hermione53

I was first banded 17 years ago as part of the FDA trial. I loved it at first but had complications. It did produce results, as I was maintaining an 80 pound weight loss for a while. I had a new band installed and a hernia repair done seven years later due to slippage. I really wish I'd just gone with a bypass from day one because I had no results from that band. I wasn't perfect with my eating, to be honest, but I felt almost no restriction, even with a max fill. I gained a LOT of weight back and my PCP suggested I consider another bariatric referral last year. I was not convinced that I should have a conversion, but with the support of a new surgeon and her team I had sleeve surgery 9 weeks ago and feel GREAT. It's a totally different experience. Also, for years I'd assumed I wasn't having any trouble with the second band (beyond not losing weight), but I wound up needing a second hernia repair. Note, I had none of my prior symptoms. I don't know what my ultimate results will be with the sleeve and I know it's up to me to do the real work, but from my perspective I would not choose a band if I had the opportunity to do it all over again. Good luck!

Many years ago, when I was 18, I was in an inpatient eating disorder program in a hospital. My problem was straight compulsive overeating, not bulimia. My father, who has been very critical of my weight/ body since I was nine years old, visited one weekend and suggested that we go to the hospital cafeteria. I thought that was to get coffee, but no, he offered me chocolate pie. I thought this was my fault or something, but when I told hospital staff about it later they were outraged. The lesson I learned from it is that even someone who supports you one day may try to sabotage you the next and there's no knowing what really motivates them. Does my dad actually want me to be fat? Does it serve some purpose for him? Who knows? From your stats it looks like you've done amazing work to get where you are. I say follow the instincts that got you this far and maybe look at your relationship dynamics a little bit. I'm sorry that he didn't just buy you some pretty flowers.

My NUT recommended putting powdered milk in soups, etc. to add protein. I haven't tried it because I'm ok with protein shakes. Maybe you could try that. I also get a lot of protein (15 g) from eating a small container of Muuna cottage cheese.

I was pretty exhausted for the firsts 2-3 weeks. Part of the problem was insomnia because Oxycodone had me wired and sleeping meds didn't help. Once I got off of Oxycodone things were better, but I was still pretty tired with sleep. I think being tired like you are now is completely normal. Feel better!

I started a plastic surgery savings account last week. I'm putting money in it that I'm not spending on food. I'd also like to get my teeth fixed. Porcelain veneers. :-)

I'm nine weeks out and already so low carb that I've been reading a book about Atkins and thinking of starting the induction phase tomorrow. Just thinking about mixing things up a bit. I can do low carb Protein shakes (Jay Robb + unsweetened almond milk) so I'm really only talking about changing dinner and Snacks at this point. Is anybody doing Atkins? If so, how's it going? Do you have any advice? Anybody gotten guidance from their NUT about it? Thanks!

I'm also allergic. I used cortisone cream to help with the itching and then switched to using Tegaderm film over squares of gauze. No itching at all with Tegaderm. Good luck!

I bought some and then asked my NUT. She said the absorption isn't good so I've stuck to the chewables since then. I will use them, though, since I already have them. Wish I'd gotten a thumbs up.

I had a Jackson-Pratt drain and wasn't expecting it until the surgeon referred to it right before the surgery. It stayed in until my first appointment 10 days post-op. It was weird and kind of yucky to take care of, but I didn't have any problems with it. Just look online for videos on how to care for it. I figured a way to hold it up while I was taking a shower by tying it to a ribbon and looping that around my neck. There were four people who had sleeve surgeries the same day as me and the only other person with a drain had a lap-band conversion, like me. So perhaps it has something to do with that? Her colleague did that follow-up visit and I forgot to even ask. It did take quite a while (3 weeks?) for the drain hole to finally close up so I had to bandage it for a while. The surgeon used a Tegaderm dressing film on it starting day two and she gave me a few to take home, but I found that I needed to buy more. Wish I'd known that because I only found one pharmacy that had them and I wasn't really up for that hunt. If you know you'll have a drain, you might want to talk to your surgeon to see if you should buy them online beforehand. And get the large ones!

203.2

You look great. Good job on getting to where you are!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You look fabulous. So transformed! Great job! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You look great. Kudos! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've suffered from depression since I was a teenager. Somehow I'm feeling better since my surgery two months ago. I think it may be the exercise (7 days a week). I've also been in therapy for over 30 years and take antidepressants. Perhaps you could talk to your primary care physician about starting a low dose antidepressant for a little while? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

206.6

You've done such a great job. Congratulations and thanks for the inspiration! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You look amazing! Thanks for sharing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is so great to hear. Good work! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You could also order shrimp. I tolerate those well and did from week 4. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm also staying away from a favorite band-friendly staple: the flour tortilla! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was banded for 17 years (one revision 7 years in due to slippage). I got sleeved 7 1/2 weeks ago and so far I'm thrilled with the results. I'm being very cautious about what I reintroduce into my diet, though. I'm on 2 Protein shakes a day, cottage cheese or yogurt, some sort of protein ( like shrimp) and a few bites of vegetables. I plan to stay away from bread, Pasta, and rice for as long as possible. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've lost 27.6 pounds in 7 1/2 weeks. I think that's on target for my BMI and gender. Hope it doesn't slow down! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I'm about 7 weeks out. I had my band removed 2 months prior and don't recall any particular port area pain from that time. sleeping on either side after sleeve surgery was very hard for me in the first three weeks. Right side better than the left if I supported it with a bolster or small pillow. After it had all gotten better I was telling my massage therapist about how hard it had been to sleep on my back. She said the best thing to help with that is to put a pillow under your knees bc it gives your back the support it needs. Hope that helps! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I agree with the pampering ideas: massage, facial, pedicure, something like that. Or how about buying an item of clothing that you'd next like to fit into? Like a dress two sizes down? Congratulations on your success!

Goal Weight: 187 Current Weight: 207.4 Today's Date: February 3, 2017