Tiffykins

Congrats on getting everything booked, and scheduled. I hope you enjoy your time, and best wishes for a great experience and a speedy recovery.

Hey Bee, and welcome to VST. I agree with the other ladies that said it sounds like you're doing great. Ask any question, usually if one of us around doesn't know the answer, we'll help ya find it.

Thank you so very much. I updated the ticker to reflect my total loss since starting WLS journey. It looks super creepy in a way.

Excellent news ! ! ! Congrats.

I started out at 263 with my band to sleeve revision. At 5 months out I've dropped 93lbs, my ticker reflects my weight loss since I had my lapband placed last October. I believe 150 is absolutely attainable. That's my goal weight as well, and I have just 20 more pounds to go 'til I get there. I didn't lose any weight on my pre-op diet which was high protein/low carb.

I've done some research and from what I have read a lot of WLS patients use this 5 day pouch test to get back on track if they get hooked back on bad eating habits. From what I read, it's 2 days of liquids, high Protein shakes/drinks, broth and etc. Then 2 days of soft Proteins, then day 5 solid protein. I haven't had to do this pouch test, but I could see the benefits doing it down the road if I get way off track and stop losing, or start gaining weight from eating the wrong foods.

I am so very excited for you. Even with all the little obstacles you faced thus far, you've triumphed and will be on the loser's bench in no time.

Your day will be here before you know chickee ! ! ! I'm so excited for you. Let us know how your appointments go.

Hi Sharon and welcome to VST. I'm a band to sleeve revision as well, and life with the sleeve is so much better than life with the band. To answer your questions: Sliming, PB'ing, gurgling with the sleeve is NOT the same as it is with the band. You can slime with the sleeve if you overeat, but it isn't nauseating like it was for me with the band. I have only gotten something "stuck" a couple of times with the sleeve, and it passed much quicker, or I was able to get it up and out faster. I'm am 5 months post-op with the revision, and I am literally never hungry. I have a reminder alarm on my IPhone so I can remember to eat. I know I need to eat when I feel weak. Some say the hunger returns, but not like before surgery. Regarding eating slowly, it really depends on what I eat. Steak, and chicken I need to chew more than mashed potatoes obviously. I can eat mushies pretty "normal", I can eat soft meats like deli meat I can eat normally. salad, white cheddar cheese popcorn, Pringles all go down super easy. Yes, I eat Pringles. The only thing I can't really eat easily is thick, dense breads. I can eat 1/2 slice of thin sandwich bread, or a couple bites of the bottom of a hamburger bun. If I eat too much, I might burp up a little or slime a bit, but it is nothing like with the band. My story with the band is much like yours. I was successful the first couple of months, then I had complications with the port, and tubing. I gained back some of the weight, and knew I had to get the band out of my body. My ticker reflects only weight loss post sleeve revision.

I am so glad you are doing well, and that you are well on your way to a full recovery ! ! !

I agree with everyone that just because you're having RNY instead of the sleeve that you have to leave us. We're here for you every step of the way.

I'll definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and we'll be looking forward to your progress.

Hi Lettie, and welcome to VST. We're glad to have you join us. Congrats on getting your life back. I consider the sleeve my lifesaver and changer. I had a band, and revised to the sleeve 8 months after getting the band placed. I had to have extensive bloodwork, chest xray, eKg, psych eval, and nutritional consultation with a dietician for the lapband. For the sleeve, my surgeon required the same tests/requirements except I was able to skip the nutritional consult. Best wishes in your journey, and keep us posted on your progress.

I eat spicy food all of the time with zero negative effects. I have only had what I call "breakthrough" heartburn a couple of times, and it was after eating mustard with some pretzels. The mustard wasn't spicy, but it's the only thing recently that I can't tolerate. I can eat jalepenos, hot sauce, and spicy/cajun flavored foods.

How do I keep missing everyone? It's 10:45pm CST, I'll be in for a little bit tonight.

You've done so great thus far, and you'll get to the goal weight. You're well on your way to having that normal relationship with food. I know my "mind" has kind of made a switch, and I see food completely differently today. Do I sometimes have a weak moment, definitely, but I know I am getting healthier not just phyiscally, but mentally as well.

I slept in a bit, but still made it to the Y today. I did 0.65 miles on the treadmill, and then did 15 minutes of these weight machines for my legs and arms. It's not a lot, but it's a start. I forgot to eat before I left so 40 minutes of working out was enough for me. For the first time post-op, I had this hunger crampy feeling in my tummy. I came home, and ate a protein bar that has 20 grams of protein and only 14 grams of carbs. I feel pretty good about going today. Hurricane Ida is rolling in. It's super windy and rainy here, but I still went. I am going tomorrow for my physical assessment. I'm excited to see what type of program they set up. Plus, I'm really interested in doing the Hip Hop dance class. Unfortunately, the only time they have the Hip Hop class is at 5:30 p.m. That would definitely screw up our evening schedule. It's an hour long class, so dinner wouldn't happen until 7:30 at the earliest. They have Zumba, but I honestly don't think I'm coordinated enough for that one. Tonight for dinner, we're having pasta salad and chicken. I've found a little snack that I absolutely love. Yogurt covered cranberries are absolutely fabulous. I liked them before surgery, but now they are even better. I love feeling this good. I'll be excited to see even more changes in my body as I start working out more. It'll be nice to lose this fat roll on my stomach. I affectionately call it my own personal flotation device, or my little spare tire. Hopefully it'll shrink up over time. Life is great.

They're pure protein bars. I found them at Wal-Mart. And, believe it or not they taste yummy. It took me 35 minutes to eat the whole thing, but it's kind of gooey chocolatey peanut butter yumminess. No cardboard, not crunchy. I was impressed.

God will provide when the time is right. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to have to go through all that, but have faith, and know that God will make a way. It may not be on your timeline, but give it to God and let him work out the details.

I'm in chat tonight for a bit as well.

It's been resolved for me for a couple of months. I talked to my surgeon about it, and believes that it is related to less intake, and the body holding on to everything we put in during the recovery period. I wake up needing to urinate, and having that sense of urgency again. I'm also getting in more Fluid, and food.

I have hair growth on my chin. I've been fat my entire adult life, and it started after I had my son. I wax and tweeze them now. I don't think the hair growth will change considering I started waxing and tweezing them years ago. As for the acne, I had horrible adult acne until I lost some weight. I've had a couple of "breakouts", but my mom still has an occasional breakout at 51 years of age. I might get 1-2 little pimples right before my period. The acne has decreased significantly since dropping the pounds.

I'll definitely keep you in my thoughts for tomorrow. I can only imagine how conflicted you are feeling right now. My concern with having 2 surgeries instead of revising directly to the sleeve is that I would of gained more weight back in between the surgeries, and that would of been more to lose. I would be hesitant getting a bigger sleeve, at least big as some patients have like a 48fr boughie. I've read horror stories that their weight loss completely stopped after 4-5 months and hunger returned much quicker. I wish you the very best tomorrow. Please keep us posted, and know we're all here for you.

I'm in tonight for a bit.