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Hey girl, we are in the same boat. My surgery date is Dec 12. We are almost the same age. I was planning on the gastric sleeve but because of complications from my acid reflux I am now having gastric bypass. Text me 570-262-2942. We can be surgery buddies CONGRATS to you and good luck.

Skhopp, so sorry this has happened to you. It is my greatest fear. I had given serious consideration to the bypass, but decided against it for so many personal reasons. Do you think the bypass will help you? I mean it is also a tool in some way, because you have to eat a certain way just like with the band. Both procedures require a life style change to make them work properly, so I guess I am wondering if you can do that with the bypass? Take care.:grouphug:

Have you talked to your Primary Care Doc or whoever is helping you manage your diabetes? I know in the Info. Meeting I went to they said that Gastric Bypass is much more effective with Type 2 Diab. I think there probably is better results with GB, but that is because in addition to the restriction you get (like the band) you also don't absorb the fat and calories like you used to , which can be good and bad. What is your BMI? If you have a BMI over 35 with the diabetes you qualify with most insurers, but I know nothing about Medicare. Can you call them yourself and find out? Check out the Insurance section of this site and see what other Medicare users have experienced. Look online and see if you can find their policy. And talk directly with the person that deals with insurance at the office you are going to and see what they say. They are old hat at this and should be able to really help you with the process. With any bariatric procedure you are going to get out of it what you put into it. That 50% loss is an AVERAGE. Some lose less, and some lose more! So for those that only lose 10% there are also those that lose 100%. What are YOU willing to put into this to make it work? The lap band is just a tool to help you out. But if you aren't willing to do the work of changing your eating habits and exercising regularly then it won't work and you will be right where you are now, but with a bunch of scars and a useless medical device in your body. Keep us updated on what you find out.

I am only going by what I was told in the Seminar, but the Dr. said that they generally see an almost immediate resolution of Type 2 with the Gastric Bypass so if that is what you have then you may want to really look into that. It sounded like with banding it is not as effective on that form of diabetes. But otherwise if you are at 37 BMI and have Diabetes then I don't understand why they wouldn't pay. You have the comorbidity. Just remember that the Docs don't always know the ins and outs of insurance. Talk to the person that deals with them everyday. Forgot to mention that age also plays a roll. No idea what your age is, but if you are over 65 then you are less likely to be approved from what I have read.

hi All, I can search through zillions of success stories on here but not a lot of unsuccesful ones which is making me wonder if i'm the only one?? I was sleeved back in September and it all went textbook perfect. I had zero issues with recovery and was not in any pain or anything. I was getting used to eating small amounts but did struggle to figure out how much was enough. At first i was worried that i was eating too little, then confused because the amounts i could get in were not at all consistent. My last appointment was in November and i was told i'd lost 20kg which they said was a bit slow and could have been due to me previously being banded. Now i can eat a regular sized meal before i feel any signs of fullness. I haven't felt hungry since the surgery but i always feel like eating which i know is in my head. I can feel myself putting the weight back on and it's severely depressing. I dont weigh myself so i dont know exactly how much has come back. I had an appointment with my surgeon/dietician in march but i cancelled because i was so embarrassed. I'm feeling myself slip back into hopelessness. i dont know what to do. I got the surgery as a tool to help me get this weight off but without any encouragement ie. weightloss, i am slipping further into this depression and picking up old habbits of takeaway and junk food. I just dont know what to do. When i was banded everything worked so great. I lost about 50kg and felt fantastic. It's the only time in my life when i felt like i was actually living. Then the slip changed everything. It was torture not being able to eat anything but slider foods and feeling and seeing it all come back on. So then i think the sleeve will change everything and get me back to that happy place/weight and instead I'm feeling more hopless and lost than ever and like such a failure. Is there anyone else out there having problems with their weight loss/food intake? I'd love to hear from you and know that it's not just me.

I love November Nymphs. That is too funny! That is what I will be after I lose this weight. haha :kiss2:

I just made my 6 month surgiversary last week. Needless to say, the journey has just began. I stood on my scale this morning (day late from yesterday) and I have dropped down into the 170's at 179.2. A difference of nearly 68 lbs since beginning my journey last November. I am not sure what it was about this particular weight or those numbers but I was a bit in shock as I stood there looking down at the scale. I think it deals mostly with the amount of weight I still need to release/let go/fire (I don't generally say lose or lost if it is a purposeful act). With a goal weight of 145 lbs, 34.2 lbs seems just around the corner. I am not saying it will easy or even that I can tell my body where to stop. Hell, 145 is just a number I chose based on where they say I should be for my height and age, etc. etc. etc. What I have control over is how I choose to use this tool to my benefit and that is what I do. My diet is not perfect, and by that I mean I choose to sip diet coke periodically, and I haven't tracked in at least 2 months but primarily because my diet consists of the same things. I drink coffee for Breakfast or my first meal every morning. Granted, I use vanilla Protein for creamer. I work out 4 x weekly at a minimum and try to do active fun things on the weekends. It seems that I have began rambling at some point, so bear with me on this reflective outburst I seem to be having. I suppose 6 months is a good point to consider the way ahead; to determine if I am happy with progress thus far (which I am) or if there is something differently I should be doing to maximize this opportunity so as not to become complacent. The truth is, I don't know if I should change anything at this point...which means I need to spend a little time reviewing my literature and looking through the topics here. I guess the shock comes with not knowing what is in store for me, but being so far so quickly. I started with 102 pounds to let go; 68 of those have gotten the pink slip over such a short time. With there being potentially only 34 left to fire, I guess it bothers me that I do not have a true stop point; well not one that the higher ups (my body) is sharing with the lower level staff (my brain). Do I fear that I will be too thin? (not really, not yet). Do I think it will just stop all of a sudden or worse reverse direction? (I don't think that is it either). I believe it is more to do with...I can exercise all types of control over what I do, what I eat or don't; but the "goal" I am reaching for is unknown or out of my hands (arbitrary) and the one I set is just there so I can have an answer when asked. But next to asking how much have I lost, its the very next question people ask...what are you trying to get to, how much are you trying to lose, what's your goal? From now on, I think I will opt for a more realistic response: "The ideal weight for a female of my age and height ranges from 118 to 154 lbs based on healthy BMI recommendations" LOL I guess I will find out when I get there.

I am 14 days out from open surgery. I had to bypass due to complications I only weigh 99lbs so far am keen to start eating as soon as possible. I don't seem to have problems eating. Can anyone advice when it would be good to eat solids.

Hi Paige, Once again, I find myself playing devils advocate. You make valid points but they are so laced by your negativity, no one really wants to listen. THere is no PERFECT WLS. I have bypass friends who are sick looking, anemic or DEAD in their pursuit to be a normal BMI and healthy. I have lapband friends who have had numerous complications, several erosions, several slips, some pouch dilatations etc. I do not have any DEAD lapband friends although I know that there are a very very few that succumb to complications of surgery. I like the reversability factor because I do believe that one day there will be a pill or medication available to me to put my obesity permanently in remission. Since their presently is not and I had two small children to consider, I did not want a more dangerous rerouting of my anatomy and the band was a great option for me because of my problem with satiety. I never got full. We all know that the lapband is not a perfect solution and does not cure obesity. It is simply a tool to aid in weight loss and the patient must do the work (both mentally, dietary and exercise compliance) THe same applies to all WLS. Sure there are probably better options for long term like the DS as an example, but the associated risks are significantly higher even with a great surgeon and in my case, I was not prepared to take the risk. The band is actually quite barbaric in nature as a restrictive device rather than malabsorptive. Despite all my problems with the band (12 fills and unfills over 3 years, endoscopies, floruoscopies, and all the post op care I have endured, I still feel I made the right decision. Statistically, I am a success, but I busted my butt. Do not think it was an easy journey. I am still considered to be overweight, but I will take my size 14/16 over a size 28-30 anyday. Babs in TX 334/190 ish

For the past few days I have been attacked regarding the name "November Nymphs" and glitter/images in the signature being too large...and being used at all, for that matter. I just thought you guys might want to read it. I'm curious to see what your comments are. The tirades begin on the middle of page 35. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f80/i-hate-when-people-post-just-post-44270/index35.html

I like November Nymphs as well! Good idea!

Hi Misty and Pik, I had my gastric bypass yesterday and it went great. I have none of the nausea, cramps, or excess gas that was expected. I took GasX thin strips and I believe that helped a lot. I got up today and made 10 laps around the surgery corridor and didn't feel much pain at all. My stomach is sore now but just feels like I have done a lot of sit ups. I'm so glad it's over and I'm on my way. I lost almost 10 lbs on my pre-surgery diet. So I will be counting down from 221. My beginning weight was 247. Good luck to you and hope your surgery goes as easily as mine. Once I got to the hospital I was completely calm. My hubby was a nervous wreck though until it was over. Fran

I was hoping first week of November.

hi! i am robin. i am new here. i am having the gastric bypass on april 24th, and am becoming anxious to get this journey started.

I have Aetna as well. If I'm not mistaken. You only need a consultation with a dietician, and the rest is physician supervised which means your pcp. I had my surgery on Dec. 28. In November we discovered that while my doc was covered for surgery (i was using my surgeon for my monthly visits) the hospitals he was affliliated with was not. I had to switch surgeons 1 1/2 monts prior to surgery. My new surgeon just wrote a letter stating that they were taking over my care. This goes in the file. That way you don't have to start the program completely over. I would look into doing something like that. Also, were you assigned a case manager to help your through? Mine was wonderful at answering questions and helping me out. Just some thoughts.....

After discussing it with Doc, I am getting the bypass surgery, no reflux issues.

. Do you think you will ever get to try it again? Leatha, I can guarantee I'll never try the band or gastric bypass surgery again. My body just wouldn't accept it and I'm not willing to gamble on my life again. Its been too too scarey. I'll do my best on my own. I've come to realize band or not, you have to have the drive and mind set to make it. So I'm going to do my best on my own and enjoy every minute I can. I'm so thankful to have that chance again. Thanks for your thoughts, I really appreciate it.

Thats the PONT! If WLS is for life Why would you want it reversed? It only needs revisonal surgery if its going wrong and the complications again are rare and if like happen very early days. Unlike the band most people experience probs around 18 months to 2 years. It can be devastateing if the band has been great then suddenly slippes and needs removing. Not every one is likely to keep the weight off! You ONLY usually have the band removed when there is complications and the long term chance of complications are way higher with a band than any other method of WLS. A Doc will endourse the band if thats all there doing and most general practioners dont know enough about anything so have a say eather way. (in a specialist manner) A Specialsit bariatric surgeon should be skilled in all the surgeries and should have enough experience to assess a patient and there suitablility for what ever procedure. The patient should of course consult with the surgeon and heed the surgeons advice. This less invasive and reverasble thing is sooo repetative it seems like the laimest excusess for a band i have ever heard. It says you expect it to fail and when it does its easy to fix. Whats the point in entering into a lifetime commitment to change with the expoectation its likely to fail. All surgeries to some extent are reversable. The band completely reversabe and usually with that there is a very high chance the weight will regain. Thats prob one of the sole reasons why lots of insurance companies in the US dont fund banding and lots of people have to fight for it. Surly that tellls you something! i seriously cannot see why you would ever want it reversed if things are going well. And in most bypass cases things go well like the stats say there is higher complications probs with a band than any other method of WLS so again if this are going great why would you consider revision?

I had that happen because my mom and aunt had gastric bypass so the rest of the family figured I couldn't eat whatever I wanted to eat. You really can't win. If I eat something that's not really good for me at a big family get together I get policed. If I don't eat a lot I get people trying to force me to eat more even though I'm full. Even my mother will sit there when I'm eating and go "remember to CHEW CHEW CHEW IT UP!!!!! CHEW IT UP GOOD NOW!" like I'm 2 years old. I just shoot a mean glance and ignore it now but it was awful for the first couple months.

I had my revision from band to sleeve on Apr2016 and at that time I was a floor nurse on a telemetry unit. My revision was done in one surgery and only had to spend one night in the hospital and was released the next day with no complications. I took two weeks off and went back to work doing light duty for another two weeks. The first couple of days was very difficult for me, meaning that my abdomen was still sore and I had to be extra careful not to be doing any lifting or bending. I was mainly doing administration work such as patient admits and discharges and passing meds for those who needed help. After about one week of light duty I was feeling much better and had lots of energy. I still took it easy and followed my doctor's advice because I did not want to hurt myself in the healing process and I did not want to take more time off than I needed to. One of my co-workers had gastric bypass and she took six weeks off of work, not because she had complications but because she had that much time that she could use to take off of work. You know your body best and you don't know exactly how much time you need to take off before returning to work until after you have the procedure. I was ready to go back to work after two weeks but my body was telling me differently and that's why I was placed on light duty. I remember leaving work crying my first day back because I was in a lot of discomfort and felt I returned to work too soon. Listen to your body and take the time to heal and enjoy the new you.

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend... All I can say is that I knew someone that died of the same complications and I still went thru with my band. Today is exactly one week since my surgery and I feel great. The Dr. said no lifting for 30 days... but I have been holding my 20 pound baby and doing just fine. I would not tell anybody about it if you are worried about them saying stuff. Only my husband, mom and mother in law know about me and that is only because I needed a little help with the baby. Well, I take it back... some folks at work know about it, but they have had it done. If you want to be healthy and YOU are ready for surgery I think you should do it. That is great that your husband is supportive. Gastric bypass is a completely different story from banding, just as you said. Good Luck and let us know. By the way from what I have read all Dr.'s are different with diets. I was on a low carb (that I didn't follow) before surgery. After surgery I had 48 hours of liquids and now I am on mushies for 4 weeks. No PROBLEM. I am doing EXACTLY as my Dr. says. I have already lost 17 pounds!!! (yep, in 1 week)

Sleeves are more like we are than bypass people as neither banded nor sleeved people malabsorb. But most sleeved people eat around 600-800 calories for the first few months and then under 1000 until they finish losing, most banded people eat around 1000-1200 calories. 1200 is the calorie level used by orgs like WeightWatchers and it is perfectly possible to get a balanced diet. I have been banded fir nine years and am a regular on another board. In all that time, I have time and tme again seen it said that banded people need just one multi-vit a day. People may choose to take more, like calcium etc.. But the band manufacturers do not say more is required. I am not saying your doctr/nutritionist is wrong! But certainly very unusual!!!!

Please...3 months is rabid overkill, especially for a sleeve, band, or bypass. These are simple, minimally-invasive laporascopic surgeries. My sleeve was a same-day procedure: I was operated on in the morning and sent home that night. Those with no complications and sedentary jobs often return to work in 1 week. Those with complications, slower healing, and/or laborious jobs usually return to work in 2 to 4 weeks. But 3 months (12 whopping weeks)? The bariatric coordinator who said that is living in La La Land among the ivory towers and unicorns who fart rainbows.

I bet you didn’t think you’d see these two words - Valentine's Cheesecake - together in a bariatric nutrition tip, right? Regular cheesecake is laden with fat and sugar. This version can be a treat for Valentine’s Day that provides a good source of protein and some calcium. As a bariatric patient, you don’t have much volume in your stomach pouch. That means that you need to pack in as many nutrients as possible when choosing your foods. This recipe can be used before the pre-surgery liquid diet begins or after surgery when you can have soft and pureed proteins. For RNY gastric bypass patients, that means one week after surgery. For sleeve gastrectomy patients, that means two weeks after surgery. This treat is not only good for your heart, but it’s also good for your muscles and bones. Equipment: Medium mixing bowl Hand or tabletop mixer Serving dish or container that will hold ½ cup (4 oz.) Yield: 6 (½- cup) servings Ingredients 4 oz. fat free cream cheese 16 oz. plain, non-fat Greek yogurt ½ package (1 oz) Sugar Free, Fat Free Jello Instant Pudding Use a flavor of instant pudding you’d like (chocolate, vanilla, cheesecake). 2-3 packets Splenda or other sweetener 4 oz. Cool Whip Free Directions Place cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Mix cream cheese and yogurt until smooth. Blend instant pudding with cream cheese and yogurt until smooth. Blend Splenda and Cool Whip with other ingredients until smooth. Spoon into ½ cup containers. Adapted from Spark People Recipes Nutrition Information per serving: Calories: 106 Fat: 0 gr Protein: 10 gr Carbohydrate: 12 gr Calcium: 85 mg Enjoy before you go on the pre-surgery liquid diet and after surgery when you can have soft/pureed protein.

Surgery November 9th, Down 71lbs. Surgery weight 288, current weight-217(on June 5th) Been coming off slow lately. But that's all my fault. I walk stairs to the 14th floor during work days but haven't been to the gym and haven't been walking. I am happy with the weight loss so far but want to also get below 200. My original goal was size 16 pants but I want more now! It's thrilling to be able to finally shop in the normal stores and areas of the store!!!