my2bys9799

I had a lapband and like you only lost about 30 pounds. I was revised to the sleeve last year in May, and I'm already under my original goal.

I am in the same situation as you, my lap band did not work and I lost at most, 40 lbs. Here I am now almost 4 years later, reading the posts on this site (which I have become completely addicted to) and having to go through this all over again. The band does not work for many people, whereas the sleeve has significantly higher success rates. Just read all the posts from others on this site.
I am not speaking from my own personal experience, as I have not yet had my procedure. I just received insurance approval, and am just waiting for my surgeon's surgery scheduler to contact me with my date, but I have done my research and feel like this experience will be completely different from what you and I have both experienced in the past. Failure, and frustration.
I'm not saying this journey is going to be easy - but if we go into this with the right frame of mind, we're at least on the right track. Best of luck to you in your journey!

this is a great post idea. I am writing this from my hospital room less tha 24 hours post VSG. I really don't know who I am right now. I am certainly on a journey. One that has taken me thousands of miles from my home and my children. I am running away from being the funny fat chick. I am not sure why.I started this journey six months after I lost my mother. I am not sure why I didn't know who I was anymore after she's was gone. I just knew that I didn't feel ok in this body any more. I put on 25 lbs since have died and everything on me hurt. My knees, my back, and my heart. It wasn't enough to just be me. I am sitting here now questioning who or what it is I want to be and I know the possibilities are endless. I want to be the mom who has the energy to play with my kids and the wife who my husband is proud to be with. I actually wouldn't mind being the funny chick in size10!!

My doc never have me the impression that weight loss would be slower for me because I had the band. Since starting my pre-op diet 2 weeks ago and being sleeved last week, I've already lost 20 lbs.

Okay so I've been cooking a lot more lately and I have found that when I eat clean (meaning as little preservatives, gluten and processed crap) I tend to lose more weight quicker, feel better and actually get adequate amounts of nutrition. I made this dinner the other night and let me tell you, it was delicious. Absolutely great Almond Crusted Tilapia fried in Coconut Oil and Creamy Parmesan Spinach. Healthy fats, good Protein and rich greens.
Ingredients:
Tilapia (I like to go for wild caught instead of farmed)
2 TbleSP Coconut Oil
Salt, Pepper, Onion powder, Garlic (to taste)
Almond Flour
1 package Organic spinach (It doesn't have to be organic).
3 tablespoons cream cheese
2-3 tablespoons parm cheese
Melt your coconut oil in pan. Coat the Tilapia with your seasoning and each side dusted with almond flour. Place in pan for 2-3 minutes on each side letting it cook all the way through.
Remove all the Water out of the spinach and warm it up on stove, gradually stirring in the cream cheese and parm cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
So simple and loaded with healthy fats, great source of Protein and dark leafy veggies. I was able to eat half of the tilapia piece and almost half of the spinach. It was delicious.
ENJOY!

I did it. I'm sleeved and doing great. No terrible gas pain yet and I want to walk but nurses said later. I didn't like that feeling of coming out of the anesthesia. It took almost two hours to be able to stay up. I have not had to use my pain button yet. Will update more later gonna nap now. Thank u guys

WOW...HONEY YOU NEED TO READ SOME OF MY POST....I WAS "PTSD"'A PRIOR TO SURGERY DISASTER! LOL, I.COULDN'T sleep, I CRIED ABOUT EVERYTHINGGGGGGG!!! I WAS A REAL MESS....I.MEAN A MESS!! I RESEARCHED EVERYTHING HORRIBLE, NOBODY COULD TELL ME ANYTHING DIFFERENT. I WAS GIVEN TWO SHOTS FOR MY NERVES, AND ANOTHER 1 ONCE I WAS IN THE OR! IM 4 DAYS POST OP, AND I FEEL.PRETTY GOOD. IM SORE, OF COURSE, BUT NOTHING UNBEARABLE. IT'S TO BE NERVOUS, YOU NEED TO TALK, SAY IT, AND VENT. YOUR GOING TO DO WELL!! CALL ME ANYTIME 6103501272!!!

Sorry for the all caps but I had to shout it out- I am in onederland now. I almost cried. I have posted this in one other place so forgive me. I can't help it. I am so happy. Goodbye 200s forever! FINALLY! I am at the point now where I am really glad to have done this. There were times I really struggled during the couple weeks but then you get used to the new life and all is well. Good luck everyone!

Welcome! My revision surgery is scheduled for 5/23 (my surgeon is doing both the removal and the sleeve the same day). So we will both be May Sleevers!! I can absolutely relate to what you said. I lost a total of 40 pounds with my lap band (but that is TOTAL, including the 17 I lost during the 2-week pre-op diet). For so long I was too embarrassed to tell anyone I had a lap-band, and I also avoided going back to my surgeon for an adjustment because I was ashamed that "I had failed". It wasn't until recently that I learned how many people experienced the very same results and then I began to realize that it was the band that failed - not me.
You will do great! Keep us posted on how you're doing after your band is removed Monday. Wishing you a speedy recovery and look forward to moving onto the losers bench with you.

Welcome! My revision surgery is scheduled for 5/23 (my surgeon is doing both the removal and the sleeve the same day). So we will both be May Sleevers!! I can absolutely relate to what you said. I lost a total of 40 pounds with my lap band (but that is TOTAL, including the 17 I lost during the 2-week pre-op diet). For so long I was too embarrassed to tell anyone I had a lap-band, and I also avoided going back to my surgeon for an adjustment because I was ashamed that "I had failed". It wasn't until recently that I learned how many people experienced the very same results and then I began to realize that it was the band that failed - not me.
You will do great! Keep us posted on how you're doing after your band is removed Monday. Wishing you a speedy recovery and look forward to moving onto the losers bench with you.

Yes, it is so nice to be headed in the right direction with my new, smaller stomach. I luckily have not had too much nausea. I stayed I stayed in the hospital for 2 days and the nausea I did have was medicated away. I am home now and haven't experienced any. My surgery was also longer than planned. I had a lot of scar tissue from the band that had to be removed. My doc even said that it probably played a role in my difficulty with the band. So instead of taking and hour and a half, my surgery took about two and a half. With all of that manipulation I still didn't have much nausea.
I do have lots of abdominal pain. My port incision is the worst, but the gas is the biggest culprit (similar to with the band). I have to walk a lot and move it out of my body.
I am trying to keep a positive attitude because I know it helps with recovery. This is a great choice I have made and I am excited for you and your 5/23 surgery. It'll be here before you know it.
Good luck and stay focused on the why you're having the surgery and the good it will bring you. The band has obviously got to go for some reason, so let it go. Keep us posted.

This is my before (282) and picture(175) still have about 20 pounds to go! I am almost 15 months postop.. So far total lost 109 pounds!

I am in the same situation as you, my lap band did not work and I lost at most, 40 lbs. Here I am now almost 4 years later, reading the posts on this site (which I have become completely addicted to) and having to go through this all over again. The band does not work for many people, whereas the sleeve has significantly higher success rates. Just read all the posts from others on this site.
I am not speaking from my own personal experience, as I have not yet had my procedure. I just received insurance approval, and am just waiting for my surgeon's surgery scheduler to contact me with my date, but I have done my research and feel like this experience will be completely different from what you and I have both experienced in the past. Failure, and frustration.
I'm not saying this journey is going to be easy - but if we go into this with the right frame of mind, we're at least on the right track. Best of luck to you in your journey!

Wow, first let me say I can completely understand your frustration! I have not yet had my surgery but I will be a band to sleeve revision, and just getting up to this point has been extremely frustrating. I decided to take extreme measures almost 4 years ago when I was first banded,and here I am now, still overweight, feeling like a failure, and having to go through all of these emotions all over again.
But enough of the negative! Congratulations on your success so far. I have read hundreds of posts on here, and one thing is guaranteed -- we will all plateau. Some may only last 3 days, some up to two weeks. And although you already said you don't want to hear it, many people have said the way they have jump started their weight loss again, is by doing something different. One girl mentioned adding a tsp. of fat (olive oil) - maybe you're actually eating too little? I don't know what the answer is, but even if you do absolutely nothing different, the weight loss will continue if you stick with the plan.
As for the hair loss, it is a HUGE concern of mine also. Also just like you said, my hair is "my thing". I may be overweight, may not have porcelain skin complexion, but I have always gotten compliments on my hair. That is another thing people say gets better over time, but for your daughter's wedding, if it will make you feel better go and get yourself a hair piece! But you will look absolutely beautiful regardless of whether you have thick hair, thin hair, or no hair!
You are just dealing with an awful lot right now, and I bet it is quite overwhelming. When you start feeling like this, go for a walk or start a journal, or if you still have any - go try on a pair of your largest size pants and I bet you will start to feel even just a tiny bit better. Best of luck to you, and keep up the great work!!

Wow, first let me say I can completely understand your frustration! I have not yet had my surgery but I will be a band to sleeve revision, and just getting up to this point has been extremely frustrating. I decided to take extreme measures almost 4 years ago when I was first banded,and here I am now, still overweight, feeling like a failure, and having to go through all of these emotions all over again.
But enough of the negative! Congratulations on your success so far. I have read hundreds of posts on here, and one thing is guaranteed -- we will all plateau. Some may only last 3 days, some up to two weeks. And although you already said you don't want to hear it, many people have said the way they have jump started their weight loss again, is by doing something different. One girl mentioned adding a tsp. of fat (olive oil) - maybe you're actually eating too little? I don't know what the answer is, but even if you do absolutely nothing different, the weight loss will continue if you stick with the plan.
As for the hair loss, it is a HUGE concern of mine also. Also just like you said, my hair is "my thing". I may be overweight, may not have porcelain skin complexion, but I have always gotten compliments on my hair. That is another thing people say gets better over time, but for your daughter's wedding, if it will make you feel better go and get yourself a hair piece! But you will look absolutely beautiful regardless of whether you have thick hair, thin hair, or no hair!
You are just dealing with an awful lot right now, and I bet it is quite overwhelming. When you start feeling like this, go for a walk or start a journal, or if you still have any - go try on a pair of your largest size pants and I bet you will start to feel even just a tiny bit better. Best of luck to you, and keep up the great work!!

my2bys9799,
I alternate between the Premier Protein shakes and the Atkins shakes. The Premier has 30 grams of Protein and the Atkins only has 15 grams. Both come in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. I also use the Unjury in smoothies I make at home. I purchased the Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies Book and it provides a lot of good meal ideas and also provides quite a few recipes. My surgeon's office gave me a book regarding the meal plan but that was not given to me until I went through the nutritional counseling two weeks before surgery. Yours will probably do the same. You have to find things you will eat/drink and your tastes will change. I know a lot of people on this site use the Isopure drinks. They are very high in protein but I can't stand the taste of them. I just don't want to spend money on things I don't like and I will not force myself to drink something that tastes bad to me. You might enjoy the taste so you might want to try one sometime. I am on full foods now but I still drink the shakes to insure that I get all my protein in each day. I'm still struggling with the 64 ounces of Water but I do try. Anything I can help you with, just let me know. You can private message me anytime. You are going to love this sleeve so much more than the band. Its going to change your life and you are definitely going to lose weight. You will want to kick yourself in the behind for waiting so long. ha ha. Janet

hi Lindsayloo1103
supppppport????
thats what we're here for!!!!!
i'm glad you are not that worried about the procedure itself
99.99999% of people have no problems except the normal post op gas, tiredness et al
good you realize what a lifestyle change this really will be!!
i'm sure you have done your homework about the surgery
you'll be only having Clear liquids to start, full liquids, pureed, soft finally solids
you must stop drinking 15-30 minutes before you eat
never drink with your meals
don't drink ater you eat for up to one hour
drink at least 64 oz of Water a day
chew thoroughly, into teeny pieces
eat sllllllowly
have at least 60gr Protein
and eat as few carbs as possible!!!
put utensils down in between bites
you are about to become a loser in training
there are MANY other younguns on the board that work, go to school, have exams et al
there are many other men/women that are "older" in their 30's , 40's et al that have kids, work, and school too
we all have different stories, similarities (msp)
WLS brings us all together
your worries, concerns, anxiety are very common emotions
surgery tomorrow!!!!!
how exciting!!!!
you are on your way to a healthier, happier, longer life
as Teachamy said......"take it one step at a time and be patient"
good luck
speedy recovery
kathy

Hi My2bys9799, Its good to have you here. Congratulations on your acceptance for surgery. I don't have any personal experience with the band but I am 7 weeks post-op from Sleeve surgery and I am just as excited about it now as I was in the waiting period before hand. It is an amazing tool. I am losing weight but I exercise 5 days a week and I stick to my eating plan. In all of the posters I have seen on this board I think I've only read one time where a poster said they weren't losing weight with the sleeve. I honestly don't see how but that is what they posted. Unlike your band, the sleeve is a permanent change to your anatomy and you will need to alter your eating habits for life. If you are willing to do that, this is definitely going to work for you and you will be so pleased with your progress. The first 2 to 3 weeks are not really too much fun but its worth it and in the over all scheme of things, what is 2 or 3 weeks? After all if it will give you a healthy weight for the rest of your life it is a small price to pay. You will be successful at this and you will have lots of support here so come often and post much.

I discovered this site when I was trying to find other people like me, who are converting from the lap band to the sleeve. I was amazed to learn just how many of "us" there are! For so long I felt like a failure, and that I just didn't work hard enough, or that I just never learned how to use my tool. I got my lap band November 1st, 2010, and lost 17 pounds during the 2-week pre-op stage, and then another 5-10 pounds the first week post-op. But from there, I really had to work hard to lose anymore weight. I was going to the gym at least 3x per week, I was careful to follow all the rules about not eating/drinking, chewing slowly, but didn't have any restriction and was always hungry. My surgeon was only filling my band with .5 cc's of Fluid at a time. Before I knew it, it was 3 years later and I'd only lost a total of 40 pounds (but that includes the 25 I dropped at the very beginning during add-on and the immediate weeks that followed), and I had about 8 cc's of fluid in my band that only holds 9 cc's! I couldn't eat hardly anything and was constantly getting food stuck. I was absolutely miserable, and too embarassed and frustrated to go back to the surgeon so I just dealt with it. Then, my employer added weight loss surgery to our covered benefits as of January, 2014 and I decided to look into whether it was possible to get the band removed and convert to the sleeve. My first appointment with the new surgeon /bariatric office was early March, and just yesterday I got the call from the hospital coordinators that I received approval from my insurance company. Now, I am just waiting for the surgeons office to finalize my chart, and I will have my surgery scheduled. I am both nervous and excited, and my biggest fear is that this procedure will also fail...but the more I come here to this site, and read all of your success stories, the more confident I get.

Dreamscometrue- I just found this posting and read it from the beginning of your journey till today. I love reading your updates. I hope you continue to log your journey for all of us to see. I plan on having the sleeve in May and am pretty nervous. I have one more nutritional counseling meeting next week and then I'm set to start my preop testing. I'm going on vacation in April so the doctor suggested I wait till I get back which would be the end of April beginning of May. I read about all these great journeys but I'm always so worried about complications for me. Keep up the great work on this journey of yours and good luck to you!!! It would be great to post some pictures of your journey and see how far you've come along.

Dreamscometrue - Like littlelaura said above, I also just found your post and find it very motivating. I haven't gotten my surgery date yet, but have been reading the forums because of all the valuable information they contain. I've been having second thoughts because unlike you, I will be a revisional surgery from lap band to GSV. I had the lap done surgery 11/1/2011 and only lost 40 lbs.and just worried that I won't be successful with the sleeve either. I haven't found many people who continue to post here "post surgery", so I really want to thank you for taking the time to do this. I know it is probably very therapeutic for you, but it is very helpful for those like me... still working towards having my surgery. I know you will continue to be successful, and wish you much luck on your journey.