Adelaidean band to sleeve revision

Good luck with your appointment!

Hi guys

Well I had my appt with Dr Nancarrow (Dr France's bariatric physician) today and it went fine. My bp was good (on bp meds of course) and heart and lungs clear. I weighed 111 kg. She also examined my abdomen and checked the scars carefully. She explained the risks of taking off the band and having the sleeve done. There is a higher complication rate in revision sleeves than primary sleeves.

My DH attended and asked lots of Qs.

Apparently they are making people wait 6 months now after getting the band out. From what I understood, Dr France has a leak rate of 1 in 300 in primary sleeves, which I thought was an excellent stat.

Looking forward to my appt with Dr France at the end of January 2012 now.

Cat.

Welcome to the forum catapult. Glad your DH is going to go with you to your appointment. It makes life so much easier when they are on side. Good luck and look forward to reading about your journey.

Hi Cat,

Welcome to the forum! I know how you feel with the band, for I used to have one! I had it removed in September this year and am getting my sleeve next week!!

All the best for your journey!!

Emma :)

Dr France could be talking about the stitches that are used to keep band in place. Some surgeons don't take them out when they take out the band as one lady on here knows all about :(

Dr France is one of the best, or IMO, the best sleeve surgeon :) He will do his utmost to help you. Wishing you all the best for your apt with him in January.

You wont regret seeing him.

LOL! I think that band surgeons are scared they will be out of business soon!

After all, band surgery is far easier and quicker to perform, but it can cost the same as a sleeve!
Methinks he doth protest too much! Welcome to the forum!

Welcome Cat



You will love Dr France and he will put your husband at ease. You will find lots of information on here from others who have gone from the band to the sleeve.



smiles

Mandy

Hi All


My name is Cat and I currently have a dreadful band. Often too tight, sometimes too loose, never achieved early satiety, have reflux, tonnes of vomiting. Only lost 18 kg in 6 months since banding, all by self-control of what I eat and how much I eat. I got the band so I wouldn't feel like I was dieting, yet this is exactly how I feel.

I have an appt with Dr Michael France at the end of January 2012 which I am really looking forward to. He has already emailed me back and said he would like to do my band removal as not all band surgeons 'remove the wrap' whatever that means - maybe someone here can enlighten me?

So it will be a few months wait until band removal and another 3 months or so after that before being able to get sleeved.

BTW my band surgeon was hugely negative about the sleeve, said all sleeves expand (often to normal sized stomach) in 3-4 years and huge risk of the suture line bursting. She really scared my DH and he at first said he wouldn't support me getting a sleeve. I have since brought this up in conversation a few times and answered his questions rationally and he is now willing to go to the appt with Dr France with me.

That's all for now.

Best,
Cat.