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Go to your surgeon and Ob-gyn and see them as soon as possible. While not recommended, this is not uncommon, and they can work out a plan for you. "Pregnancy after gastric bypass can be safe and healthy if managed well by you and your health care provider. Research suggests that pregnancy after weight-loss surgery might be safer for both mother and baby than pregnancy complicated by obesity." - Mayo Clinic Good luck! Since "pulling out" doesn't work that well, maybe after the baby, you might try a birth control method without hormones like a Paragard IUD or a diaphragm.

It may be too early for me to chime in but I had a revision from band to bypass in May. I had the band 13 years and went from 232 to (usually) the 140s. But when I had a complication (esophageal dysmotility) I was unfilled and (no surprise) gained about 45lbs in the 5-6 months until the revision. So new high weight was 185. Surgery weight was 177. It’s been 7 weeks and I have lost exactly 20 lbs to 157. So I cannot comment on long term effects... BUT One thing is that this is sooo much better than the band. I recently had the first meal out with my husband where I ate a “normal” amount and didn’t end up in the bathroom. Normal being a miso soup and a fish appetizer at a Japanese restaurant. With the band I would often have two bites and not be able to eat which was embarrassing and people would always ask why I wasn’t eating (or sneaking off to the bathroom). Small portions make me feel good and satisfied. Unlike the band where it was usually painful or uncomfortable. Hope this helps! S

You should be looking for a bariatric surgeon; most bariatric surgeons are also general surgeons, but not vice versa. general surgeon may be able to point you in the right direction of which procedure might be best for you, but a bariatric surgeon should be looking at the whole picture - surgery, diet, psych issues, eating disorders, etc. Not that they will handle everything, but they will be more aware of all the issues that typically afflict seriously obese patients and provide some guidance in those areas. The lap bands are falling out of favor very quickly owing to their high long term complication rates and poor overall performance, though there will be some special circumstances where they may still be appropriate. The RNY and sleeve gastrectomy are the two most common procedures now, though there is also the duodenal switch which works better than either in more extreme cases that you should be aware of, though it is less commonly performed owing to its greater complexity. Here in the states, you want to look for a surgeon who is a member of ASMBS - the American Society of Metabolic and Baritric Surgeons - as a guide as to who is serious in the field.

A general surgeon is fine if they have a lot of experience in bariatrics. Your surgeon will guide you to the right choice but it should be between RNY and sleeve. Lapband should not be part of the equation. It is outdated technology that doesn’t last for the long term and has been shown to cause multiple complications

You are getting surgery for all the right reasons - you see your quality of life shrinking and you don't want to go any further down that road. Let me tell you what "further down the road" looks like. I got my surgery (bypass) at age 63. I already have had one total knee replacement and the other one was getting so bad I had pain and limped with every step. My ortho said he really didn't want to operate again unless I lost weight. I had a hysterectomy at age 37 due to precancerous hyperplasia related to my weight. My GERD and asthma were horrible - the asthma in the last 2 years was the worse it had ever been (asthma can be related to GERD.) I developed sleep apnea (extreme with over 60 apneic episodes per hour.) I couldn't hike any more. I was too heavy to ride my mule. Climbing a flight of stairs was getting hard (my house has stairs.) I couldn't get off the floor by myself. I couldn't keep up with my grand kids. Gardening was losing it's pleasure for me. I had always been very active, and my increasing immobility resulted in depression and further immobility. I got fungal infections under my breasts and pannis every summer. I developed fatty liver disease which can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. My lipid profile was not great, my sugars were creeping up, as was my blood pressure. I dodged the diabetes bullet - barely. All the things I enjoyed in life were slipping away - quickly. Younger people don't always realize what 40 or 50 decades of obesity does to the body (and soul)! I was a wreck and now I feel like I have a whole new life ahead of me. I can ride, hike, climb stairs, and get off the floor, My knees DO NOT HURT!!!!! My sleep apnea is nearly resolved and no more GERD or asthma. I feel 20 years younger!!!!!! I was scared to death before surgery - thought about walking out when I was lying there on the pre-op bed, crying my eyes out from anxiety. But.... I walked through that door and discovered a whole new world waiting for me on the other side. I did have some complications, but it was soooooo worth it. Do not let your fear prevent you from getting your life back. Don't wait until you are 63 and have more issues than you have now, Your future is not pretty if you continue down the obesity road. Like my PCP told me, "If you could have done it on your own, you would have by now. Let this tool help you."

It's only natural to be a little anxious because it's a major surgery. But look at all the people here on this forum who survived it and had no complications. You can do it!

pretty normal fear. But rest assured that many of us never have complications, and of those who do, the vast majority were minor. Vitamin deficiencies are rare as long as you keep on top of your vitamins. As far as not being able to treat certain diseases, I haven't really heard of this. These surgeries are so commonplace now that they can probably find an alternative treatment if in fact this ever even came up. I knew I was at much worse risk staying at 300+ lbs. I probably would have been dead in 10 years. No more! I feel great!!! I'd do this again in a heartbeat!

The “ what if’s” turned around on me and I had to ask myself how long did I have if I didn’t do the surgery .. you may be young enough that being over weight hasn’t effected your health yet .. my co-morbidity’s were getting worse and the most I could ever lose was 20 lbs and I’d gain it all back plus some. Sleep apnea . Acid reflux and joint pain , high blood pressure and pre- diabetic .. I wasn’t huge, my BMI was 35 at surgery ... you have very valid concerns and I wouldn’t talk you in or out of it .. only you can decide, dont let anyone get in your head you’d be hard pressed for anyone here to give you the answers because it’s such a personal decision. I woke up from surgery not even sure anything was done , I felt so good . I went into it with a positive outlook but I’m sure if I had complications I may think differently.. it’s all your choice to make on your own.

My brother came over tonight and said “it’s not too late to back out”, and like a switch flipped I started to get scared again. I was so excited about my surgery approval. But now I am second guessing myself all over again. I know a lower weight would make getting around easier and less painful, flying on airplanes will be easier, my knees and feet won’t hurt as much, I will feel more comfortable in my own skin. But the fears I have are real too... a lot of what ifs. What if I get vitamin deficiencies or horrible complications. What if I get another disease later in life and they can’t treat it bc I have malabsorption and an altered anatomy. Etc etc etc. Was anyone else as scared before surgery as I am?? 😂😂

You can do it if you have the right mindset. I'm still on liquids 3 months post OP due to complications. It is boring, but doable. Good luck! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Allergan perhaps? https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/weight-loss-gastric-band-complications-removals-on-the-rise-in-canada-1.3645771

@Deedee12Thank you! I don't know quite who to talk to @ Aetna, I was thinking a case manager may be able to help me. I too would just barely meet criteria if just applying for a sleeve as I am just obese, have no co-morbidities. In the clinical policy bulltetin there are options A-D for repeat bariatric surgery and all of them require "compliance" with diet and exercise program which is hard to show because when I was successful I did not frequently see a doctor for my band. I started seeing a doctor when my reflux started and i started gaining weight. My doctor prefers to do the removal and revision in 2 different surgeries but if there is no complications will do it all in one. My fear is that if i Just get the lapband removed I will be denied for a sleeve. Even without the "compliance records" I feel like with the damaged lapband evidenced by xray and the reflux and weight gain I should be approved for a revision---I feel that with all the research and data out about lapband complications insurance suggesting another band or a band fix is ridiculous! The person at my doctors office just keeps saying this may be tricky, I want to know from someone at the insurance company what I need to submit exactly to be approved. I have a POS II policy. I don't know who to talk to there or where to start and would like to speak to someone before submission because I know a denial can be difficult to fight. I am also choosing to go out of network because the previous physician I had seen did not catch all the problems visible on Xray with my band. I appreciate all of your advice, thank you! If you have any other suggestions I would appreciate it! Thanks! Maura

Honestly? My suggestion would be to get yourself back to your surgeon and follow up visits. If not that surgeon, then find a new team. Recent research shows that those patients with the best follow up care/compliance have the best long term success with the least regain and complications. This is too complex of a journey to "wing it" on your own. Your leak most likely had very little to do with your surgeon and had more to do with your body and health. For whatever reason, you did not seal in an area. Most of us are so metabolically sick going into surgery that we are at greater risk of complication than a so called "healthy normal weight" patient.

No, regular bypass is more complicated and pouch is way too small. I am looking forward to MGB as its relatively new and easier to do and best part is its reversible if body is not adapting to it. no insurance here so i can choose what surgery i would like. Though iam having second thoughts about surgery and iam thinking i should try to loose weight naturally with full determination.

Today was my pre-op appointment, my surgery is next Wednesday and I was informed that I should have my gallbladder removed at the same time has anyone had this done and are there any complications thank you. And how long was your hospital stay I'm starting to get nervous thank you. Sent from my SM-J727T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had the revision surgery from sleeve to bypass a little over a month ago. I stayed one night in the hospital, no real complications to report. Have you gotten a surgery date yet?

We are all different. My doctors’ instructions for my reactive hypoglycemia may not work for other people. It may help to contact your Dr. that has your medical history or an endocrinologist who works with diabetes/hypoglycemia. I’m fortunate that hypoglycemia was a lesser complication after surgery. Just like a diabetic manages blood sugars you also learn to manage reactive hypoglycemia.

Yes, you can get the surgery for lower cost outside the US. But if there are complications (like what happened to my friend who got her bypass in Mexico) you are left without support and can end up costing way more. My friend got an infection and ended up in ICU and needing more surgery. She was basically sent home after surgery and left to fend for herself. I am sure not all cases end like this, but it seems like taking more of a risk than necessary. JMHO.

I had rny 3/23/19 and on 3/25/19 ended up having emergency surgery for am intestinal blockage and internal bleeding. I spent 1 week in CCU with plasma infusions, and blood infusions. I'm 3 months out now and I'm ALWAYS afraid! I suffer severe anxiety that there is something wrong with me. I'm crying alot. I have issues sometimes with eating food and I think it's a complication I am afraid of what I've done to myself I'm always like "What if?" I went to a therapist and my Dr. and I was given Wellbutrin but I'm afraid to take that because I don't know what it will do to my pouch. I have no one in my life that has had this surgery that can tell me everything will be okay. And on this forum all I see is horrible things that can happen to me but Im desperately searching for people who can help me feel better about this surgery and have POSITIVE experiences. I've heard that hormones can make you feel like this is that true? SOMEBODY please I know you don't know me but I need help.

I started this process in late January. I was scheduled to meet with the surgeon right away and I really liked him. After speaking with him I talked to the Coordinator, also very nice and assuring. I kept hearing, "Call us if you have ANY questions or concerns." Admittedly I am too easygoing and didn't want to seem impatient so I waited. And waited. Three weeks later I called the number I was given for the Coordinator. First off there was a LONG intro message that kept repeating that the process takes time because of the insurance company, patience is required, don't keep calling about a surgery date, and please expect 3-4 days for a call back - is this normal? Anyway, admittedly this made me very uncomfortable because of my personality... I hate confrontation and didn't want to be annoying (I know that is ridiculous since that is there job, but I'm being honest.) I did leave a message but no one called me back in the 3-4 date range. When I finally did get a call it was a reminder of my surgery date for the following week and I knew that was wrong because I hadn't even been scheduled for the required appointments yet. The caller apologized when I told him this and we both knew I had been confused with another patient. No wonder I wasn't being called to schedule appointments. I wasn't sure what to do so I found the email where I was first contacted about my interest in the program so I replied to it and explained my situation. I received a prompt reply saying they were sorry and that my email had been forwarded to the Coordinator. Still no call, but I did get calls from providers to schedule my other appointments. I finished up all of my requirements in mid May and I sent another email which was forwarded to the Coordinator and left a voicemail and still no calls. It's so frustrating and I'm starting to worry because I've spent so much money toward my deductible and if I don't have the surgery this year I don't know if I'll be able to afford to have it. I know I could find another surgeon at a different facility but how complicated is it to switch this late in the game? And it sucks because I really liked the surgeon. I'm just not sure what to do. I feel like if I call and leave a message for the surgeon he would make sure they submit my paperwork (I don't think they have because on the Cigna site there are no pending authorizations for me), but would I be stupid not to switch given the experience I've had? Surely this can't be normal. It blows my mind that they didn't call after finding out about the mix up to reassure me that everything was okay. And you'd think they would make sure that they stayed on top of my case to make up for the mistake. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

It took me almost 12 years to figure out why I wasn’t able to lose and was only gaining after living my whole life like a twig until I was 29...GIRLS let me tell you the surgery has been a life and sanity saver! I would do it again even with horrific complications post surgery...or whatever happened... my life is almost normal again like it was 15 years ago.

My insurance does cover revisions. I had surgery for severe endometriosis and it wasn’t all removed. I also had complications during that surgery and he doesn’t know if I have scar tissue and he wants my belly fat to shrink some first. So basically he said he will have to look inside first and that the sleeve would be the safest option right now.

And LT1968 I will celebrate my 1st Surgiversity on September 5th. And I have had a far from typical recovery, starting out, I am very old to have sought Bariatric Surgery, I was 72 years, 8 m9nths and I think 16(just counted up) days old when I received my RNY. I had sought it foe over 3 years, so yes I REALLY WANTED IT! Things started out fine , then I developed some rarer complications, had different interventions, not quite healed yet! So Hon, if anyone regretted surgery, wished they went back to the way before, it should be ME! But a funny thing happened on my way to victory--- I am not sorry. Would I go through it again? Yeah at least 85% sure I would. I started at 365+ pounds, at that point I put my Heavy little Foot down and said "You shall weigh me no more" last bit of spunk in my rapidly breaking- down body. PCP threatened I would be dead by 75, called me a Walking TimeBomb, the fact I had not developed all the diseases in my gene pool did not ensure I wouldn't. Well i might be fail8ng fast but I am a natural redhead, Mama called it Strawberry Blonde but it still is pretty red! And that and natural mid- to Old Age crabbiness, no young whelp not even one with a Medical License is going to get in my face and say "Die, dang you, die!" Since he lives in a gated community so I can't blow his house up, I shall vent my sleen by continuing to live. And a moment of clarity came! I shall seek Bariatric surgery, and I will do it to prove all my nay-sayers wrong! And it was an uphill battle, most programscaround here won't take you above 60, the majority of the rest 70, found a program , went through a program not once but twice, first time through I lost insurance coverage, after attempt #2 surgeon capriciously decided " I don't want to do your surgery!" Still have never deduced what HIS PROBLEM was, got some suspections, but I v am well rid of him ! And his home hospital, where he performed his surgeries? Embroiled in a very extensive LawSuit, quite the talk of this section of Mid-America. There was a doctor employed there, appointed himself the Death Angel & overdosed people to their death, 40 and still growing. Where will it stop? Not until the final total is reached. Oh he will be going away for a very long time when he is finally convicted. How my years is 40 times Life behind bars? Any way Thank God for getting me away from that place! I found a better surgeon at a better hospital,band although I am his oldest patient I intend to be one of the best! And tonight I finally made it below. 200 pounds, 199.4, on Bariatric Pal we call it Onederland, and I know I would never have made here without commitment and my surgery. So Thanks to all who helped, My Dr Needleman especially , he believed in me and gave me this chance! Saved my life? I bel8eve so! Oh I could go on and on singing praises to him, he is not only a skillful surgeon but a heck of a nice guy. And my new motto? THE REST OF MY LIFE WILL BE THE BEST OF MY LIFE! How much longer will I live? No person on earth knows that for certain But I do know it will be so much better! I scarcely know myself, my size of course changed, but so did my appearance. I used to have chipmunk cheeks, now I have an angular one, there is gossip , often denied by my father's people that we have Native American/First Nations ( depending whether you are American or Canadian) well hello the high cheekbones have popped out. Been covered up since babyhood but Whoops there they are! Make everyone a challenge, if you have Wikipedia on your computer or smartphone pull up Peoria people or Peoria tribe. The lady pictured there is the spitting image of my Aunt Minnie, Daddy's sister. You get out the family scrapbook, my Great- great grandfather, yes they had film that long ago, looks just like Iron Eyes Cody, an actor I believe from the Lakota tribe. Oh I have far from sufficent blood to ever be on a tribal role but I find it interesting to be maybe be more initialed to be in Ohio than the average settler family. So I have started resembling dead relatives, some of which were real foodies. It's Almost like" Hiya Mirror! Who do I look like today?" But it is rather fun and I might actually turn out pretty cute! I am definitely a Work in Progress! Fear is natural, you are entering a Brave New World, an undiscovered Land, there may or may not be signposts along the way, but I will promise you UT IS MORE THAN WORTH THE TROUBLE! Come join me on the👣 journey, walk with me a while. And who knows for certain we may each find?😛❤🍀

There are lots of yummy protein shakes out there. You just need to experiment. Mix a good powder with unsweetened almond milk not water! You are probably not getting enough protein and that can lead to complications. Don't worry about calories but try to get 60 gms of protein a day. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey Everyone! So pre-surgery I had 3 pregnancies with little complications. I was 365 @ the time. My current husband and I want to have a baby, however I've gotten pregnant twice and miscarried both times. Has anyone else had any issues with miscarriage post sleeve? I've been told that its usually the opposite.