Any Lapband to Gastric Sleeve folks here...???

I have a revision from band to sleeve coming up on the 28th and I just want to be prepared as possible.  Any advice, experience, and prayers are greatly appreciated!!!!

 Ohh, me me me! I didn't decide to have my band removed, but it was the best thing that ever happend to me! Ask any questions you have, there are several of us over here who are band to sleeve revisions!

Thanks so much for responding!! I do have a few questions if you don't mind:  How was your recovery? How long was your surgery? Any complications? Time off of work? Hospital stay? How was the weight loss been after the revision? Pain after surgery?  I could probably go on for days but I don't want to overload you...lol, I'm super nervous & scared!!

Thanks again!!

Can I answer too?? 

I can't remember how long my surgery was...only slightly longer than for regular sleevers.

I didn't (and still haven't) had any complications.

I was off of work for a week and a half. My job is somewhat sedentary but does require frequent short walks. I was tired my first week back, but I made it.

I stayed in the hospital 2 nights.

Weight loss has been AMAZING after the revision. If you go through my latest posts, you can see my 1 yr surgiversary post which has my before and now (mind you, that 'before' is after nearly 3 years with my band).

The pain wasn't too bad. I know I must have had pain because I used my pain pump in the hospital pretty regularly, especially the first day, but that kept me comfortable. I slept most of the day right after surgery. Getting in and out of bed was the worst, but again, the pain meds kept me very comfortable. I took pain meds when I got home from the hospital too, but only as needed.

I was super nervous too...I was actually crying when they wheeled me into the OR, but now I am so thankful. This is really the best thing I've ever done for myself. I LOVE my sleeve!

Best,
Lindsey

Sure you can answer...lol, I know AS MANY ANSWERS AS I CAN GET....lol, sounds like you had a good recovery.  I pray that mine is as smooth as yours!

 My recovery was pretty easy, I was in the hospital a little over 24 hours (I was being a brat about drinking, I didn't feel like it and I could not leave until I got 8 ounces in, so it could have been shorter LOL), I don't work so I am no help there BUT I have five kids and my husband left me alone to care for them after two days and it was hard but not horrible. 

My surgery itself was almost two hours long, mostly b/c I had to have a major hiatal hernia repaired and scar tissue fixed from my lap band while I was getting sleeved. I had no complications at all. 

The weight loss has been pretty awesome, I lost 80 lbs with my band (over three years), and have lost 53 lbs since being sleeved on 8/1, I am 23 lbs from goal! 

Life with the sleeve is a whole new ball game from the band, it's easier in every way. It is normal to be scared and nervous, but trust me, you are making a good choice! 

LOL @being a brat about drinking!  I was that way when I had the lapband surgery.  I hope my recovery and experience is as good as yours....thanks so much for sharing!

There are a ton of band to sleeve revision folks on here...including me!

I was experiencing random tightening with my band and never knew what was going to go down or what was going to come back up. Some days I couldn't even drink water.

Anyway, the sleeve is completely different. You get your natural stomach back...only much smaller.  For me it has been far superior than my band.

My revision was a breeze, but there are some things to keep in mind. First of all, sometimes the band has damaged your stomach to an extent that the surgeon may not feel comfortable completing the revision and removal at the same time. Some people may need to let their stomach heal for a few months after the removal. Hopefully this won't apply to you, but if it does, just hang in there and trust your surgeon had a good reason for this.

My removal and revision was done all in one surgery. The first few weeks on the liquid diet were kind of hard, but after that it has been smooth sailing.

Revision people do have a higher risk for leaks than virgin surgeries. I don't say this to scare you,  but just be aware of that and take your food progression after surgery pretty conservatively. You should be fine.

Other than that and the protein first rule, I can't think of anything else that you would need to be prepared for...Well, be prepared for your sleeve to feel much more natural than the band. Be prepared to actually met your goal weight and feel like you can keep it off!

Anyway, very exciting! I can't tell you how much happier I am with that band out of me. I hope you  have a similar experience and I can't wait to hear about all of your success.

Keep us updated,
Lindsey

Thanks Lindsey!!!   I really do appreciate your response.  You gave me wonderful tips and I will definitely be updating you after my surgery if that's ok.  My biggest concern is a leak or something, so yes I am aware of it.  My doc did say if it wasn't safe once he got in that he would only remove the band and do the sleeve in a few months afterwards.  Although I'd prefer to have everything in one surgery...my safety and health is soooo much more important!  Thanks again!

hi there!

Im also going to be having a revision from band to sleeve in the upcoming weeks and i am SO excited!

I am happy to see such positive results and i am well aware that some with revisions tend to lose slower that others who had the sleeve initally. 

I am so happy to have this band removed since it has slipped, creating mass pain in my back, left arm and chest.

:)