Ok, good morning everyone.. This is my first post, so I am a new to all of this.... Ok, so I got the Lap Band in May of 2010, I lost approximately 60 lbs, and felt like I was so excited. The weight has just returned and I am so tired of vomitting (if you have the band you know exactly what I am talking about)... I have been approved for the Gastric Sleeve, my surgeon is Dr. David Kim out of Dallas, Texas.. My first appoint with him was on 7 December 2012 and just received my approval letter from my Insurance (Blue Cross and Blue Sheils, Federal Standard) on 15 April 2013. I am very nervous, I don't know what to expect, my Husband and family really don't want me to get the Sleeve, because its permenant and more invasive than the Band. So they are making me nervous. I have several questions and concerns. Heart burn, leaks, food, is the restrictions any different from the Lap Band, do you feel like it was a successful change in your life revising from the Band to the Sleeve. Need words of encouragement and guidance. Please help. Thanks!

Ok... so protein, protein, protein.. for the days following surgery, how did you eat, shakes? Were you allowed to drink?

Ok... so protein' date=' Protein, protein.. for the days following surgery, how did you eat, shakes? Were you allowed to drink?[/quote']

I was on ice chips the first day, then on Clear liquids till day 3, after that purée foods. At my two week appointment the dr put me on soft foods. At six weeks whatever I could tolerate. Some foods will not like you anymore. I had a sip of my sons mt. dew and a coke this weekend and yuck is all I can say. How did I drink those things.

Were you hungry, after surgery until you went to puree foods?

I was sleeved 6 months ago and have lost a lot of weight. I am past my doctors goal. I am very happy with my weight loss but not some of the side-effects. I know many people don't get them but some do. Here they are. Pain and discomfort after eating, vomitting, diarrhea, food intolerances, heartburn, reflux, dizziness. I was hoping these things would resolve but after 6 months I am giving up on that. The whole experience of eating has become something I really dread..

I was not hungry at all. I still have got to make myself to eat. I was getting discomfort after I ate till I figured out I was trying to eat TOO fast which my cause you to vomit. Remember small small bites and try about 2 minutes between bites. When I figured out what I was doing wrong I started using the timer on my phone to slow my self down. Now I eat without the timer and discomfort afterwards.

Really, what does your doctor say about it, and who was your doctor?

Really, what does your doctor say about it, and who was your doctor?

That its normal to have to make yourself eat. The part of your stomach they remove makes the hormone that tells your mind you're hungry. You will also be cold too.

Dr Weaver in Memphis TN

I was a revision and had great success with the sleeve. I wrestled with the decision for about 2 years - all the fears you mention plus some even crazier ones. First surgeon I saw wanted me to get the rny and I ruled that out after alot of tears and fears before I even heard of the sleeve.

After living with the sleeve for 16+ months my personal experience is that it is like having a normal stomach...lol. My old one was abby-normal, way too big and way too hungry. I no longer see the sleeve as too drastic for me - I experienced that band as much more invasive and life disrupting then the sleeve has ever been. This has been a pleasant suprise and exceeeded my expectations.

I do get hungry now, but like a normal petite eating woman, not like a ravenous wolf like I often felt, preband and with the band. Seriously, you will need to eat like about 1/3 of what people around you are eating and it is kinda weird at first but once you accept that this is what YOUR body thrives on, it becomes empowering.

I have vomited once, maybe twice with the sleeve and I used to vomit all the time with the band if any Fluid. Even empty (no fill), I sometimes vomited with the band. I hated that damn thing and have really had to work through letting go of my anger and regret over how much I suffered with it for 10 long years. I still feel some annoyannce with the people who basically told me it was my fault - if only i were more "compliant" - I am no longer bitter toward them, but i do feel that they treated me wrong.

I instead have focused all my energy and efforts on learning a new permanent way. I was never able to do that with the band - I was too busy being in discomfort if I ate dense Proteins and veggies, throwing up especially if I ate a bite of rice, and yet still being hungry. And of course, getting more and more obese with each passing year.

that is exactly right.. My parents keep saying well the Band didn't work what makes you think that the Sleeve will and it is so much more invasive.. I don't have a logically response, because i get so frustrated with them. I want the Sleeve, I want to feel better, I want to look better, and I want to be alive in 20 years, to see my daughter grow. I don't know what to do, because it is so scary thinking that I might have to walk in the this alone, and with disapproval from my family. I need good feedback for them, that makes logically sense. Please help!!

How's it going?