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I am 12 weeks post of and doing well. No complications. This past week I started developing gas pains in my shoulder when I eat and they are PAINFUL. I experienced these directly after surgery but now they are back 3 months later but only when i eat. Has anyone experienced this?

It depends on possible complications as well... if they can do it laproscopically then you are in better shape.. which is why it's so important to stick to the liquid pre-op so they don't need to open you up.. I had a drain for 2 weeks so that delayed my ability to go back to work.. but other than that I had minimal pain once I got home, just had to adjust for sleeping upright for the first little while.. Good luck!!!

I live in Central Texas and my surgeon was Dr. David Provost at Baylor Scott and White in Temple. He is a bariatric surgery pioneer in TX and has been doing bariatric surgery for many years. After meeting him and checking his credentials (I am a nurse practitioner so I investigate every health care provider I see 🙄) I felt very comfortable with him and had absolutely no post op complications. I had the sleeve in May 2018 since I never had any significant reflux. I think the reflux is the main reason people get conversion since you don't want to be on prilosec long term and you don't want chronic inflammation of your esophagus. There are a couple of others on here in maintenance who had the sleeve converted to bypass and have done very well so hopefully one of them will respond.

I was sleeved at Mexico Bariatric Center, Dr Christian Rodreguez Lopez in Tijuana. It was a near perfect experience. I also have heard that weight loss can be affected by the surgeon. If I remember right it was determined by how close to the sphincter they get and how well they shape the stomach. Only time will tell for me. I am almost 6 weeks post op and down 24 pounds. No complications. I went to Mexico because there was no insurance interference and of course in the USA I did not qualify due to not being obese enough or having other pre-existing conditions. Good luck in your decision.

I think one of my biggest fear is that what if after the surgery I have complications like leaks, or I just don't know what. But reading everyones responses has really helped me. I know there are risks with surgery but at this point I think it's more of a risk not to have the surgery. Thanks.

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery 4 years ago. Eating lettuce became acceptable after week 9 according to my surgeons directions. But go easy on the salad dressing - go with dressings that have minimal fat and sugar. Chewing is a natural craving and your desire for salad may be related to that craving. Some people experience problems in meeting their daily protein, vitamin and fluid requirements. But it sounds like in your case these problems are extreme and there may be an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated as well. According to the internet: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complaints after bariatric surgery, and they are typically associated with inappropriate diet and noncompliance with a gastroplasty diet (ie, eat undisturbed, chew meticulously, never drink with meals, and wait 2 hours before drinking after solid food is consumed). If these symptoms are associated with epigastric pain, significant dehydration, or not explained by dietary indiscretions, an alternative diagnosis must be explored. One of the most common complications causing nausea and vomiting in gastric bypass patients is anastomotic ulcers, with and without stomal stenosis. Ulceration or stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy of the gastric bypass has a reported incidence of 3% to 20%. Although no unifying explanation for the etiology of anastomotic ulcers exists, most experts agree that the pathogenesis is likely multifactorial. These ulcers are thought to be due to a combination of preserved acid secretion in the pouch, tension from the Roux limb, ischemia from the operation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and perhaps Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that little acid is secreted in the gastric bypass pouch; however, staple line dehiscence may lead to excessive acid bathing of the anastomosis. Treatment for both marginal ulcers and stomal ulcers should include avoidance of NSAIDs, antisecretory therapy with proton-pump inhibitors, and/or sucralfate. In addition, H pylori infection should be identified and treated, if present. So condensing this down general advice (coordinating with your surgical staff) might be to avoid NSAIDs (such as aspirin), use proton pump inhibitors (such as Prilosec) and have yourself tested for Helicobacter pylori infection.

@Rovoboy WOW... great success... I am ten weeks out and down 60 pounds... Thanks for sharing. @@Rhodes I also believe in the long term benefits of the surgery. My two week recovery was a bit complicated by developing strep throat, 3 days after I returned home, but I recovered and was back to work. Even some discomfort is worth it in the long run....

I don't have any direct experience with the Mx docs, but I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences; the only one that comes to mind who has a good following is Dr. Sauceda. My perspective on this is that with plastics it is preferable to keep it local if at all possible. This is not a MX vs. US thing, but rather a travel vs. local thing. Plastics, particularly getting into body lifts and the like, have a much higher chance of minor to moderate complications than your original WLS. Things like incisions that don't heal promptly or open up again, lingering drainage issues, seromas forming, etc. Much of this can be handled via pictures and email but other things are better handled with an office visit. It's usually much better to have the original doc handle these things than trying to find a local third party to do the pickup for him. It's one of the things to consider when weighing the costs of travelling vs. local care.

Isn't he worth the money? I'd recommend him to anyone. No post op complications and highly successful weight loss. Great surgeon!

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).

I'm sorry for your loss. I have big time guilt and your concern or expression of annoyance speaks to me if it's worth anything. I'm for sure going to fess up to my doctor on my follow up about my half slice of cheese at day 5. I don't think it's ok for me to cheat anymore just cause I chewed really good and seem to have digested it fine and I don't condone anyone else do the same. I was just posting honestly because this has been very difficult! But no it's not worth dying from complications. And well what's done is done, at least your cautionary tale is a driving factor in my will not to stray again and in fact you may have saved my life in doing so. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I chose sleeve, because I didn't want the potential issues with nutrient malabsorption and I couldn't get over the fact that my intestines would be re-routed. In my mind, the sleeve seemed less invasive, though it's terribly invasive too. Lap Band was totally out in my mind based on a friend's experience with it. I'm already prone to dumping in general because of gall bladder complications, so I don't need the added plus of anything else (bypass) to cause that. Your success will be what you make it and not necessarily some statistic or anecdote. As someone mentioned, all of the surgeries are tools. You should do whatever you think is right for your health. My recommendation would be to make a list of pros and cons for each surgery and take as much educated advice from professionals and patient experiences as you can. Good luck!

I just spoke to Optum today. The requirements are related to UHC and your employer's insurance contract criteria. I called 3 weeks ago, and was told it could take up to three weeks before I received a call back. *Additional items may be identified by your BRS Case Manager, based on your situation. The medical centers and programs within Bariatric Resource Services are independent contractors who render care and Morbid Obesity Surgery Requirements*: AGE You must be between the ages of 18-65 years BMI Your body mass index (BMI) must be at least 35-39.9 with at least one obesity-related medical condition (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea) or over 40. You can calculate your BMI at: http://www.myoptumhe.../BMI Calculator NETWORK You must use a Bariatric Resource Service (BRS) Center of Excellence. If one is greater than 50 miles from your home, you may use an in-network provider. DIET You are required to complete a 6 month physician supervised diet, prior to surgery. This means that you have worked with a provider (any licensed physician, nutritionist or Registered Dietician) and had a minimum of one visit per month for 6 months. During each visit, the provider must document your current weight, what diet regimen you are following and what type and amount of exercise you are performing. Diet must have been completed within the last two years. If you went to Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, please provide a copy of all the stamps for 6 months AND at least two physician office visit notes showing appointment date, your weight and that you were participating in Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. Please use the form that has been provided to you to record these visits. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION You must complete a psychological evaluation within 12 months of your surgery date. Contact United Behavioral Health at the number located on the back of your member ID card. PROCEDURES ALLOWED Roux-en-Y, Lap band, Duodenal Switch and Gastric Sleeve are all covered procedures under your plan. SECOND PROCEDURE This benefit is limited to one procedure per lifetime while covered under the plan, unless there are complications relating to the initial surgery. A clinical review will be necessary. I am submitting for revision from band to sleeve and was told that the doctor could submit early if complications were found from the band. She told me that if they submit the review board has 15 days to respond and it normally does not take that long. I believe that after everything is sent in for a normal review, they have 30 days to respond, but most everyone I know has received a reply in 15 days or less.. The Optum rep told me she would follow up with me in two months but normally, she follows up at 4 months to check in and remind you of the rest of tests needed by your insurance company. The Optum rep also told me that they go by the BMI first submitted. So if you are submitted with a BMI of 35 and one approved omorbitdity and lose weight, you will still be approved. Hope this helps.

Hi Sherry, Welcome!! It sounds like we have a lot in common! I am set for surgery on either the 8th or 10th of June. I too don't have any other health issues....yet. I have been having the same worries, not wanting to jump from the frying pan to the fire. It really helps me to read over all the postive posts on here. It's very encouraging to see the success stories. I am really looking forward to not being so tired and just feeling better about myself. I just wanted to drop you a quick line to let you know you aren't alone with your worries!! Try and keep focusing on the positives though, that's what seems to help me anyway. Good luck!! Marie (in Dallas) Hi All, My name is Sherry, I'm set to be banded in less than a week, on May 19th. My Doctor is Dr. Larry Gellman in Long Island, New York. I am pretty nervous, I am very fortunate that I do not have any health issues, and am doing this because I do not want to wind up with any at the rate I am going. I'm worried about possible complications and what my banded future is going to be like. I just hope I am not playing with fire, is all. In any case, this site looks great, there are so many supportive people sharing the same journey. Best of luck to all! Sherry

I had very mild sleep apnea, only 2.5 occurrences more than normal. At the initial appointment my sleep doctor said a CPAP wasn't required but recommended to help decrease surgery complications. My surgery was April 20th. I saw the sleep doctor this week and he said I can return the machine since my case is mild and I had lost 28lbs since my last appointment with him. He scheduled a sleep study in 3 months to review how the weight loss affects my sleep and make sure the apnea has improved. Every case is different and depends on the severity of your apnea and your progress. Best of luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by Anwyn I'm not sure of the circumference of mine, but it's the kind that holds 4cc's total... does that help? Both the 9.75 and 10 cm bands hold 4cc. The Vanguard (AKA VG or 11cm Band) holds 12 or so cc's so you have one of the other ones. __________________ Dr. Ron Hekier, Texarkana Lap Band Surgeon Lap Band Texarkana ( Texas | Arkansas ) Disclaimer: All information posted by me is my personal opinion and does not reflect views sanctioned by any other body or entity. Posts on this board should not be construed to be offered as medical advice or a professional opinion. This information was posted in the complications with the band thread. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=206726#post206726

Please know that I am not attacking you but you said in one post that you purged to get rid of food and in another for a matter of control. This concerns me. Bulimia is very serious. This sleeve may help you reduce the amount you consume but you will still want to get rid of it. You will get that full feeling and want to make it go away. The sleeve will not help with that. Only you can. As for the comment about you not being 'fat' enough for the sleeve or any other type of baratric surgery, I agree. Most surgeons require a BMI of at least 35 with obesity complications. Some require a 40. I'm assuming that you are paying for it yourself considering insurance companies require a high BMI as well. Please carefully think about this. I fought this disease for 23 years. I even had a boyfriend that encouraged it. I miscarried because of it. It has rotted my teeth. I understand the severity. I can honestly say that the sleeve does NOT help me in that sense. It is assisting me I. My decision to become heathly...but it's me that decides not to eat garbage and to work out. Not the sleeve.

I spent 2 nights in the hospital, and when I was released we headed straight home. Once you are off IV fluids and they know there are no complications there isn't really a reason to stay an extra night in a hotel. I think you will be fine.

Research: Bariatric Surgery Revisions Carry Greater Risks Than Initial Procedure Revisional bariatric surgery appears to be associated with a higher risk of complications than the initial procedure, according to a study published in the February issue of Archives of Surgery. News - Bariatric Surgery Revisions Carry Greater Risks Than Initial Procedure <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

I found this information and I thought it was good to post it's something that some of the long term sleevers have concerns about even some of the newbies have concerns about what if: Weight regain after bariatric surgery can be an uncomfortable subject and one that both surgeons and patients want to avoid talking about, but can’t. To be sure, weight regain happens – the real question revolves around the cause. We understand that the choice to have weight loss surgery was a big one and the return of weight (in any amount) is disappointing. But understanding the way our bodies work and what may be behind the weight regain can help us address the issue more effectively. First and foremost, don’t get down on yourself. In all likelihood, your surgery did work and you are doing the right things, but our bodies change. As our bodies change, so too do our needs. Natural Regain: Some weight regain after bariatric surgery and especially gastric bypass is normal. If you regain 5-10% of your excess body weight after a few years of losing consistently, don’t fret. Speak to your surgeon, but it is likely no problem at all. Diet modification: Many of us tend to overdo it in our diets. It is tempting to over-diet, but the results can be counterproductive. Crash diets can even cause us to retain more fat than a diet of moderation. Be sure that you follow your diet plan closely and work with your dietician to ensure the very best results. Exercise habits: As with diets above, there is a fine line between good and bad exercise. Understanding the exercises to which your body responds and working with an exercise physiologist can help ensure that your exercises are doing good and not harm. Pouch or stoma enlargement: The stomach pouch and/or stoma (the opening into the stomach) can in fact stretch over time. This can cause mild or significant weight regain and can be corrected with one of several simple outpatient procedures. Revision Surgery can be effective, but ONLY as a last resort. Simple outpatient procedures and even major surgery can be used to revise an unsuccessful primary procedure. While revisions are generally effective, they do carry a higher risk of complications and all other solutions to the weight regain should be implemented before considering a revision procedure.

I made the decsion As I had serious health issues and I am wheelchair dependant. Being morbidly obese with a BMI of over 60, my independance was at imminent risk, for me that was a bigger issue than early death. may seem strange, but I think that I got desensitized to the message that fat would kill me, sure something will kill me! so for me, forced dependancy was far worse. Quality of life stuff. I knew that WLS was my only real option and dd not like the thought of the more invasve procedure like RNY gastric bypass. I knew someone who had gastric bypass- she lsot the weight and kept most off but has had to deal with severe nutritional imbalances and anaemia since then and probably for the rest of her lfe. She s happy wth the decision but I guess I liked the idea that as the band is adjustable it could be fine tuned over my life- even removed if needed and the underlying anatomy basically is back to square one. None of us know what the future hold so I did not want to burn any bridges with permanent anatomy changes if I could achieve what I needed with less invasve surgery. my surgeon is one of the australian pioneers, he has been doing band surgery since the early 90's and has been doing wls in generla for longer. He is Professor of bariatric surgey. He has not done anything but the band for over 6 yrs as he said the long term stats show better success rates for the band and far less complications, the rsk of death from the procedure is as high as 1 in 200 for the other surgeries and less than 1 in 2000 for the band. One of the biggest units doing this surgery in Australia for the longest time has said that they have not had a single death from the band that was attributed directly to the band surgery. thevery small number of deaths that have occured have been related to the co morbs or completely unrelated stuff. same long term results with far less rsk was the final piece of the puzzle

Hi Paige, Once again, I find myself playing devils advocate. You make valid points but they are so laced by your negativity, no one really wants to listen. THere is no PERFECT WLS. I have bypass friends who are sick looking, anemic or DEAD in their pursuit to be a normal BMI and healthy. I have lapband friends who have had numerous complications, several erosions, several slips, some pouch dilatations etc. I do not have any DEAD lapband friends although I know that there are a very very few that succumb to complications of surgery. I like the reversability factor because I do believe that one day there will be a pill or medication available to me to put my obesity permanently in remission. Since their presently is not and I had two small children to consider, I did not want a more dangerous rerouting of my anatomy and the band was a great option for me because of my problem with satiety. I never got full. We all know that the lapband is not a perfect solution and does not cure obesity. It is simply a tool to aid in weight loss and the patient must do the work (both mentally, dietary and exercise compliance) THe same applies to all WLS. Sure there are probably better options for long term like the DS as an example, but the associated risks are significantly higher even with a great surgeon and in my case, I was not prepared to take the risk. The band is actually quite barbaric in nature as a restrictive device rather than malabsorptive. Despite all my problems with the band (12 fills and unfills over 3 years, endoscopies, floruoscopies, and all the post op care I have endured, I still feel I made the right decision. Statistically, I am a success, but I busted my butt. Do not think it was an easy journey. I am still considered to be overweight, but I will take my size 14/16 over a size 28-30 anyday. Babs in TX 334/190 ish

Thats the PONT! If WLS is for life Why would you want it reversed? It only needs revisonal surgery if its going wrong and the complications again are rare and if like happen very early days. Unlike the band most people experience probs around 18 months to 2 years. It can be devastateing if the band has been great then suddenly slippes and needs removing. Not every one is likely to keep the weight off! You ONLY usually have the band removed when there is complications and the long term chance of complications are way higher with a band than any other method of WLS. A Doc will endourse the band if thats all there doing and most general practioners dont know enough about anything so have a say eather way. (in a specialist manner) A Specialsit bariatric surgeon should be skilled in all the surgeries and should have enough experience to assess a patient and there suitablility for what ever procedure. The patient should of course consult with the surgeon and heed the surgeons advice. This less invasive and reverasble thing is sooo repetative it seems like the laimest excusess for a band i have ever heard. It says you expect it to fail and when it does its easy to fix. Whats the point in entering into a lifetime commitment to change with the expoectation its likely to fail. All surgeries to some extent are reversable. The band completely reversabe and usually with that there is a very high chance the weight will regain. Thats prob one of the sole reasons why lots of insurance companies in the US dont fund banding and lots of people have to fight for it. Surly that tellls you something! i seriously cannot see why you would ever want it reversed if things are going well. And in most bypass cases things go well like the stats say there is higher complications probs with a band than any other method of WLS so again if this are going great why would you consider revision?

Awh, looks like you already made up your mind! I'm 22, male and low end of the obese BMI range (35). The trouble I've found is that depending on what we do, our lifestyle is pretty sedentary.That mixed with all of the hanging out with mates, restaurants, pubs, etc it's hard to manage a diet at 22. All of my friends are all skinny, slim and eat the same as me but are able to keep it off, and it's becoming so hard now to actually go out with them when they are all so social and energetic and 'normal' sized, and I look like a buffalo next to them. I've thought long and hard about this, and from a health perspective, at 22 my heart, joints, kidneys, liver etc is still young and able to heal pretty well, but under the stress of an extra 30kgs for the next 10-15 years, it will play a massive part on contributing to other health complications. My thoughts anyway, best of luck to your son and you never know, he may prove me completely wrong and be able to lose the weight the ol' fashion way!

What if any complications have you experienced? Thank you for answering..I have just joined this site. Thinking of having the surgery. ann