SleeveToBypass2023

Something that helps the body absorb D3 is vitamin K2. I have to take 10,000 iu of D3 and 125mcg of K2 every day because of my MS, and I learned that my body doesn't absorb the D3 without the K2 with it. My body also doesn't absorb iron without vitamin C with it. I have to have 45mg of iron and 1000mg of vit c daily, and if I skip the vit c, my body doesn't process the iron at all.

That happened to me. I had the option for either surgery, so I chose the sleeve because I have MS and take several meds that can't be crushes, broken, and don't come in alternate forms. For the first 8 months, things were great. Then the GERD hit, which became gastritis and esophagitis, which was so bad it caused me to need 80mg daily of Nexium (and still had gerd break through), which caused polyps to develop throughout my stomach. 4 endoscopies later, I had no choice but to get the revision to bypass. Never been better. The PPI is down to 40mg per day and at 6 weeks post op we'll go down to 20mg daily and at 10 weeks we'll see how I do without any at all. The pain from the bypass was SO much less than the sleeve, the ability to get in my pills and fluids are SO SO much better. I wish I had just done it first. As for my MS meds, I am still on them, but since we know it's basically like taking 1/2 doses (that's the way it is for extended release, but not so much full release that requires the med to be taken more than once per day) I am having a MRI at 3 months post op (unless I have break through symptoms start before that) and if that's the case, I'll go on a different med (likely an IV infusion med that I would have to do 1x per week). There's ways around things with the bypass. Talk to your psych dr and see what can be done about your meds before completely writing off the bypass. I wish I had just skipped the sleeve, to be honest.

Exactly what @blondeej said!!!!

I had a revision from sleeve to bypass, and I'm 4 weeks post op. In the first 4 weeks after my sleeve, I lost 30 pounds. In the first 4 weeks after my revision, I've lost roughly 15. So yes, definitely slower. But I didn't have the revision due to not losing weight. I was actually doing great with my sleeve. I had a lot of complications with the sleeve (gastritis, esophagitis, tons of polyps all through my stomach, horrible gerd). I got my life back and am slowly getting back to the things I could do before. As long as you continue to lose, and you make sure to exercise and stick to your meal plan, you will be fine. It'll take longer, but it'll happen.

I can tell you, I didn't have any restriction with my sleeve, but once I had my revision to bypass, and I hit about week 4 and could have slightly more substantial foods, oh boy THERE IS WAS!!!! I finally got to experience the elusive restriction everyone talks about lol

For my original sleeve surgery, it was 2 1/2 months from my 1st visit to surgery day. For my revision to bypass, it took longer because i had several procedures I had to do before I could be medically cleared to have the revision. But as far as insurance approval, from the day it was decided I needed the revision to the day the insurance approved it was just under 2 months.

I've seen some posts on here that are sad or upset because in 2 weeks the OP has only lost 10-15 pounds. Let me give you a few things to think about. #1 - everyone loses weight differently, so never compare yourself to anyone else #2 - non scale victories are at least as important (if not more important) than what the scale shows. Examples are: fitting in seats better, walking better, clothes and rings fitting better or getting too big, getting off meds, no longer having high bp or being diabetic, etc... #3 - the average "normal" weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week, and if you're on some kind of special diet then MAYBE 2-3 pounds per week. So if you look at the high end of that, without the surgery you would be down 6 pounds in 2 weeks. So while you may think you haven't lost enough weight, or not as much as some people on here have, you're doing a lot better than you would be if you never had the surgery. #4 - the more you weigh before your surgery, the more (and faster) you will lose after. The first 6 months is when you lose the most, and if you are in the 300-400 range (or higher) you will see the more dramatic weight loss during that time. Those that start off in the 200s tend to lose a bit slower and not as dramatically. That's just the way of it. It doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong or the surgery is a fail, it's just the nature of the beast. The higher the bmi, the more dramatic the initial weight loss. The lower the bmi, the slower the weight loss. AND FINALLY #5 - You may have complications. It's just a fact. Not everyone does. Majority don't. But some, like me, do. And that's ok. Stay in regular communication with your doctor, advocate for yourself, do everything you are supposed to do, take whatever meds or do whatever procedures you have to, take deep breaths, and know it'll be ok and you'll get through it. In the moment, they can feel overwhelming and never-ending. Regret definitely can creep in. BUT... remember that "this, too, shall pass" and when it does, you'll be on the other side, living your best life, and the complication will just be a blip in the road. How many health issues and complications did you have pre-surgery? And you rode those out, knowing another one was inevitable due to being so unhealthy. So just know that once you get on the other side of THIS, you'll be so glad you had the surgery and your health improved. In the wise words of a little blue fish "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."

Of course Glad I could help.

Please do. It's sometimes hard to remember this kind of stuff, so I figured if I put it all here, it would be easy to reference later for those that need it.

No problem at all!! Maybe reach out and see if they can put you on Metformin or something (that's also been known to have mild weight loss properties) and gradually ease your way off it, if your diabetes is bad enough to still need a little something right now. But definitely stay off Ozempic.

I was told absolutely NO patch and NO gummies. I was told pills, liquids, or chewables are what I need to be taking. So I tend to just stick with that.

I was on 3 diabetes meds pre surgery. My surgeon told me to stop them once I had the surgery. And I'm glad I did. My A1c pre surgery was 7.6 and my average blood sugar level was 163. Within a month after the surgery, my blood sugar level was averaging 145 and by 3 months out, I was averaging 105. At my 6 months post op appt, my blood work showed my A1c at 5.7 and has stayed between 5.5 and 5.7 ever since and my blood sugar levels tend to stay around 100-105. So definitely do not take the Ozempic anymore. If they really want you on something (not sure why at this point) try Metformin or something much more mild.

Have you tried Blue Cross Blue Shield? I didn't have to do the 6 month nutritionist visits and there was no clause about gaining weight. I saw my surgeon for the first time Feb 28th 2022 and I was approved and in the surgery room literally having my surgery on May 3rd 2022. I just had to meet their criteria which was bmi over 40, at least 1 comorbidity (I had 3), and have tried at least 2 other weight loss options. Then my blood work and ekg had to come back that I was healthy enough for the actual surgery. And that was it.

As someone who has had a plethora of complications from my 1st surgery and then 1 or 2 small ones with my revision, I can 100% understand how you're feeling. But try to remember that our bodies go haywire after major surgery like this. It will eventually calm down, and when it does, it will all be worth it. No matter what, I still don't regret either surgery. I'm so much stronger, healthier, I got off 4 meds, I'm no longer diabetic or have high blood pressure, I can do a 3 1/2 mile hike with no issues, I can work out 5 days a week and really push myself, and my mobility is SO SO much better. The complications are temporary but the benefits are permanent.

How are things going now? Did you get everything resolved?

Did you ever find out what it was?

I eat things like tacos with the shells made from chicken, cauliflower crust pizza, etc... Absolutely LOVE it. I buy a brand called Real Good Foods. Designed for people on keto and low carb diets, but also perfect for bariatric diets. I've never been brave enough to try to make a homemade pizza, but I might just look into this one

I developed allergies to foods and lactose intolerance after both of my surgeries. After my sleeve, I developed a NASTY shellfish allergy and lactose intolerance. After my revision to bypass, I developed an allergy to peanuts and an allergy to the surgical glue they used. Surgery can do weird things to the body. Major surgery like this throws the body WAY out of whack.

Well, today is Monday. Did she show up???

I agree with the above comments. I am 14 1/2 months out from my sleeve and 4 weeks out from my revision to bypass. Rice, noodles, pasta, potatoes, breads were all HUGE no-no foods for me. There's no nutrients in them, a TON of carbs and calories, take of valuable real-estate in your stomach that needs to have protein and veggies in it first and foremost. They don't serve any real nutritional value, and there's LOTS of foods you can use to substitute for these that are healthy, bariatric surgery friendly, and DELICIOUS.

Definitely track what you eat and drink. And decide what you would rather have with carbs in it. Do you want to eat your carbs or drink them? Personally, I prefer to eat them. Yummier options and you get full faster.

I was told 8 months with the sleeve and 1 year with the bypass, but I don't drink (don't like the taste and don't see the point in it, to be honest) so I don't partake at all. I was told to sip it very slowly and be prepared for it to hit harder and faster than normal. But again, I don't drink, so I wasn't worried about it.

It sounds like a combination of gas pain (gasx doesn't help with that - use a heating pad and walk, walk, walk), incision pain, and pushing your body too much too soon. Walking is good, traveling to the store, walk around the whole thing, and traveling home is too much. You just had MAJOR surgery, you have to be gentle with your body and understand it's trying to heal. Between short walks, get plenty of rest and fluids. Tylenol will help if you take it enough (2-3 tylenol 4x per day works well).

Thank you so much

Thank you guys so much