barbi1281

I'm 5'7 &weigh 261 plus I have a moderate size haiatal hernia. I seen one surgeon who had bad bedside manners so I switched &I see a different one on the 25th. I'm just curious what may work best for me the sleeve or the band...Please Help

Like everyone else - I can't tell you what to do b/c it's a personal choice but I will share my journey/decision with you. Fair warning - this will be long, but as far as I see it, you really should have as much info as possible when making this decision.

When I decided to have WLS a year ago (yep it's been a whole year since I went for it - Surgery was 6 months ago though), I was definitely getting the band. My primary care doctor has the band and it seemed safer and less invasive than the alternatives... now the idea of the needle for fills bothered me a bit b/c I don't like needles but hey I'd rather deal with that then die, right?

I went to the band information seminar and that sealed it for me - as soon as I went through the insurance hoops (i.e. nutrition, psych, etc...) I was getting it done. Now I'm hear on the VSG board so obviously I changed my mind...Here's what did it... About a month before my surgery I started really planning for it - doing whatever research, meal ideas, weight loss statistics, complication rates, etc... I wanted to be 200% ready for anything after my surgery - including not hitting goal or having a complication. As I started really digging I found out some things that bothered me about the band like...

• Weight loss with the band is almost always (there are exceptions) slow and some people never get to a healthy BMI or their goal (maybe the goal/BMI thing happens with sleeve to, but I don't hear about it as much as with the band) - OK not a deal breaker for me b/c I was low BMI, but it was in the back of my mind - I do want to say that in hindsight I'm glad I made this choice - as of today I've hit goal by losing 70 pounds (maybe not a lot to some but I'm between 5'0 & 5'1)... also, I have a surgery buddy who has lost over 100 pounds as has a friend of mine on MFP, and my cousin who is religious about following the healthy guidelines has lost nearly 100 pounds already and her surgery was after mine.
  
• The access port to fill it is right under your skin - Once again, not a deal breaker... they gotta be able to access it right? Only major concern I had is that I am a mommy and I got the skin and stretch marks to prove it (and I had them before I gained weight so I knew they weren't going anywhere) - ultimately I'm planning to have a Tummy Tuck to fix it... well I started to wonder, if this thing is right under my skin and you can sit it a bit when pregnant - what happens when I have my tummy tuck? As well, what happens during the tummy tuck surgery when the pull my skin tight? Is there going to be a problem since I have this port sitting in there?
  
• Band fills - I was thinking you only need them occasionally, so no big deal... well that's not always the case - in the beginning they are quite frequent and if not enough liquid is put in when they do the fill you have to go back for an adjustment, on the same note, if too much is put in you have to go get an adjustment... Did I really want to do this for the rest of my life? Now I will say there was one benefit to being adjustable and that's that you can have all liquid out during pregnancy... I'm trying to get pregnant right now (Doc said it was OK) and I'm worried about getting enough nutrition.
  
• Corn - OK this is petty, I'll admit it but I LOVE corn on the cob... so you're telling me that I may never eat it again b/c it could get stuck??? This alone wouldn't have changed my mind but it irked me a bit. I will come clean and admit that I was in mourning for never again eaten corn as soon as I found that out
  
• Complications over time - I started reading a lot about band revision where people were going from band to VSG or having to have it taken out completely... HUH? This is supposed to stay put - no way they're opening anything back up!! Why are they having revisions? B/c they stretch their pouch and the weight comes back or the band slips, or even worse... erosion - WTF? This think may cut into my stomach later and require major surgery??? And the real kicker is that this risk never goes away as long as the band is there... do I really want to always worry about some complication popping up later? In the words of Sweet Brown - Ain't nobody got time for that! That said, the initial risk (during surgery and the first 45 days) are higher with VSG, but once I get through those days the risk is gone FOREVER! Hmmm easy start but possible long term problems or harder/worried start with no long term complications? For me that was an easy choice considering that part of the reason I was doing this is that I survived asthma with only 1 near death moment for 30 years, but 30 years in I got so sick I didn't expect to meet 31... I was the healthiest person for the 1st 20+ years and then a problem! And here we have the deal breaker!
  

The other things bothered me a bit but I could live with them if the alternative was dying (and I really was that sick)... but really? Possibility for complications forever??? Yeah eff that! I thought about it another week or so and talked to my husband, explaining that my biggest risk from switching is a leak but that risk would be gone in 35 days and then no more risks... Surgery is always a risk - we both know that (I had a total of 4 last year so we know what can go wrong and we know how small the chances are). A little over a week after I really decided to get VSG instead of lap band, I called my surgeon and ileft a message for him that we were switching.

Now I know this is long, but I wanted to share everything...

BTW - I did not even consider bypass b/c I'm low bmi and I was severely lactose intolerant (somehow it went away after my VSG - I don't know why and I'm not asking) - I know what dumping feels like and to hell if I was having a surgery that could make me feel that way b/c my cough drop had too much sugar in it and it was labled sugar free (yes I know someone that actually had that happen with SF Halls)... Plus I like sweets... I'm wasn't fat b/c I ate a whole cake every day (I'd get sick of cake if I did that ) ... I was fat b/c my thyroid sucked and I was HUNGRY.. I actually ate just fine but I ate a lot and my thyroid is an evil psycho .

Ok I'm done taking up your thread . Feel free to come to me with any questions - perfectly willing to offer up any knowledge that I have... I wish you the best of luck no matter what you decide.

Damn girl!!! All this is 5 month???? Huge congrats! Do you work out?

Yep - see the post right above yours for what I do. I also am working in strength training but not consistent with that yet.

Looking great!!! What were your stats on iphone ap & can'tread ur profile.

I'm 5'0, starting weight 194 (bmi 37.9) - today I'm 129.5 (bmi 25.2) so my total lost is 64.5. My goal is 125 but I've started increasing my calories to slow my loss so I can find a sweet spot. I had my surgery on October 16, 2012. I've gone from an 18 to a 2/4 (depending who makes it).

I'm hypothyroid so I've kept my calories extremely low the entire time to account for my slower metabolism - when actively losing I stayed around 500-700 (surgeon ok'd this). Now I'm around 1,000 to slow my losing and I hope to maintain at 1,200. I also try to work out at least 4 days a week - my current endeavor is walking cardio (using a HRM, I maintain a HR of 150 for about an hour by doing brisk walking with a steep incline - I'm doing this b/c I have to build slowly since I had severe asthma and it allows me to tone my legs and butt while doing it).

I am so sorry that you are struggling. Everyone is going to say something different but here's what I found has worked for me... I allow myself a small treat a day and I include it in my food log (I use MyFitnessPal - feel free to friend me barbi1281). I've done this pretty much the whole time to keep from feeling deprived or wondering what would happen if I ever had sugar again. By doing this I feel that I haven't felt the need to binge on junk at all.

Also, when I feel like I'm not doing so well (whether it be weight loss or just eating bad in general), I start making it a point to track my food... I've found that if I know what's going into my mouth before I eat it, I often realize it's not worth it and if I just can't help myself then I go work out.

I know it's hard but don't be discouraged... you are more than halfway there! It's all downhill from here and what you've lost is incredible. You can do this, just don't give up on yourself and don't punish yourself if you mess up. If you don't do it already, I recommend you start taking progress pics so you can really see how far you've come - sometimes when all else fails, my pictures motivate me.

Keep your head up dear. Hugs!!

When I was two months out and wanted a diet soda I shook it a few times and then poured it from up high over lots of ice. Wasn't the best tasting thing but filled a need for me. I'm 5 months out and I drink regular diet soda now... my doc says its ok (I had no ulcer issues and healed well) and I'm close to goal. Just be careful, check with your doc, and don't EVER transition to non-diet.

Thanks everyone!

BTW - I like my new little butt too LOL My husband called it a heart this morning :wub:

I've got a little more work but I am still insanely proud and thankful for my surgeon and modern science!

Thanks!! I'd do it again in a second!

I'm 5 pounds from goal... 5 months out. Here are my progress pigcs

I use Fat Free Miracle Whip

I stalled at 3 weeks... don't worry about that. As for pureed protein...

Greek Yogurt! - If you try a brand and don't like it, try another. I love Chobani and Oikos but can't stand a few others.

PB2 - YUM Peanut Butter enjoyment without the fat

Campbell's chunky split pea Soup pureed (really is delicious pureed) and add Protein powder

Google ricotta bake - heard it's delicious but still haven't tried it

Protein pudding - I make a box of sugar-free pudding with skim milk and a scoop or two of protein powder

tuna with fat free mayo (if you're allowed) - I know a lot of people are allowed this on purees so check

Egg salad - chop egg whites really small, use fat free mayo and mustard

I'll post again if I think of more but those are right off the top of my head .

Good luck!

Everyone is different so talk to your doc. I was allowed any kind of Soup as long as there were no chunks a few days post op so I did split pea and blended until smooth... it really helped. Greek yogurt has been my best friend too. Def talk to you doc though b/c I moved on to whatever I could tolerate in a week but it was because of how well I was healing... in the end it's going to depend on how you personally are healing.

My first two weeks I was up off and on because when I turned over it hurt - I took pain meds at bed and slept on the couch to keep me from moving. A few months in I had insomnia and woke up every night in the middle of the night - it lasted about a month and a half and went away on it's own. I got a sleep aid from my primary care but it triggered my Migraines so I left it alone. Best advice I was given is squeeze in naps where you can - even a short one works wonders for your brain.

Thanks! The wait is killing me... I'm still starving almost all the time and it seems that I can eat more. I'm really hoping that a baby is the culprit because eating this much scares me otherwise.

Has anyone else had this problem... I'm 5 months post op and have received the blessing from all doctors to get pregnant. My husband and I have begun trying and hope/think we may have already been successful (waiting for enough time to pass to test). We started trying Friday the 1st (which was during my fertility window) and for the last few days I have been STARVING! Did any of you find that you were hungrier when pregnant? Does it calm down?

barbi1281

hey hey hey girlfriend

hot tamale

lookin' terrific!!!!!

"expect the worse, hope for the best"

you thought it would take a longer time period to lose the majority of your weight

but you were pleasantly surprised by loosing quicker

for allll, see what can happen if you are not "expecting" to loose the weight overnight...

good for you

keep up the great work

congrats

You are 200% right! I went into all of this eyes wide open prepared for the worst and hoping! When I had surgery, I informed my family of all of the possible complications and we planned for them but hoped I'd be fortunate. Post-op, I counted my 45 days until I was in the safety zone but we planned for that time as well because we knew anything could happen!

Only thing I didn't expect was my daughter knocking on my door in the morning to borrow my clothes .

congrats!!! You do look awesome! I am almost 4 wks post op. this past week I have been up and down on the scales. I need to learn not to get on the scale except on mondays and call it good. Monday I get to start soft foods and can't wait. I cant wait to share my before and after story.

Don't worry about the initial ups and downs... I was like that too and I was devastated! I was sure that I'd had most of my stomach removed to just fail AGAIN and I was never going to lose weight! I hit my first stall 2 or 3 weeks in and it lasted 2 weeks with a gain! During that time I started just paying attention to clothes and how they fit and how I felt. Now I do weigh every day but it's more to keep myself accountable and to look at patterns. I only actually record my weight once a week though and even if I weigh less the day before weigh-in, I don't count it... I always count it the same day/same relative time to keep me honest. You will get there!

I will be perfectly honest with you and everyone else though - even though I may take some heat ... My biggest secret was to not deprive myself. What I mean by this is I never said I can't have something... I said I can only have a tiny amount. Since I was approved for solid foods, I've eaten chocolate but no more than a kiss or a miniature a day. This for me took at lot of stress off of the worrying about what happens when I hit goal and I want to be "normal" again. Good luck!!

You must be on cloud 9! How amazing! how tall are you?

Thanks! I'm thrilled... I don't see myself as thin normally so doing this comparison really made my day! I'm 5'0 and right now I'm wearing between a 4 and a 6. I can fit some 2's depending on who makes them/stretch level. Today's outfit is a small tank, small sweater, and a size 2 skirt (it has stretch in the body but it zips normally). When I was at my biggest I was an 18

i need to get to vickis! LOL...im 9 months out. Started at 232 at day of surgery. I am now 153. which is the surgeons projection for my one year mark. I dont have any curves (i have a fake it til u make it body for special days hahahah) so the goal is 125. not too far away!!

BTW i had a 3 month stall when i lost 60 lbs at 4 months out...started losing again in November.

Thanks for the info about the stall at 60... That's good to know in case it happens! As for Vickys - definitely worth the money... I've got natural hips but I nursed two babies so between that and weight loss I definitely need a boost and the extra padding is definitely appreciated too

OMG you look freaking awesome!

Thank you!

Amazing!!!!! Great Job!!! I too am around the 4 month mark... I've lost about 53 lbs so far and am so happy!!!

Great job! Keep workin it!

you frickin go girl!!!!! yessssss........im clapping for u over here (you didnt lose your boobs)

Keep rocking!!!

Thanks! I lost some but nothing that Vicki can't fix . Funny thing is when you're thinner you need less up there anyway.

I just wanted to update everyone! This has happened so much better and faster than I (or anyone in my world) ever expected . I had my sleeve done on October 16, 2012. I was low BMI but hypothyroid so this should have taken longer but I'm so close to goal that I can taste it. I started at 194 with a goal of 115. My goal has since been revised to 120-125 as I've taken into account my short curvy body type. That said, as of this morning I weigh 134.8... I need to reach 128 to be a normal BMI and I know I'm almost there! I've posted a pic showing me today as well as my highest weight which was right before my Hypothyroidism was diagnosed (first pic) and my weight a few months before surgery (middle pic).

I started losing very early... about 2 weeks out if I remember correctly. I'm almost 4 months out now. I don't chemically treat my hair at all and I've been taking Biotin since a week post-op. I think everyone is different and I've lost weight very quickly (for a low BMI person) so that's probably where mine comes from. I imagine the Hair loss will stop eventually ... or I'll go super short (I was growing mine out too).

I'm mixed and I've lost a ton. I take Biotin religiously and I use Nioxin... seems like a lost cause but I keep trying. Right now I wear my hair curly because it hides the thinning more... but I also have a stock of wigs and I joke around with coworkers about wanting to switch it up when I wear them (they don't know that I had surgery). Sometimes the Hair loss gets me down, but then I remind myself that it's a small price to pay for where I am now.

I had less to lose so RNY seemed to dramatic for me. As well I was (that's another story) lactose intolerant and dumping supposedly feels similar to how I feel when I have milk and to be frank - I hate that feeling . It's horrible and I feel like death and I didn't want to chance that happening. Lastly, I already had several Vitamin issues and didn't want to make them worse. I've also read that's easier to stretch a RNY pouch than it is to stretch the sleeve - I don't know the data on this but I have read it a few places and I do know of two people who've stretched their RNY pouches - one gained back all the weight and the other didn't.