Amy Diane

I originally had the Lap Band in August of 2008. I was 286 lbs pre-op, and was 214 at my lowest weight loss. The band was not problematic for me until late 2011, when I reached a plateau of weight loss that I could not pass. I had 10cc fill, and it got to where the only food I could get down and keep down were chips, anything fried and ice cream. Of course, that is defeating the purpose, so I looked into having revision surgery. I went in to Dr. Kim's office for a consultation, and after I broke down and told him I felt defeated, he agreed I was a good candidate for revision. We set the wheels in motion for insurance. It took about 6 months of requirements and I did have the band removed on November 12, 2012. There were no complications from this, but he did advise me that I had some bad scar tissue and so it was up in the air as to rather or not I could have the Gastric Bypass as opposed to the Sleeve.

I chose to have the Bypass, simply for myself. Knowing the diet restrictions were different impacted me and I did not trust my self control when it came to sugar, etc. My surgery for gastric was December 5, 2012 and everything went well. 2.5 hours with no problems. Except that when he got in there, he had to do the sleeve instead. I was really upset when I came out of recovery and they told me, but I got over it pretty quick. I have not had any hunger pains or problems and I am sticking to the diet phases so far. This week I am on creamy soups.... and I am now drinking a little more than 1 ounce every 15 minutes... but I admit I have to make myself drink enough to stay hydrated.

The biggest thing ( I won't call it a problem) so far is the mental part. I feel like I SHOULD feel hungry, then eat a portion, then feel full. But that is not how this is working. I have to begin the day by drinking, then drinking something else, then maybe a couple sips of soup then I am stuffed. So I am having to stick to the every 15 min thing just to make sure I get some nutrition. I assume this is normal, I mentioned it at my follow up and they said it was. As for the not to nice to speak of bowel movement issue, I had diarhea at least two times a day every couple of days and then a couple of days of nothing and that is wierd but they also said this is normal too.

Best of luck to anyone trying to make the life chanes needed to stay healthy!