Fixerupper

I got a tiny little strainer from bed bath and beyond in the beginning and used it to strain soups, yogurts, and other things.

Okay. I really don't understand why people who tell make this about shame or pride for the rest of us and I really think you should stop making assumptions about other people's feelings. I told no one about my surgery other than my husband and my children. Initially I told my Mom, Dad, and Sister. I come from a family of lawyers so they all went immediately into protective mode. My sister wanted the name of the anesthesiologist so that she could access her law enforcement database and run a background check on him. My mother wanted to fly in to meet with the doctor and both my parents wanted to look into whether he had been sued before. I didn't need all that anxiety and stress so I told them I changed my mind. I told them three months post-op that I had the surgery. I don't share a lot of personal things with my co-workers because that is what they are, not my friends, and we are all professionals. Why in the world would I engage in discussions that might be controversial at work??? I don't do it about politics or religion; why would I do it about something as personal as my health? Do my co-workers need to know that I may be a little tired or bitchy today because I am on my period? No. That is an inappropriate conversation for work. I am not ashamed of having a period for goodness sakes! It's just none of their business. Should I tell them I have green slime coming out of my nose because I have a sinus infection? Gross, no. But, I am not ashamed to have a sinus infection. Should I tell them when I have the runs because of a stomach bug? No. It's not professional. It has nothing to do with shame. There is another big reason that I don't tell most people about WLS. I had an amazing and fantastic recovery. I literally had surgery on a Thursday and I was in the office on Monday. I do not want everyone thinking that their experience will be like mine and running out to do this. The decision to have WLS is a highly personal one. Most of us come to it after a lot of reflection and research. Once people become interested in surgery as a way to control their weight they will do the research and come to their own decision. A couple of co-workers who were either struggling with their own weight and resulting medical problems or have family members who struggle have come to me privately in my office to ask about my weight loss. I have been open with those couple of people and they have not shared it with others to my knowledge. If they have so be it. I knew that once I told another person there was no controlling the information. Maybe those of you proclaiming that the rest of us are ashamed are projecting and the shame is really something you have been dealing with all of your life and this is just the latest expression of it. But, I will step back and not attempt to psychoanalyze you or assign feelings to you. I have never been ashamed and my weight has never held me back from doing anything I wanted to do. I promised myself when I had kids that weight was my issue not theirs. If they wanted to swim then darn it I was putting on a swim suit and going swimming. Perhaps those of you accusing others of shame do not realize that it is offensive. I'm telling you it is.

This just made me realize I don't do it anymore. Used to have them a lot. I'm five months out now.

For me. Like it never even happened.

Yep. I can. I try hard as hell not to but I can.

I am so glad you are on the mend! Don't worry that Fluid weight comes off quickly!

Of Course! I remember the misery very well. Keep me posted!

There are a lot of us revisioners / conversions here! Welcome! My band was removed due to "band intolerance". I had mine for five years and lost a whole 28 pounds! I have had my sleeve for five months and I have lost an additional 62 pounds! I was throwing up multiple times a day and could not eat normal healthy foods. I had to survive on sliders. This went on for five years because my band doctor wouldn't do anything about it. I went to a new program and a new surgeon. Right away they said "You have to get this band out quickly". I had vitamin deficiency, and gastritis and esophagitis (identified through a scope). There was nothing wrong with my band per se but it and my body just did not get along. Docs tried unfilling the band as well as meds for acid and calming/healing the stomach. Nothing worked. I was swollen inside because my body didn't like the band so having it unfilled made no difference. The doc also said that the constant vomiting would eventually lead to barrett's esophogous ( a pre-cancerous condition) and that I could eventually be dealing with repeated pneumonia. Once we had this info my insurance approved me almost immediately as a medically necessary procedure. Hopefully some others will chime in here that had removal due to band failure or mechanical failure vs intolerance. Do a search here on the boards. There is a section specifically dedicated to band to sleeve revisions. Good luck with your appointment!

Many of us have been where you are. On the bright side it sounds like you have not had any physical complications. It is so hard to find ways other than food for dealing with our emotions. I missed the ability to turn to food in those times. Things will get much much better and before you know it you will adjust to this new normal. Please hang in there. We're here to support you.

This can also be how a gallbladder attack feels so keep an eye on it if you still have yours.

YES!!! Love the way I look but even more appreciate all the things I can do!

I am African American and keloiding is more common. It happened to me with my lap band surgery five years ago and the scars have gotten better but are still quite noticeable. My surgeon tried to revise them a little when he did my sleeve but they are still quite noticeable. I am five months out.

I totally agree. I remember one of the questions in the psych eval being "Do you think being an ideal weight will solve all of your problems?" or something to that effect. It doesn't. Being overweight can exacerbate self esteem issues but most of us have them to some extent. The fat going away doesn't make those issues go away. We just find something else to pick on ourselves about. This person has been through a lot lately (death of her mother, bankruptcy etc.) so I felt no need to pile on to what I knew she must already be feeling. Thanks PGee. This has been a long journey for me five years with a lap band first (28 pounds off with that) and now my sleeve which I LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Hi. I'm sorry you are having such a frustrating experience. We tend to think of reflux problems as merely annoying but they are much more than that. I was throwing up multiple times a day for five years. I did go to my lap band doctor but when he couldn't or wouldn't do anything I just gave up. Finally, after five years of misery I decided to pursue a conversion with a different surgeon through a different program. They had me scoped. Turns out the constant reflux was irritating my stomach and esophageal lining to the point of causing esophagitis and gastritis. They tried completely un-filling my band and putting me on meds to heal the stomach lining and reduce acid. It didn't work. The reflux persisted. Docs told me I could develop a precancerous condition and also lose my gag reflex which could lead to pneumonia infections and even possibly death. They also sent me for barium swallows (I had had at least 4 before) this time they found a hiatal hernia that needed repair as well. Once we had this information my surgeon wrote it up as medically necessary and my insurance approved me almost immediately. I don't say any of this to scare you. Just to make the point that the process can be long and tedious (lots of appointments and tests). But, don't give up. I figured out that my lap band doctor was invested in me keeping that thing in. he just couldn't admit for some reason that it didn't work for me. When I found the right surgeon he wrote it up correctly and presented to insurance correctly. He is experienced with revisions and knew what to say. My band did not slip although the doc suspected it had and then just slipped back into place prior to the x-ray. But, can't a slipped band erode into the stomach. I just can't understand how they are saying it is not medically necessary. Hang in there and keep pushing! My conversion was actually based on "band intolerance" not a mechanical malfunction.

I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.

Same here. Surgery on Thursday and back to work on Monday. No problems whatsoever except for hair loss that started in month four post op. Is one of the reasons I don't even tell people I did it. I don't want everyone to think they'll have it this easy!

True about the gallbladder. I did have mine removed at the same time.

Yes. They did. I went to the doc every time they acted up and had them prescribe meds for the pain.

I said hernia repair and gallbladder removal. I also said I was on a strict diet due to gallbladder removal and just decided to sick with it.

Did they remove your gallbladder? One of the other things my surgeon thought may have been making me sick was a hiatal hernia. I had been tested and tested but because it was a sliding or hiatal hernia they didn't see it for quite some time. Finally after a number of swallows and ct scans they saw it. I am so sorry you are feeling bad. Hopefully, if they are not seeing anything you are just having a tougher and slower time with healing and will be feeling better in a matter of days or weeks. Do you have someone to help advocate for you with the hospital and doctors?

Make sure your surgeon has experience with revisions. Request a day or two longer hospital stay. Being in the hospital those early days really gave me peace of mind. I liked having a drain too. It gave me extra comfort to see the fluid in it was the right color. I think if you are really worried about it you could ask your surgeon to do the removal in two different surgeries. Mine was done all at once with band unfilled months before and meds to heal my stomach and esophagus and treat reflux. Everything was fine and I LOVE my sleeve!

Had a band for five years. Horrible experience. Love my sleeve. Thinner and healthier with sleeve in five months than I was with my band in five years. Yes the band is reversible but many of the problems it causes are not. Do a search on this site and you will see many stories.

I have been eating Activia Greek yogurt for a week now and it really helps. I have also found that eating slow cooked collard greens for one meal gets me going pretty quickly.