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I went to dr on Mach 13 and my surgery is march 25th. When I went in, I was going to get the bypass but my doctor feels the sleeve is just as good. I hope I lose all the weight I need to. Can people tell me why they chose the sleeve?

A friend who had bypass suggested I bring Chapstick with me. OMG, thank goodness she said that. It was the best advice ever! After surgery you will be parched!!!!!!!!!!!!

My scars are not bad, but I also have 2 scars for my port. One from the original surgery, the other from 7 weeks later when I had to have a port revision. Since I am only 3 months post op, they are all still noticeable and dark, but I know they will fade. by the time I am thin enough to show off my tummy, they should be almost non existant. Plus, if you can see them, its just a reminder to me where I've been and where I dont want to go back to

Just gonna edit my post. I was given a few Vitamin samples by my doctor so i decided to be a guinea pig if anyone is interested in Opurity, Bariatric Advantage or Celebrate. These were recommended because they are specifically for WLS. Multivitamin: Opurity BYPASS-Optimized Multi (Orange Berry): This was a HUGE tablet which is no surprise as it's 1x a day and includes all the B12 and Iron you need. I made the mistake of popping it all into my mouth. It was chalky and powdery and had a slight tartness which I did not enjoy. I don't think I can handle these and I'm dissapointed because it's price and 1x a day attribute was really appealing. Celebrate Multi Complete Chewable (Orange and Forrest Berry): 2x a day and therefore smaller than Opurity. I liked the Orange flavor much better though the berry wasn't bad. It was a little tart (which I liked here) and close to a candy like a sweet tart. The Orange was harder though and less chalky and powderty. Closer to a Flintstones. My favorite of all the Vitamins actually. Bariatric Advantage Complete Multi Formula (Orange): It was ok.. Still too powdery and chalky to my tastes. Not interested in this brand at all as it doesn't have b12 or iron and it's still 2x a day. calcium citrate (all of these have Vitamin D included): Opurity (Orange): It tasted similar to BA multivitamin to me. Medium chalky/powder. It was better than their multivitamin but it's 4x a day. Celebrate (Cherry Tart and Berries & Cream): The better of the calciums. The Cherry had a nice tartness and was the most candy-like. It was still medium chalky/powder but the taste made up for it. Berries & Cream was the softest of all chewables. It broke apart and melted really quickly. It was the most powdery but since it dissolved the fastest I actually prefer it. 3x/day BA (chocolate, Wild Cherry and Cinnamon): My least favorite of all the chewables. These were all horrible. The chocolate was the worst, it felt like putting dry chocolate milk powder in my mouth. Wild Cherry was hard but powdery and slightly tart. Similar to Opurity to me. Cinnamon tastes EXACTLY like a Big Red but in powder form. Almost leaves your mouth refreshed but it's not for me. To be honest I'm not won over by anything though Celebrate brand was better by far for me. I think I'm just going to try Centrum Complete and add sublingual B12 and Biotin. I thought I was going to take separate biotin anyway because I don't want hair loss. I'm not sure about the Calcium yet, I'm going to ask my doctor for other options. I also noticed a lot of people taking the gummy vitamins and they are really tempting however my doctor says those are dangerous because they can cause a blockage. The percentage of values seems pretty random too with some at 50% and some at 200%. There is no iron in them or enough B12.

Hi Jules! I had much the same experience as you, I was banded in 2008 and spent the past several years throwing up daily, no fun! I too have a young child (turned 1 June 11th) and my pregnancy took a toll on my band. I had band revision in August and then band to bypass on May 21st. It has been like a rebirth. I feel like I have to work harder to keep myself on track because of the years of band habits but I has been great. No more gurgling and sliming, I feel normal again Miri

[ My biggest concern was the port, I asked my Dr a couple times just to be sure it was coming out and each time she looked at me funny and said "Yes Miriam, I would never leave it there" I knew it I just wanted to hear it I haven't had a full on dumping episode but I had something that I think was maybe dumping. I have (had) this horrible habit, when I go grocery shopping I will go to the dairy dept and get a chocolate milk. I usually couldn't eat and the chocolate milk would stay my hunger during the shopping trip. I did the same thing last week, thought it would be fine bc I wouldn't drink it all at once... It wasn't. I felt gross, flush and my stomach hurt and that was after drinking 2 oz. I paid for it and threw it away, won't do that again. I am doing great, approaching week 4 and have lost 25lbs which is shocking to me as I was a lower bmi and was told id lose slow. I am now back in Onderland which makes me extremely happy. I do have struggles, portions.... I don't get the signal that I'm satisfied or full, I don't know if it's just me or I'm broken but I don't so I have to measure everything out. I have over eaten. Attraction to slider foods, I'm so used to it that I have to remind myself I don't need those anymore. I also have a strong fear of stretching my pouch and failing. My pouch is larger than a virgin pouch, years of band abuse stretched the hell out of the top of my stomach. I also have a very good friend with RNY who did amazing for the first 3 years and is now heavier than she started. She has always sang the praises of the band citing she she wished she would have gone with it instead of bypass. I do learn by example so hopefully I can keep on the straight and narrow.

Not sure why but I have read countless studies about alcoholism being a direct correlation of weight loss surgery patients.. I know of two people that have had surgeries (one had the sleeve and one had bypass) that are struggling with the use of alcohol and I fear that I could potentially be on the verge.. Has anyone else struggled with this? I also wonder why there is even a connection???

Interesting that we have similar timeframes! How was the revision. Is there anything I should know in advance.

At first I thought I wanted the gastric bypass. My husband was pushing for the band. After doing some online research.. I decided I didn't want my guts sliced and diced. With the sleeve the pyloric valve is preserved so no dumping syndrome which sounds awful! I am pretty sure I don't want to live the rest of my life in fear of that. I teach and I cannot leave my classroom anytime I feel like it ... well that is if I want all the kids to remain alive and want the classroom to be there when I get back. It seemed like the longer people had the band... the greater the chance of complications. With the sleeve, it seems like if there are going to be complications... they occur sooner rather than later. So no living in fear of complications. No adjustments, hunger decreased because gryhellin is decreased... at least for awhile... I am sure mother nature built in some back-up systems. It just seemed like the best choice for me. More pros for me than cons... Not everyone is the same though. Some people think dumping syndrome is great behavior modification. You have to choose what is best for you. Khy

I am 36, have a family and would like some real life honest experiences about bypass. I have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and I am on metformin, karvizide, and injecting Byetta twice a day for my diabetes. I have had a gastric band for 6 years now and successfully kept off my lost weight since the band was put in. I still have more weight to lose which may be why my diabetes isn't under control, and blood pressure still not stable. Today my specialist and gastric doctor said it would be a very good idea to have the gastric bypass to solve the problem of my diabetes. They said That it would either help a lot or cure it altogether. I am reading bits and pieces about the benefits of losing weight etc, but who of you out there wants to share the side effects?? With the band, a side effect was acid reflux,.......so what bad side effects do I need to consider for the more permanent bypass. The other thing I could consider is putting more fill into my band and putting MORE effort into weight loss, but I just don't know if that will kickstart weight loss again,,,,,,,enough! I have heard examples of people getting diabetes and problems associated with it, then having bypass surgery, they drop all their weight and their diabetes goes into remission! No tablets or injections ever again? I am still in the throws of just considering this surgery so any experiences or relative information would be appreciated!

Actually yes. Talking to one did for me. I had never really considered bypass though I knew about it from acquaintances.  I didn’t know the sleeve existed.  A nurse brought it up to me.  I am forever in her debt!  So as with everything different things work for different people. So I hope people in the medical profession do take the initiative bc you don’t know who it will work for. Honestly I would happily piss off a dozen people to help one. But that’s me.

As previously stated, I initiated the discussion with my doctor regarding the referral to the surgeon. I do not think he would have ever brought it up and I am not sure why but I am seeing him next week and asking him. He is about my same age and sometimes I think maybe it is uncomfortable for him to discuss weight with women since many are very sensitive about it. By the time I saw the surgeon a few weeks later I had already done a lot of research about the options and about the surgeon himself and his level of expertise. I had already decided on the sleeve and he agreed...he told me only if I had severe GE reflux would he recommend the bypass. Interestingly, I saw my pulmonologist this morning for a routine followup and he was very surprised that I had discontinued all 3 of my asthma/COPD medications about 2 months ago and having no symptoms at all, even when walking 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 miles per day. At our last appt. I did tell him that I was in the process of having VSG surgery done. I have lost 47 pounds since last seeing him. After listening to my lungs, he then sat and asked me a lot of questions about my surgery and how difficult it was for me. I told him it was rough for the first few days but now it is not difficult at all. He then said, "I am going to use your experience and recommend the surgery to some of my other patients who might benefit from weight loss". He is in his 50s and I guess it just surprised me that the recommendation was not more common.

Marie, I am going to be banded tomorrow as well...so I totally understand the nerves! Yesterday was worse than today in that regard. I felt teary and just an emotional wreck. However, I have no doubt that I have made the right choice. I am sure there are cases where gastric bypass might be a better option but not for most of us. It's been the surgery of choice in Australia and England for years! We won't be malnourished for the rest of our life and our body parts are all intact. That's enough reason for me! I am at peace that it will take time and hard work. I think we will be just great after we get past the surgery tomorrow. Just remember you are not alone. Lots of of will be in the same "place" tomorrow and we are all here to help support one another. Take care and check back in when you can. Hugs and good thoughts...

Sharon Osbourne has been through a lot. First the cancer and then the double mastectomy, her sons ms. She is one very strong lady and knows what she is doing. I have noticed she has been Mia from the talk and Carnie Wilson has been filling in. Can't tell if she has lost. I guess maybe she learned her lesson after being so public about her bypass. Best of luck to her.

Umm.. So our rants and raves are shared with the band and bypass etc people? Too general for me. If I wanted to be with the others I wouldnt have join VGS. *growl*

I am so excited for you and February will be here before you know it. I will be finding out on the 25 October if I will be getting sleeve revision and I am soooo excited too. Keep us up to date with you progress and will look out for your comments in 2013. :-))))

That is weird. I believe you but really said bypass on site I saw. I wonder where she has been lately. Hope all is ok.

Also a few nfl coaches and John Daley . Carnie Wilson got it over her bypass

Sorry girly I'm just testing out my posts and you were a easy target. Next time I'll go after a pot smoking bypass patient??

Band to Sleeve Revision #3, Dec 27! So ready!

My mom and me got the lap band done in August of 2009. If you were to get any kind of gastric weight loss surgery, I would recommend either the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. Gastric Lap Band surgery is alright, but you have to keep getting fills when it stops working, it could leak and you have to get another operation, you have to take it out every 5 years to get a new one in.. it's just too much complications with the lapband. My aunt and cousin got gastric bypass and they lost a tremendous amount of weight. My mom had to go back to Mexico to get the lapband out because it formed a hole on her stomach where the scar from it was, and got the sleeve. We're not too sure whether or not it works yet, due to her being in the hospital because of complications such as nausea, horrible pain, pnemonia in her right lung, and 5 abscess in her stomach. So I would also recommend getting this done in the United States.

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.

She did go over the side effects of bypass, but she smothed it over saying she has never had any mortalities and only 3 major issues (I think due to ulcers) in all her patients. My mind is back to the Lap Band. :biggrin:

Hey Jennifer... do you think smoking up till your surgery made for a tougher recovery? I am just worried that 2 weeks is not enough before my revision. On day 7 so actually it will be 15 days smoke free. Bonking myself on the head for not quitting sooner!

I , for one, am grateful. I had complications and had to revise to bypass and have felt like I "didn't belong" anymore. Different issues, etc.