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VRox33, Hello, and I’m a newbie as well😅. When I saw surgeon last Oct. my mindset was same as yours—set on sleeve, and only sleeve. He asked re: acid reflux and yes, I do have it at times. His explanation and picture drawing of what happens to GERD/reflux after sleeve was a major let down, but I (secretly) still held hope for sleeve. As I researched more, and especially the very real experiences on these support boards, I realized he’s SO on target. The risks/dangers/incidents of increased reflux after sleeve seem far riskier to my situation than RYN. Yes, we’ll perhaps have a few more challenges with absorption and medication adjustment, but hopefully, ideally, our surgery will not only be a “one and done” requiring no revisions, but our acid reflux will be greatly alleviated, as well. I also feel great trust and confidence that RYN has been around the longest, and still considered the gold standard by many people. Just my experience...Best Wishes in your decision!

I don’t; get why you would have bypass the only thing they can do from the bypass is move your intestines that doesn’t solve your stomach issue. Btw you can take the full 8 weeks or more to heal that’s why they say 6-8 weeks for internal healing some people heal slower so if you’re a 8 weeks or longer person your going to be sore and swollen for more than 8 weeks. To me its jumping the gun I was swollen still past 8 weeks, even the small amount fo food I eat in one sitting I can see my stomach stick out like I binge ate and stuffed myself with buckets of chicken and pizzas its kinda funny considering its just 1oz of food nothing at all crazy but it sticks out when its full! I think we also worry and over stress about everything in the early stages so the tight full feeling from being swollen turns into oh my god it went wrong its too small I have a leak I will never be able to eat/drink more I did such a bad thing to myself fix me fix me!!! Your doctor should have told you to maybe cut back n portion size and wait a few more weeks for the swelling to go down. I had to backtrack to the soft stages and work my way forward again because when I hit solids it was ridicules and I just puked all the time.

I may not understand completely exactly what your dealing with but 5 weeks out was tough for me including soup I was getting about 15-20oz total a day for everything. Food never stayed in me I puked all food up pretty much so I just went back to soups and even then I started puking that up too. In fluid today I do like 25-30oz a day now this includes ice poles I am 3 and half months out and eat total in the whole day about 5oz of food if I am lucky. It got to the point I did get mad and kicked off at them that’s when they told me to go back a couple of stages and cut down how much I tried to eat the standard 40z thing half a cup was too much for me, its still too much for me now I only eat 1oz portions and drinking 4 or 5 mouthfuls and I have to wait about 20mins mins or up it comes again. They were gonna check me for scare tissue but when I cut back on portion size and stopped trying to drink so much I puke way less not completely never again half a teaspoon more than I should and blugh up it all comes but its easier not trying to be the standard this is what you do at this stage cookie cutter info and tailor it to my own personal needs. I do what I can manage if I can’t increase my intake in 3 months to 4oz at a sitting they will check for scare tissue. I just personally don’t see how moving your intestines will fix the issues with your stomach they can’t reopen your stomach put it back then do the bypass you don’t have the rest of your stomach to do that with. Going bypass to sleeve is easy because you keep the rest of your stomach in bypass its just closed off so they can convert. I’m not a medical doctor just going by what I know of the 2 ops and my own personal experience of having a hard time drinking and eating, so I am wondering how this is meant to help you eat and drink when all it will do is make you absorb even less of what you can barely take in right now. Like are they thinking if they do the intestine move you will loose more weight so that’s the end result they are happy with? Or do they honestly think it will make you eat and drink more?

Dumping only happens with gastric bypass patients when they eat too much sugar and I think fat. You are just overeating, having stomach pains because of it and of course going to the rest room more to get rid of the food. I am 4 pounds from my goal and I find I do get lax in your eating as I get closer to goal. With the easter season here I have made a resolve to continue and only eat healthy so that I can reach my goal weight. Go back to basics, lower carb, no processed foods, veggies and eat protein first. You can do it!

Well if I'm not mistaken gastric bypass was the preferred surgery by most insurance companies until a few years ago. You see it more now because people can get it covered. You probably don't see anyone over 5 years too often because it hasn't been around long and it's only recently become a preferred method of WLS.

I've had my band for almost 3 1/2 yrs. Altho I'm having problem with mine currently (it's slipped), I never want it taken out. May have to have revision surgery tho. This time I'm going to ask about the plication being added to it so it doesn't slip again. I don't think it was available when I had mine put in. I always wonder just how "permanent" the band is also, since the longest a person can have it now is like 12 yrs (thats when they started being routinely done). Good luck in your research! Marci

Hello Canadian Band Buddies For those of you that have not heard CIBO Clinic in Toronto has filed for bankruptcy. I received the following email today from Dr. Chris Cobourn at Smartshape (formerly Surgical Weightloss Centre) and he has asked me to post this message. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Hi Tom: We had a meeting at the clinic today and we have come up with the following option for CIBO patients. We will offer them the opportunity to join our follow up program which includes: Initial assessment/consultation with Dr. Cobourn either in person or on the phone Counseling with our team of nurses, coaches and dietitians via email, telephone or in person as necessary Band adjustments as necessary Band adjustments can be performed at our facilities in Mississauga or Downtown Toronto, and with our affiliates across the country Radiologic or endoscopic evaluation as necessary 24/7 access to one of our surgeons if there are concerns or worries after hours Access to weekly webinars by our nurses and dietitian Access to Lap Band Connect – an extensive online support forum for Lap Band patients Access to this comprehensive program is offered to CIBO patients at the cost of $1000 per year and can be renewed annually as the patient wishes. We are not able to offer a fee for individual adjustments because our philosophy of care is that the highest quality Lap Band care is more extensive than simple band adjustments. There was a great deal of empathy for the situation of these patients that are not able to access a follow up program that they have paid for. However there needs to be an understanding that there are real costs associated with the delivery of this extensive follow up and we cannot offer this program without additional cost to the patient. We understand that additional costs may be a burden for these patients and have modified or usual access fee for the CIBO patients. It is important to understand that access to the follow up program does not include the cost of any revision surgery that may be necessary. Revision surgery may include port fixation or placement, as well as band repositioning, replacement or removal. We will develop a schedule of costs for these revision procedures. Please feel free to post this information on the Message Forums that you have access to. You know the quality of the follow up that we provide and we think this is a fair and reasonable option for these patients. SWLC is well known for the quality of care we provide and all patients who join our program will have full access to the post op care we provide to our patients. We want to assure the CIBO patients that we are here to help them if they are interested in our program. Dr. Chris Cobourn | Surgeon and Medical Director SmartShape™ Weight Loss Centre Phone: 905.278.8000 | Toll-free: 1.888.278.7952 | Website: smartshape.ca 1413 Hurontario Street Mississauga ON L5G 3H5

Hi Everyone, I am at the point in my journey where I have to decide which surgery I want. I am leaning towards the sleeve but I know that my surgeon (I meet with him on April 28) is going to recommend the bypass, I have GERD. I was just wondering if anyone has done any foreign travel since they have had the bypass? Travelling is my passion and I travel to a lot of 3rd world countires where food choices might not be optimum and rice is usually a staple of my diet. I am worried I am going to spend my whole time travelling worrying about dumping when I may not be near a bathroom (as is often the case when I am on a tour). Can you please let me know how you made out? Thanks so much.

Picked up a copy of Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies at borders books for $19.95. It's great and answers a lot of questions in plain language that most of us have and some we hadn't thought about. It covers LapBand and Bypass issues and clearly keeps issues with each seperate. There are Nook and Kindle versions too at about $10.00. I think its worth having on the bookshelf. Here's a cheat sheet link to whats covered in the book in more detail: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/weight-loss-surgery-cookbook-for-dummies-cheat-she.html

Josephine, Does that mean that the port is still in there? That really sucks! I'm going on Wednesday to check if my slip fixed itself! I am so wanting a sleeve, and need to demand a revision. You are doing fabulous, Keep it up! Patti

Do I tell my sister about my surgery or not? She is a very negative person and had gastric bypass 5 years ago and still suffers from throwing up and is pretty miserable. I dont need any negativity around me and I want this to be a success!!! Help!

My surgery is scheduled for October 7th. Tomorrow (Sept 8) is my pre op appointments and I will find out what I have to do as far as how long on liquid diet. My friend had the same doctor and got gastric bypass and only had to do 3 day liquid diet. I hope I'm lucky and only have to do 3 days also. Some people here have my admiration that they were able to do liquid diets for such a long time. Here are some ideas: October Orchids Outstanding October

He's not really my pick of great surgeons. As Elisabeth wrote he is a very high leak stat and I prefer someone that has done at least 250 sleeves and 250 bypass. He does no leak tests on your stomach, he just has a nurse fill up the portion of stomach he removed with air. With his leak stats he should be doing all the leak tests. He only has one night in the hospital, since most leaks show up within the first 48 hours you really need more hospital time. I think he's kinda cheap for a reason. :blink:/

HELLO! I had a sleeve never have had a revision, however, I am 18 days past surgery, over 21 pounds lost and doing well. I still have to learn when I am full. Tend to eat too much, then I puke and I am fine. Hell it doesnt even hurt when that happens. Only hurts when I eat too much. Ruthi had a revision so maybe she can give you some insight on what is what. You will do fine---Dr Aceves is great and the entire staff is wonderful. Prayers are with you.:thumbup1:

OK.....I work for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. I was told by our member services that the Sleeve was covered. I also looked at a copy of our Medical Policy, which states: Sleeve gastrectomy, performed either as a stand-alone restrictive procedure, or as a first stage procedure of a planned biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch for patients with a BMI exceeding 50 So, assumed that since I was just having a stand-alone restrictive procedure, there was no BMI associated with that. However, it appears that CF will only cover the sleeve for patients exceeding 50. This makes no sense to me. I'm ready to throw-up and cry! I do not want the bypass. If I appeal, my date of 11/10 is out the window. :confused:

Well it appears that I will still be denied for the sleeve. The Medical Director has stated that Sleeve Gastrectomy is not standard procedure. They are asking for my surgeon to provide in writing why He is choosing this procedure for me. Well, the problem here is that my surgeon is a RNY guy. He does perform the sleeve on patients that request it, but RNY is his surgery of choice. The sleeve is my surgery of choice. What I'm pissed off the most is that all the 2009 studies that have been published, and submitted with my appeal, do not seem to be taken into consideration. Next steps.....This has been an agonizing process. Last week I decided that I would re-schedule my surgery date for 11/17 (was suppose to be today). I put the appeal decision in the hands of God and would have whatever procedure (sleeve or bypass) based on the outcome of the appeal. So, it looks like bypass it is. Yeah, I know I'm selling myself out, but I really don't have the energy to deal with this anymore. I have an excellent surgeon and know that I will be in good hands. I have spoken to several of his patients who had the bypass (1 - 4 years out), and they have nothing but good things to say about the procedure. The saddest thing is "leaving" all my friends on this forum. I still will be checking on you and wish you all the best! You are the Greatest! Hugs, JoAnne

To everyone who has responded to my post so fast with all the wonderful tips, I greatly thank you. It means so much that people I don't even personally know (heck I don't even know your real names lol) would take the time out to stop and help me with a problem I am having. I am going to take this one day at a time, and hey, I only have 9 more days until I can get to pureed foods. I'm sure that while everyone else is eating, I'll be fine with my chicken (or what ever I am having that night). I have an aunt that went through the same thing, I am going to call her and see if she and I can get together and her help me out while I am going through all of this, not just phase 1 but throughout the whole thing. She had the Bypass a few years ago, so she does know what I am going through. That idea come from my mom and from you restless monkey, thank you so much. I guess I am going to get a little bit more walking daily which is a good thing. Who knows I may be able to talk my husband into going to the store and getting me some dumb bells so I can start using them for my arms. And maybe get me some ankle weights for when I walk. I do feel alot better know that I am not the only one that has felt this way and I am not just some grumpy bitter person. This is normal. Like I said in my earlier post. I may not see it now, but, I know that when it all is said and done and I look at myself in a full length mirror and like what I see, I will know that it was all worth it. So, again, thanks to everyone for their responses.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of MD approves the following: Adjustable gastric banding (e.g. Lap BAND?) Gastric bypass Gastric stapling Biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch Sleeve gastrectomy, performed either as a stand-alone restrictive procedure, or as a first stage procedure of a planned biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch for patients with a BMI exceeding 50 Since my BMI is 41, I don't meet the VSG qualifications, but I do qualify for gastric banding or bypass. It truly makes no sense that VGS will be approved as standalone for BMI > 50. If my BMI was > 50, I would be approved for Gastric Band, Gastric Bypass or VSG, I have submitted my appeal with tons of documentation on the latest VSG studies, and my surgeon has request a peer to peer review with the Medical Director of Appeals. Hopefully they will get the message. I do not know what the outcome will be, but I will not go down without a fight. With that said, I'm afraid I will be forced to cave in to RNY. I need to start my weight loss process asap. I can barely fit into any of my clothes, and I refuse to go out and purchase larger sizes. I am still trying to keep my positive attitude, but I feel myself wearing down. I'm so thankful for all the support everyone has provided. Hugs to All, JoAnne

I have read that people that have had a bypass need a medical alert bracelets. I have never been told anything about needing one after a sleeve, anyone else know anything. On Eggface's Blog, she says they usually have the following: Gastric Bypass No Blind NG Tubes No NSAIDS Contact Phone #'s Which I don't even know what it all means. I know that a bypass has had a lot more changes done to their insides than a sleeve, but I was just wondering if this is something I should be thinking about.

I had my band removal and VSG done all in the same surgery; however, my band had been unfilled for several months prior to my surgery. I have heard several people able to have the removal and revision done in one procedure but have heard others that required some healing time after the removal. I guess it will depend on her specific condition. I was sad when I first decided to do a revision and realized my band wasn't ever going to work the way I thought it was going to...but now I couldn't be happier! I hope all goes well and she gets that band cut out! Best of luck!

My husband and I asked to be referred by our PCPs on Feb 22, 2013 (we preferred Kaiser Fresno; twice as far for us, but we had good referrals for there) and we attended their orientation on Mar 1, 2013. We will be called tomorrow to set up our NUT and psych appointments and we are scheduled to see the surgeon (one on one) on Mar 13, 2013. Kaiser Fresno takes your highest weight on record into account when giving your goal weight at the one on one. Even though I'm 18 pounds lighter than last year, I'm a little nervous to find out how much more they want me to lose. I'm trying to stick to 1200 calories a day now (using My Fitness Pal). Once you get cleared by the NUT and psych and reach your goal weight, they will schedule your surgery. I went thru this whole process 5 years ago at Kaiser Fremont (for bypass) but chickened out after seeing some friends have complications). This time I am determined. My 12 year old told me the other day she has never seen me at a normal weight (sigh). I'm loving this VSG community!

I'm 6 months post mini gastric bypass. I'm at my goal weight. I have been miserable with gas and painful bloating ever since I went on solid food. Everything seems to trigger it. I'm constantly uncomfortably bloated and the gas is horrendous. It's ruined the joy of my weight loss. I'm eating or trying to eat a paleo diet. I eat small portions, fist size or lower. I chew chew chew. What can I do? I'm seriously considering giving up all solid foods. My fiber and protein intake is huge. Does this ever end?

My surgery for revision band to bypass is scheduled for Nov 16th also and I'm not looking forward to starting this liquid diet on Monday. Smh I've had the nectar sample pack for months now and have yet to try one. ????

Hey guys, I'm wondering how long after my bypass I should wait before I can start to do some mild upper body work with dumbbells? I've had a personal trainer for years up until about 9 months ago (when I had an illness AND moved country) so my technique is pretty good. I just want to do bicep curls, some tricep work, shoulder presses, some vertical rows - even with light weights. Any experience or tips from you gents? Cheers, J

Hi Mozza, yes it's inevitable. Weight loss leads to hair loss in most people, but not all. I had the sleeve 2 1/2 years ago and at about 4 months out I started losing hair by the handfull. I was quite upset but knew it was coming. I just cut my hair shorter so it wasn't as noticeable. Once I started adding more fat to my diet the hair grew back and thickened up. It's just a temporary problem and you will soon be over it. I promise, the weight loss is worth the hair loss. I will be having a revision to bypass in a couple of months and I will go through this again and though I dread it, I know it is a temporary thing and well worth the problem.May I ask why you are having a revision to bypass? I am pre op and still deciding between bypass and sleeve. Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App