It's been a frustrating couple of months and it keeps getting better. In January I was able to get insurance through work. Kaiser is my Insurance. I asked my PCP about weight loss and he referred me to the options program through Kaiser. Its their weight loss class you have to attend before being approved for weight loss surgery. As I had previously had a lap band in place I was told that Kaiser no longer wants to deal with these as they have been found to be basically worthless and problems with slipping and erosion they are just not worth the problem. I was interested in getting it removed as in the 6 years Ihave had it I only lost 50 lbs initially and since then I have just stayed the same. Plus I was having complications of vomiting and unable to eat certain foods. As I received a call from Kaiser to see a surgeon on the following week I went to see him and was scheduled to have it removed. I asked him about the sleeve and said he needed to remove the band first then we would discuss the possibility of getting the sleeve after finishing the options program. 2 weeks later I went for out pt surgery and had the lap band removed. On my follow up visit 2 weeks later the surgeon told me he would be happy to see me in a year to discuss getting sleeved. 1 year I have to wait, Is he kidding me?. Depressed I continued to go to the options program and complied with their requirements of having labs drawn, being tested for H. pylori, going to 3 hour classes everyother friday evening after a long days work just to be told to wait a year. I talked to the program director as to having to wait a year to discuss with surgeon ossibility of having surgery but she said to complete the program as it was good for a year and she would schedule me for another consult with another surgeon. I researched on linne about timeline from lap band removal to having sleeve done and some said could be done immediately other said wait 2 to 3 months. I went to see the other surgeon and was asked why did I go see him. I explained my situation and was basically told the same thing. I would have to wait at least 6 months to a year as I run the risk of leaking from the stomach as the tissue has been damaged by the lap band. Has anybody heard of thishappening? Now I am not sure what I want to do. I know I can't stay this way and need to lose this weight but the possibility of a leak and complications really scared me. I wish the first doctor would have told me the risk and possile complications associated with the lap band removal. Now my hopes of being healthier and fit by this time next year is out the door and feel depressed at being overweight for another year. Sorry all just venting at this situation.