Lissa

PKB said: You mentioned..."If that happens, you'll be in the same place as you would be post-revision with an infection." - I'm not sure what you mean? Knee revision or Sleeve revision? What I meant by that is that if you don't have any kind of WLS, you will probably not lose a significant amount of weight, which would lead to another knee replacement in the future. I read your OP as you being worried that an infection from a leak would lead to a knee replacement, so I wondered whether you'd end up having to do the knee replacement whether you had WLS/sleeve or not. My point is that your weight is damaging the knees anyway, so it might be worth the risk to have the sleeve, especially if it helps you take off the weight and allows you to keep the current knee replacements longer than normal. As for finding Tiffykins' leak story, I believe she has parts of it posted in her profile and I know that she has posted extensively about her journey. To use the search function, you need to go to the forums home page, then do the search so that you can search for her posts. There are other band to sleeve revisions who have had some complications, but Tiffykins is the one whose name came to mind first for me. As I said, you definitely want to discuss this risk with your surgeon and your medical posse (stole that term from Eggface, y'all!) to see if the risk/benefit ratio is acceptable to you! Good luck whatever you decide!

Great job! You do look amazing! Young, fit, healthy and happy!! No wonder there's a new man in your life!

Congrats on receiving the pre-approval letter! I think insurance companies should be begging people to get the sleeve, if only because it reduces their future expenses on taking care of us! Last year, I cost my insurance company over $100k. This year, I doubt they've spent $1,000 on me. That alone should be enough to convince them to pay for your band removal...and, yes, your surgeon's office knows how to code it to get it all approved, I'm sure! I'll be rooting for you! Us August sleevers have to stick together, even if it's not August of the same year!

PKB, Use the search function in the upper right corner of the homepage and look for leaks. I believe that Tiffykins had a revision and a leak, yet she has done fabulously with her sleeve. She's pregnant now with her second post-VSG baby and rocking her sleeve still! You should definitely discuss your concerns with your surgeon, but the leak risk rate is still very low. What are the chances that you'll have to have a knee replacement again if you stay at the weight you're at now? If that happens, you'll be in the same place as you would be post-revision with an infection. It "might" be worth the risk, but that's a decision only you can make.

You look happier, healthier and, best of all, YOUNGER! Congrats on your weight loss so far!

I think the sleeve helps because it reduces our hunger and gives us a fighting chance at making the lifestyle changes that are necessary for long-term weight loss. In the beginning, it definitely seems like a magic spell has been cast upon our bodies because the weight just falls off. As we get further out from surgery, the responsibility transfers back to us, though. The key, IMO, is to make those changes and commit to keeping the changes for life. The sleeve's restriction helps, but it doesn't do all the work. WE have to do the head work to recognize and resolve whatever the underlying problem is that made us overeat or we're at risk for a crossover addiction or two. As for preparing, read everything you can. Learn what your post op diet will be, including specific instructions for early post-op, right down to what foods are allowed and not allowed. Start now to adopt the habits of successful sleevers: 64 oz of Water and 70 grams of Protein daily, detox from caffeine and sugar, quit drinking with meals, start chewing your food 30 times before you swallow it, slow down while eating and start some kind of exercise program, even if it's only walking. All of these habits will stand you in good stead post-op. Take your measurements pre-op, keep using MFP to track your food and exercise (I'm Lissa912 there if you want to add me), and enjoy the success you will have! As for the naysaysers, screw them. They aren't living in your body or living your life. You know what you've tried before and you know that it didn't work or you wouldn't be contemplating surgery. Thank them for their advice and keep right on trucking! Most of all, enjoy the journey. This isn't a race. It's a nice steady walk to get to your goal and there are lots of changes to notice and appreciate as you get there.

Great picture! I can SO relate to almost everything on there!

That's the way you shake your body out of a stall, by changing your whole routine up! You already know you can't eat like that every single day, but I have days where I think OMG about my food choices. The key is to not let that become the routine.

Wow!! You're looking great!! It even shows in your facial expression. You look happier, IMO.

Tinfoil, I have a gas mask too. A survivalist friend of mine gave it to me for my birthday a couple of years ago.

Not sure if this fits your criteria, but my pulmonologist told me recently that my new EKG is "the sexiest thing (he's) ever seen". I had one done last year pre-op with him and he did a follow-up last month. That was his exact comment. It was a little weird because at the time he said it I had my back to him and I first thought he was talking about my booty! LOL

I almost don't eat food in restaurants anymore because I got tired of having 40 leftover containers in my fridge at all times. I do portion things up and freeze them as soon as I bring them home these days. If I buy steak or a roast, I'll cut it into manageable pieces for me and then cook one piece at a time. I've also found lots of frozen foods (chicken and steak fajita meat) that I can eat a little from at a time, which helps me a lot.

I'm talking to a sleeved guy. It's cool, but weird, too. He knows every issue I'm going through, which I am not sure how I feel about that yet.

If you say "Female Surgery", most people won't ask any more questions.

Mine is just with straight milk. Goes right on through in under 5 minutes. Drink the milk, hit the bathroom. I have no problem with yogurt or cheese. Cottage cheese is iffy for me. Sometimes it's okay, other times it's not. I just don't eat it much, maybe once every two months or so.

PQ, You handle everything with such grace and style! Here's hoping it will just be some small quick fix to get you past this! You're in my prayers!

OMG, PeaceQueen! Your journey has just been so hard! Hopefully this will be an easy fix compared to the rest of your journey! (((Hugs)))

I remember the happy dance I did upon getting out of the 300's! Congrats to you! You're doing an amazing job with your sleeve!!! BTW, Here's your gold-plated scale (in place of an Oscar)!

Nikki, I was self-pay as well, so I understand what you're saying about missing all the pre-reqs. I've been seeing a therapist since before surgery and we've finally found a topic that she can't help me with: body image. She's a tall, slender runner who has never had a weight issue, so she's thrown when I talk about how I see myself (still huge, even after losing 110 pounds). But, even though she's not a bariatric specialist, she has helped tremendously on my journey. I had a tendency to eat my problems and I'm learning to be more assertive. The first few times I had a problem after surgery, I was literally lost because I had no idea how to cope. I think a lot of folks here can relate to that. I think that therapy helps a ton with coping skills and helps us to not have cross-over addictions to alcohol and/or drugs.

You'll need that one night, at least, in the hospital. Congrats on taking this first step for the rest of your life! I remember being so nervous the night before surgery, but so excited as well! I couldn't anticipate the many wonderful ways my life was about to change, and it's been even better than I thought it would be! Good luck and welcome to the loser's bench!

You look fantastic!!! I don't see a need for shapewear, either. Congrats on the baby! I hope it's a super easy pregnancy!

The VERY short version: I'm 10.5 months out, have lost 110 pounds. I'm fitter, healthier and happier than I was before surgery. I was given a year to live in June, 2011 if I didn't lose a significant amount of weight. It's been more than a year since that prognosis and my future is so bright I gotta wear shades!

Nikki, Please make an appointment with a therapist for yourself. Nobody wants to think they have a problem, but we all have a problem with food or we wouldn't be having most of our stomachs removed to deal with it. A few sessions with the therapist may help you get your mindset where you need it to be and might make all the difference in your head hunger issue. I'm not sure if you're on an acid reducer, but that can help with some of the "hunger" you are feeling, if you are experiencing that sensation. I hope you didn't damage anything either. It's good that you spoke to your doctor about your struggles. I think he should have given you a referral to someone to talk to at that time. Good luck!

Derel, YOu're proof that men lose faster than we girls lose!!

I started at 352 before my pre-op diet. I'm 5'8 and I'm 10.5 months out and 110 pounds lost. I see and feel my goal weight coming. It IS doable!!! At goal, I will have lost 162 pounds and I'll reevaluate my goal at that point. I'm seriously considering plastics as well, breast lift/augment and tummy tuck because it's looking like I will need them.