trudyjo

Hi everyone, I'm revising from a lapband to a sleeve and I've been planning to have a friend stay with me after surgery for a few days. Lately, I haven't been getting along with this person as well as I have previously and I'd prefer to not have him stay in my home but I don't have anyone else that could come and stay with me. Just wondering if anyone else went home and immediately began taking care of themselves? I also have 3 dogs that will need to be taken care of. What are the challenges I should begin planning for??
Thanks so much for any advice.

I'm 8 months out and still suffer from serious Constipation. I've accepted it as a part of life. I tried many of the suggestions previously mentioned and they didn't work well for me. What did work is a tea that you can buy called "smooth move." I drink it every other evening before I go to bed and the issue is solved. It is frustrating because it certainly does affect the scales. It does get better though , I promise.

I had a band to sleeve revision in April and I had no real pain. I had nausea from the anesthesia (I always do). But no real pain.

I'm 8 months out and still suffer from serious Constipation. I've accepted it as a part of life. I tried many of the suggestions previously mentioned and they didn't work well for me. What did work is a tea that you can buy called "smooth move." I drink it every other evening before I go to bed and the issue is solved. It is frustrating because it certainly does affect the scales. It does get better though , I promise.

Texturized vegetable Protein has more protein than any animal protein product, vital wheat gluten does also. I choose to eat eggs and fish, but that is because I like them, not because I feel like I must in order to get enough protein in. Just do a little research, there are so many options (once you get to solid food...). You will do great!

Hi dimplesonblast, I had my surgery Monday too and was absolutely miserable the first couple of days. The nausea and pain meds didn't work for me, they had to switch them out twice before they found something that helped at all. I came home yesterday and had a pretty good night last night. I'm still very weak and shakey, but I also, for the first time since surgery, feeling at least slightly human. I'm getting my fluids in and trying to make sure there are calories in everything I'm taking in. I feel like ,hopefully, the worst part is over. I will keep you in my prayers that you feel better soon too.

I too am a band to sleeve revision patient. I'm scheduled to have my surgery Monday, 4/7. While I haven't had the surgery yet, I've been researching it for well over 2 years. There are many on this board that I believe confirm the following:
1. Yes, many who have a band to sleeve conversion lose all their excess weight and more. It requires working with the band and following the eating guidelines your doctor has set out for you, but it is totally possible.
2. The rate of weight loss seems to be slower (for some), my doctor told me this would happen and said it was because your body already understands what you are trying to do (drastic calorie reduction) and will work to hold on to weight longer. There are several on this board that I've read who did not have this issue, and several who do seem to lose slower, but they lose and that, to me, is the most important part.
3. Your doctor was telling you the truth about the hormone that causes the hunger sensation. It is called the ghrelin hormone and it is produced (for the most part) in a part of your stomach that is removed. Many people on these boards report no sense of hunger (or minimal sense of hunger) for several months (6-9 months appx.) after surgery. Beyond that point, your body increases the production of this hormone, and you do feel a stronger sense of hunger, but, I've read, not like it was prior to surgery, however, you still have to manage it. In addition things like acid reflux, GERD, and head hunger can make you think you are hungry when in fact it is something else. We have to train ourselves to recognize the difference.
I hope this helps, there are many, many posts on these boards about these exact topics from those who have had the surgery. It has helped me in planning to read what others have experienced and to understand that this isn't a magic bullet, but a powerful tool that we can use to help us in our weight loss goals.

I too am a band to sleeve revision patient. I'm scheduled to have my surgery Monday, 4/7. While I haven't had the surgery yet, I've been researching it for well over 2 years. There are many on this board that I believe confirm the following:
1. Yes, many who have a band to sleeve conversion lose all their excess weight and more. It requires working with the band and following the eating guidelines your doctor has set out for you, but it is totally possible.
2. The rate of weight loss seems to be slower (for some), my doctor told me this would happen and said it was because your body already understands what you are trying to do (drastic calorie reduction) and will work to hold on to weight longer. There are several on this board that I've read who did not have this issue, and several who do seem to lose slower, but they lose and that, to me, is the most important part.
3. Your doctor was telling you the truth about the hormone that causes the hunger sensation. It is called the ghrelin hormone and it is produced (for the most part) in a part of your stomach that is removed. Many people on these boards report no sense of hunger (or minimal sense of hunger) for several months (6-9 months appx.) after surgery. Beyond that point, your body increases the production of this hormone, and you do feel a stronger sense of hunger, but, I've read, not like it was prior to surgery, however, you still have to manage it. In addition things like acid reflux, GERD, and head hunger can make you think you are hungry when in fact it is something else. We have to train ourselves to recognize the difference.
I hope this helps, there are many, many posts on these boards about these exact topics from those who have had the surgery. It has helped me in planning to read what others have experienced and to understand that this isn't a magic bullet, but a powerful tool that we can use to help us in our weight loss goals.

What is the name of this type of procedure? I'd like to learn more.

I too am a band to sleeve revision patient. I'm scheduled to have my surgery Monday, 4/7. While I haven't had the surgery yet, I've been researching it for well over 2 years. There are many on this board that I believe confirm the following:
1. Yes, many who have a band to sleeve conversion lose all their excess weight and more. It requires working with the band and following the eating guidelines your doctor has set out for you, but it is totally possible.
2. The rate of weight loss seems to be slower (for some), my doctor told me this would happen and said it was because your body already understands what you are trying to do (drastic calorie reduction) and will work to hold on to weight longer. There are several on this board that I've read who did not have this issue, and several who do seem to lose slower, but they lose and that, to me, is the most important part.
3. Your doctor was telling you the truth about the hormone that causes the hunger sensation. It is called the ghrelin hormone and it is produced (for the most part) in a part of your stomach that is removed. Many people on these boards report no sense of hunger (or minimal sense of hunger) for several months (6-9 months appx.) after surgery. Beyond that point, your body increases the production of this hormone, and you do feel a stronger sense of hunger, but, I've read, not like it was prior to surgery, however, you still have to manage it. In addition things like acid reflux, GERD, and head hunger can make you think you are hungry when in fact it is something else. We have to train ourselves to recognize the difference.
I hope this helps, there are many, many posts on these boards about these exact topics from those who have had the surgery. It has helped me in planning to read what others have experienced and to understand that this isn't a magic bullet, but a powerful tool that we can use to help us in our weight loss goals.

Hi everyone, I'm revising from a lapband to a sleeve and I've been planning to have a friend stay with me after surgery for a few days. Lately, I haven't been getting along with this person as well as I have previously and I'd prefer to not have him stay in my home but I don't have anyone else that could come and stay with me. Just wondering if anyone else went home and immediately began taking care of themselves? I also have 3 dogs that will need to be taken care of. What are the challenges I should begin planning for??
Thanks so much for any advice.

As a person who has had a lapband since 2009, I can tell you that it is just as invasive, simply in different ways. With a lapband, you will develop scar tissue around the band that can cause significant issues, you may also have a band slip which happens more than you are probably anticipating, you can have band erosions, ports that flip, tubes that leak, etc.
In addition, you will still have the hunger you experience today, you just won't be able to satisfy it, or the food might get stuck. I've been in the hospital 3 times with stuck episodes, and now my band has slipped and sits near my esophagus. I'm converting to a sleeve as quickly as I can.
There is a forum for people who are converting from a band to a sleeve, you might want to look around there a bitt to get the real scoop on issues with the band.

I always want to be as supportive as I can, but guys, you can't spot lose fat. There is no such thing as "abdominal" fat or "butt" fat. Fat is fat. Many may have lost weight on the HCG diet in the past, but how many kept it off? In addition, you are playing with hormones that are already messed up from surgery. Stick with the plan you were given, even if it means living with a stall for a while and your weight will eventually come off. Most of us have tried all these crazy diets I the past, dozens of them - if they worked, you wouldn't have needed the surgery. Please try to stop the diet mentality. This is a life change, not a quick fix.

I always want to be as supportive as I can, but guys, you can't spot lose fat. There is no such thing as "abdominal" fat or "butt" fat. Fat is fat. Many may have lost weight on the HCG diet in the past, but how many kept it off? In addition, you are playing with hormones that are already messed up from surgery. Stick with the plan you were given, even if it means living with a stall for a while and your weight will eventually come off. Most of us have tried all these crazy diets I the past, dozens of them - if they worked, you wouldn't have needed the surgery. Please try to stop the diet mentality. This is a life change, not a quick fix.

Let me start by saying this is simply a rant so please forgive me at the start.... I was banded 4 years ago and struggled a great deal to get through the pre op diet. I was miserable then, but I thought to myself, I only have to do this once..... I've had a lot of problems with my band and I'm now scheduled to have a Revision to the sleeve which I'm happy about but "D@&n"! Today is the first day of the pre op diet and I've made it through the day BUT I am a cranky, nasty, baggy BIT&&..!!!!!!!!!
Just needed desperately complain about it!,,,,
Thank you

Let me start by saying this is simply a rant so please forgive me at the start.... I was banded 4 years ago and struggled a great deal to get through the pre op diet. I was miserable then, but I thought to myself, I only have to do this once..... I've had a lot of problems with my band and I'm now scheduled to have a Revision to the sleeve which I'm happy about but "D@&n"! Today is the first day of the pre op diet and I've made it through the day BUT I am a cranky, nasty, baggy BIT&&..!!!!!!!!!
Just needed desperately complain about it!,,,,
Thank you

Hi everyone,
My education class was last week and I learned a couple of interesting tidbits that I thought would share.
Now, of course, everyone's program requirements are slightly different, so please follow your doctors guidelines first! That being said:
1. To help with nausea -- every morning, drink warm Water with lemon juice in it. It clears any mucus buildup and helps clear your stomach for new food.
2. FOR HAIR: take the following to help with hair growth:
50 mg of Co-enzyme Q10 3 times daily. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps aid healing and energy levels. It also helps to promote Hair growth.< /p>
Biotin 5000 mcg daily - helps promote hair growth.
200 mg of zinc sulfate OR 50 mg of zinc gluconate - this is important for immune functions and to help promote hair growth.
3. For healing and to assist your digestive track in processing food through the intestines - take a probiotic daily for at least the first 2 weeks once you ate cleared for full liquids. You can break it open and put it in your Protein shake.
Hope this is of benefit to the group.

Hi everyone,
My education class was last week and I learned a couple of interesting tidbits that I thought would share.
Now, of course, everyone's program requirements are slightly different, so please follow your doctors guidelines first! That being said:
1. To help with nausea -- every morning, drink warm Water with lemon juice in it. It clears any mucus buildup and helps clear your stomach for new food.
2. FOR HAIR: take the following to help with hair growth:
50 mg of Co-enzyme Q10 3 times daily. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps aid healing and energy levels. It also helps to promote Hair growth.< /p>
Biotin 5000 mcg daily - helps promote hair growth.
200 mg of zinc sulfate OR 50 mg of zinc gluconate - this is important for immune functions and to help promote hair growth.
3. For healing and to assist your digestive track in processing food through the intestines - take a probiotic daily for at least the first 2 weeks once you ate cleared for full liquids. You can break it open and put it in your Protein shake.
Hope this is of benefit to the group.

Hi everyone,
My education class was last week and I learned a couple of interesting tidbits that I thought would share.
Now, of course, everyone's program requirements are slightly different, so please follow your doctors guidelines first! That being said:
1. To help with nausea -- every morning, drink warm Water with lemon juice in it. It clears any mucus buildup and helps clear your stomach for new food.
2. FOR HAIR: take the following to help with hair growth:
50 mg of Co-enzyme Q10 3 times daily. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps aid healing and energy levels. It also helps to promote Hair growth.< /p>
Biotin 5000 mcg daily - helps promote hair growth.
200 mg of zinc sulfate OR 50 mg of zinc gluconate - this is important for immune functions and to help promote hair growth.
3. For healing and to assist your digestive track in processing food through the intestines - take a probiotic daily for at least the first 2 weeks once you ate cleared for full liquids. You can break it open and put it in your Protein shake.
Hope this is of benefit to the group.

Hi, I've had fine, thin hair my entire adult life and I've tried just about every option out there including Nioxin and Bosley. The two companies/products are very different. Nioxin is a shampoo/conditioner/hair treatment system that is intended to create the best environment for your hair to grow so that hopefully, you will again have a thick, full head of hair. I used it and it didn't work for me, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. Several people have tried it and had great success. Bosley offers several programs ranging from Shampoo products similar to Nioxin to laser therapy to hair replacement systems and hair grafting. The shampoos are very, very expensive, much more than something like Nioxin. Laser therapy is the next option and it can work well if you commit to it. Usually you need to go in 2 times a week for the laser treatment. In southern CA those visits are $50 each time and you have to go forever, once you stop, the hair will revert to what it was before you began the service. Third option would be a hair replacement system. This would be for someone with really advanced Hair loss. The hair piece is custom made to match your hair strand density and hair color. It takes appx. 8 weeks to have made. The area where it is going to be placed is shaved and the piece is glued to your head. The look is very realistic but not completely invisible and you need to go in every 6 weeks to have it removed, have your head cleaned and have it reattached. The last option is surgical where they will take a section of hair follicles from the back of your head and surgically implant them where you have hair loss. This is great if you are a candidate and can afford it. Typically, hair grafting runs between $1.50 to $4.00 per graph and most people need a minimum of 1,000 grafts. If your hair loss is temporary from surgery, just remember, it will come back. It is normal to loose hair after any surgery. Add to that, the drastic reduction in calories and your hair is in a though spot. Take Biotin to help with strength, be sure you are keeping your Iron levels up (low iron can cause hair loss), be sure you are getting your Protein in (that is what hair is made from) and wait. It will come back. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

Hi, I've had fine, thin hair my entire adult life and I've tried just about every option out there including Nioxin and Bosley. The two companies/products are very different. Nioxin is a shampoo/conditioner/hair treatment system that is intended to create the best environment for your hair to grow so that hopefully, you will again have a thick, full head of hair. I used it and it didn't work for me, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. Several people have tried it and had great success. Bosley offers several programs ranging from Shampoo products similar to Nioxin to laser therapy to hair replacement systems and hair grafting. The shampoos are very, very expensive, much more than something like Nioxin. Laser therapy is the next option and it can work well if you commit to it. Usually you need to go in 2 times a week for the laser treatment. In southern CA those visits are $50 each time and you have to go forever, once you stop, the hair will revert to what it was before you began the service. Third option would be a hair replacement system. This would be for someone with really advanced Hair loss. The hair piece is custom made to match your hair strand density and hair color. It takes appx. 8 weeks to have made. The area where it is going to be placed is shaved and the piece is glued to your head. The look is very realistic but not completely invisible and you need to go in every 6 weeks to have it removed, have your head cleaned and have it reattached. The last option is surgical where they will take a section of hair follicles from the back of your head and surgically implant them where you have hair loss. This is great if you are a candidate and can afford it. Typically, hair grafting runs between $1.50 to $4.00 per graph and most people need a minimum of 1,000 grafts. If your hair loss is temporary from surgery, just remember, it will come back. It is normal to loose hair after any surgery. Add to that, the drastic reduction in calories and your hair is in a though spot. Take Biotin to help with strength, be sure you are keeping your Iron levels up (low iron can cause hair loss), be sure you are getting your Protein in (that is what hair is made from) and wait. It will come back. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

Hi, I've had fine, thin hair my entire adult life and I've tried just about every option out there including Nioxin and Bosley. The two companies/products are very different. Nioxin is a shampoo/conditioner/hair treatment system that is intended to create the best environment for your hair to grow so that hopefully, you will again have a thick, full head of hair. I used it and it didn't work for me, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. Several people have tried it and had great success. Bosley offers several programs ranging from Shampoo products similar to Nioxin to laser therapy to hair replacement systems and hair grafting. The shampoos are very, very expensive, much more than something like Nioxin. Laser therapy is the next option and it can work well if you commit to it. Usually you need to go in 2 times a week for the laser treatment. In southern CA those visits are $50 each time and you have to go forever, once you stop, the hair will revert to what it was before you began the service. Third option would be a hair replacement system. This would be for someone with really advanced Hair loss. The hair piece is custom made to match your hair strand density and hair color. It takes appx. 8 weeks to have made. The area where it is going to be placed is shaved and the piece is glued to your head. The look is very realistic but not completely invisible and you need to go in every 6 weeks to have it removed, have your head cleaned and have it reattached. The last option is surgical where they will take a section of hair follicles from the back of your head and surgically implant them where you have hair loss. This is great if you are a candidate and can afford it. Typically, hair grafting runs between $1.50 to $4.00 per graph and most people need a minimum of 1,000 grafts. If your hair loss is temporary from surgery, just remember, it will come back. It is normal to loose hair after any surgery. Add to that, the drastic reduction in calories and your hair is in a though spot. Take Biotin to help with strength, be sure you are keeping your Iron levels up (low iron can cause hair loss), be sure you are getting your Protein in (that is what hair is made from) and wait. It will come back. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.