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I am sorry that it has taken so long for me to update everyone. One month ago I was finally diagnosed with SLE (lupus), and also have the fibromyalgia cross over. I have continued to gain weight. I am now up to a 25 lb weight gain, not matter how much I cut carbs, and raise my Protein intake. I am extremely depressed not just because of the weight gain, but also because of the diagnosis. It is really imperative that I lose weight. I have begun trying to be more active, but no change on the scale. I am now considering revision surgery from the gastric sleeve to RNY. I don't know what else to do at this point. I know that it can cause many complications. I am not sure if there is any other procedure that might help, but am trying to contact my original surgeon, as well as some of the best surgeons in my area. Looking for any advice that you ladies might have. I really would appreciate your feedback. Thanks so much, Jennifer

I have Fibro and Lyrica has been massively helpful for me. I'm having a bypass later in the summer. I'm hoping I can still take my meds for it. Does anyone have trouble with it post-surgery? I'll ask my rheum. also on my next visit. We've agreed that weight loss will be highly beneficial for my joints/tenderness regardless. My bigger issue with my Fibro is that I get these electric zappy shocks all over (like a neuropathy of sort...I've had shingles 3 times, feels like that kind of zapping)...and the Lyrica has been huge it stopping the pain. Dealing with the zapping is rough! So happy my meds work, but will I still be able to take it? It was like magic to finally get relief. Thank you for any shared experiences.

I read a couple of posts from people who were told by Kaiser that skin removal and other post bariatric plastics are not part of their plan. I don't want anyone to suffer for years as I did because of being told the wrong information! I'm learning to push back when told NO since often times the people on the other end of the phone tend to not have all the answers or are told to derail people with questions from learning the real truth in order to save $ Anyway, there was a class action in 2015 against Kaiser sparked by post WLS denials. And as it turns out this can have repercussions for insurance that systematically deems skin removal as an elective surgery that isn't covered in cases of extreme weight loss. Link https://blog.cvn.com/kaiser-ordered-to-broaden-reconstructive-surgery-coverage-after-class-action-trial https://legalnewsline.com/stories/510629463-calif-judge-rules-that-insurer-at-center-of-class-action-over-skin-removal-surgeries-must-broaden-coverage When I went to be evaluated for plastic surgery in 2017, we were told we could have one procedure. Dr said I didn't qualify for a panni because it didn't quite hang low enough, just to clarify...their measurement is 'abdominal skin must cover pubic region entirely'' which is BS with the years of skin rashes I have had. He said I just barely qualified for breast reduction surgery which I had 5 months later, the waiting list was long. He said I would be a C cup (from a DD) and I wasn't happy when I ended up a B but worse things could happen. I'm 16 years Post Gastric BP and should've had a revision 4-5 years ago when weight gain started creeping up, no longer going down... about 15 lbs a year since 2018. I could never break past 170 to reach goal of 155 but I'm goin to pursue the distal revision as of this week. It's now or never, I have to get a social life! The rule is you have to be at your goal and stable for months before a skin removal surgery will be covered by insurance so I'll have to wait longer even longer for that as consequence of procrastinating on a revision! I've been disabled with an autoimmune illness so I never returned to the job I enjoyed after the WLS. I didn't put much effort into pursuing solutions for skin removal after research showed it would be very costly out of pocket expense and not covered by insurance. So I haven't really felt the freedom of losing 140 lbs because I still cover up my body! No swimsuits, no sleeveless anything or clothing that accentuates the possibility of a waist, LOL. I wish I had the confidence of those who wear what they want, no matter their size! I've wanted to leave Kaiser to return the awesome Dr I previously had who actually listened and treated me like a human being. Staying with Kaiser only until these surgeries are done and I'm out of there! Kaiser ruling.pdf

So I've completed all the requirements for VSG by my insurance company and my doctor's office submitted my paperwork. I was denied due to not having a letter of clearance by my PCP. Okay, no big deal. I went to my pcp and he wrote the letter and forwarded it to my surgeons office. I follow up with the surgeons office on Thursday to find out if my paperwork has been resubmitted and the coordinator states that after further review CIGNA requires a BMI of 50 for VSG. I'm like WTF? That's not why I was denied. She then states there is a clause they noticed and called the insurance company to verify. The coordinator said she spoke with a supervisor at CIGNA and that a 50 BMI is required. WTH is going on? I was told a 40 BMI or over 35 BMI with a comorbidity by their office and the insurance company. The coordinator states that I would be approved for the lap band or the bypass. I DON'T WANT EITHER OF THOSE!!! So i'm so confused now! The denial letter states that I am being denied because of a clearance letter and not because my BMI is too low. Wouldn't the insurance company have denied because of the BMI requirement not being met if that was the issue? Should I have my doc's office resubmit the paperwork with the clearance letter and hope somehow they miss the part that I only have a BMI of 40 with acid refux and mild sleep apnea? Evidently this will be my last chance to submit paperwork for this surgery since I have already been denied once. Not sure how that whole thing works, but that's what a CIGNA agent told me. I can only submit one more time. Has anyone been approved by CIGNA for VSG with a 40 BMI? :help:

A bypass may not be your first choice, but tons of people get bypass and do fantastic. Don't rule it out. There are bypass people in my support group and they don't seem to have any more complications or problems than sleevers do. My niece had bypass and she lost 175+ pounds and has kept it off for over four years. It's an individual thing -- but I know I would not have hesitated to have a bypass if a sleeve had not been available to me. Good luck in your decision.

Usually if they won't approve sleeve, then they won't approve sleeve . . . no easy loophole. But if your surgeon and/or PCP can find a medical reason that bypass would not work for you but a sleeve would, you might be able to appeal on that ground. For example: you have a condition such as arthritis that means you will need to take NSAIADs after surgery. You have irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's Disease, or another intestinal disease that would make surgery on the intestines risky or impossible. Your surgeon will probably be the best person to consult for other possible reasons. If your insurance still won't cover it, I would think your options are either self-pay (in the US or Mexico/abroad) or see if you can find other insurance that does cover the sleeve - perhaps through a spouse or partner, a professional association, the Affordable Care Act exchange in your state, etc. Good luck!

check with your clinic. That could be symptomatic for a stricture, and you're still in the "window" for one (they almost always occur, when they're going to occur, between one and three months post-surgery (they're very rare after you hit the three month mark) they occur in about 5% of bypass patients. And they're an easy fix (I had two - at four weeks out and again at about eight weeks out)

hi so my name is jessica and i am new to the bypass forums but not new to the site. ive kind of been lurking since wendsday of this week and wanted to tell my story. i am 24 with a high weight of 290 pounds right now i am in month four going on month 5/7 of my required visits for insurance and have lost 8 pounds not a lot but ill take it. i have a awesome husband who is my rock and is supporting me through all of this and is keeping me accountable when my head hunger kicks in and i want mcdonalds really bad lol so thats me ill update more as i go along i should be having surgery in march or april of 2016 so anyone having it around that time message me and we can keep up

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery 3 years and 1 month ago. I lost a lot of weight and have maintained the weight loss. I am happy with my surgery. The reason why I had the surgery was because of my health conditions that were getting worse as I aged. Many of these health conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, severe acid reflux (Gerd)) went into remission within two weeks after surgery and have remained there.

This was published the day of my surgery. I found it incredibly accurate and informative. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/27/health/bariatric-surgery.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I get the patches here at the bariatric pal store, I use this https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/vitamin-patch/products/gastric-bypass-vitamin-patch-pack-30-day-supply My kaiser nurse that runs our program says the calcium does not absorb well and will not show a deficiency in a blood test because the body leaches it from your bones so I also take a chewie bite per day. I just had my 6 month tests last month and everything was great!

I had a revision surgery from Lapband to Sleeve on August 2nd. So I am three days out. The pain is bearable for the most part. I am having a really intense sharp pain that runs across my lower chest under my rib cage. It last for a few seconds and then goes away. This happens maybe every 5 minutes or so. Is this normal?

I too have lost a ton of hair. I spoke with my doctor on friday and he said that when the body goes through trama (like rapid weight loss) you will lose hair. I asked if there was anything that could help, Protein, etc.... he said no. There is no medical evidence that anything will help. He said I could try stuff but he said it was a waste of money. I said well then, when will the hair loss stop? when I'm bald. He said when I stop losing weight the hair loss will stop. I know this is true for alot of gastric bypass people (my friends) and it has grown back...so that gives me hope. Hang in there and keep drinking / eating your protein...it can't hurt.

I had lapband 7 years ago. After a year, I had severe GERD and had to have most of the Fluid taken out of the band. After 6 more years of severe GERD and finally a diagnosis of aspiration pneumonias and staph in the lungs, it was recommended by the head of the GI department at a large metropolitan hospital that I have a conversion to RNY bypass. I am still down about 65 pounds from the original 100 I lost with lap band. Insurance approved the surgery in 2 weeks so I guess there's no question that this is the fix! I meet with my surgeon (the same one that did the lap band) next week for pre-op appointment and surgery date. I am scared, elated, preocupied with bypass information. I am reading everything I can get my hands on. I devoured the Big Book of Gastric Bypass and am re-reading it, marking questions and thoughts to talk with the surgeon and the dietician about. Not sure how or why I missed Bariatric Pal before, but I need all the help I can get. I have great family support and a couple of friends/acquaintances who have had bypass surgery so I feel supported. I need to move on from the "deja vu all over again" feeling and know that this is procedure is way different. I would love to hear from anyone else who has had a conversion.

Just an update : My surgery was Dec 15. RNY gastric -bypass : was walking around 2-hours after surgery, 1 night in hospital : Never nauseous, pain was MINIMAL ! NO gas cramps, My lower intestines' rumble from time to time but no pain. Since my surgery I have lost 20 LBs !!!!!! 8 days WOW I'm sure a lot of that has been water , but still nice to see.. I have no issues with anything I consume except really cold or hot stuff....so I just let it get to more of a normal temp. NO hunger at all, I have to remember to eat !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fluid intake are struggle to get to 32oz a day. I've had five surgeries before this one : appendix, molars, both knee meniscus tears, one knee twice. This by far has been a breeze compared the others : So each is different : but some of us come thru the procedure very well ! hope this is your case : BTW I was very Obese 380lbs 5"8"

Hi!!! I was revised from band to bypass on May 21, 2014. Omg I love my bypass! What a difference!!! I don't feel like I'm stuck all the time, I don't throw up, I don't have to find a barroom before I eat to make sure I can run there in time.. It's awesome! I was successful with my band lost all my weight 120 pounds in 9 months, kept it off for 5 years then bam one day I couldn't keep anything down even with an unfill. So revision was my option.. My band had eroded. I can tell you the revision surgery was easier for me than the band surgery. I knew I had to get up and walk ASAP after surgery because the gas pain killed me last time so I did!! I walked within 2 hours of surgery and kept walking. I was able to go home day after surgery and my recovery was amazing. Felt awesome! I even asked my doc if he really took out the band and did the rny I felt so good!! Feel free to pm me with any questions!!! And good luck!!

Good luck! A lot of ur story mirrors my own. Had the lapbad and only lost 30lbs (that was in 2007). Now on Sept 13 2017 (10 yrs later), I had bypass. I thought this was going to finally be the tool to help me. In 1 month since my bypass, I've only lost 12lbs, and 9 of those 12 were lost in the first week post op! So frustrating! Especially with how excited i was to get bypass surgery! I am not trying to discourage you by any means, I just want to put realistic expectations out there for u. All the wonder tales posted here and told in group settings, about 40lbs lost 1st month or 70lbs down in 3 months, stuff like that, isn't necessarily a given. I dont know how they're doing that kind of loss and I'm not, but everybody's different. This procedures gotta help tho, right?! I gotta keep telling myself that. [emoji4] I hope your journey goes better than mine has so far. I wish i could give u advice to ensure urs goes amazingly but I'm following by the book and none too happy, so not sure what advice to give u. Although, the MOST positive thing is that I've had zero postop complications. None. That is fantastic and I'm happy about that part. On a separate note, Valley of the Sun, huh? Awesome! I am here too!! Who's your bypass surgeon, if ur comfortable answering? Mine is Dr Swain, whom I adore!

I had type 2 diabetes when I was banded and I don't know if that was a factor in my failure or not but it may have been. After banding I found that my eating went from "normal" food choices to softer foods and I still really craved sweets, be it yogurt with fruit which I could eat endless amounts of or ice cream which I could eat endless amounts of or even Cereal. Mainly I chose the softer foods because I could eat them without throwing up and could eat any amount I wanted. So after losing weight preop I gained it all back afterward and then some. Plus my diabetes worsened and I also had high blood pressure and high cholesteral. I can still eat some sweets now that I've had my bypass over a year but only certains ones. Everyone is different and I have dumping syndrome still which for me makes ice cream intollerable, I get nauseous, which I see as a good thing as it was my main weakness prior. It can be very difficult to see these issues prior to surgery, at least for me it was as I wasn't even aware that I could eat large amounts of certain slider foods after being banded. People are more aware of the pitfalls now so that's a plus. I made the lapband choice first but had to revise eventually to RNY in order to lose, it wasn't easy and I can't take back what I orignially did but was a bit too scared to have RNY in the first place but I feel pretty normal and take my supplements and have bloodwork done and have survived. I also have a daughter who had RNY and two nieces and so far we've all done fairly well. So I'm just giving you some insight into a different point of view but it's your decision in the end and I just hope you pick the right one the first time, good luck to you, Nancy.

What are his motives for preferring bypass? Is it because he genuinely feels that it is better for you or because he makes more money? That is something you need to find out. I'm really happy with my band. I have lost all my excess weight plus more and am living a normal life eating a well balanced, healthy (most of the time) diet.

Hello. I am newly banded (only as of 2 weeks) so I'm not sure what I can tell you. However, I realized early on that feeling "full" is not SUPPOSED to happen...even without the band. It means you ate too much. Feeling satisfied and not being hungry in between meals (like every 4 to 5 hours) is the goal. That's just my opinion. I have yet to feel FULL like I used to when I used to stuff my face and clean my plate, but I also don't feel hungry between meals. I'm happy with that. I would also discuss your concerns with your doctor. As for a different procedure, I would suggest the sleeve over the bypass. I did a lot of research on the sleeve because I was considering getting that done (before insurance told me it wasn't covered) and it's safer than the bypass. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

Yes, I had my revision on Monday Nov 14th. This isn't as easy as the Sleeve and my incisions are bothering me more this time. I had a rough start in the hospital due to some complications but i think I'm getting much better. I'm supposd to go to work on Tuesday but don't think I am quite up to it yet. Thanksgiving was difficult.... I felt so left out, and hungry but I guess its worth it. I had the surgery to cure my severe GERD and it seems to have helped. Hope everyone else is doing well. Let me know when we get our own page.

Hi there, how are you feeling? Can you tell me about your experience with the revision? Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

Yes, I had my revision on Monday Nov 14th. This isn't as easy as the Sleeve and my incisions are bothering me more this time. I had a rough start in the hospital due to some complications but i think I'm getting much better. I'm supposd to go to work on Tuesday but don't think I am quite up to it yet. Thanksgiving was difficult.... I felt so left out, and hungry but I guess its worth it. I had the surgery to cure my severe GERD and it seems to have helped. Hope everyone else is doing well. Let me know when we get our own page.So good to hear you are doing well !!! I asked Alex 3 times for the forum.but no word yet. I'll keep you guys posted as soon as I get my surgery date. Submitted already just waiting for Cigna approval. My gerd is still out of control but I'm feeling hopeful!!! Sent from my Z981 using the BariatricPal App

Yes I had my revision done Monday. I will be following to hear other people thoughts on it Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I also went through TrueResults but luckily I was able to continue with the same surgeon who did my original weight loss surgery. I was banded in 2009, then converted to sleeve in 2016, I’ve been suffering with GERD for the past several months. The next option would be gastric bypass. I’m a little hesitant but with the pain from the GERD I’m seriously considering the surgery. The pain gets so bad that I literally lay in bed in crying from the pain. The meds are no longer helping me and I was told that I have bile reflux that’s causing the pain. [emoji15]