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An 40 pounds from my weigh goal and had my band removed. What is success rate with lower weight loss?

Been on a break from the site for a while... had my surgery back on 11-12-13. Sw 257lbs, Reached goal of 150 at 14 months out (January 2015)....got pregnant literally less than a week later. Baby girl is almost 2 now. Since my surgery I have suffered from reflux and its gotten continually worse to the point I feel like my inside are literally on fire. I also have no restriction whatsoever since my pregnancy and have managed to get back up to 185. I had an esophagram done may 5th and my surgeon wants to revise me to RNY sometime this month. They have already submitted to my insurance and I am just waiting for my approval. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. so happy to get relief from the reflux and get back on track

Hi all! I'm going for my first consultation with to see if I'm eligible to have a revision surgery from Lapband to Sleeve and I'm concerned about my BMI. Right now, my BMI is 34, and I know my insurance will cover the surgery if the revision is medically necessary. I'm having the worst experience with the band (chest pain, GERD, stuck with everything, vomiting, etc). I was banded 3 years ago and I lost 19 pounds with the band in some point, mostly because I was unable to passed food, but as soon as my band got deflated due to complications, I gained all the weight back. I still have high cholesterol, POS and insulin resistance. Anyone have had a revision done with a "lower BMI" in Arizona? Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Anyone who has military affiliation know if tricare will cover this?

I don't know about revisions, but yes, vertical sleeve and gastric sleeve is the same. The procedure is called vertical gastric sleeve.

Hi. I'm new to this forum. I got my band in 2009 and have lost a total of 30 pounds, gained 20 back. Weirdly my lowest weight was when I was 7 months pregnant! I hate my band and have an appointment for the beginning stages of revision to sleeve. I was wondering if anyone has gone to Dr. Attia in Vineland?

Hello, I am probably going to have a band revision done at sometime this year due to a hital hernia (my first dr. stated in her paper work I did not have one before the surgery and now 3 years later I have one) and my current LB doctor would like to do a revision and fix the hernia and maybe reposition the band....has anyone had this done at all? I had such a hard time trying to find a new doctor as my old one left to open up a new center in Chicago...sometimes I regret my decision to have the surgery if I knew then what I know now about other LB doctors not wanting to take on new patients....what happens when you move/or your doctor leaves the practice? Thanks!

Hello, I was banded on April 4, 2007. I was at 285lbs and it is now 2009 and I am only at 263lbs:mad:. I have discussed this with my physician because she do not have a clue of what is going on:huh2:. I go get a fill and in less than a week my restriction is gone.:thumbup: Then I go right back to her and the same thing happens again:frown:. Then she restricted me so much that I could not even get a bottle of Water down. So I went back to get it unfilled. She talked to a DR in KY who told her to have me under fluro, drink barium and look at the band which she did. According to her she do not see any leakage:smile2:, she filled the band again and the same thing happen. I am tired because I have gotten 12 fills in 2 months and this is ridiculous. I have started to see another surgeon, i transfered my medical records to them, and they want me to go through the whole seeing a psychiatrist, and weight loss seminar etc and then he tells me we are going to take a look at the band and see if we can work with it!! I have been working with it for 2yrs. Can anyone give me some feedback of a Dr in Indianapolis who is not going to go through all this and understand what I have been through to help instead of trying to milk my insurance company and my pockets? I know "sorry to hear about my band" lol. Any feedback will be helpful. O and by the way, I work out six times a week for 1 1/2 hrs and my diet is nothing but fresh fruits and vegtables, steamed and baked fish or chicken NO SWEETS AT ALL, NO SODA, NO ICE CREAM none of that, and it is still not working. Can anyone give some advice on a DR. Thanks:lol::smile2:

I am having a T.O.R.e procedure on the 6th. I was wondering if anyone here has had one or even heard of it (lol). Any advice would be helpful!! I had my bypass 11 years ago and made some bad choices which led me here.

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

Laying here in the hospital trying to sip my oz of Water. My surgery lasted like 4 1/2 hours. Turns out my prolapse had adhered itself to my liver, so they had to remove scar tissue from my liver Andy stomach. Just got my catheter out, o2 turned down to one, now if I could just stay awake b Pain is still pretty bad when I try to get out of bed. The pain is just on by side. The big incision they take everything out of that corresponds with the liver repair.

Hi my name is JAMES I ad a revision from sleeve to bypass nearly two weeks ago. Would like to talk with others who have had it done, as I have some concerns that I wish to talk about. I don't feel any different after the revision like I did after the sleeve. Eg feel no restriction and never had any real pain after the op. looking forward to hearing fom you. Sorry about missing spelling in heading should have been people. Edit won't let me get back to and change it. Lol

Brenda, how are you feeling now? Are you starting to get your strength back a little bit? Hope the pain and sinus drainage is letting up. Did you stay overnight at the hospital w/this revision surgery? Take care.

I had my lapband in 2008. My band has a leak. They sent the paperwork to my insurance ( Optima ) and they gave their approval within 2 weeks for me to have the band to sleeve revision. They pay for all of it. My surgery is May 3

I had my lap band and gall bladder out Jan 2015, I am retired Tricare, I have 5 comorbilities and my bariactric surgeon is requesting approval for the bypass now. Does anyone know if Tricare will cover this as a 2 stage revision after the lap band is removed?

So I Had My Gastric Sleeve Done IN June Of 2013 I STARTED Out At 327 An Got Down To 244 AS Of March 2014. I was hitting many obstacles an had a injury at work which made it to were i couldn't work out. I had many stalls an no longer loose weight an actually started gaining an now up to 271. After talking to my husband i sometimes think i never got the sleeve done the reason being is comparing everything to his. I never had the dye test done an wasn't loosing weight good. I was pretty much starving myself an was hungry all the time an even now when i eat i can eat a normal meal like someone that hasn't had it done. I emailed the doctors office that performed it because i now want some type of proof it was done. If it was done i wanna no why he left my sleeve big enough for me to not be able to get great weight loss like others an why did i not have the dye test done or they never called me for follow ups. Has anyone had anything simular like this happen to them an reconsidering a revision?

Hi there!! This is my first post here. I am scheduled for revision from lap band to gastric bypass Dec 12th in Tijuana with Dr Coravala in Angeles hospital. Has anyone else used him? Also, can anyone give me more information on how you are doing after the revision? I’m very concerned because I know it has a higher risk of complications.

Help!! I am wondering if anyone has any experience with Highmark after having a revision. I am looking to have a band to sleeve revision but I am concerned that it may possibly not be covered due to my current BMI which is 35. According to my plan coverage it states it will be covered at 35 with at least 1 co morbidity if there was failure to lose weight or complications which I fit. My concern is the co morbidities. I have had sleep apnea when I was diagnosed prior to banding 5 years ago but unsure if I do currently .. although my husband and kids say I am snoring really loud now again.. but I haven’t had and new sleep studies. I really need to get this surgery done and I don’t want to disqualify myself for insurance payment. I really don’t want to gain weight ..any suggestions or input on what I should do!!!!! HELPPPPPP!!!!!!!

Hello! I am looking for any advice to help with this dilema. I have had the lap band 2 1/2 years with great success. A few months ago I was violently ill with the flu and the band slipped. The company I work for changed insurance in Jan 2010 to Anthem BC BS California. The insurance co is denying my claim for revision surgery due to an exclusion placed by my company P&G. Ins is telling me that I have to request an exception from my company benefits manager. When I try to get that information I am giving a title & po box to mail all requests. This has been 2-3 months ago! I have no way to contact anyone directly and the insurance company keeps pushing it back on my company. P&G. If anyone out there has had a slipped band, you understand just how painfull and misreable it can make your life! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi there! Welcome! I wrote this list a liong time ago. It's based on my own, personal experience, so it may not apply to you. Some of it that is not relevent any more has been cut out, so if you see numbers missing, that's what happened. Best wishes to you on your journey! INDEX: 1. Any question that begins with "Should I ask my Doctor about 2. "Should I tell my family and friends?" 3. "Is it normal to be REALLY NERVOUS and wonder if I will fail at this?" 4. "How can I tell if my band slipped?” 5. "Why can I eat this food one day, but not the next?" 7. "Is it possible to get pregnant while wearing a Lap-Band?" 8. "Will my tastes in food change because of this?" 9. "What food will I be able, or unable, to eat?" 10. "I weigh XXX pounds. Am I too big for the Lap-Band, and will I lose weight with it?" 11. "It's been XX days, and the scale hasn't moved. What am I doing wrong?" 12. "What are the slang words you use here, like "PB" or "SLIME"?" 13. "I had restriction, but it went away. Where did my restriction go?" 14. "Which surgery should I have?" 15. "What should I take to the hospital?” 16. "How many days should I take off work?” 17. "I'm "Stuck"! What do I do?" 18. "Do I qualify for surgery?" 19. "Will insurance pay for my surgery?" 20. "How much does surgery cost?" 21. "I'm sick, and have a fill scheduled for tomorrow. Should I cancel my fill?" 22. "How much food will I be able to eat at one meal? How much SHOULD I be eating?” 23. "How many fills will I need to hit my sweet spot?" 24. "What is the sweet spot?" 25. "How much exercise should I do?" 26. "I had a PB, when can I eat again?" 27. "What Is The Reason For A Pre-Op Diet?" 28. "My doctor said to avoid caffeine, why is that?” 29. "Can I have soda or a beer?" 30. "Can I use a straw?" 31. "Can I chew gum?" 32. "What is a "Soft Stop" and what will my "Soft Stop sign be?" 33. "How often should I weigh myself?" 34. "Why should I take measurements?" 35. "Why do I have to eat Protein first?" 36. "Why can't I drink with food, or for a half-hour after eating?” 37. "Will I have loose skin after the weight loss?" 38. "Why are there different band sizes?" 39. "Will I feel full with a Lap-Band?" 40. "How does a Lap-Band actually work?" 41. "How much Fluid should I be drinking per day?" 42. "Is the Lap-Band permanent?" 43. "What time should I stop eating during my day?" 44. "What is "Water-Loading" and why is it important?" 45. "Is it possible to stretch out the small stomach, or "Pouch"?" 46. "Is it normal to feel tighter in the morning than any other time of day?" 47. "How Important Is The Post-Op Diet?" 48. "Is it normal for a Lap-Band to feel tighter during my menstrual period?" 49. "Can I gulp fluids with a Lap-Band?" 50. "How long does it take to feel the effects of having a fill?" 1. Any question that begins with "Should I ask my Doctor about..." the answer is YES! It's their JOB to answer our questions! 2. "Should I tell my family and friends?" It's up to you. In an ideal world, everyone would love you and support your decision to have life-saving surgery. But this is the REAL WORLD, where some people just can't keep themselves from making nasty, hurtful, ignorant and insensitive comments to people. If you don't want those comments, or are not strong enough to NOT CARE what other people think, DON'T TELL THEM! 3. "Is it normal to be REALLY NERVOUS and wonder if I will fail at this?" Yes. All of us are lifetime failures at dieting and keeping off weight. That reality makes us question whether or not the Lap-Band will work for us, when we have failed so many times before. The Lap-Band is DIFFERENT, because it puts a physical LIMIT on how much we can hurt ourselves. Also, anyone who isn't nervous about having MAJOR SURGERY is very unusual. 4. "How can I tell if my band slipped?" You go to the doctor and have a fluoroscopic examination. People sometimes have slips with minor symptoms, and sometimes they have major symptoms. Band slips are indicated by sudden UNEXPLAINED RESTRICTION or sudden UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF RESTRICTION. If you have either of those symptoms, you need to call your doctor. 5. "Why can I eat this food one day, but not the next?" Some theorize that the Lap-Band is affected by the amount of dehydration of the patient's body. A person who is dehydrated may have a looser Lap-Band due to "Flatter" cells that are not fully hydrated. Conversely, a patient who is fully hydrated may experience a tighter lap-Band due to "Plumper" hydrated tissues. This is another reason to drink more fluid that you did before you were banded. 7. "Is it possible to get pregnant while wearing a Lap-Band?" Yes. All normal precautions to avoid pregnancy need to be followed if pregnancy is not desired. It has been speculated that morbidly obese females experience weight-related infertility, or impaired fertility. Many women who experience weight loss suddenly become pregnant after many years of trying. If a patient becomes pregnant, their doctor may or may not decide to unfill the Lap-Band for the duration of the pregnancy. Some doctors do not unfill, some unfill some of it, and some unfill all of it. If a patient is unfilled for the pregnancy, they must receive a fill or series of fills after the delivery to regain effective restriction. 8. "Will my tastes in food change because of this?" They might, they might not. Many people report intolerance for a certain food that they previously enjoyed. Many people also report an increased desire for spicier or tastier food. 9. "What food will I be able, or unable, to eat?" People have different food tolerances after being banded. Some people report that no food is difficult; some say bread, rice or Pasta is difficult. It all depends on the individual, and the only way to find out is to try that food for yourself. 10. "I weigh XXX pounds. Am I too big for the Lap-Band, and will I lose weight with it?" My starting weight was 570 pounds. Whether you lose weight with any weight loss surgery will depend on whether or not you adapt to the lifestyle modifications that the surgery requires. Success is ultimately up to you, and depends on your effort. 11. "It's been XX days, and the scale hasn't moved. What am I doing wrong?" Scale weight repeatedly stalls during the weight loss process. Common reasons include the following: (A) Patient is eating more than they think they are. ( Patient is retaining fluid for some reason, like salt intake or menstrual cycle © Patient's body is dehydrated, and is retaining fluid for that reason (D) Patient's body weight has increased due to muscle tissue increasing due to increased exercise (E) Unknown. The best way to not go insane about scale weight is simple: Stop weighing obsessively. Weigh in not more than once a week, because momentary weight fluctuations of as little as 1% of your body weight will wipe out a full week's weight loss. Take measurements before being banded so that when the scale weight stops, you can re-measure to see if your body size is shrinking while the scale stalls. EXPECT the scale loss to stall once in a while, this is NORMAL. Weight loss is a "Staircase, not a curve" that is, its stop, then drop, stop, and then drop. 12. "What are the slang words you use here, like "PB" or "SLIME"?" "Slime" refers to the uncontrollable production of saliva, which usually happens when a piece of food is "Stuck". "Sliming" can also occur as a reaction to eating too much food, or from not chewing food well enough. Sliming can lead to a "PB", or "Productive Burp", which is a small amount of vomit. 13. "I had restriction, but it went away. Where did my restriction go?" My experience with receiving fills has been a temporary restriction, caused by the swelling of the stomach post-fill. This temporary restriction is followed by a lessening restriction as the swelling subsides. That lessening restriction is usually followed by weight loss, which shrinks the residual fat-pad that lies between my Lap-Band and my stomach. The loss of the residual fat-pad causes a loss of restriction, due to increased space between the inside of the Lap-Band and the outside of the stomach. When I lose that restriction, the entire process begins again when I get another fill. I have had 7 fills now, and I go through the same process with every fill. 14. "Which surgery should I have?" The type of surgery that is best for you should be determined by you and your doctor. There may be underlying medical issues that you have that are not known to anyone but you and your doctor. Those medical issues may make a difference in which surgery is best for you. Every weight loss surgery has advantages and disadvantages. Doing the research into the different types of surgery is a very good idea. One more thing, weight loss surgery, in itself, does NOT guarantee the success of the patient. The patient who is determined to do whatever is required in adopting a new, healthier lifestyle will be successful, no matter what type of operation they have. 15. "What should I take to the hospital?” This varies from person to person, but the following are nearly universal: 1. Loose-fitting clothes for the trip home. 2. A pillow to cushion the tummy from the seat belt on the ride home. 3. Chap-Stick. 4. A CPAP if you use one, and the hospital permits patient's CPAPs instead of providing one for them. 5. Your insurance card and I.D. (You would be surprised how many patients forget this) you may decide to add items to this list. 16. "How many days should I take off work?" People will differ as to their recovery time. Most Lap-Band patients report that one week is sufficient time to recover enough to return to work, but if your job is physically demanding, you may require additional time off, or have restrictions placed on you. You may have restrictions on the amount of weight that you may lift. Please discuss this with your doctor, as they may be able to answer this question more accurately. 17. "I'm "Stuck"! What do I do?" Being "Stuck" means that a piece of food has lodged somewhere in your esophagus or stomach, causing extreme discomfort until the food dislodges. A "Stuck" happens because of a lack of chewing, or because the food was dry, or any number of reasons. The best way to prevent getting "Stuck" is the chew your food extremely well, and avoid dried-out foods. Unfortunately, there is no effective way to "Unstick" food. You just have to wait it out. The food will either eventually go down by itself, or you will "Slime" or experience a "PB". See number 12 to see what "Slime" and "PB" are. 18. "Do I qualify for surgery?" This depends on which surgeon you choose and where you plan on having the surgery. For example, some surgeons in other countries only require you to be 20 or so pounds overweight, while many American surgeons require a BMI of at least 35 with the presence of qualifying co-morbidities. 19. "Will insurance pay for my surgery?" I suggest you call you insurance company to see if they cover the Lap-Band procedure. If they do, then you will need to call your employer's human resource department to see if there is an exclusion for weight loss surgery that they have put in place. (Many companies exclude weight loss surgery as a means to save on insurance premiums) If the Lap-Band procedure is covered by your insurance, most companies require you to meet one of the following weight requirements: 1. Have a BMI of 40 or higher or be at least 100 pounds overweight; 2. Have a BMI of at least 35 with comorbidities (health conditions caused by obesity, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, etc.) The insurance company may also have other requirements that you must meet, such as a medically supervised diet, meeting with a psychiatrist/psychologist or certain health clearances. This will vary from company to company, and the only way to find out is to ask the insurance company. 20. "How much does surgery cost?" This will depend on the surgeon you choose and where you have the surgery. If you choose to travel to a foreign country for surgery, you will usually pay a lower price than if you chose to have surgery in the United States. Most Mexican surgeons charge less than $10,000, while most American surgeons charge $14,000-$20,000 or more. While it is important, price should not be your only consideration when choosing a surgeon. After-care is extremely important for Lap-Band patients, and Inamed/Allergan states that lack of proper patient after-care is implicated in the majority of band revisions. 21. "I'm sick, and have a fill scheduled for tomorrow. Should I cancel my fill?" In general, unless you have been throwing up, (Which may cause swelling in the stomach tissues) the band would not be affected by common illness. If this is a concern for you, I recommend you call your doctor and ask them. 22. "How much food will I be able to eat at one meal? How much SHOULD I be eating?" Most Lap-Band patients report eating between one and two cups of food at one meal. You may eat less or more than this. If you are eating more, I recommend you be evaluated for a fill. Most Lap-Band patients consume between 1000 and 1500 calories per day. Eating very few calories may actually impede your weight loss due to your body going into "Starvation Mode" where it holds onto every calorie. 23. "How many fills will I need to hit my sweet spot?" I talked to Inamed about how many CCs in a Lap-Band made for a "Good fill". Their answer surprised me: "It really doesn't MATTER how many ccs are in the band. The only thing that matters is whether or not that CC amount provides EFFECTIVE RESTRICTION" (Emphasis added) So the trick then is NOT how many CCs are in the Lap-Band, it's whether or not the band works well at that level of fill. 24. "What is the sweet spot?" The phrase "The Sweet Spot" is just another way of saying "Effective Restriction". The problem is that people expect "The Sweet Spot" to last, it doesn't, and neither does "Effective Restriction". Not until the entire residual fat-pad on the outside of the stomach muscle is melted off, and that takes TIME. 24. "How soon should I exercise?" As soon as you feel able to, with attention being paid to any restrictions that your doctor may have put on you. When in doubt, call your doctor. 25. "How much exercise should I do?" That is going to depend on your ability and fitness level. Exercising to the point of pain is not advisable. Start slowly, and if you have any medical conditions, please consult your doctor. Walking is excellent exercise for newly banded patients. The type of exercise is not as important as doing the exercise on a consistent basis. A small amount of exercise daily is better than a large amount done once weekly. 26. "I had a PB, when can I eat again?" Many doctors advise going back to fluids with a slow re-introduction of food, starting with "Mushies" following a PB. My own doctor advises 2 full days of full fluids following any fill, PB or vomiting. 27. "What Is The Reason For A Pre-Op Diet?" The purpose of a pre-op diet that precludes a binge eating session is to shrink the amount of fat stored in the patient's liver. A patient with a fatty liver has much higher risk in surgery, because the surgeon has the "Shove" that fatty liver out of the way. Possible complications of binge eating resulting in fatty liver include the following: 1. Conversion of surgery from LAP to OPEN. 2. Laceration of the liver. 3. Internal bruising of the liver. 4. More post-op pain for the patient. 5. A longer operation time. 6. *IF* the theory about hair loss due to time under anesthesia is correct, greater hair loss. 7. Higher possibility of respiratory complications, pneumonia, etc., due to longer time under anesthesia. 8. Higher possibility of blood clots due to longer operation time. 9. Longer lingering side-effects from the anesthesia due to being under anesthesia for a longer time. 10. More stiffness and more pain from being on a cold operating table on your back for a longer period of time. 28. "My doctor said to avoid caffeine, why is that?” Many doctors believe that caffeine, because it is a stimulant, may stimulate a patient's appetite. Caffeine may also be a gastric irritant, which could be a contributor to GERD, acid reflux or eventual band erosion. 29. "Can I have soda or a beer?" Some doctors believe that carbonation may stretch out the pouch. Other doctors do not follow the "No carbonation" rule. I find it uncomfortable to drink carbonated beverages, especially if I try to drink them fast. In any case, the Lap-Band is not designed to restrict fluids, so the calories in any beverage must be counted as food. 30. "Can I use a straw?" Some doctors believe that swallowing air by using a straw will cause the patient's stomach to fill up on air, which leaves no room for food. Some patients find using a straw produces too much trapped air pressure, and some patients use straws daily. 31. "Can I chew gum?" Probably. Just don't swallow it. If you do swallow gum, be aware that it could cause a total obstruction of the stoma, the opening created by the band. If this happens, either the gum will eventually dislodge and pass through the stomach, or you may PB or vomit to clear the blockage. In rare instances, the blockage is so severe a trip to either the doctor's or the hospital is necessary to remove the blockage. 32. "What is a "Soft Stop" and what will my "Soft Stop sign be?" I wish I could answer that, but I can't. My experience is that it took me some time to recognize that that funny little hiccup was a stop sign. I don't even recall how long it took me to figure it out. What REALLY messes me up is when my body tricks me by substituting another sign for my hiccup. Many a PB followed when that happened, so now I look for ANYTHING different. A feeling of fullness, stuffiness, a runny nose, a hiccup or hiccups, watering eyes... ANYTHING that's different! 33. "How often should I weigh myself?" I have an opinion on scales for post-op patients: "Scales are NOT your friend!" Let me explain why. The typical Lap-Band patient loses between one and two pounds per week after obtaining effective restriction in the Lap-Band. Normal body weight fluctuations can, and do, wipe out a month's worth of scale weight loss. We can't do anything about those fluctuations, and higher scale weight sometimes triggers feelings of despair and hopelessness, which can lead to out-of-control overeating. I advise new post-ops who are fewer than 6 months out to not use a scale at home. Use the scales at your doctor's office when you go in for your checkups. After six months have passed, I advise people to weigh in as little as possible, but never more than once a week. (Note: Some people feel compelled to weigh in every day; I used to be one of them. Some people feel that weighing often helps them to "Stay Focused" on weight loss. If weighing in does NOT cause you anxiety that is compensated for by overeating, weigh in every five minutes if you like.) 34. "Why should I take measurements?" Taking measurements before your operation is one of the most effective ways to "See" a weight loss when those scales just are not moving. The typical pattern in post-op patients is for the scales to "Stop, then drop" when the scales stop suddenly, it helps to confirm that you are still losing inches, despite what the scales say. 35. "Why do I have to eat protein first?" Eating the protein food first guarantees that you will not "Fill up" on other food and run the risk of a protein deficiency. Adequate protein is necessary for good health, and most post-ops find that solid protein fills the small stomach created by the Lap-Band faster, which helps them to feel fuller for a longer time. 36. "Why can't I drink with food, or for a half-hour after eating?" Drinking with food turns the food into "Soup", and "Soup" runs through the stoma quickly. The Lap-Band is designed to offer effective restriction when eating solid food. People who drink while eating will eat more and they will be hungry quicker after eating. 37. "Will I have loose skin after the weight loss?" Like so many things, this will depend on the individual. Skin tone is primarily determined by a person's genes. Some people's skin reduces with their body size, and some don't. Many people who have lost large amounts of weight will have excess skin. Currently there is no cream or drug that will reduce excess skin, the only way to get rid of it is by having plastic surgery. Common plastic surgeries post weight loss include the tummy tuck, thigh lift, breast lift, breast implants, face lift, neck lift, lower belt lipectomy, buttock lift and arm reduction. 38. "Why are there different band sizes?" The differences in the bands that are approved for use are: 1. The internal diameter of the band, and 2. The fill capacity of the band. The reasons for the differences are so that the surgeon can make a choice as to which band to use on the patient. That decision is made during surgery, when the surgeon is actually looking at the patient's unique anatomy. Because of this, the surgeon should have all the bands available to them during the surgery. In terms of restriction ability, there are very little differences between the bands. Here is some more information on stoma sizes. The maximum diameter of an unfilled VG band is only 32.86 millimeters. The maximum diameter of an unfilled 10cm band is only 26.46 millimeters. The maximum diameter of an unfilled 9.75cm band is only 25.23 millimeters. Remember, the entire, folded stomach wall has to fit in there too! And at maximum fill: 16.73 millimeters for a VG. 16.35 for a 10cm. 15.13 for a 9.75cm. 39. "Will I feel full with a Lap-Band?" A post-op WLS patient is probably are not going to have the same sensation of "Full" after their operation that they experienced before their operation. In my case, before my operation, when I ate (Which means when I "Overate") I felt sort of "Stuffed" as if I had eaten a full meal, and drank with it, until my stomach was so full that it felt as if I had eaten a smaller version of a Thanksgiving dinner. I felt slightly distended or bloated, and as if I couldn't (Or shouldn't) eat another bite. I routinely ate so much food that I would feel right on the edge of uncomfortably full. That was the only way I felt "Satisfied". I believe that as a pre-op, I had never really learned my body's "Full signal", so I just kept on eating until I felt physical discomfort from over-eating, which I interpreted as "Being full". Angela says that her Grandmother taught her one way to tell if you are full: "If the food stops tasting as good as it did when you first started eating, that means you are full". I think that is a good way to tell fullness, as I know that applies to me now. I will be eating a meal, and halfway through the meal, the food stops tasting good to me, so I put it away. Patients who are post-op report many different "Full Signals", some of which I have listed here: A hiccup or hiccups. Sneezing. Stuffiness in the chest. Watering eyes. Coughing. Burping. Excessive saliva. This is by no means a comprehensive list, as there are many more "Full Signals" than I have listed. In summary, part of the "Behavior modification" that is a requirement of the post-op care for WLS patients is learning to recognize their body's "Full signal". When a person experiences any new signal, they need to see if that signal is consistent with their being full. Then a person will know when they are full, as opposed to the full signal they used before their surgery. 40. "How does a Lap-Band actually work?" This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band. The INAMED protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band. Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap-Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap-Band. Normal weight loss with a properly restricted Lap-Band is between 1 and 2 pounds per week. The normal cycle of fills, restriction and weight loss is as follows: 1. The patient's Lap-Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to two weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to two weeks after the fill. That is why the INAMED protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill. 2. The patient's stomach capacity is lessened as a result of the restriction caused by the Lap-Band. 3. The patient loses weight because they cannot eat as much food. 4. The residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the outside of the patient's stomach reduces in size because of the overall weight loss in the patient. 5. The reduction of the residual fat-pad causes the Lap-Band to become loose again. 6. At that point, the patient needs another fill, because the Lap-Band is loose, and the patient has a loss of restriction, which allows the patient to eat larger amounts of food. 7. The patient receives another fill and the process starts all over again. Most Lap-Band patients receive several fills to adjust the Lap-Band as their weight loss progresses, and there is less and less residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the exterior of the stomach wall. Once a patient has lost all of their residual fat-pad, fills become less common. As the Lap-Band patient progresses in their weight loss, the effect of very tiny fills (Less than .2ccs) becomes greater and greater. It is not uncommon for a late-stage Lap-Band patient to experience a significant difference in restriction with as little as .05cc of fill. 41. "How much fluid should I be drinking per day?" To calculate minimum fluid intake requirements, take current (Not goal) weight and divide by 2.2 to obtain Kilos of body weight. Using a 150-pound person as an example: 150 / 2.2 = 68.18 (Kilos of body weight. Multiply the Kilos by 35 to obtain the minimum ccs of fluids needed per day: 68.18 X 35 = 2386.3 to convert the ccs into ounces, divide by 30: 2386.3 / 30 = 79.54 ounces, minimum fluid intake per day. The entire equation looks like this: 150 / 2.2 = 68.18 X 35 = 2386.3 / 30 = 79.54 minimum ounces of fluid per day. A very quick and very close approximation for fluid intake is half of current body weight, converted to ounces. Once again using the 150-pound example, half of weight converted to ounces would be 75 ounces per day, as opposed to the equation's goal, which is 79.54 ounces of fluid per day. That is very close, and many people use the approximation, rather than doing this math. 42. "Is the Lap-Band permanent?" Many people are under the misconception that the Lap-Band surgery is not permanent. The surgeon's instructions from INAMED, the maker of the only approved Bands in the USA states that the Lap-Band is a permanent operation, and should be presented as such to the patient. Lap-Bands can be removed under dire medical emergency, but they are not normally removed. Patients should also be aware that Lap-Band removal is actually a more complicated and therefore higher risk, surgery. Many Lap-Band removals are done with open incisions, which are considerably more complicated that laparoscopic implantation. Fewer than 3% of Lap-Bands are removed for ALL reasons combined. 43. "What time should I stop eating during my day?" It's a good idea to stop eating at least 2 hours before lying down. That assists in preventing heartburn because the food in our small stomachs is much closer to our esophagus. It's also a very good idea to drink a glass of Water before bed to flush any residual food from the small stomach. 44. "What is "Water-Loading" and why is it important?" "Water-Loading" is the practice of drinking to full capacity shortly before a meal. It is important because a person who is fully hydrated will be less likely to drink during a meal or shortly after a meal. Drinking with a meal or shortly after a meal will turn the food into "Soup" which will go through the band quickly and make you hungrier faster. In addition, many people confuse thirst with hunger; the practice of "Water-Loading" will help prevent eating when the patient is actually thirsty. 45. "Is it possible to stretch out the small stomach, or "Pouch"?" The pouch seldom enlarges, because it is created in an area that is very resistant to enlargement. The esophagus above the pouch will usually stretch before the pouch itself does. That is almost always caused by repeatedly over-eating, AKA "Stuffing the pouch". Not very many people do this, but if they do, it can result in "Esophageal Dilatation" or stretching of the esophagus, which can be a very serious thing. The usual remedy for esophageal dilatation is to completely unfill the band for a period of time, in the hope that the esophagus will shrink back to its original size. In some instances, where the patient refuses to stop "Stuffing the Pouch" band removal is necessary. 46. "Is it normal to feel tighter in the morning than any other time of day?" Some people do, some people don't. There is a theory about mucus accumulating during the night and obstructing the stoma, resulting in morning tightness. Personally, I am VERY tight in the morning and find eating solid food to be impossible. I choose to drink a warm Protein shake, usually mixed with coffee, because of that morning tightness. 47. "How Important Is The Post-Op Diet?" It is critical. Most doctors prescribe a post-op diet of weeks of clear fluids, followed by weeks of full fluids followed by weeks of mushy food. My doctor said 2 weeks clear fluid, 2 weeks full fluids and 2 weeks of mushy food. The time following the operation is for your stomach to heal. The Lap-Band needs to form a groove on your stomach. That groove makes the Lap-Band resistant to slipping. Eating food during the post-op period before you are supposed to be eating food could cause the Lap-Band to slip, or increase the risk of a future slippage. Food causes the stomach muscle to "Work" to digest the food. The "Work" could cause the band to not seat properly on the stomach. Weight loss is NOT to be expected during the recovery time after the operation. If you lose weight, wonderful, but don't expect it. The time between the operation and getting an EFFECTIVE fill that causes restriction is called "Bandster Hell" for a good reason. Without an EFFECTIVE fill, our hunger is just as strong, but the band does not work to help us. Getting an EFFECTIVE fill sometimes takes multiple fills, it is not unusual for it to take 3-5 or even MORE fills to obtain restriction. Because the band has to seat into the groove to hold its position, and every time the band is filled the fill adds extra pressure on the band, most doctors choose to let time pass between fills. Most doctors will not fill a band before 4 weeks after the operation, 6 weeks is common and 8-12 weeks of healing time is not unheard of. 48. "Is it normal for a Lap-Band to feel tighter during my menstrual period?" Many women do report this, and some also report less restriction during their periods. "Normal" is whatever your experience is. 49. "Can I gulp fluids with a Lap-Band?" Yes, I can, and do, gulp liquids with a Lap-Band. (The exception is anything carbonated) Most patients don't have any issues gulping fluid, as long as it's not in the morning (Some people are "Tighter" in the morning) or ice-cold fluid. (Some people report that ice-cold fluid "Snaps the band shut") Soda is a subjective thing. Sugared soda is a poor food choice because of the calories, but diet soda is something that many patients drink. There is a concern by some doctors that the pressure from carbonation may stretch out the small stomach. Personally, carbonated beverages are PAINFUL for me unless sipped very slowly. I used to drink over 8 liters per day, but no more. Now I drink Kool-Aid sweetened with saccharine. As far as caffeine, many doctors view caffeine as an appetite stimulant, which is why they don't like patients drinking it. Caffeine is also a diuretic, and getting in enough fluids is already difficult for many patients. Myself, I drink coffee, tea and the occasional cola and it is not an issue for me, you may be different. 50. "How long does it take to feel the effects of having a fill?" It depends. Some people experience a feeling of increased restriction immediately, whereas some others have "Delayed Restriction" of up to four weeks, or more, after a fill. The effects of a fill may vary between fills, with one fill having immediate effect, while another may cause a "Delayed Restriction" or vice-versa. The important thing to remember is that a fill may not take effect immediately, which is why many doctors will not give an additional fill until four weeks after the previous fill.

Hello and welcome!! What a wonderful PaPa you are!! All of us revision folks know what you mean about the band. We all have different stories about how we became overweight, but the bottom line is that the band is just not a good tool for sustained weight loss. I am really happy your approval process is going well. Good luck and keep us posted!!

I have BCBS of Illinois, and they approved my revision last week. I don't have a slip or eroision. I just wasn't getting good restriction AND started regaining weight over the last year. Aslo, like Wheetsin said, call the insurance company. I started calling the day after my paperwork was submitted. I'm sure they are used to patients calling to question the status all of the time.

Thanks iwannabslim, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you too. Funny how they they keep things to themselves. My insurance says they will pay for revision if either band erosion or slippage OR infection around the port site. It doesn't say anything about leakage, but one would think, a defect should be covered. I'll keep you posted.

Hello, I had a revision from Lap-band to Mini-bypass exactly 1 year ago. It wasn't the greatest success. I lost about 47 pounds but still have 33 to go. My doc and dietitian are both happy as they said this is average for revision, age etc. I am not happy at all. I have seen several people have success with the injection Saxenda. I was wondering if anyone had any drug help to lose the last of the weight. I still have a hefty amount to go and its not moving. Yes I have some hurdles incl Thyroid and some other issues but really, really want to progress further. I was never happy with the revision. I wish I had done RNY. I NEVER had the full button. I can eat any amount without issue which I was so disappointed in. Obviously, I really don't try and take advantage of this but have a very good appetite. Did anyone go this route with success?

My insurance pays for revision surgery, but I am still waiting on word from them... It seems like they are willing (if I meet their unknown requirements) to pay 100% after deductible. Sadly for me, the requirements are apparently obscure, unlike the original requirements of 5 year history, 40 BMI (or 30 BMI with comorbidity), and 6 month supervised diet...