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I'm sorry you have to go under the knife again. The bypass will serve you well and be totally worth it. Same surgeon?

Mikell, First congratulations on your weight loss. I have lost 87 from sleeve and hoping for approval for the RNY revision asap because my reflux is killing me. Anyway my arms are like BAT wings flapping in the air. I absolutely hate it and my biggest fear was excessive skin just hanging off me. Actually some pretty bad nightmares about the extra skin just lagging behind my body as I vwalk. Thank God I haven't and hopefully don't get to that point. Lol Anyway yeah I feel ya!! Still another 90 lbs i have to loose so if you find any answers please share them. Allie in SC Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey all! I just found this thread. Thanks for starting it. I had gastric bypass surgery on April 8th. I loved reading through and hearing about everyone's success. I am just at the start of my journey but things have been going well.

Hi, For years now i've been sure that weight loss surgery wasn't my answer ... and yet, here I am, starting to seriously consider it and wanting to learn more to help with making the decision. I've met with a surgeon and he has suggested both the gastric sleeve and bypass are options; and explained that I would lose a bit more with the bypass which he would usually recommend at my weight (although not necessarily) ... so now this is another decision to make as far as which way to go before i see him again. For me, I know that while the food and exercise aspect of weight gain and loss have been a very unhealthy relationship for the last 40 years (mid-40's now) it's my thinking that has been the main impact on this journey and subsequent weight loss sabotage. I've always struggled with using food as a coping tool for most things; from dealing with emotions, to distractions, to trying to cope with the impacts of various traumatic experiences. Now after a life time of morbid obesity, my body clings to the weight when I do start losing and I regain so fast it seems like I just blink (although i know it's more than this really). Increasing health issues, and a desire to live a healthier more active and fulfilling life have led me to where i am now .... as well as an increasing number of medical professionals saying that while i might lose the weight without surgery they think it's unlikely I would keep it off. Some of the things that are impacting my decision are I guess the usual questions of what it would be like to not have food to turn to in the same way; wondering how to replace food with other alternatives for coping and wondering how it will impact my life when until now eating has been such a big part of it. Right now, i'm taking some time to focus on working on finding other coping tools aspect of things so that if i go forward I give myself the best chance of success possible. As part of that I'm working with a therapist, reading what i can find that might be helpful and open to other suggestions. I know that for this to work, I need to work on the mental side of things ..... and that in turn will help with being able to do the rest. I'm also in the position of not really having much support to make this journey; so another reason finding online support and people to talk this through with is really important because I keep seeing how it is so much better to do this with the support of others. Currently i'm leaning towards the sleeve, and as well as working on the mental side of things trying to work out whether it would be good to spend some time losing weight prior to surgery or not; the dietician seemed to think that if i did that i might get discouraged and not have the incentive following surgery that i'd need ....... and that if i was going to lose it, i would have already. I'd be interested hearing how others have gone forward with this as far as losing weight prior to surgery (apart from the two weeks prior) or not .... As well as any other suggestions or information; and I think just knowing that there are others going through similar things will help Very glad to have found this site and look forward to taking part I think my current head space is a mixture of being terrified and hopeful all wrapped in one!

I miss being able to drink quantities of water more than I miss food at this point. I feel thirsty all the time but have to be very careful to only drink small sips and only a couple at a time. I am 3 1/2 weeks out from a full gastric bypass.

I don't know if there's a more current thread for AA sleevers/bypassers but I figured I'd say hello. I am Day 3 of my pre-op diet. Surgery Day May 15th. I grew up on specific types of food so i'm looking for support and even more bariatric friendly versions of AA Soul Food.

Hey, I am in SC and was told that the sleeve was best for me. I have severe reflux disease and was type 2 diabetes, hbp,high cholesterol and sleep Apnea. So I did have the sleeve done, i lost 87 lbs in 11 months but I was having worse reflux. Much worse had 2 add 3 extra medications to what I was already doing. Went from 2 pills a day to 10 a day now. My gastrointestinal doctor said that he believes it has gone into Barrett's Esophagus now and I needed to originally have the RNY surgery. Now in process of getting approved for the RNY revision from my insurance companies. My advice is if you have reflux disease to get all the information from your doctor about the effects of the sleeve before considering that option. RNY is supposed to completely get rid of it. I was told that the sleeve would get me off the meds.Well it did for the first 6 weeks. Once foods were coming back in the Reflux got way worse and has gotten so much worse since surgery. I am absolutely miserable. I don't know your situation but I just wanted to let you know that reflux can get worse with the sleeve. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Wow, I read your stories and realize even more how lucky my process was. I have BCBSTX, I got sleeved 10/17. From when I did my seminar In August of 17 to my surgery it was 2 months. My surgeons office is the best and always on top of things. He is also my general surgeon, so it was a no brainer to go with him when I did this. My pcp brought up gastric surgery in August 2016 but I was 220 and didn't think I was "fat enough" to do it. But I had several comos that qualified me. I'm a shit medical magnet though, I had reflux before this, and about month 8 it got super bad. Pcp added Zantac on top of the protonix. On top of that I was going through a bottle of alka seltzer chews like crazy, about a month before I call my surgeon I was up to 2 bottles a month. I called him, went in and he said I was at risk of aspirating in my sleep because I'm on several meds to sleep at night and I was vomiting up acid in my sleep and because of the meds I wasnt waking up. He ordered and EDG and found out I had severe inflammation due to the reflux, and a restriction where my esophagus and pouch was meeting, that day they submit to insurance to convert my sleeve to bypass, by the following Wednesday I was approved, that Friday I was preop and that Monday I was converted. I'm blessed my husband has amazing insurance. And they don't drag their feet. Once I meet my deductible my meds are covered at 100%. Never had ins do that before! We found that out after I had my sleeve! Too bad vitamins aren't covered under ins! They should be! I know the waiting game sucks! My sleeve was scheduled and it was literally a week and I still hadn't gotten an answer and the medical assistant in me called and demanded that I get an answer because I had a week, and I wasn't going to pay and preop and not have an approval, I had an answer in 24 hours! Don't be afraid to call your ins yourself! Be your own advocate! They can escalate to a higher rep and get you an answer in 24-48 hours in most cases. It's a rough journey. But it's worth it. The stalls, the medical nightmares, the pain, the aggravation, I'd go through it all again.

That's awesome, your on a new journey. I'm only beginning the process to have surgery. I think I'm leaning towards Bypass because I have Heard so bad. Keep us updated.. Jacquie

Yahhhhh WTG girl. I had the sleeve more than 2 years ago and now need RNY REVISION because of my reflux. Waiting for approval from my insurance companies for the RNY. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm a horrible example to use right now, but once I get my labs balanced, I'm taking Bariatric Fusion co. mplete multivitamin and mineral supplemen chewables for gastric bypass and sleeve patients. Read many, many reviews and these have excellent reviews. Many who had been getting bad labs, after being on these six months, were back in balance and stayed there. I think they taste good, have to chew 4 day. I have the mixed berry flavor. Just got iron infusion, taking Vit B12 injections and Vit D. My hematologist said these are excellent vitamins, made expressly for us. Most patients said they don't take anything else. I'm going to add some Biotin, as I am having hair issues. Also, committed to getting my labs done every six months and not letting it get out of hand again

So glad you are having a good recovery! Like you, I have had some painful experiences (fractured pelvis/ribs, thoracic surgery, and a total knee replacement). Bypass surgery was a breeze. Like you, I was up walking right away, and walked at home a lot. BUT... I still got a blood clot in one leg! Anyway, I hope you continue to recover well. Keep using that little incentivespirometor - pneumonia is not something you want to deal with. Congratulations!

I met 2 people this week who were long term gastric bypass patients (15-20 years out). Both had erosion/bleeding from one of the anastomosis sites and ended up in the hospital. Is this something that is very common? I sure hope not. Anyone have any data or sources for this type of complication? I would have thought once the sites were healed they would be good for life. But apparently for some folks that is not the case. Just wondering if there was a difference in how older surgeries were done compared to techniques today.

Weigh your options with your surgeon. I personally got the sleeve because I didn’t like the idea of my intestines messed with. I like the sleeve but it made my acid reflux worse! Now my surgeon wants to do the bypass to get rid of all that. I also think the restriction of the bypass is better than the sleeve. One year out from the sleeve and I have to face that fear now.

Hey I am 64 this August and waiting for approval from my insurance companies for the RNY revision after sleeve. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I was off mp BP ,Metformin, cholesterol medication and no longer have Sleep apnea. Almost immediately after my sleeve surgery. But my reflux is much worse than it was before. Had to add more medication for it. Waiting for approval from my insurance companies for the RNY revision to get rid of the reflux (praying that it works)!! Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Stella thanks for sharing your experience with the bypass surgery. I'm waiting for approval from my insurance companies for the RNY revision after 2 1/2 years post OP for sleeve. I am absolutely miserable and hope that once approved by my insurance companies that I can have surgery soon. Hopefully mine will be as easy as my sleeve surgery was. Good luck Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

hello! I converted from lapband to bypass on May 1 (single stage). Spent two nights in hospital. First day was rough due to nausea. But have had very little pain except when I stand up or sit down the larger insision where the port was removed hurts momentarily. I didn’t use any of the narcotic in the pain pump and haven’t even had a Tylenol! I am able to drink my liquids and walk. Although I do get tired pretty quickly! But I hope all your surgeries go as smoothly! S

I use Bariatric Advantage advanced chewable multivitamins. They are not super delicious. But passable, and are made for bypass patients. I also use their chewie caramel flavored calcium citrate which are delicious!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Allie, thank you for your comments. I forced myself to get to the store, and get some peanut butter, bananas, and whole milk. I think without realizing what I was doing, I have literally been starving myself. If you do that long enough, you don't have an appetite. I was thinking of myself pre-bypass and counting calories that way not to regain. Dumb!!! I was probably absorbing about 600-700 calories a day. Since I live alone, have no one to cook for, and don't have anyone helping me stay on track. Also, have been very upset over a failed romantic relationship. Recipe for disaster!! Depression can lead to appetite loss and lack of motivation. As the hematologist and I discussed, I think I'm in the perfect storm. Horrible labs, depression, feelings of isolation. I have no family or friends that are close to me, only social acquaintances. Lost both husband and only son, who committed suicide. Being a very strong willed person, was able to hold it together until the end of a very important relationship. That's when I just lost it, quit going out, quit eating. I'm trying to get back on track, move downtown, where I can be close to my church, Lakewood, Joel Osteen's ministry. My church family is much more supportive than my family, which is basically 0. I need to be closer to the church, as I live nearly an hour away. The people that go that are the type that will take care of me. I really need that, both emotionally and physically. I also plan to move into a downtown loft, which are mainly young people. I am energized by them and act like a fool with them. I am responsible for so much of this. I got lazy and quit doing my labs regularly. I may have to take b12 injections for quite a while. The hematologist said I will probably need iron infusions once a year or so. So, it's going to be a slow process My labs are not bad enough right now to be admitted to the hospital. There's no way I could self pay. I tried to get admitted through ER, but they said my labs weren't bad enough. Going to look for a good bariatric RD Monday. I saw there's one not far from me. Going to make sure I tell them I'm 7 yrs postop - very different from a newbie still needing to lose weight. I agree, I need more than 60 grams of protein -- going to try to get at least 100 in. I really, really appreciate everyone's support. I was feeling pretty down and isolated. Been praying all day and feel a bit better - prayed I could get to the store and I did. Drinking shake I made right now.

I had my surgery at the beginning of January (Bypass) and I am now having horrible constipation (and passing them have been absolute hell. I was already on 2 different types of laxatives and the nurse suggested switching to a different variety. This is far worse than any other problem I have had. Anyone else have this experience? Solve the problem?

I tried that....said labs weren't bad enough to get admitted. I think I need a Registered Bariatric DIetician, who is familiar with long term bypass patients with my specific issues. My surgeon's office only has RD that does postop patients one year out trying to lose weight!! Has no clue about one like me losing too much and my age. She handles those who are regaining. They consider me a great success story!! Well, I am at losing the weight and keeping it off. I'd like to be a success story at regaining my health in the most realistic way I can right now. What food's should I try to eat...will liquids work until I can get an appetite back? I had this happen one time before, but was going out to eat a lot, so was getting many more calories, even though small amounts. Since I don't cook have been buying frozen foods but yuck! And they contain so few calories. They are great for someone trying to lose weight.

Oh, just remembered. was told by experienced bariatric surgeon that did my revision to keep my protein uptake at 60 grams daily, low sugar to prevent dumping. I tolerate sugar fine, only one episode years ago, ate way too much at Christmas. I'm drinking Premier Protein Shakes, can get them down and they taste okay to me. Wonder if I should add a glass of full fat milk daily, I might could get it down, if I split it up. I try to eat a few bites of full fat cottage cheese. I can't even get down a small frozen meal, such as Atkins, etc. Tried this morning, ate about 4 bites and spit it out. I know I need therapy, my husband died in 2014 from cancer, then my only son who was heroin addict in 2015, committed suicide 2015. I am overwhelmed with unresolved grief...but that can take years to solve I need help with getting the best nutrition to be focused enough and well enough to even drive to therapy. Get my drift? I need a registered dietician in bypass patients who are experiencing my specific condition, and take my health issues/age, and the fact I live alone, and find it even hard to get to store, etc. I'm overwhelmed to say the least. Just wanting first step. Getting medical care, but she really doesn't know best core diet to recover from this.

My pcp doesn't have a clue! Also, hematologist treats bypass patients, but still not familiar with this situation. I'm literally too tired to go chasing around to doctors. It's hard to even make the phone calls. I live alone, have a huge house, huge yard, pool, 3 dogs - I know I need to get rid of all, but can't even get focused enough to do it. I need a specialist in long term revision/revision for best recommendations. I had a hard time finding surgeon to do revision from VBG to Bypass. I know I wouldn't be a good candidate for any surgery at this point. Last surgery, had to get bood transfusion before surgery. I've gotten worse since then. I think this is going to possibly literally kill me eventually. It scared the hell out of me when I saw a 73 yr old had the bypass. What are these surgeons thinking? As an older adult, you usually start eating less naturally. IF, and I say if, she lives to 90, who's going to be responsible for making sure she's getting proper diet for bypass patient? Assisted living certainly doesn't know. My pcp who is experienced internist doesn't know a damned thing about a bypass patient. I called surgeon's office, they only do followup for one year. Never done revision from vbg/bypass/revision. I think I'm up a creek. At this point, trying to find someone my age, revision/revision with bad labs, etc. on best diet to correct situation, especially since I have no desire to eat. I don't have time for intensive therapy...that's what I should have done before any of these surgeries!

Please update if you are still following. I would desperately love a reversal, would even pay for it out of pocket!! I'm 67, wasting and continuing to lose. I want reversal before this gets out of hand. But,, I;m unique. I had VBG because of acid reflux revised to Bypass...told my only option. So, now would it be possible for revision?? Not sure. I may be sunk.