BigDaddyJoe

I couldn't have yogurt until the puréed stage, after 1 week.

I 2nd this sentiment. I revised from a labband to a sleeve 7 weeks ago. I wouldn't recommend the band to anyone.
#1: It has a very high complication rate. Almost 50% of people eventually have a complication ( I actually think it's much higher but those r the official stats) and with only 15% of ur stomach, u can't afford to lose anymore. It took my dr 30 extra minutes to dig my band out of my stomach, leaving damage. It's a good thing he took most of it out!
#2: It's the least productive surgery. If you can't lose with the sleeve, what makes you think a lesser surgery will work better?
#3: You're always chasing the elusive "sweet spot". It took me 4 mths to find it and many times to refind it in the 3 1/2 yrs I had it. It's like a heroin addict...
#4: Not sure a dr would even recommend or do a band over sleeve. most drs are phasing the lapband out (I think it was a fad, like Phen-Fen in the 90's). Altho I've heard of band-over-bypass (Carnie Wilson comes to mind). If they do it with that, there's a possibility they'd do it with the sleeve.
If I were you and the sleeve failed (I guess it happens to sleeves too. It happens to lots of lapbanders. I guess it never dawned on me that it wouldn't work. I mean they took out 85 of my stomach. How can it NOT work?) I would talk to my dr about the RNY. Seems like the logical next step. I didn't want the RNY cuz it seemed too drastic to lose 44 lbs. Not as if taking 85% of my stomach out isn't drastic, but not as drastic, IMHO.
Good luck with ur decision. I loved my band while it was working. Then it wasn't. You have to be a 100% rule follower to have the lapband. If you can't follow every rule to the T, the bands not for you.

i agree - why???Are you already failing, or expecting to fail?

Yeah, it can be hard. The headaches I got the second or third day after giving up carbs were unbearable! Pretty good idea to try to ween yourself off of them ahead of time. Don't make yourself miserable longer than you have to though. You really won't crave them the same after surgery, so it is actually a lot easier then.

Yeah, the ketosis is horrible, and my breath could knock over a horse!

Yeah, the ketosis is horrible, and my breath could knock over a horse!

Don't look at it like it is cheating! Look at it like this - before the surgery, would you have stopped, or been able to stop at three spoonfuls? I admit, it is a bit soon to be deviating from the plan. But if you go forever denying yourself an occasional treat, that is no way to live. Forgive yourself, and get back with the program.

Don't look at it like it is cheating! Look at it like this - before the surgery, would you have stopped, or been able to stop at three spoonfuls? I admit, it is a bit soon to be deviating from the plan. But if you go forever denying yourself an occasional treat, that is no way to live. Forgive yourself, and get back with the program.

Don't look at it like it is cheating! Look at it like this - before the surgery, would you have stopped, or been able to stop at three spoonfuls? I admit, it is a bit soon to be deviating from the plan. But if you go forever denying yourself an occasional treat, that is no way to live. Forgive yourself, and get back with the program.

I track religiously, which is a complete shock to me. I tried tracking during a previous diet and never stuck to it. I think it was because I couldn't be honest with myself about what I was putting in my body. Now it is easier, because I'm doing mostly the right things. It helps me get to my Protein goal every day, and to keep carbs down. It also helps me see when my calories are too low. I had a day recently where I had only eaten about 500 calories by 8pm, so I made myself eat a snack. I tend to stall when my calories are too low, and the only reason I know that is because of MyFitnessPal.

I track religiously, which is a complete shock to me. I tried tracking during a previous diet and never stuck to it. I think it was because I couldn't be honest with myself about what I was putting in my body. Now it is easier, because I'm doing mostly the right things. It helps me get to my Protein goal every day, and to keep carbs down. It also helps me see when my calories are too low. I had a day recently where I had only eaten about 500 calories by 8pm, so I made myself eat a snack. I tend to stall when my calories are too low, and the only reason I know that is because of MyFitnessPal.

I can't say that I had a single 'moment'. My wife and I made the decision to do it together. I did it so that I would be around for my kids. I know I was headed for a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease does run in my family, so I still run the risk, but I was definitely headed that way, no doubt in my mind. High blood pressure, sleep apnea. All gone now. So it wasn't a single moment, but I did have my motivation.

In order to calculate the calories, you are going to have to give us pretty specific details.....

Thanks so much, Pixie Dust!

It took me 2 weeks before I could sleep on my side without feeling like I was twisting something. The first week I slept sitting up on the couch with my feet on the ottoman.

It took me 2 weeks before I could sleep on my side without feeling like I was twisting something. The first week I slept sitting up on the couch with my feet on the ottoman.

In my profile

Yes GamerGirl, I do now! It was only one person's opinion, and everyone else's contradicts hers, so it's all good now!

Just viewed your profile pic ~ wow! What a transformation! You know, I still am shocked at how much younger people look after they've lost weight. I guess I never thought about weight aging people but when I see before & after pics, it's almost like seeing a Mother/daughter or Father/son (in your case) pic! You look awesome! Congratulations!

Ugh... I guess I'll have to quit being lazy and go look

Then there are the folks who defend obesity as a civil rights issue. "Love yourself the way you are" taken to ridiculous levels. We have brains to change the way we are if the way we are is destructive and can be changed.
Obesity kills, I gladly gave up my "right" to be fat.

I can't say that I had a single 'moment'. My wife and I made the decision to do it together. I did it so that I would be around for my kids. I know I was headed for a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease does run in my family, so I still run the risk, but I was definitely headed that way, no doubt in my mind. High blood pressure, sleep apnea. All gone now. So it wasn't a single moment, but I did have my motivation.

I had 2 separate 2-week-long stalls by 6 weeks. Nothing you can do about it. I'm still down 88 lbs (and below my doctor's goal weight!) in 5 1/2 months. The body releases weight when it wants, never in a straight line.