kuntrystrong

I use the root booster, the shampoo and the conditiner. All are stage 1. I got them from Ulta and actually lucked out because they had some on mark down because Nioxin changed their bottles. I also use a scalp therapy. I was told by my doctor that protien intake didnt matter with your hair. I don't know if this is true, but I am also taking Biotin daily. The shampoo and scalp conditioner are working out well for my hair. I was afraid it would not have enough conditioner in it, but it works.

Thank you everyone, I think I will look into the medication. Thank you andersonlj.. I had wondered why they didn't take it out with the operation if it was going to have to come out anyway. I don't know what changes you have to make after gall bladder surgery, but I would prefer to keep any organ that I can. I am glad it is not a major surgery. I did have a friend who waited too long and it turned into a 6 day hospital stay. She said her back hurt for days. It infected other organs somehow. Again, thank you for answering my question.

I was told that several people have to have their gall bladder removed after sleeve surgery. I am only 2 weeks post-op but wonder if there is a way to prevent this. Has anyone had to have the surgery? How long after your surgery? Do you know what caused the gall bladder to fail?

I had a band sleeve revision on Dec. 30th. They did a scope back in November to see if there was erosion. They said they really didnt see any but would know more after they got in there. They had warned me that if there was too much scar tissue it might be a two phase surgery. One to remove the band, and the other to do the sleeve. My Dr. (Dr. David Kim) was able to do it all in one surgery. I found out a week later that I actually had a hernia on my stomach where the band was and one starting where my port was. (It had been replaced less than a year after my origional surgery). He repaired both and put a piece of mesh on my left side to prevent a hernia where that one was starting. I spent two nights in the hospital- had 8 days off work and returned. I am a teacher and can do low activity when needed. I was not able to have it done during my two weeks off at Christmas, and had to take the following week off. I am doing fine. Sticking to my diet...trying to remember to get my Water in and excercising. I don't know if I had erosion or not. They never did a swallow test on me at the hospital, just a scope. (prior to surgery)

They had me do the scope about three weeks Pre-op, but they said that it only showed what was on the inside. The outside was where the scar tissue was. It was actually looped over and grown into other organs with scar tissue. I think me having it for almost 10 years and it being a smaller band both had a negative effect. I am glad they got it all done in one surgery. Some people have to do it in stages.

I've just been using it for two weeks, but I haven't lost hair yet. It did help last time, and FYI there is no smell to it. I plan on ordering another bottle so I can start doubling up soon.

Thank you, I am at a week today. Getting down liquids, but hardly any protien. Maybe 1 shake per day. Jello, 1/2 juice and 1/2 Water, popsicles, and veg. broth are my main intake. It is wierd because I feel like I could eat anything I wanted. Nothing even stops-but I guess that's because its liquids. I had six days of migraines due to either morphine, nausia medicine or just my body adjusting. Today all seems to be improving. I go Monday to get staples removed and for check up. Then back to work on Tuesday.

Just sleeved on Dec. 30th. The Dr's office told us to chew our foot to a puree and always put down your fork. I am always the last one done eating, because I eat slow regardless. I hope with a smaller plate, I will be about the same speed with fewer food. It does bother me about the not drinking during means. That is going to be difficult for me. I know someone who was sleeved about 2 months ago and when they go out to eat, they have to tell the waitress several times to not bring any water out. This kind of bothered me as someone who doesnt like to stand out, sooooo I figured I would just order a diet coke. I can not stand the taste of diet coke...it repulses me. It will just have to sit there because I will not even be tempted.

Hi. I just had the sleeve surgery on Dec. 30th, but I suffered the same hair Loss problem when I had the band in 2002. A friend and hairdresser told me about Nioxin. It is the bionutrient protectives treatment. (used for chemically enhanced hair and scalp treatment for early stages of thin looking hair). This stuff boosted my hair growth and I am already using it as a proactive treatment for this time. I purchased it on the internet. It is a liquid that you pump onto your scalp right after you shampoo. I even do it on days that I don't shampoo my hair. Worked for me : )

Hi, sorry to hear about your families disapproval of this. I am actually a widow of 9 years now with two beautiful girls. After a double fusion and another bulging disk, I decided that I had no choice but to have the surgery. I have a very small family, and my mother died in May at age 65 and at around 350lbs. My grandmother was 67 and in same condition. Both were under 5' tall. My girls were scared, but they knew that I would not do anything unless I felt like it was safe enough. I however was still scared. What bothered me the most of all was the principal at the school that I worked and a few of the teachers were continually voicing their negative opinions about it. My principal had a niece who had it done and told a different horror story every time I saw her. I took off a week and the next monday and I will return on Tuesday. Hopefully I will just stay in my own room for a couple of weeks to avoid negative energy which is not needed. I wish you the best, and remember that you are doing this for YOU!

Hi, this may be a silly question but is there any idea how leaks actually happen. My surgery was Dec. 30th and I passed the leak test, but I am still scared to death of a leak. Is there anything you can do to keep from getting them? How do you know that you have one? I don't understand the J tube thing either. I am glad you are both better, I appreciate any help on these.

I had my surgery on Dec. 30th, 2011. Prior to the surgery my Dr. had told me that there is a chance that once he gets in there he may find too much scar tissue from the old band. My band was put in back in 2002 and it was the small band which is no longer offered. I had many slippages and problems with the band until they finally removed all Fluid from the and in 2005 which still left me with occasional restriction. Surgery. I was scheduled at 3:00 (If you are a hard stick because of lack of good veins..please request the first surgery of the day.) It took about 6 people working on me to find a vein because by then I was dehydrated and my impossible veins were not cooperating. I than waiting longer and went into surgery around 4:30. Once I came out of surgery I wansn't in recovery long when they took me to my room and I remember being asked to move from the recovery bed to my hospital room bed. The pain was very present on my left side. Once I was there in bed they began to get me comfortable. I have learned by reading other post that everyone has different experiences. There is no play by play on what to expect after surgery. My personal problem was nausia. We finally figured out that the drug they gave me for nausia was actually making me nausiated. They then changed me to phentegrin and put a patch behind my ear. the Dr. had told my daughter that it was a difficult surgery and there was a lot of scar tissue. Because of this, I had to be on the clear liquid diet for three weeks...not the normal two. I was given the leak test the next day and I had passed it. At the hospital I tried to get down Water, but would get sick-so they took it away. I then faught and faught with nausia for another day. I had planned on being in the hospital for three days, but on the second day-the hospital seemed rushed to get me out. Since I was keeping down water at that point, I was dismissed. the smell of anything else made me very sick.

Hope it all went well. I am 5 days post Op. I expected the pain to be worse but I only took one dose of pain medicine and since it didnt really work-I have not taken anyting. Hope your recovery goes well.

Broth- before surgery it was doable for me. After surgery-Yuck. I ended up draining broth from soups too- just go for lower sodium soups because most juices from those soups are so salty they are impossible to drink. My taste buds were totally off for about 3 days. Still can't handle broth.

Hi, Glad to hear you are OK now. That must be stressful to have. I have had one or two panic attacks in my life and they alone are scary. I was sleeved on 12-30-11 (happy new year gift to me) I have slow thyroid and I have to wait a few weeks and then go get that checked out to get back on my meds. No surgery needed, but it does slow weight loss a lot. Take Care : )

Oh and for the hair loss. When I had my band done 10 years ago, I found a great product that helped out A LOT. it is called NIOXIN. Bionutrient protectives treatment. For clenically enhanced hair, scalp treatment for Early Stages of Thin Looking Hair. Also hit Biotin 5K mg per day. Hopefully this will help.

Since I had the band, I had to eat slowly anyway. I was always the last one finished at our table, but often overate anyway. Now I might actually finish with everyne else since my portions will be that much smaller. I like the idea of putting your fork down between bites- a held fork is just a shovel when held continually. Still on liquid diet, I am ready for the day I get to start solids, but I will have to wait. (5 days post op) Thank you for your encouraging post. You Go Girl!

I don't know how much this helps but I actually found a picture of a womans before and after shot in the photo's that was my same weight at the beginning. She actually made it lower than my origional goal was. I am only 5 days post op and I have three copies of that womans picture (no head shot) to encourage me at the BIG Picture ( or I guess I should say Smaller picture) that I am heading towards. As soon as my belly goes down from excessive swelling from revisional surgery, I plan on making my own pictures- just have to find a bikini big enough to start. I am a very visual person. I can't see my size while looking in a mirror, but show me a picture of myself and I am totally "shocked" at how big I let my self get. Start looking at the big picture of where your headed when those urges come up. Find a picture of someone close to your size in the before and after pictures and try my visual methos. I have one on my refrigerator, my bathroom mirror and in my purse. The thought of borrowing my daughters clothing is exciting. Even if I don't get to that point, I will be so much healthier and happier.

I had to common 2nd day after surgery.. OMG " what have I done?" thought. Your post was Very helpful to me becuase I can see where this would be something that I would go through. At this point...only 5 days post op- I have no idea what I can or can not eat once I start solids. I will say that I know I will miss bread because I heard it is harder to digest. I have to be on a three week clear liquids becuse of my revision and excessive scar tissue. The bad thing is that I feel like I could eat what ever I wanted right now. Holding back is difficult but very important to prevent leaks for me. This makes it hard. I already resent that I have more time on clear liquids than most people. I would love to start mushy foods in another week, not two. But I have to get in the mindset of the whold "Life Change" on eating habbits. I hope to start attending a support group soon, as I think this well help give me the encouragement that I need. Thanks for your post.

Hello Dec. Sleevers, I had a revision from band to sleeve done on Dec. 30th. I am now on the clear liquid diet for 3 weeks because of all the scar tissue from the band removal. I am experiencing horrible migraine headaches, I suspect that they stem from the medicine used at the hospital. I would love suggestions on what to eat.. I was so looking forward to not having to do the clear liquid diet for more than a week, but unfortunately that is not the case. Liquids are going down well, but I can't stand the powdered drinks or the protien shots. My taste buds have totally changed and they just taste horrible to me. Any suggestions?

I am glad to hear that you are doing so well. I had only planned on taking off 10 days from work. Hope to be doing as good as both of you. Way to Go! I usually loose weight in my back first. That does not change pant or shirt size for awhile. keep it up

Glad to hear your post and success. I am scheduled for Dec. 30th. I only took off work the next week and hope that I will be able to return to work in 8 days. Don't know how realistic that is. I am a 5th grade teacher and can sit, stand, and walk as needed. If I do not feel like I can return, I will take a few extra days. Hopefully not. I am just so ready to be off of this sweet protien diet and have non-sweet liquids- I can't stand it. Doing this at Christmas time... probably not the smartest time of the year but I figure all of those people who put on 10 pounds during the holidays and have to start dieting come Jan 1st will be envious of me. LOL

I am in the same boat. I had to have all Fluid removed from band and I still have restrictions. I was banded in 2002 with a small size band which is no longer available. I had several slippings and a port that was flipped. I lost at first, but I was afraid I was going to loose my esophogas from spitting up so much. I was told that I produce way too much saliva for the band to work properly. (Good for teeth, Band for Band). I am scared as well. I am a widow so my fears are a little higher due to that. I lost my mother in May of this year. She was only 65 and weighed around 340 at 5'2". She had had double knee surgery, broke her femur and was wheel chair bound due to a bad surgery from broken femur. My grandmother was equal in size to my mother and died at 67 years old. I REFUSE to let this happen to me. I am 46 with two beautiful girls that I want to have many more years with. As scary as surgery is for me.. checking out of this world in 20 years is equally scary. I feel like if they said I needed heart surgery to live longer... I would pretty much say.. Do it today! I survived back surgery twice within the past year and a half. I can survive this and so can YOU. I have only been on here a couple of days now and I have seen many stories. Don't ask for bad stories- ask for the good ones. Everyone is very different I have seen. Some are great in 3 days... some in 7... some in 9. No ONE has said they were DEAD yet. LOL I am always expecting the worst and I want to be aware of what can happen- but after reading some of the post-I see that there is no Black and White about the sleeve revision. It is all different. We are all different and react different. I am just glad to be getting this dang band out! Dec. 30th- New year... New Life....

I got my lap band in 2002 and the doctor installed the smaller band. (Dr. Beinevidas, TX) They had two sizes then and used the smaller size if you were under 40 BMI. I was just at 39 and after surgery I ended up in the hospital for a week because of swelling that did not allow me to get Water down. I am hoping that the smaller band has not done extensive scaring or overlapping. I am having revision done on Dec. 30th and the Dr. Kim said that if there was a lot of scar tissue that I might have a two part surgery. Their office said that this was not common but I should be aware of it. Has anyone gone into surgery for revision and told that it had to be done in a two step process because of scar tissue? I had the EGD but they said nothing could be determined until they are in there. Are there any out there with the smaller band?

I got my band in 2002. They put the small band in. Now they don't even offer the small band because of it's inability to adjust as much as the regular band. I have suffered for 9 years and I can't imagine getting to the table and hearing that you need to wait. On the positive side- it does show that the hospital and doctor cares enough about your health to make sure that THIS surgery is 100% effective. Obviously the last one was not. If we could do it all over again-and have a successful surgery to begin with that gave us what we wanted....we would all wait a few weeks. Don't give up-I agree it is not an optional surgery, but they say... "The Doctor knows Best".