Leslie11

So sorry to hear your family didn't support the band to sleeve revision. Maybe with some time and education about it all, they will support it. I would ask my parents and spouse to go talk to your surgeon. With all of the issues you are having with the band, you really should get it taken out. My surgeon told me I needed to take my band out or I would eventually end up in the ER having serious complications. Had my band removed 08/2015 and the sleeve done 01/2016. I've lost 42 pounds so far and I feel so much better since I had the band removed. Good luck!

The fact you feel guilt is a positive thing! It is definitely a new day and great attitude to look at it that way. Just go back to winning that battle. Remember, mind and mouth over tummy is what got us where we were in the first place. That behavior rarely disappears. Good luck and keep up the GREAT work!!

My daughter had VSG when she was 21 and now she is 22, expecting her first child in a few days. I truly believe you will be ok and you will have a bright future ahead of you :-) Good luck and try to settle down and enjoy this wonderful journey you have ahead of you!

I had the band put in 2007 and removed 2015. I lost 100#'s and maintained that weight loss for about 7 years. I wasn't compliant with the band and because of my poor habit, the band slipped. I had it removed Aug 2015 and the GVS was done Jan 21, 2016. I didn't gain all the weight I had lost with the band, but I did put on about 78 #'s in a short period of time. I've lost 38 #'s to date. It's slower and more work than the band was, but this time around I am being compliant. My surgeon told me my restriction is not as much as a person who is having weight loss surgery for the first time. He stated this is due to the amount of scar tissue which developed over the years I had the band in. During the removal, the surgery lasted over 3 hours because he was removing as much scar tissue as he was able to do so safely. From Aug to Jan, more scar tissue developed and the GVS procedure took over 3 hours as well. He wanted to ensure he left healthy enough tissue in order for the staple line to hold. So far, I'm happy with my results!

Once you leave the hospital you won't likely need to take any pain medicine. My doctor gave me all of my prescriptions prior to my surgery so I could have them filled before I went in the hospital. Last year there I had an issue finding Liquid Pain medicine at several pharmacies, but in Jan, I had no problem.

I truly believe any of the weight loss surgeries are just a tool and not a permanent solution. Any of us who struggle with our weight, will always have to work at it. I live in New Orleans and we "Live to Eat, rather than Eating to Live". Good luck and keep up your hard work!

Your stomach is a muscle and over time, it will stretch. With the GS, our stomach's are just reduced in size. What I don't understand is if you haven't overeaten, then why did it stretch. The sleeve procedure is still new and there isn't much information available past 5 years for it. Try not to get over stressed about your stomach stretching, because if you do reduce consumption, you should feel the capacity of your stomach shrink. Good luck and hang in there!

I had the lap band done in 2007 and I maintained the 100# weight loss w/o gaining for approx. 7 years. The band slipped and was causing a lot of problems so I had it removed August, 2015. I am 11days Post-Op with the sleeve. I am down approx. 10 #'s so far from the last time I weighed the morning of my surgery. Today is my second day back at work and I'm feeling pretty good. I am looking forward to seeing the number on the scale go below 200 again... I start Phase III of my diet in 3 days. Good luck with your journey!!

Try Pocket Protein. It's way better than ISOPURE. I mix it with my Water and it is very tolerable. They have a website. My surgeons office gave me samples and I ordered some afterwards. There are women and men's formulas. You can actually drink either one. The men's formula has a few more calories and protein grams.

10 days post-op and today is my first day back at work. Feeling great!!

I really enjoy the cream of tomato soup as well :-). I had sushi yesterday and today w/o rice. Really enjoying that. I am now going to start trying different bariatric recipes I found on Pinterest. So happy to be past the clear liquid stage!!

My surgery was 10 days ago and I can honestly say I feel pretty close to normal again!!! I had sushi with no rice yesterday and today and not having any trouble with it. I'm ready to start exercising now... :-) I live in the New Orleans area so it's Mardi Gras time. I was able to enjoy parades this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I packed my bag everyday with the foods and liquids I can have. It makes it so much easier when you prepare. I'm ready to start cooking again. I found great recipes on Pinterest for bariatric patients. Today is my first day back at work.

Getting a pedicure done at this very moment. My feet and toes have to look spiffy for surgery day tomorrow!!!!! Reporting to the hospital for 5:30am.... Ready to start the recovery process...