New to Board

[mimidots 0]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this board but not new to bariatric surgery. I had a lap band placed in 10/03 when I was almost 200 lbs at 5'2. I lost fifty pounds over the course of the year and manged to keep most of it off (I did gain/lose 10 lbs over the period) but could never get below 150. The band was working ok but 8 months ago I developed the worst heartburn I ever had. I was popping Nexium and Zantac like there was no tomorrow. I had an upper GI done and discovered I had a hiatal hernia that was probably causing the heartburn...

I had my band unfilled in Jan of this year. I weighed around 159. After talking to my surgeon, I decided to get the hernia fixed, remove my band and convert to a sleeve even though I didn't qualify for the surgery based on my BMI. However, I was prepare to pay some out of pocket when my insurance approved the whole revision. That was really great...Now I am up to 165 but before I was up to 168. I have lost 3 pounds on this liquid diet stuff since last Wednesday 5/25.

I am excited to get the sleeve even though people have said to me "why are you having this done when you are not that big". My reply to them is that I am afraid of gaining more weight since I no longer have a band that can be filled without causing me extreme heartburn. Since the band has been unfilled, the heartburn has practically disappeared.

So my question is how did you handle it when people questioned you and exclaimed "why" when you can just diet and lost the remaining 40lbs? Also does it really effect your hunger? I hear the hunger is practically gone when you get sleeved. My surgery date is June 1st so it is getting close. I am going away on July 17th for a two week vacation. Will I be back to eating fairly normally in 6 1/2 weeks?

Thank you for all your responses and I am glad I found this board..

Lynne

[Eureka-C 20]

Welcome and there are lots of band to sleeve conversion people that post on here. The only question I can answer is for me a big emphatic YES the hunger is so under control. Now, the day or two before my TOM are the only days like the old, when I want to eat constantly. Still I can't eat near the amount I used to, so I don't feel guilty. At 6months I eat about 4-5 times a day, 3 meals and 2 Snacks. At meals I eat about a cup to a cup and half food, Protein first. Snacks are usually a couple bites to a half cup depending on what I have. I eat more than others and don't worry too much about what I eat. I have lost 81 pounds. Before surgery I was eating 1400 calories and felt like I was starving. Now I average 1200 and feel totally satisfied. Best of luck to you.