sleeveconvert

I was self pay, paid three occassions on a broken band. Don't let money determine your decision. This is an immensely personal, intimate decesion-- requiring honest introspection to oneself for motivation, goals and can you follow rules. Sleeve is ONLY restrictive, can like all of them be abused, stretched and manipulated. I chose sleeve because I met my goals w my band and am determined to NEVER go back. I can, did and will follow the rules to a fault. I will NOT stretch or abuse my sleeve---- I worked too hard to get here. From 240 to 130. I Did not need the malabsorption component. I wanted to maintain. My spouse has RNY, doesn't follow the rules-- he is 130# Lighter but will never reach goals even with RNY becAuse he cheats the WLS like so many do. Be honest with yourself, habits and expectations--- you will pick what's best for you. Good luck !!

Im sure it happens! Bariatric patients by the nature of Obesity, Hypertension, Diabetes and ALL the other co-morbidities and health complications ARE THE HIGHEST SURGICAL RISKS . It is just a fact. The fact it doesnt happen more, the complications are higher is amazing!!

Gladiator from smoothie king is great! 45 gms of protein. # flavors-- the strawberry with a couple of fresh or frozen strawberries , 1/2 cup ice --good good good

i had my conversion from band to sleeve done at my goal weight. I lost about 8-10#, and only had trouble with liquids and protein intake the first week. I would encourage you to proceed as you are correct- 90% gain it back when the band is removed. I didnt work hard to drink the protein as i was on the upper end of my BMI goal range and am happy with the 8-10# loss. The only thing that was preventing me from getting protein in was they are all sweet and that was nauseating to me the first 4 weeks post op. I am 6-7 weeks out and am on solid foods and doing well. I can eat band similar portions of anything I want. I am so glad I converted- - - I am not going back to fat land.

"I switched from the band to the sleeve Aug.29th. So far I feel like a failure. I have only lost 17lb. since then but was expecting to lose more like 45lb. It is much better than the band because I'm not throwing up all the time. I'm being very careful not to over eat & drink as much Water as I can every day so what can be going on? I go back to my surgeon Nov.28th but I'm almost ashamed to go. Has anyone else had this problem & if so does the loss ever kick in?" Pauline--- I post this in the most supportive, caring manner- - - - Read what you wrote, I dont feel your a failure- - you didnt gain 17# in such a short period- -your expectations are wildly inappropriate. Good for others who lose faster- -your body is REELING in shock- you can hardly take in enough to stay off starvation- - your body is holding on for its life- - cut yourself some slack and do a reality check. You are on track, you are different from others, stay the course and it will happen. It took me 6 yrs to loose 105# and I AM NOT A FAILURE!! I do not need surgery for excess skin, i dont look old and it was healthy slow and frustrating- - - I didnt get fat over night - - I didnt get thiin over night- - Tears, hungry and lots of discipline got me to goal- - - HANG IN THERE IT WILL Happen!! Forget the comparisons - - its like saying my kids are cuter than his kids- - who cares it is what it is. Sorry to sound like debbie downer or reality crasher but you are on your own journey and it cannot be compared, or judged against others or your expectation. Reset both and you will be successful.

I think we all forget--- it took years to GET fat-- it wasn't 20# a week-- it takes a while to loose it! Patience and persistence will be your second best friends IF you follow sleeve rules.... NO procedure is the magic we all want. Its slow, its WORK, and its a well earned reward when done !!!

LOL!!! You are SO right!! I wear 4/6 now and those look like someones elses clothes, til I see those Tiny OO in life--- its all the brains perception!! I didn't save my 20 jeans-- I let go a couple of years ago-- should have kept them !

Don't drink w meals-- I'm still erroring on the too thin/wet food so I'm not noticing the dry. I add more moisture to make thinner puree if need be.

Citracal gummies are good !!! I just chew til they are melted !!

DON'T do it!! You risk leak, perotonitis and death!!! Stay liquid for your 4-6 weeks ! Chew what it is you want and spit it out. Busting the staple line is just not worth it-- however I was self pay so I view it way different.

It gets better ! Hang in.

I have been on this journey 6 yrs(band to sleeve) I still don't see it and my BMI is 22 and I'm at goal. I see it in pictures, don't see it in the mirror. I think its pretty normal. The brain is a funny/strange thing.

Your calorie and protein intake is low and it causes you be to sleepy and sluggish. When those improve you will-- I drank some apple juice and got mental clarity and some energy to start feeling human. You are about a week away from the funk clering and being good to go.

I'm one month out and eat both! They are Staples for me! I thin my avacado with lime juice as I can't have Anything thicker than tomato paste for 2 more weeks. The sweet stuff is not my favorite right now.

remember you did this for you. This is your journey. This is your fight. You need to make changes for yourself. I he supports you, great. If he does not, you are still in charge of your body and what you eat. You can still chose what you eat, how much you eat, and how that will impact your weight loss. [/quote GREAT AdVICE!!! You can be successful! Spouses are like jealous kids. View this as acting out- either ignore the behavior or take the challenge head on and use your discipline to control you. Saying something to my spouse would be fuel to the fire-- ignoring it would be extinguishing the behavior. Amazing at times of stress what you learn about those you thought you knew. I think its the threat that weight loss and the new opportunities that it represents Brings that causes the sabotage. You can do it, stay strong, focus on you!

I'm 4 weeks post op and feel cruise ready-- your advantage would be better choice of foods as I'm still liquid and mushies right now.

I am one month out and too am having heart burn- reflux like issues.prilosce is over the counter-- is the melt away a prescription?

AND the fact with othEr addictions you can live the rest of your life avoiding and not being tempted ( alcohol, smoking, drugs) survive and be just fine!! NOT the case with food-- you have to eat-- encounter the exposure If you will, to survive--- its a daily Mental screw job!!

I am 2 weeks post op, HAD a sweet tooth that. Was apparently extracted-- ALL the protein shakes are sweet!! Post sleeve the sweet nauseates me--- where can I find savory protein ideas-- I'm liquid for e more weeks then puree. I'm liquifying meat loaf, baby foods, al are yucky with protein-- or possibly I'm just NOT hungry.

Mine was same day. Took an hour and a half, I had no scarring, no dilation, perfect case. The recovery was tougher and pain initially worse than 'virgin sleeves' per the surgeon. My post op swelling was so tight the gastrograffin sat in my esophagus 2.5 hrs-- thus so did I in radiology getting scanned every 30 minutes. It resolved over the next 10days. All is well now.

Like cars, and other mechanical devices and parts- - failure of the device in envitible-- they are NOT meant for a life time of the human-- lifetime of the device. They fail, they are not perfect. I do not regret my sleeve conversion- - i converted because of equipment failure.

Its a sleeve slam dunk !! No brainer!! I converted- e wks ago and NOT looking back!! Ask yourself-- can I do this alone ?? Do I deserve to be healthy?? And do I really want to be fit and slender ?? The answers are brilliantly clear for most of us on this website. Good Luck with your decision !!

I am10 days out, I woke up in recovery- hurt so bad I couldn't breath !!! Since that point they got in undercontrol--- I've not had any nausea, pain, or gas. I took Tramadol for discomfort ssince I'm allergic to lortab and codeine. I have not had any pain since that day !!

You have gotten more valuable responses here Than you can Pay for in therapy!!! I agree your not a failure- you need to step back and be sure your doing the basics-- it will surprise you ! Your brain has convinced you otherwise--- when you follow a pre-op liquid prep or similar restriction for a few days it opens your eyes to the bad habits that have crept in! Life keeps you busy and ot focused. My spouse is a bypass- who doesn't follow - and is fat--- no one can do the mIracle of wt loss but you !! There is no secret. Get bac to basics and you will reach goal!!! Your winning already by your acknowledgement ! Good Luck !!

By getting a sleeve, following the. Rules-- you are putting yourself in line for success !! To regain you would have to stretch, abuse your sleeve and WORK at it ! The sleeve like the band is a tool to enable you to stay on track.