New to the Sleeve, but not new to WLS

[piercedqt78 658]

I am a 35 year old sleever. I had a lapband when they were first FDA approved, in 2005. I did wonderful at first and then some other health concerns caused me to have it drained. Then I moved to FL from Chicago and since I didn't have a band doctor here, I left it empty. About 5 months ago I started getting sick, not really able to keep down real food, and was just uncomfortable all the time. I spoke to my GP and she stated that is sounded like reflux and started me on meds. No improvement. She then sent me to a GI doc, he did the scope, and said all looked fine. But I was still sick everyday. I went for a second opinion, and that GI doc referred me to Dr. Uchal at North Florida Surgeons. He had me come in for a barium swallow in front of him, and stated that my band had slipped. he submitted for a band removal and conversion to sleeve. The insurance stated that they could take up to a month to get me an answer. That was not going to work, by this time I was not keeping anything thicker than Water down. And I was dehydrating quickly, as even Water had to be consumed in sips. Dr. Uchal was amazing and called my insurance and requested an emergency phone review. After speaking to him, I was 100% approval. And was in surgery the very next day. Since I had already done the psych, and sleep study for the lapband I was able to skip those steps. I had also lost less than 50% of my excess weight. (like I said the band was empty for quite a while) Well I am now 3 weeks post-op and have lost 16 pounds. I feel amazing, I can keep tiny amounts of food down, and best of all I no longer have the pain and reflux that I had with my band. The down side I lost my job over having emergency surgery, so I am looking for a job now.

A bit about me, I have a daughter that will be 12 this summer. I am married, and have 2 crazy rescue dogs. My family all moved to Chicago at the same time and then 17 years later we all moved back to the Jacksonville Fl area. I was born and raised at Jax Beach, and love the way the salt air smells. I also love the way my feet sink into the sand. I could walk 5 miles on the beach and never realize that I have even left my "spot" lol. I always say there is something magical about the ocean, no matter how much we disturb the sand, the tide comes and makes it perfect again. I feel the same about my soul, no matter how upset, or disturbed I am, the ocean can make it perfect again.

I love to cook, and love to experiment with new foods and spices. I am raising a food snob, lol, she is not fond of processed, or "fake" foods. My hubby on the other hand will eat junk anytime.

When I was banded in Chicago I joined a group like this one and once a month we had a group that would meet and spend time with fellow wls patients. I hope to get something like that going in my area. My join date on here is 2005, I was a part of www.lapbandtalk.com.

[Tink22-sleeve 528]

I am a 35 year old sleever. I had a lapband when they were first FDA approved, in 2005. I did wonderful at first and then some other health concerns caused me to have it drained. Then I moved to FL from Chicago and since I didn't have a band doctor here, I left it empty. About 5 months ago I started getting sick, not really able to keep down real food, and was just uncomfortable all the time. I spoke to my GP and she stated that is sounded like reflux and started me on meds. No improvement. She then sent me to a GI doc, he did the scope, and said all looked fine. But I was still sick everyday. I went for a second opinion, and that GI doc referred me to Dr. Uchal at North Florida Surgeons. He had me come in for a barium swallow in front of him, and stated that my band had slipped. he submitted for a band removal and conversion to sleeve. The insurance stated that they could take up to a month to get me an answer. That was not going to work, by this time I was not keeping anything thicker than Water down. And I was dehydrating quickly, as even Water had to be consumed in sips. Dr. Uchal was amazing and called my insurance and requested an emergency phone review. After speaking to him, I was 100% approval. And was in surgery the very next day. Since I had already done the psych, and sleep study for the lapband I was able to skip those steps. I had also lost less than 50% of my excess weight. (like I said the band was empty for quite a while) Well I am now 3 weeks post-op and have lost 16 pounds. I feel amazing, I can keep tiny amounts of food down, and best of all I no longer have the pain and reflux that I had with my band. The down side I lost my job over having emergency surgery, so I am looking for a job now.

A bit about me, I have a daughter that will be 12 this summer. I am married, and have 2 crazy rescue dogs. My family all moved to Chicago at the same time and then 17 years later we all moved back to the Jacksonville Fl area. I was born and raised at Jax Beach, and love the way the salt air smells. I also love the way my feet sink into the sand. I could walk 5 miles on the beach and never realize that I have even left my "spot" lol. I always say there is something magical about the ocean, no matter how much we disturb the sand, the tide comes and makes it perfect again. I feel the same about my soul, no matter how upset, or disturbed I am, the ocean can make it perfect again.

I love to cook, and love to experiment with new foods and spices. I am raising a food snob, lol, she is not fond of processed, or "fake" foods. My hubby on the other hand will eat junk anytime.

When I was banded in Chicago I joined a group like this one and once a month we had a group that would meet and spend time with fellow wls patients. I hope to get something like that going in my area. My join date on here is 2005, I was a part of www.lapbandtalk.com.

Congrats on your journey! i just want to say that i dont think they can get away with firing you from your job, due to the FMLA (family medical leave act). Bad employer!

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Congrats and welcome. Like me.. You'll be a lot happier with the sleeve.

The band was actually approved in the states in the early 2000's. I got mine in the fall of 2000 and joined lapbandtalk then. Wish I would have read all the complication posts first though. Hind sight is great though

Again.. Welcome to VST

[toy27 62]

I wanted 2 have the lap band but read & heard about so many complications & my doc said the sleeve would be best 4 me I was sleeved April 3rd & having so many regrets but its nothing I can do now cause its not reversible & I lost my Job 2 because I need a nap a day with low energy and my sleep schedule is now crazier than ever

[Rosehip 5]

Just wanted to say hi! I'm in Jax too and Dr. Uchal will be doing my surgery too. Waiting on my insurance approval then am good to go.

[Pkusmc 5]

I wanted 2 have the lap band but read & heard about so many complications & my doc said the sleeve would be best 4 me I was sleeved April 3rd & having so many regrets but its nothing I can do now cause its not reversible & I lost my Job 2 because I need a nap a day with low energy and my sleep schedule is now crazier than ever

Why do you say you have regrets? I haven't been sleeved yet.

[toy27 62]

Why do you say you have regrets? I haven't been sleeved yet.

The things I noted in my post & the hair lost