TexasT

Great news! Try not to second guess yourself too much, because it's just a waste of time. Having my band removed was the best thing I've ever done. The sleeve is SO much easier to live with - I know you'll be very happy with your decision. Plus, if you're like me, you'll be at your goal weight in no time. After a 3-yr stall, I'm thrilled with the success I've had with the sleeve.

Mommytoethan - I also had a revision from band to sleeve done in January. The only complication I had was forming a hematoma in the space where my port had been. This is just where blood pools into an open area. Normally the blood will just be absorbed back into your body. But for me, the incision above the hematoma came open, the blood came out. When this happens, the wound has to heal from the inside out (it can't be sutered back up due to the possibility of infection). I had to pack the open wound for about 6 wks until it completely healed up. It wasn't painful, just a nuisance. Other than that, everything's been great. I've lost the rest of the weight, I can eat whatever I want (in small portions), and I don't have to worry about food getting "stuck" like I did with the band.

That's probably all you'll actually need in my opinion. I brought a book to read, and had my hubby keep my IPod with him, but didn't use either. I was either up walking the halls pushing the IV stand along, trying to get fluids in, or resting. Good luck!

As Tiff said, Dr. Barker did my revision (he also did my lapband). All I had to have done pre-op was a cardiac clearance. I didn't have to have any extra tests before my consult. Let me know if you need any other info. I'm so glad I had the VSG done. I'm almost to goal now, after being stuck at the same weight for 3.5yrs. I've lost 7 inches off my waist since surgery in January, which just amazes me! I actually went out Friday and bought size 8 capris. My highest size before WLS was a 18-20. You will love having a sleeve!

I agree to not drink them too soon, but if when and if you do try one, I'd let it go pretty flat before sipping on it. You may find, like I have, that sodas are just too sweet post-op. And I used to love them before the sleeve! Now they just taste WAY too sweet, so I stick to tea and water.

Pre-op I was not a milk drinker, so the thick protein shakes were not my cup of tea. I was served Isopure ready-made at the hospital after surgery and liked them best over the others I had tried. Not to say I liked ALL the flavors, but I found a couple I preferred. The Grape Frost is one of them. It tastes like watered-down grape kool-aid. But what I did was buy some kool-aid to mix with it to give it more flavor. That really seemed to help.

Never argue with a woman One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, his wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book. Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, ' Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?' 'Reading a book,' she replies, (thinking, 'Isn't that obvious?') 'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her. 'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading' 'Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up.' 'For reading a book,' she replies. 'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her again. 'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading' 'Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.. I'll have to take you in and write you up.' 'If you do that, I'll have to charge you with Sexual assault,' says the woman.. 'But I haven't even touched you,' says the game warden. 'That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.' 'Have a nice day ma'am,' and he left. MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely she can also think.

I also had my gall bladder removed during VSG surgery, in addition to removing my lapband and repairing an undiagnosed hernia. I feel great now and am thankful I was able to do it all in one surgery. Plus I was self-pay, so it helped that insurance covered the GB portion so I paid much less.

I agree with Ryansgirl. I just read in a magazine recently (I think it was Self magazine) that when you lose weight it's 80% fat and 20% muscle, so losing some muscle is going to happen during weight loss. Resistance training, weight lifting, floor exercises will all help build it back. As long as you're getting enough Protein in don't stress about it until you're closer to goal. Do what you can to keep it to a minimum, but don't worry too much. Your fancy-schmancy scale may not be a good thing - ha! Sometimes TOO much knowledge is dangerous...

In addition to the acid blocker, I also take a sublingual B-12 tablet EVERY day to help my energy level. These are super-cheap at Wal-Mart and taste really good. So get some ASAP if you're not already taking them. Also, the more you are inactive, the worse you will feel. You really do need to get up and around, even if it's just walking around the mall or something. If the weather is nice, try to go outside and take a stroll. The fresh air will also help you feel better to. I agree that you may not be getting ENOUGH food in. 18 pounds in a month is super, but our bodies will hold onto fat with a vengance if it thinks we are starving it. We've all said it - but keeping up with your Protein needs will help jump start that metabolism back up. Please talk to your doctor about your stomach pain. I had my gall bladder removed, lapband removed, VSG and hernia repair all at the same time and only hurt for a few days. So a month post-op is a little long to be hurting. Of course, if you're not on an acid reducer that could be the cause. Let us know how you're doing.

I also had my gall bladder removed when I was sleeved, but also had my lapband removed and a hernia repaired. I had swelling only above the incision where my lapband port had been. It swelled up and turned purple. Ends up I had a hematoma - which eventually opened up, sending me to the ER. If yours is overall abdominal swelling then it's most likely due to the surgery. Some people just swell more than others post-op. If it's only in one area, is hot or painful, then I'd call my doc. Of if it doesn't start abating within a few more days.

I think you can tell from the previous posts that when people throw up (I'm not talking about at the hospital right after surgery), it's caused by something they've done that is normally preventable. Living with a sleeve is a daily learning experience for us all. You have to be very careful about how quickly you eat and how much you try to stuff in your tiny tummy. I haven't thrown up, but I have become nauseated after eating too much. I've started eating smaller amounts at meal times and keeping a Protein bar handy if I start to get hungry later. A couple of bites later I'm satisfied and ready to go awhile longer. Even after having a band for 3.5yrs and the sleeve since January, my husband still has to remind me to put less food on my plate. He'll just look at me and say "you don't want to make yourself sick do you?" and he's always right. I take some off my plate and I never even miss it. "Eyeing it" gets easier as time goes by, just be sure to not push it the first few months.

Since my sleeve surgery I've tried a couple of bites of ice cream on two occasions and a sugar cookie on another. I got terribly nauseated both times. I CAN eat fruit or even a piece of dark chocolate with no problems. But I got that feeling you described when I tried to drink some coke one day too, so I'm just staying away from all those things. It's not worth the horrible feelings and I don't need them anyway.

Welcome Jenny - congrats on your insurance approval and surgery date. You have a right to feel the way you do right now - this is the hardest part of the whole ordeal. Once you have surgery, the hunger hormones will lessen, and it will so easy to eat the way you should. I understand about the Pasta - I used to love it too. But after I was sleeved, I found I don't really enjoy bread or pasta anymore. They fill me up too quickly and make my tummy feel bad, so I prefer to stick with the Protein portion of the meal, and maybe have a small bite or two of carbs. You sound like a strong woman to have beat cancer and gone through what you have at such a young age. This pre-op stage will be over before you know it and life will be much easier. You're right - most Protein shakes do "suck" - but we have to endure them anyway. If you search this site, you should be able to find lots of shake recipes and ways to try and make them more tolerable. There are also clear liquid Protein drinks like Isopure ready-made that I found easier to get down than the shake powder mixes. Compared to chemo, sleeve surgery should be a walk in the park for you. I was back at my desk job part-time just a few days afterwards, but I work at home and could stop and rest when need be. As long as you get up and start walking as soon as you can, pain is usually kept to a minimum for most folks. I'm sure you'll do great!

I know that in the last few weeks I've increased my daily walking from 30 minutes/day to 1-1.5hr/day and I haven't lost a pound. Haven't gained any, but nothing lost either. I do feel like I'm gaining some muscle tone back though, so that's good. Hopefully we'll both have a "break-through" soon and start losing again.

I started feeling hungry about the same time post-op as you are now. Even on an acid reducer. I'm not happy about it because I thought it wouldn't be an issue anymore. But at least the good part is I only have to have a few bites of something and I'm good to go. I keep a dense protein bar with me at all times (30grams of protein) and nibble on it when I feel a pang of hunger. That and water will usually take care of things between meals.

You're already almost half way to goal at just 14 wks! Way to go! Keep up the good work :redface1:.

I have Blue Cross/Shield of Alabama and they don't cover anything WLS related. I was self-pay with the band, and again with my revision. Though I also had my gall bladder out, so insurance paid for that part and also for the hospital stay, etc.

I used to love Cokes, and tried one a couple of months or so after surgery, but it tasted WAY too sweet and I only had a few sips. I drank an un-carbonated orange soda drink last weekend with no problem though. Though I guess if it isn't carbonated it's probably not considered a soda...:redface1:

Gary - as someone married to another old gray-headed guy from Arkansas let me join the group to tell you WAY TO GO! Keep doing what you're doing! (PS - we moved from Bryant to TX in 2002). Pass by Hope on our way to visit relatives in Hot Springs Village and Benton.

I've had to buy 2 sets of "fake" wedding rings as my real one slips off my finger now. I say 2 sets because the first one I got is now too big too, so I got another one yesterday. I'm not rushing out to re-size my real wedding ring until I'm at goal for awhile just in case. I've also been mistaken for my 22-yr old daughter by 2 DIFFERENT PEOPLE seeing my recent photos. That's really cool - though I think these people need to get to the eye doc soon for a check-up:cool0:!!

I had revision band to sleeve surgery on a Friday, went home on Sunday, and was back in the office (I work from home) part of the day on Monday. I only took pain meds for a few days. I also had my gall bladder removed and a hiatal hernia repaired. The hardest part of sitting at my desk was that my back got tired pretty quickly. So just take lots of breaks if you can - get up and walk around, etc. They'll have you up and walking in the hospital a few hours after surgery, so this is something you're supposed ot be doing anyway. As for a pump - my doc gives an automatic pain pump that you wear on a halter that lasts about 3-4 days post-op. It had 2 tiny tubes running out of it that went directly into my abdomen below my breastbone. When it was empty I pulled out the tubes myself and tossed it all in the trash - easy breezy! And thank goodness you aren't having a band! Those things are a pain the booty!

My husband and I will be traveling to Italy in a few weeks to Celebrate our 25th Anniversary so I've been walking to try and get ready for the trip. I've found that I get a much better workout walking outside on the sidewalk than on the treadmill at home. Yesterday I did a full hour in the neighborhood and was nice and sweaty when I got back. I've been to Italy before and know we can walk up to 10 miles a day sightseeing, so hopefully that will burn off the calories from the wine, Pasta and gelato I plan to eat while there! I've also started keeping a set of small dumbbells next to my chair in the living room and will get up and use them for awhile during my favorite TV shows to try and build back up muscle in my arms, etc. If they're sitting there staring me in the face I'm more likely to pick them up.

I know you posted this in the "Ask Dr. Gregg" area, which is good. But I believe only a doctor that sees you in person can answer this question. You would need to have labs done in addition to a body fat analysis. Also, there may be an underlying condition causing your weight loss that has nothing to do with the sleeve. If you haven't already had a check-up with your surgeon, an internist or primary care doc, please do so. You can most certainly lose too much weight.

I'll jump into the group and say hello to all and good luck to those still awaiting their surgeries. There are a lot of great WLS docs in TX, so I feel we are all so lucky to live here and benefit from their expertise. I had to go "wedding ring" shopping today for a fake wedding ring. My old one is huge on my finger now and I'm not ready to re-size it yet. This is my second "fake" ring since my revision surgery. Just one of those non-scale victories we all talk about. Also, my husband is out of town at a large conference. We work together, so most of our business associates have met me in the past. He's been showing everyone my pic on his cell phone (the same one as my avatar), and being proud of my progress. One guy I've known for over 10 yrs mistook me for my 22yr old daughter (he's old and needs glasses - so I can understand the mistake - ha!). Living in this body just feels so weird now - weird and wonderful.