LoriBecky

I did the thrift shops, but couldn't find anything that worked for this event. I did find a really cute jacket and some jeans, but no dress. I think I can make what I have work. I went shopping and dried on about 10 dresses but I'm just between sizes so I'll wait until I'm truly in an 8 and then do some shopping.

Our sleeve revision patients have had great success, that's why I choose this surgery. If you would like to email me or call me here is my contact information:

lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com

1-866-376-7849 ext. 81

Hi Alana,

I'm always happy to answer questions, so you can call or email me anytime! I loved my band, I really did, but I think I'm lovin' my sleeve even more. Even though I can only take a few bites, it is more like my normal eating, I just fill up quicker. My band had turned into a more obstructive restriction, this is a more natural restriction for me, more like when I had that sweet spot with my band, which I hadn't been able to get to in awhile.

I hope you and your band can start working together again! But if not, its nice to have options!

Hi Carol. it tasted sooooo good. I couldn't eat much, but those few bites were heaven. Remember to eat it earlier in the day. I had a little bit too late the other night, just a couple of bites, but I really had some reflux. I seem to be tighter at night, so if I eat after 7pm, I can get reflux. Keep me posted on how you are doing

You are doing GREAT I'm so proud of you! You are doing better then I am on my liquids and protein intake. Because I'm a revision, I still have quite a bit of inflammation and swelling, so the drinking of anything but clear liquids is still a bit of a chore, but I do love the mashed potatoes! I know I'm not getting anywhere near my needed protein intake yet, but I'm working on it!

Keep us posted !!!

We are here for you Paula, for questions, support, of even if you just need to vent a little!

Paula - you are a week behind me, and I hit that wall last week! The fact is, you had surgery, and your body is recoverying. You also need to make sure you are taking in plenty of liquids. I was doing that, but I still hit a major wall!

Dr. Miranda let me start mushy food a few days early and it has really helped... not sure if it was psychological or if it just helped, or if I am finally passed that too tired to get anything done phase... but by next week, you'll be feeling better, I promise!

I'll keep praying for you and your mom, I know this has to be tough on both of you (hubby, too!)

I tried my protein shots -but they gave me incredible heartburn, so i'm just trying to get down as much fo the protein shake as I can, but I only do it in the evening as I MUST be close to a bathroom!! Even with the Soy Protein. I'm not sure why i'm having so much trouble with a Soy based shake which has no lactose in it. Not sure what to try next. I'm thinking next week, when i'm in my "mushy stage" I may just go back to the protein bar, but melt it as I eat it - the protein bars NEVER gave me trouble like these shakes have been! Dr. Martinez said as a revision patient, it may be 6 weeks before we really loosen up some on the over restriction because of all the inflammation...

I did cheat today, not because I was planning on it... I was making home made mac and cheese for my son's swim team pasta feed, and i was checking "doneness" of the pasta and before i knew it - i had popped it in my mouth, chewed it and swallowed it before I realized what I was doing. Thankfully it was cooked well, and I had chewed it well (almost 6 years of living with a band!) and had no issues... except that I wanted MORE of it LOL

I'm really ready to eat some food... I know it won't be much, but I'm anxious! Mash potatoes on Monday. If you haven't seen this brand - they used to sell at Costco, but now I have to buy from Amazon - its all natural and only has 3 ingredients - potatoes, salt, and butter. You can make it low fat by using water instead of milk to make them. http://www.amazon.com/Honest-Natural-Potatoes-8-Serving-Pouches/dp/B00488N8KY/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1336100007&sr=8-6

We always keep these around, the kiddo's love making them.

I may have to look into the ProStat, or just hope as I get further from surgery, the heart burn decreases with the protein shots I already have.

thanks Paula - I'm enjoying following your journey as well, our surgeries dates were so close, it will be nice to take this journey together!

Hey Carol - they are New Whey Protein shots - they are thinner like juice so easier to get down then the thicker protein shakes... I bought the Acai, I kind of wish I had purchased the variety pack so I could try different flavors - GNC may have them - I ordered mine on Amazon. They have 42 grams of protein per 3.3 ounce shot. Last week they just seemed too "sweet" and I couldn't get through them - going to try again this week - maybe putting them in tea or something to get through them better.... I can't just drink them right now.

I still have a bit of my Panera soup - its thicker so you can't each much at a time, but its ohhh so good! And I tried making my own Miso from a mix - its nothing like the good stuff from a Japenese restaurant!! Just strain it.

Hey Paula, you know how to reach me if you have any questions! I'm so anxious to see what the PRP does for me. I've been reading a lot about what it has done for people like Tiger Woods & Kobe Bryant with their orthopedic issues, because it can help heal tissue, create new blood vessels, help collagen production... its really amazing stuff and its all from your own body - they are studying even more because they think it can help your body create new stem cells! Amazing! Those sports stars had to fly to Germay to get their treatment, I feel so lucky I can go to a doctor I know and trust! Dr. So is also great with the Botox! I haven't done any of the fillers yet, if the PRP works like I hope it does, I may not need that

Carol I am sooooo excited for you! You are doing such a great job on the pre-op diet. Keep us all posted on your journey

OH MY GOSH... I just have to say - Panera - Cheddar Broccoli soup - blended... took me to my yummy place tonight! I know its not low fat - but I ate maybe a 1/4 cup. me so happy

Thanks Paula I saw your entry on Facebook today, so glad you are doing well!

Oh... and I'm loving the Viactiv Calcium Chews, its like a little treat. Costco even has a Kirkland brand - sugar free ones (i'm eating the Viactiv brand carmel flavor... the chocolate ones are good, too)

Paula - you'll do GREAT

The recovery isn't too different with the band removal - revision at the same time - except for the drain! Not a fun part of the surgery, but a vitally important part to help detect a leak. OCC has NEVER had one, but we are always cautious with our patients!

Enjoy some downtime while you are there, get plenty of rest and stay hydrated

Let me know how you are doing!

Paula - keep me posted on how you are doing - and you can even call me from the phone in your recovery room!

Yes Pammie, I've been thinking about it this last year when I started having some band trouble and I finally just jumped in.

as far as weightloss, statisically sleeve patients lose the most - very similar to bypass without the malabsorption and the problems that go with that.

statisically - band patients lose 50% of their excess weight - plication patients lose more like 60 - 70% and sleeve lose 70-80%+. Bypass patients will lose weight a bit quicker in the first months, but sleeve patients keep it off better.

For revision - we recommend the sleeve. Sleeve revision patients do better then Plication Revision.

sure! oh and I checked my Whey shots and they are lactose free - woohoo, so those should be fine for after surgery. I still plan on spacing them out throughout the day.

I bought EAS Soy Chocolate Shake, so I'll report back later today and let you know how it goes...

Ksanford, i don't think you meant bypass, we didn't do a bypass on 3/30. It is not uncommon to not see a large drop the first couple of weeks after surgery, because you will retain some fluids and swelling shortly after surgery. You should see a loss coming shortly. You should still be on the liquid phase, so even if you aren't seeing it on the scale, you should be seeing it in your clothes.

Even after I had my original band surgery, the first 10 days I only dropped a pound, but as I headed into the end of the 2nd week and into the 3rd week it really started coming off. That is pretty normal.

Dr. Miranda is in her office right now so you should give her a call 1-866-376-7849 ext. 86.

Don't get discouraged! You should see the weight coming off any day now!

Hi Paula, the pre-op diet getting ready for a revision surgery is tough! The protein shakes are doing a number on my gut (I have IBS and the protein shakes seem to give me trouble). Its tough to go through stress AND a pre-op diet at the same time - my husband was let go from his job almost 2 weeks ago, so this is a very stressful time right now, and the head hunger - or rather for me, chocolate hunger, is sometimes so loud I think others can hear me crying out for it.

I'm trying to look at it like this, there are so many things going on in my life that I have zero control over, staying on my pre-op diet is one of the only things I CAN control. I keep telling myself Just Do It...

I think I'll blog on this a bit later.... if you need some support, just call me

Hi Bree,

Dr. Ortiz actually pioneered the band over bypass procedure that was recently performed on Carnie Wilson. I had actually emailed Carnie about the surgery over 3 years ago! The way the bypass surgery is done makes it very easy for the stomach to stretch out. Dr. Ortiz has been putting bands over bypasses for years to give that restriction back. Our band over's are very successful!

If you want more info - you can email me at lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com or call me at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81 and I can try to get you in touch with other band over patients.

Weight loss is hard, and your "tool" isn't performing like it used to, don't let your weight get really out of control before you reach out for help!

You are doing GREAT! As for the extra skin - if you do have a problem with that, which not all patients do, we can help you with that later... for now just focus on getting healthier and getting to your surgery date! I'm excited for you! I'm excited for me, too

Paula - its tough when we make a decision that we know is in our best interest, and we are going to a well known and trusted facility, and someone hears "mexico" and makes an assumption!

You know your body better then anybody does, and you have done your research. Rest assured in your knowledge and not the misinformation of others. We will take great care of you

Hey Paula - we are in this together! We'll take this journey and share our experiences! I would suggest doing a blog, it has been very helpful to me to voice my thoughts, fears, and soon my triumphs. Instead of Band Buddies, we'll be Sleeve Sistas! Call or email me anytime!