livelyterry

I just checked out your blog. Gonna try the chicken Thai sausage recipe. Sounds yummy ! I love reading people's blogs and hearing about their journeys. I think I am going to start documenting mine on youtube....vlog... T

Xanax good....lol I think it's normal to be anxious. It's going to be a huge life change. I'm feeling the same...surgery in 3 weeks. The think that hit me last night was that it was "permanent" . I've had my lap band for years, and although it didn't work for me, it was in the back of my mind that I could always take it out. This is different. So yes, I'm sure that is in the back of your mind too. Talk to your doc about some anti-anxiety meds if you need it. Better living through chemical means, ha! Check to see if there are some local groups you can meet with. Maybe find someone to make friends with and talk to. T

Don't think my surgeon does it, but guess I better get waxed just in case...lol

Maybe just take it slow and easy, but do your mile... Have a great time getting back into exercise!

Great job. Big difference. Thanks for sharing.

I am Terry. I have been married to the same man 28 years. I own my own business, 3 waxing salons in South Texas, and have done permanent cosmetics (tattooing) for 15 years. Although I am in the beauty industry, I am pretty much a "tom boy" since I was a little girl. I enjoy all kinds of outdoor stuff...riding my Harley Davidson Fat Boy, SCUBA diving, shooting sports, etc. I've been fighting my weight, literally, since I was 6 years old. I'm 51 now, and really tired of it. I had lap band 9 years ago. It was a big failure, and I'm having revision surgery Oct 1 with Dr. Alavarez in Mexico. My BMI is 38. I have not been able to go SCUBA diving for several years because of my weight. It's also getting harder and harder to push around an 800 pounds motorcycle. In other words, I want to be able to do the things I enjoy, and can't right now cause I can hardly get up the stairs without my knees giving out, etc. That's me!

how far along were you ladies when you started losing hair? I'm having sleeve on Oct 1. Just wondering when I may be seeing this...

I was watching a youtube video yesterday of a girl and her experience with the sleeve. I think she's 7 months out on this video. She says the only thing she regrets about the sleeve is the fact that she couldn't do it WITHOUT the sleeve on her own. Kind of a different way of looking at it. If you think you CAN do it without the sleeve, that is the way to go. I have been dieting since I was 6 years old (I'm 51 now) , including having lap band 9 years ago, and I weigh more now that I have in my entire life. So it's time for me to realize that I need help. I'm scheduled for sleeve Oct 1. Only you can decide.

I've had lap band since 2004. I spent 2 years trying to get it adjusted. Put Fluid in, take it out 3 days later because I can't even keep Water down, etc. This gets expensive after a while, interferes with work, etc. Then there is the stuck food.... you can be sitting at a restaurant with a bunch of people, and all the sudden you're running to the bathroom to throw up, and hope you make it... After this, and more issues, I gave up on the band and had all the fluid taken out. It has been just "there" for around 6 years now... A few weeks ago, I met up with a friend who I hadn't seen in many years. She has had gastric bypass, lost over 100 pounds, and is doing great. After spending several days with her and hearing her positive feedback, I came home and started doing research. I kept finding forums and websites, blogs and youtube videos from people who had great success with the sleeve. I liked the idea of the sleeve, versus the bypass because of not having to rearrange my intestines. Although I think the bypass is probably a great procedure for a lot of people, my friend included, I really like the idea of the sleeve. I am finally getting the band removed, and hopefully if there is no damage or stomach erosion from it, I will be able to have the sleeve during the same surgery on Oct 1 next month. From one person who knows, I would strongly encourage you NOT to get the band. Terry

This is taken from the book "The Sleeved Life,, A Patient to Patient Guide on Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy" Sounds like what you are experiencing: At two weeks out, I was still sensitive and when I moved in certain ways I would still get a sharp pain on my right side. In speaking with my surgeon, he explained that where I felt the pain was right in the area where the muscles were separated so the stomach could be pulled out. He said it was a spot at which many of his sleeve patients experienced lingering pain. It will pass. I had to tell myself this fact over and over again some days— it will pass. About two weeks after surgery, it did indeed pass. If you are ever unsure if a pain is normal or not, call your surgeon’s office. Don’t wonder and worry or wait for it to get worse. Nicola, Pennie (2012-04-15). The Sleeved Life: A Patient-to-Patient Guide on Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery (p. 76). . Kindle Edition.

I was just reading about this this weekend. In one of the "sleeve" books, she says that while in the hospital they fill you full of IV fluids because they know you are going to have a challenge getting fluids down for a week or so after surgery. These IV Fluid have some salt in them, make you retain Water. She recommends that you don't even weigh yourself for 2 weeks after surgery, because it can be frustrating. It will all eventually work out..

I'm having band to sleeve revision oct 1. My doc says he's waiting to get in there to make a decision on whether it can be done in one surgery. He says we have a 50% chance of being able to do it in one surgery. I like his thinking. If there is a lot of scarring, or the band has eroded into the stomach, there is a greater chance of having problems with leaks, etc. He says he's not going to risk my health just because we want to have it done in 1 surgery. He has done a lot of revisions, so he knows what he's talking about. With that said, because I have not had restriction with my band in several years because I had all the Fluid taken out, and I have not had vomiting or any other problems, there is a very good chance he will be able to do it in one shot. The last thing you want is to have a problem later..

Yep, I ordered several sleeve books this week and downloaded for my kindle. The one I like the best because it is straightforward and to the point is Dr. Guillermo Alvarez's book. He also has a youtube channel that has over 200 videos on sleeve surgery, clients, Q & A, etc. He even has a video of him doing a live surgery (not for the faint of heart)...pretty cool stuff. Here is a link to his channel, he is doing my surgery Oct 1. So excited to get my band out and have sleeve: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsGxGkr2nD26E5_pm5PJyNA

I too am scheduled for Oct 1 in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez...the "hottie" doc with the youtube channel with over 200 videos on sleeve.. I didn't realize until last night he has written a book too. so I downloaded it. Really good info for newbies !

Hoping for end of Sept/1st of October in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez. I'm a band to sleever revision....

Oh what a terrible, sad story...lol

Glad to hear your story. I am going to Mexico next month for my revision. I have not had the issues you had with your band, simply because about 4 years ago I had all the Fluid taken out. After fighting with fills, vomiting, etc. for 3 years, I just gave up. It sounds like you have been through hell. Hoping I don't have the thing embedded in my stomach. I have no pain or anything, so we'll see. Please keep updating your progress. I have a month to go, and am interested in your journey. I am taking a month off work (I'm self employed), so hoping that will be enough to heal before working again.