Teri L

Hi, I have a lapband (May 2005), lost about 35 lbs, gained 25 back and I have a lot of discomfort with the band. I was really down on myself for not losing weight with weight loss surgery and though shoot, I'm just so far gone even surgery can't help me. So about 2 months ago I was having a lot of pain and thought maybe my band slipped and I called the doc - he confirmed it's not slipped but it clearly isn't working for me (normal reasons - lack of weight loss, throwing up daily, pain, now I'm getting heartburn). I hadn't even heard of the vertical sleeve before my meeting with him and got excited because I'm reading so many positive band to sleeve experiences. I'm SO NERVOUS they are going to say no to my surgery. My bmi is 48. Do you guys think it's easier or harder or about the same to get insurance approval when you're looking at a revision surgery instead of just a first weight loss surgery? I can barely stand the wait. Any thoughts about insurance and their williness to deband/convert? Thanks so much!! Teri

Hi, I was sleeved on 11/30/11 and I feel like I'm doing well (down 42 lbs). I'm far from perfect in my choices post surgery, which makes me feel disappointed in myself. Here's the thing tho, I don't believe this is really going to work. Am I trying to protect myself from disappointment? Or is this a form of self sabotage? Or am I trying to protect myself so I don't feel like a failure? I guess I'm hoping to hear that this is normal. I don't know. I just don't believe it is even possible that I would ever hit goal. I fear so much that I'm gonna screw this up and I keep making these arrangements in my head like if I get to 200 then that would be a success - or just get to 210 or 190. I'm 2 months out and I already sometimes feel like I'm able to eat more than maybe I should. I don't know. Maybe I should just go to bed. Did you guys really believe this would work? Sincerely, Trippin' in San Francisco

Thank you all for your support. I like the advice to be my own best supporter and keep moving forward. I think I tend to dwell on my *mistakes* and I need to redirect to focus on my accomplishments. I didn't mean to imply that I"m not following the rules - I am - but I make the mistake of dwelling on any mistake I do make. I guess I just need to keep moving forward and the trust that it will work will come because it is working. As they say the proof is in the pudding. =)

Hi and congratulations on your success! You know, I think what you said here is sweet - tell her that! Remind her you did this because you wanted to improve the quality of your life, live a longer, healthier, happier, more fulfilling life, and that that desire was fueled in large part by your love for your Son and for her. Sounds to me like she's feeling really insecure and needs some reassurance. As a woman, I will say it makes me so happy to have my husband surprise me with something thoughtful (little gestures count here!)- something you know she would really like and appreciate whether that is sappy romantic evening in, or taking her out on the town to her favorite restaurant and the movie she mentioned she would like to see (chic flicks get you even more credit!). Sometimes something as little as knowing how she likes her coffee in morning and having it ready for her when she wakes up can show her your love. Remind her you love her. I believe some of the smallest gestures can be the most meaningful as it shows that you're paying attention, listening, and that you love her. And just another tip from a chic - if she's gaining weight don't counsel her on how to lose it - if she leads and wants you to go for a hike or something then go for it - but don't try coaching her thinking you're supporting her - most women (including myself) will take that the wrong way - believe me. Don't go there! One thing I really, really, really, REALLY love and appreciate about my husband is that even after gaining 100 pounds he NEVER made me feel badly about it- he treated me just like he always had. I'm serious - that alone meant so much to me. When I get skinny - the man I got is the man I want - the one who loved me when I was fat and thin. The one who loved me for me. =) Oh, and maybe try to eat ice cream and stuff like that little more on the down-low. Be sensitive. I wish you the best of luck!

I'm just wanting to chime in to give you some support. I agree that you shouldn't stop your medicines, and if I were you I would talk to as many doctors as necessary to get an answer - this doesn't sound right at all. I wish you the very best of luck on your journey and hope you get some results really soon.

Thank you all so much for your input and support. I have some nice thin soups ready and in the freezer for probably the mushy stage of the game. =) The big day is 2 weeks from Wednesday - it's finally starting to feel real! =) Teri

hi! I'm getting ready for my preop diet and made a batch of Soup. Do you guys think this is healthy / appropriate for the liquid phase post op? I sorta made this up myself - it's thin and quite tasty. 1 tbsp EVOO, sauted 1 yellow onion and 2 minced cloves of garlic. Once onions nicely cooked I added 2 bags of frozen organic broccoli florets - cooked for about 10 minutes. Then I added 2-32 oz containers of fat free chicken broth and 2 (previously boiled) chicken breasts. I brought to a boil an let cook until broccoli is soft. Then I blended it really well. It made a huge batch which I thought I could freeze. Do u think this is post op friendly. The only problem is I don't have the nutritional information, although I could figure it out. I was thinking of making a few varieties-mostly just switch out the broccoli for other veggies. I also have some non flavored Protein powder that I could add to it. Any thoughts? I am just hoping to be well prepared but I don't want any cheating on my part. Thanks everyone for your help and support! Thx, Teri

I reread my book from the doctor and I think this might be more for post-op - after the first 2 weeks. And good point - thank you for mentioning the gas issue. =) It is pretty tasty - I had it for dinner tonight. =)

I'm so excited you started this thread! There are so many of us! Yeay!!! My highest weight was 307 i'm now 290 and hoping to get to 280 before surgery. Goal weight is about 150. Yeay for us! Talk about the best Christmas present ever. =)

Hi Kathy, I'm so sorry that you're feeling so sad. And I'm sorry to hear you feel your mother is ashamed of you - that is just painful to even consider. Do you have a nice pair of black pants and pretty top? or a simple black dress? Maybe you could buy yourself some pretty earrings and necklace or a pretty scarf to dress up what you already have. Put on make up, do your hair and feel pretty for YOU. I wish you the best, this trip should be something to look forward to and enjoy - I hope that is how your Mom sees it as well. Big warm hug, Teri

I completely agree, I'm not nervous at all either! I'm just so stinkin' excited and can hardly WAIT for my surgery day to come. I've also had a few surgeries in my life and i know the pain meds are good and effective - it'll be a little discomfort for a couple days and in return we have this amazing opportunity to return to good health. Seriously, I can hardly wait...the waiting is hard...the waiting is sorta depressing to me. Anyone else really struggling with the waiting?

Hi! I'm not technically a December sleever but sooo close, my surgery is scheduled for November 30. Dr. Jossart is my surgeon. I was originally going to be sleeved on 9/26 but ended up with my band removed (I'm a revision from a lap band to a sleeve), and my gall bladder out. I am so excited and I look forward to hearing about everyones journey and successes.

Hi there, I just had my band taken out 2 weeks ago (banded in May of 2005) . I didn't have major problems with it but because 1) i wasn't able to maintain the weight loss I did lose (only 40ish pounds and gained 30 back), 2) the "stuck" feeling is really unpleasant, at times even painful 3) having to know where bathrooms are at all time, and having to keep an empty Water bottle in your purse because if you get stuck, you gotta throw it up pretty quickly - this is commonly caused "slime-ing" because it literally gets all slimy from silva. The only good thing about sliming is that the food hasn't mixed with your stomach acids yet so you don't get the puke taste - mostly it's just the food, only slimy. Unfortanately, my surgeon wasn't able to convert my band to the sleeve as originally planned because of complications with my gall bladder. I have a Nov 30th surgery date for the sleeve. I can't wait! It's a hard decision, some people tolerate the band better and have more success, but I do think overall there is a large percentage of bands that have to be removed for various reasons- slippage, erosion, and just for people like me who don't tolerate the band well and ultimately aren't very successful with it. I can tell you nothing feels worse than feeling like a weight loss surgery patient who failed. I was so embarrassed that I didn't lose my weight that I didn't go back to the doctor for years. I didn't even know about the sleeve before July of this year - it wasn't until I thought my band had slipped and had it checked that I talked to the doctor who was very helpful and made me feel less badly for failing to lose weight with the band. That's when I learned how many people aren't successful with the band and also how many end up having to have it removed (like a third!). I hope this helps some. I wish you luck and much success with your journey.

WOW!!Thank you for your post. I'm not on the fence, in fact my surgery date came and I ended up being unbanded (previous lapband mistake) and my gall bladder out - he decided to let my stomach "heal" first before doing this vg. I have a Nov 30 date. Your post is SO INSPIRING!!!! I'm so happy for you! And truly, you're beautiful!

I'm so excited for you! Congrats on losing 17 lbs before surgery!!! Yeay for you! I'm struggling a bit with the pre-diet. My surgery is a week after yours. You're going to do great! I look forward to hearing how you're doing post surgery!

i would be struggling too and feeling freaked out - I'm still waiting for surgery. So maybe you can take a couple deep breaths and just know IT WILL come off! You can't eat 500 cals a day and not lose weight. Please let us know when you move again- I bet it is just a day or two away! (also, not to be too personal - your cycle may also impact your #'s). Hang in there! I'm SOOO ROOTIN' for you!

Congratulations!! Thank you for sharing your story - i'm preop and I can hardly wait to see what 6 months time brings me. Well, 6 months 2 and a half weeks. I'm also a band revision. I'm so happy for you!

That's SO awesome!!! Congratulations to you!!!! I like that you're savoring this success. =)

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear of your complications. That is really scary. I hope you are now back on your feet and continue on your weight loss journey. My best wishes to you.

Let me just echo the HOT comment! And honestly, you look really HAPPY in your photo. =) I'm so happy for you! I'm sorry to hear you had such severe complications, and I'm SO glad in the end it was more than worth the harder parts. Keep up the amazing work. I'm being sleeved in 3 weeks and I am excited (and nervous) but mostly excited and reading success stories like yours is inspiring.

I wish you a successful surgery! You're journey is just beginning!!! Good for you! Please keep us posted and good luck tomorrow.

HI Talia, Oh my gosh, 120 in 8 months time, WOW! That is such a huge accomplishment. Congrats! I hope 8 months out my numbers are similar to yours. (I am being sleeved on 9/26) I can imagine it is quite an adjustment getting used to your new size - my husband has said he likes some cushion too. I think what is most important is how we feel in our bodies, if we feel good we will be happy and everything will align - right? Atleast that is what I'm telling myself. Best to you and nice to meet you. Teri