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@ellie123 I'm a revision as well, Luckily I didn't get sucked into the band to sleeve revision that I actually was originally looking to do. So glad my surgeon refused to do any band to sleeve revisions due to added complications and issues in doing so. Had the band to bypass revision in March and I couldn't be happier overall, I really do wish I went with the bypass way back in 2011. Could have saved SO MUCH TIME!

Hi! I am scheduled for surgery on this coming Monday August 27th. I keep waiting to be terrified or super nervous but I have been cool as a cucumber during the majority of this journey. I started the process for my approval in October of last year and was originally scheduled for July 27th. I ended up having to reschedule due to financial issues but it's worked out for the best. I will say that I was the most nervous at my initial doctors appointment because I wasn't sure if it would be something I could do. Am I too young? (just turned 22) Too light? (250 at 5'5'') Can I deal with the radical lifestyle changes including no alcohol for 1 year+? To help with this, I made a list of questions that were most important to me and had my surgeon and nutritionist answer them all. I also came here and to Obesity Help and just started going through all of the forums. Good, bad and ugly I wanted to know EVERYTHING. I think that looking up horror stories and worst case scenarios helped calm me since they were the exceptions and not the rule. I also took stock of my own personal situation and realized that I am in pretty good shape so the odds that I will have a major complication are slim. I don't know your health history but it might help to compare yourself to some of the "worse off" people on these forums. Some started at well over 500 lbs and have been able to successfully lose and keep the weight off so the odds are definitely in your favor. Further, I fully intend on being 100% compliant and happily tell my surgeon that if I die its because he killed me (ER life has given me a morbid sense of humor). Maybe it'd help to make a running list of pros and cons in a journal over the coming months. Anything good and bad related to having the surgery should be written down and compared. And if you make it to December and cons outweigh the pros, you can always reschedule. Surgeons and thus surgery will always be there as an option so don't rush into it if it isn't the right time for you. Sorry for the long post but I'm at work and this is one of few unblocked sites lol.

@RickM. Thanks for your response. It makes sense. I guess I’m just worried that this will not be successful long term. I had the LapBand for about 8 years and it started off great, but like others, the complications forced me to have it removed. I was successful with it until the removal, so I am of the mindset that I will be able to stick to the new way of eating. Without the band now it just seems like I don’t get full. I’ve always wondered if it is because of the residual effects of the band. My doctor told me if I want to switch to the DS he would be comfortable with doing it , and that ultimately I have to choose the best one for me. He’s really good, from what I’ve researched one of the best in the country, so I’m confident he’s not just recommending what fits him. I just gotta make the choice.

Hello to all sleevers!! It has been a very long time since I have posted here. Lately I’ve been lurking around because I have some questions regarding being re-sleeved. First let me give you some back story. I was sleeved about 7 years ago. Had amazing success! I did self pay in Mexico through a surgeon in Cancun Dr Perez. He was a wonderful the surgery went well I had no complication or issues. Lost tons of weight and kept it off. I am now pregnant with my second child and most likely my last. I have definitely put on some weight in the last two years mostly due to pregnancies but I have definitely noticed I am able to eat so much more and so much more often then I used too. I was also aware that my surgeon at that time did not use the smallest bougie but a little larger one because bmi was on the lower end. I hope I can just get the remaining weight off myself but in case I gain more or I can’t get my restriction back I would like to look into options into re-sleeving. Or at least what surgeons are available to do it? What the costs are for re-sleeving now? Anyone have good or bad experiences.? My Old coordinators email is not active anymore (it’s been 7 years) but she was amazing she also lined up surgery for my mom and best friend who also did self pay in Mexico and had amazing results and are maintaining. I wouldn’t be considering surgery till June or July of 2019. But I wanted to start doing some research now and wanted to get all the info necessary for me to make an informed decision if I needed too. Oh and to all of you in doubt or planning to get sleeved but debating....it was the best damn thing I ever did changed my entire life!! I felt amazing had tons of energy and was committed to living a healthy lifestyle. It is just a tool but if you utilize it you will reap great benefits! If anyone out there has any info you can help me with or any coordinators you recommend I can reach out to inquire more info I would really appreciate any response. Thanks in advance!

Sorry for your complications, some people just react differently to the meds administered. Don’t worry about eating it will be a while before your on solids just take it easy eat your popsicles and Sip your water you will get through it. Look on on the bright side you should be kicking ass at loosing weight 😜 hope you fell better keep keep your chin up.

I can only tell you my reasons as everyone has their own story and reasons why they chose the surgery they had. I initially asked for the sleeve. I liked the less complications and thought that was going to be good enough for me. I was doing the surgery for health reasons even more than weight loss. My DR pushed hard for RNY but I resisted until I found out in pre op tests that I had barrett's esophagus. At that point sleeve surgery was not an option. I did a 180 and started considering RNY, but then my insurance said I could have RNY or DS but no sleeve. I asked my DR for his opinion on which surgery was right for me. He still thought RNY was the way to go but he left the decision up to me and told me the benefits and risks of both. I decided RNY was the way to go and so far so good health issues resolved and weight still being lost.

As surgical wounds are healing, there are often some distinct changes that occur to the skin both around and near the wound. A few things that one can expect – and things to watch out for: https://advancedtissue.com/2013/12/3-ways-know-difference-healing-infected-surgical-wounds/ A study was conducted that looked at patient incision care and other discharge concerns. The study found that knowledge of incision care and amount of information received about incision care were rated low. The five most frequently mentioned postdischarge concerns included bowel trouble at home, wound pain at home, looking for wound complications, watching for wound infection, and activity limitations. (This study is 12 years old. Hopefully, knowledge of incision and discharge care has improved drastically.) https://www.o-wm.com/content/bariatric-surgery-patient-incision-care-and-discharge-concerns

Aidanog, if it makes you feel any better, I'm an RN that places PICCs, in addition to other specialty IVs. It's a very routine, low-risk procedure with very few complications. If you're okay with the surgery, you're going to get through the PICC just fine. They should numb you with a little lidocaine that stings a bit, but after that you shouldn't feel anything else, and everything is done through a single needle stick. You'll be fine Thank you for your comforting words. I know I shouldn’t be afraid, but I’ve had such terrible experiences with needles lately, just typing about them, my chest tightens up. But this, too, shall pass, and this time tomorrow night, it will be over!

Aidanog, if it makes you feel any better, I'm an RN that places PICCs, in addition to other specialty IVs. It's a very routine, low-risk procedure with very few complications. If you're okay with the surgery, you're going to get through the PICC just fine. They should numb you with a little lidocaine that stings a bit, but after that you shouldn't feel anything else, and everything is done through a single needle stick. You'll be fine :)

Yes. The most recent studies are trending toward VSG, short op time, lower complication rate, and they think that malabsorption isn't as great as it was with the longer bypasses from the old days. After about 18mos to 5 years, the malabsorption level is minimal anyway. Microvilli in the gut regrows at an alarming rate so that the body can "clean" more nutrients and calories out of the food that is swiftly passing through the gut. It's an adaption process the body goes through.

Most of the bariatric literature on thiamine deficiency surrounds gastric bypass, but it seems sleeve gastrectomy is not immune to this problem despite that, theoretically, sleeve gastrectomy experiences fewer malabsorption issues. https://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(18)30222-3/fulltext Nutritional deficiencies are a recognized complication of bariatric surgery. Thiamine deficiency has been reported as a possible consequence of both restrictive and malabsorptive bariatric procedures. Most of the reported cases occurred after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery; fewer were described after biliopancreatic diversion, vertical banded gastroplasty, or duodenal switch. Adults who have a high carbohydrate intake derived mainly from refined sugars and milled rice are at greater risk of developing thiamine deficiency because thiamine is absent from fats, oils, and refined sugars. https://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(05)00726-4/fulltext Thiamine was the first vitamin B to be discovered. It is absorbed in the proximal jejunum and is mainly stored in muscle as thiamine pyrophosphate. It has a biological half-life of 9-18 days. Patients who experience persistent vomiting after bariatric surgery are at risk of developing thiamine deficiency. Mild deficiency should be suspected if patients complain of apathy, anorexia, restlessness and generalized weakness. Prolonged deficiency leads to beriberi and/or Wernicke’s encephalopathy. The most common presenting symptom of thiamine deficiency is a pins-and-needles feeling in one’s extremities despite normal vitamin B12 and folate. The average time from surgery to onset of thiamine deficiency symptoms was 9 months. Persistent vomiting, alcoholism, and non-compliance with vitamins are all contributing factors to thiamine-B1 deficiency. Treatment for those suspected of thiamine-B1 deficiency: 50-100mg of thiamine twice daily. https://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(11)00050-5/fulltext

@ZeroCool. I sure hope they figure it out and you get some relief from all this pain. This whole thing is hard enough without complications! Big hug from me.

Lots of people react differently to surgery, sorry you got a short straw. Now you know that you will have to advocate for pain management prior to release from the hospital, never ever leave before you are capable. It does get better. I had a slow recovery as well, I was switched between 4 pain meds before they got it right. It was something. My pain lasted for weeks at home. But I survived and no other complications occurred, so stay hydrated as much ad possible or you'll land right back in the hospital. CONGRATS!!! Safe Journey

I am 5 days post op today from the sleeve. I had a horrible experience and wanted to share to see if anyone else had the same experience. Surgery Day- I woke up after surgery, I was shivering so bad and I was in severe pain at my stomach site. Day 1 post op- there was 1 day I was in the hospital and I slept most of this day as I was in severe pain. Did not drink anything Day 2- i again was not able to eat or drink anything. I got released from the hospital, went home and felt horrible. I could not keep anything down. I was throwing up from the medicine and had a fever. So we went back to the hospital where they readmitted me. Day 3- I was in severe pain again, and dry heaving since I had nothing in my system to throw up. I was only able to drink about 4 or 5 oz of water. I wanted nothing to do with the crystal light or the broth the hospital gave me. Day 4- I thankfully was able to drink some more water today, around 18oz. Finally was released late afternoon. Still feeling sore but a little better Day 5- I am feeling better, not as sore but the gas pains are still a huge factor and painful!!! I was able to manage about 20oz or so of water, I did not have any broth or any other clear liquids. I did have one small spoon of Greek yogurt. I hope this process gets easier!!! Let me know if you guys had any complications and how you overcame them!!

I had my band for 5 1/2 years and didn't have any problems (except weight gain) until about 8 months ago when I went to get a fill. The doctor couldn't find my port which is never been an issue in the past. Turns out my port was turned around and underneath scar tissue. Moving forward on July 23rd approximately 4 weeks ago I had my lap band removed and revision to the sleeve. In my case my lap band did not come out easily for the doctor. It was bolted in with mesh, and attached to my abdomen. My 45-minute surgery took about 2 hours and 15 minutes. But there were no complications other than that and my doctor was able to continue with the sleeve gastrectomy right away. I'm telling you this just to make you aware I did have pain longer than most people do, in my incision mostly. I was pretty weak for about two and a half weeks. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks and I finally feel almost like myself. It was so worth it though. I had a stall after 2 weeks, but I'm now down about 24 pounds since my surgery date. Good luck, you'll do great! Just trust your surgeon! Sent from my SM-G935T using BariatricPal mobile app

Lucky you. I just realized I still have another week of liquids. Excited about all the things I plan to make for the purée stage. If you eat something solid you could potentially cut open your incision where your stomach was stapled back together. Which could cause complications.

Less than two months now for my ESG. Date is set for Tuesday 16 October, time off work booked and authorised, Sydney accommodation and airfares booked and paid for. Bought tickets to see Book of Mormon while in Sydney. All my appointments are set: dietician and behavioural coach one month before the procedure, doctor day before surgery, surgery :), infusion day following and dexa scan plus my follow up appointment with the doctor one week later. I have a friend coming with me who will be there up to the Thursday, I was going to be travelling solo, however, the doctor insisted that I have someone with me for 48hrs following the procedure in case of complications. It is a day surgery, no overnight stay in hospital is required which I am pleased with. While Christmas is many months away, in Australia lots of workplaces are busily planning Christmas dinners, even my sister got in early yesterday, sending a save the date for a big cousin/family dinner out the Saturday before Christmas, and because we have family coming home for Christmas we are even planning our Christmas day. There is also a small group of school friends that meet up with once or twice a year, we will be having a get together in late November/early December. There are lots of what could be awkward food situations coming up, fortunately I have plenty of time to plan how I will manage meals out and responses to any comments about what I am consuming (or not consuming for that matter). I wont't be telling very many people at all about my procedure (one so far, the friend above), but I am assuming that people probably won't be too interested with the food on my plate, but will be focussed on their own meals/drinks and enjoying the social situation. I haven't updated my weight but have put on the two kilos lost, I am disappointed in myself, but today I am recomitting to my health! My doctor said he didn't care if I didn't lose weight before the procedure but to make sure I didn't put on weight, but with a two week pre op liquid diet I assume I would have lost some weight before the ESG. I will lose the two kilos gained and I hope to lose another three before my ESG, anymore than that will be a bonus, the more I lose before hand, the less need to lose after! At least five kilos is not unreasonable before 16 October. Now to work on the emotional / boredom eating and the sweet tooth so that goal is achieved. I will be going back to basics from here-on-in, lots of water, walking, occasional glass of wine, portion control but with increased protein and reduced carbs, nil added sugar foods (sugar friend here, one skerritt of sugar and its a full on sugar fest). Hadn't realised I had waffled on so much, fortunately I don't do it too often! I hope to see more ESGers posting on the ESG sub forum, the support we receive and give is invaluable!

I had the LapBand done in August of 2012 and it's been nothing but a nightmare! The surgeon and surgery itself went fine, but had I known I'd forever have food "stuck" and be miserable I'd have opted for a different surgery. I was over 500lbs when I decided to have it put in and lost to 460lbs the day of surgery. I only ever dropped to 403lbs - And NONE of it was the healthy way. I was ALWAYS hungry and I said all the time, the stuff that I SHOULD eat gets stuck, but the things I shoudn't eat sits just fine. For a long time, I blamed myself for this issue, but find it's a pretty common occurrence for Banders I hear now. I would NEVER recommend this surgery for anyone...If it was the Band or nothing, I'd have chose nothing! So, years later I ballooned back over 500lbs. I went to a fitness camp for 6mo and with their help and all the knowledge I took home, I'm down to 389lbs as of today. I am scheduled to have my band removed next month and have the sleeve done at the same time. I have plans down the road to have the sleeve then revised into the DS, which is basically the sleeve with the added malabsorption part included. Because my BMI still sits so high and the possible complications from band removal, my surgeon refused to do the full DS at one time - But felt confident the sleeve and band removal could be done simultaneously. For me, the band made me feel like a total failure and that I'd forever be doomed to be over 500lbs. Through thorough nutrition and exercise education, I finally feel like I'm going to be able to get my life back! The sleeve is just one step on my journey there. Best of luck to you and whatever your surgeon suggests, I'd follow those recommendations if you trust him! (But always do your research and stick to your guns on what's right for you!)

I do not understand why, unless there are complications, a surgeon would put a patient through two procedures. Especially at your low weight! I had the Band to Sleeve revision on May 17th. All in one day. My band was a nightmare from the very first week in 2005. I vomited for 12+ years nearly ever time I ate. Never kept a fill. Rotated port. Scar tissue. Terrible pain. You name it, I went through it...and accepted it because I was too busy to do something about it. This sleeve has changed everything. Immediately. No return of reflux. My giant port scar tissue tumor is gone. And recovery was a breeze. The nightmare is OVER!

Same. Worried about complications. Eager to get going. Worried about pain. Worried about taking time off from work since I’m very new.

I used generic gas x chewables they are a god send for gas. Idk if you’ve had a bowel movement yet but once you do gas seems to subside. I feel so good honestly no side affects, pain or complications thank god. Water is going down so much faster and smoother. Everyday gets better 4 more days until purée and I’m ready because I have hunger pains. Sf food makes me have the runs so the doctor says nothing is lasting in my stomach to make me feel less hungry but purée will help. Good luck

I’m feeling a little depressed of lately and have been eating my emotions away.. I’m 1 year post gastric sleeve i only lost a total of 70lbs i was hoping to loose at least a 100 or more based on most people i know lost 100 or more. I only lost 70 but i know why because I’ve been eating off way off... In addition i gained like 6-7lbs i was 268 now I’m 274.i started at 243 I have to get back in track i got really excited that i can eat and been snacking on a lot of nuts plus i wanna work out more haven’t done it consistently since surgery.. i also wanna do the keto diet have anyone tried keto or intermittent fasting after gastric sleeve... I know i ‘m my own downfall when it comes to my diet!!!! I’ve been thru so much with surgery and complications i dont wanna gain it back i need some motivation and some inspiration... Feeling so defeated

I’m feeling a little depressed of lately and have been eating my emotions away.. I’m 1 year post gastric sleeve i only lost a total of 70lbs i was hoping to loose at least a 100 or more based on most people i know lost 100 or more. I only lost 70 but i know why because I’ve been eating off way off... In addition i gained like 6-7lbs i was 268 now I’m 274.i started at 243 I have to get back in track i got really excited that i can eat and been snacking on a lot of nuts plus i wanna work out more haven’t done it consistently since surgery.. i also wanna do the keto diet have anyone tried keto or intermittent fasting after gastric sleeve... I know i ‘m my own downfall when it comes to my diet!!!! I’ve been thru so much with surgery and complications i dont wanna gain it back i need some motivation and some inspiration... Feeling so defeated

I’m feeling a little depressed of lately and have been eating my emotions away.. I’m 1 year post gastric sleeve i only lost a total of 70lbs i was hoping to loose at least a 100 or more based on most people i know lost 100 or more. I only lost 70 but i know why because I’ve been eating off way off... In addition i gained like 6-7lbs i was 268 now I’m 274.i started at 243 I have to get back in track i got really excited that i can eat and been snacking on a lot of nuts plus i wanna work out more haven’t done it consistently since surgery.. i also wanna do the keto diet have anyone tried keto or intermittent fasting after gastric sleeve... I know i ‘m my own downfall when it comes to my diet!!!! I’ve been thru so much with surgery and complications i dont wanna gain it back i need some motivation and some inspiration... Feeling so defeated

I threw up a lot after my WLS. It was three days of vomiting bile. I threw up the entire ride home from the hospital. I do not respond well to anathesia. I was terrified but it was OK. No burst staple line. You will totally lose weight! It’s impossible not to! I was so scared of my surgery and if I had known then what I know now, I think I would have been more excited! I have had my own issues and complications but WLS is an amazing tool! This is an amazing opportunity! Make the most of it!