Good bye my lapbanders - I am revising from Band to Sleeve

Some of the "vets" may remember me -- I was banded 3 yrs ago (July 2007).  Pre-op to lowest I had lost 80 pds -- but started to put weight back on.  Regardless --- I still need to loose another 80  to be at a normal BMI

The band is a blessing and I would not have changed a thing --- but now I have other options.  Aetna now approves the VSG (the sleeve).  And for the past year I have had so much discomfort with the band and I decided to revise from the band to the sleeve.

It's a long story - 3 yrs in the making - but here are some of the reasons:

Took forever to get restriction --- thus little weight loss the 1st yr - good amount the second yr and none the 3rd yr.  On top of that it always hurts to eat -- so when in pain I stop eating, yet still very hungry - now 3 yrs out I find myself grazing because I am hungry.   I stopped coming to the boards becasue I felt like a failure.  I know I am not, loosing 80 pounds and keeping it off is a huge success and one that I can only thank the band for :-)

But I hate the pain of the food entering my pouch/band -- even when I was almost unfilled (dec 09) it hurt (and when unfilled I could eat more (yes even good food has calories).  It has gotten worst the past 7 months - and the amount of fill makes no difference in the pain.  Don't know what causes this - Doc says he see 4-5 patients a yr with "band intolerance" and it can't be explained -- I however was worried that it was the pre-cursor of erosion (didn't have this pain the first yr).

So I did some research and I figured the band is going to have to come out at some point in my life if this keeps up - better now when I can still move vs still being fat and old and can't move :-)

I went to PCP and he wrote a letter, as did I, and Dr's office sent in the Revision request.  When I am restricted it worked - but I can't keep the restriction with the band  (it's max'd out) so between that and the pain to eat, the band has failed me.

In the end - I did not want RNY or DS -- because "what if" someday I need meds that need to be absorbed and they can't so I die.  They are both great options -- so if you are pro RNY-DS don't get offended, they just were not right for me.  And the stats show that the sleeve works by giving you restriction without all the bad band side effects.

thank god it was approved - I feel like I can now have a normal BMI someday - and even when I was ready to get the band 3 yrs ago, I knew I'd never get to "normal".  I feel hopeful again and so excited to be given this gift and the ability for a tool to help take the next 80 pounds off.

Thank you all my brave and wonderful lapbanders -- you have been my inspriation and motivation for 3+ years.  I wish you all lots of weight loss and a blessed life.  And I am still on the OH board - just over on the "sleeve" forum so if you have any questions drop me a note.

Donna -- from the metro DC area
Banded July 2007
80pds down thanks to the band, 20 up, now 80pds more down to go :-) with my soon to be Sleeve on 8/31

good luck.... I'll be seeing you on the revision board

teri

Sorry you had such a rotten time. My very best wishes for your upcoming surgery.

kate

Good luck to you!  I hope the surgery goes well and I wish you continued success!

Good luck, Donna -- I wish you an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery.

Let us hear from you as you move toward your goals!!

I wish you great success with your sleeve and a speedy recovery.

Trixie

Sorry you are having problems with your band. Sadly, it is all too common.

Good luck with your surgery, you'll love the sleeve!

thanks -- I've read alot of your posts -- I can't wait to have it and have hope again that next year at this time I will be "normal"

Good luck i hope the VSG works wonderfully for you!

Wishing you success on your next stage of weight loss. I hope you achieve your goals! Remember you are always welcome here.