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My male friend started at 500 lbs. and lost 100 with the sleeve. He has a serious eating disorder he has tried to get help for for years. When he stopped losing at 400 he got a revision to the bypass and has lost another 100 lbs. He really needed something where he could not binge like he used to. I think you should do it for the GERD and it's likely you may lose more depending on your habits.

I just buy the Wal-Mart brand protein shakes in either Vanilla or Chocolate. I have a co-worker who had Gastric Bypass and she swears by the Slim Fast High Protein shakes (they're 20g protein) and her preference is the coffee flavored ones (Mocha Cappucino and Caramel Latte), but I haven't tried them because I don't like coffee...

I'm actually 3mo (sleeve to bypass for GERD) out and am still having acid. This bypass surgery has not been worth the effort, money, pain, misery so far. If I wasn't so disappointed and depressed, I would be pissed off. Sorry, no advice, but it is not just you.

I 100% agree with you. I miss my sleeve. I was on the way to getting esophageal cancer from GERD...Btw, I still have acid problems, just not as bad....so I had to get revised to the bypass. I hate it. I can't possibly understand how less stomach let's me eat more?? Idk, I feel like I am. I've only lost 20lbs in 2+ months also. So miserable and nauseous all of the time, don't get me started on toilet stuff....ugh. HATE THIS

Jami 1992... can't tell you how much I appreciate hearing you say you're doing great 2 weeks out. What is your secret? Do you have a protein drink you enjoy? Pushing thru the head-hunger? You're a lot younger than I am so I imagine you're a fast healer. What is your final goal weight? I have the weight my surgeon said was one I might achieve with the short bypass (165) and then my ideal weight goal (150). Lily66, Jami, do you know the length of your bypass?

Hey meow! I decided on bypass just because I felt it would be more beneficial to me. I was also nervous about having some issues later on down the road with the sleeve and didn’t want to have to have a revision surgery. I am 27, 5’7” and My starting weight was 258. I had surgery on May 14th (2 weeks ago) and I feel great! And I’m already down 23 pounds! I have had some emotional days....but I’m still very happy with my decision ❤️

Hello! I'm officially in the revision family! Everything went well and I arrived home earlier today. Your posts helped so much because from the time I was out of recovery, I walked every hallway that I could every 3 hours. It really helped with the pain and gas. Well, I'm seven pounds heavier than when I went in but...has to be fluid from the IV ' I only drank 30ml at a time! Just following up.

Our bariatric center wont do WLS unless you are nicotine free for 3 months. They do urine tests 2 weeks before and the day of to make sure you are nicotine free or no surgery. I had been a smoker for 30+ years and quit because I wanted this more then smoking. Its really a win win . I quit by vaping with non nicotine vape . Then a year later I started back up. Then I quit again for my breast reduction ( same thing no breast reduction with nicotine in system}You would think that would be it but no I am relentless and started yet AGAIN. I quit for this revision ( yes this is the 3rd time in 3 years) and I will never go back. Its just too hard to keep doing to myself and I actually like being a non smoker !

Hi, Meow, I'm just a few weeks behind you. On my first visit to the surgeon on May 5, he told me I would need a psych consult and a nutritionist consult, then a visit with the anesthesia doc and a final visit with him prior to surgery. His assistant said if everything lined up right I could be having the surgery in early June. I had the psych consult yesterday and the nutritionist today. Early June still seems optimistic, though. I have cataract surgery scheduled for Monday and Wednesday next week, and a routine follow-up with my pain management doc on June 10. I will ask the pain doc about squeezing in another steroid shot before the gastric bypass, but I'm still hoping for late June or July. Just like you, I feel that things are moving quickly for me. I'm sure it will be an adventure. Dave

Have you tried Dexilant ? That sleeve will give you restriction with all foods. That wont be the case with the bypass. ( at least not for me and others posting on this page) If you read through this thread there are a couple of ladies who have posted how much weight they have lost and how much harder it is . I am sure if your Dr. feels you need a revision you will lose the 30 lbs but something is telling me it will be harder to keep off if you are using the sleeves restriction to tell you when to stop eating. I am only a week in but that is what it is feeling like to me at this time. GL

Okay saw the surgeon and I do have the bypass. He says my pouch is the size of a shot glass and that full liquids will just slide through it and that is why I haven't felt the restriction. He said as soon as I start back on solid protein I will fill it.

It's perfectly fine to be apprehensive. I just want to share with you my journey I had my surgery 7 months ago gastric bypass surgeon did 120cm. It was the best decision ever and like I hardly crave food anymore literally some days I don't even think about food so you won't miss it as much as you think... After a few months you'll be able to eat more normal food anyway but protein is most important for your recovery. I think I've been quite lucky with no issues or complications at all and losing weight pretty quickly.. Also 70lbs isn't that much I've lost over 150lbs now and maintaining well. You will eventually be able to introduce certain food into your diet but still being mindful of the calorie content :) Trust me you won't REGRET it at all Mike

Nothing wrong with going back to basics and fluids I'm 7 months post op bypass and some days I still use protein shakes

Hi Everyone! I'm from NW Indiana, and I started my journey nearly 18 months ago! After pills, diets, exercise, etc. I finally got a referral from my family doctor to see a bariatric surgeon last July. I called my insurance company and they said my insurance was covered if I met their prerequisites. I let the surgeon know and they of course called after my first appointment and they got the list of prerequisites. Although I had spent 6 months on a supervised diet with weigh ins twice a month, I had to do 6 months with the doctor and nutritionist, maintain my weight, have a 5 year history, show previous attempts to lose weight, etc. So I did all the standard things, and it was time to submit to insurance in February of 2020. I got a call from the nurse at UHC to check on me after my procedure, but I had not yet had any procedure. Nothing was approved yet! So the nurse checked and the procedure was denied - it was excluded by my policy! I was upset and appealed. My surgeon appealed, because they had a preapproval number from September. Still, UHC refused to cover anything. I was upset, and researched it. I found a website for my state that had information about Healthcare complaints, so I filed a complaint and included information about their calls with me and the doctor's office. I suggested that they review the calls and retrain their employees to properly look at a caller's insurance, because they always say to "Call the number on the back of your card to verify benefits." Then COVID 19 closes everything. The doctor's office closed my case, and I started researching self-pay. I found Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas, and I paid my deposit and scheduled surgery for June. Yesterday I received a letter from UHC. They are paying for my surgery with my original surgeon. I thought it was an error, a joke, a dream?!?! I called my surgeon's office and sent them a copy of the letter. They called me in shock and asked what I am doing in July. Well, I think I'm having my Gastric Bypass and hernia repair in July now - close to home and without traveling. I'm worried something will happen to change that. I am out $550 because I paid a deposit to Blossom and for an appointment. I called today to reschedule for now - I don't want to cancel and have my other surgery fall through and be left with nothing. My surgeon's office said I am only the second person to successfully battle UHC over their error and actually win. I am worried the bill will exceed the $40,000 limit that was not a condition of the original guidelines, and I am scared they will find a reason to refuse payment. I am anxiously awaiting surgery in 6 weeks and 4 days.

I'm one year out of my VSG surgery. I have GERD really bad. NO meds have helped. I also feel like food gets stuck in my throat. My doc has set me up for an EGD. Depending on the results, he said we would probably revise my sleeve to a bypass. What is the success like? I have gained 30 lbs. back. I am so embarrassed. Will the bypass help me get more weight off??

My Surgery (Bypass) has been moved UP from June 29th to June 9th. All the sudden I don't feel ready! Only have to do 3 days liquid beforehand. Ready with my bone broth and jello. I feel like stopping Nsaids 8 days before will be the most challenging part. Anybody else doing Bypass? I'm trying to stay calm. I just lost 20 days of mind-prep! EEK!

Hi Gang! I'm Meow. I was scheduled for a 100cm Bypass on June 29th and they just moved me UP to June 9th! AHHHHHHH! I'm usually pretty grounded with life's hurdles but all the sudden my mind went blank and I thought "I'M NOT READY!" Any other May, June, July Bypassers want to join up and share and support? I'm not sure how to put my stats in my profile but I am 5' 5" female. Late 40s. 220# at the Doc yesterday. Goal weight is 150. Having BYPASS instead of Sleeve due to life-long reflux. Told I only need to do 3 days liquid liver shrink beforehand since my BMI is only 36. Feel both overloaded with info and under-prepared to say goodbye to the contrasting albatross/joy that is FOOD in my life. Both glad and nervous about the timing as it feels like an easier time to stay away from friends and family who social-eat until I get a handle on my new digestive system. But also I'm pretty bored as my line of work is largely halted until the conditions are far safer. Likely won't have regular work until 2021. I'm ashamed to say the last 2 months have been more of a food funeral than I anticipated so I have a lot of mind-prep to do in the next 2 weeks. I am keeping this a private journey. Only my husband and best friend know. Even keeping my tween daughter in the dark at least for now. Would love some buddies who check in frequently to go thru this with. I've been posting on other June thread but thought a BYPASS thread would be great. And of course Veterans are WELCOME to pop in and share. Share your stories with me! Let's do this together!!

Haven’t posted in ages. Seeing as schools as closed, most of my wardrobe consists of leggings or workout clothes. Decided to put “real people clothes” on today, had to mark this momentous occasion 🤣 (bypass, 7/10/18, down 130+ pounds)

Has anyone had gastric bypass thru Blossom? Can it be done similar to fast track?

But with bypass isn't the dumping syndrome the physical restriction? ( I'm new here and doing my research) , please correct me if I'm wrong. Sent from my SM-A705FN using BariatricPal mobile app

I heard of Amitaza recently, I’m not sure what the difference is between the two. I was trying to research this. Years ago I was taking Zelnorm and that worked well for me and I was so upset when they took it off the market. I remember when they took it off the market and my gastroenterologist at the time had nerve to give me like five different drugs at the same time and I got so sick I had to stop them. And all he could say was tell me if you find something that works ... there is such mixed information about fiber that sometimes I wonder why as humans we need to take bulking agents in our diet to get things to pass through our system. Understanding nutrition I know you need both soluble and insoluble fibers particularly how the soluble fiber feeds the healthy gut bacteria. And the insoluble binds to whatever fats or calories or waste to draw it out ... but how effective is bulking really and especially with bypass we don’t want to fill our stomach with nonessential stuff. it’s like why can birds go so easily 🤣 but humans suffer to find that right balance? I remember an article where someone tested it out not eating fiber foods. Interesting how there’s always contrasting information out there even on health issues. And so many times no one can agree on anything. all I know is I’m tired of colonoscopies they screw up the gut regulation. And laxatives do as well, the one thing about Linzess is that it’s not a laxative. That’s extremely important.

I had Gastric Bypass at the weight of 500 pounds on my 5'2" frame. It simply saved my life and there is never a day when I am not thankful for doing it. I have lost 342 pounds and completely changed my way of thinking - about food and life in general. These days I follow Weight Watchers which I love. It gives me that little bit of structure while also giving me lots of freedom. However you do it, just know that you can! You can take control of this thing that has made you feel out of control for so long. If there is anything I can do to answer questions or help and encourage anyone, just let me know.

Hello there hope everyone is feeling well and getting ready to return back to normalcy after covid-19. Here in Australia things are starting to get back to normal with opening more businesses and stuff. It's my monthly check in for those that are interested in my journey. I count from the day I began my diet and my new way of life which is 9 months to the day but my surgery was 7 months ago. Everyday I wake up and I'm amazed how far I've come this year. I look in the mirror and I still can't believe how good I look now after losing all the weight. I spent half my life obese most of all my adulthood actually and I was always known as the fat friend or the one to be in the friendzone ONLY!! I'm finally starting to gain some confidence in myself which I've struggled with on top of rejection from the opposite sex and I'm starting to engage in some counselling to help deal with the anxiety that comes with social interactions with women. Um I'm regards to my weight looking back in my diary I've been in maintenance pretty much the same weight range now for 2 months. My highest weight this year before surgery got up to 322LB and I've been in maintenance sitting between 165-168 pretty consistently these past 2 months. I don't log my food as much but still keep a mental note of the calories and still have a habit of checking my weight most days just to keep focused and to remind myself to not get complacent!! I will admit I've had some treats since in maintenance and it has not affected my weight which is great so I feel the bypass I was given has definitely changed the way my bodys metabolism works. It feels great to be called skinny and people using that adjective when talking about me 😛 I'm no longer the fat friend I'm now the skinny ONE. I just want people to know it is possible to reach all your goals and to be successful. At my lowest weight of 165 I've lost 157lbs from my highest weight in just 7 months which is amazing. I know I'll need to tone up and build some muscle eventually and that will add some weight which is fine. Thank you all for your kind words throughout this journey. Mikey.

Same here. I also remember one of the dietitians claiming it's not that problematic with bypass but more with the sleeve as liquids pass rather quickly through the anastomosis. Can't remember the exact words because it's 4 years ago now. I know the 30 min rule but noticed early in that before eating the drinking up until a few minutes before the meal is no problem. After the meal drinking too early is just making me feel uncomfortable. Sometimes I wait longer than 30 min. Sometimes it's just 25 min or something like that. Depends on meal size and meal consistency. Mind you, this is not how I handled it a few days out. Take it slow. I'm a sleever and also noticed early on that I could drink as much as I wanted right up to eating a meal with no issue. During a meal, I will fill up really quick. After a meal, I will likely barf if I don't wait at least 30-40 minutes.

Hey everyone. So I’m really starting to think maybe this is appendicitis.....? But I wanted to ask on here and see if anyone had any other thoughts. Since Monday, I keep having this stabbing type pain in my lower right abdominal area. It only last for about 7-10 seconds and then it goes away but it just keeps getting stronger and more frequent. I can’t figure out any correlation between the pain and when I eat or what I eat so I just don’t know. I’m 3 months out from gastric bypass and up till now doing great. Any possible ideas of what this could be?