livelyterry

It will be one of the best decisions you've made. I had my band since 2004, had the same issues all those years, finally had it removed last year. Like you, I had lots of trauma and scar tissue from it. Going in, my doc said it would be a 50/50 chance that we could do the sleeve during the same surgery, but it was so bad, we had to wait.
I waited 3 months, had the sleeve done last January, and have not regretted it. I have lost about 37 pounds. It doesn't sound like much but I only need to lose another 20 more. Your weight loss may be slower than the regular sleeve patient who never had the band. We have a pounch above the area caused by the band that allows us to eat a little more than the normal sleeve patient. Even so, I get full fast.
Hope all goes well from here on out for you !

I wish I could tell you my revision was done in one surgery, but unfortunately it took 2, with a 4 month wait before surgeries.
But I had the band inside me for almost 10 years, so it caused a lot of scar tissue that had to be cleaned up. Hopefully since you haven't had the band in very long, it will be ok.
I'm glad you have a surgeon who is making the decision on what to do when he opens you up. Mine was the same way. He said I had a 50/50 chance. I hear stories of surgeons who promise they can do it in one surgery. That's scary because they are taking risks on people who have a mess inside.

I was a long term bandster, but I was able to have my revision in a single surgery. I was also told 50/50 in pre-op, and it was on my release form too. I told him to please do what made the most sense, but that either way I wanted a sleeve, same day or 4-6 months later. I woke up and asked for a sip of Water, only to be told sorry newly sleeved tummies are not allowed anything until the swallow test tomorrow. I have never been so relieved to have a dry mouth in my entire life. I spent 2 nights in the hospital, and was discharged around 2pm on day 3. My biggest complaint is that I have a weird phantom port, I swear I can feel it, and there is a lump of scar tissue there, the plastic surgeon says he will remove as much as possible with my Tummy Tuck, lower body lift. Good luck to you, but remember the doctor is going to do what is best for your health.

I had my lapband for 6 years!
I am 4 weeks out from my Revision and down 40 lbs. even if the weight loss ends up being slower ( which is not the case right now) I will be happy because today I ate 1 egg and a piece of bacon without that god awful stuck feeling in my chest and I didn't have to spend 30 min in the bathroom spitting. That alone was worth my revision. I also had sick people all around me till the day of surgery. Luckily I didn't catch it until a week after. You will do great!!! Get that band outta there!!

So glad to hear these stories. I'm scheduled for the 12th of this month and as we speak I'm choking on tuna. So ready for this beast to be out. I'm ready for positive life changes!

Listen to what he says, because if you had a lot of damage inside, you are more prone to having a leak and complications. I know how you feel because I went thru the same thing, having to wait between surgeries, but the last thing you want is to have a leak. The 3 months allows the stomach to return to more of a normal shape, so the docs can get a nice surgical line.
I had my sleeve Jan 13th, and am doing fantastic. I feel so good and am dropping weight. worth the wait, believe me.

I had my band removed and revised to the sleeve but had to wait 6 weeks before the doctor would sleeve me. I was afraid I would gain weight although I had already done that with the band. I didn't gain any weight in fact it felt like I still had the band. I trust my surgeon. So if he said I need to wait then I needed to wait even if I didn't like it. I knew a lot of people that were had their band removed and sleeved same day. My surgeon told me my stomach needed time to heal.

There are a lot of people doing revisions from band to sleeve. Are you wanting to have it done near your home? Have insurance that will pay for it? Self pay?
I had my band for 10 years, had it removed last year and had the sleeve done 4 weeks ago. It is awesome, nothing like the band. I haven't thrown up once, and am on soft foods now. I've lost almost 20 pounds so far. Best thing I've done.

There are a lot of people doing revisions from band to sleeve. Are you wanting to have it done near your home? Have insurance that will pay for it? Self pay?
I had my band for 10 years, had it removed last year and had the sleeve done 4 weeks ago. It is awesome, nothing like the band. I haven't thrown up once, and am on soft foods now. I've lost almost 20 pounds so far. Best thing I've done.

Your starting weight is where I would like to be within 3months of surgery so that means I have a long way to go..continue success on your journey....and yes I have read a lot about gas and it scares me because right now I have enough gassy problems....so I think I will be like a lot of people constipated eventhough now I can go about twice a day..don't let me drink coffee make that twice within 2 hours.

Sounds like you are doing everything right, although my doc says target as far as calories should be between 600 and 800 a day, and min of 60 grams Protein. working on your Water consumption will help too.
I would not be embarrassed to talk to your doctor. He/she needs to know what's going on and help you figure out why you don't have more restriction.
So sorry you are going thru this. I may be in your shoes soon, as I am a revision from band to sleeve, and having sleeve done next month. We just have to come here to talk it out, and realize that it's a journey and sometimes we need help with the journey. don't let your sadness defeat everything. Hang in there, talk to the doc, work on your Water, and tell us what he/she says after your appointment.

Pain on the left is normal. It's also where they take the excised stomach out and there are more stitches there.
You should be drinking more than 20 oz. I'm 2 weeks out and drinking 64 oz a day. I've been doing this since day 3 or 4. It takes work. You don't want to get dehydrated. That could be why you're so tired.

Sounds like you are doing everything right, although my doc says target as far as calories should be between 600 and 800 a day, and min of 60 grams Protein. working on your Water consumption will help too.
I would not be embarrassed to talk to your doctor. He/she needs to know what's going on and help you figure out why you don't have more restriction.
So sorry you are going thru this. I may be in your shoes soon, as I am a revision from band to sleeve, and having sleeve done next month. We just have to come here to talk it out, and realize that it's a journey and sometimes we need help with the journey. don't let your sadness defeat everything. Hang in there, talk to the doc, work on your Water, and tell us what he/she says after your appointment.

I think you will find some good responses here. I had my band out a few months ago, and am going for the VSG in 2 weeks. I had many of the same issues as you with keeping food down, getting stuck, etc. I have never had an issue with heartburn.
I am not sure what to tell you as far as what's going to happen 30 years after you've had a sleeve. But if you remove the band and gain all your weight back, there are studies on what obesity can do to your body. I guess you have to weigh the options (no pun intended)
Yes it seems extreme to have more than half your stomach removed. But you are still getting nutrition and there is no malabsorption involved like with R & Y or DS.
Yes it's a risk, but I figure, every time I walk out of my house, I'm taking a risk. The band was supposed to work, it didn't. Now I have to do what's best for me.

I'm feeling great! 9/5/13 was my revision and I'm just about 60lbs down and 199! Onderland! Omg! This tool is amazing. I'm wondering how others are doing with restriction. I'm still tight as can be and that's the best feeling. My mom was sleeved the same day as me and can eat much more than me. Maybe because I was a revision? I'm not complaining there. I've heard after six months restriction can get less. Why is that? I also haven't found any sliders, but I'm not looking. Lol. I've had popcorn, cupcake, fro yo, but I still can't go crazy. Thank goodness! Sweets just don't agree with me anymore. Yay! I'm also anticipating loss to slow, but I'm exercising and working my sleeve.

Welcome to the fun side of the surgery!
I had ninja gas pain. Nothing in the hospital, nothing the first 2 days home, then BAM. One day it just showed up in my shoulder, hung out for a day, and was gone. Like a ninja.

Congratulations! I a have a tentative date scheduled for February 19th with Dr. Lopez. The only reason I have not officially booked is because I am scared about aftercare here in the US ( I live in Cleveland). It seems that every post I have read about having the VSG done in Mexico has been a very positive experience and have read of no complications. My stats are about the same as yours...200lbs. 5"5. Will you be seeing a local doc for any follow up? Thanks!

Just wanted to let everyone know I had my surgery Monday, and came home today. We waited 3 1/2 months between having the band out and getting my sleeve. Doc said everything went exceptionally well, no pouch above where the band was located, and he was able to use the 32 Fr bougie and get a good staple line. woohoooo
I'm feeling pretty good except some acid issues, but he gave me some meds for that and they are really helping. Also have a sore area on left side, as is to be expected. Feels like a torn muscle, and I guess technically it is, as that is where they remove the portion of the stomach that is dissected.
Anyway, that's my update!
Terry

I know this thread is kinda old but I read it just before my revision so I called my surgeon in and asked him about this. I asked him if I would have a pouch and if he sutured around where the band was. He said absolutely not. He said he sutures throughout it not around. He said, "if I were to give you a pouch, then I did not give you a sleeve, and that is our goal today". I was pretty pleased with that.

Interesting topic as I'm considering a revision to the sleeve myself.
I was banded in Aug 2012, and have lost about 90 pounds since then. However, I've been having issues with my band, on & off, for the last 6 months. I had unfills then slight fills again in April, August & Oct. In Oct, we found my band had partially slipped but by doing an unfill for 4 weeks then only a partial fill thereafter, we figured I'd be OK. I had been experiencing occassional vomiting & some stomach discomfort.
Well, last week, while on a mini vacation in NYC , I had massive pain & knew what was happening. After a full day in the city, I finally went to the ER. Reluctant only because my insurance doesn't exist in NYC & I could see the $$ I'd be billed. They confirmed my band slipped. I was in so much pain, they actually gave me morphine & some other pain killer that starts with a D. Oh gosh, it was awful. I couldn't even keep Water down without throwing it back up. They unfilled me 6 cc. They didn't want to release me at first, but after 15 hours (yes 15), and confirming I could finally eat (graham crackers), they let me go.
I called my Dr upon my return Monday (this week) but guess what, she's on vacation. The office said since I wasn't in pain & could keep things down, I could see her next week. My apt is next Wed (seriously?). UGH.
I'm not in pain & I can eat, but I'm definitely still uncomfortable. I want to wait because I'm hoping that she might tell me that she can do a revision to the sleeve & that its covered. I had spoken to her about looking into it back in Oct when my band had partially slipped.
This gets interesting because my original surgeon was through another insurance. I now have Kaiser Permanente (CO), so I don't know what they're willing to do.I don't know what's covered, what the requirements are, how long I have to wait, etc...
I'm curious to hear if anyone has any experience with lap band to sleeve & how recovery is, eating, menu.. .etc...

I think you will find some good responses here. I had my band out a few months ago, and am going for the VSG in 2 weeks. I had many of the same issues as you with keeping food down, getting stuck, etc. I have never had an issue with heartburn.
I am not sure what to tell you as far as what's going to happen 30 years after you've had a sleeve. But if you remove the band and gain all your weight back, there are studies on what obesity can do to your body. I guess you have to weigh the options (no pun intended)
Yes it seems extreme to have more than half your stomach removed. But you are still getting nutrition and there is no malabsorption involved like with R & Y or DS.
Yes it's a risk, but I figure, every time I walk out of my house, I'm taking a risk. The band was supposed to work, it didn't. Now I have to do what's best for me.

I think you will find some good responses here. I had my band out a few months ago, and am going for the VSG in 2 weeks. I had many of the same issues as you with keeping food down, getting stuck, etc. I have never had an issue with heartburn.
I am not sure what to tell you as far as what's going to happen 30 years after you've had a sleeve. But if you remove the band and gain all your weight back, there are studies on what obesity can do to your body. I guess you have to weigh the options (no pun intended)
Yes it seems extreme to have more than half your stomach removed. But you are still getting nutrition and there is no malabsorption involved like with R & Y or DS.
Yes it's a risk, but I figure, every time I walk out of my house, I'm taking a risk. The band was supposed to work, it didn't. Now I have to do what's best for me.

I decided to have 85% of my stomach removed because it was permanent.... The band I would be able to eat around and the other stories I heard about erosion and the stomach getting mangled scared me. Plus it wasn't permanent. I would gain the weight back as soon as it was removed knowing the way my mind works.
The sleeve is permanent and has been used for many, many years. I had the wls 2 years ago and have had no complications. My problem is my addiction to carbs (sugars). That's me not my stomach. I am pretty much at goal weight right now and love my body size. Hang in there.

Hi everyone ! I am currently going through my band to sleeve revision. I had the band removed Oct 1, and am having my sleeve done January 13th in Mexico.
I had the privilege of coming across a blog last week by a fellow sleever who is a year and a half out. She faithfully blogged and told her story once a week for over a year. It was very encouraging to me and I couldn't put it down after I started reading. Her blog is at http://www.queenofcrop.com/about/
I thought I would attempt to do the same, and at some point, maybe it will help someone else in their journey. So if you are interested, here it is:
http://www.band2sleevejourney.com

I'm almost two weeks out and have a case of the "Blahs" too. I am following all the rules and sticking to my diet but the thought of another vanilla/chocolate Protein Shake makes me want to throw up. I am struggling to get in all the Water, but am making an effort to get better with that. Next week I'm on to mushies and I can honestly say the only cravings I've had we're for red meat and seafood. Strange. I think the first few weeks are the hardest to get through, so I'm staying focused on all the rewards