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Just to clarify, you can follow the plan exactly and have complications.

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.

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

I made it. I am home and eating/drinking some chicken broth. I had a couple of complications-not with the band though. I had a hernia and that was repaired. The also I had a hole in my diaphram. Mt DR says that was probably cause bt a auto wrech i had last year. I have to return to have that repaired.

How Many people have a slip and have to have surgery. I read that there is 88% chance of a band complication over 3 years and slips are the most common. I am scheduled for surgery in one week. I don't want to go blindly into something that could cause major problems but I want the change so bad. Has anyone else asked their dr how frequent slip rate is? I plan to do so ASAP. Please lete know about slips and if you had one if you still liked the band. Any other info as well. If u have gone yrs without a slip please post also! Trying to gauge things.

As a kid, teenager and young adult I was very active. I did a lot of sports, track and field, figure skating, ballet and basketball. I even trained juniors in basketball. I had a lot of injuries, that finally led to the sad conclusion that I had to stop training so hard. I started gaining weight, not too much in the beginning, but it added up. My Mom shows her love with food and sweets. I don't blame her, her Mom was the same way. My Mom still has no idea I had wls, because she hates any kind of surgery and I only told a few people. My hubby and Dad are supportive, so that's all I need. I will tell my Dads wife on Thursday, since we will be spending xmas with them. I met my hubby when I was 21, so he has seen all my ups and downs, I'm a textbook example of a yo-yo dieter. I know what to do to lose weight, I just never mastered the maintenance phase. I worked hard in my dream profession, I was an aviation specialist and very good at my job. It all came to a bitter end when I was 34. My arm stopped working in the middle of a phone call with an air traffic controller in Russia. I'm now on early retirement at 42. I had 2 surgeries on both shoulders, because they were too loose. I regained mobility, but never really got my full strength back. 2 years later I was diagnosed with a rare syndrome, EDS, and found myself to be a part time wheelchair user. Try keeping your weight at a healthy level when your mobility is minimal? So I had a 9 month private pity party. Smart, right? I was mourning the loss of my former life and had to find my new path. Today I counsel other patients, lecture about my syndrome and related issues and have an active role in my patient organization. I live my life happy. Still travel, go to concerts, do most things I want. My manual wheelchair is pink and my electric wheelchair is decorated for xmas, lights and all! A year ago a went to see a nutritionist. I lost some weight again on a very strict diet on mostly frankenfoods. Yay! But when I started going back on real foods, my weight turned back up. This summer my nut asked if I have considered wls, that I would be a good candidate. Nope, never thought about it other than watching some shows on tv. I wanted some time to do research and told her that I would give her an answer the next time I saw her. So sep 14th I said yes please and she said she would send my papers forward. That day I put myself on a 1300 cal low carb, high Protein diet. When I got my surgery date of nov 21st, I lowered my calories to 1200 cal. I also did a 4 week pre-op diet that was very similar, but more frankenfood and an 800 cal limit. I had rny on nov 21st, as scheduled. I was wheeled to recovery to wait for my turn, second wls that day. I started having second thoughts... Do I really want to put my body thru this? Am i really sure i can't do it on my own? I didn't get very far with my thinking before they took me in. I remember that my last thought on the table was that I can still change my mind. When I woke up in recovery I had the worst gas pain I ever experienced. Horrible! The meds didn't work for it at all! I regretted my desicion instantly. But when they asked if I wanted to go to the bathroom I was so happy to realize that all the stories of moving around to get rid of gas were true. I had to stay 3 nights in the hospital due to drinking issues. I never had any other pain than gas pain, but boy was it painful before I was able to move around. In total I had pain and took meds for about a week. Now, 13 days post-op, only a tiny bit of discomfort when laying down. And today I'm happy to report that my drinking issues seem to have gone away slightly! My surgery weight was 228.8 lbs and today I'm 222.0 lbs (hw his summer was around 255 lbs, that I recall). I have been in a stall for 4 days now and I hope that the increase in liquids will help a lot with moving forward. The only real post-op complication I had was that the heparin shots were too much for me. I was supposed to do them for 10 days at home, but had to stop half way thru. I started bleeding from my nose and other parts... I called the hospital and they agreed, no more heparin for me. The bleeding stopped the very next day. My post-op diet allows food quite fast, I'm on soft foods right now. But the only solids, other than dairy products and puddings, have been cottage cheese and meatballs. I have tolerated everything I have tried, with the exeption of mashed potatoes. I got a 15 min dumping episode... But I have not thrown up even once and the regret went out the window the second I was able to stand up in recovery. I average 400 cal per day for now. I will be posting more on this thread as time goes by, as a small journal to myself. I hope everyone has as an easy journey as I have had with my wls, I think it's totally worth it. Just waiting for my stall to break... Happy holidays to you all! Nilla

I have no idea why I had no hair lloss. I asked my doctor about it since I read on here that so many have it, and he said he didn't realize that would happen, that he never heard of any of his patients saying anything about hair loss and he didn't know what would cause it. Other than anesthetic causes it sometimes, but he said that usually happens right away. I have always taken the Bariatric Advantage chewable iron and multi vitamins. I drink almost a gallon of water a day. Never had any complications of any kind.

Elcee, I also agree in what you are saying! It wasn't an easy decision for me to take the statins. I've agreed to try short term. If the side effects inhibit exercise I'm stopping them. Thats more important to me. I typically tend to follow a pretty alternative health pattern- lifestyle. It was alarming that in recent years my results from labs went completely bezerk. I live in an opposite land now! Thankfully I have good blood pressure and no problems with sugar. I am not at an ideal weight yet, so thats where my concern is adding to the complications. I'm still 211. Slowly, slow... I think if my weight wasn't such a factor I'd feel more like I could go without. I'll probably do a liver flush sometime too. Have you heard of those? You look great though!!!!! Congrats on your successes.

Hi All, So I've found a surgeon I like and with the gastric sleeve, he's had no deaths and no complications. None? Well, that's what he tells me. Over the last 12 months, he's done 60 of these surgeries. He does more bands and a lot more bypasses. He's been doing these surgeries for about 5 years, so I'm trying to decide, is 60 surgeries a year enough for him to be good? How many sleeve procedures have your surgeons done? I don't want a newbie! Thanks!

It would be super helpful if the ones that DID NOT experience hair loss could provide some insight on why they think they dodged the bullet. Did you have any complications? Did you get the recommended Protein in daily? Did you lose weight fast, slow or gradually? Did you take any supplements? Did you do anything special? I'm sure this information would be appreciated by ALL!

I'm so sorry you had to have your band removed and dealing with the hunger again. Since having my band put in I've dealt with constant pain in my left shoulder (phrenic nerve pain) and after 15 months, I just can't deal with it anymore. They're taking my band out within the next few weeks (I hope) and, while my insurance will cover the revision to a sleeve since the band is being removed due to complications, I'm not sure I want to do that. Like you, though, without the band I don't know if I'll be able to deal with the hunger. .

My doctor has you follow a two week high protein, lower carb and fat diet for two weeks prior to surgery to shrink your liver and make it easier to work laparoscopically. It is supposed to lessen the risk for complications and the need to go to an open procedure. the diet has between 70-85 grams of protein per day and less than 1000 calories.

a couple weeks to go now... yay! I noticed from other threads that there are a few of us getting banded 02/16, let's stay in touch here if we can. I'm going to Dr. Ortiz in TJ, Mexico. How about you? i've been pretty excited for the past few weeks since i booked it, but now i'm getting nervous. i have a million thoughts running through my head: what if my liver's too big? what if i'm one of few who get complications? what if i can't adjust to the lifestyle changes?. i guess these are all normal thoughts before going under the knife.... anyways, despite all that, i'm still totally excited for the band to be in. i can't believe that in less than a month i'm getting banded!!! omg, to finally have hope of being thin and healthy...

Yes my doctor requires a nicotine test but he told me up front at my initial appt so I had to quit. It is worth it though to regain our health and there are so many complications that can occur if you smoke before and after surgery since it affects your bodies ability to heal.

Hi all, I am going for my preop visit tomorrow and wanted to know if anyone can give me some ideas on what questions to ask? I have a list and I will post it, but please feel free to add to it if you can think of anything. I have decided to go with the Realize band, but I am going to talk to him about it further. So far, my questions are as follows: 1. When will my husband and I be able to resume sex? 2. Which band are you most comfortable placing? 3. Which band seems to show obtaining quickest restriction? 4. How long should I take off work? 5. Which band has shown more complications that he has placed with tubing, ports, etc. 6. Hair loss? As I said, if you guys can think of anything else, please let me know. Thank you bunches!

Proximal or distal refers to how much of the intestines is bypassed in the procedure. Though 150cm, to my understanding is proximal, not distal. I'm not sure what number signifies distal though. My bypass was 250cm, so as greater amount of intestine is bypassed. My doc said I should have great weight loss... I think I'm on the low end of average. I've not had any complications, and haven't experienced dumping, but also haven't tested it. Complications of a distal bypass could be greater malabsorption of nutrients since there is less 'space' and/or time food is spent in the intestines to absorb nutrients.

Shannon hey you rock star, looking good!!!! 113 lbs gone, gone, gone , forever - down the toilet, FLUSH!!!! its great that you have had so much success since WLS - no problems, recovery et al, vomitting - all is good!!! so great, hope you are rightly proud of yourself!!!! but.......... so sorry about your mom that much be difficult seeing her go through these problems maybe you feel "guilty" since you didn't have any problems?? if thats the case - DON'T feel that way - i'm sure mom is happy you have had a smooth time just be their for mom, like i see you are i see MANY people here have hernia surgery at the same time as WLS I "think" most of those people don't have problems (i never had that surgery, so obviously i'm not an expert) as with anything, OP do have problems with surgeries, always possiblity of complications, doesn't help you any that i am saying this to you I hope she can hold down liquids sooner than later, and she starts to feel better enough where they can release her to continue her re-cuperation at home being at home is always better hopefully - when this "situation" clears up - she'll be on the right road to recovery and success with her sleeve take care to both of you good luck!!!! again shannon, congrats on ALL your success - you deserve it!!!!

Agree, portion control is easy early on with the sleeve, don't know how that works later on down the road. My experience is that carbs really slow the process down, at least this is my experience. I am a slower loser anyway so I avoid them most of the time. I had a sweet tooth before surgery but am glad to say I really don't miss them much, I do occasionally have a dessert if I am out but a few bites and I am good. Certainly follow your program but it's very individual as to how you choose to eat. I try to always remember why I did this to start with and I really do not want to have to experience of being overweight again or have any of the health complications that come with obesity. Good luck.

Only did I regret it during the first 10 days. After that I felt a lot better physically and mentally. Sure there is the risk of complications with any surgery. But don't forget the risks of being overweight. They have to be considered too. I'm 7 weeks out. I went out to dinner last night. I had 2 nibbles of a chicken & cream cheese spring roll, 1 BBQ rib and a couple of bites of fried sweet potato cubes. For dessert I had 2 bites of a sugar free chocolate pie. There was a pretty long time from dinner to dessert. I came away very happy and satisfied. I had a taste of everything I wanted. Without the sleeve no matter my good intentions I would have over eaten. I still struggle with the 2 more bites on my plate. I have eaten them and then regretted it. Either feeling miserable or barfing!

I got my lap band on August 8th and everything has been great. I had no complications, and I had a fill on Sept. . That went well, and I started having decent restriction, when (somewhat suddenly) I started having "the signs". Well, after a positive, but cheap walmart test was tossed, my husband and I spent $40 on 4 different tests, with 6 different sticks, all of them were the same. SO, then I went to the clinic out here, and they only did a urine test as well, but same deal. So, now go to see an obgyn on monday. Here's the thing, my husband and I are THRILLED, but surprised. This would be our first, and we wanted to, but I just got my band! I just lost 40 lbs. in the last year! And, you know, I asked 3 different specialists if I should get on birth control, and they all said, "no, you won't have no chance of getting pregnant" and I figured as much since my husband and I have not been using birth control for the last 2 1/2 years. I figured this was the least likeliest time possible. Like I said, I'm estatic, a bit perturbed simply because this means I'll have to unfill for the time being, but to have a baby is way more exciting for us right now, plus that's the beauty of the band, it's ajustable. I guess my confusion is how come sao suddenly? And how come the doctors rule it out so easily? (p.s. I know I'm goona get yelled at by my surgeon, I'm dreading calling her on Monday, I sure wish I had tape recorded them all saying "no, you won't get pregnant" ! Even her nurse did! Anyone else get pregnant so fast??? The doc says I could be anywhere from 2 weeks to four, that would mean we concieved 2 weeks after the band!!!!

Yes, what you're describing is very common and for most people, it does go away as the tummy heals and swelling goes down. It's usually just a matter of waiting it out, but occasionally, people develop a complication called a "stricture". This is a narrowing in the digestive tract that doesn't allow food to pass through and it sometimes requires treatment to widen it and relieve the problem. But most commonly, when the swelling goes down, that feeling of everything getting stuck goes away on its own. Hang in there, and if it doesn't improve, check in again with your surgeon's office.

This has been a very hot topic over the last few weeks. And I've got to say that things can get pretty heated and very preachy. Now, I know the "preachy" posters mean well and many have survived very harrowing life threatening complications (Iggy is one of them ...she nearly died). BUT, when chastising one person for "cheating" based on his/her particular doctor's conservative guidelines you are completely discrediting the other 50% of the docs who have more liberal guidelines. It is obvious from the wildly varied physicians post surgery instructions and "absolutes" that there is NO standardized guidelines. One surgeon allows mushy foods in the hospital, one says Clear liquids for 7 days, another one says clear liquids for 2 days then full liquids for 7 days then mushy, the next one says full liquids immediately after a leak test..... and on and on. One of the recent threads has a poster who was allowed STEAK 3 weeks!!!!! Obviously there is no consensus....and I'd find it hard to believe that the docs who are more liberal with post-op diets are incompetent or negligent. And in order to be so arrogant about one surgeons individual directives over another, that is the approach you would have to take. So, at this point I believe that the more conservative docs may be in CYA mode because people can be given and inch and take a mile. And I can say with almost certainty that the more liberal docs have never run into a complication that they believe was caused by patient compliance or their liberal guidelines. If they would have they would have immediately turned to the conservative route because malpractice sucks.... Now, to my individual experience. My doc's instructions fall into the conservative category... (clear liquids for 7 days then full liquids for 7 days then mushy).... I am 11 days out and for me to believe it poses a danger to eat some mushy oatmeal or thinned mash pototoes would mean I would have to believe that half the bariatric surgeons in the US are incompetent and negligent. Now, that does not mean I'm going to go hog wild and order a pizza and eat a steak tomorrow. I have no intention of eating solids until I've progressed along the actual phases. I am using common sense, my own research and my brain to make choices.

Just wondering if there are anyone who has cheated on their post op diet and got a leak or other complications?

I don't know that it was related to smoking but I was tachy.. My heart rate was at a steady 100-120 and jumped to 150 the entire night after the surgery. The nurse said it was due to pain level which was VERY high for me. Other then that no other complications that have shown up. My Dr. said he did not want to give me the patch because nicotine and caffine cause blood vessles to restrict too much and can cause issues.

I'm at loss. I'm almost a year out and down 90 pounds. I don't get out too much but when I do I've noticed I get treated differently by almost everyone! I've had grocery store clerks ask if I got a divorce. I've had people I've known my whole life tell me WLS is cheating & the easy way out. I've been asked if I was on drugs and if my husband was having an affair. One local doctor here told me he preferred me fat. One ex co worker went on & on I front of his wife of how skinny I was. I was embarrassed for once for being thin. Why can't people just be happy for me for losing weight? No matter how I did it!?! Obviously I qualified for it because of high blood pressure & signs of diabetes. Why can't people just say hi and go on with their life? Why do they feel the need to 20 question survey me & talk about me? I'm so frustrated and saddened by how I've been treated Especially by those I've called my friends. My dad died at 62 from complications of diabetes & my brother is 45 and totally blind from diabetes. Anyone have any suggestions on how to handle public humiliation for being thin from VSG? I'm heartbroken by how people are treating me! Not everyone is so negative but I have gotten more negative then positive. I used to be out going but have become very reserved & a hermit.