Band07

I should maybe also say I'm only 25 lbs from goal and have been running on and off for the last few years, maybe this would make a difference ?

I juice but do it as a part of a almost (80% or better) raw diet.
The carb count is increased with juice, but it is not refined sugars, and if you balance your juices with net fibers (remember the carb/fiber = net carb ratio for diabetics) and don't overdo it (it is up to the individual to determine what that means, we are all different.
For me when I am really dehydrated, or getting that way and I have not had my calories for the day either, juice allows me to hydrate and get in more nutrients than I otherwise would.
www.fullyraw.com
check it out
also, if you juice and are not going the whole route with a vitamix or blender (a vitamix is just a really powerful blender and honestly I can get the same results with a regular blender with some patience).
dont discard your leavings! That is alot of food, ALOT of $$$, and you can make grain free breads, biscuits, dips, and I will eat it raw, too, lol... dog treats, small animal treats, birds will eat it too!!!!

Thinking about trying to incorporate juicing into my post op .. Anyone have any experience with this ?

No. I knew I was taking a chance just as with any surgery, there are NO guarantees, I took a risk and I feel both my doctor and Allergan had informed me to the best of their knowledge what could possibly happen as a result of my decision at that time. We know a lot more now than we did six years ago obviously but how can they be responsible for information that developed over the years since lap band had been initially implemented?

No. I knew I was taking a chance just as with any surgery, there are NO guarantees, I took a risk and I feel both my doctor and Allergan had informed me to the best of their knowledge what could possibly happen as a result of my decision at that time. We know a lot more now than we did six years ago obviously but how can they be responsible for information that developed over the years since lap band had been initially implemented?

I'm sorry you were misinformed Nursebarbie, however when the band first came out, it WAS believed that it should and would stay in forever, the fact that that may no longer be the case is new information that has come from studies now available because obviously with time comes knowledge and more experience. As for tobacco industries, I would hope to God you are not suggesting that they should be held responsible for the health effects of someone making a CHOICE to use their products, and since this is a weight loss surgery forum, I will stick to the topic.

Yes agree to disagree. And no worries I won't be suing anyone who rear ends me or anyone who produces hot coffee which I spill on myself, or any store who fails to clean their ice covered side walk, or even anyone who exercises their right to free speech even if it offends me. Again I'm sorry you were misinformed but perhaps that fault is with your surgeon and their staff or perhaps again maybe they did not have the information themselves to pass on to you. And no, i am not an allergan employee, im just a lap band patient who takes full responsiblilty for my choices and did so knowing there were no guarantees and as with anything in life the possibility for complications. I realize you were simply asking for opinions and I'm sorry you did not like mine. Best of luck to you.

I'm sorry you were misinformed Nursebarbie, however when the band first came out, it WAS believed that it should and would stay in forever, the fact that that may no longer be the case is new information that has come from studies now available because obviously with time comes knowledge and more experience. As for tobacco industries, I would hope to God you are not suggesting that they should be held responsible for the health effects of someone making a CHOICE to use their products, and since this is a weight loss surgery forum, I will stick to the topic.

No. I knew I was taking a chance just as with any surgery, there are NO guarantees, I took a risk and I feel both my doctor and Allergan had informed me to the best of their knowledge what could possibly happen as a result of my decision at that time. We know a lot more now than we did six years ago obviously but how can they be responsible for information that developed over the years since lap band had been initially implemented?

I'm sorry you were misinformed Nursebarbie, however when the band first came out, it WAS believed that it should and would stay in forever, the fact that that may no longer be the case is new information that has come from studies now available because obviously with time comes knowledge and more experience. As for tobacco industries, I would hope to God you are not suggesting that they should be held responsible for the health effects of someone making a CHOICE to use their products, and since this is a weight loss surgery forum, I will stick to the topic.

Hello! Band revision to sleeve 4 days ago. My dr did at the same time but I know other drs require it to be done in 2 surgeries. No, didn't take fills out beforehand. My surgery was a piece of cake... Seemed easier than the band surgery years ago.

I too loved my band and never thought I would ever want it out. Iv been banded for six years and Iv kept my weight off within 15 lbs of my goal the whole time. I'm looking for a better quality of life and less long term side effects than the band can offer me though Iv absolutely had the same concerns, especially knowing the sleeve is the sleeve and can't be adjusted when I feel l need more restriction like I could with my band .

My surgeon goes by the job you do. I don't do any heavy lifting so he said I could return after 1 week but I took 2 and I'm glad. I was good after 1 but still tired and trying to learn how to eat and get a schedule going. It is like trying to learn to eat all over again. Most people I know have taken between 1 and 4 weeks.

I think every surgeon is different in the way they do the surgery and where the incisions are, but I have 4 very small scars in different places on my belly..

I have also heard that for some, they believe the band causes people to be "slow losers" but I honestly think that everyone loses at their own pace, it just gets blamed on the band in a revision patient. I have spoken to so many revision sleevers and it seems to be about the same ratio of fast to slow losers as "virgin" sleevers.
And going back to what CowgirlJane said, I think ANY weight loss surgery is going to be what you make it. Yes, the band was a flawed system that made it so much harder to eat the healthy foods... however, I know for me personally, there came a point with my band that I gave up trying to find my "sweet spot" and resorted to sliders. I had been through so many fill adjustments that my patience and, as a self pay, money, were running thin.
I resorted to sliders to get through and it was a very easy and familiar way of eating, so I stuck with it, instead of continuing to try and get the most out of my band. Do I think that everyone can be successful with the band if they just try harder? No, of course not (myself included), and I don't think anyone should be expected to go through the insane number of adjustments it would likely take to actually find a "sweet spot" for a lot of us. But, I do agree with Jane that part of the success with the sleeve, at least for me, will really come from evaluating where I made poor choices with the band. And honestly, in a lot of ways, I am thankful for my last 10 years with the band... as much of a mess as it was, I feel like it's put me in a good place mentally to adjust to a sleeve and be committed to the program I need for long term success!!

I think the closer you are to your natural weight (goal) the slower it comes off. Your body adjusts to losing too much so it won't take much to stop losing.

I had a revision on May 6th and my BMI was low like yours. I weighed in at 164.5. I am now about 151 after 17 days but I think it melts off in the beginning due to low calorie intake. My Dr. said I would plateau because I was worried about the same thing. I would just up my calorie intake a bit if I lose to much. Good luck!

Having the VSG means you rely on changing your lifestyle with food. The sleeve will not work if you eat like with the band. Your new lifestyle means you learn to eat healthy and live wise. It's a lot of work, but so rewarding in many ways.

As with any maintenance plan, you would increase/adjust your calories/fat/carbs
and find a level where you are no longer steadily losing. Your NUT would be able to really map it out for you.

Had my revision on May 6th and very happy about it. I lost 45 pounds in 16 months with the band and my diabetes went into remission but my quality of life had greatly suffered. It hurt to eat anything, was constantly throwing up and had heart burn and reflux. My doctor said the longer the band is in the more it damages the stomach thank god my wasnt in to long and my stomach was ok. My body is happier without the foreign material in it and I feel like a new person. I did not eat much with the band so I think the post op diet has been quite easy for me. I am now on soft foods because my doctor is more lenient with his post op diet than some others and I can eat soft as tolerated after 15 days. I have had no problems and can't feel every bite like i did with the band. I think I will actually eat better with the sleeve because my options will be much more available once I am healed. Best of luck!

Thanks for sharing !! I just feel like a good thing went bad but I'm optimistic for improving the future

Thanks for sharing !! I just feel like a good thing went bad but I'm optimistic for improving the future

No. I have followed the RULES explicitely - which means sip, sip, sip and Soup, Soup, soup the first 20 days. I have no intention on being the reason through my own stupidity for causing a leak or tearing a stitch.
Is it easy? Hell no. However, that which is hard only makes you stronger. It is getting "easier" so to speak because I am forcing myself to stay out of the kitchen (which helps).
It is only hard when I have to make dinner for my two youngest kids.
I am considered the 98% success story as of right now. I will have until Week 8 (I am only in Week 2) for the full report.

I've been banded for almost 4 yrs. I lost 104 lbs in the first 2 yrs. After a slight slip and a partial unfill a yr ago, I gained back about 15 lbs. Then, about 6 weeks ago, I had a herniation and a total unfill. Gained another 15 lbs. So here I am, awaiting revision surgery at 177 lbs (got down to 144 on my wedding day in Dec 2011).
So, yes, I relate. I have a bad band in me but I don't hate my band. In fact, until it started causing me much pain about 6 weeks ago, I loved my band. I attribute it to all my loss. I still love my band. I'm going to be sorry it's gone (not really, it'll be kinda nice not getting stuck and vomiting anymore)
Good luck to you!

I paid $5,500 for a lapband removal and revision to gastric sleeve.
I live in Seattle and flew to San Diego to have surgery in TJ, MX
Insurance did nothing but play games since last September. I took my medical well being into my own hands.