timetobefree

My research showed that the long-term sleeve results are nearly identical to long-term RNY results. RNY might get you there quicker, which is tempting, but having been successful with the band (198 lbs lost in 2 years), I was pretty confident in my ability to work my sleeve in the same successful way.

I have dilation of the esophagus that I am still battling, despite my band being taken out 3 months before being sleeved. I still can only eat what a 'normal' sleever eats, but I don't get relief from hunger.

I agree with getting some videos. You could get in a good 30 min workout with a video and be done in the time it would take you just to go to/from the gym. While a gym membership is nice, when time is tight, it's not always feasible. Maybe you can hit the Y on the weekends?

Quick backstory: Had my band out in August after nearly 3 years of having it. I had a slip and a leak, so it had to come out. I was then sleeved on 11/9, so I am 6 weeks out tomorrow. I hit 40 lbs lost this morning - 20 lbs the week of pre-op and 20 lbs in 6 weeks since surgery. I've pretty much been hungry since surgery, which my surgeon attributes to esophageal stretching from the band. He is certain the hunger will dissipate as my esophagus heals itself. While the hunger is annoying, I am learning to deal with it, and most days, it is manageable. This was a surprise to me, as I wasn't expecting to be hunger, but I want to be honest so other revisionists realize there is no guarantee of being hunger-free. At this point, I am eating a fairly regular diet, and while I still have hunger, I am not obsessed with food. One thing that has happened is I have basically lost my sweet tooth. My hunger is for cheese, Protein, veggies, etc. That lone was worth the price of surgery alone! I am walking daily so that I can start running again in the new year. I am moving so much more freely now. I've lost 27% of my excess weight, so that makes sense, doesn't it?! coffee doesn't taste as good as it used to, and neither does Water. I am disappointed about both of these, because that's about all I used to drink. My main Fluid intake now is 1 part water, 1 part sugar-free lemonade, and 1 part grape G2 (about 15 calories). Here are some ideas of what I eat: B: coffee with half n half, 2 eggs with berries, cream of wheat with an egg mixed in, greek yogurt with 1 T of granola, or even leftovers S: More coffee usually; if I am feeling hungry, I'll have a piece of cheese or an apple L: Leftovers like 2 oz. of flank steak or meatloaf or 2 boneless wings plus some veggies; if no leftovers, lunchmeat wrapped around a string cheese is one of my favorites S: Peeled and sliced apple with pb or cheese; edamame D: I stick pretty close to protein with veggies; so far, I have been able to handle everything - chicken, fish, pork, beef. Carb-wise, I've had a few bites of a sub and a few bites of a tortilla, but I've avoided bread, Pasta, and rice for the most part S: Homemade hot cocoa, another apple, banana drizzled with honey and cinnamon, or yogurt I just wanted to share, because I liked reading these kinds of things pre-op.

Quick backstory: Had my band out in August after nearly 3 years of having it. I had a slip and a leak, so it had to come out. I was then sleeved on 11/9, so I am 6 weeks out tomorrow. I hit 40 lbs lost this morning - 20 lbs the week of pre-op and 20 lbs in 6 weeks since surgery. I've pretty much been hungry since surgery, which my surgeon attributes to esophageal stretching from the band. He is certain the hunger will dissipate as my esophagus heals itself. While the hunger is annoying, I am learning to deal with it, and most days, it is manageable. This was a surprise to me, as I wasn't expecting to be hunger, but I want to be honest so other revisionists realize there is no guarantee of being hunger-free. At this point, I am eating a fairly regular diet, and while I still have hunger, I am not obsessed with food. One thing that has happened is I have basically lost my sweet tooth. My hunger is for cheese, Protein, veggies, etc. That lone was worth the price of surgery alone! I am walking daily so that I can start running again in the new year. I am moving so much more freely now. I've lost 27% of my excess weight, so that makes sense, doesn't it?! coffee doesn't taste as good as it used to, and neither does Water. I am disappointed about both of these, because that's about all I used to drink. My main Fluid intake now is 1 part water, 1 part sugar-free lemonade, and 1 part grape G2 (about 15 calories). Here are some ideas of what I eat: B: coffee with half n half, 2 eggs with berries, cream of wheat with an egg mixed in, greek yogurt with 1 T of granola, or even leftovers S: More coffee usually; if I am feeling hungry, I'll have a piece of cheese or an apple L: Leftovers like 2 oz. of flank steak or meatloaf or 2 boneless wings plus some veggies; if no leftovers, lunchmeat wrapped around a string cheese is one of my favorites S: Peeled and sliced apple with pb or cheese; edamame D: I stick pretty close to protein with veggies; so far, I have been able to handle everything - chicken, fish, pork, beef. Carb-wise, I've had a few bites of a sub and a few bites of a tortilla, but I've avoided bread, Pasta, and rice for the most part S: Homemade hot cocoa, another apple, banana drizzled with honey and cinnamon, or yogurt I just wanted to share, because I liked reading these kinds of things pre-op.

Congrats! Glad to hear that your surgery was approved!

While I would do it again, it is not what I expected. I am hungry all the time, despite drinking loads of Water, taking acid reducers, and eating at least 70 grams of Protein daily. I'm even more hungry now than I was pre-surgery, because I can't eat enough to get rid of the hunger. My surgeon thinks it may be related to damage from the band (that's been out since August), but I am not so sure. I'm 5.5 weeks out, so we shall see what the coming months bring.

I promise - you are not the first nor the last. I was doing everything exactly by the book and gained 3 lbs over the course of two weeks (weeks 2 & 3). I was so frustrated. Now this week, I've lost 5 lbs in 5 days or something like that. Just keep on, keepin' on. It'll come off. (I'm four weeks out tomorrow - just to give you a timeframe.)

I did. I lost 9 lbs the first week after surgery and then gained 4 lbs the next two weeks, eating 600-800 calories per day. I was soooo frustrated. Now in week four, it is finally coming off. I am back below my lowest post-op weight, and I am knocking on wood that it is going to continue for a while now!

I'm right there with you. I lost 20 lbs in one week pre-op and then about 9 lbs the first week. In the last two weeks, I've gained back 3 lbs, despite hitting my Protein and Water intake goals daily, staying under 800-1000 calories every day, and adding back exercise. I KNOW it's frustrating, and believe me, I've whined about it. But I am going to follow the advice I am going to give you - Stay the course, and it will come off. Your body is just adjusting to all these new changes, and it will give up the lbs sooner than later! Hang in there!

Very interesting. I'm only 3 weeks out (and gaining! ugh!), but I can see where sliders could be an issue. However, I would also guess that virgin sleevers will figure out sliders after a while as well, so I would guess the *really* long-term results would be similar if this is the main issue. Having paid out of pocket for a lap-band, lap-band out, and now a sleeve, I have to make this work. Have to. I am doing everything I can to make it work -therapy, support groups, tracking, etc. I was a "success" with the band, despite the slip, and I know I can be again. I really appreciate the heads' up and it just makes me even more determined to be a success story!

THANK YOU! I soooo needed to hear this. I have gained 5 lbs since surgery (3 weeks out today), and am beyond frustrated. Drinking 64+ ounces of Water daily, at least 75 grams of Protein, less than 1000 calories, and 30 min of walking daily, and still gaining. I am holding out hope for next week!

I was sleeved on 11/9 after nearly 3 years of being banded (my band came out in August). I woke up from surgery and have been starving since. I know it's not head hunger - after nearly 3 years with the band, I know what head hunger is, and I know what it's like to not be hungry. It's not acid. It's not thirst - I'm drinking 100 ounces of Water daily. I'm on mushies/purees and it's still not helping. Today, I had my follow-up with my surgeon. He is not overly shocked I am hungry, but he was a bit surprised. He sent me for a upper GI to check my esophagus. He suspects dilation due to the damage from the band. If it is, it should just take a few more weeks to go back to normal. He said he can't promise, but he's 99.9% sure that within the next three weeks, I will feel satiation as my body adjusts to the band being gone, my hernia being fixed, and the rest of the scar tissue from the band finally removed. The doc that did the test, though, said there was no dilation, however, they also said my band wasn't slipped when it was, so they are not bariatric specialists (I'm not complaining or upset, just stating.) He did say my surgery was picture perfect (sans scar tissue and hernia), that I had a normal size stomach, that he went a bit tighter than normal, and he sees no reason it won't work long term. I also talked to a friend of mine who is a revision, and she said she literally cried the first three weeks she had her sleeve because she was so hungry. Then it got better, and now she loves it! She had it about 6 months ago, so I am hopeful I will be the same. Oh, and he cleared me to eat turkey tomorrow! He also suggested I drink some warm tea after I have a few bites of Protein to help add volume to my food to give me that sensation of fullness. So, I am not 100% convinced, but I feel 90% better about this whole thing. My other non-medical theory is my poor bowels are empty, as I still have diarrhea, and how could I feel full when they are empty?! LOL, I know it's a stupid theory, but I am adding it to my pile. And if I start losing weight again, I'd be even happier! Again, he reassured me this is normal, and according to his scale, I'm down an even 30 lbs. So, after all that, anyone hungry at first? Or still? Has it gone away? Gotten better? Thanks!

Just an update: My surgeon called. I have "moderate dilatation" in my esophagus from my band, which he is 98% sure is causing the hunger. He said he would expect it to be fully gone within 2-4 weeks. YEAH!

I was sleeved six days ago, and I am HUNGRY. Which both disappoints and concerns me. I was on Clear liquids only for the first four days, so I wasn't surprised to be hungry. But I started Protein shakes and other full liquids yesterday, and I am still hungry. I had a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch, and then I had a sugar-free pudding cup for dinner, and I feel like I could eat my arm off. Help! Why am I hungry? Is this normal???

Freja, I'm sorry to say I just had to suck it up on pre-op. My stomach was a mess and so unhappy. The last two days, I think I just drank water, because I was soooooo over protein shakes. They were making me gag at that point!

I had both a hiatal hernia and a very severe, incarcerated (strangulated) umbilical hernia repaired. But I've had zero issues post-op with drinking or eating. I am very fortunate!

I've been using Frank's since about 12 days post-op with no issue. I went light with it, but have had zero problems.

WOW! You look wonderful - I have no doubt you will see 299 lbs sooner than later!

Thanks to both of you! I am on Prilosec, so if it is acid, it's hopefully being controlled. While I logically know it should and will get better, there's of course the nervous nelly part of me that is thinking I will be the person still hungry after surgery! And I was self-pay (yet again), so this is getting expensive! I appreciate the kind words and will keep you posted!

I knew what you meant! And I was on clear liquids only in the hospital. It is amazing how much they vary!

Mashed potatoes are on my post-7 days menu! Although I see all these people eating tomato soup, and I'm not allowed that for 3 weeks, so post-op instructions really do vary by surgeon. In fact, I just finished a few tablespoons of mashed potatoes, and I am 11 (12?) days post-op.

Hi, All! Sleeved 11/9, so I am 11 days out. Or 12. Whatever. I've been on purees/mushies for four days now. Well-blended chicken salad, egg salad, scrambled eggs, soft cheese, yogurt. Everything goes down just fine. My frustration is I am still really hungry all the time. Keep hoping it'll go away soon! I would love to eat tomato soup and/or spaghetti sauce, but I was told no acidic foods until 3 weeks out, so 10 more days.

I've been mixing half water, half G2 Gatorade. It comes out to about 15 calories per 12 oz, which is worth it to me, since plain water is also gross to me now. It makes me sad, because water is what I drank 90% of the time pre-surgery. I also have NO taste for coffee, and I used to be a coffee drinker through and through!

WOWZERS! Congrats!