Swift Kate

Thanks One-Elle, I am just going to do lots of research and check on forums so when I do see my surgeon in about 8 weeks I will be better informed and at least have some questions for him. I do really want to go ahead with the sleeve, it's just a matter of which way to go about it. I have about 30 -35 kgs to lose and I am really excited to think something further can be done despite my problems with the band. About 4 years ago (pre band) I lost about 40 kgs in about 7 months on the Cohen program. I felt so good about myself and confident but it was a very low calorie diet and once the weight was lost I found it impossible to maintain. I was heavier than now when I started and I got down to about 70 kgs so I remember how good I felt then and just want to get back there and more importantly stay there.

Thanks Deb and Marguerite, it is a tough one. I have been reading about Lila so know she went through so much. My surgeon said he wouldn't know whether he could proceed with the sleeve until the actual surgery as he could assess the damage to he stomach then. He said there was a two thirds chance he could do it iin one surgery. I too have had most of my fluid removed from the band and am back to finding food control difficult, have upped my I walking to compensate as I don't want to put back on what I did manage to lose with the band. I feel I'm going a little crazy as this is all consuming at the moment. Cheers.

Hi there, I am an Australian bandit looking at getting the sleeve. I was banded two years ago but have only lost 16 kgs (34 lbs). Eating only soft foods and have never really found the green zone. Saw surgeon recently and he agreed the band not working for me and we talked about the sleeve. Up until recently he has done the revision in two operations with a three months wait between removal of band and the sleeve. This seems to be common practice in Australia. My surgeon told me that he has compared results between this option and doing the band removal and sleeve in one procedure. Would really appreciate some feedback as to both of these options. Have my next appointment with surgeon mid December and would like to have some information. Thank you.

Thanks Sue and One-Elle, will check out the band to sleeve thread over the weekend. One-Elle, you have certainly given me a lot to think about...I appreciate it. I don't think the Bypass is for me but will certainly look into the different options for band to sleeve. I think it would be great if you stayed onboard this thread despite the type of surgery you choose. I think we all have the same common goal. I so appreciate this outlet, first thing I did when I got home from work was to check out this thread. Have been reading with concern about Lila and am so pleased for her that she is finally out of hospital and on the road to recovery

Is there anyone here that has gone from band to sleeve? Want to know whether procedure was one or two surgeries. Like I posted earlier my surgeon always did 2 surgeries with at least a three month wait between. Now he has just begun to do it in one surgery. He says he now believes there is not really a significant difference in the outcome looking at stats of both options. He does say he will only do it in one surgery if he finds that the stomach doesn't have too much scarring from the band. Would welcome some feedback. Cheers.

Thanks Kayargh, you sound busy with studying and two young kids. I hope you're being kind to yourself as well. My partner knows that I am thinking of the sleeve and is supportive of what I want. Have two grown up children, one knows and thinks I should do what makes me happy. Haven't told the other one who is a super healthy, exercises regularly and can't really understand why people can't just adopt a healthy lifestyle to lose weight. Also my parents will be supportive but will worry a lot about side effects so not telling them until I have make my decision and have a date. The two friends who I told about the band were always there for me and positive when I told them. I don't want to tell them about this next step because I feel embarrassed that the band didn't work. Just got back from a walk...trying to do what I can not to out on too much weight until I see the surgeon. Don't have any restriction now in my band now so will be tough to keep on track. Makes me laugh to think I joined Jenny Craig when I was 23 years old because I was 'fat'. My joining weight then was 68 kgs!!! I am 170cms and 68 kgs would now be a dream:)

Thanks for your warm welcome. Kayargh and Susie please don't give up hope of sharing your life with someone special. After 10 years of an awful marriage I find myself a single mum to two pre school age children with no support from their dad, just abuse from him. Thankfully I have an amazing supportive family. I was never a confident person with the opposite sex and was single for the next 14 years not dating even once, just caring for my kids. Oh I also took the step of going to uni for the first time in my late 30's to get a teaching degree during this time. Then I think my confidence about myself increased and amazingly met my beautiful partner 5 years ago. I'm now 52 and have great kids, a fabulous family and a caring partner but don't feel good about myself so that is why I want to do something about my weight now. I told two friends about the band but want to take this next step without others knowing. My family will know but haven't told them as yet, I know they will be concerned for me but will support me. So I am glad to be able to be part of this thread to be able to talk with understanding people.

Hello everyone, I am new to this but have just spent the last five days reading the whole 78 pages of this Aussie sleeve forum and feel such a connection. My story... I had lap banding two years ago and have only lost 16 kgs. Also have not been able to find a happy medium with the fill. Went to a physician attached to my surgeons practice who took much of my fill out and sent me for a barium swallow to check for slippages. Saw my surgeon Monday who said there was no slippage. Despite having little fill I still managed to throw up in the last few weeks (even on scrambled eggs). Surgeon was understanding and said band not working for me. He took rest of fil out and I go back in 2 months to talk about what next. A close family member did the same and had her band removed then 3 months later had the sleeve. She is now 2 months out and lost about 23 kgs. Talking to my surgeon on Monday he said that he has had lengthy discussions and comparisons with his colleagues who do the band removal and sleeve in one op. He said that they have found the results are quite similar and he is now doing this in one op. He said that of course it would depend on what he finds once he opens up but if there is minimal scarring he will do both procedures at once. So now have to wait til mid December for my next appointment. Seriously considering the sleeve tho. Cheers