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I had my gastric bypass on March 22nd. The surgeons and other people say I should be re-introducing soft foods into my system. Some days I can eat pudding Jello yogurt....and some days even broiled/grilled chicken. However for like 2-3 days I haven't been able to eat anything. I'm barely even drinking Water. I force myself to so as not to become dehydrated. Before the surgery, I was on a partial liquid diet and I drank glucose controlled Boost and Glucerna shakes. Do y'all think it would be ok for me to resume drinking them just to get some type of nutrients in my system? Even the Protein shakes come back up sometimes and the water based ones are just gross. I went from weight 403 to 377 in 3 weeks. I don't see a difference but I feel it in the way my clothes fit [ATTACH]36[/ATTACH]

@@Qtpie28 welcome Kayla! My name is Ericka! I'm 25 5'5" and weigh 311. I also have uhc and have started my journey recently. I am beginning my 6 month diet this month first nut appt on the 22nd....I will not be looking at surgery until next year either due to uhc requirements! I was originally wanting to get vsg but after talking with my surgeon I decided on gastric bypass. I felt like we were kindred spirits when I read ur post and wanted to reach out lol. If you want a journey buddy I am here since we are in a similar place! Good lick and congratulations on your decision to live a healthier life!

I doubt my PCP wrote a letter. I went to her and told her I wanted to see a dr regarding the lapband and she said what is that?!?! A little scary if you ask me! Anyway, she just had to submit a referral for me to see my lapband dr. I should mention ALL of doctors are off post. Also, the first Dr. Tricare referred me to did not offer lapband, only bypass, so make sure before you waste your time that the Dr. Tricare refers you to does lapband. Once I started seeing the lapband Dr., all referrals came from him. Except sleep apnea. I did have to go back to my PCP for that. She was rather difficult, but she reluctantly gave me the referral. And now, here I am with a surgery date of 6/17! YEAH!!!

I think insurance companies are finally seeing the value in sleeves. Bands and bypass have so much aftercare and complications. They are a life long investment and the dollars will be spent forever. No so with the sleeve. So hopefully ins co's will change their tune soon. If you have to take NSAIDs that is a contraindication for bypass, that might help with the appeal process.

My Name is Brianna, and I reside in SW FL with my family of five. I'm 17 and a junior, my current weight is 336lbs, My BMI (according to the weight over height calculator) is 54 and though I know and see myself as a fearfully and wonderfully made young woman who is everything and more in god's eyes, I know that I am unhealthy, and am aware that changes need to be made. I have never had the extreme "Yo-Yo" sydrome as many have had, I have tried dieting in the past, but they have not been successfull to the point that they should be. It is not eating healthy that I have an issue with, I enjoy good food that is good for me, but as with all things, too much of anything (even a good thing) is a bad thing. Quantity is my main problem. This is what led me to the lap band, I have been diligently researching and reading testimonials of other bandsters, and I realize that though my age is a bit of a hassle, the only way I could be able to get this surgery is if it was before my 18th birthday, I am on medicaid and it is rendereed null and void after said date. I absolutely want this lifestyle change, and full well do I realize it is going to be such, I am never going to eat like (or how much) I have before, and I am content with that, ecstatic even. I only hope and pray that I am givin this chance to start over, to take and hold precious what little I have of my adolescent life left, and use it to it's fullest. One major thing spurring me on is that in the spring of 2011, I plan upon taking a week in paris, and with the average of 13.5 miles of walking on a trip to be done, my current weight does not make that prospect a good one. Onto doctor matters. If all goes as it should, Dr. Renkhe of Palms of Pasadina in St. Petersburg FL. He has been the surgeon to both my mother and my aunts Gastric Bypass surgery. He is now (to my belief) exclusive in band surgeries, and though I have met him only a handfull of times, I trust the man with my life. If anyone else on here has had him as a surgeon I would greatly appreciate any insight onto him and his banding schedule/regimine Pre and Post Op. As of now I am working on my diet because I know that insurance requires such, to know wether or not you are able to do such, or whatever. My goal weight in the end is going to be around 150 to 160. Other than that, HI! :smile:

Hi, I had revision from band to gastric bypass on 8/1/13 and I am still struggling getting my Protein, liquids and calories. On a good day, I get the minimum (48 oz liquid 45-60 protein but approx. 500-600 cal). I just feel too full and can't fit anything else in. Getting these amount is a real painful struggle. I did have a recent complication of a hernia with my intestines twisted up and around the pouch. During that whole month of dire pain I was only getting 300-400 calories. I am healed up now, but I still struggle like I did before the complication getting 500-600 calories. Is there anyone else that struggles because they are just too darn full all the time? Oh I also have more pronounced food sensitivities. Most of the time I am in pain from trapped gas and I think about how I can't continue living like this. It's really depressing. I am happy that I am losing weight, but I don't feel successful, because I feel like crap everyday (lack of energy, dizzy, very depressed from lack of calories, and borderline wanting to end it all). Hubby says take it one day at a time, but I don't know if I can anymore. Doc told me to take beano, digestive enzymes and gave me prescription strength antacid. These things don't seen to work well. Please, is there anyone else going through this?

How do you all log in your serving size when it is less than what is on their charts? Is there a way to bypass it? For instance, I had 1/2 a cup of cereal this morning, but the serving size is 3/4 of a cup. I can't figure out how to change it. Any and all help is appreciated!

Thank you for sharing. I just watched the video. The big plus is that there are no incisions, the drawback (when compared to Lapband) is that there is no adjustments available. I am guessing it is reversible? Not sure. Also, I would worry more about stretching the pouch (like bypass folks can) Very interesting though!

My RNY Gastric Bypass Surgery My name is Carla! I live in NJ I'm a 35 year old married mother of two. My weight loss journey started in March 2008. My son was one year old and I decided I no longer wanted to live my 300lb unhealthy lifestyle! I wanted to live to be able to see my Son grow and I wanted to be able to play with him and not watch from the side lines. I had my gastric bypass surgery Sept 15 2008. After the usual Two days in the hospital I was feeling good and diacharged. Only to return to the hospital at 4am in severe pain. I had a leak. Had to do another surgery and recovery was very painful I stayed in the hospital for three weeks. With that being said I would do it all over again. I reached my goal weight of 160lbs within the year. I maintained this weight for 5 years I was a stay at home Mom back then and I worked out full time. 6 or 7 days a week 1 1/2 -2 hours a day! I was determined to make all of my pain purpose full. But as life happened I creeped up to 180lbs and plateau there for months until I got pregnant with my daughter. My weight went up to 230lbs on my date of delivery. With some light exercise, ppd, and anxiety my weight toggled between. 215and 230 until one morning I woke up and the scale said 240! I almost died. I did not come So far to just become morbidly obese again. So on June 1 2016 I began hitting the gym hard again! It's not easy working full time. Caring for my 8year old and 2 year old. And still finding the energy to work out like I used to. But I am motivated to get my old self back. So I have been drinking 2 meals and eating one meal daily for the past week. I have my restriction back! And I'm ready to reach my goals! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My Story I am 42 years old, 5’5” and weigh 243 lbs. I wear size 20/22 pants and 2X tops. I never really thought about my weight one way or another until I wanted to join the military (18 years old). When I went to check out all the branches I actually choose the Navy because I had to lose the least amount of weight – 30 lbs (I was 180 at the time). I put myself on a crazy crash diet and exercise program to lose the weight as fast as possible. I could only get to 25 lbs down and the day before I had to weigh in I took a bunch of laxatives (NEVER AGAIN!). I was over my weigh in by 2 lbs but they gave me a waiver and I joined the Navy for 5 years. The good thing about the military is that they give you a PT test and weigh in every six months so I kept myself within my weight range (not easily but I did it for five years). The moment I left the military and restrictions of weighing in and exercising came off I started a progression of gaining weight. Getting married, moving, new job, college, graduate school, and an uncertain future helped add more weight on. I work very hard to not let my weight interfere with my life. We live in a coastal region so summer clothes and swimsuits are a staple. My husband (not overweight) loves the water and I love my husband so I am good about not letting my weight become an issue in our marriage (which means even if I feel uncomfortable in my 22 size bathing suit I fake my enthusiasm for spending the day on the water). I never thought about WLS until my sister had lapband surgery a few years in Mexico. She actually had a bad situation with her band slipping and had to go into emergency surgery and now she is battling the insurance company to cover the emergency surgery. Up until then I hadn’t know about medical tourism or about the many WLS options. This past fall I started to research different WLS surgeries. I have to lose 100 lbs and that is beyond overwhelming to me. The most I lost was 30 lbs on WW but gained that back and more. I liked the sleeve option better then gastic bypass. My insurance does not cover it so I knew I was going to be self pay. My husband isn’t very chatty and I he said if that is something I wanted to do then fine but he is fine either way (I married an easy going guy). He won’t be going with me….no sense in both of us going if he’ll be bored. I am not telling anyone about the surgery. I don’t want to be talked out of it (it is enough to keep myself from talking myself out of it!). I think I am a good candidate for surgery. My health is very good (minus the 100 excess pounds). My weight related ailments include – lack of energy, knees that bother me, and snoring. Our only son is married and serving in the military (so no small children). I am on temporary assignment outside of the classroom this year so I don’t have the crazy and stressful teacher schedule (which will make recovery easier for me). I am mentally preparing for a rough few months after surgery (I am not a complainer and can tough out a lot). I am worried about the normal things – complications, insurance not covering complications, dying, long term ramifications, dealing with my eat out friends. However I am looking forward to buying clothes in normal sizes, fitting into airplane seats, crossing my legs, having more energy, enjoying being outdoors. My surgery is on March 28th.

I revised to the sleeve. Before I had the band in 2008, I had horrible reflux!! During band surgery , the surgeon told me I had a hiatal hernia which he repaired and reflux was gone. In my 5th year with the band I started getting a throbbing in my chest - after X-rays etc. I had reflux again so he removed some of my saline and I felt fine again but was already gaining my weight back. I was sleeved 2/4 - he repaired another hiatal hernia during surgery but this time I was getting reflux after the surgery. I bought an over the counter antacid, took it every night before bedtime and I was fine. Only did it for the first month. Now I only need it occasionally.

Recently hurt my back for almost 2 years now which I'm not allowed any physical activity other than normal everyday activities. This is the biggest I've ever been at 193 lbs on a 5ft 3in frame I suffer from osteoarthiritis , degenerative disc disease and buldging neck discs. My question is this enough to qualify me for gastric bypass at bmi of 35??

I am a 45 year old male who played college football. I have total knee replacements in both knees. When active, my optimal weight was between 210 and 220 pounds. My body fat percentage averaged 15 percent as measured by water. I currently weigh 325 pounds with a BMI of 52%. I am currently disabled and on Medicare. I have an appointment with a Bariatric doctor this week to discuss if I should have lapband or gastric bypass surgery. Due to my knee limitations and prolonged disability, I am concerned about not being able to maintain a healthy weight long term with the lapband and the possibility of eventually getting a gastric bypass. I would appreciate any and all opinions which surgery I should favor before meeting with my doctor. Thank you.

Me? Yes. I'm scheduled for revision on May 11th.

I started at 304. I never once considered gastric bypass. To invasive for me. I have lost 100 pounds in just under a year. The improvements in my health are amazing. My doctor gave me the informative speech on both. He had been doing bypasses for several years and has just started with lapband. He pushed bypass a little more. But, I have had great success with the band. They have commented that I am losing at almost the same pace as a bypass patient. Remember though that everyone is different. You really need to investigate both surgeries and then make up your own mind. Good luck with whatever surgery you choose.

Admins please delete if this type of post isn’t allowed (sorry if so!). My name is Melissa Opozda, and I’m a PhD candidate at The University of Adelaide being supervised by Professor Anna Chur-Hansen and Professor Gary Wittert. I’m also a practising psychologist, and have worked with bariatric patients before and after surgery and used to lead a banding support group in Adelaide. For my current research, I’m asking people who have had bariatric surgery to complete a single, anonymous, online questionnaire that will take around 40 minutes. You’ll be asked questions including about your surgery, your presurgery and current eating habits, eating behaviours like bingeing, grazing, and emotional eating, hunger and appetite, your health, and your experiences of eating before and after surgery. All data will be securely stored and no participant will be identifiable in any publications arising from this study. We are looking for participants who currently live in Australia, and have a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (aka ‘bypass’), adjustable gastric banding (aka ‘banding’ or ‘lap band’), and/or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (aka ‘sleeve’) that was performed in Australia, and who were 18+ years old when that surgery was performed. You need to fit all of these criteria to participate. We are looking for individuals who are back to eating solid food after surgery, and especially those who are 12+ months postsurgery. For further information and to participate, please visit: http://bariatricstudy.com. Please feel free to respond to this post, email me at melissa.opozda@adelaide.edu.au, or phone or text me on 0490 044 811 with any questions or comments. Thanks so much for your participation! Best wishes Melissa bariatricstudy.com

I did tons of research before surgery, but decided against DS for the same reasons I decided against gastric bypass: malabsorption. Both DS and GB require that you monitor your vitamin levels super closely for life, even more closely that we should do with our sleeves. The other issue for me was dumping syndrome. I had IBS pre-op and wanted to avoid making that worse if possible. I've been lucky that I haven't had any episodes of that since surgery, so I made the right choice for me.

I had GERD before surgery, but took zantac everyday and had no issues with heartburn or reflux. After my surgery, my dr put me on pepcid 2x daily and starting about a week after surgery, I had RAGING heartburn everyday, all day. I kept a bottle of Maalox in my hand constantly and I'd drink a bottle a week. I called my dr's office several times and they kept trying to give me "tips" to fix it but I finally just said the Pepcid by itself is NOT working. I was totally freaking out thinking I'd have to go the bypass route eventually, but my dr had me add 1 Prilosec a day and I'm not even kidding a little - the FIRST morning I took it (which was yesterday) I had ZERO heartburn...nothing, all day! I haven't had any today either. It's the answer to a prayer!! I was miserable for 3 and 1/2 weeks, felt like I took a 2nd job as a fire-swallower. But now - oh the relief And there are PLENTY of other things they can try as well before you would have to go so drastic as do to a total bypass. So don't sweat it right now, and know that if you do get heartburn afterwards, it most likely can be handled with meds. If one doesn't work - there are plenty more to try! Good luck!

First of all, I awoke last night with a full blown panic attack about this LB! I had dreams of going to "gatherings" with my sister Jane, and came to find out we were the "guests of honor." Everyone there had been banded and wanted to sing the praises of banding to us... It was ok until we wanted to leave.... and they wouldn't let us! It was a big struggle... I ended up staying home from work all day -- just too worn out from my night! I went to my 4-hour Team appt. Two others showed up - all of us were interested in Lap Banding... We met with a nurse practioner, signed some forms, found out about the cost of surgery... detailed break down... Dr Sunby came in to talk to us, and seemed "friendly" enough. Shirley Shelly: From there I met with a dietician. She asked me to explain the lap band as I understood it... and the food routine. I did very well. :car: She did contradict what Dr. S said... water up to meal, nothing for 2 hrs after. (He said 30 min before and after).... hm... She also stressed that I will never be allowed to eat anything other than three meals a day. Very adamant about that... hm... We talked about my chem panel, and what supplements I should be on... suggested if I feel I need a medicine to help with hunger during the 2 weeks prior to surgery, to see Dr. Becx at Fish Hatchery. He's an endrocronologist. I am pre-diabetic... : ( Hopefully that will straighten out with diet. Dr. Scott Bohon: Next I met with a psychiatrist. I liked him a lot. I did break down a little bit when I talked about Dick's depression and his suicidal thoughts. He was pleased to hear that he's working with Dr. Ishii. I talked to him about my panic attacks... and said they are triggered by breathing problems (root canal was the 1st... last night was in part due to the cold I have, and "stuffy" breathing/coughing... Then to a computer True/False questionaires... 700+ questions on one test... @200 on the other. The psychologist said I did just fine... no red flags. She said she could tell I'm on the shy side... The team will meet on Monday to discuss the three of us... so I guess I'm on the track for now - will see what happens next. Misc. things I found out: keep options open to gastric bypass band is a tool (I knew that) the work is up to me... surgery just puts the tool there only THREE meals a day - NO SNACKS! lots of support groups available my time w/WW was not all for nothing... it proved I could stick with a program (loyalty)... i could die in surgery (psych) breakdown of costs i need to contact Aetna, and get a printout of their requirements and give them to Theresa protein is most important because it's one nutrient the body can't manufacture on it's own no fruits or veggies will be off limits (unlike Atkins) with the exception of stringy things like Celery exercise is key - make it a priority (PAC, here I come)!

I had my band for 4 years after having issues and problems( toxic silicone syndrome) my doctor suggested I remove it and revise to gastric sleeve. The day of surgery I backed out on the sleeve because it's irreversible and I was afraid I would have the same symptoms of the band. I removed the band 3 weeks ago and can't eat much I have been in liquids and mostly protein diet. I keep getting stuck with regular food. I lost around 13 pounds. But I have been so depressed and been having panic attacks with anxiety attacks. Don't know why this is happening it just comes on uncontrollably. My body is reacting so weird. Had this happened to anyone? If so, please give me insight will it go away or what's causing this?

Some folks in chat have asked me about the vitamins, shakes and suppliments I take. I wanted to post the website. Bariatric Advantage - Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, Proteins, and Help for Gastric Bypass, Distal, Lap Band, Realize, Stomaphyx and Duodenal Switch Surgery Patients

Tiffykins - thanks for your reply. THe surgeon I'm using in Arizona (Scottsdale) has an excelletn reputation - I just need to find out how many sleeves she has done. Yes you are correct $25K is ALOT ALOT of money but my quality of life should also improve ALOT - that's the way I look at it. One reason I go back and forth on the sleeve vs. bypass is the data they have on the bypass is significant but not as much on the sleeve - but the sleeve sure seems to have a lot of positive going on for it. I meet with my surgeon next week and hopefully I can find out how many sleeves she has done and what her recommendation is for me. Thanks again for yoru reply - the support on this site is fantastic.

The following bariatric surgical procedures are considered medically necessary for Members who meet the associated criteria: Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y; gastrojejunal anastomosis) Vertical banded gastroplasty (gastric banding; gastric stapling) Biliopancreatic bypass (Scopinaro procedure) Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch Gastric sleeve procedure (also known as laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) when done alone and not a part of the full operation to complete a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPDDS or DS) Medical Necessity Criteria The Member must meet the criteria of either A or B: Class II obesity (BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2) in a person who has attained an adult level of physical development and maturation, in the presence of one or more of the following comorbidities: Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular disease (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction, stable or unstable angina pectoris or coronary artery bypass) Life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems (e.g., severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome, obesity-related cardiomyopathy) [*]Class III obesity (BMI equal to or greater than 40 kg/m2) in a person who has attained an adult level of physical development and maturation. New CPT CODE: 43775 - Laparoscopy, surgical, gastric restrictive procedure; longitudinal gastrectomy (ie, sleeve gastrectomy)

So depressed.................... I'm almost at goal and I find out I have a slipped band. It's going to cost me $3500+ to get re-banded. I'm still paying off the last surgery. F&*K. !!! I have gained back 12 pounds so far. I just feel like dying. Really. I can eat anything and its the holidays. I'm trying to diet like crazy, but still don't know how! I am great on the lap band diet... but I'm just missing the band! I am totally deflated and depressed. I'm trying to drink coffee to poop, thinking about going on Whale Watchers again, liquid diet, shit, I don't know what to do! My insurance doesn't kick in till Jan and I have to wait for insurance approval after that. Oh yeah, and my tax return so I can pay my co-pay. Damn. This totally sucks ass. Is there a possibility I don't have a slipped band? I wish. My new doc, Dr. Billy says he wants to put the 10cc band in me, its designed differently and has a much better rate of succes (as far as slippage) ~ I am just going to die if I gain back one more pound. My lowest was 152. I am 168 today. Yesterday I was 166, and I'm trying to stay between 160-165 before surgery. I am struggling seriously and I don't know what to do. My best friend had bypass a year after I had my surgery. WE are at the same weight now. She is going to pass me up... she's doing well with the bypass, except she can't eat much at all. I'm thinking about doing bypass instead. The results are much better I think. I don't know. Any advice for a depressed chick who's gaining weight????? Dana