I just wanted to let you know that it is DEFINATELY worth it to convert the band to the sleeve. There is no more worrying about slipping, or leaking. The surgery was even easier then the lap band surgury. I had the lapband for 4 months and realized it was going to be a lifetime of problems. With the sleeve, most of the stretchy part of the stomach is removed so you don't have to worry about stretching it much and also you have a natural feeling of full. There is no heart attack feeling when you eat too much. I've also lost double the weight in 4 months then I lost with the band. I am so happy I made this decision.

Congrats and good luck on your journey.

Congrats. It's good to know the option exists and happy weight loss

Did your insurance cover this? And if so, was there a medical reason for the switch? Thanks

Were you having problems already? I am surprised a surgeon didn't make you try it longer. Did the same surgeon do the surgery?

I have had a couple of friends move on to the Sleeve, but I have had no problems with the Band.

Good luck on your weightloss journey!!

cheri

I'm glad the sleeve is working for you but the lapband, from my understanding isn't designed to provide rapid weight loss. It's supposed to be a slow process 3-5lbs per week.

I am also curious if you switched to the sleeve after only three or four months? Peculiar.

Good luck with your journey, we each must find our own way

Did your insurance cover this? And if so, was there a medical reason for the switch? Thanks

Yes my insurance covered it. There was a leak in the port but it also didn't work well. I was still able to eat around it even before the leak. My insurance paid for the removal and then another surgury to switch to the sleeve.

Were you having problems already? I am surprised a surgeon didn't make you try it longer. Did the same surgeon do the surgery?

I have had a couple of friends move on to the Sleeve, but I have had no problems with the Band.

Good luck on your weightloss journey!!

cheri

It had a small leak in it anyways and I could tell it wasn't going to work for me. My surgeon said he went to a convention for bariatric surgury and the latest data is that 50% of them are failing so I didn't want to take the chance any longer.

I'm glad the sleeve is working for you but the lapband, from my understanding isn't designed to provide rapid weight loss. It's supposed to be a slow process 3-5lbs per week.

With the sleeve I average about 10 lbs a month which is still a healthy loss but it is much easier because I feel naturally full not tortured

Omg..i wished i would have opted for the sleeve. I am struggling..barley restricted. Do u feel suppressed hunger now? How long were u out of work? I am 5 months post band

I wish I was able to start with the sleeve too! I definately feel supressed hunger, it's a totally different feeling. I am 5 months out of surgery and for example I eat like 1/2 a hamburger patty and I'm STUFFED. I feel like i went to the buffet and ate so much. I also have to remind myself to eat because they remove the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin. I do still crave some foods but the best thing about the sleeve is that I can eat about everything but just in smaller portions. If you have the chance to do it, i would take the leap. I was out of work for 2 weeks I probably could have made it back in 10 days but I enjoyed the time off. If you have any other questions just ask me

make sure you do your research regarding how some studies show how the lack of ghrelin isn't permanent...

Just wondering which insurance company do you have

make sure you do your research regarding how some studies show how the lack of ghrelin isn't permanent...

My doctor just came from a weight loss convention and the lastest research shows that it comes back in TRACE amounts up to the 10 years of research they have on it. The bypass is a different story as they left the part of the stomach that makes the ghrelin. Statistically, the sleeve keeps off the excess weight way longer then the lap band does.

Just wondering which insurance company do you have

I have Ameriben