Sleeved12/29

count me into the group as well! i too am having problems getting in all my Protein and fluids. i've been using the Premier Protein shakes. they are ready made and not too bad. i pour 4oz in a 5oz dixie cup and sip, sip, sip. usually takes me about 30 minutes to sip. premier has 30 grams of protein and can be found at walmart, sams, costco and bjs. another plus is you can pour what you need, seal it back up and refrigerate the rest. i've wasted so much money on protein. bought one at Vitamin shop that had could be used in hot or cold liquids....WRONG....hot fluids were so lumpy i couldn't even get the lumps out with my magic bullet.

i was sleeved 12/29 and last night was the first night i slept in bed (with the assistance of several pillows). i found the recliner a lot more comfortable plus i have a bad habit of crossing my legs in my sleep. since i'm on blood thinning shots for two weeks, just felt safer in the recliner. last night i slept on my back propped on three pillows and a pillow between my legs. thought i wouldn't sleep but i did.....good luck. each day gets better, honest

I was band to sleeve revision 12/29. I've had very little pain so far. Today the site where my lapband port was removed is a little sore but I'm chalking that up to just being up a little more than the past few days. Actually, this surgery was way easier that I'd expected. i was very scared and almost chickened out. My lap band surgery was very painful because I had a huge hiatal hernia the surgeon wasn't expecting. Good luck with your decision.

My band to sleeve revision is 12/29 St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, MD. I feel like a newbie. I remember everything about my November 2008 surgery. Felt so horrible the first few days, then felt better everyday. But now I'm six years older and hope surgery goes smooth.

Hi Everyone, My band to sleeve revision is 12/29. I'm a little nervous as I've been a bander for 6 years and after several miserable months, finally went to my surgeon and found out my band needs removed. I really loved my band and depended on her to let me know when it was time to stop eating. Anyone else going from band to sleeve? Would love to hear from everyone! Can someone give me ideas on Protein shakes? After my banding, I couldn't stand the sweet smell of the Protein Shakes. I had a horrible time getting in my protein until I started eating solid foods. Let's all keep in touch. Beth .

Hi Alfie, I'm a retired Verizon employee in MD with Anthem BC/BS. I was banded 11/19/06 and a few weeks ago my band of 6 years has to be removed due to many problems, one being a dilated esphogas. Before my band I was on so many meds, now have kept off 62 lbs and BMI is 34.5. After speaking to my Anthem case worker Tuesday, I'm really afraid Anthem is going to deny my band to sleeve surgery due to my lower BMI and controlling my diabetes by diet and exercise. I am very concerned.....any thoughts or words of wisdom?

what were your symptoms?

Sounds like a great idea. Count me in. I signed up for WW Online this week. I have been a WW lifer since 1982 but just got tired of counting points and too many food choices. Now I just want to track what goes in my mouth and eat healthy with my band. I have been banded for 4 years. Have kept off the weight I've lost but have been struggling as of late. I've had several fills/unfills and my surgeon told me on the last unfill that he believes I've hit my sweet spot and need to exercise (which I must admit I stopped doing) and really track what goes into my mouth. So far, so good. I've lost 2 lbs this week and use a lot of my points eating lean proteins like 2% cheese, cottage cheese, small servings of Wendy's chili things like that. I get 26 points a day and I am supposed to eat 50 or more grams of protein a day. I try to incorporate my band rules protein first, veggies second and if still hungry...then fruits.

Hillary, I see where we were both banded in 2008. I was banded 11/19/08. After several fills/unfills, my surgeon and I came to the conclusion I had reached my sweet spot. My band lets me know she has had enough by either making me sneeze or hiccup....at that point, one more bite and I am in big trouble :wub: . I chance my entire meal coming back up. Even after 4 years I still try to eat like an unbanded person (large portions) and my band reminds me that is a big taboo. I rejoined WW to help me in the final leg of my journey. I am able to eat more "slider" foods and want to eat healthier so I can finally lose the last 30 or 40lbs. I know what I have been doing wrong...I don't exercise and I don't put lean Protein first. For those who think the band will solve all their weight problems, it doesn't. It is a tool on my journey. With this tool I am off all diabetic and asthma medicine. I have more energy and feel so much better about myself. I look at WW as the "little helper" for my band. WW will keep me on track to eating better and will help me get to my final goal.

I joined WW on line today. My surgeon suggested it. If you want to become band buddies, I could use all the help I can get!

Thanks for the tip! I used to drink the shakes a lot but got kinda tired of them after a while. I will try them in my coffee starting tomorrow. Do you use them in lieu of creamer? I just can't seem to drink my coffee without creamer anymore.

Thanks, JMS. I really don't know how much is in my band right now. I've had 3 unfills about .5cc each time. I did much better eating yesterday. Made much better choices. I hate not being allowed to exercise. I can't even take the puppies for a short walk. BUT I brought this on myself. Reading the posts here have helped me a lot these past few days. I just need to pick myself up, dust myself off and get back on the weight loss horse. I really think those who are here the most, are those who do better with their weight loss. Good luck to you this week. Hope you can stay away from those sweets!

Hi Everyone! I'm so happy to see our Notorious Novembers posting again. I can't believe it's been almost two years since banding. I too, have had my highs and lows. Two unfills due to family crisis this spring. I've found stress really tightens my band. I first logged on again on my 53rd birthday, Sept 26 and felt so guilty. I've gained back almost 10 of the 57 lbs I'd lost. I went into exercise overdrive and threw my back out a month ago. Now I'm in physical therapy 2x a week & no exercising for awhile. Due to "female" issues, my doctor doesn't want to fill my band until I have a few other tests...I'd love to hear from everyone. I really need to be accountable again. I feel so guilty after reading how well everyone is doing...great job everyone!!!! Can anyone share what & how much they are eating to get to this point?? I've gone from a 2x to XL but really wanted to be farther along. I went to a Weight Watcher meeting a few months back but wow did they beat up on WLS. I didin't go back. Any help would really be appreciated!!!!

WOW, you are doing great!

I've been really struggling with my band lately. I've had two unfills and have gained 10lbs. I looked back on the success I had after banding and realized I walked with Leslie 5-6 days a week. I set up my spare bedroom with a tv/dvd and have started to WATPs again. I feel great and exercise really does kill my hunger. Sometimes I want to strangle her but she's a great motivator.

Hi Maria, Sorry it's taken so long for me to reply. I had to re-read your post. I then went and re-read my surgeon's rules. I was not allowed pudding 'til the mushies stage...which for me was the 3rd week after banding. I was only allowed clear liquids and jello the first two weeks. Did your nutritionist tell you pudding was ok? Hope things are going better for you.

Welcome, Maria. Sorry to hear you're struggling...what problems are you having? I look back over the past year and I'd do it all over again...

I just went thru and read all of our posts from last year! Can you believe it's been a year? I really thought I'd be closer to goal BUT it's my own fault. I've really slacked off on exercise....The band hasn't failed me...I know it's not a fix all and I need to get off my behind and get moving again. This time last year I was rolling with the exercise but got lazy over the summer. I'm back on the wagon and ready for what this next year brings... How's everyone else doing?

Hi Cathy, I'm doing well. Have been absent from this site for several months but I'm back. How are your doing? I'm back on track. Have only had two fills but going for another one in the next week or so. Hope all is well.

Weightloss has had the opposite effect on me. At 51 I had a period after 11 months and 2 weeks...I was very angry! Had 2 really bad ones, then nothing for the past 2 months. My GYN said fat cells store hormones...when we lose fat cells the hormones have no where to hide. She put me on a form of progestrone and my weight loss as stopped as well. I'm going back in to see her next month.

Good Luck...keep us posted. I can't wait to get the that point. My surgeon said I have to wait 2-3 yrs after weight loss, not sure why.

Hello fellow Marylander! Were you banded at St Agnes? There's a support group meeting this Monday. I plan on attending. My weight loss has been slower but that's been my fault. I haven't gained but very little if any loss right now. I hate to cook in the summer so food choices haven't been perfect PLUS I've not been exercising as I once did. I lost my dog to cancer in May and things just went down hill. BUT I'm back on track....I've started my exercise DVD's again and I feel so much better. Let me know if you want to join me Monday. I've also thought of joining Weight Watchers (i'm a lifer) just for the added support..... We WILL get there one pound at a time!!!!

Hi Everyone! For some reason, I'm super tight today. I made Salsa Chicken in the crock pot last nite (WW recipe) and everything was fine. Took the left overs for lunch today and WOW...didn't think I was gonna make it to the ladies' room in time... I've had a few pb'ing episodes but never like this one. So it's shakes for me for 24 hours or so...I do use the WW shakes with 1% or skim milk. Great source of protein and fiber. Everyone have a "lighter" day! Beth

Anne, IMHO, do not worry about points 6 wks after surgery....this is a time to heal not stress out about points. My surgeron placed a small amount of Fluid in my band during surgery...I had to force myself to eat during that time. Concentrate on healing, doing what your surgeon advises, getting in all your Protein and the rest will fall into place. Good luck and keep us posted. Beth