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Hi everyone, I had lap band surgery in 2010 and went from 330 lbs to about 215 in 2016, however, I started having some problems with the band where I could barely eat or drink anything and kept loosing weight rapidly. Went to the doctor and they did an upright xray with contrast and you could see that everything was stuck in the esophagus. The doctor said the band had to come out. Obviously I didn't want that and begged them to remove all fluid from the band and wait another week but that did not help. It turned out that there was a lot of scar tissue from the band around where it was installed. The doctor wanted to do a conversion during the band removal but the insurance did not approve since I was 'too skinny' and did not qualify. I asked the hospital if I could pay the difference between removal and doing the sleeve since they already had me there and all the staff, etc. but was told it was not possible and it would be $24,000 which I could not afford. After the removal I gained all the weight back and now I am between 320-325 lbs again. I had been with two employers since then but like most of them they specifically exclude bariatric surgery nowadays. Now I am with a new employer and they will apparently pay for it. [sorry for the long background story] I am consider whether to get a sleeve or bypass. After doing a lot of research I think a sleeve would be better since it is less intrusive and the stomach function pretty much remains intact and you don't have to take medication for the rest of your life. What do you all suggest?

Congrats and welcome! I also had surgery in Mexico (9/21/21) and had a wonderful experience! As others have said - trust the process - don't compare your journey to others - give yourself LOTS of grace and patience. All very valid, valuable pieces of advice. I would also add, find some community! Either here, or if your surgeon has a group of some kind, or some other place (I'm a member of BariNation and freaking LOVE it). Finding a support system is SO important. This is a life long process, you will be a bariatric patient for the rest of your life, so preparing your heart, mind, and body are really important. If you aren't already, maybe consider getting into some counseling to help with the mental & emotional pieces as well. It can be overwhelming at first, but YOU GOT THIS!

I’m sorry it has been rescheduled. I guess that’s another reason to go to Mexico. I am an RN and work for a major hospital group…in home health. If I worked for the hospital, they would cover 100%. Since I do home health….they have no bariatric rider so I have to pay cash. I never thought that I would get this far with it. I realize I’ve been on my high protein low carb diet just 24 hours, but not once did I stop and get a Pepsi or food. I took PB and celery, ate tuna and yogurt throughout the day. The hardest part will be spaghetti and potatoes. I love my pasta but that’s what has me at 254 pounds. We can all do this. Best of luck to you and keep me updated!

On May 9, I had a revision to my original gastric bypass RNY (2004). It’s called Endoscopy with Argon Plasma Coagulation. Basically they go down your esophagus to the pouch’s exit and zap it to create scar tissue which makes the opening smaller. I’ve had to go back to the post-surgery meal plan. I’ve worked my way up to chicken. I’ve lost 21 pounds since. It seems like it’s a slower loss than before, but maybe my body has grown accustomed to having the smaller stomach, and maybe the gastric juices aren’t as concentrated as they were. Here’s me now (top) and before revision (bottom). I’m glad this forum is here. I need the support from fellow bariatrics.

Bear in mind that you're likely experiencing withdrawals from sugar and additives addiction. The liver-shrinking diet is the worst bit. Food FOMO seems to really hit some people, but honestly, it's not a scary punitive life on the other side. I'm 8 months out, and can have a bite of things I used to love, but they no longer have a hold on me like they once did, so I can enjoy the bite, and not want another. Unsweetened Soy lattes are my treat, and I don't feel like I'm missing out at all. My brain will still acknowledge something delicious looking that isn't good for me, but my stomach won't want it. I just point it out to my partner with a "wow, how amazing does that look!" and move on. It's honestly been liberating. That said, some folks do need a bariatric therapist to push through their relationship with food and disordered eating. If you're really struggling, talk to someone who can help.

I almost backed out after being scheduled for surgery so I understand. I am 6 days post op and I am happy I didn't. I had to keep reminding myself why I was seeking bariatric surgery in the first place - which was my HEALTH!!!

I am having a hard time not blaming myself for being 100 pounds overweight and having high cholesterol, high blood sugar, fatty liver, and other health problems. How did I get here, I've been asking myself. I was under the most extreme stress of my life for the past several years. I lost track of the fact that stress can affect the heart and cholesterol, etc. or I would have handled things differently. Now I might be having heart problems, which I NEVER though would happen...I'm very careful not to eat foods that are high in saturated fat. Genetics are working against me. My father and brother were about 100 pounds overweight when they had sleeve surgery, and a few cousins had gastric bypass surgery. I've taken medications that affect the metabolic system, so I think that system is totally dysfunctional now. I feel like I've failed my body by not taking care of it. It makes me very sad. On the other hand, I feel like this body isn't really mine. The real me is hidden in this body. But I swear to you I've had the best of intentions. I have done some things right, like eating lots of vegetables and fruits and drinking tons of water. I'm making an appointment with a bariatric surgeon to discuss gastric bypass surgery. That day can't come soon enough. I'm looking forward to being on the path that you all have bravely taken. Has anyone else had feelings like these? I seem to be overcome by them lately.

Hey Sarah, I'm Liz (but call me Rusty). I've had WLS before but I'm starting over with the VSG. I, too, am in the learning process. I had a friend get one about ten years ago and she's met her goal and maintained very well with no issues. I've also been following a lot of bariatric forums and Facebook groups to see what other people are saying and experiencing. I've drawn a few conclusions for myself, but I don't know how well they might extrapolate to others, because I also have experience with WLS, losing a substantial amount of weight, and then having "life get in the way" and having it return. My first journey was because I wanted to have children. My second journey has begun because I have a severe health condition that cannot be remedied without surgery and cannot be corrected at all whilst I am obese (and I'm way past morbidly obese at the moment, so I have a long way to go).

Welcome. I simply watched a ton of youtube videos on other people getting their surgery and their journey Also watched youtube videos of the actual surgeries and made up my mind that way pretty much. From there i looked at different bariatric centers to get prices and read reviews and made my first appointment.

Hi everyone, My name is Sarah and I live in Connecticut. I am no different than all of you. Been On Diets whole life lose and gain back. I have been doing a lot of research on Bariatric surgery and would like to get advice. How did others begin their own journey to surgery? What was the best help for you guys in making this decision? I want to wish each and everyone here great luck no matter where you are on this hard journey.

Hello gang, I had WLS in 2004. I was one of the early lap band recipients in Australia under Prof. Paul O'Brien. I did great and lost 46kg (101lbs), but then life set in and I had two kids and a suicidal husband so I let the weight creep back up. I had a revision in 2013 due to a hiatus hernia so large I was having esophageal spasms. So now, I'm at the heaviest I've ever been, and I've got a ventral hernia that goes from my navel to my sternum. My surgeon said he won't even try to fix it if my BMI is over 30 because it will just come right back. He then talked to me about how the lap band has fallen out of favor because it was not as effective as the original studies promised. He suggested a revision to a VSG, and set me up in my insurance's approval program for WLS. The first step is the removal of the band and port and recovery from that. Surgery is scheduled for July 7th. After that I'll progress through the "hoop-jumping" to qualify for the VSG, which providing everything goes smoothly, I'll qualify for in October. So far no one has stated any pre-surgery weight loss requirements, but I have been studying the various plans and doctor's programs I've found online, as well as reading personal stories from support forums like this one, so I can get an aggregate view of the entire procedure both pre and post-op. I must admit that the pendulum swings widely across what I've seen, both in program execution and in individual responses. Of course, I realize that there are outliers on every scale, and I'm averaging what I see. I got this little binder from the program introduction meeting (Dignity Health), and I've been adding my own research to it, things like print out of appropriate bariatric (or equivalent) vitamins based on their recommendations, worksheets for tracking eating and drinking, pre and post-op protein shakes, mixes, and recipes, motivational type posters, and text documents on things like how digestion works, how protein is used by the body, etc. Note, all the research is stuff from actual university or journal studies, I'm not taking answers from Reddit or Quora as facts! I've decided the biggest issue I've seen is the grief process that hits people after the surgery when they suddenly realize they can't eat what they want. I've read a lot of threads (not just here) of people rebelling and hating themselves and hurting themselves because of this. I do not want to deal with this. I'm already working on changing my eating habits, albeit slowly. I want to be more in control of this transition than I've seen, So, if you've read this far, my questions to you are: Did you make any effort pre-op to really change your eating habits? Did you experience grief or regret post-op if you didn't? Did you regret your surgery for any reason OTHER than the food restriction/complications? Thanks for discussing!

TBH you are doing so well. 40lbs is a lot of weight to loose and you are on the right track. You should not change anything that your team has set for you. My dietician explained bariatric weight loss like a staircase. For every down step there is a flat step. If you track your food, { I use My Fat Secret UK} you know that you are in a calorie deficit. You can not fail. I am lucky if I manage 850 a day but I have had a difficult time since surgery. So am a little behind my peers. I once had a 5 week stall that had me worrying but the good people here put me right. Onwards and downwards.

Anyone use Bailey Bariatrics in Owasso ok

Hello, I am glad that you're progressing well. May I ask which Bariatric surgery did you have?

It is pretty normal to have a healthy amount of fear about the surgery. If it’s more than just jitters though, perhaps you could meet with the bariatric therapist to try to work through your fears. Or the surgeon (or NP) if they are about the technical stuff.

A revision is any kind of rework on an original (or revised) surgery. I had a lap band in 2006, I had a revision in 2013 due to it ripping my diaphragm open. Now I'm going to have a revision later this year when my surgeon first removes my lap band, lets me heal, and then does a VGS. You can have a revision to plastic surgery, say fixing a lopsided boob job, or something like a revision to a circulatory bypass. Bariatric revision is usually done because the initial procedure didn't produce the desired results. Sometimes they modifiy the original procedure or other times they change to an entirely new procedure.

My only regret is not doing it sooner as well. But you have to wait until you are ready. My suggestion is to go through all the insurance hurdles while you are deciding. If you still aren’t ready you don’t have to schedule surgery. Sure you may be out a few copays but that’s about it. It takes about 6 months with most insurance to get through the process and once you are ready the waiting is not fun. But take that time to really reflect on why it is that you need the surgery and learn as much as you can. Speaking with the bariatric therapist about any of your concerns is also a great idea. They can probably help you decide if you are ready.

One of my registration forms for the bariatric doctor says that recent alcohol use can disqualify you from getting the surgery. I drank heavily for several years and stopped about a month ago. I can't start drinking again and don't want to start again because of health concerns. Do you think this will disqualify me? I searched the forums and couldn't find any info about this, only about post-op drinking.

I'm watching a video given by a bariatric surgeon. Now I see that the surgery can get rid of things like high BP and heart disease. Good news! My only question is that, as long as you don't regain the weight, will these symptoms come back?

Hi, I'm considering bariatric surgery. I've been on a medication for decades and have ended up weighing 250 lbs at 5'3". I can't stop taking this medicine, and there are no alternatives. And as with everyone here, no weight loss or exercise plan has helped me lose weight and keep it off. So...as a result of taking this med, I have metabolic syndrome. That means high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and obesity. I've finally come to the conclusion that bariatric surgery might be my best solution. Has anyone else conquered metabolic syndrome (or any of these symptoms) with bariatric surgery? Thank you for your advice!

Collagen is not a complete protein, meaning it does not have all of the essential amino acids. Additionally, the amino acid profile makes it great for hair, skin, nail, and joint heal, but not at all beneficial for lean muscle mass. Most dietitians recommend that collagen NOT be counted towards your daily protein intake. By all means keep using it, I do everyday! But know that it is a dietary supplement and not a protein source. Plain protein supplements generally will NOT have vitamins because they are just that, PROTEIN. They are made for one thing, and that is to provide a supplementary source of protein. Some pre-made shakes do have added vitamins and minerals, which is great, but most bariatric patients will need to keep taking a multivitamin for the rest of their lives to care for potential deficiencies. A vitamin that meets the ASMBS recommendations should care for any vitamins & minerals you need, and anything you get from your protein shakes is a bonus!

Collagen protein is great for you but is not counted towards the daily amount of protein you're required. Clean Whey by BariatricPal is a whey protein isolate, which is optimal for bariatric patients https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-clean-whey-protein . Protein ONE by BariatricPal has vitamins in them https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-protein-one-multivitamin-calcium-iron-fiber-meal-replacement .

My surgery date is June 8. Have been told to be at the hospital at 5:30am, surgery scheduled for 7:30am. The practice I am using has 1-4 week plans. I’ve been told to follow the 2 week plan. The first week of it looks easy, but the week before surgery is shakes and water only…no matter what. My problem with that will be they only allow Bariatric Pal or Premier. I don’t really care for Premier, but I’m going to force myself to get used to them. Post-surgery any shake that meets the practice’s sugar and protein numbers is fine. I have a pre-procedure ZOOM call on 5/31, pre-anesthesia testing on 6/1 and a Bariatric Education post-op class and the date will be provided before I leave the hospital. There is something called Enhanced Recovery after Bariatric Surgery that is an important part of the practice’s protocol and everyone participates in that. I’m pasting a brief blurb about that below. That’s it for now. We have more kids suddenly testing positive for Covid in our school so I am back to wearing a mask. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve been scrupulous about keeping desks, chairs, door handles wiped down since September. What is Enhanced Recovery after Bariatric Surgery (ERAS Bariatric) and why do we use it? Enhanced Recovery After Surgery is a care plan that helps speed up recovery after your surgery. ERAS Bariatric involves teamwork between your health care providers and YOU! Good luck to everyone getting ready and those of you recovering.

This thread is older but for anyone still browsing: also check local Facebook support groups. I’m in a St. Louis one and Kansas City one and we exchange clothes all the time for my local. The KC one is my surgeons city and they have a clothing closet for patients. I bet a lot of major cities have Bariatric Facebook groups.

Checked blood pressure. All is good. Never been on nor needed BP meds. Blood sugar good. I contacted doctor but I have just had full panel of blood work done and all was perfect. He didn’t see overly concerned. Just wondering if anyone else had experienced it. I found an article linking an increase after Bariatric surgery. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8191276/