7 Days To Go - My Band To Sleeve Story

[islandmom 10]

I am a mother of 2 FABULOUS boys and have been married almost 17 years to my AWESOME husband!! I was banded in March 2006 in Mexico. I was happy with my band for the first 2 years until and overfill (suffered for 7 days until doctor could "see" me) which ended up with the doc taking out all the fill amount and resting and basically starting over. From there on out my band was not the same. There were days that I could eat NOTHING and there were a few days that I could eat anything. I began PB'ing or throwing up several times a week. I tried to switch doctors but very few will even see Mexico patients and those that would see me wanted an upfront fee ($$$) to see me. So I basically resigned myself to the fact that this was my life. Sporadic eating and NOT losing weight and eventually gaining back all the weight I lost plus!!

I lived this way until last year when I decided to re-take control of myself and took the plunge in trying to find a doctor to help me. I finally found Dr. Kim and he agreed to see me and evaluate if he could help me. I was so nervous, like I was going to a job interview. After meeting with him and having some tests run he agreed to help he improve my quality of life and recommended the sleeve. My boss and his wife had this procedure done almost 2 years ago now and have both done really well and had good results. So I began taking classes, psych eval, sleep study and cardiac clearance required by insurance to submit. I was approved and am schedule for next Monday 1/23!! Yea!!

I have been "cautiously" excited about this, but now 1 week out I am nervous. I am just ready to be on the other side instead of the "what if" thoughts that are constantly running through my head right now! My husband is sooooo supportive and I know he loves me for me and not what I look like, but he wants me to be happy with me! He is such a gift!! <3 This forum has been awesome too because everyone here is going through or have experienced the same things and it comforts me that I have somewhere to go to really express myself. So thank you to everyone!!

[LBM 14]

I know a woman who went from the band to the sleeve. For her, it was a great success. And it will be for you, too. It's very brave to face down a second surgery ... well done.

[Tenshi 34]

islandmom, mine isn't a revision, but we are being sleeved on the same day. I know this is what will work for us!!

[islandmom 10]

Thanks Ladies for your encouragement and support!! Tenshi~How goes the liquid diet? ? I am hanging in there...the last 2 days have been tough, but they are behind me now!

[blittle 1]

Hey ladies! I was just sleeved on 12/28 after a band failure in June. I had an erosion that put a nice whole in my stomach which resulted in emergency surgery. A scary time. After the sleeve I was in shock at how good I felt and quickly I recovered. Minimal soreness compared to after my band surgery. Removing the port from the band seems to cause much more soreness than the sleeve surgery, but I don't have that feeling of needing to throw up like I did with the band. I've lost 17 pounds in 20 days and so far I'm loving that I went ahead with this surgery! Good luck!!!

[lindydenise 0]

Congratulations on your choice! Are you having the surgery at Forest Park? If so, you will love it there I just had a lap-band to sleeve conversion surgery on the 13th. I have a few more incisions and a few staples than last time but I can already tell its going to be much better experience. My stomache hasn't growled once! I wish you the absolute best and a speedy recovery!

[Tenshi 34]

islandmom, the liquid diet is going well... I have had several moments where I've wondered what harm one last binge on some good ol' Pennsylvania Dutch food could do... but I am trying to keep my eyes on the prize and all that! I haven't had one single bite of anything since I started this thing on the 8th, and now the surgery is only five days away!

I had my pre-op appointments yesterday, which kind of induced this HOLY $(*W$# this is happening!!! feeling.

[islandmom 10]

blittle~ Thanks!! I am ready to have this band out out out!! I think I am just worried about the "soreness" after having the band and my tummy removed from the same spot. But I am excited and ready to move forward!

lindydenise~ I am going to Trophy Club (closer to home). I had my EGD there last April and it is really nice and has the staff are great! Thanks for the encoureagement! I am happy to hear that you are doing well with your conversion! I am hoping to be saying the same thing myself in the next few weeks!!

Tenshi~ LOL I have had the same thoughts!! I won't hurt...just a little bite ( I love my Tex-Mex)...but I too have resisted! I agree we have to keep our eye on the prize. I had my pre-op stuff done this past Friday and since then it has hit me pretty hard that this is really really gonna happen! I think I am letting my nerves get the best of me! Luckily I have an insane work week already going so not too much time to stress over it! Just 5 days...wow!! :thumbup: