SleeveToBypass2023

I had to crush mine except for the MS meds, those I had to take whole. My advice, take them with something warm. I mixed the crushed pills in a shot glass with some well flavored drink and then I had to take 1 at a time, but the 2 pills that had to be taken whole, I took with warm liquid (usually broth). This was for the first 2 weeks. Then I didn't have to crush the pills anymore, but I had to take the pills slowly with warm broth for another 2 weeks. By week 4, I was healed enough to take my meds normally. And by then I was off my blood pressure and diabetes meds anyway, so that was a lot less than I had to take before (I got off all 4 of those meds and was thrilled).

I was able to do 1 hour on the treadmill, but definitely not at the level I could before all this stomach crap. I was at incline 15, speed 2.6, heart rate around 142. It annoys me that I've had to back it down, but at least I can do something. I was also able to do 20 sit ups (used to be able to do 50), 30 stomach crunches (was able to do 60 before), 10 step ups on each side (used to be able to do 30 before), and 20 reps on each of my arm exercises (used to do 40 each). I couldn't so anything more because I started to have sharp stabbing abdominal pain as well as burning from the gastritis and GERD. I might have to back it down on the treadmill a little more and see if things improve. I can't wait for all of my procedures to be done so I can finally start feeling better and get back to working out the way I normally do. I can't even THINK about any weight training or strength/core training right now

Just got the call from my GI specialist. I DO NOT have cancer!!! It seems what I have are 4 different types of polyps, all of which are pre cancerous. Nobody knows how I got them, what caused them, or if they will come back. My gastritis and GERD are apparently caused by my sleeve itself. So the plan moving forward is to have 3-4 more upper GI endoscopies to remove every single polyp (that way they don't become cancer) and then I have to have a revision from sleeve to bypass. But the removal of the polyps is first, then the revision. Don't really want a revision, but at this point, I'll do WHATEVER it takes to get all of this taken care of and finally start to feel better. SO SO glad it's not cancer!!!!!!!

Of course!! The concerning thing was that I had no polyps at all before or right after surgery. Something happened in 8 1/2 months to cause this. And the gastritis and GERD became off the charts in the last 6 months, so I was told once all the polyps are gone (I have a few different kinds of polyps) then I'll go in for my revision.

I have gastritis and GERD, plus I had to have several biopsies because my stomach is full of different kinds of polyps. I have to have 3 more endoscopies to remove them all. I was told I have to have a revision to bypass because the polyps are coming from the gerd and gastritis. So once all the polyps are removed, then we go in and do the bypass.

I'm interested in this since I just found out I have to have a revision from sleeve to bypass. It kind of worries me, so I'm interested to see what people say.

I know 100% how you're feeling. The waiting is the worst. I kept thinking that if I have cancer, all my hard work was for nothing, and I might as well have just skipped the surgery and stayed fat, since I would lose weight with chemo anyway (my mind went to some dark places). BUT....they say gastric tumors are 95% cancer, and yet mine isn't. So we'll hold on to that for you and just think positive that you'll be ok, too. My fingers are crossed for you, and I'm sending you all the good luck, good vibes, and positive thoughts I have. Just think positively. It's out of your hands now, and while I know it's easier said than done, try not to let yourself go to that bad place where you think about all the negative, bad things. You got this.

Thank you all so so much!!! I'm looking forward to getting all the polyps GONE and then get going with the revision. I'm sad, because I really love my sleeve. But I can't take this pain. So if a revision is what I need, then I'll do it. And I'll go into it with the same attitude I had when getting the sleeve. I just hope my losing weight doesn't slow down because it's a revision. I have like 80 pounds to go and I really don't want that to be messed up with a revision.

That's up to your surgeon and your insurance. Personally, mine wouldn't do it. But some might.

Even good relationships can be tested after this kind of change. This is a life saving and life CHANGING surgery, and a lot of men can't handle that. My first husband was extremely abusive in EVERY way, and we have a son together. It was extremely difficult to leave. My current husband was a lot better for a long time, but after the surgery, that changed. He took good care of me for the first 2-3 weeks, then the snide remarks, being lazy, picking fights, and general assh**e behavior really began. If you are the one who works, you have to remember that YOU are the one with the power here. I had to remind my husband of that a few times (he doesn't work, either. He also does the cooking and cleaning, and we have our daughter together). When he started getting particularly nasty, I reminded him that I pay the bills, I have the insurance, and I can hire someone to do the things he does around the house (I give him spending money because if i don't, he just takes it). I told him it would cost me about the same but without the aggravation and stress. After a few times, he realized I was serious and has started behaving a little better. Maybe you can try that. Sometimes they need to know they don't hold as much power as they think they do. The longer you tolerate this treatment, the worse it will get. You have to teach em how to treat ya.

Fairlife and Premier shakes got me through my pre and post op diets. They all all kinds of flavors. If they're too sweet, you can always dilute them with almond milk.

My next endoscopy is set for February 17th. Glad this isn't dragging out. Let's get in, get out, and git'r'done...

My MS medication is extended release. MS meds aren't interchangeable, so there's not 3 or 4 to choose from at each stage. I'm on the strongest oral medication there is. I don't have the option to switch it. That's what has me worried.

My biggest worry is being able to take pills. My MS meds can't be opened or crushed, and I've read that you really can't take pills with the bypass. There's no option to switch out my MS meds. So that's why I didn't go with the bypass originally.

It's definitely not easy. But it's possible.

I never had GERD pre surgery. All of this is new and post sleeve surgery.

I never had restriction or lost my appetite. I had to literally train my brain to only eat a certain amount at certain times. I made sure to drink lots of water (propel flavored water is my favorite) to curb the hunger when I was still hungry after eating my allotted amount. Now it's pretty easy, although I have to be careful because I can eat more now at nearly 9 months post op than I could before.

What about multi vitamin gummies? Could those work?

I'm almost 9 months post op and my hair FINALLY slowed down with the shedding. I used to have really thick hair, but now it's so thin you can see my scalp. So I've had to get creative with how I wear it so it's not as noticeable. I was hoping it would start growing back soon, but I just found out I'm going to have to have a revision from sleeve to bypass, so I'm guessing it's going to start all over again. I may be bald by the time this is all over.

Can you update your info so we can see what all your stats are? Also, what surgery did you have? You may want to try protein water, protein gatorade (sugar free), propel water (it's flavored and helps replenish electrolytes), and try the Fairlife protein shakes. Protein and hydration are the most important right now.

From my very first appointment to my surgery day was 2 1/2 months. I have BCBS Illinois.

So the 5 year history typically means they want to know how long you've been obese, what comorbidities you have and how long you've had them, what meds you've had to take for them and how long, etc... The supervised diet would be either 6 months working with a dietician or having done things like doctor supervised keto, or Jenny Craig, or Weight Watchers, or a low calorie/low fat diet (again, doctor supervised). If you have done any of these, they want to know the results.

That's amazing!!! Congratulations!!!

On the struggle bus today. Was doing fine, having my breakfast (protein shake) and 2/3 of the way through, I was hit with EXCRUTIATING pain, pressure, and burning. Lasted about 30 minutes. I dumped the rest of my shake and had to just ride it out. It finally stopped, but omg it hurt. This is the 4th time this has happened in the last 3 months. This is originally what caused me to go to the GI specialist to begin with, and it seems like it's happening more often since the scope and biopsies on Thursday. I had it the first time 3 months ago, the 2nd time a month later, the 3rd time this past Saturday, and the 4th time today. I just want the results of the biopsies to come in so I can know what the hell is going on and what we're gonna do to fix it. This waiting is bulls**t. I doubt the keloids have much to do with this, but I think the gastric tumor and the ton of polyps are the issue. Just need to know if the tumor is cancer and what I can do about it. Something's gotta give. I'm tired of this.

So my esophagus had to be dilated. The doctor said there are polyps all in my stomach that he biopsied. He also said I have keloids all along the incision line from my sleeve. He biopsied those, too. And he said there's a gastric tumor that he biopsied, as well. 5 biopsies in all. I'm on soft foods today. I'll have the results of the biopsies in a week. I have a follow up appt with him then, and I follow up with the bariatric surgeon Feb 2nd.