I recognize some of you from LBT...I have made my decision, when I go under the knife again, it will not be to fix my lap-band, it will be to swap to the gastric sleeve.

I am self-pay, had a revision after 6 months to fix a flipped port. After that the LB worked beautifully, lost 100lbs in a year, life was great.. got pregnant, had my baby in April and sometime around January of this year my band felt like it disappeared. After costly fills & testing, they now think I have a leak, because everytime they did drawback the saline was gone. (And the weight I am gaining back quickly can attest to that.)

So next week they want me to pay more money to test where the leak is, then do another surgery. I asked for a quote on the surgery and they are quoting me the cost of the original surgery - $15k.

I can't do that. So I am in the midst of researching doctors-- but I know for certain, since I will have to have another surgery, it will not be to fix my band. I've had it 2 years and already facing 3 surgeries. That's not making me feel good about my long-term with it.

That being said, I don't think the band is a bad thing. I hate the situation I'm in, and honestly if my insurance was paying for all this, I wouldn't even care really. But I can't afford to pay $15k for my band every year.

Time for a change.

I don't know when I can afford it, or which doctor to decide on (sounds like the most experienced would be to go to Mexico, which is a whole other issue I am dealing with, with my family.) So I have no timeframe for when it will happen.

:blushing:

Dr. Aceves nurse explained they have to remove the band, clear any scar tissue, then place the sleeve. It can be more complicated if you have an existing band problem (erosion or slip.. which I don't have luckily).

He does it in 1 surgery.

One doctor I had talked to, does do it in 2 surgeries, 5 months apart.

I see the bonus either way, but since I'm no MD, I don't really understand why the stomach needs to heal if you didn't have a slip/erosion.

I had a slip and quite a few problems with my band. Dr. Aceves had me get a complete unfill in my band one month prior to my surgery. Then, just to ensure there wasn't any swelling, etc. from all the problems my band gave me, he also had me do a liquid only diet for the week prior to my surgery. Everything worked great and I was able to have the band removed and the sleeve done all in one shot.

I just got back yesterday from Tijuana, Mexico. I had my band done there originally July 2008 and did very well for a while. The cost of fills and all that went along with the band, I decided was not for me and the statistics I've been hearing lately did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling. I went with 2 other ladies back to my original doc and I've heard that for most folks to have a band revision to sleeve it is aprx $6500.00 US. My doctor was Dr. Almanza. This price includes everything but air fare. He is a wonderful doctor. They have a driver pick you up at the airport in San Diego, take you to the recovery house or clinic, depending on when you arrive. Stay at the clinic for 2 nights then back to the recovery house for 2 nights. We could have stayed longer if we wanted to. They were great. Always someone there helping, cleaning, cooking, doing your laundry. Whatever you needed all you did was ask and off they went to get it for you. A nurse is always there overnight...it was amazing. I'm feeling great and have already started to drop some weight. Of course it is recovery weight but I don't care, it's moving again. My scale had not really moved since Christmas. I'm so excited to have my sleeve and confident it will take me where I had hoped my band would. That being said, I don't regret getting my band at all...but happy to have my sleeve as I still have a very long road in front of me..but I'm excited about it :001_tt2:

Wannabhealthy45, congrats on getting your sleeve! You are going to be so much happier with it than you were with your band. The difference is amazing and it is so wonderful to get your life back. I hope your recovery continues to go well!