i want my band out - the sooner the better!!!

Hi LissyD,



I think you are very brave in coming forward and expressing you feelings about the lap band. More should come forward, its not for everyone and like i said i have friends with it and i see their lifestyle and what they eat and its simply not for me,and im sure with more patients out there having the sleeve it will become a successful procedure. My surgeon said the outcome of the sleeve is still out with results over the 5years compared to the lapband that has been around alot more with more tests etc. But the sleeve gives more patients peace of mind and a realistic approach to weight loss. It controls your portion size and for me that was the key factor, not the idea that even if i chewed my food properly i may still vomit......but i wish you well....for me getting use to the new stomach and the feelings that a smaller stomach brings...eg i dont get the rumbly tummy but more of the indigestin feeling...

HI Mammabear25,Yes you have done the right thing by having the sleeve not the band..I have lived with this thing for 4 yrs and sick of the life I have live..puking,pain when something stuck..unhealthy life syle..I am more unhealthy now than I was before band.. as It is so hard to eat healthy food..I am always tired and unwell..just so over it..I lost 54kgs in the first 7months with band..but that is the honey moon stage..eating mush or very little at all..or vomiting back up what meal i did try and eat :( went to the gym 3 days a week and walked every day..but after the honey moon was over..I started to think I can't keep this life style up..so begun my love hate relationship with the band..and now Im done and dusted can't fight with it any more..I have high cholestrol which before the band I never had..my theory is the bad diet i have because all bad foods are so easy to have..there is no battle with them..I am seeing my surgeon that done my band on the 23rd of this month to organise band to be taken out and have sleeve done..I wish you all the luck you can have and hope your life improves to know end xx

Hello ladies,



i dont mean to intrude in your conversation but just thought OMG ive made the right decision....i had the sleeve op last week and i was like you ladies was tossing up the lap band idea but through my research the sleeve sounded so much better. I have 6 gfs that have had the lapband and most have lost the weight and have recovered well but all have said they can not eat 'normal' food which i consider a healthy meal...like salad, bread, meat and pasta. And 3 of my gfs are now having the lap band out because they say they are sick and tired of the constant vomiting and they eat very bland food just to get through the day. Yes its true the sleeve procedure does take out 60% of your stomach but at least i know that i should be able to eat a meal with my family every night instead of eating it and then throwing it back up....I hope you ladies get your sleeve ops done....wish you all the best

Will do..but may be Dr copp can't do me free as I wasn't a patient of his when I had my lapband done..I will still ring and talk to the receptionist and may be ask her how it works..Can't hurt hey..will let you know tomorrow night what the out come was

ohhhh, doesn't seem very fair, does it. Probably told you dr copp doesn't do sleeves so you don't change drs. Why don't you call dr copps offices tomorrow and make some enquiries, can't hurt. Good luck with that, and keep us informed :)

no no I spoke to the lady at my Surgeons office re-price of their cost of having band out and sleeve done..then I went on to say how come other Dr's can do it for free and others dont! ..then I went on to tell her your story and that's when she said were told Dr copp doesn't do sleeves any more! sorry 2 confuse you lol..she said they will take the band out for free but have to pay $4000 and that's a discount as I had the band done by Dr Layani...I still can't get my head around how one doc can do it free but others can't ...odd

Hi, Did you speak to the receptionist at Dr Copps, is that who you mean, or someone else? All I know is what I was told by Dr Copp himself last week. Maybe it is because he did the band on me. Sorry, I don't know what she is talking about. Dr Copp didn't hesitate to offer me the sleeve when he realised that the band was not working for me. He seems very positive about it and made it clear there will be no charge of the removal of the band and the actual sleever op. I'd like to know who you spoke to, out of interest.

Hi Smerky

My Dr was the same regarding fees for my debanding and sleeve, although my band outwas during emergency surgery as it had slipped. They do them as no-gaps procedures so they still get paid by Medicare and your PHI. You may want to the check that the anaesthetist is also happy to no-gap it as well, they usually are if the surgeon is.

I waited 5 months between the band removal and my sleeve in 2008/09 and fortunately only put about 4kg back on in that time. I just watched what I ate and threw myself more into exercise to help counteract the increased food consumption.

Good luck on the 22nd.

Dana, you didn't fail, that lapband did. For some of us, no matter how hard we try and stick to the "rules" it just doesn't work. I was only banded for 11 months and had only lost 10kg in that time. I've found the sleeve to be a much easier tool to work with as you can eat healthily without all the surgically induced bulimia that the band brings on. You may find your weightloss is a little slower then people who have only a sleeve done but you will get there.

And for those who are having to pay for the removal and sleeving, don't forget you'll be able to claim the 20% medical expenses rebate on your tax which also helps give a little be more back after Medicare/PHI rebates.

Cheers
Gail

Hi Smerky,I questioned the lady that deals with peoples enquiries about your Dr copp doing your sleeve for free she said Dr Copp is not doing sleeves any more ? I said I was talking to you and that you have seen him and he is still doing them..she said my band will be taken out for free but will have to pay $4000 for sleeve..so confusing how can one Dr do it for free by bulk billing to medicare why can't they all..I'm angry now...I wonder where I can find out how it works and how one Dr can do it but others can't?

hi, glad to hear from you. You're not intruding, just joining in! I hear what you're saying about the husbands doubts. My hubby was not too sure as well. Especially when he thought we'd have to pay the extra $'s for the sleeve surgery. It makes you feel guilty, doesn't it. Like...it's something we CHOOSE. Pain, misery,feeling hungary, guilty, starved of good healthy food!!!! Vomiting, the embarassment of knowing you haven't managed to live up to the expectations we had before surgery, especially if people know about the band. I feel like people are looking at me and judging me. (I wish I had not told ANYONE except for hubby and my sister) I absolutely understand extactly what you're thinking. I'm thinking myself, will I be able to lose weight this time (when I do eventually get the sleeve) . So yes, I do understand.... The thing is, we weren't to know what a disaster the band would be turn out to be. I did a lot of online research and thought I was well informed...WRONG. There, I have vented too. I hope you can talk your hubby around about the the sleeve surgery. Cheers

Hi Danahcam,your not intruding and this is the place 2 blurt out all you are feeling..we are all here for the same reason "Weight" so feel free to open up.I so understand how you are feeling as you would of read their is a fair few of us that are going through what you are..the band has changed my eating habits for the worse..It has not helped with eating healthy as you said all the bad food goes down well..good food gets stuck ! I just get soooo sick of fighting with the band and puking all the time that i resort 2 food that goes down with out a struggle and it has turned me into a junkaholic.I do feel like a failure and I have had people say 2 me that the sleeve won't work because i failed at the band..but I say what have I got to lose..nothing..I can either live with the crap band for the rest of my life and still get fatter or give up all together and get fatter and die from a heart attach..I know I can't do it alone all of us know that or we wouldn't of had band or sleeve.There is nothing wrong with saying I need help I can't do this just on my own..I think it takes guts...ask your partner would he rather see you struggle and get fatter and let your self go and suffer down the track or could he stand up and support you to find something that will help you win this battle..it's an addiction and if he cares about you he will want to help you..You are showing him you don't want to be this obese girl any more ..your willing to take another big step and have half your stomach cut out in the quest to be slim ..I think thats a big commitment there in it's self. I know I don't want to look back and say what "if" I have said to my family 'If I die having the op please know and tell my babies I died trying to be slim,happy & healthy and trying to be the mum they wanted..that I never gave up trying to beat this demon inside of me...all I can say Danahcam..is do what is in your heart..do what you want not what others want..in the end its your body and health..and if your partner want's you around in old age well he better step up and be there every step of the way..we all make mistakes ..who is he 2 say the sleeve is not your golden ticket..you don't want to look back when it's to late and say WHAT IF..I wish you luck which ever way you go...as I said what have we got to lose...alot if we don't try and beat this disease..one more piece of advice get help for your mind that is 95% of the problem 5% our stomach..take care and good luck ...cheers mel

Hi Ladies (and any gentlemen),

sorry to intrude but need to vent or sook, whichever one it is. I was banded in Sept 2008 in Ballarat. Starting weight was 98kg's and i'm 170cm so I was a low BMI'er. My problem wasn't what I ate it was how much I ate. My older sister and mother both had the lapband and at the time I thought it was the only alternative apart from bypass, which I considered very drastic. Anywho after 3 years i'm only down 13kgs, I no longer eat healthy instead I eat crap food like chocolate, chips and icecream. If I do try to eat something healthy it gets stuck straight away, no matter how small I chew the pieces or how long it takes me to eat. I don't regret having the band because I needed help to loose weight but I hate the way it has changed my diet. I have been researching the sleeve for over a year and I truely believe this is the option I should have gone for from the start but unfortunately it wasn't offered to me then.



My problem is my surgeon in Ballarat doesn't do the sleeve, he only specialises in the lapband. I have spoken to him about my issues and he is happy to refer me to another surgeon for the sleeve. But going to another surgeon to have band removed and sleeve done is going to cost me $5000. I'm don't care about the money but unfortunately my husband does. I have tried to explain everything to him but all he says is, 'what happens if the sleeve fails, then you'll want the bypass and then if that fails. Will you ever be happy'. Is he right, will I fail at everything because I've failed with the band. He wants me to remove the band and try to live life without anything. I am way too scared to do that. How do I convince him that this is the right way to go even tho when I wanted the band I told him this was the perfect thing for me. Or is he right and I am just being selfish??????



BTW how do you set up your ticker?

Thanks Dana

Nope :( all up I should be out of pocket around $4,000-$5,000, but it's alight my PHI is paying out a bit so I am happy with that. But I know I'll be better off in the end. Plus when I work it out I've spent a similiar amount of money on getting the band (went private, had to wait the 1 year for PHI to kick in), with having to pay money upfront for the surgery and paying numerous amounts of money for fills, appointments before surgery etc.



Emma :)

Hi Maxiepup17,It's no way to live hey..I can so sympathize with you on your visit 2 bali..that sort of thing is always happening with me and god I'm so over it..so is your doc going to do sleeve for free or cheap?

Hi all,



I also have a band (have since 9th March 2010) and am in the early stages of wanting it removed (only lost 19kg). I meet with the surgeon on the 29th August to make an apppointment to remove it :D.



I know what you mean about not being able to eat properly, I visit the bathroom every time I go out to dinner. It's hard going out to dinner with people whom don't know about the band (I haven't told many people) as I have to excuse myself from the table everytime.



Last year I went to Bali with my sister and one particular evening my sister and I went to dinner at a cafe, so I ordered my meal, what I thought would be safe! i.e. wouldn't result in me having to visit the bathroom!!

1. because the cafe didn't have a bathroom

2. I didn't know where the bathroom was in the shopping centre

3. I was in Bali and they would probably be disgusting! being public toilets!!

Anyway well it didn't end very well, after taking one bite to eat, something got stuck and I had to leave the restaurant (I felt so bad! and sorry for my sister because I had to leave her their!!) while I went looking for the toilets because I was that close to being sick!!.



Not fun at all!!! I can't wait for it to be out! and have a sleeve instead!!



Emma :)

lol we sound like twins..I feel the same..I am so embarrassed as all the people at my work knew I had the band done..I lost 54kgs in the first 7 months and now have put 35kgs of that back on from unhealthy eating due to the stupid band ..I no longer work as I had a bub but I avoid all the people from work as I know they will all go OMG what happend to you losing all that weight " I can just hear it..then I will become the gossip for a few weeks at work lol...but I do feel like a failure I hate how I feel and look :( so I'm hearn ya....All I can hope for us is we have the last laugh and the sleeve works a treat for us xx

oh boy, do I know what you're talking about with the soup and not being able to eat healthily. I would give my right arm to be able to eat a salad. Still I suppose when the band comes out in a few weeks, I will be able to indulge in some healthy normal food for a few months. The trick is not to overdo it, I suppose. I went to Europe on holidays 2 years ago, you should have seen me trying to find soup on the menu everywhere we went. I nearly killed me in Italy to not be able to eat ANYTHING except soup and a small amount of Rissotto. It was torture, though the wine went down a treat LOL. I am soooo embarrased, because several people at work know I've got the band in and see I haven't lost for a couple of years. The 25kg I did originally lose all came back on once the fills made everything difficult. I feel like such a failure. When I get the band taken out and the gastric sleeve done, everyone at work will think I am having 2 hernia ops. I'm not telling a soul at work. Please keep in touch and let me know how things go with you . We can travel this road together...

same problems as you..a plastic bag is my best friend a long with the toilet lol I would love 2 eat healthy but can't healthy food doesn't go down..but chips,chocolate,lollies etc slip down beautifully...I'm sick of not being able to go out for lunch or dinner oh I can if I want a bowl of soup..well i'd rather stay home..and I'm not living on mush for the rest of my life..I can't believe your doc is going 2 do the sleeve for you for nothing OMG you must of nearly passed out lol I have an appointment with my surgeon that done my band this tues on the goldie I bet he doesn't offer me that :(...keep me informed on how you go with every thing...

yes, Dr Copp did my lapband surgery 4 years ago. I saw him a week ago about having it taken out because I have had nothing but trouble with it. All I seem to do is chuck chunder everytime I eat, unless I choose to live on soup, potato and avocado. He agreed that the sleeve would be more suitable for me. I asked about the cost of the band removal and the sleeve surgery, and his reply was as long as I'm in private health there will be no cost after the medicare rebate. Well, I nearly fell off my chair! I said why, and he said when I signed up for the lapband surgery I became part of their "team" and they are prepared to do a second surgery at no cost to me. What the? Sounds great to me!!!! I am having my band out on 22nd August at St Andrews Brisbane. I have to wait about 3 months for my stomach to go back to normal shape and then I can get the sleeve. I'm hoping to get it done as soon as. He said it should be by Nov sometime and I will have lost stacks by xmas. Roll on November.... What sort of problems were you having with your band?

Hi,I've had the band in for 4 yrs as well and can't wait 2 have it out and get the sleeve..can I ask how do you get the sleeve for free ?wow I am going back to the same surgeon that done my lapband and i still have 2 pay $7200 for the sleeve :( not happy jan....did Dr copp do your lap band ?

hello everyone, i have had my band in for 4 years, 4 long miserable years. My doctor has agreed to remove my band and 3 months down the track give me a sleeve. My surgery date for removal is 22nd August. My doctor is Dr Copp, Brisbane. I am lucky, I don't have to pay for the band removal or the sleeve. I was pleasently suprised to hear my doctor tell me this. If the band doesn't work, they are happy to do the sleeve with no cost. Yay! I'm happy to go with that! Does anyone else here have Dr Copp as their surgeon? I am looking forward to getting the band OUT OF ME. Don't want to put on heaps during the 3 months, but, boy am I looking forward to having a sandwich. I am very happy that I have found this forum and look forward to sharing and making new friends during my journey. x