only 6 days with a band, should I do VSG

[brileysmom 0]

I got a band in Feb 2009, surgery went great. Went home the next day and realized my extremely tiny sips of liquid were barely enough to wet my tongue. The next morning I tried to take my liquid pain med and 1 tablespoon must have been to much because I had projectile vomiting. Went to the ER and was admitting with a swollen stomach. Couldn't even digest my own spit. Finally on the 6th day of my torture the surgeon removed it. She said the band had slipped and I would no longer be a candidate for another band. No problem, at that time I couldn't imagine going through anything like that again. The last several weeks I've been looking into getting a gastric sleeve. I have 2 appointments next week with different surgeons at different bariatric centers (neither surgeon is the one that did my lap band). My husband says he will support me in any decision, but other family and friends are against me having another surgery. Does anyone think I'm crazy for wanting to give it another shot?

[raelita 0]

Wow! I am newly banded also. I am so sorry about your band slippage. I didn't know the band could slip the first day. If you researched your options and discussed things with your husband and you are ok with the VSG I think you should go for it. I have read a lot of good stuff about the VSG. There is a blogger, Wasabubblebutt, who knows ALOT about this stuff. She is always posting. Maybe you could look her up and talk to her. Once again, I am sorry about your slippage.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I got a band in Feb 2009, surgery went great. Went home the next day and realized my extremely tiny sips of liquid were barely enough to wet my tongue. The next morning I tried to take my liquid pain med and 1 tablespoon must have been to much because I had projectile vomiting. Went to the ER and was admitting with a swollen stomach. Couldn't even digest my own spit. Finally on the 6th day of my torture the surgeon removed it. She said the band had slipped and I would no longer be a candidate for another band. No problem, at that time I couldn't imagine going through anything like that again. The last several weeks I've been looking into getting a gastric sleeve. I have 2 appointments next week with different surgeons at different bariatric centers (neither surgeon is the one that did my lap band). My husband says he will support me in any decision, but other family and friends are against me having another surgery. Does anyone think I'm crazy for wanting to give it another shot?

No, you're not crazy at all. You're young, a mother, a wife, and have every reason to want to live life fully and at a healthy weight. Your first good decision was NOT going back to the one who botched the band.

Take the time to read through the different threads on this section of the board. We have people just about to get the sleeve, people revising to the sleeve, and experienced and successful sleeve posters. I had the band and revised to a sleeve 6 weeks ago today and am very happy with my decision.

Bands don't work for everyone and, as more research is coming out, we're seeing it's the least successful weight loss surgery in terms of percentage of weight loss. You're doing the right thing but make sure you discuss ALL weight loss surgery options with the surgeon.

[Tiffykins 673]

Definitely NOT crazy. . . I am revising to the sleeve after having my band for 7 short months.

I agree you have the support of your husband, and you have every right to be healthy and happy.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I got a band in Feb 2009, surgery went great. Went home the next day and realized my extremely tiny sips of liquid were barely enough to wet my tongue. The next morning I tried to take my liquid pain med and 1 tablespoon must have been to much because I had projectile vomiting. Went to the ER and was admitting with a swollen stomach. Couldn't even digest my own spit. Finally on the 6th day of my torture the surgeon removed it. She said the band had slipped and I would no longer be a candidate for another band. No problem, at that time I couldn't imagine going through anything like that again. The last several weeks I've been looking into getting a gastric sleeve. I have 2 appointments next week with different surgeons at different bariatric centers (neither surgeon is the one that did my lap band). My husband says he will support me in any decision, but other family and friends are against me having another surgery. Does anyone think I'm crazy for wanting to give it another shot?

Oh my goodness you are not crazy at all. You are posting with many people that had a band, had it removed, and opted for a sleeve.

I've had both, band and sleeve. I've been sleeved just shy of a year now. The two do not compare. A sleeve is like a band that actually works and without all the complications, puking, slips, erosion, stoma spewing, the works.

You have a right to a life. Life being fat is not a life, it is existing. Your self esteem is poor, self image is poor, you hide and don't live life like you have a right to.

I have a list of how to research a Mexican sleeve surgeon. I have no clue if you are interested in MX or not but it does give you a start to researching sleeve surgeons anywhere. US or MX. If you want it just let me know. Getting WLS is a little eerie because you don't know what to ask and what to look for. This might give you some insight as to what to look for.

I still want to send it to a few sleeve surgeons for their input in case I am missing something but I haven't done that yet thus, I haven't posted it yet. As long as you know it is a work in progress that's good. It tells you about sleeve leaks, leak tests, FACS, etc.

Just get the surgery. Sleeves are great.

ETA... I know a person on another board that is an insurance expert! If your ins covers WLS but not sleeves, she might be able to help you get it covered under ins anyway. Not a promise of course, but it's worth a try as most ins does not cover sleeves. She does not charge for her time, it's her thing. It's what she does. I'm great at showing people how to research their surgeon. Another friend is great at helping people with credit to get loans, Vicki is good with showing people how to get ins to cover if at all possible. We have to stick together here, right? ;o)

Edited May 14, 2009 by WASaBubbleButt

[DownInSocal 12]

I got a band in Feb 2009, surgery went great. Went home the next day and realized my extremely tiny sips of liquid were barely enough to wet my tongue. The next morning I tried to take my liquid pain med and 1 tablespoon must have been to much because I had projectile vomiting. Went to the ER and was admitting with a swollen stomach. Couldn't even digest my own spit. Finally on the 6th day of my torture the surgeon removed it. She said the band had slipped and I would no longer be a candidate for another band. No problem, at that time I couldn't imagine going through anything like that again. The last several weeks I've been looking into getting a gastric sleeve. I have 2 appointments next week with different surgeons at different bariatric centers (neither surgeon is the one that did my lap band). My husband says he will support me in any decision, but other family and friends are against me having another surgery. Does anyone think I'm crazy for wanting to give it another shot?

Err is it just me or was your surgeon kind of dismissive? It seems like it was "ok i took out your band now beat it". Maybe I am wrong about the tone of your post.

I have not had surgery yet and will be getting the sleeve. I think you should do what you think is best for your body. I am so glad your husband is supportive of you!

[brileysmom 0]

Thanks everybody for your input. I appreciate it. I've spoken to my insurance and they will likely cover the procedure, but thanks for the info it's handy just in case. And yes my surgeon was pretty dismissive about the whole thing. I was really dissapointed because she came highly recommended from several people.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I really don't see how a band could slip so quickly. that just does not sound right to me.

[brileysmom 0]

It seemed kind of unlikey to me too that it would slip so soon. The surgeon told my husband while I was still in recovery after she took it out that I have "very strong stomach walls and they pushed their way up through the band". Sounded like BS to us! I Guess it wasn't meant to be....is what I keep telling myself.

[Elisabethsew 50]

It seemed kind of unlikey to me too that it would slip so soon. The surgeon told my husband while I was still in recovery after she took it out that I have "very strong stomach walls and they pushed their way up through the band". Sounded like BS to us! I Guess it wasn't meant to be....is what I keep telling myself.

That explanation really means, "I screwed up so I took it out before you sued me".

[brileysmom 0]

Sure does!!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Sounds like she didn't sew it down right to me but what do I know. I am not a band surgeon.

WasA puked for a year and her band never slipped. Puking is what is supposed to cause slips. Why didn't hers slip then? Probably because she had an excellent surgeon!

[MacMadame 81]

That explanation really means, "I screwed up so I took it out before you sued me".

That was EXACTLY what I was thinking.