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You are starting an amazing journey. I am so excited for you! Good Luck! November 5th will come faster than you know it.

Well I will admit I hit the wall of discouragement this week. I was having trouble going to the bathroom and then when I checked the scale I gained 2 lbs! That is NOT a good feeling after going through all that we have gone through to get to this surgery and then since. I called my Dr and was only getting through to the nurse, which is just so aggravating at times. Now don't get me wrong, I understand and appreciate nurses and they are the backbone of any Dr.....however....I REALLY WANTED TO TALK TO MY DR!!! (i'm done yelling) I know that persistance is what works with Dr's offices though so I called back yesterday telling them how I was feeling hungry all the time, able to eat a lot at one sitting. They moved my fill up a few weeks, thank goodness! I'm having my wedding reception on November 11 and was so hoping to lose more before then. I have my dress fitting tomorrow and was not excited at the thought of no fill for nearly another month! Today I have felt a little bit more full after eating but still not like I was right after surgery. My daily food intake is pretty good I think. I have either one egg with fat free cheese for breakfast or I juice a few pieces of fruit. I have a snack around 10a, either jello or yogurt or cheese stick. Today for lunch I had a cup of soup from the work cafe. Usually for dinner I make a salmon filet. I try to get my fish in everyday, such good stuff in those little guys! I've not eaten breads and hope to stay off of them. I should rephrase that, I had noodle one night. I became SOOO tired immediately afterwards that I was convinced, breads are just off limit. No need for them People are really noticing that I have lost and that is an amazing feeling. It is also an odd one because I get the comments "Oh, don't lose too much, you don't want to lose your curves" I will NOT lose any curves, I am way too curvy to begin with They just might 'tame' down a little bit, which will be great for fitting into jeans Have any of you gone through a mini makeover yet? I have already had my hair cut shorter and highlighted blonder. I lost about 20lbs and felt like I need to do something with my hair!? I guess that is normal for the body changing...other things feel like they need a change too. I even did my first 'workout' this week! I have a dance video workout that teaches latin dancing, what fun it was! Now maybe I can learn to dance and get thin! I only got about 30 min of it done, was too tired after that, but it was a great feeling. I can't wait to do it again!

Jennifer, You are a young thirty, I am thirty one and I have a friend who had gastric bypass. She went with me to my intial consultation and she asked my surgeon to explain his choice. And he said, I was young, lap band is reversible, less evasive, blah blah! The main thing that stuck with me is.... I am young and I can do this! Bypass is easier because you don't have to work that hard at losing weight. But as someone else mentioned, why cut your stomach off? Also, when something comes so easy.....maybe that's why the weight comes back with bypass. Because you didn't work at it! I have not been banded but I believe the lap band is a better choice and you have to work with the band and be dedicated to a change in your life. If you work with the band and have a regular excercise routine. It will work in your benefit and perform just as good as the bypass. Things that come fast are not always the best.... NO matter what anyone says...You have to look at what's best for you. Explore your history and really dig and find out how you gained the weight(i.e. overeating, choices in food, or whatever your reason), and think about how you lose weight, and how you have to work at losing weight. And I think you will find your answer there.... Just my 2 cents

Could you explain why? At the moment I am leaning towards gastric bypass because: 1) I don't want to be considering a revision surgery in a few years if I am not successful with the band. 2) The amount of maintenance a band requires (I live two and a half hours from my surgeon).

It is normal to be scared. I'm scared too. This is a major surgery and life change. I'm new to the site too. I find it very helpful. I've heard a lot of positives about the bypass compared to banding. It took me 2 years to decide to have the surgery. My weight is only making my medical issues worse. I've tried every diet possible and after researching about bypass surgery I decided this is the right decision. I wish you luck on your journey. We can do it.

On December 21st I had gastric bypass and my gallbladder removed during the same surgery. My gastric bypass was no issues at all. I had multiple complications with my gallbladder removal and was in the hospital for 14 nights. I was wondering if anyone else had done this and if so how was there outcome?

If you believe 1/2 of the Bullsh!t that the Employees tell you, then your sure to FAIL ! You need to talk to people that have been there, and done it. / People that have walked in your shoes. I have walked in your shoes do to bad aftercare. He deflated my Band, and I regained almost all my weight back. In January I tipped the scales at 328 I said this $h!t stops now. So I put myself on 1200 calories a day (it was hard !) and I began the search for a new surgeon. Fast Forward . I found one, and he excepted me. They looked at it under Fluorscope for Revision Surery. There was nothing wrong with it ???? So they put in a Acrylic in case of a leak, and filled me to my fill line. and I feel GREAT ! The Band does work ! But you have to limit yoursel on intake, and exercise. You know what is expected of you. Go to myfitnesspal.com and record all of your info there. It's FREE ! So no worry to you. You make a effort and this will work, No effort, and Bypass fails too. Make a apt. with your surgeon, and explain what's going on. If you get no satisfaction. Seek out another Dr.... I did ! ! and it worked.... You to can do this too. Were always here for help.

Mine wanted the By-Pass too. Infact the morning of surgery, he came jumping in the room, and said 'LET ME DO THE BYPASS!" I said NO ! and it better not be done that way when I wake up. He just turned away and said O.K.... and I don't recall seeing him untill the next morning for the Barium Swallow. So yep I was banded.

I just started my 2 weeks liquid diet and my surgery is April 23rd. Question? My friend had bypass done in February and she told me that was ate hard boiled egg whites (no yolk) throughout the 2 week liquid diet. She said her surgery was fine and the doctor said everything looked good. Has anyone else tried egg whites or other alternatives?

I'm had bypass April 15th and eggs use to be my favorite go to protein. I've tried eggs over the stove using different healthy butter alternatives, trying scrambled, fried, and boiled. Everytime I'm in the bathroom within minutes. Frozen Atkins egg meals are a lil easier but barely. I still get nauseated but I don't puke them up like fresh eggs. Anyone else have this issue? Sent from my SM-G973U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Right here, or at least close enough (peel region). Your picture sure brings back memories. How are you doing? I was banded in November 2012 and doing ok.

Hello all. I am a southern california Kaiser pt. And YES its true. Your BMI has to be 50+ or if less you have to have co-morbidities. You also have to do 6 month classes. I began this whole process with Kaiser in September 2008when I was referred then went to orientation in November 2008 and started the classes in January 2009. Its a long process, but its totally worth it. They show you how to count calories and Protein and it will help you suceed in the end. Good luck all. I will be done with classes in June. Wish me luck!! ~M

Well I am on day 3 of my pre op diet. I think the headache is gone, finally. I have been on a diet like this before , so I know it was going to happen. I been doing good, no cheating. I do think about food, but I just reread instructions from my doctor. NO FOOD... I do keep thinking, " is this all worth it", will I be able to be normal again. But then I think. I have never eaten "normal". I think about what it will be like not to shop in the plus sizes. ( I will be there for a while still) but the real thought that this is happening. I am going to lose the weight this time. One of the scariest things I have been reading is that many people only lose 50% of their excess weight. That is not enough. Even through it will still improve my health. I want to be active for the first time in my life. I want to workout and like it. My surgery is November 18th.

That I'm already getting stomach aches. Tomorrow I start my liquid diet & my surgery is November 17th...

If you go to www.surgery.com, it will tell you the following (I got this from typing "deaths from sleeve gastrectomy" into my search engine) The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery lists the complication rate in vertical sleeve gastrectomy to be relatively low, even among patients considered to be at high risk. Cumulatively the overall mortality (death) from vertical sleeve gastrectomy is 0.39 percent—lower than with traditional bariatric surgeries. (last updated 11/24/2009) From an article on www.gastricbypassfacts.com, here is a extract from "How Does the Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?" The risks and complications of the sleeve gastrectomy:As with all forms of weight loss surgery, the vertical gastrectomy does carry risk and these will clearly vary from one patient to the next and must be discussed with your physician. Complications might include: Gastric leakage and fistula 1.0% Deep vein thrombosis 0.5% Non-fatal pulmonary embolus 0.5% Post-operative bleeding 0.5% Splenectomy 0.5% Acute respiratory distress 0.25% Pneumonia 0.2% Death 0.25% http://healthengine.com.au/article/sleeve-gastrectomy.html This article quotes " The mortality rate in gastric sleeve is 1:500 and it lies between the gastric band, which is the safest, and the laparoscopic gastric bypass, which carries the highest risk." So the first source says 3.9 patients out of 1000, the second source says 2.5 patients out of 1000 and the third says 2 out of 1000. So I would feel comfortable (based on these 3 sources) saying the death rate is somewhere between 2 and 4 per 1000. If you are considering a surgeon, ask how many procedures he/she has performed in a year, and how many he/she has performed in total. Then ask the same two questions about how many of his patients died, and how many had PE's. This will give you an idea where your surgeon is versus the norms. You can't go through life avoiding all risks. For me - the risk of dying of heart problems from NOT DOING this surgery and staying obese was much higher than the risks from the surgery. It was the right decision for me. I wish you good luck on making your decision.

My surgery is on November 13, and I am going a little stir crazy these last few weeks. I feel like time is slowing down and I'm just ready for it to get here already and it's making me agitated. Has anyone else experienced that? It's probably partially because I'm miserable at my job five days a week and I'm looking forward to the time off, too.

@@Learningtolive glad you are here! Lots of good info to help you get through this! Don't be afraid to ask questions! I'm having the gastric bypass Oct. 8th so I will know more about what happens!!! Best of luck to you, your doing this for the right reasons!!!

Thanks, the doctor thinks the bypass would be the best because of insulin resistence and reflux. insurance approved for RNY, but i am scared, have trouble getting fluid in, most days around 70 oz. i have read the complications and sucess stories, just scared of complications, am 205 and want to get to 145 but cant do it without help, love this group fou info.

Ok I’m on my last month with dietician visits & last doctor visit. Bloodwork, psych done & Doctor letter of approval finished. The end is so close! I started this journey thinking only about the sleeve. Delays from Covid made this process longer and the more research I did, the more I came across sleeve conversion to bypass. I’ve had a change of heart and looking more into bypass because of the long term success rate. I’ve spent this entire year reaching for this goal and suddenly I’ve changed my mind on surgery type. Anybody else feel this way? Love any feedback right now. I’m 36 years old, can’t have anymore kids and I want the long term help to be successful at weight loss.

I had my first appointment with Dr. Robinson and his Assistant on Monday, and I am shocked! This process seems like it is going to fly by! Here's how it went: I was scheduled for 2:30 but got there at 2:00, so they sat me down with paperwork to fill out. It included all the expected questions, including lists of failed diets, weights throughout your life, co-morbidities,etc. It took about ten minutes, and then they took me in early. The Physician's Assistant (to be called P.A. from the point on) took my blood pressure with a cuff that actually fits me, and it turns out my blood pressure is pretty darn good for a 300 lb. girl! 126/74. They weighed and measured me. We discussed the potential risks of banding, why I wanted the band vs. bypass, etc. It was all pretty straight forward. Then doctor Robinson came in. Dr. Robinson is a man of very few words, but I am not going to him for emotional support. I am seeking him because he seems intelligent, honest and open. He told me right off the bat that I am going to need a boob lift and lower body life after surgery. He also implied that if I mention later on down the road that my boobs sagging cause back pain, and the if I start getting rashes under my extra skin, that I will be able to get both procedures covered by insurance. He then laid me down on the table, looked at my belly, and told me to loose 20-25 lbs. beore surgery. He told me he wants to see me in four weeks for a follow up. If, at that 4 week followup, I have lost 10 lbs, then he will schedule me for surgery. I was told that we're looking at the first week of August, possibly!!!! I left with a to-do list that states which tests I have to have done, which medical records to have transferred, and how to pay the program fee. I have to get an upper GI, see the nutritionist and the psychologist, have a sleep study and have some blood drawn. All of those except for the sleep study can be done on the same day, I was told! Now I am just sitting here at home, waiting for the phone to ring with my appointment dates from his secretary. I am SO ready to go!!!!! :thumbup: Tomorrow is the lap band support group, and I am really debating going!

I had my first appointment with Dr. Robinson and his Assistant on Monday, and I am shocked! This process seems like it is going to fly by! Here's how it went: I was scheduled for 2:30 but got there at 2:00, so they sat me down with paperwork to fill out. It included all the expected questions, including lists of failed diets, weights throughout your life, co-morbidities,etc. It took about ten minutes, and then they took me in early. The Physician's Assistant (to be called P.A. from the point on) took my blood pressure with a cuff that actually fits me, and it turns out my blood pressure is pretty darn good for a 300 lb. girl! 126/74. They weighed and measured me. We discussed the potential risks of banding, why I wanted the band vs. bypass, etc. It was all pretty straight forward. Then doctor Robinson came in. Dr. Robinson is a man of very few words, but I am not going to him for emotional support. I am seeking him because he seems intelligent, honest and open. He told me right off the bat that I am going to need a boob lift and lower body life after surgery. He also implied that if I mention later on down the road that my boobs sagging cause back pain, and the if I start getting rashes under my extra skin, that I will be able to get both procedures covered by insurance. He then laid me down on the table, looked at my belly, and told me to loose 20-25 lbs. beore surgery. He told me he wants to see me in four weeks for a follow up. If, at that 4 week followup, I have lost 10 lbs, then he will schedule me for surgery. I was told that we're looking at the first week of August, possibly!!!! I left with a to-do list that states which tests I have to have done, which medical records to have transferred, and how to pay the program fee. I have to get an upper GI, see the nutritionist and the psychologist, have a sleep study and have some blood drawn. All of those except for the sleep study can be done on the same day, I was told! Now I am just sitting here at home, waiting for the phone to ring with my appointment dates from his secretary. I am SO ready to go!!!!! :crying: Tomorrow is the lap band support group, and I am really debating going!

they had me do all my pre-OP testing while in for approval, cardiac clearance scared me half to death because I had an abnormal EKG they made me do a stress test which was normal thank you Jesus. Got my clearance and my surgery is November 22. I had to jump thru all the crazy hoops to a it is I just found out this morning that the insurance company approved it. I'm in the Chicagoland area too good luck and speedy recovery

Congratulations, Sooner, on your improved health. Your weight loss is good, too. I was also banded on 10/7/08 and have lost 28 pounds. I wish it had been more but I actually gained 11 pounds before my first fill in November. Mimi

Hey guys, I'm wondering how long after my bypass I should wait before I can start to do some mild upper body work with dumbbells? I've had a personal trainer for years up until about 9 months ago (when I had an illness AND moved country) so my technique is pretty good. I just want to do bicep curls, some tricep work, shoulder presses, some vertical rows - even with light weights. Any experience or tips from you gents? Cheers, J

How did this turn into insulting bypass people? :faint: Thirty-seen pounds in two months is fabulous. Why in the world do you think it's not? I "only" lost 23.2 pounds my first two months. I've never had an 18 pounds lost month and I don't consider myself a failure, a slow loser or anything else other than a success. It's really important to focus on the positive, on the great strides you are making towards good health and what you've accomplished that you've never managed before. Enjoy the journey instead of stressing over what you cannot control. WOrk your plan and your plan will work for you.