I am sleeved!

[SleevedSteph 4]

I got the lap band in 2005 and loved it - lost 140 pounds. Well soon after I found out I was pregnant with band baby #2, I lost all restriction and it turned out I had leak in port and couldn't get fixed until after a couple of months after giving birth and ended up gaining over 60 pounds during the pregnancy but after port replacement in 2010 lost all the weight back and then in 2012 all restriction was gone again and now a leak in the tubing so surgeon told me it was time to replace the band with either the new band or revise to gastric sleeve as his patients had great success from band to sleeve. Well after having the band for 7 years and thought it was my answer to weight loss, I was devastated that a 3rd surgery would be required so decided to hold off and prove I could maintain the weight on my own and gained nearly 60 pounds. :-( I was so nervous to get the sleeve as my husband was in so much pain after his surgery and the band surgery was rough for me (had gall bladder removed at same time too). Well, I had my band removed and gastric sleeve on Monday and got to come home Tuesday afternoon and I feel great. It is a struggle to get my liquids down but I understand that is common. I slept the whole time I was in the hospital except to walk the hallways so maybe the sleep was what I needed. However, I didn't have scar tissue or hernia as some have during their revision so that might be why I have not had pain. I did have nausea when I was awake in hospital but in addition to nausea meds they gave me a patch behind my ear which I think really helped with that. I hope my recovery continues to go smoothly and look forward to learning from all your experiences so that I can use this new tool and to get those 60 pounds back off and more!

[awold0 246]

Wow that is fantastic. I am so happy for you. I can't believe you don't have any pain. I had such pain after surgery. It was so hard to walk around. You are super lucky.

[RXG 46]

Such a good story. Congratulations on being sleeved. I hope you have a speedy and pain free recovery.

[gmanbat 5,889]

Many happy days ahead for you!!!

Having a gall bladder out at the same time was something I wanted but did not get.

The little monster flared up so bad that my surgeon took it out in a separate operation two weeks before my sleeve operation. Both operations went well, my surgeon knew what he was doing.

I was sure glad to dump that gall bladder, I felt a lot better afterward.

[joatsaint 2,814]

Congrats on coming through it so well. Now get out there and Pimp that sleeve! :-)

[SleevedSteph 4]

Thank you for your encouragement! So joatsaint, how do I "pimp" my sleeve? :-)

[BellaHugz 331]

Seelvedsteph you are an inspiration. Hope you are doing well these days after your surgery too!

[SleevedSteph 4]

Thank you, BellaHugz! Honestly, I forget that I have had surgery as my incisions have all healed up except for the big one where my port was but had that scar ever since lap band. I feel like I can eat more than I thought I could so I will really have to watch it. Also I was already used to not drinking with meals from the band and when I do drink I am able to take gulps of Water which I was worried since immediately after I could only do small sips. It is freeing to have a fullness after eating and not feel hungry all the time. I'm still on vacation from work so a lot of it is wanting to eat from boredom or head hunger. So glad to see that you have been approved for surgery! The hardest for me was the 2 week liquid diet that my surgeon required. Best of luck and look forward to hearing about your progress!