LouLou22

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@@Who'sThere The band sure is a fickle thing! Very thankful to be rid of mine. I wish you luck with the op. If you have any more questions then fire away Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Who'sThere I had my band for 3.5 years. They did an endoscopy on me where they found I had severe esophegitus. So the surgeon warned me there was a chance that he might have to do it in two ops. However, when he went in he felt comfortable enough to do both parts in one op. But took over six hours due to the scar tissue. Did you have many issues with the band such as sickness on a regular basis? That would dictate how much scarring and inflammation you have. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi @@Who'sThere I had the whole op in one. However, it was a long op. Over 6 hours due to the amount of scar tissue I had. With that in mind, my recovery hasn't been too bad. It was definitely harder and longer than when I just had the band, but on the whole it's been ok. As soon as I had the drains out I was moving around (that's the key, don't just stay in your bed). Went for walks up and down the hospital. Sat by the nurses station. Had a shower. Anything to just feel semi normal and get out of bed. With regards to the port, min was in a similar sort of place. No issues whatsoever and no pain. The most pain was internal, it felt like I had a stitch every time I coughed/sneezed/laughed. My energy levels haven't been particularly high, but I've just powered through. Went back to work after 10 days and on holiday to Iceland 2 weeks exactly after. I had no issues drinking from the get go. Water, Protein shakes, Soups all go down easily and can have plenty. Such a different feeling from the band!! No more of that drain feeling where it's slowly going down. Almost feels like I've had nothing done now, apart the tiredness which I've already mentioned (and the 28lb weightless). If you have any more questions let me know x Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all, I had a revision from Band to Bypass at the beginning of November. Happy to answer any questions! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't know about the US, but in the U.K you're not allowed to join the armed forces after WLS Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mine took 6 hours with a band revision - surgeon said mine was a tough one, lots of scar tissue etc Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm a little confused, where in her original post did she mention alcohol? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Are you in the U.K.? As I can help if you are! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi! I had a belly pooch (great word) before starting. So when I lost my weight, I had no choice but to have surgery to remove it. As for my breasts, I think I was about an f cup. When I lost all my weight, I was left flat as a pancake! So I had a tummy tuck and boob uplift/implants done at the same time. I won't lie, it did hurt. But it wasn't unbearable. Would I do it again? Hell yes! It completely changed my figure and confidence, it was the final chapter you know? Happy to answer any other questions Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

How is everyone's pre-op diet going? My op is 3rd Nov - eek! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow what a great story, thanks for sharing. A great inspiration. You look absolutely beautiful! Well done! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all, Am scheduled for a RNY on the 3rd Nov. Spending my time mentally preparing myself until then. Just had a question with regards to dumping. I've heard there's a % of people that experience this after a bypass. Is this from refined sugar, or does this occur with natural sugar aswell? I presume it differs from person to person. I suppose I'm just trying to prepare myself for all eventualities. Thanks in advance, Lou Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ooh @@facebro29 I love Crusha! I didn't know what was sugar free. I'm going to try the strawberry one... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all, I answered in response to another topic, but thought I would share here also. I see a lot of questions regarding Protein shakes...mainly cause they taste synthetic and disgusting. Well, i have perfected a go to recipe that will be seeing me through the first stages of my bypass (I previously lost with the band and got big into Crossfit, so Protein Shakes have been a regular occurance in my life). Anyway, here is what I wrote - Holland and Barratt do a standard chocolate milk and egg protein that is the best one I've found (I'm in the uk, but I'm sure there must be a standard equivalent). I absolutely hate hate hate the taste of sweeteners and this one doesn't taste like that at all. Even better, mix it with a teaspoon of raw cacao powder (full of antioxidants), a tablespoon of Peanut Butter powder (low in calories and ups your protein even further), a few slices of frozen banana (great for the potassium levels) and finished with almond milk (antioxidants) and that, my bariatric friends, is a delicious chunky monkey milkshake!! Does not taste like crappy protein shakes, tastes like a treat - gives you a sweet hit without any sugar or sweetener. A great way to get in your Protein and up your calories a little during those all important first few weeks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey all, Holland and Barratt do a standard chocolate milk and egg Protein that is the best one I've found. I absolutely hate hate hate the taste of sweeteners and this one doesn't taste like that at all. Even better, mix it with a teaspoon of raw cacao powder (full of antioxidants), a tablespoon of Peanut Butter powder (low in calories and ups your protein even further), a few slices of frozen banana (great for the potassium levels) and finished with almond milk (antioxidants) and that, my bariatric friends, is a delicious chunky monkey milkshake!! Does not taste like crappy protein shakes, tastes like a treat - gives you a sweet hit without any sugar or sweetener. A great way to get in your Protein and up your calories a little during those all important first few weeks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all, Am new to the site so please be gentle I love reading everyone's posts. A little back story... I had the band when I was near 300lbs. I lost about 126lb after giving it my all, exercise became my friend and I was absolutely loving life. However, I always had trouble with the band. I hated the unpredictability of it - some days I was fine, others I could be throwing up multiple times a day. To cut a long story short, I am having a band to bypass revision at the beginning of November (after putting on nearly 5 stone). Am very excited! However, I'm sitting here feeling pretty disgusting after eating a family size bar of chocolate. I want to say that's the only thing I've eaten, but that would be a lie. So my question to you folks...what kind of fat person were you? Did you have have a mega sweet tooth? Gorg on takeaways? Just eat large portions? I suppose I ask because I am intrigued as to how you coped with this change post surgery? I most definitely have a binge eating disorder which I am looking into seeing a therapist about. When I had the band, my food portions weren't cut drastically overnight (apart from the initial period). It took nearly 6 months before I had any restriction, so worked my butt off during that time and took advantage of my new found motivation. My concern going forward is that I was always have this obsession with food...that I will always search for that 'full' feeling, that I will push it further than I should. Not out of greed per se, but more out of self sabotage (I seem to enjoy feeling rubbish about myself, it's what I'm used to). I'm scared of my life being dictated by food...or perhaps it always will be and I just need to deal with that? I just don't want to be fat anymore...or lose all the weight again, but just to put it back on again. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has felt the same and what your experiences are? Sorry for the rambling. Lou Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

How are you guys and gals feeling about it? I'm desperate to get it over with now. Am starting to worry that I may be one of the small percentage that has complications...but I think that's just nerves kicking in. Anyone else feeling that way? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

November 3rd, 4 weeks today Good luck fellow Bypassers! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I lost about 126lb. If you treat it as a tool rather than a cure, then there's no reason you won't hit your 160 mark good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Honestly? That I wish I never had it done and did more research on the other options. I was, on the outside, a success...but I suffered a lot to lose my weight and am about to go through revision surgery to Bypass. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Carb Killa Grenade bars aren't too bad! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@RJC5197 This is exactly what happened to me. 'Normal' food did not go down, but chocolate and biscuits would all too easily slip down. So I got into a habit of eating sugar in replacement of proper meals and I haven't managed to get out of that habit. Even now when I can have normal food, I will always choose a sugary bowel of Cereal over anything else for dinner. I was originally looking at the sleeve, however the RNY I am hoping will help with my addiction to sugar. I'm an all or nothing kind of girl, and I (strangely) hope I am one of the percentage of bypass patients that suffer from dumping. However, am fully aware this may not be the case and I have to work on eating proper food and staying away from the white stuff. With regards to the therapist, I just want/need someone to dig into my brain and help me figure out why I punish myself with food. Because I don't feel good after I've eaten a whole packet of biscuits; I feel sick. But I will continually go back for me. I think, like most people have suffered with weight related anxiety, I've just always felt I deserve to feel like crap. Because a fat person isn't allowed to be happy are they! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all, thanks so much for your responses. It really helps hearing about other people. Number 1 item on my agenda today is ring around for therapists... Just want the bypass now! 4 weeks to go... However, this gives me some time to try and sort my head out somewhat. Thanks all again for your time and responses. Keep up the good work, love hearing all your stories. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App