Carrie

Thanks everyone. It's nice to know things will only get better.

I'll agree the ones who lost weight will definately regain within a year or two as the odds are stacked against them, they are just too ignorant to see it.

Welcome to the forum! My highest was 303. When I had Lap Band surgery in 2005 I was 297. I originally lost 140lbs and got down to the 160's. That didn't last that long because the band didn't work well. It totally messed up about a year ago and I spent the past 6 months on a liquid diet. My weight had stayed in the lower 230's for the past couple years even through a pregnancy. I had my pre-op for the sleeve 3 weeks ago and since then I have lost 9 pounds. Of course I gained 7lbs off IV fluids in the hospital. This website if full of wonderful and supportive people no matter what route you choose. In the end it's whatever you can live with. Best of luck.

When they tell you that, ask them how many people who had a band put in 5 years ago still have a band? Most refuse to answer or don't recall actual numbers. Odd isn't it?

My insurance company approved me for the Lap Band removal but denied the Sleeve Procedure as it was "experimental". So I spoke with the office at my surgeon's office and it took a day or two but I got a final quote of $8,000 for the additional surgeon's work, additional anesthesia, and 2 days in the hospital because of the band removal being day surgery vs the sleeve being inpatient. Of course I am still appealing the insurance companies decision but with the problems I had with the band I feel I had no choice but to do it and pay out of the difference until I could convince my insurance company to see things my way..lol

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time with the doctor and the Canadian Health System. As far as me, an "over-radiated Texan" I haven't been back to my PCP post-op. My surgeon is here in Dallas. I'm sure though with the way my PCP acts and as long as I have been with him, he would tell me to Fudge Off and not come back if I had been to Mexicali to have the surgery done. Honestly it came down to either Dr. Castro here in Dallas or Dr. Aceves. The ONLY reason I didn't see Dr. Aceves was because my insurance was covering the Lap Band removal portion and Dr. Castro's office had set up a cheaper than Mexico price for the sleeve part for me to pay out of pocket. I am of course still appealing my insurance company which I could not have done if I had gone with Dr. Aceves unfortunately. I believe if Dr. Aceves practice 20 miles north (however far it is from San Diego) nobody would think twice about his abilities. It's the fact he's in Mexico. Dr. Castro, the surgeon I used, was educated in Mexico and I feel very much like he is an "old school" what's best for the patient not MY wallet kinda doctor which makes me respect him more and more. Take care and get to feeling better!

Yes, each visit I have with Dr. Castro the more respect I have for the man. I told him I wanted whomever decided to use the betadine written up for it because the rash has been horrible. He looked at my rash and I told him I noticed when I got home the rash and a fake tan look to my entire abdominal area. He said most of the preps they use these days are alcohol based because there are more and more people with questionable iodine allergies and alcohol based preps are just as good if not better than iodine based preps. He also said the preps they use do have a fake tan look to them. I have no doubt he will have an answer for me by the time I go back in 3 weeks for my next follow up. Best of luck to you in your soon to be surgery!

Those who have been sleeved for a while, I was wondering if there are any common foods that aren't as easily eaten as others. I had the Lap Band previously and when it functioned correctly anything that expanded was out. I know bread isn't always the best idea but I love toast every now and then.

It's nice to have you here April. I had a revision from Lap Band to sleeve about 6 days ago. The members of this forum are awesome and very supportive. They are also full of wonderful information from someone who has been there done that. Best of luck to you!

I went in and saw Dr. Castro for the first time since leaving the hospital. I showed him the itchy and annoying rash on my abdomen where they "scrubed me". I told everyone and it was written on my bracelet that I am allergic to Iodine/Shellfish. I have full confidence he will find out what bothered me and if in fact they used the wrong pre-op prep. I had a very small amount of creamy chicken soup made from Soup on Hand. It was sooooooooooo good! Next week I get to start eating mushies and soft foods. I am really wanting red kidney beans and specifically Wendy's Chili. I figure at that point if I only eat and chew chew chew the beans and meat I should be fine. I've had zero nausea during this whole thing. Dr. Castro wants me to get 60 grams of protein each day based on my body structure and goal along with water of course. He wants me to set a goal to lose 10 pounds each month, which I believe to be reasonable. I know from past experience with the band that my body has a hard time with me being around 160 and any ounce I lose beyond that I will HAVE to work for. Dr. Castro said to start walking as I feel like it and move up as my body tells me to. He wants me to listen to my body in what I can and can not do. He basically said as long as I don't have pain or pressure during exercise all will be well. So it looks like eventually I will have to join a gym. Overall the visit went well. I am to return in 3 weeks for another follow up. I really like Dr. Castro and the fact he keeps up with all his patients. :thumbup1:

I hope I feel like you do in at 10 months. Right now I feel like I should have never had this surgery and I'm full of regret and have been for the past 2-3 days.

Yep as the title states I am smack dab in the middle of buyer's remorse. I am 6 days out from surgery and down two, yes ONLY 2 pounds. My thyroid refuses to budge anymore weight off at this time. I know I should be concentrating on healing but it's still no less annoying or upsetting. I had some beef broth last night and all it did was make want to eat the roast that goes with it. I have my post-surgical follow up today with Dr. Castro. At this point I regret having done this. I continue to feel like I was pushed into this surgery for other folk's convience and the fact that we are moving cross country in the next few months. I'm not necessarily upset that I can not eat, it's the fact I miss having dinner with my family. I miss being able to console my kid if she starts crying because I am still under weight restrictions as to how heavy I can lift. I was sent home with the On Q Painbuster ball inserted into my areas near my incisions and told to take it out the next morning. I wish I hadn't listened and kept it in as it was still mostly full and I started to regret taking it out. One thing I did learn is even if you say, I changed my mind stop touching me, they will only knock you out and keep on cutting. So make damn sure you can live with this before surgery day. Some asshat who had no idea how to read my allergy bracelet put Betadine all over my stomach to prep me for surgery. I'm allergic and I've had this annyong, itching, oozing rash all over the area they sterilized with this. The most sensitve is right at the area below my breasts at the bra line, making it very uncomfortable to wear a bra or go out. I've taken Benadryl and it's helped some I've put an ointment on it and it only goes so far. Well that's all for now. I hope everyone has a better post-op time than I have.

Congrats. I'll be a week on Thursday and I gained 7 pounds in the hospital on IV fluids. My fingers looked like sausages. So I've lost ONE pound so far. I'm happy for you, not so much for me.

Thanks everyone. I ended up going with Hubby and the kids shoe shopping. Then I ended up in a really neat store in Plano (DFW area) that buys and resells handbags, so I ended up with a new Black Leather Coach purse for $100. Now I'm home and too exhausted to switch purses, maybe tomorrow. When will my energy return? When will I poop again? When will I feel like I'm going to survice this? Even though I've had Lap Band I imagine my stomach rotting away with a bunch of other unwanted stomach and then think of the fact I can't eat it's just too much for me to deal with. :thumbup1: -Carrie

As someone who had the band for 5 years, feel blessed you didn't get one! Congrats on your approval!

I am looking for those who are more than a few months out and aren't in the possible period of "buyers remorse" to answer this. I've had my band for 5 long years. All the hell I've gone through is somewhat normal to me at this point. I'm used to being primarily on liquids and pain when eating, etc. My surgery is on Thursday for a Band to Sleeve Revision. Has anyone had one and regret it or wish they would have either not had surgery to begin with (no band, no sleeve), or regret/miss the band? Thanks. I'm just having some serious doubts and after 5 years and 3 surgeons I am tired of being screwed over to line wallets. And I don't want to go into a much worse situation than what I'm dealing with now with my 2 kids under the age of 6.

I'm only 4-5 days out depending on how you count. I had a good 5 months or so on a liquid diet due to the now deceased Lap Band that had invaded my body controlling me like some alien would on a horror film. So I'm not necessarily wishing to eat as the smell of food bugs me at the moment, no nausea, I just don't like the smell of cooking food. Anyone else going on youtube to find people who are a year or two out who are successful for inspiration? I find it amazing to watch them. I don't really watch the post op period as everyone is different but after 6+ months it seems interesting. I thought I might remind someone who is wonder why they did this to themselves a chance of seeing the outcome.

I have watched a lot of Kellawanda's videos. She seems to have really put her heart and soul into searching for why and a resolution for her weight.

I was sent home without any pain medication thinking that the medication I took for my fibromyalgia might cover it. I knew it was not for acute surgical pain. I also had an On Q pump that I was told and instructed how to remove on Saturday. Sunday was tolerable, I was happy to be around my kids, however today has been miserable. Is day 4 worse than the previous days or is it just me? I called Dr. Castro and to tell you what kind of doctor he is, HE CALLED ME back. I was shocked that he would take the time to pick up the phone and call me himself to see what the problem was. He is calling me in some liquid Norco and he said if that didn't work to call him back day or night. He just gained about 40lbs worth of respect from me, not that I disrespected or didn't like him earlier. So anyone else have a day 4 worse?

I agree, I'm not sure I'd want to explain the good, the bad, and the ugly with so many folks. You are still learning your new and improved body yourself. Then once you do lose the weight (and yes, you will!) then instead of beating you down for getting healthy for yourself, the team and your family they should be a "fan" if you will, if not @#$@ them.