LCS

Hi Sleevers, I went for my checkup with Dr. Dumkowsky in Florida. I was almost overcome when I went there. I surprised myself. I didn't think that I would be emotional, but I was. I didn't know how to say thank you for my life. I was so unhealthy with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, joint pain, etc. I feel like a different person. I AM a different person. Thank you once again, Dr. Domkowsky for giving me the confidence to go forward with the sleeve. You're an angel.

I feel hunger every day. It just takes a lot less to fill me up now. I think its healthy to be hungry.

Hi There, I had my band for about 6 years prior to having it out. Hated it. I had it out, and sleeve done in one procedure. My surgeon told me that if the scar tissue was too great, he would close and i would have to go back for the sleeve in 4 mos. I was so happy when I awoke and found out that I had it done all in one shot. I am no spring chicken, and I didn't want to go through another surgery if possible. He tested me for leaks, and I had to wear a drain for a week as well. One year later, I'm doing just fine. I had faith that my doctor would make the right decision. I'm sure yours will too. Good luck, and we're pulling for you.

Dear MsE, You've got our positive thoughts for sure. It seems like its up to your doctor to step up and go to bat for you. These insurance companies will try to sqirm out of anything if possible. Keep after your doc, and hopefully you'll be able to go forward. Keep the faith..... And thanks to those of you that have responded with all of your good wishes. Right back at cha!!!

I can't believe that it has been 14 mos. since I had my band removed, and the sleeve done! I am 91 lbs. lighter, and I feel wonderful! I never lost any appreciable weight with my band, and I would have some pain and discomfort if I ate certain foods, and sometimes vomiting. I had trouble eating the good food, (chicken, pork, veggies) but the junk food went down just fine. I had 6 adjustments, and it didn't help me. Thank God for the sleeve. I am so happy for this new chance at life. Thank you, thank you, Dr. Dumkowski of Sebastian, FL. You changed my life! Here's to all my fellow "losers" that have already or will experience the new you.

Hi VST Addict, Happy to answer any questions you have. First of all, I have more energy than I can remember in years. That's not to say that I'm ready to run a race every moment of every day, but on the whole, I can do more activity for a longer period of time. It may not seem like much, but to me it's a great step. As far as diet goes, I eat what everyone else is eating; just less. I drink 1 Protein drink a day in the morning. I don't get all the Fluid down that I had in the beginning of this journey. I try to drink about 3 bottles of Vitamin Water a day, and sometimes a bit more. I try to eat less carbs, but I don't consider them poison, either. This is a way of eating that I am trying to maintain for the rest of my life, and I know me. If I say that I can't eat something, I will want it all the more. So I eat it. Sometimes I just want a taste of something, and that's enough. I was never a fast loser. I know that about myself. So, I don't set myself up for disappointment. If you know your body, and you are feeling very tired, you may not be getting what your body needs from your food. Take a look at how and what you are eating. I take my protein with my coffee in the morning. It tastes like cafe mocha and I feel as if it sets the tone for the rest of the day. Talk to your nutritionist. We are all on the same journey, but we get there by different routes. Good luck.

Thanks for your kind words. I'm happy that you will be going on this journey. We all deserve a little help now and then. The sleeve will help you achieve your goals. Good luck!

Hi, my fellow losers! I can't believe that tomorrow, the 19th of April will be my 1 year anniversary of the sleeve! Last year at exactly this time, I was a mess, worrying about everything that had to do with this surgery. I was getting my band taken out as well, and I was petrified. I prayed that everything would be O.K., just as all of you did. This was my last chance and I was so afraid that it wouldn't work. The one thing that I could hold on to was this site. Thank God for all of you. You said what I needed to hear, and I hope that during this year, I helped some others with their fears and frustrations. I won't hit my goal weight, but that's ok. I am thrilled that I have lost the amount that I have, and I hope to continue to lose until I reach my goal. I can't tell you how much better I feel, and I know I look better. I can't believe how this sleeve has changed my life. I am so lucky to have had this procedure and not to have gone through it alone. So, hip, hip, horray!! We did it! Now I have to keep on doing it. The sleeve makes it so much easier. Thanks again, fellow losers. Love, Linda

You know, it's funny, that I have had a dumping type occurance only twice, and both times it was during a late dinner. I didn't eat much, but I ate after 8:00. Could this initiate a dumping type occurance?

I sure am glad that Valentine's Day is over. I really messed up. First of all, my grandchildren came home to show me all of their valentines. Well, it seems that a card given by itself is passe, and now candy is always included with every card. Between my 2 grandchildren, it was as bad as Halloween. Then, my son-in-law came home with roses and a few boxes of candy. My husband cooked a special dinner that was oh so fattening! Oh, no! I went berserk! I hope that its out of my system. Next time I'm telling Cupid to skip my address and leave me alone.

Hi, Likasulema, Glad to see you're doing well. 25 lbs is great! I know that it is slow going for us, but it's ok. It will come off. I hit lots of stalls, and I'm still doing ok. I had my sleeve done on the 19th of April, 2011. It's like my new birthday. Glad to see a story like mine. I am also off diabete meds, and my cholesterol was 132 as of last blood test. Still taking meds for it though, and also for high blood pressure. I also have 3 grandchildren 4 and under. They keep us on the go, which is good because it's the only exercise that I've been getting. Keep up the good work. Good luck! Linda

I felt exactly the same. That was 91/2 mos. ago. I am also 5 feet tall, and I was 20 lbs heavier than you, and 20 years older. I also had to have the band removed, scar tissue removed, and then the sleeve. I had more emotions going through me, I can't begin to tell you. The worst time for me was in the preop room, waiting for the gurney. I must say, that as I was wheeled to the operating room, I felt calmer than I had in weeks. I KNEW that I was doing the right thing. You are having it done on your birthday, which is a lucky day for you, but I felt as if it was my birthday as well. I felt that I was beginning a new life. A healthy life. Your emotions are perfectly normal, and you too will be writing this type of reply to someone else soon. You'll see. Good luck, happy birthday, and welcome to the loser's bench. Linda

Hi, Lucky for me, I had total support from my family and friends. Please don't let others get you down, even if they are family. You know what's right for you. I can't understand why people feel that they have the right to decide about your health and your body. This could mean a healthier and longer life for you. How can anyone scoff at that? Go ahead, girl! In a year, you will be doing cartwheels around them!

Hi There, Everything you are going through is so normal. If you weren't nervous, there would be something wrong. You know, the head hunger is different in everyone. I found that when I felt hunger, it was usually gas that masked itself as rumbling stomach hunger. As long as I recognized this, I was ok. It lasted a few days, and then it left. Believe me, you will not be hungry after this surgery. I have to laugh at those people who scoff at your decision, or say that you are taking the easy way out. First of all, anyone who decides to have this operation is a strong person who is committed to changing their lives. It is not an easy decision. No one wants to go under the knife. Those who call it the easy way, would rather see you struggle to lose weight and lose many of the battles. They would rather see you emotionally and physically drained. They cannot have your best interest at heart. I am so lucky that I had 100% support from my husband, family and friends. They wanted the best for me, and they wanted to see me healthy. Stick by those people who want the best for you, and avoid the others. You don't need them. Good luck! Linda

Hi There, I know that there's a bunch of us over 60's out there, even though we don't always have much to say on this forum. I just wanted to say hi, and that I am doing well, since my sleeve on April 19th. Yes, I am losing more slowly than the norm. Will I hit goal by 1 year? No, I don't think so, but I don't care. I feel so much better. My knees especially thank me. I have some sagging skin, but what do you want at 64? I have learned not to judge my journey by anyone else's. It has reached the point where everyone I know has commented on my weight loss. More than that, I am just happy to have that band out of my body! I have not vomited since that infernal thing was taken out. I never lost any weight when I had it, as it had to keep being readjusted, and i would gain and lose, gain and lose. Awful. I pray that I can keep off the weight that I've lost. That is probably my greatest fear. Obviously, that has been the problem all of my life. Sometimes I eat something, and I think, "How did I get all of that down"? It scares me that my stomach may be stretching. I have seen most of the people I know who have had gastric bypass gain it all back. Scary. Other times I can't get much down. Go figure. Anyway, keep chugging along fellows seniors! God Bless. Linda