Poorehouse

Ok I am a terrible eater which is why I have a band that I hate and now I am looking at the sleeve...
I HATE the taste of all diet drinks... Yes I tried them and I realllly hate the taste.
I'm praying there is a Protein shake that is really good. Like chocolate milk good hahahaha. Or is there a good flavorless Protein that I could mix into a carnation instant Breakfast.
And I know I have to stay away from sugar but I really need help finding a Protein Shake that is so good my brain doesn't realize it's good for you LOL
Since I won't be spending money on fast food I can afford to pay a little more for good flavor ... I am NOT a coffee drinker. I like the basics chocolate vanilla strawberry and Carmel flavor if there is one.
Thank you guys for all of you wonder help!!'

Today is day on of post-op. I had my surgery yesterday morning (24th). So far so good. First leak study should be done around 9am this morning. Let's pray it successful
Has anyone else had theirs this week, we can share new journey together
So far the only part that bothers me is the terrible cotton mouth since you can't drink for 24 hours. Other than that, I managed to walking around (best thing you and do) and I can go potty alone.
I must say from day one with Dr.Cribbins to post op at Baylor Frisco has been amazing experience. Every person I came in contact are truly great! And hospital Beautiful. My room is like mini hotel. It has my area and TV and a little den area where my kids and or guest can watch their own TV on pull out couch. Who ever thought of that extra perk is genius, especially for patients with kids!
To make the stay better my preop nurse shared with me that not only did she have the sleeve 2+ years ago any lost 124 pounds... She had same surgeon as I did! She eased every doubt and fear and had me lol by time they rolled me back.
Good luck and God bless my new virtual sleeve family!
Elaine

I just did my leak test they said it looked beautiful!!! I feel much better than I thought I would about 6 hours after surgery I was up and walking. And by 12... I was getting in and out of my bed taking walks all by myself.... Well myself and morphine LOL
I get to go home tomorrow
I was given a great tip from one of the nurses that had a sleeve ... She said an easy way to double your Protein ...is to use flavored Protein packs (I love unjury brand....instead if mixing one scoop use two ... And since you can only drink two ounces at a time you won't have to drink a lot of it at once even if the taste is too much on you....BUT if you can tolerate 2 ounces at a time then when you get to 8 ounces you will have consumed about 40-44 grams! I believe Unjury vanilla has 22grams in each scoop:)
Good luck to my sleeve buddies!

Surgery date: 10.24.13
Highest weight 220
Surgery weight 214
Current weight 207-208
1st Goal weight .... Anything thing that gets me in a SINGLE digit jeans.... LOL
2nd Goal weight 135
Biggest accomplishments: going through a drive trough for the rest of the family to eat and NOT crying as a pass the smell of heaven back to their grubby little hands hahahahahah
Biggest Challenge: cloaking down 2-3 Protein drinks everyday for the 5 more weeks! I swear they seem to taste worse since surgery
Good lick everyone!

Surgery date: 10.24.13
Highest weight 220
Surgery weight 214
Current weight 207-208
1st Goal weight .... Anything thing that gets me in a SINGLE digit jeans.... LOL
2nd Goal weight 135
Biggest accomplishments: going through a drive trough for the rest of the family to eat and NOT crying as a pass the smell of heaven back to their grubby little hands hahahahahah
Biggest Challenge: cloaking down 2-3 Protein drinks everyday for the 5 more weeks! I swear they seem to taste worse since surgery
Good lick everyone!

OMGoodness I am 6 days out and feel like I'm starving! And being on cycle makes it worse! I thought they removed the hormone that makes you hungry when they took your stomach....my stomach growls all the time and people say it's just air... However, it is the same feeling I had when I was hungry BEFORE the sleeve, so I'm pretty sure I am really hungry!
I did 3 days clear and now liquids for 5 weeks! Please God let it go by fast. I know it's worth it on the end but man getting through the the next 5 weeks on same old Protein drinks and limited Soup uggggg!

I love pureed lo fat cottage cheese with a scoop of vanilla Protein Powder. It sort of tastes like cheese cake:) My other favorite is black Beans, 1 scoop of Unjury chicken Soup Protein powder, 1/2 cup Water and baked chicken breast pureed in the Vitamix. Then top with a bit of Greek Organic Yogurt. I have just begun the pureed stage and will be doing it for a month so I would also love to hear what others are eating through this phase.

Gather close young grasshopper and I will tell you the 1st secret of WLS. "Never trust a fart!" :-P
The diarrhea stage is one I think we all go through, since you're basically living on liquids for several weeks.
It does clear up, but for about the 1st 3 months, I could never trust a fart. After that, I went through the Constipation phase and I had to learn go get in enough Fiber. And experienced the oh so lovely taste of Milk of Magnesia! At about 9 months my new stomach adjusted and I'm back to normal.

I will look that pill up and ask my doc if and when I can take it. Right now this sucks .... I can't even leave the house because I have 2 seconds to run to potty
I'm glad I'm not the only one... I mean I don't wish this on anyone but I'm glad I'm don't alone...

Today is day on of post-op. I had my surgery yesterday morning (24th). So far so good. First leak study should be done around 9am this morning. Let's pray it successful
Has anyone else had theirs this week, we can share new journey together
So far the only part that bothers me is the terrible cotton mouth since you can't drink for 24 hours. Other than that, I managed to walking around (best thing you and do) and I can go potty alone.
I must say from day one with Dr.Cribbins to post op at Baylor Frisco has been amazing experience. Every person I came in contact are truly great! And hospital Beautiful. My room is like mini hotel. It has my area and TV and a little den area where my kids and or guest can watch their own TV on pull out couch. Who ever thought of that extra perk is genius, especially for patients with kids!
To make the stay better my preop nurse shared with me that not only did she have the sleeve 2+ years ago any lost 124 pounds... She had same surgeon as I did! She eased every doubt and fear and had me lol by time they rolled me back.
Good luck and God bless my new virtual sleeve family!
Elaine

Today is day on of post-op. I had my surgery yesterday morning (24th). So far so good. First leak study should be done around 9am this morning. Let's pray it successful
Has anyone else had theirs this week, we can share new journey together
So far the only part that bothers me is the terrible cotton mouth since you can't drink for 24 hours. Other than that, I managed to walking around (best thing you and do) and I can go potty alone.
I must say from day one with Dr.Cribbins to post op at Baylor Frisco has been amazing experience. Every person I came in contact are truly great! And hospital Beautiful. My room is like mini hotel. It has my area and TV and a little den area where my kids and or guest can watch their own TV on pull out couch. Who ever thought of that extra perk is genius, especially for patients with kids!
To make the stay better my preop nurse shared with me that not only did she have the sleeve 2+ years ago any lost 124 pounds... She had same surgeon as I did! She eased every doubt and fear and had me lol by time they rolled me back.
Good luck and God bless my new virtual sleeve family!
Elaine

I am on a preop diet 2 weeks before my surgery oct 24th. I know this is to shrink my liver. I can have Protein Drinks and some thinks like hot Cereal low fat or fat free dressing with salad, low fat or fat free puddings and eggs and some cheese.... Just "nothing that ever had eyes" hahahahaha so no meat! Anyway, I wanted to know band to sleeve revision ... Is everyone in this struck diet?
Also I am trying to mentally prepare. How much pain can I except when I am in recovery?
Has anyone had any complications/leaks and are you happy or regrets? I would love to here from both people who just had revision and tho use more than a year out and have successfully kept weight off!
Oh I am staying 2 days per my doc!
Thanks so much this sight has really been an amazing help to me. Don't sugar coat!

I am new to and supposed to have this surgery 10-24-13. I would love to have all those answers too.
I did a post asking what the best flavor Protein Drink there is for flavor the one that several people liked was called Premier and you can get samples.< /p>
Unjury was another and I have tried it and it was shockingly good to me and I HATE healthy anything (I could have write your post lol). They also have a chicken Soup flavor that several people liked. I called Unjury and ordered a sample pack of all 5 flavored they have.
I do know you will be on a liquid diet before and after for almost 6-8 WEEKS which I'm told is the hardest part... But once that is over it seems to he worth it.
Also there are Water based Protein Drinks if you don't want them think.
My friend did sleeve lust 75 in a year and is maintaining. She said if you go to a GNC health food Vitamin store tell them you are looking for Protein drinks they are they only store that will let you return it if you don't like the flavor!!! And that is great because they are not cheap so that should really help you out trying to find what works for you.
I hope that helps good luck to you!!!

It's crazy how many onus have the same story!
I too am a failed TWO time lap banded and I am getting a revision pending insurance approval in Oct 25th
As far as insurance if you have a common insurance like United healthcare you should still get covered even if it takes longer because you still meet the same criteria as you did when you got the band... Your BMI is likely 35 - 40+ and they actually have a diagnose code for "undesirable" weight loss results and the band is diagnosed as mechanical defect because it did not produce the intended results making it a failed procedure. So even with no other symptoms your chances are good for approval because you are doing a revision. Plus you also mentioned other problems you are having due to the weight like leg pain... All of that is part of your medical records they will send.
If you think about it... In the log run its cheaper for insurance to pay for one sleeve surgery and get it over with verses paying for fills several times a year for the rest of your life on top of paying for additional surgeries caused by the band to repair the damage done.
It would be nice if the took the band off the market seeing how clearly the long term uses is so dangerous. I'm waiting for someone to file a class action law suite over the band because you know that is coming after seeing the identical same stories pop up everyday... You figure this website/app alone has patients from all over the United States so this is not the case of a doctor not knowing what he is doing this is happens to everyone in every state cause by the band makers!
I hope this eases your mind until you get approved
Good luck to ya

I did and wants to do band to sleeve revision in one surgery oct 25th
2 week all liquid diet PRE-op and then 4-6 weeks liquid to mush after!
Good luck to you !!! Tell me how it goes!!!

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

Post sleeve- I was nauseated by sweet for months. Unjury is unflavored, strawberry, vanilla, choc, cheese sauce and ckn Soup. I was a terrible shake drinker! I preferred the thinner ones- odwalla, was not so sweet ! To enhance my protein-- I pureed meatloaf, thinned w beef stock-- don't look just drink--- it was heaven !! Pot roast the same ! I would add a scoop of the unflavored unjury powder-- only negative is can't heat it above 120 or 140 if clumps up. If you haven't found the webpage-- the world according to egg face-- she has a ton of good ideas. I was lucky-- I was at goal when I had my sleeve-- I didn't have to do the reduced calorie diet stuff again, which made life taste better. My absolute favorite is Gladiator from smoothie king-- it Has a whopping 45 gms Protein. Avail I'm 3 flavors and low carb.

Hi Jamsey,
I am 15 weeks out and feel so much better and am down 70lbs since surgery. Many people who lose weight regardless of how they do it deal with skin, so that is nothing to worry about you can simply say you have lost a large amount of weight because if you are undressing you will probably have had a conversation about that by then. On the food thing I have been very open with everyone about my surgery but I understand why many don't. I know not practical but would work in a dating situation to order an appetizer, then an entree and get "full" on the appetizer and take the entree home for later or maybe go somewhere with tapas or other small meal options and no one will notice.
This truly is one of the best decisions of my life I was 24 when I had my surgery and my husband is 31 and had the surgery 3 weeks after me, it has been a journey but is exciting figuring out how things work for us and learning our new way of living life!
I'm an open book about my journey much like many on here so if you have an specific questions, let me know.

Snufflegus gave great suggestions about eating out but I am here to discuss loose skin.
I am 21 and I started out well over 300 pounds. I have lost 100 pounds before in my life and had loose skin after that. People always preach, "Oh you're so young, it will snap back!" But I have been very heavy my entire life and I have terrible, dry skin from multiple endocrine issues. So yeah, the loose skin definitely turned me off to the idea of WLS because it's a lot faster than normal dieting.
But someone said, "Erika you may not look good in a bikini but you will look smokin hot in a good pair of jeans and fitted top!" That motivated me. We may not look the best naked but we would look AMAZING out in public in normal clothes! Our confidence will be through the roof and our HEALTH WILL BE GREAT! No medications, no high blood pressure and be able to have a fun and active life. And I would take that with saggy skin anyday. Plus I could just chop it off/get a lift later on in life. Heh. So try not to be too upset by the skin and as for dating - there are many loving and understanding people out there that won't be bothered by it.
And food is all of our "best friends". Fast, cheap and convenient and always there for us through the tears, boredom, late night TV and basically whatever emotions we have. But best friends try to bring you up, not down. I'm happy that you are beginning to realize this and changing your life. Good luck with everything!

Dr Cribbins returned my call this morning LOL
Ill see him next week thank you.

About 4 years ago I needed my band because another doc over filled it so much and so
often he ruined it. It was suggest I check out dr provost and dr Cribbins...
Dr Cribbins wanted to remove band for a YEAR then do a sleeve. At the time I had not heard very much about the sleeve and I made mistake of watching the surgery on YouTube and thought ohhhhh hellllll no! LOL so then I went to dr Provost also considered one of the best (staff questionable at times lol) he had 27 years experience and did first Gastric Bypass. I know from what I have heard and confirmed by talking to other patients in his waiting room that he is the "go to" doc when your surgeries go bad, for example he had a lot of "I had mine done in Mexico can you help me" patients and the ones I spoke to swore by him. At that time the sleeve was not discussed because I was hoping te band would work out. In the end he did fix the band the best he could but I was still never successful on it. Fast forward to now.... I'm mentally preparing for the sleeve and this site has been sooooo help full to me. You guys are so amazing with your support.
As it stands... I DID call Dr. Cribbins office two or three times and left a message with his nurse explaining I was ready to do revision like he suggested many years ago and want to know how many he had done. NO responses to any of my calls ... Not even to to tell me I had to make an appt ... So that was disappointing. But I do know he is good.
So I now have an UGI and consultation scheduled with dr provost next Thursday. I hope it is the right decision all the way around.
Thank you so much for all of your kind words of advice! Ill let you know how it goes.
And I agree I want to be a patient not a number

Thank you about dr Cribbins ill call today...
If the other doctor is waiting only a week then it could because he is "double dipping" charging for TWO surgeries... (I work in medical field LOL)
Thank you so much I will check in to him

I have the band and I have had it 5 years ... I HATE it! I still feel hungry and I don't get a full feeling I get a stuck feeling!
I have had port replaced and I had to have band replaced too! I never lost more than 25-30 pounds. And after reading band to sleeve revisions on this site and all. Their problems I am having my band removed and checking into the sleeve myself. If had to do again I would have done sleeve to begin with. Plus consider the cost long term ... The band requires office visiting and fills every 4-6 WEEKS until goal is met IF it gets met and that cool take over a year. Very expensive! It adds up!
Sleeve after your post op you will follow up every 6 months I believe.
Get another opinion ... It may be you are too small for surgery

Has anyone had band to sleeve revision done in Texas. I wanted to get opinions on some doctors.
Dr. Provost or Dr. Cribbins
Those are the two I am considering but open to others - can get personal opinions from people that have had this done in the Plano, Dallas or Denton area.
Thank you