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Hey, WOW thank you for your quick response. I really am so confused, can I ask with the sleeve, how does it physically stop you eating, as I am worried I will overeat (not that I do now as I have the band and it doesn't allow me to, but if I didn't have any restriction then god knows!). As you said above you have gained 10-12 pounds, that would really worry me as if you can put that on then I know I probably will too and I don't want to be in the same situation in another 10 years. Thanks x

It's tough, isn't it? It's a lifetime struggle for many of us. I can highly recommend the Sleeve Surgery as I had it just under two years ago and lost 60 lbs or so. That being said, this year with COVID, I gained 10-12 of it back, but I just got back on track again two weeks ago and have already lost 4 lbs on KETO. What's different about dieting post-op to pre-op is that your stomach is smaller so you can't eat as much. It's your best friend and aid in dieting. As long as you're choosing the right foods with the focus on protein, the portion sizes take care of themselves and that's a huge impact on your success. I can't speak from experience as to a revision because I never had the lapband.

Hey guys I really need some help from "real people with real experiences", my weight is increasing despite having a lap band in and I need to do something to stop it in its tracks. I have been dieting forever but this year I have done about 7 different diets, from Keto, SW, Calorie Counting etc and I am now heavier than I was on January 1st and what worries me is what my weight will rise up to if I don't do something. My history: - Starting Weight before Lap band: approx. 17 stone (size 20) - Lowest Weight after Lap band: approx. 10 stone (not for very long, comfortable weight was about 11 stone) (size 10/12) - Current Weight: 13 stone (steadily increasing weekly) (size 14) - I had a gastric band in April 2010, everything was fine overall, but the last few years haven't been so good, I developed a pouch in oesophagus so I only have 6.25ml in my band, this isn't really providing me with much restriction at all, I do have a little reflux however. I have also suffered with constipation for about 20 years! As I said above, I really need some help from "real people with real experiences", I am considering what my options are, revision surgery from the band to: Sleeve, Bypass, Mini Bypass or anything else? I have spoken to a few surgeons this week and they have all given different advice, so it is even more confusing. My questions are: - Has anyone had a similar experiences and what did you decide to do and was it the right decision? - It worries me if I have the sleeve or a bypass, will I be in the same situation in 10 years time? - Would anyone recommend a particular company or surgeon? - Has anyone had the band deflated and maybe had the balloon? I don't know if this is even possible? I thought this would mean surgery wouldn't be needed? Any advice would be welcomed, thank you all for your time 🙂

I just did a major closet purge. I finally got rid of my size 14 pants and XL tops. After loosing 48 pounds (5'7", CW 146) I'm wearing size 10 pants and M tops.

Wow we have the same stats I am also 5'6 and weigh 241 currently . I've lost 10 lbs since starting my pre-op program.

Congratulations on your surgery date! That's awesome. My gastric sleeve surgery was on 10/28. I was so worried about multiple things I read that other people experienced I almost changed my mind. I am so glad I didn't. I was in the hospital for 2 nights. The only tough time I had was immediately after surgery when waking up. Extreme nausea which they dealt with very, very quickly. I didn't have gas pains or problems with swallowing. I can't say enough positive things about my experience thus far. I'm really, really grateful. I 1000% agree with not weighing yourself after surgery. My weight was higher and I didn't begin to show a loss for about a week or so. That can be a tad discouraging. In summary, stay focused on why you have made this decision and know that everyone's experience is different. Blessings to you on your journey!

I am a newbie. Gastric sleeve on 10/28. I struggled with being committed to my decision to have surgery a few times BUT I am so very glad I went through with it. My experience thus far has been amazing. It is very hard when you read of other people who had complications or struggled in so many ways post op. That will definitely influence your thoughts regarding the unknown outcome. I can honestly tell you I had absolutely zero problems. I live alone and was perfectly fine post-op. Eating according to plan has not been an issue. In regards to sticking with the requirements of the plan, I find that your body will do it for you. You can't overeat (in my experience) as it will make you far too uncomfortable. It becomes a habit to take smaller bites and to chew your food thoroughly. I wish you the best.

It didn't hurt as such, but just felt a bit sloshy and tight inside when I took too much fluid in and made me feel nauseous. Someone on this board gave me the idea of using a shot glass to measure water and fluids so you don't over consume, and setting an alarm on phone for every 10 minutes to drink. I don't really have to think about water now though, I can taken reasonable sized gulps and get enough in no problem. So at 8 weeks out I finally completed a qualification I'd been working on, and my friends threw me a surprise celebration with champagne and a beautiful homemade cake!! I held the glass, and sipped it very slowly. I had a sliver (2mm) of cake that I picked at over two hours. They know I'm watching my weight, so didn't say anything. It wasn't in my plan, and not ideal, but I went with it and was careful and I'm so glad I did because I hadn't seen them all since March and now we're in another lockdown. Like what catwoman7 said, my normal sized friends would have done similar sometimes. So after that I felt like having a social life and celebrating special occasions were things that i could do, even if I didn't consume as much as my old self, and that made me feel so much better. I was also very scared of dumping, but I haven't experienced it yet. You will be fine, and so glad you did it afterwards 😊

I was sleeved 11/9 went home 11/10 the first couple days I had a lot of energy to walk but felt sore when going from laying to sottingnor standing, I’m 7 days post op now and have only taken Tylenol a couple of times in the past couple of days and am back to work today! More of a discomfort than pain

How old are you? I know when I was in my 30's, I was not skinny, but not fat. As I got older (I'm 57 now) it seemed like each year another 5 or 10 pounds was "acceptable, but not ideal" I found myself saying "I felt good at 210, if I could just get there!" and then "I was always happy under 230, let me try to get there"...and then I realized I'm going to be at 300 pounds in 3 more years at this rate and decided I needed to do something! I wish I had done it earlier, but who knows? If you are not committed to changing your lifestyle, you might go through this and end up back where you are. Or, you could decide you want to change your life anyway and do it without surgery. I am only 3.5 months out, so I hope I can commit and feel great forever, but at 50 pounds down, I'm committing now! Also, I have been able to eat out, hang out with friends and still lose weight...I just order an appetizer and take half of it home and have one drink when I would have had several before (PS. I'm saving money, too!) Good luck on your decision.

Prior to surgery I weighed 216 pounds. This was on my initial consultation with my surgeon in August. Immediately before surgery on 10/28 I weighed 196 pounds. Today my weight is 185.2. It's not super fast but I'm happy about it. I'm 5'3.

Hello ladies! I am also flying solo...😉 I had gastric sleeve surgery on 10/28/2020. I have experienced zero problems. I had friends and family to call to check if I needed anything but I didn't. Very grateful. I had plenty of broth, protein shakes, sugar free jello and popsicles available here at home. I don't know if my surgeon is a magician or not but I promise you...I had no pain. Little bit of tenderness but nothing that warranted pain meds. Sending you both much support and encouragement!

@Glowup Jess I also had surgery in October (10/16 Sleeve) this was also a concern of mine. Mentally I reminded myself of all of the reasons I chose to go through with surgery and made it about me. I put myself 1st for the 1st time in a long time. I have a family and also care for my grandmother and mother who has cancer. For many years my focus has been my family and still is but I allowed myself to focus on me 1st. We deserve it 😉

If you haven't run into this in your research, I found this to be an interesting point/counterpoint discussion of the LINX (the "Yes" vote is linked at the bottom). http://agaperspectives.gastro.org/is-linx-the-way-to-go-for-gerd-surgery-no/#.X7K6SWhKiUk I also found another source that indicated that LINX was not appropriate for bariatric patients, but didn't explain why (possibly simply because that group didn't have much experience with bariatric patients?) The "No" vote above did lift out the prospect of erosion from the foreign body, and given the history of the lapband, that is probably a good point of caution. I would suggest getting a second (and possibly third) opinion on this. I am a fan of second opinions, particularly when it comes to revisions and complications, as both the causes and solutions are often more varied than the original surgery, and hence the opinions as to the best way to go often vary more widely - what one doc is comfortable doing to solve the problem may not be the ideal for you, while another doc may have different experiences that allows him to offer something better for your need. Or maybe not - but as patients it is hard for us to evaluate, but one solution may make more sense to us than another. I have found that with the sleeve, being a relatively new procedure to most of the bariatric world, the solutions to problems that may crop up are often limited - some docs are limited to simply revising to a bypass as they don't have much experience with anything else. Most bariatric surgeons here in the States are fairly well experienced with the sleeve by now (as opposed to 6-10 years ago) but may not yet have that much experience in correcting problems with them, which is why it can pay to seek out alternate opinions. Sometimes there are shape issues with the sleeve, stemming from either the original surgery or from subsequent evolutions, and surgeons can vary widely on their ability to address these. Some can do fundoplications to address the hiatal hernia, while others can't (there isn't that much fundus to plicate after our VSG.) I would suggest a second opinion from Dr. Ara Keshishian, who does a lot of complex revisions (people come from across the country to see him, particularly as he is one of the few who can do the RNY/DS revision) and if anyone can get things working better without a major revision or devices, it is him. If one can avoid an RNY or an implanted device, that would be ideal. Conveniently, he is right around the corner from you in the Glendale/Pasadena area. I do have a hiatal hernia, though a fundoplication is inappropriate for my case, and as GERD is mild and well controlled with moderate OTC meds, and EGD shows nothing exciting happening, it is a wait and see thing for me at this point. Hope yours comes out well, whatever path you take,

@MarvelGirl25 Thank you so much for sharing. I'm somewhat of a newbie, had sleeve 10/16. All of your food seriously makes me inspired. While I am going through the 1st 8 weeks taking each week as it comes has been somewhat difficult at times. I'm excited to be able to expand my options and try new recipes. Thank you 😊 💓

@Barbwired & @toytoy Our stories are so similar..... I to was banded 11/10/2009. Did great till 2017 when i was going through a divorce (25-26 years) and then i got a stomach virus and couldn't stop throwing up..... slipped band and ER removal 3/23/2017... Worse day EVER. I lost my beloved band Tina. At the time i lost her i had not gained any weight and was at my steady 143lbs. Because it was ER i was not giving the option to wait or revise. Looking back on it i wish i had been given the choice.... But because i didn't gain, my dr said i didn't weigh enough anyway. And that's what i heard from every dr after that. Fast forward a little... i started with a few lbs here and there and no matter what i did i could not get the scale to go back the other way. I was starting to get depressed and then the beginning of 2019 i started menopause (50). When May-June came around i was up to 173lbs. (30lbs). Planning a wedding for Sept and i was steady gaining..... so i upped my search and found a dr. here that agreed to do the revision. I really wanted the MGB, but he doesn't do that.... so the sleeve it was. It went quickly as i told the dr i wanted to go as fast a possible, all other appointments went... bam bam.. Done. He noted in my chart that i was a "revision" (2.5 years later) and what my BMI was back in 2009 was 44, how well i did and that in 2.5 years i had only gained 30lbs. Handed over 14k and was sleeved 8/28/19..... Married 9/26/19 20lbs lighter. As of today i'm at 120lbs and have been since Juneishhhh.... (-53lbs) Barb.. i'm the same way, i like the gym but i have to go straight from work, do not stop anywhere, do not pass GO... hehe.... if i do, i'll go home and that's where i stay. I have not exercised a day since Covid started. I did for the months of Aug-Jan...(crossfit). But nothing since. Honestly, the sleeve sx was one of the easiest i ever had.... sx on Wednesday and back to work on Monday he even fixed a HH. @toytoy Is there a reason they can't do the removal and revision at the same time? The weight loss has for me been pretty easy and no complications. No vomiting, no getting stuck, no fills... I went see the dr every 3 months and now i'm on maintenance and only have to go once a year (unless i have issues). Personally, i think us Band-members that did well with the band do well with the sleeve. I know the band taught me how to eat better and it has made a huge difference. People that didn't do well with the sleeve i see them having more of their same issues.

I just realized I didn't read your whole post... I understand chronic pain VERY well! ESPECIALLY nerve pain! I have TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia) and had brain surgery 3 years ago in an attempt to relieve myself of the agony even if it would likely be temporary (there isn't a cure for TN the surgery just stops the pain for a few years). I have atypical trigeminal neuralgia. It's on both sides and I had both type 1 and 2 pains on the left side and only type 2 on the right. I can handle the type 2 pains, but the type 1 pains... there is nothing comparable to it. It's the worst sort of agony imaginable. NOTHING has ever equaled or surpassed it. The best description for it I can give is most times it felt like I had a scalding hot poker jab into my face where it would twist and twist and twist and twist before pulling out only to repeat itself endlessly. I had the surgery (Microvascular Decompression) on the left side of my brain to get rid of the type 1 pain and it amazingly got rid of the flare ups and I had no pain for 2 amazing years. Around the time I started my weight loss journey last year I started having type 2 pains again on the left side. I couldn't stop CRYING! I was paranoid and panicking and CONVINCED that the type 1 pain was going to return. If my surgery hadn't worked to get rid of the type 1 pain I wouldn't be here. TN is called suicides disease for a REASON. It's recognized as one the most painfully excruciating conditions know to mankind. I was in absolute agony with my TN with a flare that lasted for 10 MONTHS before I had my surgery. I was barely sleeping because it was worse at night. Everything set it off. I was in a never ending world of absolute AGONY and I only held out for my family. I had overdosed on my meds on at least 3 occasions... 1 particular one I was incredibly lucky that I didn't end up in a coma because I'd taken 600mg over my dose (900mg was my dose and overdose for me was 1000mg, I'd taken 1500mg). If the surgery hadn't worked... I wouldn't be here. I was BARELY holding out for my family. I thought I was losing my mind from lack of sleep and pain and I wanted to cry all the damn time but I didn't have the energy or the tears because I'd cried myself dry months before. EVERYTHING set it off. Sleeping, eating, bathing, talking, touching my face, brushing my hair or my teeth. The happiest day of my life was my surgery day. I woke up with the worse headache of my LIFE and at that point the worst nausea I'd had in my life (only beaten by dumping syndrome), but it was 100% WORTH IT! When my TN came back in the form of the type 2 pain I felt like my life was over. I had been so strong and held out to make it to my surgery, but I just didn't know if I could have that kind of strength again. I didn't think I'd survive a repeat. So I fell into a very deep depression. My doctor put me on anti-depression and anxiety meds and when I saw the psyche doc at the bariatric clinic I told her my TN coming back to how it was before my surgery was my absolute worst fear. I honestly don't know how I even passed my psyche eval because I was a MESS! While I was going through that I read a lot. It DID help to take my mind off it a bit, even if it was still there lurking in the back of my head. I also watched quite a bit of anime to distract myself lol. I'm 33 and yes, I watch anime. It's an outlet and very easy for me to turn my brain off when reading doesn't work. Also like watching home renovation shows and anything that'll make me laugh and let me turn my brain off. I ended up getting a really bad rash due to the anti-depression and anxiety meds and had to get off them, but by that time my mind was in a much better place. I made the determination that the very SECOND I get the type 1 pains back I'm calling up my neurosurgeon and scheduling another surgery lol. I won't wait it out. I won't let it EVER get that bad again! And if for some reason he recommends me to do the Gamma Knife instead, I'll do that (my surgery was really difficult as I had a lot of tissue damage and my 3 hour surgery turned into a 6 hour surgery. I had a lot of brain swelling and there was talk of putting a stint in, but I didn't end up having to have one. I did end up with meningitus though... so I just have the feeling he'd probably want me to do Gamma Knife instead). I'm so incredibly sorry that you're going through chronic pain issues. I don't wish that kind of pain on ANYONE! It feels impossible and makes you feel so helpless. I felt so very, very, very alone. Like nobody understood it. Understood me or what I was going through... So that's the reason I told you about my own experience. I just want you to know that you are NOT alone in living with chronic pain. I really hope that the pain clinic gets back to you soon. My mom has fibromyalgia and they gave her Gabapentin for it (it also helps her neuropathy too and helps her sleep). I don't know what meds they'll start you off with, but I hope the first one they give you works for you!

I am going through the same thing. Wish I had some answers for you. After 2 bites, I get a pain that feels almost like the food is tearing into my stomach as it goes down. It makes me not want to eat at all. Sometimes it even does it with liquid! Btw my bypass surgery was 10/28/20

If you met all the criteria & your Surgeon’s office completed all requested paperwork, they should be able to answer this so you are not in “ limbo.” You can also contact your insurance carrier and inquire about your status. I doubt you would not be accepted, most insurance, not all, is paying for bariatric surgery. If you have not already done this to prepare for your new life, an excellent resource for now & in the future: “Obesity Action Coalition.” You May already know about this organization, the website: www.obesityaction.com When you access this site there is a lot of information preparing for Bariatric surgery, the resources offered are excellent for everyday, but also an excellent support system. They list 10 ways to prepare, I won’t list them all as it’s probably easier for you to read it on the website: 1. Start to Think about why you eat, 2. Keep a list of non- food ways to cope w/stress, 3. Don’t compare yourself with others, 4. Follow up, Follow up, Follow up, 5. Prepare to feel a little left out at dining & social gatherings. I referenced 5 items from the 10 Ways to Prepare for Bariatric Surgery. With each item is an explanation how to manage each one. You are not alone, there are many resources and groups on line & in your community. The OAC Community is an excellent, one of the best resources. You are in NC? I am from NC, excellent health care, exemplary hospitals in NC, whether it is Duke in Raleigh or Winston Salem - Wake Forest/Bowman Gray Center, UNC, Vidant Medical Center... You are in good hands with exceptional hospitals. Good luck, you will do great!

I literally just got on the site because I was going to ask this same thing. But first I was like let me scroll some posts I may find an answer. I had my sleeve on 10/29/2020. I just started regular foods. I haven't over ate, haven't had any sugar, I've been trying to keep my sugar at like 1 gram if any. And the little tiny bit I just started eating I make sure its healthy. My weigh days are Tuesdays, I cheated and weighed Friday too. Was down to 301. I weighed today after my bath, and am at 303. [emoji15][emoji15][emoji15]. I'm hoping it's what was stated above. Water retention or something. It got me feeling a little down I won't lie tho. Sent from my SM-G781U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my surgery yesterday at Blossom. The whole experience was awesome I must say and I feel really good today. You have 10 days before your surgery. I hope that your cold clears up. They are constantly checking temperatures and making you use hand sanitizer and like. We fly home to Atlanta tomorrow. The biggest threat to travel, I think, are all the maskless people grabbing a bite to eat in the airport.

Congratulations! I had a bypass on November 5th. I was worried about pain and what recovery would be like. I spent two nights in the hospital and had plenty of pain meds while there. I also took pain meds when I got home but not nearly as many. Get up and walk more than they tell you to. It can be exhausting at first but it really does help with gas pains you may have. Follow your surgeons advice, ask lots of questions if things are not clear. I am 10 days out and get tired but my husband and I hung new blinds a few days ago so I figure I am not doing too bad at this point. Good luck tomorrow!

a lot of people gain weight from the IV fluids they get in the hospital. I've read posts of people gaining 10 or more lbs from it, to be honest. It does take a few days - or even a week - for it to work it's way out of your system. If you're following your clinic's food plan, the weight WILL start to drop off.

Not sure if it’s the surgery , time of year with holidays or COVID-19 . I’m angry and just a stewing pot ready to boil over. I am passive aggressive with my husband, and short with the kids. I’m overwhelmed by the anger, I spent hours away from home with the kids last night because I didn’t want to see my husband. The kids had a great time, and I was relaxed. MAybe the break from the daily Routine was what I needed. I haven’t been sleeping well, And I work full time, we are short staffed, the weather has been cold so I’m not out walking as much as I should. he is a stay at home dad and doesn’t socialize with people beside me and a few others. I try guideline him to places where he could engage with others. I try to encourage him, and he seems happy being at home. I enjoy having him at home to help with the kids , picking them up and so forth.... what is wrong with me..... I don’t know. TIA

I hovered right around 35 BMI. Friends and family insisted that I was "too small" for surgery. I considered it off and on for about 10 years, and finally decided to do it (sleeve), and just not tell anyone so I didn't need to deal with the judgement. Only regret I have is not doing it sooner. My weight loss was slow going at first. At the two year mark I'd lost about 50 pounds and while I was super happy at that weight, I had expected to lose a bit more. Year 3 I've lost another 20 pounds and am actually "working" to stay at this weight. I could easily lose more if I wanted to be slimmer. No insurance coverage. Paid for everything out of pocket.