Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

New to the group



Recommended Posts

Hello all,

I have a band and I am in the process of getting as much information as possible on revisions. I plan on looking at this site to get as much info I can and I also been on youtube watching a lot of people whom has had revision. Any other helpful sites or anything you may know of that can help me.

Thanks,

Mook

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello MsMook, welcome to VST!! I'm a revision patient as well. There's a lot to know, so it would be more helpful if you might give us a little background on your situation. Don't be shy - when it comes to the band there is bound to be someone here who has lived what you're going through, in all kinds of complications scenarios.

Ask lots of questions... we are always willing to either lend an ear or help out.

:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I too am a revision from band to sleeve and found this site VERY helpful before my revision. People here are very helpful and will answer any of your questions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thx so much ladies. Well my story is not that far off from most. I gained most of my weight after I had my son in 2008. I am an asthmatic and have been put on steroids constantly which adds to my weight gain. I had lapband surgery done Feb 2010 and lost around 55lbs but gained most of it back. I have done tons of research on the sleeve and sleeve plication and now I am looking into having a revision.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well like you, I only lost 60 lbs with the band and I also threw up everything that I put in my mouth, it was horrible. I managed to keep off the 60 lbs. for 4 years then I got pregnant and gained 80 lbs. Even after the baby I only lost 20 lbs which put me right back to where I was when I got the band. After several months of no weight loss and several fills with no weight loss, my doc took an upper GI and realized that my band had partially slipped. Anyhow, this is what led me to the sleeve. I am sooooo happy to have that band out of me. I can finally eat a couple bites of food and feel full and not have to worry about my food coming back up, and I feel great. To me, the sleeve is all the things that the band was promised to be. I hope you go for it, you will be glad you did.

Take Care!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a revision too and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my sleeve! The band never worked right for me and I am so very happy to now have the wonderful sleeve that works. I had numerous complications with my band. With the sleeve, everything has been perfect and the weight just keeps coming off. I do have lots of hanging skin on my stomach, but part of that is from three pregnancies. I feel the sleeve has been one of the BEST decisions of my life. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well like you, I only lost 60 lbs with the band and I also threw up everything that I put in my mouth, it was horrible. I managed to keep off the 60 lbs. for 4 years then I got pregnant and gained 80 lbs. Even after the baby I only lost 20 lbs which put me right back to where I was when I got the band. After several months of no weight loss and several fills with no weight loss, my doc took an upper GI and realized that my band had partially slipped. Anyhow, this is what led me to the sleeve. I am sooooo happy to have that band out of me. I can finally eat a couple bites of food and feel full and not have to worry about my food coming back up, and I feel great. To me, the sleeve is all the things that the band was promised to be. I hope you go for it, you will be glad you did.

Take Care!

Yes, I'm praying I can get the sleeve. I didn't have any vomitting, I had a lot of port pain and some pain in the band area but no vomiting. Oh and I also had tons of left shoulder pain, ugh that is the worse. My goal is to become pregnant, I have been wanting a second child for quite some time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a revision too and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my sleeve! The band never worked right for me and I am so very happy to now have the wonderful sleeve that works. I had numerous complications with my band. With the sleeve, everything has been perfect and the weight just keeps coming off. I do have lots of hanging skin on my stomach, but part of that is from three pregnancies. I feel the sleeve has been one of the BEST decisions of my life. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

That is one thing I am concerned about is the extra skin. I have watched a lot of youtube videos with people who have had surgery are not getting the cosmetic surgery for their arms, stomachs, etc. Thank you, I hope to get the sleeve soon. I don't know if I have to do everything all over, I hope I don't. I read somewhere and also saw on yt that a few people didn't have to do the requirements all over again, they were just able to plan for the revision and that was it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome!

Thank you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 2 weeks out from my band to sleeve revision. So far, it is going really well. It is really nice not to have acid reflux, no puking, not being overly tight in the morning, not hurting when I eat etc. I was one of the lucky ones. My insurance approved my revision right away. I didn't have to jump through ANY hoops. I didn't even have to do a pre-op diet. The only thing I had to do was schedule my surgery and show up. I am also happy to report that I had an uncomplicated surgery and so far, an easy recovery. I'm thankful to have the band out. It caused me a lot of misery in the 2 years I had it. I only wish that the sleeve had been an option when I went and got the band. It would have saved me a lot of grief.

Good luck in your research. I found that this site and Obesity Help.com were two great sources of information from people just like me who were struggling with the band and their decision. I know that having revision surgery is scary. However,I'm glad I made the decision.

Shelli

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 2 weeks out from my band to sleeve revision. So far, it is going really well. It is really nice not to have acid reflux, no puking, not being overly tight in the morning, not hurting when I eat etc. I was one of the lucky ones. My insurance approved my revision right away. I didn't have to jump through ANY hoops. I didn't even have to do a pre-op diet. The only thing I had to do was schedule my surgery and show up. I am also happy to report that I had an uncomplicated surgery and so far, an easy recovery. I'm thankful to have the band out. It caused me a lot of misery in the 2 years I had it. I only wish that the sleeve had been an option when I went and got the band. It would have saved me a lot of grief.

Good luck in your research. I found that this site and Obesity Help.com were two great sources of information from people just like me who were struggling with the band and their decision. I know that having revision surgery is scary. However,I'm glad I made the decision.

Shelli

Thx so much. Yes I have researched youtube, obesity help, this site and a few others as well as people on Facebook too. Glad you are happy with your decision I hope to be one day too. From what the nurse told me my insurance only does one surgery per lifetime but they have allowed revisions and they said they will help me get around the "system" to have the revision surgery I want but I have to go to my appointment in a month (which sucks) but I am going to be patient and hope and pray that I am able to have the surgery. I will be 2 years out in Feb 2012 and at that time the biggest two surgeries were Band and Bypass. If I would have known what I know now about all the surgeries, I would have picked VSG.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I totally agree with you. The Lap-band and RNY were my only options at the time with insurance. VSG wasn't even mentioned in my pre-surgery consultation. I had read some information on it but, it was considered experimental so, I didn't give it much thought. My doctor does his best to steer everyone away from the band at this point. He has seen way too many complications.

Good luck with your insurance. It's too bad they make it so hard to navigate. Hopefully, they will realize that you are better off with the band out and the sleeve done.

Shelli

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×