Search the Community

So, I have my first appointment with my surgeon (or at least a surgeon I am considering) tomorrow. I was originally looking at Lap-Band but after learning that most insurances only pay for one bariatric surgery per lifetime, I'm not willing to risk the possibilities of slippage and lesser overall weight loss if I can't revise to RNY later. My insurance doesn't cover the sleeve, so I guess I'm looking at gastric bypass, assuming he gives the go-ahead. I've been doing a ton of research, both on this website and in books....I have my questions ready re: how many surgeries he's performed, what percentage of his surgeries are WLS, why he chose bariatric surgery, what about gallstone prevention, how much weight can I reasonably expect to lose if I adhere to the diet, when can I reasonably expect to have the surgery scheduled. I have questions for the dietitian re: how to change my pre-op eating pattern to 3 meals instead of undereating during the day and grazing at night and just overall making healthier choices so I can succeed in the mandatory 3-month supervised diet. Anyway, are there any other questions I should ask? Is there anything you wish you'd asked your surgeon or dietitian at your initial consult?

March 3rd!! Revision to Sleeve and gall bladder removal. Been waiting for approval since November, second appeal. EGD tomorrow morning!!

The mantra about protein first is less about cutting carbs, and more about making sure that your limited intake ability is stacked towards the protein you are going to need for the mass revisions and healing that your body is about to go through. You, in fact, need little in the way of complex carbs. The repair of surgery, the destruction of fat, the conversion of some of you fast twitch muscles to slow twitch, etc., is going to leave you with a need for protein. Lots and lots of it. I'm no expert, but my understanding is that there is an element of stacking the right combinations when it comes to heart disease. When you eat a protein rich diet, you are less likely to have problems when you have less carbs. I have heard it said that bread is like sandpaper in your vascular system, scraping along and allowing plaques to adhere. Meatless proteins can be had. My favorite is nutritional yeast. It makes salad taste like bread. It's got some nice iron and B vitamins, too. Also, low fat meat proteins are easily obtained as well. Not all calories are creates equal in the body. Healthy carbs... I hate that term. The evidence seems so very strong out there that grains of all stripes would be best if left OUT of the human diet. Fruits are better. Nuts are better. Eggs are better. All are better when we go against the grain.

wileyns that is awesome. Are you a revision????

I live in Jackson Co on the MO side but I work in KCK. I had the sleeve in 2011 and I'm having a revision to mini bypass in March. I feel like I'm starting all over but I could probably answer any questions you might have. Dr. Hoehn was going to do my revision but my insurance denied it so I'm going back to Mexico.

ROBIN, My preop diet is liquids only. I have cheated several times with a hard boiled egg or a slice of turkey or chicken. Nothing like the cheats I used to do on diets. I am allowed to drink 5 low calorie, low fat, high protein shakes a day (my doc lets me choose out of 5 different brands.) Nothing is provided to me. I purchase them locally. Since I'm a revision patient, and need two surgeries, I've been on the diet for over a month now and I still have 13 days till surgery. I'm SO TIRED OF SHAKES. I swear. I only had 315 calories yesterday because I just could not force myself to drink another shake. I just couldn't. I can't wait for this part to be over!

I had the band to sleeve revision too. My surgery was on feb 16. I had to do the preop diet for 2 weeks prior. I have lost a total 17 pounds since 2/2 . I started at 242 preop , 233 day of surgery and 224 as of today 2/25. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App Niya0216 how did you feel after surgery? I've been told since it's a revision that the main is worse due to the removal of the band and port along with scar tissue. Any issues after surgery? Good job at the weight loss so far!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Hi, the first 2 days was really painfull, but after that i find it bearable. I really havent taken any pain meds since i cane home only like twice before bed. Im going good went back to work after a week. Im still sore though and u feel more soreness on my right side cause thats where the port was but other than that im ok. Thanks

I had a revision from the band to the sleeve on 2/15. Not sure what my weight is now. I am going to try things different this time with the scale. I want to weigh monthly on the 15th. With the band, I weighed morning and night and it was hard on my self esteem when the scale didn't move or moved in the wrong direction. I'm going to put my focus on eating healthy and getting exercise in. Let's hope I can stick to this method. Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

I am so glad all of you had such a WONDERFUL experience w/ FEP BCBS. Here's my story: I had a lap band in 2005 that I paid cash for here in the US. I LOST a 132 pounds I kept my wait off even after my port broke. I had some weight gain and had my port repaired in 2012. It has not been right since that time and last April I suffered my first slip....So in April of last year my doc scoped me and unfilled my band. In a month my band returned to position and a way I went. I haven't felt well since April and in November I went and saw my surgeon and decided to go for a sleeve as I am now having on going issues w/my band. When I feel I slip I go back on Clear liquids and my band calms down(I am 3 hours from surgeon and am a nurse), So they submitted everything to my primary Insurance the end of November and I was approved on 12/5....However here is the catch My doctor was approved but not the hospital. So now here I sit 2 doctors later and a surgery date coming up on March 1st about 5.5 hours away from home. So now please realize I have 2 insurance and BCBS is not my primary. So I literally saw the doctor on the 2/2/15 and was approved on 2/3/15 by my primary. So when they went to submit it to FEPBCBS. Which most offices and Insurance companies here is the 21st century accept electronic records or faxes. FEP BCBS said...OH NO HUH-UH, you have to go to the post office and mail those records to us.(Ya know????SNAIL MAIL). People, the government if fining hospitals who are not getting on board with ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS and FEP BCBS won't accept a PRE-DETERMINATION electronically or fax??????????? Wouldn't you think this would be important as I AM having a serious complication from my device???????? REALIZE the codes for bariatric surgery are all ELECTIVE procedures no matter WTH is going on with a person. So the representative asked when my surgery date was and she assured my coordinator that they would NOT get to my approval that soon since it is a PREDETERMINATION and they don't have to give a time frame since it is a PRE DETERMINATION! Plus, she wanted to make sure the coordinator is familiar with the FEP BCBS guidelines and that they more than likely would want to meet all of FEPBCBS criteria again. THERE GUIDELINES ARE BS. They have no clause in there GUIDELINES for complications of a bariatric surgery....SO I have to meet the same criteria of someone who is either a failed Bariatric surgery(even though I lost 132 pounds) or a new Bariatric surgery....My BMI is 35 - 39 this year. They don't consider my comps complications(plantar fasciitis) or I would have to have a BMI over 40!(FORGET THAT!) In my H&P due to my intermittent lap band slippage I am at risk for necrosis and other life threatening issues. I feel like CRAP! My primary insurance recognizes this and approved me, ( I walked out of the office at 3:30 and got an email the next morning at 7:00 that I was approved) within 14 hours! I am really glad you all feel really supported by the FEP BCBS because the gals answering the phones won't do anything but quote the damn manual and I don't fall into any of there categories and they won't put a RUSH on anything or for anyone. So my primary insurance is covering it but I have a 5000/copay. So hopefully I will be feeling better in a couple of weeks....if you are curious or care Medicare, VA and multiple other insurances have a provision in there GUIDES for complications arising from a prior surgery. God forbid any of you experience a complication and need a revision of your bariatric surgery! Because when the office calls to get pre-auth they are going to be quoted the manual and you will be expected to meet all of that criteria again(Seems ludicrous to me) then they will have to MAIL your records for your pre determination!......Good LUCK everyone and GOD BLESS! Sorry for the NOVEL but I am angry! I know I know at least I have insurance!

Hi all, I'm new here but I was sleeved on the 22nd February. I had the band in for 6 years but struggled throughout the entire time. Then my dr suggested a revision, band came out in February 2015 and sleeve down in February 2016. I definitely understand the fear of failing, but I feel that we need to be positive and move forward knowing it's the best move for our health I had minimal pain after surgery which was amazing and I feel better everyday! My starting weight was 125 kgs op weight was 120.2 kgs, put exactly 5 kgs on after surgery due to fluids and swelling but weigh in day is Sunday so we will see how we go. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I had the sleeve done in Mexico in 2011 and found out it was stretched. I've had regained some weight and have acid reflux. Even though a surgeon here in the U.S. said it was necessary my insurance denied the revision because of my bmi and because I never did the 6 month supervised diet. So I'm headed back to Mexico for a revision to mini bypass. I'm nervous but excited also.

Yes, mine certainly has been slow. I had a revision of the sleeve & conversion to a single-anastomosis duodenal switch on December 29, 2015. I had gained about 15 pounds from my low weight after the sleeve & did lose 11 pounds before the revision surgery. I am down about 13-14 pounds since day of surgery, most of that in the first two weeks or so. Since then my weight has fluctuated a couple of pounds. At one point I had gained about 4 pounds but that has now come off by doing just protein shakes for 3 days.

I am on the bumpy road post-op from having a band to bypass revision, 2 weeks ago, and have made some discoveries very different from when I had the band placed. First, the weight loss is dramatic at first - I was shocked to find I lost 21 lbs in the first 2 weeks. I can see it in my face and my legs. Got to keep drinking those fluids so I don't lose way too fast! Second, the blood pressure meds just suddenly aren't that necessary, and may cause you to get dizzy when you stand up. I got mine discontinued yesterday because of that. I was surprised that these two changes happened so quickly. The third surprise (not so much fun) was the constipation. But with fluids, milk of magnesia and Miralax, it's resolving. To the original poster, yes, I say, go for it, you will be pleased with the outcome.

I had the band to sleeve revision too. My surgery was on feb 16. I had to do the preop diet for 2 weeks prior. I have lost a total 17 pounds since 2/2 . I started at 242 preop , 233 day of surgery and 224 as of today 2/25. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App Niya0216 how did you feel after surgery? I've been told since it's a revision that the main is worse due to the removal of the band and port along with scar tissue. Any issues after surgery? Good job at the weight loss so far!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello, has anyone had revision from sleeve to bypass? Was it hard to get insurance to cover it?

I had the band to sleeve revision too. My surgery was on feb 16. I had to do the preop diet for 2 weeks prior. I have lost a total 17 pounds since 2/2 . I started at 242 preop , 233 day of surgery and 224 as of today 2/25. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

My band to sleeve revision is scheduled for 3/2 and I'm going to have to pay my $750 deductible plus the 15% coinsurance. I'm going to be out of pocket about $3,500. But all worth it for me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@change4life you know I also have thought about this a whole lot! So I was banded in 2013. I have watched friends who are banded and even my husband lose almost all their extra weight while I have struggled. I've struggled with many things, health wise and yes I'm sure that is part of it....BUT I want to blame the band. I want to say this was not the surgery for me. I should have done X, Y, Z and that would have been better. I could go do those things still...I could opt to take the band out and have a revision surgery and I might lose the weight faster and I seriously thought about it as my hubby lost pound after pound and I was even starting to gain!! As I was thinking about it and weighing things out in my mind, I realized that I have not really "worked" on this band since I have been dealing with so many other things I put that on hold and started using food to console me again. I started turning to ice cream and sweets and eating anything I felt like! Of course I was going to start gaining weight again...so I thought about it and I realized that unless I am willing to change my ways and dig deep and find out what is making me give up so easily when I have a tool that can help me reach my goals...why am I not using it? Why am I looking for something else, there is no magic bullet all the surgeries are going to have their challenges and I have seen first hand people fail at all the other surgeries and gain back their weight and more because they never really changed their habits. So I decided that the band is for me. It's here I am here and we both need to show up and do our jobs! It's there waiting for me to use it, and I am here and I need to use it and respect it and most of all myself. I need to find other ways to console myself when things are good bad and even ugly. Food has to become what it's always been meant to be. A source of fuel to get this body through life to enjoy all the wonders the world has to offer that are not food related. I don't get all excited when I drive into the gas station and fuel up my car. The smell of the gas and look of the station aren't a turn on...nope the excitement comes in where that full tank of gas will take me to. The things I will see and experience along the journey. That's how I have to look at food, it's an intake of resources that will get me to the next great thing. It will help me get through my day of work, my interaction with people, energy to read a book and write this post, and that's all it's going to do for me. It's not my friend, it's not my love and making it my life is robbing me of having one. So that was my dollar's worth of free advice I hope it helps you...we are all on the same journey to live a happy and healthy life...we just have to shift our focus a bit when it comes to food.

Hi All, Would love to join this group! I went through the CMC program and was banded back in 2009, the band slipped had revision surgery in 2010, it slipped again then had it removed completely in 2011. Needless to say all the success I had in that first year is gone and I'm back to square one. I'm now attending the Dartmouth program and hope to have sleeve surgery with Dr. Wood at the Elliot in March or April. Looking forward to getting to know everyone and talking about the sleeve process.

I had the lapband in 2010 and lost 135 lbs. Did very well for 2 years. But had to have an unfill in 2013 for thyroid surgery. After that all my fills were not working. Once a month I would get a fill return in 2 weeks for an unfill. I also started gaining weight. In 2014 I had my band removed. Waited 6 months then had the sleeve surgery. I lost initially about 20 lbs but then started gaining again. I gained about 50 lbs since my lapband loss. So finally the Dr. Suggested maybe doing a revision to the sleeve. I had an endoscopy and that showed my stomach was very dilated. On Jan 29, 2016 I had my revision to the sleeve. He stated he removed a large portion of my stomach. I really feel the difference. With my first sleeve I didn't feel this tight at all. At a month out I can barely eat 4 ozs, I am having a hard time getting in my liquids. Still drinking protein drinks. And I am down about 15 lbs. I feel I am losing slow but that's fine because I do feel I am losing inches. Good luck to everyone.

Has anyone's weight loss been slow after revision?

@@heart_RN like you I have had the same issues since having the surgery. I've been reading up on the revision to bypass. Like the sleeve, you will be on liquids for a short period of time and gradually work back to solids. Your stomach will still be smaller limiting your amount of food intake but with the bypass they are re-routing so this will stop the acid from getting in the stomach area. If you've regained any weight or still have weight to lose you can expect to lose more. Like any surgery you take a risk. You have to hope and pray for the best. I told my doctor I just want to feel better and if I lose a couple more lbs I'm ok with that. I liked the fact that the sleeve weight loss looked natural not sure if the bypass weight loss does or not.

@@4dogcrazy No one is claiming that WLS has a 100% success rate, but a medical doctor should not be ignoring the fact that study after study shows that WLS has a much much higher long term success rate than straight up diet and exercise. If every single person who failed at diet and exercise was guaranteed to also fail at WLS, then there would be no WLS performed. What would be the point of it? It's not a guarantee of success, but it certainly gives a better chance of success on average. I am sorry it hasn't worked out for you. If severe acid is an ongoing problem for you despite various medications, have you asked your surgeon about a potential revision to gastric bypass? That surgery is shown to aleviate acid issues.

I am having my DS surgery on Monday February 29th, 2016 ( my birthday). I decided to go with the DS because I do not want to regain the weight. Usually when other weight loss surgeries fail, the surgery is revised to a DS. I just can't imagine myself going through the process again if I regain the weight or don't lose enough weight. Thus the DS made the most sense to me. I am on day 4 of my pre-op liquid diet. It does get easier as the days pass but I really would love to eat food right now. I have so many thoughts running through my head as the day gets closer to my surgery. I look at the hundreds and hundreds of dollars in clothes that I purchased over the years that are hanging in my closet knowing that all of those clothes and shoes I won't be able to wear in the next few months. All while thinking to myself after I lose about 50 pounds I won't have anything to wear. Will I look in the mirror skinny and not recognize myself because I have been fat so long. However I look in the mirror now and wonder where I went and I don't recognize the person I became. I wonder if my relationships with friends and family will change. Every time I would go on a diet in the past and lose 30 pounds people would start telling me that I am losing to much weight. REALLY??? I am obese, how can I be losing to much weight? I feel like I will be angry inside when people start to pay attention to me because they really never pay attention to me now. It's stupid things like this that I think about.

@@lost-in-motion I just booked a revision from sleeve to bypass with Dr. Kelly and i was also told about the cash for the hospital. I don't like going to Mexico with that much cash. Dr. Kelly did my sleeve in 2011 and now it's stretched and I have acid reflux. I don't blame him I think he did a great job the first time so I'm comfortable going back to him but the whole hospital thing is not good. Not to mention I was told one price and now it's $1400 more.