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What will you be doing for insurance after this one is gone? Personally, I think that having the band inside you without having the security of insurance is scary, so I hope you have plans to get it. Even once you have the surgery, there could be complications down the road. We all pray there won't be, but that's one of the things insurance is for, is the unknowns. I hope this all works out well for you. Good luck.

We'll have to agree to disagree, because I've seen so many self-pay patients struggle to pay for fills and/or treatment for complications. Your fills at $150 each are a good deal for self-pay, for sure!

thanks to both of you! Monica - was your recovery quick? are you having any complications? I'm more worried about the caliber of the doctor than where he is located...What do you think of your doctor?

I am 54 years old and had the gastric sleeve just shy of 8 months ago and haven't had one minute's problem or complication. It's been wonderful.

Hello all, I'm new to the forums. I was sleeved on 1/6/16 by Dr Macik at Northside. . Surgery went well with no complications. I'm about 11lbs down after 13 days and have my first follow up appt later today. I'm a 42yo married HR manager living in the Stone Mountain/Tucker area. Anyone go to the Dekalb Medical or Northside support groups? Jen

"Latido"....did you have any complications from your surgery? I'm thinking at nearly 2 weeks post op, you should be feeling good enough to walk and move around. Have you gone back for a follow up just to make sure everything is ok? "Karen82"....like "erp" stated, just gradually build up. Your body will eventually learn to adapt and you can increase intensity and duration little by little. You certainly don't want to dive right in if you don't have much experience with exercise. So find some kind of activity you like and gradually build up and motivate yourself and you'll stick with it.

Hi guys Need help!!! I was banded Nov 2011 and just recently got filled, never had restrictions not one pound lost (all my fault)your recent Fill seems to be the problem, post-fill's can and do cause problems simlar to being stuck. Previous idea of going to liquids post fills on ALL fills is a good idea. I consider this my beginning since before there was really no changes but anyways I was suppose to be on liquids but I did not pay attention and now I am in so much pain Pain, is pain no matter what the cause, a slight un-fill seems appropriate, call your doctor. should I just stop eating completely? I think I have something stuck but it doesn't come up I tried to throw up but nothing happens maybe I'm too tight? I don't know!!! Please I need advise what do I do??! I still feel hungry​ being stuck or too tight will still leave you feeling hungry especially if you've been eating prior to the pain. Vomiting can and does produce complications, slip, esophageal issues. etc.. try to relax, talk to the Doctor and Hopefully things will get better.. Most of us have been there "done that" it's why were here. NO ONE is perfect..please keep us updated

Oh! How scary! I am glad that you are doing OK now. I still cannot drink the Protein drinks. I use food to get my protein now. In the beginning, I would sip the unjury chicken broth. It does get better in time. Even though you had complications, when you are healed you will be so happy that you did the surgery! I know I was and I had a couple of complications! All is good now, 4 months out! Hang in there and keep us posted!!

I had the Lap Band in 2005. While I lost about 80% of my excess weight, my life with the band was very miserable. I had horrible reflux and later found out that I had been living with a slipped band for years. I had gastric sleeve April of last year and am very happy with my decision. No significant complications and I feel great! One thing: when I had my sleeve done, my surgeon said that the procedure took him at least an extra half hour while he sorted through the scar tissue from the band. From what I've read on this form, that is quite common when you see revision from lap band. For me, all that scar tissue and extra work to deal with it made my initial recovery a little different. I saw others talking about feeling great and being up walking right away. I felt like I had been hit by a Mac Truck! I couldn't tolerate the laps around the nurse's station and was lucky to make it about 20 feet down the hall. I stayed an extra night in the hospital and was a little more on track by day 2.

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy. Secondly, congratulations on your weightloss! :) Bravo to you and I am so happy you are now able to concieve. Of course there are complications associated with pregnancy following weightloss surgery. And there are complications associated with obesity. They can be serious and your concerns for your child's nutrition is valid. However, with proper monitoring and a specialized nutritionist, there is NO reason you cannot have a happy, healthy pregnancy. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Be patient and listen to your doctors. Be upfront about your medical history and current diet. ASK QUESTIONS. Be an advocate for your pregnancy and your baby's health. Don't let anyone shame you for your wonderful news. Of course it's "ideal" to wait a year to get pregnant because your numbers stabilize and so does your health. But 4 months post-op is not the end of the world, even if people tell you it is. (Hugs) My dear friend fell pregnant with her first (at 35 years old!) Just 7 months following her surgery and has a healthy, beautiful baby girl now. I wish you the best of luck. Smile! You're having a baby!

Give up and do what? I guarantee that you will feel much worse if you DON'T follow your program. You DON'T want dehydration, severe malnutrition, or complications due to erring the wrong things. Things do get better. You just have to go through this phase. Avoiding it will only make it worse and prolonged your discomfort.

Hi Everyone! I have been diagnosed with MS for 4 yrs. now. My surgeon recommended GS over banding and bypass surgery due to the MS. I had to skip the last two surgery dates due to a bad relapse in July as I had terrible vertigo and went numb on my entire left side. After two rounds of high dose steroids was able to come down from the vertigo. It was terrible with throwing up for 36 hours straight and not able to walk. Thank God after six months I am back to base line and walking, have short term memory loss but just meet with surgeon on Monday and said he will proceed with my WLS, he has it scheduled for Feb.3rd and I am very anxious but nervous at the same time, just want to recover with no complications or another relapse. Keep me in your prayers as I will you all as well, and glad everyone is doing well. Did anyone have any issues after the surgery that I should be aware of? Looking forward to a new year and a new me with more energy. I take Avonex once a week, but my bloodwork shows no antibody build up to the medicine so its the MS. God Bless and hope to hear back!

Long story short I was having such bad gas pain that I couldnt breath. Went to the er and bought myself an overnight. So frustrated I dont know what I did wrong. I was told that they see a spot on my catscan that they want to look at. So antibiotics and a dye test in the morning. Kinda nervous because I never have a fever and today I did. I keep thinking I made a mistake and what if this is some kind of infection and itt doesn't end well? Anyone else have a similar complication?

So I am 99.9 % self pay. My concern is what would happen if something went wrong. Like if I had to stay in the hospital as a result of a complication... Would Cigna pay for the stay even though it was related to something I didn't go through them for? Or what if 5 years from now my gallbladder is removed... Do I have to pay bc I paid for the surgery? Just wondering how that might work.

I agree, the Stories are not true or the people don't know enough detail to gossip about it. As for the stories about people who are as big as they ever were, the gossiper doesn't know if the patient ever got fills and such. I can only tell you my own experience. I had no surgery complications. I feel great. I lost 100 pounds in the first year. I was much closer to health related complications being morbidly obese. My self esteem was in the gutter being morbidly obese. Getting banded was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

My vote is for a sleeve. No intestinal rerouting, no malabsorption, no maintenance, no follow up care, fewest long term risks and complications of bands or bypass, better and faster weight loss than with banding, Ghrelin (hunger causing hormone) is removed so most who are sleeved do not experience hungar. Safest WLS type around, EWL is around 80% vs. banding that is 50-70%. No stomach stretching, fewer food cravings than with banding or bypass due to no Ghrelin.

Hideey- ho I’m not sure where to actually post this. I’m hoping this was a good place. I’m currently in pre-pre-op. I have my Psych eval today and my Nutrition eval next week. These are required by my insurance. I’ve been doing A LOT of research and maybe too much - LOL. I read a lot on this website and other resources and see a lot about the worst of having barometric surgeries and problems and I’d really like to hear about the best. I mean it's worth it right? We are Urban Homesteaders and are looking to go full out in the country in a 1-2 years. I’m desperate to get this extra weight off not only because it’s starting to really affect my body with painful joints, degenerative disk disease, borderline diabetic and hypertensive, plus more that would just take to much time to list but I need to be able to do our chores and stuff on the homestead. My Children do a lot of it now but they won’t be around forever and I need to get doing these things more. I do what I can, but after standing too long (disk problem) – I have to sit cause leg is numb. Doc said getting weight off will help this tremendously. Hence I’m here on my journey to weight loss surgery. Yay I’ve always been a very positive glass half full person and reading on here has made me nervous. I’ve tried and tried diets and exercise programs and only come out worst than before. (Exercise I did was too intense and did some damage to my shoulders – go figure). So I had a question, and praying for a positive note more than negative - as a homesteader what is the reliance on the world for this? If the SHTF happens and we can’t go to docs every 3 months or what ever is required, are we screwed? This was the main reason I didn’t choose the lap band thingy. No way am I having a crazy contraption inside me and have to live at a doc office for constant adjustments. Seemed freakier to me. I was looking into the Sleeve; the gastric by-pass was a bit too much and seemed to have more post issues with anemia and stuff. I just would like to hear some positives on the surgeries. It’s taking me 5 years to finally say this is what I need to do so I could really use some advice or positive input. I totally get there are possible complications but heck, I’ve had gallbladder, appendix, tonsils, hysterectomy all removed and no problems. Hoping this will be similar. Any-hoo – really appreciate your time and sending prays to everyone to have a positive and successful weight loss journey. sorry for wording - typed this pretty quick on lunch break - - these little faces are so cute. Thanks again, God Bless, Sherry

So very very sorry you are having such terrible complications. I do hope you get better soon.

I agree but I had a revision to Gastric Bypass because of horrible complications from a VBG in 2004. I was 228. I am now 170. Moderation

Ima try to say something here that will make you smile or make you happy or make you feel inspired. You don't necessarily have to become complicated about your eating. There is one truth for sure in all this. Weight gain means more calories than your activity level warrants. It's almost certain that you have a shitty metabolism and the only way to improve this is more activity and less or better food choices. This is a disgusting oversimplification of whats really going on in your body, both chemically, mentally and physically, but still, a simple truth that you hate, but know. Accept, no matter how frustrating, that you don't get to eat a 2000 calorie diet and maintain your goal weight. Rules to Follow: 1. Always eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. 2. Don't eat more than 1 level cup of food for a meal (1.5 cups if your a male) tiny plates and 1 cup bowls are great here. Its all I use anymore. 3. Eat for expected activity ahead. (example, more calories in your meal if you are going to demand more of yourself physically. Dinner should not be a calorie dense meal if you are going to veg out on the couch and wind down for the night.) I'm gonna leave it at three to make it look simple! So for now, don't worry about counting the calories, just worry about the portion size. If you find that you start losing weight quickly than consider adding in a mid morning snack and late afternoon snack that are no more than 100 calories to help stave off hunger. But first, see if you can start losing again and adjust from there. If you aren't losing weight, then you have to get more complicated with looking at and logging your calories. Hopefully you won't have to do that though! Please, love the food you eat. Become an absolute snob with your choices! I can tell you to eat 3 oz of lean protein, 2 oz of starch and 3 oz of veggies with each meal, but I feel like that kinda kills creativity. You get a cup so make it worth. This ratio is a guideline to bring balance to your meals, but don't let it stop you from making a variety of culinary art and excitement. Don't be scared to make casseroles, stir fry, soups, crazy salads with weird flavor combinations. And, you know it...but sugar is evil. I know you're absolutely dejected right now. It's sooooooo hard to admit to others and to yourself that something has gone wrong. You butchered your body to reach a goal that you didn't keep and now you feel like a turd. I want you to think of something else though. What if you didn't have the surgery? Where might you be right now? Maybe you would have done to yourself what I did. Maybe you might have been 475 lbs and super sick and then thinking about surgery. I have a flap of skin that hangs way down off my tummy area that covers my privates! Sorry for graphic imagery, but, it roles up like a cute burrito as well. Ima have to have that removed on my own dime or convince myself that its fun to think of Mexican food when I'm laying in bed at night! A lot of people get lost thinking about where they didn't get too in the positive direction after WLS, but in their self misery, they forget to consider where they didn't go in the negative direction too. This counts for something huge in my book!!!...and I do know huge very, very well. 😂 Pick yourself up, dust off your bum, and love yourself. You absolutely cannot reach a goal if you are hating yourself. Reach out for help from somebody, a nutritionist, a personal trainer, a friend, maybe a psychologist even. Keep visiting these forums and posting things as you go. Its very therapeutic. PS-My apologies if I have ruined Mexican food for anyone. Sometimes my humor gets a little morbid, but I do mean it all in good fun.

Hey Team WLS, Wanted to post a proper farewell to the community before ghosting, since so many of you have been supportive and informative since June when I began classes at Kaiser. As of last week, I'm just 5 pounds shy of 100 total pounds lost from my all-time highest weight of 426 pounds. The reason I decided to pursue surgery is that I plateaued—and thought then 70 pounds lost was the best that I could do. Yes, the loss has been slow, but it is a fact: I've maintained this 72 pound loss over the last three years. Since starting the Kaiser preop classes in July, I've lost another 23 pounds (I learned about macronutrients and protein!). I've been treading deep waters in the community for 16 weeks, and have gained invaluable knowledge. Surgery, at least where I stand now, is not for me. There isn't enough data for women of childbearing age, and I'm concerned about a host of issues. Short term? Yes: surgery addresses weight and the various complications that come with obesity. Long term? I want to see data on osteoporosis, and what the aging Bariatric population looks like. I understand the very valid arguments for everyone who is pro-surgery, and I totally respect you for the decision to go under the knife—more so now. It addresses the immediate and/or looming threats of obesity...when the surgery is used as a tool. In the past sixteen weeks, I've seen more trouble than not in the WLS Community, and quietly observing the trials and tribulations...at least in regard to **my individual case**, the surgery would make my quality of life terrible. From where I stand now, I don't want to spend the rest of my life not drinking Water with dinner. I don't want to worry about spicy things, mineral water, fruit acids, and knowing that I have titanium staples in my body. I don't want to have the very serious major surgery, and with the statistically guaranteed future weight gain, go through the mind-**** that is post-op guilt/freak out. Currently the only comorbidity I have with obesity is the number on the scale; no issues with blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, etc. I've had long talks with the physiologist that is our class counselor, and my past injuries in running are quite common. The more active you are, the more likely one is to get injured, especially with running. Injuries happen; keep going. Strengthen. Come back better. If I lost all the weight with surgery, I'd still be the same young woman I am right now, just smaller. If I lost all the weight without surgery, I'd still be the same young woman I am now, just smaller. ...and at 5:00am right now, I am who I am. I weigh 330.4 pounds, am a size 20W, 2X. I surf, swim, do yoga. I'm strengthening my legs and am able to sprint for short spurts, working up to long distance running again. I travel the world. I was in a professional photoshoot 2 weeks ago for an upcoming event, and loved every single picture. This past weekend, I purged my closet, and literally donated 75% of my prior wardrobe instead of hanging on to the past 4-6X, 26-32W pieces. My life is fun, my brain is cool...and I am comfortable in my current body. There is always room for improvement and the human body is capable of incredible things—I will continue to pursue improvement and peak fitness, but I am also grounded in the present. This is all telling in and of itself. The only guaranteed outcome of the surgery is forced portion control. Physiologically, with surgery or not, our bodies will fight us to stay fat for our entire lives. It will always be a battle. I'm giving myself until my next birthday to quietly and diligently keep plugging away at my weight now that I've learned information that has clearly broken the through plateau. In eight months, I will re-evaluate. Should I hit my benchmark of continued weight loss, I'll know I made the right choice. If I have gained weight back? I'll reconsider the surgery. For the surgery OGs that stepped in to provide tenured knowledge, for the newbies who shared their recent experiences, for those successful; but above all, for those who are struggling, I am inspired by you. All of my love, and thank you, —K Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had mine out 3 weeks before my lapband. I knew I had gallstones and I was afraid of complications during or after my lapband surgery. I was having minor symtoms like feeling nauseus after eating fried egg, minor back pain and having stomach pain more and more frequently. My doctor order an ultrasound and saw a bunch of big stones in my gallbladder and also the common bile ducts were inflammated. It was my decision to take out before I start having pain. Something that influenced my decision was my insurance. I have a $2500 deductible for hospitals and if I waited for later I would have to pay deductible twice. So in 11/18/11 I had my gallbladder removed and 3 weeks later 12/9/11 my lapband by the same doctor.

Had mind out 20 plus years ago after loosing a hundred pounds (I was 19 at the time). Regular incision. That scar is much worse/noticeable than my port scar. Don't mess with a gall baldder. The pains can be HORRIFIC. Lie on the bed in a fetal position and feel like you can't breath horrific! And I have a VERY HIGH pain threshold. I was a young and come hell or high Water I was going back to college after spring break. Someone I worked with (super thin) had it removed had complications and was out of work for 3 months. Another reason to not mess with the gall bladder.

Ask about complications... All the what if's and has this happened to you. Research the hospital my ensurance would only allow me to go to a hospital that was a "center of excellence/disctinction center" in bariatric surgery. Just know you can ask questions up until they put you out for surgery Blue Distinction Centers are available for: Bariatric Surgery Cardiac Care Complex and Rare Cancers Knee and Hip Replacement Spine Surgery Transplants

be honest!!!