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Couldnt be happier with my second chance at life.



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If you told me in August that I would be where I am now I wouldnt have believed you. If you told me not only would I have reached my goal but dropped a few more pounds I would have said its not possible. The choice to have my "malfunctioned" band removed and converted to RNY was not an easy one, and it was a decision I had to make quickly, but it was by far the best decision I've ever made (aside from having WLS in general).

This coming Feb (the 22nd) it will be 5 years since I had my original WLS, it may have taken me a little longer (and two beautiful boys in between) to reach my goal, but it was worth it. The pain, the tears, the sacrifices I've made, all for the best.

6 years ago my doctors told me that if I didnt change my lifestyles I would suffer a heart attack before my 30th birthday, and I needed to do something. I turned 30 this past October and I'm the healthiest I've been in so long. To hear how proud my doctor was and to hear that I was the "poster child for weight loss surgery" filled me with so much joy.

I look so forward to the new year and for every year after.

Happy Holidays to all of you! I wish you all the best of luck, and to the happiest, healthiest years of our lives!!

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Today I am 1 week out on a revision after 2 failed lap bands. My journey started in 2008 with my first band placed in March 2009 and slipped December that year. This past April I had another slip and had to have it removed. I had a few more surgeries in between in joint replacements but finally got my by pass last week. I have been dealing with nausea and had to make a trip into ER for IV fluids. All is well so far and I am looking forward to finally making progress on permanent weight loss without all hassle that comes with the band.

Thank you so much for your post, it came at just the right time to know that I have made the best decision possible and that I too will be successful. Congratulations on your achievement, that is a wonderful gift.

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I cant even imagine the stress you've gone through with 2 failed bands. At first I was truly afraid it was something I had done but after re-assurance from my surgeon I knew I wasnt alone and it wasnt anything I had done.

Are you still on a liquid diet? Push your fluids as much as you can! I know its easier said then done, thats still one of my flaws, but dehydration is the worst. For me, sometimes its easier if I grab one of my kids smaller cups, fill it up and just drink a cup every hour. Looking at a giant 64oz bottle of Water is tough, but when you're almost doing "shots" of Water its easier to get all of it in for the day.

Good luck and please keep in touch!!! :)

Today I am 1 week out on a revision after 2 failed lap bands. My journey started in 2008 with my first band placed in March 2009 and slipped December that year. This past April I had another slip and had to have it removed. I had a few more surgeries in between in joint replacements but finally got my by pass last week. I have been dealing with nausea and had to make a trip into ER for IV fluids. All is well so far and I am looking forward to finally making progress on permanent weight loss without all hassle that comes with the band.

Thank you so much for your post, it came at just the right time to know that I have made the best decision possible and that I too will be successful. Congratulations on your achievement, that is a wonderful gift.

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Today I started on my puree diet for 2 weeks and ended up having my first dumping syndrome. I did everything right so not sure what happened. I will try it again tomorrow and only take a few bites (chuck roast in the crook pot). I am going to take this one day at a time and pay attention to what my body is telling me. I hope my success is as good as yours, I am so impressed to read your post and not feel alone in this journey. Thank you again.

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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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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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