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Is there any reason why less lost Band to sleeve? I lost 8 lbs the first week and 13 from my last OV. Luckily I did not gain too much before converting ( 20 lbs ) . Not that its a drop in the bucket but way better than 50!. I am 20-25 lbs from goal

I agree! I was banded in 2007 and revised in 2009 from a slip. I had no idea how much havoc the band was causing internally. I converted to the sleeve March 15th, but also needed a hiatal hernia repair. The band adhered to my liver and had to be dissected to be removed. Even though the Doctor removed most of the significant scar tissue under the band I still have the narrow passage because they couldn't take it all. Hopefully it will stretch over time. I have some aching around my back but it subsides when I rest. I do have a seroma over my incision site which should resolve as well. On Protein shakes now and feeling ok, no hunger or desire to eat. Otherwise I am feeling great. I would recommend converting without reservation. Good Luck!

I have heard that most cases from my surgeons office have been approved after appeal. It is terrible that they make you "wait for the denial letter" to learn why they are saying no! I agree, get on the phone. As long as you meet the criteria, I would ask for a one on one between your surgeon and Cigna's Medical Director. Don't back down if you know it should be covered. Good luck!

I am also suprised to hear that you are taking ibuprofen, That was on the list of definetly nots. My Doc said that I would not have lasted very much longer with the band, that it was very bad. I already feel no restriction or inflammation in my throat. Going from the band to the sleeve, I am ecstatic, even with the post surgery soreness and swelling. Hope to see you are doing better in a few days!

Don't forget, muscle is denser than fat and you may not see a move on the scale but you will see and feel a difference in how your cloths fit.

Yep, Iam 3 days post op. Feeling better each day. Still learning all there is to experince. Slow going with water conusmption and also very tired - in part form my pain meds. Stomach is still prety swollen and probably the most uncomfortable issue right now. Also a little odd sensation with urinating. Otherwise on my way to recovery!

Wow, super helpful to read your comments. I am 3 days post op. No question in my md why I did it , just want to hear that all I am experienceing is normal. Swollen abdomen, trouble ( nervousness) swallowing pills, drinking, etc... I have no desire to eat, and hopefully wont ever again. LOL. Just sayin.. Otherwise I am doing pretty good. sleeping on my reclining couch has been the best so far. I am having a few hiccups and minor burping, which causes some minor pain. I am sleepy from the pain meds but want to stay ahead of the cycle.. Hope any of this helps. I am really siked to be past the surgery part of it. I also had some kind of new "block" with anesthesia which numbs all the nerves to the abdomen and reduces post - op pain. Waiting for my Vitamin Patches to arrive. Hoping to increase my energy once I can start applying. .

This is also my consern. I am on my 3rd day post op and pretty swollen in the abdomen area. Triple play, band removed, hiatal hernia repair, and gastric sleeve. I had a CT scan yesterday - the day after surgery to rule out a hernia at the primary Trocar site, It turns out to just be Fluid build up. I have also heard that large hematomas can be common. I am otherwise doing well. I feel a bit confused about taking pills. only 1 Oz of Water every 20 minutes makes it difficult to get the pills down. Oh well, these are small issues to deal with, and helpful to know they are normal.

I am scheduled tomorrow @10 AM!!!

I am having surgery on Tuesday. My Doc gave me PPI meds to take daily and recommended the Vit patch post op as well.

Great News! I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for authorization... What is your insurance and are you revising from a lap band?

I cant thank you enough for the encouragement. I physically feel a little better since the band is open ( except for all the weight gain) but mentally it has been very challenging. I have always considered my band just a tool and really have worked long and hard to reach my goal. I am very encouraged and motivated by so many people in the same boat who are sharing their story and that the sleeve is an improved option for long term success. It is definitely reiteration that even after all these years of lifestyle modifications and hard work I still need it! I really appreciate it, I feel much more at ease that I have made the right decision. Here is to new beginnings!

I am getting a revision from a recently failed Lab Band. It cant come soon enough for me. I feel like I am on a downward spiral..I've already gained 20 lbs.

March 15th! Whoo hoo....

Congrats! I am schedueld for conversion / revision in 11 days! counting down each moment...

I still have mine but converting to the gastric sleeve in 11 days! I am having esophagus uses with pouch dilatation and inflammation and weight gain. I'm so disappointed, I loved my band. It really helped me make the lifestyle changes I needed and now it is awful. The mental anguish alone is terrible. 100 lb sustained weight loss for 8 years and now re-gaining. Cant wait to convert

Good luck!

I can relate to your journey. I had my band in 2005 and a revision in 2009. I also have a dilated pouch and esophogus inflamation. I am scheduled for a revision to the gastric sleeve in 11 days! I am so excited. My band has been opened and refilled an now completly opened after my pre surgical Endoscopy which showed all the damage. I have gained 20 pounds in 4 months and it is killing me. I sustained 100 lb weight loss all these years and instantly - BAM I am gaining! I am very encouraged by the posts and reviews I see from people who have converted. Seems like a second chance to really reach goal without shutting down to liquids only... I loved when my band was tight. I could barely eat at all and I worked out like a fiend! It is not that I am eating BAD foods now as I mostly eat very clean, I just eat too much! I cant wait, I am counting down the days!

Hi everyone, I have had tremendous success with my Lab Band over the past 9 years. Lately, Over the past year or so I am experiencing esophageal issues, have developed a hiatal hernia, and the band is not working very well for me anymore. I am in the process of preparing for a conversion to the sleeve and I want to know if it is a smart decision. I used the band as a tool and have maintained over 100 lb weight loss through rigorous exercise and extreme reduction of calorie intake. I had a slip a few years ago and had the band replaced. After the replacement with the "newer" band I did not have as good results. The weight has started slowly coming back a few lbs at a time and I feel like it has been a struggle to maintain. I had an issue where my esophagus stopped moving food and was working based on gravity so I had the band opened to let it rest. I very quickly gained another 10 lbs. This is so distressing as I know what can happen if I don't take action quickly. Everyone thinks you are "fixed" when you lose the weight. The truth is I don't believe we are ever "fixed . I have resolved to believe this will be a daily priority for the rest of my life. I would love to hear feedback from folks who have converted. Good and Bad. Thank you so much! Alicia

I cant even imagine regaining all my weight. The journey has been a major life changing event, challenging, rewarding and absolutely amazing. I am sure I am stating the obvious when I say how stressful and emotionally traumatizing it is to helplessly see the lbs creeping back on. Converting to the sleeve has been a difficult decision to make because up until now the band has been my safety net. I have even found my self protecting it from un-fills and removal. LOL I remember when I had slip and the Dr said he had to remove- replace it, I was devastated. Finally, I had a tool that was working to help me reach my goals. At this point I feel really good about converting. It will be a hiccup, a hurdle in the battle but it will be worth it. I am a firm believer that if something is not broken then don't fix it however, if it is broken there is no sense in waiting any longer. At this point my band is clearly broken. I do not want to wait until I have irreversible damage to my esophagus and there is no way I am going to wait until I gain all my weight back. The insurance companies should recognize the importance of the revision. I hear some are paying for the conversion to the sleeve on appeal. Any help on this is appreciated as well. My Doctor said they pay to remove the band but have repeatedly deny the sleeve pre- surgery. He has been successful on appeal. Can anyone share recovery time stories. I plan on a week. I work remote from home for the most part so as long as I can prop up with my lap top I will be fine.

Thank you so much. All of your posts on the site are inspiring and validating my decision. I am a little worried about the GERD issues and wonder if that is in part manageable through food choice...

OMG I did it, I had a full abdomioplasty and I could just bawl at how happy I am. The results have far exceede my highest expectaion. Dr. Winski in Goshen ,NY did it and not only is he nice, professional and soothing- he has skill. Im going to attch pics if I can figure it out how. Oh anyone who is worried put your fears on the side. It is not bad at all. This is a dream come true for me.

How many of you remember the foil pants (suit) that would hook up to the vacume cleaner??? I had those!!!!

I think many of us agree that it takes time for the head to catch up to the body. I have also learned to deal with the comments and I think that at some point like you say people just cant help it because it is so noticeable. I have learned to gracefully just say thank you and not make a big deal out of it. This Tummy tuck may put me over the edge though. I finally feel like I have reached my goal. No matter how hard I worked I had that big blob of skin and fat across my abdomen and I worked 6 days a week at the gym , crunches and cardio and weights and this week I feel so proud of myself . This has brought all of my hard work into a Reality. I feel beautiful, and confident and sexy, I can feel my soul shine. I say that is a feeling you have got to embrace. Say thanks to all the people who make comments and then inside your own head .........well up a kick ass smile and absorb every bit of it. The band is not cheating, it is not easy, and there are many people who do not succeed with it. It takes work and conviction and committment. Any level of success you achieve you should be proud of yourself. Do not beat yourself up . this is a great thing you are doing for you r health and your future.

Can you guys tell me how to add pictures I have them saved on my pc and i thought I added them to the gallery but when I go there, no pics. help!! lol Thanks