Band07

I will be four months out on the 23rd. I had a rough start not because of the surgery itself but because I got pneumonia and became serverly dehydrated was basically miserable the first month. That being said, I've lost 30 lbs (which puts me 10lbs from my goal) It's slow but that's expected. I can eat anything/everything and my portion size is really much larger than it should be for someone who has had 3 surgeries! But it's the mgb that keeps me losing. Nothing and I mean NOTHING I eat stays with me too long. I'm in the bathroom A LOT! sometimes as many as 8-10x a day. It's worse when I make bad food choices but really with a 9' bypass even good foods pass through pretty quickly. I've asked others and not everyone expereinces this and it's not really dumping (though I have had that too) because I don't get sick with it or sweat or stomach cramps at least not often. Hope this isn't TMI but it's worth knowing I think because I wasn't prepared for it to be like this! I will try to answer any specific questions you have... Who is doing you surgery? My same surgeon is doing my surgery in Belgium, paid by myself like yourself, Been doing a lot of research on it and I think it's the way forward for me I'm scheduled for October 12/15, I can't give up now I've been through too much, sleeve didn't work for me band did but way too much trouble even thou I loved it,so I take it you are happy you went ahead and got bypass Wow, your story really does sound like mine! Yes, I'm happy, no regrets so far. Haven't had my labs done though but I am taking my Vitamins. The weirdest thing for me is that even though most days I literally have no restriction and can eat average portions, sometimes i get stuck and it feels exactly like it did with the band! Small bites and chew chew chew has always been a struggle for me

I will be four months out on the 23rd. I had a rough start not because of the surgery itself but because I got pneumonia and became serverly dehydrated was basically miserable the first month. That being said, I've lost 30 lbs (which puts me 10lbs from my goal) It's slow but that's expected. I can eat anything/everything and my portion size is really much larger than it should be for someone who has had 3 surgeries! But it's the mgb that keeps me losing. Nothing and I mean NOTHING I eat stays with me too long. I'm in the bathroom A LOT! sometimes as many as 8-10x a day. It's worse when I make bad food choices but really with a 9' bypass even good foods pass through pretty quickly. I've asked others and not everyone expereinces this and it's not really dumping (though I have had that too) because I don't get sick with it or sweat or stomach cramps at least not often. Hope this isn't TMI but it's worth knowing I think because I wasn't prepared for it to be like this! I will try to answer any specific questions you have... Who is doing you surgery?

Take this for what it is, just my personal thoughts and experiences but that being said, I had a lapband for 6 years, Iv had the sleeve for a year and a half and I worked for a bariatric surgeon for almost 7 years. I LOVED my band, I went from 223 to 139 lbs and I maintained around 145 for years ! However, in order to do that I had to keep the band very tight. I couldn't eat anything before noon or after 6 without pain and suffering. When my body had enough I had shoulder pain and chest pain and never just felt full. I was always dehydrated and ended up with kidney stones twice but i was happy to sacrifice because I was a size 6/8 for the first time in my life ! But live long enough that way and it causes problems (severe reflux) and just misery any time you eat or try too. Of the hundreds of patients Iv worked with over the years, very few (maybe 30/40% ) have kept off weight and been successful long term with the band. My surgeon started offering the sleeve and after years of "selling" the band to others (with my personal success as a witness) I asked him to revise me to the sleeve because everyone said how wonderful it was. Well for many it is but for me I hate mine. It's not always the same for someone who has had prior surgery so as I type this today, I have gained almost 20 lbs since the sleeve and it's a fight (that I'm losing) to not gain more. That being said, if I was starting as a virgin patient today; I would choose the sleeve or the mini gastric bypass (which I'm revising too). We didn't know enough about the band in 2007 when I had mine but we now know there are cases of it fusing to the liver or embedding in the stomach wall and the chances are if you go with the band you WILL at some point have a revision. We really don't have all that long term study on the sleeve and while I don't worry and complications, I do think it will be at risk for regain. Do your research, make your own decision but i at least wanted to share my story

I read if it's hormonal no amount of face wash/scrubs will make any difference

Iv had lower jaw line acne and chin, also reading it is hormonal, I'm 3 months out and haven't ever in my life had this issue !

I revised from sleeve to MGB 3 months ago, so far so good, 30 lbs down (15 lbs from goal) and doing great !!

If only that was true it's impossible to prove a point when some are just too close minded or stubborn to admit they are flat wrong even when you show them medically publicized journals and xray pictures. And just a little reminder to everyone, we all sure heard a lot of false information about the band when it came out too, it was only after years of doing the procedure that we were able to learn the real damage it could do. It will be the same with the sleeve. Not so much damage, but stretching and failure rates for many. Thankfully some surgeons are already taking note of this so that they can properly educate their patients that it IS a possibility, while others sadly still have their head in the sand.

I didn't call you any names, but way to avoid the actual issue.

That is not what you are doing at all. You now have another example that you can try to deny. Go ahead, tell sleevenchica that she couldn't possibly have a stretched pouch because you and some other idiot surgeons say it can't happen.

The difference is I'm willing to say that it is not a guarantee that it will happen, I will even say that it is not necessarily common but you refuse to acknowledge the credible research of many others out there, even when there is proof of it ! And , It's not hostility it is lack of tolerance for stubborn, close minded opinions that are so obviously wrong.

Wow, you amaze me. Not only do they refer to the sleeve as a "pouch" many times but the article plainly states "Conclusion Weight regains following the Sleeve Gastrectomy is a concern. Due to its relative infancy, there exists limited information on long-term outcomes following this procedure. The role of gastric dilatation and long term circulating ghrelin levels in causing weight regain needs to be further clarified. The management options for significant weight regain are emerging and include conversion to a malabsorptive procedure" there are many other studies out there that say the same thing, I can post more of them if you would like, are also lots of xray pictures showing dilation post sleeve. AND I myself had a sleeve that stretched out !! How you can argue with the facts are beyond me and obviously a waste of my time. It's a shame you are too closed minded to admit what has already been proven by the medical community.

Sleeves and or "pouches" as they are sometimes called. Do unfortunately stretch out. "Long-term gastric pouch dilatation is the primary theorized explanation for weight regain in the post-operative period following SG. Patient noncompliance with diet regimenscan lead to mechanical stretching of the gastric pouchdue to consistent intake of larger meals [15]. Patients need to comply with strict dietary habits to ensure minimal stretching of the gastric pouch." Here is the link for the entire study. http://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/the-sleeve-gastrectomy-and-how-and-why-it-can-fail-2161-1076-4-180.pdf

That was my thoughts too, I removed it when I had a chance even though it had served me well for the most part. Revising to the sleeve did not work for me though and I gained a lot of weight with it. I'm now almost 3 months post MGB and down about 30 lbs, only 15 more to go !

Just something to consider, if your pouch stretched once what makes you think it won't again ? That's why I went with the MGB.

@@Elode, the OP already has a sleeve and is exploring other options. Yes, I get the terrible gas as well though I seem to be able to keep it in the bathroom, and find myself praying the walls aren't too thin ! Milk is a no no for sure and the bathroom issues are constant and not just in regards to dumping. High sugar foods are the worst for dumping though.

I'm in the bathroom a lot !! I know that just means it's working, but it's an adjustment ! I'm not sure if it's because I'm so new (3 months out) or if it will always be this way but considering I was often constipated with the band and at times with the sleeve, it's a lot to get used too ! I also sometimes get dumping (sweats, shaking, extreme nausea) and occasionally my blood sugar bottoms out, Other than that Iv been pretty happy.

I was told recently that surgeons in the US tend to be a little more conservative while surgeons in Mexico tend to sleeve very tight to allow for stretching over time. Anyone have thoughts on this ? Does it seem those sleeved in Mexico have more restriction at one year or more post op ? Could this be why some feel surgery "expired" at one year ?

I'm a revision too and I can eat A LOT ! I can eat a 6" flat bread from subway and chips no problem, today I had an entire Cesar salad kit for lunch, I really don't notice that I can eat any less that I could with my sleeve which was already stretched out. It's crazy because Iv seen my xrays and I really don't even have a stomach at all, I have a very small pouch that empties into my intestines. Sometimes if I don't chew well I do get a terrible stuck feelings that brings back my PTSD from my lapband ! My bypass was almost 9' though so I lose weight because everything I eat goes right through me more less.

Yes, I had the issue of not having it lol I was self pay for all 3. Lapband then sleeve and now mini bypass.

Weight loss is always slower for revisions (except for some of the band to sleeve patients) because your body is already used to calorie restrictions and high protein. You don't get the initial shock to your body you do with your first procedure. I'm on my 3rd, it's very slow !! 24lbs In almost 8 weeks. Of coarse how much you have to lose also makes a difference. Typically revisions have less than virgin patients but not always.

I was so scared I actually believe they could have put me out, woke me up and just told me I had surgery and I would have lost weight from being afraid to eat !! Though it wasn't so much afraid to eat as afraid of dumping ! I still won't try any new foods while I'm at work just in case, however for the most part the fear goes away the further out you are. I'm a little over 5 weeks and find it definitely gets easier with time.

What's a mini bypass? http://obesitycoverage.com/mini-gastric-bypass-the-good-bad-and-ugly/

You shrink your liver by losing weight. Docs have different ideas for the best way to do this. Mine suggested low carb high protein and only liquids a day or 2 before. Liquids are way harder so if your doc would rather you just count calories i would say be happy !

Could be dehydration, fluids are super important ! I know I struggled a lot and still do, also you may need some salt, crazy as it sounds, drink Gatorade, add extra salt to your broth or just lick some off your hand.

Iv had 3 bariatric surgeries, band/sleeve/bypass, have always been told drink as much as you want right up until the first bite of food, then stop for 30 mins after.