I have been around all kind of boards lately !! ALL WLS boards! and I found out that 99% of those who had their band to sleeve revision where having band complications (slipping etc etc) and none had it for too long like my case! without complications! and ended up having their band to sleeve revision.

So I am wondering is there anyone out here who can share their reasons why they had the revision beside complications?

Thank u

I have had my band since August 2005. If you ask me, I have complications; if you ask my doctors, they would say it's just a side effect of the band. I can't stand the port pain and absolutely hated the process of getting fills (my last one I fainted right after and that was it for me). I feel like I have bulimia and am terrified of eating in public for the fear of having that "stuck" feeling and having no bathroom or private options around to relieve it. I generally ate good, healthy food before the band, but my issue was volume. Now I can't eat the food I loved and find that I'm eating chips, ice cream, candy all the time just to get calories in. I never even kept that stuff in my house before! The band helped me lose 100 pounds and for that I am begrudgingly grateful, but in no way did it get me healthy. I have heartburn every night and reflux every day. I am anemic with iron and vitamin D deficiencies, lactose intolerant and I can't swallow a pill to save my life. I hate it and want it gone NOW!! I just got the okay from my hubby to go to Mexico this month and I couldn't be happier!

Hi,

I did not have complications. The problem was, it wasn't working. Also, there was the discomfort of not being able to bend over with jeans on because the waistband hit my port. I couldn't stretch backward because of the port. I could not eat chicken because it would easily get stuck. I couldn't lay on my side in bed because of the port. I sit in a desk job and would regularly have to unbutton my pants at my desk because of the port. I found after 3 years that I couldn't really eat the healthy stuff I was supposed to and ended up eating more sliders to avoid discomfort.

I did not vomit like a lit of people do. It did not slip or tear. I did not have problems with reflux or acid. I had approximately 10 fills/unfills over 3 years to try and get the "sweet spot" and was too tight several tiems which caused pain (and cost money). I originally lost 40 lbs on the band and gained back 20 and that was the best it was going to get for me. Over time, the foreign hardware in my body just didn't sit very well. I got angry because I was getting no benefit from it and it was a daily discomfort. I think I didn't realize how uncomfortable I really was until it was gone.

I got the sleeve because I was terrified of gaining a bunch of weight after the lap band was gone. But I knew I had to get rid of the band either way. It started to inhibit my quality of life and that is not what is supposed to happen. The sleeve is also a good surgery for low BMI patients. After my first weight loss surgery failure, I wanted to be sure I was doing the best thing for my body the second time around.

Good luck with your decision--

Lara

My story is almost the same as REV ME UP. I had no real complications. My surgeon was so wonderful, my port was sewed in amazingly well and wasn't going anywhere. That's one reason I had him do my revision - he's a top notch doctor. I just hated living with the band and all the problems it created.

It was so tight in the mornings I was never able to eat Breakfast. Then later in the day when I could eat, things were always getting stuck even when I chewed my food really well. I couldn't eat healthy foods like salad, broccoli, oranges, etc. But milkshakes and cheese dip went down with no problem. So of course I was stalled and unable to lose that last 40-50 lbs.

Getting the band out and being able to have the VSG has been just what I needed. I feel free now to eat whatever I want in moderate portions. I can eat all the healthy foods I crave and not have to worry about them going down. That horrible port is gone and not in the way - bumping on my ribs and poking through my skin.

Life is good now!

AWESOME! You sound just like me! I can't wait to get this thing out of me on MAY 3!! Yipee!!!

Congrats!

Barb

Hi,

I did not have complications. The problem was, it wasn't working. Also, there was the discomfort of not being able to bend over with jeans on because the waistband hit my port. I couldn't stretch backward because of the port. I could not eat chicken because it would easily get stuck. I couldn't lay on my side in bed because of the port. I sit in a desk job and would regularly have to unbutton my pants at my desk because of the port. I found after 3 years that I couldn't really eat the healthy stuff I was supposed to and ended up eating more sliders to avoid discomfort.

I did not vomit like a lit of people do. It did not slip or tear. I did not have problems with reflux or acid. I had approximately 10 fills/unfills over 3 years to try and get the "sweet spot" and was too tight several tiems which caused pain (and cost money). I originally lost 40 lbs on the band and gained back 20 and that was the best it was going to get for me. Over time, the foreign hardware in my body just didn't sit very well. I got angry because I was getting no benefit from it and it was a daily discomfort. I think I didn't realize how uncomfortable I really was until it was gone.

I got the sleeve because I was terrified of gaining a bunch of weight after the lap band was gone. But I knew I had to get rid of the band either way. It started to inhibit my quality of life and that is not what is supposed to happen. The sleeve is also a good surgery for low BMI patients. After my first weight loss surgery failure, I wanted to be sure I was doing the best thing for my body the second time around.

Good luck with your decision--

Lara

Wow! You guys don't know how much these posts mean to me. I, too, have a wonderful surgeon and have had the same problems with the band...no slipping, etc. just not being able to eat healthy foods...but wow, I was good with ice cream and cheese dip. The vomiting has been a real problem, too! I'll never forget throwing up at a resort in Hawaii. The bathroom was closed for cleaning and I threw up in the corner...I was so embarrassed, I pretended that it wasn't me, but I know that they knew it was! No more of this! I am going to be free May 3!!!

Yipee and thanks for all the support!!!

Barb

My story is almost the same as REV ME UP. I had no real complications. My surgeon was so wonderful, my port was sewed in amazingly well and wasn't going anywhere. That's one reason I had him do my revision - he's a top notch doctor. I just hated living with the band and all the problems it created.

It was so tight in the mornings I was never able to eat breakfast. Then later in the day when I could eat, things were always getting stuck even when I chewed my food really well. I couldn't eat healthy foods like salad, broccoli, oranges, etc. But milkshakes and cheese dip went down with no problem. So of course I was stalled and unable to lose that last 40-50 lbs.

Getting the band out and being able to have the VSG has been just what I needed. I feel free now to eat whatever I want in moderate portions. I can eat all the healthy foods I crave and not have to worry about them going down. That horrible port is gone and not in the way - bumping on my ribs and poking through my skin.

Life is good now!

The main reason I asked for the reasons in the first place is to ASSURE myself I am not just too lazy!! Cause everywhere I go online I find everyone with revision is just doing it after having severe complications!

But I never find one person like me! did it for been stalled for too long and for another "Naive" reason, which is never been able to have a good breakfast! it has always been a challenge for me! Can you believe running your day on a BITE! Just one bite?! I have learned to deal with my hunger strikes, unless I am having a wedding so close I can go to the extreme one bite at breakfast, no lunch, a snack of latte` and 2 oz of salmon sashimi at dinner! then I hit low energy levels!

I will never say the band wasnt a bless for me! it was. I am actually gonna miss it! "OR as I think for now"

but I asked the question just to know.. if I am too weak.. or spoiled as I sometimes see myself.. or am I having good reasons to do it! I have been stalled for too long, I have been trying to live a happy life for too long but my weight has always stopped me. Some of my friends told me that the see me beautiful but I am the one who is always building borderlines so no one can reach me cause I am afraid! cause of my weight.. others have told me that I impress a lot of guys but I still give them the impression that I cant be with them cause I am fat! I have been single for almost so long! I was even in more relationships while I was heavier! cause then I never consider myself fat! I was always thinking yeah I am big but I am beautiful! now I think I am big and getting old and losing my beauty! I am crazy I know just wanted to let it out, So I really wish I can get over this weight and start living ..

Anyway thanks u all for always been great really u are the best!

The good news is my surgery is scheduled for this saturday! )) I will post a day before it to remind u to keep me in ur good thoughts:)

thanks sooo much for the pre op/decision making phase support!

I totally get what you are saying- I am having my band removed for health reasons not complications. My auto immune disease has been flared up since 2 months after surgery and progressively getting worse to the point that with my RA I can hardly walk. I knew it was a risk but felt at the time as with my physicians it was worth to try and take- I knew I wouldnt "die" and that even if I got off 50lbs or so that would be a added plus- I exceeded my expectations and didnt start plateauing until this February when I hurt my back and couldnt work out anymore- Since I have been sedentary I have gained a little back but am not a lost cause- As with the band- I am looking forward to the next chapter with a sleeve instead...

I didn't have great results with the band, but in the early days, the only option was to convert to gastric bypass and I didn't want that, so I just left it in Fluid removed and the band just sat for many years. I was banded in 2001, and weigh more now then when I was banded. I decided to have it removed and replaced with some other WLS a year ago, before I knew it had slipped. I actually think it slipped more recently because i used to have about zero restriction and now I notice I have some.

My advice to others is to not do what I did - I should have had it removed 5+ years ago even if it meant no help with keeping weight off.

I had my band removed in 2006, because it slipped twice and the fills were $100.00 every time and it would be to tight, so un-fill, then gain weight, fill again. ACID REFLUX too horrible to continue to live with, the second time it slipped I said take it out and I don't want a new one.

I became pg in 07 gained the weight back and would never consider the band, I was miserable, skinny but freaking miserable. The sleeve sounds like a wonderful alternative.

OH YEAH AND CAN'T WAIT UNTIL "Breaking Dawn" comes out in Nov! Twilight fan for sure!

I have been around all kind of boards lately !! ALL WLS boards! and I found out that 99% of those who had their band to sleeve revision where having band complications (slipping etc etc) and none had it for too long like my case! without complications! and ended up having their band to sleeve revision.

So I am wondering is there anyone out here who can share their reasons why they had the revision beside complications?

Thank u

I want a revision because I still need to lose another 80-100lbs. I was banded in July 08. I started at 307lbs.....lost down to 220lbs...now I weigh 245lbs. The doctor said the band has done all it will do. It does not address the hunger. My insurance should pay for a revision because I still have a BMI of 42. I should hear something next week on approval for a sleeve.

I am having a band to sleeve revision on 8/9/11. The band has never really worked for me. I could never get to the "sweet spot" that everyone talks about. I have been banded since 2007 and have lost maybe 10 lbs. I still vomit if when I eat some healthy foods, but boy, I can down a bag of cookies or chips. I felt like I had two stomachs. One on top that hurt and where things got stuck and then one on the bottom that was starving all of the time. I felt so guilty because I've known other people who were banded and have had moderate to good success. My PCP told me one time that I was "eating around the band". Maybe I was, but I feel like I gave it my best shot. I still worry about the sleeve because I know it is another restrictive procedure. I just hope that I don't feel that horrible pain that I did with the band.

Welcome to the ''hood! Your story could have been mine!

I had my sleeve surgery on May 3rd of this year and I have not regretted it at all. I don't think I would be considered a fast loser, but I am really happy with the results. I, too, only lost a total if 10 lbs over the 5 years that I had the band. So, losing 38 lbs and passing my lowest band weight has really been wonderful!

You will do great! Just follow the rules Abd enjoy being able to eat like a normal person. It is amazing to live without constant barfing!!! I have only thrown up once since the surgery and that from s girl that used to throw up 2-3 times a day! Success! I love it!!!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Cheers-

Barb

I didn't have great results with the band, but in the early days, the only option was to convert to gastric bypass and I didn't want that, so I just left it in Fluid removed and the band just sat for many years. I was banded in 2001, and weigh more now then when I was banded. I decided to have it removed and replaced with some other WLS a year ago, before I knew it had slipped. I actually think it slipped more recently because i used to have about zero restriction and now I notice I have some.

My advice to others is to not do what I did - I should have had it removed 5+ years ago even if it meant no help with keeping weight off.

I had my band in 2003 - and if I knew what I knew - I would probably have done it anyhow. I did loose 105lb originally and due to a personal tragedy managed to put back on quite a bit of that - with milkshakes, ice cream and cheezie Snacks - BUT - in saying that I should have had it out years ago as well - I have spent these last years being in fear of vomiting all the time with certain foods.

I would tell others to really think about getting a lapband too - do your research.

I am having a band to sleeve revision on 8/9/11. The band has never really worked for me. I could never get to the "sweet spot" that everyone talks about. I have been banded since 2007 and have lost maybe 10 lbs. I still vomit if when I eat some healthy foods, but boy, I can down a bag of Cookies or chips. I felt like I had two stomachs. One on top that hurt and where things got stuck and then one on the bottom that was starving all of the time. I felt so guilty because I've known other people who were banded and have had moderate to good success. My PCP told me one time that I was "eating around the band". Maybe I was, but I feel like I gave it my best shot. I still worry about the sleeve because I know it is another restrictive procedure. I just hope that I don't feel that horrible pain that I did with the band.

OMG! The two stomachs! I absolutely LOATHE that. As I type this, I am sitting here MISERABLE because I had two oz of chicken breast, it's stuck and hurting, but I am still STARVING!!!!!!!! I really feel like going and throwing it up just to get rid of the pain. (Going on three hours now without any relief.)

I had my band removed in 2006, because it slipped twice and the fills were $100.00 every time and it would be to tight, so un-fill, then gain weight, fill again. ACID REFLUX too horrible to continue to live with, the second time it slipped I said take it out and I don't want a new one.

I became pg in 07 gained the weight back and would never consider the band, I was miserable, skinny but freaking miserable. The sleeve sounds like a wonderful alternative.

OH YEAH AND CAN'T WAIT UNTIL "Breaking Dawn" comes out in Nov! Twilight fan for sure!

OH A SLEEVE TWI SIS:) is always great:))) 108 days more till BD:)

Oh and looking at this topic I WILL SAY I did it for the right reasons! they were never naive as I SAID:) the band isnt for everybody:)