I had a band for about a year and then developed complications (tubing was burrowing its way into my small intestine) and had to be removed. It's been over a year now and I'm really thinking about the sleeve. I had the band placed and removed in Tijuana, and am not sure I can afford to pay for another procedure. Has anyone out there experienced something similar??I wouldn't mind someone to walk me through the sleeve experience.

Hey there-

Sorry I just saw this. I have not had my sleeve yet. I just had everything submitted for insurance approval. I do have a similair complication of my tubing coming detached and poking me everywhere! SO painful that I am often in tears. I have been researching and I feel the sleeve is right for me. I know how hard it is to go through a failed lapband. You have all of these high hopes, pay all of this money (I was a self pay for the band due to an ins. exclusion), and then everything goes WRONG! Hang in there! Message me anytime you need someone to talk to!

If your up to it you can find VGS surgery on youtube. I found it interesting and you get to see the whole thing up close.

I'm a revision from band to sleeve, and can tell you firsthand that the sleeve is absolutely fabulous. It works like the band is advertised without all the band b.s.

The post-op diet is a bit more strict than the band post-op diet, but there is a staple line healing in there so it's pretty logical that you have to progress a bit slower. For me, the sleeve is effortless, my revision was done in one procedure, and my band had destroyed my stomach tissue so I had complications including a leak 2 days post-revision. BUT, with all of that, I would do it all again to be living the life I have today. I often forget I've had surgery. It's hard to explain, but honestly, the sleeve makes life so much easier. If you have specific questions, please feel free to contact me. Best wishes ! ! !

Do it!!! NO regrets here, best decision yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great to see such positive responses; thank you all! After 2 LB friends have successfully revised to a sleeve, I am more and more interested in revising! Hate my band! Do sleevers PB like banders do? Man that's horrible!

2 LB friends that most if not all of you know, btw!

There are quite a few of us who are band to sleeve revisions. There is a band to sleeve forum.

Life with a sleeve is great. I eat small meals and have had no trouble staying at goal. I don't have any of the problems I had from the band. I was a self pay for both the band and the sleeve, and I don't regret for one second having that band removed.

Great to see such positive responses; thank you all! After 2 LB friends have successfully revised to a sleeve, I am more and more interested in revising! Hate my band! Do sleevers PB like banders do? Man that's horrible!

Nope, no PB'ing with the sleeve. . . You can some slimies if you eat too fast, or don't chew well early out, but I only did it a couple of times post-revision to the sleeve. I kind of feel like we have the "post-sleeve" eating learning curve beat because of the band we had and all the issues we dealt with when eating with that thing.

I so can't wait to kiss my band good-bye!!!

@Tiffy - b/c we learned the hard way!!! Thanks for the response!

Ditto @Becca!