As I have posted in other posts - I've decided on the sleeve over lap-band for many reasons. My question is, are there lots of bad side effects from the sleeve like with the band (i.e. stuck episodes, flipped port, etc) I know that there is no port or foreign object involved with this surgery (which thrills me to no extent) -but wondering what types of things may be down the road that I wish I would of known about ahead of time.

From what I've been reading there appear to be no really bad after effects....you are able to digest normally, you eat much smaller portions, you avoid the foods that got you here in the first place and get your Protein in daily, exercise and hydrate. am i missing something???

Not really.. I had no issues at all after surgery and can pretty much eat anything now just small portions.... High sugar items don't sit too well buy they don't send me running to the bathroom either. Before surgery I loved bananas but now??? nooooo way! If I try to eat one or even have something that has banana flavor I will throw up. It's strange! Also, leftovers aren't good for me either. Maybe one day old but other than that they don't sit well. I have to eat fresh pretty much every day.

The only side effect that I do have is heartburn and acid reflux but I find that taking a daily Zantac 150 and having some Tumms handy solves the problem.

Good Luck!

Yes there can be issues, and you can possibly even die - You really need to discuss this frankly with your doctor, read the forum (search "help" "regret" and other key words.

Strike up personal conversations with people who have mentioned issues - they tend to be more open on a personal level, its just human nature.

I had complications and would be glad to discuss them and how I think they came about...messge me if you are interested.

I am NOT being negative and you probably won't have any or severe or long term...but we all deserve to understand, this is abdominal surgery! They are cutting out your stomach - you really, really need to be prepared. If you are not, however, it is no one elses fault. I did 95% of my research on my own, and I am no internet guru!

No Issues whatsoever other than I can't eat over 5oz at a time...Oh thats a good thing LOL

are there lots of bad side effects from the sleeve

mufasas

congrats on being sleeved soon

IMO the sleeve is the best thing in the world, no ifs ands or butts

there will be some issues that you should be aware of as you approach your sleeve day most people are very nervous, scared, anxious, exited and all kinds of different emotions. this is very normal.

in the hospital after you are sleeved - many people experience gas, which is usually alleviated by walking. effects of gas could cause discomfort in your shoulder, or somewhere else.

Walking is very important after surgery, - as you feel better walking is a great form of exercise too

these following problems might last a few days also

being nautious, having heartburn, diarhea, constipation

people go home and are tired for anywhere from 3 days, to 3 weeks, 4 weeks etc. - but some people are fine, feel great and go back to work after 3 days or one week.

we all respond differently to the hospital experience and many things that go on with the sleeve afterwards

come to the board when you have any questions, you will get good advice here, but remember we are laymen (msp) go the experts with any normal/serious medical questions too - your dr. and NUT

BTW - not all of the above will be applicable to you -

ps - hope i didn't scare you, IMO you should always have your eyes wide open

the very best of luck to you

kathy

.

As Pookism pointed out there can be grave consequences - as there can be with ANY major surgery.

Beyond that short term effects that can last a few weeks or a month can be:

• General malaise
  
• Inability to eat or drink without being sick
  
• Inability to take pills
  
• Heartburn or acid reflux
  
• Excessive production of saliva
  
• Physical stomach discomfort
  
• Constipation or diarrhea - may be due to anesthesia and surgical trauma
  
• Ketosis - the body starts to burn fat and leads to bad breath and funny tastes
  
• Nerve irritation stemming from the use of CO2 gas during surgery
  

The above generally clear up in a few weeks.

LONG term side effects MAY include:

• Weight loss (DUH!)
  
• Loss of appetite (DUH X 2 ! )
  
• Lactose intolerance
  
• Sensitivity to cold and inability to stay warm
  
• Vitamin and mineral malabsorbtion, namely B Vitamins which are principally adsorbed by the stomach - which is now smaller - easily overcome by taking a one a day vitamin and extra B vitamins can easily determine if there is a lack.
  
• Dehydration may be an issue unless Water is consumed regularly
  
• Longer term constipation - may be due to less Fiber in the diet and lack of fluids
  
• Longer term diarrhea - lack of binding fiber and excess fluids or reactions to some foods
  
• Raised hormone levels due to mass reduction and release from fat stores - Testosterone for men estrogen for women
  
• Costly wardrobe replacement cost
  
• Vast savings in grocery bills and restaurant bills
  
• Sudden inappropriate attention from other of the opposite sex - or even the same sex if that's your bag
  
• Raise in energy level
  
• Increased libido
  
• Inability to enter food eating contests
  

All kidding aside it is generally a very, very positive experience overall. It is singularly the BEST thing health wise I have ever done for myself.

It IS a dangerous path, but so is staying obese. Bad things can and do happen to some people, the overall safety of this procedure is very, very good, you are MORE likely to die from obesity related issues than this surgery,.

I am so thankfor the 6 month waiting period I had for my insurance requirements - otherwise I'd of blindly gone down the lap band road and been very unhappy. With my dentures and inability to wear my lower dentures I do not have the 'tools' needed to properly grind my food for the lapband to have been successful. Lucklly I was able to reach out to several other denture wearers who had the band and quickly discovered that my fears were correct - I'd have numerous stuck episodes, throwing up and other issues.

During these past 6 months I've been doing my pro's and con's list - and there are just too many 'con's' for lapband for me. So the sleeve wins - i hope that the diabetes 2 goes away - i hope that I am able to get to a healthy weight where my knees don't bother me and I can exercise easily and I know that I will be successful.

I already cut all my food in 1/2 right when I get it and put the other half away - or just throw it out. So i hope that I'm mentally prepared and I've already discovered that I was doing the mindless eating - so now I catch myself. Don't eat any of the 'whites' (bread, potatoes, rice, Pasta, etc) so I am praying that this surgery and the lifestyle transition will not be too hard.

thanks for all your help in answering my silly little questions.

Below in blue (I lived with a band for about 6 years, and have been sleeved for a bit over 3 months).

As I have posted in other posts - I've decided on the sleeve over lap-band for many reasons. My question is, are there lots of bad side effects from the sleeve like with the band (i.e. stuck episodes, I wouldn't consider something being stuck a side effect so much as something that just kind of happens. There is no "stuck" with the sleeve because there is no stoma (inability to clear the stoma is what being 'stuck" is, but the equivalent would probably be the reduced portion. With the band, if it giot down, you were golden. A LOT of people find ways to "eat around the band", or see patterns where -- something may get stuck, but once it passes (one way or another) they can eat all they want. The sleeve has finite space. Your stomach can no longer adjust to accomodate more food. So if you eat too much, it hurts, or it backs up on you, or it's expelled, or you get spasms, or etc. or any combination of all. flipped port, Since we don't have residual implants there is no risk of implant mechanical failure (like a flipped port, tube leak, prolapse, etc.) The equivalent with the sleeve would be leak since it relies on success/failure of a foreign material (suture or staple), BUT unlike the band which is perpetually reliant on the mechanical pieces, the staples/sutures aren't what are holding you together a year or two later. etc) I know that there is no port or foreign object involved with this surgery There actually is, until your incision can heal itself (which thrills me to no extent) -but wondering what types of things may be down the road that I wish I would of known about ahead of time. Leak, stricture, dumping, malnutrition, blockage, reflux/GERD (which can lead to other things such as Barret's esophagus), dysphagia (research shows it's generally reduced, but occasionally increases), etc. LOTS of things that can happen. Few that often do. There are complications specific to some procedures, or shared among a few - and there are some that apply more universally. Most of the sleeve-specific issues, as far as we know at this point, tend to occur in the first few months (e.g. leak will usually occur by 12ish weeks out) whereas the more generic ones like strictire or GERD can appear or reappear "randomly" (making structure probably not the BEST example, but the gist is there).

From what I've been reading there appear to be no really bad after effects....you are able to digest normally, Yes, we have a full digestive tract, pyloric valve is intact, etc. you eat much smaller portions Generally true. , you avoid the foods that got you here in the first place I have to say "no" with this one. This is NOT a product of the surgery. This is a behavioral product. So it's not fair to say it's specific to the sleeve. It's specific to the individual, regardless of WLS status or procedure. and get your Protein in daily TRY to, may or may not succeed., exercise and hydrate Again, try to, but this the individual, not the procedure. am i missing something??? If so, hopefully the above info will help.

i hope that my diabetes II goes away

hi muasas

After getting the sleeve many, many people are no longer diabetic (always will be considered diabetic) no more meds or reduction of, insulin or reduction too

My surgeon told me that the shorter time period you have had diabetes, the better chance you have not to be diabetic anymore. you know, no meds and stuff

for the past 20 yrs i have had to take my meds and as of late my insulin - NO MORE!

glad you chose the sleeve

good luck on losing the diabetes

best on your pending WLS

kathy

Great posts. I just want to add in one more time so it hits home:

PPI, PPI, PPI!!!

You need one. Nexium, Prilosec or Protonix. NOT Tums and not Xantac - you need a proton pump inhibitor to control the acid for a few months. Acid reflux and heartburn can seriously affect your quality of life, so why deal with these issues when one small, inexpensive pill can help avoid the problem.

Good luck,

~Cheri