Can I have my band removed and sleeve in one op?

thanks SOS, for your answer, really appreciate you sharing your experience.

Hi,
I was banded back in 2007 & lost 30kg's, down to 75kgs & maintained it but at a cost of at the end not being able to get anything down other than rubbish & mostly what went down came back up anyway (craved a salad & normal food!) The last straw was the day I was seeing the specialist because I was unwell & really felt my brain was fried owing to food deprivation, I could only drink a thick shake, enough was enough.
We spoke about the sleeve & decided to go ahead, with the possibility to do the sleeve at removal of the band. He gave the numbers of a few patients that were happy to speak about their experience & all I got from them was positive.
Came out of theatre very sore & sorry after 3 hours on the table, there was a rather nasty Hiatus Hernia to repair as well as & very adhered port that didn't want to budge & the sleeve done, just as well was he did it all together. I was in hosp for 6 days post op & would have been reluctant to back up again for more pain.
can't imagine why the band would be left?
My surgeon didn't charge me for any of that procedure which was extensive - only Medicare & private health fund - very generous & kind man. Only out of pockets were the anaesthetist.
Anyway - happy its been done - getting more & more normal every day & down to 71kgs from 87kgs.

Good luck for your surgery & cross fingers that it may all be done at once if its safe & reasonable to do.

Hi all

I am new to this site and have a couple of questions. A little about me, I was first banded in Jan 2006 and weighed 150 kg. My first band was very successful, I got down to 80 kg and was relatively happy with this weight. In 2008, my band slipped and I started to gain weight, I had it removed and replaced with another. By this time, I had gained 10 kgs but wasn't too worried because I thought my second band would soon put me on track .. unfortunately not so. The second band has never really worked, I have not had restriction since getting this band and with too much fill just end up with reflux all night and can't sleep. I have struggled ever since to maintain my weight and have fluctuated between 90 and 100 kgs ever since. I have never managed to get back to my 80 kg optimum.

Now after four years of struggling i am well over it and considering having my band removed and having the sleeve. I will have to wait out a 12 month waiting period with my health insurance, as NIB changed their rules and I am no longer covered under the medium cover. Any way blah blah blah .. the questions I have are:

1. Can I have the band removed and sleeve done in one surgery?
2. Is there any possibility of leaving the band in situ and having the sleeve?
3. Do people have any rough guides on out of pocket expenses.


Thanks in anticipation of your help

Nutbags