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I have my first appointment with Dr. Weaver this Wednesday at St. Francis. Anyone had the sleeve done by Dr. Weaver? What was your experience with him? Were there any complications? I want to know the pros and cons please.

Although I was never banded, there are many on this site who were banded and now are sleeved. You may want to scroll down a little and find that forum for additional support. Almost all of us have second thoughts, questioning "what am I doing?" Optional surgery is a choice. Many write a list of why they want surgery and what are the benefits. I have a new life without complications. Now I can do so many things that I would never have even thought of before. I hike without getting a rash on my inner thighs. No longer have to wear shorts under my skirts for the same reason. I buy clothes off the rack. I share meals when dining out and save a boat load of money. I feel better about myself. People treat me differently. I am healthy. I go to the gym more often. I stand in front when getting my picture taken, not behind someone. I am not always behind the camera. My children hug me in public more often. My mom thinks I am too thin, since I am her size now. My dad is proud of my ability to keep the weight off. I have a chin...not three. What else can you add? The new you is just around the corner. I have no regrets - except maybe not getting this done earlier.

My surgeon's office listed these reasons in the paperwork they gave me for my pre-op diet: - It reduces liver size and intra-abdominal fat - Improves visual field for surgery - Reduces co-morbidities - Increases patient understanding of post-op requirements - Reduces operating time - Reduces post-operative risks Basically, it shrinks your lives, makes for less complications during surgery, and gets you ready for the new way of eating after surgery lol I don't know why some people don't have to do it though. Maybe some surgeons just don't see the need if the patient has already been on a steady diet before surgery (a lot of people have to be for insurance). Anyways, best of luck to you

My Sister says I was reborn on February 22, 2011. Haha it's cute! Well I'm still feeling pain, fear that every little thing is a leak or some other complication and A LOT of regrets. I still wonder what I was thinking and why I'd put myself through this. I keep thinking about long term & how my life as I've known it for the last 26 years is gone. Everything I've known about eating...gone. But here are some numbers that I keep thinking of to try to make myself feel better & look forward to healing so that I can work out & try to take advantage of this opportunity I've been given. Highest weight ever : 305 Highest weight recorded @ kaiser: 286 Goal weight set by surgeon for surgery: 255 Weight on day of surgery: 248 Today's weight(1 week out): 238 That's good right? Right!

Slimin... You hit the nail right on the head... This surgery is not an instant fix... But a tool to assist in getting you to a healthier you. That's what the Psych wants to hear. Mine asked why is I feel I need the surgery.. I straight up told him.. My father died of heart disease, my mother died because of complications with high blood pressure and simply put.. I want to be around for my children. It's not as intimidating as people think.. Just needs to know if you are being rational about it all.

I am so sorry to hear of your complications and all that you've been through. I am glad you are receiving the care and treatment you desperately needed, and sending you prayers and positive healing vibes and hoping you are on the mend. You are a very strong person for all that you've been thru! Please keep us updated!

So I'm past the first hurdle in getting back my "real" job that I left seven years ago, a job I loved and to which I desperately want to return. I had a conference-call interview with a search committee, and now they've invited me back for a 3D interview with three people. Here's where I need help: How does one negotiate for a salary? I haven't interviewed for a job in eons. Maybe ever? The last time I talked about compensation for a new job, I took what was on offer and left it at that. I was 23 years old. They've said the salary is "negotiable." I know what I need to make, and would love to make more (of course). I know they can afford my floor, and how high they might be willing to go depends, I guess, on how badly they want me. If they can't meet my floor I'd be prepared to decline, though sadly, but as I said I know they can afford it. But I don't want to settle for my floor just because I know they can swing it. I know they can swing more, if they want me. So how does this work in the real world? When and how does the money discussion take place? Before or after they offer me the job? Are they going to bring it up at our meeting next week? Do I ask what they're offering and make a counteroffer? Doesn't a job offer involve a salary offer as well? How does this work?!?!?! To complicate things, this is not a corporate setting, and these people are likely just as naive as I am. I'm trying to prepare, so I can appear confident in this process. I already know I'm their first interview that day (out of 5 candidates, I'm told), and I can't decide if that's good or bad. My experience with the organization makes me, I'd think, uniquely well-qualified for the job, but of course I'm not counting my chickens just yet. Thanks for any war stories or tips in this arena. I really appreciate it!!

So, I belong to a couple of Bypass and Sleeve groups on Facebook, and have recently been reading posts written by quite a few people who have had complications. Typically, I am grateful to hear about the complications because I want to go into this knowing everything I possibly can. However, one this weekend has sent me over the edge. The person had surgery (sleeve) a couple days ago and is still in hospital. She is regretting having the surgery and her post was absolutely heart wrenching. Since reading that post and possibly the accumulation of reading ALL the posts, all I want to do is eat. Thinking about it, I realized that it's some sort of subconscious sabotage; I have to lose 25 pounds before I can have surgery (I have lost five), and if I don't lose the rest, the consequence is not having surgery. I don't even know what to do or to think. I'm in severe pain because of stenosis and sciatica in my low back and legs and haven't been sleeping really well. While losing weight won't cure this, but it will help a lot, so I needed to lose weight, and for long-term success, it looks like having surgery is my best option. Honestly, I just want to curl up in a little ball right now. Help.

Hi Tracie. For me the decision was simple I did not want the surgeon cutting and rerouting my insides. The thought of that makes me sick. Also, there are so many more complications involved with GB. Good luck with making your decision!

i'd stagger your surgeries. Complications are real. They happen. I understand wanting to go through it together...and you still will....but I'd space your surgeries apart. One partner is the patient, one is the caretaker....then you switch roles. You're still doing it together. I would suggest you get help for your household, even doing it staggered. Twins are a lot of work. Cutting down from two caretakers to just one....is a huge difference.

I assume you want to fly after having surgery. I was not earied to fly until a full seven days after surgery. Took a flight on that eighth day with two legs for about 8 hours. Now, was I smart to do this? Hmmm. Question is how well you will be able to hydrate during that time frame. In 15 hours is it good to go without protien and just Water? Since you can not take in liquid protien through security yiou are going to need to consider this. Hydration is key after sugery. So - yes, you can probably do this, but consider what you are going to do if you have any complications? You are up in the air without medical attention. If you have a leak, you could be a a heap of trouble. Consider legging your trip into smaller portions, where you can get a hotel room ,rest and drnk some liquid Protein. I was exhaused after return trip and slept for the next week to recover from lack of hydration and protein. Ask your surgeon. If on day of flight, you are not feeling right (would say gut feeling here) rebook. Good luck!

I'm impatiently waiting to have WLS on august 28th 2012, I can hardly wait... I have dug out my carry-0n bag, my suitcase, picked my seats on the airline (in the rear of plane of course, less impact...) HAHA. I'm not afraid, but when I googled the type of jet i'll be flying from Paducah ky, to Chicago a picture of a plane sitting in water popped up!! The one where the pilot miraculously landed the jet in the bay in New York a while back...OMG!!! But, anyways... I weigh 183 lbs, I want to weigh around 125. I'm 5'3" the dr says this is ideal for my height...I have bought new skinny clothes. hung them around the bedroom to look at...Cute! stuff! can't wait until they fit... I'm very new to blogs, forums, tickers and all of this. but i'm getting around on this site a little better. I think it is awesome to be able to obtain/share info with others going through this same experience... I do work with another nurse who had lapband a while back (she lost 85 lbs) and looks awesome... Very pretty/healthy looking...I have struggled with my weight all my life. I've had spells where my weight was down but I had to STARVE to maintain it. My thyroid is okay the dr says...I live in western ky. found a dr. near cincinatti that will do my follow up care as i am having surgery in mexico... He takes any WLS patients from any surgeon, even if you have complications.. His name on internet is thebanddr. for pete's sake. I was going to have the sleeve done until I found him. He charges 500.00 for first fill with fluorscopy, the 100.oo for subsequent fills. very reasonable...He's 41/2 hours away, but i'll enjoy the time away from home. I never go anywhere except work.. I'm a RN, wife, mother of 2 grown boys, have a teacup chihuahua Teko, and about 60 chickens. I raise fancy bantam chickens... I'm obsessed with them. I grew up up north and have ended up more southern than anyone I know...haha... I have 2 nursing jobs, one fulltime, one parttime,(1-2 days/wk) I work 12hr shifts at my first job which is only 3 days/wk. I've saved cash for this surgery by working 2 jobs... I am soooo determined to make this successful...My BMI is too low in the states for insurance to consider me, so i'm gone to m-e-x-i-c-o... I look forward to the trip as much as the surgery. I've researched and researched on this surgeon Dr. Mario Almanza-reyes, and haveread a few negative things like incision-site infections, (which happens in the u.s. everyday) which usually is due to the patient touching the suture-sites with dirty hands, or not using good technique when cleaning the skin/caring for the incision sites... No major complilcations have I read about, but alot of people want to be negative about mexican surgeons because they're probably just prejudiced about any foreign people period.... Why pay 20,000 for something when you can get the same thing (plus excellent service in Mexico, I hear? The dr. lives across the street from the hospital and also takes you shopping in Tijuana as part of your recovery!! That would NEVER happen in the US, EVER.... Anyways, the surgery, flights, insurance for surgery for 1 year (covers any complications, flights, etc)costs 4500.00 for everything...I become so upset when I hear negative remarks about surgery in Mexico online...Do your research and go with your gut, and you could save 15,000.00 or so. And not have to jump through hoops for insurance companies...Well, it's 4:30am time to wake up my hardworking hubby for work... Thanks for reading my jumbled thoughts....

Your friends experience sounds about right! There is plenty to research, its a major surgery and a huge life change but so far I have no regrets...only that I didn't do it sooner. There are plenty of great success stories on this forum and there are very true and difficult complications that folks have had. Read them all! It's given me the restriction and allowed me to have the will to make the right choices. Good luck to you!

jmosher, Everything depends on your insurance coverage. I have Humana federal employee PPO. I was 48 when I had the surgery and had no comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea. However, my mother died from complications from diabetes, father died from congestive heart failure and I have severe joint problems. My upper back has a 60 degree kyphosis, I have a herniated and "slipped" discs in my low spine and my knees have osteoarthritis so bad--they need to be replaced. NOW for the fantastic news! The more weight I lost--the more my back and knees felt better If you told me when I had the surgery I could have this small amount of pain and not even rely on Tylenol everyday--I'd never have believed you. Before surgery, I was taking prescription strength Naproxin twice daily. I had to stop taking that a week before surgery and relied on Voltarin cream after surgery because I COULD NOT TAKE the Naproxin after surgery. Voltarin is a prescription topical cream that does the same thing Naproxin does without going through your stomach. Not inexpensive but worth every penny. I hope your insurance covers weight loss surgery and hope you find the relief I have found through mine. Blessings, Kathleen

Long story short, this would be for my mother who's had 2 surgeries on her lap band and it's still giving her complications. Many times that are life threatening. She's trying to go in again to get a surgery, but her most recent insurance is of course denying her on the ground that it was a pre-existing condition. Basically, 2-3 different doctors have done a very bad, incorrect job on the previous surgeries and now she is unable to get her problems fixed through her insurance company. Currently she is in/out of the hospital because she cannot eat or drink and her "levels" in her blood are so low, it's alarming. This is the first attempt I've made to reach out to a law office, and I'm really pretty new to all of this, but I was hoping some of you might know some good attorney's in TX that handle this sort of thing. I've found some attorney's on the internet but they are all out of state. I know there has got to be someone on here that's had some luck... She's in really bad shape and I'm worried that if we don't do something soon that it might be too late. These insurance companies/doctors are a nightmare... it's been one thing after another with my poor mom... almost 3 years ago, she lost her husband (my dad) to esophageal cancer who was the soul provider... she then moved from CA back to TX with her family to get back on her feet, where she was able to get a loan for a small house... well sure enough, hurricane Ike comes through and destroys it... no flood insurance coverage on the house... she got a little aid from FEMA which helped a bit... but now she's back at square one all over again, and now this is happening... talk about bad luck... I don't wish this on anyone... thanks for any help guys.... -Wes

That is a big fear. Actually even local scares me. It reminds me of death. I have had 3 c secs (2 with local 3rd was local but swithched to general due to complications) and my gall bladder taking out. Always scary. Which reminds me....Oh I'll start a new thread about that.

I am an er nurse so I understand ur problem here, but all I can say is that it is worth it. I too was soooo scared of surgery since I had never had it before and post op complications and is this still too new of a procedure ect. Looking back now I know it was a little silly to be soo scared, and I did all the research I'm sure u will too about complications, death/mortality rates ect...I even looked up my specific mds rates online... like said above, only u can make this choice, the band won't work for u until u work for it, but ur still young and have children u want to be around for...I think after u do ur own research you will make the best decision for you

The power to succeed (or fail) is in your hands. In rare cases, there are legitimate complications... but the majority of people who do not lose weight with their bands are not eating the right foods, exercising, getting follow up care, or following doctors orders. At the end of the day, the band will not work unless you do. In some ways, life after the band is harder, but I would do it all over again because I feel healthy for the first time in my life. Give yourself more time to think it over.

I'm a lower BMI person and I don't relly believe that has everything to do with how you heal. I didn't have any complications from the surgery, just some of the uncomfortable stuff that follows surgery and I wasn't ready to go back to work for a week and a half. The anesthesia really knocked me out and I felt sleepy for a week, aside from the other stuff. Good luck to you!! Give yourself the time you need to heal!

I know three people who have the gastric bypass and they are all still considered to be obese. So, I thought why would I subject myself a more complicated procurers, unless it was my only option. I am using the sleeve as a tool to help me lose weight. Ultimately whatever surgery I chose I am going to have to diet and exercise the rest of my life period. Maybe, you can join a gastric bypass forum and get more information on the surgery and the outcomes.

My two cents for whatever it's worth. I'm only 3 years 5 months out. No regrets. I bounced back from surgery quickly. My weight came off quickly. I'm healthy and in the best shape of my life for an old fart. Maintained well for the first 2 years. 3rd year battling a 10-15 pound gain back and forth. I can gain weight quickly and it's a snail's pace to get it back off. Always a risk of complications with any surgical procedure. Statistically is seems to be a low percentage. I only have one minor issue from my sleeve procedure. I have reactive hypoglycemia/low blood sugars. It's manageable. ( I'm not in hospice care with month to live... so, life is good.) Long term data and statistics have been an interesting thing. My local surgeons office is having problems collecting data because many patients stop coming in for appointments/check ups as they get further out from surgery. I just decided I didn't want to be a statistic. I'm responsible for my own outcome and success with weight loss.

It is OK to be nervous. Surgery is always a major step not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly. This forum has the bright side and the possible complication side of this procedure. As you know, being overweight has danger as well. Many people here have decided that the risks of surgery are not as bad as the risks of staying overweight. They have determined that diets have failed and will continue to fail them. This is a drastic step but in my case it was a good step. You must decide if it would be good for you.

I had been to a couple surgeons who only did lap band and this last seminar talked about the gastric sleeve as well. I'm now trying to decide between the two. I know the complications of both....with the sleeve I like that there aren't any adjustments or pb'ing or getting "stuck", but I don't like the idea of how permanent it is. I would love to hear some opinions from others on the topic. Thanks!! Kylie

I work with a surgeon who did not advise highly on the sleeve due to the higher complications and risks factors. Definitely do your research. I thought I was going for the sleeve too. Changed my mind after reading the stats.

Hi andielmt I'm interested in the same... I keep reading about the long-term statistics of the band being not so good so it would be handy if some of the longer-term bandsters came out of the shadows and let us know whether they've had any issues/complications!