Search the Community

Hi , I'm Kim and I was banded 9/19/07 in Mexico....I'm 4 weeks out from surgery and over 21 :clap2:pounds lighter.... :whoo::whoo::whoo:

Congrats Melissa and Judy! It sounds like all of us 10/16 bandsters that have checked in so far have done well! I posted my story on the "Banded....check in here thread" so check it out. I will be thinking about each of you as you go through this journey. I'm so glad we have each other!

This is my 4th day post-op. Yesterday I tried to get down with 60g of protein. I made it to about 10. The acid reflux is killing me and I just couldn't keep going. I used to always hate feeling of having nothing but protein shakes. They taste good, but the after-feeling/taste in my mouth is awful. Anyone got advice for that. Going to try to hit 30g protein today.

Hello, I'm new to this forum, really regret not knowing it was here since I've been dealing with issues for years and procrastinating about dealing with it. SO hopeful someone here has some suggestions, guidance, reassurance and/or will kick my ass to get me moving. Some details are fuzzy, forgive those please. Brief history: I got my band in August 2002 in Chicago, just a couple months after discovering it existed. Lost 20 pounds pre-op with excitement and restricted liquid diet. I had a hernia removed at the same time so I spent one night in the hospital and my recovery was slow. Did quite well with the band, not remembering the specific details about the weight loss timing, specific fills, etc., except I was super involved with the Bandster forums on yahoo for quite some time. Made some good friends there, did soup nights (do they still have those?), gave away tons of clothes, even traveled to Vegas for a gathering (solo!!) and CA to visit with a group of friends. All told I probably lost almost 40 pounds post band (and AFTER the initial 20 were lost). After a few months, maybe 8-10, I found the heartburn pretty significant. I was prescribed prevacid and advised not to eat at night, etc. DUH. Began to eat soft stuff around the band. Lots of ice cream. :-( Just hated that eating hurt so much. After about a year, maybe 18 months, I stopped "using" my band. Didn't get it filled, checked, etc. Occasionally felt it giving me some restriction, but otherwise I pretty much ignored it. Took my prevacid, suffered sort of average heartburn and pain in my esophagus, and pretty much ignored it all. Regained probably 35 of the 40 pounds I'd lost. Carried on, dieted occasionally, life went on. Several (maybe 5) years ago, because of my age and a few other reasons, I went off my birth control pills. Since that time, with dieting, adoption of a dog who forces me to walk daily, etc., I have managed to get down about 30 pounds, and am about 30 pounds from what I'd call my goal. HOWEVER, since going off the pill especially, I have had SERIOUS pain in my esophagus, my chest when food seems to just sit there, PBing (is that term still used? puking what was just eaten). Like the band had been magically filled. I attributed this to my menstrual cycle (sorry men) somehow being different due to being off the pill. In the past year to two, I feel like I'm in pain pretty much all the time, 24/7, with occasional exceptions. I KNOW I need to have this looked at and dealt with, I am just so afraid that I'll learn (a) there's tissue been growing over the band/port and it'll be major surgery to take it out and/or ( that I've done irreparable damage to my esophagus. Sometimes even water hurts when I drink it. Sometimes breathing deeply can do it though this is really rare. Could be totally unrelated but it FEELS like I've burned a hole into my esophagus and I'm petrified of what is coming next. The doctor who placed my band is no longer in Chicago I'm told. (He was one of the early pioneers/researchers and I have no problem with him or even the practice he created.) I have decent insurance but don't know if I should find another lapband surgeon who places to see if it should be taken out, do I look for a GI surgeon, someone unrelated to the band? Back in the day docs only operated and did maintenance with patients they had treated, finding docs to treat Mexico patients with fills even was impossible. OK. So that's my long-winded story. I'm no longer beating myself up about messing up with the band because after 5 years of physical pain that hurts enough LOL. I come from a family of major overreactors (calling the dr with a sniffle, twinge, etc.) so that's a big part of why I put this off I think. Any heartfelt words of wisdom? I'm hoping not to get flamed for my own role in this and just get some positive and constructive sugggestions, ideas, etc. Thank you.

@@amytug welcome back! I remember you. Good for you for getting back on track. Life has a way of derailing us, for sure. I've never actually reached goal, but it is because I'm too stubborn to just adjust the goal. I really wanted to hit a normal BMI, but that might not even be a good goal for me. I'm in a size 8, and look and feel great (if I do say so myself ). So, I just never change that number, and I think if I went back eating 900 calories I could get there, but not sure it's that realistic. I am working hard enough to maintain this - losing another 10 or 15 pounds just isn't worth it to me! I'm 52 and look better than most people my age. I also had a lot of plastics in the last year, starting at about 18 months post op. Right behind the gastric sleeve, those procedure were one of the best things I've ever done!

I have not had a leak from a sleeve but I had a very serious lapband erosion (nearly killed me). Since then I am trying to get sleeved and have been keeping track of folks who have had complications in case I need their help in the future. Below is the list. You might want to contact them directly if you have any questions. Started May 1, 2011 1. Sandyd – infection from surgery (Reno) (VS Talk) 2. MeMeMEEE – leak (twice) (VS Talk) 3. Driver63 – leak 4. Tiffykins – leak (band revision) 5. Hansi – stomach ruptured 6. Dishdiva – leaks (Mexico) 7. YellowRose – infected incision (Mexico) & drain tube infection 8/5/11 8. Mommyinneed – seroma turned abscess (Mexico) 9. Sexypeaches33 – pancreatitis (Mexico) then gastritis 10. DivaDee84 – Infected incision (Mexico) leak (still @ seven months) 11. Honeyrubybee – splenic infarction 12. TKDBlackbelt15 (fiancee) – leak 13. Rblessed – leak 14. Jen Jen – leak (Mexico) 15. Ladiesassie – nicked liver (didn’t follow pre-op diet) 16. Moore37042 – leak 17. Jagator88 – leak & esophagus was destroyed and had to be rebuilt from muscle (Mexico) 18. Jsfound – leak (VS Talk) 19. Leisa815 – leak (VS Talk) 20. Jasleeve – leak 21. Joseph – leak Kuwait (VS Talk) 22. Peachqueen – leak (VS Talk) 23. Jcarelle – leak (VS Talk) 24. Jerseygirl74 – leak & spleen infarction (VS Talk) 25. Happylife – stricture (had a stent like a leak) (VS Talk) 26. Kookia – leak (VS Talk) 27. Nanaof5 – spleen infarction (VS Talk) 28. Jencomenz – spleen infarction (VS Talk) 29. Honeybunnyslp – spleen infarction (VS Talk) 30. Neese – spleen infarction (VS Talk) 31. Bedhead – erosion (ulcer) caused by an infection (VS Talk) 32. Donniej – leak (band revision) (VS Talk) 33. DogBone (wife’s cousin) – leak, tracheostomy, induces coma (Brazil) DIED 34. 4ALongerLife – leak 35. Minaleigh – twisted stomach, needed a stent 36. Mews – infected incision and blood clot 37. Laura74 – (husband, OH) stomach started to close up so had a stent (stricture?) 38. Victoria28 – leak (ThinnerTimes) 39. Happylife – twisted stricture (VS Talk) 40. P77tmy – blood clots (VS Talk) 41. CrazyCatLady – blood clot (VS Talk) 42. Karlij – leak (Obesity Help) 43. 1maryreigel – swollen 44. Gigglee – open wound? Vst 45. Twistedkitten25 – internal bleeding and abscess 46. Shane5958 – blood abscess 47. Cookies – blood clot 48. Wendyr – spleen infarction, leak, pneumonia (punctured lung when placing drain for leak) 49. Stephwb – leak 50. Irishgirlparisi – UTI (foley catheter) & MRSA from JP tube (Thinner Times) 51. Heidi P – leak (Obesity Help) 52. Moxy – leak (Obesity Help) 53. Cthompson580 – leak (Obesity Help) 54. Jsd2 – very sick also had blood clots, heart palpitations (VS Talk) 55. Abbybeep – stricture w/in first five days (VS Talk) 56. Lulugirl – bacterial infection & possible stricture (VS Talk) 57. Ready2Bthin – acid refluc & wasn’t able to get protein/vitamins in, developed problem w/balance & walking (VS Talk) 58. RawrrAshleex3 – leak (VS Talk) 59. Candice1222 – leak (VS Talk) 60. Cat_woman – leak (Obesity Help)

I meet with the NUT on Tuesday 10/23. Their literature says its a 2 week Protein liquid diet - so I'm not sure if it's 100% liquid or if I get 1 regular meal with chicken & veggies. I'm going to assume the worst (100% liquid) so if I do actually get a meal I'll be thrilled.

Thatgurl Were you by any chance at the Kaiser (Towson MD) class on 10/27/10? I am also in my 4th month and our last class was on sipping and chewing LOL. Mary

Hello, I just had my first consult with the surgeon I've chosen to due my VSG surgery. He was very encouraging and staff were very kind. I'm still a little scared to have surgery again, but I'm 38 with a 10 year old daughter and I need to set a great example for her. I've been over weight most of my life, I lost 115 lbs when I was 20 yrs old due to a eating disorder, after years of therapy I now have a handle on food for the most part. My story became crazy when I found out while pregnant that I had Thyroid disease I refused to take any medication until my daughter was born it took me six years to get pregnant and I was not taking any chances. After her birth I weighed 315 lbs and my weight loss journey started all over again. After lossing 65lbs the only way I new how not eating I've been stuck between 250-265 for 10 years. So, surviving cancer and a complete hysteratomy I'm ready to take the journey that comes with weight loss surgery. Sorry for the long post I just wanted to provide a summary of where I've been.

No, I havent been taking anything like that mainly because I didn't think it was related to acid. Maybe it is, it just mostly reminds me of hunger pangs. Strange. I wish they let me start mushies on day 10! I wonder why there are such differing recommendations from doctors.

Hi HalfbellaMy surgery date is May 19, 2014!!!!!! Literally understand what you went through as I too started this process in. November 2013. I did all prerequisites needed including the 6 month supervised diet, BTW I got lucky I was approved in month 5!!!! I felt like I was bothering the program coordinator; I would email her every week! She was nice; I think! Lol I start my pre-op diet Monday the 5th ! Tuesday the 6th I have pre-operative testing for surgery and pre-operative class for b-4 & after surgery. I think at that point it will finally sink in, that it's really happening! I'm looking forward to following all of "my fellow #MAY19ers" journeys!!!!

Congrats !!I'm also a May 19 surgery !!!

I am still sitting at 10 pounds away from my goal. The goal was kind of arbitrary on my part. I may stop when I lose another 5. I haven't lost any for a month - with the holidays, a 3 day trip to a family funeral out of state, and now a really bad cold/respiratory infection - I haven't been my most diligent. My goal is really the same as you. I want to wear 10/12's and medium tops. I am 5'4" and that bone size test said I had small bones. My bone structure isn't really small - like some members of the family - but it is on the smallish side I guess. I am broad shouldered, not very buxom (a C cup) am pretty straight up and down from the waist to the hips, and have a flat butt. I said I wanted to weigh 135 dressed on the doctor's scale - right now I would weigh right around 145 on his scale. If I don't lose any more before my annual date (2/22) and I have been diligent with my food and exercising six days a week, I may come to the conclusion I need to stop where I am. I know I would lose the 5-10 pounds I want to lose if I could get rid of the excess skin around my waist, belly and bat-wings. Are you considering plastic surgery at all?

Congratulations!! Keep up the good work! Jess...Surgiversary 9/19/12

I am two weeks post op. Down 27 lbs. went back to work today. Work in an orthopedic office placing casts, splints and braces on patients. Gotta a little winded, arms are sore and was a little low on energy a couple times today. Had help and am glad I did!!! My surgeon said that soft, scrambled eggs, refried beans, smooth peanut butter and grits are fine on my plan now. I was one week clear liquids, one week full liquid and purée /soft foods. He said to start reprogramming my chewing mechanism. Question is what else would be appropriate during this time? I have no NUT so I am relying heavily on you all. I also asked him how I was eating 1/2 cup at a meal (eaten with 10 min) and able to sip water afterwards and he said he made my sleeve about the size of a plantain. He said not to worry so much on tablespoons and amounts but again to relearn my chewing mechanism.

And you don't feel badly afterwards, 10 times easier than a root canal, and you don't leave afterwards with swollen Beaver Cheeks. Thinking back, I really am glad I no longer have real teeth, dentists kept doing them on me, maybe because my parents and later hubby had good dental insurance, but they did not benefit me the rest of my life. Curious, my cousin Rodger and I , 3 days apart in age, born at the end of WW II , our mama's had good healthy farm food, with rationing they could not get sugars and other bad - for- you stuff. We should have had wonderful strong teeth, neither of us did! Even the locale where we were incubated had natural flouridation, teeth were a little mottled but not all that strong. Probably had first filling at 3 years, and neither of us ever drank formula bottles, well I did a little because Mama's doctor didn't believe in thin babies, but she brushed my teeth as soon as I got them at 5 months. Doesn't make sense, does it?

I am also 10 days out today. Ironic because I started at 225 and I weighed 212 on the scale today too. Lol! Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Band-RNY revision age 49 5'4" Starting weight: 260 Surgery weight: 244, Current weight 140.2 Pre-op-16lbs (size 18/20) M1-16lbs (size 18) M2-15.6lbs (size 16/18) M3-10lbs (size 16) M4-11.4lbs (size 14) M5-10.8lbs (size 12) M6-8.4 (size 8/10) M7-6.4 (size 8...165.4 lbs) M8-11.6 (size 6...153.8) M9-5.6 (size 4/6...148.2) M10-5.8 (size 4....142.4)

10 days postop is still super early. You probably did a bit too much, and might have needed to "eat" or drink.

Hi There! I started with a BMI of 53. It was reccomended to me to also have the bypass, but felt uncomfortable with that surgery and my surgeon agreed to support me with the band. I had my surgery 3/10/10 at 360 (5'9" 44 year old female) with no pre-op diet. One year later I was down almost 100 pounds and then went to a total stall and did not loose anything for 3 months. The scale is now moving downwards and I am down to 249 (-111lbs). It has not been easy and there are ups and downs. Will I ever be skinny? I do not know - but I came into this journey with very realistic expectations. I wanted to be off all meds (High Blood Pressure, Nexium), be healthy (I now walk 2 miles a day and nolonger huff and puff with regular life activities) be able to shop in a regular sized store (not there yet, but down from a 34 to a 20/22) and just feel better about myself. My goal for now is 200 but would really like to get down to 175. Can I do it - you bet - can you? - 100%! Good luck and enjoy the journey!

I didn't know anyone made a list! I am on it too. Twice actually. I had a twisted stricture. Same sort of treatment as a leak. Happylife. I was most unable to work for months. I dont know the total cost of treatment. Would be scared to even guess. The facility that did my surgery covered the costs. God bless them. I went from Aug 10/2011 to Dec 24/2011 without eating and at times keeping down only some liquids. Long periods no liquids either. I had 8 dilations, 4 operations, 2 feeding tubes through my noes, stent placement, and than removal from migration. Than I had a unheard of fix. Called Stictureplasty. After the Sleeve healed for a long period of time they cut the twisted stricture out and put the two parts of the sleeve back together. And crossed fingers for no leak. It worked! The reason I mention this to you is they told me if the scar tissue from the twisted stricture was soft chances would be better for no leak. As it is difficult to have scared tissue mend. Another thing is they gave me a J tube. It was a feeding tube that went directly into my tummy so that I didn't have to eat or drink while the revision surgery healed. I would do it all over believe it or not. I love my sleeve so much. For you it is a personal decision that only you can make. I wish you the best and happiness!

Take a moment and a few deep breathes, count to 10 and with each number you count say one reason why you want this after you get to 10 visualize the happiest moment in your life then you should know if you really want to have the surgery only you can make this decision. Many blessing with whatever you decide is best for you.

the nurse called me and left a voicemail 10 minutes ago!! and said that she got my message about the sleeve but she needs to confirm with my Surgeon first (WHICH MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS) not sure why if their in the same office. anyways! if they checked the notes from our last followup they would see that my Surgeon said either bypass or sleeve. lapband would be a waste of time. i have my followup with him on the 17th and that is when i get my surgery date. in a perfect world i want to be approved by Monday. my surgeons office has no doubts so they are ok with giving me a surgery date. <333 staying positive!!!!!

I wish I was at 100% too. I think I am around 75% as well. I still get tired quickly and don't have the energy to do much but i did go for a long walk this morning after sleeping for the first night since surgery 10 days ago and I think that helped a lot. I do feel hunger, especially in the mornings but I remember a lot of people saying a PPI seemed to help the hungry all the time feeling.

May 23rd my husband and I flew from our hometown to San Diego California. Arriving at 11:30 at night we decided to get a hotel at the Sheraton Hotel and Marina and wait till the following morning to begin our journey to mexico. The Sheraton was only a couple of blocks away from the airport. The rooms were nice and the beds were comfortable. About an hour after we arrived and were settled in our hotel room I received a call from Omar (Dr. Kelly's Coordinator). He was checking to make sure that our flight had arrived and to let us know that Cecy (Doctor Kelly's wife) would be picking us up at 11:00 a.m. The following morning we check out of our hotel room and waited in the lobby for Cecy to pick us up. She arrived around 11:40 a.m. in a white passenger van and picked us up. She was a little late but Omar kept in contact with us on her where abouts, so I was not concerned. Cecy was extremely nice and accomodating. 20 mintues later we were at the Mexican border. The van was searched at the border by the mexican border patrol. We didn't have to show our ID's to enter Mexico. As soon as we were through the border, we were off to the Oasis Hospital to meet Omar and Dr. Kelly. Once we arrived at the hospital we were greeted by Omar and he escorted us to the admission personal of the hospital. Dr Kelly was waiting for us in the lobby of the hospital. Check in was a breeze, only taking about 10 minutes. After we were admitted to the hosptial Dr. Kelly and Omar escorted us to our room and the testing began immediately. (Chest X-Ray, EKG, Urine Sample, and Blood Samples) Many Doctors and staff came in my room and introduced themselves. Xochilt was my first nurse at the Oasis, she was very nice and helpful. She was able to answer most of my questions, however she spoke very little english. She was able to start my IV with no problems. After all of my questions and concerns were answered by the hosptial staff and Doctor Kelly, I was ready for surgery!