Wisdom2KnowTheDifference

I've read that dumping syndrome is not as likely with sleeve versus RNY gastric bypass, but I have been having a pretty consistent issue. 15-30 minute after eating I start cramping and then diarrhea. Sometimes I get the nausea and clamminess too. I'm 3 years out and have never had this issue this consistently until a couple months ago (a stressful event occurred and I stopped eating regularly for a few days). Since then things haven't been the same. Thoughts?

I'm considering Vitamin Patches - anyone tried? Skin irritation? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I went to doc today to get meds for what I thought was just straightforward oral thrush... granted I've had it three times since Aug 2016 which I've been told is unusual for someone that is not immuno-compromised. Long story short, the issue is likely related to anemia and b12 deficiency. I was aware that I had developed anemia during my pregnancy (baby born October 2016) but apparently it has not resolved. Doc also observed today that my tongue appeared "enlarged and glossy" as well as the thrush. Lastly, my blood sugar was very low (50) despite having eaten fairly recently. I have not had any nutritional issues post op until now it seems, anyone have similar experiences? Particularly interested to see if anyone has had issues with thrush. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello - I'm about 1.5 year post op band to sleeve. I've lost and kept off about 60 lbs and am pleased with result. However - pretty much every bowel movement I have is like water. I've even had a couple "accidents." Is this normal? I can't remember the last time I had a normal bm. Any thoughts ideas appreciated! Thanks

Hey everyone! Sleeved 9/3/14 and down about 50 lb. I have had a great experience thus far until about a month ago... I have started getting sick a lot (as in a cold) and am losing a bunch of hair. I know the hair loss is to be expected but I want to know if anyone else has had trouble with their immune system. I just can't seem to shake this upper respiratory stuff! Any thoughts, feedback appreciated!

I only gurgle when I have had liquid too close to a meal (before or after). This is the "rule" that I have always struggled with the most. Could this be part of the issue?

I'm about 1 week preop and having some significant depression. I'm having a hard time sticking to preop diet and feeling really down on myself when I mess up. I have a therapist - seeing him on thurs. I had to take the day off today to "regroup". Mostly I've been in the bed but have been doing decent with the diet... I figure if I cave in and stray from liquids I'll just feel worse. Right now I'm at the pool for a dose of vitamin d...Any thoughts? Side note: I take meds for depression long term so the depression isn't new for me, just wondering if anyone has ideas for getting back on track. Thanks!

Hey everybody! My date is Sept 3 for a band-to-sleeve revision with hernia repair. I am thinking of starting my pre-op diet earlier than 2 weeks out because I just keep on gaining and I feel yucky. Thoughts?

I started at 248lbs, 5'7" size 20 and 2XL. I have lost 31 lbs and in size 18 and XL/1XL. I'm hoping to be in 16's by Christmas. However, even though I haven't dropped a bunch of clothing sizes, I FEEL a lot smaller. I wear a lot of leggings and I think my legs and butt look smaller. And my face is much less puffy. So overall I am quite pleased! Oh and my surgery was 9/3.

I too have been struggling with a slow rate of loss. I was 248 before pre-op, about 233 day of surgery. I'm only 10 lb down since surgery sept 3. Very frustrated. And its so hard not to compare rate of loss with others!!! I really feel like i'm doing something wrong. True, I could always make better food choices and it is always possible to exercise more. This week I am really going to try to follow all of the "rules" and see if I get any results. Glad to hear there are others in the same boat. Keep on trucking! Meredith

Has anyone experienced a slight cough/throat itchiness about 3 days post op? I am using my spirometer, but I'm prone to bronchitis/pneumonia so just a little worried.

Hey there... Trapped gas is definitely the worst part for me too. I have been walking, taking the maximum allowed gas x strips, and desperately hope I will burp or pass gas. I feel like if this gas gets fixed I will feel pretty darn good!

Hey everyone... So glad to be on the other side! But honestly, in quite a bit of pain and having some nausea.. I had band removal, hietal hernia repair, sleeve, and removal of scar tissue. Had my leak test this morning and everything looks good. Sipping on fluids now...

Hey guys - just checkin in. I'm about 1 week to surgery now and am really struggling with this preop... Just having a hard time sticking to liquids. Also feeling down on myself because I keep slipping up. I took a day off from work today to kind of regroup. Sitting at the pool now ???? I figured the vitamin d might help my mood. I'm worried I will not lose enough weight/shrink my liver enough for the big day. Thoughts?

Hey, same here... sept 3!

Sept 3 here!

Hey ya'll... My band-to-sleeve revision is Sept 3... wondering if anyone started their pre-op diet early? I feel like I need to do something, I keep on gaining... Anyone had any success with dieting pre-op? I mean if I was any good at dieting I might not be having surgery So I don't know. Thoughts/wisdom appreciated! Thanks, Meredith

Hello all, So I found out today that I can't get on my husband's insurance without a qualifying event... so I am going self pay. Mexico looks like a good option, looking at Dr. Elias Ortiz and A Lighter Me. I have already found some threads on the topic, but wondering if anyone has had band to sleeve revision with Dr. Ortiz and what were your experiences, cost for the revision, etc. Thanks! Meredith

Hey ya'll! I am strongly considering a band to sleeve revision. I currently have United Healthcare with a bariatric surgery exclusion. So I will need to switch over to my husband's insurance (BCBSNC) during open enrollment in October. I am pretty sure that BCBS will require a 6 month physician supervised diet prior to approval, and I am wondering if I could/should start that through my surgeon's office prior to even getting on BCBS (i.e. would it count?) I know the costs of products wouldn't be covered if I did it before getting BCBS, but I am trying to get this surgery scheduled as soon as possible. A little bit more on me, if anyone wants to comment on this info as well: Banded September 2012 (self pay due to no cormorbidities and under BMI 40). Lost 20 lb, mostly because of post op recovery diet. Regained and more. Spent about 1 year too tight ( I thought it was normal to vomit at every meal) so I ate "around" the band and maintained at about 225 lb. About 3 months ago, had band unfilled completely, gained 15 lb. Had a 2cc fill about 3 weeks ago and continue to gain with no restriction. Currently at 240lb (5'7"), BMI is 37.6. Next fill is in about 2 weeks and I am scheduled to talk to my surgeon about revision. I have a sleep study scheduled around the same time and I am 99% sure I now have sleep apnea. Nutritionist visit scheduled next week. I am also having mobility issues including tendinitis in my right foot/ankle whenever I try to start a walking program. Thanks for your comments! Meredith

Hey everyone, its been awhile since I've been on the boards! I just wanted to share my story... I was banded September 2012. I learned pretty quickly how to eat (and drink!) "around" the band. I did not commit to an exercise routine, and have chosen mostly foods that I know will go down (carbs and lots of high-fat snack foods, mostly). As such, the only weight I have lost to date was due to the pre-op and post-op liquid diet. Now I have gained that back, and more. I have not been in for a fill adjustment since probably last Spring. Over the past year, I definitely have had some issues with what I believe is called "transference" - or turning to another addiction in absence of the ability to binge eat. For me, it was alcohol. I have always been a social drinker, but in August 2013 I ended up in a mental hospital after a drinking binge - the booze had interacted with the medications I take to help regulate my moods and I had become suicidal. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks, after which they wanted to send me to a 30-day rehab. I opted for an intensive outpatient program instead, which I attended for about 5 weeks before I relapsed. Since that relapse, I have continued to drink daily, with periods of heavy drinking interspersed. There is no doubt that the amount of liquid calories I consume has greatly impeded my weight loss attempts, though I have had no further bouts of deep depression since my hospitalization. I'm sharing all of this because with new year, I am making a new commitment to myself. I am going to try my best to do everything I need to do to help the band help me with reaching my weight loss goals. This includes scaling back the drinking (currently 24 hours sober!) and quitting smoking. Luckily, I am pretty well educated about band-life, as the one thing I did do right in the beginning was my research. But I believe the learning neve stops and I can always learn from others' experiences. Anyway, I have about 100lb to lose now and though I am not very confident, I am committed to at least doing the absolute best I can. Thanks for letting me share

i had my first fill today. no biggie!

I just woke up in the middle of the night and I think I feel hungry... I was on all clear liquids day before surgery, surgery 9/4, and all clear liquids yesterday. I am supposed to be on clears until next tuesday according to my case manager. I am drinking Isopure for 40-50mg protein/day. Just wondering if this is a common experience and if the hunger passes? I don't know how i'm going to make it till tuesday. Thanks,

wow!!!! that is really amazing. i was banded yesterday and feel pretty lousy. but hopefully tomorrow will be better!

everything seems fine aside from some upper back and chest gas pains... have a heating pad on my back and just took a chewable gasx so hopefully that will help.. Any advice, suggestions appreciated!

Yesterday was my pre-op appointment and today I started my pre-op diet (surgery is Sept 4). Since I have gained 13 lbs since my initial appointment, my pre-op diet is 4 shakes a day (Bariatric Advantage). I get a shake for Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I will have another one before bed. However, I just slipped and had 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese Sigh. I feel so discouraged. Like if I can't even do one day, how am I going to make it until surgery (and after!) Any advice or support is appreciated! Another question though, anyone here have the single incision procedure? Were you pleased with it? My surgeon says this is an option for me but that I really have to shrink my liver as much as possible before surgery (hence the super restrictive pre-op diet!)