PEvette

I'm 7 months out, and I dont know about the rest of you singles, but I am horny as hell right now! LMAO!!!!! This is the first time in a long time I've felt like this....and I'm upset because I'm single!!! pray for me!

I can eat rice...but about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup in a serving....pizza, I haven't tried yet...I've wanted to, but being single and ordering a pizza, even a small one, and think about eat leftovers forever....it loses its luster, quick!

My acid reflux went away when my doc took the band out....no I dont vomit like the band, and I'm not afraid to eat out anymore....the only time I slime still is when I eat bread, dont know why but I do... I'm like 6.5 months out, but from what I have research if you continue to over eat over and over again, you can stretch your stomach out but not at all like its full size...you have to understand that the sleeve is made with the firmer muscle of the stomach, the stretchy part is removed... I have no regrets having it done....sometimes it amazes me that I really had it done...but not regrets, none at all! good luck in what ever you decide

My experience after revision was much much better than when I had lapband....but that could be because I was so happy to have the damn band out of my body!

Can I get a sleeve with the esophageal dysmotility and inflammation? I too had an inflammed esophagas, the band had caused me to develop it as well as mild acid reflux....so I would ask your doctor could the band be the cause of your problems and would removing it clear it up for you....it did for me, haven't had acid reflux since revision.. Can I qualify for the sleeve (self-pay) with a BMI under 35? Honestly with self-pay, you can get pretty much what you want. I was self-pay for both lapband and my revision...the BMI requirements come in when you are doing it through insurance or if your doctor has personal preferences....I know some people through my support groups who had revision to VSG and they were like 30 pounds from their goal weight with the lapband... My insurance will cover medically necessary band removal, but not weight loss surgery. Any suggestions for getting at least some insurance coverage? Since you are lucky to have band removal covered by your insurance I would suggest letting them pay for the removal, wait 6 weeks then let the doctor to the VSG....so you dont have issues with medical coding.... Is the feeling of fullness with a sleeve really different than the feeling of the band pouch being full? IT IS SO SO DIFFERENT! Sorry for the all caps but it really is different....with the band you could easily over eat just by eating and drinking at the same time....with the sleeve, you physically cant! You are full, I call it Fat full, as in if I eat another bite I will get sick...its just like getting super stuffed with your whole stomach.. Can I go back to eating some of the foods (in small quantities) that I can't eat all now without clogging the band? Yes you can...with the band I could rarely eat salads, and could not eat broccoli and apples at all...with the sleeve I dont have to worry about clogging or sliming when I eat food.... But with that said, some people are different, I know some people who after revision just cant eat beef anymore, just too heavy on the stomach for them....me, I can tolerate everything with my charlie (mysleeve) just cant eat as much of it as before.. Any suggestions for surgeons in Raleigh, NC in case I decide to switch surgeons? SOrry I cant offer suggestions for surgeons there, as I live in Texas, but when you are looking for a revision surgeon, research the number of revisions they have done, whether they were done lap or open (that was a biggie for me) and their complication rate...try to find a doctor who is confident and comfortable with doing revisions....I was self pay and I understood the complications involved, and my doctor was AWESOME, he was confident, literally held my hand through the whole process, I had total faith in God to work through him to allow me to have a complication-free surgery...and I still praise God for leading me to him....I love my doc! Sorry went off topic...lol Anything else I need to know? Any other thoughts? The only other thing I can add is that getting revision saved my life....I started with the lapband at 320 pounds, lost 40 pounds in 6 months and maintained it for a couple of months then gained it back and got up to 339...when I went to see my revision surgoen I was at the end of my rope....I'd developed high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, had 2 knee surgeries, and my back was killing me at 339...and to top it off I had a freaking lapband on my stomach, I was embarassed to tell people I'd had lapband surgery....and like I said, he walked me through it all... I hope I was able to help you out by answering your questions, I remember going through this I was all over the place and this site really helped me realize that I wasnt alone...when I see others come on here seeking direction, I like to pay it forward....

Confessions: 1) I still crave fried foods from time to time, I eat it alittle without guilt (if I eat too much it makes me ill, which I love) 2) In the days I workout I eat more times a day without guilt (I'm working to stop doing that) 3) I still enjoy starbucks coffee when I want, I just plan to drink it on days I workout 4) I still enjoy wine and other spirits without guilt, I just plain to drink it on days I workout 5) I love the fact that I can pass on sweets now, doesnt phase me anymore, esspecially when I've ran out of room in charlie (my sleeve) 6) My support group is my anchor, those ladies and gents I meet with every month have no idea how important they are in keeping me positive and focused on my journey 7) I still love potatoes 8) I still see my pre-sleeve face in the mirror 9) I sometimes forget that I am 5 sizes smaller and pick up some of the old clothes I have to wear 10) When I wash my new clothes I get scared that they've shrunk and I cant wear them anymore....then I put them on and they still fit 11) I rather goto the gym than happy hour with my co-workers

I count it all...because I worked to get every single pound off the body...surgery or not!

that TJ Belguim dark chocolate is the B.O.M.B.com

Yes, I feel Fat Full when I've had enough with the sleeve....I love it! I actually feel full after very little to eat!

I too had dilation in my esphogus....my doc said it would not go away, and the way he made my sleeve I can eat just a little more than the typical sleeve patient because of my dilation.... I also had my lapband unfilled 2 weeks prior to my procedure....I too was self pay because my insurance refused to cover any revision....he told me that I may have to have 2 surgeries but was able to do it in one procedure (which I am thankful) I honestly dont think there is much difference between either waiting or having a all in one....I think it has more to do if you had any major complacations like erosion or abnormal slippage...

Well I had mine done in one procedure....and I'm 6 months post op and have lost 85 pounds with 84 to go.... I think its what you make it....my doc told me that my loss will be slower than the typical VSG patient because I had the band for 7 years, but I'm ok with it...as long as I can work hard to each my ultimate goal!

Well, its the unflavored protien my Dr. Office sells so I have a big thing of it at home....I like it....but its only good when you mix it with something that has flavor otherwise you will taste the protien powder... but overall I like it

I stayed with my aunt the first 2 days out of the hospital...then I came home....I too live alone.... One suggestion I would make is to move items off the floor, because my doctor told me no bending or stooping for 2 weeks, and I tried once and I felt HORRIBLE....so try to move as much as you can off the floor so you dont have to bend or stoop

How much were you suppose to lose???

Yes, everytime something is removed from your body, gallbladder, gallstones, part of your stomach, tissue, etc.....your doctor sends it to pathology to get tested...I too got a bill 1 month after my procedure... If you were self pay you have to pay for it, if your insurance covered your surgery, you need to send the bill to them

totally understand...since surgery, I've fallin in love with dark chocolate..... also thankfully since surgery I can avoid sweets easier than before....if its something I'm not interested in, I refuse to touch it, waste of calories....

I was eating low carb tortillas at 2 months post op....didnt start eating bread until 3 months post op....I prefer whole wheat low carb tortillas

It probably didnt hurt anything...but follow your doctor's plan....just because something didnt happen the first time doesnt mean you cant end up in emergency if you try solid food too early again.... DOnt rush the process.....take it one day at a time, the weeks will fly by

when I was first post-op....the smell of food turned me off, I would have to leave a room because the smell was too awful....

Hey! Those of you in the Houston Area goto http://www.meetup.com and join Houston Area WLS Active Buddies...its a free group that meets atleast once a month to support eachother.... We have interesting and very informative conversations over tea!

Hey! Those of you in the Houston Area goto http://www.meetup.com and join Houston Area WLS Active Buddies...its a free group that meets atleast once a month to support eachother.... We have interesting and very informative conversations over tea!

Hey the pre-op diet is hard....everyone who had to do it can atest to that....just stay focused on what you desire....a healthier life, the first 3 days will be hard, you will hit what I call "the wall" and on day 4 it will become easier.... Just think of the pre-op diet as it getting you ready for the eating stages after the surgery (which it is)

With the sleeve, you have to release your mind from thinking about food all the time...eating out is about socializing with people...not the food...so if you want to spend time with the people, go...if not, then dont go...

I practice yoga on saturday mornings....although I modify the moves for myself, my yoga instructor cheers me on to keep attending because any movement is better than not moving...and she's right...

Oh, ok...well, I was told by my NUT to make the most of this first year, and I will be 6 months post op on December 11th... I've lost 66 pounds since surgery, 81 all together....I'm hoping I can lose the next half of my weight by my birthday, June of next year....it would be an amazing 35th birthday present!! But I read an article today that stated that RNY patients have 1 year to 18 months, but VSG patients may have a shorter period of time because there wasn't any re-routing of the intestines....which lead me to this question... I pray I still have another 6 months to lose big....I've been working my tail off the last 5 months!