Jolynn

Hi! I am in the Seattle area, and would love to start a support group for people either considering surgery, revision surgery or is post-op. I believe there are not enough of us to support each other through this time. Unless you have been in the situation, it is hard to understand. It is so hard in the Seattle area to create friendships, I thought that this would be a great way to begin. It is about common ground, support and trust. I am 10 years, post op sleeve surgery. I have been recently approved for revision surgery, however, the surgery would be a sleeve to bypass. Completely different. I would love to hear from you all and hear your stories. Maybe we can get a little group together once a week and share over coffee? Yes, I am an addict, a slave to the coffee bean. Jolynn

Hi! I am 10 years post sleeve surgery. I had my sleeve back in 2010, when the procedure what relatively new. I had the procedure done as an outpatient. I was cash pay and had no follow-up. Everything seemed to go well. I started at over 350lbs, and made it to 219lbs. I was ecstatic! I was no longer a diabetic, I no longer had high blood pressure. I no longer had an appetite. Being a cash pay, I was unable to afford a plastic surgeon, so I carried and still carry a bit of skin. So, here I am, 10 years after. My weight today is 251lbs. I still believe I have been successful. I can still shop at Macy's and not have to order everything online. I gained weight, yes, but I have also gained confidence. After so long, my struggle with food is slowly returning. I am so afraid, that I started the process of looking into revision surgery. The surgeon that I have, at the hospital that I work at, will not revise a sleeve, but will revise a sleeve with bypass surgery. She states that there is a 100% complication rate, from things as small as a UTI to death. I would love to know more about this. Insurance has approved the revision. I have already had the medical testing, upper GI, and will be meeting with the psychiatrist and dietician next week. I would love to chat and hear stories from anyone who is considering revision surgery. I want to hear all of the good, bad and ugly. Please feel free to reach out at any time. I am new to this forum and would love gain support, information and be of support to others going through the same battles. Thanks! Jolynn Let me know if you would like to chat further, I can be reached by email also. If anyone is in the Seattle area, let's start a group!

Thank you for the input! Since bariatric surgery is still relatively new at Virginia Mason, there are no support groups started. I will be checking out the Swedish Metabolic and Bariatric Center. Thank you for the input! If anyone wants to get together, please reach out.

Losingit2018 - How hard has your recovery been since the sleeve to bypass revision? How long were you out of commission before returning to your daily routine? For me, it isn't about how much I lose at this point, it is about not becoming diabetic again, and being taken away from my nephew as everyone else in my family has. At this point, I am the sole survivor at 45.

Thank you! My doctor's only option is a revision to bypass. Yes, 100% rate of complication. Anything from a minor UTI to death. Pretty scary....but still..... I appreciate all the input and words of wisdom.

I am 10 years post op and still gurgle. It is something I have just gotten used to. It makes my husband laugh. I worried about this in the beginning, but the doctor reinforced that this is okay. I gurgle at random times, not just while eating or drinking. :)