Kami63

Hey there. Did they prescribe you an antacid medicine? That really helped for me. I don't think mine is hunger but rather stomach acid bc it can mimic hunger. Although I thought I read somewhere that the ghrelin hormone lingers for a bit even though you are not producing more...

Awww thanks. I needed a pep talk. Almost there.....

You can do it !!!! Not too long now

Good luck

It took me a little over a year but I lost 50 lbs, 10 of those on the preop diet. I didn't have to do supervised weight loss but I have a really bad back injury and I had to get some weight off so I wouldn't lose my mobility. I was really not able to walk very well due to the back pain when I was at my highest 315. What a difference 50 pounds makes on the pressure you have on your spine.

Hi Everyone-

This is my first time posting on this board. I have had my band for about 2.5 years and I lost 50 lbs in the beginning and then i stopped losing. I started to eat bad again and starting drinking with my meals. then I got pregnant and about a year ago i started having problems. food would constantly get stuck and i would have to vomit. And the problem is still happening. My surgeon took all the Fluid out of a band and it is completely empty now still have problems. He claimed nothing was wrong with the band when he went a looked at my band under fluroscopy. Seriously contemplating a revision from band to sleeve.They originally recommended the sleeve but it scared the crap outta me so i went with the band. I have at least 100 lbs to lose. not really sure what to do. Anyone else run into these issues? I just found out my surgeon left the practice he was in so i am scheduled to see another surgeon tomorrow. I hope he can give me some answers. So tired of living like this! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, I understand what you are feeling. I ultimately had to go to a new surgeon to get things moving. I went to one who specializes in VSG, bypass, bands and revision surgery. My tests originally showed no damage but I was in so much pain and it didn't start out hat way. My original surgeon said tree was nothing wrong with the band but that I was non compliant. All this while the only thing I could get down was Water and Protein shakes. The best thing I ver did for myself was research and find the surgeon that fit my needs. Hang in there and good luck.

I had surgery 6/25. Yesterday I drank 2 oz of Protein and was so "stuffed" it was uncomfortable so now I am only drinking one ounce per hour of the protein. The test is crystal light. I am feeling ok but pain is sort of a problem with my big incision. Like others my smaller ones are fine.

Good luck to today's sleevers will see you on the sleeved side!

I had kind of a rough day with nausea today. It was day two. Once we got it under control I feel fine now. I can't take the liquid Vicodin without anti nausea medication. The gas has been really manageable for me. The Dr. Came in and told me that I was one of the best patients they have seen in a while lol. I am home now and feel good after my long nap

I called my insurance company and the may not cover the removal of my band bc I didn't have that insurance when it was placed and I need to have "significant complication/technical issues" to have it removed. And I have to show compliance with a nutrition and exercise plan.

I had Fluid taken out of my band almost a month ago, I was way too tight, throwing up a lot. Now I'm coughing half way through a meal and have a lot of gas, even on my shoulder. I chew slow and do't drink from a straw.

I made a second appt with the nut and will go to the support group meeting.

I don't know what else to do.

Hey there... Complications can be seen sometimes on an EGD. They can detect hernias from the band, erosion and ulcers. Perhaps that would help them approve the removal if something would show up on the test. Also maybe your pcp or surgeon can have blood work done and see if you have any deficiencies due to the band. I say Pcp because it might be easier to get approved if you have two doctors saying it is medically necessary. Just a few things to think about. Hope this helps. Good luck

Great your doing so well good for you:)

Sent from my iPhone using VST

How are you doing?

So I've consulted with a one surgeon (he placed my band in 08) and he's happy to remove and do the sleeve in a 2 step process. I'm going to a surgeon for a second opinion (only because I didn't do this with the band and I regret not getting more info from another source) and he performs the removal and sleeve in the same surgery.....which is way more appealing to me. Anyone out here have 1 procedure? I'd like to hear from both (2 procedures and 1). Thanks!

I really wanted it in one surgery so it would be less out of pocket and les pain with going twice. I had all my Fluid removed 3 years ago to let it heal. Then we could not get the insurance to cover it. That is why I had to wait 3 years. My surgeon prefers to do it in two steps but I told him about my insurance changing 7/1 and I was already approved for both so he told me he would plan on doing it all in one.

Well I woke up yesterday and my first question to the nurse was "am I sleeved" lol

Turns out I was

So if you can, get all the Fluid removed from your band to facilitate healing. It could take as little as two to three weeks to start repairing itself and reduce the inflammation. I'm not a doctor though lol so ask your surgeon what he thinks will be best.

Good luck with your decision!

My surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday at 6am! I have had the band 48 days shy of 5 years! I am worried that this won't change anything.....and I won't ever loose any more :'(

My fingers r crossed...and whenever I get this nervous I want to comfort my belly.....

No restriction right now and on liquid diet prior to surgery...will this roller coaster ever stop?!?!

So disappointed in my own will power....haven't eaten and someone today may get hurt...lol :-)

How did everyone else cope?

Hope you did well on your preop diet! I struggled too and at one point thought I was going to pass out but I made it through. I was sleeved yesterday and according to m nurse I am doing great at one da out. Good luck today and I wish you a speedy recovery

Good luck! Your surgeon sounds awesome

Congratulations! You are an inspiration to us newbies lol

How soon after your surgery did you go to the chiro? I go about once or twice a month right now pre-sleeved.

My chiro recommended trying at two weeks out. Usually go very week bc of my bad back. I don't think I will know if I can do it until closer to he day. Hopefully someone else had chiro care after surgery and can enlighten us lol

Good luck to all having surgery today

I had my sleeve yesterday morning. They are anticipating that I will be discharged lae afternoon. I feel blessed that I am doing well.

All of you today will do great !

I benefitted from my ipad too. The hospital I'm at has free wifi

I was sleeved today I have had nothing unexpected. I have pain when moving but when laying in bed I feel fantastic for just having major surgery. I was allowed to drink today. My surgeon allows it so I feel blessed in that way. So I have been walking sleeping nd sipping. Oh and don't forget pushing to morphine pump button.

Oh and two things that have been life saver. For ladies front closing bra with no underwire. Andi asked if I could get an abdominal binder. That is awesome

Good luck to those being sleeved tomorrow!

I got the call today from the surgery center...I check in at 5:15am and my surgery will be at 8:30am!

Oh my goodness! Why so early? What happens during those hours before the surgery?

Im so ready and i am freaking starving right now!!!

Can't wait to get this over with!

I need good luck dust you guys!!

Once Im up to it I will give an update!

I had my surgery today and I had to check in at 5am... However they rolled me into surgery at 7:30. Most of the time was spent answering the same questions by 7 ppl as a fail safe to not do the wrong surgery on the wrong patient lol. Of course the weighing, pregnancy test, derobing, into a gown and an IV. That was about all. It took 2/12 hours.

Good luck tomorrow. see you on the sleeved side then

I chose the lapband 3 1/2 yrs ago. Loved my band. I lost 104 lbs with it and was within 9 lbs of my goal. Then it slips. I have some of the Fluid taken out. I gain 20 lbs over a yr. Then 2 mths ago my band actually herniated and it had to totally unfilled. I've gained another 10 lbs. Now im 40 lbs from goal...

My revision is scheduled for July 16th. Im praying that all goes as planned and he can do it all at once. My insurance wont pay for a sleeve (my bmi is only 28) unless its done at the same time as the removal. Then its counted as a complication and is covered. I wont know if my band caused too much damage till I wake up in recovery...

The sleeve is a good choice. It wasn't offerred to me in 2009 and I didn't want bypass. I think the band was a fad, like PhenFen in the 90's. I need a permanent tool to keep my weight off. I've alrready proven I can't be trusted with it!

Good luck to u

Your story is similar to mine. I did get approval though for both but my insurance is changing on 7/1.

I also would not know until I was in recovery. Today I feel blessed! I woke with a sleeve... Yay

To the OP: Hang in there hon! Friday is not so long away now. Also, could you have your doc call in some anti nausea meds ?

Hopefully it will all go fast for you. The last two weeks I felt like I was living life in slo-motion...lol

Amazing! Did you get your surgery date?

I was trying to get approved for 3 years to get he band out. with BCBS My band removal was approved in two days in early May. This was after being denied repeatedly by Cigna for the removal. Cigna basically wanted the band to come out in an emergency situation only. It was so frustrating. I used the BCBS Tx network because I live in tx but my employer is based out of California. I was then approved for the sleeve in two days after the submitted the paperwork in late May. I had my band removed today and revised to a sleeve today all in one!

You can also call the insurance to find out exactly what they will require for removal of the band then the for the VSG. For me thy treated it as two separate cases.

Hang in there and Good Luck

I am sleeved! I went in his moning at 5 to check in. They started surgery around 7am. I got to my room around like 10:30a. I was sleeping (if you could call it that) until around 1:30p when I took my first walk. It is painful getting in and out of bed but it is to be expected. In fact I have not had anything unexpected so far. Minor gas pains today. Hoping they don't come tomorrow with a vengeance. So far so good . Oh and I lost 10 pounds on the preop which puts me at 50 pounds lost over the last year.

Good luck to those being sleeved tomorrow. May everything be smooth!

Just got up to go check in at the hospital. I am tired but calm...

Good luck to everyone today

Well my 5 year battle with my band is finally coming to an end tomorrow. I have been trying to get approved to take it out for 3 years. Wow. I am ecstatic. I am hoping to wake up sleeved as well... Bye by band... I am looking forward to no ports no tight chest feeling, no throwing up all the time and a chance to gain my life back with the sleeve as a tool. Goodnight band, for in the morning you will be evicted forever. GOOD RIDDANCE