Lianne

I so very, very happy that my alien baby is gone! Even after a year, it always bothered me if I leaned against a counter, used my stomache mucles too much, or slept wrong. Not to mention it freaked my husband out in bed /-8 Be grateful that you all have found this site, and the lapbandtalk site before your surgery. I didn't. If I had I would have made a differentt decision. I should have listened to my Dr.

My Dr also recommend the Sleeve to me, but I was adamant that the band was what I wanted. Well after 13 months of complications, I had to have the band out, and had revision to the Sleeve. Wow, i really feel like I wasted those 13 months, I wish I would have listened to him the first place.

OMG, I would be furious! Having that gawd awful port gone is so nice. I just can't imagine for the life of me, why would the surgeon leave it there. I got to bring my band, and port home with me as a souvenir. ( = I'm really sorry that happened to you, best of luck.

I had my period during my lap band surgery. They did not let me wear underwear or a tampon or anything. But when I woke up, they had put a pad between my legs. It was very embarrassing, but I'm sure I wasn't the first one that they had had on the table who was menstrating.

I take a Maxalt for my migraines. I actually had to take 2 doses during my 3 day hospital stay after being sleeved earlier this month. I also have degenerative disc disease, so yeah I'm pretty worried about not being able to take my Advil, but so far so good. I tend to take a half dose of vicodeine instead of 3 to 4 Advils when I start feeling the pain. Tylenol is worthless, unless it's for a fever. Might as well be sugar pills.

I found that the pain was at least half of that of being banded. I had pain for several months at the site of the port, and even throughout the next 12 months whenever I would sleep wrong, or pull a stomach muscle. I'm soo happy that the little alien in my belly is gone! So is my husband ( = My sister who did not have a Lap Band prior to being sleeved, never even took her pain meds. She only required over the counter pain meds to control her pain. I took my vicodeine syrup for 1.5 weeks, but again it wasn't nearly as severe as being banded. It hasn't been easy, like I said I did have complications, that required a 2nd surgery, and was hospitalized for 3 days. I will never take any surgery lightly again. But in the end, I'm very happy with the decision for revision.

I had my revision from Band to the Sleeve on June 12. Wow, what a difference. No banders hell, restriction is immediate. I've lost 11 lbs since then. I'm below 200 lbs so I'm very happy with 11 lbs. I also was extremely anxious abiout the permenence of removing 80% of my stomache. But I knew that my Lap Band had to come out, so I firgured I might as well try it. My sister had the sleeve done earlier this year, and I saw first hand how well she was doing, and the difference in our restrictions. So that was encouraging. The sleeve has been around for quite awhile as half of the duodinal switch procedure, it's just lacking the rerouting of the intestines. If you check the stats on the two surgeries (band and sleeve) you'll see that the sleeve has a very low percentage of complications or further surgeries needed, and a higher percentage of weight loss. With the sleeve, you are very limited as to HOW MUCH you can eat, but all foods go down ok. With the band it seemed like I was limited to either food that was bad for me, or food that I found unsatisfying. I also love the idea that I'm done driving 1 hour away for constant fills, and unfills. I was so tired of the yo-yo! I was always either too tight, and too loose. Never a happy medium. I did have some complications (bleeding) due to some damage to my stomache from the band, but my Dr. took good care of me, and I'm on the mend. Back at work, and being active already. I guess I was just one of those poeple that weren't going to be successful with the band. Good luck to everyone. I do recommend checking out the sleeve forums that can be accessed at the bottom of this page if you are considering it. verticalsleevetalk.com

Two words, prune juice! Gotta get things moving through. Good luck.

My weight was at 192, at 5'6" when I had to have my last emergency unfill, I was surprised to find out that my insurance has authorized revision to the sleeve. Same out of pocket co-pay as when I got the Lap Band 12 months ago. My sister had the sleeve earlier this year and has had no bad side effects at all and has had great success with it. It just seemed like my band was unhappy all the time. You may check out the verticalsleevetalk.com that is advertised at the bottom of this page. Good luck!

May 10th (today) is my 1 year Bandiversary. I was doing really well, slow but steady weight lose, down 49 lbs, 21 lbs to go to be at my goal, and was starting to look pretty good in size 12 pants. But 3 weeks ago I had to have an emergency unfill after not being able to keep anything down for 3 days. I had been sick with a migraine for 2 weeks, taking lots of meds, and vomiting. Not just PBing, but full on vomiting. I had had one other non emergency unfill 5 months ago due to night time reflux. Now my Dr wants to take the Band out, and do a revision to the Sleeve. I got the call today that my insurance has approved the surgery, but I have mixed feelings. I've asked to have a endoscopy done to at least check the band. If it's ok I'd like to continue with it, but my Dr is pretty adamant about removal, and revision. I hate the thought of having yet another surgery with the recovery time, and costs. Not to mention the physical pain, and dangers. Anyone have any thoughts, or suggestions? Thanks

Thanks guys, he just says that it's clear to him that my body is not tolerating the band, and he's worried that it is eroding. After the emergency unfill, I had immediate relief thought. I feel fine, really. Although It does feel like the band is more prominent? I feel something inside where my band is when I bend over, or lean over something that puts pressure on my upper stomoache. But that may just be that my stomach area is much thinner that it used to be. I'm not going to proceed with anything until I have the endoscopy done to check it out. If this band is ok, then I don't want to remove it. I just hope that my Dr is willing to refill me if that's the case. I have no restriction at this point. My sister had the sleeve a few months ago and is doing great, so it's not that I wouldn't want that, but I chose the band instead so I at least need to try and make it work.

I use two green apples, a small amount of lemon with the peel on, celery, red bell pepper, ginger and carrots. it really yummy and not over whelming. I cannot stand to use cucumbers, can't even stand to be in the house when my husband uses it. I got the Jack LaLane juicer from costco, it works great and is less than $100. it also comes with a huge recipe book for juices. Have you see the move Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead? it's fascinating. Don't know that I would ever go as hard core as they do, but it's something to consider.

For a little spicy alternative, I add red bell pepper, and ginger

Premier shakes from Costco are yummy1 These are the most affordable ready to drink shakes I have found at about $1.00 each. I also drink the Isopure smoothies, they come in yummy flavors like pomegranate berry and have 32 grams of protein. I order them from Amazon for $2.88 each.

I end up taking a large swallow of Fresca WHILE i'm standing over the toilet. That usually helps get it all out. Sometimes I will vomit for 2 hours strait, and nothing else helps. After doing this a few times that usually clears me up. Good luck!

Just above, and to the right of my belly button. Under the largest scar. I couldn't fell mine for about 2 months due to the swelling But it was definately the source of the majority of my pain after surgery. For months! 10 months out now, and a rarely have any pain unless I've done something to strain the muscles it is adhered to.

I was in the same boat as you, but after my 4th ( i think ) fill, I could only eat a small fraction of what I was eating before. But with that restriction come vomiting, and being uncomfortable feeling after eating. At least for me. Best of luck to you!

I've made frozen yogurt with Fage unflavored yogurt, real vanilla, and Splenda. Mix it up put it in the freezer, and stir every 30 minutes until the right consistency. I even made a strawberry sauce with strawberries, and Splenda. It was really good, I served it at a dinner party we were having and everyone loved it.

My Doctor charges $150 if your insurance doesn't cover them.

OMGosh. I thought I was the only one! Grossest thing ever! it's bad enough when it happens at home, but in a public bathroom. Horrible! Thanks for the advise. I'm never gonna do that again without putting a toilet seat cover in the bowl.

I try to stay away from Aspertame as much as possible. Have you tried the MIO flavors? Some are very good. Easy to use, and sweetened with Splenda. You can carry them in your purse, or keep them in your desk at work. I order water at the restaurants the give it a quick squirt from the MIO bottle. Walmart is the best place the buy it.

I voted for you, good luck!

I'm in the same boat as you. 41lbs down and only lost one since the first of the year. But the good news is I am shrinking. I cleaned out mu closet today, and fit into a whole size smaller in pants. I try to remind myself that this is not a race, it's the rest of my life. But sometimes I want to throw that scale out the freakin window! I'll keep keeping on until the scale catches up with me. Good luck!

What a great thread! So many great answers! I don't want to be the fat girl with a pretty face anymore, I just want to be pretty ( = I don't want to walk into a party and ALWAYS be the fattest girl there. I want my outside to look as good as I feel inside. I want to be healthy for a long, long time. I don't want to be fat anymore, life's too short to be held back for ANY reason.

I had pain from my port for 6+ months. It would get better or worse. I found wearing tight pants really irritated it. I still get sore at times if I've been too active or even sitting with bad posture for long periods of time. My surgery was May 2011. But I would let your Dr know next time you seen him.