For people who went from Band to Sleeve... Insights for a friend?

[AlaskaChick 0]

When I went to Mexico for the sleeve, I met a woman who got the band. She had a lot of problems, she wasn't able to stop burping or get anything down. And when I say burp, I mean BURP! All night and all day constantly with no relief.

Finally, the doctor went back in to look and see what was going on, she was inflamed (I think) and they had to scrape the wall of her esophagus and stomach wall. All the surgical gas was not escaping, so she kept on burping. Anyways, I know I am not describing it accurately. Just the best of my knowledge.

She is still having problems (She had surgery on Dec 1st). She did ALOT better after the second surgery, however now she is showing these symptoms:

-Pain on the left side

She cant bend over, or get into a truck by her self. She says it is too painful.

-The burping is back

She burps loud enough and too often for her to feel comfortable to go to a restaurant. Even over the phone she burped from time to time... LOUD! I feel so sorry for her. :001_unsure:

-Eating can be painful

Soups go down just fine, any liquids. The solids are painful.

Did anyone have these problems with the band? The reason I post this on here is because I want to give her some insights from someone who got a revision. Do you feel that the sleeve was better then the band? Its seems to me that her body is not adapting to a foreign implant. So maybe the sleeve is the solution?

Thank You!

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

Most definitely. I would not recommend the band to anyone.Living with the band and sleeve is like the difference between day and night.

I feel like I lead a completely normal life with the sleeve. With the band, I never knew what I could eat, when I could eat or drink, or when I was going to throw up in my sleep, in a restaurant, or if my day would be a normal eating day.

[Tiffykins 673]

Sounds like she has major swelling, and her body may very well be rejecting the band.

The sleeve would be an option. Before her issues get even worse, I would get her in to a different surgeon for a 2nd and/or 3rd opinion.

What you are describing is definitely not normal.

[AlaskaChick 0]

Why a new surgeon?

[Tiffykins 673]

Finally, the doctor went back in to look and see what was going on, she was inflamed (I think) and they had to scrape the wall of her esophagus and stomach wall. All the surgical gas was not escaping, so she kept on burping. Anyways, I know I am not describing it accurately. Just the best of my knowledge.

She is still having problems (She had surgery on Dec 1st). She did ALOT better after the second surgery, however now she is showing these symptoms:

-Pain on the left side

She cant bend over, or get into a truck by her self. She says it is too painful.

-The burping is back

She burps loud enough and too often for her to feel comfortable to go to a restaurant. Even over the phone she burped from time to time... LOUD! I feel so sorry for her.

-Eating can be painful

Soups go down just fine, any liquids. The solids are painful.

Everything I underlined, especially the "finally" comment is cause for concern. Plus, if she was still having issues, and discharged without further diagnostics, I'd be looking for a different surgeon.

She's almost 6 weeks post-op, and still having difficulties without any resolution. Chronic pain 6 weeks out is NOT normal, and should be considered a cause for alarm.

I dealt with a surgeon disregarding my concerns with my band for about 3-4 months, and it ended up causing me issues with my revision. I left his practice because as a patient I learned you have to be your own advocate and do what is best for your health, and quality of life.