Has anyone started with a lap band and then converted to a sleeve? I have had the worst time with severe acid reflux with my band and have had to remove almost all the fluid. I am hungry all the time consequently. I have had all the X-rays and examinations and am told my band looks fine. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired so that isn't the problem.

I had band 6.08 removed due to slip 10.12 "converted to sleeve". I am now scheduled for gastric bypass dec 8th! I have gained all my weight back and have a new surgeon. He feels it is hard to do a good sleeve after band due to scar tissue.

So this will be your 3rd surgery? What caused the slip?

Yes, my 3rd! Not sure what caused slip. I was having other medical problems (though i had lupus) and i was taking medication that i thought was causing my stomach probs only to find out band had slipped. My original Dr had relocated so i was forced to see another. He converted to sleeve 10.12 and kept telling me it was going to take longer to lose weight cause of the scar tissue. I only lost about 20lbs. Now 2 yrs later i have successfully gained most of my weight back. I talked to a friend that had band removed due to a faulty piece and went to her surgeon. He felt bands left too much scar tissue to make a sleeve small enough. He sent me for upper GI and found that i have a stomach that looks more like a pear not a banana!

So when is your bypass surgery?

Dec 8th!

I went from band to sleeve. Only two weeks post op for the sleeve. Yes doctor explained that due to a lot of scaring from the band that the weight loss will be slower, but still very successful. It's still a tool at the end of the day and depends on how you use it. However, I realised that I just couldn't live with the band anymore with the side effects. My doctor that did the sleeve stopped doing bands 4 years ago due to the side effects and higher complications. He said that there is a big difference between quality of life and he no longer wanted to promote the band. I don't regret anything ????

Hope all is going well stantog! Hope ur recovery is going well!