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Conversion from Lap-Band to VSG



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I had my Lap-Band done in April 2012 & at first, it seemed to work really well for me! I lost a total of 35 lbs. initially....then it seemed to stop working. I tried to change my diet, jump start & modify my exercise,....but I didn't get much success. After being "sick" (i.e., blockages, stomach aches, vomiting, ) the past 4-5 months, I decided to have my band removed & to have the VSG done in its place.

I am traveling back to Mexico to have my same surgeon do the conversion. I'm not really nervous because I know what to expect...I just have some issues w/ feeling like a failure because the weight didn't melt off of me! Probably just have some unrealistic expectations ~ LOL! I'm actually very excited about the VSG & am counting down the remaining 10 days until surgery like a kid waiting for Christmas :-D

I plan to read a lot of these Forums & see what others have done during their journeys ~

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Good luck to u. I had a band to sleeve revision (due to a slip) 10 mths ago. While I've not done as well as most on this board (basically I've lost the 30 lbs I gained during the year I tried conservatively to fix my slipped band by unfilling) but it's an amazing maintenance tool. Not even trying, I'm able to maintain my loss for months. Everyday (yep, I'm an "every dayer") I expect to gain a lb or 2 and everyday it's exactly the same.

I still have 10 lbs to goal and I will eventually get there. If I tried a little harder, I'm sure it would come off easily. I'm just happy maintaining in a size 8 for now.

Don't forget it's not magic. U hafta work it, just like u did the band. It's much easier than before wls, but it still isn't magic. So, so, so glad I had my revision. I used to vomit almost everyday. I've only vomited 2x in 10 mths - and it was difficult and unpleasant. To be avoided at all costs. My stomach doesn't hurt all the time and I can eat anything (including pancakes, which I couldn't with the band)

Again, good luck!

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I'm also in the process my surgery date is 6/18. I got my band in 2008 but after having my second son in Jan 2011 I have had so many issues any time we tightened the band. So my dr opened my band completely in Oct last year and I've put on 20 lbs. I finally said it's time for change and can't wait.

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Good luck w/ all the revisions!

I am 2 weeks, 2 days post-op & generally, feel pretty good!

Down 16 lbs. so far & just trying to remind myself to DRINK!!! LOL!

So glad I did it & looking forward to maintaining for life!

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Did any of you have to go through the 6 month doctor visits for your insurance and did it pay for the surgeries to be done at the same time.

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I did mine at the same time. My band slipped back in June and I waited over 2 months for my insurance to cover the revision surgery. Once they approved, I scheduled my surgery. Had it on the 11th with an overnight stay in the hospital. I am so glad it is all said and done!

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    • 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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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