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I actually had the surgery before my wife did. I was sleeved on May 10 of last year and she was sleeved on October 10. It certainly helped with us both going through it at roughly the same time. However, at the end of the day you are the captain of your own ship. If you want the surgery, have the surgery. However, go in knowing it isn’t the easy way out. Losing weight and keeping it off with the sleeve is hard work. You’ll be logging food, exercising and eating right. Being sleeved certainly makes it easier to get rolling but you still have to be committed to changing your lifestyle.

I'm certain that everyone here went into their surgery absolutely committed to following all of the dietary rules to the letter. And I'm equally certain that most people ended up cheating at one point or another. I'm having bypass in February 2019, and I'd like to hear from people who are a year or more post-surgery about how tempted you are to cheat, how often you do it, and how you get back on track when you do cheat.

I had lapband in 2005. Lived with it, miserably, for almost 5 and had it removed in late 2009. My surgeon offered to convert me to a sleeve at that time, but I wasn't ready for something like that. By 2017, I had gained all of my weight back (thankfully, it didn't bring too many friends with it). A friend of mine had been sleeved and really encouraged me to look into it. Her experience was very similar to mine: banded first, etc. and she had done very well with the sleeve. So, after a lot of soul searching, I committed to being sleeved. That's not to say that I didn't have any reservations and wasn't nervous. I was. In fact, I cried as they were positioning me on the surgical table and strapping me down, etc. I just couldn't believe that I had let myself get to the point that I had to make permanent changes to my anatomy in order to get control over my weight. I had to go through all the same pre-op stuff with the sleeve that I did with the band. I breezed right through it with the attitude "I've done this before, I can do it again". My recovery from the sleeve surgery was a little harder than the band surgery, but I was also 13 years OLDER. Once I got past the first week, I honestly felt really good after the sleeve. Maybe a little fatigued in those first few weeks, but no pain or anything. Learning what I can/cannot eat has been a little more challenging with the sleeve because I could tolerate anything with the band. The sleeve feels much more restrictive than I ever felt with the band and I don't eat a lot of bread (not because I CAN'T, but if I do then I can't eat much of anything else) and dry meats aren't my friend. Now that I'm 10 months out, I feel great. Feel so much better than I did with the band.

Agree with above poster, you need to have a good conversation with your doctor to help decide which is best for you. I can only offer my own experience. I have been banded and I have been sleeved. I was banded in 2005. I did well at first, but when my gallbladder took a crap and my doctor didn't diagnose it properly, I was in absolute misery and afraid to eat for about 6 months. Ultimately, I lost 85 lbs with the band. I gained a little back towards the end, but maybe 20 lbs. Thankfully not all of it. I was never able to tolerate a fill in my band and after I switched surgeons, I learned that my original surgeon placed the band too high on the stomach. After the gallbladder thing, I had ongoing reflux and slept nearly sitting up for the rest of my time banded. I lived that way, miserably, for almost 5 years until my surgeon's only answer was to just take the darn thing out. I got a copy of my op report during my sleeve pre-op process. The surgeon reported that my band slipped. I suspect it happened with the gallbladder issue because I was never the same after all that vomiting. I lived without the band for 8 years and did fairly well maintaining my weight, overweight, but at least not morbidly obese. In late 2013, I had some major life changing events and looking back, I was doing some comfort eating and binge eating. I gained ALL of my weight back. I just couldn't seem to get back on track, so last year I had the sleeve done. I don't regret it. I feel "normal" and after about 10 months, I've lost 72lbs. My weight loss has been much slower with the sleeve, but they tell me it's because my body's been through this with the band. To get to my ultimate weight loss goal I have about 45 to go, but honestly, I'd just be happy to get under 200lbs and that's only 20 lbs away! Aside from the initial recovery, I feel great. I never feel deprived. The only time I feel bad is if I've overdone it a bit. Then, I'm uncomfortable for a while until the food passes. I have a little bit of nighttime reflux, but it's nothing like with the band. My gastroenterologist says I have a small hiatal hernia, which we'll talk about addressing at my next appointment. I don't necessarily regret having the band, but it did mess me up a bit. I was thankful that it helped me lose weight. In exchange, I was rather miserable with it for years and it left me with a lot of scarring that made my sleeve surgery more complicated. I don't regret having the sleeve at all, but I will admit to having a little bit of remorse that I can no longer use food as a comfort. I've been forced to find better coping mechanisms, which isn't a bad thing. For the first time in my life, I feel like I have more control over food and my weight. I have HOPE for a future without dealing with morbid obesity. Best of luck to you!

Hi all, I’m almost a month post-op VSG and am doing quite well getting to learn my new stomach. I was wondering how much you’re sleeping post-surgery? A friend slept 8 hours a night with a four hour nap the first 6 weeks, and I’m sleeping 10-11 hours per night with no naps. I’m heading back to work next week and am wondering when others have been able to go back to a more normal 8-hour sleep schedule.

Had my sleeve on jan , 7 2019 felt pretty good but surgery took 7. 1/2 hours due to me having a acid reflux surgery in the past and I had developed another hernia and that was repaired! Was a little concerned about not going to the bathroom it seemed like I was full of food but I wasn’t getting rid of it but today things started moving and I feel better!

Yeah I would not have had you here to talk to. Your body does have its own wisdom, we just don't pick up the cues or listen very well. I started telling my bariatric team at 2 weeks there was something WRONG, at a month, basically they thought to shut ME up, an endoscopy was scheduled, I was right, they were wrong, I did have a stricture in my new little pouch and multiple ulcerations, been 3 months of repeated endoscopies, medications, going back to liquid diets, removing stressors like tobacco smoke in my presence, adding more medications and finally installing a PICC line, putting me on IV Nutrition, and the story isn't completely over. But I will be better, get better and heal, and I pray to be dancing in the sunlight of better health with all the other Bypassers and sleevers soon. Don't count me out folks, I'm not going anywhere until I gain my ✌ victory! I'm stubborn, red-headed and never accept "No" votes in Life!

Congrats on your recovery! I had my sleeve done 1/7/2019. It’s been trying to say the least but every day gets better. Every day I drink a little more. Pain is beginning to minimize but I did just order a gastric band for my tummy. I feel the best when there is some pressure applied to my stomach. Heres to a speedy recovery!

Did the sleeve 10/15/18. Lost 45 so far. Seems like I’m losing slowly but my skin is not wrinkling Yet anyway. It’s cold now and don’t want to walk out side. So I’m doing YouTube video specific for 60+ patients Just miss cookie

Day 10 - Stop, drop, chug! Well, I can't chug because my tiny tummy wont be happy with me if I do... but I'll sip away until I get it down! Not gonna lie, this was an awkward selfie to take. Luckily no one was in my break room so it wasn't too embarrassing lol Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I got the sleeve December 28th. Successful pre-op week long liquid diet and day before clear liquids. 10.5 lb loss Successful surgery, anesthesia hit a bit hard and I didn’t end up fully waking up until middle of the night surgery night. Began walking, could hardly sip, all normal stuff. I could immediately pick myself up and didn’t require assistance in sitting up or walking around, was just extremely tired. Three days post op I began feeling what I assumed were the dreaded gas pains dead center of my abdomen. I called my doctors office, scoured the forums for advice, nothing helped. I tried the milk of magnesia assuming I was backed up, not the case. Tried gasx bc the pain latest 3 days non stop. Couldn’t hardly move, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t walk, couldn’t sit, lay, anything. So! Fast forward to Thursday (6 days post op) and I’m balling on the phone with my doctors office pleading there’s no way this is gas. So they bump my post op appointment to the next morning if I can wait. If not, they say don’t wait to go to the ER. Next morning on Friday my mother rushes me to the office, we barely get through the door and they’re sending us to the ER next door. After many tests, hours of different pain meds that didn’t work...a ct scan shows a prominent Portal vein thrombosis. A massive and extremely painful blood clot in my chest bc of the surgery. Little pre surgery info, I’m extremely healthy. I’ve never had heart burn, acid reflux, diabetes, heart problems, any issues health wise. I’ve now been in the hospital for over a week dealing with the excruciating pain, blood thinners, 6 days of NO FOOD OR WATER, not even ice chips. Talk about torture. So, just a heads up...it’s not always gas pain. This may be super rare, which is what I’ve been told, but still...it sounds like gas pains...it still may not be. If your pain is at a 10 go to the dang hospital.

I work retail they told me two weeks and then the doctor kept me out another 10 days past that because I wasn't hitting my fluids or protein goals. Officially go back Monday! My mom went back after two weeks to her medical assisting job and then managed to push it to hard and it kept her out of work for almost a month.

Sending good vibes mine is Feb 26, 2019. Sending you good vibes.. so my dr gave me a list of things to bring in my over night tote, slippers, loose clothes, gas x pills. (Chewabla) compression stockings if needed. Any medication I am taking. These were the important ones. Sent from my SM-G950W using BariatricPal mobile app

Primrose, Congrats on loosing the 137. 😍🤩 Proud of the great job you have done. Yes it feels that the closer you get to the goal we set up for ourselves the harder it gets. My goal is my daughter's wedding in Dec. 2019 and I'm already stressing out. I have another 40 to go and can not get go down on the scale. I keep hearing that we have to change things up because our body's know what to expect. Best of luck! Please share if you find something that is working for you.

I am the same way- I always enjoy some sugary starch like a croissant or cookie with my coffee and that is my biggest trigger. I'm going to do a pantry purge tonight as soon as I get home and I'm going to try the pouch reset idea for the next 10 days. Hopefully, that will help me get into the restrictive and healthy mindset to really get back to my healthy habits. Thank you so much and good luck!

Hello Pals, Its been a while since I have been on here. I had the lapband which was removed in 2016. Slowly over the two years and sadly I gained 25 lbs. I am scheduled for Sleeve on 1/23/19. Just reaching out to see what everyone's experience has been if you converted from lap band to sleeve. I wasn't worried at all with lapband but I am a little with this surgery

Set for Bypass on Feb 13. Is this the February 2019 group?

Hi MyLightHouse! I see you used the same surgeon! I'm in Bryan myself. My surgery was 12/10/18.

I am almost 4 months away from getting my surgery! I just am not sure which one I want. I have had IBS-D all my life but was just diagnosed a few years ago and I finally just found a doctor and medication that helps me a few months ago. On a good day I go to the bathroom about 10x a day and on a bad day its about every 5-10 minutes from the time I wake up till I go to bed. When I first started researching I wanted the VSG because it honestly scared me thinking that my intestines would be messed with. At my first appointment I was told the Roux-en-Y would be best because it causes constipation. My third appointment I was told the VSG would be best due to my intestinal issues. I really cant get an answer from my GI doctor about which he thinks would be best. I've been researching but the internet has such differing opinions on everything and I am more confused now than I was six months ago. So if you have symptoms that sound anything like mine can you please let me know which surgery you went with and why that was your decision?

It time now to start training for a 5k. Instead of walking 30 minutes everyday, start this. Walk 10 minutes, jog 30 seconds, repeat 3 times., Just three times in a week. Next week, walk 9.5 minutes, jog 60 seconds and repeat three times ...Slowly reduce the walk times, and or increase the jog times, and over the course of a couple, 3 or 4 months, you'll be running a 5K. But always stay under 30 minutes. Eventually when you run the entire 30 minutes (after a warm-up) increase the time until you cover a 5k. This is how people train for a "couch to 5k.". If you can walk it, you can jog it. If I could do it, ANYONE CAN (without medically damaged knees). Loosing weight actually helped my knee problem and made running even easier. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using BariatricPal mobile app

Surgery Date 01/07/2019 My surgery went well, I was up and walking the next day, drinking my protein, and wasn't nauseous not even once. So I got to go home the next day This is day 3 post-op. I am doing well, although I slept most of yesterday away, I believe I needed to catch up on sleep, since sleep in the hospital is in 2 hour intervals, someones always waking you up for something lol Today I've been up all day, walking around, playing on the computer. I've had some pain but not anything that cant be controlled. The drinking thing has been hard. Making sure i get my protein in. So mainly right now I'm on 2x protein shakes a day, i split them up so that I'm only handling 4oz at a time. Drinking water and power-aid zero all day. And today I measured out 2oz sf jello and 2oz beef broth for lunch. I think i'm going to do ok with my new stomach. I worry about stretching it, but from what I've read 4 oz. on the liquid diet is not the same as solid food. I usually take my time and get full from 4oz of liquid. So far so good, I am so happy with my decision to do this.

Thanks so much for responding. I've done research online and have read both what you wrote above and what 2bsmaller18 wrote. From what I can tell, if I had stones and regular attacks, I should be planning my surgery asap. Everything I've read about just sludge and a few irregular pains (not having full blown attacks) says to wait and watch. I also read there are medications that can help but my surgeon only mentioned the surgery. Of course, he's a surgeon, that's what they do! So I really appreciate your input. For me, with what I've experience SO FAR, surgery seems extreme. Certainly if it gets worse, I'll do what I have to do. I'm mostly concerned because my husband and I have a much awaited trip to Hawaii in 10 days, with my new 175# figure. My husband thought of cancelling the trip so I could have the surgery but I think I'll eat very low fat, as I was doing before the holidays, and worry about this after we get back. Hopefully this will be ok. Thanks again!

So its been a complete week since my surgery and I am feeling okay just had a couple questions and want to see if anyone else is going thru these symptoms.... 1) I been drinking protein,water,broth and it was pretty easy for me to drink and keep it down. i just don't really feel full so i don't know when to stop drinking...i usually just stop myself when i feel i had enough but maybe 20 mins after ill feel thirsty again. also i been feeling less satisfied with just liquid i been feeling hungry 2) i been having this numb/sleeping pain on my left leg and i feel it every time i lay down to sleep or sit down to rest. i went to ER to make sure it wasnt a blod clot they no that it might just be the way i was strapped up during surgery so yeah still feel it just dont know what it is!!! 3) last thing constipation sucks!!!!! any tips on how to avoid that? that's the biggest thing i been suffering from i would say! thank you and let me know if you're also starting your journey this month or last month i want to connect with others to see how they are doing

Had sleeve work done on 12/19. Went in on Jan 2 for follow up and got admitted again for clots in my lower lungs. Doc says it happens in every few hundred patients. On blood thinners for 6 months, but it stopped me from going back to work as early as I had counted. I feel fine except I get tired easily, but no pain or sickness. Feeling a bit guilty about whether I should return to work before the 6 weeks are up. I know many don't take that much time, but many of those dread staying home too. I'm 64 yoa, I figured I probably earned it.