KartMan

I was all set for an 8/15/2017 band to sleeve revision and ran into a snag in pre-op testing. Got it all sorted out and am now rescheduled for my revision on 9/7/2017 with Dr. Ortiz at OCC in Tijuana Mexico. Good luck to all the September Sleevers!!!

We all have weak moments, I get that. But actually planning for a food funeral seems like the first step in a failure of your future lifestyle. If one excessive and unhealthy meal means that much to you, maybe you aren't ready for this change yet? I had the band in 2009 and lost all of my excess weight. Unfortunately, it has since failed and I need a revision. It felt great to be normal and thin - but it required work and commitment. If you can't be strong now in pre-op, do you think you will be strong enough to cope in post-op? Choose wisely.

I had the band placed in 2009. I am scheduled to have it removed and the sleeve done on the same day September 7, 2017 It seems some doctors will do it in one setting while others insist on waiting to let the band area heal before doing the sleeve.

Had my VSG revision (from LapBand) scheduled for tomorrow (8/15/17) in Mexico. Got down to do the pre-op testing. All was going well, vitals were all good, I lost the prescribed weight, but then... Apparently either I missed the question or it wasn't recorded properly in the pre-screen that I have had Hepatitis B in the past. Mind you, my HepB was 30 years ago and was acute (meaning no ongoing symptoms). Also, I had LapBand 8 years ago and there were absolutely no liver issues then and I have numerous liver panels through the years with no ongoing liver function issues. However, out of an abundance of caution - they want to run a fresh liver function blood test and the results take 10 days to process. Assuming it's good, they will reschedule. This means my surgery is postponed a minimum of two weeks and possibly longer depending on their availability. The real kick in the teeth is I have to stay on the pre-op diet the whole time.

That is the plan. I've had my band unfilled for about 2 months so hopefully as long as there are no hidden complications they can do both at once.

Good news, liver blood test came back ok so I have a new date of 9/7/2017 set.

Good news, liver blood test came back ok so I have a new date of 9/7/2017 set.

Keep in mind that they pump in a lot of IV fluid during surgery and you may be restraining water from all the trauma and the meds. Your goal right now should be healing and sticking to the program. Worry about the scale later.

Hey Joonburg, We (guys) are in the minority on this site and most WLS social media. I think the women outnumber the men in terms of getting the surgery and in posting about it. I haven't gotten my sleeve yet (a little pre-op limbo) but I did great with the LapBand back in 2009. Surgery went great and I lost all my excess weight (went from 282 down to 170, I'm 5'11) in the first year. My sister had it at the same time, and I can tell you it was easier for me to lose than her. I think us guys get a little advantage with muscle mass and not having to deal with monthly hormones. As for anxiety, all I can say is try to relax. It's a quick procedure and the incisions are actually quite small (same for band and sleeve). I felt little or no pain at the incisions and only had minor gas pains. The gas pains aren't typical stomach gas pains, it's in your upper back. Yes it can be quite uncomfortable - but it isn't excruciating and it will go away in a few days. My best advice is walk early and often to help it to dissipate. Best of luck to you.

Good for you! Weight loss is only part of the story. Reducing or ending those comorbidities is equally important.

Best of luck to you in whichever path you end up on.

I always say extra skin is way better than extra fat. Worry about it later. Depending on your age and body type, it might not even be that bad.

I would say set your BMI goal to the upper und of normal (24.9). You can always reassess once you get there.

Have you considered Mexico? Significantly cheaper than US and none of the insurance hassles. Of course it means you might have to travel and will have out pocket self pay costs, it was worth it for me.

It's not the luck of the draw. Surgery gives you a huge potential. If you use it correctly (I'm not saying its easy), you can succeed. Cheating (eating past the sleeve) and living a sedentary life will hinder success.

It's BS, it's statistics. The 65% comes from the average weight loss of the entire population in the study. Some people work the tool, and some don't. If you put in the work, there is no reason to believe you can't lose 100% of your excess weight. I had LapBand in 2009 and lost all of my excess weight (about 110 lbs). I didn't actually start exercising till I was at about 80% from goal, and frankly not even a lot at that point. The most important factor was watching what I ate, because it is definitely possible to cheat. I kept the weight off for years too, it was only recently that my band failed that I started to gain weight.

I had LapBand in 2009 and went from a BMI of about 39 (about 280lbs) down to a BMI of about 25 (about 180lbs). I looked great with that BMI and was also fine at about 28-29 BMI. Don't fixate too much an the final weight or BMI till you get there. Everybody is a little different. Also, don't read too much into what they say statistically people will lose. You are an individual and have the potential to lose 100% of the excess weight.

I had LapBand in 2009 and went from a BMI of about 39 (about 280lbs) down to a BMI of about 25 (about 180lbs). I looked great with that BMI and was also fine at about 28-29 BMI. Don't fixate too much an the final weight or BMI till you get there. Everybody is a little different. Also, don't read too much into what they say statistically people will lose. You are an individual and have the potential to lose 100% of the excess weight.

Had my VSG revision (from LapBand) scheduled for tomorrow (8/15/17) in Mexico. Got down to do the pre-op testing. All was going well, vitals were all good, I lost the prescribed weight, but then... Apparently either I missed the question or it wasn't recorded properly in the pre-screen that I have had Hepatitis B in the past. Mind you, my HepB was 30 years ago and was acute (meaning no ongoing symptoms). Also, I had LapBand 8 years ago and there were absolutely no liver issues then and I have numerous liver panels through the years with no ongoing liver function issues. However, out of an abundance of caution - they want to run a fresh liver function blood test and the results take 10 days to process. Assuming it's good, they will reschedule. This means my surgery is postponed a minimum of two weeks and possibly longer depending on their availability. The real kick in the teeth is I have to stay on the pre-op diet the whole time.

Just confirmed band to sleeve revision 8/15/2017 with Dr. Ariel Ortiz @ OCC in Tijuana Mexico. Not really nervous at all. The band surgery was a breeze for me and I have had one other surgery (non weight loss) with no complications. I seem to recover well from injury and surgery, so it doesn't scare me much. Banded 2/2009, had great success. Over 100 lbs lost, exceeded goal. Ran into trouble about a year ago with not being able to get the right adjustment and dealing with reflux. Decided the band has outlived it's life for me and I can't do it alone, so it's the sleeve for me.

Just confirmed band to sleeve revision 8/15/2017 with Dr. Ariel Ortiz @ OCC in Tijuana Mexico. Banded 2/2009, had great success. Over 100 lbs lost, exceeded goal. Ran into trouble about a year ago with not being able to get the right adjustment and dealing with reflux. Decided the band has outlived it's life for me and I can't do it alone, so it's the sleeve for me.

I just signed up for a date. August 15, 2017 @ OCC with Dr Ariel Ortiz. I was banded in 2009, had good success but ran into some troubles this past year. Hoping there are no complications and I can have the band removed and Sleeve done in one operation.

Well folks, we made it:thumbup:. Who would have thought 3 months ago that we would have made it to where we are today? I hope everyone is doing great and is happy with their progress so far. I couldn’t be happier:biggrin:. I am on my second fill and am down over 60 pounds (BMI is now under 30). I’m not done, but I definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel. I am fitting into clothes I haven’t worn in years, people are really noticing the weight loss, and unlike any diet in the past I feel satisfied (from a hunger perspective) most of the time. I feel like I am really starting to know how to interact with the band inside me. How are you doing?

g75funk, I'm with you. Just a little over 3 years out for me, at goal weight, and loving exercise. I started out in the gym and totally loved, but then I discovered running and Triathlon and am now I’m even more hooked on it. I run, bike, or swim 6 days a week and positively LOVE it. I never liked to exercise when I was heavy because it was so awkward and difficult – now I can’t get enough. Love the Band, Love to Exercise

Allison, thanks for the clarification. You make some very good points.