NoMoBand

My wife loves this post! The eye opener for me is that I also notice when I skip or stop working out. We've been married for 35 years and since WLS we have both noticed the calmer me, but, I never thought of it until now.

First of all, quit beating yourself up. You've done an awesome job with the weight loss. You have not gained that much. Going from a 36 to a 38 waist is not that bad. You can get back to the 36 and even a 34 if you want it bad enough. Next, you had the sleeve done for yourself and your health and not for others! We get off the bus sometimes, but, we get back on. Ta heck with what others say! It sounds like you might be hooked on carbs (sweets) and you have to decompress your body from them. What worked for me was the induction stage of the Atkins diet. I did it for 2 weeks, lost a little weight and kicked the carb habit. It really worked for me. Another thing that I do every couple of months or so is go on a Protein liquid diet for a week or so, where I'll replace Breakfast and lunch with a shake, then have one meal per day. This seems to shrink the sleeve and you get full quicker. Stalls come and go. I was at a stall for over a year, maybe longer. To break the stall, I started doing cardio intervals and have lost about 15 pounds since. You have to keep looking for what works for you. My weight loss has been extremely slow with the sleeve, but, my clothing fit better, so, I know that I'm losing inches. I just recently tried on a 32 waist pant size and was able to get into them, tight, but, just the fact that I was able to button them blew me away. Heck, I don't remember ever wear anything that small. I also started at a 46 waist 5 years ago and wear a comfortable 34 now. You can do this! Do this for yourself and never ever give up! Jake

Mommytoethan, From other forums and reading others similar stories, the band getting too tight weeks after a fill is due to lots of scar tissue build up on the band. These people did qualify and had revisions and are pleased with the results. This is not an official medical statement, but, is what I've read of others. I had revision 8 months ago due to esophagus issues and couldn't be happier. My weight loss has been slow, but, I'm ok with it. Just the fact that I live a normal life without all the side effects of the band is worth it all! As far as some of the major risks, leaks, as someone mentioned are minimal. You may end up with bouts of heartburn (acid reflux) that may or may not go away, but, nothing meds can't handle. I had it for the first 6 months and is just about normal now without meds. You do have to take daily Vitamins, B-12, Calcium and possibly Iron supplements and this is because the size of the stomach may not allow you to get all the supplements you need due to the small amount of nutrition we take in. The post-op diet is a bit tougher than the band's post-op, but, very worth the sacrifice. Of course there are much more potential issues, but, I just shared what I've endured. I have no regrets and very much endorse the sleeve. I really like my new WLS lifestyle. Hope this helps some. jake

I wouldn't go. My reasoning is due to all the food/drink temptation. jake

This has happened to me several times, due to eating to close to bedtime as others have said, but, I also noticed that if I snack on anything heavy like cheese or Peanut Butter after 6, I will have an episode. jake

After 5 years with band, I discovered that I had a dilated esophagus leading to revision. I was lucky enough that I didn't have extreme surgical scars or adhesions and the doctor was able to do both band removal and sleeve in one surgery. Just the fact that you have been successful at maintaining your weight speaks volumes. You are obviously active with exercising and keeping the correct diet. Continue what you are doing after removal and you will be fine. Unless, there is a medical reason, I'll bet that your doctor will probably do the sleeve before 1 year. Most doctors will wait 3 - 6 months of healing from the band removal before sleeving. I'm a little surprised that you have to wait 1 year. I would ask more about the wait. As far as my esophagus and healing, I am 7 months out and all my post-op appointments have gone well. Things must have gone back to normal with my esophagus because before discovering the dilated esophagus with band, I was able to eat much more with my band and doctor tells me that my esophagus was functioning as a 2nd stomach. 1/2 cup of anything that I eat is all I can handle, thus, I think my esophagus no longer is functioning as a 2nd stomach. Some words of encouragement: Should you have to wait 1 year out, the wait will be worth it! I know that I repeat myself on most of my posts, but, here goes again, there is a HUGE difference between band and sleeve. The sleeve lifestyle is so much better, IMO. Hang in there, you will do fine. jake

Way to go BigViffer!! I started out at 345 lbs. and your before pic reminds me of me. We were both hefty guys. You look like a completely different younger person! Excellent!

Never heard of the squatty potty, but, doing research on it now. I've had issues all my life. I've had roids (aka froggies) banded 3 times, however, since WLS I'm doing much better, but, must take a daily Fiber supplement. Thanks for posting this. The product is reasonably priced and I will be ordering one of these soon. The squatting position -vs- sitting makes much sense! I'm sure cavemen never had these issues nor did they need Metamucil. ha ha

Here are some words of wisdom. For sleeve, it will be difficult to get all your liquids in at first. It is critical that you do, otherwise, you may become weak and lethargic. Best way to do it is sip throughout the day. As you progress through the post-op diet and finally get to the soft food part of the diet, you may feel that you do not get full. Be patient because you won't feel the full effect of the sleeve until you begin eating more dense Proteins, then, holy smokes you will know beyond the shadow of a doubt what full is. Last and most important is put all your concentration on healing and following the progressive post-op diet for the first month or so and don't worry about weight loss during this time. Healing with the sleeve is much more critical at this point to prevent potential staple line leaks. Once you've been released to eat a normal diet is when your concentration turns to weight loss. jake

Good for you! You will learn to appreciate the sleeve very quickly. It's so different from the band. Advice for you: For the next 4 - 6 weeks, concentrate on keeping hydrated and healing. Follow the progressive diet to a T as recommended by your doctor. Once you have healed enough and begin eating your Proteins required you will get the full effect of the sleeve. Healing is of most importance right now and concentrating on weight loss comes after. I would stay off the scale for a few weeks. You won't regret this decision. My weight loss has been slow with the sleeve, but, this way of life is worth every minute of the slowness. Good luck to both of you. jake

Wow! This is the nightmare that we hope never happens. I am so sorry! I give you lots of credit and have the upmost admiration and respect for you for showing how courageous you are and with that said you will be victorious over this. Hang in there, this is just a bump in your journey. I hope you don't mind that I will keep you in prayer. I've been involved in ministry before and take prayer very seriously! I know this is a scary time for you, but, you will prevail over this! Please keep us updated. Jake

Can these items be replaced with the warranty ???? The warranty is pro-rated. I had the air motor replaced some years back and it was expensive. I also wanted to replace the zipper top and they wanted like $400 and that was just the top part.

Me, 65. Wife, 25. ha ha

We've been on a sleep by number for over 10 years. My wife has back issues and since getting the sleep by number she lives pain free from back pain. On the other side of the bed, my side, I hate it! I have not ever been able to find the number that helps me get a good night sleep, however, now that I'm at 215, a much lower weight than we first purchased it, I'm finding it a little more comfortable, but, for me it's still not all that it's advertised to be. I still toss and turn. I seem to do better with the firmer higher numbers, but, still have issues. The lower number give me a back ache. I tolerate it only because it has really helped my wife and as you know a happy wife makes for a good life. ha ha ha In all seriousness, I don't think that the sleep by number is friendly for heavier people,, but, that's only my opinion. It just doesn't work for me. I'm hoping that as I lose more weight, I will find that magic number. I remember back in those days there was a hotel chain that had these beds and people would try them out there, however, that was 10 years ago, but, it might be worth looking into. jake

Thank you Alex! Sometimes it gets pretty nasty and I wonder where the admins are to stop the madness! I have tried to stay away from this site because of it, but, I keep coming back. I always tell some of the victims via email that they should not let a few bad apples rob us of good valuable information. Thanks again! jake

It's ok to skip a day or so, but, you will start to feel weak should you choose not to take vitimins regularly. I won't take the chance of not taking them because I've heard of others that have tried going without and get weak. Yes, bypass folk don't absorb Vitamins as well, thus, making it mandatory for them to keep their Vitamin intake via supplements and you are correct our stomachs still absorb vitamins and nutrients, but, probably not everything that we need. That is why it is so important to get routine blood work. I know that I had to stop my Calcium supplement at one point because my blood work showed that I was taking in too much of it. I suggest that at the very least, you take a good multi-vitamin daily and any other supplements that your doctor recommends. Don't chance it. jake

Not a dumb question at all. I'm glad you asked it! I feel better! jake

chap stick for dry mouth a pair of comfortable shorts to get rid of the hospital gown so that you walk without being an exhibitionist. slip on shoes (slippers), try not to get anything of the flip flops. Won't help with walking. keep a pillow in the car that will get you home. Helps incisions with bumps on the road. Mouth wash, tooth paste, tooth brush. Sometimes is not included in care package or are flimsy. an extra pair of under garments a very loose pull over shirt, replace the gown. bottle of sugar free Water Enhancer or pkg. of crystal light. You won't be able to drink anything after surgery until you are cleared the next day, but, man, flavored water tastes good. The sooner you get up and walk, the better you will feel the next day. Sip your drinks

These are all amazing and inspiring pictures. Congratulations to all of us. This road as we all know it, is not easy, but, we persevere! jake

Steve, You don't even look like the same person. Way to go!!!

Hope all goes well for you this time around. You will find that the wait will be worth it once it's done. I couldn't be happier with the sleeve. I had lapband 5 years ago and just got revised to sleeve. What a difference! Good luck to you. jake

craig, I also had some issues uploading. What I had to do was change the editor to the full editor and I accidently stumbled across it and now can't find it. Anyhow, once I found it I was able to upload the pictures one at a time and they took. I think it's under tools, but, if you are using firefox it is not available.

You all are doing awesome with the weight loss. Some small bumps on the road, but, looks like you are all well and pleased. Roberts30, so sorry you went through so much. You've also done well with weight loss. Good for you. You only have brighter days ahead of you now. Keep the updates coming, they are really encouraging. jake

Never thought I would do this, but, what the hell! Coming in at a whooping 345 pounds before weight loss surgery to today at 215.

I've been doing some biking on off days that I take a break from the gym for awhile now. We have some really awesome bike trails in my city and started riding 5 - 10 miles initialy. Several years later every saturday, weather permitting, I do a 35 mile bike ride. I went to Walmart's online page and purchaed an Schwinn aluminum 26" bike that I really like. Make sure you get a good tube sealant like slime. I've used green slime, but the one I"m sold on is Stan's Tire Sealant and have not had a flat in over 2 years. Riding takes the monotany out of the gym and fills the lungs with fresh air. Jake