Tracyringo

Thank you so much for your reply! I was trying to find out what is the medical reason for this. Everyone has been giving me advice on food choice, which I understand and accept but I was wanting to find out what the reason was for there not being restriction to begin with. This is the first time in my research and in reading replies that I am feeling like this connects to what I am asking. I did not stretch out the pouch, it has never offered restriction to begin with either time. I thought there was error in the first operation. It clearly was not though because the exact same thing happened the second time and now I am just now trying to see what is going on on the inside of me that creates this mechanism to begin with.

Unfortunately a lot of people are in the same boat after a revision. No restriction really stinks and is quite a shock when it is all said and done. We pretty much have a funnel where the food goes straight into the intestines, so the food just slides right on through is my understanding.
What are you eating and how often ? I find I get more of a fullness feeling when I eat solid Protein like steak or salmon. It really comes down to making the best choices you can in what you are eating and eating every 3 to 4 hours and make sure you dont drink until 30 min after a meal or you are just washing it out.

Had sleeve oct 2016 weighed 278. got down to 160! It was too easy. I wasn’t paying attention cause I would lose no matter what I did. After Covid and bad habits I’m back to 215. Feel like an absolute failure. This was my worst nightmare. I’ve hunkered down the past few weeks without any drop in weight. Like all the magic is gone. Take advantage of the honeymoon period, learn better habits. It’s horrible gaining it back especially when people know you had the surgery. Hope for a better 2021. And back under 180(my original goal). Good luck every one

Yes it does, particularly for those still considering WLS. He goes in depth on each type of procedure to help determine which one may be best for a person. He also goes in depth re: head issues, and life issues. I would sum it up that this book is more about the science/mechanism of the surgery and the psychological state of the individual, where as Pound of Cure is about our eating and lifestyle choice after the procedure.
One particular point he talks about in this book is the difference in how he counsels clients based upon age in an effort to maximize their success rate. For example, he talks about the increased challenges a younger candidate faces in having WLS say in their 20’s and thus having to potentially deal with pregnancy, career stresses, financial stresses ahead of them, while maintaining the weight loss for potentially 50+ years, vs. a 50 year old who has those major life stresses behind them and has maybe 20+ years to focus on managing their health and maintaining their weight loss. He’s not saying don’t have the surgery while younger, just realize the challenges ahead that can stress and derail you and try to plan WLS accordingly. He says it better than I, but you get my drift... lots of food for thought (pun intended)😉

In my opinion WLS is a magic bullet. It is the game changer when it comes to losing excess weight and maintaining the new weight.
We don't always succeed on the first try. Sometimes people need a second try or maybe even a third. Inadequate weight loss after lap band is quite common, revision to bypass also and many patients do quite good after revision. Maybe you want to do a quick medline search about this.
You're now a few years older and more experienced. Maybe you're now being able to handle problematic things in your life differently. You might also be more disciplined now when it comes to certain things. Think about your younger self and compare it to your now-self. I'm sure you're able to handle things way smoother than you did e. g. 10 years ago. The same can be true for this whole weight loss thing.
Of course there is the chance that you might fail again. There is always the chance of failing, doesn't matter if it's weight loss, learning a new language or performing at your job.
If we couldn't make these changes before any WLS at all, why is it possible for so many people after they had WLS? It just is because WLS is the game changer. Lapband is different. It doesn't provide the same hormonal changes a bypass does.
I always cringe when I read or hear this. "Dedicated". "Eliminate". "Avoid". Same with "struggling", "fighting" or "food is the enemy" etc. - being at war is so damn exhausting. Make peace with food. It's easier in the long run.
If you don't white-knuckle things you might discover something interesting: not all lifestyle changes are a struggle or need dedication in the long run. You might indeed discover (or re-discover if you were into sports in younger years) that exercise can be fun and fulfilling. Or that healthier food doesn't taste that bad. Or the opposite around, that this junk food is actually not as tasty as you always thought it is. You might discover, that when you feel more comfortable in your body and with yourself that you don't feel that need to eat in the same strong and overwhelming way. You might notice that you say "No, thanks but I don't want it now" when you get offered French fries or chocolate or whatever and really mean it.
However, there are many people who aren't able to maintain their "new lifestyle". I have no idea what makes or breaks this. I sometimes have thoughts in the back of my head that maybe some people are just lucky in reacting very good to WLS and don't actually need to watch their intake that much. They also don't live in the gym. When you browse around the board you're going to notice that maintenance calorie intake is very different in different people, even though their stats are quite similar.
Nobody can tell if WLS/revision to bypass is making it easy (or less hard) for you or not. I sometimes feel it's like playing the lottery. You won't know to what group of patients you will belong before you got the revision.
Short term weight loss doesn't really bring some benefits (someone correct me if I'm wrong please), however, one doesn't have to get to a normal weight to reap the benefit of weight loss. So many patients feel like "failures" because they don't get to a normal BMI. Yet, when you look at the studies actually not that much patients ever get down to a normal BMI.
And sh*t on "eliminating carbs". Like really take a big dump on it. (Years ago we should eliminate all fats, now it's carbs. I wonder what the future will bring.)

I think everyone is different. I had no issues giving up carbs or eating healthier, as long as I get results it keeps me on track. But everyone is different. I have a co-workers who had WLS and are strict about their diet years out and the results speak for themselves. I have co-workers who had WLS who aren't as strict, but don't have terrible habits, just the occasional 'bad' habit that still have good to decent results. Then I have co-workers who are years out and have gained back half their weight AT LEAST because they've gone back to their bad habits. (My place of employment has over 250 employees and weight loss surgery is fairly common there... I can think of more than a dozen people off the top of my head who've had it...). Personally, if you know that you have food addictions, then you should DEFINITELY see a psyche doctor regularly and they can help you work through it. I know if I start to struggle, I won't hesitate to make an appointment for myself if I feel I need it.

Oh man! Yeah, I could not vomit it up but I wanted to!! And it lasted at least 3 hours. It's weird. The scale isn't moving, but I see a big difference in my legs and face.

March 9, Almost 4 weeks out

Glad to hear you pulled through!!! What phase are you in? What day was your surgery?

Thanks everyone. Woke up feeling so much better. Was afraid at the thought of even drinking today, but Protein Shake is going down just fine. Whew! Sure did teach me a lesson! I was scared, cuz whew, that wasn't fun. Glad it's over. So thankful for this community who helps encourage each other through this!

I'm sorry, I know that's awful. I remember the combination of pain, nausa, and distress. Unfortunately I don't have any remedies because the one time when I overate, about 5 minutes into the ordeal I upchucked and that was the end of it. So I don't know if there's anything that can make you feel better but I do know what you're going through. Hang in there. Hugs.

Oof! So sorry to hear you’re in pain!
I have not yet experienced this. (I’m starting the puréed stage tomorrow). You’re in my thoughts!!! Hang in there!!!

This, too, shall pass. I was super lucky and apart from a couple episodes of feeling "stuck" never experience pain like you're describing. When stuff gets stuck, walking with your arms behind your head and breathing deeply can help because it pulls the diaphragm down and stimulates the stomach to move stuff along.
Hope you're feeling better and the sensation didn't last too long.

I believe that's called "foamies" and I have had it a couple of times. It will pass, and (hopefully) teach you a lesson! As you get further in, you will begin to recognize your "full" cues and stop before you get there. I have said this before, but my dog has gained about 15 pounds to keep me from having "one last bite" or thinking "this little bit shouldn't go to waste". Once I get the signal that I am full...down on the floor it goes!

I'm on soft food stage and did salmon tonight for dinner with cooked carrot. I hadn't eaten all day & I just wasn't thinking and I ate too much, as I ate so quickly. I have Stomach pains, I've heaved, but only saliva comes out. It's so freaking painful! Will NEVER do this again. Terrible feeling

I have Gerd and am really worried about it getting worse, surgery is 4/15?

I had an endoscopy done revealing bile reflux 3 years post VSG. I can say it was absolutely miserable I really couldn’t do anything without basically throwing up a little. I had issues with grazing so I opted for a DS instead of a Bypass but it instantly fixed the problem for me and I am so much happier. Typically a DS does not help with reflux but in my case it did and I feel like a person again. I would get the bypass.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Mentally, I think I’m getting there.

RNY cured my GERD, Gastritis and Esophagitis. Not on reflux episode since surgery in October 2020. I had the sleeve in 2014.

unfortunately, GERD does happen to about 30% of VSG patients - and revisions for severe GERD aren't uncommon. RNY usually (but not always...) will improve it if not cure it.
I would certainly do the bypass vs risk getting esophageal cancer, but then, I'm not you. Hopefully you'll get a lot of responses here from people who've revised for that reason - there are several folks out there..

This happened to me too. I had my psych visit a few months into covid lockdown and I kind of melted down when the psych asked me about stress and how I cope. Like you, I also got super honest and talked about a fairly new realization of how much I have used food to resolve anxiousness. I don't have a clinical eating disorder but absolutely have had unhealthy eating patterns that include use of food as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiousness. The psych ended up scheduling one more visit with me and referring me out to a therapist who I still seeing once a month. I was cleared once I started therapy and completed a 2nd psych visit.
Honestly, it's been really nice for me to be back in therapy again during this time. I was worried that being off work and recovering from surgery at home might be rough enough that I would have a depressive slump (I didn't, yay!) so it was really nice to be able to schedule an appointment for one week after surgery as a lifeline just in case that happened.

I appreciate your concern. That said, I honestly don't believe she was on a power trip or anything, and my follow ups will be with a completely different therapist/office/practice so I don't think it was money. This psychiatrist is used by the hospital for surgery approval quite frequently and the nurses and dietician I have spoken to did not give the impression that patients are often delayed by the psychological evaluation. I think I'm probably the exception, not the rule.
While it is true I've been in and out of therapy for years (21 to be precise), that has always been for depression and anxiety, and has never really addressed my eating habits or eating behaviors. Which does explain why even when I have my depression and anxiety under control (or what I feel like is under control), I was still gaining weight over time. Given some of the questions she asked regarding how long certain behaviors had been going on, and the responses I gave after some thought, what she was saying made sense and does apply to my situation. I very much appreciate that she was honest with me, and while I may not like the outcome, I do think that addressing some of the behavioral eating problems, in the same way I've addressed depression and anxiety, will be better for me long term. I don't expect they'll want me perfect prior to surgery, just in a better place since it's not uncommon for depression and anxiety to get worse after surgery for patients with both those chronic illnesses and disordered eating habits.

Okay, this might ruffle some feathers, but I think that’s a load of BS and I’m REALLY sorry that happened to you. We all self-medicate with food. Literally every single one of us uses food inappropriately in one way or another or we wouldn’t be seeking WLS. You’ve already been in therapy and isn’t that what would happen anyway? More therapy. She could tweak your meds without “failing” you. I’m sorry but I feel like you should be assertive and get another opinion. Seems like the psychologist might’ve been on a power trip and/or looking to increase income by ensuring future visits.

I'm throwing this here cause it's more of a rant than a question. Just wanna complain to some people who may get it. To get it out of the way, I am not mad at the psychologist, or the clinic or anything like that. I understand why I need more therapy prior to getting surgery and I fully agree that addressing problematic behaviors is important for long term success. The support of bariatric psychologists and support groups is why I decided to go with a hospital close to me that offers that stuff as part of the program instead of going to Mexico where it'd be much much cheaper as a self pay patient.
All that being said, I can't help but feel a bit down trodden and frustrated. I go to therapy frequently, and have for years. The past few years I've felt like I was doing really well. I hadn't had any major bouts of depression or anxiety that lasted for notable periods of time. There had been a few hiccups but they were promptly addressed and such. I thought I was gonna pass this thing with flying colors. Alas, nope. My psychologist that was evaluating me asked if any of the doctors or surgeons I had visited over the years had asked about my relationship with food cause she was seeing some concerning things, and honestly they haven't. That isn't to say I haven't talked with my therapist about my weight, it's just that eating patterns and behaviors themselves weren't ever really discussed. It was more just acknowledgement that depression and anxiety had contributed to weight gain. The bariatric psychologist also stated she doesn't think my current medications are working as well as I think, and that based on what I described as "normal" eating for myself, I am self-medicating with food in addition to the medications, and she'd like to make sure that I won't spiral once that food aspect is no longer a possibility. So I am now scheduled to see a therapist who specializes in bariatric surgery and disordered eating (she doesn't think I have Binge Eating Disorder, but she does think that my eating is disordered), and we'll check in 90 days later. The psychologist did repeatedly thank me for being honest though, so there's that 😕
I had a bit of a cry session yesterday when I found out. I am continuing to remind myself that the behavior and mental support part is why I chose to go with the hospital I did over other places. This is essentially what I wanted. I don't want to fail at this. I know it'll pass and a few months (hell even a year or two) is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of my life. It just doesn't seem that way in the moment and I'm just super bummed out.

🤣🤣🤣O M G. I am soooooo stealing that response if someone asks how much weight I want lose!!! I'm going to add that at 7.8 pounds I will be able to allow for a little 'wiggle room' if I fluctuate🤣🤣🤣