Catch*22

Hi - I am in the process of a revision from band to sleeve. It would seem that my body does not want to accept the band, but I am hopeful about the sleeve since it does not require any "foreign" parts to be added. I was wondering if anyone in this forum - or any other forum - has had problems with the band that seem to be associated with an autoimmune disease. I have Lupus / Lupus Nephritis, which is typically a dis qualifier for wls but I was lucky enough to find a surgeon willing to take a chance. My body began to reject the band approximately 3 - 4 months after the surgery. I vomit after eating anything with density...and the problem is becoming worse. I am down to liquids and even these must be thinned out. For example, I have to use Water or milk to decrease the density of a Protein shake. It's just awful. I was hoping to find someone to dialogue with regarding autoimmune diseases. I would welcome insight from people who know people, too Cheers

I have a lot of medication that I have to take. The vsg will not change the medication quantity. I was wondering if anyone else had to take meds (I'm talking 15+ pills / day) even after weight loss. I am a little apprehensive about how the medication will affect my stomach. It has to be better than it is right now...I have to cut all of my meds because of a banding issue...but still, I am a bit scared...

After speaking and emailing my surgeon's office, I found out that I will be having the pre-op visit on 11.11.10. After the appointment, the office will submit the information to the insurance company for review. It seems like the only thing standing between me and a surgery prior to year's end is my surgeon's schedule. The office told me that she will likely place me on her calendar as an "emergency" case. I'm very excited about having the surgery...the sooner, the better for me. I feel like I am able to start life - somehow the surgery feels like a new starting point...that and I hit 40 soon

Hi - I am currently in the process of a revision from band to sleeve. The revision is due to my band either slipping or my body "rejecting" it. A debate between my bariatric surgeon and a couple of my other physicians is in progress - to slip or not to slip. At this juncture, I don't care about cause, I want the daily vomiting to stop and I want to begin losing weight in an appropriate way. I am excited about the revision, but I am running into a bureaucratic nightmare. I cannot seem to get an answer about what tests are required prior to surgery. I had tests performed at the end of September and some in October. I have a date with the the bariatric center on 11.11 (oddly one year to the day that I had the band placed) - and the office manager is telling me I need more recent results but won't divulge which tests need to be more recent After reading through several of your stories, I feel certain that I have made the right choice with the revision to vsg. Your experiences and the steps you have taken are both helpful and inspiring. I am ready to take the leap and join the group as a vsg newbie. I look forward to sharing my journey with this forum.

Thank you. I am excited about having the sleeve done. Did you have to go through all of the lab / tests again? I have very recent workups from both my PCP and GI docs. I thought the key phrase, "I am vomiting daily" would initiate a quicker response from the surgeon's office Any insight and thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.

I have had to do a bowel prep prior to any major surgery. I remember the band prep was not incredibly pleasant I don't know if others received this advice, but I was also told not to drink anything "red" the day before surgery.