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This is my first post here - I just scheduled surgery for 6/24 - yay! About mortality rates - my understanding is that for bypass surgery the rate is 1 in 200, but for the lap band it's only 1 in 2000. So rest a bit easier!

I have Humana through the military retirement and they only cover band or sleeve not bypass or balloon or switch So far I've gone through all process and surgery is scheduled Jan 13 and I haven't had anything other than regular copay s Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I chose bypass because I wanted the dual advantage of malabsorption and restriction. Also, I felt that was my surgeon's strongest skill, doing bypass procedures. I'm almost 10 months out and down 110#. I don't dump and can still eat sweets, I just try and avoid them. I think my surgery lasted about 3 hours... But I also had a hernia repair.

Now that you have your date add me to facebook if you have it cause I made a private group that no one but the members can see and read for november 2011 lap banders!! Stacey Diederich-speager YAY!!! I am happy for you!!

Hello World, I'm feeling great. It's been 9 days since my lap band was removed and my surgeon performed a Gastric Bypass and I feel terrific. I'm really shocked at how fast the recovery has been. I am just starting the puree diet, having met with my surgeon. I'd love to hear from folks about what they like to eat post-puree. I am DETERMINED to lose the weight and I want to make sure I do the best I can to achieve that goal. Kind regards.

I would say I am new here but I am actually not, when I had my band placed 2.5 years ago I was a member but I could not remember my username so this is my new profile. Something horrible happened, I was in an auto accident on Nov 01 and I suffered blunt trauma to my chest and abdomin. Immediately after the accident I was vomiting and had pain. Long story short after 6 weeks of dealing with Workmans Comp (I was driving on the job, running an errand) I finally got to see the right doctor and all the correct tests were done and not only did my band slip but I also have a hiatial hernia! I am just waiting on approval for surgery to fix this and I was left with several options with Dr. Joseph Naim... 1. Remove the band (NOT!) 2. Replace the band 3. Gastric Sleeve 4. Gastric Bypass Although the band has been good to me I am afraid of this happening again as this is a very miserable experience. I am leaning toward the sleeve...any thoughts? Dawn

Hello. I am newly banded (only as of 2 weeks) so I'm not sure what I can tell you. However, I realized early on that feeling "full" is not SUPPOSED to happen...even without the band. It means you ate too much. Feeling satisfied and not being hungry in between meals (like every 4 to 5 hours) is the goal. That's just my opinion. I have yet to feel FULL like I used to when I used to stuff my face and clean my plate, but I also don't feel hungry between meals. I'm happy with that. I would also discuss your concerns with your doctor. As for a different procedure, I would suggest the sleeve over the bypass. I did a lot of research on the sleeve because I was considering getting that done (before insurance told me it wasn't covered) and it's safer than the bypass. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

Good Afternoon, everyone. My name is Melissa and I have a Lap-Band. LOL I'm going to start by saying that I am probably the least likely person here to be talking about my surgery. Honestly, there are only a select few people in my life that even know I have a band. However, I have had some experiences recently that have led me to seek answers, and my first Google search led me here. I had my Lap Band Surgery on December 1, 2009 in Bellevue, WA. My insurance company insisted on an overnight stay in a hospital, otherwise I would have had my surgery at NorthWest Weight Loss Surgery (NWWLS) in Everett, WA. My surgeon was Dr. Alana Chock and she was wonderful. As a matter of fact, EVERYONE at NWWLS are pretty amazing. :-) I started my journey at 256 pounds...I had tried what seemed like every option available, from exercise to Jenny Craig, WeightWatchers, Nutrisystem, etc. to diet pills and so on. I have a pretty active lifestyle to begin with...no, really! My family would always say "Well, if you're so active, why are you heavy?" Well, I couldn't answer that question then, and I can't answer that question now. All I know is that on a daily basis, I walk a MINIMUM of 2 miles...I climb up and down ladders (2-3 stories) all day...I always take the stairs instead of the elevator (mostly because it's faster than waiting). Anyway, Dr. Chock determined that I was a good candidate for single-incision surgery, and I have only one scar - right at my belly button. During the first year of having my Lap Band, I lost about 74 pounds and held steady at 182 pounds for over a year....right up to this past Christmas. One evening, I went to dinner with friends. I'm not sure what caused it, whether it was the type of food I ate or accidentally eating too quickly, but I ended up in the restroom seeing my meal in reverse. Unfortunately for me, there was also blood there. I panicked and immediately called to make an appointment with Dr. Chock the next morning. During my appointment, she used the flouroscope to see what was going on and told me "Your band is very tight." I thought that was odd, because I hadn't been experiencing any difficulty up to that point...but she removed 0.4cc of Fluid from my band that day (December 22nd) and scheduled me to come back after the holidays to see how things were. Now I will mention that during Christmas, I was probably eating WAY more than I should have...but it also took WAY more to make me feel full. Granted, I realize that 0.4cc of fluid isn't much...but it apparently made a huge difference to MY stomach. So, I went in on January 5th of this year to get a fill done....and I had gained 14 POUNDS!!! 14 POUNDS in 14 DAYS!! I just couldn't believe it. They did a fill of 0.2cc and said to come back in a month to see how I'm doing. A few days later, I received a letter from my insurance company stating that they would no longer be covering NWWLS as a "preferred provider." So, to deter any immediate out of pocket costs, I went to see a doctor that they recommended on March 26th. They also did a flouroscopy and said that my band is very tight, and refused to do a fill. Here is where I am confused, and realistically, SCARED. The day before my last appointment, I finished my dinner. That may not seem odd to some of you, but I FINISHED my DINNER. I haven't cleaned my plate since November 30, 2009. So, for them to tell me that my band is very tight, but I am able to eat a full plate of food...that terrifies me. Right now, I weigh 199 pounds. I told myself that I would NEVER, EVER, see 200 pounds again...and here I am teetering on that edge. My doctors tell me that my band is fine and it looks good on the scope....but there is definitely something wrong. Can anyone offer me some advice??? Thanks so much in advance.

I had RNY surgery 2005 I lost 100lbs I am now back up 60lbs I am working with my doctor to get the LAP-BAND®® but I am interested in hearing some longtime results of the band over bypass and any info would be greatful Thank you

I had RNY surgery 2005 I lost 100lbs I am now back up 60lbs I am working with my doctor to get the LAP-BAND®® but I am interested in hearing some longtime results of the band over bypass and any info would be greatful Thank you

Hello! This post isn’t about me, but a dear friend who had bypass 11 days ago. She hasn’t lost a single pound yet and she is getting discouraged. She didn’t have any weight loss prior to her surgery since her BMI was just over 35. She has many pre-existing issues such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, heart issues, etc. She seems to be getting her protein and is following her post op diet. She is also drinking over 80 ounces of water per day. Any ideas??? Is this normal?

I try to just count carbs, easier than cal. lower numbers, don't have to count as high. Good luck, my wife is getting a bypass on 6 April and as you can see I got the realize band on 4 March. The Liquid diet gets a little rough (hunger) but remember the end result and try your best. We only had to be on a liquid diet for ten days so we started about 14 days out and after the third day I had a bowl of chili so I was still in compliance with my Dr. orders but got thru the third day hump and the rest of the 14 day liquid diet went fine, infact I was eating one or two liquid meals a day prior to that to find a good liquid that I liked. Again Good luck.

Hi Everyone, My surgery is a week away... well 5 Days now...since I'm still up. Nervous as I don't know what. I have been doing great on my pre op diet until today. It was my sister's birthday and we took her out I had bread and salade and felt so sick I threw up. I also felt gulity.(But that's another story. The guilt mostly comes from not telling everyone I will be having surgery. I have told my parents and my sister. Have not informed my cousin who is like a sister because of fear she may tell her parents and the word may get all over the family. See my sister had Gastric Bypass about 10 years ago and although she did great losing over 285 lbs. she is and was constantly judged. I really do not want this to be my life. After she got down to the 100's she became pregnant after being told there was absolutely No way she would ever conceive. Needless to say she has a Beautiful 6 year old now. She has gained a little weight which she is constantly dieting off. Family and Friends often ask why did you gain weight after you lost it all she is only 20 lbs away from the weight she was when the family and friends made her feel too skinny and anorexic (Which she was not EVER). I guess my fear is not being able to live up to what they will feel the surgery should be. I also, have not gone into full details with my husband. Only telling him I am seeking ways to be healthier and preparing my body to one day become a mother. He knows I plan on having something done on Thursday...but what .?, has not been reviled. If anyone has had this problem or has been dealing with anything simular, please write back.

I had a the original gastric bypass in 1978. I am pre surgery for the band. maybe things have improved in 30 years. I lost 125, and maintained until 2004 when I had a crisis in my life. Wishing you the best, whatever you decide.

Congratulations. I had a RNY Gastric Bypass 11 months ago, and I remember the first few weeks were rough. There was so much complexity built into the meal plan, Protein supplements, medicine, Vitamins, Water intake, etc. But it does get better. I reached my happy state at 6 months, when everything started to work and all the problems melted away.

Thank you! I'm excited! Did you have yours? If so, when? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App November 2013. Would do it again. Wish the sleeve had been around 20 years earlier!!!!!! Awesome! My mom had the bypass oct 2013 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good morning everyone, My name is Candice, I am 38 married to a wonderful man of 18 years and mother of 4 wonderful daughters. Okay, here is my weight loss story. I had a gastric bypass back in Sept 2003 and lost a total of 150lbs..But started having a lot of heath issues that weren't related to my surgery and was placed on 15 different medicines and 11 were steroids. So after dealing with my weight and trying to loss the weight without much success, I decided to find a doctor to help me out. After many test and all, my doctor found out that my stomach had went from a size of a pecan to the size of a lemon....So we decided that a revision of my first gastric bypass would be the best. I starting weight was my most high of 340( my weight went up and down over the past year), on surgery date I was sitting at 331. Now I am 3 weeks post op I am weighting in at 306...I am so proud of myself and know that this is my second chance and having a healthy life. I am truly bless to be at this point in my life and knowing that I have a wonderful support group at home makes it worthwhile.

I agree - I'm surprised your surgeon didn't bring this up with you. Normally gastric bypass is recommended for people with reflux. as for your other questions, 1 . Does GS affect your breathing in any way ? Haven't heard of this issue 2. is there any vomitation of blood in the mouth after surgery haven't heard of this - but it seems plausible since it's stomach surgery, so I suppose it could happen 3. Can I smoke my vape with nicotine after GS we were told no smoking/nicotine 4. Is it hard to swallow (water/protein drinks) in the days after GS for some, yes - but for most, no. 5. What happens if I miss my Vitamin tablets for a couple of days , will I feel weak ? a couple of days shouldn't be an issue, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. We have a few sleevers on here who were given the go-ahead to stop taking certain or all vitamins based on their lab results - but it'll be awhile before that kind of decision (might be...) made. In the mean time, you should be taking them regularly. 6. I suffer from Heartburn (gastric reflux)will my heartburn tablets be ok to take after the surgery yes, you can take heartburn meds, but again, I'm a little surprised you'll be getting sleeve surgery since you suffer from heartburn. Sleeve can make that worse. It's not inevitable - and it doesn't even happen to the majority - but the risk is big enough that many surgeons will recommend bypass instead of sleeve for heartburn sufferers.

I too was banded in November and have experienced hair loss. It also concerned me for it was at its worse in January/February. It is now fallling out less..just wanted to let you know that it does eventually slow down.

I too had surgery in November and my hair is falling out too! I had thin hair to begin with so it's definitely worse.I'm taking biotin & even bought the Nioxin brand shampoo & conditioner & scalp treatment but it has a gross medicene smell and makes my hair feel dry! So I dont know.......stinky hair or no hair! LOL ! At least they say it's suppose to grow back.....cant wait!!

You could try increasing the protein and fluids. I see a lot of the successful people saying they take in 80-100 grams of protein and 100 oz of water/fluid. It's difficult for me to get in that amt of fluid, but I shoot for as close as I can get. I can totally understand and relate to getting down and being jealous of those who've had Gastric Bypass seeming to lose faster. But my bro-in-law who had his Gastric Bypass a wk before my Sleeve has already been to the ER, in the hospital, with dehydration, kidney stones due to the fast weight loss, and now he's having to have some other tests done. I am still very happy I chose the Sleeve over the Gastric Bypass. Hang in there, and try not to compare yourself to anyone, this is YOUR journey, make the most of it.

The three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. Weight loss is achieved after surgery through meal volume control. You begin at 2 ounces (1/4 cup) per meal and gradually over the next year and a half increase the volume to 1 cup per meal. With this minuscule amount of food, it is next to impossible to meet your protein daily requirements by food alone, so therefore you need to rely on supplements such as Protein shakes. The transition to hard foods such as steak can be very difficult. So there is no need to rush headlong into it. I relied primarily on softer foods such as chili and soups. I am over 3 1/2 years post-op RNY. I put together a short article that describes my experiences. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

I had my sleeve done on the 6th of November so in 2 weeks i will be cleared for exercise i thought i had it figured out what i was gonna do but the closer it gets the more uneasy i feel about it..do I just do cardio for a while? do I go straight into weight lifting? Do i just do body weight exercise? im just asking if anyone has and guidance they would like to share about getting started...I am a tall guy so that play a part into my routine I am 6'7. I am looking to get stronger and healthier get into better shape as a person. anything helps.

I need a challenge. JQPublic are you doing one this month?