jac88

Hey all, I was wondering how you all coped with pre surgery anxiety? The crazy thing for me is I have been though all this before, so I know what to expect, however I am more anxious now than I was when I got my Lapband which was my first ever surgery. I am still 25 days out from surgery and 11 days until I have to start Optifast, but I cannot sleep at night... It's 5am here in Brisbane Australia and I haven't slept. I think that my anxiety is more a failure based fear. I mean, I had the Lapband and got to my goal weight, 285lb - 150lb (127-70kgs), however as soon as it slipped and I got a pouch I gained it all back - plus some. I'm now over 300lbs (137kgs) and I'm so scared the RNY will fail me too... I mean - where do I go from there? If it does fail I will be only 23 and have exhausted all avenues to lose weight. It's mentally screwing with my head. Any tips would be great!! jac88

Hey Jessica, I'm Jacee I'm currently 300lbs. My surgery is on the 25th of May, so I don't have an RNY yet, but I still have a pesky little slipped Lapband in there, so I'm no stranger to WLS. Congratulations on your Weightloss so far! And also congratulations on planning a wedding, I got married in January this year, it's all very exciting and stressful at the same time. Have you tried calorie counting to help shift that extra weight? That's what I started doing when my weight slowed down with my Lapband, because some days I didn't realize the calories going into me even when I was eating small portions. I found it really helped me to be aware of what I was eating. Calorie king is a great website to record the info. Best of luck jac88

Hey All, I told everyone after my Lapband and have told everyone about getting it revised to RNY bypass. Intitially I hated when people judged me by my decision, but I've now come to realize that who gives a crap what they think, it's my journey, my decision and as long as I'm happy with it, who cares what others think. Be so open about my Lapband and Weightloss actually inspired a fair few of my friends to get on the bandwagon and either get the surgery themselves or start changing their lives and losing weight. I've been in a magazine and on the tv talking about my journey. Here I will post the links to share with you all http://www.thatslife.com.au/Article/Real-Life/Real-Life-Stories/Banding-together Here's also a video I made of my lapband journey, it's not working on my iPad, but it should still be playable jac88

Hey SweetGabrielle, We are also very similar. I'm 23, 5'6" and 310lbs. I am also having massive intimacy issues with my husband. I was 100lbs lighter when we met because my Lapband was still functioning... It's so hard to deal with the emotional side of it all! Best of luck

Hey All... I'm Jacee and this is my story. I am 23, female and living in Australia. In 2008 I underwent Lapband surgery and went from (127kgs) 275lbs to (70kgs) 150lbs. I was initially very successful and I loved my band. In early 2010 I started suffering for undiagnosed gallstones, which meant that in turn my Lapband had to be loosened from unrelentless vomiting. My gallbladder was removed in December 2010 and by then I'd gained back (20kgs) 45lbs. In early 2011 I suffered from a Lapband slip and my surgeon recommended I undergo RNY Bypass. At first it was a very daunting decision that I wasn't ready to make, but within a month I changed my mind. My codependency to food had returned due to a constant feeling of hunger and an urge to eat after being so severely restricted for 3yrs. Our health system in Australia is very different to the US. We do have public health provided by our tax dollars, but it is a VERY LONG wait for elective surgery. When I was 20 and got my Lapband I didn't have private health, so I had 2 options - wait on the public waiting list - 3-5yrs or pay for outright. So I took the second option and $12,000 later I had a Lapband. When my Lapband slipped in 2011 I didn't have private health cover available to cover the RNY bypass, and my surgeon told me without private health he could only put me on his public wait list for revised surgery. It's been 10months wait now and I go in for surgery in under 4 weeks. I currently weigh close to 140kgs which is over 300lbs. My BMI is 49, nearly 50. The last 10months of my life have been devastating emotionally and physically. I have felt and lived success, but here I am now, bigger than I've ever been, ready to start all over. I'm literally terrified, but at the same time, I am extremely eager to get my "restriction" back. To feel healthy, happy and confident again. I'd love for my husband to know thin me, to feel beautiful for him. I also want him to know that in the next few years I'm going to be healthy enough to give him the family he so eagerly desires. I can't wait to fit into my AU size 12 - US size 8 - clothes again that are piled in boxes in my cupboard. I have so much to strive towards because I've been there, I've felt success, and now I want in more than ever. I wish you all luck and plenty of love on your journeys, I'd love to hear other stories. My surgery is in Brisbane Australia on the 25th of May 2012. All the best, Jacee

Hey All... I'm Jacee and this is my story. I am 23, female and living in Australia. In 2008 I underwent Lapband surgery and went from (127kgs) 275lbs to (70kgs) 150lbs. I was initially very successful and I loved my band. In early 2010 I started suffering for undiagnosed gallstones, which meant that in turn my Lapband had to be loosened from unrelentless vomiting. My gallbladder was removed in December 2010 and by then I'd gained back (20kgs) 45lbs. In early 2011 I suffered from a Lapband slip and my surgeon recommended I undergo RNY Bypass. At first it was a very daunting decision that I wasn't ready to make, but within a month I changed my mind. My codependency to food had returned due to a constant feeling of hunger and an urge to eat after being so severely restricted for 3yrs. Our health system in Australia is very different to the US. We do have public health provided by our tax dollars, but it is a VERY LONG wait for elective surgery. When I was 20 and got my Lapband I didn't have private health, so I had 2 options - wait on the public waiting list - 3-5yrs or pay for outright. So I took the second option and $12,000 later I had a Lapband. When my Lapband slipped in 2011 I didn't have private health cover available to cover the RNY bypass, and my surgeon told me without private health he could only put me on his public wait list for revised surgery. It's been 10months wait now and I go in for surgery in under 4 weeks. I currently weigh close to 140kgs which is over 300lbs. My BMI is 49, nearly 50. The last 10months of my life have been devastating emotionally and physically. I have felt and lived success, but here I am now, bigger than I've ever been, ready to start all over. I'm literally terrified, but at the same time, I am extremely eager to get my "restriction" back. To feel healthy, happy and confident again. I'd love for my husband to know thin me, to feel beautiful for him. I also want him to know that in the next few years I'm going to be healthy enough to give him the family he so eagerly desires. I can't wait to fit into my AU size 12 - US size 8 - clothes again that are piled in boxes in my cupboard. I have so much to strive towards because I've been there, I've felt success, and now I want in more than ever. I wish you all luck and plenty of love on your journeys, I'd love to hear other stories. My surgery is in Brisbane Australia on the 25th of May 2012. All the best, Jacee

Vamplover85 that's a good point, I never thought about that! I suffer from B12 deficiency, however I get b12 shots every 3-6months. The dr actually said if you have a deficiency it's generally caused by the body lacking the ability to absorb it, so the b12 Vitamins are useless, you need to get it in shot form! Hope that helps! jac88

Haha well I definitely found the right website then. I love the whey Protein in the blender with a banana, some skim milk and vanilla essence. It's a great kick start to the day, and tastes great. It's definitely the least "powdery" protein powder I've used. Some of them are so gritty!

Hey Jen! Best of luck in the next 24hrs, and it certainly will be the beginning of your new life. I haven't had my RNY yet, but had Lapband nearly 4yrs ago. In Australia with the WLS procedures, they take you to a "recovery ward" where you are constantly monitored until they are sure you are fine to return to a normal ward. When I had my Lapband I was only in there 20mins, but when my gallbladder come out it was over 2hrs. Look forward to hearing about your journey! Jac88

Fantastic SweetGabrielle! My surgery is on the 25th of May. I am in Australia so I can't help you with surgeon questions, but I can sure share my journey with you. Although I haven't had my RNY yet, I have lived with a Lapband for nearly 4yrs until it slipped last year. Before the slip I was very successful with losing my weight - although the band was horrible and I'd never recommend it to anyone. So I'm already well adjusted to the WLS life. Best advice I can give you is to not listen to the garbage that some "skinny" people will feed down your ear. Remember you are doing this for you and your future and not for them! I had people telling me I'd never be able to have children, that I'd never have enough nutrients in my body etc. these were people who knew nothing about RNY, and just read trashie magazine stories in regards to it. Ignore what they say and If something is upsetting you, or you feel unsure - just ask the surgeon, they will know best. I wish you all the best with your surgery and your future ahead jac88

Thanks sunflwr76 I have sadly had to learn over the past few years how many of my friends really weren't true... As soon as I got my band and lost weight and got confident, my friends didn't want me around anymore, even though I was the same person. These were generally the same people who knocked me for getting a Lapband on the first place. After all the drama last time, this time I have been straight up with my friends - I've told them if they don't like or support my decision of RNY bypass then they should bugger off now! WLS is far from the EASY WAY OUT!!! The amount of work put in pre and post op, the supplements you take to support your diet, the emotional toll it takes on your body as well as physical, the hospital stays when things don't go right, the realization that you can't eat a lot of the things you're friends are as well as making the conciencious decision to not eat those cheater "slider" foods as my surgeon calls them (high cal drinks, chocolate, ice cream etc) is NOT EASY! I wish that I had the physical and emotional willpower to just eat healthy and work out. But it's just not easy. Thankyou for all your well wishes... I will keep you all posted as it gets closer... I'm literally at the stage now where I am counting down the days until my liquid diet starts (12 days). I have to do 2 weeks of all shake diet before my op, and then the usual 2 weeks of liquids either... Been there and done it all before with my band, so I know the struggles ahead. I hope you start feeling better soon

Maybe you need some more time off work, because it sounds as if you're doing everything right, so you probably just need more time to heal. And I completely completely understand your frustration due to lack of energy. In November last year I was diagnosed with Chronicn Fatigue Syndrome and had to leave my job. I feel as if it's finally getting better, and I believe my operation will only help. I really hope you start to feel better soon

Hey Anjela, Your story is exactly the same as my friend who had her RNY in December. She was back in hospital nearly once a week due to her stoma closing in too tight and them needing to stretch it back out. It took them 3 months to get it right and now she is doing fantastic. The reason he told her the problem was occurring was because she healed too quickly. I know how hard it must be, but don't lose sight. Your menstral cycle will be all over the place whilst you lose weight, so be prepared. Mine went crazy after I had my Lapband. I really hope all these struggles end for you soon

Hello there, Although I haven't had my RNY bypass yet, I've had Lapband and my gallbladder removed. So I understand how hard it is to adjust to eating with your new restriction. One thing I was taught was to chew eat mouthful 20times and count whilst chewing to make sure it's nice and broken down so it can be easily digested. After my Lapband was fitted I was back to normal in about 2 weeks, however after my gallbladder come out I was lethargic and had no energy for nearly 6-8weeks. The surgeon who has done both my ops and will be dong my bypass advised me this was because the gallbladder surgery was more invasive then the Lapband. And the RNY is once again more invasive. Also a question, have you started any supplements? I have been instructed to start taking berocca on the liquid stage until you are able to start taking normal multi Vitamins, just for that extra energy - it definitely helped me post Lapband. Wish you all the best jacee

I'm personally not a fan of the gastric sleeve. I've heard too many cases of stretched stomachs. Plus it has a bigger staple line so has higher chance of leaks and infections. However I do know a lot of people who have been sucessful with it. So I guess you should definitely research it as well as the Lapband and bypass. Another factor for me, with already have a Lapband, if you go sleeve you have to wait 3months between them taking out the band and doing the sleeve due to scar tissue. With bypass it's all in the same op, band out and bypassed

As long as you are getting in done laparoscopically the scars arent big. I've had Lapband and my gallbladder out laparoscopically and my scars are minimal, my RNY is also going to be laparoscopically

How exciting for both of you! You will have to let me know how you go as I'm not until may 25th

I use a 100% whey Protein powder, unflavoured etc, but is Aussie Made and I couldn't find it online. However I found something similar on an American website Here you go: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/any.html

Thankyou Barbie. I refuse to let this beat me and I also refuse to hear anyone put me down. Cheaters way out? YEAH RIGHT! Even weight loss surgery is a massive struggle, losing weight isn't easy in any method, if it was we'd never get to be obese.

I definitely think you've made the right decision there, can't wait to hear how you go! do you have a rough date for surgery yet?

Hey all, I am a lapbander soon to have RNY. I had my Lapband in 2008 weighing 127kgs (280lbs) and it slipped last July. I was initially very successful losing 56kgs (135lbs) and nearly halving my body weight. I had a few issues like gallstones etc, but after my gallbladder was removed in 2010, things with my band got worse. As they began to re-adjust my fills, I suffered from terrible reflux and had no restriction. After suffering for a few months, a barium swallow showed up a dilated pouch and slipped band. It's been nearly 12months since my diagnosis and I'm weighing in over 300lbs and I'm am scheduled for revision RNY surgery on the 25th of May. I must say I agree with what others have posted, the problem with the Lapband is the weight doesn't appear to stay off long term. I reckon that 70-80% of all of the people I know with Lapbands have had to go for repair, replace or new WLS operations. I personally wish I never got the band, it was trouble from the start, and to see such success and gain the weight back is heart breaking. I think the only reason I did chose the lapband was because I was only 20yrs old at the time and not ready to commit to a permanent fix. Now nearly 4yrs on, I look forward to my RNY surgery and hope that the restriction with the added malabsortion technique will work for me to get the kilos off. I'm sick of fighting my weight. I wish you all the luck with making your decision, the best advice I give is RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! I guess if I knew some of the things I know now I may have taken a different path. Jacee

Hey Janine, Thanks for recommending me here, there is heaps if information. Crazy that you aren't feeling restricted. I seen Lou eat the other week and she was picking at food like a bird and was so full. She was explaining to me that everyone's RNY feels different and some people have blockages etc. have you had anything like that? Jacee

Hey Barbie, My name is Jacee and I'm 23, female and living in Australia. I go in for my RNY bypass on the 25th of May. I originally had Lapband surgery, and was very successful until my band slipped. I can't wait to start my new journey Best of luck!