I had the band put in in November of 2007 in Tijuana, Mexico. It was great for the first year or so then BAM! I was in and out of the ER being dehydrated and not being able to keep anything down. Finally in November of 2009 my Dr here in California said enough is enough and the band was taken out on Dec. 31st. The plan was to do the sleeve at the same time, but once he got in there he found erosion under the band. He said my stomach needed to heal before he could do the sleeve. I have that surgery scheduled for March 22nd (3 weeks from today) but who's counting? The last two months have been pretty rough. I have watched myself turn back into this person I promised myself I would never be again. I feel no matter what I eat or do, everyday I gain more weight. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how quickly will the weight come back off? Please help!!!

I know how you feel to an extent. When I had my band, I lost 23 pounds the first 2.5-3 months, lost restriction, surgeon couldn't access my port even under fluoro, complications started in the 2nd month, and I gained back 16 pounds in 4 months.

For me, the weight fell off with the sleeve revision. It's completely different than living with the band, and if you adhere to your surgeon's post-op diet then you'll see a huge change in your weight.

If you ever need anything, let us know. Congrats on getting your date set, and keep us posted on your progress.

I know exactly what you are going thru. I had band placed in June 2007 and had nothing but trouble. Either too tight or too loose. Ultimately my band was removed in September 2009. I have gained about 25 lbs and my surgery is scheduled for March 18,2010. I was exercising by but off and trying to watch my intake. I was hungry all the time and eating large portions. The weight kept coming. I have started trying protein shake for replacement of one meal. Good luck but It was very hard and discouraging for me. But my day is coming soon and I cant wait.

Hi CarrieB,

I am in the same boat. I was supposed to have revision done 6/30/09- lap-band to bypass (I did not know about the sleeve at that time), but I had too much scarring due to the band. Now it's April 2010 and I'm still trying to get approval for the sleeve. My original doc does not do the sleeve, so she referred me to another doc and now I have to do the whole program thing again (pre-op wt loss, psych appt, dietician, etc.) Talk about waiting! Also, I have slowly regained most all of the weight over the past year and a half (I had to have a complete unfill the last 6 or so months prior to my band removal due to daily vomiting). I pray that my insurance will approve the sleeve and I come through it with minimal or no complications. Hang in there, at least you have a surgery date, that is great. It could be a full year by the time I get a surgery date again. Despite trying to control what I eat and exercising, I find that I go to bed hungry every night and the scale does not move. It's tough. I really need this tool.

Take Care,

Kathy