Port flipping, considering sleeve

[SkinnyDreams 3]

Hi all!

So I was banded 2/11/13 and I've lost 45lbs of the 120lbs I have to lose. I went in for a fill today and have been having port pain for the past threeish weeks. I was advised that once again (4th time now) my port is flipped. It's horribly painful to flip back over. I was offered the option to either have the port revised and restiched or have sleeve. I'm strongly considering the sleeve, what are y'all's thoughts? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[1959JimmyJames 61]

I had a band for 10 years and never heard of your problem till now. If you are thinking about the sleeve now, so early after the band then I think your doctor didn't discuss this entire situation with you to your understanding. I just converted to a sleeve on March 17th. The band failed and started leaking and I gained a lot of weight back. I am 11 days post-up. I have never felt this miserable, but I am feeling a lot better. The first 4 days were pure torture. The incission where he removed my stomach and the band is bigger than the rest of the incissions, and is where the port used to sit. Now that the pain is almost gone from there, I can feel that the port is gone and that is a nice feeling. This is very serious stuff. I do know that if the sleeve would have been available 10 years ago, I would have done that operation instead of the band. I just had my 1 week post-op checkup. It was actually 1 week and 3 days post-op, and my numbers are great. I am already down 20 lbs and my blood pressure is back to normal. Now that the pain is gone, I am feeling so much better. I am almost to soft foods. 3 more days. The band worked very well for me for about 9 years and then I started gaining weight. Now that I have the sleeve, I feel better about it. I feel relieved that the band is out of me now. Good luck to you.

[Domika03 309]

My experience has been different, MUCH more positive. This will show you how everyone is different!

I had the band 8/17/13, and although was quite successful in that I lost 90 pounds, I had issues / partially slipped band on & off for several months. My final straw was when I was on vacation & had to be admitted to the ER because I couldn't eat or drink anything. After a complete unfill at the end of December, I had the revision to sleeve done on Jan 16th.

I had 1 overnight stay in the hospital. I got up & starting walking around within 2 hours after surgery, understanding that it was vital to recovery to walk around & help with gas. I was pretty medicated that 1st night & maybe 1 or 2 days thereafter. Thankfully, not much in the way of pain overall.

I made sure to follow Dr's orders with food intake for the first 3 weeks. After that, I worked with my NUT on what to eat and how much to eat. I've lost an additional 17 pounds & am pretty much on maintenance now.

Don't worry, while it is a journey, it's well worth taking. Wishing you the best to luck.

[SkinnyDreams 3]

Thank you so much, it's so nice to hear positive things! I'm very nervous to have this done. I lost a fair amount of weight with my band as well. Just have had so much trouble with the port. There are only 3 stitches holding it on and two of mine have come lose. Not fun!

I hear there is less "stuck" issues with sleeve and less vomiting and well I can't wait for that! I have thrown up three to five times a day everyday since surgery! Have you noticed that? Also, was the pain way worse? I had wicked gas pains after Lapband surgery, I used a heating pad and gas x strips and it helped so so much! Hopefully that will help after this. I'm reading in the post op section and everyone is talking about extreme pain. Ugh! I'm so scared now!

[MsDebbie 1]

My sister had the sleeve done about 2 years ago. She has not had any trouble with food getting stuck or vomiting. She had a great recovery and has lost about 100lbs.

Not like me who had the band about 5 1/2 years ago. I am constantly having problems,vomiting food getting stuck so many fills and un-fills I can't keep track. At one point the Dr. said I had a slight slip, another un-fill, then slowly started filling again. Seems every time I get to a certain weight I have problems, like the bands slips again Right now I am trying to keep liquids down until I can get to my Dr. and tell his this is crazy, I can't keep going through this.I have lost 90lbs with my band, but can't keep going through all this pain! Seriously considering the sleeve at this point.

[SkinnyDreams 3]

MsDebbie, I'm so sorry you're having so many issues! You've had a lot of success though! I agree I can't wait to have this thing out! I know sleeve is more drastic but, I'm so tired of throwing up and feeling miserable all the time! I feel ya with the fills and unfills. I have been at my Dr's at least once every month since being banded!! I hope they can help you too!

[MsDebbie 1]

The band has been a great tool, but the constant ups and downs are wearing me down. I am right with you on being fed up with the vomiting and feeling miserable. Have you decided to go with the sleeve? I am hoping to get into the Dr. monday just to get unfilled AGAIN. My daughter is getting married in 2 weeks and I don't want to be miserable for the wedding.

Best of luck to you! Please keep in touch.

[SkinnyDreams 3]

MsDebbie, I have decided on sleeve! I am scheduled for surgery on 4/22! I'm nervous as can be but very excited as well! I can't wait to be at my goal weight! I'll be sure to keep in touch and please do the same! Congrats on your daughters wedding! That's amazing!!

[JessUK 16]

MsDebbie, I have decided on sleeve! I am scheduled for surgery on 4/22! I'm nervous as can be but very excited as well! I can't wait to be at my goal weight! I'll be sure to keep in touch and please do the same! Congrats on your daughters wedding! That's amazing!!

I had my band removed in July '13 after having terrible issues from slippage. I am also having sleeve surgery on 22nd April -can't wait!!

[SkinnyDreams 3]

That's awesome!!! We will have to keep in touch!!!

[Aubsmartorana 3]

Best of luck. I'm scheduled April 18th to have my band removed and have the sleeve done at the same time. I am a little nervous about the whole thing but so tired of the band. I got the band in December 2006 and had lost 60 pounds I had a fill done and the lady actually poked a hole through my port. The insurance wouldn't cover it since I had the band in Mexico and used fill center USA for fills (she was let go of fill center but never informed her patients until later) and it wasn't life threatening. So now that the weight has returned completely I will be returning back to Mexico and saving at least 10,000.00 dollars.

[MsDebbie 1]

Good luck to both of you !!!