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I did the bypass because the thought of losing 85% of my stomach which is to held by staples scare me.

Two years ago I signed up on here, and started my journey for the lap band. 1 1/2 months in to my pre op I found out I was pregnant. I put everything on hold and was blessed with my baby girl. We had 3 boys before her. So now our family is complete, my tubes are tied. And I'm back on my journey. My heaviest weight was 325 right after my daughter was born. 1/28/13. One year since my daughter has been born I decided on New Years to call my surgeon and start again. This time I have changed my mind, I don't want the lap band now, but I'm going for the gastric bypass. The day I called my surgeon I weighed in at 313. Today I weigh 290. I'm doing well on my pre on diet, I've lost 23lbs in the last month. I joined the gym, and go regularly. Between 4 and 5 days a week for 1 1/2. I started the c25k program. After killing myself walk/jogging on the treadmill for an hour, and completing 3miles. I use the pool to swim laps. My challenges is the food. I'm doing it. But I'm a big foodie! I garden etc. ohh and I forgot to mention I'm a baker! Yeah I know! Do I make wedding cakes etc. so I'm ok with healthier food, but I'm training myself to not eat like I use to. I miss bring FULL. I'm using my fitness pal, and weilos! And looking forward to surgery in May!

Do your research on the bypass just as u did the sleeve then decide and it is your decision not the PA not the Dr don't be bullied they aren't having the procedures or living with it after

I want to tell everyone that I was approval for surgery...... The wrong one I wanted the sleeve but my Dr. Submitted the gastric bypass to the insurance . What should I do? Im so pissed right now I don't know if the insurance will approve the sleeve now it took three weeks to hear from them . Does anyone know the pros and cons of the gastric bypass and the sleeve ?

Welcome @@Good apple I initially went into the process dead set on the sleeve. I too had no compelling medical conditions, and was given the choice of either the sleeve or bypass. My BMI when l started the process was 46, but by the time I got to surgery it was a high 39. I had a number of reasons for finally opting for the bypass. One was the GERD issues that some, but definitely not all, experience with the sleeve as post ops. There are even a few who have had to revise from sleeve to bypass for this very reason. I just didn't want to take the chance that I might be one of the unlucky ones to develop this issue. I don't think I could have handled the possibility of a revision down the line. I also thought that I might benefit more having the restrictive and malabsorption components working together to help me reach my ultimate goal weight, and more importantly, maintain it. I had a very wicked sweet tooth and knew the mere "prospect" of dumping would aid me in keeping that in check. I was never really concerned about the Vitamin deficiencies as I've always taken them. Now at five months out I can say in all honestly that I made the right decision. I feel better than I ever have, have more energy, and I'm only 22 pounds away from goal. I've never dumped, had no complications, an easy recovery, and I stick to a very healthy diet. I finally kicked a lifetime soda habit, don't eat bread, Pasta, rice, or sweets. I never could have accomplished any of this on my own, because I've certainly tried. I was always hungry before, no matter how much I ate, but now I'm in control of my life again. It is amazing, simply life changing. I feel reborn! Either procedure is great. If the sleeve had been my only option I would have taken it in a second. But I had a choice and this was the best one for me. Good luck!

I am so happy for you on your progress! Sounds like you are on a great road toward your goals. I had sleeve surgery on November 29th and lost 15 pounds in first week and none since then. I've been at a stall for over a week!

I'm November 5th. I have a 3 week diet. It's mainly liquids, but I get very little protein and vegetables and a couple of other things each day.

Hi, I am glad to hear you are doing well. I am going in for my band on Thursday November, 13th---I have so many emotions right now---but it is good to hear your story.

Got my surgery is scheduled for December 9th 2010 :thumbup:YAY!!! O so Nervous:eek: I meet with the Sergeon Todd s Burry ,MD and the exercise specialist & Dietitian in a group setting talked about Lap-Band issues & Complications it's like sign your life way.:thumbup: Oh talked about vitamins & Nutrition..yes ! i had lots of questions about lap-band surery..LOL I have a 2nd visit on November 18th for pre testing...only:smile:35 days until surgery....

Hello lessismore, I am in the same process as you. I went to the MD today and after trying for 18 months to loose wieght we desided I should have a revision. Something we have been talking about for a year although he wishes I would keep trying to make the band work. I have a choice and the revision is already approved. I am just torn about my options. I asked for the Duodenal Switch and he thought I would have a lot of problems... long term and suggested the Gastric bypass and then we talked about the sleeve. I am scheduled for August 15 at 7 am. I am afraid if I do not do the bypass piece I might regret it. Yet, I weigh 242 most days and he thinks no matter what I do I will loose 60-70 pounds which is okay for me. It was hard today because I wanted him to take the Fluid out of the band so I could eat but the last time we did that I gained 20 pounds. He would like me to keep trying and talked about only taking a small amount of saline out and that we might hit the magic spot. I agreed because unless I wanted the band removed and no more wls he was clear loosing more weight would be ideal and that gaining so was not an option. I ended up falling apart after the appointment. I don't cry often but today I did. I am so disappointed that the band did not work for me and that I have struggled so hard with only lost 60 pounds. Now, I will face another surgery. I am torn about which one. I am so tired and I feel so discouraged most of the time but I will move forward. The doctor suggested I might be consuming more calories than I think. I offered to write it all down and let him take a look next time we meet. It seems the story of my life is someone saying are you sure your not eating more...are you exercising.... He was nice about it but it was hard for me. So for me I am facing surgery a week before school starts for my two girls and then my son goes a week later to preschool. The timing is a bit off but I am really tired of not eating and not loosing weight. We were going to put it off until they were settled in but not eating is really shoving me over the edge. If I am going to suffer I should at least be loosing weight. It is so funny because I am doing all this so I can get a hip replacement. I just want to feel better and be better for my family. I want a better quailty of life. Take care, Taylorrae9

I was sleeved this year on October 24th. The week after surgery I developed a UTI that turned into a kidney infection. After that, everything was fine up until recently (November 25). Since then I haven’t been able to keep any liquids down, I am very weak and fatigued all the time and I throw up water like it’s nothing. I haven’t had any luck getting in touch with my surgeon and my primary doctor is no help whatsoever. I went to the emergency room twice only for them to say they found nothing wrong the first time and they didn’t even check to see what was wrong a second time (They didn’t even put me on a bag of fluids for the dehydration the second time around). Has anyone experienced this? I’m taking the medication they’re telling me to take but nothing is working at this point! Can someone help me?!?!

I had seurgery for the Lapband May 2010. I lost 80 lbs and have gained it back plus more. I called my ins and they said that bypass is covered (it wasn't at the time of my band). I have completed all my requirements needed in order to be considered for the surgery but today I found out that the ins only pays for one WLS per lifetime. Will I have a chance if I appeal? The denial has NOT been received yet and I am hoping that it will still be approved based on all the documentation. Any ideas? Thoughts?

I started out at 338 pounds, and still weighed 317 when I was banded on November 1st, 2010. My goal is to get down to 200 pounds. As of today, I'm down to 267 pounds, so I've officially passed the halfway point toward reaching my goal! 70 pounds lost, and 68 pounds to go. It's SO NICE to finally have my "left to lose" number SMALLER than my "already lost" number! HAPPY HUMP DAY TO ME!

Having a bit of a laugh - but not at your expense - but there is so little sun in Vancouver these days that is feels like November. Driving me nuts! Fish oil .. I never thought of that. I was an avid fish oil consumer for 20 years but stopped a couple of months ago because of the surgery. I have a liquid form that I haven't tried yet but maybe I will give it a shot. I had planned to go back to it anyway so I may do it sooner rather than later. I never equated this oil with energy but there must be something to it as the fat works synergistically with your body.

Hi Everybody! My name is Kati and I am in Eureka, Ca. I am pre-op gastric bypass, and will be having my surgery done at UCSF with Dr. Carter (has anyone else had him???) My pre-op appt is June 7, and I have a tentative surgery date of June 26, which will be finalized at the pre-op appointment. I have yet to have my info sent to insurance, but the medical assistant at the surgeon's office has reviewed my file and has determined that I have met all of the insurance requirements, fingers crossed! I have to travel 5 hours for my surgery, and then home after, and am a bit nervous about that. Has anyone else had experience with this? I have been overweight since my teenage years, but my dysfunctional relationship with my body and food began long before. I remember thinking I was fat at age 4. My highest weight ever was 330. I am currently vacillating between 315 and 321. I am scared most right now about insurance covering it, I have Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield in CA. Anyone else have experience with them? I look forward to learning from and getting to know ya'll!

Basically what happened is.....I have UHC, but this particular plan does not cover bariatric care at all. So, I paid for the surgery myself. Well, in order to get insurance to pay on the surgery, they billed "unlisted liver procedure" instead of wedge liver biopsy...."unlisted procedure, stomach" rather than gastric bypass...."adhesion repair" rather than lap-band removal...and also charged for a (hiatal) hernia repair. Mind you, all of those things were to be INCLUDED in my revision surgery (that's why it's more expensive than a "virgin" bypass), but they had my insurance information from my (original) consultation and submitted it. Since the coding "appeared" medical, UHC covered a pretty significant portion of it. Thinking I should get a refund for anything that insurance DID pay, I phoned the office to find out when I'd get a refund check and, to my surprise, they said they would be keeping BOTH payments! Adhesions were expected, due to the band; I've had a hiatal hernia for OVER 10 years, but the op report reads as if it was "discovered" during surgery!!! Adding what they billed insurance PLUS what I paid up front, my surgery was nearly $58,000!!! That is ridiculous. The average for bypass is $22,000, which is what I "self" paid prior to surgery. Just a side note....I had NO complications, NO unexpected/unplanned procedure and the hospital and anesthesiologist both wrote off ALL charges except what I paid up front...only the surgeon billed/was paid by my insurance company. I tried to "appeal", but UHC wouldn't since it was not a denial. The insurance commission only regulates insurance, not MD's. The Medical Board only cares if you have "injuries" (for malpractice), they don't care about how the MD codes the surgery. Most patients don't mind because, had UHC NOT paid, they would not have billed me anything....they would have just " settled" for what I paid them up front. Because the patient usually doesn't get a bill, most don't mind and/or don't complain when the doctor submits "medical" codes and gets payment. It is a common practice by bariatric surgeons (even the "good" ones!), but it's wrong, wrong, wrong. I am continuing to pursue it because I work in the healthcare industry and I am just so infuriated by all the fraud, abuse and waste in "the system" that I am not going to let them get away with this, even though almost all of them do it!! Sorry to go on and on, but I am just SOOOOO frustrated and angry that I go on a rant when I discuss it. I asked all the right questions, reviewed the contract, etc., etc., and I STILL got "used". I am still trying to work with UHC to either ask the doctor for a refund or else tell him he needs to refund it to me...even if I don't get it, I don't want the doctor paid twice. If your insurance doesn't cover your surgery and you end up paying yourself....BE SURE that you have an "iron-clad" contract and understanding with your physician about what will be billed and HOW it will be billed. As a side note, even my PCP said it's "illegal as hell" (quote, sorry for the language) the way they billed it; it's not just me being upset because I didn't get a refund.

same amount of time. I had a drain in for 1 week and that was a bother but my pain level wasn't higher. I just remembered all the do's and don'ts of surgery and that helped. I had a uncomplicated recovery. I love not having the band anymore. the little pouch of gastric bypass works for me like crazy. i always had to work very hard with the band to get the full signal. you will love your bypass.

Having my band removed tomorrow. My surgeon will not do same day bypass I have to wait 3-6 months. Happy to see the positive comments about the revision. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good job Paul! Glad to have you on board! O this magazine just came out. Thats me and the wife in November 07. Lost 30 lbs since then :wink2:

I had mine removed the same day as my bypass surgery

I heard of a woman in Colorado who died because her surgery wounds became infected. She didn't go to the hospital for it and died. I think I have heard of one other case like that too. Generally, if you die from a lap band, it's because you get infection from your wounds. This is extremely rare and if you get to the wounds in time, it's treatable. And yes, Bypass you can die from as well. However, there are more complications that cause death in those cases.

I have UHC as well...and the funny thing is, I am working with Karen as well. I am at the very beginning of the process: I have met with my PCP to get my weight history (that was a wake up call within itself), identified a Center of Excellence and attended an information session as well. My UHC plan does not require the 6 months supervised weight loss requirement, but I have been following a plan since November 2009, so I have it in my back pocket just in case. I am so happy for you and I could feel the happiness radiating from your post as I read it. I cannot wait until I get further along in the process and get that feeling as well! Warmest regards to you and your current and future success...and save a spot for me on the loser's bench when you get there!

Hi I had a band in 2009 - it was extremely successful. The band eroded when I was pregnant so I had to have it out last year. I was sleeved in February 2014 and I haven't had any restriction since day 1 ( I know all about slider foods/what I should be eating). I saw my surgeon yesterday. I was thinking of getting a bypass but he is talking about putting on another band. I'm having a barium swallow tomorrow. My questions are: has this happened to anyone else? Did you have another band or a bypass and what were the results. I would really appreciate some feedback - this situation is killing me:(

Hi there! I am considering getting either the lap band or Gastric bypass surgery. My doctor just sent the referal yesterday. I am 37 years old and have a load of health problems due to my weight. This is my deal; I have Diabetes, Cholestorol, knee and ankle problems and I have polycstic ovaries which prevent me from ovulating monthly thus having only one child (very thankful for him) I am mostly doing this for my health and energy level basically my quality of life. I dont expect to jump into a swimsuit anytime soon as I know I will have lots of extra sagging (not looking forward to that) Based on what I have been reading I may just opt for the lap band it doesnt sound so invasive. Please bear with me as I have LOTS of questions and have never participated in a forum; Here are my questions to you: :mad2: Lap band VS Bypas surgery ? What is a FILL? How soon did you hear from the Richmond location after the dr referal? How long b4 your surgery was actually scheduled? what are the regrets if any, you had after the surgery? any suggestions on things you should have considered before the surgery? How was Kaiser, were they sensitive to this issue? Did you go to many appointments, I live in Sacramento so I'm concerned about that Did anyone have marriage problems after? I'm afraid because I have always been chunky and my husband met me this way and my son loves me this way too (just not being so unhealthy) he says, I feel like a comfy pillow. I asked my husband how he will feel about this frastic change but he said whatever I need to do to get healthy because he is also concerned. and I know my son would rather I be healthy than always have aches and pains becuase he worrys about losing his mommy. Please HELP ! sorry for the long post but I have many questions and would like the honest truth not from a Doctor who hasnt experienced it.

The band isn't for everyone and I strongly suggest that you really research your options and what surgery would be best for you. I've lost about 20lbs in 2 years!! I'm completely annoyed with myself for picking the band so quickly. I lost 10 the first week and from there on its been a lose/gain battle. I worked the band to a tee for about 7 months.. If lose 3-4 lbs one week and gain it back plus 2 lbs the next. I was mentally and emotionally drained after it and just have up. Got all my fills and had good restriction but the weight just wouldn't come off.. Could not get lower than 320. I'm the kind of person who needs to see the number on the scale dropping.. If it doesn't I lose motivation. I'm trying to get approval for the bypass or sleeve as we speak. Now my neighbor lost 100lbs in 6 months, never has gotten a fill and eats all the fast food she wants... She doesn't exercise but her smaller portions did the trick. I have a serious food addiction so I need that fast weight loss to keel me going! Everyone's different so just do your homework!!!