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Thanks so much for your input Sleeve Master! I completely agree with you about the piece of plastic floating around! I kind of feel like eventually that's gonna have to come out, even if it's 10 yrs down the road! I feel like I'd be setting myself up for another surgery in the long run and I really don't want to do that. I hate needles as it is! Unfortunately I don't have the money to do it out of pocket. Turns out my insurance will pay all but about $2,000 and I've been saving that up for the last 6 months that I've been doing my diet plan. I really can't afford much else. I'm nervous about surgery because of the risks, but I've been exposed to those risks before with 2 c-sections, so it's nothing new to me. I'm just looking forward to losing the weight, exercising and enjoying it, playing with my little ones, and just feeling better about myself. I used to have such confidence, but it has just plummeted in the last 3-4 yrs, after I had my kids. And, I believe this will help my husband and I's sex life as well. I'm a lights off kind of girl and I hope to be much more confident when this is all said and done! After thinking about it all, it just seems like the sleeve is the most logical solution for me! I'm really happy I found this website about it and actually researched it! Looking forward to feeling happy and healthy again! Thanks again for your input! It is greatly appreciated! Katie

I thought I better start writing about this journey now so I don't forget. I had lap band surgery November 3, 2007. I actually lost about 60 pounds with the lapband at one point but gained most of the weight back. For the first four years of the lap band I was in constant flux. I dieted more in that four years than in the rest of my life. In December 2011 I was back up to 255 pounds. At that point I realized the lap band had failed me and I needed to consider other options. Through a long drawn out process I was accepted by my insurance company to get a revision to the Sleeve. On December 27 I decided to make a radical change in my lifestyle and eating. After confirming with my bariatric surgeon that I qualified for the revision I decided to become a raw foodist for the next five months. It was a very positive experience and I learned a great deal about health and nutrition. I have to say I read everything I could get my hands on regarding raw foodism, veganism, and the like. I finally understood what it is to make a very real lifestyle change. Understanding that eating processed, boxed, bagged food was not the answer, it finally dawned on me that what I was missing was the live enzymes of fresh fruits and vegetables that no one seems to think are important, or simply don't know that they're absolutely necessary and needed in the body. I watched quite a few documentaries and I'd like to recommend that you also consider watching these few. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead was the first documentary I watched; that became life-changing. Foodmatters, Food Inc., The Gerson Miracle, Burzynski, Forks over Knives, and The Beautiful Truth. Sorry more than I thought... Anyway I guess what I'm trying to elude to is that we've all had an eating problem to the point where we've had to have surgery once or twice and for some of us it is still escaping us as to how we can actually make a real change that will ultimately save us. So many times I have heard people say I could never give up sugar, coffee, meat, wheat, bacon, soda, etc... When I hear this I think then a lifestyle change for you is probably not something that is going to happen for you. How much do you truly want good health? Maybe it's time to start pushing yourself in new and different directions, maybe there is new and exciting information to be gleaned that will help you to a better and healthier you. For me being a 80-10-10 raw foodist wasn't for me. But I did adopt eating a high fresh fruit and raw vegetable diet into my new lifestyle. I have decided to include cold blooded sea creatures in my diet as well as cooked Beans and rice in moderation, but also to maintain a balanced healthful diet for me. Please understand I am writing this as much to myself for my own remembrance as I am sharing my experience with you. The day of surgery I weighed 204 lbs. Two days after surgery I weighed 213 lbs. that was disappointing but the Water weight gain from th IV was to be expected. Today is 7/1/2012 and I am at 202. So from December 27th 2011 to June 25th 2012 I lost 56 lbs. I am so excited about where I am going... God bless us and keep us! Mardee

Oh sorry you did ask a question. You and I are only 5 months apart. So basically were at the same stage. Go back to the beginning where you started in MAINTANANCE. cuz that's when the "Honeymoon' phase ended. One awesome thing about this pouch is..it has the ability to make you lose weight quickly if you start behaving properly again...love thattt!!!.., Go back and follow your maintenance rules, That's why food logging is so important...I've give my self a 10 lb leeway, 10 lbs up Im still ok, but need to BACK IT UP...10 down ( happens when I going going going, busy busy busy, and not eating enough food for weeks). The 10 lbs either way gives me a instant alarm to PAY ATTENENTION DEE, your body's in distress!!!! I always jump back to my shakes & Snacks and up my exercise time in the gym or whatever, I like to walk, ALOT to the beat of my music..and I like Katy Perry!!!...lolol

Tina, I just turned 49 & have been perimenopausal for about a year. My periods got out of control & unpredictable, so I had a Mirena IUD put in & that helped a LOT. I was sleeved on June 19 & I'm doing really well. I have no idea when full-blown menopause will start, but I hope I can lose all the weight I need to before then. If your peri is just beginning, do you think that your stall may just be hormonal & the weight will start up again at some point? The word "impossible" seems like a big leap to make, but then I'm not a doctor. Good luck!

CONGRATS on your first five days! I lost the most weight (14 lbs) during my first 10 days post-op. Then it gets tricky until you start getting fills. Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up during this time. It actually took me 4 fills to have good restriction. Of course, everyone is different. I just wanted to give you a heads up! GOOD LUCK!!! its a rewarding journey. my surgery date: 12-10-07 Dr. Atkinson, Las Vegas, NV. 278/245/175

All day I've had the worst stomach cramps, I've had horrible, at times even uncontrollable diarrhea (sorry TMI) - I haven't change anything in my diet, I'm only 10 days PO and still on full liquids. This is awful. I have hardly ate anything all day because I immediately cramp up and run to the bathroom. I feel like I need something substantial in my stomach, like bread, rice - BRAT diet stuff to stop this - Is this dumping or is something wrong?

I actually had to switch dr's. My original one was pretty much scamming my insurance and kept having me come in and billing for bs stuff. I am PPO, so when I got the bills, I knew either I wasn't there or nothing was done like stated. I started 10/31 with my 6 mo. nutritional. New dr I saw 4/28 & 5/15 so he had 2 extra visits on there), it was submitted 5/28 & approved 6/3. I called Blue Shield Thursday to talk about the last dr, and they told me. And today when I faxed over my pcp approval for the surgery, she set everything up. And said I just need 1 week of protein diet.

Received this helpful schedule from the Nutritionist this week and thought I'd post it : Brig & Women's LB Support Venue:(parking)45 Francis St Boston..Carrie Hall 75 Francis St entrance.Floor 2 Free, no registration required, family and friends welcome Time: 6-7:30 pm 3rd Tuesday of each month Jan 20 Feb 17 March 17 April 21 May 19 June 16 July 21 Aug 18 Sept 15 Oct 20 Nov 17 Dec 15 #################################### Faulkner Venue: Faulkner Hosp. 1153 Centre St Jamaica Plain Suite 4420 waiting Room Enter at the Atrium , walk straight past the elevators and down the corridor. At the end of the corridor take elevators on your right to 4th floor. Turn right and right again down the hall to Suite 4420. Free ,no registration required. Time:6-7:30 pm 2nd MONDAY of each month January 12 Feb 9 March 9 April 13 May 11 June 8 July 13 Aug 10 Sept 14 Oct 19 NOTE: THIRD MONDAY Nov 9 Dec 14

Congratulations! May I ask which diabetic meds you were on and what the dosage was? I'm currently on 1500 mgs of metformin a day - 500 in the AM and 1000 at night. Also take a 10 mg lisinopril for blood pressure.

Here's some examples of a typical meal for me pre lap band: EX1 1qt Beef Fried rice 10 chicken wings 2 egg rolls 2 cans soda EX2 1 medium sausage, pepperoni and Canadian bacon pizza 5 bread sticks with 4oz of marinara EX3 2/3 lb pasta 1 cup Alfredo sauce 1/2 lb chicken breast 3 slices garlic toast Needless to say that was excessive with that Alfredo clocking in at over 3000 calories. I only really ate once per day, but it was still 3000 calories. So now that I haven't been getting very many calories in a day my weight has been plummeting. But that's going from 3000cal/day to almost nothing, so obviously the huge change will do that. For you, your body is used to weight watchers and has adjusted it's metabolism to receiving that 1200cal/day. You'll still lose the weight. Slowly, but it will go away. Just up your exercise and even 300cal per day will make a big difference in your weight loss plan.

Hey arthritis me. That name would fit me as well. To get weight off the joints is why I had the surgery. I lost a good bit of weight on Methotrexate too. I was 207 the day of surgery and I did not lose but three pounds in ten days. My surgery was dec 19. My weight two weeks ago was 197. I also had to stay two nights in hospital because I did not come out of anesthesia haze well enough to walk that night so I had more than enough fluids to shake. Also the less to lose the slower it goes seems like. Don't fret. It will come off. It seems like some do better once they start the real food opposed to the liquid phases. It's just all the Medicines given, IV fluids, and yur body simply trying to protect it's stores. Good luck to you! It will come off...

I was banded Aug 10, 2009 and I am the belching queen! I look at the belching as the "water going down the drain" like in a sink. Just helps clear up whatever might be in the top part of the stomach. That kind of sounds gross! I've noticed if I eat and sit for a while when I stand up I have a bad case of the burps! My husband keeps saying I should join a contest. I guess I'd rather them come out the top than the back side! The gas-x strips you put on your tongue are great - they do help a bit but also I just pace around the entry way to my house rather briskly and it helps get everything moving!

I have had my band for 4 years and am getting it removed in 2 weeks due to a slip. My surgeon will not do the revision to VSG in one procedure. He wants to wait 6 weeks with the band out. I am also getting my gall bladder removed at the same time as my band. There is a possibility that he will only be able to take my gall bladder out and then have to go back in for the band at a later time but I am hoping he can do both at the same time. I guess it depends on how much inflammation there is with my gall bladder. I am scheduled for VSG on 12/10.

Just experienced my first horrible night. I am 10 weeks out. I ate one slice of rare beef, potatoes and a gravy sauce with pineapple and garlic in it. I started having some sharp cramping pains about 10 minutes later. I managed to rest and drive home. Later, I thought I was not going to make it through the night. Severe stabbing pain for 5-6 hours that came and went initially and then by 11pm to 2am became pretty intense. Vomiting was an issue. Can anyone tell me if they have experienced a similar situation? Is this because I ate such rich food? Is this a gallbladder issue? I am feeling pretty fragile today, can't really eat much just living on liquid diet today. I feel like I was beat up. Looking for some help explaining this. Thanks!

I think there are some posts on pbing if you do a search. But, I once had that question too and found out just enough to know it when I experienced it. I understand it to be a productive burp. I experienced this after my fourth fill when the restriction REALLY was felt. I ate some chicken breast which was too dry and I ate it too fast. My stomach made this slimy stuff that came up my throat and I burped out this slime with a few pieces of chicken (and broccoli) into a towel. This also came with stomach spasms and a wicked case of the sweats. Phew. It only lasted about 10 minutes. Not a pleasant experience, but it set me straight on using my "tool" (the band) properly. I think that is what pbing is, but others may have a different explanation. Don't let this detour you from banding if you haven't already because it just kind of set me straight. I learned what and how I have to eat to avoid it. Best of luck! :drool: <- ha, that was me. lol.

I'm a slow loser I started at 258 10/30/12 now 176

Glad I found you guys. I've been wondering how you were doing. Sleeved by Dr Streeter on 6/19. I'm over three months out and feeling fantastic!! It takes time but it is so worth it! I don't really know how to use this forum, how do I get notified of a reply?

Hey all! I don't come on the forums hardly EVER anymore. But I do blog. I wanted to post my most recent blog entries in here to update on life at almost 10 months. My current loss is 102 lbs and I weigh 208 lbs. I'm eating too many carbs so that is gonna stop. I have taken up snowshoeing which is a great activity Those are the basics, but thought you guys might be interested in these blog posts. Feel free to comment either here or on the blog, but I will be more likely to see your comments on the blog My most recent entry: Current Struggles at 10 Months Post Op Other recent surgery-related entries from my blog: Weigh-In and Exercise talk (Feb 25th) Things I've Been Eating (Feb 16th) The ARM ISSUE! And Shopping (Feb 15th) 8 Month Progress Photos (Jan 29th)

Tomorrow is my big day, I'm a little nervous.

congrats pink!! I was banded June 20 of last year and wow what an amazing almost 10 months it has been! Your life is going to change so much for the BETTER!! congrats!!!:wub::thumbup::wub:

Below is one of the links to the story regarding the recall. Slim Fast recall affects 10 million ready-to-drink cans - Dec. 4, 2009

Rene, my 25th reunion is in 2 years as well, never thought about it till you pointed it out. When I was in HS I weighed over 300 lbs (at graduation)... When I went back for my 10 year reunion, I weighed 150 lbs. BLEW their socks off because the cheerleaders got ugly, the jocks got fat and bald and I just got BETTER Okay well I'm back up over 100+ lbs and I refused to go to my 20th year just because of my weight gain. :devious ***evil grin*** :devious guess I'll be going to my 25th

Banded in 2008, removed in September 2019. Bypass done January 8. 2020. Highest weight 260 (pre band), Lowest weight 190, weight at removal 225, weight at start of bypass procedure 228, current weight 202. It is slow, but it is moving!! Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am having my first fill next Tuesday. I was wondering if anyone has tried putting an ice pack on the port before having the fill. I am really nervous about the fill. I really don't even like to feel the bump where the port is. Also, I have probably been eating no more than 1000 calories per day. But, I haven't lost any weight. I lost my original 10 pounds, but I feel like that is mainly just Water weight. How is is possible to eat that little and not lose any weight? That is so much less than I ate before. I am eating Protein (mainly fish and eggs) and vegetables. The old me would eat at least one if not two candy items per day. You would think even without the band I would lose eating so much less. I am hoping to lose 10 pounds by August 16, but at this rate, that is not going to happen. Any suggestions? Sandy

So as a runner, this is something I *really* struggled with. I did not want to lose anymore weight, but as I was training for a half marathon (now training for a full marathon), the scale kept creeping down. The first thing I did is replace some of my meals/snacks with more calorie dense foods. cheese and nuts are great sources of extra calories, while still getting your Protein in. I also had to add in one or two extra "snacks" per day. I had been eating 5 times a day. I now eat 7 times a day most days. I also, finally caved in and started having a carb-only snack. Before my runs I will have a Clif Bar or a piece of whole grain toast with Peanut Butter. I also got a FitBit Blaze so I could more accurately track my calorie burn through the entire day (had just been using a heart rate monitor while running). And by logging my food for a while (don't have to anymore) I was able to make sure my calories in vs. calories out were pretty balanced. So far so good. I got to my lowest weight of 10 pounds below goal, but I have been sticking there for a while now.