Pre surgery Concerns - Band to sleeve in one hit

So looking for some advice. I had lapband surgery in 2010. Had some mild success with it but mostly in the early 2mth period post surgery. Lost about 10-15kg over that period but never found the "sweet spot". I had endless amounts of fill adjustments due to a fluctuating/irritated band. This has made the process very hard and ultimately I have not been able to utilise this tool to help reduce or maintain my weight. Early this year I was diagnosed with gallstones and therefore are scheduled to get my gallbladder out next week. Along with this and with at length consideration I have decided it's best to remove the band and progress to the sleeve as a last resort. We are doing all 3 surgery at once and my band has been empty for several months now. I'm pretty nervous about the surgery, the permanence of the sleeve and if my results will be better with the sleeve.

Essentially and probably like a lot of people on here, I want a long term better quality of life, we want kids, I have PCO and I still want to be able to enjoy a social life that includs been able to eat a meal and have a glass of wine.

So my question is has anyone else been in a similar position and how are they finding the sleeve now?

we're you able to conceive easier?

Has your lifestyle had to change dramatically or is a meal out and wine still ok?

Are foods restrictions better or worst with the sleeve over the band?

Was the multiple surgerys painful and was the recovery longer than anticipated? 

I have a very demanding career and need to make sure my energy levels aren't low? Were your energy higher or lower with a sleeve?

More imprtantly was the weigt loss more achievable and maintainable?

thanks for taking the time to read this and I appreciate and input!

#freakingoutalittle

Hi freakingoutalittle,

To be honest most times I see members posting about getting the band out there is a wait between the two.  Usually surgeons want you to heal before doing the second procedure.  That being said it sounds like your surgeon has decided to do all 3. Is he/she a Weight loss surgeon?

I don't know about conceiving after surgery.  Post this question on the following forum.  And also ask your surgeon.

Pregnancy after Weight Loss Surgery

You need to get it right between your ears before re-arranging your plumbing. One who is facing WLS shouldn't be asking about drinking wine until well after hitting goal.  And then we have to be careful as this is a big issue for us.  Eating out is ok, if you are talking high impact protein and any other items approved by your surgeon. I didn't eat a piece of bread until 18 months after hitting goal.  

Direct your question about restrictions on this forum.  

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum (VSG)

Again post your question and or do a search about multiple procedures on these forums.  

Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forum

LAP-BAND Forum

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum (VSG)

Energy level right after WLS is going to be low, you will need to take some time off. Discuss with your surgeon and post on the VSG forum to reach out to others that have had the VSG.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum (VSG)

Ditto on the next question

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum (VSG)

Good luck to you and keep us posted on how you do.

Regards,

Kathy

Thanks Kathy. Probably smarter to split the question up into more specific forums, but this my first post ever so wasn't sure how best to do it.

i think the intent of my question might of been misunderstood. I haven't had a drink since April when I found out about my gallbladder, so  it's not an issue as such, however been of European background and living in Australia there is a huge social and cultural aspect to sitting down around a table and sharing a meal and bottle of wine. That atmosphere is important to me, my family and friends. The food selections limitations I have dealt with during band surgery. I don't want to drink a bottle of wine 2wks post surgery, I just want to know with time, one day, it's an option.

My surgeon is a general surgeon specialising in weight loss surgery and the head of the weight loss center here in Western Australia. She is the surgeon who did my lapband. So she has travel on this journey for me over the last 7yrs.

Nice to see another Aussie on here!

Hahahaha awesome!

You will be fine having them as one procedure. This is quite a normal thing!

I had my band removed and a DS (sleeve + switch) in one procedure, and unless they find a lot of scar tissue when they get inside yours will be too. My surgeon said there was only a slight chance of the need to do two surgeries (band removal, then the DS/switch depending on what the second procedure us) if the scarring was exceptionally bad. My procedure was still done laparoscopically, and I had quite a lot of scar tissue - but still a 'one and done'. 

I have the DS, so I can't comment on the sleeve alone part, but I am finding the band being gone an absolute godsend. I can eat at a restaurant without scoping out where the bathrooms are so I can go throw up if food gets stuck. The sleeve part of my DS leaves me feeling full with a small serving, but without the hit and miss of the 'stuck' element. With my band, even unfilled, I would have days (especially around my period) where everything I tried to eat got stuck.

My energy levels were low for the first 1-2 months - like you, I have a very demanding job, so this was a rough patch for me. But I'm now five months out and have lost 64lbs (over 50% of my excess weight), am feeling very active and am back at the gym/swimming/snorkelling etc!

Thanks Harrietvane that's really reassuring and helpful! 

The band for me has been a nightmare from the beginning. Ongoing fluctuation and cost me a fortune in fills. Go to gym fine, come home, bands tight and can't drink water. The saga went on and on like a roller coaster.

Glad to hear you managed to get both done atonce, my surgeon will proceed similarly if it's safe to do so once under the knife.

Ok, cool. As long as my energy levels come back and ideally more than I have now that will be good. Just working in construction management I need to always be on the go!

thanks for your feedback! Muchly appreciated!