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MPW09, I too had a sweet tooth and also had type 2 diabetes and on the lap band was able to keep eating sweets as the healthier foods never would go down for me and I would PB. My diabetes worsened with the lap band because of that. I didnt know all the junk food would still go through the band I only thought something like ice cream or sugar drinks would be an issue. I'm much older than you and was at the point where I couldn't even lose weight anymore, forget the keep it off part and due to my health I had the lap band removed and eight months later revised to RNY. I'm fairly new at it and know the effect sugar will have on me now and it's not pleasant. I also don't crave it like I used to (knock on wood)when I was banded and before and am off my diabetic meds completely. I know it's not a "popular" view here at LBT but thought you might as well hear the other side of it from someone also. Good luck to you which ever surgery you choose. Nancy.

Even though it will be a tough conversation, and she probably won't want to hear what you have to say, you need to talk to her about getting professional help from a psychologist and a nutritionist. All of the revisions in the world aren't going to matter one bit if she doesn't change her relationship with food. The surgery allows for weight loss during the "honeymoon phase" pretty much regardless of one's eating habits. That changes soon. The majority of this journey is about the mental game. If she's eating all of that crap on a regular basis, she's losing that battle. Good luck. I know this isn't easy, but I'd definitely have that conversation before she puts her body (and your checkbook) through more trauma.

Im getting revision on November 14!!

I got my band in Dec 09 and I lost 40+lbs but then nothing. Band was tight bc like u I would puke probably 3-4 meals a week. At 211 I just felt like I failed though much healthier than 260. I went to Mexico for a revision to gastric sleeve. The sleeve surgery was 5k and I paid an extra $500 for band removal. Best decision! I am 6 weeks or so out and down to 186 pounds. Good luck whatever u decide!

Hi, I am six days post op and feeling okay (except a little dizzy). I still have over a week of liquid diet let per doctor's plan--- but getting so sick of the sweet protein shake options. I have ordered a bunch of protein soups. Hope everyone one in August is doing well!

I went through band to sleeve revision on Tuesday. Now I have this heavy feeling dead center of my chest. It's not painful, doesn't interfere with breathing...just annoying. Have any of you experienced this?

I hear ya! I didn't tell anyone about my lap band and I have not told anyone about my sleeve revision. I feel I would be even more misunderstood for the revision because I was barely obese when I went for the revision. Not a lot of people would understand that I needed this surgery to keep me from gaining a ton of weight after I took out the band. To an outsider it might seem drastic, but we each do what we need to do in our lives, right? I know lots of people who have had plastic surgery - nose jobs, face lifts, boob jobs, liposuction, etc. At the most shallow level, I consider this my plastic surgery. It has changed how I look, my health, and how I feel about myself. And, guess what? There is nothing wrong with it. I keep it to myself because I don't need anyone's opinion. I am quite happy with the experience and the results - screw everyone else!

I knew you guys would see my point! I like that idea Rev - seems like the "plastic surgery" idea is a good one. Next time that might be my response. I would love to have been a natural beauty - no hair dye, no makeup, hair blowing in the breeze and a perfect body - but that never happened and ain't gonna happen now. I always tried to make up for my weight problem with being a nice person all the time - a people pleaser - there was extremes I wouldn't go to do for my friends and family - but the beauty of aging takes away our need for everyone to love us, as we accept ourselves - others approval seems less important. In making my decision for this revision surgery - it came from a deeper place than my when I had my lapband. I had the surgery in 2003 - I still thought I had a shot at being that wild natural beauty if I was skinny. I had a new husband - would he still love me? I had a one year old? Is that too much for a 41 year old to handle being so fat? In 2005 I my eldest daughter passed away at 23. That was the beginning of growing up for me - and not relying on the outside world to have an opinion of me - everyones view of me always burnt my sensitive self. Sometimes the worst and painful situations - open a new strand in your soul - it makes you tougher and nothing scares me - I don't ponder a minute thinking about "what if" - I now live for this minute while I am here typing - and I feel THAT is the meaning of life. Wow, deep - go Glenda! Anyhow, thanks for all your insightful and intelligent responses. It is nice to share with like minds. Glenda

Hi Jennifer, Sounds to me as though you would have benefited with some more education on living and eating with the band. Is there any way that you can pursue that now and give the band a red hot go before revision to a sleeve? I have nothing against the sleeve, but I don't see that your band has failed. In fact, I believe you could be successful with the band with some education and support which would avoid putting your body through another surgery at this time. Just my opinion....

I'm assuming you treat a revision like the first time? I would think Prilosec would be a great way to start! My kiddo is on prevacid now and her tummy would randomly hurt on and off during the day before they started her on it.

I think we look at it as a tool to help us, where those that are not considering WLS surgery just believe that we will eat smaller amounts of whatever we want and everything will be fine. They have no concept of what actually happens. As soon as I am healed from this surgery, I will be having a very serious hip revision surgery. So serious, that my surgeon and his partner cancelled it the day of surgery saying that it needs to be done in a larger hospital with full access to all types of equipment. I had an appointment with the new ortho doc on 1/8 but as my RNY is now 1/4, I rescheduled for 3/1 to schedule the hip revision. I am hoping whatever weight I have lost by the time of that surgery will make it easier on me and the docs. Any surgery is complicated by obesity and I am doing this for my health, not my looks. I am 60-years-old and that simply does not matter anymore! People can say the darndest things, but we KNOW what we are really undertaking. Being thankful for RNYTalk and Obesityhelp for my only outside support! :wub: Blessings! Lynn

It's a gorgeous day in Philly. I am one week away from my band to sleeve revision with Dr. Aceves. I've been calling all my close friends (one at a time) to tell them about my decision to have this procedure. I am blessed they have been so supportive. Being 130 pounds overweight is killing me. Just getting out of a low chair or having to walk long distances is a struggle. Last October I lead a team of women on the 3 day, 60 mile walk for Susan G. Komen.. I trained like a crazy woman since I was so fat and was worried that I couldn't do it. We raised a ton of money...the walk was only 1 day becuase Philly had horrible weather...so I walked 17 miles one day....I was fat...but felt strong. Today...I walked 7 blocks to my office from home and was sweating and winded when I got here. I've gained 30 pounds in the past 6 months and it feels like a 1000. I know that I am not meant to live a diminished life. I am having this surgery becuase I hear the clock ticking on my own mortality. Fears of loose skin and a sagging face do haunt me....but not as much as dying the death of person who is morbidly obese.

My surgeon is going to do a band removal and revision. He's letting me decide if I want the sleeve or bypass. I'm confused.. Help! Why is the sleeve better? Just looking for some thoughts and opinions.

I have been following RNYTalk.com for a while now and decided I should share my experience. I had RNY in January 2005 at age 24. I was 249 lbs at the time of surgery. I did fantastic with no complications other than needing my gall bladder removed in December of that year (which is very common). I lost my weight steadily and at six months I had got down to 152 lbs. I never had a specific goal in mind but this was a great weight for me. After that I stabled out at 157 lbs for four years. In January 2009 my life dramatically changed when my very painful divorce was final. More or less everything that had been my life was gone. I was going to be 30 in just a couple months and I was back living at home with my parents in a dreary basement apartment with no job, no insurance and no hope. As many of us know all to well when depression strikes food becomes our medicine, our friend and are only consistent source of love. Needless to say I started to gain my weight back. I was in complete denial that it was my eating habits but instead something was "wrong" with the surgery. I even went to my surgeon who performed an exploratory abdominal procedure and found nothing of significance. Sinking deeper into my depression my weight gain continued and for a long time I just denied it all together despite having to buy bigger and bigger clothes. My self-esteem was down to an all time low and was now I was trying to attempt to date for the first time in 8 years. Boy, what fun was that! When I finally found a good man (who I married last summer) I was up to 200 lbs. I didn't care anymore and my husband loved me for who I was and not for how I looked. Now exactly 3 years since our relationship started I am 225 lbs and have been at this weight despite efforts to lose the weight. I have decided to see a new surgeon that is a revision specialist and have my RNY revised. I am now in the beginning stages of getting the process rolling. It is treated just like I never had the surgery before. Supervised weight loss, seminars, NUT meetings, blood work etc. I am having an EGD in two weeks and next month I will be done with the supervised weight loss requirement. My own therapist will provide the pysch eval and we will be doing that at the end of the month. I don't have an actual surgery date yet. My main point in sharing this is that this surgery is just a tool. I know we all hear this but it is so, so true and not a lifelong fix no matter what. If you stop eating right, stop taking Vitamins, stop following up with your surgeon you will gain back the weight. I am not writing all this to scare anyone or make anyone reconsider their decision. Having GB was the best thing I every did myself and I know I will be able to do it again. My mind set is 100% different and I know so much more than I did 8 years ago. This is my story and I look forward to be getting a second chance on my life and getting control of my weight once again.

Thank you or sharing your story. May your revision go smoothly and put you back on track!

Here is my complete list of NSVs (non-scale victories) today. Since I am not seeing any change in the scale, I decided that I needed to review my progress, to see how my life has changed since March 14th, 2005. Because I was so distraught earlier this week because I listened to the damn scale, I decided I needed to list them all in one place. If you are not currently tracking your NSVs, I really want all y'all to start tracking them. Besides, when we are all invited to the Oprah show we need to have some evidence besides what the scale says, right? My most important NSV is that I haven't died from respiratory failure. 03-27-2005, 11:04 AM I finally have an NSV! my rings fit again! And I don't have the terrible edema problem I developed over Christmas any more! Woot! Two NSVs for week two! 03-29-2005, 08:18 AM This is a gi-normous NSV. I haven't used my inhaler in five whole days! As many of you know, I have terrible acute and chronic asthma. Five days before my band installation, I had to be taken to the ER via ambulance. My asthma was one of the main reasons I got the band, that whole prospect of death by respiratory failure just didn't appeal to me. (..."I want a death by misadventure) My book bag doesn't seem as heavy as it was before I was banded. (and I do almost all my walking with that book bag) It doesn't hurt to stand at the sink when I do the dishes anymore. I believe it is because I can get closer to the sink because my tummy is smaller. I've lost an inch from my waist! Speaking of inches lost, I've lost a total of 11 from my entire body. 03-30-2005, 06:29 PM another day, another NSV! I ran up a flight of stairs this evening. I didn't even realize what I had done until after I had done it! And my had my 20 pound backpack on. I wasn't even winded when I got to the top either! New crop of NSVs 4/5/05 Okay, one of the women in my math class wanted to know how much weight I’ve lost. “You’re looking good! How much have you lost?” My purple robe fits me! My jeans slide off my butt! New NSV 5/7/5 Monday will be my eight week bandiversary. All my pants have been very baggy, so today I tried on a pair of pants I haven't been able to fit for 4 years and I could button them! Size 22 black jeans. 05-10-2005, 07:44 AM Sunday night I woke up because I was laying on something hard. I figured that I must have rolled over on a book or something like that. (I sometimes fall asleep reading). I felt around in the dark, but I couldn't find anything that didn't belong in my bed. The hard thing? it was my ribs. 05-19-2005, 11:20 AM the other day the weather was on the wet side, so I zipped my jacked. Just like that, without even a second thought, zuup up the zipper went. And then it hit me. I. Zipped. My. Jacket! No wiggling, no struggling, no thought! Holy weight-watchers Batman! 05-24-2005, 11:56 AM I got a great NSV Sunday night when I got home. My sweet son wanted to know how I was doing, with the band. We've been apart since I got my band 10 weeks ago. He said I looked really good, and that my face was full of life, and that I was glowing. Then I had to chase him down the stairs and out the front door, and around the truck. I RAN down the stairs, I RAN around chasing him until we nearly collapsed laughing! 06-21-2005, 10:09 PM Today I wore a pair of jeans I haven't been able to fit into since 2002. Today I walked 15 minutes to and from the restaurant for lunch, and I wasn't winded, and I didn't need my inhaler. Today I took a walk with my son and he had to tell me to slow down (of course the silly boy wasn't wearing any shoes...) Today I went grocery shopping after work, and then DID NOT collapse on the sofa all night. 06-23-2005, 11:23 AM Another day, another NSV. Today, not only am I wearing for the first time, a shirt I got for Christmas, but I RAN FOR THE BUS. Yes, you read that correctly, I RAN for the bus. It's not like there wasn't another bus in 5 minutes... but I RAN. Me! and I wasn't winded either! Heh, sure, I'm happy with all my NSVs but a part of me is wondering when I'm going to start having some weight loss! 06-26-2005, 09:40 AM And here I was, worried that I'd never have any NSV when I started this journey... Today, I needed a belt! Now, I'm not in any real danger of pulling a Jonathan in the grocery store, but my pants are uncomfortably loose. I didn't even think that was possible! So, I dug out an old belt that I haven't been able to wear and it fit! 1 notch down, 13 more to go! 07-13-2005, 08:29 PM Major NSV time! I had to get a pair of Khakis for my trip to NY this weekend. I was told "brown khakis" which don't really exsist... Anyway, I digress. I tried on a pair of 22, thinking they might fit. Nope, too baggy. I tried on a pair of 20s! They were on the baggy side! I got a pair of 18s, and they fit! I fit into a size 18 today!!!!! Okay, I didn't buy them because they were not pretty, but I could put them on! Oh my gawd, oh my gawd, oh my gawd! A size 18! I haven't been able to squeeze my pretty little self into a size 18 since my baby was small! Oh sure, my jeans aren't a size 20, but still! It looks like I'll be bringing some clothes to the Las Vegas Bash after all! 07-28-2005, 10:17 AM Okay, I apparently gained 3 pounds but I lost another notch on my belt! Woot! Maybe the best one of all... This morning I realized that I will never go hungry again. (it's a wolves thing) 08-07-2005, 11:28 PM This weekend at the Beach I discovered that forgot a jacket. So I had to buy a new one. I picked up a 2x and it fit fine. A little roomy but that's okay. Wait a second... The sleeves are a bit long. Let's try the XL. I know, I know, an XL? That’s crazy talk. Hey! This XL is pretty roomy... but the sleeves fit. So, I had this totally insane idea... What would happen if I try on a Large? oh, it's never going to fit, it won't even zip up. Nah.. I'm too fat for a LARGE. oh my gawd, she's actually going to try to put on a LARGE jacket??? What, is she nuts? Is she a glutton for punishment? No! She's the proud owner of a powder blue fleece Long Beach Washington jacket!!! SIZE LARGE 8-11-2005 I am not hording food anymore. 8-14-2005 I just realized that on my cross country flight to Syracuse NY I did not need a seatbelt extender. Not only did I not need one, I actually had wiggle room in my seat. 8-21-2005 Well, my NSV has to do with my hording. I gave 2.5 big black lawn & leaf bags of clothes to the help house. I was going to bring them to the bash, but I felt that they were more needed here. I got rid of them while packing to return to exile. 8-22-2005 back to school, and I fit into the desks so well my tummy doesn't even touch the table! No squishing into the desks! 8-25-2005 I just realized that I didn't have any trouble with the change in altitude or the change in heat this year. For the last 2 years going from temperate Seattle to the extremes of Pocatello were very hard on me. A week after being here I ran up 2 flights of stairs in the COB without being terribly winded or needing my puffer. I also have been handling the heat just fine. Of course, having an AC sure helps... 8-30-2005 I had to go buy a big skirt for my Middle Eastnern Folk dance class... Yeah, they don't want us to call it "belly dancing" here, they feel it has "negative connotations." Yeah, what ever, it's belly dancing. :mad: I went to several stores trying to find a skirt that would match the requirements, let alone worry about the size thing... So at the 4th and final store I found one, a cocoa dip-dyed skirt. The biggest one was a LARGE, so I wasn't too hopeful. But I was brave and went to try it on. IT FIT! I just bought a size LARGE skirt. Not 2X, not XL, but just LARGE!!! Mind you, when I bought my Large jacket, I really suspected that the label was wrong, that it had been marked Large in error at the factory, an that it was some sort of cosmic joke on me. Sort of like that pair of size 18 pants that I was able to fit into (didn't buy but that's a different story). I felt that was in error as well. Maybe it wasn't an aberation, maybe it's the truth. I feel like I have no restriction at all. I still haven't lost any more weight, but I'll take my size shrinking. My other NSV is a medical one, and has to do with my leg skin graphs. In about 2001 I had a revision of one of my skin graphs from my motorcycle accedent. Every day since the revision, I had to wrap my leg in an ACE wrap to give it support so it wouldn't blow-out. I had such bad edema that if I didn't wrap it, it would buldge out quite a bit because of the nature of the graph. I stopped needing to bind my leg a couple of months ago. I simply don't need to any more, no more edema problem. 9/1/2005 My knees doen't rub together when I walk anymore. My belly roll is squishier and hangs a bit lower. This is an NSV because it is proof that I am loosing fat. 9/12/2005 This past weekend was the Bandster Bash in Las Vegas. I had to tighten the airplane seatbelt. Sure, I've lost 3 pounds since 2/29, but I'm trying soo hard to not focus on that. Focus on needing to tighten the seat belt. At the Bash this weekend, I got several pieces of clothes. Okay a whole new wardrobe. When you wear your own clothes over and over, it is really hard to notice any difference. I mean really hard. I've been working my way into several pairs of pants that I haven't been able to wear in years and they are size 22. Yet at the bash, I found size 18 pants that were comfortable. What gives with that? Anyway, I have a few pairs of size 18 that are comphy. 9/15/2005 I've been looking at my body fat % and my current Fat Free Mass. If I don't put on any more muscle mass, and stay current where I am, I only need to lose 55 to 70 pounds, not 70 to 100 pounds. I think that's counts as an NSV. Of course, if I can manage to put on 15 pounds of muscle like NanaHarly (Pat in Virginia) did, then I only need to loose 35 to 50 pounds! Woot! I know what I'm going to focus on! I was tallking to my DH on the phone and I casually crossed my legs. HOLY SH*T!!!! I CROSSED MY LEGS!!!!! 9/17/2005 As of today, I have had 46 NSVs. That amazes me. Today's NSV is that I dropped a .5% in body fat. 9/27/2005 I had an NSV this weekend of a sexual nature. Let's just say that I'm not as bulky.... My forearems and calves have amazing definition. My low belly is shrinking, and starting to gain some definition. 10/1/2005 My 50th NSV is that I am no longer The Great Crystal Dam in the bathtub. There was room on both sides of my hips in the tub! At this rate I'll have to invest in some rubber duckies... 10/2/2005 Spoke with my mom on the phone last night. She said it has been years since my voice sounded so strong. She said there wasn't any breathiness at all. I guess after years of severe asthma, I'd developed a sort of wheezy -breathy sort of way a speaking. 10/22/05 I had a fitness assessment done yesterday. While my aerobic fitness score wasn't very high, 22 out of a scale of 20-50 (needs work), my over all fitness level fell into the Fair range, and my blood pressure is in the Fit range. (mind you, I've always had good BP, except for the first few weeks I'm back in SE ID due to the altitude and heat change) 10/27/05 I am offically no longer Morbidly Obese, but simply Obese. Today my BMI is 39.6, so I might not even qualify for the surgery, if not for my co-morbidities, which are all under control. My second NSV for the day is that I have been invited to dance professionally at a Greek restaurant here in town. It will be fun to be able to put on my resume that I'm a Professional Belly Dancer. 11/5/05 All my pants are starting to look like giant clown pants, none of them fit in the butt or thighs anymore. If I didn't have this damn thick waist, I would really be in honest size 18 jeans. My black leather jacket is going to have to be retired soon. It's rediculously large on me now. The sleves alone now hang past my finger-tips and it looks like I could smuggle a medium sized ham in each shoulder. So I tried on my big winter coat, and now it really is my huge winter coat. It's about XX too big. It's fully reversable a suede stadium jacket, with lepord fake fur on the other side. I love this jacket, but next year, some other lucky bandster gets to love it. It's important for me that last winter before I was banded I couldn't zip the black leather jacket up. There was a 2-3 inch gap that just wouldn't meet. While the stadium jacket fit, it was pretty snug. Not any more! 11/10/05 Lastnight I was using my laptop. In my lap. This means that I HAVE A LAP!!!!! Woot! 11/14/05 When I sit on the floor or in a hard chair, I feel the bones in my butt. Not only my tail bones, but other bones (probably my pelvic bones?) as well. 11/17/05 Okay, time to bump the thread. Last night while Iwas talking on the phone to an old friend from high school I again casually just crossed my legs. Without thinking about it. I know I've done this before, but it's a mind thing I think. Other NSVs include belly dance stuff. My DH won a few auctions on ebay for me, a couple of B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L belts, a gorgous silk veil and a pair of harem pants. The pants looked impossibly small, even with an elastic waist. I just knew that they were NOT going to fit, but being the glutton for punishment that I am, I attempted to put them on anyway. They fit! They are too shere to wear without a skirt, so that will have to be next on my list of things to get. The other victories around dancing are some of the skinny ones are asking me for help, since they cannot get some of the moves quite right. I'm also getting really excited about dancing at the restaurant. I'll do that once I get home after Thanksgiving, and I complete my costume. I still need a top and a skirt I mean, I just bearly broke out of MO, and I'm going to be a fat professional dancer. What am I thinking? I mean, what am i thinking, other than I'm dead sexy and a fine belly dancer. 11/19/05 Okay, Thursday I passed up free donuts, and this weekend I've been busily working in my yard now that I'm home. Raking big fat soggy leaves, clearing flower beds, and the like. DH is amazined at my level of energy, and so is son. I guess I'm a little amazed too, since for the last several years the only energy I've had at this time of year has been spent trying to breathe or something aerobic like reading or playing video games. I've gotten used to a more active lifestyle in ID with all the walking and PE/dance classes I attend. I routinely walk up several flights of stairs with my heavy bookbag, where this time last year I was using a rolling bag, and needing to take the elevator because my asthma was so bad. 12/09/05 Well, tonight I make my semi-professional debute again! We had our dance department dance review Wednesday night, and pix will be forthcoming. We were great, several people told us that we were the best group on stage, so that was awesome! I went out on stage, in front of an audience of maybe 300 or 400 people, and I OWNED the stage. I wasn't the slightest bit nervous, and I'm quite amazed at that, believe you me! I made eye contact with many of the audience, and I had the biggest smile on my face the whole time. Not only did I look like I was having a great time, I WAS having a great time! The next NSV is my costume... my top was a crop tant top that I've added bead work too to make it sparkle. But the important part of that sentence is CROP TOP! Yes, that's right, I was wearing a belly shirt on stage, exposing my ample belly to the public, with my surgery scars clearly visible! And I did it on purpose! Okay, this next one isn't an NSV, not really, and it properly goes on the "Skniny Bitches" thread, but here it is We had just come off stage after doing our two numbers and we were all still amped up on adrenalline. We were talking about how we had done, bla bla bla. A group of ballet dancers were there, I mean, right there and one of the skinny blond said to another skinny blond the snottiest comment I've heard in a long time. Okay, all the ballet dancers were skinny blonds, but that's besides the point. She said, in a loud voice "well, at least we weren't shaking our Bon-Bons." In the snottiest possible voice mind you. So, I simply said, with sugar in my voice, "well that's because you can't shake your Bon-Bon." And then I smiled so sweetly at her. (then she said that I was probably right, and the group of them walked away) So, I suppose that makes me a fat bitch, but I just decided that I wasn't in the mood to take crap from anyone. So, the next part of the Bellydancing NSV is that I'll be dancing againg tonight at a local restaurant, and yes, I'll be dancing for tips, so Big Paul, you'd better leave now so you get here in time, and yes, you'll probably need to take out a second mortgage So, finally, I'm doing this when I weigh 240 pound and not waiting until I get closer to goal. I'm doing this at size 22/24 and not when I get to my goal of 12/14 12/22/05 I'm less invisible. Last year at this same time I felt so invisible when walking through the halls at school. Now guys hold the door open for me, and men and women smile more at me. Perhaps they just needed a couple of years to get used to me, or perhaps I am more self asured and confident. Confidence attracts confidence. This time last year I could not breathe. I was in and out of the hospital and making near daily trips to the ER, having several nebulizer treatments every single day. Since I've been home just about a week, I've used my inhaler much more often than usual of late. I've used it 3 times in a week. This is a weird NSV, but I finally have doctors seriously trying to figure out why I'm not having the sort of weight loss I should. I guess I had to go on the Supermodel Diet for a month before they would take me seriously. 1/4/6 Today I went skiing for the first time in 5 or 6 years! Woot! It was a lot of fun, and I fit into my ski pants from 5 or 6 years ago. I'm so happy! Okay, this was a MAJOR NSV for the DH too because he went skiing too! Spudboy and I had to talk him into it, but he did it! I'm so proud of him! I didn't use my puffer once while skiing, but was wicked cold because my gloves weren't good ski gloves. Oh, and I didn't have a water proof jacket either... So, 3 for the price of one. 1/13/06 I just got back from several days in DC, for a scholarship symposium and job fair. I have a conditional job offer for when I graduate, if I can obtain a security clearance! Woot! That's an NSV, since it would be a major job! I have a whole string of NSVs, the very most important one is that I went to DC WITHOUT AN INHALER. What's more, I didn't even need it. This is super significant because this time last year, and for several years prior, I couldn't go anywhere without at least 2 inhalers on my person. I had an inhaler in every single piece of clothing that had a pocket. Last year this time I had spent 10 days of the Christmas vacation in hospital, don't know how many trips to the various ERs. I didn't even realize that I didn't have an inhaler until the puddle jumper from Salt Lake to Pokey, AFTER my trip was almost done. I was constantly being mistaken for a much younger woman, and when I would talk about my son, people assumed I was talking about a baby or a very small boy. Oh if they only knew! 1/18/06 In class yesterday I realized that my belly wasn't even touching the desk in two of my classes! 2/7/06 I had two NSVs this week. One is that I went to a party where I only knew one person. Big deal? Yup, big deal since I am terrified of groups people. It's not like they are spiders or kittens or something like that, but I have avery difficult time with groups of people I don't know, I'm very shy. (yeah, who would believe that?) But I went to the party, and I was charming and talked to everybody. I don't think my husband would have recognized me.... The other NSV is that I've accepted that I'm not going to lose weight. Not until this Cushing's thing has been addressed or resolved. But because I've accepted it, I don't have to stress over it. I don't have to beat myself up any more. Oh wait, one more NSV, I need to take my watch to the Jewlers to have one of the links removed from the band! 3/5/6 Well, I haven't had that many NSV's lately, or if I have, they have been lost to me. I need links removed from my beautiful watch, and I can wear more of my rings. I have to stop wearing one of my rings because when my fingers get cold (winters in SE ID are COLD!) it flies off my finger! Woot! So, 3 NSVs for Feb 06!

I had revision from sleeve to RNY on 12/17/19. I flew back home on the 23rd. I was either in the air or waiting in the airport for over 7 hours. I had no problems what so ever. I was exhausted by the time we actually got home. It was a long day. My biggest day of pain was the actual day of surgery. I had the surgery around 9AM and was up and walking later that afternoon. I was lucky in that I really had no gas pains and only took pain meds the first day. I was inpatient for 2 days and then discharged to a nearby hotel until we flew back home. I'm not a big fan of pain meds and I told my surgeon no need to write a prescription. I only took Tylenol as I needed it. I haven't taken anything since Christmas day. I'm not in any pain, but just feel uncomfortable in the tummy area. Good news is no more Reflux. I'm allowed pureed food now and everything has been great with the exception of sugar free Popsicle and refried beans. The fat free refried beans were the pits. They basically got stuck in my chest and hours after eating, I still feel uncomfortable. The doctor said that I would experience things like that and when I do I need to back away from that food and attempt to try it at a later date. Good luck on your procedure. I'm sure you are going to do well!

I've said before that I'm not great with numbers so if I'm a bit off from previous posts, please forgive me. I'm not trying to revise history, just not that observant on numbers. But I'm just now starting my 2nd year in this life and thought I'd share the markers. In mid-October 2010 I started my pre-op diet. I think was was right about 326. Strict program requires loss prior to surgery. In mid-April I started my pre-diet liquid fast. I was at 309. I was 100% faithful and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. 10 day fast and I ever skipped two packets. I think my mind was on the future by that time but I was also going a bit numb. I knew I had to do it so I sort of went into denial which worked for me. I was actually sleeved the last week of April 2011. As of today, I am at 235. That's a loss of 92 pounds. It's not tearing up the track. I've seen others who have lost tons more but that's the main reason for this post and something I want people to understand. You body, if you stay within reason and safety in eating, will lose. It just might pace itself differently than others so try not to judge yourself by others. I lost horribly when I was in the 400 calorie a day range. When I moved to the 800 calories, it wasn't much better. But now, in these past several months, with being able to take 1200 calories a day and having the energy and strenth to pick up more exercise (and with almost 100 pounds less stress on my knees) my weight loss has become steady and consistant. As I've added more calories, and 1200 is very reasonable to live with, I am not stopping weight loss. My surgeon preached that if you didn't lose in the first year in his program you were not going to lose with the sleeve. He was 100% wrong with me. This is now my new normal and the key to that is that I no longer fight it because I've accepted it as my normal. It's no longer something that was forced on me to save my health but something I'm thrilled to have done to have saved my life. It feels like I was born this way. I stopped counting every bit of food about 3 weeks ago. I just got sick of it. I concentrate on Protein and take a good multi every day as well as my Calcium. In that 3 weeks I have become far less obcessed with food. I think of it so much less, eat only when I am really hungry (and I do still experience hunger). But now I'm just a human being who has a small stomach. Most days I love it. It's a relief. I had had a bout of depression but I'm also going through menopause, lost 2 brothers (both under 60) and my Mom is now terminal and these things are the tip of the ice berg.. I have never turned to food in stress. My stomach actually gets tight and hard to eat so I don't think the sleeve contributed any to the depression. But I'm not being a hero and getting the depression treated so I'm thinking I'll be better by year end. And at least 10 pounds lighter. Oh, and one more thing. One year ago rolling my trash can to the end of the drive was a challenge. The last several days I've walked a 1/2 mile trail behind my house. And I have very bad knees. So plan for the best. It's right around the corner for you.

My bypass revision date is also Aug 9th. I just had my dr/hospital pre op on Tues. I won't know what time I'm scheduled for until the day before and the nurse will call me. I had the lapband in 2009 and it slipped in 2013. Had a sleeve revision at the same time as the band removal in 2013. I've had raging reflux ever since. My GI dr told me a revision was the only thing left (I take more than the highest dose of PPI, I eat non acidic foods and eat about 85% reflux diet, and I sleep in an adjustable bed). Had the 24 hr ph test (tube up my nose for 24 hrs, it sucked), upper endoscopy, and an upper gi. I'll go 6 days without reflux and think I'm golden, and I will call the next day to cancel my surgery. Then, BAM. Im up for 2-3 hrs coughing up stomach acid and severe chest pain. I cough up stomach acid for 2 days afterwards. I spent 3 weeks in the hospital last year for aspiration pneumonia, I was super sick. Then I got it again in Nov, this time I got it in time and nipped it in the bud quicker SO, I'm having bypass revision the same day as u. I'm a little scared of losing too much (I now weigh 154, goal is 130-135 - I'm 5'5"). My dr told me that our bodies are smart and will stop losing when i's at a good weight, not necessarily "my" goal. I hope thats true. I was hoping to be at goal when I leave for my 8 day Southern Carribean cruise in Oct. Can I lose 20 lbs in 9 weeks? Not sure but I should be fairly close if not at goal. I wish u the best! We should talk afterwards about our recovery. My band was easy peasy compared to my sleeve (had a rough recovery). Not sure what this recovery will b like. Good luck on the 9th! See ya on the other side!

I had a lap band ten years ago , I was successful even through a lot of intolerance. It has slipped and even though I lost 85% of my weight and regained some after triplets 5 years ago I’m still riddled with diabetes etc. so because of the hormonal component the rny is happening on August 9 and band being removed . I even had to gain like 15lbs to be the right BMI (ugh) But I don’t really remember the pain. I remember some and recovered fast . I’m anxious to never feeling stuck again and never feeling this port in my abdomen but I’m just nervous of how I will feel already being anemic and having three 5yos . The surgery the day before kindergarten starts :( I’m also hangry since now that I’m approved and on a low carb diet until surgery and low carbing stinks . How long will I stay ? I just stayed overnight with a band .

Thanks to both of you for the responses. Amforshort congrats on your revision, we had the same procedure one day apart. I won't get into gory details but I took miralax once every night since the surgery and yesterday it started cleaning me out. It wasn't as unpleasant as stimulant laxatives have been in the past so I would recommend it to others. How are you feeling 5 days in?

Hi Just found out today my band has to come out and we are looking at a revision. My surgeon wants me to do a rny due to my complications with ulcers, gastritis, etc. I gained 20lbs since they let everything out of it 4 months ago and have to have another endoscopy to ensure my ulcers have healed. I am seriously considering the revision and not just a removal because I know I will gain the weight back. How are you coming with your decision?

Welcome to the forums. Don't think of whatever you do until you get your revision as a diet. You and I know that diets don't work. Think of it as your new eating plan that you will do for the rest of your life. Your band restricted portion size. Presumably you also had an eating plan to go with the smaller portion size. Return to the plan and return to portion size as best you can. Your plan was supposed to be for the rest of your life so get back on board. Your insurance is as likely to pay for your revision as it would if you never had surgery in the first place. Do the best you can. If you give up on your plan until you have surgery, well, then you very well may gain your weight back. Good luck, Tek

What I found was that my insurance didn’t care one way or the other about the previous surgery. The reason was that it was longer than a year since, so it was not considered to be a revision in their view. I suggest you call them yourself to be sure. Also highly suggest you go for bulky clothing and wear your heavy boots 😂

I'm so glad to read this thread and I thank the OP for opening up the conversation. I am exactly in the same place; contemplating getting my band removed. I've done well with it but now am experiencing cardiac arthymia each time I eat...even eating the smallest bites possible and chewing to liquid. I ended up in the ER and am now on beta blockers just to keep my heart rate in rhythm. I am sure there is a correlation between the band's placement and cardiac athythmia for certain people. I'd rather live unbanded than on beta blockers for the rest of my life. The band has been great for me in terms of turning down my appetite, but if it takes my life because it is setting off my heart beat? Not worth it for me. Right now I would not consider a revision.