After being successful for 10 years with the lap band I will be having a revision surgery from band to RNY In early April. The need for revision is like so many others, slipped band and awful GERD that ultimately required deflating and has resulted in my gaining almost all of my pre band weight back. :( My weight struggle had/have a lot to do with the fact that I just simply do not ever feel full. I can eat crazy amounts of food because I just never get a message in my brain that I’m full. The band changed that IMMEDIATELY! I believe that’s why I had such great success, because I knew very quickly if I’d eaten to much or too big of a bite and full was a sensation I finally recognized. As soon as the band was deflated, I went right back to having no sense of fullness and could eat as much and as long as I chose. It’s like I have no shut off valve. My question is this; What does being full feel like after bypass, as in long term, not during the recovery period. Do you know immediately if you’ve taken too big of a bite or haven’t chewed well? Do you stop eating because you know you’re full? As in, “whew I can’t take another bite!” and you don’t even want to, because you feel full! Thanks for any insight!

I have that feeling of fullness. Bypass feels way better than the band for me.

It feels like normal fullness. You lose interest in food, don’t want any more, feel like you have had enough etc.

You don’t get that awful feeling in your chest and or throat that makes you feel like you are dieing . No more getting stuck, wasting nights out chucking in the loo, not being able to swallow your own spit.

The difference is like day and night, if I had known what both surgeries were like in advance I would have gone straight to RNY.

But you still have to be in control, it’s not a magic wand, it won’t stop you eating slider foods although you may get dumping.Its the same as all the other types of surgery, it’s a very effective tool if you use it correctly.

I know I'm not long term yet, but since I have had both a lap band and a bypass I feel qualified to answer.

With the lap band I NEVER had that comfortable feeling of fullness. I always felt queasy rather than full and vomited often, depending how the first bite landed. I ALWAYS regurgitated meat of any kind, that's why I'm a vegetarian today. With the bypass I get that nice "whew, I'm full" with no feelings of queasiness, and I haven't vomited once since I got my bypass.

I got my band a month before yours and it worked well for 5 years, but I also developed s slip, a hiatal hernia, and even with the fill pulled out I was vomiting up almost every other thing I ate. I don't miss it it all, and like elcee if I knew then what I know now I woulda gone straight to the bypass.

Good luck!

14 minutes ago, JRT Mom said:

I know I'm not long term yet, but since I have had both a lap band and a bypass I feel qualified to answer.

With the bypass I get that nice "whew, I'm full" with no feelings of queasiness, and I haven't vomited once since I got my bypass.

I got my band a month before yours and it worked well for 5 years, but I also developed s slip, a hiatal hernia, and even with the fill pulled out I was vomiting up almost every other thing I ate. I don't miss it it all, and like elcee if I knew then what I know now I woulda gone straight to the bypass.

Good luck!

"With the lap band I NEVER had that comfortable feeling of fullness. I always felt queasy rather than full and vomited often, depending how the first bite landed. I ALWAYS regurgitated meat of any kind, that's why I'm a vegetarian today".

JRT Mom, can I ask if you've had any issues trying to get your protein being vegetarian? I've been a veg head for 27 years - and had no issues when I had my band in - (it was removed because it eroded completely into my stomach after 11 years being in). I'm just worried that I won't be able to find a good protein source that is workable since I hate tofu. Any suggestions?
THANKS!!!

Great responses! Thank you! I’m very encouraged by your experiences. I’m so used to full being equal to uncomfortable chest pain and the need to have a bathroom close by. The idea that I can feel full without that...wow! I can’t wait.

3 hours ago, GAjeepGirl said:

JRT Mom, can I ask if you've had any issues trying to get your Protein being vegetarian? I've been a veg head for 27 years - and had no issues when I had my band in - (it was removed because it eroded completely into my stomach after 11 years being in). I'm just worried that I won't be able to find a good protein source that is workable since I hate tofu. Any suggestions?
THANKS!!!

I'm not a vegan so I do get a lot of protein from dairy and eggs. I also eat a lot of beans and nuts, and I DO like tofu. Maybe you just haven't found a good recipe? Tofu to me doesn't have much taste, it just picks up the flavor of what you cook it with. I like it with Kung Pao sauce, General Tso's sauce and Korean barbecue sauce. Let it marinade for a while and then put over a bit of rice, heat it all together--YUM!

THANKS! I'm not vegan either ( I tried but I missed my eggs, milk and cheese too much). I'll definitely look into the tofu and try it again!