VDLT

Talk to your surgeon but NSAIDs are usually not a problem after sleeve. Yes the sleeve is permanent but the damage caused by the band in my case and in many others was very real. While the band is "reversible" some of the damage caused by it is not, but the surgeons still using it don't always properly advise patients of the possibilities of complications.

I was banded in October of 2001 and 14 years later, converted to sleeve in October of 2015. So glad I converted. I developed a lot of gastric issues with the band and I am pleased to have them resolved. So far so good with the sleeve. I feel I am losing at a pretty nice clip!

I put miralax in my morning protein shake

I had to dilute the premade premier the first week or so because it was just too thick. I mixed it with fat free milk to thin it out. I now love unjury because it is not terribly sweet and I can use a lot of ice to make it thin.

YOu will not feel the results of surgery immediately after particularly during the liquid and mushy stage. Promise it is there and will be great

its a shame that a good thread can go south so quickly. There is no need for name calling specially when people are trying to be helpful.

Congrats! I love Lucky. I am trying really hard not to buy any clothes until I am closer to goal so will live vicariously through your new jeans.

You might have to be very specific with what you need when sending the husband grocery shopping. My husband tries really hard to get what I want but sometimes doesn't get exactly what I want. I figured it is my fault if I am not really specific. For example, instead of listing "chicken" on my list I list "small bag of frozen skinless boneless chicken tenders" and "perdue short cuts carved chicken breast, honey roasted. resealable pack in the prepared food section". Instead of "veggies" I will write "two bags of steam in bag publix brand broccoli florets" This has worked for me for the most part. Is there anyone else like a family member or a close friend that can do a quick shop for you once a week or every other week? Sometimes I find that it is not that they are sabotaging but that they don't really know what we need.

Before I had surgery I told my husband that we were just going to each have to fend for ourselves food wise and that there might be times we would not eat together. So much importance is placed on eating and eating together, but I have found out it is not that big a deal if we do other things together. While I have not been able to get him to eat better or go with me on walks etc, he has taken to the idea of fending for himself. I make what I want/need to eat and he is welcome to have some. I try to plan two meals or three meals for the week that I can eat and I know he will enjoy, and one of us makes them. I eat what I can and he can have my leftovers the next day while I eat one of my other approved meals. I do the shopping and ask him to put whatever he wants on the list and I purchase it. He goes out to lunch without me sometimes and gets the food he wants. Sometimes he will bring something home and eat while I have my own meal and it doesn't bother me. What I am trying to say and please don't think this is mean, but you are doing this for yourself and need to do what you need to do. There is no reason why you need to sit and watch him eat. If he wants to eat crap that's fine, but you don't have to and shouldn't sit by and watch if it is going to make you crave that stuff. You need to say that you are doing this for you and that while he does not have to do the same, that you will need to make some changes to be successful, to not be hurt if you have to change your life a bit, and to find other things you can do together that do not involve eating.

Number 1 tool is scheduling. Looking at the week ahead and making sure I have a workout plan and a rough idea of what I am going to eat. Multi-gym membership through my insurance. I love this. I am able to hit about 6 different gyms in my area. I am not very good at working out so I like classes. I have printed all the schedules out and every week make a plan of attack as to what I am going to do each day depending on my work and dance rehearsal schedules. Batch cooking and repeat meals. I am a boring eater during the week. I make a big batch of turkey chili over the weekend and freeze 2/3 of it. This will last me a week or two depending on what other foods I eat during that time. I make hardboiled eggs and buy Perdue precooked chicken strips. As for tools, my nutribullet is awesome for my shakes, a good Water bottle, and my weight tracking app.

This is such an important post. I have worried a lot over my sleeve capacity. I have read the post of "I can only eat 3 bites" and worry. I can eat way more than most on here but I have grown to be fine with that. It is still less than I could before surgery and I hope it will be enough to maintain by being mindful. Everyone's full is different but after reading a lot of posts, I am fairly certain a great majority of us don't know what full is anymore. I very informally portion my meals at home by eating on a salad plate or a ramekin. When going out I cut my meal in half and only eat out of one half usually stopping before even finishing that. I have only felt uncomfortable after a meal twice since surgery. I think it is a learning curve that only eating mindfully will fix.

Check the bottom or use a measuring cup to pour into it one day. That is what I did with the one I carry around.

158 thanks Sarah!

From my surgeon... Stomach DilatationWe believe that if we create a small enough stomach it will be very difficult for the stomach to dilate. The thickness of the musculature of the stomach near the lesser curvature and the antrum is the highest of anywhere else in the stomach. Thus, by staying very close to this area, using a 36 french bougie creating a small gastric tube with a small antral remnant, we feel that stomach dilatation will be very difficult.

@@glitter eyes thanks for posting! I only take 25 levothyroxine so way lower than you guys but this is so nice to hear.

@@DaisyAmy I voluntarily gave up coffee before surgery but once every two weeks or so I get a decaf skinny mocha

I tucked my shirt in!

I voted! You look great and so happy

Voted! Congratulations on your success you look amazing and so happy in your picture

You look great

She had her gallbladder removed not the sleeve which as you noted, cannot be removed.

You don't mention what kind of revision you are seeking. Are you thinking of just redoing sleeve or converting to a DS? I am also in Florida. I live in Orlando but had my band and revision to sleeve in Miami. My insurance (BCBS FED) covered my revision from band to sleeve even though I self paid for band. There is a new doctor in Celebration doing the DS if that is what you are looking for. Best of luck!

Congratulations on the weight loss, your newfound energy, and the relief from pain. Those are big changes in one year!

I am sure being years out it is easy to just try and have a normal life. 8 to 10 beers at once sounds like a lot to me regardless of surgery. Glad you have decided to get back on track which I am sure will get those 10 pounds off soon enough. Take care of yourself and embrace the opportunity to treat yourself kindly. Stick around here for a while, it is very encouraging. Wishing you the best in turning things around.

What @@JamieLogical said. I was told to start Vitamins 7 days out and I used a multi that I actually now like and have been on it ever since. The first week was rough pain wise as well as very difficult to get my liquids in. I was on Clear Liquids for the first 7 to 10 days and don't think I could have done a proper shake at 4 days. Hang in there. It gets better. Promise.