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Sleeved 10/26/17 and feeling great 100 lbs gone forever. I've got zero regrets I wish I'd have done this years ago. I've recently had issues taking vitamins in pill form. It seems my tummy don't like them at all. The pain has been excruciating other than that I've had zero complications. This thread is great you're all a true inspiration. Rock on October Sleeves you all look amazing!! Sw 278 Cw 179 Gw 150 Sleeved 10/26/2018

My mother has Fibro... she was on all the nasty pain meds, dealt with the side effects of them, finally got her off of the addicting pharms and onto the natural stuff, works better and less complications!

I use Baritastic too You don't have to make it complicated and use every feature of the app. Just use what works for you. I like having my weight and measurements tracked for me. Nice to watch the inches disappear even if the pounds aren't. Adding water is super easy (And a cool graphic). I only track my protien, not every single bite.

I had lap band to bypass, and had no complications or pain at all, other than when I pressed on my abdomen. I filled my post op pain meds, maybe took 4 of them, and the rest are sitting in my cupboard, I just didn't need them. I was really worried about hair loss because while my hair looks thick, if you get it wet, it deflates to pretty much nothing. My thyroid has always reeked havoc on my hair as well, with it continually getting thick, then then, then thick.... I am 4.5month post op now, and still have not had any hair loss, except the normal amount I have always had in the shower. I did take biotin, but haven't taken that in awhile & still no hair loss. I also have not experienced dumping syndrome, and I have eaten my fair share of sugar post op. The worst thing I get is feeling uncomfortable enough where I have to lie down for 30 minutes, after eating something I shouldn't. Perhaps I've just been lucky, but from the start I kept telling myself I wouldn't experience all those issues, and my body followed suit. The mind is a powerful thing, if you tell it something is going to happen, it will happen. AT least that has always worked for me.

Went for my first consultation with bariatric surgeon today. And he said I was a complicated patient, partly because I take several psych meds and am interested in bypass rather than sleeve because I have GERD and Type 2 diabetes. He's worried about managing drug levels after bypass. Anyone have input into this? Do they monitor levels of psych meds? Thanks. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey loosinit, I'm a band to bypass revision myself. So I can 100% relate! Lemme see if I can tackle these questions for you. - Most times, barring any major complications the band can be removed and you can be revised to either in 1 surgery. Having been through this with the band already, recovering from the revision to bypass was a breeze. To be honest, pain was minimum overall. Being familiar with the pain and restrictions in movement from the band, were pretty much the same as with the bypass. Your healing time will vary of course, but, it wasn't any worse than the band for me. -My surgeon refuses to do Band to Sleeve, because putting a high pressure staple line across the scar tissue caused by the Band, increases the risk of staple line leakage or failure. Plus, you aren't going to get the malabsorption with the sleeve that you get with the bypass, so going from the band to the sleeve, might not get you the results you want or expect. (My surgeon told me if I really wanted the sleeve that I could go to another surgeon on her team, but she wouldn't do it, I appreciated her honesty) -Hair loss is a personal thing. My primary walked me through the reasons for hair loss, and it's due some form of shock to the system from the surgery, she advised that as long as I kept my protein intake high and kept up on my required nutrients that I might not see any hair loss at all. I'm 2 months out and haven't noticed anything yet, but we'll see in the next month or 2. But yes, the hair loss typically isn't a permanent thing. -Yes, with the bypass you will be unable to absorb certain B vitamins from food as you normally do. So yes, you will more than likely be on some sort of supplementation for the rest of your life. However, the only real risk is a vitamin deficiency, which takes several months to even occur let alone become deadly. Unless you just never take any vitamins and never get your blood checked or never bother to pay attention to your health... then it's not really that big of a risk overall. Side effects, the Bypass has dumping syndrome if you eat things that are too high in fat or sugar. Most don't see this as a negative side effect as cutting high fat, high sugar foods is actually good for your health. So dumping can be a great "coach" or "punishment" for not eating what you should be. The Sleeve and the Band aren't drastically different in terms of how your body handles the process, there is no adjustment to your intestines so outside of the restriction there isn't much else going on. Overall, I'm VERY glad I decided to go for the Bypass over the Sleeve Something else to think about, because I didn't. Your surgeon won't know the condition of the band until they get inside you. For me, I had no real issues with the band itself, outside of typical pain with certain leafy greens or harder foods getting stuck, but when the doctor got in there, my band was 100% encapsulated with scar tissue and took like 3 hours to get out, 3 times longer than it should have, I wouldn't have been able to have the sleeve even if that's what we were doing. If I was going in for the sleeve, they would have had to do 2 different surgery's, one to remove the band, then after I healed up from that, one to create the sleeve. No matter which way you go, good luck!

I'm three plus years post surgery & still my longest lasting complication is acid. Here's how I manage it: I take an Omeprazole in the morning & a Tums just before bed. Together that allows me to produce less acid & combat the acid my body does produce. Proactive & reactive, if you will. Good luck. You are not alone.

Hello friends, My surgeon's assistant called today with the wonderful news....my bypass revision plus hernia surgery is scheduled for Tues morning on May 29th. Can hardly wait to put an end to my health woes! Just a little concerned because I was forewarned that it might be another open surgery, due to all of my prior surgeries/complications. Meeting with my NUT on Friday to refresh my memory on the beginner basics of eating, etc.

My doc also said 1/2000 but let’s be real...the number 1 risk of any surgery is death. And I don’t think a lot of people die on the table but from complications of the surgery. A lot of times it’s complications from the patient themselves (such as not following rules for exercise and food). It may help if your MIL asks the doctor how many surgeries he has performed and his survival rate.

Hi twinnie! June 4th here, as well. I just saw my surgeon for my pre op visit and I’m pretty nervous, too. I think being nervous/anxious is normal considering we are making life a huge, life altering decision that CAN possibly have complications. What gets me past the anxiety is knowing that the quality of my life should improve drastically and that I will be around for a very long time. Now...to get past this damn detox headache & life will be nifty!

Hi Annie, I am on the other side of this. I had the lap band in 2011 and honestly never did well. Slipped it at 3 months, than again a month later after unfill and than refill. Kind of gave up got used to vomiting all the time. I was a vomit pro. When I slipped the band last summer and went to the er the NP that was there was from a different practice than I started at and she really convinced me to revise. I think the band was a epic failure for a lot of us. I was humiliated and constantly felt like a failure. I am 3 months out of the Gastric Sleeve revision and I am so happy I persevered. the Sleeve works like we all were told the band would. I am loosing at a wonderful pace with little to no complications at all. I wish you well and any questions please feel free to ask. Sincere and warmest wishes Dawn Marie

Glad to see that things worked out in the long run. I was banded in 2011, lost 70 but that was it, stuck there for the next 6-7 years no matter what I did. My doctor wouldn't do the band to sleeve revision due to the potential for complications by putting a scar line right through the scaring caused by the band. I went with the bypass and couldn't be more happy. I've got a friend that lost a lot with the sleeve and he's being revised to the bypass because the sleeve stopped working for him. Now, something to aware of, there is going to be scar tissue under/around the band. And until the doc cracks you open, they won't know how much. My band took far longer to remove than it should have and more than doubled the length of my surgery due to scar tissue. My band was totally encapsulated in scar tissue and posed a major issue with removal. I'm lucky that they continued with the revision and didn't just stop at the removal, which I've heard is a potential with revision. I'm glad I got it out of me and didn't just deal with it longer. Whatever you chose, good luck!

Hello all! Today I start my 2 week pre-op diet for a revision from the sleeve to gastric bypass. My sleeve was 12/2012 and I’ve had nothing but problems and a terrible doctor (ugh). Well I stopped with that doctor soon after the surgery (LONG STORY) and was followed by my PCP. Other Bariatric doctors would not follow me because of the original doctor. Finally a doctor who had worked with both my Mom and Dad agreed to see me. It was like a consult about my weight loss and habits. That was in 2015 ish. I continued to have problems like severe heartburn and nausea. Finally they did an endoscopy and found a large stricture. Who knows how long it’s been that way. Because of the multiple problems insurance agreed to pay for the revision. First, I’m furious that I even have to get the revision. I thought I was playing it safer with that procedure. I did lose 90 pounds but still need to take off another 40-50 lbs. Who knows how long the stricture has been there. Now I have a great doctor!!!! I’m so happy about that because I need that consistent follow up and a doctor who will LISTEN to me. I’m just discouraged because the sleeve failed. Now I’m not sure what to expect. I do KNOW that a better doctor with good follow-up is essential. Any feedback on sleeve to bypass revision because of complications is more than welcome.

I felt the same way right before surgery. All kinds of thoughts run through your head, but it's a pretty quick procedure and you are not likely to have complications. Try not to think about the negative and focus on the positives and the reasons you chose to do it. Good luck to you as you start your journey!!

I had my sleeve surgery on 5/15/18. The surgery reportedly went well. When my surgeon took a final look down my throat, he saw blood. ENT was called in, and confirmed a tear in my esophagus. I was kept NPO and had a CT of my throat the next morning. It was confirmed that the tear was actually a perforation. Neither the surgeon nor the anesthesiologist knew when the perforation happened. I received IV antibiotics and could have nothing by mouth for 4 days, until a swallow study confirmed that the tear had closed. Apparently this is a very rare complication. Just wondered if anyone else has had this happen.

Try to keep all the reason you are doing this in the front of your mind. Do not let yourself dwell on the very very small 1% complication rate. This is a very safe surgery and you will be fine and so much happier when you get this part behind you. it is the what ifs that will drive you nuts. try to stay busy - 8 kids that should not be hard

I'm so sorry to hear you are having these complications! Sending you good vibes to feel better fast! Sent from my SM-G930VL using BariatricPal mobile app

No worries! I took no offense to your comment. I was referring to the guy who suggested that anything other than his plan was a internet troll or patients just making up their plans as they go. Every single person I have talked to has all had a different plan than I have. I even know someone who started solid foods 30 days after surgery, but all have been very successful and have had no complications. Its interesting how different everyone's journey is.

So my recovery has kind of been a dream. I am exactly 1 week out, and consuming over 100oz of fluids, and 80-90g of protein. Feeling great, pain is pretty much gone. So all in all, I really can't complain. EXCEPT I am apparently allergic to dermabond and my entire belly has broken out into an itchy-as-fu** rash! I am going CRAZY! Thankfully my surgeon said I could hope into a hot shower and peel off the rest of the dermabond but it will probably take a week or two for the rash to go away. I know its not really a complication... but guys I literally have 0 willpower when it comes to not-itching. I'm one of those people that every mosquito bite WILL become a cut because I itch and itch and itch! SO ITCHY!!!!! On another note I was super excited to go to "soft" foods... but a lot of negative reactions from other members freaked me out and I chickened out. However I have been making my own shakes instead of doing the RTD ones. SO much better. Those of you struggling through the liquid phase, try making your own. I made a delicious red velvet flavored one that has 37g of protein that is delicious!

I'm doing great now. I wasn't paying attention when my surgeon said to get my stitches removed, so I waited too long, so it was a bit difficult when they were finally removed. I didn't arrange for follow up prior to surgery, so it's my own fault on that. My surgeon kept asking me if I had someone to follow up & I just told him yes, although I didn't. I figured I would take out my own stitches, I've done it before. My PCP is doing his best to f/u now, and it's going fine. I have had my bloodwork done once since surgery, and all is fine with that. No pain anywhere from surgery. My PCP did try to get me to see a bariatric dr, which I did, but I couldn't stand the guy & have never went back to him, so the PCP is handling all of my follow up now. My insurance doesn't cover anything related to surgery, so since surgery on 01.04.18 I'm out about $750 cash in follow up visits/labwork. When I originally had a lap band done 10+ years ago, it was nearly impossible to find follow up care, but from what I hear that is no longer a problem for most. I haven't had any complications, other than one of my incisions had a hard time healing due to an abscess under it that kept draining, but as soon as I finally had the sutures removed, it healed right up. I've been very lucky, all is going very well. I was hoping to hit the 100lb loss mark by my bday the beginning of June, but I think I'm going to miss it by 5-10lbs. It's all good, the goal was unrealistic anyhow & I refuse to be upset about only losing 90 by that time. ONLY...lol It's amazing how fast the weight is coming off now. I highly recommend the surgery if you've been unable to lose weight the non-surgical way. I'm about 4.5 months post op and I feel like a completely different person. The best decision I've ever made was to have gastric bypass. The pain in my knees is gone, and I feel fantastic. Prior to surgery I was in constant pain and miserable. I can't recommend this procedure enough, it's truly lifechanging.

Surgical complications and infections post op are legitimate fears. However, can be significantly reduced with the right diet, wound care, and doctor follow up. I'd express these concerns with your surgeon before the big day. Let him know that you've not healed properly in the past, and maybe he will take extra precautions.

Relax! You've had major surgery with some complications. You are being pro-active and trying to get all your ducks in a row before you do anything too bad. It'll be ok. Don't dwell on the past; you can't change it anyway. Go back to your NUT's guidelines and log everything that goes into your mouth. When you want to cheat, call a friend, walk if it's not raining, do chair exercises. (https://www.workingmother.com/11-quick-chair-exercises-that-work-as-well-as-going-to-gym) There are also some on youtube. Hope this helps!

I'm sorry you're having complications. I've never heard of this one before. Hope things go smoother for you.

Well, I made it! I'm still fairly loopy so I'm going to keep this short. I had a good surgery with no complications, but struggled to wake up afterward so I had to remain on breathing support for another hour or two once I was in recovery. Originally (once in my room) I was using a PCA pump with Dilaudid which helped for my pain but put me to sleep almost immediately so the 2nd day we switched to liquid oxycodone so that I could stay awake a bit more to walk and move around. I spent 2 nights in the hospital; I was afraid I'd have to spend a third because it took me a long time to get walking, but I improved pretty rapidly on the morning of the second post-op day so I went home yesterday around 5pm. My pain in the belly region is pretty intense; there's one spot in particular that feels like it's ripping or tearing when I move a certain way. Overall it's better than before, though. I didn't have any gas pain until last night and thankfully it's all in the belly area, so I can just get rid of it the normal way LOL, no issues with gas pain in my chest or neck or shoulders like some have. Water and protein shakes are staying down fine, I've had a few burps here and there but nothing has come back up or caused pain. We stayed ahead of nausea with the patch and IV zofran so I haven't felt like I needed to throw up at all. I have the dissolvable nausea pills at home now for when/if I need them. Okay I think that's all the thinking and typing I can handle for now. Thank you all so much for your support. You mean the world to me!

I'm glad your surgery went well. How are you doing now, any complications? Was it hard to find a doctor in the states that would see you after having the bypass in Mexico? Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app