Biggest change or challenge from band to sleeve ?

[iamjohnbamber 150]

Hey all,

Newly sleeved on 6/27 when Lap Band was removed as well. I had the Lap Band for 10 years, and am just curious from my fellow revised folk:

What's been the single biggest challenge or change that took getting used to ?

I also had a hiatal hernia repaired during my conversion, so the doctor explained the sensation of drinking and swallowing may feel similar to the band as the hernia repair site heals internally. I'm 6 days post op and I can tell it's less "band-like" each day. (What I mean by "band-like" is this... drinking a sip of Water, feeling the Water go down my esophagus and "pause" before draining into the rest of my stomach. )

Looking forward to hearing from you!

[hbrhonda 108]

I was unbanded and sleeved the day after you and also had a hernia repaired. LOL I still feel like I have my band. Waiting for the Water to go down and when I hiccuped I thought it was gonna cut my stomach in half. I am curious on the answer to this question.

[iamjohnbamber 150]

Congrats!! I can notice the hesitation of liquids going down got better each day so it's almost normal now.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal app -- it's great!

[NeedaBreak4Me 1,755]

Hi... i hope you are recovering well.

I was revised from band to sleeve... and the difference is like night and day.

When i had my band removed i did have a "phantom" band for a few weeks... but once that subsided my tummy was like my pre band tummy... normal.

Now that i am sleeved and healed... it just feels like a normal stomach... i can eat and drink without feeling odd sensations, pressure or food getting stuck like the band.

Earlier out when i was healing, if i ate too fast or didn't chew properly i would get a little "stuck" feeling.... but nothing like the stuck feeling with the band... sort of like.. stuck without that heavy pressure.

For me, once i passed the first 3-4 weeks... everything just became easier.... now i feel like a normal person, who just eats smaller portions.. Water isn't a issue and i am meeting or exceeding my daily goals.

One thing i will mention... as an ex bander... you will find you can fit a little more food/fluids than virgin sleevers... as we have less sensation in our esophagus because of the band.... so its important that we measure out food until we can adjust to reading the full signals...

[kgarrettsatx 109]

Im getting revision from band to sleeve this month so i love this question and cant wait to see answers. Super excited!

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[iamjohnbamber 150]

Im getting revision from band to sleeve this month so i love this question and cant wait to see answers. Super excited!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Best of luck!! Looking forward to hearing how you do. When's your surgery date?

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[cbonet 336]

Hi... i hope you are recovering well.

I was revised from band to sleeve... and the difference is like night and day.

When i had my band removed i did have a "phantom" band for a few weeks... but once that subsided my tummy was like my pre band tummy... normal.

Now that i am sleeved and healed... it just feels like a normal stomach... i can eat and drink without feeling odd sensations, pressure or food getting stuck like the band.

Earlier out when i was healing, if i ate too fast or didn't chew properly i would get a little "stuck" feeling.... but nothing like the stuck feeling with the band... sort of like.. stuck without that heavy pressure.

For me, once i passed the first 3-4 weeks... everything just became easier.... now i feel like a normal person, who just eats smaller portions.. Water isn't a issue and i am meeting or exceeding my daily goals.

One thing i will mention... as an ex bander... you will find you can fit a little more food/fluids than virgin sleevers... as we have less sensation in our esophagus because of the band.... so its important that we measure out food until we can adjust to reading the full signals...

Maybe you can help me figure things out. I have surgery in one month to remove band and do sleeve. I keep second guessing why I just can't do this without the sleeve. I really don't know. I'm scared.

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[NeedaBreak4Me 1,755]

I was the same.. and i did try for 12 months! I was exercising, eating well everything and still regained.... when the doc initially said you will regain once you remove it.. was like.. no not me.. i am strict and am/will do the right things.. but nope i still regained unfortunately.

What would you like to know

[Hippie72 23]

I did a band to sleeve 08/09/2016 and I lived and find myself drinking really well no hiatal hernia repair though.

[Curvvychrissy 4]

Aussiegirl81 "One thing i will mention... as an ex bander... you will find you can fit a little more food/fluids than virgin sleevers... as we have less sensation in our esophagus because of the band.... so its important that we measure out food until we can adjust to reading the full signals..."

That is good to know. Thanks for that info.

[Hippie72 23]

Ok well that explains a lot truly. Was worried that something may have gone wrong. Was getting everything down with no issues but not going over 4 ounces as I don't want anything bad to happen or stretch out the pouch prematurely.

[nmcwash 3]

Hello All,

I have had my band for about 9 years and I have it removed soon, I am so SCARED!!! I am 47 years old and I did not want to go "under" again . But I have tried to do it myself and just can not . My band has been totally deflated for over a month and the weight has piled on. I did go and consult with a surgeon and I have started the process so all of your comments/feedback is totally encouraging me... please continue to share. I greatly appreciate you all. I will let you all know when I have a surgery date.

[lucky1gg 13]

Hello! I had band-to-sleeve revision and just to have the band out of my body was amazing. I felt great about the decision. I knew the band needed to come out but was worried I would re-gain. I did okay with the band... but still had more to lose. I weighed 211 on the revision surgery day. At the six month mark I weighed 169, which was my lowest adult weight ever. I still wanted to lose 25 pounds more... instead, the scales have been creeping back up. I weigh 189 and I am not unhappy overall but so scared I will be 250 again if I am not diligent. I do think our bodies are different the 2nd time around. Still gonna keep trying and re-evaluating. I did get lazy after 7-8 months, I had a long stall and talked myself into believing that 169 was my "normal". But, old habits and getting comfortable did not serve me well. Stay focused!