time-4-change

Hi All! Got home from 3 days and nights in the hospital this morning after undergoing a band to sleeve revision on Tuesday. I had some pretty adverse reactions to the pain meds...I'd have been better off sticking with Tylenol!! Anyway, I have done well...no nausea while in the hospital and am still sip, sip, sipping. Am going to try my first post surgery Protein shake for dinner. A few questions: 1) Did anyone come home with a drain? I had one on my stomach side that was removed this morning. Had a fatty tumor (lypoma) removed Tuesday, too. It ended up being quite an ordeal and I still have a tube in it. I knew it was big, but it ended up the size of a small loaf of bread and was sending fingers down to the major muscles! Wow! 2) When did you guys start drinking shakes? 3) On returning home did you go straight to 60 grams of protein per day? 4) All suggestions are welcome! So happy to join the Sleeve Society! Cheers~ Barb

Hi All! Thanks so much for your words of encouragement! I am feeling good today! Had a "gusher" where the drain had been, so I called my Dr he said not to worry, just to use a washcloth or something similar to catch the drainage. I have been taking the meds that were prescribed for stomach spasms...decided better safe than sorry also taking an occational pain pill. I really do feel good. Just a little stiff when I get up from sitting lying down. This is one time that I am wishing the time away as I am looking forward to these 2 weeks being behind me. I think it makes it easier having gone through the band surgery. I realize that it does take time and that you have to pamper yourself with plenty of fluids and rest. The best is yet to come! I am so happy to have found you all! It is great to have a group of like minded folks to share the journey! Thanks again! Nap time ZZZZzzzzzzz Barb

Thanks for the words of encouragement! My Dr. and Nutritionist had said to keep the liquids up and to sip, sip, sip! I, also, saw on the post op diet that Protein shakes were suggested in the first 2 weeka out. I drank about 2 oz and my tummy started rumbling so I am back to Water, etc. and sugar free popsicles. I am very excited. Actually feel quite good. Glad to be home, for sure! Barb

Thanks Everyone for all your support! It's 4:28am and I am getting ready to head to the hospital! Would like a drink of water but other than that, I am fine and ready to get on with this! Be thinking about me and I'll let you know how things go when I wake up! One op! One op! One op! Cheers for a rain-soaked Tennessee! Barb

How did it go??? How are you feeling??? I go in tomorrow at 5:30AM! Please wish me luck...I have to say I am a bit concerned about scar tissue, but I guess that is between my stomach, my doctor and God! I'm looking forward to a nice nap! Cheers and here's to a speedy recovery for both of us! Barb

TOMORROW IS THE DAY! No MORE BAND, I'm getting my SLEEVE! Please pray that all goes well and that after 4 1/2 years...the old girl comes out smoothly with little scarring and I am able to get the revision done while they are in there. I trust my surgeon and I know he will do what is best for me! So CROSS YOUR FINGERS! I'll be in touch on the other side...that sounded weird! I'll touch base after surgery! Cheers~Barb

Is that normal? My surgery is next Tuesday, May 3, and I have never even considered the possibility of not being able to have both things done in the same surgery. I have Sleeve Group tomorrow night and will be asking that question for sure! I guess I better give my doc a call! Barb

Hi All! I started my Pre-Op Diet today...a few days late as I was out of the country...but none the less, I'm prepping for my May 3rd surgery as we speak! After an unsuccessful outcome with the band...not blaming the band or me...we'll just call it "unsuccessful", I would love to get some tips from you all on what is making the difference this time. Maybe send me over your top 2 or 3 tips (more if you like) to help me and others like me, to make the successful transition from band to sleeve. Looking forward to your replies! Barb

Oh Honey! I feel your pain. I got my lap band in Dec 2006 and like you, did well for the first few months. After the honeymoon period, I started getting really hungry. I, too, could not eat and found myself hopping up from the table at early every meal to throw up. Yuck! I am heading back to surgery to have the "device" removed and a revision to the sleeve on May 3!! Yipee! Had my pre-op testing yesterday and the diet starts next week. The more I read, the happier I am to get the band out of there! Take heart in knowing that you are not crazy. I have those same feelings of fear and failure. I'll keep you posted on how things go with the new surgery. I can do this! I have faith in the procedure and I am going to succeed. Ghrelin Be Gone! Good luck! Barb

Hi All! I was scheduled for a Band to Sleeve Revision on March 1 and postponed the surgery because my eldest child pitched a fit. I was not prepared for her reaction and just cancelled knowing full well that I would reschedule. I am not scheduled for May 3 and have told her about it. I need some support from you guys and some suggested replies to her. My new mantra is that I am not asking for permission but, I AM asking for support! Any other words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Even my 81 year old mom is behind me in this! Thanks in advance! Happy Weekend! Barb

Wow! You guys don't know how much these posts mean to me. I, too, have a wonderful surgeon and have had the same problems with the band...no slipping, etc. just not being able to eat healthy foods...but wow, I was good with ice cream and cheese dip. The vomiting has been a real problem, too! I'll never forget throwing up at a resort in Hawaii. The bathroom was closed for cleaning and I threw up in the corner...I was so embarrassed, I pretended that it wasn't me, but I know that they knew it was! No more of this! I am going to be free May 3!!! Yipee and thanks for all the support!!! Barb

AWESOME! You sound just like me! I can't wait to get this thing out of me on MAY 3!! Yipee!!! Congrats! Barb

Oh Honey! I am so sorry to hear that for you and for me! My sleeve surgery is scheduled for May 3 and I have had my band for 4.5 years. I haven't had a lot of trouble, just haven't lost any weight since the first year. I am praying that he can get in there, get the band out and SLEEVE ME all in the same surgery. Take care and good luck with your recovery! Barb

Hi All! I am really not very good at this Forum stuff! Just wrote a wonderful reply and thought I had added it to the chain and wouldn't you know it, It's gone! Just wanted to thank everyone for all their comments. I have surgery set for May 3, 2011 and can't wait to get this band out and to start on my new journey with the sleeve. I had marginal success in the beginning with my band and am now about 10 lbs down from my beginning weight. I will admit that I let family issues and the stress brought on by them to derail me with the band. I stopped losing weight at about a 40-45 lb loss. This all happened at about the 8 month mark and although I maintained for a while, I was never able to get back on a roll. I feel that I am better educated with the process this time and plan to use my sleeve as the tool that it is meant to be. I honestly can't wait! Thanks for all your support! I will certainly keep you posted as I head into Pre-OP, etc. Cheers~Barb aka Time-4-Change

Yipee!!! I am scheduled for surgery on May 3! I was scheduled for my surgery on March 1, but decided to postpone it when my daughter pitched a fit. I AM going through with it this time. Still need to tell her...the best thing a fellow Sleeve-ster told me was to say. "I am not asking permission, but I am asking for support" Any other thoughts? Has anybody else dealt with family like this?

Thanks for the support! I am getting very excited! Wish it was tomorrow!!!

That was a hoot! Now tell me what you really think and how long recovery takes. I need to pick up a 25lb little man and was wondering if that will be a problem! Thanks!

Wow guys! I can't believe there are so many of us out there. I am banded and am looking into the Sleeve. All these posts are really helping...well, actually confusing me. I was on the OH site today and was pretty well raked over the coals for not being a Lap Bsnd success. They had me feeling that if I couldnt do it with my Bsnd, then I was doomed to failure with a sleeve. I would appreciate any and all of your thoughts! Barb Ps. Please be honest! I can take it!!!