Idlewood4

Congrats on joining us December sleevers. I've been on the liquids for 11 days now. The first few days are the hardest. It does get a lot easier. And we have so much to look forward to. Glad you are here.

Way to go imgood. Hope your surgery goes well and you are up walking around soon!

Congrats one day closer. Glad to hear you are doing well. Monday doesn't seem like it will come soon enough. Jcallie I had the headaches the first few days but they went away. I tried to focus on other things. On day 10 of prep diet. I don't have any patience.

This is such a useful thread. Thank you all for sharing! Midijola, that would scare me too. We all know the risks, but decide it's worth taking for better health. I do agree checking to see your surgeon's experience with revisions is a great idea. I'm petrified that mine won't be able to do the sleeve when he opens me up, but also realize that if he makes that decision it's for my own safety. I've been since April without my band.

Best wishes and congratulations. I go on Monday and can't wait. Let us all know how you are doing.

How are all the December folks that got sleeved already? I am drinking my protein drink watching my coworkers chow down on pizza and birthday cake. Yum my protein shake is delicious! If I say that often enough maybe I'll believe it. Nut appointment tomorrow am

What a motivating thread! Thank you all for sharing your stories. I got my band in 10/07, went from 308 to 237, had colon surgery and got to 224. Then I had the port flip and they replaced it. Port flipped again,got replaced again. Never got to the "sweet spot" after that first time. Had major acid reflux,couldn't swallow my pills, and ended up gaining back to 256. That scared me, and I managed to hover around 256 for a while with an empty band. I had it removed in April 2013 after it slipped. Had to wait for the inflammation to settle down, and then go through the 90 day insurance requirement. Had to jump through a few extra hoops since it was a second bariatric surgery. Got my approval, and I'm set for the sleeve on 12/9. Thank you all for sharing your stories. I'm sure I'm making the right decision for me, and you've all confirmed it. To great health!

How are you all doing now? I'm set for my sleeve on 12/9.

I got my band in October 2007, and had 2 port replacements and a slip before it was removed in April 2013. My doctor wouldn't do the sleeve right away because of inflammation from the slip. In July he said it was okay to start the program, but my insurance made me do a 90 day program as well as some additional requirements because it was a second bariatric surgery. I finished the 90 days in mid November, then started the insurance approval process. Now I scheduled to get the sleeve on Dec 9. So it was April to December from band removal to sleeve.

Way to go! I've found the same results with my liquid diet too. I started on the 26th, and get my sleeve on the 9th. I think I can feel my liver shrinking. LOL! It's not easy at the beginning, but it does get easier as you go along.

Hi December sleeve buddies. How is everyone doing today? Today was day 9 of my liquid Protein. I've found it's important to keep myself busy. Day 3 was the hardest, now it's rather routine. I know I can do this. I'm trying to eat as though I already have the sleeve. It's very strange, how can I feel like a limp dishrag, but also have more energy, and feel positive about life? I'm ignoring the anxiety, I just redirect my thoughts instead of dwelling on it. I know this is right for me. I have thought if I can do this with Liquid Protein, maybe I don't need to go thru this, but then I remember all the times I've tried to lose weight and ended up gaining more. The sleeve is a tool to keep me on track. Sorry for the rambling, I think I've lost a few brain cells along with the fat! I just wanted to check in and see how you all are doing.

Endless80 said "There were times I felt like they were herding us in like cattle." I had my band at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. I definitely felt like I was just a number there,and one of the cattle being herded through the process. I didn't feel the support either pre or post op. I had the band because I needed colon surgery and the colon surgeon said too dangerous at 308.. He walked me over to the bariatric surgeons office and explained the situation. After the band I developed an infection and was unable to reach anyone in the bariatric surgeon's office. I had to contact my primary doctor. It was a weekend, but in a large hospital like Brigham and Women's when you call the number on the discharge paperwork, you expect a response. I may have been a fluke, but I was not impressed, felt like a number. Fast forward to my pending sleeve experience at North Shore Medical Center in Salem, MA. I've felt like the testing and pre-op process was extremely thorough. Although at times it's seemed annoying and excessive, I know it's for my own safety. Everyone I've encountered in the program is genuinely caring. They don't seem rushed, and take the time to respond to my questions and concerns. So much depends on where you go and the quality of the surgeon. It's important that they do all that annoying prequalification, and that they are sure I'm as physically and emotionally ready for this life changing event. We are all making a decision, and when I weigh my obesity health risks with the risk of this surgery, the surgery wins!

This is a great topic. Another long post. Sorry! I had a lapband in 2007, lost and kept off 50 pounds. However, I had a lot of problems with the band. I couldn't swallow my meds. They were never able to find a spot where it wasn't too tight or too lose. I had a major infection afterwards. I had 2 port revisions because the port flipped. Finally I had to have the band removed in April 2013 because it had slipped. Even with all these problems, I would do the band again. Fast forward to July 2013, I still have 100 pounds to lose, and have multiple obesity related health complications. They definitely improved when I lost the 50 with the band, but I really wanted to get into the ones. I know this requires a lifetime commitment.and wonder if I have what it takes. But overall, I'm really looking forward to better health, and to eating a healthy diet. Essentially the sleeve is just another tool I can use to overcome my lifelong weight problem. I have followed the 3 month pre op program,and am just starting week 2 of my liquid Protein. I went though the emotional roller coaster with the band, and know I will encounter it again with the sleeve, but feel equipped to deal with it. I'm not alone, and this forum is an awesome resource. My sleeve surgery is 12/9. I've researched my surgeon, the hospital, and the program, and all have excellent records. I had to do so much extensive pre surgical testing, and feel I'm both physically and mentally ready for this surgery. I'm aware it's not an easy solution, but am ready to take my chances. I'll let you know how it goes.

My doctor required 2 weeks preop, so I'm on day 7 for my surgery on 12/9. The first few days were hard, I think day 3 was the worst. Keep your eye on the prize, and remember the liquids are only temporary. You can do it, it's the start of a great new healthier life. My surgery can't come soon enough. You can do this. I've found these boards are awesome, you realize that there are so many people going through this. Am a nervous? sure, but also have so many obesity related health conditions, that it is worth doing. You can do it.

Hi everyone. I had a band with Dr. Lautz (who was at Brigham and Women's at the time) in 2007. Kept off 56 pounds, but the band slipped and I had a lot of problems with it. Decided to go for a sleeve revision, and I'm scheduled on December 9 at Salem Hospital/North Shore Medical Center with Dr. Benedetto. So far, been thrilled with the way they've handled things. I'm just finishing my first week of Carnation Essentials sugar free Instant Breakfast. I'm glad to meet everyone on this group.

Hi fellow Massachusetts sleevers. I'm in Salem MA, having my sleeve at North Shore Medical Center in Salem, MA on December 9. I'm revising from the band which was taken out in April. Can't wait for my sleeve, I'm just finishing up week one of the liquid diet. Glad to meet you all.

Hi, I'm from Salem MA and am scheduled to get the sleeve on 12/9 as well. I had a band in 2007 but had lots of problems with it, finally slipped and needed to have it out in April this year. Had to wait for inflammation to settle down and then work through the program and the 90 days my insurance required. I'm doing my surgery at North Shore Medical Center in Salem, MA. Nice to meet you guys.

My surgeon says no, and a few in my support group who tried regretted it. Those a year or so out, said they can have in small amounts, but surgeon says bad idea cause carbonation can stretch the pouch.

The no soda is supposedly because the carbonation can expand your stomach? And the no caffeine is because caffeine can apparently irritate the stomach lining where the incision was made. The no decaf seems a bit extreme though. From reading the forums, it's obvious that each surgeon/practice has their own rules. I'm following mine now, it's a day by day thing. I don't want him to open me up and go-look, she had coffee last week, sew her back up till she's caffeine free. They did full drug test screening at the start of the program, and also at the preop. I figure they are just being very cautious.

Another Dec 9th person here. I started my pre-op diet a week ago and have lost 12 pounds so far. My pre-op diet is 3 Carnation Essentials sugar-free Instant Breakfast made with Smart Balance milk, 1 small fruit, 1 greek yogurt, and all the sugar-free Jello and popsicles and broth I want. I log in to myfitnesspal to record my food and exercise. My insurance Federal BC/BS made me do a 90 day precertification that involved monthly nutrition and nurse visits, a psych visit, a pulmonary visit, (I already have a CPAP) a stress test, support group meetings monthly, and a 4 week group nutritional program. I did not have a set weight loss goal to be approved, just that I had to comply with all those things. I did my surgical pretesting, and that went ok. My doctor requires no nicotine for 6 months, but since I'm a nonsmoker it wasn't a problem. for me. Also, no soda and no caffeine. We are not even allowed decaf because there are traces of caffeine in it. I'm petrified I'll get a cold or something will happen to put the surgery on hold......... I am so ready for this. And yes, I did cheat, on Thanksgiving. I had 3 ounces of turkey, and a tablespoon of potato, cranberry, squash and stuffing. I went right back on the Protein drinks, and didn't have butter or gravy, so hoping I didn't sabotage myself. The no caffeine is the hardest for me. I'm so glad this group is here, it's been so helpful.

Way to go! Keep up that positive train of thought. Enjoy those jeans. I'm just starting this journey, but am so looking forward when I can go shopping with my 20 year old daughter and not be in the plus size section.

My sleeve surgery is set for 12/9 and I'm so ready. I had a band in 2007 with lots of issues. Two port replacements and finally a slip. I lost 80 pounds with the band and managed to keep 68 of those off even when the band failed. The band came out this April and I had to do entire program plus extra requirements because its my second surgery. Everything is in place and I feel like this is it for me. I have lots of obesity relayed health issues. I am on day 2 of my protein shake diet and I just want to whine. Was it Linda Rondstat that sang "poor poor poor me. Poor poor pitiful me?". The 9th can not come soon enough!

I'm on day 2 of protein shakes I have 12 more to go before my sleeve surgery date on 12/9. Type 2 diabetes for 20 years. I was up to 80 units NPH morning and bed, sliding scale Novolog, 1.8 Victoza, and 2 XR metformin twice a day. Its day 2 of liquid protein and I keep going low. Haven't taken novolog, and my endocrinologist is cutting my NPH in half. It was down to 64 units twice a day with the presurgical program. Got the OK to treat lows with 1/2 cup OJ or glucose tablets. Been taking blood sugars pretty frequently. Would love to hear others experiences with this. Great topic!

So excited. Just got my date today, and my surgery is set for Dec 9. Can't wait. It's been a long journey to get to this point. Had my band out in April, and just waiting until I could get this done! So happy to be joining the December group.

I have mixed feelings about the band. I had it for just over 7 years, and lost and maintained a 50 pound weight loss. I never got to my goal weight, but that was more my fault than the bands. However, I had 3 port revisions, and finally had a slip in April 2013 and had to have it removed. With the band, I had some real problems, but I'm also grateful for that 50 pound loss. I'm just starting the process to get a sleeve. My doctor wanted me to wait 6 months till the irritation/inflammation from the band settled down. So the bottom line is that I would probably join a class action suit against the band. I had a lot of co-pays, and a lot of time missed from work. I also had nasty acid reflux and a terrible time taking my meds cause of swallowing difficulty.