For those of you that revised to bypass or the sleeve from the band, what was your BMI at the time of the revision? And did your insurance pay for the revision?

I found out Friday that my band has slipped and I will need to decide very soon if I want to fix it, remove it or revise to a different surgery - if that is even a possibility for me. I am at a BMI of 34 now and am wondering if I would qualify for a revision to the bypass or sleeve at this point in the game? For anyone else that has experienced this, I am looking for your input. Thank you.

My weight was at 192, at 5'6" when I had to have my last emergency unfill, I was surprised to find out that my insurance has authorized revision to the sleeve. Same out of pocket co-pay as when I got the Lap Band 12 months ago.

My sister had the sleeve earlier this year and has had no bad side effects at all and has had great success with it. It just seemed like my band was unhappy all the time. You may check out the verticalsleevetalk.com that is advertised at the bottom of this page. Good luck!

I was around 215 and 5'2" when my band slipped back in March and had an unfill. Found another local doctor (long story) and told him of all of my problems with the band (vomiting, sever reflux, slippage) and he agreed that removal of the band and revision to the sleeve would be a good choice. Paperwork was submitted to insurance and they approved within 3 days. I have Aetna insurance.

Are you scared of the sleeve cause it is perm? It scared me cause of the leaks. I have the band?

Boniluuu, I am not scared of the sleeve. I am scared to have my band removed and gain all my weight back. Each procedure comes with it's own complications and risks but the band has just been too much maintainence and inconvenience for me. I am just tired of vomitting daily and the constant heartburn/reflux. Being bulimic just to be thin is not worth it to me.

My insurance has approved a lap band revision, however I am attending an informational meeting Wednesday to learn more about the sleeve and to meet with a surgeon where I live. I hope to submit a request to my insurance and see if they would cover a revision to the sleeve rather than repair the band I have.

I went through the same issue you are. Surgeon had to go in because he thought it had slipped. I was throwing up all the time. Granted I was at goal weight. Lok. Got in and they had to remove it because personally I think surgeon screwed up. My stomach and spleen were adhesed together. So they had to remove and band separate organs and staple. I was devastated. Options then were another band or sleeve. All of the doctors love love the sleeve. My dr had never done a haste tony for weight loss. It's commonly for for severe acid reflux. I went to new surgeon and ins approved sleeve or band because new surf didn't know what he would find as far as how first one removed band. He was able to do another band. Weight loss has been much slower but my fault. Can't eat chips and ice cream and exp to lose. Lose. Neighbor across the street had sleeve and she's done great but very very limit on amounts if food.

UPDATE

I was just contacted by my local surgeon who said my insurance has approved a revision to the bypass procedure!! I am tentatively scheduled for surgery on August 13th. I am SO FRICKEN relieved and happy!

I had my band done back in 07, lost about 40 pounds, jumped off the bandwagon and am now trying to get back on. I saw my WLSClinic's LPN today, and she brought up the sleeve. I think I might have zoned for a second because I can't remember if she was wanting to leave the band in and still get the sleeve, or take the band out and get the sleeve. She said it might be a good option for me because more and more people are finding it harder and harder to lose large amounts of weight, like I need to do. I've been reading up on the sleeve, and am bothered by two things:

1. The permanence of it. It seems like such a drastic thing to do, cutting out some of the stomach. And 2. It's new so there really is not much data on long term effects. So, I'm pretty worried.

Can anyone add to my 1 & 2 questions? Or just provide your two cents? I'm going to check out the site for the sleeve as well.

I had my revision from Band to the Sleeve on June 12. Wow, what a difference. No banders hell, restriction is immediate. I've lost 11 lbs since then. I'm below 200 lbs so I'm very happy with 11 lbs.

I also was extremely anxious abiout the permenence of removing 80% of my stomache. But I knew that my Lap Band had to come out, so I firgured I might as well try it. My sister had the sleeve done earlier this year, and I saw first hand how well she was doing, and the difference in our restrictions. So that was encouraging. The sleeve has been around for quite awhile as half of the duodinal switch procedure, it's just lacking the rerouting of the intestines. If you check the stats on the two surgeries (band and sleeve) you'll see that the sleeve has a very low percentage of complications or further surgeries needed, and a higher percentage of weight loss.

With the sleeve, you are very limited as to HOW MUCH you can eat, but all foods go down ok. With the band it seemed like I was limited to either food that was bad for me, or food that I found unsatisfying.

I also love the idea that I'm done driving 1 hour away for constant fills, and unfills. I was so tired of the yo-yo! I was always either too tight, and too loose. Never a happy medium.

I did have some complications (bleeding) due to some damage to my stomache from the band, but my Dr. took good care of me, and I'm on the mend. Back at work, and being active already.

I guess I was just one of those poeple that weren't going to be successful with the band.

Good luck to everyone. I do recommend checking out the sleeve forums that can be accessed at the bottom of this page if you are considering it. verticalsleevetalk.com

I had my revision from Band to the Sleeve on June 12. Wow, what a difference. No banders hell, restriction is immediate. I've lost 11 lbs since then. I'm below 200 lbs so I'm very happy with 11 lbs.

I also was extremely anxious abiout the permenence of removing 80% of my stomache. But I knew that my Lap Band had to come out, so I firgured I might as well try it. My sister had the sleeve done earlier this year, and I saw first hand how well she was doing, and the difference in our restrictions. So that was encouraging. The sleeve has been around for quite awhile as half of the duodinal switch procedure, it's just lacking the rerouting of the intestines. If you check the stats on the two surgeries (band and sleeve) you'll see that the sleeve has a very low percentage of complications or further surgeries needed, and a higher percentage of weight loss.

With the sleeve, you are very limited as to HOW MUCH you can eat, but all foods go down ok. With the band it seemed like I was limited to either food that was bad for me, or food that I found unsatisfying.

I also love the idea that I'm done driving 1 hour away for constant fills, and unfills. I was so tired of the yo-yo! I was always either too tight, and too loose. Never a happy medium.

I did have some complications (bleeding) due to some damage to my stomache from the band, but my Dr. took good care of me, and I'm on the mend. Back at work, and being active already.

I guess I was just one of those poeple that weren't going to be successful with the band.

Good luck to everyone. I do recommend checking out the sleeve forums that can be accessed at the bottom of this page if you are considering it. verticalsleevetalk.com

Lianne, Wow, you seem to be doing very well, and very happy for being only two weeks out! It's nice that you have your sister to go along with you on the VSG journey. I'm sure she likes it too. I don't know if my band would remain in place or not. I'm thinking that to have the two of them in your body at the same time would be redundant, but I don't know. I never thought of the VSG being half of the duodenal switch, and that's been around a while. I guess the permanency I'm cautious about is the "no return" of it all, and having staples or sutures in an organ in my body.I'm learning a lot on VST.

Did your unbanding and sleeving hurt really, really bad? I've heard a lot of people say how much more painful the VSG surgery is compared to the Lapband surgery. I remember being in a lot of pain the day, or was it the day after surgery? Hm. Anyway, I had two knee's replaced recently and they drugged me up to where I felt no pain in the hospital, and little at home (major drugs...) , and I'm scared that they won't put me on good pain meds. How was it for you?

Yea, my LPN said the VSG had much less visits to the Dr for fills and unfills too. I went through a bunch of those the short time I was filled, finally I gave up. There was another perk to the sleeve, but I can't remember it.

I'm glad both you and your sister are doing well! Maybe I'll see you again on LBT or on VST...

I found that the pain was at least half of that of being banded. I had pain for several months at the site of the port, and even throughout the next 12 months whenever I would sleep wrong, or pull a stomach muscle. I'm soo happy that the little alien in my belly is gone! So is my husband ( =

My sister who did not have a Lap Band prior to being sleeved, never even took her pain meds. She only required over the counter pain meds to control her pain. I took my vicodeine syrup for 1.5 weeks, but again it wasn't nearly as severe as being banded.

It hasn't been easy, like I said I did have complications, that required a 2nd surgery, and was hospitalized for 3 days. I will never take any surgery lightly again. But in the end, I'm very happy with the decision for revision.

Lianne, That's good to know that the pain was half that of the band surgery.

Very sorry to hear of all the other pain and complications that you had. What should have been an easy recovery, wasn't. Most people heal in a much easier manner. It must suck to be the exception. Other than years of great disappointment, my recovery was great.

Remember, I am not sure if I'll be sleeved or not. I have to follow the South Beach diet for a month, and we'll go from there. My LPN just suggested the VSG, and I'm doing all the research I can!

Thanks for all your sharing, and information. I hope I'll be seeing you around on either forum.

I just had revision surgery on Monday. I hated the band. It sucked. I only lost 32 pounds in 5 months and then gained back 12 no matter what I did. I am happy with my choice. The pain was nothing comapred to the band. I stayed at the surgery center overnight, but honestly, I could have gone home after a few extra hours stay after mysurgery. I had 90% less gas trapped in my body afterwards. I took my Lortab(liquid Vicodin) maybe twice and that was more to sleep. I am finding it hard to get enough fluids in, but that will subside with time. Am I tired? Sure, but I was miserable and an emotional wreck at this point after being banded. I would hit the mall tomorrow if it wasn't the weekend and so busy. I'm bored!

My sister had the sleeve(no band ever) in March and has lost 60 pounds in 4 months. I am hopeful that I can loose 80 total. It will require a lot of exercise and watching what little food I eat, but this has to work! I am so freakin' happy to never have to go for a fill or unfill again!!!!!

Melissa

I'm miserable with my band. Had it put in may of 2010. Originally lost 42 lbs. gained 35 back and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 9 months ago! I can't eat most veggies with the exception of corn(barely any nutrients) no fruits with skin. No chicken no meats it has been hard!! Tuesday I'm getting revised to sleeve on Tuesday!! Have been on the vsg site and a lot of people get the revision. Take this thing out of me!! We haven't been friends in a while!!

I feel the same way ]eniluv, unhappy with my band results. As you said, No matter how hard I tried. I want to be sleeved but I went through a lot of anxiety to have the 1st procedure (band) and hate to do it again. I must give it a serious thought b/c I too am type 2 still. I'm happy for you and hope to join you soon.

I was banded in 2010. I did really great on the diet and lost around 30 lbs. I was going to the gym at least 3x per week until my knees started Killing me! I couldn't take my prescription anti-inflammatories because of the band. Once they were out of my system (I stopped them just prior to my band placement - I didn't realize how much knee pain they were conceling), I could hardly walk up & down stairs. It was awful. Of course I couldn't exercise so I started gaining some of the weight back. I went to an Ortopedic surgeon who tried shots in the knees to no avail. This surgeon did not want to do replacement surgery & told me I'd needed to lose weight! I'm in my 50's, so not being able to even do my housework tasks helped me gain the weight back. About a month ago I got something stuck in my band (it was something I'd been able to eat before) and violently vomited. It was a Sunday so I couldn't go to my Bariatric Surgeon's office. I suffered all night long to the point of pucking up my own saliva. The stuck food was NOT moving. I went in the next day and had a doc remove all the fluid. I found out on a later visit with my Surgeon that my band has slipped.I'm so done with the band! I'm having it taken out & am considering the sleeve (my surgeon encouraged me to switch; he answered all my questions) - I just want to make the right decision. I feel like I've failed at every "diet" possible to man & now I've failed at the LapBand...am worried I'll fail yet again on the sleeve. No matter how much you tell yourself you have to change your diet and exercise, those old temptations come back. I could eat the "bad" things with the band, but not always the "good" things I wanted, like scrambled eggs. I could eat a wafle, but not scrambled eggs??? Ridiculous! Sometimes I could eat granola, sometimes I couldn't! It drove me crazy! I feel that having the band was a big mistake for me. Now I'm just hoping my insurance will pay to remove the band; it has to come out, & approve a switch to the sleeve. I just am not certain about having that revision????