Erin O'Donnell

I don't really have any advice, but I am having the exact same concerns. I don't want there to be any complications way down the road that I'll have to deal with for the rest of my life, and being only 22 that's a long time hopefully. I wish I had some advice or something to offer you, but just know that you're not alone in your worries hopefully someone else who has more insight than I will reply and give us both peace of mind.

Hi! I just recently got my band completely unfilled due to a slip. While my doctor was unwilling my band he recommended that I consider revising to the sleeve. I've heard so many great success stories with the sleeve that I am really considering going through with it. My only question is, do people with the sleeve struggle with getting "stuck" like those with the band can? Since having a slip with my band I cannot imagine going through that same struggle permanently with the sleeve. Any advice is welcome! Thanks!

Hi everyone! I got the lapband back in 2012 and have since had little to no success. I've just been back to see my surgeon for the first time in over a year after becoming fed up with constantly being stuck, to the point where I couldn't even get Water down some days. He said I had a slight prolapse and removed all the Fluid from my band. He suggests that I switch to the sleeve. I just want to do my research before jumping into another surgery. I was wondering what the sleeve is like? What are the more common complications? And my biggest concern, do you get food "stuck" the way those with the band do? Getting stuck constantly was very difficult and uncomfortable and I would not want to feel that ever again, and knowing the sleeve is permanent I am scared that if getting "stuck" is a possibility that it is something I could be dealing with for, well, ever. Just for some background info, I got my lapband done at the hospital my dad works at in NJ (August 2012) because I'm on my dad's insurance and his covers the bariatric stuff, whereas my mom's insurance does not. But I live in VA where I just finished college and am starting a new job, and my dads insurance is not accepted anywhere but in NJ because it's an employee insurance and is only used in NJ. Due to convenience issues I was unable to get to NJ to see my doctor regularly and therefore believe I did not have the most success I could have had had I lived closer to my surgeon. Any and all input is much appreciated! Thanks!!

I think obesity can be a disease for some people. I had to have my formula watered down before I was even a year old and have literally struggled with weight my entire life. My parents are in medicine and science and they understand very well the consequences of a poor diet and have always advocated a healthy life style. They always made sure I was eating healthy and I've always been involved in sports. I've been overweight/obese all 21 years of my life despite my efforts to be healthy. I realize in my later years as I've been responsible for my own body I haven't done everything I need to do to lose the weight but the fact that it's been a struggle my entire life leads me to believe there has to be something biologically 'off' about me. But whether it's a disease or not, I think the point is it has to be 'treated'; diet, exercise, wls...whatever it takes.

Yeah, I slept on my back and in my bed. Like someone else mentioned, being tired post surgery plus any pain medication will make sleeping easier

I got my band done by Dr. McCaughan in Toms River. I really like him which is part of my hesitation in finding a new surgeon to see closer to home :/

I'm in Richmond too, I go to VCU. I'm curious about any good doctors to go to down here too. My surgery was in NJ so getting fills is a chore.

I got the band before I had really dealt with my food addiction and I regret not being ready mentally. I wish I had understood my relationship with food before I got the band. The good thing is that the band is here for when I am ready. But it would have been nice to be in the right mindset from the get-go. I'm still working through my food addiction, but I definitely don't regret having the band, I only regret getting it before I was ready.

I know I've had an x-ray of my pelvic area, but am waiting for my appointment to see an orthopedist to get an MRI later this month.

I know this isn't really relevant to lap band (other than not being able to exercise and therefore not being able to lose much weight), but I'm just curious if there's anyone on here that has suffered from AVN. I've been having a lot of hip pain for the past few weeks and have made an appointment to see an orthopedist, but the doctor I saw at Patient First mentioned AVN as a possible diagnosis. I know it's not terribly likely but I'm seeming to have the same symptoms. I'm wondering what symptoms people who've had it had.

I don't really regret being banded, I just wish I had waited until I was truly ready for the lifestyle. I haven't done my band any justice because I don't think I was ready for it mentally. I didn't really understand my relationship with food before being banded and its been a challenge to change that relationship, but! The good thing is that it's there for when I am, and I know I'm getting there and I'm excited to really to start living the banded lifestyle.

I haven't been to the gym very much in the past 3-3.5 weeks because I'm having some pretty serious hip problems that I'm going to see an orthopedist for soon. But I want to be able to at least maintain my weight while I'm going through all of this, which means I need to alter my diet a bit. Does anyone have any tips for a diet to help maintain?

I just turned 21 yesterday and I had my first 'legal' drink which was a margarita and everything was fine...I've never had a problem drinking with the band. of course like everyone says just account for the empty calories. But I think we all know that.

I went with the band because it's not permanent. If I want to take the band out I can. Once half your stomach is removed I can't imagine they can put it back :/ that was my main reason. The thought of something permanent like the sleeve scares me. Plus I'm only 21 and I feel like making such a permanent decision at this age is too soon. I don't want to have any regrets.

Haha yeah thank you!

Hey guys! So I seem to get stuck quite a bit but I don't feel like I have enough restriction. It's a weird situation because I feel like I could stand to get another fill for a bit more restriction but I can't imagine getting another fill and possibly getting stuck more then I am now. Has anybody else experienced this??

I think when I got the band I didn't prepare enough mentally. I was all ready to exercise and get moving but I didn't tackle my unhealthy relationship with food. I would probably say that food is an addiction for me and I should have handled that before I got surgery. I know what I have to do, it's just been hard for me to motivate my self to do it. Thank you for the luck! Good luck with your surgery! I hope it goes well!