mrs.melmcc

I am 8 years out from my sleeve and have had GERD since. It has progressively gotten worse. They found a fairly large hiatal hernia. Initially my doc was recommending the bypass conversion but he was concerned it would cause more problems for me since I really don’t have that much more to lose. I had a hernia repair surgery on 7/26 and was told I actually had two! They fixed the hernias, stitched the diaphragm where the esophagus passes, and placed a dissolvable mesh wrap. I am on full liquids until my follow up on 8/10. Overall, I think I did better post op with the sleeve as physically it’s been pretty rough. I was told to quit taking my PPIs and haven’t needed them so I’m hopeful that this will work. He said we can keep the bypass as a last resort but my BMI is down to 26.3 so I don’t think it’s truly an option. I also think if I had known what the past 8 years would be like I may have just opted for bypass from the beginning.

I think he was concerned about additional weight loss, malabsorption, etc. If this doesn’t work, he still plans on bypass as the solution. I was 45 pounds from his goal when I had my endoscopy and lost 20 since the hernia repair. I was just diagnosed with severe anemia too. I’m still not back to a regular diet yet. No reflux symptoms or meds needed so far. It took a while to get a diagnosis. I moved to another state shortly after my sleeve and couldn’t find anyone that would do my follow ups. I was on PPIs for 8 years and all my PCP offered was to try a different medication. She just was not educated enough on WLS to know something more serious was going on than just GERD.

Were you down to 160 at the time of your revision surgery? My surgeon was originally recommending conversion to bypass. He decided that bypass might have too many side effects since I have already lost a significant amount of weight. He opted to repair my hernia and place a mesh to see if that gets rid of the GERD. He said we still have bypass as a backup option. I’m almost 4 weeks post op and it’s been a tough recovery. I haven’t had any reflux or had to take meds since surgery. Hoping this works!

I am 8 years out from my sleeve and have had GERD since. It has progressively gotten worse. They found a fairly large hiatal hernia. Initially my doc was recommending the bypass conversion but he was concerned it would cause more problems for me since I really don’t have that much more to lose. I had a hernia repair surgery on 7/26 and was told I actually had two! They fixed the hernias, stitched the diaphragm where the esophagus passes, and placed a dissolvable mesh wrap. I am on full liquids until my follow up on 8/10. Overall, I think I did better post op with the sleeve as physically it’s been pretty rough. I was told to quit taking my PPIs and haven’t needed them so I’m hopeful that this will work. He said we can keep the bypass as a last resort but my BMI is down to 26.3 so I don’t think it’s truly an option. I also think if I had known what the past 8 years would be like I may have just opted for bypass from the beginning.

I am speaking from my personal experience and would recommend the bypass. I got my sleeve 8 years ago and have had GERD since (was not an issue prior). It has progressively gotten worse and I now have a hiatal hernia as well. My doctor is considering a revision to bypass to address the issue. I also have issues with Vitamin and Protein deficiencies. I have been on Prevacid for the entire 8 years since my surgery. I realize everyone is different but research some of the risks of GERD after sleeve. It is not fun.

Then have your cup of coffee. Really. Some doctors say no coffee and some say no restriction. No idea why there is a difference other than superstition. Coffee is a daily staple! The caffeine from coffee also is a mild thermogenic and will metabolize fatty acids in the blood stream -a fat burner.. There are many benefits to coffee. Just don't overdo it because dehydration is no fun in more ways than one.

Thank God for my sleeve surgery! I am 4mos post-op, have lost 74 lbs! I feel amazing, healthy, happy! I can ride all the roller coasters again! My clothes are falling off of me! I can wrap a towel around myself at the pool! I am so happy now!
I would do it again in a heart beat and would recommend it to anyone who might be considering it!
It has been such a blessing!
:-)
From 308 to my current 234 and still dropping, I could not be happier!

I wore mine at the hospital and have kept wearing it since I've been home. My O2 drops when I don't wear it so until they will send me for another sleep study I guess I'm stuck with the darn thing.

I met with Susan Rizzo at Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove. I really liked her.

Mine was May 12th also. I lost 17 on the pre-op diet but I'm waiting to get on the scale until my post-op appointment. I'm feeling pretty blessed. Not much pain or discomfort. No nausea. I'm able to get my fluids in. Haven't hit my Protein but I'm coming pretty close. Looking forward to this new life!

Mine was May 12th also. I lost 17 on the pre-op diet but I'm waiting to get on the scale until my post-op appointment. I'm feeling pretty blessed. Not much pain or discomfort. No nausea. I'm able to get my fluids in. Haven't hit my Protein but I'm coming pretty close. Looking forward to this new life!

I will have them. My PCP had a dummy shot she let me try. It wasn't a big deal. The needle is very tiny.

My surgery was at 9:30. I've been dozing on and off from the pain meds. As expected, most of the pain is from gas. Doc said everything went great! Thanks to everyone for the prayers and well wishes.

Good luck! Mine is tomorrow too!

Today was day 6 post surgery for me. Today the Protein Shakes were making me gag! Yuck just sick of the fake sugar sweetness! I called Nut and she said I could blend up some potato broc Soup w some 2%. It was delish! Only could eat 1/4 cup but so satisfying:)
Is anyone else having probs w this fake sugar thing? Even though I am overweight! I have always ate whole foods and try to stay from processed, sugar free, and fat free foods. I just used to eat to much of healthy foods.

I start my two week pre-op diet tomorrow and am feeling the same way. Can I do this? Should I do this? Now that I have a date I have told more people. I am blessed that everyone has been so supportive and encouraging. I only had one friend who tried to convince me to do Weight Watchers instead. I am prepared for the emotional roller coaster this will bring but I know in the end it will be worth it. Good luck to everyone on their journey!

I made a greek seasoned ground lamb/beef and onion, which I pureed with greek yogurt and feta with a touch more greek seasoning. It was awesome.

I start my two week pre-op diet tomorrow and am feeling the same way. Can I do this? Should I do this? Now that I have a date I have told more people. I am blessed that everyone has been so supportive and encouraging. I only had one friend who tried to convince me to do Weight Watchers instead. I am prepared for the emotional roller coaster this will bring but I know in the end it will be worth it. Good luck to everyone on their journey!

I'm on day one of 2 weeks. I think I missed my coffee the most. I'm just really emotional now that this is actually happening. I also have PMS so that isn't helping matters. I'm trying to get creative with my shakes. I'm sure I'll be tired of looking at them soon enough. I just have to keep my eye on the prize and muscle through it. Hang in there and know you are not alone!

I won't miss...
-being out of breath from tying my shoes.
-my chins. All of them.
- under the boob sweat. (Classy...I know)
-the indentations left in my skin from too tight jeans & socks.
-lifting my stomach up to button my pants.
-wearing black everyday.
-granny panties
-dreading hot weather...tanks, short sleeves, bathing suits, shorts. Ugh!
-hiding behind others in pictures (ie...my profile pic!)
-feeling like I want to just sleep all day.
-the guilt after every meal.
-walking like a 90 year old up & down the stairs.
-fear of sex with the lights on.
-my mother saying the words " Now you just need to stick with it!" ( Nails. Chalkboard.)
-blood pressure medication
-making excuses.
-crying in fitting rooms
-the disappointment I have in myself
I'm sure there is more to add, but I needed to write it down so I can look at this when I'm in pain after surgery, or if I ever question my decision and remember exactly how I felt. I need to remember so I never ever re-visit this kind of lifestyle again.
I deserve to treat myself better. I am done slowly digging my own grave.
Like Garth Brooks says, "I'm much too young to feel this damn old!"
Fingers crossed that I can schedule a surgery date at my visit tomorrow!
I'm ready! Let's get this Protein party started!

I love the Jay Robb Protein powders, especially the chocolate and dreamsicle flavors. They are all natural and the milk for the whey comes from grass fed, non-rGBH cows. They are all non GMO ingredients. They are sweetened with stevia, but if you haven't tried them, you might give them a shot. I also tried About Time and Tera's Whey protein powders but didn't care for them.
GNC has a natural line in their Pro Performance series. It is sweetened with both stevia and sugar, so maybe less stevia would work for you? I know it seems like the numbers (calories, carbs) wouldn't work with sugar sweetening but the numbers are fine. I haven't tried it but it gets good reviews.

Hi Ladies,
I am not Paelo BUT I do follow an organic, whole food diet. I know it sounds off putting at first but it has made a HUGE difference in me and my families life. It helped with my Hoshimotos (hypothyroid) PCOS and weight loss. We recently switched my 4 year old to a non-gluten diet which seems to have made a difference. We still eat Cookies and regular food..I just make them with non-gmo, organic stuff. I buy from the farmers market, the organic section in the grocery store and order some in bulk online. I WILL NEVER GO BACK to all of the processed junk. All of the synthetic ingredients, pesticides, preservatives cause you to hold onto weight and mess with your mind and body. It just deteriorates your health. It does take more effort and if you don't know were to look it can cost more $$ but overall it costs us about the same or less because we dont' eat out much. My breaking point was some yahoo article about the grossest ingredients in your food that you don't know about and then the PINK SLIME in meat....yuck. Just sickened me. I found 100 Days of Real Food and it opened up a whole new world and way of thinking for me. I think combined with the sleeve it will work wonders.
Caution: Its like taking the red pill from the Matrix....once you embark on learning the truth about food, "fat free", Monsanto, big food industry it is hard to go back. Everything we have been taught and think we know is the opposite.
For example: REAL, grass-fed, hormone free, pesticide free, organic BUTTER is actually good for you. Its not a new found theory....our parents, grandparents, great grandparents new their farmers and fixed their own food and new what was in it.
If you are interested here are my favorite resources and bloggers:
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/
http://foodbabe.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Organic-Non-GMO-Report/98397470347
http://michaelpollan.com/
There is a whole real food world out there! Its amazing!

Best of luck to you. I'm the 12th also.. In between now and then I have a sleep study Friday, a 'PFT' (some kind of breathing test) Monday, meeting with my surgeon's office to pick up pre and post-op packets Monday, and a meeting with pulmonologist to go over to pft test results the following Monday...and finally ... Surgery the following Monday.
Personally getting excited but a little nervous about the first 2 weeks of pre-op diet and going 'foodless'.

I got the call today. May 12th is my date!!

I love Syntrax powder. It comes in a ton of different flavors. No sugar, 23 G Protein, no fat, no carbs, and no artificial sweeteners. The only downside is that I have to order it from Amazon. It's so tasty even the hubs and kids drink it in the morning!