Lap band gone wrong, now trying gastric sleeve Oct 3rd

[Missy<3 0]

So needless to say I am quite scared of the entire surgery process... I was banded in 2005 and after 3.5 years of constant regurgitation and extreme weight loss/hair loss/ thrush/ sever malnurisment (151lbs to be exact) and a constant battle with my physican over something being horribly wrong with my band, which I felt the entire time. I later found out it had eroded.

I had has the lapband in my stomach wall for 2 years and within those two years I have gained every pound back with some bonus pounds.

Since then I've gotten my band removed (by a different doctor which I love!!!) and submitted my paper work for gastic sleeve.

I am scared beyond belief that something will go wrong just because I have had so much adbominal trauma in the past year, but I am confident in my Dr. this time around and reading everyones updates is really encouraging. So here we go...19 days and counting for my 2nd chance at a new life. <3

[Tera 3]

Wow. I am sorry for all your trouble. Hopefully with the sleeve they can remove the damaged part of your stomach?

[kekerene 35]

That is fantastic. I had the band as well in 2006 and went through the regurgitation, malnurisment, weight loss then gained it all back plus more, and then it slipped on me. I converted to the sleeve almost 3 months ago and life is amazing now. My doctor did have to remove a ton of bad scar tissue that the band left behind before he performed the sleeve procedure. Ask your doc if he will do this as well. All I can say is that this surgery is waaaaaaaay different than the band. I have never thrown up my food with the sleeve like I did with the band. I actually feel healthy now. I am sure you will be successful with the sleeve. Just remember that the band failed you, you did not fail. Trust me, the sleeve won't let you down. Best of luck to you!

[Rev Me Up! 75]

HI there!

I am another band to sleeve revision. The sleeve is soooooo different. It actually works!!! It sounds like your tummy will be healed and ready for this next operation - a lot of us did the removal and sleeve at the same time. With the year of healing, I'm sure your tummy is more than ready for the change.

It is a tough recovery, but the results are really fantastic. You might want to check into the band to sleeve revision group off the main page.

Good luck!

[Missy<3 0]

Thanks kekerene and Tera! I hope they do remove all the evidence of my botched lap band surgery.

I am so excited for the surgery there is just a looming sense of fear, which I know is normal but I hope everything turns out well

So you don't feel that horrible pressure you would feel with the band?! Omg, now I am stoked!!!

~Missy

[mamamckinzie 92]

Good luck on your new journey. I started out my wls journey thinking of the band but the more I saw how much trouble people were having I opted for the sleeve. I hope at some point they "ban the band" cuz it sure seems to have caused alot problems for alot of people.

[Rev Me Up! 75]

Hi-

The only remnant of discomfort that is related to the band is that my port site is still strangely tender if you press directly on it. I think that is from all the tissue they have to cut out of there to get the port out. But, since you got your band out a while ago, you would already have this discomfort. You will be restricted, but it is different from the band restriction. The first few months it can be hard to eat, but once you are completely healed, most foods go down with no problems, you just have to keep your mind tuned in to your portions or you will overeat and be very uncomfortable.

Good luck--

[Missy<3 0]

Hi-

The only remnant of discomfort that is related to the band is that my port site is still strangely tender if you press directly on it. I think that is from all the tissue they have to cut out of there to get the port out. But, since you got your band out a while ago, you would already have this discomfort. You will be restricted, but it is different from the band restriction. The first few months it can be hard to eat, but once you are completely healed, most foods go down with no problems, you just have to keep your mind tuned in to your portions or you will overeat and be very uncomfortable.

Good luck--

My port site is actually healed up and not too much discomfort except for when i lay on the tummy. Have any of you had trouble sleeping? I used to have to sleep sitting up when I had the band and thats one of my worries. Ahhh, I am so nervous! only 11 more days and each day feels like its flying by!!!