Search the Community

So far bafflement... still undergoing tests but nothing conclusive so far... has anyone else experienced post-op complications several years out? Surgery July 2016. Only lost 100lbs (I know, I know, "only"), but I'm still about 100lbs overweight. I'm not unhappy w/the amount lost at all and feel much better overall so I do not regret the surgery. First, not sure any or all of these symptoms are related at all but since they're all (potentially) GI-related, I can't help but think (especially now) that they are. So here goes: I can't remember exactly when the first one occurred, but it was after "healing" for sure but the first time it happened, it was definitely after surgery: a charlie-horse in my abdomen. These occur very suddenly and occur when I'm bending, reaching or twisting my abdomen--but always forward, not backward. For example, I might just tuck my belly in to look down at my feet and whammo, charlie horse. I reach forward to pick up a kitten... whammo. They can happen at any time and are excruciatingly painful and I just jerk backwards in reaction and take diaphragmatic breaths and they'll ease up. About 4 months ago, I had a sudden pain "attack" after eating a relatively fatty meal... I'm talking waves of pain in the gut so intense that I actually called 911. Since I still have my gallbladder, I assumed gallbladder problems. Pain lasted about 7 hours or so, even through narcotics given in the ambulance and at the hospital. Worst pain I've ever felt in my life. Multiple tests run... no gallstones, so they basically sent me home after the pain finally subsided with a ridiculous "gastritis" diagnosis. Sorry, was crapola. About 6 weeks after that, I started to have diarrhea... for over two weeks straight, every single day. Didn't respond to OTC anti-diarrheals. Saw walk-in doc (my doc was on vacation) who ran a bunch of tests and nothing positive except blood in the stool. Diarrhea eventually cleared. PCP ordered endoscopy and colonoscopy--both normal. About 6 weeks ago, another pain attack--but not after fatty meal... just yogurt. This time I remembered I had meds at home--took anti-spasmodics (hyoscyamine) and oxycodone... took 3x regular dose to make pain tolerable. Faded again after about 7 hours. PCP suspects gallbladder function is to blame, even though no stones, so HIDA test this Thursday. In the timeline, this pain attack was about a week after the diarrhea cleared up... about a month ago. But here's the deal: I can physically (i.e. with my hands) feel that under that trocar scar is a hardening of tissue... it makes sense that it's scar tissue of course, but I feel like it's getting bigger? (as in, over a wider area, not deeper). It's not painful when pressure is applied, just uncomfortable? I have not yet brought this part up to PCP, but she has palpated my abdomen before and didn't call out anything as unusual. So I'm at a loss as to what's going on but something definitely is. Anyone experience anything at all like this? Especially those who are years out from surgery? So confused and tired of taking tests that aren't leading anywhere... thank goodness I have excellent insurance. Michelle

Congratulations on your weight loss. After my blood work they found I was deficient in Iron. So they told me to add an iron supplement, 65 mg of iron. It had to be "ferrous sulfate" chemistry or it would not be absorbed properly. So that is what I have been taking once per day for a couple years now and it seems to work. All iron supplements must be spaced 2 hours from all Calcium supplements otherwise they interfere chemically with absorption. I take calcium either in the form or calcium supplements or in dairy products such as milk that contain calcium throughout the day. In the end, the only way I could achieve the time spacing was to take my iron supplements at the end of the day, just before bedtime. From my perspective an iron transfusion seems a little drastic. Especially since you had a severe reaction to this process. Have you tried the normal iron supplement approach?

It really depends on your plan. Some don't require any comorbidities with a BMI of 40 or more. But theoretically, it should help approval since it's an added comorbidity that has been proven to be helped or corrected completely with significant weight loss. That said, there are people with a BMI over 40 with a list of comorbidities that get denied. Who knows what the ins. companies are thinking.....

You looking good. It takes a while before our brain catches up to our weight loss.

You go girl!!!! I had my surgery on 11/11/14 and I'm doing fine too. I really feel good, and my clothes are starting to look pretty sloppy too. You've done terrific with your weight loss. I've lost about 47 lbs. so far. I wish it would come off faster, but until I get my butt into the gym it probably won't. I like the dancing idea. I love to dance and it would be a good way to get moving when I don't get to the gym to workout. Keep up the good work!!! You should be very proud of yourself. I know I'm feeling better about myself than I did before I started this. I've got a long way to go, and it'll be a while before I can be more comfortable with my appearance, but I'm working on it. We're all in this together in this group and that's a great thing. There's some wonderful people here.

Congrats on your weight loss and welcome to bandlandia!

Myemme: Thank you for your encouraging words!! All the positives help so much!!! Part of the reason I may be losing quicker than you is that I have at least 140lbs to lose!! A person!! Also the Lord knows my need for "quick" success to continue going!! As you move more you will also lose more!! I am walking 20min each day already...not racing...but moving. I think the caloric intake your doctor suggested is great. I am still on liquids. My doctor keeps you on Clear Liquids the first week then full liquids the next 2 weeks!!! I have snuck in a few mushy bites...but basically am staying on that....so another reason for my increased weight loss. I recognize that it will slow down....it did from the first week to the second...but I plan to continue moving more! Tipper: My doc will not fill until 6 weeks post band....I have heard it's not that bad....we will see! All your "noise" is the gas moving....seriously consider Maalox Max it forces you to go to the bathroom and that moves the gas OUTSIDE of your body! :paranoid I was able to be completely off the pain meds in about 5 days....honestly getting up and moving around seemed to help the most. Even showers wore me out at first...you are NORMAL...scary, huh???? You will get full really fast....but unfortunately that goes away and you start getting hungry....at least I have around 2 weeks. But you still will only sip for quite awhile. I bought some liquid Tylenol for in between the "harder" stuff the doc prescribed.... Hang in there!!!! You will make it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praying for you!!! God Bless, Melody

Thank you for taking time to share with me. I have thought about this planning aspect as well. I shall put this into action. I like to cook, but my husband is a meat eater (GALORE) and also does not eat leftover (CRAZY!!! Right?) So, I don't like to cook much. I can only eat the same thing for so long. Also I can only freeze so much stuff. I like your angle with salads!! This is surely something I can and want to do!!! I will make a weeks worth and this should surely aid in health and weight loss!!

I'm going to year 6 of being banded and so far no issues. I'm actually below my goal weight. I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor and I meet a group of "bandsters" every month for coffee. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Started with a 54" waist now 32"

Hello jlg1019. I worked at the hospital in Princeton, WV for 25 years. I know the doc that did your surgery. As you stated he is a superb doc. Congrats on your surgery and weight loss.

Hi: I had surgery on March 27. I'm 54 years old and was the first one to have the surgery by this Doctor and in this hospital. He's a superb Doctor and took a lot of training by the best, so I wasn't worried. I was hurting more than I thought after surgery, but recovered fast and was back to work in a week in a Doctor's office as a secretary/receptionist. I lost 16 pounds in a week and only drank four ounces every four hours of liquid. After that week, I felt very nervous and stressed that I wasn't doing well, because my weight loss slowed down. I lost eleven pounds in the next 3 weeks. The next month was even slower, and I lost only six pounds, and I seem hungrier faster. I'm now in my third month, and wonder if I need some saline inserted. I have always been tall (5ft.9inches) and weighed more than most because I am a big girl, but gained the "ugly" weight after a hysterectomy at the age of 30. I work for a psychiatrist in WV and had my surgery done in Princeton, WV. I'm happy to be able to chat with people who have also had this surgery.

Day 9: Not so bad... When I am at work I tend to do better because I am distracted with things to do haha. I can't believe the surgery is less than a week away. The liquid diet hasn't be unbearable... it sucks, but I have been true to the wishes of my surgeon. We found out that you can have Soup if you strain it. This has made it possible to get through the day knowing I have something to eat at home that is not a Protein shake. PF Changs soup is great! :thumbup1: So going to get some tonight on the way home. I really need to stay positive... My voice teacher means well but she got me all freaked out this afternoon and I just had to take a moment to breathe. She is worried about me and I know that means she cares. :thumbup: I just don't want to freak out about voice loss... I can't add that to everything else I am feeling. I am a singer and the potential changes will be hard to handle but I am also excited about the physical changes. There has to be a middle ground between nothing changing and OMG what did you do.. hahah I do not want this to be an emotional choice, I want it to be a logical choice. I have done my research and I believe in my surgeon. He advised me that this surgery should not affect my voice and I believe him. I have also talked to several people who have had similar surgeries and they have not noticed a huge change. The most I heard about was some breathing changes after surgery that required 2-3months to Iron out. The rest of my life is worth 2-3 additional months of working on my voice. I am taking classes so I will have people to help me through. Thanks for listening.

I had to have an ekg, lab work, psych consult, sleep study, and nutrition classes. And in south Jersey, the doctor and hosp. have a program called new beginnings, and we have to join the program prior to paperwork being submitted to the ins. co. If your insurance requires a 3-6mon diet, this program will assist you with that and report back to ins. co how you are doing. It also provides support groups for you as well. I enjoy the program very much. I have completed all but one class, which I take on Sat. and then my file will be sent to the ins. co. I also needed to get a history of previous attempts at wt loss in the last 5yrs. Hopefully, I will know something by Dec. I would love to get it done in Jan. My highest wt was 260, I am currently 235.4. When I met the surgeon I was 247 and he req. me to lose 10lbs. I have met that goal. I am 5'4. Bmi is around 40.? I would love to be around 150. So, hopefully all works out well.

Essenses171, If you have access to pre-op support group, attend. I found themvery helpful. I started my journey September 2011 and just had my surgery Monday. It was a long process of life change classes, support group meetings and exercise/diet to lose weight loss before surgery. Take it one step at a time. Listen to your doctor/support team. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise; it will help with recovery. You can do it.

Hi Joy! I'm also going on10/11. I let my surgeon tell me about all options and we decided the VSG was the best fit for me due to digestion issues (he didnt want to involve cutting the intestines) and history of success in weight loss, but not in maintenance or obtaining goal. The lap band wasn't an option, I have 2 coworkers who lost weight at first, maybe half-way to goal, then they started to gain weight. That's the story of my life! I am scared, yet so excited to have this done!

I have gone past a stall into plateau territory. I have been bouncing between 180-185 for about 2 months. I have increased exercise and have been steadily tracking food. I think I am losing inches. It isn't that I am unhappy, I am only 25-30 lbs away from my weight loss goal, so I feel pretty good. I don't know if this is a plateau or if this is where I stop. I am about 7 months out. I have started running and feel good about that. I have a goal to complete a 5K in a few months. Anyone have any thoughts on distingusing a plaeau from just being done?

Hi Tracey! Welcome and congratulations! Your story is much like mine except I still have my thyroid (it is just non functioning). I also take 300mcg of Synthroid due to Hashimotos disease. I can assume that my thyroid contributed to my weight gain and failed attempts at prior weight loss. My surgery was on January 13th and I have done well with it as I am confident you will too. I have gained a lot of valuable information from folks here...just explore and read. It was such a comfort and inspiration pre surgery. Everyone is anxious about the hospital experience I suppose. The time spent in the hospital seems to fly by...my experience was much better than I could have imagined. The pain and misery I experienced in just existing made the pain of surgery doable. My abdomen was pretty tender for about 6 days then it was smooth sailing, actually. There have been a few days of exhaustion since but no more misery. Pre surgery, I could (and would) sleep at will but now my energy is much more abundant. Days following surgery, I did crave various food but that has since passed. Getting required Protein in post surgery has been a small challenge but if you track your intake through myfitnesspal, you eventually find a formula that works plus it is a great tool to log and track calories and nutrition. It has definitely been life changing already...in wonderful ways. Stay positive. This tool is a phenomenal gift! It's not always easy but it is worth it...YOU are worth it!! Blessings to you!

My surgeon specifically told me before surgery that fuming and doing weights would slow down the weight loss process... So he advised not to do any of that till 10-12 months post op if I wanted to lose more weight and fast.

I'm at week 4 and have stalled also. How do you get past it and jump start ur weight loss again?

This article might help. I'm going to counseling to help me with emotional eating or to learn mindful eating. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/diet-weight-loss/emotional-eating.htm I haven't had surgery yet but I do this same thing now. I hope I can get it under control before surgery.

I was 27 when I was going through the process of getting my surgery done. Although I never got put on the liquid diet pre op, I was on it for 2 weeks post op. My hair did thin out but it wasn't noticeable since my hair was really thick. The only person who did notice it was the guy who styles my hair lol. It has been the same way since August. I just got it cut into a bob last Friday. My only complaints about the whole thing was having nausea for like 2 and a half months. Weaned myself off the Prilosec last month after an endoscopy I've had. The nerves about getting the surgery didn't hit me til I was seconds away from passing out on the operating table lol It does feel like a quick surgery cause one minute, you're in the OR and then the next you're waking up in recovery being asked how much pain you're in and how you're feeling. Just remember, unless you've always had problems with growing it out, hair always grows back. In my opinion, the surgery is worth it. I feel great and I'm off most of my meds. You've got this, you'll do great. 🙂 Hw-273 Sw-226 CW-155 GW-130 Size- 4 or 6, Small in sweats. Medium in shirts. depends on how it's cut or made. Bra Size- 38D Surgery Date- April 26th, 2017 RNY "Only those who try will become" FFX

I had my surgery back in late April, and last week I had my first plateau of weight loss too. This week, I've started losing again. It might have nothing to do with your change in diets; it might just be your body taking a quick break from losing weight. Keep following the diet given to you by your doctor and nutritionist, and you'll be losing weight again in no time.

Hello everyone! My name is Amanda, I am 25 years old and live in Ohio. My whole life I have been battleing my weight. I have tried WW, low-carb, low-calorie dieting over and over with little sucess. So now I am looking into GB. I am just in the very begining phase of this process. I have contacted my insurance, which will cover it thankfully:) My BMI is 52 which is high enough that my insurance company does not require me to to a 6 month medically managed weight loss plan. I also have done tons of reading and research. I am scheduled to go to a seminar on August 5th at the hospital which I believe I would go through. They have a very comprehensive program. I was just wondering if I could get some feedback from thos of you out there that have already went through the surgery or even the whole pre-op process...... How long did it take to get everything completed for surgery? What types of medical testing was required? What kind of diet are you on pre op? Any thing else you wish to add feel free! Just looking for some opinons .....if I do decide to go through with GB I would prefer this method.

@@feedyoureye - Wow!! Thanks for posting this. Honestly I don't know if I should be hopeful or hopeless. However, I guess its good to know that you will have to eat fewer calories to maintain the loss and to be watchful of the calories.