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Hi All, I have been on a weight loss journey for a while and finally decided that I want to go the bariatric surgery route. Right now I’m thinking more about the vertical sleeve as the pros and cons are better than the gastric bypass. I’ve been told by my Doctor he doesn’t do the gastric banding as the cons far outweigh anything else and it has a bigger chance of failing or just not working properly. He will do it if I push for it but has said the number around the world is very small due to the complications I have been told to consider the Bypass or the sleeve. For those that have done either one do you regret not doing the other? I have had all my tests done - cardiologist, gastrointestinal, ultrasounds, dietitian and psychologist with another appointment with my surgeon and the psychologist and dietitian in 10days again before the paperwork gets sent to my insurance company for approval. I want to go into the surgeon with an open mind but a decision on which surgery I want to do. I’m planning on doing the surgery in July when school is out (I’ve just got a temporary job for 2months) Those that have done surgery is there anything you recommend I should do before surgery? Is there anything you wished you had done before surgery? is recovery really difficult? I’ve not told 99% of my friends or family, my husband and a close friend then a friend I know that has been through bariatric surgery. I just feel that some people can be judgemental or just mean so I’m choosing to say nothing. thank you all for your help and support K
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I just googled "BCBS of TN bariatric surgery" and found this. This is pretty typical - most companies require some kind of medical complication from the first surgery before they'll cover the second one. But I'd check with them regardless. Procedures That MIGHT BE Covered The following procedures MIGHT BE covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield Tennessee: Revision Surgery (either Lap-Band Revision or Gastric Bypass Revision) is possible with EITHER of the following conditions met: Physician documented medical complication Physician documented surgical complication
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Surgery Scheduled and Telling No One
Highly_Undermedicated replied to ShanIAmVA's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I am 14 months post RNY. I told my Mom (but she had Alzheimer's and was not aware), Dad, Sister, Partner and kids prior to surgery. Of course my sister and Dad tried to convince me not to go through with it stating they heard this or knew of someone that...etc. I did not listen. My partner of nearly 24 years was very supportive and totally on board as too were my kids. Of course my sister told anyone and everyone else...family that I have no contact with or have not seen in a decade or longer until my Mom passed away 6 months ago. So I could've cated less. My partner told a couple of our close neighbors and one of his friends. And then of course afterwards the girls at the pharmacy started taking notice when the weight was dropping and I was no longer needing meds...so we told them. I was a bit embarrassed at first but now I feel silly for even feeling that way. I tell anyone and everyone that asks me how I lost weight. I have nothing to hide. It wasn't an easy task either. I lost 10 lbs a month or less sometimes, had a few complications, some support, some not, exercise like crazy and have to be OCD about my intake and tracking. It's a lot of work. More so than just a diet or exercise routine. It's a lifetime commitment and you have to put in the hard work to get out of it what you want. If you miss junk food, sweets, chips..find better alternatives, make better choices or choose to take steps backwards out of your progression. But whatever you do, you do it for you and only you. And there's nothing to feel guilty or ashamed, embarrassed about. And it's definitely not taking the easy way out. Because there's nothing easy about the road we are all choosing to travel down. Some just reach their destination a lot quicker than others while some enjoy the journey a little bit longer. So tell whomever you want or don't want to. But eventually the secrets gonna be revealed in around 6 months post op. Up to you what you want to share..your life, your body. -
Good luck! I didn't tell anyone about my surgery other than medical professionals, so I did it all alone and I was fine. My recovery was surprisingly easy and I only took a week off of work (I just said it was a vacation). I do suggest having a backup plan for someone you can call if you need help because it is possible that you could have complications, but weight loss surgery is statistically very safe and has a low rate of complications. See you on the loser's bench!
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Advice/Suggestions for Reducing Anxiety
Christy-Lynn posted a topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Hey everyone! I just joined the site about a month or so after discovering it. I first considered weight loss surgery about 6 years ago. It was put on hold for varying reasons. Last year, I finally decided to move forward, then COVID hit. My first choice was the Lap Band, but after reading personal experiences on this site and others, I changed my mind. Also, my surgeon was willing to do the procedure, but he had made clear it typically was not as successful and had more long term complications (erosion, slippage, etc) than the sleeve or bypass. After scheduling an appointment to further discuss my options and the pros and cons of each type of surgery, I will now be having the gastric bypass procedure. Surgery is scheduled for next week (May 18th). I'm excited and also nervous. I have mild anxiety, but it's controlled without medication and I see my therapist occasionally. For anyone with anxiety, how did you limit nervous or anxious feelings prior to surgery? -
I am so glad everything is going so well for you. You hear some people having a hard time after surgery, but you make my stress go away. I too have chronic pain and to hear that its better for you is awesome. Hope you find some teaching jobs. Jobs should go to who is qualified not who looks better. You are there to teach not to have a fashion show. Good luck to you. I’m sure you will find something soon and it will be great. I hope my surgery goes smoothly and with no complications. Im so excited.
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Let the surgeon's office handle it, as it was their judgement that you needed to be there an additional day. That happens all the time - there are minor complications, or the patient isn't quite ready to be discharged so they are kept an additional day. I was only scheduled to be there one day but it turned into two; my wife had an outpatient orthopedic surgery but was kept overnight as she wasn't ready to be discharged on the original schedule. The insurance works it out with the doctors.
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Surgery Scheduled and Telling No One
TSH1222 replied to ShanIAmVA's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Thank you for this post. I am so happy finally someone has the guts to say what so many wishes were not true. People do become uncomfortable when you start losing weight for real. A little background. I had a lap band until serious complications caused me to have surgery during COVID. I put on 45 lbs on top of the already 15 I needed to lose. I went to graduation where I had family and friends shockingly stare at me. Now I am losing again and the 12 lbs since 4/26/21 have made a difference, you can see it. Not enough but something is something. I guess they were always used to seeing me so put together that the moment they saw me fall off the bandwagon they felt more comfortable. It was sad but I ignored it and went into surgery two days later. I cannot wait for them to see me in 3 months when, I hope, a little more has come off and after a year, when I hope to be where I want to be. I had one guy say to me, " well, you were always on the heavier side anyways." Can you imagine, what a ...... Only us here in this post understand the judgement of others. -
Swimming/Hiking/Flying/Snorkeling Post Surgery
Officially Not Fatty Matty replied to lizonaplane's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Unless you have serious complications or have some condition that causes your body to heal incredibly slow, you’ll be fine three months out. Many people fly to other countries for surgery and fly back a day or two after (you’ll see many doctors will want you to wait an extra day or two, but you get my point). At two weeks I felt “normal” but still took it easy because of healing.. at one month out I was more active than I was preop. Obviously the safest advice is to consult your doctor, but I can’t imagine a typical scenario where any of those activities would be even a slight problem three months out. One thing I would add is can you do all those things now? If yes then you’ll be fine… just don’t expect such a huge transformation that you’ll be able to do significantly more physically than you could pre-op (you likely will be able to do more but how much I couldn’t say). -
What's the deal with "Straws vs No Straws"
Officially Not Fatty Matty replied to DaisyAndSunshine's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Ok the no straws thing is a pet peeve of mine to the point where I would have walked out if a surgeon said this to me. One, air or gas in your stomach isn’t a problem, it’s there now, will be there tomorrow etc, it isn’t going to leak out like a bag of cheap balloons from the dollar store. Two, and this is the huge logic fail that blows my mind that anyone who went to medical school could not understand…. your stomach isn’t creating the negative pressure that draws liquid into your face hole… your mouth does this… So no matter how you suck liquid in, it’s up to you on how much air you swallow after it’s in there. Here’s a stupid overly complicated test to prove my point. Sit in a chair. Take a big sip from a cup (don’t swallow yet!). Stand up. Walk around your kitchen table two times. Swallow. Now repeat the same process using a straw. That fluid sitting in your mouth when you get up and do the chicken dance around your table is the same. It doesn’t care how it got there. It doesn’t MATTER how it got there. All that matters is how YOU swallow it, and being a grown ass adult you can make that choice yourself. -
Considering Revision - 1 day post-op Band Removal
TatiBR82 posted a topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Hello Everyone My name is Tati - 39 and seeking to get you all's input and feedback. Back in 2012 I made the decision to get Lap Band Surgery; let me say this though; it was for ALL the wrong reasons!!! I had been working out faithfully and lost 40lbs on my own until one day while riding my motorcycle I got cut off and hit ending up in the trauma unit. I lost mobility of my left arm (temporarily), couldn't work out and depression sat in and I gained it all back. So I needed an "easy fix" or so I thought, that turned out to be not so easy!!! After 9 1/2 years - Today; May 5, 2021 I am sitting here bandaged up, in pain from Band Removal and rethinking EVERYTHING! Now at 39y/o I sit at my heaviest weight in my life. I only managed to lose a total of 30lbs before complications began and I have since regained all that weight back, PLUS an additional 55lbs Now I have the ultimate decision to make; Leave it alone; or have Revision Surgery - and If I take that route; which one do I choose - VSG or RYGB. This time for the right reasons and beinh familiar with one journey; and most importantly, I KNOW it's NOT easy! May 19th, 2021 I have my follow-up for my band removal and make the decision of which surgery to go with. I initially got the Band to be "safe" because it is not permanent and less invasive. Some are saying to revise to VGS and others RYGB. I have been reading threads here and other stuff online and see that a lot of people have had GERD and other issues with the VGS and revising to RYGB. TIA -Tati -
I wanted to ask you something- you said you had your surgery 12 years ago- have you had any complications ? Are you still keeping your weight off? Are you still glad you had the operation? Hope you don’t mind me asking- I just wonder what it will be like for me 12 years down the road. I’d appreciate hearing your insight! Thanks again!!
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I had the similar worries because I need a cocktail of daily meds including psych drugs. Over a decade later I'm proof that this can be done successfully immediately post bypass surgery and long term. My surgeon believed bypass was necessary although I sought him out for his experience with the sleeve. Twelve hours post op a nurse sat with me and showed me how to take 21 tablets & capsules, not including supplements. I did then and still do this 7 times daily. Among my meds are a few commonly used psych drugs. Both short and long acting drugs were in the mix from the start. My doctor did not allow me to crush pills because medical conditions unrelated to obesity required meds that could not be crushed or broken. He insisted I learn to continue my regular medications beginning on the day of surgery. None were changed to crushable forms. It took 20 minutes. I went home the day after surgery and swallowed my 3 dozen meds and supplements including psych drugs 7 times a day. Zero complications since 09'. Every single medication worked as it did before surgery. Best wishes for your success! MSW
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Any April 2021 surgeries?!
Brianna97 replied to KidaandRoux's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Hello my surgery date was actually changed to April 14th so a week earlier but everything went great. Shocked at how fast im healing and no complications so far thankfully. How about you? -
I’m a sleep 3/11/2021! I, too, agree it was quite tough. I wasn’t able to take pills and my iron and potassium dropped slightly. I have a long complicated surgery, but I believe I am doing better. I am not doing the best at keeping up with what I’m taking in at the moment as I got off track with my vitamins being low and some fluid on my lungs. I feel fine, but really have to start back my routine to count! I am loosing slowly. Good luck. HW-256 Pre-Op-253 CW-229
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Has anyone regretted getting the surgery?
catwoman7 replied to Roses436's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
P.S. my RNY took about an hour. VSG is not as complicated, so they can probably do it in under an hour. Twenty minutes doesn't sound right, though. Is he sure it was just 20 minutes? If so, I'd ask the surgeon about that... EDITED to add that I just read the comment above about VSG normally taking about 20 minutes - so maybe this is accurate after all.. -
I also struggled with sleeve vs bypass. The best thing you can do for yourself is research the reasons you doctor discussed with you. Then research any other pros and cons from a strictly medical perspective. I suggest you ignore opinions and preferences of other patients until after you've evaluated the objective medical facts. Patients may have strong feelings about certain procedures. I've seen "surgery wars" on many message boards. The surgeon I selected because of his sleeve experience recommended I have a bypass be it roux-en-y or duodenal switch. Like you, I believed the sleeve would be less complicated over time. However, after research I could not deny the reasoning behind this recommendation was sound. With my underlying medical conditions the sleeve would most likely have required a revision within ten years. I only wanted to do this once. Two days before surgery I agreed to a roux-en-y gastric bypass. I should have agreed to the more drastic duodenal switch. Despite knowing the surgeon was on point, I could not bring myself to go there. NO Regrets! I'm glad I studied all angles even though I went middle of the road instead of with what MAY have been best. My decision suits my comfort level. That was in 2009. Today I still struggle with ups and downs but overall I'm maintaining. Back then Gap & Old Navy had nothing for me. Now I float between the vanity sized 0/2/4 made for us amplely proprtioned American women . No revision needed but I will always struggle. Best wishes for every you decide. [emoji106] MSW
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I am scheduled for VGS on June 3rd and have been watching (probably too many) videos about the procedure. It seems like needing to shrink fatty liver is the most important and risk of complications if your liver is too large. I plan to follow the pre-op diet religiously, but was wondering if anyone had the surgery and the doctor said your liver was still a little fatty and yet your surgery went well? I'm getting scared that, after being fat for so long, two weeks won't be enough to get my liver to a healthy size. I also enjoy a glass of wine almost every night and know that doesn't help either. Thanks for any feedback.
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Emotional and Stressed 5 days out
Chantrella replied to Incredibleshrinkiningkiley's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I know how you feel! I had surgery 3/3 and then a week later surgery again dr obstructed my bowels. The one person I told made me feel bad for having it my boyfriend. I had a lot of minor complications excess saliva, couldn’t drink anything, dehydration. I was admitted to the hospital 3 times after surgery. The good news is after the internal swelling goes down week 6-8 it gets easier. Please relax keep a water handy. It will definitely get easier the surgery puts our bodies in shock for a few weeks. -
Has anyone regretted getting the surgery?
Chris10Mariah replied to Roses436's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have heard that some people tend to move towards plant based meats after WLS, but I know many who still do eat red meat. The ones that don't said they simply didn't care for the taste anymore after surgery. I have tolerated everything I've eaten so far without issue... well, except for Lemon Pepper packaged tuna. My tummy did not like that. Everything else has been fine. I am one of the lucky ones that haven't had complications with food or drinking. The journey is different for everyone. -
Plastic surgery pricing and insurance
kristieshannon replied to onmyway11's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
If you do look in to Miami, make sure you do your research. There are super cheap, high volume places that have high complication rates. I chose a surgeon that was on the higher end cost wise for that area but has a private practice and an excellent safety record. -
Surgery Scheduled and Telling No One
TatiFati replied to ShanIAmVA's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I didn't tell anyone other than my spouse. It's not anyone else's business. By chance during the initial exams, they found a serious gallstone problem that required the gall bladder removal. That, and some related complications, kept me in the hospital for a number of additional days and that was not a secret. -
Anyone here who had surgery in their 60's?
WafflingWafa replied to Neller's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Agree! Once I found out that serious weight loss was the only thing that might help me ( very very fatty liver nafld/nash) I knew I had to try. I hadn't considered wls I thought I was too old 65/66 but my docs told me otherwise! Wls was my best chance for better health befor my liver got worse. All has gone well Weight loss slow compared to some folk but my health has been improving ! AND no complications to date ( I'm 3mth post op) Best wishes for your surgery Sent from my SM-N975F using BariatricPal mobile app -
Has anyone regretted getting the surgery?
Chantrella replied to Roses436's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Honestly, I had complications my surgeon accidentally obstructed my bowels so a week later I had emergency surgery, I was producing excess saliva, I couldn’t take in any fluids and my body no longer can tolerate artificial sweeteners. I couldn’t drink my favorite thing in the world like I wanted to anymore, water. I am now on May 3rd going to make 2 months out! I want to say 2 weeks ago everything got better fluids started rolling in. No more nasty taste in mouth no more excessive saliva. I no longer have diabetes and I crave healthy food. I’m getting my fluids in and I can drink my water cold and get through 20 ounces in 30-45 mins. So yes I regretted it at one point but now I don’t. Everyone reacts to the surgery differently if you do have a hard time after just let your body heal and it will get better. -
I am SO disappointed in myself. Self-sabotage post-op
MoominMan posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had a gastric bypass in August. I've lost 105 pounds – which is not bad, I guess – but the weight loss has stalled, hardly changed at all since January. The fact is I have been eating too much. I don't dump and bad foods have crept in. Today I ate 4 packets of crisps and 5 small chocolate cakes. That's nowhere near the amount I used to eat of course, but its still really bad. My restriction has never been that strict, from quite early on I could eat relatively large portions for a bypasser. I am sabotaging myself and I feel like I have squandered the goldilocks period of the post-op where your body is most receptive to losing weight. I can't express how sad this makes me. I always knew the transition to healthy eating was going to be hard but it is further complicated by a quite debilitating eating dorser. I've been diagnosed with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) which has made everything so much harder. For me its not as simple as trying new foods or changing recipes to healthier options; there are so few (we're talking no more than three) reasonably healthy things I can reliably cook myself and eat. But because I end up having the same thing every day, it's not that healthy. Still more carbs than I should be having. It's 8 months since my operation. Is there time to turn this around?
