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Hi there! I've been reading quite a bit here and other places about revising from band to sleeve. Here's my backstory: I got the realize band in 2009 - self pay unfortunately, due to a stupid anti obesity clause with my insurance policy at the time. I was relatively successful - my starting weight was 335 and I got down exactly 100 pounds over the next 2 years. I experienced regain of 45 pounds after a car accident in late 2013 and another injury a few months later. I've worked hard since then and am about 5 pounds away from my original low weight (and plan on surpassing that). The thing is, the whole time I've had the band, I've been a chronic vomiter, I get stuck ALL THE TIME (especially when I eat things I'm SUPPOSED to eat) no matter what and I never really feel full or satisfied, just uncomfortable and stuck. I always blamed myself and thought it just must be normal. But the more I read now, the more I realize that life doesn't have to be like this! I've been asked if I'd ever consider getting it removed and even the thought starts to hurl me into a panic. "I could NEVER get it removed!! I'll gain all the weight back and more and get diabetes again and a fatty liver and increase my depression and anxiety... NEVER!!" Plus I spent $25,000 on this dang thing!! But I hadn't thought much about a revision until the past couple months. The insurance I have now covers WLS. One question I have though is do you think they'd cover a revision? Especially if the band was self pay? Also, my BMI is now under 40 (as of today it's 37.6)... my comorbidities have pretty much gone away, aside from slightly high cholesterol and I just found out I have 2 herniated discs (definitely related to obesity. I'm only 35, for crying out loud!) would they even ok it based on that stuff. I know no one here can say for sure. Just looking to see if any of you have had any experience with a similar situation. Thanks in advance! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@GmaPam, I know! The stall can be discouraging. I have heard from a number of people who didn't just stall, but gained during the time. I too gained 1-2 lbs during my stall, but it did come off. Stay positive. The stall can last anywhere from 1-5 weeks from what I have heard from other sleevers. My doctor and other surgeons all seem to recommend upping your exercise. Maybe adding a few more minutes if walking. I know that my stall happened when I was unable to exercise because of my pulled internal stitch. Once I started waking again, just 20-30 minutes, I started losing again. Stay strong! I know it's terrifying but it's temporary even of it feels eternal. ????

I was reading a blog from a person who also had WLS. It inspired me to write a blog and well, then I thought...why not post it here..maybe there are others feeling these things but, not talking about it. This speaks to people who are post op. I am hoping this doesn't come out offensive. It's honest feelings ..and after reading Mick's it inspired me to write the words that are felt but, guilt makes me sometimes keep them in. 1. The buffet thing. Mick talked about it. When going to a buffet it's about getting the monies worth. I grew up poor...so, I am all about getting my monies worth. When I go to a Water park...I get there when it opens and I don't leave until it closes. So, I have endurance. Many people say to me "Shawna, let me know because I'll bring my own car." Yeap, I am a big on getting my *monies worth*. This is why since my band I do not go to buffets. It's not only a place to fail...but, truly what are we paying? Are we really getting our *monies worth* We also get, Obesity, diabetes, doc visits, clogged arteries, that end up on the plate. It also may add a sprinkle of an early death. I realized one day when at a Chinese buffet...no one in there was in healthy shape. That was a big eye opener. 2. food addiction... I am a big believer that this does exist. I know so many people who do not believe food addiction is real but, they are either in denial or clueless because they never had to deal with it. It becomes the escape, comforter, reward, etc just like a drug. Emotionally food can take on many personalities/fixes and feelings. I know I am a food addict...with a band. I guess I am kind of like an alcoholic with a sponsor?? It helps but, it's up to me. I wish there was a place near me ... an O.A. because I would go. I need a food sponsor... a buddy...I have them virtually but, here at home I lack the resources...so, I guess I am an addict without a person sponsor but, my band is helping me. (I'm sorry if you have dealt with the AA etc. I am using an analogy and haven't had to deal with that addiction...but, I do believe food can be comparable.) 3. The feelings some of us have after surgery when we watch someone in our old self shoes. I don't have this yet. When I read some blogs I see people angry as they watch someone eating like they used to. Screaming within when mom has biscuits, gravy, steak, and thirds. Right now I am in a different stage. I don't get enraged...I feel pity. I want to say "You should get a band" but, I don't. I feel like I have the cure for something but, it's taboo to share...oh and mega rude. I find myself saying in my mind "if they too could get one they would know how good it feels to have hope." Specifically though, lets talk about the anger stage. I know others who feel anger, frustration, etc when they see this after they have had surgery and lost weight. I think the reason for these feelings is...it's hard to watch someone else slowly kill themselves like *the person angry did* before surgery. I guess maybe it's like a drug addict who is recovered watching someone else pick up a meth pipe and go into the role they once played. It's very hard. It is a reminder of the old ways and the person doesn't like the old them (I agree with not liking the old person. that feeling I know well) Another perspective and comparison...I go back to my youth, I was a teen I was in an abusive relationship. I stayed for years, thought I didn't have no other way, had no self esteem, and gave up the dream of happy and love. I woke up though... I got out, got healthy, became strong, etc. Now, with a loving husband, 3 awesome kids, the thought of allowing someone to degrade me or hit me...seems so unimaginable! I now know what respect, love, and true happiness feels like ...So, I have a really hard time watching women/men stay in such relationships...I especially have a hard time when they have kids. I have to take myself out of these situations because I can't watch it. Oh, the back of my mind *gets it* the whole abuse syndrome, low selfesteem, etc but, the healthy me knows it's sooo worthless. When people get healthy with eating..maybe it's like leaving an abusive relationship?! So, we get angry when we see it! We can't watch the self abuse...because we know what it feels like to get help and find a new way to comfort, Celebrate etc. (I'm not perfect at this yet...still have times when I fall..especially around that time of the month) The reality is like drugs, abuse, etc Food also carries a death scare, health problems, worthlessness, and in the end hanging onto this life style leaves emptiness and the continuing of chasing a fleeting satisfaction, comfort, etc that food gives. I think many of us feel these things...anger/frustration or like me pity but, we dont' talk about it. We feel guilty. 4. My issue at hand. *food frustration* and wanting to hoard. I'll explain it. I watch those around me eat, I watch how big of bites people take, how they just swallow it with barely chewing, how they keep shoving it in even when they said "Oh, man I am full" and I see me. There is mindless eating that I see...the person doesn't look at the plate, they just shovel or pick it up. This one is very hard on me because since surgery I share plates with people. I can't eat a whole serving (well, people without band serving not a restaurant) and because I take my time, chew, relax, ...well I miss out. The other person eats the whole plate and I am stuck not feeling full. I finally said something because I was harboring anger...I said "I feel like the last kid out of a family of 10 to be ladling out my soup! I am hungry and you ate the food without even watching it, dividing it, realizing I had 2 shrimp out of 20...I think you are mindless eating...just sticking it in and not taking inventory." I know that sounds mean...but, I was starving in the shadows. This is after 5 months of it happening. I couldn't take it...I felt as if I was being taken advantage of. It's been a dangerous situation too...because it creates new issues for me to overcome. I find myself demanding my own plate (this person thinks it helps save dishes to spoon my portion on their plate) and I find myself hiding food (this is a bad thing.) I hide things I know I can eat because if I don't...well, I go without eating. My puddings are hid, my shrimp, my plums, my chicken from last night, etc. So, now I find myself hoarding food. It scares me to know I am hoarding. It also feels awful when I am looking at a cupboard of bread that people could eat but, I can't and my shrimp are gone. These are some issues with WLS...I guess I just don't hear a lot about. I guess I realize I may be ripped for talking about them..but, it does feel good to get everything out. I guess I am inspired and learn a lot from reading peoples blogs.

It's been 3 mths since my surgery and I finally made it back to the gym. Regular cardio is good for me, however with losing some weight I want to tighten some of that loose skin. I felt it was a good time to do sit ups and crunches. I felt a bit weak in those muscles, but overall ok doing them. Then that night and the next few days....my stomach was a bit swollen and I felt pain by port area. Not sure, if this is normal. Just curious, what your experiences are?

Wow you both have done FANTASTIC! As of today I'm down 103 lbs! I know I could have done better...but I've fought a lot of emotional eating to get these 103 lbs down! I think I'm up to 6.3 cc's in a 10 cc band. I'm suppose to go back Sept 1 to get a fill...but not sure I need one. I'm at the point where I've only been getting .3 cc's when I go...hate having to pay all that money just for that much...and I wonder how the heck can that much really make a difference but it does! I want to weigh 180...i'm at 238 this morning from 341...So I've got about 58 more lbs to goal! I already have a lot of loose skin ESPECIALLY at my belly...so I will definitely be having weight loss surgery. I just worry about the SCARRING!! How are yours healing? It is so nice to touch base with you and see that comparable that we've done fabulous! Keep it up Smashing Pumpkins!!

Hey, I was banded on August 24, 2006. I have lost 40 pounds since the liquid diet before surgery. I received my first fill last Wednesday and I can really tell the difference. I go to my family doctor this week so it will be interesting to see how he thinks I am doing, BP, weight, etc., Hey one thing I have noticed since the fill is that I burp more than usual. It is not PB, because it is just a burp. Has anyone else had this happen? If so, is it because I am not chewing my food enough? By the way, great site, I am glad I joined.

I'm around 500 calories a day and I will be 8 weeks out. I stay 20-40 carbs a day and I count them on my fitness pal. I started charting my food in November when I started the pre-approval visits and I still chart my Protein, carbs, calories, sodium and potassium and fat daily. I also chart my Water and my exercise. It makes you accountable to see what you are putting in every day. If you gain a few ounces or a pound, you can see what foods are higher in sodium. If you get a leg cramp you can see where your potassium is. If you have a hard time losing weight and you can see that perhaps your carbs are way higher than you should be eating. This is what I do, and it's been working for me. I believe majority of people keep track. It's the best way to stay in touch with what you are putting in your body and it's a way to stay accountable. It's easier to go off-track if you don't chart and don't weigh yourself.

happen to agree, you probably aren't eating that much. i'm a shorty (5'1) and i won't lose if i go below 1100 calories per day - but that's also not to say that the closer to goal ... the SLOWER the weight seems to be coming off. i also eat more balanced, including carbs - rather than focus on the Protein component each day.., i probably avg 50-60 grms most days. **a thought** - change up your diet & exercise to shock the body some?? maybe it's gotten use to the same old same old & a new routine might be the trick? worth a shot...

Had my 6 week appointment with the surgeon thursday and he said that average weight loss is 10-15% of your excess body weight and Ive lost 17%~! even though its only 21lbs in 6 weeks, I'm above average! I feel so much better!

@@joannct1 I eat some carbs, usually between 50-60 grams now, just because I need them for all the working out that I do. I go on 2-3 mile runs 3 times a week and do strength training with weights also. I'm 110 lbs down now and through the holidays I was a bit bad, but still managed to lose 4 lbs during that time while eating some sweets here and there. The key is always moderation!

I know this has prbably been discussed here before... I am thinking about doing the 5 day test to see what happens... I also have gained some weight (10-15) I was down to 294 on my scale and the other day I weighed in at 308. 14 pounds. I think my band is getting more restriction from the fat-pad. I am heading back to Texas for Christmas and have a fill scheduled... I don't want to have gained weight AND restriction and in return, not be able to get my fill! Anyway, did the Pouch Test work for you guys and also, did you lose any weight??? Seems like WL would be a nice byproduct of this little test.

I told family and close friends, and that is it. Once I had the surgery I told almost everyone. If I had it to do over, I probably wouldn't tell many people. With the band the weight loss isn't as quick as it is with gastric bypass. The band doesn't even really start working until you have it filled. But most people are familiar only with gastric bypass and expect you to start losing crazy amounts of weight right away. I can see people checking me out when I walk into a room, trying to determine if I have gotten thinnner. Two weeks after surgery I really didn't look much different! And before my first fill I could eat almost as much as I could before surgery so it was awkward at restaurants - I could tell people were watching and wondering why I bothered having surgery when I could still eat large portions! It may sound paranoid, but it's true! Keep it to yourself and only tell those who you need support from.

Hi Everyone, My name is Sara and I am new to this site, I am going through Kaiser Richmond and I live in Sacramento. I have completed all the pre-surgical appts and I am finally 6 lbs below Dr. Fisher's goal weight. My appt with the case manager is Oct 4th, so I'm hoping for an Oct surgery date. Anyone thats been through the appt with the case manager there and has any advice I would greatly appreciate it. From what I've heard she isn't the easiest women on earth to deal with. Are any of you going to the Point West Support Group tomorrow?

When I went in for my surgery the girl in the hospital bed next to me had changed clothes into her gown and laid down for her pre-op routine. She had put on 5lbs since she had seen the doctor last and swore up and down she lost weight on her liquid diet. The doctor sent her home and said "we will reschedule your surgery for when you want to take this more seriously." I guess what I'm saying is don't go overboard. I'm two months post op (70lbs lost) and I've dabbled with things like ice cream, Taco Bell, chick fil a, whataburger, alcohol, etc. You must realize your relationship with food moving forward is not a "never again" type scenario but is most certainly a "in extreme moderation" one.

I had my first fill on Thursday the 20th and am very hungry in fact Im more hungry than before the fill. I have been looking for food all day Friday through Sunday. I cannot go back and see me Doctor till after the new year. I was wondering if anyone has had the same problem as me and if this is normal. I have lost 15 pds and do not want to gain any back. I also want to know what is a good average to lose since surgery. I was banded on November 14th. Thanks for anyones insight. Have a Happy Holiday.

Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled. Saw the post-op bariatrics team last Wednesday. Kaiser defines a sucessful bariatrics patient as one who has lost 50% of the excess weight within one year following surgery. I have lost 81% in 7 months. This forum is a wonderful resource, with many people who are very successful with the sleeve in the long-run. I want to add my experiences to the pool of information. I plan on being one of the long-runs. To keep losing weight, I have to eat fewer than 50 grams of carb a day, and stay under 1200 calories. No, I usually don't get all my Water in. I also drink coffee, with 2% milk. This is the source of most of my carb. Eating too much is as bad as eating too little. Doing either one can make my weight loss stall. I can't snack anymore. The surgeon told me that, after 6 months, it's three meals a day, period. He's right. I still use baby bowls, a baby spoon, and 5-inch plates. I plan to use the small plates forever. I like my baby spoons, and the bowls are still portion-perfect. Too much Protein triggers insulin, and I gain weight. At my weight, 166.6, I only need 65 grams of protein a day, according to my NUT. If I don't eat enough fat, my weight stalls. Fruit = stall. I cannot lose without low-intensity exercise. 3 - 5 sessions a week, 30 minutes, on a treadmill that keeps me at a pulse rate of 107 (based on age) is the key. I also lift heavy weights twice a week. Throwing a 20-pound weight around does nothing for me. I use as much weight as I can lift for 5 slow reps. I am almost to the point of being able to do a real pull-up. I have loose skin. I am a shar-pei. But I am a proud, getting-healthy shar-pei. It doesn't bother my Best Half. Why should I care? I wore a bathing suit in Hawaii, and no one reported me to the Skin Police. Yes, I lost hair, starting at 3 months and it has slowed almost to normal. I ate my protein, took my Vitamins, and I still lost hair. It's based on hormonal changes, just like after childbirth. I still look like a girl. If you are scared to have a sleeve because of the potential hair loss, you aren't a good candidate for the surgery. You don't want to lose weight badly enough to be successful. I did not have a "food funeral" before my surgery, and I followed my surgeon's pre-op diet to the letter. I've spent years eating crap. Two weeks crap-less wasn't going to kill me. I don't miss any foodstuff. I don't cry over crap not eaten. I pull my vintage sized 14 Liz Claiborne clothes out of the closet and rejoice that I no longer wear a size 26, like I did back in 2000. If I really, really want it, I eat one small bite. Most sweets that I used to crave now taste terrible. One sweet potato fry satisfies as well as a bag of gingersnaps used to. Soda tastes like chemical-salts-bilge water. Yuk. I goof. I screw up. I eat too much. I still emotionally eat. That doesn't make me a bad person. There's always the next opportunity to make a much better choice. Veterans, please feel free to add on. I'd love to know what is down the sleeved road!

You've done a great job so far! Maybe considering weighing everyday? Then you won't wake up one day and realize you've gained 15 pounds. I weigh once every morning so that I know when I start to gain and I can immediately make adjustments for it. I feel like if I gain a pound or two I can easily get it under control in a day or so, but if I gained 5-10 pounds., that's going to take at least a month to fix during which time I'm going to be upset about it. Weighing every day prevents that from happening. Good luck!

I soooo agree with both of you!!!! I feel like I gained 10 pounds overnight....everything I put on seems to stick and rub...... Even the earrings I put on seem to "hurt"....

Thanks really trying to stay motivated to keep moving. I have been really tired as of late. I just made an appt with my PCP to see if my blood pressure meds are maybe too high for me now and making me super sleepy. It's also been very hot here on Long Island, but I have been OK with the heat and humidity, just really really tired. I pushed through and went to the gym today. Walked for 45 minutes. I wonder if there is anyone out there who might be able to advise a good fitness routine for someone just starting out that doesn't have a whole lot of time to spend in the gym throughout the day. At first I was walking way too fast at 3.0 for my target heart rate, so I have slowed down and walk in the range for weight loss and monitor it at intervals and I have increased the amount of time I am walking by 15 minutes. I try to use the bike a couple of times a week, for 20 minutes to shift things up. I am not really seeing the scale move, though I am feeling good and I can tell the inches are shifting in the way things fit. I'd love to hear any advice you all have. I'm trying to stay motivated to get fit and keep losing the weight.

You're doing great! 5 days per week is SUPER! Keep doing your thing and you'll be jogging/running in no time. A few things I've started doing- added 5 lb weights to work my arms while I'm walking (not running) on the treadmill and I've also been doing the 30 day squat challenge and WOW...I can feel a difference. Keep up the great work!

Hi Andrea Did you go through Henry Ford. Congratulations on your weight loss that is great!

Thanks, the weight loss thus far has been almost effortless! I had my surgery through St. John hospital. Have you checked out the St. John program yet? I highly recommend it. I went to seminars at Beaumont and Henry Ford too, but in the end I picked St. John because it seemed like they had the most experience with the sleeve, and the program was organized very nicely. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Today was my first appt with bariatric surgeon. Ready for my 6 months of prep for the sleeve! If all goes well, I'll have my surgery in May! My start weight is 189 lbs. Wish me luck! Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

I had lap band from 2010 to 2015 but it slipped. Gained most of my weight back Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

I know exactly where you're coming from. I was sleeved 1 month before you and at 22 months, I've let myself slip into old habits - eating when I'm bored or stressed or in a hurry (eating something convenient). My weight loss has stopped because of that. I switched jobs 2 months ago and now I'm working 6 to 7 days a week. And I've used that as an excuse to slack off on sticking to my diet. I too am going to have to become more viligant over how many calories I'm taking in. Hang in there, it's only a setback, nothing that can't be undone.