SylviaMom

So I had an eroded band just removed. Doctor suggested a bypass will minimize risk of a leak for a revision and that I might have as high as a 30 percent chance of a leak if I get sleeved because of the location of the erosion. Of course there will be things Dr. Aceves will do to minimize risk (including enlarging the sleeve in the vicinity of the erosion) but I am wondering what exactly it means to have a leak and how a leak is fixed....is is a chronic condition, will I die, will they just reopen me and patch me up? Anyone have a leak and survive to tell the tale? For those who have had leaks, would you do the sleeve again, regardless? All I know is that the bypass seems like a bad choice for me for a lot of different reasons.

I am pre op ( band removal and waiting for my stomach to heal for the the band) but what I do know I'd what a role food plays in self soothing. Whenever things are rough for me, my best friend (food) is always there to make me feel better....but that "friend" is just a crappy crutch who got me into this mess in the first place. Find people you love like friends and family and let them envelope you in their love. Also, do something great for yourself instead...like a pedicure. Also, check into getting fake eyelashes...they are the BOMB. You are already a fox but with those flirty lashes, you'll bring all the boys to the yard. Not that you need the boys, but the attention might be nice and will remind you that the it's the stupid boys loss...and that you can do better. Either way, good luck and be kind to yourself. These things do happen for a reason.

Having just removed a badly eroded lap band (doctor was not able to perform the sleeve because of the erosion), I would not be in favor of having a foreign body anymore. I would feel like it was a ticking time bomb like my lap band was. Just my opinion.

Thanks Joyce. I appreciate the support and hope you are soon safely on the losers' bench. At first I did a lot of crying, but the food addict in me is thinking about having a final hurrah when I recover and then back to a low carb Atkins thing so I don't balloon up. Honestly, I am just glad to have that horrible piece of junk out and am on my way to healing. It's a longer journey than I expected, but what can I do?

Hi. I am sitting here in Mexicali. I am a revision too but my band was so badly eroded I will need to come back in a few months for my sleeve. that's disappointing. But the care here is second to none and the staff here is fantastic. They clean and clean the facilities and they are courteous and warm. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to bring my closest friends or family here. I will of corse be back when I can get the sleeve after my tummy heals. The majority of the drive is in the U.S. with ten minutes in Mexicali. Mexicali is actually a fine city and feels quite safe. I walked before dinner the day before yesterday with no issues. Since the driver picks you up and drops you off, you are never alone on the streets unless you chose to be. It's super safe and I feel safer here then in most big cities in the states. But, mostly I appreciate Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campo (who is a total cutie and sleever too), and the lovely Blanca.

:-) fabulous. Congratulations!

First, congratulations on 50 pounds, that in itself is a huge deal. I was talking to a gal who was sleeved a year ago and she mentioned that it's all about carbs. Try cutting out carbs for a week and go back to low carb, high Protein drinks. I bet you'll break that stall and be back on track. I really believe carbs, especially simple carbs are the death of me and just make me hungrier the more I eat. Either way, good luck and congrats on what is already a big accomplishment.

Oh another question...for self paying two steppers, did they charge you more for the joys of two surgerys and if so, how much more ( if ya' don't mind me being so forward)? Thanks.

I've had the crap band for 9 years. Long story short, it sucked because it discouraged eating healthy foods but allowed me to eat sliders (chips, ice cream, rice, Pasta, and anything greasy or saucy). I just woke up from revision surgery yesterday and was told I would need to wait 3-6 months for my stomach to heal before i can get the sleeve because the band had so badly eroded my stomach. It is not just a piece of crap, it is a dangerous medical device which should be taken off the market. I know...admittedly, I'm feeling a little bitter right now so forgive the rant.

It's funny that getting your period is a NSV....but I agree it would be. Having irregular periods since my mid twenties, a little regularity in that department would be good. Thanks for the post. It's all the little things that make it worthwhile.

GasX comes in strips or chewables...and walk. Hope you feel better soon!

Yeaaaa! NSV!

I LOVE that there is a butt lift forum! Thanks. This support group is so wonderful.

So sorry but glad that silicone piece of junk is out of there. That's horrifying. Who was your previous surgeon? I know it doesn't feel like it now, but the good news is you are still on your way. The really good destinations are usually prefaced by long and difficult journeys. *hugs*

Me too! Congratulations and god luck. Let's catch up when we are on the other side.

I'm here at dr. Aceves' hospital waiting for surgery (lap band to sleeve revision) today). I hear dr. Aceves is one of the best ( I believe 'the best' but there are a number of 'the best' surgeons) and you will be in good hands. Best of luck, to you but I want to her more abut this butt lift. Are you doing other plastics as well, and if y comfortable sharing, can you share how much it will cost? I am thinking abut plastics (skin lift, implants) and want to know hw much I should start saving. I know, look at how optimistic I am already!

Hello Sleevers! For the few weeks I have joined this forum, I have been introduced to a community of caring, wonderful, supportive peeps--some mentors and some at the beginning of this journey like me. To all those wonderful and brave souls, thank you. I am going in to surgery today with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. Let me start by saying I have always been generally risk averse. So, it would make sense that my journey with WLS started at the lap band some 9 years ago, or as others have appropriately coined it "the crap band." The lap band was a series of disappointments...mostly in myself. But long story short is that I lost 45 lbs while training for a marathon the first 3 years but really, aside from the first 25 lbs associated with the post-op diet, the band didn't really help much in my weight loss journey. Instead it encouraged me to eat sliders and forced me to slime at inconsistent times but usually when trying to eat in front of new people (who didnt know or need to know about my band) or when eating healthy foods. Over the years the weight crept back along with worse and worse eating habits. More alarming was all the data about failure, slips, revisions, and the long term complications with having some silicone in your body (duh). I knew I needed to get this piece of crap out of me...but was afraid to balloon up without something... But for not succeeding with the band, I take full responsibility. I know if I stuck to weight watchers and kept running every day then I would have maintained my 28-29 BMI. Great! If I could stay on weight watchers my entire life and run everyday well then, I wouldn't need this sort of help, would I? Back to risk aversion--that explains why I am 1000 miles from home, in a foreign country, by myself getting major abdominal revision surgery. I am trying to take a measured risk here. Dr. Aceves is at the top of his profession and no one has more revisions under his belt than this Tom Selleck mustached genius. As a testament to his fan base, there are two other gals with getting surgery on the same day as me. One gal is accompanied by her daughter (Aceves July, 2011) who lost 100 lbs and is super cute, and another gal who is coming back after 7 years to get her band revised. Both ladies know Aceves and have enough confidence to come back. So....I am on my way. Wheeeeeeeee! kisses Sylvia Mom

Shannon--sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Hope you get better quickly and get back on the saddle.

Thank you Bratvp63, mommymar, and JennyB.

I am recovering from the flu and one of the lingering issues is an occassional cough. No fever, otherwise feeling good. I am scheduled for surgery three days away. Anybody have a cough before/after surgery and if so can you share your experience with recovery and coughing? In particular, I am worried that with my sore middle-section it will make coughing painful and/or do something bad to the sutures/drain/sleeve. Thanks in advance for any experiences/perspectives.

*crosses fingers* hope so! Thanks allegb3

Oh my....I don't like the sound of that. Like Beanie&Rosie'sMom, one of my principal reasons for doing the revision is to avoid all the "issues" with sliming/vomiting/gagging on the first bite.

Hey Shannon--how are you doing? What did the Doc say? I've been cold free all year and hadn't had the flu in close to a decade. However, one day and one week before surgery--BAM the flu. Started tamiflu within 24 hours and antibiotics because of concerns about a sinus infection. I am feeling nearly recovered now (just an occasional cough), but I am worried that I won't be well enough for surgery on the 6th. It is breaking my heart because with the travel to Mexico and such, scheduling was a significant hardship. I have been emailing with the patient coordinator to see if we need to reschedule (I hope not) but hoping for a complete recovery by tomorrow. Any other sleevers have a cold on or before surgery and if so, any issues?

Hey, who is that stone-cold fox? Oh, it's our very own Lissa! Love the pic and thanks for all the support you give to so many on this group-you're an inspiration.

Your making great progress! You are a beautiful lady (before and after).