Becca

I had a horriblly messed up lapband (Slip, broken apart tubing, and at the end I couldn't swallow) and I had the band taken out and sleeve done at once. I also had a hernia repaired. I really think it is up to your surgeon. My doctor is a revision specialist, so he has lots of experience and almost always does them at the same time. Your safety is most important. Hopefully you can have them done together. I am excited that you are taking this step to get the sleeve. It really is such a great tool that has changed my life!!! I wish that for you too!

Yum!!! I have to try this. I also saw on YouTube that you can make "cheese it's" in the microwave with sliced cheese. Here is the link:

Best Wishes! Yay! You are going to LOVE your sleeve. (Just keep that in your head the first few days when you are healing. LOL). The sleeve is so awesome and has changed my life in such a great way. I hope the same for you!

I think every person has a different reaction to the sleeve. I had almost no hunger the first few months, but I am now experiencing it. It is nothing like presurgery. I just have to be careful not to snack on carbs when I do feel hunger between meals. I do get full very quickly, especially if I eat protein. There are slider foods that I can eat lots of such as popcorn or chips. I stay away from those foods and I now have my husband hide any microwave popcorn we buy for the kids so I can't eat it. There have been a couple of times I felt stressed and there I was eating half a bag of popcorn. I had to stop this old habit so it did not get out of hand. There are foods I have trouble eating: hamburger meat, breads, and fried foods. I get a sick feeling (close to the dumping syndrome) when I eat them. I have found that the more carbs I eat, the more I want. I try to limit carbs I eat and make sure to drink all the required water. I really feel it you are ready for this, you will succeed. At first, the weight loss will be easy because you physically can't eat. Over time, you are able to eat more, and you have to make the decision to stick with the plan. The sleeve does give you restriction and it you follow the rules, that restriction will get you to your goal. Good luck!

Congrats on getting sleeved. I hope you heal quickly. Best wishes for a successful sleeve journey!!!

Love ya girl. You look freakin' awesome!!!

You look fabulous!! I am so very happy for you girl!

I have tasted one and it was way too sweet. I will have to try the sugar free ones. I think as long as you count your calories, having one here or there won't hurt. I have an occasional Diet Coke with no issues what so ever.

I agree 100% that these exercises work! I had a weight problem in junior high and I lost about 50 pounds. I also did Callanetics and I was able to maintain a toned body for quite some time. When I had kids and gained lots of weight, I stopped doing the exercises. I recently started doing them again (I found an old video at my mom's) due to the skin issue I am having. Callanetics is really helping me tone up. It really does work!

Amazing!!!!

I totally understand! SO many people said to me that I didn't look big enough for WLS. Really? I weighed 286! I look at my before pics and I think to myself~ What liars!!! THIS IS ABOUT YOU!!! I am so glad I had my sleeve and I only wish I had it sooner. You will do amazing. GOOD LUCK!!!!

First of all, congrats on getting approved for your sleeve. You are going to LOVE it over the band. It sounds like you have two very good doctors. I would highly consider going with the closer doctor. You wil have aftercare appointments and four hours seems like a bit far to drive. Have your researched their revision stats? That could help your decide, too. Good luck!!!

Dr. Alvarez is a very good doctor. I even have his sleeve book. I was planning on going to him if my insurance hadn't covered my revision. He has really good videos on YouTube of all his patients and their success. He is one of the pioneers of the sleeve. Good luck!!! I would recommend trying to get it done way before school starts. It is hard to focus on getting in your fluids right after surgery and recovering. It would be especially difficult when you are dealing with the first week of school stress. I hope it all works out.

WELCOME!!!! I had all sorts of problems with my band. I had a revision in December and I have been so happy ever since!!! I am losing weight and I feel amazing. My weight loss has slowed down a little (I am almost 7 months), but I do continue to lose. The first couple of weeks after surgery can be rough, but life with the sleeve is great. Recently, I had to get rid of everything in my closet because all my clothes were too big. Shopping is so fun now. Good luck on your jouney!

Congrats!!!! I would just go on your camping trip and have fun. Once you have surgery, you will be stuck in bed healing for awhile. You should enjoy being outside this weekend. You are going to love your new life with the sleeve. Take lots of before pics. You will be amazed how much the sleeve will change your life. Good luck and keep us posted!

You will do awesome!!!! I am so happy for you!!!!

I agree! My husband and I are high school sweethearts. When he met me, I weighed 130 pounds. He has stayed with me through my weight gains (mainly from pregnancy). I still love him after losing 111 pounds and I feel the same for him. I am so self conscious with all of my skin issues, but he never complains. I felt so guilty when I asked if we could start saving for a tummy tuck, but he is supportive of me getting one. (We have spent 12,000 between a self pay lapband and revision co-pay) I you have a strong relationship, weight loss should not matter. I do feel though that some people may change when they lose the weight and that could cause them to want to leave their partner, espcially if there are issues before the surgery.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!! I drank lots of hot tea and diet hot chocolate which helped. I also cooked some pot roast and had just the gravy from the meat, which I remember tasting so good. I know it is very hard to be on liquids, but you have to protect your new tummy! Trust me, it is all worth it!

Just wait until after surgery and you will be crying tears of JOY!!! Crying is just part of the process. This is such a mental journey. I am so excited for you!!!!

You have to watch WHAT your are eating. I could eat tons of popcorn or chips if I wanted. If I eat Protein, like chicken, I can only eat a little. I always eat my protein first. Also, with carbs, they really do create a cycle of cravings. When I keep my carbs in check (around 70 for me), I don't have many cravings. The second I start eating junk, I want more. I try to eat fruit if I want something sweet, because they don't cause me to want junk food. Around my TOM, I seem to be able to eat more and I have more "head hunger." When I work out hard, I seem to want to eat more. You just have to follow the rules when you are in the losing phase. The rules really do work: protein first, Water, and exercise. I have to remind myself of this too! I am trying to get back into the groove of things after going on vacation. You CAN do it though!!!

My family was very scared about me having sleeve surgery. The best thing to do is to not discuss it with your mom and give her some time. When you do have the surgery and start losing weight, she will see what a great thing the sleeve is. Everyone that was negative about my surgery at first, is now very supportive (including my mom). This is for YOU! You can't let people control what is best for you and your children. I had my band in Mexico and I had a great experience. I would have returned for my revision, but my insurance started covering WLS. You will do great. Keep strong and know that this is your journey. Don't let anyone stop your dreams from happening. Life is too short!

Congrats!!!! It's amazing how many more choices there are in the "regular" section!

Good luck with your revisions. You are going to LOVE the sleeve. You will be able to eat healthy foods and it is so nice to not have to worry about sliming things up or having foods get stuck. Life with the sleeve is way better! In fact, it's pretty amazing! You are going to do great!

My stomach is horrible and my doctor is trying to get the panni covered. My skin hangs really low and is so gross. Let me know what you find out. Good luck!!!

Amazing! So happy for you. You look super~