Kristina J.

This post is a little old now, so I was hoping maybe one (or all) of you ladies had some insight!!
I am currently taking adderall to manage my ADD and I think I would go nuts without it. It does effect my appetite now, but not so much that I have shed any of these pre-op pounds I'm carrying around! lol Why can't a medicine ever have that "weight loss" side effect on me?! lol
I too am worried about it's effects on my appetite post op. And while it doesn't make me wired at all now, did it start making any of you wired once you started losing? I didn't even think about that until I read this thread! Any info is appreciated!

So, I wanna clear a couple things up after re-reading this thread and my post, after being humbled by a few of my favorite vets posts! I've publicly expressed my forum crush on Pdx before! And I want to be Antiband! Lol
Every time this topic comes up, it takes the same course (I still don't know why I posted lol I should have know it would go on forever and to move along lol).
The only real answer is that everyone is going to find their own level of comfort with what they want to say and why!! Yes, I am an open book but only because I'm that way with everything!! I am sure I don't value privacy as much as I should. Probably a product of my social media generation! Lol
And others don't feel like its anyone's business!! And I don't think any of us have a right to judge each others decisions!! Had I not started out by telling everyone about my lap band, I don't know how I would feel this time around. And it is a whole lot easier for me to be open about it as a stay at home mom, since all my contacts are family or friends and not co-workers! Co-workers can be a very tricky situation with ANY personal information!
After re-reading the OP (and admittedly, part of my post), it is pretty insensitive. And I think the part of my post saying I felt mean not telling my overweight friends could probably be edited for some sensitivity. These are very close friends that I have dieted and struggled with in a very open way for years. Changing my process with THOSE people and doing it privately, given our established weight loss "team" mentality seems unfair to me. But I don't feel like I would need to explain myself to every other overweight person I know! I hope that makes a little more sense.
There a lot of reasons people choose not to tell people and just because they don't doesn't make them "liars" and certainly doesn't automatically mean they're ashamed or embarrassed!! My sister had WLS last year, and would be just as upset about that coming out as she would about her fertility issues. She is ashamed of neither, but is my polar opposite when it comes to personal privacy! As in, she actually values it!! Lol I am trying to find a happy medium between her and myself. I over share! Lol
I don't necessarily think sharing means we are self centered. But maybe that was a counter point to being called selfish, and I get that. I share with those who want to know and don't talk about it at all with those who don't care. But I definitely don't think that not telling makes anyone a liar or selfish, and I'm sorry if my post implied that!!

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

I am also making a video after reading through complication stories :-/
I know the reality of my situation at 130lbs overweight with heart problems (among others) so I know that this what I need to do, but I am not blind to the risk. I worry so much about not coming home. I worry about what that would mean for them. But I worry about my heart giving out if I don't do this, so I have decided to move forward. There is a certain kind of pain with this decision with small kids at home. Mine are going to be 2 and 3 and a half in May.
Like I said, I am making them a video. I have attempted twice so far and have not made it through. I do not want to leave a video full of tears. If that is what I leave them, I do not want it to be sad. I am also leaving letters for when they get older. Hopefully I will be super prepared for absolutely nothing! But I will feel better knowing that everything is in order just in case.
Oh, and I read in a thread from a mother who had survived horrible complications that suggested leaving a note... She reminded Mom's to never put in the letters that you did this to get healthy for them!! They don't need to live with that! I thought that was an excellent point!!

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

I'm so sorry if my post made you more anxious, that really wasn't my intent at all! I am very anxious too. But some of the people that we post with here have come very close to death. It's something that we need to consider as we make this decision, especially as parents. It's not all weight loss and life change. It is life risking surgery.
But as parents I definitely agree that we have a responsibility to do what it takes to be the best and healthiest moms we can be and I know for me, this will definitely make me a better parent. I felt the same icky feeling when I was making out my will and deciding who would raise my children if my husband and I died. I am an anxious person by nature! But I'm also an organizer. It makes me feel more in control in case something happens. So please don't let my post freak you out more. lol We take risks everyday. We run a risk of getting hurt every time we get in a car to go make money so we can buy our children food!! But we do it because we need to be good mom and feed our kids!! this is a bigger extension of that idea... We are taking a risk to be a good/healthy mom!
I'm so sorry if I freaked you out more, especially since I'm going through it myself! Lol so didn't mean to do that!! Just keep breathing... Before we know it, we'll be recovering and struggling to chase all these kids around on a liquid diet!

I am also making a video after reading through complication stories :-/
I know the reality of my situation at 130lbs overweight with heart problems (among others) so I know that this what I need to do, but I am not blind to the risk. I worry so much about not coming home. I worry about what that would mean for them. But I worry about my heart giving out if I don't do this, so I have decided to move forward. There is a certain kind of pain with this decision with small kids at home. Mine are going to be 2 and 3 and a half in May.
Like I said, I am making them a video. I have attempted twice so far and have not made it through. I do not want to leave a video full of tears. If that is what I leave them, I do not want it to be sad. I am also leaving letters for when they get older. Hopefully I will be super prepared for absolutely nothing! But I will feel better knowing that everything is in order just in case.
Oh, and I read in a thread from a mother who had survived horrible complications that suggested leaving a note... She reminded Mom's to never put in the letters that you did this to get healthy for them!! They don't need to live with that! I thought that was an excellent point!!

I am also making a video after reading through complication stories :-/
I know the reality of my situation at 130lbs overweight with heart problems (among others) so I know that this what I need to do, but I am not blind to the risk. I worry so much about not coming home. I worry about what that would mean for them. But I worry about my heart giving out if I don't do this, so I have decided to move forward. There is a certain kind of pain with this decision with small kids at home. Mine are going to be 2 and 3 and a half in May.
Like I said, I am making them a video. I have attempted twice so far and have not made it through. I do not want to leave a video full of tears. If that is what I leave them, I do not want it to be sad. I am also leaving letters for when they get older. Hopefully I will be super prepared for absolutely nothing! But I will feel better knowing that everything is in order just in case.
Oh, and I read in a thread from a mother who had survived horrible complications that suggested leaving a note... She reminded Mom's to never put in the letters that you did this to get healthy for them!! They don't need to live with that! I thought that was an excellent point!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

Great job!

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

I tell everyone, just as I did when I had my lap band placed. In fact, this has been easier since all I have to tell people is that I'm revising it, or if they're not familiar with WLS I say I'm getting it fixed.
My biggest motivation in telling the truth has been that I have quite a few people in my life that also struggle with their weight. I felt like if I said something like "I am just eating smaller portions or healthier foods and working out," it would lead them to feel like I had just succeeded where they were failing still, and that just felt mean to me.
I also know how hard this is, I've been through a WLS surgery before, and I know that the more people around me that understand what I'm doing and why, the more support and accountability I'll have as I move forward. Yes, there are some negative people, but my confidence in my decision and my need to be healthy far outweighs that.
But I also understand not everyone is comfortable telling people. To each their own.

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