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So, I am definitely feeling a bit discouraged right now. I've had the gastric band since January 2011. Since the very beginning, I've had the throwing up/regurgitating. It doesn't matter what I eat. If I have any restriction at all, I'm throwing up 2-3 times per day. My current surgeon (not the one who did the surgery) also said according to the X-ray, my band is slightly higher than it should be, but not technically "out of place". They had to loosen my band, and since then (2 months ago), I've gained about 15-20lbs back. My HW 300, SW 290, LW 220, and CW 270. My surgeon said he'd do everything he can to help me. I've done the nutrition class (again) and the psych evaluation. They submitted to insurance yesterday, and she said I should hear back within 2-3 weeks if I'm approved or not. But I've been reading A LOT of stories of people being denied for revision unless there is a serious complication with the band. I have BCBSNC. The insurance company that originally paid for my gastric band surgery was Tricare Prime, by Dr. William Richards in Mobile, Alabama.

Hello, I was sleeved in 2012. Hoping to get revision to bypass. Had the upper GI and it showed acid reflux, a hiatal hernia and spasms. I thought this is great! Saw my surgeon on Friday and he said the results were great, just what we wanted. But I still have to have the PH test. I am not looking forward to this at all. Even the nurse said it’s a very unpleasant experience. I’ll have to have a catheter down my nose and throat to my esophagus to measure the amount of acid. I have to leave it in for 24 hours. There is a test I have to do before that is the office before the PH test. She didn’t go into details too much but said it’s the worse of the two. I asked my surgeon after the PH test, what are the odds Cigna will approve the surgery and he said FANTASTIC. He said after the test he’ll submit to insurance. I’m nervous about this PH test for a variety of reasons. Has anyone else gone through this process for a revision?

Having surgery on 3/21. Anyone wanna be surgery buddies?

I would say contact your insurance company and speak with someone about your benefits. Ask them what the clinical steps are for you to have your revision. Usually they can give you the specifics of what your clinical qualifications are. Good luck!

So out of the blue today I got a call from my surgeon's office (this is after 9 weeks of nothing) that my band (slipped) removal has been approved, when did I want to schedule it for. Can I add something really strange? After all these weeks of waiting, I had a dream lastnight that I was in surgery for removal. Odd! So I told the nurse who called that I had "applied" for a revision, not just removal (I know they're separate procedures in terms of billing & insurance, but my surgeon's office - in terms of procedure and paperwork - treats revisions as a single case)... and asked if they had submitted for approval on just the revision or on both. She said only removal. Now, when my slip was first diagnosed I was told I was NOT a candidate for re-banding, and that my slip was too "profound" to reposition it with any surety of it not slipping again. When my EGD was done the surgeon told me it needed to come out, and he did not want to try to just reposition it. So it was a total shock to me that she was talking about him trying to reposition it... and my wits weren't with me and I didn't respond accurately. I've since tried to call back but she was out so I left a message. This nurse told me, "Well he'll go in there and look around, and try to reposition it if he can." I was really caught off-guard by that, and completely caught off-guard by her call in the first place, so I didn't respond the way I should have. I said something like, "Well <PA> and <surgeon> both indicated that would not be an option for me, so understandably I'm hesitant to sign up for removal when I don't know anything about approval for replacement." I also clarified in my message to her that that both the NP and surgeon had said I would not be a candidate for repositioning or rebanding. So - I need some inputs. This has been in play since early June. Since then, I've pretty much, in my mind, committed to losing my band and getting a sleeve revision. I'm disappointed that they want to try and reposition the band. I'm disappointed that I specifically go through the legwork (it was not a cake walk) of doing all their paperwork and requirements for a revision and am now being contacted about a "reposition of we can, removal if we cannot" appointment. I don't want it to be repositioned, I want it out. I have 0... in fact, if possible, I have negative confidence in ANY sort of longevity with a repositioned band. I wanted them to, and completely thought it's what they were doing, submit for REMOVAL and REVISION. Did they jack something up? Do you have to be medically ineligible, as proven by surgical examination, to have a revision? WTF would they even have me slated as a "potential reposition"? I'm split between continuously trying to reach this lady/nurse, and just driving down there. I'm borderline pissed off because 9 weeks is a long timeto wait and then find out that what they seem to have been working on isn't what I applied for/wanted. Revisioners who DID NOT go through an attempt at repositioning the band, what was your experience? Did you get both approvals at once? Was something special required to bypass the reposition attempt? THis is a total wrench being thrown in and I am NOT a happy camper. But I don't want to be ticked if it's the way it is...

I'm having a revision next week on Thursday Oct 24th. I would take part in this group. Thanks

Where can we follow your story? Im also getting RNY revision surgery in Nov Sent from my SM-A530F using BariatricPal mobile app

I was diagnosed with a slip yesterday. I am very sensitive to barometric pressure, and we just started getting pressurized cold fronts coming in, and I get REAL tight when the pressure goes up. I am pretty sure when my band slipped, because I was at home the day after a big high pressure front, and was eating yogurt and could not get it down. I threw up “jellyfish” for 3 hours. Since then, I have had major heartburn, acid reflux and it is painful to get anything down, even frozen yogurt. When I eat or drink anything, slime comes up by the mouthful to try and help get it down. When I attempt to burp I taste stomach acid just in the air that comes up. The Dr said yesterday that it slipped and they emptied the band, and now I am on liquids for 2 weeks. My weight loss has been going pretty well, losing 74 lbs since my surgery Nov 2010. I am so bummed, because I do not want to get way off my goal track, but it does feel nice to not taste stomach acid. I hope this unfill will fix it, cause I’m a self pay and cannot see paying for a revision or removal surgery.

Last night, I felt something that only existed in the lives of other fat people? My stomach fat has fallen down and a rash has started [emoji35]! I need revision based on 2 hernias and GERD! I stopped fighting for my revision due to moving, starting a new job and depression. My former bartric surgeon stated, "you need a robotic revision." He was no help at all. As of today, my new PCP has referred me to a specialist. Now, it's just a matter of how do I pay for it. I have insurance but is a tangled mess. It will get done. I am just holding on and doing the paperwork. One day at a time. Sent from my SM-G996U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am having a band to sleeve revision on October 20th. I am super excited and any advice would be welcome. I had an easy recovery after the lap band surgery but my band slipped after a year and I am now getting the sleeve. Thanks in advance.

Hello there I'm thinking of having a band to sleeve revision. Has anyone out there had this procedure in Guadalajara with Dr's Osuna, Lopez or Diaz? I would be really grateful for any feedback. Thanks!

Hi everyone I was wondering if anyone have Cigna and got covered for a revision from band to sleeve, even though my plan states weight loss surgery is only covered once per lifetime, but on the Internet it states cigna does cover revisions for certain reasons. Anyone else have a similar issue? I would really love some feed back on this. Thanks

Has anyone had to have a stent placed after band to rny revision? I have had my stent 8 days and I have beem hospitalized for 3 days and now receive IV fluids and meds around the clock at home. I need to know someone had success from the stent I will be bed ridden for 3 weeks to keep it in. I have not eatem in 15 weeks since I started my pre op liquid diet. I have been on clear liquids amd need advise and encouragement to continue.

I have a slipped band and I just got approval from my insurance company on Monday (Aetna) for removal of the band and revision to the sleeve!!! Surgery date is scheduled for May 29th!

So I was revised 5/27. I’m feeling great...  went to bed and awoke with a horrendous bruise on the left side of my belly button ... incision site.  Didn’t have a bruise when I went to bed.  It’s hard large and painful. Feels like a baseball underneath.  All the others are greenish as it’s been over a week.  I called the emergency service for my surgeon and his associate called  me back.  Just said if no fever it’ll be okay. ER if I want but with COVID unsure I wanna go but I had surgery and everything was impeccably clean.  Maybe CITYMD. maybe it needs to be drained? 👩🏼‍⚕️ 

Has anyone in this group had a revision from band or gastric sleeve? Gastric sleeve patient already gaining weight? Wrong choice?

How long is the surgery? hospital stay and home recovery from Sleeve to Bypass?

Following. I had the VSG in 2012. I initially lost 125 lbs. I have gained 25 back. I have terrible reflux. I had an EGD on Friday and the GI doc said he expects to recommend a revision to the full bypass. I have no idea what to expect as far as eating differences, recovery time, and if it is possible to lose additional weight. My surgeon said he usually only sees a 15-20 lb additional weight loss from a revision. Thoughts? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello, all I'm looking for anyone that has underwent a revisional surgery from the sleeve to the bypass.... I'm currently in the process of trying to get insurance approval which I'm not really concerned with just would like to hear some experiences with this procedure

When I was talking to my surgeon on yesterday, he told me that the range of weight loss was between 60-80% He told me that because I have a band and it has been in for almost 7 years the top of my stomach (my pouch) is probably expanded some ( it has a little) he said that it would effect the amount of weight I would lose with the Sleeve, he expects me to be more to the 60% end of the percentage.... My question is, is there any revisioners who have achieved the 80% mark, I truly believe I can get to the 80% (I know how I am when my back is against the wall, I'm a fighter) and I am praying I can lose 100% of my excess weight, I'm starting now... I just would like to hear from you... thanks

Yay! I am so glad you are doing so well. I had a revision as well and I totally agree about the "crap band." Enjoy the new you! I bet you will be doing lots of shopping very soon.

After having my band for 3 years, I have finally decided after much research to visit with a physician about revising to the sleeve. My band was great the first year and a half, helping me lose 100 pounds. But, I have basically been at a standstill since. And, I wanted so much to be at a much lighter place at this point out. So, I give thanks to my band getting me to this point, but now time to move on! After reviewing physicians from San Antonio and the DFW area, I have chosen to meet with Dr. Kim. I know a few of you on here have used him. What can I expect? Are there specific questions that I need to ask that help you on your revision journey?? How long after meeting with him were you able to schedule surgery? Did you have to stay overnight in the hospital or was the procedure performed as outpatient? i was self pay with my band, and will more than likely be the same with the sleeve. I am excited to move with my life and with less weight! I thoroughly believe that if the sleeve had been much more widely used 3 years ago, I definitely would have chosen that route instead of the band. I have visitied with my band physician about the "stall" in weight loss and have been told everyone hits a plateau. Yes, I do believe that, but not for 1 1/2 years. I can get a fill now and it provides "good" restriction for about a week, and then it's back to a minimal restriction. I was concerned about pouch dilation or slippage, but they assure me that all is find and my pouch is perfect!! Thanks in advance for all your advice! I am so glad that I have found this board and people who are going through the same band issues as I have had!!! Thanks a million!!!! Deb

There's an entire forum for what you ask for: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

I had a revision october 24th due to the band port leaking. I was banded december of 2004 and never reached my goal with it, wasn't able to get adjusted just right and then within the last couple months found that the port was leaking. My surgeon decided that because of the problems I had, instead of putting in another band, he would convert me to the sleeve. I am one week out and feel great. Hope you can get turned around.