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While I'm not a human nurse, I am a LVT (licensed veterinary technician). I work ER , 10 hours shifts. I rarely get a real break. I'm not sleeved yet, but I do have band currently (which I hope to be revising in June). That is the real hard part for me. I don't get to sit down to eat. My surgeon is like you have to sit down for at least 20 minutes to eat. It's the law. Yeah sure, when we are slammed and pets are crashing, I'll get right on that. Which is I think the problem is why I graze at work. This is something I have to work on.

So, yesterday I drove all the way from my job in Stockton to my surgeon's seminar in Roseville--that was about a 90 minute drive in busy traffic. Dr. Waldrep is very informative and didn't make people feel like they asked stupid questions even when they did. He showed videos of band surgery and also explained bypass. The room was a mix of prospective bypass, band, and undecided patients. A woman there was supporting her husband; she was a former bypass patient of Dr. Waldrep's 'she'd lost 185 pounds. SHe told her story and that she had just run the California International Marathon 2 weeks ago--very inspirational. When we were leaving, I ended up being on the same elevator with her and thanked her for sharing. It was a long walk to the parking lot. She said to me, "Remember how you feel walking right now, and don't ever forget how this feels to you." I said, "I'd like to forget it right now." And she said, "But don't you ever forget. A year from now when you're thin, remember this walk so you'll never go back." Those words will probably stay with me a very long time. Dr. Waldrep's staff are also very efficient. I'm a bit annoyed because I have to redo blood work I just had done last month because they have a lab slip with all the blood tests and urine tests, etc, preprinted. What a waste of time to have a pregnancy test. For crying out loud! I'm 45 years old, the lining of my uterus was burned away in a uterine ablation and my husband's had a vascectomy. If I'm pregnant, that would indeed be a sign from God! This end of things is a bit conveyer belt -ish, but I guess it's their way of making sure everything is done. They have a very extensive website at www.salsa.md/ We began the meeting by getting weighed on a fancy machine--gave all sorts of body fat analysis reports and other inforamtion to make you want to cringe. Then they took the humiliating "before" picture" front and side views--not pleasant. I envisioned myself a year or two from now, with my "after" picture--me all made over, with a new hairdo, cute clothes, make-up, and high heels. My before and afters in a magazine or commercial for Lap Band. More likely, though, in my wallet as a reminder of where I was and how far I'd come. I weighed 2 pounds less than last week when I was at my doctor's. I don't think I necessarily lost weight as much as this is a kinder scale. So to date I have done my EKG--a non-eventful experience at my PCP--healthy heart :biggrin: Psych eval is on the 29th; nutrition eval is on the 23rd; I will get my new lab work and chest x-ray during Winter break, and my mandatory group support meeting, which is on Saturday. After that, I will be ready for my one-on-one with THE DOCTOR:biggrin:. Only a matter of weeks now before I get my surgery.

Not sure if anyone is going to read this, but I figure blogging about my journey will give me something to look back on. It will help me note my progress. Surgery date is still 32 days away. It's the Monday before Thanksgiving. I just weighed myself and am currently at 256 (and that's rounding down). I usually stay around 255. My story is similar to everyone elses so I won't waste time with the details. Let's just say, a lot of time and money spent with very few (if any) results. I'm 27, and I realize I'm not getting any younger. I have been reasonably health, but had a scare that pushed me to start researching weight loss surgery. I'm very glad that I did and I'm extremely excited. Although I'M healthy, my family has a history of diabetes and heart problems and I wanted to nip that in the bud ASAP. I know a common question among the board is who do you tell about this journey? For the most part, I've told everyone. Everyone I work with, my whole family, and a few close friends. Amazingly, every single person I've told has been extremely supportive. I even told one of my friends (who I thought would react negatively) and she surprised me by being supportive! I feel super blessed to have such great people in my life. However, I have this one close guy friend that for some reason, I can't make myself tell. I do have feelings for him, so maybe that's why? It's been stressing me out a bit, and I'm really hoping that after surgery, he doesn't ask how I lost the weight so quickly. I guess I'll just have to jump that hurdle when I get to it. Originally, this journey was only supposed to be a 3 month one. However, the doctors confused my insurance, and it ended up being 6 months. Which isn't horrible...I'm just glad I'm getting it done. All of my pre tests are finished (since I orginally thought 3 months, I got right on it) and everything came back wonderfully. I have my psychiatrist appointment on Monday (the 24th). For those of you that are curious, I only have to pay 80 bucks. He doesn't accept my insurance, but I found him to be cheaper than the ones that do! My sister went to him when she had her bypass surgery a few years ago, and she said it only took a few minutes! I'll make sure to blog about my experience afterwards. I have my last appointment with Dr. K on November 3rd and I still have to get my primary doctors approval. Still two more nutrition classes left! I expect to start my pre op diet on or around November 11th. Not too excited about that, but I am determined to make it through! Well, that's a lengthy first blog! The others will be shorter.

I really hope it's not a stricture! I was in the hospital for 9 days with complications and I'm so scared to go back. The pain isn't unbearable, I just didn't realize I'd be so sore for so long! However I did have a feeding tube placed during surgery and removed two weeks later which hurt a lot. I think youre right that my body just isn't ready for as many solids right now. I wasn't given a diet plan and didn't have any diet education (I had bypass for bile reflux not weight loss) and that's been a big struggle. Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

Just in case anyone wants to take a copy of the Changes regarding Lapband to their Dr.s appointments, here is the link to the PDF file - it is quite awkward to manipulate - so I copied and pasted the text into this post also. Tricare Manual Once it pulls up, choose "Section Affected by Change 66" Then Download the one named "C4S13_2". I also saved it as an attachment at the bottom - I hope it works. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 SURGERY C-66, December 10, 2007 CHAPTER 4 SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY ISSUE DATE: November 9, 1982 AUTHORITY: 32 CFR 199.4(e)(15) I. CPT1 PROCEDURE CODES 43644, 43770 - 43774, 43842, 43846, 43848, 43886 - 43888, S2083 II. DESCRIPTION Morbid obesity means the body weight is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure, according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table, and such weight is in association with severe medical conditions known to have higher mortality rates in association with morbid obesity; or, the body weight is 200% or more of ideal weight for height and bone structure. III. POLICY A. Gastric bypass, gastric stapling or gastroplasty, to include vertical banded gastroplasty is covered when one of the following conditions is met: 1. The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints. 2. The patient is 200% or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category. 3. The patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery (a takedown). B. In determining the ideal body weight for morbid obesity using the Metropolitan Life Table, contractors must apply 100 pounds (or 200%) to both the lower and higher end of the weight range. Payment will be allowed when beneficiaries meet all requirements for morbid obesity surgery including the ideal weight within the newly determined range. 1 CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government use. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 CHAPTER 4, SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY 2 IV. EXCLUSIONS A. Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction. B. Biliopancreatic bypass (jejunoileal bypass, Scopinaro procedure) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven (CPT2 procedure code 43645, 43845, 43847, or 43633). C. Gastric bubble or balloon for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. D. Gastric wrapping/open gastric banding (CPT2 procedure code 43843) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. E. Unlisted CPT2 procedure codes 43659 (laparoscopy procedure, stomach); 43999 (open procedure, stomach); and 49329 (laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum, and omentum) for gastric bypass procedures. F. Adjustable gastric band (open or laparoscopically) (CPT2 procedure codes 43770 - 43774, 43886 - 43888, and 90772). V. EFFECTIVE DATES A. Laparoscopic surgical procedure for gastric bypass and gastric stapling (gastroplasty), including vertical banded gastroplasty are covered, effective December 2, 2004. B. Laproscopic adjustable gastric banding is covered, effective February 1, 2007. - END - 2 CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government use. C-66, December 10, 2007

I know a few people that got gastric bypass and tried desperatly to get me to do that...even my doctor. I said hell no...they arnt rearranging my body!! I want to eat what I want and if it comes off slow...so be it. They would spout off about the quick weight loss...I know this person...I know that person...blah blah blah. Now the two people I know who had gastric bypass surgery this summer close to me are struggling to not eat so much. Now they see me and another freind and keep saying they wish they got the band. I feel bad for them but I tried to tell them I have seen too many people stretch it back out and that were fat again. I LOVE the option of getting a fill when I need it. And I really love the fact that my body works the same as it did before surgery:wink2:

People have choices. There are stories of both gastric bypass and lap banded people failing to lose substantial weight. On the other hand there are many stories of great weight loss by people going with either procedure.

I did 2 weeks if liquids. Today i am so excited for food. I got to have a little yogurt with apple sauce for breakfast. For lunch i had smashed brocoli wkth a little hummis. And in between i get protein shakes how does your body loose weight when i was on liquids i was loosing a pound a day now eating more wont it stop its progress?

I think I may go in April for the surgery. I will be going for the gastric bypass whenever I go.

I agree with the addiction transference theory(ies). A friend of mine that had bypass transferred to shopping. However, I don't think it's only bypass-related. I'm sure that's why we also go through the psych eval - to make sure that we don't have a past with drug or alcohol abuse so we don't transfer to former bad addictions!

The risks of WLS are much MUCH lower then the risks of being overweight and unhealthy. This decision is for you. But this decision will impact everyone around you. My wife wasn't "for" me getting the bypass. She was scared of all the things everyone is scared of. But now, she's dropped a bunch of weight as well, she goes to the gym with me. All of us are eating better. It's just as much for everyone around you, as it is for yourself. Don't worry about the "guilt"... it's better than the alternatives.

My bypass was 8/11 and they released me 8/13. Re-admitted 8/15 with acute abdominal hemorrhage and went home 8/17. No pain at all but super duper nausea. Good luck to you!

Sorry your revision was rough. The theory that the lapband is reversible is a joke. They have to remove all kinds of scar tissue and it is painful. Keep up with your pain meds the first three weeks. I promise it gets better each and every day. I would try Milk of Magnesia and see if that helps with the tummy problems. The first few weeks are a challenge, but I promise it will all be worth it! The sleeve works!

I have had Dr. Kwon place my lapband and I am currently working with him again to do revision to sleeve. He is great but strict. Do you have a surgery date yet?

My surgery (bypass) was yesterday the 27th. My surgeon said everything went well. He also repaired my hiatal hernia. Aside from the gas I was inflated with, I haven't had a lot of pain, just discomfort (I'd say 3 on a scale of 10). I took a nice long walk yesterday to help. I've been sipping icy cold water, which I know some have had problems with. Later this morning, I'm being discharged. Then the real fun begins. [emoji4]

I can understand you concern with the Barrett's Esophagus. I was worried that I would have damage as well. I hope you can come to a quick solution. I am currently working on meeting all the insurance requirements. My best guess is that I will have surgery in late Sept, early October. I actually lived abroad for my first surgery. My surgery team was great. Follow-up care great. For me, I think bypass would have been the best option initially. Are you nervous about having the bypass? There are several posts about people revising due to GERD and/or Barrett's. What insurance due u have?

I had my sleeve April 17, 2014 and for the past year my reflux has grown increasingly worse. I have tried numerous medications which helped some but not near enough.do not eat for hours before bed and I also sleep with the head of the bed raised. This has not helped either. The middle of the night seems to be the absolute worse for me. I wake out of sleep coughing and chocking and ultimately vomiting. This happens nearly every night now. I went for my 1 year follow-up on Wednesday, 7/15/2015 and my surgeon has agreed that it is time to move forward with the Bypass. I am so excited and scared all at the same time. I am not very patient and I just really want to know if the insurance is going to approve it. Knowing that relief is in sight is wonderful but I am going to be so upset if it does not get approved. I have tried not to think about it but it is hard not to.

I am a bypass patient, not a sleeve patient. I am sure I need to be more active and have a plan in place for exercise. I am also unemployed and need to find a job so maybe that will make a difference if I manage to find a job. I try not to miss meals because I know how that effects the body. You could be right, my body could just be going through a difficult time. Thank you for your comment 😀

There is also a band to sleeve revision forum - an excellent place to hear detailed input on this subject as this forum was intended for vets to discuss vet issues. I was a revision and can share my personal experiences but bottom line - with the sleeve I don't have food restrictions. Sleeve has been for me a good tool, whereas the band was a midevil torture device.

@@baoros - I feel your pain! I have lost 66lbs in 13months since surgery and lost 40 presurgery. All you CAN do is make sure you are on plan and if you are not change what you're eating. Change things up. Our bodies get used to what we do so change food and exercise up. Just keep plugging along. I have not exercised and I should start but I haven't done it yet, my bad. I don't like to complain too much because I have not exercised. Sometimes I wish I had gone with the gastric bypass. But I didn't and I don't really have the money to do a revision and I really wonder if that would help anyway. I am still losing but its very slow. I keep worrying about running out the honey moon period and still have weight to lose. Hang in there. I'm sure you'll get more replies. Think positive thoughts. You didn't mention your age so if you are older that might make a difference plus you have thyroid issues and I would think that would affect your weight loss too. You mentioned being tired. Are you taking Vitamins, are you eating enough? I had very deep exhaustion that lasted about 6 months. Its gotten a lot better but my energy is not what I would like it to be. Exercise, I'm sure would help that. Anyway...Maybe you could let us know more on your food and if you exercise...

I had my bypass about 7 weeks ago. I lost about 50 pounds leading up to surgery and 20 pounds after. I also choose not to tell people I had surgery. Now that it's noticeable, I've had people comment on my weight loss. Most people just say something like "You lost weight! You look great!" However....there are those people that want to know "How much weight did you lose?" I really don't want to give a number - for a lot of reasons. Usually I just say something like "a lot". Just wondering how other people respond to that question. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I'm 11 days out of from surgery, I had the Gastric Bypass and I'm feeling a little frustrated because I haven't lost anymore weight since that first week of surgery! I'm only down 15lbs. Am I doing something wrong? I feel kind of discouraged! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

hello - this is my first post. I did some research on Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy and discovered many patients need a second surgery. I am 5'4 and 373 pounds (eek). Am I correct that the VSG is the same as the Lap Sleeve? Is it normal for a patient to need 2 surgeries? My BMI is 64. "The VSG is a reasonable solution to this problem. It can usually be done laparoscopically even in patients weighing over 500 pounds. The stomach restriction that occurs allows these patients to lose more than 100 pounds. This dramatic weight loss allows significant improvement in health and resolution of associated medical problems such as diabetes and sleep apnea, and therefore effectively ?downstages? a patient to a lower risk group. Once the patients BMI is lower (35-40) they can return to the operating room for the ?second stage? of the procedure, which can either be the Duodenal Switch, Roux?en-Y gastric bypass or even a Lap-Band?. Current, but limited, data for this ?two stage? approach indicate adequate weight loss and fewer complications" I definiteky do not want to have 2 surgeries. Thus, what are some other alternatives? Is a second surgery always needed with the lap VSG?

Now if we could just get Chris Christie ( Gov of New Jersey) to do a band to sleeve revision! Maybe then people would stop asking me if I had a lapband! Geez! That's all people seem to know about WLS! Maybe Elliott will join our group?!

My dr recommends a Protein shake everyday forever, thinking that there's no way I can get in 80 gms of protein eating as much as I do. I'm 7 weeks out and drink maybe 1 a day at most. Sometimes I only drink 1/2 of one. I'm getting pretty sick of em and can't imagine drinking them forever. I was sposed to drink 1 forever after my lapband almost 4 yrs ago. After the first month, I never drank another one till my revision 7 weeks ago. It's a good idea, however, since I don't really count my protein. Hate counting anything...