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I am so glad to have found this board. It's nice to see so many people in the same boat as me. I really want the sleeve to work for me. I never thought I would resort to the sleeve. I was so sure the band would work. Here I am almost 3 years later and only 25 pounds lighter! I agree that the band was a big waste of money and time!

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I am so glad to have found this board. It's nice to see so many people in the same boat as me. I really want the sleeve to work for me. I never thought I would resort to the sleeve. I was so sure the band would work. Here I am almost 3 years later and only 25 pounds lighter! I agree that the band was a big waste of money and time!

I would never, EVER. EVER. gotten the lapband knowing what I know now. I do not feel as though I failed, I feel as though the Dr was not honest with me (unlike my Fill Dr here in the states who is not happy with the lapband only having a 60% success rate) and I wish I had known about the sleeve back then. However, things happen for a reason. I have lost the same weight so many times I am losing count

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I agree with you Lisa. Hind sight is always 20/20 and this band is no exception. The band failed me, I didn't fail the band. I was too tight over a year ago and have not been able to handle dense Protein or fibrous veggies or fruit since then with trying to find the "sweet spot". I can't wait to start this new part of my life with the sleeve.

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I am going from band to sleeve May 23 in Mexico. I first go the band in 2005 (self-pay) here in the states. I hate the band. Every morning I know I can not eat anything or drink anything but coffee for the first three hours of so that I am awake. Nothing goes down and I throw it up. Even yesterday I was at lunch with friends at 2:00pm and I could not eat grits. (I had to go and throw up grits and saliva) Yes I know that is gross but that is what I put up with every day. I have gained everything I lost back and then some more. I do not eat a lot I cant except for at night but I gain mainly due to what I drink. I start liquid diet May 4 and I am happy to be relieved that my journey to remove the band has started (It will seem really real then). I would tell anyone not to get the band. My joke is I can eat Cheetos but not raw vegetables.

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I am going from band to sleeve May 23 in Mexico. I first go the band in 2005 (self-pay) here in the states. I hate the band. Every morning I know I can not eat anything or drink anything but coffee for the first three hours of so that I am awake. Nothing goes down and I throw it up. Even yesterday I was at lunch with friends at 2:00pm and I could not eat grits. (I had to go and throw up grits and saliva) Yes I know that is gross but that is what I put up with every day. I have gained everything I lost back and then some more. I do not eat a lot I cant except for at night but I gain mainly due to what I drink. I start liquid diet May 4 and I am happy to be relieved that my journey to remove the band has started (It will seem really real then). I would tell anyone not to get the band. My joke is I can eat Cheetos but not raw vegetables.

This is my life story with the band! Lol

39 more days for me!!!

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Hi Shiela

In the same boat. Very glad I found this site. I'm scheduled for revision 4/24 and a friend asked me today why I'm still on the fence about having it done' date=' my answer...I don't want to fail again. The surgery itself doesn't scare me, the pre-and post surgery diets don't look like they are a lot of fun, but I can muddle through them. Pain doesn't scare me. The only thing I'm scared of is FAILING AGAIN.

My plan is to keep reading the encouraging words of wisdom from the people on this sight who have gone through it. And to prepare myself as much as I can for this next chapter of life.

Do what's best for you. For me the band was a waste of time, money and energy. Praying that the sleeve is a better tool for me.[/quote']

Good luck I have the same story , I'm in the same boat ,in the process of getting a sleeve after 4 years of a lapband nightmare . I wish I could get my sleeve soon , however I developed an ulcer from the band , therefore I have to treat that before getting the sleeve. You will do great with the sleeve my daughter got the sleeve 2 months ago already lost 50 pounds ,and was walking around the next day with no pain . You will be happy

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I think my insurance might not pay. How much is it in Mexico and how is everyone finding a doctor?

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I think my insurance might not pay. How much is it in Mexico and how is everyone finding a doctor?

Why wouldn't they pay ? What's the problem ?

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My insurance allows only 1 WLS surgery per lifetime. Plus you have to have a bmi of 40 or 35 with two co-morbidity risks. I have a lapband and my bmi is 36 with no co morbidity. I just had an EGD done and they said everything looks ok.

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I think my insurance might not pay. How much is it in Mexico and how is everyone finding a doctor?

I'm paying $5500 for my revision with Dr. Garcia

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My insurance allows only 1 WLS surgery per lifetime. Plus you have to have a bmi of 40 or 35 with two co-morbidity risks. I have a lapband and my bmi is 36 with no co morbidity. I just had an EGD done and they said everything looks ok.

I understand , here in NY , what people do is they change insurance companies in order to do another WLS . I had my lapband removed because I was always vomiting . If your BMI is 36 it's a clear indication the band has not worked for you , therefore you should discuss with your doctor to have it removed , and perhaps doing a sleeve at the same time. I couldn't get the sleeve when I had my band removed because I had an emergency removal.

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I understand , here in NY , what people do is they change insurance companies in order to do another WLS . I had my lapband removed because I was always vomiting . If your BMI is 36 it's a clear indication the band has not worked for you , therefore you should discuss with your doctor to have it removed , and perhaps doing a sleeve at the same time. I couldn't get the sleeve when I had my band removed because I had an emergency removal.

I wouldn't recommend Mexico ! I wouldn't let a doctor in a 3 world country touch me ! That's my opinion ! If anything goes wrong remember you are in Mexico not in the USA. In addition , I wouldn't even take a vacation to Mexico with all the crime in that country . However some people are just desperate for the surgery at a cheap price.

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I wouldn't recommend Mexico ! I wouldn't let a doctor in a 3 world country touch me ! That's my opinion ! If anything goes wrong remember you are in Mexico not in the USA. In addition ' date=' I wouldn't even take a vacation to Mexico with all the crime in that country . However some people are just desperate for the surgery at a cheap price.[/quote']

Have u been there?

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My insurance allows only 1 WLS surgery per lifetime. Plus you have to have a bmi of 40 or 35 with two co-morbidity risks. I have a lapband and my bmi is 36 with no co morbidity. I just had an EGD done and they said everything looks ok.

My insurance will cover the revision. However, my doctor won't even consider sending to my insurance since my bmi isn't over 40, it's 35 with no comorbities. I have gone to another dr same issue. So off to Mexico I go!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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