Getting Lap Band out for sleeve

[onemoretry 0]

Here's my first post. I am going to need all of you beside me! I have had a tough time with my band. I only lost 30 lbs in 2 yrs. I had terrible pain under my rib cage for a month after surgery. Then long story short, the band was too tight and I developed ulcers on my esphogaus. Even with nothing in the port, I still burb up almost everything. You would think I would lose weight, but didn't. So today I find out my insurance will pay for the sleeve. Here's the deal. In 8 wks. my son gets married. If I have the surgery before the wedding, I would only be 6 wks out. I need to know if that is a good move or not, based on what you can tell me for recovery. I wanted to have this surgery done around the 1st part of Dec. but my lapband doctor (who suggested the sleeve the 2nd time around) wasn't allowed to do the sleeve on me due to his hospital board denying my need. So I am now working with a different doctor & hospital. Ofcourse the goal was to lose the weight over the past two years and esp. since the wedding is coming up. I am scared and would LOVE any & all input. I am also scared because I read nothing but good things about the band and now reading the failure rates. Is that going to happen in a few years with the sleeve too?

[Eureka-C 20]

The first few weeks were hard for me and I didn't have a revision. Also if the surgeon repairs your esophagus, it could be slow going. 6 weeks should be enough to feel better, but there are no guarantees, and I wouldn't want to chance missing my child's wedding because of some complication. My surgeon had me replace two meals with Protein Shakes and start eating high Protein low carb about 4 months before my surgery. I lost 20 pounds with just that, and I also had a healthy liver for my surgery. Best of luck. What a difficult decision.

[Becca 108]

I totally understand! I had MANY problems with my band. I just had my revision Monday and honestly I am feeling quite well. I am still sore, but the pain meds take care of that. I went to Walmart today and walked around with my family with little pain. I even have extra incisions because the doctor had to go in and search for all of the broken parts of my band. I also developed esphogus problems. It was hurting to swallow and now I have no problems at all. Please make sure you have an experienced revision doctor. You would have to discuss your risks with the doctor as far as the healing after surgery. I wish you the best. Message me anytime if you have questions.

[TexasT 99]

I had my band removed, sleeve done, gall bladder removed, adhesions removed, and hiatal hernia repaired all in one surgery. After 2 C-sections, a hysterectomy, band surgery, and then this - I guess you could call me experienced with abdominal surgery (+ 4 other surgeries elsewhere). The revsion surgery was not the worst I've had and I was able to work part-time at a desk job from home a few days post-op. I think at 6 wks you would feel fine enough to go to a wedding, as long as you are not one of the people carrying things and setting things up. You should just show up to look good as the mother of the groom and enjoy the day. You would most likely be on soft foods at the time, so I'm sure you could find something you could eat if they serve a meal.

It all depends on your specific situation though. If you feel like you are typically a little slower to recover from surgery or if you feel the band complications you've had will be a major bother, then you might ought to wait until after the wedding. You don't want to be sore or very tired at such a wonderful occasion. As mentioned above, make sure your doc is experienced with revisions and not just lap-bands. It really does make a difference. Best wishes on your decision!

PS - since there are no huge plastic contraptions snaking around in our bodies anymore, I don't see how the VSG can cause problems like the band does. I love mine!