AnneElliot

Hi Everyone!!! I was hoping for some assistance - I am not sure what to do! I am a former TLBC patient of Dr. Yau's - we've been dropped by the clinic and no longer receive support. I am completely done with my lap-band and I have been told that I can have it removed by the nurse at Slimband and have the procedure covered by OHIP. I was hoping to get some advise from any patients of TLBC or others who had their lap-band removed in Ontario. What steps did you take? Was the procedure covered by OHIP? How long did take for you to have a surgery scheduled? I appreciate all help! Thanks Anne.

Pasta, red meat, or rice. Some ppl can and others cant. There's no guarantees which one you will fall into. I will lose weight. But I won't be able to eat like a normal person ever again even in moderation. 2) Acid reflux is a serious issue with the sleeve. I never ever had an issue with the band. I am dealing with rather bad GERD even though I am taking prescription meds. I have chatted with folks that it got so bad over the yrs that they had to revise to gastric bypass. 3) Vitamins! You can't live without them. Daily intake or I will develop issues. Are committed to do that? 4) NSAIDS! Even if your surgeon tells you that you can take them. There's significant debate on whether sleeved folks should take them or not. These meds are very hard on a normal stomach let alone a thin sleeve! Continous use will most likely lead ulcers which are very dangerous with little or no stomach left.Think about aging and the lack of NSAIDS. 5) You can still get stuck! I just had to vomit food yesterday. You still experience that nasty slime....eww! I cried the first time it happened cause I lived with that for 8 yrs. Please feel free to message me. Think about life beyond weight loss cause there's no turning back with the sleeve

Pasta, red meat, or rice. Some ppl can and others cant. There's no guarantees which one you will fall into. I will lose weight. But I won't be able to eat like a normal person ever again even in moderation. 2) Acid reflux is a serious issue with the sleeve. I never ever had an issue with the band. I am dealing with rather bad GERD even though I am taking prescription meds. I have chatted with folks that it got so bad over the yrs that they had to revise to gastric bypass. 3) Vitamins! You can't live without them. Daily intake or I will develop issues. Are committed to do that? 4) NSAIDS! Even if your surgeon tells you that you can take them. There's significant debate on whether sleeved folks should take them or not. These meds are very hard on a normal stomach let alone a thin sleeve! Continous use will most likely lead ulcers which are very dangerous with little or no stomach left.Think about aging and the lack of NSAIDS. 5) You can still get stuck! I just had to vomit food yesterday. You still experience that nasty slime....eww! I cried the first time it happened cause I lived with that for 8 yrs. Please feel free to message me. Think about life beyond weight loss cause there's no turning back with the sleeve

I would like to survey all post op folks on their experiences with acid reflux.

Do you know your original bougie size? I didn't realize the sleeve actually stretched! Did you see before and after images of your sleeve to confirm the stretch?

You may have a stricture! Do not put up with throwing up so much. Your damaging your esophagus. Good luck, such is life when we screw up with biology.

Why would you take drugs after you had a surgery that removed 80% of your stomach??

Tots normal. It's a new reality of life. Drink more water and use a mouthwash that helps with dry mouth

This surgery destroys your personal life and . You can't enjoy eating out. You will have lots health issues over the years not immediately or maybe immediately. So yea depression and anxiety will be common.

@FAT TWO FABULOUS You will only be able to eat one cup for the rest of your life. No you cannot eat out comfortably. So stop spreading misinformation

It's going to be very difficult post op, as you simply won't have the capacity to eat unless it sit's well in your stomach. There are natural ways to lose weight. Try a keto/primal lifestyle! I regret my surgery. The weight loss is not worth not eating out, acid reflux and all the cap that comes the rest of my life

Congrats and welcome to the hell that's going to be the rest of your life!

It's probably going to be forever. It will hurt alot to drink Soda....

Woah! Before you take this irreversible step! Remember that as a revision you far more prone to complications! Is it worth the weight loss? He'll no. Get the band out and hold onto your stomach. Many band to sleeve revision suffer with severe acid reflux a few years out. Some even need a revision to gastric bypass!

@Smartfish don't do this! Manage your illness and eat healthy. Shit, this path is not worth the damn weight loss

You clearly don't understand that honesty is required when providing support! No worries at 3 months post op. The way I am headed with my acid reflux I will probably also be triple threat with yet another revision!

@bearhugs1975......so you had a journey filled with complications post op from your initial revision and yet you recommend the revisions! Lool. So you're a triple threat in the world of WLS! Please be honest, your complications are due to your revision! These ppl are asking questions to seek advice and not hear meaningless platitudes. They want to avoid our mistakes! There's no shame in admitting your revision from the band to the sleeve led to so many complications you needed to be revised to the bypass. That the revision may have staved of diabetes but led to more surgeries and other issues

If you can lose so much on your own....why do this drastic surgery. How do you rationalize, removing 80% of your stomach. I was hopeless and did this insane surgery. Now I am losing too fast and could care less about the weight loss. I would take every single pound back not to be on daily meds for this acid reflux

It's so It's so much easier to manage those things than the damn complications associated with this surgery. But good luck

Acid reflux issues with the sleeve may not pop up immediately. They can set in several years dose the road. Neither the bypass or sleeve maybe an option. There's so much to consider. Unless this is a life or the death situation. Take the time to consider your decision.

@Smartfish. I recommend neither. The bypass and sleeve are very drastic surgeries that will impact your life negatively.

Yikes, that's awful @rideoutpc She probably has stricture. I hope she feels better.

I would strongly recommend removing the band and working towards good health. The sleeve is a far more invasive surgery and your at a higher risk of complications as a revision. Don't do it. You will have the same experiences of crazy restriction one day and no restriction the mext. The sleeve is not your only option! It's a irreversible procedure that is very serious. Read the complications forum, all those ppl thought it would be best but it ruined their lives. Moreover regain is possible! So you lose 80 percent of your stomach. But can regain cause you're not addressing the true cause which is a good addiction. Listen to your family

I incorrectly thought it was the only way. food addiction is mental. You will regain after bariatric surgery if you don't work in it. You can lose weight without bariatric surgery if you work on the addiction. I would recommend seeking counselling for the food addiction before even considering this drastic surgery

Totally normal to freak out!!! Your removing 80 percent of your stomach permantely.