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Gastric sleeve



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Does anyone have any info regarding which is a safer procedure, the lap band or the gastric sleeve. I think I want to have the sleeve done but I am scared. Thanks.

The actual surgical procedure for a band is safer, the sleeve has a slightly larger potential complication factor. But long term, the sleeve is safer for future potential risks and complications. It's a trade off, six of one, half dozen of another.

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Hello

My name is Nia and I am 11 weeks post op after having the Gastric Sleeve, please feel free to ask me questions :)

Nia...Hi my name is tasha and I am possibly having the gastric sleeve...tomorrow. I know that sounds wierd but I am literally in the hosp right now because of a lap band slippage vs erosion. My md is going to take the bank out tomorrow and suggests doing a sleeve. I am so afraid and do not know what to do. I do know that once I take this band out, i will gain all of the weight back that I have lost (abe 50 lbs) to date. I have about 50 more lbs to loose and don't feel like i can do it alone. Please let me know how you feel about your sleeve...Please, ASAP...I am desperate to hear from someone who has experienced the procedure. I hope to hear from you soon.

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Well, if it helps, I love mine.

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Thank you so much for responding. I have so many questions regarding the sleeve and am becoming very anxious as I have to decide in the morning if I want my surgeon to do the gastric sleeve when he takes the band out...I just have no idea what to expect. What is your diet like immediately post op? Pain? how long were you out of work? Any information would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance

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I was out 1.5 weeks. Lots of people go back at 1 week. It's a slightly longer op than the band so I think it takes a few more days to recover than a band. Pain and gas and all that are very similar -- which is to say it varies quite a bit but mostly it's a lap operation so it's not bad.

The diet is similar too. You start with liquids and progress slowly to solids. There are some big differences in the quanity and hunger though:

-With the sleeve you are swollen and so immediately post-op you can't eat very large quanities at all

-You may have hunger in the first couple of weeks but at some point as things heal up you will have little interest in food

-Over time, the swelling goes down and also the stomach tissue relaxes and you can slowly eat more and more until you get to your max amount.

-The max amount at one time you can eat will vary based on what you eat and how long your stomach is but for most people it's at least 4-5 oz. but not much more than that

-Over time your interest in food may come back. For some this happens in terms of months but some take years and some never really are interested in food ever again

I contrast this with the band where some people are swollen at first but most can eat whatever they want and have no restriction and are hungry but over time they get more restriction and can eat less and aren't as hungry.

We may end up in the same place at the end but we approach it from different ends.

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Does anybody know if GHI Medicare covers the Sleeve Gastrectomy? I am nearly done with all the pre-testing clearances but straight medicare will only cover the band (which I definately don't want) and the Gastric Bypass and I'd really rather the Sleeve. I am having a GHI rep. come visit me this Tuesday, they don't seem to be able to answer my questions about WLS over the phone. If anyone knows if GHI covers the sleeve or can point me to a site that can provide that info. I'd really appreciate it. I checked the GHI website but could not find that information. Also can anyone tell me if I will jeapordize my chances of getting approval if I ask GHI if they cover the sleeve procedure. I'm so anxious about this and fear I will settle for the GBP, even though I am convinced the sleeve is the better procedure for me.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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