Band being taken out due to "pseudo-achalasia"

[sleeveee 23]

I had the band placed on March 10, 2011. Now, I will be having the band removed and will be undergoing the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on March 16, 2015. That is very soon!

My history: The band worked very well for about three years. Then changes in my esophagus were noted on the Barium Swallow tests, and that was followed by band unfills, more Barium Swallow Testing, band refills, more Barium Swallow Testing and on and on and repeated for about a year.

Now it is clear to both my surgeon and to me that the band must come out as it is not restricting my intake with the unfills and my esophagus issues arise when I get fills.

I put on a significant amount of weight that I had previously lost with a working band. My hope is to utilize the sleeve procedure to lose that weight and more, to reach my goal weight!

I hope that others who are facing the same issues will chime in. In any case, best of luck to all who will be undergoing band to sleeve revisions.

~~ Barbara

[LSF 264]

I had the revision a few weeks ago after having the band for 6 years. I have posted this before but I truly believe that we have an easier time adjusting because we've been through it before. I haven't vomited, and each week I add a new food to my diet ( except for dense meat- still too early) and am not having any problems. I think it's because I'm already used to eating slow, chewing thoroughly and know when to stop. Today at work we had a free pizza delivered, I was kind of hungry so I took a slice/square, pulled off the topping and just are that. Threw the crust away and it was so good!! Good luck to you!

[sleeveee 23]

I had the revision a few weeks ago after having the band for 6 years. I have posted this before but I truly believe that we have an easier time adjusting because we've been through it before. I haven't vomited, and each week I add a new food to my diet ( except for dense meat- still too early) and am not having any problems. I think it's because I'm already used to eating slow, chewing thoroughly and know when to stop. Today at work we had a free pizza delivered, I was kind of hungry so I took a slice/square, pulled off the topping and just are that. Threw the crust away and it was so good!! Good luck to you!

Thank you. It's nice to hear positive outcomes. Continued best wishes on your journey.

[bearhugs1975 57]

I had a revision on Oct 20 after having pretty well the same issues as you are having. Let me just say, I love my sleeve. It is like being "normal" again. When you are full, you just feel naturally full. I have stopped mid bite because I just don't feel the need to swallow that bite. No worries about it. No mourning your meal when the band didn't allow. I just feel satisfied and done. I also no longer worry about that belch that may end badly. The valves at the entrance and exit of the sleeved area are your original stomach valves so everything works as nature intended. I hope this helps! I had my band for 5 years.

Edited February 28, 2015 by bearhugs1975

[sleeveee 23]

I had a revision on Oct 20 after having pretty well the same issues as you are having. Let me just say, I love my sleeve. It is like being "normal" again. When you are full, you just feel naturally full. I have stopped mid bite because I just don't feel the need to swallow that bite. No worries about it. No mourning your meal when the band didn't allow. I just feel satisfied and done. I also no longer worry about that belch that may end badly. The valves at the entrance and exit of the sleeved area are your original stomach valves so everything works as nature intended. I hope this helps! I had my band for 5 years.

My original surgery date was October 20th, but it got postponed as the surgeon kept testing and re-testing the band with fills followed by the Barium Swallow Tests.

It's re-assuring to read that you are getting comfortably full and that satisfaction arrives along with that comfort. I'll be happy to be back to those feelings once again.

Also, I like that the valves are not anatomically changed.

It's lovely to hear that things are working for you as nature intended. I hope the same for me. Continued best wishes on your journey.

[melissa808 5]

I had my band removed in July '14 and the sleeve done in Nov '14. Couldn't be happier. All the stuck feelings I used to get with the band, the choking and the slime are gone. I definitely had success with the band initially but it slipped upward once and I had it revised. One year later slipped again. By the second time the doctor said this tool was just not cooperating with my body. He did say that my stomach needed to heal after having the band removed before doing the sleeve so I would check with your doctor about that. I have lost about 50 pounds so far and feel great.

[sleeveee 23]

Thank you. I will check with my surgeon. Gr8 to hear you are making progress now that the band is gone.

[LSF 264]

Thank you. I will check with my surgeon. Gr8 to hear you are making progress now that the band is gone.

I was able to have my revision done in 1 surgery

[psychicrhino 13]

Sympathetic. Had my band x 8 years and lost appx 90# with it. Progressively severe reflux left me sleeping in a chair and even then, not well. Band removed 18 mo ago and I have regained appx. 40# lbs. Finances delayed sleeve procedure but am having it done day after tomorrow! Hoping for good results.

[Thundergrrl 7]

WOW! Same exact experience here! And my revision to sleeve is on March 16th. I would love to keep in touch and see how you progress.

I was banded 3/17/2010 and now 5 years to the day (almost) later, I'm revising. I had a lot of luck with my band - 95 lbs lost and kept off for 2 years - until the problems started and the fills/unfills, and regain.