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Hello Third time should definitely be the charm for you, I hope it goes well. I can relate, last 4+ months have been hell, horrible GERD, no solids for months...getting tired of pureed soups, as they at the only things that don't get "stuck" and cause severe pain, vomiting, etc. Tired of having to supplement w/ protein powder all the time. They missed the hiatal hernia (how?) with first endoscopy and hospital stay back in Feb. Had the barium swallow last month...radiologist saw the hernia right away. Had another endoscopy a week ago, confirmed fixed hiatal hernia (medium in size). Now I'm on more meds, waiting for blood work results to check for vitamin deficiencies.... and, not too thrilled that I will be needed to take a road trip to have the torture manometry test before they decide whether to do a Nissen procedure or just go ahead and do the revision to gastric bypass. I'm hoping for the latter. Had my sleeve back in Nov 2016. For me, I hope the 2nd time is the charm. Good luck w/ your surgery!

Why is it that when you are feeling good and have a lot of hope that people kick you in the knees? My surgery was on 7/28 and I have lost 36lbs already! That is great! I ran into an old co-worker/friend today and in our conversation I shared with her that I had LAP-BAND® surgery. She of course immediately told me I should have opted for gastric bypass because the people she knows that have had LAP-BAND® were not successful... So I walk away from the conversation feeling panicked that I made the wrong choice and that I will not be successful. I can't seem to shake my doubts today... This blog really sounds pathetic but I needed to vent.

Hi, I’m having a revision from the band to bypass. Right now my band is unfilled but there’s still some restriction. When I eat with the band the small pouch causes me to stop eating after a few bites but then I’m able to start up again after 15 minutes. I’m concerned that this will happen with the RNY and then I’ll be grazing all day. Is the gastric bypass more effective than the band on terms of how fullness feels?

I think you are on your way. You've opened up to us. Why not get a gastric bypass? Can you pull the money together? You already know you need to address the depression but getting rid of the weight will also effect your state of mind too. Maybe working your band is the solution. But I would listen to your doctor too- maybe he's right and you would do best with a bypass. I also think you need to look for another job with a better boss and with less hours. It may take a while but put it on your to do list. Re. WARCRAFT--it's too soon to give it up. You get a lot out of it right now. But plan with your therapist how to do less of that and more actual mingling with people face to face. As you lose the weight that will probably happen naturally. Good luck with your challenges and just decide which path--the band again or bypass.

I have spoken to the doc and he recommends gastric bypass but I am not so sure I want that, I think I like the idea of the sleeve better. Does anyone know what the major differences are?

For me it's because of my acid reflux. I know a lot of overweight people have reflux that goes away with weight loss but mine is just hereditary. I have had reflux since I was 16. I was 115 lbs. My surgeon agrees that because of my family history (mom and grandmother both have severe reflux) that bypass is the way to go. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I figured since so many people have revisions from sleeve to RNY, I’d just have RNY to begin with. Higher weight loss and keep more weight off longer, per data.

Ever since my gastric bypass surgery, my periods are long but light. Would the surgery have anything to do with this?

So, I just got my gallbladder out on 4/11/16, like 4 days later I got the call with my insurance approval and a surgical date. So my question, I'm already healing from my gallbladder and the gas pain is killing me, how much pain will I be in after my bypass? I think I'm just seriously nervous because of the gas pain I have no Sincerely, Befitnotfat

I was in group session at my bariatric surgeons office and one of the fellow rny bypassers stated she can feel her remnant stomach...can even burp it. I've never even thought about my other stomach thats floating around still. It kinda blew my mind. So i was wondering if anyone else feels it.

Hi there! I’m in Providence wondering if there were any pre op WLS people here!

Hi, I have a complicated story and need some input. I won't go into a long story as it is quite twisty turny. Long and the short of it is that I had an RNY done 3 years ago and lost all my weight to goal in 9 months. I kept it off and loved my bypass. Then at the 2 year mark, I developed a rare side effect and the decision was made by my medical to team to reverse it to see if it would mitigate or relieve the effects/complication with the intent to sleeve me as soon as I was healed to continue with the restrictive aspect. (because it is not a common situation, they knew it was possible it would not help) They reversed it in Sept 2014. Again, I healed great but promptly started gaining (Even though I did my very best to maintain my RNY eating habits) in January 2015, I was cleared to have the sleeve done and I have been working out like crazy daily to hold the weight gain at bay. The complication is still an issue but we have resigned ourselves to that fact and have been managing it quite well. My sleeve date will be mid june.... Here is my query... I loved my RNY. I loved the restriction and everything about it. I hear so much about people failing the sleeve/the sleeve failing the people and converting to an RNY. I am very afraid that the sleeve won't be enough. I regained 40 lbs and only need to lose 40 to get back to goal. I would like to hear some feedback about the sleeve. Do you have restriction? Is it noticeable? Average weight loss? IS it a tool that can work? I know how the RNY works. Can I (if I use it properly and respect it) have an honest expectation to lose weight with the sleeve?

You will find thousands on this site who have lost weight with the sleeve. Now, your case is unique and there may be some issues with scar tissue from your RNY and the reversal of it that make your sleeve surgery not as straight-forward as it would be for someone who had never had RNY. I've read some accounts from people who went from lap-band to sleeve not having as much restriction because scar tissue from the band effected how small their sleeve could be and the shape of it. Sleeve definitely provides restriction. I would argue that it provides more restriction than RNY, because with RNY, your pyloric valve is bypassed, meaning food can pass straight through your stomach into your intestines. With sleeve, the pyloric valve is intact and continues working as normal and hold food inside your stomach for longer so it has proper exposure to your stomach acid to break it down before allowing it to pass into your intestine. Also, with sleeve, the fundus is removed. The fundus is the top part of your stomach that is very stretchy and stretches to accommodate more food as you eat. With RNY, the pouch that is made includes some of the fundus, so your pouch is able to stretch more as you eat than a sleeve is. The main thing you will be "losing out" on with sleeve versus RNY is malabsorption. Since none of your intestine is bypased, you will fully absorb all of the calories and nutrients from your food. Edit: In terms of diet and food consumption, the two surgeries are very similar. You will always want to put Protein first. You will eat several small "meals" and Snacks per day to get all of your protein in. You have to avoid eating and drinking at the same time. You have to avoid carbs and slider foods. You have to avoid drinking your calories. It sounds like you were doing well with that with your RNY, so there is no reason to suspect you would have any trouble once you're sleeved.

so far okay. Having issues with a metallic taste in my mouth messing with my ability to consume my shakes (makes me gag!). I'm a little too focused in the now to worry about five years ahead, I think. Especially since I'm so very much in the beginning of my journey. However, I do know a girl about 2.5 years out from bypass and another 3 years out from sleeve and both are doing very well. Sent from my electric toaster using the BariatricPal App.

I had the vertical sleeve in October 2013. Now I'm having a revision to gastric bypass because I can not get the reflux under control. Had I known what I know now about reflux and the sleeve not being the best choice I would have just had the bypass and saved myself from a second surgery.

OP here... I am so upset. I went to the doc and he said my insurance only covers gastric-bypass ;-( He was very anti Lap-Band. He was pretty negative about anything except bypass surgery. He sid Lap-Bnad doesn't work - but I see so many people on here with amazing results! I'm pretty bummed.

hi everyone! I'm scheduled for 7-12-10...nervous and excited! Planning on lap-band, but pre op consult with Dr. Brown here in Denver, Co. I might have alot of scar tissue from previous auto accident so might have to have open surgery....and a chance might have to go the gastric bypass way.... as long as I can have either if okay by me.... I'm nervous about the 3 1/2 day liquid fasting and wonder just how hard will it be? How was the recovery time afterwards? Any information about your journey is appreciated...thanks!!

Hi Dave thank you for the warm welcome! Yes, I DO hear "the band is just a tool" ALL the time. I'm very aware it is NOT the answer. I'm aware that my weight is just as much emotional as it is physical. Luckily, I'm a student by nature and have been studying and going to counseling for some time now...wow, not that I think about it...its been well over a year. I know that the changes will not just be physical ones. In fact, I chose the lap-band for a slower weight loss rate so that I could have time to adjust with the mental/emotional aspects of it all. I suffered from an eating disorder when I was younger and weighed it at 5'10" at 120lbs. Technically I still have one...just the extreme opposite of when i was younger. I was warned that the rapid weight loss of bypass may trigger that need to lose "just a little bit more" and not have the time to adjust as well. I agreed. I am back to the gym now on a regular basis. I have a personal trainer and have built up my strength quite a bit. I've also started with a personal trainer in boxing as well. I'm worried about not being able to get back in there as fast as I would like. Were you working out before the surgery? I can't seem to find anyone in my position to ask how long it takes to get back up to full speed... and then some. I'm already addicted to working out. I'm worried about becoming weak after the surgery. Any thoughts???

I really don't have advice on the surgery itself because I'm going through the pre-process. I will tell you how I came to my decision....I'm turning 40 this year. I've been struggling with my weight for 20+ years. I'd lose 40-60 pounds to gain it all back plus more. I had a son at age 37 and now that he is so active, I decided I needed to get this done. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I want to be around for my son, I don't want to be an embarrassment. I've stopped and started this process probably 3 or 4 times and was originally going to go with bypass but the whole idea of them cutting my stomach and reducting my insides, freaked me. Permanent freaked me out. The band is such a great tool, I think. Am I worried about complications, yes. BUT, what about the complications from our weight issues? Am I worried about death? Yes, but what about dying from a heart attack at age 45 (for me). I think the risks are worth it. I have really changed things about myself just preparing for this surgery. I know if I would stay on track with the changes I have made for myself, I could probably lose the weight alone but I know it would come back on quickly and the lap band will help me maintain control.. I am a frustrated dieter/life changer. I am able to diet and lose but I get so frustrated when I'm living off of raw vegetables and lean cuisine and not seeing that scale move. I get mad and quit....and the cycle continues. I'm hoping this band will help control the hunger so I'm not "starving" and getting frustrated. I've researched, and weighed my options. I can remain overweight and risk the chances of diabetes, heart disease and cancer to name few or I can gain control of this weight and gain control of my life. I want my son to be proud to call me his mom. I want to take pictures with my son so he has memories of me, but I wont' do it now because I'm humiliated with my appearance. I'm done living in the shadows and I want to be healthy. I'm not saying I want to be skinny...healthy. I've told my surgeon....If I could get to 165 and stay there, I would be thrilled. I want to be able to shop in the normal clothes section and not have to shop in the chubby chic section where they only sell clothes with big flowers and fish on them! In my opinon, you have quit smoking....great move to improve your health and kudos for your decision. Losing weight will only add strength to you and make you feel better, inside and out. I am excited about my decision and will eventually look and feel on the outside like I do on the inside. Do the research.. try www.lapband.com - I got a lot of information there. Go to the surgeon and ask tons of questions. I probably call the nurse at least once a week with a new list of questions and they gladly answer them for me. There is a lot of information here too, just don't listen to the horror stories, because they are with every situtation. Some people have horrible pregnancies, gall bladder removals, perms.....but it doesn't stop other people from have successful perms and births....

Hello, I'm 31 female 5'8 with a BMI of 50. My insurance company covers surgery. But I don't know what to do to start the whole process. My IC requires a 6 month program. I got a referral from my PCP for gastric bypass. I called the surgeon, but the nurse set me up with a free information session. She was going to send me a packet in the mail about it. I called them on Dec16, 2015. The free information session isn't until Jan, 27th 2016. It just seems like a very long wait just for a information session. That month could be used to start my 6 months of lifestyle changing program. So really my question is, am I going down the right road here or is there any shortcuts to get me going faster? I have UPMC insurance.

I am doing essentially all of that. The problem is that once the swelling from the the suturing went down (3months out) it had caused the unsutured portion to be stretched, so I have no restriction. I really do eat well. I contacted my surgeon, and he suggested tightening the sutures, however I had an awful experience healing, my stomach was swelled so that I could not eat. I was sick so often that I could not finish my 4th quarter at college, and I was not even able to ride my horse until July because I was too weak. We decided that since my body did not adjust well to the plication, that a revision to either banded plication or bypass would be best for me

Ana, It is funny that you mentioned internet rumors. You do not have your facts straight, and are spreading rumors. The Doctor in Ohio had done nearly 50 plications when his patient had the necrosis. At that time Dr Ortiz claimed that that had done nearly 200. Any Doctor can have complications and patients with weight loss failure. The difference that I see is that the Doctor in Ohio actually came on here and posted about his complication. The OCC sweeps any complications they might have under the rug. I know for a fact that they delete negative posts off of their forum. Josette Best of luck in whatever revision you decide to do. I felt very discouraged many times with my progess, or lack of. I am 18 months post op and weight loss has been very slow. I have lost about 95 pounds since my pre-op diet, and I have about 20 more to go. I have finally made peace with my my choice for plication. The weight loss has been so slow, that not many people would ever assume I had WLS. So what if it takes me almost 2 years to reach my goal? As long as I can keep the weight off, I will consider it a success. I paid $9000. plus another $2000. in travel expences. Then I had some complications that I had to have fixed, and that cost me another $8000. That is a lot of money for me, but my husband said it is the best money he ever spent. Even if I never reach my goal. I feel and look so much better then I did 95 pounds ago.

JG- you have had other people email you about the OCC? Wow! I'm glad you posted that. This is really something other plicaters should know about. I really hope the revision gives you the results you want and that your recovery goes better than the last. Good luck to you and keep us posted!

I had the band in 2008 and lost all my weight.. In April 2014 I found out it has eroded.. I had a revision from band to bypass on May 21 2014. It is awesome! I wish I had the bypass first! It is awesome. I have had no problems. I'm at a normal BMI. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Hi you must work with your surgeon and do whats best for you my surgeon would not even consider the band and very few doctors would or insurance covers it because of complications , I would think about what is best for you and how much weight you want to loose and the success rate of all. I had no complications and very little pain. I would research everything and work with my surgeon to make the best decision, you should ask your surgeon as well as yourself why he choose the bypass over the band. Good luck.