loridee24

I don't dump, but I definitely react if I overeat sugar. I bloat (noticeably and my stomach gets really icky), get exhausted - like sit on the couch and pass out for 2 hours - and have bad gas. I do OK with fruit or if I eat protein before the sugar. I can also have a little bit, but I haven't tried to narrow down where the line is. Knowing it's a possibility helps me avoid overeating sugary food, especially if I'm out with others or traveling. It's easier to avoid than to try and deal with it.

I am going to have a conversion from lap band to RNY in 2 surgeries. My lap band removal is scheduled for Aug 26th. For those of you who had the lap band removed in a stand alone surgery, how was the recovery? Trying to decide how much time to be off work and if i need to find someone who can stay with me or if just a ride home is good. Also - how long after the band removal before you were ready for RNY? My doctor is thinking around 3 months. Thanks in advance! ~Lori

Hi All, I had my lapband put in in 2007 and was initially very successful. I lost 145 lbs in 2 years and did great for another 3. Unfortunately, I started having issues with my band including horrible heart burn, food getting stuck, etc. I have had fills and unfills over the years but have been largely unfilled for a long time. I finally had to be completely unfilled 2 years ago when I couldn't swallow water even with the band mostly empty. i've gained all of my weight back through it all. I finally decided that I think I want to go to bypass and met with the surgeon this week. My Dr wants to remove my band first (he's scheduling in the next month), then while I heal he wants me to lose some weight and hopefully be ready for bypass in 3-4 months. I would love to connect with some of you who have been through or are going through this. Any advice? Looking forward to connecting. Lori

yesterday was a bit rough for me. I had more pain than I expected just at the port removal site. I had a lot of swelling and bruising that peaked yesterday. In addition, I've had a really hard time sleeping (I'm normally a side sleeper and couldn't get comfortable on either side due to pressure on the port incision). I finally realized I just needed to take some pain meds (OTC Ibprofen) and it helped me to get a good night sleep last night and am so much better today! Pain is also MUCh better now that swelling is down a lot.

thanks all. Right now I'm weighing daily and I've noticed the days i don't want to it's because i know i had a bad day before (Ironically the days I should be weighing myself). I will need to really watch myself to see if it negatively impacts my mindset an if it does I may cut down to 2 x per week.

Hi All, I'm curious how often you do or have been told you should weigh? When I was doing weight loss in the past (WW or JC) they would tell me to only weigh in weekly. Then when I tried noom recently they told me to weigh daily. I'll ask my surgeon and the psychologist when I get to that point in the process but I'm curious what others have been told or do? Thanks, Lori

Well, my lap band is out! Overall it was a pretty easy surgery and I was home by around 11:30 AM yesterday. i do have pain where the port was removed and some gas pain but the other incisions are pretty painless and overall it isn't too bad. I have the week off but may go back half day Thursday/Friday just to get caught up.

My Dr said that because of the malabsorptive effects of the surgery oral birth control won't work as well. However, you should be able to look at other forms like IUD or implants...

thank you so much for sharing, not just the weight but your ability to be more active. I want to be thinner, but my main motivation is feeling like I can go do the things I want without my body stopping me in the tracks with pain and lack of stamina. Lori

Thanks for sharing DeeDee and congratulations on a successful surgery. I'm doing good. Getting ready for my surgery on Monday for band removal. I decided to take the week off but let my boss know if I felt up to it I'd log on from home mid-week that way I'm covered. A little nervous (surgery is never fun) but ready to get this stage done. ~Lori

Thanks all for sharing. I'm having my band removed on Monday (Aug 26th). My Dr. does the conversation to bypass in 2 separate surgeries to allow the stomach to heal, so hopefully I'll be approved and ready for that around the end of Nov. Lori

For those of you who had band to bypass and had a lot to lose, what was your average weekly weight loss in the first 6 months? Year? I know every person is different and it depends on what you do with the tool, I'm just trying to understand what's possible. For reference, I'm female and 41 and have 165 to lose to be at my goal weight (I need to lose 25 pre-surgery). Thanks for sharing! Lori

Hope your surgery went well yesterday and you are healing well!

Hey Jason, I'm in a similar situation. Had my band for 13 years and having it out on Aug 26th. Dr. does removal and then revision in a second surgery 3 or more months later. One of my main complaints with the band is heartburn and my Dr. said if you have Heartburn with the band you are likely to have it with Sleeve as well so they recommend bypass for me. Best of luck! Lori

Hi Amanda, I'm in NorCal but going through Kaiser. My surgeon said they only do the surgery in 2 stages. I have my band removal surgery scheduled for Aug 26th. My band surgery will be around 3 months after that assuming i heal well and lose my pre-surgery weight. Lori

I'm in San Jose and will be going through Kaiser. I just started so will likely have an end of year date. Please share your journey! Lori

Hey All, Apologies if there is a way to search for this but i can't seem to find it. Where does everyone create their trackers they have in their footers? Lori

Thanks!

Good luck with your band removal. I'm still waiting for the surgery to be scheduled, but the doctor said if I didn't hear by yesterday I should call Monday so I'll do that. I may be just a few weeks behind you in the removal. In addition to band removal and 3 months of healing, the doctor wants me to lose 30 pounds before my bypass. I understand and am determined to do that but am finding it harder to start than I expected. I'm going to put up a bunch of pictures of me doing things I love to do that I haven't been doing because of my weight (pics are largely from when I lost the weight with the band) and see if that helps motivate me. Anyone have any other tips? Lori

Hi pssk, Yes, I'm nervous. This is a big surgery and so many things can go wrong. And even if everything goes right its a major lifestyle change. I'm doing my best to make sure I'm ready mentally and physically (giving up coffee, etc... now). Do you have a target for your surgery yet? I'm waiting for the schedulers to call for my lap band removal and have at least 3 months after that before I can have my RNY so I'm hoping for around/after Thanksgiving (assuming I can lose the required weight in that time). ~Lori

Hi All, I am just starting to plan my surgery but I would like to start figuring out how to eat like I will post surgery. I am single and so I prefer to cook 1 pot meals. Does anyone have any good recipes that are high protein, lower calorie, and can be made in a single pot v. multiple items? Thanks in advance! Lori

Thanks Elcee. Have you had any issues with reflux since the conversion? Even fully unfilled I still have issues that I'm hoping will go away once it's removed and won't reappear with the bypass.

Thank you both! these all look great!

Hi Kathy, I think you and I are in the same both - I am also in Kaiser and having to go in 2 stages. I'm just waiting for the office to call to schedule the lap band removal and working on losing weight. I'm hoping that timing works out that the RNY surgery won't be too delayed since I'll be healed and lose the necessary pre-surgery weight at about the same time. Lor