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Hi! I am going to have gastric bypass surgery on April 2nd . I do not want to tell anyone either. I am scheduled to return to work 13 days after surgery. Can anyone shed some light on their experiences? I’m basically worried about being weak . Any input would be appreciated! TIA

It sounds to me like he would really benefit from attending an info seminar. He may be more inclined to accept info about how WLS actually works from a medical professional. Having your primary support people on board is important. And your question about hair loss... I don't know that there's a real difference between those who get the sleeve vs. those who get bypass. One of my SIL had sleeve, the other RnY and both lost about the same amount of hair. I had RnY and am on track to lose a bit more hair than either of them. I think genetics and protein consumption play significant roles. My personal outlook on hair loss is that if it means my co-morbidities are brought under control and/or eliminated, then I can live with less hair for a while. Me bald is better than me missing limbs due to diabetes or dead from a heart attack.

I was trying to moderate/cycle my carbs. I don't eat very much than 2oz per meal of them in hopes by totally banning everything I won't be tempted to binge. I think the canned soups and the fake crab are probably what is getting me. Everything else I make from organic ingredients and from scratch. And I am trying to teach myself moderation and that comes with tiny bits in single servings only once, instead of large portions bought cheaper and in bulk. Also exercise IS key. The dreary rainy weather is hard to get out into but I do need to be taking pictures for one of my courses, so I need to be out in nature. Have to get back with swimming and accept I have to use the ladder. PS. I don't have a nutritionist. My insurance does not pay for any diet program or aftercare so I am doing this on my own. My doctor also hates Lap-Bands. I had to simply put my foot down to get him to stop telling me Gastric Bypass was the only option. So I don't trust him in some ways. I don't trust him when he says my band is fine, or when he set it, or the assessment of his staff PAs. I don't know what I should feel like or what I should do. I just know to eat low-carb, exercise, and keep taking my Metformin for my PCOS, or I will never loose weight.

I live in Jersey City and work in the Manhattan..if you need any help/support please let me know. I understand what you are going through and would be happy to help. When I had my surgery 4 months back, I didnt know anyone in person that had the surgery. You can also email me st1614@nyu.edu. I had a gastric bypass at NYU Langone by Dr. George Fielding. Amazing surgeon and he really cares for his patients.

So well said....I had gastric bypass over 14 years ago when there was no such thing as aftercare and support of any kind was almost non existent. Since I had surgery I have been volunteering in the WLS community full time and I've been in the trenches every single day. I personally believe that food addiction is one of the prime reasons for regain but many bariatric professionals don't even believe it exists. I am passionate about bringing food addiction into the discussion and I'll share one of my blog posts. It was only because I admitted my addiction that I was able to work on it and I'll be working on it the rest of my life. There is no shame...it is a disease. Here's that post. http://www.bariatricgirl.com/2013/12/now-this-clarifies-food-addiction/

Here is a pretty unbiased chart comparing band sleeve and bypass.please use this to start your research.but dig deeper for each one.By pass has the longest history.sleeve has no long term referenced. I chose the band for many of the reasons on the chart and what others have said I'm not opposed to the sleeve but there is not enough long term study on it and I thought cutting off 3/4 of my stomach was a bit drastic for a first step.But if the band fails I may consider the sleeve over bypass. Weight loss surgery site for info http://www.trueresul...-loss-surgeries

I have been having food funerals since I had my first appointment with the surgeon back in February!!!! It is getting ridiculous now. I was just ready to post yesterday, something like.....I gained nearly 25 LBS PRE-OP, NO JOKE instead of losing weight, Does this mean theres no hope for me??? Then I got a call from my surgeons office telling me they've postponed my surgery till July now cause im having multiple surgeries, and the surgeons cannot coordinate their time together, but yessss I have been eating everything and anything I can and cannot get my hands on, and things that I normally don't eat!!!! I feel like this is the veryyyyy biggest thing of my entire life, and im eating like I will never eat again! Only last night, I didn't sleep a wink, cause my sugar was 500 and rapidly going up and down so I was so scared to close my eyes, YET....U SHOULD SEE ME NOW....IM LITERALLY SITTING HERE HAVING AN EGG BEATERS OMELETTE (THE WHOLE PINT) AND TWO CHICKEN HOT DOGS FOR BREAKFAST!!!! THIS IS MY DIET LOL IT'S NOT FUNNY, I KNOW...AND MY SISTER WHO HAS HAD THE GASTRIC BYPASS 5 YRS AGO SAYS "IT'S ALL IN THE HEAD, AND NOTHING MORE" Anyway, good luck to u. Eventually we WILL get it together. A lot of people have food funerals b4. I dont require pre-op dieting either, but when it comes closer to the time, we will just do it and that will be it!!! and no sooner be sleeved. Keep in touch Good luck to u

I read about all these slips, and it makes me uneasy. I knew from the start that it's an inherent possibility with the band. But I really do hope that the plication dramatically minimizes that possibility. I was told that they rarely see slips with the added plication. I can't really respond as to whether or not a sleeve revision is a good way to go for you. It's such a personal thing. For me, the thought of having 3/4 of a vital organ removed, freaks me out. We don't know what life has in store for us. Maybe at some point in the future, having only part of a stomach may be an issue? Once it's gone, we can't get it back. That is my fear with the sleeve, and with issues surrounding the RNY.

I was sleeved 12/29, days 1-3 clear liquid, days 4-7 full liquid, day 8-13 purees and day 14 (today!) I started soft foods. I'm feeling great, haven't thrown up. Can drink my two 30g Protein shakes a day and 64oz of Water. This morning I had two eggs muffins that were made with 1/4 cup of egg whites. You know they shrivel up to nothing and I was able to eat almost both of them. So far, my sleeve is such a good girl and she tolerates everything well. The bad: I'm constipated and I haven't lost a pound since last Monday. I'm 11 pounds down post op but last week, nothing, I even went up two pounds. Now, I wasn't drinking my water or eating much of anything because I don't have an appetite for anything. I met up with two of my friends, one has had gastric bypass and the other the sleeve surgery. The one that had the sleeve, who is 120 pounds down a year later, said she was the same way the first month. She said she questioned what she had done to her herself! LOL She also said to remember you've been on a liquid diet for three to four weeks and now when you introduce food or even thicker liquid, your body may hold on to it. She also cautioned me that everyone is different and not to compare my weight loss with anyone else's. She said to be patient, drink your water, because that can be the cause of your constipation, and drink your protein, as much as you can get in of each as that's what will burn the fat. And then, be patient. The weight loss will come once your body mends from this major surgery and you get in a routine and start to move a little more, she said the weight will start to just fall off. I wanted to share this with you as so many of us are feeling the same way and it gave me such peace. We must remember that we just had major surgery just 14 short days ago and I'm back at work already! I've decided to focus on the positives 1. The surgery is behind me now THANK God!! 2. I'm walking with no pain in my legs - Thank God! 3. I'm 28 pounds down (11 post op) 4. I've lost my fat face and neck 5. I can see changes in my body already 6. I have a plan for success Be blessed and stay focused everyone and best wishes on your journey this week and always!

I have acid reflux since sleeve surgery in 2012 did the MGB take care of the reflux and if so is it still under control? I am looking to have the revision in Mexico I see you used Dr. Illan was it a good experience and is he someone you would recommend. I really don't know who to use for sure in Mexico I really want to get off PPI meds and have no more acid reflux. Thanks for your time. Peggy

I wish insurance covered the mini bypass....would rather have less resectioning of my intestines, honestly.... Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

@FloraBama congratulations to you and glad to hear you are doing well. I'm about less than 30 minutes from having the same revision done as well in MX!!! Sent from my LG-LS980 using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I’m having a revision from the band to bypass. Right now my band is unfilled but there’s still some restriction. When I eat with the band the small pouch causes me to stop eating after a few bites but then I’m able to start up again after 15 minutes. I’m concerned that this will happen with the RNY and then I’ll be grazing all day. Is the gastric bypass more effective than the band on terms of how fullness feels?

I had GERD before my VSG surgery in 2014, and it only got worse over the next six years. Nothing helped, including PPI's. Fast forward to 2020. After a bunch of diagnostic tests to verify my GERD/Gastritis/Esophagitis, I had bypass surgery October 2020. I haven't had GERD since. I'm off all acid reflux medications. I've lost 56 lbs. since surgery and feel better than I felt in my 40's (I'm 64). I've got a ton of energy, walk 5 miles five days/week and do aquatic fitness classes 5 day/week. I'm loving my new, healthier self and so glad I made the decision to get the surgery. Yes, it is a life-long decision and I've forever changed how I can eat and process food, but so worth it! Needless to say, I would recommend the revision to anyone with severe GERD.

You know my 1st choice was not the lapband--it was the "sleeve." But my friend and this website changed my mind because the sleeve was relatively new and not a lot of data on it. Well, this website has a forum on "lapband to sleeve revision" which I have been reading. I know its costly but maybe insurance might cover it. Anyway, read that forum to get an idea on why those banders changed their thinking on the band and went with the sleeve. It mostly has to do with food getting stuck and not having the quality of life they desire. Its just a thought--an alternative.

I had RNY gastric bypass and dumped the first year if i ate anything high in sugar. Your body eventually adapts after a year you can eat sweets without dumping. Some people continue to dump but they are usually the ones who have very strict diets so their intestines don't adjust to sugar. If you slowly incorporate sugar back into your diet you will likely not dump after a year. I'm coming up on 2 years and can eat sweets. Actually dumping can be a benefit the first year cause it keeps you on track. I once dumped from having cocktail sauce with shrimp! After the honeymoon period ends around 10 months you can gain weight by eating too many sugars and carbs. Best to keep them out of your diet as long as you can.

I had a slipped lap band that had to come out and my surgeon said it was easier to revise to a RNY than a sleeve. Also I had GERD before my band, and the bypass is supposed to help alleviate GERD, where the sleeve sometimes causes it in some people. Also I had developed a "touch" of diabetes, and the bypass really helps with that. I went off metformin right before the surgery and now, only two months later, my hemoglobin A1C is normal!

I've had my surgery almost a month ago and I haven't lost any hair. I don't know if it will happen later on, but so far, everything is fine. I haven't changed much at all except for losing weight and not eating a lot. I know of a woman who used to teach my sister, who got the gastric bypass. She lost some of her hair, but it has grown back. If you do lose hair, I doubt it will do much damage. I believe you will keep most of your dreads.

Hi All, I am still in the process of deciding between Bypass and Sleeve. My doctor and nurse tell me that Dumping Syndrome is not as common as the internet makes it out to be. I'd love to hear everyone's experience with this. Has anyone eaten a slice of cake or a cookie and NOT experienced dumping?

So I haven’t had the surgery yet (scheduled for 2/19). But I chose the rny bypass option for several reasons. I am pre-diabetic and this will for the most part reverse that. it is considered the golden standard and my doc says most patients lose more with the option. Another big thing for me was “dumping syndrome”. I know not everyone gets it but I think it would help me in the future to stay on track just in case I got weak and thought I wanted something I shouldn’t be having. I also like the fact that if worse comes to worse, this can be somewhat reversed. Anyways, those are some of my reasons. Hope it helps some.

I had the sleeve 9 years ago and now have to have the bypass due to GERD, hiatal hernia, esophogitis, and Cameron lesions. I have weight that I gained and need to lose and now I’m worried about not feeling full after the bypass.

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS! What year were you banded? The lady that owns the gym I go to has lost 160 pounds from gastric bypass. She was telling me that fat people she used to be friendly with no longer like her because she is no longer fat and they are mean and jealous. She warned me that there is a lot of this behavior out there, but I am somewhat naive as I believe that most people are kind and loving. I guess the reaction of this guys wife of feeling insecure with your friendship of her husband is really somewhat of a compliment to you that you are now so attractive she views you as a threat. I can see where things can now be tough to maintain a relationship since the wife's ugliness has come out. It was okay for you to be friends with her husband while you were fat but now that you are beautiful she wants you to stay away. I wonder if this means her husband is attracted to you? I would drop her a note or email telling her how much this offends you and how you have always viewed her husband as a father figure and have no interest beyond that of friendship. She is the one who should feel bad not you. You haven't done anything wrong dear. Congratulations on your weight loss. I know what a huge achievement you have a accomplished.

I realized I was finally ready to get serious August 18 2005. I have tried sooo many diets lol Dr Abkin had to laugh at my 1st visit.I was not always FAT but always had bad eating habits.Anyway I was leaning toward the bypass until on futher research I discovered banding.August 18,2005 my mother was killed in a car crash on her way home from church(not really so bad since it was her favorite place to be )My mom was a big lady in everyway(size, heart and spirit).They told me at the hospital that because of her size they had to work longer and harder to cut her from the car:cry Knowing how I felt/feel I decided to try to spare my children the thoughts I have, and to become as healthy as I can to be here for my entire family.Sorry took me so long to get to the point.

I know this is easier said than done, but try not to panic over bumps in the road. What looks or feels catastrophic today is probably not as bad as it seems. That’s what my mom used to say when I was growing up and despondent about something (which was often, especially during adolescence). I was strangely comforted by her words because I knew (and she frequently reminded me) that Mom had seen some pretty bad stuff in her life. It's easy to "awfulize" things when you have a pain, symptom or experience you didn't expect and can't explain. You're sure that's something's wrong. You haven't lost weight in three days, or you found hair clogging your shower drain, or you puked up your dinner. Don't let fear cloud your thinking. You will wear yourself to a frazzle if every event becomes a crisis. This applies to many aspects of your life. It's extremely difficult to make a good decision when you're in a panic. Your vomiting might be related to WLS, but it could also be the result of a garden-variety intestinal bug. Your teenaged daughter's failure to return your phone call could be because she was in a terrible car accident, or it could be because her cell-phone battery died. So ask yourself: Is this an emergency? Is it life-threatening, disabling, or just inconvenient? What will happen if I don't do something about it right now? Can I deal with this myself, or do I need help? What kind of help (medical, emotional, spiritual, financial)? Who can help me (my surgeon, therapist, best friend, minister)? Be careful how you choose your helper(s). I know you love your sister, who might tell you that everyone in her family has been sick with a bug since you saw them (and their germs) on Sunday, but she probably can’t accurately tell you whether your symptoms are related to your WLS. Is whatever you fear might be wrong really, truly the very worst thing you could hear? I’ve survived some scary and disappointing stuff during my WLS journey. I’ll probably never forget hearing my surgeon say, “Jean, your band has to go,” and “Jean, I removed your band but I wasn’t able to do your sleeve revision today because of a stricture in your esophagus.” I’ve also gotten bad news about friends who are fellow WLS patients. I mean really, really bad news, when death was reaching out its evil hands to take my friend away forever. In my own life, nothing can top losing a parent. “Jean, your mother died today,” is (so far) the worst bad news I’ve ever heard. A cancer diagnosis, the death of my husband, or the loss of my home to a tornado (entirely possible where I live) would also be mighty devastating. But if I dwelled on those possibilities, I’d spend the rest of my life in anxious misery, and I’m pretty sure that’s not what God has in mind for me. I'm not saying that your struggles aren't important. They are. But it will be easier for you to handle them if you do it with a clear mind and a calm heart. So take a deep breath. And when in doubt, call your surgeon.

Meetings are at 6:30 on the last Tuesday of every month at the Hospital in the Montgomery Room. (Down stairs from St. Albans) There is one on the 27th and they generally last about an hour. The last meeting the room was full and there was only one person who was there for bypass all others were bandsters :thumbup: I will be coming from work so I will be the one in the Detention Home shirt Hope to see ya there!! Kim