Domika03

I think I read some where that 70% of lap band patients have it removed within the first 5 - 6 years. I had mine done in August of 2012. I started having issues with it in April 2013. I wound up getting an unfill then refill in April, August, Oct then most recently in Dec. where I had 6 cc taken out of my 7cc, Basically, left with hardly any restriction. During these times, it seemed like almost everything I ate made me burp, and several times throw up. Fast forward, this last time in Dec was awful. I was on vacation in NYC (live in CO), and wound up in the ER for 15 hours. Yup, what a blast. It was confirmed that I had a partial slip, again. The good news, I suppose, is that I've lost 90 pounds while having the band. I'm at 155-156. The bad news, this is considered "elective" surgery so I'm going to owe about $12-$15K after all is said & done. I'm scheduled to have my band removed, and a revision to the sleeve this Thursday. I'm quite nervous about not having much of a stomach left. I'm on full liquids starting today. Not liking it! I'm not sure how tomorrow will go at work with full liquids. Trying to stay focused on the big picture, so I don't get hungry. Any suggestions?

That sounds sooo good right now. I'm on Day 1 full liquids before my surgery Thursday & I'm hungry...

I'm scheduled for Thursday, 1/16, and have been reading everyone's comments. I'm on my first day f liquids & my stomach is soooo growling at me. I'm ready to growl back. I was nervous before, but think I'm more nervous now. I was reading that some people burp up blood. I understand the why as, let's face it, this is major surgery, but it still kinda freaks me out. What else can I expect the first few days?

Good luck on the 24th. My band removal / sleeve revision will be this Thursday. I hope to blog about it before & right after. Goal is to help with my recovery & help others as they go through this journey as well.

Thanks for posting this. Good to hear all of this. I'll be going from lap band removal to sleever this Thursday. I had really big pills. With the band, I had to cut all my pills in half. I'm guessing this won't be a problem with the sleeve. Ok, what's up with that stuffed animal thingy. Funny but goofy

5 days & and counting... I started this journey at my highest weight of 245 pounds. I got my lap band in Aug of 2012 & have lost about 90-95 pounds since then. My current weight is about 155-156. It's gone up since my band only has 1cc in it right now. I started experiencing discomfort with my band in April of last year. They took fluid out, then put it back in a month later. Then in August & October, same thing. The last straw was when I was on a mini vacation in NYC in Dec. I wound up in the ER for 15 hours. I'll spare you the details but it was confirmed that my band had a partial slip. They gave me morphine 3 times then dilaudid (something like that) for the pain. It finally worked many hours into my stay there. I had my band placed by a reputable surgeon in Aug of 2012, but am now under a different insurance, Kaiser Permanente of CO, and will have my revision done through them. As it stands right now, since the sleeve is being considered "elective" I will be paying about $12K - $15K out of pocket. Don't get me started because my husband is unemployed & no longer receiving unemployment benefits. Not sure how we'll handle this, but we will. No point in getting upset, though it does rather suck. Have to keep our head up & move forward staying positive. So, after my appointment last week, I found out on Friday that my revision date will be Thursday, the 16th, done as a rush surgery because of the pain that I have with the slipped band. It's not severe but constant. Dr gave me liquid vicodin, which I take once or twice a day, only as needed. My band will be removed at the same time as the sleeve is done. While I was anxious about getting the band back in 2012, I'm even more nervous about getting the revision to the sleeve. Would appreciate any feedback from previous banders to sleevers. I'm trying to read up as much as possible on what to expect so I'm ready. I hope to post on here the day of surgery then a few days later. My goal is to document this journey & potentially help any way headed on the same path. Talk to me people. How did your revision go? What did you drink the first few weeks? Sounds like I"ll be on liquids longer than I was with the band. Oh, I'm definitely anxious. Could use your support. Thanks! Fran

I'm getting a revision from the band to the sleeve next Thursday. I was successful with the band while I had it for almost 1 1/2 years, before it slipped a few times. At the point where it's going to keep slipping so we're opting to remove it & get the sleeve instead. Having definite pain & taking liquid vicodin for it once a day, at night, to help soothe it. With the band, when I was full, I would burp, like a sailor. And I do mean, like a sailor. Not very lady-like at all. I'm praying the sleeve will continue working for me & keep me satisfied. I think I'll be able to sense when I'm full, but hopefully without burping & throwing up like I used to. It was not pleasant at all. I'd love to hear from other fellow banders to sleevers....

Hi everyone, I'm a lap band patient with a partial slip, and am getting a revision to the sleeve next Thursday, the 16th. I've been having some discomfort with it because of the slip but am told the slip isn't really bad. It's all being done in 1 surgery, with an anticipated 1 night stay in the hospital. I"m a little anxious about the recovery as I understand it will be somewhat slow going. But, I plan on being very careful & mindful, ensuring a follow liquids slowly & carefully during the healing process. How has the recovery been from band to sleeve in 1 surgery?

I'm sorry to hear that. I think these changes in your life, along with this new major lifestyle change, is just getting the best of you. Try to focus on your new healthier lifestyle. If it continues, maybe talking to your primary Dr for a lttle help (perhaps anti-depressant) to help get you through this hurtle. Remember, things will always get better

Hi everyone, I'm getting my lap band taken out, due to a partial slip for the 3rd time, and getting a revision to the sleeve. Scheduled for net Thursday, and am getting nervous! My original lap band was done by another surgeon, from another insurance. This time I'm going through Kaiser in CO for the revision. This seems so different from the band preparation. I guess I'll be on full liquids for 2 - 4 weeks after surgery. I'm definitely nervous. Anyone else?

Thanks for the info slikchik10

Interesting topic as I'm considering a revision to the sleeve myself. I was banded in Aug 2012, and have lost about 90 pounds since then. However, I've been having issues with my band, on & off, for the last 6 months. I had unfills then slight fills again in April, August & Oct. In Oct, we found my band had partially slipped but by doing an unfill for 4 weeks then only a partial fill thereafter, we figured I'd be OK. I had been experiencing occassional vomiting & some stomach discomfort. Well, last week, while on a mini vacation in NYC , I had massive pain & knew what was happening. After a full day in the city, I finally went to the ER. Reluctant only because my insurance doesn't exist in NYC & I could see the $$ I'd be billed. They confirmed my band slipped. I was in so much pain, they actually gave me morphine & some other pain killer that starts with a D. Oh gosh, it was awful. I couldn't even keep Water down without throwing it back up. They unfilled me 6 cc. They didn't want to release me at first, but after 15 hours (yes 15), and confirming I could finally eat (graham crackers), they let me go. I called my Dr upon my return Monday (this week) but guess what, she's on vacation. The office said since I wasn't in pain & could keep things down, I could see her next week. My apt is next Wed (seriously?). UGH. I'm not in pain & I can eat, but I'm definitely still uncomfortable. I want to wait because I'm hoping that she might tell me that she can do a revision to the sleeve & that its covered. I had spoken to her about looking into it back in Oct when my band had partially slipped. This gets interesting because my original surgeon was through another insurance. I now have Kaiser Permanente (CO), so I don't know what they're willing to do.I don't know what's covered, what the requirements are, how long I have to wait, etc... I'm curious to hear if anyone has any experience with lap band to sleeve & how recovery is, eating, menu.. .etc...

I was banded on August 17, 2013. A little over a year later, I've lost 95 pounds! I know, right. That's A LOT of weight! I'm 5 '3 and now weigh about 150 pounds. Aside from the BS I'm currently dealing with, it's been a pretty good ride. I've consistently lost weight with some stand still during these last 25 - 30 pounds here & there. Needless to say, I feel genuinely thankful & blessed for getting many, many compliments from co-workers & neighbors. No, I didn't tell any of them! I had a very bad episode this past Friday, not sure as a result of what, where I vomited 12 times in a 4 - 5 hour time frame. WTH! It was God awful. I can't even pin point what started the whole thing. Had a stomach ache that got progressively worse hour by hour until I kept getting sick. Obviously, not a lot coming out because, as lap band patients, we don't eat much. Well, I considered going to the ER but since we recently converted insurance companies from Aetna to Kaiser, I had concerns about being properly treated (medically speaking, of course). My throat burned from vomitting, my neck was sore & my esophogus felt sore too. And yet, I still didn't go to the ER. I just prayed it would stop. It was a tough night, but... I tried to drink hot tea, which tends to soothe our tummies, but instead out it went too. I called what will be my new bariatric office on Monday. Since I was feeling better by Monday (just achy around the band area) along with lower back pain which to date, I don't know if it's stress or related some how. They had me call to schedule an upper GI, but the earliest they could fit me in, as non urgent, was this morning. The technician "unofficially" told me that I had a partially slipped band. He said he had seen worse & that it didn't look 'bad.' He thought that maybe I would only need an unfill, but since he doesn't deal with patients after-the-fact, he wasn't sure. I waited ALL day for my Dr's office to get the results. Finally, they called about an hour ago & confirmed I had a partially slipped band, facing down slope (which was allowing me to eat). I haven't eaten much the last few days & have stuck to liquids today & now through Friday morning, which is when my first available Dr apt is. All the office lady would say is that they would do an unfill (which beats surgery, right), but she wouldn't / couldn't say how much they would take out or for how long. She did say that I would need to talk with the Dr about "options" since obviously I wouldn't be eating the same way. What does that mean? I'm a little anxious & nervous as I don't know if this means I may have to have a revision down the road? No more fills? My mind wonders... I'm also a little hungry... Not sure what liquids I will take with me to keep me full at work tomorrow. I'll provide an update on Friday. Wish me luck!

Hi, Just came back from having an upper GI done. The unofficial diagnosis is a partially slipped band. I could see my partial stomach over the band itself. The technician told me that it didn't look urgent (he had seen much worse) and that I would have to call to be seen. He thought I would just probably need an unfill but couldn't say since he's only technician & doesn't have first hand experience with bariatric, only with doing upper GI's. Have a call into m Dr's office. Obviously they can't do anything until they see the results this afternoon. I had my lapband surgery Aug 2013 and have lost 95 pds. I'm now 150 pds & 5'3. Definitely happy where I'm at right now Anyone else have experience with this? thanks

They did that Barium test this morning & those were the results. Well, that's what the technician told me. But, he's going off of what he's seen in the past with other patients & wouldn't really know what they do after they leave his office. He says he's seen worse SO I'm hopeful they tell me they can just do an unfil for a few weeks. That would be the best option. I'm on a liquid diet for now, not having much because I'm afraid it will all bunch up in there & just sit there. I've been having back pain at the same time so I don't know if its stress related or what. My band is definitely uncomfortable but doesn't hurt as much as my back.. Gosh, I hate waiting...

It's been a while since I last logged on. Many of you may recall my dad had colon cancer that back in Dec spread to his lungs. He had been doing pretty well, kicking it's butt for 2+ years, and at 87, it was quite impressive. All I will say is that, as we were told, it happened rather quickly. He was fine then suddenly he wasn't. It didn't take but a few days. It is with a heavy heart that I must share that my dad passed away on Wednesday, May 8th at 7:20am. I'm happy to say that he was there for my first breathe and I was there for his last. And so, our journey continues. He is at peace, and we must move on....

Hello, Lately I've been having a lot of mid to upper back pain. I noticed it tends to happen after I eat something as it causes a lot (I'm talking sailor style) of burping. The upper to middle back pain is painful enough that I have to take 2 pain meds to even help. Sometimes it does nothing. I'm even trying to rub icy hot because I"m desperate. I went to my primary Dr a few months back because of this & had an ultra sound of my gallbladder. It came back negative. Someone told me it could be missed via an ultrasound & that I should have a HIDA scan? Does anyone have any information on this? Also, I was going to try to see my primary Dr about this but am wondering if I should try to see my bariatric surgeon instead? Appreciate any feedback you guys might have. Thanks Fran

Don't be so hard on yourself. I've been banded for 10 months & have run into several struggles here & there. Most recently, I've really slowed down due to some major life changes. Old (bad) habits die hard, but you can never give up. Keep the faith & take one day at a time.

Very happy for you Jim. Keep up the good work!

I can honestly say that I never thought I'd hear someone say that I'm actually "not eating enough!" Oh, the irony. Back to basics While my progress has been consistent, it's not been in the most healthy fashion the last 6 - 8 weeks. I've lost about 63 or 64 pounds thus far, so that's good, and I'm only about 30 pounds from goal, so that's good too. I had my 7 month up check up today, and after giving them a little back ground information on what's been going on in my life, including the severe light headedness, tiredness and waking up with headaches, it was easily determined that I had mild to moderate low blood sugar. Wait, what? I'm not a diabetic. It all makes sense to me now. Since my focus hadn't been spot on lately due to some very serious stress, I wasn't eating enough. I was only eating like 3 meals a day but they just weren't enough to keep me going. I've been allowing my stress to get the best of me, and wasn't focused on eating enough protein. My stress prevents me from digesting foods very well, so I've been getting sick. I'm back to basics here. It's all stuff I knew, but needed to get reacquainted with again. I have to eat much smaller portions & several times a day. No doubt this will be a bit of a struggle, but I'm confident with proper pre-planning I can do this. My goal is to have at least 5 meals a day of no more than 1/2 cup of food per meal. I need to really try harder to include fruit & veggies. I don't like raw veggies, so steamed it is. Fruits are OK, but I could use ideas on what to have; like maybe apply slices with PB. Back to basics so I'd appreciate any & all ideas on small, simple foods with good proteins & complex carbs. BRING BACK THE IDEAS PLEASE!!