Band to Sleeve GRIPE...feeling down and frustrated :(

[Just Lindsey 3]

Brief history: I had the lap band February 2012. It was an awful experience, one that I had to live with for two years before insurance would pay for a conversion. I chose the gastric sleeve and had that performed August 20, 2014. My highest weight (ever) was 336, and that was in 2006. I had since then lost and regained, going down to 285, back up to 325. I was 313.6 the day of my lap band surgery and only lost to 282 in the two years I had it.

For the sleeve, I was 305 the day of surgery and I am sitting here at 261. I feel like I should have lost more in the 10 months since I've had this procedure. My surgeon told me that my weight loss would be "slower" due to me already having had the band and my sleeve being a "little bigger at the top" due to "scar tissue" from the band. I try not to compare myself to other people but it's hard when you see someone who has been sleeved for six months and have dropped 100 pounds already. I am just frustrated and at my wits end and feeling like a complete FAILURE.

Is there anyone else out there who converted from band to sleeve? How has your weight loss gone?

[NewNewMe 277]

What is your diet like? Are you eating mainly Protein and veggies? How many calories a day are you getting? Are you exercising? From what I've seen there is various degrees of success based on diet and exercise routines. You are not a failure! Just take a close look at your routine and make some changes to spark the weight loss.

[jeanniereenie 177]

i am sorry for your frustration, i hope you figure out a way to make it all work for you!

i have been in classes before with band to sleeve conversions and they have had the same issues.

just be patient, how is your body feeling? more energy? sleeping better? small successes are the best in my life!

good luck!

[RNsleever715 117]

I know it must be frustrating that you haven't lost as quickly as you would like, but having said that, 44 lbs is a small child!!! Just remember that! You're doing great, hang in there!

[JamieLogical 8,708]

It's important not to compare yourself to others on these boards. I know it can be hard, but everyone's journey is unique. You have had more success with the sleeve than you did with the band, so hold onto that. Take a look at where you might be able to make improvements in your diet and activity. What works for one person may not work for someone else, so experiment with different Protein, carb, and calorie totals. You're 44 pounds lighter than you were 10 months ago! Take pride in that and work to continue to make more progress.

[liannatx 897]

I am band to sleeve. I am 3 and half months sleeved and losing medium-slow, but I did with the band too. I lost a nice chunk (19 lbs) the first month, and lost about 6 lbs on each of the next 2 months. I understand your frustration, I am not losing huge amounts fast either... but am happy as long as I am losing.

Are you tracking your foods? It really helps to see how much protein/carbs/calories you are getting. If you are tracking, it might help to share your daily stats on those... and see if you can get some feedback on what you might be able to tweak to boost your loss. I find that I am losing pretty steadily on 800-900 calorie, 80+ g Protein, 40 or less g carbs.

[_Kate_ 2,224]

Try putting 22llbs into two bags and carry it around for an hour... It might change your mind on how well you have really done. I agree that It must be horrible for those who seem to take years to lose, when they read stories about the weight dropping off others at a fast rate. Look at your diet, see if there can be tweeks here and there and exercise more. In fact try exercising whilst still carrying those bags! Changing habits for a lifetime isn't easy but it will be worth it.

Hugs and best wishes, keep us posted on how you are doing

Kate

[FarmherLaura 2]

Hi there,

I thought my story might be helpful to you. I am not yet sleeved. I had my band in 2007 and am scheduled to get it removed in three weeks, then I have to wait three months to get the sleeve. Late last year I started dieting faithfully and could not lose. In January I saw my PCP who ran a bunch of tests and it came back that I had both hypothyroidism and insulin resistance. He put me on Synthroid and Metformin. The Metformin made me horribly sick and I could never adjust to it, so I stopped. Due to some insurance issues I couldn't get back to see him until late April. Since I couldn't tolerate the Metformin, he put me on Januvia. I immediately started losing weight. Then I read Wheat Belly and gave up gluten and the weight has been coming off regularly and pretty effortlessly and, except during my PMS week, I'm losing about 2 pounds per week, which considering I couldn't lose anything before makes me pretty happy!

I know this may not apply to you, but I want to encourage you not to give up, keep experimenting and find out what's keeping you from weight loss. I am a firm believer in functional medicine and explored vitamin/mineral deficiencies and allergies until I stumbled upon my insulin resistance, thyroid issues and apparent gluten intolerance. Good luck!

Laura

[Bndtoslv 292]

Brief history: I had the lap band February 2012. It was an awful experience, one that I had to live with for two years before insurance would pay for a conversion. I chose the gastric sleeve and had that performed August 20, 2014. My highest weight (ever) was 336, and that was in 2006. I had since then lost and regained, going down to 285, back up to 325. I was 313.6 the day of my lap band surgery and only lost to 282 in the two years I had it.

For the sleeve, I was 305 the day of surgery and I am sitting here at 261. I feel like I should have lost more in the 10 months since I've had this procedure. My surgeon told me that my weight loss would be "slower" due to me already having had the band and my sleeve being a "little bigger at the top" due to "scar tissue" from the band. I try not to compare myself to other people but it's hard when you see someone who has been sleeved for six months and have dropped 100 pounds already. I am just frustrated and at my wits end and feeling like a complete FAILURE.

Is there anyone else out there who converted from band to sleeve? How has your weight loss gone?

I've never heard of the sleeve being bigger at the top because of the band. Has anyone else been told they would have a different shape if a revision?

[alindsey 230]

When I need a boost I go back to just Protein Shakes and Water for a day or so!!! It's a good way to get back in the swing of things!

[hockeyfan7 249]

Brief history: I had the lap band February 2012. It was an awful experience, one that I had to live with for two years before insurance would pay for a conversion. I chose the gastric sleeve and had that performed August 20, 2014. My highest weight (ever) was 336, and that was in 2006. I had since then lost and regained, going down to 285, back up to 325. I was 313.6 the day of my lap band surgery and only lost to 282 in the two years I had it.

For the sleeve, I was 305 the day of surgery and I am sitting here at 261. I feel like I should have lost more in the 10 months since I've had this procedure. My surgeon told me that my weight loss would be "slower" due to me already having had the band and my sleeve being a "little bigger at the top" due to "scar tissue" from the band. I try not to compare myself to other people but it's hard when you see someone who has been sleeved for six months and have dropped 100 pounds already. I am just frustrated and at my wits end and feeling like a complete FAILURE.

Is there anyone else out there who converted from band to sleeve? How has your weight loss gone?

I've never heard of the sleeve being bigger at the top because of the band. Has anyone else been told they would have a different shape if a revision?

I asked my surgeon about that earlier this week when I had my post-op appointment. He said the same thing. He only took off about 70% instead of the normal 80% because of the scar tissue from the band at the top where the stomach meets the esophagus.

He said he didn't wrap the sleeve as tightly around the measuring tube they use because he didn't want to run the risk of leaks around the esophagus/stomach meeting place and the scar tissue. He said it was safer that way.

[lisaluvsgreys 48]

I'm so glad I read this thread! I'm a band to sleeve patient too.

-Does everyone have scar tissue from the band?

-Do all band patients experience slower weight loss, than if we were not previously banded?

I'm going in to for hiatal hernia repair, band and gallbladder removal, and to get the gastric sleeve. No one told me any of these concerns. ????

[Tazwella 39]

Having scar tissue thus a larger sleeve is news to me. My doctor didn't mention that. I'm having sleeve surgery on August 3rd. But I'm going to ask about this at my pre-op appointment.

[Just Lindsey 3]

Thanks for all of the input ,it's greatly appreciated! This morning I weighed in at 255.4! I will just accept that I am a slow loser and keep on keepin' on.

[ladivaluz806 87]

I have heard of the sleeve being slightly larger due to scar tissue, but not from my Dr. I plan on asking him when I see him next week. I had a ton of scar tissue but my Dr. said it was on my diaphram. IDK if that makes any diffrence or not. Some days i can eat more than other days. Its just the nature of the beast i suppose. I live low carb and i STOPPED weighing ever single day. That is too much pressure to put on myself. I belive in the sleeve, so I trust what I do when it comes to what I eat. My weightloss has been pretty good considering the revision. Ive lost 35 in 10 weeks, I am not mad at that at all good luck!