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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.

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.

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!

You are so very sweet! Thank you so much!

Hello, I have my two-week post-op appointment with my doctor today. Everything has been going well, so he suggested I move on to the pureed stage with a scrambled egg tonight. I was so excited! I whipped up an egg with plenty of chicken bone broth, cooked it, and pureed it to the appropriate consistency. It was very moist - in fact, it really couldn't be chewed, it was very liquified. So I measured 1/4 cup and started to eat my egg very slowly with an extremely small spoon given to me by my bariatric nutritionist. I took my time - putting my spoon down often and taking 30 minutes to eat. My doctor told me to eat until I felt full - but I really didn't feel full. But...I have food stuck in my throat now. It's been stuck for a few hours, and it's freaking me out. I really didn't feel full while I was eating. Has anyone else experienced this - and does it go away? Thank you...

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!

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.