docbree

I had the lap band and then a revision to bypass. The band was hell on earth. Bypass has been such a blessing. Barely eat a thing and the weight just falls off. It is almost effortless. However, I am having some problems with malabsorption of my bipolar meds. So if you need lifelong meds unrelated to obesity, that is something to consider. People ask what my goal weight is and I say, I'm not sure. I guess whenever the weight loss stops. If I was happy with my weight now, hypothetically, and didn't want to lose more weight, I'd still lose it anyway bc I have no control over the weight loss. I'm at 176 now and it is still coming off 15 lbs a month effortlessly. I'm actually hoping the weight loss slows down some as I get smaller. Btw. I have no dumping. Perhaps if I ate cake or icecream or something it would happen. But, the only sweets I even care about now are hard ginger candy (3 before bed) and sugar free Popsicles. I can easily turn down cakes, Cookies, and other sweets.

Do a search on this topic - someone else asked a similar question last week and there were pages of responses.
But, to answer your question, I also considered both. I wanted the sleeve, but then the doc said I'd lose more with the RNY, so I signed up for that even though he said I could do either. A couple days before surgery, I changed my mind and went with the sleeve. I've been happy with it, and I am totally without any sort of symptoms (dumping, GERD,vomiting, etc). I love that. Sometimes I think I could lose the last few pounds easier if I had the bypass, but really, I'm happy with my decision.

I suffer with mental illness and take lots of meds. I was scared I wouldn't make it thru the psych eval. It was fine. They ask normal questions. They're looking at how much you understand what will be happening to you. I did have to take some additional therapist appts because they wanted her input if I was in fact "stable."

No, I am super excited all the way. All will go well and I will have nothing but happy moments .
Good thing you can't see my nose grow online.
The only thing I know beyond a shadow of a doubt is I am so ready for my new life, the status quo is impossible to tolerate for another second.

It's funny I had laproscopic surgery years ago where the pain and nauseau were so bad when I woke up . This past March I had major surgery, cut from belly button down (bariatric surgery put on hold). Amazing enough I wasn't nervous for that surgery. Then I was finally approved for bariatric surgery on September 24th. I still can't believe I wasn't nervous about that surgery either. The worst part for me was just before surgery they had a hard time finding a vein for the IV, tried several places in my left and my right. Ended in my right arm which I am not a fan of, Then they take my blood pressure after all of this ( I was told at pre-op testing my blood pressure couldn't be high or they could cancel surgery). Amazing enough my blood pressure was low, 110/68. I also had to wear these thigh high compression tights, worse thing ever to put on. I couldn't believe I had no pain this time, not in the hospital, not when I got home. I did not take any pain meds. Once you are called into surgery and they give you the IV, the medication relaxes you. I just remember the long ride to the OR room and on the table in the OR room. I think I was out in about three minutes.
If you get sick from anesthesia, which is usually from the pain meds, ask for an anti nausea patch, works really well.

I had a similar reaction when I received my phone call. I have been on this journey since December 2014 and now it's finally here. When the nurse said "How does November 18th work for you?" I was like "UUuuuhhhhh, Uuummmmmmmm". She finally said "Well, I don't want to push you into it!" LOL. We had a good laugh after that and then the deal was done, date scheduled. Still nervous but so exciting at the same time!
I've been driving myself and everyone else around me crazy trying to learn all I can and to have a plan in place for Protein, shakes, whatnot, etc. but I'm wondering if one day at a time wouldn't work better? It's pretty confusing trying to know what to do when you won't really know what will work for you until you are there and experiencing it.

Bitter because even though I look nice my skin isn't perfect like I wish I lost all my boobs. Idk. I guess just my skin I miss. But I'm happy with my accomplish so far. I have 40 more to go. But thank u

This is a very good post, but i want to make a small counter argument to one set of points...
I was somewhat of an emotional wreck preop, I was very worried about failing again, I felt like death warmed over (physically and emotionally)... I went through some wild emotional rides over the last few years... and yet I somehow managed to perservere and am maintaining a 160# + loss so far. I have become something closer to the real me...
I think for me the message is that even if you are a perfection puppy, a wounded adult, someone whose life is a mess, who lacks support at home - you can still be successful.
I think the key is being open to change, learn from mistakes (and successes!) being resilent, taking personal responsbility, and realizing that you are fighting for your very life.... this is important. This is critical... treat it as though your very future depends on this!
I also sort of had themes by year. My Sleeve was Dec 2011. It was a miserable year for me as i was very conflicted about the decision to revise from a failed band to a sleeve.
2012 was the year of focusing on weight loss - that meant limited going out, staying very very very focused on my goal. I hit my initial goal in Feb 2013. 2012 theme was "determination"
2013 was a little bit of a "crazy" year. I started facing some emotional issues, I had plastic surgery which was quite a lot to deal with, I made huge changes in my life (outside of weight loss). I had a 5# regain and then in the process of losing that, and getting even under goal - I learned new things too. I did not intentionally chose "crazy" as my theme..haha.. but in hindsight it kinda was...
2014 - my theme has been "stabilize" - not just weight, but other aspects of life. No more big changes, have fun, enjoy life, get at peace with myself. It has worked well - when i look back at my headspace compared to 1-2 years ago...wow, what a difference.
2015 - I haven't figured out my theme yet, but i expect it will be along the lines that "the world is my oyster" and really exploring exciting opportunities for the future... we shall see

Push thru. You know it's not fat, you haven't eaten 3lbs of calories worth. Suck down some Water and push thru!

Congratulations to your weight & your blessed gift from God.????

Thank you! God has definitely answered my prayers. All I can do is praise God for his blessings! ????

First, congratulations with your weight lose and now with a little "baking in the oven"! Double CONGRATS! God has heard your prayers and finally when you least expect it....SURPRISE!! Love it! Best to you and family

Congrats how exciting 10 yrs of trying wow u must really want this what a lucky little one to be best wishes

So I'm 1yr and 1 month post op, and I've just found out I'm 6 weeks pregnant! I'm so excited but scared at the same time. I already have a 15&13yr old, so parenthood is not new to me. However I've been trying to have another baby for 10yrs now, and boom it happens after I've lost all this weight. My dr sent me to see a gynecologist to see was I infertile, and we talked, and she reveled to me I was pregnant. I'm telling you I was in total shock!!!! This is me last Friday when I found out.

I really don't think you blew anything. The purpose of the psych eval is not to determine if you need the surgery or if you have co-morbidities. She is there to see if you know what you're getting into and are psychologically able to handle all of the changes and challenges that come with it.

I really don't think you blew anything. The purpose of the psych eval is not to determine if you need the surgery or if you have co-morbidities. She is there to see if you know what you're getting into and are psychologically able to handle all of the changes and challenges that come with it.

I really don't think you blew anything. The purpose of the psych eval is not to determine if you need the surgery or if you have co-morbidities. She is there to see if you know what you're getting into and are psychologically able to handle all of the changes and challenges that come with it.

I'm with @HealthyNewMe. I've watched loved ones eat crazy restrictive diets and have done it myself enough to say never again. My band diet is sensible and varied.

Sounds like a bypass diet.

BEST; Hubby called me a "SKINNY ASS"....have waited 27 years to hear those SWEET WORDS, my new nickname is "skinny Butt" BUT I LOVE IT!!!!.. He is now getting serious about doing the sleeve..... and that was my second goal...............

Went to visit my father who had been hospitalized last weekend. It was the first time I had seen my family since July. Walked into the hospital room to see my mom, my brother and sister in law, my niece and her boyfriend all sitting in the room. They all got quiet, and just waited for me to introduce myself (they thought I was one of the medical staff). It took at least 30 seconds for my brother to recognize me. Lol, 75 lbs less of me to recognize. My moms mouth was just hanging open. LOVED IT!

Beautiful! Why is it bittersweet and not just sweet?

This made me think. We do hold celebrities to a different standard and expect them to tell all. They have a right to privacy too. But his explanation seems very detailed. More so than just dodging a surgery question.

@@RDYNEWME Do I know what your saying.... Yes! My husband is so jealous its insane! I feel like while I'm big he is happy with me being this way because he knows no other real/good man would want me. If I try to do my hair he'll say who your trying to impress? If I go on a diet he'll say who I'm trying to lose weight for? I work nights so every day he asks me if im cheating on him. I feel like he wants me to stay this way so no one else would notice me. Like he doesn't care how I feel or look as long as I'm here with him and working and paying all of these damn bills! I have major work to do on my mouth as well and I seriously believe that if he had the money to pay for the implants he wouldn't do it to help me. We've been together for almost 15 years now. I'm planning on getting the gastric sleeve surgery done in Tijuana Mexico and now everyday he comes home telling me stories from other people he knows who got the gastric sleeve surgery done to try and scare me. I refuse to let my husband dictate my life and future. If we do split after the surgery, then its for the best because I want to be with someone who wants me to feel good and look good. I'm only 32

I was the first patient in on a Monday morning, came thought with no issues and was released from the hospital the next day. Never cracked the seal on the pain meds prescribed, Tylenol Jr was enough to take the edge off. I went back to my desk job the next week. I was "pleasantly surprised", as you say!