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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.

Having bypass in February? We are starting a closed/secret group on Facebook and would LOVE to have you join us. 2 years ago I had a sleeve done, but due to complications they are revising me from sleeve to bypass. I had an AMAZING group on Facebook that all had the same surgery that month. We were going through the same things whether it was venting one day, sharing milestones, and made lasting friendships! Since it's a secret group there is some hoops to go through to get added (sorry, Facebook makes it harder) The good thing is that it's completely secret meaning none of your friends can know see posts or ever know you're in it This makes it a safe place for us because I know for some it's not something they want to share. Here's how to join: 1. Go to https://www.facebook.com/lanaepetersen and send me a friend request 2. I will accept the friend request, then send you an invite to the group. 3. After you are added to the group I'll unfriend

Bandista is right, it's basically like being on a diet at first! I go to a support group and the nutritionist said that this is the part people seem to forget when they get surgery, that after it can take a while to get the proper amount of restriction in the band and until then, it's up to you! When I was on mushies I couldn't ever tell if I was really full. I just stopped when I finished my 2-4oz of food because that's what my nutritionist's guidelines were for each meal. It's REALLY important to follow the guidelines they give you though! If you overeat too often after surgery, it can lead to complications like band slippage. I'm about 6 weeks post-op and I still only eat my 3/4 - 1 cup of food per meal, even if I'm starving after it's gone. It's hard, but I know it'll be worth it in the end best of luck to you!

In any WLS forum, you will read many stories that are scary. I contemplated surgery a year before having it done, and it was what I read in all of the forums that freaked me out. After packing on another 10 pounds, I knew I had to move forward, and I chose banded plication. I was scheduled for the bypass, but was too scared to go through with it. Also....I've known a couple of bypass people who gained a lot of weight over time, and ended up getting the band over the bypass. The downside to the band over the other surgeries, is that there is continuous adjusting & follow up. With the sleeve and bypass, the surgery & done & that's it. Yes, you still have to follow up with your doctor, and there is support, etc. but the band required fills, un-fills, etc. Even still, knowing that it can be reversed was the peace of mind I needed, going into this aggressive form of weight loss. No matter which surgery you decide to go with, eating behavior has to change. Most people have good results in the short term with all procedures. But over time, it's so easy to fall into old patterns; there isn't a surgery out there to change that. One more thing..... When reading through these forums, please keep in mind that the success stories far outweigh the complication stories. It's unfortunate that some people have had a very bad experience. Some of the ones who post about it, feel the need to warn the masses of impending doom. When making your decision, try & keep your eye on the big picture

My wife was originally planning on having WLS (specifically VSG) after watching my successful recovery with relatively minor complications and successful weight loss. She was going to wait 6 months after my post op to see how things are progressing for me before making a decision to attend a WLS consulatation. Regardless, her latest decision is to not have WLS for a couple reasons. 1. Slimes and throwing up: She didn't like all the slimes and throwing up I went through when adjusting to the solids phase. It was mainly my fault because I am a fast eater and it took me a while to learn to "hear" the full signals. I had to learn how much to eat, how fast to eat and what types of food my sleeve an tolerate over time. Regardless, she didn't like seeing me in the bathroom so much after eating. I am better now, but still have issues with eating stringy things like roast bean or string green Beans in addition to fatty meats. Truely, it feels like dumping syndrome. I do try to explain to her that not everyone slimes and throws up and most of the time, it was my fault. 2. Auto-immune disease: She has at least 1 auto-immune disease. The one that she has requires an infusion of remicade every 6 weeks. This is one expensive infusion. It is called Ankylosing Spondylitis. You can follow the link for more details. It is basically an auto-immune disesase that attacks all the joints and there is no cure. When we talked to the surgeon during one of my pre-op visits, he said that people with auto-immune diseases might have more complications, but did not go into the details. She might also have PCOS. We do not know yet and will find out soon. This is where I could really use some advise from others. She has about 150 lb to lose as we both ended up in the same weight range at our heaviest earlier this year. Maybe it is because of life stresses? Who knows. The fact is that her extra weight may be contributing to other complications like high blood pressure, pregnancy issues, lack of desire to be outdoors like walking and hiking and on and on. There are plenty of reasons here alone that would make sense for her to consider it. She has tried manu diets (as I have), but has never lost more than 10-20 lbs on them. Atkins, weight watchers, etc. I've had fairly good results from the diets because I am very focused when something needs to be done, but then I lose my focus and the weight comes back. Hence, WLS was the only tool left for me in order to stop the up and down of weight gain and weight loss. She used to be "thin" (size 12) in high school, so I am pretty sure she remembers what that is like. She was a pretty hot girl in her younger days. In college she was slightly overweight, but still very hot and sexy (we got married then). We both put on a lot of weight in the last 12 years of our marriage. I don't hold the weight against her (never have), but I would like her to be healthy to avoid future weight-related complications. The weight does not cause her to be unhappy about her life (mainly family is what makes her happy). She is usually in a positive mood and certainly brings happiness and well-being to my life. I would like her to consider WLS because it is life-changing and truely opens up a lot of opportunities that did not exist before. However, I don't want to push her into something she is against. Any thoughts?

Hi there! I had my surgery on August 15th and so far I have had a complication free, speedy and very lucky recovery. I have lost 47 pounds including a one week pre-op which I am pretty excited for! Well I have an interesting story (I'll make it short, I promise) that I want to share with you. [below talks about lots of junk food - don't read if you are sensitive to that kinda thing, heh] Before getting the gastric sleeve I was an emotional eater. I binged multiple times a week and the only person who knows is my mom and a good friend of mine. Food was my best friend. I used to eat huge quantities, well over 10,000 calories at a time and end my day with a big thing of ice-cream. I still get disgusted thinking about eating everything that I did. And I did this multiple times a week for years. Anyway~ Besides deep fried cheesy foods, sweets was my number one go-to food. You know those, "Oops, we baked too much!" 50% off carts they have at super markets? Yeah, I attacked that. Sometimes getting two dozen donuts, 24 count Cookies, etc that would sit in my stomach after a day and a half (not including all the chips, Pasta, cheese sticks, hot pockets, etc I would eat prior) I was a wreck. [end junk food] Anyway, now that I had the sleeve I have had no cravings other than fresh fruit. I am allowed SF/FF pudding (I got dark chocolate, my favorite) and I took one bite and it was far too rich! It went down smoothly and I had no problems but it was just disgusting. Pre-surgery the richer the better! But no, I just can't tolerate it now. I tried again a week later (the other day) and took one small spoon. Nope, not happening. I just don't want it and I gave it to my mother and said she can eat them. ISN'T IT CRAZY HOW MUCH YOU CAN CHANGE AFTER SURGERY? This super-super-sweet girl doesn't like sweets! I get great satisfaction by adding a strawberry to my crystal lite lemonade or eating two small blackberries but nothing more. I think this is a big fat NSV!!!!!!!! Does anyone have a story similar to mine?

Hello everyone! Thank u so much for your replies. I kept re-reading them when in doubt! So my surgery is booked for Tuesday March 24th. I am scared/ excited... don't know what to feel??? I am doing it in Syria because I am originally from there, and this doctor has performed hundreds of surgeries. I am not worried about the doctor or the quality of care, I am just worried about complications. From what I have been reading, is that some people get complications.. and some people don't... I was trying to find out who would be more at risk at getting a complication... for example, why do you get that reflux thing in your esophagus, it sounds so terribly painful! Also, why would you get 'dumping'? I know dumping is for people with bypass, but some users on here said they experienced it ! I like to know my risks before going in, and mentally preparing, but it seems like these complications are 'random'. Am I wrong?

I got the lap band in Aug, 2012. I have never thrown up. No complications until the last couple of days. I have pain under my left side ribcage and there is a little swelling. There is a little redness too. Anyone had this before? I have been drinking the pineapple juice.

You're not wrong. It does seem pretty random. There's just no predicting how an individual body will react. Hopefully any complications you experience will be minor and temporary.

To try and ensure I hit on everything, my answers are below in blue. After reading the posts about band slippage, erections, the many doctor visits years out and so on and so forth. I am rethinking this thing. I was thinking that I would get banded, go to the Md for a couple of post op visits then once every year. You have to keep in mind that this is a support board, and by and large the people have sought this site out for some purpose. Often that purpose is complications. We likely have a higher concentration of people represeting complication statistics here than the general banded population. Complication rates are still very low. BTW, erection -- really?? As a female, I hope not! I think you meant erosion. Not to mention the hair loss!! The hairloss can come with any surgery or major body trauma, anesthesia, etc. It is not a"band" thing. I was under the impression that I would have 3 small incisions on my tummy. I've seen up to 5 and 6 VERY LARGE unsightly incisions. I have 5. I think most people have 5. My largest is just over an inch, and my smallest is probably 1/4". All but my post incision have faded to barely visible white lines. But let's get real for a moment. Incisions are unsightly, but being obese, stretchmarks, health issues, etc. aren't?? If someone needs the band, they're fat and probably have stretchmarks. Stretchmarks are likely to be in places others can see. The only way someone's going to see "unsightly" band incisions is if you pull your shirt up and show them your stomach. I don't know about you, but that's not something I do. Does the vanity of ~5 small incisions that no one will see unless you intentionally show them outweigh the "unsightly" fat/stretchmarks/health issues/etc.?? I've never understood this logic. I've read about not being able to eat, being uncomfortable and in pain. It seems as if the theme is : Yes I am in pain but at least I am not fat. If that's the theme, it's news to me. It takes a while to get the band adjusted. Part of that adjustment period is the potential that it is too tight, which can result in temporary pain. The biggest factor is our own behavior - chewing well, controlling bite size, listening to our body's built-in portion control, etc. Personally, if there's a theme then I think it's Yes I sometimes have pain, but it's my fault for doing stupid things. When I pay attention and follow the rules, I don't have pain. Perhaps you've been spending too much time in the complications area? I am NOT by any means trying to offend anyone. I appreciate all of your posts and it will help me to make a more informed decision. I appreciate everyone being transparent to help one another. Am I just delusional? This is not a 100% complicated free procedure is it? Again please forgive me if I offended anyone, I am just disappointed. You won't offend anyone. I don't think you're delusional, but I do get the impression you're focusing too much on the overall, very small rates of complication and letting that "block out the light" of all the success stories. Yes, you're going to have pain at some point. You're going to have to bring up food at some point. You're going to have some struggle in changing your behaviors. Those are things that just about all of us, especially anyone with any time out, goes through. The pain is not constant, and something that you can almost always control. The struggle is not constant... behaviors change, eb and flow.

If any doctor (or anyone else for that matter) tells you of a surgical procedure that is 100% complication free - run away from them very fast!! Honestly, we are talking about the human body here. All manner of things can happen. No surgeon in their right mind is going to say a procedure will be complication free - not at least until after its happened. As for a few check ups then once a year, I don't know where you got your information from. It is an individual process of fill and un-fill until the right amount is found for you. Then you have to go back every 6 months as the biggest gap FOR THE LIFE OF THE BAND INSIDE YOU. That is, as long as the band is inside you, you have to go back every 6 months. The reason for this is that a teensy, tiny amount of the Fluid can leak out of the band and you will lose a tiny amount of restriction. We are talking something like 0.3 ml here! But it needs to be topped up to ensure you stay at your happy spot. I think far too many people are seeing this as a quick fix, easy option. Its not. It involves a life time commitment to healthy eating and healthy living. The band does nothing at all on its own. It simply enables you to be able to keep to a diet, but you have to do the work. As I like to say, the band won't take your body out for a walk each night while you sleep. Before you decide ya or nay for you, speak to your doctor, go an info session and get some factual information. Once informed, then decide if this is something you want to do.

Complicated free? No, but neither is diabetes or a heart attack which anyone of us could be headed for. Lots of Dr. appts.? Yes, initially but again imagine how many appts. you'd have if you get diagnosed with a medical condition that takes a few visits to first diagnose properly and then more to get the condition under control. For me, I have had many office routine visits related to the band. Pysch exam, nutritional exam ( same day) consult with surgeon, pre-op testing, actual surgery and several band fill appts. The fills appts are quick, I am rarely there more than 20 mins. Depends on your Dr. and your body's reaction to the band. You might need fewer visits for fills than someone else.

The band is, to a large degree, negative conditioning. We want to do something bad for us, but the band gives us pain rather than reward. If we get slapped upside the head enough by our bands, it eventually gets through that the bad behavior causes pain rather than pleasure. For the lucky ones, the mere threat of pain is enough to steer them away from the bad behavior. For those of us not so bright, we need another occasional slap to keep us on track. The band stops us from overeating. How does it do that? With a gentle "no, no, dear?" Well, actually it does that, but I often don't listen. The pain from eating too much, too fast isn't a complication to me; it's a sign that my band is working. If it didn't hurt, I would still be stuffing myself with donuts. And I am not in pain unless I do what I know I shouldn't do. The hair loss can come with any weight loss. I lost hair on earlier diets; I think it's your body reacting to less food than it needs to maintain itself, so it sacrifices your hair. It came back before, so I expect it will this time too. My incisions are four quarter inch marks that don't even look like surgical scars anymore, and one inch long line. I consider them fairly minor. Your questions are good ones, and ones we all think about preband. The pain right after surgery is minimal for most; I never even took the pain pills my doctor gave me, nor did my husband. The biggest adjustment I thought I would have was the loss of my best friend food; as I've said before, she's still around but I don't like her that much anymore.

Well I am new to this board and I just got approved by health insurance which is HAP. I live in Michigan and HAP is using Henry Ford Hositpal in Detroit. I went my group consultation and gotten all of my appointments. I believe my doctor is Jeffery Gawel from I been told he is good doctor and patients are his number proitiy in the OR. My mom is also having it as well and my sister already had it does not regret. She got two kids. I want to Sleeve instead of the bypass. The bypass scares a little because of the complications and the fact they have cut into the small intestine

Oh my! What a bunch of complications. I hope you continue healing!

Michee, thanks. I hate to admit this but I don't even remember signing a contract. Whatever paperwork I have is in Germany right now and I'm in the states. I did find something on this site referencing that some states require insurance to cover complications regardless if it was a self pay. So at least what the German doctor said does not seem totally out of line, however him telling me this indicates that I should be relying on my insurance and not him for any solutions to complications. In fairness to the Dr. I believe that he did a wonderful job and that this slippage was my fault due to the Colace (if I could only go back in time to that fateful night..........) My life has changed dramatically since the band and I am desperate to keep it, wish me luck and thanks so much for your timely advice!

It sure sounds like your body is trying to get rid of your port, and if it also goes to work on your band, your complications will get even worse. Like Carolinagirl, my life is more important than my weight loss surgery, and I'd go to the emergency room and call my bariatric surgeon immediately. Please don't think that your only choices are to live skinny with open abdominal wounds or live fat without your port and/or band. Once the port complications are dealt with, you may be able to revise to a different bariatric surgery procedure that doesn't involve implants. Good luck! Jean

Remember it is a process...do not expect results within the first few weeks, months even. People get frustrated too early on. The band is adjustable and needs to be before it starts to function the way it was designed to do. Also, as the band gets adjusted, so the patient needs to adjust themselves also...old habits will not co-exist with the changes the band wants to bring. It's easy to blame the band while all along the patient is resisting change. Some people insist on hanging onto old things...things that made them obese in the first place I was very frustrated early on, felt I made a big mistake, especially after all the work and anticipation leading up to surgery... But 4-6 months later...Everything started to fall into place, and it just got easier and easier. Best decision I ever made. Here I am over 5 years later...no excess weight or fat, medical problems reversed, definitely a new person and still going strong! Most of the day I do not even think about it that much. Never had a complication, other than the ones I brought upon myself by eating things I shouldn't.

I live in Flint also and Dr. Kia did my surgery. He is the best. I have had no complications and I'm 10 months out now and down 144 lbs. They do have support groups once a month. I don't usually go because of work, but I would love too.

I am so sorry to hear that you are having such an emotional break... I know how you feel because I was feeling the same way just last week. It felt like the whole world was crumbling around me... I lay awake and cried most of the night last night praying for God to show me a sign that I was doing the right thing for me and my family.... this morning when I woke I felt refreshed in my decision.... God won't put anything on you that you can't handle.... he's always there to guide you, he brought you and me to this forum so we wouldn't face this alone. I worried about not making it in surgery too.... but I would rather face a small % complication rate with surgery rather than knowing with 100% certainty that if I don't have it obesity health problems will kill me. Chin up.... wipe your eyes, we are here for you!

Ohh, hope you feel better soon. Complications suck! Hopefully in a few weeks you'll be good as new. So sorry you're going through this!

Some of this may be TMI for folks but thought i'd put it out there Got to the hospital on 10/11 surgery was at 7:25 on the dot and at 11:30 am I was in recovery not feeling a thing the doctor calle my daughter to let her know how I was doing, I had made the decision that I wasn't going to let anyone know in my family which I have stuck too its been hard because I'm excited to see the changes. any how on to the way i'm feeling- by 2 pm on Tuesday my heart was pounding I was not doing well, I ended up getting two blood transfusions, way to many pin sticks my orginal IV went bad by the beginning of night one so they had to fight to find another place for a new one- I have so many black and blues on my arms that I look like a needle junkie, finally they had someone from cardiac care come up and put a new IV in thank god I was in tears and it was 2 am. Lots of pills to help with my heart, way to many blood draws to make sure it was all going ok, today I'm home and resting. but I have the dreaded drain still in and it will be with me for 3 weeks it freaks me out big time trying to log the liquid and keep it drained I knew I wasn't a nurse for a reason. LOL I was suppose to go back to work next tuesday but due to complications there was no way he would release me so now I'm off until 10/25 when i see him and than maybe one week past that if he doesn't feel i'm doing well enough. I'm fustrated and I've certainly had the talk with myself along the lines of WHAT TO HELL DID I DO THIS FOR? but still hoping it will work out after a few weeks but right now WOW was I stupid for having this surgery, it was much easier having the band surgery.. in and out and back to work by day 3.. Well I'm off everyone i hope those that are on their way or have been sleeved have a much easier time of it best of luck to you all. B002011

I really liked this approach of determining the underlying reasons for why we got fat. I suspect most of us will have multiple reasons and do a "1 from column A, 2 from column B" type of approach, but it helped me think through what underlying behaviors need to be be addressed for different people. Synopsized from Dr. Sharma's Obesity blog post, food insecurity vs. binge-eating syndrome), may well present with exactly the same amount of excess body fat and identical clinical complications (e.g. diabetes, reflux disease and urinary incontinence). On the other hand, two individuals, gaining weight for exactly the same reason (e.g. on anti-psychotic medications), may present with quite different complications (e.g. sleep apnea vs. osteoarthritis). The authors are certainly correct in their statement that, “Obesity is a heterogeneous and complex disease influenced by exogenous and endogenous exposures. Stratifying obesity into meaningful subtypes could provide a better understanding its causes and enable the design and delivery of more effective prevention and treatment interventions.”

If it were me...I'd buy a couple books on the lap band (which, in fact, I did) and I'd ask friends and my PCP to recommend bariatic surgeons (although I don't care for the one my PCP recommended, actually; I love the one I did use!) and then go to a couple of seminars. They will tell you the cost during the seminar. Of course, what you have to pay shouldn't be the deciding factor, but after a couple of seminars you should be able to pick the surgeon with the support staff that best suits you. Remember some include free fills for a year, etc. AND...I've learned that the post op care is as important (if not moreso) than the surgery. Find out what fills will cost you once any "free" service is used up, and find out what the cost will be if, for example, your port flips or leaks or if you have other post op complications. That should be a good start. You shouldn't have all the prereqs that insurance requires. How fast will depend on many factors including you, your health, the surgeon you pick and his/her schedule, etc.

Yes, you can get a bypass when they remove the band. May I give you some advice? The bypass is pretty final. EVERYONE that I have talked to has had complications but they also say they would do it again. I myself never once considered the bypass because it is so invasive. I got the band in March 2010 and am having it removed July 9 due to not feeling well, intermittent nausea, tummy issues, etc. I, too, am worried about re-gaining weight but if I do, then I do. I think I won't though. You have had your band longer than me so you must have lost weight and learned to eat differently. Just try very hard to continue that. Can you tell I am very much against the bypass?? LOL But seriously, think about it beforehand. It's a big move. Good luck!