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Band to sleeve in one procedure



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I'm curious - because I was banded in 2009 and haven't had much success (about 25 lbs lost) - is this the reason most are going from band to sleeve? Or does there have to be a band malfunction of some sort for insurance to cover this?

I just found out that I will have to have my gallbladder out. I'm going to the doctor next week to discuss the ultrasound they did. I'm thinking I might talk to him about revision surgery. But if there has to be a band slip or something of that nature I guess I wouldn't be covered :-/

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I also need my gallbladder out and want the revision at the same time.I hope it can be done.Has anyone had all this surgery done in one surgery?If so how was the recovery for you?

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I was banded in 2011 with a revision in 2013. I needed another revision in 2015 and that was when my surgeon suggested the sleeve. I was sleeved February 11 and have lost more weight with the sleeve and a lot faster. This, so far, has been so much better than the band. Good luck!

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I had band to sleeve revision on Monday (4/6). All went well - repaired hiatal hernia & had quite a bit of scar tissue. With band but Dr was able to complete all in one procedure. Given that I'm about 48 hours of surgery, I'm doing really well. My insurance covered the revision-Aetna.

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I saw my doctor last week and discussed revision from band to sleeve along with gallbladder and he said they could do that. Checking with my insurance now to see if the band removal and sleeve would be covered. I should know this week. If it's covered then I will start their program right away - which lasts 4-6 weeks. I assume it's what new patients have to go through? Would be required by insurance I guess.

I guess if the insurance won't cover it I will just have to get my gallbladder out and make the best of it.

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Hi i was banded in 2005. Had removal of band and sleeve on performed on 3/24/2014. I was told I had no issues with the band that would affect sleeve, if so, i would have to have to surgeries. However, I wasn't able to be discharged same day due to internal bleeding. they were unable to locate the source of bleeding. I am not sure if this was the source of the problem or not. the band never worked for me, yes, i lost 100 pounds, but it was because I couldn't eat anything with it and when it was unfilled, I still had pain when swallowing. I hated the thing, but hope it works for others if they want it/have it. This is my third week post op and although I lost 24 lbs, I'm not sure what to say as I feel a little tired after eating the small amount I am supposed to. I told me np, but she says stay on Protein shakes another week. From other posts I've read, they say this feeling is due to not getting enough nourishment. I know one thing, I thought I was not supposed to be hungry with this thing and I feel hungry. Before I got it, every patient i ran into in the dr office was so happy and not hungry, which removed my fear from all i saw on youtube. I was super frightened to get the sleeve until I met these people. But I am hungry.

I would say to you, just make sure everything i ok where the band was sitting and there are no other issues before moving forward.

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Hi, I was banded in 2010, initially lost about 50 lbs. but constantly getting things, including liquids, stuck. It eventually caused dehydration which led to very low blood pressures to the point that I couldn't sit up in bed without passing out. I had the band deflated, and regained nearly all the weight back. I am scheduled for a single procedure on June 8th for revision to the sleeve. I would like to hear someone's day by day experiences / feelings over the first week post op.

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I was revised in 1 procedure and he said I had a ton of scar tissue. I was banded in 2008. mThe surgery took over 3 hrs instead of 1.5. One of the scrub techs was actually a friend of mine and she said they have never seen so much scar tissue. They had to switch out midway between the procedure to give a break. I kind of wish they would have recorded it because I would have loved to seen it. Weird I know but I work in the health care field.

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I was banded in 2010 lost 50 lbs. Regained 15, but could not take fills and vomitied after every meal.

My surgeon had left the area so I dealt with it. Summer of 2014 I had had enough. Met with a surgeon, he ran tests and took information and suggested the band come out. Scared I did not want to gain back the 35 I had lost.

He said I just qualified for the sleeve (BMI 40). I started procedure and finished all and scheduled surgery for 10/6/2014.

I was lucky my insurance did not require any long period and I am very anal when I make up my mind to do something.

I started at 219 day of surgery 201 present 149. I stayed over night in hospital one night only. Was very fortunated, minimal complications. I was back to work in 8 days, 10 for my 2nd day. Have walked one mile every day since 10/15/14

missing only 3 days. Best desicion I have ever made. It is not easy, but worth it all. I started at 255 in 2009 size 26 3xl

mow size 12/M.

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Found out I would have to go through a 6 week program and pay out around $300+ and then MAYBE my insurance would cover the revision surgery from band to sleeve. So I'm still on the fence about what I will do. I'm trying to buy a house and save money and then I'll have to move in October, so spending that kind of money right now isn't really ideal for me so I thought I might wait until next year as long as the gallbladder doesn't give me any more fits.

I did get another fill in my band. I have more trouble with more foods now, but I'm losing weight, so I'm reluctant to say anything. I go back in a couple weeks anyway. I can eat solid foods, but not a lot and if I'm not careful it's painful I think when it's hitting the band and trying to pass through, but it is only a short burst of sharp pain. I just have to remember to be careful. This is the best I've done - as far as losing weight - with the band since the first week post op.

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I'm curious - because I was banded in 2009 and haven't had much success (about 25 lbs lost) - is this the reason most are going from band to sleeve? Or does there have to be a band malfunction of some sort for insurance to cover this?

I just found out that I will have to have my gallbladder out. I'm going to the doctor next week to discuss the ultrasound they did. I'm thinking I might talk to him about revision surgery. But if there has to be a band slip or something of that nature I guess I wouldn't be covered :-/

I've only lost 30lbs with the band and have had nothing but problems for 3 years. I'm hoping to be approved for revision to VSG soon. Good luck to you☺️

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I'm scheduled to have my band removed and sleeve surgery on June 12th. I was banded July 2009.

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I'm scheduled to have my band removed and sleeve surgery on June 12th. I was banded July 2009.

I was Band removal & Sleeved same day. 5/27/15. Ins UNHC/OXFORD wouldn't pay at one hospital & my Surgeon made them qualify me to another hospital. I'm in the healing process but thanking God that part is over. Good luck

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • 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
      1. This update has no replies.
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