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I don't really have any advice, but my husband's cousin just had a baby last month after RNY & she was less than a year postop when she got pregnant. This was her 2nd child & she had been told that the only way she had a hope of getting pregnant again was to lose weight, so that's why she had the bypass to begin with. She has mentioned that she only gained 17 lbs during the pregnancy & I know they kept a pretty close eye on her because of the bypass. By the time her daughter was about 2 weeks old, she posted that she had lost 30 lbs from the delivery date & actually weighed less than when she got pregnant. Her pregnancy was pretty easy & her new daughter is healthy as can be. Good luck to you!

It’s Friday night, and your long-awaited bariatric surgery is scheduled for Monday morning. Ahead of you are two days of the freedom to eat anything you want, in any quantity. You’re supposed to be on a pre-op liquid diet, but when you walk into Cheesecake Factory with your friends, your resolution to order soup goes down the drain (literally as well as figuratively). You grasp the menu in sweaty hands. What to order, what to order? You’ll never be able to enjoy food like this again, you think. Don’t you deserve to order one of everything on the menu? After all, it’s your last meal! Sound familiar? Last Meal Syndrome is very common among people facing weight loss surgery, and chances are you've already suffered it sometime in your life, perhaps the day before you started New Diet #832. Since New Diets almost always start on a Monday (there may be a law of nature covering that), you spent every minute of Sunday gorging on all the foods you could no longer eat come Monday morning. You ate so much that you made yourself slightly ill, and you probably didn't taste half of that food in your haste to cram it into your mouth. Overeating because of anticipated deprivation is an old, old habit. Until the earliest humans learned to plant seeds and cultivate their own food supply, nutrition was largely a matter of opportunism. If you caught a big fish or felled an animal by heaving a rock at it, you ate it all because you didn't know when another meal would swim, crawl, walk, or fly by. Although I sometimes joke that being self-employed as a writer is terrifying for me because it's a hand-to-mouth existence, at no time in my middle-class American life have I ever been truly threatened by significant food deprivation. My repeated bouts with Last Meal Syndrome have been caused mostly by my emotional over-attachment to food. When starting a new weight loss diet, or contemplating my coming bariatric surgery, I was terrified not that I would starve, but that I would suffer from emotional pain, boredom, or stress unrelieved by my usual comfort: whatever food I wanted, when I wanted it, in any quantity I wanted. Intellectually I knew that I would be able to eat small amounts of healthy foods and thus lose weight and gain better health, but the spoiled, petulant child within me feared and hated the very thought of that. A few days before I was banded, my husband asked me, "Are you going to have anything special to eat before your surgery?" I said virtuously, "I'm on a clear liquid diet for the next three days. I can't eat anything at all, never mind something special." My surgeon had told me that if my liver wasn't in good shape (that is, having a manageable size and texture), he would bail out of my surgery. After all I had gone through to get to the operating room, I wasn't going to blow it, and it wasn't (as I reminded myself) as if I would never be able to eat again in my entire life. I was facing food deprivation, yes, but for a matter of days, not years. Now, let's get one thing clear here: I'm not claiming superiority over pre-ops who give in to Last Meal Syndrome and celebrate their own private food festival a day or a week before their surgery. My compliance with my surgeon's instructions was driven by fear, plain and simple. I wasn't (then or now) a paragon of virtue. But in the last 4-1/2 years, I've learned something important that newbies and wannabes may not realize about the adjustable gastric band. And that is: The only food deprivation you will suffer after band surgery involves the QUANTITY, not the quality or nature of the food you eat. With a properly adjusted band, you should be able to eat a wide variety of foods you like. You don't have to give up Cheetos or Haagen Daz or McDonald's or prime rib of beef forever. All you have to give up is eating those foods in excess. It's true that when your daily calorie budget is limited, your health will depend on your making the best possible food choices - eating a piece of cheese instead of the Cheetos, a Skinny Cow ice cream bar instead of a gallon of Rocky Road, a Happy Meal instead of a quarter-pounder, two ounces of prime rib instead of the whole cow. You and your band will still be able to tolerate just about anything, so when you look down the road that your bandwagon will travel, you should see plenty of nice places to stop and eat instead of a dry, barren desert in which you'll have to subsist on stale melba toast and lukewarm water. That's the good news. Now here's the bad news: After band surgery, you'll be able to eat a wide variety of foods you like. Yes, I know I already said that, up there in the good news paragraph. But the tolerance of almost any food you can imagine means that you will have to exert some self-control to avoid overindulging. Now you may be thinking, "If I had any self-control, I wouldn't need weight loss surgery." If the need for self-control is a deal-breaker for you, maybe you should consider a different bariatric procedure, one that will allow you to eat anything at all and lose a pound a day. I'm not convinced that such a procedure exists, because I've heard too many gastric bypass (and even duodenal switch) patients moaning about significant weight regain, but by all means give the Magic Weight Loss Surgery a go. Maybe self-control will never be an issue for you again. My thoughts about self-control would fill up another whole article, so right now I just want to reassure you that eating with your gastric band is not necessarily going to involve an endless series of bland, dreary meals. It's not going to be like the mysteriously popular diet that requires you to eat nothing but cabbage soup three times a day. It's going to involve eating like a normal person who enjoys food but has a small appetite. Depending on your experience of restriction after each fill, you may have to forgo certain foods at times, but just because you can't comfortably eat a bagel with cream cheese today doesn't mean you'll never again be able to have a few bites of toasted bagel. Your food tolerance is going to depend not only on your fill level but also on your eating skills. The day after my first fill, I suffered my first stuck episode after taking a huge bite of a grilled cheese sandwich. A year later, with a lot more fill in my band, I could eat that same sandwich for lunch because by then I was used to eating slowly, taking tiny bites and chewing the food very well. I probably wouldn't eat the whole sandwich because I'd get "full" so quickly, and that's a good thing!

Hi All!! Had bypass on March 3rd and passed my 100lbs lost mark today!! Please keep in mind that I lost 45lb pre-op so it's about 56lbs post-op so don't compare it to the full 100lbs. I know we all stress out comparing weight loss, but I just wanted to celebrate with my March peeps. Making good eating choices has become more of a struggle since I'm off for the summer. I'm hoping when I start back next week that getting on a schedule will help. We've had a great summer! I've been able to keep up with my kids, ride roller coasters again and shop in the non-plus side of the store! Hope everyone is doing well!!

I was happy to read that you are working with a therapist to address your continuing issues with food. Though your weight loss has progressed impressively, your relationship and beliefs about food do not seem to have made the same rate of progress. Revising your thinking about food, and the requirements for your diet with your band has to happen before you can truly be in a different place emotionally. I have never felt that having to chew many times, taking small bites, and restricting the type of foods I can have were an imposition, or that I was "missing out" with the changes I chose to make with eating. These action items were part of what I still consider to be the opportunity to have better health. I had to wait an extra year for my surgery for a variety of reasons, none of which were planned or avoidable, so when I was finally cleared medically, I had no reservations to proceed. I believe that most bandsters have some pre-op questions to themselves about if they are making the right choice. There is no easy answer, but I believe that the answer is tied to one's priorities. At the Southern Woman's Show 2 summers ago, I had the good fortune to encounter someone who had been banded the previous fall. She helped me place my concerns in the proper perspective: which is more important to you? Being able to eat anything you want to for your meals covering several minutes a day during meals, or having some rules for those meals which require attention and mindful eating? It was a no brainer after that for me. We should eat to live, not the other way around. The longer you hold onto your flawed thinking, the more of a negative attitude towards diet compliance you will have. The things you mentioned that you disliked are the same things which got most all of us to the point where we had bariatric surgery. You cannot expect a sustained weight loss without increasing resentment towards compliance unless you redefine for yourself what your relationship with food needs to be. You have done so well with your weight loss...I hope you modify your beliefs about food. and let go of the ones which got you to your band surgery. Food is not your friend...and in many ways one can be addicted to food in the same way as one can be to drugs or co-dependent relationships. Wishing you continued success with your weight loss journey.

Good read, talks about, Head Hunger too http://www.mygastricbypassstory.com/2012/03/23/battling-head-hunger-gastric-bypass-surgery/ Sent from my SM-J700T using the BariatricPal App

Everyone is different...I have PCOS and a sluggish thyroid.I am also a revision and over 50....ugh a long slow process awaits but I will work as hard as I can.

Here's a good article on why bariatric patients benefit from Water http://www.bariatricchoice.com/water-bariatric-gastric-bypass-surgery-patients.aspx

Although I have often read on the forum where any number of doctors have stated the 30g Protein serving limit, I have never been able to find any high confidence research that either supports that or disputes it. I suspect that coming up with a good rule of thumb on protein is a daunting task because there are so many variables not only in the type of protein, but in the digestion/absorption rates and a whole host of other things. M.A. Cruz, I found the article you linked to be interesting and quite well written. The author's description of the digestive process of protein was particularly interesting. But we have to remember that the author's intended audience was not RnY patients. The pre-digestion process in the stomach and digestion times in his article must be considered suspect. We have limited pre-digestion taking place since the stomach is out of the picture. food passes much more quickly from the pouch into the intestine than it does from the stomach (with the pylorus) into the intestine. We also have to remember that some portion of the duodenum is bypassed - how much will vary by patient and by surgeon so that can be a difficult factor to estimate. Then when you attempt to factor in differences in digestion/absorption rates for different protein types, it gets even more difficult. Filtering creates higher amounts of protein for a given volume - think whey concentrate vs. whey isolate. But denaturing protein, using heat or acid or both, changes the protein on the molecular level. Denaturing effectively reduces the size of protein molecules which results in protein being absorbed into the bloodstream substantially more quickly and therefor presumably in higher amounts. Hydrolyzed protein is absorbed even faster still. And it goes on and on. One word of caution, there is evidence that too much protein in your diet can result in some potentially serious problems. The research is not yet conclusive but the Institute of Medicine's Dietary Reference Intakes suggests that doubling the amount of protein can result in a 50% increase in the loss of Calcium through the urine. And may increase the risk of kidney stones by 250%. From what I've read, you may want to carefully weigh any potential benefit of that second scoop of Protein Powder against the potential risks that may be associated. Science does yet seem to have a definitive answer to both sides of the question. It might be wise to err on the conservative side of things until more is known. Here's a link to one article in WebMD that discusses some of these things in more detail - http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/wheres-the-beef-wheres-the-health-benefit.

I wanted to sleeve but couldn't have it because of my acid reflux. I did the bypass and now I don't need to take anything for heartburn at all :-)

I wanted a quicker recovery & better results. The people I know that had bypass gained all the weight back after a few years. You're not seeing the weight gain after sleeve surgery. Plus it was a much simpler surgery. I just was better for me. It is the best thing I ever did. 5 years ago my friend had gastric bypass & lost 80 lbs. She now weighs about 100 lbs. more than before her surgery. Her health is bad; it's sad.

Did the doc say why?? There was a lady having the revision surgery in Mexico when I went and they removed hers.. strange?!

As an ER nurse you could not pay me any amount of money to have a gastric bypass. I see ALL the mistakes and I refuse to live with a colostomy bag. There are very few issues with the sleeve. I may take me longer but I am 40 years old. It took me more than a year to gain this weight.

I'm going with sleeve over gastric bypass for all the reasons that PDxMan came up with, also I have a problem with adhesions and serious scar tissue. I get diverticulitis and have been known to develop polyps. I also have Lupus. I need all the nutrients I can get, and I can't afford to lose any intestines and I want less issues with adhesions related to my intestines. With Lupus there is greater issues with the pancreas and the kidneya and there's the lovely issues with hair loss. For someone like me, sleeve is a safer surgery. I realize that I may lose "quicker" with gastric bypass" but this diet is for life, and I'm not looking for the "quick" weight loss, I'm looking for the healthiest and the most permanent weight loss. If you go back to eating the way you used to, you are going to gain weight with gastric bypass or the sleeve, for me sleeve is the safest option.

My best friend had the bypass surgery 5 years ago, which is even worse to get through. She doesn't even remember all the hassle. She's just mad she didn't do it sooner!

I did follow all of the Dr's orders and had the best attitude and still my band has to come out! I'm scheduled for a revision on Wednesday, so it is the luck of the draw who keeps theirs and who does not. I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but the band is a great tool that comes with it's share of problems. I have talked to many people who have had no problems what so ever and then lots who have. I wish everyone could have a wonderful experience but if you read enough you will find that is not always the outcome. Good luck to all! Bernadette

Dr Aceves did my revision from band to sleeve 9wks ago...I am an RN in a hospital here in the US..There are minor things I would change about how things were done. But, overall, it was the BEST decision I've made and couldn't be happier!!! I didn't have much pain..thought the Lapband hurt 100x more..at least, that's my experience. I felt great and was up walking within a couple of hours of waking up. I used to be a labor and delivery nurse and I would always tell my patients that the best mamas are the ones that take care of themselves!! Best wishes to you and thank you for sharing w/us!! Please keep us updated....most of us have been there!!! Erika

I would think that the gastric bypass is way more invasive than the sleeve, I was sleeved on 3/14/12 and after the first couple of days of rest after surgery I was basically my old self and able to get around just fine with barely any discomfort, with the bypass I think it is way more painfulI and a lot more bed rest. I have lost about 26lbs so far losing 15 the first 2 wks and between 2 and 3 lbs a week now. Maybe the bypass makes you lose faster but I don't think all the side-effects are worth it when eventually you get to your goal any way. I only say this cause I hate pain and discomfort. The Best of Luck to you on your surgery!!

That's a very clear-cut list. I'm encouraged by Karen's approval for what amounts to a revision, even though her BMI is under 40, but still there's no sure thing. My doctor's office told me yesterday that they are filing an expedited appeal and expect a medical review to take place today. I asked what the experience was with this, and the answer was that she's never filed an appeal to have a band replaced. In this practice when bands have been removed it's always been for people who had been unsuccessful losing weight and therefore still qualified for replacement or revision. She didn't know if my lower BMI would completely prevent approval or not. :confused:

I am exactly 2 months postop today from my band to sleeve revision. I am down 42 lbs and am at my lowest weight in years...lower than I ever got w/that band I feel great and can't wait for another 2 months to pass!!! For anyone considering revising from that band, I can't say loud enough.. THE SLEEVE IS SO MUCH BETTER!!! Erika

I'm just a few days out from surgery. Felt better on liquid diet after day 3. Today is 8th day on liquids & I'm down almost 10#s! I found out I was approved at last minute, so started diet last Sat & no cheating! Gotta make sure liver is shrunk! Revision from band to sleeve & feeling a bit nervous!

Welcome, Julie! This is a great place to learn just about everything you need to know about WLS. Are you having gastric bypass? I had my bypass surgery Monday and it is a whole new world! Congratulations to you for going through all of the requirements to become a healthier version of you!

Interesting articles. I had revision surgery for a slipped lap band and had a new lap band placed 1 1/2 years ago. The new band slipped twice and I had my lap band removed totally a month ago. I'm sure that is a complication of revision surgery because my surgeon said that I had so much scar tissue from my previous surgeries that the scar tissue pushed my band up into my esophagus. Certainly this is a complication of revision surgery?

Research: Bariatric Surgery Revisions Carry Greater Risks Than Initial Procedure Revisional bariatric surgery appears to be associated with a higher risk of complications than the initial procedure, according to a study published in the February issue of Archives of Surgery. News - Bariatric Surgery Revisions Carry Greater Risks Than Initial Procedure <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

First--Hello LBT Ive been reading forums and blogs for a few days now and I feel like I know all of you already, a feeling that I love. My nerves have been a wreck lately so I was extremely grateful to find this site and even more relieved that I can blog about my experience(I love to write!) Sighhh. Ok so lets get started. I was born without a thyroid gland. I have been fat since birth lol. Although I think this 'worked' for me as a baby and toddler(I think I am the cutest baby since sliced bread) When I was about 5 I remember starting to hear relatives comments about my weight and they never seemed to stop. I have been what I consider 'skinny' for 3 times in my life. In 8th grade, In 12th grade and then again at age 25. Each time seems to last a little under 6 months. The weight always comes back with a vengeance. Im now at age 29, my big 3-0 is right around the corner and I do not want to enter my 30s with the same problem. I really want to be able to be 'free' of diets, even though I know this upcoming diet will be the queen of all diets but thats ok, because I think the LapBand will really help me. I know its not a quick fix and I believe in myself that I can follow the diet afterwards. I notice something I always wish is that I could have a do-over with my body. I started considering weight loss surgery approximately 6 months ago, at the urging of my endocrinologist and even an urgent care doctor, who took the time to talk to me about my weight and seeming like he genuinely cared about me. One thing I will say is that I have been blessed with awesome doctors so far, and they have often moved me to tears. So I considered gastric bypass, the sleeve and the lapband. All 3 have about the equal amount of terror for me. I had my seminar Thursday and I was hoping that it would ease my fears and it did a little but not as much as I had hoped. I think what Im most afraid of is that I am going to get a bad band. I seem to have bad luck in every area of my life, and thats ok, but this bad luck will be in my body and wont be so easy to fix. If I could get a good band, I think I will be ok. Soooo...tomorrow is my consult. Im so nervous. I know I will probably have to lose 10% of my body weight but how on earth will I do this? Its going to take forever. Also, how long does the pre-auth take, how many times do I have see a counselor, do they recommend a counselor for you? How long does the process take, from the consult to the day of surgery? So here I go...wish me luck :)

For me, it was important to go with the band once I had decided to pursue weight loss surgery because it didn't involve cutting or removing any parts of my digestive system. I knew conventional diets weren't working for me, but I couldn't bring myself to purposely mutilate my digestive tract, which is healthy and fully functional. That was the key FOR ME. Personal opinion only. At the same time, I find sleeve gastrectomy more attractive than RNY gastric bypass because it's not malabsorptive; the intestines aren't bypassed, so it doesn't cause dumping syndrome or dependence on Vitamin supplements. (Although the fact that the large part of the stomach is REMOVED and THROWN AWAY is a little disturbing to me.) However, critics of the sleeve say many of the same things critics say about the band: that because there aren't dire consequences (dumping) for eating fatty or sugary foods, it's easier to "eat around" than RNY. But when it comes right down to it, anyone can "beat" any of the surgeries and either fail to lose or even gain weight post-op if they try hard enough. It's just a tool. You can make any of the surgeries work for you, and you can work against any of them. It's just that some are better fits for different people in different circumstances. I hope you get all the information you need to find the best fit for you. Good luck!