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Stress is one of the contributing factors to elevated blood sugars. So with surgery you are definitely going through a lot of stress or lets say the body is. I've been a type II diabetic since 1995 and had gastric bypass. Before bypass, during the day, I could pretty much control my levels, come bedtime they would jump to over 200 upon waking. So had to go on Lantus along with regular insulin (quick acting). Well, my body is now calming down and I have gone from 125-150 units of insulin daily to less than 110 units in three days. Still not free but surgery has helped it. They say as I continue losing weight I should be coming off the insulin. I'm taking a wait and see attitude. Have only 36 lbs to go. (Also if I would excerise like I should I probably would even be using less insulin than what I am now, or probably none at all).

initiallyh my pcp id not agree with WLS, but after time and seeing that I was getting nowhere with diet alone, he caved and also saw pst-op my strides and he is so happy and h has actually changed his mind about lap band surgery, but not the bypass... I also told prople that saaw the weight loss as HIGH Protein LOW CARB DIET and EXCERSICE...nobody bugged me after that

I am working on my Master's of Science degree and hope to gather several responses. Would you like to be a part of research by sharing your experience after gastric bypass surgery? The survey is completely anonymous and asks questions about your body image perceptions and alcohol usage one year after having bariatric surgery. Just click on this link or copy into your browzer to complete the survey. http://nnu.us.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_aXzZzHDDZiajdC4 Thank you in advance for contributing to this all important research. Feel free to pass this survey opportunity along to anyone who has had the surgery. Warm Regards, Northwest Nazarene University

i was confused for a long time about which procedure to have as well. I decided on the Band because it is adjustable. If you need a little extra restriction... you can have it. If you decide you lost enough weight and want to eat normally you can have some taken out of the band or stop getting fills. I had no one in my life who has a band but quite a few who have the gastric bypass but they absorbtion only lasts for 15-18 months and then you could start gaining weight back...like Carnie Wilson from Wilson-Phillips and Randy Jackson from American Idol(He had a band put in over his gastrc bypass)... I wanted to learn to eat right and I am still learning. I am thrilled with my decision and excited that I have lost 44 pounds so far... and counting. It is a difficult decision to make but once I get this weight off, I need to have the band's support to keep it off and I will keep it off. Every pound that goes...Is not coming back. Alot of doctors are putting the band over a gastric bypass when they begin to gain back but I wasn't going to take the risk of getting my insurance to pay again... It was alot of hoops to jump through... to get here. The slower you lose weight, the less loose skin....bonus.:tongue2:

We both had 2 different surgeons and hospitals. I love my surgeon. He and his team have been great and trying to fix this. What is difference between bypass and mini bypass? Glad you are doing well!!

I am part of a WLS family - hubby, MIL and I have the band, FIL had gastric bypass. We all did it within 6 months of each other in 2010. I can tell you that in the beginning the weight will fly off with just limited portion sizes and by adjusting the band. Then you have to figure out to eat better food, and exercise. My MIL lost about 50 lbs but honestly is lazy about it and not tracking what she is eating in any way, and not really exercising. She floats in a pool like once a week. She lost 50 lbs and that is a great result considering the effort she puts in. She not psychologivally willing to adjust the band as tight as she should because she is not ready to let go of eating larger amounts. So anyone looking at her 2 years out will say she is not successful, as she has about 80 lbs excess weight. But she is not putting in effort. My husband is the same way except he has adjusted his band as much as possible and he is not willing to change his eating habits or exercise. He lost 120 lbs and has about 80 to go. I had 95 lbs to lose, have lost 76.5. I watch what I eat 80% of the time. I don't track what I eat, I just make good choices most of the time. I work out 4-6 days a week for 45 min or an hour at a shot. I am very pleased with my weight loss. I know it's not coming back. I can maintain it. I have a metabolic disorder and I feel I am beating it now. My FIL lost 140 lbs with bypass in 6 months, he is at goal. Had horrible complications for life that can't be addressed. Seeing him go through that constantly reaffirms my decision to get the band. So if they say lapband only loses 55% of excess weight, it's not that they can't get to goal, it's usually "won't". People are more in control, which often leads to people doin what they want...

I am also new. considering between the different options. I have been approved yet surgery is at least 1-2 months out. i am leaning towards lap band but wondered if anyone on this site regretted their decision? Would you do the other types of bypass if you had it to do again? Please be as honest as you can. I need some guidance from those who have had this done. i want the good, bad and ugly. LOL

I've soaked up info forever it seems talking, meetings, seminars, books, doctors, phone calls and met more surgical patients than I can remember. So far it seems pretty even with gaining back weight after bypass versus keeping it off with the band with complications neck and neck. My friend in radiology doesn't want me to have a bypass so he calls and reads me all these awful results from upper gi's and endos of all the complications he sees from both types of surgery. It's hard for him to understand that risks at our weigh are often worth it. If I burned as many calories running my mind over the decision as I could on a treadmill I wouldn't need either.

Hello, You gotta do your own research and decide what's best for you. Go through the threads here, as you will find loads of information. I also encourage you to check out other forums for those who had the bypass. Don't let anyone tell you what's best for you regarding your decision. You are the one who will have to live with the band or the bypass. You know your own body and what you are capable of. You are the higher authority of yourself - so only you can decide. I wish the best during your decision making process!!!!

Our weightloss with LapBand is not as quick as it is with those who have bypass, It is totally conceivable that diet and exercise would do it. Honestly we are doing 90% of the work, the only the band does for us is to keep us feeling full, everything else, we are doing for ourselves. I am with you, Only 2 people in my life know, my husband and my sister, I intend to keep it that way.

Smokers had to quit smoking permanently before they would even let you have a sleeve//bypass with my hospital. Obviously they can't control you once you are released out into the wild, as it were..

Hi I'm not from Oregon but I had my RNY by Dr Ramy Awad to. Out of all the posts I've read you are the first person I've found who had it by the same dr. Congrats on your weight loss. It's been 2 and 1/2 years since my first surgery. I had to go back in for a revision 9 months ago because I had a gastric fistula that went from my old stomach to the pouch and caused an ulcer that would not heal. Dr. Awad fixed it and everything is going good now. I understand the head games. It's hard sometimes. I have trouble getting in all my protein. I eat a lot of cottage cheese. I hope you find someone close to talk with but there are always this site to help.

I have major acid reflux, but I also have lupus. So after having a long discussion with my dr medically the sleeve would be a better outcome for me than the bypass.

Hi BriarRose, Your post jumped right out at me partly because I'm also 54 and partly because I haven't told my Dad I'm having surgery yet. I love my Dad, but he's from the school of though that isn't too fond of doctors and doesn't believe in having surgery unless he considers it life or death. He's recently been diagnosed with cancer and is having his surgery this Tuesday. In the meantime, well last Friday I found out that my insurance company has changed its policy on BMI so I now qualify for the sleeve. I have been doing my research again this year since June and had initially thought about getting the band. But for me, the thought of having a band around my stomach and a port that has to be filled, was too much to deal with. I'm not fond of needles, and having to routinely go in to have saline injected made me a bit queasy. Also, when I realized that the band does little or nothing to affect (or is that effect?) hunger hormones, I was less than thrilled. I know someone who got the gastric bypass and thinking about all the connecting and disconnecting didn't sit well with me. The sleeve just feels like the most straight forward approach for me to do. This feels like something that I can live with and move forward with. I haven't told my Dad and don't intend to until the last minute. He means well, but his bias is as stated above. I think he round some literature on my desk about the weight loss surgery and said to me "I hope you're not considering doing something foolish." That comment felt kind of like a kick to the gut, but that's just how he feels about any surgery that isn't emergency and life and death. I just feel like I've tried everything else for the last 47 years or so and it's time to try another approach. I went through a period when I thought that somehow this kind of surgery was cheating....you know....anything that helps out the fat girl must be cheating, right? But then I decided just to avail myself of another tool, a more successful tool than I'd tried before. What's the old saying? Doing the same things and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity...and I may be many things, but insane is not one of them! Also, I think that as an overweight person, I've kind of been programmed to think that there must be something inherently wrong with me. I must be lazy, or not bright, or have some other malady that would cause me to allow myself to get to this place. I think as much as I tell myself I'm not influenced by the messages, I did manage to internalize at least some of the negatives associated with being overweight. But, I digress... I WILL be getting my surgery date tomorrow (Monday) and I'm aiming for the middle of December. I'm back in school and that will allow me to recover between semesters...at least begin the recovery process. If I am pushed to next year, it will be a financial strain, but as long as I do it by the end of this year, it won't cost me additional deductible.....I'm sure I'm not the only one that's playing beat the clock/calendar. I wish you much success in this endeavor and I plan on keeping an eye on you and on your progress. You know, we boomers have to stick together. Like you I'm aiming for 55 and fabulous. And just between us girls, I've been telling close friends that I'm hoping to set myself up to be able to lie about my age and get away with it. Better yet, I hope to get myself together while I'm back in school working on a Master's degree. Once that's complete, I have to be able to sit through an interview and be taken seriously. I think that will be a whole lot more possible without an extra 139 pounds hanging on my frame. Cheers! PJF

Hi everyone [emoji5], I'm about to change my life for the better. After years of weight-loss struggles due to hysterectomy and hormones I finally got up the nerve to walk into a weight-loss clinic and forever change my life. Scary as it seemed the team at the center were and are beyond helpful and kind. Not only that but my Dr. Had bypass surgery himself so he knows all the struggles we will face. My greatest shock is I've suffered for 24 years with GERD and the Dr said you have a hienal hernia let's knock that out and get you a gastric sleeve and put this behind you. So here I am headed for scope and ultrasound next week then to the next step. Today I weight 236 at 5'4 yet I'm beautiful so I can not wait to find that hot mama [emoji7]just dying to be set free. [emoji173]#happywifehappylife #dothisforyou Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Howdy, Tamika. You're story sounds really familiar.......as in just like my younger sister's story and like my own. Little Sis was the smart one, though......she had bypass surgery when she was a year or two out of college and went from around 370 down to 140......had all the plastics done and became a new person. It was a transformation like nothing I've ever seen before or since. She then met a really cool guy who I respect and enjoy hanging with. They were married and have had a wonderful marriage and have two of the greatest kids you could ever imagine. Respectful, energetic and really well-rounded. Then.....there is me. 9 years older than her. Football from 6th grade through 12th. Weight lifting and wrestling team to support football......both knees wrecked and surgeries ended football dreams by September of my 12th grade year. College letters of interest ceased immediately. Figured out a way to get to college and somehow graduate.....and had way too much fun along the way. That fun didn't stop after marriage........and it translated over to more weight piling on every year. Still was very active in hunting, golf and fishing. Golf ended in 2011 when I ripped ankle-foot tendon and had to have it repaired. Hurt like a beast being way too heavy and healing after that surgery. A couple hernias from doing stupid stuff in the woods and weight room required a couple surgeries, too. Being heavy during the recovery hurt like crazy. I've lost and regained so much weight over the years that it's incalculable. A heap of it. Lost.....but always found. Battled this way for a long time. Weight and desire to still do all the stuff I enjoy took it's toll on my knees....but ultimately a herniated disc knocked me down for several weeks and I had lots of time to think and reflect. I decided then that doing the same things I'd always done would lead to the same results. I entered a local bariatric plan.....then transferred over to another local bariatric plan....a center of excellence. I was dead certain that I was going to have a bypass. I began all this in June 2015. My BMI was just shy of 60. My new surgeon said that a bypass was not a safe surgery for me in my current state then.....tall and heavy and had a ginormous umbilical hernia that had to be repaired during the surgery. You can see it really well in my profile pics. He was concerned with the repiping done by bypass....routing near the repaired hernia.....stretched due to my height......probability of hernia repair blowing out and involving the already taunt repiped plumbing.......bad juju. He was emphatic that I should have the sleeve. He also was persistent the the sleeve would allow me to continue taking the highly effective NSAID's that help with my knee arthritis. I caved in but was worried that I'd not loose the weight I wanted to lose. He was not yielding and said if I wanted bypass I needed to lose more weight. I'd lost 55 pounds by this point already and knew I was running out of gas......back wasn't healing and it be even harder to lose more in the state I was in. I'd already chosen to self fund the surgery and we agreed on the sleeve and set the date for just 3 weeks from that appointment. He did my upper endoscopy a week later and the next day I started my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. The surgery went really well and he said my sleeve was "textbook" and that my hernia repair was rock solid and should hold well into my old age timeframe. All music to my ears in the recovery room. The weight loss has been steady and it feels freaking great. Every day is a new opportunity to enjoy life and every aspect of it is better. I am very, very grateful for my sleeve and can see how it will be a tool for me to use for the rest of my life. My only regret is not doing so much sooner.......like my wise little sister did 15 years ago.

So 3 weeks ago I has the band to sleeve revision and so far I'm ok. The only problem I'm having is getting all my liquids down or drinking or eating any protein. I feel so full once I drink like 3 sips of my shake and that's all I can get down for the rest of the day. My dr said don't worry but I'm weak and can't even exercise because I have no food in my system. Has this happened to anyone else?

I am a 51 year old mother, grandmother, have been married for nearly 31 years to a wonderful man. I grew up skinny, skinny skinny! When I met my soon to be husband at 16 I was so skinny he said he felt sorry for me! I stayed skinny for many years. Even after my first child was born I got down to 135 pounds, (with Weight Watchers and became a lifetime member) and at 5'7 inches that is small. It wasn't until I got pregnant with my second child in 1990 that I began to gain weight. We found out at 4 months that our baby had a genetic disorder and may or may not make it to full term. Over the course of the next 2 1/2 months I gained 60 lbs! I was so depressed and all I did was eat! I ate to dull the pain. This is when I became addicted to food. Literally! I did make it to 6 1/2 months until our precious Angel that we named "Hope" went to heaven. I went through a deep depression. Gained more weight on top of the weight that I gained during pregnancy. From that point I tried every diet but my food addiction continued to overtake me. I failed at every attempt. I joined Weight watchers approximately 20 times over the next few years. In 2005 I decided to try to get approved for the gastric bypass. I was approved and 1 week before my surgery I backed out! I was too scared and anyway my regular doctor was not wanting me to have it. I decided to work hard at weight watchers and lost about 50 pounds. I started feeling pretty good. The weight creeps back up on me plus some, because I quit attending the meetings. So in 2010 I tried to be approved for the lap band. I went through all the dr visits. I did everything that was required but after the 7 months, I was denied. Once again I went back to weight watchers. I was discouraged and I felt determined to get the weight off. I started to lose weight and walk. I was walking 3 miles 3 times a week. I dropped 52 pounds! I was feeling very good. I was proud of my accomplishment. Then my nephew died of an accidental overdose. My whole family was devastated. I began to cope by eating. Oh I started small at first. I quit walking and slowly started getting back in to my old habits. Before I knew it, I looked in the mirror and saw this huge, fat woman looking back at me. I was up to 279 lbs! All this weight, HOW COULD I LET THIS HAPPEN??? I tried very hard to lose weight. Joined Weight watchers again. I would lose about 20 lbs then quit. It was just out of control. In June of 2013 I became a grandmother. I was so excited. Every time I looked at my grandson I was more in love than ever. I became more aware of my health problem after he was born. My knees were hurting and I did not trust myself to hold him while trying to go up any stairs. I was on high cholesterol medicine, Mobic for joint pain, aspirin for heart blockage. So much going on! I decided to have the gastric sleeve. I knew a few people that has had it done so I started the dr visits and I go through everything I needed to do to be approved and low and behold it was approved. I am 6 weeks out now and I am down 38 pounds! At this point I am still having regrets that I did this but I know as more weight comes off I will be happy about this decision. I do feel better and I know that my life will be a better quality life for this surgery. I think that anyone that is reading this needs to know the emotional part of this surgery is the hardest.

Hello everyone, My name is Tamika, and I am from Michigan. A little bit about me, I am 35, engaged to be married (8/20/16), work in information security, and have been on a weight loss journey most of my adolescent and adult life. I have normal cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar/A1C, and no heart issues. I do have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and suffered reproductive issues. I did lose about 100-200lbs on my own in spaces, but have been hovering between 275 and 368 for about ten years, with the last two years essentially at a stall in weight loss (most likely due to PCOS). I finally decided I need help through weight loss surgery. I was thinking of the sleeve originally, but may entertain the gastric bypass since my BMI is over 50. I am in the beginning stages, my initial appointment is on Monday, January 17th with Beaumont Weight Control Center. I did the seminar on 1/7. I was told by my insurance company they will cover surgery and the 6 month requirement of a weight loss program is waived if the patient's BMI is over 50 (currently at 58). The requirements for Beaumont is to lose 5-10% preoperatively, do some medical tests. For those of you with a similar BMI, how long was the wait from initial appointment to surgery? Thanks,

Hi my name is Jason. My journey has been a long one. I have struggled with my weight most of my life. I am tall, 6'5", so the weight seemed to slowly distribute itself all over. I have had high blood pressure since I was 15 and in the past 2 years was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. I guess I was also a bit depressed at times, that I had let my life get this far out of control. Difficulty finding clothes, breaking chairs. Before I knew it, I had hit an all time high (or low, depending on how you look at it). My weight reached 412 lbs this past February. That was when I had decided I had had enough. Things needed to change. My father had passed a year before of heart attack and with the all of the problems I was developing, I needed to. Not just for myself, but for my family (beautiful wife and two adorable daughters). I have a couple of relatives who did the gastric bypass surgery and had good results so I looked into it. Going in to the decision, I was going to try to do the lap-band. The RNY seemed too drastic and to me didn't look like the thing for me to do. Not saying that it doesn't work for some people, just needed to find out more. I connected with the Memorial Weight Loss and Wellness Center in Springfield, IL. They are a multi-level support group based program. They have many different physicians, dietitians, psychiatrists, and physical therapists working together to ensure that you are well educated and are able to be successful in your journey. They showed me the different surgeries available to me, and got me pointed toward the gastric sleeve bypass. After about 4 months of preparing my mind for the lifestyle changes and my body for the eating changes, I was ready for surgery. On July 21, I was reborn. Surgery was a success. Recovery room experience was rough, but only because I had a bad pain med pump. Once they got that worked out, everything smoothed out. I was up and walking the same day as my surgery and checked out of the hospital in 3 days. It has now been 4 months since my surgery. It has been quite the journey. My sleeve is holding out. It is taking food and drink well. Not usually very well together. I am down to 307 lbs.. I am off of my blood pressure medicines and my cpap machine. I have more energy than I know what to do with. I feel great and I am beginning to look at myself in a more positive way. My body is starting to look more like a healthy persons. Anyway, that is my journey so far.

Welcome to the board! You'll find lots of supportive folks here. I had a revision from band to sleeve and I am very happy with it so far. I didn't have complications with my band like others, but it just plain wasn't working for me. I think most "revision" patients on the board here would say that the "reversable" claim on the band is an overstatement. We each had internal scarring and some have had some serious complications from removing the band. Good luck! Lara

Is this wellness doctor submitting claims to your insurance company? If so, it could be that she's afraid to note these charges as "obesity/weight related" because if records are requested by your insurance company it may not be a coverable expense. That's the only thing I can think of.... About 10 years ago when I had a consultation with a surgeon for gastric bypass (which I did not go through with) I ordered chart notes from an orthopedist I had seen for back pain and she had the comment in reference to me, "her massive form". I wasn't there about weight issues, but back pain. I have never forgotten that reference in her notes. And I mention it here because it's a reference to the fact that if you are discussing your weight and general nutrition with this person you would definitely think that she would have that recorded in your chart notes.

It's great that this forum exists now. I am a sleever, and I am eager to read the experiences of DS people, in the event of a revision years down the road. Good luck!

Hi Everyone, My surgery is a week away... well 5 Days now...since I'm still up. Nervous as I don't know what. I have been doing great on my pre op diet until today. It was my sister's birthday and we took her out I had bread and salade and felt so sick I threw up. I also felt gulity.(But that's another story. The guilt mostly comes from not telling everyone I will be having surgery. I have told my parents and my sister. Have not informed my cousin who is like a sister because of fear she may tell her parents and the word may get all over the family. See my sister had Gastric Bypass about 10 years ago and although she did great losing over 285 lbs. she is and was constantly judged. I really do not want this to be my life. After she got down to the 100's she became pregnant after being told there was absolutely No way she would ever conceive. Needless to say she has a Beautiful 6 year old now. She has gained a little weight which she is constantly dieting off. Family and Friends often ask why did you gain weight after you lost it all she is only 20 lbs away from the weight she was when the family and friends made her feel too skinny and anorexic (Which she was not EVER). I guess my fear is not being able to live up to what they will feel the surgery should be. I also, have not gone into full details with my husband. Only telling him I am seeking ways to be healthier and preparing my body to one day become a mother. He knows I plan on having something done on Thursday...but what .?, has not been reviled. If anyone has had this problem or has been dealing with anything simular, please write back.

I have a poll in regards to hunger suppression. I have also created a few questions for those who have been sleeved at least more than a few months. I have been thinking about a revision from band to sleeve for more than awhile now. I keep going back and forth with it. I won?t go into details right now with my band because maybe I?m just being a little selfish with my reasons, but that to me is really important right now. I?m not getting any younger and I just want something that actually will give me what is advertised! Thanks to anyone who is willing to help out a bit? J I?m sure most of these questions have been asked a zillion times, but I?m going to start moving forward with this quickly and would like some ?one-stop-shopping!? LOL Questions: 1) How long have you been sleeved? 2) Who was your surgeon? 3) What were your experiences with your surgeon? 4) Would you recommend your surgeon? 5) How much weight have you lost since your sleeve date? 6) What type of sleeve do you have? 7) Would you recommend the type of sleeve you have? 8) Do you find you still have the necessary level of energy to sustain a good workout? 9) Do you find it difficult to keep the weight off once you have lost it? 10) Do you have trouble eating, such as getting ?stuck?? 11) What is the one things about getting the surgery that you regret? 12) Would you do this surgery again, or would you have made another choice? THANKS TO ALL!!! POLL QUESTION: What is your hunger level NOW in comparison to Pre-Sleeve? I am between 96% hunger cured to 100% hunger cured. I am between 90% hunger cured to 95% hunger cured. I am between 80% hunger cured to 89% hunger cured. I am between 70% hunger cured to 79% hunger cured. I am between 50% hunger cured to 69% hunger cured. I am between 26% hunger cured to 49% hunger cured. I am between 1% hunger cured to 25% hunger cured. I am 0% hunger cured.