I`m in so much pain with the band I can`t stand it. I think it`s too tight right now so I may go in and get a slight unfill but then I`m afraid I`ll gain weight. I`ve got the slimies and the foamies and the constant pain when I eat but then sometimes I get through `the wall`and I can eat almost anything. It`s very inconsistant and it`s not even working for me right now. After initial success I haven`t lost any weight in the last couple of months despite the restriction. I`ve been reading about the sleeve and it sounds perfect.

There are a couple of questions though. I read somewhere that not everyone gets to goal with the sleeve. Is that right?. (Sorry, my question mark is not working right now. Consider that big accented e my question mark.) Also, this thing about the reduced ghrelin. Isn`t ghrelin necessary for other functions in the body?. So are there disadvantages that come with a reduction in ghrelin?. Anybody know?.

And price is an issue as well. If someone could tell me the price for band to sleeve revision I would appreciate it. I need to know how much I have to save up. :thumbup:

Thanks

Kotta,

I am sorry to hear the band is giving your trouble. I was looking into

getting the band when I learned about sleeve. Being a self-pay I decided

on the sleeve due to the problems I was reading about from band

patients. As far as you questions I do not know all the answers but will

tell you why I went with the sleeve.

In looking over many different sites on the Internet I learned the sleeve

is like the middle of the road when it comes to reaching your goal weight.

What I found was the Lap-Band is the least effective, Sleeve is in the middle

and Bypass is the most effective. I was not interested in the Bypass even

though I started at 362 pounds. I had my surgery 8 weeks ago and have

lost 66 pounds.

As for the ghrelin, I have not read anywhere that it is something you need,

but I'm glad I don't have it anymore. No hunger pains have made my journey

a whole lot easier.

As for Dr. Aceves I think I still have the price list at home, but the best thing

to do would be call their 800 number. I had my surgery done for cheaper than

what was in his price list. If I remember right it was like $12500.00 for taking

the band out and doing the sleeve at the same time, but they may have came

down on the price. They will gladly answer any question you have if you call

them.

Hope this helped some.

Good luck

Gary

Edited March 24, 201016 yr by Garyb_58

I hope someone can chime in with a price, but I think Gary is spot on the last I heard, and when I was checking our Dr. Aceves, it was right around 12K for a band to sleeve revision.

Unfortunately, some patients do not get to goal even with RNY and DS. I have read several personal experiences on another forum when patients didn't get to goal with their chosen surgery. Unfortunately, the stats with the band not getting patients to goal is much higher.

As for ghrelin, I haven't had any other issues losing it. My oncologist/hematologist assured me that my body wasn't going to shut down because of it, and it comes back in a smaller amount over time. In all my research on gastrectomies (not for weight loss), I never found anything negative about ghrelin absence. But, I could have missed something obviously, but you can google gastrectomies outside of WLS and see if you can find anything regarding that topic. Someone can correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe ghrelin is made in the pancreas as well so it isn't like it's gone forever or 100%.

I had 113lbs to lose to get to goal, got there in 6.5 months with the sleeve, and now am maintaining about 18-20 pounds below goal. I started at 263 with my revision, today I'm at 130 standing 5'2".

It works, and you don't have all the issues with food like we did/do with the band. Grant it, early out, you may get a couple of sliming episodes, or you may puke up a piece of food until you recognize your full signal, but it is NOTHING like life with the band. I promise . . .

Thanks for all the info.

The funny thing with the band is that I'm probably considered a success story. I've lost about 50% of my excess weight in one year which is all they really need to consider me a success. But I feel miserable!!

I lost most of my weight during my "sweet spot" phase about 3-4 months after surgery and lasted about 5 months. Then I was considering getting a fill because I had started eating too much and not losing but all of a sudden the problems started and instead of getting a fill I had to get unfilled. I've been getting filled/unfilled for the last month or so and I'm either too loose and not losing weight or too tight and absolutely miserable. And even though eating is difficult I have lost very little in the last couple of months. I'm even having problems drinking liquids right now which is why I have another unfill scheduled for tomorrow.

I'm getting the slime, the foam, throwing up almost everything I eat and I have to be careful what I eat/drink the few hours before bed or else it comes back up again. :smile: I really hate this thing and would not recommend it to anyone.

I've been reading this forum for the last month and the sleeve sounds like what I thought the band would actually be. I'm afraid of making another mistake though. I'm already in the hole the $8000 I paid for the lap band and now I need another $12000 for the sleeve. I can't afford another mistake.

Highest Weight - 348 lbs

Decision Weight - 328 lbs

Surgery Weight - 312 lbs

Current Weight - 238 lbs

Goal Weight - 130 lbs

Lap Band surgery March 19/09 with Dr. Ortiz

i wouldn't know but i am sure he's your best choice. why don't you give Nina a call- she's the patient coordinator - 888-3443916 - goodluck:thumbup:

Thanks for all the info.

The funny thing with the band is that I'm probably considered a success story. I've lost about 50% of my excess weight in one year which is all they really need to consider me a success. But I feel miserable!!

I lost most of my weight during my "sweet spot" phase about 3-4 months after surgery and lasted about 5 months. Then I was considering getting a fill because I had started eating too much and not losing but all of a sudden the problems started and instead of getting a fill I had to get unfilled. I've been getting filled/unfilled for the last month or so and I'm either too loose and not losing weight or too tight and absolutely miserable. And even though eating is difficult I have lost very little in the last couple of months. I'm even having problems drinking liquids right now which is why I have another unfill scheduled for tomorrow.

I'm getting the slime, the foam, throwing up almost everything I eat and I have to be careful what I eat/drink the few hours before bed or else it comes back up again. :smile: I really hate this thing and would not recommend it to anyone.

I've been reading this forum for the last month and the sleeve sounds like what I thought the band would actually be. I'm afraid of making another mistake though. I'm already in the hole the $8000 I paid for the lap band and now I need another $12000 for the sleeve. I can't afford another mistake.

Highest Weight - 348 lbs

Decision Weight - 328 lbs

Surgery Weight - 312 lbs

Current Weight - 238 lbs

Goal Weight - 130 lbs

Lap Band surgery March 19/09 with Dr. Ortiz

Honestly, by your stats, you've done really great with just a restrictive procedure. The sleeve will give you that immediate, constant restriction that the band gives while you have that sweet spot.

I wouldn't trade my sleeve for another pouch/stoma combination that the band and RNY gives ya.

Regarding getting to goal weight with the sleeve - I had the band for 3.5 years. I lost all the weight I would with the band within the first 3 months of getting it. The rest of the time I just maintained. Revised to the sleeve in January and am now within 10/lbs of goal.

I had the same surgeon who did my band do my sleeve. I was self-pay both times. My revision was just $5000. I also had my gall bladder removed, which insurance paid for. So my lower price was most likely based on having insurance pay for the OR, anesthia, hospital stay, etc.

Hi all,

I also have a lapband by Dr. Ortiz 2/09 and am having lots of problems. I was treated very well by Dr. Ortiz. I just contacted there office in regards to revision and was quoted $9,000 for removal and the sleeve.

Hope this helps...

Thanks for all the info.

The funny thing with the band is that I'm probably considered a success story. I've lost about 50% of my excess weight in one year which is all they really need to consider me a success. But I feel miserable!!

I lost most of my weight during my "sweet spot" phase about 3-4 months after surgery and lasted about 5 months. Then I was considering getting a fill because I had started eating too much and not losing but all of a sudden the problems started and instead of getting a fill I had to get unfilled. I've been getting filled/unfilled for the last month or so and I'm either too loose and not losing weight or too tight and absolutely miserable. And even though eating is difficult I have lost very little in the last couple of months. I'm even having problems drinking liquids right now which is why I have another unfill scheduled for tomorrow.

I'm getting the slime, the foam, throwing up almost everything I eat and I have to be careful what I eat/drink the few hours before bed or else it comes back up again. :lol0: I really hate this thing and would not recommend it to anyone.

I've been reading this forum for the last month and the sleeve sounds like what I thought the band would actually be. I'm afraid of making another mistake though. I'm already in the hole the $8000 I paid for the lap band and now I need another $12000 for the sleeve. I can't afford another mistake.

Highest Weight - 348 lbs

Decision Weight - 328 lbs

Surgery Weight - 312 lbs

Current Weight - 238 lbs

Goal Weight - 130 lbs

Lap Band surgery March 19/09 with Dr. Ortiz

Hi Kota-

I am scheudled for the band to sleeve revision with Dr. Aceves on Friday. If you send me a private messeage with your email I will happily forward you the info I was sent when I signed up. The pricing for a band to sleeve revision is more expensive than just a sleeve...which totally makes sense since it is more complicated.

I love my voice for 6 weeks with the band (acid reflux induced laryngitis) and when I loved to Philly I could not find a Dr who would fill my band since they didn't do the surgery. I did have a dr in NYC that I could work with...but had lots of problems with overfills. THe only way I lost weight with my band towards the end was to be so restricted I would get dehydrated.

Good luck to you!

Hi Citygal,

I've already contacted Dr. Aceves office and got their pricing. I hope your surgery went well and you are recovering comfortably. Please tell me how everything was and keep us posted on your results.

I can't afford the surgery just yet but hopefully by September/October I will feel ok shelling out the money for the surgery.

A few weeks ago I went for an unfill because I was so miserable and I'm feeling much better but I have not lost any weight. I'm between 235 and 240 lbs most days so I have not lost any weight in the last few months which is depressing. I feel some restriction during the day but at night it's like I have no band at all.

I'm so jealous of all you sleevers!! I want one too! :mad: