GG'sArtsMom

Cahern, I am from Hanson, we are practically neighbors! Where did you have your surgery?

I felt the same way leading up to my surgery date. I even called the insurance company after I received approval to verify that they meant it and were not going to take it back, lol. So, now you wait for a date!

My mother in law told my husband that once I lost the weight I was going to leave him. When he told me that I almost flipped- how dare she? This goes to show what she thinks of me, and of our relationship. My husband is my best friend, and has always been supportive of whatever makes me happy. Our love has never been based around the fact that we were fat together. I have zero desire to leave my husband, he understands I will change going through this, but I have always been very independent and done my thing, just at the end of the day we are besties. I am so hurt by this and don't even want to speak with her right now. I know others have dealt with these types of nasty comments and I just need a little support right now.

Anniesmom- thank you. I am undecided still whether to bring it up, but this will help me remember to keep it friendly since I have many years of my life to share with her. Thanks everyone for your support!

Even if you can eat a lot, you should not. Just stick with whatever your program dictates and focus on protein. I had a band revision to bypass and understand your fears, but I think if we stick with the plan as it was laid out we will be fine. I lost 30lbs my first month. I measure my food, time it out, and don't eat a bite more than the 3-4 oz I was allotted. Good luck! I feel so much better this time around!

Thank you, and I suppose you are right about her ignorance. I wish it didn't bother me so bad, but it does. She not only insulted me but played right into my husband's insecurities. Him and I had long ago discussed what life would be like as me thin, and I reassured him I was madly in love with him regardless of my physical appearance vs his. I want to be his hot wife, even though he already thinks I am. Anniesmom- I'm not sure if I will tell her I know, I don't want to open a can of worms and I don't like causing scenes, which that may do. How did you start the conversation off?

Thank you so much. I'm sure she would love her son back, so yeah, I will keep her near and dear. It was just such an upsetting thing to hear. We've been happily married for six years, I'm not going anywhere!!

Is it the same type of pain? Seems crazy to keep getting fat pockets that have to be sucked out. Sorry you're dealing with this though.

Why did the incision have to be cut open? What was going on at that point?

Yes 12 months or 1500 hours to qualify for FMLA.

I had mine too- very embarrassing as some poor nurse had to put in a foley, plus I was in too much pain to properly clean myself the first night and someone had to help- yuck. They will give you ill fitting stretch undies and cheap pads. It is what it is, right?

Personally, I don't think I'd tell them. In a month or two you are only required to produce paperwork that says you will be having abdominal surgery, they don't have to know it was pre-planned. If I hired you and found out that just around the time you'd be settling into the job you would be out for a month, I would rethink paying to orientate you. And, as everyone said, no way can you go back in 3 days!

I had a band to RNY 5/1, it ended up taking 6 hours because I had a massive amount of scar tissue, but I recovered quickly, had minimal pain, and am doing great now. Minor complication with gross drainage from my JP, but had that removed this past thursday. Make sure the Protein shakes from Shakley are whey protein, and you need to ask the sugar content, some are outrageous. Good luck!

My surgery was may 1st so almost 4 weeks. I am doing pretty well, still have a jp drain in because of the revision and have nasty drainage that's still coming but I feel great. As of last Wednesday I was down 26lbs (I am adamant about only weighing once a week). No regrets so far. How about everyone else?

I was a huge gum chewer before surgery, literally 2+ packs a day. I was told no chewing and scared of the consequences so I bought sugar free mints for when I really feel a need for something. I don't eat them like I chewed gum but it comforts me to have them on hand. No more gum!!

Since 1.5 weeks out, I get hungry. Not head hunger either, legit need to eat. No cravings though which helps.

I'm from Mass as well and had my surgery at tufts, Dr. Shah.

6 weeks for me

I am only 3.5 weeks post op- I picked up an old pair of size 24's last night and said there is no way these will fit- I had been wearing a 30 before surgery. They fit perfectly.

Hi everyone, I had a band to bypass revision May 1, 2013, and because of the revision had to go home with my JP drain. Now, 3 weeks later I still have it in because of some gross, atypical drainage. It almost looks like coffee. I saw my surgeon yesterday and she still doesn't like the looks of the drainage, but is unsure how to proceed because she has never seen it before. I had a CT scan last week and it showed small pockets of Fluid in my intestine. I will have another CT next thursday. I feel fine, great, even. No physical symptoms to correlate with the gross drainage. My question is- has anyone else experienced anything like this? I would just like to hear from someone who may be further along than me and have a clue what is going on. Thanks, Kim

I am 3 weeks post op, and I felt exactly like that my 1st week. I finally figured out I was going way to long without eating, like 6-9 hours in between bites. I had no desire for anything but I felt funky and would sweat like crazy. Once I forced an eating schedule on myself my problems stopped within 1 or 2 days. Now I eat every 3-3.5 hours without a problem. I can't handle the protein shakes- yuck, but drink more milk to ensure I get what I need. I also make sure within 20 minutes of getting up to have a glass, otherwise I will start sweating and getting a foggy brain.

I am shocked, I thought the sleeve was going to become the new "gold standard". I am so sorry for people going through sleeve fails. I went through it with a band and know it is a hard, and in my opinion, embarrassing, road. I didn't realize sleeve patients were requiring revisions due to low weight loss. When my surgeon mentioned my options, sleeve or bypass, she mentioned that it wouldn't make sense to do a sleeve as I would be going from one restrictive surgery to another, and that made my decision easy. Make sure you trust this surgeon who is warning you of a higher chance of a leak, if you have any doubt, look around. Mine mentioned it was a higher risk, but didn't harp on it, and I trusted her skill by the way she presented herself. She knew what she was doing and I could tell I was in good hands. As Mandela said, I wish I had done the bypass in the first place.

I'm so sorry you're going through hell. As for the weight thing, I wouldn't worry about that just yet. You have had 2 surgeries, and I know for bowel obstruction's especially, they really like to load you with fluids. That coupled with not being able to eat just has your body in a state of shock right now, making it unwilling to give up the weight. Are you able to take anything for the nausea? Like a zofran, or if you can literally take nothing by mouth, what about a suppository for the nausea? I wish you the best and hope everything starts to improve soon for you.

I hate the requirement of having to lose 5-10% before surgery. Most very heavy people know how to lose weight, it is the keeping it off part that is usually the problem. I understand nearing to clear the space near the liver but that should be covered in the 2 week pre-op liquid diet most people have to do. Best of luck to you in losing the weight, it sucks, but believe me, it is worth it and I am only 3 weeks post op! Kim

I'm not definite in my response without doing research, but I can't imagine there is a lap band that just goes in the stomach without the ability to be adjusted. It would seem pointless since the theory behind the band is that it is adjustable. I have heard there is a band that can go over an RNY if people are having issues with regain- perhaps that is just a band and maybe what your family was thinking of?