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Chunk - here is some information I put in a previous topic - that you may find interesting. If you go to www.surgery.com, it will tell you the following (I got this from typing "deaths from sleeve gastrectomy" into my search engine) The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery lists the complication rate in vertical sleeve gastrectomy to be relatively low, even among patients considered to be at high risk. Cumulatively the overall mortality (death) from vertical sleeve gastrectomy is 0.39 percent—lower than with traditional bariatric surgeries. (last updated 11/24/2009) From an article on www.gastricbypassfacts.com, here is a extract from "How Does the Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?" The risks and complications of the sleeve gastrectomy:As with all forms of weight loss surgery, the vertical gastrectomy does carry risk and these will clearly vary from one patient to the next and must be discussed with your physician. Complications might include: Gastric leakage and fistula 1.0% Deep vein thrombosis 0.5% Non-fatal pulmonary embolus 0.5% Post-operative bleeding 0.5% Splenectomy 0.5% Acute respiratory distress 0.25% Pneumonia 0.2% Death 0.25% http://healthengine.com.au/article/sleeve-gastrectomy.html This article quotes " The mortality rate in gastric sleeve is 1:500 and it lies between the gastric band, which is the safest, and the laparoscopic gastric bypass, which carries the highest risk." So the first source says 3.9 patients out of 1000, the second source says 2.5 patients out of 1000 and the third says 2 out of 1000. So I would feel comfortable (based on these 3 sources) saying the death rate is somewhere between 2 and 4 per 1000. To contrast that - imagine 1000 people walking around that are your height and weight - with your exact health problems. How many of them would die in the next year from their health problems? From something I was reading this week on another forum - surgeons who perform 100 or more sleeves per year have lower risk rates. Hospitals that perform over 150 sleeves per year have lower risk rates. If you are considering a surgeon, ask how many procedures he/she has performed in a year, and how many he/she has performed in total. Then ask the same two questions about how many of his patients died. This will give you an idea where your surgeon is versus the norms. Also ask about the hospital you will have the surgery performed in - how many procedures do they do a year? Any surgery is scary and has risks. You can't go through life avoiding all risks. For me - the risk of dying of heart problems from NOT DOING this surgery and staying obese was much higher than the risks from the surgery. This surgery was the right decision for me. I wish you good luck on making your decision.

The first doctor I spoke with (Dr. Michael Cho at Strax Rejuvenation in Fort Lauderhill, FL) was very nice, but I truly felt like I was standing in line at a deli with someone yelling "NEXT!" the whole time I was in his office. I was researching the band at the time and he didn't even discuss other options with me, nor did he look at my existing medical problems. He just said yep, he could do it and then sent me to their money person. I called several people I knew and finally confessed to one of my best friends, a nurse, that I was considering WLS. She immediately provided me the name of my surgeon, Dr. Domkowski in Sebastian, FL and gave him a glowing review. ER nurses don't typically like most of the doctors they deal with, so this meant tons to me. Every time I have spoken to Dr D, he's been kind and professional, while still being completely honest about my chances and risks. I had a ton of health complications, including blood clots and pulmonary embolisms, so I was definitely high risk. Dr D even had me come back in for an extra pre-op visit to discuss my feelings about surgery and whether I was truly ready to take such a big risk. Then he reassured me that he felt my surgery would be successful, and it has been. He's been caring and kind at every post-op visit as well! My point is that you MUST be comfortable with your surgeon pre-op or you're just going to hate your post-op care as well. Yes, higher BMI is a big risk, but so are the complications of obesity. You didn't post your BMI, but mine was 53, which is pretty high. Add in all the co-morbidities and it was scary having the surgery, but my doctor, while making me aware of the risks, did it in a manner that left me feeling confident in his ability to get me through the surgery. I was self-pay as well, but I never got the feeling the Dr D was just going to take my money and then leave me to struggle through on my own, and he hasn't. Keep looking until you find a doctor that you like. You're putting your life in his or her hands and you should be able to feel completely confident in his or her abilities. Good luck!!

I gained 65 pounds during my first (and only because of extreme complications) pregnancy and had a 4 1/2 pound baby. And he was born two months early. If I didn't gain so much weight he would have been smaller and may not have made it. That was 10 years ago. My goal weight (150) is my pre-pregnancy weight. I've got a long way to go. It is doable, I just have to be patient. I do fit into clothes from three years ago, so I guess that's something to be happy about.

congrats on your surgery. mine was yesterday morning and everything went great. no complications at all. I'm having no pain. just that pressure they said we would feel on top of the stomach. also ladies and gents don't forget to use the spirometer. keep those lungs expanding.

So I'm 1week post-op... I have been doing really great!!!:-) heeling fast and amazingly great! went on clear liquid diet 3days post-op than full liquid on the 4th day but didn't ever find that fullfilness in that so I called and my nurse told me to switch straight up to purees see if I tolerate it... WHICH I DID!!!:-) unlike some other ppl I NEVER experienced pain or nausea eTibg or at any time post-op. I also ate what was recommended and keep it down without a problem. I even tried 6days post-op hard food and had salmon with salads!:-) yet AGAIN no pain, no nausea...! So I was happy!:-) thought I was on great track healing pretty fast and without complications...until Today I went for my 1st 1week post-op apointement... I lost 12lbs in 2weeks (both including pre and post-op) my surgeon was happy but when I said I was on puree fast and was about to mention proudly I even had started hard food when he started yelling at me!!! telling me: " NO NO NO who did u talk to??!! I WANT U TO LOSE WEIGHT AND U NEED TO STAY ON LIQUID DIET!!!! DONT DO THAT AGAIN AND DON'T PUSH UR LUCK!!!!" I felt so lost and confused and terribly imberresed like a child being reprimanded!!!:-( Than he told me to keep walking and to see him again in a month for my 1st filling!!!0_O I couldn't believe it and didn't understand none of all this!! Honestly I am glad I did the surgery!!! Couldn't be any happier and glad it went smoothly but HONNESTLY regret doing it there!!!:-( The customer service IS HORRIBLE!!! they never take the time for u and never gladly take a one on one apt to make sure all is clear and explained to me!!! I found out much more before and after surgery through this forum than with my surgeon!!!:-( and for $13,000 out of MY pocket it really sucks!! Every time I call to ask questions everyone treats me like I am a child and keep telling me to " RELAX CALM DOWN EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE!!!" like if I was a damn child!!!!! Well now I dont understand the whole deal of keeping on the full diet for 2more weeks when I thought this whole process was just to help u heal...!!!! But WHAT IF IM OK AND HEALING GOOD!!!! I know I have to lose weight but it'll happen at it's paith like it already is weather I'm eating hard food or liquid!!! It's funny how well they can BUTTER U UP to pay up to get the surgery than once done... U just become a number rAther than a patient!!:-( im really Sid and don't know what to do! I dobt feel like following my doctor's advise cause he really pissed me off and to me really made NO SENS!!! I have one month before my next meeting for my filing (which I'm really getting very nervous about)... I don't feel comfortable with my surgeon or the place yet I am forced to stay cause all my feelings and emergency interventions are included in that price which I dont wanna pay more somewhere else!! Idk what to do...:-( I thought I was doing so great and now he really bumped me out yelling at me like this!!!:-( At what point am I concedered OK to eat hard food? When can I start working out a lil more intensive than just and ONLY walk/power walk...??!!! What should I expect with the 1st filling?? Pain? Nausea? Right now I'm able to eat about 1 1/2 of my fist... It's not 4oz or 1cup but DEFINITLY 10000X LESS than what I used to eat per meal before the band!!!:-) I'm watching what I eat and only "cheated" twice very little with 1tiny peace of chocolate once and 6small fried calamari when out once with hubby!!! Yet seems I'm STILL loosing...!!!! UUUURRRGGHHH ALL THIS IS JUST SO FRUSTRATING!!! what should have been a HAPPY check up turned out to bump me out and confuse me even more!!!:-( Sorry this post was so long...I just needed to vent!!:-( Thanks a million for reading!! XoXo

What will you be doing for insurance after this one is gone? Personally, I think that having the band inside you without having the security of insurance is scary, so I hope you have plans to get it. Even once you have the surgery, there could be complications down the road. We all pray there won't be, but that's one of the things insurance is for, is the unknowns. I hope this all works out well for you. Good luck.

So, I would disagree on the point of asking the surgeon to do the procedure a specific way. i personally would ask what they do and why they do it. If you don't like it, go somewhere else. I would never feel comfortable asking a surgeon to do something special for me outside of his normal protocol - i guess, I think I am not qualified. I would also hate to be "blamed" if something does go wrong. For example, i had read about some sort of leak prevention technique which sounded good to me. I asked about it and the surgeon went through their own results and showed that they get BETTER results then reported in the article I referenced, lower complication/ leaks following their own technique. They are fairly high volume (by USA standards) and have been doing it for I think 4-5 years now, so I decided to trust them on that one. I am glad I did!

I would love a salad. I lost a lot of weight pre-surgery and I'm losing after surgery. I lost so many inches it's unreal, however, my stomach is still a football/mini watermelon. You can see my stomach is still swollen. I eat 8 teaspoons of liquid Soup and I'm full. I also had adhesions, a hernia repair, but as I get smaller, my stomach is getting smaller on it's sides - my lower abdomen is really small but above my belly button is jetted out. I think we all heal differently and I also had some major complications and after 1-1/2 hour surgery mine got extended another 5 more hours due to complications. However, everyone that goes through my surgeon's group is on liquids 5 weeks so the inside and outside can heal. Everyone needs to just listen to what their surgeon says. I would LOVE a salad, though a pickle would do, and I'm really wanting Tuna and I thought I'd be Tuna by 4th of July at least, but I got next year and the year after now

Whillow, I eat about 3/4-1 cup of food at each meal. I always start with the Protein and try to get in at least 2 ounces. Then I make sure I eat at least 1/4 cup of vegies. If I still have room, I'll eat 1/4 cup of carbs...no more. I don't worry about whether or not I'm getting enough protein because I drink 3 low carb, low cal Protein shakes each day (one mid-morning, one mid-afternoon and one mid-evening). They give me all my protein grams. I keep the carbs low mainly because I'm a diabetic and I find it easier to control my insulin requirements (which are becoming minimal as time goes on) without the complication of the carbs. Plus, carbs make me crave more carbs unless I keep them to a very minimum. If I eat carbs for lunch (say in the form of a few crackers or half a grilled cheese sandwich), I won't eat them for dinner and vice versa. I never eat carbs for Breakfast. Ok...I do but they are a couple grams here and there. I probably don't eat more than 35-40 carbs per day.

I too am low bmi (just under 35) and just starting this search. physical & seminar scheduled for next week. Family history of diabetes and high blood pressure (not here yet). Considering Mexico since going self-pay but that thought is scaring the hell out of me. 1. I hear alot of good things about doctors in Mexico -- but would like to hear who you didn't like and why? 2. Also, do they have BMI restrictions like the states? 3. Considering combining with a vacation - but how long before I can go back to work? I can't take off more than 2 weeks. I'm a secretary, so non-strenuous. 4. I am a "high pre-diabetic", anything I can do to ensure I go up 5 points for the test? If so I could be approved for a local surgeon and insurance coverage. 5. Anybody that had complications with Mexico surgery - does US insurance ever cover complications? (How long does the drain stay in?) I know I have alot of questions but very anxious to get things going. Still sorting through the forum but working two jobs doesn't leave alot of free time.

Good luck everyone! I was banded 5 years ago but had some minor complications. But I am on the right track now! Follow my lap band blog www.biscuitsandexcuses.blogspot.com

I have no experience with the sleeve and have only been banded a few days so I have no real room to talk. However, I'll speak on my friends behalf. I have four friends that have had sleeve and three that have been banded. The banders did not follow the rules and actually weigh more now than they did before their surgery. They cuss the band anytime they can because its the bands fault. In NO way is it their fault. Two of my sleeve friends were sleeves early this year. They look great, have lost 140lbs between the two of them and love life. They have no complications and regret no getting sleeved sooner. My other two sleeve friends however love their sleeve so much they hate it. They can't stop losing weight and are now so skinny they are unhealthy. They now have the complete opposite issue as they used to. They have to eat and stuff themselves to try and gain weight. They literally work everyday to try and be healthy but the sleeve almost seems to counteract everything they do. The one thing that settled the score for me was the staples in the sleeve. Just couldn't stand the thought of those being in there forever and having half my stomach removed. At this point I'd much rather have scar tissue than half a stomach.

I got a phone call from Surgeon to cancel my surgery earlier today. I was on day 5 of my liquid diet only 10 days away from getting my surgery. Long story short his contract with the hospital ends this and my surgery date was July 12 he said that he won't be able to preform the surgery because he won't be able to treat me if they there were to be any complications after .... This make me so mad and sad....I went through all this this for nothing!!! He said I could wait for him until he moves to his new location which will be in September or I could look for another surgeon to do my surgery and he would give them my file that I completed every single test required.... What should do? What can I do? Please someone give me advice.... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had a horrible hiatial nernia repaired during my sleeve surgery. 1/3 of my stomach was up through my diaphragm. I was happy to say though I did not experience and pain or complications from that either. Just alot of coughing for several weeks while the diaphragm repair heals.

I had 4 weeks of liquids after surgery, so it could be worse than your 2 weeks The reason is because your stomach has been sutured, manipulated, and wounded. If you don't follow your post op diet exactly, you are putting yourself at very high risk for complications such as ripping stitches in your stomach. Your stomach needs time to heal.

I think the traveling part would be fine if your doctor is ok with it. I agree though that with the limited food choices you will have at that time a cruise may not be the best option. I am in Texas and going to San Diego next week. I cannot wait for the 70 degree temps there! If you do book a trip it might be good to get something refundable or purchase the insurance that allows you to cancel. Just in case you don't feel up to going or in the super rare case you have a complication.

I am there with you. My surgery was scheduled for Set. 2, all appointments were done and they submitted on the 17th. The band removal was approved that day. They also denied the revision. The reason given was that even though the band caused complications, I was non compliant since I said in the dietary consult that I didn't always follow the post bariatric diet. Of course the fact that I had days I couldn't eat anything because of the band just wasn't mentioned. Also, because my BMI is now only 33.47 and I did lose with band, I don't meet the conditions for coverage for the RNY. Now as I see it, they are punishing me for actually loosing weight with the wrong tool. I was never able to have more than 4cc in the band so I never really had the restriction to only be able to 1/2 cup or less for total success. The REAL problem is my doctor's nurse. She isn't returning my calls. I didn't know about the denial until I had called several times about instructions for my pre-op appointment at the hospital. At that time (20th) she said the doc was doing a phone call with the insurance company. Several more calls to her (no response) I called the insurance company (TRICARE) and they said they only had a request dated the 19th, and no other follow up. They offered to send it over again to that department. I again called the nurse without response so I called the nurse who does the seminars and she did a face to face with the nurse. This was on the first and she did tell me the surgery had been cancelled, but the other nurse would get back to me. Nothing again so I called on the morning of the third without response. Without doubt this has been an ugly long weekend.

I just started Protein Shakes in addition to clears and so far so good 🤞🏽 I think I’m having head hunger thus wanting “real food”. I’ve been on liquids for almost 3 weeks now counting pre-op. I didn’t cheat once pre-op so I intend on same post-op. I’m too scared of creating unnecessary complications. 😟

I think you have a point here, lap band "problems" are mainly due to not having restriction, bad aftercare, can't afford fills, being unfilled from being too tight etc...MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE BAND that is a FACT....for being annoying if things aren't right. However, what I found and by those with the Sleeve, that have ISSUES just deal with it, or have their GI docs to deal with all of their reflux issues and heartburn and nausea...and honestly after someone gets the Sleeve they really don't have to deal with their surgeon any longer...Surgeons are cutters... However, they have to constantly "DEAL" with long term lap banders and their "reflux issues" because when the band is damaged --ONLY the lap band surgeon can treat and manage reflux by either unfilling the band, or surgically fixing the pouch or a revision surgery... There ARE MANY Sleevers that have reflux issues...MANY...in fact surgeons suggest those who have issues with refux from the band are advised to NOT get the Sleeve, the Bypass is recommended if they are considering a revision from the Band. I have a few Sleeve friends that told me that don't have any reflux or dumping syndrome...but some say they get this the further out they get... The biggest complaint that I see with my friends that revise from Band to Sleeve is that you have re-learn the restriction and they have tighter restriction with the band than the Sleeve...however they also say they can eat better with the Sleeve -- but ALMOST ALL say they still get hungry.... I am not too quick to do the Sleeve because my older sister had the stomach stapling surgery 20 years ago. (SIMILAR TO THE SLEEVE) restrictive only..she's never really been hospitalized or had any dangerous life threatening complications, -- HOWEVER, I've seen her suffer from stomach pain EVERY SINGLE DAY for many years, not enough for hosptiization, but enough to be annoying and she vomits often, and she fears those staples will cause some issue eventually, which that had --she had a revision surgery 8 years ago..but still did not lose enough weight... Also she still have a "little" restriction, but not enough for weight loss and she gained all her weight back years ago..and if she wants to lose weight she has to diet and exercise because there is nothing she can do at this point. That's my fear with the Sleeve, after about 2-3 years, the Sleeve stomach WILL STRETCH double it's size in capacity and you really can't do anything after the Sleeve stretch but revise to the Bypass or DS or get reSleeved which I hear is very dangerous since many don't have enough stomach left to do anything, but the stomach will stretch too much for it to help with weight loss. I guess it's a personal decision on which direction someone takes...NO weight loss surgery is perfect...BELIEVE ME...I wanted to revise to the SLeeve...even tho I did not want to get my stomach removed...but I really did not see a benefit and I DO NOT want dumping syndrome the rest of my life...to each his own.

Actually, I think if you are having doubts you should postpone your surgery. It's like getting married. If you have doubts, don't do it. And with a sleeve, there is no divorce. That said, I'm reasonably satisfied at 7 weeks and glad I did it, although I am having some complications. The sleeve is a great tool, but it is not for everyone. Good luck.

My surgery was also originally scheduled on July 19, with an Aetna-approved surgeon here in California. But he had little-to-no experience with the sleeve, didn't offer much in the way of bedside manner, had a sort-of factory-line approach to his practice, doesn't keep patients in the hospital very long, and uses a 60 bougie to boot! In the meantime, I too have been VERY impressed with what I've read and heard about Dr. Aceves. So I've changed direction - canceled the surgery (even though it would have been covered by insurance) and doing the self-pay thing with Aceves in Mexicali on Aug. 9. My only concerns are around the rare event I end up with a post-surgery complication, even weeks or months down the line, and not having my surgeon easily available for a consult. I hear Aceves and his staff are very responsive to calls & emails, though, and I do plan to loop my PCP in (seeing her on Monday), to enlist her support in case I need her to admit me to the hospital later. Better to have a plan and not need it, than the other way around, but Dr. Aceves has such a good reputation and great stats, that I expect things to go really well. The main thing, though, is to make the right decision FOR YOU, that you feel comfortable with, and that satisfies your most important criteria. Sometimes I think my decision doesn't make sense - it certainly doesn't from a financial standpoint - but it's the right one for me.

any WLS can and do have complications (not just the band) and any WLS can be successful (that includes the band) adults can choose whichever to get and no one WLS is btter than the other results vary with patients, their doctors etc

I have had absolutely no complications...Knock on wood. People seem to dwell on negative things instead of positive ones. Most people have no issues. Good luck.

Welcome Ziva and Linkoop! This site is the best there is because you are chatting with people who have had this all done. Gone through Bandster hell (the time between the surgery and your first fill) and everything else. The lapband is great but its not a miracle. You will have to still work at controlling your hunger and what you eat but the band will definitely help. I'm a slow loser plus I have had problems so I have not been able to exercise too much which slows the weight loss. Each time you get a fill and the band tightens you get more and more restriction which will help alot. There are people who complain of pain and other complications but those are really low compared to us others who have had no complications whatsoever. You are going to love your band and what it can do for you, IF, you do what you are suppose to as far as eating right and getting some exercise in. Take care and I congratulate you on taking your first step to becoming a healthier you. Yvonne

Which "complications"? I had a quick recovery and no issues, but it would help to know specifically what you are worried about.