Abby513

Hi, Connie. I originally had lap band surgery in 2005. Starting weight was 265 (I'm just a hair shy of 5'5") and I lost (and kept off) 100 lbs. I had to have the band removed (emergency surgery) about 2.5 years ago due to scar tissue building up between my stomach and the band (completely closing off the band). It felt really good to get the band out of my body - I had always said that I had a feeling that I wouldn't have the band forever. I was back at work within a week following the removal surgery (having the band put in was a real bear - I think it was 3 weeks before I could go back to work). After the band was removed the hunger came back with a vengence and I started re-gaining the weight (max'd at 235). I recently under went sleeve (belated) conversion. Weight on the day of surgery was 216; today I'm at 201. They kept me in the hospital for two nights following surgery. I wasn't nearly as uncomfortable following this surgery as I was following the insertion of the band (my torso was sore) and I did it without any paid meds. I'm starting to get back to an exercise program - mostly walking (my last incision just stopping seeping about 5 days ago and every pair of pants I had would rub and tear the scab off almost as soon as it would form). I'm still on the soft food diet and will be for a little over two more weeks. Some of the food feels a little like it did going through the band - where you can feel it - but not everything. Fluids are easier for me to get down than they were with the band (I had a little of the mucus issue with the band - espeically, first thing in the morning - I haven't experienced anything similar with the sleeve). I do have to be really diligent about not drinking 1/2 hr. before and after eating (I didn't have to worry about that with the band, I couldn't get anything down with the band if I wasn't drinking something), or it just flushes everything right through. I haven't had any problems with nausea (since just following the surgery) and I haven't thrown up at all. My digestive system was initially a little sensitive and I experienced some diarrhea. At first I thought it was the lactose in the Protein drink I was using, but ultimately I believe it was a sensitivity to an artificial sweetner. I changed my brand of Protein Drink and it's been much better since then. Is there something specific you'd like me to try to address (given that I'm still pretty early into this new process)? Abby