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I wanted to update that I'm on week 2 of Options class. So far it is pretty interesting, the only issue I have is that I noticed the instructors really really push gastric bypass. They used reasoning like we see a lot of people who come back after the sleeve and lap band to get gastric bypass. They reasoned that means people with sleeves gain the weight back and gastric bypass doesnt. To me that is faulty reasoning since if you get gastric bypass there is no other surgery you can have after so thats why you don't see them again. That doesn't mean they didnt gain weight back.

I had a revision as well. I'm 45 down in 8 weeks. Keep up the good work!!

So I’m coming up on my three year mark. I had my gastric bypass March 27,2019. I started above 330lbs and got down to 214lbs. Found out I was pregnant a month before my one year post op. During my pregnancy I could tell my pouch was “more relaxed” to allow me to eat more to make sure my baby got what he needed. I got rid of my diabetes and high blood pressure before pregnancy and developed gestational towards the end so I was induced and I gave birth September 30, 2020 and I tried breastfeeding which made me always hungry still. I stopped because I was unable to produce but I am still so hungry. My weight has stayed at 224-227lbs since birth. But I wanted to do a pouch reset. I tried it before but my stomach would burn and I’d feel nauseous and uncomfortable. I didn’t know if anyone else has experienced that. I stopped after a couple days because it was a terrible feeling. I didn’t know if I should “push thru” it and keep going because it’s normal or not.

Can i see before and after pics of women around 5ft 8 inches . Bypass. And how many months post op? Please Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had GERD... its gone... I was banded July 2008 ... almost 8 months ago and i have lost 100 pnds... im 5 pnds from my goal... 170 isnt my ideal weight... but it looks the best on me... My sleep apnea is gone... You have to want the surgery... no one can talk you into it... My friend had gastric 1 month after me... i have lost more weight to date then him... Dr's get paid like $10,000-$20,000 more to do bypass... so i see some pushing it more then lapband... its sad but true....

Jacqui, I agree with you. Unless they (government) are looking at it as just a monitoring process to see what happens with these kids. I do know in my own family, when you look at pictures of my mom and sister as babies, they were already fat. Now my mom is one of 8 and only her other sister (6 boys!) had/have weight problems. My sister is younger than I am and we both ate the same foods. She was born a normal, healthy weight (we were both within ounces of each other) but by the time she was a year, she was a fat baby. Me, on the other hand, had NO weight issues (other than my own perception of being the smallest fattie in a family of fatties, when I was anything BUT fat) until I hit my 20's. Then I started gaining. My mom and sister both had bypass 5 and 8 years ago. Both had tried everything to lose weight. Nothing worked for them. They couldn't even LOSE weight! They both have done great with their surgeries. My sister has had 3 more kids since her surgery. I was able to lose weight but couldn't keep it off. DD was adopted and I have no clue about her birthfather, but her birthmother's family is all normal sized with a few minor weight issues (say 10-20 over weight, kinda thing). Even at 2 she loves sports and being active so I'm hoping just by teaching her well, how to eat and how to be active (and getting healthy myself) that even if she does end up with some extra weight, she'll be able to control it and not have serious issues. We'll see. Anyway, just a picture of my family. Kind of both sides of the coin that Jacqui was talking about. Sorry it's so long. I talk too much! LOL!

I love to snow ski and was just wondering when you ladies who have had this combo actually felt like skiing again? The first surgeon I consulted with said that I should be good to go in 4-6 weeks. I do bounce back pretty quickly from things. I was back at work after gastric bypass in 9 days ( I don't have to do any heavy lifting). What do you ladies think? I REALLY want to get this done but I also love to ski... Please give me your opinions. THX!

My biggest issue is with meal portion. I am not a snacker but I eat to much when I do eat. I knew this "restriction" is what I needed. I chose to do this surgery because I could not do this on my own. I was banded 10.29 and I feel great. I am getting a little bored with my food options but I know this time period is short and eventually I'll be eating solid foods again. I love reading this forum because it has kept me going! So far I've lost 12 pounds! When I was deciding to do this I knew I could not alter my body like gastric bypass does. Also I wanted to make sure if my son wants to go out to McDonalds after a soccer game in the future mom can come with him. I have three friends who have done this and other than chewing slowly, having smaller portions and not drinking during meals they eat everything I do. It's not a cure all because you still have to change things in your life but in order to get great results you will have to be willing to do this. It's a great tool as long as you use it right. Good luck!

I am so sorry this happened! Ridiculous! I was just talking to my sister-in-law yesterday who recently completed her personal training and group teaching certifications and talked about my eating, success, etc. (she is VERY supportive by the way). I was telling her how the personal trainer I had was spouting stuff they didn't know and she agreed that people in this profession should NOT be giving nutritional advice - at least without previously getting at least some nutritional advice. She has a new client who had bypass a few years ago and has gained back most of her weight so I was really stressing to her how important it was to be cautious with nutritional advice for our sort and she agreed. (I also told her to encourage the person to seek therapy which might help.) Anyway.... this person said "and tell me i was doomed to fail and this would just create more issues then i already had"??!! You need to report her to the gym (or wherever). I don't care what you are doing to lose or gain or maintain, no one in this profession should spout these words and those to whom she reports needs to be made aware before she continues to do it to others.

Okay... had a talk with my husband and he is dead set against this whole gastric sleeve mess, as he calls it. It's so frustrating to me because I feel like I have to go in alone. He is not traveling with me to have it because he says he can't get off of work but I really believe it's because he doesn't want me to have it. He says I'm not really big ( 5'6 starting weight 242 is not a small girl) . He says I can lose weight because I have been able to do so with but visits but as I told him I have lost weight plenty of times in the past but it comes back. He feels if I go to gym and workout like crazy. He just doesn't get it and is really making me feel bad about my decisions. I had a friend that died from gastric bypass complications maybe 4 years after she had it. Her liver started to fail and it was due to complication of the bypass. I tell him that I am not having same procedure but he doesn't get it. I have lost weight during nut visits . He is making me feel like I want this surgery for vain reasons and I don't know if it's insecurity rearing it's ugly Head or what. But it hurts that he is not supporting me in this journey. Makes me feel really alone. I want to be healthy and look and feel my best. I'm 38 with a lot of life to live and I want to enjoy the rest of it .... it sucks not having your spouse or partner on board.

If my band messes up i will get a bypass, forget this messing around! It seems to me to be so many people who have had problems (saw this before this poll) I dont know if I am only seeing the neggative but i would have never guessed so many people would have so many problems.

Just wanted to say a big "HELLO" to each of you. And Thank You..... I am 50, will be 51 in the next few months. I was feeling so old and tired. Now I feel uplifted and excited about having the sleeve in the next few months. I had the band in 2007, did good the first few years lost over 70 lbs, and then starting having reflux and could not keep a fill. Needless to say, I gained all of the weight back. I went to the doc and he suggested doing revision to the sleeve. I was 43 when I got the band, was so excited about it. Now I am turning the page, forgiving myself, loving myself enought to make the change. Take care all, Laura

Wow..can I relate to this thread! I had my surgery 11/19/15..and returned to work 2 weeks ago...(having lost 35 pounds since anyone last saw me)...one doofus @ work immediately blurted out, "Did you have gastric bypass?!?"---I confronted her and curtly told her that my surgery was personal...and essentially none of her concern. The next day, I returned to work to hear that she told everyone I had vaginal reconstruction!!! I was appalled. Again, I confronted her..asking just WTH her problem was...spreading lies that had placed her on a fast-track to a workplace harassment charge...now possibly sexual harassment....and she meekly replied, "I was just concerned about you"--- BS...."concern" would have been checking in on me while I was off from work...not speculating and fabricating BS lies upon my return because you don't know ANYTHING about my personal life...and you have some sick need to be the focus of everything. --- I told her that if anyone wanted to 'really know what went on while I was gone from work', that I'd gladly tell them, provided that they be willing to pay a portion of my medical bills....otherwise, it's NOYB. Period. I told her that if she spoke one more word about my health or appearance, there would be consequences beyond which she cared to imagine.....Strangely enough, she has been quiet as a mouse since. Some people just have serious issues seeing someone else experience anything positive....My choice to undergo such a life-altering procedure didn't come lightly...and the victories are MINE...and of no concern to anyone other than those I choose to share with.

These are a couple of my favorite before and afters 😊 Surgery was May 14, 2020 So I’m exactly 8 month out today! Gastric bypass Starting weight: 268 Current weight: 148 So that’s a total of 120 pounds gone! ❤️ I feel better than I’ve ever felt with have more self confidence and self worth! No regrets! Congratulations on your surgery date!!! wishing you the best of luck!

I get a call yesterday from hospital where I’m having bypass done saying that I missed my 8am COVID test appointment. This is the first that I have heard about said appointment. I had just talked to my place the day before too and it wasn’t mentioned. Apparently my inept scheduler made the appointment and didn’t tell me. Last month she also let too much time go by with my pre-op bloodwork so I needed to do it again. I got rather salty with the person who said that I missed my appointment and the person I had just spoken to yesterday and the day before. I told them that everything I have been asked to do I have done right away without delay. Well it’s all sorted now. I went right away to get my test and do my pre-anesthesia check in. That RN was full of bad advice regarding nutrition. I asked if I need to bring a protein water because I’ve read of people being asked to bring them. She goes on a rant about how people are consuming too much protein and how it’s better to not have any more than 15g of protein per day. There was no point in arguing with her. Please let my surgeon not be inept or stupid, amen.

I've struggled with depression, self image issues, and mental illness most of my life and I have crazy social anxiety. I don't believe that changing the outside will make me any more comfortable with myself. I hate shopping because being around people spikes my anxiety. I do most of my shopping at Wal-Mart because I can do it in the middle of the night when not many people are around and I can get everything I need in one place. To be completely honest, I don't care enough about myself to ever do this for me. My partner thinks it's an awful idea because she thinks surgery is drastic and I could lose weight on my own if I wanted to. My parents are kind of pushing it on me. Both of my parents had bypass surgery. My mom is skinny as all get out and my dad is now gaining weight and could easily be considered obese. I just want to live without pain so I can be with my partner Sent from my SM-J327P using BariatricPal mobile app

I know several women who had bypass that did exactly that. They were denied because they weren't big enough and didn't have the comorbidities. So they gained weight to qualify. I don't know that it was a good idea, but they did it and were happy about it.

Ok, here's some thoughts and perhaps some tough love.... Yes. I'm wondering if your doctor didn't tell you this? A lot of posts I read here I'm finding that what doctors do and don't tell their patients varies wildly and I find a lot of folks maybe didn't really understand what they were getting into. I fear this may be the case for you...you had certain expectations that weren't properly set by your surgeon. Here's the take from my doctor. Yes, you can eat around the band. You can eat pretty much all the stuff. That's why the band isn't for everyone. The band takes work. It's about a 50-50 match of you and your band, the weight doesn't just "fall off" while you happily eat whatever you want. It was never designed to do that. I'm pretty sad because I think your surgeon left out some details in the pre-screening. This would be true of any surgery. There is no surgery out there that takes this away. For some of us in this world, sadly, we were given the burden of always obsessing about food and our weights. So is this all bad news? No, because over time with some work, things can improve. I believe if you've "got the demon", you always will. It's basically an addiction.... But there are times the demon can be quieter than others. I know this is a rather unpopular thing to say...but from my own experience, the only way I've ever been able to get that damn demon to hush a bit is through talk therapy with a trained counselor. There is a lot behind food addictions and food issues. A LOT of mental and emotional stuff. And for better or worse, having a bariatric surgery makes you have to take a real good hard look at that.... It's up to each of us to decide how to work with that..... If you are eating chips and crackers and not Proteins and veggies, then no, the band isn't going to work for you. And if, as you mention later, that what you are supposed to be eating hurts too much to eat, then I have news for you..... You Are Too Tight. This falls right into my surgeon's rules regarding fills. If you are overfilled, you will make bad choices and not lose weight. He's seen this time and again. It's counterintuitive, I know...but it's true. I was overfilled and I gained weight. The rule is "I'd rather see you be too loose and eat too much chicken than too tight and eat around the band (ie chips, crackers, ice cream)" (<-- loosely paraphrased) No. I think you should make an appointment with your doctor and talk to him/her about what you've said here. And how frustrated you are, and how you think you might be too tight. And you have to look deep within yourself and remember what your motivation was to be banded in the first place..... See, now I'm beginning to be suspicous about this doctor of yours....is there another dr anywhere nearby that you can go to for fills because that type of attitude is just crap, in my humblest of opinions. Yeah. I really do think you need an unfill. Hate to break it to you....gastric bypass...you would be having the exact same problems you are now. Sure, you would have lost like a banshee for the first year while you "dumped" and freaked out your body's insulin for the first year from all the carbs from chips and crackers..... And then after the first year, all loss would have stopped....and if you kept eating like you are, the weight would start coming right back on. Because there is NO surgery in the world that allows you to eat anything and everything you want and NOT diet or exercise or work through food issues. No, that's exactly right. And it sounds like your doctor never told you that. And THAT is very concerning to me because everyone should get a long detailed and rather stern lecture about this very point. The band is not a magic bullet. Neither is gastric bypass, or "the sleeve" or verticle gastrectomy or duedenal switch or ANY of the bariatric surgeries out there. There is no magic bullet. There, I've said it. I've spent a lifetime looking for it and would sure love to find it....but it just doesn't exist. What exists is a lot of us with a lot of pain and sad thoughts and troubles with food. And everyday we have to fight a little harder. And you, my friend, are one tired soldier today. I get that. I really do. Ok....now...you've had a chance to think about it. I'm holding out my hand...are you ready to stand up and give it another try?

Pati- You've lost FIFTY inches!?! Awesome! Do you think that you would have done that without the band? Have you made permenant lifestyle changes? Do you ever want to pull those clothes out again...or have you already burned them? With each reward comes risk. The actual amount of removed bands is less than 1-3%, according to the information I have from the hospital in Minnesota. And that's including older 1st generation bands which aren't as effective. The technology and quality of the equipment and procedure has exponentially improved in the past two years as the insurance companies have started to cover the procedure. If you were a candidate for this surgery...than you know that your health before Band was a MUCH higher risk than any complications you've seen here. Obesity -related death is about ready to supercede heart/lung conditions, cancer....it if hasn't already surpassed it. The band does have risks....but FAR LESS than any bypass, and EVEN LESS THAN DOING NOTHING. You have a 100% chance of dying someday...this was meant to improve your chances of a longer, healthier life. Here's the other truth....nobody has time to waste during this time of year. So the majority of notes posted are when stuff sucks and you need some support. NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!!! Hey...in a way, it's like a bra! Of course I'm not one to wear one, but my wife would attest to the fact that the ugliest bras she owns are the best because they have the most support. So....maybe our posts look a little scary when we need the most support!!! Ok it's a strectch...but I've never used a bra analogy before! Hang in there! Find the positive things that you've gained from this experience! God Bless! Jon

You can have more than 80g protein, but it is actually possible to get TOO much protein. At least for a "normal" person, Since bypass patients don't absorb everything it might be harder, I am not sure about that part. I would probably do protein shakes at work since you don't get breaks. You can't really eat fast enough to sneak a quick meal in. It would just be a bite or 2 at a time and take forever to eat which may classify as "grazing". I am about 7 weeks post op and it takes me about 30 minutes to eat 2oz of meat and a few bites of veggies.

I agree but I had a revision to Gastric Bypass because of horrible complications from a VBG in 2004. I was 228. I am now 170. Moderation

I sometimes drink the body armour lites and they don't bother me. Bypassed 6/20/22 Sent from my BE2028 using BariatricPal mobile app

A Friend Of Mine Who Is More Like My Grandpa Passed Away Today Of A Heart Attack. He Has Been Working Here For 45 Years. He Died Doing What He Loved To Do, Working Cattle. He Is A Real Cowboy And Has A Heart Of Gold. He Didn't Suffer, But It Still Hurts So Much. It Has Been A Rough Couple Weeks. My Dad Had A Pacemaker/defibrillator Implanted Last Week, My Father-in-law Had A Bypass Yesterday. Thanks For Listening And Please Pray For His Family. Thanks

Hi: My size started at 26/28. I got as low as 12, but I'm at a 14 now. I went from my high to my low in only 15 months, so that was alot of sizes to go through. I shopped at thrift stores. I also bought from clearance racks. What I did was buy things that were in my current size and lots of things in 12's and 14's because I knew that was my goal size. You'll be amazed at what you can find at thrift stores. They usually have some plus sizes too. I think that if you wear clothes that fit on the way down you feel more like you're losing weight because things don't hang off of you. Best wishes to you on your weight loss journey. I'm headed in for a band revision on 7/20 and then I hope to get down to size 12 again by October. We'll see! Sue

I made a HUGE mistake telling co-workers about my surgery. I kind of had to because my doctor requires three weeks off for a revision in most cases. I am just a little sick of thin people telling me that I can just lose weight with exercise and diet. Ummm....no. I was working out at one point EVERY DAY taking spinning class, yoga, etc. and hit a plateau. I have had weight problems since I was young, too. I just tell them now that I am having my lapband taken out and that is it. I don't mention the sleeve and refuse to talk about it. It's just not worth the frustration!