failed lap band and now considering the sleeve

[rachel1217 4]

4 1/2 years ago I had lap band done at 283#'s, I lost 140#s in 23 months due to a bad band that restricted me to a liquid diet for 18 of the months before it finally slipped all the way and would not let even fluids through. I was 145 pounds, severely dehydrated and mal-nourished by the time my doctor removed the band... that was just over 2 years ago. Now I am sitting at 229# again and feeling all those old horrible feelings of shame, depression, failure, embarassment... I am consideting having the sleeve done and have started the insurance process... but very scared. It seems like if something CAN go wrong -it will with me. I have a very supportive husband and a good pcp that is working hard to try and get this approved again for me but I have not told any of my friends or family about this. I am worried they will try and talk me out of it due to all the issues I had with the band. I guess I am just looking for support from people that have "walked in my shoes" and know how I am feeling.

[Kristina J. 581]

I had a horrible band experience. Lost 100# over two years and was fine until it slipped. It was removed in an awful surgery that went badly to say the least. I regained it all plus some. I was re-banded and had nothing but problems and never lost more than 40#. I am finally getting rid of my band completely after 10 years of fighting this thing!! Couldn't be more excited to ditch it!!

[pottergirl 261]

i am sorry you both suffered with the band.i Very seriously considered the band ten years ago but never went through with it when i heard about the commitment with fills and the port.

[rachel1217 4]

I had a horrible band experience. Lost 100# over two years and was fine until it slipped. It was removed in an awful surgery that went badly to say the least. I regained it all plus some. I was re-banded and had nothing but problems and never lost more than 40#. I am finally getting rid of my band completely after 10 years of fighting this thing!! Couldn't be more excited to ditch it!!

[rachel1217 4]

Hi! Are you considering the sleeve now?

[Kristina J. 581]

i am sorry you both suffered with the band.i Very seriously considered the band ten years ago but never went through with it when i heard about the commitment with fills and the port.

It's funny since the maintenance with the band really wasn't that bad for me. I actually liked the idea of it being adjustable. It was the long term complications with slippage that ended up doing me in!! But whatever it was that kept you from going down that road, count your blessings! lol

I value my experience with the band in a lot of ways though. I think it's really prepared me to fully commit to the sleeve in a way that I may not have been able to before (just due to age/immaturity). But I am glad that people are becoming more aware of its complications and choosing other options now! Glad you were able to avoid all the trouble!

[Kristina J. 581]

Hi! Are you considering the sleeve now?

Me? Yes. I'm scheduled for revision on May 11th.

[pottergirl 261]

i am glad i waited for the sleeve......i get restriction i need. it's a fabulous tool..i eat three small meals and a snack...i only do the snack so i can meet my Protein requirements.....you will love the sleeve

[Kristina J. 581]

i am glad i waited for the sleeve......i get restriction i need. it's a fabulous tool..i eat three small meals and a snack...i only do the snack so i can meet my Protein requirements.....you will love the sleeve

I can't wait. I really am looking forward to it. This has been 10 years coming and I'm ready to move on and really work hard to meet my goals!

[JoiaRox 430]

Had a severe slip with my LapBand and finally had it removed in March 2013 (installed in January 2010). While I lost over 100 pounds, I gained all but 30 of it back with frappuccinos and other high calorie drinks (it was the only thing that would go down with ease). My doctor wouldn't convert to a sleeve during the removal surgery because he wanted to give my stomach a chance to heal from the trauma of living with a slip for over a year (my former insurance company didn't cover bariatric stuff). BUT - getting the sleeve on June 7, 2013 and couldn't be more thrilled!

I agree with a poster above who said that the journey, painful as it was, has better prepared me for life with the sleeve. I'm looking forward to the restriction, the rules, etc. because I know WHAT to do. And, of course, I never want to live through digestive hell again - with a good team of doctors by my side this time, and the right mindset, I know I can do this!

[Dee White 140]

I no ur pain

[Sweettart702 8]

4 1/2 years ago I had lap band done at 283#'s' date=' I lost 140#s in 23 months due to a bad band that restricted me to a liquid diet for 18 of the months before it finally slipped all the way and would not let even fluids through. I was 145 pounds, severely dehydrated and mal-nourished by the time my doctor removed the band... that was just over 2 years ago. Now I am sitting at 229# again and feeling all those old horrible feelings of shame, depression, failure, embarassment... I am consideting having the sleeve done and have started the insurance process... but very scared. It seems like if something CAN go wrong -it will with me. I have a very supportive husband and a good pcp that is working hard to try and get this approved again for me but I have not told any of my friends or family about this. I am worried they will try and talk me out of it due to all the issues I had with the band. I guess I am just looking for support from people that have "walked in my shoes" and know how I am feeling. [/quote']

I feel your pain. I had Lapband in 2009, lost about 90 pounds. Then it slipped, had revision surgery, then nonstop problems with it until I finally had it removed last year. I have gained back all the weight I lost which is depressing. I get scared of having surgery too but think I'm more scared of all the problems I will have staying big. Good luck to you...we are here to support one another!

[TanyaB 25]

I just went through the same thing and have my sleeve done October 3rd. I'm very excited about how it's going so far. I think it's a very positive move. Good luck in your adventure!

[kymomofmany 3]

I'm a former bander also. I had the Lap-band done Sept 2007, and lost 30 lbs in the beginning then the port flipped so April 2008 I had to have a surgery to move the port, then I got pregnant in 2009 and when they removed the Fluid for the pregnancy they pierced the tubing so after 2 babies back to back they did another surgery to repair the port and I've had nothing but pain since then so I finally got a revision, 12/6/13. My surgeon removed the band and I opted for the sleeve. 15 days post-op and I finally feel normal again, so I am so excited about the sleeve and the journey ahead in weight loss.