I had RNY done January 5th 2009. It could not have went better. I had ZERO complications. I lost around 190 lbs. I was 374 and got as low as 185. I wound up having some major issues with alcohol use after the weight loss. I actually wound up going to two rehabs and six detoxes during a 3 year period. I have not had a drink in 5 years...but since I stopped drinking I haven't stopped eating. I am now around 300lbs which is still 74 less then my highest weight. I have tried many things, nutritionist, dietician, Weigh****chers, many calorie counting apps, intermittent fasting and therapy. The surgery did not fail me, I failed the surgery. I have been trying to lose weight for the past 5 years. I have omitted wheat, flour and sugar at times. I always go back to eating. I have tried meditation and prayer. I don't really know much about revision surgery but what I have read has not seemed promising. StomaphyX and Transoral (sic?) I am not really sure where to turn. I have tried OA as well as Grey Sheet Anonymous. I have not given up but I have to admit my hope is fading. My feeling is that my stoma has stretched, the reason I feel this way is because I still get some feeling of restriction but it does not last long. I'm sure it has stretched somewhat naturally but mostly because of my overeating. I can't look back and what could have been. I am asking for advice. I am a 58 year old male. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I look forward to any and all responses.

Kevin

Yes, I have my band still. It hasn't had any fluid in it since 2015 though. My surgeon is fairly confident that he'll be able to do both surgeries at one time. The idea of two bouts under anesthesia, two hospital stays and two recoveries was the reason I sought out a second opinion, but I think my surgeon is fairly unique in this approach. In his experience, it's also a bit safer from an insurance perspective to get the revision approved at the same time as the revision. As he put it, 100% of insurances will pay to have a band removed, but then you're back to square one, with potentially no revision in your future. I'm also on a very tight timeline. I have to have everything done no later than 12/31 or I can't have it done at all, due to finances and I'll just be stuck with chronic GERD and gastritis. I was hoping to hear back this week, but no such luck. Fingers crossed for next week:)

Coverage for revisions varies a lot. Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card and ask what your plan covers-- that's the only way you'll know for sure.

That said, lots of people have addressed regain of 75lb or more without a revision by going "back to basics." If there's nothing mechanically wrong with your WLS, that would probably be a good first step.

Hi all - I'm mostly lurking (and now posting) over on the DS boards, but wanted to ask a question here.

I'm hoping to have DS (or possibly SIPS) done and I'm worried about issues from having the lap band for 7 years. I had it removed in 2009 and don't have a lot of issues, but do sometimes have phantom band feelings and wonder how much damage could be going on in there - and if it will be a problem doing the DS.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!
Jen

I had my band removed Dec 2017 and the tubing of mine was in my liver as well. I don't remember being told about that in my consult, but that was in 2008. I am trying to get a revision to bypass, my surgeon wanted me to wait at least 3-6 months before considering my for a revision. He wanted the time for my liver to heal completely.