JACKIEO85

I have considered that perhaps I am too tight.. I don't eat bread or carbs as an alternative. meat, chicken all Proteins are hard to swallow down.. But I always felt this way. I have only had 4 fills I have 7 cc.
I am terrified if he unfills I will gain it all back!

I am sooo ready for the sleeve!!! I have ONLY lost 44 lbs and thats due to the fact that I dropped the 1st 20 right after surgery. I am 9 months out and I yoyo around 5 lbs. I have been told by my surgeon NOT to work out cuz it increases my hunger. Then scolded and accused of eating sugars and carbs. I feel like such a failure! I can hardly get food down some days and I get stuck! BELCH like a MAN! SHOULDER PAIN & the monthly costly fills are just something I no longer want to deal with! I am hoping my BCBS will help me convert since I cant seem to lose. I know I have completely reduced my calorie intake. I don't do carbonated drinks! Even drinking Water causes an hour of belching! My primary doctor said, "IF I WANTED TO SEE MORE WEIGHT LOSS I SHOULD HAVE HAD THE SLEEVE!' & 45 for a women who started at 224 and is 5'1 is common. I cant even eat an egg in the morning without getting stuck! is this how its gonna be for life and still NO WEIGHT LOSS?

My band broke(tubing) twiCe. I converted a year ago. Best move ever- see you at sleevetalk..com.

Jean,
No I am not saying they will not pay for a revision they have a new policy that says you have to have had your WLS AT least 2 years before they would consider you for another surgery. You have to have failed at weight loss of at least 50% of your original weight and/or not reached 10% of your ideal body weight. I am just trying to make sure all my ducks in a row in case they deny me because it has not been 2 years. But we are do to move around the 2 year mark. We could get sent somewhere that can't support wls or do it. . I hope I can convert if not just for the weight loss for the ability to keep my meals down, I vomit at least once a meal. food gets stuck and I am soooo tired of it.

Ha ha ha, that is the one bad side effect of the sleeve, the first few month after being sleeved we go through a period of accelerated weight loss. And since estrogen is stored in fat, it get released into our system so quickly that we become a bit more defensive than we typically are. Fortunately that is temporary.

I am glad you are sharing your experiences, and please do not stop coming to this forum and keep sharing with us. I am not even banded yet, just trying to get all the information about all the WLS available to make the best possible decision I can, and comments like yours are a big help. It makes me think and check out what is really the sleeve is about. I really like the band as it is not permanent, but I like the sleeve as -if everything goes well- there is not hassle with it in the future....So thanks again! And best luck to everybody on this journey!

With the sleeve I average about 10 lbs a month which is still a healthy loss but it is much easier because I feel naturally full not tortured

Hi bandsters, i was banded in january 2012 and im down almost 100 lbs. i had my last unfill August 2 due to it being to tight and not being able to eat at all. My next fill appt is October 14, I have Been on a couple of vacations and can tell I've gained weight probably 10 pounds so I'm very discouraged and upset with my self, has anyone else fell off the wagon and with the fill should be able to get back on track right ??

You are normal. And this is your new lifestyle. It takes a bit to get used to new habits. Please think of your big picture. Where you will be 1-2-3 years from now. Relax and let the band work with your body. Best of luck

I've been on Lisinopril for years, 20 mg at first currently on 40mg working on lower that dose back to 20mg, Sorry i don't have any issues with a Cough Dry or otherwise. Ask your Doctor about switching meds, it's not uncommon, and quite easy to do . If the Cough persists I'd check with your Band Surgeon it May be band related.

I've been on Lisinopril for years, 20 mg at first currently on 40mg working on lower that dose back to 20mg, Sorry i don't have any issues with a Cough Dry or otherwise. Ask your Doctor about switching meds, it's not uncommon, and quite easy to do . If the Cough persists I'd check with your Band Surgeon it May be band related.

If your Surgeon is replacing JUST the port then usually NO, and if they said just fasting after Midnight sounds like a good plan, from what i understand a port replacement is done outside the abdomen , they don't need to open you up like when the band was placed, just cut where the port is remove it and replace it HTH.. GOOD LUCK!

Hi
I am having my Lap Band removed today! My surgery is this afternoon.
I was banded in July of 2010 and was very successful in losing weight the first year.
Then I had a series of odd symptoms and a lot of discomfort that has taken 2 years and many tests/doctors to come to the conclusion that it is best to remove the band.
There is also a leak in the band (since there is no Fluid in there at all after 3 fills) and I believe my surgeon accidentally poked a hole in it while doing a difficult fill early in 2011.
Because of that experience, I would suggest people have fills done under the fluoroscope and not blind, so the doctor can see exactly where the needle should go. It could save you grief and expense down the road.
I'll write again in a few days to let people know how I'm doing and how the procedure went!
Thank you to everyone who reached out to me when I first posted with questions for those who have lost their band. You were very helpful and comforting.
~hiddn

I just wanted to let you know that it is DEFINATELY worth it to convert the band to the sleeve. There is no more worrying about slipping, or leaking. The surgery was even easier then the lap band surgury. I had the lapband for 4 months and realized it was going to be a lifetime of problems. With the sleeve, most of the stretchy part of the stomach is removed so you don't have to worry about stretching it much and also you have a natural feeling of full. There is no heart attack feeling when you eat too much. I've also lost double the weight in 4 months then I lost with the band. I am so happy I made this decision.

You have no right to say all these things that could be wrong. It could be something as simple as gastritis or it could be too tight. You are way out of boundaries putting up diagnosis when she has not even seen her doctor. Don't fret about it until you see your doctor. Anyone can tell you anything but no one knows except your doctor.

Thank you Dr. Most physicians examine the patient before issuing their diagnosis and determining their treatment plan. J/S

What you are describing is NOT normal for someone with a band. Coughing at night is often a symptom of reflux, and it can increase the risk for aspiration pneumonia.
It is great that you will be seeing your doctor tomorrow.
Eating too close to bed time is not the only factor to cause nighttime reflux. Even drinking fluids close to bedtime can increase nighttime reflux.
I have experienced those symptoms, and the only relief I have had is to limit eating to no less than 3 hours before bedtime. I also wait 1-1.5 hours after taking my evening medications before going to sleep.< /p>
These symptoms should be addressed ASAP, as if not resolved could lead to additional issues with your band.
Best wishes to feel better...

HOPE your Doing well Please Keep us all posted as to your recovery as we/I like to keep updated as to complications that occur with the Band. May I ask how the band slipped ? Good Luck in your Healing and starting over

I was told once by another Bander that it takes 5 years for your head and your body to get into SYNC. And I have found that to be so TRUE for me. I can look in the mirror and see I'm smaller ,but my mind still sees the "fat me"
I recently met a guy and after talking he told me the reason he wouldn't date me is because "I don't take care of myself enough
My reply would be "NEXT" that person is NOT worth your time or
thought PERIOD!!! Find someone that excepts you as the YOU that you are NOT someone they want you to be. If it continues to bother you talk to a professional,we all need help especially since most have "issues" with food that's why we needed WLS,but some "issues" run deeper than just food.

I've had my band for 9.5 years and next month will be revising to sleeve.
I am so sad when people blame themselves for the band's faults.
It isn't your fault that you gained weight back. The band does not work long term, and unfortunately, those of us out this far know that there is nothing that most people could have done to change the way it works.
Megan

I have to agree with Hillary. Would you consider a revision to a sleeve or RNY? With the sleeve, you pretty much have restriction from the beginning. No fills, no slips, no erosions. You just go on about your life and make sure you take Vitamins and progress from liquids to pureed foods to solids within about 6 weeks. You go under ONCE for the surgery and you are done. If I had issues with the lap band over these many years, and had not achieved weight loss, I would certainly revise to something else. If you go under anesthesia for a new band and experience complications in the future, you may need to go under again for it to be removed. This is just my opinion but it's time for a different surgery where you go under ONCE and don't have to worry about anything being removed. I hope you don't mind my opinion and honestly that is all it is. I will root for you to be successful whether you get another lap band or not. Best wishes to you in all sincerity.
-Misha

Please let us know what happens and I am glad you are their to get and be her support so now call her Band doctor and her pcp and make something happen before their are more complications.

Do what is comfortable for you, It doesn't matter if it's a Surgical Center OR A hospital..Just because it's a hospital doesn't mean it's going to be any more sterile then a surgical center, for anyone to suggest this is just ludicrous There isn't any guarantee that just because you go to the hospital that they will keep you overnight either that is between YOU and YOUR Surgeon.
GOOD LUCK

Wow...more sweeping broad generalizations again...please provide a link to validated research to compare/contrast the incidence of patient infection post surgery in hospital facilities vs those of reputable surgery centers.
Inquiring minds...want to know.