Rev Me Up!

Hi, There is a lot of talk about whether this is the easy way out or not. In my opinion, it is the REALISTIC way out. What we really want it a way out, right? How you get there, as long as it is healthy, doesn't really matter. Only you can make the decision. Very best of luck to you--- Lara

Sorry to hear about your job :-( But, happy to hear about your sleeve :-) Good luck! Which doctor are you going to? I am seeing Dr Aceves next week. Lara

Ditto

Thanks, everyone, for sharing your informaiton. I just want to make sure I don't set myself up for disappointment. I have also decided not to weight myself until I am at least one month out. The scale depresses me. Thanks again and good luck to all!

Thanks for the replies! It is cool to see that everyone is at about 22 pounds loss at 6-8 weeks out. Honestly, I would be thrilled with losing 20 pounds :-) Thanks again!

Hi All, I am looking for experiences from low BMI Sleevers. When I got my band almost 4 years ago, I was considered a low BMI patient. I did lose some weight (and gain 50% of it back) and I am now considered a low BMI revision. My big struggle right now is really believing that the outcome will be better. Once you have WLS and it doesn't really work, it is hard to have hope for the next one. I almost feel like I am too vulnerable to have hope. Similar to how you feel dating someone for the first time - too vulnerable to admit that I really want it to work and that I will be crushed if I don't get a good result. With all that said, I was hoping to get some feedback from people who were low BMI sleeve patients - with or without revision. My BMI is 31 with my band - scheduled to sleeve in 8 days. My current weight is 195 and I would minimally like to get down to 145, but ultimate goal would be 130 - of course I am still too scared to hope that it is possible right now :-) I am expecting that my weight loss will not be as significant because I have less to lose. The major difference for this WLS compared to the last:: preparation! I am so prepared this time. I have the Isopure drinks, I have 4 different kinds of broth, I have glasses / bowls in 2 oz, 3 oz, and 4 oz sizes so I can get used to what those measurements look like, etc. I also have a much better support system. In short, I am really ready to do this the right way. Any low starting BMI folks out there that can give me some feedback? Thanks! Lara

Hello! You're not the only lower BMI person on the board. Please keep us up to date with your experience! Lara

This is a tough one - when I first got my band, I didn't eat much but no one called me out on it. It really bothers me that someone would do that. Saying you aren't hungry or saying that you are on a strict diet per doctors instructions were my go-to excuses. Sometimes I would say I had a stomach ache. It is no one's business!!!!! I will most likely use the same excuses after my sleeve. I will probably not eat out for a long time. I was dating my boyfriend for 4 or 5 months before I told him I had the band. I had to make sure he was there for the long haul and wouldn't judge me. Good luck-- Lara

Thansks for the confirmation - I really like cottage cheese and i imagine it will taste like the best thing ever after 20 days of liquids :-)

Hello, Like a lot of people (I imagine) I am spending these last days saying goodbye to some of my friends - my favorite foods. Luckily, I don't eat much in the way of bread or pasta since I already have a lap band and they are hard to eat. However, my lap band did bring the sugar cravings, which is weird because I never liked sweet stuff before. Anyway, I digress... I am finding that none of these foods taste as great as I think they will - it's the mental attachment and craving that is the strongest. I know that will be my battle after the surgery. I think I am about 200% more prepared for this surgery than I was when I got my band. I also have a million times more support from my family this time around. I also know that I will be able to eat most of my favorite foods again, just less of them. I really love seafood, meat, etc - so the low carb rules are not usually a problem for me. This is my second chance and I am so ready! So, I continue to say goodbye to my friends, one favorite at a time - Knowing that some of us will meet again under better circumstances. I am looking forward to having a healthier relationship with my food and I am hoping that I have the grace and resources to make it last. Have a great day, everybody! Lara

Hi All, Put me down for March 8 with Dr Aceves. Looking forward to meeting a coupe of folks down there! Lara

I had a spinal block with my scheduled C-section in 2004 - no general anesthesia, so I was awake and aware for the experience :-) If they put you to sleep first, you won't know the difference. If they don't, the only thing you feel are the 2 local anesthetic shots they use before the larger needle goes in. The block was 1 million times better than not having something for the pain, that's for sure. Also, they put in my catheter after the spinal block, so I didn't feel that either. Take advantage of any anti-anxiety meds they want to give you ahead of time - call your doctor and ask if you can have something to help you get through the process. Like any surgery, once they start, you will be out like a light and you won't feel a thing. Good luck! Lara

Surgery deposit was sent today - no looking back! But, honestly, I am feeling great about everything now. I was terribly nervous at first, but I have gotten so much support from my family and from this board - it has really helped. Looking forward to meeting my fellow Dr Aceves sleevers in a couple of weeks!

My partner will be with me for 2 nights and then will drive back home to take care of our daughter. He wanted to be there for the surgery - the rest of the time I am going to try and relax and take advantage of the no-kids time :-) It's nice to know we'll won't all be strangers! I just got back from Walmrt - bought my chewable Vitamins, gas-x strips, and a couple of HUGE pajamas. I don't want anything touching my stomach after surgery. I remember when I had my lap-band done, I couldn't wear a bra for weeks. See you there!

Mariah, Disney: See you in Mexicali!!!! I'l be arriving 3/7. Look forward to meeting you! Lara

Everyone has a different experience. Mine has been that it doesn;t work very well and the feeling of having the apparatus in me has been an ongoing source of angst. I can't bend over with pants on, I can't stretch backwards, I can only lay on my side for a few minutes, eating is very uncomfortable. Also, getting the adjustments is a pain. After 3.5 years, I can say that it does almost nothing for me and the nuisance of having it is not worth it at all. But, that was my experience... good luck!

Seriously, you all are the BOMB!!!! So supportive!! I wish I could give each of you a big hug... Over the weekend (after the big meeting and having a couple of good night's sleep) I am feeling much more relaxed. I even talked to my mom about it. She knew I had the band, but we never talked about it. I told her why the band sucks so much and she was shocked that haven't had it taken out earlier. I didn't really need her approval, but somehow it was nice to have it. So, it's official. I'm driving to Mexicali on 3/7 - which is also my 37th birthday. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!! Get this band OUT OF ME! I feel like I can't say thank you enough - you guys are great.

Hi All, I have read this forum so many times and I have seen so many people get nervous right before surgery. I have a lap-band so I am familiar with the Mexico surgery experience. I talked to the coordinator and they have offered me a date of March 7. Just over 2 weeks away. Dr Aceves - lots of glowing recommendations. Awesome, right? Now is where I laugh at myself because I am suddenly very nervous. My partner is 100% supportive, in fact, he can't wait until I get the band out because he is so nervous about the complications I have already had. We have the money, so that isn't a real problem. I have had other surgeries that were far more invasive. So funny that I have butterflies in my stomach over this. I am not going to let this stop me, though. I want the surgery. I can't wait to put my hand on my stomach and not feel the implant. That is really what I am after - the additional weight loss will be icing on the cake. I am going to wait to give my final decision until this afternoon. I also happen to have a meeting with the CIO of my company (I wonder if that is what is REALLY making me nervous?!?) After the meeting, I am hoping to have a clearer head. Thanks to everyone who writes on this forum. All the stories and information are invaluable!! Lara

Did anyone else see the news about lap-band being approved for lower BMI patients? Here is a link to one of the articles: http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/bf0ef1ec-62b7-5f8e-adec-5151c1de71b5.html I suppose it is good that BMI requirements are coming down for some weight loss surgery, but as a lap-band revision hopeful, I am really concerned about how the news media is covering all this. The article says there are only 2 weight loss surgery options: lap band and gastric bypass. I don't know, with all the lap-band billboards and this news coverage, I am really frustrated that there isn't more real information out there. I am so glad this board is here - it has given me hope of a better option. Have a great weekend, everybody!

Thank you so much for the information! Honestly, it didn't even occur to me that they would cover anything because I was banded elsewhere. But, I would like to have access to the support services post-op when I have the revision. Either way, I have an appointment next week to check out my options. It would be worth the wait to save the money, but I am not a very patient person :-) Thanks again!

Hi All, I have Kaiser through my employer. I will be a lap-band revision. I am curious if anyone has experience with Kaiser in Southern California - specifically San Diego? I have thought that I would be self pay, but I have an appointment to explore my options with Kaiser. Any Kaiser approvals out there that can give me an idea what I am in for? Thanks! Lara

Wow - where do I start? First I want to say that I am relieved beyond belief to have found this forum. All of you that had a lapband know how isolated and frustrated you can feel when it is failing. I've been banded for 3.5 years. Initially lost 40 pounds and have gained 20 back. And that's where I sit. It wouldn't bother me so much, except that the band is also uncomfortable -I can't stretch backwards, I can't bend over with pants on, I can't sleep on my side without pillow support. You know what I am talking about... Finding this forum has been my salvation. So. I'll move on to the introduction. My name is Lara. Unlike a lot of folks, I have not been overweight all my life. In fact, I was slim most of my life. I am lucky to have a good metabolism. However, I have always been a HUGE eater. My weight didn;t get into unhealthy territory until I got married 10 years ago. It was a bad marriage and I was deeply depressed. I got pregnant and had a daughter. This pushed me into an even deeper depression. At my heaviest, I was 215 pounds. I was also desperate in my life. Bad marriage, lots of debt because of his irresponsible ways, unemployed because I was at home with my daughter. I honestly feel that I got the lap-band in an attempt to take back some control in my life - I needed SOMETHING to make me feel empowered again. I was working again and had to do something positive for myself. You have to understand, I am a strong, vibrant person by nature and I just wanted my old self back. Then it got interesting... 4 weeks after my lapband surgery, I kicked my husband out. 6 weeks after that, he left the country permanently to avoid paying child support. He abandoned his 3 year old daughter, left me with a house in foreclosure, many 10's of thousands of dollars in debt, etc. I think that all this pressure made it impossible for me to focus on my weight loss. I did lose weight, but I was not all learning how to maintain it over time - I was just getting by emotionally. Fast forward 3+ years: my life is AWESOME! My daugher is thriving. I have an amazing job where I make great money and work with great people. I have a man in my life who is perfect for me in every way. I love where I live. I turned my finances around and am excited about my future. But, the weight came back. I am maintaining at 195. I am really tired of the lapband discomfort. I want to get it out, but I am afraid I would baloon up, so I have decided on a VSG revision. I have been lurking here for a while and the stories are truly inspirational. I will be self-pay so I have to wait until October to save the money - but now that I have decided, I can't wait!!!! To all of you that are brave enough to share your stories: thank you. To all of you that participate here without judgment: thank you. Looking forward to meeting each and every one of you--- Lara Current weight: 195 Surgery weight: TBD First goal: 175 - lowest weight with band Second goal: 160 - weight before it all got out of control Third goal: 145 - weigh the same as my partner Fourth goal: ??? Not sure what the ultimate goal is. I'll have to think about it :-)

This may sound silly, but exposure to the sun is the body's natural way to get Vitamin D. Some time out in the sun without sunscreen (if you are not too fair-skinned) would probably help. Good luck!