I had my band placed on in April, 2006. The first year was a breeze and I lost a ton of weight. In month 13 of my journey, I was overfilled and slipped my band. Since then, I seemed to have developed an intolerance for my band. I have slipped it twice, constantly choke on my food, and have been miserable.

On April 2nd, I will be revising from the lapband to the gastric sleeve. Dr. Aceves will be doing the revision in Mexico. I have decided to chronicle my experience here, so others that have band issues and decide to convert can have an idea of what to expect.

I spoke with Nina, the patient coordinator yesterday and we now have everything scheduled. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I will leave here on April 1st, have my surgery on the 2nd and return home on the 5th. My mother will be accompanying me on the trip.

Nina advised me that Dr. Aceves is concerned about swelling due to the problems I have had with my band. Therefore, I am going this week for a complete unfill. Then, seven days before my surgery, I have to go on a complete liquid diet. This should alleviate any swelling issues and the chances of having to have the band removed and then go back at a later date for the sleeve. It is very important to me that I get this all done at the same time.

I am looking forward to this, and feel like I have been given a new opportunity at life. To those who have helped me to be able to get the sleeve, thank you. Because of you, I now am looking forward to enjoying life again, instead of living in misery.

I will update as I go through this journey.

The getting stuck never had any rhyme or reason for me either. You are not alone. I would notice however, that right before my monthly cycle, I could not eat at all. It was so strange. That was the only constant. Other than that, I would be able to eat certain things one day and not the next. Mornings I did not usually even try, because if it didnt go down I knew I was in for an entire day of throwing up my own spit. Sorry that sounds gross. But really it is. The band is a mystery to me. Mine seriously had a mind of its own. Hope so badly to get approved for the sleeve. Wish you well.

I'm chewing and chewing but some times something goes down not totally chewed.

That is a recipe for disaster. Anything going down totally not chewed is going to get stuck.

It's true. The band does have a mind of it's own. There are so many things that can cause it to get tighter. Most people do complain about being too tight in the morning,and tighter during their period. I never had either of those two problems, but sure did if I did not chew well enough! I am glad I am done with all of it.

The getting stuck never had any rhyme or reason for me either. You are not alone. I would notice however, that right before my monthly cycle, I could not eat at all. It was so strange. That was the only constant. Other than that, I would be able to eat certain things one day and not the next. Mornings I did not usually even try, because if it didnt go down I knew I was in for an entire day of throwing up my own spit. Sorry that sounds gross. But really it is. The band is a mystery to me. Mine seriously had a mind of its own. Hope so badly to get approved for the sleeve. Wish you well.

I completely and totally relate to what you are talking about! I feel for you, I honestly do. I do not miss the band in the least!

You gotta love it when you stand up and your pants fall down. I take that as a good, yet slightly embarrassing, sign.

Right now, I am going through a pretty stressful time in my life. My husband and I are having marital problems and are most likely going to separate very shortly. When I had my band, if I was experiencing this kind of stress, it would be completely closed up on me and I wouldn't be able to eat anything. But, with my sleeve, no worries.

WasA, if you read this, I need some advice please. Lee didn't get enough of the Nexium for me and I have already run out. I tried Prilosec, but by late afternoon I am finding that reflux is kicking in. I have tried taking a second one in the afternoon, but that is not helping either. Is there anything over the counter that might work better for me?

I am sorry to hear about you and your hubby and hope it all works out for you. As for the heartburn, you can try OTC Tagamet. They sell the OTC as 150 mg in each pill. The Rx strength is 300 mg so try that with breakfast and dinner.

WasA, if you read this, I need some advice please. Lee didn't get enough of the Nexium for me and I have already run out. I tried Prilosec, but by late afternoon I am finding that reflux is kicking in. I have tried taking a second one in the afternoon, but that is not helping either. Is there anything over the counter that might work better for me?

Susan, I am so so sorry to hear about your marital problems. I hope everything works out the best for you ... I strongly suggest counseling, it's done wonders for my relationship.

I am not a nurse; however, I have suffered with GERD for years and I have found, when I am out of nexxium, that if I take 4 OTC Zantac, it wipes out the acid reflux. A pharmacist friend of mine said that 2 OTC Zantac = 1 RX ... so I've always taken 2 when the acid relux is minimal. If I let it get out of hand, then I take 4 and it seems to subside. Not sure what the RNs out there will think of that, I only know it works for me and I've been doing it for years, since OTC Zantac came out (in fact, I actually use the Sam's Club generic brand)

Good luck to you with everything.

Thanks for the advice guys, I am going to give it a try. Right now, I am sitting here and feel like my insides are literally burning, the acid is killing me.

Thanks for the kind words regarding my husband and I as well. I am not exactly sure what will happen, but we shall see.

((((Susan))))

I wish you the best.

You gotta love it when you stand up and your pants fall down. I take that as a good, yet slightly embarrassing, sign.

That is awesome Susan!!

I am sorry about your marital problems. I have been there and know the difficulties! {{{hugs}}}

I am doing well with my band but am so happy to read about the sleeve in case I need it!

I will not gain the weight back!!

Thanks for the hugs and support, guys. It means a lot. I am trying not to let myself get too down over all this. My weight loss keeps me excited about my future.

CC, if you ever do go to the sleeve, you will love it!

Thanks for the hugs and support, guys. It means a lot. I am trying not to let myself get too down over all this. My weight loss keeps me excited about my future.

CC, if you ever do go to the sleeve, you will love it!

Anytime, I went through a seperation last year and it was a total nightmare. I understand.

Oh I sooo wish my Insurance covered it. I'm always in here secretly dreaming and wishing. I might have to find a way to get it somehow...

Is there a message board anywhere that discusses only the Sleeve?

Anytime, I went through a seperation last year and it was a total nightmare. I understand.

Oh I sooo wish my Insurance covered it. I'm always in here secretly dreaming and wishing. I might have to find a way to get it somehow...

Is there a message board anywhere that discusses only the Sleeve?

Give it a few days and the new message board will be up and running. Alex is calling it verticalsleevetalk.com.

Give it a few days and the new message board will be up and running. Alex is calling it verticalsleevetalk.com.

How cool is that ... do you know when Alex will have it up and running or will there be an official notice? If not, will you please let us all know???

Thanks!