nowornever14

Who knew that in just 5 short months I could feel so amazing! This surgery has changed my life in ways I could have never imagined. I am thankful everyday to be able to say that I am actually living my life and not just existing. Down 76 pounds since surgery and went from a sIze 18/20 to a size 12. Just 30 pounds to goal!! ????

Still shocked some days!

Still amazes me every day!!

What an amazing Christmas! Can't wait for the New Year!!

Hi JakeLancaster , You would not believe how many people claimed that the smaller Bougie is actually the better choice and if I would have done this blind without researching on the internet I probably would have followed their advise. But I am glad that after the moment my first surgeon (band surgeon who is retired now) suggested a revision and my second surgeon who actually did my surgery confirmed that it would be a good idea to make a sleeve when the band is removed, I started researching.
Great topic, I am scheduled for my band to sleeve revision. I think the starting BMI has a lot to do with it too. I would be scared of the 44 size bougie, I really want this to be the last surgery. I get the acid problem with the band though and understand why you choose the large bougie I just do not want to risk it. I am prepared to lose slower than I did with my band, I was told revisions lose slower but your averages sound great. See you on the other side in a couple of weeks!
I had only 2 months to make my decision. I was for hrs on the internet trying to find the newest research published by the medical world , newest studies and so on. I am glad I did!!
Because even though I value VERY much real life report from Sleevers I still think that each and everyone of us has a subjective approach, which is often mixed with emotional statements.
When I went to my last meeting with my surgeon I had a list of questions I needed to be answered by her. I made my decision depending on her answers at the end.
I asked about :
- which size of staples to use since different cases demand different staple sizes to prevent leakage
- wanted to discuss her position on oversewing or not
- and buttressing or not
- on the problem with the hourglass shape or the twisted stomach in case of an ear curve which happens to be a problem with many surgeon because of the way they staple
- on the fact that the staple line distance to the pylorus and the sphincter is crucial in regards to prevention of damage to both
- and last but not least the size of my bougie because research shows clearly that there is no difference in the success of weight loss results with bougie sizes between 32F up to 40+ F
The surgery in itself through the removal of 75% to 85% of ones stomach and therefor the reduction of the ghrelin (hunger producing hormone) production completely changes our metabolic biochemistry, which at the end causes us to lose weight.
But the fact that a smaller bougie size is proven to have a significantly higher affect on GERD occurrence and on leakage made me 150% sure that I choosing a smaller size was a risk I was not willing to take.
I can say I'm only one week out of surgery but I did not regret anything. I have no acid reflux symptoms not the slidest nor to I feel I could eat more than my fellow sleever. I am in close contact to sleeve friends who had been sleeved on the same day and when I read what they can eat and what I can eat there is no difference in size or portion.
I agree with you Cowgirljane 100% the quality of life is much higher with the sleeve than it is or was with the band. I can not count all the times I was vomiting, the permanent hunger, or almost suffocating in my sleep because of horrific GERD or feeling I would die and having to go to emergency because some kind of food got stuck again and closed my stomach that I felt I was drowning on my own saliva.
Since I have my band out and my sleeve in, I actually feel normal again..... I just feel like life is perfect and I just can only eat 2 or 3 spoons full of whatever I am eating for a meal. I feel as full and satisfied as I would have eaten 2 plates of food.< /p>
I even do not feel the desire to step on the scale every day, which I did with each and every diet or with the band.
I feel like all will come as it is supposed to be and that I will be back to my normal slim healthy weight before my illness.
It almost sounds corny but I wake up every morning thinking : OMG I am so so happy . Happy I am alive . Happy I got rid of this band. Happy I made the decision to get the sleeve. Happy I feel like I am being a fully integrated part of our social life again soon. Happy I can do stuff with my grandchildren again. Happy I can go to every normal cloths store like before my illness and before my outrages weight gain soon.
Happy Happy Happy
that me second half of my life started last Monday!!

Hi Bernie,
I had my band for 10 years and just had my surgery on last monday but what I can say already is that it is sooooooo much better. Not the pain not the horrible 'food-getting-stuck' experience and NO hunger !! All things that were the opposite with the band. And my band failed me not the other way around I stuck it out for 10 years and after the first 5 I had to have it opened completely because of horrific GERD and pain. And I still managed to keep about 75 pounds off of the 100 I had lost.
The sleeve was the right decision for me and I am only sad that this was not available as stand alone procedure 10 years back.
Good luck !!

I weighed this morning and was up 1 1/2 lbs since I weighed 3 days ago. How is that possible? I'm still on clear liquids! ???? I think I need a new scale.????
Dr visit today 25 lbs down. I'll take that!????

I had my first doctor's appointment and I am down 28 pounds. And am feeling amazing.

Hi Bernie,
I had my band for 10 years and just had my surgery on last monday but what I can say already is that it is sooooooo much better. Not the pain not the horrible 'food-getting-stuck' experience and NO hunger !! All things that were the opposite with the band. And my band failed me not the other way around I stuck it out for 10 years and after the first 5 I had to have it opened completely because of horrific GERD and pain. And I still managed to keep about 75 pounds off of the 100 I had lost.
The sleeve was the right decision for me and I am only sad that this was not available as stand alone procedure 10 years back.
Good luck !!

As you probably could read by my way-to-long post I am super happy with my decision and I can tell you I struggled to the last minute before my surgery if this will be the right thing for me.
I was not nervous and my blood pressure was at 103 to 64 .... which is really low ...so no hyper excitement there. But you know the feeling that you just can not predict what it at the end does to your own body.
But I can tell you it really is more than I had hoped for !!!
So try to cover all your questions with the people you have to turn to, dietician, psychologist but especially your surgeon. Because the better you are informed the more solid is your ground to stand on when making your final decision.
Good Luck!!

Hi JakeLancaster , You would not believe how many people claimed that the smaller Bougie is actually the better choice and if I would have done this blind without researching on the internet I probably would have followed their advise. But I am glad that after the moment my first surgeon (band surgeon who is retired now) suggested a revision and my second surgeon who actually did my surgery confirmed that it would be a good idea to make a sleeve when the band is removed, I started researching.
Great topic, I am scheduled for my band to sleeve revision. I think the starting BMI has a lot to do with it too. I would be scared of the 44 size bougie, I really want this to be the last surgery. I get the acid problem with the band though and understand why you choose the large bougie I just do not want to risk it. I am prepared to lose slower than I did with my band, I was told revisions lose slower but your averages sound great. See you on the other side in a couple of weeks!
I had only 2 months to make my decision. I was for hrs on the internet trying to find the newest research published by the medical world , newest studies and so on. I am glad I did!!
Because even though I value VERY much real life report from Sleevers I still think that each and everyone of us has a subjective approach, which is often mixed with emotional statements.
When I went to my last meeting with my surgeon I had a list of questions I needed to be answered by her. I made my decision depending on her answers at the end.
I asked about :
- which size of staples to use since different cases demand different staple sizes to prevent leakage
- wanted to discuss her position on oversewing or not
- and buttressing or not
- on the problem with the hourglass shape or the twisted stomach in case of an ear curve which happens to be a problem with many surgeon because of the way they staple
- on the fact that the staple line distance to the pylorus and the sphincter is crucial in regards to prevention of damage to both
- and last but not least the size of my bougie because research shows clearly that there is no difference in the success of weight loss results with bougie sizes between 32F up to 40+ F
The surgery in itself through the removal of 75% to 85% of ones stomach and therefor the reduction of the ghrelin (hunger producing hormone) production completely changes our metabolic biochemistry, which at the end causes us to lose weight.
But the fact that a smaller bougie size is proven to have a significantly higher affect on GERD occurrence and on leakage made me 150% sure that I choosing a smaller size was a risk I was not willing to take.
I can say I'm only one week out of surgery but I did not regret anything. I have no acid reflux symptoms not the slidest nor to I feel I could eat more than my fellow sleever. I am in close contact to sleeve friends who had been sleeved on the same day and when I read what they can eat and what I can eat there is no difference in size or portion.
I agree with you Cowgirljane 100% the quality of life is much higher with the sleeve than it is or was with the band. I can not count all the times I was vomiting, the permanent hunger, or almost suffocating in my sleep because of horrific GERD or feeling I would die and having to go to emergency because some kind of food got stuck again and closed my stomach that I felt I was drowning on my own saliva.
Since I have my band out and my sleeve in, I actually feel normal again..... I just feel like life is perfect and I just can only eat 2 or 3 spoons full of whatever I am eating for a meal. I feel as full and satisfied as I would have eaten 2 plates of food.< /p>
I even do not feel the desire to step on the scale every day, which I did with each and every diet or with the band.
I feel like all will come as it is supposed to be and that I will be back to my normal slim healthy weight before my illness.
It almost sounds corny but I wake up every morning thinking : OMG I am so so happy . Happy I am alive . Happy I got rid of this band. Happy I made the decision to get the sleeve. Happy I feel like I am being a fully integrated part of our social life again soon. Happy I can do stuff with my grandchildren again. Happy I can go to every normal cloths store like before my illness and before my outrages weight gain soon.
Happy Happy Happy
that me second half of my life started last Monday!!

All the best for your big day. Soon you will be a happy SLEEVER

Thanks! It's fun to feel like a bit of a success already! I really think the sleeve helps with the hunger/cravings so much better than the band did. For me anyway... it hasn't been too hard to stick to the rules.
You do have a lower BMI to start, so you may lose a little slower, but I'm sure you'll do great overall!

--------------
WOW 3 months out and 60 pounds down that is amazing to me. In my wildest dreams I would not expect to achieve that. I think you are doing outstanding. Well I only hope I would remotely get there. Because 60 down would bring me to my first goal weight and I thought 180 would be enough, but than I got cheeky and thought why not aim for 160. So this is my final goal weight.

Hi JakeLancaster , You would not believe how many people claimed that the smaller Bougie is actually the better choice and if I would have done this blind without researching on the internet I probably would have followed their advise. But I am glad that after the moment my first surgeon (band surgeon who is retired now) suggested a revision and my second surgeon who actually did my surgery confirmed that it would be a good idea to make a sleeve when the band is removed, I started researching.
Great topic, I am scheduled for my band to sleeve revision. I think the starting BMI has a lot to do with it too. I would be scared of the 44 size bougie, I really want this to be the last surgery. I get the acid problem with the band though and understand why you choose the large bougie I just do not want to risk it. I am prepared to lose slower than I did with my band, I was told revisions lose slower but your averages sound great. See you on the other side in a couple of weeks!
I had only 2 months to make my decision. I was for hrs on the internet trying to find the newest research published by the medical world , newest studies and so on. I am glad I did!!
Because even though I value VERY much real life report from Sleevers I still think that each and everyone of us has a subjective approach, which is often mixed with emotional statements.
When I went to my last meeting with my surgeon I had a list of questions I needed to be answered by her. I made my decision depending on her answers at the end.
I asked about :
- which size of staples to use since different cases demand different staple sizes to prevent leakage
- wanted to discuss her position on oversewing or not
- and buttressing or not
- on the problem with the hourglass shape or the twisted stomach in case of an ear curve which happens to be a problem with many surgeon because of the way they staple
- on the fact that the staple line distance to the pylorus and the sphincter is crucial in regards to prevention of damage to both
- and last but not least the size of my bougie because research shows clearly that there is no difference in the success of weight loss results with bougie sizes between 32F up to 40+ F
The surgery in itself through the removal of 75% to 85% of ones stomach and therefor the reduction of the ghrelin (hunger producing hormone) production completely changes our metabolic biochemistry, which at the end causes us to lose weight.
But the fact that a smaller bougie size is proven to have a significantly higher affect on GERD occurrence and on leakage made me 150% sure that I choosing a smaller size was a risk I was not willing to take.
I can say I'm only one week out of surgery but I did not regret anything. I have no acid reflux symptoms not the slidest nor to I feel I could eat more than my fellow sleever. I am in close contact to sleeve friends who had been sleeved on the same day and when I read what they can eat and what I can eat there is no difference in size or portion.
I agree with you Cowgirljane 100% the quality of life is much higher with the sleeve than it is or was with the band. I can not count all the times I was vomiting, the permanent hunger, or almost suffocating in my sleep because of horrific GERD or feeling I would die and having to go to emergency because some kind of food got stuck again and closed my stomach that I felt I was drowning on my own saliva.
Since I have my band out and my sleeve in, I actually feel normal again..... I just feel like life is perfect and I just can only eat 2 or 3 spoons full of whatever I am eating for a meal. I feel as full and satisfied as I would have eaten 2 plates of food.< /p>
I even do not feel the desire to step on the scale every day, which I did with each and every diet or with the band.
I feel like all will come as it is supposed to be and that I will be back to my normal slim healthy weight before my illness.
It almost sounds corny but I wake up every morning thinking : OMG I am so so happy . Happy I am alive . Happy I got rid of this band. Happy I made the decision to get the sleeve. Happy I feel like I am being a fully integrated part of our social life again soon. Happy I can do stuff with my grandchildren again. Happy I can go to every normal cloths store like before my illness and before my outrages weight gain soon.
Happy Happy Happy
that me second half of my life started last Monday!!

Found one of the publications about the Endocrine-metabolic changes through sleeve surgery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326142209.htm
This article is a short take on bougie size and GERD
http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/11907/hiatal-hernias-must-be-closed-most-sleeve-gastrectomies

Yes I do have some research papers printed out for my doc but she knew them already I have to look if I still have them and go back on the internet to find them. Give me a bit time.
I am not eating bread and man made carbs for some years now but yes it is different with the sleeve I noticed that too. But you had probably heard about the latest research results that the bariatric medical profession is on its way to give more emphasis to the fact : that weight loss with the sleeve might have more to do with the biochemical changes resulting from removal of that part of the stomach than the value of the restriction created through the removal.
Meaning that our metabolisms change drastically and has more impact on our weight loss than the fact that we just can not eat as much as before anymore.
This would explains why there is not much difference in weight loss success between a smaller say 32F compare to a 42F size sleeve.
But as I said I will try to find it again and post it here.

Thanks for the links ! Interesting reads :-)

Found one of the publications about the Endocrine-metabolic changes through sleeve surgery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326142209.htm
This article is a short take on bougie size and GERD
http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/11907/hiatal-hernias-must-be-closed-most-sleeve-gastrectomies

Found one of the publications about the Endocrine-metabolic changes through sleeve surgery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326142209.htm
This article is a short take on bougie size and GERD
http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/11907/hiatal-hernias-must-be-closed-most-sleeve-gastrectomies

Yes I do have some research papers printed out for my doc but she knew them already I have to look if I still have them and go back on the internet to find them. Give me a bit time.
I am not eating bread and man made carbs for some years now but yes it is different with the sleeve I noticed that too. But you had probably heard about the latest research results that the bariatric medical profession is on its way to give more emphasis to the fact : that weight loss with the sleeve might have more to do with the biochemical changes resulting from removal of that part of the stomach than the value of the restriction created through the removal.
Meaning that our metabolisms change drastically and has more impact on our weight loss than the fact that we just can not eat as much as before anymore.
This would explains why there is not much difference in weight loss success between a smaller say 32F compare to a 42F size sleeve.
But as I said I will try to find it again and post it here.

Oh man that sounds like the surgeon had his work cut out for him. My surgeon told me that even though all the prep examinations had been looking good not slippage or such, she still has to go by what she will find inside. But I guess I was lucky , they had scheduled 3.5 hrs but were done with me in just under 2 hrs.
But regarding the bougie size - I actually asked to get a bigger one than the commonly used 32F. I wanted at least a 40F since it is most likely not to develop GERD /acid reflux with that size and also a bigger size shows statistically less risk of leakage but still has the same weightloss results than the smaller sleeves. She told me since I do not have to lose such a huge amount and managed my weight basically with an open band for the last 5 years a bigger size was what she would have recommended too. So I am having a bougie size 44F. Hardly any pain (I would call it more discomfort ) no acid reflux it feels great !

Hi Bernie,
I had my band for 10 years and just had my surgery on last monday but what I can say already is that it is sooooooo much better. Not the pain not the horrible 'food-getting-stuck' experience and NO hunger !! All things that were the opposite with the band. And my band failed me not the other way around I stuck it out for 10 years and after the first 5 I had to have it opened completely because of horrific GERD and pain. And I still managed to keep about 75 pounds off of the 100 I had lost.
The sleeve was the right decision for me and I am only sad that this was not available as stand alone procedure 10 years back.
Good luck !!

With my band (2004) I had no pre op diet but with my sleeve surgery I had to do a 3 weeks Optifast diet and lost 11 pounds.

Hi friend been thinking about you..happy to see you post...I'm should go home later. ..hang in there...xoxo