MissMinnie

Only 6 weeks out and still about 70lbs to go, I always think it should be faster. Like almost everyone I have lost and gained PLUS. This is honestly the first time that I don't go to bed making an eating plan for the next day. Not really a plan but planned not to eat anything "bad". Would wake up to tinkle and sometimes would cry myself back to sleep wishing, wondering and praying that something would help me. So far the last 6 weeks have been pretty good. Tough first 30 days just adjusting but am amazed that 2 tablespoons of food actually keep me full and that I am not hungry at all. Good Luck on your journey to being THIN!!!!!!!!!

HI, Can only speak about band to sleeve revision. Dr Aceves did mine about 6 weeks ago. I would read on this board about not being able to eat a few tablespoons early out and about 5-6 ozs 6 months to a year out. Found it unbelievable since that is what my band surgeon (not Dr Aceves) also said and it never came true. I can eat 1-2 ozs at a time if I eat sold Protein and chili and Soup about 1/4 cup. I know those numbers will go up as I get further out. The sleeve it what I thought the band would be after the fill level was correct. Not true, it is SO much better. Good Luck.

I self paid for both my "crap" band 3 years ago in FL. Still took so long about 3 months. One week for the blood work, one week for the next test and so on. My band surgeon was very good and at that time I thought about going to Mexico but was too scared. Forward 3 years and so much research. Emailed Dr Aceves office and 10 days later had my band removed and revised to a sleeve. He is a great surgeon AND has a really great manner about him. Dr Campos is also great. Much "easier" than my band surgery and other than the cleaning lady always mopping the floor I can't say enough about my experience with him. My husband and I are self employed and pay very high health insurance premiums. No weight loss surgery in the policy. My husband has/had skin cancer and by the time we get the bills in we still pay $1000.00's out of pocket. Our system is broken, takes too long, and too much red tape. Back to Dr Aceves!!!! HE ROCKS and so does all of the kind and those who work with him. This is coming from a very BIG chicken regarding surgery! Good Luck.

Had my band to sleeve revision last month with Dr Aceves. So far so good. Who would have thought I could put 1/4 cup of chili in a bowl, sit down and eat a teaspoon and actually feel full. So far this is what I thought the band was going to do. Good Luck

Congratulations Jess! What a difference between the band and the sleeve. I think the sleeve is what I thought the band would be, other than it isn't adjustable. Why I wanted it adjustable I will never know. Good Luck to you!

I also had a band for almost 4 years. At first is was great but then after so many fills and unfills I found myself eating around the band since if I ate dense Protein I would just throw-up. With my last unfill about 7 months ago I gained a lot of my weight back. This is not the fault of the band, it is solely my fault for putting the stuff in my mouth. After reading just about everything on this site I went to Dr Aceves in Mexicali on 02/22/2011 and got it removed and sleeved. I was also self pay for the band, as our insurance that we pay a fortune for doesn't cover weightloss surgery. Almost 2 weeks later I am feeling pretty good and can finally get most of the Water and Protein shakes in, took me a while though. I would not think you are too old and I know the difference I felt without the port alone was worth it. Good Luck

Hi Jess, I am usually a lurker and followed you on a different site for 3 years. Like you I lost a lot of weight at first with my band and then all fill out, more fill in over and over again. Well on 02/22/2011 I had revision surgery with Dr Aceves. Between this site and the one on OH I read every question even though sometimes it was the same one over and over. So scared but now that it is done and I am back home as of yesterday I am totally surprised. I took the worst of everything I read and decided if I could live with the pain, puke, gas and even a leak then I was willing to go forward. Well, no puke, very little pain and so far no leak. It went surprising well, and even flew 3 days out back from San Diego to Florida. Even though I am tired today I am so glad it's done. Having a really hard time getting all the Fluid and Protein in but other than that i fell really good. Actually better than when I was banded. It took 1 1/2 hours in surgery to remove my band and to do the sleeve. Only difference I can think of is this HUGE bruise on my belly. Good luck and REALLY, REALLY look forward to all of your stories about your journey and your life, you are a really great writer. Karen

HI, Totally understand. My surgery is next week and even though I have been through the band surgery I am scared to death. Sometimes I even think about canceling. After readying all the great posts I realize that I am even more chicken to cancel. So happy to be getting this band out and looking forward to the rest of my life with the sleeve. Flying from Florida on Monday and will be picked up and taken to Mexicali. There is someone who helped me a lot. Here screen name is WASA and even though I have rarely PM'd her, I would read all of her posts and answers. Just found this site and everyone seems so helpful. Good Luck on your decision. Karen