pear425

I know this is a little late but in case anyone still wanted to know I wanted to let you know about my revision. My surgeon tightened up my pouch by making it smaller as well as making the original opening smaller. Pretty much the same exact procedure just not from scratch. It actually has been incredibly painful this time around and my weight loss is much slower then the first time. So far my loss is about 23lbs at 5 weeks which is about 21% of my excess weight. It's actually really good but hard to see it that way since I lost almost 100 in 5 months in 2005.

I understand depression all to well. Everyone has made great suggestions but I did want to point out that since you are 18 your mother can't control your medical health anymore seeing as you are an adult. Best wishes.

Just FYI probiotics are not to cure or aleve constipation. It's something you take daily to overall regulate your GI track and the good bacteria. It's not going to help to take it once in a while for constipation.

Gummy vitamins are not good for many reasons. The most important thing is that we need vitamins specifically made for bariatric patients. There are non chewables we can take. There are liquids and capsules. Bariatric Advantage and Celebrate Vitamins are made for us. Anything you get at the store isn't going to be sufficient in the long run.

I personally have not done the Insanity program but I know several that have and I know it's not intended for beginners. My suggestion would to ease into an exercise routine if you are very out of shape and haven't been involved in a program for awhile. All gyms have personal trainers or at least staff that can give you an assessment and recommend a suitable work out.

Yes. I had RNY in Jan 2005. I lost nearly 100 lbs. In Jan 2009 I started gaining weight. After falling into a severe depression after a horrible divorce I turned back to food and stretched my pouch out. I recently had a revision to make the pouch and it's opening smaller.

You will need vitamins for the rest of your life no matter what surgery you have done. They need to be specially formulated bariatric vitamins. We have different needs then those w/o WLS so the vitamins must be taken daily. The best ones out there are from Bariatric Advantage. You need a multi, iron, calcium citrate and vitamin D.

I had RNY so I don't know if it is the same for the sleeve but it is really important to wait till you are 18-24 months post op to get pregnant.

The surgery will definitely not change your head hunger. That is one of the biggest obstacles with dealing with the changes.

Vitamin deficiency, specifically Vit D can effect your memory. As many others have stated no surgeon has ever given warnings of memory loss.

The knowledge I have received is that all the Special K products are not healthy. Very high in sugar with little nutritional value. This is according to my Bariatric NUT.

There really is not an answer to that because every single individual policy is different even within the same carrier (BCBS, Aetna etc...) Each policy will have different requirements and pay different amounts. The best thing to do would to contact the carrier and inquire about individual policies or see if they can tell you directly what policy has bariatric coverage.

Here is my experience with RNY. First, I had my original gastric bypass in January 2005 at the age of 24 with a starting weight of 249 lbs. I did great with no real problems. I never had a goal weight but I got to my stable weight at about 6 months (157 lbs.). My weight stayed the same till January of 2009 after my divorce. I did gain back about 75% of the weight I loss. It is 100% my fault. I could eat anything prior to weight gain but after the divorce when my entire life changed dramatically I started to eat more often and much more carry out/fast food. The weight came back quickly but I was in denial. This past July I decided to look into a revision. I met with a different surgeon that was a revision specialist. My pouch had obviously stretch. On October 31 I had my revision with a starting weight of 217 lbs. I am now 33 and my recovery has been very slow and painful. I have only lost 10 pounds but I have lost inches. I am struggling with Protein intake. I am positive that I can do this again and commit 100% as my life is drastically different and I actively participate in therapy. So in my nine years here is what I know: #1 You gain regain your weight if you stop following the eating rules. The pouch will stretch. #2 Vitamin deficiencies are very real and you MUST take Vitamins for life. You must also take bariatric vitamins. I will note this part was not true in, research wise in 2005. I developed a deficiency because I was told pills like Centrum and Citracal were just fine. I know now the importance of bariatric geared vitamins. #3 Once I got t to about a two years post op I forgot I even had the surgery because my eating habits were just natural. I didn't think about it. #4 I became extremely fertile after bypass and hormonal birth control didn't work. Most people here are under 3 years out so I hope my story tells a more long term view. I am not a model patient. I admit I did not have to try very hard to lose my weight the first time. But on the other hand it didn't take much to regain it back. For me I went back to letting food be my emotional crunch and coping tool. Now that I have that under control I can be successful. I am 110% delighted I had my original surgery in 2005. Even though I am not having an easy time this go around I know that I am older now but I know what is down the road for me. This keeps me in check.

If you already have submitted the paperwork to your insurance then you would not have to do the diet. In order to file you would have to have the proof if your insurance does indeed require a supervised diet. If your surgeon didn't tell you needed the diet then you don't need to do it. I've never heard of submitted paperwork prior to all the requirements being met.

If it is just a hard, lumpy feeling over or just above or below your incision it is 100% normal. It will go away soon enough. If it is a large mass that may be a problem.

All the responses are very good. I would just add that the pysch eval also makes sure people are of sound mind. You know, able to make proper decisions. Having a diagnosis of a mental illness does not count you out. The eval could be many things as each doctor is different. Some just talk, some have tests or forms to fill out. You can't fail. If the doctor thinks you aren't ready emotionally then continued therapy might be needed. If that is the case then it is for your best. No matter how prepared you think you are mentally and emotionally you aren't. It's a process and it can be tough.

The medically supervised diet can be for one or two things (or both). Many insurances just flat out require it. It doesn't matter what the surgeon says if the insurance requires it then that's the end if it. Now some insurances don't require it but your surgeon does. If that is the case then you have to follow it or seek a new surgeon. Finally sometimes both the insurance and the doctor require it. Every insurance and every policy as well as every surgeon has there own rules and regulation. You would think there would be one straight out requirement for everyone but since it's not every insurance carrier and every surgeon can have there own requirements. Even the term "medically supervised diet" can have multiple meanings. My insurance considered 6 consecutive months of Weight Watchers (Jenny Craig etc) as acceptable. Or 3 months of two different programs. Some surgeons require a nutritionist. Some have a prescribed diet. Every single case is different.

The drain is a weird feeling. For me I did have a some pain both times I've had them. The feeling is prolonged because of the length of the drain. You don't realize how long it is just seeing it coming out your stomach. The first time I had the drain for about a week after I got home and the surgeon took it out in his office. Most recently it was taken out right before discharge. As soon as it was out there was no pain. My pain was from the aftermath of the actual surgery. I don't say any of this to frighten you I just wanted to give you my experience. Good luck.

Terry - Gallbladder surgery is a breeze. I was back to work in 2 days. I assume it will be laparoscopic? RNY recovery easy but my revision has been horrible.

Just remember you need your protein to 100% Whey or Whey Isolate if you are lactose intolerant. It's the only kind we absorbed properly. Also make sure you are not getting protein intended for body builders. The best protein powders are the ones specific to bariatric patients. Unjury, Nectar, Isopure, Bariatric Advantage are the best. Pure Protein brand is also good.

7 weeks is way to soon. Sorry but it is not a good idea.

The biopsy is truly nothing to freak out about. It might sound awful but it's super duper quick and over before you can react to the pinch.

Like I said I have never had a problem in 9 years. I had a revision 2 weeks ago and have completely different insurance then in 2005. Of course each policy is different but I, personally, find it unlikely that most insurances will not cover these medical costs. When you do have to get new insurance you should certainly check your coverage but this has been my experience. Also, not many people have the same insurance for the rest of their life.

I don't see why an insurance wouldn't cover things. I had my surgery 9 years ago and have had numerous insurances since then. Some good policies some really bad but I've never had anything denied. Once you have the surgery the aftercare is not connected.

100% yes! Muscle is definitely heavier. You will lose inches and lower your body fat but actual weight will probably go up. It's not a bad thing at all!!! Congrats!