Domika03

Sounds like you've done a lot of research. Good for you for doing that, and finding this web site. For the most part, you will really find this website & the wonderful people in here, very helpful. Ask questions, read posts & take it all in.

Please keep us updated on your progress. Wishing you nothing but the best!

It's an awesome feeling & you SHOULD feel great and be proud of yourself! All your hard work is paying off.

Take the time to look in the mirror, and smile!

Don't be so hard on yourself. You're just starting out & it takes some people more time than others to get a work out routine in place. Be proud that you're taking steps to improve your health & lifestyle. Five minutes is better than 0 minutes. Keep working on it, 5 minutes one day, 6 another & just work your way up.

The surgery is definitely a great tool & you have complete control on how successful you can be.

Good luck

Being nervous before any surgery is oh, so normal! But, ask yourself:

• are you really "living" life to the fullest now?
• Are you happy wherever you're at with your health & lifestyle now?
• What led you to make the decision to have the surgery to being with?
• Have things changed to make you question your decision?

No one can tell you if it's the right decision since it's such a personal & life-changing event. Personally speaking, this was the BEST thing i ever did was get the band removed & replaced by the sleeve! I had it done all in 1 surgery. Recovery went well overall. I'm almost 8 weeks out & have no regrets. I do struggle with getting enough fluids & sometimes protein in, but it's all me & has nothing to do with the surgery itself.

Great decision, good luck!

Hi,

I was fortunate enough to lose 90 pounds with my band before the shi* really hit the fan. I consider myself lucky in that aspect. Since being sleeved, I've lost an additional 17 pounds, so I'm actually on maintenance now. I weigh around 138 pounds now.

I'm still getting used to my sleeve & trying to figure out what I can eat & how much of it. It's a work in process.

You know what you need to do, so stay focused, and you'll do just fine.

Good luck!

Thanks so much Lee6Lee, I appreciate your support!

Tough topic to address, but my brother has voiced something similar. My dad passed away at 87 this past May from colon cancer that spread to his lungs. He was quite the tough cookie & pretty much "healthy" up until the very end.

Dad used to take care of mom (take her to Dr appointments all the time (even if she didn't need to go), made her take her meds, etc..). Mom is 85 & has dementia. She recognizes everyone but is just very forgetful & is constantly losing stuff. She doesn't cook, feels she can live on coffee & cookies, or Ensure. She's quite frail but can still get around the house (albeit very slowly). She lives alone now but has a home health care aide that stays with her 5 days a week, 4 hours a day. Her helper is amazing & we adore her. I also help take care of mom. Stop by almost daily, do her shopping & sometimes even cook. I think I'm the only way that can "make" her eat, though very minimally.

After almost 60 years of marriage, mom misses dad terribly (as do we) & doesn't feel like going on some times. She barely eats, only if "I" make something & make her eat. She doesn't want to move into a home either. She barely wants to go outside of the house, so she just exists in the home, waling around day in / day out moving things around over & over again to the point that we are constantly looking for things for her.

My brother & I promised her (and dad) that we would keep her in her home as long as possible because she felt strongly, and quite frankly, they (government) just take all her money & all proceeds from the sale of her home to take care of her. We find that very frustrating because she loses everything.

I digress. My brother feels she is miserable & doesn't want to go on so why should she? It's a very personal, very difficult topic. Why can't we all pass peacefully at, let's say, 90? A good age, hopefully well-lived, and well-loved.

Thanks so much for the advice everyone. I know it's a sensitive subject so I do appreciate it.

It's quite the journey & you'll find how quickly the time goes by. I went from a lap band to a revision to the sleeve (only days ago). It's been quite the experience thus far, and I can't say I have any regrets. Oh, it hasn't been easy, but in the end I feel I did what I thought was right for myself.

I wish you well. Keep us updated on your journey.

Good luck

I think I read some where that 70% of lap band patients have it removed within the first 5 - 6 years.

I had mine done in August of 2012. I started having issues with it in April 2013. I wound up getting an unfill then refill in April, August, Oct then most recently in Dec. where I had 6 cc taken out of my 7cc, Basically, left with hardly any restriction. During these times, it seemed like almost everything I ate made me burp, and several times throw up.

Fast forward, this last time in Dec was awful. I was on vacation in NYC (live in CO), and wound up in the ER for 15 hours. Yup, what a blast. It was confirmed that I had a partial slip, again.

The good news, I suppose, is that I've lost 90 pounds while having the band. I'm at 155-156. The bad news, this is considered "elective" surgery so I'm going to owe about $12-$15K after all is said & done.

I'm scheduled to have my band removed, and a revision to the sleeve this Thursday. I'm quite nervous about not having much of a stomach left. I'm on full liquids starting today. Not liking it! I'm not sure how tomorrow will go at work with full liquids. Trying to stay focused on the big picture, so I don't get hungry.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for posting this. Good to hear all of this.

I'll be going from lap band removal to sleever this Thursday. I had really big pills. With the band, I had to cut all my pills in half. I'm guessing this won't be a problem with the sleeve.

Ok, what's up with that stuffed animal thingy. Funny but goofy

Very happy for you Jim. Keep up the good work!

Gonna have to try that, thanks!

Funny, how we hear that we need to eat more. I love it

Thanks for the tips. Loving the zucchini chips idea. How long do you cook them in the over for? Like 15-20 minutes at 350? Cantalope, yum!!

Appreciate the ideas.

Please keep them coming people!!!

Just got the news! Everything looks NORMAL! ? ! ? ! ?

So, that's the good news, right? So then, what's the discomfort I've been having? Is it my band somehow?

I have my 7 month check up (couldn't make the 6 month check up) on Monday, the 11th. So, I guess I'll see what, if anything they have to say. I might add that yesterday & today I had no pain.

I'm waiting for the Scheduling Dept to call me back. They said I can't ear OR drink before getting the ultrasound. I don't mind the not eating. It's the no drinking I don't like... LOL ... I love my water! Anyway, it doesn't look like they can get me in until Friday at 9:30am. Waiting for final confirmation.

So, I've been having pain in my upper right side, under my rib cage, with back pain, and definitely gas (in the way of burping, thank God). But, it doesn't usually start until after I've eaten in the afternoon then through the evening. I don't wake up in pain though, so I feel good now.

So, if it is my gallbladder, perhaps I'm lucky in that it's not really bad right now. If it's not, I don't know what the heck is wrong. Quite frustrating waiting & not knowing. I am, however, going to see if they can peak at my lapband so I can see what it looks like. Hey, I might as well

So very happy for you. Great job!

I just saw your reply, today. Nice.. ;(

Good idea. But I have an update. I actually now need size 16 clothes!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!

We have a lot alike. I started out at 245 & am now at 184 I was banded 7 months ago. I've been playing around with this weight for about a month & it does get frustrating.

But, if you think about it, you've lost almost 55 pounds! Whoa! That's actually a lot. I'm sure you can see & feel it in your clothes. Remember where you started at, and how you felt.

Look at you now! It's a journey so if it takes a little longer than your original goal, who cares. The point is to keep trying and just take one day at a time. You'll get there! :-)

Good for you!

My hubby suggested a cancer 5K walk. I think that would be great!

You're right... 50% body fat lost doesn't suck, LOL..

Congrats!!

God bless her Arlene

Happy Valentine's Day!

We just had Hospice over their house & we had to talk about some very uncomfortable things; such as when dad can't take care of himself. Who will?

Fortunately, our Hospice team is wonderful. I just can't say enough about the nurses. They're going to arrange it so that dad has nurses check in on him twice a week AND have ...oh, what did they call them, like a nurses aid or something, stop by twice a week (for now) so that they can cook, do laundry, help him with baths, etc... I told them, I can help with that too. But they said, we know you can, but wouldn't it be nice to have help? Gosh, I almost cried, just because of the over-whelming feeling I had inside. Oh, I kept it together. Can't let mom & dad know that I'm stressed out. That doesn't help.

It's a struggle for sure. Your parents are the most amazing people & to see them go down hill is just heart-breaking. You want to do what's right & be there, just like you do for your kids. I swear life is a full circle! I do need to take care of myself, because I need to be there for them. I know the next few months, or year, will be quite challenging.

Heck, I just made myself a protein drink with ... Pure Protein (30 grms), 2 scoops of protein powder (15 grms), 1 scoop flaxseed, cinnamon, greek yogurt (12 grms), and a banana. Quite tasty actually. Of course, I can't drink the whole thing at once, but that gives like 57 grms of protein for the day right there!

Thanks for listening & commenting guys. It means a lot to have some feedback... xoxoxo

I agree, great post.

More importantly, love that you teach about nutrition classes. Good for you!

I hear ya, sometimes it does seem to take "foreverrrrr to go down a simple pound!" I see you right behind me.... :-)