Bino

Thanks for posting this question. I'm only in the planing stage, but I hadn't even thought about this. I will add it to the list of questions I'm compiling for my doc!

I was banded in 2006 and it was really great for about six months. That was when I had the first episode of the band closing itself up. They had to remove all the Fluid and it never worked right after that. Fast forward a few years and I've been to the ER twice to have fluid removed because it has closed up on me again. I haven't had any fluid in my band for the past three months and I'm still struggling with things getting stuck and vomiting and never knowing when I'll be able to eat food or only have liquids. So, I went to the doctor today, we reviewed my issues and he suggested removing the band and doing the sleeve. Now I'm freaking out a bit. I worry that if I failed at the band, the sleeve won't work either. And the sleeve is permanent. However the doc feels that I will lose what weight I need to within six months. I went ahead and did the first step of meeting with the nutritionist today (she had a last minute cancellation). Here's a list of things I was told...I'd love to know what the reality is, though. 1. I won't feel hungry again 2. I won't get thirsty again 3. Two months of liquids post-op 4. No alcohol or honey (what I use for a sweetener) for at least 8 weeks 5. No bread, Pasta, or rice for six months 6. Sweets will taste different after the surgery How do allergies and stress affect the sleeve? These seem to be the culprit to causing issues with my band. Do you get dumping syndrome like with Gastric Bypass? Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thank y'all for all the feedback.

I've only lost 41 lbs in two years, but it's coming off again. Turns out I was eating more sugar than I was paying attention too. Once I stopped the carnation instant breakfast and went back to a protein drink in the morning, the weight started coming off again. So, it might be slow for some of us, but we need to watch our diets too.

Everyone seems to be doing so well. My journey is going okay. It seems I only loose for the two weeks after a fill and then nothing. However, it's partially my own fault since I don't exercise like I should. I'm very hit or miss (mostly). I enjoyed reading yall's posts, though, and have two new ideas that I feel will be of great help. One is to journal what I eat, and along with that is to make sure I'm getting enough Protein. I go for a fill tomorrow morning. So that will be the perfect time to put yall's ideas to work. Keep posting! :wink2:

I'm in Union County, but was also banded in Oct 2008 and I know what you mean about staying on track. Went for a fill this morning and they said that my pouch was just starting to stretch so I have to get back to measuring my food and watching the drinking before I really stretch it. Where in Bergen County are you?

How do you know if you've stretched your pouch? Can you fix it if you have done it? Just curious :wink2:

This is the best thread...I laughed so hard and I really needed a good laugh today!

I have the same thing...tighter in the morning...so I asked my doc. He said that it's due to postnasal drip. It irritates the area around the band, causing it to be swollen in the morning and whenever else I'm having sinus drip.

I will admit that I'm a stress eater and the amount of stress I've had the past four months has been unreal. That has translated to me eating more M&Ms and ice cream that I should. However, finally, I have been exercising regularly for the past six weeks. Five days a week...first for 1/2 hour, the last two weeks at 45 minutes on a treadmill. My last fill was March 20, at which time I dropped five pounds. I haven't lost anything since then. But here's the weird thing, I've dropped a dress size. Is my scale messed up? :smile2:

Congratulations on getting your surgery date...it is the same date as my cousin and I'm so excited for her. You'll do great! I'm nine months post-op and it's going slow, but it is going and I feel really good...I can actually bend over and touch my toes :smile2:

I just spoke to my insurance. They said it would be covered 100% if I used Dr. Nusbaum, here in NJ, and it is deemed medically necessary. Anybody here seen Dr. Nusbaum? Also, who decides if it is medically necessary? :biggrin:

GGQ, I was at about the same starting place, 41 BMI, 5'3" at 240 lbs and 39 yrs old. I was nervous about the surgery, but was starting to have medical issues. You won't be able to eat the same after the surgery, but you can still enjoy food, just less of it. There will be certain foods that you can no longer eat, but it's not worth the getting stuck and throwing up. I have gone out to eat with no problems, I just choose food that I know goes down well, typically fish, and a lot of times I'll split an entree with my hubby. The weight is coming off slow, its been five months and I'm down 30lbs. But, my blood sugar level is completely normal now and my energy level is good. I would definitely do it again.

Littlebylittle...just wanted to say I really appreciated your post. I had my second fill in December and have not lost any weight sense. My husband has told me several times to call the doctor to see if I need another fill, especially since he says I eat more than I should be at this point. But, I had a lot of anxiety...worrying about being too tight, getting stuck, etc. But I called the doctor and I go for another fill on Friday. Thanks, Bino

I used Dr. Nusbaum in Livingston. He has a wonderful program, his staff are the best--very helpful and St. Barnabas Hospital is great.

I don't think there is a correlation at all...I had really good restriction after the surgery, but in the week and a half since my first fill, not much restriction at all.

My doc said to introduce veggies, but like everthing else, only introduce one new item at a time incase you have an intolerance to it. And, in the beginning eat your veggies steamed/cooked to make them softer.

I had restriction until the swelling went down, then nothing until my first fill. Now only a little restriction.

That's all I'm hoping for is the 1-2 lbs. a week. The first week post-op I lost quite a bit because of the liquid diet. But I know it will slow down. Its great when your kids are so proud of you. My son was mad at first when I wanted the surgery...he said he liked me the way I was and didn't want me to feel I had to be thin like models. Once I explain the health issues, he's been a big support...now if I could just get him to clean his room :eek:...but with teenagers you take what you can get.

I had my first fill on Monday. My doc does it in the imaging department. Went in, he gave me a local, which pinched very slightly. Found the port with no problem. My follow-up appointment is the first week of December.

Congratulations on both a 50 year marriage and your weightloss.

This may sound weird, but I found won-ton Soup --minus the won-tons, filled me up and tasted better than just plain chicken broth. And, the sugar free ice pops helped with any cravings.

I was banded on 10/16 and go for my first fill on Monday (Nov. 2) My doctor routinely schedule's the first fill around a month out. Which is good, because I have hardly any restriction and while I've cut my portions, I do get hungry pretty quickly.

Best wishes...I think waiting on insurance is the most nerve-wracking part of the whole process!