Katiebal_Lecter

I revised from a band I got in 2008, it slipped in 2017, I got RNY in December 2020. With my band I had several issues, pain with eating, throwing up, not losing weight. my surgeon said she would only do RNY because it was safer due to the scaring from the band, so my choice was an easy one. I’m a female, 5’9” and I have hormonal issues that hinder me from losing weight. But, I started at 255 in December and am 207 today, so it’s still been effective, even if slower than I expected. The best part is, no pain while eating. I actually don’t feel much when eating. So, that old feeling of band “restriction” is totally out the window. You have to relearn your body’s hunger cues, but the essentials of how, what, how much to eat is quite similar to the band.

I wish I had answers for you (and me). Everyone’s dietitian seems to give them different requirements. I’m 5 months post op and am losing on average three pounds a MONTH. I’ve lost 35 pounds since surgery and 45 overall. It is so frustrating and discouraging, I hear you there. 300 calories seems like an extremely low amount and could be harmful, but I’m not a dietitian... I guess I’m just writing to let you know you’re not alone in the struggle...

Thank you for your words and sharing your experience. I had my lap band fail and the Physician’s assistant basically told me it was because I wasn’t following the “protocols.” ... my band slipped when I got broccoli stuck.

I was told to make sure to get calcium citrate too, it absorbs better for the gastric bypass patients (which is what I am). So I’m not sure if sleeve patients have to get the citrate specifically since the parts of their bowels which absorb the vitamins were not altered.

I did end up having the lap band revision to gastric bypass (again, the choice of my surgeon for safety reasons). The scar tissue wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t get the surgery and I have had no complications at all. I think I’ve been losing more slowly because, with the previous lap band, my body was used to a lower calorie intake. obviously every body is different and you can’t fully predict what kinds of complications, if any, could happen. I’d recommend having a serious convo with your surgeon and trust them/their competency and expertise.

Anyone have alcohol intolerance after surgery? I had bypass and the few times I’ve drank vodka now (a common drink pre-surgery) I get very itchy all over my body.

I have PCOS and got bypass 3 months ago. I’m currently 223 pounds, down 32 pounds from my highest weight (255 at 5’9”) and 24 pounds since surgery (247). I believe the slower loss is due to the PCOS. My hunger has been slight to nonexistent, and I’m really hoping the loss picks up, but I worry about being a failure. I don’t feel like I’ve had huge issues with any foods or dairy.

Can you add calories? My doctor said between 600-800, and I found I lost less when I was closer to the 600 calories.

I lost 16 pounds my first two weeks then nothing for a month. My surgery was just on 12/17/2020 I was 247 day of surgery, 231 January 1 until about February 5th. I’m currently at 223. So, I’m going down again, slowly, but it’s going...I’m also not following any sort of structured diet other than the recommended foods from my dietician. all of us worry about the long term. We just have to remember why we started. We both know this is just a tool, and not the tool we got used to before.

I hope you don’t leave this forum forever. I’m right there with you. I was revised to RNY from a lap band and my idea of “restriction” left with my band. I don’t feel “restriction” now. And many people who haven’t had a revision don’t understand what a shock the change can be. My cue now is more like “uff, I don’t want to eat anymore”. Not a “full” feeling, not a restriction as I knew it. I’m afraid of eating too much too. I follow my program, like you do, and feel like I could keep eating no problem. The only thing that I think has helped me is using a food scale and measuring the food, then eating only that. Even after measuring I don’t feel full, but I’m also not hungry because of the surgery, so I know eating more would be to satiate head hunger. Please don’t be discouraged. Keep reaching out for help and resources.

I had lap band in 2009, it slipped in 2017, and I had it revised to bypass December 2020. I lost 16 pounds in two weeks then nothing for over a month. I worry that our bodies already got used to the lower calorie intake from when we were banded. I also think that is why I gained so much when my band slipped because I was eating “normal” amounts of food, but my body had been set at band amounts for a decade! I’ve finally started losing slowly again in the last week. I too got discouraged reading people’s posts about their significant and quick weight loss, I was starting to feel like a failure. But we each have our own journey and I wish you all the best on yours.

I take BC for acne/PCOS and am still losing weight. You might just need to try different brands of pills until you find one that works for you and doesn’t affect your weight.

Stalls definitely suck. I had RNY on 12/17/2020 and lost 16 pounds in the first two weeks, then NOTHING for over a month. My weight has finally started moving again. I’ve lost 22 pounds and am 64 days post op, so when I read you’re discouraged that you’ve lost more weight in less time, it’s kind of a struggle in keeping perspective. We all want to lose weight fast, but this is one of those times we need patience. Good luck with your journey.

I lost 16 pounds in my first two weeks and have lost nothing since (29 days later). I am losing inches though, did you do before/during measurements?

Hello, I had bypass 12/17 and hadn’t lost weight since 1/1/2021. Today I finally went down a pound and am *hoping* this “stall” is over... 25 days is a long time, made me feel like a failure, but I’ll remain hopeful. I say “stall” because I know through photos and measurements that I was losing inches. good luck, I hope your stall ends quickly!

Same! I feel for you. I had my bypass on 12/17/2020. I weighed 250 after surgery due to IV fluids, was 230 on December 31st... haven’t dropped a pound since. I’m sticking with my plan, but I feel so disappointed and discouraged. I know the 20 pounds of fluid loss is good, but the scale hasn’t budged in 2 weeks.

I’m on the purée phase with you, and I’m at about 26 grams of protein a day. I can’t deal with the shakes anymore, they make me sick. I just got this tuna from Amazon called “Safecatch white tuna,” it’s geared toward pregnant ladies, but it has 24 grams of protein for 3 oz, so I’m hoping it will help me get closer to my requirements.

I was on clear liquids the day of surgery, puréed since. I’m 8 days post op. At my two week appointment they are going to determine if I can switch to the soft phase.

I just had my surgery on 12/17. I was five days post op when I had my BM. My doctor said no Fiber for the first three months, but if I needed help “going” to take miralax. (TMI but my first BM was entirely made up of blood- surgeon said it was normal. Sorry if that’s tmi, but I was totally taken by surprise and would like other people to know that it happens.)

This is about pooping, so if you’re grossed out by stuff like that please just scroll past this. I’m 5 days post op (lap band to gastric bypass) and finally had a bowel movement, my concern is that it was completely bloody. Not just like little drops here or there, but it seemed the turd was formed out of pure blood. I know a lot has gone on with my internal plumbing because of the surgery, but I am concerned. Has anyone had personal experience with this or know of any resources that might alleviate my concerns? I’ve already put a note in to my surgeon, but I want to see what “the people” have experienced. Thanks in advance for any information.

I got a hold of my surgeon and that is exactly what she said. Blood likely entered my system during the surgery and just to monitor that it stops.

Nope, normal BM schedule, and what came out wasn’t firm by any means. This was literally like a pint of blood. But yes, any blood, when you’re not expecting it seems like a tremendous amount haha.

Congratulations! I had my procedure done on 12/17 and my body sent my my period in full force even though I haven’t had a proper period in three years. Crappy that we had to deal with that on top of recovering from the surgery. I too am gassy... and it’s a gas from hell, let me tell you, Uffda, so stinky. my surgeon had me on purées before I left the hospital (I had to be at the hospital and extra day because I couldn’t get my nausea to go away). I made a ricotta bake that is like lasagne, I added a photo of the Pinterest recipe.

I’m 4 days post-op (lap band conversion to GB) and my doctor had me on purées before I left the hospital. Many surgeons have different requirements, so just listen to your surgeon AND your body, your body might be telling you it’s not ready to progress to the next phase.

I’m doing lap band to GB on dec. 17. I got my band in 2008 and it slipped in 2016. I originally got down to 190 with the band and up to 255 after it slipped. I had my bad refilled but it never worked the way it originally did and I was soooo hungry all the time, but eating was painful. My original surgeon’s PA whom I normally saw refused to talk about revisions. He said since I was so successful with the band that I could make it work again. Fast forward three years where I’ve gained 50 pounds and spent over $5k on medical weight loss diets, etc. I pleaded for help one more time and a different surgeon in the office agreed to help. I originally wanted the sleeve, but my (new) surgeon said she would only do GB after removing a lap band because of safety issues regarding scar tissue from the original surgery. She said if I got the sleeve she would have to staple through the scar tissue and it could cause leaking. I trust her judgment so I decided with GB. I too was having problem with pain while eating and I had acid reflux issues at night. I had my surgeon take the fill out of my band and feel 100% better, and oh so hungry. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!!