Meley24

I am one month post op and have been at a stall for the last two weeks. The last couple of days I notice I’m actually gaining weight. It’s so frustrating because I’m following the plan, haven’t even thought about having something I’m not suppose to. The only thing I’ve been bad at is getting in 64+ oz of liquids. I’m usually closer to 50. I’m going to try getting in more to see if that makes a difference. But rest assure you’re not alone!

I am almost two weeks post op and regretting having bypass surgery. Fortunately, I haven’t had any complications thus far but I can’t help feeling like I made a mistake. I keep worrying about all the complications that can happen that I’m stressing myself out all the time. And, I no longer enjoy eating as it feels like a chore to chew 20 times and wait 60 seconds in between bites. I regret undergoing a surgery that is irreversible and comes with so many complications. I’m sorry if I’m coming across as b****ing, I’m just wondering if this feeling is common after surgery.

I haven't done much since my surgery and avoid social gatherings like BBQs because I'm still on the pureed stage. Eating out was a big part of my life but also one the main reasons I gained so much weight. I have a work potluck next week and plan on having a yogurt or protein shake. It's not ideal and it's going to be difficult but I know that eventually I'll be able to incorporate more foods and find healthier alternatives. I am also looking into local support groups for food addiction. Perhaps you can consider doing the same to help with some of the struggles you're having.

Thanks for your words or encouragement! I am trying to remain positive and hoping when I incorporate solids I'll feel better.

Congratulations on your 40lbs loss and reduction of your insulin!! I'm sorry you're having difficulty with solids; I haven't started solids yet but it must be difficult especially since we are so limited on what we can eat during the early stages of the surgery. I have read posts where it takes almost 6 months to eat solids comfortably. Your body might just need more time to process certain foods but I'm sure in a few months you'll be eating more. I keep reminding myself why I did this, and for me it was primarily for my health (diabetic and high cholesterol) and although I miss the freedom to eat whatever I want, I'm slowly coming to the terms that I chose this surgery for a reason and I just have to look at the positives as hard as that might be.

I started adding Genepro to my yogurt (Oikos Triple Zero) and I love that you can't taste it at all!

I am on the puréed stage—no solids yet but I’ve been instructed by my nut to chew the puréed foods. I don’t really enjoy anything at this point. Hoping when I start having solid foods it’ll get better. Congrats on the weight loss and thanks for the encouragement!

I’m sorry you are feeling the same too. It’s somewhat reassuring to know I’m not alone.

I am scheduled to have my surgery tomorrow at 5pm and I'm concerned (or more so paranoid) about the late time. I am worried that because it's so late in the day it might get rescheduled if there are issues with earlier surgeries. This could just be my mind in overdrive because I'm nervous but has anyone had their bypass done in the evening? How long was the surgery?

Thanks everyone, I'll notify my surgeon right away.

Has anyone changed their type of surgery after insurance approval? For example, say my insurance approved the sleeve but I decided afterwards on the bypass, is that going to be a problem for the insurance to pay out?

Hello everyone, I am a newbie to the forum, but have read many of the posts relating to the Gastric Sleeve. I was banded in January 2013, and was doing great for about a year, then I started having complications -- getting stuck all the time, throwing up everything I ate and severe heartburn. My doctor tried loosening the band, then filling it with small amounts, but I could never it right. Eventually, all the throwing up caused my band to slip and I had the band repositioned in December 2014. I was hoping that the band would start working again, like it had when I first got it, but I've actually gained 30lbs since the repositioning and I am still having complications! I am now considering getting the sleeve but I have reservations... I must admit, I am very hesitant because of the stories I'm reading of leaks, and regaining weight after a couple of years. I just keep asking myself "is it worth the risk?” What I'm not finding are posts relating to complications from band-to-sleeve revision. Is there a higher known risk factor for banded patients? Do you regret your decision to get the sleeve? Any advice you can offer would be a tremendous help for one nervous gal from NY.

Hi everyone, I am officially band-free! I had the band removed last Saturday and the surgery went great! I feel so much better and the best part: being able to eat and drink at the same time. I didn't realized how much I missed being able to take a sip with my meal until now. I doing okay in terms of eating -- I gave myself last week to eat whatever I wanted, and this week I started a diet. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I opted not to have another WLS, instead I'm going to try dieting on my own and see a food therapist. It's going to be hard but I'm taking it slowly this time. I'm not looking for results right away like I did with diets in the past. I gave myself a longer goal that I know I can manage. Hopefully it works out! ~M

I suffer from aniexty and that plays a major role in my complications. If I'm stressed, even over the slightest thing, my band gets tight and I can't eat anything. I haven't completely figured it out why it does, but it does. For me, the band isn't helping no matter how much I follow the rules. There are days when I try to drink a Protein shake and I'm tight. I am unfilled right now and still having complications. My doctor said that my body just cannot tolerate the band. The band works for a few, and, yes, you most definitely have to follow the rules, but for most people, no matter how much you try, the band just doesn't work. I am having the band removed in two weeks and I have chosen not to do another revision. I did a lot of research on the sleeve and I'm not happy with the results. Instead, I'm going to see to a therapist who specializes in food addiction and hire a personal trainer. I wish you the very best with your band; I love hearing success stories because I truly want to believe that the band works. Good luck on your journey and please keep me posted!

Thank you Dr. Altamirano. I will check out your site. However, if I have another surgery it will be local due to work and family.

I researched it some more and did not like what I was seeing-- heart palpitations, anxiety attacks. Uh, no thank you! I've decided not to take it, and going to do exactly what you said: get a second opinion.

I paid around $200 in co-pays and for the Pysch evaluation because the doctor was out-of-network. I lucked out at the time, but my employer has changed our plan and I will have to pay a little more if I plan to get another surgery. If you look at the bigger picture, $1K is not much for the total cost of the procedure. But I'm also comparing that to the hospital that I went to in NY and I would have happily paid that amount. I know a woman who had paid $1,500 out of pocket.

Hi everyone, so I met with my doctor yesterday and the esphogram test showed that my band has NOT slipped. My doctor seemed unsure and couldn't offer any solid reasons as to why I can't keep anything down at such a low fill (4.5 cc). She said stress can make your band tight, which I knew already, and I have been dealing with some personal issues that could be the causing my band to tighten. But I'm human, and I have emotions, and if I'm upset I should be able to eat or drink liquids. Does anyone else experience this same issue when upset or stressed? She unfilled it slightly and suggested that I go on the appetite suppressant, Phentermine. She explained some of the side effects, like Insomnia and High Blood Pressure, and I'm not sure I want to take it. We discussed the Sleeve and Bypass and she indicated that with any WLS there is a chance of regaining weight after a few years if you don't change your relationship with food. She said sleeve patients can tolerate more foods than band patient, and in time can stretch their stomach to where there is little restriction and most of the weight comes back. And that seems to be my biggest problem-- as with most people struggling with their weight-- changing my relationship with food. I obsess over food and not the healthy kind, love cooking, eating out, you name it and until I change my outlook and start making right choices about what I eat, no WLS is going to be successful for me in the long term. I agreed to try the band at a lower fill for another month and if I’m still having problems or not losing any weight then I’ll remove it. Sighs, we will see...

It's an awful feeling losing all that weight to then put it back on in such a short period of time. And I'm sorry you had to experience that as well. I had thrown out many of my clothes because I swore I would never get back to that size and now I'm getting back to "that size" and having to shop all over again. I want to try dieting on my own and I've somewhat convinced myself that I can do it, but really who am I kidding, I couldn't do it before and I probably can't do it after the band. There are very few people who've had the band removed and go on to maintain their weight loss--very few though. I meet with my surgeon today and I'll find out if the band slipped again (actually hoping that it did but either way I'm going to have them remove it). I'll let you guys know what I decide! I think you/your surgeon made the right decision by waiting in between surgeries, lessens your chance of complications is what I've been told. Sending lots of prayers your way for a safe and successful surgery. Please keep me posted on your progress!

Hi, I am in a somewhat similar position. My band never quite worked for me and it slipped last December. I had it repositioned because it's wasn't a major slip that required a new band, but I haven't lost any weight since then ,and lately I've been really tight. I see my doctor tomorrow and she's going to tell me if it slipped and talk about getting the sleeve. I'm not 100% sure I'm going to get the sleeve and my family does not want me to go through another failed wls and all the complications that come with it, so I don't really have their support. Part of me is scared of the complications and wants to try it dieting on my own, but part of me knows I probably will fail on my own. I hope to make a decision after I talk with my doctor--I want my life back too! I wish you the best with the sleeve. #takeyourlifeback!

What made you change your mind?

WTG on a successful surgery! I'm happy to hear you got that dreadful device out of you and can eat like a normal person again! I can't wait for that day but with restriction of course I actually wouldn't mind waiting a couple of months in between because it might give me some time to try dieting on my own, which is something I'm also considering. Do you have a date for your sleeve? And how is your recovery going?

Thank you for sharing your story! More and more, I am leaning towards the getting the sleeve and it's very reassuring to hear successful band-to-sleeve stories. Did you have it done in one surgery or two?

@@atontor Congrats on the weight loss and especially in such a short period of time!! Did you have the lapband too? And, thanks I'll check out NYP.

Hi I'm also from NYC. May I ask which Surgeon you used? Had my lapband done at NYU and would like to get a second opinion.