youknowit

You're cracking me up! Love it... Sounds like you've figured out how to speed up the process, and I'm excited for you! Keep me posted, and don't hesitate to ask all of us questions. I know I'm happy to help, as are so many here. This website is a god-send (to me at least)! :001_rolleyes:

Did you mean the rest of the ladies said: get the sleeve? Sounds like the bandsters aren't necessarily happy with their situations... AND, the people who seem to be happy with the band are those who have YET to have a problem, IMHO. :001_rolleyes:

All of my incisions are well above the belly button. For my sleeve, they did four incisions, across the center of my abdomen, they are all less than one inch wide (less than 1/2 an inch actually), with exception for the one where they do most of the work and remove the stomach from, etc. This is the same incision area where I had my port for the band as well. My scars are healing very nicely this time, and are very clean... I know years from now, I'll barely be able to see them. Good for you that you have great insurance that will help to pay! Mine is terrible, and I wanted the best treatment and the best doctor, so I went to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. By far the BEST medical experience I've ever had, here, there, or anywhere. I would go back to them again in a heartbeat, and it just makes me sad to think how terrible my treatment and experiences have been here in Las Vegas, compared to Mexico... When will you be getting surgery?

What she said! Yeppers!

I never had heartburn as an everyday problem before the band, with the band, without it, before the sleeve, nor really now... I have some tummy discomfort sometimes, and I do take Prevacid every day, but that is prescribed by my doctor for healing purposes, which is good I think. One thing I do have, which has nothing to do with the sleeve or the band, is H. Pylori, which in a lot of people CAN cause ulcers and possibly heartburn, which is another reason I am taking the Prevacid, and will be for a while. Some people on here do comment that they have or have had GERD or heartburn issues... I personally can't really speak to much of that. :001_rolleyes: I'm happy to help in any way I can, as are so many other people here... Will you be seeking surgery here in the states or elsewhere? best! - a

Oh, where to begin... there are quite a few of us on here who had the band, then either lost it (like I did, it sprung a leak and severely eroded into my tummy), or who didn't have a good experience with the band, and then got a revision to the sleeve. I now have the sleeve after a very long story with the band - let me be brief: got the band in Oct 05, never had any real "issues", until it totally failed in March 2008. Gained and gained, went in to have my band removed and revision to a sleeve, March 2009. My band was VERY severely eroded, they had to cut it out of my stomach in 4 places... could NOT do the sleeve because of the severe damage. Recovered, and over the next year gained almost all the way back up to my pre-band weight. Feb 1, 2010, got my sleeve. The experience has truly been a good one, much better healing, feeling and losing than the band. I'm about 7 weeks out and am very happy with my choice to move forward with the sleeve. I can't tell you what "to-do" but if I have my little bit of input, I'd say forget the band, and go for the sleeve. If I had known then what I know now, I would have NEVER even messed with the band... As I said before, I never had any real issues with the band, until I had a MASSIVE issue... if you know what I mean. They can't fix a leak in a band, and clearly it was for the best that I got that leak or I might never have known about my erosion until I was seriously ill (or dead). Best to you in your journey, and here's to your journey. - :001_rolleyes: PS -- The "upkeep" with the band is THE major hassle/nightmare of it (at least it was for me). Fill, unfill... PB'ing, things getting "stuck", all of that... it was SO annoying. AND, may I say (as a self-payer) it was VERY expensive. All-in-all, not the experience I was looking for... glad it's over and I'm a new and improved sleevster! :wink:

You won't have to do ALL of this liquid-only protein stuff forever, just keep reminding yourself of that. Some days I do have a hard time choking down a shake, but I just tell myself "that's what I have to do to get skinny AND keep my hair!" LOL. The protein really is important... do try mixing it with water, it really helps. :001_rolleyes:

That's a good idea... My only problem is, having been down to 150ish (with the band) and going back up, now going down... I kept my "skinny" clothes, so I have about 35 lbs to go before I'll actually "need" anything "new" in my wardrobe. :wink: Though, going out and buying one item here and there wouldn't hurt, right? :001_rolleyes: I'll keep you posted...

Ditto to what Tiff said! Hang in there, and keep coming back to update us on your progress. We're here to listen and talk, if you need it! :001_rolleyes:

That is incredible, Bernadette! What a great story, and you're so lucky! And across the street. I just love it! :thumbup:

Can someone PLEASE cite a source for the various "facts" about protein intake and absorption? I've tried to dig up the information with no luck... And, I'll say if you read through these discussions, there are any number of people saying contradictory things... as low as 20 grams at a time, as high as 50 (from what I've seen over the months I've been reading and writing here). Just wondering if anyone can get some facts on this? I certainly don't want to waste money or energy trying to choke down more than I can tolerate in one sitting. :thumbup: thanks!

Also, have you considered trying the brown rice protein? It's not made of milk products and is totally vegetarian, but still has 25 grams of protein per serving? I'm going to try it!

I also just discovered Jay Robb (my personal fav) has unflavored protein as well... I'm going to try it, and will let you know how it goes.

My trick for getting down the protein bullets was to mix it with Water... that tones down the flavor and sweetness. Plug nose and get it down. Having been through three bariatric related surgeries I can say with certainty, the protein is one of if not THE most important post-surgical element. It sucks, but everything functions around that... healing of wounds, internal healing, skin, hair and organ function, etc. The first couple of weeks are VERY hard, at least they were for me... but now, I'm holding on fine. Once I was able to get to the "full liquids" phase, I was MUCH better off than Clear liquids... Hope this helps! :lol0:

My "hunger" progresses as the day goes on. It's very bad at the end of the day and at night. This is why I have now decided to try taking a second Prevacid at the end of the day. It hasn't started helping much yet (I've been taking the second one for two days), but I'll let you know how it all pans out if it does start to help me. At first I craved the "old standbys", food that is TERRIBLE for anyone... but that has started to subside. I even tested myself once, and tried a "fast food" I would have totally loved before. Two bites in, I threw it away. It just didn't do it for me... Anyways, maybe we should start a thread about hunger issues with the sleeve? Perhaps more of us talking, and sharing, would be helpful? We might also be able to help each other determine our "head hunger" versus tummy? Anyone with me? Best! :lol0:

Yes, there is a pill (chewable)... But I've never tried it, I don't know if it's terrible (guessing it might be) and it's expensive. (And not a lot of Protein per tab.) Anyways, you can check out the different ones here: BariatricChoice.com - Bariatric Surgery Diet supplements, Bariatric Foods, Bariatric Vitamins for Bariatric Eating There are OTHER Proteins you can try that are medical grade as well: Bariatric Advantage - liquid Proteins

I had an inkling that the family members giving you the hardest time are themselves overweight. I've heard my 350+ (educated guess) mother make fun of a lady where she works that had gastric bypass. It's a defense mechanism, which I personally believe many of us "fatties" have built up, because of societies treatment of us... If I were you, and I was going to share with them, I would EDUCATE them. I would ask them to join me! (Of course, as I've stated before, I haven't told my family, just one friend and a brother, so my situation is different. BUT - I do keep reconsidering this choice, and may change my mind in the future.) Nonetheless, if you are insistent on their support, you have to be ready for the fact that you might not get it... and you have to decide if you want to proceed WITH their support or retreat WITHOUT it. Perhaps, as one poster here already mentioned, you might want to look into more than just the "local doctor" where you are, as $22k is a pretty penny for this, or any weightloss surgery in this day and age (sounds really high - where are you in the country, and have you research other options?). I know here IN Las Vegas you can get the sleeve done for around $12k. I went to Dr. Aceves in Mexico and have never had a better medical experience in my life (and at less than $9k, what can I say - I got the best of both price and care). On the education front, for both you and your family, I would encourage you to check out this website and videos - this great lady and her brother went in for the sleeve TOGETHER and you can see their lives transformed before your very eyes. They are VERY honest and upfront about their experiences, from before, during, and after the surgery and the process. If any one personal testimony had the most affect on me in my research, this was it (on the youtube videos, start from the BEGINNING and then move to now... it's incredible): YouTube - GastricSleeveReviews's Channel Gastric Sleeve Reviews

Tiff... Can you direct me to where I can get some coupons? That would be great. I'm in love with these things!

So I was cruising the Target grocery section tonight and came across these yummy little finds! Green Giant Just for One... these are small pre-portioned veggies, some in light sauces, some not, that you can micro in less than 3 minutes, and they are like 40-80 calories per serving (per one small individual package). I tried the broccoli with cheese, 40 calories, and they follow WW points too. DELISH! Thought someone might be interested! (Scroll down the page to Just for One.) :smile: Green Giant - Frozen Vegetables - Nutrition

Thank you for saying that you're hungry all the time... I am as well. Not as badly nor ferociously as before, but it's there. So, this is harder than I had imagined, but I'm making it work... I've been waiting for meds for the H.Pylori I've been diagnosed with, and hoping this will help with the hunger... One of the side effects I read about for H.Pylori bacteria is hunger. So, we'll see. You're doing great! :smile:

I like the Jay Robb shakes... with MILK. You can get in 33-35 grams of Protein (depending on the protein in the milk) with ONE 8 oz shake. The Jay Robb has 25 grams in 6 oz serving, with the milk, it's a steal on protein for the amount you have to ingest. Here's a link to the website for this guy... I buy it at Whole Foods here in town (and I've heard they have it at other places too, but I haven't look). Hope this helps! Jay Robb whey protein isolate, egg white protein, and brown rice Protein Powder - Official Site Fruit Flush 3 Day Detox PS -- I do the "regular" protein he offers, haven't tried the Egg White or brown rice protein... if anyone has, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it! :smile:

I had surgery on February 1, and have lost, as of today... 25 lbs. I'm very happy with this, and am feeling very good. In fact, compared to my lap-band (and band removal) surgeries, I feel GREAT! Have been trying to exercise (I'm not consistent, but am working on it), have been watching my protein mostly, and water... but not paying super close attention to everything else. This seems to be working for me... Sounds like you're doing great, and I wish you (and all of us early 2010 sleevsters) the best! :smile::smile::smile:

double-posted. oops...

You need to do what is best for YOU. :smile: Perhaps you can try showing your family the statistics on long-term weightloss and regain that is very clear on the subject? Also, you might show them the benefits (short and long-term) for your LIFE, and your health reasons for doing this... You WILL exercise and you WILL eat right and you WILL change your life with this procedure. They need to know that... Perhaps expressing those things will help? As an aside... I don't feel like I know enough about your situation to make more specific comments, like, is your mother and other family member overweight? Do they not sympathize, or do they sabotage? Do they not know your history of trying, and failing? What is your start weight, comorbidies, etc? And most important, do you really care what they think and feel, more than what YOU think and feel? If you read through many of my posts, you'll see I have chosen to keep my surgery to me and one friend, mostly for the very reasons you have expressed (non-support, intrusive questions and comments, etc, etc), and, because I don't want to hear the negativity. Some on here experience great support, and I wish you (and I) had those people around us... but if we don't, again, the most important vision, support, and wish is OUR OWN. You can do it, and we will support you... if you choose not to do this, we will still support your decision! Best to you! :smile::smile::smile::smile: AND NOW... here's some research, SCIENTIFIC AND FACT CHECKED, for your own edification, or to share with others: Be alert to the silent but serious comorbidities of obesity | Bariatric Times The History of Sleeve Gastrectomy | Bariatric Times The History of Sleeve Gastrectomy | Bariatric Times Five Minutes with… Rebecca Puhl, PhD?Taking a look at weight bias and the stigma of obesity | Bariatric Times Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy | Bariatric Times Promoting a Physically Active Lifestyle in Bariatric Patients | Bariatric Times Conveying Empathy: Why Are We Still Struggling? | Bariatric Times Gastrointestinal Hormones and their Relationship to Bariatric Surgery | Bariatric Times I?ve Got a Secret: Nondisclosure in Persons Who Undergo Bariatric Surgery | Bariatric Times Exercise? The Key to Weight Loss Success | Bariatric Times The Value of Support | Bariatric Times They Didn?t Staple My Brain | Bariatric Times Ok, hope this is a good start... Best!

thanks all! i know i must tell myself these things, to keep motivated and moving forward... being that i had the band, lost 80% of my goal weight, only to lose the band, gain almost ALL of that weight back... i just have to tell myself "this is it, you can do it!" and move forward one step at a time! we're on our way! best to all! :smile::smile::smile::smile::smile: