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I was looking into the band through Humana and when I realized they would not pay for it for me, I looked into the sleeve. I am so thankful that door was closed. You might want to look at what all your out of pocket costs will be using your insurance. If something is not covered, that does not become part of your maximum out of pocket. For me, for example, visits to the dietician (required by the surgeon) would not be covered and I would have had to pay. I think my out of pocket costs would have been pretty high. It just doesn't seem like that much more to go to Mexico. The only problem is that if there are any complications once I'm home, I'm sure Humana won't pay for anything. I sure don't plan to tell them when I have surgery done in Mexico! Has anyone tried to use flex plan money for surgery in Mexico? Edie

My doctor said nothing carbonated after surgery because it could cause complications. My nut said it can cause you to not feel as full as you should. I did try one sip of soda and hated it I didn't like the taste or the carbonation. It also hurt my stomach. Before surgery I loved coke zero and would drink a six pack per day. Tried the soda last week and I was sleeved on 12/31/12

amillerjones, I had my banding on monday. Insisted that for the ride home they give my some IV Zofran. I had an hour drive to get home and was not going to deal with car sickness. I am disappointed in the weak pain medication routine of tylenol or children's ibuprofen. Doesnt' cut the pain. I also have complications of shingles that really makes my life miserable on top of trying to heal. I find walking is the best relief for the gas pain and using a small pillow to protect my belly. It is the port site that hurts the worse for me. I cannot believe in this day and age, we have to heal with children's strength medications. Call you dr about the nausea cuz they can deal with that without you having meds in your tummy. take care, hopefully we both can look back on this in a month and give newbies what worked for us. take care of u, w8t4me

Guess it makes sense so it won't be in too long and cause complications...I mean eh they deal with vaginas daily LOL

This thread got me interested in further research on the subject, I found this article and the references fascinating... http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2013/10/cocktail-science-do-alcohol-calories-count-digesting-spirits.html And add to it the problems of figuring out your caloric set point that HBO highlighted in their documentary on the weight of the nation special...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i_cmltmQ6A It is made even more complicated by the changes in hormone levels due to surgery and weight loss changes our body and makes us more efficient metabolic machines. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/grp/2013/528450/ This all points to one important thing, we don't know everything. So to the point of this thread, don't go nuts trying to figure out each calorie, but, it is a guide to help you lose and a good tool to aid you. But we are very complex critters. So eat well, just less of it and hang on as we keep learning new things. And keep listening to the many successful people on this site and their advise, I do.

No complications... sometimes I wonder if I even had it done but the small incisions let me know it happened LOL

@@SkinnyWannaBee congrats on loosing 15 lbs pre-op!! 40 lbs after surgery!! 55 lbs total weight loss is exciting!! i am NOT in the medical field but i AM a smart cookie!! LOL it will take time for your new little tummy to settle down/heal since you just had the EGD maybe like you are just starting over as if you were sleeved yesterday you are now able to eat a little more food after a while your eating will move forward eat different things hopefully things will continue to improve your new "normal" will be regular "good healthy, nutritious foods you will have variety not shakes only for the rest of your life feel better sooner than later good luck kathy http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/429-gastric-sleeve-surgery-complications-support-group/

Dr. Dre Howard in the woodlands I do pretty good keeping liquids down now. I have had some complications though. But it gets better.

a DS has a sleeved stomach and an intestinal bypass (not a gastric bypass, like the RNY - but intestinal. It bypasses a big chunk of your small intestine). It's the most powerful surgery out there - but not all surgeons do it. Plus converting RNY to DS is a very complicated surgery that few surgeons do - but there a handful who DO do it - like Dr. Rabin and Dr. Keshishian in California. although since you have bad GERD, I'm not sure if this is your best option, since the DS involves a sleeved stomach. Sleeves can often make that worse. But it might be worth talking to a surgeon about.

I think Funny Duddies is right, I think the insurance companies do that because they have to pay for less surguries this way. A lot of people aren't willing to wait and go through all of that first. Like you said too, what happens if you do lose some weight, then they probably wouldn't let you have it done anyway and you might gain it back after you go off of their supervised diets. I didn't ask about the complications. I only thought of that deeply, after I had the surgury which wasn't exactly smart of me. Unlkie your situation, my process happened very quickly..... I am sure this is because I paid for it myself. I didn't have to see a psychologist, nutritionist, etc. That is something that the insurance companies require but not the surgeon. In fact I got financing one week and was banded the next. I have been very worried lately about complications though. I planned to ask my surgeon on my post op visit on Wednesday. Everything seems to be fine, but I had posted the other day wondering if my band does slip, would I know it??? I have been extra worried about that and having a leaky port etc., because I paid for it myself. I can't afford for them to go back in again. I will let you know what I find out.

Ok so yesterday I had my upper GI done and the radiologist was extremely distressed by the position of the band, the severe reflux, the dialation of the pouch and esophagus, and the fact that barely a drop a barium went through. Fast forward to this morning and after ignoring the radiologist's request that I immediately go upstairs to have my fill completely removed, I did just that. They quickly removed all of my fill. Then stated that I have a dialated pouch and stretched out my esophagus. My band may also be slipped, but not officially stated yet as such, but with all of the symptoms, it fits that diagnosis. They stated that more and more of us are having trouble as the years go by. I was a model patient for the first year, then complications struck. Major surgery to repair, then it was never the same. Extremely painful to eat, led to eating only foods that didn't hurt. I haven't gained much back, about 20lbs. But I see that changing. We are discussing a revision. Probably the VSG which they believe will phase out the band in the future. I don't knock the band completely, it did give me my life back, however with this foreign body inside of me, things have been complicated at times to say the least. So it looks like I'll enjoy a good thanksgiving dinner and that the new year will bring a new partner in helping keep off the weight. Any info on what to expect and/or consider would be appreciated.

Alright so here's what I've been dealing with. I cant afford insurance. So I applied through the state. DENIED! They say I make too much money, even though I make under their bracket. So I appealed...DENIED AGAIN! However they do say I qualify for Assistance if I'm on my Employers insurance. Which basically means they'll pay for anything my employers insurance wont cover. Which is cool I guess. Only problem is...I'm seriously torn here. My employer is my family, and although I qualify [work more than 40 hrs per week, been working over 6 years], I'm not particularly sure we can handle the financial burden on the business. If it were any other employer I wouldn't care...but its my business too! The reason I'm torn? 2 other members of my family are using insurance through the business, so why not me? It doesn't seem fair but then again, life isn't always fair. I'm literally the ONLY member of my immediate and extended family without insurance and its getting harder and harder by the day :thumbup: I don't know whether to fight for my right for insurance, or just move on with my life. I have 9 more days to decide.

Angie, I'm sticking with my theory that the new placement site is the difference. It will be an interesting question to ask your doctor. I am betting it feels nice to be able to eat without pain, but scary as well for fear of regain. Insurance companies do pay for life-threatening complications. I'd think a slip that severe qualifies, but I am no expert. I'd be concerned as well. I does sound as though your surgeon has had experience with insurance and going the ER route. That might have been very wise. Keep us posted as to how you are doing!!

No, I'm not, probably another 2 weeks for me. My surgery was 5/22 and I had some complications after that have kept me home. Things are getting better, but it's a slow progression for me. I was on a milk & protein powder diet for 21 days prior to surgery. It's hard but you can do it. Great luck to you!

My program is St. Peters Bariatrics in NY. Surgeon is Mehul Trivedi, Surgical PA is Tyler Chenel. They are wonderful charismatic skilled professionals. I don't See Trivedi often and I'm cool with that. I prefer he works on maintaining his skill level by going to conferences, updating training, clocking surgical hours etc. That is his craft and I'm thankful for it. No complications not even nausea, it's like I never had surgery at all. Chenel is wonderful, also highly skilled and friendly. 10/10 recommend. HW 270 SW 238 CW 182 VSG 11/7 [emoji146][emoji146][emoji146]

Ha! Nearly two years ago when I had WLS (I've been sleeved) my after-care surgical nurse who had seen tons of WLS patients come through her surgical ward was scheduled for a VSG the following week. I still remember she told me she weighed 280 pounds. Nothing she had seen about WLS had scared her off. And goodness knows, she certainly had a front-row seat to WLS, including complications. @@Kindle is right -- the complications from this kind of surgery are no different than other laparoscopic surgeries. However, you must be willing to take a lot better care of yourself post-op than you did pre-op. If you're committed to doing that, you will do well. If you treat your body with disrespect after surgery, however, your body will probably not appreciate it. Best to you!

You may be healthy now but being overweight will catch up to you. I was overweight and healthy until I hit my 30's and then I started having problems. I went with the VSG because I needed to lose 130-140 pounds total. I was able to get 40 pounds off prior to my surgery date on 1/27/17. That 40 pounds took me 6 months to get off with Weight Watchers and often I could lose 40 pounds but it would always find me later on. I know that after two years of failed fertility treatments that my weight was playing a huge role in this and the only way to combat my PCOS was to have this surgery. I have lost 38 pounds since surgery and my BMI has dropped from 42 to 32 since July. I feel younger and so much healthier than in the past. It would be better to get the weight off prior to any complications occur from being overweight.

This was a post about switching surgeons at the last minute. They had gone through everything and were waiting on insurance approval, but they found another hospital a few hours away with more surgeries per year and fewer complications and wanted advice on if they should switch and how to do it. Not sure why that merited a delete! *shrug*

Hi Jenn, It sounds like you are feeling pretty overwhelmed with the responsibilities of taking care of children and having a busy lifestyle. It's almost always hard to find the time to take good care of yourself when you are busy taking care of everyone else in the family--and it becomes even more complicated when your partner is sabotaging your success by bringing unhealthy foods into the home. My children are older, but I babysit for my grandchildren (2 & 4), and it seems like the things that I need to do for myself always get put aside on the days that I have them...Maybe I don't have time to take a shower until bedtime...or there's no time to exercise...or I forget to drink my fluids because I'm so busy chasing them and cleaning up messes...I definitely can't take the time to record my food... My experience is that everything that you can do to simplify your life will help. You can't change your husband...but sometimes talking to a counselor can help when our spouse are unsupportive. It might not change your circumstances, but it might help you get to the root causes of feeling unhappy, and begin to make changes that you would feel good about! Hope you start feeling better soon!

I know that my husband was concerned would happen to me with both of my surgeries, and I had serious complications with my revision so his concerns were valid. BUT, I told him " what are the risks of me staying fat?, do you want to hire a nurse to bathe me when I'm 60 and can't reach certain body parts, do you want to give me insulin injections when I can't do it for myself, do you want me to die early because of high blood pressure and a stroke?" All of those things run in my family, he saw it firsthand when he met my family, and saw that 85% of my family obese and popping 3-10 pills a day to combat the conditions of obesity. Giving him some perspective on what having a healthy wife could do to benefit our marriage, and years together eased his worries.

I completely understand, I'm down 100lbs since surgery 6 months ago, I feel like I don't know who I'm looking at in the mirror anymore, and with all my complications after surgery, the constant pain and everything it feels as if my weightloss is going to continue rapid.. It's worrisome and scary ! Original Weight- 257 pre-op : 240 CURRENT WEIGHT :163lbs GW: 125lbs

So you cheated a little on your post-op diet. When you were supposed to be on liquids, you had a few spoons of mashed potatoes or a swallow of yogurt, both nice and soft. Maybe you ate a few Cheez Doodles, but what’s the big deal? They’re like eating flavored air, aren’t they? And the McNuggets you tried during the puree phase? You chewed them really well, and you could only eat three instead of your pre-op portion of six – isn’t that great? No, it’s not great that you could only eat three McNuggets. And yes,cheating is a big deal, and I’m going to tell you why. You’re not going to get away with this one. Miss Jean has eyes in the back of her head. She sees the cookie crumbs on your face and the neon orange faux cheese film on your guilty fingers. SOME DEFINITIONS OF CHEATING The word “cheat” has two main connotations. One is cheating in the sense of lying and deceiving. It’s intentional dishonesty. You know what you’re doing is wrong, but you do it anyway. The other connotation of “cheat” is unfaithfulness. Unfaithful to a vow or promise you made to another person or to an organization. When someone cheats you, do you just shrug and say, “Oh well, he was having a bad day”? Let’s say you bought a car that you thought was brand new, and later discovered that the dealer had fiddled with the odometer and charged you full sticker price for a car with 1200 miles on it. Would that be okay with you? And what if your spouse, the person you trust with your life, cheated on you by sleeping with your best friend, would you be able to just shrug that off? If your child got a B+ grade by cheating on a test by copying answers from the student at the next desk, would you be proud of him or her? And what if you found out that a coworker betrayed you by using the great idea you confided to him or her and taking credit for it when it worked out splendidly? Would you still be eating lunch with that coworker? Or what if you donated money to a political candidate who you admired, and he or she spent it on a vacation in the Bahamas instead of on re-election expenses. Would that be okay with you? Would you vote for that candidate ever again? I’ll take a guess at your answers to these questions. In none of the situations I’ve described would you be happy or proud. In fact, you’d be disappointed and angry. So just how can you think it’s no big deal to cheat on your post-op diet? EXCUSES, EXCUSES I can hear grumbling in the room. I think I just heard someone saying, “I had to eat that mashed potato. I was so hungry and miserable and cranky from being on liquids for a week, I couldn’t stand it another minute.” I do understand very well how you felt, but in the big picture of world hunger, where babies die because their mothers eat so little that they don’t produce enough milk for nursing, your and my hungry misery is a big So What. And someone else is whispering, “My best friend’s surgeon let her eat mashed potatoes on her third day post-op, so it must be okay for me to do that too, even though my surgeon told me to wait until my 15th day post-op. It’s not my fault that every surgeon has a different post-op eating protocol.” While it’s true that surgeons’ eating instructions vary widely, you signed on with your surgeon, not your best friend’s. Presumably you chose your surgeon because you and/or your insurance company believe that he or she is well-qualified in laparascopic bariatric surgery. During your psych evaluation, you affirmed that you understand what the surgery involves and that you can and will follow instructions. You nodded when the shrink asked if you’re ready to make all the lifestyle changes needed for success. You nodded when the dietitian asked if you understood your pre- and post-op eating instructions. You scribbled your own name on a sheaf of release papers to indicate that you were informed about the risks involved and despite those risks, gave your surgeon permission to perform surgery on you. In addition to all of that, you spent weeks or months jumping through hoops to prove your need for bariatric surgery. Perhaps you suffered through a six-month pre-op diet. You had lots of medical tests and evaluations, most of them not much fun, because you were so eager to get your weight loss show on the road. You had surgery, suffered some degree of discomfort from your incisions and gas, and finally heaved a sigh of relief because all the struggles are over now. But then you discovered that there are still more struggles to survive because of that stupid post-op liquid diet. Yet despite jumping through all those hoops, in less than 60 seconds you blow it by popping a Cheez Doodle in your mouth, and justify that with the aforementioned misery excuse. And man oh man, that must have been some really serious misery, because evidently it drove out of your mind all the very good reasons for faithfully following that post-op diet progression. You forgot that one of the most common causes of band slips is the patient’s failure to follow the post-op diet. You forgot that food can get stuck in the stoma or esophagus and cause an obstruction or vomiting. You forgot that vomiting can disturb the position of the band, especially when you’re a new post-op and your stomach is still healing from surgery. You forgot that in order to move mashed potatoes or Cheez Doodles through your digestive system, your esophagus and stomach must expand and contract, which can disturb the position of your band and cause it to slip. You forgot all the promises you made to your bariatric team and to yourself about healthy eating and weight loss success, because you were so miserable and just a few little cheat bites are no big deal. I’ll try to give you the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you thought that being able to eat the Cheez Doodles without having any uncomfortable side effects or complications like a stuck episode, a PB, sliming, chest pain, esophageal dilation or spasms means that it’s okay to eat the Cheez Doodles. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s a wrong assumption. Cheating eating can cause problems without you ever knowing it until it’s too late. Cheating eating is just plain foolish. YOU’RE NOT ALONE Now here’s the good news. You’re not alone. Nobody enjoys the post-op diet progression. If any of us were good at following diets, we might not need bariatric surgery in the first place. And only infants enjoy a liquid diet. But in a sense, as a new post-op you’re a bariatric infant who must consume liquids because your body isn’t ready yet to handle anything else. Cheating on your post-op diet is cheating your health in a major way. If you already cheated once or twice or ten times, that’s not a good reason for continuing to cheat, so don’t do it again! I believe we should begin any project as we mean to go on. If you can’t follow your post-op diet, exactly when are you going to begin your healthy post-op lifestyle? Are you going to wait until after your first fill, or your second fill, or at some hazy time in the future? If so, don’t come running to me when your scale stays stuck on a number you hate. NOW is the time to begin your healthy lifestyle. NOW is the time to practice good band eating skills and making good food choices and controlling portion sizes. Doing that may not be easy, but it’s not impossible either. Losing a massive amount of weight is a big, tough project, but if you respect your band, it's going to be easier than any of your past weight loss attempts. Let me clarify that: it's going to be easier if you follow instructions. In addition to that healthy lifestyle, there’s another very good reason to stick to your diet. At some point you’re going to have to face up to your past and acknowledge that food and eating have been a major problem for you. The fact that you’re struggling with your post-op diet is a symptom of that. There’s no shame attached to that struggle. As mentioned above, if we didn’t struggle with eating, we wouldn’t need bariatric surgery at all. So I suggest that you look at the post-op diet (and your pre-op diet too, for that matter) as a rite of passage. During this rite, you’ll be painfully aware of just how many food devils you possess, because without food to shut them up, they’re going to be jumping up and down and screaming for your attention. But their wish is no longer your command. You’re going to send them a clear signal: that you’re not going to submit to their demands any more. From now on, you’re going to follow your surgeon’s and dietitian’s eating instructions no matter how much commotion those devils make. You’re in charge now. As the saying goes, today is the first day of the rest of your life. Do yourself a favor, and make it a day without Cheez Doodles!

Hey all! Just wanted to share my experience so far... I was down 55 lbs when I weighed myself at exactly 7 weeks post-op!! I have severe PCOS so I was afraid my weight loss would not be as efficient as I wanted. I have had zero complications, and no more cholesterol/blood pressure/sugar/period issues! Not only that but I feel that this journey helped me open up a little and actually share myself with others and accept help from people. My life has significantly improved and I am so happy I decided to go through with this. The only weird thing is, I don't actually "see" a difference, though my friends/family swear there's been a drastic change. I'm still experiencing some depression from the "grieving phase" of missing food as comfort, but now that I'm actually opening up to people, I find that I'm not so emotionally vacant anymore. Thank you everyone who helped answer my questions along the way, wish you all the best of luck with your journey!

My doctor here in the States agreed to do the followup labs and referred me to a dietician (who was very little help). I had no sutures or staples to remove so no real post-op care. I had no complications but would have gone to the ER if I had. I asked trivial questions on this forum (like when does burping stop) and for more serious questions I emailed my surgeon's office and got an answer the same day.

Yup, he's right. Being on these boards about 18 months any vet will tell you he has a pretty high complication rate.