Thanks everyone for your support and help. I am just starting to figure out what to do. I have had my band almost 10 years and it is time to come out. I am scared of what damage they will find when they get there and I am trying to select a new Doctor. I looked locally at what my insurance company recommends as Centers of Excellence and I also see that there are some top hospitals outside of my region, such as The Cleveland Clinic. I am wondering if it will be worth it for peace of mind, to see if I can go to one of these more experienced hospitals for a revision? It would be a 1 hour plane ride and around $200 from Chicago or a $150 train ride for 5 hours each way. I would not want to drive it, that would be about 6 hours.

Am I being unreasonable or am I just reading too deeply into horror stories and assuming that I will have problems? Any recommendations for an excellent surgeon in the Chicago area...when I say excellent, I mean world renowned. I care less about personality than I do skills.

Please don't read to deeply in these "horror"

Stories and assume that you will have complications

Good luck

Laura

I have dr Cirangle and he is an excellent surgeon, he has many offices, but none in Chicago. I believe California and Hawaii. Many of his patients travel to have him do their surgeries, a lot of them from Canada as well.

You'll get your band removed and heal for atleast 3 months... Then get sleeved. This made me feel a lot better about a revision! I currently am in the same boat as you... Finding the perfect doctor and trying to let go of the "size of the bougie" fear though.

You'll get your band removed and heal for atleast 3 months... Then get sleeved. This made me feel a lot better about a revision! I currently am in the same boat as you... Finding the perfect doctor and trying to let go of the "size of the bougie" fear though.

Ok here you go!!

And here from just one post out of many!'

A 50 french bougie was used for creating my new tummy. I knew this before surgery, and yes...compared to a 32 or whatever a lot of people on here get, a 50 seems crazy! That being said, I was also told that the difference between a 32 bougie and my 50 bougie is minimal. It's like comparing a pen to a marker. I was also told that a larger bougie really helps to limit some of the complications that may arise post-surgery (strictures, throwing up, pain while eating). The restriction I feel is definitely enough to make me stop eating...so I don't worry about all this. I trust my surgeon, he knows what's best and what's been successful in his practice.

And here from just one post out of many!'

A 50 french bougie was used for creating my new tummy. I knew this before surgery' date=' and yes...compared to a 32 or whatever a lot of people on here get, a 50 seems crazy! That being said, I was also told that the difference between a 32 bougie and my 50 bougie is minimal. It's like comparing a pen to a marker. I was also told that a larger bougie really helps to limit some of the complications that may arise post-surgery (strictures, throwing up, pain while eating). The restriction I feel is definitely enough to make me stop eating...so I don't worry about all this. I trust my surgeon, he knows what's best and what's been successful in his practice.[/quote']

Busted. Yes. Lol I've seen that pic

I continue to wonder why surgeons choose to keep doing 32 if 50 is safer. Like my surgeons has reasons for the size of my band.

It's hard to choose when one surgeon I see says he does 40 and the other says he believes in 36. So I'm trying to make the right choice for myself.

Are you a revision? Or how far are you with your sleeve?

Thanks for posting the info, it is helpful and gives me lots to think about

Uggggh...more to worry about. I am really freaking out and need to get a grip. The more I think, the more my insides hurt (from my expired band).

No I'm just a sleever!

But go with the surgeon you feel good with, not the bougie size!!! It's like this new competition "my bougie is smaller than your bougie" hehehe.. The fact of the matter is if you eat slider foods (ice cream and such) it won't matter what size you have you will not be as successful!

Surgery 11-13- 12

Down 41 pounds including week of pre op diet

Uggggh...more to worry about. I am really freaking out and need to get a grip. The more I think' date=' the more my insides hurt (from my expired band).

[/quote']

Do not worry about the BOUGIE SIZE!!!

Isn't it all about the size? Lol

Only when it comes to men!! Shhh...don't tell

You'll get your band removed and heal for atleast 3 months... Then get sleeved. This made me feel a lot better about a revision! I currently am in the same boat as you... Finding the perfect doctor and trying to let go of the "size of the bougie" fear though.

Wow, my doctor is taking out the Band and doing the sleeve in the same surgery. I would be freaking out if I had to go that long between surgeries.

My revision is scheduled for the 14th and they told me I will need approximately 3 weeks for recovery.

I had my band for 5yrs, sick & miserable for 5yrs lol. Slips, dilations, you name it.

I was revised dec 10th 2012, they removed my band and sleeved me all at once. My band made it easy to remove, since all the sutures had broken and the damn thing decided to wrap around my esophagus.

I had esophageal spasms for 2 weeks because of it but I'm doing good now & feel so much better

Wow' date=' my doctor is taking out the Band and doing the sleeve in the same surgery. I would be freaking out if I had to go that long between surgeries.

My revision is scheduled for the 14th and they told me I will need approximately 3 weeks for recovery.[/quote']

This can be very risky. This is the reason my friend has "failed", her surgeon didn't let her upper stomach and scar tissue relax and heal.

It's saves money to do it all in one go but in my opinion is risked. If you haven't had Lapland complications it may be safer but my surgeon said its super rare.

This can be very risky. This is the reason my friend has "failed", her surgeon didn't let her upper stomach and scar tissue relax and heal.

It's saves money to do it all in one go but in my opinion is risked. If you haven't had Lapland complications it may be safer but my surgeon said its super rare.

I don't think it was the Dr but the insurance that dictated the same day. When I originally spoke to my Dr he had stated he usually did them separately. When I found out I was approved all in one surgery I called the Dr and was told it was not uncommon for the insurance company to approve it that way.