1. Having to hang out in the handicapped stall at work pacing and praying that whatever I have just eaten will just go down or come up already.

2. #1 plus going back to my desk after ridding myself of whatever got stuck and then having to run back 3 minutes later because I apparently was on a roll

3. Eating steak one day, throwing up a Protein shake the next....

Anyone care to add?

I actually vomited at my desk. ON my desk because I didnt realize I was going to get sick. Thank God no one saw me. All of a sudden it was like the exorcist everywhere.

Wow, this is exactly what I've experienced with my band, but never heard from other bandsters! My doc made me feel like it was my fault as I held back tears in his office trying to explain how I hated my band. How I couldn't eat anything. I am scared for a revision because I know it will be permanent. I realize this topic is from a few weeks ago, but anyone willing to help meby giving me their experiences with the sleeve---I'd be so appreciative!!! Thank you!!!

Wow, this is exactly what I've experienced with my band, but never heard from other bandsters! My doc made me feel like it was my fault as I held back tears in his office trying to explain how I hated my band. How I couldn't eat anything. I am scared for a revision because I know it will be permanent. I realize this topic is from a few weeks ago, but anyone willing to help meby giving me their experiences with the sleeve---I'd be so appreciative!!! Thank you!!!

Hi B&R's Mom

I had my revision on 5/4/12 and so far it's going as expected. I got so frustrated with my band too. I had it for 9 years, but the last three were horrible and I basically had to live with it unfilled because of problems. I ended up gaining about 3/4 of the weight I had lost. The band doctor I was using basically told me the band wasn't going to work for me anymore because he couldn't fill it without causing reflux. By that time I had started researching alternatives (because I hated the thought of gaining all my weight back) and read a lot about the sleeve. I asked the doctor if he thought that was a good alternative, and he did, even though he didn't do the sleeve himself, so he referred me to someone else. I ended up not going thru that doctor and became a self pay.

Obviously all of us have to decide what is best for ourselves, but for me the sleeve seemed to be the right choice.

At first, I would say what you did, to my husband.... "but it's permanent" and he gave me the most eye opening answer...... he said, yes it is and that means no more fills, no more over fills, no more restrictions on the types of foods you can eat (I couldn't eat vegetables, salad, fruit, bread, pasta, rice, etc etc), no more chest pain, and you can keep the weight off. I decided that's what I wanted. Don't get me wrong, I was scared and worried, but I'm so glad I've had the revision. I've already lost 24 lbs and on my way to recovery.

My doctor in Cancun told me he cringes now when people ask for the band because research is shoiwing the band becomes ineffective after several years and people start having problems. I guess I'm a poster child for that. LOL

If you have any questions just let me know. I haven't been sleeved all that long, but glad to share what I have experienced so far.

I had my revision almost 2 weeks ago and I love it so far, even just being on full liquids. It's worth it just to get up and eat breakfast and not have to drink 60 oz of water first to make sure it goes down. I haven't had any problems with eating yet. I've gotten some sharp pains and then I know I've gone too far and stop eating. I'm still trying to re-learn my hunger signals but I can't remember the last time I went two weeks without throwing something up. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I had my revision almost 2 weeks ago and I love it so far, even just being on full liquids. It's worth it just to get up and eat Breakfast and not have to drink 60 oz of Water first to make sure it goes down. I haven't had any problems with eating yet. I've gotten some sharp pains and then I know I've gone too far and stop eating. I'm still trying to re-learn my hunger signals but I can't remember the last time I went two weeks without throwing something up. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Hi,

Were you able to have your revision the same time your surgeon removed your band??

Yup, all one surgery

BeaniesMom, there is a thread on the revision board called something like "are we jumping into this too soon". It is a great discussion with inputs from many people on exactly the topic of why people are making the leap to the sleeve.

In summary, for me, it is because I was out of options and I wanted to live a normal life instead of one with so much excess weight i cant do the things I love. We don't have all the long term data on the sleeve yet, and it is a bit of a gamble, but a calculated one.

i have gacked up with the sleeve I think twice in 5 months, lets just say that I probably averaged 2x a WEEK with the band during the era when it had any fill in it. Both times it happened I was just eating too fast.

With the sleeve I do not need to eat super slow, but I need to give time for my head to catch up to my stomach's signals of "enough" and few times I wasn't successful at that.

I do not have problems with specific foods with the sleeve, but I don't tolerate spicy food as well and honestly my TASTE BUDS have changed. I can't explain that one, but some foods I just can't stand the taste of now and nothing tastes as good as I remember it. It is a little sad, but I also consider it a huge benefit - things that used to make my mouth Water at just the thought are now kinda "ho hum". What a relief!