someone that had sleeve and went to bypass???

Wow. This is so normal on the lapband board (which I used to frequent before my sleeve revision 11 mths ago) but had no idea it happened so much to sleevers also. When I was sleeved, if I took 1 bite too much, I would hiccup - just once - to let me know I've had enuf. Now, nuthin. Cept a tummy ache if I take 1 bite too much.

Well, I'd was holding out hope that maybe just maybe sticking to soft(but nutritionally sound) foods would result in a miracle and I'd be able to start working in some normal foods and not need surgery. Alas...attended a party yesterday where I managed a couple of tablespoons of guacmole, a teaspoon of corn salad and two mini empanadas - or so I thought.A half hour after my last bite I was in the bathroom - SIX times before leaving for home. It continued after I got home and removed my "second band" - my bra. Later that night I barely got down a cup of hot tea. Amusingly enough a friend who is also banded was at the party. She's had several fills, and had no trouble eat small amounts of all the different foods served - and there I am with no fill barfing to beat the band. Pretty much decided that when the band comes out, the surgeon would do a vertical sleeve - after all that's what we'd talked about. Called my insurance carrier and they were okay with this - no additional hoops to jump through. Imagine my surprise when the case coordinator called to tell me that before a removal/revision, I'd have to have another psych consult, testing, nutritional counseling, attend a class about WLS and two support groups. It took some back and forth for me to finally get her to tell me that while my insurance carrier does not require this, their practice does!? Really - did you tell your surgeon this 'cause he was planning to do the full monty in a couple of weeks. Now my choice is to try to run around and get all these additional "requirements" done in a couple of weeks before a 6/15 surgery date, or have the band out and then go through the whole set of hoops again for another surgery in a couple of months OR wait to have the removal/revision after I fulfill these requirements again. Seriously?

Goodluck!! I was revision from band to sleeve 4/9/2014 down 25 pounds!! One day stay at the hospital.. I did have Gas in the hospital but gasx knocked it out (hurt soooooo bad in my back) day 2 i was walking one mile feeling normal, no pain, no complications, no hunger!! I wish the best for you and also of my 5 incisions they are almost gone and I never put anything on them.. Look like i only have one scar and thats where my port was from lapband!! I wish EVERYONE great success and a healthy life after WLS

I got a sleeve to mini gastric bypass revision in Tijuana on July 28.

VSG - 3+ yrs ago so slightly different than what maybe happening this year: I called the local Bariatric Surgery practice to inquire about how to start the process and was told to attend an in person seminar where all of the information would be discussed After the seminar I called to set up an appointment with the surgeon. At the appointment my insurance was processed, weight taken then official first meeting with the surgeon where we discussed my health & medical history as well as my options. I chose to move forward with surgery ASAP. The head nurse/office manager set up my first nutritionist appointment for the same day because the NUT was available right after my consult. I was given info on the diet I needed to begin to follow (I needed to meet just once or twice more with the NUT prior to surgery for more instructions and weigh ins). At checkout from the initial consult, I was handed a huge packet of info on the next steps/appointments. There were some the office set up and some I needed to do on my own. I needed to meet with my primary for insurance authorization & prior weight loss history. Next was the psychologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist , sleep study, and my neurologist (case specific) Final steps were endoscopy and barium swallow test then the final required WLS seminar. Once it was all complete, all materials were submitted and I waited for insurance approval. Once approval arrived I was given options on surgery dates. Prior to surgery I needed to complete pre-op lab/paper work including meeting with the anesthesiologist about 1 week before surgery. No pre-op diet required but I did one for ~ 5 days because I was nervous. Day of surgery (5 am) was just more paperwork then briefly meeting with the team one more time. Administered light sedation then headed into the OR suite, met the surgerical team, placed on surgerical table, wired with monitors/leads, IV placed and then placed under general anesthesia. From initial call to surgery day ~4 months. *Revision to RNY (1+ yr ago): At one of my regular follow up appointments I told my AMAZING Surgical PA that my GERD symptoms had increased significantly. I was scheduled to see the new Surgeon immediately (original one left the practice). At the appointment with my new Surgeon it was suggested to conduct an endoscopy immediately. It was scheduled for the same week. My new Surgeon conducted the endoscopy to have first hand info on my anatomy since they were not the original Surgeon. A few days later we met again to discuss my options (revision or several months of repeated balloon dilatations) I choose revision and was scheduled for 12 days later. Please note that I was "fast tracked" and I didn't need to repeat any of the initial prerequisites because I was at goal weight and demonstrated significant need for the procedure. No insurance issues either for the same reasons. But this time I had to do the 2 week pre-op diet. The day of revision surgery the same as first surgery. Good Luck with your journey ❤️

I had a revision from the band to the sleeve. The only complication I had was that one of my incisions came open. The cause of this was going back to work after two weeks and a pair of pants I wore kept rubbing against the incision. I just had to be careful and keep it covered. It healed fine. Other than that, the rest was just discomfort from having surgery that was mostly cured with pain meds. I do remember having some "head" hunger issues from not eating, but I physically was not hungry. There were days when I felt weak, but I got some Five Hour Energy and it really helped. I recall feeling better each day and when I could eat real food again, I started to feel like myself. The weight loss really keeps you motivated. I agree that any pain is worth it!!!

Hello tee, welcome to VST!! I am a past revision from over a year ago now. I am so blessed to have this second chance!!! You will be as well, I'm very sure of that. To answer your questions, yes - it is very possible you may need to have two surgeries. It is for your best interest and safest to do so if needed. I didn't need to do two seperate surgeries, and I'm very glad for that. However, if i did, I certainly would do it. I don't believe they can see scar tissue during a barium swallow, though I'm not exactly sure. I would imagine that there could be some tell tale signs of it but to actually see it I believe they would need to do a scope, or to simply find it upon surgery. Good luck to you!!! Keep us updated on how you're doing.

I'm scheduled for lap band to sleeve revision on August 8. At my psych eval, the therapist admitted to having had a bypass (she's still quite thin). She said that after the surgery and weight loss that my life would completely change. She then said my life would change in ways I couldn't imagine. So my question is this: what major life changes occurred for post-opers, and did they have changes that they could not imagine before surgery?

I've had 2 dilations this year, but it hasnt worked for me. I was told that I have esophageal dysmobility and I will be having my band removed and a revision to a gastric sleeve on Nov 1st. I wish you have better luck with dilation then I did.

I'm not the doctor, but my revision was done during the same surgery that my band was removed. Most of Dr. Aceves's revisions are done that way. Not sure about other surgeons.

How long till my belly will not be Swollen? I had revision from band to bypass. Lost 16 lbs since 11/10! But not in my belly. Ugh Sent from my SM-G920T using BariatricPal mobile app

I never thought I'd want bariatric surgery of any kind, and I didn't think I was overweight enough to qualify (5'8" and at least 240 lbs.) BUT, after seeing the Lap Band commercial the other day and looking into it, I've found that not only does my BMI qualify for me, but that this is a surgery that I'd actually consider.... heck, I WANT IT!! I turned 41 in August and have finally come to the realization that if anything non-surgical was gonna work, it would have worked by now. Atkins is the only thing that's ever worked well, but who can stay on that forever? And now, it's not just about appearance as it was when I was younger--there's the foot and knee pain, the incontinence, the acid reflux, the history of breast cancer in the family... it's much more about health now. Funny thing: Wednesday, when I saw the commercial, I checked our insurance policy and it specifically excluded any kind of treatment for weight loss. The VERY NEXT DAY on my desk at work was a copy of the revised inclusions/exclusions, and it really looks like it might be covered! I can hardly wait to call them on Monday and find out for sure. Anyway, just wanted to say hi... now I get to go dig into the forums and gather info.

I agree with Mommy.armywife, sounds like you need a revision. Best wishes,Karen

Thanks for your response girls! Does anyone have any experience with a revised band? Was the recovery time the same?

Kirsten - I have a 2nd edition copy of Ortiz book and it doesn't have any faults that I can note. He must have had it well revised. I wouldn't blame the publishers for Ren/Fieldings book - many of the errors are factual, not just spelling. Like how many calories you can expect burn an hour from walking and things like that, and how many calories you need to burn in theory to lose 1kg of fat... stuff like that which will really confuse people who haven't done their research. I sure hope they put out a revised issue, I felt embarassed for them too.

I just had revision as well 12/21 and was told my pouch was not the size of an egg but now was the size of a thumb. Due previous damage from GERD Ulcers and Hiatle Hernia. First weel was extremely painful I'm on day 9

From experience on this, I've had my band since August 09 with no problems until 3 weeks ago. I started vomiting and having trouble keeping food down, call into my doctor for appt for next week. But symptoms got worse with having trouble keeping liquid down and heartburn. So I got in yesterday had an upper gi, which showed by band had slipped. For me user error was not the issue. It's something that just happened. I have lost over a 100lbs and have done everything by the book. For me the took out everything in my band and am having surgery this Saturday to either revise or remove the band. My surgeon says he won't know what will happen until he gets in there and see's how the tissue looks. He also said that slippage is only in 5% of everyone. So my only word of advice would be is if you start to have trouble with vomiting go see your doctor.

Personally, childbirth was way worse than my band or revision. My revision was probably the least painful surgery I've endured. I had the normal gas pain, and a little bubble got trapped up near my collarbone. But, abdominal pain was honestly nothing. I was up walking, talking and laughing with the nurses. Now, for my gb surgery, that one had the most upper abdominal pain. The main area for my pain was where the port was located. During my revision, my surgeon took down and removed tons of scar tissue and adhesions so I'm shocked it didn't hurt more. Everyone's pain threshold is different, and it really varies. Most of Dr. Aceves patients refer to having little discomfort, and mainly gas pains from what I can remember reading. The drains come out before they discharge you from the hospital.