Band07

My doctor requires 4 weeks of liquids following surgery, I'm looking for any and all suggestions on the best way to get through this, especially in regards to the best tasting Protein Drinks and and how to keep from getting bored with it. Thanks !!

Dr. Watkins is amazing !! I was banded there in 07 and there is no one else I would ever trust to do my revision except for him.

Marfar7, I could have written that same story!! Iv lost weight with the band and kept it off and my fears are the same as yours !! Also i hate dieting and have relied on my band for six years. Always nice to hear you're not alone, thanks for sharing. Best of luck to you

Yes agree to disagree. And no worries I won't be suing anyone who rear ends me or anyone who produces hot coffee which I spill on myself, or any store who fails to clean their ice covered side walk, or even anyone who exercises their right to free speech even if it offends me. Again I'm sorry you were misinformed but perhaps that fault is with your surgeon and their staff or perhaps again maybe they did not have the information themselves to pass on to you. And no, i am not an allergan employee, im just a lap band patient who takes full responsiblilty for my choices and did so knowing there were no guarantees and as with anything in life the possibility for complications. I realize you were simply asking for opinions and I'm sorry you did not like mine. Best of luck to you.

I'm sorry you were misinformed Nursebarbie, however when the band first came out, it WAS believed that it should and would stay in forever, the fact that that may no longer be the case is new information that has come from studies now available because obviously with time comes knowledge and more experience. As for tobacco industries, I would hope to God you are not suggesting that they should be held responsible for the health effects of someone making a CHOICE to use their products, and since this is a weight loss surgery forum, I will stick to the topic.

No. I knew I was taking a chance just as with any surgery, there are NO guarantees, I took a risk and I feel both my doctor and Allergan had informed me to the best of their knowledge what could possibly happen as a result of my decision at that time. We know a lot more now than we did six years ago obviously but how can they be responsible for information that developed over the years since lap band had been initially implemented?

Okay so Iv been on the complications forum but I find that to be predominantly Virgin sleevers, I'm wanting to hear about complications following band to sleeve especially since I will be praying I am able to do both in one surgery as I'm self pay. I just really need to know if the positives outweigh the risks ... Thanks !!

I'm wondering for those who did both at the same time, did you unfill your band prior too ? Was it recommended by your doctor To do so ? Do you feel it made a difference with surgery ? Thanks !

I too loved my band and never thought I would ever want it out. Iv been banded for six years and Iv kept my weight off within 15 lbs of my goal the whole time. I'm looking for a better quality of life and less long term side effects than the band can offer me though Iv absolutely had the same concerns, especially knowing the sleeve is the sleeve and can't be adjusted when I feel l need more restriction like I could with my band .

It's starting to look like this is really going to happen for me and I couldn't be more excited and scared at the same time!! I watched a video last night of a band removal and I couldn't believe how bad the stomach looked under the band after only 2 years!! I've had my band for 6 and I've been rough on it so I can't even imagine how bad mine looks !! I would love to do both procedures in one step but now I see why sometimes that isn't possible. I plan on getting a complete unfill for a couple of months before going in, I figure that can only help. My question is how long should I allow for recovery time? I will have to plan accordingly to take off work. When I was banded, I had surgery on Friday and went back to work Monday with no problems at all. I know this is more intensive surgery so I'm just wondering how long it took for others to be back to their daily routine?

I know this may sound crazy but try to stop worrying about what you eat and start focusing on why you eat!! This is the true change... Your relationship with food!! Answer that question and the what you eat will follow. The journey should be about overall health both mental and physical and that is what ensures long term success.

Other than my very small port placement scar, I have next to nothing as far as scarring after my lap band, how does this differ with revision to sleeve?

Thanks for sharing !! I just feel like a good thing went bad but I'm optimistic for improving the future

How do you keep from losing too much weight with the sleeve ? I'm a low BMI patient (27) and only have about 20 lbs to get to goal, I can lossen my band for maintenance but what about sleeve ?

Thank you for sharing !! Best of luck to all of you

@ Lisa, wow that sounds great! Have you had any complications?

Anyone self pay, and if so how much did your surgery cost?

I was banded in 07, Iv lost 70 lbs and kept it off, at times it has been more as Iv been down to 139 as an all time low. Iv had my share of dilated pouches (the correct term for what some call a slip) and lots of sleepless nights unable to lay flat and heart burn and enough of that miserable stuck feeling to last a lifetime !! I eat mostly junk and don't drink near enough fluids which has resulted in kidney stones and dry broken hair and I'm scared to death of pills but I don't hate my band, it's given me almost 6 yrs of successful weight loss but I feel that it's time for a change as the issues that Iv mentioned are not something I want to continue to deal with for another 6 years and I know I'm not as healthy as I can and should be but I also know I most likely can't do it on my own. Can anyone else relate ?