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So it been some time since I posted. I was sleeved in 2012. I was blessed with being the 5% with complications such as GERD and now I have a hiatal hernia. I was told the a RNY is no only option. I desperately tried to find an alternate solution to no avail. I would like to know a few things. 1) for those who have fed bc/bs., how long did it take to get a revision to RYN approval. 2) have you had any complications since the revision. 3) any regrets? I just idea of losing the with you have gained because of all the crackers they manage the GERD is appealing but I am scared out of my mind. A little depressed. Feeling like a failure.

I had a gastric bypass and it cured my acid reflux. My poop smells better than before. What’s weird is it doesn’t really smell like poop. Perhaps it’s more like stomach acid? I use a vitamin subscription service and my levels are normal. I take my vitamins everyday and rarely miss a dose. For me it’s been the best decision of my life. I’m healthier and happier. I think it does make a difference that I researched my doctor and hospital and went with a center of excellence and a doctor with no serious complications and very few non serious complications. Good luck with your surgery! HW 227 SW 221 11/27/18 GW1 184 GW2 154 CW 154 GW3 135

I used https://texasbariatricspecialists.com/ Dr. Reddy performed my surgery in San Antonio. I was self pay, so I utilized there surgical center center in San Antonio. Most of their patients are utilizing insurance and they have a team of people that help get the insurance companies to pay. They do perform surgeries in Austin, Killeen, and San Antonio. They have two clinics in Austin, one south and one north. I picked them because they are a center of excellence. I will say that their pre-op diet and post-op diet appear to be one of the most strict from reading these boards. I didn't really vet that part because my main concern was making it out of surgery without complications. I had the sleeve done 6/11/18. You do have to buy their vitamins and shake stuff once prior to surgery, but they don't really push it. I also liked that they gave very realistic expectations during the initial seminar. I have a friend who had RNY done through BCBS and really liked her surgeon who is also in Austin, he recently took out her gallbladder as well. Dr. Abando, I believe he is in Cedar Park.

I was sleeved May of 2017. No complications other than some dehydration issues. I have lost 137lbs and gained a whole new life. Beginning about 3 months ago, I began experiencing quite a few digestive problems. I had no problem with having regular BMs post op but that all began to gradually change. I now go days without going. I haven’t went since Sunday and before that it was 8 days prior. My intestines feel awful. I have really bad heartburn from being so backed up. I have tried ALL the things. I can pretty much open a drug store at this point. I’ve even tried natural things such as magnesium and aloe juice. No success. I have also been dealing with other things too - hives like rashes, brain fog, vertigo.. I was talking to my sister in law who has a gluten intolerance and she said before she was diagnosed she had the same problems. I began to do research and everything I found on gluten intolerance is very similar to what I’m going through. I started to eat gluten free today and I have an appointment next week with a gastroenterologist - but I was curious if anyone else has experienced anything similar or developed a food allergy/intolerance that they didn’t have pre-op?

I had similar complications with my sleeve in 2014. I hope your doctor continues to work with you and that your new job will be understanding. I get that you want to keep it private, but there may come a time where you might want to talk to your boss. I am hopeful that they would partner with you.

Hey, lady! Sounds like we have had a similar experience so far! I was sleeved 6/13. I am struggling to get in my fluids, too. I haven't really been tracking my protein since my surgeon is more worried that I stay hydrated. I had a bit of a complication in that they tightened things too much at the top, so everything gets stuck going down and swallowing is painful. I have to go in 07/19 to have that opening dilated. For now, I'm getting IV fluids on Monday's and Friday's. I was super discouraged since I'm still in lots of pain, still on dilaudid, not getting fluid or protein in, have to get IV fluids....... while other people are like "I'm 5 minutes post op, in ZERO pain, and just participated in my very first marathon!!" 😂 You know what?!? It is what it is! 🙃 Everyone's journey pre-op was different... So it makes sense that our journeys post-op would be different, too! Either buy the Isopure, or get yourself some unflavored protein powder on Amazon... and shake it up in some diet ocean spray. I just started that yesterday, but I think it's going to help a ton! I'm really sensitive to all the over-sweet protein shakes. They are hard to choke down. I do have a favorite tho... IdealShape Mocha! It tastes great! 11g protein and only 1g sugar 😊 As far as regret, don't regret it, hun! Look at you! Down 21 lbs in only 17 days! You are almost in Onederland! 💃 That's incredible and the reason you did this, right?! Whenever I get discouraged (which is kind of often right now) I try to remember that! I'm down 17 lbs in 16 days! 234 on surgery day and 217 today! A pound a day?! What! That is so exciting! We've got this! It's just a rocky start... But we will get into a groove and be ok soon. Message me anytime! 😘

Hey Taylor (don't worry about not taking my advise, I wont' get offended and call you out for making your own decisions.) I hit 370 sometime in 2010 and decided to do something about it. I chose the band, the sleeve wasn't fully approved yet, and the bypass scared me. The idea of it being permanent changes to my anatomy bothered me. I wanted something that could be removed at a future date. So, I went with the band. Nov 2011, I had the band installed. Surgery wasn't that big of a deal, I was kept overnight because I have sleep apnea. Pain was moderate but tolerable. After what was covered by insurance, I was out of pocket somewhere around the 5k mark. I took 2 months out of work, mainly because I had to drive to and from Boston, and travel times were minimum 1 hour, upwards of 4 hours, so I wanted to be 100% healed before doing all that driving. I followed all the instructions I was given, got my fills and adjustments as required, and ultimately lost 70 lbs within a year or so. (combined with the pre-op diet etc). I'd get stuck on things maybe once or twice a week. Leafy greens and other fibrous veggies that didn't chew down to "baby food" were uncomfortable enough where I started to avoid them. I got stuck on lean meats, etc. So I got frustrated that, the healthy foods I was supposed to be eating, caused issues thanks to the band. I gained a bit back, then fought to lose it again, this happened a few times. I never could break that 300 mark, no matter what I did. The band was easily eaten around, things I shouldn't be eating... were the things that didn't cause issues. I became depressed, I felt like a failure, the band was reported to have all these amazing benefits... and I wasn't seeing them, I stopped checking in with my surgeon unless I needed some adjustments due to illness or getting stuck badly enough where my stomach swelled up. I was still way too overweight, wasn't eating as well as I should be, I just wasn't happy with how things were not living up to the bands reported outcomes. After almost 7 years with the band, I finally dragged myself back into my surgeons office, defeated, and I confessed to my surgeon that I was a failure. Boy was I surprised when she told me that my outcomes and dealings were typical, and that it wasn't me that was the problem, it was the band. She went out to tell me that 2 of the major manufacturers have stopped making bands and replacement parts for them. We discussed our options for revision, I was set on the sleeve. My surgeon said she refuses to do band to sleeve revisions because the staple line for the sleeve runs right across the band area, and that scar tissue build up at the band site increases the chances for staple line failure. She advised that others in the same practice would do the sleeve revision, but she won't because of the added complication rates. I trust my surgeon, and I really wanted her to do the revision because she installed the band in the first place. So, I pondered for a bit and finally decided that the bypass, as scary as it sounded, was my best option. Restriction only didn't work for me with the band, why would I think that restriction only with the sleeve would be any different. I needed the malabsorption to ensure that I would lose the weight I needed to. March 2nd I started my pre-op diet, March 21st I was revised to the bypass and I'm down almost 60 lbs since March 2nd. I truly wish I went bypass from the get go. The revision surgery was not uneventful. What should have taken 2 hours, took 6+. My band, even though all scans, imaging, scoping showed nothing wrong, the band was 100% completely encapsulated in scar tissue and took my surgical team more than 3 times longer to remove. I'm not even sure what would have happened if I left it in place. Hopefully that answers some of your questions, if you have more, please feel free to shoot me a message.

Hello! I’m Haley, 27 YO from Toronto, ON. I will be seeing my surgeon in the next couple of months, and have been told I will have my RNY by the end of the year. I feel like I have been waiting FOREVER. (Referral to Bariatric clinic August of 2017.) I have absolutely no complications, and all of my appointments have been a breeze. This is looking to be one of the most positive things that I can think of for my life, so I have started preparing. Practicing not drinking before or after meals, restricting my calories and carb intake, and adding in some moderate cardio daily. I am having this surgery not only to become a better version of myself, but to help with infertility problems. I have PCOS and it has gone into OVER DRIVE between the birth of my son, 3 following miscarriages, and losing and gaining back 60+ lbs two separate times. I want more babies, sooooooooooo bad. My husband is the greatest dad, and he deserves more children as well, and welp my ovaries just aren’t cutting it in my hormonal condition right now. I am also trying to deter a future almost guaranteed diagnoses of type 2 diabetes. My fathers almost entire side of the family has it, and I take after him to a teeeee. ( dad passed at 52 💔, aunt passed at 54) I have never in my life been ‘slim’ or ‘skinny’ and I seriously mean neverrr. BUT my family thinks I am crazy to go under the knife for this! They think because I’ve done well and lost 60+ lbs twice in my life that I should be able to do it no problem. I’ve tried explaining that it’s not the actual work it’s the maintaining and emotional state I get in when I’m putting in 2 plus hours at the gym 4 -5 days a week on top of maintaining a full time job in corporate, and raising my four year old to be a super hero. I want this tool more than anything ( except another baby) and I am sooooo ready to work it. My spouses support is seriously second to none. He has read every article, and just been right on top of it forever reminding me that he is here to support me. But I just can’t help feeling sad, and angry that my two best friends ( mom and sister) roll their eyes and change the subject when I want to talk about this journey. How have you dealt with close family members not being supportive? Did they change their tune after seeing your success after surgery? HB.

I've read a little about the gastric sleeve surgery. I have had the Lap Band back in 2007 and lost 100 lbs. I got pregnant and had to have all the fluid removed from my band. My son is 5 years old now and I'm back at my starting weight before I had the band. I can't seem to get back on track with my eating or anything to loose so I can have fluid put back in. I am thinking of having the gastric sleeve and feel like it would be an overall better option for me. I look at myself in the mirror and I'm disgusted. Help! Tell me how the sleeve is done. I've read so many things on complications of leakage and so forth. I'm scared now. LOL

They are trying to determine if you have sleep apnea. You may have shown signs of snoring. If your sleep study determines that you have sleep apnea, they will probably require that you obtain and use a CPAP device prior to surgery in order to minimize the risk of complications from the surgery.

Today I am still weighing in at 197 but I have definitely lost inches. I noticed that my workout clothes were becoming too big, so I made a trip to Walmart. I have always carried my weight in my lower body so I was wearing an 18 before surgery, and I was able to buy a 12/14 in workout capris. They are a tad tight, but the larger size was almost too big. I figure that as lose even 10 more pounds, the pants will fit perfectly. As for shirts, I easily fit into a medium again. It has been so long since I was able to wear that size...I just wish my lower body lost inches as fast as my upper body, LoL. As for exercise, I really want to start jogging again. I had a total knee replacement at 36 though, and I have had some complications. I need larger spacers placed into my replacement, but I just can't stomach the thought of surgery again. It is nothing that needs to be done right now, and I am trying to build more muscle to see if I can counteract it in any way. The weight loss so far has really helped with the knee pain, so I am interested to see how I feel in the next few months. For now, it is the elliptical and weight room.

When I met my surgeon I asked him if there as different risks or more complications in people my age and he said “your only 60”. I liked him right away! 😊

100% natural, human nature. Perfectly normal. In fact, if you didn't get scared/worries/anxious about surgery of this magnitude... I'd be more concerned. I'm going to agree with Kim... if those answers are what the therapist is telling you... they don't get their job at all. The surgery is actually much safer now than it was years ago, so the percentages of deaths or complications are skewed by the older figures. When I was getting worried about the "what ifs" of the surgery. I would counter those thoughts with different "what ifs". What if I don't get the surgery, how long are my knees going to last? What if I don't get the surgery, how long before I have a heart attack? What if I don't get the surgery, what latent weight related illness is going to rear it's ugly head? What if I don't have the surgery, how long am I realistically going to live being this fat? I knew I wasn't going to last as long without surgery and I am going to now that I've had the surgery. I feel better, I'm more energetic, I'm happier. And my whole is benefiting from my changes as well. My wife goes to the gym with me when she can, she's losing weight and feeling better. My kids are eating better because I'm eating better and we don't buy as much junky foods. The choice is personal, of course. But it does have positive repercussions for those around you as well. Whatever you decide, as long as it's what you want and what you'll be happy with, that's all that actually matters. Good luck!

I probably would seek out a new therapist. Those seem like really unprofessional answers from a therapist to a patient in this situation. Maybe I’m just being harsh, but it sounds like something a friend would say to reassure you while you’re having coffee, they don’t sound like therapeutic responses to your concerns. That being said, it is completely normal to have misgivings about surgery. I think most of us had doubts and fears before we went into surgery about the things that could happen. Fortunately I think most of us fear what will happen to us if we don’t have the surgery, and we stay obese more than operative risks. You are more likely to die from obesity further down the line from changing nothing rather than having surgery. There are a few posts I have seen with complications from minor to occasionally severe but most of us go through the operation and come out the other side with no complications. Don’t let your anxiety get the best of you. You jumped through the hoops to get this surgery for a reason! Best wishes!

Anyone else go through major ups and downs the weeks leading up to surgery? One minute I’m fine and confident in this decision, and the next I’m reconsidering going through with it. I have a new therapist but she’s no help... responds with, “You’re going to be totally fine!” Or, “Well you can always cancel if you want to!” And my favorite, “You’re really not that big, so maybe you don’t need the surgery.” MY BMI IS 42 LADY. I might have a pretty face but that don’t win the race, mmkay! A few weeks ago, I was scared that I would fail and not be able to control my eating after surgery. But now I’m seeing that I am fully capable of following the pre-op diet without cheating, and I feel more confident in post-op eating. But now my worries have switched over to the actual blood and guts of the surgery, and complications... it’s scary!! This is a very very BIG DEAL. Are all these emotions normal?? I’m sure they are... guess I just wanted to reach out to the community and get some helpful words of wisdom, if anyone has any to share. :)

Has anyone else experienced high gastrin levels, ulcers that wont heal and not being able to get enough fluid and protein down? I have had trouble since 4 weeks post op. No gastrin producing tumors found. I pushed really hard the 1st few months and heaved my way thru protein drinks and fluids. Was on TPN for 6 weeks. Now I stop fluids when I feel fullness, get a runny nose, get nausea or burping. I am overwhelmed and feel defeated. Any Suggestions? Nancy Q

Prior to surgery, I suffered severe acid reflux (Gerd). As a result I had gastric bypass because sleeve will only make the condition worse. After my surgery, my surgeon put me on Omeprazole (over the counter Prilosec), which was the same thing that I used for acid reflux. He said the reason why he prescribed this was to allow my stomach to heal properly. I took it daily for a year and then stopped. I am 5 years post-op and haven't taken it past the first year and haven't experience Gerd since. So you might see if your surgeon will prescribe Omeprazole (a proton-pump inhibitor) for you. According to the internet: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complaints after bariatric surgery, and they are typically associated with inappropriate diet and noncompliance with a gastroplasty diet (ie, eat undisturbed, chew meticulously, never drink with meals, and wait 2 hours before drinking after solid food is consumed). If these symptoms are associated with epigastric pain, significant dehydration, or not explained by dietary indiscretions, an alternative diagnosis must be explored. One of the most common complications causing nausea and vomiting in gastric bypass patients is anastomotic ulcers, with and without stomal stenosis. Ulceration or stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy of the gastric bypass has a reported incidence of 3% to 20%. Although no unifying explanation for the etiology of anastomotic ulcers exists, most experts agree that the pathogenesis is likely multifactorial. These ulcers are thought to be due to a combination of preserved acid secretion in the pouch, tension from the Roux limb, ischemia from the operation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and perhaps Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that little acid is secreted in the gastric bypass pouch; however, staple line dehiscence may lead to excessive acid bathing of the anastomosis. Treatment for both marginal ulcers and stomal ulcers should include avoidance of NSAIDs, antisecretory therapy with proton-pump inhibitors, and/or sucralfate. In addition, H pylori infection should be identified and treated, if present.

I am having surgery with Dr. Garber in New York City, he does single incision gastric sleeve surgery in the belly button that is “virtually scarless”. I am 31 and have a 32-33 BMI. He recommended I do the sleeve over lap band as he says they are falling out of favor due to complication risk. I don’t like the idea of a foreign device in my body. If I could have gotten a scarless gastric sleeve surgery when I was 21, I would have done it. It does not get any easier in your 30’s!!

Hi all. I haven’t been on here in forever. I developed severe complications after having my lap band for nearly 8 years. I had it removed 2 weeks ago yesterday and am already up 16.2 pounds since removal. I was 138 the morning of surgery and now am sitting at 155. I feel completely lost and discouraged because I have eaten small portions of quality foods since removal and it seems to not be getting better. Anyone been where I am and have any positive advice? I really need friends right now because I don’t have anyone that understands what I’m going through.

One of Tomkitten, my son's favorite all-time videos is "It's Raining Men" by Martha Wash and the Cancelled. He was playing,it off of You Tube, turned to me and said Those,ladies really could benefit from Bariatric Intervention. Yes, he inherited my,❤of BIG words. And truly, at the time they made that video,they could. Several of them looked at risk for cardiac complications. So as first nominees I vote for them. Number 2 would be Kim Jung Un , he is an un- happy fat little dude. and perhaps surgery,would make him a smaller happier person. WHO do YOU feel would benefit MOST?

Oh my gosh you are doing awesome!! You've lost more than I have and I had the gastric bypass. I'm unable to exercise yet though due to complications sadly... But congratulations on your progress!! Sent from my LM-G710VM using BariatricPal mobile app

I was sleeved May 29th, so officially 4 weeks out now. I have lost 18 lbs so far since surgery (only .8 last week). I think I hit a little minor stall here, so hopefully it picks back up this week. It would have taken me months of hard dieting to do this on my own before. I just hit the puree stage and have never been more thrilled about a few bites of fat free refried beans. My surgeon released me for exercise during my second week, so I have been hitting the gym with a personal trainer for the last two weeks. I was at around 350 calories until this week and just jumped to 450 with the purees. No major complications so far, except: terrible constipation (being treated), and acid reflux (asking surgeon about this on Thursday).

It has been a long time since Ihave been on this site. I signed up back in 2008 when I had the Lapband and like many of you I failed it. I am back to my pre-op weight and hating myself every day for it. I have decided to get the Gastic Sleeve and since my insurance wont cover it, I am planning on getting the surgery down in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez of Endobariatrics. I am currently scheduled for the surgery 8/29, although I have yet to send the down payment. I have spent the past 4 days researching Dr. Alvarez and I have found literally nothing negative about him. Either he is the best bariatric surgeon EVER or he has one hell of a social media department. My PCP has expressed serious reservations about going down to Mexico for the surgery as has my wife (who is Mexican). My biggest concern is any complications as a result of the surgery. My insurance will not cover any medical expenses that come as a result of the surgery and I am in no place to foot a hospital bill sans-insurance. I also have a concern about whether or not I will fail this surgery as I did the lapband. Anyways, I just wanted to vent and look for some moral support. Thanks for reading.

The first thing to do is to verify whether this loss requirement is that of the insurance company, or of the surgeon's program. Six month diets are fairly common for insurance companies to require, though the specific loss requirement is less common - that is more typical of some surgical programs, irrespective insurance requirements. Check with your insurance company - call them or find their policy bulletin on their website, which will spell out the specifics of their requirements. If indeed it is an insurance requirement, you might have to continue, or the requirement may be negotiated or appealed - your surgeon's insurance coordinator can help with that. If it is a requirement of your surgeon's practice, that can also be negotiated as this is not a standard requirement within the industry (you can go to another practice that doesn't have such requirements). In either event, talk to your surgeon's team - including whatever dieticians or therapists they may have on staff or referral to see if you can get to the root of the problem. Some programs may just reject you for "not trying" or being "non-compliant" while others will help craft a solution to your problem. You may have a greater than average metabolic problem that is inhibiting your weight loss, and this may point to the need for a stronger surgery than the bypass or sleeve - the DS is a stronger metabolic tool than the others and may be worth looking into, though your doc's practice may not offer it. It's better to investigate it now and understand it than get into a bypass that may not be strong enough and have to revise to it later - that's a real complicated revision that few can perform. Good luck in working this out....

Well, I want the band out eventually, partly because it has been there for 8 years and I don't want complications with erosion, and so I'm wondering if my band will be encased in scar tissue too at that point. It's not worth worrying about, as I'm having another go at the band again now. I thought my band was completely unfilled, but at the appointment today she said there were 8.5mils in and she took it up to 10 or 10.25. I think the 14mil bands don't give restriction until you have 9-10 mils in, and at that point even slight increases in the fill have a bit impact. She made me drink a lot of water in front of her to make sure I wasn't too tight, and decided first on 10.5, then on 10.25 then on slightly less than that, so the band was adjusted three times in the consultation to make sure I don't have to go back in days for an emergency aspiration. Matt Z if you're happy with your choice, then fine. But I want to try my band again once more time before deciding on something more drastic. However, you only live once, and so a drastic solution that works better might be a better choice in the long run as you have decided.