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I left Austin in plenty of time to catch my 1:30 flight from San Antonio to Monterrey, Mexico. I was relaxed and in a really good place. After missing the exit for the airport, I had to drive a few miles to turn around and get back on track. Still time....but a little rushed now. I get into the airport complex and can't find any signs that point me to parking for Terminal 1....so I drive around in circles for 10 minutes or so.....but now, I'm starting to get annoyed. I finally find the parking garage and speed up and down the isles looking for an open spot. I finally found a spot, grabbed by luggage and starting trying to figure out how find Terminal 1. No signs, no arrows, none to help...I'm just running in circles looking for a way out. Finally I get out of the garage, but I'm at Terminal 2. Now I'm beginning to PANIC. I start jogging across the parking lot to Terminal 1 - it's 94 degrees. I get into the terminal, make it to the Ticket counter and was told the plane was delayed by 2 FREAKING HOURS:cursing: I calm down, email my patient coordinator, eat some yogurt, and listen to one of my audio books. We finally board, but sit, and sit, and sit in the hot sun. The plane backs up, stops, then RETURNS TO THE GATE:scared2: and we sit some more. FINALLY we take off and have an uneventful trip to Monterrey. More later

Dumping syndrome and gas any advice?

Has anyone had an ulcer after vsg? And if so what was the treatment. Im on day 10 of severe right abdomen pain. Catscan showed swollen lymph nodes in my small intestines which indicates infection so im being treated for that but i have severe burning in the middle of my upper abdomen and my pain gets worse with any thing i eat..and i have ALOT of gurling going on!!

Costco has 18 for $19 until the end of the month. "When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done. "

Hi Donia! Welcome! You are very smart coming here before your surgery. I wish I would have thought about looking for this after surgery! A lot of very good posts and advice!! Good luck on this journey! SW:350 (11/2015) BSW:260 (10/17/17) CW:248 (1st official weigh in post op) GW:175

Hi, I was banded in Jan 19th, 2009. I was doing really good and lost 71lbs by my bandiversary, but I got sick. The weight lifting and exercising i was doing tightened my band by itself to the point I couldn't even get liquids down. In Jan this year my dr. unfilled my band so that we could start readjusting it. My life got complicated and I never went back in for the readjustment in Feb. I had noticed that some of my weight has came back on, so I made an appt to see my dr asap. I went Thursday 08/12/10 to get my fill. I found out i had put back on 41lbs of the 70 that i lost. I don't know how I let myself go backwards so much. Right now my dr has my band tightened so i can only get down my shakes, but I am already feeling like hope is lost. Has anyone gone through this? :cursing:

Hello... My pre-op diet consists of three Meal Replacements and one meal of lean protein/veg....all of which should not go over 1,000 calories a day. I've been doing it since 10/14...and it's been a real biatch, but worth it since I've been losing weight. I'll find out tomorrow if UHC has approved my surgery....I'm hoping they do, because I really don't want to have to do this pre-op diet twice.

Well, I've Finally Finished With All My Pre-ops And I Finally Got A Date For My Surgery (9-19-05). Now The Wait Is On My Insurance Approval, Hopefully I Won't Be Denied. I'd Hate To Have To Wait Any Longer For This Surgery Cause I Am So Anxious To Have It Done And Be Part Of Lapband Gang. Does Anyone Have Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield? If So, Please Let Me Know If They Are Easy To Approve For Lap Band Surgery. My Surgeon, Dr. Chaudry, Says He Believes It Won't Be A Problem With Insurance And That I Should Have A Reply Within A Week From Them, But Just The Waiting Is So Stressful. Anyway, If Anyone Has Any Feedback On Empire B/c B/s, Please Advise Me. Thanks

Dear all, I am really so happy to find this forum. I was sleeved in 9 December 2019 in Germany and everything was so perfect for me so far. My Dr told me that after two months i should reduce the pills of PPI slowly. i really did so. It is my fifth month so far and i cannot reduce for more than one pill 40mg for each three days. I really tried a lot but it does not work. in the third day i start feeling some slight pain in my stomach and others i have slight pain in my tonsils. Anyone had a similar story? i am really afraid of having a chronic GERD and then converting to bypass. A last question is about weight loss. since two months my weight loss is very slow. It is a kilo and a half or two kilos maximum. Does it mean that i will not reach my goal? I was 146 kilo. Now i am 114 Thanks a lot

I've gotten my cycle 2 times since I was sleeved on 4/10/13. I was always pretty normal and cramps were not too bad. These past 2 cycles have been a nightmare. I literally have to stay home and the only thing that calms my cramps is the liquid loritab that I received when I was discharged. The cramps are seriously unbearable. I am terrified to get it this month! I can't call in once a month to work. I'm thinking of going on the pill to see if that will help. I have my 3 month post op appointment on Monday so I will discussing this with my surgeon. I really do hope it gets better because it literally makes me stay in bed all day. I know exactly what ur going thru.

I think you should STOP EATING SOLID FOODS!!! The post op diet sucks, yes... but you have to remember that the band is not a cure for an eating problem, it's a tool to help you and right now, your tool is working at 10%. You need a fill, of course, to get the REAL difference. With that being said, the post-op diet aint' for nothin', hon. You can seriously damage your band and your stomach if you don't follow the post op diet. You will be able to eat food just fine, but your stomach is healing... it just underwent a MAJOR change and needs time to adjust. You eating liquids, then semi-solids *is* that time it needs. Stop eating solids. Do you really want your whole surgery to be for nothing RIGHT BEFORE you get a fill and start seeing real results???

i am just over 3 months out and get super tired after I eat (except protein shakes), but it passes after 10 minute or so. I asked my nut last week about this and she said she had never heard this before.

I'm in Colorado Springs, not too close, but would love to have a buddy. I'm RNY too, but still need WLS friends!! my surgery is scheduled for July 19. Sent from my SM-T230NU using the BariatricPal App

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Hi Josh! First CONGRATS on your lap band surgery. You will love having the band! Your concerns are typical for your stage of the process. First, the rapid weight loss is terrific. And yes, it's fast but great! You being a guy, 19 years old and on liquids are all contributing to your fast loss. As to being hungry, I'm afraid that happens to all of us. Your tummy is healing fast and the swelling is going down from the trauma of the surgery. The band has no fill in it yet, so that's why you're starving. Make sure you keep sipping your Water throughout the day... As for the burps, they are a bit worrisome at first. That they hurt? I never had that. You might want to call your doc and have him reassure you that it's ok. I get a bit of a gurgling noise now that I have really good restriction. Sometimes, I think we trade one noise for another just to keep this all interesting! LOL Make sure to check the forums, they contain a lot of information about the experiences of us all. There are no dumb questions. We all have been uncertain from time to time if things are going normal. I wish you lots of luck on your journey to a healthier you! Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. Katja

My surgery was on 12/11, I was two days in hospital and came home yesterday. I am literally drinking all the time to try to get the Water I need, but am only able to get about 26 oz of water, and it takes me 3 hours to get one Protein shake down, so I have only had 10 grams of protein today. Is this normal? I feel like my tummy is full to the top and I am uncomfortable. I don't want to mess this up.

Hello: please help! I have an unbearable pain on the right side of my belly under my ribs and goes all the way to the back/waist on that same side. from the beginning after the surgery I had this pain but it was just sometimes, considering it Was near the stitches I thought it hurt there because that is close where the doctor removed the stomach and manouver everything from that side. Weeks past by and the pain dissapeared. And yesterday 19 days after my surgery here I come again with the same pain but now is super strong I would say 8 from 1-10 or sometimes 9/10. It’s horrible if I bend, If i turn, if I twist and I have to walk like huntchback because if I put straight hurts more!!!! The doctor told me it’s normal, that the abdominal wall is healing and bla bla bla... but is it really? Don’t get me wrong doctors know a lot... but i hate that for them always always is normal unless you have fever or kind of dying.. so please guide me. Oh the pain is like someone is pulling me from the inside.😭

:clap2: Weight hit 279:clap2: still dropping. 10/26/06 320/279/210

I thought this rule was funny - but I have to say, it's not an issue because I simply cannot drink after a meal. And if I drink within 10 minutes of eating, you can bet I will see it again. If I drink when I am eating, it hurts. If I drink to soon after, it comes back up. Doesn't take any discipline for me - it's simply not possible. But, my band is TIIIIIGGGGHHHTTTT.

When first making the decision to open up to the tool of bariatric surgery I simply assumed that the sleeve would be the procedure that I preferred. This was due to having the full run of my plumbing and perceived ability to eat the foods I wanted, but restrict the amounts. Seemed simple. My younger sister had bypass 15 years ago and I just didn't think that "aggressive" a procedure would be needed for me. After all.....I've lost large amounts of weight in the past through diet and exercise....I just needed a little help......or so I was believing. My physician who was discussing this with me eased me into the conversation and led me to find my way to the surgeon I've selected. I've been to his group presentation.....the first required step. Even after listening to my sister and seeing her progress.......for 15 years......and for secretly thinking in some small way that she took the easy way out.........I didn't "get" it. That presentation really altered my thinking about restrictive and absorptive restriction. I realized in that group session my "hero" status as the big brother doing it on his own......over and over again......was a stupid cycle. I needed to get all the help available.....every tool in the toolbox to get the lifelong results I strived for. Dr Carlson addressed the full room and fielded every question asked. An hour went by....then more.......he'd long since made his informative presentation.....yet stayed to discuss our concerns. A lot of "ah-ha" moments were had. I heard the lady seated behind me speak to her friend, "The sleeve is what will work best for me". My wife, seated beside me, was quiet. She reserved her comments until much later when we were driving home. She proceeded carefully fearing that she knew my mind had already been made up on the sleeve. It was a relief to her when I acknowledged that I felt I needed the bypass.......like my brave little sister did so many years ago.....doing her own research.....as a young woman on her own.......when most folks hadn't heard of such. One of my issues is reoccurring reflux. Some nights it can be really bad. It subsided greatly once I completely cut out alcohol from my intake on April 2, 2015. Back in early April of this year I'd begun resuming the fight to loose my weight. I'd taken evaluation of my current state of living. I loved to grill out.........really loved it. It is therapeutic. I loved to crack open a cold beer and fire up the coals. More beer throughout the cooking and serving everyone had me relaxed and happy. After dinner, I'd normally get drowsy due to several beers......then it'd be time to hit a couple tequila shooters and another beer......or a rum & diet coke or two. I'd get my relaxed and happy state back. It was clear which non-essential calories to drop first......cut out the beer and liquor along with seriously revising the menu on my plate. Guess what.....these were the nights the reflux was bad. Drinking + spicy food (the only kind off my grill ) = reflux. I discussed this "revelation" with my wife. She pointed out a few times since when I'd complained of reflux....since I'd cut out alcohol. I realized she was right......it was still occurring but less often. I have decided that I'd prefer the bypass.......but don't even know yet if I'm approved for it. The waiting and suspense of insurance is driving me nuts. Don't get me wrong.....I'm glad the procedure isn't something as easy to get as a bad tattoo.......but I wish it was more straightforward from the insurance company standpoint. Down the road the results I get from the bariatric will certainly lessen the costs I'd otherwise pose to them, right ? Sorry for the rambling. I'm just eagerly impatient and ready to get this ball rolling in the direction that will lead to successful and long lasting health provided I continue to do my part. I'm checking stuff off the mandatory list at least.....and this website and the folks here are already helping me find answers to the tons of questions I have. My mandatory checklist: Attend the group session---done in early June. Meet with the bariatric program's & surgeon's nurse to review my case and 8 pages of medical Q&A i was to complete--done this past week. Meet with surgeon on official visit----scheduled for July 1. Meet with program's nutritional guru----first of the 6 visits is on July 7. This I understand will be the "start" date of the mandatory 6 month timeline to surgery. Meet with psyche guru----awaiting appointment scheduling now. Internal scope evaluation of stomach and other plumbing-------to be scheduled after visit with surgeon I still don't have any type of official indication that bypass is a covered procedure (United Healthcare). I don't know if I can hang on 6+ months before getting this latest umbilical hernia taken care of. I want to get on to eating the foods I'll be living by after the surgery......eat like I've had the surgery......begin accelerated weight loss now......not wait until the surgery. I just want to be sure that I can't lose "too much" on my own that the insurance balks and says, "No way buddy.....you got this.....do it yourself". I can do a lot off by myself.....but I fail to keep it off. I don't want to sabotage my chances for coverage. So many questions that I'm sure will be resolved and clear in the weeks ahead......it's just right now I want to get going with progress of some type......no matter if it's from bypass or from my jumping onboard with the new plan. The compelling reasons for the need to get going are probably no different than most other folks here: I'm having back spasms from reoccurring back injuries due to herniated T-12 vertebrae. Spine surgeon stated that bariatric surgeon can do more for my spine than he could with back surgery. Sounds legit. Umbilical hernia is driving me nuts. It's worsened when back goes out and my posture and such gets weird. Knees are shot....ortho doc says I need knee replacements sooner than later....he's saying 5 years tops.....plus hip, too. He also stated that 200 lbs off my frame would push those replacements back a long time. I already feel some benefit in my knees from the initial pounds coming off. Swelling in my ankles is greatly reduced. Sorry again for the rambling. I'm jittery after finishing up the last day of miracle steroids (4th round with them since April) on my back. The side effects are sleeplessness for me. I get jittery after the 6 day cycles. I'm hoping for a good long sleep later today....tonight. Aside from dropping the alcohol, fried food and reducing sugar & starch intake (doing these).........what can you advise me to do? What other dietary-related actions? Breakfast choices now are oatmeal (made with Water and small amount of salt) vs sausage biscuits and such. lunch & dinner has me eating lots of salads. Snacks are nuts, fruits like blueberries and apples and occasional whole grain toast with small amount of health choice butter substitute or Greek Yogurt. Drinking tons of water. 40oz of coffee every day during the first portion of the day......a lot, I know. I use nonfat creamer and Splenda or Equal (10 packs for 40oz coffee). I'm still having 2-3 20oz Diet Mt. Dew's every day. Sounds like a ton....but it's way down over the number I used to drink. I go to one a day on days off....but do poorly during workdays. No more drive thru's and only salads from fast food restaurants. What else should I be doing? Should I order the "Big Book on Bypass" and get started on it ??????? Stir crazy and tired of my 46 years of fat fighting. 5 years ago I burned off 120 and felt like a new man.......still have many of the 2X & 3X clothes. I saved most of them.....refusing to toss them due to that being symbolic of me throwing away my hope of wearing them again. I lost that weight.....but failed to keep it off. The brief period at that reduced weight was enough of a taste of healthier living that I have craved ever since. Virtually painfree and full of energy. Leaner.......able to wear my old high school letterman's jacket and button it up......too small still, but at least it would button up. Another 100 pounds off that and I feel like i'd be walking around feeling like a Gazillion dollar lottery winner. I may never get a winning lottery ticket.....but I'll be supremely happy to get 200 lbs off........and MAINTAIN that level. So ready to get this machine krunk up and in gear and burn some rubber down the track. This waiting is like sitting there with the engine revving up but the parking brake locked in place...........

No one but your surgeon can answer that... He may oversew, which would bring the size down.. my surgeon said that some docs cut close to the bougie, others loose, some oversew, others don't.. so the size of the bougie does not tell the whole story. My doc used a 36, over sewed, and left the Pylorus end loose to avoid potential problems. I have never had any problems eating what I want, or vomiting after eating... I don't lose super fast, but steady. I have read one study that said that the amount of fundus cut off during the surgery (to the patients in the study) did not predict weight loss. see page 10 for study, it has to do with fundus size, content voiding speed and weightloss with the sleeve... Sleeve Gastrectomy Abstracts-1.pdf

Hi again! Thank goodness for these boards because I feel like I'm literally starting all over again. I researched WLS 10 years ago, found the Lapband, was able to get it covered by my insurance (after only 5 months of it being FDA approved). I lost about 100 lbs. over the course of 4-5 years. For a variety of reasons including having 2 difficult pregnancies, being on bed rest for 5 months, reflux and a completely unfilled band, I have regained about 70 lbs. In addition, 6 weeks ago I had my port replaced since it had been giving me lots of problems - it was flipped and difficult to access. When I went for my first fill after the surgery the dr. realized that my esophagus is dilated and my stomach is beginning to come up over the band - all bad news. Anyway - he left me unfilled for 8 weeks to see if my band, tummy, etc. will cooperate. In all honestly, I don't care if it does because I've pretty much had it with my band. I loved it for the first 5 or so years, and really appreciated it for the tool that it was. But now I'm so ready to have a procedure where I don't have to have fills, adjustments, PBs, etc. I do not want the RNY mainly because I know a few people who've had it and have pretty much been able to "eat around" it. I am also severely anemic so the malabsorption would be a problem for me. My doctors are trying to talk me into the RNY or the sleeve, which my insurance will pay for. I am definitely leaning towards the Plication. I've spoken w/ Dr. Rod's Belite team and so far, I like what I've heard. I'm also considering Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon and of course, Dr. Corvala. I have lots of experience w/ Dr. C because he has done lots of my millions (j/k) of band adjustments! Anyway - I'm doing so much research I'm starting to become obsessed... Just wanted to share my story and let you all know I really appreciate your stories and thoughts. If anyone has had surgery with any of the doctors I mentioned, please let me know how your experience was. Thanks! genepha

Most doctors will tell you it depends on you. I went back to work 4 days later after my Gastric Sleeve. I wanted to go back the next day but my parents were having a hissy fit so I stayed home. I sit all day at my current job. My doctor said it was fine for me to go back as long as I didn't lift anything over 10 lbs., got up and moved at least every ½ hour and made sure I sipped my water as prescribed.

Everyone is different I lost 10 lbs.