socalfosh

I'm scheduled for surgery on 8/19! Praise be to God!

Well when I had dilation and prolapse, my band was emptied for 3 months to heal. After 3 months it looked much better and we started re-filling again. So it made sense to me that if I emptied it again before my revision, that it would be in better condition, therefore making my surgery easier. I emptied 2 months pre-op, and had a great single surgery revision. Almost 3 months out now from my single surgery revision. Surgery itself was a breeze (50 minutes) and my recovery after has been pretty easy the whole time.
That being said though, there are doctors that just don't believe a single surgery revision is ever safe and won't do them. I was self pay, so the possibility for a safe single surgery was very important to me. In your case, it's frustrating, but best to just listen to your surgeon. Patience is a necessary evil all the way through this journey. Consider it some extra practice
Best of luck!!!!

Good news, I got a date!! Woohoo!!! Insurance approved and scheduled for August 21st!

Sorry you cant have it in one. they do say it is for your own good. but now you know and you can settle in to your routine and the remaining hoops if you have any. Good luck on your journey. It will be worth it in the end!

i just tell people that i eat less and cleaner and work out, which IS true. but i also don't give nutrtion and fitness advice either.
i do not tell a lot people about the surgery because IMO its none of their business and i also realize a lot of people will not be respectful of my choice so why open the pandora's box? if i feel that my journey could help someone then i would speak up but until then i won't say anything

Ive been approved for the band to sleeve conversion. I have one more pre op test next week then we schedule the band removal and sleeve to follow after a few months. I'm kinda nervous too but I'm getting more confident in my decision with each passing day.

I told no one about my surgery. I tell people I am doing Weight Watchers (and I do go weekly for scale accountability & support) for the gazillionith time and going to the gym again (which I am)...my health is really nobody's business is how I look at it.

No. I knew I was taking a chance just as with any surgery, there are NO guarantees, I took a risk and I feel both my doctor and Allergan had informed me to the best of their knowledge what could possibly happen as a result of my decision at that time. We know a lot more now than we did six years ago obviously but how can they be responsible for information that developed over the years since lap band had been initially implemented?

When I posted this question and said my paperwork wasn't even submitted yet I was a bit annoyed. I was told by my insurance they didn't have any request on file. So, yesterday (7/11) I emailed my patient advocate and asked for an update. No response. Today (7/12) they called to inform me the band removal to sleeve conversion was approved! I was not expecting that but I am so excited. All my pre-op tests are scheduled for next week. Wow.

I received word today, I've been approved for band to sleeve revision ! Pre-op testing to begin next week. This will be a 2 step procedure for me so band removal first. Very excited and anxious/ nervous at the same time. The process was quicker and smoother than anticipated....thankfully!

Excuse me while I rant: what is this nonsense about "losing weight the natural way?" Every pound I have lost has been lost through my hard work. The surgery didn't remove any weight ( well other than about 2 lbs of my stomach). It's not like they hooked up a vacuum and sucked out the weight.
My weight was lost by sticking to a 2&1/2 week complete liquid pre-op diet. It was done by following my doctor's post-op diet (mostly) to the letter. It was sweated off in daily exercise sessions. It was lost by resisting the urges to indulge in slider foods, wheat and sugar.
What is "the natural way?" Is it taking dangerous prescription drugs (been there)? Is it reading 100s of diet books? Is it numerous counseling, and weight loss group sessions? Is it starting a new diet every Monday morning, then admitting failure by Tuesday? Is it yoyo dieting, losing 10 lbs, then regaining 20; losing 30, regaining 40, and on and on?
VSG is a TOOL. Like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem is a tool. No one looks down their noses at those tools. Why do we put up with people looking down their noses at our tool?
End of rant . . . well, for now.

But when woman get boob jobs they're practically applauded! Nothing ago an boob jobs.....really. I think there's a stigma or something. I've chosen not to tell anyone for my personal reasons. I'm a private person and I don't like people in my business. But I don't lie easily either so when the weight starts coming off I will reply " its medically supervised and I have a personal trainer". No lie there! Its human nature to be afraid of things we don't understand and most people simply don't understand obesity unless they're living it, therefore you receive negative feedback from some people. (Not everyone) Good luck to all of you! Keep up the good HARD work!! Man I wanna punch people when they say "easy way out"!

Only regret not doing it sooner. since march I'm down almost 90 lbs and probably added 10 years to my life.

GUESS WHAT?! I got a call from my insurance case worker at 5:45pm ET, and I GOT APPROVED!! Only one day into my appeal!!! My Dr office was already closed so I emailed them, asking for a date so I can make plans etc. The caseworker is going to fax an approval to them, then mail the official letter to both of us. Thanks again for your prayers, they worked!!! And so did all the advice I have found on this website. :-D

Good luck to you both! Try to enjoy yourselves over the holiday. The answer will come...

I understand completely that's why no one knows except my parents, siblings and inlaws! They are not to tell anyone! I was always thin and for the past 5 years I put on 100lbs from 130 all my life till I was 24 after the birth of my 2nd child I just blew up. Now everyday if my life I have family plus random ppl tell me how beautiful I was and my jlo body ( cuz I'm Puerto Rican) lol is ruined! I've never imagine how cruel ppl can be till you put on weight! I could never go up to someone and blatantly be disrespectful or ignorant about personal issues, however u will meet them. I don't want anyone coming up to me telling me that I took the short cut or asking questions it's none of their business's!!! So to all of us we should proud of our selfs and our journey!!!

I am in the same boat, submitted last thurs have a 14 day wait from he**, and with the holiday it might be longer, so I figure I will glue my phone to my face and proceed to try to have some fun this weekend!!!!

I'm 5 months out from surgery and I've lost 94 pounds. I have 55 pounds left to lose to reach my goal of 125. I'm 5 ft tall. I'm so excited about the weight I've lost so far and feel a million times better.
I hesitate to post this because the before pic is me in my underwear but It's the only pic I have that really shows the difference. I hope it doesn't offend anyone.
My family is getting ready to go on a beach trip and I bought a swim suit. I got a halter bikini top and swim shorts. I tried to find a pic of me last year at the beach but I couldn't find any that showed me from the shoulders down...but I found this underwear pic from the night before surgery.
I've lost a total of 64 inches so far! I've lost 13.5 inches from my hips and 10 inches from each thigh!! I'm amazed at the process and I'm loving this journey!
Please, if underwear offends you, do not click on the pic. :-)

Its funny you should say this read my Name lol. I made the choice to keep it to myself after hearing my co-workers speak poorly of others at my job who have had it done. I ONLY told 3 people in this whole world my Fiance My mother and my brother who all stood by my side from the day of surgery until today, I was sleeved 12/6/12 and Am down 82 pounds. I have not told any other family members or even my best friend.. I REFUSE to be judged on a life choice I made. I feel left out when it comes to our sleeved community because we have a lot of positive support and things going on that I'm left out of because I made the choice to keep it a secret and that's how it will remain. Its sad that I allowed closed minded folks to make this choice for me but it is what it is and will remain this way! Despite that this is the best decision I have ever made and I have no regrets! I am also very happy I decided to keep it to myself even though people suspect I had it done they will NEVER get a conformation from me! I am only a few pounds away from my goal I'm hoping that no later then August I will see it!

Live your life as you see fit. Haters hate no matter what the issue is. So do you and rock the hell out of that sleeve! Best of luck

Here re some before and after pictures with my hubby. The other pic is with my younger sister I am the gal with the pink bikini.

Everyone who has entered Mexico has never been seen or heard from again!

Hi Andrew,
I am 5 yrs post op of the lap band and I am now considering the sleeve. I chose the band because I didn't want to alter my body with RNY and I don't recall the sleeve being an option when I decided on the surgery. I lost slowly over 2.5 years then stalled and started re-gaining. I don't blame the band exactly, but in hindsight I wish I would have chosen a surgery that provided faster results. The band is difficult to get use to but you can get there. Also, I've learned in my new research that 60% of people banded have it removed after 5 yrs due to complications or not reaching their desired goals. I have not reached desired goals, therefore I am considering a band to sleeve revision. It's scary to think about having 80% of the stomach cut out, I will be meeting with a surgeon to discuss on more detail. It's not a decision to take lightly but I am considering it because I want better results, its why I had he surgery to start with. I am leaning towards the sleeve because of the Vitamin loss which isn't a risk as it is with RNY. (Always need Vitamins, but not as risky with sleeve) Good luck on your journey!

I am having my lap band out next Friday and a revision to the gastric sleeve. I'm a Kaiser patient and it has been wonderful so far. Previously I was with one of those large heavily advertised lap band companies who basically deserted me once my surgery was over. Keep trying, many people have been denied only to win on appealing (even on the 4th) time. Good luck!

Hi Andrew,
I am 5 yrs post op of the lap band and I am now considering the sleeve. I chose the band because I didn't want to alter my body with RNY and I don't recall the sleeve being an option when I decided on the surgery. I lost slowly over 2.5 years then stalled and started re-gaining. I don't blame the band exactly, but in hindsight I wish I would have chosen a surgery that provided faster results. The band is difficult to get use to but you can get there. Also, I've learned in my new research that 60% of people banded have it removed after 5 yrs due to complications or not reaching their desired goals. I have not reached desired goals, therefore I am considering a band to sleeve revision. It's scary to think about having 80% of the stomach cut out, I will be meeting with a surgeon to discuss on more detail. It's not a decision to take lightly but I am considering it because I want better results, its why I had he surgery to start with. I am leaning towards the sleeve because of the Vitamin loss which isn't a risk as it is with RNY. (Always need Vitamins, but not as risky with sleeve) Good luck on your journey!