SoAnnaBanana

I was banded in 2009, lost 90 lbs and all was good for a year and a half. Then I had multiple slips, the last being too serious to fix. I had my band out in July, by January I had gained all but 15 lbs back and was sleeved last Wednesday. I find my story to be pretty typical. Of roughly 25 blogs I follow of folks who were banded around the same time as me....half have converted or had removal about 5 have made it to goal and love their bands.

I was sleeved last Wednesday by Dr Katz at St. John's. I love my surgeon so much I drive from Ypsi!

I had surgery the 16th and am down 10 since then and 5 in pre-op. so far so good!

My story sounds so similar to yours. I am having my sleeve tomorrow morning. My doctor would have it done it all in one surgery but my insurance would not cover the sleeve until my bmi was 40 or higher so I actually had to gain weight (about 40 lbs) to qualify. I had my band out in July and am looking forward to new found success. I had done okay with my band before it started giving me trouble... I had lost about 90 lbs. I am hoping to actually get to goal with my sleeve (and stay there). Good luck on whatever you decide. I know the despare you are currently feeling.

Having my surgery 1/16. I can't wait. My Lap Band recovery was a total breeze, hoping the sleeve is just as easy.

I have been fighting with my doctor's office over a revision. I had a band slip nearly a month ago. My surgeon wanted me to revise to sleeve. All the insurance folks are telling me BCBS of MI won't cover a revision to sleeve and that I have to have a new band installed instead. I have had so many issues with my band and don't really want to go down that road. My BMI is 34.6. I know other folks have had success getting this covered. What's the deal?

Dr. Katz did my surgery on September second at St. John's Weight Loss. He was so kind and caring and did a wonderful job.

I have been banded for over a year and this is my signal that I ate too much. It is quite painful so I always try to eat slow. The pain doesn't come right away either, it is as the food settles in. I HATE that feeling.

I had my surgery over 3 months before you. I have had 3 fills and I still have NO restriction. I have done well on my own though. I am hoping my next fill brings some much needed restricting! Stay strong!

I am adding myself, finally.

Though I probably was not suposed to, I slept on my stomach from day 1 out. I would start out on my back but wake up on my stomach. I had very little port site pain.

Wow! That is amazing. You are a true success story!

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I also had pain there and I called the nurse and she said that is where your colon is and if you are at all constipated that could be part of the pain. That was the case for me.

My surgeon told me I will need to give myself Heparin injections for a week after surgery. Did any of you have to do this?

I made pork chops in the crock pot yesterday. It was so good! Just throw your chops in, cover with healthy request cream of mushroom Soup, and cook on low for 8 hours (or high on 4). Then add green Beans once the pork is done and serve with some mashed potato... YUM! Also, I made this super good bean salad. Mix one can of chick peas, one can of black beans, and one can of kidney beans (all drained), with 1/4 C olive oil, one large tomato chopped, 3 cloves or garlic chopped, one small onion diced, and 4 Tbsp lemon joice. Let is all sit over night and yumm-o!

Great post! Mine is : The forever diet

I am also with you on the emotional rollar coaster! I was banded on 9-2-09 and have gone through many different types of feelings. Some days I feel great about my choice, some days I cry and feel left out, some days I just don't care. It is rough... especially when we depend on food to get us through the tough time and now that isn't the option. I would suggest therapy of some sort. I saw a therapist previously to deal with my food issues and will be going back again this week. It isn't because you are crazy, but just to give you someone to talk to and reconfirm that you are doing the right thing, making possitive changes and that bumps in the road are normal. I know I am really struggling right now because I am not losing any weight but am eating so much less. I "know" this is normal but it is still frustrating and makes me feel sad. This is a big change and we all need to find a way to cope. I am still working on that. Good luck to you!

Congrats, and good luck to you all. It is so worth it once it happens! Stick with it!

I keep track of everything. I find some weird sense of comfort in food journaling. I use sparkpeople.com to keep track of what I eat and how much I work out.

I was banded on 9/2 and I have also had bowel issues. I called the nurse yesterday because I still hadn't gone. I had starting taking MiraLax the day before and she said that is good and that I should try prune juice and fiber. I have since had a bowel movement but think I will have to continue with the MiraLax. I am sure once I am on to better foods (not full liquids) it will be less of a problem.

I am also having issues with the cocktail thing. I am a social drinker, and normally this weekend would have been a big drinking and eating weekend. Atleast we are so motivated to keep ourselves on track. Good luck to you!

Man, today is 4 days post-op and I feel so bloated. I don't really have gas pain but feel really full and I feel like my stomach is puffy. I am moving around a lot and feel pretty good. Tomorrow I start full liquids, and I really need it because I am weak from the clear liquids stage. Take care all.

I have to say, I totally agree. Even water seems to fill me up. I went for a nice long walk this morning, and I feel better, but still really bloated feeling. I haven't been able to eat an entire sugar free popsicle yet. I am going to enjoy this as long as I can though! One more day on clear liquids then on to full liquids Saturday. I am a little nervous about full liquids!

I had my surgery yesterday and was released from the hospital today around 10 am. It felt like a life time... I could not wait to get home and unhooked from all the machines. I am feeling pretty good... sore but no gas pain, just incision pain. I have been moving around a lot, but am not able to eat much. Everytime I try something that isn't water I feel like I might throw up. I am taking loritab liquid... it tastes horrible. I had the most amazing experience at St John Hospital and with my surgeon Dr. Katz. I am very pleased. I am now heading back to bad. Glad to hear everyone is doing okay. Keep up the healing all and for those yet to be banded, keep up the good pre-op work!

Tomorrow is my day and I just called to get my time. I have to be at the hospital at 5:15 am! The hospital is about an hour away so wow... early morning. Hope all you Sept 1sts had good days today! I look forward to hearing your stories later on in the week.