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I had gastric sleeve in 2016 and it didn't work well for me. I gained weight back now I'm having RNY Bypass on March 19, 2019. Getting nervous and trying to get all the vitamin I need figured out. Frustrating to say the least. Good luck to everyone!

Hi, Cmaule. I'm also up on March 4, for gastric bypass. I'm also on day 8 of the liver cleanse diet, although my doctor allows only protein shakes--no solid food whatsoever. And I also have have Aetna as my insurance company. The didn't approve the surgery right away and made me jump through several more hoops before they finally said yes (about two weeks ago). I feel like I have waited a long time for this and I'm excited that the day is almost here.

I'm with MollyMolly, It's more how long I stay full then how much I can eat. I'm ready for a fill now but I have revision surgery on the 9th (not band) and have to wait.

Ok Kate that made me both laugh and become scared lol. I think when I go out tomorrow looking for bras I will bypass the sales person and just take one of every size in the fitting room. ( I say that but I can bypass A-C ) At this point I am not looking for anything pretty just practical..ok industrial even. I just want to be able to adjust the straps like a pulley "higher, higher, higher"! <wink>

Stacie, I'm so sorry you are having to endure a leak. I had one as well, and it was a very long road to a full recovery, BUT, I can tell you once you get passed these speed bumps, life with the sleeve is awesome. I had a leak 2 days post-op my band to sleeve revision. I had leak repair surgery, where they sutured the leaked area with heavy sutures. My lungs would not recover after the 2nd surgery so I landed in ICU on a ventilator, in a medically induced coma for 5 days with a grave prognosis for survival. Once my vitals stabilized I was woken up, and then released a couple of days later with a central line in my arm and force fed 1800 calories a day through a TPN bag and sent home with drains and an in-home health care nurse. I was only 32 at the time, with an 11 year old son, and my husband was deployed to Afghanistan and was not allowed to come home. I completely empathize with you, but what got me through all of the trials of the complications, was my sheer determination to recover and beat the odds. My mother drove to FL from TX to get my son. I was alone for over 3 weeks and not able to eat or drink anything for 22 days. Nothing passed my lips from June 2 to the 25th with the exception of 2oz of contrast Fluid used for the leak tests. I won't deny being scared, and wondering what the heck was I thinking, but I have zero regrets because I survived, and learned about myself, and my strength to endure pure hell. I know it's not everyone's mentality, but I honestly believe that a positive attitude will help you overcome these obstacles through your journey. I was hospitalized for a week, 6 weeks post-op for abscesses in my abdomen and pelvic cavity. I was dehydrated, and once again came home with drains in my abdomen for a 2-3 weeks. But, I am stronger because of it. It's been researched, and documented that positive mental status will help you recover. You can and will "WIN" if you want to. You can and will "RECOVER" if you can will yourself to believe it. That's the only thing that got me through my recovery. I had to resign from my job, and now can not find another one. My husband went through severe emotional distress due to my condition/complications while being in a war zone. BUT, here I am almost 8 months out, and firmly believe that I endured all of it, and I've won. I'm healthy, happy, and my life is full of joy because of the trials and tribulations I endured, I cherish every day more than the last. If you need to talk, vent, or cry, please feel free to contact me via Private Message feature here.

Look at all the people who have had lapband, didn't do well and revised it to a sleeve and are doing great! Think of those who had the sleeve, revised it to a switch and are losing again. Perhaps I do have rose colored glasses but at least I am able to hope for and offer support for someone who may benefit from another procedure or more medical help. Don't forget. Questions aren't just answered for the OP. They are also answered for those who are lurking, researching, reading, and looking for answers to questions they have not thought to ask or afraid to because of people who are so negative. Best of luck to you, too!

Yea I have heard of someone getting sleeved after having bypass

I read that Carnie Wilson got the Lapband after she had gastric bypass and regained all her weight.

The code for the tricare service of the sleeve is Code 43775 43775 Code definition is: LAPAROSCOPY, SURGICAL, GASTRIC RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURE; LONGITUDINAL GASTRECTOMY (IE, SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY) Number of pocedures allowed without a overide code is: 1 Tricare Benefits TRICARE covers gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty to include vertical banded gastroplasty and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band surgery) is covered only when the beneficiary meets one of the following conditions: Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure Has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and because of complications, requires another surgery (takedown) TRICARE does not cover: Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction Biliopancreatic bypass, gastric bubble or balloon for the treatment of morbid obesity Note for Active Duty Service Members: Bariatric surgery represents a major and permanent change in your digestive system that requires strict adherence to a specific dietary regimen that may interfere with operational deployment. A history of bariatric surgery is already a bar to military service and receiving bariatric surgery while on active duty may be grounds for separation. For more information, view the Health Affairs Policy 07-006.Should I have surgery to lose weight? Recent research indicates many patients are unable to achieve and maintain large amounts weight loss without the assistance of weight loss surgery. Along with the burden of obesity often times these patients are plagued with diseases associated with excess weight. These diseases are referred to as co-morbidities and include: hypertension diabetes sleep apnea GERD joint pain Co-morbidities may be reduced or eliminated by weight loss. The goal of the bariatric program is to provide assistance to patients who may benefit from significant weight loss and have had little success with more conservative treatment methods. Tricare Prime retirees and dependents who meet specified criteria are eligible for the bariatric surgery program. What surgeries are available? The bariatric procedures currently being performed in the program are laparoscopic gastric banding, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and open or laparoscopic gastric bypass. All procedures are very effective but differ in surgical technique, dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, medical monitoring, and risk to the patient. Each patient is unique and in consultation with the bariatric surgeon will determine the best surgical procedure. Laparoscopic Gastric Banding is the least invasive but effective weight loss procedure. It is the safest procedure. In this procedure an inflatable silicone band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. The band is tightened around the stomach by injecting saline into the adjustable band. The tightened band creates a small pouch of the upper stomach which restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold, resulting in weight loss. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is another very effective surgical weight loss procedure in which the stomach is stapled and part of the stomach is removed. The remaining portion of the stomach is called a sleeve. The sleeve remains attached to the small bowel and digestion occurs normally. The small stomach fills quickly allowing the patient a feeling of fullness, reducing the food intake resulting in weight loss. Gastric Bypass is the most invasive and most effective weight loss surgery. In this procedure the stomach size is reduced to a pouch, and the upper portion of the small bowel is bypassed. Weight loss occurs by reducing the amount of food intake into the smaller stomach and by the GI tract's reduced ability to absorb calories and nutrients. Following bypass surgery, the patient will require lifetime medical monitoring for nutritional deficiencies and supplemental Vitamins and minerals. http://www.uptodate.com http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/gastric-bypass Do I qualify for the NCA Surgical Weight Loss Program? The eligibility criteria for a consultation with one of our bariatric surgeons are as follows: BMI is a method of classifying body mass into categories used to predict morbidity and mortality. BMI is calculated as follows: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI Criteria: BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbidities BMI of 40 or greater without co-morbidities We currently do not perform surgery on patients with a BMI of 50+ or >400 lbs. Calculate your BMI: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ [*]Active duty personnel cannot have weight loss surgery as mandated by BUMED http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcp/Patients/GenSurgery/Documents/ BARIATRIC%20SURGERY%20POLICY_20070326160507_924C6A1B.pdf [*]You must be between the ages of 20-64 years [*]We only accept patients with Tricare Prime [*]Retired military [*]Dependents of military members (Active Duty or Retired) [*]You must not be pregnant or lactating [*]Without multiple serious medical complications related or unrelated to weight How do I begin the process? The road to weight loss surgery begins with an appointment with your Primary Care Manager (PCM). Your PCM is going to play a vital role should you and he/she decide weight loss surgery is the best choice for you, and you should keep in close contact with him/her. If you meet the criteria above and have been unsuccessful with all other methods of weight management, have your PCM enter a consult to the General Surgery Clinic. On that referral, your doctor will need to include the following: your actual weight at the time of the visit, highest weight, height, BMI, and co-morbidities (other conditions caused by obesity). Also, have your PCM put in referrals for evaluations for bariatric surgery: nutrition (Wellness CL BE, 3 visits) exercise physiology (at WRAMC, Wellness CL WR) psychology You will also need orders for the following: blood work: CBC, CMP, Vit D (calcidiol/25-hydroxy) sleep apnea study (guidelines for requirement of test TBD) endoscopy (require EGD for reflux symptoms and require screening colonoscopy for age >50) If you can get all these referrals and orders now, it will help the process go more quickly and smoothly for you. Once the referral is received by the surgery clinic, it will be screened for eligibility requirements and appointment availability. If appointments are not available, the consult will be sent to the Referral Management Department and assistance will be given to locate a Bariatric Surgeon outside the Military Treatment Facility. An overview of our process For more information concerning Tricare Benefits please refer to the website below: http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/jsp/Medical/IsItCovered.do?kw=Gastric+ Bypass&topic=Men Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy (WRAMC) 202-782-1249 Required Consults: Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy Our Exercise Physiologist and Physical Therapist are members of the multidisciplinary team caring for you in the NCA Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Program. Through research in their field, their expertise lies in evaluation muscle response to activity and maximizing its positive effect on the body. This information enables them to formulate exercise programs for professional athletes as well as with patients suffering from cardiac conditions, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or bariatric patients with various limitations in their ability to exercise in the normal sense. In collaboration with your surgeon and other team members, they develop a customized exercise program for you. Their program will assist you in developing techniques and movements to improve your mobility and body strength. Exercise, as a requirement of the weight loss program, is a key element in achieving and maintaining long term success in managing a healthy weight. This program will assist you in incorporating exercise into your lifestyle. Services are available at WRAMC. Please call 202-782-1249 for an appointment or more information. Support Group Information NNMC-Bariatric Surgery Support Group Every Wednesday Time: 1530 Location: Conference Room A, Building 7, 4th floor POC: Behavioral Health (301) 295-0500 Stating: Support Group Status: Temporarily on hold until May 2010 or June 2010 WRAMC-Lifestyles & Viewpoints (Behavioral Health group) Wednesdays (except 2nd Wednesday of the month) Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm Location: 5th floor, Ward 53 WRAMC-Monthly Weight Loss Surgery Support Group (Nutrition Care group) 2nd Wednesday of each month Time: 4:30-6:00pm Location: Ward 73 Conference Room (Rm 7347) POC: Beth Triner 202-782-5466 DeWitt Army Hospital 1st Tuesday of each month Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm Location: Main Conference Room To sign up for Support Group please call 703-805-0604 or email Becky.Campbell@us.army.mil The February meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 9th at 4:30 Handouts Nutrition and Exercise Log Websites (PDF) Pre-op eating behaviors (PDF) Nutrition for Bariatric Surgery Presentation( PDF) Bariatric Infomation Session Presentation (PDF) Nutrition Guide-Sleeve Gastrectomy Booklet (PDF) Nutrition Appointment Numbers (PDF) February 2010 Bariatric Support Group flyer (PPT) Forms New pre-surgical assessment (PDF)

I actually lost weight when my band was removed, dropped 7 lbs in ten weeks. Just stayed eating what I ate when I had the band. It can be done, and I was afraid that I would gain, but continued like I still had the band and was taught to eat with it. But I might add I was at a stall with the band for over a year not losing anything. Since bypass have dropped a total of 25 lbs since surgery. You are going to love your journey.

I am an analytical type. I reasearched things alot before revising to sleeve from a failed band. I am glad I understood that I might not have as good of results, based on the statistics. That gave me a chance, both preop and in the early months post revision to ask alot of "why" questions. Surgeon, nutritionalist, other revisionistas - anybody I could glean this from. I learned that many people with the band have learned to "eat alot of sliders", graze and most importantly, ignore that "full feeling". It is crazy, that sometimes your body really adapts. So, since I was armed with knowledge, I was able to be very diligent about those underlying things and i believe it made a difference.

Why did you want to revise from sleeve to bypass? I had horrible reflux and unsatisfactory weight loss. I had taken the medicine to reduce acid for so long I was having side effects from it. I have not had one episode of reflux since my surgery. Thank you Dr. Illan.

But what are those injections for didn't you ask your doctor? And after the surgery the hunger hormones are meant to be decreased if anything! maybe you should consult your doctor about how you feel and ask them what the injections are for just for your peace of mind. I'm due for a gastric bypass and a hiatal hernia repair on the 16th of May and now I'm curious about the injections[emoji53] Sent from my SM-N981B using BariatricPal mobile app

My doctors office has support groups once or twice a month, I don't go to them because they are mostly bypass/sleeve patients. I also feel out of place with them, it's very uncomfortable. To me it's a different journey with the band compared to the bypass or sleeve and we need different support. Just like when I went to my pre-op "class" I was the only band patient there, and some of the things they went over had nothing to do with me and I was getting confused with what I had to do and what suppliments I'd have to take. The people giving the class seemed to just assume everyone was getting the bypass or sleeve. I had to ask a million questions only to be told, "oh that doesn't concern you, you're getting a band, this is for bypass/sleeve patients" it was very frustrating. I could be wrong but most of the time it seems like its more of a struggle for band patients. My boyfriends sister had the bypass almost 3yrs ago, and lost most of her weight within the first few months without doing anything, but she also regrets getting it done. She has alot of health issues since her surgery, she said if she could do it all over she would have gotten a band instead. It may sound catty or ignorant but I'm just being honest, I kinda get uncomfortable and maybe even a little annoyed when I hear about how much weight they've lost in only a few months with no effort. I understand they are more at risk and some suffer from Vitamin deficiency and malabsorbtion but like seriously, I'm still working my ass off even after surgery to lose weight! Now I'm just complaining lol.. Anyway, this is what I chose and how I wanted to do it, but I feel the support groups should cater to all WLS patients and separate bands from bypass/sleeve patients as we have different needs.

I cheated with egg drop soup.. the broth and eggs and a little cottage cheese... my mom had gastric bypass 10 years ago and she had the egg drop soup...

On the other hand if you have a problem with heartburn and gerd prior to surgery make sure your surgeon knows that....I certainly understand the thought that by-pass is more drastic but you don't want to have sleeve and end up having to have it revised to by-pass because of gerd.....just talk it over with your surgeon and let them advise you based on your individual needs and condition. best of luck to you!!!

I have never had signficant GERD issues or I might have considered the bypass. But one can develop GERD (with the sleeve) even without a history of it. I don't think there's any way to predict who will develop GERD and who won't. I didn't want to take that chance.

Most good surgeons will suggest the more aggressive surgery (better outcomes,less revision/failure rates factors into their records) lazy ones will do what's comfortable for them. You have to ask for a lower level. I just wonder why if someone knows they have maladaptive eating practices (binging, purging, etc) , tendency to graze, very high start weight/very low goal weight why get a half measure? Why not go DS, where you have the highest rate of loss, highest level of malabsorption to combat all of the behavior? DS not available, cool RNY second best for your situation ( and of course this is all situational and hypothetical) But why with a history of binging not well controlled through meds/therapy, very high starting weight, lack of support, stressful job, would anyone go for VSG let alone band or balloon?

Ask if your doctor can introduce you to some people who have had gastric bypass as well as some who have had the sleeve. Like, maybe a support group you can attend. Hear from real people about their own stories. Talk to your surgeon about the options, the pluses and minuses for each surgery. Personally, I think it's really important to make medical decisions on a medical basis, not "that scares me" or "that makes me feel ooky." I chose the sleeve and I think it was a good medical decision for me -- but I also know several people who have had gastric bypass and they are all doing great! No complications, they look very healthy and happy -- and slim.

I am on day 2, and I have zero interest in meals. All I want is water. Protein shake is heavy to me now. Still have 1oz to get down in the next 20 minutes. My mouth has been extremely dry since my Gastric Bypass, so I just keep sipping.

This isn't correct information. Many people find themselves with both emotional and physical hunger, anecdotally, more bypass than sleeve if this forum tells us anything.

I'm 3 1/2 yrs post gastric bypass. Lost more than I ever dreamed I'd lose. I'm maintaining at 105 lbs. I wear a size 2P. I've had 5 surgeries in the last 3 1/2 yrs-gastric bypass, hip replacement and 3 plastic surgeries for skin removal. No complications. I'd do it all again today! Absolutely no regrets!

So this is my first post to RNY. I have been reading alot of the post and the replys by the users. I have to say, you people are amazing. The way you all share opinions, experiences and support one another is almost unheard of in every day life anymore. I go in for my surgery in 75 days. I am actually getting the surgery done on my birthday (I requested by birthday and my doctor was able to accomodate me). I figured I started life on this day 36 years ago and might as well start new one on this date again. I am a type 2 diabetic and my doctor has told me I may not have to take anymore of my diabetic pills even as soon as the day I am released from the hospital. Anyone have any experience with this? Is it possible that I can stop the tidal wave of pills I need to take? My primary doctor has been talking to me about the bypass for over 3 years now. He has told me time and time again this is the cure to type to diabetes. I finally took his advise and set an appointment to go to the seminar on the surgery. I walked out so impressed and hopefull that I went home and started my research online. I am now set up to have the surgery March 18th and cannot wait. The greatest thing about this is my wife has been with me every step of the way and she has her surgery scheduled for 1 month later.

The same thing happened to me and I was devastated... Until I went in for my post op from gastric bypass about 12 weeks after I had my band removed (8 weeks in between band and bypass then post op was a few after that). My surgeon said in 8 short weeks, my stomach had transformed from a paper thin, unhealthy looking, pinched up, scarred organ to a normal looking stomach. She said even just a few weeks makes all the difference in the world when it comes to healing the stomach. In the end, I was SO glad my surgeon made the decision she did because I had NO complications and healed very well! I could have had many complications had she gone ahead and did it all in one day.

Hi everyone. I am writing this so some of you won't be disappointed. I went in for my band to bypass revision yesterday (Monday) and I was so excited. When I was in recovery they told me the bypass didn't happen. When they went to remove the band there was a lot of scar tissue an tears so they removed the band and closed me up. It would have been dangerous for them to do it cause they needed to cut where the band was, of course I started crying. I can have it in 6 weeks but my surgeon will be on Christmas vacation and she is talking January. With Obama care I have to reapply for insurance and I may have to start the process all over again. Good luck yo all of you.