I was banded 3 years ago and lost around 43 lbs, (dress size 22 to 14) then the band started to act up. I had it deflated a few times and never could find the right spot. The band if now 1/2 filled and I still have problems. I on occasion regurg, but I just stay on thinner stuff. The heartburn and reflux is horrible, had none before banding. I use to be the healthy fat person, now I'm still 25+ and live horribly. I went to my primary Dr who said get it out, saw a GI dr who wants an endoscopy on Monday he says get it out and revise to sleeve. I see the surgeon Thursday.

So my big questions are: how different is post op sleeve from band ( the first year I had the band I had no problems ). Will I loose the 25 lbs with a sleeve. Hopefully my insurance co will pay.

Read through this forum and there are literally hundreds of posts on this topic.

I had the band 10 years but the sleeve just 15 months.

My hunger is definately returning now, but I have obvioiusly been very successful with the sleeve and I never got under 200# with the band plus immediately had issues whenever I was filled - constant reflux etc. I had to have all the Fluid removed about 2-3 years after band implant and so regained what little I lost and then some.

I'm only 4 months post-op, but I can say I'm so much happier and safer with the sleeve. I'm losing, just not break neck speeds, BUT IM LOSING and that's what matters and I'm learning to eat healthy. I never learned anything with the band other than to eat, puke, lose weight, eat, puke eventually die.. Etc. NOT A GOOD WAY!

I love the new healthy me and my sleeve

Hey! I'll be a revision too on May 16! Doc did I have esophogitis from band which could turn into cancer if not addressed. Looking forward to getting my sleeve!

I had my band removed (Thank GOD!) and was sleeved April 2. I literally had no success w/ the band. After losing the first 28 lbs and then regaining it all back, I had stayed at the same weight since I got the band in Oct. 2009. So, it's now 11 days VSG post op, and I'm down 14 lbs. I've "recovered" remarkably well, but am dealing more with the emotional issues. Taking it one day at a time!

I had my band removed (Thank GOD!) and was sleeved April 2. I literally had no success w/ the band. After losing the first 28 lbs and then regaining it all back' date=' I had stayed at the same weight since I got the band in Oct. 2009. So, it's now 11 days VSG post op, and I'm down 14 lbs. I've "recovered" remarkably well, but am dealing more with the emotional issues. Taking it one day at a time![/quote']

How is your recovery I revise on may 2 and am wondering how I feel compared to lapband post op. My bmi is 34 8

I had my band removed (Thank GOD!) and was sleeved April 2. I literally had no success w/ the band. After losing the first 28 lbs and then regaining it all back' date=' I had stayed at the same weight since I got the band in Oct. 2009. So, it's now 11 days VSG post op, and I'm down 14 lbs. I've "recovered" remarkably well, but am dealing more with the emotional issues. Taking it one day at a time![/quote']

Did you have your band unfilled prior to your revision?

Did you have your band unfilled prior to your revision?

stefani - I had my lapband completely unfilled today. All 3.3cc removed from the 4.0cc band in preparation for next month. Sadly, as usual, I had zip for restriction. it is weird because even with a little bit of fill I always had this feeling of a clenched fist in my throat...that has been gone for four hours now. Strange.

I am just wondering what the average amount of adhesions there really are on anyone who has had a band removed.

Not the 'problem' bands, but bands like what we have had. No issues, no slips, etc.

I had my band for 6 years and converted to the sleeve 3/27. The band was removed and the sleeve done all in one day. I didn't have any band issues, no slips or anything, just chronic gastritis which really didn't bother me. I initially lost 45 pounds with the band but gained it all back plus more.

When I converted, post op I had a lot of swelling, which the dr had warned me there could be some complications before hand, and it wound up that I couldn't swallow anything, it even my own saliva. So two days post op went back to or to fix the problem. That's when the swelling was found and because of it my stomach had pushed up through my diaphragm completely cutting off the opening. In the first surgery he had over stitched the staple line to try to prevent the chance of a leak so he had to remove those sutures, put in a bigger bougie, and then he re-stitched not so tightly. He also found a portion of my stomach that had ballooned out somewhere above where the Lapband had been and had to remove that.

Needless to say, I was so relieved when I came out and could swallow!

There are lots of people on here who converted in one day with no issues. I just wanted to let you know that sometimes complications do occur, which is why some drs won't convert all in one day.

stefani - I had my lapband completely unfilled today. All 3.3cc removed from the 4.0cc band in preparation for next month. Sadly' date=' as usual, I had zip for restriction. it is weird because even with a little bit of fill I always had this feeling of a clenched fist in my throat...that has been gone for four hours now. Strange.

I am just wondering what the average amount of adhesions there really are on anyone who has had a band removed.

Not the 'problem' bands, but bands like what we have had. No issues, no slips, etc.[/quote']

I would be interested in knowing that as well. I'm planning to have mine unfilled by the end of the month. Hopefully I can keep myself from gaining too much in the mean time. I have 5.9cc in 10cc band.

I would be interested in knowing that as well. I'm planning to have mine unfilled by the end of the month. Hopefully I can keep myself from gaining too much in the mean time. I have 5.9cc in 10cc band.

Me too I've been doing weight watchers since unfilled no slip just reflux surgery may 2

Seems like more people have trouble with the band than success.