socalfosh

I chose the sleeve but I wanted the bypass because the weight loss is so fast. I had about 120 pounds to lose. My doc's opinion was the I didn't meet his qualifications for bypass but if I chose it, he would do it. I talked to my friend who had the bypass and asked her opinion and she recommended the sleeve. I did worry about the lack of absorption of nutrients and that was my main reason for choosing the sleeve., That's her main reason why she recommended sleeve too. I am very happy with my choice. Best of luck to you!

I added 1 tsp of metimucil to 6 ounces of Water 3 times a day. It helped. Good luck....no fun!

Maybe gallbladder?

Go to the hospital. Good luck.

Thanks for your responses. Did your insurances give you any issues to convert to a sleeve? Was there any protocol or waiting time? How did you justify having your insurance pay for your conversion? Or did you pay out of pocket?

I had different insurance by the time I was sleeved . I kept hearing its gettong harder to have more than one bariatric surgery approved. I also heard of a lot of people that had to fight appeals to have thier band removed ...some lasting over a year. Also, I had insurance at one point that excluded and bariatric procedure so if I needed a fill or unfill, I paid out of pocket. $250!! Something I feared in that time was having serious complications related to the band, I worried any type of corrective surgery wouldn't have been covered since it was excluded from my insirance at that time. I want to note, im on soft food phase now and I noticed something. The feeling of fullness is much more natural feeling with sleeve. Band always caused pain....serious pain when I was just a little full. I also would throw up a lot...I think because the top part of the stomach is small and the stoma is very very small (the opening ur food passes from top to bottom stomach). Food passes much more naturally and fills the stomach much naturally with the sleeve. Im thrilled with thr sleeve, even though I was terrified when I first heard of it.

I had the band amd lost 90 pounds. Started having complications. Thr body either wants to reject thr band or absorb it because it's a foreign object. About 60% of lapbans patients need it removed within 5 years. I wish I had known that when I was banded. Like you, I didnt want somthing drastic or permanent but I have revised to the sleeve and im very happy that I did. It sounds drastic to do the sleeve, but I started to look at it like having a Tummy Tuck, I just got rid of the extra, the un-needed. Good luck to u.

Would you say when you get food cravings/head hunger they were similar to nicotine cravings? For nicotine cravings, I distract myself and look at a cigarette as costing me $80,000 because if I have one then I will be smoking a pack a day. It passes quickly and it is manageable and I don't want to go back to smoking because I'd feel horrible physically. I was just curious if I would view eating junk the same way.

Yes, for me the cravings are similar. Both lasted about 15 minutes and would pass after distracting myself. When I fought the cravings for nicotine I did a similar but more gorey distraction. I literallt closed my eyes and envisioned chemo cuz that's where smoking leads. For food I envision the emotional pain I felt as obese. I never want to fell that again. If im actuallt hungry I have a healthy snack or Protein Drink. If its just in the head I drink Water or chew gum or depending omln if I can at the time, I take a quick walk. Also helps to think of the time amd money and tests I went thru to have surgery to get this point. What a waste that all would have been if I gave into cravings.

Congrats on a year of success! I quit about 2.5 years ago. Both food and nicotine were addictions in my life one or the other was used to from morning till night each day as a way to Celebrate, relax, wind down, deal with stress. It takes time but replacing those with exercising or a brisk walk are now my go to's. Its not easy, nothing about the surgery is easy. But its worth it (just like quitting smoking)! Good luck!

I like it woth avocado and tapito. I also blend it with eggs when I make scrambled eggs. No one in my family knew my secret to my great tasting scrambled eggs. Another scrambled egg secret, blend a dollop of greek yogurt with ur egg mixture. They taste great. I did that once when I had ran out of cottage cheese.

Good idea! I also have some unflavored Protein Powder from Unjury I should add to it. I forgot I had that. (I dont care for it in my water....I should add it to soups)

I just broiled 8oz of cauliflower seasoned with olive oil, s&p, and a sprinkle of parm. Then blended it with a dash of milk and veg stock. It's quite delicious.

Youre only a few days out. Recovery from any surgery is rough. I recovered pretty well but im 4 weeks out now and feel 1,000 times brtter than that first week. Theres a lot of emotions too. Give youreself time....I say even up to a year. This is a major surgery to recover from. Most of us have 20 + years of bad eating habits which is why I say a year to recovert because I dont only mean physically. I mean emotionally too. You will feel great before u know it!

Five years *ago

I've had it three times. Once five years before the band surgery. Once in August (2013) before the band came out and then October (2013) after band out/before sleeve. I hear all my surgeons patients are required a year post op too. I find "snorting" the numbing gel to be the worst. My gf didn't have to it. Different surgeon.

My gallbladder pain was usually center (under breast bone) and to the left, also inbetween my shoulder blades in my back. This does sound like gb. Rapid weight loss causes gallstones. Good Luck.

Today is my final day preop tomorrow is surgery and I lost 22 pounds in the liquid diet...from 252 to 230 as of this morning feeling awesome

That's great sleevinit! Good luck today

Who says it has to be thanksgiving for a turkey dinner? Prepare the meal when you are able to eat solids again.

Hi sleeve in it!! The during breathing is essential, totally forgot that part, sorry. I used the breathing method as I waited for my surgery this morning. I had lap band for five years which was removed in August. My doc requires a wait period before doing the sleeve. I'm learning that my surgery took a long time due to some scar tissue that actually "glued" my liver and stomach together! Not sure how that wasn't seen when the band came out and during a recent MRI, but apparently that's why surgery was so long. Other than that, I'm THRILLED to report that I feel great (aside from just being tired). Pain is minimal and I'm a big wuss to pain. The lap band coming out was far worse pain. This is just not bad at all! I hope my report helps ease some of your anxieties. :-)

Thank you sleevint! Its 5 am here in San Diego I'm on my way now.

Is my day too, 7:30 am, on my way to the hospital. Good luck to you!

Im beyond freaked out tho i just wanna get it done and over with......im ready to start my new life...

Sleeveinit, you already have begun your new life. Don't be so focused on the end that you don't enjoy the trip. That goes for everything in life. Your journey to your new life HAS begun. Pre op is okay, 2 weeks is nothing. I did a 30 day pre op diet twice. Once in August before the band came out and now before the sleeve. December 14th is around the corner. You'll do great. Take a moment each day to focus on what you experienced that day, soak it all in. Recognize your surroundings each day. That will help to"enjoy the trip". I will keep you posted on my surgery tomorrow and before you know it, you'll be updating us on yours!! Best of luck.

I will, thanks. I'm in San Diego using ucsd, dr. Horgan. What about you?

Yes, Tuesday at 7:30. I have some anxiety about it and find myself second guessing it. But I think that's normal. I've struggled with obesity for 15 years so I know this is the right thing for me. I'm focusing on the bigger picture, the healthy lifestyle. I'm focusing on positive vibes and energy. I have a great surgeon and I've educated myself on this so I feel prepared, confident and ready! Thanks for the well wishes. :-)

I hope they help. I remember the anxiety when I started this process and just wanting it all over, almost quit a few times, but I knew that would not solve anything. It's been 6 months for me know and surgery is Tuesday. I'm already stressing about the post op process so I'm practicing my own advice. :-)

That too shall pass. Time passes, whether we're having fun or not, so do your best to have fun.

Hi sleevnit, I suffer from generalized anxiety and have gone to therapy for it and taken medicine. There are some really helpful techniques that you can use to help. First. BREATH. Concentrate on breathing. Go to a quiet room, bresth in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. You should exhale kind of forcefully. Do that for a few minutes. Also, write down those thoughts that are racing through your head. Often times just acknowledging them and helping them get out of your head are very helpful. Last, THINK about the list time you had racing thoughts or anxiety about something. What happened? Im willing to bet nothing. Most things we fear, don't ever materialize. And if they do and you've survived it, then recognize it as a lesson that things aren't that bad once the storm is over. Remember this time in your life last year? Can you believe a year has passed?? Time flies. I know it's easy to get lost in the anxiety of this process, but enjoy each day, before you know it, another year will have passed. Good luck to you.