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Being scared goes with the territory. I had gastric sleeve in 2016 and I didn't follow all the rules, now tomorrow I'm having rny bypass and wish I had done that in the first place. I have great anxiety about tomorrows surgery but I know I'm in good hands and I'm tired of all the other health issues I get. It's so worth it. Keep watching YouTube videos and know you can do this ♥️😊

Nothing wrong with getting surgery. My dr was saying should lose weight on your own I said yeah I've been dealing with that for 20 years and I'm over it thank you so I'm going to see surgeons office this week losing weight isn't actually that hard but it's the long term challenges of keeping it off and staying on the track and I feel the bypass is the best because it restricts your food the most and that will teach you how to eat all over again, you will get full much quicker which will also help, unless you feel you can do it on your own then surgery is the best option why is it okay for people to go have cosmetic surgery but not for people to actually have surgery that will save your life??? Does not make sense! Do not listen to other people it's your body your future. In my case my sugar levels and triglycerides are getting worse and my blood pressure and cholesterol is getting worse if I stay the way I am I will die of heart attack so I NEED surgery ASAP!

Hey, its 12:54 april 24th 2006....i should be studying exams but i'm here doing my journal! I will start with what i did before getting into this, since i don't have much to say about the pre-op diet (i started 1 hour ago...its a 10 day diet consisting of yogurt and cottage cheese) So....around march i started thinking out of the blue...I need help, i've tried everything, I don't even know what clicked but all of a sudden i felt the urge to look up everything on the RNY gastric bypass. While i was researching that i found info on the Lap-band...which led me here. I was looking for forums where real people were discussing real issues. I started out just talking about it with my parents, they were ok about it but quickly warmed up to the idea. My mom did research and found someone in Toronto. This was the TCC (toronto cosmetic clinic) So i booked a consult in person for late may. I was searching the forum and found out no one really knew them and their reputation was not established, and their post-op care didn't add up. I opted for the TLBC (Toronto laparascopic band centre). Where i could do a phone consult which i booked for april 5th... Filled out the forms, did the consult, set the date....May 4th 2007. I spent countless hours on LBT researching, viewing threads, looking at before and after pics, reading horror stories about the complications. Now comes the real test...10 days, pre-op diet! I will keep you (if anyone is actually reading) posted!

GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease. People often suffer heartburn or have acid indigestion as a result. RNY gastric bypass removes most of your stomach and re-arranges your intestines and you'll be on vitamins for the rest of your life because your body will not be able to absorb the nutrients it needs due to the changes to your digestive tract. Gastric sleeve only cuts out 85% of your stomach, but otherwise leaves your digestive tract alone. You'll probably be on vitamins for at least the first six months since you'll be limited by your small stomach, but eventually you'll be able to get what you need from food with little to no supplementation. People lose faster on bypass, but after one year out, the weight loss is about the same for both procedures. There is no "better choice" - there's only what's the best choice for you. If you are over 50 BMI, have GERD, and/or have an addiction to sugar, bypass is often recommended. If you don't have any of those issues, usually sleeve is recommended.

Hi: I can tell you that either way it's hard. But it can be done. I started at 324 and now I'm 199 and it's been only a year. Do you really want to consider altering your anatomy? Taking alot more risk if you go the Gastric Bypass route. The little voice in me tells me that those smart scientists are going to come up with a cure for obesity that works with a pill in the next 20 years. That's when I plan to have my band pulled out and be able to eat like I used to without a problem. Don't know if this will ever really happen, but the band is completely reversible. Hope all works out for you. Sue

I am having bypass on May 29th so very close. Welcome to the boards!

Welcome. This is an exciting, life-changing process. I see that you posted on the bypass forum. I highly recommend you be open-minded and talk with your surgeon about what procedure is right for you. There are other options besides bypass. I was sleeved April 20, 2015 and couldn't be happier with my experience and my progress so far. I still have a long way to go but my life is completely different than it was even a year ago. Also, keep in mind that the process for preparing for surgery can take a lot of time. Be prepared to be patient, persistence, and practice positivity and perseverance. If you get a chance to have an earlier appointment I recommend you take it. The pre-op process can take some time.

That's awesome!! I am thinking mine will be late October/early November!! Good luck to you!!

Sleeve or bypass? I still can't make my mind up.

Hi my name is honor I'm from utica ny and Ive been over weight all my life! I got the lap band 3years ago and lost about 80lbs and felt pretty good but was unable to eat food got stuck all the time and due to food getting stuck and getting sick my esophagus swelled up so the dr had to unfill the band and I gained all my weight back and feel so uncomfortable. Well I decided to have a revision and get the bypass I am currently waiting for insurance approval. .they are deciding if they will just approve it due to complications with the band or if I have to do a 3month supervised diet. I am so nervous since I hear some bad stories about the bypass and I feel that my family is not happy about my decision but I need to do this for myself!!

I don't know whether bypass surgery would have any bearing on lumbar treatment, but with lumbar herniation that has worsened, get yourself to a physiatrist, preferably one who specializes in spine. Left untreated, you have potential to end up with problems that can needlessly make you unhappy for the rest of your life. If i were you and had no knowledge of a possible lumbar-spine connection, I'd make an appointment (get a referral if you haven't seen a physiatrist in the past) and let this doctor know about the WLS. I'd also mention the lumbar problem to the WLS surgeon. Either or both of them would know if there were something to it. (My own guess is not, but I'm no medico.) The exam is pretty much being told to bend this way, that way, do this, do that, does this hurt, does that hurt. Also xrays and MRI. The usual protocol is first, PT. If insufficient result, injection. If that's futile, surgery. Don't get excited; you haven't even made the phone call yet. It may be that doctors proceed differently depending on variables.. In the meantime, if you're permitted nsaid's get an o-t-c product, preferably extra strength. Keep cool and don't ignore this. AT 2:30am I just want to get the thoughts out in any fashion. I hope I didn't scare you too much beyond Halloween.

In my opinion. There is no, I repeat NO complication from the band that is any way form or fashion nearly as bad as those from a bypass can be. I just had a new band placed on Friday, due to slippage and had a hiatal hernia repaired in the process. My intestines are still intact, my body's capability to absorb nutrients is still in working order. I still have my whole stomach and no staple line to break. If I got erosion, I could take the band out and still have all my parts. I could also still decide to do the bypass if I absolutely had to. If I did the bypass first, I would have none of these things and no way to reverse it once it's done. Also, there is supposedly a window of opportunity with the bypass where you can lose weight. Then, the body learns to adapt to the changes and will allow weight to be gained back. With the band, I can have it adjusted and continue to lose or maintain my current weight, without the window limitation. I wish you much luck with your decision! Leatha banded 5/29/03 - Dr. Wetter/San Francisco Slippage repair - 07/16/04 - Dr. Veninga/ Texas 250/190/140??

Does anyone have any direct experience with the Barix Clinic in Groveport, Ohio? My insurance doesn't cover WLS and i am self paying for the Band. From what I understand, Barix has only been doing the Band since this summer. So whether you're one of the few who has gotten the Band there or you had gastric bypass I would like to hear about your experience with the clinic. Thanks I hope to be a loser soon!!!

Dumping happens when you have had gastric bypass and you eat too much sugar or fat. Your body cannot process those items. I have also had mild cases when I eat too fast. You get the sweats, your heart starts racing, stomach cramps, you can either vomit or get the diarrhea or sometimes when it is really bad, you get them both. I have only ever had mild versions but it can be very uncomfortable and depending how severe can ruin your day. What happened? What did you eat and what were your symptoms?

My insurance is through UHC. I don't have a specific Dr for the procedure yet. I have chosen to be banded over gastric bypass for a lot of reasons. It being less invasive, having a shorter recovery time, being adjustable and even reversible being at the top of the list. Sarah

Congrats and good luck on starting your journey! I was just banded yesterday. May I ask why you've considered Lapband when your husband has been successful with gastric bypass?

So, yesterday I drove all the way from my job in Stockton to my surgeon's seminar in Roseville--that was about a 90 minute drive in busy traffic. Dr. Waldrep is very informative and didn't make people feel like they asked stupid questions even when they did. He showed videos of band surgery and also explained bypass. The room was a mix of prospective bypass, band, and undecided patients. A woman there was supporting her husband; she was a former bypass patient of Dr. Waldrep's 'she'd lost 185 pounds. SHe told her story and that she had just run the California International Marathon 2 weeks ago--very inspirational. When we were leaving, I ended up being on the same elevator with her and thanked her for sharing. It was a long walk to the parking lot. She said to me, "Remember how you feel walking right now, and don't ever forget how this feels to you." I said, "I'd like to forget it right now." And she said, "But don't you ever forget. A year from now when you're thin, remember this walk so you'll never go back." Those words will probably stay with me a very long time. Dr. Waldrep's staff are also very efficient. I'm a bit annoyed because I have to redo blood work I just had done last month because they have a lab slip with all the blood tests and urine tests, etc, preprinted. What a waste of time to have a pregnancy test. For crying out loud! I'm 45 years old, the lining of my uterus was burned away in a uterine ablation and my husband's had a vascectomy. If I'm pregnant, that would indeed be a sign from God! This end of things is a bit conveyer belt -ish, but I guess it's their way of making sure everything is done. They have a very extensive website at www.salsa.md/ We began the meeting by getting weighed on a fancy machine--gave all sorts of body fat analysis reports and other inforamtion to make you want to cringe. Then they took the humiliating "before" picture" front and side views--not pleasant. I envisioned myself a year or two from now, with my "after" picture--me all made over, with a new hairdo, cute clothes, make-up, and high heels. My before and afters in a magazine or commercial for Lap Band. More likely, though, in my wallet as a reminder of where I was and how far I'd come. I weighed 2 pounds less than last week when I was at my doctor's. I don't think I necessarily lost weight as much as this is a kinder scale. So to date I have done my EKG--a non-eventful experience at my PCP--healthy heart :biggrin: Psych eval is on the 29th; nutrition eval is on the 23rd; I will get my new lab work and chest x-ray during Winter break, and my mandatory group support meeting, which is on Saturday. After that, I will be ready for my one-on-one with THE DOCTOR:biggrin:. Only a matter of weeks now before I get my surgery.

I have type 2 diabetes and am looking forward to getting off some of my diabetes medication and seeing my numbers stabilize. Yes, it will be great to weight much less but to be healthier is my main goal. :frown: My diabetes doctor has not been very encouraging because he says he has not heard all the good news about the changes to diabetes after banding. He has been pushing me toward bypass surgery, but he said that at least I am taking a good step by doing the band. :thumbup: I have been approved by my insurance and have done all my pre-op test. I now have to have another consultation with the surgeon, because I cancelled the surgery on June 12, but I am really ready now. Anne from Pasadena, ca

Hi and welcome to VST. The sleeve will only keep you from eating large portions in one sitting. You can still suck down a 3000 calorie milkshake if you really want to do so. They operate on our stomachs, not our brains. None of the weight loss surgeries will fix our emotional or mental tie with food. All of them can be eaten around, or cheated. The bypass scared me too, and the pure fact that only 30% of RNY patients dump on sugary/carby food is not much of a guarantee to me to keep my hand out of the cookie jar. Plus, all the Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies were definitely a concern. Blind stomach portion left behind that can get cancer and ulcers, yet isn't easily scoped. The malabsorption only lasts a max of about 2 years and then your body adjusts and starts absorbing carbs/calories/fat, but not the vitamins/supplements. The regain stats, and how many people seek a revision with RNY, and the people I know in real life that struggle with their RNY that are out 4-8 years, kept me away from RNY. The sleeve definitely helps you make better food choices. Protein is priority 1, so eat that first, and you won't have room for other junk. But, the choice is yours to make when it comes to what you put in your body. It's not always easy, but it's worth it. You'll have to find a coping mechanism/tool to work on your emotional eating. We all had to battle some sort of issue during our journey. Best wishes with your approaching appointment, and keep us posted on what you decide.

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery when I was 64. I am now 3 years post-op. This is my before and after photo at the 6 month mark.

I'm in the same situation, BUT my surgeon's office is a Bariatric Center of Excellence and he has done thousands of bypass surgeries. Although the sleeve has a longer staple line, the bypass is a more complex surgery. My family doctor also gives him high marks and I really respect her opinions. Finally, I've checked the web rating sites and he gets remarkably consistent high reviews. Finally, he's never had a fatality, and I don't plan to be the first. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but many offices just started doing the sleeve because insurance just started covering it. Good luck! Virginia

I had thought about the band, then "heard" you need a BMI under 40 for the band so considered bypass...but my surgeon (who I found via the seminar) ONLY does the band and his biggest patient had a MBI if 86!!! It varies doctor to doctor, but larger people DO qualify for the band. (my BMI was 53, now around 51-52). I know erosion has decreased because surgeons have started putting the bulky part of the band NOT under where the stomach is stitched to itself to secure the band. You very liekly can keep the band for a lifetime, as I understand it erosion is no longer common (but remains a risk) So, I can tell you why i opted for the band vs the bypass. It's such a personal decision. 1. Everyone i know with the bypass has horrible gas (maybe it's coincidence but that's what I've noticed). By bad I mean very smelly. 2. Because the bypass removes a portion of intestine, it leads to dumping syndrome with certain foods (sugars I think)...sudden diarrhea and vomiting. I can;t risk this with my job, where I cannot always get to a bathroom. I'm a labor & delivery nurse and cannot always step away from the patient's bedside (literally life or death situations) 3. Because of the missing intestines, it also leads to malabsorption. Not everything you put in your mouth is used by the body as fuel. It leads to weight loss, sure, but IMO it's not the healthiest choice for ME. I feel that I need to retrain my BRAIN to only eat what my body will use, and the band is a tool that will allow that. Every bite I take I have to account for. I can;t depend on it going thru my body unused. Sure I can have treats on occasion, but my daily habits need to be changed. 4. I plan to use the band for life, but it is reversible...and adjustable. I have people at work who REALLY discouraged the band, saying they both had/have it (one switched to bypass) and both only lost about 30 pounds. I guess all I have to say to that is...you gotta work it, and use it correctly. Their lack of "success" does not mean I will follow suit. In the end I went with what my heart told me was right for me. I hope that helps a bit?

My surgeon also agrees the band is not only for people needing to lose under XX-amount. According to Australian studies, of course bypass patients lose FASTER but in 15-year studies ultimate weight loss between the two procedures is about the same. Part of my reason for chosing lap band vs bypass included acknowledging that this will be a lengthy process, and a lifelong one. I'm not in the big rush to lose the weight like many people who chose bypass (because it's faster) are. It's taken me almost 36 years to get this heavy...and I have time to get rid of it. Time to change my habits, time to lose at a healthy pace.

My only opinion is do your research and see what you can live with. Each surgery has its own challenges and potential problems. Make sure you know what it is going to take to keep yourself healthy. Not just losing weight. I lost my sister as a complication to a bypass surgery and honestly it was all her fault, she choose not to take care of herself the way she needed to and had a doctor who didn't guide her well. As for erosion, I talked to several doctors in my area and they all said the same thing, there was a higher rate in the old version of the band. The newer version, Yes it still can happen but it happens a whole lot less. Good luck on making your decision and keep us posted.

I initialy started this quest to get the lapband. I went to the seminar and It kinda scares me . The main thing was that they said alot of people have erosion from it and most are later on when you may not have the insurance to cover it . They also said that since at that time I was 403 lbs that I was a better canidate for bypass. IN the last 3 weeks I lost the 20lbs I had to lose to qualify and have my first appt . on the 23rd. Im worried about going bypass due to it not being reversable . Please give me some input . I have My 1st appt . tommorrow .