I am in the process of trying to get approval for a gastric sleeve. I have had two bands so far and clearly do not do well with them. I am excited about all the things I am reading about the sleeve. One thing I have not come across yet is the incision sites. Are they similar to that of the lapband? Same ones? Also can someone tell me about the drain. How long is that in for? Does it hurt to come out? How long is the average stay in the hospital? I will address this with my Dr. also. Just looking for some feedback. Thanks

I am in the process of trying to get approval for a gastric sleeve. I have had two bands so far and clearly do not do well with them. I am excited about all the things I am reading about the sleeve. One thing I have not come across yet is the incision sites. Are they similar to that of the lapband? Same ones? Also can someone tell me about the drain. How long is that in for? Does it hurt to come out? How long is the average stay in the hospital? I will address this with my Dr. also. Just looking for some feedback. Thanks

All of this depends on each doctor. But my scars are very similar to band scars. I have five of them. They are not in the same place but my band scars are a LOT lower than they used to be since I lost weight. ;o)

I had a drain for 48 hours. Not all docs use them.

Nope, it didn't hurt when they removed the drain. It kinda sorta tickled in an odd sort of way. But no pain at all for me.

I was in the hospital for 4 nights but usually my doc keeps people in the hospital for 3 nights following surgery. Usually in the US it's 1 night.

Mine are the same as WASAs. They are smaller than the band scars and healed quickly.

I had surgery to remove a salivary gland and had a drain for a few days. Right before I was discharged my doctor came and took it out. It was right under my jaw so you can imagine it was a very sensitive area. I felt a tugging and that odd tickle but no pain. A warning though, my drain was not pretty looking. When I saw it in the mirror I was disturbed because it was doing its job, draining "stuff". Mostly mine was kept wrapped but it drained through the wrap a few times and was just generally not pleasant to look at.

Thank you for all the info. I am not looking forward to a drain at all. I am also curious how fast sleevesters are losing as opposed to bandsters. The long term results look better. How about initially?

I was in the hospital 3 nights. They took the drain out the night before I left. It was not a big deal at all to take it out.

The scars pretty much look like band scars. Three of them are not nearly as long.

I already answered your question in another thread about weight loss.

Okay, this is odd, because many of us had the same doctor. I don't have any new scars, Dr. Aceves actually used all the same incision spots for my sleeve that he did the band. We even talked about it after my surgery and I commented how pleased I was about that.

As for the drain, like the others said, it didn't hurt when they removed it, it was just kind of a weird sensation is all.

I'm guessing it just depends on where the old scars are located?

My wife had laproscopic surgery for gallbladder removal, and I'm thinking they may use the same spots for the sleeve? I know here scars are in the same locations as my band scars. But, I'm sure the Dr. will use the same spots only if they will work for him.

You're lucky Susan. Dr. Aceves did not use any of my same spots. The one the surprises me is the incision right between my boobs. That is pretty high up from the stomach and all the rest of the incisions.