melissa808

Every patient and every surgeon is different. I had a band, revision of band, band removal and finally the sleeve. Not trying to make u nervous but I had the most pain after removal. The surgeon said it's is because of a large amount of scar tissue that forms around the band and port that needs to be removed. I did go back to work after 3 days but still had pain for a week or two.

Greek yogurt, turkey meatballs, turkey chilli, turkey burgers, tuna and egg salad (lowfat mayo) hard boiled eggs, hummus with veggies, canned chicken/salmon mix with dressing/mayo and veg, frozen proteins from trader Joe's, low sodium deli meats and cheeses rolled up.

I had pain on my left side started two weeks out from the sleeve. Thought it was just healing from the surgery by one month I could barely walk or lift my leg. Pain was unbearable. Aster several phone calls to surgeon and appts, Surgeons finally sent me for CT. Showed severe diverticulitis. Spent several days in the hospital with iv antibiotics. Now gastro dr says it is possible that my intestines were perforated during surgery causing diverticulum.

I'm like 4 months out and still can't eat two eggs and half an English muffin in one sitting. I would try to eat alot slower and use a low carb high protein supplement at least 1 time per day.

The most important thing with any WLS is to eat and drink slowly. Milk can and does become a problem for many patients. Also maybe don't heat up the milk. I have had a band and sleeve and only use water or soy milk. My doctors have said not to use almond milk because it had hardly any nutritional value and very little protein

My taste buds definitely changed following band surgery. Use a lot less salt. And cannot tolerate anything spicy. Now that I have the sleeve, i am still the same.

In the end WLS is only a tool that will help you on your weight loss journey. I have had a band,a revision, a band removal and now the sleeve. If I don't exercise I don't lose as much. If I choose to snack somehow it goes down so I have to make good choices. If I don't feel like drinking as much water I don't have to but the days I get in at least 64 oz I feel better. Choosing to have these kind of surgeries is a very personal decision because only you will have control of how it works for you. In my opinion the sleeve is definitely a much better surgery then the band. I told my surgeon he should stop using it because of all the complications and follow ups. Good luck!!

The removal of the band is definitely the harder part of the surgery. Where they remove the port and the scar tissue around it is where you will feel some pain afterword. I have had the band, a band revision, band removal and sleeve and the removal was the most difficult. But just rest and know it will get better. Good luck!

I have bcbs and they covered the removal and then revision to sleeve three months later. There were separate approvals but the doctors usually know how to get them. If they can show that the band worked for you initially and once it stopped working you gained some weight I have heard that they will most times approve it. Good luck!

I had my band removed in July '14 and the sleeve done in Nov '14. Couldn't be happier. All the stuck feelings I used to get with the band, the choking and the slime are gone. I definitely had success with the band initially but it slipped upward once and I had it revised. One year later slipped again. By the second time the doctor said this tool was just not cooperating with my body. He did say that my stomach needed to heal after having the band removed before doing the sleeve so I would check with your doctor about that. I have lost about 50 pounds so far and feel great.

Hair loss is normal but it does stop. I was banded march 2011 and started Losing hair three or four months out. It does stop. I took and am still taking 5000 biotin and 850 folic acid. It definitely has to do with rapid weight loss. Good luck

Heartburn is not a good thing. You should definitely speak to dr about it. I had it for months before my doctors decided to do an endoscopy which revealed that my band had slipped up. If you are not eating foods that would generally cause heartburn ( sauces, fried foods, etc) call your doctor. Not trying to worry you but you dont want to delay. mine got to the point where I felt like I as choking all the time and the heartburn kept me up an note. No amount of runs or Maalox would help. Good luck

Had lap band repair surgery last Monday. Recovery and post op stuff same as the first time. Also hope that this never happens again. Doctor said that my band actually slipped upward which is more uncommon. Felt like I was choking almost after every meal but with no food restriction. Very uncomfortable. Hope to be back on track with weight loss very soon. Good luck to everyone on your journey.