Rev Me Up!

THat's hilarious!!! Great story. Congrats on your success and congrats on having such a wonderful family! Lara

Hi, I went to Dr Aceves in Mexicali. Fantastic facility, fantastic staff, not the cheapest. Do a search on the forum for Dr Aceves and you will see his patients' stories - all very good. Make sure you do a lot more research on the plication. We have someone here on the board who has it and is thinking about changing it to a sleeve. Also, there have been some issues with tissue death with the part of the stomach that is folded over. I was a revision from a lap-band and I am extremely happy with my choice of the VSG and my doctor. I think there is a plication subject forum if you scroll all the way down on the main page - that may be some help for you. Good luck on your decision! Lara

Hi, I have noticed a couple of changes since I was sleeved 4 weeks ago. First, my body odor seems to have disappeared. I know this because my memory has also left me and I keep forgetting to put my deodorant on in the morning. So I go all day and I don't stink. The next major change is that I don't get hot flashes anymore. I am only 37, but I have been getting hot flashes in the middle of the night and when I wake up for a couple of years now. Suddenly, no more heat! Very interesting... Lara

You'll find that it will be easier when you get to that point. You will have already been on mushies for a while and you'll have a routine and a list of foods that treat you well. Eating in the home rather than out will be very easy. Eating out is a little more complicated, but try to buddy up with someone and eat a little off of their plate or order an appetizer for yourself - you won't be ale to eat more than 2 or 3 tablespoons of anything. You'll also want to have some portable snack to carry in your purse (string cheese, protein bar, drinkable yoogurt, etc) so you don't get stuck being hungry in a sea of bad choices while you are out and about. You'll do great! Lara

I felt comfortable going in for my revision - my confidence was based on my belief in the doctor I selected. He was a proven revision surgeon and there were lots of testimonials on this web site that kept me at ease. I did not have as hard a time with the band as you did - that sounds awful! I was worried about surgery because it was surgery and I knew what I was in for with regard to recovery. I had some mental anguish around needing a second weight loss surgery. It brings back all the questions about "why can't I do this on my own?" Let me tell you, I felt better immediately after waking up from surgery. All my complaints with my band disappeared - immediately. However, make sure you read through all the revision stories - check out the revision thread - and see all the different experiences. Some people have more complications with the surgery than others. I am still going through my recovery period and I don't regret it for a minute. I was THRILLED to get that band out of my body. Lara

Unfortunately, I think this is a matter of genetics. I have the exact same problem!! My stomach requires a size 18 and the rest of me is a 14/16. For me, the stomach is always the last thing to go. The last time I weighed myself I was 180. At that weight, I should be getting into 16's but I still haven't gotten there yet. FRUSTRATING, but I know that is how I lose. Try to enjoy the rest of your body slmming down. Also, I found the jeans at Torrid are made with slimmer legs and are very flattering. I always get low rise jeans (they are cut wider at the waist) and look for a slim leg (not curvy leg) cut. But, I still wear an 18 :-) Try not to focus on the size number - they mean nothing!! COngrats on your success! Lara

Make sure to follow Dr's instructions!! You have had abdominal surgery and you don't want to put any undue stress on your core. My doc said only walking for the first several weeks. Weights / pilates, etc after 6 to 8 weeks. You can lose weight without exercise. Of course, you want to exercise to keep your body healthy. just don't jump the gun and start too soon. You are still recovering from major surgery. Lara

I eat 6 times a day and I still have a hard time getting there. I can't stomach the Protein shakes. Check out eggface - there are fantastic recipes there that may help. I find that I mix cottage cheese or ricotta cheese with everything to boost the protein. Lara

I sometimes get the sensation that my body is working really hard to process what I ate. Usually when I have had a bite too much. My sensation is a bit warmer, but I also feel like all the blood in my body has rushed to my middle and sometimes I can feel my heartbeat in my tummy. I would say, slow down and measure out a little less food when you do the solids. If I stick to a strict 2 o measurement, I have no problems eating. I also sometimes eat standing up - it seems to help. Lara

If you dig through the board history you will see A LOT of posts about the last minute panic before surgery. The decision to go through the the surgery is so emotional - why can't I do this on my own, can I handle the changes, will I make it through the surgery? I think every one of us had anxiety before the surgery. You've made the decision - now go do it!! I know when I did the barium swallow in the hospital, they used some really thin form of it and it tasted bad. It was like bitter Water. But, you have to do it so they can see if there is anything wrong. You will be so happy to see your new stomach healing well. Having a succesful surgery is the goal!!! Try to relax. Ask the doctor for some Ativan to help with the anxiety if you think you need it. Make sure you have purchased your after-care food so you know you are really prepared and then get ready for the journey! Lara

Hi, Let me start by saying I rarely ate fast food before my sleeve - my band made most food diffcult to eat, so I usually ate at home. Anyway... We were on our way home from an evening walk at the bay. It was late and everyone is hungry. I recommended Taco Bell because I thought that was the only place that doesn't base their entire menu on bread. I got a crunchy taco - just one. I took it home, scooped out the insides onto a plate, mixed in a little sour cream and ate about half of it. meat, cheese, a little shredded lettuce and the sour cream probably a total of 2 tablespoons all together. It went down well, I was full / satisfied. I am still shocked at how little it takes to fill me up. As a family, we will probably not have fast food again for months - it is rare for us, but it was nice to know that I don't have to be terrified of the world around me. Lara

Right on!!!!!!!!!! So excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing better than getting into smaller jeans :-)

Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply :-) It is truly appreciated. It's nice to know such supportive and understanding people are out there. Thanks again Crosswind! Lara

The first couple of weeks are the toughest! Also try to eat some sugar free popsicles. They go down easy and are a steady stream of Fluid every time you eat one. Lara

Welcome to the board! You'll find lots of supportive folks here. I had a revision from band to sleeve and I am very happy with it so far. I didn't have complications with my band like others, but it just plain wasn't working for me. I think most "revision" patients on the board here would say that the "reversable" claim on the band is an overstatement. We each had internal scarring and some have had some serious complications from removing the band. Good luck! Lara

Hi, My band has only been gone for 4 weeks and the difference is ASTOUNDING! Great restriction from the very beginning and no more port pain!! In my opinion, the recovery is a little harder with the sleeve because the restriction starts right away and you will struggle to get the Fluid in. But after 2 weeks things get so much better. Yep, the band sucks and I want to sing it from the rooftops. Every time I see a lap-band ad (and they are everywhere) I want to scream. Good luck with your decision-- Lara

Hi, I did not have complications. The problem was, it wasn't working. Also, there was the discomfort of not being able to bend over with jeans on because the waistband hit my port. I couldn't stretch backward because of the port. I could not eat chicken because it would easily get stuck. I couldn't lay on my side in bed because of the port. I sit in a desk job and would regularly have to unbutton my pants at my desk because of the port. I found after 3 years that I couldn't really eat the healthy stuff I was supposed to and ended up eating more sliders to avoid discomfort. I did not vomit like a lit of people do. It did not slip or tear. I did not have problems with reflux or acid. I had approximately 10 fills/unfills over 3 years to try and get the "sweet spot" and was too tight several tiems which caused pain (and cost money). I originally lost 40 lbs on the band and gained back 20 and that was the best it was going to get for me. Over time, the foreign hardware in my body just didn't sit very well. I got angry because I was getting no benefit from it and it was a daily discomfort. I think I didn't realize how uncomfortable I really was until it was gone. I got the sleeve because I was terrified of gaining a bunch of weight after the lap band was gone. But I knew I had to get rid of the band either way. It started to inhibit my quality of life and that is not what is supposed to happen. The sleeve is also a good surgery for low BMI patients. After my first weight loss surgery failure, I wanted to be sure I was doing the best thing for my body the second time around. Good luck with your decision-- Lara

Hi, I was sleeved on the same day I found I felt the worst and had the most trouble with fluids in the first 2 weeks. To be honest, I still don't get in as much Fluid as is recommended. Try eating sugar free popsicles - they tend to go down better, I don't know why. Maybe the slow melting simulates the small sips you are supposed to take. Also, if you feel like you are too restricted, tell your doctor and see if they need to scope you to make sure the stomach entrance is open wide enough. Have you moved on to any mushy foods at all? eating mushy foods SAVED ME. I was able to eat just a little and then spend my time concentrating on drinking. Although I don't have problems with dry-heaving, I am still struggling with fatigue - some days are better than others. I think it hits people differently. I can walk slowly for about 30 minutes in the evening and then I am wiped out. Before surgery, I could walk for hours. Make sure you get some Zofran disolvable (its the best anti nausea med), and be sure to take your Nexium or PPI meds to keep your acid levels down. Good luck--- Lara

Yeah, I didn't have a lasting full feeling until I had a little more substance in my diet. Are you taking Nexium or a PPI? Especially early out, the only "hunger" type sensation I would have was actually bubbling acid in my stomach. Make sure you take the acid controllers and that may get rid of the bubbly/grinding sensation. Good luck-- Lara

You could do it yourself - I brought my partner and it was nice to have him. But, if you bring someone, make sure they are very patient and not affected by the environment. You'll spend a lot of time sleeping. The staff takes really good care of you.

Wow! what a story - we all perceive that maybe our weight affects our profession, but they came right out and told you!!! Holy moly, that's rough. Good luck on your journey to the sleeve. Paris is one of my favorite places in the world, but I can see how being overweight there would be a challenge. You are still a good person, no matter how much you weigh!! Lara

Hi there! I also had my surgery on 3/7 and, guess what? I've lost 15 pounds! I don't think this is unusual or slow. I try to only weigh once every other week. I don't want to get discouraged by the stall that is supposed to be happening right now. I also have the weird "must eat" compulsion around 5 o clock. I am just now at the point where I can eat a little over 600 calories. But I am only able to accomplish it by eating 6 times per day. 2 ounces of anything equals about 100 cals for me so I have to do it often. My medical direction is to eat between 600-800 cals per day during weight loss, so that has been my goal. I don't know how I would get in any more without adding the "bad" stuff. I don't know how much you have to lose, but the lower BLI you start at, the slower it will come off. Hang in ther and give your scale a break for 10 days :-) I had my partner hide the scale in the garage so I am not tempted. Lara

Great rendition of the Mexicali experience!! Bummer about the noise, though - that sucks! They do the pain management better than anywhere in Dr A's office. No pain, no vomitting - amazing!

I'm not sure if it is "kosher" for me to say what I paid. However, I have a lap-band to sleeve revision so I paid more than someone who has just the sleeve. You should go to his web site and get in touch with Nina. She will give you the price. Dr Aceves is known to be the most expensive among the Mexican doctors, but a lot of us feel he is absolutely the best. You can look through the boards for everyone who sings his praises.

Fantastic!!!!! Congratulations!!!! Best wishes for your continued success--- Lara