Search the Community

Hi Mozza, yes it's inevitable. Weight loss leads to hair loss in most people, but not all. I had the sleeve 2 1/2 years ago and at about 4 months out I started losing hair by the handfull. I was quite upset but knew it was coming. I just cut my hair shorter so it wasn't as noticeable. Once I started adding more fat to my diet the hair grew back and thickened up. It's just a temporary problem and you will soon be over it. I promise, the weight loss is worth the hair loss. I will be having a revision to bypass in a couple of months and I will go through this again and though I dread it, I know it is a temporary thing and well worth the problem.May I ask why you are having a revision to bypass? I am pre op and still deciding between bypass and sleeve. Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App Yes, pls share, audaciousmarie? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Jaffa Now that was good, I wish i would have thought about doing that!!! Those things are just awful!! How are you by the way?? And when are you going to do your revision?

DITTO.....what Tiffykins said!! I had my CRAPband for a whopping 9 months!! Don't do it! My sister just had her revision surgery yesterday, she had her band for a year and a half....not worth having to go through another surgery!

Hi Mozza, yes it's inevitable. Weight loss leads to hair loss in most people, but not all. I had the sleeve 2 1/2 years ago and at about 4 months out I started losing hair by the handfull. I was quite upset but knew it was coming. I just cut my hair shorter so it wasn't as noticeable. Once I started adding more fat to my diet the hair grew back and thickened up. It's just a temporary problem and you will soon be over it. I promise, the weight loss is worth the hair loss. I will be having a revision to bypass in a couple of months and I will go through this again and though I dread it, I know it is a temporary thing and well worth the problem.May I ask why you are having a revision to bypass? I am pre op and still deciding between bypass and sleeve. Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App

Welcome I went with the bypass because my doc said there was a proven success with it, and he felt it was my best chance to lose the weight and keep it off. I also felt that if I was going to do this I wanted to do it once and not have to worry about revisions. As for the food question. Everyone is different, and you will get different answers. I am able to eat anything at 18 months post op. You an your new pouch will go through a getting to know you period. It will let you know the items you can and can not have. Keep in mind that list changes all the time. Things that made me sick in the beginning I have no problem with now. Sometimes things I have had no problem with suddenly make me sick. I have no problem with popcorn or rice. However some doctors do not allow popcorn. You should always go with what your doctors instructions.

I have a theory that since VSG is having so many issues with revision due to GERD, that Mexico is now picking up MGB as a new surgery option. But what the hell do I know? 🤣 Hopefully the future successes with MGB in Mexico will catch on here in the US.

Consult for lapband was Dec surgery Feb No consult for revision went to doctor in May surgery June. I have very good insurance no copay Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using the BariatricPal App

No problems. Just want to make sure that I communicated that from what I have been told and personal experience there is no dumping syndrome with DS surgery. I did an experiment after my RNY to DS revision, I ate something that would have put me down garunteed for a half hour with dumping syndrome. Didn't happen. I don't miss dumping syndrome. For me it was like an intense flu that came on hard and fast. Sweating, nausea, the works. Lasted for me about half and hour to a hour depending on what I ate and how much. Now it just hurts to eat too much and the bowl thing is something I'm re-evaluating my diet and supplements to help with. If OP is experiencing something similar to dumping syndrome, then probably should go talk to the surgeon asap.

Up until last week I was all set in pursuing a revision to a sleeve.Its new I saw a couple of celebrities Graham Elliot,Lisa Lampanelli and Rosie O Donnell to note.All are first time procedures for them. Ok I felt the same way back in 2004 when I saw Sharon Osbourne and a few other stars opt for the "newest"surgery in WLS at the time the lapband.I was approved for both but decided that the less invasive.Lapband was the way to go.Had the best surgeon who performed bypasses on Al Roker,Star Jones etc...,she and Dr.Roslyn are pioneers of WLS in NY.She offered me the Up until last week I was all set in pursuing a revision to a sleeve.Its new I saw a couple of celebrities Graham Elliot,Lisa Lampanelli and Rosie O Donnell to note.All are first time procedures for them.Back in 2004 I had the option between bypass and the lapband.I immediately opted for the lapband ....not taking into account the fills/u fills and slippage.The procedure was new and long term data was not available such as RNY. Big mistake!!!!I lost about 40 pounds initially and the fills and unfills were not wonderful and I never achieved the right fill.I started to not be able to handle several types of foods so I developed involuntary bulimia.One day I could eat a salad the next day I would violently throw up.Going to restaurants were a nightmare...a secret nightmare ...I would have dinner and have to go to the ladies room because I would need to throw up.Years of acid reflux and just fighting with my weight was a losing battle.....I developed PCOS,insulin resistance...pre diabetic...gall bladder attacks,had it removed,high cholesterol returned,developed breast cancer in 2012 And the chemo had steroids and oh boy ...gained all the weight back.Indigestion and chronic acid reflux plus port pain and stomach aches and bloating.I am miserable. My friend who is extremely obese just had sleeve surgery as well as her daughter.It is there first WLS.It seems to be working for them.(2 months)She has lost a good amount of weight but has a long way to go.She feels great so I was all in...I spoke to her last week and she told me that one day she wasn't able to eat one of her small scheduled meals because she was very busy at work....she got home famished and had egg salad she ate a bit to quickly and felt like throwing up but said that slime and bile came up.AHHHHHH....by the way she doesn't know I have the band....she experienced what I go through almost every day. My stomach is lap band abused I have all kind of gastro tests because my esophagus and stomach is a mess...The reflux rules out the sleeve for me.I would hate to make that mistake.It is not reversible,long term data is not available and on a lot of other sites I am seeing people who have had the sleeve complain of increased acid reflux...its .worse with revisions,ulcerative sleeves,leakage which can cause infections and inadequate weight loss.Some are seeking yet another revision to RNY.I am not going to put myself through this with my lapband abused stomach.Cutting out 85% of my stomach which can't be reversed is not appealing to me.I will opt for the Good Standard once and for all the bypass....the data is there and it is the Gold Standard.No more fad procedures for me.

This is helpful.The sleeve is irreversible and leakage is very dangerous.On other forums and blogs.I see people complaining years later that they wish they had gotten the bypass because the gherelin returned and they were regaining.I can't go through a third surgery...this revision from the band has got to be it.Sort of leaning to the bypass.

I'm 5 years out RNY. I also had Gerd pre-op and my doctor would only do RNY. I haven't had any complications, strictures, hernias or anything of the sort. I stay pretty active and hike often. I think better time is spent researching your surgeon and their rates of complication. That has a much greater effect on your personal outcome than overall averages. If you're confident in your surgeon, I'd say go with the sleeve but be open to revision if necessary. Good luck on your surgery. HW 314 SW 296 GW 177 CW 169

I had 120lbs to lose to be at my first goal. I'm a mere 18lbs away, so Jenn and Thinoneday, it can be done. I never thought I'd get here so quickly. I definitely didn't expect to even lose half of it the first 6 months. But, here I am 5.5 months out, down 95 post band to sleeve revision. I only technically lost 7 lbs with the band that I had placed October 2008. Just trust in yourself, enjoy the honeymoon phase because I know mine is almost over, I am down to losing just 1-2lbs were week. And, remember that you can and will make it to goal.

And so do I. Tell me where I have been nonsupportive of the band? My band did it's job-my body didn't want it in me. I explained why *I* revised to a DS. I don't think I've ever been called aggressive...and I still recommend the band. Like you said~my choice isn't a personal statement about me or anyone else. So don't take it personal, OK? Why shouldn't I tell my story? Should I not be here because I no longer have a band? You don't have to answer. I can probably guess what your answers are. At any rate, I wish you the best with your surgery.

Hi, I'm getting a lap band removed with a RNY revision in November and I was wondering if any of y'all that have had the bypass are vegetarians? What is your "go-to" protein? Thanks!

Yep, I was banded by Dr Snow. Soon after the banding with plication, he was impossible to get into see. He kept cancelling his appts hours ahead of the appointment. Did this three times to me. I started going to Forest Park Medical Center for my fills because, well, he is absolutely inaccessible. Does not return phone calls, etc. Just wound up in the ER because of my band, and he was inaccessible. Not surprised at all. Of course, the dr in the ER refused to touch my band and referred me back to Dr Snow. I try to get into see him, and instead got referred to the true results office in the room next to his. For someone with a band slip who hasn't eaten in days, I would have expected my surgeon to show some kind of concern. At this point, I'm looking for a surgeon who will "adopt" my case, but the search for one has been discouraging to say the least unless I want a complete revision. His aftercare is horrid and scary...

A slipped bad is a BIG deal! I have had to have fluid removed once and 1 1/2 years later have a revision. I am better since, but if the revision didn't work, it would have had to be replaced! Best wishes to you! Karen

A slipped band absolutely is a big deal! My band slipped after 15 months and I had surgery last month. When it slipped it occluded the opening and I couldn't keep anything down. I have never been so sick in my life. Because I could keep nothing down I had to go thourgh the ER and be admittied for surgery in the morning. The surgery took about 45 minutes and it went well. I was discharged after about 24 hours of first walking into the hospital. My insurance denied payment so that made me a self-pay and I got my hospital bill this week. It's $28,000! And that doesn't inlcude the surgeon's fees, the anesthesiologist's fees or the radiologist's fees. I also got a statement in the mail saying that if my insurance had paid, the hospital would have settled for $1998.00 but since they didn't pay, I am responsible for the entire $28,000. This is because my insurance company has a contract with the hospital and I don't. I was barely overweight enough to have the lapband with a BMI of 30. I have reached my goal weight and am very thankful for my band. But if you figure I have lost 54 pounds and after I get all the bills from the revision surgery that will put me at nearly $50,000 spent on the band and just under $1,000 a pound. So the band slipping IS a big deal, not only because it jeopardizes your health until it is fixed but because it can leave you financially devastated.

My port flipped 6 months out, June of 2006. I had it revised 6/26/06, under general anesthesia and through my original port incision. I didn't miss any work and felt pretty good. I don't have any kids, so don't know how that will be for you. I've heard of some Doctors doing it under local anesthesia, but my Doctor opted for general. Unfortunately don't know why it happened, but he made sure to suture in very good this time in case it was his fault. I had to pay out of pocket for the surgery, $2,125 (ouch!). Luckily I had my income tax money in savings to take care of this. Good Luck!

Hi! I'm new here, I just googled "Weight Loss Surgery Discussion Boards" and this is the first site that popped up. I hope I'm in the right place... I had Open RNY GB in May of 2002. My weight the morning of surgery was 310lbs. I lost over 100 lbs in the first 10 months and got down to my lowest weight of 153lbs about 2 years after surgery. I was feeling fabulous! However, over the years, I was able to maintain at about 170-180lbs consistently, until I gave birth to my son in 2012. After he was born, I wasn't able to lose all of the weight I gained during pregnancy. I was around 200 - 205 lbs at my lowest after he was born. But, due to some other life circumstances and traumatic life experiences that happened to me in 2016, I have gained back over 100lbs and am now sitting at about 268lbs. I'm crushed. In May 2021 I decided to research revisions and found a surgeon in my area (St. Louis, MO) who specializes in revisions and I found out that I am a candidate for a revision to Duodenal Switch. After meeting with a dietician for 6 months, psychologist, primary care physician, etc. I'm finally having my revision next week... April 14, 2022!! I'm so scared and nervous this time around. I don't know what to do or where to go. I wasn't this nervous before my first surgery and I think it's because I didn't have as much to lose back then when I was 21. Now I have a 10 year old son who is everything to me and I'm terrified that if something goes wrong, he won't have a mom. Has anyone else in the forum gone through this and if so, can you please share your experience with me?

I am pretty new to this site. I have had a Lap band for almost 5 years now. I've put back almost all of the weight I lost with it the first year. I've been really considering getting revised to a sleeve, but I've read and read and read about all the possible complications. These stories terrify me. I'm 40 years old and have 4 kids. I have to be here for them. I cannot spend months of my life in a hospital or laying in bed struggling to recover from complications from surgery. I'm basically healthy. I don't want to trade good health for losing some weight. One of the things that worries me is the lack of long-term info available on life after being sleeved. Are there any sleevers that are more than 5, maybe even 10 years out from their surgery? I'm just so scared of the possible things that can and do go wrong that I don't know that I'm going to be able to go through with it. My insurance will cover it, so that is a good thing. I've already attended my surgeon's seminar. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Get rid of that band!! I had the band for 2 1/2 years, and I've had the sleeve now for 3 1/2 years now. There is no comparison. Just go and read all the band to sleeve revision stories and you'll find everyone is so much happier to be rid of the band and get sleeved. The sleeve works like the band was supposed to. I can eat anything I want, just smaller portions. If you choose a good surgeon who has done revision surgeries, there aren't high statistics for complications. Complications do happen, but they are rare.

I'll have to go get some tomorrow, I've always gone with the powder because I'm a cheapskate but after surgery I can barely stand them. I'm struggling to get my Protein in so hopefully finding a shake I like will help. Revision 1/31/13 by Dr Cabrera and Venezuela in MX

My office submitted paperwork to my insurance for approval. Now is a waiting game. My doctor said that my surgery will be most likely done mid August or end. This will be a revision since the sleeve only helped me for 2 years a my stomach pouches dilated throughout those years. Now I'm getting the bypass. Best of luck to all. Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

@Shareefe and @@paigem I'm having the same thing lap band revision on the 22nd...no worries ladies I know this will work for us...Good luck ladies

I know I am SUPER late to this thread!! But I just left my fiance three weeks ago. We'd been together for a little over 3 years. Matter of fact we celebrated our 3-year with a trip to Chicago in Feb.... Anyways. Long story short. He was emotionally and physically abusive on top of incredibly irresponsible. And he has a son, whom I call my own bc his bio mom basically abandoned him when my ex and her divorced. The last straw in our relationship was when he stole, yes STOLE almost half of the loan money I had taken out for my VSG revision!!!! He was NOT supportive of my revision from day 1. I told him he either supports me or he doesn't, I am doing what's best for me and my health. I got the money back - thank GOD, but I left him that day. I am still riding the ups and downs of the post-break-up roller coaster. And when I am great I'm GREAT, and when I'm bad I'm bad. I stayed with him for so much longer than I should of because I gained about 80 lbs while being with him (he was SUCH an enabler with my food addiction) and I had/have no self confidence and I was plum scared of being alone. So I chose to be unhappy in my relationship over being alone. I now am alone and I know one day I will be better, but I am still suffering. Especially since within 72 hours of me leaving him he up and left for Texas with my son.... I am sad to be alone but even more sad that my son is gone.... Even though I KNOW this was the right decision 150%, it's hard to think that there will ever be a man out there for me! But there was a REASON I was engaged to this man for 2 years and would never marry him. In my gut I ALWAYS knew, and would ALWAYS make excuses. And like you, BBJ, I found myself having issues being attracted to him. Prior to him I'd always dated very in-shape men, and he had a gut and no motivation to be healthy with me. I hope that one day once I drop this weight that I have my confidence back like you do BBJ! More power to ya girl!!! If anyone is interested, I've been blogging about my WLS since Dec 2010, and there's more details about all this there.... www.diaryofafatwhitewoman.blogspot.com