NewLife4Jen

I have been through so much in the last year..... I originally had my band done on April 27, 2012. Over the course of the 2.5 years, the majority of my diet was liquid. I could rarely keep things down. When I was lucky enough to keep something down, I'd eat it at a later date and then it would come back up again. The 1 cup of food I was supposedly able to eventually eat never happened. My surgeon kept saying I was fine. I had to go to the hospital twice last year, a CT and ultrasound done and was told everything was fine...no slippage said the surgeon and again, I was fine. I don't think so. The last 6-7 months of last year, I kept growing sicker....toward the end only keeping Water down. But supposedly I was FINE. I sought a second opinion the last part of last Oct. by another physician...this time one specializing in bariatrics not just a general surgeon. He said that not everything can be seen on a CT scan or ultrasound. I had an Upper GI in Nov. and was found to have a slipped band...quite slipped and was eroding. I saw the pictures. So it was immediately deflated. I already had some relief. On Dec. 5th, my band was removed. My band had eroded two complete holes in my stomach and the port had become encapsulated in the muscle. No wonder I felt so bad! It was such a relief, I cried. I also saw surgery pics. Needless to say, I could not have a revision done at that time. The doctor was quite sure that I could get insurance to cover the revision. But, I knew that there were no guarantees. I wanted to believe but there was always a little fear in the back of my mind. I tried not to think about. I just concentrated on recovering and trying not to gain too much weight since I could finally keep down food. I have gained 10 pounds. I would normally feel bad about that but the dr. said that even if I was eating very little and the best of the best, compared to water, I'd gain weight. Anyway, I got word today that there is medical necessity for the sleeve gastrectomy. I had to read the "medical necessity" part of the letter about 7 times. I then broke down in tears. My surgery is scheduled for a little over a week away. Will be starting pre-op diet tomorrow. I am so looking forward to being healthy again and finally lose my weight after almost 3 years on this journey. At my lowest on the band, I had gotten to 185 lbs but had slowly regained to 208 (when I could drink more than water, I had some ice cream shakes as the Protein shakes and Soups were getting old. Imagine eating only Protein Shakes and soups for about 90% of your diet for 2.5 years! So yes, I added the ice cream shakes. I asked my new surgeon why it had eroded and so badly. He said that it usually happens when too much pressure is put on one side of the band and stomach....that usually happens when it is put in(which could explain why I never really could eat). Also, I am sure my GERD had a little something to do with it. They said that because of my GERD, the acid attacked the food before it ever got to the pouch (everything is slower) forcing it to be attacked and me losing it before it ever got to the stomach. Then when I vomited, it could have shifted the band a bit putting too much pressure on the one side. So, I wanted to update my story and am hoping that my story may be of some hope and help to others struggling out there. I am so looking forward to next week. Thanks for listening.

Hi all.... Need advice on salads/lettuce. Will I ever get to have salad again without feeling sick. Maybe I am rushing it...I am just under 12 weeks post-op. The dr. told me that I can go slow but I can try to eat what I can tolerate. I had missed salads and vegetables so much, I tried a salad. I didn't tolerate it all that well. When does being able to eat salads/vegetables and even fruit come back? Thanks

LOVE my fitbit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have the Fitbit Charge

I just turned 48 and I feel fabulous and haven't looked this good since my 20's!!!! Happy to be here!

Hi everyone on Feb. 2015 sleevers: Happy to be here. Here's my scoop: Feb 4, 2015 for me Revised from a lapband originally placed April 2012 Surgeon: Dr. Michael Feiz

Thank you all for your support. It has been a while since I have been here and posted anything...... I had gastric sleeve surgery on Feb. 4, 2015 after recovering from the removal of my lapband and repair of 2 holes in my stomach that was done on Dec. 5, 2014. The second surgery went great but 2 major surgeries in 2 months took their toll and recovery was long. I am doing great now and can actually hold down food. What a blessing! I have lost 35.5 lbs. since my surgery in Feb. Of course I want it to be faster but I will take it after all I've been through and the fact that I can actually eat. Exercise was slow to come due to complete exhaustion in my recovery but slowly building strength there too so I expect things to start progressing faster now. Well, hoping anyway. I have another 2 pounds to lose to get back to the lightest I was post lapband surgery then after that, it is all the sleeve and my hard work! So, here's to another 2 pounds and increase in exercise and to a new life for me! I looked last night at a picture of me at my heaviest and I started to cry. I don't even recognize myself. It is a reminder of how completely unhappy I was then and all that I had gone through to bring me to that weight. I am glad I have those pictures. Even though it is so hard to look at, I will, as it is motivation and reminder to myself that I will NEVER EVER go back there again! I have never been so hopeful and happy in all my life!

From Jan 2015: I have been through so much in the last year..... I originally had my band done on April 27, 2012. Over the course of the 2.5 years, the majority of my diet was liquid. I could rarely keep things down. When I was lucky enough to keep something down, I'd eat it at a later date and then it would come back up again. The 1 cup of food I was supposedly able to eventually eat never happened. My surgeon kept saying I was fine. I had to go to the hospital twice last year, a CT and ultrasound done and was told everything was fine...no slippage said the surgeon and again, I was fine. I don't think so. The last 6-7 months of last year, I kept growing sicker....toward the end only keeping water down. But supposedly I was FINE. I sought a second opinion the last part of last Oct. by another physician...this time one specializing in bariatrics not just a general surgeon. He said that not everything can be seen on a CT scan or ultrasound. I had an Upper GI in Nov. and was found to have a slipped band...quite slipped and was eroding. I saw the pictures. So it was immediately deflated. I already had some relief. On Dec. 5th, my band was removed. My band had eroded two complete holes in my stomach and the port had become encapsulated in the muscle. No wonder I felt so bad! It was such a relief, I cried. I also saw surgery pics. Needless to say, I could not have a revision done at that time. The doctor was quite sure that I could get insurance to cover the revision. But, I knew that there were no guarantees. I wanted to believe but there was always a little fear in the back of my mind. I tried not to think about. I just concentrated on recovering and trying not to gain too much weight since I could finally keep down food. I have gained 10 pounds. I would normally feel bad about that but the dr. said that even if I was eating very little and the best of the best, compared to water, I'd gain weight. Anyway, I got word today that there is medical necessity for the sleeve gastrectomy. I had to read the "medical necessity" part of the letter about 7 times. I then broke down in tears. My surgery is scheduled for a little over a week away. Will be starting pre-op diet tomorrow. I am so looking forward to being healthy again and finally lose my weight after almost 3 years on this journey. At my lowest on the band, I had gotten to 185 lbs but had slowly regained to 208 (when I could drink more than water, I had some ice cream shakes as the protein shakes and soups were getting old. Imagine eating only protein shakes and soups for about 90% of your diet for 2.5 years! So yes, I added the ice cream shakes. I asked my new surgeon why it had eroded and so badly. He said that it usually happens when too much pressure is put on one side of the band and stomach....that usually happens when it is put in(which could explain why I never really could eat). Also, I am sure my GERD had a little something to do with it. They said that because of my GERD, the acid attacked the food before it ever got to the pouch (everything is slower) forcing it to be attacked and me losing it before it ever got to the stomach. Then when I vomited, it could have shifted the band a bit putting too much pressure on the one side. So, I wanted to update my story and am hoping that my story may be of some hope and help to others struggling out there. I am so looking forward to next week. Thanks for listening.

Thank you all for your support. It has been a while since I have been here and posted anything...... I had gastric sleeve surgery on Feb. 4, 2015 after recovering from the removal of my lapband and repair of 2 holes in my stomach that was done on Dec. 5, 2014. The second surgery went great but 2 major surgeries in 2 months took their toll and recovery was long. I am doing great now and can actually hold down food. What a blessing! I have lost 35.5 lbs. since my surgery in Feb. Of course I want it to be faster but I will take it after all I've been through and the fact that I can actually eat. Exercise was slow to come due to complete exhaustion in my recovery but slowly building strength there too so I expect things to start progressing faster now. Well, hoping anyway. I have another 2 pounds to lose to get back to the lightest I was post lapband surgery then after that, it is all the sleeve and my hard work! So, here's to another 2 pounds and increase in exercise and to a new life for me! I looked last night at a picture of me at my heaviest and I started to cry. I don't even recognize myself. It is a reminder of how completely unhappy I was then and all that I had gone through to bring me to that weight. I am glad I have those pictures. Even though it is so hard to look at, I will, as it is motivation and reminder to myself that I will NEVER EVER go back there again! I have never been so hopeful and happy in all my life!

I am 4 days out. I was prescribed omeprazole 30mg. which I take daily by opening the capsule and letting the beads go to the back of my throat. I then drink a sip of Water and they go down. However, I have also been having trouble with gas and gurgling. What I have found over-the-counter that has helped is Papaya pineapple Enzymes from Trader Joe's. I was told about these after my lapband surgery and they work wonders! They are a God send! I also have taken Gas-x and snipped it open and put the med in a small 1oz. cup of water. This has also helped. I also use a heating pad. However walking is the best! Hope this may help.....

To anyone and everyone, I just had my gastric sleeve done yesterday...YAY!!!!!!! I had a long road, one that I just recently spoke about in a recent thread. Anyway, long story short....I had a band done in 4/2012 and only could ever keep liquid down. I got sicker and weaker as time went on with emergency room visits. The original doctor said nothing was wrong but no testing done except for a CT scan in the ER. He said it was fine. I sought a second opinion, may tests done and the band was badly eroded and the port was encapsulated in to the muscle. I had that sll taken out and repaired Dec. 5th, 2014. I was approved to have the gastric sleeve done (as it was not my "choice" to have the band out). Well, surgery yesterday. Many things are a bit better this time(less overall pain compared to Dec), However, I came home today and I am so sick. I did as I was instructed trying to get my Water and Protein shakes down (2 ounces at a time). I guess I am so swollen, I have been gurgling in my chest along with intense, "feels like a heart attack" kind of chest pain. I went to the bathroom once hoping that it would come up but it isn't like the band and it didn't. Now, I have a raging headache. The gas pain is also excrutiating. I am walking as instructed. I know this passes (excuse the pun) as I have been through this before. It is just hard, I hurt and am emotional at the moment. I did try the papaya-pineapple enzymes which is the only reason I can write this tonight. Any advice?? I am in so much pain(yep, took pain meds too (Lortab liquid) Thanks in advance, Jen

I was banded in 2012, had lost almost 75 lbs. at one point. I'm now at a total weight loss of 57 pounds. Ever since my surgery, I have never really done well with solids. I didn't wrooy about it at first cause I was losing but then, my weight plateaued and I gained a bit then plateaued again that I began to get concerned that about 90% of my diet is liquid. I got sick of Protein shakes so occasional ice cream shakes and sodas came into play (thus the weight gain). But, the main problem is...when I try to eat solids, even healthy solids, I am in the bathroom getting rid of it. Finally heard from the dr. that my body produces too much digestive mucous/juices too fast and attacks the food before it can get down to my stomach and be digested so the only option...my body tries to get rid of it. I miss healthy foods and am tired of not eating and having to leave the second half of meals in the bathroom. The second half of the issue is I eat/drink so very little...I cannot lose weight anymore. So I am stuck. My band has been filled and unfilled, filled and unfilled. So medically, I have a reason for insurance to pay for the band to come put but not necessarily to be converted to sleeve. My dr. is well known and he's affiliated with a center of excellence. They said that they have not had one insurance company pay for direct conversion. My dr's office says that in order to pay, all insurance require you to meet original parameters (bmi of 35 or more with problems or bmi of 40). Therefore, I will actually have to gain some weight (go backwards) in order to reach a bmi of 35 in order to have a sleeve. Plus then, I will need hope that they will think that my sleep apnea is bad enough that I can qualify. I have Blue Shield of California Ultimate PPO that we pay for ourselves(not through an employer). I haven't actually been turned down yet cause I have to submit for approval but before I can do that, I have to pay for and re-do my psych profile AGAIN. It is SOOO frustrating to think that the insurance company would make me meet ORIGINAL guidelines...including attending possible nutrition classes (I know what is involved and how to eat by now). I refuse to gain ALL my weight back to get back up to a BMI of 40. Ugh! Has anyone, who has this insurance, gone from lap band to sleeve as a direct conversion?? Has anyone had to meet the original guidelines. Any insight you have, I'd appreciate it. Thanks- Jen

Hi Smwtwins... It is just my opinion but if you are close enough to be intimate and he is your boyfriend, then I would recommend telling him. For me, a relationship starts with trust and you build on that together. Does he know about your sleeve? If you plan on starting to be intimate with him and your scars are not something that can be hidden then I think you should talk to him first. This should not come as a surprise to him....where will that leave you two? Good luck

Hi... I was banded in April of 2012. I gained some weight over the holidays and back being out (about 15 lbs). However, I can still feel restricted, get stuck and can pb. So I don't necessarily need to be tightened but was wondering that if I stretched out my pouch, can i shrink it back up but going back on an extra strict diet like the pre-op liquid diet and Protein shakes for a while? Does anyone has any advice or input on this? A little concerned as I will never go completely back to where I was and am discouraged on the weight I've gained. Thanks

I still am slipping a bit. I have gained weight over the summer with vacation, etc. I am up about 6 lbs. I was filled last week 0.25cc then immediately unfilled of 0.10cc. This brought my total to still about 1.1cc under my most filled. I am able to eat more now and have found myself emotionally eating for sure as I have undergone some recent major life changes. I wish www.mylapbandjourney.com was still up and running. You could keep track of fills and unfills, journal, track your food and progress, measurements and labs. It would be great to have lapbandtalk.com have a sister site that took over this as there is nothing out there like that. Also......if any of you previous repliers want to reply again or anyone new....I still could use a band buddy. I need to get back on track! Thanks

Hi all- I so need a buddy to keep motivated. I have lost 70 pounds so far in 9-10 months but I have had a plateau since the end of Dec./early Jan. I had a fill in Feb. but then had to go back for a partial unfill. Even though I was more restricted, I haven't broken the plateau. Because I have gotten discouraged, I have developed some bad habits again like drinking loaded soda and having ice cream and candy. I have gained about 4 pounds and am so scared. Because of work, I am not exercising like I once did. I have asked a "famous" you-tube lapbander that is a facebook "friend" a couple of questions on two separate occasions and never have gotten an answer. I really need a buddy to keep motivated, to give me words of encouragement, and to keep me accountable. I will do the same for that person. I know it helps as one of my best friends is not considering the band. Just talking with her has helped some but she is in such a different place than I am now that it only helps to a point. I live in Southern California and was banded April 27th, 2012. I am married, have kids, work and had "lost myself" when I became fat. Does this ring any bellsfor anyone? Please...someone must be out there. Thanks- Jen

I still am slipping a bit. I have gained weight over the summer with vacation, etc. I am up about 6 lbs. I was filled last week 0.25cc then immediately unfilled of 0.10cc. This brought my total to still about 1.1cc under my most filled. I am able to eat more now and have found myself emotionally eating for sure as I have undergone some recent major life changes. I wish www.mylapbandjourney.com was still up and running. You could keep track of fills and unfills, journal, track your food and progress, measurements and labs. It would be great to have lapbandtalk.com have a sister site that took over this as there is nothing out there like that. Also......if any of you previous repliers want to reply again or anyone new....I still could use a band buddy. I need to get back on track! Thanks

I was banded on April 27th 2012....just wondering where everyone else is at that were banded around that time. How's your weight loss? Have you backtracked at all? Thanks

Hey Draven and everyone else who have been so willing to give support, I have had my ups and downs (literally). I was filled and still wasn't losing. I just had an unfill this past Monday cause I had gotten sick twice on Sunday night. We went to Olive Garden and I only had about 3 slow, little bites of salad and I was completely sick. After that, I felt better and tried a little soup.....Nope, my body was not going to have that either. I was sick of feeling sick and I realized, after reading Alex's book on lapband, that I have never been able to eat what he says that I should be able to at this point in my journey. It has always been easier to drink my intake. So, I spoke with the nurse practitioner on Monday. She didn't really want to unfill me cause she was concerned I would gain. She did anyway and took out 0.25 cc so I am at a total of 5.5cc. I feel so much better and can eat but sure enough, I have gained a little. But, I haven't been exercising like I should. My surgiversary date (April 27th) was NOT what I had expected. I wanted to be in a losing mode and weigh less than I ever have on this journey. I wasn't though. I did take pictures and I am proud of where I have come but still need to lose about 30 pounds more. I am still wanting and needing support. Will be now keeping food diary better than I was and for and will be eating sensibly. Next week, I may even go back to my liquid pre-op diet for about a week to kick start things again. Thanks everyone for your support. I clearly need to be on this thread and website more regularly. PS.....another motivating factor. One of my best friends, who once asked if I ever thought I had taken the easy way out, just had a sleeve done about 2.5 weeks ago.

Thanks everyone. It has been a while since I have been on....life is always so busy. Anyway, I was doing better for a while and now, not so much again. It is completely a choice for me....meaning I know I am about to make a bad decision and make it anyway. When I was first losing, my stomach felt flat (not bloated) but I feel like even though the scale hasn't gone up that much (like 2 pounds), I feel like I am getting fatter. Weird huh? Anyway, I am sure I will be pm'ing many of you as I know I can use the help and if I can help others, I will do my best to do that. Thanks for the encouraging words. I did get unfilled and barely feel a restriction which is bad. I knew when she did it that she unfilled me too much but I was so tired of feeling bad and not being able to eat or drink, I went for it. However, I think if I am refilled a tiny bit, get to working out, and keep a log of what I eat (I downloaded My Fitness Pal), I think I will get back on track. I think my body just needed a break....or maybe it is an excuse. However, I am now reading, "The BIG Book on the Lap-Band" by Alex Brecher (from this website). I will keep you all informed....the story continues.......................

Thanks you three. I am doing better with my eating (not a choice right now) and am re-motivated! Yay! I also got another fill last week. Helped a little for a short time however, I am definitely overfilled. I am only able to do liquids and barely those. I don't feel good either. I think that I will be calling the office tomorrow to get unfilled. I am actually thinking that I am hanging onto this weight and haven't lost for a while cause I can hardly take anything in. I think maybe that even before this most recent fill, I needed to be unfilled rather than filled. Does that make any sense? I want to eat salad and chicken and healthy things but really have only been able to feel good with liquids...so I had been choosing ice cream shakes and sodas to get my blood sugar up. Does any of this make sense? I am really sick of not being able to eat and feeling this way so I will update how it all goes.

I am so glad that there is this topic....I am interested in this program as well and want to run a 5K as soon as I possibly can. This is a personal goal for me and I will feel very accomplished when I do. Where can I get the program. I saw something brief on the internet. Is that how everyone else is doing it?? Any advice?

I had thick hair but it is quite thin now. it started gettng bad when i stopped doing my protein skakes a day. Starting tomorrow...back to the two shakes a day for 56-70 graks of Pure Protein....will also be starting a biotin shampoo. Thanks to your post...will stat supplementing with biotin pills

I need advice. I was banded back in April. I have lost almost 60 lbs. There have been 3 fills where I have needed to be unfilled afterward. Then, a few weeks ago, I had the flu and couldn't keep anything down. They unfilled me again to give my stomach a rest. After I got better, I felt very little restriction. So, last Thursday, I went back and got another fill. They put back 0.5cc out of the 0.75 cc that they had taken out (with the last fill and the stomach flu). I am finally losing some weight again....finally. I have been hanging around the same weight for over a month. So I am excited! However, I am having some PB's...if I was truthful, probably more than I should be. I am definitely not vomiting as it isn't much food....mostly thich mucous (sorry). Sometimes....I can be a smidge sore afterward...like it's irritated. I am good with fluids and a very little amount of food. So....the advice I need (finally)....how dangerous is PB'ing? I mean....will that cause slippage? Is it dangerous to my esophagus? I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my health or status but it seems like if I anything under the amount I am now(5.75 cc I think) then I don't feelrestricted/I can eat more/ and I don't lose weight. I am so sick of being right above a major milestone (by only 1-2 lbs) Maybe I can do this for a time to kick start my weight loss again by mostly having fluids then mention it to the dr. Help PLEASE Thanks- Jen

Good luck to you! Let us all know how you did.