This is a great forum and have been reading it for awhile. Finally joined. I had a Lap-Band inserted in 2009 and never really liked it. I did initially lose weight but found it was much too easy to defeat and getting food lodged in the band while eating caused much discomfort and, at times, pain. I wanted the sleeve then but my insurance did not cover it at that time.
I am 5 days post gastric sleeve surgery and things are going well. I am going through the normal symptoms most have experienced. I never thought i would eat or drink again right after surgery, didn't even want to take a sip of water.
Feeling a thousand times better, stopped taking pain meds the third day out and am sleeping well. My first observations of the sleeve so far is that I need to readjust the amount of food I can consume at one sitting. I know that will adjust up as a I proceed but find it amazing that I cannot finish one measly can of Campbell's Cream of anything soup.
I appreciate all the frank talk and advice everyone has given, it really helps.
Take care all, and good luck.