Hi everyone. I've been hanging around for awhile and I thought that I would finally join. I just saw my surgeon on Monday and I am starting the process to have my band removed and convert to a sleeve but I'm so scared. I have had my band since November 2011. I actually weigh almost 10 lbs more than the day of my surgery. We have never been able to get my band adjusted. I'm just really scared of the surgery.

Thanks for listening

I'm a revision and things have been absolutely wonderful!

Welcome disneymomma! This site has helped me to make all my decisions.... Sleeve instead of band, traveling to Mexico since I was denied my insurance, and picking out my wonderful doctor! Good luck on your journey!!!

I was scared to have my surgery too, but I did a lot of reading about it, read through lots of posts on this website and made a list on paper of pros and cons of having this surgery. I'm so glad i did. I knew I would lose weight, but I never quite knew what to expect. It is such a good feeling to buy clothes anywhere now (not Lane Bryant) and to be able to run, lots of activity and energy without pain now. I would definitely without a doubt do it all over again!!!

I'm 8 months out now and can pretty much eat anything I want. I still try to eat healthy because I didn't go through all of this to regain again in the future. I'm still trying to learn and stick with healthy eating habits for life. I can still only eat very small portions though, and that's a good thing!

i read through the posts on what to take to the hospital, and I walked often from the very first night. I took GasX strips with me to the hospital, and they took my catheter out right after surgery so every time I had to pee, I got up and went to the bathroom. I think all of that moving helped with gas pain (and the dilaudid IV pump) so I didn't really have a whole lot of pain, more of some discomfort. liquid tylenol at home helped too.

Good luck on going through the process. I know it takes awhile, but it's good because it's such a mental adjustment for all of the changes you will go through.

I had my revision surgery on 1/14 and feel it's the best decision I have made.....no regrets. The band was nothing but one problem after another. Good luck.

Actually I think I had more pain after my band surgery them my sleeve ( my husband agrees). I was weaker longer, with this surgery but that had to do with band complications, not sleeve complications. ( My stomach had prolapsed and was adhered to my liver). 5 weeks out I am feeling good, just having problems with the dreaded 3 week stall!!!!!

Good luck with your decision.

I have done a ton of research. I don't know what I a scared of. I think it's of failing since the band has been awful since I got it. I have 4 children and I think I'm scared of the what ifs. I reacted awful to anesthesia, I always have. Thanks everyone for your encouraging words

My wife, three neighbors with LapBands and this forum helped me make the decision to get the sleeve. My because for three decades she has seen me yo-yo diet and lose 50-100 several times. Only to gain the weight back plus more and she wanted me to succeed this time. The forum because of all the support and counsel I received when I was battling it out with Aetna for 18 months to get approved. Finally I have four neighbors with the LapBand, one is doing ok, but the other three have had serious complications, and weight gain. Think of this as my wife describes it as a more get it and forget it operation because I wouldn't have to go in constantly for fills. In addition, the complication has been rising and success rate plummeting. My doctor is doing less new LapBands and taking out many as he does sleeves. Yes, it is a bit more dramatic but your chances for success are greater. Good luck to you.

My band was awful too. I love my sleeve. Would do it all over again. You will not regret it!