OldMomOf3

Started at 18 bottoms and now wearing an 8-10. Tops xxl and now a large. One of my goals was to be able to wear a large at almost any store and I'm pretty much there. Looking to go smaller but that was just one of my goals.

Started at 18 bottoms and now wearing an 8-10. Tops xxl and now a large. One of my goals was to be able to wear a large at almost any store and I'm pretty much there. Looking to go smaller but that was just one of my goals.

Started at 18 bottoms and now wearing an 8-10. Tops xxl and now a large. One of my goals was to be able to wear a large at almost any store and I'm pretty much there. Looking to go smaller but that was just one of my goals.

I'm 2 days out of surgery and still in hospital w fever and low blood count. I had 2 units in a blood transfusion and I hope to go home tomorrow. Overall I had more gas pain which was absolutely horrible, but less incision pain Bc no port. I can get about 1tablespoon of Fluid down. I am not hungry and I have no appetite whatsoever. I'm bloated w iv fluid and ready to go home. All in all seems like a normal sleeve revision experience except for the blood loss and fever.

Hi all,
I was just thinking we could connect and walk through the next few days together???
In a few hours I will leave the house and head to the hospital for surgery. It has been such a stressful few days that I haven't even been able to think about surgery, or packing, or the hospital. That's proably a good thing.
I'm kind of sad that no one can stay at the hospital with me. My husband has to basically drop me off becuase our kids will need him and the hospital is over an hour away. Since no one knows yet that I am having the surgery we don't have anyone to help us out. I know God is with me so I will not be alone, but I'm still a little worried and sad.
Other than that, I'm ready to do this thing!

Hi all,
I was just thinking we could connect and walk through the next few days together???
In a few hours I will leave the house and head to the hospital for surgery. It has been such a stressful few days that I haven't even been able to think about surgery, or packing, or the hospital. That's proably a good thing.
I'm kind of sad that no one can stay at the hospital with me. My husband has to basically drop me off becuase our kids will need him and the hospital is over an hour away. Since no one knows yet that I am having the surgery we don't have anyone to help us out. I know God is with me so I will not be alone, but I'm still a little worried and sad.
Other than that, I'm ready to do this thing!

I’m looking to get sleeved in a month (insurance pending). When I got the band I only told my husband. No one else knows, not even my kids. I have not regretted that choice. However, I don’t' feel great about not being completely honest. Yes, it is my business and no one needs to know, or has a right to know about my medical decisions. I totally get that and I totally agree. That is why I didn’t tell anyone. I also didn’t care to hear opinions. I didn’t want any negativity or any disparaging remarks.
Nevertheless, my conscience does not sit well with hiding things. For example, when people ask me how I lost the weight, and I reply with, “I ate less and exercised more,” I know I am not being completely honest. While that is true, it is a half-truth. I absolutely never could have lost the weight and kept it off without the band. I don’t think there is anything wrong with keeping your medical choices private. I don’t think there is anything wrong with not telling people. For me, though, I think I am to the point of just wanting to free myself from the burden of keeping it private.
As I ponder telling people about the sleeve, I think I am leaning toward telling AFTER I have the procedure. I don’t owe it to anyone to tell them what I’m doing. I don’t want to hear anyone’s opinion on the matter before I do it. After the procedure I think I will tell people when they ask. I’m not gong to post it on Facebook, but I’ll tell anyone who asks. It has taken me 3 years to get to this place, but I really don’t care what people think. They are going to think it anyway. I can easily defend my choice (not that I need to). I will simply say, “I had health issues that would only be resolved with quick, permanent weight loss. I did what it took and it has been the best decision I have ever made for myself and my family.”
If they don’t like it, then they don’t have to have weight loss surgery.
My family will be supportive, and if they aren’t, I don’t care. My heavy family members might be inspired to have surgery and I would be happy to share with them and support them. My friends are all skinny, so I don’t have to worry about my heavy friends being jealous. Some of my skinny friends will make accidental snarky remarks, but right after that, they will become distracted by the cute new clothes I’m wearing. Other friends will tell me I cheated and took the easy way, and I will remind them that we are all looking for an easier way to lose weight (and then I’ll tell them this wasn’t easy!). I’ll inform them that the doctor didn’t cut off my fat – I still have to eat less and exercise more. There isn’t any magic here. My social circles will gossip – they already do. My workplace won’t care. I’m expecting some of the critical people to really level me with their remarks. I’m ready to respond sweetly, and simply tell them they are entitled to their opinion, but I would prefer their support.
Every day I am more ready to be open about it. I know the surgery is the right thing to do. The decision came with a lot of time, thought and prayer and I have a confident, clear conscience, so their criticism will roll off.

I’m looking to get sleeved in a month (insurance pending). When I got the band I only told my husband. No one else knows, not even my kids. I have not regretted that choice. However, I don’t' feel great about not being completely honest. Yes, it is my business and no one needs to know, or has a right to know about my medical decisions. I totally get that and I totally agree. That is why I didn’t tell anyone. I also didn’t care to hear opinions. I didn’t want any negativity or any disparaging remarks.
Nevertheless, my conscience does not sit well with hiding things. For example, when people ask me how I lost the weight, and I reply with, “I ate less and exercised more,” I know I am not being completely honest. While that is true, it is a half-truth. I absolutely never could have lost the weight and kept it off without the band. I don’t think there is anything wrong with keeping your medical choices private. I don’t think there is anything wrong with not telling people. For me, though, I think I am to the point of just wanting to free myself from the burden of keeping it private.
As I ponder telling people about the sleeve, I think I am leaning toward telling AFTER I have the procedure. I don’t owe it to anyone to tell them what I’m doing. I don’t want to hear anyone’s opinion on the matter before I do it. After the procedure I think I will tell people when they ask. I’m not gong to post it on Facebook, but I’ll tell anyone who asks. It has taken me 3 years to get to this place, but I really don’t care what people think. They are going to think it anyway. I can easily defend my choice (not that I need to). I will simply say, “I had health issues that would only be resolved with quick, permanent weight loss. I did what it took and it has been the best decision I have ever made for myself and my family.”
If they don’t like it, then they don’t have to have weight loss surgery.
My family will be supportive, and if they aren’t, I don’t care. My heavy family members might be inspired to have surgery and I would be happy to share with them and support them. My friends are all skinny, so I don’t have to worry about my heavy friends being jealous. Some of my skinny friends will make accidental snarky remarks, but right after that, they will become distracted by the cute new clothes I’m wearing. Other friends will tell me I cheated and took the easy way, and I will remind them that we are all looking for an easier way to lose weight (and then I’ll tell them this wasn’t easy!). I’ll inform them that the doctor didn’t cut off my fat – I still have to eat less and exercise more. There isn’t any magic here. My social circles will gossip – they already do. My workplace won’t care. I’m expecting some of the critical people to really level me with their remarks. I’m ready to respond sweetly, and simply tell them they are entitled to their opinion, but I would prefer their support.
Every day I am more ready to be open about it. I know the surgery is the right thing to do. The decision came with a lot of time, thought and prayer and I have a confident, clear conscience, so their criticism will roll off.

I'm not sure if i want to wear loose clothing, or a shapper?
Do I want to be free from clothing contact or a little bit fitted to support my "bowl full of jelly" belly.
Do I want to be free moving or a little bound?
Do I want to wear a little sleeper bra or no bra?
I've heard people say they felt better with a pregnancy belt on.
What did you prefer to wear the first few days after surgery?

With the band I lost about 65lbs. My starting weight was 233 and got down to 165. My band slipped and my doctor unbuckled it and then i gained about 25-30lbs weighting for the band to be repositioned and rebuckled (about 3 months). I probably used that time as a "WOOHOO! I can eat what i want phase!" Then lost the 25lbs again until i found out my band had slipped again and my doctor said he could reposition it again but more likely the band will slip again. So i opted for the sleeve. I gain about 20lbs before I had my sleeve because I figured out how to eat around the band so food wouldn't get stuck and i wouldn't be in pain from the pressure of the food on the slipped band. To make a long story short in the last year ( I had the revision January 2014) I've only lost about 20lbs (again). I'm waiting for the day to get beyond this massive plateau!!!

@ a week!!..my chemical blood work was missing so i had to get it done and resubmitted it..

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Thank you everyone for your encouragement! I set the date and it is official Friday, March 20th I will start the journey to a healthy life! I am so excited and anxious for this life changing procedure!!!

So after researching the sleeve for weeks-I have decided to take the plunge and get the procedure! I am so excited...I can barely sleep at night and focus at work!! Since my insurance won't cover this elective surgery I will be paying out of pocket for this procedure (thus I have to wait until March to get my bonus). I am so ready for this next chapter of my life- forever and always healthy in a few months!

I was told i did not weigh enough...but i had all the co morbid conditions...i was denied but not for my weight so i did what was missing and appeal and was approved...

.

Thesuse2000,
Hahahahahah! That's funny!

I've heard talk of rolls of quarters in pockets, ankle weights, heavy clothes/boots, and drinking lots of Water before weigh in. Good luck!

As I approach the 4 month anniversary of my revision, I must say I have NO REGRETS!!! I am so glad I went through the process. I had my band removed and sleeved in one surgery Sept 18, 2014. So far my eating is wonderful and I am loving my sleeve. No stuck foods, no spitting up and when I am full, I am just full. There is no reason to over eat with sleeve, you just have to maintain and eat healthy stay away from junk. Are there temptations...of course because I am a cocktail LOVER LOL! I do have my cocktails but like my foods, I have it in moderation and don't over do it. I feel my body transforming and I so love that feeling of seeing a better looking, none tired, more healthier ME!
To compare the band and the sleeve, there is no comparison. The band I had back in 2006 was not the band for me and I am VERY satisfied with my sleeve. If you are thinking about the sleeve, know that it is the best decision you will give to your health

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I would suggest that you see your doctor about this and ask for a chest x-ray. It may or may not be related to the band. Here is why I'm suggesting it...
My family doctor cautioned me about this type of thing. He said that he has had 2 patients who had an unexplained cough, mainly at night, and who were both banded. The cough was caused by the reflux, which somehow caused the stuff you reflux up to get into the lungs. The result was Fluid in their lungs and an abscess that was causing the cough. One of the patients developed pneumonia also.
So, just to be on the safe side, I'd check into it. Hopefully you will find out you are fine, but best to check on it.

I was banded in September 2012. I have 4.5cc in an 11cc band. I am 5'9. I started out weighing 286 and am down to 236. I work out 5-6 days a week. I believe that a huge part of my success is because of how and what I eat. At the beginning I had some struggles because I kept trying to eat the things I was before. Now I make it a point to always eat my Protein first. Veggies next and THEN (and only then) will I move on to a carb IF I have room (which I normally don't). Protein Shakes after workouts are my saving grace. When you first start eating this way it is difficult because your body still craves the sugar. After a couple of weeks your body adjusts and you feel less hungry between meals. Make sure you are fueling your body appropriately. Keep the protein levels up and you will lose. Also measure yourself, I lost two pant sizes without losing a pound. A belt that once didn't fit me on its biggest notch became too big for me within a 5 lb loss. Don't let the scale defeat you!

I got sick and vomited, just absolutely wreched and wreched. Yes, extremely painful. My doc sent me for an x-ray/swallow thing to check and see if the band had shifted. Fortunately, it had not! Since then he gave me a perscription for Zofran and told me to not throw up again, and to see him if I do. In the past I would have caught every cold and flu that passed by. At this point, 9 months post surgery, I have only been sick that one time. Not even a sniffle. I take B complex, B12 and D3, echenacha (sp?) daily, in liquid form since being banded.

I just wanted to report that my hair IS growing back! Whew!
I was banded June 2012
Started losing hair Sept 2012
A LOT of hair fell out from sept-Nov 2012
*When I say falling out I mean, cleaning hair brush every day, scooping out clumps of hair from shower every day, hair all over sink and bathroom floor, hair all over my clothes and pillow, hair on my car seat, hair on the floor all over the house, and 20-30 strands every time I ran my fingers through my hair. Just all kinds of hair everywhere. All of these things, every day. Normal Hair loss would be a strand here and there, clean brush weekly, a tiny bit in the drain, maybe. For me, the WLS hairloss was easily 20 times the normal hair loss.
1've been having normal hair loss since Deccember.
Feb 2013 I can see hundreds of new hairs, that stand about 1/2 to 1 inch high all over my head. Sometimes it looks funny, sometimes it acts like a root lifter by making my hair poof at the scalp. It is the same color as the rest of my hair.
I started taking bioten in October, but I do not believe it has had any real effect in terms of how fast my hair is growing. Also, since the same thing happened after I gave birth to each of my kiddos, and I was not taking bioten then, I'm concluding that the hair loss/regrowth cycle has simply run it's course.
I hope this encourages any of you who may be concerned about your own hair loss. I think it's somewhat common, it does eventually stop falling out and start growing back. Bioten probalby helps some, but not everyone, but appears to have no ill side effects (but don't rely on me for medical advice, ask your doctor).

I pray everyday.