Gastric Bypass after Lap Band

[jiggyiggy120 8]

So I got banded about 3 years ago and have not had good results. To be honest I gave up on it when I was feeling uncomfortable and it wasn’t working. I would feel full, but not the same full as before. It was more of just a build up of food. And then even though I was full, I was still STARVING. It just didn’t work for me. My starting weight before surgery was 450. I initially lost about 80, but now I’m back up to 400. I have a friend who got the gastric bypass and she said it was the best decision of her life. I need to lose weight and I have been dieting already, but the results aren’t showing. I’ve started discussing getting the revision from the lap band to gastric bypass surgery with my primary doctor, but she didn’t have much information for me.

Has anyone had the revision done? Are there greater risks with having a revision? Or is it just the same as getting the surgery by itself?

[thiklips 13]

I had my lapband done in 2010 and revised on 8/2017 and GBP on 1/10/2018. One surgery doesn't have much to do with the other, other than they're both wls's,. Once the band is removed your stomache pretty much goes back to normal and my surgeon just had me wait a few months for my revision. I honestly had little success with the band, however I honestly felt more restriction with the band than this gastric. But vomiting at every other meal for 7 years was no fun and then sometimes I could eat a hog with no restrictions so needless to say I had to have it removed and try something new. The malabsortion factors are the main reasons for me getting GBP, not so much weight loss. I have diabetes and trying to reverse it. Considering the amount of weight you have to lose, you would most likely have great success. I think my weight loss is slower because I don't have much to loss to be at a normal BMI. I have lost 20 pounds since my preop weight on 12/27/2018.

[Travelher 915]

On 3/1/2018 at 8:51 AM, jiggyiggy120 said:

So I got banded about 3 years ago and have not had good results. To be honest I gave up on it when I was feeling uncomfortable and it wasn’t working. I would feel full, but not the same full as before. It was more of just a build up of food. And then even though I was full, I was still STARVING. It just didn’t work for me. My starting weight before surgery was 450. I initially lost about 80, but now I’m back up to 400. I have a friend who got the gastric bypass and she said it was the best decision of her life. I need to lose weight and I have been dieting already, but the results aren’t showing. I’ve started discussing getting the revision from the lap band to gastric bypass surgery with my primary doctor, but she didn’t have much information for me.

Has anyone had the revision done? Are there greater risks with having a revision? Or is it just the same as getting the surgery by itself?

me, I did the removal/revision in one procedure. Mine was smooth sailing in and out in 90 minutes. My doctor has done hundreds of revisions. you want a doctor with experience, because some people end up with adhesions between the band and their organs and you want a doctor who has seen it and and knows how to deal with it. you don't want to be the first. . Yes there are greater risks with a revision depending on how much damage the band has done. the sooner you get it out, the better.

[mimi0725 12]

Had a revision to sleeve back in 9/2016, all in one surgery, had lapband for 5 years with terrible issues, slippage which put me in hospital a few times, then they would have to deflate completely and I would have to go months with nothing (of course gain weight)and start whole process over again. Best thing I did was have reversal. Good luck

[SlimChickadee 216]

I had my lap-band done in 2009. Weight loss starting off was great, I got down to 245 lbs. I have had a great deal of issues with gastric reflux, vomiting, other days can eat like a horse with no restrictions, I stopped getting fills in 2015, I have gained all but 10 lbs of my pre-surgery weight back, I also currently sleep under a CPAP machine but cannot use it as I should do to the gastric reflux and waking up as if I am choking on my own saliva and coughing horribly. I recently went to see about having a revision and my doctor informed me that I can have the revision but would have to wait 3 mths after removal of the lap-band to have the Roux en y procedure. Can anyone let me know about healing time with the lap-band removal, how long did it take for insurance approval (BCBS), and finally, the actual recovery time for the lap-band removal and the recovery of the GBS. I am a remote worker and was wondering if I would be able to do my job which I sit for 8hrs intermittently with standing. Thank you in advance for information!

Edited May 20, 2019 by Quinnmedicinewoman

[Lelina 2]

On 3/21/2018 at 9:39 PM, mimi0725 said:

Had a revision to sleeve back in 9/2016, all in one surgery, had lapband for 5 years with terrible issues, slippage which put me in hospital a few times, then they would have to deflate completely and I would have to go months with nothing (of course gain weight)and start whole process over again. Best thing I did was have reversal. Good luck

hi mimi, please tell me what it is like having a revision from lapband to sleeve? Do you have acid reflux or vomiting like I have with band? I have had the band for 15 years, it helped me lose weight and keep it off but I vomit all the time. I damaged my esophagus and I have to have it taken out. One doctor suggests sleeve and another mini GBP. WHich one is better?

Edited May 21, 2019 by Lelina

[Travelher 915]

On 5/21/2019 at 6:01 PM, Lelina said:

hi mimi, please tell me what it is like having a revision from lapband to sleeve? Do you have acid reflux or vomiting like I have with band? I have had the band for 15 years, it helped me lose weight and keep it off but I vomit all the time. I damaged my esophagus and I have to have it taken out. One doctor suggests sleeve and another mini GBP. WHich one is better?

I'd be wary of the sleeve if you've had preexisting reflux. it is generally not recommended. one study i've seen has stats as high as 84% with reflux post sleeve if there was preexisting reflux. Bypass usually cures it. I can provide you the study link if you want. but my doc warned me i'd likely eventually be back for a revision if I went sleeve.

Is there a reason they have not offered the traditional bypass, it is the gold standard. Are you doing this through OHIP? i didn't think they offered the mini.

[madssmadss 12]

On 5/19/2019 at 5:46 PM, Quinnmedicinewoman said:

I had my lap-band done in 2009. Weight loss starting off was great, I got down to 245 lbs. I have had a great deal of issues with gastric reflux, vomiting, other days can eat like a horse with no restrictions, I stopped getting fills in 2015, I have gained all but 10 lbs of my pre-surgery weight back, I also currently sleep under a CPAP machine but cannot use it as I should do to the gastric reflux and waking up as if I am choking on my own saliva and coughing horribly. I recently went to see about having a revision and my doctor informed me that I can have the revision but would have to wait 3 mths after removal of the lap-band to have the Roux en y procedure. Can anyone let me know about healing time with the lap-band removal, how long did it take for insurance approval (BCBS), and finally, the actual recovery time for the lap-band removal and the recovery of the GBS. I am a remote worker and was wondering if I would be able to do my job which I sit for 8hrs intermittently with standing. Thank you in advance for information!

I had my band removed and RNY at the same time. DIfferent surgeons do it differently. make sure to go to someone with a ton of experience. It makes all the difference. As far as insurance it really depends on which BCBS. I was denied and hired lindstrom obesity advocates. If you have any issues call them and have a free consultation. They are amazing. I have BCBS Illinois and had a terrible time with them. As far as your job and work, it depends on how you recover. I definitely needed at least a week to be able to do anything. Two weeks I would've been fine.

[SlimChickadee 216]

Thank you so much, it's good to know there are people (advocates) we can reach out to! Thank you so much for the information!

[strickla34 1]

I had my band done in 2008/2009 weight up and down, a lot of vomiting ( now I have Barrett’s esophagus). Since moved , I am working with an experienced doctor whose done a lot off revisions. He told me I can’t get the sleeve due to all my problems from the band and esophagus, but a good candidate for the bypass . So I am going from band to bypass. Done all my steps , just have one more weigh in , one visit to the surgeon, and my pre op class. Hopefully get my surgery in July 2019! Anyone had that revision ?
Thanks !

[DebbieDebb19 0]

On 3/1/2018 at 6:20 AM, thiklips said:

I had my lapband done in 2010 and revised on 8/2017 and GBP on 1/10/2018. One surgery doesn't have much to do with the other, other than they're both wls's,. Once the band is removed your stomache pretty much goes back to normal and my surgeon just had me wait a few months for my revision. I honestly had little success with the band, however I honestly felt more restriction with the band than this gastric. But vomiting at every other meal for 7 years was no fun and then sometimes I could eat a hog with no restrictions so needless to say I had to have it removed and try something new. The malabsortion factors are the main reasons for me getting GBP, not so much weight loss. I have diabetes and trying to reverse it. Considering the amount of weight you have to lose, you would most likely have great success. I think my weight loss is slower because I don't have much to loss to be at a normal BMI. I have lost 20 pounds since my preop weight on 12/27/2018.

Hi,

I had my lap band placed in 2006 and I did great I went from 245 lbs to 134 lbs with eating right and lots of exercise. During that time I went through a divorce and moved back to California from Arizona, I enrolled back into College so that I could earn my degree in nursing. So with that said I stayed very busy met my new husband and started to put weight slowly back on, not much but enough to feel it. I joined the gym in January 2018 and dropped weight, toned up and put on muscle. I started to experience severe GERD to the point of vomiting while sleeping! I had not kept up with my lap band maintenance or adjustments in about 7-8 years. I decided it was time to consider removing the band after 3 trips to the ER within 3 months. I met a wonderful Bariatric doctor who suggested I consider and research a revision from the band to the gastric sleeve, now this was a surprise to me as I am 5'5 142 lbs and a size 2. He explained everything thoroughly, detailed and why medically this would be a great option, he did also give me the option of simply removing the band as he felt the issues I was having was that after 13 years my body was "rejecting the foreign object" thus the lap band plus I also had a large hard bump where the port was located due to my slimmer torso. After researching the pros and cons I decided to go for the revision, which was done 5/20/19, my doctor did the removal of the band and sleeve all in one procedure (3.5 hours) I felt this would be best as I did NOT want to have to go under twice. I had NO issue with my insurance due to the reason and medical documentation to support the revision. So far so good, I will say the one thing my doctor told me (which I have learned)is forget everything you learned and lived with with your Band the sleeve is a whole new ball game! I was only on liquids for 2 days post op, Protein Shakes started on day 2 as well with Jello and broth, 10 days post op I started on eggs, Beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna salad and have had no issue. I drink a lot of Water up to 1 gallon a day and that I must say has changed as I now have to sip (not chug) throughout the day. Lots of sugar free popsicles, watermelon and sugar free jello have been my best friends when I feel I need to hydrate. I've also started to go back to the gym as of day 11 post op (once I got my doctors ok) NO weights, midline or core workouts only treadmill, stair climber and spin class (modified) for an hour each day and let me tell you this has helped tremendously with the swelling and gas! My advice would be to get another medical opinion and get and stay as active as possible. It's a lifestyle change and a daily battle (for me).

Hope this help :)

[SkinnyKathy 98]

Hello all, I'm in a similar situation. Lap band in 2008 and I went from 433 to 178. I thought the band was a miracle! But in the last few years I have really struggled with GERD, throwing up, constant flem and white foam in my throat. Gross. And managing the pain from GERD has led me to various unfills and also bad eating habits gained from my fear of GERD pain (not "what is healthy for me to eat" but "what will my body not reject now?") have led to regaining almost 100 pounds out of the 250 I lost. So tomorrow I'm going to the Kaiser bariatric clinic to talk about having the band removed, and after the minimum 3 month waiting period, revised to RNY. Sleeve is out of the question due to GERD. It seems that everywhere on this board I see pre-revision people like me but not many post-revision people. I want to know how it has gone for those who have done the band to RNY revision!

[SlimChickadee 216]

Me too! I noticed a few that had surgery dates set for this month and can only imagine how they are feeling but inquiring minds want to know!

[DebbieDebb19 0]

Hi 👋🏽

As of today 3 1/2 weeks post op I have returned to work, I workout 6 days a week, drink lots of Water and keep my meals simple, light and portions small.

I meal prepped this week Peruvian Beans (boiled), hard boiled eggs, baked sweet potatoes and zucchini. I drink 2 Protein Shakes a day (37 grams each shake). I’m down 12 pounds and my scrubs are loose!

I walk during my breaks and lunch to help with gas pains I still encounter after meals. I’m still a bit bloated, swollen and bruised. My incisions are still healing and I still have the surgical glue (slightly peeling). It’s been a “trial and error” process and I continue to learn as I go along. This is very different from the lap band but so far I’m very happy.

[SlimChickadee 216]

Thank you for sharing! Wishing you success and prayers as you contine to heal!