atlast1976

Hi Everyone! Last July I had my lapband removed and they began the sleeve surgery but due to the inflammation from the band I was bleeding too much and they couldn't go ahead and complete the sleeve. So now I'm trying to go back but I have since gained almost 15 lbs and they want me to lose it before surgery can be scheduled. What a bummer! They even have me going to the pre operative group support meetings where I have been hearing so many stories from gastric bypass patients who have lost a ton of weight and just a few sleeve patients who have lost quite a bit less and slowly too. I hope I'm making the right decision. Been through so much with the band, slippage, removal and sleeve attempt. Now another surgery and I have to get approval again! I just hope this is the right surgery for me. I have a friend who just had bypass and she looks amazing! 60 lbs in three months! Makes me think that maybe I should look more into bypass. I don't know? So I guess I'm just rambling. Sorry. Any July 2012 sleeves out there? What has your experience been?

Thank you so much for the responses. I was a vsg expert in July before my surgery was to take place. I think I've forgotten a lot of what I read back then and that is probably where my doubts are coming in. I hands down decided against bypass for many reasons. The malabsorption and weight gain down the road were my main concerns. The sleeve seemed like the answer then and now with the responses I have received just tonight on this board it's clear again that sleeve is the right choice. Thank you so much for the guidance.

Our time has come! I have been doing clear liquids all day after my 10oz of magnesium citrate ugh!! Anyone else have to do this today? I just packed for the hospital. Packed clothes for my little ones to stay at grandma and grandpa so that hubby can just be with me. Now this is real. I'm so nervous today. All I have been doing is praying that the revision goes well and that I could be back home with the kids by Wednesday. I have never been away from my almost 2 year old for more than 1 night and that just happened a few weeks ago. So I just hate leaving the kids. Prayers going up for all of us soon to be sleevers tomorrow. I know there were quite a few of us! Good luck everybody!!

So glad to have you all in my company! Good luck and blessings to us all! We can do this!

I was in GNC yesterday picking up some things for post op. The guy helping me was literally trying to talk me out of going through with this surgery saying that his girlfriend had it and within 10 months it aged her 8 years! He was saying that several long time customers come in and he says they are not aging nicely. I don't personally know anyone who has had a wls surgery (other that me being banded-didnt work) so I have nothing to go on but photos. I honestly cant tell from photos most of the time. Then he continued to point out Star Jones and Al roker and I thought maybe he was on to something. What have been your experiences? Does anyone feel as though they look like they have aged more drastically?

Last night I was on this website and came upon a topic regarding the long term effects of a partial gastrectomy. The person was talking about an ER nurse friend that told many stories of people who had this operation having problems with going septic ten years or more down the road. I forgot to follow the post and now can't find it. I am a little freaked out as my surgery is scheduled for Monday the 16th!! Anyone hear this? See this post? Or can help me find it? Ugh, now I am second guessing this surgery and I was so set on it!

There is a thread for July sleevers on here. There are a few of us on the 16th.

I am!! I am so excited but this preop diet is the worst!

I am scheduled for a band to sleeve revision on July 16th! Omg I'm so excited!!

The getting stuck never had any rhyme or reason for me either. You are not alone. I would notice however, that right before my monthly cycle, I could not eat at all. It was so strange. That was the only constant. Other than that, I would be able to eat certain things one day and not the next. Mornings I did not usually even try, because if it didnt go down I knew I was in for an entire day of throwing up my own spit. Sorry that sounds gross. But really it is. The band is a mystery to me. Mine seriously had a mind of its own. Hope so badly to get approved for the sleeve. Wish you well.

I am reposting this again as a new thread as its not exactly related to the first topic. Thank you so much for your replies. I am a nervous wreck thinking about all this. I have had two lapbands. The first one slipped and I needed emergency surgery (after throwing up several times a week for a year and then finally not being able to swallow my own saliva) and the second one is not providing any restriction at all, completely filled to max. I really want to convert to the sleeve. From what I have heard about it, it sounds like the best of both worlds. I have a consult on Monday. The woman who does the insurance approvals said that she just received coding for this procedure. I think that means they could bill for it now and it just needs to be approved by insurance. One big problem is that my Doctor who is a top bariatric surgeon in my area, has not done sleeves. He has, however, done many duoendum (sp) switches, the first portion of that surgery as I understand is a sleeve. So from that standpoint he actually has performed the surgery, just as part of a two part operation. He is just now beginning to bill for it as a stand alone procedure. What do you think?

I am in the process of trying to get approval for a gastric sleeve. I have had two bands so far and clearly do not do well with them. I am excited about all the things I am reading about the sleeve. One thing I have not come across yet is the incision sites. Are they similar to that of the lapband? Same ones? Also can someone tell me about the drain. How long is that in for? Does it hurt to come out? How long is the average stay in the hospital? I will address this with my Dr. also. Just looking for some feedback. Thanks

I think from what I gather my from sleeve research it seems that the sleeve has a better long term result that the lap band. Does anyone have any feedback regarding initial weight loss? Is it faster with the sleeve than the band right from the start? What is the difference (aside from all the throwing up) in the diet that you can actually eat? Quantity about the same as when the lapband is actually working?

Thank you so much for your replies. I am a nervous wreck thinking about all this. I have had two lapbands. The first one slipped and I needed emergency surgery (after throwing up several times a week for a year and then finally not being able to swallow my own saliva) and the second one is not providing any restriction at all, completely filled to max. I really want to convert to the sleeve. From what I have heard about it, it sounds like the best of both worlds. I have a consult on Monday. The woman who does the insurance approvals said that she just received coding for this procedure. I think that means they could bill for it now and it just needs to be approved by insurance. One big problem is that my Doctor who is a top bariatric surgeon in my area, has not done sleeves. He has, however, done many duoendum (sp) switches, the first portion of that surgery as I understand is a sleeve. So from that standpoint he actually has performed the surgery, just as part of a two part operation. He is just now beginning to bill for it as a stand alone procedure. What do you think?

Thank you for all the info. I am not looking forward to a drain at all. I am also curious how fast sleevesters are losing as opposed to bandsters. The long term results look better. How about initially?

:help: I am post op day 5 and I have been preparing meals for my kids and wanting to eat everything I make. I am so scared because I have been taking just a pinch of this and an edge of of that all day. I had a tiny piece of chicken, very thin quarter sized and chewed it to liquid mush, I ate a green bean and I chewed a piece of popcorn and took it out! What is wrong with me? This is ridicuous! What will I be eating by day 10! I am so scared that I am going to fail at this. I am reading all these posts explaining that they cant get a few ounces down. I can get it down and have been trying to make it last a half hour to an hour. I can assure you that I could down a full Carnation Breakfast drink in no time at all. I know, I would never really do that it just feels like a can. Why do I have this appetite this early? I'm hungry, confused and dissapointed in my lack of will power. Any advise? Thanks

I am post op day 5 and I have been preparing meals for my kids and wanting to eat everything I make. I am so scared because I have been taking just a pinch of this and an edge of of that all day. I had a tiny piece of chicken, very thin quarter sized and chewed it to liquid mush, I ate a green bean and I chewed a piece of popcorn and took it out! What is wrong with me? This is ridicuous! What will I be eating by day 10! I am so scared that I am going to fail at this. I am reading all these posts explaining that they cant get a few ounces down. I can get it down and have been trying to make it last a half hour to an hour. I can assure you that I could down a full Carnation Breakfast drink in no time at all. I know, I would never really do that it just feels like a can. Why do I have this appetite this early? I'm hungry, confused and dissapointed in my lack of will power. Any advise? Thanks

I am back home as of this morning. I must say that I did not expect all this pain. I thought of myself as someone with a high pain tolerance but this really is knocking me out. I had two children and let me tell you, labor and delivery was easier. I feel like my whole torso is in a vise and I cannot move to change positions. I feel okay once I am sitting, standing or laying(worst position) but cannot transition. I am 30 years old and thought I would recover so easily after reading all the posts raving how sugery was a snap. Am I being a big baby or have other people felt this way? This is a pain rated at 4-5 when still and about 8-9 when trying to position myself on the pain scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst. They have me on oxycontin which is a pretty good size pill to have to swallow and I feel like a have to sip so much fluid just to get 2 to go down. So that is not comfortable either. Hopefully this gets better soon or I am going to think that something is wrong. I really hope not, I cannot deal with surgery again. Thanks for listening. Any comments or advice is appreciated.

Hi, this is my first time posting. I have been reading this site for over a year as I have been researching the lap band. I just got my approval from insurance on Friday, Feb 9th. This morning I got a call from the Doctors office that they have had someone cancel and would like to put me in for this Thursday! That is in three days! The reality of this has not sunk in yet. I barely have time to be nervous because I am in shock with how fast this is happening. I have small children at home and am feeling guilty taking the risk of what seems an elective surgery. I don't have any comorbidities but have been overweight forever. I am getting nervous just typing this because now it is real. My husband is at work and I really don't thing my little one would quite understand, so you are the first one to hear this. I am having my pre op on Tuesday and surgery Thursday! OMG! Please wish me luck and say prayers. Thanks