sunshine6855

anne, I know what you mean. I didn't go to the doctor for over a year because I felt like such a failure. When I started having pain and needed the gallbladder out I went. It was so great to find out I can do it all at once, remove the band and gallbladder and do the sleeve. I wonder how long the surgery for all that will last. Has anyone had similar surgery. cathy

I am just starting the process to go from band to sleeve when my MD takes out my gallbladder. I saw my doctor yesterday and they will start the approval process. I am looking at the first to mid part of February. I should have no problems getting the surgery approval. I hope that having the band does not put blocks up with the insurance company. This is exciting meeting people who will be doing this around the same time as I do do. Look forward to getting to know you. cathy

Lara, Your post is my post. I just did an introductory post and scroll down and here I am again. But it is not me...just my story. You, Anne and I have the same story. My doc is leaving for a 2 week vacation so I will have my surgery sometime in the first part of February. I will be keeping up with you both and how well you do. You will be my inspiration. Cathy

Hi all. Y'all are so motivational. I have a lap band from July 2007 and have had such problems with food sticking and vomiting. My esophagus is inflamed and has ulcerations. I lost and have kept off 30 lbs which is NOT what my goal was. But 30 lbs is 30 lbs and I am glad they are gone. I went to see my doc because I have to have my gallbladder removed and told him I hate my band and wanted it out. I asked about the sleeve and he recommended it since I have a mental block with the gastric bypass. He said weight loss is almost as good as with the bypass. So he is starting the approval process and I go back Jan. 29 to get a date. It should be early or mid-February. Now that I have decided I want it now.. I am reading every message on this board and I am sure I will have questions. I would love to read/hear from other who went from band to sleeve and how they did. I live in GA and I am 55 and have a daughter, son-in-law and son, 1 cat, 2 dogs and my mother, who has alzheimer's lives with me. Only having to cook for my mom will make this much easier to keep up with. She will eat whatever I fix and not complain like the kids used to do. I love to read and I quilt. I look forward to getting to know all of you. I will get a picture up as soon as I find one.