Attention ! Australian Sleevers

[Swift Kate 72]

Thanks Kayargh, you sound busy with studying and two young kids. I hope you're being kind to yourself as well. My partner knows that I am thinking of the sleeve and is supportive of what I want. Have two grown up children, one knows and thinks I should do what makes me happy. Haven't told the other one who is a super healthy, exercises regularly and can't really understand why people can't just adopt a healthy lifestyle to lose weight. Also my parents will be supportive but will worry a lot about side effects so not telling them until I have make my decision and have a date. The two friends who I told about the band were always there for me and positive when I told them. I don't want to tell them about this next step because I feel embarrassed that the band didn't work. Just got back from a walk...trying to do what I can not to out on too much weight until I see the surgeon. Don't have any restriction now in my band now so will be tough to keep on track. Makes me laugh to think I joined Jenny Craig when I was 23 years old because I was 'fat'. My joining weight then was 68 kgs!!! I am 170cms and 68 kgs would now be a dream:)

[Kayargh 112]

I told my sister first, thinking I would need her back up when I told my parents...but she wasn't supportive at all! She said she doesn't believe in the surgery and all I need is to stop being lazy. They are fine about it now- they were all in Vegas when I had my surgery so they didn't see the first 2 weeks struggles- which is probably a good thing! But all the same I really no longer say too much about it with them. I told 3 friends, one who has the band. Unfortunately she has been avoiding me since the surgery, I have seen her once in 5 1/2 weeks when we would see each other a few times a week. Her band has failed too. I think that may have something to do with it, although I keep telling her it's not her fault. Don't be embarrassed, there is a lot of research to show that the band fails with a lot of people, but I can understand why you don't want to tell your friends....unless someone has really looked into all aspects of the band and te sleeve they can be a little misguided and not really understand the pros an cons.

Yes I remember thinking I was fat at 68kg too!

[Cookeeeeez 269]

Hi everyone! Long time no see sorry lol

I wanted to say hi to Lila & congrats on the recovery so far!

Good luck to all of you on pre-op diets!

I'm currently fluctuating up to TEN kgs depending on whose scales I use, my lowest is 126, my highest is around 132.5 or 144! Incredibly frustrating since all three of those numbers are from medical grade scales!

I just had my implanon removed yesterday so hopefully the hormonal fluctuations will stop- I'm expecting to drop 10 kgs or so in the next month just from that!

I also got my copper (non-hormonal) IUD in yesterday, and have to admit it did hurt ALOT but only for about 60 secs then only mild cramping in the afternoon and fine now! Best decision ever, so far the nurses were so lovely, held my hands, and I have to admit (TMI) that the obgyn was lucky my legs were strapped down or he probably would have got a decent kick to the chops lol

Anyway, I have another app with my surgeon on 8th and hoping to get the go-ahead and date for next year, but honestly may just have to be patient and keep trucking. We're discussing trying the new endo-barrier in the meantime, but id be the first for my surgeon so well just continue to consider options... But hey, maybe is get a discount for being the guinea pig lol!!!

Peace and safe travels!

[Scotty75 68]

The Beck Diet Solution is a book recommended to me cause I put on Facebook I was about to start a diet ( preop). I started reading it anyway and it's actually pretty good . It's all about training the brain! Just thought I'd throw it out there it might help someone!

[Lissa_S 787]

Just a quick post to let you know that I was discharged from hospital this afternoon am staying on the coast for a few days to see the dietician.bfore starting to go home on Tuesday on the free fluids for two weeks now but am just gld to be out of the hospital!

[*Shell* 162]

Lila, that is the greatest news!! Must feel so good to get out of that hospital

Puppyphat - you look awesome

Welcome Kate to our group. It is so true that is group of people are fantastic and we are all here for each other to offer support when ever we have a tough day.

I had my three month appt with my surgeon the other day and he is really happy with my progress. It was interesting to hear that he now does more sleeves than bands and said this is his preference over the band. He did say that before I did mine in July it was about even between the two but there has been an increase in sleeves since.

Anyway had a great week, started at gym and going to kick this up a level as would love to be at double digits by Xmas

Have a good weekend everyone, I'm going to wallabies/all blacks rugby game tomorrow night so looking forward to even fitting in the chairs properly haha

[Swift Kate 72]

Is there anyone here that has gone from band to sleeve? Want to know whether procedure was one or two surgeries. Like I posted earlier my surgeon always did 2 surgeries with at least a three month wait between. Now he has just begun to do it in one surgery. He says he now believes there is not really a significant difference in the outcome looking at stats of both options. He does say he will only do it in one surgery if he finds that the stomach doesn't have too much scarring from the band. Would welcome some feedback. Cheers.

[sueoco 509]

Is there anyone here that has gone from band to sleeve? Want to know whether procedure was one or two surgeries. Like I posted earlier my surgeon always did 2 surgeries with at least a three month wait between. Now he has just begun to do it in one surgery. He says he now believes there is not really a significant difference in the outcome looking at stats of both options. He does say he will only do it in one surgery if he finds that the stomach doesn't have too much scarring from the band. Would welcome some feedback. Cheers.

There is a 'Band to Gastric Sleeve Revision' forum on this site - check that our and see what you think - I think most people are in the States but it might give you some idea about what the most common procedures are. :-)

[sueoco 509]

Just a quick post to let you know that I was discharged from hospital this afternoon <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> am staying on the coast for a few days to see the dietician.bfore starting to go home on Tuesday <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> on the free fluids for two weeks now but am just gld to be out of the hospital!

Yahoo! Great news Lila!

[one_elle26 118]

Is there anyone here that has gone from band to sleeve? Want to know whether procedure was one or two surgeries. Like I posted earlier my surgeon always did 2 surgeries with at least a three month wait between. Now he has just begun to do it in one surgery. He says he now believes there is not really a significant difference in the outcome looking at stats of both options. He does say he will only do it in one surgery if he finds that the stomach doesn't have too much scarring from the band. Would welcome some feedback. Cheers.

Hi Kate, I am a newbie here too and it seems like a great group. Not sure if I can reassure you about your options but here goes!!!!!!!

I have got my second band in place which I believe has slipped (just as the first one did) and I haven't lost any weight since it was put in in 2008, so I finally made the decision to look into having more surgery to have the band removed and maybe, have further surgery. I saw Dr Draper, who is now one of the top Bariatric Surgeons in Melbourne, on Wednesday this week, and after a very long discussion we have decided that the best procedure for me to have is a Gastric Bypass and not a sleeve. The reasons for doing a bypass and not a sleeve are that I have now had two major stomach operations, and because he removes the band , waits 3 months and then does the second part of the surgery, I will have had 4 operations in my attempts to regain my health. So in answer to question about 1 or 2 procedures to go from band to sleeve or in my case bypass it will take 2 procedures. Dr Draper did not even discuss the option of doing the revision in one procedure and I believe he is very up to date with his surgical practice. I am a Nurse, so I may be very cautious, but I think that from what I have been reading and discussing with others who have had revision surgery there is a very high chance that the stomach has suffered damage from the band and that it needs time to recover before a surgeon then moves onto removing the stomach. if you're not afraid of looking at the real operations of a sleeve then you will see how much tissue is affected by having the sleeve created. If you want to watch an Australian video of the op then go to http://www.melbournebariatrics.com.au/ and you can see the gorgeous Dr Draper doing the operation. Unfortunately there is no dialogue in the video, but at least it is an Australian surgeon doing the op!!!! Both procedures removing the band and then creating the sleeve are 'major' surgery and I'm not sure I'd want to be on the operating table for that long!!!!!!

I am hoping to stay in touch with this group because they seem to have a huge amount of knowledge and empathy for others going through these surgeries, but I don't quite fit the criteria because I am having a 'bypass' but I haven't been able to find another group that is 'bypass' focussed. I do have some friends on Facebook who I have known on line since we all had a bands done many years ago, in my case, since 2003.

Those of us who have had bands for 10+ years were 'guinea pigs' and it is only now that the evidence is available that the band hasn't been as successful as the surgeons thought they would be.

I think if I was in your position, and given that I am now having more surgery when I thought the band was going to be the final answer for me, I would be cautious about being one of the first to have a brand new procedure done.

At the end of the day though, the decision is up to you and your surgeon.

I hope I have helped.

I look forward to hearing about your success.

best Wishes

One_elle26

[Swift Kate 72]

Thanks Sue and One-Elle, will check out the band to sleeve thread over the weekend. One-Elle, you have certainly given me a lot to think about...I appreciate it. I don't think the Bypass is for me but will certainly look into the different options for band to sleeve. I think it would be great if you stayed onboard this thread despite the type of surgery you choose. I think we all have the same common goal. I so appreciate this outlet, first thing I did when I got home from work was to check out this thread. Have been reading with concern about Lila and am so pleased for her that she is finally out of hospital and on the road to recovery

[kelliv 659]

Hi Lila, YIPEE, your news is fantastic. We are all so pleased you are out of hospital. It must feel amazing not to be hooked up to an IV after so long. I hope you are staying somewhere nice in the Gold Coast and can actually have a relaxing few days before you head home. Maybe do some shopping at Robina for one or two new interim clothing items as you transition through your weight loss. You've had a great loss so far and I am sure you will have continued success. We look forward to hearing of your continued progress.

[kelliv 659]

Is anyone else experiencing regular stall? I've been stuck for two weeks now AGAIN. I know I have to wait it out but its frustrating.

[Kayargh 112]

Hey Kelliv as u have probably read my body is constantly either fluctuating or stalling! A huge part of me believes that I will never get past my current weight as no matter how much I used to train and run I was stuck at this rate for the past 2 years!! I try not to think about it too much but yes totally frustrated

[Mimz 38]

Ok blabber mouths! I have since much to catch up on!

Firstly........

Lila: so excited you are in your way home soon!

To all the newbies welcome! These guys and girls are amazing

Scotty: the rumor mill is always turning isn't it!

Hi to the rest you! Oh and whoever got the guess top Woohoo!!!

As for me had my appointment with the dietician yesterday and now onto the psychologist on the 5th November. I have my plate and bowl and my portion perfection book for bands and sleeves. All I need now is my surgery date lol!!!