going from band to sleeve in 3 weeks, any advice

[vicki s 146]

I have had the band since 6/08 slipped 3/10 with a revision of the same band. i have since gained 40 lbs and the doctor had offered me the sleeve to be done one 11/1, i am terrified, i am 53 and this will be my 3rd abdominal surg. in 2 1/2 yrs! im afraid of leaks, or infection. what does it feel like, when u eat, does it feel like the band, getting stuck and still hungry all the time? any words of wisdom or advice is much appreciated....ty vix

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I have had the band since 6/08 slipped 3/10 with a revision of the same band. i have since gained 40 lbs and the doctor had offered me the sleeve to be done one 11/1, i am terrified, i am 53 and this will be my 3rd abdominal surg. in 2 1/2 yrs! im afraid of leaks, or infection. what does it feel like, when u eat, does it feel like the band, getting stuck and still hungry all the time? any words of wisdom or advice is much appreciated....ty vix

Hi vix welcome to VST!!

I personally think the band and the sleeve are two completely different. So far the sleeve for me has been everything I was looking for in the band, which I never got.

• No Hunger
• No Fills/Unfills!!!
• No food dragging in my esophagus
• No night coughs
• No cheating (like with the band you could just wash it down to your biggie stomach)
• I feel real fulness.. Not just pressure in my throat
• I really only can eat a few Oz at a time. I NEVER had this with my band, unless I was so tight I choked up everything I ate.

This surgery IMO is FAR SUPERIOR to the band. Good luck!!!

[vicki s 146]

Hi vix welcome to VST!!

I personally think the band and the sleeve are two completely different. So far the sleeve for me has been everything I was looking for in the band, which I never got.

• No Hunger
• No Fills/Unfills!!!
• No food dragging in my esophagus
• No night coughs
• No cheating (like with the band you could just wash it down to your biggie stomach)
• I feel real fulness.. Not just pressure in my throat
• I really only can eat a few Oz at a time. I NEVER had this with my band, unless I was so tight I choked up everything I ate.

This surgery IMO is FAR SUPERIOR to the band. Good luck!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH, I HOPE THIS IS TRUE FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING ME, LOL. WHEN DO U START EATING NORMALLY ( FOR THE SLEEVE) AND WHAT WILL NORMAL BE. IS THE SURGERY PAINFUL AND FOR HOW LONG? TYSVM

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, I HOPE THIS IS TRUE FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING ME, LOL. WHEN DO U START EATING NORMALLY ( FOR THE SLEEVE) AND WHAT WILL NORMAL BE. IS THE SURGERY PAINFUL AND FOR HOW LONG? TYSVM

Well I'm gonna be point blank and tell you right now... it was no cake walk. The first few days are very rough. Since you are a revision, you will likely experience more pain in swallowing than just a normal first timer.

I had severe nausea and some vomitting. I had a hard time of it.

I am now 3 weeks out and I'm still working on my new stomach. I'm barely able to still eat mushies. I've been trying more puree's in the last few days but it's pretty slow going. I'm taking my time with it. I've done enough regurgitating with my band!! Tired of that...

My actual surgery was not overly painful per se. I'd more say the nausea and just plain sick feeling was the worst of it. Mine lasted 2 days, and I felt a little nausea about a week later when I had some potato Soup, which was one of the first times I'd gotten into full liquids. Other than that I've not had any more.

In all that I don't regret my decision at all. I'm down 25 Lbs already from my pre-op diet. I'm wearing clothes I haven't worn since last Summer!! :-)

[vicki s 146]

Well I'm gonna be point blank and tell you right now... it was no cake walk. The first few days are very rough. Since you are a revision, you will likely experience more pain in swallowing than just a normal first timer.

I had severe nausea and some vomitting. I had a hard time of it.

I am now 3 weeks out and I'm still working on my new stomach. I'm barely able to still eat mushies. I've been trying more puree's in the last few days but it's pretty slow going. I'm taking my time with it. I've done enough regurgitating with my band!! Tired of that...

My actual surgery was not overly painful per se. I'd more say the nausea and just plain sick feeling was the worst of it. Mine lasted 2 days, and I felt a little nausea about a week later when I had some potato Soup, which was one of the first times I'd gotten into full liquids. Other than that I've not had any more.

In all that I don't regret my decision at all. I'm down 25 Lbs already from my pre-op diet. I'm wearing clothes I haven't worn since last Summer!! :-)

THANKS FOR BEING POINT BLANK, NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, I WONT FEAR THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. CONGRATS ON YOUR WT LOSS YOU LOOK SO THIN IN YOUR PIC. IM GLAD TO HEAR U DONT REGRET YOUR DECISION. MY DOC REALLY DIDNT GO OVER ANYTHING WITH ME, JUST SET THE DATE AND I WILL GO FOR FINAL WEIGH IN ON OCT 26, WONT SEE HIM AND THEN SURG. I WISH I COULD HAVE TALKED TO HIM MORE THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE WITH MY QUESTION....VICKI

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

THANKS FOR BEING POINT BLANK, NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, I WONT FEAR THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. CONGRATS ON YOUR WT LOSS YOU LOOK SO THIN IN YOUR PIC. IM GLAD TO HEAR U DONT REGRET YOUR DECISION. MY DOC REALLY DIDNT GO OVER ANYTHING WITH ME, JUST SET THE DATE AND I WILL GO FOR FINAL WEIGH IN ON OCT 26, WONT SEE HIM AND THEN SURG. I WISH I COULD HAVE TALKED TO HIM MORE THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE WITH MY QUESTION....VICKI

Anytime! If you ever have any other questions, feel free to message me.

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

Everyone is different though. I was a band to sleeve revision and had no nausea or pain . I had left shoulder pain the first 24 hours from the gas they use during surgery. The next day, I was fine and drank anything they brought me with no trouble what so ever. I could not even tell I had surgery. I was walking around outside the hospital all day long because I was so bored in my room.

When I got home, I was able to drink my Protein and move to the full liquid and mushy stage with no trouble. When I got to solids, that was another story. I was not in pain or nauseous, I just got really full on only a few bites, so I was still supplementing with Protein drinks.

[vicki s 146]

Everyone is different though. I was a band to sleeve revision and had no nausea or pain . I had left shoulder pain the first 24 hours from the gas they use during surgery. The next day, I was fine and drank anything they brought me with no trouble what so ever. I could not even tell I had surgery. I was walking around outside the hospital all day long because I was so bored in my room.

When I got home, I was able to drink my Protein and move to the full liquid and mushy stage with no trouble. When I got to solids, that was another story. I was not in pain or nauseous, I just got really full on only a few bites, so I was still supplementing with Protein drinks.

How long does it take to go from liq. to mushies, to solids, and what do they consider solid...lol...how much can u eat and what can u eat when u go to solid? sorry about all the questions, i just read the forum on complications and now im freaking out again. not to mention no one is supporting me on this surg.

[dbrar88 5]

I was extremely sore ( and still am a bit) where my port was. This was also my largest incision area. I was nauseated and had reflux in the hospital. Thank goodness for Reglan and Protonix!!! Don't push wanting to come home. If you aren't feeling well enough yet, be sure and stay an extra night. Walking is a major factor in getting up and getting better. Also have some Pepcid Complete (chewables) on hand for when you get home if you have reflux. It has been a life saver. Other than that, the event was pretty mundain. Don't expect to get in all your liquids either the first few days. I don't think I drank more than 1 small bottle of Water the whole time I was in the hospital. Sip, sip, sip!!!! Don't worry, the drinking/intake gets a lot easier. I also didn't get in my required amount of Protein until about 5 days out. Just take everything slowly and a little at a time. This will be a total lifechanging experience!!! Good luck!!!

[Becca 108]

Hi Newbie!

I am in the same situation. My band has failed(slip and dislocated tubing) and I am getting the sleeve. My doctor said he could fix my band, but there was an 85% chance it would slip again. I just don't want to take that risk. I am not getting much support either from those I have told. I am not discussing it with others anymore because I can't stand people WITHOUT weight problems telling me why my decision is wrong. Why are people so negative when I am just trying to get well!

I am so glad to hear of so many successful revisions! This forum has been such an great support for me as no one else knows what this is like but us!

[Shana 3]

I had my band to sleeve revision on August 30, 2010 and I did not have any problems. I only used the pain pump the night of the surgery. I never had to take any other pain meds in the hospital or when I got home. They brought me a liquid tray the next day and I was able to drink it fine with no problems. I was up and walking in the halls of the hospital too cause I was so bored. I went to my daughter's pep rally the day I got home from the hospital

My doctor had me on liquids for three weeks. Then I progressed to mushies for a week or so and then onto solid food. You can eat just a little at a time, but you don't get that "full" feeling in your chest like with the band. It is more normal you just can't eat much.

I had a major last minute freak out wondering what I was doing to myself, but I had to take a deep breath and everything turned out fine.

You will do fine. Good luck and keep us posted.

[vicki s 146]

I had my band to sleeve revision on August 30, 2010 and I did not have any problems. I only used the pain pump the night of the surgery. I never had to take any other pain meds in the hospital or when I got home. They brought me a liquid tray the next day and I was able to drink it fine with no problems. I was up and walking in the halls of the hospital too cause I was so bored. I went to my daughter's pep rally the day I got home from the hospital

My doctor had me on liquids for three weeks. Then I progressed to mushies for a week or so and then onto solid food. You can eat just a little at a time, but you don't get that "full" feeling in your chest like with the band. It is more normal you just can't eat much.

I had a major last minute freak out wondering what I was doing to myself, but I had to take a deep breath and everything turned out fine.

You will do fine. Good luck and keep us posted.

thanks shana, what i wanted to hear was that the food didnt get stuck in your chest and it is a more normal full feeling, cause the whole time i had the band i never felt full or satisfied and i hate the stuck feeling in my chest. i too am freaking out about the surg. and hope i do as well as you...thanks for your reply. still learning to navigate around in here...lol vicki

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

thanks shana, what i wanted to hear was that the food didnt get stuck in your chest and it is a more normal full feeling, cause the whole time i had the band i never felt full or satisfied and i hate the stuck feeling in my chest. i too am freaking out about the surg. and hope i do as well as you...thanks for your reply. still learning to navigate around in here...lol vicki

Vicki, no it is not a normal "full" feeling. However if it changes over a period of time I do not know, I'm only a month out. The good thing though, it's not the same kind of full feeling as the band - that is if you are asking if you feel stuck but are still hungry? I know I felt that every single time with my band.

It's more a "stuffed" feeling. You achieve this feeling on only a few bites of food, but that's what we get the surgery for, am I right in this assumption? I hear you can eat considerably more as the months go by, but right now for me it's very quick to get there.

IMPO, the sleeve is far better than the band for the simple fact you aren't hungry. I think that is a major flaw with the band surgery.

I hope this helps.

[vicki s 146]

Vicki, no it is not a normal "full" feeling. However if it changes over a period of time I do not know, I'm only a month out. The good thing though, it's not the same kind of full feeling as the band - that is if you are asking if you feel stuck but are still hungry? I know I felt that every single time with my band.

It's more a "stuffed" feeling. You achieve this feeling on only a few bites of food, but that's what we get the surgery for, am I right in this assumption? I hear you can eat considerably more as the months go by, but right now for me it's very quick to get there.

IMPO, the sleeve is far better than the band for the simple fact you aren't hungry. I think that is a major flaw with the band surgery.

I hope this helps.

absolutely, i want to feel like i ate something and it went into my stomach and not stuck in my chest, lately i have been drinking with my meals because i cant stand the stuck feeling anymore....i am freaking out now again, because i saw a post earlier from some husband who's wife is in icu after her surg. because she had a leak and he was asking for prayer because they thought she may not make it, did u see it, did u know of her...this is terrible, i hope she is alright...keep me posted if u know of anything, thanks vicki

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

absolutely, i want to feel like i ate something and it went into my stomach and not stuck in my chest, lately i have been drinking with my meals because i cant stand the stuck feeling anymore....i am freaking out now again, because i saw a post earlier from some husband who's wife is in icu after her surg. because she had a leak and he was asking for prayer because they thought she may not make it, did u see it, did u know of her...this is terrible, i hope she is alright...keep me posted if u know of anything, thanks vicki

Yes, I know which thread your talking about. I don't know if she's recovered or not, there hasn't been any kind of update on her situation.

However, just keep in mind she did not have the same surgery as the "VSG". She had the TVGP... which is a much newer procedure. VSG's have been performed for many many years. First was used to remove the stomach for reasons such as stomach cancer, then as a first part surgery for the Duodenal Switch. It's only considered newer because they are going based on the fact it is new as a "stand alone" bariatric surgery.

Apparently with her Gastric Plication surgery her stomach must have been wrongly punctured. The reason I know this is because you don't incise the stomach for the Gastric Plication.

Don't get me wrong, you can get leaks with the sleeve, for sure. Hopefully your surgeon will do several leak tests before you leave the hospital. From there just be sure to follow all the post op eating plans to a T... that will help in the healing of your tummy and help prevent leaks down the line.