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Hi All, I am so excited... I just finished paying my revision (lapband to sleeve) surgery off! I am a self pay and committed to do the surgery on January 24, 2012 (the day after my 52th birthday). My surgery date is September 10, 2012 with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. And I just sent them my final payment! Plane ticket is bought! I am ready to GO! My weight in January was 297... current weight 268 and I am 62 days away from my surgery. I will be on a two week liquid only pre-op diet starting on August 27. I am hoping to lose some more weight before my date. Can't wait to get this Crapband out of me! Cheers and Good luck to all that have gone before me... I look forward to reading OUR success stories! Dottie

Honestly? If I were in your present mind-set? I would ask myself very honestly and carefully, if I get this surgery, what will change? Because the "supposed" truth from the docs is that revisions do not have "quick weight loss" and if you ate your way back up to your pre-surg weight, what will stop you doing it again when life gets sucky? Also by your admission you don't want to make the lifestyle changes that lifelong weight management takes--even after WLS. Plus drinking your cals along with eating poorly, I just don't think magic bean surgery has been invented yet. I would start preparing by starting counseling with a bariatric specialist.

It totally blows my mind that any doctor would perform either procedure on someone with anorexia/bulimia, much less revise it. And revise it again? How is that possible? What would be left? Maybe he could slap a band on it, too? Blow it up with a balloon? Yikes.

I wore their johnnys the whole time. First one was put on with opening in the back,then the second one was put on with the opening in the front. I wore the socks they provided me the entire time and they have grippies on them so you don't slip. I brought my phone and charger then pretty much only used that and watched TV between dozing and talking with my husband. I did bring my kindle but, honestly, between walking, being poked, tests and talking with my husband it never came out of my bag. My surgery was 4 hours but, that's because my liver was adhered to my stomach so she had to peel them apart, then she had to undo the stitching on my stomach that was there from my previous lapband. Once that was done she was able to do the rest. I was had a lot of trouble with nausea so moving around too much was making me sick...brushing my teeth was tough until we finally got the nausea under control. Then the next thing you know you're being tested to make sure everything is doing well with an upper GI. GACK at that dang crap they make you drink. I felt I was left in there for quite some time...not sure if it's because of the revision vs someone who has the RNY that is not a revision. Once back to the room they started with the Water, Clear liquids etc. Chapstick was my friend for sure! I wore lose clothing to the hospital (sweatpant type) and just used the same outfit with a fresh pair of underwear to come home in since I barely wore the outfit an hour before I had to get into the Johnny.

That is exactly the position I'm in right now. I never told anyone about my band. My revision is coming up so soon - 9 days! But I don't want to tell anyone about the sleeve, either. I don't want to be that big fat loser that failed, and is doomed to fail again. My aunt had her band removed and had DS last year. That surgery is NO joke. I hope I'm as successful as she is. She's lost almost 150 lbs since last January. It's nice to have someone IRL that understands this struggle. OP, you are not alone!

I post my meals (usually low carb) on instagram. I am a bandster who is revising to sleeve on 7/21! I have a lot of low carb concoctions on my IG. Add me if you would like, @wendydarling19

I joined a gym recently and love it. I'm only 3wks post op for port revision so no machines just yet. I do 30 mins on treadmill, 10mins elliptical and 10 mins on bike. I want to do more but I'm following the drs orders to a tee. There are so many different types of people working and honestly haven't felt uncomfortable. I am the biggest person in there but I keep gettin it. Also I mentioned to the owner I just had WLS and was in desperate need of a gym. He waived the registration fee and gave me a nice monthly discount. Best of luck in your journey.

Embrace, Do you mind me asking about your weight history? Starting when you got your revision and current, for example? I have a consultation in the works and am just wanting to be sure I'm making the right choice for myself. Thx!!

Weight Loss has been a terrible monster in my life. You see, I started at the tender age of 3 months at 25 pounds. I went through the cutesy, cuddly stages of infancy, struggled through school and high school with diets, pills, doctors, support group meetings, and the socalled programs offering nutrition and guaranteed weightloss in a snap!!! WRONG!!! Then there was college--I would see guys I liked, but they were not "right" for me. I was sooo embarrassed by my size, and the impression left in the workplace is still haunting me to this day. The stresses of growing up, trying to live a decent life with some pleasures and hobbies have been really challenging. When I got married and divorced, I also experienced terribly low esteem. I did drown myself in college education, worked some within my profession, but not really achieving the maximum I wanted. I am a closet eater. The stresses of maturing, and growing personally, physically, and spiritually, too, caused some big health problems: high blood pressure and longterm GI problems, and later, nutritional deficiencies and joint pain. By the time I hit 47, my weight shot up to 264 preop for RNY that I had in June of 2001. I lost 85 pounds initially, maintained it for about 3 years, then gradually progressed into regained weight, which again ricocheted the initial efforts both physically and emotionally--I also added asthma and severe drug allergies to blood pressure medications, in addition to anemia. The regained weight has been a terrible mental blow, and for 4 years when my surgeon said revision would be necessary to counter any regained weight and the gastric bypass was stretched at least 80%. Of course, any medical treatment is expensive, and in stressed economic times, funds for doing anything to treat this problem requires insurance coverage. I fought some pessimistic doctors, family, and adversity to finally get approval for revision surgery to my RNY this past week--I will be going to surgery very soon. I want to give back what I take in the way of weightloss interventions in some way--either through orientation facilitation, educator, or nutrition counselor. Stay tuned!! Finally, what I really want to say is that you have to stand your ground when seeking treatment for weightloss through surgery. Never give up your cause!! It also helps to do your homework on procedures, treatment schedules, and VITAL support system--surgeons and clinics, too. I love this site!! Thank you all for your time in contributing your experiences here. RSR53

Nykee: You live in Oregon I assume by your signature right? And are you planning on going back to Ortiz for the fills? If that is true then you might want to consider finding a doc closer to home to keep costs down. My insurance covers half the cost of my fill visits. They also cover half the cost of the office visits as well. Funny most of the insurance co won't cover the band, although I think that is improving, but they will cover the aftercare for the most part. They even covered my port revision surgery. Too funny. Anyway, just a suggestion. I picked a doc that my Mexico surgeon recommended since he proctored him and called to see if my insurance would cover the visits. They do by half. So there ya go.

Nykee: You live in Oregon I assume by your signature right? And are you planning on going back to Ortiz for the fills? If that is true then you might want to consider finding a doc closer to home to keep costs down. My insurance covers half the cost of my fill visits. They also cover half the cost of the office visits as well. Funny most of the insurance co won't cover the band, although I think that is improving, but they will cover the aftercare for the most part. They even covered my port revision surgery. Too funny. Anyway, just a suggestion. ........................................... Yes I was planning on going to Ortiz for the fill. I heard it cost more to have it done here than to fly there, but I am going to do some research. My insurence will not cover anything. So far the plane cost 250$ The shuttle is 100$ (and I dont know if thats one way or roundtrip??) and I dont know if I can get down there and back in one day or not.. so there would be a motel. I still plan on telling who ever MAKE IT TIGHT!!! I can handle it!

I am going to have to get a tummy tuck revision since I put on so much weight since my first one. The first one did not remove all of the stretch marks from my pregnancy but hopefully the revision will! Actually, if the boobs deflate like I think they will as i shed these pounds, Im just going to opt for the Mommy Makeover.

Hello Brandon, Your story isn't far off from my own. I hit an "unofficial" 370 lbs at my largest, and I'm only 5 foot 9. I grew up in a large Italian family where eating was just what you did, all the time. If you didn't have seconds then the food must not have been good enough. I've had my band for 5 years, 6 months and 7 days now. I lost 60 lbs total, and that's it. I'm currently working with my insurance and surgeon to get a revision to the bypass. The band just isn't your best option, in fact a lot of places won't even do it anymore at this point. Even lap band companies are selling off product, selling whole sections of their company and a few, won't make new parts at all. Overall, it wasn't the worst decision I made. But I do wish, in retrospect, that I went with the Bypass first. (Didn't have the option for a sleeve when I had my band installed) I would recommend not doing the band. For your height and weight and eating situation, you'll see more benefits from gastric sleeve surgery. With less issues as well. If you are still hard up on getting the band. 1. I personally do still feel hunger, no different than pre-band. 2. I eat about 1/3 to 1/2 as much as I used to before being "full" 3. The band can erode your stomach lining and penetrate into your stomach wall. You will get stuck on foods, I get stuck on most of the foods that are supposed to be good for me. Leafy greens suck, lean meats are tough, fibrous fruits and vegetables hurt. If you can't keep water down, then the band is WAY too tight and needs to be adjusted. I can't take a good portion of pills or vitamins because they are just too big and will not pass through my band opening. Something to take into account. The band can slip too. 4. Pain before surgery? whatever you are feeling right now. Pain after surgery. Wasn't horrible. I had a tough time for a week or 2, you don't realize how much of your upper core you use for basic things. But put 4 one inch holes and a 3 inch hole in there and you'll feel it. Band adjustments weren't all that bad either. They will put a special needle that has the opening on the side into your abdomen and then into the port itself to insert or remove fluid as needed. 5. My opinion. It doesn't sound like the band is "for you". You'll get more out of a sleeve without having to deal with intestinal changes. But you won't see as much weight loss as with the bypass. Hunger, it's going to still be there, so far only the sleeve and bypass change your hunger sensitivity. Binge eating, dude, doing anything too much or too quickly with the band only leads to throwing up, and I will tell you, throwing up with an object around your stomach pouch preventing things from the lower area getting into the upper area, sucks bad. It's hard to describe, but I get afraid I'm going to pass out when I do have to vomit, the pressure in my head caused by the band is scary when actually vomiting. Purging from being stuck isn't that bad if you can control your gag reflex and not let it turn into full on vomiting. I've gotten good at that part, still sucks but not as bad as a uncontrollable vomiting situation. So all said and done. The band is MUCH better than nothing at all. But at this point, it's not the best option for weight loss surgery either. Hopefully this helps. Feel free to message me if you have any other questions.

Hi All, The luncheon is on Saturday, July 28th, at noon, the reservations will probably be under bandsters if not just tell them you are here for a group reserved at noon and should be easy to find it! You can try Mapquest for directions or take the 401 hwy to Mississauga Rd. exit. Go south and it turns into Erin Mills Parkway, don't follow the signs where Mississauga Rd. veers off. On the July luncheon thread I posted the email address of Laurie who you should email so she has an idea of how many seats she needs to reserve. Or feel free to private message me your name, no. attending and I will pass the info on to her. Donna VBG/87 Revised To Lapband/06 By Dr. Cobourn 251/145/125 goal

Hi Puddy, Are you only wanting to get together with other bandsters who were banded in April 2007? I was banded in April 2006, so am I not wanted? Let me know, either way that's okay! Donna VBG/87 Revised To Lapband/06 By Dr. Cobourn 251/145/125 goal

I had band complications and revised my surgery type to a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. ;o)

The video Tim shared shows they can do a port revision as an office procedure under a local in that area. Some leave it flipped if they are using fluro I guess its surgeons choice. Good Luck!!

I had a band to sleeve revision on 4/30. I started my semi-soft foods today. It is nice to eat something. I can eat 1/4 cup and I'm full. Not that I get hungry anyway. It is just nice to taste something. In a week I can start on soft foods which includes eggs, ground meats, flaky fish, etc. I only had to do 2 days of clear liquids and then did full liquids until today. Odd how different each surgical group is with both pre and post diets. My surgeon told me at my two week check that I absolutely must eat six times a day. I read others are told only 3.

Im not banded yet..but I hope things go well for you!!! good luck with your new doc and the revision!

I don't mean to alarm you, but I am 4 months post op of my port revision (it flipped) and I still am not back to normal. I will be blunt, it hurts like hell and if I move in the wrong way it makes my eyes water. According to my doctor its normal. Guess what, I am looking for a new surgeon. Its not infected, its just soft tissue that will not heal fast enough for me. I still think something is not right, but my doctor says its normal . Pain that makes you buckle over is not normal. If anyone knows of a good surgeon in the Northern part of Ill like Lake County please advise. Listen to your body and don't be afraid to ask your doc questions. This is all new to you and they should have an answer that makes sense to you. Never stop looking for an anwser until you feel satisfied with it. I wish you well with your new journey. Again, I don't mean to discourage you, its just something I am going thru. I was banded in Jan. 2010 and did well until the port flipped. Then everything went down hill but my weight. That went up due to taking out my fluids from the surgery and couldn't get a good fill. These things just have to work themselves out too. You will learn what works for you. Remember, this is a life time journey, not a race.....Have a great day..

Welcome Matt! You have come to the right place if you are seeking guidance, support and personal experiences. I am a revision patient (from lap band to sleeve) on April 20, 2016 so I'm still kind of a newbie. As a newbie, maybe I can give you some of my initial experiences and others can pick up along the way... The surgery part- For me, was very easy. In the hospital weds, out Thursday, felt the usual soreness and gas pains (those hurt more than anything!). It's tricky at first getting in your fluids but each day gets easier. I was back on my feet pretty normal by Monday- errands, gardening, dog park. I felt the more I moved the better I felt so I just kept moving. I haven't really stopped since! I'm lucky in that for some reason, this surgery game me a HUGE burst of energy. I think a huge part was mental- I wake up each day and think "oh my goodness... It's real! I have a sleeve!" Because to me the sleeve equals a tool to help take control of my life. It's by NO means a quick or easy fix to weight issues- it's a tool that you need to learn to work properly. There are lots of people here who can offer support and advice when you need it. Listen to your doctor and do what your team tells you. Your doctor knows you. He's doing your surgery. Follow his instructions. You will find that doctors orders vary enormously- it's almost funny at times. But you can't pick and chose things from other people's plans and try them all out. Someone on here has the motto "You do you". It's great advice. Don't compare your weight loss to others. Everyone loses at different rates. It can be discouraging to see people who had surgery the same time as you post numbers bigger than yours. We are all different- weights, exercise levels, etc. Again, your focus should be on you. Finally, I'm sure you are a smart guy since you are diligently doing your homework. That's a sign you are headed in the right direction. Go over all your post surgery stuff NOW and see what your team says to avoid. If it's coffee, soda, fruit, whatever, if you are loving it now, learn to say goodbye to it before you have your surgery. It's much easier if you wean yourself early on from the no no stuff. Don't wait. Start now. I'm sure you will have lots of folks give you great advice. And remember that's what this is- advice. Your doctor always knows best but you can't beat the kind of support you will find here. You will also find tough love which is just as important! It's also good if you have a good support system surrounding you. You can tell no one or share with the world but those in the know should understand what this surgery entails and how you need to commit to it 100%. I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted and if I can help in any way, just ask! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Susan I too became extremely constipated recently and had excruciating pain, chills and felt like hit by a truck. Only thing that helped was a saline solution fleet enemas two nights in a row and making sure I eat more fibre and I take a high quality magnesium supplement that acts as a stool softener. Donna VBG/87 Revised To Lapband/06 By Dr. Cobourn 251/145/125 goal

I'm thinking this may be my situation. Probably 3-4 days a week, I can't eat things I should because of my band. I'm thinking the issues with it may make it so that I can get it done sooner as long as I'm a candidate for having the revision in one surgery.

Hello everyone! I'm still preop but spend a lot of time on this side of the site too. First off, congratulations to all of you and may God continue to bless you all in this exciting journey. I'm a revision band to bypass in October. Just curious if anyone was at 230 for their surgery weight and how much you lost in the first 6 to 8 weeks. Only asking because I have a couple of events to go to in November and beginning of December and I'm curious as to where I might be weight wise. Now I know we a all lose at different rates, but I'm just really looking to get an idea. Thanks!

Hi Erika! My BMI is right at 40! My surgeon told me NOT to lose any weight while I'm on the 3 month supervised "diet" with their nutritionist (a NEW requirement as of Jan 1, 2011 for BCBS- Fed). I'm surprised you have been denied for the revision! What was their reasoning for the denial? Do you have a good patient advocate with your doctor's office? If so, they could probably contact your insurance and get all the details for you! I have a hiatal hernia and I was told by another surgeon (when I wanted to get the LapBand) that they would correct the hernia BEFORE putting the band in. Did your surgeon not do that??? My co-worker got approved for the sleeve after the second try and that was back in Oct 2010; so I know BCBS- Fed does approve the sleeve!