thesuse2000

Amazing - congratulations!!

What 2muchfun and I have in common is that we both joined in 2008 - I'm guessing that is part of the issue. He should have a very cool title with guru or evangelist at the very least!

I think they use some kind of algorithm including how many people like your comments and how many comments you've made.

omg! You have over 4,000 posts...I'd hope that would make you more than a "registered user." Lol. Looks like a glitch to me :-).

Sneaky! That sounds good - I hope you've got family members who can help out though. That's a lot for one family to take on at one time.

Still too early to know a due date, but I am hoping to join it with the birth of my 2nd child. Put paternity leave and surgery at same time and take a few weeks off. I was NOT planning on telling my co-workers about my surgery. (I am pretty closed book about most personal matters....)

P.S. - I'm sure PMS doesn't help! Do whatever you can to distract yourself and take care of yourself. Treat yourself in non-food ways.

People seem to have different experiences with hunger, but it does not seem too uncommon to be hungry while on the liquid diet. I've seen a few threads about this and the veterans usually reassure newbies like you that the hunger will get better once you're on solids. Hang in there! It will get better.

My title reads as "registered user" - but others with the same number of posts as me show as "expert member" - is something awry with my profile?

I looked for something like that but didn't find anything - I will look again - thanks!

Maybe post in the support forum?

Agree with all the above. And I'll add that if you don't feel you have a choice but to order a full meal - just let go of the cost issue. If you hadn't had the sleeve surgery you'd eat the whole thing and spend the same, but also get the extra calories. So why is it the end of the world if you pay for that meal now and don't eat it all?

Just move the food around your plate a bit and say that you're not that hungry if anyone asks.

I'm not sleeved yet but I'll share my thoughts..

First of all, people do have different size sleeves. There are different size instruments that are used to guide the size of the new sleeve. I'm going to be converted from lap band to sleeve, so my surgeon told me that she'll need to use a slightly larger "bougie" to make my sleeve. Different doctors have different standard sizes they use - but they sometimes use different sizes for different patients. So not sure why your doc told you that, perhaps he just wanted to reassure you. My do did say that the differences are very small.

But - regarding your concern... when you drink liquids they move out of your stomach into your intestines much faster than when you eat solid food. So at this point you can't really tell how much your sleeve will hold - but it is very likely to be much less than 16oz!

I say - don't fret! But make sure you follow the rules. I'm not sure if you're supposed to be eating more than 4-8oz at a time right now, even with fluids. Take care, sounds to me like all is well!

Thanks Reading Mom - I think you're right, but that doesn't seem to be applying to me. People with the same number of posts as me have other titles - mine stays the same...

Your liver sits on top of your stomach, so the surgeon needs to prop it up out of the way to get to your stomach. The smaller it is the less likely your liver will get damaged in surgery and it also provides more room to access the stomach and work properly - and quickly. Surgery is safer overall because of all this when the liver is smaller. I've heard stories of people waking up from surgery without the actual bariatric procedure being done because the patient's liver was too large to safely go ahead.

After my two surgeries (lap band and revision) the first thing I asked after waking up was how my liver was because I was so worried about it. Both times I was told that my liver was perfect. I will stick to my pre-op diet again this time for the same reason. I want to do everything within my power to ensure a safe, complication-free surgery.

Hi there - I'm getting band to sleeve revision surgery on June 16th. No one can (or should) tell you not to worry about complications - there are risks for all sleevers, but unfortunately the risk is higher for us revisioners. We have scar tissue that has to be removed, along with the band, and generally the longer the surgery the higher risk of complications.

I'm worried about this, but I think that the benefits clearly outweigh the risks (for me anyway). I know that I can't maintain a healthy weight on my own, and my risk for a range of serious health issues will just increase over the years. Statistically, my longterm outcome looks much better with surgery than without - but of course any of us could land on the wrong side of those statistics and be the one in hundreds/thousands that has a really bad outcome. Just like - I could have a heart attack next year if I don't do it. All we can do is look at the evidence and make the best choice we can.

I wish you the best!

I just noticed that some people have fun titles like newbie, expert, aspiring evangelist, etc. and mine just says "registered user".

Anyone know why that might be? I first joined back in 2008 (when I was banded) so maybe some system misalignment?

Let me know if anyone has tips - I want a more fun title!

You'll need at least a few days off - obviously your surgery day and the day or two after that when you're still in the hospital or just getting home. What I've learned on this site is that everyone is different - some people go back to work in less than a week, others take up to 3 months off. If you can keep it somewhat flexible and check in after your surgery before committing to what day you'll start working that would be ideal.

Just reading through this thread now - I was so glad to see that you're planning to move forward with the surgery!

I am SO impressed with how well you've done with that diet! You are clearly incredibly disciplined and committed which means you'll do great after surgery - and you won't become part of the 95% of people who regain weight lost on diets!

Like others I really hope your boyfriend comes around and supports you! My husband is against the sleeve because he's scared that I'll end up being one of the rare few that have lifelong complications. But he will support me anyway. He accepts that it's my decision - I'm sure it helps that he has not taken my advice about his health decisions, so he knows he can't blame me for doing the same.

I look forward to seeing your updates - in awe of your strength and how far you've already come!

Whoohoo!

If insurance wouldn't cover my revision (which they are - yay!) I would have likely gone back to Mexico - either Ortiz or another - I would have to do research on the best surgeon for sleeve, which I haven't done. But I know he was doing sleeves back in 2008 when I was there, so he definitely has lots of experience. The thing that makes me nervous about going to Mexico for the sleeve is the risk of leaks and other complications in the first month after surgery. I would want to have a bariatric surgeon/practitioner in my area that I have met with and can go to if any emergencies come up. Not sure if that's common practice at all, but I would want that security if possible.

That said - I do recall calling the OCC (Ortiz) after my lap band surgery with a concern and one of the doctors called me back immediately and spent a good 10 mins with me on the phone - so patient and helpful. They're very nice there. I'm sure you'll do great.

Thank you thesuse2000, I heard some good things about Dr. Ariel Ortiz but not so much about the lap band so I'm glad you are having a revision. Would you go to him for the revision? I wish you the best, this time is the good one!!!

I'm scheduled for June 16th - getting excited!

I had my lap band surgery with Ariel Ortiz back in 2008. While the band didn't work for me, I had a great experience there. Wishing you the best!

Hi all, My name is Jane and my surgery is June 16, 2014. It will be removal of lapband, gastric sleeve. i will spend two days in the hospital. i am getting anxious!!!

Hi Jane - I'm having the same surgery as you on the same day! And also in NYC, but at NYU with Dr. Ren Fielding. I'm getting anxious too! But also kind of excited. Good luck to us!

Thanks all - especially quince and joat - so happy to see your responses!! I look forward to being able to post my success story in the future for people who are where I am now... . Very inspired by you guys!

Hi all,

Something I wonder about is whether there is any difference in success rates for those of us (like me) who have struggled with food and weight since childhood vs those who weren't overweight until well into adulthood.

I've had major fluctuations over the years but I haven't been a "normal" weight since I was 8 or 9. I'm 46 now. It's hard for me to imagine that ever happening! Although I really want to believe it could.

If anyone has stats is love hear - or just to hear from people like me who did achieve success with the sleeve.

Thanks! I am so loving this forum these days as my surgery date approaches.

I'm scheduled for June 16th - getting excited!

I had my lap band surgery with Ariel Ortiz back in 2008. While the band didn't work for me, I had a great experience there. Wishing you the best!

I am totally with you! Here's to me-time!

Everyone's situation will absolutely differ. Call me crazy when I say I will enjoy this experience regardless - I get to finally do something for myself without worrying about anyone else. I am a manager so all day I am responsible and accountable for everyone else. I will use this time and dedicate my attention to only me.

Wow - that's fast Par1959! Amazing what a range there is...

I like my job too, but it's very all-consuming. I just look forward to checking out for a bit and making me and sleeve my number 1 priority.

Wow - I'm jealous of you two! My surgeon advised 2 weeks off. That still feels like a long time to me...

I'm with you knitlil09 - I was feeling guilty or worried about taking time off - now I feel entitled to take time to take care of myself (for a change).

Shelly75 - as a teacher you're probably on your feet and more physically active than most, so I suppose that makes sense to take more time - that seems much longer than most though! Glad you were able to make it work!

My job is so busy right now - I'm finding that I'm looking forward to my surgery time off!

Especially because there's so much I want to read and think about in terms of planning for success with the sleeve - I can't wait to have uninterrupted time to do that.

Is that crazy? Anyone out there who actually enjoyed the time off? As opposed to just not feeling great and wanting to be back to normal life and eating solids etc...