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@kstags. Hi. Have you had your surgery or due to have it soon? Magee is a wonderful hospital. I have a friend who had your doctor and had a great experience. If you read the post above I'd love to have you join us too! Feel free to look for us on Facebook under gastric bypass/sleeve Pittsburgh and join our amazing group! Lots of help advice and friends to join

@@kenya1129 Hi neighbor! I wish you luck with your coming surgery. I know quite a few people who had their surgery in Magee. I also have a Pittsburgh group on Facebook called Gastric bypass/sleeve Pittsburgh id you would like to join us. You could meet up with people who have had the surgery at Magee and had your doctor and get information from them. Hope to see you there. We're also having our first meet up on October 15th @6pm if you'd like to join us!

Hi everyone, I just had my gastric bypass surgery and hiatal hernia repair on Tuesday. Getting into the groove of drinking water every 15 min but did a bad job yesterday. I’m really struggling with this liquid diet and can’t wait until I can eat soft foods after my doctor clears me on Dec 12 for my follow up appt. Any tips on making it through the liquid diet? I’m getting tired of soups and protein shakes only. I’ve lost 5 pounds since my surgery so far so I’m on the right path also 15 pounds since starting my liquid diet 3 weeks ago. One day at a time.

Yes It was gastric bypass. I have an appt. With my surgeon June first and everyone keeps saying it takes some people longer but it is really hard.

Recovery time should be pretty much the same as it was when you had the band installed. You are going in for a full laparoscopic surgery, so you'll have all the ports/incisions that come with it. You'll be unfilled, have your band adjusted and more than likely some more sutures put in to hold it in place, and this is all barring any complications. I had my band installed in 2011 and I had ZERO physical issues, no slippage, no erosion, nothing. But when I had my revision from Band to Bypass, it took my surgeon over 3 times longer to get the band out, because it has been 100% encapsulated in scar tissue. So, you *might* not have any issues once they get inside you again... but you could have some major complications ahead like I did, even though nothing pointed to there being any real problem. To be honest, my "suggestion" would be to talk to your surgeon about revision to another WLS. The Band has just so much working against it at this point, 2 major manufactures have stopped making them, most surgeons won't even do them any longer.

Sleeves are more like we are than bypass people as neither banded nor sleeved people malabsorb. But most sleeved people eat around 600-800 calories for the first few months and then under 1000 until they finish losing, most banded people eat around 1000-1200 calories. 1200 is the calorie level used by orgs like WeightWatchers and it is perfectly possible to get a balanced diet. I have been banded fir nine years and am a regular on another board. In all that time, I have time and tme again seen it said that banded people need just one multi-vit a day. People may choose to take more, like calcium etc.. But the band manufacturers do not say more is required. I am not saying your doctr/nutritionist is wrong! But certainly very unusual!!!!

6/8/06 This was the day of my initial meeting with the WLS group and Dr. Greene. I was one of about 15 people there wanting to have the surgery done. I swear, I was the last one in the office. They took me back to a room and I know I sat that for an hour before the Dr. Greene came in. I thought he was arrogant and not overly compassionate. He thought I would be a good candidate for the gastric bypass and not necessarily the lapband. During this initial meeting, I also met with Mandy, the nutritionist and Laura. During my weigh in, I was trying to weigh in heavier in the event my insurance would cover me if I were 100 lbs overweight. Didn't happen anyway, oh well. I weighed in at exactly 255lbs. 36.6 BMI While waiting in the waiting room I meet Donna. Though I didn't find out her name until later. She finished before me and was waiting for her ride outside when I came out.

2 years ago I made an important decision that would change my life forever! I had my RNY gastric bypass 2 years exactly from today. Best thing I could have ever done. I have lost 130lbs and my health is so much better. I can keep up with my 7 year old! I am so happy, but it is getting harder now, but I know what I need to do and stop getting lazy and discouraged!! This is a great journey and I wish the best for everyone!

hey everyone! I'm a newbie here so bear with me I'm Morgan, 13 years old, and I am off to Atlanta (I'm from columbus, about 2 hours away) to meet with the doctors at Emery Hospital for a clinic. Hopefully to schedule my surgery also *crosses fingers* I've been overweight all my life, been going to gyms and used every diet you can name scince I was very young.. even as a baby I wasn't given unhealthy Snacks. At age 10 I was diagnosed with PCOS, and was put on metformin, welbutrin, and effexor. i lost about 30 lbs, but soon gained it back, even with dieting and exercising. Soon I gained it all back. I went to a bariatric docotor and was on Pro-Cal ONLY for about 2 months and lost around 25 lbs. and when I went back to only eating one healthy meal a day I gained every pound back and am still gaining. About a 2 months ago at my check-up with my endo. he suggest bariatric surgery. We researched and read these posts and everything you can think of and decided this was the right thing. At first I was planned to have the gastric bypass, but the doctors said they would only do the lap-band on someone my age. Mymother was more than happy with the decreased chance of side effects. So we got in touch with Emery pedeatric surgery clinic and for weeks have been trying to schedule a clinic. And tomorrow's the day. So all I wanted to know is if ya'll have any advice for me or helpful hints about the things you have to do after the surgery... would love to hear from you. Thank you lots!

Mine is about 3 months. I had my 1st visit late November, my surgeon appt is wed feb 28...would have a mid march surgery date, but will be on vacation until the 22 of march, so im hoping for a early April surgery date. My insurance or dr didnt require any weight monitoring. I have all my clearances, cardio, dietian, exercise, physocology, and nurse practitioner. Super excited Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

So, I was sleeved on 04/04/2011. The doc told my family that the surgery went awesome I was the easiest patient he had ever performed the sleeve on. Little did any of us know I was going to be the worst he had dealt with on the recovery end of things. In the hospital I had a hard time from the git-go they would bring me up my trays with all liquids on it and want me to sip I would attempt to sip on things but it never failed I would end up getting sick. The gas and the reflux and the nausea/vomiting was so overwhelming to my body. They tried to take the IV fluids out after a day but ended up having to put it back in because I became dehydrated. I ended up spending a total of 6 days in the hospital altogether and even on the 6th day they really didn't want to let me leave but they gave in. I went home to experience pure hell. I couldn't get anything down and I was still doing full liquids at this point. I once again got really dehydrated and ended up having to go to the Infusion Center for IV fluids this went on for awhile (a few appointments) let's just say they new me by face. After a couple attempts at I believe it was an upper GI which never worked do to the fact I couldn't get the barium yuk-yuk stuff down my doc decided to do a EGD where he went down into my tummy with the scope. His conclusion, I have a small stricture where my esophagus meets my stomach and he wants to just wait it out to see if it fixes itself.....so we wait and we wait and I'm not getting any better I go into see him on April 27th looking like death and end up going to the hospital to get a PICC line (TPN) inserted into my arm and pretty much from that day I have been having a lovely bag of I dunno every-night for dinner while I sleep. Still things aren't any better with trying to get liquids or soft foods down and I'm at a loss. Doc says something about stretching it out possibly or switching it to a Gastric Bypass which scares me to death. I just wanna feel somewhat normal again that's all I ask....I am scheduled for a second EGD on Monday the 16th (keep fingers crossed that they figure this out) So here's my questions.... 1. Besides it possibly being a stricture is there anything else it might be I could mention to my doc? 2. From what information I was able to give, has anyone ever experienced any of these issues or anything similar? If so what was it? 3. Does anyone know exactly what changing it to a Gastric Bypass is going to accomplish? Thanks so much for any help I'll take anything at this moment I am desperate begging down on my knees for answers. Diamond-n-the-rough

Hello. My name is Jutun and I just had bypass surgery on July 12th. Everything went well and I was sent home July 14th. I am on a liquid diet and I am not doing well with the chicken broth. I need other ideas of things to eat for this week. Any suggestions? Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

I actually had a friend that was turned down for gastric bypass surgery about 2 years ago. After further talking to her I found out that it probably had a lot to do with her 1) smoking 2) drinking and 3) not being medicated for an adequate amount of time for her recent bi-polar diagnosis. She was on a time crunch because she was about to be booted off of her father's insurance and wanted to rush the surgery. I think if she had been sober from smoking and drinking for about 6 months and on a steady regiment of medication for her bi-polar disorder she would have been okayed for surgery.

I would start with your surgeon. You almost sound like you need to start back at the beginning. Make sure your mind is in the right place to lose weight and work with the band though. I'm not criticizing at all, I'm offering support, but saying that ice cream goes down easy, and the Pasta can sometimes go down makes me question your food choices. Unfortunately, the band won't stop you from eating, or trying to eat, anything. It's a combination of the band working to help you feel fuller, faster, and you working for your band. You've got to be committed to the protein/veggies/fruit regimine (or whatever your nutritionist/surgeon recommend). If you're absolutely done with the band, your surgeon might have some better ideas and they can work with your insurance company if you decide on another WLS. Again, please don't take this as me being critical, everyone lives their life differently....I would just hate to see you go through something like the sleeve or bypass and have it be unsuccessful.

Hello to all the readers out there @ lapbandtalk.com my name is Joe, and I am having lapband surgery on the 14th of July 2009. My Dr. is Dr. Nunn who is a surgeon at the Barix Clinics in Ypsilanti, Mi. I am 6'1" and currently tipping the scales at 354lbs. I have tried various diets and exercise routines. I currently have joint pain, bad asthma (inhaled steroids daily to control), Acid Reflux, and have had several severe bouts with depression. (taking daily meds for that also) My mother's family has always had weight issues, and my mother herself has successfully had a Gastric Bypass and lost over 70% of her excess body weight. She encouraged me to pursue weight loss surgery because of her constant observation at my unsuccessful attempts to loose weight. So.. here I am.. a bit nervous, bit scared, bit excited.. mostly.. just ready to have the surgery and start building a new, healthy, me. I will be updating my progress, thoughts, issues, etc.. on my twitter page.. feel free to follow me, or if anyone else is doing the same please pm or post your twitter account so i can follow you as well! www.twitter.com/jojocourt

I had my gastric Bypass Surgery on 11/6/16 and have lost 52 pounds. I am having some issues and was wondering if anyone else has experienced any of the following issues: 1) when I speak my voice is strained - sounds hoarse all the time since surgery. saw an ENT said everything is fine 2) nose is always running 3) lately when I have a bowel movement I have to throw up at the same time. Comes out both ends. And get the chills really bad. I am only having a Protein shake for Breakfast lunch consists of 1 thin sliced turkey breast - low solium with 1 thin sliced lowfat swiss cheese afternoon snack - 1 slice of low-fat sharp cheese and 5 cashews or almonds dinner: 1 oz of kidney, lima Beans, - can not eat shrimp, lobster, chicken, lean goundbeef at night 1 sugar free icepop

@@kfs5628 I've had that exact problem. Turns out I was supposed to take my iron supplement twice a day and I was only taking it once. Now my iron levels are low and I'm slowly building them back up. Not taking vitamins may work for some people but there's a reason it's standard procedure after a bypass. Also, for the rest of you, your levels may be fine now but a few years down the road, you will almost certainly have vitamin deficiencies. So keep an eye on it and ignore doctor's orders at your own peril!

Your surgeon should have explained to you before he surgery that the weight will come off slowly. the lap band is not anything like the bypass. with the lap band the key to it is the fills you recieve. once you are at your "sweet spot" you should feel the proper restriction. the lap band is just like a "tool" it is a built in portion control device. YOU still must do the rest of the work by eating right and exercising. i am sorry if you were misimformed, but that is how it works. you will not just drop the weight off if you don't follow the entire plan. Yes it is a slow process, but you will keep the weight off for life and your body will feel much better in the end. Remember you did not put the weight on over night, so why would you think it would come off in that same fashion. Good Luck to all ( including myself) We will need it since this is a lifetime battle.

Thanks guys. I know that I am not being patient. I had my first fill on 7/13 and I have an appt on 8/4 for another fill. I have limited my caloric intake and my best friend had the bypass and she has lost 70 pnds in 3 mths so I guess thats why its frustrating me a little. I chose the band because I can control my weight loss more than with the bypass and I know it won't come off as fast. I will have patience.

Hey, Janell I hope all goes well with your surgery and that your weight loss journey will be a steady one. Yes, I've read and researched the lap band, yes, you will lose at at slower rate, but it's better for you. Alot of people who were banded really like it. Some get inpatient, but they finally realize that although the weight loss is slow, they are still losing. This method really teaches you discipline and to eat the right foods so that your health improves. I personally, think I will do well with the band because of those reasons. Now, with the gastric bypass, I know two co-workers who have had it. They are happy they made the decision to have the surgery and don't regret anything. They've lost alot of weight and right now, their weight has tapered off. If they want to lose anymore, they'd have to exercise regularly and eat healthjier. They even gained 10-15 pounds back. So you see, GB is not a cure-all, just a tool, like the lapband. They won't or shouldn't, of couse, gain all the weight back, but should watch what their eating and exercise. I've read negative and well as positive things about both GB and the lapband, but I do know it's ultimately my decision on which procedure is best for me.

Help Something has happened with my band - I did great with my pregnancy and gained about 20 lbs - still had restriction after he was born - all of of sudden - nothing - no restriction - I can totally eat like I did pre-band - as soon as I stopped breastfeeding in November - the wait just came on. My doctor thinks I have either an erosion or my tube disconnected! Anyone with similar experience? Lauren banded 1/05 330/258/268/288-pregnancy/302 now!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi BriarRose, Your post jumped right out at me partly because I'm also 54 and partly because I haven't told my Dad I'm having surgery yet. I love my Dad, but he's from the school of though that isn't too fond of doctors and doesn't believe in having surgery unless he considers it life or death. He's recently been diagnosed with cancer and is having his surgery this Tuesday. In the meantime, well last Friday I found out that my insurance company has changed its policy on BMI so I now qualify for the sleeve. I have been doing my research again this year since June and had initially thought about getting the band. But for me, the thought of having a band around my stomach and a port that has to be filled, was too much to deal with. I'm not fond of needles, and having to routinely go in to have saline injected made me a bit queasy. Also, when I realized that the band does little or nothing to affect (or is that effect?) hunger hormones, I was less than thrilled. I know someone who got the gastric bypass and thinking about all the connecting and disconnecting didn't sit well with me. The sleeve just feels like the most straight forward approach for me to do. This feels like something that I can live with and move forward with. I haven't told my Dad and don't intend to until the last minute. He means well, but his bias is as stated above. I think he round some literature on my desk about the weight loss surgery and said to me "I hope you're not considering doing something foolish." That comment felt kind of like a kick to the gut, but that's just how he feels about any surgery that isn't emergency and life and death. I just feel like I've tried everything else for the last 47 years or so and it's time to try another approach. I went through a period when I thought that somehow this kind of surgery was cheating....you know....anything that helps out the fat girl must be cheating, right? But then I decided just to avail myself of another tool, a more successful tool than I'd tried before. What's the old saying? Doing the same things and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity...and I may be many things, but insane is not one of them! Also, I think that as an overweight person, I've kind of been programmed to think that there must be something inherently wrong with me. I must be lazy, or not bright, or have some other malady that would cause me to allow myself to get to this place. I think as much as I tell myself I'm not influenced by the messages, I did manage to internalize at least some of the negatives associated with being overweight. But, I digress... I WILL be getting my surgery date tomorrow (Monday) and I'm aiming for the middle of December. I'm back in school and that will allow me to recover between semesters...at least begin the recovery process. If I am pushed to next year, it will be a financial strain, but as long as I do it by the end of this year, it won't cost me additional deductible.....I'm sure I'm not the only one that's playing beat the clock/calendar. I wish you much success in this endeavor and I plan on keeping an eye on you and on your progress. You know, we boomers have to stick together. Like you I'm aiming for 55 and fabulous. And just between us girls, I've been telling close friends that I'm hoping to set myself up to be able to lie about my age and get away with it. Better yet, I hope to get myself together while I'm back in school working on a Master's degree. Once that's complete, I have to be able to sit through an interview and be taken seriously. I think that will be a whole lot more possible without an extra 139 pounds hanging on my frame. Cheers! PJF

Definitely call, just to be safe. I could have written this post. I have the same issues with pain and vomiting meat. I have already had the testing done and I am healed, no issues. The surgeon says my new stomach is just extraordinarily sensitive and that it will likely resolve itself over the next several months. I am 10 weeks out from my Gastric bypass. Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App

Yes, to some degree I do regret mine. If I could do it over again I would have a mini gastric bypass instead. I've had my band one year. I lost 55 pounds in the first 3 months and have since gained 25 pounds back. I can only tell you from my experience...I always had trouble sticking with a certain way of eating. I still do. The band has not changed that one bit except that I can't eat certain breads and sometimes healthy Proteins such as chicken. I can't eat Breakfast but have no problem wolfing down a large supper. I also had a sweet tooth. I still have it and have no trouble whatsoever eating sweets. No, I shouldn't eat them. I know that. But if I could have controlled it to start with I wouldn't have needed the band. I'm happy for those who aren't having any problems with their band. Maybe one day I'll get to that "honeymoon phase" again and will be able to start working with mine again.