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I’m 5 weeks post op, I had the gastric bypass. Like you I have pressure in my pouch, I feel like my dr isn’t taking it seriously and I’m so worried because I live off of water and isopure protein which I’m having a hard time tolerating.

My name is Beverly and my Dr is Dr Ringley I have everything done that I need to do leading up to the surgery. I see Dr Ringley on November 28, 2011 and hopefully get a date to get the surgery done. The sooner the better I can't wait.

I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY WHERE TO START I FEEL LIKE GIVING UP AGAIN I DUNNO WHAT TO DO .. WERE IN JULY AND MY WEIGHT IS STILL 215 I HAD MY SURGERY IN NOVEMBER 08 .. 2 MONTHS I HAVE LOST NOTHING PLEASE HELP ME WHO DO I NEED TO DO THIS IS REALLY DEPRESSING ME AND MAKING ME FEEL LIKE A FAILURE IS THERE A PLAN I SHOULD FOLLOW OR WHAT IM GOIN TO HAVE A FILL ON THE 28TH PLEASE ANY IDEAS WILL BE APPRECIATED :thumbup::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying:

Hi all, I was banded in November 2008, I fell pregnant in April 2009 and had my gorgeous boy in Dec 2009. I am now struggling to move forward. My first adjustment after birth, done in Feb, prove to be too tight, so I went back and he removed 3/4 ml. Since then I have been back 4 times and although I now have more saline in there than before I still have no restriction! I now go to the hospital tomorrow for an xray fill. I feel really fed up and have been making really bad food choices and sabotaging the weight loss already acheived before I fell preggers (3 stone) I still have another 4 1/2 to go and feel like I will never get there. I was banded in London.

RNY involves making a sleeve line as a first step before the bypass, which is actually harder. A vertical sleeve is continuous/an easier staple line. I'm sure you will be fine.

Hello! My Name is Kelly I am 27 y/o and live in Weymouth Ma with my Husband and beautiful 3 y/o daughter. I have been struggling with my weight for as long as I can remember. Now at my all time high of 266 I am need some help. I am very Lucky that my husband is very supportive. He always say he loves my curves but will support me in whatever I do. Also my mom who about 8 years ago had the gastric bypass. She is such a wealth of knowledge and support. She is the one that suggested that I try the LAP-BAND®® after all the triumphs and failures she has seen me go through. But I have a couple quick questions I am having my seminar at Brigham and Women's Hospital and was wondering if anyone has there surgery there and what there experience/ suggestions for surgeon at the Brigham. Also I have Harvard Pilgrim insurance and was wondering how they were with approvals . Thank you so much!

Hello All, I've been a lurker on these boards for awhile now and found them very informative.I decided I really wanted to do the Lap Band procedure so I contacted my PCP who refered me to a Bariatric surgeon,Dr. Loggins in Lewiston ,Maine.I waited nearly 3 months to get in and had my consultation today.Now I'm feeling depressed and wondering if I should move forward with the pre-op requirements. The consultation started with me watching a 20 minute video all about Gastric Bypass.Nothing was mentioned about Lap Band at all.After the video the Nurse Practitioner who set up the video came back in the room and asked if the video had answered any questions I might have.I told her no actually it didn't since I did not want Gastric Bypass.She kind of blew it off and said that all new patients see the that video and that I could discuss the Lap Band option with Dr.Loggins but since the pre-op requirements were the same for both she was going to set me up for Nutriton classes,a psych evaluation,etc.Then she went through my health history and gave me a physical exam. Then Dr.Loggins came in and spent about 30 minutes trying to convince me that Gastric Bypass was a better option and threw all kinds of figures and percentages at me.I argued,I got frustrated and then the tears came.The tears must have finally softened him because then he said he would compromise.He said he will not do a Lap band on anyone with a BMI over 50.I am at 53.If I can get my BMI under 50 he will do the procedure.But he still went ahead and orderd all the pre-op testing. So now I'm wondering if this is normal.Do lap band surgeries really not help people with BMI's over 50? He was so anti Lap band and pro Gastric Bypass.Should I try and find another surgeon? It took me so long to get into see him.I'm feeling more confused and depressed than ever! The only thing I am sure of is that I DO NOT want Gastric Bypass. Thoughts?

When I had my first consult, both the dr. and nurse practioner discussed the band with me. They gave me the statistics and the pitch and said the band was not as "sure". I promised I would research it and I did. But, at the end of the day, I'm a bander and always will be. The thought of bypass doesn't sit well with me at all. I don't think they were being closed-minded or anything, just telling me everything in the interest of full disclosure. I would think that any dr. worth their stuff would do the same. If they had concerns about the band and any legit reasons why you should go with bypass, that's one thing, but it doesn't sound like it. I think that for every fantastic dr. and office staff who understands the band and us, there are several who are old-school and just don't get it. Hang in there, though. If you're sure this is what you want and have done all of the research you need to do, then go for it. If this dr. is not the one for you, there are many others out there! Steph p.s..I would think the pre-op is about the same. I had psych visit and nutritionist and sleep study.

Hello everyone. My name is Marilyn. I am seeing the specialists and having the tests done right now, and I hope to be approved to have the surgery in April. I am having a difficult time deciding whether to have lap band or gastric bypass. My initial thought was lap band. I met with the required psychologist yesterday, and he said because of my diabetes I should have the gastric bypass. I am so confused. I made another appointment to speak with my surgeon. I know she leans toward gastric bypass but I want to discuss the pros and cons of both.

My surgery date is set. I am becoming a sleeve sistah on July 14th. I am determined and I know that this is what I need to do...... I am 5'5" and weigh in at 300lbs. If you looked at my medical chart, you would be impressed, all my numbers are great, with the exception that I am 300lbs. I am healthy as a horse, a fat horse that is..... I work out like a mad woman, I train for triathlon, I lift 2 times a week, and do cardio 6-7 days a week.....spin, swim, C25K....you name it... I am in great physical shape and am healthy, except that I am 300 lbs....and am 5 feet and half tall??? So can you guys imagine what I could do physically if I weighed less???? I mean, let's all face it, anyone who is heavy, is STRONG....it takes a ton of strength to lug around my 300lbs! So here I go.....I am ready and I am ready to be re-born! I am not a poor food choice eater, I don't graze, I don't have a sweet tooth, I eat mainly protein and healthy fats (but let's face it I am a severe volume eater - I can down a 16oz rib-eye as if it was air, or last night I had 1 1/2 lbs of skirt steak....I love my meat......I also love a good beer after working out, or a vodka soda......I know these are empty calories...but hey! right!? So I am so ready for this, I really am....I am married and my husband is also a big man...we were both to have surgery at the same time....he's backed out and going to try "on his own" again....whatever..... I have a few fears: Will I lose my husband over this? We will have been married for 10 years in November. We dated for 5 years before getting married.....we have a great friendship and he's actually being super supportive and excited for me. he knows that I have done everything "right" (calorie control, high protein, medication, naturpathic, exercise, etc.....) he knows I need to do this....but at the same time....we have our best times and our entertainment is BBQ-ing, or fixing dinner, or you all know...basically revolves around food.....we both are good cooks, and love to experiment! Today I started thinking.......should I go for a Bypass vs. Sleeve? And then the old hauntings came back in....with a bypass I would have a larger stomach, and would lose weight due to mal-absorption and some restriction....but eventually, once I lost weight, I could handle managing my weight....you know like when I was in HS, and I could manage being around 180-190....those 10lbs were manageable....but my 150lbs are insane..... I am going to drive myself crazy...I have these ideas of "what if this doesn't work for me?" Seriously...I have tried everything, and my PCP knows and vouges for it, which is why he's suggesting and supporting my surgery.....but I can drive myself insane.... Can anyone relate? What are your thoughts? How did you all deal with all the fears, demons, etc.? I'm going to Dr. Aceves on July 14th. I am going to do this. I just would like some feedback on if this is the right type of surgery, should I wait for plication, should i go for bypass instead...you guys all know....all the same fears forever..... I am so excited, I feel like a kid before Christmas....but at the same time I am super anxious and scared...HELP!

Our first seminar on WLS was well over 10 years ago. I feel if the sleeve had been around then it would have added years to my husband's life. But he is a 67 y/o new man now. Still has lots of health problems, but has lost 90 lbs since November 2013. We are no longer sitting on the sofa with no life. Just got back from a 7 day cruise. The sleeve has changed our lives completely. Go for it!

Kris....WAY TO GO!!! I'm getting sleeved on the 11th and so EXCITED!! PLEASE keep us posted on how you are doing. You and I have a lot in common with our health issues and .... my Dad died at 52 massive heart attack on the operating table during open heart surgery. My brother had 5 bypasses before he was 50. Runs on my dads side. GOOD LUCK and PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH!!!

Hi all, My name is Jill and I was banded on November 24th by Dr. Harris Dabideen in Flint, Michigan. I was lucky because insurance approval process was not difficult at all. I was seen by the doctor on September 23 and was scheduled for surgery on 11/24. I was very nervous before the surgery and the 10 day pre op diet was difficult, but I made it through. Surgery went very well and I was lucky to have no nausea at all. Weight before pre-op diet was 238, day of surgery 226 and at my 2 week check up today I was 216. Total of 22!!! I feel really great about my progress. Just found out today after talking with the doctor what type of band that was used and it was the lap band not the realize. I am new to this web site. Can someone tell me how to get those cute weight tracking bars at the bottom of your chats? Hopefully soon my diabetes will improve and I can live without taking insulin, which was why I really wanted this surgery. I also have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine hopefully soon I won't have to use that anymore. But I will probably need another sleep study completed. I have been walking everyday with my husband, who has been a wonderful support to me through the surgery process. Hope everyone has a great day!

I have been following various threads by search engines and have found the site useful, so I thought I would sign up. I received a 14cc band in Nov 2010 by Dr. Strand in Sioux Falls. I have been happy with him so far. I don't know the cc's I have in now, something I'll have to check on next time I go in. I have had no real problems but am not where I would like to be yet. I have had 3 fills but still feel very little restriction and have not trouble eating anything or larger amounts. I've lost 30 lbs so far, but nothing within the last 6 weeks. I followed the restricted diet faithfully for the first few months but became ravenous to the point where my stomach growling was disruptive at work and church. I have since began to eat more, thus the stop in weight loss. I am still exercising and feel better, but hope for improvement. My biggest battle is distinguishing between when I am truly hungry and when I just want the satisfaction of taste and eating, but I suppose that's why I am overweight to begin with. Thanks again to all sharing your stories. I appreciate not feeling alone. While I know someone who has gone through Bypass, I do not know anyone personally who has a band. Trying to be patient and keep the faith.

So I had turned 30 in September and was sleeved on November 14. I am hoping for a new lease on life. I started at my highest weight 339. Throughout all pre op weigh ins nd liquid pre op diet I went to 331, 321 and I was sleeves weighing 321 that morning. I went today for my first post op visit- 301!!!!!!! I am almost out of the 3's!! I have had no complications. No vomiting. No gerd or reflux. Truthfully I feel awesome! I NEVER feel hungry also. I take my antacid pill in the am and I am still sleeping on my back, which I really don't like, so at night I take 20ml of pain mess to put me to sleep while ok not comfy on my back and that's it!!! Normal day I start with pull and some broth if a can of soup(lentil, minestrone, chikarina, pot roast) and my bf has the food part of the soup to save money. Then ill sip water. Crystal light or G2 from Gatorade until I feel like j should eat again hours later. I will have a sugar free jello or half of a sugar free pudding. Continue the sipping and always making sure to walk walk walk! I barely have calories Nd it doesn't effect me. I just bought tuna chunk lite in water in those packets with no draining needed. I'm going to start having one a day at least bc there are 18 gms of protein in each!! That's awesome!! I hope this story is showing great results Nd my ultimate goal is to hit 180 pounds before I turn 31. I want to be beautiful for engagement and wedding. I look forward to great stories and replies :-) good luck to all!

Stress is one of the contributing factors to elevated blood sugars. So with surgery you are definitely going through a lot of stress or lets say the body is. I've been a type II diabetic since 1995 and had gastric bypass. Before bypass, during the day, I could pretty much control my levels, come bedtime they would jump to over 200 upon waking. So had to go on Lantus along with regular insulin (quick acting). Well, my body is now calming down and I have gone from 125-150 units of insulin daily to less than 110 units in three days. Still not free but surgery has helped it. They say as I continue losing weight I should be coming off the insulin. I'm taking a wait and see attitude. Have only 36 lbs to go. (Also if I would excerise like I should I probably would even be using less insulin than what I am now, or probably none at all).

I feel bad because I was suppose to get Sleeved. But my insurance said band or gastric bypass. So I went with band. People can't get approved here I am being ungrateful.

I got my surgery date, which will be November 17th 2012 :-) I'm super excited... Hope time goes by quick so I can be ready for a brand new me...

Had my band placed in June of 2013.lost about 50 pounds ( pre and post ) . Had a complication as the tubing came apart from the port so had that fixed in October and then to top it off I had a hysterextomy in November . Was doing great after that .. Have good restriction was off home and losing again. Now the post holidays , I put on some weigh as I wasnt exercising like I had been . Today I weighed at 248 my original weight was 289. Just gel like I keep yoyoing . I did just join the gym so can't use weather as excuse and am committed to doing this . I am going to do my pre op diet for This week and see if a jump start will help me mentally and physically . Any input would be great . That diet is two shakes a day and one meal of Protein and cooked veg . I know it was tough to do before so praying that I can do this!!

Same story here. Wanted the sleeve but turned out I have reflux, so my doctor said forget about the sleeve, you are getting the bypass I am now happy I went with the bypass but I was heartbroken than. But it all went smooth and I am surprised that I can eat a lot so I am actually glad for the malabsorption... By the way my surgeon said that people so overweight like me (us) will have reflux, and if endoscopy do not show reflux then the endoscopy was not carried out properly. Now I dunno if he is right or wrong but this is what he told me...

So I have been told that I have to have surgery prior to getting another surgery. I have never considered WLS in the past because I have always been able to keep my weight down with diet and exercise.....until I had a colon resection that I have yet to heal from. The last year has been a painful reminder that I am getting older and unable to recover like I used to. Because of my colon resection, I am unable to get the bypass surgery so my only option is the sleeve. I hope that it will be enough of a tool to help me lose this weight so I can get my second surgery done and on with my life. I have a four month wait period because my insurance still says that this is an elective regardless of the fact that my doctors (I have seen 4 different doctors and have been told the same thing) say that it is medically necessary. Next week I go in for my psych examine and to finally see my nutritionist, as well as have a ton of blood work done, a chest x-ray and something to do with my heart. I have tried to look at this as a plus, as it will help me lose some weight that I have been unable to lose as I have grown older. But at the same time, it is an extreme response to a problem that was created by another problem. I am not given any other options so I have no choice but to accept the diagnosis and move on. If anybody has any insight, I would appreciate it.

Hello all, My name is Charise and I live in Philadelphia. I am new to this site as well as the lapband. Around 2 years ago I thought of having gastric bypass but thought that that type of surgery was not for me. Now I am in the process of learning more about the lap band. If you have any insight to all of this, all suggestions and comments as well as experiences are more than welcomed to respond to my thread. Hope to hear from you all and hope all is well. Charise PartyWithMook:cool:

Does anybody else's doctor tell them they had to do the test even though you had gastric bypass? I thought we weren't supposed to have this test done because we had surgery and I'm 25 weeks out and need to know what most of doctors are telling you guys DOS: 1/21/12 SW: 367 LBS CW: 185 LBS

Here's a list of questions (with recent updates) that I posted quite some time ago. Since you're coming up on your last appointment you'll likely have answers to some of these already but hopefully you'll find others that will prove useful. What are the risks? How often do patients have complications following surgery? What side effects are the most common? What are the benefits? What should I expect after surgery? Realistically, what weight loss should I expect following surgery and over what period of time? What are "stalls" or "plateaus"? How long do they last and if I do experience them, what can I do to shorten their duration? Will any new technology be used e.g. robotics? Is the hospital and surgeons office accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)? This is a combination of the programs formerly offered by two highly respected surgical societies - The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Beginning in 2012, this accreditation replaced the former Bariatric Centers of Excellence. Are you board certified in bariatric surgery? How many roux-en-y gastric bypass surgeries have you performed? Have you experienced any surgery related mortalities? Do you have patients that are willing to share their weight loss surgery experiences, positive and negative? What types of support groups and counseling will be available post-op? What information can you give me to help family and friends better understand the surgery? How often do you see your patients following surgery? What is the significance of Protein following surgery? Does your practice offer support services for psychological needs? What assistance is available for helping me secure insurance approval? Who should I speak with regarding insurance related questions? What pre-op testing will be done? What post-op testing will be done? Will I need Vitamins after my surgery and if so, what types? When can I start exercising after my surgery? How likely is it that I will regain weight after surgery? Think of the meeting with your surgeon as an interview. You're looking for an answer to "Why are you and your team the most qualified for the job?" You're gonna love the new you!!