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Hi all! I initially posted this topic in another forum, but found this forum and am hoping for a bigger audience, because I am anxious to hear from all of you! I wanted to start this thread because I am curious as to how many of you use activity trackers with your exercise and any fitness apps that have helped you in your weight loss journeys. What are your reviews and how do you like them? How have they helped you? I started out many years ago with my first activity tracker before I had been banded. I had bought a FitBit One. It worked remarkably well with the features of tracking miles, sleep, steps, calories burned, time and date, and a growing flower which would grow the more activity you did. I clipped it on my sports bra or my waist of my pants and it was discreet. It was about $100 back then when they first came out and it was an investment I was willing to make to boost my activity and help with my weight loss efforts. Loved it! I paired it with Fitness Pal app and it really helped!!! However, I found out that it does not do well in the washing machine haha. I forgot to remove it from my sports bra and that was money down the drain. I never replaced it and just used the Fitness Pal app, but I didn't have that added reminder to move. When I realized I was having all of these problems with my band, I was in the market for a new activity tracker and researched ALOT for something that would do everything I had before but less risky for me to toss in the washing machine! Activity trackers are NOT cheap and I wanted to make a sound investment that would last. I had researched the Fitbit Flex, and Fitbit Flex HR, Jawbone UP24, and the Garmin Vivofit and Vivosmart among others but found that the Fitbit Flex had problems with the band breaking or tearing after about 6 months, not to mention the band was wider than I would have wanted. My co-worker had a jawbone which was considerably cheaper, but again it was something to clip on. My Zumba instructor had the Jawbone Up24 which was pretty cool looking, the band was lightweight, looked durable, and easy to put on, but you would always have to look at the phone app to see what was going on with your info. A friend of mine had the Garmin Vivofit, and I liked the number display but the band was too wide and thick for me......yeah I know picky picky....so I finally noticed the Garmin Vivofit and I really liked it. It had all of the features that I wanted, plus a slim band. In addition, it has a move bar that reminds you to get your booty moving, by vibrating your wrist if you have been sitting too long which was exactly what I needed. I also can receive Facebook notifications and phone calls, and even can control my Pandora music! My husband actually surprised me with it. It is waterproof, but I don't want to chance it so I remove it for showers. It has an excellent battery life. I have gone over a week without having to charge it. I absolutely love mine. I pair it with my Fitness Pal and I am so glad I have it. It was a bit more than I wanted my husband to spend, but he knew it was something I really wanted. Normally its about 150.00, but he was able to pricematch it at Bestbuy for 129.00 yay! He liked my tracker so much, that he bought one for himself a few weeks later! It has already helped me keep moving. I keep increasing my goals every week when I continue to meet them. It's a great motivator and I know for sure that it will help me be more successful to stay on track when I have my revision surgery! Tell me what your activity tracker is, and what fitness apps that you use and your reviews and how it has helped you!

Hi all! I wanted to start this thread because I am curious as to how many of you use activity trackers with your exercise and any fitness apps that have helped you in your weight loss journeys. What are your reviews and how do you like them? How have they helped you? I started out many years ago with my first activity tracker before I had been banded. I had bought a FitBit One. It worked remarkably well with the features of tracking miles, sleep, steps, calories burned, time and date, and a growing flower which would grow the more activity you did. I clipped it on my sports bra or my waist of my pants and it was discreet. It was about $100 back then when they first came out and it was an investment I was willing to make to boost my activity and help with my weight loss efforts. Loved it! I paired it with Fitness Pal app and it really helped!!! However, I found out that it does not do well in the washing machine haha. I forgot to remove it from my sports bra and that was money down the drain. I never replaced it and just used the Fitness Pal app, but I didn't have that added reminder to move. When I realized I was having all of these problems with my band, I was in the market for a new activity tracker and researched ALOT for something that would do everything I had before but less risky for me to toss in the washing machine! Activity trackers are NOT cheap and I wanted to make a sound investment that would last. I had researched the Fitbit Flex, and Fitbit Flex HR, Jawbone UP24, and the Garmin Vivofit and Vivosmart among others but found that the Fitbit Flex had problems with the band breaking or tearing after about 6 months, not to mention the band was wider than I would have wanted. My co-worker had a jawbone which was considerably cheaper, but again it was something to clip on. My Zumba instructor had the Jawbone Up24 which was pretty cool looking, the band was lightweight, looked durable, and easy to put on, but you would always have to look at the phone app to see what was going on with your info. A friend of mine had the Garmin Vivofit, and I liked the number display but the band was too wide and thick for me......yeah I know picky picky....so I finally noticed the Garmin Vivofit and I really liked it. It had all of the features that I wanted, plus a slim band. In addition, it has a move bar that reminds you to get your booty moving, by vibrating your wrist if you have been sitting too long which was exactly what I needed. I also can receive Facebook notifications and phone calls, and even can control my Pandora music! My husband actually surprised me with it. It is waterproof, but I don't want to chance it so I remove it for showers. It has an excellent battery life. I have gone over a week without having to charge it. I absolutely love mine. I pair it with my Fitness Pal and I am so glad I have it. It was a bit more than I wanted my husband to spend, but he knew it was something I really wanted. Normally its about 150.00, but he was able to pricematch it at Bestbuy for 129.00 yay! He liked my tracker so much, that he bought one for himself a few weeks later! It has already helped me keep moving. I keep increasing my goals every week when I continue to meet them. It's a great motivator and I know for sure that it will help me be more successful to stay on track when I have my revision surgery! Tell me what your activity tracker is, and what fitness apps that you use and your reviews and how it has helped you!

i was 262 when i had my revision. I had it on 03/13/2014. I had a breast reduction on 12/23/2014 and I just had my complete abdominoplasty on 08/11/2015. I am currently 189. so i feel like I am a success story

I am hoping to get insurance to pay for a revision ....so far hiatal hernia....co morbities,regain of weight ,port pain,throwing up,PCOS,Post Metatastic breast cancer.....gained too much weight after chemo...high cholesterol,metformin....insulin resistance ...I desperately need a revision!!!!

I will be 4 years from my band to sleeve revision at end of this year. I have done well, small regain but still very close to goal. No complications.

band to sleeve revision here. I wouldnt call myself a vegetarian by no means. A good Ribeye is heaven on a plate. I know our diet is mostly Protein and some veggie for the most part. Does anyone here use nuts or seeds as your protein vs having a piece of chicken or meat? I want to follow a paleo/primal diet but is all the veggies too high in carbs for us and too low in protein if Im eating so many veggies. I read Dr Weiner A Pound of Cure which for his wls patients he is more plant based and so is Jonathan Bailor, The Calorie Myth. More into the superfoods, etc but no counting calories. Anyone follow this type of diet?

This is a post by one of our fellow members in another post..I must say she makes a lot of sense and I am keeping my options open.....to revision to bypass....it is something I have to consider because the lapband has done a number on me.....endoscopy and upper GI will tell me all I need to know I had the exact same experience as you. I had my heart set on the sleeve and was told and shown all the data on revisions because of redux/Gerd. I had a little more time than you so I ended up going to see another gastroenterologist for a second opinion. My fear had everything to do with the idea that bypass might be more invasive and the malabsorption concerns. Everyone tried scaring me out of moving forward. My bariatric specialist asked me the following questions: 1. Why do you have the opinion that bypass is more invasive that sleeve. I responded be caused of the rerouting. She reminded me that to remove 85 percent is very invasive. Bypass is the gold standard of WLS. People who go thru the sleeve and suffer from Gerd after usually end up revising to bypass. Bypass is in fact reversible. Once your stomach is gone, you cannot get it back. 2. What about the malabsorption scares you, after all it is designed to help you lose more weight. I responded with some of the horror stories about people who didn't get their proper Vitamins. She educated me about why malabsorption is a good thing and as long as I take my supplements: multi Vitamin, Calcium, Vitamin D and B12 and follow up with labs to check progress, I won't have any problems. By the way, with the band and the sleeve you have to take supplements and go have labs regularly as well. After that one session with her and lots of time on line, I was feeling so much better about having WLS overall. I got excited, I was not scared any longer and I knew my success was completely up to me. By the way, I have not had 1 episode of reflux nor have I had to take any meds for it since 30 days post op, no more type 2 diabetes, no more high cholesterol, no more high blood pressure, no more sleep apnea, and last but the most important, no more stage 3 kidney disease. Don't be afraid, do some research if you need to. See if you can get in sooner and talk to a bariatrician if you are worried. You have worked way too hard to get to this place and you have to already know that the diet yo yo thing will only cost you more time lost down the road. Haven't you been there already?

I actually giggled reading your post because I really don't think he was paying attention to you lol. I wouldn't worry. The NUT is required to see if you have body dysmorphic disorder, BDD, or any form of eating disorders. I think sometimes, they make people feel intimidated because they are watching your body language and your responses to their questions. I am surprised that they were having you fill out questionnaires, usually its just a Q&A. How many appointments do you have to go to? I have seen quite a few people on many of the forums that have to go to 3! I only had to go to 1 appt with my band and passed with flying colors and I will only have to go to 1 appt with my revision to bypass in October. Just remember to express why you want the surgery in the first place, and what your coping mechanisms will be, and who will be your support system, and what you will do to change your behaviors. That's usually all they want to know. Best of luck to you!

Hellcat- I am a revision and at 7 weeks I have already lost more than I did with lap-band. No way I will ever be able to eat the way I used to. Lunch was about 6 bites and I was full. I am now worried about losing too much weight.

So I didn't have an exact stall but I had almost 3 weeks of very small losses (like less than a pound) starting at about 4 weeks out. Last week I lost 1 1/2 lbs but since last week I lost 3lbs! 27 1/2 lbs in 7 1/2 weeks is not bad for a revision patient! I go away tomorrow until labor day WITHOUT my scale (only my food scale) and I hope for a big number when I get back!

I don't mean to be a nitpicker, but I want to be sure that newbies researching get accurate information. When I was researching the sleeve in 2011 it was clear even then that there are some long term complications associated with the sleeve. #1 is reflux/GERD. in fact, it seems to peak about 3-6 years post op - I recall reading that about 30% are impacted. Most people can manage it well though... a few have to revise to bypass because it is so bad. I had to ask myself if I was willing to risk this. #2 regain. This is a risk of all WLS and the sleeve has very comparable stats to the bypass, but it is still a long term "risk" #3 Less common, but real problems like: ulcers and other "problems of the stomach". This seems fairly uncommon, but there is a person on this forum who developed a "leak" a year or more post op from an ulcer. Reactive hypoglycemia, vit B deficiencies and other very uncommon type problems can show up. I don't say any of that to scare people - just go in with your eyes open. I, like most sleevers, have no complications and am very happy with my choice, but there are long term concerns to be aware.

I am scheduled for an upper Fi with Barium,Endoscopy ...had a CAT scan that showed a mild hiatal hernia....sick all the time especially at night I feel the band clenching...I awaken in pain or gasping....I need this revision to sleeve or bypass...not sure if it is the sleeve because I have to see what the results of these tests unveil....the band is a nightmare...it will cause mild to severe damage long term...believe me....

Thank you! Revision requirements are different from initial requirements. I had all them tests done to figure out what was going on initially. My upper Gi showed stenosis in sleeve as well

Hi all! I'm sure so many of you can relate to how I'm feeling right now. I have done so well with my WL up to this point but, recently my carb intake is out of control! I even worry that I'm eating so much, I will need revision in the near future! I take medication to control my compulsive eating and I feel I have that pretty well under control but, of corse like any addiction, it's not perfect.I'm even sliding back into that old mindset of screwing up eating today so, no GYM! You know it..the old ALL or NOTHING attitude. I just feel like screaming out loud "WHY AM I LIKE THIS???" Why can't I just KNOW I cant eat over so many carbs a day, go to the gym when I'm supposed to, eat how I am supposed to??? I mean, I'm a grown woman, when will I EVER get a handle on this?? I'm so bummed out right now! My WL has slowed WAYY down and I know exactly why, CARBS, CARBS and more CARBS! It's all my fault and I know all in my hands (which always makes things worse right??) why are we built this way, with a brain that just cant/won't say NO!? It's INSANE! I went through one of the most radical surgeries known to medicine to have a second shot a life and I'M BLOWING IT WTF!!!?? Is a brain transplant on the horizon in medicine? Because I think that's my only hope! Thanks for letting me rant, keeping it in is just killing me and I know only you all really get it. Other people in my life do not have weight issues or food issues so, they just cant understand. So upset with me, as usual! UUGGHHH!

I had revision on 8-10 as well. I can't look at liquids anymore! Loosing my mind. I tried some plain Sabra Hummus which was great and worked out fine. I also tried some peanut butter. That was a little too thick but I was able to eat it. I see surgeon and nutritionist on Friday to hopefully move to proteins, which I think I can handle now.

I'm American but I'm living in Johannesburg for work. I had sleeve surgery about a year ago in the States, and am going back there to have a revision surgery to bypass because of severe GERD. But, I'll be back here after that for four years! I'd love some tips from you guys on protein shakes/bars and food in general here. The brands are all different and you use kj instead of calories so it's a bit of a struggle sometimes. Anyways, glad to see there's a SA thread!

Let's be clear, all procedures have some element of being scary. If there was nothing to them, this site would not exist. Sleevers sing the praises of being sleeved and bypass folks love to mention the gold standard. The outliers who've struggled with complications on average are overall happy that they chose their procedure. And a tiny percentage of folks are completely unhappy. I was convinced I wanted the sleeve. And my personal set of concerns led me with the bypass with the help of my surgeon. She told me that most of her colleagues would rather fix a complication of a bypass patient verses a sleeve patient. With the sleeve being newer the revisions and managing complications were newer fixes and procedures, too. I would think a younger and/or more enthusiastic surgeon would prefer to get after those. That sealed the conversation for me because I was afraid of complications. Everyone has to act in accordance with their fear's edge and what they can live with at the end of the day. Take your time, do your research. You deserve to feel good and confident in your decision. I'm SO glad I got the bypass in the end. My weight loss has been steady, not super fast which I was afraid of, blood pressure resolved. I've had no dumping but my body knows EXACTLY when to stop eating something that has too much fat or sugar. Hard to explain. Good luck to you! :-)

I got the revised surgery (from band to sleeve) on 8-10. I'm able to get the liquid in but I'm so tired of broth. I tried eating some Refried mushy beans and IT HURT. I know I shouldn't have cheated but damn!

Thanks..slaw a gastro doc.....he has scheduled upper GI barium and endoscopy....will see what happens.I just found out I have a small hiatal hernia..l am compiling it all for a revision...sleeve or bypass .

I picked the roux en y because of it's track record. I've seen lots of people get the sleeve and then fall back into their old ways because "they can eat more normal" and end up getting a revision to bypass later because they couldn't make it work doing that. The way I see it, I only want to have to go through surgery ONCE. The other thing is that sleeve isn't less invasive. You are cutting out that entire side of the stomach. You can't undo it. In the roux en y, they don't cut that stomach out just separate it from the pouch so, it's still there if you do have complications, it isn't impossible to reverse the whole procedure-although one shouldn't consider reversing it because it won't be exactly the same afterwards, but if you develop some adverse effect being able to reverse it seems a lot less risky than cutting it out entirely. Plus generally, the rny has better Weightloss although the sleeve still has a dramatic Weightloss, it's purely restrictive and can be defeated easier than the bypass. Eat sugar risk dumping. Eat greasy food you'll regret it, because that's going straight out your backend. These kinds of "motivators" are enough to keep me honest and not even try to test it out. With the sleeve, I'm sure I'd be back to my sugar addiction probably within 6 months and my love of everything big n greasy in the first year. Just something to think about.

Did you have to fulfill any requirements? I have had a hard time getting an answer from my clinic on what my insurance is going to require. I am at a normal BMI and am revising due to severe GERD/Barrett's. Yes I had to do the upper GI. 1phych visit, 1 nutrition, I already had a bunch of testing from my Gastro doctor like a gastric emptying scan and EGD and his office notes.

Did you have to fulfill any requirements? I have had a hard time getting an answer from my clinic on what my insurance is going to require. I am at a normal BMI and am revising due to severe GERD/Barrett's.

Got banded 4 years ago achieved goal weight quickly was very happy until it slipped, I changed to a sleeve revision one year ago regained all my weight, No restriction with sleeve, now I'm getting a mini bypass in October, any views would be appreciated. I live in the U.K. So our health service doesn't cover wls so all surgeries have been privately funded.

This is helpful.The sleeve is irreversible and leakage is very dangerous.On other forums and blogs.I see people complaining years later that they wish they had gotten the bypass because the gherelin returned and they were regaining.I can't go through a third surgery...this revision from the band has got to be it.Sort of leaning to the bypass.

35 pounds lost in your first month is a lot, I only lost 16 pounds in the first 4 weeks. My revision was on June 20th, 10 weeks today, and I have only lost 28 pounds over that time. Like you I also have a mobility issue, waiting for hip replacement in October and also like you I am sticking to the rules, drinking enough, Protein etc. It is hard, a lot of revisioners lose slower than on their first surgery. I only lost 4 or 5 pounds sticking to my pre-op diet that I did for 17 days. I put it down to reduced activity etc but it does suck big time. So, all we can do is keep at it, plod on. Our journey will be longer but hopefully will still get us there.