My Doctor Said the Band Should Come Out -- Looking for Info

[Bino 44]

I was banded in 2006 and it was really great for about six months. That was when I had the first episode of the band closing itself up. They had to remove all the Fluid and it never worked right after that. Fast forward a few years and I've been to the ER twice to have Fluid removed because it has closed up on me again. I haven't had any fluid in my band for the past three months and I'm still struggling with things getting stuck and vomiting and never knowing when I'll be able to eat food or only have liquids.

So, I went to the doctor today, we reviewed my issues and he suggested removing the band and doing the sleeve. Now I'm freaking out a bit. I worry that if I failed at the band, the sleeve won't work either. And the sleeve is permanent. However the doc feels that I will lose what weight I need to within six months.

I went ahead and did the first step of meeting with the nutritionist today (she had a last minute cancellation). Here's a list of things I was told...I'd love to know what the reality is, though.

1. I won't feel hungry again

2. I won't get thirsty again

3. Two months of liquids post-op

4. No alcohol or honey (what I use for a sweetener) for at least 8 weeks

5. No bread, Pasta, or rice for six months

6. Sweets will taste different after the surgery

How do allergies and stress affect the sleeve? These seem to be the culprit to causing issues with my band.

Do you get dumping syndrome like with Gastric Bypass?

Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.

[steelemagnolia 7]

I am anxious to hear the others response. One tip. liquid Stevia is natural and a wonderful substitute for sugar or honey! You usually cannot buy at the grocery store (thank you lobbyists for Equal,etc.) but you can buy at GNC, or any good health food store. It has a little dropper to drop the liquid Stevia onto whatever you want sweetened. It's wonderful and healthy! You also can cook with it! God Bless.

[MaryE 27]

1. food won't be the dominant thought but you will feel hungry at mealtime.

2. Thirst is an issue. I rarely get thirsty. You need to track your Water intake to make sure you get what your body needs. Sip, sip, sip.

3. liquids was only 2 weeks post op moving on to mushy and by two months whole foods but remember to chew well.

4. Haven't heard about the hiney thing though it has far too. Many carbs. Alcohol sounds right. Moderation though empty calories.

5. bread Pasta and rice should only be brought into diet when at goal weight. Still watch those carbs.

6. I agree that sweets do taste differently after surgery. Tastes even sweeter. Don't crave sweets as I did before.

I have allergies and they don't effect the sleeve. Stress effects your stomach whether sleeved not sleeved or banded.

And yes if I eat or drink very sweet high fat I get dumping sensation. Ue ice cream ice coffee etc. hope this helps. Good luck

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

First, congrats on getting rid of a bum lapband and considering the sleeve. However ...

Lots of people feel hungry after the sleeve -- 6, 9, 12 months or more post-op. The ghrelin hunger hormone that the stomach produces certainly declines for most (but not all people) post-op for several months. But that little hormone is sneaky -- apparently after a while, some people's bodies figure out how to produce it elsewhere, e.g., the pancreas.

And yes, the sleeve is permanent. But you can still game it / cheat it / find work-arounds -- like some people do with the lapband, especially when the lapband doesn't function well for them.

I am saying these things because I resist the 25-word nirvana version of what the sleeve is like. The sleeved experience is more nuanced than the things you listed above and not nearly as "absolute" as those sound.

The main reason people lose weight post-VSG surgery is because they eat a lot fewer calories, and eat Protein first, then veggies, than (if there's room left) a few carbs. And they exercise. And take their vitamins/minerals. And if they're smart, they work on new behaviors they'll need when, as happens with all WLSs, the WLS initial 6-month honeymoon ends.

Best wishes.

[bearhugs1975 57]

I am interested in hearing what others have to say. I have heard those things you were told also. I am scheduled to have my devil of a band removed and a sleeve done on October 20. Everyone I have talked to has said that it a much better quality of life than the band.

Edited September 30, 2014 by bearhugs1975

[Forsythia 882]

I get hungry.

I get thirsty. But honestly in a lot of people pre-sleeve the thirst mechanism is so weak people mistake it for hunger and eat. Often when I feel hungry I have a drink and realize I was thirsty. (Honestly I am not sure where I picked that nugget up from but it seems to work for me).

I was only on liquids for two days in the hospital. I was put in purees for a week once I got home. Then soft solids for a month, then normal diet. The post op diet varies from surgeon to surgeon.

I'm told to limit Pasta rice and bread but I can still eat them. A lot of people limit carbs because they are empty calories or they are sensitive to them.

I had alcohol last weekend. I'm almost 5 months out.

Sweets taste the exactly same to me. I don't dump.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I lost over 160# with the sleeve after terrible results with the band. I am a sleever believer but that list is completely unrealistic.

[Bino 44]

Thank y'all for all the feedback.