iamshazza

My sister has the sleeve and it worked great for her. I was banded in 2009 and am going to be getting it out and switching to the sleeve. I've been having many issues with reflux, stomach pain, etc. I never know from one day to the next what I'll be able to eat or IF I'll even be able to hold Water down. There's a whole forum under the gastric sleeve section for band to sleeve revisions too, btw Lots of helpful info there!

I am heading this way as well - band out and getting sleeve. I have to wait until next next year, but I'll be sure to start the process in January at the latest!! I'm over not being able to even keep down liquids one day to being able to eat everything under the sun the next. The port pain. The reflux. I have to pay about $350 up front to go through the program before insurance will cover revision...this is why I can't do it this year - too much going on that requires my money and is important/necessary.

Have you ever tried Syntrax Nectar or Syntrax Sweets protein? FANTASTIC. 100 cals and 23g protein per scoop. No sugar added. Many flavors! Twisted Cherry and vanilla bean torte are my faves.

UGH what is with the mean nurses?! I love Nurse Kim she is awesome - and also she is banded so she understands the struggle. I'm hoping that I will be able to convert to the sleeve early next year. I have to go through the program and then insurance will hopefully approve the revision. Meanwhile I think I'll be getting my gallbladder out pretty soon I don't think it will wait much longer!

It's good to see so many are successful with band to sleeve revision. I need a bit more consistency for myself. The band does what the band wants as we know. Too tight one day, not enough the next, etc etc. I'm honestly tired of fighting it! Well I have to fight it for several more months but hopefully early next year I can get rid of it and I'll have the sleeve

I'm going for the sleeve...eventually. When the stars align and finances are good I guess. Bypass scares me more I don't think I could do it.

I did have a barium last week. The band is still in good position. It's true I did not have success the first few years - but I think this is because at my original surgeon's office Nurse Soup Nazi would not give a fill if SHE felt like you hadn't lost enough weight from the last fill you had??? So for 2 years I barely had anything in the band. 3 or 4 cc perhaps? And dang, I was HUNGRY so I ate. Then for a period of time I had no insurance, so I didn't go anywhere for fills. I started following (sort) the Primal Blueprint (by Mark Sisson) during this time and was working out daily (what else was I gonna do but sit around and eat - which I did NOT want) and I lost about 15 pounds in 6 months. I eventually gained that back plus a few though because I let carbs back into my life. I did go to another surgeon once employed with insurance (my original retired) and they were a little more generous when giving fills. It was far away though - about a 45 minute drive. And now I found the best so far. UC Health Weight Loss - they are fabulous. I started going there this year and have had the most success I've ever had. But it seems as though once your band is too tight, you can never get your mojo back Since the one time I was too tight and had to have 2cc's taken out I haven't gotten back to that "sweet spot" consistently - meaning that one time I think it still might be too tight and then later I feel like it's just right and then even another time I feel like there's no restriction. It's kinda crazy. So...I guess I should not say I've been completely unsuccessful with the band. I have lost some weight and I have never weighed as much was I did when I got the surgery (287) again. It's just that once I got on a good track with it, it fell apart and now it's torturing me. I haven't had to have a complete unfill thankfully, but when you don't know from one day to the next if you will feel like you can eat the world or hardly be able to keep even liquids down...that's a problem to me. I've read a lot of threads and the general thought seems to be that people don't get these issues with the sleeve. And that sounds good to me.

Thanks for the reply! I did call my surgeon's office yesterday and I spoke to Nurse Kim at length. I decided in the end to move forward with seeing if I could get the revision covered by insurance. Waiting for insurance specialist to call me back. I'm still even now going back and forth about it. I keep thinking if it's this hard maybe I shouldn't be doing it...if I'm this unsure. But really, I've lost only about 40 lbs with the band. And currently I seem to be going back and forth between 247-249. For like 3 weeks now. And really, I'm not eating that much...and I really can't eat greasy, fried food because my gallbladder will really make me pay. But what do I know. Not much apparently

Hmmm interesting. I just told the Nurse I wanted to start the ball rolling on a revision from band to sleeve. Waiting for someone to call me back on that. But I may change my mind for about 300th time. I'm so afraid of doing this and it not working for me. I've been having band issues, but no slip or anything like that - just reflux, chest pain, nausea...which are all also symptoms of gallbladder disease apparently as well. I just wonder if I should get the gallbladder taken care of and see where that leaves me with the band. Oh geez! This is really hard. Truly. Because on days I don't feel so bad and am not having any band issues (like not being able to eat without it hurting) I think I'll just wait...yesterday I felt like crap so I was ready to get rid of it. I wish I had a crystal ball.

I'm actually now leaning more toward getting the band removed being a good idea for me as well. I've had mine since 2009 and recently started having issues. I've been reading and posting all over the board about this. The more I think about having this thing inside me...the less inclined I am to keep it in there. I'm just afraid my insurance won't cover it...and I'll still be out $300+ having to go through the program (I have to do that before insurance will decide if they will cover it or not). My surgeon already said he could do it in one surgery. And also remove my gallbladder (which will need to come out either way).

Thanks! I never had much success with the band until recently - I finally found the right doctor and right program. I've had the band since 2009. Initial loss was about 20lbs. My original program - the nurse was like the Soup nazi...if she felt like you didn't lose enough weight she would not fill the band. ??? I started following weight watchers simply filling (essentially, low carb) and got to a different surgeon and program and they are wonderful. This year I've lost an additional 28 pounds. It is work for sure. My real complaint now with the band is having to get unfilled every time I get enough to have some restriction due to reflux, chest pain...but again it could be due to my gallbladder. If I get that out will the band be better? And not randomly feel too tight every other day?? Some nights I can't even lie on my left side because it is so painful. One day I can eat, the next I can barely keep down liquids. It's a real struggle i never know what my band will do. what I need to do is decide if I want to see if having my gallbladder out will improve the band functionality...Nurse said that's possible...because you get bloated and gassy from the gallbladder which causes the band to tighten up. Every time I feel like I have my mind made up I change it.

Pink - I hear you! I've been having the same issues. I hope I don't kill this thread really every time I post in a thread nobody ever posts in it again :-( But anyway. Fills and un-fills back and forth, one day I can eat way more than I feel like I should be able to and the next thing I know I can't even keep down Water the next day. I've been on the fence about revision to the sleeve. I need to have my gallbladder removed but I'm trying to decide what to do with this band. I feel like I'm in a tennis match with myself. Should I do it? Is my band being a snot or is it just because of the gallbladder? Does the band hate me now? It seems once I got enough Fluid to have restriction I have all kinds of trouble. I'd have to pay $350 or so OOP and go through the 6 week program before my insurance company would decide if they will cover it. So there's that too. I wish you the best of luck!

This is one of my big concerns as well. I keep thinking I should get the revision because of all the recent issues I've had with my band. I'll have to get my gallbladder out and keep going back and forth about whether or not I want to do the revision at the same time. My surgeon he could do it all in one surgery. Then I think maybe I won't have so many issues with the band after the gallbladder is gone?? I never had issues with my band until my gallbladder started acting out.

Hi gang, I'm looking for a good Protein powder - unflavored - to use in a Soup or even just chicken broth. Sweet drinks get sooooo old!!! I really like the Syntrax flavors (green apple and twisted cherry), but I long for something savory. I know a lot of powders just clump up in hot liquid. I'm not sure about the syntrax unflavored. Or if there is anyone out there using another brand. Please let me know! Thanks

So I'm about in the same boat as VDLT in regards to having the band giving me many issues. I've been banded since 2009. My main questions about having the sleeve vs the band: What is the main difference you noticed as far as your eating habits (ability to eat, how much you could eat, how you tell you have eaten enough, etc) without the band giving you a "hard stop"? Do you feel just as or more successful? Do you think it's easier to over eat with the sleeve? I'll have to have my gallbladder out - and am considering having revision to the sleeve at the same time. I discussed with my surgeon and he said yes he could do both at once. I keep going back and forth about doing it. I'm back to feeling like I should just go ahead and do it. Ever since my band was too tight like 2 months ago and I had to have Fluid taken out I haven't felt very good. I got it re-filled with 1cc then 4.5 weeks later I got one more cc. That last one was about 3 or so weeks ago. It's so weird - sometimes I feel like I can eat way more than I should be able to - I have about 8.7cc in there now...maybe a tad more - and other times I can't keep anything down. I started having reflux again and went to liquids for a few days. It went away. Now it's back this morning and I haven't even had any solid food. I made a Protein shake for Breakfast and was only able to drink about half of it. I took all my medication, but it hurt (I guess I went to fast, I try to wait a few minutes between pills, but was running late today). I am starting to feel like I'd be better off having the band taken out and switching to the sleeve. Through all this annoyance of the last 3 or so weeks I haven't even lost any weight. Go figure. Since the symptoms for being too tight and a band slip are about the same I'm not sure what to think any more. I'm sure I probably do not have a slip but I'm kind of paranoid about it anyway. I know if I call the nurse at my surgeon's office she'll have me come in and get an un-fill. At which point I guess I'll just start whatever process I need to start to do the revision. It's quite scary to me. The only surgery I've ever had was the band surgery. And of course the anesthesia made me sick after they had to wake me up from it (I take after my dad in that respect lol). So I'm also not keen on having surgeries, but the gerd/reflux and the chest pain...I was truly miserable this weekend whenever I tried to eat anything. And despite the fact that I'm not eating very much AT ALL I still haven't lost any more weight??? I can't figure out how that happens. Especially when I'm still active. Maybe not enough calories. I mostly drink protein shakes/drinks. I try to eat more solid food for dinner usually. I think I'll just have to call the nurse and get this whole process going. I don't like being nauseous, throwing up, and the reflux, OY! I've NEVER had reflux or gurd. EVER.

Thanks for the response, lucky1gg33 that helps a lot. MamaRita, thanks I guess I will also post this over there.

hmmmmm. well.

I never tried the Isopure, but I will tell you the Syntrax nectar powders are really good! The grape and cherry are my favorites. I also have used vanilla bean torte and chocolate truffle to make more substantial Protein smoothies (with frozen fruit).

I had to get 2.2 cc out of my band :-/ I'm still getting some stomach pain with solids but it's hit and miss it seems. I called the nurse yesterday and he said go on liquids for 24 hours to see if that helps. So that's what I'm doing now. I guess I must still be irritated? I am starting to think my best option really will be to try for the revision from band to sleeve. I did gain about 3 pounds since I had to get Fluid out of the band, but now I'm back down to where I was the day I went in to get UNfilled. So I guess that's good. My biggest fear besides a band slip is gaining weight back.

Hi - I'm wondering too if I might have a slip. I've been banded since 2009. Until a few days ago I had 9.8cc in the band. I was having trouble getting solids down and had reflux and chest pain after eating. I had some taken out Tuesday - 2.2cc **** out on its own nurse said I was really irritated. My concern with getting an unfill was gaining weight. But I'm eating solid food again today and just had terrible pain in my stomach. Also some of it came back up. Liquids are not a problem at the moment. I'll go back to liquids and soft for now. Nurse did mention the irritation could be change in weather...it's gotten very hot and humid here. Even tho ice never experienced anything like this before. Then again I've never had this much in the band before so. I would also add I've felt very bloated and have been very gassy since the unfill. Geez!

I just had to have 2.2 taken out of my band and I'm really concerned because now I feel there is no restriction. I was at 9.5 and doing really well. Started to feel like my portions were getting a little too big so I went in this past Friday and got .5 which proved a bit too much as I had trouble swallowing the Water they gave me so .2 came out and that seemed to be ok...while I was on liquid and mush food. As soon as I ate solid food on Monday I had acid reflux and chest pains. So back I went yesterday. She took out the 2.2...or rather it came out on it's own she said I was very irritated (the band I guess). So this puts me I guess around 7.6. I'm scared. I don't want to start gaining again. I did have it in my mind to follow the post op plan - liquids to mushy to solid over the next week and then be able to go back in and get filled again. I've not done as well I've been doing since I first had my band in 2009! I never lost more than 50lbs. I gained 20 or so back when I didn't have insurance and couldn't get fills. I finally get on a roll and BAM. I was also considering revision from band to sleeve. I think I will move forward with that. If the band can't be filled enough to be effective then it's useless to me. Right? I also need to have my gallbladder out apparently. I haven't really had a bad attack but they did an ultrasound of it and the Doctor said it would have to come out eventually. I'd rather get it all done at once...which is why I have been waiting trying to decide if I want to try for the revision. I have to go through the program (6 weeks) and THEN my insurance may or may not cover it. I also have to spend $300+ to go through the program. But maybe it's worth trying.

I'm still thinking about this. I might just go for it. Buying a house this year seems to be a wrap. I still will have to move because I'm losing my roommate and I can't afford the rent by myself. BUT my aunt owns an apartment and I can live there and just pay the utilities, so I can still save some money for a house next year. Which brings me back around to the surgery option this year. Seems like it would be a better option. I have lost about 13 pounds since that last fill, but recently I'm getting a feeling for chest pain and some nausea and have even had to be very careful taking my medication. Also have had some heartburn with certain things (mostly spicy food). So I'm not sure if that's all because the band is too tight or if it's slipped. The problem I have is if they take anything OUT of the band I'm almost positive I'll start gaining weight. I go back in Friday so I guess we'll see how that goes. I may just go ahead start the 6 week program.

Found out I would have to go through a 6 week program and pay out around $300+ and then MAYBE my insurance would cover the revision surgery from band to sleeve. So I'm still on the fence about what I will do. I'm trying to buy a house and save money and then I'll have to move in October, so spending that kind of money right now isn't really ideal for me so I thought I might wait until next year as long as the gallbladder doesn't give me any more fits. I did get another fill in my band. I have more trouble with more foods now, but I'm losing weight, so I'm reluctant to say anything. I go back in a couple weeks anyway. I can eat solid foods, but not a lot and if I'm not careful it's painful I think when it's hitting the band and trying to pass through, but it is only a short burst of sharp pain. I just have to remember to be careful. This is the best I've done - as far as losing weight - with the band since the first week post op.

Hi all! I just had a fill and started this today. The Bariatric Nurse gave me a print out and then I found the website. From the website (for Days 1 & 2) it says: "A diet of simple liquids, including Protein drinks, clear broth, creamy Soups, and hearty soups takes the guess work out of meal planning so you can focus on making well and making right your WLS tool." I am just not sure what they mean by "hearty" soups? When I hear "hearty" I think of Soup with lots of stuff in it. Like veggies, Beans, meat of some kind. So far I'm doing really well drinking Protein shakes and drinks and had some tomato soup. Having some unjury chicken soup now. I'd really like more ideas to get away from the sweet shakes/drinks...it just gets OLD.

Ahhh...thanks for that info, Band07. I'll google it