GEAUX SAINTS

I have met several people on here who had their surgery performed by Dr. Lavin. We decided to form our own little support group...here it is!!!!

My son and I have both been sleeved, he was never banded, though. He has gerd, I don't. He gets the slimes, I don't. What I'm saying is, everyone's different!
I love the sleeve. With the band, you feel "restricted". With the sleeve, you feel normal...your stomach is smaller so you don't overeat, but not restricted so things don't get "stuck". I vomited daily with the band; only 4 times with the sleeve and that was my own damn fault! You can still overeat, as everyone can. There's nowhere to go but out. I'm learning my lessons, slowly but surely!
I think you'll be happy with your decision to be sleeved...I know I was! Good luck!!!

Amazon!!!

Amazon!!!

My son and I have both been sleeved, he was never banded, though. He has gerd, I don't. He gets the slimes, I don't. What I'm saying is, everyone's different!
I love the sleeve. With the band, you feel "restricted". With the sleeve, you feel normal...your stomach is smaller so you don't overeat, but not restricted so things don't get "stuck". I vomited daily with the band; only 4 times with the sleeve and that was my own damn fault! You can still overeat, as everyone can. There's nowhere to go but out. I'm learning my lessons, slowly but surely!
I think you'll be happy with your decision to be sleeved...I know I was! Good luck!!!

My stall started at 16 days out and lasted 3 weeks!!! UGH! I lost a pound a day, then NOTHING!!! UGH, again!!! Try upping your Protein. It helped me. Good luck!!!

My son and I have both been sleeved, he was never banded, though. He has gerd, I don't. He gets the slimes, I don't. What I'm saying is, everyone's different!
I love the sleeve. With the band, you feel "restricted". With the sleeve, you feel normal...your stomach is smaller so you don't overeat, but not restricted so things don't get "stuck". I vomited daily with the band; only 4 times with the sleeve and that was my own damn fault! You can still overeat, as everyone can. There's nowhere to go but out. I'm learning my lessons, slowly but surely!
I think you'll be happy with your decision to be sleeved...I know I was! Good luck!!!

My son and I have both been sleeved, he was never banded, though. He has gerd, I don't. He gets the slimes, I don't. What I'm saying is, everyone's different!
I love the sleeve. With the band, you feel "restricted". With the sleeve, you feel normal...your stomach is smaller so you don't overeat, but not restricted so things don't get "stuck". I vomited daily with the band; only 4 times with the sleeve and that was my own damn fault! You can still overeat, as everyone can. There's nowhere to go but out. I'm learning my lessons, slowly but surely!
I think you'll be happy with your decision to be sleeved...I know I was! Good luck!!!

I am 5 months out and this is what I eat, just about, every day:
1/2 c cream of wheat
Protein bar
3-4 oz. Protein (shrimp, fish, chicken, turkey, and occasionally, red meat)
3-4 oz. protein
carrots with houmas
Greek yogurt with protein
I know my food choices sound repetitive and boring, but I really enjoy it! I guess knowing that it will get me where I want to be makes it less boring!

I'm not saying that I ALWAYS eat the right stuff. We go out of town a lot, but I try to be as good as I can...eating protein fist, ALWAYS! I even throw is a glass of wine every now and again, but not much! I also drink Water ALL DAY LONG! I even eat the ice.
I, honestly, can't imagine being able to eat the amount that you said you eat. I really wonder if he did the surgery at all...he certainly didn't do it right, that's for sure!
Also, I don't know your situation, but I cook my husband healthy food for him to take to work for lunch. This consists of a protein and 2 veggies. At night he has pita bread and houmas, 70 cal. light Dannon yogurt and a whole bag of light butter popcorn. Believe it or not, he has lost a few pounds MORE than me and we both are only 10 lbs. from our goals, and he didn't have surgery!!! Geez Louise!!! But I'm so ridiculously proud of him!!!!!!!!!
I would definitely consult a bariatric nutritionist. I would also have your general physician check to see if the operation were even done.
Good luck to you in your journey! I hope I have been a small help to you!

I was on a stall for about a month, going up and down 1 or 2 pounds. For that month that I was in stall hell, I ate from recipes found Pinterest on the sleeve recipe page. I'm almost 8 weeks out and I kinda went back to basics. I eat either a scrambled egg or cream of wheat for Breakfast, then for lunch & dinner, I rotate between chicken breast, fish, or canned tuna mixed with mustard, cooked in coconut oil spray. I also eat one Greek yogurt for dessert. As a result, I've lost a pound a day for three days. I can only eat 2.5 ozs. I tried 3, but I was too full. BTW, I started eating at 1 1/2 weeks out. I'm talking "meat", not mushy, strained, or pureed! REAL MEAT!!! I just ate tiny bites.
So, I had the band for 8 years, until it failed me, and now, I'm "working" the sleeve. I'm not gonna loose sight again! I'm gonna work it and not let it work me. The band was so much easier..if I ate too much, I'd puke. This is so different, but so much more "normal", to me, anyway!
God luck to all of you who are suffering with eating more. I would definitely consult my doctor if I were in your shoes!!!

Great news!!! I only gained 2 lbs on my 8 day trip to Seattle/Canada. I lost one of those pounds the first day back. I'm pretty happy with my progress! Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Great news!!! I only gained 2 lbs on my 8 day trip to Seattle/Canada. I lost one of those pounds the first day back. I'm pretty happy with my progress! Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Great news!!! I only gained 2 lbs on my 8 day trip to Seattle/Canada. I lost one of those pounds the first day back. I'm pretty happy with my progress! Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Well, I only gained one pound on the Gulf Shores trip, which I lost the next day! Go me!!! Tonight, I leave for Seattle on a girls trip for 8 days! I'm gonna do my best!!!!

Well, I only gained one pound on the Gulf Shores trip, which I lost the next day! Go me!!! Tonight, I leave for Seattle on a girls trip for 8 days! I'm gonna do my best!!!!

Y'all are great! Being from south Louisiana, food was ALWAYS a social event!!! I'm finally learning how to do things right! Thanks so much for all the kind words and encouragement!!!!

Love me some Saints! WHO DAT!!!!!

You'll be fine. Do what the others suggested! And btw, who dat! I'm a NOLA girl too!

I lost over 2 pounds in Maui 3 weeks ago. Just walked a lot, and made sure I was eating the way I normally eat 90% of the time. If I knew I was going to indulge in some carbs or sweets or a Mai Tai or two (), I would just eat a little less dinner or lunch. Still had my daily Protein shake for Breakfast (we had a full kitchen in the condo) and brought Snacks like Jerky and nuts in case I wanted to munch. Easy peasy! You can do it! Oh, and keep that Water flowing!

Have fun, put Protein first and don't stress about it too much! Order appetizers instead of Entrees or split something. Take some stand by foods with you "in case" like shake powders or Protein Bars. You can do it!
It's a vacation--be active and make it about the experiences instead of the food, or just CHOOSE the occasional splurge and enjoy that--you can go full force again when you get home.

Have a great time!
All I can say from what you posted is that it seems like you will get a chance to do lots of walking and eat some great fresh seafood. I can't wait to be able to take a long walk on the beach.
Be sure a post some pictures.

I had my band put in in 2002. I lost down to 147, a size 4 jeans, but never made it to my goal of 136. After 5 surgeries to repair the band, I had to stop using it. In 4 months I gained 40 pounds. I got sleeved in February. I only have 14 lbs to go to get to my goal. I remember what it felt like to be fat and ALWAYS unhappy. I will never do that to myself again. I have no willpower on my own, but with the sleeve I feel normal, just eat less. You have to keep reminding yourself of why you did this in the first place. Is it worth it???Are you worth it??? I say HELL YES!!! Do it so you can start feeling alive again. If you're anything like me, it consumes you. Go see your bariatric dietitian and work with them. Go to seminars!!!! Good luck to you! Let me know how its going!

@@burtonbn - My doc was the same and I think I'm doing fine. I loved being able to eat all my favorite things the weekend before. If you feel like you need to do the liquid thing prior to surgery, go for it, though. It won't hut you!
Good luck in your journey!!!

I get them when I cram my tiny stomach full. My mouth starts watering uncontrollably and I know it's on!!! It's only been like 2 times, but I have to run to the bathroom and puke. It'd puked on a daily basis when I was banded, but I'm really enjoying the feeling of just having a smaller stomach. It's take some getting used to, but it's working for me and it will work for you, too! Weigh your food to keep from overfilling. After 3+ months I still weigh. It helps! Good luck to you!!!

I'm down 31 lbs. Might not seem like much, but I only have 15 more to go till goal! Everyone seems to be doing great! Keep up the good, healthy work!!!

Way to go!!!!!