I've had an adjustable gastric band for 20 yrs. it worked until I learned to eat around it. Now I'm back to the same weight.

I'm thinking about having it removed and at the same time getting the gastric sleeve.

So I would love to get some info from people that have had this opp for 5 yrs or more please.

There aren't a whole lot of them out there as the sleeve hasn't been widely offered as a stand-alone weight loss surgery for very long -- only really about the last four years or so. It's been around as the first stage of the DS as well as treatment for stomach cancer and ulcers for much longer -- but those folks aren't likely to be hanging around this particular forum!

I know cross-posting is frowned upon but if you don't get responses here you might try posting in the band-to-sleeve revision forum. You might also see if you can find a similar thread in the Veterans' forum, although I don't think you can post there. Good luck!

I had my sleeve done July 2010 so a bit over 4 years.

All is great – lost ~ 90 pounds and have keep it off… go up/down ~ 5 lbs.

There are no restrictions – life has been great since the surgery.

Any questions – feel free to ask

Lou

Lou, it sounds like you used your sleeve as we're taught we should -- as a tool to create over a period of time a new relationship with food.

You're now my VSG role model. Thanks for posting here.

band for 20 yrs it worked until.....

@@SnugglesAndSmooch

i'm 2.5 years PO

maintaining past 1.5 years

one happy camper

but............

oh, oh

i'm afraid if you've "learned to eat around it".......

Apparently you can eat around a band

definitely around the sleeve

the same thing might/will happen with any other WLS

"they" say you got to get some "emotional" stuff thats hanging around you dealt with

I don't /shouldn't/wouldn't give therapeutic (msp) advice here but..........

i do know many people/me have had therapy for various reasons including food issues

my therapist once told me.............

"1/2 the world sees a therapist, the other 1/2 SHOULD!"!!

take care

good luck with what ever you do

kathy

Edited July 29, 201412 yr by proudgrammy

There are a few long timers but most don't post here anymore. I revised from band 2.5 years ago after 10 years banded. I have had great success with sleeve...if you click on my profile you can see details.

Did u say 20 yrs with the band? Had no clue the band was even around 20 yrs ago. I thought it was fairly new also (at least 12 yrs).

I'm a band revision also. Only 1 yr out so there's nothing much I can add to the conversation. Good luck to u!

I was banded in Germany in 2001. It had been used for several years there by then so I believe there are a few from 20 years ago. There were also a few other procedures from the past like a mesh thing that was bad news...

Thanks heaps to all responses so far, it's been helpful.

Bands have been around for about 30 yrs that I know of. I was one of the first in Australia banded in 1994 with the new adjustable band. I had it tightened a few times but then I woke up choking on a build up of saliver. Very frightening. So for the last 18 yrs it's been "left loose" so this doesn't happen.

In short ......fundamentally useless.

Now I'd like to tackle this from another angle.

I would love to hear from anyone that has gained weight post opp.

You know the ones like me, that endulge in chocolate, chips/crisps, sweet biscuits, and let's not leave out the dairy lovers!!!

I need someone that's not afraid of giving me the yucky truth about " sleeve failures"!!

I'm hoping that there arnt any, but I have my doubts.

I'm thinking the "gastric bypass" will be the best option for me.

I will be speaking to the sergon tomorrow.

Please keep the responses coming.

You can fail to maintain a healthy weight after ANY WLS. I just found the sleeve to be a better tool and with no pain over the band. I also learned a few lessons along the way and surely have more to learn. Honestly just spending time reading posts , talking to people, go to real life support groups etc. I did that for awhile before taking the plunge to revise to the sleeve.