Hey everyone,

Well, my "slight slipped" band turned into a full blown major slip over the weekend. They unfilled me totally and will let the swelling go down.Talked to the insurance girl in my drs office today to make sure that Medicare will cover a new band and if they would cover plication. They will cover a revision (but not plication, bummer) even tho my BMI is ony 27 because of complications. They will also cover the sleeve. I'm researching it right now.

There's a whole forum on verticalsleevetalk.com about band to sleeve revision. Everyone there is so much happier with their sleeve than with their band. But everyone on this website is happy with their band and against any type of permanent surgery. I'm scared cuz it is permanent, but also less maintenence ( I have to travel 6 hrs roundtrip and pay $160 for any adjustment) and no chances of slippage in the future. What should I do?

Marci

Jean McMillan had Band to sleeve revision. check what she has to say about it:

"If you can hold back your tears of pity for me for a few more minutes, you can read about my life with the sleeve in my response to this recent thread: http://www.lapbandta...-for-band-feb1/"

I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

I wish I could tell you what to do but I can't. It's such a personal decision. I think you need to do a lot of fact searching and soul searching. Some questions I'd be asking both myself and my doctor if I were you:

-If you get a band replacement, are you at higher risk for another slip?

-What caused the slip? Was it preventable and if so can you prevent it from happening again?

-If you get the Sleeve, what are the possible complications?

-Being as your BMI is only 27, do you really want to have 3/4 of your stomach removed?

AJ was right about Jean. She had a revision to the Sleeve and has been very vocal about it. Have a look at her blog, she talks about it considerably: http://jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com/

I hope you find the info you need to make the best decision. Remember, it's your body and your life, you have to be honest with yourself and do what's best for YOU.

((hugs))

My suggestion is to ask your doctor how much out of pocket it would be to add plication to a new band. Since plication is still investigational, it seems doctors aren't charging a tremendous amount to do it. I know "tremendous" is different for everyone, but it may be a better option over removing 3/4 of your stomach permanently. Plication makes your stomach the same size as the sleeve, without any permanent revisions.

My biggest concern and fear on the sleeve, is the possibility of leakage from the staples. There are so many, and if they do leak, the hospital stay can be 4-6 weeks. VERY dangerous. If you are seriously considering that procedure, do your homework, and leave no stone unturned. There are many who have had great success, but as with all of these procedures, it's best to go in knowing all the pros & cons.

The sleeve is great if you don't have achalasia (esophageal) damage. Jean has achalasia, which is most likely why she's had a difficult time with her revision. I know of several who have revised to sleeve despite having it with varying results from a quality of life perspective.

I want to revise, but I also have end stage achalasia, damage from my band, so probably no revision for me. Be sure to consult with a revision surgeon...better outcome and fewer complications. Best of luck to you!

My doctor won't ever do band revisions, so it often surprises me when I read threads regarding people having a new band placed. From what he says, our bodies make scar tissue under the band and a new one will never sit properly in the same place for the long haul. Not saying that this info is valid or not, but considering he is awarded one of the top surgeons out of all disciplines each year in NYC, I would say there's a chance he knows what he is talking about. It is a huge fear of mine that I will one day be in your shoes having to make the decision to switch to another surgery. I wish you all the luck and success in whatever decision you make!

choking n gagging at nite

hi

i was wondering if anybody has expierenced getting up in the middle of the night coughing and choking an this brownish mucus comes out i dont eat after 5 at nite so it cant be i am eating too close to bed time just wanted to know wat it is cuz its like everynite mostly

I would call your doctor. I read this same thing on another post, it to me, it doesn't sound normal.

An experienced revision surgeon will have the skill, knowledge and resources to help you make a decision about what to do. Implanting a band around a virgin stomach is much different than putting a new band on a damaged and surgically altered stomach. Best of luck to you!

I'm 25 days post op but I already made the decision that if any complications occur, I won't revise or replace anything. Just take it and I will use every ounce of will power to continue to eat healthy. I hope that you make the tight decision for you and your family.

I'm 25 days post op but I already made the decision that if any complications occur, I won't revise or replace anything. Just take it and I will use every ounce of will power to continue to eat healthy. I hope that you make the tight decision for you and your family.

I'm so with you on this! I made the same decision, and hope that if or when the time comes, I'm at goal weight. At 57 years old, I feel that this is my last chance. When I get this weight off, it will be a cold day in hell before I let it come back. Amen!

Mrsinto amen to that. I've lost 20 pounds in 25 days and I going to avoid a fill if I continue to loose. I refuse to gain it back in any event.

Mrsinto amen to that. I've lost 20 pounds in 25 days and I going to avoid a fill if I continue to loose. I refuse to gain it back in any event.

That's great! That's a lot of weight in a short time.....good for you!

I know its an old thread. Just wondering if you chose the sleeve?