ButterflyBandita??

I've lost 55 lbs in 7 months, but most of it came off in the first 4. I'm still getting smaller each month even though I'm not really losing weight. it's odd how that works, but I'm not complaining.

55 lbs, but I lost most of it in the first 4 months. These last few months, I've probably only lost 10 lbs, but have gone down several sizes.

LOL! I didn't have the money. I begged and borrowed and am still paying it all back.

It was a tough decision - especially since I revised only 9 months after having my band installed. But once I got it in, and wasn't losing weight (and having such difficulty with fills and restriciton), I started researching other options. When I found the success that everyone had with the sleeve, I was blown away. I went to MX for both surgeries, but with different doctors. I thought I was crazy paying so much money for surgery in one year, but guess what? I'm SO happy I did it. If I hadn't, I'd still be exactly like I was in my before picture .

The "dumping" always seemed to come when I would have something sugary. Anything from a high carb Protein shake to oranje juice to ice cream. That seems to have totally settled down. Now my stomach issues are a result of having my gall bladder removed. I'm exactly 6 weeks from that surgery and have trouble with anything fatty, but it isn't all the time. For instance, I can eat a few nachos one day, but then the next day, if I eat them they might go right through me. The doctor said that that usually resolves for most people after a while, as the body adjusts. But he also said that for some, they always have the issue. K

Thank you! Thank you! It feels amazing! Did I ever, in my adult life think that someone would refer to me as "teeny tiny"? NO WAY! And I love it. I've had men comment on how small I am, and even pick me up out of the blue and I'm always still in shock. I still feel like the chubby girl and notice all the fat I still have to lose. It really does take your brain time to catch up to the old bod! I really appreciate the positive comments though! I never thought I would get to this place (figured I'd be the ONE it wouldn't work for) and its finally here! My advice to everyone? Just do it and Protein first! xoxoxoxox

Thank you, thank you. You'll notice I have the same big, goofy, (drunken) smile in both pics - it is a party bus trip after all. But I guarantee, I'm MUCH happier in the second photo!

I know for me, the beginning was the most difficult. I was hungry and wanted to EAT! If you are "cheating" just really make sure you are being safe. I'd say egg salad is a pretty safe "cheat". It does get easier once you start with your Protein. Just remember, your stomach is all freaked out right now and your brain is used to eating massive meals, frequently (at least that was the case with me). Once you're all healed, you won't be able to eat much. Good luck!

I would only use those as a back up. Find a canned / bottled Protein shake you like, some yogurts, cheese sticks, almonds or pistachios and those rotisserie chickens. Throw a bunch of those items in your lunch box and eat what you are in the mood for throughout the day. Real food is way better than the frozen ones, but in a pinch, they totally work. Good luck!

I had my surgery in Mexico on a Tuesday and went back to my office (and my 3 kids, and my one hour commute) on Monday. And it was difficult. I was exhausted! And I made stupid mistakes at work. But, we do what we have to do and I don't regret a thing. Now, 7 months later, I'm hovering near my goal and I still have my job - even after all those mistakes I made. I'd say skip the exercise for now. Rest when you can and baby your new stomach. It is sensitive right now.

You look great girl! I'm still amazed as I often go into my closet to put on a shirt (which I haven't been as good about replacing as my bottoms) and it will be so baggy on my. I don't feel like I've lost much weight or that there's a big difference, until I try on old clothes. Good for YOU!

Thank you both. I feel great! I remember when I was deciding on the surgery (and during those tough first few weeks), the before and after photos and success stories really kept me focused and motivated.

Hi Everyone, I wanted to provide an update on my progress. I've been 100% happy with my sleeve. I converted from the band back in October 2010. I was banded in Jan 2010 at 200 lbs and only lost 15 lbs from that time untill October when I revised. I hated the band! Weightloss with the sleeve has been effortless. Yes, I struggled with dumping and other weird side effects. I even had to have my gallbadder removed 6 weeks ago and now have diarhea, but you know what? I'd do it all again in a heart beat. I went to Mexico and saw Dr. Rodriguez through BeLightWeight (or however they spell it). The first few months I really focused on Protein first, etc, etc. but the past few months, I really just eat (AND DRINK) whatever I want. My weight loss has slowed down the last 2 months, but I still lose. I also haven't exercised much at all either. Just eating small portions. VERY small portions. I'm now down to 128 and am fine with that. I'll maybe lose 10 more, as I'm only 5'3", but I'm in the normal range now, wearing sizes 1 - 4 and feeling generally pretty great. I did lose some hair and it seems to hav stopped now, but again. Totally worth it. I"m inlcuding some pictures of a yearly bus trip that I take with friends each year at the end of April. The first one is from last year, and the second one is a side view of me at this year's trip. I still couldn't beleive that was me when I saw the picture. I'd be happy to answer any questions. YOU CAN DO THIS!

I'm just a few days away from my 4 month surgiversary and thought I'd share the good and the bad. The Good: I started at 185 and am now down to 144 I'm in a size 8 and headed to a size 6 on my next shopping trip Lots of compliments and people calling me thin are fantastic (who me? thin?) My thighs no longer rub together and in fact, I have a camel toe when i put on leggings . . . and I'm wearing leggings! Things are toning up nicely. I'll loose like 4 lbs, then stall for a week or two and then things will reshape and tighten up. The Bad: I think my gallbladder needs to come out. I've had several strong attacks that have knocked me to the ground. Getting official tests soon I'm spending too much money on clothes and bras that I've outgrown. I love buying new clothes, but hate to see them go so quickly My fiance moved out two months ago . . . maybe I'm just too sassy for him now I have major stomach issues like diarrhea, gas, gurgling, etc Still trying to figure out meals Would I do it again? Absolutely. Good luck to all and here's to hoping you all gain a camel toe in the near future.

I'd love the chance to meet everyone! Vegas is definitely closer and probably easier for planning, but I'm open. Maybe someone could put together a few possible itineraries and associated costs for each and then we can do a vote and go from there.

hubba hubba! Awesome jobe.

Well, now that I have lost 30 lbs and am back to my pre-pregnancy weight of 155, my boobies are back to being deflated flatties. Before having my 3 babies in 3 years and nursing them each for a year (is that possible?????), I was a B cup. With all the weight I had gained, they were measuring a DD - which I liked. Now that I'm seeing my boobies revert back to a their former selves, just longer, I'm considering a boob job. I'd like to lose about 20 more lbs and am wondering if I should just go ahead and book something now for March (that's when I anticipate I can take the time off of work and get it worked out with the kids) or if I should wait to see where my weight settles and then move forward. I've never heard of anyone wishing they went smaller, only wishing they went bigger, so I'm not super afraid that they will be too large. Is there anything else I should consider?

Thanks everyone. I feel so much better and know it will just get better. For clarification, I think i've actually lost 27 lbs (not 30) in the past 2 months. . . I don't keep crazy-accurate stats, but I do hop on the scale daily - especially when I'm losing - so right now I am at 157. On Sleeve day i was 185.

First, sorry for the cross post. I am lame and accidentally posted this in the pre-op questions board. Well, I thought I'd do a quick update on my progress at 2 months and one day out. I had a lap band installed in January of this year. I was 200 lbs and 5' 3" and went to Mexico to have Dr. Ortiz placed my band. I never had much luck at all with the darn thing and "only" lost 15 lbs, but suffered from PBing and overeating all the time. It was a mess and I hated having the darn thing. In June I started researching other options and found more info on the sleeve and started to consider it. It took me several months, but in October, I headed back to Mexico (on my own this time) - this time to see Dr. Rodriguez - and had most of my stomach removed. I will tell you that the first night was hell, but it has gotten better ever since. The first month of recovery was horrible. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and returned to work the following Monday - probably a bit too soon as I was making mistakes in my new job - something I definitely could have done without. Anyway, during the past few months I've suffered from hot flashes when I eat too much sugar or fat (not that I'm eating much at all, but I have become extremely sensitive to them both), massive constipation that has thankfully cleared up this past month, but best of all, I have lost weight!!! The sleeve is everything I was hoping for in the band. I wish I had done this first, but my journey is what it is. I don't think there is any way that I would have had the sleeve done had I not done the band first. That would have just seemed way too radical for me. I'm just glad that the choices I've made have gotten me to where I am today. Today I am weighing in at 157. I am wearing a size 8, can run without any pain in my hips, feet or knees, get compliments by friends about my progress (98% of my friends and family do NOT know what I've done). I am looking forward to what the next 2 months will bring. I had to deal with a nasty 2 week stall at 3 weeks which was no fun at all, but I am learning to trust my sleeve and know that this is going to work! That ol band left me feeling very unsure as to whether this would work for me at all and thankfully it is doing its thing quite well! here are a few pics to show off where I'm at. I have so many awful before pics, but I'll save the bikini ones for a few more months down the road. Best of luck to you all. PS: I'm the one in the gray dress in the holiday photo below. I've also lost another 5 lbs since that pic (9 days ago). Truly love my sleeve!

Also should throw in there that I've lost 28 lbs in my 2 months since being sleeved. The bad news? My boobs are turning into pancakes so now I'm going to start saving for new boobs. Who knew that my lap band procedure (my first surgery in my 37 years of life) would lead me into becoming such a fan of elective surgery.

Well, I thought I'd do a quick update on my progress at 2 months and one day out. I had a lap band installed in January of this year. I was 200 lbs and 5' 3" and went to Mexico to have Dr. Ortiz placed my band. I never had much luck at all with the darn thing and "only" lost 15 lbs, but suffered from PBing and overeating all the time. It was a mess and I hated having the darn thing. In June I started researching other options and found more info on the sleeve and started to consider it. It took me several months, but in October, I headed back to Mexico (on my own this time) - this time to see Dr. Rodriguez - and had most of my stomach removed. I will tell you that the first night was hell, but it has gotten better ever since. The first month of recovery was horrible. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and returned to work the following Monday - probably a bit too soon as I was making mistakes in my new job - something I definitely could have done without. Anyway, during the past few months I've suffered from hot flashes when I eat too much sugar or fat (not that I'm eating much at all, but I have become extremely sensitive to them both), massive constipation that has thankfully cleared up this past month, but best of all, I have lost weight!!! The sleeve is everything I was hoping for in the band. I wish I had done this first, but my journey is what it is. I don't think there is any way that I would have had the sleeve done had I not done the band first. That would have just seemed way too radical for me. I'm just glad that the choices I've made have gotten me to where I am today. Today I am weighing in at 157. I am wearing a size 8, can run without any pain in my hips, feet or knees, get compliments by friends about my progress (98% of my friends and family do NOT know what I've done). I am looking forward to what the next 2 months will bring. I had to deal with a nasty 2 week stall at 3 weeks which was no fun at all, but I am learning to trust my sleeve and know that this is going to work! That ol band left me feeling very unsure as to whether this would work for me at all and thankfully it is doing its thing quite well! here are a few pics to show off where I'm at. I have so many awful before pics, but I'll save the bikini ones for a few more months down the road. Best of luck to you all. PS: I'm the one in the gray dress in the holiday photo below. I've also lost another 5 lbs since that pic (9 days ago). Truly love my sleeve!

Went shopping for some new pants today, looking for a size 10 since my twelves were starting to get loose. For fun, I grabbed an 8 and . . . they fit! Sure I was a little muffin topped, but they fit and I looked good! I'm am just about t months out and am 25 lbs down weighing in at 165 now! Just had to share!

Hi Friends, I had my surgery 11 days ago and have noticed on two occasions (after drinking too much Protein shake) a crazy wave a nausea - almost to the point where I feel like I'm going to pass out, kind of like having the flu. In both instances it seemed to subside in about 10-20 minutes, but maaaaaan! I just want to check in and see if others have experienced this. Each time was immediately after a "meal" where I consumed an entire Protein shake (rather than half at a time). thanks!

Hi Friends! I'm back and feeling pretty darn good! All things went well during my revision surgery and I am back from Mexico - safe, sound and sleeved! Woohoo! That first hour after surgery was a little rough - throwing up blood, feeling generally icky and wondering what the hell I'd done to myself. But that all cleared up pretty quickly. Already down 6 lbs just 5 days after surgery, so that made me feel good :-) Thank you all for the continued kind words of support. We are SLEEVER SISTERS now! Wooohooody-hoooo!

I can hardly believe it! (Actually, I've kept myself so busy, I haven't given myself time TO think about it). But tomorrow I'll be hopping on a plane to San Diego, crossing the border and having most of my stomach removed by Dr. Rodriguez. Oh -- and that pesky band removed too! Can't wait to see what happens next! Thank you all for taking the time to answer my questions to get me to this place. -K