I was just wondering if anyone was at goal weight when they had their revisions from band to sleeve? What was the process like for you? Were you treated as if you were a new patient?

I was banded 3 years ago. I have lost 100+ lbs and have gained a love for fitness. I am 5’3 and 130lbs. I feel that I have been very successful with the band. In December I got a lower body lift and tummy tuck. I got sick coming out of surgery and vomited several times. My band has slipped. I was on full liquids for a month and my band did not correct itself. The Bariatric clinic will not do surgery to fix the band they will revisions to a sleeve and I am okay with that. I don’t like that I have to do the whole process over again as if I am a new patient. My band has to be deflated for 3 months, I have to attend group and see the nutritionist for three months.

Search the history forums, lots have been sleeved at goal. I was treated as a new patient, and yes, you are a new sleeve patient. The rules are different, the whole experience is different. I would do it again tomorrow! No liver shrinking necessary. The nursing staff will not understand- i say that as i am medical and experienced the bariatric nurses bias. They are perplexed and not aware that failure is 98% without restrictive procedure in this disease. They will judge your decision, ignore it.

Hi,

I had a band nearly 5 years ago and was successful at losing all the weight. I had a serious band slippage 18 months ago resulting in all the Fluid taken out and then having it removed nearly 12 months ago.

Since then I have put on around 30lbs and my surgeon has agreed to a sleeve operation - it's on 22nd April.

I haven't told my family - only my husband knows because I know they will not understand.

I had my pre-op yesterday and the first comment from the nurse was "you don't need bariatric surgery you look fine" annoying!!

I really made the band work for me but I am looking forward to a life long solution!

Counting down the days now!

Jess

Xx

I was 169 day of surgery, my goal is anywhere between 145/155. I actually worried about losing too much weight lol what a joke that is now. Six months after surgery and I still weight 168. The sleeve is a totally different experience. I lost 11 lbs the first 6 weeks but have slowly gained it back since thanksgiving. It's different for everyone though, and yes I got some weird looks saying I was there for weight loss surgery, but I was afraid to try to keep it off on my own.

Hi Band07,

Not sure if you can put it into words but.... What differences do you feel between the band and sleeve?

I am a bit scared at the thought I might not lose weight with the sleeve! I am really hoping it will be a lifelong tool for me.

Jess

Xx

For me there is no comparison, with the band it would scream at me! Don't eat another bite or it will come back up !! The sleeve is more of a whisper for me and I'm not even always sure it is talking to me at all lol, I'm not the best example, I haven't been happy with my experience though many, many are. I think my portion size is large due to my history of dilations with the band. I saw for myself that my sleeve has a larger pouch at the top left over from by band being removed. I also never lost my feeling of hunger, I was much less hungry with a tight band than I am now. There are some good things though, I'm no longer afraid of pills or eating too late nor do I ever have heartburn anymore, I can eat healthier foods and I don't ever slime or PB anymore either so there is that