lml32937

It did take my breath away so-to speak- sort of like a "rush" ... I was told to be cautious on what I ate but not to worry because in the end it will all come off then some- I am still going to eat like I did with my band portion wise etc and protein wise. BUT I am going to try and eat some pork and steak (previously unable to do so becuase it got stuck) OH yeah and a bagel before I go carb free for good....

Thanks guys.. Hubby just told me it would be better to do it the week before so tomorrow i'm going to see if I can change it to the 18th.. either way it's soon

Well today he apologized profusely and was very sincere... I got my band deflated (unfilled) my surgery scheduled , my post op scheduled, my surgery authorized and my clearance from PCP, Cardio and Rheumatologist ALL TODAY!!! I'm so excited... November 22 is just around the corner and I am stoked!! I feel like celebrating... I asked Dr. D about the Palm Bay supoprt group and he did not advocate it saying it is not run by any "professionals affiliated with his program therefore he could not endorse it" but that his is and suggested I go. SO i am going to try and attend the next one if time/schedule permits... Been watching all the youtube videos and that is so encouraging.. even the bad ones about people that were not successfull or had problems.. I look at it as knowledge on what not to do etc... Thanks for understanding and the encouragement along this journey.... really means a lot!:D

Well today I got emptied COMPLETELY!! Funny- my calculations would have had me at 9.5 cc's he only got out 8.5 cc's which proves that there is a LOT of evaporation... It felt weird but in a good way and now I just have to watch what I eat and the reflux that may or may not begin... I got my surgery date and authorization from insurance today so I def feel like celebrating!!!

Anyone of Dr. Domkowski's pt's experience any problems with his office before surgery?? I have had like every other appt rescheduled by their office for 1 reason or another and they always call at the last minute.. didnt know if it was habit or just me....

I'm glad you finally surfaced and posted something and so far so good- glad to hear ,, talk to you soon and rest up--Continued success !

Thanks. I'm just pissed cuz my ins pays 100% for everything and the ofc staff described the fee as "administrative" I was like break that down for me- You know she says all the books, papers, literature, dietician, scale etc.. I was like the dietician is 70 buck- paid by insurance, scale is 35 on ebay (could have gotten 1 cheaper on my own) PLUS they collect a copay each visit- So all in all he is making MORE on me with insurance then someone without insurance- Don't get me wrong I'm totally grateful and all but still- being an employee IN the medical field it sounds like double dipping which is why i'm not paying a DIME until I talk personally to him. Not that I want special treatment or anything but there are exceptions to the rules and I think this should be 1 of them. Thanks.. I feel better gettin that out

I like the Nectar Protein- you can mix it with milk, juice or water- it is fruity flavored and is really good.

Ok dumb question.. those of you that had lap band removed and vsg done- after you healed did you ever feel like you still had the band in you or that you could still feel your port?? We are so attached to it that I find it in my mind hard to think of not having it...

I use Multi Vite's They are @ Sams or Walmart and are fruit flavored and taste like the gummy shark bites or snacks. So much so that my hubby is now taking them and they are very affordable- I think you get a bottle of 100 for like 11-12 $$

Although I haven't been sleeved yet- I went through something similar with my banding.... I got over it real quick by continuing those searches and preparing meals for friends and loved ones because I love to cook- Just because I cant eat it didnt mean I lost my zest for it.. Sometimes the smell would fill me up or sometimes a few sips of a broth or sauce etc would be enough to satisfy a "craving"... I look at meat the same way- I am a total carnivore but since my band have really only been able to eat chicken soaked in a sauce or mayo and hamburger meat.. So when/if I feel like pork or steak etc.. (this is going to be gross..) I eat it, chew it but don't swallow it- I just spit it out- That way I am getting the chewing and the flavor in my mouth but it isnt gertting stuck and I can somewhat enjoy it. As far as deserts go- I have re-arranged most all desserts to either be sugar free or less sugar or cooked with a sweetner alternative and they are just as good- sometimes almost too sweet- I NEVER ate sweets or icecream and now Ice cream or frozen yogurt is a staple in my house.. One of the bad habits I picked up from the band.. It will NOT be that way though when I dont have the band.... Don't know if this helps or not but good luck!

I too think it's a crock- I have not yet been sleeved but have done over 1 year of research trying to come to a decision and that subject has NEVER come up- I see it as an attempt on his part to gain more sleeve vs band pts' and have noticed a LOT of docs previously pushing the band are now pushing the sleeve the same way- I think 5-6 years ago the sleeve was so new and so "similar" to the bypass that was getting so much controversy they had no choice- No 4-5 years later I think they realize that the band is not a permenant solution and definitely not for those needing to loose more than 100+lbs. I think every one looses at his or her own pace and would think that those of us having had a the band are somewhat at an advantage because we have found our Protein shakes we like, our sweet spots, etc and know what to expect like head hunger etc... Just a thought but don't give up hope or let anyone change your mind- you know your body better than even your physician- Good luck!

LOL only cuz that's job security and CHA CHING for her!!! NOT!!! I agree.... I was just really put off by her... I'm in the medical field and I HATE people (doctors nurses etc) who think they are BETTER than everyone else and talk down to you... I mean she whipped out a Protein bar that was like $4.99 EACH and said she ONLY eats Greek yogurt. well back then * 4 years ago) there was only 1 greek yogurt and it was NASTY and i'm sorry but there is NO Protein Bar (unless wrapped in gold) that I would EVER buy that is 5 bucks by it'self.. A shake maybe but not a friggen bar- I mean COME ON I was not born yesterday.. Wow.. That felt good !! see FREE THERAPY!!!! lol... I'm going to try and make the PB meeting- I live in Sat Bch so Sebastian is a drive in itself... Looking forward though to meeting all of you!

when and where are the PB meetings?? Are ya'll referring to the blonde lady?? I met her a few years back when I was banded and our support group (pardon the pun) dis banded.. lol didn't care for her too much either...very pretentious and hoity toity...

Good luck keep me posted- I'm hopefully going Nov 22 for my sleeve- you will be eating Turkey- I will be sipping broth

I have my appt with his dietician on the 25th- when are his support groups and where are they located? @ Sebastian hospital too?

Part of me feels that I have a partial advantage already having the band and dealing with restriction, less food etc... so I feel your pain But the more I read I should have WAAAAAAAAAAAAY more better results and restrictions with the sleeve- Plus I plan on ELIMINATING carbs (breads) from my diet all together- I slowly introduced them with my band and think I am paying for it now- but 1 thing I miss that I havent gotten back is SUSHI- I love sushi but I CANNOT eat rice!!! ARGH!! so i'm hoping with the sleeve I could eat a peice or 2...

I have not been sleeved yet BUT with my lapband- I can eat the crapola out of veggies for DAYS and NEVER feel full EVEN with broccolli that pre-band after 3 peices either gave me gas or filled me way up. I love salad and found this was 1 way to "cheat" my band by eating a huge salad~justifying of course lettuce is NOTHING, veggies- NOTHING the worst thing I did was the dressing and I learned to LOVE Vinegar and Oil- So is it good? probably not but it is better than a cheeseburger or something like that in my mind. Now with the sleeve- I would think that veggies are a "filler" for fiber purposes only- not too much for caloric or protein intake at all- In every other "diet" veggies are normally unlimited so I am going to ask my nutritionist in 2 weeks when I see her. I am all about justification- If I can get down 4 oz of veggies and be hungry again in an hour in my mind that is better than a small burger and not being hungry for 4.. does this make any sense??

I don't know if you still have these available; if you do- i'd be interested in buying them.. let me know-im preparing now for my pre- op time...

Althought I have not been sleeved yet. I was VERY creative with my band post op diet- I had a hard time too getting in Protein and Liquid and for a while was on the "wrong" liquid to fill up- I switched up my protein powder- and got a variety of different ones to add to either ensure or boost- Some days yogurt was ok others it made me gag- I used it often in smoothies- adds calories (good ones and good protein too) and the consistency is masked. I don't know if it helps or not but good luck- Also are you working out or anything to do aerobically?? I know when I switched from walking to zumba and then did walking and zumba it really helped just changing up things for a few days.. sort of tricking your body/mind....Good luck!

I have.had the Lapband in 4/2009 and am having it removed for non-band related issues. When I was banded- VSG was not only new but there were not a lot of statistics like now. Because I didn't have problems "with the band" per say- I don't honestly feel it is fair for me to "dis" the band- For me it served it's purpose- I knew there was a chance it wouldnt work, I knew I had to use it as a tool and not totally rely on 100% restriction, I knew with my auto immune problems there could be complications etc.. Yet I decided on it instead of the alternatives. Again- It served it's purpose- NOW however that I am getting it removed and changed over to a sleeve for health issues (still un related to the actual band) if someone were to ask me about the band I would have to be honest about my experience and include my new philosophy and thoughts and they are as follows: If you have over 100lbs to loose do NOT get the band- The new research shows that the band is only effective for 1-4 years and the weight comes off very slowly. I would advise them about all the other issues people have had re slippage, vomiting, etc AND I would encourage them to be as throrough as possible to research all possibilities including VSG, RNY etc. Not everything is cookie cutter for everyone- and Not everyone has the luxury of insurance covering certain procedures. HOWEVER DO NOT LET COST make up your mind (ex- I got lap band because it was cheaper etc) in the long run Lap Band is VERY expensive when you calculate the fills, potential problems, fluroscopies to find the port hole etc... These boards and forums are amazing tools for information and can pursuade anyone either way- As excited as I am about my VSG_ I have seen just as many problems from people on here that had leakeage, pain etc that are miserable- So there really is no global happy median- we are all different. And then to boot- when you HAVE lost the weight and you are at your goal 1-2 years out you have to configure into the equation plastic surgery for the skin issues and THAT my friends is a WHOLE NOTHER BALL OF WAX :huh:

Great topic! With my band when I am full I get a "croupy like cough" and if I take an extra bite (if it goes down) I just want to vomit- I am hoping that the sleeve has more subtle notifications to close the pie hole...

Thank you all soooooooooooooo much it means so much to know that a) i'm not alone and im not crazy either .... I trust my gut (prolly cuz it's so large.. tee hee hee) and will just continue to do so...Continued success to you all

Thanks and puleez keep me posted on your success!!

Dr. D is my doctor to- I am having my band out and sleeve done in Nov. He did not do my band another local physician did. Being in the medical field myself I KNOW he is an excellent physician and I am glad there are others on here before me- Do any of you do or attend a support group?? I have my appt with the dietician in 2 weeks. Very excited to get to know all of you and continued blessings for the best of luck on your own individual journies!