My name is Natalee from Birmingham, Al. I was banded May 2008 and lost almost 100 lbs within a year and a half! Everything was fine but then lost my insurance and was unable to have a fill for 2 1/2 years! But during that time due to family stress gained 80lbs back!

Recently I went to a doc in the box because I was constantly nauseous and sick. Doc said it could be related to my band but I told her it couldn't be! Sure enough, went to Dr. Touliatos at Trinity Medical Center in Birmingham and the band had started to erode!! So he said it had to come out and he recommended have the sleeve at the same time since I'm still morbidly obese. Within a week the insurance had approved the surgery and I'm getting sleeved on August 17!! I'm nervous of course but ready to have this horrible band taken out!!!

Starting the Pre-Op diet tomorrow and counting down the days!!

Sounds like you are doing great!

Hi everyone I did great with my surgery. It only took 1.5 hours for the whole procedure no problems with scar tissue after having my band 10 years to God be the glory.

That is so awesome for you... I had the band for 2.5 years and had a lot of scar tissue along with a kink... in the esophagus... ugh!!! But, I am sleeved now and doing wonderful as well......

Ok so the other day I weighed myself at Walmart. I weighed 238.....22 lbs down from August 17th. Well I decided to buy a scale today. Got home and weighed 230!! That's 30lbs down in 10 days!!! Geez!!! My hubby says its from my stomach being removed! Lol!

But I've been throwing up a lot lately. I just can't tell when I've eaten too much. And the acid reflux is killing me!!! So I'm gonna stick back to liquids for a couple of days, that stays down.

That's incredible. Hope the vomiting gets better though. That's not fun. Don't push too fast. You've got your entire life to get back to solids.

I am having my band removed on 9/5 I have had it for two years now, and have had nothing but bad luck. I am patiently waiting for my insurance to approve the sleeve!! Since my band removal was approved in one week, I am in high hopes that it will be approved!!!! Good luck to everyone on your journey!

I had my band about the same time that you did lost 70 pounds and had to have mine taken out

I am being sleeved on Wednesday really kind of scared afraid it's going to be very painful although I hear it's worth it afterwards

Do you have any advice

Good luck and hope all goes well. I will not be sleeved till .Aug 29th. I am on 2nd day of 1st phase of pre-op. 2wks of low carbs high Protein and 3rd week will be a liquid diet. Please keep me posted of your progress.

I am being sleeved on the 29th also are you excited or are you scared I'm getting the little nervous and panicky

I am being sleeved on the 29th also are you excited or are you scared I'm getting the little nervous and panicky

I finally was cleared to continue to have surgery on Wed. I am a little scared of the unknown the pain, nausea, vomiting... Buyers remorse....All I can do is pray and Leave it in Gods hands. Tomorrow I go for my pre-op appts. I start at 8:30 and my last appt is at 2:00.... Keep me posted when you can.. I will try and do the same..

Yes everything is going down good!

I am finally getting sleeved on Wed. Hope you are doing well....