TexasT

I had my band removed, sleeve done, gall bladder removed, adhesions removed, and hiatal hernia repaired all in one surgery. After 2 C-sections, a hysterectomy, band surgery, and then this - I guess you could call me experienced with abdominal surgery (+ 4 other surgeries elsewhere). The revsion surgery was not the worst I've had and I was able to work part-time at a desk job from home a few days post-op. I think at 6 wks you would feel fine enough to go to a wedding, as long as you are not one of the people carrying things and setting things up. You should just show up to look good as the mother of the groom and enjoy the day. You would most likely be on soft foods at the time, so I'm sure you could find something you could eat if they serve a meal. It all depends on your specific situation though. If you feel like you are typically a little slower to recover from surgery or if you feel the band complications you've had will be a major bother, then you might ought to wait until after the wedding. You don't want to be sore or very tired at such a wonderful occasion. As mentioned above, make sure your doc is experienced with revisions and not just lap-bands. It really does make a difference. Best wishes on your decision! PS - since there are no huge plastic contraptions snaking around in our bodies anymore, I don't see how the VSG can cause problems like the band does. I love mine!

Here's what I had done in one surgery: band removed, VSG, gall bladder removed, adhesions removed, hiatal hernia repaired. So it CAN be done.

Yes, I did. I had my band removed, the sleeve done, a hiatal hernia repaired, adhesions removed, and gall bladder removed all at once. I don't really remember how long the surgery was - I was asleep :P ! But the recovery was no worse than getting the band, I just had more "holes" this time around. So it CAN be done. It was nice because I was self-pay for WLS, but my insurance pd for the other procedures, so I was able to save money on the revision.

You've made the decision ever to have a revision. I had a band for almost 4 yrs and went through the same things you did. If you look at my past posts, and especially those of Tiffykins, then'll you find plenty of information of what to expect now once you're sleeved. And there are many more on here in our situation - just search "revision" or look at more of the past posts in this thread and there is plenty of information already available. Best wishes on your surgery -

I'm at 11 months post-op and mine has finally seemed to stop shedding. As I said in another thread though, all my new growth looks to be gray, which is a whole new can of worms!!

I just wanted to clarify something regarding what I said above about having sex even when you're not in the mood. I never once "faked it" with my hubby. At that time in my life, I didn't care if I EVER had sex again. My husband was aware of my libido issues, so he knew that when I did it, it was because I loved him and wanted him to feel that fulfillment, even if I wasn't "into it" so to speak. This was something I told him I was doing to try and help save our marriage. I also believe it's kind of like when people say if you smile more often you'll eventually feel happy for real. If I had just stopped having sex at that point in our relationship then I feel the marriage would have been over many years ago. I know I wouldn't have put up with it if I had been him. That's just one way to block someone out of your life, which eventually leads to no communication. I was 47 when I started on the testosterone cream, so I would ask your doc about it for sure. It's so amazing I took my doc a bouquet of flowers the next time I saw her just to thank her for giving me back such an important part of my life. Now I'm about ready for the last rugrat (he's almost 19 and not in college) to move out of the house so we can have it all to ourselves and not worry about getting "caught"...

I'm not sure how old you are, but you sound EXACTLY like I was in my mid 30's. My PMS got so bad that I eventually went on an antidepressant. Tried several and Zoloft worked for me. Unfortunately, they also decrease your libido. I had a full hysterectomy at age 41, so that screwed up my hormones too. Then I met a wonderful female gyn doc who prescribed me testosterone cream. Now I have an amazing libido and my sex life is fantastic. And I've been with the same guy for 30 yrs now. But even without the meds, I made a conscious decision one day to NOT deny my husband sex anymore. This was a couple of years before my hysterectomy. We were going through a tough time and thinking about a divorce. Sex was a hot topic and I felt the same way you do now. But I thought, let's just see what happens if I just go ahead and have sex when he wants it, even if I'm not in the mood. I believe this was critical in saving my marriage and helping us work through other issues. It took far more energy to have that conflict about sex than to just do it and be done with it and make him happy. It was a quick and painless solution to a common problem. I did it out of love for my husband and don't feel like I "gave in" or gave up any of my rights as a woman. Now the shoe's on the other foot - I have a higher sex drive than the hubby - and he does it for me when HE'S not in the mood. It sounds like you have other issues going on too that meds may not be able to help though. My husband has moments of insecurity because I look so much better now, but I just do my best to reassure him that I still love him and have no intention of even thinking about leaving him. Distancing yourself will only make things worse and will do nothing to try and save the relationship. But I understand that it's hard to be intimate physically and mentally with someone that is suspicious and jealous. I'm not sure why you're tired. Have you had blood work done recently? You may be low in Iron or B Vitamins. I take a B12 supplement daily and I think it really helps my energy, in addition to my mult-Vitamin.

I'm 49 and had a boob job 30 yrs ago, when I was young and skinny and flat as a pancake. When I gained weight I gained everywhere and my boobs got even bigger. Now, at my age and with all my weight lost, they are not flat, but the fullness I enjoyed when I was fat is gone. And of course, the skin is now so loose that they look like 2 deflated balloons if I lean all the way over at the waist. NOT a pretty sight! Mostly because I just need to get new ones because of how old they are, but also because I need a bit larger size to fill out my skin, I'm planning on getting them replaced later this year when my daughter graduates from college and we're not helping with tuition and rent anymore (that's right, I'm keeping a positive attitude that she'll be able to get a job with majors in History and Sociology - ha!). If I were younger, the skin might have shrunk back more, but at this point it ain't gonna happen. So by next fall I'll be boob - a - licious again! I may do something about the loose skin on my neck in a few years - right now it doesn't bother me too much.

I know it's easy for me to say from where I am, but it's really none of her business. You should just tell her you're sorry she can't be supportive of your decision, but that you've done your homework and feel this is your best choice to improve your health and make sure you'll be around to grow old with her son. Then just turn a deaf ear. People that have never been obese have a hard time understanding why we would want to take what they consider drastic measures to lose weight. If she's overweight also, she may feel that she would never have this opportunity herself so why should you get to benefit from it, and this is her way of saying so (though she would never admit it to herself).

That's exactly what my doc said - when I felt like it, go for it!

I have to add that I'm one of those that DOES still get hungry on a regular basis. So for some of us that does not go away post-op. Fortunately though with the sleeve you only have to eat a little and the hunger pangs are gone. Don't get in the mindset that you'll NEVER get to eat certain foods. That can literally drive you crazy and make you do things you'll later regret. Realize that once you reach goal weight you can eat whatever you want in small portions. I had a slice of pizza for dinner the other night and I've been dipping into a tub of pecan brittle that a business associate gave me all week. I don't really eat bread anymore, but I had a small hamburger (my first all year) a few weeks ago because I got a strong craving for a nice, juicy burger. It took me all night to eat it, but man was it good. I may go another year before I eat one again, but I think I can do this because I don't feel like I'm depriving myself, which forces that primieval "gotta get all the food I can or I'll die" mechanism to kick in. I agree with Tiffy that you might want to talk to someone regarding your food issues. I wouldn't wait until after surgery if that's an option for you. You need to focus not on your perception of what you think you'll be missing, but on the positive things you're doing for your health and your body.

My mother has the most gorgeous head of silver hair you've ever seen, so I knew my day was coming, I was just hoping to hold off for a few years more! I'm not ready to look like a senior yet, so I'm going to keep the hair color companies in business for as long as I can. I was talking to the pharmacist last week and said I'd had a hysterectomy at age 42 and that was a long time ago. She said "No way, I thought you were in your 30's" . I thanked her profusely and told her she already had my business so no need to go overboard! So as long as I can fake it, I'm gonna fake it - no full head of gray for me yet! But I know when I do get tired of the maintenance I will have lovely silver hair to look forward to.

About 6 months post-op I started "shedding" hair - as it's so delicately put by some sources. Now at 11 months post-op it's finally starting to grow back in. The only complaint is that it looks like all the new hair is GRAY!!! OK, I'm no spring chicken I admit. I'll be 50 in a few months. But all of a sudden my "roots" look like the pure driven snow and not mostly pepper with a little salt. It looks like the Age Fairy sprinkled magic silver dust all over the top of my head. And those of you in my age group know that gray hair is sometimes curly and coarse, which does not match well with the rest of my straight and silky locks - ha! Looks like I'm just going to have to start buying the Clairol Nice and Easy in bulk from now on. For those of you wishing your hair would grow back in and are older like me - be careful what you wish for!!!

I eat the Premier Nutrition Protein bars that are sold at Costco and Sam's Club. There are 3 flavors in each box of 12. They have 30g of protein, 7g of fat and 280 calories. These are the only ones I can stand the taste of, and I've tried many many kinds. If you go to a store like the Vitamine Shoppe, they'll let you return them if you don't like the flavor and they have tons to choose from.

I use Premier Nutrition Protein bars that I buy at Costco. They have 30grams of protein, so they're filling and these actually taste pretty good. I've tried many others and these are the only ones I actually enjoy eating. There are 3 flavors per box. I think Sam's Club also sells them.

I had my band for almost 4 yrs before my revision. My only complication was that I developed a hematoma in the area where my port had been. My doc had sewed that thing in there to stay for good, so it was a bear to remove and left a fairly large hole. The incision above the hematoma opened a week post-op and the blood drained out. My doc cleaned it, packed it and it healed from the inside out. I also had a hiatial hernia that my doc found and fixed during the revision surgery.

Hope your recovery is still going smoothly and you're getting plenty of fluids - a few ounces at a time!

Ask how many WLS he's done, then a breakdown of each type. What's his complication rate, including leaks? Has he had any deaths? How long has he been doing WLS? What are his pre and post-op diets? How much weight does he think you'll lose within one year? What does he suggest your target weight should be? How long will you be hospitalized? How does he control pain post-op? Will you have an implanted pain pump? What is his follow-up plan post-op? Will you see him in the hospital post-op or does he use a "floor doctor"? I had a floor doctor after my surgery and was very happy with her, so this is not a bad thing. You just need to know what to expect. If he finds adhesions or a hernia while operating, how does he handle? Just a few suggestions...I'm sure others will chime in too.

My family all know, so that hasn't been an issue for me. For strangers and co-workers, I tell the truth - that I've reduced my portion sizes and am exercising. I didn't say it was the "whole truth".....

Yes, you can drink broth, but you need to make sure and strain it. Even small pieces of meat or veggies can get trapped in the suture line and lead to a leak. You certainly don't want that complication or you really will have some explaining to do - ha!

I get Premier Nutrition Protein bars at Costco and munch on them at my desk during the day. They have 30grams of protein, so they're filling and these actually taste pretty good. Sometimes I also keep some nuts at my desk and eat a few when I feel that hunger twinge. I also try and eat an Activia yogurt every morning, but sometimes I just wait and eat it as a snack between breakfast and lunch.

I had a band for almost 4 yrs and only lost weight for the first 6 months I had it. It was nothing but trouble and I hated not being able to eat salads, most fruits and other healthy things because they got stuck and wouldn't go down. My surgeon told me most of his band patients needed a 2nd surgery due to complications within 6 yrs of getting the band. I needed my gall bladder out, so I decided to get the VSG at the same time and remove the band. Unlike the bypass, you will still be able to absorb all the nutrients from your food with the VSG. You will lose the majority of the hunger hormones your stomach produces with the part that is removed. Many VSG patients experience little to no hunger afterwards. I do still have hunger, but it's nothing like I had before. After the VSG, I lost the majority of my weight in the first 6 wks by being on the post-op diet (liquids, mushies, etc.). My surgery was last January, so at this point I can eat whatever I want, just much smaller quantities. I can eat more now also than I could the first few months. I still have to work hard to get my Protein in though, so I don't really eat bread anymore because it just expands in your stomach and doesn't leave room for the more nutritious foods. The VSG is a tool just like the band. You still have to make smart choices when deciding what to eat. I'm "lucky" in that the removal of my gall bladder made me have an adverse reaction to fatty foods now. So no more bacon, ice cream, fried foods, etc. for me. But now that I don't eat them anymore, I don't miss it at all. I'm happy at being at my goal weight and feel better than I have in 25 yrs. I'll be 50 on my next birthday and feel like the weight loss has taken years off my looks and added years to my health. I'm off my meds for high cholesteral/triglycerides, C-PAP machine for sleep apnea, and antidepressants too. Now I just take my Vitamins and PPI and I'm good to go. I really feel like you won't regret getting the VSG. We're so lucky this is available to us now. Best wishes on your continued research. I'm sure you'll make the best decision for yourself and your kids.

3.5 yrs after getting a band I went to my surgeon to discuss pain I was having to make sure the band was OK. Ended up that it was my gall bladder (which I had removed during my revision). But my doc told me that he was seeing more and more band patients that were having complications 3-6 yrs post-op with the band. I had been at a stall in my weight loss for pretty much 3 yrs and was very unhappy with the problems I had with the band - such as not being able to eat salads, fruit and other healthy things because they would get stuck. I was constantly running to the bathroom to throw up, or just sitting at the dinner table with "that look" on my face meaning the food was not going down. Tiffy had problems with scarring around her stomach where the band had been. I ended up with a hiatial hernia because of it. Removing the port during my revision surgery left a huge internal hole that filled with blood and caused a hematoma, which later ruptured. I don't miss ANYTHING about the band. Living with the sleeve is effortless, and I'm now at my goal weight. I'm about ready to print some T-shirts saying "BAN THE BAND!!!"

My revision surgery also included removing my gall bladder and tons of adhesions, plus fixing a hiatial hernia. Even with all that I can't say I felt much worse than after my band surgery. I was actually pretty shocked at how well I felt. Surgery was on Friday, went home on Sunday, back to work in my home office on Monday for a couple of hours at a time. I was only 30/lbs away from goal though when I had my revision, so that may have helped with my easy recovery.

Bariatric Advantage lozenges ( a little pricey, but willing to spend the money if they truly work, and I don't have to eat 10 of them a day to hit 1000mg of calcium citrate per day) Tiffy, I also take the Bariatric Advantage lozenges in the Cinnamon flavor. They taste amazing to me. I got samples in the hospital and have taken them all year. They used to be 400mg but they are now 500mg. I order mine from Diet Direct because if I get 2 bottles shipping is free. I have osteopenia (precurser to osteoporosis) because I had a full hysterectomy at age 41, so calcium is very important to me. I also take a monthly bone strengthening pill. But the BA calcium seems to really be helping. My nails are very strong, which is one way I can gauge my calcium and Protein intake.