Switch from Band to Sleeve

[msmith37 1]

Hello! Just signed on to this site, glad to be here. I had lap band in 2008. Weighed 250 at the time and got down to 170- it felt SO good! Since then, I've gained almost all of my weight back and I'm at 232. I have other issues with the band like reflux and abdominal pain intermittently when I eat, not to mention vomiting if I swallowed a bite to quickly. I've decided to get my band removed and get the sleeve. I'm very excited about my decision!

Anyone else converted from the band to the sleeve? Any words of wisdom you'd like to pass on?

Thanks, everyone!!

[hockeyfan7 249]

Yes I did on June 1st. I had it done in one surgery. I was throwing up everything and couldn't get into the green zone with the band.

The one thing I found is that my sleeve is slightly larger than normal because of scar tissue around the esophagus. My surgeon didn't want to run the risk of leaks so he didn't wrap the sleeve too tightly. That being said I don't have as much restriction as a direct sleever and I can eat 5 to 6 oz of Protein and some veggies at each meal at 3 months out.

However, I do not miss that port at all. Mine would slide over a nerve and give me sharp stabbing pains. And I definitely don't miss the throwing up every time I eat.

Good luck with your surgery.

[Joe Holland 0]

I'm having the exact same problem. So I'm going from the lap band

to the gastric sleeve. I'm new to this site myself so I to am open to

any info or advice.

[msmith37 1]

Thanks hockeyfan7! Hope all continues to go well for you with your sleeve.

Joe, where are you in the process?