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This is my first post. I had my sleeve done on 1/21/20. My weight this morning was 263, so I'm down a total of 44 pounds since my starting weight (in August). I had some cardiac complications the day after surgery so it's been a slow recovery but I'm glad I had the procedure! I'm happy to commiserate/chat. Rachel

As you know with any WLS, being able to support your body, and the developing baby is essential with a nutrient dense, balanced diet. Since you BMI is lower, you don't have to go super low calorie/low carb to lose your excess weight. BUT, there is no way I would have been able to consume enough calories that early out without having to rely on Meal Replacement drinks. My capacity was super limited the first 6 months post-VSG, and by limited means no more than 2-4oz of food per meal. If the food was extremely mushy/liquidy consistency (like chili, or yogurt I could get in about 6oz). I still have to stretch my meals further out, and eat some sliders with my Protein to ensure I eat enough per meal. I maxed out at about 3oz of dense protein, and relied on a lot of mushy food just to hit protein goals early out. The caloric recommendation for me currently in pregnancy is 1700-1800 calories a day. At 22 months, I don't have any issues getting in those calories, but I do have to drink 100% juice to get in extra fluids/calories and some good ole beta carotene. The baby will take from your body what it needs to thrive and grow. Our body is what suffer through pregnancy, along with vitamin/nutrient deficiencies that can affect the developing fetus. Don't blame yourself for the band complications. My band only lasted 8 months, and I worked the hell out of the band. I did have major complications during my revision (including a leak) because of the damage the band had done to my stomach. But, I survived, and here I am 22 months out and 10.5 weeks pregnant. Just make sure you go to an experienced revision surgeon, be diligent with your intake, and Vitamins. I was released at 8 months post-VSG to TTC for several reasons. I was below goal, my labs had been stellar, and my husband's deployment ops tempo is high, and we were fearing a deployment. It took over 12 months to get pregnant with charting, temping, ovulation monitor etc etc. It was an emotionally, mental, and physically draining process that took a heavy toll on me. Now in pregnancy, I'm dealing with fear of regain, body shape changes, and just the normal "pregnancy stuff". No amount of people telling me "oh it's just baby weight" "oh it's for the baby" "oh, you'll lose the weight" will take away the mind games that are going on right now. After going from a size 22/24W to a size 2, I don't care what anyone says, not being able to fit into my jeans that I've comfortably worn for a year, and watch my body changing dramatically through the pregnancy is very difficult mentally. I thought I was prepared for it, and I am overjoyed to be pregnant. I have zero regrets, and I do know that being pregnant is a fabulous, joyous occasion, but I refuse to deny the way I feel right now. Maybe it'll change in the near future. I'm embracing the changes, staying focused on my health, and making sure I am providing the very best little environment for the baby. I just thought I would share my thoughts, and experience thus far. Best wishes with your consult, and future revision. Getting rid of the band was the best thing I ever did for myself, and my future health.

Sleeved on the same day as you following the rules. Leaks to my knowledge is not related to excess or wrong foods but is a surgical complication. Meaning it appears in the first two days postoperatively . So once you are a week past you shiuld have minimal worries about leaks.

I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY INSURANCE IS NOT GOING TO PAY FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY FOR AT LEAST 6 TO 12 MONTHS AS THEY RESEARCH THE COMPLICATION RATE. I WOULD LIKE YOUR FEED BACK ON WHICH OPTION I SHOULD DO. 1. kEEP ON THE MEDICAL SUPERVISED WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM THAT I AM ON (I'M CURRENTLY LOSSING A POUND AWEEK) 2. LOOK AT SELF PAY OPTIONS (MAY NOT BE FINICIALLY FEASIBLE AT THIS TIME) 3. WAIT AND SEE IF INSURANCE WILL COVER IT NEXT YEAR (TURN 65 IN 2020 WITH MEDICARE)

Congratulations on your success. Sometimes it is hard to read all the complaints and complications and how others say they hate their decision and regret their surgery. It's very un motivating but thankfully you posted great results. Sent from my htc evo 3D using VST

Please be careful! Eating Fiber as an appetite suppressant without drinking enough liquid to pass it through can cause blockage and lead to very serious complications. Trust me! I had my intestines twist and had to have a bowel resection which was REALLY horrible!! It didn't happen for me because of fiber but was just a freak thing. Either way, it is definitely NOT something you want to go through!!

Red flag? not at all. LIMARP where I'm going--in 2012 had a 0% major complication rate due to the very strict pre and post of guides. Am I paying a lot more then most? Yes I am, but I want the best good luck and like Amanda said research, research research!!

@@Jane1979 I originally went to surgeon with the intention of getting LapBand. After he told me that they are removing more than putting in and that 50-60% of lapband patients require a secondary surgery from complications - I quickly changed my mind and will be sleeved instead. Some have had success with the Lapband but they seem to be the minority.

Welcome ask_nyc all those concerns you are having are completely normal...I experienced them myself...but i can honestly say despit the surgery, despite the recovery period, despite the change in lifestyle, despite the feelings of hunger and hard work...I made the best decision for a better life...sure there are sacrifices and habits to change but if you want a healthier, active, more fulfilling lifestyle then you wont regret...lapbanders with complications are in the minority rather than the majority there are risks with every operation however I wouldn't turn back time for the world...If this is what you really want...GO FOR IT! you have nothing to loose but everything to gain...or should that be the other way round 'nothing to gain but everything to loose!' hehehe! :xena_banana: becky

Any possibilityof re-financing the house and paying down some fo the debt? I ended up self paying as well, but had an accident prior and used my settlement to pay for it. There have been times I wished I had the cash settlement back, to pay bills. My DH has been off for several months with heart surgery and complications, so bills have piled up. But like you I don't regret it. We had some savings we used...and stuck it out. Talk to your creditors, even if they do try to be ugly, if they are rude ask to speak with someone else, and explain you have hit hard times, and need to make payment arrangements. Having been on the business end of that, I know they would rather have you make a small payment and make it regularly than not make any! Plus you need to figure out if selling and then renting will actually save you money. It is not a great market right now to sell I have heard...so look over all your options. Possibly a consolidation loan...put everything together and lower your month to month output. As you get back on your feet, you could increase the payment amount. Maybe even some credit counseling...that keeps creditors happy if they know you are attempting to do something. My niece used one, and it kept her out of bankruptcy. Good Luck to you...come back for support!!! We are not all independently wealthy---we can relate!!! Kat

I was banded on 12/31/13. I've only had one fill since. There are only 4cc in the 10cc band. I don't feel any restriction. Never been stuck. I've lost 30 lbs and rarely feel real hunger. I'm actually afraid to get another fill because I don't want to take a chance on it being too tight or causing complications. Hoping to leave it alone as long as I continue to lose 1-2 pounds a week. I really make an effort to watch everything I eat and had to change the way I think about food. I'm sure if I had more restriction, I might lose faster, but think I'll stay where I'm at for awhile. Best of luck to you. I hope you get where you need to be:-)

So, last night I went to my first lapband support group (after 3 1/2 yrs). Thought it might be good for me. There were 3 of us. Just the nitht before, the sleeve support group met (same program director for both meetings) was standing room only. What's going on with all the banders? The program director (not my surgeons office, its 3 hrs away) said they hardly ever do band surgery anymore. People complain about complications and maintenance. Im so afraid we're gunna be dinasours, only referenced in medical journals as bariatric failures. Has anyone else noticed this? And amongst the 3 of us, I was the most successful. One lady has been banded for 4 yrs and has only lost 40 lbs. The other for 2 yrs and lost about 50. Made me feel good. And I was starting to feel like a failure. Marci

I'm so sorry to hear about your complications. I, too, was sleeved on April 18th. I'm actually feeling really well. I have been walking 3 times a day from 30 minutes to an hour. It has been a lifesaver with the gas pain. Wishing my fellow sleevers a speedy recovery!

Can't believe its already been a week. I did end up having a complication. I was bleeding from the staple line and my blood pressure got to 60/40. They went back in about 5 hours later and repaired it. I needed two blood transfusions. And spent a few unexpected nights in icu. The scariest part was that I had no pre existing conditions I was just overweight. I'm 28. so it really can happen to anyone. I pray that the rest of my recovery is uneventful. hope all is well with everyone else

Okay... had a talk with my husband and he is dead set against this whole gastric sleeve mess, as he calls it. It's so frustrating to me because I feel like I have to go in alone. He is not traveling with me to have it because he says he can't get off of work but I really believe it's because he doesn't want me to have it. He says I'm not really big ( 5'6 starting weight 242 is not a small girl) . He says I can lose weight because I have been able to do so with but visits but as I told him I have lost weight plenty of times in the past but it comes back. He feels if I go to gym and workout like crazy. He just doesn't get it and is really making me feel bad about my decisions. I had a friend that died from gastric bypass complications maybe 4 years after she had it. Her liver started to fail and it was due to complication of the bypass. I tell him that I am not having same procedure but he doesn't get it. I have lost weight during nut visits . He is making me feel like I want this surgery for vain reasons and I don't know if it's insecurity rearing it's ugly Head or what. But it hurts that he is not supporting me in this journey. Makes me feel really alone. I want to be healthy and look and feel my best. I'm 38 with a lot of life to live and I want to enjoy the rest of it .... it sucks not having your spouse or partner on board.

Most of us are emotional eaters...which is why we are in the fix we're in. Is it possible that because you did well at Disney, you somehow feel entitled to cheat now that you are home? In other words, are you 'rewarding' yourself for doing well by eating not so well now? I don't mean to try to analyze you but even you think this is head hunger. Sometimes head hunger is just boredom, but sometimes it's much more complicated than that. I think that for everyone who does well in a challenging situation and feels empowered, there are those who do well in a challenging situation and then promptly sabotage their success. Again, this might not apply to you at all and you might think I'm talking out my a**. I'm just putting it out there and if I'm totally off base, apologies to you.

Had my pre-op Dr visit & blood work on Fri. for surgery on Jan 14th. Feel better about decision after talking to Dr Chae. Because it has to be open incision (could take 2-3 hours because they may have a lot of adhesions to deal with) and I'll be in hospital for 5-8 days. That was kind of a shock! Guess my biggest concerns are post-op complications. My nutritionist says not to do "The last meal of my life" thing but I'm kind of doing that. Going to try and be better on diet & exercise this last week. Wish me luck.

Hi -- I'm from NC and was self-pay. I searched extensively in many states and finally decided to travel to Dr. Kirshenbaum in CO. There's a lengthy thread of information about him by his patients on LBT. Here's his website Lap Band Surgery in Denver Colorado | Lap Band Surgeon in Denver | Gastric Band Surgery Denver | Bariatric Surgery Total cost for me was $9950 and that included fills for 3 months afterwards; fills after 3 months are $15. (These amounts, of course, did not include travel expenses.) I have absolutely no regrets and would go back to him without any reservation. I have the APS band and have had no complications whatsoever. Good luck in your journey!

Would not that be covered by your insurance? A band slippage is a complication that occurred because of the band I'm just saying that because 5 1/2 months out my port flipped. I had to get insurance approval and I got it. I was covered for the day surgery because it was considered a complication from the band. Good luck!

I am 10.5 months out, have rheumatoid arthritis, have been type 1 diabetic since age 9 (22.5 years), and a pump user for 12 years. I was always very brittle and very insulin resistant. The month prior to surgery I was on a pre-op diet, and my insulin needs dropped quite a bit during that time. I was glad I had to do that diet, as I was making adjustments to my basal rates every 3 days. By doing this prior to surgery, if I was low, I didn't have any issue eating anything to bring it up. We monitored my changing blood sugars closely during this month and after surgery, and have worked it out just fine. I had my pump on during surgery; it was necessary, as I cannot go too long without insulin without heading into dka. It was put at a very reduced rate though - just enough to have a small amount coming in. My blood sugars were also monitored closely to assure no issues with highs or lows and my medical team was prepared to take care of them if they arose. I had absolutely no wound complications, leaks, or infection, and all my wounds healed beautifully. My insulin requirement dropped dramatically immediately after surgery - about 85% or more decreased and that continues. I have become very carb sensitive and the littlest bit can shoot my BS through the roof. As always, being type 1 and on the pump, you have to test frequenly and be very knowledgable about how and when to make adjustments. I did do a lot of this on my own; however, it is key to have your health care team closely involved with every aspect of this. I had surgery on a Monday morning and left the hospital Wed. afternoon, even though one of my lungs collapsed during surgery. I hit my goal at around 6 months out, and am trying to maintain. I am currently about 20 lbs under goal, but still falling within an acceptable BMI range. (Total weight loss of 113 lbs) My biggest struggle throughout this is consuming enough fluids to keep from dehydration. I am a bit unusual with my specific problems, but then again, I always have been. Having surgery is a very personal decision, and each person must weigh the pros and cons. As for me, It was a great decision, in spite of a bumpy road.

Christine... I am soooo happy that I choose VSG. Not only have I been able to lose 85 pounds since May 12th, but I have gotten control of my blood sugars! I too have been an insulin dependent diabetic for over 30 years....happy to say that the only complication I have had, to date, is a small retinal hemorrhage about 20 years ago that was corrected with laser surgery to both eyes. Lucky, I know! I love my pump, and have been using a Medtronic pump for approximately 15 years....I thought that would help me loose weight since I no longer had to eat...if I wanted to skip a meal, or go light on carbs, I could. Unfortunately, it did the reverse. If I wanted a cookie or piece of cake, all I had to to was bolus...and pack on the pounds. I was taking approximately 130 units of Humolog in a 24 hour period prior to surgery. Today I take an average of 30...just depends on how may carbs I eat during the day. Thanks for the info on obesityhelp.com...I will check it out. If you have any questions for me...please don't hesitate to email me at gl_ladd@yahoo.com.

I had my sleeve done just over a year ago and took no pain meds after the 2d day. Had surgery Friday, stopped pain meds on Sunday. I was able to drink with no problems and moved through the food progression pain and trouble free. I had no problems with reflux or GERD and need not PPI meds at all since surgery. Good luck in your journey and here's to a pain free, complication free, trouble free sugery and recovery.

I have had my band since 2009 and started having a lot of complications with it in 2012 so I am having the revision to Sleeve on 11/27/13. I have heard a lot of people say they had to have a hernia repair what is the causes of getting a hernia with the band? For the last month I have had swollen, pinching, stabbing, and pulling feeling around my port area when I move or bend a curtain way. Is this something I should be concerned about?

So i guess we are the Smashing Pumpkins! I like that as do many of you! SO....Welcome Smashing pumpkins! We are a group that is determined to smash the pumpkins that we hold in ourselves in all shapes and sizes. We will become the oriental pumpkins soon enough!!! I can't wait to have mine done! I am reading a lot of things on here that are making me second guess...such as a flipping of ports or other complications. Are they really that common?

Probably a good reason to do the weigh in's once a week or so. Human's are complicated. We can retain stuff and let it go rather quickly. BTW, for the record: Each day, on average, people produce 1 ounce of poop for each 12 pounds of their body weight. The average poop is 2.5 pounds.