Search the Community

I found out about mine during endoscopy for lap band surgery. then got referred by weight loss doctor to Thoracic surgeon and had a second endoscopy and on my day of surgery I had to doctors working on me. Have had not problems with the band or hernia that I did not know I had. Seems as if this is common.

Someone suggested that I post my list of questions that I brought to my consultation. Some are redundant, sorry about that. I hope this helps and please add your questions too. ABOUT THE DOCTOR: How many gastric banding procedures have you done? Is he a board certified surgeon? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery and recovery and life with band? Is there a difference among the two different adjustable gastric bands? Do you have other Lap-Band® patients that I can talk to? Do you have a video or presentation that I can watch that shows the surgery? Do you specialize in the Lap-Band® or do you perform other procedures as well? Do you perform other gastric band procedures? What is the Realize band, pros/cons of each? What are the short term issues? What are the long term issues? What is the doctor's policy when a complication occurs during a procedure? (ie: does he discuss options with family or immediately convert to bypass or other WLS). What qualifications does this doctor have regarding the specific brand of band that will be used? (Lap-Band System, by Allergan or Realize Band by Ethicon/Johnson&Johnson) ABOUT THE PROCEDURE: Lap Band vs Realize? What is the “scarless surgery?” Do you perform the procedure on an outpatient basis or will it require an overnight stay in the hospital? What kind of anesthesia will I be getting? Will an anesthesiologist be present during the entire procedure Is the surgery being done at a surgery center or at a hospital? How will you protect me from infection/staff infection during the procedure? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery? PREPARING FOR SURGERY: What tests do I have to have prior to surgery? Will I need to have a special diet before surgery? Will you notify my primary care doctor about the procedure? Do you need any of my medical records prior to surgery? AFTER SURGERY CARE AND FOLLOW UP When can I resume taking medications? How soon after surgery do you want to see me for a follow up visit? How do does the doctor determine whether or not my band will need to be adjusted? Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies? When should I have my first adjustment/ fill? What will I need to have prepared when I get home in way of food items? When can I resume exercise? How will I manage my pain after surgery? How will I have to change my eating habits after surgery? How much weight should I expect to lose in the first month? FRIENDS AND FAMILY What help can you give me to help educate my family and friends so that they can also support me? LIFE AFTER BAND: How do adjustments work and how often will I need adjustments during the first year? Ongoing? How often will I have to see the doctor over the next year and at what cost? How is it better than other forms of bariatric surgeries like Gastric c Bypass and Gastric Sleeve? What is the expected weight loss? How much time will be required for losing weight? Is there possibly a better weight surgery for me?

I had a friend that was TTC forever and a day with no luck. She went on the pill for a couple of months, when she went off again she got pregnant the following month. Somehow going off the pill triggered ovulation for her (she had polycystic ovaries and insulin resistance with only a couple of periods a year if she is lucky). Perhaps a little break is just what you need to get the juices flowing again. Not to mention weight loss really enhances fertility. My husband and I are TTC now and are hoping to get lucky before the year is through :0). I waited til I was just about at goal . . . and we are definitely ready. You should read some of the threads in the pregnancy forum regarding TTC post banding. It is really encouraging. Perhaps we will both be lucky enough to have a new addition in 2009. Good luck.

Hey guys, 2 more days left on this diet and then I am getting sleeve yay for me! Anybody with me??? I am so ready for this new chapter in my life to begin! I am ready for the lifestyle change and I plan to prosper in my weight loss journery and I am so ready! Its time to shed this weight and and everything that comes with it!!!!

Congratulations, you are doing really well. I don't want to put a downer on your enthusiasm and success, but just be aware that for most people, weight loss slows as you move onto solids. In fact, some people even gain in that period until they have enough fills to achieve restriction. good luck!

WTG man. We had surgery the same day and I think our post op weight loss is about identical. Keep it up!

Nicely done - both the video and your weight loss. Congratulations!

Thank you for posting your feelings, Ash51. I've had a lot of the same thoughts and feelings. I'm presurgical and will probably go for it in February. I've already completed everything that is required of me; my last appointment was yesterday with the surgical dietitian. My journey started in June 2013 when my PCP suggested I consider surgery since what I was doing wasn't going anywhere fast and at my age the only way to lose the 100 lbs. I needed to lose would be surgery; the logic being that I would have to exercise a heck of a lot more than I already am along with a very low cal food plan. I have several comorbidities that will be greatly improved with the loss of that 100#. Even though I've jumped through all the hoops already, I still haven't firmly said "Yes, I'm having sleeve surgery," nor have I told any family other than my husband who is 100% supportive of whatever I decide. Some coworkers know only because they've had WLS surgery and I wanted to hear the details of their experience. Your post has inspired me and I'm feeling the time is soon to start talking openly about having surgery. Good luck to you!!

Wow! That's great too.. ! Congratulations..... I have been working harder on this, cause I will be seeing my husband in 5 weeks, and he doesn't know of all the new changes I have made.... I am so excited..... I am doing my own BODY MAKEOVER<! Just wish I could do the 10 years and younger show.... lol... It would be easier... I have been tanning everyday so I have gone from LILLY white to a medium tan, and I have a chemical peel appt, as well as Laser hair removal, and a Body wrap, and a custom hair appt., totally changing that, currently bleach blonde "going honey natural" and a teeth whitning.... ... This stuff is expensive, but I haven't seen my husband in 8 months... and since my life has always been about how BIG I was I figured I would treat my self.. Good luck......... and way to go on your loss......

For me, it was important to go with the band once I had decided to pursue weight loss surgery because it didn't involve cutting or removing any parts of my digestive system. I knew conventional diets weren't working for me, but I couldn't bring myself to purposely mutilate my digestive tract, which is healthy and fully functional. That was the key FOR ME. Personal opinion only. At the same time, I find sleeve gastrectomy more attractive than RNY gastric bypass because it's not malabsorptive; the intestines aren't bypassed, so it doesn't cause dumping syndrome or dependence on Vitamin supplements. (Although the fact that the large part of the stomach is REMOVED and THROWN AWAY is a little disturbing to me.) However, critics of the sleeve say many of the same things critics say about the band: that because there aren't dire consequences (dumping) for eating fatty or sugary foods, it's easier to "eat around" than RNY. But when it comes right down to it, anyone can "beat" any of the surgeries and either fail to lose or even gain weight post-op if they try hard enough. It's just a tool. You can make any of the surgeries work for you, and you can work against any of them. It's just that some are better fits for different people in different circumstances. I hope you get all the information you need to find the best fit for you. Good luck!

I was definitely a little tired on my pre-op diet; I think an extremely low calorie diet tends to do that, at least until the body gets used to it. However, the nausea is worrisome. Call your surgeon, bariatric nurse, clinical weight loss coordinator, nutritionist, WHOEVER, and tell them about it. My concern is that you might be reacting to the Protein powder, particularly if it's whey-based. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing this! I am 4'10" and 245. I am still three months from WLS but am trying to start making changes now. Working as much as I do, along with other stressors, is making it difficult. But I am determined to make some changes now so it won't be so hard after surgery. But your current weight loss numbers are encouraging. You'll find the right balance. Have you taken before and after pics? I have a friend who has done WLS and she did. She said it was the best thing to keep her motivated. Best of luck to you!

What is this all about? I'm 32...I did have these after I had both of my kids....but that was it. Now it seems I have them a couple times a week...It is driving me nuts...I wake up my hair is damp, so is my clothes, So gross! My surgery date was 3/16 coming up on a year my weight loss is 57.4 Any ideas, tips? Thanks!

Hi I'm from uk I need buddies who have had lapband removed and had a sleeve put in I'm cureny 300 lb been banded 6 years plus but no weight loss only 30lb

I'm super jealous of your pre-surgery weight loss....I'm next week and lucky if I get another 2 pounds off...lol... Congratulations!!! Keep it up. Never give up, never surrender....

My RNY Gastric Bypass Surgery My name is Carla! I live in NJ I'm a 35 year old married mother of two. My weight loss journey started in March 2008. My son was one year old and I decided I no longer wanted to live my 300lb unhealthy lifestyle! I wanted to live to be able to see my Son grow and I wanted to be able to play with him and not watch from the side lines. I had my gastric bypass surgery Sept 15 2008. After the usual Two days in the hospital I was feeling good and diacharged. Only to return to the hospital at 4am in severe pain. I had a leak. Had to do another surgery and recovery was very painful I stayed in the hospital for three weeks. With that being said I would do it all over again. I reached my goal weight of 160lbs within the year. I maintained this weight for 5 years I was a stay at home Mom back then and I worked out full time. 6 or 7 days a week 1 1/2 -2 hours a day! I was determined to make all of my pain purpose full. But as life happened I creeped up to 180lbs and plateau there for months until I got pregnant with my daughter. My weight went up to 230lbs on my date of delivery. With some light exercise, ppd, and anxiety my weight toggled between. 215and 230 until one morning I woke up and the scale said 240! I almost died. I did not come So far to just become morbidly obese again. So on June 1 2016 I began hitting the gym hard again! It's not easy working full time. Caring for my 8year old and 2 year old. And still finding the energy to work out like I used to. But I am motivated to get my old self back. So I have been drinking 2 meals and eating one meal daily for the past week. I have my restriction back! And I'm ready to reach my goals! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If I find out that I have sleep Apnea do I still need to start on the machine even though I could be healed from it threw weight loss after surgery Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have looked into Gastric Surgery in past but insurance didnt cover. Last year this time I was having daily headaches that were very painful and vision loss. Went to opthamologist and both optic nerves were severely swollen. He sent me to neurologist for CT scan and MRI to rule out tumor. Ended up with pseudo tumor diagnosis due to amount of spinal fluid built up. To release some fluids and get the spinal fluid pressure tested I was sent for spinal tap. FYI most horrible thing I have ever been through! My pressure was extreme. After our niece had this surgery I decided to look into surgery again and found my current insurance covered! I have my gastric sleeve scheduled for June 23rd, has anyone else had PTC, and if so has surgery reduce the spinal pressure and optic nerve swelling?

been a while since I've posted.... last I was around, I was preparing to have gall bladder removed...turns out that wasn't the problem... no gastro problems of recent... I am 16 months post op... got to normal BMI at 10 months... am now actually under my goal... wear size 4...21 BMI...25% BF was APPROVED for panniculectomy on first submission to AETNA and was supposed to have that surgery 2 weeks ago however, GYN issue became emergent and I ended up with hysterectomy that day instead... approval good for 6 months so hopefully I will get it in the Spring... Dr says I can get it as soon as 6 weeks post-hysterectomy however I am only 2 weeks out and in a LOT of pain still so that's definitely not happening...besides I need to go back to work for about 2 or 3 months to build up some FMLA time. I have always followed my own eating/exercise path post-VSG...glad to say its still working... I eat plenty of carbs, always start with Protein...plenty of Water.... take my vits & Probiotics.... I haven't really exercised in nearly 2 months and I maintained weight during that time, even managed to get down another 3 or 4 pounds....Plastic Surgeon says for me to expect another 5 pound loss once my extra skin is removed.... I cannot believe at that point I will be struggling NOT to lose weight... MIND BLOWING!!

Sometimes on the weight loss journey, the scale stops moving... Our bodies may be taking a break and we just need to persist... Yet sometimes its helpful to mix things up... You Control 3 Variables: Fitness, food, & supplements... Fitness: - There are 3 variables we control: frequency, duration, and intensity - Frequency: how many times per week are you working out? Might be time to bump it up to 5 days per week. - Duration: how long are your workouts? Might be time to bump the workout from 30 mins to 45 mins. - Intensity: how focused and intense are your workouts? Might be time to weave in some interval training, super-sets, CrossFit, etc. important variables are frequency and intensity; high quality workouts 4-5 days per week is a recipe for success - are you doing that? Nutrition & Lifestyle: - Food: getting in enough calories and all your Protein? - Water: being hydrated helps your metabolism by around 25% - Wine? Alcohol is a "volumizer", you'll retain Water and your metabolism will function slower. You may want to abstain or minimize until your goal is achieved, then it's about moderation for maintenance. Supplements: Are you making sure you are getting in your Vitamins and minerals and enough protein? If not make sure you are supplementing.

@@kell911 so I cant start to get these things done before I see my surgeon for the first time? also I read that I have to get a clearance from a PCP, Cardiologist, Pulmonologist. Do I really have to see all of those doctors?? & do you know if its best to see your PCP or Weight Watchers for the supervised weight loss program?

Hi Tina, Congrats on the weight loss so far! I hope you can get your port taken care of soon and get the fill. Looking forward to getting to know you!