I've seen gastric sleeve mentioned several times on post. What is it and how is it comparied to the band/

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.

Well, if it helps, I love mine.

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

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.

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.