Lap-Band to Bypass - What Do You Wish You Would Have Been Told?

[ElleL 5]

Hi Everyone! 12/12/17 is my lucky revision date and I’m not nervous at all. I️ feel like my band failure was all my fault but the more I️ read about how much the band fails, I️ don’t feel so terrible about myself. I’m even excited about my upcoming liquid diet! Anyway, for those of you who have done a revision, what do you wish someone would have told you? For instance, my friend who got the bypass told me he’s much more gassy than before. Are there any things that came unexpected to you? Something you wish someone would have told you? Also, for those kind enough to reply, can you tell me how much you lost in the first six months (total or without liquid diet included)? Thank you so kindly!

[Blenda Gail 13]

I had my revision on 12/9 of last year and have lost 75 pounds, down to 135. I am 62 years old so was concerned it would not work for me, but I am extremely happy. Down side is baggy skin, and I considered a facelift and many other "lifts" but decided against them. I am very happy with my decision and grateful to my surgeon... he was very supportive and did a great job. Lots more energy. I do get weighed 2x a week because I do not intend to regain and will modify my days accordingly, but I can tolerate just about anything. Advice is to keep up with the Vitamins and Water.

Edited November 14, 2017 by Blenda Gail

[vanwest83 69]

I just had my revision last Monday. I’m 7 days post op. Be prepared that where they remove your port will probably hurt the most. The other sites didn’t hurt really at all but the port side looks like K was kicked multiple times big purple bruises. It’s also a different feeling. With my lap band I never felt full and was hungry by day 2. This time I really haven’t felt hunger pains . I’m starting to want to eat because I hate the Protein Shakes but other then that it’s been okay.

[ElleL 5]

I just had my revision last Monday. I’m 7 days post op. Be prepared that where they remove your port will probably hurt the most. The other sites didn’t hurt really at all but the port side looks like K was kicked multiple times big purple bruises. It’s also a different feeling. With my lap band I never felt full and was hungry by day 2. This time I really haven’t felt hunger pains . I’m starting to want to eat because I hate the Protein Shakes but other then that it’s been okay.

Did you remember the first surgery you had feeling pain where the port was? I️ don’t at all. Just felt really full of air and that was really uncomfortable. My port is immediately next to my belly button and has migrated over the years. My surgeon said that will be the most pain - the port site - so what you are saying makes sense. I️ wish you luck on your journey! I’m not far behind!

[ElleL 5]

I had my revision on 12/9 of last year and have lost 75 pounds, down to 135. I am 62 years old so was concerned it would not work for me, but I am extremely happy. Down side is baggy skin, and I considered a facelift and many other "lifts" but decided against them. I am very happy with my decision and grateful to my surgeon... he was very supportive and did a great job. Lots more energy. I do get weighed 2x a week because I do not intend to regain and will modify my days accordingly, but I can tolerate just about anything. Advice is to keep up with the Vitamins and Water.< br>

I️ think weighing twice a week is a good idea. I️ feel like this is my last chance and I don’t want to regain either. It’s my worst fear. I️ already got the Bariatric vitamins on Amazon a few months ago and just have to go get some Protein. I’m all set. Thanks for your reply!

[beeblers 6]

Just now 3 months out from my bypass, I had to wait a year after getting my band out to get the bypass.. I learned a lot in that year (wait time was a combination of healing and insurance requirements). The big difference is you won't feel "stuck"... just full with a small amount. I did have a drain and after they removed it they didn't tell me it "MAY" leak for several days, some do, some don't. Have some pads available just in case. The other thing they warn you about is sugar. Now I have not tested the sugar/dumping syndrome thing because I don't want to dump. However, watch those sugar alcohols you know in the different shakes and Protein Bars out there I have found I am very sensitive to even Spleda and all the like. Other than that I wish I would have done this first... I don't know why I was so scared!

[Travelher 915]

Mine was smooth sailing. One thing that i encountered that was a surprise was dumping. conventional thinking says sugar=dumping. No problem, just avoid sugar, right?...Well in my case speed/volume causes dumping. I dumped on one big gulp of my Protein Shake. did it twice before I figured out the trigger. that was almost a year ago. now when I have a shake (like premier with espresso) I never gulp, I don't rush...small sips only .. have not dumped since. I also do not dump with sugar...I can have a cookie and be fine. now I have not tried binge eating sugar...I bet that would be problematic, but i'm usually fine with just a taste.

[ElleL 5]

Just now 3 months out from my bypass, I had to wait a year after getting my band out to get the bypass.. I learned a lot in that year (wait time was a combination of healing and insurance requirements). The big difference is you won't feel "stuck"... just full with a small amount. I did have a drain and after they removed it they didn't tell me it "MAY" leak for several days, some do, some don't. Have some pads available just in case. The other thing they warn you about is sugar. Now I have not tested the sugar/dumping syndrome thing because I don't want to dump. However, watch those sugar alcohols you know in the different shakes and Protein bars out there I have found I am very sensitive to even Spleda and all the like. Other than that I wish I would have done this first... I don't know why I was so scared!

I️ HATE the feeling of being stuck. It hurts so badly. And sometimes it doesn’t matter what the hell it is (like eggs) it just immediately gets stuck and I️ have to just wait it out. I’m glad to hear I️ might not experience that with the bypass. And I️ never felt full with the band - I’m looking forward to that feeling as well. I’ll be super careful about the fake sugars! Thanks for responding!

[Biddy zz 🏳️🌈 1,003]

Thank you for posting this thread. Great hearing from this ‘family’!

[Biddy zz 🏳️🌈 1,003]

On 13/11/2017 at 4:21 AM, ElleL said:

Hi Everyone! 12/12/17 is my lucky revision date and I’m not nervous at all. I️ feel like my band failure was all my fault but the more I️ read about how much the band fails, I️ don’t feel so terrible about myself. I’m even excited about my upcoming liquid diet! Anyway, for those of you who have done a revision, what do you wish someone would have told you? For instance, my friend who got the bypass told me he’s much more gassy than before. Are there any things that came unexpected to you? Something you wish someone would have told you? Also, for those kind enough to reply, can you tell me how much you lost in the first six months (total or without liquid diet included)? Thank you so kindly!

Thinking of you today. Me in 36 hours. See you on the other side of it...

x

[tankheadmommy 94]

Thank you for posting this thread. Great hearing from this ‘family’!

I totally agree!

[Sunnyday25 172]

I had my band year ago probably 8 and my revision on Oct 9th this year, the band never really worked until I started to have partial esophageal paralysis. Once that happened I was fast tracked for the removal and revision. I am on week 10 and down 58 pounds more than I ever lost with the band and the only thing that has caused an issue was the pain on my left side it would hit mostly at night for the first 5 or so nights it was pretty damn bad and I would have to take my pain med to sleep. After that it has been pretty smooth sailing. Good luck

[knormlaver 27]

I'd had my Lap-Band 10 years when I had it removed last year. It had become too tight even without the Fluid. I'd maintained 60 of my 80 lb loss for 8 years, but if I'm honest, I was miserable with that thing. Instead of being disappointed when I was told it needed to be removed, I was relieved. I don't think I would have come to that decision myself as I was so afraid of gaining it back. Predictably, in less than a year, I'd put on 50lbs despite eating relatively little and upping my exercise frequency. I had a mini-gastric bypass almost 3 months ago and I'm really pleased so far with how things are going. The weight isn't flying off, but the loss is steady (I've lost 45 of the 70lbs I'd like to lose). I can eat more than with the band (about a cup), so I don't feel ripped off all the time. I seldom vomit and when I get full, it's gradual and feels natural. I tolerate most foods, so my diet is way more balanced and varied. I do experience dumping which is unpleasant, but I'm learning its triggers (sugar, high GI carbs etc) and am avoiding those foods. As I was an insulin resistant "sugar enthusiast," this is not necessarily a bad thing. I'm developing some aversions to sweets and therefore, don't really feel all that tempted or deprived (even at Christmas!). All in all, I think you will be really happy with your choice and only regret not doing it in the first place. Good luck!