MelissaGG

I have had a lap band for 10 years and yes, you get hungry with it but I will say that I never felt hunger pangs and bad as before. I am considering revision to sleeve and I know for sure that there is a head-hunger that is in no way related to my stomach. It occurs when I have any kind of anxiety such as a deadline at work or even when I an anticipating something good. I have no idea how to rid myself of that and it may be what others are experiencing.

also, nice and personable are less important to me than complication rate, etc.

I am getting more comfortable with revising to sleeve and not I am looking for a broader search. Any suggestions on the best program for revisions. I think after 10 years and the paion I am having that there has to be some place that my insurance covers in this country that is "the best". I want my 3 year old to keep his Momma and therefore, I think I deserve the very best surgeon. So far, I am thinking Cleveland Clinic...any suggestions? I want to stay away from local, small-town, low volume surgeons for now.

Oliver... Having a hard time responding but if you get this, can you let me know which revision surgeon you are using. I am seriously considering the Cleveland Clinic. a 1 hour plane ride or a 5 hour train ride from here

I really can't wait to have mine out. Now to find the right surgeon. 10 years was too long.

10 years and just starting to hurt. I am just miserable about it.

I am not sleeved, I have a band and I have lived with food getting stuck, all kinds of issues. I eat spicy food daily but the one thing that brings my stomach to a boil is curry. I love Indian food but it does not love me. Even worse if it is prepared outside of your own home. Be careful for the after effects because it could take a day or two. I would revert back to bland and mushy if I were you....oh, and try to get some banana in as well, it should bind you up a bit after the curry storm.

Jane, you been so helpful to me. Thank you so much. What you said makes sense. I am no-doubt suffering from some kind of damage internally from this. The only thing that keeps me from thinking my insides are not a total train wreck is that I never was on the fill roller coaster. They simply did not have that kind of follow up right away and I moved a few years after getting my band. The last thing I did before moving was to have an upper GI which showed no issues. I had another one not long after that, also no issues. But because of my band, they found something else. It turned out to be sarcoidosis but for a moment there, the radiologist called it lymphoma. I forgot about the band for a while as I healed from that and went into remission, then went for infertility treatment and had my son. Time moves in the blink of an eye and here I am 10 years out. It's time to get this thing removed and move on once and for all. I hope to have the same success as you do. I have at least 100 lbs to lose.

Jane, how did they confirm the damage and did you have 2 surgeries or 1?

I am looking at 1 or 2 surgeries down the road. The first for removal of my 10 year old Lap Band and the other for a possible revision. I get 4 weeks vacation (usually taken in increments over the year) and 8 or 12 sick days and then possibly disability. My job is our family's sole support, it is a career that I have worked at for 17 years and I am currently NOT in the best position with my boss and received a less than stellar review. I am trying to turn this around and have had years when things were better for me...much better. I have been sick and my age is starting to show, I am no longer 20-something or 30-something and while I pout in a lot of time after hours, I do run home each day `1.5 hour commute to pick my son up at daycare. I have become almost expendable and I don't fit in any longer. Really sad and one of the reasons this weight must come off and regain my health. So I am wondering, what do I say...do I look at sick time, vacation time, disability pay. What do I tell my boss? Gall-bladder surgery? Something else? Say nothing?

I have had this band 10 long years and while I had no documented slips or issues, I am starting to feel like something is wrong in there. I never lost weight, I did very few fills and there was no organized suport when I was first banded. I had other issues over the years and found a new Dr here in Chicago, tried to make it work and then turned my energy to infertility and have a wonderful little boy. During my pregnancy I unfilled and let it sit for 3 more years. I had my band checked when I starting having discomfort and through a fluoroscope the new Dr said nothing was wrong., I am researching revision but am looking into another surgical group. I am awaiting all of my medical records and I am still not feeling well. I am really freaked out about possible damage inside of me. The new surgical group will not see me until they have my records. I am welcome to come to a seminar but that is all. It is making me nuts. What were your experiences with a long-term band removal? What tests should i ask for? What were your symptoms?

Chigoe girl, I am looking into that clinic as soon as I get my med records from NY. I work across from Union, are they close to there?

Best of luck, I bet you are sleeved now :0)

I think I might fly back to NY or go the Cleveland Clinic.

I just looked and he is not in one of the centers of excellence that my insurance company recommends...ugh

Thanks, I will look him up. Good luck to you. I am so nervous and really did not want to do this in the first place. I am so scared of what kind of damage the lap band might have done.

Frank, I am looking for the best of the best surgeons and hospitals in Chicago or the burbs. I am dealing with a 10 year old lap band inside, I have a 3 year old that I need to be here for in the future. Would love your thoughts and recommendations on surgeons.

Did you pick a surgeon yet?

Which Drs have you looked at? I have used Dr Rantis for LapBand fills but I and now looking around to see who is the best for Revision. I am also considering going out of state if I have to. Can you share some of your thoughts?

Best for your abs is plank. Check with your dr though.

Isn't it all about the size? Lol

Uggggh...more to worry about. I am really freaking out and need to get a grip. The more I think, the more my insides hurt (from my expired band).

Thanks everyone for your support and help. I am just starting to figure out what to do. I have had my band almost 10 years and it is time to come out. I am scared of what damage they will find when they get there and I am trying to select a new Doctor. I looked locally at what my insurance company recommends as Centers of Excellence and I also see that there are some top hospitals outside of my region, such as The Cleveland Clinic. I am wondering if it will be worth it for peace of mind, to see if I can go to one of these more experienced hospitals for a revision? It would be a 1 hour plane ride and around $200 from Chicago or a $150 train ride for 5 hours each way. I would not want to drive it, that would be about 6 hours. Am I being unreasonable or am I just reading too deeply into horror stories and assuming that I will have problems? Any recommendations for an excellent surgeon in the Chicago area...when I say excellent, I mean world renowned. I care less about personality than I do skills.

Thanks everyone for your support and help. I am just starting to figure out what to do. I have had my band almost 10 years and it is time to come out. I am scared of what damage they will find when they get there and I am trying to select a new Doctor. I looked locally at what my insurance company recommends as Centers of Excellence and I also see that there are some top hospitals outside of my region, such as The Cleveland Clinic. I am wondering if it will be worth it for peachj of mind, to see if I can go to one of these more experienced hospitals for a revision? It would be a 1 hour plane ride and around $200 from Chicago or a $150 train ride for 5 hours each way. I would not want to drive it, that would be about 6 hours. Am I being unreasonable or am I just reading too deeply into horror stories and assuming that I will have problems? Any recommendations for an excellent surgeon in the Chicago area...when I say excellent, I mean World Resound. I care less about personality than I do skills.