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I am sorry that you lost your brother at such a young age, that is terrible. I never had a band, but I am one of the lucky people who not only gets the slimies that band people have but also the dumping that bypass people have. Just the other night I had maybe 3-4 bites of very well chewed steak and I was frothing, sliming, and oozing goo for almost an hour afterward. A few weeks ago I got a little crazy and had 2-3 bites of dessert at dinner and in a few minutes my heart was racing and I was sweating and barfing. It was really very sexy, lol. The sleeve is a constant reminder that I can't eat too much and if I do it's instantly punishing. I am happy that I have my sleeve, but if I had been able to stop eating so much without it, I would have skipped the sleeve and I would now be able to eat like a normal person! I have three friends who know that I had the procedure, but everyone else is a little weirded out by the fact that if we're out to dinner I really cannot eat much at all and the few times I've had one or two bites to many, I get super sick. The sleeve is nice but it very much comes with its own set of trade-offs.

Emily and Heartfire, thanks for the advice. I did read on the UCD web site they perform the RNY procedure with no mention of the band. That's too bad. As long as I can handle NO, it never hurts to ask though, right? ) If I do have WLS, I absolutely do not want the bypass procedure. It's just too invasive. I've lost 51 lbs. on my own (it's taken me three long years) and if I am denied by insurance, or UCD will only perform the RNY procedure, I will continue on my path until I reach my goal. I may never reach what the BMI charts suggest is a healthy weight, but I will reach a reasonable weight for my frame. Thanks again.

Hi 65toGo, Yes, I had my lapband surgery done by Dr. fuller at UCD in October of 2007. I had Healthnet at the time and everything was covered. I was worried of course but the gals at the clinic assured me that I'd be good. I had previously lost weight using OA and was supervised by my PCP so that helped (even though I gained it all back) my case AND my BMI was over 40. So I'm not sure for you since every insurer is different. But if the surgeon feels that you're a candidate I know they will fight for you. They seem to do a good job of making a case for you. If you have co-morbidities (bp and such) you might be good. I know the band is preferred for lower BMI's in general I guess... Word of caution to you though, UCD is not Pro-Band. I had to fight pretty hard for mine. I think I was only the 8th band they did. Usually they do the band as a back up if you are not considered a good candidate for bypass. Feel free to message me with questions along the way or let me know how your experience is going. If you do get the band through them, Dr fuller himself does all the fills. The nurses are great. I go in once a month for an adjustment. Good luck, let me know how it goes. Emily~

I am new to joining but have been keeping tabs everyday on here for the last 3 months, so I went to my Dr. and explained to her taht I was interested in getting the lap band surgery. I have a friend who just got the lap band about 4 months ago and he loves it. So I told her the Dr. I was interested in using, she told me since I have HMO I will have to see one of the Dr.'s in Straubs network first then can be referred out since the dr. I am interested in is in a different network. So I go and see a nutritionist and it comes to be that this whole appt. is about seeing a surgeon for the gastric bypass surgery what i specifically said I did not want. So I had to pary the $85 for her and a $15 co pay to see the s,urgeon who does'nt even perform the surgery nor does any dr in my network...Im so frustrated, then I recieved a letter from Straub saying that the reason for the denial os because "SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STRAUB HEALTH CENTER NETWORK" but in the letter it also says Service: Pending Authorization. So I am so lost..Please help:help:

I went the support group in my city several months ago, as it was a requirement from my surgeon. It was a nice little meeting, but they all had the bypass, I was the only one that is going to have the sleeve, it has been a few months since I last went so, I'm going to try again and see if maybe there are any sleevers in there yet. I like talking with the girls, there was only 5 of us there at that meeting, and we just went around and told about our self, if they were post op they explained how they were doing how much they lost etc.

For the OP: here's a link for you. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/13-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

For about the 12th time, I have told you time and time again that at one time I thought Dr. Arturo had a good rep. What I did not realize at the time is that I thought people were talking about Arturo when in fact they were referring to Jose Rodriguez. He IS a nice man, a VERY nice man. He is very charismatic, he just isn't the greatest surgeon. Look, Mellis, it's not my fault he and Sanchez were making their own bands, it isn't my fault the bands eroded at a rate of 50%, it isn't my fault he had to remove so many, and it isn't my fault he kept placing them anyway. If you don't like what happened take it up with your boss. You keep claiming that I work for Aceves, truth is I tell the truth about all doctors with the information I have. It's convenient to throw around accusations when I have some facts about your boss. It does not make it true or accurate. Look at the number of revisions your boss has on OH, between 300 and 400. THOSE ARE THE "MEXICAN" BANDS HE REMOVED. Deal with it or don't, I'm tired of your sorry debates and inability to defend your boss. I am sick to death of AGREEING with you that YES at one time I thought he was a good surgeon. YES I told you he was a nice guy, I'm not sure how I can communicate to you that more information came to light after our conversation. Honestly, I don't know how to explain it to you in terms you can comprehend or accept. I have tried about a dozen times now. Clearly you just don't want to lose business by the truth coming to light. You know what? Not my problem. I am not going to quit telling what I know about ANY surgeon because future banded folks have a right to know regardless of how that affects your paycheck. You can throw around any accusation you wish, it isn't going to change the facts one tiny bit.

Dr. Rodriguez is supposed to be one of the first surgeons to start performing lap band surgery. He's a very able surgeon from what I have heard and Mellis has also corroborated in the above post what I have heard. Here's where I got Dr. Rodriguez brief profile: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez - Bariatric Surgery (lap band, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, revision surgery) in Mexico The website also has some info about lap band costs and procedure and they list Dr. Rodriguez as one of their associated surgeons. I found it here: Cost of Lap Band Surgery | Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Belgium | Lap Band Specials |Price of Gastric Band Packages| Lap Band Surgery Cost

LOL! You don't typically feel it "around your stomach" in the sense that you know it's there 24/7. You feel it when you overeat, eat too fast, or eat the wrong things. We call it restriction. It kind of feels like you ate something too big and it won't go down to your stomach. It's uncomfortable (sometimes painful but you learn to control it so it doesn't get to that point), but it's basically a tool that, when properly used, requires you to stop eating. When you have restriction and your pouch is full, you just plain can't eat any more. So you have to eat slowly, chew well, and choose your meals carefully -- all of which lends itself to weight loss when properly done (if you drink milkshakes all day they don't get "stuck" in your pouch and you defeat the purpose). The band is much less invasive than gastric bypass, is easier to reverse, and has fewer complications. GB has lifelong Vitamin deficiency issues and dumping issues that the band does not. HTH!

My surgeon does not even do lap bands anymore, and said many of the surgeries he does today are revisions from band to sleeve or bypass.

Hi all, I'm three weeks away from having my bypass done and, partly prompted by reading here, I've been thinking about what my ultimate goal is. I have the BIG goals that motivated me to take the step - a longer life, more activity and fun with my young son, but they're pretty abstract. Right now I don't have an absolute target weight, until 4 or 5 or so years ago I was around 220 (I have to convert from KGs so it is approximate) so my weight now feels strange and alien anyway. I imagine I would be good somewhere between 160 and 200, which his still a pretty big gap. Oddly I have clothes that I would like to wear that are much more of a motivation (some in my wardrobe some yet to be bought). Well, I am more of pictures than numbers kind of guy. But seriously, have people set out with a rigid weight goal and then realised they were happy at some other point? Does setting a low weight goal help or does it lead to anxiety? I would be really interested to know how some you approached this as we're obviously doing something that has a whole life impact. How did you find things that were tangible? Cheers, J

Nope, not with my band installation back in 2011. But I did have to give myself lovenox injections 2x a day for 7 days after my band to bypass revision. I don't see why you'd need them for the band installation as there should have been zero internal cutting.

I was sleeved in Mexico on March 5th 2013. That puts me 11 wks post OP, give or take. I have lost over 50 lbs, I am 5 lbs from my goal weight of 145, I am 5' 6". (Yes, I was one of those, I weighed 201 lbs when sleeved. My BMI was 53.) I can only consume approximately 300 calories a day (more or less) or I will throw up (3 or 4 tablespoons of food ain't very much and everything makes me sick). I have only been able to gag down 40 ounces of water A DAY tops until 2 days ago, 2 days ago, I got down 7 cups of water and maybe 500 calories. My blood work is good. Iron levels are great. I got to stop my HBP medicine, (which I have been on for years, very happy about that). There may be something going on with my kidneys, I'm hoping that my inability to drink water or eat is giving them nothing to do so at the risk of being EVEN sicker I am.... gagging and/or puking and/or throwing up and re drinking eating to try and make sure my kidneys have something to do so they test in the normal zone when retested this Tuesday....I love being thin, don't get me wrong....but when does the "sick" part stop....I have been assured that it does, I have been told I will enjoy food again, I have been told that I will be able to taste, and smell normally and will eat 1000 calories a day, but WHEN!!!!!!....it seems when I browse through the forums, that people can immediately eat anything they want right after surgery and it never effects them, they don't get sick, they just feel guilty.. sometimes I'm glad I'm so sick cuz then I know I WONT be eating too much....but I'm depressed, I'm tired, I'm weak and I have no strength or energy....seriously, 3 quarters of my life is spent with a headache and on the verge of nausea...any advice would be GREATLY appreciated, I did not read anywhere that I would be this sick for this long....I remember watching an episode of the Osbourne's once and Kelly told Sharon to eat something, Sharon replied "oh Kelly, you KNOW I get sick when I eat" I didn't know what she meant by that until I heard she had gastric bypass, THEN I knew...but I THOUGHT.... us sleevers were a different breed and could avoid the same crap as bypassers, was I wrong??? (P.S please don't just tell me to go to my doctor, as I indicated above, I already have) THANKS for your thoughts!!!!!! xo

Thanks Molly. I had the band in 2010 and can't say it worked in any great way. We could never reach a fill point between nothing going down then being sick and anything being able to go down. I'll be glad to get it out to be honest. I was offered the sleeve at the time but I thought it was too extreme! Now I realise I need all the help I can get to keep it off, the losing bit is the easy bit. I started Lighter Life at 19 stone and got down to 10 stone 4. Once I'd finished the 'diet', despite every week trying something to keep it off; the 5/2 diet, counting calories, going back on Lighter Life, nothing worked and I've put 6 stone back on. I'm very hopeful that with the bypass, this issue may not dominate the next 40 years as it has the last 40 :-) Lainey x

Hi! I just recently got my band completely unfilled due to a slip. While my doctor was unwilling my band he recommended that I consider revising to the sleeve. I've heard so many great success stories with the sleeve that I am really considering going through with it. My only question is, do people with the sleeve struggle with getting "stuck" like those with the band can? Since having a slip with my band I cannot imagine going through that same struggle permanently with the sleeve. Any advice is welcome! Thanks!

Best of luck MariaC6. Make sure to keep in mind that all changes including eating habits need to be permanent lifetime changed. Saying this since I failed with my sleeve and now going into Bypass. Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm flying home today (had my operation on the 10th), other than a bit of an odd reaction to the anaesthetic it seems to have all gone fine. My surgeon said he would like to do a 120 cm (rather than the more standard 60 cm) bypass of my intestine.... not really sure why but I went along with it. Not eaten anything yet, just been on water. Tbh I am nervous about drinking too much in one go.... when will I be able to drink normally?

At my support groups they have talked about this book: The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life after Bariatric ... of the eating programs for Lap-Band, gastric bypass, and Duodenal Switch k: I was told it is available on amazon, I want to buy it soon!

I recently looked into this and am at the stage of deciding which surgery I want: Re-Sleeve or Bypass. I'll preface the following by stating you can research many articles on "pubmed.com" to read published papers by physicians. There is a re-sleeve procedure and it's either done by plication or utilizing Overstitch; key difference is that part of your stomach is NOT cut and removed, as is done in the initial sleeve. The stomach is made smaller by suturing to make it smaller. In my case, revision, even if it is to a re-sleeve, would be covered by my insurance. Re-sleeves can be done endoscopically (through the throat, no incisions on the abdomen); this is the approach I am being offered. Bypass would require abdominal incisions as it is performed laparoscopically. Bypass would yield a greater overall weight loss, initially. There's a study that indicated the long term weight loss between those re-sleeved vs. conversion to bypass levels out and is similar. Articles: Re-sleeve Gastrectomy - An Efficient Revisional Bariatric Procedure - 3 Years Results Re-Sleeve Gastrectomy for Failed Primary Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Short-term outcomes of revisional surgery after sleeve gastrectomy: a comparative analysis of re-sleeve, Roux en-Y gastric bypass, duodenal switch (Roux en-Y and single-anastomosis) Laparoscopic re-sleeve gastrectomy as a treatment of weight regain after sleeve gastrectomy Weight Regain After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Look at the Benefits of Re-sleeve Reverse: Laparoscopic revision of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to sleeve gastrectomy: A ray of hope for failed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass As to which procedure has higher risk, in general, risk increases with every subsequent surgery. In this case, it would depend on the approach your physician would take to re-sleeve; endoscopic or laparoscopic. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a case-matched study If both options would be performed laparoscopically, then it would be a matter of you deciding which procedure you feel the most comfortable with to achieve the long-term results you are looking for. Endoscopic surgery is performed using a scope, a flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip, allowing the surgeon to see inside and perform procedures without making major incisions, allowing for easier recovery time and less pain and discomfort. Laparoscopic is performed by making several small incisions in the abdomen, which increases risk when compared to the SAME PROCEDURE performed endoscopically (no incisions). The approach with the highest risk is open. Bigger incision. Bigger incision, bigger risk. One type of surgery that has taken off in the last few years is minimally invasive spine surgery. Many spine surgeries can be done laparoscopically versus open -- even fusions. The difference? Patients that have it done laparoscopically can have it done in an ASC (ambulatory surgical center), meaning they leave the same day, no hospital stay or large incisions in the back. And...always remember, whichever surgery you have, it's a TOOL, not a magic pill (those don't exist either). Hope this helps!

Update, my mom had her surgery today and she is doing great. They had planned to do a bypass but decided to try doing a cath first. It worked and they put in a stent where she had 99% blockage and was able to use the ballon and other procedures to clear the other 50% blockages. She is in good spirits and had a good dinner. My sister is taking a shift staying with her and I got come home for the night. Thanks everyone for all the prayers. Now in 6 weeks she will have surgery to fix her anurisum.(sp.) Judy

hello - this is my first post. I did some research on Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy and discovered many patients need a second surgery. I am 5'4 and 373 pounds (eek). Am I correct that the VSG is the same as the Lap Sleeve? Is it normal for a patient to need 2 surgeries? My BMI is 64. "The VSG is a reasonable solution to this problem. It can usually be done laparoscopically even in patients weighing over 500 pounds. The stomach restriction that occurs allows these patients to lose more than 100 pounds. This dramatic weight loss allows significant improvement in health and resolution of associated medical problems such as diabetes and sleep apnea, and therefore effectively ?downstages? a patient to a lower risk group. Once the patients BMI is lower (35-40) they can return to the operating room for the ?second stage? of the procedure, which can either be the Duodenal Switch, Roux?en-Y gastric bypass or even a Lap-Band?. Current, but limited, data for this ?two stage? approach indicate adequate weight loss and fewer complications" I definiteky do not want to have 2 surgeries. Thus, what are some other alternatives? Is a second surgery always needed with the lap VSG?

that is what made my decision as to get the sleeve instead of RNY..i have a friend that had it done and at first she had nothing but problems but now several years later is much better but still..when i realized that the band wasnt for me i knew i didnt want anything bypassed and thats what lead me to the sleeve..i have yet to have it done as i am jumping through the isurance hoops but soon i will be on the losers bench

Yes, I did go to Dr. Ferrari, but I ended up getting gastric bypass instead of Lapband. He is great! He's not the most talkative fellow out there, but he is an extremely good surgeon and his follow-up care is great. Any questions/problems I have had have been immediately answered. I also had to have my gallbladder removed last month and he took it out the day after I went into the ER instead of having me leave the ER and schedule the surgery (which can take weeks and when you are having gallbladder attacks weeks can feel like months!). Good luck in your decision making!! Also, he has lots of patients over on obesityhelp.com and there are a lot of quotes from his former patients on his profile there.

God, I'm so glad I'm not the only one having problems w/Prof. Weiner! I went yesterday with some concerns and to get another fill b/c honestly I have really been struggling, and I felt like he was mad I was there. I asked him about the pain I'm having on my left side and he just blew off my question saying it was normal but not explaining why. I kind of feel like he doesn't like doing the band, he thinks it's unsuccessful and he feels like we're all going to fail and just be back for bypass at some point anyways. So, he doesn't give us any help or advice b/c it's like he doesn't think it's worth his time or something, blah!

Sometimes I feel the same way. This is very hard. I've been exercising 5-6 times wk for an 1 hr each day. It's not easy gettin' poked w/ a needle, PBing, sliming...trying not to overeat. The list goes on and on but, I chose the band because the downtime is less than bypass and to be honest, I was scared to have surgery and didn't want anymore cutting than necessary. The thing that keeps me going is there are thousands of people who've been successful with the band and I know we can too. Guess we have to work harder.