Should I or Shouldn't I?

[SpicyGirl 1]

Looking for advice on whether or not I should spend more money and convert my band to a sleeve? I was banded in 2008. I am 4' 10" and weighed over 170 lbs at the time. I was self-pay at around $13K. I have lost down to 135. I had a Tummy Tuck in 2010 to remove excess skin. Over the course of a little over a year, I have been unfilled and filled about 3-4 times due to a stretched pouch, acid reflux, coughing at night, dilated pouch or esphogus spasms. I also recently learned I have a flipped port and while I could really use an unfill, it's not possible. The band is very fickle and I've had all the problems others have had with vomitting, only can eat at certain times, stress makes the band tighter, that time of the month makes it tighter and so on. I've flucuatd in weight 10 lbs up, 10 lbs down, etc. If I want the converstion, my insurance will pay part of it and I will be out about $6500. It's a lot to stomach....paying $13K and then potientally another $6500. I have about 20-27 lbs to lose. Some people say I don't need to lose that much or they can't possibly see where I'd lose it from. It is there to lose. I hide it well. I don't think my doctor would agree to the surgery if it was unsafe or there was a chance of malnutriction. Is the loss of 20-30 lbs worth another $6500? I keep telling myself that with all the problems I'm having now, get it over with and move forward. Doctor said I'm too young (35) to have had so many issues with fills and such and that I'll likely continue to have issues. It's best to make the change and not have to worry about stuck episodes and maintance, etc. Looking for advice. Please be sensitive. I know most will think they wish they could weigh what I do now but at less that 5' tall, these extra pounds is a lot. What should I do?

[Thomas CPA 496]

I suggest listening to doctor, the doctors at Kaiser really steer people away from lap band due to continued problems. Wake up to see the damage a lap band does when it works it way into the tissue and then major surgery is required.

Assuming you can now maintain your weight without devices such as lap band or sleeve perhaps you just have the band removed and just remember not to over eat.

My doctor says malnutrition is not a problem, usually, with sleeve as all the food passes through the entire intestine where Vitamins and minerals are absorbed.

Listen to your doctor, you are rather young and to have continued problems for three years should tell you something. Just get a second or third opinion and make your decision.

Which is more important, long term health or $6,500?

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

I tend to agree with the previous poster - it isn't about losing the last 20-30 pounds, it is more like your long term health and safety. You are already h aving pretty serious problems, and it sounds like you need an unfill and can't get one. My advice to you would be to get rid of that band, even if you don't want to convert to another surgery.

[Cremedream 0]

Your band needs to be removed, that's for sure. It's pretty dangerous seeing as you can't even make an unfill now. A sleeve on someone with only 20-30lbs to lose is questionable though, so definitely check with your doctor. But yeah, I think you should go for conversion to VSG straight away.

[SpicyGirl 1]

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. I appreciate you taking time to reply.

[Ricky 6]

I agree w/others..your band needs to go!! My US surgeon (who placed my bands) said that he hasn't met anyone yet, that has lost their weight w/a band, had the band removed, and been able to maintain their weight loss. So, most likely, regain will follow a band removal. I love my sleeve and feel SO much better without that band inside of me. I would revise to a sleeve, if I were you. That way you only have one surgery instead of band removal, gaining weight back, and then sleeve surgery. I know someone (Wasabubblebut) that was at goal when she revised from a band to sleeve....she maintained a healthy weight

Best wishes to you....but, you need to get that band out before long term damage is done.

[band2sleeve 1]

I am 2 weeks out from my band to sleeve revision. I had a lot of problems like you. However, it was a much easier decision for me because my insurance paid for it. I am 15# from goal at the time of my revision. I couldn't live with the band any longer and I certainly didn't want to gain all my weight back. I did a lot of research and found that band to sleeve revisioners are over all quite happy with there decision. From my experience in just 2 weeks, it is like night and day. No more puking, no more acid reflux, no more being very tight in the morning, no more pain while eating! I wish you the best in your decision. I'm glad I did it.

Shelli