Bypassjourney

I also had sleeve to bypass revision surgery on 10/28. I was very nervous before surgery remembering the pain from the sleeve surgery. With the sleeve I had a terrible time getting in my liquids the first several days. With the bypass I had no trouble getting in liquids even on the day of surgery. In fact I was worried the surgery was not successful since I could drink so easily. At my post-op appointment this past week the PA told me it was fine and I could drink all the liquids (Water and crystal light type drinks) that I want. Let's keep in touch!!

I have made up 2-3 servings of the Protein powder shakes and stored in the refrigerator for the day. They seem to be okay. But I wouldn't go past the one day.

October 28th!!! I hope everyone has had successful surgeries this month. I can't wait to hear about it and share our support!

I am having sleeve to bypass revision this Friday, 10/28! I was sleeved in January, 2012. I had great success for the first two years. Then between bad food choices and medication that causes weight gain, I gained it all back plus some. My acid reflux is bad and I have a hernia. I wasn't scared at all before but I must admit I have some fears this time around.

I had the sleeve on 1/26/2012. I did lose 90 lbs. within the first year. I had absolutely NO dumping and no reflux. I figured out really quick that I could eat all the same foods as before but only less. I convinced myself that now I was "normal" and could eat what I wanted because of my restricted stomach size. WRONG!! I started regaining a couple of years out and all the weight came back quickly. I have no restriction and can eat a full size plate with no problem. I am now scheduled for a sleeve to bypass revision at the end of October. Everybody has to do what is best for them, but I have since learned after the sleeve that there are quite a few others that are also gaining back after about year two. I am beyond blessed that I get a second "second chance" with bypass. I will not mess it up this time! Stay afraid of the foods that caused the gain in the first place!!

I got the approval for my sleeve to bypass revision surgery from Aetna!!!! I had VSG in January, 2012. I started gaining back the weight about 1 1/2 years ago and sadly regained all I had lost. I am SO ready for this second "second chance" and feel so blessed!! The insurance coordinator at my doctor's office was very worried that we would get approved because other requests had been denied by Aetna. So I am the first one that has received the approval at their office! I will be getting all the pre-op appointments done quickly and surgery is like to be by the end of October! One thing I did not do after VSG was to develop a network of support from this community. I want to change that this time around! I need all the support I can get. VSG Surgery: 1/26/12 Highest Weight: 239.9 Lowest Weight 150.2 Height: 5'5" Bypass Surgery: Date TBD Current Weight: 236

I am almost eight months out and I pretty much eat what I want. But what I have found like one poster said, now that I just act as though a normal person would, I don't have those obsessions to eat like before. My happiness with my new body is giving me the desire NOT to eat all the snack foods. I always heard the saying "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" but when I was eating my comfort foods I thought "yeah right!" Now, I get that saying and it is so true for me.

Congratulations on hitting this milestone! You look great and are an inspiration!

Yes the pre-op is tough, but you have to realize that it is helping to ensure you have a successful surgery. I got hungry, grumpy, sad, light headed and all that. But when you think about it in that if you don't get your liver to shrink, you could be putting your life in danger during a surgery. I took a picture of myself and kept that with me at all times during the pre-op diet. When I would get discouraged, I would look at that picture and was reminded of how badly I wanted my life to change and although it was unbelievably tough, I stuck to it. I didn't care for the protein shakes that my doctor's office had. But I just chugged them down and told myself it was fuel for my body and its doctor's orders. You can do this! You have to set your mind to it.

I just read something in a book that said "Comfort zones don't have to be comfortable - they're just familiar". I think the struggle with whether to have the surgery or not can be tied to that statement in a sense. Being overweight is something we have known as our normal for years and years. Imagine your life outside that comfort zone. There are hundreds and hundreds of people on this board that are a testiment to the fact that we can have a new comfort zone.

I think all the emotions you all are having are completely normal. As one post stated, this is an individual journey for each of us and we have to make the decision that is in our best interest. For me, I think the surgery has been like how they say you forget so quickly about the pains of child birth. :-) I am seven months out and down 80 lbs. The pre-op, surgery, full liquid diet, etc. seems like so long ago and I don't even think about that anymore. I'm too busy enjoying my new life with a happier attitude, more confidence, better health and just an overall better ME! I know there is a big fear of what if something happens to you during surgery or you have a complication. That is a very real fear. But try to remind yourself that most of us if we continued on the same path carrying around the extra weight would possibly end up as a statistic of death by heart disease or other issues related to being overweight. I'm no longer sitting on the sidelines watching my life pass me by...I'm living life!

You have done a great job and have been a big inspiration on this board! Congratulations on your success and thank you for always being so open with your story. It definitely helps others!

Today it has been seven months since my surgery! It still doesn't seem real sometimes. People that haven't seen me in a while do not recognize me. This journey has not always been easy but it is so worth the effort. I hurt my back in June so exercising has not been happening. But I am doing better and now its time to get this body toned! I look forward to reaching my weight loss goal. As far as other aspects of my life, I am starting to see the "me" come out of my shell that I knew was hiding for all those years. My confidence level is definitely at an all time high. I have been single for two years after a very difficult divorce. I think I am ready to break down those walls and date again. Now whether that is in God's plan is yet to be seen. I am just happy with how far I have come in such a short period of time both emotionally and physically. Thanks to everyone on this site that has been so encouraging. I don't have much genuine support from family or friends so you all have helped in ways you cannot even imagine along the way!

Everyone is right that the first few days are very hard. But....fast forward almost seven months and my life couldn't be better! All that worry, all the pain, all those emotions have been long forgotten and seem like such a long time ago. Try to spend this weekend busy getting everything in order at home and make sure you have your kitchen stocked with those liquids. I didn't have much support at home so this site was such a lifesaver to me in those last few days, as it is still a lifesaver to me now. :-) Keep us posted on how things go!

Newlife..keep us posted on how it goes. I was the same way as you with the anticipation and not nervous. It has been an amazing journey. Welcome to the loser's bench!