Downsize Diva

I had to convince my doctor to do it at the same time. He said the risk of leakage was much higher if it was done at the same time. But I explained to him that I know I would not return if he did it in two parts. I fear surgery with a passion and it took every ounce of courage to get the band surgery in 2009. Then the port flipped and tne band slipped and all the weight i lost with the band came back. I begged my doctor to do the band removal and the sleeve ( and repair my hiatal hernia) all at the same time. He finally agreed and I'm so happy he did it.

Hi Zoelifechick, I have Dr. Halmi too. I went into Potomac on July 19th and was discharged on the 21st. First two days were Pure D MISERY but today is a new day and I'm feeling a little more normal every day. Today I went out for a nice long walk. I did make one HUGE MISTAKE. They send you home with what I call a narcotic ball. You have a bag with a plastic ball filled with pain medicine with the tubes running from the bag thru the tubes and steadily into your belly. Well the directions were to wait untill the ball deflates then slowly pull out the tubes which should be in a couple of days. I didn't realize there's two layers to the ball so when the outer layer was completely deflated I pulled out the tubes (don't worry that part doesn't hurt). My curious 16 year old inspected the ball , stabbed it with a knife and a large amount of pain medication was in the center of the ball. There had to be at least 2-3 more days of pain meds in that ball. You can't put the tubes back in once you've pulled them out. Needless to say after about 10 hours the pain monster kicked my butt. Fortunately they send you home with a precription for liquid hydrocodone so the pain monster subsided and all is well. Lesson: DON'T PULL OUT THE STOMACH TUBES UNTIL THE WHOLE BAG IS COMPLETELY DEFLATED!!!!!! On a good note Dr. Halmi was fantastic, I also recieved visits from Dr. Nain, The P.A. Amia, and the other P.A. Renaldo. The repaired my hiatal hernia, removed the lapband and revised it with the Gastric Sleeve. From the 19th to today I'm 14 pounds down. I'm not getting too happy because most of that was from the liquids completely emptying my colon. Now all the pounds from this day forward will be fat . Good Luck Zoelifechick, you have a great Bariatric team. Keep me posted.

PATIENCE Frustrated, You've come this far. You're one fax away from a goal. (one of many goals). Next you will have a few hoops to jump thru for your new surgeon which will consist of you hurrying up to wait. I've been in your shooes. Lapband failed (port flipped and band slipped with a hiatal hernia to boot. Had to get an upper GI, another consult, the insurance coordinator had to declare war on AETNA to approve removal of lapband (step1) get approval for the sleeve (step 2), find surgery date (step 3), go through the whole dietician class program...again=step 4 even though I went thru it already when I got the lap band with the same surgical group and same dietician (its a money thing). Take it one day at a time and keep your eye on the the end results. I had my revision on July 19th and was discharged on the 21st. Had two days of pure D MISERYbut the worst is over and the journey towards a healthier happier me begins. The heathy happier journey for you will be here before you now it.

I can't sleep so I'm up releasing my anxiety on Vertical Sleeve Talk. This is a revision for me. I had the band in Oct 2009 and recently the port flipped and band slipped. I opted to have it remove instead of repaired. My insurance company was gracious enough to approve the Gastric Sleeve. So the clock is ticking and I CAN'T SLEEP!!!! My surgery is scheduled for 7:30 am in Woodbridge VA. It's now past midnight so I can't even have a glass of wine or a tylenol PM. This is horrible. BUT I am soooooo looking forward to this. I bet I won't say that we I wake up in recovery. I've been told I may experience a short period of regret ( that haunting question... What have I gotten my self into) But that should be only temporary. So as SpongeBob Square Pants would say...I ready, I'm ready. I will keep all posted when I'm out of recovery and coherent. (Potomac Hospital rooms have internet access yeah!!) Goodnight all.

As African Americans we are more prone to keloid scars and hypertrophic scars. My sleeve surgery is scheduled for July 19. Any one have any suggestions on how to reduce scarring. (medications, creams, Vitamins etc???)

Hi Jackie, Most of the hair loss problems I am aware of come from having the gastric by pass surgery since it has a significantly higher risk of malabsorption the the gastric sleeve..

Thanks guys, It's getting down to the wire and I'm getting really nervous. 11 days to go. I was told that Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge VA has WIFI and private rooms!!!!! If I'm not completely out of it I will definitely be on the site with updates!!!!

I had my final meeting with the surgeon today. My surgery date (removing lapband and revising to sleeve) on July 19th. My doctor said that there will be a drain tube in place and should be removed right before I am discharged. Has anyone had a drain tube immediately after surgery??? If you did was it to prevent the port incision site problems everyone is discussing???? Had my band since 10/2009 and my port flipped and band slipped. I opted to have it removed and revised to the sleeve instead of repairing the band.

Congratulations Nursedye, I'll be right behind you with my surgery on July 19th. I'm starting my liquid diet tommorrow. So what clear liquids were you drinking for the past 5 days???? How do you feel...is your energy level ok??? Downsize Diva AKA Yvette

Tiffykins is 100% correct. My insurance (Aetna) didn't offer the sleeve in Oct 2009 so at the time my only other option was the band. My port flipped and my band slipped and I now have a hiatal Hernia. Now Aetna allows the sleeve. So I've been approved for the revision but would have been a whole lot happier and healthier if I was given the option to do it right the 1st time with the sleeve. Hang in there and good luck to you.

Hi LucyCat, I was impatient too. I have Aetna and when my insurance coordinator over took over 7 days, I called Aetna myself. Aetnas customer service was able to tell me when the request was put in, what additional information was requested from the coordinator, when the new information was recieved and they also told me I would have a decision within 48 hours. I called to check 24 hours later and was informed by Aetna that my surgery was approved. It's your insurance company so you have every right to ask them questions directly. Keep in mind that all of your records are reviewed by an Aetna medical review commitee so give it just a few more days. I bet you get your answer this week. Good luck.

Hi Kariela, I know my weight because my doctors office requires that I stand on the scale even if I just came by to say hello:) Its standard protocol. All bodies are not created equal. Some are meant to be tiny and some are meant to be amazons. But.........there comes a time when you want to chase your toddler or grand baby and catch them before they put the marble in their mouth or climb up the monkey bars to save them because they're scared to come down alone. I've reached a point in my life where I don't care what other people think (I mean that sincerely). I do care about the quality of my life. I'm 47 going on 48 and there's soooo much left that I want to do or attempt to do and for many of those wants..... excess weight can be a hinderance. I want to complete a marathon. Yes the 26 miler. I know I'll never win one but I sure as hell would like to start one and finish it. I want to learn how to navigate a sail boat. I live near the Potomac River which I have ventured to Kayak on (it was great!!!!) I would now like to get keel boat certified so I can sail down the potomac unassisted.That's just a few of the things on my living life to the fullest list. Kariela .....you're starting on the right foot by doing your research. Ask lots of questions. I made the mistake of not asking enough questions when I got the Lapband in Oct 2009. I lost... then gained ....then got a fill and lost.... then gained again then tried to get another fill but couldn't because my Dr. could not access my port. Was referred for an upper GI an discovered my port flipped and my band shifted. Most of the weight I lost (40lbs of it) is back. If I had known that I would be one of the statistics on the complications list I would not of gotten the Lap Band. One other horrible complication they didn't tell me about is that after you have eaten a meal and it has passed thru the band if you have eaten something upseting or have the stomach flu ...you can NOT throw up. you gag and your stomach cramps up like you cant imagine and since it cant come up it ends up going down the hard way (with a vengence). Now for the good news. I have read many articles and blogs, and reviews on the Gastric Sleeve and so far the majority of what I have found is positive and promising. Malnutrition/malabsorption is not prevalent with the sleeve. The results are fairly fast. Unfortunately it's still fairly new so the researching is still in the works. My doctor has been pretty supportive and I've decided to have the gastric sleeve when he removes the lapband. My date is July 19th. He's also going to repair my hiatal hernia. Like you I am new to this sight and have found the answers to many questions and everyone is really supportive. I hope you find the answers to all of your questions. Yvette aka Downsize Diva http://www.tickerfactory.com/weight-loss/wENolX4/

Good day my soon to be fellow sleevers. I'm scheduled for surgery July 19th. They're removing my failed lapband (Port Flipped and Band Slipped) and converting me to the gastric sleeve. I'm also getting my hiatal hernia repaired. I was concerned about the liquid diet too. Besides being expensive ($150 per week) I found I hate the taste of the Optifast shakes. Has anyone been advised whether or not the costco Premeir shakes are a comparable replacement???? Or any other brand that tastes better. I've had the Premier shakes before and they taste good especially the chocolate. Any advise would be deeply appreciated. PS I have one other silly question. ......What happens to the staples??? I asked my doctor a million and one questions but forgit to ask about the staples. Do they dissolve, does the body absorb them or do they just stay there indifinitely???