Search the Community

After putting it off for 2 years because I didn't want to be lectured about gaining weight back, I went to see my surgeon last July. She cheerfully informed me her practice had stopped doing bands in 2010 because the success rate is so low! Based on my severe GERD she unfilled my band right then, rather than adding fill like I'd expected. It was an immediate relief. From 2 Prilosec/day to 1 every 2 days or even longer. Since then I've done all the steps and paperwork (tedious!) to get approved for a revision to the vertical sleeve. My plan said 'okay', and my surgery is set for April 30! While I'm not looking forward to the surgery, I am really hopeful I'll be far more successful with the VSG. In the meantime I've been working out with a trainer since September and am as strong as I can be, even if my weight has stayed the same. With no fill in the band, I'm grateful for no weight gain at this point. I'll let you all know how it goes, please all of you do the same!

Oh, do me, do me. I was just commenting on a fb sleeve forum the other day at how dissapointed I was only losing 22 lbs in 4 mths. Someone then told me I had lost 50% of my excess weight in 4 mths (22 lbs to goal - started lower at 174 - was a band revision). Here's my stats (I'd do it myself but I eeked out a C in college algebra and barely passed college stats): SW: 248 CW: 152 GW: 130

Susan, the re-sleeve I've done a lot of reading here on the forum and the one thing that I notice is that sometimes band to sleeve revisions to seem to have as much restriction as a virgin sleeve? Maybe Jane you can speak to that.. M2G, Ugh two girls sick no fun.. My son is 11 I noticed this girl make a bee line for him last month at the thanksgiving feast... Then I saw her again at his side chatting him up at honor roll.. I ask him about her and said I think she likes you. He said I was crazy hehehe.. But then came home and said I was right hence the new clothes. Now 11 is young for girlfriends but when you kid has Tourette's.... Well they are treated different Oh and size five fingers??? OMG that's small! Oh and thank you guys for the compliments yes looking in that store mirror I wasn't upset and that feels good Oh yes coops I love the green of that sweater too! Cathy, I'm sorry your going through back pain. I think that the worse kind of pain there is there just seems to be no relief Sarsar!! Look at you !!!!!! Tiny and cute Oh I'm an old mom I had them much later..

So I'm about to be told a whiner so bear with me. I have hit another intermission has been a week since I've lost anything besides the 4 pounds I lost briefly after my last intermission. Ugh. It seems like I might be one of the slow revision losers that has been mentioned before. Plus it seems that eating At work will become a chore. We only ever get 30 minutes to eat at a time. I may have to ask my boss if I can take an extra 10 to really focus on eating.

Name it... higher life insurance premiums; a ruined trip to Vegas because my ankles and heels hurt so bad; at family gatherings continuously hearing "you are so stylish/cute/trendy for a big girl"; or on occasion "when are you due?"... (I've never been pregnant, btw); always being the "big friend/cousin"...and most of all a FAILED lap band. Hopefully I will be approved for a revision. I had my melt down today in the surgeon's office when I went for yet another hopeful band adjustment... Instead I left with a made up mind that this band has to go!! Revision? I'm hopeful!

Still in the game! After revision i was counseled that i may lose a little more so im STILL trying to maintain in the 150s. Im 151 lbs currently and about 19 days post op. Not too rapid so I'm satisfied.

Though I have not traveled for that length of time post op, a few suggestions that helped me on my relatively short sojourns were to plan ahead. I always travel with a few bottles of Water to stay properly hydrated and to help stave off hunger if it's too soon to have my next meal. Keep healthy Snacks with you in the event that you are delayed with having your next meal. Nuts travel well and don't need refrigeration. Be careful to continue to watch your portion sizes, and get some exercise as often as it is possible. The most important thing, as Cheryl shared is to revise your thinking about food; yes you will be traveling to exotic places...but is the local food really the main reason you are there? How about looking at the local customs and scenery your priorities, along with your research the priorities... Safe travels...

hi....my bmi the day of surgery was 31. yesterday i was one month out. i have lost 18 lbs since surgery. my bmi is now in the 28 range. you will do good. who is doing your revision? kelly

Evening! Suzie...you guys should stand your ground! Three years? That is plenty enough time to establish some trust. I did get my fill today (thanks, Tracy!). I had gained 9 lbs. since my last visit. I was shocked that he put 1.2 in my 4cc band. I was experiencing GERD at 1.5 (I believe), so we will see how this goes. Easy does it... One thing's for sure. I HATE dropping $120.00 a visit. HATE IT! He told me a couple of things that I pondered tonight. I was telling him that the fill prices for us went from $30.00 to $120.00 and that I almost wished I had gotten the by-pass at this point. He told me that his most successful patients (with the LAP-BAND®®) were the ones that had only had 1-2 fills total (ever!!). Wow. Hmmm...probably those that kept their head in the game...learned the value of good food (bowing to Kat) and did not rely on their band to do all the work. Ya think? Confession: What happened?? I was that way for the first 6-10 months. After that I got lazy...and learned to cheat. Then I wanted my band to do all the work for me. I was in a dangerous cycle of swelling my band too tight and then getting unfills and later going back in for fills and starting over. I have probably done this 2-3 times now :smile:. Truthfully...even though I still needed to loose 30 lbs. at the time, I was happy with where I was at...proud to have lost the 60+ pounds that I did. I just got too comfortable. Period. I'm frustrated and fed up with myself. The money spent, the time away from my job....something's gotta give. I have walked at the park every day this week. I had two slim fast today (liquids for fill) and then some soup for dinner. I am praying this is a new start and that I can begin to think about what I am eating and why. Like Kat said, if you are limited to how much you can eat...make the food you are putting in your pouch count. Another thing he told me (and please don't shoot the messenger...it took me by surprise too) was that he no longer does lap bands Monday-Friday. He now does mostly by-pass surgeries with his band patients being done on Friday's only. My doctor is one of the top two band doctors in Houston. Why is that? My first thought (again...don't shoot) was that the band might be phasing out. That by-pass is becoming the new (now that it has been revised) tool. I hope that is not the case. I still love my band...I just need to prove it. So, that is my rant (and long post...'cause you love 'em, right??). Have a good one, Angela

Yep it's what it is!!!! I stair step and I'm slow. Funny thing is the last 2 weeks I kinda blew it and what do you know my weight has started going down with no real help from me. Oh well. Surgery 4/29 HW 306 (before band) Pre-op revision 232 CW 202 I'm 5'5 So 30 lbs down in 5 mos, 104 from highest weight. I'm wearing a 16 bottom, and a medium top!! Feet have stayed the same. I want to be in onederland by the 12th it's our 34th anniversary.

Janet, my surgery date isn't until Nov. 30. I no longer have a uterus or cervix, so mine is just like an inside out sock (as the doc says). When they do the procedure, the bladder will be put back where it belongs and hopefully work on the rectum issues as well The paper is not going well. Instead of just writing and THEN revising, I am finding myself over stressing and analyzing every word. I need to stop. Phyl, I glad Earl is getting his nasal issues taken care of. Is this something Earl knew about or is this the first time a doc actually looked at the issue? Janet, I hope that Andrew's appartment works for him. It is time for him to try his own place. You both will have fun setting him up for the first time. Linda, hang in there! Phyl, maybe you need to call the doc's office and tell them that you are in so much pain that you need to see them earlier. It is worth a try. Candic...you home yet? Well best get back to it!

I can't find my surgeon, he packed up and left town. told me to go to Mexico if I need revision cause I will slip my band sooner or later. I don't remember him telling me anything before the surgery

I forgot I was even subscribed to get these updates as this is the first one I've received in about 8 or 9 months. Where did I go? I went to Dr Anthone in Omaha back in October and had my lap band removed and was revised to duodenal switch. My band had proved useless for weight loss and slipped till it was sitting directly against the bottom of my esophagus, making it impossible to get solids down, and often couldn't even get liquids down. It's no fun waking up in the morning choking on your own spit. :mad2: I hope the rest of you have better luck with your bands, but if not don't be ashamed to look into revision to a different type of surgery. Your health is what matters. If you want info on the DS (duodenal switch) check out Duodenal Switch or Duodenal Switch Forum (DS) . Happy Holidays! :thumbup: Karen

I tried to post last night I thought it worked. Lol I was banded in 2008 it was a great moment in my life, I lost 100 +lbs. I followed the rules to the T.... I did the fills and unfills. Yes, traumatic, but I did it. Still happy I was not a hepher. In 2010 I started to have problems, couldn't swallow my own spit, after a fill, them another unfill, the I vot serious reflux, to the point of ER. Finally at the end of 2010 it was time to have the band removed sure to a serious slippage anda mass of other problems, to no fault of my own or the Dr. he was one of the best banders. In the end my personal belief the band should only be temporary max 2 to 3 not only due to my experience, but thru the exp of a multitude of others. Since then in March 2011 I had a revision gastric sleeve, one of the best decisions i've ever made, no more fills, unfills, side affects, posdible slippage, throwing up, reflux, meds, for reflux trips to the Dr, etc. a year 1/2 later I'm down to 150. A total weight loss done my journey began of 171. I've never never had 1.single issue writhe the sleeve. I'm n a size 6 and happy I got the band object out. And to add, the removal of the band was quite traumatic that was only supposed to be a45 minute surgery, but due to the slippage and the erosion it caused in other organs it was over a 2 hr surgery. Dr zane from kaiser made a enlightening statement to me that day, that as long as bands are being installed he will stay in business removing and revising nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo matter who or what Dr inserts them, the band should only be a temp fix. Check into getting a revsion. The gastric sleeve. How this helps.....

Globe - I can't explain it, but something about Neibles made me nervous - I think it was his deranged fan. By the way, Dr Sauceda has a few of them too. I came to realize that someone who used to weigh 500# and now has lost a bunch of weight and has had plastics but has no real relationships (I am not talking about just with a man - I mean in general) is a prime candidate to become obsessed with a surgeon. Dr S I promise is not difficult in spite of some of his crazy ass fans. Anyway, some of the pix I have seen of Niebles work are amazing, but the key is to see lots and lots and lots of before and afters. Dr Sauceda has done about 300 jumbo procedures (ie multiple stuff at once) and I have seen before and afters of probably 50 of them. That helps build confidence - but not everyone gets the same results, it is very individual. Some of these women started out much heavier and in much worse condition. When I posted some before pix one of the ladies told me that I look as good as some of the "afters" - you need to keep all of that in mind. A doc who takes on more difficult cases is not going to have as perfect of looking afters either. Take a look at this thread and I would contact TulipTwy to try to understand the specifics. Every surgeon has some that are less then ideal and this woman has NOT shared photos so I don't know what to think, but it is just another data point. http://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/body-makeovers-and-cosmetic-surgery/23333-lower-body-lift-belt-lipectomy.html What I mean about less tight - is Dr S doesn't remove as much skin as some surgeons. Lower risk of wound separation etc. i know he removes less because I was ready to do plastics in the USA in the spring and I know how much she was planning on taking of my tummy and he did less. Also, he TOLD me that he is more conservative. He told me he would rather have to revise someone (ie take more skin) then have too high risk of complications. This is part of the sane approach which allows him to do a bunch at once. Flip side is, she was going to do my work over 3 surgeries - something I could NOT deal with so the trade off is worth it to me. The key thing to understand about plastics is it is a serious of tradeoffs - risk versus benefits. Scars versus results... that sort of thing. Thank you FYE - you are a true artist and that comes across in the way your present yourself too. I sometimes think I am just an ordinary middle age woman trying to look 20 years younger, not really an ideal goal. I am adjusting myself though, i still dress fashionably, youthfully (dresses and tights and boots and skinnies and all that) but trying to rein it in to get a nice look rather then a "trying too hard" look. Work in process

Oh my gosh so much to catch up on... From memory here goes... Cathy and Coops...I am SO JELLY! OMG love the photo of you both. Wish I could have been there!!!!! Coops...omg you look awesome in Paris, just fantastic...you are so cute and I love your red converse shoes! Sarah I'm sorry about your MIL/FIL your Dad and now your hubby. Wow when it rains it pours! Hugs to you. Denise, I tend to agree that a pregnant 53 year old sounds *almost* too crazy to be true. I suppose it *could* happen but it just seems so so so unlikely. I wonder about the mental state of this woman and if it really is true, if I were Bill I would be demanding MORE information. Like I'm sure they can't do a DNA test while in utero, BUT what about can he TALK to her Dr. can she forward her medical records, etc. I almost want to say he should hire a lawyer or a Private Investigator or something because I'm just highly suspicious of this woman. I want a happy ending for you and Bill and she seems to be swooping in determined to take you both of course. But glad you have had a good vacation, that sounds like you aren't letting this get in the way of being together and enjoying each other's company. Georgia, that tornado and horrid weather is awful. I know some people who were directly hit but somehow their houses survived while neighboring ones did not. So sad. Glad you are safe...and love that cute hat picture too! Sheryl, thank you soooooooo much for all the info on the post. I can no longer see it and totally missed it. I knew that Susan and Irene were both going to convert to bypass but I had NO idea they thought this was the fault of Dr. Aceves. I honestly thought it was because they were sick of the regain and they had the acid issues so they saw the revision as a way to tackle both at once...get rid of the regain and then cut down on the acid issues. But that sure is a complete turnaround from HELPING people have surgery in MX to STEERING people away. I guess all of us can only tell OUR story and not point fingers but I guess the finger pointing is probably what got the thread locked/deleted. I also remember Dr. Aceves as one who made smaller sleeves...which I know for a fact my surgeon tries to avoid. I think he made our sleeves a bit too big as I know a lot of people who never reached their goal (me included) but I don't BLAME him or BLAME the sleeve, it is what it is. I do have restriction when I eat protein and notsomuch when I eat crap, BUT THAT IS EVERYONE no matter WHAT size their sleeve is. So while I think my surgeon tends to err on the side of going a bit larger I think he does it to avoid complications due to the sleeve. I know personally for me and also for my husband (who is also sleeved by my surgeon) we never had any sort of heartburn BEFORE or AFTER the sleeve, no bile, no reflux NOTHING ever. So are we just lucky? I just don't think you can blame things all on ONE person or ONE surgery. Some people had never had reflux in their life and then have WLS and it happens. Some have it, have WLS and it gets BETTER. So how do you figure all of that out? The big question is Susan okay now???? I have not been around much at all, way way way too busy. My oldest daughter (age 13) has taken on too much at school. She is in school volleyball, National Junior Honor Society, (which my youngest was just accepted to also!), a Sisterhood, Yearbook staff and then tried out for and was awarded a spot for the spring musical ...NOT onstage but as a "pit band" member, she plays the flute. First performance tonight and this past week has been verging on PURE crazy the amount of rehearsals they have to do. And she is lucky she is NOT onstage as the "actors" have to do makeup and costume for their rehearsals...at least she can just wear jeans because no one sees the band and orchestra. Oh they are doing The Sound of Music and she has a solo for the song, "I am sixteen, going on seventeen...." that high pitched part is her solo. OH MY! I'm excited to see all her hard work pay off but she has been literally running on empty which means the rest of us are too. My eating has been terrible and I can't remember my last FAST I would literally have to search through posts here to see when it was...maybe 5 weeks ago? UGH UGH UGH!

It sounds like your Dr failed you, not that you self destructed. Dr Weiner says you shouldn't even feel your band, they are not supposed to be tight. Anyway good luck. Have you considered a revision from the band to something else? Is your current weight on the site accurate?

SNT, I agree 100% with you. The second my hair starts turning gray, off to the salon I go! I will fight it every step of the way. Thus far, I haven't seen any on my head. But, I have a few gray eyebrow hairs, and I pluck those babies the second they dare to show their ugly selves. Denise, I have no idea. I know I have had days where I am eating one meal and already wondering what I am going to have for the next. I have some exciting news, well, for me anyways. I have a date scheduled for my revision to the sleeve. I leave here on April 1st and will have my surgery with Dr. Aceves on April 2nd and return back home on the 5th. I am so excited. I go next week for a complete unfill. Then, seven days before my surgery I am on liquids only. Wish me luck guys!!

Hey everyone! It sounds like everyone is on the same boat with the band. Well let me tell you all I regret the band. I had it removed last year due to it getting disconnected..yeah prettyu much the tube was floating in my stomach dr baggs said I was very lucky that I didn't damage my spleen or something else. I have not been the same. I am very sensitive to foods, I get so much heartburn..my side where the port was is so painful...baggs said it would be a few years before the pain goes away due to the scar tissue. Im back to my weight I was presurgery maybe 10lbs less. But I am very swollen on my upper stomach not sure why. Unfortunately this happened to me..but I was told it was very rare. Getting a revision wasn't an option..I was so scared I just wanted it out..I didn't realize how quickly the weight came back

Hi Everyone, Maria, glad you're doing so well. Tamra, Where is your new chicken place? Ashley, I've been checking out the VSG site and there's more people over there that had some problems with the band and later had revision to the sleeve. In comparison to the people thrilled with their bands here, it seems like just a few. I think that people that have had problems tend to be a bit more vocal about it. I think we're in good hands with Kaiser. Have fun at your orientation on Sunday! Riley, you've said so many great things about those classes. I'm definitely going to look into them in January. Congrats on all this hard work you're doing in the gym. I've had a tough time staying on food plan today. I did well until dinner. I think I didn't eat enough in the morning and then couldn't quite catch up. I did get in plenty of herbal tea throughout the day. b. 3/4 cup nonfat cottage cheese l. plain ground beef s. 1 apple d. 1 apple, 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt, 2 rice cakes, 1 laughing cow cheese I cooked up lots of beef and turkey burgers for easy protein over the weekend. I'm trying to get myself firmly on track before my trip next week. My son is a very healthy eater and he'll make us big salads at his place, but NY is a great place to eat out. We'll be staying in a hotel in Boston for two nights after Thanksgiving dinner. I know I need to get down into the gym and get on the treadmill. This gallbladder surgery really gave me an excuse but now I'm just plain lame about it. Happy Weekend everyone!!

Had my 8 week post op check yesterday. Lost 27.7 lbs in 8 weeks???????? so happy. The lap band revision to sleeve surgery was the best choice. I feel so much better. I am in the onederlands.

<revised> Snowgator -5 lbs PartyAntOvrYt -25 lbs laptastic -16 lbs deboregon -10lbs Kayleighsmommy -15 lbs/ +1.8 Coloradomom -15 lbs Lap_dancer -8 lbs minidriver -12 lbs mem620 -15 lbs G.... you changed to -15, right?

oh BBK, i'd be so pissed .. sorry that happened. since it was his decision, the revision (and all related costs) should be waived or charged to him... i really need to look into the powdered Peanut Butter.... i love the stuff but havent eaten it in ages due to the fat content..

Candra - I take the generic version of Wellbutrin - Bupropion. Do you have a prescription? If so have you checked Walmart to see how much it is? I stopped taking my generic Wellbutrin and my generic estrogen for about 3 weeks to see if it would make a difference with my weight and it didn't and I started to feel really anxious so I started back on both. I truly wish sugar would give me the dumping syndrome as it has been my downfall lately - when I get upset or depressed I turn to sugar to soothe myself - life long problem. Guess I had the wrong surgery for dumping. Sometime I wish they would do band to sleeve revisions - I think I would get it. Did Bridezilla ever get married? Pam

Must've been August when I was there. Actually think it was late July. We walked around some lake front area and rode a ferris wheel I remember at night and it was still hot and muggy, but I had a good time. Glad you came back Meredith! Missed ya! How's the house buying going? I hear those tax credits expire in April, will you be able to close on a short sale by then? Sorry you feel you had a set back, but you did great, in holidays past, would you have gained a lot more than 2 lbs? I get what you are saying about the mindset though. I do the same thing, I think it's the all or nothing mindset I tend to have. Great words Cheri! I tried to have the same attitude about the holiday sesaon More about the memories and not about the food and all this in spite of the fact I was in knee pain from surgery, I still say it's one of my best Christmases ever. Do you really think I am overdoing it? I feel like since Christmas I've tried to take it pretty easy. Today was the funeral and that was rough, but I took my crutches and sat a lot. Came home before the dinner to take more pain pills and a nap then went to the dinner tonight. I did go to Walmart yesterday but drove an electric wheelchair. That was dangerous, didn't know what I was doing! LOL Seems like I've had some place to go every day but am trying to ration my trips out. Tomorrow have to meet with the florist for DD's wedding, am sure he's going to need $$ now. LOL But I will learn to be more careful, sure don't want a revision or anything to happen. What made your DH need a revision, was it this soon after surgery?? Hope your new medication works for you! I am usually pretty sensitive to meds too. Apples, love your decorations, I have a Santa collection too, mostly ones DH has carved me however. Also have a village, I do the new England Dept 56 village. I thought the other day I had about 10 tubs of Christmas stuff whenI posted butg after taking it down tomorrow I think it's muchcloser to 20. Laura, is there something that is bothering Nelson more right now and he is biting his nails out of frustration or nerves? Eva, enjoyed the photos! And enjoy your rebounder! That sounds neat! I used to work for QVC when I lived back east. Deb, that is about the number of calories I ate. Well gotta take some more vicodin and turn in for the evening.