Hi!

I've been banded since 2009. I know there are many threads about band to sleeve, but I specifically would like to know: Those who switched from band to sleeve; what is the main difference you noticed as far as your eating habits (ability to eat, how much you could eat, how you tell you have eaten enough, etc) without the band giving you a "hard stop"? Do you feel just as or more successful? Do you think it's easier to over eat with the sleeve?

I'll have to have my gallbladder out - and am considering having revision to the sleeve at the same time. I discussed with my surgeon and he said yes he could do both at once. I keep going back and forth about doing it. I'm back to feeling like I should just go ahead and do it. Ever since my band was too tight like 2 months ago and I had to have Fluid taken out I haven't felt very good. I got it re-filled with 1cc then 4.5 weeks later I got one more cc. That last one was about 3 or so weeks ago. It's so weird - sometimes I feel like I can eat way more than I should be able to - I have about 8.7cc in there now...maybe a tad more - and other times I can't keep anything down. I started having reflux again and went to liquids for a few days. It went away. Now it's back this morning and I haven't even had any solid food. I made a Protein shake for Breakfast and was only able to drink about half of it. I took all my medication, but it hurt (I guess I went to fast, I try to wait a few minutes between pills, but was running late today).

I am starting to feel like I'd be better off having the band taken out and switching to the sleeve. Through all this annoyance of the last 3 or so weeks I haven't even lost any weight. Go figure. Since the symptoms for being too tight and a band slip are about the same I'm not sure what to think any more. I'm sure I probably do not have a slip but I'm kind of paranoid about it anyway. I know if I call the nurse at my surgeon's office she'll have me come in and get an un-fill. At which point I guess I'll just start whatever process I need to start to do the revision. It's quite scary to me. The only surgery I've ever had was the band surgery. And of course the anesthesia made me sick after they had to wake me up from it (I take after my dad in that respect lol).

Thanks for listening to my little story. I'm sure it's very familiar.

Just one question, how did you find a trainer, who take medical insurance?

BCBS a program for their members.

Thank you

Well, my band was removed after almost exactly 4 years and 120 lbs weight loss. Since the insurance did not cover the conversion I decided to do just the removal.

I had the surgery last Wednesday around 8 am and was back home around 1 pm. I only ate some Soup that day and a few chips. It was an amazing feeling being able to actually eat a cup of soup and having it go down without having to vomit it all out again.

The next day I already ate some solids. The third day a regular Breakfast and lunch. Amazing.

My stomach and belly were pretty sore for the first 3 days, especially when sitting down, getting up and eating. I also had a lot of issues using the restroom (urinary and bowel retention are very common after anesthesia) but it is getting back to almost normal.

I realize I will probably gain some weight back but I will try to keep it to 10-15 lbs. I plan on continuing eating only half portions in restaurants and no more than 6-8 oz at home. Hopefully my willpower will be enough. I definitely do not want to get anywhere close to my old weight.

I will keep you updated.

Well, my band was removed after almost exactly 4 years and 120 lbs weight loss. Since the insurance did not cover the conversion I decided to do just the removal.

I had the surgery last Wednesday around 8 am and was back home around 1 pm. I only ate some soup that day and a few chips. It was an amazing feeling being able to actually eat a cup of soup and having it go down without having to vomit it all out again.

The next day I already ate some solids. The third day a regular breakfast and lunch. Amazing.

My stomach and belly were pretty sore for the first 3 days, especially when sitting down, getting up and eating. I also had a lot of issues using the restroom (urinary and bowel retention are very common after anesthesia) but it is getting back to almost normal.

I realize I will probably gain some weight back but I will try to keep it to 10-15 lbs. I plan on continuing eating only half portions in restaurants and no more than 6-8 oz at home. Hopefully my willpower will be enough. I definitely do not want to get anywhere close to my old weight.

I will keep you updated.

It have gained 5 or 6 pounds in the last 2 weeks but that is o.k.

I is just so much joy being able to eat real food again after years of misery. I realize I will need to control my food intake but even if I eat half portions from what is commonly served it is probably still twice of what I used to eat with my band and the restriction. I am not sure if the enlarged esophagus caused less of the food and nutrients to be absorbed but eventually the food must have ended up in the stomach. I went from maybe 2 bowel movements per week to daily which indicates more food. Many friends and colleagues have commented that I look so much better (happier) even though they do not know about my procedure.

Sounds like you are doing alright that's good. I'm sure adjusting is hard...

I'm starting the process to see if I can get the band out and revision to sleeve. My first appointment is today. I've only ever lost at most about 55 pounds with the band. Currently I'm down about 40 pounds from my original pre-band weight.

I've had so many issues over the last several months and the last 2.5 weeks was the about all I could take. I was in a lot of pain because my band became irritated and I guess swollen and so I was too tight. Just BOOM for no apparent reason one morning I woke up and couldn't keep anything down. I had to go in TWICE in 2 days to have Fluid out of the band. Everything hurt including liquids, but at least I was able to get it down. It took close to a week and now I'm back to being able to eat again and I've felt hunger for the first time in the last 2 weeks.

So normally the cycle would just start again. Fill, unfill, fill, unfill, fill....I'm over the game. Even though this whole revision surgery is scary to me. I'm just going to see what happens if I don't get a fill. If I don't start gaining weight because I don't have enough restriction. It will take about 3 months to go through the program - which insurance requires me to do. So it will be into the new year before I'm finished. Then they will have to re-check to see if anything with my insurance changed from this year. As it stands I have to do the program, show supervised or unsupervised WL efforts and then they will decide if they will cover the revision. My BMI is still plenty high. So I hope they will cover it. If not...then I will just stick with the band and see what happens. I know if I have it out and no revision it will be a disaster.

I know the feeling I'm free of that thing and on my way back to great health. I have a dietician , trainer, and my will. This is much better. I don't want any other weight loss operation only to find out in 4 years that too was a mistake. I'm over it. I'm a size 12 dress loose 14 pant 5'8 and trying to get to A size 8 dress 10 loose pant.