Lapband to sleeve

**bug** · 07-24-2015 12:49 PM

Hi, I'm new to this blog or in fact any Blog. I had lap Band surgery 7 years ago. My band has slipped so I need surgery so my thought was to have the sleeve done. I've been doing a lot of reading. It does scare me to have 85% of my stomach removed. Thinking about what could be in the future with such a small stomach that I can't foresee. For any banners that switched I would like to know what to expect from sleeve
operation. Is it very painful?? How long is recuperation??? I'm still waiting to get approved but my Dr. doesn't see a problem because the Band does need to be fixed. Thanks for any comments anyone has.

**Bufflehead** · 07-24-2015 12:58 PM

I am not a bander but I can tell you that at 2+ years out my life is completely normal and I certainly don't miss the other 85% of my stomach. Good riddance.

**RehabNurse** · 07-24-2015 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by bug

It does scare me to have 85% of my stomach removed.

I think this mentality was why the Lap Band had been so popular for so many years. In general, people are fearful of permanency, so they pick the option that is reversible and not permanent.

However, think about this: why would you want your weight loss to be reversible? The reverse of weight loss is weight gain. I was sleeved three months ago and I do not miss my former stomach one bit. I can eat what I want, but the portions are simply smaller.

In addition, the portion of the stomach that produces ghrelin is excised, so I no longer feel that ravenous hunger. Nowadays, I eat a small amount of food every four to five hours and feel completely satisfied. Sometimes permanency is needed, especially when battling a disease process such as obesity.

Our weight loss needs to be permanent, not reversible. The sleeve is permanent; the Lap Band is reversible. That, in and of itself, should tell a person something powerful.

Good luck to you.

**bug** · 08-08-2015 12:37 PM

Rehab nurse....I'm doing a lot of reading and so many people say they gain weight back even with the sleeve. Can't keep food down just like the band and a lot say they are hungary a lot. ??Sleeve if I'm going to have the same problems as with band. Thanks for writing.

**RehabNurse** · 08-08-2015 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by bug

Rehab nurse....I'm doing a lot of reading and so many people say they gain weight back even with the sleeve. Can't keep food down just like the band and a lot say they are hungary a lot. ??Sleeve if I'm going to have the same problems as with band. Thanks for writing.

The hunger will eventually return after the honeymoon period ends; for most people this happens anywhere from 6 to 18 months postop. However, the hunger can be controlled with protein, water, and exercise. Stay away from refined carbs because this got most of us in trouble in the first place.

For most sleevers, the root of all regain revolves around slider foods: chips, cookies, crackers, pretzels, and other refined carbohydrates that provide no sense of restriction in our smaller pouches. As long as you abide by a lifelong rule of protein first, you'll minimize the chances of weight regain.

Personally, my food stays down. I was sleeved on April 20 of this year and my food has not come up or vomited. I tolerate mostly every food I've eaten.

Weight loss surgery is a tool, nothing more and nothing less. It works on your stomach, but not your head. Our heads are the body parts that get us into the most trouble when we don't maintain our end of the bargain through proper food choices, water and exercise.