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Hello all, I had the VSG done a little over a year ago (June 2012). After 5 months post-op, I have not lost any weight and even gained 10 lbs back. I decided to look into getting a revision to either the RNY or the DS. My insurance approved revision to the RNY because I also have severe acid reflux. I weigh 185 and my BMI is currently approx 33. I was wondering if anyone revised from the sleeve to bypass, and if you could share what your experience was like? Did you lose the rest of your weight? What should my expectations be? I have heard of so many people who do not lose weight with the RNY. I know that surgery is a tool and it is up to me to utilize that tool properly. I admit that I have messed up a lot with the sleeve. I became unmotivated when I stopped losing weight. I don't know how much of this was my fault, but I have felt like I failed my sleeve. I really think that this is what I need to do to get focused again. Being much closer to my goal this time helps as well, I just don't know how effective having another surgery will be. I am looking for some positive and/or honest thoughts and advice about this decision. Thank you! =)

I am 38...had surgery in April of 2015. Made goal within 8 months (over 150 pounds lost). I went on birth control (ortho-tricyclen) 3 months after surgery. My doctors and nurses assure me that BC does not cause weight gain. Literally ever since I have been on it, I ONLY lose weight during the week of my cycle. The day I take that first white pill I gain 2 pounds and it stays until the day before my cycle starts and then it's gone. Before I was losing 10 to 15 pounds that week. This past month I only lost 4 and have already gained that 2 back. What's even crazier is that I go crazy on carbs during my period usually. This past time I didn't because I had a stomach virus and ate NOTHING. I like the BC because I have PCOS and my cycles were crazy before I had surgery. Since you don't have to be careful about getting pregnant (due to BF) then I would probably go off of them or get a different kind.

I was hungry too. For me a lot was caused by excess stomach acid. I started back on Nexium and it helped tremendously. Also starting soft foods helped a lot too. I'm only 19 days post-op and still feel hungry at times but it's manageable. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am a slow loser. Always have been pre surgery due to hyperthyroidism, PCOS, Mirena coil etc. I lost over 100lbs 10 yrs ago by exercising like a crazy mad woman and dieting, needless to say I gained it all back hence sleeve surgery in May this year. I now have arthritic knees and one of them requires surgery so exercise now is truly difficult for me. I am starting to panic that if there really is only this window of opportunity or honeymoon phase to lose weight then I am going to lose too slowly and will miss my chance. I'm really worrying about this. I read your amazing success stories about losing 100lbs in 6 months etc and I am in awe and know this will not be me. Since surgery 4 months ago I have lost 40lbs. I had an entire stall for 5 weeks running and stall regularly. I have good restriction and eat very little but I averaging less than 2lbs a week loss. At this rate it's going to take me a very long time to lose the 70lbs I have left to lose. Without the honeymoon period I will be in trouble the further out this gets. I'm worried!!

Interesting. I find that Protein bars do not fill me, but sometimes trigger me to want another. If I ignore that urge for about 10 m, it will go away. This is with all protein bars in the list above. Maybe it has something to do with the 20 m rule, which I suck at. I eat these in about 1 m. I am typically good about not giving into the urge for another because ire mind myself I just ate one and that is enough.

LLLLOOOLLL... OMG ME TOO! I stalled the entire month as well and at the same darn weight too. I was starting to get a little depressed thinking that was the end of my journey. Even tho I don't really end to lose more but the fact that I still have like 7 months to my 1 year annivetsay I don't want to sit on a stall that darn long again. ~Leticia **HW: 259**PreOp: 216**SURG: 3/21/13 **Discharged @: 221** 3 mons post op. CW: 160.0 lbs. --- Only 10 lbs to my goal ---

Today is my one-month surgiversary and I've lost only 5 lb. I did a 10 day pre-op diet and did not lose weight, but my liver looked great, so that was enough for me. I lost 5 lb the first week or so, then 2 the following week. I gained the 2 lb back shortly after, and have lost nothing since then. I eat 600-700 calories a day, and try to stay high Protein, low carb and minimal processed food. I don't even have the desire to cheat and have only felt intense hunger once. I walk my dog on a two mile route each day, and just started adding the elliptical in for 30 minutes. My clothes are slightly looser, in the mild way you'd expect after losing 5 lb. I believe I must have some hormonal condition or something impeding my progress. Did anyone experience this? If so, what medications or dietary changes made the difference for you? I can't see a dr until March, but I want to go armed with some knowledge. Some background info: I'm not diabetic and don't have PCOS. Not menopausal. Thyroid levels were normal as of 18 months ago, not sure now.

I'm with you margo....... all the way! I waited a year and a half for a new insurance that would cover it... until October 2005. Then I thought I'd be 'under the knife' within 2-3 months, but it took 10 months!! :omg: It wasn't an insurance hold up at that point.... from my point of view it was the doctors covering EVERY base health-wise. But if I was perfectly healthy, why would I be going through all this? And like you, if I was able to diet and exercise successfully, I wouldn't have gotten to this weight in the first place! But basically they seemed to be in no hurry, as my weight crushed my knees day-by-day. I was as frustrated as you seem to be...... I wish I had the answer for you. I kept pressing but in the end I was at their mercy: to find someone else would not be so easy; and starting over (from the BEGINNING!) with new doctors didn't seem likely to speed things up. So I can't tell you the time will fly by..... mine didn't!! I was suffering and desperate and I had to keep pushing. If you can change surgeons, do it now... don't wait. Otherwise just bug the h:mad:ll out of them!! As you said, the band is not the whole answer... you WILL have to eat better and work a bit. On the bright side, waiting and waiting... getting frustrated with the whole system, made me determined to use the diet and exercise to get the weight off so that I wouldn't have to go through all that again! I never thought I would be able to do that! Sorry to burst the 'happy talk' bubble...... but I never want to deal with this kinda stuff again. I'll get my health back in any way I can!! This journey has been too arduous to ever consider repeating!!!:angry Good luck margo...... get it done any way you can!

Funny you ask this. See ... in the beginning, I decided to have the band because it was not too invasive and it was a slower loss than GB, so odds were good that I would not need excess skin removed. I told myself if I lost 100 pounds in 2 years, that would be fantastic. THEN...I was on here reading about people losing 20-30 pounds in the first month or two, and 10 pounds every month after that, and I got jealous. I was comparing my results too much to others' results and was becoming disappointed with myself--doubting myself...even though my results were still on track with my initial expectations. I had to stop reading the site for awhile. If I had read the POST-Operation posts PRE-Operation, maybe I would have been prepared for the aftermath of the actual surgery. I finally realized that my "new" expectations were too high and only based on what some others were experiencing. Eventually my fills started working and I started losing weight. I actually don't even think I'll be getting a fill at my appointment on Friday since I've lost 16 of my 34 pounds since April (yes...I only lost 18 pounds my first 4-5 months...). My 34 pounds (lost since surgery) is not alot, but where would I be without the Band? 10 pounds heavier? On another diet, only to gain 20 more over the next year? Now, I'm on my way to being 1/2 way to goal in my first year and AT goal in 2. My point here---don't let what you read here, and other people's successes make your expectations UNREALISTIC. Everyone is an individual so keep that in mind. This is NOT a fast and easy way to go. Exercise, eat right, and it'll work for you. I'm just happy that I can still eat most of what I like (it's harder, and I eat less of it, but can still enjoy most things except bread...). And -- I don't have to worry about how much heavier I'll be in the next year, or five years.... Good luck to you.

Wt prior to surgery 290#, wt now 10days later, 271, lost of 19#. Still sore at port site, burns after activity.

this is a long article, so here is an excerpt: "If you offer your body something that tastes like a lot of calories, but it isn't there, your body is alerted to the possibility that there is something there and it will search for the calories promised but not delivered," Fowler says. _____________________________________________ Drink More Diet Soda, Gain More Weight? Overweight Risk Soars 41% With Each Daily Can of Diet Soft Drink By Daniel J. DeNoon WebMD Medical News Reviewed by Charlotte Grayson Mathis, MD June 13, 2005 -- People who drink diet soft drinks don't lose weight. In fact, they gain weight, a new study shows. The findings come from eight years of data collected by Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Fowler reported the data at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego. "What didn't surprise us was that total soft drink use was linked to overweight and obesity," Fowler tells WebMD. "What was surprising was when we looked at people only drinking diet soft drinks, their risk of obesity was even higher." In fact, when the researchers took a closer look at their data, they found that nearly all the obesity risk from soft drinks came from diet sodas. "There was a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day," Fowler says. More Diet Drinks, More Weight Gain Fowler's team looked at seven to eight years of data on 1,550 Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white Americans aged 25 to 64. Of the 622 study participants who were of normal weight at the beginning of the study, about a third became overweight or obese. For regular soft-drink drinkers, the risk of becoming overweight or obese was: 26% for up to 1/2 can each day 30.4% for 1/2 to one can each day 32.8% for 1 to 2 cans each day 47.2% for more than 2 cans each day. For diet soft-drink drinkers, the risk of becoming overweight or obese was: 36.5% for up to 1/2 can each day 37.5% for 1/2 to one can each day 54.5% for 1 to 2 cans each day 57.1% for more than 2 cans each day. For each can of diet soft drink consumed each day, a person's risk of obesity went up 41%. Diet Soda No Smoking Gun Fowler is quick to note that a study of this kind does not prove that diet soda causes obesity. More likely, she says, it shows that something linked to diet soda drinking is also linked to obesity. "One possible part of the explanation is that people who see they are beginning to gain weight may be more likely to switch from regular to diet soda," Fowler suggests. "But despite their switching, their weight may continue to grow for other reasons. So diet soft-drink use is a marker for overweight and obesity." Why? Nutrition expert Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, puts it in a nutshell. "You have to look at what's on your plate, not just what's in your glass," Bonci tells WebMD. People often mistake diet drinks for diets, says Bonci, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and nutrition consultant to college and professional sports teams and to the Pittsburgh Ballet. "A lot of people say, 'I am drinking a diet soft drink because that is better for me. But soft drinks by themselves are not the root of America's obesity problem," she says. "You can't go into a fast-food restaurant and say, 'Oh, it's OK because I had diet soda.' If you don't do anything else but switch to a diet soft drink, you are not going to lose weight." The Mad Hatter Theory "Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. "I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, "so I can't take more." "You mean you can't take less," said the Hatter: "It's very easy to take more than nothing." Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland There is actually a way that diet drinks could contribute to weight gain, Fowler suggests. She remembers being struck by the scene in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in which Alice is offended because she is offered tea but is given none -- even though she hadn't asked for tea in the first place. So she helps herself to tea and bread and butter. That may be just what happens when we offer our bodies the sweet taste of diet drinks, but give them no calories. Fowler points to a recent study in which feeding artificial sweeteners to rat pups made them crave more calories than animals fed real sugar. "If you offer your body something that tastes like a lot of calories, but it isn't there, your body is alerted to the possibility that there is something there and it will search for the calories promised but not delivered," Fowler says. Perhaps, Bonci says, our bodies are smarter than we think. "People think they can just fool the body. But maybe the body isn't fooled," she says. "If you are not giving your body those calories you promised it, maybe your body will retaliate by wanting more calories. Some soft drink studies do suggest that diet drinks stimulate appetite." SOURCES: Fowler, S.P. 65th Annual Scientific Sessions, American Diabetes Association, San Diego, June 10-14, 2005; Abstract 1058-P. Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine, San Antonio. Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, director, sports nutrition, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. WebMD News: "Artificial Sweeteners May Damage Diet Efforts.""Artificial Sweeteners May Damage Diet Efforts." Davidson, T.L. International Journal of Obesity, July 2004; vol 28: pp 933-955.

Quite normal, I would pound on my chest trying to move it, never worked. I did find that if I laid down for 10 min it helped. Also heating pad on upper back. Hang in there, it will get better! Hot tea helps too!

im 10 days post up and feeling fantastic!i have lost 16lbs already!!!woohoo!

WHAT A NIGHTMARE... so I ran into some financial struggles due to a family emergency so i could not buy new wardrobe after all! So I wore a size 14 pair of business like pants to my first day of work.. they fit me so big that I had to wear my jeans under them! It didn't look bad at all, but i couldn't feel the pants falling off of me a few times at work!!! lol, how terrible! poor me! I laugh about it now! ..so for the first week, I wore that pair of pants and 2 dresses I owned. So what i did was buy a few pair of skirts... I was having such a hard time to buy pants size 10/12 or even a tight 14. I am 5ft even so it was hard to find pants that will fit me good in length and good in thighs.. all of the seemed to big on the thighs and big on the booty... I did find JC Pennys pants in petite section fit me great! My husband bought me a pair for NYE party they were pink, I wore my black suede heel boots and a nice cream sheer shirt with it. I looked hott!

I just wanted to intruduce myself and say hello to my new friends. My surgery is Nov 3 and I'm so exited:biggrin:, anxious :unsure:and scared :confused_smile:all at the same time. My surgeon is Dr. Patters and we are both from Delaware. I'm 29 years old and I been overweight for the last 10 years and I'm ready for a change and I'm also ready to work hard and see the pounds drop off. I'm so happy that I found this web site and I hope we can all help each other. Thanks!!!!:Dancing_biggrin:

Sparkle, I had a similar situation but with my incisions. I was really confused on day 4 and pulled off my steristrips prematurely. I thought I was supposed to expose the sutures before taking a shower. Anyhow, I freaked out big time. I have high anxiety already so this put me through the roof. I called the surgeons office and the PA (who I love)said to tape gauze over the sites. This did not relieve my anxiety. The next day I woke up at 4am and sat around until my surgeons office opened at 8:30. I asked if I could see the surgeon to reapply the strips. They gave me an appointment right after the surgeon got out of surgery at 10:30. The surgeon came in and said everything healed nicely and I didn't need to worry. As soon as he said this I immediately felt better. The morale of the story is... Go demand to see your surgeon. You will feel immensely better once you are cleared.

Yes, it feels great to be able to go down in sizes! From a size 28 to an 8/10 and 5 pounds to go. But, sadly, for me, I have become somewhat of a shopaholic (online). It is really ridiculous, especially since I am currently really only able to get to doctor's appointments and out for some quick grocery trips on Saturday. I mean, with my now extensive wardrobe, how often am I really going to wear all of these clothes? I really came to grips with my clothes buying problem a few weeks ago. Yes, it is true, food addiction can be replaced with shopping addiction, gambling, alcohol, etc, etc. Along another line, I am really pissed that I bought so many of these tops that billow out and make me look pregnant! Why did I buy them? Those are the style of clothes that I used to buy when I wanted to hide because I was so overweight. Is anyone else tired of all the billowy styles?

Hello everyone, I am new here. I finished my Options Class on Oct. 5. got my referral number last week and I receive a call from PB in San Diego last week for my 3 consultation. I am schedule for Nov. 10. I was told they are currently scheduling surgery for the end of December early January.

I'm surprised you didn't get any responses to this. I'm not a SAHM and my youngest is 10 so I can't answer you, but maybe if I bump the thread up someone else will notice it and have a good answer.

Well Guys!! I made it. I was banded last week, 10/19. The day after the surgery I though to myself what the Hell did I do to myself!! That thought soon passed after having lost 11 lbs. since last Wednesday. I fell good for the most part, still a bit sore, the Doc says that its mainly from the Hiatal Hernia. I still have another 10 days to go on the liquid diet, that's getting kind of old. If anyone has any suggestions for liquids, I'd love to hear it. I get my 1st fill November 22nd. Just in time for Thanksgiving!! The only issue I seem to be still having is a lot of belching and gas. Is anyone experiencing that too? Good luck to all

I just popped this in the oven. I didn't want to go over my daily calorie limit, but I needed a bit of Protein. I'm in the soft solids stage, so I'll have to chew the mushroom very well. 1 medium sized portobello mushroom cap, stem removed 4-5 tbsp of 93% lean ground beef, sauteed with onion and garlic 1 slice mozzarella cheese (thick, the kind that comes as a large ball, packed in Water. If you can't get this, a generous thick topping of lowfat mozzarella-70 calories worth) Turn the mushroom cap upside down and fill with hamburger, which you can season any way you want. Top with mozzarella slice Sprinkle dried parsley on top of cheese Bake in a pre-heated 425 degree oven for 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of your mushroom. 125 Calories 3 carbs 10 protein

I really in a funky mood today, was yesterday too. I've decide to not have any junk food for a whole month and see if that really helps. I have such a sweet tooth. I don't mind the chips and stuff, but I don't let anything sweet set in my house for more than a couple of minutes. I need to wien myself from all sweets. I don't care for ice cream either it more of the cookies, cakes and some candy. Chocolate candy is a big weakness. I will be keep my sugar free candies, they are the cinnimon disks. I have to stay strong. I have not lost any weight for the last month. I really thought maybe I had the way I have been running to the bathroom to void all the time the last couple of days. Maybe it will take the scales a couple of days to catch up. I have been wearing my pedometer the last few day to see how little I walk. I want to a weeks worth of stats and then do a average and see if I can increase my steps by one hundred step per day for the next week. I want to get alot more active. I really disappointed in my DH cause he told me when I start this journey that he would walk with me. It hasn't happen yet. Maybe when it gets cooler he will decide to walk with me. I'm trying real hard to have a really good week this week. I'm keeping track of my food intake and will excerise every day this week. My excerise is peddling on my peddle machine for at least 10 minutes a day. I know that doesn't sound like much, but with my bad knees and my inactivity it is a big thing for me. WILL DO GOOD THIS WEEK. NO JUNK FOOD AND WILL EXCERISE EVERYDAY. THURSDAY 4289 FRIDAY 2345 SATURADAY 2149 SUNDAY 2952

I'm sorry you're going through this. My vote would be to go for a fill. Many people with proper restriction have what you have - first bite syndrome, tight in the mornings, etc. I don't have first bite syndrome, but I am tighter in the mornings. I find if I'm eating a lot (more than 1/2 c. of food) or I'm hungry 2-3 hours after eating, I need a fill. Keep in mind that I'm 10 months out and have 2.9cc in a 4cc band. Every person is different but those are my guidelines. Keep us posted.

I too am 10 years out. I was getting hungry, gained about 35-40 lbs. then, I started watching some documentaries about our food supply like "food, Inc.", "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" ....all on Netflix. Anyway, it changed everything . I bought a Vitamix, and now I 'drink' 6-8 servings of fruits and veggies 5-7 days per week in green smoothies. I lost 40 lbs and have kept it off for over a year...I don't crave a lot of the stuff I used to, and don't count calories or anything like that. My weight before gastric bypass was 344, and I hover around 176-182 now, which is just where I want to be. Best wishes!!