Hi! New here!

[abb0211 2]

Hi ya'll. So excited to have found this forum. A little about me and my love/hate relationship with this band that will soon be done! Sorry if this is long!

I got my band in Dec 2010. Starting weight was 300 lbs. Got down to 230 and got pregnant with my first son, yay! Lap band doctor wanted to remove all my fill from the band during pregnancy. So during those 9 months, I gained all 70 lbs back. Lost 70 lbs again and what do you know, pregnant with my second son! Seems I found my fertile weight

This time, I did not go to band dr. Just my OB and we agreed that as long as baby was healthy and growing, I'm leaving my fill. I only gained 12 lbs that time around. So here I am, down to 215, but going from 242 to 215 took 18 months. I was too embarrassed to go to dr sooner about another fill becuase it's taken me this long to drop weight.

I finally went in and was sent for upper GI. My band has slipped and I have a hernia. I'm going for the sleeve revision. I'm getting some negative feed back, mainly just from my mom as I'm keeping this very private. I think some of the nagativity is jealousy becuase she's over weight but won't do surgery. I've been overweight my whole life, I don't know what it's like to be comfortable in my own skin. I think I deserve this. I have a chance, for almost no cost on my end to live a healthy life, I'm taking it.

I should have done this year's ago. The only thing the band has given me, is a horrible relationship with good. Possibly border line eating disorder. I can't believe that in the future, I for sure, will be in the 100's. I never even thought I would get anywhere below 180, but this is a real possibility now and I'm excited to be on this journey with ya'll.

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[waterwoman 189]

Congratulations on your courage and willingness to take care of yourself!

[deckthhall 5]

I had a very similar situation, but had my band drained for both pregnancies (banded since 2003). I had band slippage and 2 hiatal hernias (first diagnosed Nov 2015/repaired Dec 2015, and second April 2016/repaired May 17 w/band removal & sleeve conversion).

I'm currently at day 11 with my sleeve. Loving it! The first few days were a bit rough -- painful to drink, then the constant feeling of hunger. Yesterday (day 10), I was able to have yogurt and my first full feeling!

Do know there is hope, and you are not alone!

I read in one of the forums here that patients with band conversions have a more difficult time. My NP confirmed this yesterday at my first post-op appointment. So do keep this in mind if you're tempted to stray from better food choices.

[catherinek4435 0]

Hello, I'm new to this forum as well, just joined today. My story is similar as I was banded 9 years ago and lost 45kgs, had to have band replaced after the first two years then over a period of time I have regained 25kgs. I decided that I couldn't go on like this as I couldn't afford to put on all the weight I had lost and more so I made an appoint with my Professor and we decided that the sleeve would be a better option for me as I'am morbidly obese. I did the pre-op Optifast for 3 weeks and lost 15kgs, very pleased with myself. So on the 22nd April 2016, I was operated on for the Sleeve, very excited, I awoke from the surgery to find they didn't go ahead as they found a tumor in my esophagus and removed it, thankfully it was benign and thank god they found it when they did, was meant to be. So now I'm book in again for the Sleeve on the 4thJuly. I was o keen and excited the first time but very nervous now but I know it has to be as I can't go on like this...So with me luck everyone. I have never joined a forum before this is a first for me and I feel very much at ease sharing my story here, sorry its so long.

[NeedaBreak4Me 1,755]

Hi there... welcome... same story here.. banded.. got to goal.. had complications then gained it all back. . I am 5 weeks out from the sleeve. .. it is sooooooo much better... no getting stuck.. restrictions and having to stay close to bathroom when i eat just in case i throw up...

I wish i had done this first time around but it wasnt offered back then...

Go for it... i found surgery is much easier than the band... but aftercare for 2 weeks was about the same

[BandtoSleevechick 171]

Hi everyone!! Can we all be besties?! LOL I had my band placed april 2013 .. my highest was 313 and i had gotten to my lowest of 196 before the issues started. Back and forth from fill to unfill.. so about 6 months ago i started thinking of converting over to the sleeve with a different doctor.( Mine kept saying he would only do it if there was a complication or a malfunction.) i really liked my doctor and his group so i was a bit hesitant to find someone new. Anyway, this past april on my bandiversary ,no less, i had to have a complete unfill once again... and about a week and a half later my band slipped... I had it removed May 23rd and now am waiting for my follow up with the doctor ( my original group) to talk options.

I'm super excited,nervous,worried all rolled into one. I am happy to meet others with similar issues like me and can't wait to follow everyone's journey!

[bamagurl 98]

Hey y'all!

I am so glad to hear your stories.

I was banded October 2013, the too loose/ too tight yo-yo for over a year, emptied March 2015 for 6 weeks for a concentric slip, refilled, too loose/ too tight again yo-yo for another year, then the emergency room in distress April 2016. Thankfully un-filling was enough to relieve the distress, but in testing they found again, my band has slipped.

My insurance has approved the sleeve revision for 2 June, this Thursday. I am currently on my day 8 of 10 days of pre-op liquids and looking forward to what my future holds. The band gave me restriction of portions, but I was always hungry. I am happy with the loss of weight I was able to keep off with my band, but my excitement has been renewed because I am sure I can get off a considerable amount more. I keep checking back to this site for all the information I can get. It is really good to hear stories that I can relate to.

Thank you for posting about yours!

[abb0211 2]

Yes, let's all be besties! I have a follow up appointment from my endoscopy this friday so I'm assuming I'll schedule my sleeve then. Does anyone every feel like cutting out more than half your stomach for 60lbs seems a little excessive? That's where I'm at right now. but knowing that once it's gone, it "should" be gone forever has me thinking it's worth it and I won't have to deal with weight struggles anymore.

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[KStar 2]

Well hello to the story of my life. I was banded Oct 2006. I lost 40lbs and got preggo. Continued to lose during pregnancy. Ended up with healthy baby and down almost 100lbs! Woohoo. Then baby #2 had a slight unfill and bam hallo healthy baby and all 100lbs! Lmao. I just had the sleeve revision and hernia repair May 25,2016. I had mucho swelling after procedure so the first couple of days were probably worse than normal. I am now on my 5th day post surgery. Drinking all liquids with no problem whatsoever. I'm excited and am so ready for soft foods...lol

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[BandtoSleevechick 171]

@@bamagurl Best of luck on thursday!!! Where are you in Alabama? i visit there often as i have family in the northern part.

@@abb0211 I don't think it is excessive at all. I feel that it's another way to not let all our hard work go down the drain post band.

@@KStar .. Awesome news!! Glad surgery went well!

[catherinek4435 0]

Could someone please tell me how do I reply or write on someones posts. I'm a dummy today.lol......

[catherinek4435 0]

Could someone tell me how to write on or reply to posts, I'm a dummy today!!..lol