thin2bme

Hi-- I haven't been here for quite a while and was really happy to come back here today and find some of you, I have also been experiencing a fair amount of reflux over the past year. Some saline was removed at that time and now I have subsequently gained about 20lbs. I still am about 45 lbs lower than from my preband days but I'm disappointed. I have the head of my bed elevated 6 inches now (and practically slide right out every night!). I'm taking 2 Omeprazole a day and also really trying hard to stay away from food before bed.I have been thinking about the sleeve too but the the MD dosesn't see any slips or evidence of band problems (other than the reflux). My ins would pay for a sleeve if there was something wrong --- but there isn't. Things seem to be much better the last few days but I'm worried about where this is all leading to. Even if the acid reducer works -- I don't think it's a good idea to stay on 40 mg of that every day for a long time because reducing acid in the stomach like that can cause cancerous polyops in the the stomach. I'd like to do the sleeve but I'm kind of worried about that. I mean --they SAID the band was the ticket and didn't expect problems and so I'm wondering what kind of problem will pop-up down the road with the sleeve. And that is not reversibe. I have to be honest and say that I'm a real couch potato. I just brought a trendmill into the house today because that is what I like to use when I go to the gym. So -- I'm going to do my best with losing weight and using this treadmill.

Hang in there, getting a treadmill is a big step and if you set your mind to it you will do fine. Being 45 lbs lower than preband is stupendous, don't be disappointed, we all have gained some weight back and that's because we are human, just get back on your treadmill and start logging what you eat, that really helped me to. I use myfitnesspal to log my weight and food, it's fun and helpful. Just use your band as it was intended as a weight loss tool, in the event you have problems down the road with your band then by all means get the Sleeve but use the tools you have now, you know you can do this, you've done it before! Good luck.

MichelleInCA, good luck, I'm sure you will do fine with the Sleeve, I wish it would have been available when I had the band done first time around. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to private message me.

Hi All, it's been awhile since I posted and was just reading through the above posts. I would highly recommend the Sleeve revision from Lapband if you are able to do it. I lost 114 lbs with my Lapband before it slipped and I had to have it removed late in 2012. Before it was removed, I too had acid reflux and had to sleep on a wedge and also threw up on a daily basis. That is probably what caused my band to slip. Consequently, after having the band removed, I too, put back on 50 lbs of the weight I had lost. I had to wait 8 weeks before my doctor would do the Sleeve procedure, so had that done on February 4, 2013, since that time I have lost 68 lbs, making my total weight loss since having my Lapband in 2008 and the Sleeve done last February, 2013 a total of 127 lbs. I would like to lose another 15 or 20 lbs but I'm in no hurry. Losing weight with the Sleeve has been much easier than it was with the band, I get full much quicker and I'm very seldom hungry. You still have to watch what you eat if you are going to lose weight because just like the band the junk food still goes down easy and will put on the pounds but it definitely helps with Portion Control, which I need. I also no longer have acid reflux and haven't thrown up at all since having the Sleeve done. My insurance paid for the Lapband, but would not pay to have it removed and converted to the Sleeve, so I was self pay for the Sleeve and it's been worth every penny. Just wanted to relay my story since having the conversion to the Sleeve and hope everyone has a good New Year.

Hi Skinny, I work in KC and have UHC, my fills were covered except for the co-pay. One thing I want to warn everyone about having Lapband is if you encounter problems with your band along the way and have to have it removed, then unless the removal is deemed "life threatening" the company will not pay to have it removed, they consider it another weight loss surgery and say only one WLS allowed, I know this because my band had slipped and needed to come out but because I was still able to eat and drink they did not deem it life threatening, so I did self pay for removal and had the Sleeve WLS surgery done, also self pay. After having both of these surgeries, I would recommend the Sleeve over the band because food doesn't get stuck and no fills. I had the Sleeve done in February this yar and have lost 50 lbs. when I was banded, I lost 114 lbs, so the band does work but just warning you about the possibilities of having to pay for removal, if you ever have any problems!

Ajoneen, my husband was banded 1 year after you and I were. To this day he gets stuck on liquids, probably from gulping too much at once, but he's able to eat without problems. I had acid reflux really bad but never really had acid coming back up, it was more the food that I had previously eaten causing me discomfort. I would take my Nexium and all would be good after that.

I think you should go see your band doctor tell them what's going on and have them check your band. I seriously hope it has not slipped so you can put it back to good use. If the band didn't work for you, then the Sleeve probably won't either since it basically does the same as the band, so think this through before going that route. So far I'm 2 weeks post op from my Sleeve surgery and doing well, but I'm still on the soft food stage for 4 more weeks. Since I started my 2 week pre-op diet I've lost 21 lbs, 13 of which I lost pre-op. I'm glad I have the Sleeve and I'm hoping it works for me as we'll as my band did.

Good luck to you.

I had the band since 2006. Lost 40 and gained it back after not being able to live either choking or loose. Never found the sweet spot. VSG does what the band is supposed to do. I am thrilled its out now. Was revised to sleeve on 1-31. I am happy the port is out and cannot believe how frrely everything goes down' date=' yet am truly full on 2 oz. . I think the lap band should be taken off the market. I thought I would have had erosion or tons of scar tissue. The surgeon said no erosion and minimal scar tissue.I paid 11000. cash for revision and it is my new used car![/quote']

Hi Kate, I too am a bander to a sleever and am self pay $11,999, I love your used car analogy! I had my band in 2008 and did well losing 114 lbs, but a year ago it slipped and had to be removed, since that time I put on 50 lbs so after insurance denied the 2nd WLS I knew I had to pay for the sleeve on my own! I just had the sleeve done last week on Feb. 7 and I'm looking forward to my new journey with the sleeve, I'm finding this journey Is somewhat different post op than the band, in that I'm experiencing some pain while drinking, but I understand that will go away with time, so I'm focussing on hydration now, but really happy to be on this new journey!

I understand being nervous I am too' date=' hope I am making the right decision. Where are you from? I am from Overland Park, KS[/quote']

Hi ginamaria, I was newly sleeved last week on Feb. 7. I live in Kansas City, KS, my surgeon is Dr. Hoehn out of The Kansas City Bariatric Center, who is your surgeon?

Hi everyone, I was Sleeved on Feb. 7 and I'm doing well. Trying to stay hydrated has been my biggest challenge since it hurts a little when I drink anything, the pain is tolerable and doesn't last long it's just irritating. I'm a Lapband convert, I had the band 5 years ago and lost 114 lbs but it slipped last year and I had to have it removed, consequently, I gained back 50 lbs so I'm looking forward to my Sleeve journey and the weight loss it brings.

I'm feeling much better today (day 3) post-op, I get to add oatmeal, yogurt, creamy Soup, applesauce and my Protein Drink to my menu today. I just had a little bit of yogurt and was afraid I would feel pain since I've been experiencing pain while sipping other liquids but am happy to say that didn't happen. . Incision sights are still sore but pain meds take the edge off, staples come out Friday and I know I will feel much better then!

Hi all, I had surgery Feb. 7 and I'm 2 days post op. I had Lapband surgery 5 years ago and lost 114 lbs, unfortunately the band slipped last year and I had to have it removed, in the meantime I have gained back 50 lbs so I'm looking forward to my Sleeve journey and getting my weight back down again.

I am 5 days post op and I am having some spasms' date=' too. I had more in the hospital than I do now. At first, they occurred with every drink of Water but I think they will eventually resolve because they are coming less frequently. It is not unbearable pain and does not interfere with me getting my fluids and Protein in. Overall, I have had a very positive experience. Very little pain, good energy and no real hunger.[/quote']

Glad to hear that at day 5 things are getting better for you. Beginning tomorrow, I'm able to add oatmeal, yogurt, and creamy Soup to my diet, I'm a little afraid to try these because of the pain I'm experiencing just with the liquids, but as you say my pain is also tolerable and I'm excited for this new tool to work for me!

Thank you all for the suggestions, this experience is definitely different from my band postoperative.

Hi everyone, I had Lapband done 5 years ago and did well losing 114 lbs. well a year ago my band slipped and I had to have it removed in November. I just had the sleeve done this past Thursday so I am 2 days pos-op, the problem I'm having is when I drink anything, Water, broth or pop sickles there is a pain that lasts just for a second but it's irritating so I don't think I'm getting as much fluids down as I should be at day 2, I've only had 18 oz of liquid so far today, is this pain or discomfort supposed to be like this?

I have not done well with the band at all... due to acid reflux I can't keep enough fill in the band to do much good. I was told that they just leave the unfilled band in rather then remove it! How did that surgery go for you? I would like to get mine removed..I think.

Band removal surgery went fine, I did well with the band and lost 114 lbs with it and kept it off the first 4 years. My band slipped after going in for a fill and it was too tight, I was throwing up and had acid reflux really bad, consequently they completely unfillled my band and I gained 20 lbs really quick. After being unfillled a year later I have gained back 50 lbs, the band had to come out because it had slipped, with that being said my surgeon offered to remove the band at a reduced price and do the sleeve for his self pay price for people who didn't have insurance coverage. If my band had not slipped then I probably would not have had it removed. If your band isn't causing problems since you are until unfilled I'd leave it there unless you have insurance coverage to pay for the removal.

Checking in on Day 2 after having the Sleeve surgery done on Thursday. I'm having a hard time getting my liquids down, yesterday I didn't have much of anything because it irritated my stomach, I think it's better today so hopefully I can keep hydrated. It's been nice having this thread to go to with my fellow bandsters, but time for me to check out the sleeve website, talk later!

Dr. Stanley Hoehn from Kansas City Bariatric Center will do a self pay Lapband for $11,999.

Thank Christine. Isn't it amazing how fast the weight goes on and how slow it is to lose it. Good luck to you too in losing you last 20 lbs.

I am finding that I don't seem to be eating as much now either but it's only been 4 days since my band is out, I think about food all of the time and have watched my scale go up every week for the last year. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do the sleeve or I would have gotten it done a few months ago, but now I can't wait. I hope too that we will meet up again on the sleeve website, good luck on your next journey, whatever you decide!

Hi Teri' date='

I want to wish you the best on your upcoming surgery. I also had to have my band removed last year. Since then I have been struggling to not gain weight back and it's not working. I attempted to have the vertical sleeve surgery but my insurance company would only pay for one surgery also. I never inquired as to the price of the sleeve surgery because I couldn't afford to pay it. I don't know if they have some kind of loan you can apply for or if you just have to find a loan outside the hospital to pay for it. I have gained back 50 of the 97 pounds I lost and I am so frustrated. Does anyone know how this is done? I guess I should call the bariatric center and ask them. Anyway, I wish all the banded and formerly banded a Happy Holiday.

kathy[/quote']

Hi Kathy, I know how frustrated you must be with your weight gain because I am going thru the same struggle. You should check with your center about financing, mine had a couple of loan options available or I could have gone outside of the hospital for my own loan, i could also have put it on a credit card. My surgeon has a "special" price of $11,999 for the sleeve surgery which is all inclusive of hospital and surgeon fees. Yes, it's a lot of money but if it helps me keep my weight off it will be worth it.

I hope you get the chance to do the Sleeve, I only hope that I don't gain much more before my surgery in January.

I am surprised that none of our shamrocks have posted in such a long time. I wanted to report that I had to have my band removed yesterday. It had slipped and after months of getting stuck, throwing up, and acid reflux I had to face the inevitable. Luckily, no erosion to my other organs. I plan on doing the Sleeve procedure in January, after giving my body time to heal from the band removal. I've put on 40 pounds this last year dealing with the band problem since the dr had opened it wide open hoping it might go back in place but that didn't help . Unfortunately, my insurance would only pay for 1 weight loss surgery, so I will be self pay for the sleeve, but I'm sure it will be worth it. Hope everyone is doing well and wish everyone Happy Holidays.

Hi everyone, well, since I posted last, I've had my band unfilled completely and have gained a total of 20 lbs which I am not happy about. My surgeon finally went to the fluro when doing fills and unfills so he had determined my pouch was enlarged and was hoping the pouch would go back to normal size and allow my band to reposition itself to its correct position.....well, no such luck, a couple of weeks ago, they performed an EGD and confirmed that my band has slipped, so I've made the decision to just have them repair it. I was given the option of having the band removed and then getting the Sleeve, but since i wasn't sure if insurance will cover a second weight loss surgery I opted to have my band repaired and hope it doesn't slip again. I'm still waiting for a surgery date but was told it should be in the next 5 or 6 weeks, hopefully, sooner. In the meantime, I've been trying not to put on anymore weight, I'm really disappointed in myself for gaining what I have back and can't seem to get motivated to diet the old fashioned way, am I bad???

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been out here in quite awhile and after reading a few of the posts, it appears that a few of us are just now posting again after being off the board for awhile. I had to go back to my surgeon 5 weeks ago for an unfill because I was getting stuck on food 4 to 5 times a week. Since that time, I've put on about 8 pounds. I am hungry all of the time and haven't been able to control my eating habits..... I go back next week for a fill and can't wait. Luckly, during the last 3 1/2 years since the band went in, I've only gained 15 pounds which I'm grateful for, but knowing that 8 of those pounds have come on in the last 5 weeks is very discouraging. I'm hoping to get through the holidays without gaining anymore and try to get back on the bandwagon come the first of the year, you all know how hard it is around the holidays, I know I'm just making excuses but I just can't get my head into the game. I think I will start coming to this board again more regularly maybe that will help. Til next time, everyone have a good Christmas, in case I don't post again by then!

Teri

Jello brand sugar free pudding cups have 60 calories per serving, they are delicious.

Hi all, I have to admit some of my old habits are creeping back up on me along with a few extra pounds.... :smile2: I seem to have found ice cream sneaking back into my routine way too often also. I still weigh in once a week so I know I'm up about 5 lbs and need to do something about it, but I can't seem to get my head into it. I don't want to go back to where I was before having the band put in, so I know I need a good kick in the behind!!!

Hope your job is going well Special, I'm glad you finally nailed one. I will be starting a new part time job in a couple of weeks at a local casino as a Cage Cashier. This is in addition to my regular full time job, so maybe the extra hours working will keep me from snacking so much and maybe I will see my weight start going down again, keeping my fingers crossed. :thumbup:

Thank you so much for the encouragement!! I think anytime you have a life change it can be a bit nerve racking. I know it is the right decision I just hate to feel hungry and the preop diet has been difficult because i am hungry :smile:. Only a few more days left

Tiger once you've been banded and have the proper restriction after receiving a few fills you won't be hungry like you are now, that's the good thing about the band it helps decrease your hunger, therefore, it helps you stay on track to lose weight. I'm sure you won't have any regrets once you've had it awhile and you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.