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Making the switch... One day



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Mine was all done in one operation as well. I wouldn't have wanted to go under the knife twice, unless it was unpreventable.

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Dr. Aceves nurse explained they have to remove the band, clear any scar tissue, then place the sleeve. It can be more complicated if you have an existing band problem (erosion or slip.. which I don't have luckily).

He does it in 1 surgery.

One doctor I had talked to, does do it in 2 surgeries, 5 months apart.

I see the bonus either way, but since I'm no MD, I don't really understand why the stomach needs to heal if you didn't have a slip/erosion.

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I had a slip and quite a few problems with my band. Dr. Aceves had me get a complete unfill in my band one month prior to my surgery. Then, just to ensure there wasn't any swelling, etc. from all the problems my band gave me, he also had me do a liquid only diet for the week prior to my surgery. Everything worked great and I was able to have the band removed and the sleeve done all in one shot.

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I just got back yesterday from Tijuana, Mexico. I had my band done there originally July 2008 and did very well for a while. The cost of fills and all that went along with the band, I decided was not for me and the statistics I've been hearing lately did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling. I went with 2 other ladies back to my original doc and I've heard that for most folks to have a band revision to sleeve it is aprx $6500.00 US. My doctor was Dr. Almanza. This price includes everything but air fare. He is a wonderful doctor. They have a driver pick you up at the airport in San Diego, take you to the recovery house or clinic, depending on when you arrive. Stay at the clinic for 2 nights then back to the recovery house for 2 nights. We could have stayed longer if we wanted to. They were great. Always someone there helping, cleaning, cooking, doing your laundry. Whatever you needed all you did was ask and off they went to get it for you. A nurse is always there overnight...it was amazing. I'm feeling great and have already started to drop some weight. Of course it is recovery weight but I don't care, it's moving again. My scale had not really moved since Christmas. I'm so excited to have my sleeve and confident it will take me where I had hoped my band would. That being said, I don't regret getting my band at all...but happy to have my sleeve as I still have a very long road in front of me..but I'm excited about it :001_tt2:

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Wannabhealthy45, congrats on getting your sleeve! You are going to be so much happier with it than you were with your band. The difference is amazing and it is so wonderful to get your life back. I hope your recovery continues to go well!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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