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Revised sleeve to bypass last week due to GERD. Sleeve w/hiatal hernia repair 6/2016. 2nd hernia repair 10/17. 3rd hernia repair w/bypass, although originally the surgeon said he wasn’t going to fix it this time. I guess it was so big that he had to. I revised because I was aspirating acid into my lungs. I wish I had pushed for the bypass for the original surgery. I had asked for it because I already had GERD. I was told that I probably had a hernia, he’d fix it, and I’d be fine. Yeah... This recovery is harder from a pain perspective. The incisions are larger. It hurts to cough, sneeze, laugh, sit up, etc. I don’t remember this happening the last time. The surgeon said that he “did more damage” this time cutting me open. 😳 I do feel better every day but it it is different from last time. I also find that my appetite is the same as before the surgery. Last time I didn’t even want to look at food. However, I get nauseous when I eat so I am dropping weight, which I’m please with. I don’t mind losing about 10-15#, but I’m going to have to be careful not to get underweight (now that’s a first for me!). Good luck with whatever you decide.

I’m interested to know what you decided and how you are doing. I’m revising sleeve to bypass in November for GERD. I am aspirating acid into my lungs, so it has to be done. I’m on 2 GERD meds, I eat tums like candy, and 4 allergy meds for allergy symptoms (for instance, coughing up acid into my lungs) that the 2 Bariatric surgeons, ENT, and allergist all have concluded are made worse, if not mostly caused by, the GERD.

I’m supposed to be having my sleeve revised to a bypass in November due to GERD. I have a hiatial hernia for the 3rd time and the surgeon as well as the 2nd opinion surgeon says not to repair the hernia, just revise to bypass. Evidently my cough is acid aspirating into my lungs, and most of my allergy symptoms are from the acid. This is on top of the regular nasty acid symptoms. I had originally asked for the bypass because I already had GERD and I knew that VSG could make GERD worse or cause it if you don’t have it. The surgeon said that if I had another 100# to lose he’d recommend the bypass but he said I probably have a hernia. He’d fix it, therefore fixing the GERD. So, 3 hernias later, I’m revising to a bypass, and I’m terrified. I’ve been very pleased with my sleeve except for the GERD getting worse. So... 3.5 years later I’m finally getting what I originally asked for, but now I have to go through a 3rd surgery (VSG/hernia; hernia again; now bypass) to do it. I should have just pushed for the bypass at the beginning and I’d be done with it.

I may need to revise for GERD. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

You may have a hiatal hernia. You may want to request an upper GI or an endoscopy. If you can, you may want to go back to your Bariatric surgeon for advice. I was about a year out and started pushing back on the response I was getting from the PA at my surgeon's office. I had a hiatal hernia repair during the VSG in June 2016. Here I am a year later still on omaprezole and the acid was getting worse. They did the upper GI. One surgeon thought I had another hernia, but a small one. The other thought I didn't. They split the difference and recommended the endoscopy. Turns out I have a large hiatal hernia and inflammation of my esophagus and they strongly recommended surgical repair. So, I'll have it done the first week of October after I've finished a lot of planned travel. Long term use of antiacids can have a lot of bad side effects, and they don't necessarily prevent the acid from inflaming your esophagus, they just help you not feel it. That can lead to other problems. So, that's my story, and why I recommend you get it checked out further. If not by your surgeon, by a GI doctor, not a PCP. Good luck!

You are right to be concerned, based on the additional information you provided. However, I think you should support her decision, with some caveats. Strongly encourage her to attend support groups and nutrition lectures, read forums like this one, find a mentor, read blogs, etc. I also strongly recommend that she follow up with a therapist used to working with Bariatric patients, not just one that works with addictions. I can tell you love your daughter. If you simply had "control" issues I don't think you'd be on this forum seeking information and advice. I can tell you as a 47 year old woman that has fought the pounds unsuccessfully since puberty (but really badly since I was 18-19), she may have realized much earlier than I did that her body has turned against her. I was diagnosed with PCOS at 29 and hypothyroidism at 40. Doctors didn't really know what to do with me for many years and really just blamed my habits. In truth, it didn't matter if I had no cookies, 1 cookie, 3 or 5 cookies. I might lose 5 lbs in 3 months and then nothing for a year, and then gain 15# back. It was mental demolition. This surgery was a reset for me. I have no regrets. My dad feels like he got his daughter back, I feel like I got my life back, and I'm pushing 50. My career is looking up (it was already damn good), people treat me a hell of a lot better, and I'm not letting life pass me by. Have you had a quiet discussion with your daughter and just asked her, and then listened with no judgement, as if she was a friend, what does she see in her future? What her dreams are? And how she wants to get there? She might surprise you. My parents always assumed things about me and often were wrong. No doubt they loved me, but still, they were wrong. To help ease your concern, maybe ask her to walk you through the research she's done and how she came to the decision. Tell her you don't want to change her mind, you just want to understand so you and her father can support her in every way you can to help her be successful. The surgery is just the start. Losing the weight will be "easy." Keeping it off will be the challenge. Best of luck to you and your daughter.

What cup keeps your liquids cold? Would love to know!

I wanted the bypass because of my reflux. Surgeon recommended the sleeve. He said I most likely had a hiatal hernia and he'd fix it during the surgery. He said I'd be on meds for about 6 months post op. He fixed it, and was on meds longer than 6 months due to my own nervousness. I occasionally have a flare up but it was definitely improved. I'm glad I did the sleeve instead of the bypass.

Please contact your surgeon's office ASAP and tell them what you told us. Another resource is: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Also, here's a list of organizations. I'm not sure how updated it is, but maybe it will be helpful. You did the right thing by reaching out. Please let us know that you're ok. http://suicideprevention.wikia.com/wiki/USA

I agree with OutsideMatchInside - I've had too many similar experiences where I've tried the "thanks but no thanks" responses and just get abused, so I just stopped responding when I'm not interested. I used to feel bad about not responding, but too many of them would come back if I wouldn't respond within even a day or two - before I even had a chance to respond at all, and start up with the garbage. Who needs it? Dating can be dangerous. I won't even leave a drink on a bar with someone I barely know to go to the bathroom. I either finish it before I leave or take it with me to the bathroom (gross, but safer than a roofie). Regarding the OP's topic, I've been pretty up front about the surgery. I find the men to be fairly interested in a respectful way. Digressing...I did figure out that I started dating too early and pulled back for a while (I'm only 11 months out now, tried dating months 3-6). My top three stories are (1) a man who I think has always lived with his parents and was pushing 50, told me I was his last chance; (2) another man who I had a wonderful conversation with confessed that he was actually communicating with me on a contraband cell phone...from prison. He said he's since turned his life around and would get out in about 5 years. Yeah...I looked him up. He was in for murder, and while he was in, 7 years ago he committed another murder. NO THANK YOU. (3) Another man, who was very nice, was going the complete opposite direction with his health that I am, and unfortunately had the emotional maturity of a 12 year old. I found that out when I told him I felt like he was pressuring me by texting me in the middle of the day (and he knew I wasn't having a good day) asking if I would kiss him the next time we went out. He got very upset and I never heard from him again. I went out with #1 and #3 once each. I also had a couple of dates with other nice men but it just didn't work out. I'm now dating a man who I met through the same website, who I consider a "leftover." I had shut the profile down but he stayed in touch (he had my email) and was very assertive in wanting to meet. I finally agreed, and we're now having a good time. He's not going to be my long-term man - in fact, he's told me that he's not going to fall in love with me and I'm not going to fall in love with him. Then he kept bringing it up almost in the same breath as some heavy duty flirting. I finally told him that by him saying that so frequently, I felt like he was telling me that I wasn't good enough for him, and I KNEW that wasn't true. I told him that I looked at him as possibly a long term friend, and just a guy that was getting me back in the saddle. We were on the phone, and I actually took the phone away from my ear and looked at it like, "Holy crap, did I just say that out loud into the phone??!" I was kind of proud of myself. I feel like as a fat woman I was treated so disrespectfully for so long, and I won't do it as a physically thin woman now. I think he was taken aback, but he told me last night that he really respected me for speaking up, and he was sorry for not picking up on how that would make me feel. It's kind of amazing how not burying my emotions anymore is working out for me. I realize after reading this back that I've REALLY digressed quite a bit from the OP's topic, and I apologize. Dating is so...interesting, right? Regarding food, every date we've gone on has involved food in some way. Last Sunday we've added going to the beach and some art galleries, and this Sunday he wants to cook me an omelette (??) and then do the art gallery thing again. russdroppings posted a lot of great ideas, and I've taken note. I especially like the zoo, museum, and karaoke ideas. I also want to add horseback riding in there somewhere. I think the last time I got on a horse I was a toddler at the pony rides! PS - there's also the guy that asked me for $2K to be sent to South Africa because equipment at a geology job he was working on busted and he didn't have the access to his accounts in the US...

I had GERD yet my surgeon recommended the sleeve. He said I most likely had a hiatal hernia and he'd fix it during surgery. He said that was almost always the cause of the GERD. I stayed on the omaprezole for 6 months and now I take it only occasionally. My surgeon said if I had another 100 lbs to lose he would have recommended the RNY but he said that the risk of long term complications, while low, of the RNY was higher than the VSG, so why risk it if the GERD would most likely be resolved? Of course, you have to do what you're most comfortable with, but I thought I'd share my experience with you.

You must be so proud!

One more thing. The practice is incredibly busy. You will have to stay on top of them to get what you need. You may not have as hard of a time if you do self-pay, but they're not always the most responsive pre-op. But again, maybe now that Dr Taggar is there things have gotten better.

I've heard Dr Taggar speak at Dr Wizman's support group. Dr Wizman did my surgery last year. Dr Taggar seems very intelligent and has no problem stating when he has a different opinion from Dr Wizman. He also doesn't seem to have the same...ummm...opinion of himself that Dr Wizman has of Dr Wizman. [emoji12] However, I don't know which patients at the groups have had Dr Taggar. If you can do it, I strongly suggest attending the monthly support groups and nutrition lectures that they offer. I did it for 6 months before my surgery and the information I gleaned from attending was invaluable to my success. Good luck with your decision. I think you'd do well with either surgeon.

I told some people at first, kept it from others, and at 9 months out, I'm still picky about who I tell. My family knows and for the most part have been wonderful. Most of my friends have also been great. The problem for me has been the people at work. I've gained and lost so many times that I know some of them are waiting for me to fail. Some are genuinely happy that I'm losing while others are gossips. Some I tell and ask to keep it to themselves while others I just say I eat mainly protein and veggies. But, I know people talk. I've had the stupid comments made to me, too. I've been gossiped about by people who haven't gotten the story from me. That's life.

I have PCOS and hypothyroidism. I had about 80 lbs to lose by time I had the surgery. My surgeon recommended the sleeve. I wanted the bypass. His reasons were that the results were virtually the same, but the chances of long term complications for the bypass, while low, were still much higher than the sleeve. He said if I had another 100 lbs to lose he'd recommend the bypass, but, and I quote him, "why do such a severe procedure for the same outcome?" So, I did the sleeve. I'm almost 10 months out and I've basically been at goal for 2 months. I'd like to get another 10# or so off, just for wiggle room, but I'm pretty happy here, too. I'm still on Aldactone for the hair issue, and the cysts were well controlled before the surgery with birth control (which I'm still on). Good luck with your decision!

When you're called someone else's name and it's a skinny person instead of one of the other big people you're usually confused with (and look nothing like, not even hair color)!

OMG bony butt!! Yaasss! Mine hurts all the time now! And eyeing sizes? Forget it!

I felt the same way you did, and I'm much older. I'm 9 months out now, and I wish I had done this at least 10 years ago. But maybe I wouldn't have been ready then. But, if I had done it 10 years ago AND everything went as well as it has now, I would have had 10 years back of my youth that I lost. 10 years of my mental health not screwing with me now. Some people will take offense to that but I'm just talking about myself. Knowing what I know now, and knowing that statistics say the VSG is safer than gall bladder surgery, I regret not doing it sooner. BUT you have to do all your due diligence and make your own decision. I definitely had my fears, even 2nd thoughts, even a few months out. But NO REGRETS for me now. I've also had no complications. Bumps in the road? Yes. Things to work out in my head? Yes. Regrets? No. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

I'm sure he does a great job and you'll be very happy with the outcome. Just follow the program and you'll be fine. For me, the gas was the worst part. The posts here about what to bring to the hospital were so useful. If you haven't seen those, you might want to do a search. Having an extension cord for phone charging was key. Also having a pillow in the car for the ride home was a huge help. One of my friends recommended having small cups of liquids and jello ready to go, like the paper or plastic cups you might use in a bathroom. It worked great for me, especially just being able to eyeball portions. Good luck!!

My experience on eHarmony has been lousy. I've been matched with a ton of guys. I've contacted most of them and I think I've received 2 replies in 6 months. It's not you. I think they have a lot of nonpaying members, so they can't respond. I also think quite a few of the profiles are fake. My friends have had similar experiences. Just my opinion, whatever it's worth.

When I was researching south Florida doctors, his name and hospital ever came up. I used Dr. Wizman in Margate. My surgery was supposed to be at Northwest but he had a falling out the day before, so it was moved to Coral Springs. I live in Delray. The patients in the support groups are fantastic. The nurse that runs the general support group, Sandy, is wonderful. The RD that has the monthly lecture comes from Cleveland Clinic and she's amazing, too. I also strongly considered CC but it was just too far and their support groups are very inconvenient from a time perspective. I wish you the best with your search. Let me know if you have any questions.

Congrats!! You're inspiring me! We're the same size and I'd like to get my arms done and breasts lifted. Do you mind saying how long it's been since you had your Bariatric surgery? Mine was 6/30/16, and I'd be surprised if I lose anymore weight. I'm feeling pretty good where I am.

I know how you feel. It's not right, and it wasn't her story to tell. I've had it happen to me at work. One person in particular approached me in a gossipy manner (I'll spare you the details on what I mean by that) and said, "So looks like that surgery worked for you." Now I know I never told her. I responded, "Oh? Do you know that I had surgery firsthand?" She didn't understand what I meant. I asked her if she heard that through gossip or directly from me. Then I just stared at her. She got the message and slinked away. She's not a nice person, never been my confidant, has one of the biggest mouths in the company, and I don't think I've ever heard a kind word or tone come out of her mouth. I don't feel bad for not acknowledging that I really had surgery. She could take whatever she wanted from my answer. She would do that regardless of what I said.

I had to pay before, even though I told/showed them that other claims were pending that would wipe it out. It took me 3 months to get $300 back, after being jerked around with billing errors, unreturned calls, excuses, and only partial refunds, not in the form of original payment. Jerks.