I have a 14 month old baby - just learning to walk. Yes, I know why walk when you can ride mommys hip! Anyway, I have been trying to decided if I want to go from band to sleeve. I hate the band and you guys are so great posting your experience and advice.

I'm pretty sure I am going to do it, the question is WHEN... I have to do before Jan because my deductibles are met... But I have a young toddler. I could get some help but not sure for how long. By the time I do it he will be walking pretty good but how will I feel REALLY feel the first few weeks out if surgery and how until I can pick him up? He's 19-24 pounds

How good you will feel is impossible to predict -- most people feel fine and up for very light housekeeping within 5 - 7 days, but lots of people don't bounce back as well or suffer complications. So it would be good to have a back-up plan.

As far as lifting goes, my surgeon said I couldn't lift anything 10 lbs or more for two weeks, and nothing over 20 lbs for four weeks. But I have seen other people get different advice from their doctors.

Mine said nothing over 5 lbs for 6 weeks.

Wow, your insurance is covering a revision when "you don't like your band". Most will only cover it if you have a complication.

I don't have any little ones but I know I couldn't have lifted a 14 mth old (about 20 lbs, right?) the first week or so. In fact, my dr had a lifting limit of 20 lbs for the first 6 weeks. In fact, we kept our dog at some friends (a little, energetic one) for 4 days after getting home for fear she'd jump on my tummy.

I would definitely have some help there for at least the first week. Then you should be able to do it alone. Good luck to you. I'm happy with my decision to revise.

Oops, just noticed you wrote his weight on there. I would definitely get some help if he's over 20 lbs. I know he's walking but I also know how toddlers want their mommy's to pick them up often, especially when they're cranky!

LOL ... I have had TWO bands and mr port replaced. And I never lost more than 25-30 pounds in the 6 years I have had it. I never felt full only stuck so yeah... I hate it. I'm hoping I can replace with revision

I know I can find help for 2 weeks but 4 could be harder

You don't realize how much you lift a baby ... Until you can't.

I actually just had the sleeve on August 19. My band was removed over a year and a half ago after pregnancy. My daughter is now 20 months old and weighs about 24 lbs. My doctor doesn't want me lifting her for 6 weeks which is easier said than done. My husband was home all last week and then this week, he was planning on staying home as well, but by Tuesday, I told him to go ahead and go to work (which he did for half a day). I'm doing my best not to lift her, but even the doc recognizes that it isn't possible to be a mom and not lift your child. I try to sit on the couch and have her climb up to me or climb up on a chair before i hold he so I'm not lifting her from the ground. The one thing I won't do just yet is take her out for a walk or to the park by myself yet. If she falls on the ground, it would be difficult for me to pick her up from the ground.

I'm very lucky in that I bounce back exceptionally quickly from any injury or surgery. I felt lousy the first day in the hospital because of nausea (no pain) but by day two I was ready to go home. I never touched the pain meds and took only tylenol to cure the tenderness I feel.

Good luck with the decision and the surgery. Let us know how you're doing!