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Well well well, its been 1 year ago today had had my revision to bypass !! I weighed in this morning at 154 !!! I still am on my dexilant 60mg for the GERD. I talk half in morning and half at night and it keeps me from burning. I dont see myself ever being able to get off of it at this point but that is okay because my last EDG showed esophagitis D down to an A. I had so much anxiety about doing this revision because I liked my sleeve so much and I missed the restriction I had with it. I wasnt sure how I would maintain my weight loss without it. Well I will tell you that the dumping has been no joke for me and I have to watch it. I also think my metabolism had to have changed and the malabsorption of calories did something also. I started at 180 the day I had the revision and lost 12lbs that first month. I lost 25lbs around 7 months which was 151lbs total and I started at 311. I have pretty much maintained without too much effort, which I never could have done with VSG. I ate around 800 calories just to stay under 170 !!! I would have gone with RNY to begin with had I known how much easier it would have been for me. Good luck to all of you on your journey !!

Surgery is a weight loss assist/boost, but it’s not going to do the work for you. I hate seeing posts of people who are back at fast food, candy, pastries, chips etc within a few months of surgery. Just because they “can” eat some of this stuff doesn’t mean they should be at this stage in the weight loss phase. Focus on your goal of weight loss, not testing your surgery limits. Your surgery might allow you to eat almost anything without trouble, but at the end of the day you’re still responsible for what you eat. Don’t live off a diet of protein shakes and water only, but also take this opportunity to reinvent your eating habits so you don’t end up back where you started in a few years. I was in my preop class with a guy I know who kept saying he was going to eat exactly how he did preop but just let the surgery limit his portion sizes. He stopped losing weight only a few months post surgery and never even got close to his goal.

Sounds similar to my story. Pre-surgical weigh-in on May 11 was 246.0. (Taken at the hospital, I forgot to weight myself at home prior to leaving.) Home weigh-in on May 14 was 249.2. (Due to IV fluids and/or a discrepancy between the hospital's scale and mine?) Today's weigh-in, May 22, is 240.2. I've decided to count my weight-loss pounds from my post-surgical weight of 249.2... so at 240.2, that means 9 pounds lost in 8 days. 😊 (It's much more encouraging than 6 pounds lost in 11 days.)

you're right - that "gain" in the hospital was because of the IV fluids. Some people gain up to 10 lbs with those. It takes a few days for them to work their way out of your system 20 lbs in two weeks would be an exception. Most of us lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first MONTH. Although I suppose you could find a few folks for whom this isn't true, I would guess anyone losing 20 lbs the first two weeks either 1) started out at a very high BMI (much higher than the average WLS patient) or 2) didn't have much of a pre-op dieting requirement as that kind of loss is likely mostly water (I lost 57 lbs between my six-month supervised diet and my two-week pre-op diet, so any water weight was long gone by the time I had surgery) I lost 16 lbs the whole first month, and I started out at 373 lbs. That's not unusual at all, in fact, it's right in the typical range, and yours will be as well. I think a lot of people's expectations of this come from shows like "My 600 lb Life", but you need to keep in mind that those people are MUCH heavier than the average WLS patient, so of course they're going to drop a lot more weight than the rest of us - esp the first couple of months.

stick to your clinic's eating plan as carefully as you can, especially the first few months. I read posts on here a lot about people pushing the envelope, and that's a slippery slope to go down. In time, you'll be able to enjoy most if not all of the foods you currently enjoy (in smaller portions, of course), but let the program and your new tool work its magic during the weight loss phase. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lose a huge amount of excess weight - the first year after surgery will be the easiest time ever to do that - so take full advantage of it!!

Great! Has it gotten better? Have you maintained your weight loss? Did you lose any hair? Part of me doesn't want to go through this again, but at the same breath I can't handle this GERD anymore. One of my teeth actually broke it's so bad. Was it painful? I'm just nervous but your experience has made me feel better. Thankyou!

Dang! Yeah. I was the same way. I had issues not even a year out from my sleeve and was also on Ragland and Prilosec for a year after my sleeve. Nothing seemed to help long term. Unfortunately, my surgeon who had been working with me since 2017 knew after nothing else worked that I needed a revision. I had maintained my weight loss so she believed me when I was seeking help for reflux and severe dumping. Plus one of my teeth broke and another one isn't far off. Once I showed her my teeth she realized something was really up. The issue was we had to prove to my Insurance that it was medically necessary and that my symptoms could be proven on a series of test to prove it wasn't elective. I had to have a HIDA scan done to test my liver and gallbladder function, which was normal. I had to have a flouro swallowing study done, which was normal except for the hernia. I had a ambulatory swallow study done that showed my esophagus wasn't emptying properly and that I had severe GERD on top of a failed gastric emptying test. The most important test was my GERD test out of all the above. If I didn't get a positive test for GERD, my insurance wouldn't cover my revision. The other test just helped build my case. I'm not sure what your surgeon will require but if your acid reflux is as bad as mine you'll need that GERD test. I also had and failed the BRAVO . so as a alternative I had to have a 24 hour ambulatory ph test thst i originally denied, where they put a tube down your nose into your stomach with a monitor you wear the entire time that monitors your swallowing and acid reflux . It's more accurate than the BRAVO, and as awful as it sounds, it wasn't fun but it's doable. I'd suggest getting that test done and eating badly and eating spicy food w wine if you have it done lol. if you are paying out of pocket it may be up to the surgeon. But if you need to prove your case with insurance you'll need that GERD test . The 1st surgeon didn't listen to me so I saw one of his partners who was a women, who listened and helped me out ALOT. You know your body. Just do not go in complaining about your weight as the main issue for revision, . Make sure that it's noted as your last concern so they'll hear you out, and how even eating properly causing you discomfort.It was a long process. Hopefully it's worth it. Just be consistent and like i mentioned , that Ph test will be the determining factor and most important test to have if all else fails..

Did you go from a sleeve to RNY? If so, how are you doing, did it eliminate the GERD? Any more weight loss? How much? Good luck!!

Ugh. I see I will have to lobby the head of HR to include more insurance options next year. I don't mind paying more for better health insurance to get bariatric surgery covered. I just wanted to get it done in 2021, not wait until 2022. I wonder if I should start documenting the 6 months of medically supervised weight loss now in anticipation of hopefully a new medical insurance option in 2022 that will cover it. Or would the six months have to start once the policy is valid?

I haven't had surgery yet, but I had the same choice to make so figured I'd share my experience. Keep in mind everyone is different and my choice is just mine. I'm not suggesting that you should make the same decision or anything. So I have had issues with heartburn and I went into my surgery consult set on Gastric Bypass because of that. However, the surgeon recommended, due to my weight, Sleeve because it's less risk of complications. At my weight, the amount of actual loss would be about the same. My nurse then stepped in on my behalf and got an endoscopy to check out my heartburn issues. This was because I am self pay, and I can't really afford to do a sleeve, only to have to get a revision later, so she wanted to see if we could find a root cause of the heartburn/GERD. Endoscopy revealed I had a medium sized Type III hiatal hernia. While the hernia could be repaired during surgery, it also meant I had a good chance of needing a revision in the future if I went with Sleeve. Not guaranteed, but still a high probability. Since I'm self-pay and I definitely don't want to find myself in a position where my heartburn/GERD have gotten worse and I can't pay for a revision, we decided it would be best for me to go with Gastric Bypass. Gastic Bypass is a mal-absorption procedure in addition to just restrictive, so I will have to be extra sure my vitamins are okay, and it is more at risk of complications during surgery/recovery due to multiple incision sites. That being said, overall risk is still really low, it's just higher when compared to sleeve. Definitely weigh out the options, talk honestly and openly with your medical team about risks and complications. Hopefully you can come to a decision that works for you Best of luck!

Our program didn't have an RD at the time, so I was mostly winging it by reading and using common sense *what we know we should be doing, dietwise.) I did consult a couple of times with a fitness oriented RD that was associated with our PCP who did give some useful advice, combining my needs, her experience and the surgeon's program guides. One of the good reads that I found were some books by Dr. Michael Colgan, who is a sports nutritionist. Particularly useful is his Sports Nutrition Guide (All New! - as of twenty years ago, but nutrition science hasn't changed that much over time, only "diet science" changes with the fads.) A nice part of it is that he has a chapter 3-4 pages typically) dedicated to each micronutrient, what it does, where do we get it from, and what are the appropriate levels we need, often with comments about how specific activities may require more of this or that nutrient than average. These are quite distinct from the RDAs that we normally see published which are typically oriented toward avoiding deficiency disease rather than optimum function. He may have a newer edition (mine is published in 2002) or a follow on title - he doesn't seem to be afraid to change his views as newer validated science comes along. Check Amazon to see what's newer.) He also has a short booklet on "The Right Protein for Muscle and Strength" that is also useful, and may be a good counterpoint to some of the more promotional sources found in magazines pushing supplements.. Sorry, I don't have any particular online sources, but there are a couple of other guys on here who are more into that who may chime in on this. there is a popular notion that we see that it is impossible to build muscle mass while in the deficit required for weight loss. I don't like like words like "never" and "impossible" but I do find that it is very unlikely to do so - minimizing muscle loss during the loss phase is usually the best that can be hoped for, and then rebuilding. We did have a retired NFL guy in our doc's group who may have done that - if anyone can he would as he already knew on a professional level how to do that kind of workout (he just hated it and was glad he didn't have to do it anymore once he retired - that's why he ballooned to 500 lb and realized it was still part of his job! Got himself down to a 4% BF before letting himself go, and crept up to 6!) He also had the time to dedicate to doing as much work as he needed to, which most of us can't do. Good luck - it sounds like you are well on your way to good success. It may not be a direct route to where you want to go, but you can get there,

you are right. There are so many things that factor into your rate of weight loss that you have little to no control over, such as age, gender, starting BMI, genetics, metabolic rate, what percentage of your body is muscle, etc. The only two factors that you have a lot of control over is your how closely you stick to your program and your activity level. If you're good with those, then you'll lose the weight, whether fast or slow. I was a slow loser from the get-go, but I was very committed to my program, and I ended up losing all of my excess weight (over 200 lbs). In the end, it has more to do with your level of commitment than it does your rate of weight loss.

Hi! I am glad I found this community! I am scheduled for surgery June 21st and one of the conditions is that I need to lose additional weight. I don't want to start the liquid diet (my doctor is requiring two weeks for me) too early, as I don't know how sustainable that is for more than two weeks, but I will if that is the only assured way to lose the pounds and qualify for surgery. Can anyone share how much weight they lost in the pre-op liquid diet phase (plus how long you were on it)? Thanks so much.

No issues with incisions, all healing nicely, I didn't have a drain tube. My biggest issue was the shaved hair on my belly going back itching, I guess this isn't an issue for the ladies.

it's just the three week stall - happens to almost everyone. If you do a search on the three week stall on this site, you will literally find something like 17,000 posts on it. All you can do is stick to your plan, stay off the scale, and ride it out. As long as you stick to your plan, the stall will break and your weight loss WILL start up again. many of us experience several stalls along our journey - if not most of us. As long as you stick to your guns, they'll break and you'll be on your way again. They typically last 1-3 weeks. And absolutely you can lose all your weight. I lost all of mine - over 200 lbs. And I had several stalls, like most of us do...

almost everyone has their first major stall during the first month after surgery. It typically lasts 1-3 weeks. If you stick to your program, the weight loss WILL start up again. It always does. My first stall lasted two weeks (weeks 2 & 3 post surgery). During week 4, I dropped like 6-8 lbs within a couple of days. you are not likely to feel much if any restriction during the first month because your nerves have been cut. It takes awhile for them to start to regenerate. Plus we're on purees or soft foods then, and you typically don't feel restriction with those since they move through your stomach so quickly. You'll feel some restriction once you move to solid foods. But I think you're WAY too early eating a whole sandwich. You need to stick to your program for the tool to work. And it WILL work if you follow the rules. also, don't try chasing the full feeling. In addition to the aforementioned nerve issue, many of us have a change in our fullness cues. I no longer feel "full" the same way I did pre-surgery. Now, I just feel some pressure or discomfort in my chest. When I feel that, I know I'm done - and if I keep pushing it, I'll get sick. Some people will get hiccups or a runny nose when they're full. It could take some time before you discover what your cues are - so in the mean time, just follow your clinic's plan.

you look great! weight loss rate does slow down a lot as we get closer to goal - there were several times once I got into year 2 that I thought "this is it", but then it'd start up again. I didn't stop losing until month 20. So you could definitely still keep losing!!!

there are statistically more complications with bypass, but complications with either surgery are really pretty low. The rule of thumb lately seems to be if you have GERD issues, go with bypass, otherwise, it comes down to personal preference. They're both good surgeries, and you'll find people on this site who've been very successful with both. you will have to take vitamins for life with both surgeries, but there are more consequences if you slack off on vitamin-taking with bypass because of the malabsorption. But if you're diligent about taking your vitamins, then vitamin deficiency is rare. about 30% of sleeve patients develop GERD (or if they have it prior to surgery, it can get worse), and about the same percentage of bypass patients (about 30%) experience dumping syndrome, and in both cases that's kind of a crap shoot. You can't really predict ahead of time if you'll get those or not (although if you already have GERD, it's very likely not to improve and there's a decent chance it'll get worse with the sleeve. On the other hand, bypass usually improves if not outright cures GERD). If you have bypass and are one of the 30% who dump, it can be controlled by not eating a lot of sugar (or fat - some people dump on fat) at one sitting. hair loss is very common with both surgeries. Actually, it's a potential side effect of any major surgery (and childbirth, too), due to stress on the body. I think we see it more after bariatric surgeries than other surgeries, though, because in addition to the trauma from the surgery, we're also taking in very few calories the first few weeks/months. The good news is, it's temporary - the hair will grow back - and in most cases, you're the only one who'll notice it. A few people don't lose any hair at all, a few lose noticeable clumps of it, but most of us are somewhere in the middle. It's more like "shedding", and it's not enough for others to notice. I didn't lose much at all. It lasted maybe three months and then started growing back. But anyway, don't make your decision based on hair loss, because that's very common regardless of surgery. I don't think you can really make a wrong decision either way. I'd take into account what your doctors say, and also consider your personal preference. Some people are more comfortable with one or the other. As I mentioned, they're both good surgeries and you can get good results with either one.

I am in the same boat, I lost 85 gained back 10, now I am stuck can't lose but I am not gaining either. I am trying to write down everything I eat. I am so scared I will gain the little that I did lose and be right back in the same boat. I need to lose another 85 at least. Went to the doctor yesterday and they bascially told me there isn't much they can do now for me. I can't take diet pills. So i am going to lose I just need to get mad at myself. If I have to join weight watchers, jenny craig, medical weight loss etc all at once I want to lose the weight. I also feel like I can eat just about like I use to, but I stop myself because I dont want to blow up my stomache bigger than it is.

I've been planning to have the sleeve, and have done all the pre-op requirements. If all goes well, I want to do WLS over the summer. I've been planning on the sleeve, as it's what my surgeon recommended for me, but now I'm wondering if I should go for the bypass. I'm in my late 40s (done having kids, so fertility/pregnancy is not a factor in my decision), have a BMI of just over 35, with PCOS, diabetes, hypertension, and recently diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy (we're not sure of the cause, though I've read a study showing WLS improves symptoms). When I asked my surgeon why she recommended the sleeve, she said it's because I have relatively less weight to lose, and, although it will require work and being vigilant with diet, she thinks it will be successful for me, and is less invasive and risky, though she also said she would be willing to do the bypass if it's what I want. My endocrinologist said that the bypass has additional mechanisms by which it can resolve metabolic issues, but she'd suggest asking my surgeon about her rate of complications with bypass. She also said she'd be less inclined to push bypass for me, though, because my diabetes is well-controlled on one medication (A1c is usually between 5.7 to 6.0). My cardiologist strongly advised me to go with the sleeve, because she has a number of patients who were a "hot mess," medically, after bypass. I want to resolve my cardio-metabolic issues, but the risks of bypass also really concern me. I've never been anemic, but I've been deficient in other vitamins and have experienced hair loss and other issues as a result, so I'm concerned I may be at greater risk for deficiencies and other unwanted consequences with the bypass. I'm not sure how to decide this...help?

Congratulations on 150 lb loss!!! You are looking fantastic. What a huge difference!

It’s the weight loss cycle. Lose then stall. Lose then stall. Some people will say to increase your calories or increase your activity to break it. I just stuck to my plan & the stall broke. This won’t be your only stall. Some last a week others may last three weeks. They’re just your body taking a breath to catch up on all the changes. You will start to lose again.

So I had surgery 5/18 and I the next day they had me start purred foods! I’m excited to be feeling so good because I’m trying to make sure I get all my protein and vitamins (I was really scared about losing a lot of hair). Fortunately, I’ve been doing pretty good I’m proud of myself. Only real pain I’ve felt besides the gases was the bumpy ride home, omg I felt like my insides were churning, it was excruciating. I haven’t even weighed myself yet, I want to wait at least a full week before I do.

I'm so excited! Today I hit 242 pounds which puts me at 150 pounds lost! I still have at least 60 to lose, but I never thought I'd ever be able to lose 150 pounds. I don't even know how I was carrying that much on my 5'3" frame! I feel so much better! I just had to share this! I can't figure out why my before pictures won't post, but I have some "after" even though I still hope to lose a lot more. These pics are from last month. My weight loss has slowed recently and this week I've been struggling mentally with worrying I won't lose anymore, so I was really happy to hit this milestone! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm 10 months post op and I can pretty much eat anything, just way smaller amounts. Because I was so big before I am in still in thr weight loss phase though, so I'm still following my plan. I have had a treat here and there and did fine. I still enjoy food and I feel like once I'm in maintenance I'll eat pretty normal. Like Catwoman says, I think I'll eat like someone who never had a weight problem. It's actually really amazing to me when I get full so fast and I really enjoy the feeling. I never felt that way before. Even though it has been a big change, it has been very welcome and I love it! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app