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I'm been so starving since after my gastric bypass surgery since January 9,2017 but two months later and I eat snacks not WHOLE! Just Little I have careful what I eat.. I had hardly times for return eat popcorn since I had post surgery two months later bad choice for me too salty popcorn and get gain weight heck no!

I'm new to this site, just found it today! I've gone through the 6mos of dr visits, etc, and have already been approved for gastric bypass. I'm frustrated with my surgeons office. I was on track to have surgery in May, but they dropped the ball by not scheduling me for the required pre-surg classes. Now I'm 10 wks out from a big vacation and still not scheduled for surgery. I was hoping to be 4 months post-op and able to walk better with weight loss. This really has me down and I've decided to postpone my surgery until Oct. I haven't told them yet. I'm waiting for the call to schedule pre-op testing and will tell them then. It took years to finally be mentally ready for this surgery and now I'm so unsure of what to do.

I can't decide between sleeve or bypass. Would love to hear your reasons behind your choice. I know everyone's different. Just curious... I think I passed would be better for me because I am a big time sweet eater unfortunately. But I'm terrified about the malabsorption and some other stuff associated with that period at the same time this looks appealing but if Cookies are going to go right down and might not set me up for success. Thank you for posting your before and after pics definitely helps us to see what can be done. Sent from my XT1585 using the BariatricPal App

Ready set go………… September 27th 2007:whoo: I scheduled the band today! I have asked myself for weeks now is this too drastic a measure? Its funny how when I signed up to take Phen Phen, a life threatening drug, I failed to ask my self that very same question or during all of the crazy diets and the bouts of bulimia in my 20s. Here I am 45 and have always had a weight problem. I’ve never had a BMI of over 34 but so what, fat and miserable is fat and miserable at any BMI that is over normal. I chose Dr Alverez for a few reasons his price is one he is about $1500 cheaper than most MX doctors. He specializes in sleeves and revisions from bands to sleeves, so in my thinking he knows what goes wrong, how to fix it, and he does fills personally and they are free for life. I like his patient coordinator Susan a home grown American woman who has had a band and had a revision to a sleeve. She is very available and easy to talk to. I will officially become a band member on the 11th of October 2007. I will fly in to San Antonio and will be picked up from the airport; one night in a hotel next day to the hospital and wham bam I have a Band!!!:bandit Hope it’s that easy. My fears? Well because this is such a personal decision I am not telling anyone except my 22 year old daughter. I don’t want other people influencing me. I don’t want to explain my choice or my personal battle, the fat war, that every day I have to don the armor for. I will choose for me and live with the consequences of that choice. It is sad in some way that I can not share my fear and anxiety with Gary not because he would be upset or try to change my mind. Sad because for what ever reason I feel the need to do this on my own with out him. I am 100% sure he would be supportive of what ever I did, so it’s not about him. I just think that people who have not lived their life fighting the fat don’t get it; to them it would be as simple as making different food choices or better decisions about exercise. If only it were that easy. I am nervous to go by my self but excited about going solo also. I am going to keep a detailed journal through out this journey. I want to keep track of my progress and I want to keep a close account of my mental state, I know that the weight is there for many reasons.:car: ready to be on the road to a new me.

Okay that's who I was going to go through. When I went for Gastric Bypass (canceled my appointment a few days before my surgery date due to me not feeling comfortable with having bypass done), I was going to have Dr. Trus and he just rubbed me the wrong way. He never answered any questions that I had which made me very mad. I've heard great things about Dr. Laycock

Pati- You've lost FIFTY inches!?! Awesome! Do you think that you would have done that without the band? Have you made permenant lifestyle changes? Do you ever want to pull those clothes out again...or have you already burned them? With each reward comes risk. The actual amount of removed bands is less than 1-3%, according to the information I have from the hospital in Minnesota. And that's including older 1st generation bands which aren't as effective. The technology and quality of the equipment and procedure has exponentially improved in the past two years as the insurance companies have started to cover the procedure. If you were a candidate for this surgery...than you know that your health before Band was a MUCH higher risk than any complications you've seen here. Obesity -related death is about ready to supercede heart/lung conditions, cancer....it if hasn't already surpassed it. The band does have risks....but FAR LESS than any bypass, and EVEN LESS THAN DOING NOTHING. You have a 100% chance of dying someday...this was meant to improve your chances of a longer, healthier life. Here's the other truth....nobody has time to waste during this time of year. So the majority of notes posted are when stuff sucks and you need some support. NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!!! Hey...in a way, it's like a bra! Of course I'm not one to wear one, but my wife would attest to the fact that the ugliest bras she owns are the best because they have the most support. So....maybe our posts look a little scary when we need the most support!!! Ok it's a strectch...but I've never used a bra analogy before! Hang in there! Find the positive things that you've gained from this experience! God Bless! Jon

I'm miserable when it comes to eating.. Or should I say drinking broth... I took it upon my self to start on pureed foods a week early or else I would've died of starvation. However I'm doing pretty good.. I've started walking up to a mile and a half everyday. I had surgery on Nov. 3, 2020. Before surgery my weight was 245 now I'm 225... I'm sure I lost some weight pre-op due to the 2 week liquid diet. Anyway the Journey continues. Sent from my moto g fast using BariatricPal mobile app

Sorry but I need to vent today!! I was at the doctor's for my 6 month post op visit. Since surgery I have lost a total of 90 pounds. That is 90 pounds of hard work!!! Prior to seeing the doctor, I met with his assistant and a dr in training. As I was discussing progress, etc with the assistant, he turned to the dr in training and made a comment that "she JUST had the sleeve" done. Of course I asked what was meant by that comment. He quickly replied that if I would have had a bypass I would have lost more weight. Really!!! I went through all the pre op crap -- including liquid diet that a bypass patient would do. I went through surgery and spent two days in the hospital. I have totally changed the way I am living and I HAVE LOST 90 POUNDS in 6 months. Not a happy camper that I was told that I "just had the sleeve" done. I was a part of the decision as to what type of surgery I did and I do not regret my decision about the sleeve. It is working for me. Very frustrated with the comment. At least the surgeon was far more positive and supportive!! He told me that he was proud of me. Thanks for letting me vent!! Such a frustrating situation today.

Ok......1st. Id like to Thank ALL of the members of this fourm for all the guidence,information,& answers they have unselfishly given me from day 1.! Today I got some good news from OXFORD Insurrance company That they are approving me for a RnY Gastric Bypass.(They approved me in less than 48hrs. of 1st letter!!!) My surgury date is 6/14/06. I cant beleive it! Im sooooo Excited! My question is........IS THERE A FOURM LIKE THIS FOR PEOPLE THAT CHOSE THE GASTRIC BYPASS??? If anyone knows...Id appreacite it if you would point me in the right direction to the fourm,because these fourms are so helpfull!I can only hope the gastric bypass fourm(if there is one) will be 1/2 as good as this one & the people on there are 1/2 of nice & caring on the people on here....If so Ill be in pretty good shape! Thank-you everyone & good luck on all your journeys!

wow. I'm amazed (though in my line of work, i shouldn't be) at how many bad surgeons are out there. Mine is very well respected, has done tons of RNYs and Bands (he's mid 50's, the perfect age to be cutting me in the opinion of my attorney, who happens to be me)-- he put on no pressure for either procedure, even though he charges about 5k more for the bypass. This is the kind of guy who is booked ahead by almost 5 months, because he's THE guy in the Pittsburgh area... He talked to me about what kind of eater I am, and outlined the things needed for success with the band--- he said only rarely did he try and push an option that wasn't what the patient had in mind---because in his experience, most people know what is going on and what they want well before they see him. He will advise them to go the other way when he thinks they are making the wrong choice, but told me that happens less than 10% of the time for him. Glad I got my guy---this thread was making me apprehensive about tomorrow--- but my group has been in existence for quite a while, is a "center of excellence" --and has experience with the band back to US clinical trials. I've been told that even 5 years out, they've seen very few coplications, and that they are very proactive about fixing things when they do go wrong. My surgeon said that from what he has seen, that the band is the safer way to go. everyone is different, but i'm damned glad i'm in good hands, and intend on following the post op to the letter.

The LONG TERM issues are greater in number with banding. You can have: Esophageal damage, Esophageal dilation, Esophageal spasms, Pouch dilation, Stoma spasms, Port flips, Port infections (possible each time you get a fill), Band intolerance, Slips, Obstruction due to swelling, Erosion, Band intolerance, Scarring growing under the band causing too much restriction even with no fill, Mechanical malfunctions such as tubing being disconnected, holes, leaks, kinked tubing all requiring surgery to repair. Sleeves long term can have: The need to take B12 Vitamins, Strictures. Many food cravings do disappear with sleeves because of the removal of Ghrelin. If you check out the sleeve section of LBT you'll see many (most?) people that no longer have the cravings we used to have. Not to the same degree. I fully relate to the food addiction issue but for me it's a food obsession. We really don't go through withdrawal like a cocaine addict. We obsess over food. We think about it all the time. The difference really needs to be made because there is no effective treatment for an addiction but there is effective treatment for obsession. With an addiction you suck it up and deal with it. With an obsession you take meds and it can potentially kill your head hunger and the way you think about food all the time. This is one area where I LOVE LOVE LOVE my doc! He will give Luvox or Paxil for food obsessions. If you are really struggling he'll treat it. I have a lot more control over food obsession today than I did three years ago. But sometimes it gets hard and I take Luvox for a few weeks and that kills my head hunger. I just quit taking it a few days ago because it's under control again. I take Luvox probably 2-3 weeks maybe 2-3 times a year. When I take Luvox I become one of those people that needs to remember to eat. With no head hunger and no stomach hunger it makes life easier. When both are kicking it, life is hard. Very hard. There is actually a huge amount of information on the internet about sleeves. Thing is, you have to go to a website of a doctor that does them or the information is outdated. Long term studies just came out last summer. Many doctors have not updated their websites. I was a little apprehensive of being sleeved but now that it's done it's no big deal. I was far more aware of my band than I am of my sleeve. I just get full quickly. It's done by lap surgery just like a band. Recovery is about the same. Having been banded and sleeved I know being sleeved is so much easier. I don't have to worry about fills, unfills, restriction issues, sweet spots, getting stuck, etc. For the sleeve they remove the fundus of your stomach. That part of your stomach does two things, it is elastic so it holds a great deal of food and it produces Ghrelin. That's all it does. All the important stuff is still there. The nerves, the pyloric valve, etc. It's just smaller, that's all. With a band if you don't chew well you get stuck. I don't have to chew as much as I did with a band. We have to chew better than we did before when we inhaled food but nothing like with banding. I view the fundus of my stomach the same as I would a diseased appendix or gallbladder. It does nothing positive for me. I do not want the ability to eat a large quantity of food, I want to eat small portions without chewing to a paste and be full quickly. This does it for me. You choose not to alter your anatomy. What if you had gallbladder problems such as stones? Wouldn't you alter your anatomy to remove it? I would. The fundus of my stomach was nothing short of unhealthy because it permitted me to eat, gain weight, and be obese. And btw, you are altering your anatomy with a band. Mother Nature did not intend to put a band around your stomach and grow layers of scar tissue engulfing the band. People think that you can remove the band and your stomach is exactly like it was before banding. Not true. Sleeves are not for everyone, bands are not for everyone. Same with Bypass and DS. You have to find what works for you and go for it.

Sleeves, RNY, bypass, lap band, etc. All of these are surgery. All of these have dire risks if done improperly. All of these can work or not work. A Lap band implant is the quickest of the options. Because of this, there are a lot of doctors out there setting up high volume "band mills" geared around quick surgical turnaround. Equalize away the hack doctors jumping on the "bandwagon" and I personally believe the band is the safest of all possible surgeries long term, simply due to it being the least invasive and not going down the malabsorption path. Bottom line? Whatever WLS you choose, use the best doctor you can find. It amazes me to read about surgery decisions made solely on best possible price. Some people research the shampoo they use more than the doctor they pick.

I agree with Aubrie. My doc tried to push the bypass too. More money. You have to do the research and do what is right for you. I agree, the band is not for everyone. You have to follow the rules. One thing for certain, morbid obesity is a disease. Just think for a minute about any surgical procedure. If you needed back surgery you would hear a hundred horror stories if you did enough research. Who really knows why complications arise? Every person is different. I love my band! At close to 300 lbs. I could have dropped dead at age 52 with my high blood pressure and other complications from obesity. Something had to be done.

I am a newbie! Looking to have gastric bypass in August. I think I am ready but I am not sure. Am I ready to commit to a different future? I want to think so. I am a healthy 45 year old mom of 4. I have two grown children and a 16 and a 9 yr old. I think I am ready to do something that is just for me. I am also very scared!!!! How do you know you are really ready?? I am very fortunate to not have any physical difficulties that go along with being very overweight but I know that they are right around the corner and I want a different future than the one I see if I stay on the path I am on. Did any of you ever have a moment when you thought "YES!!"? If so, when? and how did it come about?

BCBS of Texas denied my appeal for lap to sleeve revision also! Even with letters and documentation from my doctors, their policy allows for only one bariatric surgery. Even with documentation about my chronic reflux! Heck with it, I am going self pay in December!

What was your starting weight? I had a revision from sleeve to bypass on May 30th, and I am only down 17 pounds, and getting extremely frustrated. Preop highest: 260 Surgery day: 241 Current weight: 224 I am 28, 5 ft 4

I am just over 12 weeks out from gastric bypass surgery and have only consumed creamed or blended/pureed soups. I have come across two great recipes one for white chicken chili and one for cheesy chicken and cauliflower soup. So I am just wondering how much to consume per meal? I don't have a caloric/protein per serving breakdown so just wondered what others do with soups, stews and chilis to ensure you are getting the proper nutrients per meal.

I was nervous as well I just had my gastric bypass done May 1st. The pre op diet was rough Bc u know u can eat it without issues but u have to not eat it Bc of the surgery. What made it even harder for me was my husband ate whatever he wanted and I couldn't. But also once my surgery was done once I came home and started feeling better as surprised as I was I still was hungry just yet my body didn't want or need food it was all in my head! But as the time goes on u will feel better and it becomes a little easier each day. You can do this stay strong. Keep coming on here a reading ppl stories that helps a lot also. Hope I helped some. Good luck

So were you 5 ft 2 in and started off at around 200 pounds? Then you lost a final total of 88 pounds and are now sitting at roughly 112 pounds (when your goal weight was 132)??? That's actually amazing weight loss!!! For me, my ideal weight is between 145-155. I'm honestly not getting anywhere near that, and I'm ok with it. My goal is 200 pounds, but secretly I actually want to get to 185 if possible. My surgeon went over the stats and averages and explained that the sleeve usually produces less weight loss that the bypass, but I wasn't willing to do the bypass because I have pills I HAVE to take and I knew that wasn't allowed with the bypass.

Hi, I'm waiting on my insurance to approve my band to RNY revision. They have approved my port revision (three months ago - which I had to wait on pre-existing condition clause) until now to have. I was banded April 11, 2008 by Dr. John Bagnato, Albany GA. Assessment day I was at 271, with a pre-op diet I went into Surgery at 259 pounds. By my first fill I was down about twenty pounds - or perhaps I should say attempt at a first fill - my port had flipped. So I had to schedule revision surgery, which I had in July. I think lost an average of 15 pounds a month. I found out right after my revision surgery my husband was having an affair - emotionally I was a wreck but I think it gave me a push. By November I was down to 214 (my lowest weight). I worked out, followed all the rules - strictly and even ran in a 5k. My marriage continued to deteriorate and by December I asked for a divorce. We separated in February. I ended up moving to my hometown in Florida (four hours away) in March. It never dawned on me the impact of moving to another state would have on my health due to my band. I ended up getting sick and had to get an unfill a few months after moving to Florida. I went back to Georgia for one fill which I had to have removed due to esophagous spasms. When my divorce was final in October 2009 I lost my benefits. I quit my job when I left and it took me four months to find a job (and it didn't offer benefits). But with two small children to feed I didn't feel I had much choice. So no doctor, no follow-up. I tried to find a doctor in Florida to see me, closer than four hours away. No one would take me. I tried everything. I finally found a doctor in Pensacola that would see me. He was able to put in 1cc (I have a 10cc band) in November 2010. I went back in March for my second fill and he couldn't access my port. By the way my port is in my chest, stitched to my left breast muscle). He said it has to be moved. We filed the insurance and they denied me due to pre-existing condition (June 2010 is when my insurance took effect, so I had to wait until June 2011 for anything related to my band). In May I started having port pains and reflux issued - I had an upper GI done. I have mobility issues in my esophogus and some erosion...so I'm told that the band has to come out. I had an appointment Wednesday of this week with him. He confirmed it and we discussed alternatives. I had been reseraching the RNY for a few weeks (once he told me bye bye band)...so now I'm waiting on insurance approval. I'm curious how many of us are out there? and if it is specific to the doctor or type of band? Is there a specific timeline when the failures/complications begins. For the longest time I blamed myself - thought I'd done something wrong. It appears after getting back on LBT (after a two year departure), I'm not the only one. I really hope this RNY site takes off...looking forward to talking to everyone...

Thank you for the update. I just had mine done at NWWLS in Everett. I'm 11 days out. I was discharged within 18 hours of surgery, no complications, very little discomfort, no nausea or vomiting. It's been super easy. I ended up paying out of pocket because my primary covers everything BUT sleeve and I was told that Tricare wouldn't cover it. I probably should have taken more time to research, but oh well. I didn't have to do the supervised diet and wait. Plus, I really didn't want to go to Madigan. About 8 years ago or so, I started the process of getting bypass done and I was really uncomfortable with the surgeon (treated me like I was looking for a magic pill) and I really haven't had good experiences at MTFs in general (Navy Hospital Bremerton and Branch Bangor), so I don't have a lot of trust in MTFs in general. (It's literally gotten to the point that I burst into tears during appointments if I'm in an MTF.) My primary insurance is covering some things that are related, we're just not sure yet of everything they will cover, billing is still in process. I took a loan to front the costs and I have a Health Reimbursement Arrangement through work that I had over $20k in, so I expect all my out of pocket costs will be reimbursed. I hope that you have recovered nicely, and I wish you success! Looks like you are well on your way! Congratulations!

I have IBS-D and I went with gastric bypass. It is true they cant predict if it will get rid or lessen the effects of IBS but with my gallbladder removal at the same time I am now only going to the bathroom once a day instead of 3-4x’s a day and my stomach feels much better. You will still need to stay away from the foods that trigger the IBS but I feel much better since surgery.

Just Fluffy, I love your "nickname"! Anyway, is RNY gastric bypass or gastric sleeve? Sorry, but I'm not too familiar with the lingo yet... I'm starting to get the picture that this is a truly personal decision. If gastric sleeve is no good for those of us wanting to get pregnant, I guess my choice is made for me. I wish there were an easy answer. I'm self-employed, and my insurance, unfortunately, won't pay for surgery. There seems to be a natural progression of surgeries (lap band to sleeve to gastric bypass), but I don't think I can afford a second surgery... so, I'm really trying to "get it right" the first time! Thanks for everyone's advice!!!

Sorry, I've been in Weight Loss Surgery Lingo for too long ...RNY is Roux-en-y and involves reducting the size of your stomache and rerouting to a shorter section of the intestines, in shour gastric bypass. I wish there were an easy answer too...My advice it to find a good baratric surgeon and go to a couple seminars maybe even schedule an appointment. Then, go to another surgeon and get another opinion. Get on the boards, read all you can, and attend a local support group....don't be scared to ask questions and be ready to get your feelings hurt. The uneducated world truly can be cruel...please let me know if you have any questions as well as those on this site. It is a great place to start.

Thank you all. I work at the same hospital that my PCP works at so I emailed her personally on Friday demanding answers. I think up to that point her nurse was interceding my messages. I also got the Upper GI disc just in case. I tried calling the bariatric team where I work and none of them would take me on because "they don't fix other surgeon's messes." A friend of mine who was bypassed let me vent last week and then sent me a list of about 5 surgeons in my area who may be able to help. I am going to start calling their offices tomorrow to see if other people can take me on. My other problem though at this point I'm disregarding is because I work for a hospital my insurance is geared for that hospital so if I go to any other hospital in my area they will only pay a small portion of what I need. I'm hoping tomorrow I can get some answers tomorrow.