Many patients with a band experience uncomfortable side effects and inadequate weight loss. We treat a lot of patients that had bands over the last 10-15 years, and they are either not receiving appropriate follow-up treatment or overall the treatment has been insufficient for their needs.
Common side effects of the band are nighttime aspirations and choking from reflux. In addition, most band patients do not experience their desired weight loss. We encourage these patients to visit our office for band removal and conversion to a Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. This conversion procedure is done all in one setting and is a simple fix to an otherwise long-term problem. Conversion from a band to sleeve allows patients to sleep soundly on their back at night and gives them a tool to help them lose weight and keep it off long-term.