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Tina Leo

Gastric Bypass Patients
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Everything posted by Tina Leo

  1. Yep. 100%. Had my revision March of 2021. My surgeon warned me that chronic diarrhea could be a thing - and it pretty much is. Some days are worse than others, and yes - sometimes even "emergency" diarrhea - but after all this time I have that narrowed down to when I have too many carbs / gluten. You can take immodium and when it is particularly bad, I do. Good luck. Invest in nice toilet paper. :)
  2. Sounds like you might have a stricture. This is something your surgeon needs to address. The top portion of your stomach may have developed scar tissue which is preventing these tougher proteins from passing into your pouch. Hopefully you have a weight loss clinic or a doctor monitoring you that can order an EGD to see if there's an issue. Good luck!
  3. Tina Leo

    Considering revision

    Hi! I'm revised Bypass to Bypass. I would only recommend a revision if your surgeon is 100% knowledgeable about bariatrics. As I understand it there are some unique challenges to a revision surgery - but maybe that is more in my case since I had a Bypass already. When they do a sleeve, do they distallize any of the connection to your intestines? In any case, if you do have the revision - weight loss appears (8 weeks out) to go much slower than before, but steady. I feel better this time around - and as you say, I'm treating it like a do-over as I'm older and wiser now - and much better able to keep up with the costs of vitamins and proteins. And - there are a million bypass friendly things on the market now - so many more shake choices - high protein snacks and things. I suspect the hernia can be repaired at the same time if your insurance will approve the bypass - that's the trickier part. Good Luck!
  4. I am near 2 months out from Bypass to bypass revision. Weight loss is slower this time around, but I'm actually glad of it. It is consistent and manageable- I feel good. My vitamin levels have been stable - a million times better than after my original bypass. I have a long way to go yet, but so far, worth it.
  5. Any luck on your end?
  6. I have BCBS of Illinois. Not Federal. I don't know yet what my out of pocket is total. After deductible - not much; I'll see if I can decipher the hieroglyphics on my Explanation of Benefits, but I haven't gotten final bills yet. 😅
  7. I originally had RnY bypass - and revised to a new RnY bypass. Further distallized the connection between stomach pouch and intestine; made a smaller stomach pouch, and removed some excess intestine from the first procedure. (The "Candy Cane" portion.)
  8. Hi! I used Memorial Weight Loss and Wellness Center in Springfield. Doesn't much help with the Chicagoland area, sorry. But, I do know they take patients from all over. They handled literally everything with BCBSIL. Both times - initial surgery and revision 11 years later. Dr. Orlando Icaza - surgeon. PAs and NPs on staff - are FABULOUS.
  9. Tina Leo

    Revision

    Have lost +25 lbs since surgery 3/16. Been feeling good - less tired than the first couple weeks. Had a weird abdominal muscle cramp that lasted 4ish days - surgeon's nurse was able prescribe some Flexiril, which helped and is now much improved - if I twist just so it twinges but not like that first time. I have taken no BP meds since surgery and haven't felt like my pressures were high. Recheck with the surgeon on Thursday this week. The sun is shining. I'm feeling good, and everything seems to be moving in the right direction! Grahamco - I hope your advocate is getting somewhere! Fingers crossed. 🤞
  10. You should call your doctor to get some IV fluids. Your body will not process waste if you are dehydrated... ask me how I know this. Try different water. I am super picky, but Fiji water goes down easier for me. Also add a sugar free fiber gummy. It doesn't sound like you are getting enough calories in either - so your body is keeping everything it can - it thinks you're starving. Try also Atkins Shakes (I like the milk chocolate and the French vanilla) - only 15g protein in them, but they are thinner and go down easier. These will give you some calories to tack on too. 160 I think in each. You must get more liquid in. Try all the things others have mentioned. Jello, Popsicles, Protein2o (I like Harvest grape) broth, etc. Gotta poop and gotta flush your system!
  11. I had my original bypass Nov 2009. Lost well, but regained it all. Since 2009 procedures and best practices have changed, so my surgeon updated my ..situation... to industry standard plus further distallized my anastamosis to allow for some Mal absorption again to get the weight back off.
  12. Tina Leo

    Super Bummed

    All good vibes from us to you, @Plutonium I'm on all liquids today and despite my disdain for water I'm looking for 80 oz. I've had... 8. Baby steps, right? LOL
  13. Tina Leo

    Super Bummed

    I'm sorry to hear you're struggling. I had THE SAME issue with water. Found that I love Fiji water. Its expensive but it tastes like something. I was told with the revision (coming up TUESDAY) loss would be slower than the first time around. Kind of like... our body is onto us. Try sugar free Popsicles and jello to get more liquids in. You got this!
  14. Tina Leo

    Revision

    Thanks! I'll check in after surgery and let you know how it went!
  15. Tina Leo

    Revision

    Best of luck to you! I'm nervous too - but we've done this once (in your case - more than once!) and we can do it again! Let me know how things go. If you'd rather connect on FB (I'm not here super often) - Tina Leonard (Girard, IL) please add me - we can chat thru messenger! YOU GOT THIS!
  16. Tina Leo

    Revision

    Hi! I am in your same boat. My original bypass was 11 years ago, and I am having a revision on Tuesday. It is a much more risky surgery because less is known about modifying a previous bypass. My doc is making a smaller stomach pouch and POSSIBLY distallizing (moving the anastamosis between stomach and intestine) further down the line. He tells me that after this process I will likely lose 10-20% of the excess weight. We shall see! Surgery 11am Tuesday. I should add that I see a bariatric team and they are very particular about candidates for revision; I'm not sure I would trust a surgeon who is not specifically doing WLS to make a revision recommendation. The science/data is just not out there yet. So! Good luck! See a doc who knows what they're doing! Let me know if you have questions - I'm happy to update along the way.
  17. Tina Leo

    Revision Pain

    Sip whatever liquid you are drinking. And take breaks in between sips. I have not yet had my revision - BUT - I had this issue the first time around - my docs office even gave me a whole sleeve of those little medicine cups (like for liquid Nyquil or whatever) - to drink out of, to prevent too big of drinks at a time. It is possible your vitamin and protein shake were taking up too much space all at once too ... Take any pills with clear liquid (water, crystal light, even Protein2o etc). Give it a chance to dissolve and move on - then protein shake. As always - CALL your doc's office if you're concerned. As they say - you know your body best and know when something isn't right.
  18. Tina Leo

    Revision completed

    Thanks for sharing all your information. I am scheduled for revision March 16. My original bypass was 11 years ago and will have my pouch made a smidge smaller and further distallize the common channel a little bit for a little malabsorption. I'm so ready! My only concern is return to work after the revision surgery. I was off 3 weeks with the original. I teach high school and came back for finals week, so had relatively easy days and then another two weeks off for the holidays immediately following that week of work. This time I'm only planning for 2 weeks - pandemic and all has made this school year a whole disaster and don't want to be gone any longer than I must. How long were you home for recovery? I didn't read all 17 pages of this thread yet - so maybe you mentioned that... but any advice you can offer is most appreciated!
  19. I'm scheduled for a surgical revision on March 16. My docs (weight loss clinic) do not recommend the endoscopic procedure. As they put it - its like a bandaid on a gaping wound - it helps a little but not worth the effort to open the package and put it on. Good luck!
  20. Tina Leo

    Revision

    You bet! Where are you from? Locally we have a Weight Loss and Wellness Center affiliated with one of our hospitals. They are phenomenal and do ALL of the dealing with insurance and appeals and all of that. I'm happy to share their information if you are near enough to Springfield Illinois and would like their help. My revision was initially denied as well, and within two weeks they had arranged a phone call with the insurance company's doctor and my PA. I didn't have to do a thing except worry!
  21. Tina Leo

    Revision

    REALLY? WOW. My surgeon's office talked like I'd be home for a couple of weeks. I do have to drive to go to work, but I teach High School so its not like I'm moving furniture or anything. I'll find out more on Wednesday at my pre-op appointment. I'm so happy to hear you feel good!
  22. I'm just behind you - revision coming March 16. How have you been recovering?
  23. Well, I'll have that information for you by the end of March. So far, my insurance is covering it - so I'll just have the copay. I have BCBS of IL. I have my pre-op appointment March 3, so if they give me a cost prospectus then - I'll be happy to pass it on to you.
  24. Tina Leo

    Revision

    Yes, my insurance approved after a meeting between my doc and theirs. My original bypass is not "industry standard" - that is - the candy cane part of the intestine that they distallized originally is too long and potentially holding food. While they are shortening that, they'll minimize my pouch and reattach a little further down to give me the benefit of malabsorption. It won't be as drastic as the first time, but it will certainly help! How is your recovery going? How long are you off work?

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