CowgirlJane

Well, doesn't look like there is much interest in this - so maybe not. Desertmom - maybe we could do some sort of support/motivation as we both have some goals for the next few months!

I guess I am targeting this question to people who are a few months out so who are past the initial soft/mushy phase etc. Not proposing a race or anything, more like we each set personal goals. For example, I would like to get to 180 by my one year surgiversary of 12/12/12. That is 20# in just over 3 months - in the past that would have been no problem, but i am at the phase where the weight loss is going really slow and I am going to have to kick it in to high gear to make that happen. I have taken some time off from intense exercise and all that - returning to the gym mid Sept and thinking about all the ways I can refocus and jump start the losses again. Other people might want to work on taking Vitamins more reguarly, Water intake, exercise etc etc - it does not need to be a number on the scale. Can make the duration shorter - maybe set the first challenge to end by Halloween? I just thought something specific to revision patients might be fun as we all share in both some benefits (what we learned while banded) and some disadvantages (what we learned while banded perhaps too??) - but anyway we can relate to each other with this common history. Anybody interested and we can start a thread where we can post regular updates and encouragements to each other. How long of a duration should the first challenge me - does ending by Halloween sound good or ??

Congrats Lissa for a well deserved success!!!

I would be discouraged too - but I guess one of the things i am learning through this journey is to just keep on keeping on. If you are doing the right things, the weight loss WILL happen. I had a month long stall and wasn't discouraged exactly, but not too excited about it. Somehow, during that weight loss stall I dropped another clothing size and people who hadn't seen me thought i had lost alot of weight during that month. Go figure. I am going to suggest that you try something really radical - just because i believe in changing things up when things aren't going as planned. What about not weighing for a month, but keep following the plan? How about during that month, change your exercise routine and possibly back away from the Soups (salt?). Sometimes something new and different causes the weight to start coming off for no explainable reason. As far as food goes, check that you are getting enough Protein, but it sounds to me like you are eating pretty on target.

Ok, I am curious - what did the written test cover? Does anybody else find that kind of insulting? I mean, I totally get insurance companies need to ensure that procedures are medically necessary, but I wonder if people getting a heart bypass surgery need to pass a written test? sheesh

I think you can define exercise as "more then you used to do". Not all of us can run marathons, but as has been mentioned, even people in wheelchairs can exercise. It gets easier as the weight comes off and you might be surprised how much you can do later! My opinion, it is a mistake to let your self consiousness interfere with your health improvement. I did Water aerobics last winter, and my inner thighs were/are terrible. I just wore biker shorts under my suit and looked fine. From the waist up, I looked great in my new pink trimmed black zip up suit and got tons of compliments! Waiting for plastic surgery before being willing to exercise seems to me the wrong order to do things. You will have better results if you are somewhat toned. Not to mention, there are other health benefits to "exercise" besides weight loss.

You look awesome! I am still 40 pounds from goal, but here is my "before" and "current" photos. Before: Current:

The vast majority of us had zero complications, I think the point of this is that for the people who HAVE had complications, this is a resource to share experiences. Considering the thousands of people who post here and at Obesity help - this seems like a pretty short list and I don't think it is negative at all. Best wishes to all of you recovering from a difficult time. Hang in there, there are so many success stories of people who get over that horrible experience and go on to great things! Tiffykins who used to post here regularly, was a revision from a band to a sleeve, had a leak and then recovered and went on to get to an amazingly slim healthy body... and has since had babies!!! She really inspired me. There are lots of good stories from "former complications" people that can give encouragement. As a revision from band to sleeve, I knew my risk of leaks and excess bleeding was much higher then a virgin sleever. Hearing the stories that people do make it through that bad experience is part of what gave me courage to go ahead with the best decision I ever made - to get the sleeve. I luckily had no serious complications, but I was definately scared pre-op! This surgery saved my life, I really believe that, but it is smart to know the risks going in....

I waited about nearly 3 months between the band removal and the sleeve surgery. My stomach became a bottomless pit. My hunger went through the roof. I went to a specialist who put me on a high protein/low carb diet that had many items as unlimited portions. That stopped the weight gain, but I am sure I could have put on 20# in those 3 months without doing some kind of regimen because I was genuinely hungry much of the time.

I did not have alot of pain. I describe it as feeling like I had done 1000 situps - sore abs. I didn't notice it unless I tried to use those abs! for me, it wasn't pain that was hard. It was more like "most of your stomach is gone - wow that is different". consuming Fluid and Protein early on is not easy. I would also say that I was so incredibly tired.... not just for a few days but for weeks. I went back to work after 3 weeks, and I have a desk job. The main issue i had was exhaustion. I think taking 2 weeks off would be okay but I am glad I had 3. I did not have the exhaustion thing with the band.

When I started this journey, I set in my mind that I would consider the sleeve a success if I got under, and maintained under 200# within the first year of surgery. Well, I am just over 8 months out, and am now seeing "1" as the first number on the scale. I have not been under 200# since the late 1980s!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG, it is hard to believe I am finally here. I never got under 200# when I was banded - and I had that band for 10 years!!! The sleeve really does work. I attached a photo from 2 days ago - and one from a month or two preop. When I showed my son the before photo, he was shocked, he didn't remember me being so big. It shocks me too, so I get it. Before: Current:

My weight loss has followed the high end of the expected range given by my nutritionalist - I am doing as well as a typical "virgin sleever". My weight loss is slowing way down, but still chugging along....these are my cumulative losses. As you can see, those first 6 months is when the fastest weight loss happens. Lost after 1 month 36 Lost after 2 month 45.8 Lost after 3 month 57 Loss after 4 months 69.2 Loss after 5 months 81 Loss after 6 months 94 Loss after 7 months 100.6 Loss after 8 months 105

I know, me too, but you will be glad later if you take a few shots once a month. Like I said, it is hard for me to believe I ever looked like that "before" photo - and without the photo, I would not realize how far I have come. Even though I feel better, move better and know I look better, I still feel really fat. Sounds crazy, but in some ways I feel just as fat as I ever did. Seeing the pictures progression helps me to "process" that I really have changed ALOT.

Try different Protein drinks - I lived on the premade Premiere Protein chocolate bought at costco. I can't drink them now, but they were a lifesaver the first few months post op! Drink slowly. Don't worry about anything but fluids and protein. sip sip... tiny sips all day long. If you get dehydrated, go get an IV to get rehydrated. Be patient with yourself, take it easy. Recognize that you had a big shock to the system, and your former "friend" food is not currently available to give you comfort. As you start to lose weight, hormones will release which may make you even more emotional. Your reaction is normal - many people go through this sorta weird feeling for awhile. I experienced it as an emptiness inside. To add insult to injury as the saying goes, nobody even noticed my weight loss for months. So, I was a little sad, alot tired and still fat.... I never regretted the surgery because I had read enough on the forums here to know it was normal, and I just needed to get through it - and i did. Look at me now with 100# off!!! It is so worth it. I am finally living the life I want and you will be too. Hang in there - and keep your eye on the prize. You will feel better over time and you will be thrilled with your results.

Congrats!!!

I always had people assume I was younger then I am too. Now, I have lost more then 100# and I don't think my face is too old looking - I am 48.

I am not sure when your surgery was - but beware, early on you may not have all the "sensations". Your stomach was cut, there may be certain nerves and such that have not recovered yet. Eat by the measuring cup and scale if you don't feel full!!! You do not want to stretch / lose your restriction so early. Not sure what your nutrtionalist has told you, but early on I was only having like 1/4 cup servings. I can't stress this enough, live by the measuring cup while you are figuring out that "feeling" of satiation. This isn't forever, it is a temporary way to make sure you aren't overdoing it. Don't get into a negative thinking that this is a big waste of time - the sleeve works for alot of people and I think it can work great for you too.. I am now in the 190s - started in the 300+ range - it has transformed my life in a pretty short period of time.

I suspect everybody that posts here had a bad experience with the band and are happy to be sleeved. I sure am!!!

I know people are having fun with this, but let me tell you why I would never consider naming the sleeve. It is still my stomach, it is still me, it is just a smaller stomach. I am working to de-emphasize food and eating in my life, to make it just be a normal way to get sustainance. I just feel like naming it gives it too much focus, too much of a centerstage and potentially, too much power (in my own mind).

I understand what you are saying, but I don't think it is completely accurate. You CAN fail with the sleeve. My doctor (not surgeon) has several band to sleeve revision patients and so I asked her about this before my surgeryy. She said that 3 of them have done AWESOME but the fourth one has not lost well at all. She thinks it is because she Snacks too often but for whatever reason the sleeve tool isn't working for her. I was warned by the surgeon that revision patients might lose less, might lose slower. There is apparently data to support that, but I haven't seen it. The theory I heard is because you have gotten used to that "full feeling" and so are desensitized to it. To the OP - My losses have been good, progressing like a virgin sleever not a revision. I personally find living with the sleeve so much better then the band, I feel like I don't have as many adjustment problems as some new sleevers have. i suspect nearly 100% of revision patients ask the question of "why is it different this time". I don't know about you, but i was told I failed with the band as I wasn't compliant. You will hear that you must follow the rules to be successful with the sleeve too - absolutely true. My own personal experience is that the sleeve is a much much better tool so you have a better chance of remaining compliant. It is easier to be compliant when you aren't hungry and when you aren't vomiting healthy food, There is no comparison, you don't have a pouch, you just have a tiny tummy. Someone who used to post here alot always said "the sleeve is what the band promised, but never delivered"

I had my band removed 11 months ago. Was sleeved Dec 12th 2011, just over 8 months ago. I started at 308, and this morning I weighed in at 200.2 pounds! I am so close to leaving the 200s behind me forever!!! It is just so exciting!!! I am still overweight, but i now longer look or move like the huge person I used to be. This photo is from yesterday - life is good!

I have been fighting excess weight since i was 5 years old - and I am 48 now. You would think I would have learned by now, but I have still had short phases of "scale denial". It isn't the right thing for me, I need to weigh daily , or at least several times a week on the same scale/same time of day. At least since the sleeve, I have not let it go longer then 2 weeks. In my past, I would ignore the scale for MONTHS be shocked that i had gained 20+ pounds and then of course somehow manage to keep gaining. I just refuse to do that again. If I struggle with losing, or maintenance, I am committed to keep weighing anyway. One of the things I remember about the sleeve, is it is here to help me catch myself when i am falling (failing, however you want to see it) but, I still need to catch myself. I learned that in a support group I went to pre-op and it made a big impression on me. I felt so helpless when I failed with the band, I just didn't know how to keep from regaining but I am prepared this time to make maintenance a success. Even if I never get under 199 pounds (which I will!) I am never ever ever going to let myself regain a bunch of weight and be that morbidly, hugely obese woman I don't even recognize. Google the 5 day pouch test. The point is to go back to liquids, progress to soft food etc, but to do it in 5 days. It helps restore that feeling of restriction. I would have done it, except my own version of just drinking Water, eating Protein first and taking Vitamins worked to get me restarted. I will do the 5day pouch test in the future I am sure. So red, it is my opinion that you can make your goals - but do remember that after X number of months post op it gets harder to lose. Those first 12-18 months is really the best window, with the first 6 months being the most weight loss (as we have both already seen). I want to lose another 40 pounds - even if that is done just a few pounds a month, I am pushing hard to get there even though I took a little summer vacation and didn't lose too much in August.

Women's sizes are SO inconsistent. I hit 199 this morning, I am 5'5" and pretty much wear regular size 16. Yesterday I bought a Calvin Klein pencil skirt (affordable at Ross Dress for Less!) that was a size 14!!! The tops I bought were either XL or Large. One of the large shirts is bigger then the XLs! I went to order something online and the size chart for that item said i should wear an 18/20 or 1X. All the 18s I own are falling off me so i skipped that - worried about fit. I feel like it is a bad "measure" because it just depends on how snug you like your clothes, different clothes makers size differently AND depending on the cut of the item, you may need a bigger size if one part of you is bigger. 10 years ago, I got down to 205 and never wore smaller then an 18 or 1x - clearly clothes have gotten bigger over the last 10 years too.

I had the crapband for 10 years. I had your same fears, but the sleeve has been terrific for me and I feel gettng the revision has been the best decision I have made in quite awhile. I have lost weight. Not saying it is easy, but the tool works like it should so you stand a chance at success. I don't vomit, slime, PB or whatever Bandsters are calling it these days I can eat normal foods - including veggies - and have been since about 2-3 months out, just small quantities. I am not hungry all the time. I spend a year working up the nerve to do the revision, wish i had done it sooner, but that year of thinking about it benefited me in other ways. I was informed, had researched it thoroughly and was READY.

Today is not my official weigh in day, but I did get to 199.4 today! I am so incredibly excited. I haven't see the 1XX on the scale since sometime in the 1980s. Red, So, we are all individuals, and I am not saying my path is the right one for everyone. There are lots of reasons that people's weight loss varies and I agree that you have done amazing - have you tried lifting 70+ pounds lately? It amazes me that I used to lug around more weight then I can lift! Since you ask, I will share some background and approaches I have taken - some of it may apply to you some may not. I assume that we started with smiliar BMI or excess weight to lose based on your comments. Obviously, even if we started at the same weight - the situation is really different if you are 5'0" or 6'0". I am 5'5", and my "target" according to the charts is 144 (not sure, heard different things). The nutritionalist used that target to compute that I should lose 164 to get to a perfect weight.. My surgeon's practice uses 80% excess weight loss as the "goal" so in my case they would target me for weighing 177. Bottom line, no matter how you look at it, I had a crapload of weight to lose. The reality of it is, when you have been mordibly obese for decades, it is pretty hard to get down to the low 20s BMI. I picked 158 as my target because it is a nice round lose 150# goal. In the 1980s, I looked awesome at 140-145# range so I felt that 160 is an agressive goal, but great weight for me. So, they gave me guidelines of the "range" of excess weight that their patients typically lose - so basically at 3 months, 6 months etc you can tell if you are "on track" for making that 80% weight loss. I don't get hung up on what I read on the boards, I keep my eye on my own "plan" that I worked out with the nutritionalist and it has been great. I was advised that as a revision from the band, it is very common to not do as well as "virgin sleevers" but I have been at the upper end of their "expected results" so far. I share all this background so you know that I have had pretty a pretty detailed plan around what I want to accomplish. I was banded in 2001 - lost 30# in a month and then lost another 40# over the next 11 months. Then, I just stopped losing - I never got under 200#. I regained plus more after I had to have the Fluid removed from my band in 2004. I did not want to repeat my poor results so have that extra "lesson learned" - that first 1-2 years is really the time to get the weight off. So, another thing I did is that I read this and another sleeve forum quite awhile before I was sleeved. I paid attention to people who had results I wanted to emulate, and who were close to me in excess weight, female etc. I listened to their advice as I figured they were "on to something". At first, I had the idea that a tiny bougie size is what made people most successful weight loss, but over time I realized that isn't true at all - it is the behavior post op that was the most important factor. My surgeon uses 38 bougie size - one of the bigger ones. Another thing I do is that I follow a plan for awhile and then when results aren't what I want, I change it up. This is something the nutritonalist helped me figure out. I started out tracking everything on myfitnesspal.com and it really helped me build my confidence. I watched Protein, carbs and calories very carefully. Over time, the nutritionalist told me to take the leap of faith and start listening to my body instead of "eating by the numbers". That was hard for me to do because I didn't trust my body's signals or my ability to use them wisely. So, I stopped tracking several months post op and my weight loss accelerated! She was right, it was time to do something different. I have also incorporated pretty heavy duty activity and exercise. I "move" everyday and make sure I do something intense 4 days a week - it might be a tough workout at the gym or now in the summer, working hard on my mini farm. Exercise makes me feel better and it is a time when I can't snack! As far as food, these days all I keep track of (in my head only, not written down) is: -daily Water consumption - 8-12 glasses; -protein consumption 60-100g, -Vitamin consumption (as per recommendations). I don't worry about calories -portion size which I am keeping small to keep that tight feeling as long as possible I use small dishes - a 4 oz cup for a "bowl" and a tiny plate for my dinner. If by chance I am using a normal size plate, I create a mental ring around the outside where no food should sit and food should not "touch" each other. This is how I keep portions in line, even without measuring. I also have other rules - like I eat protein first, veggies second and everything else is way down the list. I also eat if I am really hungry, I don't worry about the clock so much. I don't go through drive throughs. If for some crazy reason I have "fast food" we go inside and eat - it is a rare event because it isn't very good! I don't get high calorie drinks, but do treat myself to a skinny latte or mocha once a week. I cannot seem to break my habit of snacking in the evening. If I am dying for something sweet, I eat a chocolate flavored Protein Bar. I give myself permission, that if I am still hungry after that, I can have a real dessert, but I never am. I do allow myself fruit now because I am no longer restricting carbs. I do limit bread, crackers, rice, noodles etc - but that is because I won't make the protein goals if I don't. Another rule I have is that I weigh myself frequently. Some people are driven nuts by the ups and downs, I am not. I know myself, and avoiding the scale is one of the ways that I "deny" that I am overeating or off program. The scale is like a mirror, it tells me if my behavior is what I had planned. So, what do I eat? Alot of protein. I often have an egg for Breakfast with perhaps a bit of cheese and a small slice of ham. Sometimes I make a veggie, ham (or sausage) and egg omelette, eating half at breakfast and the other half for a snack or for lunch. Also, cottage cheese with pineapple is a current favorite and sometimes what i have for lunch. Another lunch choice might be a bit of salad with tuna or chicken breast strips. Dinner might be a hunk of protein (chicken, fish, beef) plus veggies. For Snacks I have Protein Bars, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, beef Jerky that sort of thing. Now, I am not perfect and I do sometimes eat junky food that the family brings home - a few chips or eating a side of potato salad or something like that. I just work to keep the portions small. I guess a final comment, and maybe this one is of use to people - if your portion sizes have gotten too big or you are eating the wrong things - do a back to basics kind of thing for a few days. Some people use the 5 day pouch test, I haven't tried that yet. What has worked is to refocus on water, protein and avoiding snacky food - and then my desire for food automatically drops and I feel good restriction. It is amazing to me that just a few days of being "back on track" helps me get back that good sleeve feeling of not desiring food so much. I attached a "before" photo.