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They forced me to have my band unfilled. It's been a few months now. They had me come in to un-fill it after I was approved for the revision. It is for my esophagus and stomach to return to normal before my revision. My lapband will be removed and sleeve done in one outpatient procedure. I haven't received my surgery date yet. Unfortunately, during these months, some of my weight came back (18 of my 100 lb lost so far) and can't wait to get my surgery date so I won't gain too much more back.

That's great! Who was your surgeon? Was it done as outpatient? Mine will be done as outpatient and that's why I'm asking. My wife will be asking for FML to care for me. Based on your experience, how many days should she stay with me, if at all. I don't want her to miss too much work as we need the money. Thank you so much in advance.

Long time bander here. I didn't have a hard time with it and lost a significant amount of weight. I did PB a lot and my esophagus had issues off and on. I stalled at 100 lb weight loss and am now going to have the revision. I was told the sleeve will help me continue my journey till I hit goal weight with far less side effects. Hope this helps.

Martinez Eufrocino C MD   Address: 12820 Studebaker Rd # 100, Norwalk, CA 90650 Phone: (562) 651-0021 A friend of mine had the lap band, and she said hardly any hoops to jump through and he was fantastic. He works out of LA, Orange and San Diego country I think.

My doctor said 1 surgery, and it'll be outpatient. I will be the first surgery that morning since it's a revision from band to sleeve (instead of just a sleeve). The more complicated the surgery, they are usually the first surgery scheduled. I'll be able to go home the same day in the early evening if all goes well. I think it may be about money too. In the USA, there are so many hoops. The sleep test alone they charged the insurance $6K. CRAZY!

My lap band pre-op diet was so long ago, I don't remember how well I stuck to it. Now because of a revision to sleeve surgery, I will once again have to go through it. 2 weeks. 2 long weeks. I'm not looking forward to it. I've heard of some doctors who just say stay under 1000 cal. Others says pre-op diet for sleeve is unnecessary. I have a friend who said their doctor told her 3 weeks liquid diet. Other than Meal Replacement shakes, what else is allowed? I don't remember anymore and maybe it's different than a pre-op lapband diet. Thanks.

They just said to use OTC stuff. Thanks. Glad it's not as bad as when you had your band in.

No but I had my band unfilled a couple of months ago, and I never had reflux but now I do. I was checked for erosion and my band was perfect, everything looked good.

Me too. About 8 years and before my revision, they unfilled me. I feel more prepared for the sleeve but although the band caused serious discomfort before I had to PB (about once a week), there was no nausea involved, just a sense of something stuck. Nausea is something I have a difficult time dealing with so I'm hoping it's not a common occurrence.

When you say you feel extremely miserable, is it like when you eat too much (with a normal stomach) or is a lot of nausea involved? Thanks!

Good luck!

I had the band for about 8 years. Still have it, unfilled, to let my stomach/esophagus heal and normalize. I had a slight dilated pouch, and no problems, with a 100 lb weight loss with the band and yet the insurance BCBS approved for the revision with no problem. I think insurance companies, in general, think overall it's a better way to go than constant upkeep of band and/or the problems some are having with the band vs the gastric sleeve. Just my opinion.

Yes. I hated that heavy feeling in my chest and the pressure build up if I ate too much or quickly. I'm currently unfilled waiting for the revision surgery. I constantly have to go out to business lunches, have you (or anyone on this thread) experience a need to run to the restroom to throw up? I had that happen with the band quite a few times and hated how my voice would change when I got stuck. After that, I mainly just had Soup for fear of that happening in public. If you could explain to me those types of scenarios (overeating or eating something that didn't go well with your stomach after the sleeve), I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance!

I'm still in pre-op testing. The typical: Sleep study, endoscopy, EKG... etc. but I will be having my procedure done in one operation as outpatient. My band was completely unfilled and feel like I could eat a horse. Trying hard not to gain any weight before the surgery.

Thank you all again!

Not a bad state of mind. I've had the lap band for 8 or so years, maintained successfully about 100 lb weight loss but am now switching to the gastric band. I was merely seeing if I can have a large bowl of clear soup like I do now. It's one of the ways I get my Water intake since the band, and it's definitely low calorie and healthy. Wish there weren't judgmental people like you in the world but oh well.

Thanks all for your input. I was wondering how it was different than the lap band which I've had for the past 8 or so years.

I'll be getting my sleeve in a couple of months. I was wondering for those who have been sleeved and past all the "post op" diet how much Soup you can eat in one sitting. I love going to restaurants & with the band, I usually have a medium to large size bowl of soup (usually clear base). I'm hoping I don't have to change this. I read like 4-6 oz normal food but was wondering since soup is liquid, I could get away eating a normal serving of it. Thanks!

I was told 6-8 weeks after I finish all the testing: apnea, cardiac, nutrition classes, endoscopy.

I'll be going in for a one stage revision, and am worried that it'll become a two stage. Are there any people who has had the band for many years? I've had my band for 8 years with good success ~100 lbs with little or no problems and maintained that weight loss but doctor suggested I get a revision to gastric sleeve since I've remained the same now for the last 3 years. I have about 70 more lbs to go. Thanks.