Lap Band Revision - Sleeve or Bypass?

[Loriey 20]

6 minutes ago, JRT Mom said:

Loriey, you will hear people say weight loss is difficult after revision surgery. I didn't find that true AT ALL. I started at 240 and only got down to 160 with the band. Then after I had trouble with it I got back up to 200. Seven months ago I got my revision and I am now down to 140. I found it much easier to eat small meals with the bypass than with the band. With the band, if the first bite didn't land just right in the pouch I'd feel nauseous and NEVER had that "ahhhh...I'm perfectly full" feeling. With the bypass there is NEVER that sickly lap band full feeling. It's just a nice "That's just right" feeling of fullness.

That is great to hear. It gives me hope. Congrats on great weight loss and most of all, on the freedom of feeling good while losing.

[Tribecca26 4]

Hey Guys, I am in a similar boat. Had a lap band put in Dec 2014, started at 300lbs and was able to get down to 240, I have started to gain back a little because the band just isn't working for me anymore, not to mention the torture it has put me through over the last few years. I still want to lose weight and with my medical conditions, they make it difficult for me to do so on my own. So now I'm considering reverting my band to the sleeve. I've been doing a ton of research, which includes popping back onto this site to speak to people who are going through the same. While the sleeve has a great overall effect on weight loss, it is still a scary notion to be cutting out most of your stomach! I can't put my finger on what exactly worries me the most, but the healing process post-op and quality of life after...I know losing weight will be a much healthier better quality of life, but will I be able to ever enjoy food again? I'm a 31 y/o female who enjoys the occasional dinner out and drinks with friends and the lap band has kind of ruined that for me. If that first bite you eat doesn't hit the right spot then there goes my meal, and if I'm not around my friends who know what's up it is embarrassing. How have your social lives been after the sleeve? I know you are much more limited in how much you can eat but is anyone having issues with certain kinds of foods or where food doesn't go down or comes back up or discomfort? I would like to get my life back again and lose weight and get rid of my medical problems while I'm at it.

Thank you in advance for all of your advice and wisdom! -Becca

[Loriey 20]

7 minutes ago, Tribecca26 said:

Hey Guys, I am in a similar boat. Had a lap band put in Dec 2014, started at 300lbs and was able to get down to 240, I have started to gain back a little because the band just isn't working for me anymore, not to mention the torture it has put me through over the last few years. I still want to lose weight and with my medical conditions, they make it difficult for me to do so on my own. So now I'm considering reverting my band to the sleeve. I've been doing a ton of research, which includes popping back onto this site to speak to people who are going through the same. While the sleeve has a great overall effect on weight loss, it is still a scary notion to be cutting out most of your stomach! I can't put my finger on what exactly worries me the most, but the healing process post-op and quality of life after...I know losing weight will be a much healthier better quality of life, but will I be able to ever enjoy food again? I'm a 31 y/o female who enjoys the occasional dinner out and drinks with friends and the lap band has kind of ruined that for me. If that first bite you eat doesn't hit the right spot then there goes my meal, and if I'm not around my friends who know what's up it is embarrassing. How have your social lives been after the sleeve? I know you are much more limited in how much you can eat but is anyone having issues with certain kinds of foods or where food doesn't go down or comes back up or discomfort? I would like to get my life back again and lose weight and get rid of my medical problems while I'm at it.

Thank you in advance for all of your advice and wisdom! -Becca

I'm sure some of our experienced patients can offer some insight on this. I feel that bypass is the way to go for me, because i have issues with GERD. We just need to really follow all the rules and make an effort to eat consciously. This will ensure the final surgery is successful in the long run.