Thinking of revision sleeve after 14 years living with the lap band

[Halloul 5]

Hi imam new here . I was banded 14 years ago . Did well in the beginning but started gaining the weight 2 years later. I tried to stay at goal for the past years using diet pills that have a lot of side effects on me . I am dieting all the time . I am vomiting always & I learned to live with this problem. But recently I am gaining weight & nothing I try is helping . I am fed up with the band & the vomiting & heart burn in my sleep. I live lithe life of a bolimic. I am thinking a lot about revision to sleeve , however my bmi is 26 .

Has anyone did revision surgery on bmi 27 . I am scared to put myself through

Such a major surgery , friends think I am crazy but I don't want to live with a band

Anymore & I know I am gaining day by day .

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Holy crap... Can't imagine living with the band that long! Actually, you're not living much at all. I'm assuming because ( like I was) you are in piss poor health from the repeated vomiting. You need the band out if it's only letting succeed at puking.

Before you do anything you need a physical with complete labs. You are no doubt anemic or close to it. Get healthy then do a revision. You're slowly killing your self

When I decided on the revision my BMI was 18, but since it took me 18 months to heal from band damage I went from 18.. To.. Can't remember, but it says on my ticker below.

Get healthy and commit yourself to health not vanity. It's the only way of succeeding with the sleeve.

Good luck:D

[Halloul 5]

Thank you for your reply . I am taking Vitamins & trying my best to stay healthy . My doctor appointment is tomorrow . Ready for a full check up . But I am scared to look anorexic with the sleeve .

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Yes, I would recommend having the band removed before going to the sleeve. Just because if you can't afford to lose about 20 lbs you may go too far below a healthy weight at the beginning of the VSG. You're doc will know best after you consultation.

Good luck.. And get rid of that nasty band. (read my story on my profile)

[Lana Humphries 0]

I think removing the sleeve it is a very wise thing to do. The sleeve has become the most popular way to go. The advantage is that they remove the fundas that sends harmones to your brain telling you that your hungry. so you can eat better than the band but not as much and food it not as important as it usually is

[marfar7 1,533]

My bmi is 27 and I'm revising to the sleeve after 3 1/2 yrs with th band cuz it slipped. I had the same questions: Why would I have WLS if my bmi is so close to normal? Because while I can probably eventually lose the last 30 lbs I have left, I KNOW I can't keep it off. Medicare will pay for the revision because I had complications. If you have complications from your band, I'm sure your insurance will cover it, but I don't think any insurance company out there will cover WLS with a bmi of 26.

I'm waiting for the inflammation to go down before revising (so I can do it all at once) so I don't have a date yet (probably late June). I know exactly how you feel tho - have a bmi so close to normal but wanting it to stay there forever. I read somewhere that your body know when to stop losing weight and will stop before you become emaciated. I was afraid of looking like a bypass patient too. I want to be healthy - not rail thin.

Good luck!

[maddpw 0]

Hi! I have had the band for the last 6 years. I lost almost 100 but developed an esophageal pouch. Once my band was loose over the course of 2 years I put all my weight back on. I've tried everything to control my eating and lose weight. I've also tried pills etc. Also found out I have a non functioning thyroid. I am having my band removed and sleeve performed June 4th. Looking forward to having band removed! I have heard from my surgeon and other patients that you don't lose near as quickly with a revision. I'm willing to try though.