Hello!

I'm new to this site. I had Lapband surgery in 2005, with no results. I'm thinking about having it removed and possibly getting a different surgery. I'm not sure what would be best for me to look into! Anyone with a similar scenario?

Thanks!

-Amanda

There are a great deal of us here that have LapBand to Sleeve or Band to Bypass revisions. Most everyone I have seen post are glad that they did the revision. Did you not lose at all with the band?

Hi im Kiki I had 2 lap bands both slipped now im getting sleeved July 13. with the first band I lost 115 before it slipped with the 2nd one I did not loose anything it slipped and when it was removed the weight came back really fast.

I am a band-to-bypass revision patient. I got banded in November of 2007 and had it removed in December 2014. I was such a mess that my doctor waited 4 months to do my bypass (04.08.2015) and I am SO glad I did the revision! My surgeon said that he likes to go with bypass for previously banded patients because of the trauma caused by banding. With the sleeve the new stomach is banana-shaped whereas with bypass a brand new pouch is created out of healthy tissue. It is incredible what a difference bypass is from banding. I was sick pretty much the entire time I was banded and I never could eat properly. Now I have what I was hoping the band was going to do for me; a tool that I am using to help me redesign my eating habits and live a healthy lifestyle! Of course ultimately the decision is up to you but I can tell you I am 100% happy with my progress so far. I actually feel like I can do things right this time!

Hi there! @@ama2414

Did the doctor provide some insight as to why you did not have any success with the lapband surgery? I would definately want to understand what went wrong so that I could make sure up I am set up for success with bypass or sleeve.

Maybe your fill was not right or didn't put you in the green zone.

I got my band in 2005. Lost 85 lbs the first year and then had horrible reflux issues. They took out the fluid and I yoyo dieted for 8 yrs. I finally decided to have revision surgery. I never liked the idea of bypass so when I heard about the sleeve I was all in. I had my surgery on 4/30 and I am so glad I did. The doc said my band was a mess and ended up pulling my stomach out in pieces. He said my stomach was close to closing off. Very scary. I can't begin to tell you how much better I feel with that band gone. No reflux, no more vomiting, no more stuck. And my hunger is gone, it never was with the band.

please read my long story under tednjnl, hope this helps

I have lost a lot more weight with the sleeve than I ever did with my band. I was hesitant to convert, but as my surgeon said, "you will get more bang for your buck." She was correct.

I'm so happy for you, how long has it been since having done your sleeve?

My revision was Jan 2015. Band placed in 2006 never worked for me, just caused me pain pain. Had a slip right away and had it replaced. Lost 50 pounds but in pain all the time.

I am so happy to have that "thing" out of me. Even with no fill, it felt like I had a knot in my stomach all the time.

The sleeve is just plain easier. *FOR ME....My doc said longer term there are much fewer complications with the sleeve because of no foreign object that can slip, fail, whatever.

Best to you!

I had my surgery February 11,2015 and am very thankful for this tool.

Thank you all for the advice! Sent my consult request in to Mass General & now I'm just waiting to hear back!

Another question for you- how do you get over the feeling of feeling like a failure because your first surgery didn't work or you didn't succeed? In having a hard time coming to terms with feeling okay about it! Thanks again.

It was hard at first especially once all my co-morbids I had stared coming back and one by one I was started back on medication, diabetes ,high blood pressure, and my cholesterol all came back and im back on meds and now insulin. I will be glad when I get my sleeve July 13. Although im not at the 298 I started out with when I got my first band and lost 115lbs. I'm at 260 and my second band was removed 2012 when I was at 230.

Handed in 07 lost all my weight. Over all the years band slipped and reflux issues. Gained half back due to pregnancies. Revised four months ago to bypass. The quality of life is sooo much better, I am so happy that I can actually feel full and not in pain!

Thank you all for the advice! Sent my consult request in to Mass General & now I'm just waiting to hear back!

Another question for you- how do you get over the feeling of feeling like a failure because your first surgery didn't work or you didn't succeed? In having a hard time coming to terms with feeling okay about it! Thanks again.

I have never felt like a failure... I felt like the BAND failed me. Even more discouraging for me, I had made it to goal before my band slipped and started years of progressively worsening symptoms.

You are not a failure... it is more that you are NOT giving up. The Sleeve is NOTHING like the band IMO. It is everything I had hoped the band would be... effective and permanent.