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tegz - I had a band for five years. Lost over 100 lbs, had a healthy successful pregnancy, and generally loved the boundary the band provided for me. Last November, I caught a terrible stomach bug and was violently sick. I couldn't keep down the anti-nausea meds my Dr. had prescribed, and by the time I made it to the hospital, I had a tear in my stomach. I had to have the band removed and spent a week in the hospital. Fast forward nine months, I gained back over 60 lbs. I was so sad, which fueled my poor eating habits. Without the band as a tool to keep me in check, I obviously reverted right back to bad habits (I'm embarrassed to admit....)

Three weeks ago, I had sleeve surgery. I am so excited about this opportunity to start fresh. The surgery went well, my recovery was easy - back to work after a week off, and very little pain. The port pain I had with the band was worse than my post-sleeve surgery pain. I have "graduated" to the soft food stage, and am so happy to be able to feel full and satisfied with such small portions. I feel as though I have ALL the benefits of the band without any of the crazy issues (port pain, reflux, getting stick, pb-ing).

I always said that the band was the best decision I ever made and I was so pleased with my results - until I got so sick. Now, I wish I had gone with the sleeve in the first place. However, like you, it was not presented as an option for me 5 years ago. Either way, I am thrilled. Already down 25 lbs! If you have the means, I would HIGHLY encourage you to consider revision to sleeve.

Thank you, friends! I feel much better today. I am not sure what was going on yesterday, but your words of encouragement really did help. I am starting to feel excited rather than nervous. We can do this - I just have to try and not be in such a big hurry about it and let myself heal a little bit. I was better about drinking throughout the day, and made sure to drink my yucky Protein drinks three times. I'm sure that helped put me in a better frame of mind.

Again, thank you for the kind words of encouragement. You guys are awesome!

Thank you all so much for commenting. It's just nice to know I'm not losing my mind. I really do appreciate it. I am sure I will feel better in the morning. I love the analogy about being free - this is such a beautiful image! We are all working on becoming free. I love that!

So I am a former lap-bander who just revised to sleeve three days ago. I had great luck with the band (lost 120 lbs.) then had a perforation, removal and then gained almost everything back. Had the sleeve surgery on Friday.

I just had this overwhelming sadness come over me in the last hour. I can't believe I am starting all over again. I am worried I won't have as much success this second time around. Anyone out there who had a band and then sleeve who can give me some good advice. I know these first few weeks after surgery are the hardest, and I know my energy and mood will regulate with time, but I am feeling so lonely and sad tonight, thought I should reach out for some reassurance.

Hello fellow weight loss friends! I have decided to capture a little bit about what I have been through, and my progress through through the sleeve process. I also thought it might be helpful for those of you transitioning between band and sleeve to have some info about what feels the same and what feels different. I am also, selfishly, wanting to capture some of the feelings and emotions I have had around the success and subsequent failure of my band while it is so fresh in my head. This is not meant as a complain session, but a reminder of all the reasons I NEVER want to weigh 360 pounds ever again!

In April 2009, I had a successful Lap Band surgery, and was able to lose 120 pounds over the course of two years. I was so incredibly happy with the results, and often said it was the best decision I have ever made. To this day, despite the complication that came up for me, I am still not at all sorry I had surgery. I knew I wanted to have another baby, and the idea that I could adjust the band if I did get pregnant was very appealing. At the time, the notion that the band could be removed was also enticing, though it has become clear it was a tool that I really needed to be successful.

In 2012, I did get pregnant again, and unlike my first pregnancy, everything was incredibly smooth. I had started kickboxing in 2010 and was able to keep that up through almost all of my gestation. At the end, I was just too big and my balance was off, so it wan't safe to try and be quite so intense in my exercise. The gestational diabetes that I dealt with during my first pregnancy did NOT return, my blood pressure was normal throughout, and I gained very little weight. It was amazing. I have birth to a big, healthy baby boy in Feb. 2013.

Things took a dramatic turn for me in November 2013, however. I contracted a terrible stomach bug and threw up violently. Of course, I had the anti-nausea pills, and tried to take them, but just kept throwing them right back up over and over again. Unfortunately, I ended up with a perforated stomach and contracted severe peritonitis (as my stomach contents leaked into my peritoneal cavity.) Without going into great detail, I will just say that I was very sick and feel grateful to still be here today. I spent 6 nights in the hospital recovering and had to have the lap band removed at that time. It was the beginning of an unfortunate spiral for me.

I tried very hard to continue to eat the same way without the band that I had been eating with it for the past five years. As my voracious hunger returned, that became harder and harder to do, and as each month slipped by, weight was returning. I had gone back to kickboxing, but had to quit again because of the surgery. I fell into a pretty deep depression about the whole situation and knew early on that I wanted to consider getting the sleeve surgery ASAP. All of the reasons I needed the Lap Band as a tool were still in me, and I knew having another Lap Band installed would be a foolish choice. My surgeon agreed, and approved me for sleeve surgery in April 2014. Then, my insurance denied the surgery. I was totally devastated. That was when the weight really started piling on. I felt to totally defeated. I know my behavior was just stupid and fueled by self-pity, but nevertheless, I ended up just shy of my original weight prior to lap band surgery.

I appealed the decision, and ultimately won! (If anyone would like to see the letter to use as a template for your own appeal, I would be happy to share - just let me know).

So, fast forward to yesterday at 5:00 a.m. I arrived at the hospital so excited to get my life back! I was nervous too, of course, but I am happy to report that despite some significant scar tissue and damage from the band, my Dr. was very happy with how the procedure went. I write this at the beginning of day two, and so far, I am feeling great. I have been up and walking several times yesterday and today. I will start liquids this morning and will likely get off the IV fluids shortly. I will spend one more night here at the hospital, and then will get to go home. I plan to take a week off of work and return a week from tomorrow. I know that is a little on the short side, but fortunately my job is not physically demanding, so I think I will be ok. My pain is totally manageable, I have had a little bit of nausea off and on, but the Dr. gave me some medicine that helped a great deal with that. No throwing up, which is good! My back is a little sore from spending so much time in bed, but really, I feel fantastic overall!

I really do want to take a minute to capture all of the things that had resolved for me when I had lost the 120 pounds that came creeping back as I got heavy again. I never was skinny, but compared to 370 lbs., 244 felt like a dream! I wasn't sleeping well at night - I am sure my sleep apnea returned and I never woke up feeling rested. This resulted in tremendous fatigue that would last all the time, day in and day out. I was so uncomfortably hot all the time. Going to the grocery store was such a big ordeal. I would get so embarrassed about how sweaty I would get by the time I reached the check out line. My lower back hurt ALL THE TIME and my poor feet would just ache if I had to stand or walk for any longer than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Getting up off the floor when I was playing with my children practically took 20 minutes. I had to be so very careful or my knees would suffer for days. The same was true for getting up the stairs. If I didn't take one step at a time, my left knee would give out, and I would be in tremendous pain. I have had headaches, it seems, everyday. Although I don't know this for sure, I suspect my type 2 diabetes has returned. I will know when I get my pre-op blood work back. When I try to walk, my hips hurt so bad. I can't cross my legs anymore and self-care has become really awkward. ALL of these things had become a normal part of my life prior to the Lap Band surgery 5 years ago. Gaining the weight back so quickly really made these issues feel especially awful - they were NOT normal to me anymore and as each new symptom came up, my depression worsened. I turned to the drug I knew and loved - food - to make myself feel better.

I am committed to using the sleeve as a tool in the same way I used the Lap Band. My hunger will be under control, which is an enormous key to success for me. I also said that the band was like a leash for my portions - I just could not eat very much, and that was ideal! I know that the sleeve will give me that same boundary. However, I think it is critical to say, neither the band nor the sleeve are an "easy way out." Quite the opposite. Nothing about starting over here is going to be easy. I have to make the decision every time I put food in my mouth - is this a good choice? Have I had enough Protein today? What SHOULD I be eating? Without strict adherence to my diet, I know I won't really be successful. However, after having such good luck with the band, I am truly confident I can have equally good and maybe even better results with my sleeve.

I will try to keep a record of my progress and hope to be able to compare what I experience with the sleeve to what things were like with the band. So far, recovery as felt very similar. I guess I am more confident this time because some of this isn't completely "new." I always had some port pain, from the very beginning, with the Lap Band, and I have to say, I don't really have any pain at all right now. So I guess that means one mark in the win column for sleeve.

Thanks for reading this, thanks for the support, and good luck to all of us on this journey. You are brave and amazing. I really do think it takes a great deal of courage to envision a different life for yourself, and even more courage to take the steps to make it happen. We can do this!!!!!!!

Hazelsbliss, thanks so much for the advice. I think that makes a great deal of sense. It's funny, I am doing much better today, keeping liquids down without issue, but I am scared to try anything solid. I will definitely call the Dr. Monday morning and suggest a slight unfill. If I don't have restriction after that, I can always add some back, right?

Thanks again for the reply and encouragement. It means a great deal to me!

Hazelsbliss, thanks so much for the advice. I think that makes a great deal of sense. It's funny, I am doing much better today, keeping liquids down without issue, but I am scared to try anything solid. I will definitely call the Dr. Monday morning and suggest a slight unfill. If I don't have restriction after that, I can always add some back, right?

Thanks again for the reply and encouragement. It means a great deal to me!

Thanks so much for the feedback, Mis73! Do you think I can make it until Monday? I am keeping a little bit of liquids down, but I certainly can't do this for very long...

I just don't want to have to pay for an emergency visit, but I will if I have to.

Hello all! It has been a very long time since I have been on this site. Glad to be back.

A little backstory for you: I was banded in April 2009 when my first daughter was just over one year old. I weighed in at 368 lbs. My pregnancy was frought with complications, including gestational diabetes and her birth six weeks premature. She is now a thriving, happy kindergarten student, and one would never know how difficult her first few weeks of life were.

Fast forward to June 2012, found out I was pregnant with baby #2. At that time, I had lost approx. 120 lbs.

(If you're doing the math, I was about 250 lbs.) My pregnancy was so incredibly smooth. I did not get any Fluid removed throughout the pregnancy, managed to keep up with my kickboxing class until about a month before delivery, and DID NOT have gestational diabetes this time! Gave birth to a healthy 9 pound baby boy in February, 2013.

So here I am now, 274 lbs. (up almost 30 from pre-pregnancy). I had been having almost no restriction whatsoever, extremely hungry most of the time, and eating too much. I went in to see my Dr. on Thursday for a fill and check-in. It had been almost 2 years since I had been in because things were going very well.

For the first time in four years, I think I might be a little bit over filled. I have been having night coughs ever since Thursday, no reflux, but did pb on broth earlier today. Has me a little worried. I plan to call the Dr. on Monday, but just curious to hear the opinion of my friends in BandLand. Should I wait and see if this gets better after a week or so, or is that just asking for trouble? I really do want to get back to my sweet spot, but I think we may have overshot it a little bit.

Thanks for listening! Hope all my pregnant lapband friends out there have as much luck with their pregnancy as I did. I love my band!

Alissa

Happy2lose - you are brilliant! I think that is exactly what is going on. I had never done the math, but this always happens to me right before my period. It has been happening each month. It only lasts for a few days, but those days are decidedly "different" band days than the rest of the month. Thanks so much, now I don't feel so strange about the whole thing.

Hello LapBand friends! I am wondering if I am the only one that finds there are days that I can eat and eat and eat. I am very happy with the progress I am making, and most days seem to go just as the Dr. told me they should - eat a few bites, feel full, don't get hungry. Then there are days like today...very hungry, eat a few bites (as I normally would) but don't feel any restriction. What is the deal? Am I losing my mind?

If this follows its usual pattern, I know that tomorrow will likely go back to "normal" but every once and a while (about once a month), look out! Hungry hippo! Does this happen to anyone else?

I love it when I come to this site and find out I'm not the only one!!! It is a relief to hear that this "first bite" business may go away eventually. I am so happy with the band and what it has done for me! When I am out to eat with people, though, it can be a little awkward sometimes. Just like I read above, by the time I can start eating, everyone else is done!

Yes, yes, yes, a million times, yes! Best decision I ever made!

I totally agree with Mimi - don't act defensive, just state the facts: 1.) You have a lap-band and can't take pills for pain 2.) It was your Rx to use for pain as needed. I agree with Donna too, if you had a drug abuse problem, that bottle of pain killer would have been polished off a long time ago!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you, and please keep us posted!

Okay - I talked to my Dr. and he said it was probably just that I had pulled the muscle where the port is sewn in. He wanted me to wait and see what happens since I am not having any symptoms of being over-filled (no vomiting, keeping everything down, no reflux, etc.) So I was starting to feel a little better yesterday, but today I am in horrible pain again!

Right by my incision site is very sore to the touch, and if I cough of sneeze it hurts so much it brings tears to my eyes. Could I have pulled my port loose? Is this an emergency?

Thanks for the advice!

Glad to see your update! I hope the Prevacid does the trick for you. What did he say about you suddenly being able to eat and drink so much more than before? I sure hope you don't have any more trouble, and congrats on the weight loss so far!

Hello all! I was banded on April 8, 2009 and had my third fill about two weeks ago. I am happy to report that I finally feel restriction! I thought it was strange that I went from not really feeling any restriction at all, to ABSOLUTELY feeling it. I am not sure how much the Dr. added during my last fill, but he said he was going to only add a little bit. Is that dramatic change normal?

So now I can really only eat a very few bites (maybe 5 max), and I have to be very careful about chewing carefully and going very slowly. I am worried that I may be overfilled. I am really starting to lose weight quickly (nearly 8 pounds a week) and I am thrilled about that, but is that too quick? I am keeping liquids down, but I am having pain right below my breast (sorry if that is vulgar) where I believe my port is at. It really hurts if I take a deep breath. Would being overfilled cause this? I can't think of anything that I could have done to pull on the port, but I suppose that is a possibility. I am a little worried about the pain though.

Any thoughts for a paranoid lap-bander? Thanks!:biggrin:

I had my second fill on Thursday, and now I think I finally understand what restriction is . I was feeling so frustrated because my weight loss had really slowed down and I was able to eat WAY too much. Now I think I am on the right track. I do have a question though - how are you all getting in enough protien? I am only able to eat a few bites at a time before I feel full, and I don't think I am getting my recommended amount of protien in. I'd love to hear your suggestions! Thanks!

Thank you both so much for the info. This makes me feel much better. I thought I was losing my mind. I did help a friend move some heavy-ish boxes, and that is likely why it is sore right now. It is not unbearable, by any means, but every once and a while I get a reminder that it is there. I do feel better knowing that I am not the only one who has experienced this!

Hi all! I am turning to you once again for some advice! Is it possible for your port to move? I know mine feels higher than before, and just yesterday, I started to feel pain at the port site. It doesn't last very long, but it HURTS for a few moments, then goes away. What in the world is this all about? Anyone else have this issue?

Thanks so much for your thoughts!:thumbup:

Okay - I had my first fill a week ago. I was sad at first because I didn't feel any restriction at all. Everyone told me to hang in there - sometimes you won't feel the full effect of a fill for a week or two. Well, I thought this was just crazy. It didn't make sense to me; if the band is tighter from the saline, why would it take a week to feel it? I don't know the answer to that, but I do know it is true. For the first time last night I finally felt a little bit of restriction. Now I know what everyone has been talking about. It really did take some time.

One unfortunate side effect of this discovery was that I was in some pretty serious discomfort, and some food did come back up. I wouldn't say that I vomited exactly, but food was traveling the way it shouldn't go (ie. out of my mouth). Now I am worried that my band may have slipped. Is this even possible? If it had, would I feel it? I think I am just being paranoid, but thought I would put this out there. You all have had such great advice for me in the past. Thanks!

I have to tell you, it's like you read my mind and put it into words. I also had a fill yesterday, and I am feeling pouty that I don't feel more restriction today. I did not know that it could take a while to feel the restriciton after fill - I thought it would be fairly immediate. I appreciate all the other posts. It has made me feel better. It is a good reminder that I just need to be patient. But please know birdbrainzz - you are not alone! Sounds like we are in almost exactly the same place. Hopefully we will feel something in a week or so. Let's keep our fingers crossed!! :-)

Lemonade - I hear you lady! I am also a little over one week post op and I don't think I have ever been so hungry in my life. It is ridiculous. I don't know if what we are experiencing is normal or not, but at least you can know you are not the only one who never feels full.

I had a similar crisis yesterday - I had made a grilled cheese sandwhich for my daughter. She didn't eat it all, and before I knew it, I had scarfed down her leftovers. I felt so guilty - I am supposed to be on liquids only. I didn't get sick and I almost wish I had, because now I keep thinking "maybe I could have just a little bit of solid food since it didn't hurt anything yesterday. . ." I guess what we have to remember is that we chose to do this because we want to change our lives. Everything I have read keeps saying that these first six weeks are the very hardest. Don't be so hard on yourself - all you can do it learn from what happened and do the best you can from here. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!! It takes tremendous courage to take this step to make a different life for yourself. You are very brave. You've admitted what happened, now you can let it go. I bet you will do great from here. Good luck to you, and don't be so hard on yourself. Just hang in there through this first hard part, and it will all be worth it (at least that's what I keep telling myself!) :-)

Thank you so much for writing this post! I think you are a wonderful inspiration. I also am starting this journey out with a whole lotta weight to lose, and it is a little overwhelming sometimes. I was banded a little over a week ago, and was feeling a little sorry for myself today (so hungry!!!!). I haven't found a scale that will weigh me (I started at 368) so I have to wait until my Dr. appointment next Tuesday to find out how much I have lost so far. Reading about your success makes me really feel like this is all possible. I am committed, and I just have to remember that it is not going to happen overnight.

Be proud! You've earned it. I wish you nothing but successs as you continue to keep movin' and skinny up! (And thanks again for sharing your thoughts with us!)

Hi all! I was banded on April 8th, and I too have been crazy hungry. I don't have much good advice to share, but sometimes it seems to help knowing that we aren't alone on this journey. I go back to the Dr. next Tuesday, so am I anxious to hear if I can move on to the soft food stage. Do you think I will get a fill then? Right now I was told only liquids and pureed food. Yuck-o. I am going to get some sugar free popscicles. I think that will help. Good luck to all of you!