Malsr

Thanks everyone! It does feel really good. I feel like I have a new start at life. I'll definitely be on here sharing my experiences. I know this site continues to help me.

What a difference! Congratulations! Keep up the fantastic work. You look great.

We can be buddies! I am a Lap Band to sleever on the 9th too! On day 5 of my liquid diet.

I have yet to be sleeved, but have had a Lap Band since 2009. The band is also a restrictive procedure that makes it difficult to get protein and may result in hair loss. I never experienced any, so I am not worried with the sleeve. I am going to focus on a high protein diet and take the multi-vitamin and calcium supplements, but I want to avoid taking anymore supplements if I can. I am spending my time now looking for high protein meal options other than shakes and meat. I love to cook, so it should be fun. I have been natural for about 6 years and I love it. Having natural hair may be beneficial since it has not been broken down by any chemicals and is somewhat stronger than processed hair. But I don't know if the follicles are even affected by relaxer or dyes so everyone may be equally prone.

Me, myself and I. I had lap band surgery in 2009 and a hernia repair last year. Both times I brought nothing with me except the clothes on my back and my cell phone. I never need anything else. I'm fine with the slipper socks and gown provided by the hospital since it's only an overnight stay. I'm on so many pain meds that I sleep most of the time. When I'm not sleeping I'm just walking the halls. Nothing needed for that. When I leave the hospital I just throw back on the clothes I wore to the hospital since I only wore them for an hour or so.

I ate with reckless abandon in that I didn't think about my choices and ate however much I wanted. I didn't have food funerals per se. I had lots of sushi, my husband cooked my favorite dish that he makes, and I had fast food. I usually am very conscious about my choice, but not last week. The food will all still be here after I'm sleeved. I just have to change my relationship with it. I'm a band to sleever so this isn't my first rodeo. I started my pre-op a day earlier than I had to because I did it for 9 days with my band and this time the nut was only telling me 7. I figure 8 is a happy medium. I'm starting day 4 of a full liquid, no sugar diet, and yes I have my moments of being somewhat of a "bytch". I just keep my eyes on the prize--a successful surgery on April 9th. Good luck!

My suggestion is not to stock up on too much Protein. One of the things I have heard from many vets is that your taste changes after the surgery. The foods that tasted good just before the surgery might not be pleasant to you after, including the Protein shake you had just days before. You'll have time to buy protein after your surgery because you won't drink it right away. Places like GNC and Vitamin Shop give samples, so I suggest trying that post-op. I started my pre-op yesterday and am having surgery on the 9th. I'm converting from band to sleeve, so this diet is nothing new to me, but still a challenge. I am just staying focused on having a tiny liver and a successful surgery. :-) Good luck everyone!

I started a blog just before I got my Lap Band. I kept it up for a while, but only posted once a year for a few years. I started it back up just before I decided to convert to the sleeve. It's really a great outlet for me and it helps to be able to go back and read old posts even if no one else ever reads them. The link is in my signature if you want to check it out.

April 9th is my day too! I am a band to sleeve conversion and I am very much looking forward to it. Call me crazy, but I am excited to start my pre-op "Liver Shrinking Diet". I'll start on 4/2. My diet is a liquids only, but is not difficult for me when I'm in this mindset. I follow the rules when it comes to surgery because I want everything to go as smoothly as possible (as much as I can help it). Plus, the pre-surgery weight loss is pretty great too. Good luck everyone!

I had hiatal hernia surgery last fall and the hospital provided me with a pad to wear along with disposable undies. It really depends on your hospital's procedures. My guess is no tampon, but that's just a guess. You may not bleed as much as usual because your body acts differently while in surgery and under anesthesia.

Congratulations and good luck!

This is a hard one. I can't give you advice on what's to do especially if it'll affect your marriage. I can just say that if my husband was not supportive I would have the surgery regardless. My first priority is me and my health. If my husband were to disappear tomorrow (literally or figuratively) I still have my life to live and I want it to be as healthy as possible. I have had a weight issue all my life and being married doesn't fix that. You have to decide what's more important to you. Is it taking what you feel are the necessary steps to achieving a healthy weight, or is it keeping your relationship on an even keel?

Scripps La Jolla with Dr. Bhoyrul. You?

...but I am so excited to start my pre-op "liver shrinking diet"! I found out less than 30 minutes ago that I am approved! I couldn't be happier right now. I was very successful with my Lap Band (until it failed), so I cannot wait to start my successful journey with my sleeve. Am I nervous? Yes, it's a big change. I'm voluntarily cutting off the majority of a major organ. Do I believe it's worth it? Absolutely. I need help on my weight loss journey and I am glad that I got the approval to get it. My surgery is scheduled for April 9th and I'm ready.

Good luck to you too, Midijola! I look forward to sharing out successes with one another.

Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered the sample pack and look forward to trying them. I usually like my Protein shakes to be sugar free, but I think can handle a mere 2 grams. My pre-op diet is sugar free, so I will save them for post surgery. Thanks again!

I just got my approval (finally) and was told that I have to have a gallbladder screening to see if I need to have my gallbladder removed at the same time he removes my band and does the sleeve. I am not sure what the test entails, but I know I have to fast prior. I'm guessing it is going to determine if I will be prone to gallstones. I'm going to Google the test after this post. I understand that rapid weight loss is often the cause of the gallstones, but I had a Lap Band and lost almost 80 lbs. rather quickly and had no issues. I know I have the potential to lose more weight faster with the sleeve, so who knows. I know I prefer to keep my gallbladder and will not request it to be removed unless my doctor suspects it'll be an issue for me specifically.

I have not received my approval yet, but I know that when I do it will be 100% covered. I will not have to attend any classes or meet any prerequisites. I have Anthem Blue Cross and they tend to be pretty lax compared to other insurance companies. When I was approved for my Lap Band I only had to pay my deductible, but I've already met that this go around. The only other cost I may incur is if my anesthesiologist or any doctors that assist do not take my insurance, but that should not be the case. I was submitted to insurance on the 5th and I should hear something on the 18th at the latest. My Lap Band approval was less than a week, but since this is my 2nd WLS is is justifiably being more scrutinized.

I live in San Diego County and am scheduled for surgery April 9th. I should get my insurance approval early next week. I am nervous since I am going from band to sleeve, so it's not a slam dunk like my first WLS approval. However, I have pretty great insurance and I am staying positive that I will have surgery in 3 weeks time. ????

I am very choosey about who I tell. My immediate family is in the loop, as well as my best friend, and boss (who currently has a Lap Band like me). I lost about 80 lbs. with my Lap Band and told those who did not know about my little assistant, that I ate less and exercised. All true since I trained for a marathon and was of course eating less because of the band. I'm not going to lie, but I also don't have to discuss my personal medical choices with anyone. I look at it this way: I'm an addict. Plain and simple. I am addicted to food and use it as a coping mechanism. It is something I will always have to work on even with WLS. I don't have to share how I treat my addiction with anyone. Just like alcoholics don't have to reveal that they go to AA. It's anonymous for a reason. My decision to have surgery and it's necessity does not have to be disclosed just because someone asks.

It's soon, but not soon enough for me. ???? I'm ready now and would have the surgery before the month's end if it wasn't for work. Plus, I guess I have to wait for approval. LOL. I'll be sure to keep you all posted and I look forward to your updates as well. I love the comradery on these boards. It really helps. I was on here when it was Lap-Band Talk and I was prepping for that surgery. Once I was banded I dropped away from the site. One of my mistakes. The support on here helps so much and I plan to keep it up this time. Good luck everyone!

Wow are we in the same boat! I said yes to my doctor a couple if weeks ago and have already met with the nutritionist and psychologist. Now I am waiting approval from Anthem BC. My band is being cooperative at the moment, but I have had a plethora of issues and gained back 50 lbs! I am ready and excited! My date is set for 4/9/14 (pending approval). I can't wait until you're approved and share your date. Good luck!

I'm right there with you. I was submitted on Wednesday and looking forward to a call next week with good news. I have a band right now so my approval will take a bit more of a push, but I'm being positive. I am looking forward to being back in full control and headed in the right direction on the scale. My surgery is scheduled for April 9th and I want to keep it that way. Good luck to you!

I've worked in an office for 5 years and am the senior person in the office. We just hired a new person and she's started bringing in candy that sits right outside of my office door. This is a temptation that I have avoided bringing in to the office for years. She too is quite overweight and we are in a "Biggest Loser" competition together at work. I asked her to to refrain from bringing certain types of candy (since I wasn't going to ask that she stop all together since it makes her happy) because they are trigger foods for me. I feel like she was receptive, but others in the office seem to have other opinions on the issue. The words "self-control" were thrown around. Now, I currently have a failed Lap Band and will get the sleeve on April 9th, so I am having to really work hard to eat small portions and stay away from certain foods. It's just hurtful when someone diminishes my feelings and makes me feel like my issue is simply a lack of self-control. I have self-control because if I didn't I'd already have eaten myself into a grave. I fight everyday and lost nearly 100 pounds with my band at one point. It's just a challenge being surrounded by your drug of choice and I feel like it's unnecessary in my office. Am I the only one that feels this way? I guess I just want support from my co-workers. Mind you, they don't know I have ever had WLS since I don't want to deal with the judgment or having to explain why I chose WLS to help me get healthy. Anyway, I'm just venting. I'll be walking out of my office with my eyes closed all day. Getting in the sleeve mindset. Thanks for listening/reading.

Thank you! Good luck to you too!