SoCalDixieGal

So sorry, but also it was a great call by the doc. Revision is always more dangerous than just the sleeve and this way, you're stomach will be in great shape to have the surgery in the future. The complications can be so severe that while frustrating, it will make future surgery much safer.
You're probably on a post-op eating plan for a bit right now, then you'll be on a pre-op plan again so probably 4 - 5 months of concern. Doesnt' make it any easier, but perhaps breaking it down might help it seem less daunting?
Good luck to you!

I actually appreciate the horror stories. It helps identify things to watch out for and additional questions to ask. I do think a lot of folks enter into these types of surgeries very lightly and knowing all the consequences is never a bad thing. It may be rare, but it can be horrible.
I feel that knowing and hearing of the negatives will keep me healthier in the long run.

Why is it everyone seems to be an expert at losing weight and think they can dictate what we should/shouldn't do? If it were so easy to lose and maintain we wouldn't be where we were!
My doc explained the science behind weight loss/gain to me which I found VERY eye opening. I'm not going to get the names right so I'll just call things hormones instead.
So, turns out when you go on a diet to lose weight your body increases the hormone production that causes you to be hungry - your body is very anti-diet. If you successfully lose to reach your goal, these hormones never balance back out again. You're still overproducing the things that make you hungry and hungrier.
However, when you have WLS these hormones don't increase. You are able to lose and it's easier to maintain that loss because your body hasn't gone out of whack.
I found that to be very interesting. Without WLS the chances of losing and maintaining is very limited.
Just remember that this is for you. It seems that a lot of people immediately have a negative reaction, but may come around. And, if they don't remember that you need to make the decision for you - and you only.

Why is it everyone seems to be an expert at losing weight and think they can dictate what we should/shouldn't do? If it were so easy to lose and maintain we wouldn't be where we were!
My doc explained the science behind weight loss/gain to me which I found VERY eye opening. I'm not going to get the names right so I'll just call things hormones instead.
So, turns out when you go on a diet to lose weight your body increases the hormone production that causes you to be hungry - your body is very anti-diet. If you successfully lose to reach your goal, these hormones never balance back out again. You're still overproducing the things that make you hungry and hungrier.
However, when you have WLS these hormones don't increase. You are able to lose and it's easier to maintain that loss because your body hasn't gone out of whack.
I found that to be very interesting. Without WLS the chances of losing and maintaining is very limited.
Just remember that this is for you. It seems that a lot of people immediately have a negative reaction, but may come around. And, if they don't remember that you need to make the decision for you - and you only.

You know, i hear all the time about the "dreaded first stall", and i've never been very concerned with it. I have hit my first stall and am currently in it. But it really doesn't bother me at all. I knew it was going to happen, and that it will end and i will continue to drop weight. My nut described it this way to me: Your body has gone through a huge trauma, and you are dropping weight quickly, so your body will kind of stall things every so often to make sure that everything is ok, and that it doesn't have to do something different to keep you healthy. Once it has found that all is alright and you are getting the nutrition you need, it will stop and you will lose again. Please do not think i am putting down anybody who has a difficult time with this stage, as i am not at all, just sharing my own thoughts on the process. So to anyone struggling with this, hang in there it wont last forever!!!

Like folks above I did extensive research and chose Dr. Ariel Ortiz for the reasons listed above. He is more expensive but for my peace of mind I'm willing and able to pay more. Heck, I was going to spend $21k to have it done by my former band surgeon!
I'm lucky in that I have money saved so I don't require a loan and as I live in Southern California it's just a 1 1/2 hour drive south for me.
Do want to point out that there's more than one Ortiz in Tijuana. Dr. Ariel Ortiz is the one with all the certifications all over the place! Also, he recently conducted a surgical bariatric demonstration at a bariatric conference in NYC.

You will be on a full liquid diet likely at that point and focusing on getting in your Water which is harder than you could possibly imagine! 64 oz is not easy!
I'm just hitting 3 weeks out. For me there's occasional twinges. I'm still under a lifting restriction so nothing over about 10 lbs (that varies by docs between 10 - 20lbs). So no suitcases in the overhead.
I tire more easily. I've started back into the office the beginning of the third week and even doing a desk job haven't really been at work a full day yet. I really don't want to be around food and/or others eating and can't imagine going out to a restaurant.
I'm not saying don't go, but it may be iffy and you'd definitely need to pack Protein Shakes (you can do powder packets and a shaker bottle). But, you won't be sitting down to a family meal.
Some folks have a more difficult recovery period. Mine has been ridiculously easy but not even as easier as others!
Oh - and no pool/ocean or getting into Water for at least 3 - 4 weeks post surgery.

I'm sorry this hasn't been better for you. I felt the same way with my band and just hope this will work. You may have already done this, but have you had your thyroid checked?

I went solo and actually preferred it. You need the time to rest and recover after the surgery. And, the last thing you want afterwards is someone near you eating a meal. The smell would make you gag.
It seems that for the folks who have someone with them, they're out shopping and running around. Which while you might think you're ready for that - you're not! One of the docs at a followup appointment for me highly discourages people from going shopping, etc. But, your friend/family/etc will want something to do!
If I wasn't back at the dr. office for a followup I spend most of my time in my room resting, reading, watching tv or pacing around my room. My friends would have been bored stiff.

Jane you nailed it! My band was either too tight so I could only eat sliders or loose to the point I it was like it wasn't there. I felt like I had totally failed. But, I also think we have some advantages - we've already learned the tiny bites, chewing like crazy and the drinking thing. We've also learned that WLS isn't magic.
It's so hard not to compare your loss to others. My opinion is that the yogurt is okay. Yes, it's high in carbs, but it's healthier carbs. Watch though for added sugars. I'm not familiar with that brand so I don't know if they add in sugars or if the carbs are just naturally from plain yogurt.

I too went to Mexico, but was self pay with my band using a local surgeon. That time it was about 4 - 6 weeks. This time it was a bit longer, but that's because I was working with my schedule.

Oh yeah, those hurt! Even worse is when someone makes you laugh!

But the key you've identified is craving versus hunger. Two totally different things. Unfortunately the surgery only deals with one of them. It's still a matter of self control to stop the grazing and giving into cravings and head hunger. The only good thing is that you're full faster.
Probably need to find some evening behavior changes. Finding other things that can get you out of the kitchen in the evening.

Oh yeah. I think so many of us have done that. And, I'm sure there will be times in the future when I'm further out that I'll miss drowning myself in a huge plate of Pasta. But, those choices were killing me and making me miserable. Something had to change and it was me!

Oh yeah. I think so many of us have done that. And, I'm sure there will be times in the future when I'm further out that I'll miss drowning myself in a huge plate of Pasta. But, those choices were killing me and making me miserable. Something had to change and it was me!

I'm also a revision patient. Had my band for a little over 5 years. Lost 20 the first 6-8 months then another 30 lbs over the next 2 - 3 years! Yep, 50 lbs in 3 years. Then over the next 2 steadily regained 30.
I didn't have horrible complications. But, I was only in the fill "sweet spot" for a very short period of time. I had to diet without any real band assistance. If it was too tight, I had horrible acid reflux and basically ate "slider" foods - they go down easily but are usually the higher fat foods. Too loose (which was just a smidgen removed) and it was like it wasn't there.
Nothing like having WLS then not having a tool that works. At least for me. I just wish I could have gone back and had this surgery then!

You will be on a full liquid diet likely at that point and focusing on getting in your Water which is harder than you could possibly imagine! 64 oz is not easy!
I'm just hitting 3 weeks out. For me there's occasional twinges. I'm still under a lifting restriction so nothing over about 10 lbs (that varies by docs between 10 - 20lbs). So no suitcases in the overhead.
I tire more easily. I've started back into the office the beginning of the third week and even doing a desk job haven't really been at work a full day yet. I really don't want to be around food and/or others eating and can't imagine going out to a restaurant.
I'm not saying don't go, but it may be iffy and you'd definitely need to pack Protein Shakes (you can do powder packets and a shaker bottle). But, you won't be sitting down to a family meal.
Some folks have a more difficult recovery period. Mine has been ridiculously easy but not even as easier as others!
Oh - and no pool/ocean or getting into Water for at least 3 - 4 weeks post surgery.

That is a great idea! Last time we went as our larger family most of us bought the meal plan which worked out well, but for sleevers it would be a waste of money. The snacks can really add up so nice to do that, and save money as well!

I have had a million happiest post op moments. I have to say probably the most memorable was when a guy I have known for years, very conservative, very polite, professional type relationship says to me "holy ****, you are HOT!" On days when I feel low, I remember that moment and smile...lol.. I have come along way from the 300+ pound woman who hated to be seen by others.
So, early on, your tummy sensations are not mature. I don't have time to type a novel about this, but bottom line, don't believe the bull that you are somehow not going to be as successful since you are a revision. The REASON for that is bandsters have learned how to cheat... lets me honest... that band trained us to go for sliders etc. If you take that lesson "how i failed at weight loss surgery without really trying" and be determined to learn from it and have a different experience this time - there is no reason you can't rock the sleeve and have awesome results.
I beat the odds - started at 50+ BMI, was banded for 10 years with crappy results... and here I am now... at goal and feeling great. You too can do this and it doesn't matter if the weight comes off fast or slow... steady and smart choices wins at this race.

Honestly? Don't focus on the number of calories you're getting in, unless you're worried it's too low. Your stall, which many call the week 3 stall, is normal and will go away. Focus instead on getting your Protein, Water, and Vitamins. While none of us eat a lot of calories (I get 800 on a good day), it's good to keep in mind that even if you were to eat 1,000-1,200 calories a day, you're still probably expending more calories than you're taking in and you would still lose weight. When they said it's a marathon, not a race? They weren't lying.
Stalls, plateaus, seemingly impossible gains and other frustrations are going to be a part of the weight loss process. While it's hard to do so, make peace with them because you'll save yourself a lot of frustration on the road to your goal.

Went to Disney with my husband and two kiddos 9 and 10. We flew and stayed at one of the lodges in the park and one of the best things I did was go to grocery delivery site, it think it was garedengrocer.com and got a case of Water, Greek yogurt, beef Jerky, RTD shakes, nuts, cheese sticks, all of our normal Snacks and ordered Snacks for my family. They deliver it to your room your first day there! We then carried everything we needed in to the parks in string packs and only ate our lunch and dinner meals out! Not only did it save us lots of money, but helped me stay on track!
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I think reality shows and those like The Biggest Loser have done all of us a disservice. Perception of magic, throw in envy, ignorance and people's tendency to just be rude and viola you have ridiculous comments.

I think reality shows and those like The Biggest Loser have done all of us a disservice. Perception of magic, throw in envy, ignorance and people's tendency to just be rude and viola you have ridiculous comments.

Interesting topic so curious what others have to say. The only thing I can contribute is some research I learned some time ago. From a hydration standpoint, our bodies can only absorb about 8 oz of Water every 20 minutes. So, if you drink more than that the extra Water just flushes through your system and doesn't contribute to rehydration.
That being said, you could still be drinking enough water, but would be possible to still be dehydrated. At least that's how I'd interpret the 8oz/20min fact.

The parks have gotten much better over the last few years with healthier options on the menus as well as on the "street" stands. You'll now find carts loaded with fresh fruit and veges too.
The meal sharing is a great idea! And, definitely look at what's on the appetizer menus. An appetizer (if not fried, etc) would make a great full meal.