I had my band for eight years with many problems along the way. Had a terrible slip six months in that required a second surgery. After that it was full/unfill for years to follow. I was either in pain every time I ate or could eat just about anything. I finally settled for not much fill so I wouldn't have pain but still threw up almost daily. Finally had to have it removed last May due to severe acid reflux. I had to wait until the new year to change insurance before getting sleeved. Finally was approved January 29th and set a surgery date of Feb 23rd but Doctor didn't like my EKG results at pre surgery physical so surgery was cancelled until seeing a Cardiologist. Went through that and received his approval and will finally be sleeved tomorrow. I'm anxious yet concerned at the same time. After all the issues with the band my wife is very much against the revision.

Before I got banded I felt like I had researched it thoroughly but really only looked for the benefits. After having all the problems I researched to see if anyone was having similar issues. I was shocked to see how many people had the same problems and regretted getting banded. So this time I researched all the problems with the sleeve and found very little issues. Nearly every person who revised wished they had gotten sleeved to begin with.

I'm feeling pretty good about this procedure but at the same time worried because there is no going back once done. A last word on encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your posts. I had a slippage and problems with the band so Insurance will cover Gastric Sleeve revision to be done the end of Aug. first of Sept. but I had so many issues with my band both I and my husband are nervous. I had re-flux for so long especially at night even with just water, and I definitely don't want to go back to that. You have given me hope that it will be a good fix.

I'm doing great, it's been two months now. I was a lower bmi to start, 36, so the loss has been slower than others but I'm ok with that. I'm down 36 lbs so far and still losing. I can't believe how different this is compared to the band, it's what I'd hoped the band would be like. Definately the best decision I ever made.

That is awesome!! You are doing great!! I am having my band to sleeve revision on July 12. I can not wait!!

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@@dhm

I will echo what @@Mrready said.

I have no issues with Water... i can drink 34oz in around 20 mins now... no issues at all.... the first 2 weeks were difficult... but it only gets easier with time.

Because you are an ex bander... we have more movement with our esophagus and can fit a little more than a virgin sleever.

At 7 weeks, i can drink water normally.. i can't gulp down huge amounts, but i can drink a decent amount... i have not had any issues with dehydration.

Restriction wise, its a comfortable restriction... no heavy feeling on the chest like with the band.

I wish you all the best with your surgey.... keep us updated on how you go

Yes. I hated that heavy feeling in my chest and the pressure build up if I ate too much or quickly. I'm currently unfilled waiting for the revision surgery. I constantly have to go out to business lunches, have you (or anyone on this thread) experience a need to run to the restroom to throw up? I had that happen with the band quite a few times and hated how my voice would change when I got stuck. After that, I mainly just had Soup for fear of that happening in public. If you could explain to me those types of scenarios (overeating or eating something that didn't go well with your stomach after the sleeve), I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance!

I have only had a couple of throwing up episodes since I've been sleeved.

1st... i hadn't eaten for hours because i was in back to back meetings... so when i finally ate i ate way too fast and i puked. (This was week 3 or 4 i think... so pretty early out)

2nd was when i was out at a festival and there wasn't many "non junk" items to choose from so i chose to have a sausage, no bread, just the sausage... it got "stuck" for ages and was causing me pain... i slimed really bad and it came out when i didn't expect it to... i think because it was processed, my body just decided hell no! Lol.. that was at 6 weeks.

Other than that... if you chew your food, eat slowly... you won't have any issues.

But... its nothing like the "stuck" you feel with the band... the "omg i can't breath with this 2 tonne brick feeling on my chest and i feel like i am going to regurgitate into my mouth" feeling... with the sleeve, its a slightly stuck feeling like... a lump in your throat/chest... when you get it... you will know it... but i wouldn't say its as painful as the band.

I have not gotten that stuck feeling like I'd get with the band, thankfully. The worst thing was one time I ate far too much. Nobody except my wife knows I've ever had any kind of bariatric surgery, that's the way I want it. i eat out with friends occasionally and one time I ate until I knew I was full and there was three or four bites left. One of my friends pushed me until I finished my plate, big mistake. I wasn't in any kind of pain other than the same kind of feeling the "old me" would get after gorging myself on Thanksgiving. I just waited until it passed, about 20 minutes. I knew I was full and ate anyways, that will never happen again....