Band Be Gone

I had the band removed in 2010. During the course of having the band slippage, the weight I lost was all muscle. I quickly turned into what someone on this forum referred to as a melted snowman. I lost my metabolism, what little I had, and quickly gained about 50 pounds after the removal. I got the sleeve in late June of this year. I have lost about 32 pounds pre-op weight and about 45 pounds since before the 2 week pre-op. I believe I'm losing slower than average and fear that my body is struggling more, I've heard the doctor talk to Biggest Loser contestants who had surgery and lost all their muscle & metabolism. My question is this... Has anyone else experienced a stahl in weight loss? I'm at a stand still for about 2-3 weeks. I am maintaining about 60-80 grams of Protein a day. I exercise about every other day, when I'm lucky. I average about 900-1200 calories a day to avoid going into starvation mode. I will say that I have a tough time getting in my fluids. Will I turn the corner? Any suggestions? Much appreciated, thanks.

I had surgery on Tuesday, the 28th. It has been getting easier each day, however, the majority of my pain is from the scope hole used to pull the stomach out. I'm sure that my body is re-adjusting it's new space, but I haven't read about anyone else having this. It is painful, but controlled w/ meds. I was just wondering how long this lasts, if anyone has experienced this as I have.

My dietitian told me 3 months. I had the same question! You will see a lot of varied answers, probably best to ask your doc.

I had my surgery 5 days ago too, and I'm hungry as well! Protein drinks, jello, water, water, water... I'm craving real food, hope this won't be too unbearable. One more week like this. I'm battling fever and just feeling lousy too. It does go away or is controlled by meds, I just hate taking them. I have to return to work on Tuesday, not looking forward to it. Hope you can hang in there, I'm right here with you, hungry but playing by the rules. We can do it!! Good luck.

Thanks for all of the response to this, glad I'm not alone. All of my incisions are the same size, however one (when looking down, it's to the right side above my belly button) was all red and irritated. I asked the nurse and the doctor and they told me that this is where the stomach was pulled out of. This morning, the redness is going away, but that is the only spot that I have significant pain. Reaching, standing after sitting, etc. is bothersome, but bearable. When I had lap band the first time, the port revision, and ultimately, the removal, they used a larger incision and it was also sore. I haven't noticed a dent yet, but now I'll be looking for it! Thanks for sharing!!!

I had a lapband in March, 2008. I got pneumonia in May, 2009. Port re-vision in August, 2009. No weight loss and constant vomiting and heart burn for nearly a month, I ended up with a slipped band discovered in October, 2010. My insurance would not cover it and my hospital quoted me $25,000 - $30.000 to take it out/revise. I knew that in January I would obtain new insurance so I waited. As soon as I worked out getting my insurance properly in place, I phoned a different doctor across the state (which happened to be located where I was employed - 1.5 hour commute each way to work, everyday) in February, 2010. He saw me on Friday, and I had surgery on Monday. He took the band out and was going to sleeve me depending on the damage. It was too complicated to sleeve me so he told me to wait 6 months. Fast forward to June 2011 (another long story why I waited a year+, my husband was in a horrible accident which left him in the hospital for 50 days 1 week after my lapband was removed). I have surgery scheduled on June 28th. I have my husband's full support. I am TERRIFIED to tell anyone about another WLS after my family and friends watched me go through such a nightmare with the lapband. Keep in mind, I told everyone about the lapband, and tried to educate them as to why I was doing this for myself & it... well, quite frankly backfired. I got the "I told you shouldn't have, yada yada ya speeches". I will tell my 3 teenage children when the time is right, I just don't want them to worry about me because of what they witnessed between their mother and father and health issues over the past year. Should I keep it from friends or extended family who just won't understand? Has anyone been in these shoes before? The weight will come off, and I'm just sick about thinking of telling lies to the people who love me when they ask how I lost it. But I still don't think they'll get it. Any advice would be great. Love this site, I have learned so much from you all. Thank you.

Carmen: The decision is yours about switching from lap band to sleeve, I hope it's covered for you. Personally, what I went through, I'd NEVER do it again. Last time I did the band, I included my close friends and family. A lot of their reactions were like the ones you've gotten, I think out of worry and not knowing. Most of them never had weight issues as well and couldn't phathom what I was doing to my body. In the long run, I got the pity party when it was time for the "I told you so". I had surgery on Tuesday for the sleeve. So far the recovery has been much better than that of my lap band revision surgery. I went in very hydrated as I prepared w/ my pre-op diet. Stuck to my pre-op like glue. This has helped. I had some nausea yesterday but I feel really good tonight. Best of luck to you. Keep me posted on your surgery decision and hope it goest through for you, insurance-wise. BBG

Don't worry about chewing at this point in time, it's about caloric intake to shrink the liver and the fat around where the doctor has to work. My pre op consists of actual meals, Snacks & liquids which are from the doctor's office. They have the right amount of Protein, carbs and fat and a daily plan is about 800-900 calories per day. They gave me chewable vitamins also. You'll be just fine. When I had my lap band surgery, it was all liquid. I've experienced both. Good luck on your pre op and ultimately your surgery.

Nicely written! Thank you for sharing your experience with infertility and the unbelievable comments that people actually say. You sound like a strong woman and have given me a lot to arm myself with when the questions come to me about how lost the weight, and why I'm taking off time from work, etc. I feel confident in my decision to keep this from family and friends. You're right, It is not lying, it is MY business. Thanks for your insight and experiences. I do HOPE to see you on the loosers bench soon. My gosh, just 5 more days till surgery. BBG

Very well written! Thank you for sharing your experiences with infertility and people's unbelievable comments. Where and when do the questions and proding end? Thank you for the advice, you are certainly a strong person and have given me a lot to think about as I will be asked how I lost the weight, or why I was off work. You are right, it's not lying is it? Thanks, I feel much better about keeping this from my family & friends and keeping it "private". This IS my business and how I lose the weight is MINE. Thanks, again.

Do people generally stay on these medications after the sleeve? I had horrible heartburn w/ the band & after. Ironically, never had it before the band. Is this something that you are more prone to after the sleeve?

Good luck to you and your WLS. Congrats to your husband on 100 lbs! Thanks for your post.

Congrats to you on your weight loss. I have the same goals to get strong and increase flexibility. Best of luck to you.

You're right, maybe people are interested in their own thing and I'm over-thinking or worrying about this. Best of luck to you. Enjoy your vacation.

Thanks, yes he's doing remarkably ahead of schedule (he has a long way to go, but doing so good). I gained 50 lbs. in one year sitting in the hospital, stress eating, taking care of everyone but me. But now it's my turn, all are well and I'm really trying to get this weigh off once and for all.

This is what my husband's suggestion was too. I hope this will work, I have told family and friends so many times that I'm watching portions, calories, adding protein, etc. and I have lost weight, then gain & feel like a failure. This time, THEY will be shocked that it worked this time! LOL. Thanks for the help.

Thank you for your post. We are getting surgery 1 day apart. Good luck to you too.

Tiffykins: Thank you so much, sincerely! I appreciate your advice. I have learned a lot from you on other posts and I appreciate you sharing your experiences. I just can't wait to be as successful as you and other sleevers someday. Today I had to tell my co-worker that I couldn't work on a project next week because I'd be off of work for 4 days next week. I had been going to so many doctor appointments, she asked if everything was alright (It's just a REALLY bad time to take off of work right now, but I have waited long enough and I'm doing this). Of course, I said I have some personal issues to take care of. She pryed more and asked if I needed surgery, I said yes. Now I regret saying that, they will put it all together. This is not a co-worker that I'm even close with. I have a mouth that just spills things out! I'll see my family about 20 days after surgery for a big party for my father. I won't be eating or drinking there, awkward..... Anyways, thanks for taking the time, I appreciate it.

Thank you for your response, can I get away with not telling them at all? What do you think? Play it by ear?

Hi, Marie. I'm from Michigan too, not that has anything to do with my question... I'm worried about what you said about napping 2x's a day. Because of work, I have to return just 7 days post op. I'm on my feet most of the day. My surgery is scheduled for June 28th, I'm now so nervous. Any thoughts? Will I be able to do this? Thanks!!

Wow! Congrats on your 60 pounds. I hope that I can get the endo/ovary taken care of quickly and get on w/ WLS. Probably will have to postpone my date. Thanks for sharing your experience about the 1 month wait.

Hi, I am scheduled for the sleeve on June 28th. I had a hysterectomy 9 years ago due to endometriosis, but they left 1 ovary for estrogen. I have been having pain on both sides of the abdomen. They discovered a cyst on the ovary and believe that the endometriosis is throughout the pelvic area and are sending me to a surgeon. The outcome will be to clean up the endometriosis and probably take out the ovary (because I'm 45 & near menopause). Do you suggest that I get this all taken care of before WLS, or continue w/ the June 28th surgery date and get the endometriosis taken care of afterwards? I'm concerned with hormonal changes either way I go. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you.