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Unless already done these, you'll usually need to be cleared by a few more specialists including Cardio, Gastro and even a sleep study. Then the surgeons office will submit all the information to the insurance company and request approval/authorization for payment. Depending on how quickly you get through all of the pre-op testing (with no complications that need to be resolved first) , insurance approval and the schedule of the surgeon will usually the determine how fast you can have surgery. Your situation may be different so for an accurate answer ask if there is anything else you need to do Safe journey

If you can tolerate food even though you do not feel hungry it is good to get protein from food. You can eat small portions of Greek yogurt...I like Oikos triple zero. You can eat small amounts of cottage cheese, tuna pouches, etc. Glad your complications are over and good luck returning to work.

Hi all! I had my surgery August 13th, 2018. Unfortunately there were a few complications but thank goodness all is well now! Since the surgery I have lost 43 pounds. Today was my third post op appointment was was cleared for the stage 4 diet and to head back to work! Yay! My only issue so far is trying to get that protein intake at about 60 g. I’ve tried so many shakes and supplements and have yet to find one that I like. I used to take body fortress before my surgery and my favorites were vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon bun, but now I can’t even handle the taste of those. I’ve discovered ripple nutrition, which is pretty good and my doc said it was ok. I also found fairlife core power but I was told to avoid that one since it contains 26g of sugar. I want to know what other shakes or protein supplements you guys recommend so I can try them out, in case I haven’t already. I’m clear to eat solids, but I’d like to keep my two shakes as meal replacements and one solid meal a day, as it’s still very hard for me to eat, as I’m not hungry all the time anymore. But I want to make sure that protein is in.... Please help! Thank you !!

My hubs is still banded. I had to have mine removed a year ago from complications. Not everyone’s body likes the band and none was one that was rejecting it every which way. Trying to expel it like you would a baby but the wrong way. Kept causing nausea cramps no matter if it was empty or full. Hubs has his struggles but the tool still works as long as the choices are good the weight comes down. It stops the over eating to excess and that’s a plus I have really missed this last year. This prep is horrible for me right now. Day 3 and I slip and slide liquids only is torture. I try to stick it out...but you know everyone needs to eat around me and make me hangry. My seat mate at work is eating a quesadilla yummy onion and chicken smell and me... yougurt and protein shake! Do you hear the silent scream???? Tummy rumbles with gas and irritation so I sneak some cheese it’s. Bad Lisa

Hi everyone, I keep reading horror stories about Sleevers past 5 or 10 years. I’m wondering if there are any of veteran sleevers with no revisions, major miserable side effects, issues, weight gain from expanded sleeve, that are still thriving and happy with their choice? I’m a week post op and everyone’s horror stories are causing me major regrets and fear.

I too had little to no complications after my surgery. I have lost hair over the years, but I am a picky protein eater. I refuse any kind of protein shake on the market, so my bad. I was NEVER close to being bald, nor did I have bald spots. I have very curly hair and no one ever noticed that I lost any hair. At the beginning of my journey I could only manage to eat 1/3 of a container of Greek yogurt in one sitting for breakfast. I now have no problem eating the whole container and sometimes I have a handful ( 1/4 cup ) of high protein granola mixed in. For me, portion size depends entirely on what I am eating. I can eat a ton of cucumbers or lettuce and spinach. But I still can't eat an entire crabcake. I couldn't finish an entire filet mignon even if that was the only thing I was trying to eat. If I'm trying to eat only protein, I can't pack in too much in one sitting. Maybe the size of the palm of my hand. Half of that if I am eating veggies too. I can definitely eat a lot more now and agree with @aroundhky that the sleeve is a tool that needs to be used properly or your results can be reversed. It takes work to maintain the weight loss. You have to put in the time and effort. I can drink soda, but I get a terrible stitch in my right side (always my right side) and it doubles me over in pain so it TOTALLY isn't worth it!! I stick with water. I do like to drink Bai coconut water for a change up. I'm not a coffee drinker but I like tea and I do drink that. I have had low iron and low vitamin D but I fought those battles when I weighed 265 pounds so I don't feel that is a complication. I am a bit of a hermit and I don't like milk so there is my Vitamin D problem. I have a thyroid condition which makes battle with iron. I take a prescription for GERD every night, but I did that at 265 as well. I have acid reflux if I eat or drink anything other than water too close to bedtime. Again, my bad! Even at 7 years out I still do things wrong, we are human. I am very proud of the fact that I have never overeaten to the point of vomiting. I think it is important to know your sleeve and how it feels. Eat slowly and stop just shy of feeling full because sometimes full hits you quickly, depending on what you are eating. Watermelon almost always gets me, funny enough. There isn't really anything I can't tolerate but food in general just isn't as appealing to me anymore. I don't love dill pickles like I used to. I can't stand to smell eggs cooking. Eating a hard-boiled egg is hard for me because it is so dry, I have to put hot sauce on it, if I eat one that is. I usually just put them in salad. I eat a lot more avocado and Greek yogurt now than I used to. Anything else I can bore you with...just let me know...I'm here to help!

The object of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. The smaller your liver is during surgery the less surgical complications can arise. You don't want the Dr nicking your liver while cutting in to you? As for sabotaging, I guess it depends on what you're eating. Additionally, your intestines and colon need to be "clean" for the surgery. The last thing you want is bacteria oozing out if there is an accidental nicking. You have a little over a week to go, follow your plan - now is the time to start your new healthy habits.

I have not been 100% on this pre-op diet at all. I am about 9 days away... I do protein shakes all day long, and then go home and eat a full plate of food. I can't stop. Am I sabotaging this surgery? Is this super dangerous? What are complications that could come from this?

Achieve..... I've had no unexpected complications. The only issues I've had are the typical ones where I learned the hard, despite knowing before surgery. Such as not chewing slow enough. Early after my sleeve, I often fell into old habits....eating big bites and not chewing enough. I tried some carbonated drinks a few times and even though I just sipped them....I still had a stomach that did not like that. In regards to the ones you've mentioned, I've not had issues with them....of course I was bald well before I had surgery, but I have heard of some people having hair loss...especially the ladies. I was able to eat bigger portions after a year or two and that did plateau for me and I'm eating about the same size portions now as I did two years post op. From year 2 post up until now... I'd say I can eat a whole medium sized chicken breast with a half cup of broccoli. That's now a typical portion size for me, but the first two years were maybe half that size. I'm timing my meals better now, not eating after about 7:30 at night and eating better foods than I was around 4-5 years post op. The only other thing I would say is we still have to do the work, be aware of how to eat well, be mindful of the rules/guidelines we're given pre op, but the sleeve does still help several years post op. It's a tool, it's up to us to utilize it and maximize it for our benefit. Just my 2 cents......

@aroundhky& @7carol3Have you guys had any major complications? How would you deem your experience so far? I mean issues that some articles talk about regarding GERD, or hair fall, vitamin deficiencies, things you can't tolerate? Have you guys noticed an increase in food? Can you give an example of a portion of food you were able to eat 1st year to now 7th year? Any other relevant thing would be appreciated

I had my sleeve to bypass revision in May of this year, 7 years after my sleeve. Wish I had it done sooner! i have not experienced any complications. The worst side effect is that different food (their smells) can cause minor nausea. And that lasts only a few minutes lol.

I've heard some problems with Essure in the last year, but like I said, I had the ablation (Novasure) and Essure at the same time 8 years ago. I've had zero complications since. - Your body will still produce eggs and hormones, but the two procedures have saved my life.

I had surgery on may 9th 2018 with dr luis cervantes awesome doctor ive had no complications im down 65 pounds and i has no pain after surgery i left the hospital the nextday and went home im also only an hour away from tijuana highly recommend him

I was a heavy bleeder for years (long before WLS). I would advise you if you are considering having children then DO NOT get an ablation. If you become pregnant after an ablation there could be fatal complications following. Have you spoken with your GYN and have you had an ultrasound for uterine fibroids? For me, my PCP wanted me to have a transfusion and I adamantly against it as we didn't know the cause of my excessive bleeding. It turned out my uterus was full of fibroids the first time 14, the largest size of a canteloupe. The second time I had 7, myself personally, I had decided I would not be having children so I went through with an ablation including permanent birth control Essure. It was the best decision of my life as my periods went from a HEAVY 8-days to a spotting max 3-days. The procedure was done in 2010 and I have zero regrets. But again, if you are planning to have children or more children, this should not be an option at all.

Read your article, nice progress. I also have had no complications with the band and have lost 100+ with no weight gain. I am right by Ridgefield, NJ. I think as long as you follow the rules as you do, it’s a great option. It saved my life too and that was what made me do it also.

Well hello Yvonne47. So my journey started out with a Lap-band in 2006. Started having complications so sought out a 2nd opinion as my original surgeon didn't find anything wrong. After my EGD, it was determined that my band was corroding and causing the discomfort. I did a revision from the band to the sleeve in July of last year (2017). The reason for this last revision is excessive GERD/reflux. My surgeon has me on a couple of medications to treat it but suggest that the only way to truly get rid of it is by bypassing it. Thus.....I'M BACK! I love my sleeve but the acid reflux is overwhelming... Initially I thought I was having a heart attack or something because the pain was that excruciating (and I have a pretty high tolerance).

I had to have the bypass revision from sleeve due to complications with the sleeve. I was already at a healthy weight, but suffered severe scar tissue complications while in the hospital that required an addition surgery to remove more scar tissue and a huge hematoma from an incision area. I was in the hospital and virtually did not eat anything for almost 2 weeks before they put me on TPN (intravenous feeding via a pic line). I lost more than 20lbs, but not in a healthy way. I know weigh 150lbs but I am all skin and bones and do not look healthy. I am extremely fatigued and am having a tough time recovering. I am a month removed from the initial revision surgery. Does anyone have any ideas on higher calorie content foods that I can eat on stage 4 (or stage 3 as I have seen on this forum)? I have 3 more weeks of this stage before I can begin experimenting with normal foods. Looking for advice Thanks Steve

I had revision from sleeve to bypass. I also had lap band to sleeve before that. I had so many issues with the sleeve it wasn’t even funny. My stomach kept kinking and I vomited everything up. I tried a gastric stent and that did not work. Although the revision to bypass has been drastic (I was already down to 170lbs, I’m male) I had complications due to scar tissue from previous WLS that was preventing me from drinking and had to have a subsequent surgery to remove the scar tissue and a huge hematoma at one of my incisions. I lost over 20lbs while in the hospital (almost 3 weeks). They waited too long to put me on TPN. However, since then, aside from being fatigued and tired things have been going relatively well. My main concern is trying to eat enough calories in stage 3 that I at least maintain my weight. I really can’t afford to lose another pound. Does anyone out there have anything similar and have suggestions on higher calorie food to eat in this stage. I have 3 more weeks before I can then begin trialing “normal” food. I know I got sidetracked a bit, but for what it’s worth, even though this has been a life changing surgery, at least I can eat now whereas I could not before so I don’t regret it.

I had revision from sleeve to bypass. I also had lap band to sleeve before that. I had so many issues with the sleeve it wasn’t even funny. My stomach kept kinking and I vomited everything up. I tried a gastric stent and that did not work. Although the revision to bypass has been drastic (I was already down to 170lbs, I’m male) I had complications due to scar tissue from previous WLS that was preventing me from drinking and had to have a subsequent surgery to remove the scar tissue and a huge hematoma at one of my incisions. I lost over 20lbs while in the hospital (almost 3 weeks). They waited too long to put me on TPN. However, since then, aside from being fatigued and tired things have been going relatively well. My main concern is trying to eat enough calories in stage 3 that I at least maintain my weight. I really can’t afford to lose another pound. Does anyone out there have anything similar and have suggestions on higher calorie food to eat in this stage. I have 3 more weeks before I can then begin trialing “normal” food. I know I got sidetracked a bit, but for what it’s worth, even though this has been a life changing surgery, at least I can eat now whereas I could not before so I don’t regret it.

I would advise you discuss the increased risk of staple line failure that the revision from band to sleeve comes with due to scaring from the band. My surgeon will *NOT* do Band to Sleeve Revisions due to the increased failure /leak rate of Band to Sleeve revisions. Band to RNY does not have these added complications. If your surgeon didn't warn you about the increased complication rates, might want to ask them and yourself why. Just a heads up.

I went to my first appointment undecided, but leaning towards the RNY, for the slightly higher percentage of weight I may lose. Through testing it was discovered I had bad GERD and that sealed the deal for me. My surgeon and I both agreed RNY was the best choice. I didn’t feel pressured. My surgeon also informed me that because they’ve been doing RNY surgeries for longer, there is simply more research available on outcomes. This doesn’t mean the sleeve is any less successful, it just means there is less available research about long term success/complications because its newer. As evidenced on these forums, there are lots of people who have plenty of success with the sleeve. I think it’s all about doing what’s best for you and your case.

You are still healing, So take it easy, but certainly make sure you inform your surgeon and nutritionist. If you've got a stricture or some other mild complication, it might need to be looked into, always make sure to keep your surgeon in the loop on stuff like this.

Don't worry, these doctors know what they are doing and the complications are few and far in between and usually related to other health issues or patient non compliance. Do EXACTLY what the doctor tells you and you'll be fine. I'm not gonna candy coat it, the first 6 weeks really suck not being able to eat.. But once you can eat, you don't really wanna eat.. Good luck and don't go big, go small..😁

There is no reason other than complications why a revision should be done in 2 surgeries... or take that long. My Band to RNY took 6+ hours, because the band was fully encapsulated and took my surgeon over 3 times longer to remove it. That said, I didn't know I was under for 6+ hours. Sounds like they are either being lazy or trying to soak you for more money.

I was readmitted to the hospital on Labor Day with persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Oh, and - of course - dehydration. This began six days of decline - I was in terrible, terrible pain and couldn’t keep so much as an ice chip down. They put in a picc line for nutrition. Meanwhile, the pain got so bad, so unreachable, that I don’t remember most of the last 2 days. Finally, at 9:30 pm on day 6, my doctor called me to say he’d come back to the hospital to look at every test I’d taken so far, and he called the chief of radiology to do it with him. They felt strongly that my gallbladder had to come out...NOW. They started the surgery at 2:00 am, and that saved my life, because the minute they visualized the gallbladder and determined it was necrotic and gangrenous, it burst. It was a long night for the surgeons. And my poor wife. I was immediately greatly improved. And as a reward, was given soft foods, which my new stomach was happy to receive. I’ve had one complication from the 2nd surgery. One of the incisions became infected. I now have a home nurse come every day to change the dressing and re-pack the wound. I have another 3 weeks or so of the wound care to go. <sigh> I can’t wait until I feel like myself again. I lost 40 pounds in a month, but not the way I would have liked, and it hasn’t brought me much joy yet. Does anyone else find soft/solid food easier than liquids? I get this uncomfortable gurgle in my belly with every sip. It makes it hard to get my fluids in.