msaprildawn 59 Posted July 23, 2012 I just wanted to let you know that it is DEFINATELY worth it to convert the band to the sleeve. There is no more worrying about slipping, or leaking. The surgery was even easier then the lap band surgury. I had the lapband for 4 months and realized it was going to be a lifetime of problems. With the sleeve, most of the stretchy part of the stomach is removed so you don't have to worry about stretching it much and also you have a natural feeling of full. There is no heart attack feeling when you eat too much. I've also lost double the weight in 4 months then I lost with the band. I am so happy I made this decision. 4 sarthur911, tropicalgal, MsFab1988 and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
difa 114 Posted July 23, 2012 Congrats and good luck on your journey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downhomechik 41 Posted July 23, 2012 Congrats. It's good to know the option exists and happy weight loss Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lmwalter 1 Posted July 23, 2012 Did your insurance cover this? And if so, was there a medical reason for the switch? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
123crod 170 Posted July 23, 2012 Were you having problems already? I am surprised a surgeon didn't make you try it longer. Did the same surgeon do the surgery? I have had a couple of friends move on to the Sleeve, but I have had no problems with the Band. Good luck on your weightloss journey!! cheri Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoozQuoils 22 Posted July 24, 2012 I'm glad the sleeve is working for you but the lapband, from my understanding isn't designed to provide rapid weight loss. It's supposed to be a slow process 3-5lbs per week. 3 Debbie3sons, ☠carolinagirl☠ and NWgirl reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWgirl 574 Posted July 24, 2012 I am also curious if you switched to the sleeve after only three or four months? Peculiar. Good luck with your journey, we each must find our own way 3 Debbie3sons, elcee and ☠carolinagirl☠ reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msaprildawn 59 Posted July 24, 2012 Did your insurance cover this? And if so, was there a medical reason for the switch? Thanks Yes my insurance covered it. There was a leak in the port but it also didn't work well. I was still able to eat around it even before the leak. My insurance paid for the removal and then another surgury to switch to the sleeve. 1 JACKIEO85 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msaprildawn 59 Posted July 24, 2012 Were you having problems already? I am surprised a surgeon didn't make you try it longer. Did the same surgeon do the surgery? I have had a couple of friends move on to the Sleeve, but I have had no problems with the Band. Good luck on your weightloss journey!! cheri It had a small leak in it anyways and I could tell it wasn't going to work for me. My surgeon said he went to a convention for bariatric surgury and the latest data is that 50% of them are failing so I didn't want to take the chance any longer. 1 JACKIEO85 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msaprildawn 59 Posted July 24, 2012 I'm glad the sleeve is working for you but the lapband, from my understanding isn't designed to provide rapid weight loss. It's supposed to be a slow process 3-5lbs per week. With the sleeve I average about 10 lbs a month which is still a healthy loss but it is much easier because I feel naturally full not tortured 2 JACKIEO85 and Trayjay33 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heathylife 12 Posted July 31, 2012 Omg..i wished i would have opted for the sleeve. I am struggling..barley restricted. Do u feel suppressed hunger now? How long were u out of work? I am 5 months post band Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msaprildawn 59 Posted July 31, 2012 I wish I was able to start with the sleeve too! I definately feel supressed hunger, it's a totally different feeling. I am 5 months out of surgery and for example I eat like 1/2 a hamburger patty and I'm STUFFED. I feel like i went to the buffet and ate so much. I also have to remind myself to eat because they remove the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin. I do still crave some foods but the best thing about the sleeve is that I can eat about everything but just in smaller portions. If you have the chance to do it, i would take the leap. I was out of work for 2 weeks I probably could have made it back in 10 days but I enjoyed the time off. If you have any other questions just ask me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
difa 114 Posted July 31, 2012 make sure you do your research regarding how some studies show how the lack of ghrelin isn't permanent... 1 NWgirl reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smalltown 15 Posted July 31, 2012 Just wondering which insurance company do you have Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msaprildawn 59 Posted August 1, 2012 make sure you do your research regarding how some studies show how the lack of ghrelin isn't permanent... My doctor just came from a weight loss convention and the lastest research shows that it comes back in TRACE amounts up to the 10 years of research they have on it. The bypass is a different story as they left the part of the stomach that makes the ghrelin. Statistically, the sleeve keeps off the excess weight way longer then the lap band does. 1 JACKIEO85 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites