new_beginnings_

You know you've lost weight when...

You can go to the State Fair and ride ALL the rides, comfortably! The hubs took me on saturday, and I had a blast! Next stop Six Flags!

Hi Heather, I'm glad you are here so that you can make an informed decision. As you can see from my stats, I had the band for about two and a half years before my revision to the sleeve in April. I have not regretted my decision at all since my surgery. Alot of us former bandsters are on here and can tell you how sucessful the sleeve has been, compared to the band. I was in the same boat as you, for most of the time that I had my band. I had alot of problems eating healthy food, no problems eating junk. Even after I had a complete unfill I still couldn't eat regular food well. I was so happy to find out that my insurance covered the sleeve and within about 2 months, I had my revision. The recovery was more difficult for me compared to the band surgery but after the first 4 days, I felt alot better than I had in years. The good thing about having the band first, is that you are already trained in how you're supposed to eat with the sleeve. Take small bites, chew really well, wait a bit in between bites, and no drinking while you eat or for a while afterwards. So for me, it was a pretty easy transition. I have said since my surgery that this has been everything that I wanted from my band and did not get. I have been extremely happy with my results so far and for the first time in a while, I feel like this is the answer to my weight problems and that I WILL lose the weight. That's alot more than I could say when I had the band. There are alot of us here to answer any questions you might have so don't be afraid to ask! Good luck with your decision and keep us updated!

Thank you Crosswind, for this post! I REALLY needed this pep-talk today! I love your funny and unique perspective and you are one of the reasons that I love this board. Congradulations on the weight loss so far! May we all have continued sucess with our sleeves!

You are doing so good! Keep it up and you will be at that goal in no time! :bounce:

Congrats on your little bundle of joy! So happy that everything is going well for you! :bananapowerslide:

Well, that seemed to go well! I have been on the 4 a year period bc pill for a LOng time. Only we use some pill called Reclipsen and I just start a new pack and plan my period when I want to deal with it....so I LOVE IT!!!! But my concern with this is that I have read on here that bc pills are not as effective the more overweight you are and that with the rapid weight loss, it doesn't work as well and then whamoo your pregnant!!!! Before you want to be and my case I don't want to be at ALL!!!! I'm 46, my hubby is 55 and we have two daughters from China and that is enough for us....so with this in mind, I'm not sure what to do? My OB says for my hubby to get fixed! What to do??? Tracy

Well since you guys definately don't want children, maybe he should seriously think about the snip. I hear it's a very easy procedure for them, much better then a tube tying or hysterectomy for us. I am going to do my research about the pills before I go back to the Dr because he seems like the pills would be perfectly fine for me. I'm also a bit apprehensive about it though...

I started walking on the treadmill as soon as I felt up to it, which was about 5 days after surgery. I think around my 3 week mark I started doing zumba and working my arms with light hand weights. I know it was a little soon but I took it easy and tried not to strain or use my stomach muscles excessively. After 6 weeks, I was back in the swing of things, doing full workouts. My fitness trainer just said not to use any weights while doing ab workouts for a while, but she said it was fine to do crunches or anything like that after 6 weeks.

Wow Fern, I'm am sorry that your mom is going through this. I hope the doctor is able to do something for her soon! I had my revision in one procedure but I would trust what the doctor says and if you don't trust him, I would get a second opinion. I had problems with my band but nothing like what you mom is going through so I think everyone's situation is different. I hope she gets to feeling better and send her best wishes!

Sorry guys, I had wrote out a whole paragraph about how my appt went and VST ate it and I just didn't feel like writing it out again at the time. (which has been happening alot to me lately) ? Any who, so this GYN was a new one but he was recommended by my step-mom who used him for years. I was immeadiately comfortable with him because he basically came it talking like we had been friends for years (which I really liked). I told him about my surgery, birth control, and weight history and what my concerns were with the different kinds of birth control. I also told him that condoms are pretty much out of the question because my husband almost had a heart attack when I asked him about using them. Lord knows I don't need any more excuses for him not to have sex with me.

So after the pap smear and everything, we went to his office and talked about my options. He did tell me that he hardly ever recommends Implanon and never recommends Depo because of the various problems associated with them, mostly weight issues. He said if I wanted to go back to an implant, I could try Mirena but I said absolutely not. I have known too many people that had very serious issues with it. So then he said a pill would probably be my best bet because most of them don't have much effect on weight. He also told me that he could take my Implanon out and when I come in for that, he will get me started on a pill. He said he would like for me to do a 28 day pill at first to get my period regulated and to help the lining of my uterus grow back some since it would be really thin from the Implanon. He said after a few months on the 28 day pill, I could try something different, if I want, like some of the ones where you only have 4 periods a year. I really liked what he had to say and I know he understands where I'm coming from about the weight issues because he said he had always struggled with his weight also. I go back in on July 6 to get the implant out so I still have some time to research what brand of pill I want to try but I have no idea. I have never taken pills before so i'm kinda in the dark about that...

<font color="#9932cc" face="Lucida Sans Unicode">Sorry guys, I had wrote out a whole paragraph about how my appt went and VST ate it and I just didn't feel like writing it out again at the time.

It happened again luckily I copied it before I posted... I don't know what's going on...

<font color="#9932cc" face="Lucida Sans Unicode">Sorry guys, I had wrote out a whole paragraph about how my appt went and VST ate it and I just didn't feel like writing it out again at the time.

<font color="#9932cc" face="Lucida Sans Unicode">Sorry guys, I had wrote out a whole paragraph about how my appt went and VST ate it and I just didn't feel like writing it out again at the time.

You look gorgeous girl!

I know what you are going through and yes, it is hell. But you know what? You will make it through and have your surgery and be on your way to a new you. It will so be worth it, I promise! Good luck and hang in there! You can do this! :hug:

I am going thru the psych deal you have to and wondering how to word what I need. Im afraid he will just say you failed with the band so what makes you think you'll do better with the band?

You know it's funny because I went in for my 2 month post op appt today and my doctor actually told me he was very surprised at my weight loss. I guess he didn't think I would be doing as well as I am. I guess because I had problems with my band, he thought I would have 'problems' with my sleeve but I havent. I am the exact opposite. I think everyone was very happy with my progress, which gives me a definate ego boost. Plus I told them that I am also working really hard at it too, not just eating small amounts but working out regularly (so that helps). I don't see how they can give you a hard time about it considering the low success rate of the band and the amount of people going in for revisions.

<font color="#9932cc" face="Lucida Sans Unicode">Yup Chicadee, I know how that feels. Back in December I think I had my period the whole month. No lie. And then I think I was off for maybe a week and then went back on for another few weeks. My GYN appt is tommorrow and I will be talking to him about whether I should try a different type of BC or I was thinking about making the hubs use a condom (which he isn't too happy about). But I told him that I am sick of having added hormones in my body doing God-knows-what and maybe he should stop being so selfish.

Welcome! I'm sorry that you are having problems with your band. I can tell you that even though I did not go through major complications like some of the other members here, I was estatic to get that horrible band out of my body. Two and a half years I spent struggling and feeling like a failure because my band was so inconsistent. My sleeve doctor thought I had a concentric slip but my band doctor was adamant that there was nothing wrong with it. I revised to the sleeve a little over two months ago and have been so happy with my results. As you can see by my ticker, my weight loss has been pretty good and there are NO inconsistencies with the sleeve. I can only eat so much, and that is it. It is that magical elusive sweet spot that I had been looking for in the band and never found. I can tell you my quality of life has already improved by at least 50% and I'm sure it's going to keep on getting better. I'm not trying to sound like a sales person but I really love what the sleeve is doing for me and I want to tell the world! I hope you find a solution that is best for you and I am sending best wishes your way! Keep us updated on what you decide!

I bought the Mango Peach and it wasn't too bad. If you like the other zero calorie Water flavorings then you will probably like the Mio. It has a bit of an aftertaste but I think all of those flavorings do. Also you don't have to worry about shaking it up really well because it's already a liquid. IMO it's worth a try if you're bored with plain water.

I've had several friend use it, and some love it, some hate it. One called it "NuvaDeathRing" because she felt so horrific on it and went back on the pill. Then there was the one that the nuvaring fell out and she didn't realize and ended up pregnant LOL.

Let us know what you decide! ! !

Hmm...that sounds pretty bad... (sigh) I wish this stuff wasn't so 'hit or miss'....

LADIES, BEWARE: Depo provera can cause GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE, which is a type of pre-diabetes -- which is why so many women gain ridiculous amounts of weight on it!

They call this an ultra rare side effect, but anecdotally, most women I know who have taken depo have commented on their tremendous weight gain and then said something like "but it was probably because I ate too much." IMO, that is too pat to ignore!

new_beginnings, my husband & I use condoms because I am never going to take hormonal BC again after what depo did to me. When I'm thinner, I am going to get a non-hormonal IUD. They are very effective, tho not perfect, however, no nasty hormones to mess up your body.

If you tolerate hormones well (tho, to me, it sounds like you don't -- you maybe just don't believe those are side fx you're having)... have you looked into 'the ring'? NuvaRing is the name. It is a tiny amount of hormones that are "local" (allegedly) because you insert it into your vagina. One important thing is to check if there's a "weight limit" above which the drug is not concentrated enough to work (but I bet there isn't since it is local).

<font color="#9932cc">It's funny because when I was getting the Depo, the doctor actually told me that the shot does not make you gain weight. It might increase your appetite and you inturn gain weight. Pretty much every person I know that has been on it, gained weight so I would never go back on it. Yeah it was easy but I'm sure I can find other solutions. I'm going to check into the NuvaRing I just don't know about having to insert it. Anybody out there have the NuvaRing? Anyway, I was able to get an appointment next Thursday for my pap smear so I will let you guys know what I decide. Although, I can't get this implant out until the 28th.

Hi there!

I don't think Depo is a great option for those who have been on it before. My doctor told me the limit is 2 years for being on Depo because it messes with one's bone density, so it's a temporary BC at best. I loved Depo, although I gained 60lbs on it. Not sayin' that the Depo made me pile on the weight, but it must have made me hungrier!

Anyway, my doctor actually recommended Implanon for me (I had my VSG this March, so I'm about 3 months along). She said IUDs or the implant are my best bet, but because I haven't had children she shied away from recommending IUDs. I am going for a consult for Implanon in a few weeks, and I'm hoping it doesn't interfere with my weight loss. Did you have any issues with Implanon prior to the 3yr mark?

Obviously, the pill is also an option. My surgeon's coordinator said oral BC pills don't work as well after surgery, so if you do go on the pill you should use a back up method. The pill certainly isn't for me: why the hell would I take a hormonal pill (considering my hormones are already out of whack) when I'll need to use another method?

I hope you find the right BC for you. Maybe getting a new Implanon would be an option. You said you want kids within a couple years, and your doctor could implant a new Implanon and remove it after two years or whenever you decide you want kiddies. Good luck!

I would not recommend Implanon because I experienced alot of the side effects. I would definately do your research before you decide. I think I experienced most all of the side effects at some point, even some of the lesser known ones, and I have not had a good experience with it. I'm going to be checking into some non hormonal bc pills or some alternate bc methods.

I have the Mirena IUD with hormones (the 5 year) and I can't tell you whether it is slowing me down with weightloss or not. I had my surgery March 18th, 2011 and since then I've lost 50lbs. However, I have also been having very irregular periods since surgery also and before I never did! I have an appointment tomorrow with my OBGYN and I am going to ask some questions about all of this because I am considering getting it removed. I will repost whatever I find out :-)

Yeah please share! Thank you!

I took the pill 5 days post op, gained 5 pounds and stalled there for a MONTH!

Wow, that's terrible!

MONICA!!! Thank you so much!! You have just about confirmed my decision for me!!! I have a friend who works for Dr. T. She is a nurse there. She tried to get me to go to him b4 I ever went to Dr. Schmitt. I AM LISTENING NOW!! I am out 200 bucks but at least I wont have to wait on that dang sleep study. I am calling tomorrow to get an appoint w him asap. I would love to talk to you on the phone!!

<font color="#9932cc">Hey, believe me I have been in your shoes so I know how you feel. I just wish someone would have talked me out of the band because I wasted two and a half years on it.

I will be sending best wishes your way! You will love the sleeve! I know it has been a God-send for me! Good luck and keep us posted!