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i was so ready for this i wasn't afraid at all. I was excited. i did it for ME. i tried to educate my DH as much as possible. the bypass scared the crap outta him but the lapband didn't. he wants me to be healthy as much as i do. getting the extra weight off opens up a whole new living life!

I had RNY gastric bypass. But I kept the guidance sheet from my surgeons office and it did include requirements for Duodenal Switch patients. It read: Four children's chewable complete Multivitamins daily 1800-2400 mg calcium citrate daily A total of 5000 I.U. Vitamin D3 daily 1000 micrograms sublingual B12 weekly or B12 injection monthly 100 mg thiamin (vitamin B1) weekly

Thanks yall! I was gonna go with the gastric sleeve at first. But anyways he told me the bypass was best for me.

My goal is 160 but I am a little taller than you and I also have bipolar and statistically we do not lose as much weight. Have you even considered bypass if You get heartburn already or is it really infrequent and the doctor thinks your fine with sleeve? I wanted bypass because you lose a little more weight but the doctor advised against it because of medication absorption. Well he left it up to me but his first choice for me was sleeve. They are both really good and relatively safe surgeries.

I'm not sure how long I'll stay a member of this site. But, thank you for at least reading this! I'm 28 and living in Arlington, TX. I've tried dieting and sometimes lose weight, but then I lose motivation (interest)...then I'm right back where I started. I'd love to have the surgery to help me achieve my dreams. Unfortunately, I can not financially afford a another monthly bill right now and my company opted out of gastric bypass surgery. So, here I sit very frustrated...very tired....and very depressed. Anyone have any suggestions? I'd love to hear from anyone. Thanks! :help:

I think I'm going to find a ninja turtle for my avatar. Crystal, you are my hero. Actually I have been doing exactly as you described for about the last 2 weeks. My PCP didn't refer me to a therapist but she did put me on an anti-depressant. Any wonder I'm depressed? But she also ordered thyroid tests; we will see how those come out, but afer your experience I don't know if I'll believe them if they come back normal. I have also been at my surgeon; I don't ever seem to get decent restriction, just first bite blues. He has promised me a fill every 2 weeks until I can't eat more than 1/2 to 3/4 cup at a time. The bad news is if that doesn't work - he suggests I convert to bypass. UGH! If I wanted a bypass I could have had one and I wouldn't have had to fight my insurance company so hard. I know I'm still kind of a newbie, 4 months does not an expert make, but I'm kicking, crying, and fighting with the rest of you guys!

I felt compelled to write this testimonial after returning from Mexico where I received my lapband from Dr. Joya. I am a nurse from the USA, who has been dealing with weight loss issues for years. I tried many weight loss tactics which all resulted in failure, (lose 10 pounds, gain 15). I didn't have time for exercise, ( 2 jobs, kids, etc). and a million excuses for not being able to. Besides, with being overweight, I didn't have the energy and I lacked self-esteem, so there was no motivation for exercise. (I did try the gym for a short time, but that didn't seem to give me results. I seemed to eat more, since I was burning calories. Besides, I wasn't committed for the above reasons). So, in desperation, I realized I wanted to do something about my weight. I didn't want gastric bypass. That is too permanent, I am not sure about long term consequences and I need to be able to reverse what I am doing for my weight loss, just in case , down the road, they find harmful side effects. And that is where the lapband seemed the best alternative. I spoke with nutritionists who have said the key to weight loss is small, frequent meals. My problem is portion control. When I really like something, I don't control my portion size. It is difficult, since I am considered an "emotional eater" or "stress eater" too. I find satisfaction and comfort in GOOD food. So, the lapband appears that it will fix my greatest downfall, and that is portion control. Now, I had to decide how to go about getting the lapband done. Insurance wouldn't cover it. So, I had to pay cash. In the USA, cheapest was $11,000. In Mexico, it was $8,000. Now, my decision was, should I chance going to Mexico. I am dealing with a surgery and putting my life into the hands of someone in a country, that I am not familiar with. You know, you hear the stories, "substandard care, cockroaches, etc". Well, let me tell you. All of my fears were unnecessary. When I researched online MD's in Mexico, there didn't appear to be any negative comments on Dr. Joya. There is a lapband site not affiliated with Dr. Joya that adds comments on all lapband doctors and Dr. Joya was spoken of with all positive comments. So, let me tell you of my experience. After two years of deliberating. When I decided I wanting to get the lapband, I called Dr. Joya and was able to schedule my surgery within 2 weeks. I paid the $8,000 and that included everything ( no hidden costs). They paid and arranged the airfare, transportation (except back to the airport from the hotel, that cost $5), and all surgical related expenses. Nothing else came out of my pocket. Now here is my story of my journey. I arrived Mexico on Tuesday, (by myself). The prearranged taxi, by Dr. Joya was waiting for me. They brought me to the Cornerstone Hospital (nice, clean hospital, NO signs of filth. JCHACO, Department of Health would not have any environmental issues). They performed tests on me. They got my blood work and IV with one needle stick. After 4 hours and meeting key players dealing with my healthcare, I went to the OR. I was awake as I was transferred to the OR table and they applied monitoring equipment on me. I was thinking OK, where is anesthesia, I am ready for the good stuff that will knock me out. I was thinking, OK, I saw enough of the OR, when are they going to knock me out. And, before you know it, I am opening my eyes and the procedure is over. It only lasted 30 minutes. Pain was minimal, the staff was great at giving pain medicine in the IV. Don't refuse it, just keep asking for it. There is no need to be uncomfortable. I was able to walk to the bathroom that night, without any problems. I slept on and off through the night. Not because of pain, but because I couldn't believe I did it. The next morning I showered and packed for the Hotel. I didn't have any problems with any valuables missing. The key people spoke English. (the only thing I would suggest is bring a small translation book for Spanish when you speak to ancillary help). Just in case there is something you want. I wanted chicken broth, but the dietary staff didn't understand. So then they transferred me to the Hotel. It was a beach front hotel and under other circumstances, I would have had a blast at that hotel. But, since I just had surgery, I wasn't exactly up to "partying it up". I felt good, but not that good. I recovered that 2nd night in the hotel, taking my pain meds and antibiotics that Dr. Joya provided. The next day, Thursday, I was on my way home. I went to the shops next to the hotel for mementos, but found Puerto Varlet to be commercialized with Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Outback’s, etc. Hey, I thought I was in Mexico, but, I almost felt like I was back home. Except in Mexico, it was 79 degrees, not 20. There was a beautiful ocean, it was nice. So, I took a taxi back to the airport (10 minutes away) and I was on my way home. I got in Philly at 2am and drove straight to work at 5am. Yes, I felt that okay, that I went to work. I wouldn't advise you to do that, you should pamper yourself for a day or two. But, for me, it was unavoidable. Bottom line though, is that I was actually okay enough to do it. So, for anyone that is skeptical and wants to know if they should do it. I say go for it. You will not be disappointed. I received care that was comparable to care that you would receive in the USA. I was safe. The price was awesome and there were no extra expenses. I definitely would recommend Dr. Joya. He is professional. He has staff like Natalie, that "hold your hand" and walk you through the whole experience. And once you return to the United States, there are Doctors in your area that will monitor and fill your band as needed so that you don't have to travel back to Mexico. Not that I wouldn't love to travel back there, because I definitely would have Dr. Joya follow up with me. But, because of the cost of travel, it makes it difficult. I hope this information helps anyone considerin

BCBS wants me to do 6 mos supervised diet before approving band-to-sleeve revision. We are appealing it, of course since I did a nutrition program through work and had 3 sessions with a nutritionist even before my obligatory session with a dietician. Also, there is medical necessity argument for removing band due to gastritis and port pain. Still, this is discouraging. I feel like because I worked hard to lose 80 lbs in the last 3 years and my BMI is now 35, they are going to deny me. Do they want me to regain the weight and become diabetic again? It would be easy to do. My band has had the Fluid removed and I'm so stressed that it would be easy to binge. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Monthly Support Group for Lap Band and Gastric Bypass Tuesday, Oct 21st @ 6pm Topic: Support Groups: Get ready to Zoomba! Ruby Barba to give a 30 min zoomba class. Wear comfortable clothing/sneakers. All levels of physical activity welcome! Location: 95 Woodland St. Second Floor Hall A Hartford, CT -- Free Parking Available Across from St. Francis Hospital ** Everyone is welcome to the support group meetings. ** The support group is provided by Connecticut Surgeons LLC. For more info, please call (860) 714-7447

Wow, thank you so, so much for replies! They were super helpful and I have actually made up my mind finally, woo hoo! I have decided to go with the bypass due to my bmi and due to issues with my metabolism being slow from my hypothyroidism, but mostly because I feel I can definitely meet my goal weight and stay at that weight successfully with this surgery. I am new on here, so I really appreciate the thoughts and insights!

I'm not sure about the band to sleeve revision hopefully one of our band to sleeve people will chime in, but I wanted to say I have never thrown up with the sleeve! I see a lot of people that do but there are a lot of us that don't, I can eat pretty good these days but I'm still losing weight.

I think that's a point a lot of people forget. The way I found it to be was if you want rapid weight loss go with gastric bypass (you will lose more initially than gastric banding), but if you want long term and body adaptable weight loss go with gastric band (where you choose if it works for you or not, and yes I know that could incite a flame war). One to two lbs a week is a calorie deficiency of 3,700-7,400. If you were eating 2,200 calories a day prior to surgery then reduced yourself to 1,500 calories a day that's a loss of 5.28 lbs/month. So those people who are losing 20 lbs/month are both drastically limiting their calories and working out to expend more calories. Unless you do the same, don't expect those results.

I had both as well. Never had an issue with reflux before surgery..didnt even know I had a hiatal hernia until I had my endoscopy before surgery..But since surgery I have woken up several nights with bad reflux....My doctor won't put me on an acid reducer....He said to eat earlier and monitor the last meal closely...And not eat as much. He said the only thing he would do if it didn't work was to do a bypass over my sleeved stomach....I don't like that sound so I'm just doing what he says. I'm assuming I'm having so much issue now because my stomach space is smaller so the acid it's still producing is too much....Hoping it changes as the time goes on.

Less than 2 weeks from last appointment until scheduling surgery Good luck! HW 242, SW 236- (Bypass 12/20/17) GW#1- 199 [emoji736] (2/11/18) GW#2- 180 CW 182 5’6”

I had the Loop Duodenal Switch (also called SIPS). I originally was also looking into gastric sleeve, but as you can see when I started my journey I was nearly 400 pounds and my surgeon told me that the statistical average of gastric sleeve would not be enough to lose the amount of weight I wanted to lose and same for the gastric bypass. I was very much on the fence but eventually I chose the surgery anyway due to the surgeons experience and I figured he knew what he was talking about. Vitamin wise you do take more than the average WLS, but not that much more. I process iron REALLY well so I do a switch on my vitamins where 1 day I take 1 multivitamin with iron and 2 multivitamins without iron and then the next day it switches and I take 2 multi's with iron and 1 without. I also take 2 Calcium Citrate a day (because I process Calcium really well as well). In my 6 month labs I showed to have a minor Vitamin A deficiency so I take 1 dropper of liquid Vitamin A a day as well. I'll find out how that worked out in two weeks since I just did my 9 month labs today and my 9 month check up is on the 13th. I was 321 pounds on my surgery day and this morning I weighed in at 221 so I've lost 100 pounds in 8 months (and 1 week). Which, honestly, I'm very proud of. I don't have bad body odor, if that's your concern. It's more your bowel movements... stink. REALLY bad! And avoid anything with excess sugar alcohol because it may give you gas (like it does to me) and it's smells terrible. There are not as many people who've had the DS or Loop DS, but I've noticed it's been gaining slightly more popularity lately so there are quite a few people on this site that you can ask for advice from who've had the surgery. If you have any questions for me feel free to ask and I'll try my best to answer them.

I have a recurring hernia that came as a result of my gallbladder surgery years ago. I have had 3 hernia surgeries to date and part of Plan B is a 4th. I'm having that on 3/23 and then scheduling the revision to bypass for about 3-4 months after the Hernia repair so I'm all healed up. I've been feeling really down about this so I'm glad to be back on the path to resolution Wishing you the best as well.

I'm using my own goal, and a healthy weight I weighed for most of my adult life before I ballooned up! lol. My surgeon's group has a more conservative goal of 15-20 pounds more. We'll see what my body and metabolism have to say on the matter! I'm remaining flexible. Only 4.5 months post bypass, so we'll see!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello, This is my first time writing anything on here so I hope I do it right! So I had my mini gastric bypass on the 18th of August 2021 and since then I got my period twice and both times it lasted 8 days! and there is one week break between them and my actual period ended on the 12th. so that's 22 days of bleeding in one month and a half. I know these things can happen post-op but the weird thing is my last period ended on the 15th of September and I just started again 4 days later!! I'm very worried and confused tbh... If anyone knows if this is normal or not please let me know or if you have any suggestions on what might help.

Hi all! I know there are tons of threads here but I’m curious to hear any stories or tips you all have that’ve gone from the lapband to the RNY. I got my band in 2011 and lost well over 100 pounds but with that came an insane amount of vomiting and inability to keep liquids down. Saline was taken out and the rest was a 91 pound history lol. I have my revision to a RNY next month on my 39th birthday (yay!) and was attracted to it specifically aside from VSG as my doctor explained to me the following; -due to having part of you intestines out, head hunger is still there but reduced a lot in most patients. Is this your experiences as well? -identify and steer 100% clear of slider foods and stick to thicker style foods, meat, fiber outs veggies and if tolerable some breads after a time. Coming from the band world any bread was an automatic upchuck lol. Your thoughts? -success rates from band to RNY are extremely high. I’d love your thoughts and tips! I’d be naive if I thought this would be easy, I did so well on the band for such a good time but the success rates are so low come to find out. I think you’re all amazing and love the advice you all give! We are in this together! Mitchell

9 weeks post op bypass and eat every 2 hours. Some meals are processed quickly, scrambled eggs..., so I follow it an hour later with protein shake.

update..I am getting my band unfilled ~1 month before revision. I am paranoid that I will get something stuck and then it will be irritated at the band site. Looking forward to eating a salad!!! This is becoming more real to me. I am excited and trying not to do the what if's. This site has been very helpful to me. Thank you for sharing your experiences! D.

That is not accurate. Gastric Sleeve Surgery and Bypass have a less than 1% mortality rate... actually less than gallbladder surgery. Talk to your surgeon about the risks of surgery.

There are February threads on both the sleeve forum and bypass forum. Check them out. Several people have posted their dates.

i get my revision from sleeve to bypass on tues if you want to keep in touch i'll tell u all about it.

hi all i had a gastric band fitted in nov 2012 and have had numerous problems , fills and defills and even a period of 18months with nothing in my band , i decided to start again in april this year and have fills but having got to 5mls have had to have two defills putting me now at 4mls . i never know from one day to the next how my eating will be , one day i can be pretty ok and the next i may struggle with a yoghurt . i have after some time enquired about revision surgery from my band to the gastric bypass and have plucked up the courage to book a consultation to discuss it properly , i am also seeing my gp this coming tuesday with a view of mentioning it to her amongst other things . i have struggled with my weight pretty much all my life and not a day goes by when it is not in the forefront of my mind , i also suffer with depression , weight being a large part of that since being subjected to bullying re my weight at senior school . So sad am i my favourites tv programmes are about weight loss , especially dr now ! can anyone tell me of their experience with revision in this way , what type of things do you manage to eat ? do you struggle with salads and fruit like me ? is it a case of you plate is a side plate size or smaller but no food groups are a major issue like with me , sorry if this all sounds silly things to ask but i struggle with the heathiest of things which is just miserable and mad , any tips , experiences and advice would be most grateful . thankyou x