RoisinPáircéir

Although I had reflux pre-band, my doctor said that he would fix the hiatal hernia issue during the sleeve surgery. Also he said I should 1) watch out for spicy, acidic foods and 2) cease eating two or more hours before bedtime. It’s pretty basic stuff, but I appreciated the reminder. I’ve been off the pantoprazole since the surgery, and the reflux is gone and/or in remission.

In 2008, I had surgery for the lap band. I never really did lose that much weight with it - I started off at 220 or so. I think the lowest I got down to was 140 or so. I also had reflux before I had the band, so as you might imagine, the band made it worse. In 2017, my band slipped; I couldn't even drink Water, nothing could go down, so the band was removed immediately. The surgeon who removed it is a bariatric surgeon, so I mentioned my real concern about gaining the weight back. He then suggested the sleeve. One year almost to the day, I went through surgery for the sleeve. My doctor also fixed the hiatal hernia that had developed from the band. I knew the sleeve surgery had its risks, particularly since I already had scarring from where the band used to be.

However, all went well, and I am so happy that I went through it. I feel fantastic, no more reflux, no more antacids, and I lost approximately 105 pounds from when I had the band. I fluctuate between weighing 112 to 115 pounds. I haven't been this weight in 30 years.

Part of my concern about the band removal was the prospect of needing to take prednisone in the future. I have a autoimmune disorder (sarcoidosis) that is mostly dormant but flared up once, and I needed to take prednisone for six months in order to function. I must have gained about 50 or 60 pounds while on steroids - my appetite was voracious. I was afraid that if I didn't have something like the band or the sleeve to curb my eating, I could really gain weight if I needed to go back on prednisone.

I hope your surgery went well today!

https://www.consumerreports.org/dietary-supplements/heavy-metals-in-protein-supplements/

Has anyone else seen this article?

I drink a Quest chocolate Milkshake Protein Shake every day...

Not to happy about this discovery. I really like the Quest products...

My hair was already extremely thin before surgery; I tried Biotin, I tried hair fibers, I tried everything. So when I started losing more, I took a leap and decided to go with hair toppers or "helper hair." I don't think they are terribly noticeable - I did fool a friend of mine who is totally honest with me about everything. Even if it is slightly noticeable, I would feel more self-conscious without it. And they make ones that are extremely natural, with dark colored roots. I actually love my hair now and how it looks on me - it's not too much hair, so it doesn't look garish. ! If you are interesting in trying this out, I suggest going to this site to get some advice: https://cornerofhopeandmane.com For me - fake hair, don't care.

On 5/11/2018 at 10:21 AM, sillykitty said:

I have had a fantastic week!

My weight loss is finally becoming noticeable. Three colleagues I had not seen in over a year this week commented that I’ve lost a lot of weight. It was all separate meetings, so it’s not like they could discuss amongst themselves.

I’m finally getting too small for my clothes. First I had to get work slacks the next size down. This week I was on a trip and packed a couple of dresses and jeans that fit just a week or two ago. The jeans were way baggy and the shirt was too long. The dresses looked ok, but it were quite loose on me. I ordered some jeans in 1 and 2 sizes down. There were here when I got home, and the ones 2 sizes down are what fit! The only downside is the thought of the expense of replacing or altering my wardrobe.

I misconnected on my flight home and instead of getting my upgraded seat, I got stuck in a middle seat, exit row. Not only are middles always awkward. Exit rows have solid arm rests, instead of the moveable arm rests that can be raised and lowered. And because the seats have the solid arm rests with the tray table in them, it makes the seats even narrower. I usually avoid these seats at all cost, but today I had no choice. I was so surprised and happy when I fit in the seat and was completely comfortable!

It’s getting much easier to lie to people about WLS. I don’t know if lying is a good thing, but at least I’m not stressing about people asking why I’m not eating.

Oh, and this happened!

Congratulations!

FYI - I've had a lot of people ask me how I lost weight. I tell them - high Protein, low carbs, almost no sugar. It's the absolute truth. They need not know about the surgery part.

My stats:

• Age: 55
• Height: 5' 3"
• Beginning weight pre-lap band surgery 6/2008: 220
• Weight when my lap band was removed 2/2017: 140
• Weight pre-sleeve 2/2018: 160
• Current weight: 128
• Goal weight: 125

My surgeon suggested that I lose more - going into the 110s. I haven't been that weight in 30 years, and I'm happy with 125 as a goal. I feel fantastic at my weight right now!

I've lost 32 pounds since my surgery on 2/14. I feel fantastic! I'm three pounds away from my goal weight. Only problem...most of my clothes are way too big. It's a great problem to have, but I can't afford to buy all new clothes. I can sew, so I'm thinking about taking in many of my items. Or selling my stuff on Poshmark and using the profits to buy smaller clothes.

Well, it's not really a problem...it's just a challenge!

I don't know if these would be considered dumping:

1. I ate some yogurt with a spoonful of strawberry preserves that has a low sugar content. Fifteen minutes later, I felt nauseous with stomach cramping. I didn't have any other symptoms.

2. I had some cream of chicken and wild rice Soup. About 30 minutes later, I had severe stomach pain that made me double over.

So...I watch how much preserves I put in my yogurt, and I'll be staying away from rice for a while.

I'm a revisionist. My lap band was "installed" in June 2009 (weight - 220), removed via emergency surgery in February 2017 (weight - 148), and I was sleeved this past February (weight at surgery - 160). I'm finding more success with the sleeve. My current weight is 134.

The sleeve is quite different from the band. I experience more restriction, and I really have to watch out for sugar - anything too sugary makes me nauseous. There are other advantages, but the biggest one right now is I’m losing weight at a nice pace...


Starting weight 2008: 220
Surgery day weight: 160
Current weight: 148
Goal weight: 130

Ah, helluva good...a favorite here in upstate NY. The cheese is good too.

Congratulations!

Just consider me the northern/southern translator

I'm feeling great! So glad I am sleeved! I started gaining weight when my lap band failed, so I'm relieved to be on track again...

I'm a secret sleever.

I told most people when I had the lap band procedure nine years ago. And many know that the band had to be removed last year. However, I am mostly estranged from my immediate family, and I work with many gossipy, bitchy people. My husband and a few friends know. I love my in-laws, but I didn't want to get into it - they don't know that the lap band failed last year.

As far as work - my supervisor and a few other people in my office know that I had abdominal surgery, and that's it.

The biggest busy-body at work is the only one who has mentioned anything my weight loss. I said yes, I've lost a bit, but I'm sure I'll gain it back

Yeah, I don't need the hassle. I want to keep my life judgment and drama free.

Using the term "hey guys" is northern for "y'all." I grew up in NY and Va, so I speak both

Just had my surgery on 2/14 - after my lap band failed - so welcome to the club! You're in the right place...people have been very helpful on this forum.

I use two bariatric recipe books: Fresh Start Bariatric Cookbook and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery. The recipes are great, and I like that the Protein, carbs, etc. are listed.

On 3/8/2018 at 11:01 AM, lcarriere said:

Surgery had a few complications. While in recovery started to bleed internally. They had to rush me back in to surgery and fix the problem. Finally recuperating. It’s been a rough two weeks. I feel very lucky to be alive. While in hospital they pumped me up with 25lbs of Fluid. So since my release I’ve lost 35 lbs. mostly all that Fluid they pumped in me. Have lost10 lbs in 2 weeks of my regular weight.

I am so sorry to hear about that. I'm glad you're on the mend. Will they have you on a liquid diet for longer than usual?

Oh, I wanted to add - I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's years before I had the band. My thyroid is still intact. I was told I need to be on synthroid for the rest of my life, which is fine with me. However, the amount I take varies on my weight. I'm sure my endocrinologist will find that I need to be on a lower dose due to the weight loss - and that will slow down my weight loss. I'll just keep on following the rules and hope that at some point, I'll get to my goal weight.

I was banded in June 2008. My weight loss fluctuated - but for the most part, I didn't lose that much - about 40 pounds. The only reason my weight was down when they took out my band in February 2017 (1/3 of my band slipped into my stomach) was because I lost 40 pounds working at horrendous job. I lost it without trying, but I don't advise going through extreme stress to lose weight.

My debanding took place at a different hospital than where I was banded. I went to the hospital closest to my house, as I was in extreme pain. Luckily, they have a bariatric surgery department.

Having said that, I was glad I had the band. If I didn't, I could only imagine how much I would have gained without it.

After the band was removed, I did gain 20 pounds back, which scared the hell out of me. The hospital where I banded would not consider operating on me - they told me I'd have to be at my pre-band weight. The bariatric surgeon who debanded me was very open to helping me obtain permission to get sleeved.

I was sleeved on February 14, and I've lost the 20 pounds. I was on the liquid phase a bit longer than most because I was banded, and my surgeon told me I would heal slowly due to stomach scars from the band - I didn't have a "virgin" stomach on which to operate.

Twenty pounds feels great. I'm sure I'll stall in the near future, it always seems to happen to me. Your results may vary.

I feel much more restriction than with the band, and I'm really pleased about that. I'm grateful that I have been able to have this procedure.

Congratulations! You look great!

1 minute ago, Kat0000 said:

Oh good, I have been following this and i will be praying for some relief for you, hun

You are so very sweet! Thank you so much!

I ended up calling my doc tonight. I'll be seeing an ENT tomorrow for an endoscopy to see what's going on.

Thanks again everyone for your input. I appreciate it!

Just now, rachellee said:

Sounds like it could be acid. Try taking a Pepcid or something for immediate acid relief.

Thank you for the advice. I am already on pantoprazole and famotidine daily for GERD, which I've had for years. This doesn't feel like GERD.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my message.

I haven't had any relief...it's been 28 hours since this started. I can swallow just fine - I've gone back to drinking Protein Shakes, I don't want to try regular food until this clears up. However, I still feel like something is stuck in my throat, I'm coughing like crazy, it's not coming up, and that it's moving is really, really disconcerting, to say the least. I called my doctor's office and left a message with the nurse. I didn't hear from the nurse until five hours later, and she said that someone would get back to me regarding what it is/what to do/whether to go to the ER. I haven't heard back I don't know whether I should go to the ER tonight - if that might be an overreaction. I know I'll spend another night sleeping upright...

Well, thanks everyone for listening.

3 minutes ago, Tealael said:

That may be your too full sensation in which you will want to rat until right before that point

Did it the feeling ever pass ?

No, it hasn't passed yet. It's been a few hours. I'm trying some hot tea now to see if it will help. I would spit it up if I could. Perhaps my stress level isn't helping it to go down.