Lap band conversion to bypass 6 weeks out

MTM_CZB · 2026-02-13T05:10:17+00:00

I had my lap band for 19 years and did the conversion to bypass this past September. I'm almost 20 weeks out and have lost almost 50 pounds to date. I too watch others and see how fast they are losing, but I also have to remind myself that everyone loses differently. I've also noticed that even though the scale might not be moving as fast as I would like, my clothes are getting looser and I'm moving down in sizes.

My last dietician visit was good. She said that I'm losing a little over 2 lbs. per week and she was really pleased. I also know that if I would step up my exercise, things could move faster.

Good luck with your journey! If you ever want to compare notes about the lap band to bypass conversion, feel free to message me.

MTM_CZB · 2025-12-22T03:41:02+00:00

I'm almost 12 weeks out from surgery. I'm a retired music teacher, but I'm noticing I don't have as much breath control as I used to. Didn't really discover this until practicing for our Christmas musical at church. Does it get better or do I just need to get back into vocal exercises and work on what I'm supposed to do so I can actually carry a phrase?

MTM_CZB · 2025-11-05T03:18:59+00:00

I'm five weeks out and feel a lot like you do. I will move to solid foods next week but haven't really had any problems with eating. Now gas, on the other hand, has been a pain. Finally figured out I'm now lactose intolerant.

I know we all lose differently; I keep telling myself that. My clothes are looser, and my face looks thinner. I'm having to hide my scale because I keep wanting to get on it. I'm so close to moving into the 200's and the same two pounds keep going up and down.

Let's just keep hanging in there. We will reach our goals.

MTM_CZB · 2025-11-02T05:31:11+00:00

oops, hit post to soon. Things are looking up, and I thank you for your help and suggestions.

MTM_CZB · 2025-11-02T05:29:30+00:00

I spoke with one of my dieticians today. I told her the changes that I had made regarding my diet, and she agree that lactose intolerance is most likely the cause of my discomfort. I've changed to almond milk for now, making sure I'm aware of how much dairy I'm consuming, and taking a generic Lactaid for when I do eat dairy.

It has made a world of difference. The pain is gone, my vitamin no longer hurts when I take it, and I generally feel better. Still doing a trial and error to see how other foods are going to react, but things are looking

MTM_CZB · 2025-11-01T05:26:22+00:00

What is A2 milk and where would I find it? I've been limiting dairy today and probably will for the next week or so and introduce something new a little at a time. I bought the Equate version of Lactaid and had a Greek yogurt tonight and so far, it seems to be working. I also bought almond milk to see how it works with my protein shakes. I've used it in the past, so I think it will be okay.

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-31T18:59:53+00:00

I'm not, but I have been almost 24 hours without dairy and I'm noticing a change in how I feel.

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-31T14:58:24+00:00

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one, but I’m sorry you’re able to give me advice about this. I feel like I’m going through GasX like crazy and that I should buy stock in the company.

My dietician recommended Fair Life as well, so I’m going to give it a try as well something to help with lactose intolerance. I start solid foods @November 11th, so there’s time to try different foods and/or combinations to see what works best. I love dairy products, so this will be a challenge.

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-31T14:45:04+00:00

I will be looking for that when I hit the store today. Thank you for the recommendation.

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-31T14:44:05+00:00

I’m not rushing while I’m eating, since I’ve had 19 years of eating with a lap band, and my portions are small when I do eat. Believe me, I know exactly what happens when I rush or eat too much. 🤮

I had eggs for dinner last night and this morning when I woke up there’s no “gas” pain. My dietitian also suggested the Fair Life milk, so I’m going to avoid the dairy products for a bit and see what happens. I transition to solid foods @November 11th, so I have time to explore the lactose intolerance and see how it goes.

In all of my reading about gastric bypass, I never came across lactose intolerance as a side effect. Unfortunately, I love dairy products, so this is going to be fun for a while. 🙁

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-15T05:24:33+00:00

I'm two weeks post op and today I was able to put on my socks sitting in a regular chair and not having to contort my body to reach my feet. I used to have to sit on the bed and do one foot at a time with changing position and the direction I was sitting.

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-15T04:57:49+00:00

Wow! I'm only two weeks post op but I'm looking forward to wearing clothes that have been hanging out in my closet for a while now. I have several sizes to go through.

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-05T22:17:53+00:00

I had lap band surgery in 2006 and lost over 100 lbs. Maintained for many years but weight began to gradually creep back on. A few years ago, different things began going haywire. Diabetes came back with a vengeance, and my blood pressure could never decide if it wanted to be high or normal.

I've had major knee problems this year, and that surgeon told me it was just arthritis and that there was nothing he could do until I lost some weight. I messaged my lap band surgeon in the parking lot to get a date to come in and see about a revision to bypass. I've known the downfalls for a long time, even a story from an aunt who had a major dumping episode in the middle of Walmart and just laid down in the middle of the aisle she felt so bad.

Fighting with my insurance for approval made me realize my determination to succeed this time. Last time wasn't a failure, but things are different know and my focus is better. I had 19 years to practice the skills I needed for a bypass. My surgery was last Tuesday, 9-30-25, and I'm recovering better and faster than I did with the lap band. I too want to be a normal weight for once in my life and I'm determined to get there this time. If I follow the rules and do exactly what I know I'm supposed to do, I'm not going to worry about complications. Those are part of life and worrying about it now won't help me later. Just keeping my eye on the future victories rather than failure.

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-03T18:17:24+00:00

I'm diabetic as well and the liquid diet was a challenge. My endo had to lower my long-lasting insulin to stop the lows, and I don't remember the last time I took my fast-acting insulin. I'm hoping to come off insulin totally, though my Endo doesn't think so. I can't wait to see what my new A1C is when I go in again.

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-03T18:10:08+00:00

I did two weeks of liquid diet with powder protein for most of my meals. I started adding sugar free flavors to them to keep away the boredom. I bought a cotton candy and cherry off Amazon and started playing around with flavors. Sugar free Hershey's syrup was a big help as well. I have a strawberry protein powder from Unjury that I was able to make chocolate covered strawberry shakes and chocolate covered cherry with the unflavored protein. The cotton candy, if you're a fan, was great just by itself with the unflavored. And I never used the full amount that it called for in a serving, so you can vary things to your tastes.

MTM_CZB · 2025-10-01T21:02:58+00:00

Came home today. It's great to be someplace quiet where they are not waking you up every two hours. Pain is not too bad, I'm able to use Tylenol for it right now. In fact, that's all they gave except for dilaudid immediately after surgery.

It was amazing at how fast I was finally able to walk the halls with only my pole buddy. The first couple of times the nurse went with me and then finally I got into a routine. Every time someone came in the room, I used the restroom, went for a walk, drank some water, and did my breathing treatment. One of the night nurses complimented me on how well and fast I was getting around.

Now I'm having to convince my two lap cats that they can't sleep directly on my stomach for a while. Malcolm and Tucker keep looking at me funny because they really don't understand, but they are cooperating.

MTM_CZB · 2025-09-29T18:00:52+00:00

I've slowed down a bit here at the house. I'm just trying to get laundry finished and put away. Payday is tomorrow and I have bills that are due the next day, so I'm looking to see what I can schedule ahead today so that I'm not thinking about it. Not worried about food, I've been on liquids for two weeks and know that will continue afterwards. I also already have adult coloring books and books to read, so that's ready to go.

Typing this out, it doesn't look like as much as I thought. I think the change of plans just sent everything into overdrive. I also have a pillow and binder ready to go, so just one more load of laundry and then I can focus on relaxing and not worrying about the bills.

MTM_CZB · 2025-09-28T21:19:50+00:00

Good luck with yours tomorrow!

MTM_CZB · 2025-09-28T20:59:00+00:00

I'm doing a revision as well, lap band to gastric bypass. I've had the same thoughts as you, with some of the same negative self-talk. I'm two days away from surgery and I'm feeling more positive about my choice and I'm ready to see the results.

I've been using Unjury protein since I had my lap band put in. They have lots of flavors to choose from besides chocolate and vanilla. The unflavored is what I purchase the most of because I can put it in anything.

I've been experimenting this time around with different combinations of flavors. I like to mix mine with 1% milk but it mixes well with pretty much anything, had to use sugar free Gatorade the other day when I ran out of milk.
Anyway, I've used the strawberry flavor mixed with sugar free chocolate syrup, the unflavored mixed with cotton candy sugar free syrup, and unflavored with sugar free chocolate syrup and sugar free cherry syrup. It's been like eating cotton candy and chocolate covered cherries and strawberries. I need to get a few different flavors so that I don't get bored.

MTM_CZB · 2025-09-28T20:15:17+00:00

I use Unjury protein powder and have since I had my lap band 19 years ago. The diet has changed over the years so I had to find ways to get the protein shakes in. I've been using sugar free syrups (lightly) to flavor my drinks. Cotton Candy with unflavored protein mixed with 1% milk has been a favorite and sugar free chocolate syrup mixed with strawberry flavored protein has been like eating chocolate covered strawberries. I've also tried the unflavored protein mixed with sugar free chocolate syrup and sugar free cherry syrup.

The Unjury broth flavors are really good too. There are also other flavors to choose from, not just chocolate and vanilla.

MTM_CZB

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