thatchick

Yes if I could turn back time, I wish I would've had bypass first. Less complications and seemingly more successful long term for those who had it.

Yes I would still have this surgery. If I could turn back time I would have never had the first surgery. My band slipped within months, about the same time I lost my health insurance. If I could turn back time I would diet and exercise and never open my body up to so much invasiveness. However, I am so happy and thankful that I have had the sleeve. No more pain, vomiting blood, spitting for hours, I can eat whatever I want just a 3/4 cup at a time. Just be sure to follow the instructions, their there for a reason. No liquids and solids together, you will not be having a bagel and coffee, you can your coffee, then 30 minutes later you half a bagel. But its a small price to pay. I am self pay and have no insurance so I don't know what the insurance company requires but since my surgeon knew I was going home to no medical care I was in Morocco for three months. My first mobth having tests, x rays sonograms, ekg, multiple times etc. Then I fasted two weeks. Then surgery, then I was on a IV only for two weeks then more x rays and mri and barium shakes. Then two weeks on clear liquids then two weeks of soft foods but I did a month of soft foods just to be safe. I hear stories of people having the sleeve and three days later eating solid food. I couldn't imagine this. But most people have laparoscopy, if yours is a revision your more than likely getting cut, a large incision from under your breasts almost to the belly button. This is a very different recovery time than most. Good luck. If you have any more questions just ask. I hope it works out for you.

I was self pay, I had my surgery in North Africa. I was required to fast for about a week prior to surgery. My Dr knew I had no health insurance back in the states so he was very through with me, thankfully. I was on an IV only for two weeks after. I ingested nothing. Then clear liquids for two weeks then soft foods another two weeks. He gave me two MRIs and about 3 x-rays after just to be certain there were no leaks or issues. I am very happy with the results. It's not easy. Honestly when people ask me about surgery because I had 11 years living with a botched banding I tell them the best way to loose weight is diet and exercise. Surgery may FORCE you to change your eating habits but when you open your body to be re landscaped basically, you also open yourself to possible life long issues. For example, since my initial surgery I now suffer from periodic bouts of pancreatits. It's painful and no Dr can explain why. You will metabolize differently, for life. With the sleeve your more prone to dumping syndrome. Dairy will never be the same for you. I can't look at ice cream now without feeling sick. But again, its your choice. You have to decide what's best for you. I wish you the best.

My sister in law had a bypass more than ten years ago and she's had no issues thank God. I had a binding in 02, and had complications straight away, I had a sleeve to correct what turned out to be a.botch job of a binding. I have to say after seeing my sister in laws success if I could do it over I would've had the bypass years ago, however I am also very happy with the sleeve. No plastic, no foreign things in my body to worry about, my insides do feel very different and I learn something new all the time. Like I will never want ice cream again and I'm totally ok with that. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

I had a similar experience. I had a botched banding in 02, I had a sleeve to correct it. All I can tell you from my experience I'm 6 months post op and as.long as I stay in the guidelines, I'm more than fine. I feel so much better. Your body metabolism will change, your ability to produce insulin may too. However, it's not any more difficult than being banded, actually I find it easier. I'm very happy I decided to do this, I have that horrible piece of plastic out of me and no more spitting, I feel much more free. But again everyone's experience is different. Good luck, feel free to ask me anything.

Hello, I'm 5 months post op, I had a sleeve to correct a bad previous gastric binding. The last month I have pain off & on near the left side port. Does anyone else have this pain? Is it possible to get a leak this far post op? I'm self pay, went to another country for my surgery so just 'going to the Dr' is not really an option for me at this point. Any advise would help.

Thank you for your posts. I appriciate it.

I had no issues since surgery in June. Until the last two weeks. I did over eat once while visiting family, I really should've but since then sometimes not all the time I have pain after meals. Also since I started doing my abs when I work out I've had pain where my left side drainage port was. Could they have left something in there? Anyone have similar issues? Does anyone know if a leak can happen this far post op?

I to am wondering what can cause & when a leak can happen. I'm 4 months post op and have no problems (thank God) until now. I've had pain off & on sometimes when I eat and noticed if I do my abs durring a workout it hurts where my left side drainage port was. Any similar stories? Can you get a leak this far post op?