Search the Community

We have developed abnormal relationships with food. We eat to cope. We eat when we're bored, happy, sad. Food can be a lover, a friend. The biggest problem with this is that food works really well and really quickly in these situations and we gain weight. If we only ate when we were truly hungry we'd all be thin. We also train ourselves like dogs to be hungry all the time. This is not true hunger. This is phantom hunger. If we eat in the mini-van, in front of the computer or in our chair in front of the TV, what this does is that every time we are in the mini-van, in front of the computer or in our chair in front of the TV, we are HUNGRY. This is not true hunger. This is phantom hunger and we've gotten really good at it. A major help is to only eat at the table so that it is the only thing associated with food. If you go up to a dog and say, "wanna treat?" they will go absolutely bizerk because they associate this with food coming in. There are many terms for phantom hunger - emotional eating, mindless eating, non-hunger eating, etc. This is the hardest thing to solve. The keys are to recognize our triggers and to identify sources of deep-seated psychological pain and address them so the phantom hunger will go away. The best book I've seen on this is called "Shrink Yourself" by Dr. Gould. True hunger is a physiological NEED for food. It is patient. Any food will do. There is no associated guilt or shame. Phantom hunger is a DESIRE for food. It is impatient. There is a specific craving. ("If I don't get chocolate right now I will harm somebody" etc.) It is a reaction to a stimulus. It is associated with guilt or shame. The easy test to see if you suffer from phantom hunger is if you can't stop yourself. Phantom hunger is the most complicated aspect of weight gain and therefore the hardest part of successful weight loss. It comes from many different things in each one of us. We all have this. Skinny people have phantom hunger but they control it. A great example in Dr. Gould's book is an overweight woman whose life's dream was to get paid to sing. Unfortunately, in high school, a boyfriend made fun of her singing and this hurt her deeply emotionally. Every time this psychological pain came up, she ate. She struggled to lose weight. When Dr. Gould identified this and encouraged her to sing again, she finally agreed to sing at a friend's wedding and she received many positive accolades after. This led to a job as a music teacher in an elementary school - she was getting paid to sing. Guess what? She lost weight successfully. She solved the source of deep psychological pain and therefore eliminated the source of phantom hunger. Another example is women who were sexually abused as children. Food treats the pain and obesity is an outer protection against abuse. This is very difficult to deal with alone and typically requires the help of a professional to bring this to the surface, deal with it and treat the source of psychological pain and phantom hunger. You see similar situations in unhappy marriages and basically any source of real stress. The secret in all these things is to deal with the source of pain and also find non-food ways to cope with them. All this is easy to say. This is the most difficult aspect of weight loss. Finding a psychology professional that deals specifically with weight loss can be helpful to tipping the scale in your favor. An interesting test in Dr. Gould's book is to ask yourself who you are jealous of and why. He sees many patients who can't pinpoint their source of psychological pain so he asks them who they are jealous of. This is how he identified the source of pain in his singing patient when she told him she was jealous of a friend who was paid to sing. This is a tiny amount of information on a very complex topic. You can do the nutrition and fitness stuff perfectly and still not lose weight if there are issues in the brain stuff category. Ask yourself if you suffer from phantom hunger and if you have difficulty stopping yourself. Consider working with an expert or reading Dr. Gould's book. Positive self-talk is another important topic in this discipline and I go into detail on this and more on YouTube. Search Watkins Weight Loss Class. I hope this is helpful. Weight loss surgery makes all this stuff much easier but it is still important to be smart in the disciplines of Nutrition, Fitness and Brain Stuff. I wish you all the greatest success in your weight loss journey. Remember the importance of buying yourself a really nice present when you reach your goal. Brad Watkins MD

Yes this is common. I had surgery on7/9. I have had a few complications along the way. I was in so much pain I could barley move. Things are getting better though. And I am down 20 lbs, Breath through it. It will get better soon! We are here to help each other through it all! Vickie

I do yoga with some pilates several times a week starting 6 wks post op. At first I was nervaous about my port and a bit sore, but this passed quickly and I can do yoga as I did before I was banded with no pain or complications. I would start slowly and enjoy!

Thank you everyone!!!!! I made through with no complications or leaks I was in a lot more paid after really bad back ache and this tube in my nose stabbing the bck of my throat but its out now is got up to walk around and everything is good still a little soar n pain on my left incision....thank you all for Ur blessings

That's good enough reason to follow instructions and stay on that pre-op diet. Missing a little solid food is nothing compared with what happens if they do have complications because of an enlarged liver.

When I first started this process I really appreciated hearing peoples experiences (good and bad), so I thought I would return the favor. About 1 1/2 years ago I had an abnormal mammogram and it really scared me. 3 big contributers to breast cancer are drinking, smoking, and obesity. I quit drinking and smoking immediately and made an appt with the lap band surgeon. Tomorrow will be 1 year since I had my band placed. I consider the band to be a complete success. This morning I weighed in at 151.8. My highest weight was 270 lbs. I was 250 when I first met with the surgeon, 231 after the 6 month supervised diet, 218 on the day of surgery (after 2 weeks of liquid protein diet). I am wearing a size 6/8 pant and a medium shirt. I didn't think it was really possible since I had failed at so many diets and diet programs in the past. I am still surprised when I pick up my jeans and I think, "look how tiny these are, how is it possible that I fit into these". I follow a high protein low carb diet 80% of the time. I don't count calories, but I estimate about 1000-1200 calories per day. I work out about 5 days a week. I mostly do cardio, but I want to start adding weights to see if I can help this sagging skin. I have an appointment with a plastic surgeon on Friday to see about a tummy tuck. This has really been a life changer for me, I am back to running which I used to love to do. I have done a couple of obstacle course 5k runs and a 4 1/2 mile mud run. I am taking my son to Chicago to do the Lucky 7k on March 16th. In 18 months I have gone from being morbidly obese to 2.8 lbs from being considered a normal weight. I think I have had 2 stuck episodes. I have vomited due to eating too much or drinking too soon after eating, mostly in the beginning while I was learning to work with the band. I have been on these boards pretty regularly since I started thinking about having this done, it seems like the journey is different for everyone. For me it was a fairly easy, complication free experience. I think the hardest thing for me is that I keep thinking it is going to quit working. Every time I go clothes shopping I think, "I better get these now, I don't know how long I will be able to stay in a size 6". I have had a biopsy and I still get mammograms every 3 months, but at least I know I have done absolutely everything I can to live my healthiest life.

I am three weeks post op. I have loved reading the forums. Following this site has prepared me for many things:, intolerance to Water, intolerance to certain temperature of liquids, constipation, diarrhea, throwing up, changes in smell, changes in taste, changes in emotions...to name a few. I am pleasantly surprised that I have. It has one single issue or complication. Again, I'm only 3 weeks out and I suppose things could change at any time. I wanted to post this so that other newbies know that things can go smoothly, as there can also be complications and changes. Not everyone has the same recovery. It's just less common (and maybe a little boring) to read posts about everything being peachy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was told not to lift anything more than 15-20 lbs for 6 weeks. The concern is pulling the wounds apart in the beginning and then causing hernias to the wounds. You really DON'T want these complications! Contact your doctor and ask them. In the meantime I would plan now to have help with your son. Good Luck!

My husband is very supportive of what I am choosing to do and has never questioned my decision. For the first time last night he asked about the complications. I've read up and know that the biggest complication is from the surgery/anesthesia itself. He knows it's always a risk to have surgery. I'm just wondering what you all may have done to calm the fears of family. I just had a breast reduction last year and have never had any surgery problems in the past. Thanks for any suggestions! Crystal

I'm so sorry to hear that you had such a hard time. What were the complications you had and why did they have to remove 1/2 of your stomach?

I'm considering getting VSG. :001_unsure:I would defintely perfer this versus the lapband. I am really afraid of being put to sleep and the complications. I have a praying friend who will come with me for support. I know my family will be worried about me going to Mexico but I have faith in Dr. Aceeves and his experience. Please provide any advice you can. I'm a single mom and I really need to do this for myself. I recently lost 30 pounds by my weight tends to move up and down constantly. I try to work out at ;east 45 minutes 3 times a week. I'm so nervous about surgery!! Please Help!!!

I have been thinking about you and hoping they figure this problem out for you so that you can move forward and start healing. Things WILL get better in time it just is extra hard for you with the complications you have had. I think waiting to see if there is a leak has to be terribly hard on you so here is a hug to you from me! Keep us posted- I check all the time to see if you have posted.

Well I have always been headed in the right direction on the journey to get the sleeve, but so far everything has been so difficult. So many hoops to jump through then each of those hoops came with more hoops and complications and difficulties. Well I went to my nutrition class and nutritionist consult over the past 2 days and finally found people that want to work with me. When I told them I live 5 hours away they said I didn't have to do the support group class before surgery, and just to call or email one of them and they will get me down there in as few visits as possible. The Nutritionist said that I can stay in touch with her through email instead of coming in for appointments.....I am so happy I could cry. All I have to do now is get my sleep study then I have my consult with my surgeon and they give me my surgery date!

Kat, Thanks for responding. I am kind of new to navigating in a sight like this. Well after a year of investigating I am looking forward to it I think. I am about 80 lbs over weight. Because of an auto accident four years ago, not only has the weight kept coming, I have not been able to control it. High blood pressure, apnea, and a few other complications has required me to go this direction. My wife thought about joining me in doing it, she is now nervous about the side affects concerned she would have things begining to sag. So I am on my own.

Whichever surgery you go with there is always going to be risks and some complications. Make sure you do ALOT of research and pick a good surgeon that has experience with either the lap band or the sleeve. I was thinking about the sleeve too but I would rather having something thats reverseable and doesn't require cutting my stomach in half. When you are talking about slippage its mostly caused by the patient not eating/drinking what they should and stretching the pouch that is made with the lap band. Some cases its the surgeon's placement of the band that could cause a slippage (in most cases this doesn't happen). A good friend of mine just had her revision surgery for a slipped band because she wasn't sticking to her doctors guidelines and not living the "banded" life as everyone calls it. I'm not trying to scare ya here but I'm getting banded on May 21st and it took me a year to figure out what surgery I was going to go with. Like I said make sure you research both surgerys as much as you can and pick a really good surgeon for either of the surgerys! -Amine

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

Thank you MNBSleeve! I look forward to connecting as well - I too am very interested in learning to eat healthy. I grew up in a family that was on and off state aid, did not eat healthy at all (grilled cheese because of free butter and cheese). As I became an adult, eating out became a way for my family as I worked a lot. So - I have a lot to "re-learn" about nutrition. Plus, I can eat a lot. I am so glad to hear you are happy with your sleeve. 8 weeks out, energy and happy with your decision is so wonderful. I have been watching the boards - I definately see more happy people then folks with complications which is a good thing. I am very nervous about this since there is not much data on long term complications. I KNOW I will keep the weight off - I just do not want to have long term issues in the future - medically. I hope you continue to do and feel well

Just saw a post on band complications that it has been linked to cancer. The acid gets caught in the stomach and causes cancer. I am worried about this!!!!

Yep.. 6 years, 2 bands and 100 grand down the drain from horrible complication.. I'm hoping for a new life! I guess I shouldn't be complaining about the temporary stall

What happens to food after you eat it is extremely complicated (taking up most or all of a semester in a university biochemistry course). I'll try not to get too scientific here. I CAN tell you that the main way your body is powered is via aerobic respiration which, through a complicated process, takes glucose (sugar) and oxygen and turns them into energy (ATP), Water, and carbon dioxide (this is why we need to breathe in oxygen and breathe out CO2). Your body can take building blocks from any type of food and use it to make glucose (this happens in the liver), so in a way, the answer to your question is yes. However, unless you are on the Atkins diet or have not had a meal in a day or so, probably most of the glucose in your body comes from carbohydrates in your diet. Your body can take any carbohydrate and break it down more or less directly to glucose. Proteins and fats, on the other hand, must be broken down and then rebuilt into glucose (it is "easier" for your body to use carbs for energy). Plus, your body's cells are constantly growing and dividing and producing hormones, etc., and they need amino acids and fatty acids to do so. Thus the proteins and fats you eat are more likely to be broken down and used for these purposes. These are more or less the theories behind high-Protein, low-carb diets. When your body is carb-depleted, it is forced to use fat and protein for energy. This may cause you to lose weight, but is not the way your body is meant to work and thus can be dangerous. It can lead to a condition called ketosis (which can cause nausea, dehydration, headaches, light-headedness, irritability, bad breath, and kidney problems), and also causes loss of muscle mass. Plus, the high fat and cholesterol content and low-Fiber content of these diets can lead to heart and digestive problems. I know that is probably more than you wanted to know but it seems like most people, when asking questions such as this, would be wondering about the implications of different diets. so everything we eat eventually turns into sugar to fuel the body in one way or another....Look at what a potato can give you as far as nutrients and Vitamins...... My advice is to try everything and eat what suits your makeup and limit the carbs...as they are the ones that your body does not have to work hard at turning into glucose... I eat a little of everything I want....10 months out and 160 lbs. down I think it is working!!

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.

Dave once you get to the correct fill level after a band, then you are supposed to be satisfied or full with about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of food. This is how you are able to lose weight, but you have to follow the rules. The band is made to be a lifetime implant, and many have had them for a long time, but sometimes there are complications where they have to be removed, that percentage is pretty small though. On the excess skin issue everyone is different, it depends on your age and the elasticity of your skin, one advantage to the band is you lose slowly and this allows your skin to retract better than very very rapid weight loss such as you have with a bypass surgery. I believe I remember reading that about 20% of band weight loss paitients need a plastic surgery after they are at their goal weight. Hope this helps. Debbie

Good for you Stacy. I am working through all of my medical requirements and it is good to hear from someone on the other side of surgery. Sounds like you did great. I am curious as to why your insurance would not cover? What kind of insurance do you have? I am worried about insurance refusal as I am not in a position now to pay cash. I have been counting on approval as before I started with the program my BMI was 42. Now lower 39.3. so I am a little concerned. Sounds like you didn't have post op complications? Deb

Congrats on your surgery date. Just remember that you are reading on a suuport board and a lot of the people that posts here only come here to complain or find information on problems they have. You aren't hearing from a lot of people that have successful bands w/o any problems. I wouldn't base my decision on only the threads you are reading with complications. We have several people here that haven't had any problems at all. I for one have not had any problems, but that doesn't mean I won't in the future. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

I see him in two days. I hope it does not cause complications. I'd hate to have issues in my first week. Maybe it's not heartburn. I've never had it before.