Lauren23

I know the feeling. They hit on me then (and also yelled I was fat when rejected). The same men don't really hit on me now. Typically, the type that hit on me now don't assume it will be easy. Though, I had a couple of angry geeks trying to take me home at a swing dancing club last week only to find out my friend overheard them mentioning my girdle (I guess they could see through this silver dress). They were as bad as former scum and it hurt in the same way. I had to come home and meditate. The dogs still find me just different breeds. Also, now rich jerks that talk about their money men are included. Attached is silver dress night.

Kat, I am in the exact same boat. I'm about to hit the underweight category and it's really strange. Part of why I will hit that category is because I have about 10 lbs of excess skin. So my 135 lb frame is really a 125 lb frame which is why people think we look frail but the scale seems normal. I know I am supposed to eat more times a day but I am finding that tremendously difficult and not due to a mental fear of being fat but a side effect of surgery is just not being very hungry. Like you, I don't like myself naked in the mirror but I see skin and fat because I have a lot of it for my little body. I am not building muscle through fitness and can't afford skin repair surgery. Know that you are not alone. This does not make me anorexic or have body dysmorphic disorder. It is reality. The goal is to add strength training and to eat more which is tough bc I just opened a business. One thing that does help me which is free is guided meditation. It may sound woo woo but here is what I'm learning: to lean into struggle, to be kind to yourself, to let go of expectations, to feel gratitude, to live in the present. 10% Happier and Headspace are great apps to try.

I am a band to rny co version. This surgery was a bit more difficult for me because it was a challenge to remove my band. My former surgeon sewed it on REALLY tight and lots of scar tissue. Also, the port removal incision was painful. The first month was tough and at the 3 month mark I had a stricture (complication) that was easily corrected with an endoscopy. My protein levels were low during that time. But since having that fixed, it has been pretty smooth sailing! Not always easy adjusting to foods but it was COMPLETELY WORTH IT. I was nervous like you before surgery more than prior surgeries. I trusted my surgeon. I weigh 149 now, dance, am opening my own business! Life has changed drastically and I feel healthy and like I did in high school. So happy and grateful for the journey. You got this.

I had robotic for my lapband to rny conversion. Typically, surgeons using this technique are quite skilled. Patients have less pain and Dr has more mobility than the human hand. They could always switch to hand technique if needed. Incisions are significantly smaller. I have watched the procedure online and thought it was interesting (don't recommend if you're not into medicine). I'm down 85 lbs since Jan. Congrats!

Helpful for future reference

What's exercise? I'm doing great but admittedly need to incorporate this so I have better skin/muscle mass.

Told everyone. Family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, the girl that works at the gas station, my dentist you name it. Especially anyone that asks. It's a huge part of my life, and I am not ashamed. A couple family members were a little worried before (healthy fear from loved ones is okay) but overall it's been great! I also only keep empathetic and awesome people in my life. They trusted my judgement.

I had lapband in 2006 hence my name saying "23." I will be 32 soon! I had my lapband removed last Monday and am on day 5 of recovery. Surgeon had a lot of trouble getting my old style band out that was deeply sutured in and some bleeding during surgery. Otherwise, things have gone well except pain management. Pain around my port removal site is very severe and shoots through my back. I am alternating liquid Tylenol 3 and liquid hydrocodone with Tylenol. I am running out of meds already. I am using a pillow to abdomen, walking around the house, gas x, alternate sitting up and lying down, tolerating liquids okay (except moms broth of homemade soup which was too fatty.) Can anyone recommend any other tips, tricks or words of encouragement that will help me get through this pain? I also experienced some unexpected anxiety and depression post surgery which seems to be better now. Thank you!

My nut didn't want is to eat chicken for 3 months. She said it's the most common food people throw up. Smart to ease back into eating as you are still swollen from getting stuck. Rest in chicken and dry or stringy meats for a while. If you are still throwing up you may have a stricture.

Had a stricture and my gastro recommended two dilations. I feel like a million bucks now and keep losing weight.

BeautyLocs40, really sounds like you need another dilation to fix your stricture. It usually takes at least 2 to fix and your symptoms are not normal or okay. I was banded in 2006 weighing 296 and lost 60 lbs.bdole of which came back. Band was not for me as it was either too loose or too tight. Eating was miserable (very tight in mornings and looser at night.) I was a forced bulimic. Had revision jan 3 of 2015 weighing 243. Today, I am 191 and still losing. I was in hospital for two nights. Recovery for me was quite painful at port site which others state. I have seen some in my clinic go back to work in just a couple days. I needed at minimum 2 weeks but really more. I did have a complication a stricture which is common for revisions due to excessive scar tissue. Have had two endoscopes to fix it though it felt fixed the first time my gastoi specialist insisted on doing two I be sure. Since having it fixed, life has been amazing!!! The weight is falling off and I'm not working out much though I should and can. Recovery was tough but totally worth it. Wish I had done this originally. I can eat almost anything now but I try to stay away from sugar and excessive carbs.

Band to sleevers have higher complication rates. You're more likely to have a leak which is serious. Also, I saw the forum band to sleeve to bypass on here and that was enough for me to rule out the sleeve. I had one surgeon that was going to sleeve me. I switched surgeons after detailed research and reading various medical studies. Nobody wants bypass but it is the gold standard. Band didn't have long term data a lot like the sleeve now. At least with bypass, I know what I'm getting into.

Yep kidney stones are common after rny. I've had stones before and am 6 weeks out of band removal to rny. I'm sure this increases if you get less fluids which people often do. Chances increase for banded patients too. Your surgeon wants to cover his or her back and make sure you speak with nephrologist first. No harm in that.

Answering to the best if my ability. I was banded in 2006. Always had GERD issues or unsuccessful long term weightloss. I went straight band removal to bypass in one surgery. I did not want multiple procedures though some surgeons insist on letting your stomach heal first. Mine is fantastic and I trusted his skill. I had gallstones and amd gallbladder removal at 14 and it never made me throw up in the night! That's classic band issues to me and you're right very dangerous. A. Do I have to jump through all the hoops again with the psychologist, nutritionist etc. if I do this? I did not have to jump through too many hoops bc my surgeon deemed removal of band medically necessary and suggested rny. He was also a "center of excellence" meaning they hold a high standard along insurance companies and are more trusted. I had to have an endoscopy, 2 nutritionist visits (mine actually did I two in one for me bc I begged) and psych eval but that was it. B. Having just had 2 surgeries in October do I have to get all new blood work etc? Yes and you need it to determine Vitamin levels etc before a surgery like this. You don't want to be deficient going in. C. Do most bypass patients spend 2 night in the hospital. Many spend 1-3. I spent two but that was bc band removal was very painful for me. D. In revision, how long did you have to do all liquids? 3 weeks post op. E. Post-op....how long liquids until puree's then finally solids? 3 weeks liquids, 9 weeks soft foods (only pureed at first then soft meats etc). F. Do you find it daunting Vitamins for the rest of your life? Are they expensive? Yes but not outrageous. My health is most important. They are expensive if you get fancy ones from your surgeon which I will take for a year bc they are the most trusted and I'm not messing with my health. G. If you need 60-80 grams of Protein per day yet can only intake 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food, how am I reading that people eat apples etc. doesn't almost all food need to be protein? Any way around drinking the shakes? Shakes are great bc you can get 30 g of protein in a shake. First 4 weeks I had two a day. That was all my protein. I'm six weeks out of surgery and know I have one shake and eat protein first at meals. Sometime protein is all I have other times I add veggies. Fruits should be last. (There is fruit in my yogurt double win). H. How do fats work? I try to eat a low carb diet yet I do enjoy my salad dressings, butter and olive oil? I am doing low fat when possible (except some cheese that's my weakness). Olive oil is a good fat. I am not over thinking the fats. Some fat is good. No ribs, ribeyes etc. I. It freaks me out that one can gain weight and stretch out their pouch....hence landing up where they started. This surgery is so final but it would be worth it if I keep my weight off. My main problem is my appetite! So far best thing about this surgery is having less appetite. I never really had that with band. Good would her stuck and painful but I didn't exactly feel full or satisfied. Now I feel satisfied. I will do my best to not stretch out my band but at least we have malabsorption to help us out. They did not take out as much Intestine on me bc my bmi wasn't over 50. There is a food routine you can do if you stretch out your pouch to help it shrink. But don't go there. J. Is it like the band in that you can really eat pretty much anything but just smaller portions...like really small? My band was very inconsistent. It was super tight in the morning and lose at night (sometimes). Mornings I couldn't eat eggs and night I could eat pizza. The restriction is different. I don't throw up now or make myself. I don't get stuck. I just feel full. All my avid reflux is gone. It's a wonderful feeling. I wish I had this to begin with. The band is a horrible procedure for many. Half of them inserted have already been removed. Many respected surgeons have quit doing them entirely. The pharma company that makes the band has been trying to sell it. Many banded patients do not do quite as well when switching to rny as first time surgery folks. We know the tricks of the trade, how to cheat, and are used to severe restriction. Just be aware of this and work the program. Many have great success too. You will experience stalls. Keep pushing through. HW 296 (in 2006) SW 237 CW 212. 6 weeks out. Goal weight 160. I am 5'5".

Wishing you luck! I was converted two weeks ago. Make sure your surgeon is quite experienced in band to sleeve conversions. They are much more complicated.

Thanks guys! I'm checking with my nurse on both of these things before I use them bc my dr seems really conservative but I hope to start using both soon.

I live in Mansfield but my surgeon is in Grapevine. My lapband in 2006 was performed in Austin. That surgeon is retired.

My Dr is chief of surgery and specializes in complications which is why I chose him. Let me know if you'd like me to ask him for a recommendation in your area (wherever that is north east). I am in Texas.

I bought the abdominal binder online. Thanks! I look forward to trying it.

If you haven't found an experienced surgeon by now, let the community know and we will find you one in your area.

I have also been regularly following your story and am hoping for the very best outcome for you. I'm on day 5 of a band to bypass conversion. Please keep us posted. I had a lot of scar tissue too and surgeon had difficulty removing my band so I'm hoping I don't fall into this pattern.

I was banded mid August '06. I've lost about 60 lbs. I feel like I've plateaued in the past couple months. I've had about 4-5 fills, and I doubt my doc will give me anymore. Though, I'd like to go a bit tighter. I had an incident where I had to go to the hospital. If I don't chew well enough, I don't throw up. I can't. I just get intense pressure and pain, and that time it didn't go away for over 3 hours. I eventually passed it on my own, but it was quite a scare.

Sometimes, people just can't eat tough meats post surgery. It's different for everyone. I can eat almost anything most of the time, but every now and then I find that something simple is difficult to eat. chicken just might be one of those things you have to go without. I know that's not fun. I love chicken and would hate that too. Fish is a lighter and sometimes flakey which might be why it goes down easier. About the night time meal, are you getting in 3 meals per day? I would suggest trying to get your last meal in earlier so that you're still eating 3 times per day. Also, I just want to make sure you remember to not only eat small bites, but to chew very thoroughly. This makes a big difference I've found. If it's really bothering you, you might want to try getting a little saline removed. You don't want to be uncomfortable and unable to eat 3 meals per day. Hope this helps! Lauren

Fran, What questions do you have? Maybe we can help you.