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Kathy, It will get better. I had gastric bypass 14 years ago. Everything I liked before surgery (eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese) I couldn't eat at all after surgery. Eventually the taste for it came back. Unfortunately 3 years ago my mom passed away and I've been gaining the weight back. I'm scheduled next month for a revision. I'm kinda nervous, my last surgery was in a different state and with a different surgeon. This surgeon is great, did my sister-in-law's sleeve. There are a lot more "rules" and steps than when I had it done the first time Hope all goes well. I'm missing out on too much with my children and grandchildren - time to get my life back!

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 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.

Genepro protein is 30 grams tasteless approved by my doctor. My surgery revision 2 is scheduled for June

Thank you Dasha for your kind response I am a worry wart by nature, but he is 65, diabetic and has other complications. He has never had major surgery, unlike me. So I worry that this will be a really tough surgery for him. Four hours is still a lot of time in the operating room! Yikes! How is your pain level right now? I was just submitted for a band-to-sleeve revision yesterday. I'm scared of everything. Scared of being denied. Scared that when/if my surgeon goes in, he won't sleeve me in the same operation, which is what he does 95% of the time. He is super conservative and likes to do it in two sessions. Ugh, that means two hospital stays, two sets of expenses, two times under general, two times in pain etc. NOT interested in that. I watched so many videos yesterday where the surgeons were doing both in same surgery. These surgeons obviously felt it was safe enough!

This was a concern of mine too. Especially on the Facebook bypass support groups I was on. They were saying that 25% of sleevers end up getting converted. Yikes! But you can’t believe everything you read on the internet and so I went looking for more reliable sources of information - namely medical studies. Sorry I didn’t save the links so you can read them for yourself but I have screenshots of the information I wanted: As you can see, the numbers are actually quite small! So don't feel you have to worry about getting a revision - statistics are in your favor!

I had RNY NOV 23, 2016. I was going to have the Sleeve until one month before surgery. I just changed my mind after reading about people having sleeve to RNY revisions and gaining weight back with sleeve ( I know they gain with RNY but not quit as much). Other than the surgery itself life after is pretty much same, same diet, same recovery, pretty much same everything. So I was like if I'm going to have surgery, I'm only going to do it once and go with the gold standard.

Welcome to the site. You will find lots of information here and personal experiences. The answer to you questions will be found mostly in the Post-Op section. I am still preop but hope to be scheduled for surgery soon. Good luck in your journey. There is also a section just for Lap Band to Sleeve revisions. Welcome aboard.

The sleeve is great. There are many people here who will attest to that as well. We have some people who are 1-2 years out and are living healthy normal eating lives out there. We also have a couple of ppl who have gone off the "wagon" so to speak. A lot are band to sleeve revisions and they can give you the best information. LilMissDiva and Tiffykins to name two. One of the great things about the sleeve is that you will still be able to eat almost anything later, just not a lot of it. That was my issue, quantity of food. Good luck and I say go for it! What do you have to lose? Except weight that is LOL.

Katy, I am sorry you still have some pain! My insurance was reluctant to pay because the original request to revise had made it sound like we needed to revise the pouch rather than te port. Once it was clarified ( through filing a grievence) they approved it. I had a talk with the surgeon before we went to the OR the next time and let him know that, whever he was planning to move it to... I did not want to be able to see or feel the port after this operation. He did a good job of making it happen. Afterward he said that what had happened was that 2 of the 4 stitched areas securing the port had broken free, so instead of laying flat, it was standing up... And in that position there was no way to fill it as the needle was entering parrallell to the port. My real concern now is that after being banded in May and not being ant to get it filled until November. I worry that I msy not be inthe right "mindset" to be successful. At first it's new, and you are sure you have found the thing that is really going to work for you. Then you get it done... And I lost 20 lb... But it was through dieting rather than the lap band doing much... Then that tapered off... And after a while it felt to me like the lap band was going to be one more failed diet attempt. Now that I have had my first fill i am trying to get back the optimism I had at the beginning... But there is still the self doubt that makes me afraid this too will not work. I am really hoping that I will see results that will give me some hope that this time things are going to be different.

Good luck! I had LapBand three years ago and loved loved loved my Magic Bullet - for WLS it is a godsend. I am looking forward to getting an MD's perspective on the Sleeve as a patient. I am having revision surgery on July 1st - my doctor wants to remove the band and I'm waiting on insurance approval for Sleeve. Looking forward to your posts and getting to know you... Leslie

Hello all...I too will be a Band to RNY revision. I'm waiting now on insurance approval. I have gained back all of my weight lost along and decided well that cellulite may be lonely , so lets add another 20 pounds to it... I'm glad to find others out there to talk to about these issues. Sometimes the Rose Coloured Glasses mentality can be frustrating...I know the band does work for some, but I unfortunately cannot include myself in those numbers. I look forward to talking to all of you. Leslie

Hi to all who come after me! My story, huh? Well, I've been overweight for 20 years now, and I've tried a lot of diets, exercise programs, and have had only marginal success. Two years ago I took the next step for me and had the Lap Band Surgery. That wasn't a good experience for me at all. The "minor" reflux I had pre-surgery turned into a monster, and I was always either too tight or not tight enough... and that was in the same day. After two years of foaming, vomiting, and spitting my way through practically every meal, I decided it was time to take control of my life again. At first, I was just going to have the band removed, but when I learned about revision from band to RNY, and how common it was, I found the courage to go through with it. I had my surgery June 3rd, 2011. It has been a rough recovery, but I'm happy to say it's getting better every single day. I'm excited about my future again, and can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store for me!

I'm having a revision from band to bypass July 13.

Mine just got changed from July 29 to July 22nd. Yikes! a week earlier. sooo excited and nervous. Band to Bypass revision

The basics Height: 5"1 Highest Weight Tracked: 241 pounds Largest Size: 18/20, XXL, 40D Surgery Date: 4/19/12 Original Goal: 140 pounds Revised Goal: 125 pounds Currently: Weight: 128 pounds Size: 4, S/M, 34C/34D Pictures! Before (left) (right was first 40 pounds gone) Current! Current! I am so excited with life right now, it's hard to believe. Part of me is always waiting for the other shoe to drop but so far it hasn't. Trust me for anyone who thinks they wouldn't be successful... if I can do it, anyone can

Hi I am new just joined up. My name is Roxxie and well my Lap Band is almost 4 years old now and due to some problems I am now seeking a revision from the band to Gastric Bypass. I will be turning 60 in a few months and it is harder for people my age to lose weight or to keep it off. I lost over 100 pounds and re gained 16 back in a year, not good but who knows why for I sure don't

Hi Jeffrey, welcome to the BEST support website for the Vertical Sleeve... I just wrote about my recent experiences with Band Vs Sleeve. I was revised on 9/15/10 and to date it is the best thing I've ever done. In going further, we do have a LOT of well established sleevers here who like to continue chiming in. They are all a great help, and none I've seen ever stop Loving their sleeves. Good luck to you!! Here is the link to my last 2 progress posts: 5 Months Post Op and My Revision is the Best Thing

Hi Everybody, My name is Dottie and I live in the Cayman Islands. I had LapBand surgery with Dr. Ortiz in August 2007. Had my first fill in Oct 4, 2007. Went back to work in the Caymans and did okay for about 8 months losing weight. Band was really tight in the AM and somewhat tight for lunch and fine for dinner. And then all of a sudden, Band was too tight...had a hard time with liquids... no matter what time of the day. So, I was on a liquid diet for about 2 months until I could get back to the States for an unfill. Had an unfill in August of 2008. Lost some more weight... total loss from pre-op diet to lowest was 77 pounds... from 307 to 230 in about one year. Stopped losing weight... but, afraid to get fill that might restrict too much again... since I could not get an unfill easily (i.e. - get time off work, plane ticket to the States. etc). Overall, just not happy with band... my fault since I can't get fills and unfills readily. So, I have gained most of my weight back and and am miserable. I realize that the Band was not maybe the best choice for me considering my location. So... new chapter! I am looking to get the Band removed and the Gastric Sleeve revision done with Dr. Ortiz. I think that the Sleeve will be a much better fit for me. So, now... I am planning my new adventure/lifestyle change. I am booked! Doing the Revision surgery (lapband to sleeve) on October 8, 2012. I have to lose 32 pounds before my surgery... I am worried, but excited at the same time. My Mom went with me when I had my Lapband done and it was great having her support. I don't know that I want to ask her to go with me for the Revision... alot more days in Tijuana (approx. one week). For those of you that have done the Revision surgery... what did you do all day? I know that we go back to OCC to get the drain checked once a day... were you comfortably walking around Tijuana? Anything to go see or must do's? (That are do-able after the surgery) I have a very good friend that has volunteered to go with me... she had a gastric by-pass several years ago and has lost over 250 pounds...so, I know she would be good support. Any thoughts or feelings on doing it alone or with someone? And since I do live on a tiny little island in the middle of nowhere... I need to do alot of preparing ahead of time. I am starting to collect Protein shakes... and I have ordered a Cuisinart Puree/Blender. Any feedback on best online prices and variety? Anything else that I should start think about stock-piling? Thanks to everyone for listening to me! And sorry for rambling.... Cheers, Dottie

NeeCee, that sounds pretty much like USA protocol. Did you go all the way up to 2cc's or did you mean .2cc's. Usually, in the US they will give you .5cc's to begin with & go up in .2cc increments. Don't all jump on me if that's not been your experience; it was what I was told by Dory @ LIBariatrics. Also, FYI, she's the one who did aftercare for the celebrity from NY Mag, etc. Dateline is coming to next week's support group. They already filmed her port revision & major plastic surgery in TJ; I can't wait to go the support group. Sorry to veer so much off the topic, just wanted to tell you all where I heard the protocol info. I think a lot of it depends on whether they use fluoro or not. The do tend to be more conservative when it's not used.

Hi, I've had my Lap-Band for about 3 years and have done very well. The last few months I started having problems eating anything solid, with lots of pain and vomiting. Unfortunately I am one of the 5% that have suffered a slip. Anyone else out there dealing with the same? I had to have surgery to reposition the band, but am soooo afraid that it could happen again. I asked the doctor what I could do to prevent it from happening again. He said they are not sure why it happens, could be from excessive vomiting.........Just hoping someone else out there has been through the same!

How are y’all doing with the weight loss? I have my revision on November 2nd.

I had surgery in 2006 and lost 280 pounds over all over the course of six years… In the past three years I gained back 90 pounds… Last year I had an endoscopy and upper G.I. and they discovered I had a hiatal hernia and some staple adhesions… And recommended a revision… The surgeon I went to told me that he could leave the new smaller stomach and they now remove the excess old stomach… They no longer leave your stomach in there or he doesn't… And doing my research I understood a revision patient usually loses 2 to 3 pounds a month… My doctor said when he got in there… He found a fistula which was a complication from the first surgery which most likely cause my weight gain… A week after surgery… Today I got on the scale and I lost 13 pounds… Was totally shocked and not expecting that so I am wondering since I had that fistula this new revision is kickstarting my weight loss and I will see great success question? Anyone that had a revision care to share their weight-loss story with me after the revision Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Dr Kurian was my surgeon, I had my lap band revised to gastric bypass.. I love her to bits. Just saw her yesterday for my six week post op appointment. I highly reccomend her!!