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One thing that stuck with me is also not as much weight loss. At the seminar I attended he said they total remove the stomach with the sleeve and with the bypass it stays in. So later on with your older if by any chance you. Need a feeding tube then you still have your stomach

I also was originally going to have the VSG. Due to some esophagus issues that came up with the endoscopy, I founf out I was no longer a candidate for it. Seems that if they need to make repairs to the esophagus, they use stomach muscle. I am going to have the gastric bypass next week.

Once I'd made my decision to pursue bariatric surgery I was discouraged with the series of doctor appointments, lab tests, psych evals and support group meetings that I perceived as obstacles to my goal. I made an excel spread sheet of all my appointments which turned out to be three pages long by my surgery date. However, after a short period of time I realized the benefits all these "hoops" provided. I was 50 years old and had a tip-to-tail physical, all on the dime of my insurance company. I had time to learn about nutrition and to educate the people in my life what I was about to undertake. I talked extensively with friends who had undergone gastric bypass and lap bands over the last 7 years and found that I was given an opportunity to be more involved with my path to health then they ever were. Many tell me that they regret NOT having the "prep" time that was required of me. I took charge of my health and lost 50 lbs on my own prior to surgery which reinforced, for me, that the sleeve is a TOOL . . . it is not a miracle or magic wand to slimness, but simply a tool that will help me maintain my weightloss once I reach my goal. I still have to put in the "work" with or without the sleeve. I have absolutely no regrets having the sleeve surgery (2 months ago) and am truly grateful that I had to journey past all the challenges and obstacles along the way.

Hey ya'll - I'm doing some spring cleaning and came across the binder of information from the Kaiser Choices class I took pre-surgery. It contains info about gastric surgery in general (sleeve, bypass, and lapband), nutrition, psychological stuff, etc. It's a 3" binder chock full of all kinds of info. I'm almost a year out and don't need it anymore, so if you're contemplating surgery and don't have access to the educational classes, it's all yours. It's a big binder, so it might cost a bit to ship but if you're local (Long Beach/LA area), I'm down to meet you somewhere to give it to you. Let me know if you're interested!

I don't have any advice but my step mon is gong through the same thing, she gained 80 pounds, she was looking into doing the band but someone told her to talk to her doctor about a revision? Idk.. Sorry not helpful

hi i too am new but have been reading on here for about a month. my doctor found a surgeon that would do it and there discussing things and talking to my insurance company. they dont jnow yet if i should get lapband or gastric bypass because my bmi is so high..60 :ohmy:. i hope to get to know those of you starting your journey as well.

Ok...where to start lol...for all of you that have had this surgery I commend you. If I can get through this, hell I can get through anything. Hands down worst pain ever experienced would have a baby 10 times over lol... Suppose to have gastric bypass but I had to much scar tissue and they opted for the sleeve. Doc said internally they were hard on me as I had some muscles that did not cooperate and he had to beat me up inside more then normal. Loved my doctor, super great bedside manor. Im highly emotional have had to lil break downs. Im guessing lack of sleep, no food, so much pain and damn uncomfortable. This too shall pass just cry it out, you will feel better. This is a long rd a head and i know i will have doubts and freak outs but come with the territory. If this pain subsides i will manage. Stay strong, stay focused we sid this for a reason and knowone said it would be easy. Believe in yourself, you got this!!! Thank god for forums and ppl sharing, would not have done it with out all the info xo [ATTACH]12658[/ATTACH]

Okay I had to get my port revised on Monday and my doc said he put 5cc's in there (have 11cc band), on Monday I didn't eat had liquids on Tuesday I ate more than I thought I should have, but from Wednesday and like right now, I don't have an appetite and I notice I go a long time without eating so I try to eat a cheese stick or apple sauce if i'm not all that hungry but I know I have to eat. My QUESTION ISSSS....do sometimes your fill take a long time to set in? I was just wondering:redface:

Someone suggested that I post my list of questions that I brought to my consultation. Some are redundant, sorry about that. I hope this helps and please add your questions too. ABOUT THE DOCTOR: How many gastric banding procedures have you done? Is he a board certified surgeon? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery and recovery and life with band? Is there a difference among the two different adjustable gastric bands? Do you have other Lap-Band® patients that I can talk to? Do you have a video or presentation that I can watch that shows the surgery? Do you specialize in the Lap-Band® or do you perform other procedures as well? Do you perform other gastric band procedures? What is the Realize band, pros/cons of each? What are the short term issues? What are the long term issues? What is the doctor's policy when a complication occurs during a procedure? (ie: does he discuss options with family or immediately convert to bypass or other WLS). What qualifications does this doctor have regarding the specific brand of band that will be used? (Lap-Band System, by Allergan or Realize Band by Ethicon/Johnson&Johnson) ABOUT THE PROCEDURE: Lap Band vs Realize? What is the “scarless surgery?” Do you perform the procedure on an outpatient basis or will it require an overnight stay in the hospital? What kind of anesthesia will I be getting? Will an anesthesiologist be present during the entire procedure Is the surgery being done at a surgery center or at a hospital? How will you protect me from infection/staff infection during the procedure? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery? PREPARING FOR SURGERY: What tests do I have to have prior to surgery? Will I need to have a special diet before surgery? Will you notify my primary care doctor about the procedure? Do you need any of my medical records prior to surgery? AFTER SURGERY CARE AND FOLLOW UP When can I resume taking medications? How soon after surgery do you want to see me for a follow up visit? How do does the doctor determine whether or not my band will need to be adjusted? Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies? When should I have my first adjustment/ fill? What will I need to have prepared when I get home in way of food items? When can I resume exercise? How will I manage my pain after surgery? How will I have to change my eating habits after surgery? How much weight should I expect to lose in the first month? FRIENDS AND FAMILY What help can you give me to help educate my family and friends so that they can also support me? LIFE AFTER BAND: How do adjustments work and how often will I need adjustments during the first year? Ongoing? How often will I have to see the doctor over the next year and at what cost? How is it better than other forms of bariatric surgeries like Gastric c Bypass and Gastric Sleeve? What is the expected weight loss? How much time will be required for losing weight? Is there possibly a better weight surgery for me?

UTGal99, he did not. He began to say and then my mom said she had the Gastric Bypass done a long time ago becuase of our Family health. He said well I would need a diary of everything you eat the time weight and amount and I need blood work but I strongly believe this can be changed with good eating and working out. I brought in all the diets and workout plans I had been on since elementary school and he really had nothing to say. So I found a new doctor which I see in a month. I am preparing myself for a long battle.

Monthly Support Group for LAP-BAND and Gastric Bypass The meetings are from 6-8pm once a month Anyone may come to the support group meetings. The support group is provided by Connecticut Surgeons LLC. For more info, please call (860) 714-7447 Website - Connecticut Surgeons :: Patient Support :: Support Group Upcoming Schedule --------------- June 24, 2008 - TODAY For the month of June only, the support group will be held in the Gengras Auditorium on the 1st floor of the 1000 Asylum Ave building. --------------- Location and Directions Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center - www.stfranciscare.orgHartford, Connecticut 06105 Doctors Offices - 1000 Asylum Avenue / Medical Office Building Proceed to the hospital. Park in the garage and enter the hospital on the 1st or 2nd level. Proceed to the 2nd floor and access 1000 Asylum through the connector to 1000 Asylum at Location 1A.

Sleeve over Bypass? Just curious as to what everyone's reason was?

How do you know your band needs to be replaced. I'm 4 yrs. out with the originall 4cc lapband and have to have revision/replacement surgery due to a slip and a pouch that is still enlarged somewhat even after unfilling 6 wks. What is scaring me to death is that my surgeon says I need to know that replacement may not be possible and I may come out of surgery without a band. I do not want this to happen and am even almost willing to consider a gastric sleeve revision rather that coming out without a band even though I feel cutting away most of your stomach is a very radical operation and the rny even more radical. The reason i went with the band to begin with is the fact that if there are problems a simple removal will bring your body back to it's normal anatomy. This is reassuring to me. I would be interested to hear more about which band I should go with. I was also told that even if removal was necessary that we may be able to go back in later with another band. I would appreciate any help and input from those that have been through this.

I am two years post op but revision from gastric banding to sleeve. I started at 265. I'm 5'1" and I've lost down to 147, size 4/6. I live in Longview, TX. I'm not sure what your questions are and I didn't start out in the exact same place as you but shoot away if you have questions. I can try to give you my best point of view.

My plan will pay for any problems/ revisions as long as it's medically necessary.

So I have posted several times about my difficulty in taking my bariatric Vitamins. I take the Celebrate brand chewables: Multivitamin, the Calcium, and twice a week, the sub-lingual B-12. The multivitamin is the one that makes me the most queasy. I try to take it with a bit of food, but it is so unpleasant to my stomach that I have to lay down afterwards, sometimes with a bucket, "just in case" (although "in case" hasn't actually happened). Today, I was upset and couldn't eat, so I didn't eat anything and took my multivitamin with just some of my daily coffee/Muscle Milk drink. Within 30 minutes, I had crushing chest pain. My husband was at the airport, leaving the country for work, so I packed a bag and tried to get myself to the ER. I just couldn't get the courage to drive there! But I was afraid to call for an ambulance or bother my neighbor or friends because I was sure it would subside and maybe it was just gas or something stupid. Or, maybe stuck food (although I hadn't eaten - go figure). I wanted to get to the hospital where I had my surgery, so that they would know my situation, and where my surgeon practices - but that is maybe 15 miles. I couldn't drive there in my condition in case I caused an accident and hurt someone. So I drove part way through my neighborhood, changed my mind, pulled over and considered calling 911, and then most of the pain subsided. This is the same reaction I have to codeine, which is an allergy of mine. I don't have many allergies, just codeine and guinea pigs, and bleach. Codeine does this exact same thing to me, or at least it did the last time I took it, maybe 25 years ago. I did go on to the hospital. They took me back immediately in a wheelchair, so I bypassed the full waiting room and all the forms. I had an EKG, blood tests, and chest x-ray. The EKG had some slight irregularity, supposedly not heart attack related, but everything else was normal. My alarm for low breaths per minute (or whatever) kept going off. They wanted me to stay over for monitoring but I desperately wanted to go home, especially with my husband out of the country. I agreed to get a stress test from their cardiologist tomorrow and I agreed to no physical activity until then. Bummer because I wanted to start Water aerobics tomorrow. I am a healthy woman, 47, no comorbidities, pretty active. I am 99% sure it is an allergy, but will do what I was told and update. The first nurse I encountered today was kind of a know-it-all and told me it wasn't an allergy because I didn't have hives. Hello, I never had hives with codeine either. Also, she cut off my circulation (to the point of immediate pins and needles) with the blood pressure cuff, which has never happened before, and when I mentioned that, she acted like that happens when blood pressure is taken.

I have read that article before lol. That was actually the article that made my mind up to have the surgery in the first place. It seemed to say that the sleeve and bypass were more effective than the lap band, but to me it looked like both the sleeve and bypass were effective with the sleeve having less complications. That was why I choose the sleeve. But I am still second guessing myself like the OP. Sorry if I hijacked this thread OP. It is hard to find people who understand PCOS and weight loss and insulin resistance and I get really excited when I do because I really want to make the right choice.

The bypass forum does have a March buddies thread, but I've got mine coming in two weeks.

I chose bypass because of the "bypass" part of it!! You will be able to eat more (eventually) with the Sleeve and everything you eat is absorbed. With bypass, I knew I would get the best results because of the bypass... yes you have to take supplements the rest of your life, but it's worth it. I believe the success rate for RNY is higher than Sleeve. You don't want to have a second surgery, if the sleeve fails you would have to go back in for RNY. I just did it from the git go! Good luck!

Dumping is a syndrome that may occur following gastric bypass surgery. Often it is discussed in relation to RNY but it can occur with other bypass surgeries. Not everyone dumps. When part of the intestine is bypassed, sugar and fat are digested differently. The digestive tract can handle small amounts but if you over load your digestive tract dumping may result. Dumping may include any or all of the following in no particular order: dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache, sleepiness, foaming, vomiting, sweating, hot flashes, headache. I dumped once after sipping water immediately following a few strips of bacon. Half an hour later, the world was spinning and I was hot flashing. After forty-five minutes sitting with my head between my knees it began to pass. This was about two months post op RNY. I now place my liquids out of reach until 30 minutes after eating. I never want to experience this again.

help! I can't decide between gastric bypass and gastric sleeve! ugh..please share reasons why you chose...any pro n cons u wanna share is much appreciated!

Hi! I'm new to the RNY process and I would love an experienced pal who will be willing to take this journey with me. I am a 55 year old Christian woman who, in 1991, had her stomach stapled and am now going through the revision process with RNY. I am a disabled American who has an a long and hard road to haul. I am an emotional eater who is now in the process of being "someone else" so that I can find the woman inside who has been silenced by Mike & Ikes! Is anyone available?

Seems like there was someone here who had the same worry. She was told that if she could not have the revision at the time of the band removal she was out of luck because only one per lifetime. Not sure how that turned out. If your policy states only one they will fight you so they don't have to pay.. It I wouldn't give in. Sometimes you can beat them at their own game.. But if it's written in the policy, they have grounds to deny it

I have had my band since 2009 and started having a lot of complications with it in 2012 so I am having the revision to Sleeve on 11/27/13. I have heard a lot of people say they had to have a hernia repair what is the causes of getting a hernia with the band? For the last month I have had swollen, pinching, stabbing, and pulling feeling around my port area when I move or bend a curtain way. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Hi, I wish I still lived in Dallas! I miss Texas, plus I'd love to go to that conference. Would you please ask a question for me? My band was filled slowly; .5 cc at a time. Only .5cc ago, I had no feeling at all: no restriction, no discomfort, nothing. Now, I can't take a bite without a choking sensation and nausea. Some days, even a sip of Water or swallowing my own saliva triggers this. I 'm miserable, and nobody (least of all the doctor) has any help to offer. ( Except, of course, that he'd be happy to remove the band and do a bypass charging for both, of course). Somebody online said this is called first bite syndrome. The solution of sipping warm liquid helps -- but then there's no restriction at all. There seem to be other people out here with the problem, but no good answers. I've sen people blame a too-tight band, or blame themselves for panic and vomit -- but that's just not it! What I would like to know is this: Is this what restriction with this band feels llike? Or are there people who just feel full (not stuffed) and put their fork down? That's what I was expecting. It's what I had before (with a type of band no longer used), when I was successful at losing all the way to goal and keeping it off ten years. I want this band to work, and I'm tired of feeling miserable. Is there something I can do??? Any advice for those of us who can't seem to find proper restriction??? Thanks! (nd I hope you're having better luck than I am!)