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I was offered both options, and I went with bypass from the beginning. My reasons were because I have reflux and nausea on my own (the sleeve can make this worse), and there has been years and years of long term studies done on the bypass, but not the same for sleeve. Years ago, people thought lap band was the way to go, but we're now learning that it doesn't work all that well and there have been many complications, and lot of revisions. I'm not saying that the sleeve will turn out to be the same "fad" surgery, but the research just isn't there for it like the bypass is. Also, there have been studies that show the bypass is actually more effective at long term weight loss than the sleeve. I'm 5'2 230 pounds, so I qualify for both surgeries, but I'm not so big that I need more drastic measures, I just want to have only one surgery, done right the first time. I don't want to be sleeved and then have to do revision surgery later because it's not as effective as bypass. As far as the dumping goes, I actually WANT that as a tool to keep me, and my weight, in check. I feel like my weight is a big enough problem in my life to have surgery for it, so I'm going to go all-in, and get the bypass. My surgery is scheduled for December 29th. SO excited!!

First, congrats! A number of ladies experience increased fertility with weight loss, despite how much we hate it when our docs tell us weight is a factor or no matter how many times we've been told we have a number of female issues. Somehow, with the weight loss, the body gets back on track and it surprises a lot of ladies. As you can see from all of the surprise pregnancy posts you'll find here! I was two years out when I got pregnant but still had a very limited capacity. I could eat one scrambled egg with cheese and one turkey sausage link in a meal and feel stuffed. As my pregnancy has progressed my capacity has increased as well as my appetite, so while it's still a bit of a challenge to consume enough, I'm doing alright. My situation was complicated by nausea. If I ate any meat, I'd get sick. I'm already lactose intolerant and while it's supposed to improve during pregnancy mine got worse - to the point where putting a tiny bit of butter on toast would make me ill. My Protein shakes were totally off limits for several months, too. So I really do understand the concerns you're having. The solution is to go back to the way things were in the beginning, when you forced yourself to eat around the clock to hit a nutritional goal. It means choosing your meals carefully so that you can get a well balanced meal in a tiny portion. It also means trying your darnedest to get back on those shakes and make them stick. I have been able to drink mine again for the last few weeks and I feel MUCH better and have more energy since I was able to do that. And I really can eat more in a sitting now. Your stomach should relax as you get further along and the hormones are really increased. That helps a lot. When you say your stomach hurts are you talking about cramping and nausea? Is it hurting after dairy? I first developed lactose intolerance with my twin pregnancy and the first clue was really uncomfortable stomach cramping after anything dairy based. I would definitely bring this, and the fact that you've had WLS to your OB's attention ASAP. I am on two different prenatals, additional Calcium, B12 shots and a special Iron supplement to keep my levels up. I am only just now, five months in, getting enough nutrition that my labs come back in good shape. While it's been a particular challenge for me, try your hardest to shelve concerns about weight gain. I was so freaked out a few months ago because I had already put on seventeen pounds. But here I am, 24.5 weeks out and I'm only up 15 pounds - somewhere along the way I lost a couple of pounds. And it's all baby (okay...baby and boobs, but I'm not complaining about that part!) and I really do realize that I'm going to do just fine losing this weight afterward. The biggest concern is making sure the baby is getting enough, and you sound like you're already working to help this issue. My doc told me and I believe it - the baby will suck every bit of energy and nutrition from my body and leave me tired, nauseated and run down before it will go without. So if you're at least trying, even when it's not easy, you should do just fine. So, try the shakes again. Try to set a timer to eat small, regular, protein and calcium rich meals. Eat as much of what you're able to eat as you can, within reason, of course. Foods that are really good for protein, besides meat are lentils (lentil Soup saved me when I couldn't eat any meat a few months ago), cottage cheese, seitan (if you like it), and of course Beans always help, too. Good luck, ~Cheri

I too had these same worries and fears. I have 2 young girls and a son about to graduate high school. I was very worried. Here's the thing....1. This surgery has a lower mortality rate than gallbladder surgery. 2. The complications Usually happen to people with other issues going in besides being overweight. 3. If you don't do this...will your kids have you when they are older? Not trying to away you. We all have to make our own choices...just want you to think about wha you really want and why...you began this journey in the 1st place. Believe me when I tell you I was right where you are and the fear was consuming me...finally I had to "get a grip" and remind myself over and over why I was doing this.

Im not 100% sure about their reason for upper GI. But my surgeon requires it for all pts. I believe bc they want to make sure there aren't any hernia, or other problems that could complicate surgery.

Did your surgeon permanently remove those listed foods from your diet or for a short period? Week by week things will get better and you will eventually return to a normal routine but I understand completely. It is very hard giving up foods you like even for short periods of time. Hang in there! Glad you are doing well and recovering after the complications ❤️

I would suggest you research the relationship between gallbladder complications and weight loss so that you can make an informed decision. I'm not exactly sure what the relationship is but I know that gallbladder complications almost always follow rapid or large amounts of weight loss. If memory serves me correctly my aunt who had gastric bypass several years ago said that the removal of her gallbladder was automatically a part of the procedure. At any rate, it let's you know there's a definite correlation. I was able to lose 70 pounds on my own a few years ago and sure enough, "BAM" out of nowhere I started having gallblladder attacks. It is excrutiatingly painful. I think I'd rather have a baby. I had to have an emergency gallbladder removal. I was one of the lucky ones, I didn't have any stones lodged in my common bile duct. That would have been a whole other additional surgical procedure. Check the web for info. and stats and also consult with your surgeon. If your surgeon is offering to do it at the same time as your band, it may not be a bad idea. Let us know what you find out and what you decide.

For some reason (maybe it's my background in international relations) but I find it strikingly funny/ironic that the remains of my stomach will be a permanent resident of the sovereign nation of Mexico. I know Medical Tourism isn't new and I'm sure I could battle the red-tape here in Estados Unidos to try and help with my first-world obesity (thanks, Nixon for all the corn syrup!) but I am not a patient patient. I've lived in the US, UK, and Australia, and I can't wait to experience the Mexico healthcare system. Somehow I feel badly about our immigration policy given that I'll be leaving behind 75% of my stomach to return to my capitalistic lifestyle back north of the border. There's something really strange to me that there is such scarcity of good, real food. I just moved back to the US from a year in Oz and while I was a bit aghast at some of the culinary offerings down under I am struck by the pervasiveness of processed, synthetic, chemical, and genetically-modified foodstuffs that have invaded our food system. Why aren't we angrier about these issues? If competition is supposed to force the optimal outcome why do we have substandard food as the norm in the United States? I'm grateful I've kept my portion sizes to AUS standards and I'm grateful I have the opportunity to make a huge change in my life including elective surgery and an amazing health club for continued life improvement. I actually took a job in Colorado to ensure that I was in a healthy environment and had access to organic foods. I rented an apartment right near a great health club and I have a job that allows me time to get surgery and time to go work out. I am lucky, I am fortunate, and it's time I take advantage of it all. At the end of the day I'm left thinking: this all shouldn't be so complicated. No one knows how to eat properly because we've been fed misinformation all our lives. Time to get simple I s'pose.

Yes, I my surgeon was Dr. Stephen Burpee in Tucson. His office is helpful. The surgery was very successful with no complications and didn't take long in the OR either. The best part is the affiliation he has with Northwest Hospital in Tucson (a walk from his office). The weight loss program they have there is great. Tons of infomoration and informational classes to take before the surgery so you know what to expect. An RN by the name of Gail is the head person for the weight loss program and supplies you with a great binder including what to eat at every week, and lots more information like vitamins, protein, exercise, etc. etc. She also visits you after surgery and the day after that. She makes frequent calls to check up after you and tell you what you should be eating, I guess in case you haven't read your binder. I like Dr. Burpee as well. I didn't have a lot of questions for him at all, so I just didn't converse with him much. The seminar he conducts gives you lots of information too. Office visits post surgery are at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and yearly after that. He just makes sure you are where you need to be and checks out your blood work. After reading some people here that don't know what to be eating or what they should be doing after a couple of weeks, I realized how fortunate I was to have Dr. Burpee and Gail. If possible, they provide you with TOO much information!!

Hi There!! I was sleeved on Oct. 30th in MX... so my nerves were pretty rattled. BUT knowing I had read tons of stories on this forum, I felt pretty prepared for what I was about to go through. I prayed to GOD that I wouldn't have too many complications and I guess he was listening. Day of surgery when I got out, I did have some gas pains in my back and upper chest. My hubby had to pat my back like a baby... looked silly but definitely helped! The pain and nausea meds given to me helped tremendously. By the second day, I was already feeling MUCH better! Just hang in there! Being nervous is absolutely normal! Just keep thinking good thoughts and how AMAZING you are going to look afterwards. GOOD LUCK!!!

This thread is for anyone who has had complications after any type of bariatric surgery. I think most hope and experience a good outcome from surgery but, we also know the risks going into this. Any first hand experiences would be appreciated. What type of surgery did you have? What is your medical complication(s) that you are diagnosed with? What are your treatment options and what did you choose. Any medical referrals or resources in your area that you would recommend? your experience/story if you feel comfortable sharing

So sorry you experienced this. Though extremely low, there is always a chance of a complication like you said. Though, I’m surprised by such severe leakage & bleeding from your surgery. My surgeon sewed & stapled so double sealed my tummy. I wonder if your surgeon did this? I’m very glad you were in the hospital when this happened & they are able to operate again to help you so quickly. All the best with your recovery.

complications are pretty rare - I'm sure you'll sail through just fine! Also, if you follow your surgeon's plan, you WILL lose weight!

Yes, she's likely thinking of a vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), an earlier incarnation of gastric banding. It may have been laparascopic (as in lap-) but what it wasn't was adjustable. The device that the FDA approved in 2001 was the first adjustable gastric band available in the U.S. It's not done much anymore since it had a high rate of complications and failures.

Thank y'all so much for all the input. I've been doing the "Shrink Yourself" program (www.shrinkyourself.com) and one of the things it teaches you is to find some other activity when you want to eat. "Playing with a pet" is one of the activities and this would be a great one for me, since I'm such a dog lover. As lauradevans said, I will probably wait until a week after surgery to get the sweet baby, so that I can be sure I'm feeling a little better and that I don't have any complications. I'm doing some major life changes right now, and banding and a new puppy are just two of them. I'm so excited!

well, fwiw, even the skinniest dressage queen should use a mounting block to mount because it's better for the horse's back and the saddle. I started my late BS Paint myself when I weighed 290lbs and I weigh 250 now (having band complications that will require band removal and hopefully a revision to RNY). I ride 3-4 days a week on my 7yr old Thoroughbred and am learning Dressage now. I asked my dressage trainer whether my weight was hurting my mare and he said no basically because I know how to ride. I'm not a sack of potatoes that can't balance in the saddle. So, don't let your current weight stop you. It took me a while to get my surgery but my initial weight loss was significant (40lbs in 3 months). You'll be fine!!!

Hi, Sheri, i am about 2 hrs. Away in Ashland, Ky. I have lots of family there in Lexington. I would love to have someone to talk to that has been sleeved. I was sleeved April 3, 2013. I doing well, no complications, and feeling great!! Down 55#.

You will get a date. You just have to hang in there. They just want to make sure you keep the no smoking because you have a risk of death and or infection when smoking especially right after surgery. I quite 3 months prior. Also there is a high complication risk of smoking AFTER you get the sleeve. I have to tell you I fell off the wagon BIG TIME. I was so upset that I did. I was 8 months out and all of a sudden I was drinking and smoking ever day. I had to get my butt off them and I have but it is not easy. Even had to do the AA thing. The cross addiction can be a real thing! I learned the hard way. With our small tummies we can get ulcers that can be a little more serious than the normal person with regular size stomachs. This is even far out. I thought it was just in the beggining but actually I have read a lot about it and can be a serious risk even way out. So I think they are truly watching out for you. Call your doc and tell him the research you did and that you totally understand the risk and that you have been clean and are ready for a life change. I wish you the best.

I understand completely. My mother had surgery two months after me. She had a complication which would have been mild if she would have received care when she started experiencing symptoms, but she waited until six months post-op to seek treatment. In all honesty, complications occur pretty infrequently with the sleeve. Just pay attention to her symptoms and trust the surgeon to do his or her best. I will be keeping you and your mother in my thoughts.

I am getting sleeved on the 21st of April. I am self pay in mexico. I have kaiser insurance but don't qualify for the sleeve. Does anyone know if I get home and have complications are they likely to cover it? What about follow up visits with my regular US doc. I am afraid to call and ask because I don't want them to know if they don't have too. thanks stacey

Hello, I am a week out. I have been planning on the Sleeve for over a year. Mainly because of the lower complications. I am 5'4 (and 3/4) and I am 210. A 35 BMI with a comorbidity of Apnea. I am really very much a sugar head. I am not really a VOLUME eater, although I do eat too big portions - certainly bigger than is allowed by the sleeve. The reason the sleeve is attractive to me is that it provides restriction. And I am hoping- a little dumping- so I can teach myself to keep away from the stuff that goes down easy- like sugar. Like Reeces Peanut Butter cups. Or licorcice. Or Chunky bars. It's not like I eat them every night, but let's say my body weight has always been heavy, not ever to severely obese, never above a 36 BMI at my highest. I have always thought that a low BMI'er is better off with a sleeve than a bypass. But thinking about this over the last week and half as I've been eating (and eating less - in prep- no liquid prep until the day before) I wonder if I am getting the right procedure for long term success. I want to be confident that I have selected the right tool for my toolbox.

<p>I am freaking out a bit. I tried looking up what it could be. I have left side pain , i guess where the band is placed around the stomach from the info i could find online. Basically by the ribcage. It is all puffy and extends out. I don't have any other side effect, i can eat and drink just fine. What could it be? It looks like a puffy lump, i guess the size of a cell phone sorry thats all i could think of as a comparison and it puffs out about an inch. The area is not warm or does not look infected. I hope I am making sense here. What could it be? I don't want to over react and but i am kinda worried. i have not eaten anything that could be stuck. anyone have any thoughts what it could be?</p> <p> </p> <p>Cindy</p> i am not sure if i posted this in the right forum, and my port is under my belly button so it would not be the port area.

I think my 2 biggest concerns are # 1 the fact that i haven't followed the pre op diet. I havent binged or gained weight or anything, just haven't been able to follow and # 2 health/complications ect

I don't think it's going to mexico that's the problem.. it's if they cover complications from surgery or not. If you went to Las Vegas for surgery you'd be in the same boat.

I have been treated for depression for several years now and there are times when you really feel dreadful. After the surgery we put up the meds for a few weeks. The surgeon said its quite common after surgery to have a spike in depression due to hormones and body trauma. I am 3 months out now and I have had a few bad days due to some complications more than anything. I'm OK now seeing a psychologist as part of my plan and reduced meds back now. Even though you probably feel like crap it will pass and is treatable. As the weight comes off there will be more positives to celebrate! Take care x Sent from my CPH1607 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone I'm sorry if these questions have been asked before it's been a while since I've been on this site. I had my sleeve surgery done 5 years ago so I have been through a lot of ups and downs and I would say I'm on the more experienced side of being a sleever..... I am at a stage now where I have put on quite a bit of weight, probably over 20 kgs since I hit my goal weight. I lost overall 55 kgs on the sleeve and I was so happy. There has been a few complications such as a hiatus hernia operation, appendicitis and I've recently had surgery on my ankle which has made me put on even more weight. I am trying to get back to my goal weight and I am finding it difficult to shift any weight. I have POS which makes it hard too. I've tried shake diets, low carb diets and I lose maybe a few kgs, then put it back on if I even have one day of eating something such as bread. I'll admit I'm not in the best place the moment, most days I'm sad and down about this and all I want to do is get back to what I was. I wanted to know if anyone has gone through what i am currently going through and have you been successful in losing weight again? I really need advice and some tips and the best people would be the ones who are going through this journey with me. Thank you.