Any band-to-sleeve complication/issues/horror stories?

After my 2nd round of band complications, it looks like my surgeon will be recommending a revision to gastric sleeve.

I can find lots of success stories but very little about complications, trouble adjusting, it not working... etc.

Has anyone out there experience ANY negatives with a band-to-sleeve revision?

Hi Effini, I am also hoping to do what you are planning and would like to know if there are complications or negatives also. Thanks for bringing up this question.

You're welcome. I wish someone would post something. 2 years ago, when I got my band, I couldn't find many negative stories. Now I'm finding that it's considered completely common for banders not to know when they can eat vs when they'll barf. Why people put up with that is beyond me (I consider it an unacceptable lifestyle) but have had more than 1 person tell me "oh, that's just the way it is with a band."

Are you have the same problems or something else? My Upper GI came back as "no problems found" - no slip, no hernia, no excessive restriction. But I refused to continue living like this so it WILL come out. I just don't know if I'll revise or give up on surgical options.

I also do not have any slippage or hernia that I am aware of, but come close to throwing up many times. Also, never feel full; what is up with that? I am really tired of having the food get "stuck" in my throat...that is terrible as is that feeling of throwing up. Will be talking with my surgeon this week. Keeping my fingers crossed! Good luck to you too, effini.

Last year I had a complete unfill because I maybe/probably had band slip (depended upon who you taked to). I could vomit from a swallow of coffee. But once I vomited, my eating was a free for all - easily 2 to 4 cups of food in one sitting.

This time I could eat anything, and never got full, at up to 4.0cc. At 4.3cc, I couldn't even swallow water. Now, at 3.3cc, I sometimes have first bite syndrome but, again, as soon as it passes I can eat unlimited quantities of anything I want (except bread or bananas - they always stick). The band seems to be keeping me from regaining (in 2010 I lost 35lbs but regained all of it in just 2 months of total unfill), but I'm not losing.

I finally found another surgery center to check out for a 2nd opinion. Realistically, I know "band to sleeve revision" is the new party line but I think I'll feel better if a 2nd doc says they don't believe I'll have complications. I'm quite nervous about an overnight lifestyle change which cannot be undone!

ps: I have an endoscopy planned for the 24th but they couldn't specify a time, and apparently won't till the day before, so I'm not sure that's going to work out. I kind of need to be able to tell someone, at least a week in advance, of what time I'll need a pick up.

Hi Effini, Maybe that's what I'm trying to describe too....a couple of foods get stuck at first, but after that it is sort of a "free-for-all." Your plans sound good. I'm going to see my doctor on May 8th to find out what my options are. May I ask what part of California you are in?

I had an endoscopy too and did not need a ride. It only lasts about 30 seconds and you don't feel it....'piece of cake', so to speak!

Hi Effini, Maybe that's what I'm trying to describe too....a couple of foods get stuck at first, but after that it is sort of a "free-for-all." Your plans sound good. I'm going to see my doctor on May 8th to find out what my options are. May I ask what part of California you are in?

I had an endoscopy too and did not need a ride. It only lasts about 30 seconds and you don't feel it....piece of cake, so to speak!

They said they're going to put me under full anethesia so I have to have a ride. I'd rather do a local and drive myself home... even if I can take a taxi, it's $100 each direction!

I'm in Long Beach - seeing docs in the Newport/Costa Mesa area. Dr. Fobi works out of Long Beach but I don't trust him and the office was FILTHY... I'm mean REALLY FILTHY.

Oh, I see what you mean...yes, it's best to get a ride then for sure.

Wow, weird about the filthy office...makes you wonder -- doesn't it about the doctor himself.  I'm up in Santa Barbara County. My surgeon is excellent, but not under my insurance!

I'm lucky that my insurance is pretty popular and was one of the first to cover sleeve. That's the procedure I originally wanted but they thought it would be 3 yrs for insurance approval... which I thought would be too far away (I was gaining weight at a pretty steady pace). 8 months later, it was approved and I was bummed that I hadn't waited.

The whole revision thing is stressing me out. I don't want to deal with the groundwork. But I was doing something over the weekend and found myself thinking about how awesome it would be to shop in regular-size stores again, for the selection if nothing else. "They" say 1/3 of the country is obese but fat clothes are still mostly ugly or icky fabrics.

So... did you loose weight with the band or just have complications or both or other or....??