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low BMI trying to switch from band to sleeve

eileenrae

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eileenrae    0

eileenrae
Posted (edited)

I have a band that I've have had since 2009. I went from 258 to 150. I'm now back up to 186. My band is awful worst thing I could do I vomit all the time I'm so frustrated. Today my doctor asked if I would consider switching to a sleeve or bypass. My BMI is 30 so I'm not sure insurance will cover it. Peoples thoughts if they like the procedure would help a lot ( I cannot see what I'm typing it shows up when I post so I'm sorry for the errors)

Edited by eileenrae

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CanyonBaby    1,852

CanyonBaby
Posted

After hearing so many nightmare stories of the band, I never even considered it. I do not regret having the sleeve done, it has allowed my diabetes to go into remission (which is the number one reason I did this surgery). I suggest you use the search feature (in the upper right-hand corner of the page) to find answers for this; so many have contributed, and many are finding what is right for them this way. Good luck to you!

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ASLEEVE4ME2015    23

ASLEEVE4ME2015
Posted

I have a band that I've have had since 2009. I went from 258 to 150. I'm now back up to 186. My band is awful worst thing I could do I vomit all the time I'm so frustrated. Today my doctor asked if I would consider switching to a sleeve or bypass. My BMI is 30 so I'm not sure insurance will cover it. Peoples thoughts if they like the procedure would help a lot ( I cannot see what I'm typing it shows up when I post so I'm sorry for the errors)

. I'm in the pre-op stage of being SLEEVED. I've been BANDED twice. First in 2010 then again in 2014. The first band slipped twice so I replaced it instead of being SLEEVED because #1 I was afraid of being SLEEVED (although it was suggested) #2 I lost 100 lbs with the BAND & thought why would I switch. Now after a year & few months I'm having issues with tightness & gerd. I keep going up & down with the fills which is not good. My BMI is under 30 but my Insurance will pay because I'm having same symptoms as first time plus more & I cannot tolerate fills. So all ins & my Doctor requires is an EGD (my last one was 2010) also Labwork & EKG. My EGD is on April 30th. I exercise & still eat small portions & Protein Shakes everyday. My PCP & Bariatric Surgeon calls me their star patient, because I'm not giving up or giving in to old bad eating habits. Sooooooooooo that's my story & I've done lots of research on the SLEEVE & I know this is for me. I've also been to two support groups which wasn't asked or required. I felt that "I" needed to do that for me.

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ASLEEVE4ME2015    23

ASLEEVE4ME2015
Posted

I have a band that I've have had since 2009. I went from 258 to 150. I'm now back up to 186. My band is awful worst thing I could do I vomit all the time I'm so frustrated. Today my doctor asked if I would consider switching to a sleeve or bypass. My BMI is 30 so I'm not sure insurance will cover it. Peoples thoughts if they like the procedure would help a lot ( I cannot see what I'm typing it shows up when I post so I'm sorry for the errors)

. I'm in the pre-op stage of being SLEEVED. I've been BANDED twice. First in 2010 then again in 2014. The first band slipped twice so I replaced it instead of being SLEEVED because #1 I was afraid of being SLEEVED (although it was suggested) #2 I lost 100 lbs with the BAND & thought why would I switch. Now after a year & few months I'm having issues with tightness & gerd. I keep going up & down with the fills which is not good. My BMI is under 30 but my Insurance will pay because I'm having same symptoms as first time plus more & I cannot tolerate fills. So all ins & my Doctor requires is an EGD (my last one was 2010) also Labwork & EKG. My EGD is on April 30th. I exercise & still eat small portions & Protein shakes everyday. My PCP & Bariatric Surgeon calls me their star patient, because I'm not giving up or giving in to old bad eating habits. Sooooooooooo that's my story & I've done lots of research on the SLEEVE & I know this is for me. I've also been to two support groups which wasn't asked or required. I felt that "I" needed to do that for me.
. Oh yeah I started at 268 lbs in 2010 & today I am 169 lbs

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Tholt80    7

Tholt80
Posted

I had a revision on April 1st,2015 my BMI was 31 and the insurance approved the revision without problems.

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Tholt80    7

Tholt80
Posted

Im doing GREAT!!! Loving my sleeve :)

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Want2surf    22

Want2surf
Posted

I'm having a revision done on 5/4. I started at 230 lbs and got banded in Mexico in 2007. I dropped as low as 119 pounds because I threw up so much. I couldn't even get Water to go through much of the time. I had the band unfilled in 2010 and my weight bounced up and down between 120 and 170 depending on whether I let myself starve because I couldn't get healthy foods through the band or I gave up and ate crackers and cheetos and popcorn (which for some reason would go through the band).

My insurance (Kaiser) approved the revision to a sleeve because of the problems with the band. An upper GI showed it hadn't slipped but was too tight, even unfilled. I was afraid they would say no because I weighed 145 when I first started this revision process but they approved it. I actually gained 10 pounds during the Pre Op classes because I had to travel so far to get to the classes that my exercise program fell apart.

I'm glad to know I'm not alone here. I've been living with the band and the throwing up and the problems for so long. I looking forward to drinking Water, even if it's just little sips.

Document your problems and see a doctor. If you're having problems they might say yes to the revision.

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gomezk2    24

gomezk2
Posted

I went to a surgeon this past february 2015 for a second opinion. After getting EGD done it was discovered that my band had started to mildly slip down. Surgeon suggested a revision to sleeve or RNY. Insurance approved revision even though my BMI is at 28.4. Insurance stated that since band started to slip plus GERD is present they deemed it as medically necessary regardless of my BMI. I suggest to ask surgeon because I did come across one surgeon who would not do a revision because BMI is under 30..

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eileenrae    0

eileenrae
Posted

Its weird. When i was at my last apt with surgeon he suggested it, due to increasing problems with my lapband. I had an upper gi done today. When i called the surgical coordinator she said no surgeon would do it I was under 35. But what the heck I worked hard to lose this weight. I hope when I go back to see xray results Ill get more information.

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bewell    222

bewell
Posted

I am a lap-band revision to sleeve. I had a lot of problems with the band (slips and lots of constant pain) but never vomiting. The band just wasn't the best solution for me.

I am much happier with the sleeve. No pain and for me it's easier to eat right foods and just a little bit.

BUT I do vomit and have acid reflux with the sleeve. I probably vomit 1-2 times a week. Either from eating too fast or too much. Too much is just a few little bites too much. To fast, well I got too hungry and eat too fast. Also, I had a lot of trouble early on with the sleeve and vomiting. Even vomited brushing my teeth early on.

Even with this I love my sleeve. It is so much easier for me. The band was always a problem. With the sleeve I eat like a little bird. 3-4 small meals a day and a few Protein drinks. I am losing weight at a good pace, I haven't cheated and just a little Protein like 2 ounces of chicken or 1 egg and I'm full for hours. I NEVER had that with the band.

Best wishes on your journey.

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MsGal    104

MsGal
Posted

I also have a low BMI.... Dr. had no problem revising to sleeve (May 21, 2015...in 21 days). Actually he said he does so many of these due to the problems. He doesn't so the band anymore. Can't wait.

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bewell    222

bewell
Posted

My doc used to do band removal and then wait for healing and do sleeve. Now if at all possible he does the removal of the band and the sleeve in the same surgery. He said it seems easier on the patient then 2 surgeries and he can usually get the band out pretty fast. My surgery was 3 hours.

There is no way I was going to have it in two surgeries. I was only wiling for them to do their best to do the revision in one. And thankfully that is how it went.

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ASLEEVE4ME2015    23

ASLEEVE4ME2015
Posted

I had a revision on April 1st,2015 my BMI was 31 and the insurance approved the revision without problems.

how are you doing with the Sleeve?? I had my EGD yesterday & my Doctor said everything looked good & he will proceed with Band removable to SLEEVE. I will get my surgery date when I go see him on the 11th. WOOT!! WOOT! I feel like dancing. Yeah Boy!!!! Lol

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Tholt80    7

Tholt80
Posted

I had a revision on April 1st,2015 my BMI was 31 and the insurance approved the revision without problems.

how are you doing with the Sleeve?? I had my EGD yesterday & my Doctor said everything looked good & he will proceed with Band removable to SLEEVE. I will get my surgery date when I go see him on the 11th. WOOT!! WOOT! I feel like dancing. Yeah Boy!!!! Lol

I'm doing great, lost 29 lbs. I wish I had the sleeve first instead of the band!

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
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    • Doughgurl

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      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

        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

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    • Alisa_S

      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

        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!

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