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@kayshabear Thats great! It can be hard to find the time sometimes! I couldn't exercise right after surgery due to complications so I feel like I am behind! I am loving the gym though!

Thanks for replying. I do not use a CPAP. However, I've been having issues with taking in enough fluids, and I've only been able to keep down 1 Protein shake without getting sick. With ghe Fluid intake i try to do one 8 ounces of SMART Water with ice chips and then 8 ounces of G2 or Powerade Zero. Im not on track for normal food intake either. I still havent been able to progress past full liquids without complications.

Hi I am struggling also. No complications with surgery but car accident. In physical tgerapy. Limited exercise - can't use the treadmill yet. Since surgery 12/8/2016 217 to 180 pounds. Ask to be seen tomorrow for blood work and consult. Dizziness, headaches and muscle weakness.

My Dr also recommended the bypass because I was diabetic and there appears to be more success rate with the bypass and diabetics..but I chose the sleeve..it's considered the safest of the two and I know two people personally where the daughter got the bypass and the mom got the sleeve and the daughter has been in the hospital several times after her bypass for dehydration and other complications and the mom hadn't had any issues. Luckily I have had no issues either. I feel great..my sugar is normal and I am off my meds. I also didn't have problem with sugar which is another reason people pick the bypass to keep from eating sweets if they get dumping syndrome. The sleeve also requires less Vitamins for life. My issue was binge eating..over eating even good foods. I chose the sleeve and it was the right choice for me for sure slow and steady wins the race in my book. SW 232 CW 201.4 GW 175

Hello! I am now 8 months post op! In answer to your questions: 1. My cravings have not gone away completely but I am able to control it better. If I want something sweet I eat it just in a MUCH smaller amount. As my nutritionist says, you really only taste it the first couple bites and then its just a bunch of calories after that. I'm fine with having a bite of a cupcake or what I normally do is get the mini squares of ghirardelli dark chocolate. They are only 36 calories a square and one mini square is all I need. 2. I do feel full. It's not the fullness I expected this far out. I felt much fuller right after surgery but that is to be expected since your stomach is so swollen. I have much less of the hungry 5 minutes after eating that I had before surgery. Now its more like 1 1/2-2 hours after I eat. 3. I take many medications (14 pills a day) for various medical issues. Right after surgery I had to space them out throughout the day so I could take them all. Now I can take them in a bunch in the morning and at night. As your stomach heals it will be easier to take pills. There are only a few pills you shouldn't take after surgery. Your surgeon will be able to tell you them. It's basically because some pills have an irritant in them that can cause stomach bleeding or ulcers. 4. I have had some complications after surgery and did not have a straight down slope. I am still down 226 pounds since I started and 160 pounds down since surgery. There are periods of stall and whenever I travel in a car for long periods or fly I retain Water like crazy and always seem to gain 10-14 pounds. >:( So annoying! But it's usually very temporary!

Well it's better to know now than it is to have a complication arise and then them say they won't cover it. Whether you wait or not, it won't change their decision on it. They can't refuse to cover covered treatment, so I suspect as long as they don't have to do the actual surgery you should be fine.

I am still pre-op but I have talked to so many people and have never met a single person face-to-face that regretted the surgery, even those who experienced complications still do not regret it. There are people out there that do regret it but I can guarantee that they are a small portion of the WLS population. You do run the risk that you may regret your decision to have surgery but a few years down the road will you regret not having the surgery? I know if I don't get the surgery I will 100% regret not taking the risk. As for complications, do your research. Know what the complications are and the signs of complications so that you are in tune with what your body is telling you after surgery. Research the risk of actually having a complication. I think it's 1/400 have complications and less than 1/4000 die. Complications are actually pretty rare and death, although is still a risk, is extremely rare. There are not people dying all over the place from weight loss surgery. It is important to realize though that there is always a risk and there is always a horror story but then again that can be said about anything in life. How many people have died in car accidents, how many have died from crossing the road, what about dying while getting lost hiking? Life is not guaranteed and even though there is risk surrounding us every second and every day, we also know that statistically speaking you are not very likely to experience those risks so we get behind the wheel, we cross the street and we go hiking. As for regain, it is ridiculous to be mad that there is a possibility of regain. They tell you over and over again this is a tool not a guarantee. No one promised you that you will get the surgery and then life will be perfect and you can eat whatever you, whenever you want and however much you want. Don't out eat the sleeve and you will be fine. Like all weight-loss, this requires a lifestyle change and is not a quick fix that you don't have to work for. Anyways long post that can be summed up with do your research. Look at the good, the bad and the ugly. Make sure you are 100% committed to the change. Look at the risks but also look at the statistics behind the risks and decide what you feel is right for you. Good luck!

Hello Everyone, I am writing to you because I needed to get some advice. Last week I had my lap band removed due to some complications and thus decided to have it removed. I got my band 6 years ago and have lost 60lbs and was able to maintain it for four years. However, now that I have the band removed I have forgotten how life was before the band, which is a bit scary. Thankfully, since the removal I have lost weight, but I ams still nervous to eat too much because I may gain weight. With that said, my question is it possible to lost weight after the lapband removal, or is weight gain always going to happen? Sorry if this is all over the place. I appreciate any advice that you can provide. Thank you

I feel I could get so much more intake of fluids with the help of a straw. Has the use of one actually hindered anyone's weight loss? Or caused complications?

Studies show that losing weight is far more complicated than we ever thought. I tried for 40 years to lose the extra weight, but only got heavier. WLS was the re-set I needed to have a fresh start at a healthy lifestyle. Poor food choices IS the main cause of obesity, and yes, if you don't address it you'll undo all the good work the surgery did. My recommendation is to see the surgery as part of the strategy. Education, nutrition, therapy, and setting lifestyle goals are equally important. Without the surgery you might be able to lose the weight if you employ those other factors but it'll be harder and take longer, meaning there is a better chance you'll give up and fail. You've probably experienced that already. I can't tell you if it's right for you but I can tell you that surgery succeeded for me (and several of my friends) where 40 years of going it alone failed. It's okay to have second thoughts. It's also okay to talk to a certified person to help you through this. Best of luck!

I don't know why, but after researching bariatric surgery for a while now and starting the process of getting a gastric sleeve, I find myself wondering what the heck I'm doing. I don't know why I'm having these doubts. On top of my co morbidities, I am at my highest weight ever, I have constant back pain whether I stand, sit or lay down, and I'm experiencing the worst heartburn that I have ever had in my life. I recently have gone up another pant size which I swore I would never do. Yet, here I am finding myself looking up diets again to see if I can finally stick with one that will help me to lose all of this weight. I'm almost 80 lbs over weight which probably wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't so short. (4'11") Despite all of that, I've been asking myself why am I considering cutting off a large portion of my stomach, when the problem is not my stomach. The problem is my poor food choices. What if this surgery leads to complications to my health and/or constant revisions? I know in my head that obesity is just as much a threat to my health so why am I on the fence? Has anyone else felt this way before surgery? Has anyone gone through wls not knowing 100 percent that this is the answer?

I was sleeved on may 2015 with a low bmi of 31. Im male 6"1 and was 230 pounds. I went down to as low as 177.. i had maintained a very balanced weight approach of 180-182 throughout time but since october of this past year the weight has slowly gone back up and im going insane because i dont know what is happening. I have gained 12 pounds now and have gotten alot of testing done to see if there are any abnormalities with the sleeve pouch itself and all has come back normal. The only minor thing that was found was a slight dilation but it is minimal so i dont think that it has to do with the weight gain. I drink plenty of Water daily, consume Protein ranging from 100-125 grams daily along with exercise as well. Not taking any medication that could trigger weight gain. My surgeon is lost in words and doesnt know why or what is triggering this weight gain. Dont know if any sleevers out there have similar experiences but i would appreciate all the feedback from everyone. This is truly stressful and i just want to go back to how things were not to long ago. I am aware that im almost 2 yrs out but is not to the point where i should be having issues or complications with the sleeve soo soon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello all, SW 245lbs CW 193 I am truly happy with my outcome so far although I've had complications with dehydration and becoming lactose sensitive I doing a lot better. I do have a question to those who have had the surgery, is anyone else experiencing migraines ? This is new to me considering I haven't had an headache since surgery on October 27, 2016 and now is going on 2 weeks with constant migraines. Any feed back would be nice. Thank you for taking the time to read my complaint.

Ever taken or ever been administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, a standardized psychometric test of adult personality and psychopathology? You probably have many times before, but you just didn't know it. Psychologists and other mental health professionals use various versions of the MMPI to help develop treatment plans; assist with differential diagnosis; help answer legal questions (forensic psychology); screen job candidates during the personnel selection process; or as part of a therapeutic assessment procedure. Often, these tests are administered by companies selecting from a vast pool of prospective applicants for an open position. However, I have been told before that seldom my thinking may be unconventional and I might sometimes take a novel approach to viewing my world. Therefore, even though my operation is not until late next month, March 2017, I have an explanation that I came up with of why I chose the Bypass over the Sleeve. I told my psychologist this, and he thought it was brilliant thinking. Ever seen the classic Stanley Kubrick film, A Clockwork Orange? In the movie we follow the main character Alex Delarge. "Alex is the narrator, protagonist, and antihero. He is portrayed as a sociopath who robs, rapes, and assaults innocent people for his own amusement. Intellectually, he KNOWS that this sort of behavior is wrong, saying that "you can't have a society with everybody behaving in my manner of the night." He nevertheless professes to be puzzled by the motivations of those who wish to reform him and others like him, saying that he would never interfere with their desire to be good; he simply "goes to the other shop." In an analogy or parallel to this, I fit the character of Alex Delarge, not as a sociopath, but simply as a Morbidly Obese Person. I know that chronic obesity can lead to major issues such as Type 2 Diabetes or High Blood Pressure. Luckily at the age of 29, I have been blessed by many years of good genes based on the fact that my only issues right now are sleep Apnea, ADHD, and Major Depressive Disorder (in full remission). Anyways like I said, I am acutely aware that my current eating behavior/habit is wrong and can eventually lead me to trouble. Therefore, in the past, I have been recommended that I consider undergoing Bariatric Surgery if I can't control this behavior/weight myself. Next, later in the film A Clockwork Orange, "Two years into a prison sentence, Alex eagerly takes up an offer to be a test subject for the Minister of the Interior's Minister of the Interior's new Ludovico technique, an experimental aversion therapy for rehabilitating criminals within two weeks. Alex is strapped to a chair, injected with drugs, and forced to watch films of sex and violence with his eyes propped open. Alex becomes nauseated by the films and then recognizes the films are set to the music of his favorite composer, Ludwig Van Beethoven. Fearing the technique will make him sick upon hearing Beethoven, Alex begs for the end of the treatment. Two weeks later, the Minister demonstrates Alex's rehabilitation to a gathering of officials. Alex is unable to fight back against an actor that taunts and attacks him and becomes ill at the sight of a topless woman. The prison chaplain complains Alex has been robbed of his free will, but the Minister asserts that the Ludovico technique will cut down crime and alleviate crowding in the prisons." One of the reasons why the Gastric Bypass procedure is so effective is because of its special caveat, the Dumping Syndrome. A form of operant conditioning, the Dumping Syndrome focuses on reinforcement or punishment to weaken voluntary behaviors, like eating the wrong foods. Therefore, one is in a sense losing an amount of free will with Gastric Bypass. In the Adjustable Gastric Band or the Sleeve procedure, you do not get this extra feature, and I feel that the reason why the Gastric Bypass procedure is so superior is that it will not only make my appetite smaller, but it will also control my eating behavior. This is something I need. I think that the reason for Bariatric Surgery is a last resort to change unhealthy eating habits. The last point I am going to make about the Gastric Bypass is very controversial unconventional thinking, but I feel that it is something that is very necessary to consider. What is a contingency plan? A contingency plan is defined as devised for an outcome other than in the usual (expected) plan. It is often used for risk management when an exceptional risk that, though unlikely, would have catastrophic consequences. It is also an often-discussed topic in the world of non-profit management. Fast forward to the end of A Clockwork Orange, “Alex wakes up in a hospital with broken bones. While being given a series of psychological tests, Alex finds that he no longer has an aversion to violence or sex. The Minister arrives and apologizes to Alex. He offers to take care of Alex and get him a job in return for his cooperation with his election campaign and public relations counter-offensive. As a sign of goodwill, the Minister brings in a stereo system playing Beethoven's Ninth. Alex then contemplates violence and has vivid thoughts of himself having sex with a woman in front of an approving crowd, thinking: "I was cured, all right!"” In regards to the term contingency plan and with the finale of A Clock Orange, the point I am trying to make is that God forbid there is some sort of major complication with the Gastric Bypass procedure, there is a contingency plan for it. Doctors don’t like to mention this, but it is not completely permanent. It CAN be reversed. Even though it is impossible to mend several nerves that help with normal gastric function, the procedure itself can be reversed and can restore 95% of what the patient had before the surgery, to begin with. However, the Gastric Sleeve cannot be reversed. The sleeve can be revised to the Bypass, also known as a Duodenal Switch, but you cannot get your original anatomy back. I know it is then silly to compare that situation with Alex in A Clockwork Orange. However, I have read many forums where the reversal procedure has saved many people’s lives for those who couldn’t tolerate the Bypass. Anyways, this is what I told my psychologist, and he thought it was an incredible way of looking at an important decision. Please share with me what you think? Thanks, Gabriel

So it turns out that they could do the revision in my case once they were in there and checked out the tissue. Surgery was done on 2/6/17 however due to some complications I was just released yesterday. Also Ended up getting a gout flair up starting yesterday that currently hurts more than any of the surgery locations. Supposed to get staples out tomorrow. I gained quite a bit of weight in the hospital which should come off pretty fast as it is excess fluid, then I can start actually tracking how the weight loss is doing.

Here's my background I am 67 years old. I was a thin child. My weight gain started at age 40 and yo-yo'd from 130 up to over 200. My blood sugar was pre-diabetic for the last 10 years. Family history was littered with heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. And I was miserable. Depressed, embarrassed, ashamed and did I mention miserable. My Dr. told me in August that she was going to be forced to diagnose me as a full on Type 2 Diabetic. Spent a several month researching this surgery and I was a self pay. It was a lot of money to spend. Here's what I know after 5 months. 1. It isn't easy. I was so lucky, I had no complications, very little pain and was absolutely committed to following my (very conservative) Dr.'s instructions. I take my Vitamins, drink my Water and down 1-2 Protein shakes a day. The first month was challenging......there was discomfort, there was some second guessing, but never regret. I was finally NOT HUNGRY. Bored with the regimen, and chafing at having to set timers to drink something every 15 min. and so ready to crunch something.......but never regrets. I still long for an occasional cracker (again, the crunch), a good glass of wine, and that satisfaction sugar can bring. But I have the tool now to just say no.......and feeling good about myself is worth so much more than that moment of pleasure that eating a cookie would bring. 2. Here's what makes it worth it. The Dr. visit when she told me that I was in the normal range with my blood sugar and removed the Pre-Diabetic and Diabetic diagnosis in my record. When she took me off my Statin drugs for cholesterol problems. When she told me that my BMI was now out of the Obese category and in the Overweight range. (still working to be in the "Normal" range). Being able to get up and down off the floor to play with a grand child, walk 2 miles with out panting, walk into a department store and go to the regular women's department and not the Plus or Women's or Fat girl section. And what a joy to look in a mirror without wanting to cry. Sitting down in an airplane seat and being able to fasten that seatbelt without the struggle. Finding old bracelets and watches that actually fit around my wrists. I feel badly for the gentleman who has such regrets, but just as my experience is particular to me, his is a journey that I hope won't scare anyone considering this surgery away. You have to chart your own path. I just know that this was a miracle for me. I still have 30-40 lbs. to go and am pumped to see where the next months take me. Five months with out caffeine, alcohol, sugar, chips or bread would have been impossible for me to accomplish without the surgery. It isn't easy, it isn't cheap, but if you embrace it and follow the plan.........oh, the rewards.

If you already have reflux, please do strongly consider the bypass. I don't have reflux now, so am just concerned about developing it. Something I came across... about 50-70 percent of bariatric patients have reflux going into surgery. If sleeves outnumber bypasses, then there are a lot of patients potentially getting the wrong procedure done (with respect to this one issue). Might explain the number of revisions we are hearing about. But, the bypass is more invasive, with more other types of complications. It makes for a hard choice!

Thanks all. I was scared said my prayers before I went to sleep and hope for the best three recovery and hope for zero complications. Doesn't matter how good the surgeon is you always have a chance of getting a leak.

Although I haven't began my pre-op diet because I don't have a surgery date yet, I'm really confused about the pre-op diet that I was given by my nutritionist. The diet I was given states that 2 weeks prior to surgery I go carb free, which allows meat and vegetables but no fruit or dairy , then 24 hours prior to surgery we are to do a liquid diet NPO after midnight. My nutritionist is also telling us in our classes that we don't have to do the shakes because we will get our protein from our foods. I understand that every surgeon is different, but from what I've been reading it sounds like the nutritionist that works with my surgeon is misleading the patients. I go for my final appointment to see my surgeon next week before getting my surgery date and plan on talking with him about both the pre-op and post-op diet because I so badly want to be successful in my weight loss and do no want to experience any complications from not getting te correct amount of protein and other nutrients.

I had a great experience. No regrets and no complications. I'm 115 lbs down and 10 months out. I went from a size 24 to a size 12 (my goal is a sz 8, still losing), and I have become extremely active. No more limits. I work out doing Krav Maga (martial arts) 4x a week and love it. My sleeve opened up doors and new confidence I would never have found without it. It's been such a blessing! At 35, I can join the myriad voices saying "My only regret is that I didn't have it sooner". Everything in its time, though.

Hi All! I'm getting sleeved next month. I'm beyond excited and cannot wait for the day to arrive. Been obese all my life. Never in my 42 years have I even been in the 'overweight' category so this is something that I'm even looking forward to. Lap band in '04 got me from 360 to 210, had it removed due to complications in 2014 and have gained sooooo much of my weight back. I'm excited to start the journey of getting my life back and maybe, just maybe, getting to the 'overweight' category at last or even dare I say, a normal weight range. I'm so ready for this. Thanks for making me feel like I'm not alone. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Unfortunately, I already did it and I'm angry about it and feel so stupid! God has been good to me through it all. He has revealed things to me concerning my health before I had to suffer long term complications. My concerns is that I continue to have a ear to hear Him for the rest of my life. My life depends on it!

This is major surgery!!!! And the bad thing about it is...... you never know when or if your body will respond negatively to what was done. Or if statistic will acknowledge it as being another problem with bariatric surgery and add the problem to their small percentage. Just another billion dollar discovery. Just wait.... lawyers will be advertising about those that lost love ones or experienced serious complications after having bariatric surgery.... you may have a claim, blah blah blah the same vicious cycle.

And the statistics are based on what? How many get sick right after surgery before leaving the hospital and or dies? Or how many end up back in the hospital dehydrated or Vitamin deficient? Exactly how much does statistic cover? From where I sit a lot of people suffers serious complications after surgery than statistics acknowledges.

I had the gastric sleeve done 2/6/17. Im 1 week post op and I haven't had any complications. I had thought about backing out of the surgery because of reading the complications from others but one thing my surgeon said which helped me was you have to think did they follow instructions to a T and correctly, or did they cheat? Also what kind of health were they in before this surgery? I believe you will be fine. Good luck!