Hi, I am a newbie on the boards, and I had lapband surgery in 4/08, and I am having issues with the band. I lost about 70 pounds on the band, but the choking at night and acid reflux has caused me to want to take it out. I can not lose weight right because either it is too tight or too lose. I am tired fo this, I need rest. I will have the band removed, but was thinking of getting the gastric sleeve done while they are in there. On the band I could bearly eat salad, hardly any real veggies, and no fruit. Also, I could bearly eat eggs on the band. Can you eat "real healthy" foods with the gastric sleeves, like broccoli, cabbage, real food? I love healthy foods, just could not eat many of them on the band. A 1/4 of a cup is fine for me, I just want to eat some squash, and okra.

There is no comparison with the band and sleeve. Living with the band was a nightmare. Living with the sleeve is completely a normal life. That's why there is this whole forum on band to sleeve revisions.

I will be 3 years out in April. I can ANYTHING I want to eat, and have been able to since I was off the post op diet.

Feel free to ask me anything. You can ask here, or send me a message if you prefer.

I'm about 4.5 months out and started eating steamed veggies and iceberg lettuce salads (with lots of protein) again at 3 months post-op. However, Rex (my sleeve) is just now starting to really like the raw veggies. I usually drink V-8 or order steamed broccoli, or have a bit of frozen veggie heated with my Protein. I made beef stew tonight with carrots, onions, tomatoes, and some garlic. It was luscious!!!

I have eaten some raw veggies that Rex didn't like, but I think it was just too early. I didn't slime, but I felt uncomfortably full a couple of times, even though I'd only eaten two celery sticks one time and two small pieces of raw broccoli the other. While I was cooking tonight, I munched on a carrot stick and didn't have any problems.

Yes you can eat salads, veggies, and fruits....I eat them all the time. It just takes me like 30-45 minutes to eat a salad. I waited until I was about 2 months post-op since raw fruits and veggies are harder to digest, but I do fine with it now.

Thanks OregonDaisy! I have an appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday to talk with him about a revision.

You're welcome! I hope you are able to revise to a sleeve soon because I really don't think anyone should have to live with a band.

I had my band removed and had the revision to the sleeve in June 2011. I can tell you that sleeve life is Waaaaay better than band life. I could never eat healthy foods with my band. Everything I ate came back up since my band was too tight. I lived off of milkshakes and soup for 4 years since that was the only thing that stayed down. The sleeve for me has been a piece of cake. Food does not get stuck, I can eat anything and after a few bites I am extremely satisfied. I am so glad that band is out of me and do not have 1 negative thing to say about my sleeve. Do your homework and do what you think is best for you. Best of luck to you!

January 9th, I was officially 2 months out (Nov 9th was my surgery)........I want a salad so badly but there's a fear of purging. But today I'm going to put fear aside and purchase items to have one. I pray all will be well---I love me some salad!!! Blessings2u--BJ

Hi, enjoying all the comments. Thanks for all of your responses, it helps.

January 9th, I was officially 2 months out (Nov 9th was my surgery)........I want a salad so badly but there's a fear of purging. But today I'm going to put fear aside and purchase items to have one. I pray all will be well---I love me some salad!!! Blessings2u--BJ

What you say? LOL! I love me some salad too, and I ate one yesterday.However, with the band, most of it did not stay down. This is why the band must go.

I had my band removed and had the revision to the sleeve in June 2011. I can tell you that sleeve life is Waaaaay better than band life. I could never eat healthy foods with my band. Everything I ate came back up since my band was too tight. I lived off of milkshakes and soup for 4 years since that was the only thing that stayed down. The sleeve for me has been a piece of cake. food does not get stuck, I can eat anything and after a few bites I am extremely satisfied. I am so glad that band is out of me and do not have 1 negative thing to say about my sleeve. Do your homework and do what you think is best for you. Best of luck to you!

Thank you for your comment, very encouraging.

I'm about 4.5 months out and started eating steamed veggies and iceberg lettuce salads (with lots of protein) again at 3 months post-op. However, Rex (my sleeve) is just now starting to really like the raw veggies. I usually drink V-8 or order steamed broccoli, or have a bit of frozen veggie heated with my Protein. I made beef stew tonight with carrots, onions, tomatoes, and some garlic. It was luscious!!!

I have eaten some raw veggies that Rex didn't like, but I think it was just too early. I didn't slime, but I felt uncomfortably full a couple of times, even though I'd only eaten two celery sticks one time and two small pieces of raw broccoli the other. While I was cooking tonight, I munched on a carrot stick and didn't have any problems.

Steam veggies are good too, enjoyed your comment!

January 9th, I was officially 2 months out (Nov 9th was my surgery)........I want a salad so badly but there's a fear of purging. But today I'm going to put fear aside and purchase items to have one. I pray all will be well---I love me some salad!!! Blessings2u--BJ

All will be well, enjoy, and take some of the advice on this thread. I don't have the sleeve yet, and will be asking for more advice soon.

Ok, so what do the terms Purged and Slimed mean?? I am a newly sleeved gal and I have been hearing it used alot by those that have had the sleeve surgery. Are these side effects or problems that we may have from the sleeve????

Ok, so what do the terms Purged and Slimed mean?? I am a newly sleeved gal and I have been hearing it used alot by those that have had the sleeve surgery. Are these side effects or problems that we may have from the sleeve????

Good question, I wondered too.

Slimes usually happen if you eat something too quick or too much of something. Your body reacts by oversalivating or making your mouth "slimey" with so much foamy saliva it basically pours out your mouth. It is not vomitting, just extreme salivating.

Happened to me when I ate a peach too quickly about 6 weeks out.

Purged ... I thought just meant what it means, so I will let someone else define that if there is another context VSG related.