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

Hi - I also just got my insurance approval to convert from band to VSG so I'll see you on the flip side!

I loved my band while it was working but once my stomach showed dilation I knew it would never be the same - I've heard that the VSG is everything we thought the band would be without the "issues" - fills, pb, food issues - you just eat less - can't wait! (I've put on 25lbs with my unfilled band and have 6 more weeks until surgery)

Good luck - keep in touch!!

my date is now 9/21 - doc won't let patients travel for 4-6 weeks post op -- and I have a conf. 9/13 soooo it might be a carrer limiting move to not go to the conference - but I sure am considering not going so I can have the surgery and recoup when the office won't miss me.

yeap - I am up 20 pds --- need more fill but won't get it - as it will soon be emptied for the pre-op endoscopy.  oh how I look forward to the sleeve

please explain to me what your havin done, I've had my lap band 10 years started to gain again about a year ago big time. will medicare go for it?

Medicare and the sleeve:  all the other insurances were waiting for medicare to remove the sleeve from "investigation" status - just like the band was yrs ago - but surprisingly they went on and changed their policies (Aetna which is normally the last, did it first).

Medicare now has a code for it in the system for it, but my understanding is that it is not covering it yet (but expecting to).  My mom wants the sleeve and is waiting for medicare to cover - hoping for the FY11 policy change.

Although -- I have read many of folks who have medicare get it or the revision covered - but this might be a state by state thing - but from what I read the federal regs say no (not yet).

OK so what is the sleeve -- its a removal of the stomach by 70-80% so you have a permanent small one - with 2-4oz restriction, but no band so no pain, slime, PB, etc  also it does not alter the intestines so there is no malabsobtion issues.

Good luck Donna! Hope you have a wonderful speedy recovery!!

Ive had issues with my band too...I couldnt take the vomiting anymore (on any kind of food)  and drinking anthing colder than room temp water was like drinking glass chips...so I had an unfill and will be revising to RNY next month.

Oh yeah...and I couldnt take my dr telling me to try diet pills and that taking fluid out to stop the vomiting was defeating the purpose of the band!

For the people who are able to work their bands...you guys rock!  it just isnt for me.

Indeed.   I had resigned myself to living the life of misery.  It was better then weighing 280 pds but knowing I'd never have a normal BMI was sad given I had WLS (got down to 202 for over a yr - now up 20 pd dieting with a band.

The pain, slim, etc was horrible -- somedays I could eat a steak other days I would get stuck on yogurt.

Then the pain in the esophagus started and even when I wasn't stuck on something it hurt the second food "hit" the band. I still think its the beginning of something bad - but doc took fluid out - so everything would slide right thru - oh and the pain did not go away.

I found myself hungry 100% of the time - I'd eat, it would hurt, I'd stop, then eat more later - all in all I was eating more calories per day as I was now "grazing".

For those who have lost and at or close to goal with the band you are amazing - and I am so freaking thrilled for you.  Everyone deserves success! and I will you all a lifetime of it (no matter what WLS one has - it's a choice - and I've been bombarded with others trying the "sell" me on their choice.  Hey life is good and we all have choices - now lets all have more success and support.

Best of luck and speedy recovery on your surgery! keep me posted