Search the Community

Ditto all of this! It is certainly part of the journey to be unsure at some point as to which surgery is right for you. And, I ultimately came to the same conclusion as the above poster. One thing that made a difference in my decision, too, was that I learned that dumping (sugar aversion) only stays with you for the first year or two w/bypass. So, eventually, even w/bypass, you will have to deal w/your sugar issues. The reason why some bypass patients gain back is because they are counting on the bypass to prevent them from eating sugar. And, it really does for awhile, and very well. But, eventually, you will have that looming that you will need to control it on your own after you no longer have the dumping. Also, w/the bypass, my surgeon says you should really NEVER drink ANY alcohol again. I know there are many bypass patients who still drink, but they are taking some significant chances w/their liver. The stomach is the first line of defense against toxins in the body. And, the body does recognize alcohol as a toxin and the stomach does significant work to metabolize that before it actually ever goes to your liver. When you drink alcohol after bypass, it is like injecting alcohol straight into your system. The stomach has no chance to detoxify it at all. For me, this is scary cause I really do like my wine. I am cutting it out for the first 6 months or longer just because it is empty calories, but when I imagine a 'normal' life after reaching goal, part of that means that I can have a glass or two of wine occasionally as long as I am exercising enough and eating healthy enough to maintain a healthy weight. But, bypass is a lot better if you have Type 2 diabetes. The bypass will cure that immediately. Personally, I think the sleeve may be the very best choice of all, but my insurance doesn't cover it right now.

Hello! I am really having a hard time controlling my food intake. I just had my first fill on 4/14/04. (1.25 cc). I still can eat a horse. Tonight my town is having it's Fireman's Carnival and I ate a whole funnel cake. I am so mad at myself right now. I really wish I could take a diet supplement to get me through until I feel full. My support group which is all Gastric Bypass patients tell me that I am not hungry but I think I am. Did anyone else have this problem? Christine 244/220/140 Banded 3/2/04;)

I have two more nutritionist appointments to go before I get a date, all my other pre op tests are done...and I find myself thinking "what if I would be better off with gastric bypass?". My only reasoning behind that is for faster, guaranteed weight loss. Has anyone else experienced this? I really had my mind set on being sleeved, now I'm second guessing.

I'm going gastric bypass. Insurance covers without doc supervised 6 month diet, thankfully. Saw that yours requires it. Ugh I'm so sorry.

How awful!!! I can't even imagine. When I worked in a GI clinic I saw a few cases like this. That is why I decided to never consider bypass surgery. I will keep Jessica and her family in my prayers.

I know people who had the band, bypass and then myself having the sleeve and everyone of us is happy with our results.....I choose the sleeve because I didnt want to lose to fast, have saggy skin nor did I want to lose my buttt!!!!!!.....I too didn't have any health issues which made me a better candidate for the sleeve.....You have valid points about both my best advice would be which one of the pros is most important to you....If having dumping is important to you then go with RNY my friend is a year out and still don't mess with sweets.....If in the end saggy skin would be a major problem then go with the sleeve.....Good luck!!! Sent from my SM-G900T1 using the BariatricPal App

They said the insurance company codes it as the bypass.. It's enough to confuse the patient tho

Hi, I am also a band to sleeve revision post op 6 days. I am amazed at how different things are instantly with the sleeve and am very excited about whats to come.

I CAN'T believe they would do that to you. That is the most retarded thing I ever heard. I've heard of "office parties" but to have a party for someone having bypass????? This person should be focusing on his journey and not telling everyone. Won't he be disappointed when every day the office is asking..."so, how much have you lost" or "are you allowed to eat that". SECOND, whoever organized this party has alot of balls to assume that you had the surgery and blindly lead you into this trap. You didn't even have the same surgery and this person didn't ask you ahead of time and try to get more details????? I still can't believe it. I would have been sooooo mad:cursing: but too embarrased to say anything. After you had a chance to calm down, did you confront anyone?

I had a supervisor once who told me I HAD to put the type of surgery I was having on my leave request. I had never heard such a thing and put my hysterechtomy on there. She even went so far as to tell me I had to put whether I was having it vaginally or abdominally since one would require more leave time..... I was flabbergasted. I worked for a school district. I later had problems with her, and when I was in the superintendents office discussing these problems, that topic came up. He became purple with rage and said that was in no way true. He asked for my file, and there it all was, big as Dallas!! She got in SO MUCH trouble...... According to him the word surgery was all that was required. At the job I'm at now, I didn't tell ANYONE what surgery I was having done. When asked, I just said I had to correct some stomach problems. Months later when I had lost a lot of weight, I got invited to an office party for another department. It was a "good luck" party.... I didn't know the honoree, and had no intention of going. I kept getting pressured to go, and was puzzled by it. After several people encouraged me to go, I went. It turned out they were having a luncheon for a guy having bypass surgery the next day. (???? luncheon???) Anyway, they take me over to him and introduce us. Fine. Then one of them interrupts the party and announces to the ENTIRE ROOM that since I had the surgery, they thought it would be nice if I talked to him to calm his fears, and answer any questions he might have, and maybe act as a buddy for him when he returned. I was dumbfounded. Speechless. Everyone was staring at me. So much for privacy!!!! I was so angry I couldn't move. I pulled the man over to the conrner, congratulated him, explained I didn't have bypass, I had a lap band and apologized for the idiots that had invited me. He was very aware how uncomfortable I was, and apologized to me. He was actually mortified. I left immediately. He's been a nice friend ever since, but I still want to knock the teeth out of the bimbos that set that whole scene up!!

I had lapband in May of 2013. My bestfriend since nursery school had gastric bypass in July of 2013. This was our journey togehter. Thers is such comfort of having a friend that is exploring this journey with you. Someone who tells you like it is, who doesn't play games, who is as real as it gets. She passsed away on 9/8/13 due to complications from WLS. I'm lost. I'm heartbroken. She's the only person (other than my husband and immediate family) that knew I had lapband. She was the one person that I confided in about everything. The one person who "got it." She was my sanity. The one who broke through the bull ****, could talk about the real issues of being fat, without getting caught up in the bs, who knew what it was like to be a fat mom, but wanted the best for our kids (we both have 5 and 3 year old), who could admit what we were missing without feeling sorry for ourselves, who could talk about how different our lives would be when we reached our goal weights, who knew that it sucked that we have "rib fat" or an "apron" of fat, that we couldn't see our kitty kats and that our 'girls' were better off before we spent years breastfeeding. She made me laugh, she was raw, but real, and that's what I loved most. I miss her. I miss her honesty. I'm desperatly seeking someone who "get's it," who isn't tyring to play the game, trying to be a perfect mom or pretending to live a life that is completly conformed since surgery. I'm struggling every day and am assuming that others are as well. Am I crazy to think that there are others out there that understand where I'm coming from or who feel comfortable with iinappropiate humor/raw reality? If so, I'm dying to conncet with you. I miss my friend dearly and am desperaly in need of someone to fill the void of honestly. When alll is said and done, i'm looking for a friend in this journey. No judgement. Just realality and honesty about how much life sucks with being a fat mom (or dad!!!!)

Nobody has the right to be "mad" over your decision .... the dr "wanting " you to have the bypass versus a sleeve... keep one thing in mind this is YOUR choice and YOUR decision it's YOUR body and YOUR life .... make your own decision don't allow others to decide how YOUR life should be

Has anyone had no support system and was successful? My mom is supportive (lives in another state) but my husband is not. His mom went through the bypass and she gained it all back plus some. She didn't follow the nutrition plan and ate what she wanted. I go meet with the surgeon on 7/20. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

In the early stages after bypass, there is a higher risk of dumping. I think that's why we're told to steer clear of the carby foods (aside from the weight loss aspect of things). I'm with @Arabesque, it's important that you consume highly-nutritious foods right now, while you're restricted. Perhaps adding fat will help? Again, with the risk of dumping, there may be some trial and error to work through. But fat is calorie-dense. Can you tolerate protein shakes? Adding a few of those each day might be a good way to boost your calories. Also, excess protein is stored as fat - that might be helpful for you.

Wow! I had not heard that RNY was reversable! I am not sure how they would do it---but that is amazing!!! I chose the band, because I did not want my parts re-routed. I wanted the ability to reverse if need be. I have heard many choose it for future pregnancy, and the ability to nurture a pregnancy normally---but that was not an issue for me!!! I am however a cancer survivor, and wanted to know I could get extra nutrition if ever I should need too. I also felt if times brought about new and improved WLS, or other WL advances, with the band, I would still be eligible to work with them too. Most bypass patients, require supplemental nutrition forever. The bypass causes you to lose weight in 2 ways, by restriction, and by malabsorption. So you may eat a healthy diet, but because you have lost the majority of your intestines, your body gets very little nutrition from what you eat. With the band, you lose simply by restriction. Restricting how much you can eat. when you eat a healthy diet, you get full benefit from the vitamins and nutrients in the food you eat. The choice is a very personal one. Often times, one group will bad mouth the other. Which is sad, when in the end we all just want the same thing---to lose this weight, and feel good about ourselves. Good Luck in your decision. Kat

I dropped out of Kaisers program when all they offered was the lap band or the bypass, now that they offer the sleeve I am back in the program. It meant 4 more years of being fat, but I was not comfortable with the rerouting of the plumbing...

I'm new to the forum too, but welcome anyway. I was in your place about a year and half ago. I couldn't find a wls doctor in my area that took my insurance, so I had to go an hour from home. Went to the seminar and first appointment, I so excited. Then I learned I had to go to about 5 other doctors to get approvals and lose at least 30 lbs, and then the kicker was that my insurance may not even cover the lap band, but had no problem with a gastic bypass. I was completely against a gastic bypass and was overwhelmed and frustrated. I had finally made the decision to do something once and for all about my weight and they put all these opticals in my way. I ended up putting it on hold until this past January. I had gotten a new job, with new insurance that I was told was very good. I decided that this time around I'd do whatever it took. So I went to the 5 different doctors and got my approvals. I didn't have to lose weight with the new insurance or the new wls doctor (which is in my hometown), but I did need to have a history of trying to lose weight with a doctors supervision (but not the 6 months like many others). Offically, I was never under a doctors supervision, but I was on prescription Xenical and Alli and like you said "You name it, I've done it." I wasn't sure of dates either or pounds I lost and gained on each try, so I guesstimated it mostly. I gave the same list to all my doctors and faxed everything in. My wls doctors office is terrible at returning phone calls and letting a patient know what is going on with thier file and progress, so I spent most of the last 6 months waiting. But once I knew my file had been sent to the insurance company, I was sure I wouldn't get approved. I just knew my weightloss attempt history wasn't long enough, that I was too young, etc... But I got approved!! I can be a nerve ragging time while you're waiting and everything is still up in the air. Even now after I have a date, I'm nervous that something will go wrong at my pre-op testing or they will change the date or the insurance company will "take it back", I feel like I'm just waiting for something to go wrong. I don't think I'll realize or believe it's truly happening until I'm on my way into the OR. It's a lot of work, it's not easy and getting approved is only the beginning. But if changing your life is really what you want, then isn't it worth it? Please don't lose hope so soon. If you're really ready to live, then do what you need to do and start your journey to the new you! Good Luck and I hope to see you around here more.:wink_smile:

Agreed! I have GERD and was told stay away from the sleeve. Look into this site lots of people get their sleeve revised to bypass due to acid reflux. I left my first surgeon’s office because of this. He only does sleeves and I quickly left lol

A protein shake can do the trick before or after weight loss surgery, or any other time you need a boost of protein beyond what you can get from your foods. How do you find one that has the amount of protein you need, tastes great, and is low enough in carbohydrates to be good for any weight loss diet? Stop looking, because BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein is a match! BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein delivers 25 grams of high-quality whey protein in each scoop. It is made with real Dutch-process cocoa or classic vanilla and it tastes rich and creamy, but it has only 1 gram of sugar. The total carb count is 1 carbohydrate, meaning this shake can be part of your low-carb or keto diet. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein Highlights: 110 calories 25 grams of protein from Grass-Fed Whey 1 gram of carbohydrates 500 million CFU Bacillus Coagulans Patented Aminogen® protein-digesting enzyme 10% of the daily value for calcium Suitable for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric band, and BPD-DS patients Suitable for pre-op and post-op liquid, pureed (mushy), semi-solid, and solid foods diets Gluten-Free Lactose-Free Non-GMO Each tub of BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein contains 15 servings. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein has other advantages. It contains patented Aminogen®, an enzymatic blend to support the digestion of protein. Plus, the shake has 500 million CFU of Bacillus coagulans, a probiotic which can promote a healthier gut environment. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein can be used anytime. Start the day off with a low-sugar burst of protein for breakfast, or have a quick shake for a snack or small meal later. Just mix a scoop with water or your favorite beverage, such as milk for extra protein, or almond milk for creaminess. With BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein, you can get the protein you need to tide you over, without taking in excessive carbs. What exactly is Aminogen® and how is it beneficial? Aminogen® is a special patented protein-digesting enzyme blend that can help you get the most out of your whey protein while eliminating any bloating or constipation. The addition of Aminogen® to whey protein, such as is done in BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein, is scientifically proven to improve digestion and retention of protein within the body. Another benefit of Aminogen® is that it reduces some of the gas, bloating, cramping, and constipation that can occur when some people eat a higher protein diet and include whey protein products. As some people know, this protein “gassiness” is not a pleasant side effect, so Aminogen® is a sought-after addition. Overall, Aminogen® is a valuable component to whey protein products, like BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein. It can help you digest and absorb more amino acids, which will then assist you in building and repairing your precious hard-earned lean body muscle. Available online at The BariatricPal Store https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-clean-whey-protein

Yes, I did read that about avoiding the sleeve with reflux and I did ask my surgeon about it. Once they removed the fluid from my Lap Band I have had zero reflux or heartburn since. He said the band was so tight it was pushing up whatever I consumed into my esophagus which caused the reflux. He said he thinks the sleeve is my best option for revision. I really hope it is the right decision! I honestly just want the band out at this point as I have been struggling with it for a long time now.

You have bad reflux you need to avoid the sleeve, it can make it worse. It seems strange that your surgeon would revise you to a sleeve with your reflux history. Generally the recommended route would be to have a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass.

lol! Hey Cherie! Welcome! Its funny you asked about wine in your first post! I did the same thing in my first post here!!!! Dont stress! ITS OK! We can still have a drink! And we can do it for cheaper because the band lowers our tollorence! Whoo hooo! I have a child and I think I would die if I couldnt have a drink when its been "one of those days!" anyways Im sure youll get a lot of responce here. Ull find everyone here loves their band. There are also a lot of threads here that deal with band vrs gastric bypass. Im sure everyone here agrees that the band is the best choice for them. Research the boards and Im sure ull come to the decision thats right for you.

Hi, I am a 41 year old female, and I am trying to decide on having this surgery. My mother had gastric bypass surgery. I seen the recovery time involved, which I do not have that amount of time available. I work full time, my girls are very active, so down time is a big factor. I am 5'4 and weigh 232 lbs., I know that I have to do something, dieting has never worked, walking has not helped so now I am talking to my doctor about other options. I would really like some input from others that have been through the lap-band surgery. I am leaning that direction verses the gastric bypass, but am concerned about never eating certain foods again. The thought of throwing up often, is not pleasing either. Also I am one that likes a glass of wine, now and then, can you ever drink again? I know that isn't as important, but it is a total life changing experience, would like more information, from ones that have been through this. Thank you.

I had a badly ulcerated stomach lining from the inside of my stomach being so damaged, it was ready to rupture. I've told people that i had very damaged stomach lining removed, which is true. If people ask about you losing weight, you can always tell them that after your surgery you needed to be on a liquid diet (true again) and that you started eating in much smaller portions (also a fact). You don't have to lie, just don't state the entire story. I told one of my Doctors that i had the sleeve and he said "you mean Gastric Bypass?" I laughed and tried to explain what the sleeve is. Doctors seem to be clueless about the sleeve right now because it's still considered somewhat experimental in the US. So coming home to the US and telling my Drs has been very tough, especially since few of them even know what the surgery is. If you tell them you had a gastrectomy, for any reason, they will understand that or at least know what it is!! Good luck on your surgery!!

Hello All! I currently have a band and am considering a revision to a sleeve. I have had the band for 4 years. I am still yo-yo'ing depending on my fill levels. I just want something that works without the constant adjustments on a monthly basis. I am not sure if my insurance will pay for the revision although I do have WLS coverage. My BMI is 41 today....I am just worried that the sleeve may not work for me either.