Hi all! Thank you again for your insights. I am wondering how the pain and experience differs with the VGS surgery than the Lap Band. I don't remember the band being particularly bad or very nauseous etc. Those of you that have been through both...what are your thoughts? Is the VGS experience worse? The same? Trying to prepare for 11-28!

Well for me neither was painful. I had no nausea with either. I also did not have much pain with VSG but a little more than LB from what I remember. No worries!

I was told by a bariatric doctor (not surgeon) who is herself banded to expect the sleeve to be much worse - especially the dehydration. She was right about that, but overall, I am not sure which was harder, they were just so different from each other!

Lapband in 2001, German hospital, well known surgeon. My first surgery and I have no idea how I kept the courage to do it, I was so terrified - pretty heavy at 272 but very healthy - no comorbidities at that time. I woke up feeling like I was dying - nasuea. They gave me something and I was fine. They kept me in the hospital for what seemed like forever but hubby says it was 4 days, on an IV so kept hydrated. I think I was pretty heavily drugged at first. I complained to the doctor about headaches and not feeling well in a vague sort of way and that is when he decided I needed to go home! Was sent home with basic instructions and minimal ongoing support - just fills and unfills.

Sleeve in 2011, Surgery Center near Seattle. Also terrified, but a much stronger sense of "life or death" due to the extreme obesity (308#, 52 BMI). Anxiety tried to get a grip on me, but I had support from some key people and made it through. I stayed one night in the surgical center. The first few minutes after waking up were awful, but they got the naseua under control and had me walking immediately. 3 of us stayed the night and it was actually pretty social. We chatted, rested, met each others familys, rested, did little walks, treks to the potty, all that stuff. I had little pain pills but no morphine. I was surprised that I felt pretty human, yes I was sore so I needed the pain meds and it was hard to drink but I didn't feel that fear or sadness about having the surgery that I remember with the band. My head was pretty clear and some of the negatives about my German lapband experience was the heavier pain drugs making me feel weird/blue). After the sleeve, was sent home with very detailed instructions (combination of surgeon and NUT) and a clear follow up plan.

I think I have made the sleeve sound easier, but it really wasn't after the first few days. I felt ... not myself... for around 6-8 weeks post sleeve. I went back to work after 3 weeks and immediately got sick with a cold or something. I had to take a few more days.... I was exhausted and not good. Band, none of that. I was not depressed and I did not regret it but "run over by a truck" feeling is not overstating the situation.

So, I think the big difference is that you just have a hard time staying hydrated with the sleeve. The fact that I only stayed one night with an IV bag post sleeve, plus the swelling so you can only take small drinks. I knew what to expect and was well educated by this forum as well as the surgeon and team. I had a sip sip sip plan and never got really bad or had to go to get help, but those early weeks were hard.

I didn't lose nearly as much with the band so some of the emotional aspects of it have been more intense with the sleeve - both the joy/success and the adjustments too.

Life with the sleeve is 1000 times better though!

I know I answered alot more then you asked!

Thank you both! I appreciate any insight I can get! I'm trying to be as prepared as I can. My LB surgery was actually outpatient. I went home later that day. I've also had a tummy tuck and arm tuck and spent one night in the hospital. Hopefully I can get the full benefit of those again after I'm able to lose again I dunno I guess being overly prepared makes me less nervous??