Alfie

Good for you AStoot. I am only in the beginning stages of looking into getting the sleeve. I was banded in 2008 and can't wait to get this thing out. I will say it served its purpose because who knows how much I'd weigh by now without it. I wish you all the best on your journey...Alfie

I haven't had my surgery yet but I do have AFib...thank you for sharing your story as I will be very mindful to make sure I follow the instructions about my medication. Please do keep us posted.

I am going to have my first consultation to go from band to sleeve on October 1st. I was banded in 2008. The thought of not getting stuck and not feeling full high up is amazing to me. I had so many fills and unfills with Dr Fill (lol thats a joke) and I was never at the right restriction. Either I was too loose and could eat anything or I was too tight and got stuck a lot. After months of filling and unfilling I basically gave up and left it where I still do have some small restriction but it doesn't work for me as I feel very hungry often. And still, I may throw up even after chewing to the point of ad nauseam I have managed to keep off 40 of the 80 lbs I originally lost.. Anyway, my main point of chiming in is because of the thought of being full in my stomach and not in my esophogus sounds so great.

I haven't even had my first consultation (which will be October 1) and I already bought 3 cases online of Isopure so I'm happy to hear you say this

I'm with you. I've never felt normal with the band. I am forever getting stuck. If I take out any Fluid I have no restriction. It just hasn't worked for me. I lost, I gained. My port is always tender.

My cousin got the sleeve a few months ago and she is in her late 60's so I would say it's no problem. I'm having my lap band removed and getting the sleeve and I am going to be 61 in December.

Oh thats wonderful new that I am happy to hear

I do understand exercising as in walking right away but I can't think of any rational reasoning why any doctor would encourage someone to weight train right out of surgery. There is healing taking place and weight training can damage us since we are not in any way healed. My doctor said 6 weeks before any heavy exercising.

I'm not sleeved yet but I did get banded 8 years ago. To me it sounds like you have swelling re: not swallowing too good) which will slowly go down. Of course you should check with your doctor. Hope by now you're feeling better.

I just got off the phone with my insurance Anthem BC BS through my employer Verizon. The guy they transfered me to was a doll. a nurse. He said that since he is now familiar with me he took my case. I haven't even gone to my first appointment yet but I go to the consult on October 1st. I will be a band to sleeve revision. This is what he told me and asked me to write it down that this is what they'll need. 1) dr should highlight mechanical problems. he said that sometimes they don't do it right. 2) should state height and weight beginning before banding and current weight. 3) psychological exam 4) registered dietician evaluation 5) medical clearance he also said that if the doctor asks if they need a medically supervised diet for 6 mos etc that the answer is NO Lastly, I asked him about all those other tests people talk about like sleep test, venus doppler etc and he said they don't need that but the doctor may. Hope that helps. Alfie

you look awesome!!!

also I have Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield from Verizon. Not sure if I'll get approved but I sure hope so.

I lost about 80 lbs with my band but gained back 40. I got banded in 2008. I am going to my first evaluation on October 1st. Very excited. I think if I didn't have the band I'd be about 400 lbs, truly so I am grateful to have had it but it's been a difficult ride. Always fill and unfill, always getting stuck, throwing up. I can't seem to find a sweet spot. The other thing I am wondering for anyone that has had the revision from lapband to sleeve: You know how you feel "full" kind of high up due to where the band is situated; well I'm wondering if with the sleeve, you would feel full lower in your stomach which I think would be more natural? Feeling full high up (I don't mean stuck) I believe IMO caused me to still feel like I had an empty stomach. Not sure if I'm explaining it right but any insight would be appreciatd.

Hi I haven't been sleeved yet but I also track in Myfitnesspal.com. It's an awesome way to keep track!!

oohhh ok. sorry. I hope you find a doctor that will help you!!

I'm trying to understand your question. I am going from band to gastric sleeve. I guess I'm a little slow but do you mean you have both the band and then had the plication done subsequently? Won't the same doctor be willing to do the gastic sleeve?

I have the band and get stuck a lot. Its very annoying. My restrictions is not too much but certain foods I just can't eat no matter how much I chew etc or how slow I eat. What comes to mind especially are scrambled eggs..I am going for a consult on October 1st for the sleeve. My cousin just had it 2 months ago and she loves it.

Just wondering how many cc's gave you restriction?

That's terrible that you were treated that way. I also joined Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago and it is much easier to stay on with the band. I'm glad I decided not to tell them about my band and now I'm extra glad since I read your post. Again, I'm sorry you had to go through that.:bored: Regards, Alfie

there is also a possibility that if he removed the needle after taking out the original fill he may have put it back in but missed the port, therefore put it back into your body but without it going in the band...I've heard this can happen...not sure if it's true.

Hi I totally hear you about not wanting to get an unfill. I have been struggling to keep away my acid reflux (which I never had before being banded). I notice that if I am tight enough to have good restriction, then the acid reflux comes along with it. Today, I decided to take my meds in the afternoon and not eat anything after 6pm (having my last drink now). I'm also on Prilosec.

I'm sorry you are going throught that. I don't have an answer but I am going through almost the same thing. I was banded in Jan 2008. While I was reading your post, I was thinking that it could have been me writing it. I thought if I fell asleep sitting up it would help, but it doesnt. I have been taking Prilosec and I eat really way before I even attempt to sleep but to no avail. My problem is that if I have enough of a fill to have good restriction, I also get the acid reflux and that's what I'm going through now. Hope you feel better soon. Alfie

Hi Jeannebs1 It's good to move up slow. I'm not sure why my "Dr Fill" put in over 1/2 cc but like you said I'm going to try to ride it out. I was able to get down 2 protein shakes yesterday and about 40 oz of water (which really isn't enough water). Last night, I took a drink of water and then threw a little of it up. Go figure Right now, I'm drinking light orange juice and it's going down fine but I have to drink it slow and earlier I had a protein shake. This is my second day of liquids so tomorrow I start soft food and then Tuesday back to regular eating. I hope this is that ever elusive sweet spot (I've been there before).

I have 8.7 something in my band. I just had a fill today. Before I had my fill today, I had 8 in my band and had no restriction...hardly!! I'm hoping this will get me to the place where I will have more control! At one point I had 9 cc's and couldn't keep down water so had an unfill then had no restriction...uggg this band is pecular. They tell us to go on fluids for 2 days then soft foods for another 2 then back on regular diet. Right now, I can tell that I'm tight but I will try to avoid getting and unfill unless necessary.

Hi Becky, I always get stuck on scrambled eggs!! Maybe it's the texture.