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Okay I will need to talk to my doctor then, I just didn't think about asking this I have pre-op Tuesday These are the articles I read, and yes they do say after weight loss surgery but they seem to refer to bypass more than sleeve. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121126142957.htm http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/weight-loss-surgery-may-not-combat-diabetes-long-term/ http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/253394.php

Since I started out here as a potential lapbander I thought I would share with ya'll. I have a date for surgery! 8/7/06! I am having RNY just because I figure this is my only shot at weight loss , being a Medicare patient and figuring they wouldn't go for a revision if the band didn't work for me and knowing myself I am afraid I would have a problem with the idea of the port and having to drive 90 miles for a fill or unfill...just weighing all the pros and cons I decided on the RNY. I am nervous and excited. I will have my EGD on 7/20 and then the surgery on 8/7. Can you say YAAAAAY? :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Perfect! I apologize for the confusion. The sleeve rates #1 on my list followed by banding as #2. Medicare only authorizes (in CO anyway) Banding or Gastric Bypass. (additional item) Also, as much as I respect Dr. Alverez's work. Mexico is out of the question as any side effects would not be covered.

What's the cost? I had the lapband 6 years ago, but have gained a lot of the weight back & want a revision to the sleeve. Of course, my insurance no longer covers any WLS, so I will need to pay out of pocket.

I just started listening to the Big Book on Gastric Bypass to start preparing for my January 23,2018 surgery date. How are you preparing for your surgery?

I only have to do one day of clear liquids with magnesium citrate at noon the day before surgery. I am getting the gastric bypass. Sent from my SM-T818T using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello All- I had surgery 7/29..today was my first day at work ( 6 days post op) and I went prepared. Had 4 oz of slim fast for Breakfast, 1/2 Jello mid morning, about 24 oz of Water through out the day, 6 oz of cream of broccoli (blended and strained) and then a popsicle...When I a finish eating this stuff I am full but an hour or two hours later, I AM STILL STARVING! What am I doing wrong?? :confused2: My boss-who had gastric bypass 5 years ago...told me that I may be ready for phase 2 (mushies). I DO NOT want hurt myself by starting on mushies too early so I will stick with my liquids. Another concern is that I am losing 2 pounds a day..that can't be normal, right? Am I not drinking or eating enough? What am I doing wrong? Please help.

Maybe you can refer them to yesterday's t.v. program "The View". There was one bypass and one lap-band success story. The lap-bander looked better, in my opinion. Oh yes, the bypass lady mentioned that her sister had the procedure a year later and died from it. That would have been a good time to point out the benefits of the band, but, oops, out of time.

When I told my older (and wiser) sister she was all for it but asked me a few questions first about it I was sure and why I thought I needed to have this surgery. When I explained that I had thought long and hard on this (about 16 years worth) she is behind me all the way. She herself had Gastric Bypass quite sometime ago and has done a great job at keeping her weight off. Now, my younger sister isn't all for it not sure why exactly but she gave her opinion and I explained why I wanted to do this. Haven't spoken to her about it since.

Hello friends i got my surgery date for my bypass surgery for november 27th they gave me a 3 week liver shrink diet to do but it doesnt look bad!! Praying i can do it Sent from my LG-M210 using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes ma'am. After you talk with your primary, they'll referral you through IEHP. I think I received a call from Dr. Krahns office, 2 or 3 weeks after my appt with my PCP, telling me about the seminar. They hold it I believe twice a month, at like 6 or 6:30 pm at St B's (in a conference room by the cafeteria)... Once you confirm the seminar, you'll get a packet and info to fill out (basically asking what have you tried to lose weight and medical history). I filled mine out before the seminar since I arrived early. During the seminar there'll be some people who work in his office there telling you about the four different types of bypass' and go over any questions you'll have. I think by the time everything was said and done and questions were asked and answers, I think i was there for 2 ish hours. About two weeks I received a call from Dr. Krahns office to schedule my first appt. My first appt was Dec 28th, and there they double checked my medical history and talked about with surgery would be best for me. I was given a giant packet to study and keep for after surgery and was given a "quiz" packet to answer to return back in at my next appt. I was also asked to follow a low carb, high protein diet and to lose 5-10% of weight. My next appt is Feb 2nd, with my PCP for my medical clearance, and also Dr.Krahn's office. Hopefully I'll get my surgery date and do the other necessary requirements done for surgery.

You naughty little thing, you! I'm just teasing. I would LOVE to be your surgery buddy, although I'm having bypass. Surgery is on 8/11. I'm also 42 years old and qualified because I have 2 co-morbidities to go along with my 38 BMI. No one even measured me, they just asked how tall I was! Please don't feel one bit guilty. BMI of 40 vs. 38 is not much, really. The number of hoops we have to jump thru just to get insurance approval is positively silly. I had no clue my insurance would even cover it until I got a sleep study several months ago for some wicked snoring. My sleep doctor made me aware of the possibility. Never thought I weighed enough to even consider it.

Do you wish you had the gastric bypass instead of the sleeve? Right now, I'm thinking I should have. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using BariatricPal mobile app

Did you start out with exercise, are you still doing it? When did weight loss slow down. So you must be struggling, or is there another reason you think you should have had the bypass (acid reflux?)? Are you considering a revision now?

Hi everyone, I 'checked in' w/my doc office today to see if they'd heard from my insurance company, they said they'd been trying to call me b/c they want to schedule my survey for July 3! (It's June 22! Not sure if my vm was full or what?!) I mentioned I have a fatty liver and asked, don't I need the 2 week diet (their 2 week diet), they said a week should be fine. So....tell me what to do and buy and for how long I should have a sitter watch my kids afterward and are there any decent sized vitamins out there that I can actually swallow, and any other advice? I was picturing being told my date was 3-4 weeks away, I'd eat a few of my favorite meals, have my last margarita and diet coke, but I guess I am on shakes starting asap! Thanks in advice for any info and advice!

My advice is to figure out why/how you became overweight. You need to know the root cause before you can conjure up a permanent solution. Here's a hint...food is never really the root cause of our weight problems. Some people are emotional overeaters who use food to cope in times of stress, boredom, joy, pain and uncertainty. Others are garden variety eaters whose social lives revolve around overeating. Some people became obese due to hardcore food addictions and others have psychological diagnoses such as binge eating disorder. Finally, some people overeat to soothe past trauma they experienced or witnessed such as sexual abuse or violence. Some people will swear up and down they never eat too much, exercise regularly, and still became obese. Nonetheless, obesity due to medical issues only occurs in less than 5% of cases. In my personal experience, the people in profound denial who lack insight and are unwilling to practice introspection (e.g., "I got up to 300 pounds eating 1200 calories a day!") are often the same ones who seek their third or fourth revision surgery due to each previous procedure "not working." In other words, be honest with yourself. I ate too much for physical reasons because insulin resistance kept me chronically hungry. Also, I experienced childhood traumas such as domestic violence and drug addiction, and food soothed me when those ugly memories resurfaced. So I attended a few counseling sessions as I reached my goal weight. Good luck to you.

Congrats !! I am scheduled for my bypass in September 20 !! Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had gastric bypass on 09/09/2021 and I have lost 39 lbs. so far after 10 1/2 weeks. Is this a normal amount of weight loss for that amount of time? People will ask me how much weight I've lost and when I tell them they ask if I've been cheating. I have been following the plan but it bothers me that I'm not losing faster.

My biggest mistake was being too tight for months and vomiting everyday for 4-5 months finally had to get a complete unfill had nothing for a month gained 4 pounds my lesson learned respect your band hopefully after a barium swallow the band is intact by the grace of god after all that vomiting I thought it had slipped these were my options if it did go for another operation and readjust it to the correct position. revise to gastric bypass. or just leave it out all bad options meaning more operations luckily it was okay and I am on my way after months of no weight loss just vomiting eating and vomiting more what we do to ourselves its sickening.

Amy, I'm so sorry you are feeling so bad. I was banded on 4/8/08 and just went from clear to full liquids today. It made a big difference in my hunger level. I felt the hunger set in on day 4. One thing that is hard to work on is getting enough fluids. On one hand you are being told to sip slowly and on the other you are being told to get adequate calories and fluids. When you are not feeling good an still in pain, its hard to concentrate on it all. I agree that you should take your Protein supplements as nasty as they can be. I actually found tasty liquid Protein at a place called Vitamin World. I don't know if it is a chain, but it is called New whey Liquid Protein. It is a thick liquid consistency and comes in orange, fruit punch and raspberry flavors. 3.1 oz is 42 grams of protein. I would dring about a half at one time and get in 60 grams of protein minimum most days. If your hunger continues, maybe your doctor will put you into the next stage sooner. Alot of these guidelines are for Gastric Bypass Patients and banded patients can move through the phases a little more quickly, but carefully. Hang in there! Alice

Hi,thank you for your input. I revised from the lapband, and understand that this is a lifestyle change. I have no problem with carbs, never been a big carb eater. More of a drinker, so I will look for low cal drinks. I will count calories if I have to up them, but they are so little now, maybe further out I will become a calorie nazi.

Hi Guys I found this site and think it will answer your question plus other information. The second point answers the life of the band question. LAP-BAND® System Surgery Frequently Asked Questions </SPAN> LAP-BAND® System FAQs | Gastric Bypass Surgery FAQs | Bariatric Surgery FAQs 1. What are the advantages of having LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery instead of gastric bypass surgery? See the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery Information page 2. Should I have the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band taken out once I lose the weight? No, the band is designed to stay in for a lifetime. Studies show that most patients will regain their weight if they have the band taken out. 3. Do I have to have adjustments for the rest of my life? How many adjustments will I need? Patients may need a little adjustment to the band volume every couple of years after the incremental adjustments required at the beginning. The average patient will come in for adjustments 6 to 8 times in the first year after surgery and may come in for an adjustment once or twice the second year. Patients may not need an adjustment at all in the third year. 4. Why don't you just "crank it up" and make the band tight all at once during surgery? The body needs to adjust to the new band. There is a little bit of swelling immediately after surgery and tightening the band too early or too fast has been shown in the research to result in more complications (including having to have the band taken out). 5. Is there such a thing as having the band tightened too much? Yes, the band can be over-adjusted. When the band is too tight, patients cannot eat solid foods without regurgitating the food or feeling very uncomfortable for many hours. When the band is too tight, patients tend to gain weight because they are resorting to the liquid and/or softer foods that travel through the band easily. These foods tend to be higher in fat and higher in sugar. When patients start this dysfunctional eating pattern, they are taking in more calories than if the band was looser. A band that is too tight will also cause heartburn and coughing in some patients. 6. What happens if 10 years from now I start to gain weight? What do I do? We see you annually in the office for a check-up, however if you are gaining weight, it is time to come in so that we can assess the problem. It could mean that you need a little adjustment in your band volume to provide a little more restriction. There may be a problem related to the types of food you are eating or there may have been a life crisis and emotional eating or depression may be taking hold. 7. What is the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band made out of? The LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band is made out of silicone and titanium. 8. Is it possible for a person to reject the band? Yes, it is possible to have a reaction to any foreign body. Studies on the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band have shown that it is extremely rare. 9. Do adjustments hurt? There are fewer nerve endings in the skin of the abdomen and patients say that the adjustments are nearly painless. Patients have said that the needle stick hurts less than a shot and less than the needle stick for blood studies. 10. Are adjustments made in the surgeon's office? Yes, adjustments are made in the surgeon's office. On a rare occasion, the port is difficult to feel and a patient may have to go to the radiology department to have the port accessed under fluoroscopy. 10. How long has the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band been in existence? LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band was first placed in a patient in Belgium in 1994. The FDA approved the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band for use in the U. S. in June of 2001. 12. How much weight loss can I expect with LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery? For the first 1-2 years you should expect 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week. In the long term, you can expect to have 50-70% of your excess weight stay off. 13. If after surgery, and despite following all the rules, I am at a plateau of weight loss, what should I do? Plateaus are a normal part of the weight loss process. In the first year or two after surgery, weight loss plateau usually means that you need to come in and have a little bit of Fluid put in the band to increase restriction. Occasionally, plateaus are caused by the Band being too tight. If the Band is too tight, weight loss will resume after a little fluid is taken out of the Band. If the above causes are ruled out, we will have you keep a food and exercise diary. The diary will include the times and quantities of foods eaten, drinks taken, Protein grams consumed, and an exercise log. We may have you consult with the dietician as well. 14. What should I do if I "can't cope" after surgery? Weight loss surgery causes a lot of changes in a patient's life including dietary changes and development of a new lifestyle. With any change in our lives, there is a feeling of loss of previous life patterns. Patients may have feelings of sadness, anger and frustration when going through so many changes at once. We remind patients to be patient with themselves! We advise patients that if they experience persistent sadness for more than 14 consecutive days, along with loss of interest in things they were previously interested in, they should contact the Bariatric Center or their primary care physician. These are signs of depression. 15. What should I do if I cannot exercise very much due to back pain? We know from experience and scientific research that you will decrease post-op complications and increase your chances of weight loss through following the pouch rules and nutrition handbook AND being more active. We encourage you to find resources in your community to help you develop a program of movement and activity. For example, many of our patients with joint problems enroll in Water exercise programs at a therapy pool. Others find that recreation programs have recumbent exercise bicycles that allow you to sit while pedaling a bicycle. 16. I'm worried that after surgery, my emotional eating will return. Want can I do? Here are several suggestions we give our patients: Talk about your feelings with your support persons. Perhaps the stress in your life is high and you are returning to old habits of coping. Schedule an appointment with the behavioral nurse or other specialists to explore alternatives to dealing with emotions in ways other than eating. Call the bariatric center and ask for assistance. Attend support group meetings to hear how other patients are solving that problem. 17. What is the purpose of support groups? There are many benefits to attending support groups; here a just a few of them: To hear from others who have similar problems to your own To Celebrate positive changes in each patient's life since the surgery To learn new information about bariatric lifestyles To brainstorm solutions to problems To provide motivation to follow the rules that will work for individuals for a lifetime To meet people who have had successful results of the surgery and are willing to help others To talk with a group of people who understand your journey like no one else does! 18. How much pain will I be in after LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery? Most patients experience mild to moderate pain. A common analogy used by patients post-op is that it "feels as if they did 200 hundred sit-ups in a row and their abdominal muscles are sore". More pain is commonly felt over the port site incision. Your pain will be well controlled so you will be able get up out of bed to walk and move around after surgery. 19. When will I be allowed to drink after surgery? You will most likely be able to drink Clear liquids on the day of surgery or the day after your surgery. 20. If I qualify for same day discharge, how long will I be in the hospital? Starting from the time you reach the surgical floor to recovery, it has been on average 6-8 hours. Times differ from patient to patient. 21. What are the expectations of patients in the hospital after surgery? Get up out of bed Walk in hallways as much as tolerated Sit in chair as much as tolerated Use your incentive spirometer (plastic breathing device) 10 times per hour while you are awake Concentrate on fluid intake Work on achieving good pain control with your nurse prior to discharge 22. What is the age range for being eligible for LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery? Age range is 18 to 75 years of age but depends on the individual surgeon’s preference. 23. How many days off work will I need to take for the surgery? Depending on the type of surgery and the surgeon’s preferences, most patients take 3-5 days off from work for LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery. It varies from patient to patient.

Nothing wrong with getting surgery. My dr was saying should lose weight on your own I said yeah I've been dealing with that for 20 years and I'm over it thank you so I'm going to see surgeons office this week losing weight isn't actually that hard but it's the long term challenges of keeping it off and staying on the track and I feel the bypass is the best because it restricts your food the most and that will teach you how to eat all over again, you will get full much quicker which will also help, unless you feel you can do it on your own then surgery is the best option why is it okay for people to go have cosmetic surgery but not for people to actually have surgery that will save your life??? Does not make sense! Do not listen to other people it's your body your future. In my case my sugar levels and triglycerides are getting worse and my blood pressure and cholesterol is getting worse if I stay the way I am I will die of heart attack so I NEED surgery ASAP!

I'm just starting my journey with Gastric Bypass and I am wondering and worried because I have been on Suboxone 8 mg twice a day? Does anyone have any advice or know anything about this? Please let me know. Thanks

Hello everyone, My group health insurance did not purchase the writer for the surgery. I can not do self pay.. or take out another loan. Has anyone purchased their own plan to cover it. I read there are advocates out there but have no idea how to find one. The weightloss center I looked at won't even see me for a consult/write a letter on my behalf without either $500 out of pocket or with insurance. This is frustrating as I have battled weight for most of my life. My dad and his sister have both had gastric bypass and medical conditions associated with obesity. I just want to find a way to make this surgery possible. Any info you guys could give me to assist with the insurance end of it will be appriciated. Thanks, Musicsings14