Wait time in between?

I’m hoping to get sleeved myself, but I’m curious about the band.  Did you try to have it tightened to see if that would help with your weight-loss goals?  I hope that’s okay to ask.  The clinic I’m going to doesn’t support banding as they don’t think it’s effective.  I just wondered how it all worked. 

I wasn’t able to get it tighten because it had slept and I was throwing up everything I tried to eat. Liquid was the only thing I could get down. They were going to take it out. I didn’t want to be open again because I had already been putting weight back on before that happened.i had the band for 11 years and had put 50+ pounds back on and didn’t reach my goal to begin with. This was a good decision for me.

I’m glad to hear that you’re happy with it, kaye64, and that you’re doing well!    I’m hoping I can get my band taken out and have the sleeve procedure done at the same time too.  That way I won’t need put to sleep or opened up more than once.  Thanks for letting me know it’s possible!

The surgeon wants to try tightening it first, mainly because I wanted the band to begin with because it isn’t permanent.  That was ages ago though and I’ve seen that the band won’t work for me.  It’s too easy to consume slider foods with the band and my willpower goes to zero when something bad happens in my life.  I’ll probably have to look for another surgeon. 

Well, perhaps he thought that it would be better to avoid another surgery if he could considering the risks. But if it isn’t working for you, I understand why you would be eager to convert to another method.

I wonder if it’s going to be a huge issue to switch a surgeon at this stage. Have you found one?

I just read Statuegal’s post again about having a hernia.  It made me think that maybe my insurance only covers a revision if I’ve suffered a complication or something like that.  I’m not sure and will need to check my policy again.  I don’t think anything has gone wrong with the band, it just doesn’t work for me.  That might change things.  I’m not in a rush to have another surgery, but I would like to have all my ducks in a row so I’ll know my options moving forward.  You guys have made a lot of good points.

I don’t think I have a hernia, but I honestly don’t know.  I’m thankful you brought it up as I hadn’t even considered complications. The band worked great in the beginning, but I’m a stress eater and quickly figured out how to cope with slider foods.  I kick myself for it.  I’ve started seeing a therapist too and I won’t have surgery again until I have better coping skills. I’ve found this forum to be a valuable resource and I appreciate your help, Statuegal.  You’ve given something chew on.

Another point made that Kaye64 made that I failed to bring up. Slippage. Slipping bands that cause u to throw up everything and it also points the answer to ROO, as well. Clinics are shutting down and becoming less supportive of banding because of medical complications that they create.
1) banding was not designed for permanancy withing ur body. Your body sees it like silicon boobs and it CAN attack it. It’s foreign. It HAS TO HAVE AN EXIT PLAN. There is a limit on the “Goody” this tool works. 5 yrs MAX. Past that, herniation, slippage & imo the scary one; port sinkage.
2) The Band was created to get MEGA & SUPER obese pts to be able to withstand an RNY. It is not, the intent to leave them inside, while u decide if u can do permanent surgery. It’s intent with R&D was as a stepping stone. The other problem is Fills and post op care. If u have been banded make sure, u know they won’t be quitting ur care.

Get your lap band surgery report and a copy of your swallow test. These clinics shut down, and can leave a patient without medical information to help you in future. Be proactive!

Did you have weight-loss surgery done overseas?  I’ve noticed a couple of other threads asking about it, but no one has chimed in who has experienced it.  I thought I might have to go overseas, but my insurance will cover enough that I can pay the rest.  Mexico would be the place I’d choose though because it’s closer and they seem to have some great surgeons.