Under 50 lbs to lose - would you recommend the sleeve (after band removal)

[Cleo's Mom 257]

I have posted this elsewhere and got several replies - none encouraging - so I will try here:

I want the lap band removed (placed in 2008 by different surgeon) but I am still struggling with the decision to get the sleeve.

Ultimately I know the decision is mine and I have to do what I think is right but I'd like some practical (not philosophical) advice.

To me the main purpose of any WSL should be to improve one's quality of life. If losing weight does that - great. If your medical conditions improve - great. If you can do things you couldn't do before - great. And finally - if you look and feel better - great.

My band is unfilled now and I can eat most anything. It is a crap shoot though as to when I get stuck or feel very uncomfortable and need to make myself throw up. I also get left shoulder pain.

I was diagnosed with GERD many years ago and have been on nexium for about 10 years - so I have no heartburn or symptoms of GERD. During this time I have slept elevated.

At age 64 I have chronic back pain and arthritis. Tylenol is not effective. My weight doesn't keep me from doing anything - more so the back pain and arthritis (neither of which improved with my weight loss with the band).

So that brings me to my dilemma:

I am at a BMI of 35 and the surgeon says I can expect to lose about 45 pounds. And I won't be able to take NSAIDS for life to treat my pain.

I have also read that about 1/3 of those who didn't have acid reflux develop it after the sleeve.

I have also heard the word "stuck" and vomiting and sliming with referral to the sleeve.

Then there are all the foods (even healthy ones) that one cannot eat after the sleeve and many posts about problems with foods - getting enough Protein, etc...

So, I guess what I am trying to decide is if the sleeve will improve the quality of my life or create problems I don't have now without benefits to my medical conditions (that's asking a lot for 45 pounds).

Any advice - especially from those who didn't have a lot of weigh to lose?

[Cody's mom 247]

I had my sleeve done Sept 14, 2014. Ten days after I was eating prime rib and brussel sprouts. I have not encountered anything I ate before that I can't eat now, but just in much smaller quatities. If I eat too fast, yup I'll puke, but not if I eat properly and not wolf my food down. This was the easest thing I have done. I thought it would be horrible and painful and difficult to live, but nope. I went out for pizza with friends, I had a slice of pizza and a small regualr coke, it was wonderful. I appreciate quality now, not quantity, and I eat everything I did before just a much smaller portion. I can't think of one thing I can't have, my only wish is that I could drink Protein shakes, but I can't, so I've eaten normal food right from the start. I had 75 pounds to lose, and as of today I have 20 still to go, if I ate properly I'd probably be at my goal, but I'm lacking in will power, and am on the road constantly and unable to make my own meals except for a few days a month. It has truly been a gift as far as I'm concerned, and wish so many more people would do this just to be happy!

[lloget@comcast.net 0]

Hi, I'm Lori ,

I had the band taken out sept 16, 2015 because of dilated esophagus . The surgeon wouldn't do the sleeve because I was 128. Without the band i Gained 10 pounds now he will do the sleeve . I'm at 140. I hope im approved by insurance because im always hungry. I exercise but not enough to lose weight and I'm so tired of worrying that I'm going to be 200 pounds again. I want the sleeve so I can have my freedom again. I feel like a hostage to food. To the person thinking about removing the band all I can say is I'd put another band in if the sleeve wasn't an option. I used the band to cut off almost all my food supply when I ate less I exercised more ,food just slowed me down. However, that's not the proper way to use the band and my abuse really hurt my esophagus. I'm all better now and I'm ready for my sleeve. If you can gleam anything from this rambling its find a surgeon who will do the removal and the sleeve in one surgery not two separate surgeries.

When I took the band out my doctor must have been bored he tried to fix a scar I have on my stomach. I was swollen and black and blue near my gallbladder my two week follow up I asked him if he took my gallbladder out he said " no I tried to fix your scar" . So before surgery for the sleeve in going to tell him no fancy stuff just the sleeve please. My scar has been there since 1973 it ain't going no were . Lol good luck and never stop trying to be your best inside and out .

[certifiedcoder 11]

I can relate to your journey. I had my band in 2005 and a revision in 2009. I also have a dilated pouch and esophogus inflamation. I am scheduled for a revision to the gastric sleeve in 11 days! I am so excited. My band has been opened and refilled an now completly opened after my pre surgical Endoscopy which showed all the damage. I have gained 20 pounds in 4 months and it is killing me. I sustained 100 lb weight loss all these years and instantly - BAM I am gaining!

I am very encouraged by the posts and reviews I see from people who have converted. Seems like a second chance to really reach goal without shutting down to liquids only... I loved when my band was tight. I could barely eat at all and I worked out like a fiend! It is not that I am eating BAD foods now as I mostly eat very clean, I just eat too much! I cant wait, I am counting down the days!

Edited March 5, 2016 by certifiedcoder