I went into the hospital to get my lap band out on Feb 26 and get sleeved. I woke up from surgery with my surgeon telling me he could not do the sleeve due to thick scar tissue from the band and 2 hernias. I now have to wait 3 months to have my sleeve surgery. Which is scheduled for the end of May. I am finding the healing from the lap band removal quite difficult. I have swelling above the incision where the port was and find that that's where I experience the most pain. I have heard that getting the band out is worst than getting the lap band in and getting the sleeve. How long did it take for you to fully heal from the lap band removal surgery? If you have to have the lap band removed and the sleeve done in 2 separate surgeries, how was the sleeve surgery recovery vs lap band removal recovery? I am so nervous to have another stomach surgery due to this current healing process. Please share your experiences ..

I had mine done on same day, but Dr did warn me that if there was too much scar tissue she may not be able to do both. So happy I was able to get it all done at once, then only one surgery. Each Dr is different and each insurance company is different. My insurance denied me the first time for the sleeve but approved the removal. I appealed. Showed all the fills, how much I did lose until I began having issues and all the slips. So they finally approved. If insurance denies appeal it. The NP at my Drs office gave me good advise on how to write the appeal. Good luck

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I had my band removed three days ago. My doctor insists on three months healing first. I have the week off work. I'm sore but fine. Looking forward to sleeve in three months. I was told to stay on soft food for two days but want to do it a bit longer. I thought with no band I would be starving but so far so good. The best is I cam take ibuprofen without reflux.

Edited October 17, 20169 yr by aliplatt

Banded 7/07 - lost 110 lbs in a year - kept if off for 8 yrs - then Hernia - 2 deaths (Son & Sister) - Grandson Major Surgery where I was primary care giver for the last year - Gained 50 lbs back since 15 to 16

10/17 Finnaly had conversation surgery band to sleeve - and in one surgery - I gotta say really no diff than my ban surgery - I was 52 then - 61 now - had surgery Tuesday feeling very good - by the end of the day I'm a bit poopped -- and may take a little pain med but for the last 3 days - only need a little at nite - Plan to go back to work on Monday -

I asked my surgeon about why he does the surgery in two steps -- his answer made a lot of sense. The average % of patients who experience a leak is 1% when the procedure is done in two steps. it doubles to 2% when the band is both removed and the patient is sleeved at the same time.

I think it has a lot to do with technique. My surgeon (as well as many others I'm sure) invert the staple line and then it's laparoscopically stitched. The leak rates of this technique is virtually zero. It uses the serosa which is the strongest layer of stomach for more support, and remove all the fundus to stop the future stretching.