alli.wakefield

I revised to RNY. I had reflux with the band so it was a no brainer to go to RNY. I use Vitamin Patches and so far no issues with Vitamin levels. I am not concerned. Dumping is manageable if you are even someone who does get it. I get it if I eat (or drink my Protein shake) too fast (large gulps vs sips...so I don't eat too fast, then I don't get it. Pretty simple. I haven' t tested out sugar (other than a bite of my husband's dessert) and that was fine. If i sat down and ate a whole dessert would I dump? Maybe...probably...i'm not going to try to find out.
I did ask my Dr about dumping because that was a concern for me (still wanted to have avocado with sushi etc). he said none of that would be a problem. He described a patient who would eat a bowl of Pasta, wait 15 minutes and then eat another one etc as the type of behavior that would cause dumping.

I got the lapband in 2013 and had some mild success but due to other complications I ended up with all my Fluid removed about a year ago. In that year, I've put on some serious weight and am now sitting at 330. I am 28 and recently married so as my husband and I talk about our future and kids, I can't help but panic. Between my PCOS, current weight and only one ovary, I believe that I will have an extremely hard time getting pregnant, let alone being healthy enough to carry the child to the full 40 weeks without complications.
I have an appointment with a bariatric surgeon on Monday and they offer both the sleeve and bypass.
I am still very undecided about which surgery would be the best option for me. I am terrified that the sleeve won't produce the results that I need to shock me into a healthy lifestyle permanently. I'm also terrified of the dumping syndrome or malnutrition if I do the bypass. But also, from what I've read the dumping syndrome is a good thing? Which just kind of confuses me.
Moving forward, I know I don't have the option to fail or 'cheat' post-op with either of these surgeries because it's my future potential family on the line, my world is more than just me now so I can't be selfish or self-destructive with my eating.
So what I'd love is all the advice that everyone has to offer. Informative articles, experiences, thoughts and opinions are all welcomed here! Thank you in advance!

Dumping syndrome is a tool. After you go thru it once you never want to go through it again. So you become very aware of the pre-triggers. There are various types of pre-triggers, such as sneezing, rapid accumulation of mucus, rapid changes in the way things taste, hiccups. These will appear just before dumping. After you hit a pre-trigger, if you eat one more bit, it can result in full blown dumping syndrome. The pre-triggers will be different for different people. But if you recognize the pre-trigger and act accordingly, you avoid dumping.

most RNY'ers don't dump (the number that gets thrown around a lot on internet forums is that 30% are dumpers, but I have no idea if there's any hardcore research behind that - but suffice it to say, not everyone dumps. I don't). Malnutrition is rare as long as you stay on top of your supplements.

Initially I wanted the Sleeve but my surgeon felt the Bypass was the better option for me. After reading up on both, I decided to go with the Bypass. I wanted to have only 1 surgery and was also concerned about getting Reflux with the sleeve. I'm 4 months out and very happy with my decision. I've not had any dumping episodes - I don't eat fried foods or things containing high sugar but I am able to have a Dark chocolate Hersey's kiss now and then. I'm able to eat most meats, cheese, nuts, multigrain crackers/bread, etc and don't feel deprived. Probably the only thing I miss is Pasta.

I suffered lots of angst over which surgery to go with. I sat down with my surgeon to go over the options. Basically, he told me that if someone has diabetes or serious difficulties bingeing on sweets, he recommends bypass. If they have a history of ulcers, he recommends sleeve. I didn't really fall into either category. We decided on sleeve because there wasn't really a reason to risk complications.
I am now eight days after surgery. I've found that I have to work on balance to maintain a feeling of fullness. I'm still on a liquid diet. If I don't make my drinks thick enough and get my 90 grams of Protein, I become ridiculously hungry. So far, I'm happy with the sleeve. but it's really too early to make a judgement. I've lost about 16 lbs in 8 days. I can let you know in a few months if I still feel the same.

I got the lapband in 2013 and had some mild success but due to other complications I ended up with all my Fluid removed about a year ago. In that year, I've put on some serious weight and am now sitting at 330. I am 28 and recently married so as my husband and I talk about our future and kids, I can't help but panic. Between my PCOS, current weight and only one ovary, I believe that I will have an extremely hard time getting pregnant, let alone being healthy enough to carry the child to the full 40 weeks without complications.
I have an appointment with a bariatric surgeon on Monday and they offer both the sleeve and bypass.
I am still very undecided about which surgery would be the best option for me. I am terrified that the sleeve won't produce the results that I need to shock me into a healthy lifestyle permanently. I'm also terrified of the dumping syndrome or malnutrition if I do the bypass. But also, from what I've read the dumping syndrome is a good thing? Which just kind of confuses me.
Moving forward, I know I don't have the option to fail or 'cheat' post-op with either of these surgeries because it's my future potential family on the line, my world is more than just me now so I can't be selfish or self-destructive with my eating.
So what I'd love is all the advice that everyone has to offer. Informative articles, experiences, thoughts and opinions are all welcomed here! Thank you in advance!

I have no experience with the sleeve but I know that a lot of people are successful. Frankly, either surgery requires discipline and hard work -- they are both tools to help your success. As far as dumping and malnutrition after bypass -- neither of these will be a problem if you follow the rules. I have, on very rare occasions, gotten sick after eating -- usually from eating too fast. I simply don't eat the things that I'm not supposed to! And my blood work has always been good. If you take your Vitamins, you will not suffer from malnutrition.
I wish you lots of luck on your journey. It is definitely a life changing decision but, in my opinion, completely worth it!

I got the lapband in 2013 and had some mild success but due to other complications I ended up with all my Fluid removed about a year ago. In that year, I've put on some serious weight and am now sitting at 330. I am 28 and recently married so as my husband and I talk about our future and kids, I can't help but panic. Between my PCOS, current weight and only one ovary, I believe that I will have an extremely hard time getting pregnant, let alone being healthy enough to carry the child to the full 40 weeks without complications.
I have an appointment with a bariatric surgeon on Monday and they offer both the sleeve and bypass.
I am still very undecided about which surgery would be the best option for me. I am terrified that the sleeve won't produce the results that I need to shock me into a healthy lifestyle permanently. I'm also terrified of the dumping syndrome or malnutrition if I do the bypass. But also, from what I've read the dumping syndrome is a good thing? Which just kind of confuses me.
Moving forward, I know I don't have the option to fail or 'cheat' post-op with either of these surgeries because it's my future potential family on the line, my world is more than just me now so I can't be selfish or self-destructive with my eating.
So what I'd love is all the advice that everyone has to offer. Informative articles, experiences, thoughts and opinions are all welcomed here! Thank you in advance!

I have only had the sleve, so I can't really answer your questions but just wanted to welcome you to BP.
I am sure there are people here who can help and support you with a revison decision.
Kate

I had a great amount of success with the band, but lost, gained, lost, gained....I ended up having issues eating anything healthy. No meat or veggie would go down without pain and I was only at 2cc in a 10cc band. I also never reached "green" so I ate slider foods....5 weeks ago I was sleeved and I couldn't be happier! I can eat healthy without that horrible "stuck" feeling. 25 lbs down so all is good so far! It is such a different experience! I still deal with head hunger, but I'm better at thinking through it and evaluating it properly. I also was put on metformin XR for PCOS. I have been off of it since surgery! Good luck on your journey!
Banded 2010 weight:327
Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253
CW: 228 GW: 155
Heather in Texas

Hello, everyone. I am a long time stalker, first time poster of this forum. I got the lap band in 2012 at 302 pounds (my heaviest ever, at the time.) After getting banded, I lost 35 pounds but I had to fight for every ounce to come off. I never felt like I was in the ‘green zone’ that the clinic continually talked about. I went in religiously for fills but never felt like I could eat small portions only three times a day and be satisfied. I even questioned my sanity and if head hunger really had that much control over me. After a year and only 35 pounds lost, when I needed to lose at least 150 pounds, the NP told me that I could not get any more fills. I was experiencing some stuck episodes but the NP said that my band was already at 8cc’s in my 10cc band and it wouldn’t hold any more Fluid. So I left bawling. Here I was – a year out from surgery, having paid out of pocket for this device that didn’t do bunk to help with the hunger like it claimed to.
So, I quit. I stopped eating healthy, I stopped trying, I stopped caring. I did that for a year and kinda maintained my 35lb loss but that was it. I eventually went to my primary care doctor who wanted me to start Metformin ER, but they are massive horse pills and because I needed the extended release, I couldn’t crush them. So I went back to my clinic and had all the fluid removed to take the Metformin. Well, long story short, I’m now sitting at 325 pounds. So I’ve gained back the 35 I lost in 2012 and have since packed on an additional 25 pounds.
Last month, I had family in town and many people taking pictures - full length, unflattering angles, kinds of pictures - and posting them online. I had a coming to Jesus moment when I literally didn’t recognize myself. I’ve never seen myself as big as I am. Last year, I had two friends get the vertical sleeve and both get phenomenal results. I’m finally ready to take care of myself and finish what I thought I started in 2012. I’ve contacted the clinic that both of my friends went through and have a consult set up for next Monday. Does anyone have any advice or a similar story? I am almost frozen in fear when I start thinking that because the band failed for me, the sleeve will too. I cannot pay out of pocket for a second bariatric surgery and not get results. I don’t think I can mentally survive that.