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It is hard... when i had my sleeve, when i reached my goal weight, i relaxed, and in many ways was able to introduce the occasional empty calorie into my diet... unfortuanately in the last six months, my empty calorie intake has gone through the roof due to smoking cessation.... My plan has been to reduce my empty calorie intake, which i have and i am now not putting anymore weight on... next step is the reduce calories... essentailly rules are the same irrespective of surgery or not.... Calorie in, need to be less than energy used to reduce the weight.... Was thinking of going back on modi fast for a week or two... which from RJS is what is recommended... However as my BMI is 25.. such drastic measures is viewed by many as being excessive....

I found my post by accident as i had notifications.... I had my sleeve in September 2009, and lost approx 25 kg, didn't have a heap to loss as i had kept most off after having my band removed.... Did have some complications from the band, which has caused adhesion, and an abcess was found intra op.... I still get significant abdo and back pain due to this... Unfortuantely through out the post op period i restarted smoking, and have now given up... but like most who have stopped smoking i have put back on 5-8 kg... i think essentailly i ave been inhaling sugar... so now it is time to get focused and kick that back off again

Hi, i am doing really well now, have lost nearly 10 kg now... which is about 21-22 lbs, and am back at the weight i was when i had my band removed.... enjoy the restriction i have, it just seems more normal to eat small amount and to feel satisfied, and find that eating with the sleeve is much easier than with the band

I also have stalled five weeks post op, and have decided to weight myself only once a week, and stay positive. I also stalled on occasions with the band... and found a positive approach was the best way to deal with it rather than beating myself up...

Hi, I had my Sleeve in Melbourne, Australia on 14 Sept... My surgery like many exbanders was complicated by an abscess and adhesions (my band was 75% eroded when removed July 2008).. so I had an feeding tube placed, in case of complication... have to say my recovery has been remarkable,... feel better than I have for 18 months, which was when my band possibly started to erode... still take pain medication for back pain,... as I tend to get back pain rather than abdo pain from my stomach... I have progressed through liquids- pur?e - soft and now to normal diet as tolerated... which I am doing well with... find the rules are a the same as with the band... cut food up small... and chew well... I have lost around 8 kg (16-18Ib)... and expect a fairly slow weight loss as I only have 20 kg to loss, as my BMI was 28 when sleeved..... Have found though that I now have no desire to eat sweets, where as post banding I craved anything sweet... am exercising.... and back to work two weeks earlier than first thought, this week... and the feeding tube will be removed within the next few weeks as it isn't being used.... At this stage i am so glad i went ahead with the sleeve for so many reasons....

After much research, I proceeded with the sleeve gastrectomy and am now 1 week post op. Like many on here who have had eroded bands removed there was complications.... my surgeon found a abscess on opening, and was unable to do the procedure laproscopically....he also placed a feeding tube in below my stomach.... and I had substantial swelling post op. My recovery has been extended, however today is my last day in hospital... my temperature is normal, IV antibiotics have been ceased, feeding via the tube has been ceased, and now all I have to prove is that I can tolerated diet and fluid..... I have to say two days ago, I wondered if I had done the right think, however today.... after my first puree meal I am sure I have..... I have had a bowl of soup and about half a cup of puree meat and vegetables, and feel very satisfied.... This is only the beginning of my Vertical sleeve journey...... however like my surgeon I feel very positive about it.?..

Thanks everyone for your responses. Susan, my surgeon doesn't generally offer to re band, however a well known colleague of his does, and does so on the premises that the risk of re erosion is the same as in someone new.... My surgeon also states that there should be no long term effects from my band being 75% eroded in regards to scarring due to the tissue that the stomach is made off. However I have strong reservations in regards to rebanding and have been lucky enough not to have to think about this for 12 months... I lean toward the sleeve, however perhaps because I am a nurse I overthink the insertion of metal (titanium staples), and the risks, as well as never being able to have an MRI. I am fortunate though to perhaps live in Australia... as our health system works differently to yours... and with the initial cost of $5000 that I paid my surgeon when I had the band any future care is covered by medicare (Government based health care) and my private health insurance. I have to say I both like and respect my surgeon, and he totally wants me to explore what is the best option for me.......as there is limited acadeamic liturature to base a decision on, and currently the sleeve isn't done as regualarly as bands are in Australia... which is whay i come here....

Actually... my understanding is that when we are over weight... like the rest of our body our liver becomes fatty and enlarged/ The liver is located close to the stomach.... by attempting to lose some of the fat from this organ, it is easier for the surgeon to operate... It is similar to... as a child i was consoled that i was big boned, and that is why i was overweight... when in actual fact when you carry extra weight... your bones become bigger to support that weight....

Hi... i know this has possibly already been covered... but i suppose this is my story... I had lapband surgery in July 2007.... lost 20 kg... and my band erroded on 12 months resulting in m having it removed in July 2008.... Now 12 months on and having kept my weioght off for 9 months... and now having had a weight gain of 8 kg... approx 16 lb in the last three... it is time for me to rethink my surgical options... I alternate between rebanding or sleeve.... my against banding is that it may erode as quickly again... My against sleeve is that there is metal staples .... I would be interested in others thoughts and stories as to what decisions they made....and would appreciate the help My surgeon is open to doing both surgeries, and he wants me to make the decision to what is best for me.... Heather....

Hi animatedfluff, I am a night shift worker for another two weeks, however have worked night shift for 10 years. Like adapting sleep you have to adapt eating patterns as well, and even with the lapband there has to be a degree of will power as the three oclock munchies are usually junk food (.... so it is a matter of telling yourself no.. and often distracting yourself).....and junk food goes down very easily. And junk food is empty calories. My suggestion also is to eat fruit, if you can't stop the munchies.. My biggest dilemma is do i eat breakfast when i come home in the morning or when i get up during the day......Since i have my band i now have breakfast when i get up and just a drink when i get home.... I do however find at the moment i have more restriction during the night. With my experience of the band,(2 months) everyone is different, and sometimes you can eat something one day but not the next..... Good luck with you appts and future weight loss

Ah this has been fun..... and so amusing......what a way to fill a boring weekend but to get the heckles up of mindless morans......:clap2: