So, I'm gearing up for my sleeve surgery... 11 more days! I am so excited! Everything is happening so fast... I started my pre op diet on Thursday and it hasn't been that bad but can I just say that I will NOT miss my band and all the problems I have with it. Tried to eat some egg beaters this morning and got stuck epically... foamed and pb-ed for hours... wasnt able to get in my pre op diet requirements... now have horrible heartburn. I swear, the band has been one of the worst decisions I have ever made... I just pray that things will be better with the sleeve

You are almost there! PBing sounds yucky! I am glad I found this site before I went through with the band. Hope you are feeling better and those 11 days will fly by in not time.

I'm glad you did too Lily, I wish more people would talk about problems with their bands because I think we are led into thinking that these problems don't happen to everybody that has a band. I also think that maybe these doctors are getting kickbacks from the companies that sell Lap or Realize Bands, I mean, why would they be pushing the band so hard when there is such mixed results? And think about it, when you get the RNY or the sleeve, there is no device or whatever, so basically no outside company is making money off the surgery. Sorry for the mini rant but I get kinda pissed when I think about how much time and money I have put into my band and I am no where near where I want to be (weight wise). I am very fortunate that I now have insurance that will cover a revision to the sleeve, otherwise I would just be stuck with it.

I am so happy you are getting rid of your band. You will love the sleeve. I agree that it is annoying that doctors are promoting the band. I can't stand the lapband commericials! They make it sound so great and easy when the fact is most with the band fail. I am thankful that my revision doctor doesn't like bands and told me about the sleeve. He sees all the problems with the band because he fixes so many of the problems they cause. The thing about the band is that is where the money is. Doctors make money from fills, flouro, and later down the road revisions. They even lowered the BMI requirement so that more people can have them and suffer! My band was nothing but a big pain. Now that I have had so much success with my sleeve I will tell anyone that will listen NOT to get the band. I can't believe I had that thing in my body so long. Anyway, good luck with your revision! You will do great. You will appreciate your sleeve so much. Hugs and best wishes for a speedy recovery. I am here if you have any questions!

Thanks Becca, I agree with you totally. All I can say is this is a new start for me and I am trying really hard to keep all the negative thoughts out of my mind. It's really hard when you have felt like a faliure for so long ... you wonder is this going to be just another failure... I'm doing really well on my pre op diet though, haven't cheated at all, which is surprising for me cause I have always been the "one bite won't hurt" person.

Agreed - you will be much happier when it is gone. The recovery takes time, but I am so happy not to have that band in me anymore! I already can eat and swallow better than I did 3 weeks ago with the band!!!

I have to change the channel when I hear the lap-band commercials on the radio. It is shocking.

Good luck!

Lara