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I used dr j rodriguez (joseband.com) and was very happy. I have had some complications which are normal and just my body but I am doing better. The doctor has been super easy to reach and he calls to check on me. He alos only costs 7300. think about it. It is in Acuna, across from del rio.

I'm 3 months out on Feb. 9th. Was I scared? Heck yeah, there was a lot at stake for me. I have 7 kids who depend on me and that I couldn't bare to leave without a mom. I also had a very competent surgeon who saw me through the process. That made all the difference. I had no complications from the surgery itself. I had some complications from the pain killer dilaudid during post op and had to have oxygen support til I gave up the pain killer. The post op pain wasn't that bad by day 2, that I couldn't just deal without pain meds. I was 386lb on the day of surgery and right now, as of today, I'm 329. So not bad for 3 months out. The first month was a touch disappointing though, I won't lie. I lost only 15lbs which was far less than I had been losing on my own pre op, but it did pick up and the 3 wk long 3wk stall was horrendous to my morale, but when it did break, my weight started falling off faster.

Ask your Dr. I would say yes, what about all of us who went to Mexico to be sleeved. I took a fly home 3 days after surgery and I am feeling great with no complications, thank god!

Bitter, it strikes me from reading your posts about your life with your mother that you are exhausted and that your emotions concerning your present life and your mother are complicated. This only makes sense; you are between a rock and a hard place and your sib is not pulling his weight, is he? Perhaps some talk therapy might be indicated. You would be able to sort through your feelings, maybe figure out some new approaches to your relationship with your mum, and perhaps learn some distancing or relaxation techniques.... Who knows? It might be worth a shot. (I mention this because my own family life has been a difficult one. I have been seeing a psychologist for some years now and this has been most useful. It really saved my sanity when my mum and my kid brother suddenly died not so very long ago.)

Hi, I went for my consultation today and was pleasantly surprised. Dr. Scott Laker (Great Lakes Weight Loss Clinic) was very friendly, and really took the time to answer all of my questions. He mentioned that he believes everybody should go to the seminar and get as much information as possible. I will try to attend the seminar next Tuesday, which is also the day I start my pre-op diet. I will be banded on August 25th, by Dr. Laker at 1 PM. I am very comfortable with the process now. The people at Great Lakes, really took the time to go through everything with me. Where I was very nervous before, I am really excited now. They helped put me at ease. They answered all of my questions from, what I need to do before surgery, to the surgery itself, and then what to expect after being banded. Dr. Laker also answerd all of my complication questions. I couldn't be happier. I saw some information on the lap band about 17 months ago, and thought to myself, that this is the tool I need to finally be free of the pain and suffering from being MO. I didn't really think about it seriously again until about 3 months ago. Thats when my wife told me about an add she saw online for Great Lakes and their $10,700, special they were doing for self pays! I actually planned on seeing Dr. Weiner, but didn't specify when I called a couple weeks ago, and they set me up with Dr. Laker. I look forward to being on this site, with my "bandmates". If you have any questions please ask, I hope to keep this thread going! Thanks, Pars :ohmy:

Hi everyone, Abby so great to hear that your surgery went well..no complications thats great. Your blog is also very insightful. Sorry to hear that you have no restriction. I'm curious to know how did you realize that to be the case? Dr. Weber told me that he does the first fill after 6 weeks so does that mean given ur situation that you will have to wait that long, or will he fill it sooner? Please keep up your blog..it really helps me to gain a clear idea about like after banding. I hope everything went well for you Parshuter. Can't wait to hear about your experience. You stated that the blog is not your thing so I hope you keep this thread going. So for you Chris..details details details! Good luck guys!

Congratulations Abby on your decision to have the surgery. It's only a week or so away..u must be so excited..and I would think a bit nervous. I really hope the surgery goes well and you have no complications. It would be great if you can share your story..what made you decide on lapband, why Dr. Weber? how long have you researched the procedure/doctor...who did you talk to about nutrition? Anything you can tell us is greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from you soon.

Hi, I am just starting out, and I already know my ins. doesn't cover the Lap Band surgery. I have looked into a few doctors and am considering Dr. Weiner, out of Harper hospital. Has anybody gone with this doctor? Any information would be very helpful. Also, I am wondering how many people that have gone with the Lap Bnd have had complications and wouldn't do it again. I am nervous that, because I am self pay, if there are any complications, my cost will go up much higher, trying to fix the problems. Thanks

Thanks LibbyJane, it sounds like you are doing really well. I have heard a lot of good things about Harper Hospital. Where is Dr. Gazayerli out of? Have you had any problems with your fills? At your office who does the fills? Is it the Dr.? One of my real worries is having a complication with a fill, like a puncture to the tube of band itself. Thanks :juggle:

Hey Noor, I realized that I didn't have restriction when I started eating mushies, which was this week. The pouch is only meant to hold 3-6 ounces, I can eat WAY more than that, so it's obvious that the food is just sliding right through. That being said, I do feel fuller faster than I did before I had the surgery, so I'm confident that with fills I will reach that "sweet-spot." That's correct, Dr. Webber doesn't do fills until six weeks, and I'd say most surgeons wait 4-6 weeks before doing the first fill. Sometimes it happens sooner, but that's usually on a case-by-case basis. They want to make sure you're fully healed first. I've heard that the time between the surgery is a time to focus on healing, and if weight-loss happens you are lucky. I guess I was just hoping I'd be one of those lucky ones. I am not getting my fills with Dr. Webber because it's an inconvenience for me to go back to Detroit. He gave me the go-ahead to see a surgeon in Chicago to get my aftercare, and that surgeon also requires you to be six weeks post-op before receiving your first fill. When are you having your surgery? I'm glad that my blog is giving you some insight, I found it really helpful to talk to people who were banded by the same physician/group when I was preparing for surgery as well. If you are still nervous about the surgery, don't be. I'm going to give it to you straight. The pre-op diet isn't fun, and the first couple days after surgery are the worst. Also, the first couple of weeks of the post-op diet are hard, but after that life is almost 100% normal again. Then it's pretty much the waiting game to find that "sweet spot" (unless you are one of the lucky ones), and then you're pretty much good to go. This is assuming you don't have complications. You're in good hands with Dr. Webber, though. I was told by MANY of the staff at the hospital that he was a great surgeon, and his credentials speak for themselves. If you have any other questions let me know.

I also never heard of any deaths directly related to the band, I'm sure there were plenty of people that died from other health issues that happened to have the band, but that's not the same as saying the band caused the death. I know one man that had a complication and had to have the band removed, but that was the worst of it, and it also underscored the advantage of the band...it can be undone if there's a problem. Gastric bypass permanently alters your digestive system...get a problem and your screwed.

My insurance sent a denial letter for my lap band removal, calling it bariatric surgery. But, the letter also said pre-certification wasn't required for outpatient stays, which I was. So we're submitting and hoping fot the best. If they deny, I plan to fight until the bitter end because my health, and life, was being put at risk from my band-related complications.

I am under the impression that if your band slips you are not able to keep anything down, even water. You might want to go to the lap band complications forum and read some of the posts from people who have had a slippage.

Have any women in here lost their menstral cycle due to obesity? I had a regular cycle for a long time but now that I'm at my highest weight, I worry I've lost it due to my weight. I haven't had my cycle since Oct. (which was enduced by medication because it was not regular before then). I had a thuro examination and there seemed to be no physical complications (i.e. cysts). I just know there was a long discussion about my weight and how it was important I lose weight. Any comments/thoughts/suggestions? Feel free to respond.

While you do lose faster with bypass because of the malabsorption, the amount of weight that you lose in the long run is going to be about the same with both surgeries. Both surgeries have their own set of possible complications, as with any surgery, so it is ultimately up to you which you feel more comfortable having. I personally don't like the idea of re-routing my insides and the malabsorption, which is why I am choosing the sleeve. I have 150 to lose as well. There are a lot of threads on here that weigh the pros and cons of each surgery . Good luck

Is there anyone who experience weight stall after you had baby, yes I got pregnant after I had sleeves bypass surgery then I was still losing weight as I lost close 70 pounds off and notice my appetite changed after birth and am trying to lose more weight, I had surgery back in April 2014 and had birth back on March 20, 2015. I weight at the same but would like to lose more weight, any tips? SHould I restart on liquids or eat smaller or what? ALso is there anyone who experience to have still high blood pressure ongoing after surgery it was low but got highter after birth very complicated, yes am still seeing doctor to adjust on meds until they get in control.

I took of 3 weeks. I'm working from home doing Telehealth. I am 5 days out and exhausted. No major complications (no major pain, no nausea, no vomitting, no reflux, incisions healing) but I am fatigued, my tongue is coated white patches and some brown colors that mostly scrape off) from my chocolate protein shakes, chewing multivitamins, etc.. I assume. If it doesn't clear I probably call doc in a few days. I shouldn't be dehydrated because I'm drinking fluids all day (64oz). Maybe I should do 64 water plus the liquid meals. I walk around the house and get dizzy. Make sure to take enough time off because I am thinking I should have taken 6 weeks.

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'm so sorry you had to have your band removed and dealing with the hunger again. Since having my band put in I've dealt with constant pain in my left shoulder (phrenic nerve pain) and after 15 months, I just can't deal with it anymore. They're taking my band out within the next few weeks (I hope) and, while my insurance will cover the revision to a sleeve since the band is being removed due to complications, I'm not sure I want to do that. Like you, though, without the band I don't know if I'll be able to deal with the hunger. .

Hi Kariela, I know my weight because my doctors office requires that I stand on the scale even if I just came by to say hello:) Its standard protocol. All bodies are not created equal. Some are meant to be tiny and some are meant to be amazons. But.........there comes a time when you want to chase your toddler or grand baby and catch them before they put the marble in their mouth or climb up the monkey bars to save them because they're scared to come down alone. I've reached a point in my life where I don't care what other people think (I mean that sincerely). I do care about the quality of my life. I'm 47 going on 48 and there's soooo much left that I want to do or attempt to do and for many of those wants..... excess weight can be a hinderance. I want to complete a marathon. Yes the 26 miler. I know I'll never win one but I sure as hell would like to start one and finish it. I want to learn how to navigate a sail boat. I live near the Potomac River which I have ventured to Kayak on (it was great!!!!) I would now like to get keel boat certified so I can sail down the potomac unassisted.That's just a few of the things on my living life to the fullest list. Kariela .....you're starting on the right foot by doing your research. Ask lots of questions. I made the mistake of not asking enough questions when I got the Lapband in Oct 2009. I lost... then gained ....then got a fill and lost.... then gained again then tried to get another fill but couldn't because my Dr. could not access my port. Was referred for an upper GI an discovered my port flipped and my band shifted. Most of the weight I lost (40lbs of it) is back. If I had known that I would be one of the statistics on the complications list I would not of gotten the Lap Band. One other horrible complication they didn't tell me about is that after you have eaten a meal and it has passed thru the band if you have eaten something upseting or have the stomach flu ...you can NOT throw up. you gag and your stomach cramps up like you cant imagine and since it cant come up it ends up going down the hard way (with a vengence). Now for the good news. I have read many articles and blogs, and reviews on the Gastric Sleeve and so far the majority of what I have found is positive and promising. Malnutrition/malabsorption is not prevalent with the sleeve. The results are fairly fast. Unfortunately it's still fairly new so the researching is still in the works. My doctor has been pretty supportive and I've decided to have the gastric sleeve when he removes the lapband. My date is July 19th. He's also going to repair my hiatal hernia. Like you I am new to this sight and have found the answers to many questions and everyone is really supportive. I hope you find the answers to all of your questions. Yvette aka Downsize Diva http://www.tickerfactory.com/weight-loss/wENolX4/

Hey there! I was banded July 8 by Dr. Ortiz at OCC in Tijuana, Mexico... GREAT facility and staff!! I will not be going back to Mexico for fills (bc I live on the East Coast, so it would get very costly with flights.. unless i am visiting my friend in San Diego or something) you just have to find a doc near you that will take patients who were baned outside the US. Prices vary on the doctor... all the docs I found are anywhere between $100-$250 for a fill (and thats W/O xray/floro...) So try to find a doc first if you dont plan on traveling to Mexico for fills. The last thing you want is complications and you havent found a US doctor yet.. A am self pay too, so I knwo how ya feel! Good luck!!!

I am not sure that I have heard of any. I am a year out exactly (had surgery 3/18/11). It is the best thing I have ever done. I have heard of people needing revisions. Buy the book "The Bandwagon" by Jean McMillen. You have to follow your gut but I know 4 people who have had lap band surgery personally and all are doing wonderful. Two are years out from surgery with no complications. Follow the diet they give you...do not cheat post-op. Listen to your body and the people working with you (your surgeon, doctor). Go to follow up appointments. Make sure your surgeon is experienced and knows what he/she is doing. Do research on him/her. Please don't let your nerves get in the way....obesity is more likely to kill you than band complications. Lots of hugs and if there is anything I can do, let me know!!! Rachael

You are right Cydney... Everyone has a different experience. Your story gives us hope... I m pre-op. Scheduled for April16th. I was scheduled for March 24th, but I chickened out. I thought that I can do this by myself. I stayed on a very low calorie diet with no problem... I consume around 800 calories a day... Still did not loose weight.. I then get discouraged and start upping my calorie consumption. I guess the sleeve helps you to not get discouraged and continue the diet for a long time... I guess that's the difference. I am very worried about the complications though... I know what can happen with regards to complications, but I have decided to read only success stories to get me through this ????

Interesting! I do still get hungry, but right now I get full on much less than I did before, and I stay full longer. Maybe it just took longer for my stomach nerves to regenerate after surgery? I guess I figures at this point I'd be gradually eating more, not less. It will be interesting to see if this is just temporary (this is day 4 of this changed appetite), or if this is my new normal. This is definitely a learning experience, isn't it? Complicated by the fact that people's personal experiences vary a lot. I guess the important thing is learning to listen to what my body's telling me, and focus on getting the best possible nutrition from whatever I do eat.

I am a sleeve to bypass revision as well. My surgery was last Wednesday, Sept. 23 and my sleeve was in March 2012. I had no problems with the sleeve, and no complications. My sister did the same thing, sleeve and then revision to bypass. She warned me that the recovery for the bypass is harder, and to be honest, I have to say she was probably right. The bypass is more major surgery in that they take something and reroute it. I mean I know that's obvious but.....it does make a difference. Having said that, I havne't had any complications, and I am not at all regretting having it done. There are a lot of things that are the same, the tiredness, etc. I think you will do great, and the complications are just such a small percentage. My surgeon told me afterwards that he was expecting it to be much more difficult than it was, which was nice to hear. The surgery did take about three and a half hours. I also am off work for two weeks, including the surgery. I still feel like Ike I just had major surgery, but I am sure I will be ready to go back in a week. Although most people do say take another week off if you can. The other thing I have noticed....definitely still using my pain medication, but that is more for my incisions than anything. It just seems odd to me that I got on a flight home from Mexico two days after my last surgery, I totally cannot imagine doing that this time. It's just a different recovery. I don't know if that helps? But that has been my experience so far. I think you had messaged me previously, so if you would like to chat more, just let me know.