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I know your unfill is scheduled for tomorrow, but would your surgeon see you today because of the complications?? I hope you are alright girl!!! I will be thinking about you a lot today.

Yes and no. Sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I've participated in the open version of this surgery as a first assist and know it isn't the simple procedure they make it out to be. Lots of vasculature and major organs to deal with. I'd be lying if I said it doesn't scare the crap out of me. I know the complications, although rare, are very real and can be horrible. So maybe the knowledge is scary but it's also an opportunity to stack the deck in our favor, chose a skilled surgeon, and comply with all the pre and post op instruction to reduce the risks of complications. This surgery is a calculated risk to avoid a lifetime of complications from obesity.

Kyethra, Well said. I went with the lap band for all the above stated reasons and because as someone who does not have a lot of weight to lose, it was the only option. I have a family history of obesity and all the related complications. I also have a history of dieting and all the other non surgical techniques and the lapband was the answer to end that madness. Whether you have 50# to lose or 250#, there are health consequences with being overweight, both physically and mentally, and I wanted off that rollercoaster. If for some reason, the band did not work for me or it has to be removed, I would then look into the gastric sleeve. For my situation, the lapband was the obvious first choice.

I'm such an optimist I'm hoping for an insurance coverage "miracle" between now and April 21st. I also know I'll be strict and follow all the rules because I'll be concerned about a complication. You're right about leaving it to a higher power. If trouble comes, we'll deal with it then. Looking forward to talking with you all in the coming months. Thanks for all your support and responding to my introduction. Linhopp:)

I'm to scared to risk complications I'm waiting until I'm all healed Sent from my LG-H811 using the BariatricPal App

Doing pretty well these days, with my days of the complications behind me. Thought I'd share some before after shots. Thanks all for your support. Al

In terms of wls, I considered ALL the options. I ultimately decided on the band because: 1) it does not require rerouting my plumbing -serious adverse effects such as internal bleeding, ulcers, torn sutures, repair surgeries, etc was not appealing 2) I did not want adverse health effects such as malabsorption issues, dumping syndrome etc to deal with 3) I like the idea of the band being temporary (as in, it's removable) if any complications arose. And that it was adaptable, changed as I needed it to support me through different stages of wl 4) I was not unrealistic wanting/needing drastic wl in a shorter period of time. The extra time gave me more time to cope, relearn good eating habits, deal w/ changes easier, address eating issues before reaching goal etc. That and I had a friend's daughter pass away after longterm issues from her GBP. Hit too close to home. it seemed like the safer option and I am completely satisfied with it.

Did you truly eat six pieces of chicken? How is that even possible? I couldn't eat that much and I am 3 1/2 months post op, I'm not sure people even farther out from surgery could consume that much. As Kindle said you need to be very careful this close to surgery that you don't injure your staple line, the complications from that would be terrible.

Posts like this will always get a polarized response. The best I can suggest is to follow your plan and don't get so independant. The stages are established through observations on tens of thousands of bariatric patients and what actions cause horrid complications that could have been avoided. Eating food too soon is one of them. Your tummy has been brutalized. Your brain did not get the memo. That is common. Head hunger is a crazy-maker. Please take care of yourself.

Thank you all Is being a week and a half Now since my surgery and I being able to sleep on my bed now and no pain or any complication actually is being really fast recovery.

I'm so sorry to hear that you had such a hard time. What were the complications you had and why did they have to remove 1/2 of your stomach?

I think its reactionary and defensive to say that anyone is blaming the victim. I was just saying that, especially in my experience, it's emotionally complicated being fat. It is a big part of my identity, and change is scary. It is, in some ways and for some people, easier to be fat than to change. None of this is in any way blaming the victim. In many ways I chose and tried not to be fat; in some ways I chose to be fat. This is my experience. As far as opening doors for other people to blame the victim... Who exactly? I just think recognizing the complexity of a situation is okay. I don't blame fat people for turning to food for comfort. I don't blame them for being fat. I don't blame them for their choices and their condition. A corollary is how people always want homosexuality to be explained as either biological or sociological - nature v. nurture. I personally believe that it is a bit of both, but that doesn't mean that I blame gay people or think that they choose it. I still think it's an intrinsic part of their being, but I don't need to say that its due purely to biology just to try to make that point clearer. There's going to be subtleties and shades of gray in any situation; it isn't malicious or hurtful to acknowledge them.

For the most part it is cost and skill. Most of the popular Mexican surgeons are who trained most of the US surgeons in this procedure. It's typically half the cost with better care in Mexico. In the US most of the time this procedure is done on an outpatient basis. When you wake up they send you home. If a complication is going to happen it's usually in the first 48 hours. Thus, Mexican surgeons keep you in the hospital for 1-2 days. Regardless if you are going to a US or Mexican surgeon it is critical that you do your research. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/researching-mexican-doctors-101-a-43575/

Surgery went great and I'm a little sore but feeling pretty good- went for a walk with my husband... Feeling very grateful for no complications this time, no need for an open procedure. What's weird is that my roommate just had surgery with the doctor that screwed up my surgery in 2007! Definitely will not mention that... Hoping surgery went well for all of you today!

Hello everyone! I thought it would be helpful to have a detailed account of my experiences from first pre-op meeting through surgery (have a date but have not yet been sleeved) and perhaps beyond. These are my experiences which I think are fairly typical though yours may differ. Much of this same information is available here on bariatric pal but may take a bit more digging than I hope to lay it out here. So, let's begin. May of 2012: I began to seriously consider bariatric surgery and began hunting around for information and resources. It was then that I found Bariatric Pal. I thought my mind was made up about getting the lap band but after reading numerous posts here, I also began to consider gastric sleeve. The band seemed simplest and safest to me. After reading many, many posts here, I learned that that was not only untrue but that the band simply didn't work for most people. June of 2013: I finally got up the courage to see a surgeon about the surgery. After seeing him I was sold on the sleeve. It has a great long term success rate of an acerage of 60-70% (depending on the study) excess weight lost for five years or more. He highly discouraged the band and simply said it just doesn't have the success rate and he is not recommending them. August of 2013: I learned that my insurance at the time would not cover the sleeve, band or any other bariatric surgeries or weight loss programs. I was very upset but renewed my determination to lose weight "on my own". I did. I went from 385 lbs down to 305 and felt like a million bucks. I was absolutely positive I would shrink all the way down to my then goal weight of 225. Hah. Mid 2014: I ballooned back up to about 365/370 and began experiencing extreme knee pain, occasional chest pain, increased sleep apnea and rising blood pressure. My quality of life sucked. December 2014: I had a total right knee replacement. It was horrible. My weight prevented from attending the inpatient rehab clinics that I wanted to attend which had weight restrictions. I wound up in what was essentially an "old folks" convalescent home that made me feel old and invalid. I was ashamed to be there. February 2015: I severely injured my replaced knee while leaving physical therapy. I tore my hamstring and the tendon which attaches to the knee cap. It sucked and I know it was largely due to my weight. The injury still has not healed properly and I continue to feel very handicapped and I am only 48. I can not run at all and standing and walking long distances is out. I again renewed my efforts to lose weight. I went from about 375 to 345 by May and was feeling pretty good. May 2015: I learned I had a diaphragmatic hernia which is like a hiatal hernia but not as close to the esophagus. I had it repaired, which went well but developed an incisional hernia at the site of the laproscopic repair. My efforts at losing weight again turned around. It was at this time that I renewed my intention to get bariatric surgery. I came back to bariatric pal and researched Mexico. July 2015: I was just about set to go to Mexico. I did a skype consultation with Dr Altamirano in TJ and joined his FB group. I began putting the money aside in hopes of going in Mexico for surgery in December. I had strong reservations about Mexico at first but got over it after much reading on here, the consultation and the FB group. Still, I worried about follow up care if there were complications. I had new insurance at work but it still did not cover bariatric surgery. November 2015: I learned from some folks on here that they bought an insurance plan off the Obamacare insurance exchange and used it to cover their surgery right here in the U.S. Some of them even had it as a secondary insurance policy and it worked. My interest was piqued and I began exploring the exchange for an affordable policy that covered bariatric surgery. Some of the others I referred to had success with BC/BS of Illinois and I learned that Illinois requires companies participating in the exchange to cover bariatric surgery. Since I live in Illinois, this was great news! I found a policy that covered the surgery at 100% after a deductible of $3500. Steep but doable. The premium is $398 per month. January 2016: Now we're getting to the meat of the potato. I bought the plan off the exchange, receiving no discount, and it took effect on Feb 1st of 2016. It was the BC/BS IL PPO Silver Plan. Pretty good coverage after deductible. February 2016: I called the insurance company to verify benefits, and they were confirmed. I learned that they did not require a six month diet, or many of the other things that many insurance companies require. They simply said the require a "letter of pre-determination". I also learned that they do not cover the hospital or the surgeon that I initially consulted with. I researched their website and found out that Elmhurst Hospital, and their surgeons were covered. Hallelujah, I live in Elmhurst! I will pick up here later with details of my visits so far!

Very Depressing day today.... I dont even know why. Maybe it is because I don NOT want to go to the doctors tomarrow. The last time I had a GYNO visit was HORRIBLE. LOL Probably why I havent gone in 6 years. The doc was such an arse. I have always sat up since I was 12 but nooooooooo she wanted me to lie down, then was mad cuz she couldnt see nothin and then was just a witch about it. I told her my cervix was tilted!!! Sheesh I just feel like I am in a viscous cycle. I cant work at a good job with good insurance cuz of my swelling legs and ankles. So I dont have insurance that will pay for surgery. I have a job that doesnt pay enough to get financing for surgery. Its like buying a house, I just dont think its ever gunna happen. I wont be able to work a "normal" job till I lose wieght. I just want to cry. LOL I even thought about playing the Megabucks the other day. The only 2 people I know that have money are my parents and one of my aunts friends. My parents wont loan me the money. *Sigh* LOL and I only met Rita once, how could I ask for a loan even though I know they have millions of dollars. But at this point I feel desprate. I think I will call my Aunt tomarrow, and see what she thinks. Being poor sucks sometimes. Its at times like this when I get angry with my parents. Why the hell would they say they would not help with college??? It wasnt my choice that you spent $100 grand on counceling because you all could not get it together. I think I would have chosen my future over that. Its why I had to wait 10 years to go to college, when you know thats all I have ever wanted to do. So now I am almost done and I am afraid cuz I might not be able to work... WTF??? When did life become so complicated???? I remember in my 20s that being poor wasnt a big deal. That was before all of my medical issues. What the hell is up with the cost of Drugs and going to the doctor???? Some days I just want to give up and call it quits.... Put me on Medicaid, give me a check and I can sit on my fat ass and not leave my house EVER. I really have thought about it. Even got a application sent 7 years ago. And the sick thing was my mom was like, go for it!!!! She must have missed the class where ya learn that you should want your kids to do better than yourself. So while she and dad live in thier 4000 sq ft house, going on cruises, snowbird ways, I trudge threw school a full time crappy pay job, live paycheck to paycheck and sink further and further down the working poor class funnel. I am really glad that these days are infrequent...lol OOOO and can I get my brothers phone number??? I only asked 3 years ago!!!! Sheesh....I know she is scared that I will tell the truth but come on, he is sick, I am sick, get over yourself!!!! I have already been sworn to never tell my Grandma she had a child out of wedlock and gave him up for adoption. I was punished cuz I told a friend. I just want to get to know him. I dont think it is fair that I had to meet him once with her there and never been able to talk to him since. It is just crap! I wonder what my life would have been like if so many things had not happened in my life. Would I have gained wieght? Would I have acted out sexually in childhood? Would I be a Pschologist like I planned? Would I have travled the world?Would I have tried modeling? Would I have become a dancer? Would I have children? I dunno.... But I do know I just want to be able to live, and thrive. I am dying here. I want to leave. My spirt is dying. I miss my "family" that I created. I miss all of the kids. I am afraid I will never be able to have any children now. Which is odd...lol... because I spent most of my 20s fearful of having kids cuz i didnt want to be like my mom. I married a wonderfull man that has a disability but who loves me unconditionally. He takes care of me, but he will never get a good job till he learns english. He accepts me with all my issues, God only knows he is a Saint, lol. Its amazing that i am so distorted. On a day to day basis I dont think of myself as fat. I catch a glimpse of someone in the mirror, who is that? ooops its me. IS that REALLY me???? Not at all who I think of as myself. I miss dancing,volleyball, softball, cute shoes, swimming all day, holidays..... OMG I let so many things just go by and not even batted an eyelash... ICK.. ENOUGH LAMENTING.... I shall get my fat arse upstairs and into bed for tomarrow is a new day

So Good Friday was my 1 yr anniversary - how fitting. 91 lbs lost! So let's review a couple points: If I could go back in time would I choose to not have the surgery? - Not on your life!!!!!!!! best decision I might have ever made (only thing that comes close was following my parents advise to buy my house when I was 23) Have I had any Complications? - No - I wouldn't say any complications. I had to have 1/2 an un-fill a week after I got a fill a couple months ago b/c I was too tight - No big deal. - I have had a problem with recurrent fungal infections under my stomach - not pretty, smells worse - but not totally unexpected and just part of the process. Do I have ANY regrets? - Not in regards to having the surgery - but I do wish I had started exercising earlier on and still did it with more regularity. I also wish I had not gotten a fill every month (it's what the Dr's office said was ok - and I'm sure it's fine in practice) I just think if I had gotten a fill less regularly I might have had to force myself to work more on self control/discipline. What happened that I wasn't expecting? - I don't think I have ever spent so much money on clothes in 1 years time between work and play - it's crazy (and this was with having had some clothes in some of those smaller sizes from a previous wt. loss attempt a couple years ago) My next drop in size will put me into a size I have never been in adulthood - have never bought it (SO EXCITING but OMG! I'm broke!!!!) What do I need to work on here on out? - EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE!!!!!! - I still need to watch what I eat - I'm good about getting protein in and keeping my meals small - I just know that I snack way too much and on very unhealthy food at times - ok to do I'm just doing it too often! (for example there is way too much easter candy in my kitchen! - Find a clothes delivery truck stocked w/ 14/16 clothes and turn on the charm! :w00t:

Hi everyone! I have an AP small lapband, surgery done 2013. Lost around 70 pounds and am scheduled for an abdominoplasty in early May. My surgeon is of course aware that I have a lapband in place, but he hasn't addressed how this affects the surgery he is going to do on me. Are there any Bandsters in this group that have had this done? I read a scientific article (old, dated 2012) about possible complications due to the port and tubing and the muscle stretching involved with the abdominoplasty. Of course I'll bring this up with the surgeon but wanted your input as well. TIA!

I am not sure if is a lack of food or just crazy hormones but I am starting to freak out about surgery. I know I want this but all of a sudden I keep thinking about what if the worse happens during surgery I have too great boys and a wonderful supportive husband who just happens to be deployed over seas right now that I can't imagine not seeing again. I know the chances are really small and my surgeon has a really good record of surgeries without complications but its still there in the back of my mind. Am I the only one who is having these thoughts and how do you get past them?

DOn't let them treat you without an EKG and a chest xray - EKG eliminates heart problems, and hopefully chest xray will catch any emerging infections... ....BE REALLY CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH MORE THINGS THAN NECESSARY!!! You are post surgery and having a complication as it it...you do not need to contract MRSA or anything else. I would ask for a mask as soon as you walk in, and take you own antibacterial goo - on the way home, go buy some hibiclens from a pharmacy or walmart, and give yourself a basin bath wit about 1 oz to 2 quarts Water - hibiclens is chlorhexidine gluconate - avoid eyes, ears, etc. use it in diluted form. <<<ex Funderal Director and (now) somewhat germaphobe :/

I have been creeping around LBT since November of 2011 and have never posted because I didn't think I had anything to add. A little back story on me... I never struggled with my weight until my mid 20's. Even when I gained 50 pounds in college I was able to lose it with no problem. After having 3 kids in 3 years in my late 20's I gained 150 pounds and had tried everything to lose the weight with no success. After several years of trying to lose the weight I gave up and told myself that my weight gain was genetic and there was nothing I could do about it. Then in November of last year I lost a very close uncle at the age of 53 due to complications related to Type II diabetes. I made up my mind then that I would not leave my husband and kids at such an early age because of weight related issues. In November I weighed 325 lbs and I am 5'7". I rejoined Weight Watchers and was able to loose only 8 pounds before I finally considered WLS. I went to a surgery seminar with a friend of mine in December and saw the surgeon for my consultation in January. I was banded on March 16th and have not looked back. Today I weigh 273 lbs. I have lost 52lbs since November and I feel great. I am able to eat healthy and I can honestly say that I don't miss the high fat, high-sugar food that I used to eat. I also used to be a caffeine junkie drinking a pot of coffee and 3-20oz Diet Cokes a day. Now I drink 8-10 glasses of Water a day and I may have 1 tea. For those of you considering surgery or those that are worried about how you will do I am here to say that if you believe in your heart that this is the only way you can lose the weight and you are ready to give up your old habits, then you can do it. It will save your life. I know it has mine.

Hi Talyn here banded 9/18/07. I went to the norfolk surgical group thorugh Sentara. My Doctor was fontana. Bu tI have had dealing with dr Boustani and Dr Wilgomouth, they all rock. YOu might want to check thiem out. They provide extensive support both before and after surgery. I know that on the NN/Hampton side of the Water there is a comparable group. The groups just performed a lap band srugery on teh web via the sentara.com website last month. You really should check this group out. As a nurse I checked out their complication rates/reputation and certifications before I entrusted my fabulous body to them. Trust me you wont be disappointed. If you want to hear more about my surgery, check out my introduction on this site. Hope this helps.:clap2: Norfolk Surgical Group Ltd., General, Thoracic, Colon-Rectal, and Surgical Oncology in Southeastern Virginia Talyn

For me its hard because my family is overweight and you would think they would understand...I think they are getting more comfortable with it now...I think they are concerned because I am so young and with any surgery there can be complications and we already lost my brother 5 years ago christmas day in iraq so I think they are scared something might happen....but I feel like if I don't do this something might happen. Sometimes when I go to bed at night idk if im going to wake up I have horrible chest pains and it hurts to lay on my back bc of all the pressure on my chest. Right now I have a good 150 to 180 pounds to lose. Im sick of being depressed about my weight. I've never been so excited to get started with something. I have so much motivation to go workout now and im just getting started...I think when I see the weight coming off I will be even more motivated. Can someone tell me what the average amount of calories is for someone post op? And also another question I have is what are people eating after surgery? I know for a little while its liquids only but I don't really know how to cook very well...and I am not the best grocery shopper lol. I need some advice. And I just want to say that I am here for anyone that needs it. I love this site! If anyone needs extra support or is maybe getting started with the process private msg me if you want to keep in touch through the process. Its always nice to have a friend that knows what your going through :) Sent from my Verizon DROID3 using RNYTalk

If you already have issues with gallstones & diet, it is altogether possible that the surgeon will remove your gallbladder at the same time. It's not uncommon. Yes, surgery is scary, but the rate of complications is very low and the upside is amazing. Ask your doctor for brutal honesty: How long can you expect to live, and with what health issues, as a 69-yr old who's 130 pounds overweight? Then you're comparing apples-to-apples. a PPI is a proton pump inhibitor (like Prilosec)

Stalls are something you may as well get used to. They happen periodically for many of us. The weight doesn't just fall off and it doesn't come off in a linear manor. I've let my frustration go and it makes life so much more enjoyable. If you stick to your plan and do your part your body will do its part in the best way for it. Our bodies are very intricate and complicated. And if pounds aren't coming off, you will likely lose inches.