Bandedbut

I was sleeved 2/23/23. Overall I feel pretty good, no issues with nausea. I am constantly sipping something all day long to get my protein and water in, but am still concerned about being dehydrated. I feel weak and tired until I get enough in during the day. My only issue has been a little cramp/stich on the left side. It hurts when I take more than 2 sips, or not enough time between sips. I wasn't going to weigh myself so soon or so often, but seeing a pound come off everyday has been encouraging. I know some others have issues with weigh ins, and I know the mind game that happens when the numbers are't what we want to see, and yes, I know I should be focusing on helathy habits. But for ME... right NOW... it's exciting.

It appears that VSG is quite successful, with weight loss well over 100+ pounds common in the first year. But I've also read that maintaining that loss after the 2 year mark is difficult, and gaining weight back is common. This doesn't appear to be the case with the bypass so what causes this? I know it's a TOOL, but why is the tool so successful for 1-2 years and then not? What changes and why and what can be done to prevent it? Obviously maintaining healthy habits and continuing to work at it, but what physically or mentally causes this shift? I've heard the stomach stretches out so there isn't as much restriction, but then I read where that is not possible? Having experienced regain after countless diets I want to set myself up for success.

Thanks for sharing that BriarRose! I remember you making a similar comment (but couldn't remember who or what post) and it hit home. I've never been in a place of maintanence.

Thanks for the English! breakdown of the article. This is all fascinating! What I don't understand is if the fundus is removed, and hunger levels go way down, how does hunger return for some people then?

How much time did you take off of work? I can work remote, and have a desk job with flexibility in hours. Wondering how soon everyone felt mentally and physically ready to go back? (Yes, I'm sure this will vary widely depending on age, complications, etc, just looking for a benchmark)

Nope, not at all.

That is quite the deep dive! Most of it is over my head, but but what I got out of it is thatGLP-1 Reacts/restores differently between the 2 surgeries. So there is actually a physical reason.

I hear you on the protein drinks! Last night I was having a strawberry one and I could barely stand it it was so sweet! I am mostly a back sleeper, and sometimes roll on my side when restless. I was surprised to wake up on my stomach!

5 Days post op and feeling pretty good! I'm weak and a bit lightheaded in the morning until I can get enough protein in. Had my first BM yesterday (sorry if TMI, but I figure after we've been through that shouldn't offend anyone LOL) Gas is slowing coming out. Woke up this morning surprised to find myself sleeping on my stomach. No nausea at all. I've barely been able to meet my protein and liquid goals, but it requires sipping all day long. The only thing is a persistant sharp stitch like cramp on my left side. Hiccups hurt like the devil LOL. How is everyone else progressing?

I'm constantly sipping something all day long to meet my goals. By the time I can finish a protein shake, then have some water, it's now time for a snack, so I'll have a bit of yogurt, more water, now it's lunch time so I warm up some soup and so on throught the day. I'm worried about developing a bad habit of constantly "eating/swollowing" something. I'm able to meet my protein/water goals barely by working at it all day.

My surgeon never said a thing about a binder! On the bright side, 4 days post op I was able to poop! NSV!

HI RoxyChick! I see you had the lap band a while ago, and live in Cali. I had the lapband in 2007, unfilled in 09, then removed in '11. Im in N. Cty San Diego. I'm now 3 days post op with the sleeve.

Applesauce is in my list of acceptable pureed foods, but not the liquid. Some of those thinner brands are pretty liquid

I ❤️ home made soup so I stockpiled a bunch before my surgery in the freezer. All some variation of a roasted vegetable, bone broth, 1 can of coconut milk and seasoning. I’ve got carrot ginger, sweet potato, butternut, cauliflower, and white bean with artichoke and spinach. I love them all regularly, just blended them more and a little more watery consistency. Today is the first day I can have them and I’m really excited. I may not feel the same way after a month 🤣. A little harder to calculate the protein content. I plan to make a roasted red pepper, black bean, and celery bisque when I’m feeling a little better.

Surgery was 2/23, and I was feeling pretty good and getting my specialty water in, even 4 oz each day of home made bone broth. I somehow missed the clear protein options however and today I’ve been super weak and light headed. Managed 3 oz of yogurt and protein drink with 42 grams. Finally got in a shower and now I’m exhausted. It’s a beautiful day today and I was hoping to take a little walk, but I’m not going to get far at all! How is everyone else the first week post op?

Had my sleeve 2/23/23 and was discharged same day. (Self Pay). So far so good! No nausea, and Gas-X has helped a lot. Nothing unbearable. My pharmacy had packets of "Liquid IV", touted as a hydration multiplier, on the counter when I picked up my medications, so I gave that a try. It has a nice light flavor, nothing overpowering like some. I was pretty close to getting all my liquids in yesterday. I have a caffeine headache today! I keep dreaming that I forgot and ate food!

TOMORROW (Feb 23) for me. Nervous anticipation, excited to get on with this journey!

If you had VSG 2+ years would you please share your updates? Did you hit your goal? Did you stall at any point and what did you do to get past it? Gain any weight back? Loose skin? Improvements in comorbidities like diabetes or sleep apnea? Regrets? Complications? Tips? Outside of carbonated beverages anything you can't eat or tolerate now? What's life like for you now? I would love to hear your successes and struggles!

My insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery, so I am self pay. It is scheduled for Feb 23 at an Outpatient facility, and they are telling me no overnight stay is required. (If needed, overnight care is available). So far everything I've read states at least one night in the hospital. I'm a little concerned with cost cutting measures for self pay. We have a hotel booked a few miles from the surgery center in case of any complications (and for my husband in case I do stay overnight) as we are about 2 hours away. Mount Sinai Surgery Center in Tarzana CA. Anyone with experience there or going home same day? I also have 2 complications, Moderate sleep apnea, and likely a lot of scar tissue from a previous lap band. Not that I want to stay overnight, but I would prefer to be mentally prepared!

Funny, I was thinking about asking this as well! I had the lap-band in 2007 and only told a handful of people I knew would be supportive. I would simply say eating a lot less and exercising and shrug. By the time I was around my goal weight, I was more honest about it, but now that I think about it, skinny people were more dismissive of the surgery, like it was cheating. Now I'm scheduled for the sleeve next week, and again have only told my husband, sister, and one friend that also had the surgery for now. Post surgery I will let more family know as needed, but still plan to be very selective. I love some of the answers above!

62, and scheduled for my sleeve Feb 23. I did the lap band in 2007 and it was life changing. I reached my goal weight. Then had all the complications and had to have it removed. I was told I wouldn't be a candidate for the sleeve even as I gained some weight back after the removal as I was too close to my goal weight. Now here I am 40 lbs. heavier than when I initially had the band.

I am scheduled for the sleeve next week (Feb 23). Looking for ideas on documenting this journey, i.e photos, videos, ect. A few years ago I saw someone that had taken a picture once a month in the same spot, same clothes, then put them into a video and you see her literally shrinking. It was very cool. This is for my own self, NOT for social media, but wondering what others do? I'm not a journal writer, but I'm sure that would be tremendously helpful to go back and read where your head was at!

I'm scheduled for the sleeve on Feb 23rd As nervous as I am I'm ready to get this done and over!

What prompted your revision? Was it an emergency with the band, or just frustration. Problems with the band, or lack of progress? Did insurance cover either of your surgeries, both or just one? Is there another thread where this was discussed that I missed? I know there was a story thread, I guess I was looking specifically for causes for the revision, and costs.

I've been banded 2 1/2 years. The first year was great. Found that sweet spot on the second fill. When I was 5-10 pounds away from goal, I started having problems. I was unfilled, and the battle began. I haven't been able to get that sweet spot again, and have constant problems with back aches, heart burn, acid reflux, former banders, you have all been there. In the short time I was unfilled completely, I gained back about 20 pounds. I've since lost that, but am sick of all this. I currently most likely have an expanded pouch yet AGAIN. The problem is that I was self pay, and insurance isn't even covering unfills due to dehydration (twice, yet they pay to have me go to urgent care and get 3 bags of fluids in me). What conditions will insurance pay for removal (and then a revision to a sleeve). I'm afraid to just get the band removed, I know I would gain everything back, but not sure if insurance would approve doing the sleeve at the same time since I am so close to my goal. The quality of life at this point is getting very frustrating. I can't eat healthy foods, and I can't even get in to a routine since one day I'm fine, then the next I'm throwing up an antacid tablet.