*Susan* revision from band to sleeve

[lpglarry 1]

hi

i need to ask u a question, i am going to my second meeting to get banded,do u recomend lap band or this other procedure,thanks for u r input larry

[lpglarry 1]

hi susan

what is this procedure your talking about is it new? should i do this instead of lap band?? helpless in mass.larry

I had my band placed on in April, 2006. The first year was a breeze and I lost a ton of weight. In month 13 of my journey, I was overfilled and slipped my band. Since then, I seemed to have developed an intolerance for my band. I have slipped it twice, constantly choke on my food, and have been miserable.

On April 2nd, I will be revising from the lapband to the gastric sleeve. Dr. Aceves will be doing the revision in Mexico. I have decided to chronicle my experience here, so others that have band issues and decide to convert can have an idea of what to expect.

I spoke with Nina, the patient coordinator yesterday and we now have everything scheduled. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I will leave here on April 1st, have my surgery on the 2nd and return home on the 5th. My mother will be accompanying me on the trip.

Nina advised me that Dr. Aceves is concerned about swelling due to the problems I have had with my band. Therefore, I am going this week for a complete unfill. Then, seven days before my surgery, I have to go on a complete liquid diet. This should alleviate any swelling issues and the chances of having to have the band removed and then go back at a later date for the sleeve. It is very important to me that I get this all done at the same time.

I am looking forward to this, and feel like I have been given a new opportunity at life. To those who have helped me to be able to get the sleeve, thank you. Because of you, I now am looking forward to enjoying life again, instead of living in misery.

I will update as I go through this journey.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

hi

i need to ask u a question, i am going to my second meeting to get banded,do u recomend lap band or this other procedure,thanks for u r input larry

I've had both! ;o)

I'd never get another band. My suggestion to you is this, find five people that have been banded 10 years or longer and IF you can find 5 people ask them how they like their band. We hear about all these people that have been banded 20 some years...where are they?

I've been posting on WLS boards regularly for over 2 years and I've not found one. I know of one person that's had it for 7 years and she loves it. The "oldest" banded oldtimer person I have come across has had it for 9 years and she was PMing me with questions on a revision. (

In my heart I do not believe bands will last for more than a few years in most people. It is the hardest procedure to lose weight, it has the slowest weight loss, the lowest weight loss, re ops are up to 30-50% within the first five years. Per Inamed people typically have lost 55-60% of their "excess" weight at the 5 year mark. Those are not great stats.

If you are good to go with restriction alone, the sleeve is great.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I have heard Isopure and Sytrex both. I am not sure where to get the Syntrex I believe it's called nectar. Those are the only 2 clear Why Proteins that I know of. I have been told to stay away from those Bullet shots. Even though they say they are whey Protein, they are not a good form of Protein.< /p>

My dietician at my support group said they were garbage even though they claim to be whey protein.

[MacMadame 81]

I ordered a ton of samples from Vitalady.com. You can get samples from Syntrax too.

I ordered a lot of unflavored stuff and added it to my broth.

I also bought Isopure from GNC. They are not to everyone's taste but they saved my butt -- 40 g of Protein and 20 oz. of Fluid in one!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Mac, did you get the unflavored ungury or what?

We don't have a GNC here.

What about the Syntrax. What flavor did you like? Do they have their own website or do you get them from another site. Thanks for your help.

[lpglarry 1]

ty for your input, let me know more when u find out . so do u think u would get a by pass instead? what is a sleeve? i/m not up on all this sorry . larry

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Larry with a sleeve they just make you a tiny stomach.

I am having my band taken out and getting a sleeve. with a band there is a lot of after care. You keep getting fills, and if they fill too much, you get an unfill. I personally am sick of the whole thing. I am getting a sleeve so I never have to get another fill or worry about restriction again. There are a lot of complications that can happen with a band, and I don't want to take that chance.

[lpglarry 1]

Larry with a sleeve they just make you a tiny stomach.

I am having my band taken out and getting a sleeve. with a band there is a lot of after care. You keep getting fills, and if they fill too much, you get an unfill. I personally am sick of the whole thing. I am getting a sleeve so I never have to get another fill or worry about restriction again. There are a lot of complications that can happen with a band, and I don't want to take that chance.

i am getting so many negative reactions on the band, u r making me look into other options ty hon

[lpglarry 1]

thanks for all the inputs if u have any other ideas please let me know, i was already told theres a new procedure out, the go in thru your mouth into stomach and staple it intern. ever hwear of this procedure? larry

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

You're welcome. If I had known about the sleeve when I got my band, I would have gotten it. I am glad the band helped me lose weight, but I don't want it in there long term.

[MacMadame 81]

Mac, did you get the unflavored ungury or what?

I got about 5 different types. Syntrax makes it, unjury and a few other brands.

What about the Syntrax. What flavor did you like? Do they have their own website or do you get them from another site. Thanks for your help.

Twisted cherry is my favorite. They have a web site but it's got some weird url I can never remember. You have to get the samples from their site but you can order the tubs from a lot of different places.

i was already told theres a new procedure out, the go in thru your mouth into stomach and staple it intern. ever hwear of this procedure? larry

That sounds like the StomaPhyx. It's to revise a bypass patient. Works well in the short term but has to constantly be redone. It's not for people with no WLS though.

There's another experimental one where they insert a lining for the stomach. It's so experimental that the FDA hasn't approved it yet, we have no idea what long-term weight loss is, and no insurance covers it.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

That sounds like the StomaPhyx. It's to revise a bypass patient. Works well in the short term but has to constantly be redone. It's not for people with no WLS though.

There's another experimental one where they insert a lining for the stomach. It's so experimental that the FDA hasn't approved it yet, we have no idea what long-term weight loss is, and no insurance covers it.

Stomaphyx, ROSE, and I forget the name of the other really only work while you are on your post op diet. Most people lose about 20# on the post op diet and as soon as they start eating regular food they immediately regain.

Most doctors aren't doing it anymore because nobody is losing.

It's sad, most ins will not cover because it IS investigational and people are spending $5000 to $10,000 for a procedure that does absolutely nothing.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

mac: Did you have a favorite of the unflavored? I would pm you but I think anyone reading can benefit this way. I have heard that the unflavored really does have a taste and it ruins whatever you put it in. Did you find that to be true? It would be nice to order what I need all from one place, if that is at all possible.

I am going out of town soon, so I can look for a GNC while there for some of the Isopure. I can buy that at my doctor but he usually over charges on stuff that I can get elsewhere.

So you're recommending Vitalady.com for the clear stage? I am not too worried about the liquid stage past the clear stage. I bought some muscle milk light which I really like, and I love the Peanut Butter choc whey Gourmet once I get past the clear stage.

[peacheez71 0]

Hi Susan, how much are you paying for you band to sleeve with Dr. Aceves. Thank You for the info.