I am finally getting my band removed in June. I have had year after year of issues and am VERY happy to be DONE with the band. I want to revise to the sleeve... but my surgeon is not in favor of that. He recommends RNY. He said the success rate with the sleeve after banding is not as high as with revision to RNY. He cites scar tissue as the main reason... with RNY the portion of the stomach with scar tissue is removed. He also thinks the added tool of malabsorption is a big plus.

I have decided to wait 6 months after removal before revising to another surgery. That is the length of time he recommended before he would consider a sleeve revision. I was positive I wanted the sleeve... now I am not so sure. Was anyone else pressured to choose RNY and still went forward with the sleeve and are happy they stuck with their gut?

I initially lost 100 pounds with the band... regained because of complications. Then lost the 100 again after band re-positioning... regained because of complications again. I have been without fill now since Jan 2014 and am back to my pre surgery weight. I feel like the sleeve will work for me. I was able to work my tool... when IT wasn't malfunctioning.

RNY scares the crap out of me. I have no major medical issues other than PCOS and sleep apnea. I have a 20 month old son and I need to be here for him.

I just found out last week that insurance said 6 months for revision--which is why i was denied for that procedure--because i dont have it. Thats when i hired Walter & Kelley Lindstrom! If I have the band removed (which, btw, they'll pay for) I'll continue to gain weight! I've already gained 11 lbs just since the Fluid was completely removed a month ago! My BMI is under 40 but over 35. This 6-month thing is ludicrous for revision surgery!!!! AND obviously, genetics plays a major role in our situations! I'm amazed at the number of posts I see where people are required to follow 6 month documented plans when they're having health issues with a prior procedure!!! 6 months could mean the difference between life and death in some people and insurance companies should NOT be given the power to make that determination!!!!

I want to go from band to sleeve. I was to,d I need to do the whole pre op work up again which I am finding really annoying. Apparently insurance will approve removal at this point but won't even consider revision until I do the whole thing, psych, support group, etc. I just hope I don't do it all and then they still decline revision since I'm below a bmi of 40. I am like 36 right now.

I just found out last week that insurance said 6 months for revision--which is why i was denied for that procedure--because i dont have it. Thats when i hired Walter & Kelley Lindstrom! If I have the band removed (which, btw, they'll pay for) I'll continue to gain weight! I've already gained 11 lbs just since the Fluid was completely removed a month ago! My BMI is under 40 but over 35. This 6-month thing is ludicrous for revision surgery!!!! AND obviously, genetics plays a major role in our situations! I'm amazed at the number of posts I see where people are required to follow 6 month documented plans when they're having health issues with a prior procedure!!! 6 months could mean the difference between life and death in some people and insurance companies should NOT be given the power to make that determination!!!!

I want to go from band to sleeve. I was to,d I need to do the whole pre op work up again which I am finding really annoying. Apparently insurance will approve removal at this point but won't even consider revision until I do the whole thing, psych, support group, etc. I just hope I don't do it all and then they still decline revision since I'm below a bmi of 40. I am like 36 right now.

It might be worth your while to contact Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy. Initial consult is free.