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I'm 4 weeks post op today. I've never felt more alone. I'm having regrets. It took me over two years to make my decision to revision from the band to the sleeve. Reasons that I feared would happen with relationships, friendships, things that I enjoy doing started very early on in my two month post op phase and continue. I know that I should be patient. I know things will get easier with time, but when the scale is not moving and I can't even get a friend to say "hey, how's it going? Wanna do something not revolving around food or alcohol?" It's just very discouraging. I'm also struggling to do things that I enjoy alone. Reading, drawing, going for walks. Nothing interests me...

Under the premise that the most important component of your car is the nut holding the steering wheel, I don't have a real preference; it's a tool and the most important part is still what's between the surgeon's ears. The doc who adopted our local support group, one who is well regarded for doing complex revisions, has mentioned that he has no real preference to them - he uses them if the hospital he is at has it and it is available, but he isn't specifically scheduling himself around it. My real concern is would the robot help a surgeon who is low on the learning curve, say on doing sleeves, be less likely to make a sleeve with a stricture? Or if the surgeon is one who is apprehensive about working around a fatty liver be less likely to close up and send the patient home without completing the job?

Hi Everyone, I am interested in having the lap band surgery and would like to hear from anyone in the Washington DC area who has had it. Would also like to know if their insurance company covered it and the name of their doctor. Had previously considered the gastric-bypass surgery but ruled it out because of the severity of the operation. Thanks and look forward to hearing from you.

OMG!!! I am in the same boat. I was banded 12/6/11 and have lost a total of 23 lbs. I am hungry a lot of the time and the doc keeps saying, when it gets adjusted right it will work. Well I have run out of co pays with so many adjustments. I can eat most things still and am ashamed that I do somewhat. If I could stick to a diet I would not have had to come here to begin with. I have cried so much recently that I am getting depressed. People look at me and my own mother called me fat ass, and she used to be 300 lbs before she had bypass and almost died. I started at 249 and today was 229 again. :<(((( I am so sorry..why won't ur doctor fill ur band? I am hearing good advice and reassurance that it will get better with fills...hang in there and keep me posted...good luck to you. Your mom is wrong...ignore that mess...I would love love love to be 229 right now.

This sounds like a question for Chef Woody. Chef Woody was a restaurant chef who underwent RNY gastric bypass surgery. He then incorporated his knowledge of WLS into specific recipes. After surgery he became an avid bicycle enthusiast. He worked is way up in competitions and rode non-stop from one side of Indiana to the other. He said when he reached the other side of the state, he was totally out of energy and collapsed. I suspect he would know the answer. He probably told it to me but I forgot. He moved away and now lives in Florida. Here is a link to what I believe is his website. http://www.chefwoody.com

Help! I had Gastric Bypass Feb 2016... I've lost 144lbs and I feel great. My current struggle is the lose skin, particularly in my stomach and thighs. It's not enough for skin removal surgery to be covered by insurance and I can't afford to pay out of pocket. I go to the gym at least 5 days a week. I try to focus on lifting weights and building muscle all over. Does anyone have any tips that they found helped them with tightening up the problem areas without surgery? Thank you.

I am 4 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I had severe acid reflux [GERD] prior to surgery. That is why I went with gastric bypass vs. sleeve; because the sleeve will only make this condition worse. I have not had a problem with GERD since surgery. I used a PPI [proton-pump inhibitor] called Prilosec [Omeprazole] to periodically treat this condition prior to surgery. I also was prescribed this drug for the first year after surgery, in order to allow my stomach to heal. But after the year was up, I could tell the this condition was in remission. You indicated that ppi medication reducing life expectancy 25 percent. GERD is a dangerous disease. It can lead to Barrets' esophagus, and many other problems. According to the internet: GERD is most often not a life limiting disease. Approximately 23 million Americans have GERD. The chances of Barret's is pretty small and even then less then 10 percent with Barrets will develop esophageal cancer. An estimated 13,000 people in the US are diagnosed with EC each year, so it is pretty rare. Everyone starts off with a normal lower esophageal sphincter and no reflux. The severity of GERD probably correlates best with the degree of damage to the sphincter, but this is not easy to determine in practice. These are the four stages of GERD: Stage 1 – Mild GERD The majority of adults today have minor damage to their LES [lower esophageal sphincter] and experience mild GERD occasionally. In most cases they either tolerate occasional heartburn or use over-the-counter acid suppressive medications with the onset of symptoms. Because their symptoms are controlled quickly, easily, and inexpensively with these drugs, their quality of life is unaffected. Stage 2 –Moderate GERD Stage 2 GERD is more difficult to control with acid suppressive drugs and reflux is more frequently accompanied by higher intensity symptoms. Damage to the LES is more extensive compared to Stage 1. Many symptoms can be satisfactorily managed long-term with acid suppressive medications. Over-the-counter medications often provide inadequate relief, so prescription strength medications are necessary to manage symptoms. Stage 3 – Severe GERD Stage 3 GERD results in a substantially lower quality of life and is considered to be a very serious problem. Prescription level acid suppressive drugs do not control symptoms to the individual’s satisfaction and regurgitation is frequent. It is also likely that one or more of the complications associated with erosive GERD may be present. Stage 4 – Pre-cancerous condition or reflux induced esophageal cancer Stage 4 is the result of many years of severe reflux. 10-15% of long-term sufferers progress to this very advanced condition. Due to long-term reflux, the lining of the esophagus has been damaged, resulting in cellular changes. Interestingly, these changes may occur in some with only minimal symptoms. Stage 4 involves the development of a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus, or a more severe condition called dysplasia. These conditions are not cancers, but raise the risk of developing actual reflux-induced esophageal cancer. At this stage, typical GERD symptoms may also be accompanied by burning in the throat, chronic cough and hoarseness. Strictures, or a narrowing of the esophagus, can also occur which is characterized by the sensation that food is sticking in the esophagus. This same symptom can also be caused by esophageal cancer. So perhaps it is not the use of PPI that causes the lowered life expectancy but the damage from the disease itself. Anyways from my perspective there is treatment for this condition and that is RNY gastric bypass surgery.

I will be having revision surgery in Oct. With Dr. Aceves. I wasn't working when I got the lapband three years ago, so this wasn't an issue. My co-workers know that I am having surgery, but not the details. I've been told that my surgeon will need to clear me to return to work with a letter. I don't want to reveal what type of surgery I had or explain why I had it in Mexico (I work at a US hospital!) Did any of you have this dilemma and how did you deal with it? Thanks.

I am finally seeing the surgeon on Tuesday and I am sure she is going to ask me questions. I don't know what to say if she asks me "Why do I want to have the sleeve over the bypass". Did any of you get asked this and what did you say?

I didn't get asked that at all. I didn't want the bypass because I don't want to have to worry so much about all the nutritional deficiencies after surgery. :-)

Terry, I am so sorry to hear that you could not have your sleeve done at this time. However, you know that you will be able to do so in the future. It would have been worse news to hear that you were not a viable candidate due to the scar tissue. Good luck. I am going in on October 25th for a band to sleeve revision and scar tissue is one of my biggest fears. I have had my band in July 2007.

Hi I'm Kim. Had a lap band back in 05 without much success. Had a revision to a gastric bypass this past Tuesday and right now I'm experiencing some pain and discomfort. Kinda in a what in the heck did I do to myself place right now. Any suggestions, tips, words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to meeting new people who are in the same boat.

I had a gastric bypass on 1995. I lost 100 pounds . I kept the weight loss for 10 years, right know I am 50 pounds over and very scared to gain it all back. I am very interested to do the lap band, I want to ask to the mom in maine who performed her lap band surgery,or anybody who know a doctor in mass who perform lap band a operation after a gastric bypass, Thank you, Sara

Im a newbee and when deciding which surgery to choose ... my surgeon pointed out that the gastric bypass would be best for me because of my history of acid reflux. He suggested that the others were known to cause this.

Hey all, I've had my band now for 3 1/2 yrs and have been very successful. Lost 104 lbs in 2 yrs and was 9 lbs from my goal of 135 last year. Then 10 mths ago, I had a minor slip. One that an unfill relieved my severe reflux, but also leaving me with less (much less) restriction. I still have 6cc in my 14 cc band. 1 more cc and it causes reflux. So my drs leaving me alone since I no longer have reflux. I've been going back and forth with: 1. I live with the less-than-optimal restriction, watch calories, diet (which I swore I'd never do after getting the lapband) and do it the old fashioned way. Leaving it alone. Living with a contraption inside of me that works about 75%. 2. Demand my dr fix it. I can either have it replaced, replaced with plication, or convert to a sleeve My ?: Medicare paid for my surgery, as my BMI was 42 and I had hypertension. Do they cover a 2nd surgery because of a complication even tho my BMI is now 27.5. Do they go by what my original BMI was or current? Will they cover adding the plication or just go for what it originally was? Not sure that I want to start fresh again, with surgery, 4 weeks of liquids, and many trips (6 hr roundtrip) to get my adjustments until they are good. So, does Medicare cover revision of my band only or can I add plication too? Thanks! Marci

I'm so sorry you've had problems/complications. I had to have revision surgery as well and my insurance covered my surgery. If you are covered under insurance, will they cover it? It is not anything you have caused - just faulty equipment. I wish you the best luck and I'm sorry this hasn't worked out for you. I love my band and have had problems with it, but I wouldn't change a thing. I don't completely agree with you blaming your metabolism and thyroid on poor weight loss. As long as you are taking synthroid (or whatever meds you are on) it shouldn't be an issue. I am hypo too and yes it is hard to lose weight, but it is hard for anyone that is obese to lose. When my thyroid level is correct I have no problem losing. For years I blamed my thyroid on being heavy. I'd tell myself I had a "hormone problem" and continue to stuff my face. I finally stopped using that excuse and admitted that my eating is what was my problem. If you weren't losing you may want to have your level checked. I'm not a doctor, but I do know when my head is the problem and not my metabolism. I wish you the best.

Hi KTK. My husband and I have had the lap band for 2 years now. We have a friend that had the Gastric Bypass a year and a half ago. She lost her first 100 lbs faster than us, however she has had many complications. We have had absolutely no complications and over time, we have lost more weight. Both surgeries are very effective however there are people that have not been successful with either one. The Lap Band and the Gastic bypass are only tools. You get out them what you put in to it. I chose the Lap band because I felt re arranging my insides was a bit much. The Lap Band is adjustable and reversable and it has worked great for both of us. Feel free to contact me if you think of any questions. I love giving the advise that helped my husband and I. We are both half the size we use to be =-). Good Luck. Once you start see the results, it become an easy life style to adapt to.

Yep, I chose lap-band because it could be undone, if necessary!! I hope it's not necessary, but I just couldn't imagine something as drastic as gastric bypass with all the malabsorption issues and dumping, not to mention, it can't be undone!

Ultimately it is up to you. Be as informed as possible about each type of WLS. Many doctors recommend gastric bypass for patients that are significantly overweight because of the initial rapid weight loss and maybe due to other factors such as co-morbidities. You need to be aware that some doctors have their own motivation for the type of surgery to recommend. Maybe they only do lap band, or get better reimbursements for gastric bypass or other types of surgery. Maybe your insurance doesn't cover certain types of WLS. There are many reasons. Make sure the one you choose is YOUR choice. Take the doctors advice into consideration, but really, you know yourself better than anyone. Which type of surgery do you think you will have the most success with and which one do you think you could tolerate the best?

I couldn't understand the "reversibility" of the band, like "ah, this skinny thing isn't really for me... I think I liked being fat and unhealthy better. Take it out!" Why would reversibility be a good thing unless there was a high rate of revision caused by complications? Bypass and DS were too extreme.

I'm scheduled for the sleeve in August. I am reconsidering whether bypass is a better option. Biggest issue is that I can take in lots of food at one go and I have a sweet tooth which isn't as bad as it once was. And even though I know I'm full, I can eat to the point of feeling sick. So my question is to anyone with similar eating patterns, did your sleeve or bypass really help one year post surgery or was it easy to slip into old habits and regain the weight? I can eat a large ny bagel with eggs bacon and cheese followed by a large latte and a visit to a bakery where i get several items. Other goals is that i dream to run a marathon, and want to have a baby in a couple of years. Thanks

I don't think there is any evidence that water + food stretches out a sleeve, at least not in those patients who are portion-compliant. However, in RNY patients (who have a 'pouch') the tissue used to make the pouch is the stretchy part of the stomach and the pyloric valve is bypassed. Those pouches CAN enlarge over time with food and liquid taken to excess. I think a lot of bariatric "advice" comes from clinicians who mainly have dealt with bypass patients.

So I had my first (of six) appointments with my bariatric specialist today, who believes with my insurance and situation, I should have no problem being approved for surgery. That being said, he discussed the differences between the sleeve and bypass and before our talk, I was set on the VSG surgery, however now I'm beginning to think that maybe the bypass may be a better option for me. He said that if I'm wanting to lose 60-80lbs, that the VSG surgery is the better choice for slower weight loss, but if I'm looking to lose 100+lbs, I should consider the bypass. I'm currently 5'5", 294.1 lbs and definitely want to lose more than 100lbs, but I've done so much research on VSG that I feel the most comfortable with that option, but also want to give myself the best opportunity to lose the most weight. What are your experiences with loss after either bypass or VSG? I'm not opposed to bypass, it was just never the direction I thought I was headed so I have done little research and feel my nerves all over again! Any advise helps, thank you!

So trust your gut and do whatever makes you most comfortable. Research makes it seem like bypass patients lose more, but that's far from the truth. My doctor told me straight up, that long term you will loose about the same amount of weight regardless. It also depends on you and how active you decide to be and how well you stick to your diet. Bypass is definitely more complicated of a procedure so recovery time is a tiny bit longer. Also because bypass re-routes your intestines you have to be good with taking your supplements every day and avoid high fat and high sugar foods to avoid dumping syndrome. For that reason i chose the sleeve. I got sleeved in december. It's the best thing i've ever done for me. And the idea of losing 60-80 pounds with the sleeve is complete bullshit. Depending on where you start, you can lose as much as you want with it. I know plenty of people that lost well over 120 pounds with the sleeve and successfully kept it off. I haven't had any side effects or complications.

Hello... I understand both ways. It can be scary either way because its a surgery but for myself it took me three years to decide on the lapband. The Lapband can be reversed if complications make it necessary but the Gastric Bypass is not, knowing this made the Lapband my choice.