crystal525

I would like to ask if you think your purging was because of the band? I too threw up alot with the band...probably the only reason I lost weight. But I don't think I had an eating disorder. I ate and threw up because of how uncomfortable I was after eating most meals. Yes...sometimes I knew I should stop eating, but never felt full, never felt satisfied and when I did-the food had to come out. I think there is such a thing as band-induced bulimia. Since I had my band out in April I have not once thrown up (unless I was sick). I am hoping to revise to a sleeve...just taking my time making my decision. I meet with the therapist next month for my psych evaluation. I'm just scared of the finality of having half of my stomach removed. But--since my issues started (pouch dilation), I have gained 50 pounds in the last year and that fact is outweighing any fear I have now. So I think you should evaluate the reasons behind your bulimic issues. I'm sharing my insight from life on the other side when you have the band out, as someone who also threw up regularly. Not many people knew how often I did (probably except my hubby and he probably didn't really know). Personally I know from experience that the weight you lose does not stay off and your metabolism is basically **** so once the band is out it is extremely hard to keep the weight off. Since waiting and seeing how you do is really not an option, maybe you can ask for a larger sleeve? Sorry I'm not more help, I just know I gained 10 pounds with my dilated pouch, 10 pounds with my unfill, and 30 since my band was taken out. Ugh... Best wishes with your decision. Crystal

Unfortunately no call yet...but confident. Submission not until my 90 days up!

Congrats all! QDMama--I see we have the same surgeon! I love Dr. M--he did my band placement in 2008, band removal last month, and will now do my sleeve hopefully in late July/early August! He requires 3-4 months before he'll revise. And I too have Aetna...my package will be submitted after my 90 day program is up on Jul 9 (unfortunately I had to do the program again--Aetna covered my band so hopefully there'll be no issues with revision coverage!).

Aetna covers the sleeve--just FYI!

I had my band removed at 4pm on a Monday and was back at work (desk job) on Wednesday. My surgeon refuses to do single surgery revisions due to the leak issues connected with scar tissue. He said since I'm a revision, he cleaned my scar tissue up completely and I have to wait 3 months for my revision so I can be totally healed. The worst part of the removal was that the port site was sore for a week. I had it out April 9 and even my scars are about healed. I'm just trying to not gain anymore weight (I have gained almost 30 pounds over the last year, the most being since my total unfill in December--I honestly think when the band doesn't work for you, it works against you...). I think my metabolism is finally getting back to normal. Good luck to you!

I too had a bad experience with my EGD sedation. They told me i'd be a little out of it so that I could swallow when they put the tube down, then they'd put me totally out. I felt exactly as you described above. I could tell what was going on around me but couldn't talk or react. I could hear my surroundings but in the distance. I could hear the doc tell the nurse she was just supposed to give me Adivan (sp?). Maybe I'm sensitive to that, I don't know, but I felt like I was dreaming very crazy things... I have no clue why??? But--I also had a prior bad experience with anesthesia during a knee procedure like 15 years ago...felt like I woke up during the procedure--not scared at all, just cold and they put me back out. Well--needless to say I am scared to death now whenever I have to be sedated. But--I think I finally got my answer when I had my band out about a month ago. I always make sure I tell the anesthesiologist my issues. I described what I remembered during the two instances. She believes the difference was local v. general anesthesia. The local is what they use when they want u up immediately (like with an EGD or colonoscopy) and apparently they used to use it a lot with lower body surgeries. They don't need to intubate with local. I'm happy to say i did not have ANY anesthesia issues with my band placement (2008) or removal 2 weeks ago and they were both general anesthesia. Hope this helps. Crystal

That always happened when I had United. Call them ... If the hospital was in network it should be covered.

OMG...I love a good blog. I just started reading--HILARIOUS...my type of comedy. LOL. Thanks for looking out...

My band was placed in Nov 2008 and I got it out yesterday. I haven't talked to the surgeon yet, but my husband said he told him that there wasn't much damage/scar tissue which was a huge concern for me as well. I saw the nutritionist last week as my first appointment of the whole process ... again. They said even though it's like a revision, the insurance company still has the same requirements... At least it's only a 90 day process. This time I do have to have the sleep study even though I didn't have to last time for the band (the pulmonologist ruled me out during my clearance...). And I have to see the psych again to be cleared. I'm not happy with the additional expenses, but at least my surgery (if approved) should be covered at 100%. Good luck to you (and me!!!)!

My doc likes to give the stomach 3 or 4 months to rest before doing the sleeve. I was hoping to get it done at one time, but now understand why some surgeons choose not to...higher leakage rates... Every doctor has their differences. Lots of people who don't do well with the band can still do well with the sleeve. My surgeon's personal opinion is that if you lost well with the band you should do well with the sleeve. He prefers to do the bypass for those who did not do well with the band and who still have a lot to lose. I lost nearly 80 pounds and only started to gain weight back when complications set in (reflux, dilation). I think the band will be a plus when it comes to how little you'll be able to eat after either procedure. I don't have a special eating plan...just gotta start doing 5 meals a day...which includes 2 Protein shakes. Keep me posted!

Diurex (I think they still sell this!).

I'm feeling pretty good after my band removal yesterday afternoon at 4pm. My doc told my hubby that the scarring/stomach was "not bad at all." So I'm hoping that moving forward with the sleeve should be seamless! I'm very worried about the higher leak rate with the conversion, but feel pretty good since the scar tissue wasn't bad. Also--my doc is sending my band away for pathology. I had been getting fevers (every six months or so...lasting for about 2 days at about 103) over the last 2 years. No explanation. The hospital referred me to a rheumatologist to check for auto immune diseases since unexplained fevers are an indicator. The rheumatologist couldn't find anything either. My band surgeon thinks it might be my body rejecting/fighting the band also. Who knows???!!! Just one more reason to get it out of me. Although I'm scared to death of life without it (even tho it's not helped me at all over the last year and a half--gained 30 pounds since last March). My 90 day program will be up on Jul 9...hoping to get sleeved over the summer. I work for a couple of very busy law partners and it'll depend on thier vacation schedules etc. I feel like I've been out alot this year (2 week vaction in March!!!) and now all these appointments to prepare for the sleeve. I have the leave and I have short term disability so I shouldn't feel guilty...but I do. Thanks for listening...sorry for rambling. Must be the drugs...

is that the sleeve will be just like the band in 5 years... I had the band 4 years ago and no one was talking about it negatively. Now nearly all the info out there is negative. I can have my band out (and I am next Tuesday), but the sleeve is not reversible. I've decided to do it but I am worried about long-term issues. I don't want another WLS in 5 years. I want this to really work. Any long-termers have any input?

Added you! My band is coming out next Tuesday. My first appointment of my 90 day program is today. Hoping to be sleeved end of July! You look great. I was down to 178 with my band a year ago. Band too tight, dilated pouch, complete unfill in the last year...back up to 210 now. Ugh.