I was just curious at how people reached their decision to switch. I am feeling a little bummed (and judged) because of the failure of my lapband. I am freaking out about another surgery, but I can't live with the pain of my band anymore. I always feel lifted when I hear others journeys.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.