Hello! This is my first post on this forum. I've been lurking here lately as I'm contemplating having a revision from Lapband to a sleeve. I've been banded since February of 2008. I lost about 115 pounds in about a year and a half. Then I got pregnant had a complete unfill and gained about 75 lbs. I've continued bouncing up and down the scale ever since. (Currently up. Very up.) I was unfilled for quite a while. I've tried getting back into the swing of things with the band, but have really not been able to make any progress that lasts. I lost 40 lbs, then gained it back, joined WW and lost about 25, gained it back and more. I'm on phentermine, which I'm not really sure if it's doing anything. I'm dangerously close to my pre-band weight and I'm just tired of the struggle.

I feel like I'm very different than many of the posters I've seen in this forum as I haven't had any complications with my Lapband. The only slight complication I've had is that my port has come detached on one side, but it hasn't flipped or given me any trouble with fills. I haven't regained many of the bothersome things I had before my band, but I know if I continue to gain weight I will get them back and more. Considering getting the sleeve done, actually gave me hope for the first time in a while that I can actually do this and that I don't have to be fat forever.

I've been looking into all the possible complications that can arise with the sleeve surgery. I want to go into this with both my eyes wide open. I was pretty sure I wanted the sleeve, now I'm waffling. I'm really not sure what to do at this point. I'd appreciate any help or advice.

Melissa

Melissa,

I was banded in July 2006 and did well with my band for the first couple years. Didn't reach goal, but was moving in the right direction. I did not have any complications with my band except that I got on a "too tight" roller coaster and even after I had the Fluid removed a couple years ago (I had a smaller band which held 4 cc), there were times, I would get food stuck and have to throw up. In September on a trip to Nevada, this happened with every meal. I decided at this point that I was tired of the band. I also wondered if something had happened with my band. So, I returned to my band doctor in Mexico and had the revision done on November 10. I had gotten close to gaining all of my weight back, but now I'm headed back in the right direction. My band ended up being fine, btw, when the dr. did the endoscopy and then the revision. But, I have not thrown up since my band has been out. The difference with the sleeve is that I'm just not as hungry or interested in food. I do see where old habits have me wanting to eat for other reasons, but the actual hunger is less. I also do not want to get into bad habits and stretch the sleeve.

Anyway, I'm still relatively new with the sleeve, but I am liking it thus far and feel like I'm going to hit my goal this year. I turn 50 next week and this is my year! At this point, I can say that I am VERY happy I had the revision!!! I guess, only you can make the decision for you. I also started doing different "diets" as I saw my weight climb back up, but with my stomach being so sensitive to fills, I didn't have any desire to try fills again. I was getting "stuck" with my band empty of all fluid!! So, no more fills and no more concerns about whether my band eroded, slipped, etc. It's GONE!!!! Hope this has helped you! Feel free to message me privately if you'd like, too!!

I had my band in June 2007. I had lost 60 pounds and kept it off but no where near goal. I knew that I could not keep the band in forever; I didn't have any complications other than the standard. I could eat chicken one day, not the next, I couldn't eat yogurt, fruit, most veggies or beef. I basically was living on slider foods.

After finding LBT I found my way to VST and 6 weeks later had my surgery in Mexico. The benefit of being banded is that you know what to do: eat slowly, small bites, measure foods, no drinking/eating, no to certain foods.

I can say that it has been easy for me: surgery was great no pain no gas. No vomiting, no sliming even though I am right now on a long plateau(2.5 weeks) at 16 weeks I had lost 63 pounds!! I am very happy with this as I am now 14 pounds away from goal!!

It is the best decision to have made. I have no worries now about this foreign band in my body and what could happen. I now have a $16,000.00 sovenier when it was removed. I love my tiny tummy and you will too!

Best Wishes!!