terilynn112

Viactiv is Calcium carbonate, which we do not absorb as an RNY'er.

I just had rny surgery on 01/11/12 and I'm looking forward to chatting with you all as well! I've lost 23 lbs so far and I'm looking forward to more and more and a new me for 2012!

I hope you are doing well. The first recovery for me was easy. Then another surgery 6 weeks later made it difficult, then another major surgery in October, and my loss hasn't been all it should be. But I'm getting there. Slow and steady wins the race right?

I did pretty well with my band (the first year), since then its given me nothing but problems. I'm now to the point everything I eat gets stuck in my throat, I end up sneezing, and coughing and then throwing up (most solids). I know we aren't supposed to drink with our meals but the only way I can get my food (even mushies) to go down is to drink a soda with my food - it expands my pouch enough for the food to go down. It is the lesser of the two evils. My esophogus has stopped working and I have horrible gerd (which the soda doesn't help) - but at least I can eat something that way. I can't wait to have it removed and get on with my life. I was lucky for insurance to pay for mine - but am now trying to come up with all of the co-pays for the hosptail and my doctor. Are you going to get a revision to band?

Just keep pushing. It is your body. And take to heart the changes you really need to make. Are you ready to give up sugars? and that often includes sugar alcohols (which are found in sugar free candies)? And practice eating off a baby spoon and fork. They force you to slow down. IT does really help. I often walk away from food now because I'm tired of eating, because it takes so long, instead of because I'm full. I don't often have a full feeling.

teri

That sucks you had to get so much before your RNY. But they just wanted you to be healthy enough to live through it:)

I have to do a counseling session (shrink appt) on Monday and meet with the bariatric dr on Wednesday. After these appt they will inform me of the decision of revision! Did anyone else have to do this?

I had to go through all the pre ops of my band.... counselling, EGD, dietician, everything! Thankfully all but the EGD were quick and easy. However 3 months after my bypass I had another EGD and they nearly killed me. I had a toxic reaction to the numbing stuff. They gave me this blue dye and fixed it, but if they hadn't been on top of things I would have died.

that said> I'm now a year post op. AND loving life with my bypass and size 12 butt I had my 1 yr check up, and got a lecture about my Vitamins. I told them honestly they're what is causing my nausea, and that's not acceptable (Not normal by the way). So they're testing a few things, and I will get B12 shots. I've been put on a special Iron supplement (less likely to cause nausea), and have to suck it up with Calcium. But I'm down 83 pounds. And that's with less movement than I had with the band. I screwed up my knee running in June. I see an orthopedic surgeon Monday morning. Time will tell what's next for my knee then. But I have a referral for the plastic surgeon that works with my bariatric team for the 31st. They're looking at doing a panniculectomy removing that roll of skin in the bottom. That's the worst I have. I'd love to win the lotto and get the bat wings taken care of, and the extra on my thighs and calves but it isn't likely to happen. But I get yeast infections in my belly button from the binders I wear to keep it from bouncing around.

The other thing that has changed for me, as a dumper I can't eat much of something sweet or carby. But when I do, I don't get hit as hard as I used to. That kindda sucks. But I still dump, My heart races. I get sweaty. I get nauseated. And later, sometimes a day or two later, I'll sometimes get diarrhea. Not always.

Another thing that is kind of funny... my ring sizes have changed. I expected that some. But my shoes went from a 7.5 wide width to a 6.5 normal. WEIRD!!!!

well time to get the boys ready for bed.

Teri

Hi I'm Teri. I'm 40 yrs old. I gave myself the gift of a new start for my 40th birthday. Timing was perfect, I'd had my surgery long enough before my 40th birthday I started on puree's on my birthday. I went into my lap-band believing that was the tool that was right for me. Learned very quickly it wasn't. Started seeking a revision before 1 year was up. Had a long talk with my surgeon at one year. Said I had to wait until June (lap-band was placed 9-16-08) 2010. I started doing the appointments I'd need to get approved as soon as June started. Was approved for the bypass pending the results of an EGD in September. The EGD couldn't get done before November 17th. So then it was waiting on the results of the biopsy. Then it was scheduling. I could have been done the week of Christmas, but nope, I said no thank you. I had 3 small children I wanted to enjoy the holiday with them. So my magic date was January 11, 2011.... yup 1/11/11. Love that date. I went into revision surgery at 260.8 pounds. Most days I am at 183.0. So not quite where I wanna be, but 10000 times more healthy. My diabetes is cured. My sleep apnea is cured. My boarder-line high blood pressure is now low. I'm so much more active, and so much more able to enjoy my children. Have NO regrets.

teri

I actually gained weight with the band. When I had the revision I had to have my band empty for 3-4 months pre op. So it was emptied in August, hoping for a fall surgery.... My revision was a year ago tomorrow, and I gained from 240 to 260 in those months. I'm at 183 this morning. I love my bypass. Life is so much more "normal". Other than the handful of Vitamins that make me sick each day. UGH! I found it to be the Calcium that's making me sick. To important to not take.

if you have questions send me a pm. I'll answer you with honesty.

1. Were you able to do it in one surgery? yes

2. Did your insurance require any further 'pre-requisites' or did your band-pre work qualify? (I know all/most insurances will be different - just looking for examples) I had to do it all over again. All but the sleep study, which they have since added in for revisions.

3. What was the recovery like in regard to the band? I had an easy recovery, I was very tired. But was home taking care of my 3 kids within 3 days.

4. Was there a difference in the diet? I had similar diet to one of the previous posters, just longer with stages than with the band. I was 3 weeks liquids, 3 weeks puree's and 3 weeks soft solids, then gradually adding back in. Truth is I got stuck on the soft solids due to a second surgery (not related) and my pouch was super tight.

5. The Good and Bad of RNY for you? I can eat without it hurting. I don't puke. I do have nausea, almost daily.

I have no regrets about my revision!

teri

I take B12 sublingual 2500 mcg daily.

D3 in a chewable (natures pride from walmart) in 400 units x 3 chewables.

calcium citrate in 400 mg I take 2.

I take ferrous fumerate 50 mgs for Iron with

Vitamin C 500 mgs

colace twice a day

Miralax daily

and Fiber gummies.

teri

I never did good with the band. I Lost like 30 pounds total (counting in loosing it multiple times). Then it slipped slightly, they'd empty it. Add back, it's slip again. I got tired of the routine. Ended up being empty the last 8 months I had it, I gained another 30 pounds. It wasn't pretty. But I feel great now that it's gone.

teri

How are you doing? My recovery from the bypass was easy. I dare say easier than mine from my band. Only thing is I had an ulcer form on my bowel 6 weeks later, and start bleeding. It was because of adhesions. I lost 6 cms of my bowel because of it. They cleaned up what they could of adhesions, and I've been good since. Other than the Constipation. That is a big issue. But I don't eat much at all. Most days I can't even get two ounces of meat/food at a time. My body is often in starvation mode.

well my dog is yelling to go out. So I'll go now.

teri

Hi I'm teri. I am also a band to bypass revision. I'm 5 1/2 months post op, and loving life with my bypass. Like you I had significant problems with the band. I have issues with Constipation, but that's something I can work with.

Nice to meet you.

Teri

I'm a Lapbander gone Bypasser. I love my bypass... almost 6 months done, and 71 pounds gone forever. I'm a slow loser.

Teri

Well... I'm a band to rny revision. I had my band for 2 yrs 2 months and 25 days. It was 2 yrs, 2 months and 25 days to long. I'm not negative about the band in general, just my band and body did NOT get along.

I went into the RNY at 260 pounds, and am down officially to 189. That's HUGE for me. I was like 13 or 14 when I was last this low, and I hit 40 just a few weeks post op. It's awesome.

Teri

Absolutely!

I am currently 4 months post Revision. I'm down a total of 65 pounds and feeling great! I have developed a motility issue with my bowels, but that's minor now that we have it figured out. Was extremely frustrating when it first started. I'm in the 197 range. Seriously slowed down weight loss at month 3 and 4. Haven't been able to be as active as I want/need to be. Bad back.

Teri

I am also an RNY er now... started out with the band.

heartburn you should touch base with your surgeon.

I'm now 2 months post op now of my revision... and down 51 pounds. I gained up to 260 pounds prior to the revision, and am currently at an all time low for me as an adult. I weigh 209.

Teri

I'm a band to bypass start over.... I had the band for 2 yrs 4 months... I feel so much better, so much more normal in the eating aspect. I have lost 51 pounds in just over two months. I'm already cured of diabetes, and high blood pressure, and assumed I'm cured of sleep apnea.

teri

Wtg samari's.

I've now lost from 260 to 209... 51 pounds since January 11. It's the most i've ever lost. So far the bypass and me get along well. I'll post pictures if anyone is interested.

Teri

Just an update on me... i was finally revised on 1-11-11, and feel great. I've lost 25 pounds as of this morning. I'm back to doing nearly everything, although I still tire quickly. Some from the surgery, some from the less food/liquids I'm on.

Teri

I am no longer banded. I lost my band on 1-11-11 but gained an RNY. I have already lost 25 pounds in two weeks. So I'm pleased. And I've already lost high blood pressure, and my diabetes. I have developed sleep apnea since getting my lapband. the thought is, within the next three months I'll be cured of my sleep apnea, which is mild, and not requiring a cpap or anything.

Teri

I continue to wish you all well. My two year bandiversary was last thursday, and at this point I've gained two pounds. Some being Fluid.

My loosing the band, doesn't mean that i do not believe in it. It means I'm tired of slipping. My band has slipped twice in 2010. Which means I'm more likely to continue to slip. I've always had a pressure in my chest eating, first bite, or even a sip. I have had a nasty return of my reflux, and that fix was a hope of mine.

Teri

Well, my band will be gone by the new year, and the RNY will be done at the same time. I'm both glad and sad. Andy bandy and I just never got along well. Right now my band is completely empty, fearing yet another slip. And my weight is now above my surgical weight of 242. I am 244 this morning.

Teri

I see my surgeon tomorrow. May need an EGD, but have done the psych, and nut. Then I see the other I have to see on the 21st. They may be able to discuss me on the first wednesday of october. Which means, then they'd ask insurance approval, but mine doesn't do prior approvals, so they'd schedule me immediately. Unfortunately there is like a 6 week wait.

teri