wannabhealthy45

I just got back yesterday from Tijuana, Mexico. I had my band done there originally July 2008 and did very well for a while. The cost of fills and all that went along with the band, I decided was not for me and the statistics I've been hearing lately did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling. I went with 2 other ladies back to my original doc and I've heard that for most folks to have a band revision to sleeve it is aprx $6500.00 US. My doctor was Dr. Almanza. This price includes everything but air fare. He is a wonderful doctor. They have a driver pick you up at the airport in San Diego, take you to the recovery house or clinic, depending on when you arrive. Stay at the clinic for 2 nights then back to the recovery house for 2 nights. We could have stayed longer if we wanted to. They were great. Always someone there helping, cleaning, cooking, doing your laundry. Whatever you needed all you did was ask and off they went to get it for you. A nurse is always there overnight...it was amazing. I'm feeling great and have already started to drop some weight. Of course it is recovery weight but I don't care, it's moving again. My scale had not really moved since Christmas. I'm so excited to have my sleeve and confident it will take me where I had hoped my band would. That being said, I don't regret getting my band at all...but happy to have my sleeve as I still have a very long road in front of me..but I'm excited about it :001_tt2:

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate the info

Hi, I'm just wondering..post op what should I plan to take as far as Vitamins go? Should it just be a multi chewable vitamine or?? Thanks for any help you can give.

Honestly that is part of the reason I want to do this now. I don't "think" there is anything seriously wrong but I want it done before something happens. I have a gutt feeling if I wait something will happen and I'm not prepared with having to wait for my stomach to heal before I can get the sleeve when I can do it all right now. I'm getting very excited :tongue2:

Well, I've finally made my decission to make the move from the band to the sleeve. I'm having my surgery on Sept 3rd and I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. When I had my band I thought I had researched to the point I just couldn't reasearch any more....ha! Not so much I guess. It seems all I hear about lately are issues with the band. Slips, erosions, infections, the body rejecting the band...big time. I'm afraid it is only a matter of time and I've decided to make the change before anything serious happens to me. I've been at a stand still for 8 months now and although I'm happy that my band got me as far as it did and I have no doubt in my mind without it, I would have re-gained the weight I lost. At the same time, I'm super excited to get the sleeve because I think it will be better for me...personally. Can't wait to be an officer sleeve-er..lol :biggrin:

How about gurgling...do you gurgle with your sleeve. I got a fill a couple of weeks ago...number 6 by the way and ever single thing I put in my mouth, liquids or solids, I'm gurgling to the point that it is embarassing. It is soooo loud and I have to excuse myself all the time. Don't get me wrong...gurgling wouldn't bother me one bit if I was losing. I've been eating very little and 85% is great food choices and my scale is not moving at all...in 8 months! Anyway, I too am seriously considering the sleeve. I know we still have to chew well, but I'd be excited to actually eat meat with out throwing it all up. People keep saying we have to make good food choices and get our protien in..well, I'm all for that but would like to be able to keep it down.... I am looooovvving this forum...thanks to everyone for all the great info :001_smile:

After surgery and you have your new stomach...is it possible for it to stretch? I've heard that the part of the stomach that is left as the sleeve is very muscly so much harder to stretch. Is this true?

Thank you so much for your response. I am very much like you in that I would push the envelope on the dumping thing. That kind of motivation does not work for me at all. I am hearing some great things about the sleeve and almost wish I had known all this last year when I opted for the band. Oh well..live and learn. I'm off to do more research but again, thank you SOOOO much for taking time to answer my questions. You have been a great help :tongue_smilie:

Thank you both so much for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I guess I have a lot of reading to do :001_tongue:. I'm sure I'll have a million more questions.

Hi Everyone, I'm just wondering...is there anything you can't eat after getting the sleeve? I've also heard if you are a sweet eater the sleeve is not the right surgery for you. Not sure what this means. Does this mean if you eat sweets every day?? or occationally?? Thanks in advance for the help :thumbup:

Hi Everyone :thumbup: I'm new to this site and so far it is soooo helpful. I currently have the band and I too have a lot of questions. Just want to clarify...when you say you get full really fast and once you are full that is it..done. So do you mean (sorry if this sounds really dumb) you can NOT eat another bite? If you do, do you get sick?? or do you just not want to or?? I find with the band that I over eat a lot. I don't plan on it, but I get full, then it seems to settle and I can eat more. Some days I can't eat much but other days you would never know there is a band in there.... I also thought I would be able to NOT drink when I eat...ummm yeah...not so much. Why is this one so hard for me..not sure. Can you drink when you eat with the sleeve? My biggest issue is this....if I could control my portions..I would never have reached my highest weight of 420. I thought I had done so much research before getting my band a year ago, but now I don't think I did enough. What I'm trying to find is a surgery that once I'm full I can't really eat anymore. I'm so afraid I have streached my stoma, pouch whatever it's called because I just seem to be able to eat too much...and sadly I can't seem to find the control I obviously need. At the same time I wonder...am I just being lazy? Have I not given this enough of a chance? Should I just keep getting fills and hope hope hope I find the sweet spot I keep hearing about? I mean I've been fat my whole life...obviously control is an issue with me..lol. I too am self pay and am thinking of a revision. I currently have had 5 fills I think in a year and I'm ready to make an appointment to try another. I now have 8cc's in a 10cc band. I've lost 70 lbs but have not lost an ounce since Christmas. I was actually down 78 but have gained 8 lbs since Christmas even after having more fills. I know I'm at fault because of my portions and I often make poor food choices because I'm sick of getting stuck. I have told very few people about my WLS and when I'm invited out to dinner and get stuck..I'm so sick of having to excuse myself, dash to the washroom to get sick . At the same time...is this my fault? Am I just doing this all wrong? Sighhhhh...I'm frustrated and don't want to make another mistake with the wrong revision...

Hi Everyone :thumbup: I'm new to this site and so far it is soooo helpful. I currently have the band and I too have a lot of questions. Just want to clarify...when you say you get full really fast and once you are full that is it..done. So do you mean (sorry if this sounds really dumb) you can NOT eat another bite? If you do, do you get sick?? I find with the band that I over eat a lot. I get full, then it seems to settle and I can eat more. Some days I can't eat much but other days you would never know there is a band in there....