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The only thing I hear about bands nowadays is from the people who had them and are now getting the sleeve or rarely a bypass. Work for awhile but everyone in my groups had gained it all back or had terrible experiences with them. My clinic does 98% sleeves

Hello :frown: I just had my 1st consult yesterday. Im still trying to decide on which OP to get. Im leaning towards the Lap-band since it seems to be a less risky surgery with the same results as the bypass. Im sure I will have lots of questions but just wanted to say hello. :thumbup: Thanks Mark

Thanx! I have a support meeting next Tues. I had two that were required, but am continuing to attend to gather information for myself. I will ask the director if she could put me in contact with another "Sleever". I have to give my surgeon my final answer the week after that. He is of little help with my decision. He,personally likes the bypass as it gives HIM more control of the pouch size. I thank you again, for the suggestion of finding another sleever locally (Middletown, NY) that I can talk with. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Averaging 18 pounds a month is great! I think many people here have unrealistic expectations of how fast they will lose post-op. There are so many factors: did you have sleeve or bypass? Are you male or female? Was starting weight/BMI high or low? etc. No two people are alike, and no two people will lose weight the same way in the same time frame. You're only 2 months out. Do you really think the weight loss is going to stop suddenly? I know it's hard not to compare yourself to others, but really, the only one you should be comparing yourself to is... you! What was your weight loss like before you had the operation? I know for me, the most I could ever lose was about 10 pounds a month, but after a month or two, the weight loss would plateau and creep up again. What are your body measurements like? You may find that you are losing inches, even if the scale is stalled. How do you feel? Do you have more energy? Do you have less pain (if you have it before)? There are so many non-scale victories to keep track of. Even for me, the last two weeks have been a bit of a downer, as the scale hasn't budged (but it finally did today). That said, even though the scale wasn't moving, clearly something was happening because I suddenly found most of the clothes I was wearing were too big - pants and skirts literally falling off my body, shirts so baggy it was embarrassing. So I've done another clean-out of my closet and I'm happy that I am starting to fit into size 16 bottoms, something I haven't been able to do for over 10 years. Anyway, focus on your NSV's, stop comparing yourself to others (social media is great for support, but it often can create false expectations based on what others are projecting out there), and relax. Hope you start feeling better about this soon.

Welcome and good luck! I will be 1 week behind you. I am having bypass the 28th.

My bypass + hh repair was early in the morning. Pain level after surgery 0 but NOW 8:39pm I have level pain 6. My Liquid diet start in stage 2. Protein shake, broth, sugar free popsicle, apple juice and water. Probably come home tomorrow. No nausea, no vomit at this moment. But you need walk, walk and walk. OFFICIALLY I’M ON THE OTHER SIDE!!! Yessss!!!!

Can't you have 1 piece of dark choc a day? The people I know that had bypass usually allow themselves that.

Good question Jean. I have had good responses from everybody that knows that I have had the surgery. The only negative comments I have had is from a relative who had bypass. She said I wasted my money and I wouldn't lose all my weight...I just smiled and said I disagree an walked off.

I've wondered about this. Would we tell a diabetic person that they should be ashamed to take insulin if we knew they were one of those that could controll it with the food they eat? Would we say anything negative to the person who has had heart bypass surgery - because he would never had gotten there if he had watched what he ate, watched his stress level, etc. People are funny.

Hi All, I had my gastric bypass 4 weeks ago. I'm doing pretty well, though as we all know, it is an adjustment. I'm working hard to get in my liquids and Protein, and the nutritionist is happy with my progress. I'm trying to walk every day. My problem is that some days I am just absolutely exhausted. I'm not sure exactly why. It could be not enough protein, or pushing too hard the day before. Has anyone else had this? And how do you cope with it? Anne

UGH... and I had the EXACT symptoms you do. Mine felt like an overall tightness/soreness /extreme discomfort - like when I took a deep breath, or was sitting/laying in a certain position, bending over, etc. I basically felt it all the time. I discussed with my doctor and he said it's most likely a combination of trapped gas and constipation. I was banded on 11/10 and had a hell of a time (excuse my language) going #2. I had HORRIBLE constipation. I've since taken colace and have had a MUCH better time. High Protein diets are synonymous with constipation, so it’s very important that we drink as much Water as possible. I was 3 weeks post-op yesterday and can still feel it, just not as bad. It’s DEFINITELY gotten SO much better though. I too was very concerned for a while. My port is the lower right side of my stomach closer to my belly button as opposed to under your left rib cage. So for me, this particular ailment wasn’t port pain (though I DO have some port pain, just not there lol). Also, I know that some sleeve/bypass patients have experienced the same pain/discomfort… so I don’t think this symptom is exclusive to banded patients. My doctor also suggested that it may be something called "splenic flexure syndrome." Essentially, gas gets trapped in the bend of the colon near the spleen (the splenic flexure). It’s more or less just gas pains that will eventually dissipate. This may sound crazy… but I found that flapping my arms, like I’m doing the chicken dance helped. I know it sounds weird, but it actually helped alleviate my discomfort/pain But overall, if the discomfort if not manageable and is not getting better at all, I would certainly call your doctor. There’s no reason for you to be uncomfortable and in pain.

I had my mini gastric bypass surgery yesterday August 18 and i just got home, i was loaded with pain killers at the hospital and now things are getting al little pet rough! Not many patients goes for this type of bariatric surgeries Looking for someone who had or will have this surgery to be pals in the next steps

so yes i have been debating on posting this topic but i need answers i am an weed smoker prolly about 2-3 times a day i am geting the gastric bypass on sept 21 im not sure if i should quit smoking bc of the possibility of complications during surgery from smoking..i have looked it up online and nothing says weed can cause issues during surgery but nothing definite was wondering if there was anyone else who has quit prior to surgery for that reason

Got cardiac clearance today after a stress test on Monday. Amazing what 40 lb loss can do, pulmonary released in October, cardiologist though still wants to check on me yearly. Band comes out Thursday, have already put in place necessary things for bypass and my insurance just requires three months weight management. Will know more on 5/30/13 when I go back for follow up for band removal. Doctor told me on the first visit I would only have to wait two months, but we will see, nurse said three. Stay in touch and let me know how everything goes. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you luck but think everything will be fine. My manager had bypass at North Kansas City about three or four months ago. Doesn't seem to have any problems and she is looking great. Believe you are in good hands over there.

I'm sorry you had a rough recovery. I had a mini bypass March 16th and couldn't be happier. Have you discussed your concerns with your surgeon or dr? Weight loss surgery does change your internal body rhythm so you might need to adjust diet and speak with a dietician? Good luck xx

Hi everyone, ok I've been wanting to write on here for awhile so here goes, I'm from Ontario Canada, I have finishes with all my visits with the bariatric team and my surgery is set for May 28th! My surgeon mentioned that I'm more of a candidate for the sleeve apposed to the gastric bypass, can anyone tell me if there is any difference between either surgery afterwards like the eating, recovery, weight loss...etc etc. I have been reading and preparing for the gastric bypass and not familiar with the sleeve. Also if anyone is interested my email is mariamassa@hotmail.ca for support. All the best to all!

Congrats and welcome. I am fairly certain I will have a RNY as I have a hiatal hernia that must be repaired. You are almost 2 months out from your bypass, right? How are you feeling? I’m hoping for 4/11 surgery date.

Dr Kurian was my surgeon, I had my lap band revised to gastric bypass.. I love her to bits. Just saw her yesterday for my six week post op appointment. I highly reccomend her!!

Was told by my nurse that all my levels were excellent! Including my Protein level, she said it was pretty close to what they expect in non-bypass people. She also told me that my B7 Biotin level was really high and if I was taking a supplement for it, to stop. I have no idea what would cause it to be high, is that bad, good? Anyone know? I hate asking my nurse questions, half the time she doesn't know anything and I didn't want to bug the surgeon with a phone call about it, I'd wait til my next apt with him. I'll be seeing him next month for a day surgery and my 6th month post op in October.

I also had gastric bypass surgery on March 6th. The pain will go away, its just gas. Move around.

I know this is not really going to get answers but maybe someone might have some insight. I have lifelong chronic illness and disability. A challenge is being sensitive to medications and side effects and having allergic reactions (my list of antibiotics I am allergic to is growing) It started with Umbilical area pain that radiated upward to the right shoulder blade area like spasms. Admittedly I am also dealing with diverticulitis issues, bleeding and pain I'm not sure the source as well as Interstitial cystitis. My gastric bypass surgery inadvertently revealed a form of neurological dysphagia I have difficulty drinking thin liquids. landing in hospital with aspiration pneumonia a day after I got home, I found out that was why. started before surgery but I didnt know why I was having difficulty drinking water. normally i could chug it no issues. For a while I had trouble with eating which turned out to be stricture. I had history of ulcers prior to my gastric bypass surgery. and they found it afterward as well. I had dilations. and eating got a bit easier I just had to be careful what types of foods I ate. But then some weeks back it got really bad I found myself feeling sick just taking nibbles of my lunch. I always meal plan daily and prepare portion control sizes so I know how much calories and protein I am getting and what my portion is so its never too much for my pouch. But Id get partway through nibbling slowly and at times depending what Im eating Id just have to stop. and then feel the need to throw up but cant at times heaving but only a thick mucus comes up. I saw my general practitioner and had a CT scan and bloodwork. I also made some appointments. She told me to see my Bariatric surgeon. I had to wait until just recently to have a Endoscopy. I am just frustrated. because the CT scan showed Hepatic Steatosis. My one liver level is high it was not high when I was losing weight. Only when it was stable already. I did not have fatty liver prior to surgery. But they want to assume I did and that no one told me. But that's something they check for because its a co-morbidity! Also my gallbladder was checked at the time it had to be removed due to chronic inflammation. People have gastric bypass to get rid of fatty liver ... I have only read of maybe a rare case of liver disease post surgery. Anyway. back in June I had a enteroscopy to check the remnant portion of stomach and dilation. no mention of ulcer then. I have trouble with proton pump inhibitors not working and they just seem to deplete my vitamin levels too much. plus trigger my migraines. Ive had ulcers go away without the PPI and gotten ulcers while on them so they just dont seem effective. Then there is carafate. one side effect is constipation and with diverticulitis I cant afford that especially since the CT also showed inflammation and narrowing of my colon ... and I am trying to get iron and even the supposed non constipating kind in my whole foods based multivitamin is throwing my system off. so I had the Endoscopy this month and it showed Jejunal ulcer so the doctor just prescribes proton pump inhibitor and carafate (my insurance decided to not pay for carafate) but what other options are there besides these? and what could be causing the ulcers if Im not taking motrin or similar meds even though I do need them. Ulcer at the junction between the pouch and small intestine can happen in the first months post op and common treatment is PPI and carafate but not nearly two years out. Hard to believe April will be two years ... my gut keeps telling me its issue with my remnant stomach. perhaps even with the staples used. but I dont know how to get answers. I have seen when these things dont work doctors do a surgical revision of some kind. my surgeon is great but yet he seems to address it as it too simply and its not that simple anymore. Also I cant figure out the fatty liver aka hepatic statosis and the high ALT (liver enzymes) they assumed it was high before but no not really. Also I had blood transfusions in June and the levels went down due to the transfusion but then went back up again. so one would assume if it had to do with the weight loss the levels would have stayed down. I cant sort out what move to take next. I kind of sat on this post a while and didnt post it. I still hesitate. I know its probably not something anyone can answer. I am just getting frustrated. I am also retaining fluid in my abdomen along with a lot of pain.

Hello and welcome...you can click in the search bar and you will find lots of ppl who had revision surgery....good luck on your journey

well my 5 month surgiversary was on the 15th! I'm a few days late, but better late than never in my book. I'm so happy that i decided to do the revision and get rid of my CRAP BAND!!! that thing was the worst, especially after it slipped. So, since 10/15 i am down 50 pounds! my blood work is great except for Vitamin D which i am working on now! I am now down 77% of my excess body weight since surgery, the lowest that i have been since college! I have so much energy, that my kids are finding it hard to keep up with me! I can eat pretty much anything that i want, which is a double edged sword! I sometimes 'want' what i shouldn't eat, but a few bites and i'm good! before it would be all or nothing! My husband and son think i'm HOT, that is so cool! I am looking forward getting the last 19 pounds off and getting to goal! that is when I am going to buy a new wardrobe! Until then, my baggy size 10 jeans will just have to do! thanks for reading and being a great support group!!! Patti

With bypasses, strictures are relieved by inflating a balloon in the tight area, stretching it open. Since you have a sleeve, the process might be the same.... but it could also be more involved.. like needing a temporary stent. Glad your surgeon is being proactive getting you looked at.

I have done TONS of research and been on these forums for months and I have't heard anything at all about VSG causing a build-up of scar tissue. I've heard a LOT of lap-band patients having trouble with scar tissue from their bands when revising to VSG. I don't think you'll have to be a "gym rat" to maintain your weight loss, but regular exercise is a requirement for maintained weight loss no matter how you lose the weight. I lost 90 pounds "on my own" a few years ago and stopping regular exercise contributed greatly to my regain. As for stretching the sleeve, it will relax and expand some by about a year out, but it can never be back to anything remotely resembling your old, full-sized stomach.