LeslieT

Hi. I had a drain in that area when I came out of recovery...I didn't really even know it was there until the nurse came in to check it. I'm not exactly sure what it's for besides to drain Fluid. They look at the "consistency" (for lack of a better word lol) of the fluid and empty it every once in a while...every time they did it they just said, "looks good". The doc removed it before I left the hospital and actually after he took it out I felt some instant relief from what I thought was gas pain...he said that was fairly common. Not sure this is what you wanted to know but I had no complications with surgery. Good luck!!

Hi Heather.I'm Leslie. I had a major slip with my band also and thought I'd tell you a little about my experience in case it might help you with your decision... My insurance didn't cover the sleeve surgery when I had my slip and my doc wasn't doing cash payments for it so I talked at length with him about waiting it out (he was pretty sure they'd come around eventually) or replacing the band. Now, I am kind of and instant gratification kind of gal (probably obvious lol) and at first I thought I'd just go ahead and have the band replaced. But, I hadn't been all that happy with it and was plateauing, etc. Long story short I decided to wait for the revision. Even though I had to wait a year from the slip to get this surgery I am so very happy I did it!!! Now, had you asked me about 6 months into the waiting game I would have cried (ok, I did-and a lot lol) and gotten mad (did that a lot too lol) about the whole thing...the "mind game" has always been my biggest struggle and throughout my year waiting for insurance, etc. I gained all but about 15 pounds back of the close 80 I had lost with the band. Talk about depressing...I tell you this not to scare/worry you about gaining it back but to tell you that I do feel that waiting for this surgery was the right thing for me/my body. I feel better not having the band in me and I feel better when I eat/drink. July 7 was my one month surgiversary and I have lost 28 pounds. Of course I wish it was more (another mental struggle for me) but I am super happy that I am on the way back down and am trying to stay off the scale and just enjoy feeling better. Btw, my doc does the band removal surgery separate from the sleeve gastrectomy so I had to wait about three months in between removal and sleeve. Getting the band out was a piece of cake. I went back to work the next day for a 1/2 day and then was back to work full time the day after that. I felt like my sleeve surgery was also a piece of cake. I was walking like crazy the day after and the nurses were so encouraging and were even trying to guess how many laps I'd do each day...the whole experience was awesome. My doc had to leave me a little bit bigger at the top because of all the damage and scarring the band had caused but I'm not worrying about that (ok, trying not to lol). I feel great, am working out, and have had no problems so far. Whatever you decide...best of luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi. I am a band to sleever aslo. I am a month out. I feel like I can eat quite a bit but my doc said he did have to leave me a bit larger at the top from my band scaring. Anyhoo...I saw that you said you don't like sweet shakes...have you tried Isopure? I hate a few of the flavors and there can be a bit of an aftertaste but I really like the Alpine Punch over ice. It might be worth a try if you're having a hard time with the shakes.

Thank you so much for doing this! I have had some trouble logging in and missed the site so much. It's great to see all the June sleevers! I hope everyone is well!!

That is the plan that I am following, too.I hope to hear from others what their thoughts are. Btw, I was sleeved on June 7 and he already started me on pureed. I have been afraid to start puree because I'm afraid of once I start eating I won't stop...old mentality but it was there a very long time!

How did your surgery go? I hope you are home and well!!

I, too am a smoker, My surgery is tomorrow and with the nerves I've been smoking a bit too much since I wanted to quit by now. I have used Chantx in the past and had great results for about 6 months. I tried about a year later to try it again but had too many side effects that time. The first time it was totally worth it- my doc said I just didn't take it long enough. I will not smoke after...my friend who is an exsmoker for two months and a nurse is begging me not to and told me that if I smoke after the surgery it could cause my stomach to not get enough oxygen to heal and I could end up with a feeding tube for the rest of my life...that's motivating! Whatever you decide...good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hee hee..good luck with that chef!

I go in tomorrow, too. I will be at the hospital at 5 am woo hoo! Good luck to us both!

I hope everything went well!! Now it's time for me to say....TOMORROW!!!

Good luck!!!!!!! So exciting!!!!!!!!!!! I'm a day after you, too!!! Feel free to friend me so we can support each other!!!!

SOOOOOO sorry to hear that! I am supposed to have surgery Tuesday and I've had this weird feeling that something will prevent me from having it. I can only imagine how that would feel. Hopefully you'll be feeling great in the morning or the doc will squeeze you in soon or something will go your way!!! Best of luck to you!!!

Hi. I'm in the same boat as you...having surgery the 7th and would love to have support from and with others. I like the idea of June Jewels and would love to know if there's a place to post/chat with each other as I'm getting to know the site to. Thanks for posting and gooooooood luck!!!!! [quote name='wannabskinee' timestamp='1306433064' post='155633' Cool. I really don't know how to navigate this site too well. Is there a place that the June Jewels chat or post info?