Hi, I had my preop with my surgeon two days ago in prep for final insurance submission. In that meeting, my surgeon said that band to sleeve conversion patients tend to not lose as much as people who've never had any sort of weight loss surgery. This seemed odd to me that this was never brought up for vet the past 9 months that we've worked together. It kind of made my heart sink for him to tell me that I should probably expect a 60-70 weight loss in total out of the 160 that I'd like to lose.

I'm wondering if there are any patients who are band to sleeve conversion who have actually met or exceeded their goal weight? My surgeon said that most patients will lose 60 out of 100 pounds for band to sleeve conversions, but that seems odd to me as the friends of mine who are straight VSG patients have all met their goals.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

Amy

On 05/08/2017 at 3:51 PM, amlpn said:

I'm considering revision banded 2008 lost 60 have regained 30. With the sleeve, do you feel full/satisfied with the small meals? Because with the band I'm always hungry,I just stop eating because of the pain/restrictions.

Hi. I've not had a band. But 7 weeks post sleeve. I feel full after 2/3 ounces of meat. Its mind boggling. Even if I think I'm starving hungry nothing can fit after a few bites. You will feel pain if you eat too much. I ate tea spoon to much in puree stage.. The chest pain had me bent over lol

16 minutes ago, dreamingsmall said:

Hi. I've not had a band. But 7 weeks post sleeve. I feel full after 2/3 ounces of meat. Its mind boggling. Even if I think I'm starving hungry nothing can fit after a few bites. You will feel pain if you eat too much. I ate tea spoon to much in puree stage.. The chest pain had me bent over lol

I remember that pain! I hope that I don't experience it ever again!

How soon after surgery were you able to get all your protein in? And how do you get in all in in a day your water and protein if we can only eat a Small amount ?im scheduled for sleeve in November trying to get in all this info

I had a band for about 10 years. I had a 22 inch baby and that started my band slipping. I'm hoping that the stats are wrong too. Thanks to those that posted.

Themaestroswife, I hear you about the technique of suturing the bottom of the stomach to the top. I was sleeved July 28 2017 but about 2 years ago, I was thinking of the band then and consulted with a doctor in Australia who told me he did that extra "stitching." I am a clinician myself so I researched and asked around medical circles. While not illegal, I hear it causes too much scarring. I went with a different doctor for my sleeve. The band doctor spoke so proudly of the stitching and borderline insinuated that he "invented" it. He had a godlike demeanour to him and I just didn't feel comfortable with him. From your experience with the band and scarring, seems like a good choice.

On 9/1/2017 at 10:54 PM, WaywardMama said:

I had a band for about 10 years. I had a 22 inch baby and that started my band slipping. I'm hoping that the stats are wrong too. Thanks to those that posted.

I think that we will be as successful as the work that we put into it. Are you having conversion surgery?

On 9/5/2017 at 1:58 AM, themaestroswife said:

I think that we will be as successful as the work that we put into it. Are you having conversion surgery?

I had my band out last winter and now I, healed I'm going to the sleeve soon. I lost 140 lbs with the band till it went bad. So I'm ready to get back at it.

On ‎7‎/‎31‎/‎2017 at 1:17 AM, resitton said:

Band to sleeve conversion in April~ down 60 of 100 pounds and love it- it might be a little slower than virgin sleepers but it's coming off and it wasn't before- my surgeon has no doubt will get to my goal. It's really different than the band though- full is a completely different feeling. I also log everything and eat 60-80 grams of Protein a day. Good Luck! So worth it!

I am scheduled for my revision on Sept 28. When you say "It's really different than the band though"...what exactly do you mean? I am so worried that I won't lose as much, or that I will gain it back within a few years like I did w/ my band. Also worried about scar tissue or my stomach being damaged from the band

Hello I had the band put in in 2007 and it worked until I got pregnant and I had morning sickness which dialated my stomach after I had the baby I kept trying to loose the 20 lbs I had gained from pregnancy which I failed to do and gained more back. I was down almost 100lbs with the band in 3 years... I gained 75 back. During the last 7 years I have struggled to loose the lbs. I tried every diet under the sun to loose 20lbs but to gain them back up. I did go back to the surgeon to get a fill which they did but the band still wasn't working. I was always hungry and I didn't feel the restriction... so after 10 years I got a revision it took some time and the insurance originally denied the revision saying that the reason the band failed was because i was an over eater! Duh! Aren't most of us.. anywho after my Dr called my insurance I got approved. I'm 5 weeks out and have only lost 11lbs I guess I'm a slow looser or the statistics are right. I don't feel the fullness feeling most sleevers feel I measure my food and only eat what's on my plate. I can drink over 100oz of liquids and I do reach my protein goal. Sometimes I wish I had I the issues most of the sleevers have. I can probably eat 6 or more oz if I didnt stop or measure your food ?

Edited September 20, 20178 yr by fight2gethealthy

These stories give me hope. Doing lap band removal and gastric sleeve March 19. I am concerned about possibility of excess scar tissue. If that is found I might not be able to have sleeve at same time. Well, I have to take this one day at a time. I know I am a strong woman, and at 73 have lived thru a lot. I can do this. It's all so I can have a healthy life and be here for my new grandbaby!! Wish me luck!

Edited March 8, 20188 yr by Ned S.
Word errors

Ned S- finally someone my age! I was 72 last birthday, will be 73 December 26th. I'm still planning a RnY, live in Central Ohio and am still planning surgery in Columbus, our State capital, 50 miles to my SW. I can see you have being a grandma-hood down pat but tell me more about your sweet self. I am beside myself with finding a peer, and that's not easy because there are few benches that wide! My road to WLS has been bumpy but I'm a stubborn person and will make it through to the other side. Also we have several over 50 and over 60 threads on here, look them up for even more friends. There's a fair number on here, usually sleevers 53% and RnY and other bypasses 47% but we're all nice ladies and a few guys, and they all are perfect gentleman. In our generation our Mamas raised us right!

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@the maestroswife, one reason could be you're older when you're seeking revision. I am still a WLS virgin, still planning surgery#1, a RnY, I know that makes me a minority in this forum, but another reason I weighed in is --there are many posters on Bariatric Pal who say their Hashimoto's subsided or went into to total remission after the sleeve. Watch your portion size, get your fluids in and watch out for sneaky slider foods and you'll be a good weight loss story. You will probably lose as much as you want to, if not you'll still be at a healhier point. Keep the faith Ladies, good things are ahead!

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I am so happy that I have gotten my band out. So far I am ecstatic with my sleeve. I heard it said so many times. The sleeve works like they said the band would.

I too worried about loosing not as much, but with my band I only kept off 35 pounds. And After my final slip and subsequent emptying i gained it fast and furious and went into a viscous depression. I am feeling so much better not even 2 weeks post op.

I am so happy that i pushed through with all my doubts about just that I was a total failure not that the band just was not right for me.

Cheers

I was banded in June 2008. My weight loss fluctuated - but for the most part, I didn't lose that much - about 40 pounds. The only reason my weight was down when they took out my band in February 2017 (1/3 of my band slipped into my stomach) was because I lost 40 pounds working at horrendous job. I lost it without trying, but I don't advise going through extreme stress to lose weight.

My debanding took place at a different hospital than where I was banded. I went to the hospital closest to my house, as I was in extreme pain. Luckily, they have a bariatric surgery department.

Having said that, I was glad I had the band. If I didn't, I could only imagine how much I would have gained without it.

After the band was removed, I did gain 20 pounds back, which scared the hell out of me. The hospital where I banded would not consider operating on me - they told me I'd have to be at my pre-band weight. The bariatric surgeon who debanded me was very open to helping me obtain permission to get sleeved.

I was sleeved on February 14, and I've lost the 20 pounds. I was on the liquid phase a bit longer than most because I was banded, and my surgeon told me I would heal slowly due to stomach scars from the band - I didn't have a "virgin" stomach on which to operate.

Twenty pounds feels great. I'm sure I'll stall in the near future, it always seems to happen to me. Your results may vary.

I feel much more restriction than with the band, and I'm really pleased about that. I'm grateful that I have been able to have this procedure.

Oh, I wanted to add - I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's years before I had the band. My thyroid is still intact. I was told I need to be on synthroid for the rest of my life, which is fine with me. However, the amount I take varies on my weight. I'm sure my endocrinologist will find that I need to be on a lower dose due to the weight loss - and that will slow down my weight loss. I'll just keep on following the rules and hope that at some point, I'll get to my goal weight.