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Gosh no. I have had zero complications though - no dumping or other food intolerances, no heartburn. The worst part has been my thinning hair. It distresses me at times but not enough that I ever regret the surgery.

No complications here either! Pretty successful - maintenance mode now. I sick around to support and encourage others as well as get support battling my ever present sugar addiction.

Scheduled to have my band removed and then have bypass surgery. No complications with the band other than I didn't lose the weight I hoped to lose since 2011. Very important that one is prepared to follow the program guidelines to a T...which I did not. Good Luck to you all and please reach out to ask for help as well as advice to reach the goals you have set for yourself successfully. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

No complications whatsoever! Best decision ever. Had my surgery on a Monday and was back at work on that Thursday! I was up and walking immediately and even used no pain meds. I actually questioned my surgeon the first follow up if he actually did do the surgery.

Approved!! 🤩 My surgeon submitted paperwork to Cigna on Thursday afternoon and I received my approval Monday evening. I'm impressed with how quickly it was approved. I even received a letter yesterday stating that Cigna needed more information (it clarified that the letter was not a denial, just a request for additional records). Here is a recap of my insurance approval process for anyone who is curious how it went: Surgeon - Alisa Coker Johns Hopkins Bayview Baltimore, Maryland SW: 192 Height: 5'0 BMI: 37.5 Procedure: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (aka sleeve or gastric sleeve) Comorbidities: Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol), Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) **Worth noting, I take one medication for diabetes, and one low dose medication for hypertension. The hypertension medication I actually stated taking during this process.** Requirements- BMI = or >40 or = or > 35 with at least one comorbidity 3 Months of medically managed weight loss with primary care or registered nutritionist/dietitian (4 visits total - first was Dec 5th and then one each month Jan, Feb, March) **I have since read the verbiage change in Cigna's requirements and they have removed the 3 months of supervised weight loss. This may still me a requirement by your surgery team though, but it doesn't hurt to ask** Upper Endoscopy - Standard test that checks for GERD, stomach ulcers, infections, and anatomy. This was an outpatient procedure. I was in the hospital for a total of 3 hours from arrival to departure. I was completely asleep during the procedure (they give you a top shelf iv cocktail) but recovery was much less than that of general anesthesia. Sleep Study - For sleep apnea and/or other weight related sleep disorders. Mine was an at-home test that was easy as pie. It was a wrist watch that connected to a few nodes and a sensor on your finger. Psychological Evaluation - I went to a doctor who specializes in evaluations for bariatric surgery. It was probably the most nerve wracking of all the appointments because there's a strange looming in the air that these evals are hard to pass. **Tip - Tell the truth (your insurance will look at your medical records so if you have been treated for mental health but lie about it during your eval, they may deny you coverage) but don't unload your whole tragic life story on them. I have been treated for and hospitalized for bipolar and it didn't prevent my approval. They are basically trying to determine if you have a clear understanding of what the surgical procedure is and how your lifestyle will need to change. They want to make sure there isn't anything major that will intellectually challenged your results (major or unaddressed eating disorders, lack of understanding of the diet requirements, lack of motivation to lose weight), that you have a good support system at home, and that you are aware of aftercare requirements for life, possible complications, and after affects of weight loss on yourself and your relationships. In a nutshell, they need to know that you're aware of what you're getting yourself into, you are of sound mind, it was your decision to have surgery (not having the procedure against your will or at someone else's insistence), and you are equipped with the knowledge you need to be successful afterwards. Nutrition Consultation - I was required to see the nutrition team at Johns Hopkins for a 90-minute appointment. We covered every aspect of the diet requirements from the two week pre-op, day before surgery, day of surgery, and each week after surgery until the 8 week mark. This appointment was very helpful. It was the most important component, in my opinion, because it really showed me exactly how my diet and lifestyle would change. I left that appointment with zero questions about how to be successful. Letter Of Recommendation - A letter from my primary doctor (it had to be a doctor unaffiliated with the surgeon or surgeon's team) stating that I was physically able to have surgery, that I failed to maintain weight loss via medically assisted management, and that weight loss surgery was being recommended and was medically neccessary. This letter is very important as I have heard/read stories about insurance denials because the verbiage wasn't correct or one of the listed components wasn't included. Blood Work - Usually done by primary care. This served as proof of hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Once all of these were completed and the surgeon's coordinator received the paperwork, she compiled it into a package for review. She handed it over to a nurse on staff who double checks that everything is there and that it is in the right format with the right info. **Most surgical teams are well informed about what insurance companies look for. They will make sure your information is submitted correctly to prevent delays and denials.** Once the nurse gave her seal of approval, the coordinator submitted the precertification request to Cigna on Thursday. Monday afternoon I received a letter that said additional information was being requested from my surgeon. I contacted Cigna to find out what additional info was needed (I was curious...and antsy!) They told me that the surgeon would receive a letter as well which would include details of the request. Well, that didn't satisfy me so I probed on asking if those details could be disclosed to me, since it is MY medical record. The Cigna rep (Charline) was extremely helpful. She contacted the precertification department for details and called me back that evening with news that I was approved. Johns Hopkins had provided the requested information pretty much immediately upon receiving the request. Low and behold, I checked my myCigna account and the black, in-progress status had transformed into the prettiest green APPROVED:) Big props to Marie Day and the team at John's Hopkins for their attentiveness!!! And that, my friends, is the super drawn out, nitty gritty process of getting approved for bariatric surgery via Cigna! I know when I first set out I had a million questions so I tried to provide all of the info I always looked for but couldn't find. If you have any specific questions for me please let me know. I'm not a medical professional, this is simply info from personal experience, but I'm happy to offer peace of mind if I can! Happy sleeving, y'all!

I’ll officially be 8 months out tomorrow and I feel great. From the day of my surgery to today I’ve had no complications. I didn’t use my pain meds. I still have the unopened bottle. I’ve exceeded the goals I original set for myself and the goals my doctor set for me. I’ve had no hair lose, actually my hair is the healthiest it has been in a long time. And my skin is snapping back wonderfully. (Thank God) Of course I’ve had plateaus in my weight but I’ve learned what these plateaus are telling me about my body and what I need to work on. My weight has been decreasing consistently. I’ve officially lost 80lbs. 11 more will take me into ONEderland.

I'm 5 foot 2 inches, & just turned 50. My starting weight at my first doctor's appointment was 213 so I know where you're coming from! I have been waffling since the beginning. I'm worried something will go wrong and I will be one of those low percentages they talk about that have complications. Ugh!

Hrsnjs, thanks for the support. We are doing well! 113 from your highest and off 5 meds is wonderful! I have 54lbs until my goal, which could safely be accomplished by October. Funny, I too only weigh once a month... and also had zero issues or complications, we are blessed in that way. If I didn't get full off of a few bites or had incision scars I would really question if the surgery was done. Overall, the weight is coming off and it appears we may be "inch girls" rather than "scale"- what my surgeon calls it. From 20/22 to 14/16 is a great number of inches lost. You hang in there too, it will all balance out. We will look great at our 1-year post op with a low risk of the weight coming back #lostforever!

Hello everyone! I've been trying to figure out everything about the ESG surgery. I went to a seminar last week for gastric bypass/sleeve, only to find out that my insurance doesn't cover it. In checking out my options, I found out about ESG and it sounds like a better fit for me. I'm waiting for a callback from the surgical office for my consultation appointment. I'll be self-pay (Care Credit & HSA), but I had some questions: 1. What kind of testing did you all have to go through prior to the surgery? I know insurance generally requires a lot of hoops for patients to go through, but I'm curious how that applies to self-pay patients. 2. I've read two different responses for the anesthesia - one that you're sedated (but not knocked out) and another says general anesthesia. What was your experience? 3. Did you have to do the 2 week liquid diet that most other bariatric surgeries require? 4. Have you had any complications? Thanks in advance! - Michelle

It’s normal for our loved ones to have fears. There are risks from ANY surgery but there are also REAL risks that are practically guaranteed with long term obesity. I couldn’t agree more with @S@ssen@ch and @Danny Paul, the real work is with our head . I didn’t realize how much I depended on food until it was gone . If I could’ve faced those demons at 28 instead of 57 I could’ve avoided so much damage to this poor body. Good luck on your decision . On a side note - I had no complications and absolutely no regrets 👍🏻

I think people tend to go to the forums to look for support when they need it, but when things are going well they don't think to include in their every day activities. So I don't think it shows a realistic view of just how many successful WLS people there are. I struggle with my food choices but otherwise I haven't had any complications regarding my surgery. I hope things go well for you as well!

The more I learn about nutrition, the more complicated it all seems. My biggest fear is wrecking my metabolism. So I eat 1200 calories a day, and sometimes more. Losing at a 5# per month rate - just fine for me. I’m also eating healthier than I have my whole 57 years of life. And I’ve come to peace with cake and really enjoy a piece at celebrations. I still have to stay from that demon chocolate.

I just had the sleeve just shy of 4 months ago and recovery was a breeze -- no pain, no complications, no problems. It can happen! You can do this! Hang in there.

I am grateful to have this second chance in life. The pain was temporary, My results were amazing. (I experienced more pain giving birth to my children) I was well taken care of by my team and my pain was managed with medication. I healed with no complications. I will be five years out in June. I’m maintaining in the 130’s. Having my health and my life back was worth having surgery, all the food stages, logging and weighing my food, mental battles/behavior change, learning to cook/prep and getting myself to the gym.

My wake-up call. My heart to stop beating in the hospital. I shouldn’t be here. I regret that it took that moment to understand that my weight was slowly killing me. Going back and forth and questioning your decision is normal. Pre surgery jitters are normal. You and your family are going to be nervous about treating any disease with surgery. Complications are a risk. Staying obese is a risk. Surgery is not for everyone You can back out. If you change your mind down the road you can start the process again. Learn from all the good and bad experiences But, know your experience will be unique to you.

Just starting this process. My insurance approved. I am 66, low BMI, lots or all of the comorbidities. Scared and wondering if my age will be a problem. A little worried about the recovery because for 18 years I worked in a recovery room as an RN so I know too much. Am I too old? I feel the complications from my diabetes far outway the possible problems with gastric sleeve.

I know I've been on here a few times to discuss my diet. I had surgery March 14th 2019 (bypass) and I can't seem to get things in. I can't drink enough or eat the puree like I'm supposed to. It's Saturday at almost 2am and I'm on the couch sobbing. My stomach has been growling. I almost burst into tears tonight when we were out for my boyfriends birthday dinner with his family but I didn't. I held it together. I can't figure out how to make this all work. I think I'm severely dehydrated and literally starving. I have a few things going on that are complicating things for me and they are both so dumb. One is that I have multiple friends who've had this surgery done that are insisting that I do this or that, that I shouldn't be on purees yet. I have a neighbor I frequently hang out with that has A friend who's had this surgery so she thinks she knows all about it and is trying to tell me what to do and how I should feel. The other thing is that I'm really normally a very tough person. No one is used to seeing me hurt or struggle. I'm not the type to complain. I'm a lead singer in two different bands and I've taken seriously bad falls off the stage and chipped bones once and split my face open on another occasion and just kept rolling with the night so everyone just thinks I feel nothing but this is different. It's not the pain that bothers me and to me the pain wasn't even so bad it's that every time I feel pain or just something different it's scary because it could be an indicator to something being wrong and I get really anxious. I'm so grateful for this forum because honestly it's the one place I can come and not only be vulnerable and honest and know the people here won't just say hey you're right Jezz, you'll be fine. I don't even know what this post is about. It's the mad rantings of a hungry, tired, frustrated person trying to figure it out. I just feel lost and I can't wait until Monday so I can call my Dr and get help. I'm just REALLY afraid to eat and feel like I'm waisting away. Not getting protein. Again I'm so sorry. (Half of me hopes no one reads this, the other half of me is praying that someone completely relates with me because I feel crazy) Sent from my LG-Q710AL using BariatricPal mobile app

Even with complications, I have absolutely no regrets. If I hadn't had surgery, I'd still be a year older now. But instead of where I am now, I'd still be obese, with aching knees and hips. At some point, I assume that diabetes and high blood pressure would kick in. Every year you get older, the harder it is to recover from all this crap, so I'm glad I did it when I did. I won't sugar-coat it, the last year has been tough. But, oh so worth it. Perspective-wise, if you're 28 and 258 lbs., what do you think you'll weigh in 5 years without surgery?

I have no regrets, although I would warn you that in the course of this surgical journey you MUST change your relationship with food. Early on in my recovery (maybe the first 3-6 months), I went through a bit of a "mourning" period where I realized that I could no longer use food for comfort, celebration, or any number of ways that food became like that little green mucous dude in the Mucinex commercials. He's there talking to you, trying to share life with you, and gets upset when you finally kick him to the curb. In terms of "complications", I have a little bit of nighttime reflux. It's nothing that can't be dealt with and certainly nothing like what "notmyname" above describes. Would I do it again? Absolutely and had I known then what I know now, I probably would have done it much sooner. I lived obese and a slave to my relationship with food for too long. There's a saying..."nothing tastes as good as thin feels". I'm by no means "thin" (yet), but I'm thinner than I was and I feel REALLY great!

No complications sleeved in February and just got to solid foods. Best decision ever

No regrets at all 4 months post-op sleeve. Already lost 35-50 pounds, get rid of GERD, got rid of Sleep Apnea and I'm just getting started. I have 50 more pounds to lose and things are just going to get better and better. I never had any complications or problems with surgery or after.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 I appreciate you starting this thread @Healthy_life2 17 months post op -94lbs NO COMPLICATIONS FROM SURGERY Love that it gave me a fighting chance against medical issues supremely out of my control 💖 Grateful to my Surgeons and Team perpetually💖 My heart goes out to those who had complications and those stories are important to highlight also but If i was considering WLS & needed reassurance in my decision I would rather gravitate to the positive stories. We absolutely need more stories of happy journeys. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

So, I am going to preface this with the fact that I know I am not typical. The stats show that most people don't have complications. I'm the only person I've met from my doctor's office that had complications. So, please know this is just one person's story. I feel like you asked if anyone regrets this, and I don't want you to think that nobody does. BUT, linked below is a good thread to read to remind yourself that even though there are people like me out there, there are a LOT of people (likely the vast majority) who have had a good experience with WLS. So, good luck. I had surgery in October 2018. If asked today if I'd do it again, I'd be a no. But I know that can change tomorrow. And my doc and nurse say that how I feel is not forever. But, about 2 months ago (so about 3 months post-op), after a REALLY easy first 2 months, I started getting more reflux and more nauseated by the day. I could deal with the reflux, but I HATE being nauseous. And I feel like I spent all of my energy trying not to throw up. I wwas nauseated about 90% of my day every day. I felt SO much worse than I did before and I cried every day. The doc took me off two meds, put me on a new reflux med, and I'm feeling a lot better. But I still get nauseous whenever I eat. I can eat less today than I could when I started solids 4 months ago. I can hardly drink because I'm so nauseous, and I can't drink within 1.5-2 hours of eating because I hurt so much. The doc and nurse said they'll work on figuring all out. That said, I'm not in a position where I feel like I believe her. I regret this mightily. I've even lost a significant amount of weight (over 100 total, 80 since surgery, 64% of EWL), and it is still not worth it. I broke down crying at my therapy group a few weeks ago. At this point, my team has no idea why I'm nauseated. And they are concerned enough about malnutrition and dehydration to be monitoring me closely to see if I need a PICC line. I did this to feel better - and I feel a lot worse.

Hi guys Iam scheduled for VSG on Thursday April 4 , not much support from family , my parents thinks it’ll shorten my life because possible complications iam 28 5’7 weight 258lbs !!! Some days I feel like backing up ,some days i really want to go for it ,but then again I don’t want to do it and god forbid something happens 😥!!!

You've read about the recent super-Bug virus problem in Mexico, right? What if there are complications? How will you get follow-up? I would wait the extra 3-6 months and spend the extra $1800 to have it in the USA for peace of mind. But that's just me.