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When I had my consult, the Dr said he had done some together but the risks for complications are higher. The area where the band was becomes fibrous and more difficult to suture. After having a few leaks, he has stopped doing them in one procedure.

That is kind of my point though. People just talk about complication, weight loss, and healthy life style changes. No one ever really talks about emotional or identity issues that don't involve breaking up your marriage, or transfer addictions. It is all the same old thing you can just read about.

I didn't have the same complications or the same issues with sipping, but I wanted to say I'm sorry you're struggling. I would also think that it's related to your other complications - I'm sure you're healing a bit more slowly. I'd get in touch with my surgeon if you continue to have such problems, especially because you run the risk of dehydration. I'd hate to see you wind up in the hospital with more issues! Take it easy, and I hope that it gets better. I wish I could help. ~Cheri

Had a complicated RNY on March 3rd. Doctor repaired multiple hernias, abrasions, and scar tissue as well as had to remove part of my stomach. Pain is pretty isolated to my packed wound (from where he removed my stomach). Looking forward to having a community that has gone through this at the same time.

If you don't read the complication threads you likely won't read that people have regrets. I had serious complications that almost killed me. I am left with a stomach so small we're talking about adding a feeding tube so I can take in enough calories to live. Yes I have major regrets. Stupidest thing I've ever done in my life. I know another woman who is facing a rare complication that is forcing her to gain weight or die. Seriously, she will die without gaining weight again. Another who has long term heart damage because of the surgery. Lots of regrets out there. IF you are having this surgery you need to be sure you understand that the risks are very high. The numbers are low but the risks are not simple little issues like an extra week in bed. They are life threatening in almost every case.

The pain after surgery is fairly bad for 3 or 4 days. But it's not unbearable. I was never nauseous except immediately after surgery in the hospital and they gave me meds for that. The surgery is easy and quick, I was home the same day. For me, I'm 4 months out, I've lost 48lbs. I've NEVER had any food get stuck. My appetite is gone. (doesn't meanI don't WANT food, but I'm never hungry) I was more scared when I read this board.. But it really is different for everyone. The way people use the tool is different for everyone... I would say if you can commit yourself to changing your eating habits then go for it, if you can stick to a 1200 calorie diet then go for it. If you still want to eat junk food all the time and expect to lose weight, forget it. It's still essentially a diet, you eat the wrong things you won't lose weight, that doesn't mean occasionally you can't have a cookie. But everything in moderation. I'm not worried about complications right now. I will cross that bridge if I get to it. It's a fairly safe operation, SO many of them have been done. The technology has improved over the years.

I'm two weeks out and not sorry... but there are some here who ARE sorry. There ARE some people who have tough recoveries. There are some who experience leaks. There was recently a forum member who passed away from a blood clot. NOW, did this stop me? NO. Surgery is a risk, but at my BMI and quality of life, I knew that the benefits by FAR outweighed the risks. I did everything I could to mitigate the risks and went into surgery happy and without fear, trusting in my surgeon. This is a relatively low risk procedure and there are AMAZING benefits to having it.. but there are still risks... VSG has about the same complication rate as getting your gallbladder out, most people wouldn't think twice about getting their gallbladder out.

I am 35 years old, and I had the sleeve done on March 5th. When I went in to the program (October 31, 2014), my weight was 529lbs. When I started the four week pre-op diet (Feb. 5, 2015), I was 517. On surgery day I was 480 and today, a week and a half later I am 467. An astonishing loss in a relatively short period of time, and is (according to my surgeon) not the norm. I am thrilled, though. I have had zero complications. No nausea, no vomiting, no cramping and most of all, no pain. I was completely off of the narcotic pain killers within 36 hours of surgery, and have been able to take in every last bit of liquids and Protein that my surgeon requests. I consider myself very fortunate that I have had no difficulty compared to others. I firmly believe that recovery is 20% physical and 80% mental, or at least it has been for me. If you get in to the mindset that VSG is a tool that you will be able to use to get healthy and to lead a much longer, fuller life, then you will not only be able to do it, but to succeed. VSG has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Good luck to you.

Dear NAK77BRR, First of all, let me offer you my sympathies on your Mom passing away. My Mom is also one of my best friends. She is 90 now, and although still healthy and in her own home, I know she won't be around forever. I dread the day she is no longer there for me! Secondly, Congratulations on making a life changing choice! Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is truly a Life Changer! I was overweight ALL my life! I have been to every weight loss group, taken part in every new program, tried EVERY diet ever published in the Women's magazines. In short, I have DONE IT ALL (several times!), and NEVER with any lasting success! I joined (and when I got bored, quit) Weight Watchers 17 times! Every single time I lost at least 40-60 pounds. But every time when I quit, I gained it all back, plus a couple more pounds. It was so frustrating. I went from being mildly overweight (5'7" and 175 lbs) to being morbidly obese (258 lbs) after about 35 years of weight loss efforts. I thought about getting skinny 24/7. It consumed me, but I was always paralyzed with inaction. I could never really take a step towards doing something permanent. Finally I needed surgery for a hernia, and went to my 1st cousin, who is a general surgeon, but has had bariatric surgery himself. He is now specializing in bariatric surgery, specifically Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomies. When he was getting ready to do my hernia repair I asked him how hard it would be to slip a Lap Band in while he was repairing the hernia. He told me he didn't do Lap Bands anymore. He gave me all the stats about how they didn't have a very good success rate long term. He told me about VSG and highly suggested it. Unfortunately, my insurance wouldn't pay $0.01 towards bariatric surgery. So even though Steve (my cousin) offered to do my surgery free of charge, I chose to go to Mexico to have it done. (I would still have had to pay for hospital and anesthesia charges myself, which he estimated would be $15-20,000!) So off to Mexico I went last summer (June 18th) where I underwent a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Although my hospital experience was not perfect, I have had fantastic results (and no complications)! Just last week (or maybe it was the week before) I hit the 100 pounds lost mark. I have another 8-18 pounds to loose to reach my goal. Originally I wanted to weigh around 150, now I am thinking of adjusting my goal downwards to 140. (Currently weigh 158 lbs) I too was a boarderline diabetic. I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, was on anti-inflammatories for my joint aches and pains, bad environmental allergies, horrible fatigue, my life just sucked! When I was 47 I had to have a total hip replacement because I had worn out my right hip socket. My surgeon said if was largly due to being overweight my entire life. (Thankfully my left hip is healthy!) My knees were getting bad, and I was afraid that bilateral knee replacement was in my near future! Since the surgery and my weight loss, I am off my cholesterol meds, I am no longer boarderline diabetic (off that medication), my blood pressure is normal (off that medication), my joints don't ache all the time, (off the anti-inflammatory medication). And for some strange reason, my allergies are SO much improved. I quit taking my sinus meds and using the nasal spray that I used for the environmental allergies. I feel so much better, Have tons of energy, and can't tell you how much my life has improved. When I was discussing with my husband why I wanted to proceed with the surgery, I told him I wanted to be healthier, to live longer. (He was AGAINST the surgery 100%!) I told him looking better was just "frosting on the cake". (His argument against the surgery is that he loved me no matter how I looker.) But I have to say, it is Tasty Frosting!!! I LOVE being able to shop in any department store for clothes. I love clothes and I love dressing nice and looking good! I also love that I no longer am limited to shopping in Lane Bryant, Catherine's, Fashion Bug and Dress Barn. I go to all the trendy stores and love it that I can fit into a regular size! Never in my life have I been able to do that before! It is SUCH a HIGH!!! I can't stop looking in the mirror, and it never ceases to thrill me how I look now! I have to admit, there are down sides to being a smaller size. I gave away most of the clothes that were to big for me. I am now at a point where I am going to have to give my clothes to Goodwill, or find smaller friends, as I am smaller than all my friends, and have no one left to give my clothes to as I continue to lose! Also, I am a cheap date. We used to go to Sam's Club or costco on Saturday mornings for our groceries and then out to lunch. Now when Bill and I go shopping at Sam's or Costco, I only need six to eight bites of the samples they are giving away, and I am full. So when he wants to impress me, Bill takes me to Sam's on Saturday morning and feeds me their sample bites. After that I am to full to go out for lunch! Have also found out that I can't drink as much alcohol as I could pre op. I have to limit myself to one glass of wine or one mixed drink. So am REALLY a cheap date! Seriously, I think you are making a wonderful choice for a healthier life style. Best of luck to you. Please continue to frequent this web site and post how you are doing. Everybody here is great at cheering you on, offering encouragement and advice when you need it. Looking forward to Welcoming you to The Loser's Bench! (Sorry this turned into such a long epistle!) Again, welcome and Congratulations! Kathy D (alias Helen the Cat)

Feeling nervous for my 1st day back @ work tomorrow. I'm still struggling with eating, so I'm taking a "lunch" with enuf items for the week- but am planning on doing my protein shake around lunchtime (which is what I did pre-surgery) & having meal # 2 when i get home around 3. very very few people know about my surgery-I went with the gallbladder cover. & everyone knows I workout alot ( I'm even planning on changing @ work for the gym) I've put some thought even into what I'm wearing tomorrow- I don't want to accentuate that I've lost weight (soooo weird to say that) but I just don't want to deal with nosy people. Ive always been ultra sensitive about my weight & this has been emotional, especially dealing with complications. I'm looking forward to beginning counseling to get a handle on the mental battles. But just had to vent about my pre-work jitters! (not to mention, it's that time of the month-lol) wish me luck!!!

Hello everyone, I am scheduled to have my sleeve in September with Dr. Aceves. I have read that most people are different in taking time off, depending on how they feel, etc. I have taken 2 weeks of vacation off from my job, however I have short term disability insurance and they told me that if the doctor says I need more time off, etc that I will be paid for up to a year. (This is good to know, god forbid if any complications happen, etc.) What I wanted to know is, if you werent in a rush to return to work, what reasonable amount of time do you think would be appropriate to take off. I am thinking more along the lines of 4 weeks to allow my body to heal, learn how to eat, etc. Also, for those of you that used Dr. Aceves, do you all think that he would sign my form for me to get 4 weeks off? Im not trying to abuse time off but I work as a nurse and I also work long days and the demands of the job can be very challenging, I just dont want to push myself (especially since my job understands that I am having some type of surgery, they wont fire me or anything like that--of course they cant anyway but im just curious to get some responses. Thanks a million everyone

It's been four months today since I had band to sleeve revision. After a complicated surgery and a rough recovery I was feeling really good. I've lost 72 pounds, have lots of energy and best of all, I haven't been in any pain. Fibro was a huge part of my life prior to surgery and honestly, after surgery I haven't had any fibro pain. However, the past 10 days have been very reminiscent of the pain I had experienced before. I know I'm walking much more and am more active than I have been in years. Maybe the increased activity is causing a fibro flare up, I don't know. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

I took a 3 driving hour trip about a week after surgey. It was ok. I didn't drive of course, and I had to wear the belly wrap, and we had to stop a time or two more than usual, but there were not complications. Everyone is diifferent though, some heal quicker than others. I would ask your surgeon and then wait and see how you feel that day. If you decide to go, I would suggest taking the belly wrap and your pain meds just in case, and maybe a memory foam pillow.

I know it's hard to resist counting calories, but honestly in the early days don't stress about it. I did my journals to track protein as usual. First couple of weeks I was probably around 600 a day. That's all I could manage. Mainly stuck to yogurts, protein shakes, and the early soft foods allowed on my plan. If you're info is accurate it looks like you're only about a week out from sugery? Seriously that's way to early to be stressing about the weight coming off. Getting healed up is priority #1. The weight will come off. Your body has been through a helluva a lot so be patient with it. You're also at a bit lower weight than a lot of others. It's just the nature of the beast. It always seems that weight comes off quicker in the beginning for those that weigh more. Focus on the basics right now. Don't think of your walks as exercise to lose weight. It's to get you up and moving and help the healing process. You got all the time in the world coming up to fine tune your diet and exercise program. I had complications after surgery which made for a very long 2 weeks after surgery. Don't push yourself too hard because it isn't worth risking any setbacks. In time you'll get your calories up, and you're right that you will need to. If they're too low your body will resist wanting to shed weight. I hit a stall for about a week or two in the early months and found that actually increasing my calories helped get the weight coming off again. That being said we're all different. Keep doing a food journal because that will give you something to go back and look at and help figure out what is and isn't working for you. In a few weeks you'll have a lot more options and you'll be feeling way better. The time right after surgery is tough physically as well as mentally. The mental part is what a lot of us weren't fully prepared for. Give it some time and it will all be good!

I had my band removed at 25 BMI due to complications... a slipped band (twice), acid reflux, Gerd and pain. However, I did not qualify for a revision since my BMI was so low and my sleep apnea went away. Since the removal I have gained all my weight back and more due to medical issues and medication I'm on. I am now at a 36 BMI and reapplied for a revision but my old insurance denied it 3 times stating it was not medically necessary although I regained, BMI is over 36 and sleep apnea returned. I went through the process over and over, classes, paperwork, dr appts you name it and although my band was removed due to medical necessity I struggled to finally get the revision approved. Point is you may have a difficult time getting a revision approved if you are at a low BMI.

So is it all worth it in your opinion? It seems like no one really regrets doing it even if they have complications. I think there are very few who ultimately, seriously regret it. I was fortunate enough to not have any negative effects so its easy for me to say it is beyond worth it. I think that we tend to focus on the things that could happen, as if it was maybe easier to talk ourselves out of the surgery if it sounds like there is too much of a risk. Not saying people don't have bad experiences, it is certainly possible, but I think the positive experiences far outweigh the bad. The thing with the bad experiences is that you hear them very loud, very frequently. You hear positive stories too, but how many people who had a wonderful experience don't go online and tell their story? They might not even give it another thought and continue on. so you may only be hearing a lot of the bad stuff. Either way, most only regret waiting so long.

Well I finally was sleeved on September 4 2012. At first I thought surgery was a success with no complication. Wellll needless to say I am still hospitalized. I did developed blood clots in my lungs and now going through all that. Hardest part is my daughter cries at night for me and I cry for her. But I have actually exercised for the first time in a long time by walking the hallways while waiting to heal. I am officially off pain meds now for 2 days. AND they are also considering lowering my diabetic meds already. In all honesty the surgery is not bad at all. It is the aftermath to beware of. Hopefully I will be going home tomorrow and they did delivery my oxygen for home use for the time being. Hopefully it will be for a short time. Please keep me in your prayers that I do get to go home. 2 extra days stinks being in the hospital!!!!

Congratulations ChaChaBurch !!!!! I Hope to have the same experience you are having post surgery !! I am scheduled May 7th and I am so excited I am praying to have no complications and for this surgery to allow me a new outlook and start on life. Congratulations again : )

PBing or vomiting several times a week OR eating a little too much/fast and getting stuck once a day Which is worse in terms of risk for band complications?

I'm right there too! Monday morning-arrival at hospital 6am-I'm the docs first of the day! I'm worried about postop- you know, pain,nausea, complications. Trying to stay positive-it will all be worth it!

I had my surgery on 8/15 and so far I haven't had any complications. I would do it all over again.

Because some of us are coming from making the mistake of getting the lap band instead of the sleeve. I lost the weight with the band but urgently had to have it removed. I regret the lapband immensely! Would NEVER EVER recommend it to any one. That said.. I'm getting the sleeve prior to gaining all the weight back. There's no reason I should wait until I'm morbidly obese and then have my body have to work twice as hard to become healthy again. Yes, I am scared to death of the complications since the band had me on my death bed twice. I don't know ... To each his own I guess

I'm barely post-op (12 days) but it has been smooth sailing for me so far. My starting BMI was 55 and I'm 34 years old with two children (3 and 16mos). I was/am aware of complications and was/am terrified that I could be that 1 percent. However, I could also have complications with the potential quadruple bypass or other life-saving surgery I would eventually have had to endure if I didn't change my ways. For me, it was worth the risk... no looking back now. Only you know what's right for you. Good luck to you whatever you choose.

Since I have been back on solid foods I have been keeping my meals very simple. Mainly because I have not wanted anything else. i see alot of people talking about complicated recipes (which is fine), but I really dont care much bout what I am eating. An average day for me consists of 2 eggs for Breakfast, usually fried(using pam spray) lunch 4ish ozs of turkey, chicken, tuna, and for dinner somewhat the same as lunch with maybe a small portion of veggies. In between I may have a greek yogurt, Protein shake or some beef Jerky. I actually love that it is this simple and I hope I can keep on the same track indefinitely. Anyone else having the same experience??

I think you should wait and see how you feel. Its great that your husband has a party he wants to go to, but you're having (pretty major) surgery, so theres a good chance that you're not going to want to sit in a car for 4 hours. My mom's closest friend was having a party the day after my surgery and she cancelled her RSVP. If you push yourself too hard after surgery, there is a greater risk of complications. Good luck.