Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Banded in 2001. Questions about converting to Sleeve. Scared.



Recommended Posts

I'm new here I got banded in 2011 I'm 5ft & my weight was 199lbs. I had a lot of difficulties, throwing up, spitting up etc. my weight got down to 126lbs. I had band removed a year ago this June. My weight has came back to 188lbs. I have my revision surgery for sleeve 10-07-2015. I am scared we are paying cash, I'm worried about losing too much weight & im worried about leakage from the staples. I'm just scared. I'm back on blood pressure medicine & cholesterol medicine & I feel terrible, no energy. I want the weight off, but I don't want to look sick. My surgeon said he wouldn't do the kind of sleeve on me that would make me lose 100lbs. Is it stupid to ask has anyone lost to much weight? I want to lose 60lbs but I'm scared I will keep losing. My surgeon said since I had the band for 3 years the sleeve will just take the place of the band & I won't lose 100lbs. I guess I'm just worried I will not have any control if the weight starts falling off & I can't stop it. I hope I don't sound ridiculous ????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm new here I got banded in 2011 I'm 5ft & my weight was 199lbs. I had a lot of difficulties, throwing up, spitting up etc. my weight got down to 126lbs. I had band removed a year ago this June. My weight has came back to 188lbs. I have my revision surgery for sleeve 10-07-2015. I am scared we are paying cash, I'm worried about losing too much weight & im worried about leakage from the staples. I'm just scared. I'm back on blood pressure medicine & cholesterol medicine & I feel terrible, no energy. I want the weight off, but I don't want to look sick. My surgeon said he wouldn't do the kind of sleeve on me that would make me lose 100lbs. Is it stupid to ask has anyone lost to much weight? I want to lose 60lbs but I'm scared I will keep losing. My surgeon said since I had the band for 3 years the sleeve will just take the place of the band & I won't lose 100lbs. I guess I'm just worried I will not have any control if the weight starts falling off & I can't stop it. I hope I don't sound ridiculous ????

I understand all your fears except losing too much weight. That is extremely rare. You would be lucky at your bmi to lose 60lbs.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Halfagain our stories are the same! Banded in 2001...removed Sept 2011...sleeved Dec 2011. Been at goal for awhile. Revision was the BEST decision ever.

My port area was very sore and then weird for weeks. I got a little depressed after band was out... maybe the sense of failure? Anyway here I am years later with no regrets about my revision.

Thank you Cowgirl Jane. I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I'm glad you are happy with the revision!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got my band in 2007 at my highest weight of 249 (self-pay was $17K in Ft. Lauderdale). I got down to 205 the first month, then developed a terrible cough. They totally unfilled the band and put me on Nexium, and I gradually gained back to 245. I never lost the cough, and I recently went in for an EGD and was told I have polyps in my stomach from the Nexium. My insurance has approved a revision and my surgery is scheduled for October 19th. I'm pretty nervous, and this board has really helped me. I am really scared that this won't work either. I have researched as much as I can, joined a gym, and I'm trying to stay positive, but even my family is asking why I think this will work when the band didn't.

Best of luck to you all, and thank you all for your posts.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What kind of bags? I was sleeved in 2011 and have never worn a bag of any type...

My experience was I had problem vomiting with the band, but I have only vomited a few times with the sleeve - and it all happened within the first 3-4 months and was always caused by eating too fast.

However, the first 1-3 months post surgery were tough in terms of getting Water in, getting used to eating small, getting used to solid food again, etc etc.

3 of my coworkers have sleeves and I do know for them it was horrible. Out 3 weeks and had to wear bags.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a revision from band to sleeve on 9/3/15. I would strongly recommend anyone who has had the band for 6 to 8 years to have it removed. There life span is not lifetime as I was initially told. Scaring is a major problem with the band.

I will admit I had more problems with the sleeve than with the band but I attribute that to the problems the surgeon encountered. I had everything done in one surgery. Band removed, scar tissue removed, large hiatal hernia repair and sleeve.

Most surgeons are reluctant to do band surgery anymore. Most insurance will cover revisions to sleeve as a medical necessity, mine did. I have lost 37 pounds and am back to normal food. The main difference between the band and sleeve, for me, is gas with the sleeve. Initially the sleeve caused a lot of saliva reflux but that stopped after a month.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would never do anymore weight loss surgeries. I am so excited to eat and drink together. To not feel thrown off with that foreign object I'm 5'8 180. I have a dietician and things are great. I will be at 155 in no time. Don't do it. They will discover 10 tears from now at the things they don't know or won't tell u. I absolutely regret the band.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded in 2010 and was sleeved on 9/29th. My band just stopped working. I had an upper GI test to reveal nothing was wrong but I knew it was because I was eating way toooooooo much. I am looking forward to the no more fills, vomiting etc. Of course I had scar tissue but the main thing the band was not eroded and I was able to have one surgery.

I am on full liquids and sooooo looking forward to pureed foods :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I never did the band. I had my sleave performed almost three years ago. Had it done right before Thanksgiving and I had to cook to Thanksgiving dinners. Ugh! I digress, I've never had GERD. But I did throw up a lot. My fault, not the sleeves. I had two really bad habits. I ate to fast. I didn't chew enough. Once I got them under control everything has been smooth sailing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well I did it! After 14 years with the band almost to the day, I had the band removed, a hernia repaired, and the sleeve on October 1st. The first few days were rough due to pain but today I am two weeks out, back at work, and feeling pretty good. I am still on full liquids and start pureed foods tomorrow. I am glad to have the revision behind me and look forward to life with the sleeve :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congrats!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations! I'm not far behind you. I was banded 12/2001 and had the band removed last month. I have sleeve surgery in December. I hope you will share your progress along the way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • 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.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×