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I had gastric bypass revision on June 6th. I lost 16 pounds after surgery and have not lost a pound since. I'm very frustrated. Is this normal? Are my expectations out of whack? Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

Do you need to see him to schedule a surgery date? Or were you just to call back or what? I was hoping to have my sugary sooner also. I am having surgery December 9th but I was hoping for middle of November. Oh well…. I do hope you get it when you need it because of work though! Just try to be nice and ask if they have anything at all, explain your work situation and see what they say.

Good luck. Mine is scheduled for March 31st at 1 pm Boston time. However I have one more test on the 23rd and unless that one is OK I won't be able to have lapband at all. That would leave bypass or sleeve for me, which are definately NOT my first choice. Keep your fingers crossed. Kim:confused:

I would suggest reading everything you can, so you can make an informed decision. Obesityhelp.com describes all the different procedure, including Lapband, and there is a book called The Lapband Solution, and another called The Lapband Companion. Both books are available on Amazon.com and are full of information. You don't give up real food forever. Check your insurance first and see if it is covered. Some insurances (mine is Blue Choice) require one 6 month or two 3 month documented dietary weight loss attempts before they will approve you. Mine did and I spent the 6 months going to support groups (you meet people at all stages of pre and post op--good place to learn) buying sampler packs of chewable Vitamins and Calcium (both are required after surgery, as well as B12), and reading online. I have been coming here since November. My insurance criteria for surgery is BMI 40 or more (you can calculate this on obesityhelp.com) and 100 pounds overweight, or BMI 35-39 with one or more co-morbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint arthritis, sleep apnea, reflux). My BMI was 37-38 and I have everything on the list except diabetes. Most Bariatric groups require an informational seminar after which you have no obligation, but if you choose to have surgery the seminar is required as a first step. If you choose to continue, you will have a consultation with the surgeon, a psych evaluation, and once surgery is approved, a dietary consult on pre and post op food restrictions. I used the dietician for my 6 month diet as well. Different doctors do different things with pre-op diets. Some want a few days, some a few weeks, some a specific diet product, they are all different. My surgeon, if he thinks you may have a fatty liver, will put you on a full liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery to shrink the liver, and somewhat to jump start your weight loss. I was on it for 3 weeks (I caught a cold and my surgery was postponed a week--not enough time to go off and back on, so I stayed an extra week--lost 25 more pounds after losing 10 on my 6 month diet). After surgery most people do liquids for 2 weeks, then "mushies" or pureed foods for 2 weeks, then solid food. My liquid diet included Protein drinks, milk, juice(diluted 50% with water), fat/sugar free Jello, fa/sugar free popsicles, broths, cream Soups, tea, coffee. The pureed stage I had applesauce, refried Beans, instant mashed potatoes, creamy egg or tuna salad, anything the consistency of apple sauce. Solid foods are a bit trial and error. Some foods will agree with you, others may not. For me bread gets too chewy and sits like a lump, but I can eat croutons on a salad. pizza (I love pizza) dough doesn't agree so much, so I invented a crustless pizza (sauce, turkey pepperoni, peppers, onions, fat free Kraft mozarella in a microwavable disk; heat for a couple minutes and you have the toppings without the dough). I did the same with meatballs (turkey meatballs, spaghetti sauce, parmesan cheese,heat in microwave--either meatball sub without the roll or spaghetti without the noodles). They told us not to have rice and Pasta for a while, but I don't think it is forever. I checked with the dietician and then went to a church spaghetti dinner. I cut up my spaghetti and meatballs like you would for a kid, ate the salad, passed on the roll and dessert. And for drinking, you wait about a half hour to eat after drinking, do not drink with meals, and wait 45 minutes to an hour after a meal to drink. So yes, the way you eat will change, and some of the things you eat will change. The amount of whatever you eat will definitely change, but it is worth it. I have lost an additional 35 lbs since surgery and gone down two clothing sizes for work (I wear scrubs--down from 2x to large). I am hoping also to reduce or eliminate some of the meds I am on. Sorry to run on but there is a lot to know. Check your insurance, talk to your PCP, go to the seminar and support groups, and then decide if this is the way you want to go.

Obesity is an inflammatory state. That inflammation may actually worsen the symptoms of MS. Weight loss via dieting or surgery should help(in general). The VSG is a good option to consider for a patient with MS as there is no foreign body and no intestinal bypass that could interact with the side effects of MS. There are not many patients with MS that have had weight loss surgery but one of mine told me recently that her Neurologist said she had the best MRI in ten years. She is two years postoperative from a VSG!

So, here I am...19 days post-op. I'm feeling good, considering that I've stopped taking my anti-depressants and given up caffeine since surgery. I'm down 12 pounds and keeping a positive outlook. It's really bothered me because a rumor started around my school (cosmetology school, nonetheless) that I'd had gastric bypass. I've just shrugged it off for the most part, but I'm gonna admit that hearing that bothered me. I feel that more severe obesity cases opt for gastric bypass and I feel slightly insulted that it's even a topic amongst my peers. I would think that my being fat wasn't an issue to them as well as my having LAP Band isn't a topic that's up for discussion. I'm probably being silly for even worrying about it, but that's what cosmetology school is for. Drama and girlfights. Even though I feel generally better, I have noticed that I'm really lethargic at the end of the day. I've been honestly forcing myself to walk for thirty minutes here and there. I'm only up this late because I made it a point to prepare dishes that my sister and I could eat while everyone else eats the high fat/calorie stuff for Thanksgiving. I took a bunch of recipes from Hungry-girl.com and made them into "mashies approved" casseroles. I ended up with a cauliflower bake (pureed), smashed sweet potatoes (made with sugar-free maple syrup and Splenda), and a crustless pumpkin pie. I'm pretty pleased with how everything looks. So hopefully, everything with taste good as well. We had a potluck today at school and I had a teaspoon of stuffing and I can safely say...their stuffing was terrible! I'm really glad I couldn't eat much because I couldn't imagine eating something like that and pretending to enjoy it. Blech. Anyway, I'm gonna go ahead and close by saying that I'm trying to keep my chin up and stay hopeful that I'm going to (one day soon) be much smaller! I've had a lot of heartache in the past year that's made a huge impact on my life and I really need to make this work. For me. This time it's not for anyone else. Keep your fingers crossed!

You should get checked out by your doc. In the meantime, if the pain becomes severe, go to the ER, since it could be a bowel obstruction or hernia. Recently there was a bypass patient that had to get surgery for a Petersen's defect. It is a fairly rare complication of the bypass, and it can happen anytime postop (even 13 years). Hopefully it's nothing, just some constipation, but better safe than sorry...

I have to remove my band and I am on the fence with the bypass. Looking for advice on dumping and nutritional deficiencies. Sent from my MB886 using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is Novemeber 19th in Knoxville,TN Dr. Stephen Boyce. I wanted to get a head count of tbe people that have the same surgery date.

I have been looking at this site for several weeks (my husband says I am kinda obsesed...lol), as well as other sites trying to find one where I can feel comfortable posting as well as getting positive feedback and answers to my questions. I have to say, everyone here is so positive and uplifting and I have learned so much already just looking around. I cannot wait to continue to learn more as I get deeper into the discussions and find support as my surgery date gets closer. I have never thought about having weight loss surgery till my husband and I went to see a fertility specialist and were told that my weight (along with having PCOS) is the main factor preventing us from getting pregnant. As I sat in his office sobbing, feeling embarrassed and down on myself, he told me about the Lap Band procedure. He said that it was a lifestyle change and that he has several overweight patients that have had the procedure and have not needed fertility treatments. When I got in the car, I dried my tears, took a deep breath and called the doctors office and reserved my space in the next information session the following week. We have been trying to get pregnant for over 5 years...this could be my answer to not only starting a family, but a change that will make me healthy for years to come! I started my journey in May 2011 by attending an information session, then my first consultation appointment with my doctor. I was informed at that time that my insurance requires a 6 month waiting period (which from reading on here is fairly common). I was upset that I had to wait, but these past several months have been months of reflection. I have worked hard on changing my eating habits, exercising 5-6 times a week and working with a trainer twice a week. My husband has been my biggest supporter and number one cheerleader. Looking back, I am thankful for this time of reflection and time to get my eating and exercise on track. I am an emotional eater and turn to food for comfort. I now try to turn to other things like exercise, reading, and yes, surfing this site gathering information. I still struggle with a fair amount of emotional eating and/or making bad choices, but from where I was the begining of the year, it is much improved. I have completed all of the required appointments (labs, therapist, sleep study, nutritionist, etc.) and my last supervised doctors appointment is on October 10th. I am keeping my fingers crossed for surgery in November. Everything checked out great with the exception of having mild/moderate sleep apnea, which I am having a hard time dealing with. I have had my cpap machine for a week and am still trying to get use to it. I am also going on a thrift store hunt this weekend so I can stop spending so much money on clothes as I loose weight. I am 31 years old and have so much life to live. I have been heavy all my life, but have been watching the scale go down the past several months...and will continue to watch it go down. I am so ready to see what the future holds...and I cannot wait to be able to go out and do the activities I miss doing, but I am too self conscious or heavy to do like roller coasters, water parks, race cars, etc. I am doing this surgery for me, with fantastic plans for the future, and a healthy, long life! So I will end by saying an official hello, and I hope I can be as helpful and encouraging to others on here, as I know you all will be to me!

I just had a band placed over bypass so I have limited experience with the band, but plenty with WLS. No one knew I had surgery. The first two months were very hard to eat out with people because I couldn't really eat. I imagine the band will be similar until you have a good idea of what your safe foods are. Then, I just are small portions with no comment. If someone commented I'd tell them I was on a diet or I eat smaller portions more frequently, rather than large meals.

@shellbell79. If you are on your mobile device, in the upper right corner there are lines, click and Subscribe will be an option. Then at any time you can go in the menu and choose Subscribe to go to the posts you would like to follow. There is also a Search feature in the menu. Type in November, there are a few threads going for all the November Sleevers already if you want to join in. So excited for you!!! Good luck n I'll be saying a prayer for your speedy recovery ????

I had a similar issue. I was told initially that having done WW in the past year for 6 months would cover my 6 month medically supervised diet. They said it in the seminar and the surgeon said this when I first met him. I went to my second appointment and they said they weren't sure about that it would suffice, then a few days after the appointment I got a call saying that it wasn't usable and I would have to do the 6 month diet. I was really pissed off, as I had planned to be able to get my surgery in September. Well, now the earliest I can get it is in December, (my last appointment will be late November).

I am scheduled for bypass on 9/16/13. I am so totally thrilled to be approved. However, I feel like an emotional basket case. I am crying at the drop of a hat! Is it possible that the wall I have built around myself with food is already crumbling? Has anyone else gone through this pre surgery?

Surgeon said bypass as i have diabetes. ..he said 78 percent chance i will be diabetes free after surgery...pretty good odds so im 98 per cent yes x

Hi, I am considering Bypass surgery after being banded for 6 years. I have had my band removed and have around 4 weeks until Bypassed. Can anyone tell me how long I could expect to have a leak after Bypass? Is it something that happens in the days and weeks after surgery, or could I have a leak years later?

It's really difficult to stretch your pouch to the point that it will make a big difference. Or so I've read. I think the more common reason for weight re-gain is grazing, snacking, and slider foods. Of course do your own research, that's just what I've seen. I chose bypass because its been around longer and because the weight loss is slightly higher than with the sleeve. I also like the idea of possibly dumping. I feel I might need a little more incentive to eat right occasionally... Also because if all goes horribly wrong you still have all your parts floating around, and I assume they can put it back together if needed. Granted it still won't be the same as it was. but it makes me feel better to have all my pieces.

Thanks for the tip about having fruit with dinner, Susanbee. That seems like it would be a very good way to "wash" down food. I'm so glad that you're having such great success. Good luck, Regang. I hope you hear back from your insurance soon. I have some good news. I went to a seminar with a different surgical group and had a completely different experience. The doctor was very positive and gave a more balanced view of the lap band procedure. I also went to the seminar equipped with a lot more information after spending hours reading this site. I'm going to call their office in the morning and schedule an evaluation and cancel the appointment I made with the other office. I do think that if the doctor that actually performs the lap band surgery, rather than the gastric bypass specialist, had presented last week's meeting it would have been much better, at least for me. I'm glad, now, that it pushed me to find another office.

If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't choose lap band OR RNY bypass, but would choose DS or VBG instead. You get better weight loss with the last two and less complications. Perhaps you should look into all of the bariatric surgery options to help decide which is best for you.

entwife, I'm so glad that you posted. I'm learning so much from reading about other people's experiences. I have one person that I know personally that had the lap band, but she lives out of town. There's no way I would have gathered this much info without this site. I hope you get some tips on how to lose a little quicker, but it sounds like you're doing very well. Going down several dress sizes and getting your blood pressure under control is wonderful. I know I'll go through times of feeling discouraged too, and I hope to lean on this community to get me through and for encouragement to continue. anitaj, you've given me a lot to think about. I wouldn't consider gastric bypass at my current weight, although I have a lot of weight to lose and fear the continual upper climb in pounds as my metabolism slows with age. I really do see that a last resort proposition, and I had no idea of the bathroom trouble that people experience. I really can't decide what that doctor's motives in not supporting the Lap Band treatment. I do think he truly believes in the gastric bypass as a life saver, but it seems like a sledge hammer solution for someone like me. As far as questioning about the Lap Band removal, I'm not going into this with a defeatist attitude. I just want to be sure I understand all the ins and outs. If I were to have an adverse reaction to the band (erosion, slippage, etc), I want to be sure I understand what my options will be. If I decide to get banded, I'm going to be 100% committed to success. For one thing, this is coming from our savings (our insurance doesn't cover it), so I really want to be sure this is an investment that will not be wasted. I think after trying Weight Watchers several times, physician assisted diet meds, plus all the self inflicted yo yo dieting it's easy to become cynical of ever keeping off the weight. As you were able to tell from my post, I am very concerned about hunger. I'm so glad to hear that it hasn't been a problem for you. I know everyone will have different experiences, but I left the seminar with the opinion that hunger was going to continue to haunt me indefinitely. ~ kiz

You sound like me, GramaLisa. I want to read up on everything I can get my hands ahold of, to make the most informed decision possible. After I finish reading here, I'm going to look into ordering the book your nutritionist recommended. I'm sorry to hear about all the difficulties your friends at work have experienced with gastric bypass. Some of those are heart breaking. I don't know how I could cope with gaining all the weight back after going through such a life altering surgery. I hope you hear back real soon from your insurance. Thanks for your kind words, froggi, but I'm not surprised, because you come from a great part of the country. My husband and I were born and raised in Parkersburg. We haven't lived there for years though. I think you were probably a little baby last time we called Parkersburg home. Where will you have your surgery?

Hello everyone. I have so many questions and concerns. The message board has already been very helpful to me. I'm 46 and have been considering the surgery for about an year. My bmi is 39.5, so I think I can put on the extra couple of pounds to qualify for the surgery without too much trouble. :wink2: I went to the doctor's seminar the other night. It ended up discouraging me more than anything else. The doctor who spoke is the head surgeon, and he's not very supportive of this procedure. He is top in his field in gastric bypass surgery, and he highly recommends it over Lap Band. He has surgeons in his practice that perform the Lab Band surgery though. A couple of his thoughts (my paraphrasing): 1. It does nothing to relieve the constant hunger. 2. Over the many years he's practiced medicine, he's seen several restrictive surgeries come and go, and he said in Europe, where Lap Band has been used for several years, it is falling out of favor do to its less than favorable results. After reading this message board, one of my concerns is the inability to drink fluids during meals. I can give up my diet coke addiction, my rare beer, and bread, but having no fluids during meals is going to be hard. I also was under the impression that the surgery was much easier to reverse than it seems to be. I'm worried that like all the other diets I've tried, that I'll not lose, and I'll be stuck with the Lap Band. I'm self pay, so I won't be needing a insurance authorization. My doctor's evaluation is scheduled for next month. Thanks for reading ~ Kiz

I'm approaching three month out from my surgery. I started with a BMI just a little above yours. My decision to have the band instead of bypass was based on the fact that the band does not require permanent re-routing of my digestive system. I was never comfortable with that concept. As for hunger....even though my band is only at 2cc in a 10cc band, I rarely feel true hunger. When I do, I stop to think and it's usually been four hours or so since I've eating....a small snack, such as a handful of grapes or a string cheese stick, will hold me nicely until my next meal. I do constantly battle with the 'head' hunger.....boredom, snack attacks.....but that's getting better as well. Fortunately my doctor was/is very supportive of the band. She does both procedures almost equally, but gives each patient the pros and cons for both procedures. The outcome, a ways down the road, with lap band and bypass is practically identical so it made no sense for me to have the more invasive procedure. I am also a self-pay.....the difference in the price between the two procedures wasn't a major factor, but certainly lap band is less expensive.

I chose bypass because of the dumping, I needed that sense of secuity. Also I want my diabetes to go away. And with the malabsorbation period will help me the most.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico in January 2005. My total weight loss over the next three years was 130 pounds from my highest weight, 110 pounds after banding. My decision to go to Dr. Ortiz was cost - my insurance didn't cover bariatric surgery and I absolutely do not regret my decision. The procedure was still new in US in 2004/2005. I had a surgeon friend who performed my fills "blind" whenever I needed more restriction and we truthfully were "winging" it. I did ultimately have an overfill, but ignored the signs because I loved the weight loss. The price I paid was that I needed an emergency unfill (my surgeon friend moved to another state). I went a year with no/minimal restriction but had actually gotten too thin and needed to gain 15 pounds. I maintained that for about a year, then decided to get a fill. It was then (I only had approximately 2 cc in a 4 cc band) that we figured out something was really wrong because I became severely restricted and had an unfill again. The UGI revealed band slippage. I am waiting until after January 1, 2009 to meet with my new band doctor to decide what to do. I am self-pay because I no longer meet the criteria for bariatric surgery (or do I?). I'm not counting on BCBS to pay for this but I will probably go along with the surgeon's recommendation. I hate going into debt for this, but I hate being fat more. This is my story. Whatever I have had to go through, it was worth it to be thin again. FYI, my mother was one of the first gastric bypass patients in the US in the early 70's. She die four years ago, it did extend her life, but the quality of her life the last 10 years was pitiful. Land Band surgery spoke to my heart. I liked having my stomach and intestines and not dealing with malabsorption, etc. Looking forward to hearing from anyone who identifies with my issues and now problem of band slippage. I did it to myself - stress, overeating and mad vomiting. It still involves being able to control yourself and I wonder if I can do it without being banded. Probably not . . .