jkend50035

My internist is strongly pushing the sleeve and I presently have a lapband in since 2008. But I am going no where, weightwise. I need to lose 100lbs still. My surgeon is concerned about putting in the sleeve for me because I have had a history of reflux with my band, and he says it would be worse with the sleeve. My family does not want me to have the surgery because I am over 60 years old. What should I do? Thanks! --Jim K

Thank you all for writing. I've asked my family to comment on all the replies and generally give me their honest opinions of what I should do. I should add that presently my surgeon is reviewing my file to see if I am a candidate for the sleeve. As I have said, he is most concerned about the great deal of reflux I have had in the history of my band over the years. I appreciate you all taking the time to reply. --Jim K

Hi--I am brand new here and I apologize for being ignorant about the sleeve. I have been banded since 2008 with not much success. I saw my internist today and he said most people only lose on the average of 50lbs on the lapband, whereas the sleeve the average weight loss is 120lbs. He said it is also done laprscopically, like the lapband. So he highly recommends that I do it, because I am going no where on my band and my dieting is not working, and I need to lose over 100lbs, then I will be at my ideal body weight. He says that all the recent medical journals are now recommending the sleeve. My questions: 1. Is all this true? 2. Are there more than 1 type of sleeve operations? 3. Is it difficult to transition from the lapband to the sleeve? 4. Does Insurance cover it? (I have Blue Cross) 5. Are there other important questions that I am not asking? Thank you in advance for any info you can share, My name is Jim K

Thanks for replying. Your help is greatly appreciated. I plan on calling my doctor about this tomorrow. --Jim K

Hi--I am brand new here and I apologize for being ignorant about the sleeve. I have been banded since 2008 with not much success. I saw my internist today and he said most people only lose on the average of 50lbs on the lapband, whereas the sleeve the average weight loss is 120lbs. He said it is also done laprscopically, like the lapband. So he highly recommends that I do it, because I am going no where on my band and my dieting is not working, and I need to lose over 100lbs, then I will be at my ideal body weight. He says that all the recent medical journals are now recommending the sleeve. My questions: 1. Is all this true? 2. Are there more than 1 type of sleeve operations? 3. Is it difficult to transition from the lapband to the sleeve? 4. Does Insurance cover it? (I have Blue Cross) 5. Are there other important questions that I am not asking? Thank you in advance for any info you can share, My name is Jim K

These replies to my post have been extremely helpful. Thank you so much. I have copied your answers and will be using them when I discuss this new operation with my doctor. I am a little concerned, though, that both of you had BCBS and one was covered and the other wasn't. So I guess it will come down to my individual policy--and mine seems to cover absolutely nothing, so I am a bit worried there. I plan on calling my lapband doctor tomorrow, whom I like a great deal, and ask him these questions. Thanks again for responding. I will keep you all informed of my progress. --Jim K

Anyone know?

How do you assess when you should stop eating? I am talking particularly about restaurants where they give you way too much food. Like yesterday when I was having breakfast and I ordered 2 scrambled eggs and wheat toast. I had about half the eggs and I felt a twinge of restriction. So I had 1 bite of the toast and then quit. But when the twinge subsides do you eat a little bit more? I didn't and I think it was the right decision because I felt restricted for a few hours afterwards. That is really all I can eat these days. I heard Dr Sanjay Gupta say lately on TV that once you feel 60% full you should quit eating, because in 15 minutes the rest of the food will fill your stomach. I am a lifetime overeater so this is of course difficult for me. How do you assess how much to eat when you sit down to a meal? I really like the restriction I'm at, I just have to adjust to it. Anyone have any thoughts?

I think you have a very nice, caring and loving husband. As far as keeping this secret private, I do agree that there will be saboteurs that will NOT want you to lose weight (because they are overweight and are jealous) or who knows why. But I have found the vast majority of people you will come across will be overwhelmingly positive and supportive, just like your husband, and the group you eat lunch with. My feeling is, "the truth will set you free!!" Good luck whatever you decide!

First of all, good luck with your surgery and subsequent weight loss. I hope I'm not offending you here, but I have a different take and it has worked out well for me. I was a bit reticent about sharing my weight loss battles at the beginning, but I decided to let anyone know who wanted to know. And most people have been extremely supportive. I'm not saying there haven't been bumps in the road here and there, but most people have been very understanding. At night for dinner out tonight I asked the waitress if I could eat off the kids menu because I had weight loss surgery and can't eat very much. She said sure, and told us about someone she knew who had been successful with the surgery. Bariactric surgery is very common these days. Try to not let people bother you so much who are not supportive--just know that you are doing the right thing for your future health. Again, good luck!

good luck today with the doctor. I hope you find some coughing relief at night. You need to get your sleep and the coughing all night must make sleeping miserable. It has been proven that you (and spouse?) need to get some rest at night. Makes you a better person and a happier man to be with.

Thank you two for writing. I will implement your tips. The last two nights I have been coughing most of the night and it has me concerned. I have been down that road before. So I am going to try to get in to see the surgeon today and get a slight unfill. It hurts to do it because the weight is coming off, but I don't want to take a chance of slippage.

Hi Rose, Not sure exactly what pouch packing is, but I can guess. I was banded 8/28/08 and did very well for a good while and lost 67lbs. But for some reason, probably due to my abusing my band pb'ing alot, heartburn, nightly cough,acid reflux, I had to get 2 unfills in a row. My doc said he had to take all the Fluid out of my band and have an ultra sound to see what was going on--slippage? It turned out it hadn't slipped thank God, but it took 3 months before I was back to the restriction I needed which is where I am now. I tell you all that because I gained back 27lbs while my fluid was out of my band. Like a dummy I felt like I had a "get out of jail free card" and I didn't eat right, hence the weight gain. So my advice to you is be VERY careful what you eat during this time until you are properly restricted again. Good Luck!

That I should eat very small portions!! It took me a year to get it thru my hard head, but I am finally eating the amount I should. I swear eating in a restaurant they give you 3-4 times what fits in your stoma. It's hard because we eat out alot. Anyone else have a hard time eating too much?

My mini goals are quite simple and they do involve the scale. For example, I weight 255 now. My mini goal is to get down under 250. When I get there, I will work on getting down under 240. And so on. I also have a list of reasons why I want/need to lose weight on the front of my refrigerator, and believe it or not, I do look at it before I go in there!

I could use someone to talk to who could help me from a mental/emotional standpoint. I know all the nutritional things to do, but need help keeping away from bad foods, that sabotage me everytime. Anyone who would like to talk about this would be wonderful. I have been banded 1 year now and lost 67lbs, but gained back 27lbs. Thanks! Jim

Hi Greytz, I do use Calorie King on the internet to track my food intake. It is very simple to use and when I eat something I just get on the puter and log it in. Now, do I do this every day? No I don't. Probably because when I fall of the wagon I feel ashamed. So I do it sporadically. Another case where I know what I should be doing, but don't. LOL I hereby reaffirm to use Calorie King today and start tracking my food--Good AND Bad!! Thanks for the good advise... Jim

Greytz-- Thank you very much for taking the time to read some of my threads! I am indeed just beginning to meet with a psychologist--my 1st appt was last month. I am meeting now once a month with a nutritionist and now the psychologist, at my weight control center. They are both free because of the financial package I purchased at the beginning. My 1st session went well but what she said didn't "stick". But she was good and I liked her. Maybe I can go more often than once a month, because, you are so right, my head is getting in the way of my weight loss. Not sure if the nutritionist is helping me that much, because I really do know what to eat. But she does help me be accountable. Thanks again for writing! Jim

Hi Lisa-- My daughter is an adult now and is married to another wheel chair user. They both work and live in Wash DC. They have 3 foster children. My daughter has been highly educated and really, she runs all of our lives! LOL What disability does your 5 year old have? You must really have your hands full. I know my wife did when our kids were young. How are you doing with your band? You probably have not had any fills yet. I am doing okay, but have issues with emotional eating still. Take care and best of luck to you. Would like to talk to you more-- Jim

One year in with my band--have lost 43lbs. It's a long story but I wish I had lost more. I could use some encouragement, and tools for success. Let me know if you would like to talk further... Jim

My daughter has special needs as well--if you would like to talk let me know. I was banded 1 year ago, and have lost 43lbs.

I am exactly the same boat. I was banded a year ago and have had all sorts of fills and unfills. The Doc took out all my Fluid a while back and I gained back 30lbs of the 67 I had lost. I too have trouble with food choices. If I go any tighter I am afraid of the night coughing, etc. I went thru earlier. I did lose weight that way, but I don't think I was healthy and I think I abused my band. So right now I'm almost at my sweet spot, but not quite. So I still eat the wrong foods right now. I would like to talk with you and maybe explore being your buddy, if we have a personal connection. What do you say?

I get the beneprotein through my weight loss center. I just looked at the canister and it is made by Resource and it is a Nestle Nutrition product. Maybe you can find it on the internet. Good luck!!

I totally agree with you about eating the ice cream once a week. For me, maybe once every other week would be a better goal. I really think cutting it out altogether would only result in me binging on it eventually. AND I need to portion control it. I am sure if I had just a single scoop biweekly it would satisfy me. Now, tell that to my very thick head. I pray that I can do it.

I pretty much agree with 123crod, but with one major difference. It will be difficult for you later when you have had more fills and are properly restricted to get all your Protein in. In fact, at least for me I require 87 grams of protein each and every day, which is alot. So I was told to drink maybe 2 replacement meal shakes in addition to your other food to get that protein in. I also put a scoop of Beneprotein in with my shake, so each shake is 22 grams. Therefore, with 2 shakes in each day I have met half of my daily requirement of the protein. Also, try to stay away from bad foods like ice cream, potato chips, etc. which go down really easy when you are more restricted. I am still fighting that battle, and I was banded a year ago. Good luck!!