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I would also let them read up on Dr. Aceves on the forums, so many people have such wonderful things to say about him. I could not find one bad thing about him when I was doing my research. You may also want to let your parents speak with someone who has been through it and how it has changed their life. I had surgery with Dr. Aceves June 23rd and I feel amazing and am down 35 lbs, I had the lap band and had to have it removed due to complications so I did a revision to the sleeve. Dr. Aceves and his team were awesome and I received better care than I have ever received in the U.S. I would be more than happy to answer any questions your mom may have to make her feel better about it. My mom felt the same way, especially when I said I was going to Mexico. Once I showed her all of Dr. A's credentials and all the reviews about him she felt so much better. Good luck to you and I am sure your mom will come around

Try an app called "1 Second Everyday: Video Diary" — You can do photos too. It does exactly what you want. Sends you reminders. You'll find some samples on YouTube for inspiration — haven't found any that are weight loss related though. I am planning to do the same as well. Scheduled for revision on 9/9/19. Can't wait to see yours and share mine!

From what I hear, the only way to have a revision is if if its medically necessary. If you lab-band is the cause of your hernia, then I don't see why they wouldn't more forward with it.

Good luck on Monday. Im having lap band revision to sleeve Monday also. Im just a little bummed because my birthday is Sunday and my Md orders call for clear fluids on Sunday and of course NPO after midnight. So no birthday dinner or hard partying for me, LOL. Looking forward to this new year and new beginnings

Yes, I know people who've had bands 7 to 10 years who are doing fine, but those people are few and far between. The band has been done for a long time in Australia now, but the modern adjustable version of it really didnt get popular until four or five years ago, even though it was available easily enough. But the advice given to me is that the materials the band is made of are designed to last a lifetime, but its highly unlikely that the band actually will. Then most likely scenario is that the balloon will fail at some point and begin to leak. The band was the option that I had so I dont let that worry me. If I have to have another surgery down the track to maintain my weight loss then I'm not really phased, but I must say our medical system is such that if I need a revision, I get it, no questions asked, no money to be paid. I find it quite humerous to read the comments of a lot of the band's critics, saying that they wouldnt choose a surgery with such a high risk of repeat surgery, only to notice they've got a list of cosmetic surgeries as long as your arm in their signatures. Put in those terms - if you're expecting breastwork, a tummy tuck etc, why on earth would you worry about a short op to replace a band?

I have the sleeve in 2013. Everything was going well. My weight before surgery was 275. I went down to 170. Then in 2015 I fractured a couple of bones in my foot. It required surgery. And now I have screws permanently in my foot to keep the bones from shifting. I went over 6 months without being able to walk due to complications. And unfortunately I started to gain the weight back. I’m so disappointed at myself. I have losing the weight I gained (I’m currently 215). However, nothing I do is working. Working out is difficult since I have screws in my foot. My foot swells and causes me a lot of pain. Plus, my asthma is really bad since I have regained my weight. I want to get a revision as soon as possible. I was wondering what is the process for revision and how long does it take for the insurance to approve revision surgery? What is the best revision to do? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

My doc had me do a 2 week liquid diet to shrink you liver. I was able to have 3-5 Protein shakes, broth, sf Popsicles and sf Jello & that's it. I liked chocolate GNC Lean 25 Protein powder. I'm not sure if u out me together with the other post, but I also have Barrett's. I had a revision from lapband to bypass. Bypass has been way easier than the band surgery.

Thank you so much! I just got my bariatric Protein drinks in the mail that I ordered onLine. I think I'll start them now and get used to them again. I like the idea of doing the drinks plus 1 meal. I also need to cut the caffeine this week. My mindset has been so out of whack since I got my date for my revision. Need to get my brain and my willpower (I hate that word) where they need to be for 3/31.

I am a band-to-bypass revision patient and I was SHOCKED at how easily I injest eggs! I have had them hard boiled and scrambled and they don't get stuck like they did when I was banded. I try to eat 1 egg a day just because that meal is so very enjoyable.

I'm having a really hard time getting approved for my revision - I've had the lap band since 2008 and I've lost at most 60 lbs, I would get sick often, and haven't been able to afford a fill adjustment in awhile because I did not have insurance. Now that I have it - I find out about the sleeve and I really want to switch to it as I've weighed the pros and cons - but my insurance won't approve the revision unless I can prove medically necessary. I have some port pain, but I have a very high tolerance for pain, so I can ignore it most times... When I finally went for my band adjustment last July - they showed that the band had slipped a bit and that my pouch was enlarged. They unfilled it a bit and that is when I started doing research and found out about the sleeve. So many people were talking about all the issues they had with the band and not being able to be comfortable about going out to eat because you have to case the place basically to make sure you know where the restroom is and how quickly you can get to it, how some days I could eat a lil bit but then the next day its Soups or nothing kinda day... I thought - hey I could do the sleeve and I wouldn't have to worry about stuck food anymore and I would still have a restriction that would keep me from overdoing it - I was very careful about not overdoing it. I've done all the requirements for it and have met them all - I keep reading about all of you that have had the revision done and I'm starting to get really fustrated and upset because it seems like I'm trying to do this before I get really sick with any of the overweight caused diseases - I am right now at around 270 - because I gained back 20lbs ( i admit - I regained because I was suddenly able to eat all the things I hadn't been able to eat in the past 8 years, like bread, brocoli(sp), vegetables, steak, actual pizza, pasta - I do not eat junk like candy or processed bakery stuff and am a rather 'healthy' eater - I just over do it because I never feel full) after I got my band unfilled in preparation for surgery, atm I still do not have real health issues other then my joints are getting older and having a harder time at the gym because of the weight gain - I still go to the gym at least 1 - 2 times a week and work on the treadmill. Last week I went back to my surgeon and his assistant has put me on a liquid diet to help me lose some of the weight I gained back, and because my EDG and swallow study came back normal - they weren't able to prove that its medically necessary to remove the band - so we're trying for intolerance since I was getting sick before when it was filled. So, we agreed to get my band filled again with 2 ccs - I went for the appointment that was set up with the hospial and when I got there the lady that was supposed to do my fill was almost like she didn't want to do it because she was confused as to why I was there - she said I was telling her the wrong things - that because I told her I don't want to gain anymore weight and that I want to prove to the insurance that the band wasn't working for me, so I have to get it refilled and go back through everything I was going through before. She almost didn't fill it and as it is - I don't believe she put the whole 2ccs in either. I'm waiting until this week is done on the liquid diet, I still have port pain and it hurts sometimes like a bad stitch and sharp pain - but apparently that's not enough I'm not giving up - but I can't afford this as a self pay, my credit is really horrible, so I am unable to get approved for a loan to pay for the removal of the band. Please excuse any incorrect grammer and the fact that I skip from topic to topic - I'm not sure what its called but I type and talk in random sometimes jumping from topic to topic as my mind grabs a thought. I try to go back and edit, but if I missed something... I've done 7 nutrition visits now, provided my gym check ins, did all the requirements for a normal just getting the sleeve done as well as doing the requirements for getting a revision done - I just want to get this done, so I can get started... I don't understand how some people are getting approved for revisions or getting the sleeve done when they have so much less to lose then I do, and I'm having such difficulty - what am I doing wrong?! even my surgeon's assistant is at a loss, but she is trying to help me and hopefully we can prove intolerance... I feel almost as if I'm being pushed into self paying for it - which I can't afford to do...

I had a band to sleeve revision 3 months ago.... best decision i ever made, its so much easier, recovery for me was so easy. Its way better than the band, you don't get that horrible stuck feeling, i don't slime, i have only vomited twice (my own fault, ate too quickly early out) As a bander, once you convert to a sleeve you will find that you can eat a little more than a virgin sleever, this is due to damage that the band does to your esophagus, it reduces nerve sensations. For me, i can eat everything, i have tested my sleeve over the last month and nothing is an issue. I wish they offered the sleeve when i had my band initially, it would have saved me years of issues and problems. Best of luck with your revision

Thank u for the info it's always something added to my list of questions. What was the name of ur doctor in Mexico. My girlfriend texted me last night her docs name dr. Kellys in tijuana he did her lapband about 8 years ago when her insurance wouldn't pay she lives in California she drove herself right over the boarder for less than 5000. And she said it was the best experience in her life. And she never went back for a fill she recently found a doc in cali that would unfill her a little dr. Kellys apparently put a little fill in. Because she has lost all the weight she wanted and was still losing and I told her to find a doc to unfill a little. She is pleased. I just want some info in case my insurance denies me. I need a revision from my band to sleeve. Thanks again.. And congratulations on your weightloss

Congrats! I am schedueld for conversion / revision in 11 days! counting down each moment...

I'm also short (5'3") and for my first surgery was 150 pounds overweight, for my most recent revision, 100 pounds overweight (which put me at 41 BMI). I had no other co-morbidities at the time of either surgery. However, I was self-pay for both, so did not have to go through insurance at all. Unfortunately I think insurance companies have more say than doctors do, but if you meet the minimum requirement I can't see why they wouldn't accept you for surgery. Just don't lose any weight until you get approved!

Here's the thing-If you have a sleeve and get severe reflux, you can always revise to the bypass. Once you get the bypass, there is no going back. I have a history of reflux and still got the sleeve. He also repaired a hiatal hernia, which may have been contributing to reflux. I had my sleeve done with a 40 French bougie size and resection (stapling) started at 6cm from my pylorus to hopefully lessen my chances of problems.

I had a sleeve revision. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi.. I suggest checking out the boards on here.. Band to sleeve .. sleeve to rny.. I was a successful bandster for 6 years until it eroded. I chose to be revised from band to RNY because after seeing the sleeve to RNY revision I felt I wanted to go with the one that has the best success rate and the last surgery. I have tricare but I was a self pay. Long story there. Anyways I am 6 months from my RNY and I friggin love it! I wish I had done this first! It's been a breeze compared to the band! I have had no complications, I am 13 pounds from goal and I feel amazing! I can tell you from experience every wls patient has their own preferred wls surgery. I was a huge advocate for lapband but I wouldn't recommend to anyone now. Do your own research. The revision boards on here are what made me choose RNY and I'm thrilled I did. Good luck and I am sure you will be thrilled with whatever choice you make.

NeeNee717, I'm sorry you've had the difficult fill & flipped port - that's awful! I also totally understand the defeat of regain after taking control for so long. Please keep me up to date on your process towards revision. Merry Christmas!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Are you thinking about a revision? I hope you're feeling better

If you want to find out the bad of Lap Band, go to the Complication and Life After Banding forums on this site. It will give you a good picture of the worst that can happen. But once you get that picture, I recommend RUNNING AWAY because going there every day can give you a warped picture too. There isn't any place like that for the sleeve though. There is only one all sleeve board I've found (Gastric Sleeve Support) -- most of the rest are places that have boards for all the WLS and the sleevesters have their own place, but it's all mixed together. Anyway, I've been trolling the internet looking for the bad and there doesn't seem to be much of it. Some people are nauseous for a lot of the first 6 months to a year. Some have trouble eating certain foods. But most don't have these issues. There are people who aren't happy with their weight loss who revise to the DS, but not a lot. The rest of the negative stuff is the same as with any surgery -- dealing with carbs, trying to exercise when you don't really want to, falling back into old habits, stalls, etc. You'll find that in the band forums as well.

I had a revision on 4.20 and initially I was going to have a sleeve revision - I changed my mind to bypass and glad I did! I had severe GERD and a hernia and I have never felt better...am also losing the excess weight I gained back.

I never had GERD with the sleeve.. but I did have a revision from sleeve to RNY... and now I'm experiencing awful GERD. Glad to hear it's getting better for you!

Hi Molly and welcome. All I can say to you is research, research and then research some more. I had a band in 2010 and we could never reach a fill point between eating anything and vomiting all the time. I had a band to bypass revision on 10/10. My bariatric team don't even perform bands anymore as they consider them to be so unsuccessful. But then I just read in another forum how happy one guy is with his. All you can do is read, learn as much as you can and choose the weight loss surgery you think is right for you. Good luck :-)

I'm in the process of setting up port revision surgery for this very reason. Mine is at my waistline, a tiny bit to the left of my belly button. It was fine in the beginning, but after dropping 70 pounds, it's too close to the surface. It's bothersome when I lean up against something, and the waist of my pants digs into it, etc. My doc said that he'll move it to the underside of the muscle, and possibly use a low profile port. Apparently, this is pretty common once all the weight comes off.

I had my sight on the sleeve, had done all the research and preparation for the sleeve but when I met with the surgeon he highly recommended the bypass because of my long history of acid reflux and my hiatus hernia. If the sleeve does not give you the results you want you can always have a revision, for me I only want to do this once so I am having the bypass next week with the repair of the hernia. Good luck, the decision is yours to make. Talk to the surgeon himself and see what he recommends.