I had the lap band over a year ago and lost about 70 pounds, a few months ago I started have issues and found out that my band had slipped, I had to have it emptied and have already gained back 30 pounds. My doctor wants to take it out and do the sleeve instead but I just want to get my band replaced. He thinks that's a terrible idea... Has anyone else done it? What was your experience?

I have a second band, but my problem was the first band had a leak. My doc wanted to revise to a sleeve when he took out the defective band, but my insurance refused to pay. In fact, it took almost four months for them to agree to put in a replacement band and not just remove the leaky one.

As for revision after a slip, google for academic quality articles on what to do after a band slippage. You may find that slips are more frequent in a second band if it happened with the first. Also, research the statistics on the sleeve, then find out what your insurance will pay with regard to revision. This should give you enough information to make a decision.

I had the lap band over a year ago and lost about 70 pounds, a few months ago I started have issues and found out that my band had slipped, I had to have it emptied and have already gained back 30 pounds. My doctor wants to take it out and do the sleeve instead but I just want to get my band replaced. He thinks that's a terrible idea... Has anyone else done it? What was your experience?

i so hope that you can get this resolved... how frustrating for you. What symptoms did you have when the band slipped??

I would ask the Dr why its a terrible idea and why he wants to do another procedure rather than replacing the band. He most likely has good reasons. Once you have his answer you can do research and feel comfirtable with your decision.

My band slipped too. I was throwing up everything I ate, had reflux so bad I slept with a towel under my head. Dr took out all the fluid and there is no more reflux or throwing up. He gave me the option of fixing the band or having the sleeve. I have opted for the sleeve. I do not want to take the chance of band slipping again as it was pure hell. Surgery is not yet scheduled as they just found out about the slip on Friday and today is Monday. Can not wait to get on with it.

Judych~ My biggest symptoms when it slipped was a terrible night cough for a months (my general practice doctor was testing me for valley fever, tb, and pneumonia) and sometimes throwing things up that I ate.

Floridays~ My doctor just hates the band. He tried to talk me out of it in the first place because he said that people do not lose all of their excess weight and they tend to have a lot of complications, like slips. He thinks it will just happen again.

Blklab70~ Please let me know how it goes! I am so frustrated with all the weight I have gained back but I am so scared to do the sleeve. Most people I have talked to said it was much better and they are so happy that they did it but I've heard a few horror stories too. Good luck.