Hello Everyone. My name is Chasity. This year has been 7 years since I had my band placed. This worked great and approx 5 years into the process I had completely changed my life. I was down 130 pounds and at the lowest weight I had seen since high school. I had energy I long ago forgot I had. This was great and this energy greatly improved my children and my lives. We were so active and eating much healthier. One of the reasons I did the surgery was to ensure I was using all the tools I could to provide a healthy lifestyle for my children. Coming from an obese family I feared my kids would pick up the same bad habits. Although, even at my largest I was very strict about what my children consumed.

The last two years I started having great difficulties. My band ended up prolapsing and all the fluid had to be removed. My stomach relaxed down and we started filling the band again. Shortly after my second fill I had problems beginning again. The doctor felt the band prolapsed again and removed all the fluid. I went back and had another upper GI to find even with no fluid the band was still moderately restricting. This was causing great difficulty with eating. I was vomiting and having a hard time eating any foods beyond cereal, soup, turkey bacon, and yogurt. It was decided the band needs to be removed and the thought is to convert to the sleeve at the same time.

I know very little about the sleeve and worry about if this is the right choice. I had no problem with the band up to this point and had no significant health side effects. I have heard some concerns about the dangers of the sleeve and worry being a single mom of three if this is the best choice for me. I would really appreciate any feedback on the conversion. The dangers, side effects, and potential risks. I have not met with the surgeon yet to discuss this as I have testing I have to complete prior to meeting with him. But I would like to have some idea of what I am facing at decision time. I would appreciate any advise. Thank you and best wishes to all as you go through and continue through the process.

Chasity

Hi Chasity,

I'm probably not far along in my Journey enough to tell you much!
I just had my band removed, revision to sleeve on June 26.

I am on my puréed foods this week, and can begin " real food " Monday.

All I can tell you so far, when I woke up from surgery, I hurt so much more than I expected!! I had acid reflux really bad, causing me to stay a 3rd night in hospital (well, couldn't get fluids in due to acid reflux!) The reflux has settled a great deal. My incision is still quite tender, but looks wonderful. I do have swelling on my left side still, I'm thinking it's due to my port removal.

I wish I could tell you more!

Read all you can! I was vomiting years after my band. I have not once since this surgery[emoji41]