Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

What made you decide to switch from the band to the sleeve?



Recommended Posts

New to forum, just found it. Had lap band in 2005. Went from 240lb to 120lb in about two years. In 2008, I started gaining weight back, my dr that performed procedure moved. Found new dr not far away, WRONG DR!!He treated me like I was the biggest pig, because he saw me at 120lb. He suggested exercise, like I wasn't. I kept going to him sparingly for 6-8 months. He done multiple fills with no restriction at all.Finally, I told dr office to switch me to different dr in thier office. I seen him once for fill, it was over full with saline. He sent me for upper GI, found that my band had slipped and eroded. He suggested surgery, I asked about sleeve. He said he would do it if my stomach was in good enough shape. My insurance oked sleeve. I had revision on Dec. 29,2010. I had to be opened up all the way. 45+ staples, two Jackson Pratt drains, epidural for 4 days. I had complications from all scar tissue from previous surgeries. I was in hospital for 5 days, surgery lasted 5 hours. Dr said that only one-forth of the band was NOT ERODED.I like the sleeve so far...alot better than the band. I had good results with the band until it slipped and eroded. I wouldn't recomend the band now that there is the sleeve as an alternative.I am now able to go to gym daily, not back to work yet.Just got rest of staples out this week..they took them out in two seperate phases.I have lost a little more than 20 lbs since surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had to be opened up all the way. 45+ staples, two Jackson Pratt drains, epidural for 4 days. I had complications from all scar tissue from previous surgeries. I was in hospital for 5 days, surgery lasted 5 hours.

I can't even imagine 45+ staples. How long was the incision?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is all so VALIDATING to read. Past few days I've been thinking, "well, I DID have problems with the band, I was in that small percentage that had complications. Gosh darn my bad luck.... I didn't think I'D be one of those " which leads me to... "well, if I had such a problem with the LapBand, then I'll probably be one of the ones that gets complications from VSG...."

I know that's negative talk and I'm trying to be positive. VSG revision from band wasn't an option when my band was removed in 2006. It was RNY or DS... and those just didn't seem like options for me and I'd lost 60 pounds. Was never even discussed that I recall. I had been so miserable with reflux from slip(s) -- I just wanted it out and be done. With the jump start from the band, I lost more weight, went from a size 22 at banding in 2003 to a 10/12 without the band in 2008! Now, even with good food choices and exercise, the stinking weight is piling on. (20 pounds+) Menopause, metabolism -- whatever. I'm tired of trying to figure it out.

I AM DOING IT! As I told my surgeon, it would be ridiculous for me to wait until I'm a size 22 again. Let's Go!

I'm nervous about the scar tissue from the $%^& band -- surgeon didn't seem concerned. I also had an incisional hernia from Tummy Tuck (long story, my fault from overdoing it, actually) so that was fifth abdominal surgery in five years...and now, here I go again. I'm scared, but excited.

Like a lot of you, am only sharing with a few people I'm close to. Too much trouble. Too much judgment. Who needs it? I'll tell the people who will give me the most support!

Best of success to ALL OF US -- and say a prayer for me. No date yet, but hoping in the next month.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've decided to have my band removed because, although it helped me lose 110 pounds at one point, my quality of life has been terrible. It's nearly impossible to find someone in the states to do aftercare if you're a Mexico patient, which I am. Also, getting the fills isn't exactly a pleasant experience and it's not an exact science albeit more accurate under fluoro; but you can expect instances of being overfilled or underfilled and having to go back multiple times. Your sweet spot varies from day to day. One day you can eat like a normal person...the next day you throw up chocolate milk. Over the past 5 years, I've been made to feel like an unwilling bulimic. During family dinners, I have to excuse myself to use the bathroom and get the food "unstuck". I have to sneak around in my house to make sure my children don't see or hear me throwing up. And last, but certainly not least...forget about eating in the car unless you have a puke cup on standby. I appreciate what the band has done for me, but it's time to move on so I can start to feel normal again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I loved my band, and we had a great relationship. I was 100% compliant, never had any fill problems, rarley PB'd. My restriction varied from day to day, but never so much that I couldn't eat at all. I never had these horror stories that so many people report. I did tear my port sutures and have to have my port repositioned, but that was about it. I probably had three or four fills, which were very gradual. I never felt over filled.

So imagine my surprise to find out I was 40% eroded just 18 months into my banded journey after losing the easiest 100 pounds I ever lost!!!

After my band removal I regained those 100 pounds plus another thirty. If I had known then what I know now, I would have been sleeved to begin with.

Being "reversal" is a terrible selling point when you're talking about weightloss. At the time I thought it was a good thing - until they had to take it out! I need something permanent, for sure. Thrilled withmy sleeve - back down to my lowest with the band.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Being "reversal" is a terrible selling point when you're talking about weightloss. At the time I thought it was a good thing - until they had to take it out! I need something permanent, for sure. Thrilled withmy sleeve - back down to my lowest with the band.

I couldn't agree more... not to mention that statement is completely false. NO WLS is *completely* reversible. I've even heard of some that couldn't have all of the band removed due to the extensive scar tissue.

All I know is that my sleeve is everything I ever wanted out of my band, but I never got.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×