Tiffykins

They didn't try to get us to buy their products, and I wouldn't do it unless I knew what I was buying was the best available for me. I do buy my multi's at GNC, but that's only because we're a military family, have a GNC on base, and with no tax, and our free Gold Carb, I get a great quality Multivitamin for super cheap. All of my other Vitamins are purchased from www.vitacost.com because of the flat-rate shipping, and amazing prices on a wide variety of products that fit my supplement/vitamin needs.

I'll just ditton everything Tracy stated because it's all my same experience with my band to sleeve revision experience.

I still have not had any hunger sensations, and I'm 8.5 months post-op. I eat 3-4 meals a day because I have to eat, not because I'm hungry. But, I can eat every 4 hours and not be stuffed. I eat no more than 4-8oz per meal, and that is completely determined by what type of food I choose to eat. I'm out of the losing phase, and attempting to maintain. My food choices are very different now than when I was the weight loss stage. I follow the Protein first rule about 85% of the time. Other times, I'll eat veggies first, then meat, then if I have room carbs. I honestly forget to eat still to this day. And, I guess I'm one of the few lucky ones that carbs do not trigger any cravings or desire for more carby foods.

I had several of the same concerns. The only thing I knew to do is to start researching gastrectomies performed for other reasons such as stomach cancer and ulcerative conditions. I found many people living normal, healthy, fully-functioning lives 20+ years after their gastrectomies. Yes, some of them had recurrence of their pre-surgery condition, but the organ was diseased to begin with. I met with an oncologist due to a clotting disorder. He told me that I was decreasing my risk of cancer by having the gastrectomy performed. He was optimistic for my future health, and was not worried about my longevity. He mentioned he had a couple of geriatric patients that had their stomachs completely removed, and new stomach was made from intestinal tissue. They had to take different Vitamins and digestive supplements, but they were not malnourished or knocking on death's door without their stomach. Arming myself with all of that information really helped me feel confident with my decision to have my revision to VSG. There is a lot of information out there on gastrectomies that are not strictly related to weight loss. Also, the sleeve is the 1st stage procedure of the duodenal switch surgery, and that surgery has been done for many more years than the sleeve as a stand-alone procedure.

Very awesome Thin ! ! ! Keep it up, you're shrinking, shrinking. . .

I agree with Daisy. I dealt with trying to get restriciton, and it was just beyond frustrating. I wanted to pull my hair out. I can appreciate your doctor wanting to give the band a "good college try", but you've been there done that. It's time to start living. Life with the band vs. life with the sleeve is like trying to compare night and day. I know it seems so drastic to remove 75% of the stomach, but I can honestly tell ya, I don't miss mine one single bit.

I just had to wait 3 months to have any raw veggies. I tolerate salad very well, but I steer clear of carrots and corn just out of personal preference. I do eat celery with cream cheese and Peanut Butter occasionally, but have found it to be very filling even when I chew it really well. I just avoid corn because the first couple of times I ate it (even cooked), I ended up burping up the shells of the corn hours later. It was a pretty disgusting experience. I found the same thing happens when I eat pickle skin. I have to slice the skin off Kosher dill spears when I add it to my tuna salad. I'm the type of person that when something happens once, I don't test the waters again. It's been months since I burped up corn shells, or pickle skin, but I'm not willing to go through it again so I just deskin the pickles and avoid corn. I like really rough, hearty, green leafy, spinachy, rare lettuce salads. I don't eat iceberg or romaine very often. I eat coleslaw on occasion, and enjoy spring rolls/egg rolls loaded with cabbage.

I had 113 pounds to lose when I had my revision to the sleeve from band. I hit goal right around 6.5 months, and now currently 15lbs below goal as of this morning. My starting band weight was 270, I lost a miserable 7 pounds with the band, revisision date weigh-in 263, and today I'm sitting at 135. I stand 5'2", and lost quickly. I was extremely strict with my carbs during the first 4 months, and did have some complications that contributed to some of my loss initially. But, I optimized the first 4 months with 75lbs dropped. The weight loss slowed down around November, and I've been losing sporadically since January. I am trying to maintain, but I've figured out my body is going to stop when it's happy. I'm perfectly content with my loss, with life with the sleeve, and the quality of life I have and foresee having for many years to come. I know several female patients that had 100 lbs to lose that have lost those pounds within 6-8 months of either revising from the band, or were virgin sleeve patients. I'm 33 years old, and have several women that are 20 years my senior do just as well if not better than I have with the sleeve. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a message. I'm an open-book about my journey.

I don't have any info on surgeons or hospitals in India, but wish you the best of luck in your research. Make sure whichever surgeon you choose has done at least 300 sleeves. It's been shown with at least this many, complications decrease significantly, and technique has been established for best results for the patient. Keep us posted.

Hi there, and welcome to VST. You're gonna love life with the sleeve. Congrats on getting your date, and I hear Dr. Barker is fabulous ! ! !

My tastebuds changed significantly for about 4-5 months. I couldn't tolerate anything sweetened with aspartame. Crystal lite and all that stuff was completely out for me. I had to find stuff sweetened with Splenda. food didn't taste good for good long time. But, it was just temporary.

I'll be in chat for a bit tonight. If I don't immediate reply when you type something, I'm probably in the potty, or stepped outside for a minute. Be patient, I'll be back in there.

Fabulous, just fabulous news ! ! ! I know that is huge weight (no pun intended) lifted off your shoulders. Cheers to getting a date.

TOTAL thread highjack, but I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering how you were doing ! ! !

I'm so glad you had a great appointment today. . . Keep rockin' your sleeve.

ABSOLUTELY FANFRICKENTABULOUS ! ! ! You know I've been waiting all stinkin' day to read this thread ! ! !

Hi Kim and welcome to VST. Glad to have you around, and I'm a firm believer, everything happens for a reason. Keep us posted as things progress in terms of your surgery date, and insurance stuff.

Ha ha ha you have no idea ! ! ! I'm pretty tame on here because I don't offend anyone. I hope one day we can plan a big VST meet-up.

Hey bobcat, and welcome to the lovely group. I know there are several Kaiser patients on here so I'm sure they'll chime in. Congrats on taking the steps to a healthier and happier lifestyle. If you need anything, or have any questions, let us know we're all here for you.

I measured early on because you can't rely on a full signal this early out. I only ate 2ounces of food mushies at a time. If I even remotely felt uncomfortable or like another bite would bother me, I stopped even if those 2ounces weren't gone. I used those kid's over the counter medication cups that measure 1 ounce. Even once I got to regular food, I had to measure food because I had no full signal. At 3-4 months out, I could still only 3ounces of food. It took me awhile until I could get more in per meal. Measure, set your fork down in between bites, and enjoy those bites.

No one will lecture you. We're all so very different. I sip with my meals especially when wine is involved LOL. I definitely don't gulp or drink a lot of fluids at all while eating, and it has not made me hungrier, and it doesn't really allow me to eat more food per sitting. I eat way too much spicy food not to wet my whistle occasionally during a meal. And, like I said, I drink a glass of wine here and there, and if I were to not drink with my meal, I'd never finish the glass. And, that my dear friends is straight-up alcohol abuse! ! !

LOL Pork rinds are low to no carb, higher in Protein that any other type of salty, crunchy chip product. I absolutely love the hot-n-spicy ones. There a nice crunchy, salty flavorful treat to have occasionally, and they practically dissolve once chewed. They're even Atkins approved.

I agree with Cajun. But, I haven't been able to wean off my Prilosec yet and I've been on it for a little over 6.5 months. I know that when taking them we need to make sure we are taking Calcium Citrate.

Sarah, you're gonna do great, and we'll all be cheering for you on the loser's bench. Make sure you post when you feel up to it, and take care of yourself.