Poorehouse

Awesome pic and you even look younger!

All of you are such a great help! I am going for second opinion. I will say I did cheat the band I guess you could say but it was more because it was literally easier to eat than the food good for you! Crazy. I never felt full. And hated the stuck feeling. I really am thinking if I physically could not eat more than 6 ounces and felt full then I would be a success. I did come across the DS and wondered about that... What is the difference in that and the sleeve?

I have UHC (through att) does anyone have this plan and how log did it take to get approval and do you know what if any requirements had to be met to get approved? My history has two bands, port replaced, hernia repaired when I got second band. I drained it two years ago when preg and did not refill because a I nursed a year... Not I just want it out all the problems I see freaks me out lol ohhh and I have hardly lost anything even with band My BMI right now is 39 or 40

I have a 14 month old baby - just learning to walk. Yes, I know why walk when you can ride mommys hip! Anyway, I have been trying to decided if I want to go from band to sleeve. I hate the band and you guys are so great posting your experience and advice. I'm pretty sure I am going to do it, the question is WHEN... I have to do before Jan because my deductibles are met... But I have a young toddler. I could get some help but not sure for how long. By the time I do it he will be walking pretty good but how will I feel REALLY feel the first few weeks out if surgery and how until I can pick him up? He's 19-24 pounds

Dr Cribbins returned my call this morning LOL Ill see him next week thank you.

Yes... I have gone through two bands - the second one was an attempt to fix the original band that was ruined by over fills which caused so much dilation it stretched out the stomach and I spit up all the time every day. When I got pregnant I have the fluid removed and how nice was it to eat and not have food STUCK for several outs. Never felt full. So I decided to research the sleeve after two friends were extremely successful on it. Another factor ... Paying $700 a months in daycare there is no way I can afford to keep paying for fills over and over plus the office visit.... It is so expensive! So while I know this is going to be hard it seems that everyone in this for forum seems to be happy with the sleeve choice...

Omg y'all are cracking me up and freaking me outta the same time! LOL How much are we going to have to drink, depending in that I would suggest ask if they have any that is cold and make sure it is mixed up good then try to choke it down. The long the contrast sits the more the medication in it sinks to the bottom and taste even worse. As anyone done the dye test and FOUND a leak and if sooo what did they do the repair it. Much love for you guys!

I have had band in for probable 6-7 years... Te last 2 years my band has been empty due to my having a baby. I was never successful on band... And after talking to y'all want revision to sleeve. Some questions I had were... Is it beneficial to have the band drained first? I know mine is already drained but since I have had it in do long I wondered if that is a plus as far as the revision goes. I also wanted to know those who are successful with sleeve did you weight loss "age" you in appearance in your face. That may found stupid but I have a friend lost a lot of weight with her 3 bands lol... But while her body looks good she looks 10 years older now and wrinkles so defined in face. She's 40. Is there anything that you guys would suggest that someone who will have the sleeve in future can start doing now to help with the changes your body will go through. I hope that mashed sense ... Like should I take Biotin now to prevent hair loss if surgery is planned 2 months from now... As always thanks

Great question as I am researching too. I want to add to your question ... Did your doctors drain the fluid prior to revision and does that make a difference? My band has NOT been filled on two years (I had a baby). I was wondering if that is a plus or if it really doesn't matter because you still have a band around your stomach.

About 4 years ago I needed my band because another doc over filled it so much and so often he ruined it. It was suggest I check out dr provost and dr Cribbins... Dr Cribbins wanted to remove band for a YEAR then do a sleeve. At the time I had not heard very much about the sleeve and I made mistake of watching the surgery on YouTube and thought ohhhhh hellllll no! LOL so then I went to dr Provost also considered one of the best (staff questionable at times lol) he had 27 years experience and did first Gastric Bypass. I know from what I have heard and confirmed by talking to other patients in his waiting room that he is the "go to" doc when your surgeries go bad, for example he had a lot of "I had mine done in Mexico can you help me" patients and the ones I spoke to swore by him. At that time the sleeve was not discussed because I was hoping te band would work out. In the end he did fix the band the best he could but I was still never successful on it. Fast forward to now.... I'm mentally preparing for the sleeve and this site has been sooooo help full to me. You guys are so amazing with your support. As it stands... I DID call Dr. Cribbins office two or three times and left a message with his nurse explaining I was ready to do revision like he suggested many years ago and want to know how many he had done. NO responses to any of my calls ... Not even to to tell me I had to make an appt ... So that was disappointing. But I do know he is good. So I now have an UGI and consultation scheduled with dr provost next Thursday. I hope it is the right decision all the way around. Thank you so much for all of your kind words of advice! Ill let you know how it goes. And I agree I want to be a patient not a number

I was wondering how much weight on average has everyone lost after a year and HOW LONG HAVE Y'ALL KEPT IT OFF? I know you have to work at it but my band was soo unsuccessful I wanted to know people's experience as far as keeping it off... Thanks!

I appreciate your in put. I hope with this being a revision that I will not have to wait 6 months! I have taken classes in the past, I have a BMI over 35 for last 20+ years and he did my last band. UHC usually approves with in 1-2 weeks so if HE is the hold up then I may have to find another surgeon only because my deductibles are all met for this year and I do NOT want to have to pay another deductible when I still have 4 months left on this year to meet requirements know what I mean... I am debating between him and Dr Cribbins only cause Cribbins is HOUR closer but I don't mind driving for the best

Ok is that because this is your first surgery or are you having a revision and still have to jump through all that lol

Why Feb 2014... Is that his next available??? Usually insurance approval takes 30 days... Please don't tell me he is 6 months out!

Thank you about dr Cribbins ill call today... If the other doctor is waiting only a week then it could because he is "double dipping" charging for TWO surgeries... (I work in medical field LOL) Thank you so much I will check in to him

LOL ... I have had TWO bands and mr port replaced. And I never lost more than 25-30 pounds in the 6 years I have had it. I never felt full only stuck so yeah... I hate it. I'm hoping I can replace with revision I know I can find help for 2 weeks but 4 could be harder You don't realize how much you lift a baby ... Until you can't.

I have appt with Provost sept 5th... He did my second band (after another doc messed up first one). I am going to consult with him about the sleeve but I am open to other docs I wish I could find a doc that has done a lot of revisions band to sleeve then I would feel better LOL I know provost is good I just hope he has done a lot if band to sleeve according to his PA he has only done a handful

I have the band and I have had it 5 years ... I HATE it! I still feel hungry and I don't get a full feeling I get a stuck feeling! I have had port replaced and I had to have band replaced too! I never lost more than 25-30 pounds. And after reading band to sleeve revisions on this site and all. Their problems I am having my band removed and checking into the sleeve myself. If had to do again I would have done sleeve to begin with. Plus consider the cost long term ... The band requires office visiting and fills every 4-6 WEEKS until goal is met IF it gets met and that cool take over a year. Very expensive! It adds up! Sleeve after your post op you will follow up every 6 months I believe. Get another opinion ... It may be you are too small for surgery

That is amazing! Are you a band to sleeve recision?

Ohhh Debra that's terrible!!! Have you already had the revision? Band to sleeve and where you happy with Dr.provost as a surgeon? It's sad when you have a good doc an the staff sucks. At least with the sleeve there isn't much follow up unlike the band. I'm glad he didn't try to convince you to so to the GB. Do you happen to know how many band to sleeve revisions he has done and did he do it in one surgery for you? I'm sorry you are having trouble with staff maybe you should ask Dr.P who HE would like to refer too since his staff doesn't have an answer for you.

Well all have you have convinced me maybe Nicholson is not the doctor for me since more than one person both felt like they were just a number. And charging 250 for a consult to me is ridiculous. I know that Dr. provost is very good I just wanted him to have done more band to sleeve revisions. And he is hour and half drive from my house I also like Dr Cribbins too I will look into the other suggestions people gave too.

Wow 250 to talk to a patient for 25 min... And you are brining him a 30,000 dollar surgery! I take it insurance did not cover the consult? That is good to know thank you!

Ok mixed reviews on Dr. Nicholson it seems some love him and then someone commented that they felt they got the run around and then someone said "they could do dr.Nicholson" hahahaha So I was wondering if I could get a little more feed back on him. You guys by the way are so great! I love that I can talk these decisions out with people that are in the same boat as me! Thank you all for taking the time to give me your opinions!

Debra - you said you were using Dr.Provost in Denton... When you spoke to him did he try to convince you to do the gastric bypass before the sleeve? His PA told me he prefers the GB and I will NOT do that. Also, did you happen to asked him how many BAND to sleeve revisions he has done? She told me he has done 500 of band to GB but only FIVE band to sleeve and I didn't think that could be right. Dr provost did my second band (wish I never got it) and I was considering the sleeve but want to pick the best doctor since revision is more complicated. I'm interested in your conversation with him. Thanks for your help.