Hi All,

I had lap band surgery in 2009 when I was 22. I lost 100lbs in 3yrs and had a normal bmi. Over the years I've gained 70lbs back and the lap band is a pain.

I have a conversion consult on Wednesday. I've always thought I wanted to go with the sleeve but I now know a few people who haven't had great success with it. I know a couple with bypass who look great and are very happy.

I'm wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation or has any thoughts/advice?

Thanks!

I know of several people who've had their lapbands removed and had revisions. Sleeve and bypass are both good surgeries - bypass is the stronger of the two if you think you need that - plus it's the better option if you've had issues with reflux/GERD. I have a "virgin" bypass so I wasn't in the same situation, although I can tell you I've been very happy with my bypass and would make the same decision if I had to choose today. But you'll certainly find others who love their sleeve...

Hi, I've just come back on these forums after a long long hiatus.

I am like you. I had my lapband inserted when I was 23 years old back in August of 2022. I felt back then that was the safest and least invasive treatment option. I did not have success with the lapband. The most I lost was 12 pounds and then after that I stalled and gained. Today I'm 227 pounds but have a BMI of 36, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type II diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. I also didn't have the best relationship with my surgeon when I told him "I don't think it's working" when I told him at my one week post surgery check up because instead of losing I had gained 7 pounds. Long story short, he told me it was my fault because I was sneaking burgers, pizza, and coke when my family was asleep at night, which was farthest from the truth as it took me hours to down 30 ml of liquids and could not get solid food down 7 days post op.

I ended upgoing back to him 2 months ago after not seeing him for 12 years due to having pain in my upper left quadrant of my abdomen. I can only describe it has a burning sensation, like burning on the inside, and I felt strange when I would turn my torso, in the that specific area. Now the pain has subsided but now the area is numb. He scheduled me for an endoscopy which I will be having on december 15, 2022 to see if the band has slipped or eroded. However, he told me that since having my lapband put in, they found out it's only a temporary gadget that should be removed in 10 years time. He spoke to me and suggested converting to a gastric bypass but I voiced my preference for the gastric sleeve, if I were to get a conversion. He told me because of my comorbidities and my unsuccessful journey with the band that a gastric bypass would benefit me more. Now I'm scared to get revised due to having my insides removed and rearranged compared to the lapband being reversible and afraid that I will get the bypass and end up failing again. That would be devastating. It's a decision that weighs heavy on my mind. Back when I was 23 I just wanted to be pretty but now that I'm 36 I just want to be healthy. I guess I'll see how the endoscopy goes this week and talk more with him about converting to the bypass.

Hi All,
I had lap band surgery in 2009 when I was 22. I lost 100lbs in 3yrs and had a normal bmi. Over the years I've gained 70lbs back and the lap band is a pain.
I have a conversion consult on Wednesday. I've always thought I wanted to go with the sleeve but I now know a few people who haven't had great success with it. I know a couple with bypass who look great and are very happy.
I'm wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation or has any thoughts/advice?
Thanks!

Definitely go with gastric bypass. Had mine on Nov 1, 2021, to date im down 157lbs and going. No issues, just constipation and receiving iron infusions, but im very happy. Good luck! My highest weight was 327lbs