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RNY BYPASS has been amazing.. Had surgery 6 months ago and lost about 90lbs since then but 152lbs since beginning my pre-op diet 8 months ago... Personally I wanted the malabsorption and the change internally and I've noticed my metabolism it's so much better than it was, after I reached goal and now in maintenance I've had a few treats and it has not made a difference but I was super strict on myself for 8 months weighed daily and logged my calories.. I was very lucky post op I had very little desire to eat and I lived off protein shakes for months; my own choice.. Even now there's days where I'm not hungry but others I'll have a craving but it usually goes away... I've gone from Super obese to skinny and maintaining at 170lbs now for a month and feel like a new man. I lost 150lbs since I started this journey 8 months ago it literally melted off me with very little exercise even.. I'm not sure why I've been so lucky with only a few days or a week stall in the whole process.. I'm 35 male. I started at 6ft0 and 322lbs and was obese for like 15 years before surgery... I'm now at 169/170 most days and feel amazing and I've never got this low before without surgery... The bypass changed my metabolism so much..

My surgery was bypass and it has been amazing. I know for a fact it has changed my metabolism and the way my body processes food it's like I struggle to gain weight now.. Within 8 months I'm now below my goal weight and maintaining very well and still some days I'm not even hungry other days I'll have a craving and I'll have a treat here and there but it has not affected my progress at all. But yes there's alot of mental preparation needed and commitment and willpower to follow the rules and not be influenced by others around you...

The bypass does alot more than the sleeve ever could... Being that bypass has your 2nd attempt it will not be the same as a virgin surgery.. RNY BYPASS was the best decision I ever made and I know it has changed my metabolism I can no longer gain weight and I've lost 152lbs in 8 months and some days I don't even get hungry.. but you need to still have self control and be mentally prepared.. It's not a magic trick

I had an ESG October 2018, I had a gastric sleeve March 2020. My ESG had some success initially, but then no longer felt any restriction, I put all the weight I had lost back on bar 5 kilos. An endoscope in February 2020, showed all but one or two of the sutures had come undone. I had chosen the ESG initally because I liked the idea of a non surgical weight loss procedure in which the recovery time was reduced. With the benefit of a massive does of hindsight, I wish I had the sleeve back in Oct 18. I had some discomfort with the sleeve, a different type of discomfort than the ESG but really the worse I could say about the recovery for the sleeve was a bad dose of contact dermatitis. I had rolling cramps for a few days with the ESG. I felt some type of cramp for a day or two with the sleeve when I swallowed liquid. I could have gone back to work sooner than I did with the sleeve, but took the time offered by the doctor. I definitely feel more restriction than I ever did with the ESG. Some people have had great success with the ESG, others not so much. They seem to fail for various reasons: overeating volumes allowed, lack of surgeon technique / knowledge and some fail for no apparent reason (sutures come undone regardless of excellent compliance or even good technique). My gastric sleeve surgeon said there seems to be mounting evidence that at best the ESG should be considered a temporary measure for people who can't have surgery due to being serverely overweight and need to lose weight quickly for an operation. Like i said though there have been some people who have had good success with the ESG for a decent period of time. I am a member of a few FB groups for ESG one of them is a group regarding ESG failure, a lot of active posters are from Australia where ESG failure seems to have a higher rate. ESG has only been in Australia for a few years so perhaps technique has a lot more to do with failures there. Some points to ask when meeting with the person doing your ESG: Rate of success/failure/complications. Of the successes how many of them are still active patients....you don't know if someone who drops off their books after six or 12 months still has restriction. If your ESG fails will they rectify it free of charge? Will their technique prevent a conversion to a gastric sleeve if needed (most surgeons will convert to a bypass only). How many people didn't lose weight due to loss of restriction.

I used the calculator in the link out of curiosity. I never expected to reach goal let alone surpass it, despite metabolic disorders and inability to exercise amongst other things. Albeit I’m probably fairly obsessive since I have taken a daily log of weight, meals, protein and calories. And stuck with low carb. With exception of adding banana to my yogurt now. And since I don’t snack usually an apple. I’ve increased calories gradually. And still adapting. And struggle with that fear of regain. According to the chart: GASTRIC BYPASS 80% of patients reach at least 145 lbs 18 months after surgery. 50% of patients reach at least 132 lbs 18 months after surgery. 20% of patients reach 119 lbs 18 months after surgery. Of course the chart is based on my starting height and weight I entered. I’m 5’ started at 208lbs. I hit one year April 29th. And my current weight is 102lbs. I don’t think I actually processed that I lost 106lbs and I’ve not been this weight as long as I can remember. Calculate How Much You’ll Weigh 2 Years After Surgery https://www.obesitycoverage.com/how-much-will-you-weigh-after-surgery/

I'm starting to think it's stupid for a lot of reasons. Because I'm not that big. By American standards I'm normal - size 12. I really don't have much to lose; like 41 pounds to be back in a 8. Because it's not like I can't lose weight; low carb, wholes foods and time, I can do it. I've done it; it just hasn't stuck. The problem is the minute I eat anything other than vegetables and chicken, the fat re-adheres to me. Because as I'm getting close to the date, I'm obsessively researching. The whole regain thing scares me. In my head, I'm cutting out the most of my stomach; how does the fat come back? I also don't have heart burn and cannot imagine doing this, to get that and still be fat later with bypass as the only option to fix it. I ended up doing consult for VSG because I pilled on so much weight after a serious trauma. I was 220. I was in the plus sizes and couldn't stop the gain; meds, stress, living out hotels with bi-weekly work travel made it worse. I ended up at 240 by the time I was approved in 2018. I was bigger than my mom and a blood test showed pre-diabetic. But, friends talked me out of it and I worked to get it off. In the last 2 years, I'm not where I used to be, but I'm not a 16 anymore either. At my BMI, I'm predicted to lose slower. If I'm just going to lose 5 lbs a month with this surgery; what's the point? That's less than 2lbs per week. It's a huge operation and if I'm just going to end up right back here, why bother? My weight loss on my own has stalled. It's the only reason I finally committed to a date in April since the clinic informed me in January I only had 4 months left of pre-authorization. I'm just really on the fence now. Maybe I should get used to this body and call it good. But I hate this body and I'm hoping the surgery will help keep the weight off, if I keep everything, but vegetables out my mouth. But maybe I should just put another 4k down on a trainer and do it that way again and keep my stomach intact. It's not like I won't get a trainer again once I'm cleared to exercise. I know it's a tool, but in all the research, the tool doesn't seem to be the answer. Hence the panic and me thinking it might be stupid for me to do this. Right for other people, maybe; me, I just don't know now.

Hello! I'm new here, but not new to gastric bypass. I had roux-en-y surgery in 2003. Prior to surgery, I needed insurance approval (mine was 100% covered by my insurance), to attend classes organized by the doctor's office, get bloodwork and other tests and have multiple doctors appointments. I was approved for surgery in February and had surgery on April 16, 2003 so I had a relatively short wait. I would absolutely do it all again. The surgery was done laparoscopically, and with no complications. I had a horrible reaction to the antibiotic given to me, so that would be my first suggestion to you - look into what antibiotics you'll be given. They knew I was allergic to penicillin, but the surgery taught me I'm allergic to anything in the penicillin family. I had a terrific support group before and after surgery. It was really the first time I had any friends. So, my second suggestion is to find in person support as well as online support. Knowing people who went through or were going through the same things I was was helpful and comforting. Dumping and throwing up still happens all these years later. Not as intense as it was in the beginning though. So, my third suggestion is to strategically place plastic bags around your house, car, purse, ect because sometimes you'll end up throwing up quick and won't be able to make it to the bathroom. By the way, throwing up after gastric bypass isn't as horrible as prior to surgery, but it might feel weird at first. I was so afraid the first time I threw up after surgery. I thought I had damaged my insides. Now, as far as the other end - when you start eating solid foods again your body may not like it and you'll just need to run to the bathroom fast. Seriously fast. I would suggest going very slowly when introducing foods back and make sure a bathroom is nearby. Prior to having surgery I tried out a bunch of different protein shakes so by the time supplementing my diet with protein shakes became a requirement I had favorites already lined up. I take vitamins supplements every day and have since my surgery. Also, I go bloodwork every six months just to make sure my body is getting what it needs. I have issues with iron, however, this was true before I had surgery. Good luck!

Hi! I’m late to the party y’all! I’m from down south. I had my revision surgery 10 days ago. It went well but my husband wasn’t allowed in the hospital since they were on quarantine and performing emergency surgeries only. Mine was considered emergency since I’ve been throwing up since my sleeve surgery over 2 yrs ago. I had a lot of pain the first couple days and then I fell and it was 10 times worse. I feel so much better finally except for a stabbing pain in my left side/back area. I’m guessing it’s an internal stitch in a muscle cuz it’s the same spot that hurt so bad after I fell. My 1st post op appt is next week.

I had gastric sleeve Oct 2017 at our military base and I’ve been sick since. No one could figure out why I kept throwing up everything until we moved to Shreveport, LA. My stomach was too narrow causing everything to get stuck! As soon as insurance (Tricare) approved, I was in the hospital immediately having what they labeled as an emergency surgery. At our hospital, any surgery has to go thru a board for approval since the pandemic has everything screwy. I am currently 10 days out from RNY surgery where they converted me to a gastric bypass, repaired a hernia, did a liver biopsy and removed scar tissue. Can I just tell ya this Mama hurts? I’m awake at 4am with left side pain.

I didn't get a rash from my bypass - but I did for my second plastic surgery (first plastic surgery I did not). I was having a reaction to the surgical glue or tape that they used - it's evidently not uncommon. I was talking to my veterinarian about this. She said it sometimes takes two or three exposures before your body starts reacting to something, so that might explain it in my case (of course, your can react during the first exposure, too - like yours did) anyway, I contacted my plastic surgeon about it, and he put me on steroids for about 10 days to suppress the reaction - and then after that he removed the tape (he couldn't remove it right away because the incisions were still healing). So ask your surgeon - they may put you on something to suppress the allergic reaction.

Hey everybody, I just started my journey this week! The good news is Aetna, my insurance company, and probably many of yours, has revised their obesity surgery guidelines effective May 1, 2020. They have removed the need for weight loss or maintenance of 3 months or 6 months, and now only require 12 intensive appointments in a multi-component program that you are most likely already in the middle of :) So great news... I also talked to the insurance peeps yesterday and asked specifically about the 12 intensive appointments, and they said, it was just a number to guarantee that you were an established bariatric surgery patient following a program, but that the new guidelines were now just based on approval of completing your doctors program!!!!!! Spread the word, you could be a lot closer to a surgery date than you thought :) I have attached the url to the medical bulletin below :) http://www.aetna.com/pharmacy-insurance/healthcare-professional/documents/obesity-surgery-precert-form.pdf On April 21, 2020 this revision was made on the medical bulletin and can be found here http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/100_199/0157.html#dummyLink2, under the review history on the right side bar, then look for 04/21/2020 "This CPB is revised to state that bariatric surgery is considered medically necessary when criteria are met and member has participated in an intensive multicomponent behavioral intervention designed to help participants achieve or maintain weight loss through a combination of dietary changes and increased physical activity. The intervention must be intensive (12 or more visits) and occur within 2 years prior to surgery. This CPB is revised to remove the requirement that the member maintain or lose weight during this program. This CPB is revised to state that bariatric surgery for is considered medically necessary for adults with a BMI greater than or equal to 35 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and for adolescents with a BMI greater than or equal to 40 with NASH, when criteria are met. This CPB is revised to require cardiac clearance, obstructive sleep apnea screening, and optimized glycemic control as prerequisites for obesity surgery." I SOOOOOO Hope this makes someones day :) So glad to be here! Aetna PreCertification.pdf

Hey guys! I am new here. Looking into surgery. Waiting on my new patient consult to be scheduled. I am leaning towards gastric bypass. I know at first I will struggle with getting my protein in. I haven't really tried alot of different protein shakes. I have tried premier protein and the walmart chocolate shakes. Whats your go to protein shakes? Sent from my SM-G970U using BariatricPal mobile app

In my opinion WLS is a magic bullet. It is the game changer when it comes to losing excess weight and maintaining the new weight. We don't always succeed on the first try. Sometimes people need a second try or maybe even a third. Inadequate weight loss after lap band is quite common, revision to bypass also and many patients do quite good after revision. Maybe you want to do a quick medline search about this. You're now a few years older and more experienced. Maybe you're now being able to handle problematic things in your life differently. You might also be more disciplined now when it comes to certain things. Think about your younger self and compare it to your now-self. I'm sure you're able to handle things way smoother than you did e. g. 10 years ago. The same can be true for this whole weight loss thing. Of course there is the chance that you might fail again. There is always the chance of failing, doesn't matter if it's weight loss, learning a new language or performing at your job. If we couldn't make these changes before any WLS at all, why is it possible for so many people after they had WLS? It just is because WLS is the game changer. Lapband is different. It doesn't provide the same hormonal changes a bypass does. I always cringe when I read or hear this. "Dedicated". "Eliminate". "Avoid". Same with "struggling", "fighting" or "food is the enemy" etc. - being at war is so damn exhausting. Make peace with food. It's easier in the long run. If you don't white-knuckle things you might discover something interesting: not all lifestyle changes are a struggle or need dedication in the long run. You might indeed discover (or re-discover if you were into sports in younger years) that exercise can be fun and fulfilling. Or that healthier food doesn't taste that bad. Or the opposite around, that this junk food is actually not as tasty as you always thought it is. You might discover, that when you feel more comfortable in your body and with yourself that you don't feel that need to eat in the same strong and overwhelming way. You might notice that you say "No, thanks but I don't want it now" when you get offered French fries or chocolate or whatever and really mean it. However, there are many people who aren't able to maintain their "new lifestyle". I have no idea what makes or breaks this. I sometimes have thoughts in the back of my head that maybe some people are just lucky in reacting very good to WLS and don't actually need to watch their intake that much. They also don't live in the gym. When you browse around the board you're going to notice that maintenance calorie intake is very different in different people, even though their stats are quite similar. Nobody can tell if WLS/revision to bypass is making it easy (or less hard) for you or not. I sometimes feel it's like playing the lottery. You won't know to what group of patients you will belong before you got the revision. Short term weight loss doesn't really bring some benefits (someone correct me if I'm wrong please), however, one doesn't have to get to a normal weight to reap the benefit of weight loss. So many patients feel like "failures" because they don't get to a normal BMI. Yet, when you look at the studies actually not that much patients ever get down to a normal BMI. And sh*t on "eliminating carbs". Like really take a big dump on it. (Years ago we should eliminate all fats, now it's carbs. I wonder what the future will bring.)

I’ve read over and over again that WLS is not a magic bullet. It takes dedicated, sustained lifestyle changes. But, if we can’t maintain those changes (eliminate carbs, low calorie diet, avoid trigger foods) before surgery, how can we expect to maintain them after surgery? I’m thinking long term here: 5, 10, 15 years after surgery when the magic of weight loss is gone and it’s just daily life. If I can’t stop eating now, how could I expect that to change in 10 years? Really looking for help here. I had lap band surgery in 2014 and I weigh 15lbs more than my highest pre-surgery weight. I gained back all weight I lost and more, and have the same bad habits. I’m thinking of revising to gastric bypass, but I’m wondering if I’ll just fail again. BUT, if I can theoretically make a sustained life-style change post-surgery, why can’t I actually just do that now? (I try, every single day, and I fail week after week). I feel like it’s possible or impossible. If surgery doesn’t make it easy, what benefit does it have beyond short term (1-3 year) weight loss?

Hey y’all, So I’m new to the process. I just saw the physician today but I still have reservations. My weight is currently 291 and I’m 5’5. I really want the surgery but I’m scared. Do you regret having the surgery? Do’s and Don’ts? Anyone ever hear of a correlation between gastric sleeve/gastric bypass and pancreatic cancer? Any tips at all would be appreciated thank you!

My original surgery time was suppose to be the around the end of March. Like many others I was postponed until further notice. On April 25th I started having horrible abdominal pain. It got so bad that I ended up going to the emergency room late that evening. Well due to having some of my pre-op testing already done (in January) I had found out that my gallbladder was in what the nurse referred to as “yucky conditions” and she was surprised that I wasn’t having any pain then. So after a quick google search the only thing I could assume was wrong was I was having a gallbladder attack! I had never experienced anything like it before, it was awful! So, while in the emergency room I found out that my Bariatric surgeon was the on-call surgeon for the night and he said wanted to see me in his office on Tuesday (April 28). So the ER doc prescribed me antibiotics and pain medicine and sent me on my way. On Tuesday my husband takes me to see my surgeon and we discuss taking out the gallbladder. When my husband says that he should just go ahead and do my surgery AND take out my gallbladder at the same time. When my surgeon says that he would like to do it that way but gastric bypass is considered an “elective surgery” and he can’t do that. So my husband says he just doesn’t see why I would have to go under anesthesia twice when it wasn’t really necessary. So my surgeon makes some calls and tells me that he has been approved to do both the gallbladder removal AND the gastric bypass because the president of surgery doesn’t find it necessary to undergo anesthesia more than one time if it could be avoided! So they finished my pre-op testing and schedule me for next Thursday May 14th. The only thing that could stand in the way was my H Pylori test....I’ve been waiting to hear my results from that for a week. Well I just got my results today and I am cleared for surgery!! I AM HAVING MY SURGERY NEXT THURSDAY!!!! I am feeling so many different things right now....I am definitely scared and nervous...but more than anything I’m excited!

So I had the gastric sleeve done in March 2015. I started at 309 and got to 154 but then had 2 pregnancies that brought me back to 300. Had the bypass March 2020 . Started from 300 and now I’m 271-270. I don’t like this surgery because I no longer get that full sensation and restrictions the sleeve provided. I’m doing as much exercise as quarantine can provide but it’s soooooo much harder this time around 😔😔😔. It’s like the restriction isn’t physical anymore so it has to be physiological which is 100000 times more difficult. I miss eating 2 bites and being full all day to be honest. Now the food literally feels like it goes straight through me 😔😒

I had a lap band for 11 years also and starting having major issues with it the last two years. I lost 80 pounds and regained half of it. When I got it removed they discovered it had slipped up around my esophagus and caused a hiatal hernia. My surgeon removed the band, fixed the hernia and revised it to a gastric bypass all in one surgery. That was only a bit more than five months ago and I already weigh less than the lowest weight I got after my band. So far I have been pleased with the decision and haven't regretted it--other than wishing I had gone with the bypass in the first place! Good luck to you!

I’m sure I’m right behind you, here on Long Island NY. I’m sure mr cuomo will follow suit. Grrr. I agree about certain things but I’m a revision and in so much pain everyday.

Good for you!!! Rock it! You’ve got it! my revision was 3/18 to 4/29 and nothing. I’m hoping the governor will open up 5/15 but I doubt it. I’m in NY.

I had my gastric bypass in 2013. I did really well at maintaining until I suffered a serious knee and back injury. As a result of being unable to exercise or be active I gained weight. 9 days ago I started the reset diet. So far its working miraculously. It is teaching me to eat properly again, reducing my intake and lots of more energy. I also started using patchaid vitamin patches as well.

NY here, Long Island - we are only 2/7 in the phasing. I've been postponed twice, with no date pencilled in yet - I'm so antsy - it's a revision, so I'll deal, but my hernia is so panful and the surgical coordinator said I'm one of the first in line when we do open up. Received a explanation of benefits from my pre surgical testing visit, which was 6 days prior to my surgery and they are denying my claims because I didnt get surgery 21 days later... protocol I guess. I guess I have to call and fight it - I mean, I was scheduled 3/18, cancelled 3/15 for the COVID issues. then was 4/29... I guess they'll have to see or be told what happened .. I hope they pay the bill

I’m only 3 days post op and I can’t stop thinking about food! I had the gastric bypass and yes I am in a lot of pain, but I keep thinking about food that I want to eat! Why is this happening?!

Question for gastric bypasser’s who take Duloxetine/Cymbalta: do you take the capsule whole or open/sprinkle the contents into food? I have been opening/sprinkling since surgery but read somewhere that we shouldn’t. My concern is if we don’t, then capsule could pass through us whole, largely intact with less absorption? My Dr. did comment that as long as I take it I will need to take Pepcid to prevent ulcers. I tried to go off it last week but musculoskeletal and nerve pain from last year’s back surgery returned with intensity so started back on it 30 minutes ago. Any input will be greatly appreciated!🙂

Congratulations! And I see that you are only a couple of pounds from your goal weight, which is wonderful. That's quite an achievement in only nine months! I was 59 when I had my bypass, and I haven't felt this good in decades. As you say, it's never too late!