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I had the sleeve 07/08/2011. I have lost 100% of my excess body fat. I have a cousin who had the sleeve and he deals with bowel obstructions from having his intestines re-routed. I don't have to. He also has the issues with malnoutrition and foods he can't eat. I can eat anything I want and I have no malnoutrition issues. I lost 100% of my excess bodyfat and he has lost about 75%. My sleeve cannot stretch back to the size of my old stomach. His pouch can, which can allow him to re-gain all of his weight back if he doesn't be careful. Yes, I can eat around my sleeve, but I am going to have to make a conscience effort to sabotage myself. If you are committed to make a change, either surgery will get your weight down, for sure. I just didn't want the complications bypass brings to the table. Yes, there are risks with the sleeve as there are with all surgeries. But for me, the sleeve was the right choice.

This is a question for a friend who saw my success and began his own journey through weight loss surgery. Has anyone else had problems being approved by the insurance company (Aetna)? He was required to have all the tests done and to attend 6 months of supervised diet with a nutritionist, he's done all but with a big problem, he gained weight during the six months. I had been telling him it might be best to begin getting his head into it, I was cutting back on fats and carbs three months before my surgery, so I was in full swing by the time I was recovering. He's morbidly obese and has co-morbidities, so an excellent candidate except getting control of his eating. His PCP has spoken to the insurance company, and they still rejected him, now he's persuing a formal complaint. Has anyone had any luck fighting them? I don't know what else to offer in advice, hope someone else can.

I first broached the subject with my doctor in October 2009. Attended the seminar, met with the nurse in charge of the hopital weight management program, had three monthly appointments with the dietician, then a psyche exam and a fairly lengthy wait for the insurance company to decide in my favor (I didn't need to los quite the required 100 pounds but had co-morbidities like arthritis, GERD, low sleep oxygen, and family history of diabetes). From start to finish, I waited about five months. It seemed endless at the time, but it gave me a chance to settle into a new way of thinking and test my resolve.

This is my favorite quote: "The doctors from Prince Sultan Military Medical City at Riyadh were unable to ascertain whether the child's parents stuck to the diet." So let's see here... child goes on diet. Child gains weight. Noone cares to investigate if extrinsic factors like the actual diet the child is receiving is the issue. So let's just cut em up lol. And let's carry this logic forward, if the parents were indeed noncompliant, what convinced the surgeons they'd be compliant with an even more intensive diet? This is why child obesity is being labeled abusive. I'm not talking baby fat and extra pounds, but down right morbid obesity in young children. I can understand if the procedure is to save his life (for example the kid with the Prader Willi Syndrome) but this doesn't appear to be the case. Parents make medical decisions starting with neonates. The goal is to save their lives and give them the best quality of life. But when the parent is the cause of their medical issues, it's just time to remove the child period.

Hubby was sitting on the couch watching tv and he piped up out of the blue asking why I was so adimant about losing weight? He told me he loved me like I was and that should be enough. I thought about it before i answered... It has nothing to do with being "skinny" or "celebrity sexy" (granted I really like shopping at stores other than Lane Bryant and for a size almost out of the double didgets) but it has to do with being healthy. Being able to do what I want without restriction because of my weight. I want to get old by his side and watch our sons take on the world. If I don't get myself just a bit healthier I risk not being able to do those things. I have lived an amazing life and with age and maturity I apprecaite things more, I want to see and do more amazing things and appreciate them at the time....not later or possibly not at all! We talked some more about why I want to get to a healthier state and it turns out he is secretly affraid that I will get skinny and run off with the next best thing. Is he kidding me:eek:? If I wanted to jet I would of done it some time ago. I think I got him straigtened out because he set up his treadmill to start running tomorrow because he wants us to go backpacking just the two of us by summers end:w00t:....now that is the man I married.

I had no complications with my surgery, none. I have only had 3 fills so far and am at 8 cc (mine holds 14). I have noticed almost no restriction after my fills and they keep telling me that it is pretty normal until I get it more full. I have lost 3 lbs. My last fill was about 2 1/2 weeks ago and still not feeling any restriction. I was eating a hamburger patty (the #1 food recommended by our nurse) Friday night and got about half way through it and felt a horrible tight pressure in the middle of my chest- very painful- then began to drive heave, followed by vomiting. Still almost no relief from the pain. A freaking tiny 4 oz patty guys....half of one. Eventually I just went to bed and felt a bit better the next day. Since then I have had recurring pain on my left side just below my rib cage. What the crap is going on- why am I not feeling the restriction others are, I tell the nurse and she keeps telling me it is normal, asks if I am eating my meat first, and then reminds me that this is just a tool. Right after surgery I could totally feel the restriction, I was dropping weight like crazy...now nothing....plus the pain. Any help would be appreciated.

My advice would be, take a look at why you're not losing weight, and go from there. Fills fall into place for some, and for others it takes months of up/down adjustments to hit a sweet spot. I personally never had what I would consider a sweet spot. I was either too tight or too loose, so I opted to stay too loose and make up for the difference myself. What is your intake? What fill level are you at, with what band size? What foods are you eating? Etc. What are your behaviors around food? I have no idea how much weight you have to lose but about 25 pounds in 3 - 4 months is not bad weight loss. I've seen a lot of sleevers with similar loss rates, so don't assume that the sleeve = faster/more loss. I lost in the neighborhood of 175 - 200 lbs with my lapband over the 5.5 years I had it. That includes about 18 months "stuck" at the same weight. I had just started to lose weight again, when I ended up on the trail that led me to need it removed. I'm glad I had my lapband, but I just don't see it as a permanent solution. Do I personally think you're jumping the gun - maybe, but I really can't say for sure unless I knew something about "why" it wasn't working.

I feel your pain. I had the band over 2 years ago and actually lost about 90 pounds with the band. When I reached that point I vitually stopped losing weight and the scale never moved again. I too was tired of the constant checks and fills and at this point I was at the max fill. I was having constant vomiting due to food getting stuck and not being able to go through. No matter how much I chewed my food I was having constant problems. I went to my surgeon and he told me that there was not much that they could do and that looking back I probably should have had the sleeve due to the amount of weight that I had to lose. Well I thought thats great.....fine time to tell me now. My insurance denied the removal of the band and they would not pay for the sleeve. The cost for me to have it done out of pocket would have been over $40,000. This would have been a surgery to removed the band and then 5 months later they would have done the sleeve. I was really down and when talking to my brother in CA one day he told me that a friend of his had just has surgery in Tijuana and was doing great. I got her number and called and spoke to her several times. I did some research on the surgery in Mexico and found that if I did not have a lot of scaring from the band that they could take it out and do the sleeve in a single procedure. I called to schedule the surgery and was planning on going with the doctor that my brothers friend had but he was not available when I could get time off to have the surgery so I went with Dr F Garcia. He was wonderful and I had my surgery on Dec 11, 2011. My surgery in Mexico with travel costs came to around $6000......BIG DIFFERENCE. I am so happy with my sleeve that I can not believe it. I have only vomited once since I had the surgery and that was totally my fault. I do not miss the fills or the vomiting. If this is what you want I support you 1000%. Do not wait to long as you could end up having your band slip or risk the formation of scar tissue forming around the band. If you have any other questions for me please ask. Best of luck and you new life with the band,

Only you can decide - If its not working for you, then you have to make a decision. However, regardless of what surgery you have, if you don't chew your food enough, you're gonna have some discomfort. I think with the band and the bypass, its more intense than with the sleeve, but there is a valid reason for having to chew chew chew! Not knowing how much you have to lose, starting weight, etc - its hard to say what the average weight should be for someone with the band or sleeve to compare yourself with. But bottom line, if the band isn't for you, its not for you. Just know that with the band you can take it out - its not permanent - think long and hard about the sleeve - there's no changing it. That being said, I'm over the moon about mine. I thought for a very long time about it.

Give me your update. Was sleeved 7/15 2019 I have gained 10 pounds feeling disappointed Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had lapband surgery approximately 5 years ago. I did very, very well. I started off at 289 pounds after years of hormone therapy and poor eating habits. 5 months before my surgery, I started eating as if I had already had lapband surgery. I lost 60 pounds. I lost so much weight my insurance company almost refused to pay for the surgery. I made a quick decision to have it within a few weeks. I was so concerned that I would yoyo and not be able to maintain. I believe the most I ever had in my band was about 4 cc, which is not a lot as compared to some of my friends and acquaintances. . And I've had no Fluid in my band for a very, very long time. My lowest weight was 118, which was my original weight in my early twenties. Although I felt OK, I feel my best and even look healthier when I'm maintaining 140 to 150 pounds. Without any fluid in my band, I'm pretty much able to maintain that. However, I started having problems swallowing. That then moved to dehydration. Long story short, at this point it is probable I have scar tissue wrapped around my lap band because all these symptoms point towards it. It has to be removed and will be on July the 7th. I MUST EMPHASIZE THAT THE LAPBAND WAS GOOD FOR ME EVEN IF NOT FOR OTHERS. MY PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE UNAVOIDABLE SCAR TISSUE. I am basically on high Protein and high calorie liquids although I am able to eat some slider foods. Funny enough, all the bad stuff goes down relatively easy as long as I'm drinking. meats are out of the question, especially chicken and pork. Even milkshakes have become my friend. In just a few weeks I've gained about 23 pounds. The edema is back in my ankles and calves. Blood pressures are up. Cholesterol is already up. All of these things were absolutely perfect after I lost the weight. I know I've been able to maintain, but I think I am panicking again. I am worried about putting on weight. It's not about appearance. Is it about my health. My family saw me lose the weight before my lap band surgery and saw me pretty much maintain without a lot of band influence for a few years. Therefore, no one is very on board with me considering the gastric sleeve. They feel it is drastic, but having attended the class and spoken to a sleeve patient, I am moving forward with the surgery and I'm excited. I am looking for any tidbits of advice that anyone may have for preoperative and immediate postoperative at this time. I feel I have a little knowledge advantage because I've been there before. But, especially if you have converted, I would love to know your thoughts...

I did my lap band surgery Aug of 08. I started of at 298lbs and I am currently at 211. My lowest weight was 201. In the beginning it was great. I was losing weight getting my regular fills and all of a sudden I started having problems. April of 09 I went in for a fill and went on vacation the next day and was severely sick. My band was way too tight and I was unable to eat or drink. I ended up in the ER in which they drained all my fluid. I did a follow up with my Dr. a few weeks later and we started filling the band once again. I did well until my visit in July in which I went in had a fill and the next day left again on vacation this time on the plane. I was very sick the whole trip. I followed all orders about not eating or drinking prior to flying but it didn’t matter. Whatever was still in my stomach still came up. Needless to say the whole trip I barely ate and drank. When I came back two weeks later I had the fluid removed once again. This time we gave me a little break and than started doing fills again very slowly. Well from that time on I have had several Upper GI’s, two endoscopies, nuclear scans, some other test with the tube down my nose, have had my gallbladder removed and been to a specialist. My band is currently empty once again. Every time I seem to hit 3 to 4cc’s I end up getting sick. Not being able to eat or drink most of the time. And this go around with my bad being empty I am still getting sick. Which is weird? At this point I really hate having had this done. And the fact that I am getting no answers is making me more frustrated. I feel like my band has been more empty than full since getting this surgery. Including only being able to eat more soft foods / liquids. I don’t know the last time I had a normal meal. I would not wish this on anyone. All the co-pays, gas, hospital bills, time off of work and time spent going back and forth I ask myself was any of this worth it. Has anyone had similar issues?

You're only 5 weeks post op so your body is still trying to find a "normal" again. You could definitely be more bloated because it's that TOTM but you'll get through this. Make sure you're getting plenty of fluids to keep flushing it out of your body. Some people don't even lose much until their first fill (or later) so you're doing GREAT! I'm going for my second fill this Friday and pretty excited about it! ALSO - instead of relying on weight, try measurements, I'm 8.5 weeks post op and mine has slowed down a bit recently BUT the inches are still coming off! Yesterday my dad commented on how horribly baggy my pants are! (I refuse to buy smaller clothes because I don't plan on buying clothes monthly, so I'm tightening the belts and having my mom alter the waist to tighten them so they stay up for now). You're doing GREAT! Keep it up and it will continue!

A little back round as I am not sure where I am supposed to post my info about myself. 32 yrs old have PCOS 278 at first dr consult 269 after 5 weeks on weight watchers 265 after 1 week on the liquid shakre pre-band one week until surgery Contemplating surgery. Can I do this on weight watchers and get a personal trainer to whip me in to shape? I am one week away from surgery. I have been on the liquid diet for one week, and I am STARVING! So far by reading blogs the results to the banding are not all so positive. Can anyone help me with ANY info or your thoughts about this surgery? Would you do it again?

I'm pre-band, but as a 'professional dieter' I already know that this is a good decision for me. I've lost major weight on diets like WW before, but keeping it off is another story. It's normal to be nervous before surgery (and starving). You'll find that many people who do well with the band no longer post on LBT because they're out enjoying life...and those with problems do come here, so the percentages of what you see here is not really what is happening. I'm sure you saw at your seminar the statistics of how well people do with the band. Only you can say if you're ready for this or not. As they say, 'the band is only a tool' and it won't work without your hard work (many that are having a hard time is because they thought the band would do it for them). For me I wish I'd done this many years ago. Good luck! -BG

It has been a little over a year since my surgury and I do not have the right sequence down for weight loss success. I have lost 36 lbs. and am a carb addict. I have not lost any weight in five months, and:confused: fear that I am malnutritioned. I have regular leg cramps and have lost some bone density. Can anyone reccomend the right vitamin (liquid) and perhaps a program to help get rid of severe carb cravings? I have a 10cc band with 5.5 fill. Also, a support group in/near San Jose, CA.

you are def not a failure! i was filled on nov 17 and have lost 12! you are on the right path! keep focused and dont look at weight! im only down 12 but im down a size in clothes! and thats what matter most to me!

So here goes nothing.. I'm two days away from my surgery date, full of nerves, but ready to start my new life. I'm 30yo and I've been struggling with my weight for over 10 years now. I'm currently 280lbs, 5'4" tall, and I wear a size 22. My BMI is 48. I am not married (yet) and I do not have any kids (yet)! I've been diagnosed with PCOS, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and Sleep Apnea. I do suffer from bouts of depression and anxiety. I feel as if everything in my life revolves around my weight. It controls my every move. I go to school worried about being bullied or not fitting into the standard small desks. I apply for a job and wonder if they will judge me because of my size. If I go to a restaurant, I fear not being able to sit at a booth with the rest of my family. If I'm invited to go to a theme park, I cringe thinking about all of the potential rides I will be turned away from because I don't fit. I have limited myself from enjoying life to its fullest potential, and it is time that I make a change. I don't want my weight to bind me anymore. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't let another year go by feeling unhealthy, out of breath, and out of shape. I want to have energy! I want to have a family! I want to be healthy! I want to LIVE! I decided that I would have to do something that would take a lot of courage and a lot of dedication to reach my goals, the Gastric Sleeve surgery. I had been researching this specific surgery for over 3 years, but never had the financial opportunity or insurance approval. My insurance company refused to approve my surgery because I didn't have any of their required co-morbidities (ex: Diabetes, Hypertension, etc.). I appealed that decision, and their medical director decided to create new approval parameters for patients like me! After the new changes were implemented, which took about a year, I got back on track with my other requirements and was approved October 2014. My surgery is scheduled for December 30th, just a few days shy of the New Year. For me it’s the moment I've been dreaming about for over a decade. It’s my chance to feel like me, and to look into the mirror and see the REAL me in the reflection. I've been wearing this "fat suit" and lugging around it's baggage for way too long. I know that having this surgery is in no way "taking the easy way out". By reading everyone's blogs and knowing people who have had this surgery done, I know it's not a simple fix. But many have said it's the best thing they've done and wished they would have done it sooner. I'm glad to see that there are so many sites that offer support to those people who are pre & post op like myself. I hope to be a success story as well, and I want to inspire others to never give up. Don't settle for a "less than life". Lift your head up, dust yourself off, and go for what you know you deserve, and LIVE! PS. I want to thank my family and friends, in advance, for their love and support during and I’m sure after my surgery, as well as throughout the years of my food addiction and weight issues. You all have stood by my side when I felt my worst, when I couldn't see the beauty of my soul, and when the light at the end of my tunnel was dim. Thank you for your loyalty, your encouragement, and your support! I love you!

So yesterday I went for my wound check. (Recap: I had an abscess in my largest incision that had to be drained. Its been packed for 14 days now.) The nurse said it is healing nicely and switched my packing material from the 4x4 gauze sponge material to the ribbon type packing. She thinks by Friday it may be healed enough to do the final step which is putting an ointment on it to make it 'scab' and heal. This was all good news to me, since right before I left I did the 'q-tip' test only to get half the darn thing down there. She also explained to me that the body heals in different ways (not necessarily from the bottom to top, sometimes from the sides in..(big sigh) So, I'm optimistic. At least the packing is not so bulky now. She also said no abdominal exercise for a good while (I don't want a hernia!) She cleared me for walking, and arm exercise with free weights. I'm glad of that, I need to get out or on the treadmill...need a boost, need to feel normal again. I did go out with friends Sunday night, it was nice to be out and around people again. I've become a shut in! Afraid to get sick, trying to cope with not feeling 100%. I'm struggling with my protien..just can't choke down another protien shake. Waaay past being sick of them. I do still drink the chicken soup protien I got from Unjury..not bad. I also been taking my vitamins/calcium irratically. Just hate the taste/texture. I guess I need to get off my 'feel sorry for yourself' box and get on with it. I am going to be in a parade on Monday for MLK day, so I'm pretty excited about it. My cousin saw me Sunday night (the first time since my 35# weight loss) She was amazed. Said she could really see it in my face. Well, I DID fit in a size 13 Jr. pair of Levis that I hadn't fit in in a LONG time..lol They were stretchy, but better than the 16's (almost 18's) that I was fitting in in November. I've lost 2 inches in my waist & hips! I guess I need to pat myself on my back for that :svengo: I'm thankful for all that, and need to stop the pity party! OK, resolved to do just that!! Yay me! :thumbup:

A friend (Thanks, BG) just mentioned on her blog that Moment in time when she hit bottom and realized she needed weight loss surgery. I had that moment when I hit the rocks at the bottom of a very long fall off a cliff. Sure, there'd been times when I saw the jagged rocks below and tried to stop myself, but the slow-motion downward spiral was inexorable. I was going to spatter, I just didn't know when. The day finally came when I realized I'd begun to stick a finger down my throat at odd times, hoping to --I can't believe I'm saying this now-- make myself into a bulimic. Was that a sick plan, or what? You know you've hit bottom when you would prefer to have a life-threatening mental condition rather than live as you are now. I would throw up any time I could find time and privacy, just hoping I'd either lose weight or maybe at least get to need to do it. Maybe there should be a new mental illness with a long name that means, "being desperate enough to wish you had X, Y, or Z illness." When did you hit bottom?

I was the same way pre-op. I gained five pounds between my consult and surgery because I was "saying goodbye" to the foods I loved. However, as it turns out, I AM still able to eat just about everything I liked to eat before...despite a fair amount of restriction (2 ccs). I wish I hadn't gained that weight pre-op, because it'd be that much less that I'd have to lose now! I can eat bread, rice, and Pasta - just not in the same quantities as before. For example, now when I make a sandwich, I fold over ONE slice of bread rather than eating two slices like I used to. Yes, it is sometimes tempting to keep eating even though I've had enough. However, I think the band DOES help somewhat in resisting that urge. I realize now that there were many times pre-op when I was shoveling food in without really tasting it. Now that I have to pay attention to what I'm eating, I savor the tastes more, and it's easier to stop when I realize I'm not enjoying the taste anymore. Don't worry. I'm sure you will do fine.

I get a new doctor and he does not treats me fair. He agrees to give me ultram for back pain, I dont have to lose weight. And pretty much I dont. He checks me for diabeties and I have it. HUMMM I wonder why that witch never checked it.??? With this doctor, I have a new phobia called NEVEr tell the doctor your in pain. Hide it at all costs. There would be days at the doctors where I would get this pain in my back and sit and hold it forever and if the nurse asked if I was ok I would say "oh my back is hurting alittle" no big deal" and when alone I would go crazy and then i would walk as normally to my car as possible and then collapse and cry my head off and go home and be bedridden for two days.. I said enough to keep the untram, but no more. I was scared to death of being dismissed and ridiculed and NOT cared for again. This was very stupid. I fell alot and I got hurt alot and I hid it all. I become more and more crippled and gained weight. I end up unable to work and sent to the jobs program in the welfare system. I am scared. I am trying to hide the fact that I am in excrusiating pain. It was like the most important thing to be.. to hide my pain and problems. I couldnt stand anyone seeing me as a loser, a fat cripple, a broken women. I rather suffer than show it. (now I show it, I dont care) Well they noticed. They sent me to the voc doctor again and she told them I was disabled and not to make me do anything. They made me apply for SSI This day was the worst day of my life. I didnt want to apply for disabilty. I didny know what it was and I didnt want to. All I knew is that I SURE AND THE HELL WASNT to be one to get disabilty. I was completely bent, couldnt think of a single job i could do. At this point even sitting in chairs wasnt possible for very long. I was disabled. I was. But to apply for disability is admitting your the ultimate failer... My fat brought me to this point and it was too hard to admit that. This was the most depressed I have ever been. No one made me do anything..I was 'awainting disabilty" I became 400 pounds in this meaningless existance THEN.. ANOTHER Lesson.. The DISABILY thing became My chance at life and weight loss again.. I had to get the dissability, to get the back pay, to pay for the gastric bypass.. TO GET OFF OF disabilty. It was a plan.. BUT it took a long long time. About 5 years. In the meantime my doctor left and I got assigned Dr. MOORE and he was so cruel to me that his nurse turned him in, people called me, I testified on the phone and then i was notified that he had been reprimanded. Becasue of this I got a special doctor at a fancy clinic. He checked my back right away and I was herniated and had sciatica and he said it was like that a long time. YEAH, ever since I QUIT school and began to complain to my doctors. WHY DID NO ONE EVER CHECK MY BACK?? Sheesh So yeah.. 5 years, cuz I had shabby doctors.. I rememebr times when I wished the SSi would NOT go through, so I would get MORE money when it went through the next time... I needed at leaste 15,000 Well i found out that medicare would cover my gastric bypass and all I had to do was wait. Find doctors and go to all the pre stuff.. so I did

Well its official, since last week I havent lost anything else...So I guess that what the dr said is true...I just dont like having to wait almost a month before I get a fill to start losing some more weight...I guess i am not understanding the entire process of whats going on with my body...If I am only eating 2 ounces of food after a while i would think that my body would pull itself out of the starvation period and move on to losing some pounds...After all, I will be moving up to regular food 4-5 ounces in a couple more weeks and if i am at a stand still now wont i just gain weight if i add more food? My mind has just been turned upside down trying to figure all of this stuff out...I am trying to be really good, but my stomache has started telling me that its hungry lately...I have been doing a double portion of the protien drink and making it last for breakfast and to have before lunch time...I had crab soup yesterday for lunch and shredded up grilled chicken and a salad last night for dinner...I guess that i dont really need to understand whats going on as long as my body and the scales come together on August 4th at my first fill...I am ready to see some changes after everything that i have been thru