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I too am also being scheduled for a revision/replacement due to slip and pouch dilation. The doctors feel confindent they can do it but must always warn the the health of the stomach is there number 1 concern and that there is always a chance they might have to remove the band but this does not mean it couldn't be put back in at a future date. My surgeon seems confident that he can reposition though so I am just grateful to have the opportunity to get it fixed and will pray that he can do it. the other option is to revise to a gastric sleeve if they can't do it and i don't want that so they are going to give it their very best to reposition a new band into place. Good luck everyone with revisions and please lets keep each other posted on this complication site . I expect to have my surgery in approx 2 -3 weeks.
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international travel soon after surgery?
gigglypug replied to elynnmo's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
One more comment: If you chose to go ahead with the surgery, I'd strongly recommend getting travel insurance. I would imagine the Africa trip is quite a financial commitment and this way you have at least some peace of mind. Complications, while unlikely, are still a possibility and you also don't know how you'll feel (people here report needing to use pain meds anywhere from not at all to two weeks...). Are you heading into the bush or staying close to civilization? I postponed my first fill because I was heading to the Galapagos the next week and didn't want to risk needing an emergency unfill so far from any medical care. Dealing with the lap band requires special equipment/needles that are not likely to be found in many developing countries. I can appreciate your impatience to get started. Realize that lap band works over months or years and that two weeks more or less are not likely to matter in the long run... -
Heavy drinker considering surgery
greeneyedldy replied to bayareanan's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Keep in mind that many surgeons wont even perform surgery on a person until they stop drinking or smoking. Plus, your liver is responsible for the production of coagulation factors (blood clotting). Drinking also increases your risk of complications. Talk to your surgeon and see if they can help you. -
Extra Nervous After Word of Warning from my US Surgeon!
lnaj59 replied to Sun Godess's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
I worry about those too, but not just because of going to Mexico. Complications happen in the US too, and sometimes complications happen from patients not following proper post op care. If you Google or even look through the message boards here there are all kinds of stories of complications right here in the US because this surgery is not risk free. No surgery is. A young guy I went to college with just died from a routine outpatient gallbladder removal! I've been researching doctors for over a year now and for me it always comes back to Dr. Illan. Now that he partnered with BariatricPal and they've vetted him, that just sealed the deal for me that he is one of the best Bariatric surgeons in Tijuana. And I would bet he would rank highly among Bariatric surgeons world wide. I also feel more at ease having 4 days of monitored post op care. Here in the US you get discharged from the hospital after 24 hours and I feel like you're kind of on your own until your 1-2 week checkup. -
New to VSG, Old to WLS
wannabehealthy replied to wannabehealthy's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Wow, thanks for all the replies and to all who read my story. It's been so long and as I started writing, it just all flowed out with ease. I needed to get it off my chest, I've never told my story to anyone except my husband, who has lived it with me. I guess it looks worse on paper than I thought!! I'm really ok, I made it through each time hoping that this would be the last surgery, and this last time was the most disappointing I think, waking up with the doctor saying "sorry". But, we must just dust ourselves off and move forward, what else can we do? On days that I feel great, I forget about all the medical junk and just enjoy the bliss. Deedee-thank your for saying that I have a positive attitude, it doesn't feel that way sometimes. I have total faith in my doctor, she has seen my insides 3 times now and knows her way around! (I left my first doctor, he told me my port wasn't infected and I ran around with an open tunneling wound in my abdomen for 7 months before finding another doctor who knew what they were doing!) Donna- it's so good to hear how happy you are with the sleeve, it gives me hope. I really appreciate your empathy. It touches my heart to know that people really care.:drool5: Tiffykins, I only wish I would have gotten my band out sooner, 7 years was WAY to long to suffer. I just kept wanting to make it work. I know almost for certain that I will have some complication with the operation for the sleeve, I am a poor healer, but I know it will all be worth it! Thinasiwant- thank you for your comments, I look forward to better times, that is for sure! Carolyn-I can't wait to "love my life" as you do! Actually, I do (except for the obesity part). I have 2 great kids and a husband who loves me- poor thing, he's had to endure all of this with me! He's a keeper! :cursing: I also cannot wait to have more energy! I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and have started taking thyroid replacement, so that should help with the energy thing too. Lee-I always had faith that the band would eventually work right, so my only frustration now is the time that I wasted trying to make it work. Hopefully, in a few short months, I will have a new tool that will actually work, the sleeve, and the end of my saga will come and my new life will finally start! I cannot wait to participate in activities with my family instead of sitting in a chair on the sidelines. Thank you so much again, I look forward to growing my new friendships and being of support to others! Kathy :seeya: -
Sleeved with lots of Complications
Tiffykins replied to momoftwo's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I am so sorry to hear of your complications. You will be more sore than most sleeve patients because of having 2 surgeries. I had a leak, and the recovery is very draining. Your body has been through a lot, and you'll need to just rest, walk when you can, and try to get in all of your fluids. Staying hydrated is the most important aspect right now. You'll lose weight, but I'm thinking they've pumped you full of fluids, and with all the trauma your body will hold onto weight for awhile. I had a horrific recovery that lasted 3 months, I'm not saying it will take you that long, but I do not regret this surgery one bit, and would endure my complications to live the life I have today. Hang in there, if you need anything, please contact me. -
Any Banders with MS (multiple sclerosis)?
debifaye replied to SeaSounders♥'s topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi, I have Multiple sclerosis and was dx about 5 years ago. I am just starting the lapband journey. I went to see my dr today and just filled out some paperwork and got some labs done. My neuro said that he did not know of any complications with ms and the lapband and the surgeon said it would not be a problem. I am still kind of nervous about it though . I am so glad that you have had good results with the band mis73! -
Extra Nervous After Word of Warning from my US Surgeon!
Sun Godess posted a topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
So...I have a lap band. I never got to the "green zone" or optimal restriction, just increased unbearable heartburn with additional fills. I have insurance, and kind of fell into the revision process this December. My insurance requires the repeat of the 6 mos diet process again to submit for a revision to sleeve. I do not want to wait and take the chance of ultimately being denied. So, I have scheduled a revision with Dr. Illan in a few weeks. Everything is all set up. I told my lap band surgeon a couple weeks ago at my last appt. He seemed concerned but understood. This morning I got a personal call from my lap band surgeon. He said his partner was in surgery as we spoke trying to fix a leak from a patient who had a sleeve done in Mexico. He said he was not trying to scare me, because he understands that I have to do what I have to do. He was just warning me that they see this regularly. He did not know the doctor or anything. So, I feel that I have done a good job, but am worrying now about the what if's due to it being a "revision" surgery of lap band to sleeve, and the possibility of a leak. It is scaring me now, and whether they REALLY REALLY REALLY check thoroughly before closing you up! I know they do leak tests during and after, but then how does someone get home and then have a leak!?!?! He did say, yes, it can happen to anybody. I am just wondering, scared and slightly second guessing. I can't afford to get back home and have complications and be in the hospital! I have found one band to sleeve patient on here who went to Dr. Illan. I have heard all glowing reviews. I have phone conferenced with Dr. Illan and feel good. I don't want fear to hold me back. I don't want to wait until July/August to hope to have surgery and maybe be denied because there "technically" is no mechanical error with my band. I am ready to move on and find success NOW beginning of April, be several pounds down by summer, all healed up, and moving on with my life...not to mention over this heartburn! Any words of wisdom and experience...especially of band to sleeve revisions would be greatly appreciated! -
No issues here. It is surgery and you have to muscle through it. The first week was rough, but my surgery was free of complications. Thank the Lord. Good Luck!!!
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Possible VSG complication 2 years out
VSG AJH replied to 4dogcrazy's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I have a similar issue and had since a few months post-op. My surgeon kept blowing me off, too, until I was still complaining about pain at my one year visit, and hadn't had much of a weight loss in months (3 pounds in 6 months). He sent me for an upper GI, which revealed nothing, and an endoscopy, which revealed I had retained find us at the top of my sleeve. It would pouch out with the camera inside, and the GI could turn the camera completely around in the stretchy bit. My surgeon promised to repair it, but since I'd had an insurance change and bariatrics was an exclusion on the new policy, reports from the GI doc were "unreadable," and peer-to-peer conversations between docs resulted in a change in the way the GI described the pouching he described to me in the recovery room following the endoscopy. (I have a feeling my surgeon possibly threatened to reduce the number of patients his office referred to the GI practice.) After several more months of pain, I was finally able to get through the gatekeeper at another Bariatric practice where the surgeon himself does the endoscopy in the case of possible complications, rather than relying on an external GI. He too determined I have retained fundus at the top of my sleeve that, by now, two plus years post-op has stretched out markedly. I've regained 25 pounds from my very lowest weight, and 10 pounds from my longest stable weight. I've always had a greater capacity than other sleeve patients, and have dealt with pain after every meal of solid food since about month four post-op (pain that is now constant, whether eating or not). In my case, the pain is to the left side, and radiates across my lower left rib cage (pain to the right might not be the same. Liver issues, maybe?). I am currently working with this new surgeon's office to be "resleeved" to remove the retained fundus, and hopefully resolve my pain issues. I'm in the appeals process with insurance now since I'm dealing with medical issues and not having a repeat Bariatric surgery (though the process is identical). I would suggest you seek medical attention with a GP or new Bariatric surgeon, and if you can, have all the necessary tests to determine what you're actually dealing with, rather than just having your pain issue dismissed (as I've found many doctors prone to do). -
Poll for those at least 6 months PostOp
sprocket replied to Barry W's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
How long ago was your procedure? Almost 11 months ago. What was your starting BMI and what is it now? Starting BMI was 45. Current BMI is 28.2. If you could magically go back in time and revisit your decision, would you still get the sleeve procedure? Absolutely. Seriously, it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. I've had no complications except for constipation. I can deal with that. -
Type 1 diabetic looking into this surgery (need advice ♥)
MandieClick posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello! I'm new here. I'm a Juvenile diabetic and was diagnosed when I was about 5 years old. After that time I had gained weight rapidly. Once I was about 18 I was also diagnosed as a double-diabetic. Now not only am I a Juvenile Diabetic I also suffer from insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. I haven't found much info on type 1 diabetics getting this surgery. I really need help as I have been suffering from the complications of becoming insulin resistant. While in the mean time if I'm able to lose the weight I might be able to reverse the type 2 diabetes and be able to manage my type 1 without much issues. I have lost a very little amount of weight but not enough to make a dent in this issue. Yet ...but someday I will! My A1c is embarrassingly high! I try so hard to manage a disease where I'm completely dependant on insulin, BUT my body is strongly resistant against it. This feels like a lose-lose battle without the extra help. I also heal slowly and suffer nerve damage, and I'm still pretty young. This scares me horribly! Since turning 26 I outgrew my parent's insurance, so maybe I can find a nice insurance plan to help cover the procedure in the marketplace. Back on subject though, Is there any other double diabetics, type 1's or any one else out there that has any of these troubles? Like the slow healing... I really want to get this surgery, but will I be more open for complications? Sure! I was just looking for any kind of tips, advise from other diabetics whom have had the sleeve. I was even thinking of getting the sleeve and see if they can take not remove as much of the stomach just so I can have some additional stomach there. In case of any surgical complications the extra "stomach" might be life-saving. Leaks are scary and so is the aspect of healing slowly from a procedure like this is something to prepare for? What would you do if you were in such a situation that this is a viable option but with huge risks attatched? My mind is going in all sorts of directions and I would love to go in the right one, if you know what I mean. Sorry for the length, and thank you for taking the time to read this post ♥- 19 replies
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The first surgeon I was going to go with is one of the most popular ones in my area. Then I met my surgeon and she was awesome. She was also half his age (my age in fact) and I felt I could talk to her like she were a friend. That made the decision for me. What I love about her is that she also does "fixes" for other surgeons that make mistakes. She works the ER and does other types of surgery so I felt while she was not the most experienced at WLS she sure knew her stuff. Plus I liked that even though I had complications, she was up front and honest with me. Communicated openly with my family and even dropped by to check on me on her days off. The other surgeon might have done that, but I felt he was not nearly as personable as she was.
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What is this pain? Help!
pnw218 replied to Genesis1's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I haven't had the brain freeze part - could it be more light headed or nausea? How fast did you eat? Did you eat the last two bites when you were already feeling a little full? If I eat too much or eat something for the first time, the symptoms are pretty similar. Light headed, nausea, stomach pain. And lots of burping and tummy gurgling! I haven't had Pasta yet so don't know if that could have done it. I can eat shredded cheese on other foods but can't eat string cheese. It didn't settle at all. If it is "just" too fast, too much or a new food - the discomfort will go away. Sometimes it takes me close to an hour tho. Try to relax, get a cold wash cloth, walk around. I even will take a few sips of cold Water. In my mind it might help loosen it up and pass thru the stomach. Use your best judgement. Seems late for a complication but ya never know. an afterthought... if you did eat too much, it may not all be fitting into your stomach and would be backed up into your esophagus. That could account for the chest pain. Be careful and don't wait too long to call your doctor if it doesn't go away. Hope you feel better soon! -
Well, loosing your hair will NOT: Give you diabetes Give you heart disease Give you sleep apnea Possibly contribute to COPD Keep you from fitting into your clothes Keep you from doing many activities because you can't physically do them And a host of other things. But being 150 pounds overweight likely WILL. You will NOT lose all your hair because of this surgery unless you develop some weird complication that no one else has. SOME hair thinning may be POSSIBLE but not necessarily an absolute probability.
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I am being banded tomorrow and I am so scared. The doctor made everything sound so easy "You'll have surgery, be back to normal in 3-5 days and then after the 4 week post op diet, you will eat whatever your family does, only in much smaller portions'. From what I have read on here, the process is much more complicated. I am so worried about waking up from surgery unable to drink any water and being in horrible pain. I have fibromyalgia and have no idea how that will be affected by the surgery. I am kind of second guessing my decision to do this (something I knew would happen) but have already paid for the surgery and done the entire pre-op process. I just feel completely sick to my stomach and I know tonight is only going to get worse.
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I'm still in trying to get to goal so I'm no expert, but at 8months I still basically eat protein first and then a small amount of veggies as I have space left. I don't make any complicated meals. I eat chicken, eggs and salmon. I also drink fat free milk and sometimes small amounts of raw almonds. Every few days I eat a couple of strawberries and blueberries. ....yum! Best.
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Confused stomach and hungry!
liannatx replied to carolinacrumb88's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I went band to sleeve also. I had 1 week of clear, and 2 weeks of full liquids. It is tough, but I was more afraid of creating a complication or leak than I was of the hunger. I surely wouldn't try beef yet. I think of all meat Proteins it is the hardest to digest. I think it would be best to bite the bullet and follow your surgeons plan... it seems incredibly tough now but it is really a matter of days and once you get to soft foods/purees it is totally different. They do seem to quell the hunger pangs. Just hang in there, most of us have been there and understand the liquid phase burn-out. -
Help...band Feels Wierd/hurts...stuck?
DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! replied to sylviau's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I personally think you'll be ok until your appointment tomorrow, however I'm not a doctor, and if you are really uncomfortable and don't feel you can make it through the night then perhaps consider the ER. Otherwise, I think you're very wise for going in for an unfill. Night heartburn is a major red flag for a band too tight. That is not something you want to mess with, so I applaud you for getting right on it and going back for an unfill so soon. I see way too many wait months and end up with complications because of it. Best wishes, I'm sure you'll feel much better tomorrow after your appointment. -
I think a combination of all of the above. I have found a similar theme amongst the online boards though, which is no one wants to hear the negative no matter WHY it happened. I wanna know it all!!! but that's ME Some people have been hurt, in pain etc.. So yeah they come on a "little strong" I also see that if someone is content they don't visit the boards,if they need help/support they do. No one one wants to be in that situation,BUT IT HAPPENS. I usually read it, keep it in mind, and move on if I have nothing to offer I move on..Why make them feel worse? that serves no purpose. No one knows all of what is needed to know about this or any other surgery. I wish I knew how to "vet"a surgeon that would be awesome, But what do we really have to go on? other's opinion's what that doctor tells us? unfortunately the Doctor's only tell us the complications that they are given by the manufacturer And most people don't really want to know ALL the possible complications.
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hi all, I am now 6 months post op and have been stuck at the same weight now for about a month, i have had a couple of pounds loss then its gone back on, i am getting a little desperate here now , things have been going so well up to this point, i never had any complications after the surgery, can get plenty of liquids down and hardly any trouble eating, it has been really great, i have lost about 80lbs so far, which i feel so pleased about, i know i was going to hit a stall at some point but next week i am going to the dietician and i feel that she will be really disappointed that i haven't lost much since i last saw her, i don't really know what to do, should i cancel my appoint and hope that i have lost some weight by the time i get another appointment or should i just go and accept this is all i have been able to so far. thanks for listening viv
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Hi everyone. So I just joined this app I'm a 17 year old girl. I weigh about 320 and I haven't been able to lose weight easily but I am in this program at my hospital, you meet once a month with a surgeon, occupational therapist, nutritionist, psychologist, and finally a endocrinologist. You have to be in this program for about 6 months in order to be qualified for surgery. I managed to lose a few pounds with this program but I really am struggling to lose it. I just had an appointment Tuesday and this was my 4th month in the program. The surgeon told me that next month, I can make the decision on whether or not I want to go through with surgery. I decided I do want to go through with a surgery and I've decided I wanted the gastric sleeve since it's less risky than the gastric bypass. I've been looking at many before and after pictures of people under the age of 25 and even some older and it does make me excited, hoping that one day I can do a before and after picture like that. My older sister actually had a gastric bypass surgery when she was 23 and she's 25 now and looks great. But, despite my anticipation, I can't help but be terrified. I'm scared of complications, I've had 2 surgeries but they were minor, just tonsils and adenoids, and tubes in my ears, nothing major, the thought of this major surgery scares me. I know it's the right choice for me as I've struggled with my weight since I was just a little girl. I'm sick of being so huge, I want to be able to go out with my friends and not struggle to keep up because I'm always out of breath, I want to go to theme parks and go on rides without fear that I'm too big for the seat belts and bars, I want to be confident, I want to be healthy. But the thought of surgery scares me. I'm scared I might regret getting the surgery. I'm scared there'll be complications. I'm just scared. Has anyone else felt like this before their surgery? Anyone have any advice?
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I've been reading here for years so let me take a shot at your questions? Every doctor has different protocols and some prime the band during surgery. Some don't prime at all. Every doctor has different protocols for fills. We have some here who only get .5 CCs per fill. Some fill with 5 CCs and ask the patient to swallow some Water to make sure it goes down OK. Allergan or Realize bands aren't that much different. Some of us got to the green zone with no fills and some with 13. I'd say the average is around 5. Usually it takes 2-3 before we feel the first satiety signals. Some doctors fill with fluoroscopy. It's an X-Ray so the doctor can see how fast Fluid flows through the band. This way they can fill the band only once or twice to get you to some kind of restriction? Most of us have no complications with fills? Sometimes the port can flip but it's rare. Occasionally some nurses or nurse practitioners may have a hard time finding the port. Hope this helps till someone more specific answers your questions?
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Hello all, I am getting ready to begin the process for getting the sleeve hopefully. I have my first appointment this week with my Medical Doctor and psychologist. I hope I can get approved for real. I haven't been to the doctor in years almost 10 so I am scared with what they may say and if that may have any complications. I'm 480 6'6. I am pretty active. I just started back working out. Been playing basketball 2-3 times a week. Don't have as much energy as the competition lol. Any tips on how I can be successful??
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Hi all, I still have to take a PPI (omeprazole) 7 months after surgery. I have had zero complications to date and have slowly but surely been losing weight. My surgeon is a bit concerned that I still have to take the PPI otherwise I'll get reflux within 1-2 days. For the last week i'm also getting a sharp pain around my largest incision when i bend over. The surgeon asked that I get an upper endoscopy here in Canada (I had surgery in Mexico). Has anyone had to get an endoscopy after the healing period when there were no issues post surgery? Thanks!
