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I was just getting ready to post the same question so I'll do my little intro here. I'm 5'7" tall, age 27 and have no co morbidities. My BMI is 48 and I wear a size 20 pants. I have the same issue with sweets, its like being a fein for me. I never in a million years considered WLS. I am getting so desperate I have contemplated it since October. I have been overweight my entire life. I was successful on Atkins, lost 40 pounds from 300-260. It was too restrictive so I did South Beach, and phases 2 and 3 took me to 270. I eventually got back to 300 and I have been going to a nutritionist, trying to incorporate exercise, and since June I have not lost a single pound. I tried Master Cleanse out of desperation trying to lose Water weight and got to 299. I went to 317 in September, now I am back down to 308. I have not been to a seminar yet because the nurse said that she already knew my efforts would not be enough for MVP Health insurance so no point in me attending until I went through their 6 month WLS program..... isn't that what I am going to the nutritionist my PCP referred me to for Morbid Obesity, who is in network? Don't get me wrong the nurse was really nice but telling me this as a warning about the carrier. Luckily its open enrollment time at work. I called Excellus BCBS and the medical policy I was given was more simple so I will have a new carrier in January. I don't see 308 when I look in the mirror so I didn't think I needed bypass, maybe because I am REALLY busty. So the band sounds appealing BUT, I am scared I will be one of those people who gets banded and loses no weight or too less than what I need to. The BCBS medical policy says the band offers less rapid weight loss, less early problems but more complications in the future at 5-25% of patients. People I know that had RNY look ridiculously small to me compared to lap band, its like there is no control over how much weight is lost, some have bad bowel and gas problems...I don't want any of that....please help me decide. I am 95% band and 5% RNY at this point. Also I cannot imagine not being able to eat chicken.

I'm 5 weeks post op from getting port revised. I get massive iching and spasms at port and incisions, but, is getting better day at a time. I notice that when I exercise I tend to get the spasms. Ice helps. I also notice that the itching gets really bad with gas in the belly. GaxX or mylanta helps with this. It gets extremely frustrating. Hang in there. Jake

Ditto all of this! It is certainly part of the journey to be unsure at some point as to which surgery is right for you. And, I ultimately came to the same conclusion as the above poster. One thing that made a difference in my decision, too, was that I learned that dumping (sugar aversion) only stays with you for the first year or two w/bypass. So, eventually, even w/bypass, you will have to deal w/your sugar issues. The reason why some bypass patients gain back is because they are counting on the bypass to prevent them from eating sugar. And, it really does for awhile, and very well. But, eventually, you will have that looming that you will need to control it on your own after you no longer have the dumping. Also, w/the bypass, my surgeon says you should really NEVER drink ANY alcohol again. I know there are many bypass patients who still drink, but they are taking some significant chances w/their liver. The stomach is the first line of defense against toxins in the body. And, the body does recognize alcohol as a toxin and the stomach does significant work to metabolize that before it actually ever goes to your liver. When you drink alcohol after bypass, it is like injecting alcohol straight into your system. The stomach has no chance to detoxify it at all. For me, this is scary cause I really do like my wine. I am cutting it out for the first 6 months or longer just because it is empty calories, but when I imagine a 'normal' life after reaching goal, part of that means that I can have a glass or two of wine occasionally as long as I am exercising enough and eating healthy enough to maintain a healthy weight. But, bypass is a lot better if you have Type 2 diabetes. The bypass will cure that immediately. Personally, I think the sleeve may be the very best choice of all, but my insurance doesn't cover it right now.

Last year (lapband slipped, was totally unfilled) before my revision, I ate numerous bags of these little beauties. Don't think I ever ate a whole bag in 1 sitting but a handful every nite only takes a few days to empty a bag. Add to that Starburst Jelly Beans and u have a recipe for disaster. Thank God now that I've been sleeved for 6 mths I can have maybe 6 of em and be satisfied. I can eat 1 cookie at a time also. Hubby gets angry when I bring this stuff into the house cuz he can't stop at one. He has to eat the whole bag. Ur choc/pb cookies sound amazing. Maybe I'll try it out. Usually about 8 pm I'm hungry and I'll have 1/2 an apple with almond butter on it and thats usually good enuf to help my sweet tooth.

I understand that Medicare can pay for Gastric Bypass? Does anyone have knowledge of whether it will pay for lapbanding?

I was sleeved on 11/9 after nearly 3 years of being banded (my band came out in August). I woke up from surgery and have been starving since. I know it's not head hunger - after nearly 3 years with the band, I know what head hunger is, and I know what it's like to not be hungry. It's not acid. It's not thirst - I'm drinking 100 ounces of Water daily. I'm on mushies/purees and it's still not helping. Today, I had my follow-up with my surgeon. He is not overly shocked I am hungry, but he was a bit surprised. He sent me for a upper GI to check my esophagus. He suspects dilation due to the damage from the band. If it is, it should just take a few more weeks to go back to normal. He said he can't promise, but he's 99.9% sure that within the next three weeks, I will feel satiation as my body adjusts to the band being gone, my hernia being fixed, and the rest of the scar tissue from the band finally removed. The doc that did the test, though, said there was no dilation, however, they also said my band wasn't slipped when it was, so they are not bariatric specialists (I'm not complaining or upset, just stating.) He did say my surgery was picture perfect (sans scar tissue and hernia), that I had a normal size stomach, that he went a bit tighter than normal, and he sees no reason it won't work long term. I also talked to a friend of mine who is a revision, and she said she literally cried the first three weeks she had her sleeve because she was so hungry. Then it got better, and now she loves it! She had it about 6 months ago, so I am hopeful I will be the same. Oh, and he cleared me to eat turkey tomorrow! He also suggested I drink some warm tea after I have a few bites of Protein to help add volume to my food to give me that sensation of fullness. So, I am not 100% convinced, but I feel 90% better about this whole thing. My other non-medical theory is my poor bowels are empty, as I still have diarrhea, and how could I feel full when they are empty?! LOL, I know it's a stupid theory, but I am adding it to my pile. And if I start losing weight again, I'd be even happier! Again, he reassured me this is normal, and according to his scale, I'm down an even 30 lbs. So, after all that, anyone hungry at first? Or still? Has it gone away? Gotten better? Thanks!

It's prob easier if you do a quick search and then scan the images of full bypass VS mini but mostly it's less surgery time, less invasive (only one new connection to make) easier recovery and less risk of complication with just as good and most believe even better weight loss. The stomach pouch is longer (like the sleeve) but they do bypass a little more of the intestines (around 7').

HATED my band. Caused me so many issues. I am 1 month out from my revision to sleeve and I love it. It does everything for me that the band didn't. 3-5bites and Im done. I never had that with the band. It just made me throw up all the time.

So far.....I do not think that I would have or ever would have the bypass. I think that I would just try to maintain whatever weight that was possible for me. I do not think that my life with the bypass would be a very happy and healthy one. I have worked with a couple of people that have had the bypass and yes they have lost a ton of weight but I am not sure that they are truly happy with their own decisions.

So I'm just over a year from my surgery day. And just under 2 years from when I made the decision to make a life change. In October of 2014 I attended my first class about bariatric surgery. This class is the initial class that helps you decide if it is for you or not.(or to at least go on to the next step) That first day my weight was 422, and I decided to go forward with the bypass. I had to then wait to be assigned to a class, a class that lasts 12 weeks. It tought me everything about the surgery and new life I would be expecting. This class began in January of 2015. Well after completion in March I had lost about 10lbs to 412. Then came the long waiting period. One that they made clear. "Don't call us we will call you!" So I waited, and waited and waited some more. Then got the call the 2nd week of August, 2015. And the wheels got going and fast! Less then two weeks later I was at the hospital on August 24th having surgery. On the day of my surgery I weighed in at 409lbs. The surgery went great. Afterwards I had little to no pain and was up walking immediately. The year has been a great journey. Today I weigh in at 208lbs and feel great. It has been a fantastic journey. I have no regrets and qould do it again without a doubt. I have been around temptation plenty. Several trips to Vegas including a stay for 9 days. I've been to winery's. All the time not touching alcohol and steering cleer of the food that ruined my life.I'm thankful for the tool I was given and plan on using it to the fullest. Best of luck to anyone thinking of having the surgery, and continued success to those who have had this life changing experience. As for me last year I changed my health, this year I change my job. Think positive???? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I will be the first to admit that with getting back into the swing of life and work and a new love, it is easy to let those old bad habits creep back into our lives. We all fall victim to this in some sort or fashion and it is the one thing as weight loss patients that we fear. This is probably the one thing we fear the most that we will start up our old bad habits that got us to being overweight in the first place. I am about 16 months out and I am the first admit that I have allowed bad habits to sneak back into my life, not as bad as before surgery but regardless they did creep back in. My bad habits include soda, and occasional fast food. We call this the comfortable phase, you are now comfortable with how you have to live and eat post surgery and then life in general just happens and we can tend to slip back into those old habits. Alot of people suffer from this problem they lose all the weight then think “hey I can reward myself with a cookie, or stopping for fast food, or a soda” But I remember seeing a saying a long time ago that said we are not dogs, we do not need to reward ourselves with food and this is so true. Why do we always use food as a reward, or something to make us feel better. The truth is food is something we need to survive, it should not be used as reward. If you are thinking of having weight loss surgery, you need to understand that the surgery is not a cure all. Your mind is a powerful tool and is something we need to work on or it will sabotage our weight loss journey. The one thing I noticed is my bad habits creeping back in and I refuse to let them ruin my weight loss or rule my life. The most important thing to remember is that we will have trips and falls along the way, the difference is are you going to let this slips and falls define your new life or are you going to get up dust yourself off and start over. For me I am going back to putting protein first in my diet, being good about making sure I get my vitamins in and staying honest by providing a weekly food journal to give you all an idea on how much I eat and what I eat throughout the week. For More Great Recipes and Articles please visit my blog Bypass Princess today and follow me on my journey to getting healthy and happy!

I wasn't allowed to lift more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks. If people notice your eating habits have changed, just tell them you are just watching what you eat. My husband was definately against a bypass for me, but was very supportive of the band. Get your husband educated. Best of luck.

ladies- this has been a helpful conversation i found. i was told consider gastric bypass surgery (not the lap band) after 6 months diet, etc. So i thought i might look into a self pay since i have no interest in bypass. but after reading this thread (if i'm reading it right)- i'm lead to believe that they do the lap band at walter reed? do any of you have any info that might help me? I'm very close to WR, but i did not think they did it. thanks! Pattie

I was banded on Dec 18th. On the morning of Jan 1st i had a huge pain (ie worst i have ever felt) in my left side. It was so bad i had to rush to the bed and i could not physically get up again. Hubby said 'gas pain' but I didnt quite think so. It got slowly better throughout the day, then happened again that afternoon. Was talking to my doc on the phone all day and he did suggest at one time that maybe i should go to the ER where he could see me, but i decided to wait until the next day (non-holiday). On Jan 2nd i went into my doctors office and the doc that saw me thought it was my gallbladder since it was on my left side and my port and stuff was on the right side. I went in and had xrays, ultrasounds and blood drawn, and then i guess they realized it was an infection in my stomach from my band. So that nite my doc came in, told me it was an infection, and that we were going to surgery to remove the band in an hour. He said i would not be able to have another band. I have tried to get clarification on what exactly happened to me, all my doc says is that my body rejected the lap band and gave me an infection. They did not culture the band, i asked if they were going to, and before the surgery they said they were, then afterwards they said they didnt culture it.. My doc is offering to do a sleeve or bypass free of charge since the band failed, but I am just not up to having another surgery after that scare. I am self pay, and i need to go in there next week and talk to him about all that happened. I am basically out 13.5k + the cost of the hospital stay of the removal. I feel like to have an infection that was that big within 2 weeks of getting the band in could have been a result of germs during surgery or something besides the fact of my body rejecting the band.. Anyone else had this happen? I really am wondering if i have any legal grounds to try to recoup what i paid for surgery...

LOL - you ain't kidding....who would complain about that?!!! Really - I am with Tired...you might consider another past-time...I wouldn't lie - if anything just tell the truth - you are taking care of yourself and eating more healthy....at some point, people are going to notice and then the rumors will fly - they will know you had surgery - and probably think that you had the bypass...like Oprah, right?! :girl_hug:

I'm actually watching a number of items on Ebay right now (I make sure they're inexpensive: pantsuit for $9.99, etc)! My cousin gave me a $50 gift certificate for Christmas at Boscov's and I'm going shopping Good Friday with a (fashion knowledgeable and thin) girlfriend. I know I'll be buying knit elastic-waist pants because they always seem to expand and contract with your bod! :thumbup: I have some of those now that the waist fits me fine but the pants themselves are baggy as all get out! My boss's daughter had bypass and he said she went to the Salvation Army and Good Will for "interim clothes", and my Bariatric Center does have a clothing exchange where you can take your old clothes and pick out others for no $...:cursing: Regardless of anything else, it's a great quandary to be in!!!

First of all, I awoke last night with a full blown panic attack about this LB! I had dreams of going to "gatherings" with my sister Jane, and came to find out we were the "guests of honor." Everyone there had been banded and wanted to sing the praises of banding to us... It was ok until we wanted to leave.... and they wouldn't let us! It was a big struggle... I ended up staying home from work all day -- just too worn out from my night! I went to my 4-hour Team appt. Two others showed up - all of us were interested in Lap Banding... We met with a nurse practioner, signed some forms, found out about the cost of surgery... detailed break down... Dr Sunby came in to talk to us, and seemed "friendly" enough. Shirley Shelly: From there I met with a dietician. She asked me to explain the lap band as I understood it... and the food routine. I did very well. :car: She did contradict what Dr. S said... water up to meal, nothing for 2 hrs after. (He said 30 min before and after).... hm... She also stressed that I will never be allowed to eat anything other than three meals a day. Very adamant about that... hm... We talked about my chem panel, and what supplements I should be on... suggested if I feel I need a medicine to help with hunger during the 2 weeks prior to surgery, to see Dr. Becx at Fish Hatchery. He's an endrocronologist. I am pre-diabetic... : ( Hopefully that will straighten out with diet. Dr. Scott Bohon: Next I met with a psychiatrist. I liked him a lot. I did break down a little bit when I talked about Dick's depression and his suicidal thoughts. He was pleased to hear that he's working with Dr. Ishii. I talked to him about my panic attacks... and said they are triggered by breathing problems (root canal was the 1st... last night was in part due to the cold I have, and "stuffy" breathing/coughing... Then to a computer True/False questionaires... 700+ questions on one test... @200 on the other. The psychologist said I did just fine... no red flags. She said she could tell I'm on the shy side... The team will meet on Monday to discuss the three of us... so I guess I'm on the track for now - will see what happens next. Misc. things I found out: keep options open to gastric bypass band is a tool (I knew that) the work is up to me... surgery just puts the tool there only THREE meals a day - NO SNACKS! lots of support groups available my time w/WW was not all for nothing... it proved I could stick with a program (loyalty)... i could die in surgery (psych) breakdown of costs i need to contact Aetna, and get a printout of their requirements and give them to Theresa protein is most important because it's one nutrient the body can't manufacture on it's own no fruits or veggies will be off limits (unlike Atkins) with the exception of stringy things like Celery exercise is key - make it a priority (PAC, here I come)!

I have the same thoughts. I'm being banded on 10/19. I wonder if I'm doing the right thing? Will this work? Can I live with it? Etc. I think if we didn't have doubts we wouldn't really be prepared. We have to remember that it's a tool - albiet a good tool - we still have to diet. Unlike bypass, we will have to work to loose weight. However, when I diet what ruins it for me is succumbing to comfort food - LOTS of comfort foot. With the band in the sweet spot that everyone talks about huge quantities of comfort food will not be possible. That's part of what worries me. But it will work - because I'll make it work.

Hi Headhunter! I attended two different seminars for two different doctors. The first one I almost went with, but as soon as he finished his 30-minute lecture he was out of there! He had about 10 minutes of questions and then he was out of there! He left the rest of the answering of questions up to some other staff. They were talking about all of these things that the insurance did not pay for such as the psych eval, which would have been 250 dollars. Nutritional consult with their nutritionist another 200 dollars, their "own" preop diet 200 dollars, postop diet 150 dollars. All of that the insurance didn't pay for. So, I called my insurance and asked about covering psych evals, nutrition consultations etc, and they told me yes they do. The NUT and the psychiatrist would have to be covered by my insurance, but they would cover it. I didn't like that about that doc. So, I attended another seminar with my doctor I have now. VERY meticulous during the seminar ( although he was a little late due to surgery) but very, very thorough! I asked them up front about the psychiatrist, nutritionist, etc. My insurance covered them all and I only had to pay 10 dollar copay each time. Except for the NUT class and that was 50, but still lots cheaper than the other doc. Also, my doctor has not lost a lap band patient. I don't know about bypass, as I didn't ask that. But, he is very careful and makes sure everything is safe for the patient before doing any surgery. I am on medication now for a peptic ulcer, but I can still have the band placed. He said once I am banded for a few months he wants to do another EGD to check things out down there. He stressed how important it is for me not to indulge in alcohol, NSAIDs, aspirin or even caffeine due to my ulcer situation. He sold me the first time at the seminar and I felt comfortable with my decision. I hope that answered your question If you want to ask me anything else, ask away.

Woow congratulations..its my one month surgiversary aswell.. I lost only 8kgs.. my progress is too damn slow.. i had mini gastric bypass.. anybody here wid very slow progress like me.. need support.. thank u Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 4months post off and I am going through the same. I work out hard, My weight is melting off, My hair is falling out which is devastating right now and I do get the occasional dizzy spells but other than that I feel really good! I am about 15lbs from my goal weight and I struggle to eat more than 1100 calories which I know I need to because I burn anywhere from 650 cal to 1000 calories a day (depending on the workouts) . I started much heavier than you but I am worried it wont stop and I will be a walking skeleton. I am meeting with my dietician and surgeon on the 13th and need to do bloodwork as well. 1. Basics: GENDER, AGE, HEIGHT F, 35, 5'9, SW 297 2. Total Weight lost in the 6 months BEFORE surgery (if any) 31lbs 3. Weight on DAY OF SURGERY. 266lbs 4. Weight at 1 MONTH POST surgery 236.6 5. Weight at 3 MONTHs POST surgery 205.2 I am at 4 months post op 185.8lbs 8. Type of Surgery (Sleeve, ByPass, etc...) Gastric sleeve

F 52, 5'9.5", SW 255 26 lbs, with 2 week liquid diet 36 219 202 186 Almost 5 months post op, 174. RNY Gastric Bypass 1/3/24

How are you doing after the revision?

August 5th here! I'm having a revision sleeve to bypass.

Aloha, who are my Aug 2019 bypass siblings? I am doing it for my GERD and many more issues. What about you? I am doing mine at Houston Methodist Hospital!