Ange2992

I've seen a lot of posts on here about people being scared or confused and there aren't a while lot of us that transitioned from band to sleeve so I would like to share my story in hopes to give some people hope and incouragement. In 2010 I had the lap band done. My starting weight was 320. It was a struggle from day 1 between the swelling in my stomach not letting me eat or drink, to twork months later having to get my gall bladder taken out. The first year is always a learning process. I didn't tolerate fills all that well because I was so sensitive after surgery. 3 almost 4 years go by and with a lot of hard work and gym time I lost a total of 100lbs. This brought me to 220 which still put me in obese category (I am only 5 feet tall and 22 at the time). For my own happiness I decided that my goal weight was going to be 130. Whatever I had to do I was going to be 130. Hard workouts, no carbs, etc. Well I tried this a few months and I lost 5lbs at best. My dr. Told me that the band would only take me so far and I was at that point. Well I didn't want to accept that. I decided to go with the sleeve because I knew I was struggling and I knew that if I did this those last 80 or so lbs would be easier to take off. He removed the band first in May and I had the sleeve done in July of 2014, exactly 8 months ago from today. It was a scary decision, and yes I had the same troubles I did when I first got the band with not tolerating liquids for a week and having to stay in the hospital a few extra days and nights. BUT let me say that it is the best decision I have ever made for myself. I am now 23 and 153 lbs and shrinking every day. It's definitely not a cake walk I still have to closely follow the drs orders but I've never felt better, my feet rarely hurt anymore, ailments that I never knew were the result of my weight are gone. I've lost a total of 167lbs and I feel almost normal. I still have about 20 lbs to go but to get this close is beyond mind blowing. If you're nervous and are in the edge of doing this do it. If for no other reason to just live life the way it should be lived and feel great doing it!

Forgot to mention that! Yes I have had my gallbladder removed about 2yrs ago

Last few days I have been getting on and off pain in between by breasts (chest) and it radiates through to my back between by shoulder blades. Could this be my new tummy? I am 3 weeks post op. Seemed to have started after I tried a little sauce last night. could it be a leak? I know im paranoid. Took some gasx and antacid. Any advice would be great. Thanks

I am 1 week post op and am wondering if this is normal. Sometimes out of the blue the inside of my stomach will feel warm like there is a heating pack inside my tummy. It happened after the shower and sometimes when drinking especially warm...am I supposed to be feeling this? It feels almost in my rib too mostly left rib and back. Thanks!

Thank you guys. My insurance is covering it. Just a little cold feet I guess.

So I had my band out in early June.my surgery for the sleeve is scheduled for July 16th. I am so beyond nervous and the killer part is I feel pretty darn great right now. I'm no longer super uncomfortable, I'm still eating small portions and I'm losing weight like crazy. Do I really even need the sleeve? I lost 115lbs with the band. I am about 60 lbs from goal. I just don't know what to do. I was expecting to be ravenous and eating anything that wasn't nailed down but it is so not like that. The band taught me how to eat for 4 years. Any feedback would be helpful!

Hi all! I would love to help fellow bariatric pals by starting a support group meeting in Suffolk Long Island. I do go to one at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip on Monday night at 7 and Tuesday afternoons at 2...they are wonderful for any surgery and any stage and the doctors of the practice welcome any and all even if they are not your surgeon. I have found this meeting and the people very kind and helpful. But message me if you guys in suffolk want to get together for a friday night or Saturday meeting and I can get something going. Thanks!

We will be holding the July Bariatric Pal support group for NY/LI on Long Island. Stay tuned for information!!! You can always PM me directly if you would like to take an active role in helping set up the meeting!! Look forward to meeting you!

Great thanks so much!

Hi all! I would love to help fellow bariatric pals by starting a support group meeting in Suffolk Long Island. I do go to one at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip on Monday night at 7 and Tuesday afternoons at 2...they are wonderful for any surgery and any stage and the doctors of the practice welcome any and all even if they are not your surgeon. I have found this meeting and the people very kind and helpful. But message me if you guys in suffolk want to get together for a friday night or Saturday meeting and I can get something going. Thanks!

Thank you all very much for the advice!!

Im more afraid of getting the band out and then my insurance not covering the sleeve. That and just going through 2 more surgeries. I wish he'd do it all in one shot but I understand his concern with the weakened stomach after the band.

Many doctors have stopped doing the band because they are not finding it good for people long term...you are lucky your insurance is going to cover it...

The sleeve has been a god-send to me...I have RA and could barely walk...even tho I'm not where I want to be, I feel like a "normal" person again.

Are you afraid of another surgery or just the fact that they want to do the sleeve? You should do GREAT with it!

Best of luck!

Thank you so much for your input! And good luck! Did you do the band removal and sleeve all at once?

You've done far better on the band than I ever did -- I lost just 40 lbs and gained it back over 6 years. It just didn't work for me to curb hunger, at all, and I had horrible reflux. I'm only 1 week out from the conversion to sleeve, but I feel the sleeve has a more natural feeling when I drink (havent' eaten yet). I don't have to force it down my esophagus like I did with the band. But the big thing is I'm not hungry like I was with the band. Really barely hungry at all on 600 cals/day! Maybe you'll find it easier to lose the rest of your weight. Of course it's your decision, but I think you'll do great with the sleeve.

Hi All! So I haven't been on in a very long time. I had the lapband in November of 2010 and have lost exactly 100lbs. My highest was 320 I am now 220. I still have about 70lbs to make me very happy but weight loss has been terribly slow and it frustrates me many days. I agreed to get the sleeve done and my doctor wants to take the band out wait a month then do the sleeve. Im just so confused because I did loose a lot of weight I am very disciplined with my rules and exersise and 70 lbs in the grand scheme of things isnt a whole lot but I feel like maybe I need that extra boost. Im only 22 and I feel just overall scared and confused so any and all comments will help!! Thanks!

Of course, everyone is different......but from the people I know, 4cc's is nothing. Things usually don't happen untill 6-7cc's.

haha...I have .4ccs....point 4 as in less than 1cc. :/

Being banded as long as you have, what would you consider the basics are?

I have been banded 13 months, and to be honest, I really don't think about what I should or should not do. I have grown accustomed to a different way of eating, I have learned, perhaps the hard way, there are some foods I choose to ignore.

When I eat I still get the same signals telling me it's time to stop.

I very rarely get stuck anymore because I know how it is caused, in my case.

Perhaps your band is a little too loose and you no longer get any feedback from it.

My band "Talks" to me all the time. Trick is to learn how to listen to it.

Being banded as long as you have, this is something you probably know. So why did you loose it?

Thats my problem. I never get stuck. I have .4ccs in my band and my dr doesn't think i need a fill because Im eating around the band at this point. But I am back on track hopefully I just saw my dr yesterday and ill be meeting with his nutritionist and such so I can get going again :]

So I'm hoping a few people can give me some positive suggestions. I've had my band 1 year and 3 months. The first few months I was so strict with my band and I also had a bad gallbladder so i'd lost a total of 85 lbs in maybe 5 months. I was so happy with the way I looked and felt that after I got my gallbladder out that I just literally went nuts, and I haven't gotten back on track since. I gained about 10 lbs since and I just can't get back to basics no matter how hard I try. Can someone give me some helpful suggestions on what to do? And please dont say go to liquids for a few days because I get really dizzy when I do not eat.

Hey! I was banded november 2010 at 18 and am now 19 as well...I'll be your friend! haha I could use some support too email me:

Rocangela@yahoo.com

Hey all! Was wondering if anyone had blog posts? I just made one, and will be adding recipes, tips and just plain old talk, in the comming days. if you have one, follow me and I will follow you. If you have any tips or want me to check yours out, let me know too! Thanks!

http://band-together.blogspot.com/

Congratulations!!! I had my surgery on 11/8/10 and I am down 38 lbs since surgery, but, 48 lbs since starting this journey.....so excited!!!!! In fact today I got below 200....haven't been here in a lot of years. Everyday I get more and more excited! Best of luck to you!

thats amazing! Keep it up! :]

Congrats to you:)

thank you :]

I'm a happy camper this morning. !t's been two months and 6 days since my surgery and I've lost 50 lbs! Granted, I do have my problems with getting my bowels in check, and I really should work out more, but I think 50lbs in 2 months is amazing for me! I've never lost this much weight and I haven't been this weight in 5 years. Just wanted to tell someone cause i'm excited haha.

So this is going to sound gross but I dont know what else to do. Ever since friday night, i've had really gross and discusting burps. I had pizza for the first time, and sauce, so i figured that was the problem. But it's been going on for 4 almost 5 days. it smells like rotten eggs, and my mom keeps joking that my catelitic converter is broken. (thats what it smells like haha) so my question is does anyone know what this could be? and also have you ever had it? i called the dr. and she thinks i eat/drink too fast so ive been working on my mechanics but any advice? sorry in advance for the grossness!

as you know, every doctor is different. But my dr. says that your stomach should not be rumbling. I have found that that "rumbling" and "gurgling" was literally just my bowels working. i asked the nurse, and she even said that your bowels start as high as almost by the chest. every time you hear or feel that, it does not mean you're truely hungry, and i have found that to be true. I hope that makes sence. But i do have trouble with head hunger. if I had control, i wouldnt be overweight in the first place lol.

The same thing happened to me. two-three weeks after surgery my weight yo-yoed at the same 3 lbs up and down. Now is the time where you have to really work at it. Start exercising even if its just walks up and down the block, or what I did was get dancing games for the wii...since i have lost another 10lbs. Also, once you get a fill the weight will come off easier. Good luck i hope everything works out for you!

Thanks everyone! i'll try brushing and walking lol :] I cant throw food away either Its terrible

So I'm 4 weeks post op today...and I can pretty much eat anything at any time. I have no liquid in the band, so is that like normal? i still get very full on very little but im hungry again within anywhere from 1-3 hours later. I havent tested fate too much, just can handle white meat, Pasta, and bread-3 things that are known to get stuck. will this always be the case or will it be different after fills? Thanksss.