tonya66

I personally took off 2 weeks, the first week was rough, very nauseas the first 3 or 4 days. I think I could have returned after a week but glad I took the 2nd week off. I personally would plan on 2 weeks to give your body time to heal.

I had BCBS, but when I had the Band in 2007, I had United Healthcare. So when my doc and I discusses a revision his insurance coordinator did her research and found that Anthem BCBS treated it as a total new WLS, they didn't require the 6 mos diet, but required all the test, it took me about 2 months to do everything but once the paperwork was submitted, less than 48 hours to Get my approval. It was worth the wait! Best wishes

I have learned your body is going to do what it's going to do. I'm 7 months out and am down 45 lbs when a lot of people have already reach goal. I'm also a revision patient, had the band in 2007 and converted to sleeve November 20, 2013. Just stick to the rules and you will lose, slow sometime and sometimes fast. I will give you an example, for the past 3 months I have not done anything as far as weight loss goes, I've bounces around with the same 5 pounds for months. Everyone says after month 6 it slows down and I was really worried because it was already slow but suddenly from month 6 to 7 my weightloss has done the opposite and I'm almost down 10 lbs this month, so everyone is different. Focus on you and your journey, that's what I have to keep telling myself as well because it's easy to compare yourself to others. Best wishes to you!

I can't say the sleeve caused my reflux cause I has it before. I have Barrett's esophagus, my reflux is controlled with meds. Once the reflux is no longer controlled or get out of hand, RnY might be a route I have to take, but so far I can control it as long as I takes meds, avoid coffee, no spicy food etc.

I too had great success with the band, was banded in 2007 and then after a slight infill I lost restriction completely, after 23 fills, still no restriction. My doctor recommended switching to the sleeve and said my band simply quit working, they could not find a leak. I started with the band at 250, got down to about 145 and gained back up to 214, that was my weight on my surfer date for the sleeve. I was sleeved 11/20/13, losing weight slower than those younger than me, and those that are virgin bariatric patients (no precious WLS) but I will take it. I'm almost 7 months out and down to 165, 50 lbs in 7 mos. I do have reflux, I have Barrett's esophagus and had this before the sleeve, so I can't blame the sleeve. The only con I can think of is you can't take ibuprofen, ever. And u do have Vitamins to take for the rest of your life. I have arthritis in my knee and the ibuprofen really helped with inflammation. But losing weight is also helping. The pros, (which I used to think was a con) is it's permanent. Once they cut that stomach, it's gone. Dealing with the band and all the fills, I'm glad it's a permanent solution. I can eat anything, just not much of it. I can eat about 3 oz of food at a sitting and I am 7 mos out. For example, I split meals with my hubby and the other day I had my first hamburger since 2007, and I ate 1/4 of his burger and that was all I could eat and about 5 ff. I normally don't eat bread, but I wanted to test the sleeve and see if I could eat it. I never could eat a burger when I had the band. I haven't thrown up once with the sleeve, I have got nauseous a few times, especially in the beginning which is usually due to eating or drinking too fast, according to my nutrition or it's something my sleeve doesn't agree with. Everyone is different. Feel fee to ask any questions. Best wishes to you

I was banded in January 2007, I loved the band in the beginning, but after losing a lot of weight needed more fills, anyhow, long story short I never could find the sweet spot after 23 fills, lost all restriction and gained about 70 lbs back. Finally converted to sleeve on November 20, 2013. Band weight 248 Gastric sleeve weight 214 Today's weight 165 Goal weight 145 Happy? Heck yes I'm happy. Best decision ever.

I have read that people that revise surgeries tend to lose slower, and I am compared to many, a slow loser. However, with that being said, I am happy with my results and I continue to lose. I figure Im not in a race but on a journey. My stats are: Began the lapband at 250 dropped down to 145 Complications arose, and got back up to 214 which is what I was on my date of surgery Gastric sleeve sugery 11/20/13 at 214.5 Today my weight is 165, Im almost 7 months out, so about 50 lbs in 7 months From what I read, most people start to slow down at about 6 months, for me its been the opposite. Ive been at a stall for a few months and barely losing, this month Im going to hit around 10 lbs I think. So I've actually started losing more after 6 months. The thing I like about the sleeve is no more "stuck" feeling, I can pretty much eat whatever I like but not much of it. I try and make healthy choices though and stay away from the carbs and sugar. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Hi Susan, I had to comment because your journey sounds like mine. I has the band in Jan 2007, I loved it and did great. Then one time I got an overfill and had to take some Fluid out. That's when all my issues began. I had 23 fills trying to find my sweet spot and could not find it. Finally last year in November we removed the band and converted to sleeve. I have Barrett's Esophagus and have been dealing with acid reflux for years, my hernia was removed but I still have the after effects. I do have acid reflux with the sleeve, but I had it worse with the band and had to sleep sitting up. Medication does help and I will be on it for the rest of my life I am sure. Feel free to ask any questions. Best wishes to you Tonya

Wow, long time since I've posted. Winter has gotten the best of me, was diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and its time to get the winter weight off. Will post later when I have more time, just wanted to reactivate my journal!

Confused - do you still have your gall bladder? The reason I ask is when I had my gall bladder problems (I didn't know it was gall bladder) I felt like a punch in the stomach, it felt like I had fallen from a high place at times and fell onto my stomach and it would take my breath away at times. Just a thought for you to consider if they find its not your band. I hope everything turns out for the best for you. The brite side is, at least you will find out exactly what is causing the pain, right? Keep us informed on how it turns out.

Hello everyone, just checking in. Things are going good, Juno, good for you for getting back to the gym! And 10 lbs per month is great!!!!!!!!!!! I have slacked in the exercise area, but I know I need to get back. I was planning on going last night, but I got a kidney infection and just didn't feel well, been on antibiotics now for a couple of days and it is starting to feel better, so maybe I can head over to the gym after work :smile2:. I have 25 days until I leave for my cruise, so I really need to focus on my exercise.......... I hope everyone is doing good and enjoying the summer!

thank you luckinlove, your welcome for dinner anytime! lol

Todays menu: Bfast coffee & cream - wasn't hungry and didn't eat bfast Lunch meatloaf english cucumber salad snack orange Dinner talapia salad strawberry crumble Wt 147.2