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Hi everyone! I hope this post finds you well wherever you are in your weight loss journey. I had gastric bypass revision on June 12, 2023. My original bypass was done in April 2002 so it’s been 21 years. Original weight loss was 123 lbs. However, I only maintained that loss for about 8 years. Then slowly I started eating poorly and Bedouin knew it I had gained back 45 lbs. I’m 71 years old. I did the revision for my health because there’s so many heart problems in my family. As of Sunday, September 3rd I’m only down 20 lbs. I’m discouraged but I know some of it has to do with not exercising. Can you share some of the things you snack on? I’m good with my meals but not sure if I should be making other choices for snacks. Thank you.

S/p 4 days and it has been the worst surgical experience I have had in my life! Worst than giving birth to both my children! I had to stay in the hospital for 4 days! Just getting home today! Contemplated my entire life. The Paine was unbearable and no on wanted to give me pain medication. They were horrible! My best friend had a hiatal hernia repair and revision done the next day and had the same exact thing happened to her only a different hospital! God awful! Made me regret my decision

Revision to mini bypass sept 5! Bye bye GERD!!!!

Revision to mini bypass sept 5! Bye bye GERD!!!!

So as you all know, I had A LOT of complications with my sleeve. I ended up with gastritis, esophagitis, horrible gerd, and precancerous polyps all though my stomach and duodenum. I had 4 endoscopies to have them all removed. Then I had a colonoscopy and found 3 cancerous polyps (stage 1) and they were removed and I'm ok. Wouldn't have found ANY of that had I not had the complications from the sleeve. During that time, I also had a ct scan to see what was happening, and 2 large fibroids were found in my uterus. Well, now that everything else was taken care of and I had my revision from sleeve to bypass, I decided to deal with the fibroids (they are causing my stomach to be large, my uterus is HUGE, they cause discomfort, very heavy bleeding, etc) One is 12cm (roughly the size of a grapefruit) and one is 6.5 cm (the size of an egg). I also had an endometrial biopsy (those SUCK) and was diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia, which is precancerous. So now I have an appt to see what to do about all of this. Again, never ever would have found this if I hadn't had complications that led to all the testing to figure out what was wrong. Sometimes the fear of the unknown, the long road ahead, and the daunting testing and procedures to diagnose and correct complications can make surgery seem like a no-go. But potential complications shouldn't necessarily be seen as a deal breaker. I had several precancerous and cancerous conditions I knew absolutely NOTHING about, and I wouldn't have known about them until it was too late, had it not been for the complications from the sleeve. Trying to find out what happened inadvertently led to correcting not only the initial sleeve complication but also the silent and secret health issues that definitely would have creeped up on me and taken me out had it all not be found when they were. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Maybe hitting every speed bump on the way sucks and feels overwhelming, but at least now it's done. I'm already healthier than I have ever been, and I'm only getting healthier. I'm following dreams I previously let go, and being 45, I'm at the age where health risks start to increase anyway. Now I'm having it all taken care of and I can just do my thing and live my life. I said all of this to say.... don't talk yourself out of a life changing and life SAVING surgery because there's the potential for complications. Yes, they're scary. Yes, they suck. But YES finding and treating them early on (especially if you never would have known about them otherwise) is a blessing. We are doing these surgeries to get our lives back. And if that means finding and treating other issues that can/will cause us problems down the road, consider that a perk of the surgery.

I most definitely felt this way. I had a complete pity party for myself. I needed it. Why can’t I do it on my own? Why is XXX so skinny and eats whatever they want when I eat one slice of cake and gain 5lbs? The negative talk resonated in my brain. I can’t do this, it’s too hard, I love food too much, I’m a side baker I can’t taste my baking. But guess what? YOU CAN F****** DO THIS!!!!! As for complications, I’ll just throw this out there. Vomiting - had some the first few days of post op however, I knew that I get like that with anesthesia, so my doctor and I did what we could to minimize it. I’ve since had my gallbladder removed one year later, and am having a revision as I have a hiatal hernia and severe GERD. So…would I consider those to be complications? Sure. But I would do it over again 100x!!! I have gained so much throughout this journey. And continue to. My current surgeon feels my initial surgeon should have chosen a bypass for me originally, which I asked for but they recommended sleeve so that’s what we went with. Current surgeon feels that with my co-morbities at that time, and other issues, I shouldn’t have been a candidate for a sleeve. Okay so all that to say, again I wouldn’t change it!!!! I tolerate literally any food with my sleeve. Now things sit “heavier” than others so if I’m eating that I may be miserable (like feeling stuffed not sick). After some tragedy in my family, I stopped eating well and started eating just snack food. I gained 18lbs. But then I crawled out of the hole and said okay, this has to stop, you’ve worked wayyyyy to hard to go backwards, get it together! Here I am, back on track, still have some of the gain to lose, but grateful that I have this tool aka my sleeve to help mitigate that for me. I used to love following people on IG/social media but I had to stop. Before my sleeve I looked at thin people and felt pangs of jealousy and constant comparison. Then after surgery and losing weight (not even to goal weight haven’t made it) I looked at the VSG “influencers”, the same way. Constant “oh her surgery was two weeks before mine and she’s already lost 100 lbs and I’ve ONLY lost 70”. It was perpetuating the SAME cycle I was in. So I just had to stop. Every now and again I search out the hashtag but for the most part I don’t because this journey is unique to YOU. Sorry for the novel, and if you made it through it, that’s great! Lol

Surgery went well - it took me the rest of the day of surgery to have some conciousness. I do not understand why they begin to attempt to get you out of bed when you are still under the influence of the anesthesia and can barely keep your eyes open. The next day was much better and I was able to walk slow laps around the floor. My surgeon had the staff provide me with a stomach band that wraps around and closes with velcro which helps tremendously hold my abdomen stable when up and walking around. I still have lots of swelling and I am about 7 lbs heavier (per scale) than on surgery day due to the swelling, fluid etc. I hope that within this next week most of that will subside. Weight DOS - 195 Today - 202 I am staying on target with protein/fluid requirements 60g/64 oz - I was given Boost Glucose Control Max in the hospital and decided to get a pack of that as well as a pack of the Premier Protein Shakes both 160 cal/11oz/30g protein. I had an issue of jaundice while in hospital and upon coming home my face and body had a distinct yellow tone. My blood work had elevated as well a low levels due to surgery. I looked up my pain meds which all had an effect on the liver and could cause levels to increase. I made the decision to stop these pain meds. I was also given liquid Oxy which I was able to take a couple half dose to help with the pain. This morning I was able to get away with Tylenol (powdered). My skin looks like it is getting back to narmal as well. I am not saying it was the medicine, it could have been just the trauma of the surgery and or a combo of both, I followed what I thought was best for me. I don't have an appetite which I am not complaining about at all & I am consuming my nutrition one sip at a time. I'm anxious to hear how you guys felt 2-3 weeks after surgery with the swelling , fluid weight etc. ❤️

@Chel1 How did your revision go?!

I’m glad I found your post! Hoping for an update from you! I had a sleeve in 2020, but have had a tremendous amount of issues unfortunately. Had my gallbladder out since, and have horrid GERD. My surgeon does want to do a revision, but today I found out I have a HH, but I never had one before my sleeve. Annoying! My insurance requires a waiting period and I’m like really?! I’m miserable!

Hi everyO had a revision to a bypass and I am currently 5wls post op and my stomach has a dent under the large incision as well as a line across my stomach. What does this mean? Has this happened to anyone else? Should I be concerned?picture for reference

Hi everyone I have a line and a dent across my stomach. The dent is under my largest incision

lol no. If you look at my signature, you can see my weight loss progression. And my username lets you know I had a sleeve and revised it to a bypass

I had the revision to bypass and I wish I had just done the bypass to begin with. I can definitely tell you things are a lot different now than they were 20 years ago. I have no dumping at all (was hoping I would, but nope) but I have virtually no hunger, which I love. There was almost no down time, almost no pain, and there's a HARD STOP when eating. No wiggle room like with the sleeve. The bypass is really the best surgery there is. In my humble opinion.

I'm going to try and keep this from being too long, but there's so much to say!!! First I'll start with my newest NSVs. I'm officially in a size 18 clothes (from my original size 30), size 10 shoes (from my original size 11), size 6 1/2 ring (from my original size 10), 18" chain on a necklace (from my original 24" chain), and 2x jacket (from my original 4-5x). I can now comfortably fit on a massage table without fear of it creaking or breaking. I can now ride a bike because I'm within the weight limit. I now am able to hit my favorite thrift stores and walk out with seriously cute clothes that look nice, sit well on me, and actually fit comfortably!! My asthma is almost completely gone (I only have it when I get super sick now instead of all the time). My blood work came back and my hormone levels are almost in the normal range (I have PCOS) and my cysts that completely COVERED both ovaries are totally gone (without having taken any meds or done any hormone therapies!!) I did a 6 mile hike this past weekend with my son. I am completely pain free and am able to go full on beast mode with my workouts again. I can go up 5 flights of stairs before I need to stop and rest. Now for my new chapter in life and old dreams becoming new again. So years ago, I wanted to become a nurse. I completed all of the academics with a 4.0, aced all the labs, but couldn't do any of the clinicals because I couldn't do all the walking, I was 400 pounds, and my health/joints/back were way too bad. So I gave up on it. Then about 2 years later, I thought "well, maybe I can be a medical assistant. Surely THAT'S not as hard" and once again, I couldn't do the externship because I couldn't do the physical stuff. So I went into other areas for work, ballooned up to 421 pounds, worked remotely, and made good money. I loved what i did, but there was always a part of me that regretted not being able to go into the medical field. That was my heart's desire. So fast forward to now. I'm between jobs and miserable. I had to stop working because of all my complications from my first surgery. Now that I've been cleared, I can't get hired anywhere. So I decided that now is a great time to go back to my dream of working in the medical field. So on Sept 5th, I start school to become a certified pediatric oncology medical assistant. Most of my previous credits transfer over, so I only have about 6 months of academics to do and then the externship. Then I sit for my certification exam and then I get to finally FINALLY do what I've always wanted to do. By my 46th birthday next June, I should be right where I want to be, doing what I want to do, and hopefully at my goal weight. I'm sitting here in tears as I type this, because I thought this was something I would never see happen. I resigned myself to being morbidly obese, extremely unhealthy, and needing a cane to get around. I may not be at my goal weight (the weight comes off a lot slower with a revision, and also as your bmi gets smaller and you get closer to your goal) but I believe eventually I'll get there. But the things this surgery is giving to me, the dreams I can live out, the health and wellness and years of my life I'm getting back..... it was all worth it. The complications, the uncertainty, the pain and healing and stalls.... all completely worth it. We all start this journey wanting the numbers on the scale to go down. But there's SO MUCH MORE this surgery gives you. I will never, ever regret my decision. Never.

You shouldn’t be experiencing a slow weight loss at only 2 weeks out, especially if this is the original bariatric surgery. Even with a revision, you shouldn’t be stalled (speaking as someone who has been). Looking at the ingredients in your meatball shake, though, I’m not surprised. The meatballs, ricotta and Parmesan are heavy, even though they’ve been blitzed. It sounds like you’re trying to move through the food stages to get to “regular” food again too quickly. This reminds me of a scene in an episode of “ER,” where a bariatric patient swore he was drinking his shakes. Turns out, the ingredients were pizza, an entire fried chicken dinner, and any kind of fast food you can think of, all blended in a blender. We all understand how it feels to be so desperate to get to solid-(ish) foods. The best thing we can do is follow the plan to the letter (and keep after the constipation, that’ll weigh you down, too). Take care, and keep up the good work.

Hi, I had the sleeve in 2016. I lost about 30 or so pounds, which I have since regained. The sleeve was not very successful for me. On Monday (8/21/23), I had the SADI-S DS surgery. The doctor said that weigh loss will be slow. I am just worried of failing again. If anyone else had had the SADI-S revision, I would like to hear positive stories to inspire me and know that it is really possible this time. Thanks! Melody

Hi, I am six days post op and feeling okay (except a little dizzy). I still have over a week of liquid diet let per doctor's plan--- but getting so sick of the sweet protein shake options. I have ordered a bunch of protein soups. Hope everyone one in August is doing well!

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest some kind of food/snack/supplement that will give me a quick energy boost. I drink a protein shake that has caffeine (equivalent to 1 cup of coffee) once a day for breakfast. Sometimes, though, later in the evening, I feel a drop in my energy. I'm trying to keep my cal under 800, and my carbs under 40g. I don't want to consume more caffeine because it's a diuretic, and I have enough trouble staying hydrated as it is. Are there any snacks or supplements that will give me a quick boost of energy for the afternoon. I'm kinda dragging "(__(__)" during my last 2 classes at the end of the day. I'm taking my vitamins exactly as I should, and my numbers came back great on my blood work. I'd just like to know what, if anything, y'all use for a quick pick-me-up. TIA! EDIT* Just wanna add that I'm 3 months and 8 days out of my revision to bypass surgery, and I'm consuming 75-85g of protein daily.

On August 2nd at revision from sleeve to gastric bypass. Can pancreatitis be a side effect ?

Hi! I just had a sleeve to bypass revision on the 21st!

My weight remained around the same but I had a revision at my goal weight. Also my surgeon was modest with the length of my bypass (less than 150) because he was adamant that I shouldn’t lose more much weight (his preference from his experience- YMMV) For me, It is not the same restriction as the VSG. The VSG was a mid chest tightness like something was stuck. RNY feels like a lower abdomen fullness of eating way too much. I always try to stop before I get to that point. But I can eat pretty much the same amount with the RNY as with the VSG. I hope that helps ❤️

@GreenTealael Thanks for your post. How was your weight loss after the revision? Many have said they didn't feel any restriction like with the sleeve which was my concern. I am currently on my pre-op diet for this week, my revision surgery is scheduled for Monday Aug. 28th.

I agree. I love my surgeon to pieces as a person. He is very compassionate and kind but that doesn't mean he's done a lot of revision surgery. I have coexisting Lipedema so I'm going to try to address that now instead. After learning more about it the Lipedema may be the reason for my weigh gain when I began menopause and is something I can't control through diet and exercise unfortunately. I've lost 27 pounds since I began working with the bariatric center and my legs have gotten bigger because of the fat disorder. It's a weird circle....chicken or egg? lol! Anyway I still haven't spoken to my surgeon but I have already reached out to 2 Lipedema specialists for consults to see what they say too Thank you so much and congratulations on your success! Keep it up!!!

Hi all, New here. I had gastric sleeve surgery Nov 2016, got pregnant a month later. Initial lost 76 lbs. Gained about 20 lbs back at the time of Covid until now. I have GERD and a hitial hernia so I have opted to get a revision to bypass in hopes of forever getting rid of GERD. I never got to my goal weight which was 150 lbs. I was about 16 lbs shy of that. I am about 189 lbs on a heavy day. My concern is that I wont lose as much weight because my BMI is not extreme. Anyone else out there lose more than 20 lbs getting revised being at such a low starting weight? The Dr's office of course says I may not lose any weight at all which I just can believe.

Reading how each person's journey is going has been encouraging for me. @Sanvsan73 Loosing 40 pounds is awesome @SleeveToBypass2023 15 pounds in a month...that's terrific as well. My revision is scheduled for Aug 28th - I will be happy with relief from GERD as mine causes me to bring foods back up sometimes hours after I've eaten and in bed sleep. Acid reflux was bad at the dentist office when they laid me back. I found myself bringing up stomach acid in the sink in the exam room 😕 This surgery will be critical for me to avaoid even more damge long term. Of course as most of you I would love to drop 40-50 lbs I gained after 2020. My sleeve surgery was in 2017 (Feb). All of your weight loss no matter how small or big is encouraging. Issue today I am having a hard time drinking these prep-op shakes! They are sitting heavy on my stomach.