Had surgery today, but was unable to have sleeve done because the band had encapsulated itself and doc had to literally dig it out, then remove scar tissue..

Now I'll be on a healing period of 4 to 6 months, bummer!

It amazes me how drs differ on their opinion on doing it at once. The day before my revision I asked my dr what my chances were of waking up in the recovery rm without a sleeve and he said "nil". He Always does them at once. And he's a Center of Excellence and has an amazingly low % of complications. If it can be done safely by 1 dr, whay can't it be done by all? He said it didn't matter about scarbtissue. He's cutting it out anyway. At least 15% of ur stomach wont be affected and that's all they leave anyway.

Not understanding why such a long wait between surgeries.

I had to wait 18 months before any release to be sleeved. First off, I was extremely ulcerated and bleeding internally. Aside from all the damage the band did in that area I was severely enemic and very unhealthy. My system would not have tolerated a major surgery along with the surgery for repairing my insides.

I have seen on this forum many complications arising from surgeons jumping the gun on band to sleeve surgeries.

OP.. Your surgeon was correct and although it's a bummer now.. It's for the best.

It amazes me how drs differ on their opinion on doing it at once. The day before my revision I asked my dr what my chances were of waking up in the recovery rm without a sleeve and he said "nil". He Always does them at once. And he's a Center of Excellence and has an amazingly low % of complications. If it can be done safely by 1 dr, whay can't it be done by all? He said it didn't matter about scarbtissue. He's cutting it out anyway. At least 15% of ur stomach wont be affected and that's all they leave anyway.

Not understanding why such a long wait between surgeries.

Because every patient is different, and it's not always a "cookie cutter" surgery. My doc had to dig out the band, as my stomach had encapsulated it. It takes time to heal from that. Sure I'd rather have had it done in one surgery, but I'm thankful to have a doc that knows when you can and cannot attempt it.

More and more surgeons seem to be of the opinion of "let's wait and see when we get in there, and then make a decision".

There are greater chances of leaks and complications if the band is a mess when they get in there. That would only make sense.

I had to wait 18 months before any release to be sleeved. First off, I was extremely ulcerated and bleeding internally. Aside from all the damage the band did in that area I was severely enemic and very unhealthy. My system would not have tolerated a major surgery along with the surgery for repairing my insides.

I have seen on this forum many complications arising from surgeons jumping the gun on band to sleeve surgeries.

OP.. Your surgeon was correct and although it's a bummer now.. It's for the best.

Yes I was sad it was not done when I woke up, but you are correct. I am very thankful to have a surgeon that knows what he's doing, and made the decision to wait. It's only 4 months. No big deal. I am now viewing it as a 2 part surgery, and I'm half way there.

True

HI Livelyterry

I am getting my band removed on the 27th of November and my surgeon said that in the past they have tried band to sleeve in one surgery before in patients, and now they always have a healing period in between taking the band out to doing the sleeve. much better success rate letting the stomach get back to normal then doing the sleeve he said so I too am having a 2 part surgery. I have had the band for 4 years this month so whats another 3 to 6 months. Better to be safe than sorry

HI Livelyterry

I am getting my band removed on the 27th of November and my surgeon said that in the past they have tried band to sleeve in one surgery before in patients, and now they always have a healing period in between taking the band out to doing the sleeve. much better success rate letting the stomach get back to normal then doing the sleeve he said so I too am having a 2 part surgery. I have had the band for 4 years this month so whats another 3 to 6 months. Better to be safe than sorry

Agree. I think sometimes we want to rush things, and have to pay for it later. My doc HAS done them in 1 surgery, but he tells you right of front that it depends on the situation and how much trauma is done just taking the band out because of erosion, etc. I'm just thankful that I'm still a good candidate for the sleeve.

Two months to go until part 2 and I'm sleeved. Some days I feel like I'm going crazy. Today is one of them…*sigh*

I had to get back on this forum to get my head in the right place...

I am getting sleeved on January 7th and decided to remove my lapband first. It was removed April this year. Trust me, there is healing period. I am still having issues with eating.

FreeSpirit:

Hope all goes well with you. Healing for me has been, well almost like nothing was done. The first day or two after surgery, I felt like I had done too many crunches. After that, no issues at all.

I own a business, so have purposely taken a lot of time off work because of all this. I am thinking I need to go back to work full time, to make time go by faster and get my mind off everything. Maybe that will help...

I remember missing a lot of work because of the band.. haven't missed one day since sleeved. Amazon difference. I'm so happy and you will be too