sma102205

You're going great, and it shows! Wow! Don't sweat the stalls... they happen to everyone. I've stalled for three months at a time, but eventually the scale starts moving.

Hi peeps! Two questions for everyone if you can answer..
1. I am 14 days post op (band to sleeve revision) and the largest incision is almost healed however the internal tissue surrounding the incision is super hard.. Does the density of that tissue minimize overtime!?
2. I notice many folks are experiencing stalls 3-4 wks out what did you do to overcome it?

Omg so funny you mention sneezing and laughing.. When I sneeze is when I feel the most pain and just try and apply pressure on my left side when I feel a sneeze coming on. yesterday I had to tell my husband to stop making me laugh too!! Thanks for the insight though!

Glad to have a check in source aka fellow June sleevers...
band to sleeve revision Surgery 6/24
HW 265
SW 225
CW 213
No regrets but the recovery time has been much more grueling, slow and emotionally painstaking than the band. I go back to work Monday but am still extremely sore on my left side..convinced I pulled a muscle.. Also still tire easily.. Seems the left side pain diminishes after 3 wks or so, would anyone agree?
Experimenting with foods and have been focusing on Protein Shakes and Soups but can get greens down too.. Also experimenting with a lil bit of juicing. Last two days had some avocado and quickly feel nauseous, though it's soft maybe it's too pastey for me to have just yet..
Idk how some people have been drinking alcohol 1 wk or so out. I had three sips of wine yesterday and combine that with the avocado I wanted to die from feeling overfull. I love my wine and avocados and I know in time I will be able to have both in moderation but as of now I'm terrified to try it again..

@infinite... thanks for the reassurance! funny you should mention lopsided belly or stomach..my stomach is a bit more puckered in where my port used to be and the right side is all bruised and juts out farther.. Im hoping that the puckered/lop sidedness is not due to poor surgical error but instead the swelling.. time will tell
@cowgirl.. you are just a rockstar.. ive learned lots from reading your posts throughout different forums and I appreciate your support and not just for myself but the kindness in sharing your journey with everyone.. I felt like Frankie for a second bc I have 4 new incisions and one of them pretty big right smack in the center.. I know i have to keep my eye on the goal and be patient with the healing but as you said I think it was just a moment of fear of not being successful the second time around.. but I will get there!

Hi Everyone!
First - thank you all for your responses on my previous posts.. everyone has been so reassuring. Much to my surprise I feel like I need even more support going through a Band to sleeve revision (6/24/14) than when I was originally banded. I think part of it is having to go through some of these beginning stages all over again, partly fear of failure, partly dealing with increased physical pain and longer recovery time.
Frankly, it's been much more emotional than I anticipated. I've been having internal dialogue with myself that the pain will subside, the scars will minimize and the swelling will go down and its normal to miss food. I can have these logical conversations but yesterday I had an emotional breakdown after taking a long look at myself in the mirror. Now mind you I'm not one to feel sorry for myself nor throw a pity party but this is the most significant surgery I've had in my life to date and so the healing time is all new to me..
Yesterday I felt like Frankenstein with all the cuts, bruises and swelling..I was feeling tired and overwhelmed..luckily my husband is a great support. Having all this time to be home and think is playing tricks on me but I know this too shall pass..
How long did it take for your stomach bruising and swelling take to go away?

Wow! This entire strand has brought me to tears. I can relate to each of you. I had revision surgery last week on the 25th. I feel swollen as well, I'm so anxious to start losing weight and secretly scared of failing again. The scars are not pretty but when I think about looking at the old scars prior to revion surgery they had faded are were barely noticeable so I'm sure this time will be no different. I'm interested in knowing how weight loss progress goes for you ladies. Its hard to others that have went from band to sleeve....hope its okay if I send ya send request and follow some of your post. I need all the positive feedback I can get. I just keep praying and asking God to give me the patience and strength I need to take it one day at a time and be happy in the moment. I've been using moist heat for the aches and its helped tremendously. Doc gave me liquid hydrocodone but I haven't taken it since Saturday.... Like I said that heat works wonders. I am trying to get back on my walking regimen as quickly as possible.

Thank you goprogurney.. you were right walking did help and the pain dissipated after about 4 days.. Now Im just trying to manage expectations in healing and swelling.. ugh.. it takes time I know..

What are the search words you've used to look up recipes for puréed type foods?

Thanks all for your stories,honesty and encouragement. I am now a week away from surgery and still hopeful but also still vulnerable to the unexpected. My band has been empty for a month now and very rarely are any foods getting stuck. I just need to get thru this surgery and really owe it to myself to take care of me and do my best to make good choices. I know it's only a tool but I just hope it sustains my motivation to take the best care of me for myself and my husband.
I appreciate the heads up on some of the changes and challenges experienced, I wish everyone the best!!!

Everyone is so awesome!!! Thank you for taking the time to read and respond...really means a lot! To answer some questions:
I do consult with a nutritionist once a quarter and do track my food online through WW and mostly stay within points, though Im sure with this plateau I'm probably not tracking EVERYTHING...
As far as food, good point about the bananas and yogurt..I do eat Greek yogurt mostly plain w fresh fruit and almonds and I also eat bananas bc I feel those are the only foods that i can get down without throwing up..oh and hummus too..I can eat small amounts of Protein like chicken, turkey, shrimp etc but most of the time I wind up throwing up bc it gets stuck... You would think after a yr I would be used to taking smaller bites..hahaaa... But bc I can only take about 2 oz of Protein at a time I wind up getting hungry quickly... So on average I need to eat every 3-4 hours.. I can't eat sandwiches for two reasons: if I were to eat any bread the only kind I can get down is flatbread but I don't eat it often bc it will get stuck.. But also a no go bc I can't eat things in layers.. Take a sandwich for ex.. I have to pull it apart eat the meat/protein first, one veggie at a time after that.. Same goes for all my meals, can only one thing at a time bc mixing foods = face in toilet time..
Thanks for the strength training tip.. Will focus on that for a month and see how that goes..
Finally, PCOS is a b***h! Gives me a hard time all around including infertility so right now my body is a big jerk and I hope with some additional nutritional guidance, your support, lots o' patience and even more prayer, hope and faith the needle will move and babies eventually!

Thanks to all for chiming in!! For those who have surgery scheduled this month all the best and please please keep us posted.. For those whom have had success with revision thank you for sharing it is encouraging to hear about your journeys. And for those whom are skeptical of people who use WLS a a crutch.. I see your point but I can only speak for myself and say am I fully in control of my efforts, no..I'm always the first to admit it but the effort I need to put towards any kind of weight loss is 3x more the norm due to my PCOS and after battling this for so long and having that delay things like building a family my BIGGEST demon is to not feel sorry for myself day to day, to not feel like a failure and all I can do is try try try to focus on what I DO have and what I HAVE achieved and hope that in time my body will cooperate..

Thanks to all for chiming in!! For those who have surgery scheduled this month all the best and please please keep us posted.. For those whom have had success with revision thank you for sharing it is encouraging to hear about your journeys. And for those whom are skeptical of people who use WLS a a crutch.. I see your point but I can only speak for myself and say am I fully in control of my efforts, no..I'm always the first to admit it but the effort I need to put towards any kind of weight loss is 3x more the norm due to my PCOS and after battling this for so long and having that delay things like building a family my BIGGEST demon is to not feel sorry for myself day to day, to not feel like a failure and all I can do is try try try to focus on what I DO have and what I HAVE achieved and hope that in time my body will cooperate..

Thanks to all for chiming in!! For those who have surgery scheduled this month all the best and please please keep us posted.. For those whom have had success with revision thank you for sharing it is encouraging to hear about your journeys. And for those whom are skeptical of people who use WLS a a crutch.. I see your point but I can only speak for myself and say am I fully in control of my efforts, no..I'm always the first to admit it but the effort I need to put towards any kind of weight loss is 3x more the norm due to my PCOS and after battling this for so long and having that delay things like building a family my BIGGEST demon is to not feel sorry for myself day to day, to not feel like a failure and all I can do is try try try to focus on what I DO have and what I HAVE achieved and hope that in time my body will cooperate..

Everyone is so awesome!!! Thank you for taking the time to read and respond...really means a lot! To answer some questions:
I do consult with a nutritionist once a quarter and do track my food online through WW and mostly stay within points, though Im sure with this plateau I'm probably not tracking EVERYTHING...
As far as food, good point about the bananas and yogurt..I do eat Greek yogurt mostly plain w fresh fruit and almonds and I also eat bananas bc I feel those are the only foods that i can get down without throwing up..oh and hummus too..I can eat small amounts of Protein like chicken, turkey, shrimp etc but most of the time I wind up throwing up bc it gets stuck... You would think after a yr I would be used to taking smaller bites..hahaaa... But bc I can only take about 2 oz of Protein at a time I wind up getting hungry quickly... So on average I need to eat every 3-4 hours.. I can't eat sandwiches for two reasons: if I were to eat any bread the only kind I can get down is flatbread but I don't eat it often bc it will get stuck.. But also a no go bc I can't eat things in layers.. Take a sandwich for ex.. I have to pull it apart eat the meat/protein first, one veggie at a time after that.. Same goes for all my meals, can only one thing at a time bc mixing foods = face in toilet time..
Thanks for the strength training tip.. Will focus on that for a month and see how that goes..
Finally, PCOS is a b***h! Gives me a hard time all around including infertility so right now my body is a big jerk and I hope with some additional nutritional guidance, your support, lots o' patience and even more prayer, hope and faith the needle will move and babies eventually!

@phatkat..sorry to hear about your struggles and fears! I just logged back in due to needing to take a break..many of the posts were confusing me.. And making me feel worse.. Not much has changed on my end since last August.. I've lost a few more lbs but still can't ingest solid healthy Proteins besides some flaky fish.. Even eggs are a no go.. However I'm looking into sleeve revision surgery and have to do some research..have you looked I to some options like that for yourself? I know it's expensive but I was curious.

Hello all!
It's been awhile since I been on the forums.. Took a break after being banded two years ago. Only experienced 40lb weight loss on band in the two years. I'm tired of relying on slider foods bc Proteins can't be swallowed no matter how many times I chew, no matter how small the bites are. I started talking to my surgeon bout getting the sleeve and while I love him and the staff my gut (haha banded gut) tells me they will do what they can to tell me what I want to hear so they can get more money fm my ins company... He's a reputable doctor but after reading some forums I question his credibility..three questions I'd like to know from anyone:
1. If a revision patient have you been successful in getting to your goal weight, has it been a faster weight loss?
2. Is it true that folks who get a revised sleeve can and do still lose about 60%of excess body weight?
3. They entire staff is telling me when a person gets the sleeve there aRe hormones within your stomach lining that are removed with the procedure that are responsible for feeling hungry..therefore by removing these hormones sleeve patience don't typically feel hungry anymore (while I want to believe that I have yet to,read one sleeve patients testimonial validating that BS),.. Please confirm

Can you consult with another surgeon? He doesn't sound supportive with your situation!

Everyone is so awesome!!! Thank you for taking the time to read and respond...really means a lot! To answer some questions:
I do consult with a nutritionist once a quarter and do track my food online through WW and mostly stay within points, though Im sure with this plateau I'm probably not tracking EVERYTHING...
As far as food, good point about the bananas and yogurt..I do eat Greek yogurt mostly plain w fresh fruit and almonds and I also eat bananas bc I feel those are the only foods that i can get down without throwing up..oh and hummus too..I can eat small amounts of Protein like chicken, turkey, shrimp etc but most of the time I wind up throwing up bc it gets stuck... You would think after a yr I would be used to taking smaller bites..hahaaa... But bc I can only take about 2 oz of Protein at a time I wind up getting hungry quickly... So on average I need to eat every 3-4 hours.. I can't eat sandwiches for two reasons: if I were to eat any bread the only kind I can get down is flatbread but I don't eat it often bc it will get stuck.. But also a no go bc I can't eat things in layers.. Take a sandwich for ex.. I have to pull it apart eat the meat/protein first, one veggie at a time after that.. Same goes for all my meals, can only one thing at a time bc mixing foods = face in toilet time..
Thanks for the strength training tip.. Will focus on that for a month and see how that goes..
Finally, PCOS is a b***h! Gives me a hard time all around including infertility so right now my body is a big jerk and I hope with some additional nutritional guidance, your support, lots o' patience and even more prayer, hope and faith the needle will move and babies eventually!

It's been over a year (5/2012) and I'm "only" 40lbs down... And still have a way to go! I would like to lose a minimum of 70lbs more however I'm not seeing that scale move! I get an adjustment like clockwork every 4wks and the scale will go down about 3-5lbs and either stay steady or regain about that much by the time the nxt adj comes around. I feel restricted and my diet primarily consists of salads, Soups, yogurt, Protein Shakes, chili, fresh fish and veggies...every once in awhile I will have some wine or ice cream (again...periodically).. I exercise 3-4x a week for 30-45 min intense tabata, kickboxing, strength training type regimens buuuut collectively it's NOT WORKING.. I'm really scared and desperate bc I keep thinking I didn't go through this journey of Lapband to only succeed 1/4 of the way! My MD and staff just keep saying workout harder, eat differently and I don't know how to do anymore of both.. My body is clearly stubborn (always has been in weightless w PCOS) and it seems to have adjusted to the band and this is it!! Pleeeease if someone can share if they've had a similar issue and eventually had a breakthrough I would appreciate some ideas and stories of hope!!

It's been over a year (5/2012) and I'm "only" 40lbs down... And still have a way to go! I would like to lose a minimum of 70lbs more however I'm not seeing that scale move! I get an adjustment like clockwork every 4wks and the scale will go down about 3-5lbs and either stay steady or regain about that much by the time the nxt adj comes around. I feel restricted and my diet primarily consists of salads, Soups, yogurt, Protein Shakes, chili, fresh fish and veggies...every once in awhile I will have some wine or ice cream (again...periodically).. I exercise 3-4x a week for 30-45 min intense tabata, kickboxing, strength training type regimens buuuut collectively it's NOT WORKING.. I'm really scared and desperate bc I keep thinking I didn't go through this journey of Lapband to only succeed 1/4 of the way! My MD and staff just keep saying workout harder, eat differently and I don't know how to do anymore of both.. My body is clearly stubborn (always has been in weightless w PCOS) and it seems to have adjusted to the band and this is it!! Pleeeease if someone can share if they've had a similar issue and eventually had a breakthrough I would appreciate some ideas and stories of hope!!

It's been over a year (5/2012) and I'm "only" 40lbs down... And still have a way to go! I would like to lose a minimum of 70lbs more however I'm not seeing that scale move! I get an adjustment like clockwork every 4wks and the scale will go down about 3-5lbs and either stay steady or regain about that much by the time the nxt adj comes around. I feel restricted and my diet primarily consists of salads, Soups, yogurt, Protein Shakes, chili, fresh fish and veggies...every once in awhile I will have some wine or ice cream (again...periodically).. I exercise 3-4x a week for 30-45 min intense tabata, kickboxing, strength training type regimens buuuut collectively it's NOT WORKING.. I'm really scared and desperate bc I keep thinking I didn't go through this journey of Lapband to only succeed 1/4 of the way! My MD and staff just keep saying workout harder, eat differently and I don't know how to do anymore of both.. My body is clearly stubborn (always has been in weightless w PCOS) and it seems to have adjusted to the band and this is it!! Pleeeease if someone can share if they've had a similar issue and eventually had a breakthrough I would appreciate some ideas and stories of hope!!

Eating/drinking ice cream after WLS totally defeats the purpose of having the surgery IMO.

It's great to hear everyone's success as I just posted a similar thread yesterday.. I was banded in May and have only lost 15lbs but also noticed loss of inches.. The slow weight loss is frustrating but I think I need to be adjusted more. but I went to my nutritionist yesterday who reviewed bloodwork that I took a month ago (2.5 months post op at that time) and she said my thyroid THC levels were the highest they've ever been which is quite worrisome and much more frustrating. I'm going to my md nxt wk to see if I need to be put on meds. I'm just hoping to control it ASAP, and hoping by getting that under control will expedite weight loss.

HiI Everyone! So I went to my nutritionist today to ck in and it'll be 3 months since my surgery nxt wk. Ive had a 1cc fill about a month ago and I've lost 10lbs (I was careful to NOT say ONLY 10 lbs bc it's a loss nonetheless!) anywho in reviewing some bloodwork I did about a month ago she said my thyroid is out of control...(hypo).. I'm going back to see the MD nxt wk to see if medication wb required but I've been diagnosed before (2010) as "intermittent hypothyroid" most annoying diagnosis ever.. However THC levels have only gotten worse post surgery.. I read that having surgery, stress and other factors can trigger the hormonal imbalance..
Has anyone else experienced this?
Where you put on meds?
Had surgery to remove thyroid/did it help?
Change of diet?
Any info would be helpful.