ConnieSings

Hey to all you "BAND TO SLEEVE" people~~~ I was just curious how everyone is doing... I'm in several other forums, but, this is the one I am really interested in the progress you are making because this is the forum that best describes me,,, BAND TO SLEEVE! I am wanting to know if my weight loss is average to what everyone else is doing. I see that some of the folks who are straight sleeve surgery are losing really fast... and I also know it makes a difference as to how much weight you actually have to lose... so.... What has your progress been like and how are you doing? 4 WEEKS POST OP - 17 lbs down. from 206 to 189 lbs.

This has been a great discussion topic and I have enjoyed reading everyone's responses... Sally... I am just now 4 weeks post op! I had lots of nausea and took medication for it well past the 2 week mark. I also, still have some nausea, just not the extent that I did earlier. Fatigue is a huge factor for me... I'm a little older than you... 54 and have other physical issues so all that plays on me as well. Even with your questions and taxing issues, it sounds like you are doing great. You have received some great advice here... I have loved reading everything and it's great whenever we are all able to find folks so close to our own situation. Take your time... don't get in a hurry and listen to your body... God Bless You on your journey...

PS... I agree with the others... it's a great choice....

I was 206 lbs at time of my surgery on Aug 9, 2012. I had the band in Feb 2010 - with about a 50 lb weight loss (including pre surgery)... approx 40 lbs with the band. Had complications and had the band unfilled in April of 2012. Gained approx 20 lbs. Sleeved on August 9. So, I am now right at 4 weeks post op. Down 17 pounds and currently at 189 lbs... I had some complications with scar tissue and a kink in my esophagus... however, I think that I have done very well. The surgery was a success... I had a lot of nausea in the beginning... let me say that again... I had a lot of nausea in the beginning... and I continued to take the nausea medication without fail well into the 2nd week post op. Thus, I never had any sickness or throwing up. So, recovery can be a little longer than a straight sleeve.... I think the biggest problem for me was.. having to go through all this again. When you have never had the post op surgery regime you really don't know what to expect until you are there... With having done this before... it has gotten a little redundant and I find myself saying, "I just wish I had done this in the first place". No regrets on the band to sleeve so far... and from what I read in the forums... I don't think I will have any... Especially whenever I get to the place where all this post op regime is behind me... I can eat the foods I love and enjoy, with friends and family that I love... just not in the quantity of the past... I am excited for you and would love to hear from you and how you do...

Well I am a 4 week Veteran... does that count? I had the lap band in Feb 2010. Lost approx 40 lbs (50 to include pre op). Stayed the same for approx 2 years... then had a horrible "stuck" feeling, vomiting almost anything else I tried to eat... and had the band unfilled in April of 2012. Gained approx... 20 lbs back. August 9, 2012 had the revision from band to sleeve. It was a diff surgery at almost 3 hours. I had a lot of scar tissue around the band and wrapped around my esophagus... also a kink in my esophagus... My doctor being a very patient man worked a miracle in the operating room without having to do an open surgery... However, like I said, it took about 3 hours as opposed to the 1 hour normal sleeve surgery. I've done well with no problem. I agree in that I believe the recovery is a little longer and it takes a little longer for the body to heal... I have gone really slow with soft to mushy food... as that is the Phase 3 that I am just now beginning to move into. God Bless You on your journey...and I hope your revision goes well....

Don't ever feel silly about going for help especially when pain is involved... Pain is a definite indication that something is wrong... In this case, it was gas... (thank you Lord) but, it could have been something much worse... Several have had to deal with blood clots and that was their only indication... pain!!! So glad that you are feeling better... God Bless You.

Hoping all went well for you!!! God Bless You

The band is a "bad idea"... I had the band for 2.5 years... I lost a total of about 40-50 pounds, started having vomiting and heartburn... Turns out I had lots of scar tissue around the band and my esophagus... including a kink in my esophagus... thus, band to sleeve surgery done on 8/9/2012. Almost 4 weeks post op and still no regrets... As soon as my band was unfilled, I gained back about 20 of the pounds lost... food was good... weight gain was not... Strongly encourage others to re think the band....

Bless you heart... I was sleeved on 8/9/2012 and had no problems so far...saying a prayer for your recovery... God Bless.

Hi Dottie... I am also a "band to sleeve" revision. Done 8/9/2012. I pray all goes well with you...

Hello "50" sleevers!!! My name is Connie and I am 3 wks 1 day post op. Surgery was 8/9/12. I've lost about 17 pounds and doing very well... Just seem to be a little tired most of the time... but, that's not completely unusual for me. I am still on my full liquid diet, transitioning within the next week to soft/mushy food. I am starting to experiment a little bit, tonight I had a little bit of mac n cheese, I ran it through the blender. I am so tired of the Protein shakes and Soups... just needed something with some taste to it. About 2 ounces feels like I ate the whole box... UGH~~~ I also am a "band to sleeve" patient... so, I understand all about going slow.... How is everyone else doing? :wub:

That is so awesome for you... I had the band for 2.5 years and had a lot of scar tissue along with a kink... in the esophagus... ugh!!! But, I am sleeved now and doing wonderful as well......

Hi ya'll... I had the band in Feb 2010 and was sleeved on August 9, 2012 The surgery was supposed to be 1 hour but ended up being 3 hours due to scar tissue wrapped around my esophagus and a kink in my esophagus... I am so thankful for my surgeon Dr. Jawad who truly is an expert in the field and was very patient and able to finish the procedure. Dr. Jawad's associate came in and described in detail what had happened during the surgery... He commented about the medical jive being "make sure you know who is doing your revision"... then he looked me square in the face and said, "be thankful Dr. Jawad was doing your revision". I think he must have been a miracle worker!!!..... I also had the Fluid removed from my band about 4 months prior to surgery and gained about 20 lbs... I do feel your pain. But, I am now 16 days post op and doing great. I am on a full liquid diet until day 28!!! A lot of folks start the soft/mushie food a lot sooner...but, I'll stick to the full liquid for the added healing measure. I am also 14 pounds post op today,.,, God Bless... :wub:

YEA TAI.... So proud for you... Rest and take care of yourself......

I TOTALLY AM IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS!~~~~

Gosh Tai... we sound like the same story... my high was 234 and lost with WW to 183. slowly gained it all back... then after being diagnosed with diabetes II... I went for the band at 221 lbs... lost down to 183 again... Then started having all the usual band problems, had to have the fluid removed and now sitting at 206. So ready for the sleeve... Let's stay in touch... love to talk to those who this is the 2nd go round... and with all the blessings of being the last go round... God Bless... LOLOL... I was looking at your profile and if you changed heads, that could be me standing where you are... too funny... I am about 10 years older than you though...

Reposted

Hey Tai... So glad you are all in a great spirit and saying a prayer for you today... I will also be going from band to sleeve. And the statement about "being too small for surgery"... I get that too. But, we know where we are headed without the surgery... and don't want to wait. Don't let it throw you. What was your beginning weight prior to the band? I see you are still online and waiting for your doc to take you in... I'll be listening for you when you get out of recovery... God Bless You today...

Saying a little prayer for all those having surgery tomorrow... Monday the 6th... Believing God for a safe and perfect surgery with no complications... no nausea... no vomiting... and no pain... God Bless You All...

Hi... I just really wanted to encourage you... You have the sweetest and most tender heart toward God and others. You have gotten some great advice and encouragement here.. Just always remember to keep your heart and mind close to the heart of God and you will be fine. Don't allow the guilt or shame or 2nd guesses to change the direction you have decided to go. My Daddy always said, "if you find yourself confused... then go back to the place in your mind, where you were not confused... because that's where you left God"... So go back to the place you were when you were at perfect peace with your decision to have the surgery... IF YOU NEVER were at peace... then I strongly encourage you to spend some time praying and seeking your heart.... I personally see the surgery as self ("temple) preservation".... This is NOT an elective surgery, although we all sought out the surgery prior to someone telling us we had to have it done. MORBIDITY issues are not elective. Apparently God laid it on your heart in the beginning to WANT to do something about the obesity that is killing you and cutting your life short of fulfilling the call and being the person He has called you to be... Whatever you decide to go with... I pray the fullness of God for you, in your and all around you... I pray His peace gives you all the strength you need to know that you are walking on His path... I hope this helps you in some way to know... you are okay... and you are okay with God.... God Bless You Sweetie...

This is a picture I found and thought would hlep... I hope it comes out...

So glad you are feeling better... God Bless You....

Hi ya'll... Well after my pre-op visit and re-reading some of the posts, I'm a little curious. My doc said he would be using a #44 French boogie??? And I see others have such a smaller one... what's the difference... anyone know?