LilMissDiva Irene

Hi Mindy! I do remember you from LBT in fact. I'm so sorry to hear about your issues with your band. Though I can't say I had slip or erosion issues with mine, I was never able to find a sweet spot. I ended up having well over 20 adjustments in the little over 2.5 years I had mine. Sweetie you are not alone with the "soft food syndrome". It is more common than lots would like to admit with the lap band. I had it simply because after so many fills/unfills I kind of just gave up on them and chose to stay tight. Too tight I guess and that was the beginning of the end for me. I became reliant on ice cream, chips, candy... all that just to get food in. Everything else was like torture. Then I started getting night coughs and I had no idea that was due from my band being too tight until it turned into full fledge acid reflux. So sad... I gained nearly all my weight back as of course that's what happens when you live off ice cream and chips. But I finally decided to end the insanity and get on board with taking my band out and revising to the VSG. I can't say it enough, I thank GOD daily for my Sleeve!! Here's the answers to your individual questions. All the best and welcome to VST!! 1. IF i get converted will my pain ful eating contiune ? In the beginning I did have some pain with eating. I'm not sure if mine was more so due to being a revision, but it was the case. It took about 3 weeks for me to start swallowing more comfortably. However, since the day I've been sleeved I was free from slimies, being choked, night coughs, and just downright miserable eating ever again. I think a lot has to do with being accustomed to how a WLS patient should eat. We do have that going for us, there is no training period. I always say, if there's anything positive I can take from being banded it was that I was prepared for sleeved life! 2. I have seen some people can have a hard time gaining weight after the sleeve ? I think what you might be seeing is that there are a few who might take a little longer to slow down to a stop once goal is met. I did lose more weight than I'd initially intended, in fact though my ticker says 15 Lbs it was more like 30 Lbs. I was adding after my 2nd goal from that point. Anyhow, I intentionally kept losing weight. I was doing it on purpose because I just didn't feel done yet. Either that or I was so used to being in weight loss mode I was afraid of what life would be like not needing or wanting to keep going. I have since then come back down to Earth and even though I have never given up on the idea of general good health, I have stopped trying to make the scale move. I'm always going to do my workouts and do my best to eat healthy, but actual weight loss... no more. This is my maintenance which I consider a lifestyle change. It never truly ends. Anyhow that's just my story, but for the others who continued on for whatever reason, they ultimately were able to stop losing too. And be assured you absolutely can gain weight once goal is met. I've been going up and down around 5 Lbs on the scale on a monthly basis. But that's my normal and I'm starting to get used to it. 3. anyone who has gone from band to sleeve regret it ? Well I'm certainly not one! I don't regret my sleeve one bit. 4. anyone glad they did and why ? This was the best decision I've ever made in regards to my health and well being. I got to goal and quickly, with minimal effort. Yes, I did put the effort in but as long as I was following the sleever rules and getting my workouts in, I was losing the weight and inches. I'm glad because the sleeve saved my life and my sanity!! ETA: I had one surgery and I had mine done in Mexicali by Dr. Aceves. He typically does his surgeries all in one if he can, however he does say that if he has to, he will do two seperate surgeries.

Hey there MQ!! Well you've come to the right place for VST friends and support. I was right where you are now just about a year and a half ago, and now today I am shouting from the highest rooftops how awesome the sleeve really is! Being nervous is very common, so no worries there. I'm praying for you that your surgery is just another day at the office for your Surgeon. Don't forget to check in and let us know how you're healing! Be Blessed!!

Hi Carly I had a drainage tube and it was in for about 2 days. It was removed the day before I left the hospital. I won't lie it was pretty uncomfortable and was hurting when I had to move my torso with it in there. Also when the Nurse removed it, it was pretty creepy feeling. All that said, it wasn't so much painful as it was annoying and strange feeling. They pull it out quick though and once it's out it's easy to forget about. Especially when you're doing your happy dance as you look in the mirror wearing your tiny clothes.

Hi there, the answer is yes you will be able to enjoy all these wonderful foods again someday*. *You may not be able to enjoy all these foods right away, as some sleevers experience sensitivity to foods that are high in fats, some pastas, breads, dairies and anything high in sugar... which it is probably better to avoid them as best one can until goal is reached. Good luck!

Hiya Ana and welcome to VST!! I too am a revision from band to sleeve, and I too agree that my recovery was a lot better with the VSG. Or maybe just that I already knew what to expect, who knows. Wishing you well as you continue to recover and with that all the wonderful results the sleeve can give! Stay strong and positive, you WILL get to your target weight. Cheers!!

Very exciting!!! Your new journey has begun... hold on to your hat!!

You've had a fantastically successful weekend!! Congrats and all the best as you enter into Maintenance Town.

Stay being positive! Remember, most of us lose in the "stairstep" manner. Some weeks are good losses, some weeks will be silent. It's ok, it doesn't mean we're finish in any way. We think of weight loss in averages.. which normally is about 1-3 Lbs per week. That doesn't mean you will actually lose that every week. That means if you haven't lost any weight in the last 3 weeks, then when the losses catch up, you will probably have 2 weeks worth of some really high numbers. If you haven't started yet, you might want to begin some time of workout routine. Start small, don't push yourself too much just starting out or you will get burnout and might give up. Also, how much Water are you getting in? 64 Oz should be about your minimum. Try bumping it up by a 16 Oz bottle. See if that helps. Also, try to find other ways to measure your success. The scale does not define you or how well you're doing. It's only a piece of the puzzle, don't let it have any more worth than it should. You deserve to be happy, so find ways to keep yourself on the positive road. Think back in the last month. Have you gotten any compliments? How are your clothes fitting? Do you have any side by side photos to compare, from last month to today? There are so many avenues! Pick the one that keeps you motivated.

^^^ This

Wishing you the very best today, and I pray the LORD watches over you and guides your Surgeons hands. Xox See you on the losers bench! Don't forget to check in and let us know how you're doing.

I had my surgery on 9/15/10, so about 18 months ago.

Hey ruperto, congratulations on taking the next step for a better future! My suggestions to you are remain positive, have patience (in all areas, weight loss and in your recovery) and stay persistent even when things aren't looking so bright. This isn't going to be easy breezy.. nothing worth doing ever is. One thing I know for a fact though is all the ups and downs are more than worth the results. Stay strong and soon you will be a LOSER like me and all the rest of us Sleevers.

Wow!! Incredible results so far. Keep up the positive spirit, and right on with realizing its not all about the scale. So many wonderful results come shining through, we only need to discover them. Congrats!!

To each their own. Why didn't I choose to continue struggling and battling for the rest of my life with diet and exercise alone? It's all a personal decision, and I always say unless you are 110% in then by all means do not attempt.

What an incredible transformation!!! Thank you so much for sharing this, you may not even realize it but you probably just encouraged THOUSANDS with your testimony here. I also can attest to my metabolism going at light speed since losing so much weight and working out coupled with proper nutrition... we CAN change our systems! Keep up the excellent work, and cheers to your success.

Cludgie, that is AWESOME!!! 12 Minute mile (less than even!) is not that bad... c'mon lady give yourself some credit because it is due. No matter what though, it's more about finding enjoyable activities, especially those you can do as a family. Lotsa hugs and keep up with that spirit!!! I'm so happy for you.

Strangest thing, a few weeks after I had my VSG I did too notice my gums were extremely sensitive. I even had to have a root canal and crown placement on one of my teeth!! To this day I always believed it was due from lack of nutrients during the few weeks post op where I couldn't eat properly. It hasn't been the case since, though I am quite diligent with ensuring I'm getting proper and balanced nutrition and taking my supplements. If you think it's lasting longer than it should, I do suggest contacting your Dentist to find out what the issue might be. I hope they can find out what might be the problem. Xox

You are entering into the "3rd week stall" zone. This is far more common than many think. You are not doing anything wrong, you will need patience at this time. Just keep doing all the right things that you are currently doing, continue to heal and keep getting in all your fluids. The scale will start moving again in time. In the mean time, it might be a good idea to stay off the scale for at least a few weeks. I know, easier said than done, but if it's frustrating you then it's just causing you unnecessary stress that is really unhelpful to your efforts. Please note, stress is a factor when it comes to no weight loss as well. Find other ways to measure success, there are so many. What NSV's have you had already? How many inches have you lost? Are there side by side photos you can create to see the difference? Find other avenues, you will see they really do make you feel a lot better.

This analogy is SO TRUE!! I've already finished the Trilogy myself, but I can tell you the Victory would not been as sweet without all the battles in between. Keep pushing, and CONGRATS on this major milestone.

You're doing much better than most others. I struggled to get half that in a day for the first whole month. LOL

Amazing!!! This is going to help so many people. ***Attention*** If you are looking for what to eat, definitely read this blog!!!

Hi Todd, Don't worry, you will once again be able to enjoy eating and food again. Whoa... I wish this was me!! I love to eat, even though I can't eat a lot - regardless I do once again love it. Anyhow, take your time with all of this. Be patient, and if you must slow down the progress of how and what you are eating then do that. I would do Protein shakes for a few meals per day and only eat one or two other meals. I also had to make sure my meats were puree'd and moist or it would sit like a ton of bricks on my chest. Not everything will work either right off the bat. If you notice something is not working well, don't eat it again for a week or so. Well wishes to you! Again, you are not healing or progressing any differently than most others, rest assured.

This is pretty funny... in fact, it's so funny I'm even laughing at the people who are SERIOUSLY misspelling words and not even realizing it - while joining in the fun. Yes, some are doing it purposefully, but... others are not. I'm no English Major, I just happen to appreciate it.

Hello Kiki - I'm 18 months out, so you have much to look forward to. I can drink as much water as I ever could, no problem. Early out is another story, so the only thing you can do is allow time to pass until you're able to drink more. During a 45 Minute workout I will fill up a 23.9 Oz Smart Water bottle and I'll usually have to sparse it out or I'll finish it too soon. I also will have a 32 Oz bottle of water at my desk and on aggressive days I'll drink it in 3 hours, less aggressive days I'll do 4 hours. I can drink 2-3 of these on any given day. My usual intake is 72 Oz on days without workout and up to 128 Oz on days where I am working out. Good luck in your journey!

Hi Lisa I'm over 18 months out from my revision from Lap Band to VSG - and I'm doing excellent. I had a blood test only a month ago (have shared the results here) and they are great. The only problem I had is low blood count (anemia - need to up my iron) which is normal for me. I've been anemic pretty much my whole life and runs in my family. Other than that I'm able to keep up with all my supplements and all my levels are right on. I am my own advocate too, so I'm always getting copies of my results to be sure all is well. I DO have a tiny stomach and I'll want to know if anything is borderline or below as it would be a bit more difficult to get them up without quick response and supplements. Anyone who doesn't eat properly has the chance of being malnourished, wether they are thin, or overweight, normal sized stomach or tiny - or whatever the case may be. All the best to you! Do whatever you have to do to be as healthy as you can be. For me, that meant having WLS.