Nanajoy

I’ve had a lap band for 11 yrs. I’ve begun to have problems ( band intolerance) and also have gained 30 of 100 pounds back. I’m not considered obese anymore but I am wanting the band out and feel that I need the sleeve so that I don’t gain it all back. I’m disabled and have Medicare. Does anyone have experience with this.
Insurances seem to want you to gain it all back ( to have a higher bmi again ) before they will cover. They covered the band. Wouldn’t it make sense to cover the revision.

I love my band and have had it for 10 years. I, too still have days I eat too fast or too big of a bite and get stuck. I retired 3 years ago and got careless and ate the wrong foods and gained about 30-35 pounds that I need and want to get back off. Unless I have a medical emergency to remove the band, I plan on dying with it in me and I refuse to go to the extreme of the other surgeries they are offering. Thank you very much but I will stay with what I have.

I was also banded in 2007 and have had a wonderful love hate relationship with my band. I love it as a tool for meal restriction and keeping hunger in check. Hate it because it’s very difficult to overeat without doing harm.
I love It for having to take small bites and am almost always the last to finish. I hate it because if I try to eat big bites or fast then I suffer needlessly.
I have 1cc in a 4cc band. Any problems have come when I had more than 1cc.
I May or may not ever reach my goal but keeping off over 100 lb most of my journey has been entirely worth it.

I'm so glad too see another person who has had success with the band. I read about so many ppl who removed it and say it was a mistake. Even with the problems I have had , I can't see myself ever wanting to remove it.

I love my band as well. I have had it for many years and I can not imagine life without it. I am so healthy & much happier now and I am able to be apart of my children's life on a daily basis. I have had some ups and downs with my band over the years, but nothing that would cause me to have it removed. It has been a life saving tool for me.

I've been banded since 2007 and I only recently started visiting this site... Stupid on my part. I learned quite a few things here. I wish I had been on here when I first started out. While reading different posts to help me with my pouch dialation problems 2 weeks ago I noticed many people who have had their bands removed.
In the past I had port infection due to a Tummy Tuck, esophogeal hernia( which they originally thought was a band erosion) it was only when I was under anethstisia did my doctor see the problem and when I woke up I was totally ecstatic because I thought I would be waking up to having my band removed.it wasn't and I was grateful.
I read so many people saying how it was the worst mistake by getting banded, but I feel so lucky. It's worked so well and the problems I had were my likely self induced, you know not chewing properly, the dumb tummy tuck which wasn't necessary. Those problems could have been avoided. The thought of being without my band it frightening. This last problem of pouch dialation was a strong reality check. I have to remember how to eat and chew properly. Just because so many years have past I must not become complacent .
I was lucky to find so much info on these post at bariatric pal. I grateful for the posts I read and for future knowledge I can obtain just by reading other people's stories. I just wish I read more stories of people who have had great success with their band. I know I did and I love my band and can't image myself without it.

I have been banded for 10 years. Had the weight off for 8 years and then BAM, retired and last year of work was a nightmare with the boss from hell. I know, that is not an excuse, but here I am again trying to lose this 35-40 pounds gained from stress eating. Getting back on this website has helped me get my resolve to do this again and I hope that this helped you with knowing that we all slip one time or another and we can do this again. I believe that obesity is a disease like alcoholism, the only difference is that you can quit alcohol but you cannot totally give up food. We need to have control at all times and it is definitely HARD TO DO.

Thanks for sharing this Desdemona! I’m very encouraged now that my band will take me to my goal too even after a couple of years of struggling ( my own fault ). I went in a very strict diet also and I can relate to my band “ kicking in again”! Finally feeling hopeful again

Are you still happy with it? I am working hard to get back to goal after a year and a half off the wagon. And I mean fell off and got dragged behind the wagon! Lol! I saw my surgeon today after a fill 2 weeks ago. Lost 11 pounds following the post op diet again. Wasn’t easy but getting easier. Seems everyone is going to the Sleeve and it’s hard to find too many other lapbanders.

NanaJoy, you CAN do this! Our bands are working with us, not against us! So, stay strong and know that you have this!

Thanks for sharing this Desdemona! I’m very encouraged now that my band will take me to my goal too even after a couple of years of struggling ( my own fault ). I went in a very strict diet also and I can relate to my band “ kicking in again”! Finally feeling hopeful again

Are you still happy with it? I am working hard to get back to goal after a year and a half off the wagon. And I mean fell off and got dragged behind the wagon! Lol! I saw my surgeon today after a fill 2 weeks ago. Lost 11 pounds following the post op diet again. Wasn’t easy but getting easier. Seems everyone is going to the Sleeve and it’s hard to find too many other lapbanders.

You can do it!!! Good for you

Oh my dear ---- I'm so sorry. I mostly want you to know that there are people out here to read these posts and definitely - hear you and get it. I'm also here to tell you to never, never give up. I'm 66. Got up to 43 BMI when I got the band in 2008. Got down to 32 BMI and stayed there for 5/6 years and then gradually gained abt 30lbs -- so abt 50% of what I lost. Like you - I just decided to bite the bullet and find a way because I just couldn't bear to put it all back on. I didn't get a conversion surg. I went on a medically supervised Liquid Protein fast. Took 4 mons and lost slowly due to age -- BUT I took the 30lbs off and more. Am now 26 BMI and have been stable there for 10 mos. I had my band adjusted and my band (that I was convinced didn't work anymore) really was a blessing in helping me through the liquid fast. It just really kicked in again. I had an arm lift 2 mos ago and I have a TT coming up in early March. Listen to me --- YOU CAN DO IT! Don't beat yourself up. The past is the past.

Same for you! You can do it! I keep visualizing summer, beaches , etc. it’s coming[emoji16]

Hi Jodie. I was banded in 2012. I lost 90 lbs. I’ve had several major back surgeries so I struggle a lot with exersize. I gained back 35 lbs but am working hard to get it off. I went back to surgeon. Got a small fill and started back on the very strict post op diet to try to jump start things. It was hard but it’s really working. It’s been s week and I’m down 6 lbs in one week. 2 Protein Shakes and one small healthy meal a day until goal. . No carbs or sugar. I feel better already. Good Luck!

Hi Jodie. I was banded in 2012. I lost 90 lbs. I’ve had several major back surgeries so I struggle a lot with exersize. I gained back 35 lbs but am working hard to get it off. I went back to surgeon. Got a small fill and started back on the very strict post op diet to try to jump start things. It was hard but it’s really working. It’s been s week and I’m down 6 lbs in one week. 2 Protein Shakes and one small healthy meal a day until goal. . No carbs or sugar. I feel better already. Good Luck!

I’m banded since 2012. I’m from NJ

Just want to say thanks to the folks here Whenever I’ve had a question or concern someone has always answered. Even though our experiences may vary I’m very encouraged and thankful for this site!

@Nanajoy @Sammy 10-30
glad you both are enjoying Bariatric Plan. ask any and alll of your questions
suggest maybe use the SEARCH button in top right hand corner
you will find that many OP have already asked the same ?, and you can learn
from them. you will get answers, opinions, experiences and more
many responses will be different because we are all supposed to do only
what our NUT tells us to do never compare yourself to others - you'll learn
many important/valuable things here. after listening to OP, medical
questions should be asked and answered by your doc or NUT
good luck
kathy

Just want to say thanks to the folks here Whenever I’ve had a question or concern someone has always answered. Even though our experiences may vary I’m very encouraged and thankful for this site!

Just want to say thanks to the folks here Whenever I’ve had a question or concern someone has always answered. Even though our experiences may vary I’m very encouraged and thankful for this site!

I was sleeved 4 weeks ago tomorrow. Pretty much everything you've read above. My anesthesiology team put an anti nausea patch behind my ear prior to surgery and I had no nausea problems. You'll wake up groggy, as you'd expect. The first day I stayed pretty drowsy and just drifted in and out of sleep, hitting my pain button when necessary. I didn't have fluids most of the first day, but was on IVs so didn't get dehydrated. Once you can, you'll want to get up and walk, to help break up the gas if nothing else. I had ice chips until my leak test. The nurses woke me every 4 hours for vitals, but I didn't mind. They were really sweet. I was lucky - no nausea and the pain was not horrible (aka well-managed). I even managed to avoid the evil catheter.
You're going to do great! Don't worry!

Welcome Kevin-- you share a surgery date with oodles of people-- both sleeve and RnY. Chief among them is Fluffy Chix, go and read her Out with the Old In With the New postings, she ,is a total hoot. What to expect tomorrow. Well it is the first day of the rest of your life. You Will leave the,operating room different than when you enter. You will wake up in the recovery room after your anesthesia sleep, you may be nauseous, you may not. There will be techs and nurses hurrying around but they're all be watching over you also. How will you feel? A little fuzzy and foggy. How will your tummy feel? That like each person varies. Range from feeling bloated , like you've been stabbed repeatedly which i guess you have been, done too,many situps and feels very tired. I'm holding out for my friend Tammy's assessment. She said it wasn't as bad as being head-butted by her 5 year old son. Rotten kid. thought he was a Billy goat. When you get back to your room, they will have you up and walking as soon as you are able. Not being mean, it lessens the chance of developing blood clots, helps you get rid of the gas they blew you up with and lastly keeps you from lying there feeling sorry for yourself. Up and at 'em Adam Ant.
Some places start you out on Clear Liquids, some just give you Water. You won't be able to swallow much at a time, you are pretty swollen inside and surgically wounded. You are drier than Death Valley but you still have an IV in and probably will until you can take enough in by mouth. A lot of people use Biotene and say it helps with the Dry Mouth. I want to take that and GasX strips if I can find them. I'm gassy now so imagine what I'll be like later. The general consensus---walk walk walk sip sip i would add smile smile smiles The nurses are going to be more receptive to answering lights, doing things to help you etc if you act relatively pleasant. Sure they are professionals but they first are human, if you act like a rotten spoiled brat you'll get talked about in the break room. And it won't be flattering, I'm not a nurse but i spent about 20 years as a STNA and I know from experience that goes on. So back on your feet, get your exercise, keep your Fluid levels up, each day you'll be stronger than the day before. Sure there will be blips in the road but that is all they are. Soon you'll be thinner, healhier and ready to live a long happy lifespan. And isn't that what we all want? Love and Prayers and a hug too.
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Have had a lapband for 6 yrs. over the last year I have gained back about 35 lbs and also have developed a hiatal hernia that is causing minor issues as of now. My dr said I qualify for the sleeve bc of the hernia and numerous health issues . I’m 56 I’m looking to hear others experiences of. going from band to sleeve such as recovery, difficulty, regrets if any etc. I really want to be sure I’m doing the right thing. On a side note my family and friends think it an extreme thing to do bc I’m now only 35 overweight. But I know I’ll blink and I’ll be 50 over and then 60 and before I know it I’ll gain it all back it’s just a matter of time. I’m scared but tired of the pain and problems I’ve had from a lifetime struggle with obesity so I’m open just as I was with band. Any advice or sharing is very appreciated. tIa