I'm scheduled to have my band removed and the sleeve done at the same time in 3 days. If you had this done, please tell me about your experience. I don't know how long the surgery will take -- understanding that each case is different. Also, pain experiences, any wisdom you're willing to share, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

I had the band to sleeve on Dec 11, 2011. I had my surgery in Tijuana with Dr F Garcia. I had no problems with the surgery or my recovery. I had very little pain after surgery and was up walking the next morning. I had surgery late in the day and probably got back to my room around 6:30pm. I know they were giving me pain meds and meds for nausea but I was having more discomfort than pain. I was given pain meds when I was released on Wednesday but I never took any after being released. I did however take medication for about 2 weeks for the stomach acid. I flew home on Friday after having my surgery on Monday and did not have any trouble with the flight or after I got home. If you have any specific questions for me please ask. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

IowaAndy - how long did you have your band before the sleeve surgery? Would you be willing to share your issues with your band? I got mine Jan 2007, and it worked great for a while, then I started having issues with it and it just went downhill from there.

I had revision band to sleeve last month. I think the actual surgery took about 1 1/2 hour -2 hours. I was sore but, wasn't in a great deal of pain. I was given morphine on a regular basis and I had the "On Q pain ball". I think that's what really made the big difference in the pain. I recommend asking your doctor about it. I was discharged on the second day. I think pain was about the same as when I initially got the band. I didn't take anything for pain after I got home.

Initially I lost alot of weight with the band 80 lbs but then gained almost all of it back. I vomited almost daily and I couldn't eat chicken, turkey, salad, veggies, you know all the healthy stuff.

I just posted my story under the Revisions forum. It is not the happy, hopeful story I know you would like to hear. Please read it so that can understand that there can be serious complications. Best wishes to you!

I have met a ton of people who had this done . I would say half the people I know who have this surgery were revisions. When I was in the hospital, the lady across the hall from me was having a revision I believe it is quite common. Good luck!!

I had my band for about 2 years. It was a great weight loss tool for me as I lost around 80 pounds. I was at max fill and my weight stalled and it stalled for over 6 months. It did not matter what I ate of how much or how little my weight never really moved from that point. The problem was that I still had another 100 pounds to lose. When I went back to my surgeon he told me that I should have probably had the sleeve to begin with due to the significant amount of weight that I needed to lose. At this time with the band at max fill I was having constant vomiting from food getting stuck. I began to hate my band. Also it was a more costly option due to the constant doctor visit to check for slippage etc. My co-pay was $40 each visit. Then there were the xray swallow tests which were not cheap either. My insurance denied the band removal or the sleeve procedure. My surgeon who did the band told me that they could do it and that it would cost me over $40,000 for the surgery.

Well that was way out of my range so I had heard that they were doing this surgery in Mexico. A friend of my brother who lives in CA had just returned from Tijuana and had the surgery. I called and spoke to her on the phone several times and she was not having any difficulty and was losing weight on a steady basis. I decided to book the surgery and I was given a time that I could be off of work. I was going to go with her surgeon who was Dr Almanza but he was booked at that time so I checked out Dr Garcia and booked with him. I can say that I was very happy with Dr Garcia and his entire staff, the staff and accomodations at Mi Hospital and also with the Hotel Pueblo Amigo. I think that they have now changed to a different hotel since I had my surgery in Dec 2011.

I certainly do not miss my band and the constant doctor visits. Since I went to Mexico the doctor that did my lapband refuses to see me any longer and I can not attend their support sessions for their patients. This makes me sad but I have learned to live with it. I paid around $5000 in Mexico vs $40,000 here in the US. I will still have my band and still be miserable had I not gone to Mexico. Since the surgeon that did my band will not see me I have been to see my PCP once since I had the surgery with Dr Garcia and had all of my blood checked. Everything is fine.

I would recommend this surgery to anyone having problems with their band.

Hi chacha, I had my original lap-band placed sept 2007. I had the band removed 2/21/12 and then my sleeve 2/28/12. The band removal is easy and quick...my surgeon said it took him 20 minutes max. If u look on YouTube there is a video of a surgeon removing it and it's only like 6 minutes long. The sleeve takes a little longer but they also do a leak test and do more work.

I wish you the best! It's a world of difference from the lap- band bc you have immediate results vs having to wait for fills. You should expect to be in more pain initially after the surgery than u remember from the band, but u will feel better each day!

Hey Tulipstar - thanks for the info. I did watch the video, and a few more. It was very informative.

I had my revision surgery 14 months ago. I had many band complications. It basically shattered apart and slipped. I had my band for 3 and a half years and I was still morbidly obese. My doctor did the band removal and sleeve all at once. I believe the surgery was around an hour. I did wake up in pain, as I did not get a pain pump. As soon as I got meds in my IV, I was fine. I love my sleeve. I am a normal weight. Sure the first three weeks are difficult, but so worth it. My life is so much brighter. I have energy to be a better teacher, mother, and wife. I would do it all again to have the life I have now.

I'm scheduled to have my band removed and the sleeve done at the same time in 3 days. If you had this done' date=' please tell me about your experience. I don't know how long the surgery will take -- understanding that each case is different. Also, pain experiences, any wisdom you're willing to share, etc., would be greatly appreciated.[/quote']

Hi ChaCha, I had my Lapband 2 1/2yrs ago. I only lost 30#. I never was able to eat scrambled eggs or plain tuna. Throwing up all the time with my fill. Tryn to adjust n readjust the fills. willThen I started with bld pressure issues, my reflux got worse then bronchities. I've had bronchitis 3times in a yr.. I sleep with 3 pillows. Well I gained my weight back. Each time I got sick I had to have the band fill removed. Now, I have no fill but still can fill some restriction. I ve had an EGD and upper GI which show restriction. My PCP recommends I have it removed. I go see dr Sherman Yu tomorrow. He supposedly does lapband removals n gastric sleeve with i incision. Mm , i ll find out tomorrow,and see where we go from there. I was hoping for the gastric sleeve but am really scared after reading about the leaks, n/v, pain, hair loss, unable to take enough Protein or Vitamins. Oh my.. We ll see

Since I went to Mexico the doctor that did my lapband refuses to see me any longer and I can not attend their support sessions for their patients. This makes me sad but I have learned to live with it. I paid around $5000 in Mexico vs $40,000 here in the US. I will still have my band and still be miserable had I not gone to Mexico. Since the surgeon that did my band will not see me I have been to see my PCP once since I had the surgery with Dr Garcia and had all of my blood checked. Everything is fine.

I would recommend this surgery to anyone having problems with their band.

This just makes me SICK. OK, I can see the list of excuses they can more than likely come up with as to why they can't TREAT you since your revision - but to not even allow you to attend the SUPPORT GROUP!? What a crock of bologna. This right here is one of the many reasons I have little respect for american bariatric doctors. They're all crooks. And when you don't want to willingly and without questions shell out 40k to them for a surgery that costs them a quarter of that if not less they get all butt hurt and send you packing. So much for compassion for the patients and wanting to see them succeed. GRRRR!!!!

I am so glad you're doing well now - and to hell with that doc. Goodness! >:o/

Just an update: I had my revision on 3/22 and I have to say it was the best thing I've done in a long, long time! It was done in one surgery and lasted only 2.5 hours -- and he was able to do it lapriscopically! I am so happy with my sleeve! No more getting stuck, no more sliming! I am on the "soft/mushy" phase, but so far it's been well worth it!

I am having my revision on the 9th in Mexico. I love all the posts on this site. I just know that this is what I need to do. I am so tired of throwing up. I am excited and I can't wait. I went to Mexico to have the lap band done and it was great. I took my daughter last July and she got the sleeve. She has lost 100 lbs. I am so happy for her. I have been so scared I would have an emergency with my band and end up owing 40,000.00 to the hospital. Now I and just days away from being able to stop that worrying. Dr. Almanza was great with my daughter, I am using him also. One of my best friends is going with me. I am so ready. Thank you all for posting. It has helped me know that I am doing the best thing.

I had the band to sleeve on Dec 11, 2011. I had my surgery in Tijuana with Dr F Garcia. I had no problems with the surgery or my recovery. I had very little pain after surgery and was up walking the next morning. I had surgery late in the day and probably got back to my room around 6:30pm. I know they were giving me pain meds and meds for nausea but I was having more discomfort than pain. I was given pain meds when I was released on Wednesday but I never took any after being released. I did however take medication for about 2 weeks for the stomach acid. I flew home on Friday after having my surgery on Monday and did not have any trouble with the flight or after I got home. If you have any specific questions for me please ask. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

hi, im wondering why you had the revision? did you have a problem with your band? were you afraid of leaking? when is the risk for leakages over? is it something to always be concerned about or no?

I had the revision as I still had another 90 pounds to lose and my band was at the max fill. I was constantly vomiting after eating due to the high fill and I was not able to lose any more weight. The doctor told me that they should have probably done the sleeve in the first place due to the amount of weight that I had to lose. Good news but was a little too late.

I had to pay out of pocket as my insurance refused to pay for the removal of the band or the sleeve. If I was looking to lose weight I think that I would stay far away from the lapband as it is on its way out in my opinion. And it has caused nothing but problems for many people.

I would have the sleeve again in a heartbeat.