Angel_Whetstone

I was band-to-sleeve too. And I was pretty terrified as well. Our circumstances are different, but I can relate. Only you can decide what's best for you, but I'm SO very glad I went through with this. Yes - the risks of sleeve surgery are higher than the band, but overall the longterm risks of carrying extra weight outweigh them. Also - you're already halfway there since your band was already removed, so your surgery will be a little easier than mine was - band removed and sleeve done in one surgery. Your stomach will have already had time to heal from the first surgery.

I had the Lap Band in 2011, lost about 50 lbs and had lots of the normal complications. food not going down, productive burps, vomiting, resorting to slider foods, weight gain, port site pain, etc. So after the birth of my son I decided to have my Lap Band removed in May (2014). I spoke to my doc about revision, he was ok with it but I had to do all the presurgery crap again due to staff not properly documenting. They were afraid my insurance would not cover revision if I didn't jump through the hoops again because ins wouldn't cover it for just having port pain. So I have one more family doc appt, my psych eval was good and she approved me for surgery, I got my date of Sept 16th last week, and I am finding myself going back and forth questioning whether or not I am ready for this. For me, it's now or never. I am 25 so am still under my mothers ins which pays 100% for surgery, however in Nov I will be 26 and I will carry insurance from the hospital I work at and the coverage sucks. My first thought is that I am terrified of complications. I am scared something will go wrong and I won't be here for my son(he's 4 months) and I get mad at myself thinking how selfish this is to want to risk all this just to be skinny? Am I crazy? I don't know if it's because its a more invasive surgery and it's permanent where as lap band wasn't, or if it's because I'm a mother now, but I am overcome by fear. Anyone else have this irrational fear almost stop you from going through with it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm also considering the revision from lap band to sleeve. Trying to get set up with a reputable doc and surgeon. Keep us up to date on your progress. My band is completely full and I'm in failure and gaining. Very frustrating. Thx. Deb

Hi there,
Im having my revision this Tuesday after having my band for over 7 years. My weight loss has been substantial and in fact, I am probably below weight now (I even see that I look too thin). I had a slip about 6 months after having it put in, but I have never really coped with the band and think I am one of those people that will vomit no matter how little Fluid is in the band.
I have had another slip and can't keep food down at all. I had the rest of my Fluid out last Friday and now can keep liquids down. I couldn't even tell you when the band slipped again - most likely years ago and I just lived with the reflux and vomiting. Its better than being fat isn't it??!
Now though, I have lost too much weight and feel terribly lethargic and not myself at all. I just want to recondition and be strong again. I don't however, want to be fat. So, what to do?
I have booked in for the bypass in a few months but really concerned about stacking on too much weight once the band is gone. I eat a liquid diet now anyway e.g. smoothies, Soups etc but I have been using butter and cream to try to keep weight on. I know that I will need to change my diet pre bypass.
I am now a fit person and I have exercised daily and love it, for about 5 years. I wonder if this in combination with doing the post bypass diet will be enough to keep my weight under control and the bypass would be unnecessary?
Its a pretty confronting and scary time - I only found out a few days ago that I was to lose the band, so still getting my head around it and RESEARCHING!
Not long until your surgery - they are doing both procedures at once on the 15th?
Cheers
Donna

I had the lap band for 4 years and never had any problems with it until it stopped working for me and gain almost 30lbs back so I decided to get sleeved...I got sleeved June 23rd and so far I been doing great with no complications and hope to continue doing the same! My first post op appointment was 2 weeks after my surgery and lost 17lbs...
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Thank you for your posts. I had a slippage and problems with the band so Insurance will cover Gastric Sleeve revision to be done the end of Aug. first of Sept. but I had so many issues with my band both I and my husband are nervous. I had re-flux for so long especially at night even with just Water, and I definitely don't want to go back to that. You have given me hope that it will be a good fix.