reshiapooh96

Yes, They are. Mine is the same. banded right at 3 yrs now and so confused and sort of angry. what hurt the most is the fact that I stopped losing weight shy of 50 lbs. The other sad part is that I lost that weight between 7-8 months. My Dr. kept filling and I was miserable b/c of acid re flux, a slight slip and everything else that goes along with it, and still no more weight loss. I can relate to everyone here.

I totally agree with everything you said.

I'm with you on that. I lost nearly 50lbs with the band that is no longer working. I lost the booty then, and now I want the sleeve to help me lose the other 50 lbs. I'm hoping I wont lose the boobs too but I doubt it. The legs where history before losing anything. According to my Dr., I need to lose another 70 lbs.

Hey guys, I'm a 58 y/o AA female and was banded in '09. Now I need to have the band taken out and wondering about the sleeve. I hear only good things about it and will be talking to my surgeon soon. I only have another 50 lbs that I would like to lose but once the band is out, I'm sure most or all of my weight will pile back on. Therefore, I need to do this ASAP before that happens. Has anyone converted from the band?

Hey guys, I would like to know where were you all converted with the sleeve? I have a new surgeon and I don't believe that he has a lot of experience with bands. I heard that his main expertise was in doing virgin sleeves. When he told me that my band need to go, I asked him about the sleeve and he said "YES," I can do it. I felt bad about asking him that b/c I knew he wasn't going to say "No I can't". But for some reason I get the feeling that he isn't that comfortable doing band conversions and he has never done one before. Could everyone "Please" let me know how comfortable were you with your Dr. and where is that Dr. located. No matter how far, it would be worth it to me.

I had to read this twice to make sure it wan't my post. I have the same story. Too tight, fluid in, fluid out several times. still WOW! This is my story. pain, too tight, fluid in, fluid out. Even being too tight, I was still hungry and could eat what ever. I had an UGI swallow twice before telling me that I had a dilated esophagus and pouch. 5cc taken out and now 2cc back in. I'm having so much gas until it's unreal. I was banded same time you were. He said the band is longer working and I need to have all fliud removed and have another procedure. He is more experienced doing sleeves. I'm frustrated and torn. I have to go back to him this week to give my decision and it's a hard one to give. he said that I would have to wait due to scar tissue but didn't say for how long.

Well, It was decided on today to just go ahead and have this band removed. hopefully soon. I'm going to wait on having the CT Scan done right now. Getting rid of the band just may be the thing I need to get rid of the pain.

Are you still banded? Or was it removed!

I was banded 8/09 and was going great. I hit a standstill and then lost 8 more lbs after another 3 months. I have not lost any weight in 2 yrs. fills and unfills many times. Now upper left-side pain that's been there for about 3 weeks now. I've had 2 upper GI's within 5 months, Nothing found. Now today he said go for a ct scan, blood work and then back to him next week and totally all fluid removed. Did any of you have this upper stomach pain that I've described? If so, What was causing it. It used to come and go, but this time it's a little worse and hanging on longer. I'm a little worried. I talked to him about the sleeve and he was all for it. I just don't want to regain.

Yes, I went through the same thing as you before being unfilled. I am still banded and seeking another alternative. My Dr. wouldn't unfill me no matter what I was telling him about it. He said that I was where I needed to be. I was in pure hell when I went to bed. I couldn't even take a nap during the day. Now I'm worried about regaining. The hunger or should I say the desire to eat is uncontrollable for me. I have to do something. I've developed a huge upper belly and pain near the port area at times.

Glad you're doing well. I am in that situation right now.. dstollery said it all. Your info is very informative and I need to hear that right now. My band has stopped working. Wheather I contributed to that or not (I don't know) but my Dr.said that it is no longer working for me. I've had my issues with it and no weight loss in 2 yrs I still have the co-mobilities I had before banding and My insurance will pay for the bypass, but BOY Oh BOY am I afraid. As you said I've done every diet too! over and over w/o success. Oh well, as soon as I can get the band taken out I'm almost sure of regaining some weight back. At that point I would give the bypass a serious thought. I hate to sound so negative about regaining, but thats one of my biggest fears. Because of my diabetes, for me I don't lose w/o help. It's been proven in the past.

Much thanks to you all. Right now what I'm really thinking is that knowing myself I could never lose weight on my own. I've tried every diet out there more than once or twice. Having this band is of no use to me now and therefore there's no need to have it in my body. If the band goes, I will try hard to adhere to a strict diet plan and increase my exercise. After-all, that's what I have to do anyway at this point (all on my own) since the band is no more good to me. If I gain the weight back, then the choice for me would be the sleeve if possible. Thanks Guys!

Hi, I am type 2. and this is pretty strong in my family. After reading several posts, I am almost sure that I will regain the weight that was lost and that scares me more than anything. I see where you're going. but on the other hand If I go W/O the band and regain, It would make my decision a little easier perhaps. I'm just too afraid to regain. I have come off of 2 of my meds and would hate to go back on them. too risky.

Well guys, I wrote before that I had a Dr.'s appointment today and I think I may give this band one more try. I feel that maybe It was all my fault for not completely following all the rules. I think I ate more than I should have. but I never felt full and always hungry no matter how tight my band was. Always filled and unfilled for 3 yrs. I have been unfilled for the past 2 months now. The good news is that I only gained 1pound. The bad news is that he told me that the band has done all its going to do for me and that I have a dilated pouch. I had 80 lbs to lose and in all have only lost 45. I still have diabetes and still on meds for high B/P and cholesterol. I thought that being banded would get me in control of these things but its not going to happen. He did mention that my option now is to go without a band,be sleeved, or have pypass. I would think that by-pass may be too much since I only have 30-40 more pounds to lose. Please give me some feed back. Were any of you in this situation?

I can empathize with u on the left side pain under ribs. I've been banded for 3 yrs and have it often. My Dr. says its a pulled muscle. whenever I do something by way of exercise I can say maybe so. but when it comes on for no reason there's no reason to believe its a pulled muscle.

I know that feeling! I wish you all the best and take care.

Good question. I dont know but I supose the price varies depending on the Dr. My insurance may pay but I was 1st rejected due to not losing enough weight from bandng. I had no documentation either.

Well, I should have listened to this very informative info 3 yrs ago when I chose the band instead. I was type 2 diabetic and still is. I have another 35 lbs to lose and I dont see myself getting there with the band. I've had my issues with it and have been this same weight for two yrs. My Dr. says I can still have RNY done. I'm 5'3" and 205lbs. I'm afraid of losing too much but dont want the possible complications of diabetes either. I have lost 45 lbs with the band. Open for any ideas or suggestions.

OK.....Thanks!

so inspiring you're giving me hope and courage. Glad to hear you're doing well.

So happy for you. Keep us posted

Mews, I had a Dr. just that way. He made me feel like a cry baby and that I was just making excuses. I have the band but looking into converting to the sleeve. In 3 weeks, I will be 3 yrs out and a lose of 50lbs. 5 of which I"ve gained back. He said that I want my cake and eat it too, and that I needed to expect some sort of consequence. He refused to give me an unfill although I was basicly sitting up all night in bed due to acid reflux. I was too tight and still gained.

Hello! I have a band and need to revise. But before I got the band, I worried so bad that I cancelled surgery twice and when I finally made up my mind to do it, They turned me down and I had to go elsewhere for surgery. Needless to say that I hardy had any pain at all and it DID actually seemed to have only taken 5 minutes before waking up. But I'm facing fears again b/c I know this band will have to come out.

R things still working ok for U? Im reading threads to get motivated and this is definatly motivating. I have the band right now and it is no longer working. I'm trying to crank it back up by exercising more often, but port pain is stopping me from going to the gym daily. keep me posted. our situation sounds simular.

I was told that you couldn't have a full tummy tuck if you have a scar from an open gall bladder removal. It was said that there's a possibility of poor healing. Was anyone else told this or has anyone had a TT that has that scar?