I got a lap band 6 years ago. I have lost about 50 pounds but need to lose 50 more. I'm thinking of getting a GB like you. I have been having problems with acid reflux and choking in my sleep. I'm also a WW drop out. I'm just trying to find what works for me.

Thanks, this is really good information.

Hi @lleeann2001 that incision in the left is the one that gets the most work done through it and will take the longest to heal. I recall it taking a few weeks before it was completely pain free. But, Don’t hesitate to let your surgeon know if the pain gets worse instead of better though. That wouldn’t be considered normal.

Mine is a looong tale, so grab your water and put your feet up, lol!

I had the sleeve done April 26, 2010. It was a new surgery back then so they didn’t know much about how someone with GERD (acid reflux) would do afterwards. All was good until about 4 months post op. It was then that I began to throw up bile in the middle of the night, and at random times during the day. I would be super nauseated and not be able to eat, and that would tell me that it was coming that day! I lost from 318 pounds to 208 the first year post op though! So that was good, right? But I was so sick I couldn’t enjoy it. What I did do was look for comfort foods, and stuff that was easy to eat when I could which was high carb stuff, so I immediately began to regain the weight. I regained to right at 250 pounds.

I was put through almost 5 years of upper endoscopys (three of them), upper GI X-rays, GI consults, then my surgeon left and I had to begin seeing a new surgeon who was his partner. New surgeon finally decided I had to be converted to a bypass to stop the bile from being able to get to my stomach. So, on January 20, 2015 I was converted to a bypass, and my weight that day was 231.

While I was recovering from the bypass I began using mfp to log my food intake. I also realized that this was my second (and last) chance at getting it right! I knew I had to change the foods I ate if it was going to work! I couldn’t eat the same foods that had made me obese, and expect to keep the weight off! It wasn’t going to work that way! So in using mfp I came across a low carb community of people who had lost, and maintained their weight loss by dropping the carbs and junk! So, I decided that was the way to go. I rationalized that right after surgery we are forced into a state of ketosis (fat burning) with the inability to eat much, so why not continue that? After I had read about all of these people who were doing that without ever having surgery. I could just slide right into it once allowed solid foods! So I did, and I have been eating that way for four years now.

I had lost down to 163 (my original goal was 180, I’m 5’9”) and I felt I looked too thin, so I purposely regained 17 pounds and have been at 180 for three years! Now that I’ve gotten used to seeing myself at this size I’m going to lose that 17 pounds (maybe a bit more, we’ll see).

So, that’s a total of 151 pounds of maintained weight loss!! I’m so proud of myself!!

And I finally feel good, even after having an ulcer cut out in 2016. My most recent Endoscopy (2 weeks ago) shows me free of ulcers and gastritis for the first time since 1992!!

ielohveetris wrote: »

@lleeann2001 That’s great! Hope you reach your goal as well. I do have a question though since you’ve had the GB. How long did it take for your pain from your surgery to go away? My incisions are pretty much healed & I don’t have any pain except for the one on the left. My doctor told me that one would hurt me the most, but it’s really bad. I can’t stand for too long without it feeling like it’s burning. I figured after a week it would get better or go away, but it hasn’t. It’s stayed the same. Any advice?

Hey there. Well my incision on the left stayed a little swollen for a long time. In fact it only just stopped slightly hurting a year after my surgery . It didn't hurt that much. But I just noticed a tiny amount of swelling at the scar area. I didnt know it was common until I read these posts. One thing I would do is notify the surgery team for you to have an appt with your surgeon if it's bothing you to the extent that it's somewhat intolerable. It shouldn't be burning. In general, my pain at my laparoscopic incision sites barely hurt with the exception of the one on the left. I hope you do get some relief soon.

ielohveetris wrote: »

@KarlaYP oh wow! That’s an amazing story! I’m so happy for you! Definitely inspiring.

I’ve battled with gastritis since I was 18. It would come & go, but this past year it got really bad. Any kind of food would trigger & I’d be up to 5-7am & either go to work on little sleep or be forced to call out. I knew I had to do something about it so it led me to asking about the GB. I have also struggled with my weight since I was a young girl so losing weight would definitely be a plus. I started my journey at 280 (which is the highest I’ve ever been) & I’m now 260. My goal is 180 as well. I’m curvy, so I hope to keep my curves, but be healthy. I’m looking for something to do long term as well, I’ll look into that low carb. Is there a site in particular that helped?

The group here on MFP that is the bomb for low carb is the Low Carb Daily group. They’re a private group that are wonderful support for all levels of low carb. We share wonderful recipes, many threads everyday of questions and answers. Is a very active group! When I joined in 2015 we had around 5000 people (granted all aren’t active) and have now grown to almost 20,000 people. It’s wonderful to see because cutting carbs is really the only way to maintain any weight loss. I’m not saying cutting out carbs 100%, but cutting out the junk and relying on food you cook instead.

I recommend checking them out! They’re very open to new members. It’s only private because we had some trolls a few years ago who wanted to cause trouble. It’s been nice and worry free since it’s been private.

I'm also looking for support! I'm 5.5 weeks post op from VSG and would like friends who've had WLS!