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Looking for those who have slipped, fallen or complications. I am 10 years out and have all of a sudden gained 40 lbs!!! Was living the good skinny life and about a year after surgery started smoking again. Well about 2 years ago my doc said quit or be on oxygen by the time you are 60. So I quit and almost over night I gained 40 lbs. Now I have no motivation and my drive is in the toilet. I am recovering from hernia surgery but was like this before. Have had checkup and blood work everything is fine. So I’m just looking for answers. Thanks

Banded in 2011... lost 70ish lbs. Lots of small issues, nothing major or caused by the band. But it just wasn't working as advertised. 2 of the largest manufacturers, no longer make them. Lots of surgeons, won't install them any longer. The band works for some, but it was by and large over hyped and under performed. Now for the caution. Outside of all the other horror stories listed... Mine was a time bomb and I didn't even know it. So, no real issues, no slippage, no erosion, all imaging, scans, and scopes were good. Zero issues. Well, until they went to remove it when I was revised to Bypass. My band was 100% completely encapsulated in scar tissue. It took my surgical team more than 3 times longer to remove than it should have and increased my surgery time from 2-3 hours... to 6+. I can't say I really "Hated" the band... but there are just far too many problems and complications that just keep coming up. I didn't want to go permanent either, nor did I want to have my guts rearranged. I can say however that I'm beyond glad I got the bypass done. Who knows what would have happened if I left the band in there. I feel so much better now, I really wish I had gotten the bypass when I originally got the band. But my fear of commitment ended up costing me 2 surgeries and years of "dealing" with band. Personally, I would take the fact that revision rates continue to climb, that installation rates continue to drop and that 2 major manufactures, both pulled out of the business as a sign that... the band, might not be the best option, even if it is the one that doesn't require things to be "changed" inside.

How poorly/well is your diabetes controlled? Do you know your ha1c? How young/old are you? If you have bad GERD, or bad diabetes I think the bypass is a no brainer. I didn't want a bypass so I risked it despite having GERD and my surgeon recommending a bypass. But the complications of diabetes are far more scary than the bypass so I would consider that

Every since a week out from surgery, I was sent to the er for a high resting heart rate of 128 and chest pain and difficulty breathing. They thought it might be a PE, but it came back negative. However, the cat scan of my chest showed some fluid around my heart and lungs. My er doctor wanted me to see a cardiologist in one to two days, but it was a pretty bad ER visit and someone else told me it wasn't that big of a deal so I left confused. I went to my pcm instead, and she immediately gave me a referral to a cardiologist, saying they don't mess around with that kind of stuff. Whoever was supposed to make the referral say on it for a week, and then the cardiologist couldn't get me in for another two weeks since I was a new patient. I ended up in the ER yet again and my d dimer was elevated which is usually indicative of a bleeding or clotting issue or heart issue... They have me a prescription for prilosec and sent me home. Now, I'm a little over a month out since surgery, and this has gotten progressively worse, and fast. I kept having episodes where I get sharp pains in my chest in the center, but now it has progressed to a spreading, cramping pressure like sensation that is very discomforting. It's in my chest, my left arm mainly, my center back, left shoulder, neck and sometimes my jaw. I'll get these weird recurring headaches that I've never experienced, and my heart feels like it's pounding out of my chest. All at once, my heart is racing and pounding and everything starts going black and I can't breathe but it doesn't feel like it's coming from my lungs. And this has been happening more and more sporadically. Before it was with intermediate exertion, now it's I can walk up a couple of stairs, or get out of bed, or simply walk across my house, or get in the shower. Simple everyday activities. Even sitting on the couch. And it takes a very long time for it to finally go away. I checked my BP at Walmart the other day to see what was going on when I feel this way, and this was after standing and waiting for five to ten minutes because someone was hogging the machine. If anyone has ANY beneficial insight, I would be hugely grateful. I know this is unusual for post surgery, but I am very scared. I am only 25 years old, and my bmi was borderline when I got the surgery. Sent from my LM-G710VM using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my gastric bypass on May 21st, a little over a month ago. It has been a hell of a ride, in and out of the er, many complications... At first I felt like I was eating way too much and I kept feeling hungry all the time. Once I realized it was an adjustment period and I was having issues with acid, those feelings toned down quite a bit. But now, I'm struggling to get in just my minimum calories. I have to force myself to intake a protein shake or some food, and I can tell when I'm eating that I'm not full at all, but I get this feeling like my stomach just wants to 🤢 for no reason, so I stop eating. Days at end recently are sitting at about 300 to 400 calories, and it feels like it's getting worse. And that's with trying to force in some extra calories at the end of the day to make up for the lack throughout the course of the day. I can't even intake all of my vitamins because I feel like I'll not be able to handle them. Is this just a phase? Or... Should I be concerned? Sent from my LM-G710VM using BariatricPal mobile app

Glad your surgery is over! Thank heavens you didn't know about all those complications ahead of time. You would have been worried stiff! Hope you have a smooth recovery!

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I’m doing really well. The surgery was complicated. The surgeon discovered a massive hiatal hernia grown all around my lapband. Also the lapband was growing into my diaphragm. It took 3-1/2 hours just to remove the band and hernia then another 1-1/2 to do the sleeve. However my recovery is going great. I was able to come home the day after so got some decent sleep. My only real pain right now is in my neck - probably was cranked back so long with a tube in it. Otherwise doing well. Sip sip sip!

Hey all! Thanks for tagging me on the new thread @Ylime! I've been lurking trying to keep up. A lot of new members! I had surgery 6/4. It has been a rough recovery for me. I haven't had any complications...I'm very thankful for that. Just a lot of pain and discomfort, which took me off guard since I've had 3 c-sections. They were a piece of cake. I guess I was hoping for the same for this surgery. Getting all my liquids and protein is a struggle to. It is super weird to not have ANY hunger. My mind is officially blown! Thursday was my follow up and I was down 17.6 lbs. I haven't weighed since. I'm trying not to be neurotic about it, but it sure is exciting!😁🎉 Take care everyone

Day three my spleen was causing serious pain issues. I couldn't take a deep breath. I had scans to ensure there was no complications. I didn't realize your spleen and stomach share the same blood supply. Day five I'm finally off pain meds. Drinking enough is tough but getting easier each day. It will get better. Sent from my LG-K550 using BariatricPal mobile app

I would be honest with your Dr. I was told straight liquid a week before. Small meal was only allowed two weeks out. You don't want complications. Sent from my LG-K550 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi there Collin! Well, the first thing is everyone saying that we constantly see “I wish I’d done this sooner” all over the boards is correct. I’m only 34, and I wish I’d done this in my late 20’s when I needed it. I don’t know what kind of process you’ve had to go through to get clearance in the past, but one of my requirements was to see a WLS psychiatrist at least 3 times. I saw him 5 times. And I see a regular psychiatrist every 90 days (or more if I need to.) I think everyone should do this before surgery. The majority of this change is changing your brain and your relationship with food. By self-sabotaging, I’m thinking maybe you haven’t done this before. I highly recommend this because this person will be able to get to the root of your problem and answer a lot of the questions you’re asking yourself. Two weeks post surgery I was able to drink pretty normally. I can take 3 sizable swallows in a row at this point. When you say you’re thirsty, is it because you’re diabetic? If so, i was as well. It’s actually work to remind myself to drink these days because I used to always be thirsty even though my blood sugar was well controlled. Now I’m not thirsty. Like ever. And I’ve been off all my diabetes meds since the day of surgery. As for food, I’ve already indulged in some guilty foods. I had VSG 5/10/18. But the difference is that I don’t feel compelled to eat a huge portion of it. I have a nibble of someone else’s and I’m good to go. I just don’t really get hungry, and when I do, it doesn’t take much to fill me up. You won’t WANT to finish it all. At least I don’t. I know some people eat a bunch later and gain back, but, knock on wood, that’s definitely not me right now! I still have yet to meet my calorie goal of 800-1,000 a day. It’s crazy. That being said, it’s pretty crazy good. I’m not losing super fast like some people I’ve read about, but my life is so much better now. Many non WLS victories! I ended up taking about 3 weeks off and then returned to light duty. So I would definitely schedule your surgery during a break in school. As for do my insides feel weird? No. Right after surgery I felt fine. Normal. I thought for sure that they’d just messed with me because there was no way having the majority of an organ would feel like dang near nothing happened. But it did! Shoot man, I hardly had any incision pain. I took regular old Tylenol 2 times a day for 2 days post surgery and I was good with nothing after that. I feel BETTER than my old self! I’m off blood pressure, diabetes, back pain meds. I’m more cheerful and I have more energy. I won’t like to you, I did have complications. But they were because I was pushing myself to be the ideal WLS patient instead of following my body and how it needed to heal. I wasn’t listening to myself. That’s important. Don’t push yourself just because someone else is doing steps faster than you. Do what you need to do the way that you need to do it. Anyway, I hope everything works out for you. I don’t want to sound morbid, but I knew if I didn’t do this I would die sooner. I didn’t want that. I don’t have kids, my mom is still relatively young and in great shape and everything. I don’t have anyone depending on me is what I want to get at. But I want to get the most out of the longest life I can. I had 6 friends, good ones, die of various causes in under a year. I didn’t want to join them. But I’d recommend starting with that psychiatrist. They’ll help you out A LOT. Best wishes

It would be terrible if these complications interfered with your trip. Greece is so beautiful!

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Have you had an EGD endoscopy to see if you’re experiencing bile reflux, which is a complication risk of MGB and could result in unintended weight loss? Your weight is still in the normal BMI range. Do you not feel well, are your labs suboptimal, or is it just you don’t like how you look? I had an MGB in April 2017 and am on the low side of the normal BMI range for my height. I’m not as concerned as you with my lower weight because my arthritis and debilitating joint pain is MUCH improved, I feel great (energy-wise), and my lab work is all normal. HOWEVER, over the last 6 months I have developed bile reflux and now suffer from stomach pain and nausea, as well as Barrett’s esophagus. Due to this, I will be revising to an RNY this summer to correct the bile reflux issue.

I was 6’7” and 489 lbs when I had surgery on May 10, 2018. Currently I am 416 at a little over a month out. I’ve had zero complications. I have followed the program to a “T” because I figured this was my last shot to live a long life. If this doesn’t work I will die a young man. So I eat about 1000-1200 calories a day. The main focus is 120g of protein or more. I wake up at 5 am every morning instead of 6:30 so I can workout. I do that five times a week. I walk 4.5 miles a day (started at half a mile three days after surgery and have progressively increased it.) I take the stairs at work (I’m on the 5th floor). Originally I started taking the elevator to the 4th floor and taking one flight and now I do them all. Little changes that have made a huge difference. I feel better than I have felt in over a decade. I have a long way to go but man, you’ll never regret this surgery if you have it. But it is like anything else. You’ll get out what you put in. Start small and go big on the exercise and watch your diet very carefully.

I am curious, how painful is the vertical sleeve surgery? I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically 5 years ago. That's the only major surgery I've had. I've read that the VSG surgery complication rate is similar to gallbladder removal surgery, but I don't know how the pain compares. I am pain med resistant and had a lot of pain the 2 weeks following my gallbladder removal. I assume the VSG surgery is more painful because they are removing a larger portion of your body, and the recovery is probably harder and longer with your stomach healing while being in use. This won't deter me. I was miserable with pain after my gallbladder removal, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat knowing how much better I feel. I just want to be prepared. If anyone has had their gallbladder removed, and the VSG please tell me how the surgeries compare.

I feel the same way but I haven’t even gotten to my consult yet lol! I’ve gone back and forth with the idea for years now but I’ve ALWAYS gone back to yes; I will do this. The rationale that I have come to is simple; I may have serious complications from this surgery...but I also may have serious complications of being morbidly obese. I think that rationale has really helped guide me to make this decision. Best of luck to you 💜

I think getting an EGD endoscopy prior to surgery is a great requirement. It gives your surgeon data on your GI tract prior to cutting, which can help her/him decide on the right procedure for you, finalize their surgical approach, and identify any issues that need to be addressed prior to surgery to mitigate risks & complications. I’ve had many EGDs pre and post gastric bypass. They’re done with twilight sedation and aren’t a big deal, really.

I'm gonna be a Mom here and post this..... please don't think I'm criticizing anyone's choices....just putting information out there. TOBACCO AND WEIGHT LOSS Tobacco use is actually more prevalent among obese people than it is across the general population, with up to 38 percent of obese individuals being regular users of tobacco products. When you are making the choice to undergo weight loss surgery, it is time to put the tobacco products away for good. Aside from the standard health issues that smoking causes, from increasing risk of heart and lung disease to damaging the skin and posing an increased risk of cancer, smoking is a surgical risk factor. Bariatric surgery has a rather low risk factor, with under a one percent mortality risk. Among smokers, however, that risk doubles. This means that you are twice as likely to experience serious surgical complications leading to death if you are a smoker. Smokers are 1.5 times more likely to experience non-fatal surgical risks, too. This is just part of the reason why so many weight loss surgeons mandate that smoking cessation happens at least one year prior to surgery. Smoking increases your risk of experiencing the following surgical complications: Blood clots Pneumonia Marginal ulcers Surgical wound infection Smokers have almost a 30 percent complication rate after weight loss surgery, which is astoundingly higher than the surgical complication rate for non-smokers.

Nicotine use is highly correlated with very dangerous complications after weight loss surgery. (even years after weight loss surgery) I know ya'll don't need me to say that...you're adults. Fact is, I miss nicotine dreadfully. I was never a smoker, but I was addicted to the gum for 10+ years. My doctor cautioned me never to do the gum again. I miss it. But I'm better off without it. Haven't touched it in over a year. I feel your pain. But I'm hell bent not to endanger myself. My years of self abuse, are hopefully...behind me.

1) “Intercessory prayer has no effect on recovery from surgery without complications.” 2) “Patients who knew they were receiving intercessory prayer fared worse.” http://www.nbcnews.com/id/12082681/ns/health-heart_health/t/power-prayer-flunks-unusual-test/#.WyxqDvlKiM8

Just got my date; July 30th. Happy but scared of surgery! The more I read about "complications" such as blood clots, I get a little afraid.

Many people have had successful bariatric surgery in Mexico. I believe this site has their own forum for it as well. One of my co workers went to Mexico for a sleeve. She had no complications. It’s a valid option if you do your research.

I was under lightly for my upper endoscopy, it wasn’t bad, woke up not knowing anything happened, lol. I’ve never had to spend the night at the hospital either! We have to think about the positive and not the negative. I mean complications are a possibility but we’ve got to believe our surgeons will do the very best they can

Yeah I have been doing too much online research, nervous about getting a leak or having any complications. I have never been sedated and have never spent the night in the hospital, so this is a first for me! LOL

It's not as complicated as it seems. It's DEFINITELY dishonest and a bit of a scam, but likely a decent protein supplement otherwise. If you look at the calories on the label and divide it by 4 that's roughly how many Grams of Protein is in a serving, it may be slightly less. Their claims are 100% pure horseshit and for that reason alone people shouldn't buy their product. But if someone absolutely is in love with it and doesn't want to buy alternative products I would follow my rule above dividing calories by 4 and assume that's roughly how much protein is in a serving based on normal measurements that people use and know that you're getting ripped off by a shady company but the product is otherwise probably an OK protein product.