The Laughing Cat

This is the post I made to another query asking about the psych evaluation. I hope it helps you. I've been through two evals (one for the Lap-Band and one for the sleeve revision). The second psychologist did a great job. I believe they truly want to clear you and use this time to identify and educate. I was given an action plan with a generic part and a personalized section. Here's what is covered. 1. Specific, concrete ways to eat 3 meals per day, Protein first at each meal. 2. Strategies to manage your environment to reduce opportunities to eat inappropriately. 3. Identify triggers and risky behaviors. List ways to avoid or interrupt them early. 4. Identify alternatives to emotional and stress eating. 5. Identify your support system. 6. List activities you enjoy. My personalized section listed... 1. Practice eating slowly. 2. Practice avoiding liquids 30 minutes before/after/during meals. 3. Attend the bariatric support group. 4. Revisit this psych in 3 months post surgery. 5. Support groups a. church b. best friend c. family 6. Follow up with personal psychiatrist and psychologist. 7. Weight training post surgery when cleared by surgeon. 8. Document "hygiene issues" with PCP. This particular psychologist is the exclusive one used by my bariatrics group. She was no stranger to the content and context of obesity. I'm glad I had this opportunity. .

I am also a band to sleeve conversion. At 3 1/2 weeks port-surgery I have no complications. The procedure was done in one surgery and truly I sailed through the two nights in the hospital and my time at home. One lucky gal. My surgeon was confident this could be done all at once and he found minimal scar tissue. Now I'm poking around for a "phantom port", only finding a larger thick scar! Best of luck

Best of luck to you. I am amazed how many of us conversion people are out there. This has been the right choice for me and I hope for you as well.

I too have United Health Care insurance and am a band to sleeve WLS. My policy is thru federal government employee and retirees system so may be a little different than yours. I did not have the 6 month supervised diet requirement but did need to see a psych for approval. Also an orientation meeting and nutritionist consult was required. My BMI was right at 35 and I have a co-morbidity. I was advised to lose no more weight until my last surgeon visit pre-op. The surgery scheduler/insurance coordinator at your doctor's office usually know what each insurance requires or they can access the information, where our policy paperwork is not so detailed. That's how I got my exact information as the doctor didn't know the specifics of every plan. Best of luck

Ice cream was one of my downfalls of the past. Now I take chunky frozen fruits, about a cup, (my fav is a mango, pineapple, strawberry and papaya mix from Costco) and mix with a scoop of vanilla Protein powder. I use a stick/immersion blender and spin it up using no or as little added liquid as possible. I have to chop the bigger pieces of fruit with a knife beforehand. It comes out like a rich frozen yogurt. These are some of the higher sugar fruits so I only use this as an occasional treat, but boy is it good! Leftovers get too solid in the freezer for me so I share my batch.

Hello WhoKnows, I'm about 2 1/2 weeks out and feel good. Yesterday I walked 45 minutes. My mind is clear and would enjoy the challenge of teaching after my time since surgery. I doubt anyone will notice 10+ lb loss in weight. If they do, so what? Yes, it shows in your face fairly early but so does a bad case of the flu. Now the next semester will be another story! Do follow your Dr's food, Fluid and activity guidelines. Best of luck.

Similar to you, I was a revision from the Lap-band to a sleeve 3/27. However the band didn't work so well for me. I'm pleased with my weight loss since surgery. Anyway, I take Protonix daily and have no issues with indigestion. Perhaps you could ask your Dr. for a PPI. I've found better results with a prescription rather than an OTC. Also, I agree with you... this is an entirely different experience than banding! The choice to switch was the right one for me. Best of luck to you

???? What does this mean?

Hi Jumpseat, Memory loss or "black outs" are a sign of a problem. Sometimes we trade addictions, food for alcohol or another substance, when our lives change so dramatically. Big congratulations on your huge weight loss. You're much more of a "light weight" when it comes to blood alcohol level than in the past. Speaking from experience I suggest you see your doctor or a therapist to evaluate where you are and maybe where you are headed. Best of luck

If you search under the "surgeons" tab you can read all about Dr Garcia and his qualifications. Possibly more important is you can read all the reviews other members have left about him. Best of luck!

There are threads on this site dedicated to that specific topic. Me personally, I took a bag full of stuff and used not one thing, I spent two nights in the hospital. The hospital provided everything I needed. The pain meds put a damper on reading, I-Pad, talking on the phone, etc. Best of luck to you!

Waking in the recovery area I was initially confused because a moment before I was talking to the anesthesiologist. Pain was not an issue, more like soreness to me. Staff kept asking me my pain number and acted accordingly. The pain part came when asked to get out of the bed much later. That didn't last long. For sure you will have some pain and soreness, but for me it was all manageable. Now at 11 days post surgery I get a twinge at my incisions only if I laugh too hard.

Welcome to the band to sleeve club. I never realized how large this group is until I met my new Dr, therapist. nurse, NUT, OR staff, this forum, etc. It was validating to know I'm not the only one unhappy with the Lap-band. I'm only 10 days post-op at this point and on a pink cloud. From what I've learned, my surgery was without complication and I'm right on track. Yeah, there was pain, discomfort and inconvenience. So what. I look forward to my puree diet starting today. Head hunger is manageable while I'm on my cloud and it will just be a fact of life later. Again, welcome, and my best wishes for your new lifestyle.

My surgeon's nurse advised me to put some cortisone lotion around the incision but not on top.

I was sleeved last week and used nothing of the stuff I brought. Either I wasn't up to it or it was provided by the hospital. I wore the same loose fitting clothes home. Oh, I did have a pillow in the car for the ride home. If you're going to Mexico I'm sure things are different. Much luck to you

I gained seven pounds from immediate pre-surgery weigh-in to my first morning at home two days later. It was a little alarming until I remembered the IV bags and such. Now at seven days out it's all gone and more. Beldary, the best is quickly on its way to you. My challenge now is getting in more walking. I'm just a few days ahead of you and each day something has changed and luckily each have been good. My best wishes for journey

My Dr office recommends Flintstones Complete and I am serious. I was taking Centrum chewables and these taste better.

I've been through two evals (one for the Lap-Band and one for the sleeve revision). The second one did a great job. I believe they truly want to clear you and use this time to identify and educate. I was given an action plan with a generic part and a personalized section. Here's what is covered. 1. Specific, concrete ways to eat 3 meals per day, Protein first at each meal. 2. Strategies to manage your environment to reduce opportunities to eat inappropriately. 3. Identify triggers and risky behaviors. List ways to avoid or interrupt them early. 4. Identify alternatives to emotional and stress eating. 5. Identify your support system. 6. List activities you enjoy. My personalized section listed... 1. Practice eating slowly. 2. Practice avoiding liquids 30 minutes before/after/during meals. 3. Attend the bariatric support group. 4. Revisit this psych in 3 months post surgery. 5. Support groups a. church b. best friend c. family 6. Follow up with personal psychiatrist and psychologist. 7. Weight training post surgery when cleared by surgeon. 8. Document "hygiene issues" with PCP. This particular psychologist is the exclusive one used by my bariatrics group. She was no stranger to the content and context of obesity. I'm glad I had this opportunity.

Hi Patoonces, I'm one day ahead of you at 5 post-op. My constipation just ended today. I consume about the same amount as you on a daily basis. I feel a bit bloated but I relate some of that to the local swelling from the surgery. Still sore in the abdomen, but it really hasn't been that long for us. It's surprising what I can do this close to surgery. Hope you feel better soon

Hi BobbieKatie, I just Googled "stone" and see it's equivalent to 14 pounds. I would not worry that fact you have gained some. It's been a year, for crying out loud. If we could maintain or lose on our own and keep it off, we would not be here. Any drastic short term diet of two weeks would just lose you some Water weight, back in a flash. Congratulations on your journey thus far and more excitement is to come. Best wishes to you.

I need to be following your diet and exercise plan because you are doin' it right!. I guess this is what hard work and dedication looks like. you are amazing

I'm chasing you... Day four post-op here. I would be thrilled to see 17 lbs gone in the first week. If you count my pre-op diet too, I still won't get to 17. That doesn't mean it's wrong. It means we are all different. Are you drinking all your fluids? Way to go!

Was told I could leave after one night. I replied I was not ready. Up to then I had stood on my feet but not walked. I stayed another day and felt reasonably good for having had major abdominal surgery when I left. If your insurance will cover it, my advice is to stay two rather than one night in the hospital.

My revision, band removal and VGS, took 2 hours

Hi Everybody, I'm three days post-op and just starting full liquids from only clear. Can you give me some ideas of where to use unflavored Protein powder? I bought a pound of Syntrax nectar. On a happy note, my surgery went very well. My gastric band was removed and I had a VSG at the same time. I was prepared for most of the possible problems by reading this site. Thanks to all who contribute. Lucky for me my two days in the hospital went smooth and I'm at home now resting and thinking of what to have for meals. I have no appetite yet but know I need to eat and hydrate. Planning ahead works for me. thanks The Laughing Cat