Pep talk, please!

[amceache 5]

So I am a former lap-bander who just revised to sleeve three days ago. I had great luck with the band (lost 120 lbs.) then had a perforation, removal and then gained almost everything back. Had the sleeve surgery on Friday.

I just had this overwhelming sadness come over me in the last hour. I can't believe I am starting all over again. I am worried I won't have as much success this second time around. Anyone out there who had a band and then sleeve who can give me some good advice. I know these first few weeks after surgery are the hardest, and I know my energy and mood will regulate with time, but I am feeling so lonely and sad tonight, thought I should reach out for some reassurance.

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

I have only had the sleeve, but I would like to say it would be most sad if you settled for gaining back that weight and living with it. At least you are doing something about it. God Bless and good luck to you. You will get a lot of support here.

[abordenster 43]

I'm only a sleever too. Day three I cried all day. It was emotionally difficult for a few weeks but the first couple days is not fun. It's a big surgery. Your body is in shock. Comfort foods are out. It's gonna suck. So you have done this before. So you have an idea of how soon you could feel great. Just keep thinking its coming soon its worth it. This is the hard part. Soon you will be at the free part. I call it free. Six months out and so much is behind me. I imagine I'm walking or running forward and I'm free. I just smile. You got this.

[thesuse2000 698]

Hi there - so sorry you're feeling sad. I had a similar experience - I had the band and lost about 70 pounds, then had a slip and constant reflux at night that wasn't relieved until I had the band totally unfilled. And I gained back all the weight plus an extra few before getting sleeved in June.

I haven't felt sadness, but I have definitely felt a ton of anxiety about failing again. It gets better each week though, as I see continued weight loss and get more experience with eating. For me I feel so scared that one day I'll just be able to eat a huge amount again and feel a compulsion to actually do it. But each day that my hunger stays under control and I feel satisfied with a small meal I feel more confident that this time will work.

Stay focused on the positive - at this stage you need your strength to heal. I know how much it sucks to have a setback, but you're back on the right track and things will get better from here.

[amceache 5]

Thank you all so much for commenting. It's just nice to know I'm not losing my mind. I really do appreciate it. I am sure I will feel better in the morning. I love the analogy about being free - this is such a beautiful image! We are all working on becoming free. I love that!

[geelynn 72]

I don't have experience with the band, and I'm not due to get sleeved until 8/13, but I also have thoughts (and confessed to my husband today), what if I'm the 1% of the population where this surgery does not work. I reminded myself that that is just the talk I have used in my head for the past 456 diets I've been on . . . . because the weight always came back! This is a lifestyle change and that was my problem in the past. I never truly changed my lifestyle. I thought I did, but obviously I did not. I kind of see my life ahead as a road to be traveled--a road with a fork it. One side of the fork has me eating the way I'm eating now but also includes metformin, a statin drug, huffing and puffing walking up hills and general crappy feeling. The other fork has a sleeve surgery, healthy eating, exercise (I loathe it) and feeling well. I think I'm taking the right fork.

I think I just vented . . . and didn't really add to the conversation. Sorry.

[braninem19 10]

I am a band to sleeve reviser.

I will be a month out on august 8. I am still pretty miserable with recovery. Not taking in much and not really sure where i should be at this point. I am never hungry and its extremely hard for me to eat.

I had no real big issues with the band but decided to do the revision because i was so scared of the complications that are rising from the band. My doctor also highly reccommended it. I lost a total of 100 lbs with the band in the 4 years i had it. It kept me in check a lot. I learned the band very well when i had it and if i didnt feel like being good....i also knew how to eat around it.

With that said, im tired, scared, and simply exhausted the past month trying to learn the sleeve. I dont know up from down and im trying so hard to just keep trucking and things will get better.

Just know everybody is different and each struggle gives us wisdom to succeed in our own personal journey! Good luck to you!!!

[LadyK44 263]

I am a new sleever. But, I have lost and gained many pounds. So, I understand the frustration. However, you are doing a great thing. Keep trying! Do not give up on the process. This is a chance to not only to reach you goals but maitain your weight loss. Good luck to you. You are not alone!

Edited August 5, 2014 by LadyK44

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

I am a new sleever. But, I have lost and gained many pounds. So, I understand the frustration. However, you are doing a great thing. Keep trying! Do not give up on the process. This is a chance to mot only reach you goal but maitain

Welcome. The best is yet to be! Corny but authentic!

[amceache 5]

Thank you, friends! I feel much better today. I am not sure what was going on yesterday, but your words of encouragement really did help. I am starting to feel excited rather than nervous. We can do this - I just have to try and not be in such a big hurry about it and let myself heal a little bit. I was better about drinking throughout the day, and made sure to drink my yucky Protein drinks three times. I'm sure that helped put me in a better frame of mind.

Again, thank you for the kind words of encouragement. You guys are awesome!