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Anyone have a similar story? Had my husband rush me to the ER on Saturday because I thought I was having a heart attack. Just out of the blue I had severe chest pain right below my xiphoid process/sternum with shortness of breath. (I was on FaceBook and drinking a cup of coffee.) It lasted about an hour then just vanished as quickly as it came on. All of my tests and EKG were normal, so the ER discharged me and sent me on my merry way. I called my surgeon and he thinks it sounds like a possible "internal hernia." I questioned rather he thought it might be gall stones, but he said I didn't have any of the classic symptoms. Going on Monday for "laparoscopic exploratory surgery" and whatever they find, they will repair it while they're in there. Anyone have a similar experience? If so, what did they end up finding? P.s. I am 5 months out RNY revision from Lap Band.

@favoredlife....my understanding is that it is impossible to stretch the actual sleeve. What happens is that on extreme overeating, the area where pyloric valve meets the intestine, the intestine will actually balloon at this weak point....thus stretching the intestine not the stomach....this is how my surgeon explained it me....small comfort to your cousin of course as the result is the same...revision

Tigerbelle, I did have a NUT consultation. But I'm also self-pay via Mexico. I can email the nutritionist at any time, but can't actually go see her. I'm just not sure what I'd say to her...hey, I feel fine, don't have any problems with food or Water, just wish I were losing! She's going to tell me stuff I already know...aim for 1-2 lbs/week, track the calories/protein, drink 8 glasses of water/day, etc... Health-wise, I feel fine! That's kind of scary, too...LOL, as in, I don't feel like I've had the sleeve done at all....maybe I dreamed it? Laura, yes, I'm a revision patient. I need to lose 25 lbs to get back to my original goal...but ideally, would like to go 10-15 past that. So not a whole lot to lose. I do think that my band habits help...I already tend to chew food well, eat slowly, etc. I'm hoping that I'll start feeling more positive now that I'm back home. It's a lot easier to track calories and plan food.

You are a band to sleeve patient right? I think just from being here and reading so much that revision patients sleeves work somewhat differently sometimes resulting in an easier time at eating and a somewhat slower loss. Is it because of the band or the typical lower BMI of band patients? I don't know... But don't panic or feel bad I'm sure the weight will come off. You may just have to work it a little harder.

I had my revision to the sleeve on 1/13. 4 weeks ago today. I've lost 23 pounds and I love the feeling of not having the band! I can't explain it but I feel so much better without it. All the research I've done people seem to have great results with the sleeve. As of right now I'm very happy!

I weighed about 272 when I was banded in March 2001. I never got under 200# and regained after I had to have Fluid removed due to issues with reflux and vomiting all the time. I revised to the sleeve in 2011 and weighed 308. I have since lost 160# and am at a normal BMI weighing around 148-150#.

There would not be a band to sleeve revision forum if the band was a good thing. The band can ruin your stomach to the point that you could not even get a revision to a sleeve. The band has damaged so many people's stomachs, that I have lost count. I got the band because I didn't want gastric bypass, and at that time, it was the only other thing available. I had it taken out when I started throwing up in my sleep.

from palo alto here revision from lap band to vsg july 11 2017 Sent from my SM-G935F using BariatricPal mobile app

I know that some people really do have a hard time. However, I have been reading these forums since last year and what I have noticed is that MOST of the people who feel like they are dying/feel horrible/regret the surgery are actually having either emotional or compliance issues. OR they really didn't know what to expect. People have unrealistic expectations and do things like progress through food too fast, don't pay attention the Fluid intake, don't pay attention to the Protein needs, dont take a PPI etc. etc. I also think some of the "pain" that people feel is food denial. I don't know if any of this applies to your friend. A nurse at my Docs practice is a band to sleeve revision. Presurgery she told me that revision patients don't have all the problems she hears about from sleeve patients because they know what to expect, understand the rules, understand small quantities and understand about separating food from liquids. This is just one nurse's opinion, but I think i see this in the forums too, some people just don't know what they signed up for so then complain mightily when they have some discomfort and emotional distress. You have been through this once so have an idea of what to expect. I also saw a bariatric doctor (not a surgeon) who is a (dissatisfied) band patient herself and has several patients who are revisions. She warned me that I would feel worse then I did after the band surgery (true). She also warned me that the exhaustion/recovery seems much longer and that is primarily due to dyhydration, also true. She encouraged me to seek the IV drip if I got dehydrated, don't suffer. It is true that it was harder recovery then the band, but for me, not because of pain but because eating/drinking was just harder the first month or two.

I have a friend who just had her sleeve done (not a revision) and I know this is mean but all her whining and complaining on Facebook about how she feels so sh&*-y is freaking me out! If I recall correctly my band recovery 3 years ago wasn't sure too bad. If nothing else it was a piece of cake next to tummy tuck recovery a year ago! I have a pretty high threshold for pain (can tell ya about tattoos and piercings lol) but she's really getting to me!!! Is it really that bad???

Every Dr handles this different, just like diets. I had no fill at time of surgery 3cc 6wks out, 1.5cc during revision surgery and .5cc 6wks after that. IMHO, getting smaller fills after major fills, is the way to go. You don't want to over shoot the green zone. My last fill, Dr tried 1cc and instantly couldn't drink Water and half was removed. Your Dr is the best one to make these choices, by what you tell them. So far, I have never heard of anyone being filled to the max and not having restriction. Love to hear if its possible.

I need some advice. I have a band and type 1 diabetes. I follow protocol to a T and have not dropped an ounce in over a year. My question is, would a sleeve be any different, considering they are both restrictive procedures? I am lost and frustrated, depression is setting in big time. What makes it all the worse, is my husband also has a band and is losing like crazy. He eats WAY more than me and exercises much less. I want to be happy for him, but I am so envious it's killing me inside. I know it has quite a bit to do with insulin, so my doctor told me to think about revision. I am just frightened that if I go under the knife again to be sleeved, that its not going to be much different. Any advice welcomed.

I've been obsessed with this site and OH for the last week or so. And, I know that leaks are uncommon but I've also read about a few who have had them and one or two who are dealing with MAJOR stuff because of them not healing. My question is, how many of you who had leaks after surgery know the leaks were caused from being revised from another surgery? Ok, so there's more than one question, LOL. Second one is, those of you who had leaks that were not caused by damage done from the band or from whatever it was that you were revised from, were they the surgeons fault or was it something that just happened without a known cause? I am a smoker, and if I get approved for surgery I do plan on quitting beforehand. But, because of being a smoker for 17 years now, I have to cough from time to time and sometimes even have coughing fits if I have or am getting over a cold. I have a 6 year old so I'm constantly getting exposed to his little colds he brings home from school and usually end up sneezing and coughing alot and I'm freaking out over that happening right after surgery and winding up in a horrible situation. Basically, if someone who's never had any other WLS surgery does the VSG and follows the diet to a tee, they have pretty good odds that a leak won't happen right? I know alot depends on the surgeon. But, leaving the surgeon out of the equation. The one I'm looking at hasn't done a ton of VSG's but has been doing bypasses for several years and has been a general surgeon for many years and has had to do removal of parts of the stomach due to cancers and things. So, I'm hoping that if he's who my pcp refers me to, he's got an awesome handle on the whole thing. Anyway, just looking for leak experiences with the whole back story, no matter what they may be. And, I just want to say that I'm so glad you are on the other side of that experience!!! And if you are still going through it, I pray for your healing!! Thanks in advance and God Bless!! Krystal

I started therapy before I had my surgery, on my surgeon's recommendation...I am a revision person, meaning that I've had WLS before and VSG was my second surgery, and he recommended that I go through therapy for extra support....and it has helped....I use my therapy time to really self-examine how I managed to lose and regain 120 pounds in the past....and I'm still a work in progress

Since having the lap band for 4years i had The most wt loss in the first year but I didn't have the correct support or Dr & I was cash paying. Why do I mention that? Because when u go through your insurance they make u go through a lot of hoops that seem ridiculous but now that I'm going through the hoops to get a revision to a sleeve and insurance require more dr appts and nutritional & dietician appt it keeps u accountable. I didn't have that when I paid cash and well I NEEDED THAT. I DIDNT KNOW HOW TO PREPARE FOR MYSELF but for my children and hubby I'm on top of it. I decided its time to put me n my health first so I believe the sleeve is right for me. I financially couldn't keep up with fills and unfills but my suggestion to you BANDSTERS. Strength train 5day AWEEK Measure your food ahead of time Think a week in advance Don't cheat urself MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF NO MATTER WHAT U HAVE TO DO WAKE UP EARLIER OR WORK OUT IN LIVING ROOM W WTS EVEN GET A PERSONAL TRAINER THEY KNOW HOW TO HELP U AND NOT BOSS U. MOST I ALL DONT GIVE UP✌️????????????

Revision to bypass was one of the best decisions ever. My GERD is not gone but way better.

Congrats and good luck! I had my band removed back in March and revised to the Bypass... Best damn thing I've done for myself in a very long time!

Well, U will find great deal of people here with HORRIBLE experiences with the band on here. Mine wasnt at all horrible. or even bad. I am just saying with all the "under preparation" and my AMAZING surgeon been the best at the procedure but not the follow up ( so I seeked another one who helped) I still managed to to lose with the band but It was my own effort at the end of it. I am not a big fan of the mechanism of the band after experiencing the sleeve sensation. Everyone's experience is different, urs I'd consider way ugly than mine, Slipping and such complications aren't just great! Mine was just plateauing and having side effect of not able to consume healthier food, which most of ppl on this board find it the biggest reason for their revision. You are lucky about not having the hunger as your friend, I wasnt and may be more 100 people I know arent too:) I am not talking out of generally speaking , I am talking out of personal experiences sharing! from different continents:) so may be you were just unique. I can see the band is working too good for you aside from the slipping, Mine never had any complications and I had it for 8 years, all the doctors I had to consult for my sleeve had to thankfully praise for my surgeon. So If it is just a matter of slippage and you are just delighted that much with the band why not try fixing the slipping, I am no expert but I have heard people having another band after their slips. I can see how happy you are with it EVEN with the slipping thats why I am wondering why are you researching the sleeve? if I may just ask. The band for me should be stopped, many people wasted money on it and others suffers in such big deal of going crazy with their food and their feelings. I wasnt diagnosed with anything, but the port pain was such a huge pain in my left side that it reached my upper thigh, after the band was removed there is non of this terrible pain which was my friend day and night and especially after my work outs. I am considered a lap band success story by many doctors here, but they still agree that the work was almost mine at keeping the weight off and at losing the last 40-50 pounds. Dumping started with me since the band but it actually arises more after the sleeve after removing my gallbladder (turns out it was no good after the excess weight loss) so we had it removed at the day I had the sleeve. So my dumping showed at my band time with some diarrhea , after the sleeve it is more like, not feeling well for 5 mins or more if i had something not sugar high no, just something fat concentrated with some sugar. my surgeon told me the gallbladder is a big factor in this too.

I am sorry I havent read all the conversation down under the main topics but I wanna add that once I had the sleeve, and had my band removed, lots of physical pain that no doctor has an explanation for, just vanished. My face look a lot better, I dont think it is not only about the weight loss but it is also related to that am able to eat healthy food now and stay full. With the band I was a good patient with no knowledge what so ever. I didnt research a lot like the sleeve, my doctor was one of the biggest surgeons here but he is not into the band and he didnt give me good guidelines about the band, he just pointed out that am not supposed to have anymore sugar in my diet ( eating or drinking) I lost good 70 pounds with band then 40 more on my own, the band wasnt working. I didnt know about the Water rule for the first 2 years and I still lost weight and when I knew about it when I plateaued I started losing again but come to think about it, I was never able to eat chicken meat or any dense food. I was stuck to Sushi and fish which is a bit boring and expensive. When I go crazy I can rely on sweets and Desserts which is not a good way to a healthy life. Now with the sleeve I sometimes hate my life for not being able to consume any ice cream or desserts but then when I fit into cloth and have that confidence I dont know where it came from .. I no longer hate that I cant eat sweets. Actually I think the band should be banned for good. It drives you crazy! for people who says they find their sweet spot they are just adapting the hungry feeling all the time. It drives u mentally to be unstable. it deprives your body of good nutrition. I swear my face now when I look at it , it is totally colorful but when I browse my band photos I find someone missing life from their face. I am lucky along with others who chose the sleeve, even with complications that may occur I am still more secured with the complication of being obese and others that may occur ( mentally & physically) from the band. The band is good for someone who is looking t lose 50 pounds at most! Good chat u had there and I hope this lap band patient can find another insurance to do her revision.

I’m Week 4 after my band to sleeve revision and am on soft foods. I can eat a whole egg and one toast. I don’t feel full afterward but stop myself from eating as I don’t want to eat too much. Should I feel full when eating an egg and one toast? Is this normal?

I've read probably 100 posts...which have all been amazingly helpful here. Every time I tell myself I'm going with the sleeve, I read the next post and believe full heartedly I should go with the bypass??? I know this is an ever-popular question but I am feeling so confused. I don't currently have GERD but is sounds horrible. I also don't like the idea of "dumping". I want to lose 150 pounds. I am 100% committed and ready for surgery which will probably be this November or early December. I want to make the best, most informed decision for myself. I don't want a revision down the line...not that anyone does. One question I have is does artificial sugar/sweeteners cause dumping with the bypass? I'm 45, 298.6 pounds today. Just got approved yesterday and am super excited---------just confused LOL. Wishing all the PALS here the best!

No. I am not symptomatic. In the past year I recall discomfort once and that was after drinking several mimosas that were mostly orange juice on one day during the summer. I am seeing my doctor on Monday and am scheduled for lap band revision to sleeve on Tuesday December 29. I'm praying for no surprises. I reached out to my surgeon after seeing my results and now she wants to see me.

They want people to jump through the hoops.. I know someone that had a similar problem (she’s in the process of getting revision to the sleeve) her doctor had to write a letter of necessity and submit documentation from the time she got it until today. There are a lot of people coming back from lap band having similar issues as yours...acid reflux and tolerance to certain foods. I hope you get a resolution... acid reflux is not fun! [emoji57] [emoji991] Instagram: milaalmodovar [emoji317] SC: almodovarmila

there are virtually no dumping with the sleeve and its extremly rare, no malabsorb with the sleeve, no puking, no limit of size food to a point that one eats, or great restriction. Yer band is in there just as long as somone who started at 400 pounds. If you had to have it remove, and didnt want weight gain again you would still have to do a revision surgery. You still have the same odds of typical LB problems popping up as any of the others with more weight to lose. JMO, but I think you have subjected yourself to the same issues you didnt want t have, down the road. JMO, no offense intended. Sandy

I would look for a surgeon who has a better track record. I lost over 150# in 14 months after revising from band. I have been maintaining for over 3 years...