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I'm 12 wks out and eat EVERYTHING including bread. I can eat maybe 4 bites of a burger. I got wls so I would never have to diet again. I'm still losing. Some of us r carb watchers, some watch calories. Some listen to their bodies and don't count anything. I hate counting carbs (was on ATKINS Induction last Feb and would've killed my mom for a cookie). I'm still losing. Slowly (started after my revision at 174 so I knew Id lose it slower) but losing nonetheless. Id rather be happy and losing slower than miserable watching everything I put in my mought and losing faster. I don't think I eat enuf of anything (maybe 4 bites from a burger or sandwich, 4 bites of mashed potatoes, 6 fries, maybe 5 bites of pizza, etc) to go overboard on the unhealthy food. I eat Protein. I eat veggies. And I'm not afraid to eat bread, rice, potatoes, and Pasta. This is for the rest of my life and I would be very sad if I couldn't ever have those things again. Even if it was my choice. For those of u who say that wls was a "lifestyle cnoice" and that we should eat nothing but meat and veggies with our food enjoyment coming from an occasional pc of fruit - I say boo. While food is fuel, its also enjoyment, no matter what u tell urself now. I wouldn't enjoy myself if I never ate the foods I actually enjoy. The surgery didn't change my food tastes, still luv pizza, tacos, and fries. The surgery changed my pprtion sizes and that's why I went for the sleeve (and before it, the band) over the RNY. Whatever way u eat that will take u to goal is the way u should do it. I choose to not obsess over every bite of food I put into my mouth. Thank God my sleeve only allows me to eat very small portions!!!

I hope it's the right tool for you too! Hey, there was someone else on here earlier asking about the band to sleeve revision, maybe you could find them and be able to answer some questions? Good luck on your new journey!

What do you mean.. ""Iike the gastric"? I revised from band to sleeve II n 2011 and currently maintaining 160# weight loss. Best decision EVER.

My surgery is scheduled for Oct 13th. I had my upper endoscopy on Tuesday. Surgeon came by afterwards and said he found a hiatal hernia as well during the scope. He's already planning on repairing a large umbilical hernia, then the sleeve and now the hiatal hernia as well. I guess I'm getting my money's worth. I've had two open abdominal surgeries in the past. Both were outpatient. Both sucked outright. I'm glad that this is being done with a hospital stay and obviously glad that it's laparoscopic. FWIW.....I'd been saying all along that I wanted a bypass. The first surgeon I was working with said it was doable, but I needed to be aggressive on my weight loss leading up to the surgery (at the time I thought I had ~8 months). I switched over to another program that my insurance company mandated (a Center of Excellence certified program) and had a new surgeon. Long story short is that I dropped the insurance and chose to self fund to speed things up. My new surgeon was very clear in that he though the sleeve would be better for me. He felt that I'd benefit more from it right now....less complications with the elevated BMI, bone-on-bone knee situation, back issues....ability to use NSAIDs and reap their benefit. I was going to have hernia repair this Fall anyway......decided to go this direction at his advice. I'll work his plan hard and do what I can to get my results. Down the road.....were there ever a need......I can use my insurance and have my sleeve revised to a bypass. I am not proceeding as if this is a safety net.....but it is nice to know that there are options in the future. I do not have diabetes, nor is there any family history of it. This combined with the reasons above as well as some other issues made the sleeve vs bypass decision easier for me. Everyone has unique circumstances.

Joyful, I just had my revision from lapband to sleeve done by Dr. Aceves on 12/18. It was the best medical experience of my life. I have worked in hospitals all over the world and been a patient in hospitals in several other countries. Swear to God, it is so clean there you can eat off the floor. My surgical experience was wonderful. My surgery was a bit longer than usual because of all the adhesions, scar tissue, etc. If I needed medication for nausea or pain I had it immediately after asking. Both Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos checked on me so many times each day that I lost count. By checking, I mean hands on checking, not like most of the Docs here in the U.S. who just come into the room and only ask how you are doing. Dr. Aceves and Campos did a look, listen, and feel exam. The day of my surgery, I know they were there quite late to recheck me (like around 9:30 p.m. ish). I never suffered in pain or with nausea like I have with other procedures I've had. I can honestly say that this was the least painful surgery I've ever had. Many of the staff speak perfect English. If they didn't it really wasn't a problem as between the both of us we could figure out what the other meant. I had no difficuty understanding all of the instructions I received both pre-op and post-op (and believe me, I had better instructions than I've ever had anywhere else). I am now 1 week post op and have been taking day trips to San Diego, Phoenix, and out into the Mountains with my family who are here for Christmas. Yes, I know that I've had something done, but I haven't had to lay around for days in recovery. Once in a while I feel a "pulling" type sensation in the muscle which is my signal to stop what I'm doing. It is normal to be afraid. Please know that you have nothing to be afraid of by going to Mexicali and having your surgery done with Dr. Aceves.The hospital has a fully accredited lab/blood bank. The ICU has an excellent reputation. Of course, you know the reputation of Dr. Aceves. I don't know if you are going alone or not. If you are, there are alot of other patients there with a family member or friend with them. You will all just sort of become a "family" while you are there and your "family" looks out for you (not that there is anything they would need to look out for). I never felt uncomfortable as far as being afraid for my safety. In fact, I felt very safe and secure. Even left my passport/purse in my room in full view as I was wandering around in the hospital. No problem. Some of the family members with the patients took taxis to the malls, etc and never had problems. Mexicali is much different than TJ and some of the other cities. Many Americans live here in Yuma and in El Centro and commute to Mexicali daily to work as there are many American factories :thumbup: there who have American supervisors. Please P.M. me if you want and I will give you my phone number. OR you can give me your phone number and I will call you back as I can call you for free and talk as long as needed to answer your questions.

My quality of life is already so much better and I am 4 weeks out from my revision today. I NEVER felt full with the band. I feel full now on 3 to 4 oz of soft solids. I have two more weeks until full solids but I hear when you get to full solids you can eat less. I have not thrown up once. I was constantly throwing up with the band. Aside from my portions and my surgeons restrictions, I feel normal for the first time in 6 years. Life with the band was hell. I am so happy that I have done this. I want to loose weight and I will but if I didn't even lose another pound, my life is soo much better without that THING. All that being said, he will have to make the decision for himself. You can help him with research and facts but if he chooses the band, you will have to still support him. Good or bad. I would not have survived the band without the support of my husband. Now he supports me with my sleeve and even told me that I seem so much happier now that I am feeling better and the band is forever gone!

Ok, I have been approved for surgery with the sleeve. But here is the thing, my PCP said I should not have the sleeve but the gastric bypass. The surgeon said I could not get the sleeve because I was too big (526) and I am anemic ( I am anemic due to heavy long periods that are brought on from my obesity). I am just worried about the surgery not being the right tool for me since I have so much to lose. I do not want to have to have a revision. Then when I asked my coordinator she said "Medicaid does not do any revisions for weight loss surgery so you will have to make this work". I understand that but my nutritionist said my problem is not over eating its an absorption issue ( which I do not know exactly what it means) and highly recommends the Gastric bypass. I am just confused and I am thinking I need a second opinion. What are you guys thoughts?

Well I have both the sleeve and now one week out from bypass. My experience with the sleeve was fine in every way except for the reflux was unbearable which is why I revised to the RNY. If you don't have reflux then the sleeve has lots of benefits, however if you do have reflux I would recommend the RNY hands down.

I truly think that the lapband was a fad, like Phen-Fen in the 90's. I was banded 4 yrs ago and subsequently lost 104 lbs. Last year, because of frequent vomiting (a side effect on ALOT of banders), my band slipped. They totally unfilled it and I gained 30 lbs back. I loved my band and I hated to see it have complications. Last week, when I saw my surgeon the day before surgery, he said the exact same thing. That the band was a fad. He still does them, but doesn't promote them anymore. More than 50% of his patients have some kind of complication - including never losing 1 lb. Thats alot of complications! When he did my sleeve revision last Tues (the 16th), it took him 30 minutes to dig my band out of my stomach. It had embedded and was stuck inside. So now I'm still in considerable amount of post op pain. If I knew then what I know now, I would've never been banded. It's hard to tell someone something tho when all they see is weightloss. Good luck!

I was a revision from lap band, my surgery was Dec 10th 2012 so I'm about 4months out. Recovery had its ups and downs, I hated every creamy Protein drink, only found one I could stomach (no pun intended lol) but after 2months on them I can't drink any Protein drinks with out wanna to punch someone haha. I am still sore around my incision near my navel, makes it very hard to work out and run. But I do when I can. I'm a slow loser but started out with a lower weight since I was a revision from evil band complications. Dec weight 198.5, current 169. I have more I need to lose since I'm only 5'3" but am healthier now and with out all the sickness I had for 5 years with the band. I tolerate food better now and still can't eat certain things but its bad stuff I have no business eating (ie fried foods, sugary ect) I can finally handle my coffee again and can eat meat, though certain ones I handle better than others. You'll have your moments of regret that is VERY fleeting when your eating a delicious meal and its that moment that 3bites makes you full and sick to your stomach. Then I get mad because I want to be able to eat lol, then their are days that I can eat a nice plate of crawfish lol. It's hit and miss. But over all best decision I ever made, I really wish I would have gotten this originally but having the demon band hell has helped me know how to eat proper size portions, chew chew chew and appreciate how this is a true tool and gift to have had done.

So sorry to hear that. I hope staying on liquids helps. Keep us posted on whats going on. I'm only 3mths out and going in for a port revision, b/c of a flip. Really wasn't expecting that so soon. Hoping for the best for you!

I'm with CottonKime. I love all the great advice and trust me I am not a big drinker. I drank a lot in the past and did gain significant weight which is partially why I had a revision. I go to business outings and like to enjoy an adult beverage from time to time. I don't plan to over endulge as I have learned my lesson. I will not do carbonation as I know that was another contributor to my gaining. We are all responsible for our own actions and for what we put in our body. On my business trip I will do vodka with Water and mio One drink for the whole dinner.

I too was sleeved on Jan 24th. Mine was a lap band revision. They also did a hernia repair. I have only lost 16 lbs. I am 56 and am hoping that my slow weight loss has something to do with my age. I hit a plateau for the last week or so. Any suggestion?

Well, I went through such a long stall that I was afraid to be too ambitious with my goal. I am revising my goal now to 250 by labor day. I don't want to set myself up for failure, but I also want to reach a huge goal for me. Monday Check-In - 269.0

I went through the same experience as you as I recovered from the sleeve - I was way ahead of the curve in terms of what, and how much, I could eat. Here's the thing - it takes a long time for your stomach to heal completely - not days, but weeks, even months (it is a major amputation if you think about it). So it may not be sending you the signals you need to stop eating. As someone who's sleeve failed, partly because after 6 months, and especially after a year, I could a proper dinner plate of food again (at least 2 cups), I would say follow your dietary guidelines. If it says half a cup, eat half a cup. How many calories (and other macros) are you allowed in a day? Are you staying within them? Just because you CAN eat more, doesn't mean you SHOULD. The guidelines are there to help us get into the habit of portion control, because the honeymoon period of easy weight loss/no hunger only happens for 6-18 months (depending on the person). After that, if you overeat, you may regain, even with healthy foods, as it may encourage you into the same bad habits you had before surgery. Also, how long is it taking you to eat? If it's more than 30 minutes, then you are definitely overeating. When are you drinking liquids? If it's too soon from eating it could make the food slide faster through your stomach making it easier to eat more. I'd also be worried about the asparagus - it seems too early to be eating such a fibrous and low protein vegetable. They are really hard to digest and can form clumps in your stomach, especially early on. In any event, I'm not trying to make you feel bad about this - as I said at the beginning, I went through exactly the same thing after my sleeve, and I had the belief that the surgeon made it too big which is why I could eat so much. However, on my recent revision surgery, my (new) surgeon said that the sleeve was perfect and small, so I know that my weight regain had less to do with my stomach, and more to do with me. Some of us can eat more, and don't feel pain (others are the complete opposite). In that case, you have to be vigilant about what, and how much, you are putting into your body.

I am 25 day post-October revision band to sleever and I'm on glad to come to the bench..

Challenge start weight July 4 - 219 Original GW 199 Revised GW 189.9 CW 189.3!!! Very happy with my results. I did not expect to lose at this pace. I am on to the Halloween challenge... And have no idea what to expect about how fast the weight will come off! Congrats to everyone on their hard work.

@@Halfagain our stories are the same! Banded in 2001...removed Sept 2011...sleeved Dec 2011. Been at goal for awhile. Revision was the BEST decision ever. My port area was very sore and then weird for weeks. I got a little depressed after band was out... maybe the sense of failure? Anyway here I am years later with no regrets about my revision.

Goals are interesting things. They are pretty arbitrary to be honest. And once I met my initial goal, I've since revised it twice. But, with that being said, I'm a huge goal-oriented person, so they help me a great deal! I think the first 6 months or so, I was able to pretty easily shoot for 15 pounds/month, then it slowed a little. For an overall goal, I knew I wanted 50% of my initial weight lost.

Hi, everyone. I'm new to this site and expect to have revision from band to bypass in Jan / Feb. I'm started the 6 month nutrition on Jun 30 - and just completed all the other hoops except cardiac clearance. My big news is that last Friday, 9.26.2015, I gave up a 50 year diet Coke habit cold turkey. I am 63 and started at 13. The only other time I quit for a significant length of time was for 3 months with the lap band and 9 months with pregnancy. I have decided that this 6 month NUT period is like being pregnant with the new me. Putting me first is new to me, and I am very proud of myself. Looking forward to sharing this journey with all of you!

Hello everyone.... Everything for me is happening SO fast... I went in for my consult on 1/23/14, 1/27/14 had my endoscopy and 1/28/14 was called with approval and surgery date of 2/10/2014. I really don't even know how to "feel" I was NOT expecting to get approved so fast especially since this is a revision from a RNY Gastric Bypass....I don't think it will sink in until I am laying on the table waiting for the anesthesia to kick in :-) Best wishes and speedy recoveries to everyone!

Another quiet and happy bandster here! I'm almost 13 years out and absolutely love my band! It's hard to see so many people suffering from complications and i worry sometimes that even after 13 great years complication-free, that something could just go wrong! Honestly my biggest worry is that if something went wrong, i would no longer qualify for a revision surgery because i am at goal. I've had my band since March 2008. I lost the majority of my weight in the first 6-9 months (from 200lbs down to 140lbs, i'm only 5'2") and managed to stay within a maintenance range for the past 12+ years, which included 2 pregnancies and a my fair share of fluctuations along the way. In the past year i have made some more habit changes that led me to drop another 20ish pounds leaving me at about 120-125lbs at 5'2". It makes me so happy to see some positive bandsters out there sharing their stories as there are definitely still a lot of us on this band journey. Please keep posting and i will try to do the same!

I'm on the 21st for revision from band to bypass

Maybe I missed something somewhere but if you're at permanent goal, why are you having the revision?

I had such bad Gerd after my sleeve that I ended up with a fistula (whole) in my stomach and was revised to the bypass. If you already have Gerd I would recommend the bypass. Good luck with your decision!