I looked at all 5 of the surgeries before deciding on the gastric sleeve. I know a lot about the band, but not from personal experience. I was sleeved July 2011 and at my biggest, weighed 386 pounds.

Based on friends I have who were banded, I think you will find the sleeve easier. I really only have a very few things my tummy no longer likes and those were easy to either give up or work around. If done right, your sleeve removes the stretchy part of your stomach, so the only restriction is that it fills up fast and there is no where for the "extra" amount to go is you over eat. For me that means the "extra" comes back up. Not the whole meal, just the extra.

What can't I eat? I have acid reflux so I've found I can't tolerate red sauce, as in marinara or spagetti sauce. Causes horrible heartburn. And my tummy no longer likes my coffee black. I drank it that way for years, now I have to have at least a little cream. Other than that, I can eat what I want. And that's what makes this, in my opinion, a better solution. I have to make the choice daily to follow a food plan, count my calories and exercise. If I don't do those things the weight stops coming off and it's entirely too possible to regain.

The best advice I can give you is follow your doctor's plan and counsel. Our doctor's are the experts. You've also found a great group of supportive people here on MFP. Lots of good advice, support, and suggestions. And one more thing, everyone's walk on this journey is slightly different. Each doctor does things a little differently. So don't compare what you are doing or not doing to someone else too much. You will find different people at the same stage eating different amounts in calories or protein. We are all on the same journey, but in slightly different ways.

Good luck!

I am a revision surgery patient. My band was placed 5/2006 and It never functioned the way I anticipated. I never found the sweet spot and struggled with overfills and inflammation for the first year then my port would no longer work. I did not have the financial or insurance resources to do anything for several years.

I was finally able to get my revision surgery 5/2012 and have been nothing less than ecstatic about it. I don't think I fall into norm but I felt freed with the removal of my band. I could not eat dense meat or fibrous vegetables with the band but I have zero eating restrictions with the sleeve. I do not suffer from reflux and do not experience any side effects whatsoever since day one post op.

I had my revision and band removal in one surgery and went home same day. My losses have been slower than some but I contribute that to my history, age, and underlying metabolic struggles. I feel completely normal only I can just eat a small amount of healthy food.

I agree it is everything I had hoped for with the band. You will be happy to get tnat thing out.

Good luck and you can message me if you have any questions.

Hi Leanne, I am in the USA, Michigan to be exact. As for your question on how much we can eat and breads, I was sleeved 2+ years ago and as time goes on you can eat more than when first sleeved, but not a lot more. I can eat about 1 cup of food at a time and yes I can eat bread. However, because we are on such high protein diets it is important to eat the protein first, then the veggies. Frankly, once I get the protein in there is very little room for anything else, so I may get a few bites of the vegtable or salad, but rarely have enough room for bread. I do not eat regular sandwhiches very often for that reason. I do make wraps for myself with the small fat free wraps, about 4 oz. of meat and maybe a little lettuce/pickle/tomato/cheese. I find that fills me quite nicely. And like Sarah said, you want to avoid eating until you are full as it can be very uncomfortable.

As to how many meals per day at first it's very small meals 5-6 times a day to get in all the calories and protein. As time goes on it goes back to 3 meals a day and maybe a snack if there are enough calories for it or if I am really low on protein.

Feel free to stay in touch, message me and add me as a friend if you want. Happy to help any way I can.

Steveelea,

I was banded 5/08 and initially got great results for the first 1 yr. losing 69 pounds. I am officially giving it up on 11/26 though after 2 port revisions too and the last one was the final straw - all the ports leaked and I never got good restriction after the 1st year gaining nearly all my weight back.

I do wonder why you are waiting 3 months for the sleeve after the band is removed? My surgeon is removing my band and doing the sleeve at the same time? Granted my band has been empty for over a year so maybe that is the difference?

I am so excited to get my band out but mostly to start my whole sleeve journey - I also wished they did more sleeves when I was considering my band!