So I've just this past week found VerticalSleeveTalk.com. My story - had the LapBand in September of 2005 - lost about 100lbs in the first two years and maintained between year 2-3. This still left me with an obese BMI but I'm very active and happy. Then I gained 29 lbs between year 3-4, thinking it was because I hadn't had a fill in years I requested a fill. Shortly after I developed heartburn, I had expierenced a few random bouts the year before but nothing like this. I went back to my doctor at 4.5 years and had an upper gi (thinking hernia...ha ha) and was diagosed with pouch dilation.

At first I wanted to save my band at all costs. It was unfilled and I am waiting 6 weeks to go back for a second upper GI to see how the dilation is doing (doc doesn't seem optomistic). We did discuss my options if the band needs to come out and I told him that the sleeve would be my first choice as I don't want to dump or have vitamin issues. The office is doing a preapproval right now so we're ready to go at the end of the 6 weeks.

I came home and have been researching the sleeve ever since and now I'm thinking that even if the dilation resolves, what are the chances it will happen again? The sleeve is looking better and better all the time. I've read my insurance company's requirement for revision and I qualify so I actually don't think there will be an issue there - Its probably going to cost me about $3000 out of pocket for copays/deductable that I really don't have but I'm gonna find it. I desearve to be healthy, pain free and not afraid to eat.