does anyone know why my surgeon wont remove band and perform vsg at same time. he says its a common practice but i would think one surgery would be safer than two

Well, I had my band removed last summer...... I year ago to be exact. I am a nurse too but that means nothing. I am assuming it has to do with letting your stomach heal and possible swealing.

Although, I am interested in what others may say.

More and more surgeons are waiting to do the sleeve after band removal due to scar tissue from the band causing the sleeve to leak. I think they are seeing more problems with the revision now that it has become more popular.
My band comes out tomorrow and hopefully the sleeve 6 wks later.
Some surgeons require 6 mos in between.
It really is safer. A leak can cause you to be in ICU and could also lead to septicemia which can cause death.

Simply put each surgeon has their own reasons.  What band patients (going into the band) don't realize is that IF they ever need to get the band removed there is alot of scar tissue involved as anything we put inside our bodies our bodies natural thing is to try and become one with it.  Also the band and tubing come in contact with other body parts and leave what I like to call bruises which result in more scar tissue all around your abdominal insides.  Because of that there "could" be more chance for leaks in 1 stop operations, BUT that doesn't mean that OTHER surgeons don't do 1 part removal and VSG.  It's just your surgeon doesn't.

Ms Shell

it seems to be "the practice" to do them in separate surgeries because the location of the most leaks is at the top of the sleeve and that is where the band is (was) and thus the tissue is not the same.  so they want the band removed, time for the tissue to heal so that they can get a better suture line.

I hated it - but waiting 3 months in-between was better then getting a leak or dying from it

I wish I could help but my doc removed the band and did the VSG in one surgery. Good Luck!

i also had my band removed and sleeve done in one surgery.  I was told by my surgeon ahead of time they might not be able to do both depending on what they found when they got in there.  I did have a lot of scar tissue, since I had had 2 bands, but luckily was able to get sleeve at the same time.  I think it just depends on the doctors preference. 

My band came out in an emergency situation, I went into surgery thinking that they would just be repositioning my band, but they could not so they took it out. Since I had not had time to research or make a decision on a revision surgery, they just took it out and then we decided to go to a sleeve later. So in my case it was just lack of knowing what was going to happen once they opened me that kept him from doing the 2 in 1.

Oh, and now that I have read up on it, I am glad that I am waiting.

Guess different strokes for different folks. you might inquire on the Find a Bariatric Surgeon link and see if there are any others near you taht would be willing to do 2 for one. Hope this helps.