Are you happy with your decision?

[slikchik10 85]

Hey, I had a band In 2006 but began the "too tight/reflux" problems in 2008/09. Pre-band I was at 248 and dropped 60 lbs, but with the probs regained about 30. Now, I'm just past my 1yr. mark w/ my revision to a sleeve. I'm down to 155 and in a size I've never seen in my life! I set a lot of mini goals over the year, with my main goal being to hit 70% loss of weight in my first year. (The Dr. said the expectation was this to happen in 2 yrs.). I DID IT!

Now, I'm still pushing on to my next goal, but after my 1yr. check up, my Dr. said my blood work is great and I was doing fantastic with things. Here's the key....EMBRACE THE CHANGE! I took the eating and exercising seriously. Don't get me wrong, I hate any and all forms of exercise (PE was NOT a fav in school) but it is a job I must do to maintain my change. Clearing the house of junk and making sure my body is taking in what it needed and not always what it wants helps the process. OH, and the biggest thing (for me anyway) is learning to recognize the head games my brain will play about wanting food. In the last year I have really tried to focus on learning what is hunger and what isn't, and how to compensate with new things instead of old habits.

A phrase I've adopted is "It's a marathon, not a sprint." As long as I work the plan and stay focused (recording what I eat, exercise 3-4x a wk for 30-60 mins., make healthy choices) my Dr. says I'll stay on a successful path. So, best of luck on your journey!

[mckelmer 9]

I had the horrible band put in 2007 and removed in 2012 hated it for most of the time. It was so anti-social with my lifestyle, and the reflux was intollerable, i had to sleep sitting up the last 6 months i had it in , i call it bulimia because i spit up everything, yes I lost 35kg but was not worth the day to day dramas, so had it removed and gained it all back plus some. I had the sleeve done in Oct 2013 and in 7 months have lost 30kg and am not looking back! Very tired the first 5 months, still struggle with energy but i make myself walk walk walk because this time i want it to be the healthy way. I couldnt eat anything fruit or veg with the band so I am rediscovering healthier choices which isnt a choco bar daily. All I can say is you do what is right for you, this is just my thoughts Good luck

[hockeywife91 106]

I converted from the band to the sleeve on May 14th and I couldn't be happier. I'm just now starting on pureed foods and its very interesting to see how different it is to eat with the sleeve vs the band. With the band, I pretty much threw everything back up or slimmed or whatever you want to call it. I call it nasty. With the sleeve, when my little tummy gets full, I get a small little cramp that says "whoa, that's enough", so i stop and I'm full. No more running to the bathroom after two bites and spending my time trying to bring up whatever is stuck and missing meal time with my family.

I love my sleeve

[edsgirl2 0]

I just had my revision surgery on June 30th from lap band to sleeve. I am at Bariatric Stage IV - eating pureed foods and drinking Protein drinks. I am limited to five foods: egg whites, plain yogurt, refried Beans, cottage cheese and pudding. I am also taking liquid Vitamins and getting B-12 monthly injections. My daily goals are to continue to drink 64 oz of Fluid each day; eat/drink 65 grams of Protein, walk 30 minutes (if not more), and continue to protect my surgery incisions and stomach by not lifting, pulling, pushing anything over 15 lbs.I am glad that the doctor limits his patients to five foods because I think it's really easy at this point to overdue it on other soft foods that may not be so healthy for you.

The weight is coming off slowly which I think is good. I feel pretty good except last night, I had a side ache next to the incision where my port use to be. Other than that, I feel really good. I think this surgery was much easier than the lap band.

I still get hungry and the food that my husband is eating looks tempting. However, I try to remind myself that this is just head hunger. I don't think I am really hungry. I am no longer a coffee drinker since we were told to stop drinking it. I was totally addicted to coffee mostly because of the liquid Creamers. I feel so much better and I no longer have to have coffee first thing in the morning.

I am just beginning this journey and I am still learning to listen to my body. I am not in a support group at this time but I would love to connect with others who are on a similar journey.