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Update!!!! I am still absolutely in love with the sleeve over the band! I have figured out what "satisfied" feels like. I had been used to the "stuck" feeling and equating that to full, but it is very different with the sleeve. I am 53 lbs down since the revision and 120 lbs down total. I am keeping my protein and water up, sugar and bad carbs waaaayyy down and taking my vitamins every day. I feel amazing and like I have control for the first time in a long time (instead of the band controlling me!) I workout for at least 1 hour M-F and sometimes twice a day. I never thought I would be one of those people, but I am! I love being active! Walking, Zumba, Barre, Trampoline class, kettlebell, and even some running! I hit Onederland in 5 more pounds. I haven't been there since the 8th grade. I'm going down in sizes faster than I can buy clothes to wear. It took me a few months to really get the hang of it, but I can't be stopped now! Heather in Texas SW: 327 CW: 205 Goal ????? We will see! I never thought I would get to 199, but here I am! Banded 2010. Sleeved Dec 2016 117 lbs lost

I did it too! Gained about 7 lbs. it all fell off and then some. Make sure you are following the dr's orders for your eating plan!

I think that anyone who has not had a band to sleeve revision won't feel what we feel. Alas...you are in luck. I know exactly what you are feeling and seeing and feel that I have adequately navigated through it. I was banded for 6 years. Lost 75 lbs, gained 50, lost 60, gained 10, etc. I had to have a revision because I couldn't eat foods that are good for me because of the restriction. If you are looking for the same feeling of restriction with the band and sleeve, stop now. You won't get it. It is so different. I can drink plenty of fluids, eat all of the slider foods, and anything liquid or soupy that I want without ever reaching that full feeling. I know my satiety depends on what I am eating. If I am doing sugar, carbs, dairy, fruit or anything like that in anything other than really small quantities, I never reach a "full" feeling. I know it is hormonal and blood sugar related. If I eat mainly protein and veggies with the occasional taste of sugar, I have to force myself to eat. I'm never hungry. I don't know if this helps, but it is my experience and it is a tough road to navigate! You can do this!

Tried a margarita 2 months out...bad idea! It made me so sick! Too much sugar, I guess!

Converting to sleeve was a great decision for me! If I don't lose another pound, my improved quality of life is worth the 15k I spent on the revision! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

Sorry it took so long to respond!! Mine was empty for a month before surgery. The most I ever had was 4cc in a 10cc band. The hardest thing for me is the full feeling. I don't generally have it with the sleeve until it is too late and I'm over stuffed. For me, gas was much easier to deal with and recovery was much easier with the sleeve than the band. Don't worry about weight loss for the first month. Just follow the plan that your dr gave you and heal!! Loss is slower than for first time sleevers, so don't compare yourself to anyone! My quality of life has greatly improved so if I don't lose another pound, it was well worth the 15k for the revision! Good luck tomorrow! Let me know how it goes! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

So we will hear about your house on the news as the best decorated house in the USA? I'm thinking National Lampoons style lights! Congrats on your success so far. Even if I don't lose another lb, I feel great! Just think of everything that you will be able to do with more weight gone! The best thing for me has been booths at restaurants and airplane seats! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

Yes, it doesn't compare to the band...it is far better! 1.you WILL have significant restriction...THAT IS THE POINT! You can't eat bread or rice. You shouldn't eat bread or rice anyway. There is no needed nutrition from bread or rice. (I CAN eat bread, but rice is still difficult.) 2. Acid reflux. Nope, not everyone. I had esophageal erosion and tooth erosion from reflux with the band. I have NO acid issues at all with the sleeve. I don't even need any acid medication any longer! 3.vitamins. You CAN live without them, but should you? Even with a perfectly normal digestive system, you should take Vitamins. My hair, skin and nails are better than ever because of vitamins! 4.NSAIDS. Not every doctor eliminates them. Some do. You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) even if your dr says NO NSAIDS. I don't take pain meds too often because I just don't have the pain like before. 5.you may have slime and you may vomit, but get a stomach bug and you vomit too. I did vomit a couple of days ago because I ate rice and it kept growing and overfilling me! Your stomach and eating may not ever be normal, but look at where normal got you before. Some people have horrible experiences and some have life altering experiences. You work your plan every day and spend the rest of your life making more good food choices than bad food choices! If I had it to do over, I would not ever get the band and just get the sleeve!! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

So...just like any surgery, there are risks. Some people like to talk only about all of the positives and then there are people who spend every post trying to discourage others and talking worst case scenario. I, personally have had a wonderful experience and a significantly improved quality of life after my revision. I am actually living my life with healthier foods, less acid, waaaaaayyyy less vomiting, more energy, etc. yes, you can lose your stomach to cancer, but you can also get in your car and have an auto accident or fall off of a ladder while hanging Christmas lights. Stuff happens and you can't live life afraid that all of the bad scenarios will happen to you. You can listen to some people on this thread who EVERY POST is why you shouldn't have surgery. Or you can weigh your options and live your life!! Hang those Christmas lights, drive that car, get that revision....my life is vastly improved. There are lots of others with the same story! I can just tell about my experience, I won't tell you about my sister's teacher's cousin's ex boyfriend! I'm open for questions and excited about the rest of my life!! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

I had it done in 1 surgery. Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

I will be 2 months on the 29th...which won't ever come since it is feb, so march 1! I have experienced 2 stalls. 1 at 2 weeks that lasted 2 weeks and one at about 6 weeks that lasted 8-9 days...with a gain! I'm still 32 lbs down since surgery, but I have to remind myself to look at the big picture! I broke my stall this time by sticking to only protein and drinking a ton of water. Pretty sure it was TOM related! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

I changed into some little yoga shorts and a t-shirt 3 hours after surgery. I don't do hospital gowns!! I felt far more comfortable when it came time to do my walking. I stayed 1 night overnight and went home the next afternoon! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

I gained!!! Seriously. I didn't follow it to a T and it was over Christmas. Everything still turned out fine and I have lost quite a bit since surgery! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

Agreed!!! I eat a couple of bites of a high protein item every couple of hours. I generally can't do more than a few bites of something that is solid like meat or veggies. I make all of my protein drinks with only 1 cup of water or almond milk and I can generally finish that in a 30 minute time period. I try to focus more on getting my 60-80g of protein in. I am a band to sleeve conversion so not ever having that full feeling (or "stuck" feeling in the case of my band!) is really weird! Just track everything! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 220.7 lbs 106 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

My experience has been great. Significantly better than when I had my band. The gas wasn't anywhere near as painful, I was off of pain meds on day 3 and back to work in a week. Getting used to the sleeve is really different because I'm used to the full feeling that I would get with the band. The feeling is nowhere near the same. It is really crazy how I have to make myself eat because food is just not appealing to me. It is easy to eat healthy because I don't have the crazy cravings and food is fuel instead of enjoyment. I know that not everyone has this kind of experience, but my sisters and I have had the same experience. It is just a phenomenally better experience, in my opinion. Congrats on your date! Just don't compare yourself to first time VSGrs. We typically lose more slowly as revisions. I am finding that my speed of loss is about the same as with my band. I can't wait to hear about your journey! March is your removal or are you having both at the same time? I asked to keep my band. It is my little trophy! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 222.9lbs 104 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

I had mine done in 1 surgery only because I was self pay and it would have cost me an extra $4500 on top of the price of the sleeve. My doctor explained it as a benefit to do it in 2 surgeries, especially if you have a drastic slip, erosion, or prolapse. Giving the stomach time to heal and return to normal allows for a better sleeve. I just couldn't afford the extra $ or time off of work. They explained that once they remove the band, they evaluate the condition of the stomach and go from there. Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 222.9lbs 104 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

Amazing! That is some dedication! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 222.9lbs 104 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

I had a revision to sleeve in Dec. I could never get to the "green" zone either. If you are having to have your port replaced anyway, I recommend getting sleeved. The fills, stuck feeling, extreme acid erosion on my teeth (mainly during my TOM when band was too tight) all went away. I was happy with my band, but hated the "stuck" feeling anytime I would eat something healthy. There are lots of successful band to sleeve revisions out there. I really wish I would have started out with the sleeve, but hindsight is always 20/20. Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 222.9lbs 104 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

Not mine. I was only 2cc in a 10cc band! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 Currently 226.1 lbs 101 lbs down!! Heather in Texas

@up4challenge I am doing really well after surgery. Cycles are regular for the first time in 10 years!! Hot flashes are going to kill me though. Dr. Said that hormones may take a while to level out, but so far so good! I'm down 27 ish lbs in 6 weeks and feel really good. It is still a struggle because of my glucose resistance. I can't have any sugar or carbs from starchy sources or I will stall. Periods are regular but heavy. No real pain anymore, but the spiro helped with that. Are you finding that you have to be extremely strict about sugar and carbs?

Carbonation makes me vomit!!! I have heard it stretches your stomach, but I would assume that if you are able to belch, it would be no issue. Vomiting isn't worth it for me, personallyn Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 CW: 228 GW: 155 Heather in Texas

I suffered with sciatica for many years when I was 327 lbs. I had to drive a cart around to go grocery shopping. After losing 100 lbs, I rarely ever have any issue. You will always likely have to continue stretching because sciatica is a nerve placement issue, but can be greatly relieved with losing weight. I still go to a massage therapist that unserstands sciatic massage every 6-8 weeks. It has been life changing! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 CW: 228 GW: 155 Heather in Texas

Oh my goodness! You are the British me!! I'm Heather. I'm 5'4" and was sleeved on 12/29/16 at 253 lbs. I am currently at 226 lbs and progressing nicely. PCOS is my struggle as well. I have been on spironolactone for symptoms for the past 10 years. I am 100 lbs down from my heaviest of 327 lbs (lap band that I had removed at my sleeve on 12/29). As I lose, my PCOS symptoms get better, my vision improves, my other medications lessen (but not the spiro for PCOS, unfortunately) and I feel GREAT! I agree with you on NO birth control. I'm 38 and don't want to run the risk of blood clots. I'm not trying to get pregnant so spiro is perfect for me! I find that I have to work harder, eat NO sugar, no carbs, no fruit and workout 6-8 hours per week to have continued success. Since I have been off of sugar and carbs since surgery, I don't have the cravings for them. I have some definite opinions about Protein shakes. My favorite are the Quest brand of powder. I have one in some variety every morning. I mix with cold coffee for an iced latte or just Water and PB2 for a Peanut Butter shake. Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 CW: 228 GW: 155 Heather in Texas

It is generally a quick weight loss so a gaunt looking face is normal for someone who generally loses in their face. I, personally lose weight in my face and upper body first, so I'm focusing on taking my omega 3s and incorporating good fats. I use good night cream and eye cream and drink lots of water! Picture 1 is my heaviest at 327 lbs, picture 2 is currently at 226 lbs and I still have almost 100 left to lose (according to my doctor[emoji23]). I'm not sure if I can lose too much more from my face, neck, or upper body so I'm hoping it all comes from my legs! I had a ton of hair loss from PCOS when I got my band in 2010, but it has since come back nicely. I just got my band removed and sleeved 6 weeks ago, so hair loss will likely happen again. I have embraced it and decided upon a cute bob if I lose hair again!! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 CW: 228 GW: 155 Heather in Texas

First of all, you look FANTASTIC! I think we all stray from the plan, but we do have each other to get us back on track! I know it says that I have only been sleeved for 6 weeks, but I have been working with a Bariatric surgery tool for over 5 years!!! Look up a "pouch reset" to help you mentally get back on track and aim for 3 "protein rich" meals per day with purposeful fasting in between. This has been the biggest difference in head "hunger" and boredom eating for me. Don't let the scale get you down...70 lbs is beyond amazing! I saw someone in another post with an idea about writing messages to yourself daily on your bathroom mirrors with dry erase markers! I'm going to start doing this too! My weight has been a lifelong struggle and I am 100 lbs down with 90ish to go! We can make it through this! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 CW: 228 GW: 155 Heather in Texas