How does the sleeve experience differ from the lapband experience?

[Flutterfly19 15]

Hey there! I had the Lapband in 2006 and really had a tough time with it and had it removed a couple years later. I'd like to hear from people who have had the Lapband, had it removed and then were sleeved. I'm worried that if I'm sleeved, I will have the same issues (not being able to swallow, sliming, throwing up, extreme discomfort, etc) and not be able to do anything about it (since you can't just undo it like can with the Lapband). How do the two experiences compare with one another?

Thank you!!!

[wwled 38]

I had lapband as well and in the beginning of the month I revised to a sleeve. I know I'm only 3 weeks out but I will try to help! I can tell you for sure that there are no swallowing issues. I haven't gotten anything "stuck" the way I did with my lapband. With my lapband, I couldn't get liquids in when I first woke up I was so tight.

as for the slime, I still get that, depending on what I eat. If I eat something that doesn't sit well I get the slime, but not nearly as much as with the band.

Nausea is a common thing for the first few months after surgery. I've struggled with it over the last few weeks. Zofran and Prilosec really help me.

With the lapband, I only lost 40 pounds in 4 years. With the sleeve, I have lost 15 in 3 weeks. It's hard, but I believe it's worth it 100%.

[girliegirl 49]

i had a band too and now im debating on getting the sleeve for the past 2 years. i just cant take that step because I wonder what the long term effects will be down the road too. I mean like you said, you just cant reverse this and its a huge step.

Edited February 28, 2014 by girliegirl

[dbering 4]

i had lap band 2005. i puked n suffered for 5 years !! i hated it. it slipped and was removed 2009. i gained all me weight back 2 weeks ago i was sleeved i honestly was prepared for same as band. noooooo its sooo much better what a difference still healing pains but i can swallow not puked one time. best choice i ever made

[rbtnln 81]

I had the lap band for 6 years. I had a slip and it was fixed and when that happened I gained back 50 of the 60 pounds I had lost and never could lose again. I had a revision to a sleeve done in November (2 days before Thanksgiving). For me, it's night and day. I haven't thrown up with the sleeve at all (except right after surgery which is typical). I "chew for 22" and take in my Protein first. So far, I haven't had issues with any foods except for sweets. My sweet tooth got the better of me and I had Cookies one day which caused what I considered to be "dumping" syndrome (to be blunt, I was on the toilet for about an hour afterwards). I haven't made that mistake since. According to my surgeon, the only food/drink I'm not allowed to ingest once the stomach heals is carbonation. Well, if you've had the band you haven't been able to have carbonation either so it's really no loss.

If I eat a Breakfast sandwich, I'll typically remove the top portion of the sandwich because the breads fill me up too quick. My best advice? Go slow. Eat slowly. When I say chew for 22, I mean chew every bite at least 22 times. Once you get to solid foods, stay away from mushy stuff. That's where I got into danger with my band. Mushy foods that slid through because the solid Protein hurt too much. You don't hurt with the sleeve - at least I don't. If I eat too fast, yes there's pain. So, just like with the band, if you eat slowly and be mindful of what you're doing, you'll do great. I'm down 31 pounds since the surgery. Slower than I wanted but I'm pretty dang happy with it. I'll never be 300 pounds again I'll tell you that for sure.

I'm glad I did the sleeve. I wish I could do it on my own without this tool. But, all things considered, it was a good choice for me and I'm happy I made it. Good luck to you!

[Flutterfly19 15]

Thank you all so much for this input! You mentioned that you chew for 22...what is that like? Is it hard to get used to? Or is it frustrating?

Also, I'm wondering with the sleeve, can you ever down Water again? Like gulp it down or will you always have to sip?

[kltklass 144]

I haven't had the band, however, I have had the sleeve for 7 months. Everyone is different and had different experiences. What works for one may not work for another.

I wanted the permanent solution to the issues I was having. In my journey, drinking Water was never an issue. I went slow at first because that is what the doctor ordered. At about 3 weeks I was able to gulp with little issues.

In a previous post "rbtnln" states:"Once you get to solid foods, stay away from mushy stuff. That's where I got into danger with my band. Mushy foods that slid through because the solid Protein hurt too much". The doctor has a set program for you to eat certain foods and in a specific order. This is to help your stomach heal. Mushy/pureed foods are part of that program. I still eat yogurt and cottage cheese as well as steak, chicken and fish. With the sleeve you will feel the restriction more with solid foods. Nothing gets "stuck" however it will feel uncomfortable if you eat too fast or too much. Pop on over the sleeve forum if you haven't already, there is loads of great information.

Good luck on your journey and keep us informed so we can support you.

[Morewithless 10]

Hey there! I had the Lapband in 2006 and really had a tough time with it and had it removed a couple years later. I'd like to hear from people who have had the Lapband, had it removed and then were sleeved. I'm worried that if I'm sleeved, I will have the same issues (not being able to swallow, sliming, throwing up, extreme discomfort, etc) and not be able to do anything about it (since you can't just undo it like can with the Lapband). How do the two experiences compare with one another? Thank you!!!

I could have written this just a year ago word for word. In fact I googled your exact question till I was blue in the face. I had the lap band in 2008, and was pretty much bulimic until I had it removed in 2012. I knew I needed something and the sleeve seemed perfect, but I was so scared that I would get the same feelings of being stuck and having to throw up all the time. I'm happy to say that I went through with it cautiously and as optimistic as possible in October 2013. I'm thrilled. The sleeve is nothing, and I mean, nothing, nothing nothing like the band. I promise you I know how you feel, it's scary. But this is the best thing I have ever done in my life. To echo what I've read a number of times, I wish I would/could have done sleeve first...I researched and learned the heck out of everything to make sure I knew what I was getting into. The two are night and day. I feel like I had an easy recovery and there is nothing I can't tolerate, but there are many things I choose to no longer have I feel 100% normal! And nobody besides my family even knows this go round. I shouted from the rooftops about lapband, and after that failed, I was scared of failure again, hence my reason for keeping quiet this time. I'm sure you'll be as happy as many of us! Go for it!

Eta: I can pretty much gulp my Water too...I was really afraid of that

Edited February 28, 2014 by Morewithless

[Flutterfly19 15]

Morewithless and KltKlass...this is GREAT information. Thank you SOOO SOOO much for taking the time to respond. Morewithless, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with those concerns and it's good to hear you are on the other side of this and that those concerns aren't an issue. It's just SOOOOO scary to do something SOOOO permanent. It's like I'll get close to the edge, ready to jump and then I take a few steps back because I'm scared...and then I inch back to the edge and want to jump again....(weird analogy, but I'm sure y'all will get what I'm talking about). I'm so glad I found this site! It's helped a lot already!

Edited February 28, 2014 by Flutterfly19

[Bellasarrah 9]

I just found out that my band isn't working. I've had it for 3 years and have lost 80lbs gained some back and am having a hard time loosing. I am thinking about getting the sleeve...I am pretty sure that I am going to get this surgery but am scared. Wondering of there is someplace I can find maybe a penpal who has gone through the same thing. thank you

[wwled 38]

I just found out that my band isn't working. I've had it for 3 years and have lost 80lbs gained some back and am having a hard time loosing. I am thinking about getting the sleeve...I am pretty sure that I am going to get this surgery but am scared. Wondering of there is someplace I can find maybe a penpal who has gone through the same thing. thank you

I converted from band to sleeve. Had my band for 4 years. you can add me on Facebook if you like? Erin McFadzean. I'm in a purple shirt haha