4meonly

It's funny, I read this thread this morning and just got a call from the doctor saying the results of my blood test show me to be low in Vitamin D. He has prescribed a 50,000 IU tablet/capsule every week for 12 weeks. Then he will retest. Does this dose sound right? I do crave chocolate and eat it daily. I never cared much about chocolate before. Could this be because of the low D? History: Had a revision from band to sleeve in October 2008. My weight is 110, height 5' 4".

I had my revision from band to sleeve almost 3 months ago. I had it done in Mexico by Dr. Aceves. It was a wonderful experience. I had the sleeve done because I was having problems getting the fill level right. I would either be too loose or too tight. After 2 1/2 years of that, I decided to go for the sleeve. I was a self pay, also. The sleeve is great!!!

Angel Nurse, Thank you for your reply. The mass is still there and even if I shouldn't worry about it, I do. It is at the site where my port used to be. It is where the drain was and I'm sure where they removed the band, port and stomach. I don't know that it has gotten any bigger, but it is large. It was there when I left the hospital. My husband and I joked about it being the head of a baby. Anyway, there is no heat or redness. I don't have a fever. The incision seems to be healing well (no redness or swelling of the actual incision line). My pants that were too big before surgery are tight in the waist, even though I am down 10 lbs since surgery. My surgery was done in Mexicali so I would have to go to a doctor that may not know anything about this surgery. He may not know what is normal. Also, I'm sure I would have to pay for any treatment, so...don't want to act too quickly. Now, here is a theory. I have lost all of my excess weight, plus some. I had a tummy tuck last March. Could it be that it's just that I have no excess skin for the mass to 'hide' in? I wonder if I would have even noticed it if I had all the skin I used to have on my stomach. What do you think?

YouKnowIt, I had a revision from band to sleeve on Oct. 20th. I had Dr. Aceves do the revision. He is in Mexicali, Mexico. Great doctors, great staff, great hospital, and great care. The revision is a tougher surgery than a straight sleeve because they are removing the band and port as well as doing the sleeve. You spend 3 nights in the hospital. You spend 1 night (before the surgery) in a beautiful hotel (included in the cost). Let me know if you have any questions. Cheryl

Thanks for your reply WASa, The swelling really doesn't hurt. It's the large swollen mass that's got me. It feels like when I was pregnant and the baby's head (about that size, only softer) was pushing out on my stomach (does that make any sense?). That said, I have to say that it WAS there when I was in the hospital. I commented to my husband and had him feel it. He's the one that made the comment about a baby's head. The doctor never mentioned it. So, it must be normal, in some sense anyway. It's only gotten a bit bigger since I left the hospital. If it were an infection one would think that I'd have a fever, it would be red and draining and painful. I don't have any of that. I haven't missed my band since they unfilled it 3 weeks before surgery. It's nice to talk with someone who has had the same surgery with the same doctor. I get to start on thicker liquids on Thursday. That will be nice. Although, it hasn't been bad. It's hard to get all the liquids down with just clear fluids. I've enjoyed the popcicles!! Can you eat just about anything now? Did you get my email telling you that Dr. Aceves no longer does a 34 bougie? He now does 36. I couldn't talk him into doing the smaller one on me. I went into the hospital at about 128 and am now 120. I have a feeling I will lose more than I want in the next 3 weeks. Thank you. Cheryl

Also, the swollen spot is where the drain came out of and was left open to close on its on. Cheryl

WASaBubbleButt, Hi. I'm one week out from my band to sleeve surgery. I have a bit of pain where the port was, otherwise, I'm doing well. My question, I have a pretty big lump (and have had it since the surgery) where the port was. There is no redness or heat around the incision. The incision has closed very nicely. Did you have this swelling? I wasn't worried in the beginning, but am wondering how long this will be here. I think I remember someone mentioning this happening (I don't know if it was the doctor or online). Anyway, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

It's been a week since my surgery. I had a band to sleeve revision. I have (and have had since surgery) a large lump where my port was. I think it's the same incision they took the band, port, and stomache out of. There is no heat or redness. The incision is healing fine, just a bump. Also, were your BM's green? Is this from the dye used for the leak test? Thank you for any help. Cheryl

Mac, Thank you for your encouragement. WASA, I can't believe I'm here. So far, everyone has been great. We parked in the AA parking lot and we were picked up and taken to the hospital. I met Yolanda who seems very nice. I also met the nurse who will be taking care of me. Her name is Karen. I had all the tests done and was taken to the hotel. We will be picked up at 7:00 tomorrow morning. I was told somewhere that the revision patients are taken last because he wants to have as much time as he needs. Did you find this to be true? If so, what did you do all day waiting to be taken in for surgery? How much weight did you lose the 1st month? Did you take the sleeping pill the night before surgery? I feel very confident, so am thinking I may not. I asked about the spinal, as you suggested. As long as they can do the spinal when I'm in 'twilight sleep', I'll do that. That's what I had when I had my TT. Thanks for the suggestion. They said I could eat whatever I want today. I had a great tasting shrimp dish at the hotel restruant last night. Their soup was great. I wanted a caesar salad but my husband was afraid for me to eat the lettuce. Did you have salad while here? They asked how I heard about them and I told them that I heard from a previous patient. I told them your name, but didn't know your last name. Just in case there is some 'special' thing you get for referring a patient. Honestly, without your help and encouraging posts, I would not be here right now! You have been so good and patient about answering questions. I really appreciate it. Thank you. I will try and post on Tuesday. Cheryl

I arrived in Mexicali, Mexico this afternoon. I will be having my Lap Band to Sleeve surgery on Monday morning. Dr. Aceves will be doing the surgery for me. I had all the pretests done today. My husband and I will enjoy the pool and walk the city tomorrow. I'm excited to be having this done!!

Thank you for all the well wishes. I am anxious to get this done. I have been totally unfilled for almost 3 weeks now. I have been able to eat just about anything for the past 2 weeks. I haven't gained but a pound or so. I'm happy for that. We will be leaving for Mexicali tomorrow. We plan on meeting a driver on the US side of the border at 1:00, Saturday afternoon. They are letting me have all of the tests done on Saturday. That way, we have all day Sunday to do some sightseeing. That should be fun. I have surgery on Monday, and should be out on Thursday morning. I am a little concerned about the long drive home (Seattle area). We plan on going slow and stopping every hour or two. Denise, the revision from lapband to sleeve is costing me $12,500. My insurance won't cover it. Since I've already had the TT done, this should be it for me. Cheryl

skhopp, I did very well with the band until about 1 year ago (about 1 1/2 years out). At that time I was down to 115 lbs. I couldn't keep anything down. I would get an unfill and gain weight, a fill and I'd bring everything up. This was a fill or unfill of only .1 cc. The doctor has done 3 endoscopes and 1 upper GI in the last year. They all come back normal. He says he can't figure it out. So, after seeing WASaBubbleButt's thread, I decided to do some research on the sleeve. I like what I see, so will be having it done one week from today. I'm actually very excited. I would like to lose 5-10 lbs and then just maintain. That would put me at 118-123 lbs. Thats a good weight for my 5'4" frame. Cheryl

Nazzy, The revision from band to sleeve is going to cost me $12,500. That's the cost in Calexico. This doctor has been used by many of the regulars on LBT. I've heard nothing but good things about Dr. Aceves and his staff. Cheryl

Oops, I meant to say, It was nice to have normal food and not throw it up. Sorry.

WASaBubbleButt, Thank you so much for replying. I have read your posts over the past year or so and appreciate your honesty. After being unfilled for two weeks (liquids only), I had an upper GI done. It came back "absolutely perfect". No slip, erosion, ulcers, or irritation. Because of this, Dr. Aceves said I could eat anything. I have been careful, but have eaten half a hamburger and a few fries for the first time in 2 1/2 years. It was nice to have real food and throw it up! The doctor now feels very confident that he can do the band to sleeve revision in one surgery. That was what I was hoping for. When you have some time, can you tell me exactly what to expect from getting to Mexico to leaving? I was happy to hear that Dr. Aceves has not had any leaks. I think she said no complications in any sleeve operation. Thank you for your help. I know I can trust that you will be honest in your experience. Cheryl

Mac, Thank you for replying. I read your story on another board. You had a very interesting time. I appreciate others who have gone through this, sharing their experiences. It really helps the rest of us. Again, thank you. Cheryl

Limelight, Thank you so much for your reply. More questions. Did you drive back home? If so, how far was it? Were you uncomfortable? Were you put on liquids before the surgery? If so, how long? Some people talk about their 'last supper' the night before the surgery. Was the drain uncomfortable? Did they numb before the IV? (I always find that this helps). How long were you out of work? I hope you don't mind my asking all these questions. I just want to be prepared when I go. Thanks, again. Cheryl

Hi, I've been reading the sleeve threads for awhile now. I've enjoyed reading about the experiences of all of you. I have a date for my revision. I will get my sleeve on October 20th. I will be going to Mexico and having it done by Dr. Aceves. I have been very pleased with the personal attention given me by Nina the Patient Coordinator. I got the band in March of 2006. I have had great success! I went down from 200 lbs to 125 lbs (low of 115 lbs). My problem is similar to WASaBubblebutt. I am currently on 3 weeks of liquids in order for the doctor to do everything at the same time. He wants to make sure I don't have a slip or any swelling at the time of surgery. I would love to hear from others who have used Dr. Aceves. I'd especially like to hear from those who have been revised from band to sleeve. (But, would love to hear the experiences of anyone who has gotten a sleeve.) What was the surgery like? Pain? Drains? Time in surgery? What you ate after surgery? Did you fear a leak? Nina says that they have never had a patient with a leak. That's reassuring. I have so many questions!! We will be driving from the Seattle area to Mexico. We will stop every hour on the return so I can walk around. What do you think of this? Will it be too uncomfortable? Soon to be a sleeved sister, :cool2: Cheryl

Hi. I will be going to Mexico on Oct 19th, with Dr. Aceves. Surgery will be on the 20th. I was banded in 2006. I will be having a revision surgery from band to sleeve. I will be getting a complete unfill this morning and going on liquids for 3 weeks preop. That's a little scary :biggrin:. My weight is 125 (up from lowest of 115). I hope to lose the 10 lbs and then maintain. I hope the sleeve will help with that.

Sandy, I had the same problem with the old gallbladder scar. I'm sorry, but I didn't understand what the surgeon will be doing. Could you explain more? I had my TT May 31. BBK, you've done great. Congratulations! Cheryl

Wasa, Thank you for your reply. A couple of questions. I don't believe that much of my food/drink makes it to my stomache. It seems to stay in the esopagus (sp). If the tests show that the stoma is open and I chew well, why would it not go down? I don't have any acid reflux, it just comes back up. I've been banded for 2 1/2 years and have lost 90 lbs. Also, why wouldn't I continue to lose weight if a majority (if not all) of my food stays in the esopagus? Another thing, I had a TT March 30th. My problem had started in Dec 07. Thanks, again. Cheryl

Hi, Wasa, I've been having the same problems as you for about 5 months. The test show that my opening is okay. I have gastritis and esophagitis (sp). The doctor says to chew better. Right!!! I am presently at 116 lbs. I can't keep much down, although, I am staying at the same weight (don't know how that is posible). I have feel, unfill, fill, unfill, and on and on. Could I ask how much it costs to convert over to the sleeve? Thank you for coming on and telling all. It gives me hope. Cheryl

I just called for a fill and was told that the earliest appointment was for May 12th. I can't go that long! I just ate dinner and ate far more than usual. Sitting around the house bored is causing me have an appitite like I haven't had since being banded. I need to go back to basics, again. Cheryl

Julie, I had my slight unfill the day before my TT surgery. I've done fine until today. My TT was 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I have been eating every piece of chocolate I can get my hands on. I never liked chocolate. I think I need to schedule a fill. I'm like you, I need to feel a PB coming on to know I'm done. I always thought I was the only one. Good luck. Cheryl

I must have gotten a mons lift with my TT. I am awfully flat there, now. It was puffy before. I didn't ask for it (too embarrassed) but pretty sure I got it. That area looks a lot better for sure. Cheryl