Flyingirls3

I have been seen by the GI Dr who recommend band removal. So I saw the surgeon today. My band was deflated leaving behind 2.5 cc of the potential 10. My surgeon is willing in some cases to remove the band then do a sleeve, but won't know until he is in there. He uses a 34 boogie for sizing. I did ask how many cases he has done approx 300 and he has not had any leaks. That made me feel good. He wants me to live with the deflated band for 3 weeks and come back and discuss the sleeve. There is a possibility my ins co will not cover the sleeve because my BMI is now 31. Lots to think about.

I was banded 3 years ago and lost around 43 lbs, (dress size 22 to 14) then the band started to act up. I had it deflated a few times and never could find the right spot. The band if now 1/2 filled and I still have problems. I on occasion regurg, but I just stay on thinner stuff. The heartburn and reflux is horrible, had none before banding. I use to be the healthy fat person, now I'm still 25+ and live horribly. I went to my primary Dr who said get it out, saw a GI dr who wants an endoscopy on Monday he says get it out and revise to sleeve. I see the surgeon Thursday. So my big questions are: how different is post op sleeve from band ( the first year I had the band I had no problems ). Will I loose the 25 lbs with a sleeve. Hopefully my insurance co will pay.

Have had problems, had upper endoscopy yesterday and everything really looks ok. Lots of pictures and in some ways I am very relieved the Dr found nothing seriously wrong. Dr still recommends band removal because I have mechanical heart burn. He recommends the sleeve. Hoping the ins company likes his recommendation. Now to see the surgeon Thursday. But now I start to wonder if I am the cause of my own pain? Am I really doing what I am suppose to do? I guess time for self reflection. My beginning weight before band 3 years ago 243, today 175 and have been at this weight for a year. One year of heartburn, indigestion :-( unrelieved by nexium, Prilosec, tums.

Hi. I am in a similar situation, been banded since 2010 and now I have all this trouble, heartburn with even water sometimes. Monday will have the band looked at. I am really considering the sleeve. At 175 I am 15 lbs away from my goal. I could lose 25. I gauged my goal weight by my daughter weight, as we are built the same. I will look sick under 145. My biggest concerns (besides the surgery itself ) banded people tend to have dilated pouches and esophagus, what happens to weight loss with these issues? Will the heart burn go away with a sleeve? Good luck :-)