I had gastric bypass in 2003. I lost 120 lbs, I have recently gained 25 back (eating more due to stress.) I had no problems from surgery. It took me 11 months to lose thatmuch. I did have a problem eating any beef except ground untli then too. I know a quite a few ppl who have had the surgery. Most have done fairly well. Acouple have gained all back. My sister and I (hers was in 2000) have kept it off.

ohh an I love popcorn. No problems withe that either.

I haven't had my GBS done yet, but I can help a little!

The 'No drinking with meals' thing is for two reasons.

1) It can liquefy the food in your pouch and push it through too fast causing you to get hungry too soon and take on too many calories.

2)The other reason is it can make things like bread too gummy or sticky, and/or make them swell and there by make you miserable from a stretched pouch.

With lap-band the part I didn't like from my research that turned me towards GBS instead, is that It won't do any good at all if foods are chosen that can slide right past it (slider foods) such as Ice cream, soups, any liquid including sodas, etc.

I guess you could say it can be 'out-eaten'. I needed something more. I don't want to risk a bad emotional day to a quart of ice cream and then have to deal with the calories from it. With GBS, I don't have to worry, A bad experience eating will cause dumping, A real convincing consequence!

I hope this helps!

God Bless!

Janelle

I had a VSG on Oct 12th. Up until today, I have lost 19.8 lbs since surgery. The procedure itself is no biggie, however I have been pretty nauseous for the first 2 weeks. That has been subsiding over the weekend. I've vomited maybe 6 times, which is no biggie. I love my VSG!!

I don't know if you had a counsultation with a surgeon yet but they usually tell you what they recommend. My surgeon said that the lap band is for 3 kinds of people 1) BIG people who need to lose a lot, they do that surgery first lose weight and then convert to Gastric Bypass to lose the rest 2) Older people because at my age (28) I would need to have the band replaced 2-3 more times in my life because the band lasts generally 12-15 years and 3rd) People who don't have a whole bunch to lose, because you statistically don't lose as much as people with Gastric bypass surgery. I got to say that I too find the dumping syndrom to be an important tool to keep me from eating around my surgery. It will keep me honest.

SO far there has been some great information. I had the choice when I went in for my consult lap band vs. GBS. I chose GBS becuase there was less maintnence (fill, tightening etc) and less chance of failure on my part. I am almost 6 weeks out, and I have not tried rice, pasta or steak. I have had a bit of ground beef, chicken, chicken..... more chicken. Its a huge lifestyle adjustment, but worth it. Recovery for me (I had laproscopic) was tough. I am a wimp, and allergic to morphine. So, I went without the pain control for 2 days. I was also on the table longer since they found a kink in the reconnection. I really was miserable for a week. Then all of a sudden, I felt better. Now, I feel great. : )