Malsr

I am converting from band to sleeve on April 9th! The surgery will be performed by my surgeon (listed in my stats under my photo) that performed my Lap Band surgery back in 2009. I've been working with him ever since my Lap Band surgery and he is extremely supportive. He recommended that I convert to the sleeve since my band has started to fail me. I was hesitant at first, but I am now completely on board and ready. So excited. If it wasn't for work commitments I would have it done in March.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I am getting sleeved April 9th, but currently have a Lap Band. As for your skin, drink lots if water! Hydration is the best thing for skin elasticity. I know because I have lived my life dehydrated and my skin is loose on my arms, stomach and thighs after weight loss. My many stretch marks don't help (due to dehydration). So, drink lots if water. Your skin is going to do what it does. If it's not hanging now, it most likely won't be bad later. Focus on getting your surgery and getting to a healthy weight and then worry about the skin. You'll still be beautiful no matter what. Good luck!

I completely agree. I have not been sleeved yet, but I lost a significant amount of weight with my band and at 27 and decided to have cosmetic surgery to get a lift and augmentation to make my body look 27. Did I need it for health reasons, of course not. But I did need it for my mental and emotional well being. It definitely made me feel more confident about my new, smaller figure. I know that my skin elasticity is not great (most likely due to the fact that I don't drink nearly enough water), so surgery will be something a choose to do years down the line to complete my journey, but not something I'll have to do.

My surgeon is Dr. Bhoyrul in La Jolla. He has been my doctor since I got my Lap Band in 2009. He is absolutely amazing. He really cares about my well-being and has been very honest with me about what I need to do and what he feels is best for me. I chose him for his knowledge and experience in laparoscopic surgery, but I continue you see him because of his dedication to my health and weight loss. I know you didn't ask that, but I couldn't help myself.

I agree, that's why I did not ask her to stop bringing in candy. We have food in and out of the office all of the time. I just asked that woman to woman and growing friend to friend, that she not bring in the type of candy that she did because it is a trigger for me. Like most people that work a full-time job, I spend most of my my waking hours at work. There is a 5 pound tub of Red Vines sitting right outside of my office door. I get that it's up to me to resist temptation, but I did not get WLS because resisting is easy. I definitely agree that the weight loss is much better than the candy, but I don't think it's unreasonable to ask not to be surrounded by it in my office. It's an unnecessary stressor, but I guess to each her own. I appreciate the cheers of good luck. I can use all that I can get.

Thank you so much for the support. I will be sure to visit this site often. I think it was a mistake not coming on here more often over the past few years (used to be destin2fly19). I could have used the support through all of my band ups and downs. I won't make that mistake this time.

I had my Lap-Band surgery the day before Thanksgiving in 2009. I was extremely dedicated and followed the band rules to the letter--no soda, no gum, no alcohol (very rarely), no sugar, etc. I started training for a marathon around 250 pounds and 2 months after surgery. I lost about 75 pounds in my first year and went from over 280 pounds and into "Onderland" in my second year out. In 2011 I started having difficulty. I've had to get my band unfilled and refilled several times since then due to reflux, and the inability to swallow. Last October I had surgery for a hiatal hernia repair. Two upper GIs showed nothing wrong, but my doctor had the foresight to know that I probably had a hernia. At that time he also suggested that I consider converting to the gastric sleeve. I was against it and wanted to give my band another try after the hernia repair. At my appointment last week my doctor talked to me about the sleeve surgery one last time, and I walked out with the realization that it was something that I should consider. Since then I have met with the psychologist, researched the surgery, scheduled my appointment with the nutritionist, and tentatively scheduled the surgery. I work fast once my mind is made up. This is my second chance and I am jumping right in. I am realistic about the changes that I will have to make and the commitment I need to make to myself. I am ready. I feel the same excitement and optimism that I felt before I was banded. I don't regret getting the Lap-Band. It saved my life. I am happier than I have ever been even though I've gained back 50 pounds of what I lost. I have also gained a husband, confidence, and self-love. Now I just have to move on from the band and get sleeved so that I have a tool that will help me reach my goal. I'm ready. I just hope my insurance provider is on board. Thank you in advance for all of your support. Reading through posts over the past week has been immensely helpful. I can't wait to share my journey with everyone as I have enjoyed reading about all of yours.

I just decided to have have a band to sleeve revision last week and I already have my surgery scheduled for April 9th. I would love to do it next month, but I too have to schedule around work. I can't wait! I had success with the band until it failed, so I am ready to take the next step with a new "tool". I know I can reach my goal. I was so close before and I have all of the confidence and support I need to get me there this time around. Yay for April!