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I had my surgery 28 years ago this Dec 12 and yes the poop smells terrible. I have been lactose intolerant since surgery but i can eat a little fat free cottage cheese and sharp cheddar but no milk. I also had osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease which my doctor feels was made worse by the gastric bypass because of nutrition deficit. I have kept off 430 pounds. I constantly deal with low energy and have since surgery. Believe it or not I had more energy at 640 pounds than I do now of course I was 21. I know that would not have lasted and I would have eventually ended up like those people on tv. I would caution anyone who thinks this surgery is a quick fix to rethink it because its not. I usually eat very lite when going on a trip so less chance of having an accident before i find a bathroom. Also eating less meat seems to help some. Good luck ladies im right their in the same boat with smelly poop.

So I've never really been a huge eater. Honestly. I do admit to a sweet tooth, but my personal hell is being forced to sit down to chicken wings with ranch dressing and a coke. Genetics is also not on my side an both my brother and I are quite large people. I've got pictures of my great Aunt Fanny in the midst of the depression and if she's not a solid 350lbs... Anyway, with 30 years of fibromyalgia, I had myself banded in 2009 at 311lbs at my doctor's suggestion to see if I could get some of my weight off, and to try to prevent more weight from accumulating. My body did not take to the band well. Either I had zero restriction or I had total restriction and I could barely even drink water. Two solid years of tomato soup and beef broth as I was pushed to suck it up and "quit lying about what I could eat" by my band doctor. (no protein shakes for me as I'm allergic to them) Total weight loss in two years: 5lbs. Finally as half my hair was falling out and I was sick as a dog, I had no choice but to force them to empty out my band completely. 2011 I revised to an RNY by a doctor funded by the province (FYI the province isn't putting in bands anymore because of their dismal failure rate) and his words were "you can't fail to lose weight with an RNY". Well I did lose weight on the stupid pre-op diet. Now, I'm still allergic to the opti-fast so I did this insane version of an all-food diet that induces ketosis. I lost so much hair, I started walking into walls, and I may or may not have promised to foster a pink hippo, but it did the job for the surgery. After surgery though, no real weight loss ensued. Yes I followed the post-op diet, the nutrition plan, etc. I don't get as much exercise as I should, but when you're thinking of shopping for canes and collapsing on the floor when you get out of bed in the morning, it's a touch hard to meet that goal, but I'm doing my best. Again, the surgeon said I must not be telling the truth and I must be chowing down on high calorie foods or something because it's hard to eat around an RNY. They deemed me an RNY failure and I've been put in the provincial database as such (since the government paid for it, the government keeps stats on everybody). A few weeks ago they decided to play with my fibromyalgia medications. They took me off a drug I've been on for the last 15 years. I lost 30lbs in 3 weeks. Yup, it's been the drugs all along. I lost my entire malabsorption window post-op, had to sit through years of disapproving lectures from doctors about my lying and cheating on my eating, and got the stink eye from my other WLS friends because they all agreed with the doctors that I could't get with the program and stick with the rules. Worst thing is that now I really do need canes and it's getting so hard to walk as my joints might as well be welded metal, and while I could have exercised away the weight in 2011, I'm not sure I can now. That makes me cry. The vindication makes me laugh. Sadly it's not continuing to come off that fast, but at least after 4 years, the stall is broken.

I take over-the-counter Centrum vitamins. My nutritional lab blood work results are all perfect. There's no way I'd pay the extra money for bariatric vitamins unless I had a procedure with some malabsorption such as a distal bypass or a duodenal switch.

Also, bypass patients have much trouble with vitamin an mineral absorption! You drop the weight faster... Too fast which can be very dangerous!

Hi everyone, Im new here as this is my second post in 2 days. I have a question regarding GERD. Im 32 been pretty much overweight all my life and the small time (about 10 years ago) when i was in great shape, i did not suffer from gerd. I also have a small hiatal hernia that may or may not need to be repaired. I do not take medicine for the Gerd, it really doesn't bother me to be honest. I have been reading that preexisting GERD prior to the sleeve can worsen. So much so, that many times the surgeon will suggest a revision to the bypass. The bypass scares the life out of me and i just dont want to do it. No disrespect to bypass patients, But I rather not surgery than get a bypass Studies can only show you so much and Id really like to hear some of your first hand experiences. Did it get worse, Better, same? Also, did any of you get the LINX installed? If so, howd did that go?

My port has flipped--my doctor is going to manually flip on September 28 since insurance was giving them a hard time to have revision surgery.

Now if we could just get Chris Christie ( Gov of New Jersey) to do a band to sleeve revision! Maybe then people would stop asking me if I had a lapband! Geez! That's all people seem to know about WLS! Maybe Elliott will join our group?!

Let me share my story. In December 2009, I had the lap-band, which worked great until I had to have an emergency removal in January 2013. The baNd had major slippage and needed to come out. I was supposed to have revision to bypass right then and there but my doctor did not feel it was safe because my stomach was so "angry." With the lap-band I went from 227 to about 145. I was at a size 4 and feeling great. So fast forward to May 2014, I was back at 209 and feeling horrible. I was finally approved to have the sleeve, which was done on May 13, 2014. The 2 weeks prior for the pre-op diet is went down to 200 on the day of surgery. I had the surgery and when I was released from the hospital I weighed 207, I guess cause all of the fluids. Yesterday was my 6 weeks post op and I am only at 185, Is this normal. I dont know what exactly I am supposed to expect. I was able to start walking/running at about 4 weeks and I started back at cross fit this week. Any help would be great. Since I was not able to keep the weight off after the lap-band removal I am really discouraged and feeling like this will not work. Has anyone had this happen.

I had revision from lapband to bypass Dec 28 2015.I am so happy....Was off of Metformin 3 days post op....no Metformin since...I feel great...those horse pills 850 x 2 a day is over.

I have a recurring hernia that came as a result of my gallbladder surgery years ago. I have had 3 hernia surgeries to date and part of Plan B is a 4th. I'm having that on 3/23 and then scheduling the revision to bypass for about 3-4 months after the Hernia repair so I'm all healed up. I've been feeling really down about this so I'm glad to be back on the path to resolution Wishing you the best as well.

I had my revision on the 9th, and I am not having any problems with my clear liquids. I am beginning to worry that my sleeve is too big or is leaking. My diet plan from my surgeon and nut will not allow me to start my protein supplements until day 7. I hate feeling hungry!! Best of luck to you!!

I had my band to sleeve revision on January 8th. I'm reading a lot about people feeling full from the Water. I can drink any amount of any liquid and it doesn't affect me. I'm starting to worry. Any one else with the same problem? Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Me too! Oct 15th. Very nervous. Hoping I made the right decision for getting the sleeve over the bypass. I've been reading about people who are struggling with weight gain after a few years with the sleeve and that makes me nervous. Maybe everything makes me nervous at this point. LOL. Excited though. I'd just like it to be done already so maybe I can quit stressing. Can't wait to hear how our Oct group progresses. This is an exciting journey we are undertaking. I admire you all for your courage.

I'm 5'2 went into surgery at 223 pounds. I'm like 7 weeks out and I'm 193#. I had gastric bypass, and I'm very excited to be skinny too. Lol. I don't have any co-morbitites either, and I got the surgery to #1 lose weight #2 Stay healthy My luck wouldn't stay good for long at my old weight, it was a matter of time before something happened. So, to all the nay-sayers...I wish I would have done the surgery sooner. Not bouncing up and down in weight from diet to diet. If it was cancer, and not being overweight, nobody would say anything about taking preventative measures... Good luck!!

@@1cutiejulie if you feel you need to say your goodbyes, do it. I knew someone, who knew someone who died post bypass (a couple of days out of surgery). IMO, being scared pre-WLS for most, is pretty normal. I was 52 and scared too, but once I got in the OR and the guy started talking to me (as they placed the mask over my face) I felt very calm. Next thing I knew I was in recovery. My point is that a lot of anxiety and fear of the unknown causes a lot of sleeplessness and worry. Wish you the very best and do what you feel you need to do pre-op, like getting your affairs in order, saying goodbye, etc. NO REGRETS!

I was in a very similar boat to you! I was just over a 40 BMI, 25 years old, with PCOS and asthma. I had the sleeve surgery in 2014 and lost over 100 pounds and have been maintaining for the past few years. Unfortunately I ended up needing revision surgery because of bad GERD (to bypass), but I am still very happy with my decision and live a pretty normal life. I am able to go out to eat and drink with friends. Feel free to ask questions!

After several months of upper GI's endoscopies, and reflux, I had my band unfilled. I've been feeling fine since the unfill, yet I gained 15 lbs. I decided to get a revision from band to the sleeve. On surgery day, the Dr. removed my band system, but was unable to do the sleeve. My band had eroded my stomach tissue, so the tissue was too thin to staple. I never would have known about the erosion, since there were no symptoms. I am very thankful that I have such an experienced and caring physician to take care of me. I will be able to get the sleeve in 4-6 months, after I heal. Just thought I'd share my experiences. Anita

Honestly, at this point, I'm beginning to wonder why I did this. I mean, I'm thrilled with the weight loss so far...80lbs in 11 months. But, with all of the problems I've been having and the thought of possible erosion being in the back of my mind at all times, I'm just not sure. I never really thought up front about what I'd do financially if the band had to be removed and now that's a very real possibility. I am still paying off the original surgery because my insurance only paid half. There's no way I can afford to have this thing taken out, much less have revision surgery too. My insurance changed 3 months after I was banded and the new insurance considers everything band-related to be pre-existing so refuse to pay anything. So I'm seriously stuck. I've been having these pains in my stomach around the band area for a while now and have no idea what it could be and I couldn't get an appointment to see my doctor until September. Once I see him and have tests done (no telling how much those will cost me!) I'll know what I'm facing. Meanwhile, all I can do is try not to think the worst and that's pretty much impossible. :cursing:

True - they dont do the bypass in Australia, probably you could get it done if the lapband failed, but its not the first choice for most bariatric surgeons. Too risky, too complicated, not good enough long term results. Longer term stats are showing that you lose more slowly with the lapband and its more dependent on personal habits (which is a good thing in my opinion) but you get greater weight maintenance at the end of the journey, compared to GBP where there's a significant proportion of people who lose fast and then begin to regain. So easy choice for me as I wouldnt have been able to find a surgeon to do a bypass but I would never have considered it given the size of my weight problem - simply not worth the risk of malnutrition and the surgical risks.

Hi Speck, I have mixed feelings about it. I think the lapband is more difficult to lose weight. I've lost 30 lbs since June but compared to some who have lost 30+ lbs it makes me upset. Keep in mind that the doctor only wants 1-2 lbs a week which would put me right on target at 1 lb a week. Some of the time I think gastric bypass may have been better for me. The main reason is because if I'm going to have the band for life why not go all the way. I think the reason I didn't go that was was fear and lack of knowledge. I don't know too much about what you can eat. I heard that you can no longer have alcohol or sugar as it will hurt you. Don't know if that is true. In the long run I'm sure I will be happy with my band but like I said I can't imagine being 70 years old and never have had to replace it, therefore gastric bypass might be better. Good luck in your decision.

I agree with Jodi...when i was on the full liquids i was drinking all the time (takin sips) or eating soups, sf jello, sf posicles, etc...liquids go down so quick of course ur gonna be hungry dont forget ur stomach wasnt rerouted like the gastric bypass...ur band probably wasnt prefilled either...the 1st 6 weeks are the healing stage...basically til ur filled whatever weight u lose u did it on ur own..good luck

Thanks so much for responding, Parvathi and Dody. I did have a sleep study before surgery and since I lost 40 pounds, the snoring is much better. I am praying that it is not slippage...I've already had a revision surgery and am struggling to get my fills regulated so that I can start losing again. I will talk to my doctor, though. I appreciate your thoughts!!

Had my RNY bypass on Tuesday 10/14/14 @ 10am and was released to come home Wednesday @ 5pm. I was not in any pain after surgery and was able to do 4 laps around the nurses station about 2 hours after surgery. I had a drain which the Dr. removed before discharge. I have only been drinking water and protein shakes. So far 2 shakes a day for about 47-48 grams of protein. My water intake has been right around the recommended 64 ounces. Still using pain medication for slight abdominal discomfort, once or twice a day. My Dr. appointment is Monday and at that point I should be able to move on the soft food. Even with all the information out there I still seem to have so many questions! Everyones experience seems to be sooooo different. So far everything for me is going well. (and I did just knock on wood).

When I got the phone call that I was approved I was at work and I started crying in the hallway i was trying to hide in. This time when the surgeon said he would do my revision I was speechless. My husband had to answer for me lol. I have moment where I get stupid giddy. It changes your whole life and it's an amazing ride to be on. I'm so happy for you Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mind if I ask where you got this info from? It's actually gastric bypass that has the earliest roots in surgery dating back to the 1960's and has evolved to the safest track record. The first sleeve wasn't performed until 1988 and has evolved since then. Not trying to nit-pick, just seeing what information is being published that I may not be aware of. https://asmbs.org/resources/story-of-obesity-surgery http://bariatrictimes.com/the-history-of-sleeve-gastrectomy/ Look up gastrectomy. They have been doing them on ulser, cancer patients and wounded war vets long before weight loss surgery. You can live without a stomach entirely. Removing part of the stomach and people still living long lives was known long before they decided to do it for weight loss. Yes, and that's where RNY got it's birth. Actual sleeve gastrectomy wasn't developed until almost 30 years later.