marfar7

About 50% of people lose hunger after the Ghrelin producing stomach is removed. However, Ghrelin is also made by the pancreas and the brain - and I guess my brain and pancreas work overtime to compensate for the removed stomach! I got my "real hunger" back on day 10. I could've eaten my arm by the time I ate soft foods at 4 weeks. For the lucky ones who lose their hunger for a long period of time: IT'S JUST NOT FAIR!

While I weighed 250 in 2009 when I was banded, I weighed 174 9 mths ago when I had my sleeve revision. My BMI was 28. But my insurance covered it cuz I had a band complication. I had a 24 hr pre op diet so I'm of no help there So yes, there's a few of us around that started at less than 200. Good luck to u!

I had GERD (caused by a slipped band - so thats a little different) before my sleeve and my dr didn't seem to think there was a problem with it. I've taken 40mg of Prilosec 2x a day before and since (9 Mths) and once in a great while I'll wake up in the middle of the night burning and miserable. But it's pretty much under control. I've also read on this board that if u have prior reflux problems, that the sleeve will make it worse. That drs recommend RNY. Not sure how true that is. Hopefully u can talk to u dr soon and find out ur options. As I said, my reflux was caused by a slipped band, not gastritis or other problems. That may make a difference! Good luck!

I got my hunger back (real hunger, not stomach acid) on day 10. I too was dissapointed. I think you'll notice on this board that it's split about 50% - those that lose their hunger for a long period (a yr or so) and those of us unlucky ones that don't. Totally normal. I was on liquids for 4 weeks. I couldn't cheat like I did when I was lapbanded 4 yrs prior cuz I was then married to the "diet Nazi" and he woulda tattled on me at my 4 wk post op appt. SO I stuck with sipping tomato and pea Soup every 3 hrs or so - warm stuff fills u up more than cold stuff. I sipped my Protein shakes all day, seemed like. Congrats on ur fabulous weightloss. Ur off to a great start. Hang in there. I promise it WILL GET BETTER! As soon as ur able to eat soft foods, ull notice the restriction on ur tiny tummy. This too shall pass. Just read these boards and ull see ur totally normal and it WILL get better Good luck to u!

I ate alot of chili in the first few weeks. Almost everyday. My first "real meal" after 4 weeks of liquids was refried Beans with a dollup of sour cream and cheddar cheese. It was like steak and lobster. After eating a soft diet for another 4 weeks (canned tuna, canned chicken salad, cottage cheese, beans, chili, eggs, melba toast,etc) my first "real" meal was a Red Robin Avo Cobbo salad (as I was then cleared for fresh veggies). I ate about 4-6 bites and brought the rest home. I'm now 9 mths out and can eat maybe 10 bites of it now. It makes at least 4 meals for me I usually get sick of it and toss it a couple days later. Good luck! Congrats on the real food!

If ur on anything u can drink thru a straw, why r u limited to broth? I was on full liquids for 4 weeks. I had 1/2 cup of Progresso Tomato Basil soup (yummy, btw) or Andersons Split Pea about every 3-4 hrs. Warm stuff fills me up more than pudding or Jello. If I never see another cup of split pea soup, it'll be too soon! I was also allowed soupy cream of wheat/malt o meal and yogurt. Good luck to u!

While I had a rough recovery and felt every morning like I was hit by a semi, By day 6 I was bored stiff with lying around watching tv. Went to play our 2x weekly poker in our league. Wish I coulda had something - anything to eat. Alas I was on full liquids for 4 weeks. By the 2nd week, I was sipping broth from Soup. Not many things served in a bar that I could order. Lucky, lucky girl...

To me, I'm still the "fat girl" I was in 2009 (prior to my lapband). Thought once I got down to within 20 lbs of my goal wt (I'm now 10 from there), I would start to feel different. But I still feel the same. Still see myself as 250 lbs in the mirror. TMI warning: Last nite, as I was getting ready to have sex with hubby, I undressed in front of the mirror. I saw my saggy belly and started crying. Tried to press it down to c what my belly would look like flat. Hubby walked in. Totally blew me away with "Ur beautiful. And ur NOT fat" I guess sometime u just need to hear it from someone u luv. It still amazes me that a size 8 jeans fit me (coming from a 22). I don't believe it sometimes, I hafta look at the tag everytime I put them on! Good luck at ur new job. I'm very open with everyone who'll listen about my wls's (lapband in 2009, sleeve revision 9 mths ago). I have an extremely overweight cousin who's considering the sleeve because I've inspired her.

I think everyone has their own list of sliders. I found out early on (lapband from 2009, sleeve revision 9 mths ago) that I can eat an endless amt of popcorn, chips, and cheese Its. But Cookies, ice cream, shakes, candy, etc I can only eat a couple bites of. Not sure why most people can eat tons of ice cream but if I eat more than say, 4 bites, I will most likely vomit. Or at the very least be extremely uncomfortable for a few hrs. U live and learn everyday with wls. Some things that others don't consider as slider will be for u. And the opposite is also true - u may not consider something a slider that others do. Not sure if there's an actual list becuz it's so personal. Good luck!

Sounds like me. I'm 9 mths out and have lost about 25 lbs. Those last 10lbs are a b****. At 4 weeks, I had lost 14 lbs and I've been easily maintaining for about 5 mths now. If I tried hard enuf, I think I'd be able to get off the last 10 lbs! Good luck!

After 4 wks of liquids only, PB was what I was craving the most. I ate it right off the spoon! So yummy. Was afraid of chunky (what I usually buy) so I ate creamy. Almost just as good. U can certainly add it to smoothies, protein shakes, sf pudding, and right off the spoon.

Just waiting to hear the blasts ur about to get. I'm not gunna say a word! Have a good time!

I also crave salad the whole 8 weeks I couldn't have any. The first day I could I went to Red Robin and got my fav - Avo Cobbo salad. Ate about 4 bites and I was good. Didn't make me sick. The only thing I found that made me sick in the beginning (first 4 mths) was ice cream. Made me sick as a dog. Now I can have about 1/3 of a kids cup at Coldstone and I'm fine. Kinda bummed about that but also glad nothing makes me sick. Only go there about once a month. I think I crave Mexican food the most. Luv the spicy, cheesy, saucy stuff so much. Probly more than before I had surgery. Hardly ever crave sweet anymore. Have a Cadbury Egg in my nightstand thats been in there since before Valentines Day (when they first came out) just in case. But it hasn't sounded good at all. I think I eat the Coldstone cuz I go there with my family...

I wonder this same thing. I'm 9 mths out, 10 lbs from goal and can eat more (more often, not more volume tho) so I wonder if I'm stretching my stomach. My dr told me that since they take out the stretchy "fundus" of the stomach, u hafta work really hard to stretch it out. Then I've read other peoples drs say the opposite, that it's not that hard. I also listen to my body, never measuring or weighing anything. I get full very fast (usually less than 10 small bites) = 1 egg, 1 pc of bacon or 5 bites of chicken, 1/3 of an aritchoke, 2 Tb of rice. But I've been getting hungry withint a couple hrs. usually 1/2 carton or yogurt or 12 almonds helps but I don't think I should be eating every 2 hrs. If I don't eat something at 9pm, I'm awake at 2 am scrounging thru the frig for something to eat. So I usually have 1/2 PB and banana sandwich at bedtime. I'd like to see some answers to this also. I know what most people will say:measure out ur food and only eat that amt. I guess that would ensure stretching. So does ur stomach stretch naturally over time, do u stretch it out by eating too much or is it really hard to stretch it (as my dr told me)???

I use VA facilities also. I know when I had an appt with them 5 hrs away (Portland, Or) last summer, they offered a van that takes patients to their appts there everyday of the week. I turned it down. They leave at like 3 am and I'd rather just go myself. I'm sure most VA facilities provide transportation for u. Call ur local clinic and find out. Good luck to u!

I had my band for 3 1/2 yr and it slipped. Tried conservatively to fix it until it finally herniated and had to come out. Had my revision 9 mths ago (bmi was 28). But my insurance paid for it cuz it was a complication. Had it done in 1 surgery. Had a rougher recovery cuz it took my dr an extra 30 mins to dig my band outa my stomach. Felt like I was run over by a semi for about 2 weeks. The bottle of liquid Vicodin was my best friend for about 12 days. While I've heard that leaks happen more with revision than virgin sleevers, the occurrence is still really low. My dr told me that 98% of leaks happen the first week, after that they r extremely rare. I was so paranoid the first week. Every little pain I thought I had a leak. In fact, on day 5 I ended up in the ER for fear I had a leak. Turned out to be an allergic reaction to Reglan. I'm now 9 mths out and haven't even thought about a leak since the first month. While I still have about 10 lbs to goal, I've been maintaining for about 5 mths - so I'm so happpy I had it done. Had I just had my band removed, I would've gained it all back. I know it. Good luck. U have a better chance of getting in a car accident on ur way to the hospital than getting a leak. Plz don't sweat it. So very rare....

DIdn't lose any hair with either my lapband in 2009 or my sleeve, 9 mths ago. I didn't use any hair products, and I just took my multivit. No secret, guess I just got lucky... Good luck to u

I feel u. Got my hunger back on day 10. Could have eaten my arm. But alas, an arm isn't a full liquid (4 weeks). Warm foods (like cream soups) worked better on me than cold stuff. I could sip on 1/2 cup of tomato Soup and be satisfied for a couple hrs. Then I'd drink 4 oz of a Protein shake and be good for another 2 hrs. I ate something every 2 hrs. Seemed like such a chore. Ahhh, those lucky folks who lose their hunger for a long period (6 mths, 1 yrs, etc). I know the difference between true hunger and acid -and I was taking 40mg of Prilosec 2x a day. And it was true hunger. Good luck to u. This is truly the hardest part. But it will be worth it soon. I promise. We've all been there (cept for the lucky few I mentioned above!)

Progresso Tomato Basil Soup and Split Pea were my saviors the first 4 weeks (full liquids). Everytime I was hungry (and it came back on day 10), I sipped 1/2 cup of hot soup. It filled me up more (at least for a couple hrs) than cold stuff. Feels more like real food. Good luck!

I wish I could like Greek yogurt. I think I've tried most brands, most flavors (cept honey Trader Joes!). I keep trying it but the first bite is like eating straight sour cream. I do put them in my smoothies, cuz I can't feel the texture or the strong flavor. When I was a young adult, I attempted to eat oatmeal over and over again, trying to like it. Never did. Till I was in Army basic training. I was so hungry at Breakfast it was the only thing left to eat so I got to liking it. Wish I could do that with Greek yogurt...maybe I'll try the honey one from TJ's. Gotta go there for coffee this week anyway!

I haven't given up anything. For the 1st 8 weeks, yes. I was on full liquids for 4 weeks and soft foods for 4 weeks. I eat everything, just a few bites of it. And yes, a few bites DOES help my craving. It's weird. If I eat 4 Cheetos, I'm good. A small bag of CHeetos in my house goes stale before I eat them all. Good luck to u!

The hospital actually offered me a cup of coffee the day after my surgery (after passing my leak test). It didn't sound good. Didn't sound good till about 3 weeks post op (and I'm a coffee addict). My nurse said that they were so strict on everything else that they allowed us a cup of coffee (without sugar, of course) as soon as u want some. First time in my adult life I've been a week without coffee. 2nd time was 2 weeks ago when I had step throat! Good luck to u!

Sorry, I was on a full liquid diet for 4 weeks. I was terrified of damaging my sleeve so I never cheated. Plus, my hubby is the "food Nazi" and I knew he'd tattle on me at my 4 week post op visit. Not that I didn't want food - I was starving on day 10. I even emailed my nurse and asked if I could advance my diet at week 3. She said "NO". I had to wait. That was that. 4 yrs prior when getting my band in, I cheated after the first week. I was single back then, didn't have another set of eyes watching everything I ate. Regretted it ever since. Pushed my band to the limit until it had had enuf. I wasn't gunna do the same thing with my sleeve. My advice? Follow ur plan. Ask ur nurse if u reallly feel that u can't hold out. Do whatever they say. This time is short, even tho u think u might starve. I assure u, u won't. If u have to sip tomato soup all day or drink Protein shakes constantly, do so... Good luck!

My dr told me that 98% of leaks happen the first week. After that, ur pretty clear to relax. The first week, I was terrified of having a leak. In fact, at day 5, my back started hurting really badly. My fingers started contracting and my face contorted. I called my nurse. She told me to take my temp. If it wasn't hi, it wasn't a leak. It was like 99. But I kept getting worse so hubby took me to the ER. On the way there, I was convinced I was having a stroke As soon as I was wheeled into the ER and told the dr I was 5 days post op, he asked me if I was taking Reglan. Is aid yes. It was an allergic reaction, called a Dystonic Reaction. As soon as I got a shot of benadryl in my IV, I was normal again. PTL! I guess Reglan is notorious for causing this reaction. It was scary. Anyway, I was so convinced I had a leak. Every little pain (and I had a rough recovery), every little rise in my bp, every little everything I thought I had a leak. They're so rare. U have a better chance of getting in a car accident on ur way to the hospital for ur surgery. Good luck and relax. It'll just make ur recovery harder to worry about every little ache and pain...

Actually, about a month before my revision, I found out that my co pay was going to be $5800 + my insurance co pay. 4 1/2 yrs ago I had my lapband put in and only owed 10% (or $1500), as Medicare covered most of it. About 3 yrs ago, I realized that I'd never in 10 yrs used my medicare Part B (drs office visits) (I'm a disabled vet so I get free VA care) so I quit paying the $110 monthly fee. AS I'm scheduling my surgery with my insurance coordinator at my dr office, she informs me that I need to pay the doctors portion. $5,800. I cried the whole way home (3 hrs). I have porr credit also and don't have an extra $6,000 lying around. 2 weeks later, while on vacation to my inlaws, they inquired how my slipped ;lapband was healing. We told them the dilemma. They immediately offered to lend us the money. My surgery was scheduled the next day. We paid on it 3x ($250 mth) and then my MIL passed away. My FIL forgave our debt - basically becuz we moved 800 mi from home to move in with them to take care of my MIL, who had Parkinsons. I still feel bad about that. I thank God for my in laws. U can't have better ones than mine. Have u tried carecredit.com? I don't think ur credit has to be perfect for it. It's for medical and dental procedures. Good luck to u!