VSG Tommy B

I mix 1/2 cup of Daisy (tastes better than other brands) cottage cheese with 1-2 tablespoons of reduced sugar Craisins and love it. I usually have it for at least 1 if not 2 meals per day.

I did it in June with a 16 month old who weighed 30+ pounds at the time. I sat on the floor as much as possible so he could come to me and changed him on the floor. My partner was very helpful and did most of the work. I was lucky enough that I healed quickly and was able to pick him up for short periods of time after only 2 weeks. It was 4 weeks until I could hold him as much as I used to. The biggest problem I had was avoiding his accidentally hitting my incisions.

If you have the help and can stick to the restrictions, do it. Everyone talks about how much better the sleeve is than the band. Before I had the revision, I knew it would be better, but thought they were exaggerating (sp?). They weren't. It is a MAJOR difference that has changed my life and helped me reach my goal in just 3 months.

I was sleeved by Dr. Yoo 3 months ago, am down 48 pounds, feeling great and love my sleeve!! I wish I had my band removed and got sleeved sooner.

Dr. Yoo is awesome. He takes all the time needed to explain everything you want and need to know.

I keep forgetting to take my calcium citrate and can't take it with my Multivitamin because it contains Iron.

Is there a pill or chewable multivitamin that also includes all of the Calcium citrate we need? I know Celebrate has a powder drink combo of the two, but I don't really care for it. If not, any recommendations for a chewable multivitamin that does not contain iron and for an iron supplement?

Thanks!

I am down 30 pounds in 5 weeks post-revision. It is 3 pounds lower than I ever got with the lapband before I started having complications and the lightest I have been in 10 years. I was so nervous of failing a second time and had some minor general complications (IV and catheter) but now I couldn't be happier and have no complaints at all. I am almost never hungry and am happy with the amounts and types of foods I am allowed to eat.

Go For It!

I am only 5 days out and traveling by car for 6 hours tomorrow. Doctor said no problem as long as we stopped frequently to walk.

Hey everyone,

I got revised from a band to sleeve on Wednesday late in the afternoon. All went well. I spent one night in the hospital, had some nausea and pain that has mostly passed. Now I am just a little uncomfortable and feel well enough that I could return to work (desk job) tomorrow if I really needed to.

I dont have to have the colon prep good luck tommrow

Thanks. You too.

I am having my revision tomorrow too. Due to having to work today, I had to do the colon prep yesterday and have been on Clear liquids only since then. Did anyone else have to do a colon prep? What's the point of it? Seriously, they leave the pyloric valve and don't touch the intestines. After thinking about that all day and feeling like I am going to starve, I found out that my surgery isn't til 2pm tomorrow! I will be on Clear Liquids without a functioning band or sleeve for over 48 hours. UGGGHHH!!!

On the positive side, I can't wait for the sleeve and the feeling of fullness I never got with the band (except for the tightness when the pouch was full, but the rest of the stomach was growling).

smoothie King Gladiator powder is very tasty, but is only sold (I think) at Smoothie King stores.

Ajeeprider really did a great job summing things up.

I am white and live in Raleigh with my latino and black children. We've never had any issues, but there are definitely areas in Raleigh to avoid just as there are areas in Durham to avoid.

At your age and with you possibly working at Duke, Durham should be a good fit for you. My suggestion would be to try to find an apartment near where you will work that will offer a 6 month lease. I would then explore as much as possible and take the time to get a feel for where you want to settle for the long term.

That's really good to know, I went to the Raleigh office for my pre op appt. I will be sleeved June 26th

I am getting sleeved on June 26th too!

Where are you getting sleeved? Who is your doctor?

Dr. Yoo is doing mine at Durham Regional.

Congrats Smokey! Glad to hear you are on your way. I had my pre-op appointments last week and get sleeved on Wednesday June 26th. I am so ready to get it done.

Well, everything is out in the open now! I didn't mention what I am having done, just that I am having surgery and that I will need two weeks off. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I officially have my surgery date on June 26th!

Glad to hear everything went well. I am also having the sleeve done (revision from band) on June 26th. Good luck!

I also loved my band and was successful until two doctors told me it had to be unfilled because I have reflux which was eroding my esophagus. Now I don't have any restriction and have gained a lot of weight back. That's why I am having the band removed and replaced with a sleeve on June 26, 2013. I am very excited, but very nervous that it won't work either.

Thanks to all who reported good results. I was worried about this too.

I am having my band removed and sleeve done in one surgery in two weeks. My doctor has not unfilled my band.

2 weeks high protien, low carb. Then VERY strict- One week full fluids, one week clear fluids prior to surgery. It sucked. BUT, it helped prepare for the 4 weeks of liquid post op.

Thanks!

My doctor doesn't require a preop liquid diet. I'm thinking it might be good to do anyway to help kickstart the postop diet. What are the restrictions?

I live in Raleigh and am having a band to sleeve revision at Durham Regional by Dr. Yoo later this month.

Does anyone have experience at Durham Regional? I would have preferred Rex, Duke, or Duke Raleigh, but Durham Regional is the only place Dr. Yoo does revisions.

My insurance said that as long as the BMI was at a stated level at the start of the supervised diet, it could not deny me based on my success or failure of this supervised diet. Check with your insurance

It is my understanding that most insurance companies have the same policy. They use the BMI from the initial consultation with the surgeon.

ONE thing you should keep in back of your mind! DO NOT I mean DO NOT tell them you have acid reflux they will not approve u doing the sleeve! Sleeve makes the acid reflux worst and they will deny it! just tell them you are having lot of discomfort with band and you are having hard time keeping liquid and food down! DO NOT even bring up acid reflex!

Acid reflux prevented my doctor from filling me any more than 3cc in a 10cc band. This left me constantly hungry. Yesterday I received insurance approval for the revision. I did get denied originally, but wrote a short letter appealing that decision. The whole process took 5 weeks. Can't wait to get my surgery.

I really like the barbecue sauce. It tastes just as good as the sugary ones. The fruit dips (chocolate and marshmallow creme) were gross.

I have Cigna and am having a band to sleeve revision. Some documents say I need the 3 months weight loss program with PCP, which I have done. Others just say the surgeon needs to show mechanical failure of the band, which he can. In reading that some of you have been required to see a NUT for 3 months too, I am getting nervous. My surgeon is submitting to Cigna for approval tomorrow. I can't have the surgery for another two months due to work, but my fingers are crossed for a quick answer so I can meet any additional requirements and get approved in time to have the surgery in late May or June as originally planned.

How long did it take everyone to get an answer (either way) from Cigna?

Thanks!

My doc said that the sleeve will probably not stretch, but if you overfill it, you run the risk of stretching the esophagus.

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know if you have a sleeve done at Duke University Hospital, do you get a private room or semi-private room?

Thanks!