Elisabethsew

Hi Everyone, We finally have a place devoted to people thinking about getting the sleeve, revising to the sleeve, making the sleeve their first weight loss surgery, and post-op VSG members. This board is set-up similar to the lapbandtalk board so navigating it shouldn't be too difficult for those who posted there. I look forward to interacting and sharing.

Welcome home! I'm glad to hear that all went well. Traveling is exhausting and you will be tired for a good week. Make sure you get lots of rest and keep us posted on your recovery.

Hi Natalie, Thank you so much for sharing your story. Too many of us can relate to the horrors we experienced with the band even though we followed the rules. I'm very glad that the bad times are behind you. Thank you for being the "first" to share your story.

I would not advise another band but if you want to get another one (or another weight loss surgery) they can do it all in one procedure so talk to your surgeon. I'm sorry you are having problems and hope your pain subsides.

I don't know of any but it's always a possibility. Whenever there is an emergency, a surgeon will convert to an open procedure.

I emailed Alex and he said he'll announce it very soon... a day or so.

I think they were objecting to you insinuating they were dumb for choosing the band. I know you did not use those words in your post.

I'm glad you got good news and I'm sure you'll be good to go for the revision.

I am hoping it's up and running in a week or so... less would be better. Alex said he would announce it here.

I had the band for 3 years and, if I didn't have such a horrible time with it, would still have it today. If you read more threads, you'll see where the current complication rates were posted for people with bands. Maybe that's what the poster was referring to. At any rate, we're all in search of a healthy weight and chose the most appropriate weight loss option for ourselves. Some of us HAD to revise from a band to another option in order to preserve our health.

I was confused too!

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll be very happy.

Give it a few days and the new message board will be up and running. Alex is calling it verticalsleevetalk.com.

Not to be rude but, are you aware that you're posting in the VSG section? Many of us have had bands and DO acknowledge that they work for a lot of people. Because so many people ARE having problems with the band and electing to revise to a sleeve, and because others are choosing the sleeve as their first weight loss surgery, this VSG section was created. You are correct, this is a band board. In the very near future, the sleeve board will be opening. That board will have an "other surgery" section as well to allow banded people to post should they so desire.

The greatest danger you have is not following the post-op diet. Hopefully, your surgeon oversews the staple line. Most people heal in 3 weeks but develop scar tissue by 6 weeks. That's the reason most MDs use the 6 week rule to designate healing. I was advised not to do any heavy lifting (>15 pounds) for 4 weeks. Follow the post-op diet and the other post-op instructions and you'll be fine. If you're serious about "doing something stupid" because it's the summer, you should rethink the surgery date and put it off until the summer is over.

The sleeve board will look similar to this one and it's nearly ready to go live.

I don't know anything about your surgeon. One of the reasons I went to Dr. Aceves is because he does 3 leak tests and keeps you in the hospital for 4 days (3 nights). I'm an RN and did not want to travel to Mexico and run the risk of having to go back so I needed a surgeon who met MY qualifications. The first leak test is done in the OR, the second is done the first post-op day. You drink apple juice with blue dye. The last test is done 2 days post-op and requires you to drink contrast while having an x-ray. When I left, I knew the sleeve was fine and that all I had to do was follow the post-op diet and I would be fine. I had surgery nearly 2 months ago and I'm fine. Ask your surgeon how many leak tests he does and how long he keeps you in the hospital. You should also find out if he charges if you have to go back. Dr. Aceves does not.

I am sorry to hear about you and your hubby and hope it all works out for you. As for the heartburn, you can try OTC Tagamet. They sell the OTC as 150 mg in each pill. The Rx strength is 300 mg so try that with breakfast and dinner.

A huge consideration is skill level and money. Placing a band is relatively easy on the skill level, takes little time, and pays well. Surgeons are in business to make money. If they are not able to perform the bypass, the VSG, or other complicated techniques, it makes $ sense to suggest the procedure they know. Of course, not all surgeons lack morals and ethics.

You could do a protein shake for breakfast or lunch but the idea is to progress to solid proteins and eat to live as opposed to living to eat.

I don't stay on a night schedule. I'm off tomorrow so I'll take a 2 hour nap in the AM and then stay up until @ 11:30 PM. Luckily, I am not a person who requires a lot of sleep... 4 hours and I'm good to go. LOL.

Thanks, Ladies. Dr. Aceves said to keep to three meals a day with no snacking. I think this might apply more to the band. Unlike the band, I get the "full" feeling quickly and experienced that awful sensation that occurs when you take "one more bite" after the full feeling hits... NOT pleasant. I couldn't eat veggies and fresh fruits with the band and all those things are in season now. I can't eat large amounts but I do crave a healthy diet and prefer to eat a few grapes rather than snack on crap when I'm working (13 hour nights). Flip-flopping from days to nights and back again and figuring out what to eat and when is challenging. LOL.

I'm glad you got a resolution to your problem. That was one issue I did not have to deal with during the liquid or soft phases of the post-op diet.

Here's a question for those already living with the VSG. Do you find it's better to eat 3 meals a day with no snacking or do you do better with smaller, more frequent meals?

Personal attacks and insulting other members is against the rules. Let's hope this thread gets back on track.