Has anyone done band to sleeve revision SAME SURGERY?

[Poorehouse 18]

I have had 2 bands... Both unsuccessful (over last 7 years). I had all the Fluid taken out 2 years ago when I got pregnant. Now my baby is a year and one I can no longer afford follow up and fills. And 2 after only loosing average 20 total I feel it's pointless. I am considering the sleeve. I thought they would remove band wait several months and do the sleeve however I am seeing that people are having band removed and getting sleeve revision same time. I would like to hear from both people that had it done in one surgery and people that did it in two. I wish I had done the sleeve to begin with because the revision makes me nervous since taking the band off will result in irritation and swelling (as with any surgery) but I wanted to know what to expect and what complications people have had. No sugar coating LOL

Thanks for your help with my decision.

[RAAinNH 113]

I had my band removed and Sleeve in the same surgery. The band did scar my stomach, however, my surgeon was able to work around the scarring and my surgery was successful.

It was understood when I went into surgery that the surgeon would only remove the band if there were problems. I would have had to return for Sleeve surgery at a later date.

Lucky for me, everything went smoothly.

[marfar7 1,533]

I had my revision done at the same time 2 weeks ago. My dr does most of his revisions this way. In fact, when I asked him what the chances are that I would wake up in recovery not sleeved, his answer was "nil". He spent 30 minutes digging my band out of my stomach (it had grown into my stomach). So the recovery was a little harder than I thought it would be (a little more sore from the cutting and tugging), but I'm so glad that it was done at once. Firstly, my insurance (Medicare) would only pay for it if it was from a band complication. If my band was no longer there (like in 2 procedures), then it wasn't causing me harm and they'd never pay for a bmi of 29. Secondly, I'd hate to have to recover from 2 surgeries if one will do the trick! I might've chickened out had I had time to wait and think about it more. And I knew I would've gained back the over 100 lbs I had lost with my band.

Unless you have major damage to your stomach from your band that makes it dangerous to sleeve you at the same time, I think most drs prefer to do it at once. My band was slipped for a year and actually herniated for about 4 mths before coming out. They can't tell the amount of damage until they're actually in there (no ct scans don't show it) so I don't think there's anyway they can GUARANTEE that it'll be done in one procedure, but I know they try really hard.

Good luck to you. I know what it feels like to lose your band. Glad I went with the sleeve instead of trying a 2nd band. My dr probly would've talked me out of it anyway. He's not really fond of the lapband anymore.

[Poorehouse 18]

Thank you guys for your in put. I feel better that you both did it the same time and I am assuming no complications. How long were you guys out if work? Also, I have a one year old... Should I wait until he is older or will I be ok to lift him soon after? He's 20 pounds

[Kami63 215]

I did mine in one surgery. I love my sleeve, I hated the band. My life is so much better but the recovery was hell. Worse for me an the band. I went back to work after two weeks. I needed three full weeks to recover. But now I feel normal again! Good luck on your decision.

[Kami63 215]

Thank you guys for your in put. I feel better that you both did it the same time and I am assuming no complications. How long were you guys out if work? Also, I have a one year old... Should I wait until he is older or will I be ok to lift him soon after? He's 20 pounds

My doc said no lifting over 10 pounds for six weeks but each surgeon is different. Also you won't much feel like lifting 20 pounds for a while...