Kristina J.

Thank you!!

14 months post op, band to sleeve revision! HW: 270 SW: 230 CW: 125!!

I was originally banded in 2003 at just 18. I was 250, got down to 170, had a slip, erosion and removal. When my band was replaced a year later, I had gained everything back, plus some and was at 270. I lost about 60 with my second band and started the roller coaster cycle that continued for 7 more years. Up 40, down 20, up 20, down 10, up 60, down 20... And after having my kids and looking at turning 30 in the worst shape of my life, I decided to revise to a sleeve. The day I decided to revise is my before picture. Thanksgiving 2012. I was 270lbs at 5'1. I busted my butt and was at 230 the day of surgery, May 11, 2013. Today, 14 months out, I'm at 125 and couldn't be happier. Maintenance is hard of course, but so far, it's actually easier than I thought it would be. So much easier than it was with my Lapband. I don't post much anymore because life has gotten so busy now that I have so much more energy. But I always loved before and afters, especially of revisions, when I was pre-op. I was told and feared that I wouldn't be as successful because I was a revision, but it just wasn't true. Bust your butt, use your sleeve and follow the rules, and revisions have just as much chance at success as "virgin sleevers." So here it is: HW: 270 SW: 230 Surgeon's Goal: 150 My Goal: 135 CW: 125

I'm down 60 since surgery, so with my 40 pre-op, I'm officially down 100lbs now!!!!!

I had pretty much the exact thing you're asking about! Lol I was banded in '03 and lost 100lbs. I was within 20lbs of goal. Weight was creeping back on and we discovered a slip in '05. I had to have my band removed at that time because of erosions. I was actually rebanded a year later after gaining back all the 100 I had lost, plus another 20!! With the second band, I was like most revisions, where I just never had much success. I lost 60, gained 20. Lost 40, gained 30. I went on like that for 7 years before finally getting a revision to sleeve in May this year. I've been really successful, and as of today, I've lost 100lbs and am just 20 from goal again!! And if I can do it, anyone can! I work hard, but weight loss has always been a struggle for me. Feel free to inbox me if you have more questions, since I think I'm kinda the exact situation you were looking for! Lol

5 months out, down 99lbs, including pre-op! HW: 270 SW: 230 CW: 171

Thanks so much everyone!!!

Wow! Thank you all SO much. I am so thankful for my new life. The husband has lost 43lbs just from changing his eating habits along side mine. Why the hell is it so much easier for him?!? Haha I am so lucky to have his support, and all the support I've found here!! I seriously can't believe that I'M now one of the people posting these pictures. I would stay up late at night, pre-op, looking at people's progress pictures, just praying that I would have even a fraction of their success. It's amazing what we're capable of with the right help!! Xoxoxo Thanks again so much everyone!!!

Friday will be 5 months since surgery! I haven't posed much lately since my new less fat butt is out and about way more these days, but here are some progress pictures! They were always my favorite thing to see when I was pre-op!! It's amazing to finally feel "normal" again. I lost 40 in the 4-5 months pre op, and another 57 since surgery, putting me at a loss of 97lbs. I feel like a whole new person. I'm a better mom, wife, friend and just a better, happier, person all around!!

Surgery date, May 11, 2013 with Dr. Garcia in Mexico! HW (January/February of 2013): 270 SW: 230 CW: 173 Goal: 150 I set my goal kinda high for my height (only 5'1), but if I'm still losing, I would mind settling around 130-140!

I use spaghetti squash a lot too!! There are tons of how to's online, but when I put sauce on it, I don't notice much difference!! The quinoa Pasta sounds good, but I'm still pretty lazy to think about making my own pasta! Hahahaha That zucchini spiral slicer is awesome too. I found one on Amazon for a great price!!

Glad to hear it was waived. Prolapse was a big issue for me and the issue that led to my revision. Once you've prolapsed once, it tends to happen again and again! Trust me, I would know! lol Congratulations on your approval!!

I revised in May and couldn't be happier. It was terrifying but has 100% saved my life and I no longer have to puke everyday or worry about whether or not I can get water down some days. I feel normal for the first time in my life, and while I had success with my band, up until it slipped, this has been like starting all over. I've lost almost 100lbs total and couldn't be happier with my results and don't have to worry about complications that would make me empty/remove my band and go back to where I was before. This is permanent and it feels permanent. The fear is gone and I can enjoy the new me!!

I stuck to my lifting limits as much as possible for the first 6 weeks. I recruited help and used it!! But with my kids 2 & 3 when I revised, I knew that any temporary inconvenience would be far outweighed by the untold number of extra years I will now get with them. I am a better mom now. I am a more active mom and the kid of mom they deserve. My weight no longer holds my kids back, and that has, by far, been the best reward in their whole journey!!!