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I've been once for gastric sleeve in 2013 and will be returning in March 2016 with dr Garcia for the gastric bypass. Great experience the first time and hoping it goes as smooth the second time.

La Madam - Thanks for your gentle reminder to all of us here that patience is the key to our sanity and weight loss. I do not weigh myself everyday, but during the 6 weeks post op, I was discouraged at not having lost any weight. My doctor was one of those who talks down to you if you don't lose enough weight during the liquid phase. He always compares you (his patient) with his other patients, which is wrong!! Especially since most of his patients are gastric bypass and of course they are going to lose more. Even though my doctor isn't well informed, I'm glad that I have this place to turn to and get the help and advice that I need. Being well informed about the band process and the living it are two different things. I thought I knew what to expect, but what I didn't expect was the emotional ride. Thanks again for the reminder. Tricia H

Well, someone suggested it and it sounds like a great idea, so here it is. The check-in site for older bandsters. I'll get this started. I'm 63 and in the process of getting a loan to pay for my surgery if needed (can't cound on Medicare). I've had the Thallium scan. I had 5-way-bypass in 2001 and am doing fine in that department, but the weight has to go. I devoted myself literally to eating when they took my cigarettes away...but then that is what ended me up in surgery to start with. Now, the culprit is almost as bad. The weight has to go to help my heart and my arthritis. I have taken the sleep study and have sleep apnea. I'll be in the hospital for a night next week to see what amount of C-pap I need. I have taken a thallium stress test to make sure the arteries are still open. I'm scheduled for an echocardiogram on Monday (just because my cardiologist is overly careful and hears a slight murmur he thinks is mitral valve prolapse), which is liveable, but he wants to make sure there are no leaks from the bypass surgery. I am going to have all my blood work done on the 17th of Nov. and then I have the psych appt. and the appt. with the surgeon, at which point all the testing will be done, and I'll only have to wait for the surgery and to make sure I have money in hand. OK, now the rest of you older bandsters (who are banded or waiting) please check in and lets give each other lots of encouragement and talk about our experiences. To date I don't have much to share, but am looking forward to hearing from all of you that have been banded and the weight loss you have achieved. Check-in site officially open.

Robin... I too have noticed that people think it's easy too. I guess they look at it like the gastric bypass where the weight flies off people. I kind of regret telling anybody I had the surgery because they nag the hell out of me about how much I've lost and give me that disappointed look when I don't tell them like 60 pounds already. very annoying! I went to my doctors check up yesterday and I've lost 8 pounds in the past month so he didn't want to do another adjustment. I'm feeling pretty good!

Yes I agree, I think it is too, but I will wait it out. I kinda have to now as I flew down to have the band removed anticipating a 3month wait to have the sleeve done in January, taking a week off work. However, after he removed it he thinks I need to wait at least 6 months. So now when we are down for Christmas I will see either my surgeon or another one to book in for April. I have to work around school holidays as I am a teacher. I am just trying to research a surgeon that perhaps have done the most revision surgeries. My surgeon I know has done a lot and only puts sleeves in now and only takes bands out, he said he only put one band in, in the last 12 months. I said I wished I had a sleeve done instead of a band and he said it was still very new then (2007), that the band was the main option. Also I was still in Perth at that time. I have had to go up to Darwin for a fill adjustment cos its closer, but being remote is inconvenient for a band.

I'm in Australia. Dr Dolan took my band out 3weeks ago. I am booked in for the sleeve in 5weeks. He is extremely experienced in revisions. I am so happy without my band, but have piled on 5kgs in 3weeks. So unhappy about that!!!!!

I'm 4 months and some post op from gastric bypass. I average about 950 calories a day although some days I can barely reach 700 and others I can have 1200. It just depends on my restriction. I always aim for 60-80 grams of protein but im happy if I can get 60 in a day. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

When first making the decision to open up to the tool of bariatric surgery I simply assumed that the sleeve would be the procedure that I preferred. This was due to having the full run of my plumbing and perceived ability to eat the foods I wanted, but restrict the amounts. Seemed simple. My younger sister had bypass 15 years ago and I just didn't think that "aggressive" a procedure would be needed for me. After all.....I've lost large amounts of weight in the past through diet and exercise....I just needed a little help......or so I was believing. My physician who was discussing this with me eased me into the conversation and led me to find my way to the surgeon I've selected. I've been to his group presentation.....the first required step. Even after listening to my sister and seeing her progress.......for 15 years......and for secretly thinking in some small way that she took the easy way out.........I didn't "get" it. That presentation really altered my thinking about restrictive and absorptive restriction. I realized in that group session my "hero" status as the big brother doing it on his own......over and over again......was a stupid cycle. I needed to get all the help available.....every tool in the toolbox to get the lifelong results I strived for. Dr Carlson addressed the full room and fielded every question asked. An hour went by....then more.......he'd long since made his informative presentation.....yet stayed to discuss our concerns. A lot of "ah-ha" moments were had. I heard the lady seated behind me speak to her friend, "The sleeve is what will work best for me". My wife, seated beside me, was quiet. She reserved her comments until much later when we were driving home. She proceeded carefully fearing that she knew my mind had already been made up on the sleeve. It was a relief to her when I acknowledged that I felt I needed the bypass.......like my brave little sister did so many years ago.....doing her own research.....as a young woman on her own.......when most folks hadn't heard of such. One of my issues is reoccurring reflux. Some nights it can be really bad. It subsided greatly once I completely cut out alcohol from my intake on April 2, 2015. Back in early April of this year I'd begun resuming the fight to loose my weight. I'd taken evaluation of my current state of living. I loved to grill out.........really loved it. It is therapeutic. I loved to crack open a cold beer and fire up the coals. More beer throughout the cooking and serving everyone had me relaxed and happy. After dinner, I'd normally get drowsy due to several beers......then it'd be time to hit a couple tequila shooters and another beer......or a rum & diet coke or two. I'd get my relaxed and happy state back. It was clear which non-essential calories to drop first......cut out the beer and liquor along with seriously revising the menu on my plate. Guess what.....these were the nights the reflux was bad. Drinking + spicy food (the only kind off my grill ) = reflux. I discussed this "revelation" with my wife. She pointed out a few times since when I'd complained of reflux....since I'd cut out alcohol. I realized she was right......it was still occurring but less often. I have decided that I'd prefer the bypass.......but don't even know yet if I'm approved for it. The waiting and suspense of insurance is driving me nuts. Don't get me wrong.....I'm glad the procedure isn't something as easy to get as a bad tattoo.......but I wish it was more straightforward from the insurance company standpoint. Down the road the results I get from the bariatric will certainly lessen the costs I'd otherwise pose to them, right ? Sorry for the rambling. I'm just eagerly impatient and ready to get this ball rolling in the direction that will lead to successful and long lasting health provided I continue to do my part. I'm checking stuff off the mandatory list at least.....and this website and the folks here are already helping me find answers to the tons of questions I have. My mandatory checklist: Attend the group session---done in early June. Meet with the bariatric program's & surgeon's nurse to review my case and 8 pages of medical Q&A i was to complete--done this past week. Meet with surgeon on official visit----scheduled for July 1. Meet with program's nutritional guru----first of the 6 visits is on July 7. This I understand will be the "start" date of the mandatory 6 month timeline to surgery. Meet with psyche guru----awaiting appointment scheduling now. Internal scope evaluation of stomach and other plumbing-------to be scheduled after visit with surgeon I still don't have any type of official indication that bypass is a covered procedure (United Healthcare). I don't know if I can hang on 6+ months before getting this latest umbilical hernia taken care of. I want to get on to eating the foods I'll be living by after the surgery......eat like I've had the surgery......begin accelerated weight loss now......not wait until the surgery. I just want to be sure that I can't lose "too much" on my own that the insurance balks and says, "No way buddy.....you got this.....do it yourself". I can do a lot off by myself.....but I fail to keep it off. I don't want to sabotage my chances for coverage. So many questions that I'm sure will be resolved and clear in the weeks ahead......it's just right now I want to get going with progress of some type......no matter if it's from bypass or from my jumping onboard with the new plan. The compelling reasons for the need to get going are probably no different than most other folks here: I'm having back spasms from reoccurring back injuries due to herniated T-12 vertebrae. Spine surgeon stated that bariatric surgeon can do more for my spine than he could with back surgery. Sounds legit. Umbilical hernia is driving me nuts. It's worsened when back goes out and my posture and such gets weird. Knees are shot....ortho doc says I need knee replacements sooner than later....he's saying 5 years tops.....plus hip, too. He also stated that 200 lbs off my frame would push those replacements back a long time. I already feel some benefit in my knees from the initial pounds coming off. Swelling in my ankles is greatly reduced. Sorry again for the rambling. I'm jittery after finishing up the last day of miracle steroids (4th round with them since April) on my back. The side effects are sleeplessness for me. I get jittery after the 6 day cycles. I'm hoping for a good long sleep later today....tonight. Aside from dropping the alcohol, fried food and reducing sugar & starch intake (doing these).........what can you advise me to do? What other dietary-related actions? Breakfast choices now are oatmeal (made with Water and small amount of salt) vs sausage biscuits and such. lunch & dinner has me eating lots of salads. Snacks are nuts, fruits like blueberries and apples and occasional whole grain toast with small amount of health choice butter substitute or Greek Yogurt. Drinking tons of water. 40oz of coffee every day during the first portion of the day......a lot, I know. I use nonfat creamer and Splenda or Equal (10 packs for 40oz coffee). I'm still having 2-3 20oz Diet Mt. Dew's every day. Sounds like a ton....but it's way down over the number I used to drink. I go to one a day on days off....but do poorly during workdays. No more drive thru's and only salads from fast food restaurants. What else should I be doing? Should I order the "Big Book on Bypass" and get started on it ??????? Stir crazy and tired of my 46 years of fat fighting. 5 years ago I burned off 120 and felt like a new man.......still have many of the 2X & 3X clothes. I saved most of them.....refusing to toss them due to that being symbolic of me throwing away my hope of wearing them again. I lost that weight.....but failed to keep it off. The brief period at that reduced weight was enough of a taste of healthier living that I have craved ever since. Virtually painfree and full of energy. Leaner.......able to wear my old high school letterman's jacket and button it up......too small still, but at least it would button up. Another 100 pounds off that and I feel like i'd be walking around feeling like a Gazillion dollar lottery winner. I may never get a winning lottery ticket.....but I'll be supremely happy to get 200 lbs off........and MAINTAIN that level. So ready to get this machine krunk up and in gear and burn some rubber down the track. This waiting is like sitting there with the engine revving up but the parking brake locked in place...........

I started chewing Nicorette Gum about 6 months after my gastric bypass due to a lot of stress going on w/my teenager… Up until recently, the last 3-4 weeks, everything seemed fine; I even swallowed my gum once accidentally not thinking cuz I was getting a ketamine treatment for depression and chewing gum right when the ketamine started kicking in; but that didn’t cause any issues, thank God!!! Then I all of a sudden started really feeling sick when I chew gum after meals w/bloating and gas, nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. I had increased the amount I was chewing; which probably really kicked in my sick feeling. I know most of my fellow responders are referring to non nicotine gum; but if any of you chew Nicorette or take nicotine lozenges I’d love to hear if anyone has had negative side effects after bariatric surgery. I know chewing any gum, and definitely using any sort of nicotine, is most likely frowned upon by our surgeons; but has anyone heard anything specific about why using nicotine gum or lozenges after surgery is particularly a bad idea?

I'm not a bypass patient but eating yucca would be like eating mashed potatoes. They are pretty starchy with little to no Protein. What do your post-op instructions say about potatoes?

I'm getting the bypass but i'm twiddling my thumbs and drinking my shake waiting for my 5/15 date with the table.

At Renew Bariatrics they do bypass and gastric and some ball one...🤔 and the band. Most ppl get gastric (they even have mini gastric) or sleeve. Renew is right across the boarder too. Literally a 7 min drive once through the boarder. I was anti Mexico but omg these guys are AMAZING! Can't express that enough. Best decision ever. Anyway. Gotta go weigh myself 🥳🙏

Hello! I’m scheduled for a revision on 8/8 as well! I had a VSG 18 months ago and have had terrible acid reflux and developed a hiatal hernia. I only lost about 40 lbs after my sleeve, too. I’m hoping the revision will not only take care of the acid reflux but that I’ll lose 50 more lbs! I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I hear that weight loss is much slower after a revision so I’m hoping I don’t get really frustrated. Maybe we can be surgery buddies and keep in touch! Keep us all posted on how things are going. I start my liquid diet on Monday. Good luck with everything!😊

awesome thanks!.. yeah, i'm trying to look at the actual policy online now. I'm going to try and push it hard so I can get it done quick. I don't want to wait.... I think with him not being able to access the port to my lap band, he told me that I can either have surgery to go in and replace that or he can see about doing the revision (he has to look at my xrays of the band first)... I'll know more on the 27th. I'm thinking since I have gained weight.... He can't even access the port.... and lap band slippage...it may make it a lot easier for him to get the approval from the insurance just do the revision. I just hope they don't make me go through all the hoopla. I can't see having all these complications and then having to turn around and do the 3 month doctor supervised diet.

Ah ok my bfs mum made me some homemade chicken and veg soup I jus had the juices I didn't know if I was getting protein from that or not, mr aguanobi did mine he was very nice sorry to hear the band wasn't successful hope your getting on better with the bypass can't wait till I'm on purée and soft foods lol xx

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.

Peeing alot is normal...from being on liquids..I did the exact same thing except for mine was post op..I was on liquids the day before my LRNY gastric bypass (June 30th) and then for 2 weeks after. ..but it's a good thing...good luck! ???? Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Has anyone else had trouble sleeping after gastric bypass?? Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

From: http://www.obesitycoverage.com/mini-gastric-bypass-the-good-bad-and-ugly/ ADDITIONAL RISKS WITH MINI-GASTRIC BYPASS COMPARED TO GASTRIC BYPASS Severe acid-reflux. Because the pouch is small and the remainder of the stomach is still connected to the intestines. It is possible for gastric juices to travel down the intestines and into the new pouch.

My Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB) surgery is on April 13, England.

I had no reflux at all after my revision to mgb from the sleeve for the first 11 months and now I'm having some. So there definitely is the chance it can happen after some time.

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie here and new to the process. I have my first consult appt with the surgeon at Sinai hospital of Baltimore, dr Li. I am leaning heavily towards gastric bypass vs my other options. Just looking for some advice, a pen pal, and some insight into the process. Thanks so much

Hello! This post isn’t about me, but a dear friend who had bypass 11 days ago. She hasn’t lost a single pound yet and she is getting discouraged. She didn’t have any weight loss prior to her surgery since her BMI was just over 35. She has many pre-existing issues such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, heart issues, etc. She seems to be getting her protein and is following her post op diet. She is also drinking over 80 ounces of water per day. Any ideas??? Is this normal?

Yay! I'm glad your revision went so well! Keep us updated

I don't understand getting the revision when you're at goal weight. I understand your concerns. My Dr. Does the Linx Procedure for GERD, have you looked into that yet? Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using BariatricPal mobile app