The journey begins...again!

[MaymeB75 4]

I was banded in 2010 and had no issues for the first year or so. I lost about 30 lbs. In November of 2012 I started having issues. I'd go get a fill and be back in to get a deflate within a week. They would tell me that my band had slipped and to go on a liquid diet. I would do that and go back in and it would be fine. This happened at least 2 more times before they told me that I had a hiatal hernia. (apparently that was the issue all along) When they did my original surgery they fixed a hiatal hernia. In March of 2013 I had the surgery to repair the hernia again. They deflated my band and it was like starting all over. While I didn't have any issues with the band slipping, I have not lost any weight in the 3 years since. The only real issues I have had are I don't seem to have much restriction and I have the night cough with reflux. I went in every month ($150 a pop) and got fills and I literally have gained and lost the same 10 pounds. My original surgeon never said a word about this. I asked and they said I needed to watch what I was eating. I was doing all that and exercising.

This past April I decided to switch doctors. He said that he does the band to sleeve revision all the time and that most of his patients have gone with the sleeve. He seems positive that I can have it done in one surgery, which is scheduled for June 22. Hopefully this is the case and I can start my weight loss journey again...

I have a few questions..... Who used a belly brace right after surgery, which brand did you use, and where did you get it? What are your thoughts on the Vitamins Patches? I hate taking all those pills and a patch looks like a good alternative.

Oh and for anyone who has had a band to sleeve revision.... did you have to be scoped the day before your surgery?

Thanks!!

[duckydoom 128]

I've already had my band removed, 2 years out from that, and I'm going in for the sleeve. Before we proceed, I have to get scoped and do a motility study to make sure that everything is good to go since the band had given me so many problems.

I've been looking at belly braces, but not sure how long I'd use it or if it's even something people think is useful, so I'm really interested in seeing the responses to that.

Good luck to you!