saraslimmerin2011

Hello, I had a lapband inserted in 2008 and removed in 2010. It just did not agree with my system. My advice: Do NOT get another Lapband! I have read tons and tons of current research. The Lapbands are being removed like mad and revisions are being done to mini gastric bypass or vertical sleeve procedures. I have decided to wait another year and see what the research is proving on the Vertical Sleeves and the mini bypass procedures. No Lapbands. This is NOT to say that there are not a percentage of people out there who have been quite successful with lapbands. But after 5, 10 years, what is their experience ? The majority, are not successful. Read the Research. peace and blessings, sara

Christina, Did you have the lapband or the sleeve ? Please keep in touch. Let me know how you are doing? I get up at 2am tomorrow and fly from San francsico to San Diego, then the hospital driver picks me up at the airport. ...nervous.....about doing this alone, but I will be OK. Oh yes, when I had the band I had a difficult time in the beginning while eating out socially. My small meal seemed to stick out like a sore thumb in comparison to everyone else was eating. It was quite a learning experience and I think it takes some time and patience to change your lifelong eating patterns. So, go easy on yourself. Take Care, sara

Christina, Thank you for the reply. I have made the decision to wait on the sleeve and return to my original MD rather than Dr. Almanza. No negatives, just that I trusted my original MD and now all he is going to do is remove the lapband. I will continue to research on the sleeve and maybe in the Spring, return to Mexico and get the sleeve if I have had no luck in losing the weight on my own. I need to get emotionally ready. Too much grief in my Life right now to undertake the weightloss journey. But I do plan on keeping myself in check by not letting myself GAIN more than 5 lbs, hopefully. Thanks again for your input, sara

Dear Flab2Fab, I share in your hesitancy. I am on my way to Mexico tomorrow to have my Lapband removed by original MD who I trust and would recommend. My reasons for having the Lapband removed are this: Primarily emotional: I am going through the grief process, my daughter is not emotionally well at this time, I am feeling very unsettled about my life right now. Secondary: The fills were a hassle. I had to drive too far, the people doing the fills did not have enough experience. The port of my band has never felt "right" and now they think it may be twisted or have a kink in it. Well, that is enough reason for me. It has been a period of 2 years. I did lose 30 lbs the first year. But then when I got stressed out my esophagus would tighten and I would start to have a difficult time with keeping the food down. It could even have been that my body is not anatomically built for a lapband. I was born extremely muscular.....who knows? I just know I want to be Lapband free and continue to follow the research on the VSG (sleeve gastrectomy). I am going to try getting my life and feelings more settled. I am going to try to lose weight "again".....deal with my depression and my attachment to food as comfort for awhile......if I just cannot stand it within the next year, I think I will certainly be strongly considering the sleeve. I really want to lose weight and be healthier. But a lot of inner work needs to be done on my part. Some people have had remarkable success with the Band. Some have not. I know I have probably confused you more and I am sorry for that. Keep in touch, Saraslimmer So

Dear eloquent blue, Can you tell me of your sleeve story and the cost at Pugent Sound ? I have a Lapband and want to have it removed to get a (VGS) Vertical Gastric Sleeve, but I want an excellent, experienced surgeon. I am private pay and i may have to go back to Mexico to get this done, but I would prefer going to Pugent Sound. What can you tell me about your experiences, your procedure, your MD ? Peace, Sara *note: Love your saying at the bottom of your page.

Dear Cindy, Thank you for your post. I absolutely hate gas.....what kind of gas did you call it and what do you mean by it...where is it located ? What did you have done? The VGS/sleeve ? sara

Hello All, The date is September 8, 2010. I am considering a Lapband revison to a VSG procedure/surgery. I will fly from Travel from the border at San Diego California to TJ Mexico in the next few weeks after i get a date confirmed with Mt. Zion Medical with Dr. Almanza. Has anyone out there had this exact thing done and how did it go ? Has anyone out there traveled ALONE ? I am working with melissa and she is saying they pick you up at the airport and take care of everything. You stay at Recovery Homes with other patients and nurses 24hours to 48 hours after your revision/surgery and then they return you to San Diego Airport. I am so fearful of doing this alone. I need to know if anyone has feelings about Mt. Zion or Dr. Almanza ? Pleeeeeze let me know, peace and blessings to all of you, jl

Dear Cherry, How are you doing ? I am new here. I read your post from a month ago in August. You are the same weight range as myself. I currently am trying to decide on a surgery date with Dr. Ponce DeLeon or Dr. Almanaz at Mt. Zion in TJ Mexico. I am having my Lapband removed and having a sleeve gastrectomy (not the plication new one)...... How are you progressing ? Are you having "Gas/Bloating/Indigestion ? Sara

Oh dear, I hope your gas gets better soon. I have gas located in my mid and lower stomach all the time. I am currently in the process of scheduling a lapband removal and getting a sleeve gastrectomy replacement at the same time. I do not know how to navigate around the is site very well. Can you tell me where to go to find out about my MD and his qualifications from other patients ? I had the Lapband put in By Dr. Lopez Corvala. I was very happy with him and his staff in 2008. For many reasons, I am having it removed. I just want to know that I have chosen a good MD to do the job. How do I find that out through this website ? I am a bit nervous about the Gas everyone is experiencing as it has always been an issue for me anyway. My new MD's name is Dr. Jamie Ponce DeLeon or Dr. Almanza. They work together at Mt. Zion medical on Revolutionary Blvd in TJ, Mexico. Does anyone know about these 2 MD's ? Or the hospital ?

Nancy, pardon my question, what is RNY ? thank you for your comments on the Lapband removal.....

To Anyone out there and to All: I have made the decision to go back to Mexico and have my Lapband Removed. Many varied reasons. What I want to know from all of you if what is like to have it removed ? How long does your tummy stay sore and swollen ? How long before you can have a sleeve plication procedure ? (I am seriously considering having the gastric sleeve plication done as soon as I heal from the Lapband removal. I guess what I mostly want people to comment on is this: What was the removal like ? How long was the healing ? Did you or are you going to have another procedure done ? How long does it take to heal from the "Removal of the band? Please respond......patiently waiting.......

Ladies, Ladies, Please, slow down. Healthy Long lasting Weight Loss takes "TIME". When/If I get the "Sleeve" procedure...I will be absolutely "Thrilled" if I lose 10 lbs in 30 days! One has to remember how long it took us to get all those pounds on and the lifestyle and the choices we were making to keep those pounds on, right ? So, it makes sense that it may take at least a year to lose some substantial weight, correct ? If you lose it fast, you are destined to gain it back...studies show. I still have not have my lapband removed, but will be doing that in the next 30 days. Take Care with patience and determination as I tell myself, peace, Sara

Hi, How long did you wait after the Band removal to do the Sleeve procedure ? What was the medical advice you were given about the length of time to wait for the healing to be done ? Or can they do it at the same time ? I plan on having my lapband removed soon. Any suggestions ? Saraslimmerin2011

Doug, Please let me know how you do with the "Hunger" issue ? As, I am consdiering having the sleeve plication done also. Good Luck to you, sara

Hello MS LISA, Who is doing your surgery ? I may be traveling to TJ Mexico in Novemeber also to get my Lapband removed. After healing I want to get the Vertical Sleeve Plication also. I am doing research on the difference between the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, only because everyone seems to be mentioning the "Gherlin tissues"; the secreting hunger portion of the stomach is not removed with the plication, so the sleeve gastrectomy "may" be better ? I do not have any idea, but plan on finding out. How exciting for you! I have already been to Hospital Angeles and had all positive felings about the care, the nurses, etc. If that is where you are scheduled ? I had Dr. Lopez Corvala who is very good. Take care, sara