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Once in San Diego my Phone decided to crash and I lost David’s number in which I was to call once reaching San Diego. Fortunately I knew his email and knew that he is always online and would answer right away. Once he did he informed me that Big Robert was on his way but stuck at the border and would get there as soon as possible. Robert and I found each other and he swiftly loaded my luggage and we were on our way toward the Mexico Border. To say the least I was nervous getting in the car with a stranger but after just a few moments he had me at ease and we were talking about family and cooking and I had forgotten I had just met him moments ago. Just as I was Settling in for the drive, we pulled up to the Recovery house. Robert grabbed my luggage like the gentlemen he was and walked me in to the gated community of duplexes. That is when I met Juanito,who is the guy that lives in the duplex next to the recovery condo. He is there for the patients before and after surgery. He is a great guy and will be that shoulder that you need to have if coming to Mexico alone.He showed me to my room offered to show my how the TV worked and asked if there was anything he could do for me.That is how I met Penny in passing Big Robert dropped me off and picked her up to whisked her away,and back across the border,after stopping at the coach outlet.That night I met David Lopez the coordinator for bariatricpal whom was sleeping most of the day because he had been at one of the hospitals with a patient that needed him. The next day I waited knowing that at any time they could tell me it was time to leave to go to the Hospital. Not sure why I was taken by bariatricpal’s main plastic surgeon and his wife to the hospital but I’m sure it was because Big Robert was picking someone else up or needed a day off. Once we arrived, it was as like clock work, an ekg was done,and Consuela came in to prepare me for surgery.Not to mention Little Robert was brought into the picture to keep me company also during my stay at Santa Fe Medical Center. Later that day I awoke to Consuela in my room putting antibiotics and pain meds in my IV,and Lillte Robert sitting on the couch in my room. Consuela tried very hard in broken english to tell me I was fine and to go back to sleep, but in most cases Robert would tell me what she was saying.Many times during that day she came in to check on me and to make sure I didn't need for anything.Then as the night came to a close she came in one last time,after Robert left to let me know she was heading home. Not to be unfair but the other nurses at the Santa Fe Medical Center were nice but not as mothering as Consuela. There was also many interpreters wandering the hall if needed. My favorites were Salvador or Edwin.Awaking the next day I was told to take a shower they would change the bandages and then it was time to walk.That is how I met my neighbors in the next room also going through the same procedure. With every walk I tried to push a little further and knew the gas would dissipate with more movement.Soon enough the Plastic surgeon and his wife were back and I was packed up and taken to a near by to a x-ray lab. The swallow test was done and we were headed back to the recovery house. This is where I met Kim my roommate, for the first time. we had both had surgery yet hers had been a revision. we talked and watched TV and Robert took us walking through the neighborhood. Juanito also has the most wonderful chicken broth he can get you. It is about 3 dollars US when he arrives with it but WELL worth it. That night I started my period, from Hell!!! Both Kim and I were visited by our surgeons and video taped our journeys.That is when I met Kim’s doctor, and she met mine.Dr. Lopez was very kind and did a great job on my surgery and came highly rated by my new pen pal and his education, yet lacked bedside manner and english to communicate. Though I had been warned of this before choosing him as my doctor.Though Dr. Zavalta was just the opposite of Dr. Lopez and was very comfortable talking to his patients in english. David was asked to print up Dr. Zavalta’s nutritional guide lines for healing for Kim,who in turn gave them to me since my doctor gave me nothing for followup but medication. Dr. Zalvalta also sat down with me and discussed everything and explained and answered questions. While my surgeon sat arguing with David over combining Nuts for all the Doctors.He also disagreed with me getting a copy of Dr. Zavalta’s guidelines(too late) .The next day Kim and I were saying goodbye and dropped off to start our journeys home.

My tummy tuck held up AMAZINGLY well and, so far, the fat grafting to my butt seems pretty well intact. I haven't been losing the fat there on my way back down. The main issue I've had is that my left breast implant has become malpositioned with the weight gain and re-loss. Like as I gained the weight, the real fat tissue expanded and pushed the implant out of position and now that I am losing that fat again, the malpositioning is obvious. I will have to have a revision to fix it. I've had a consult with a local surgeon and I've had some talks with my original surgeon back in Mexico. I haven't completely decided what and when I am going to do about it. I've decided to sort of take a "wait and see" approach, since I still want to lose about 25 more pounds. I think I'd rather wait until I'm at goal and maintaining for a bit before addressing it.

I been having lots of reflex I'm also on carafate and Prilosec. What type of revision are you going to have?

@@Band07 May I ask why you're getting a revision? Is it due to reflux?

@@Band07 That pic is interesting. I don't really know what I'm looking at, either, but you can tell a difference for sure. Revising to what? Bypass? Yes, keep us posted! I'm interested as to what he says about your sleeve size. I was told by my surgeon that sleeves do not stretch either. Maybe they are blowing smoke up our butts so we don't get discouraged?

You can surely see the difference in the two though, right ? I'm not sure at all what swelling has to do with the X-rays though ? I would bet money if I had an xray today it would be even bigger as I know I can eat more now than I could in October when it was taken. I'm revising next week and I'll definitely ask my doc more about what he finds when he gets in there and keep you guys posted

It absolutely can and will stretch if you're not careful ! Iv worked with sleeve patients for years and have seen plenty of patients gain weight back from stretching the sleeve. I myself am one of them and I have xray pics at one day post op and one year post op to prove how much it has stretched. Why do you think their are revision surgeons that now resleeve patients? Just be careful, don't over eat to the point of misery and avoid carbonation. My sleeve was a 42 Bougie and I had scar tissue as well which made mine easier to stretch but it happens to others too.

Dr. John E. Meilahn, MD 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140Phone:(215) 707-3471 is the only Dr i can suggesst sorry it's not exactly in your area. Your Esophageal Dilation won't get better in fact it's bound to just get worse and the heartburn too. Scar tissue develops under the band and around it causing reflux and a feeling of tightness and it's accompanied symptoms. ie.. Night time aspiration, pneumonia, asthma like symptoms. It's highly probable that you experienced a Slip from coughing? vomiting will cause it as well. IMO I would suggest getting a new Dr, remove the band, Revise to a Different Weight loss surgery if you so Chose and move on, the Band Failed you didn't Good Luck Luck

I second most of what Jamie listed. I was given the same choice and my doctor said the same thing, he'd recommend me for either. At my age (29), he said I should do fine with either one. I went with the sleeve because it seems slightly less extreme as a first step, and the sleeve can be revised into a bypass down the line if necessary. I'm 2 weeks post op today and feeling pretty great. Good luck to you either way!

I can Quote Band Stats that say 60% of ppl with bands need Revisions, etc.. But that's Obvious if you use a google search. But that only helps you understand that YOU didn't Fail, the band Did. As the previous poster stated get some Saline out! Don't starve yourself it won't help, you've already messed up your metabolism with a band and your body HOLDS Onto everything you put in it. The band creates Scar tissue under the band and around it as well, that will/does create a "too tight" feeling as well and adds to the probelms of Reflux/Gerd and aspiration pneumonia if that continues. Also, as you've mentioned Esophageal problems like Dilation, Pre Cancerous tissue, and loss of Esophageal motility. Your SMART in questioning the effectivenss or LACK there of the band and your Health. My advise is get the band removed Weightloss isn't worth the damage to your body or poor health. Good Luck

I'm a RN so I'm a little nervous about Mexico!!!! My mom had a lap band put in in Mexico and had a awesome experience! I'm hoping it will go smoothly. She is actually getting her band revised to the sleeve on the same date I'm having mine! They will even room us together which is awesome! Our date is June 8th and I'm counting the days! My BMI is only 31 so I barley qualify so I'm trying to maintain weight not gain or loose between now and then! But even though 5'8 and 200 lbs doesn't sound that bad I get asked if I'm pregnant several times a week and I'm over it! I carry my weight in my stomach and boobs! It's awful. I can't wait to be little again! To go shopping again and get dressed up and feel good about myself. Since gaining 50lbs working night shift I've stayed depressed! All the diets and working my but off in the gym hardly does anything!! I'll work my butt off eat clean boring foods loose ten-20 lbs then eat a cheat meal or two and gain it back almost immediately ! I'm so ready to get this done!

You are right to be concerned about the long term affects of GERD and esophageal cancer. I know because my husband (who didn't have WLS) suffered from GERD, developed Barrett's esophagus which was being monitored yearly and went from NO dysplasia to esophageal cancer the next year. Though caught early (they removed his esophagus) and given an optimistic prognosis, it was in his liver 11 months later and he died the next year at a young age. If you have GERD the sleeve can make it worse. They suggest RNY for those with GERD and it seems to resolve the issue. It seems like you are too tight. I have always said that regardless of which WLS you have - eating should not be painful. Didn't we go through this to get healthier? We shouldn't have to have pain when eating or not be able to drink water or sleep sitting up. That is not a healthy lifestyle regardless of the weight loss. Btw, I had the band put in in 2008, unfilled in 2009 and have hated it every single day. It has never done one thing for me, including helping me to lose weight. But I am not ready for a revision of any kind. Too many problems with each of them. I think you should get an unfill, let yourself heal for awhile and not worry about the weight at this point and then maybe have some testing done to see what is going on with your band - and upper GI and endoscopy perhaps. Good luck

Thanks for all the support. But I went in today and was told my port is shifting and it's sideways. :-'( This will be my 2nd port revision and I'm not happy about it! He is going to put some mesh in there to keep it in place. Ugh to top it off my band is to tight and I can't eat solid foods, and can barley get liquid down. Ugh.. Surgery at 9am tomorrow to fix it. I told him if anything else happens it's coming out

Hi I am band to RNY, 5 weeks post op down 19.8 since surgery and 42.8 in total. I was told it would be a little slower in the weight loss for revisions but I am very happy so far. Good luck!

Interesting discussion here. I was banded in 2009. Not that much success - 25lbs lost. No issues to speak of until my last fill which put me at 8.5cc and now I'm finding it harder to keep things down. I seem to do a lot of sliming - sometimes even with just a couple of small bits of something like chicken or other solid/dense foods. Plus the port site seems to always be painful. I'm waiting now to hear back from my surgeons office as to whether or not my insurance will cover a revision. I was thinking about going to the sleeve, but now wonder if I should consider the bypass instead - which I really didn't want something so extreme, but. My sister has had success with the sleeve - she got hers a couple years ago. I'm really torn. But I guess I should wait and see if the insurance will even cover it first. I saw a mention of a "mini bypass" - what is that exactly?

Lapband to Sleeve revision scheduled for May 4.

I didn't have a band to sleeve revision, but I was low BMI at the time of surgery. My BMI was 36.1, but had been as high as 38. I had comorbidities that got Aetna to approve my surgery. I did have acid reflux before sleeve surgery and very bad reflux for the first 3 months after surgery. I was taking Nexium and Prilosec after surgery and had to sleep sitting up. I would wake up with coughing fits and my voice was actually beginning to change. Finally around 3 months post-op, it began to get better. I still take one 20mg prilosec each day and I still get reflux if I eat to close to bedtime. When I stop eating after 7:30 pm, I have no reflux. And the coughing has stopped. But I would have had the surgery even if I knew the reflux would be bad post-op. It was that important to me. I also found that Alka-Seltzer heartburn chews and Gas-X were my constant companion. I rarely need either anymore - I just had my 5 month anniversary on the 12th.

Good morning all.....I was just wondering if there are others on here who have had revision surgery due to a past WLS.....And after you had a revision, how much weight loss were you losing per week. I am 8 weeks post op and so far I have loss 35 since surgery(2/16/15) And 44lbs in total from my starting weight (2/3/15).

Band removal and sleeve revision approved by insurance! Surgery date is 5/4. Unless there is far too much scar tissue or band erosion the sleeve will be done at the same time. Doctor tells me that he has not had one person that he was not able to revise in one shot yet, but, I could be his first. He has to prepare me, just in case. I must remain positive and keep thoughts on the prize. I liked the band. It worked very well for me, however, my esophagus didn't take much liking to the band. I'm going to ask the doctor if I can keep it as a souvenir, but, I'm sure hospital policies won't allow it. Am I weird or what? This doctor is not the same bariatric doctor as my band doctor due to insurance changes. I also like this doctor. It's really something how all doctor's order on pre-op diet are so different. Band doc had me on 2 week, 2 a day Bariatric Protein shakes with 1 light meal. This doc requires only 1 week pre-op diet using sugar free carnation instant Breakfast, 2 a day with 1 light meal. Brand new journey starting soon and kind of freaked out! jake

My total cost back in August of 2011, including the 2 week stay in the recovery house with 24/7 nursing staff and all my meals was about $10,500. I would imagine the price would be at least a little higher now, since that was 3.5 years ago. By comparison, I met with a surgeon here in the US in January about my potential revision to my breast augmentation and a new breast lift, including hospital and anesthesia, he wanted $7400. That was without the cost of new implants themselves, because he was confident he could get Allergan (the manufacturer of my implants) to replace the actual implants for free.

I had my band to sleeve revision on a Wednesday. A friend took my dog for me because I wasn't able to care for my other dog when I had the band years ago. I came home on a Thursday and by Friday told my friend to bring the dog back home. I was feeling fine

I'm 5'6" and was 180 when I had my plastics 3.5 years ago. I had a tummy tuck, breast lift with implants, all over lipo, and fat grafting to the top of my butt all at one time. I was scheduled for 4 weeks off work, but ended up only working half days for a good while after I went back. That was because of swelling in my lower back. Had I not had that issue, I think 4 weeks would have been adequate time off for my desk job. I spent two full weeks in Mexico at a recovery house, before having my drains removed and returning home. I actually HIGHLY recommend going to Mexico for plastics. Not only is it cheaper, but the surgeons there are very experienced and you will receive round-the-clock care in a recovery house, versus being sent home 1-2 days post-op to fend for yourself like you would be in the US. My surgeon was Dra. Laura Carmina Cardenas. At the time of my surgery, she was lesser known, but well respected and had excellent reviews. That was 3.5 years ago, though, so you may want to do current research. I am considering going back to her this summer for a revision to my breast augmentation (weight regain and re-loss has been unkind to my boobs), but I haven't done more than some preliminary emails back and forth with her office.

I saw my doctor last week and discussed revision from band to sleeve along with gallbladder and he said they could do that. Checking with my insurance now to see if the band removal and sleeve would be covered. I should know this week. If it's covered then I will start their program right away - which lasts 4-6 weeks. I assume it's what new patients have to go through? Would be required by insurance I guess. I guess if the insurance won't cover it I will just have to get my gallbladder out and make the best of it.

You aren't alone. I had my band to sleeve revision July 2015, and 3 days later, I was hungry, and I haven't stopped being hungry since. I can easily eat at least twice as much as I did with the band. There feels like there is no restriction. I did ask my surgeon if he really did the sleeve after removing the band. I also feel like a failure. I've only lost 12 lbs. since the sleeve surgery. Since my heartburn and acid reflux weren't resolved by the sleeve surgery, my surgeon is suggesting the bypass. I'm really uncomfortable with the idea of having my insides rerouted, but have started to consider it. I wish you good luck, and hope that you find a doctor that can help you resolve the issues you are having.

Let me know when you make your decision please. I will be getting a revision from band to sleeve. I can't wait either!!!!