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Breathing normally while awake doesn't mean you don't have sleep apnea. It's when you are asleep that the breathing gets interrupted. I have sleep apnea, probably had it for years, but never knew or got tested until my surgeon asked me about my sleep habits and daytime fatigue. Getting the sleep study done and the CPAP machine have dramatically improved my life. I hope to be off the machine at about 6 months post-op but in the meantime it has been a life saver. Yet another test would be a pain but it would be good to know if you have it or not because if it's undiagnosed and you haven't been treated it increases the possibility of extubation complications and you'll be stuck in the PACU a lot longer while they try to stabilize your breathing. It's definitely not a lot of fun. It's up to you which is the bigger nuisance.

I am a former LapBand patient. I unfortunately had to have the LapBand removed in February of 2009 because of complications that my surgeon didn't catch early on. Because of the complications (the band slipped, causing an extra pouch above my stomach and severe scarring on my stomach), I cannot get another band put on. I recently heard of the VSG on TV and have been contemplating this surgery. When I had the band removed, I was told my only option was a gastric bypass, but I have not met one person that hasn't had to be re-hospitalized because of severe complications with the bypass - so that just isn't an option for me - scares me a little too much. So, I am wondering if this surgery would be a better fit. Through the different forums I have read throughout this web-site, it does seem like there are a lot of similarities in the side-effects with the 2 surgeries. So, I guess I am wondering if there is anyone out there that also had the LapBand removed and had this surgery done? Or, if anyone that has had this surgery done, can you tell me a little bit about your experience -- how the weight loss has gone, how much you are eating, etc. I have gained 85 of the 120 I lost and it really is depressing. Especially when I try my hardest to eat healthy and exercise. I really want to run with my kids again and have the energy back that I have lost with this weight gain. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and any information you could provide -- that would just wonderful!!!

i would follow exactly what your dr told you to do. you have only done a week or so, i had to follow fluids for 3 weeks. the problem is that if you dont allow your sutures to anchor in properly, and form the correct amount of scar tissue, you could have a much more increased risk of slippage, and other complications down the track, you dont want the firt time you do a PB, you end up with a slip do you.

I had my bypass on 7-7-17 & had a complication that led to a revision on 7-19-17. I have been doing well on my post op program outside of another complication(collapsed lungs).Lately, I been talking more about food that I had in the past(good food&bad food). When I saw a pizza hut commercial I saw the cheese&tomato sauce and it kind of perked me up to where I started discussing with my father how I loved cheese pizza with extra tomato sauce. Then later my dad asked me about oatmeal and honey and I was like oh I love oatmeal&honey and that conversation continued on with me telling him that adding butter to oatmeal & even steel oats are the best. Then I sat back in my recliner and just thought about how great oatmeal is. Then peanut butter & jam came up later in the day and I was like oh yes I love it. This has been the theme in the past 2 days. Im not tempted to have them but it is refreshing to talk about them. Is that weird? Has anyone else liked to talk about food they ate in the past? Im sure its just a phase iamready4this

well, i was well over 330 pounds and my dr wanted me to do a bypass due to my size...i was as wide as i am tall.....and the band/pliacation i have works...the dr told me how to use it for best results and that is exactly what i am doing.....any WLS is a wonderful thing but no one WLS is better than the other...any WLS can and does have complications and sometimes not..you cant spend your life wondering will it slip, will i this or will i that......i was at a point to where i was in serious trouble.......i stopped hem hawing and got on with saving my life..... larger BMI people can lose weight faster than those who do not have as much to lose (i am now where some are just banded and it took me 19 months to get here)...we all lose weight 1/4 pound at a time (whether its the sleeve, the bypass, the band or nutri system......the same way as we gained it, 1/4 pound at a time.. to me, as long as one loses weight, gets healthy and changes their attitude from i cant and i never have been to yes i will....then whatever WLS one gets, has that chance to get well..as its about getting healthy, not being skinny or thin.......i wish you all the best.

Welcome to LBT. I know it can be frustrating when you're not getting good lasting restriction, but your doctor is conservative with fills, and from some studies, that's a good thing as far as having less likelihood of band complications. Can you ask for a fill under fluoro to see the rate of restriction BEFORE your fill? If your doctor sees that your barium swallow is going straight through, maybe he'd be willing to give you a little more saline the next time. Sooner or later, though, he will get you to good restriction, so try not to get too discouraged (easier said than done, I know). Plus, a 28 lb loss since October is so much better than the alternative. I know I would have ended up gaining weight over the holidays had I not had my band.

Welcome to the forum! I had a flipped port too and had revision surgery about 6 months post-op of my original surgery. I agree, despite having a complication, and any other minor complications I've faced, the band has been the best thing I ever did for myself.

The premier protein shakes are the best for me. They are 30 grams of protien each and packed with vitamins. In the beginning it took me over an hour to sip one down, but now it's about 40 minutes. I try to do 2 each day. I drink Gatorade G2, but I water it down. I like it better then the MIO drops (personally- so many friends love them). So I will pour the Gatorade into 3 different empty 16z bottles of water and then water it down. I do this bc the Gatorade still has calories and carbs and I'm trying to keep my carbs down as low as possible and don't want excess empty calories. I will drink plain water, but I find it hard too. I get my premier protein from COSTCO. Chocolate, vanilla and bananas and cream. They have strawberry and caramel on line. I've heard that Walmart may carry it too in 4 packs. It is WAY more paletable for me then any other protien shake so far. I just haven't found a powder that isn't gritty and gross - but again it's so personal, my friend will ONLY drink the powders. Vitamins are important too. I use patches (patchmd.com) and today was the first time since surgery I didn't wear them...and I felt like crap. Needed a nap and if I wasn't visiting family, I would have stayed asleep...so I think they are helping with my energy. The patches I love bc it's one less thing to factor into my day of "eating" and drinking. But get in you FLUID! Dehydration is one of the most frequent complications from surgery and it can be prevented (most of the time) with some effort. And believe me, I feel you, it was effort. I set alarms to remind myself to take sips and eat. lol. I hope you feel better. It takes some time, but focus on healing and the protien and fluids will help the healing.

Not worth the risk. I roomed with a (wonderful) woman who had her's done in July. It slipped and during her surgery hr internal organ was nicked and she bled out 6 pints of blood and almost died. She was in good spirits this morning when she was released when I was. Also she kept her band, said even with that scare or complication it was worth it. She looked *great* I'm babbling prollly cuz I'm on happy drugs lol

Due diligence is my thing. I do it for a living, and I make a nice one at that...so that said let me tell you my story short and sweet. 7 years ago at the age of 34 I was having major medical issues. Surgery after surgery, and finally my Dr. said Lisa what are you going to do about this weight? He gave me a doctor who was a colleague of his who did bariatric surgery. Lapband specialty. OK I thought maybe I will go and see this guy. I waited a year...then I went to see him. I loved him, he had a great practice, people were nice office chairs fit my big butt I was happy! Then he gave me the list of things I had to do..and the prep and the doctors and I checked on it some more..and I wasn't ready. Only a part of me was cheering...do it do it do it..the other half was saying...ummm I don't know...surgery...another one..complications...failure. I have personal friends I know who had the band, the 4cc one years ago and they not only failed but they had major issues...that was nearly 15 years ago...things have changed...but still. I wasn't ready. Then this January, newly married my husband facing a hip replacement and both of us over weight. Happy in love and overweight. WE went back to see the doctor and this time I was ready. I was all in. My hubby was all in, and we have never looked back! True it's only 5 months...(nearly) but I could not be happier! I am much healthier, I can walk and run I take the stairs now! It took me 3 years to get here from the time I first met the surgeon and 4 years from the time I was given his number. So take your time and be sure it's the right surgery and the right time for YOU. The band takes 100% commitment pre-op and post op. If your not ready to give that 100% your not ready.

Anyone ever post on the lapband talk forum in the lapband complications section? Is it just me or do you get rudeness from people when you post about complications? Almost like whatever reason you are having problems it's your own fault? I have kept my mouth shut and not responded to the rude ones but its getting old and I'm finding that each time it happens I want to get downright nasty back!

Hello, My name is Ana and I had sleeve done on December 15th. I previously had lap band done in December of 2009 managed to loose 70 lbs, but was stuck for 8 mos and had port complications the whole time. I am glad I did the sleeve so far, my recovery has totally gone way better than my prior 3 surgeries this past couple of years. I hope to finally reach my goal of 130 lbs. I am 5'1 and 34 yrs old. I am happily Married and have a 15 yr old daughter and a 9 yr old son. I hope that we can be a support to each other in this forum!

I originally wanted to go with the band, but my surgeon said he'd seen too many complications and revisions, to recommend it. Did you experience problems or just poor results?

You are still healing, So take it easy, but certainly make sure you inform your surgeon and nutritionist. If you've got a stricture or some other mild complication, it might need to be looked into, always make sure to keep your surgeon in the loop on stuff like this.

I am a 50 year old wife, mother of 3 beautiful adult daughters, and Grammy to 2 small children (a boy and a girl) all of whom I love dearly. All of whom will miss me if this surgery doesn't work, because I am dying. I am an insuln dependent diabetic with uncontrolled numbers for over 5 years now. I have severe COPD from 35 years of smoking (I have quit in the last year) I have high blood pressure, cholesterol, and Gastroparesis (paralasis of the stomach) from my diabetes. In Sept. 2010 I had a stent put in my heart and in March 2011, I had a heart attack anyway. At 285 lbs the hardest thing to take is that I have done this to myself. If I don't take control of my life, my beautiful Grandchildren will not remember me, and I will not see them grow up. I wish I had taken these steps sooner but to be honest, after 7 years of research, I couldn't afford to pay the amount not covered by my insurance. I was referred to Dr. Nazarian by a friend, and he was the first one willing to work with me. I have had all of my counseling, testing, authorizations from my many Doctors, and I have 1 appt. left before we schedule surgery. I expect to have the actual surgery by the end of Oct. early Nov. I am now working on the lifestyle changes I need to make to be successful in my journey. I am chewing longer and slower, I am drinking alot of water, I am stopping my meal when I am full, and I am keeping a daily food diary and calorie count. The one thing I am worried about is the exercise regimen which I am not able to perform because of my COPD. I get out of breath just walking across the house. But I keep trying. Some days are better than others. At this point, I just want to make it through the band surgery with no complications. I just want another chance to become healthy again and I am committed to doing whatever it takes. I am scared but hopeful, and I would appreciate any tips and support anyone has to offer. I know I will need this Forum in the months and years ahead. My ultimate goal will be to achieve good health and be able to pay it forward to someone else in the future.

Thanks, everyone. Lots to think about. For me the primary issue is fear of the surgery itself and possible complications. I have a young son with significant special needs who will likely need lifetime support- I want to invest in my ability to be there for him for many years to come but he also really needs me now and I am worried about my ability to care for him after surgery- if it was just a week or so I could rely on others but I know complications can happen and some people are put of commission for longer than they anticipated. I know no one else can decide for me- it just helps me to put my thoughts into writing and hear others' perspectives.

I felt the exact same way. To the point where they said no one is keeping you here. No one is forcing you. If you want to leave you clothes are right there. Change and go if you want. I was so scared I kept crying before. I was in pain the 2nd day after and I also cried to my mom and said I made a mistake. My mom said it would get easier. It has and I'm happier every day that I did it. I'm 3 weeks and 3 days post op. The chances are low for complications. Just follow your doctors directions and you should be fine. This is a life change. It shouldn't be taken lightly. You decide what it's worth to you.

I would be more concerned about dying myself...lol They asked me what the worst thing that could happen to me with this surgery and I had to reply dying..They felt better knowing I knew there was a slight risk of that happening... I am one of those people who everything did go wrong...And to top it off I almost died....You have to look at this differently...Are you ready for a change in yourself and your health? Do you want to really live and enjoy the time you have left? Write down the things you can't do and see if you think it is worth the possibility of complications? Five months I was in the hospital and 5 months I had nurses attending me at home...Do I regret it? NO!!! I was just existing before my surgery and was unable to stand for 10 minutes without my back giving out...I can put my grand daughter on my knee very close to me and enjoy that time with her..I can cross my legs now and I walk for hours....I am a person who now finds it hard to sit down for too long..I want to live, live and live..... If you are like me and you tried it all..And this is what is left..Don't wait! chose well and go forward....I have!

While my BMI was a bit lower than yours before my surgery, my diabetes was so out of control my surgeon was really worried about complications. I prepared myself for every complication, convinced that I would have them all. But I had absolutely NO COMPLICATIONS! I didn't even have any pain. I laugh when I tell my surgeon that if I didn't have 5 funny little scars on my tummy, and the inability to eat very much food, I might think the surgery never happened. 'Course the proof is in the 58 lbs lost and diabetes and other co morbidities resolved. My point is that most people have absolutely no complications. The greater risk statistically to your health is actually in the drive to the hospital. You wouldn't let the drive to the hospital deter you from surgery, would you? Then, don't let the small risk of complications deter you either. Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

I had my sleeve yesterday -- no complications! My only complaint is dry mouth...waiting for my swallow test in order to get some ice chips. So excited!

dadci i liked your positive post hope soon to be sleever and NEWBIES enjoyed reading your post there are times a poster writes bad experiences, thats totally ok - they unfortunately happened its nice to see a post from a NEWBIE like you stating they had no complications, and are alive to say that!!! good for you continued speedy recovery

Hey, BariatricPal Members!We’re turning the corner from winter into spring, and it’s about time! How did the winter go for you? Did you make progress toward becoming the healthy person you want to be? Just before you look ahead to spring, take a look at this month’s BariatricPal newsletter, and spend some time on the boards for further motivation and ideas. Here is what you’ll find in the newsletter. Member Poll: Governor Chris Christie and the Lap-Band Member Spotlight: Meet cindymg! New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: Bariatric Success or Disappointment? Come Chat on BariatricPal We hope you enjoy the newsletter and then you log into BariatricPal to talk about it and everything else related to weight loss surgery. Get tips, share stories, and find inspiration on the boards, and don’t forget to tell your surgeon and support group members about BariatricPal. Thanks for your membership! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Member Poll: Governor Chris Christie and the Lap-Band New Jersey Governor Chris Christie quietly had lap-band surgery in February of 2013. As you can read in this month’s BariatricPal newsletter, recent political events have made the topic resurface, highlighting his 100-pound loss and his current weight of 320 pounds. What do you think about the issue? He failed because his BMI of 45 keeps him in the morbidly obese category. He is doing great because of his 100-pound weight loss in a year. It’s too soon to tell. He’ll fail if he doesn’t lose any more weight or gains it back, but the surgery will be a success if he keeps losing weight. I really can’t give an opinion – I do not know anything about him or his diet, and I would not want people to judge me if they didn’t know me. Other – Read my answer in the discussion! Click here so you can mark your answer and let us know what you think in the discussion on BariatricPal! Our Latest Newsletter Sponsor: Insure Nutrition! We are always thrilled to welcome a new newsletter sponsor into the BariatricPal family, and this month, Insure Nutrition is giving us the pleasure of doing just that. Our latest sponsor, Insure Nutrition, is an online company that specializes in getting health insurance coverage for nutritional supplements. Its Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition products includes Premier Protein shakes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and OptiSource High Protein drinks in caramel and strawberry flavors. Checking if you are eligible is easy. Insure Nutrition encourages you to use its online form to find out if you qualify. Our sponsors help make BariatricPal newsletters and other services possible. We encourage you show your thanks by considering them first for your bariatric needs. Member Spotlight: Meet Cindymg! This month’s spotlight is on cindymg from Chicago. She is a 59-year-old computer consultant who says she has been dieting since high school. In those 40 years, she tried every diet program and calculates that she has probably gained and lost 2,000 pounds in yo-yo dieting. The diets seriously harmed her health as she developed diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease. When she started to lose the feeling in her feet, she knew that she would lose her feet soon if she didn’t do something drastic. After some serious investigation, cindymg chose the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) because she felt it would be effective without having the side effects of gastric bypass. Cindymg’s surgery was in May of 2013. Her starting weight was 258 pounds, and she is just under the 200-pound barrier en route to her goal weight of 175 pounds. She had no complications from surgery, and her family has been largely supportive. Her main challenges now are her excess skin and her hesitation getting rid of her oversized clothes! Since getting surgery, cindymg says that she has been able to cut her medications to one-quarter of what they were. She exercises now and feels much better “without lugging around that extra weight.” She does not get hungry, so she is saving money on food in addition to losing weight! She also notices a change in attitude. Cindymg says she now “eats to live, rather than lives to eat,” and does not feel guilty over food. The gastric sleeve feels like a permanent solution, not a temporary fix. Cindymg says BariatricPal keeps her mindful, and she enjoys reading members’ stories. She hope to provide them with advice and humor. Her advice for members struggling with weight loss is to avoid beating yourself up. Just get up and try again, and “keep coming back to the forum!” Thank you, cindymg, for being in our member spotlight! We are excited to be a part of your journey to mental and physical health, and are proud to be part of that journey. Do you have any members whom you want to see in the BariatricPal newsletter? Do you want to be featured? Let us know in the Member Spotlight Forum or by sending Alex Brecher a private message. Thank you! New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: Bariatric Success or Disappointment? A year ago, New Jersey governor Chris Christie got the lap-band. At the time of his surgery in February of 2013, Governor Christie, who stands at 5’11,” weighed over 400 pounds. Since then, NBC News reports that he has lost 90 to 100 pounds and now weighs in at 320 pounds. The speculation surrounding Governor Christie’s weight loss journey has led to opinions as divided as the political views of those who follow New Jersey politics. Critics maintain that he has failed in this weight loss effort. They point to his current BMI of 45, which places him in the morbidly obese category, and claim that he will be unable to run for president in 2016 because of his weight. Supporters point out that he appears to have lost 40 to 45 percent of his excess body weight, which is right on target for most lap-band patients in the first year after surgery. Governor Christie himself has kept relatively quiet about the issue from the beginning. He did not reveal his surgery until months had passed, and provided few details. In September, he said that he is more than halfway toward his goal, although he did not specify his current or goal weight. What do you think? Is Governor Christie’s surgery a failure? Will his weight prevent him from making a serious run for the presidency in 2016? Is he on the right track? Or, maybe it is too tough to judge because it is too soon to tell or because we, as outsiders, do not know the whole story. Let us know what you think on this thread! Come Chat on BariatricPal Where do you go when you need a pep talk, information about your weight loss surgery diet, or a celebratory high-five? The BariatricPal chatrooms, of course! In-person support groups might only be once a week or month, you need an appointment to see a doctor, and nurses are only available by phone. Family and friends are encouraging, but they might not understand what you are going through. The BariatricPal chatrooms are open 24/7, so there’s always a chance that you can find people to talk to. When you chat with BariatricPal members, there’s a good chance you can find someone who is sympathetic to productive burping, or who can suggest a WLS-compatible snack to satisfy your munchies. The chatrooms have been updated to better serve members’ needs, so come check them out! That’s it for this month’s newsletter. We hope it brightened your day after these long months of winter and gave you some inspiration to look forward to a healthy spring. Thanks for reading it, and we’ll see you on the boards!

I did like him but hated the drive for aftercare, and, and complications. The drive was bad from Eugene, but to Bend no way. Dr Hughes was wonderful in taking on my fills when we moved here, and just continued my care when I had further complications and revision.

I am seriously considering having this procedure done. But, because of distance, income, and benefit constrictions I would like to ask a few questions of those who have been there. I would seriously hate to wast a full day driving to Las Vegas only to find that I cannot afford to meet the pre-op requirements. 1: How many times a week or month did you have to see your doctor or dietitian during the counseling period? 2: In general, sans complications, what is the recovery period....how long before I could go back to work at a desk job? 3: How often will I have to see my dr in the period immediately after the surgery? I am quite sure that everyone is different, but I am looking for generalities from which I can piece together some probabilities to base my plans on

I can only give you my experience with the Lap Band as I know that is one of your choices. I had the Lap Band put in Aug. 2005. I originally lost 140lbs. All was well for about the first 2 years. Like so many people who can quote my story, I began having problems with the band and ultimately had to have all the fluid removed. I was okay for a while and went through a pregnancy. I gained ZERO weight during my pregnancy which really freaked out my doctor as I had almost weekly ultrasounds to check her growth and delivered an almost 8lb butterball . After her birth I began having even more severe problems with my Lap Band. I got to the point where I was on primarily liquids for 6 months prior to having my band removed and sleeve done at the same time last Thursday. I figured the only difference is clear liquids rather than other liquid foods at this point. My band was placed wrong by a doctor who at the time had an awesome reputation. It was dangerously close to my heart and major blood vessells. Thankfully my new surgeon, Dr. Castro had the skills and experience necessary to get the band out without any complications and sleeved. So that's about 5 years worth of Lap Band experience. I did gain about 60lbs back, so I am 70lbs under my start weight, therefore even with all the complications, I am a Lap Band success story!! Imagine that!