So my Lap Band doctor retired a few years ago and I went to see a new Bariatric doctor to get a fill 3 days ago. The nurse practitioner looked at the Fluoroscope (sp?) and my band had slipped creating a stomach hernia. That's when I found out Lap Bands are not forever! They have an 8-10 year life and I'm at year 10. The NP briefly explained the sleeve and I decided that since the lap band has to come out, I should go ahead and get the sleeve at the same time which the doctor is willing to do. They called me the next day and have me scheduled this coming Friday! Is that normal? For the lap band we had mandatory classes to take for weeks! Part of me really wants to get this done and over with and the other part is just not ready mentally to go from what I thought would be a lap band fill to surgery in 9 days! I lost 100 lbs and have kept it off with some effort. I'm 5'7" and weigh 169 lbs. It's hard to explain to family why I'm having most of my stomach cut out when they look at me and see me normal physically. But I KNOW from battling obesity my whole life it will come back on. I feel health-wise, this is the right decision. On May 10 I didn't know what a sleeve was, and on May 19 I'm having it done. Anyone have some reassuring words of wisdom? My biggest worry is getting too much stomach cut out and battling malnourishment...

There is a whole foum dedicated to it.

https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

Yes, the forum for this is great. I had it done 3 months ago and it has been fantastic! My surgeon did the conversion in one surgery and it went really well.

So my Lap Band doctor retired a few years ago and I went to see a new Bariatric doctor to get a fill 3 days ago. The nurse practitioner looked at the Fluoroscope (sp?) and my band had slipped creating a stomach hernia. That's when I found out Lap Bands are not forever! They have an 8-10 year life and I'm at year 10. The NP briefly explained the sleeve and I decided that since the lap band has to come out, I should go ahead and get the sleeve at the same time which the doctor is willing to do. They called me the next day and have me scheduled this coming Friday! Is that normal? For the lap band we had mandatory classes to take for weeks! Part of me really wants to get this done and over with and the other part is just not ready mentally to go from what I thought would be a lap band fill to surgery in 9 days! I lost 100 lbs and have kept it off with some effort. I'm 5'7" and weigh 169 lbs. It's hard to explain to family why I'm having most of my stomach cut out when they look at me and see me normal physically. But I KNOW from battling obesity my whole life it will come back on. I feel health-wise, this is the right decision. On May 10 I didn't know what a sleeve was, and on May 19 I'm having it done. Anyone have some reassuring words of wisdom? My biggest worry is getting too much stomach cut out and battling malnourishment...

Following. Please keep us posted. Like many, I want a life long band ... but. It sometimes does not work that way. Fingers crossed at 10 years and counting

11 hours ago, Allie1958 said:

So my Lap Band doctor retired a few years ago and I went to see a new Bariatric doctor to get a fill 3 days ago. The nurse practitioner looked at the Fluoroscope (sp?) and my band had slipped creating a stomach hernia. That's when I found out Lap Bands are not forever! They have an 8-10 year life and I'm at year 10. The NP briefly explained the sleeve and I decided that since the lap band has to come out, I should go ahead and get the sleeve at the same time which the doctor is willing to do. They called me the next day and have me scheduled this coming Friday! Is that normal? For the lap band we had mandatory classes to take for weeks! Part of me really wants to get this done and over with and the other part is just not ready mentally to go from what I thought would be a lap band fill to surgery in 9 days! I lost 100 lbs and have kept it off with some effort. I'm 5'7" and weigh 169 lbs. It's hard to explain to family why I'm having most of my stomach cut out when they look at me and see me normal physically. But I KNOW from battling obesity my whole life it will come back on. I feel health-wise, this is the right decision. On May 10 I didn't know what a sleeve was, and on May 19 I'm having it done. Anyone have some reassuring words of wisdom? My biggest worry is getting too much stomach cut out and battling malnourishment...

Wow, what a unique case because you're not really over weight anymore. So, I guess the question is, do you feel the band is the reason you were able to keep your weight off? If so, having it taken out and having nothing in it's place could propose a major problem. On the flip side, if you feel like you need restriction in order to maintain, the sleeve is a great choice.

I'm actually a little surprised insurance will pay for it, now that I'm thinking about it. Good luck to you. I can't imagine this is an easy decision.

Yes, the Lap Band was very successful for me, weight wise. (Although I've worked at it which is why I've lost more than most bandsters.) But I know the weight will come back on once it's out. I talked to some of my family yesterday and surprisingly they were supportive. There was something mentally assuring knowing the Lap Band was reversible. That's what makes the Sleeve hard mentally - but after 5 days I'm starting to get used to the idea.