I've had the lapband for about ten years. The last few years it hasn't been working so I went to the doctor. He said my esophagus was dilated. I went to the gastroenterologist to see if this was going to cause long term problems. He did an upper GI and apparently my esophagus is the size of a stomach. He thinks the band is putting pressure on my vagus nerve and has fused my esophagus to paralyze. Has anyone had issues this extreme and had sucess with a sleeve revision? I'm concerned that my esophagus will just stay huge and store food.

I went from band to sleeve same day with not even an unfill. After 7 years of living tight with the band, my esophagus had also dilated so when you look at my xrays you see a nice size pouch on top of what is supposed to be my "sleeve." I was told this shouldn't impact my weight loss but I have never ever felt like a "sleeved" patient. I have no restriction and I've actually gained 9 lbs since my surgery 16 months ago I don't really feel like it stores food though, I don't ever have any reflux or heart burn which I did have before surgery almost daily so I guess that is one of the few positives that came from my revision. I also don't get stuck or throw up anymore but I'm more less fighting a battle without a tool and believe me it sucks! I'm 28lbs from my goal weight but that is only because of the success from my band and my own hard work and dedication to keeping it off, honestly the sleeve has never done one thing to assist in my weight loss.