Nologoz

Taco Time deserves to be shut down for butchering Mexican food.
What kind of Mexican Food Restaurant serves Tater Tots as a side, but doesn't offer tortilla chips? ?
Also, they put ranch dressing on some of their burritos, instead of sour cream!
No bueno!

Had both done at the same time about 6 months ago. It was not easy. I needed help (especially the first 5 days), mainly because I was paranoid about the drains. I had four total. One in each arm, and two in on either side of the pubic area below the abdominal incision.
After 5 days it got a bit easier because the arm drains came out. I had the stomach drains in for almost 2 weeks. I didn't feel comfortable being left alone for long periods of time until all the drains were out.
Whatever you do, do not wait too long to take colase. Constipation is a b***h. I didn't start the stool softener right away because I was worried about getting diarrhea and not making it to the toilet on time. Big Mistake! Instead I became very constipated about 5 days post op.
When you can't use your arms, you don't want to have to use a suppository. The colase wont work right away if you start it too late. I added Metamucil to my Protein Shakes and that eventually helped get things moving. If I had to go through the surgery again, I would have started the colase right away.
Here are the things I did right:
1. I rented a lift chair for $150 per month. Look for a two motor chair that offers zero gravity. You don't want to use your arms to get in and out of bed. A lift chair will basically pick you up, and lay you back into a sleep position with ease.
2. Get an Amazon Echo Dot and some Phillips Hue bulbs if you can afford it. In my chair, I could verbally (instead of physically) turn the lights on and off whenever I wanted. It also kept me entertained when I was alert (news flashes, podcasts, audio games). When I was high on the pain meds, I would tell Alexa to play lo-fi meditative "zone out" relaxing, trippy music. Haven't been that "stoned" since my college years. You might as well enjoy the high since its legal. Looking back, I wish I could have had a nest thermostat, so I could have controlled the room temperature with Alexa. You tend to get hot and cold quickly when you sit around in a chair for days on end.
3. Toilet seat riser with handles on at least one side, for obvious reasons.
4. A Medicine Log Book. Write down the time, every time you take your meds. Its especially important with the pain meds. You will be very out of it and you don't want to OD because you forgot that you already took your pain meds. I would also use the timer/alarm feature on Alexa to remind me when the next dose of medicine was due.
5. A good quality blender for making fruit/protien smoothies. Get a Vitamix if you can afford it. If not, a Ninja or a Magic bullet should suffice, For some reason after surgery, prepackaged foods taste horrible. Getting high quality Protein is essential for a fast recovery. I blended bits of fresh fruit with nectar Protein Powder and ice. Flavors like Fuzzy Navel, Grapefruit, and Kiwi strawberry blend nicely together with bananas, pineapple, etc. Tastes like Jamba juice, but without the refined sugar.
6. Be as active outdoors as much as you can, the weeks prior to surgery. Do errands, play sports, go hiking, take a walk, go shopping. Get out of the house as much as possible. For 2-3 weeks after surgery, you will likely be stuck inside, in a chair, bored out of your mind. Don't watch TV at all prior to surgery. DVR your favorite shows and save them for after surgery. Trust me, you will have all the time in the world to catch up on your TV shows after surgery.
Hope all this helps. Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!

I think this is a topic that I can help you guys with.
Many moons ago (almost 10 years), I got the Lapband. It was put in at my highest weight...385lbs. I lost about 115 pounds in about a year...then gained back about half of the weight over a period of two years.
My band was filled way too tight. The only thing I could get down was junk food. I had lost my health insurance at the time...which is why I lived with it for so long. Fills were expensive, I couldnt afford to fill/unfill. I had terrible GERD. I couldn't sleep at night without spitting up Fluid. I was taking antacids (prilosec, tums, etc..) every day!
Long story short, I got insured again and went back to the doctor. I found out that my band had dilated my esophagus because it was too tight! They unfilled the band and life was good again. I could eat healthy food. I actually lost weight once I could eat other things besides sour cream, ice cream, and salads drenched in dressing.
Anywhoo...A few months later, I got the revision to RnY. BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE!
The weight has come off slowly since the revision. Most revision patients lose slower than first time bariatric patients. It has been 2 1/2 years since my revision, and I am less than 25 lbs to my goal weight. I can eat healthy food with no problems. Broccoli, steak, chicken, green Beans, apples...you name it...I can eat it. I now love whole foods and rarely touch junk food.
One word of caution I have for everyone is that the surgery alone does not fix everything. In addition to the support of my bariatric medical team, I also do the following:
1. Psychotherapy: Address the reasons why you are a compulsive over eater. If you need weight loss surgery, you likely have a food addiction. Find out what is causing you to turn to food for comfort. I see a therapist bi-weekly.
2. Diet: Get rid of sugar, flour, Pasta, bread, and rice. Those items are for thin people who need to maintain their weight. Not good for people who need to lose weight. Stick to Proteins, vegetables, and a limited amount of fruit.
3. Exercise: Find some type of physical activity that you enjoy. Do it regularly.
4. Support: Whether it is spiritual or just a support group, find a community that understands the problems associated with obesity. It could be a church or a medical support group. I personally go to O.A. (overeaters anonymous) even though I don't follow "the steps". I go for the fellowship and the weekly reminder of where I came from...and where I want to go.
Another tip... help answer questions on these boards. I don't do this often enough, but when i do, I find it is very therapeutic. Help yourself by helping others.

I think this is a topic that I can help you guys with.
Many moons ago (almost 10 years), I got the Lapband. It was put in at my highest weight...385lbs. I lost about 115 pounds in about a year...then gained back about half of the weight over a period of two years.
My band was filled way too tight. The only thing I could get down was junk food. I had lost my health insurance at the time...which is why I lived with it for so long. Fills were expensive, I couldnt afford to fill/unfill. I had terrible GERD. I couldn't sleep at night without spitting up Fluid. I was taking antacids (prilosec, tums, etc..) every day!
Long story short, I got insured again and went back to the doctor. I found out that my band had dilated my esophagus because it was too tight! They unfilled the band and life was good again. I could eat healthy food. I actually lost weight once I could eat other things besides sour cream, ice cream, and salads drenched in dressing.
Anywhoo...A few months later, I got the revision to RnY. BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE!
The weight has come off slowly since the revision. Most revision patients lose slower than first time bariatric patients. It has been 2 1/2 years since my revision, and I am less than 25 lbs to my goal weight. I can eat healthy food with no problems. Broccoli, steak, chicken, green Beans, apples...you name it...I can eat it. I now love whole foods and rarely touch junk food.
One word of caution I have for everyone is that the surgery alone does not fix everything. In addition to the support of my bariatric medical team, I also do the following:
1. Psychotherapy: Address the reasons why you are a compulsive over eater. If you need weight loss surgery, you likely have a food addiction. Find out what is causing you to turn to food for comfort. I see a therapist bi-weekly.
2. Diet: Get rid of sugar, flour, Pasta, bread, and rice. Those items are for thin people who need to maintain their weight. Not good for people who need to lose weight. Stick to Proteins, vegetables, and a limited amount of fruit.
3. Exercise: Find some type of physical activity that you enjoy. Do it regularly.
4. Support: Whether it is spiritual or just a support group, find a community that understands the problems associated with obesity. It could be a church or a medical support group. I personally go to O.A. (overeaters anonymous) even though I don't follow "the steps". I go for the fellowship and the weekly reminder of where I came from...and where I want to go.
Another tip... help answer questions on these boards. I don't do this often enough, but when i do, I find it is very therapeutic. Help yourself by helping others.

@nologoz I will add your advice to the journal I have started. I go back and read the jottings often . it keeps me grounded, reminds where I started and also where I want to end up.I am flawed like all of us but I am trying to be better. And if I can help or mentor a "newbie" that's a wonderful thing!
Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Today is one year from my bypass surgery. So much has changed in this one year. Both my life and I are unrecognisable.
Now I am going to attempt to post the obligatory before and after shots.   (please disregard my messy closet in the "after" picture!)

Hi Cheri,
Your post brings back memories. I was very afraid to have Band to RnY revision before I had it done. Your story is a bit different than mine in that you are only 60 lbs from goal. I was much heavier, which is why it was probably an easier decision for me.
That being said, my experience with RnY has been so much better than it ever was with the band. It's hard to believe that a procedure that is so much more invasive has had WAY less complications than the lapband. I am 6 months post op and have had ZERO complications. My 6 month bloodwork just came back and everything is in the normal range.
I no longer take Prilosec or Get "stuck". I no longer cough at night and am able to sleep through till morning.
The best part...I can actually eat healthy! Vegetables, Steak, chicken, fruit, etc all go down. I don't need sour cream or Condiments to get em down!
Here's the deal. In my opinion, the lapband is a quick and simple surgery with a ton of bad side effects and post op complications.
RnY is a more complicated surgery, but after the initial healing period (2-4 weeks), things get WAY easier.
One word of caution...RnY still requires a ton of effort to lose weight. It is much easier to eat with RnY than the lapband. Like the lapband, gaining weight is possible if you eat the wrong things. The difference with RnY is that healthy foods actually go down (after a few months of healing).

Hi Cheri,
Your post brings back memories. I was very afraid to have Band to RnY revision before I had it done. Your story is a bit different than mine in that you are only 60 lbs from goal. I was much heavier, which is why it was probably an easier decision for me.
That being said, my experience with RnY has been so much better than it ever was with the band. It's hard to believe that a procedure that is so much more invasive has had WAY less complications than the lapband. I am 6 months post op and have had ZERO complications. My 6 month bloodwork just came back and everything is in the normal range.
I no longer take Prilosec or Get "stuck". I no longer cough at night and am able to sleep through till morning.
The best part...I can actually eat healthy! Vegetables, Steak, chicken, fruit, etc all go down. I don't need sour cream or Condiments to get em down!
Here's the deal. In my opinion, the lapband is a quick and simple surgery with a ton of bad side effects and post op complications.
RnY is a more complicated surgery, but after the initial healing period (2-4 weeks), things get WAY easier.
One word of caution...RnY still requires a ton of effort to lose weight. It is much easier to eat with RnY than the lapband. Like the lapband, gaining weight is possible if you eat the wrong things. The difference with RnY is that healthy foods actually go down (after a few months of healing).

This is a topic that hits a nerve with me.
My mother was the same way. I was forced to go on a liquid diet at 16.
My entire life I have had to hear her opinion about my weight. It makes me mad because the main reason I turned to food was to cope with her verbal outbursts.
Your Mom sounds like she had her good points, but unfortunately for me, my mother is mentally ill.
My mom has borderline/narcissistic personality disorder. The emotional abuse I endured as a child left me afraid, insecure, and destroyed my self esteem. The way I coped with the chaos and the family dysfunction was to "treat" myself with food. It calmed me down and made me feel better.
It has taken 44 years to finally understand how I became obese. Sure there are definitely hormonal and genetic factors that cause obesity...but throw in emotional abuse by a parent and you are left even more vulnerable to the disease.
I have never heard my Mother say I was beautiful without a "BUT" attached to it.
"You are so pretty BUT you just need to loose weight" or "You have such a pretty face BUT you are way too heavy to wear that outfit".
You would think after loosing weight everything would be better....wrong!
If she can't complain about my weight she turns to other things. When I'm thin I'm either "too young or too old to wear that outfit".
No matter how well I do professionally I should always "go back to school to get a better job/make more money"
In her mind, I have never been (and will never be) good enough, as is.
Now that I understand her mental illness, I no longer care about her opinion. It used to affect me horribly as a child and as an adult. Now it just makes me really mad. I have gone "No Contact" with her and I have no idea if I will ever be able to have a relationship with her in the future. All I know is I feel better now without her than when I was in contact with her.

My NUT and I recently had this talk, because I was concerned I wasn't losing fast enough to "get anywhere".(I just had surgery on 11/9/15). She said that the higher BMI's tend to lose slower BUT that they tend to lose longer. So it may take me 2yrs to reach my ideal weight with strict diet and exercise but it can be done. It bummed me out a bit, but it's nice to know there is no strict "ok you've got 6 months and then everything left is stuck forever".

I'm celebrating my 6th month anniversary today! I lost 91 lbs and have had no complications so far (fingers crossing this trend will continue).
Prior to surgery, my medical team stressed that most of the weight loss happens in the first 6 months, so part of me now is thinking, "Oh shut, what if I don't lose anymore?" I still have at least 30 lbs to go... so this better not be it. I don't mind losing more slowly as long as I can continue to lose.
I have loose skin, of course, and I guess I'll just have to live with it for now. But I'm happy, healthier and this is still the best decision I've ever made. I walk at least 2 miles (and sometimes more) every day and I go to Zumba whenever I can.
Sometimes I get sad/angry and wish I had done this 5 years ago, instead of having that stupid lapband placed. But then I remind myself that I did the best I knew back then... and when I knew better, I did better.
Here are my celebratory B&A pictures.

Hey Tina,
Your story is a bit different than mine. I had a dialated esophagus. You have gastroparesis.
Although they are two totally different conditions, I thought it might help for you to hear that after my conversion from Lapband to RnY....all my problems with the esophagus and GERD, and acid reflux went away.
I don't know how I lived for so long with that band. It was causing me major issues which have all gone away now.
I'm sure your doctor is skilled and knowledgeable and is correct when he tells you the surgery will help fix those problems.
I know it's hard, but try to go into the surgery with the mindset that this will fix your problem. That is what modern medicine is all about. Be grateful that you are in a position to fix the problem...instead of having to live with it for a longer amount of time.
Best of luck to you! Give us all an update when you are feeling up to it!

Veronda, I agree with everything you wrote.
It's so empowering to be able to eat broccoli and green Beans instead of junk food all the time. When I go to the restaurant I can order the healthiest item on the menu...instead of having to order something that will "go down''.
I finally feel human again now that I can sleep through the night. When I finally had the band completely unfilled I was so relieved. I'm so glad the RnY is nothing like the band.

Hey Marieze,
I just had revision surgery from Lapband to RnY about 2 1/2 months ago. My experience so far is that the physical stomach hunger is greatly reduced.
That being said...I have been surprised at the amount of Emotional and Mental Hunger that still affects me.
I am an overeater because I turned to food at an early age as a way to cope with childhood trauma. By the time I was an adult, compulsive overeating was habitual.
My eyes still crave certain foods. My nose is temped when I encounter certain smells. My mouth sometimes desperately wants to taste what it shouldn't have. My mind is constantly trying to rationalize why it's ok to eat pretzels and carbs that are not on my diet. My heart still wants to eat because it used to be the way I would "treat" myslef when I was feeling pain and discomfort.
My point is that there are many different types of hunger. The surgery only supresses the physical.
The good news is that the reduction of physical hunger makes it so much easier to fight off the other urges. But I have to say that the best thing about the surgery is that the lapband is gone.
No more coughing all night long
No more hicupping all day
No more resorting to slider foods
No more acid reflux
No more intolerance of healthy food
So far RnY is WAY better than the Lapband...but for me....I still need to put in a lot of effort to stay on track.

Veronda, I agree with everything you wrote.
It's so empowering to be able to eat broccoli and green Beans instead of junk food all the time. When I go to the restaurant I can order the healthiest item on the menu...instead of having to order something that will "go down''.
I finally feel human again now that I can sleep through the night. When I finally had the band completely unfilled I was so relieved. I'm so glad the RnY is nothing like the band.

Another user posted a thread about her mother and their awful relationship due to fat shaming. It made me think a thread on this subject could be therapeutic to some of us.
First off I want to say, I LOVE my mom. She is a wonderful person and I forgive her. She has her own body image issues and I forgive her.
My mother has tortured me about my weight almost my whole life. It started when I was 11 and she put me on a diet for being a little tiny bit chubby and taking second helpings. This was the first time I thought of myself as fat and I became very insecure.
Whenever I would see my mother she would ALWAYS have a comment about my weight, first thing out of her mouth. I was too fat, or too skinny. Never perfect. Always one or the other. It hurt my feelings and made me miserable. It really messed with my self esteem.
I was never overweight, always about 150 pounds, until I got pregnant. I ballooned to 250 pounds. Pregnancy was the first time in my life I wasn't on a diet!! I went nuts.
My mother just couldn't handle it. Constantly telling me how concerned she was about my weight, how she didn't understand how I could let myself go. She would watch what I ate and make comments about that. She would discuss my weight with family members and my spouse as if to stage and intervention. It was very hurtful.
But she did support me having surgery and she was there for me though my complications. Thank you mom. She is amazing and I know she loves me.
Now the tide has turned and she is freaking out about how thin I've gotten. Calling me anorexic and telling me she can't stand to look at me. It's hurtful in a similar way. But I admit it does give me some pleasure that I'm no longer being told how fat I am.
I just wish I could hear, you look beautiful! Just once.

Looking back at it, having the Lapband was kind of like auditioning for the RnY.
It was a tough audition, but it really taught me how to chew my food well and reduce the amount I swallow.
Also, once it was removed, it made me grateful that I was able to eat healthy again.

Hey Susan,
I had my lapband for 8 years. Started having trouble the last 3 years. I finally got up the courage to go back to the doctor in May this year. Turned out the band was too tight and I had a dilated esophagus. My doctor unfilled the band on my first appointment and told me I needed to wait 30 days to see if the swelling would go down. He told me if the esophagus returned to normal in 30 days that I could have revision surgery right away.
Everything moved very quickly. The esophagus returned to normal and I ended up having revision surgery by the end of July. The lapband came out, a hernia was fixed, and the RnY was performed all at the same time. There was some swelling and scarring where the lapband was attached, but otherwise the surgery went well. The surgery took about 3 hours. I was in the hospital for 3 days.
The surgery was more difficult to recover from than the lapband...mainly due to the length of time I was under. Gas pain was the main issue that caused me discomfort.
It's been 2 1/2 months since the revision and I feel great. I've had no complications and it's way easier to eat healthy now.

Hey Marieze,
I just had revision surgery from Lapband to RnY about 2 1/2 months ago. My experience so far is that the physical stomach hunger is greatly reduced.
That being said...I have been surprised at the amount of Emotional and Mental Hunger that still affects me.
I am an overeater because I turned to food at an early age as a way to cope with childhood trauma. By the time I was an adult, compulsive overeating was habitual.
My eyes still crave certain foods. My nose is temped when I encounter certain smells. My mouth sometimes desperately wants to taste what it shouldn't have. My mind is constantly trying to rationalize why it's ok to eat pretzels and carbs that are not on my diet. My heart still wants to eat because it used to be the way I would "treat" myslef when I was feeling pain and discomfort.
My point is that there are many different types of hunger. The surgery only supresses the physical.
The good news is that the reduction of physical hunger makes it so much easier to fight off the other urges. But I have to say that the best thing about the surgery is that the lapband is gone.
No more coughing all night long
No more hicupping all day
No more resorting to slider foods
No more acid reflux
No more intolerance of healthy food
So far RnY is WAY better than the Lapband...but for me....I still need to put in a lot of effort to stay on track.

Hey Marieze,
I just had revision surgery from Lapband to RnY about 2 1/2 months ago. My experience so far is that the physical stomach hunger is greatly reduced.
That being said...I have been surprised at the amount of Emotional and Mental Hunger that still affects me.
I am an overeater because I turned to food at an early age as a way to cope with childhood trauma. By the time I was an adult, compulsive overeating was habitual.
My eyes still crave certain foods. My nose is temped when I encounter certain smells. My mouth sometimes desperately wants to taste what it shouldn't have. My mind is constantly trying to rationalize why it's ok to eat pretzels and carbs that are not on my diet. My heart still wants to eat because it used to be the way I would "treat" myslef when I was feeling pain and discomfort.
My point is that there are many different types of hunger. The surgery only supresses the physical.
The good news is that the reduction of physical hunger makes it so much easier to fight off the other urges. But I have to say that the best thing about the surgery is that the lapband is gone.
No more coughing all night long
No more hicupping all day
No more resorting to slider foods
No more acid reflux
No more intolerance of healthy food
So far RnY is WAY better than the Lapband...but for me....I still need to put in a lot of effort to stay on track.

Thanks! I am definitely having rny. I'm scheduled for surgery next month!!! I'm excited and determined. I KNOW I WILL SUCCEED! I have a YouTube if you wanna follow me and see my journey. Let me know if you have one too... Mine is "Holly's Band to gastric bypass journey". Thanks for the encouragement it really helps!

Hey HCatt,
Thanks for sharing your story. I can relate as my story is very similar.
I know you are scared to try again, because you feel like you failed the lapband. The truth of the matter is that the lapband is not very successful for people with high BMI's. A lot of bariatric doctors wont even perform the surgery anymore.
I just had revision from Lapband to RnY about 2 1/2 months ago. I have already lost 50 lbs (including one month pre op diet). I still have a long way to go, but so far I am very happy with my decision to revise.
I'm not gonna lie. It has not been easy. I am still tempted to eat more than I should. My second month of weight loss was only 10 lbs because I was eating 3 healthy meals and not exercising. (I have arthritis of the knee and am waiting to loose more before putting too much strain on it).
After my 2nd post op doctors visit, I was told I needed to eat only 2 meals max per day and to substitute Breakfast with a Protein drink. I'm following his advise and guess what...the weight is coming off again.
My point in all this is to say that this surgery still requires a lot of hard work and willpower....but it's a heck of a lot easier than the lapband. I no longer have GERD, coughing at night, hiccups all day, trouble swallowing anything healthy...etc, etc.
RnY is way easier.
Weight regain can happen with RnY. I'm terrified it will happen to me as well...which is why I now see a therapist weekly and attend OA meetings once a week. My stomach hunger is almost non existant right now, but the mental and emotional hunger are still there.
Obesity is a lifelong battle (with or without surgery). I chose revision surgery to increase my odds of winning the war against this disease. You must remember that taking no action will inevitably lead to a life in a wheelchair. Once you are immobile the disease usually wins.
Whether you chose to revise or diet on your own...I wish you the best of luck!
But whatever you choose...don't give up the fight!

Hey HCatt,
Thanks for sharing your story. I can relate as my story is very similar.
I know you are scared to try again, because you feel like you failed the lapband. The truth of the matter is that the lapband is not very successful for people with high BMI's. A lot of bariatric doctors wont even perform the surgery anymore.
I just had revision from Lapband to RnY about 2 1/2 months ago. I have already lost 50 lbs (including one month pre op diet). I still have a long way to go, but so far I am very happy with my decision to revise.
I'm not gonna lie. It has not been easy. I am still tempted to eat more than I should. My second month of weight loss was only 10 lbs because I was eating 3 healthy meals and not exercising. (I have arthritis of the knee and am waiting to loose more before putting too much strain on it).
After my 2nd post op doctors visit, I was told I needed to eat only 2 meals max per day and to substitute Breakfast with a Protein drink. I'm following his advise and guess what...the weight is coming off again.
My point in all this is to say that this surgery still requires a lot of hard work and willpower....but it's a heck of a lot easier than the lapband. I no longer have GERD, coughing at night, hiccups all day, trouble swallowing anything healthy...etc, etc.
RnY is way easier.
Weight regain can happen with RnY. I'm terrified it will happen to me as well...which is why I now see a therapist weekly and attend OA meetings once a week. My stomach hunger is almost non existant right now, but the mental and emotional hunger are still there.
Obesity is a lifelong battle (with or without surgery). I chose revision surgery to increase my odds of winning the war against this disease. You must remember that taking no action will inevitably lead to a life in a wheelchair. Once you are immobile the disease usually wins.
Whether you chose to revise or diet on your own...I wish you the best of luck!
But whatever you choose...don't give up the fight!

It seems to working now. I updated my personal settings and the issue seemed to correct itself. Not sure what happened....I'm gonna blame it on a glitch in the Matrix.