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I’ve posted about my complications before but things have developed so I thought I’d reach out again. Around 4 months developed difficulty eating except a few safe foods, then eventually developed difficulty with liquids. I vomit at least once a day. My vagus nerve test was good so the surgeon didn’t cut it. I have delayed emptying at 55% but don’t meet clinical criteria for gastroparesis, which is 50% or less. My next tests are an endoscopy for GERD damage, and esophageal motility/manometry test, including a tube in my nose down my esophagus for 24 hrs to measure acid pH. Fun huh? Anyone been in my shoes? It’s unbearable and I’m borderline convinced it’s psychological.

I go every day and I’m on low fiber due to complications. Bright bleeding is poops that are too hard and/or hemorrhoids. The suppositories work the best...you just have to be brave and stick em up your bum! I’d try miralax 1x a day with water if you can handle it, crystal light, or my personal fav, 1/3 apple juice, 2/3 water.

Very much so. He took a lot of time answering my questions and never made me feel rushed. He was very patient. The procedure itself went well and no complications so far! I would definitely recommend him to anyone considering wls.

If you think that the gastric sleeve has more risk, you've been misinformed. Research actually shows that there is less chance of complications with bypass. This information comes to me courtesy of both Penn Medicine and Christiana Care. Although the difference is really statistically insignificant, like a fraction of a percent to one percent. The prevailing advice that I've heard has been to go with gastric bypass if you have T2 diabetes or a history of GERD. People report having problems with severe acid reflux with the sleeve. Again, your mileage will vary. If you're diabetic, you may want to consider bypass.

My surgeon said both are very safe and effective, and I could have whichever one I wanted. When I asked him which one he would choose if he were in my shoes, he said RNY gastric bypass without hesitation. Better data supporting better outcomes, and the surgery-related complications are rarer these days, especially with surgeons who do hundreds of them every year.

Being COLD all the time is my biggest side effect, but it feels like a very fair trade to me. (I'm down nearly 44 lbs since my 12/28 surgery.) I actually had some complications with the surgery itself (very painful splenic infarction and a collapsed lung) but I'm fully recovered now. I had well-controlled reflux before my sleeve but, knock on wood, it hasn't given me any trouble at all. I take Omeprozole morning and night and I've been fine. I found the vitamins annoying at first (especially the big chalky tablets) but, with my surgeon's permission, I switched to a gummy multivitamin, jelly iron supplement, and calcium citrate chews, all of which I find MUCH easier to take.

Hi everyone, quick update. Have been doing so well, zero pain, zero painmeds, easily managing all my water, no complications at all. I’m sleeping well, doctor moved me on to soft foods as I am tolerating everything so well. 10lbs down - 12 days out

Kakatlady - yes, I had my surgery!! Surgery went well, no complications, but I was having a lot of difficulty drinking (sipping) anything - lots of pain regardless of how small the sips were. After being home for two days, I became dehydrated and had to be re admitted to the hospital yesterday to get IV fluids. Came back home today and am now doing fine. It just took longer for the swelling at the opening of my stomach to go down. Thanks for asking and for your concern!!

Oh my gosh this happened to me!! I called my friend who had this procedure 3 yrs ago and she had not experienced anything like what I was describing nor had her husband (who also had VSG). Of course my mind went to complications, heart issues, etc! I finally took a prevcid and the pain went away! It was indigestion/gas bubble!

I had gastric sleeve surgery with hiatal hernia repair on feb. 1, 2018. When I awoke from surgery I was in a tremendous amount of pain and had what I call stomach "spasms" nonstop. It felt as if what was left of my stomach was turning inside out and writhing....It would happen with or without drinking, when I moved, etc. Now I'm 16 days post-op, 20 pounds lost, and the "spasms" are much better but I still have them occasionally. I'm doing well getting all my protein and liquids down, with a lot of work, of course. For the last 4 days my blood pressure has begun to drop very low for me, around 100/60 P60. I have been on beta blockers for the last 17 years for my high bp and fast heart rate and I had to cut it in half before my surgery and hold it a few days after surgery because it's dipping too low. I've been feeling faint, weak and having diarrhea when I have a BM and I have been hearing a very loud spurting sound in the left side of my abdomen and left back when I go to the bathroom with some pain in the left abdomen near the incision site where they cut through the muscle. My question is..... I know these surgeries are not easy for anyone! Those of you that have gone through this, does this sound familiar to you, are these normal things that you go through with this? Any advice? I have read through my handbook over and over and have called my surgeons office a couple of times to ask questions and the nurses usually say to give it time. However, I feel that things are just so different and I don't know if it's "normal" or maybe I should push things and get looked at. thanks for your input!

Hi there and welcome aboard. I'm still a few months away from surgery (though I'm a male with two college age kids though many of our concerns remain the same) but I went through a similar process of tallying the positives and negatives myself. The fact that you're able to list them so clearly is an excellent sign that you've got a healthy grasp on the situation. Your positives are all spot on. Regarding your fears, I've managed to overcome mine through lots of research and introspection, so I'll address yours one at a time. 1. The fatality rate from weight loss surgery is exceptionally low and in the rare event when it does happen it's often a result of an undiagnosed condition. That's why they do extensive pre-op examinations. 2. Complications are certainly a possibility. You have to compare those risk to the health issues you'll certainly encounter if you do not address your weight. For most of us the small risk of complications is a much better gamble than waiting for diabetes. Also, try to avoid reading stories of other peoples' bad experiences, especially if they're second hand reports like "My friend's plumber's wife's astrologist went in for a gastric sleeve and she woke up with a tail!" And yes, after the surgery you will feel like crap after the surgery, you are likely to vomit a lot and have random pains. Those are all absolutely normal. 3. You need to turn your fear of limitations at social events into a positive. So many events revolve around food and that is one of our problems. What's the point of losing all of the weight if you're just going to put it all back by pigging out on pizza at a party. Once you get to your goal weight you'll be able to eat mostly normally again. Remember, people at healthy weights get to eat everything they want as well, they just don't overdo it and that's what we need to learn to do as well. And as for what others have to say, you just have to learn how to tune them out. Dismiss them with a simple "Thank you for your opinion," or, if they're particularly rude about it "I'm sorry, I don't recall asking for your opinion" then change the subject, If they persist, ask them where they got their medical degree. Find the strength to end a conversation if someone is not supportive of your decision. I hope that helps. I've always been the rather stoic type, quick to dispassionately analyze a situation instead of getting emotional. I know that puts me in the minority here and it also results in me giving advice that can be rather blunt, so please don't think I'm discounting your emotional concerns: Others can help you with that stuff.

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. https://www.flowersbariatriccenter.com/patient-resources/preparing-for-bariatric-surgery/why-it-matters-to-stop-smoking-after-weight-loss-surgery/

Hi everyone! My name is Kristen. I am 29 years old. I’m the mother of a beautiful 3 year old girl and wife to my wonderful husband. I also am a special needs teacher. I have battled my weight since childhood. I think I am a food addict. I find myself “relapsing” after every diet. And I am either 100% doing well or 100% doing terrible, there is no in between. I was lead to this surgery by a friend I work with who has had an amazing experience. After speaking with her I felt hopeful for a second shot at life free from this burden of obesity. However, the feedback I have gotten from all family and friends is negative. Everyone thinks I should do it on my own. But I just don’t believe I’ll ever be able to see significant success without this option. My fears: 1. I die and my daughter is left without a mother all because Of my unhealthy relationship with food. 2. I have significant complications and regret my decision. 3. Post op I find that my new life has restrictions hat limit me at social events. My hopes: 1. I am successful 2. I become a healthier, happier, more involved mother with my new found energy and lifestyle 3. I model better food habits to my daughter 4. I’m able to feel “sexy” in my skin again and hopefully increase the romance in my marriage 5. I’m able to do doing tasks without total exhaustion (getting dressed, showering, walking, standing). 6. I am overall a happier person. Woman and mothers, did you have these same fears? Did you regret your choice? Has anyone my age done this surgery and find it was life changing? Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my post. I am so thankful to have this community to turn to! -Kristen

Yes. Emerson hospital center for weight loss has an excellent program. Total time was probably 3 months, but could have been 2 (I delayed because of work). The program is fantastic and you can do a free online or in person seminar to get an overview. They are great initially and do a full program with nutritionists etc. post care has been great too with regular follow ups, nutrition testing etc. you get a comprehensive packet covering diet stages and everything else. The program tracks their own stats and complication rates are well below national averages and weight loss is above average. They do hundreds per year and often do revisions if other centers had issues. Not sure on costs as I was insured and haven’t seen a bill. They do have folks that work with you on costs including insurance and payment plans. I think they may be able to get some aspects covered via insurance for you. They do have info about each insurance and their requirements so it is worth a call.

My surgeon is an extremely experienced one (he actually pioneered the first gastric sleeve in Australia after training in the U.S) and when I asked him about single incision, he looked me dead in the eye and said “if I ever saw one of my students doing a single incision sleeve, I would smack them upside the head” LOL. The reason being is that complications are much higher with single incision because of the restricted range of motion and lack of view of your other organs (higher potential for spleen/liver knicks, leaks, etc). He managed to do my sleeve with only 4 tiny incisions, and one is hidden in my belly button. You can always discuss this with your surgeon but I actually think your surgeon is a good one if he doesn’t do single incision.

i paid out of pocket too for RNY. my only advice would be not to do this on the cheap. if done right, the surgery will change your life and keep you healthy and happy for the rest of your days. if done wrong you could suffer chronic complications like strictures, leaks, etc. you can only do this once. find the best surgeon you can. even if it means waiting longer to get the surgery or having to borrow the money. it is worth it 100x over. i joke that i paid around $20,000 for the surgery, and that was WILDLY mis-priced. because i would have paid $200k if i had to.

So far no regrets or complications. I do miss loving my old foods like pizza, fried foods & fast food. Those things just are not good now, I can eat them if I wanted, but they seriously are just disgusting to me now. While that is a good thing for health and weight loss, your mind struggles with it. That comfort that you used to get from those foods just isnt there now. Its almost a hassle to think about what I need to eat or want to eat. I guess there is just no food passion now, and I miss that. Having to keep up with drinking and vitamins is a minor annoyance, but nothing to really complain about. Its also easy to get into a pattern of snacking on things, those calories really add up so dont let that habit come back!

If you file it as FML then you should be protected, or have you not been there long enough to be covered under FML? I had initial complications but was able to return to work after 2 1/2 weeks. The main issue was having very little energy. I had a desk job so it wasn't as difficult for me to return and kept my days to 8 hours on the dot. If I had a physically demanding job then I would have needed at least another week. Keep in mind most docs recommend 2-4 weeks off not only for healing but to get into a proper routine of getting your protein and water in. It's so easy to return to work, get caught up on busy day to day things, and then get behind on your water intake. Do that too much and you're screwed.

I could have gone back after two weeks. Some people need a lot longer. You can't predict complications.

I think with a BMI above 50 bypass is at least to be considered if you are not in an area where you are close to a surgeon that performs the DS. Many people are not comfortable with the more complicated procedures of bypass or DS but you can research if the surgeon has lots of experience doing either procedure.

Hi, I was only sleeved 2 1/2 weeks ago, so am by no means an expert! I am Australian, so not very familiar how health insurance works in the USA. Here in Australia, if you have private health insurance, the decision to have surgery is between you and your surgeon, and has nothing to do with your insurance company. They are obliged to cover and pay for the surgery if you and your surgeon decide that you want it and/or need it. We don't have any type of mandatory weight loss programs before surgery. Are you saying that the insurance company won't pay your surgeon unless they can prove the band has slipped or there have been complications? What type of complications? Have you worked out why your band failed? Did you lose weight and then put it back on, or did you just never lose it? I can see already how you could "cheat" on the sleeve, and maybe it's similar to cheating on the band. Even though your stomach is tiny, and you get full very quickly, in theory you could snack on unhealthy foods in small amounts all day long. Nothing to stop you sipping on McDonald's thickshakes all day, and ingesting heaps of calories! While it's true that some of the cells that produce the hunger hormone grehlin are removed when the gastrectomy is done, it doesn't take away eating due to emotional hunger, bored hunger, tired hunger, stressed hunger etc etc. I am very happy with my progress, as I have lost 23 lbs in less than 3 weeks, but it hasn't been easy. It's been hard work. I am still on puree which is not pleasant. Neither are the shakes. And this is not reversible, whereas the band is (or you just stop having fills). I think it will be a great procedure for you and your health, but I think it's very important for you to dig deep and be honest as to why the band failed for you, and will that happen again? Best wishes and good luck. Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Ya'll. I need help, or well really for someone to calm my nerves. I had lapband almost 5 years ago! When I started the journey I was 393. 5 years later I am 370. I am so disguisted in myself that I have failed. The fills hurt like hell. Every time I had a fill I would leave crying or wouldn't be able to eat for days. The GERD has gotten worse in the past month. I contacted a surgeon and attended the seminar. Now I have scheduled my first appointed! However, I am now completely scared that they will not be able to prove my band has slipped or there are complications. When I talked to the director yesterday she said that my surgery could be as soon as April! But that they needed to prove my band had slipped or there were complications. Now I'm sitting here full of worry that maybe the band hasn't slipped. Maybe I just didn't give it the chance to work. Any advice would be very helpful!

Hi pals, I am a 31 yr old male, 340lbs as of today and have diabetes, high blood pressure, and severe sleep apnea. My physician brought up the topic of getting bariatric surgery and how it could be helpful for someone like me. I started doing research on various surgeries, their benefits, complications, and side effects and after much research, I have made up my mind to get a gastric bypass done. While I understand that it is the most expensive of all the other types, I also know it is the Gols Standard when it comes to weight loss surgeries super obese person. I checked with my insurance today and learned that the surgery will not be covered under my plan, which sucks due to the high costs involved but I think the costs and risks outweigh the benefits over time. Could you pals help me get started on my journey here? I am looking to get it done sooner than later and since I will be paying out of my pocket, I am looking for some economical options stateside. Please share your experience with me, especially if you have had one done recently and the cost was a consideration in your case too. Thank you very much! Your pal

Hello, I a new to the group. My surgery was February 8. I was supposed to be home on Saturday 10th but had some complications. I was in until Monday the 12 and at first was definitely having the regrets. But now, I just entered stage two of the recovery food and I am feeling much better. Still take pepcid very morning but that is the only meds I am on. The reflux has subsided as with the nausea. I am now down 20 pounds since the beginning of this journey. I lost about 7 pounds preop and 12.6 since the surgery which was a week ago today. I am very happy now but have some concerns about the diet for week two. Does anyone have any helpful hints? For example, when its low fat creamed soups, what brands do you eat? Have you eaten halo top ice cream for the soft foods? HELP!

I had RNY on 2/12/18 and came home yesterday. I did really well in the hospital with getting my liquids in but today was my first "full liquids" day and I'm struggling a bit. it's more difficult to get down the thicker liquids like protein shakes and cream soup. i dont know how people manage to consume 60 grams of protein in a day. I could just get down a little under 2oz of cream soup in a 30 min period. I'm pushing through but still in a fair amount of pain due to a small complication during my surgery where the needle broke while he was suturing me so he had to get xray to come up to find it and dig out the lost piece...that spot is very swollen and the muscles are super sore. the other incisions look great and are almost painless though. I was hoping to be off narcotics sooner but I think I may need them another day or 2. I'm not going to feel guilty about it. I waited so long for this...I know this pain is temporary and a few months down the line it will be a blip in my memories. it's worth every second for the amazing opportunity this surgery is giving me to change my life. I never had the "what did I do to myself" moment, I think because I read about so many others who did and I knew this was the only decision I could've made for myself at this point...I'd done everything else I could. I haven't weighed myself since pre op and I'm waiting for 1 week post op just to let some of the swelling and fluids dissipate, but I'm 5'4"... my HW was 315, SW was 289 after the 2 week liquid diet. I'm looking forward to not being sore anymore and gaining some energy! Sent from my SM-G900V using BariatricPal mobile app