LuvShihTzus

I was able to get a removal of my band and revision to sleeve in the summer of 2014 in Texas under BCBS. I was self pay for my band in 2007 and ended up with a dilated esophagus with major reflux and pain. I had to stay on the doctor's office and the insurance company because I am a teacher and my district was about to switch insurance on me with the new school year starting. It was so stressful and I have not lost weight since the surgery. I have gained about 35 pounds-my mom passed away and other events made life stressful. I had lost 125 lbs. with my band so I am upset with the whole thing. It feels like another failed weight loss attempt. Very disappointing! I just don't feel like I ever had restriction after my revision. I am going to my GP doctor tomorrow. I hope I can figure something out.

I received my Lapband in 2007 and went from 305 to 185 until last summer. I had many problems with reflux and had a revision surgery. Unfortunately, I had gained back 15ish pounds before surgery. I have now gained a total of 35, back at 220 and depressed beyond measure. Since my surgery, my mom passed away and I it has been extremely hard to adjust. My sister and I had been her caregivers for the 8 years since her stroke. Our lives revolved around her care and now she's gone. I can't seem to get back on track. I also can't see myself going into the doctor one more time as a weight loss failure, after a lifetime of doing so. I am 54 and I think that even makes it harder. I haven't given up, but I am definitely in a funk I need to fight my way out.

I just had a revision to the sleeve in mid-August. I had my Lapband removed due to issues and knew I couldn't remove it without gaining weight again. It was much more involved than my out-patient Lapband surgery. I had my surgery around 12:00 noon, and I don't think I really woke up enough to even get up to go to the bathroom until 9:30 that night. I did not have a catheter or a drain. I had 5 incisions. My mouth was so dry I couldn't talk well. I did stay overnight. I had an IV and I did remember to ask for an abdominal binder to help when I tried to get up out of the bed. I used it for a while even when I got home. I actually tightened it too much and ended up with dots on my stomach for a bit, I guess from the elastic. It was quite an experience, but I am glad I did it. I haven't had reflux since then. I have been slow to lose weight, but I had already lost 100+pounds with my Lapband. I started with an app, logging everything I ate to help me keep track of protein and I think it actually helped me eat too much. I have scrapped it as of yesterday. We will see what happens. Good luck! I just had to keep telling myself the surgery part/liquid diet stuff was temporary.

A few other things I forgot to mention: Be careful mixing the Optifast with sodas and using a Magic Bullet. Some sodas are more carbonated than others, and we had the top explode off of the Magic Bullet while mixing one with Diet Root Beer. A blender works better because there is more room for expansion. Also, if you try the Tomato Soup, be sure to mix the powder with room temperature Water first and then microwave it to heat it up. If you mix it with hot water to begin with it will clump up on you and it is not very good. We also added a little seasoning to the soup to jazz it up a bit. We would also add some flavored extracts to some of the drinks. For example, we would mix the chocolate powder with diet cream soda and add a few drops of coconut extract. Good Luck! Cindy

I am not sure what the "HP" is, but I was on the Optifast diet for 14 days before my surgery back in June '07. I wasn't sure I could make it through two weeks either but I surprised myself. I lost 22 pounds in the two weeks. I did buy more vanilla than anything and mixed it with ice and diet soda (before soda became a no-no). I particularly liked it mixed with orange or root beer. I also had a choice of Garden Tomato soup in the Optifast. It became a treat for me. I still buy some occasionally to keep my protein up. My surgeon's office let it slip (not the surgeon) that it was okay to eat carrots, celery, and berries during the time when it was the toughest. I don't know how "legal" that is for most surgeons, but it made it easier to get through. My sister was banded two months later and used the same philosophy. She lost 17 pounds during the phase. I wish you luck. I am sure you will be happy you did it and it will be a distant memory soon. Take care! Cindy

Gidget just turned 1 this month. She's a bit spoiled, but she deserves it!

Oh, WASA, I wasn't ignoring you. I had been reading this thread before I left work yesterday and left it up. This thread is HI-LARE-EE-US! I have gotten many great tips from this board over the last few months, but this one just makes me laugh. Shih Tzus are by far the cutest dogs ever (with the possible exception of Yorkies). Love your little dog bed, but my baby has to sleep in my bed. SHIH TZUS RULE!!!!! Cindy