I have had the lap band since 2007. I lost 163 pounds over the years. Then had complications last November gained 40 pounds back after they had to open my band completely. I am slowly in the process of getting filled and struggling to lose the weight again and meanwhile getting depressed. I have an option of having a revision to sleeve or GB. My insurance has approved the revision. Question is which one should I do. I am leaning towards the sleeve, however my surgeon said he will take the band out and then I may have to wait 3-6 month doe the sleeve because of band scarring on my stomach. I CANNOT WAIT THAT LONG FOR FEAR OF GAINING MORE WEIGHT!!! I am miserable with 40 extra pounds. Can't imagine any more. He didn't say anything about the GB and a waiting period. Pleas help me understand and decide which way to go. Thank you.

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I was in the same boat 10 months ago. Band needed to come out. From the time I was unfilled until getting approval I also gained 40 pounds. I understand your frustration!

My doctor suggested GB revision, however, I insisted on Sleeve and am so glad I did, however, I will tell you that a higher percentile of sleeved revision patients lose weight slowly. I am one of those patients, but, I'm ok with it. The very awesome two benefits for me is that I don't feel the hunger I felt with the band and as long as I eat slowly, full is full and no second guessing and overeating happens very little for me.

Most surgeons will do revisions with 2 surgeries because they tell you it is safer and there is less of a chance of complications like leaks on the staple line when you allow your insides to heal for 2-3 months before getting sleeved. Other surgeons such as my surgeon will proceed with band removal and sleeve procedure in one surgery contingent that there are no major issues, such as erosion or band slippage and also if there is not a lot of scar tissue that has to be removed/repaired. The surgeon sometimes will not know until they are inside. I was told that I could wake out of surgery only to discover that he could not proceed with the sleeve. I was lucky!

Deciding on GB or Sleeve, in my opinion, depends on how much weight you need/want to lose and how active your are. GB will get you to your goal quicker than the sleeve. GB is also a bit more complicated with the re-routing of the plumbing (intestines).

For me I am extremely pleased with sleeve because of two outcomes resulting from the sleeve. I feel much less hunger compared to the band and I think that this is due to the ghrelin cells that are removed when 80% of the stomach is removed and second I know when I am full beyond any shadow of any doubt! Love it! There is a facebook site called "Band to Sleeve revision" where members are only people that have had band to sleeve revision done or currently have band and are thinking about getting it done. Very informative people there. They really have been a God sent to me. Sorry for going on and on, but, I hope this has been of some help. Jake

Edited March 13, 201610 yr by NoMoBand

Jake, I was told the same thing that I could wake up and have the sleeve or not and that it was his discretion. Do you know if there are concerns with GB such as waiting after the band is removed or can they do it right after? I cannot find anything on that. I really don't care which surgery I have I just don't want to gain anymore weight. It scares me and depresses me. I was 160 and now 200. I want to be about 140 eventually.

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I wish I had an answer for you. I really don't know if the same rules apply, but, I can only speculate that the same rules will apply. Keep us posted. I'm really curious.

Should this be the case, you may consider joining weight watchers, Adkins diet..... I do know that the weight does come on quickly and it's scary as heck! I was really shocked!

Hopefully, someone out there has the answer for you.

I am 34 months RNY gastric bypass. I chose this type of surgery because I have severe acid reflux (GERD) prior to surgery and this is the recommended approach for that condition.

I was in the weight loss phase for 6 or 7 months and then transitioned into the maintenance phase. What you are requesting, I believe is how to minimize your weight gain prior to surgery. This is somewhat similar to the maintenance approach, perhaps the following article might provide you some clues. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

I had the band in 2008 and loss 120lbs and in the fall of 2014 started having bad reflux by the time I had my band out in November they found out my band was severely slipped and they couldn't do my sleeve at the same by the time I had my sleeve. In February witch I had to wait the 3 months I had gained all but 20 lbs of the 120 but after a month since my surgery I know. The sleeve was the right choice I've lost 35!lbs and I feel a lot more healthier good luck what ever you choose but don't get discourage if you have to wait

Hi @@kstein01 I just had band to sleeve revision surgery on March 2nd. I had complications from my band for about 8 months before I made the decision to go with the sleeve. I went in for an EGD and my doctor unfilled me completely and I ended up gaining 25 pounds in 2.5 months. I was so disappointed in myself.

My surgeon does the removal and revision together if possible. And luckily he was able to do mine together. I am so happy with this decision and looking forward to not feeling horrible all the time like I was with the band. I know the weight loss can be slower with the sleeve but this is a journey not a sprint for me.

Good luck with your decision, remember this has to be what's best for you and your future.

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I have had the lap band since 2007. I lost 163 pounds over the years. Then had complications last November gained 40 pounds back after they had to open my band completely. I am slowly in the process of getting filled and struggling to lose the weight again and meanwhile getting depressed. I have an option of having a revision to sleeve or GB. My insurance has approved the revision. Question is which one should I do. I am leaning towards the sleeve, however my surgeon said he will take the band out and then I may have to wait 3-6 month doe the sleeve because of band scarring on my stomach. I CANNOT WAIT THAT LONG FOR FEAR OF GAINING MORE WEIGHT!!! I am miserable with 40 extra pounds. Can't imagine any more. He didn't say anything about the GB and a waiting period. Pleas help me understand and decide which way to go. Thank you.

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Oh this happened to me. My band malfunctioned October 2015 I've gained 50 lbs over 5 months.. My initial weight loss was significantly less than yours. I think I lost in total 50 lbs with the band. I go for my new surgery April 14th 2016 and my dr is doing both at the same time. I am switching to the bpd-ds. Higher weight loss expectations and lowest chance of weight regain.

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I am a band to bypass revision and my surgeon requires the 3 month wait between removing the band and doing the bypass.

What is the bpd-ds procedure?

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It's complicated to explain. It stands for biliary pancreatic diversion with duvoal switch. Similar to a gastric bypass but more weight loss expectations and lower risk of regaining weight.

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On 3/26/2016 at 2:20 PM, Herringtongirl81 said:

It's complicated to explain. It stands for biliary pancreatic diversion with duvoal switch. Similar to a gastric bypass but more weight loss expectations and lower risk of regaining weight.

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BILIO PANCREATIC DIVERSION finally found a surgeon in Australia that has it on his website. I'd been looking into DS