TinaM8

My story is almost the exact same - same fears and concerns. I had my revision on the 8th so I'm too early to comment on the differences but after a long process of thinking and debating I decided that I was not going to conquer this life long battle by myself without help. What made me really decide to move forward was the metabolic change that comes with the sleeve. It's so different than what we had with the band. Good luck with your decision process!

Thanks for the encouraging words!! I definitely hope tomorrow will bring me closer to some answers. Like I said, I know I haven't followed the rules to a T and I know I have made some mistakes but I am ready to right some wrongs with my band and do what I need to do.

I really want the gastric sleeve. Literally I can't get it out of my head. I had the Lapband in 2006 and all I ever lost was 60lbs. I now gained 20lbs back so it is like I only lost 40. I am convinced that the sleeve would do for me what the band never could. I was throwing up everything I ate and even throwing up in my sleep at one point and now I have ZERO ANYTHING from the band except one big headache. The best way I can describe my current situation is that it is like I never had the band at all. I am so encouraged to read stories like yours from patients that have converted to the sleeve. I have a lot of deciding to do !! You story is very encouraging

I really just need to vent.
I have all but talked myself out of this surgery and that in itself frustrates me beyond belief. First off I have no choice but to be approved through insurance because I cannot afford another self-pay surgery (I had the lap band in 2006). Even if I am approved I have a deductible of $6000. That is STEEP to say the least. In order to try and get approved I have to gain weight before I can be considered for insurance coverage because I don't have any "check list" health problems and my BMI is under 40. I was told I would have to gain 25lbs. Seriously!! That goes against everything I am trying to do! It goes against everything I have been trying to achieve for the last 34 years of my life.
I also, have no support with this surgery. It feels like everyone closest to me just wants to talk me out of it. They keep saying "Oh I know you can do it with diet and exercise". OH REALLY? Well let's do the math. I am 34 years old and have been obese my entire young adult/adult life. I was also heavy when I was young. I literally spent 2 years of my adult life not being obese. It was between the ages of 19 and 21. I had no relationship, no husband, no job, no kids, no job, virtually NO STRESS AND I was exercising 4 HOURS A DAY !!! Of course I was able to do it. It took me a year to lose 80lbs which was all I needed to lose at the time and I kept it off a year. That in NO WAY is a success. I gained it back plus 30+lbs so OBVIOUSLY I need help. I know that the opinions o2 weight loss surgery are vastly different. Some people are for it and some people think it is the worst thing you can do. I have found there very rarely is any middle ground. I know it doesn't help that I already had the lap band and "failed at it" but the more I learn and the more the lap band is around I see that the band is just not going to work with everyone. I try not to be hard on myself but BELIEVE ME I am and I feel bad that I wasn't able to succeed with the band. It is a huge disappointment. Not to mention embarrassing. Everyone knows that you had it so it is obvious you aren't succeeding with it.
I know that there are so many worse things in life that I could be dealing with but right now this is my hell. I have these waves of excitement thinking that I could possibly get a handle on this once and for all. Then it switches to nervousness thinking about having a part of my body removed. Then I just get waves of complete "I am just going to throw my hands up and quit and I will just have to deal with being fat until I die." It helps to have somewhere to vent especially since nobody gets it until they have been there.

I have heard so many wonderful things about him! I too live in Louisiana but I am trying anything I can to not be a self-pay. I previously had the lap band that has given me nothing but problems and was a self-pay but I just can't afford another surgery completely out of pocket.

I wish the customer service rep. would have been a little less vague and told me more on the phone! I am curious what the criteria is. I guess I should call my surgeon's office back and tell them what I have found and see what to do next.

I definitely need to read these and will do so tonight. Thank you

I can't help but wonder if you're expecting the band to physically stop you from eating, because that isn't the band's job. It will always be your job to keep your portions to a cup or less.
Here's a couple articles that I think will help you a lot:
The Lap-band is NOT about Restriction, by Dr. Simpson: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html
Tighter Isn't Always Better, by Jean McMillan: http://www.lapbandta...ays-better-r118

Best wishes and be sure to follow up with your doctor

Insist on a fluoroscopy with your next fill. Here's a good video that demonstrates why it's so important for some patients:

Thanks for the encouraging words!! I definitely hope tomorrow will bring me closer to some answers. Like I said, I know I haven't followed the rules to a T and I know I have made some mistakes but I am ready to right some wrongs with my band and do what I need to do.

Thanks for the encouraging words!! I definitely hope tomorrow will bring me closer to some answers. Like I said, I know I haven't followed the rules to a T and I know I have made some mistakes but I am ready to right some wrongs with my band and do what I need to do.

I definitely take responsibility for not losing more in the beginning. There was a time when I was throwing up at every meal but it was almost like once I threw up I could eat more than I did before I threw up. I am by no means a "Perfect Lapband" patient and have made some mistakes but having a band with no restriction is pointless. Isn't that the whole point?