Hi Everyone,

My name is Nancci and I'm from Perth and have been looking for an Australian
support group for a little while now that wasn't just a lapband site and that
some members had in fact had gastric sleeves and *fingers crossed* maybe even
conversions.

I had lapband surgery in 2005 weighing in at 127kg which I lost about 60kgs but
endured much trauma in the onset in way of vomiting, too tight, then later
dehydration (ended up in hospital too find out the band had slipped and was then
rebanded with a Vanguard band in 2006.

I've had no success with band No 2, no restriction yet, gained 20kgs back and
just recently found out that alot who have this band (info off on a couple of
different lapband forums) have similar issues regarding restriction. It appears
my previous surgeon didnt know much about that band either as at my 7ml fill (6
months after rebanding) he told me off! as I was continually gaining weight and
told me "dont come back until you've lost some weight!".

I havent gone back, in fact I decided too never go back again after my mum
suggested a few months back I find someone else closer to home. I found out
recently on some American sites many with a vanguard start to get restriction at
9.5/10ml.

I have thankfully started with a new surgeon who is closer to home and have had
further fills (currently 8.5) but still no restriction. This Surgeon has me now
doing a barium/meal and gastroscopy to double check if all is ok. I plan to give
him a link to the sites that I got the information on the VG band at my next
appointment. Anyway I feel I've lost hope with Lapbands and it's longterm appeal
is waning considerably. I don't know if I can hack the extreme side effects. I
am looking at the sleeve as another option as it appears more managable.

I recently saw another surgeon (no 3) whose name I got off a gastric sleeve
forum, he came highly recommended but he said everything he could to try turning
me off having the sleeve, telling me there's an incredibly high death rate for
conversions and suggested I get rebanded if it appears the band has slipped
again and to come and see him after I find out.

Im having a gastroscopy on the 19th to see whether there's a prob with band
(through surgeon No 2) but now after coming across that info on the net I'm
wondering whether I only need more fills to make it work better. Regardless I
have had a couple of moments of restriction at 8.5 but never any sense of
fullness/saitey because both those times I had food stuck that lead to barfing
and feeling hungry after and then 98% of the rest of the time I can eat as
though there is no band. I'm currently dieting and struggling, surgeon No 2 has
suggested I have only a hot drink in the morning, a tin of tuna for lunch and
nothing till dinner (fish/salad or vege). I'll be honest this is making me more
hungrier than ever and leading me towards bingeing after several days of this
diet.

The sleeve surgeon admitted he has never done conversions (lapband to sleeve)
and this was another of his main concerns, felt it was too risky also regarding
scar tissue but he is happy to reband me at "no gap" if it actually appears it
has slipped or refer me to someone else for sleeve if I insisted on it. The
current surgeon (no 2) who does my fills is way too expensive for rebanding
surgery if that became necessary No 3 surgeon does both sleeve's and lapbands
for "no gap".

I guess I'm not sure what I should do and whether anyone has been down a similar
path or can recommend a good Perth Sleeve Surgeon who has done conversions who
maybe a bit more confident. I really would like the band to work but yet to find
that elusive "sweet spot" and wondering whether "some" just never do.