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Even with bypass, the coffee ban, if the doc has it at all, is only for a short period of time. One of my BFFs couldn't do without coffee, she had bypass. She did develop intolerance to full fat milk, but can still get skinny starbucks with fat free milk. It's her indulgence now, and she's been successful for over 10 years. Every starbucks within 10 miles of her home knows her and her drink, and it starts with "quenti venti". LOL

I just had a revision on the 18th of May. I love it!! I had so many problems with my band for the last 2 yrs. not to mention the money spent for the port flip, fills and unfills..I had Dr. Aceves do the revision and I couldn't be happier. I know it is a process and much to learn here unlike the band..but I am thrilled..I had gained 25 pounds over the last 5 months due to band slippage ..knowing myself so well and the history of my family..a tool of this nature was the way to go for me..good luck!

I had a badly ulcerated stomach lining from the inside of my stomach being so damaged, it was ready to rupture. I've told people that i had very damaged stomach lining removed, which is true. If people ask about you losing weight, you can always tell them that after your surgery you needed to be on a liquid diet (true again) and that you started eating in much smaller portions (also a fact). You don't have to lie, just don't state the entire story. I told one of my Doctors that i had the sleeve and he said "you mean Gastric Bypass?" I laughed and tried to explain what the sleeve is. Doctors seem to be clueless about the sleeve right now because it's still considered somewhat experimental in the US. So coming home to the US and telling my Drs has been very tough, especially since few of them even know what the surgery is. If you tell them you had a gastrectomy, for any reason, they will understand that or at least know what it is!! Good luck on your surgery!!

I followed Dr. Aceves post op diet to the letter. Since he did your revision, I sincerely doubt you need to worry about a leak. He has never had one, so I can't see any reason why you would be his first. On my 10 days of full liquid, I had egg drop Soup from the Chinese restaurant. I had a lot of different Protein shakes and tomato soup with cottage cheese blended in a blender so that it was smooth and creamy. I also had yogurt. On my 10 days of soft foods, I ate a lot of chicken salad, tuna salad and egg salad. I choose whatever foods were on the list I was given. When I moved to solids, I decided I didn't like the feeling so I stayed on mushies longer and tried a couple bites of solids per day. It was not easy in the beginning. I got full from 2-4 bites of food. One time I ate some fish and thought I was going to explode. I needed to learn to stop eating before I felt full. I was much more full 20 min after I was done eating than I was at the table. I bought those little cans of already made chicken salad. I looked at my portion on my plate and imagined if it would fit in that can. If it was more than that, I knew I would be sorry later. I am much better now at knowing when to stop. I can eat anything I want and I just know by looking at it when to stop. It's hard to get a full signal Feel free to ask anything you need to. We are all happy to help!

WELCOME to LBT! If you go to the home page you can do a search for opinions on LB vs RNY as there have been lots of threads asking this. You can also start a thread there if you want. Here's a copy of a post I answered awhile back with my reasons. Good luck on your decision! LB vs RNY I think it's all about doing research and seeing what fits you best, and there's no right or wrong answer...I think I could find success with several of them. My youngest sister is bigger than me, and with her food/diet pattern I'd suggest RNY or the Sleeve for her. This was my list vs. RNY. My reasons for the LB: - Safer surgery (no cutting other than the Laproscopic incisions, and fat tissue around where the band will go) - Unfill at any point needed and Reversible if needed for other health reasons - Less complications (dumping, hair loss, etc.) - Slower weight loss (easy to explain when you're not 'telling' everyone. I’m a lower BMI without severe comorbidities, so I don’t need to get healthy FAST. I have another sister who has diabetes and has had 2 strokes...I'd recommend RNY to her as she has life threatening obesity issues and would benefit from getting heathy as fast as possible.) - Easy to get proper nutrition- I don't EVER have to drink a protein shake and don’t have to take a ton of supplements. - Continued interaction/accountability to the surgeon (ie. I had to sign that I would continue seeing my surgeon for 5 yrs. post-op, he covers 6 fills as part of the package so it's not for more $, he really wants you to be successful long-term) - Continued adjustments to stoma for life (RNY/some others- can stretch the stoma, some need revision surgery) - I'm more interested in a slow significant weight loss and keeping it off than a huge weight loss...in other words, if I don't lose all 100 pounds as long as I get to healthy and stay there that's OK with me. It's the keeping it off I'm most interested in. - I need portion control, not reactions to bad foods. I already know I can diet pretty successfully (I'm a professional dieter, just can't keep it off and I feel like I'm starving) so I'm not worried about counting calories etc. (I don't think I need the malabsorption, my sister who can’t stick to a diet would need the help of malabsorption and the feedback of dumping). Talk this over with your doc and I'm sure you'll find the right fit for you...weight loss is weight loss...it's all good!

I posted about this on the sleeve forum before. I developed GERD after my sleeve and was able to control it with one PPI a day until the end of 2020 where it's increased to two PPIs, 1 H2 and tums all day. Had issues with vomiting, nausea, stomach and chest pain. Difficulty swallowing. Sore throat since December. Had an endoscopy 3/3. Lax LES causing GERD, gastritis and a nodule in the antrum of the stomach that appears to be benign but will be removed in an endoscopic ultrasound in June as a precaution as it has a small risk of turning cancerous later on. Gastroenterologist referred me to my bariatric surgeon believing revision is needed. My surgeon wasn't sure on revision because I have lost all my excess weight with no regain. I have only been in maintenance for 4 months though. He sent me for a barium swallow. Had the barium swallow and the radiologist found esophogeal dysmotility and a hernia that the endoscopy had missed. Radiologist said I will either need a nissen fundoplication or revision to bypass along with hernia repair When I called my surgeon's office to schedule a follow up the nurse said something about maybe a hernia repair would be enough which left me feeling confused. I told her I want do whatever has the best chance of not having more complications or needing more surgery in the future. I had my galbladder out June 2020 after sleeve June 2019 and really just want to be healthy with no more surgery. My follow up is on Tuesday. I am not sure what my surgeon is going to recommend. From posts here it seems nissen isn't the best option for sleeve patients. Would hernia repair be enough or is revision to bypass the best option? I just don't want to be getting hernia repair and then still have reflux be a problem due to my esophagus and end up needing a revision later on.

I just found out today my Dr won't do the revision in one surgery. I was so angry. I was never told this. I'm so frustrated. So much time wasted. I have been deflated since October 18th. Why didn't they tell me this I'm getting married in April and wanted to lose a nice amount of weight. Trying not to let it ruin my holiday.

I had the mini gastric bypass due to severe reflux. Check into it. I'm three months out, down 55 lbs (SW 265), and 100% reflux free. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I am new to group first day. I am in the pureed stage but can not visually handle what it looks like so I chew everything I eat up really fine and have not had any issues. Things like scrambled eggs, beans, fish and other meats ( can't be dry). I still have protein shakes and Greek yogurt. I go see my surgeon on Monday will let you guys know how it goes. I'm 4 weeks and 1 day post-op bypass. I am so thankful for this group. I

I guess I told the wrong person, or someone over heard me talking about it, so now it is buzzing around the office that I am having a gastric bypass. Now I have to do some damage control. I am NOT having a gastric bypass. I thought I was careful, but I guess not careful enough. Now the whole office will know... That terrifies me... This is my secret, and I should be able to tell only those I want to tell. On the upside. At least if everyone knows, maybe I will have to answer less que3stions about where i was and why I am losing so much weight! Is it bad that everyone knows?:omg:

I'm 5'4" and weighed 258 and got banded. I lost 40 lbs when complications were found with the band and once removed I lost another 8. When I told my supervisor I was going to have to have bypass, she wanted to know why I wanted to lose more weight that I had lost enough already. I too proprotion my weight well, and people didn't realize how overweight I was. So I went into bypass only having to lose 61 lbs. I get compliments daily but they also tell me my pants are getting too big and I just bought them a month ago. Don't think they will ever be happy, but who cares, as long as I am happy with myself that is what counts.

I’m having gastric bypass on May 21, my pre-op appointment is on May 3rd. I had all my pre-op blood work done, ekg, and a cardiologist cleared me for surgery. What can I expect to happen at my surgeons pre-op visit? Any advice to help me survive the pre-op liquid diet? I’m so happy to be taking this journey to changing my life for the better.

I am supposed to be getting the sleeve and my understanding is that you can have dumping syndrome with both the bypass and the sleeve.

Thanks, Jonathan! Congrats on your bypass. I hope you’re doing well!

Lots more money made on the gastric bypass. Hate to say it but it is.. Mr Dr said pick whichever you like.. I was gonna do the band but decided on the sleeve.

i as well know people who have gained weight back with the bypass as well. weight loss surgery is what you make it! im a band to sleeve patient and done pretty good im 3 months out today. surgery day i was 192 and today im 155. when I started the band i was 292. I dont think you will be disappointed with the sleeve.

I am almost 5 months postop and I'm a band to sleeve revision. I have lost 58 pounds. And I had to have a rotator cuff repair so for the last 8 weeks I have NOT been able to exercise. I am almost at goal, and love my sleeve.

Hi M N_thin 0211 No, that wasn't a helpful post and hopefully you are not completely discouraged. For me I could not tolerate the Protein shakes (it didn't matter how it was "doctored" up). I lived off Water and very small amounts a Protein Shakes for the first two/three weeks. I was not a happy camper. Do you like clam chowder? I sipped the liquid and left the chewable parts. Week three I was also nibbling on mozzarella sticks. Ask your doctor if It's ok for you. I'll admit, I didn't ask, during week three I just did it (it was on my approved list). I chewed it so well it was basically evaporating in my mouth. That was really the only thing I could eat (and I have never been a cheese person). My doctor did tell me I could have smoothies. I understand every doctor is different, but my doctor was all for it. I bypassed the pureed stage by drinking smoothies and shakes (i looked up different nutritious smoothies) and occasional mozzarella cheese sticks. I will never find pureed anything appealing . You'll be ok, don't worry you won't fail. It's a stumbling block, goodness knows I have stumbled. Nothing is the same for everyone. Only you know your body and what you can tolerate. Chin up cricket!!! You'll find your groove . Good luck to you, and happy journey.

Hi Tyger'sMom…I am 2-1/2 yrs post-banding. I too DID NOT want 1/2 my stomach gone or anything "bypassed"; I didn't want anything permanently reconstructed inside me. I too failed so many times and lost the same 30-40 pounds countless times & was at a point that I was so desperate to not fail again. I was a psychological mess from failing so many times & just needed help! I was willing to put in the work, but the "work" just wasn't enough; it just wasn't working. I opted for the band after a lot of research of all 3 surgeries. I realized that the band was a tool to help me change my way of life…the way I eat, proportions. I too was a diet expert in that I tried and succeeded many times at many different diets, but could never stay on the "diet" forever. I needed a lifestyle change & I needed help with that. I needed to still be able to have a cookie or cupcake or a bite or two of whatever I was craving. Depriving myself just made me not want to stay on whatever diet I was on forever; I needed to learn to be able to have 1-2 oreos instead of half the bag, or 4-8 ounces of food at a time instead of 4 cups of food at a time. I have lost 100 pounds and did so with the HELP of the band, using it as a tool as it was designed. The band is to help you feel full faster and longer, therefore eating less at every meal (and snack). Overeating is where most Americans get into their overweight problems; most Americans overeat (as you know). Eating slowly & chewing…yes, we have to eat slower than usual and chew more. When I was losing weight (I am now sustaining my weight loss), I used a cocktail fork or baby spoon or fork to take smaller bites & I chew, chew, chew 'til mush. I also do not drink 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after eating. Other than that, I have no other restrictions. I am able to eat anything I want & did not have the stuck episodes you will read about on this site. I have only been stuck a few times, but none of them caused throwing up, nor were they painful as described by some other people on this site. If your band is appropriately adjusted & you do what you are instructed to do by your doctor...take smaller bites, eat slower & chew chew chew...you won't have any problems. I would rather take the time to make these small adjustments in my life than permanently reconstruct my insides. I will also add, my family eats out a lot & although I was nervous about this in the beginning, I learned I do take longer than everyone else to eat, but I'm not eating as much so it's not like everyone sits around waiting for me to finish. I was always ok with putting in the effort, the "dieting" and exercising, but I just could not sustain that particular diet and deprivation forever. The band has helped me change my eating lifestyle to moderation, smaller portions. I only eat til I'm NOT HUNGRY ANYMORE, not until I'm FULL! I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the doc you had your informational meeting with, & I agree with everyone else…FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. Don't let one dr discourage you from changing your life. I too started with another facility, but was not happy, I switched groups & ended up with the MOST fabulous doctors! I have learned by being in contact with a lot of other banisters that the RIGHT doctor makes a HUGE difference as to whether you will succeed or not. Yes, I have put in all the hard work, but I would not have succeeded without the incredible support of my doctors & their commitment to me to follow up with me regularly every few weeks for the first year, being responsible with EVERY fill they gave me, treating me as an individual and giving me adjustments according to what I needed, not what was the norm for whatever # of fill I was on. After care is HUGE in LapBand success. PLEASE find a good doctor who truly cares for you & what is best for you. I hope I addressed all your concerns. The LapBand truly changed my life & I believe in it…I believe if you are a person who is willing to put in the effort, the LapBand can change your life too! I see you are in California? Are you in Southern California?

I am just over 12 weeks out from gastric bypass surgery and have only consumed creamed or blended/pureed soups. I have come across two great recipes one for white chicken chili and one for cheesy chicken and cauliflower soup. So I am just wondering how much to consume per meal? I don't have a caloric/protein per serving breakdown so just wondered what others do with soups, stews and chilis to ensure you are getting the proper nutrients per meal.

@@olamae I looked at the long term results and decided maybe losing an extra 20 pounds with bypass was not worth having my intestines touched. The sleeve results are so close to RNY, I didn't think it was worth the malabsorption. I still get to be a normal person with just a smaller capacity.

The picture on the left is my wife and I, May 2012. The picture on the right this past weekend a combined 160+ pounds lighter. I was banded the end of Feb 2013, my wife had bypass the end of April. So much in our lives has changed... 4 mile walks/jogs, 7 miles hikes, 15+ mile bike rides. And the bedroom... HOT!!! Getting married, having our kids, and making this change... best things we have ever done!

Actigall (Ursodiol generic name) is the name of the drug. There are also contraindications for this medication if you have liver issues. My surgeon only has 1/4 of his patients that need their gb out after WLS. I opted to NOT take Actigall. #1 Our livers work double time when losing weight rapidly especially when we're in ketosis. I didn't want to task my liver anymore than necessary. #2 The gb helps break down fat. During my losing stage, I ate full fat foods because light or fat free food had more carbs and sugar counts. #3 I had my GB out at 8 months post-op, and a lot of my food choices were nixed because my body would not process fat the same it did before losing my GB. I struggled with a lot of foods post gb removal. I can't imagine not having my GB during my losing stage. I would have been miserable. It's a hiatal hernia repair, and it is not the "norm". I didn't have one, and I had a band as well. Hiatal hernias often go undiagnosed until surgery, and they are repaired simultaneously as the sleeve surgery. These particular hernias can cause reflux, and repairing them can prolong recovery. The esophagus sometimes has spasms for several weeks to months post repair. It's not related to the sleeve at all. I researched so much that really I had zero surprises. I was a revision, and I walked in knowing my risks, complications, and that recovery would probably be extended. Of course, no amount of research prepared me for my specific complications, extensive recovery, but for the actual sleeve life I was well equipped for the ins and outs of surgery, and life post sleeve. I completely agree with buying samples of Protein, don't get hung up on a flavor because more than likely your tastes will change post-op. Don't buy any tubs, or large quantities of protein mixes/shakes until a couple of weeks post-op. If you do, more than likely, you'll end up with them being dust collectors. I bought only samples, and found one that I loved. But, 2 weeks into drinking it(4 weeks post-op), I started puking. Lovely, lactose intolerance hit me, and hit me hard. All whey Proteins were out for me. The soy and veggie proteins were horrible tasting and textured. I gave the one tub I did purchase away to friend. I never experienced a true stall. I always lost weight, every week. Some weeks I only lost 1-2 pounds, but I never the 2 full weeks without weight loss. BUT, stalls happen, and I would say 98% of WLS patients experience them. Our bodies really can't lose a pound a day forever, and it has to adjust. Start instilling better habits NOW. I had the learning curve with the sleeve pretty much beat because of my band experience. I had already quit drinking with my meals, already ate small bites, and always set my eating utensil down in between bites to help me slow down on eating. If you start these little changes now, as a pre-op, you'll find the transition to eating with the sleeve much easier. Also, eat your protein first, take at least 20 minutes to eat your meals, stop bringing a beverage to the table with you when you eat. Learn to identify your trigger foods, and avoid them, or enjoy them in moderation. Go ahead and start sucking down Clear liquids on a daily basis. If you're not a Water drinker, you might want to learn to start liking water now. If you hate water, find something that you can add to it. Clear liquids are essential in your recovery. Also, try to prepare yourself mentally for all the changes. If you have food issues such as emotional and compulsive eating, tackle those demons now. Don't think the sleeve will resolve these issues alone. They operate on our stomachs not our brains, and conquering the mental aspect of WLS is 75% of the battle. Best wishes, and keep reading, researching, and preparing yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Hi my name is Jason. My journey has been a long one. I have struggled with my weight most of my life. I am tall, 6'5", so the weight seemed to slowly distribute itself all over. I have had high blood pressure since I was 15 and in the past 2 years was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. I guess I was also a bit depressed at times, that I had let my life get this far out of control. Difficulty finding clothes, breaking chairs. Before I knew it, I had hit an all time high (or low, depending on how you look at it). My weight reached 412 lbs this past February. That was when I had decided I had had enough. Things needed to change. My father had passed a year before of heart attack and with the all of the problems I was developing, I needed to. Not just for myself, but for my family (beautiful wife and two adorable daughters). I have a couple of relatives who did the gastric bypass surgery and had good results so I looked into it. Going in to the decision, I was going to try to do the lap-band. The RNY seemed too drastic and to me didn't look like the thing for me to do. Not saying that it doesn't work for some people, just needed to find out more. I connected with the Memorial Weight Loss and Wellness Center in Springfield, IL. They are a multi-level support group based program. They have many different physicians, dietitians, psychiatrists, and physical therapists working together to ensure that you are well educated and are able to be successful in your journey. They showed me the different surgeries available to me, and got me pointed toward the gastric sleeve bypass. After about 4 months of preparing my mind for the lifestyle changes and my body for the eating changes, I was ready for surgery. On July 21, I was reborn. Surgery was a success. Recovery room experience was rough, but only because I had a bad pain med pump. Once they got that worked out, everything smoothed out. I was up and walking the same day as my surgery and checked out of the hospital in 3 days. It has now been 4 months since my surgery. It has been quite the journey. My sleeve is holding out. It is taking food and drink well. Not usually very well together. I am down to 307 lbs.. I am off of my blood pressure medicines and my cpap machine. I have more energy than I know what to do with. I feel great and I am beginning to look at myself in a more positive way. My body is starting to look more like a healthy persons. Anyway, that is my journey so far.

My sister and niece both had the gastric bypass surgery several years ago. Honestly, I was a tad jealous but never pursued it. I tried many years of dieting and failed. I actually knew multiple people who had the gastric sleeve. One in particular was so enthusiastic that I decided to go to a seminar at the local hospital. I also attended support group a couple of times before making the decision. I was a self pay. Going to the support group was awesome. I've never met a single person who regretted their surgery.