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Hi. I'm new to this site. It took me six months of diligence, but I finally got approval from my insurance company for my sleeve surgery. I had it on April 17th. I'm feeling remarkably well on Day 3 post surgery, much better than I had mentally prepared myself for (from past experience with C-section, tubal ligation, hysterectomy and two knee surgeries). At 7 am today (65 hours after surgery) I walked my dog around the block and had no set-backs from it. Later, I took a car ride (first real outing) to shop and came home very weary, but still ok!and, 3 days post surgery, I've already lost 10 lbs. That's what really impressed me! My motivation to have this procedure stems from my decimal history. Like most obese people, I am becoming diabetic, my joints hurt, and the GERDS is only getting worse. But, unlike most other obese people, my thyroid tanked about 27 years ago, which has made weight loss an even greater challenge. Add to that, I found out 5years ago that I have - not one, but TWO rare auto-immune diseases. Primary Biliary Cirrhosis ("PBC") and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Another name for NASH is Fatty Liver Disease. My weight continued a gradual climb over the years, despite my efforts to change my eating patterns and selections. I felt cornered. This surgery was my only hope to delay - and maybe even eliminate the need for a liver transplant someday. And, if a by-product of this decision is that my sweet husband gains 'arm-candy,' then great! I selected the sleeve over the other procedures because the full bypass surgery makes it impossible to receive a transplanted liver in the future (nix that one), and the Lap-Band is too easy to reverse. I wanted this decision to be permanent and never look back. I work with three people who had the Lap-Band, and only one of them has been successful at it. The other two have gained back all their weight and more. I know several others who have been successful at Lap-Band, but I wanted a permanent life-change. I'm so glad I did it. Pain and nausea? You bet! Unbearable? Maybe once or twice for five minutes, but I kept telling myself, 'this is normal. This, too, shall pass. The outcome of all of this is that YOU get to live to see your 3 year old granddaughter grow up.' There is so much stigma with gastric weight loss surgery, that I've chosen to not share it with more than my husband and two very close friends. It's no ones business why I chose to do this. I see people who have been skinny all their lives say, "Oh, I see.... No wonder you've lost weight," implying the fat person failed and had to "cheat." My coworkers, siblings, and others were told I'm having a procedure done to 'prop-up' my liver, give it some relief, and hopefully delay a transplant - all of which is 100% true. Maybe someday, I'll feel better about sharing the whole story with everyone. I am into Day 4 post-surgery. I've lost 10 lbs. I'm on the right track.

I took neurontin before I had gastric bypass. Do I need to open the capsules and put it something or can I take it whole since it is in capsule for? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G750A using the BariatricPal App

Hi - I'm wondering if the use of essential oils is okay after bypass surgery? I love lemon oil in my water and hope that I can continue using it and others. Anyone have experience with this and whether or not your docs have been okay with it? I use them a lot, for sore throats, upset stomach, etc. Mostly topically but I safely use some of them internally. (I use DoTerra). Any thoughts, ideas, articles, etc would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm scheduled for tomorrow to have the Bypass and I'm super nervous and excited at the same time. I have a feeling of being unprepared. I have my hospital bag, pain meds and all the essentials but it feels like I'm unprepared. I had 8 days of the liver shrinking liquid diet and I didn't do so well. The 1st couple of days were rough so I cheated. The last 3 days I've been basically starving myself. (Water and Protein shake) I'm nervous that it won't be enough. I would be crushed if I couldn't have the surgery or something went wrong because of my negligence. Had anyone experienced that will a large BMI. I'm so nervous.

I had this same thing about 2 weeks out, and so did my husband a few days ago (he's 2 weeks behind me) - we were told it is the scar tissue on the inside of the incision... that the interior of the incision is bigger than what you see on the outside and the scar tissue builds up against the abdominal wall, and if you move a certain way you can pull it away from the abdominal wall and that causes the pain. Feels like a pulled muscle!! For me it lasted about 2 weeks off and on... now I only feel it very little once in a while. Sitting was the worst during the bad part of it. This is what it was for me and they said nothing to be concerned with, it's a natural thing that happens and you just have to wait it out - but of course you should check with your Dr to be sure! Also my friend who has bypass 7 years ago just did the same thing - she had to get a CAT scan because from her pain they thought it might be a hernia or a tumor or something - but it turned out to be pulled scar tissue just like this. So I guess it can happen at any time even a long while after surgery.

very cute....reminds me of the story, when my mom had bypass and lost lots of weight, my little niece who was potty training, got the potty ring out for my mom, since she now had a "little butt"

I'm not so worried about who my mom tells but rather what she thinks and how it affects her. Before she retired one of the ladies at her work had gastric bypass. She got real sick and was unsuccessful with her weight loss. She actually gained weight. So now this is what she has in her mind when she hearts wls. Today my mom tells me how she went to the Dr. And has been diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure and arthritis. My great grandma died of diabetes. I wanted to tell her about how in June I will be getting the sleeve surgery done . I wanted to share with her all the stories and people I've met who have been successful and who are not sick anymore because of surgery . But I felt her out a little and brought up a friend of mine from my job who had the sleeve a year ago and how he had health issues last year that have disappeared along with over 100lbs. She said that she completely disagrees with surgery and it's dangerous. I couldn't tell her. Maybe after I've had surgery and shown how it works and that I am OK afterward she'll look at it differently. ?? I don't want her to be sick and I don't want to die from diabetes some day. But I don't want her to worry about me on top of her stress with her health.

Bypass means more invasive surgery and lifetime malnutrition/supplements. Gastric sleeve is a simple surgery--they just make your stomach radically smaller, and remove the part that causes the hunger hormone.

One other thing I found important is that our immune systems are linked to our digestive systems. I simply do not feel that the egg-shaped pouches of bypass or band patients can give as much aid to digestion and immune system function as can the banana pouch of VSG. Best wishes OP! It is a tough decision, but I found that once I had made my decision I did not question it. Everything just fell into place and seemed meant to be. I'm only 3 weeks out, but I can tell you that this surgery has helped me immensely in that I finally feel like I am taking life by the horns, not the other way around.

I can give you the reason why I fought to have VSG instead of RNY for my revision. 1) regain stats for RNY are just scary 2) # of RNY patients seeking revisions to DS or ERNY because the malabsorption of calories/fat only lasts 2 years, BUT, the malabsorption of nutrients and Vitamins last a lifetime. Not really a fair trade off in my opinion 3) I didn't want to self punish myself if I wanted a cookie. I mean come on that's pretty evil to induce dumping syndrome. Skinny bitches have a cookie or two here and there. Plus, dumping only occurs in 30% of RNY patients, no guarantee it'd keep me out of the cookie jar. 4) I didn't want a blind stomach that can still develop cancer and ulcers yet is difficult to access for scopes, and nearly impossible to diagnose because of the complicated staple line. 5) The pouch caused by the RNY and band are pretty much the same. My body hated the pouch with my band. I knew it would be the same with RNY. It's not natural, I love having a normal, fully functioning tummy. NO pouch, NO stoma with VSG. 6) No Vitamin, nutrient deficiencies with VSG caused by malabsorption. 7) Long term complications with RNY were too numerous for me to even consider a malabsorptive procedure 8) Gastrectomies have been performed for decades upon decades for stomach cancer and ulcerative conditions. Out of all of my research, I found gastrectomy patients living very normal, full lives with partial or complete gastrectomies. Some people have their entire stomach remove and are able to live fairly normal lives. Of course, there are dietary changes and different requirements, but overall, their lives were close to normal. 9) I know several RNY patients in real life, personal close friends, that struggle with regain, Iron infusions weekly for 8 weeks then off for a month, and back on for 2, bowel obstructions, pouch dilation, and other issues related to RNY. 10) The weight loss stats with VSG are neck and neck with VSG and RNY. I knew restriction would be enough for me. Portion control and constant restriction is what I needed. RNY is a great surgery for some people, but for me, it was not a match. For me, VSG was the only option. If I could not have had VSG, my band would have been removed, and I would have stayed fat.

I had my bypass on 11/30 so I'm 8 days post-op today. My nutritionist's goal for me is 64 oz of Fluid including 60-80g of Protein. I am choking trying to get this Water down. I have tried 50/50 diluted clear juice, flavoring the water with Dysani drops and iced tea drops (a number of flavors), and using sf Jell-O to fill in for a couple ounces here and there. I feel like I'm being waterboarded trying to get this down. Additionally, it's very uncomfortable. I take small sips and even those are hurting every so often. I know I'm still healing, but ugh....my patience is wearing thin. Any recommendations on getting the job done? How long before I can swallow, belch, or heaven forbid hiccup without pain? The hiccup is the worst - you don't realize how much of your digestive system is involved in a hiccup until all of it is sore! I can't take the oxycodone because it makes me horrifically itchy, the tylenol tablets were getting stuck and children's tylenol makes me gag, so on top of it I'm suffering through without any pain relief. (By the way - if you want to just slap me and tell me to stop whining, I get it. I just reread what I wrote and I want to slap myself! Argh!!)

I have buckled down! Watched everyday what goes in my mouth (both food & liquid) written down not only what I have eaten but the calories, fat content etc. keeping my calories at 1750 or lower. I was going to the gym getting back to the routine that I was in prior to my daughter leaving for college and my father suddenly passing away. In about 2 weeks I was down 7 pounds, to say totally over the moon was an understatement. Now today I weigh and I gained 4.6 pounds in 7 days!!! Why the sudden weight gain in the short amount of time? What do I do? I had gastric bypass 5 years ago, my heaviest was 265, my lowest was 128. My dr.'s goal weight for me was 175, I eventually ended up at 145 for a good long while. 2 years ago my dr said that he would like to see me at 160-166. I know I shouldn't complain at all since I am weighing 163.4 but when you see the scale go down after going up for so very long it's very discouraging, almost heartbreaking. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm not going to beat up on you, because it seems that it's a growing trend for the newly sleeved to "push the limits" and eat off plan in the very early days.. So honestly it seems a lost cause for me to preach. You are less than two weeks out, your stomach is numb and likely you will not "feel" fullness yet, this is why the prescribed diet and measuring. As for the sweets? Yes I often say the sleeve will not jump out of your stomach and knock that crap out of your hand.. Dumping or feeling sick from crappy sweet or fried food is mainly something bypass people get. Very few sleevers get it. Now, in the early days is the time to make some dietary changes. You will need them because trust me it gets to be more about you and your free will to make the good or bad choices when you get further out

I had bypass on 8-17. I was just thinking it would be nice to find some people that were close to my date to share concerns, stories etc with. I'm 39 and live in Arkansas

Great job with your weight loss jaylow! When I went for my follow up at 4 weeks, I too had lost the required weight and they went ahead and booked me for the surgery (which was almost a month later). Yes there are a lot of bypass people and I've questioned whether maybe I should have gone that route, but for me it was just too invasive with the rerouting, the malabsorption, etc. I can be a really good dieter when I want to be, so I'm hopeful that I can work with the band as a tool to get results. Let me rephrase that...I KNOW I can work with the band and get results!! :thumbdown:

He had gastric bypass long before I knew him. He went down to a healthy weight and then gained a lot back. Now his BMI is around 35. We've been dating about 8 months, and it's getting pretty serious. We've talked about marriage. The problem is that he still eats garbage (just a smaller portion)and doesn't exercise. He complains that he feels sick all the time. I don't know how to tell him this, but if he doesn't change, I'm gone. My problem isn't the BMI of 35, it's the disregard for his own health. My BMI is 21, I enjoy exercising and keeping fit. He doesn't enjoy doing any of the active things that I do, and it's really bothering me. It's no fun doing all of those things alone. And, I don't think I can start a family with someone who doesn't share my same beliefs about nutrition/exercise, and who can't keep up with children. I also don't want to bury my husband before he's 50. I want him to change, but I don't know if or how I should bring it up. I've hinted at it before, and he's told me that the doctor said he's not supposed to eat healthy or exercise because he'll lose weight too fast. I don't believe that and it frustrates me even more that he would make excuses.

I had my revision same time as also 5weeks tomorrow I had some pain in same spot maybe little lower and to left of belly button my surgeon said that I have internal stitches in the muscles in that area mine went away in couple of days but if keeps bothering u should ck with ur surgeon and awesome job so far

I'm most scared of not healing, a little back story. last year I had what was thought to be a tumor and had surgery. Well let's just say, I had a wound vac which was painful and now have a hernia in that spot, where it didn't heal at the time, and I have to have another surgery to repair that. This is what mostly scares me, other than the bypass itself. I was afraid of the bypass, to begin with due to it being so invasive that's why I didn't get it but it looks like that's the way I should've gone from the start because, here I am right there.

I am considering VSG surgery. I have actually done all of the pre op tests, and all but the final nutritionist consult. I have been overweight most of my life, and have always been very active. I ran cross country in high school even though I was considerably heavier than anyone elso on the team. I can still run 5k's but not as easily as it was in the past. I have lost 50+ pounds in the past only to regain most of it. In the last 10 years my heaviest was around 280, and my lowest was around 225, and I am 6ft. I now have sleep apnea, arthritis in both knees, and other joints, high cholesterol, a borderline high AIC and I am only 29. I mentioned that I was considering a WLS seminar to my wife and she said she was interested. We both attended a seminar and went to follow up consult appointments. The doctor suggested gastric bypass for her (her BMI is in the upper 40's) and a band or sleeve for my, but strongly suggested the sleeve over the band. Now that my wife has lost some weight by diet and exercise, she is not sure she wants the surgery. I have also lost weight with diet and exercise in the past and I always seem to regain all or most of it. Now with all the issues I am having it is harder and more painful to exercise much. The nutritionist keeps asking if this is the path I want to take, and she thinks I can loose the weight without surgery. She said that I should let my wife have the surgery and with changed eating habits in the house I would loose my weight. She said they had a woman with a BMI of 35 had gastric bypass at their practice and now she has trouble staying above a BMI of 20. I want my wifes decision to be her's and I try not to push her in any direction. I am not sure if I should go ahead and have the surgery even if she does not, or try the diet and exercise route again and see if I can keep it off this time even though I have not really been a healthy weight in 10+ years.

I just spoke to my insurance company and the lady agreed with me it's either OR, not both. But she said she wanted to look into further and she was going to get back to me on it. She thinks the person my coordinator spoke to read the wrong one. Because there is different sections for different patients. People under 18, over 18 and revisions. So, I don't know what to do now. My coordinator cancelled my Nut. Appointment. So if it comes back I was right the whole time I'll be a month behind. And won't see a surgery until August or September. :/

I would tell your aunt to update her knowledge. As with any type of surgery, there are risks but they are lower than those having gastric bypass. Results aren't in yet, but my doc believes that time will show the band has less risk than sleeve because it's not as invasive. We are at high risk for early death and a number of medical complications already just because we're fat. The older we get, the fatter we're likely to get, making our risk for early death even greater. Some of the medications we take to deal with diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. also put us at risk. I know a woman who's taken glucophage for 15 years and is now in need of a liver transplant because the glucophage destroyed her liver. It is nice to have a supportive family, but please don't let them make your medical decisions for you because they don't have to live (or not) with the consequences. .

Thanks, Jonathan! Congrats on your bypass. I hope you’re doing well!

Actually, on Myth #5 - the reason some docs say that if you're a sweet eater the band won't work for you is because most "sweet" things will slide right past the band - like chocolate, high calorie drinks, ice cream, etc. So THEY think that sweet eaters will "eat around the band." Many sweet eaters are just as successful as quantity eaters with the band. It doesn't have anything to do with whether or not a band patient can tolerate sweets, which is what this comment implies to me: With the bypass many patients have problems eating sweets because their anatomy has been changed, and the sugar gets dumped into their digestive tract too quickly, which causes dumping syndrome. That is NOT the case with the band, since the anatomy remains intact the body handles the food in the same way as it did prior to banding. So again, the concern re:sweet eaters and the band is the MYTH that sweet eaters will just eat around the band with their sugary choices and therefore not lose weight.

Thank you Catherine...you're so right! I too was supposed to have the bypass in 05...was 2 months away. Then my ex husband and I seperated, and I moved out of state....I think I was not supposed to have that then either.

This is looking to be a busy weekend. I just found out we will be dog sitting while my daughter and her fiance come into town for their pre-cana training, they are getting married next year. I'll try to sneak away for awhile. I would have loved to bring my wife, she is a poster child for gastric bypass success, but she can sure relate to dealing with a lap band patient, and together we make our own support group. Friday is a golf/MRI/5K run day and Sunday is my 50th birthday.