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My surgeon recommended bypass from the get-go, and I insisted on the band. I thought, based on the little patient information, that it would be a great fit for me. I couldn't have been more wrong, and just like Suzy, I was basically bulimic for four years. A very SMALL bulimic woman - but bulimic! I struggled, thinking "I failed," too, then finally it was so bad that I had to let go of my stupid guilt (really stupid since I had done everything right!). I had it pulled out in November, and an RNY February 10. My surgeon does it in two surgeries because he said the stomach needed time to heal. Money-making scheme or not, that's the only way he would do it. I was scared I'd gain a ton of weight in the months between, and did, but either way, I had to wait. The bypass in February has been a great success. I have absolutely NO food intolerances, no throwing up, NOT ONCE, no problems with anything. It is a very different feeling, though, from the band, and takes some getting used to. And, since it was revision surgery (and my body is basically saying, "um, enough of this starve me routine, I'm holding on to this weight!) I am losing FAR more slowly. But I always lose a pound or two a week. I am not suffering AT ALL, and I never have reflux or gird or trouble sleeping. BUT ... with the band, even in those few good months, I really could only eat maybe a half cup TOTAL of anything. The bypass is different: I'm not about to puke because I've eaten too much, not ever. So I think I have to work a lot harder with this surgery. People have shared that the experience changes as the bypass heals, too, and that I will feel full more easily and the feeling will be more pronounced. I also DO feel hungry, often! But since the entire bottom of my stomach has been cut off from my pouch, I realize it's my brain telling me I'm hungry, NOT my stomach. I try to ignore it and drink a lot of water! The Vitamin thing is a pain (which is why I chose the band in the first place), but ... I've learned to schedule taking them all and manage it in the not quite three months since the surgery. No regrets - I'm very very very happy with the new surgery and it's milder results!

Hello Imagine 1....I take Lortabs for chronic pain, I'm at about a year into them. PCP stated that I will most likely be on them for the rest of my life. I'm 50. Due to the Opioid Crisis in this country, it is always on the news. Though I take my pills precisely as prescribed, never doubling up, the press makes me feel like I'm an addict. A criminal addict! It feels awful. But just to be able to walk or stand for five minutes, I have to have the Lortabs. I'm almost ashamed. I am still in pain despite the pills, but I am afraid to ask for a higher dose or use another pain pill because I believe that one gets "used" to them and they feel like they don't work as well. I don't want to ask for, say, Oxycodone, because I feel I'll just get used to them too over time and then where do I go? My PCP says she may send me to a pain clinic, because she does not dispense anything over my current dose or a stronger pill. That's ok with me, but I don't know what a pain clinic does. I'm not addicted to pain pills, I never misuse, sell or share them. I am dependent on them. But as far as how well it controls or eases my pain, I think they work less now. The only thing I can think of is that my body is used to them and I don't get the benefits from them like I used to. But they still help, a little. I could only assume that I am becoming resistant to them. Does that help? I can only offer my experience and tell you you are not alone. Good luck with your new PCP, I hope they can help you. Thank you so much for your reply. That is exactly how I feel. I too, take them responsibly. I took them before my surgery and then I also had shoulder surgery a couple of months ago. I think that if my doctor would just prescribe One more per day I would be ok. I know I might have built up a tolerance but I would still not be taking that many and it is true that I am not absorbing the full amount since my bypass. I saw my doc this week and she started me on a non narcotic pill, Gabapentin. The generic form of neurontin. I read on internet that people are given it for epilepsy and seizures and for nerve pain from herpes. Yikes.. But I also read that Dr's prescribe for arthritis pain and back pain. The thing is, my pain is in joints and bone spurs are not really nerve related. So far it just makes me sleepy. She is still continuing the 3 Vicodin a day so at least I have something that works. Even if it is still not being absorbed efficiently. Is Lortab the liquid form of Vicodin? What dosage works for you? I too am going to be on pain meds forever. It honestly helps me function and enables me to live life in a more normal fashion. I am wondering if I need to see a pain specialist. Like you, I have taken them at the same amount for years and have only increased once and that's because of the shoulder surgery. If I was going to be an addict I would not have stayed at the same strength for so long and they would not be lasting me for the full month! Sorry, just venting. I'd appreciate staying in touch because it sounds like we have a similar problem. Thanks for lending an ear! I look forward to seeing how things work out for you. Sent from my XT1585 using the BariatricPal App

I changed surgeons because he was pushy and insisted on the RNY Bypass. After much research and talk, I decided that I could not live with the side effects of the bypass. The dumping in particular. Research does not support their assertion about the weight loss. I changed surgeons, continued down the VSG and here I am, 9 days post op and feeling great. When I went to my pre-op orientation, I was the only person in the room that was not having the bypass. The other surgeon pushes that procedure. My surgeon spent almost an hour talking to me in the initial visit explaining the surgeries and answering my questions. If you haven't seen the surgeon yet, I would suggest moving on. GET A SECOND OPINION, and find a surgeon you can trust! No Regrets and good luck, BopPop

My mom & aunt both had the bypass and regret it everyday. They both look like the walking dead and have to take like 25 vitamins a day because they cannot get the nutrients from food because their stomachs are bypassed. I had the sleeve (my bmi was 44) and I recommend it to everyone. It was the best thing I've ever done. My surgeon doesn't like doing bypasses because how rough they are on the body.

I am 5'5, weight about 15lbs less than you and my doctor encouraged me to get the sleeve over bypass. I don't know why the doctor would try to sell you a surgery that you aren't expecting to get, days before your surgery too. Sounds fishy

I would wonder why they were pushing a bypass so hard? Does the doctor have experience doing the sleeve & feel competent to do it? The most recent stats I have seen lately show the sleeve & bypass dead even @ 2 years out. I hope you stick to the decision that best suits YOU. Best wishes....

My doctor doesn't recommend the lap bad with a BMI of over 35, but says at a BMI of 54 i was a good canidate for either the sleeve or the by pass. I didn't want a bypass because of the malabsorbstion issues. at 6months I am down from 407 to 311, and couldn't be happier about my choice.

I originally wanted to do the lap band. My surgeon,PA, psych, nut all were against it. They were pushing so hard with the bypass. I am determined(still) that I will not let them sway me. I understand everything they say...so I really did a lot of research and I am doing the sleeve. But my Dr. said he DID NOT want to do the band. I say do what ai tell ya! Good luck to you

I started off at 270 with my band surgery in Oct 1,2008. Lost 23-25lbs the first 2.5 months, complications started, and I gained back a total of 18lbs. So, 7lbs lost with the band in a total of 8 months. Sleeve revision on June 3rd, I started at 263, and today I'm at 156. 6 months post revision, I've dropped 107lbs. I was wearing a 22/24W pants, a 26/28W shirt/blouse, today I wear a Medium blouse, and in between a 12/14 or size 15 junior jeans. Your goals are definitely do-able. I have a goal weight of 150 set by my surgeon, and myself. I have 6 more pounds to goal, and would like to maintain around 140-150.

I had my band in for just under 2 years and had it removed and time if sleeve. Best thing ever, good luck to you! Revision 1/31/13 by Dr Cabrera and Venezuela in MX

I still have the lapband and my esophagus is the same as yours. I started gaining weight and went to wl doctor and discovered this. We did a scope and the biopsy shows I have Barrett's esophagus, which is precancerous. I wanted the sleeve cause my sis n law had it 2 year after removing her band with great success. The doctor told me if u have been throwing up or have Gerd/acid reflex or esophagus issues it can make it better by doing bypass. It can get rid of Barrett's also. I am schedule for May 7 th.

After going through extensive testing for the last 5 months they discovered a "possible" problem when I took the Upper GI. I had to go to a Specialist for another test and discovered that I have all the symptoms of acid reflux even though I never have had acid reflux. They called it "silent" acid reflux. Evidently, if you have the symptons of acid reflux you can not have the sleeve but you must have the gastric bypass. This all happened last Friday and I was to have the surgery today (Monday). I am disappointed but I am so glad they found out now instead of finding out after I had the sleeve surgery and had complications with the sleeve. Has anyone else had this problem?

I am three weeks out from surgery. And yes I can eat regular food without any problems and eat 1000 calories a day easily. A meal is 5 oz of Protein and a salad no problem. I do have a nutritionist but she's on vacation. I'm thinking I got a bigger stomach after the surgery. I have had zero problems with eating anything and I can chug a glass of Water easily too with no problems. I see my surgeon next week. I'm not eating crap food - I'm eating lean protein and veggies but I can still eat more than I should be able to at this point.I think MANY conversion folks feel that way. I know I did. This "I can only sip 2oz of water and I feel like I am drowning " never happened to me. There are as many after surgery diets as there are doctors. Everyone thinks their doc is the most right. But if none of them agree then my thought is there is no scientific answer and they are all GUESSING. SO, just be aware of that when people start judging you and what your doc has you doing. MOST people on here mean well, and they may come off as being harsh but they are providing helpful information along the way and they do care. Others are just food shaming and do nothing other than that...not actually offering any usefulness in their post. Ignore those ones and try not to let it get to you. Most docs do not have people on solids at 3 weeks but I have read the post diets from 3 different hospitals who do. So I am not totally suprised. That being said. It still hurts for me to eat meat. But that is me. If you are 3 weeks out and able to eat 1000 calories of solid food then you might benefit from a 5 day pouch test. You can look it up online but pretty much go back to liquids for a couple days, then mushies, softs, then regular food again. Some people say that helps them get some better restriction. Eating solids...and too much solid too soon and put stress on your staple line. I have also read that it can cause you to stretch out a but more...making it hard to fill up. I don't know how much of that is "bro science " and how much of that is proven science but it can't hurt to do a reset and see how you feel. Also, when you are eating normal food. Make sure you are not drinking with or too soon after. Conversion surgery people already seem to have their food make its way into the lower gi a little faster so don't speed that process up. Eat slow, BUT don't eat so slow that it takes you more than 20 min. I wad doing this very thing!!! I wad taking about 45 min to eat...and could eat a lot. But I sped up just a little bit and started stopping after 20 min and I am filling up on less calories. 1000 calories can add up fast. And really...in the long run....it is what we should eventually be eating. The idea that we live on 500 calories a day for ever is absurd. The point of this honeymoon phase is to help you lose weight WHILE retraining your system to eat healthy. NO ONE GETS FAT ON 1000 CALORIES A DAY OF VEGETABLES AND chicken....unless you are 2. So.... Hang in there. ..listen to your body....and just keep making good choices. Much love!!! Thanks! I saw my surgeon 2 days ago for my post-op follow up and he said he took off about 70% instead of the usual 80% because of the band. He didn't want leaks. He also said that 1,000 calories a day is fine and not to worry about what the NUT says. He said they are more used to dealing with straight sleevers and not revisions. He said revisions can sometimes eat more and I'm doing fine. He told me to just stick to Proteins and hit the goal and then fill in with the non-starchy veggies and not to worry about it. My surgeon's normal plan is for people to start solids between day 10 and day 14 depending on how they feel. Lean proteins and non-starchy veggies. He keeps reminding me every time I see him not to eat mashed potatoes. I hate, loathe and despise mashed potatoes. I told him I'd rather eat canned cat food - at least it has protein. Hahahahahha you go girl! I was eating similar to you...went to liquids 2 meals a day and just eggs for the 3rd meal. Now I am filling up on a lot less. Didn't even take 5 days. But I am losing again. Do what works for you...but if it stops working. ..try mixing it up a little. Remember. ..marathon...not a sprint.

Hi, I am also a band to sleeve revision post op 6 days. I am amazed at how different things are instantly with the sleeve and am very excited about whats to come.

I feel like I am the first Gastric Bypass failure. I lost weight before I could eat solid food and I have gained back 2 pounds since. I rarely feel full...I know I have to work at losing weight but I was hoping the sleeve would be a tool that helped. Honestly I sometimes think I am the placebo test patient, they removed my lapband but did they forget I wanted the sleeve when they were in there? Being able to eat as much as I did before ( and some days I do) makes me feel horrible. I know "hunger" is in my head but I was hoping the sleeve would make it easier for me to feel full. Every time I read that people can consume a cup of food at some meals ( like that is a lot) makes me nuts, I can easily eat 2 - 3 cups at a meal ( if not more!) Am I the ONLY one?

Peacheeie- my story is just like your. My starting weight was 207 had a revision do to band failure and also diabetes. I have gotten down as far at 185. I started working out the lasts 3 weeks and I'm up to 188. Calories are set To 800 by me. Dr states not to count calories, eat three meals and stay away from carbs. I can eat more then 4 oz, wonder if I stretched my sleeve. Dr and RNP says my weightloss will be slow because of the band.

I am three weeks out from surgery. And yes I can eat regular food without any problems and eat 1000 calories a day easily. A meal is 5 oz of Protein and a salad no problem. I do have a nutritionist but she's on vacation. I'm thinking I got a bigger stomach after the surgery. I have had zero problems with eating anything and I can chug a glass of Water easily too with no problems. I see my surgeon next week. I'm not eating crap food - I'm eating lean protein and veggies but I can still eat more than I should be able to at this point.I think MANY conversion folks feel that way. I know I did. This "I can only sip 2oz of water and I feel like I am drowning " never happened to me. There are as many after surgery diets as there are doctors. Everyone thinks their doc is the most right. But if none of them agree then my thought is there is no scientific answer and they are all GUESSING. SO, just be aware of that when people start judging you and what your doc has you doing. MOST people on here mean well, and they may come off as being harsh but they are providing helpful information along the way and they do care. Others are just food shaming and do nothing other than that...not actually offering any usefulness in their post. Ignore those ones and try not to let it get to you. Most docs do not have people on solids at 3 weeks but I have read the post diets from 3 different hospitals who do. So I am not totally suprised. That being said. It still hurts for me to eat meat. But that is me. If you are 3 weeks out and able to eat 1000 calories of solid food then you might benefit from a 5 day pouch test. You can look it up online but pretty much go back to liquids for a couple days, then mushies, softs, then regular food again. Some people say that helps them get some better restriction. Eating solids...and too much solid too soon and put stress on your staple line. I have also read that it can cause you to stretch out a but more...making it hard to fill up. I don't know how much of that is "bro science " and how much of that is proven science but it can't hurt to do a reset and see how you feel. Also, when you are eating normal food. Make sure you are not drinking with or too soon after. Conversion surgery people already seem to have their food make its way into the lower gi a little faster so don't speed that process up. Eat slow, BUT don't eat so slow that it takes you more than 20 min. I wad doing this very thing!!! I wad taking about 45 min to eat...and could eat a lot. But I sped up just a little bit and started stopping after 20 min and I am filling up on less calories. 1000 calories can add up fast. And really...in the long run....it is what we should eventually be eating. The idea that we live on 500 calories a day for ever is absurd. The point of this honeymoon phase is to help you lose weight WHILE retraining your system to eat healthy. NO ONE GETS FAT ON 1000 CALORIES A DAY OF VEGETABLES AND chicken....unless you are 2. So.... Hang in there. ..listen to your body....and just keep making good choices. Much love!!! Thanks! I saw my surgeon 2 days ago for my post-op follow up and he said he took off about 70% instead of the usual 80% because of the band. He didn't want leaks. He also said that 1,000 calories a day is fine and not to worry about what the NUT says. He said they are more used to dealing with straight sleevers and not revisions. He said revisions can sometimes eat more and I'm doing fine. He told me to just stick to Proteins and hit the goal and then fill in with the non-starchy veggies and not to worry about it. My surgeon's normal plan is for people to start solids between day 10 and day 14 depending on how they feel. Lean proteins and non-starchy veggies. He keeps reminding me every time I see him not to eat mashed potatoes. I hate, loathe and despise mashed potatoes. I told him I'd rather eat canned cat food - at least it has protein.

I prefer protein powder over ready-to-drink shakes, and powder tends to be less expensive. My favorite brand of protein powder is Ideal Lean, but it is really a matter of personal taste. For ready-to-drink shakes, Equate brand is pretty much the same as Premier Protein but priced much lower. I am almost 2 years out now and I no longer drink protein shakes. I get plenty of protein from food, and I'd rather eat food than drink a protein shake. It is really important to budget for what you'll need post-op, and don't forget about vitamins. The best value in bariatric vitamins is the BariatricPal brand multivitamin, which is $99.99/year for a subscription (I recommend you buy a smaller bottle first and make sure you like them before you subscribe; also, you'll probably need chewables for the first few months after surgery). Depending on your program/bloodwork, you may need additional vitamins (I take calcium, chelated iron, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, and biotin in addition to the multivitamin, and I also use pre-workout and essential amino acid supplements). Vitamins are super important for gastric bypass patients, so you have to make sure you're prepared to buy them before you have the surgery. In the early post-op stages, I was eating so little that the costs balanced out. Now that I'm eating regular food and larger portions, though, I am spending a lot more on food than I was before surgery, even though I'm eating less. I used to shop sales and buy cheap food. Things like chips, crackers, cookies, candy, frozen meals and snacks, baking ingredients (sugar, flour, oil, butter), etc., can be very inexpensive when you buy them on sale. Now, I buy a lot of fresh produce, meat, fish, herbs, and spices, plus some healthier substitutions (sugar-free sweeteners, protein bars, low-calorie salad dressing, sugar-free condiments, olive/avocado oil, coconut flour, etc.) and prioritize health and taste over price. I'm sure I could spend less and still eat healthy if I really needed to, but I have invested so much into this surgery and losing weight that I'm willing to spend more money on food that helps me stick to my plan.

My surgeon was Dr. Kim, and I have zero complaints about Baylor Trophy Club. My wife has been in and out of hospitals numerous times, so I do have a basis for comparison. Good luck on your revision!

Hi, I had my surgery Dec 10, 2003 in Baton Rouge, La. I live in Panama City, Florida. The trip to get a fill is 4-41/2 hour drive, longer now since the hurricane in September destroyed the I - 10 bridge in Pensacola. I have only lost 40lbs. Some days I am happy with this because at least I haven't gained and before the surgery I was steady gaining. I feel I am in more control. I think the reason my loss has been so slow is that it is hard to get the fills I need. I work 60 + hours a week and have 2 kids that are well involved in after school activities and my husband works just as much as I. The only day my Dr. schedules for fills is on Fridays, this is the busiest day of the week for me so I am not able to go as i should. I hope that one day there will be a doctor closer so i won't have the long drive and can get the proper timely fills. I have no regrets for the surgery as i said before I am just glad not to have gained. I get discouraged because people think of this as gastric bypass and I haven't lost what they expect and get alot of grief from that but, there has always been issues with my weight my entire life so, I'm not going to let it bother me anymore. If I only lost 1 lb a month I will be happy that I have not gained.

Hi All, I am looking at getting banded in late Sept. I will be at the informational meeting on 9/3/08 at Dr. Trotter's office. After a fairly long battle with Group Health (it was an exclusion) I have now turned my energy in paying for it myself. I was looking at the total bypass before but now that I have to pay, the band is more affordable. I have read the threads since December of 2007 and really thought what a great group of support on this forum. I am 43, married, mom of 2 and grandmother of 2. Thank you for the opportunity to read your thoughts, encouragment, advise, frustrations and words of support. I hope to meet some if not all of you as I continue on my journey to become healthy again! Renee'

You will be fine. Had bypass last Wednesday and it really hasn't been bad. Praying for you and quick recovery!

Hi everyone i had a gastric band fitted in 2009. Was great for a while but sadly, blockages and breakages (from a faulty batch) and I have given up. I started at 260lbs, down to 175 with the band, now back up to 225 so time to stop that growth! i have a revision to a RNY (Fobi pouch type) on 14 December - and today heard insurance will pay 20% which is great news. The bypass involved no special diet, really, so am a bit apprehensive: protein drinks (less variety here in New Zealand I think), dumping, and having the RNY by open surgery not laparoscopic - all make be a bit nervous... Thanks to you all for keeping me company on this journey.

I live in a city that focuses a lot on beauty & looks, & I've met people who have gotten the mini bypass & mini sleeve. However they were women who got it while their bmi is under 30 & wanted to get rid of those last few lbs so they look better. I believe most people I met or heard about getting it got it in Mexico as they're obv would not be approved here. I know this doesn't answer your question but I find it fascinating that the only-slightly-overweight do this too lol

Good luck to all of you. I hate this for each of you. Wish we lived in a world where doctors in accordance with their patients made medical decisions, not insurance companies trying to gamble the monetary odds of our lives. My paperwork got its final document on Friday. Should get sent off first thing Monday morning. I woke up in a panic last night that the nurse put it in for the bypass code instead if sleeve so I will call at 8 am just to verify the right code is used.