TexasT

CONGRATS!!!!! WAY TO GO!

If you have a Vitamin Shoppe near you, they will let you return anything you buy that you don't like (Protein shakes, etc.). That was really nice to help find something I liked and not having to worry about losing money from keeping something I didn't. I didn't do a pre-op diet because I was switching from band to sleeve. Just did liquids for a couple of days before to "clean everything out." Also, keeping up with the liquids post-op is not usually too hard. You're not going to be very hungry anyway post-op, so liquids is not a big deal for a first few weeks. I actually was very slow going from mushies to harder foods, making sure each new food was tolerated. You think now that you'll want to eat everything in sight, but it won't be that way. You'll be amazed how your relationship with food will change. Best wishes and good luck!

As someone that's had a lap-band and sleeve, I can say that I was constantly hungry with the band, but not so much now with the sleeve. My doc explained that ghrelin is produced in the whole stomach, but the larger number of the "pumps" are in the portion of the stomach that is cut out. Ghrelin is also produced in the pancreas, so you will always have some no matter what surgery you have.

I also have lost about 1/2 the fullness in my hair - started about 5-6 months post-op for me. Luckily I had tons of hair to start with, so it's not noticeable to others. But it feels really strange when it's wet in the shower or when I put it in a ponytail and have such a small amount in my hand. I tried Biotin for a few months and couldn't see a difference so I stopped it. I've also been using Nutri-Ox shampoo/conditioner/serum for thinning hair from Sally Beauty, but I don't know if it's really doing anything. I have long hair, so it will probably be a year or two before I can tell a difference. I do see some short hairs growing back in, but I'm also still losing hair - albeit a little slower than a few months ago.

Mine said whenever I felt up to it - no specific time.

When I was on mushies I found that if I amped up the spice in my foods it helped make it a little more appetizing and I was able to eat more. My favorite thing was refried black Beans with a spicy cheese melted on top. And if I wanted extra salt on things, then I put it on there and didn't worry about sodium. Your taste buds can change after this surgery so don't get discouraged. At the beginning of summer I started eating fresh grapes again (couldn't get them down with my band), and I became absolutely obsessed with them! They tasted SO GOOD - like I was eating the sweetest, freshest food on earth. I had to have some EVERY day. Then I moved on to cantalope. It tasted amazing! My hubby would be eating his after-dinner ice cream and I'd be there next to him with my tiny bowl of fruit oohing and ahhing about how wonderful it was. All this to say that the "food blahs" that you have now WILL pass - it might just take a few months for your body to adjust.

I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama and they don't cover bariatric surgery of any kind - so no - I was self pay both surgeries. My insurance paid for the hospital stay, OR, etc. for my revision surgery though because I had my gall bladder removed at the same time, which they covered. My doc gave me a quote for the band removal and VSG, and the rest they filed under my insurance.

Sweetie, thanks for the compliment! I really appreciate it. If I hold my head JUST RIGHT the turkey neck is kept at bay - ha! I don't know the conversion from pounds to stone, but I started out at 220/lbs before I had the lapband. I lost some with it, but was able to get to my goal weight of 140/lbs with the sleeve. I vary between 137 - 140/lbs right now. So I'm down 80+ lbs from my highest weight.

I've had 2 C-sections and a hysterectomy, along with band surgery. I would say my experience with the sleeve was as easy as the band surgery, and much easier than the lower abdominal surgeries. Anytime you have a laproscopic procedure vs. an open one, recovery and pain are usually much less.

I also had a hiatal hernia repaired during my sleeve surgery that I was not aware of before hand. Not a problem. I'm almost 50 yrs old myself, and now that I've lost all my weight I definately do see a difference with my skin sagging much more. My neck is the worst area, but it's not horrible. I also notice it in the crook of my elbows and my upper arms on the underside near my arm pits. I'm sure if I tried to gain more muscle in my arms it might fill out a bit. My cheeks are getting a little saggy also and I'm starting to look like those "before" pictures of the people that get fillers injected into their faces. Unfortunately this comes with the territory with weight loss at our age. I may do something about it in the next few years if I get the money to do so. But I'll take this problem over being overweight any day!

Glad you're on the "other side" now - getting it over with really is a relief, huh? Best of luck with the liquid/mushie stages and the rest of your recovery!

I had a little reflux with the band, but no problems with the sleeve. I still take a daily acid reducer though.

My surgeon has a clothing swap every so often at his office. I think that's a great idea. It's an hour drive for me to get there, so I just donated mine to a local charity. I have a few pair of nice jeans that I'm going to pay to take to the tailor. I guess all that money we're saving on food has to go to pay for new clothes, huh? But I'll take that problem any day!

I've had 2 C-Sections, and even with my laundry list of things they did during my surgery (lapband removal, sleeve, hiatal hernia repair, gallbladder removal, and adhesion removal) the sleeve surgery was much easier. The smaller incisions heal so much faster and are less painful.

Every day I eat at least one Premier Protein bar (I buy them at costco and I know Sam's Club also has them). They have 30grams of protein, 7grams of fat and 280 calories. I tried a bunch of Protein Bars and these are my favorite with the highest amount of protein. You don't buy it on-line, but I make my own hummus to eat with Wheat Thins. You can flavor it a lot of ways (extra garlic, hot sauce, chives, etc.). It provides protein and Fiber.

I had a lapband and was unhappy with all the horrible things you have to put up with when you have one. My surgeon told me about the sleeve and I decided to do it the same time I had my gall bladder removed. I was able to lose the rest of my excess weight and am now at goal. Having a sleeve is easy in my opinion. It forces you to make better decisions about eating. My tummy doesn't feel right if I eat fat or things that are too sweet, so I prefer to eat my Protein then fruits and veggies. Plus of course, I'm only able to eat small portions and feel much less hunger than before. Good luck with your research - you've come to the right place!

April, I used to have sleep apnea also. I HATED sleeping with a C-PAP machine - SOO SEXY, huh?? I was able to get off of it after getting a lapband and losing around 40/lbs. No more meds for high triglycerides or depression either. Losing this excess weight is the best thing you can do for your health, and WLS is a great tool. Wish the sleeve had been around when I had the band, but I'm happy now that the band is gone and I can live life fully again. Tell your hubby you'll be a "cheap date" once this is all said and done and eating such small portions - ha! Good luck with your insurance!

I was self-pay for both band and sleeve. Paid for the band by getting a home equity loan. The interest rate was lower than other options, plus you can write off the interest on your taxes. My revision to sleeve was partially covered by insurance because I had my gall bladder out at the same time. My doc charged me $5000 for the removal of the band and VSG. I did it at the first of January, claimed the surgery fee on my "FSA plan" (or whatever they call it now) at work, where they take money out of my check tax free each paycheck. Used all mine and my hubby's for the year ($4800). So basically, I'm paying $400/month for the revision by having it deducted from our paychecks. We would have had this taken out anyway and used it for meds and any other medical expenses for the year, so I don't feel like I'm missing it.

As a "seasoned professional" in regards to WLS (lap-band 2006, VSG 2010), I can spot others who've had similiar procedures a mile away. There are a few celebrities out there right now that are suddenly very slim and are only admitting to diet and exercise. I certainly don't know for sure that they've had extra "help" in the way of WLS, but they just have that look to them that I've come to recognize that means they most likely have. I know everyone, whether in the public eye or not, has to make the decision of who to let in that "inner circle of trust" about what we've done to lose the weight and deal with the criticism or support that follows. It's just that most of us don't have thousands of people who would ever know or care. If you feel that it would benefit others to know what you've done to help yourself become more healthy, then by all means be honest. I think it's unfair myself for a public figure to say they are only "eating smart" and exercising and losing massive amounts of weight if they've also had WLS as an adjunct tool. I think they could be an advocate and show people that they shouldn't feel ashamed to get help if it will lead them to becoming more healthy. But that's easy for me to say - I'm not in your shoes! Best of luck with whatever decision you make.

When my mother recently saw me for the first time since my VSG, the first thing she said was "Don't lose ANY MORE weight!!! I can really see it in your face." I asked her what she meant, and she said my skin was much droopier than before my surgery. My sister said "Yeah, you'll need cheek implants girl!" WHAAT?? Now that I look at myself through their eyes, I can see what they mean. I'm starting to get those lines on the sides of my mouth, which I never had before. And don't get me started on my neck. The chicken wattle is there, though if I hold my head J U S T R I G H T you won't see it - ha! As soon as my daughter gets out of college next year I'm thinking about using that money that now goes to tuition to visit the cosmetic surgeon for a little lift.

Enjoy your new boots!!!