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My surgery became a little more complicated than planned and went for nearly 5 hours - in hospital 5 days. No visit from a dietician which was disappointing so given a handout on discharge. Surgeon indicated I would normally see him 1 week post op but due to the holidays it would be later. He actually is on leave until late January so it will have been more like 5-6 weeks post op. No one knows about the surgery. Initially I virtually ate nothing however over the past 4 days I have been so hungry. Struggling to find things to eat with high Protein. Hate Optifast so only doing that every few days. I am so fearful I am making my new pouch stretch. Today I had a poached egg for Breakfast, then on a journey to visit my son my friend bought 2 Magnum icecreams, I managed to eat 1/3. lunch was about 120ml of home made pea and ham Soup. 1/2 cup of high protein yoghurt for afternoon tea, 3 teaspoons cottage cheese and 3 teaspoons houmos for dinner plus 3/4 cup of soup and some paw paw planned for supper. Not drinking enough but trying harder. Not sure this is too much food. Minimal weight loss however I wonder if that is because I did not overeat prior to surgery. Lost 4 kilos since surgery 2 weeks ago. Had bad thigh ache last night in bed and sound wound pain today. That's my story, any advice would be welcome.

I have had my gall ladder removed, small bowel obstruction surgery and I have had my appendix removed, today during a visit with the surgeon that is doing my VSG surgery h informed me that he needed to pull all of the records from those surgeries to read about them because I could have scar tissue that will affect my surgery. He said that doing it the laproscopic way would be best and has fewer complications but the scar tissue makes it difficult. Has anyone else had to deal with this?

Hi buzimom, I was just banded by Dr Lederer at HCMC Bariatric Center in Minneapolis and was very pleased overall with the care, staff, etc. My surgery went smooth and quick with zero complications. I feel very fortunate that I have been relatively free of pain--just some minor discomfort. Is St Joseph's in the Twin Cities? Sorry, I am new to the area, so I can't help much in that regard. Read and research as much as you can--you can't be over prepared-it made me feel better to be informed and at least, feel as if I was prepared for surgery. Much of what I did and gathered together was not needed but, I it was comforting to me prior to surgery to know it was there should I need it. Best of luck to you. Feel free to PM or email me, if you like.

There's nothing better than seeing a new bandster flying through this with no complications! Congrads to you and good luck on this wild ride!

She had lap band with him around 5 years ago. She had complications and had to have it out in December. I think she's going to have a revision and get the sleeve. I hope so. She lost a lot of weight but she didn't follow the rules.

I read all the stories: complications, unable to eat or drink, drains! None of that for me. I lost 35 lbs as of today. My sleeve is not too big or small. Just perfect. I just LOVE Dr. Mark Pleatman for being so incredibly skilled and experienced. Love, love, love. I am in an incredible shape! I can EAT. Super small portions, but I can eat! I could have been one of those patients suffering so much post op...GRATEFUL! RELIEVED! THANKFUL!

I had gallstones at the time of my surgery. I asked my doc how I can tell the difference between a gallbladder attack and possible RNY complications. He said gallbladder pain originates on the right side, and RNY pain is primarily on the left. Call your doctor's office. That's what they're there for. I hope you feel better!

I'm sorry to hear that your surgeon would not help you. I know many people that end up with RNY because they do not or can not fight for the sleeve. Best wishes with your RNY, and during your surgery and recovery. I'm sure you are disappointed. Like I said, you could always strap some weights on your ankles, and other stuff to tip the scale in your favor. Sorry, I know it's not "right" or the moral thing to do, but I can 100% tell you that if VSG would have not been an option, I would of had my band removed, and stayed fat. The long term complications with RNY are just not worth it. I'm not trying to scare you, but if you haven't, check out the revision forum on obesityhelp.com and see just how many people are revising from RNY to either ERNY or DS. I know you need permanent, I know you need surgery. I understand all of that, but why not possibly find another surgeon that will work with you, and why is he trying to force RNY on you? Does he not sleeves? Does not have many sleeves under his belt? I mean, RNY is a more expensive surgery by several, several thousand so that is a big reason why some surgeons push it instead of the sleeve. I'm not saying that's the case for your surgeon, but it's happened, and I know people that have been in that position.

SD: 1/21/12 Dr. Sosa Hialeah, FL SW: 367 LBS CW : 185 LBS Complications : 1 time food got stuck and stayed for 1 week , had to remove Gall Ballader 3 yrs aftwr surgery ... Pregnancy 1 MC and 5 months now .... Sent from my LG-TP450 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sorry if my blog made you worry, Violet. That wasn't my intention. There are complications with any surgery, no matter how "minor" or "non-invasive," and if you google "x surgery complications" I'm sure there are lots of horror stories, but there are also many many positive experiences that we don't hear about because those people are busy living their lives. Please don't let my blog scare you out of doing something if you feel it's the best thing for you. I know people who have had gastric bypass and didn't succeed, too. I think it is a combination of restriction from the band, dedication to a healthy lifestyle, and sometimes a bit of luck that causes people to succeed. I think you will do fine because you realize this. You're already doing so well! I guess the whole point of my blog was just to complain a little about how one television show can influence someone's opinion so strongly.

You know what is so funny lol...after I read your blog about what your mom said, I spent the entire night looking up youtube videos and posts about the negative effects of wls...one of which with somebody that died, and the persons family member that died is really trying hard to talk people out of getting it...a lot of the comments though were geared toward the person probably not doing what they were supposed to, and that they were a success so they don't know what they are talking about. I am getting mixed signals everywhere I turn.. My mom had gastric bypass over 10 years ago and kept her 100 pounds that she lost OFF..so obviously she is totally % FOR me getting the lap band...because she had complications, and this is safer...shes my biggest supporter..my whole family and boyfriend is. We know people too that had gastric bypass and the lap band done and it didn't work for them at all...they lost some and then gained it back..so I think for some people who aren't all in it, yeah thats exactly why it doesn't work for them...but it doesn't mean I'm not having second thoughts...because I am...even though I'm still doing every single thing I need to do...I'm just one step away...but after reading that blog I just got terrified and then reading all of the other awful things..I think it will be worth it in the long run. I see soo many people on here and all over who have had so much success with it and its changed their lives...so why wouldn't it work for me when I'm % in it, and I've already lost 30 pounds on my own?

66 lbs so far. No complications and super happy [emoji2] HW 242, SW 236- (Bypass 12/20/17) GW#1- 199 [emoji736] (2/11/18) GW#2- 180 [emoji736] (4/2/18) GW#3- 160 CW 175 5’6”

Is it possible for your mother to stay with you in NY during your recovery? This might solve many of your problems. Traveling for the surgery is certainly an option, but you are correct in your concern about possible complications and distance from your surgeon. You will also need periodic follow up months after your surgery. Remember, your health and safety should be your top priority.

I just had my lap band surgery on April 16th and, like you, have had no complications and am feeling great. Getting a little tired of the liquid diet. My surgeon keeps his patients on liquids for 4 weeks. How is the pureed phase going? I have lost 19 lbs. and looking forward to finally losing weight and keeping it off. Good Luck!!

The plication is not as reversible as it's marketed. Several plication patients are looking at revisions to the sleeve. There are a few patients who had severe complications that have shared on obesityhelp and personally, I would never consider the plication. Partial gastrectomies and complete gastrectomies have been performed since the 1800's for stomach cancer and ulcers. Many people live fully-functioning lives without part or all of their stomachs. Best wishes in your research.

hi guys im 240 lbs at 5'2 have most of the comorbidities of being obese and im 16 days away from surgery and having many doubts i recently went to preop appointment and was told i would not be able to take any pills that contain iburofen or advils or motrin or aspirin for the rest of my life and it was emphasized and that scares me because i have chronic asthma and vertigo and i also get migranes that are really bad and tylenol does not work at all for me so what happens if you need this one pill that s going to save your life? i also have to take steroids and my doctor saids oh dont worry you will have a normal stomach just smaller but im afraid he is only in for the money he is getting from my insurance for this expensive surgery, i mean i know if i dont loose the weight i will be really sick and quality of life will be worst but at what price will i get healthy ? i know all surgeries have many risks and im willing to take those risks but its long term complications or problems that worry me so either way your not home free. well for those who have had the surgery any advice or feedback is highly appreciated

Well ... that is quite the question as everybody has different experiences. I was outpatient, in at 7 and out by noon. As you can imagine, there is no possible way I could have driven myself. I was still quite drugged. Other folks are in for anywhere from one night to a week. So, I think it all depends on how long you stay at the hospital, if you have any complications and how well you have responded to surgery in the past. Just because one person was able to drive home after one night in the hospital doesn't mean you will be able to ...

I'm about 12 weeks out and I'm down 47 pounds. Haven't had complications, sleep better, off my diabetic meds and feeling happy! My question is about the future. My biggest fear is back sliding into old problems, I want to stay in this good place I'm now in. I can only eat moderate amounts of food and that restriction is helping me change things for the better. When I'm a year or two out will that be completely gone? I'm worried. I'm really hoping this help sticks with me. Any experiences from long timers would be fantastic to hear! Thank you!

At about five weeks post-op I started going to a fitness club to lift weights and I haven't looked back since. I lift three days a week. My goal right away was to build muscle volume to give my skin something to hang on to as I lose fat, so I started lifting heavy right away (I had no surgical complications and I healed very well). I do cardio too, but weights are the priority. My body fat is way down, and I'm also about a size smaller than I was the last time I was at this weight, which makes sense since muscle is heavier than fat. I feel great! Definitely don't skimp on the weight training!

I've been reading here for years so let me take a shot at your questions? Every doctor has different protocols and some prime the band during surgery. Some don't prime at all. Every doctor has different protocols for fills. We have some here who only get .5 CCs per fill. Some fill with 5 CCs and ask the patient to swallow some Water to make sure it goes down OK. Allergan or Realize bands aren't that much different. Some of us got to the green zone with no fills and some with 13. I'd say the average is around 5. Usually it takes 2-3 before we feel the first satiety signals. Some doctors fill with fluoroscopy. It's an X-Ray so the doctor can see how fast Fluid flows through the band. This way they can fill the band only once or twice to get you to some kind of restriction? Most of us have no complications with fills? Sometimes the port can flip but it's rare. Occasionally some nurses or nurse practitioners may have a hard time finding the port. Hope this helps till someone more specific answers your questions?

I got my band on July 16 and as of today, Ive lost 50 lbs. I started out at 255 and im now 205. I wasnt that great over the holidays and I feel like im just getting my second wind. I feel like its a new year and I want to recommit and finish this:) Ive got 65 more lbs to lose. Im doing the south beach diet and I work out for 20 minutes a day. I have a fill tomorrow and I always feel nervous before a fill. I always want to have made progress when I go in. My dr. is Dr. spiegel in Houston and I would love to talk to other bandsters:) Im so happy I mad the decision to do this, its changing my life. I know you can read about complications and problems, but I have to say I have zero regrets( except i miss you diet coke!LOL)

I went to the library and did some research. Here is the abstract from a study done in the U.S from 2000-2008: The effectiveness of adjustable gastric banding: a retrospective 6-year U.S. follow-up study source: Surgical Endoscopy Feb. 2011, vol 25 issue 2, p397-403 abstract: Background: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) during a 6-year follow-up period. Methods: A retrospective database analysis of patients who underwent LAGB at New York University Medical Center between 1 January 2000 and 29 February 2008 was conducted. Patients were included for the efficacy analysis if they were 18 years old or older at the surgery date and had one or more visits with a recorded weight after surgery. Efficacy was assessed using percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1-year intervals after surgery. Missing weight values were interpolated using a cubic spline function. Linear regression models were used to assess the characteristics that affected the last available %EWL. All patients had implantation of the LAP-BAND system. Results: The inclusion criteria for the efficacy analysis were met by 2,909 patients. The majority of the patients were white (83.3%) and female (68.4%). The mean patient age was 44.6 years, and the mean baseline body mass index (BMI) was 45.3 kg/m. The %EWL 3 years after surgery was 52.9%, which was sustained thereafter. In multivariate models, increased number of office visits, younger age, female gender, and Caucasian race were significantly associated with a higher maximum %EWL. Conclusions: The LAP-BAND patients achieved a substantial and sustainable weight loss of approximately 50% at 6 years after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] I don't really understand how they can say that there was a weight loss of 50% at 6 years after surgery when some of the patients included in the surgery have only had their band for 3 years. But they lump them all together nevertheless. I also read an article that quoted a study saying the Swedish adjustable gastric band had more incidence of erosion than the LAP BAND. I don't know if they even use the Swedish one here anymore. Here's another one from Switzerland: A 10-year experience with laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity: high long-term complication and failure rates. Suter M, Calmes JM, Paroz A, Giusti V. Department of Surgery, Hôpital du Chablais, Aigle-Monthey, Switzerland. Abstract BACKGROUND: Since its introduction about 10 years ago, and because of its encouraging early results regarding weight loss and morbidity, laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB) has been considered by many as the treatment of choice for morbid obesity. Few long-term studies have been published. We present our results after up to 8 years (mean 74 months) of follow-up. METHODS: Prospective data of patients who had LGB have been collected since 1995, with exclusion of the first 30 patients (learning curve). Major late complications are defined as those requiring band removal (major reoperation), with or without conversion to another procedure. Failure is defined as an excess weight loss (EWL) of <25%, or major reoperation. RESULTS: Between June 1997 and June 2003, LGB was performed in 317 patients, 43 men and 274 women. Mean age was 38 years (19-69), mean weight was 119 kg (79-179), and mean BMI was 43.5 kg/m(2) (34-78). 97.8% of the patients were available for follow-up after 3 years, 88.2% after 5 years, and 81.5% after 7 years. Overall, 105 (33.1%) of the patients developed late complications, including band erosion in 9.5%, pouch dilatation/slippage in 6.3%, and catheter- or port-related problems in 7.6%. Major reoperation was required in 21.7% of the patients. The mean EWL at 5 years was 58.5% in patients with the band still in place. The failure rate increased from 13.2% after 18 months to 23.8% at 3, 31.5% at 5, and 36.9% at 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: LGB appeared promising during the first few years after its introduction, but results worsen over time, despite improvements in the operative technique and material. Only about 60% of the patients without major complication maintain an acceptable EWL in the long term. Each year adds 3-4% to the major complication rate, which contributes to the total failure rate. With a nearly 40% 5-year failure rate, and a 43% 7-year success rate (EWL >50%), LGB should no longer be considered as the procedure of choice for obesity. Until reliable selection criteria for patients at low risk for long-term complications are developed, other longer lasting procedures should be used. This one has a pessimistic view of Lap Band overall but to me 60% with acceptable EWL is pretty darn good. I'm wondering if the authors of this study are investing in the sleeve or some other technique. There are more. For anyone who is also interested go to the library and ask for help accessing EBSCO Host or another periodical database and search for "long-term" and "LAGB". I really don't have the time or energy to sift through all the articles but just from what I skimmed the worst conclusion had something like a 33% success rate after 5 years. By success they can mean anything from 40% and up of excess weight loss. Here's what I'm thinking so far: Without the band I have probably more than a 33% chance of NOT losing the weight. I also have more than a 33% change of developing more weight-related health problems. If I lose 40% of my excess weight in the next 5 years I will be better off than if I did nothing. The mortality rate from having the band is no more than for any abdominal surgery. The complication rate may be somewhat high (but a lot lower than for bypass) but the band is reversible and removable. So I am going ahead with my plans for the band. If anyone can talk me out of it please try. I want to be sure I'm making a good decision.

That's because there aren't a lot of complications, but we have several sleevers here who have had complications. Jasleeve had a leak, stent, and TPN, as did SandyD, MeMeMee, Tiffykins, and a couple of others whose names escape me right now. If you research those names, you'll find their threads. The complication rate is very low, but you must do your own research to reassure yourself that this is right for you.

I've had complications as well. If you do a search on leak, infection, tpn, picc line, abcess..those keywords should find some info for you.

I looked into WLS a few years ago, but my insurance didn't cover it, so that was that. A couple weeks ago, my wife told me that someone at her work is having WLS and that her insurance covers it. I've always had her insurance as my secondary insurance, but it never occured to me that they would cover it even if mine didn't. I called the clinic that her co-worker had hers done at, and inquired about my insurance situation. Sure enough, if my primary insurance doesn't cover, the secondary will. That clinic is out of network, but told me that they will bill as out of network, but then for my co-pay they will only charge me as much as if I was in-network. I made an appointment. I completed my paperwork and faxed it in a few days ago. I was scheduled to have a phone appointment tomorrow, and then a meeting with the surgeon a week from tomorrow. The clinic called me today and said they had a cancellation tomorrow and wanted to know if I wanted to move my meeting with the surgeon to then. I'm super excited to meet with the surgeon tomorrow and get my process started. I'm hoping that my secondary insurance doesn't have a 6 month process the way a lot of them do. As for my story, I've been overweight a good portion of my life. When I was 17, I was helping my dad move an 1800 pound safe off a truck and it fell off the truck and onto my foot. It resulted in a 10 day hospital stay and amputation of my foot. Even with that, I've always been active but a few years later was north of 300 pounds. A few years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes and also borderline high blood pressure. I've been trying, without success, to get some weght off to keep my diabetes in check. A year and a half ago, I woke one morning with incredible pain in my back. I went to my PCP, who told me essentially to quit being a baby and go home and walk it off, and if I wasn't feeling better in a few days to a week, then come back and see him. Later that afternoon, I went to my chiropractor, who advised me that with my symptoms I should go to the ER. I did and was diagnosed with cauda equina, which is essentially when a disc ruptures and presses into the nerves in your back. I was immediately transported to Swedish in Seattle (about an hour and a half away) and that night had surgery on my back. My neurosurgen told me that if I hadn't had surgery within 72 hours, she is pretty confident I would have been paralyzed. I ended up with some significant nerve damage in my legs, but I was lucky because I seeked out prompt medical attention so I can still walk and have use of my lower extremities. I do still have a lot of nerve pain in my legs, and right now my neurosurgen is trying to address that. Every day that I have to be able to walk and play with my kids is a blessing however. Now I'm hoping to get rid of this weight so I can be even more active and involved in their lives. Wish me luck at my meeting with my neurosurgen tomorrow! I do have my reservations however, because I'm going to Puget Sound Surgical Center, which, for those of you who have been following, is where iggychick got her sleeve done. However, her doctor was Dr. Billing and I'm meeting with Dr. Crouthamel. It will be interesting knowing iggychick's story, how forthcoming he is when I ask about complications, not only his, but of the clinic as a whole. It will show me how trustworthy Dr. Crouthamel is.