BostonHopeful

I had my revision on Monday and I feel great! I had the band removed, a hernia repaired and RNY Bypass. I'm already off all pain meds, stopped napping and going for walks outside. I live alone and haven't needed any help, even though I've had lots of offers from friends and family. Don't get me wrong, I do have pain and discomfort--I feel like I did about a million sit ups, and it is hard to get up and off off the couch. The incisions are sometimes stabbing me, and I hate hate hate the drain... But really this is nothing. It's waaaaaaay easier than recovery was when I had the band put in, 6 years ago!

MyFitnessPal is great. Not only does it already have just about every food on earth already cataloged in it, but you can set it to integrate with the automatic pedometer in your iPhone, meaning it will auto adjust your calories for the day, based on your movement.

I'm revising to RNY on Monday at 33BMI. No clue how my surgeon got it through--she was awesome! ...but I knew this Band needed to come OUT and I was not doing it without a revision! Good luck!

Hi @amulchahey, how are you doing? How's recovery? I just discovered this forum and was looking for other MA friends I'm in Acton, but I work for a non profit and drive all over the state, regularly! I am getting a revision from Band to Bypass on July 20 at Mount Auburn. I'd love to meet up a few weeks after my surgery. After I had the band done in 2009, I met some really fantastic people, and really loved having an in person support network. My friends and family are fantastic but no one really gets it unless they have gone through it too. Hope you are feeling well and seeing some progress

I got a card when I was banded but honestly 99% of what is on the kids menu is CRAP! Chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, pizza... the portions are smaller but the options are not what you need. I get a healthy appetizer and eat half of it. Same price, same size, but healthier options.

I managed to get approved at 34BMI, but I won't lie--I had a roll of quarters in my pocket at the last visit!

I'm revising from the band to bypass--and it is mostly due to the fact that almost everything I have eaten for 6 years gets stuck. Its a miserable feeling! But here are the tips I have learned along the way: 1.) I NEVER try to push food down with liquid. It literally will only bring the liquid up. I only drink when I am at my wits end and know that vomiting the food up is the only way to get relief, but it's a last resort. 2.) Get up and move. The sitting position does not help the food settle. 3.) After a "stuck" episode go onto shakes/liquids/yogurt for at least 12 hours to let everything heal. Your esophagus just had a traumatic events, and if it doesn't rest, it's likely to happen again the next time. Hope that helps, and I sincerely hope it doesn't happen again!

This is my all time favorite (from theworldaccordingtoeggface blog). It's like lasagna without the noodles. Early in the puree stage, you can lay off the mozz cheese over the top. Enjoy! Shelly's Baked Ricotta 8 oz of Ricotta Cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1 large Egg, beaten 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning salt & pepper to taste 1/2 cup Marinara Sauce 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly. I usually made it first in the oven and heated the leftovers in the microwave.

Ha, I was just taking my measurements this morning and wondering the same thing. I was banded 6 years ago and lost 60+ pounds. My boobs definitely went down in size, but they stayed relatively big, but as I age, they are heading South. I can hike them up with quality bras, though, so I've survived so far. I am slated for revision to RNY next week and hope to lose the last 50 pounds. I'd venture to guess that about 15 of those pounds are in my boobs! I wouldn't mind if they disappear...I'm actually more nervous that they will stay big, on what I hope will be a tiny body!

Awesome! Congratulations! To me, recovery has seemed so much easier this time in some ways, and harder in others. Maybe because I already knew what kind of pain to expect but there hasn't been a great deal of pain in my abdominal area where the actual surgery was performed- just soreness. But the most of my pain was in my lower right side that the doctor said was coming from my back. He said it was probably from the unforgiving hard operating table. That being said, I was in the hospital 5 days, but when I was banded I didn't even stay one night. To me it was so much better staying in the hospital those first few days. And maybe that's why my pain was so much less! I had a pain medicine in a pump I could administer every 10 minutes! Overall, recovery has not been as bad as I thought it would be. I'm pretty lucky though- I'm a teacher and am on summer break. If I get tired, I can take a nap and have been able to take it easy. Glad to be your buddy! How is your pre op going? Thanks, that's really helpful information. I am not sure how long my stay will be, but certainly longer than when I was banded. I was in and out in 8 hours, which seemed a little extreme. My pre-op is kind of no big deal, because I thankfully haven't gained much weight back from when I was banded, so I was actually advised to put weight ON so that insurance would approve the revision. How awful is that? The medical system in this country really is not looking out for our overall health (but I can rant on that another time...). Happy summer vacation! I was an elementary teacher for 15 years, but now I am working for an educational non-profit. I sure do miss those summers! Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing!

Hi! I'd love to be your buddy! It sounds like we are in a similar boat. I was also banded, was successful, and then had complications... My revision to RNY is next Monday, July 20 I am curious to hear about how the surgery went for you? How does the healing compare to the recovery from band surgery? Be well! I'm right behind you!

I had a little thinning. But I was a maniac about keeping up with my protein and I took Biotin from day 1, too.

Update: revision approved! I'm revising to RNY Surgery is on July 20! Any advice from others who have gone through the process?

When I was banded in 2009 the stitches were intolerably itchy. Turned out I developed an allergy to the adhesive in the bandages! take a closer look and see if the area where the adhesive is touching your skin is red and irritated--could be the problem...

Hello, here to introduce myself! I was banded in 2009 and had a very successful few years. Weight loss was quick and first, then slower, but steady. I got within 20lbs of goal. I loved my band! But about 3 years ago, I suddenly developed really severe GERD out of nowhere. Then started vomiting everything. Sometimes even Water. I found myself in the ER more than once. Scary. I've had a million upper GIs but they don't show a slip or any obvious reason for the sudden pain and discomfort. I have had a complete unfill for 2 years, now, but still sometimes have these symptoms (not as severe, but still uncomfortable). I've tried to keep the weight off but I'm slowing gaining again. Hard because the best foods for my health are the hardest to keep down. Over 2 years I've gained 25lbs back. Not awful, but the scale is heading in the wrong direction and it's frustrating, because I really do try. My surgeon is advocating for a revision to RNY but insurance isn't too excited. My BMI is 31 and no co-morbidity. The band is obnoxious but not actively killing me at the moment, so it isn't an "emergency". Despite everything, I refuse to be angry about this. I don't hate my band and I'm not sad I did it. But I do hope that they will officially retire the band surgery. It just does not seem like the safest long term option. I'd love to hear of anyone else has had a similar story, and if they found a positive resolution.