TisB

[font=comic sans ms, cursive][size=3]My story began 3 years ago when I looked in to surgery and started the process with my insurance. Took a year for me to be approved for the Lap band and I had it done on 05/2011. It went well for awhile and then I started to have problems with eating. I couldn't eat before noon without getting stuck and things you should be able to have ie salad, fruits even soft meats I couldn't get down. I went in for multiple fills and unfills but things seemed to get worse. It became a normal routine at my dinner table with the family that I would have a bite or two and then get a look on my face and run to the bathroom. I was always chewing things up and followed all the rules but I seemed to get stuck more than not.[/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms, cursive][size=3]03/2013 I went to see a new surgeon as the one who did my original surgery "retired". I started to explain what was going on and he immediatly sent me for a upper gi. He said this should not be going on and we need to figure out what the problem is. After the Upper GI I went right back to his office (same day) and surprise I have a slip. Not a normal one according to him it had slipped over the back of the band and was going toward my back. Also the band was not in the correct position which may have caused the slip. I am requesting the notes from my original surgery to see what happened.[/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms, cursive][size=3]After talking with my new surgeon he said regardless if I would like to stick with the band or try something else or even not go further my original band had to be removed. So while I waited for my surgery to be approved he removed all the liquid out of the bad. For the first time I was able to have salad in over 2 years. But I was still not able to eat breakfast and would get stuck on things.[/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms, cursive][size=3]Took forever but the approval, so I thought came through. The night before my surgery I got a call from the hospital stating the approval fell through. The insurance company had approved the sleeve but not the removal of the band. What? Are you kidding my? Took another day to get the issue taken care of. But I still had to reschedule as the hospital wouldn't let me keep the first date. At this point I was telling them I didn't care about the sleeve just get the band out.[/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms, cursive][size=3]I went in on a Monday (05/2013) and what should have been a in and out procedure turned into HELL, The band was covered in scar tissue, the port was covered in scar tissue and my stomach had alot too. Because the surgeon was in there so long and working so close to the spleen it was some how nicked. (requesting notes but I do believe this was accidental and with all my damage and over 5 hours in surgery I am happy that is all that happened) My hubby said I was in recovery alot longer this time than the last. I couldn't eat or drink anything until the next day and even then I wasn't able to get down more than 4 ounces that whole day so the Surgeon kept me another day and another day and then I was finally able to go home.[/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms, cursive][size=3]It's been really rough. I came home with a drainage tube and didn't get it removed until my one week check up. I still have a problem with getting liquids down. Anything thicker than water seems to be an issue. Warmer water is always better. I am 2 weeks post op today and I am just trying to remember it will get better. Atleast that is what I am hoping for. This is completly different than when I was banded.[/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms, cursive][size=3]Today was my first day back to work and I am so tired. [/size][/font]

[font=comic sans ms, cursive][size=3]Thank you for listening to the beginning of my new adventure as a Sleeved person. Any wisdom for me and I would love to hear it. Ecspecially advise about the first month or two out of surgery.[/size][/font]



[font=comic sans ms, cursive][size=3]Well that is my story in a nut shell! Old Bander and now a newly sleeved person. I hope to look back at this in a year and think this was all worth it. Right now I would give anything to just drink with out feeling like I have air bubling in my throat as it goes down.[/size][/font]