Band07

I have not been sleeved yet but on Monday, I wont be able to say that anymore!
To answer your question, I finally narrowed my surgeon to Dr. Illan / Baja Bariatrics because he is also chief of ER trauma in another hospital. I felt safe knowing that if something happened during surgery he would be able to handle it. Also his patients have an amazing support group on FB, and I was able to see pictures, read about experiences etc. I feel safe going to Tijuana because the Coordinator Omar is with you much of the time not leaving you to your own to explore an unfamiliar place when you want get out of the hotel. He actually takes you out and makes you walk after surgery, taking you to eat Soup, go shopping etc..
I will have more info next week but I will be having surgery Monday 3/24 and will be happy to report back afterwards.

I will hopefully be going on June 26th. I wanted to come on the 12th but didn't work out for me

@@Band07
Thanks for the information. Good luck to you with your surgery. You sure have been through a lot.

I loved my band, while it worked. I had it in June 2006, and until February of 2013 it was effective. I lost 85 lbs, and maintained it. I started to have heartburn and acid reflux in 2013. I also started to regain weight, a total of 55 lbs. back. When I couldn't take it any longer, my surgeon recommended the sleeve. I had the sleeve done in July 2014, and I absolutely hate it. It has been a struggle to lose weight. I have only lost 12 lbs., and the heartburn never went away, and now the acid reflux is getting really bad again. I am constantly hungry. The sleeve has been so stressful, and I feel like such a failure. My surgeon is now recommending the bypass, as that will permanently relive the reflux and heartburn. I don't know what to do, as I am very uncomfortable with the idea of rerouting my insides, no longer absorbing nutrients, and dumping syndrome. I know that you asked one question, and while answering it, I am thinking - has anyone had a similar experience to mine?

It us true and in the last few years thankfully the new way of thinking at my office was stay as loose as possible and still lose as opposed to the 3 bite tight mentality that i was banded under.

Band7 I did well with the band, had a revision and has gained 22 pounds since having it. I have had a upper GI and only about 50 percent of my stomach removed. My problem is will do it, trying to decide

I am reading all the post and excited for you all. I had my sleeve in Mexico. Dr Rod did the surgery removed the band and sleeve the same day. I didn't have a drain but everything went great. I plan on having a resleeve and hoping Dr Rod will do. I do have a backup plan

It us true and in the last few years thankfully the new way of thinking at my office was stay as loose as possible and still lose as opposed to the 3 bite tight mentality that i was banded under.

Take this for what it is, just my personal thoughts and experiences but that being said, I had a lapband for 6 years, Iv had the sleeve for a year and a half and I worked for a bariatric surgeon for almost 7 years. I LOVED my band, I went from 223 to 139 lbs and I maintained around 145 for years ! However, in order to do that I had to keep the band very tight. I couldn't eat anything before noon or after 6 without pain and suffering. When my body had enough I had shoulder pain and chest pain and never just felt full. I was always dehydrated and ended up with kidney stones twice but i was happy to sacrifice because I was a size 6/8 for the first time in my life ! But live long enough that way and it causes problems (severe reflux) and just misery any time you eat or try too. Of the hundreds of patients Iv worked with over the years, very few (maybe 30/40% ) have kept off weight and been successful long term with the band. My surgeon started offering the sleeve and after years of "selling" the band to others (with my personal success as a witness) I asked him to revise me to the sleeve because everyone said how wonderful it was. Well for many it is but for me I hate mine. It's not always the same for someone who has had prior surgery so as I type this today, I have gained almost 20 lbs since the sleeve and it's a fight (that I'm losing) to not gain more. That being said, if I was starting as a virgin patient today; I would choose the sleeve or the mini gastric bypass (which I'm revising too). We didn't know enough about the band in 2007 when I had mine but we now know there are cases of it fusing to the liver or embedding in the stomach wall and the chances are if you go with the band you WILL at some point have a revision. We really don't have all that long term study on the sleeve and while I don't worry and complications, I do think it will be at risk for regain. Do your research, make your own decision but i at least wanted to share my story

I'm not sure about the liquids for some reason Iv never been a big drinker of anything so the band just increased what was already a struggle with the whole don't drink and eat thing and wait 30 mins.
I didn't revise only because of reflux, It was managed with Prilosec well enough but more so because of just sick of the whole lifestyle that came with the band. Yes I could have loosened or unfilled but only with weight gain. Iv not had even a slight bit of reflux since removing the band but I also had a hiatal hernia repair during the revision. I had many barium swallows over the years since I worked in the surgeons office, a few dilated pouches that I would refill for about a month to correct but they never fully corrected. My esophagus is still dilated even in my recent X-rays.

Thanks guys ! I'm scheduled to revise to MGB on 4/23.

I am so sorry you have had such problems. I have been (happily) banded for nine years but have seen others banded around the same time having serious complications and for some, like you, removal. Equally, as you say, I know many people totally happy with their sleeve but a good friend of mine has had her whole life turned upside down by hers and has simply had to accept that this is her life from now on.
All surgery carries risks and I am always concerned when people rush into it without real knowledge. Your post is a good reminder to those looking into surgery - it may not be what they hope.
Please don't take this amiss if I just add one thing. Banded people cannot remove all risk. But they can minimise it. And the main way of doing that is by never keeping the band so tight that it physically prevents us eating or causes pain. If either if these things s happening, food is backing up into the oesophagus which can lead to oesophageal dilation or dysmotiliy or damage to the vagus nerve. Nothing is worth that!

I've been following your posts and I thank you for a new perspective. There are those on all 3 WLS forums who swear by their procedure and are happy as clams.
Your posts is a stark reminder that not all WLS works the same for all people. Just go to the complication forums for each. There are no guarantees.
I have an unfilled band (got in 2008, unfilled in 2009), was considering the sleeve but decided against it for many reasons. I hate my band and hated it from the beginning. It never did one thing for me in terms of weight loss, reaching satiety, but it did cause shoulder pain, pressure & pain and getting stuck.
When you get WLS it is a crap shoot. Will you be the one who says - it was a breeze, little pain, losing weight fast, everything's great? Or the one who says - I have a leak, am in the hospital with abscess, on IV feeding, or I have chronic Constipation or diarrhea or worsening GERD. For those who have amazing results, see 100 or more pounds lost, comorbidities disappear - they are willing to put up with the problems or side effects. Their life has improved more than it has deteriorated.
I am 64, the surgeon says I could lose up to 45 pounds with the sleeve but there would be no NSAIDS for life (I have arthritis and chronic back problems) with possible increased GERD. I don't believe the benefits outweigh the risks in my case.
I, too, would never suggest the band to anyone. I always hated mine. But I also wouldn't give a blanket endorsement to the sleeve. It is still new and remember when everyone was big on the band before we knew then what we know now? Who is to say what the long term case is with the sleeve?
I think your post shows that there are always two sides to WLS and they aren't always both good.

I waited till 6 months before trying a drink. I only waited because I was eating so little, I didn't want to drink empty calories. But I noticed right away that I got drunk after 1 12oz beer or 1 shot of tequila. Doesn't take much, 2 drinks of any type is my limit, then I get this "full" sensation and don't want to drink anymore... then it's bedtime. Drinking has always made me sleepy. :-)
I've never really been a drinker on a consistent basis. Sometimes I can go months without thinking about it. So, it's never been part of my social life and I didn't miss drinking post-op.

I, too am a social drinker... Being widowed last year lowered the frequency of my few outings.
When I do imbibe, I notice I cannot tolerate much more than one drink...two would be a big night. And would be before dinner...
Sheeech. One of the fun things left and we barely get to indulge... Still totally a great trade off????????

My doctor said I can have alcohol at 6 months. Same with carbonated beverages. I had half a sip of DH's beer the other day, just enough for barely a taste.

Good luck! I'm sure you will do well!

Well, it's official, I'm scheduled for my revision from sleeve to MGB on 4/23 and I'm also officially scared to death !! I really hope I'm doing the right thing.

@@Band07 Yes I have felt tHe same way and have defended my band even when its misbehaved. Now I am starting to hate the fact it is in there. I really wish I did not have to wait until June. Had a dreadful night, was coughing a lot before I went go sleep and at one point coughed so hard it felt like my port had flipped. Such a sharp, deep, cramp like pain it took my breath away. Just another crappy side effect making me miserable. I am also starting to dread what my surgeon will find on the day of my op, Praying hard here that it isnt too bad for the bypass to go ahead.

I went today and bought some Premier Protein to try and I also found a high Protein organic nutritional shake that I bought singles of at Kroger in vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. It only has 10 grams but it has lots of other Vitamins and nutrients in it. I'm desperate to find at least one that tastes good as I usually hate them all I also plan to order some nectrin syntax protein soon.
I'm struggling right now with my farewell to food tour ! I know it's terrible but there is a good chance I'll never be able to eat some things ever again and I have this overwhelming desire to have them one more time ! Lol I haven't gained any weight luckily but I still work out a lot. I was only asked to do one week of pre op diet but I want to start increasing my protein and Water now to help with healing. I already take B12 and Biotin and a multi Vitamin daily.

Lose the weight, find a new husband.

You will feel so much better having it removed ! I loved mine and never even realized how it was affecting me until it was gone. I can tell you even though I'm gaining weight I still know I'm much healthier than I was with the band and I definitely don't miss PBs, sliming, back and shoulder pain and feeling stuck for hours after every meal !

I went today and bought some Premier Protein to try and I also found a high Protein organic nutritional shake that I bought singles of at Kroger in vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. It only has 10 grams but it has lots of other Vitamins and nutrients in it. I'm desperate to find at least one that tastes good as I usually hate them all I also plan to order some nectrin syntax protein soon.
I'm struggling right now with my farewell to food tour ! I know it's terrible but there is a good chance I'll never be able to eat some things ever again and I have this overwhelming desire to have them one more time ! Lol I haven't gained any weight luckily but I still work out a lot. I was only asked to do one week of pre op diet but I want to start increasing my protein and Water now to help with healing. I already take B12 and Biotin and a multi Vitamin daily.

@@Maverick1971 Hi there, June is not really that far off, well that is what I have been telling myself today. It gives us a few weeks to get as healthy as possible before surgery. It will all help.
I went to costco and bought some good multi viamins, some D3 and chewable Calcium. Nearer the time I will start taking arnica which helps healing. If anyone has any other suggestions please throw them my way
Not long now till @@Band07 has her op, sending positive vibes go you both.
Chrissy

Thank you for the good wishes. Good luck with your continued journey. I remember well the feeling of becoming 'skinny' its a good feeling but much more than that feeling was the improvement in my other health issues. I was looking at a major op on my bladder, and one that didn't even promise to keep me 'dry' for more than 6 months. I never got or needed that op after weight loss. I was on lots of asthma meds, they went as well. Painkillers, gone. Wonderful, wonderful feeling being that fit. Unfortunately now feel back at square one. Just had a blub and hubby caught me, so lucky to have his support right now. He is coming with me this time, went on my own for my band. At my request. I wish the surgery wasn't so far away but have a : week holiday in Turkey inbetween. So not really a bad way to prepare. Will have to spend the last week on pre op diet hehe.
Chrissy xx