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I am 5 months post op revision. I started having reflux (and had prior) to vsg. Took meds for it, however only lost 30lbs with it. My doctor and her practice closed when I was 3 months post op. When I did follow up was about 2 years later because my reflux had became so extreme. My md did an egd and saw an obstruction. The Endo capsule also revealed reflux 4x what was considered severe. I elected to revise to bypass per his decision. However once inside he saw no usable portion of my stomach so he took out whole stomach and made pouch out of esophageal lining (also re routed everything like a bypass). Since surgery I have had absolutely no reflux or nausea!!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am nine months out after my VSG and my reflux issues are very bad despite max doses of PPIs , Ranitidine and regular Antiacids. I now have Barretts Esophagus and Chronic Gastritis. My surgeon and GI doc and GP are all saying Revision is not going to be an answer, but the evidence I've read seems to indicate it is a viable option. The recent concerns of a possible link between use of PPIs and Dementia really worries me and I am going to try and push forward with the Revision. I've also been reading about and interesting surgical option, the Linx Ring. I'd like to hear from anyone who has had the Revision for Reflux and also from anyone who has or had Chronic Gastritis after VSG. Did it resolve itself eventually? Thanks, Pam VSG May 27th,2015. 90 lbs lost

I was just approved for a revision to a sleeve and my current BMI is 31. Of course, every patient and insurance is different. I have now had 2 slips, each a year apart, and my surgery is scheduled for 2 June. Wishing you the best of luck.

. I am so sorry. My revision surgery was scheduled for yesterday, but insurance denied me too. I had my surgeon do a peer-to-peer phone call, and now insurance is reconsidering the decision (no answer yet). I had to request the peer-to-peer, it was not something my surgeon's office automatically offered. Just an idea if you are looking for a next step.

Dr Aceves did my revision from band to sleeve 9wks ago...I am an RN in a hospital here in the US..There are minor things I would change about how things were done. But, overall, it was the BEST decision I've made and couldn't be happier!!! I didn't have much pain..thought the Lapband hurt 100x more..at least, that's my experience. I felt great and was up walking within a couple of hours of waking up. I used to be a labor and delivery nurse and I would always tell my patients that the best mamas are the ones that take care of themselves!! Best wishes to you and thank you for sharing w/us!! Please keep us updated....most of us have been there!!! Erika

Startingover, I had my band removed last October and am planning on revising to RNY on 6/11/09. I'm using the same surgeon who did my band and the part of the same team that did my 20 year old daughter's RNY last May. I think you need to get as much info as possible and will have a difficult finding all that on this site because it is designed for lap band patients but obesityhelp.com and thinnertimes.com are two that cover RNY. Also there are books out there and I have read Weightloss Surgery for Dummies and it was helpful for my daughter and myself. I don't think you can judge a surgery by one person's opinion even if it's positive. I've been there with my daughter from day one and she did have issues in the beginning with a stricture where her new stoma actually closed and she couldn't get any food or Water in so they had to do an endoscopy with a balloon twice to stretch it open. That also involved an er visit and two day stay for IV fluids and to wait until the following Monday for someone who could do the endocopy to be there. I don't know the percentages as to how many people get them but I wouldn't be surprised if I were to have one also. Also she has never had "dumping syndrome" and from what I read only 40% of people do but it doesn't also mean she never will some people won't have it until a year post-op. She has lost well over 100 lbs and it was fairly quick due to her stricture but she has tapered off for now. It's been almost a year and I think that's normal. I think there is a honeymoon period where you lose easily and quickly and it can stall. Then it requires more work from the individual. I've also read a statistic that you lose 1/3 of your weight so my daughter has met that statistic. She is only required to take one supplement that I can purchase at her surgeon's office now which is nice. She's able to eat regularly now but she definitely has to chew her food very well! You also are not supposed to drink about a half hour before you eat and I've heard a half hour to an hour after you eat as you do not have a pyloric valve that would slowly empty food from your stomach so you basically are self flushing with liquid. Anyway I hope I didn't mess any of the info up for you which is another reason why you can't depend on a few opinions to decide on a surgery, lol. But good luck and discuss this with a surgeon and ask as many questions even the ones you think maybe stupid with him/her! Take care Nancy.

Hello Everyone, I was banded in October of 2009, I have never really had restriction, got stuck alot but never that sweet spot I read about. I teach zumba 3 times a week and the only time I had great weight loss was the two week post op of liquids only. I do realize that no matter how much you excercise a bad diet or eating will not make it a difference, and this is where I fell. I was burning 5K calories a week and felt like I could eat what I wanted, I didnt gain but I didnt lose , I kep losing the same 10 lbs over the last 3 years. Last year I started getting really bad acid reflux but at first I didnt go back to the doctor because I felt like a failure in the weight loss department. Part of my issue is menopause as well, weight is the only symptom I have nothing else. Well I got sick in January and when throwing up the band was acting funny, went to the doctor and I had esophogus dialition and they had to unfill my entire band. WOW the hunger pains I felt were like are you kidding me? My first thought was take it out and I'll do it on my own with weight watchers. Then as I was talking to the physicians assistant who I trust and has been incredible during this journey told me that although my band didnt work as it was suppose to that it was still doing something, and that if I didn't revise I would probably gain 10 lbs a month until my body normalized, around 6 months, and when she said it I didn't believe her but since getting unfilled and the hunger I feel I do now. I also started weight watchers as I think its a good foundation to eating after the revision, so if I'm ahead of the ball this time the more the better. Its also helping me to lose my ten pounds before surgery. and its great espeically with the apps on my phone, and its true when you logging what you eat, you do realize when you really are hunger or just thirsty or doing something out of habit. My surgery tentatively is for May 2, I have BCBS federal and they require 3 months weight classes, well it seems that weight watchers classifies so my billing admin is going to try to submit next week since April will make 3 months going and weight watchers is weekly. \ My question is to the board, how do you feel when you awake from a revision? How are you at getting around? Whats the best Protein poweder? I have a realize band so I dont know if that makes a difference. When I had my lapband day 4 I walking 4 miles at the park, so I"m just trying to get my head around it and try and be as prepared as possible. ANy hints, info you can provide would be helpful and appreciated.

Thank you all for the get well wishes. I have had nausea since my sleeve June 10th and I'm dehydrated with low blood pressure. My surgeon said that with the sleeve you still have a biliary duct and he believes that is what's causing the nausea and dehydration. I'm so scared for the gastric by pass but he said when he makes the pouch the nausea will instantly go away. I don't have much of a life right now and he said If I hold off another couple of weeks and maybe the nausea will go away. But it's not a guarantee. From all of my research on the sleeve I had never heard of sleeve revision to gastric by pass. My husband was here with me all day at the hospital I couldn't help but cry when he left . I feel horrible, scared and sadden by all that is happening to me. I have to try to stay positive. I just find it hard to do so. So help me God.

Just take it one day at a time sweetie. It's gonna get better. You will be fine if they revise your sleeve to bypass. And you may be ok after some time with your sleeve. You just have to decide what's best for you. I know it's hard to make any kind of decision when your so sick. When hubby comes back make him curl up with you. That always makes me feel better. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!!

My Apologies, Didn't see the date on the side there, just that you were listed as a lap band, and you didn't state you were going in for revision. Good luck on everything! I hit 50 lbs lost today since my pre-surgical check in on March 2nd!

I had type 2 diabetes when I was banded and I don't know if that was a factor in my failure or not but it may have been. After banding I found that my eating went from "normal" food choices to softer foods and I still really craved sweets, be it yogurt with fruit which I could eat endless amounts of or ice cream which I could eat endless amounts of or even Cereal. Mainly I chose the softer foods because I could eat them without throwing up and could eat any amount I wanted. So after losing weight preop I gained it all back afterward and then some. Plus my diabetes worsened and I also had high blood pressure and high cholesteral. I can still eat some sweets now that I've had my bypass over a year but only certains ones. Everyone is different and I have dumping syndrome still which for me makes ice cream intollerable, I get nauseous, which I see as a good thing as it was my main weakness prior. It can be very difficult to see these issues prior to surgery, at least for me it was as I wasn't even aware that I could eat large amounts of certain slider foods after being banded. People are more aware of the pitfalls now so that's a plus. I made the lapband choice first but had to revise eventually to RNY in order to lose, it wasn't easy and I can't take back what I orignially did but was a bit too scared to have RNY in the first place but I feel pretty normal and take my supplements and have bloodwork done and have survived. I also have a daughter who had RNY and two nieces and so far we've all done fairly well. So I'm just giving you some insight into a different point of view but it's your decision in the end and I just hope you pick the right one the first time, good luck to you, Nancy.

AK welcome to VST. We are very happy to have you join us. I can't answer your questions about breastfeeding, because I'm way past that stage. I also never had the band; however, I know that several here have revised from band to sleeve and have had it done all in one surgery. I am sure they will chime in on information for you with regard to this matter.

I was working out 6 days a week but I also was 2+ yr out of Lapband surgery and have lost 100 lbs. I had my revision to the sleeve on 5/23 after my band slipped. I know that's why I am so eager to get back to my routine because I feel better when I'm working out and sweating, also I have a feeling my pain levels were next to nothing because I'm numb from my belly button to my very upper thighs from my skin removal/abdominoplasty. You'll feel like working out when your body is ready - it helped me a ton with the loose skin!

Had my lapband in Oct 2009. After a 100 loss and 2 1/2 yrs later, I started having severe nightime reflux. Was scared my dr would take out some of my fill so I just suffered. Finally after 4 mths my hubby talked me into going in. My band had slipped. They took out about 50% of my 10cc fill (14cc band) and no more reflux. So they started filling me 1cc at a time. At 2cc, the reflux began again. So they took out the previous 1cc they gave me and told me it was now up to me. My band was done with it's work. About 6 mths later, I was in the ER with extreme upper abdominal pain. I was taking 40 mg of Rx Prilosec 2x a day, OTC Zantac x 4 and Tums like candy. After my CT, the determined my band had herniated, about the worst "slip" u can have. Had an emergency total unfill and arranged for my sleeve revision 9 mths ago. U need to have the reflux checked out. I'm assuming that they've ruled out a slip? My primary care told me if left untreated, reflux can lead to esophageal cancer. It needs to be fixed, whatever u decide to do. So, so, so happy I had my revision. While I'll most likely be on PPI's forever (most sleeve patients are), I no longer vomit on a regular basis. Good luck to u!

Barb, I can tell you that for my band surgery, I wanted everybody's support and I though that the more people that knew about it, the more support I would have. The second time around with my sleeve revision, I only told a few close family members and friends. I guess because I realized that I don't want to depend on other people for support. It should come from with in, especially after what we have been through with the band. I understand that your daughter might not agree with your decision, my dad didn't either, but she will come around and I would not change my decision based on one persons opinions. It might take a while but she can learn to be supportive without agreeing with your decision, just like my dad was for me. Good luck and best wishes!

Hi All! I was scheduled for a Band to Sleeve Revision on March 1 and postponed the surgery because my eldest child pitched a fit. I was not prepared for her reaction and just cancelled knowing full well that I would reschedule. I am not scheduled for May 3 and have told her about it. I need some support from you guys and some suggested replies to her. My new mantra is that I am not asking for permission but, I AM asking for support! Any other words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Even my 81 year old mom is behind me in this! Thanks in advance! Happy Weekend! Barb

I asked my surgeon this very same question today. He says banders already know the tricks to get food in and old habits haven't been broken. This is another reason why he makes revision patients wait three months - they have to reestablish good eating habits. It's energy in versus energy out - same as the band. However seeing most of us couldn't eat with a band and weight loss is extreme due to malnourishment, it makes sense that being able to actually eat food to lose weight will take longer than a starvation method. I was mystified about this too!

I, too, used to have the band. I had about 2 years between the time I had all of my fluid removed (due to a band slippage) and the day I had my RNY conversion. It has seriously been the best thing ever. I was so worried it would be this huge life change and it simply has not been. I guess I was comparing it to the awful experience I had with the band and NEVER being able to eat anything normal and certainly not even drinking before 2 pm. It simply has been a very much welcomed change into normal eating. I don't feel like I've been a slower loser due to the revision. It has been 6 months since my surgery and i am down 82 lbs with about 20 more pounds to go until I'm at my goal weight. Best decision ever for me. Good luck to you!

I have too read there's not any long term data, but it can be concluded on your own. They remove a large portion of your stomach. This gives the individual an opportunity at a fresh and jumpstart. It give an opportunity to reset the body while producing drastic results in the beginning. If you choose to avoid being serious with lifestyle changes you will have to start over and go to the last resort of bypass. If you feel that strongly long term results, effects, and possible revision its up to you to make the changes stick and be successful.

I had that same concern worry - as a revision from band patient I really thought about this! What I have to honestly say is that even in 2001 there were "early warning signs" that all was not well with the band. I lived in Europe where the band was already being done alot and while I didn't have any local support, I did belong to a yahoo group. My first clue was that there was a general list and then there was a "secret" list where the veterans posted. Once i hit the one year mark, with very limited success and was permitted in the veterans area I came to realize how many people where having complications and very commonly not losing as much weight as they wanted. As most people do pretty well at first with the band - the complications tend to increase over time, the general forum gave a very narrow view of the band experience. There was also a great deal of shaming on that particular website. I had alot of trouble with vomiting more than I should have but there was a culture of blaming/shaming the patient so I never really got the counseling/advice/help I needed to manage the band better. At that time the stock answer "can't help you if you aren't compliant". I would be thinking "compliant with what? what can I eat that won't get stuck and make me vomit and embarrased?" but instead would keep my mouth shut and try to do better - without really knowing "how to do better" At that time, there was less understanding about managing the right level of fill and lots of people had to travel for fills/unfills at great cost, including me, and so often lived with too tight of bands which led to oh so many problems. Well, in truth, my first first first clue should have been pre-op was when my surgeon had me sign a document acknowledging that the band should be considered temporary and would most likely require removal with risk of significant weight gain. I had put on such rose colored glasses I didn't even remember signing that until I went through my paperwork in preparing for my revision to sleeve. With the sleeve, I was looking for all the bad things - and surely found them (risk of leaks, etc etc) - but so far (will be 4 years in Dec) things have worked out as expected, or really better than expected and I feel like more was understood/ widely known about the sleeve in 2011 than was generally acknowledged about the band in 2001.

I'm having revision from sleeve to by-bass on Monday the 21st, I have an obstruction (twist) and gurd, I'm not looking forward to it, but I know it must be done. I will keep you posted or if you have any question, jst ask

I wasn't aware that a revision would help with that.

I had revision from bad to sleeve on 11/14/16 Since then I've ONLY lost 2.6 lbs. even though I have not been taking in much of anything. And I GRATEFUL for that lost, just don't understand why it's not more. Also, I am Extremely Bloated, which also restricts my intake. Can anyone explain? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Yeah unfortunately I didn't lose much weight with the vsg. I've lost 70lbs so far since my revision. However I would've done it anyway because my reflux and nausea was so bad prior to. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Ezma How are things going in Arizona? How is everything going with your band? Well I had my port revision surgery today but they didn't have to do anything with the port. My tubing was kinked, my surgeon didn't say anything about scar tissue on it. He straightened it out, put a 2cc fill in the band. I had it done under local anesthetic and it went really well. My surgeon sutured me up and I am supposed to get another fill and the sutures out next week. I am happy I got this done and I can continue my weight loss. Talk to you soon, Cami in Colorado