Bypassjourney

I had the sleeve on 1/26/2012. I did lose 90 lbs. within the first year. I had absolutely NO dumping and no reflux. I figured out really quick that I could eat all the same foods as before but only less. I convinced myself that now I was "normal" and could eat what I wanted because of my restricted stomach size. WRONG!! I started regaining a couple of years out and all the weight came back quickly. I have no restriction and can eat a full size plate with no problem.

I am now scheduled for a sleeve to bypass revision at the end of October. Everybody has to do what is best for them, but I have since learned after the sleeve that there are quite a few others that are also gaining back after about year two. I am beyond blessed that I get a second "second chance" with bypass. I will not mess it up this time! Stay afraid of the foods that caused the gain in the first place!!

I am having sleeve to bypass revision this Friday, 10/28! I was sleeved in January, 2012. I had great success for the first two years. Then between bad food choices and medication that causes weight gain, I gained it all back plus some. My acid reflux is bad and I have a hernia. I wasn't scared at all before but I must admit I have some fears this time around.

October 28th here!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, it has now been 1 year since my gastric bypass surgery. Looking back, the year really flew by. There were ups and downs along the way, but I wouldn't change a thing about it... well, my only regret is not getting the surgery done sooner.
I have stuck to my diet, which is primarily vegan/vegetarian, for the entire year. I don't crave junk food and really feel like I've hit a groove and can keep this up for life. It's no longer a diet... it's simply the way I eat now.
A year ago I thought a lot about my own funeral... I was convinced I'd die by the time I hit 50. Not healthy thoughts for a 35 year old with 4 kids. I pictured my parents, brothers, kids and wife being at my funeral. I told my wife I wanted her to promise to cremate me as I couldn't bear the thought of all the people it would take to carry my coffin. Happily, those thoughts are a distant memory.
The stats to date... my "high" weight (I know I was higher) was 425lbs. On the day of surgery (October 1st) I was down to 404lbs. October 1st, 2016 I clocked in at 217lbs, so 208lbs down. I've gone from 56 waist pants and 5/6XL shirts to a 34 waist pant and size large shirts. I do have the much talked about loose skin around my midsection and inner thighs... but it's actually much better than I anticipated after viewing pics online before surgery. I figure I'll start looking at plastics in 6-months to a year... but honestly, I'm not that worried about... loose skin beats being over 400 pounds.
Things I've done in the past year:
Traveled on an airplane a few times with no worries about being forced to buy an extra seat or seat belt extenders... no worries about infringing on the space of the passenger next to me. Started playing ice hockey again in a beer league after a 14+ year hiatus. Took the family to Universal Orlando and rode every ride. Trained for and completed the couch to 5k program. The last bullet was a big goal of mine. I've always hated running, but I wanted to do something big for my first surgiversary, so with the help of my cross-country running 14-year old daughter, I began the couch to 5k program 10 weeks ago. There was a local 5k that just happened to be held on October 1st... the exact date of my first surgiversary. So I was able to run it this past weekend with my 14-year old daughter and 12-year old son. I really wanted to do it in under 30 minutes... which I just missed with a time of 30:34. My daughter finished first in the under-19 female with a time of 25:45 (4th woman overall) and my son (who didn't train and has never run anything beyond a mile) finished 1st for under 19 men and 4th overall with a time of 21:44.
Bottom line, I feel like I've been given a 2nd life to live thanks to this surgery. I couldn't be more happy with the decision. Big thanks to my family, my surgeon (Dr. Garth Davis in Houston, TX) and to all of the great posters here on BariatricPal... I wouldn't be here today without the support and kindness all of you have shown through this journey... while I may not post as much as others, I read this forum daily.

I got the approval for my sleeve to bypass revision surgery from Aetna!!!! I had VSG in January, 2012. I started gaining back the weight about 1 1/2 years ago and sadly regained all I had lost. I am SO ready for this second "second chance" and feel so blessed!!
The insurance coordinator at my doctor's office was very worried that we would get approved because other requests had been denied by Aetna. So I am the first one that has received the approval at their office! I will be getting all the pre-op appointments done quickly and surgery is like to be by the end of October!
One thing I did not do after VSG was to develop a network of support from this community. I want to change that this time around! I need all the support I can get.
VSG Surgery: 1/26/12
Highest Weight: 239.9
Lowest Weight 150.2
Height: 5'5"
Bypass Surgery: Date TBD
Current Weight: 236

April,
Here are before and after. The latter taken July 5, 2016 at 118 lbs.

I got the approval for my sleeve to bypass revision surgery from Aetna!!!! I had VSG in January, 2012. I started gaining back the weight about 1 1/2 years ago and sadly regained all I had lost. I am SO ready for this second "second chance" and feel so blessed!!
The insurance coordinator at my doctor's office was very worried that we would get approved because other requests had been denied by Aetna. So I am the first one that has received the approval at their office! I will be getting all the pre-op appointments done quickly and surgery is like to be by the end of October!
One thing I did not do after VSG was to develop a network of support from this community. I want to change that this time around! I need all the support I can get.
VSG Surgery: 1/26/12
Highest Weight: 239.9
Lowest Weight 150.2
Height: 5'5"
Bypass Surgery: Date TBD
Current Weight: 236

I got the approval for my sleeve to bypass revision surgery from Aetna!!!! I had VSG in January, 2012. I started gaining back the weight about 1 1/2 years ago and sadly regained all I had lost. I am SO ready for this second "second chance" and feel so blessed!!
The insurance coordinator at my doctor's office was very worried that we would get approved because other requests had been denied by Aetna. So I am the first one that has received the approval at their office! I will be getting all the pre-op appointments done quickly and surgery is like to be by the end of October!
One thing I did not do after VSG was to develop a network of support from this community. I want to change that this time around! I need all the support I can get.
VSG Surgery: 1/26/12
Highest Weight: 239.9
Lowest Weight 150.2
Height: 5'5"
Bypass Surgery: Date TBD
Current Weight: 236

For me personally, I have told a few people that I just want to be healthy. But honestly, that was just because I think that little voice inside my head was saying (and still says) I shouldn't say I want to be a size 6 so that if and when I fail, I wont be as disappointed. The health benefits are great! But yes, deep down inside I wanted to look good. I am already amazed at the transformation in my body and feel great about the changes. So for me, I say it is a win-win....happy about the way I look and better health. Oh yeah!!!

I have aetna. My BMI was less than 40. I had the weight history for two years that was required. I got the sleep study and had mild sleep apnea. That is the only co-morbidity that I had. I was approved after the 12 week nutrition, etc. Read through their clinical plan description (I think that is what it is called) and read all the fine print. I read and re-read that 38 page document multiple times so I would know every little possible thing they needed or required.
Good luck with your appeal. Keep at it. It is SO worth it!

I am currently on Day 13 of the pre-op diet with surgery coming on Monday. I too have had a couple of times where I have messed up during this time. But that doesn't mean I am not in the right mindset to have a successful weight loss after surgery. It means I am human and I made lots of "mess ups" during my life and that is what got me to this point right now to have surgery. If I was a stronger person, I could have succeeded on diets long before now and not be where I am at this point.
Hang in there and do the best you can. You did the right thing by posting about this. We have such a great support system here.

Neilsleeve, nail on the head my friend, nail on the head! I feel the exact same way and am approacing the "diet" thing the exact same way. If I want it, I eat it...just WAY LESS! I am 2 months out, eat just about anything I want when I want it. If I am craving something, I will take a bite or two, it satisfies me, then stop eating it because I am not hungry for it anymore. Did I take in 20-30 extra calories, probably....is it going to hurt me, absolutely not, in fact, I will burn off 20 times that when I ride my bike or go play with my daughter, or go do something physical that I couldn't do previously. It is all about using your head, staying diciplined, and living your life, not deprivation. I am not going to spend my life being terrified of food!

Today it has been seven months since my surgery! It still doesn't seem real sometimes. People that haven't seen me in a while do not recognize me. This journey has not always been easy but it is so worth the effort. I hurt my back in June so exercising has not been happening. But I am doing better and now its time to get this body toned! I look forward to reaching my weight loss goal. As far as other aspects of my life, I am starting to see the "me" come out of my shell that I knew was hiding for all those years. My confidence level is definitely at an all time high. I have been single for two years after a very difficult divorce. I think I am ready to break down those walls and date again. Now whether that is in God's plan is yet to be seen. I am just happy with how far I have come in such a short period of time both emotionally and physically. Thanks to everyone on this site that has been so encouraging. I don't have much genuine support from family or friends so you all have helped in ways you cannot even imagine along the way!

I am almost eight months out and I pretty much eat what I want. But what I have found like one poster said, now that I just act as though a normal person would, I don't have those obsessions to eat like before. My happiness with my new body is giving me the desire NOT to eat all the snack foods. I always heard the saying "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" but when I was eating my comfort foods I thought "yeah right!" Now, I get that saying and it is so true for me.

I am almost eight months out and I pretty much eat what I want. But what I have found like one poster said, now that I just act as though a normal person would, I don't have those obsessions to eat like before. My happiness with my new body is giving me the desire NOT to eat all the snack foods. I always heard the saying "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" but when I was eating my comfort foods I thought "yeah right!" Now, I get that saying and it is so true for me.

Yes the pre-op is tough, but you have to realize that it is helping to ensure you have a successful surgery. I got hungry, grumpy, sad, light headed and all that. But when you think about it in that if you don't get your liver to shrink, you could be putting your life in danger during a surgery. I took a picture of myself and kept that with me at all times during the pre-op diet. When I would get discouraged, I would look at that picture and was reminded of how badly I wanted my life to change and although it was unbelievably tough, I stuck to it. I didn't care for the Protein Shakes that my doctor's office had. But I just chugged them down and told myself it was fuel for my body and its doctor's orders. You can do this! You have to set your mind to it.

Yes the pre-op is tough, but you have to realize that it is helping to ensure you have a successful surgery. I got hungry, grumpy, sad, light headed and all that. But when you think about it in that if you don't get your liver to shrink, you could be putting your life in danger during a surgery. I took a picture of myself and kept that with me at all times during the pre-op diet. When I would get discouraged, I would look at that picture and was reminded of how badly I wanted my life to change and although it was unbelievably tough, I stuck to it. I didn't care for the Protein Shakes that my doctor's office had. But I just chugged them down and told myself it was fuel for my body and its doctor's orders. You can do this! You have to set your mind to it.

I just read something in a book that said "Comfort zones don't have to be comfortable - they're just familiar". I think the struggle with whether to have the surgery or not can be tied to that statement in a sense. Being overweight is something we have known as our normal for years and years. Imagine your life outside that comfort zone. There are hundreds and hundreds of people on this board that are a testiment to the fact that we can have a new comfort zone.

I think all the emotions you all are having are completely normal. As one post stated, this is an individual journey for each of us and we have to make the decision that is in our best interest. For me, I think the surgery has been like how they say you forget so quickly about the pains of child birth. :-) I am seven months out and down 80 lbs. The pre-op, surgery, full liquid diet, etc. seems like so long ago and I don't even think about that anymore. I'm too busy enjoying my new life with a happier attitude, more confidence, better health and just an overall better ME!
I know there is a big fear of what if something happens to you during surgery or you have a complication. That is a very real fear. But try to remind yourself that most of us if we continued on the same path carrying around the extra weight would possibly end up as a statistic of death by heart disease or other issues related to being overweight. I'm no longer sitting on the sidelines watching my life pass me by...I'm living life!

Today it has been seven months since my surgery! It still doesn't seem real sometimes. People that haven't seen me in a while do not recognize me. This journey has not always been easy but it is so worth the effort. I hurt my back in June so exercising has not been happening. But I am doing better and now its time to get this body toned! I look forward to reaching my weight loss goal. As far as other aspects of my life, I am starting to see the "me" come out of my shell that I knew was hiding for all those years. My confidence level is definitely at an all time high. I have been single for two years after a very difficult divorce. I think I am ready to break down those walls and date again. Now whether that is in God's plan is yet to be seen. I am just happy with how far I have come in such a short period of time both emotionally and physically. Thanks to everyone on this site that has been so encouraging. I don't have much genuine support from family or friends so you all have helped in ways you cannot even imagine along the way!

You have done a great job and have been a big inspiration on this board! Congratulations on your success and thank you for always being so open with your story. It definitely helps others!

Today it has been seven months since my surgery! It still doesn't seem real sometimes. People that haven't seen me in a while do not recognize me. This journey has not always been easy but it is so worth the effort. I hurt my back in June so exercising has not been happening. But I am doing better and now its time to get this body toned! I look forward to reaching my weight loss goal. As far as other aspects of my life, I am starting to see the "me" come out of my shell that I knew was hiding for all those years. My confidence level is definitely at an all time high. I have been single for two years after a very difficult divorce. I think I am ready to break down those walls and date again. Now whether that is in God's plan is yet to be seen. I am just happy with how far I have come in such a short period of time both emotionally and physically. Thanks to everyone on this site that has been so encouraging. I don't have much genuine support from family or friends so you all have helped in ways you cannot even imagine along the way!

Today it has been seven months since my surgery! It still doesn't seem real sometimes. People that haven't seen me in a while do not recognize me. This journey has not always been easy but it is so worth the effort. I hurt my back in June so exercising has not been happening. But I am doing better and now its time to get this body toned! I look forward to reaching my weight loss goal. As far as other aspects of my life, I am starting to see the "me" come out of my shell that I knew was hiding for all those years. My confidence level is definitely at an all time high. I have been single for two years after a very difficult divorce. I think I am ready to break down those walls and date again. Now whether that is in God's plan is yet to be seen. I am just happy with how far I have come in such a short period of time both emotionally and physically. Thanks to everyone on this site that has been so encouraging. I don't have much genuine support from family or friends so you all have helped in ways you cannot even imagine along the way!

Today it has been seven months since my surgery! It still doesn't seem real sometimes. People that haven't seen me in a while do not recognize me. This journey has not always been easy but it is so worth the effort. I hurt my back in June so exercising has not been happening. But I am doing better and now its time to get this body toned! I look forward to reaching my weight loss goal. As far as other aspects of my life, I am starting to see the "me" come out of my shell that I knew was hiding for all those years. My confidence level is definitely at an all time high. I have been single for two years after a very difficult divorce. I think I am ready to break down those walls and date again. Now whether that is in God's plan is yet to be seen. I am just happy with how far I have come in such a short period of time both emotionally and physically. Thanks to everyone on this site that has been so encouraging. I don't have much genuine support from family or friends so you all have helped in ways you cannot even imagine along the way!

Everyone is right that the first few days are very hard. But....fast forward almost seven months and my life couldn't be better! All that worry, all the pain, all those emotions have been long forgotten and seem like such a long time ago.
Try to spend this weekend busy getting everything in order at home and make sure you have your kitchen stocked with those liquids. I didn't have much support at home so this site was such a lifesaver to me in those last few days, as it is still a lifesaver to me now. :-)
Keep us posted on how things go!