Barbwired

3 minutes ago, BriarRose said:

I would not eat this - I have to be very very careful with artificial sweeteners. It has erythritol and sorbitol both which cause me to have the runs really really really badly. I cannot drink any of the weight loss shakes or meal replacers or these "diet bars" no zero calorie sweetened yogurt, no low cal/low sugar ice creams unless I read the ingerdients really carefully. Anyone with celiac disease of gluten intolerance also should be VERY careful with these.

I guess I'm lucky, I use artificial sweeteners all the time with no issues at all. Didn't realize how lucky I was I guess. :-)

Hello,

I just had a conversion from band to sleeve September 21st. I was banded in 2010 and loved it and did really well until a few years ago when the GERD became unbearable. They removed the Fluid from my band first and I had to wait about 6 months to get the surgery and I gained 40 pounds, the result of no restriction and not being able to work out because my gym closed due to Covid. Yes, I know I could have worked out on my own but I'm not good at that at all LOL. I've been doing fitness boot camp for years and it's the only thing that works for me. I need a coach to crack the whip, otherwise I tend to just stay on the couch.

The surgery was much easier than I thought it would be and GERD has not been a problem, but I am still on Omeprazole. It's too bad you can't have the revision all at once rather than having two surgeries, but it sounds like you're doing the right thing. I think this is pretty common now and most people do really well. My weight loss has been slow, partly because of my age (60) and because I still haven't been back to the gym, it's open again but I still don't think it's safe to go. Unfortunately for me if I don't work out every day I just don't lose weight. It's always been that way for me. I am glad I had the revision though and I'm trying to figure out a way to get my workouts in on my own. I'll get there!

I wish you luck on your journey, I'm sure you'll do well and I'm sure you're making the right decision!

I love these Wasa Crispbreads. Only 20 calories each and they're really yummy with a little melted cheese on top. Great way to have a snack and satisfy my crunchy salty cravings. Also makes for a nice lunch with some tuna or chicken salad on top. They also come in other flavors like rye, flax seed, sourdough etc. but this one is my favorite.

I am getting my revision from band to sleeve on Monday, September 21st. There was no problem with the insurance covering it but I had to go through the whole program again like I did with the band so it took months. Then Covid hit and all surgeries were postponed so it's been a long wait. I got my band in 2010 and loved it and did really well, but a couple of years ago I started getting horrible GERD that was caused by the band. They had to take all the Fluid out and since then I've put back on 40 pounds and I'm miserable. The fact that my gym closed and I couldn't go to my usual exercise class everyday didn't help either. I'm pretty sure your insurance will cover it, but it might take awhile if they make you go through the whole program again like they did with me. Good luck!

I don't know how you do it, you're a stronger person than I am! If I can't eat it, I can't cook it LOL!

I'm sorry but is there some reason why your husband can't cook for now until you're ready to eat solid foods again? It DOES seem very cruel that you have to cook what you can't eat. Again I'm sorry but that's just not fair at all to you.

9 hours ago, dave77 said:

Yep September 5 for me. I had a band in years ago that caused me nothing but trouble so that was removed in an emergency op about 5 years ago and now I'm going with the sleeve.

I loved my band and lost over 100 pounds but a couple of years ago I started getting horrible GERD so they removed all of the Fluid from my band, and then Covid hit so I couldn't go to the gym and I've put back on 40 pounds and I'm miserable. They're going to remove the band and hopefully do the sleeve in the same surgery.

Just now, Barbwired said:

I'm scheduled for 9/21. Terrified and excited all at the same time!

I should clarify; Had a band in 2010 and getting a revision to sleeve on 9/21.

On 8/17/2020 at 3:02 PM, vsg_britt_091420 said:

I am scheduled for 9/14. Looking fellow September surgery buddies!

I'm scheduled for 9/21. Terrified and excited all at the same time!

Thanks Sandra. Great job on your weight loss! :-)

Thanks everyone for your replies.

54 minutes ago, kossde said:

I am almost 3 weeks post surgery - transitioning from a 12 year old lapband to gastric bypass. I lost 200 lbs on lapband and gained 120 of it back over two pregnancies.

I am in shock of how ill-prepared I was for this transition. The lapband came so easily to me. I lost weight quickly, followed all the rules, etc. This time around, I am struggling to eat, sleep, take my Vitamins, etc. I am severely depressed (Covid-19 doesn't help this), physically uncomfortable, and I feel hopeless.

With that said, I've lost over 25 lbs in 2 weeks, I'm not having nearly as many actual eating problems as other people who had this surgery, and I know I'll get through this. I do not regret the decision at this time.

Thanks for sharing your story and I'm sorry to hear you're struggling. I'm crossing my fingers for you that things get better. Sending positive vibes your way!

On 6/28/2020 at 2:13 PM, Tim C said:

I had lad-band Surgery about 12 years ago. I went from 320 down to about 250 at my lowest weight, I am a 6 ft tall 62 year old male. I am back up to 300 and just not going to be fat anymore. I finally had all of the saline removed from the lap-band because I would wake up every night drowning in my saliva...it would not go down at night. I have been on several calls with the insurance company and the doctors office and have an appointment for late July to discuss removal and Gastric Sleeve the same day as I understand it. I am really excited about this! I would like to lose about 100 pounds. The nurse said she didn't think I would have to do the 6-7 month diet required by insurance because of my situation. Has anyone out there gone from lap-band to Gastric Sleeve and did it take long for the surgery to take place...ie, 6 month weight loss program or not? If you have switched from lap-band to sleeve please tell me how that has gone for you. Thanks

I also had the lap band 10 years ago and loved it. I lost over 100 pounds and life was good until the gastric reflux started. It got so bad I was aspirating stomach acid into my lungs and I had to sleep in a chair. They removed all of the Fluid from the band and the reflux went away and then I started on the track to get a revision to a sleeve. It seemed to me that I shouldn't have had to gone through the whole program for approval again but I did. I'm now waiting to get my surgery date finally after 6 months, which was probably a little longer because of Covid. Unfortunately having the band deflated and my gym closing (I was working out like crazy and now I've just stopped) I've gained a ton back. I'm so frustrated. Hoping to get the sleeve in 4-6 weeks, fingers crossed.

13 minutes ago, dmclaurin28 said:

The bypass surgery is better for you than the sleeve, the sleeve makes reflux worst

So has this been your experience?

3 minutes ago, barbara13339@gmail.com said:

I just wandered on to this site. I had my bypass 19 years ago. It is probably a bit different now. Iknow people who had a lap band and have gained back their weight. The bypass is harder to defeat but you can do it.

I would dump if I ate chocolate or candy and with alcohol.

I just kept eating chocolate and now I thrive om it. At first, I could not hold any liquor then it was clear and no it is anything at all.

I don't dump anymore. But I don't enjoy ice cream and I used to live on it. But I eat cake and other sweets. I am a big baker.

I was about 250 when I started out. Lost 80 and gained back 10. Not great given what I endured but I had a stricture and the fix for that enabled me to eat a lot more. Now I eat like I always did. So at 180 I was much better. No more reflux, which I had bad and I could walk without losing my breath.

In time I managed to get to about 150 and stayed there. Even got to 145.

Then something happened in my life to motivate me. Six months on WW with working out every day and I was religious about it. I got sown to 112 and stabilized at 114 - 115. It was not easy, but when you really want to do something, you will. That was over 3 years ago. I crept uo to 119 or so and got back to 116. I say am trying to get back to 114 but I have only done this half heartedly. If I really wanted it, I would. But I eat a lot of pizza and Pasta and candy and nuts and I drink and have wine on occasion.

The bypass is the best thing I have ever done for my health. I should have done it earlier. It totally changed my life.

Losing the extra weight was all me. I had to work for it. Now I wear a size 6 or even 4. Lots of loose skin, because of my age, but I look great and I am very happy. I hope this is useful to you..

I am 70 years old.

Thank you Barbara. Great job with your weight loss!

6 hours ago, Ann777 said:

Hi,

You will be fine! I, too, was a bandster for 10 years and converted to sleeve 2 months ago. The best word to describe my feeling is RELIEF! the band started out great but then it was too tight, too loose, too finicky from one bite to the next. I have lost 35 pounds and Eat the things that I like. I did away with complex carbs with the band so I haven't (and don't plan on) picked them back up. Best thing, I can eat fruits (All kinds) without throwing up.. You won't regret it. Best,

Thanks Ann! So glad to hear you're doing well.

26 minutes ago, BayougirlMrsS said:

Good for you. Only thing that was ever covered by insurance was 2009 banding (232lbs). My ER removal was OOP (2017 143lbs), and so was the Sleeve (8/28/19 173lbs).

Have you talked to him about the MGB?

No, this is all new. I will discuss it with him tomorrow.

12 minutes ago, BayougirlMrsS said:

guess i'm just one of the lucky people that didn't have acid reflux with the band. Banded in 2009, removal 2017 due to a slip from a stomach virus. Sleeve 11 months ago tomorrow.

Sleeve was the easiest sx i ever had. SW w/sleeve 173lbs. today 121

You guys have to know that there are other WLS:

• Gastric Sleeve Surgery
• Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy – VSG
• Gastric Bypass – Roux-en-Y
• Mini Gastric Bypass
• Duodenal Switch – DS
• Gastric Plication – Gastric Sleeve Plication

and others..... I was wanting the MGB, but my SX didn't do them and didn't want to go to Mex to have it done.

I paid 14k out of pocket for the sleeve.

Wow, thank goodness my insurance is paying. Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I meet with my surgeon tomorrow, wish me luck!

14 minutes ago, WishMeSmaller said:

I had GERD and a hiatal hernia for about 15 years. When I started to think about weight loss surgery and do my research, I decided gastric bypass with hiatal hernia repair was the right choice for me. I know I am not a revision like you, but I decided getting rid of GERD forever, and not taking the chance of having to revise later, was very important to me. I am almost 3 weeks post op now. The first two weeks I had a bit of regurgitation, but that has gone away. I will continue my proton pump inhibitors for another month or so while I finish healing per the recommendation of my surgeon and then get to drop them from my meds. Yay! My recovery has not been perfect. I have had three separate incidents of vomiting, likely due to the hernia repair, but I was able to go back to work full time last Monday after two weeks off. I actually feel great and have plenty of energy. I have not tried to eat anything with processed sugars yet, just some fruit, so no dumping at this point. I am glad to have the potential for dumping as a deterrent to eating processed sugars. I do plan to try a small piece of dark chocolate soon, just to settle that craving. At some point I will try a glass of dry white or red wine too, but it is still too soon in my healing process. I hope you come to a decision that is right for you. Consider what you are willing to tolerate in the future. Possible dumping vs. possible GERD and another revision. Best thoughts coming out to you!

Thank you for your good advice. I'm seriously considering the bypass now, even though I was dead set against it just a few days ago. Good luck to you and thanks again!

6 hours ago, Rhonda H said:

I am 56, and eight weeks out (would have been 16 if not for Covid-caused cancellations) on my revision from a lapband to a sleeve (plus a hiatal hernia repair). My surgery went fine, weirdest thing was not being able to have someone with me. I woke up super nauseated , I mean bad, so bad, but it was much better overall after 24 hours. The first few days were rocky - bad reaction to the oxycodone, the scopolamine patch tanked my blood pressure, but very little discomfort from the procedures. The big problem was that my GERD was still present, maybe even worse. I get it badly - my chest, back, neck and stomach feel like they’re on fire. I was shocked when my surgeon’s assistant told me that the sleeve was a GERD-inducing surgery, and if it did not subside after a few weeks a revision to a bypass would be the next step. At that point - and now- I’m like NO more surgery, ever! I honestly don’t know why this was never discussed, or that I didn’t discover it during my pre-research. No explanation. Fortunately, the GERD did almost completely subside, and I was rolling on smoothly (Although, I am able to eat more food and quicker than I should be able to...but still I’ve lost 21 pounds.) Overall, doing good, but I also realized surgery does not take away an eating addiction so I am getting a therapist to help me with that and feel confident about improvement. However!!! Yesterday I started getting slightly nauseated and a little heartburn which has exploded into full on mouth watering nausea and some of the worst GERD I’ve ever had. Carafate, protonix, dexilant and a ton of Tums later, I am in pretty serious pain, and even drinking Water makes me nauseated. I called the surgeon and he said at this stage that is probably from having food stuck in the small opening of my stomach. I hope he’s right but it’s just hard to imagine going from feeling great to feeling like I am on fire, and I haven’t eaten much in two days so I don’t know what food it would be. I’m very upset and worried right now because there’s no possible way I can live decently like this, but another bariatric surgery is just absolutely out of the question. I know this is really just a recount of my experience and not so much an answer to your question. If you would have asked me two days ago, I would have strongly recommended the revision but if how I’m feeling now is how it’s going to be, no way. Of course, I’m hoping tomorrow I’m just miraculously better. I think the really important thing is just to discuss thoroughly and completely the GERD situation with your surgeon......Best of luck to you!

Thanks Rhonda, so sorry to hear about the tough time you're having. I started out dead set against getting the bypass, but now I'm second guessing everything and thinking that's the route I might go. I can't bear the thought of spending my life having to sleep in a chair because of my GERD. I don't think people who have never had it understand how bad it is at all. I'm meeting with my surgeon on Tuesday and have a lot of questions for him. Good luck to you, I hope things get better for you!

Thank you all so much!

I really need your help. I got a lapband in 2010. It was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, I lost 100 pounds and life was good. Then the acid reflux started. It was hell on earth. I woke up chocking in the middle of the night and spent several months sleeping in a chair. They finally had to take all of the Fluid out of my band and the reflux is better but not totally gone. I don't have to sleep in a chair now at least, but without the fluid in my band and my gym closing (I was going 5-6 days a week) I've put on 40 pounds and I'm miserable. I had been on track to convert to a sleeve, but now I'm on here reading about people with the sleeve still having reflux problems. I can't go through that again so might consider a bypass instead but it terrifies me. I'm so afraid of the whole dumping syndrome thing and I like a glass of wine occasionally and I'm afraid I'll never be able to do that again. I would love to hear from all and any of you who have had a bypass and if you're happy about it or not. I'm beside myself trying make this decision and I would really appreciate any advice any of you can give me. Thank you so much in advance.

1 hour ago, copado said:

Hi.
You could also talk to your doctor about the use of a Proton Pump Inhibitor such as Pantoprozole (Protonix) which eliminates or reduces the heartburn by decreasing acid production. If it were me, I would also ask for an endoscopy to see if there is a hiatus hernia where the esophagus pases through the diaphragm. If you have that it could be more complicated. Also if you lose weight the fat between the stomach and diaphragm can get smaller and effectively make it easier for the acid to reflux. I would discuss that also.

Best of luck.

Thanks, all good suggestions but I am already on a PPI, have been for years and when my band was full and my reflux was at its worst it didn't touch it. I have also had endoscopy, no hernia. The refulx is just a horrible side effect of the band and my fear is that I'll have the same issues with a sleeve.

3 minutes ago, Foxbins said:

I did not have reflux before I had my sleeve, I developed it about 2 years after surgery. It made my life miserable. I regurgitated everything I swallowed, woke up in the middle of the night with acid filling my mouth and throat, and developed an esophageal stricture from the acid. I loved my sleeve and worked with a surgeon for several years to try to come up with an alternative to a bypass. We considered several options but none were as likely to work as well as bypass. I had mine on 6/29 and it has been a life-changer. No more acid. No more regurgitation. No more cutting food into tiny pieces to fit down a 12mm esophagus.

Please, think long and hard about a sleeve if you have reflux now. I was afraid of dumping, too, but so far, haven't.

Oh boy, so sorry to hear about this and thanks for sharing. I am thinking long and hard.

2 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

P.s. dumping usually involves heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness - sometimes nausea and diarrhea. But again, I've never heard of anyone pooping in their pants because of it, and 70% of us don't experience it at all. And also again, limiting/avoiding sugar will prevent it. I think people think it's a bigger deal than it actually is (not just you - a lot of people think that)

Thanks so much, I appreciate your good advice. :-)