Band to Sleeve Failure and "Desperate"

[BKLYNgal87 503]

Delamoras - are you taking a daily PPI like prilosec (omeprazole)? For sure there are plenty of people who never lose the "hunger" sensation. But I find mine is easier to manage if I take my daily PPI early in the morning, so some of it must be due to stomach acid. Glad you are toning back the food. It's better to be safe than sorry this early out. It will get better. I can assure you of that.

[kyleebean 209]

I had band to sleeve conversion in November. I wouldn't say I felt no restriction, but I didn't notice the "full" feeling until I was eating real food~ chicken with cooked veg, ground turkey with cheese and sauce, etc. Looking at your statistics, you started at a lower weight so I wouldn't expect you to drop a ton right away....disappointing as that is. hang in there.

[Band07 374]

I was band to sleeve in September and I never experienced loss of appetite or any restriction, even at 6 months out I struggle everyday. I initially lost about 15 lbs and now Iv gained 7 back, Iv started running 2 - 3 miles a couple times a week, I figure it's all on me now and I 100% believe this didn't work for me because of my history of dilated pouches with the band, I hope you have better luck.

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

Ok, it was my experience that due the nerves that are cut during sleeve surgery that i couldn't really feel restriction well until about 6 weeks post op... and as I started transitioning to firmer food. I think you might be panicking too soon. I ate by the measuring spoon and cup and the clock those first 2 months because I could not trust what my tummy was telling me. That DID change, and it was hard to transition to solids but i did it and was very successful. Hang in there and good luck.

[delamoras3 2]

I was band to sleeve in September and I never experienced loss of appetite or any restriction, even at 6 months out I struggle everyday. I initially lost about 15 lbs and now Iv gained 7 back, Iv started running 2 - 3 miles a couple times a week, I figure it's all on me now and I 100% believe this didn't work for me because of my history of dilated pouches with the band, I hope you have better luck.

I'm struggling not to eat more every day, I felt more restriction before re moved my band.... I feel so hungry, like throwing up hungry. I stop myself every time I get this hunger pangs and down a bottle of Water, but as soon as the Water passes through the pain is back. I'm staying of the scale for a week and see how it pans out, working out every day and measuring everything.... something is gotta give. Thanks for sharing your story with me.

[slikchik10 85]

Here's my input (for what it's worth)... I had the band for 7 yrs and my revision is coming up on the 1yr. mark. I discovered (after the nerve healing time mentioned) that my interpretation of restriction was skewed by my experience with the band. With my band, what I thought was restriction was really food backed up into my esophagus instead. Now, I have a better understanding of how restriction is supposed to feel. Give yourself some time to focus on that feeling. Eat slowly, pause, and wait. The full feeling (at least for me) ended up in a different place compared to what I experienced with my band. Good luck!

[hopeful2 be slim 121]

Oh no...food backed up....must be bad...glad you did the revision...me too...I am not loosing too much...body was already used to less food and high Protein..

But I am hopeful...with less food more Water and exercise we will loose weight.

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

"Throwing up hungry" "the pain is back" sounds to me like it is acid not hunger. Make sure you are taking your PPI everyday this will definitely help you.

I was band to sleeve in September and I never experienced loss of appetite or any restriction, even at 6 months out I struggle everyday. I initially lost about 15 lbs and now Iv gained 7 back, Iv started running 2 - 3 miles a couple times a week, I figure it's all on me now and I 100% believe this didn't work for me because of my history of dilated pouches with the band, I hope you have better luck.

I'm struggling not to eat more every day, I felt more restriction before re moved my band.... I feel so hungry, like throwing up hungry. I stop myself every time I get this hunger pangs and down a bottle of Water, but as soon as the Water passes through the pain is back. I'm staying of the scale for a week and see how it pans out, working out every day and measuring everything.... something is gotta give. Thanks for sharing your story with me.

[Kindle 8,667]

Try taking some Maalox or Rolaids when you feel hungry. It could very well be acid. I was on 40mg Omeprazole but still got acid "hunger pains" in the first 6 weeks. Maalox really helped. At 3 months out I'm now off all PPI's and antacids. My surgeon uses a 32 bougie and oversews, so I have very good restriction. Do you know what your surgeon used?

As for your slow weight loss, you are basically starting at the point a lot of people are finishing. Your BMI is very low for WLS and this is where everyone's weight loss really slows down. Unfortunately You may not get the magical "honeymoon period" because your body and metabolism is pre-adjusted from your band.

[hopeful2 be slim 121]

I agree with Kindle...our bodies are used to eating less..eating more Protein,drinking more Water...so loosing weight is more tough for us..

but we will succeed...and use this tool well.

[JacobsMommy 27]

Hi there,

I am new to this forum, and I am considering revision band to sleeve surgery. I've watched multiple youtube videos, some good and some horrible; therefore, I am very nervous to meet with the new surgeon tomorrow. I like this forum and it is very helpful. Because the band did not work out as well as I thought it would, my biggest fear with the revision is failing. I appreciate how you all give your feed back and encouragement. so so nervous!!

[Cassiecarson 7]

I am having the band to sleeve revision on April 12. Fingers crossed. I'm using a very experienced surgeon who has done over 1000 revisions. He says the only way I will wake up without it is if I have an eroded band. Has anyone here had an eroded band and what was your symptoms? I have a lot of restriction and find myself hugging the toilet often especially when eating Protein like meat and breads. I'm just stressed and hoping for one surgery. Can anyone help?

[AuntieLala83 81]

I am having the band to sleeve revision on April 12. Fingers crossed. I'm using a very experienced surgeon who has done over 1000 revisions. He says the only way I will wake up without it is if I have an eroded band. Has anyone here had an eroded band and what was your symptoms? I have a lot of restriction and find myself hugging the toilet often especially when eating Protein like meat and breads. I'm just stressed and hoping for one surgery. Can anyone help?

I had my revision on Feb 25... My Dr said out of the 1000 he's done, he only couldn't perform 1... It's rare that you wake up without a sleeve! You'll do fine!

[Tate777 84]

Unlike many others here, I was able to eat soft solids at 2 weeks out (including chicken or ground beef). I am 2 months out right now. I DO experience hunger--- pretty much every 3-4 hours-- but I also exercise every day (some days at a pretty intense level). I find that starting with Protein really helps fill me up. I cannot eat more than 4-5 oz of anything at a time.

Also, I have found that for some people, the focus is rapid weight loss. I have to admit-- I was one of those folks, initially. But now, I am working on learning how to live my life with my new stomach--- eating foods that are nourishing, and taste good. Moving my body every day. Learning to deal with my emotions without food. Baby steps, steady progress.

[delamoras3 2]

Here's my input (for what it's worth)... I had the band for 7 yrs and my revision is coming up on the 1yr. mark. I discovered (after the nerve healing time mentioned) that my interpretation of restriction was skewed by my experience with the band. With my band, what I thought was restriction was really food backed up into my esophagus instead. Now, I have a better understanding of how restriction is supposed to feel. Give yourself some time to focus on that feeling. Eat slowly, pause, and wait. The full feeling (at least for me) ended up in a different place compared to what I experienced with my band. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing your experience; I'm pacing myself now, still not getting the filled feeling yet and I guess it will come in time.

My biggest fear is that since I can eat more than I'm supposed to that I will go back to my old habits and hang in there for a while but once I'm tired of it I will start over eating again. The purpose of the surgery is that it will restrict me from over eating, with 70% of my stomach gone I shouldn't be able to eat more than 30%.

I'm taking baby steps and am praying that it will come soon, I remember with the band getting to the sweet spot and I felt restriction right away. I can see that you have lost a significant amount of weight in one year. Congratulations on that.

Was your weight loss slow?