Embrace

Not at all Ypsibander. When I did the sleeve revision I was within 1 pound of my high when I band done six years earlier. July 19 - Started the revision pre-op liquid diet: 212 pounds July 27 (Night before surgery): 203 July 29 - Left the hospital: 200 February 21 (been a lengthy plateau): 168 The doctor says that I'm losing weight more slowly than most of his other sleeve patients. I suspect my body's metabolism had slowed significantly because I was throwing up most food during the entire year before the band was removed - even slider foods didn't always stay down. It's taken several months for me to figure out a key to getting the scale to budge. I'm working out 4 days a week and walking approximately 10,000 more steps a day. Working out has produced a lot of change in body shape. I'm down nearly 3 sizes. It's still slow going but even so this is the best decision that I ever made. My last labs are fantastic. Blood sugar is in the 80s and my health is remarkable. Good luck with your consultation.

Hello wright616, My band to sleeve revision was last July 28. My band and my sleeve were performed by the same surgeon and he put in the band for "eternity." Unfortunately, that worked against me when it had to come out 6 years later. The band did not slip but I couldn't keep down anything by the end and the vomiting caused serious problems with my esophogus. I had a significant amount of scar tissue around the port and my surgery took 3 hours (about 1.5 hours longer than anticipated). In spite of the more extensive surgery, my hospital stay was the standard 36-hours. I can tell you that I felt very little "general" pain. Actually, the whole experience would have been very easy on me with one exception: there was a lot -- A LOT -- of discomfort where the port was removed. It was about the size of a grapefruit. I made the pain worse because I pulled the area once trying to get off the hospital bed to go to the bathroom on the first night. I pulled it again, badly, when I tried to get off the couch on the second day I was home. After that, the area hurt for about 2 solid weeks and then was just sore for another week after that. Walking helped for all the reasons that you've probably heard: pain management, accelerating the anethesia out of the body, weight loss, etc. I had absolutely no trouble walking from the first time that the nurse got me out of bed. That localized area burned while I walked but it wasn't unbearable, just persistent. Honestly, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. No hesitation. No regrets. I wish you all the best with your surgery. Good luck! Embrace

It makes sense that your fears are magnified with so little support at home. Good for you for coming to a safe place and asking for feedback from people who have actually had sleeve surgery. Everyone's journey is unique but we KNOW what we're talking about. I am a band to sleeve revision. (Band failed to produce weight loss and 6 years later caused serious complications.) I wasn't sure the sleeve would work for me either. I feared another failure. It had to make a conscious decision that whether or not the sleeve produced weight loss, I was giving myself the best chance possible to avoid diabetes, heart disease or stroke - all of which contributed to my mom's death. it was the mental adjustment I needed and I went into surgery 100% at peace. Recovery was so easy. I had localized pain where the port was removed from the abdominal wall but it wasn't unbearable and resolved completely in a couple of weeks. My nurses had me up and walking, which I think jumpstarted my healing. I would do it again tomorrow because my experience was so positive. Really, I would do it again with no hesitation. Weight loss has been slower than I'd like but I'm losing 1 - 1.5 pounds a week. Plus, my joints don't hurt, my clothes are getting loose, I'm starting to recognize my face in the mirror. I feel terrifi. I made the right choice for me. You considered this choice in consultation with your doctor for a reason. Listen to your inner voice and have the confidence in yourself to know that you'll make this happen. The sleeve is a powerful tool if you work your program. Don't give up and keep coming back here! We'll support you!!!! Band to Sleeve Revision Surgery 7/28/14 Before surgery 211. Now 173 Pounds Lost: 38 and counting

So glad to hear from you @FedUpwithBeingFat! By now you've had your check up with the doctor and I can't wait to hear how you're doing. I'm hope the appt. will put your mind at east about the lingering anethesia symptoms. Unless you've been there, I'll bet it's hard to describe. I've had a few surgeries but none has lasted as long as yours so I have no frame of reference. I imagine it will take longer to fully rest and recover. Be sure to give yourself the time. I went back to work after 2 weeks and when I got home I didn't do much. I didn't venture into the kitchen to cook for a full month cuz working 8 hours was taxing and I've got a desk job! My hubby was very supportive too so no pressure from him. Your Water weight gain must havebeen a real blow. Several people on these boards (and the author of a book that I ordered from Amazon) complained about the water weight. Your initial discouragent is going to be replaced with excitement - especially about the future - when the "real" weight starts to peel off. After the band failure, it's like a miracle to see the scale going the opposite diretion for a change. We'lll have to trade stories. I must admit, I didn't know about the ban on most medications in pill-form until my pre-op appointment a few days before surgery. It sure shocked me. I hope you find an alternative for the migraine meds. Perhaps a neurologist will have an idea. Thanks for asking about my progress. I finally dropped into the 170s. Barely. No kidding, just squeaked by but that didn't stop me from skipping around the room for a couple of minutes. I haven't seen 170's on the scale since 2010, and even with the band, I never got down to 160's. At least now I believe that it's possible, and I hope you begin to feel that kind of confidence in your future too. I'll be traveling for a week and probably won't be able to post but please keep share your progress. I'm looking forward to more conversations with you.

@FedUpwithBeingFat Hi there. How are you doing after surgery? I've been thinking about you and hope you're having a good experience. Please post when you can.

@@JakeLancaster You'll be fine if you're careful. It was an area about the size of a fist that hurt like a son of gun for more than a week if I moved the wrong way. Otherwise, I swear, Jake it was the easiest thing. Good luck!

@FedUpwithBeingFat I understand completely. I felt happy, excited, nerous and a bit terrified the night before surgery. Still, it was the best decision I've made relative to long term health because diabetes runs in my family. Three pieces of advice: 1) start right away to walk as often and for as long as your body tolerates. It kept my soreness to a minimum and helped work out the anesthesia from my system. 2) Rest. Your body will need time to recover. Give yourself a break so it can put itself back together. 3) Give yourself time to adjust mentally to your new portion sizes. It looks ridiculous to see a few spoonfuls on a plate. It's stupid to admit this but when I see so little food I start to rebel mentally. I need to switch to saucer or salad plates but for the time being when I think I'm going to have a hard time, I drink a Protein shake instead. I beats dishing up enough food for the old me and then having to put it back. Good luck tomorrow. Please post when you can to share your progress. I'll think of you tomorrow!

Hi, I'm new to this group too. I'm a band to sleeve revision on July 2. Slower weight loss is expected. It comes off slower than slow for me (a half pound and a pound a week) and at first I was so discouraged but really needed a reality check. Yes, it's slow but it's coming off. My starting weight was 212 (5'2") and now at 181. I'm walking for exercise, eating per instructions, and sticking with support group. It's a process but living without the hope of losing weight for good is soooo much worse.

@@FedUpwithBeingFat My surgery was July 28. Before surgery, I loss of food grief was a huge problem for me. I kinda obsessed about it. I even panicked the morning of surgery when I read that a meal of Cream of What would be 3-4 tablespoons (recovery phase). Turns out, all of that anxiety was for nothing. We had a graduation party for a friend at 3 weeks out. I drank my Protein shake before I left and sipped Crystal Light lemonade when I got there. No one even paid attention because my new college graduate was center stage. I'm back on regular food now and eat a few bites of nearly anything at meals. I'm completely comfortable because I feel full without feeling deprived. I've chosen not to eat sweets (except SF jello), bread, Pasta or rice and so far I don't miss them. I don't miss the 30 pounds I've lost. And I don't miss worrying about what clothes are going to fit when I have to get ready for work. I'll bet you have the same success. Good luck as you move through this journey.

My surgery was on July 28. I won't lie. The worst part of the revision was the pain where the port was. Remember, it was supposed to be a permanent fixture so taking it out causes a lot of stress on the body. Otherwise, the whole surgery was a piece of cake. I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to do it over again! Be encouraged. Your future has a much brighter outlook beginnig tomorrow!

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled a week from Monday. My sleeve is a revision after an unsuccessful gastric band. From one minute to the next, I'm hopeful and nervous and excited and terrified. I respect and trust my surgeon so it's not that. It's just that the band didn't work for me and I want to have confidence that this will. I'm looking forward to sharing support with the group.

Hi, my surgeon did the band/sleeve revision in one procedure. I was under for 3 hours so waking up took some effort. Like ambc35 my recovery took a little longer too. I took off two weeks and I needed the time. I was pretty tired and there was a fair amount of pain where the port was. I've had absolutely no problems since returning to work 3 weeks after surgery. I don't have kids so I can't speak to that. I have a dog and that forced me to walk every day after I came home from the hospital. Walking was the very best thing I did for myself to speed recovery. My weight loss is slower than I'd hoped. I wish it was more but I'm not too discouraged (yet). I think it's a combo of my starting weight and limited pre-op calorie consumption. I couldn't keep down much I was banded because I threw up practically every meal. (Sorry for the TMI.) Would I do it again? Absolutely. Stats: Surgery July 28, 14 Pre-op 212 Now: 183 Goal 140

Congratulations! It's the next step of returning to your new normal.

Exactly what happened with my band. So many disappointments and complications. GERD started gradually but five years later I ingested into the lungs and nearly died. My diet was a disaster too. I couldn't tolerate any raw or most cooked veggies, cottage cheese, eggs no matter how cooked, and most meat came right back up too. Pretty much anything nutrient dense was impossible to keep down. Even unhealthy slider foods had a 50/50 chance of coming back up. Despite that, I lost 35 pounds total and never budged another ounce. Once the decision was made to revise band to sleeve, the Fluid came out and I ate veggies like a woman possessed. I ate salad compulsively for lunch and dinner for 2 solid months. Loaded up on fruit too. I actually snacked on steamed broccoli and roasted cauliflower every other day. It was like my body knew it needed serious nutrition. I'm one week post sleeve revision and very much still on liquid diet so I can't speak to that but I'm very encouraged by others' experiences with veggies. It makes me feel that this will be a healthier long-term option and I'm looking forward to the future.

Your experiences are so much like mine. My band was done in 2009. I never experienced significant weight loss, which was bad enough but then complications started in 2012: vomiting nearly every meal, GERD (never had before), and finally some stomach acid got into my lungs (I nearly died) and the band had to come out. My doc and I chose to do the revision at the same time, which was driven by insurance. Frankly, I wish I'd had the healing period between band removal and sleeve. Surgery was a week ago. It took an hour longer than it should have and the doc said my stomach wouldn't lie flat. We'll see if that has any long-term implications. Honestly, it's so discouraging when insurance makes it harder on the patient. Even with the rocky start, I feel like this is best decision I could have made. I feel different already. I haven't been hungry at all. I'm following instructions to the letter. My abs burn where the port was attached but I'm walking as much as I can tolerate. I have all the same fears about whether the sleeve will be successful. Ultimately, I decided that I gave myself the very best chance to prevent diabetes and reduce risk of stroke. Still, you better believe that I'll be at support groups, classes and use anything else the surgeon offers. I'm going use positive thoughts about long-term health, tools, and structure to beat back any fears of weight loss success in my new sleeved life.

Hi Tisa and Lady K44, Sorry it took so long to reply. Message notices went straight into junk mail and I just found them! Future communication shoudn't be a problem. Tisa, It didn't feel surreal until I was waking up but I'm amazed that surgery is behind me and my new life has begun. Still getting my bearings with new eating schedule - especially how long it takes to get down a Protein "meal." Thank goodness I'm not experiencing hunger. I had a rocky first few days. I was a band conversion to sleeve so my first few days were rocky. Mostly pain in the abs where the port was attached to the abdominal wall. Each day is a noticable improvement. My post op appointment is Wednesday so I'll know more soon. Lady K44, thanks for the encouagement. The walking is slower than I'd anticipated because of what I described above. I'm tiring easily and the abs burn ALOT. Still I've been chipping away at it every day and it's made a huge difference. Today's a new day! Wishing you both the best.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience. You're giving me hope that my revision surgery will go smoothly. I had minimal weight loss though no complicatons until year 5. Now, I just want to move forward with this next step. The anticipation is difficult.

That happened to me too. I never had acid reflux until 5 years post band. Ultimately, I had a terrible complication and the band has to come out. I haven't had any attacks since the fluid came out of the band but I'm a little fearful about the future with a sleeve. I'm scheduled for surgery on July 28 so I don't know if I'll have future issues with the sleeve but I'm hopeful that it will remain resolved and the next phase of my experience will be a postive one!

Hi Everyone, I'm scheduled for Jan. 27. I'm very motivated - just battling nerves about life after banding. I'm new to LBT (as a registered user) but have been visiting and reading posts for more than a month. I'm impressed by member support and I'm looking forward to getting to know you.

Hi everyone, Sorry about going silent for so long. Grad school is winding down and I've been making a push to finish. Husband also had back surgery and I've been caregiving. I hope life will soon get back to normal (whatever that means!). I'm still stuck at the 20 lb. plateau. I've been walking three miles every morning too. My 5th fill finally got me close to the restriction that most of you must be feeling so I'm hoping that my next trip to the doctor produces some weight loss. Surprisingly, I'm not too discouraged. Keeping my commitment to walking really helps my outlook. I'd just like to see some downward movement on the scale and some looser clothes and things would be pretty darn good. Linda, I hope that you're doing well. How's the weight loss? Any mental battles? I sure appreciate you reaching out. I think I'll be back here regularly now. :biggrin:

What a wonderful achievement. I hope you're doing a happy dance! :thumbup:

Hi Linda and all New Year Hotties, I didn't realize how long I've been away from the boards until I logged on. I will do better. Been slammed at work and trying to graduate so I fell behind on food logs, exercising, rule-following, you name it. It shows too. I'm still stuck at 20 lbs. down. I got really discouraged when I realized that I was going to hit my mini-goals (down another 10 by graduation). Ordinarily, I would have eaten my way through that but I've had two more fills since then and I'm FINALLY getting the restriction that I expected from the beginning. Seriously, my band holds 9mm and I'm at 6 and I can still hold about 1.25-1.5 cups of food per meal. Some food is getting stuck now (rarely happened before) so I think 1-2 more fills should do the trick. I hope, hope, hope it triggers some fat loss. The increasing restriction tells me that I'm headed the right direction. I'm trying to practice patience and self-acceptance. That's tough for me but I didn't get this way in five months so I shouldn't expect it to just melt off. I scrolled posts today and it seems like several Hotties are doing well and some are struggling. Just like real life, I guess. :tt2: I've got my eye on a Wii and that new EA Active exercise software at costco. Don't know if I'd be a good home exerciser now since I never was before. I just know that I've got to incorporate some exercise into my daily routine. Anyone else using a Wii? :thumbup: :party: Linda, it's thunderstorm season (a whole two weeks) right now. There's been a downpour the last two days and today it hailed the size of pencil erasers for several minutes. It really piled up on cars, the grass, and sidewalks. The Water came down so hard our street flooded. Just another day in the high desert!

It's funny. I haven't taken a single calcium pill - I completely forgot about it. I've been having some arthritis-like stiffness in my hands now that you mention it. Thank you for posting. You've probably helped a lot of people.

What a remarkable accomplishment. I hope you high five yourself for days - you've earned it. Thanks for sharing your success. It's inspiring.

You're making me jealous. It's snowing this morning in Reno and I had to change into winter clothes again to keep from freezing. Have a great time on your vacation. You've got band support so you'll come back in better shape that you left. Isn't that terrific?