My journey: difference between band and sleeve

[hmm33502 187]

On march 1, 2010 I was admitted to a hospital to get lap-band surgery. It was outpatient so I went home the same day. Over the next 9 months, I lost 87 lbs. I started having problems with fills, overfilling, prolapse, and not being able to tolerate healthy foods because the unhealthy would go down and not make me vomit (you don't know about this until you have had a band!). I gained 50 lbs back over the next 2 years, but worked really hard and managed to lose the 50 and then 13 more for a total of 100 lbs lost! That loss was short lived because I had another prolapse, tight band, loose band, slip, prolapse....etc. I have gained 25 lbs over the last few months and decided 1 month ago to have the band removed and converted to the sleeve. My surgery was last Thursday 12/29/16 and the differences are staggering! I remember having a couple of days right after my band where I thought "What on earth did I do to myself?" The gas and the pain from gas was almost disabling. I have gas from surgery with this, but no physical barrier keeping it from escaping now. I'm up, moving around, taking care of myself, no hunger, a complete distain for food. I have yet to have a "bad idea" thought about my sleeve surgery. I'm excited about my future and not having to deal with band complications any longer!  

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[Luce587 48]

Such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm banded being revised on the 10th January after a nightmare journey with my band.

[BigJohn58 135]

On march 1, 2010 I was admitted to a hospital to get lap-band surgery. It was outpatient so I went home the same day. Over the next 9 months, I lost 87 lbs. I started having problems with fills, overfilling, prolapse, and not being able to tolerate healthy foods because the unhealthy would go down and not make me vomit (you don't know about this until you have had a band!). I gained 50 lbs back over the next 2 years, but worked really hard and managed to lose the 50 and then 13 more for a total of 100 lbs lost! That loss was short lived because I had another prolapse, tight band, loose band, slip, prolapse....etc. I have gained 25 lbs over the last few months and decided 1 month ago to have the band removed and converted to the sleeve. My surgery was last Thursday 12/29/16 and the differences are staggering! I remember having a couple of days right after my band where I thought "What on earth did I do to myself?" The gas and the pain from gas was almost disabling. I have gas from surgery with this, but no physical barrier keeping it from escaping now. I'm up, moving around, taking care of myself, no hunger, a complete distain for food. I have yet to have a "bad idea" thought about my sleeve surgery. I'm excited about my future and not having to deal with band complications any longer! ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1483401176.275370.jpg ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1483401223.334303.jpg

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Awesome! You look great god bless

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[My4Brownies 283]

Amazing to see someone doing so well so far out...I'm only 7wks and to see the long term effect is beautiful.. You are Amazing ..

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[hmm33502 187]

Such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm banded being revised on the 10th January after a nightmare journey with my band.

Awesome! I totally understand where you are coming from! I can't wait to hear about your journey. Are you having the removal an sleeve in 1 surgery or 2?

Banded 03/01/10, unbanded and VSGd 12/29/16

77 lbs down, 90 ish to go!

Normal weight range...I'm coming for you!!

Heather in Texas

[hmm33502 187]

Amazing to see someone doing so well so far out...I'm only 7wks and to see the long term effect is beautiful.. You are Amazing ..

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Thank you for such kind words!! It is something that I have to work at daily! I'm just looking forward to focusing on nutrition and not band problems! Way to go on 7 weeks! I bet it feels great!

Banded 03/01/10, unbanded and VSGd 12/29/16

77 lbs down, 90 ish to go!

Normal weight range...I'm coming for you!!

Heather in Texas

[My4Brownies 283]

Amazing to see someone doing so well so far out...I'm only 7wks and to see the long term effect is beautiful.. You are Amazing ..

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Thank you for such kind words!! It is something that I have to work at daily! I'm just looking forward to focusing on nutrition and not band problems! Way to go on 7 weeks! I bet it feels great!

Banded 03/01/10, unbanded and VSGd 12/29/16

77 lbs down, 90 ish to go!

Normal weight range...I'm coming for you!!

Heather in Texas

Yes it is life changing..thanks...I was sleeved and it feels good to think of food and not GE obsessed with it...

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[Arkema75 2]

Awesome! I too am a band patient that was converted to the sleeve. You are absolutely correct, there is a huge difference. I had sleeve surgery on 12/21 and I started jogging this morning. Keep up the great work. Good luck on your journey

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[failmenot 16]

In my experience Converting from band to sleeve after having medical complications was truly life changing. Best of luck on your weight lose journey. Low BMIer Banded 04/2012 @ 190 lbs 5'1. Sleeved 10/2015 @154lbs now at my personal goal 128lbs as of 12/31/16.

[shelby18 9]

Ive only had my sleeve for almost a week, and to see how great you look really makes me inspired. I'm doing good physically not as good mentally. Mind you I'm only a junior in high school

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[hmm33502 187]

In my experience Converting from band to sleeve after having medical complications was truly life changing. Best of luck on your weight lose journey. Low BMIer Banded 04/2012 @ 190 lbs 5'1. Sleeved 10/2015 @154lbs now at my personal goal 128lbs as of 12/31/16.

That is what I'm hoping for!!! Way to go on reaching your goal! I have a very achievable goal of 180, which is less than I weighed in jr high. I'm only 5'4" so I'll probably make it lower once I get there. I'm down 10 lbs since the night before surgery, but I know it is because I'm on the first week post op diet. I go back for my 1 week checkup in 2 days!!

Banded 03/01/10, unbanded and VSGd 12/29/16

77 lbs down, 90 ish to go!

Normal weight range...I'm coming for you!!

Heather in Texas

[hmm33502 187]

Awesome! I too am a band patient that was converted to the sleeve. You are absolutely correct, there is a huge difference. I had sleeve surgery on 12/21 and I started jogging this morning. Keep up the great work. Good luck on your journey

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It is good to see that you are back at physical activity so soon! Im super high energy and never lay around the house. This is KILLING me! I'm going a little stir crazy and it has been only 5 days. I'm ready to start my trampoline park fitness class again, but I know that will probably be at least a month out because of intensity!

Banded 03/01/10, unbanded and VSGd 12/29/16

77 lbs down, 90 ish to go!

Normal weight range...I'm coming for you!!

Heather in Texas

[hmm33502 187]

Ive only had my sleeve for almost a week, and to see how great you look really makes me inspired. I'm doing good physically not as good mentally. Mind you I'm only a junior in high school

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Way to go starting early! I wish I would have started early like you instead of in my 30s. I'm in the same spot as you, one week on Thursday. I think I'm in a really good place mentally because I have been through it before. I have heard about many people having issues adapting mentally to such a drastic body change. Make sure you are talking to someone who is a professional and understands your specific situation. Believe me, not many people understand Bariatric surgery and all that it takes to get through it! Both of my sisters have been sleeved. One has been sleeved for 18 months and is 150 lbs down and the other has been sleeved for 7 months and is 70 lbs down, but both have hit lots of plateaus and went through periods of no loss at all. Just keep it up and make sure that you are talking to someone who understands how BRAVE you are to take this step at such a young age! We can do this together, even though I'm old enough to be your mom!! The first month is ROUGH, but you have the rest of your life to live!! Great job!

Banded 03/01/10, unbanded and VSGd 12/29/16

77 lbs down, 90 ish to go!

Normal weight range...I'm coming for you!!

Heather in Texas

[shelby18 9]

Thankyou so much!! I'm happy for you and your 2 sisters also!

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[Military Ma 27]

You look amazing

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