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What complications has she had from her Barrett's? Mine is very mild. I'm just afraid of making it worse. Obviously, being overweight helped to develop it to begin with. I'm just terrified that the acid reflux is going to be horrible after the sleeve, making it worse. My mom's went mostly untreated for years. And when it was treated it was not adequate. She would vomit up her food every night. pills and food would get stuck in her throat quite often. After years (she's 74) she was diagnosed with throat cancer :/

All of the above.. Excited for my new lease on life and the ability to control my portions with my new tool. Nervous that something will get in the way of this happening. And scared of the small possibility that I have a complication, leaving my husband to fend for the kids, the bills, the house. We are a 2 wage home and the loss of my income would be devastating. But I put my faith in the universe and the Creator for only good things to happen. Just Do It!!!

Yesterday seemed like a blur of appointments and blood work & tests. The highlight of my day was my annual appointment with my gynecologist--never thought I would say that. But, last visit, I was in there for ovarian cysts---not "Polycystic"--these were the kind they were really worried about...solid adnexal cysts with significant fluid around them. Didn't look good on the sonograms, but after being on the pill they have gone away. Problem is that I want to get pregnant again--sometime before I'm 35. The lady put my stats in the computer and I could see the history of the last 3 years as she did so. Weight 212.5, Height 5'4.5"....compared to last time of 203 and then the time before that at 186...I see a pattern. The girl didn't say anything. When I met with the GYN in his office we started talking about me wanting to get pregnant and then going back on the pill about a month ago. I took a breath and told him the surgery I am getting ready to have. I always feel trepidation when telling people. Not sure why--but am anticipating some kind of judgement or alarm. (Most of the time I get that!!) But anyway, He was OVERJOYED and SOOOOOOO supportive. He knows of my surgeon and said he's the best one around and that I would NEVER regret the surgery, and that someday I will look back and say it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. He looked at my blood pressure--history of weight--cysts...etc. He told me that he has had SEVERAL patients who have gone thru it and then have gotten pregnant--and they've done "remarkably"---and EVEN that they had LESS complications and problems than their FIRST pregnancies without the band. He just went on and on and the more he talked the more reassuring it was. I was thinking while I was waiting for the appointment...I wonder what he would say--and what it would take for him to say to make me NOT want to get it. Obviously that wasn't an issue. I have only three more hurdles before surgery. Monday is the first support group--my surgeon requires that I go to ONE before surgery......Tuesday is my PREOP appt with the surgeon (I will talk with the Nutritional Therapist at the same appt)...then the 10th starts my PREOP liquid diet. 19 days left...the countdown has begun!!! I am getting SOOO excited I can hardly stand it. My two sisters are distributors for this vitamin supplement called RELIV....they have talked me in to starting it NOW and taking it THRU the surgery--THRU POSTOP diet---etc. I'm excited about that too. It is a liquid vitamin--and 45 calories for the shot--which I can live with. It will provide plenty of great micronutrients vitamins and minerals. If I can get this stuff down then I'm good with whatever liquid protein stuff they can throw at me for this preop diet. I did my will---I know---that might be overkill, but it is a good feeling knowing that my baby girl will be ok if the worst were to happen. But, I'm hoping for the best ---and keeping my eyes on this Christmas and next summer and having a new little baby brother/sister for her.

Yesterday seemed like a blur of appointments and blood work & tests. The highlight of my day was my annual appointment with my gynecologist--never thought I would say that. But, last visit, I was in there for ovarian cysts---not "Polycystic"--these were the kind they were really worried about...solid adnexal cysts with significant fluid around them. Didn't look good on the sonograms, but after being on the pill they have gone away. Problem is that I want to get pregnant again--sometime before I'm 35. The lady put my stats in the computer and I could see the history of the last 3 years as she did so. Weight 212.5, Height 5'4.5"....compared to last time of 203 and then the time before that at 186...I see a pattern. The girl didn't say anything. When I met with the GYN in his office we started talking about me wanting to get pregnant and then going back on the pill about a month ago. I took a breath and told him the surgery I am getting ready to have. I always feel trepidation when telling people. Not sure why--but am anticipating some kind of judgement or alarm. (Most of the time I get that!!) But anyway, He was OVERJOYED and SOOOOOOO supportive. He knows of my surgeon and said he's the best one around and that I would NEVER regret the surgery, and that someday I will look back and say it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. He looked at my blood pressure--history of weight--cysts...etc. He told me that he has had SEVERAL patients who have gone thru it and then have gotten pregnant--and they've done "remarkably"---and EVEN that they had LESS complications and problems than their FIRST pregnancies without the band. He just went on and on and the more he talked the more reassuring it was. I was thinking while I was waiting for the appointment...I wonder what he would say--and what it would take for him to say to make me NOT want to get it. Obviously that wasn't an issue. I have only three more hurdles before surgery. Monday is the first support group--my surgeon requires that I go to ONE before surgery......Tuesday is my PREOP appt with the surgeon (I will talk with the Nutritional Therapist at the same appt)...then the 10th starts my PREOP liquid diet. 19 days left...the countdown has begun!!! I am getting SOOO excited I can hardly stand it. My two sisters are distributors for this vitamin supplement called RELIV....they have talked me in to starting it NOW and taking it THRU the surgery--THRU POSTOP diet---etc. I'm excited about that too. It is a liquid vitamin--and 45 calories for the shot--which I can live with. It will provide plenty of great micronutrients vitamins and minerals. If I can get this stuff down then I'm good with whatever liquid protein stuff they can throw at me for this preop diet. I did my will---I know---that might be overkill, but it is a good feeling knowing that my baby girl will be ok if the worst were to happen. But, I'm hoping for the best ---and keeping my eyes on this Christmas and next summer and having a new little baby brother/sister for her.

There have been several recent threads about this. Essentially, the eroding away of body tissue is a risk posed by any implanted device. There doesn't seem to be any specific cause or way to prevent it from happening. As far as rebanding goes, it may be possible once the stomach has healed, but I don't think it's widely recommended. However, when a band is removed your body goes back to being its pre-band self, possibly with an hourglass shape to the stomach. Since no major rerouting was done in the first place, removal of the band is relatively simple and safe. So while erosion sounds really scary, it's fixable and not going to endanger one's overall health if treated appropriately. Based on what we read here it may seem like it's happening a lot, but as far as I have ever heard the general rate of this sort of complication is not higher than 3%. This group here at LBT is not a representative sample, so don't be scared off by the recent incidences. Talk with your doctor and let him or her reassure you and explain what the risks really are.

Update for anyone interested in this practice. So far my experience with U.S Bariatrics has been great. They really help you with each stage. Jenn, the surgery scheduler has been wonderful in taking me through each step. The only thing that I just found out was that I have to have my surgery with Dr. Marema instead of Dr. Koppman. Not that that is bad but I did my consult with Koppman and have planned on him being the surgeon since the seminar. The problem: I am self pay and Dr. Koppman can not provide the 1 year complication insurance. So I have to go with Marema. I really wish they would have mentioned this sooner so I could have had my consult with Marema. I will still have my pre-op appoinment with him. I am so far into at this point there is no turning back. Good thing I know that Dr. Marema is a fine surgeon. PCP appointment next week and then all of the final stuff from bariatrics. WhoooHoo:thumbup:

Thank you so much for your support. I really hope I am making the right decisions and don't end up with any complications! Your words were reassuring. I'll keep you posted.

So over the weekend I started to feel awful, developed abdominal pain, kind of like being kicked in the stomach every time I moved and food was worse when I ate or drunk something. I'm 8wks post RNY bypass and have been eating solid food for a couple of weeks now. I went into hospital on tuesday, after trying antibiotics for a couple of days, and had a CT scan which showed thickening of my jejunum. Slight raising of my inflammatory markers but no white cells or temperature, so not an infection. After three days in hospital the conclusion is that I had been too ambitious with my solid food and my new anatomy wasn't coping that well... Anyway I wondered if anyone else had had a similar experience or learning?

My husband had the sleeve in May. He's down 85 lbs! no major complications but the recovery was rough and there are some lifetime changes to consider. So worth it!

Oh honey everything your feeling is normal....I went through the same thing. In fact me being a single mom as well I'm pretty much tied to the house. Even though i hated my weight food was the only thing that made me happy...all those flavors and different textures and combinations...to never be able to indulge again??? I almost backed out. to be able to buy a $5 meal and eat it instead of 4 bites and walk away....to me that sounded horrible. Food was my enjoyment. Even now a week out of surgery I am going through those same withdraws of did I do the right thing? I took away my vice, my happiness, what do you mean I can only eat a breadstick and not the Pasta or desert?? This is something I'm sure will always stick in my head, but with most people the health aspect is more important. I knew I couldn't drop the weight to my ideal goal and stay there for long, it's just not feasible anymore. I'm getting older, health complication are becoming more and more and my metabolism is slowing down. This takes the guess work out and makes you goal achievable. I'm down 12 pounds since I started preop and I think it's due to the fact i have been on Clear liquids the whole time and have another week before I can start Protein shakes. You will always have that in your head yet when you see yourself getting smaller, your portion size isn't as important anymore. It takes a while for the grehlin to really decrease...but when it does you really won't have a desire for tons of food anyway. Good luck with everything and I hope you the best!!

Great job and thanks for posting. I'm having complications with my band and am debating sleeve or bypass, but am leaning towards bypass. Were they able to remove your band and do the bypass in 1 surgery? Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Ah, yes....welcome to the wonderful world of Band Doctors doing the CYA shuffle. The WLS industry is a funny bunch of people. They like to sell the procedure as being quick and easy, but when the complications arise (as they do frequently), they will be the first to duck and hide under their desks. However....having said that, I do it is important to note that when you do experience something like "waking up covered in blood", the LAST thing you need to do is post it on an online forum....the FIRST thing you need to do is physically SEE your Doctor.....just get in the car, and GO there. Don't get your answers anywhere but from your Doctor, IN PERSON.

I am 48 Years old and have been married for 28 years. I have three grown kids and one grand child named Aden. I weigh 260 and am so afraid of dieing youngish. I want to get the lapband surgery or the Gastric Sleeve surgery but do not know which is better. I have watched several different videos of success stories on you tube and have seen many of people who first had the lap band procedure and then went on to have the sleeve done. Is this typical? I for one, don't have the money for more than 1 surgery so which is the best in terms of weight loss and less complications? I trust those of you who have actually gone through these kinds of procedures and have suffered the good and the bad of it, ya know? so any help or advise it welcome. I thank you in advance.

I definitely would encourage you to WALK!!! I was in pain when I went home and I feel my stomach time to heal because I just always took my pain medicine and laid around until I realize I didn't want to go back to the hospital for dehydration or complications so I made myself walk. As far as sleeping on my tummy it was a month for me it was even hard for me to sleep on my side but I am definitely pumped I am a month post op and all I want to do is exercise but I been sluggish because of my vitamins I am not yet good with that and still is learning but all I can say is that when you start to feel better your going to be so PUMPED to do what you have to do! GOOD LUCK[emoji1491][emoji813]️

I say absolutely go for it. If you have complications it would be problematic - but that is always true! Otherwise, it would give you just enough time to be getting accustomed to your new tiny tummy, and you will likely have an extra burst of confidence knowing you have taken such positive steps towards a healthier future.

Do the positives out way the negatives? That's what I keep asking myself. Stress can cause corresponding pains / aches. I'm nervous too, but to remain the same unable to run, and keep up with the little ones, in my case my nieces ( I suffer from infertility, from PCOS) and you could potentially get diabetes, suffer a heart art k or worse. The odds of death or complications are minimal. The odds of the other comorbidities are greater. Maybe you can also talk to your surgeon to help you decide. Do you have a date yet? Mine is September 14, next Monday. I'm nervous too. I thinks it's natural.

June 6th 2013 made one year since i was banded. I initially started at 451 lost 50 pounds before the surgery and lost another 30 pounds a few months after being banded. I had some complications not with the band itself but with the port a few weeks after surgery. I ended up with MRSA in the port area and i went on antibiotics and the surgery scar opened up then i had to stuff the hole with iodiform for months and the infection never quite went away. They decided to leave the band but removed the port after determining finally that it was the source of the infection. Then a few more months of stuffing the hole with iodiform to soak up any residual infection until the hole closed and healed. I finally had a new port put back in just a few days ago and my scars are still in the process of healing. Now that ive given a bit of my backstory heres my question. How do i get back on track when i seem to have lost my way and cant get things right. Its like ive forgotten what im supposed to do and not supposed to do. I got aggravated dealing with the infection and got off track. I started getting pretty down hearted. Eating things i shouldnt eat, drinking when i eat because it seems to just sit there in my throat if i dont, drinking soda and now im able to eat way more than i should but still not as much as i used to. Is it too late for me to get things moving in the right direction? Any advice on similar situations or applicable info and how you overcame it would be welcome. Ty.

I am waiting on insurance but had a few questions? Do you feel weak living on 1000-1200 calories a day? Will I have enough energy to workout right away? What are the band rules? I want to decrease any chance of complications and I have read to follow all the band rules so I wondered what they are. Thanks!

I was revised to sleeve May10th 2012. Since surgery to date I lost 28 lb which does not seem alot but I am a slow loser and thats how much total weight that I previously lost with the band in 1st 6 months n then gained it all back cuz I could eat around my band. just like u no major complications but only acid reflux , food getting stuck n vomitting etc whenever I would get a fill to give me some restriction. I had the band put in in 2007 and no weight loss after April, 2008, only gaining untill i gained it all back. I was so nervous about the sleeve cuz I was afraid of failing it too, but I knew that I m not comfortable with bypass surgery so that leave me only one option and after thinking about it for 1 year, i finally did it and I am liking it cuz u m not that crazy hungary n when i eat i get full so soon. i can decide responsibly about my food choices . i also noticed that if i munch on slider food all day i dont lose but if i m sticking to rules I do loose weight, slowly but i do loose weight.

Hi Charlotte, Congrats on your great success. Since you are new here, you might want to check out the lapband complications thread. There is lots of discussion about fluro and people talking about possible leaks or slips. Good luck and I hope you find your answers.

Wecome to the other side Hope. Sure glad you had no complications. I was the same. Now the work begins to learn how to change your eating habits. Please continue obeying the rules by sticking to the fluids, full fluids, mushies and don't rush the time table. If you give your band lots of time to heal, your success shouldl be assured. Doddie.

It has been a long haul since surgery with complications and such but I think I have turned the corner. I am now holding my food and liquid down. Still feel a little nauseas but nothing like before. Not having alot of pain anymore. I actually got on the scale and have lost 4 more pounds. Thats a total of 57 pounds. Still have some work to do to get where I am suppose to be but almost there and I am HUNGRY. Just waiting for the doctor to give me the go ahead on advancing to a normal diet because I will be 6 weeks out this Wednesday.

I went back to work at 2 weeks. I didn't have any complications during surgery or recovery. It was fine, but I was TOTALLY exhausted. I probably could have used 1 more week off. In reality it took probably 6 weeks until I felt 100% back to full strength.

I went through this as well. I just told them it was a necessary surgery. They did prod a bit, and I lied and told them it was my gall bladder. I am now having a tummy tuck and breast reduction. This time I told them it was complications to my gallbladder surgery...it worked. Bottom line it isn't their business and they can't make you tell them. BUT if you are getting paid time off you may have to tell them. Good luck!

Moosictchr, Welcome! Please check out all of the band vs. bypass threads in this forum before you go to see your doc. The lapband is the easiest to recover from (the actual surgery) and doesn't have all of the wierd long-term malabsorption complications of the bypass or RNY. Doctors like fast results, often at the cost of your overall health at times (except for band docs!) so don't be surprised if the consult you are seeking pushes for bypass or RNY. The weight loss with the band is slow. 1-2 lbs/ week. Waiting for the numbers to drop gets boring, but it happens! The slow weight loss is so much healthier for you and leaves less hanging skin and you have less muscle waisting. Not to mention bone loss... Good luck, and I hope you choose the band!