ValerieInMexico

1998: Went to Sweden for a Gastric Band (Disaster... but I did not know until....) Woke up with a 10 inch scar on my stomach. What? Why? Never got a real answer 1999: Band was to be maintained in Washington State. The Drs said there was something wrong. I felt a lot of discomfort and could not eat anything. 2000: Band removed (I think) and RNY performed. Medical notes mention the band was wrapped up and twisted in scar tissue. I only read that years later. 2000 to 2010: I did not follow any instructions, rarely took my vitamins, never monitored vitamins. I was an idiot. Ended up with Osteoporosis and needed iron transfusions. Actually had to go for a blood transfusion in 2009. Oh... and a fractured pelvis. 2010 - 2019: Worked on learning to eat better, take better care of myself. Went to see a therapist about my issues and made some small and big changes. Began an off and on relationship with the gym, kayaking, paddle boarding. Became healthier, reversed the osteoporosis and brought my iron up to good levels. I struggle with my weight. Up and down, 209 high, 175 low. Back and forth. Driving me insane. Too many clothes in my closet in three different sizes. A friend, an 82 year old woman, told me about Dr. Lopez in Guadalajara and how he completed a revision for her. She finally lost that final 50 pounds. She looks fantastic and feels great. I met two other people who had Gastric Sleeve surgeries with Dr. Lopez. I made an appointment and now I am scheduled for a revision. It will cost around $6,500 dollars. I am really working hard in scraping the money up together. Gave up going out and doing anything the last three months and will whip out the charge card (4% extra). I am excited and I have been working hard, reading books, watching videos, recording everything I eat. Testing out protein shakes and working on smaller portions. I will have had 6 weeks of this before I begin the 2 week pre surgical diet. I have been working out four days a week in the gym. I am strong and happy. I feel beautiful, having once weighed much, much more than I do. I have no pain, and no physical or medical problems such a High BP or Diabetes. I just want to settle on ONE SIZE and feel a little more comfortable on my bike. Oh.... and get off those stupid pills for Acid Reflux. I swear, I am going to do that and Dr. Lopez will help me. I am crossing my fingers. So, I am 62 years old and I weigh 199.999999 pounds (Ha, just made it under 200 this morning). I hope to be at my goal weight of 145 by this time next year. Heck, I will settle for more. Just want to fit in to my "skinny" wardrobe (175lbs) and give away the rest. My closet broke this year!

I met with my GP, here in Canada, yesterday. I told her what I had planned. I am having the surgery in Mexico. My original gastric band was self pay in Sweden. My gastric bypass was covered by Insurance when I lived and worked in Washington State. Now, I am back, retired in Canada. I would not qualify here, because I really am healthy at this time. Fortunately for me, my Dr. is from Colorado and had many patients in the US who had bariatric surgery. She is supportive, but is performing more tests today. This year, I have had endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, and bone scans. No problems found. My mineral levels are good now, after a lot of work so I feel good to go. She is wondering why I have a fatty liver and is just giving me a diabetes test to see if I am diabetic or insulin resistant. She gave me copies of all my tests for the surgeon in Mexico. My surgeon said he has done 200 revisions, including redo of the RNY. I am nervous, of course. I do not have kids, pets or plants so if I have problems..... no one dependent on me so that helps me handle the risk. Plus, I have a winter home near where the procedure is taking place, so I can hang around for a month in case there are any problems. Honestly, the struggle with weight has been life long, like so many of us. I work so hard, in the gym, walking, and I am so careful what I eat. I do not even have sugar in my house and have not for years. I do not eat any junk food, soda, frappes. Once or twice a year I binge on a pint of ice cream. I drink wine. I track calories. It takes years and years of dedication to lose 30 pounds and then: BAM One bad winter and all 30 are back. I just can not do this yo-yo anymore. So I will take the risk. My last four months have been about portion control and counseling to find ways to stop the evening eating (where all my extra calories come from). So.... that is also a big reason why I am taking the risk. I need help. Yes, I can lose it again with dedication, but will I keep it off? I need help......and now...…. I am mature and disciplined enough to do this correctly. Thanks for all the interest and I will keep you up to date. Pre Surgical diet begins in 4 days. I will post from the hospital and will appreciate the support.

I have a few questions, if you don't mind. Was it scar tissue, or a cyst that caused the blockage? Did you have some chronic symptoms, or was the onset sudden? I hope you heal quickly. With all the good habits you have developed over the years, you have a really good chance of keeping it off. Will keep you in my prayers, that you are able to maintain your weight loss and regain your health.

Hi, in the intro section I explained that, after 19 1/2 years, I am going to have a "tune.up" Revision details in my other post This is my third time with bariatric surgery, and I am ready this time. I am working, hard, on my three major obstacles to a healthy post bariatric life. 1. Small portions I had my friend, Annoying Jan, come and stay with me for two weeks. She is 70, looks like senior Barbie, is incredibly active and is always dishing out advice. I decided to listen to her for a change. She spent time with me looking at portion control, frequency of eating, dealing with the evening hunger that has always defeated me. I told her "F Off!" A few times.... but she was patient. The first week was hell. The second week I began to eat like Jan, Small breakfast, Small lunch, Small dinner and a very small evening snack. Very wonderful food. Organic eggs, fresh veggies and fruit, nuts, beans, low fat cheeses, soups, guacamole. We had "tapas" for dinner. Small portions of delicious things. Thought I would die at night, but I got into the swing of it. I tripled my water consumption and took a lot of walks and completed a lot of tasks on my todo list. Also went to bed early. Its been two months and I have stuck with the routine. I am still friends with Annoying Jan. She made me walk up hill two kilometers last week. I did it, much to my surprise. Having a friend that believes you can do something is so helpful. She came with me to the surgeon consultation and is so supportive. She has not had bypass surgery, she is just really aware of what she is consuming and she has been studying me for years, trying to coach me. She believes in the surgery after doing research. Its the best for me and she will support me. I love Annoying Jan. 2. Timing drinking and eating Target: No food after drinking anything for at least 20 minutes. I am going for 30. More difficult: No drinking while eating. Most difficult: No drinking for at least 30 minutes after eating. I am targeting 45 minutes. "OKay Google... set timer for..." is my most frequent phrase. 3. Getting the nutrients in What a difference 20 years has made! I have planned for and ordered the special bariatric vitamins and minerals. I am setting up reminders on my phone to alert me to take my pills. I have been reading labels and testing protein powders for the past two months and have ordered everything I need. I have ordered several books, recommended on this forum site where I can find recipes to make nutritious smoothies and soup. I was 10 years old on my first diet. I am 62 now. I am blessed with no serious health issues, a strong body and a couple of really good friends. And now, I have this wonderful community to come to for inspiration. I feel that all this pre surgical work, on setting up routine and dealing with night hunger is going to help me long term. I have gone through some serious health issues in the early years post my first by-pass, and turned my health around and that took about 10 years of work. I maintained most of my weight loss. now, I am ready to get the last 50 off. Some of you might have an annoying friend who may be your biggest supporter if you are willing to accept their help.

Wow! Where is the lake?

A similar stomach revision is called a StomaphyX. There are several that make the stoma between the stomach and small intestine smaller.

Yes, I know. My Dr. thinks that he may, after fooling around with my stomach, improve things in regards to the reflux. Here is a link that sort of shows what he is going to do with my stomach, https://www.wlshelp.com/stomaphyx.html The Dr does not know what he will do until he gets a good look. The objective is to keep food from moving too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, make the stomach smaller and (hopefully) do something to help with the reflux. Next, he will revise the bypass. So, I am not your typical person. I donated my kidney to my brother over 35 years ago. I really take care of my kidney health and the medication used for controlling reflux can damage the kidney over time. I also have a thing called MGUS that also can result in kidney damage as it progresses. So, if I can get off the meds.... that will be one for me. I avoid animal protein as well. Glad there are so many great plant based protein products now. That will also help. My kidney is perfect, and my brothers is still working very, very well. I just want to keep mine that way. The family is now out of spare kidneys.

Oh. I am not familiar with all the terminology. The surgeon wrote "revision" on the quote. I assumed it just meant, change. So, he will be making the opening between my stomach and small intestine smaller. He will examine the stomach and see if it can be smaller if necessary. Secondly, he will modify the existing RNY. The purpose will be to bypass a greater distance. So, it's a two part procedure.