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I had implants pre-sleeve. The nice thing is that my boobs haven't shrunk visibly at all. In fact they look bigger now in relation to the rest of my body. The bad news is, my left implant has now become malpositioned due to the loss of real breast tissue above it and I will likely want a revision. Though I'm going to wait until I'm done losing for that. It's not really that noticeable. I notice it, but even my husband didn't notice it until I pointed it out to him. I was thin when I got my boobs. I pray they still look good when I drop these lbs.

I'm 5'8 438lb and started my journey in January 2016....at my initial consultation with my surgeon I let the doctor know I was on the fence between the Sleeve and RNY he didn't advised me that I would need to lose weight for either procedure but now wbthat my insurance has approved the wants me to lose 30lb before he would do the bypass...it would have been nice if I told me this 6 months ago, but Im excited and after reading some of the testimonials of the sleevers I'm confident this will be a wonderful tool for me.... hopefully this Monday I will get my surgery date abd in prepped to begin the pre op liquid diet Sent from my HTC6500LVW using the BariatricPal App

Oh Yea revision done on Monday

After so many appeals with the insurance and struggle today, my surgery at 1:45 pm. I had my first surgery in Colombia and my surgeon here in the usa found they left the pouch to big and that is why i did not lose all the weight. This time i am determine to finish what i started.

I chose the sleeve because: * I was put off by what I had read online and heard from my surgeon re lap band complications and unpleasantness. * I didn't want gastric bypass's lifelong effects of nutrient malabsorption, complex Vitamin supplements, and dumping syndrome. I was also put off by the re-routing aspect of bypass. * I had "only" 85 pounds to lose. * I liked the idea of the sleeve's assist with lifelong restriction. (I now understand that I must always eat Protein first, avoid sliders, not drink with meals, and not graze to enable that restriction). * I was terrifically excited by the sleeve's reduction of ghrelin. (I now understand that the no-ghrelin effect may not continue as strongly long-term as it was immediately post-op; we shall see.)

I chose to have a RNY Gastric Bypass because of my Diabetes. In November 2013, I had a bout of pancreatitis, that is terologistnow believed to have been caused by one of my Diabetes medications. In December2013, at an appointment with my endocrinologist, he told me that my chronic diarrhea was being caused by my other Diabetes medication.That was when gastric bypass surgery was first mentioned to me. A week later, my gastroenterologist also mentioned it to me as a solution to some of my medical problems. I had my RNY on December 10, 2014 and am off both of my Diabetes medications. My fasting blood sugars now run in the low 70s.

I based my decision on revision rate. I decided that if I had to undergo surgery, I only wanted to do it once. Not repeat it with a revision on a revision on another revision.

Has anyone dealt with Health Alliance for a revision. Some yrs ago I had BCBSIL and they didn’t even want to cover my hernia repair let alone the revision. So here I am three yrs later trying it again. The only difference is this i Sudan remains requires you to meet all requirements plus have a complication. I’m just nervous of trying it again to be let down and still be in pain.

Okay, so I think that alot of what is said here is based on general info that one reads on forums. I have had 4 local plastic surgeon consults and two email consults (Mexico) so have actually discussed all of this with plastic surgeons about MY situation including how long you should wait. I think it is easy to make remarks like this below if you have not been educated on this directly by actual experts. Plastic surgery is a big deal because you are under anesthesia (all surgeries have a risk) BUT the incident of death and serious complications are low. They are not near internal organs, the main issues that can happen are "wound healing related". I think most would consider it less dangerous/sever then weight loss surgery. But yes, it hurts and requires more pain meds then most of us needed post sleeve. The bounce back of the skin might apply to people who have less excess skin. If someone who is pretty good waits 18 months, they will see some skin reabsorption and might in fact decide they don't need procedure "X". However, lets do some quick math shall we. I weigh about 155 pounds. My highest weight (in 2005 was 332). I spent alot of years in the 250-300# range. I spent pretty much my whole life either overweight or obese - I am 49 and I would say less then 8 years of that was I normal weight. I did alot of weight bouncing over the decades losing and regaining the 25-85 pound range. I had a baby some 21 years ago. I have extra skin. I have skin for 2 + women. I can do one gazillion situps and still have stomach skin. The skin under my arms, and around my breast is so stretched the docs have urged caution even about implants and that my skin can't support any weight - the skin is STRETCHED. So, even if waiting 18 months post goal weight (I am 18 months post sleeve) caused me to reabsorb 5-10% of my extra skin it would make a negligible difference. I will need the same procedures I need now and get the same results. I personally have no reason to wait any longer. For some people, docs will do procedures even while a very heavy person is still a ways from goal; knowing they may need revision later. Why? Well, I didn't go that route, but let me tell you it is discouraging to be able to see my ribs on my chest and back and yet have a "big belly" that is basically all skin. They do it to help people get to the goal of looking normal. It took me awhile to accept my body as not still being fat - extra skin looks alot like fat. So Fiddleman I know you didn't mean this as a criticism of me personally, but I am a little defensive because I feel like people at times imply that if I just worked harder or was more patient I could wish away my extra skin and it just doesn't work that way. I too was FREAKED OUT by the surgery photos. When I went to my second consult and the surgeon brought up the topic of the lower body lift (I thought I just needed a tummy tuck) I nearly vomited. the very idea of the LBL sent me around the bend. It took me a solid 4 months of looking at photos and talking to PS patients to get over the freak out mode. I have a much more rational view about it all, I want the best results I can get. I know that the recovery from the LBL isn't that much harder then the TT and the difference in the results is so worth it. In my case, the LBL will make it so I don't need to have anything done on my butt for example. It will make a huge difference in my thighs too. What I am most disappointed/discouraged about is that one of my key problem areas is under my arms/braline. I wear bras that are too big in the band to keep that skin from spilling over all ugly. The only solution to that one is an upper body lift and I am not sure I am willing to go that far. I love wearing fitted clothing and it is a disappointment to me that I will still have a significant problem area...

Gas pain was more troublesome and uncomfortable than any other pain. Except, I was a revision from the band to the sleeve, and where my port for the band was placed was encased in scar tissues and a lot of adhesions had to be removed. There was a significant amount of incisional pain around my port site, but pain meds work great. Gas pains not so much fun. I had gas travel up to my collarbone area, and it just sat there causing lots of pressure. Walking helps tremendously, and others have said a heating paid helps as well. The CO2 gas they blow our tummies up with only escapes partially, the rest has to be walked or worn off. I had my gallbladder out about 6 weeks ago, and I had more discomfort from that surgery than I did my revision.

I'm 38 and would love new friends going though the same journey as me . Had bypass on 3/23. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Dumping only happens with gastric bypass patients when they eat too much sugar and I think fat. You are just overeating, having stomach pains because of it and of course going to the rest room more to get rid of the food. I am 4 pounds from my goal and I find I do get lax in your eating as I get closer to goal. With the easter season here I have made a resolve to continue and only eat healthy so that I can reach my goal weight. Go back to basics, lower carb, no processed foods, veggies and eat protein first. You can do it!

It was hard! But totally worth it. I’m 6 months out from that and the incision on my butt/back is still numb and tingly and I think still a little swollen! I will need a revision for some additional skin left at the top of my stomach but otherwise....totally worth it!

I had my first fill on 10-10. It was awesome and instantaneous. Just right and worked quite well. At my 6 month check-up we discussed another fill because I did feel I was starting to 'empty out' more rapidly and occasionally experiencing hunger between dinner and bedtime. Unfortunately, my port had flipped so I didn't get that second fill until I had my port revision last Thursday. Again, it seemed everything was fine, I was on liquids a day or two and then seemed to eat 'normally', but on the 4th and 5th days -- I'm barely able to get 1/4 of my usual Instant Breakfast shake down. Literally one or two bites at a meal and I am full for several hours. My Fluid intake is WAY, WAY down, too! I remember hearing a long time ago that sometimes it takes a day or two to know how the fill "took". Any ideas on what this is? Did this fill just take a few days to "take"? I don't think my port being moved would cause swelling near the band to make restriction more severe....but what do I know!! I'm happy with the weight loss, but dubious how long I can subsist on what I'm able to get past the band right now. Ah, banding -- it's a journey, not a destination, eh?

I am almost 4 weeks post-op with gastric bypass and I would have to agree with all the comments you made. Of course, I can't speak yet about further down the road but the pre-op and right after pre-op are spot on. I too was worried I was putting my life on the line and frankly did not go ahead with my surgery 10 years earlier because of my fear of leaving my 3 children without a mother. Even though complications do occur my fears were absolutely irrational. The statistics simply did not support my "hypothetical horrors." Most of us are low risk patients and recovery is much much easier then a c-section or even childbirth. From the minute I came home from the hospital (2 day stay) I required no pain meds except for 1 single pill of Tylenol on 3 separate occasions and it was for a headache and two stupid incidents of trying to lift/push things that were too heavy on that first week home. Because I felt fine, I was forgetting I couldn't do all that I wanted to do. The biggest annoying thing at this point is getting enough fluids in. You have to keep sipping all day and I forget. This is not bad and my 33 lbs weight loss is a dream come true. I can go up the stairs without my knees hurting and my blood pressure is normal. I FEEL GREAT. Hardest day: First day of pre-op diet. I felt hungry just like you do when you start a diet, since then I never looked back. Post-op not hungry at all. Eat to live but no longer live to eat. I LOVE MY WLS (weight loss surgery).

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery when I was 64. I am now 3 years post-op. This is my before and after photo at the 6 month mark.

Gosh! Such burden! ((hugs)) I can't waive a magic wand and keep you from feeling the things you are feeling, but if I could, I would. You are a strong productive person and you've done things you never thought you could do before and have succeeded SO WELL! You've been an inspiration to many here! I BELIEVE. Choose to believe. Even if you don't feel it in your heart. Choose to believe that this WILL end and that we will all rebuild! Escape if that helps you for now. But also plan or schedule time to do things that are constructive. For instance, I love the idea of being a "super cleaner." Maybe research what it takes to be a plague cleaner?! I know my niece has passed a cold around her house and asked the other day if there were any cleaners who would come in and deep clean...like DEEP clean. Clean toys. Sanitize. Etc. So research it! Charge a premium for it cuz you will become a front liner. You would be able to hire people. People are desperate for work. And you would be able to pay well. It would be pre-pay or pay on completion so no waiting for invoices to be paid. Also, there will be tax extensions, and tax forgiveness. This is being planned. There will be bailouts. I just believe that this is the beginning of a forced change for us all. And you WILL get to revise and conquer. Remember to deep breath. And start thinking creatively how to repackage your business to adjust to this changing need. People will still need to have cleaning!!! Businesses too.

One thing to consider with a band and no insurance is after-care. With a band, you have to have fills or the band does you no good. Many surgeons offer fills for a period of time in their fees, but after that, you are on your own. Fills can cost a few hundred dollars per. My surgeon wants me to have an Upper GI each year. That would be another cost. Bands are not a set-it and forget-it procedure like bypass is. Should you have a complication down the road and need the band removed, such as erosion, it is another full surgery. If your band should slip, treatment starts conservatively, but can end up back in the operating room. If all goes well, banding is cheaper than bypass. I've seen amounts around 10K in the states for a band, I don't know what after is included in that price. Bypass would be substantially more as the procedure takes quite a bit more time to complete. There are many self-pay people here who are extremely happy with their choice. But be sure you can afford the aftercare. If you cannot have fills, then it isn't worth it. And empty band is like an empty gas tank...it just sits there going nowhere fast.

It is very early in the process to worry about the numbers on the scale. I would recommend that if the scale dictates whether you are succeeding or not, don't weigh yourself. When I was on Weight Watchers, many different times, the scale ruled my life. If I stayed on program faithfully and the scale showed a gain, I quit! I had gastric bypass surgery in early December and did not step on a scale until yesterday at my two month appointment with my surgeon. Friends and family asked how I stayed off the scale all this time...easy, I said. If I stay focused on the proper diet, drink my fluids, excercise and take my Vitamins the numbers will be in my favor. My next appointment with the surgeon is in mid June, I will get on the scale again when I see him then. I'm not suggesting that you stay completely off of your scale but maybe limit it to once a week, the number game can be very discouraging. Congratulations on your surgery and weight loss to date, great job.

It is my understanding that sleeve will only make severe acid reflux (GERD) worse. That is the reason why most surgeons perform RNY gastric bypass surgery on individuals with this condition. I had severe acid reflux prior to my RNY surgery 31 months ago. This condition has never been a problem since. Stick to your guns and demand the surgery that you wanted, RNY gastric bypass. It is the best one for you condition.

I’m doing the gastric bypass...I’m pretty sure the number of weeks was based on weight but I just thought 3 weeks was extra long! I’m really hoping my body gets used to this and the headaches and dizziness goes away. Not fun!!!

I have highmark blue shield. They said I was denied because I have a BMI less than 50. Thats all I got. The denial letter is in the mail & apparently no one there has the power to fax me a copy. And, yes I was approved for Bypass or Band. Not the sleeve.

I had heartburn and could not sleep because of it. If I ate anything after 8pm I had sleep upright just to get even the smallest amount of sleep because it would wake me up. No pain at all. But immediately I could eat things like pasta and bread that I couldn't before and larger amounts of other things. There was still restriction but it wasn't the same. My slip was only diagnosed when I had an egd in order to be approved by insurance for removal of the band and revision to sleeve.

BCBS won't pay for my band removal even though I have a lot of port site pain. Of course the surgeon wants to do a revision, but they've denied it twice. I plan to appeal. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I have three options none if which are appealing. First they are going to try an endoscopy to try and widen the sleeve. If that isn't successful they will have to cut a hole in the sleeve and worst case they will have to cut out more of my stomach and intestines like a bypass patient. I'm starting to ask myself why me???