Morewithless

I could have written this just a year ago word for word. In fact I googled your exact question till I was blue in the face. I had the lap band in 2008, and was pretty much bulimic until I had it removed in 2012. I knew I needed something and the sleeve seemed perfect, but I was so scared that I would get the same feelings of being stuck and having to throw up all the time. I'm happy to say that I went through with it cautiously and as optimistic as possible in October 2013. I'm thrilled. The sleeve is nothing, and I mean, nothing, nothing nothing like the band. I promise you I know how you feel, it's scary. But this is the best thing I have ever done in my life. To echo what I've read a number of times, I wish I would/could have done sleeve first...I researched and learned the heck out of everything to make sure I knew what I was getting into. The two are night and day. I feel like I had an easy recovery and there is nothing I can't tolerate, but there are many things I choose to no longer have I feel 100% normal! And nobody besides my family even knows this go round. I shouted from the rooftops about lapband, and after that failed, I was scared of failure again, hence my reason for keeping quiet this time. I'm sure you'll be as happy as many of us! Go for it! Eta: I can pretty much gulp my Water too...I was really afraid of that

Then stop. It's annoying to see every thread you participate in end up this way. Most if us are here for support and encouragement, not a debate.

Ok. So where to start. I have been reading this forum for a year or so but have never posted. Weird how I can be so computer shy, but not so much in real life! Everyone who contributes is stellar in my book and I have appreciated all of your stories and experiences from afar, so thanks. I had lap band surgery in May of 2008 and it was a nightmare from the beginning. We've all read the terrible stories, mine not really any different. Couldn't keep Water down sometimes, stuck all the time, etc. Where my story does seem to differ is where my surgeon is concerned. My surgeon, John Dietrick in Tampa has terrible bedside manner, I knew this going into it, but was confident in his skill set. He was adamant that the band was not to blame, it was me, end of story. "The band doesn't fail, people fail", whatever! I became immune to his personality and just conceded to that fact he is how he is. In June 2011 I had the lap and out finally. Hallelujah!!! I started researching Vsg in the beginning of 2011 to see if I could get both procedures done at the same time. Surgeon wouldn't do that which I was fine with. I just researched my brains out on if I really wanted to go through another procedure. What if it felt like the lapband!?! Gasp! And it's irreversible! Needless to say, I did a lot of soul searching and research which I'm glad I did. Would not change the procedure for the world! I love it!!!! Fast forward to October 28th 2013 when I finally had my VSG done with Dr. Dietrick. I stayed with him because he knew my history and I figured I could just try to push through the personality, try and make him laugh for god sakes, blah blah. So it's been about 6 weeks and I am down 27 lbs! Listen, I compare myself to others that are losing quicker, but man! I doing pretty damn well I think!! I think I only lost 27lbs the whole 5 years with lap-band! I'm happy and in a good place, and know that it's just a matter of time for where I want my weight to be. I have for the first time in my life, changed my frame of mind about why I did this. It's not temporary, it's here to stay and I embrace it! I'm rambling, sorry. The whole reason for the post was because I just came from dr. Dietricks office and am shaking I'm so angry, and confused. I had my 6 week check up today, and instead of being encouraged, I got downright scolded! I told him that i religiously track everything in MFP 700-800 calories a day, 70-80 Protein, carbs under 45 ish. He flat out said that the app is lying or I am, because there is no way that I only lost that much with that caloric intake. Plus I ride stationary cycle everyday 20-30minutes. He said, actually said these words, they actually 100% came out of his mouth, "maybe you're drinking TOO MUCH water!?!?" wtf? After 6 years I just lost my shiz on him. I said you've been doing this to me for years and I'm done. isn't every body different In which it loses its weight? My muscle building? My water retention? Stalls? Etc etc, all the things WE already know, yet he doesn't?! He didn't know what a stall was! He said "all bodies are the same, you must be putting your calories in wrong, because you are the only one in the world that will only lose 1.5 lbs a week on 700 calories".....Oh my lord! I just started crying to where I couldn't even speak, got my stuff and bolted. Isn't my surgeon supposed to be encouraging? Ayayayay. So the million dollar question is after all my rambling, does anyone have any experience in the Tampa Bay Area with a good bariatric surgeon? Is this guy nuts, or am I emotional? I won't let this sidetrack me in the least. I guess I just needed to let it out to people who would understand. My husband, bless him. After he hung up with me crying he called the surgeons office and asked if he should go down there,hahah. Silly. Thanks for listening!

Thank you so much!

I'm going to do that first thing in the morning! Love TG! Thanks so so much!!! I know there are a lot of docs out there but it's nice to hear personal stories!And good luck with your surgery! Best thing I've done!

I have a nutritionist there at his office that is lovely and super talented and motivating. Don't know how she landed there with him, ugh. I was supposed to see her today, but hauled out of there before we could talk. I really don't even like the hospital that he works out of so I'm looking around to see if anyone would be willing to meet with me in this situation. There are far superior hospitals in Tampa than this particular one and I just assume find one from that list... Might be hard, but I'm so done with him.

I love it! I don't know why it took me so long to post, lol!! Thanks so much!!!

You know what's funny? I asked him today after telling me it's impossible for me to not be losing more Than I am on 700-800'calories/day to do the resting metabolic rate on me so he/we could know. His words, "those don't tell you anything, useless." I'm dumbfounded. I'm convinced I have a better knowledge of how life works after the sleeve, and the requirements, trials and tribulations and dreadful stalls and how to deal. He knows how to cut and sew. I've lost 27 lbs since oct28, so I think I'm doing ok! Would I like to have lost 50? Sure, but I'm going the right direction and he needs to get a clue. What surgeon lumps people a Into one size fits all box? I knew he was a prick, but geez. Thanks for the encouraging words!

Awesome! I haven't told a soul except my immediate family this go round... I was an open book after my lap band fiasco and wanted to take the time to find my new normal before I let the cat out of the bag! You're doing great!

That was my biggest concern... Thanks for the suggestion! I left the office in tears. Like the kind when you were around 3 and can't catch your breath, lol. He wanted to "regroup" and meet in two weeks... I, on the other hand want to regroup my way over to a new office!

Haha... That in and of itself makes me feel so much better! Thanks!