Greetings! I am curious about other band to sleeve stories. I hade my band put in 5 yrs ago and lost about 90 pounds (slowly) over 2.5 yrs. Then plateaued and started gaining (about 50pounds back on, bmi 40). After my friend had RNY 8 months ago and seeing her successfully lose 100 pounds I realized I need to try something else. I didn't even realize this was an option but I emailed my surgeons office (his preference in lap band) and asked if there were options. The question didn't receive a supportive answer, yet more of a lecture. They do not support having the band removed just because I haven't reached "desired results". I do have a consult with them next week but I'm considering changing medical groups and consulting with a different approved surgery center. In my research I have found that the surgeon I used for the band is a great band surgeon, but has only performed about 200 sleeves and will not perform the RNY unless you are over 400 pounds. I also found that he isn't board certified. There are other surgeons in my area that have performed the RNY and sleeve for many years and see, more supportive (over phone and email) about my inquiry to revise. Just ranting here.....any thought or commentary is welcomed! Thanks WLS community!

Cheers

I am having my lap band out next Friday and a revision to the gastric sleeve. I'm a Kaiser patient and it has been wonderful so far. Previously I was with one of those large heavily advertised lap band companies who basically deserted me once my surgery was over. Keep trying, many people have been denied only to win on appealing (even on the 4th) time. Good luck!

I am having my lap band out next Friday and a revision to the gastric sleeve. I'm a Kaiser patient and it has been wonderful so far. Previously I was with one of those large heavily advertised lap band companies who basically deserted me once my surgery was over. Keep trying, many people have been denied only to win on appealing (even on the 4th) time. Good luck!

Same here....no post op care. Rude! I am revising on 6/25 due to complications though

Good luck to you in your upcoming procedures. Please, keep me posted!

Two words: do it.

I had my "Revision" done in two steps (band removal in March, sleeved 2 weeks ago) because my doctor prefers that a patient's stomach heals before dissecting it - then again, I had a crap load of trauma done to my stomach after 2+ years of a horribly slipped band.

I am 3 months out from having a revision-from band to sleeve. The band never really achieved great results for me though it did keep my weight steady. In any event, so far so good. I wouldn't recommend you have the revision and the sleeve done at the same time. I did and it was a very big deal and I got very worried after surgery that there would be problems with scar tissue and the like. So, do it in two steps. The sleeve is different but the same in terms of the way it makes you feel if you eat too much. But, if you are careful you can eat pretty much anything you like but in very small amounts-which is different to the band because that restricts your ability to eat certain foods. I don't get hungry-at least I haven't so far-which is great. While I'm only 3 months in, I do think it is a better option to the band. You should go on line though and read about as many people's experiences as you can so as to get a feel for what it's like because there's no turning back. I have lost 20kgs so far which is much better than the band. The first 6 weeks are very tough though-you can only have water initially, then thin soups, then soft foods etc. Once you're through that, it's a matter of getting used to it all. So far so good. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I am 3 months out from having a revision-from band to sleeve. The band never really achieved great results for me though it did keep my weight steady. In any event' date=' so far so good. I wouldn't recommend you have the revision and the sleeve done at the same time. I did and it was a very big deal and I got very worried after surgery that there would be problems with scar tissue and the like. So, do it in two steps. The sleeve is different but the same in terms of the way it makes you feel if you eat too much. But, if you are careful you can eat pretty much anything you like but in very small amounts-which is different to the band because that restricts your ability to eat certain foods. I don't get hungry-at least I haven't so far-which is great. While I'm only 3 months in, I do think it is a better option to the band. You should go on line though and read about as many people's experiences as you can so as to get a feel for what it's like because there's no turning back. I have lost 20kgs so far which is much better than the band. The first 6 weeks are very tough though-you can only have Water initially, then thin soups, then soft foods etc. Once you're through that, it's a matter of getting used to it all. So far so good. Good luck with whatever you decide.[/quote']

I had my band removed yesterday, 6/20/13. My band was placed in 2006, at 265 lbs, 5' 3" tall. I achieved a 65 lb weight loss which I've maintained pretty effortlessly, although in retrospect, dysfunctional. In the last 6 months I developed reflux that awakened me at night so I went to a NEW bariatric surgeon at Baylor Weight Loss in Grapevine, TX. The goal there is to thoroughly examine the patient and provide healthcare solutions, not weight loss solutions - morbid obesity is a disease that needs a healthcare solution. I was immediately evaluated and sent out for an Upper GI which revealed and confirmed esophageal motility issues. This diagnosis required immediate removal of my band. Needless to say I was scared to lose my little dysfunctional friend. My doctor and his staff spent time with me and helped me understand through evaluation that I had developed some bad habits because the band wouldn't allow me to consume foods that were nutritious.

I requested gastric sleeve done during band removal but I was told that I would need to go to another physician because it wasn't safe for me to do both due to the motility issue and scar tissue. My NEW surgeon takes a very safe and conservative approach and only considers the long term goals and success for the patient. I totally trust my physician and will undergo gastric sleeve in September, but only after a normal EGD. The EGD will provide information to determine if the esophagus issues have been resolved. I feel confident that I have been healed. As I said above, At 200lbs, BMI 35.4, I had lap band removal yesterday and feel amazing. I had gotten used to the discomfort of it and didn't realize it.

Please be safe and approach this disease as you would any other disease by seeking good quality care - I am. Prayers and blessings over all of us as we go through this wonderful journey called life .

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and experience with me. A lot of you have hit so many nails on the head. I will proceed with caution and seek skilled surgeons and education. Thanks again!

I'm scheduled for band removal and sleeving at the same time on July 16th. My dr told me this was the PLAN. Plans may change once he gets in there, but so far I'm the perfect candidate for a revision at once. I'm praying he can do it at the same time cuz my insurance will only pay for the sleeve if my band has complications. Once my band is out (my bmi is only 28), they won't pay for any future surgeries unless my bmi is >35 + 1 comorbidity (hypertension). And I can't afford cash pay for the sleeve. I'm truly scared that I'm gunna wake up in the recovery room and they're gunna tell me "sorry but we couldn't do it".

My dr is Board Certified and is also a Center of Excellence (which is where I have to go for my insurance to pay. Even tho it's a 6 hr round trip) so I'm fairly confident that he's not out to do me harm or doesn't know what he's doing. If I were you, I'd go ahead and get another dr.If he's so pro band and anti everything else, he won't be much of a support system. My dr does all 3 surgeries (I think he even does the duodenal switch) with good results. His RN promotes all of them equally. Depends on your situation and preference. I'm not having the bypass done cuz I feel it's too extreme for someone who wants to lose 40 lbs. Actually, cutting out 85% of your stomach seems pretty extreme for that also, but I know unless I have a tool, I will go back to 250 lbs (I've already gained 30 since my slip). I was 9 lbs from my goal of 135 18 mths ago. I could taste it.

However, my NEW goal is now 130 (I still felt fat and looked fat at 144, so 9 lbs wouldn't have made that big of a difference) so I now have 40 lbs to lose. If I wake up and they tell me they couldn't do it, I guess I hafta suck it up and diet for the rest of my life. And I HATE dieting. Dieting is what got me to 250 lbs. I was an expert dieter.

Good luck to you!

Hey don't be thinking like that! It will go smoothly as planned. Think positive! Its more fun than being negative, unless of course we are talking about my ex husband!!!

I had a lap band for 10 years. I was initially successful losing 80lbs, but 2 years in, my band slipped and I went in for surgery to readjust it. During surgery the surgeon punctured my stomach and my band was removed so my stomach could heal. After a year of battling insurance, and gaining back all 80 I had lost, plus an additional 20, I finally self paid to have a second band placed. I never had the success with my 2nd band like I did with the first. I lost 60, then slowly but surely gained 40 back and by my 9 year mark, I was back at my original starting weight for my lap band. I spent the next year researching and planning and I had my revision done in one surgery on May 11th. I lost 30lbs pre-op after having my band emptied. I was able to eat the fresh fruits and vegetables I spent 10 years puking up everytime I tried. I have lost another 23lbs since surgery and cannot believe how much my life has changed. I am thankful for all that I learned with the band and think that my success/failure/success/failure with it put me in the position to really make the life change commitment that is making me successful with my sleeve. It's a whole different world from the band... an AMAZINGLY different world!!

I received word today, I've been approved for band to sleeve revision ! Pre-op testing to begin next week. This will be a 2 step procedure for me so band removal first. Very excited and anxious/ nervous at the same time. The process was quicker and smoother than anticipated....thankfully!

Are you in southern california too?

Yes, San Diego

I'm from San Diego too! I was banded in San Diego! Lived there until I was 22 and then moved to Phoenix when I got married. But I am back in San Diego at least once a month to visit family!! Actually leaving on Monday to go out there to visit my family for a week.

Kristina, who is your surgeon? Mine is Horgan of ucsd. Congrats on your success.