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I had a lap band placed in 2015. I was strict - no caffeine, no soda, no alcohol. I attempted to eat vegetables and Protein in the form of meat...only to regurge them back up every time. My surgeon was supposed to be "one of the best" around in the Valley of the Sun. The support groups consisted of skinny people with success stories and no understanding for what I was going through. The nutritionist eventually "fired" me because I was allergic to some fruits and vegetables and couldn't get others down. He stated that I needed to change my attitude and stop pretending that I was allergic to some fruits and vegetables. I was irritated to say the least. After filling the band to the max, I was dropped off of their radar. I honestly didn't want to go back - I felt that I had nowhere to turn to. I tried so hard - exercising, eating better, etc. I lost 30lbs, that was it. In 1 year, 30 lbs was ridiculous.
So now, here I am, late 2017 and finally getting some help from a different surgeon who actually cares. I'm getting a conversion of the lap band to bypass. I know it's permanent but I need to make this change. I know I can eat right. I have no problems changing that part of my life. I've been overweight since high-school. I've never seen myself as a healthy weighted adult. I'm excited and nervous! Wish me luck!

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I had a lap band placed in 2015. I was strict - no caffeine, no soda, no alcohol. I attempted to eat vegetables and Protein in the form of meat...only to regurge them back up every time. My surgeon was supposed to be "one of the best" around in the Valley of the Sun. The support groups consisted of skinny people with success stories and no understanding for what I was going through. The nutritionist eventually "fired" me because I was allergic to some fruits and vegetables and couldn't get others down. He stated that I needed to change my attitude and stop pretending that I was allergic to some fruits and vegetables. I was irritated to say the least. After filling the band to the max, I was dropped off of their radar. I honestly didn't want to go back - I felt that I had nowhere to turn to. I tried so hard - exercising, eating better, etc. I lost 30lbs, that was it. In 1 year, 30 lbs was ridiculous.
So now, here I am, late 2017 and finally getting some help from a different surgeon who actually cares. I'm getting a conversion of the lap band to bypass. I know it's permanent but I need to make this change. I know I can eat right. I have no problems changing that part of my life. I've been overweight since high-school. I've never seen myself as a healthy weighted adult. I'm excited and nervous! Wish me luck!

Good luck! A lot of ur story mirrors my own. Had the lapbad and only lost 30lbs (that was in 2007). Now on Sept 13 2017 (10 yrs later), I had bypass. I thought this was going to finally be the tool to help me. In 1 month since my bypass, I've only lost 12lbs, and 9 of those 12 were lost in the first week post op! So frustrating! Especially with how excited i was to get bypass surgery! I am not trying to discourage you by any means, I just want to put realistic expectations out there for u. All the wonder tales posted here and told in group settings, about 40lbs lost 1st month or 70lbs down in 3 months, stuff like that, isn't necessarily a given. I dont know how they're doing that kind of loss and I'm not, but everybody's different. This procedures gotta help tho, right?! I gotta keep telling myself that. [emoji4] I hope your journey goes better than mine has so far. I wish i could give u advice to ensure urs goes amazingly but I'm following by the book and none too happy, so not sure what advice to give u. Although, the MOST positive thing is that I've had zero postop complications. None. That is fantastic and I'm happy about that part.
On a separate note, Valley of the Sun, huh? Awesome! I am here too!! Who's your bypass surgeon, if ur comfortable answering? Mine is Dr Swain, whom I adore!

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Good luck! A lot of ur story mirrors my own. Had the lapbad and only lost 30lbs (that was in 2007). Now on Sept 13 2017 (10 yrs later), I had bypass. I thought this was going to finally be the tool to help me. In 1 month since my bypass, I've only lost 12lbs, and 9 of those 12 were lost in the first week post op! So frustrating! Especially with how excited i was to get bypass surgery! I am not trying to discourage you by any means, I just want to put realistic expectations out there for u. All the wonder tales posted here and told in group settings, about 40lbs lost 1st month or 70lbs down in 3 months, stuff like that, isn't necessarily a given. I dont know how they're doing that kind of loss and I'm not, but everybody's different. This procedures gotta help tho, right?! I gotta keep telling myself that. [emoji4] I hope your journey goes better than mine has so far. I wish i could give u advice to ensure urs goes amazingly but I'm following by the book and none too happy, so not sure what advice to give u. Although, the MOST positive thing is that I've had zero postop complications. None. That is fantastic and I'm happy about that part.
On a separate note, Valley of the Sun, huh? Awesome! I am here too!! Who's your bypass surgeon, if ur comfortable answering? Mine is Dr Swain, whom I adore!



I’m with Bridges Weight Loss - Dr Fang. He’s been amazing so far! I’m prepared for the possibility of losing less slowly than others but hoping that I’ll lose quickly. The doc seemed optimistic about fast results. I’m just going to be happy to be rid of the band. Any acid reflux so far?



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I’m with Bridges Weight Loss - Dr Fang. He’s been amazing so far! I’m prepared for the possibility of losing less slowly than others but hoping that I’ll lose quickly. The doc seemed optimistic about fast results. I’m just going to be happy to be rid of the band. Any acid reflux so far?




Absolutely you will be very happy to get rid of the band. The band was bad.
No reflux for me. Ive been real good, little pain after the 1st week postop. I notice im really hungry, for skme reason, in the morning. Its weird, lol. Afternoon and evening i can go for hours without eating. Plus, continuing to work on the "head hunger" when Im home and bored, or sleepy. Otherwise, everything is great except for the slow A rate of weightloss.

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Absolutely you will be very happy to get rid of the band. The band was bad.
No reflux for me. Ive been real good, little pain after the 1st week postop. I notice im really hungry, for skme reason, in the morning. Its weird, lol. Afternoon and evening i can go for hours without eating. Plus, continuing to work on the "head hunger" when Im home and bored, or sleepy. Otherwise, everything is great except for the slow A rate of weightloss.

I'm the same way. Super hungry in the morning, but can go the rest of the day with nothing.

Sent from my LG-LS993 using BariatricPal mobile app

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Cool. I have to go back to work after 10 days and have a high pain tolerance so I’m hoping for a good quick recovery. Hoping I don’t have a ton of hunger.


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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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