I am one of the lucky bandsters where everything that could go wrong, went wrong! I got the band when I was 20 yrs old. Surgeon was horrible, had to have a port revision surgery when I was 21. Had the go around with fills... didn't have any for months when they thought they had, to overfilling me and taking everything out of my band. I had my band-sleeve conversion two weeks ago and I had so much scar tissue on my stomach and liver from the placement of the band that they couldn't do the sleeve because of the swelling. After 3 surgeries with the lapband I am finally going to have the sleeve on August 26! I am so happy and excited! I am 25 now and know this is just going to make my life so much better in the long run! My surgeon said the pain from my removal surgery is going to be pretty equivalent to the sleeve, but I'm not sure I buy it lol. How was everyone's pain level? Any advice for after surgery?

Honestly, my removal surgery in March was more painful post-op than having the sleeve done earlier this month. The scarring from the port removal was probably worst of all! I walked away from sleeve surgery relatively pain free - just tired . But, heck, I'll take tired over painful any day!

The removal for me was not painful but more so a relief! I waited 10 wks from removal to be sleeved. The sleeve surgery wasn't as painful as the initial lapband surgery but getting sleeved just was sore no pain. The recovery from brig sleeved was much better than I thought it'd be.

Surgery for removal was as easy as when I got sleeved. No pain or issues.. And I've had some major band complications. I believe as long as you wait until your healed there's no difference with the surgeries.

Well that is such a relief! I guess my scar tissue was so bad that it took my surgeon 4 hours to clean it all up! Couldn't even see my band because it scarred over so much. I was scared to be going through another surgery, but I know it'll be worth it in the long run! My surgeon also told me that within the research he has conducted his band to sleeve patients tend to have better results than just his sleeve patients. Looking forward to being healthy and hot!

Well that is such a relief! I guess my scar tissue was so bad that it took my surgeon 4 hours to clean it all up! Couldn't even see my band because it scarred over so much. I was scared to be going through another surgery' date=' but I know it'll be worth it in the long run! My surgeon also told me that within the research he has conducted his band to sleeve patients tend to have better results than just his sleeve patients. Looking forward to being healthy and hot! [/quote']

Think it's because we've already learned this lifestyle the hard way??