I am waiting for my band to sleeve surgery on March 7th. Orginally I was suppose to have the surgery in December but they stopped the procedure because they thought I had heart issues - thankfully I don't. When it was clear that the band was not working for me I had the band unfilled since I had horrible tightness and would often have food get stuck and come back up. Even though the fluid has been removed I still have tightness although not as bad and I feel pressure, even when I drink such as water or coffee. My question is what is the sensation with the sleeve? Do you feel the same kind of pressure as you do with the band? Thanks.

I probably shouldn't answer this b/c I never had the band. But I just wanted to tell you that I have met soooo many people who converted to the sleeve from the band and they have had wild success!! The lady staying across the hall from me did this and we have kept up a bit as we see each other at the doctor's office for follow ups. She has told me every time that her life is like night and day. She said she loves the sleeve and it has made a world of difference. I'm really happy for you! I think you will love it.

As far as the sensation of fullness...I will tell you how I feel. I don't know if I am different from others. Basically I get a feeling in my throat that tells me no more . Initially that is where I first feel it. It is almost like indigestion but not really. I can just feel the food doesn't really want to go down. And soon thereafter I feel full as well. My throat is the one that really keeps me in check. I don't like that feeling!

Good luck!!

Similar to Holly but my sleeve begins to talk a little..."burp, gurgle". BUT I am full before the feeling, so I am focusing on measuring my choices and eating very slowly. Bite, chew about 30-40x till liquid and count to 60 and do it over again...

As too me my stomach makes a growling noise or feeling I should say..and that's when I stop..If I should try to eat more It feels like its coming up my throat...This works for me I've never got sick..!And I am 6 months out..

Rain,

My Best Half took me to Sizzler last night. I had a few ounces of salmon (overcooked a bit), and steamed broccoli (no butter). I actually could chew, swallow, and not have the food get stuck, or have it hurt. I didn't have to grease the food to get it to go down. And it stayed down. When I had the Fluid removed from my band before surgery, I felt the restriction, too. With the sleeve, I can eat things (healthy) that I haven't been able to eat for five years. You will be so amazed and pleased with the sleeve. Good luck, and keep us posted!

I haven't had the sleeve very long and I haven't started solid food yet but, so far, it doesn't feel like the band.

I hated not being able to eat healthy food with the band (no chicken, no turkey, no salads/ veggies). I'm looking forward to getting those things again.

carbgrl - I had a band for about 5.5 years. I am scheduled for sleeve surgery next month. The information below is what I have seen, read, and been told. It is not my personal experience. As I'm sure you're aware, everyone experiences things different and what you experienced with the band also depending on your ability/inability to achieve good restriction.

• Seems the sensations of fullness are comparable (pressure somewhere prior to "full" sensation, soft stops seem about as frequent and similar).
  
• Band patients perhaps have a stronger "full" feeling than sleeve patients (referring to that "just ate Thanksgiving dinner" sensation).
  
• Seems band patients experience significantly more discomfort when food cannot pass (with the sleeve, it would be food cannot fit, I guess, excepting a complication). Sleevers seem to avoid the minutes-hours of discomfort/pain we had while the body tried to get the food through the stoma, and that the food is much more likely to "just come up" with the sleeve.
  

HTH

carbgrl - I had a band for about 5.5 years. I am scheduled for sleeve surgery next month. The information below is what I have seen, read, and been told. It is not my personal experience. As I'm sure you're aware, everyone experiences things different and what you experienced with the band also depending on your ability/inability to achieve good restriction.

• Seems the sensations of fullness are comparable (pressure somewhere prior to "full" sensation, soft stops seem about as frequent and similar).
  
• Band patients perhaps have a stronger "full" feeling than sleeve patients (referring to that "just ate Thanksgiving dinner" sensation).
  
• Seems band patients experience significantly more discomfort when food cannot pass (with the sleeve, it would be food cannot fit, I guess, excepting a complication). Sleevers seem to avoid the minutes-hours of discomfort/pain we had while the body tried to get the food through the stoma, and that the food is much more likely to "just come up" with the sleeve.
  

HTH

This information helps me, as I'm looking at revising from the Band to Sleeve. One of the worst things about the band is the gross stuck/full feeling you have while the bottom half of your tummy is still growling for food...to me that is SO miserable. Not to mention the horrible stuck feeling...I can eat ice cream, cake, pudding just fine, but if I try and eat something healthy (chicken breast and salad) I spend 2 hours trying to get it un-stuck.

Yes, I'm a little grouchy, the lapband has NOT been good for me.

MissMichele, one of the things I hated most about my slipped band (I lived with it for about 3 years) was that there were times I could not drink when thirsty, could not take painkillers when I needed them, etc. My slip "bouts" lasted anywhere from several hours to several days. By "bout" I mean the time periods during which I couldn't really eat or drink anything without significant pain. I didn't bring things up very often at all, but I woild feel them for hours & hours & hours. I once had a bout that lasted 6 days. I could drink extremely cold drinks, like ICEE type drinks, and that's all I could get down. I never really was hungry with the band - that was one of the few exceptions. By day 6 I was very hungry, but knew I could not eat anything.

"Head" hunger doesn't hurt. Actual hunger can be quite painful. That sucked.

Thank you all for your great comments. One of the great challenges of this journey is the unknown. This morning as I tried to sip my coffee (it hurts to swallow) you wonder - will this be forever. It is depressing to be in discomfort and not to have any benefits from the surgery. Your postings have allowed me to understand the future a little better. Thanks.