SashaWLS

that's all your doctor told you? do you have another option for a doctor, one with better after care support?

I wanted the sleeve, but ended up getting the band... The decision really came down to possible complications, and what level of risk I was willing to tolerate... There are potential complications with each surgery, but the ones with the sleeve are much more serious and painful. 1% of people who get the sleeve have leaks because the stitches/staples at the top of the stomach don 't fuse closed. Those people are in agony for months. You could be in the hospital for months. There's no way to know if you'll be that 1%. Roughly 1 in 200 people die from complications with the sleeve. But only 1 in 2000 die with the band. For sleevers, even if all goes well, the stomach can stretch over time. there is then no other option but to diet or get a band over the sleeve. I decided to try the band first, since it was less invasive, and hope all would go well. Knowing that if it didn't, I could switch to the sleeve later. My best friend got the sleeve. She got to goal quicker, but she's starting to be able to eat a little more now. I'm getting fills and getting tighter, and I'm starting to be able to eat less... It all evens out. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

For what it's worth, my best friend has the sleeve and it seems to be almost the same as the band, for all intents and purposes...

Carbonation = Agony If you're dying for an iced cold coke, open one and leave it in the fridge for a few hours, stir the bubbles out and THEN drink it flat...

My doc does a lot go bands on sleeves. It can be done! Good luck!

I'm a drinker and it has actually been great. I can still drink, but I can't do it the way I used to. For one thing, I can't chug anything cold or it hurts. That right there cut my drinking in half. Also I find its hard to eat and drink at the same time. I asked my nutritionist if I could ever have wine with dinner again and she said it was ok on occasion. But I have trouble getting through a whole glass before getting full. It does seriously stink not to be able to have beer though. THAT I miss. It's maybe the one thing I miss. But oh well. I can deal, and I'd rather be thin.

I think you'll be fine. It's not THAT delicate!

Congrats, you look great!!

I don't know.... What happens if you're not ready?

I had a big sip of a carbonated drink once (thought it was flat lemonade) and was in AGONY about an hour afterwards!!!!! All the bubbles get trapped under the band and cause gas cramps. Will never do that again!!!!

I LOVE spicy food but can't tolerate it anymore. Nor pickles. :-(

Great question!!! And it's so interesting seeing so many of us in a similar height range. I'm 5'2 and started at 266, tops in a 2/3xl and bottoms size 22/24. My "I'd be fine with" goal is 175 because that's the lowest weight I've ever maintained as an adult (3 yrss). And it's what my insurance company said I needed to maintain in order to qualify for long term care insurance. My "magic number" has always been 140 because that's the top normal weight for me at Weight Watchers. Right now I'm 188ish wearing a size 12 top and NEW size 14 bottom which I'm really excited about. I'm really happy at this weight. I feel amazing, look good, wear regular clothes, have energy... But I see no sign of slowing. I'm actually in my stride and lost 10lbs last month... But I'd really like to banish photos where I think "yikes, I'm bigger than I thought!" So who knows! I guess my body will tell me when I'm done? I can't imagine ever being a size 0-2 though...

This came up on another thread and I thought I'd float it to the board... If you haven't read anything by Michael Pollan, he's amazing. His "food Rules" are so simple, and make such logical sense to me. Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/23/michael-pollan-real-food-video_n_1167356.html

It's true, there's no "free pass" food in this world—except Water. Take away fat, they add sugar. Take away sugar, they add chemicals. You're better off eating the real thing in smaller portions... Michael Pollan (author of The Omnivore's Dilemma) wrote a book called Food Rules which has the best guideline for eating I've ever read: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Actually, you should watch his video talking about how we don't really eat food anymore, we eat edible food-like substances: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/23/michael-pollan-real-food-video_n_1167356.html

I never crave low fat ice cream! I crave full-fat ice cream. And I eat it sometimes, too. This summer has been hot, probably have had it 2x/month or so? No big deal. Can't eat very much of it. Get kinda sick of the taste after 3/4 of the cone and throw it out...

Anyone know what the problem is with cutting a Mucinex in half? It's extended release, so I assume that they don't want me to get the full dose at one time, but what if I only took half? Anyone know if that's a big no no?

Thank you Chat Room friends -- I tried taking it even though I was afraid it wouldn't go down, and it went down!!!!

I'm 41 and had it last year. Started at 266, now 180something... Down at least 80, maybe more. DEFINITELY the best thing I've ever done. Not hard. It feels natural. You will be able to eat again, and it's surprisingly natural.

Ok, nevermind. I found a version that's a melt. http://www.mucinex.com/childrens-mucinex/mini-melts-grape