TexasT

I went through this after a hysterectomy. My gyno put me on testosterone cream that I get from a compounding pharmacy. Works so great I took her flowers on my follow up visit! Hubby and I are like teenagers again at age 52. I recommend it to anyone with libido issues.

Not on this site much anymore so a little late to the party - too busy living life! I had the band in 2006, revised to sleeve Jan. 2010. Got to goal in less than 6 months after revision. Eating whatever I want now and feeling great. Just need to exercise and build muscle back up. Best of luck to all the newbies! You're never too old to do something good for yourself!

I'm not sure how they are running things now, as I've not been in their office in several years. I met Dr. B my first visit for my band, and saw him for my consult when I was having issues with it and we discussed the sleeve. His staff has grown quite a bit and I'm sure he concentrates on doing the actual surgeries and not so much the office stuff. He's an amazing surgeon, and I never felt like a number with the follow-up people I saw post-op in the office. If you feel more comfortable with a smaller office where you get more one-on-one time with the doctor, then by all means go that route. But they may not have the experience he and his staff have. I forgot to mention also that the hospital care after my surgery was top notch.

He did both my lap-band and revision to VSG (years ago now!). I loved him and his staff, though my only complaint was the waiting time in the lobby. I did a lot of research when I had mine done and went with a proven surgeon that had a great track record. Feel free to ask them for his stats (complication rates, type of surgeries performed, etc.) and they should willingly give them to you. He put my lap-band port in to STAY, so it was a bit of a chore to cut it back out. I ended up getting a hematoma that opened up in that area about a week after surgery. I went straight to the hospital and he was there to fix me right up. During my revision I also had a hernia repair, tons of adhesions taken down, and my gallbladder removed. So quite a laundry list of things he had to do. He's a great surgeon and gorgeous to boot, which doesn't hurt any . I whole-heartedly recommend him!

The only time I regret it is when I'm out for a fancy meal and can only eat a small portion of it, and it takes me all night to drink one glass of wine. But then the upside is I have leftovers for several days. And whenever I look in the mirror I realize that's a VERY small price to pay to be healthy again.

Had mine done in one surgery - band removal/sleeve, hernia repair, gall bladder removal and adhesions taken down.

I had my gall bladder removed when I had my band removal/sleeve surgery, so my insurance paid for that portion, which included the hospital stay for 2 days. I only had to pay $5000 for the sleeve portion of the surgery. This was 3 yrs ago with Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas.

Gave my CPAP machine to my niece!

Getting the band removed will be one of the best decisions you can make! Had mine for 3 yrs and hated it. Now have had my sleeve for 3 yrs and LOVE it. The only complication I had from my surgery was getting a hematoma where my port had been. But that's because my doc had put that thing in there VERY well the first time around, and it was a bugger bear to remove. Blood pooled in the area and caused a hematoma. Some people's bodies will absorb the blood, mine didn't. I also had my gall bladder and tons of adhesions removed during the same surgery. It was done on a Friday, came home from the hospital on Sunday and was back at my desk in my home office on Monday working part-time. No big deal. From what I've read before, sleeve gastrectomys have been done for many many years on people with stomach cancer, who go on to live long lives with no issues. Only in the last few years has it been done for weight loss. So I wouldn't worry about long term effects. I continue to need to take an acid reducer daily, but I would say that's the only thing I deal with on a daily basis. Best of luck on whatever decision you make!

I agree with Ladydawg2009. Just focus on the weight loss and don't worry about your hair right now. It WILL grow back eventually. A year out from surgery you won't even be thinking about it. Just do your best with Protein intake as your body adjusts to everything. I also tried Biotin and some scalp treatments when I was going through that time period, but nothing seemed to help. Only TIME. My husband just went through chemo and lost ALL his hair - everywhere! So we really have nothing to complain about. It's hard though because as women we are so vain about our hair. But believe me, you'll get through this. Best of luck to you all dealing with this right now!

I'm 3 yrs post-op and have put on about 7lbs over the holidays. But everyone says I look good. At almost 52 yrs old, I think I look a bit better with a few pounds over my lowest weight as without it my face looks a bit gaunt. I was even considering getting some fat injected into my cheeks, but since I've never had any facial plastic surgery, Botox, etc. it scared me off and now I'm glad I didn't do it. Not to say I won't in the future, but for now I'm good. I might try and lose a few pounds by cutting out the soft drinks and sweets. That usually helps, though stress and traveling get rid of weight the quickest for me. Since I'm stuck at home for the next few months, keeping track of what I'm eating will have to do the trick!

I would also suggest taking the over the counter acid reducer you can get at any drug store. I've been on one since the very beginning and have just been told to double my dose after 3 yrs post-op. I now take 40mg daily. Had a recent scope that showed damage to my esophagus. So anyone else reading - don't stop taking your acid reducer unless instructed to do so - and even then I'd question it! PS - my last scope also showed ANOTHER hernia, even though my surgeon said he repaired a hiatal hernia during my sleeve surgery. Not doing anything about it at this time though.

No, my old pic was taken near Hot Springs, AR. I still hate to look at that since I was one of those people that looked pregnant even when I wasn't .

Your stomach produces and excretes the hormone ghrelin, which causes the feeling of hunger. Cannabis also does this, which is why smoking pot makes you hungry (just some additional info). Anyway, the portion of your stomach that is removed is the part that makes the majority of ghrelin, but the remaining stomach WILL still produce it. So you may continue to feel hunger (I do) post-op, but it won't be as bad as what you feel now. Also, even though you may still feel hungry, you won't be able to eat but just a bit and it will go away. So it won't be like it is pre-op. Some people have NO hunger, but I'm not one of them.

Had my sleeve Jan. of 2010. Start weight before lapband was 225. Current weight fluctuates between 130 and 140 (usually around 137). Almost 52 yrs old and going strong!

I'm 2.5 yrs post-op and when I'm full I have the normal full feeling like the old days. No pain. But if I really push it I will get a bit of pain - when that happens I get up and walk around until things "settle" a bit. The first year for sure I had pain when I pushed my pouch to the limit, but not anymore. Best of luck to you!

Best of luck to all the newbies. I'm now 51 and been at goal for a long time. The only plastics I've had to do is new boobies as the old ones were 30yrs old and needed to be replaced. Got them a little bigger to fill up some of the space that used to be filled with fat. My cheeks are a bit hollow now and I might someday deal with that, but overall it's been nothing but a positive experience for my health and well-being! Better late than never I say! My sis-in-law is in her mid-50's and going to have VSG soon also. It will add many wonderful years to our lives.

Recently moved to Fort Worth from Flower Mound. Had my first WLS in 2006 with revision in 2010, so I'm the opposite of a "newbie" - ha!

As someone that's been at goal for long time now, I can say that your stomach will most certainly stretch out over time. Of course, it will never get back to it's original state, but I can eat MUCH more now than I could the first year post-op. I happen to be glad I can eat more now, because it has helped me to stop losing and try to maintain. I would probably be shocked if I saw the size of my stomach now compared to just after surgery. But that's OK. I know the sleeve still works and I'm very happy with my decision to do it. And if you do eat WAY too much and stretch the sleeve you'll feel VERY uncomfortable and will vow to not do it again - just your body's way of teaching you a lesson. If you listen to it and try to not keep pushing the limits, then it will continue to work for you.