Torn!

[PrettyLilButterfly 124]

Hello all ...

Brief history of me. Banded in 9/2011. Starting weight 239, current weight 173 (well teeter between 170-174). I'm proud to have almost lost 80 lbs in 14 months. However, the majority of that weight was lost prior to June of this year. I've pretty much been stuck since. I've had alot of issues with my band. Since September, I've thrown up almost daily. I don't bother attempting to eat before 1pm and 3-4 cups of hot liquids. I refuse to be like some banders and resort to pure liquids as a way of life. I am willing to sacrifice, but to me, that's just too much.

I went to see my doctor yesterday to have 1/2 CC removed from my band. I was tired of not being able to eat, and gaining weight because I resort to liquids. During my visit she looks through my file and all the issues I've had. My issues are just based around the amount of mucus in my body and that is preventing me from being able to eat. We've tried allergy shots, allergy meds (including claritin); i sleep with a humidifier.. I really don't know what else to try and she felt my pain. Well she looks at me with her cute smile and says "I just don't think the band is for you, we should consider removing it and going with the gastric sleeve" Umm what? We won't even go into how i only have about 2 weeks to decide, as I have to have the surgery by 12.31.2012 (surgeon will no longer be covered by my insurance). Oh and there's the little matter of the $2500 copay...

So I've been online nonstop since yesterday morning. My band website praises the band of course, this one focuses on the sleeve.. My whole issue with this (besides most of my stomach being tossed out of my body) is...what if researchers find issues with this in 2-3 years? The band was pushed and pushed rather than gastric. It's safe, it's effective..blah blah.. now it's an about face, get the sleeve it's more successful, better tool... blah blah. This is non reversible.. HUGE detail. I hate to be a skeptic, that's not how I live my life.. but damn it..another surgery? I'm a damn human pin cushion! 3 C-secitons, gall bladder removed, hysterectomy, lap band.. now sleeve?

I'm happy with the goals I've accomplished, I"m a few lbs shy of 80. I'm ok with that. I don't need to be smaller..or really desire to. Howeve, I refuse to gain weight.

I guess the point of this rant and rave is.. I really don't know what to do. I know I can't keep this damn band because it's causing too many issues (and I miss bananas and avocados !!). But is it wise to go with the sleeve? It's so new, not too many studies.. that caused me to lose sleep last night.. .

Yes, the band was worth what I've lost.. I love me..and now, it's hindering more than helping...

I've read some posts from here and read the positives of band to sleeve.. but please...are there negatives? HONESTLY do any of you regret it? What's the biggest challenge?

Thank you!!

[A Sleeve4me 26]

Hello, I just had the sleeve done and this Thursday makes 8 weeks.It was the BEST decision I have made..the weight comes off at a steadt pace about 2-3 pounds a week and I love it. U have to do what's best for u and thats be at a healthy weight. I didnt do it for vanity but for longevity of my knees and health.If them tossing out some of my stomach to avoid me putting food in it and gaining weight its worth it. Go for it!!

[PrettyLilButterfly 124]

Oh I agree about the health reason! you can't do this for vanity unless you have $12K set aside for skin removal! I'm just afraid a year down the road, they'll be issues with the sleeve.. There's always a better product, more inovated, safer...etc....but I have a week before I see the doc for a consult.

And may I ask how long you were out of work for it?

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

A little about me: lapband 2007 and really had no issues but couldn't eat alot of healthy foods, meats, some veggies, yogurt, eggs. I did lose weight but resorted to slider foods as easier to eat as you know you get tired of one day could eat chicken the next day you couldn't. Anyway I knew the lapband was not forever, at some point I would have to have it removed and like you did not want to gain weight back. So on LBT I found out about VST in July and the rest is history. I had my revision in Sept 10th and I could not be happier! Because I had learned rules with the lapband it has been an easy road so to speak: eating small bites, small amounts, small plates, no drinking and eating, waiting to drink after meals did all of this for 5 years. I have had no issues, no vomiting, no food intolerances so far. I have lost 43 pounds to date and can't be more thrilled!!

Would I do it again, absolutely!!

[DianaE 128]

so here is my opinion on this surgery. I have been struggling with weight issues for 30 years. I could lose it but it was always hard and then I would just gain it back. I blame that on a few things but one of the things was the size of my stomach. After overeating for years it was stretched out. It took abnormal serving sizes to get full. When I did diet it was painful, my tummy always begging for food. This surgery got rid of a big percentage of that. After some time passes, I will eventually have what I consider a normal stomach. Where normal serving sizes will satisfy me. My only regret is not being able to do it 20 years ago. I hope to be living somewhat a normal food life in a year or so thatnks to the sleeve.

[Kelly123 13]

I had my surgery on 9/26. I'm down 43lbs so far. I had no issues what so ever. Best decision I could have made. Not sure what issue would arise from this surgery down the road. So long as you eat healthy and follow the rules there really shouldnt be any problems. Gastric Bypass, I would avoid. Then you are looking at malabsorption and with that can come a host of issues. I say go for it!!! You will find the money. I did by using a credit card and by taking money out of my IRA. It's a small price to pay for the rest of my life!

[Lisa's Hope 421]

I had my sleeve surgery on May 21st of this year. On the 21st of this month I will be 6 months out. I've lost 82 pounds to date. I didn't want to go with the band because I didn't want to be vomiting all the time. I know to many people that had been through it and so I elected to go with the sleeve. I didn't want my intestines rerouted either as they do with gastric bypass. I know for me, it was the best decision. The sleeve I think is 8 years old and I've not heard anyone say they had problems further out. I have heard of complications in the beginning which can be really bad but as with any surgery that can happen. I know its new but to me it was the best surgery out of the three. I did see a post for a lady that is 3 years out and she hasn't gained back one pound. She seemed to be happy. I hope and pray that the longer we go the safer it is. I don't think the sleeve can be stretched like the gastric pouch and is much safer. Good luck to you on what ever you choose to do. I would think that this would be so much better for you because you would be able to eat and not be vomiting all of the time.

[A Sleeve4me 26]

I WAS OFF FOR FOUR WEEKS TO MAKE SURE I WAS HEALED REALLY GOOD..SOME GO BACK AS SOON AS TWO WEEKS. I HAD MINIMAL SORENESS AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN AS WELL. DON'T BE AFRAID. I WAS NERVOUS TOO.I THOUGHT ABOUT THE IRREVERSIBLE PART AS WELL AMONGST OTHER THINGS..BUT ALL IS WELL AND SO WILL WE BE:)

[missih30 27]

I am so excited......I got my surgical date today....December 21st!

[reshiapooh96 31]

I am so excited......I got my surgical date today....December 21st!

That's my Birthday! I was hoping to have a conversion soon, Due to insurance reasons, I have to wait until January before I'll know if they will pay for it. They will pay for bypass right now but that's not what I want :=(

[PrettyLilButterfly 124]

well it's been a ride! I went ahead and decided to go with the sleeve. I had my procedure on Dec 26th. While removing the band the doc had to repair a hernia. Later that day I fell in the hospital and it was later discovered I was bleeding internally. The doc went back in and repaired a torn spleen; I ended up in ICU until the 30th. I've been home since. I will be home until the 25th. its been a long road of recovery. I am still on soft foods. It would n't be so bad if i had taste buds! due to b eing under anesthesia twice , it will take up to a month for all the side effects to wear off. .

(taste buds being one)

So here we go.............the start of my sleeve journey.