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I had the sleeve then had a revision to mgb due to reflux and I still have horrible reflux. Now I have to get a revision to full gastric bypass to get rid of the reflux. And of course insurance is refusing to pay for it.

I was lapband from 2005-2014 and had no hair loss, I was revised to sleeve 4/9/2014 and so far no hair loss..i have been taking biotin 7500 mcg since 2005 and my hair and nails are healthy...I believe the highest dosage is 10,000 mcg

I was also Jan. 7th. I was a revision band to sleeve. I have lost 31 pounds. I feel great and can eat pretty much everything with no problems.

I had my band for nearly 10 years and in the beginning it worked but about the 4th year things began to change. Not only did I have to have some of the saline removed but I still continuing to throw up. So in between the throwing up and weight gain I was miserable. But I still kept trying to lose the weight. It has been a struggle but the best decision I could have ever made for myself was having the revision to the sleeve. I too had a lot of scar tissue from the band but my surgery was a success. The progress is slowly moving towards the positive and I am so happy. For those considering a revision to the sleeve don't be scared. This is the best option and I wish you nothing but success.

Hi Everyone, I've followed VST for several years and finally joined. For years I've found this board so informative and helpful. Many thanks to all of you who have shared your stories, situations, ups and downs, victories and accomplishments! I'm positive there are many of us who are lurking in the background, learning, reading, watching, waiting and wishing. Fortunately, for me, I've jumped through all the hoops and completed all the pre this and that and I'm having my revision on Monday May 6. Heres my story..... In 2002, I "bought" a lap band... I'm 4'11", my starting weight was 202 lbs and my lowest weight was 135 lbs. I've had a love hate (mostly hate) relationship with my band for over 11 years, now I'm thrilled to have it removed. With my lapband, I reached 135 lbs by way of "overfills", puking and chewing and spitting my food. I never successfully found my "sweet spot". I maintained my weight for over a year around 2006 and had 26k in plastic surgery...lower body lift, breast lift, liposuction to arms, thighs, axilla etc.. HUGE MISTAKE. Shortly after my plastic surgery I began having serious complications with my persnickety lapband - vomiting blood, shortness of breath, chest pain etc.. Went to the Dr. after "band slip this and dilated that" (I was told about 5-6 different reasons) and various other band issues the unfilled my lapband and left it to heal. Once I had it unfilled, my Dr. went into teaching and was no longer doing any WLS. When I was ready, not one Dr wanted to refill or touch my lapband after my previous complications...they all recommeded removing and revising to RNY. I was reluctant to have RNY and decided to just deal with it. Over time I noticed, I couldn't wear tight pants, tight bra, or anything that was restricting, most anything that put pressure in any area of my abdomen left me miserable. This year I began to have some serious breathing issues...went through a multitude of tests, eventually was diagnosed with adult onset asthma...started on steroid injections then steroid dose packs, steroid nasal and steroid oral inhalers etc...the list is long and I could go on but to make it short...finally after more testing etc.. the GI doctor discovered that all of my issues have been caused by my lapband. I addition, I've regained all the weight, ballooned up to 214 lbs, and Im now hypertensive and prediabetic. It's been a turbulent ride!! My question is... has anyone else out there had their lapband for over 10 years when they were revised to sleeve? I've had long conversations with my Dr about the possible complications and risk etc...he has reassured me too many times to count. I have great confidence in him and I know I'm in good hands but I'm curious if anyone else out there has been down this road as well. Thank you!!!!

Well, I'd was holding out hope that maybe just maybe sticking to soft(but nutritionally sound) foods would result in a miracle and I'd be able to start working in some normal foods and not need surgery. Alas...attended a party yesterday where I managed a couple of tablespoons of guacmole, a teaspoon of corn salad and two mini empanadas - or so I thought.A half hour after my last bite I was in the bathroom - SIX times before leaving for home. It continued after I got home and removed my "second band" - my bra. Later that night I barely got down a cup of hot tea. Amusingly enough a friend who is also banded was at the party. She's had several fills, and had no trouble eat small amounts of all the different foods served - and there I am with no fill barfing to beat the band. Pretty much decided that when the band comes out, the surgeon would do a vertical sleeve - after all that's what we'd talked about. Called my insurance carrier and they were okay with this - no additional hoops to jump through. Imagine my surprise when the case coordinator called to tell me that before a removal/revision, I'd have to have another psych consult, testing, nutritional counseling, attend a class about WLS and two support groups. It took some back and forth for me to finally get her to tell me that while my insurance carrier does not require this, their practice does!? Really - did you tell your surgeon this 'cause he was planning to do the full monty in a couple of weeks. Now my choice is to try to run around and get all these additional "requirements" done in a couple of weeks before a 6/15 surgery date, or have the band out and then go through the whole set of hoops again for another surgery in a couple of months OR wait to have the removal/revision after I fulfill these requirements again. Seriously?

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

I'm nervous too but I have my first consult to the revision on the 9th. Thank you in advance, Amy

hello i had my band for 9 years just had a revision to sleeve on 4-16-13. I am so happy i did.

I've had mine 9 years coming up in September. Just went to my surgeons office today to discuss removal. I hate it! I have an endoscopy scheduled on 5/16 to see if their are complications from it, etc. Good Luck on getting your revision!!!

I had mine for 8 years before having revision surgery in June 2012...

My BFF had hers for 11 yrs, converted to DS. Took 6 hrs to remove, TONS of scar tissue and other issues. She's going great now. I had my band for almost 8 yrs, no issues at all with the removal and revision.

I'm also scheduled with Dr Garcia 7/9. I'm a revision, but lap band already removed. Getting nervous as it gets closer.!

I am is the prossess of trying to get my band to sleeve revision ... Had swallow test yesturday ... Band empty on the 30th and the endo. on the 26 of sept. . Are you vomiting alot ?I know I am and I fugured that why I had to do all that

Hi all, I am pretty new here, only a few weeks. Tomorrow I will have my band removed. I will have to wait a few months(about 6) to see if my area heals before anyone will touch me as my damage is pretty extensive and I won't know if I am actually a candidate for the sleeve (right now I am not) I hope everyone does well with their band to sleeve revision, thanks for posting info. Mila

@@loulou29 Welcome to Bariatric Pal! I understand your fears and applaud you for making the choice to change your life in a positive way. Much of what the posters above said is accurate. Not much is known about the surgical procedures performed today 20 years out since they have been revised from procedures that were performed 20 years ago. As we learn more and more about obesity and it's causes, effects, and ways to combat the disease and resolve the symptoms technology and medical science change the way procedures are preformed and apparatus are improved. I understand your hesitation in having something foreign in your body for the rest of your life especially given your age, that can and hopefully will be a long long time. My husband recently had hip replacement surgery and he and some of the less experienced doctors were also afraid of how/if that might break down on him over time since he is much younger then most people who receive hip replacement surgery. The pain for him was so great that there was no choice, when we consulted a specialist in the field he advised my husband that the risk of needing another revision was minimal. When we went to the hospital and spoke with Dr. and nurses who had been there for 20+ years I asked them how many revisions and replacements of parts they had seen in the years from patients and they all replied Zero! That boosted his confidence he had the surgery this May and has been running around literally ever since! The lapband is meant to last your whole life long. However that does not mean that you might not down the line revise to another surgery, and/or have some parts like the port switched out as you lose your weight. There is a low profile port that they can use once the weight is lost to minimize seeing anything under the skin. They can also "relocate" the port to make it less visible. These are all things to discuss with your doctor’s office when you go through the process of scheduling your surgery. As improvements come along, we all like to be able to take advantage of them. Years ago port revisions were not an option today they are, so keep an open mind and know that there is always improvement in all areas. At your age the band is the way I would go. In fact I advise my step son who is 25 the same way. With the band you have options with other surgeries you don't have as many options but the other surgeries can become options as you move forward if you wanted a revision down the road. Do your research and due diligence when choosing your surgeon, ask many many questions. Read through this site, ask lots of questions here too. You will get a million and one helpful, not so helpful supportive, informative sometimes scary answers. Take them all in keep what applies to you and discard the rest. Read @@Alex Brecher WLS books and once again Welcome to Bariatric Pal! Hope to hear more from you!!

My surgery (revision from sleeve to gastric bypass) is at 9:30 tomorrow. I took a few bites of food tonight [emoji30][emoji30] I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It was super soft food. Like veggies strained from my soup. Will I be ok tomorrow? I’m so afraid they will go in and see food and not do surgery. I’m sure I’m over reacting.

Hi, I too was banded in January 2009. Did well at first then i plateaued @ about 205. I could not get below 200 for months. then i finally came down below 200lbs. I always had problems with certain foods, vomiting, hicuping and needing soda the push the air out so i can eat. About 18months ago I had bilateral knee replacements and I ate 3meals and 2 Snacks while i was rehabing, i was as low as 185lbs. last year I had to get a upper gi because i was having pain in my chest and burning in my esophgus most times i eat. Doctor found that my band was very restrictive and causing my esophgus to work harded and swell. Fluid was removed and i felt better but still did not fell full, causing me to eat more then I should. I had anoth GI study last month, which was better, but my esophgus is still a little swollen. I asked my doctor for a revision, found out this week I was aproved and my surgery is June 2nd band to gastric sleeve. I am now 238lb, 7lbs more the last week

Hi all, I cannot find any info on this site of anyone dealing with Harvard Pilgrim for this surgery, more specifically a band to sleeve revision.. My surgeon has approved me for this revision and said he is willing to help me fight to get it. I am no stranger to this site as I followed it over from lapbandtalk.com when I saw how many people were getting revisions and having beter success. The hunger with the band is killing me, and the constant fill/ unfill process is getting old. I am over the extremes of starving or sliming.. And always feeling hungry.. My doc feels as though the sleeve would be a better choice to address the hunger issues. I have lost 50lbs with the band since 3/19/08 (246lbs-195) and have maintained, which is considered average- but the surgeon thinks I could stand to lose another 50-60lbs.. At 5' 3.5", my personal goal is another 50, anything extra would be a bonus! Supposedly Harvard Pilgrim is one of the top insurance carriers now adays, and have always been great to deal with, and quick with descisions. The doc wants me back in 2 months to see what progress he's made with HP and for me to see the nutritionist every 2 weeks until then and get a print out from my gym of my visit dates to show a paper trail to help my case. He feels as though the sleeve will be the new band and that the band is already phasing out due to complications and lack of success. He also feels that now there is 5 year research out on the sleeve that more insurance company's will cover the surgery. As of now HarvardPilgrim.com states that it does not cover the sleeve, however when I called to inquire if I could get around it they suggested my surgeon call with more info and codes.. Any ideas or experiences with Harvard Pilgrim? Thanks in advance for any input, Kerri:)

I think looking at statistics is very important, but in the end your personal contribution to the effort makes a big difference in results. I think it is risky to get the sleeve if you already suffer from reflux. That is the #1 serious long term complication from the sleeve. I spent a long time thinking about whether I could live with it since something like 20-30% of people have it long term - sometimes it doesn't even show up until years down the road. If you don't have any "contradictions" to either surgery, i think really researching lifestyle impacts etc is important. They are both "good" alternatives but have pros and cons. I am 3.5 years post band to sleeve revision and very happy with my choice.

The studies show about 5% will have their bands removed. Some of the complications such as slips, dilation and erosion can occur with the band. I guess you could say these are failed bands or banded patients. There are also failed sleeves and bypasses but they have nothing to be removed so most of them go quietly with their lives. Many people who have their bands removed revise to a sleeve or bypass and that's the silver lining with the band.

Most peoples slider r ice cream, puddings, soft items like that. After my lapband almoddt 4 yrs ago, I found my slider was popcorn. I could eat a whole tub of movie popcorn. I'm now 10 weeks out revision and went to the movies last week. Was hoping it would no longer be a slider for me. No such luck. Had to get up and throw the bag of popcorn away after eating more than a fair portion (hubby had enuf anyway). Damn. Thought the sleeve would fix that.

Of couse I was at work so I missed the call. It was the Aetna nurse. I did talk to the doc's insuracne person late tuesday so I assume she's submitted the revision paperwork - might Aetna be calling me to comfirm or praytell guild me thru the process? I will call on monday because she left her direct extention.

Awesome news and congrats!!! I will be having my band to sleeve revision next Friday.

I am a month post op. I am a revision from sleeve to RNY. The first week I lost 18 pounds. Absolutely nothing since. I have actually gained 2 pounds of that back with no reason to. I am now on regular foods and do everything I can to get Protein in with foods. I cannot drink the shakes because they make me sick. I have given up everything as I needed to. I eat chicken, fish, Beans, Greek yogurt, turkey, vegetables and little fruits. I drink Water only. I feel like this has failed me. I feel like I am doing everything I am supposed to. This is a true 3 week stall after only being a month out. I have measured and my measurements haven't changed during this time either. With a 2 pound gain. Help!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App