livelyterry

Lol, soggy bran flakes are NOT liquid…sorry. You've come this far, don't talk yourself into breaking the rules 5 days out. And if you think your doctor would approve, call him/her to ask FIRST. Seriously, I would ask doc about an antacid. I have heard SO many people say this helped with their hunger, and it was like night and day after they took an antacid.

My doctor's instructions say only Clear liquids my first week post op, and full liquids my second week. Your tummy is healing. I would stick with liquids. Are you on a medication for acid (Pepsid, etc.) They say that sometimes too much acid in the stomach makes you feels hungry. I would not eat solid food. What does your doctor's post op instructions say?

I will be in the hospital 2 days after surgery. My first week diet begins the day I am released from the hospital. I can only have clear liquids that first week. Then I go to full liquids for 2 weeks, which also includes thinner yogurt drinks, etc. Every doc is different, so make sure you follow his/her instructions.

I had the band for 10 years. Lots of vomiting, never being able to get it adjusted correctly (fills cost $$)…I finally gave up on it after 3 years and had all the Fluid taken out. I still had the band inside my body for another 7 years, basically doing nothing. When I heard about the sleeve, I was very excited. I had my band removed last October, but it had done so much damage inside my body that I won't be able to have my sleeve till next month. From what I understand, the band now has about 50% failure rate. Why put yourself through that? Many surgeons are not even doing band procedures any more. If you are not ready for the sleeve or bypass, perhaps you should just wait. You don't want to do anything you are not 100% committed to. As far as your insurance, you really need to talk to them. There are so many insurance companies, and BCBS is different in each state. I will tell you this. If I could do it all over again, I would have had bypass or sleeve, preferably sleeve, but they were not doing it back then in 2013.

It seems that everyone is so different. One person with revision loves their sleeve and does well losing weight, and the next person does not do so well and is able to eat more than desired. There are also so many variables….the surgeon's technique, the size bougie used, damage from the band... I guess there is really no way to know what kind of results we will get until it's done. I am scheduled for January 13th. Hoping I am doing the right thing.

Sounds like you are doing everything right, although my doc says target as far as calories should be between 600 and 800 a day, and min of 60 grams Protein. working on your Water consumption will help too. I would not be embarrassed to talk to your doctor. He/she needs to know what's going on and help you figure out why you don't have more restriction. So sorry you are going thru this. I may be in your shoes soon, as I am a revision from band to sleeve, and having sleeve done next month. We just have to come here to talk it out, and realize that it's a journey and sometimes we need help with the journey. don't let your sadness defeat everything. Hang in there, talk to the doc, work on your water, and tell us what he/she says after your appointment.

Looks like several of us are having surgery during the same week. My surgery is Jan 13.

Dr. Alvarez addressed this question on stitching over the staple line in his week podcast. He explains why he does it here... Obviously I'm a huge fan of his…lol http://guillermoalvarez.podomatic.com/entry/2013-12-03T08_55_28-08_00

I am a revision too. (I am having my sleeve done In January) My doc uses a 32 FR. Maybe you've seen his video. Hopefully it will help , but it sounds like you already know this info… I would be a little concerned being a revision from band and having a 36 Fr bougie, but that's just me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3G4dSmJUro

I am a band to sleeve revision also. Had the band out in Oct after having it for 10 years, and am scheduled for my sleeve Jan 13th. I feel the exact same way that you do. What if THIS doesn't work either? I am self pay, so have invested a lot, first in the band, and now the sleeve. I have looked at bypass and even sleeve with Duodenal switch. This last option is the "fail" safe one, but also the highest risk and long term issues with mal-absorption. I think I am going to be ok after sleeve. I know there are ways to "eat around it" but I am determined not to get in that rut, and am also hoping the surgery does away with the hunger issues as it's supposed to. Good luck with your journey.

Me too. I keep eating like there's no tomorrow. No control...urgggggg

I haven't had the sleeve done. I had the band out Oct 1, and will have my sleeve done Jan 13th. My surgeon usually recommends 4 to 6 months of healing between the surgeries, however he agreed to do mine at 3 and 1/2 months.

Perhaps you should get a second opinion. Maybe your physician is not comfortable with revisions, or has not done many of them. You want to go to someone who has experience with revisions, as they are more complicated and have a slightly greater risk than a regular sleeve. My stomach was pretty torn up from the band. When I asked my surgeon if there was any possibility that during the second surgery, he would get in there and then not be able to do it, he said absolutely not. I've heard people say that it is "the standard of care" to do them in 1 surgery, etc., and that there is no reason why a physician should not be able to do it in one surgery. However it would seem to me that a physician would not really know until they got in on the first surgery how bad (or good) things were, and then make that call. We are not "cookie cutter" surgeries. Everyone is different. I really respect my doc for making the decision to do it in 2 surgeries.

From what I understand, it's not just the scar tissue they are dealing with, but also giving the stomach time to return to it regular shape. The band kind of distorts it. My doc said it was a 50/50 chance we could do the revision in 1 procedure. Once he got in there, there was a lot of damage, he had to literally dig the band out. So he was not able to take it out in 1 surgery. He recommends waiting 4 to 6 months between the surgeries. I am scheduled for Jan 13th. As far as your fear about having it done, can't help you there. I am SO excited to have this done after having that stupid band for 10 years. Good luck with your decision.

Had surgery today, but was unable to have sleeve done because the band had encapsulated itself and doc had to literally dig it out, then remove scar tissue.. Now I'll be on a healing period of 4 to 6 months, bummer!

FreeSpirit: Hope all goes well with you. Healing for me has been, well almost like nothing was done. The first day or two after surgery, I felt like I had done too many crunches. After that, no issues at all. I own a business, so have purposely taken a lot of time off work because of all this. I am thinking I need to go back to work full time, to make time go by faster and get my mind off everything. Maybe that will help...

Two months to go until part 2 and I'm sleeved. Some days I feel like I'm going crazy. Today is one of them…*sigh* I had to get back on this forum to get my head in the right place...

Hi everyone. Decided to set up a youtube channel and document this journey. Hope you get a chance to check out my first video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls05VVnEMGc&feature=youtu.be

Agree. I think sometimes we want to rush things, and have to pay for it later. My doc HAS done them in 1 surgery, but he tells you right of front that it depends on the situation and how much trauma is done just taking the band out because of erosion, etc. I'm just thankful that I'm still a good candidate for the sleeve.

Yes I was sad it was not done when I woke up, but you are correct. I am very thankful to have a surgeon that knows what he's doing, and made the decision to wait. It's only 4 months. No big deal. I am now viewing it as a 2 part surgery, and I'm half way there.

Because every patient is different, and it's not always a "cookie cutter" surgery. My doc had to dig out the band, as my stomach had encapsulated it. It takes time to heal from that. Sure I'd rather have had it done in one surgery, but I'm thankful to have a doc that knows when you can and cannot attempt it. More and more surgeons seem to be of the opinion of "let's wait and see when we get in there, and then make a decision". There are greater chances of leaks and complications if the band is a mess when they get in there. That would only make sense.

I had a band to sleeve revision scheduled for last week. He was only able to take the band out...Sleeve surgery is 4 months out. Prepare yourself for waking up without the sleeve. Because I had no pain or issues with the band for years (had all Fluid taken out years ago), I assumed I would be able to have revision in 1 surgery. Doc warned me also that I had a 50/50 chance and that he would not know until he got inside. Turns out band was fully encapsulated with tissue. He had to do a lot of work removing it and the scar tissue. So after surgery last Tuesday, I've been going thru this emotional roller coaster. Feeling better today though. Have to look on the bright side of things that I am still a candidate for sleeve. Just gonna take a little more time than I anticipated... So anyway, I hope it works out for you that you can have it done in 1 surgery....But go in with the thought that you may not wake up with the sleeve...and you will move forward either way.

Yes, we were in rooms right next to each other. I got to meet and hang out with so many nice people. Cant wait to go back in February. Seems like a lifetime away

Yes I'm pretty thankful for Doc Alvarez. I agreed with him upf front and knew this was a 50/50 chance. Thanks for your support!

Heading to Eagle Pass, Texas today and am having revision tomorrow. Dr. Alvarez says there is a 50/50 chance we'll be able to do it in one surgery. Depends on what he sees once he gets in there. Excited ! Think I may play a little poker tonight at the casino there, in celebration of my surgery...