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Hi there, My name is Heather. I'm 6 days days out of surgery from the Lap Band. My incisions are healing up nicely and so far I'm feeling really good. I've been following the suggestions in the Book I got from my dietitian but I'm starting to notice my hunger is coming back faster then I had hoped. So I was wondering if this happened to anyone else after surgery. And how did you deal with it? I called the hospital today where I had my surgery and they told me I could start having a few things that are in the next stage for mushy/grounded foods. So I was wondering what some of you think I should try that would keep me filled up for a little bit? Also did you stick to the sugar free stuff? Because some of the stuff has a nasty after taste, so I was wondering if something will happen if I have something like a Proteien shake with 20 grams of sugar rather then less then 14? Like the dumping with the Bypass? Thanks ahead of time. Any input I can get will be greatly appreciated it. Heather

Houston, Texas I guess the first thing is to ask how the doctor does his procedures. Does he to it lapscropy (sp?) or open. Then how big is the band he puts in, and what should you expect from his point of view for the amount of fills you will have. Then I would ask if he expects you to be on liquids 10 days prior to surgery and how long afterwards. What type of food will you be able to eat after the healing period. If you take medications, find out if you can swallow them or have to crush them. Good luck. I had my band on 12/3/08 and my first fill 1/4/08. I'm down 35 lbs. and feeling terrific. I think you will be glad you chose this instead of gastric bypass. I've not heard to many good things about that surgery. Debbie

The band won't do much to cause you to lose weight; to be honest, my weight loss about the same post-op as it was pre-. It will, however, train you in portion control, which will help you to lose weight on your own, and to avoid gaining it back later which is where many of us have the biggest problems, and why surgery is a good option for us. If you're diabetic, I'd suggest bypass over band.

The sleeve is a great option for lots of people. If you already have gerd, that is one reason to consider a bypass instead. Good thing is if the sleeve is a problem, it can be converted later. A bypass is, for the most part, not gonna be changed. You will already have scar tissue, which could impact your choices.

What made you choose sleeve over other options? DS or RNY? Looking to revise from band. Thanks!

Hi there! Welcome. Stomaphyx and other procedures have poor results. If you have a lot to lose you can look into a revision but If its more like 30-40 lbs it's going to be about your diet. You do not have malabsorption of calories and all that anymore. you will always have malabsorption of Vitamins so you need to keep getting bloodwork checked. Most of us long timers find our Iron tends to tank quite easily many years out. You can't shrink your pouch. You can reduce your carbs focus on Protein and you may feel like you have more sensitivity to your pouch. De-carb. The best way to lose is to use myfitnesspal and track what you are eating. Aim for 40% protein or more in your diet. If you are on Facebook I have a group for long timers. Just message me.

When can you eat dill pickles and lettuce/salad after gastric bypass?

Had gastric bypass this Past Monday 2/24. Surgery went off without a hitch; was discharged home after 2 days. Clear liquid diet going well, but the scale isn't moving. Is it too soon?

The day after my gastric bypass I had to go back to the ER due to SEVERE pain. After hours in the ER with signs of shock I was transferred to another hospital and had emergency surgery due to an intestinal blockage secondary to intestinal adhesions from a previous surgery I had YEARS ago. I'm just glad my surgeon saved my life because I almost lost it that day. Another blockage or adhesion can happen at any time because I've had previous abdominal surgeries, the GB had nothing to do with the blockage.

Im in Wisconsin and had gastric bypass in 2002 and a revision in 2010.. [ATTACH]3559[/ATTACH]

I had surgery September 25, 2013 and I'm doing well. I've had no major issues except the dreaded problem with gas which comes with gastric bypass surgery. I have lost at least 97 lbs and counting. I don't weigh myself and my last weigh in was at the end of March so I might have lost more. I will get weighed again maybe in May but more likely not till the end of June when,I have my next doctors appointment. My eating is good for the most,part. I still can only eat small amounts of Protein so I have a Quest bar and a Protein shake everyday to supplement. That's all I can think of to say.

May 21, 2014 will be 1 year post op from gastric bypass, my goal was 200 lbs, but have changed it to 199lbs., current weight after 11 months is 210, started at 340 lbs. may not make 199 by May 21, but should be close. have no regrets in doing this, feel so much better. I have had my ups and downs, but glad i did this a year ago

Two years ago I signed up on here, and started my journey for the lap band. 1 1/2 months in to my pre op I found out I was pregnant. I put everything on hold and was blessed with my baby girl. We had 3 boys before her. So now our family is complete, my tubes are tied. And I'm back on my journey. My heaviest weight was 325 right after my daughter was born. 1/28/13. One year since my daughter has been born I decided on New Years to call my surgeon and start again. This time I have changed my mind, I don't want the lap band now, but I'm going for the gastric bypass. The day I called my surgeon I weighed in at 313. Today I weigh 290. I'm doing well on my pre on diet, I've lost 23lbs in the last month. I joined the gym, and go regularly. Between 4 and 5 days a week for 1 1/2. I started the c25k program. After killing myself walk/jogging on the treadmill for an hour, and completing 3miles. I use the pool to swim laps. My challenges is the food. I'm doing it. But I'm a big foodie! I garden etc. ohh and I forgot to mention I'm a baker! Yeah I know! Do I make wedding cakes etc. so I'm ok with healthier food, but I'm training myself to not eat like I use to. I miss bring FULL. I'm using my fitness pal, and weilos! And looking forward to surgery in May!

Toward the end of each RNYTalk.com newsletter, we’ll be suggesting a Bypass Challenge for you to try before the next newsletter comes out. It’s a non-competitive challenge, and it’s a chance to do something new and healthy while putting yourself to the test. The Bypass challenge is just what it sounds like. We suggest a challenge for you to do over the next couple of weeks. Pretty much anything is fair play as long as it helps you or someone else get healthier. We may ask you to try a new food, change up your exercise routine or lend someone a helping hand. There’s no pass-fail on this, and we encourage you to try again and again until you are confident that you’ve met the challenge. Current Challenge: New Recipe! Within the next two weeks, your challenge is to try a new recipe that you have never tried before. It needs to be healthy, of course, and fit into your meal plan. A good way to start is to look at our Recipe forum or you can search online for recipes, try a new ingredient or use a different combination of spices. Good luck, and tell us how it goes by posting a reply to this topic! The forum is a good place to help out anyone else who needs ideas for a new recipe.

To- James Marusek. Thank you so much for all the information!! I am going to do as you said and go to GNC for the flavored Protein Water. I also am glad u brought up the Vitamins and meds. I'll have to make a schedule. I do not want them to know I had the bypass surgery, so I'm thinking I'll say it was a hernia repair. It will be part truth. So ke e else said to tell them I had my gallbladder out. It is already out though. Thanks again for responding. I haven't had much success on getting responses/ feedback on here, but I'm not giving up. Congrats on being 11 months out as well. I can't wait to be 11 months out:)

Hello jersey peeps!! I have been banded since Feb. 18. Just had my first fill yesterday whew what an experience.. I had my surgery done in vineland by Dr. Attia. Wonderful doctor. Was going to go to Voorhees where half of my office went for their gastric bypass but changed my mind. My weight loss is very slow too. I just have to get back in the gym and walk, walk, walk. Since he said no lifting yet.. Plus, he has me back on liquid diet cause of the fill.. Well, hope everyone has a great day..

I am 5 days post sugary, gastric bypass. It is NOT easy. I finally today am feeling a little bit better. I keep telling myself that this period is going to be HELL but follow the program and it will be ok. I had to meditate through the pain at times. Tomorrow I am going to begin with a 2000 step walk. I was feeling low today also but then I got a recipe book in the mail that really lifted my spirits. The food in it looks amazing. Really good looking stuff but prepared in a high Protein low calorie way. I have NOT read the entire book yet but I know the future will look brighter. I have not yet had a chance to read it but I did thumb through it. A GREAT looking pizza recipe in there and I can't wait to try it. Book is: recipes for after weight loss surgery, revised and updated by Margaret Furtado. There are so many amazing looking recipes in there. Pizza, Humus, Sausage and Lentil Soup, Latkes, crab cakes, stroganoff. Looks amazing and the book is loaded with pictures and lots of wonderful looking stuff. I am actually excited and it lifted my spirits. One example recipe is below. AGAIN, I have not read the entire book so I am not sure at what stage I can start this but it is promising. I was miserable but 5 days after surgery I am finally feeling better. Sharing one of the recipes in the book. Pita Pizza: 284 calories. 25.6 grams protein. Makes 4. 4 small 4 inch whole wheat pita breads. 1 can 6 0z, low sodium tomato paste 1 teaspoon dry oregano 1 teaspoon dry basil 1 teaspoon dried thyme 4 tablespoons grated parm cheese 1 cup cooked boneless skinless chicken breast cut into small cubes. Or, chicken italian sausage, or ground meat. 1/2 cup fresh slices mushrooms 1 can, 2.5 oz sliced black olives 3/4 cup (85g) shredded part skim mozzarella cheese Oven 375. Lightly spray a sheet pan with cooking spray. Put on all toppings and bake aprox 15 minutes. Picture of the pizzas look AMAZING. NOW, I have to say I have not read the entire book yet so I am not sure when this recipe can be used but it is good to know that down the road a healthy pizza is possible. Looking through this book raised my spirits. John

I did not find a lot on Dr. Wilhlemy on this forum, so I wanted to share my experience for anyone researching him and the hospital in Mexicali. I flew in from Canada to have a revision from LB to VSG done. I learned about Mexicali Bariatric Center by 3 coworkers that had been there to have surgery with Dr. Aceves and they spoke very highly of the hospital, the staff and had marvelous results! I must admit that I looked at a couple lower priced places but immediately knew that I wanted a certified doctor a certified hospital, a place where I knew patients were having very good long term weight loss results and my chances of a complication were low. I found all of these in Dr Wilhelmy and the magnificent team at Mexicali Bariatric Center. I also found a lot of caring people, professionalism and made friends for life! The experience started out a bit bumpy because my flight was delayed for 5 hours. I had to be in San Diego Ca before 11 am and this delay would make me miss the shuttle to Mexicali. I called Nina at the office at 5 am ( sorry about the time honey) practically in tears not sure what to do. She calmed me and assured me they would not leave me in Sd and we would make it work. She kept her word and they had a driver to pick me up and take me to Mexicali that same day. It was too late to have all my tests done that evening so I just had EKG and x rays and spoke the nutritionist and bariatric doctor, Dr. Campos. Dr. Campos did a barium swallow and checked my band. Everything looked good. Yolanda and Carla met me and helped me through this stage. I spent the night at Lucerna Hotel and thanks to the sleeping pills I had a good night sleep. Ernesto, the driver, was bright and early at the hotel to pick me up and took me to the hospital. I had blood work done that early morning and was admitted into the hospital. We waited for my test results and in the meantime I was put on the IV, I was given blood thinners and did the final paperwork. Time flew by, my tests we done, I saw all doctors that morning, internal medicine doctor, anestheologist, Dr. Wilhelmy and nurses Sergio and Esmerald. By 9am I was in surgery! My band was removed and my sleeve done that morning. Surgery took 1.5 hours and was told I had a lot of adhesions but nothing they had not seen before. Phew! The next 3 days passed so quickly. I was in the hospital for 3 days in total, I had 3 leak tests and recovered without any problems. The attentiveness of the nurses was impressive. They have a caring spirit helping patients get as comfortable as possible and always with a smile on their face. The cleaning ladies are there all day, they clean over the clean, I swear I wanted to take one of them home! I saw the doctors 2-3 times a day and was reassured daily about my recovery and my questions were answered. My husband talked beer and sports with the doctors, he is a big fan of both so needless to say he is now a big fan of MBC's doctors too. I had NEVER gotten this care anyplace else. I was not a number, I was a patient, someone they cared about and that along with their surgical experience make them an exceptional medical team. It was a very big difference from my band experience at home.

Hi everyone! Question for you. Let me preface this by saying I have contacted my dr. office and will follow up accordingly. I'm 1 month post op from band to GP revision. Two mornings ago I stretched in a weird way, and felt a popping or tearing under my left ribcage. It hurt and it's still sore. I called my doctors office in a panic and she said "how do you feel"? Hahaa! I actually feel fine. No fever or nausea. I'm eating just fine, still getting in my fluids in but it's just sore like I've been working out. She said it was probably scar tissue but watch for hemorrhaging in my bm's. (Yah that will be in 3 days! Sorry.. Lol) Just wondering if anyone has had something similar. Thanks!

I've belonged to both the LapBand and Sleeve websites for a little bit now. I've read here so many people who have had revisions to the sleeve from the LapBand. Yesterday, I completed the last of my requirements to get weight loss surgery. Today I spoke with my surgeon and he agrees that getting the vertical sleeve is probably the best option for me. He also gave me my surgery date: MARCH 28!!! I'm so very excited. I cannot believe this part of my journey is almost over. I had a lot of prerequisites to complete before I was able to get this surgery. I was scared I would be diagnosed with sleep apnea which would have made me push my surgery back for at least 6 months. But I passed the sleep study and all of the other hurdles my insurance company had for me. It's been 3 months since I began this process. I can't wait to be posting my weight loss on this site with the rest of you!!!! Cynthia

Hi, I'm Erin, my gastric bypass was may 4th. I had some complications. A 1 hour surgery took 5.5 hours. My liver encompassed my entire abdominal cavity. Dr didn't know or missed. Was on 8 liters of oxygen a minute 24 hours a day because my liver was crushing everything and I was having troubles breathing. Preoperative I was on liquid diet two weeks. And my liver was still ginormous. So far in two weeks I've lost 25 pounds. Today I graduated to soft foods. Here's my question...... Will I forever hurt/be in pain/be uncomfortable? Dr says it was lucky she found my liver in the state it was, it can now begin to heal. She said how my liver was I'd died within a year. But.... I don't want to be in pain forever. Do you ever feel *normal*, no pain. I'm not permitted any pain meds due to them crossing the liver so basically I'm on my own with zero pain tolerance.. Advice? Experience? Thank you in advance. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

I'm happy to announce that I made it to ONEderland! It happened on the 14th and it's been years since I was under 200lbs. My stats 10/16/19 RNY Gastric Bypass 256lbs preop 197lbs current 150lbs is GOAL! Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had rny bypass surgery a year and a half ago and I had a couple questions. First - other than the sutures in the small bowel and proximal stomach is there any reason I would have had actual surgical clips left in me - and not been told about it? Second I just had to have a ct scan done with contrast and my proximal stomach shows as highly prominent and measuring 9.6 x 6 cm. the er doctor at first thought this might be normal from a recent surgery but my surgery is far from recent so they weren't sure what to think...

I am pre op for a gastric bypass but wanted to ask those of you who have had surgery this question. I had my endoscopy today. They found hiatal hernia, irregular line and non-corrosive gastritis in the entire stomach. I know the hiatal hernia can be fixed at the same time I get the gastric bypass, but has anyone had either of the other two problems delay or stop gastric bypass?

You might want to skip the Iron all together if you have already had gastric bypass surgery. I know this because my iron levels dropped a year after my surgery. This required me to have an iron infusion. My hematologist carefully explained that gastric bypass patients cannot absorb iron from supplements whether they are liquid, pill or chewable. It is impossible. Iron absorption occurs predominantly in the duodenum and upper jejunum. Our surgery bypasses the duodenum. You can see duodenum in this picture. All our food passes through our pouches. We no longer have access to the iron absorbing duodenum. http://bariatric.surgery.ucsf.edu/media/2234478/roux-en-y%20gastric%20bypass.jpg