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@@Embrace Hi! Thank you so much for checking in on me. Your note before my surgery gave me great peace and comfort. I have told NO ONE but my husband, so having you and others checking on me in INVALUABLE! I have had a tough 1st week of recovery, but am beginning to feel better. My 1 week check up is tomorrow. Because I was converting a "plication" to a sleeve, my procedure lasted 5.5 hours. I think this may be the reason the Anesthesia was particularly difficult to rid from my system. Not sure if this is the cause of my blurry vision for the last 6 days, but reading online, I have found that this can be a result of anesthesia and will improve in 9-10 days. (I have been unable to read the newspaper, emails, or any of the 3 new books I bought to enjoy during my recovery phase.) Additionally, I have had severe headaches that I cannot treat with my regular migraine meds, due to the complicated revision-----my doc's fear that the strong meds (even crushed) would cause damage to my new sleeve. ENOUGH COMPLAINING THOUGH!!! I'm grateful for my supportive husband who paid the 17,500. fee to have this done and my steady improvement. I actually feel myself getting stronger each day. Remembering what you said about walking the anesthesia off, I made sure to walk a little each day but honestly I only made it to my mailbox and back, walked from one end of my house to the other.....etc. (I was quite wimpy this week) I tried to balance what you said about walking and resting my body. I have a goal of walking 30 minutes (all at one time) by Saturday of this week. I hope I am able. Your 3rd piece of invaluable advice was very helpful and something I HAD NOT considered. As soon as I can get out, I'm going to purchase tiny bowls and small plates. Thank you so much for this tip!! Something I had not expected was the weight gain in the hospital from fluids. ( I probably should have done better research and made myself aware of this bc it SHOCKED me!) I gained 11 lbs and after 6 days that was finally gone. I hope I begin steady "losing" from this point on. I practiced "going out to dinner" last night with my husband. This is a little scary at first! We went to a Tai restaurant where I was able to order a bowl of simple broth. It was divine. (After eating broth from a box all week.) Since today is 1 week out, I'm going to weigh, take measurements, etc. I'm hoping I'm on the right path and will continue to improve. Enough about me! Are you doing o.k.? Still losing? Adding new foods to your diet? Feeling good? I think your surgery was this summer so we are just a few months apart. Your wisdom and compassion came through so clearly in your message to me and I want you to know how very much I appreciate the time it took to send it. Please continue to send your valuable tips and please let me know how you are progressing.

Has anyone had to have other abdomen surgery just before or soon after getting the lap-band? And did it pose any complications or delays? I'm having female problems and its looking like I might have to have a hysterectomy. :cry

I am looking to get the band "off label", and have a "low" BMI of 31 so my insurance won't cover the surgery. I am wondering, If there are complications afterwords, swelling, infection etc and I need an adjustment, would my insurance cover that? Thanks!

Hi, I haven't had a chance to update in awhile. I am doing great. Will hit my 3 month mark October 12, lost almost 50 lbs and feel awesome. I have spent the last week in the hospital with my partner who had a by-pass 2 years ago September. Last Wednesday she started throwing up blood, tons of it. Was put in ICU, they did a scope and said she had a marginal ulcer where her lower intestine connected to her pouch. Was in ICU until Monday, got 8 pints of blood and had a by-pass revision and ulcer removal on Tuesday. Now she has a blockage in her esophagus. Can't even swollow her spit. Doc thinks it is related to swelling. It has been a rough week. Makes me so grateful for my sleeve and no complications.

I sure hope she gets better fast. Do they have any idea why this happened? I am also happy I was sleeved but since it's been 2 years for her, it also worries me that there could be future complications down the road.

I feel like I have been doing terribly lately but I don't know how to get out of my old ways. I am just over three months out and I am only down 40lbs. I talked to someone I know who is down 100lbs and they are only 7 months out. I am just afraid I am never going to hit that point and that the lack of motivation and terrible diet I have been eating will stick. I had complications twice and had to have a second surgery at one point but I don't think these things have affected it. Any tips/help/advice??

He everyone! Just have a question and need some advice! With summer here, and pool party season in full swing, I need some advice. It seems like every weekend for the next month or so I have a party. Most are pot-luck style with a lot of grazing going on. I am 4 months post op, and am wondering how my fellow sleevers handle themselves in this situation. My problem is not over eating, but grazing. And with having to wait 45 minutes after eating to drink, it seems to be complicating things. Any advice would be great!! . Thanks

I was banded on April 3, 2014. I'm down 44 pounds and feel wonderful. I've had two fills and no complications or problems at all. It's been the best decision I've ever made.

I am currently in the process of visiting all the doctors that are required during this journey. My research and gut tell me the Sleeve is for me. However, my surgeon specializes in RNY but will do the Sleeve if that's what I want. I keep second guessing myself that I might do better with RNY. I just don't like all the complications associated with RNY, especially the long term (3 - 5+ years). This thread has convinced me that the Sleeve is the way to go. I will be successful with the Sleeve! Thanks to all for your invaluable input. Blessings, JoAnne

What are the signs if band is slipping, I had surgery about 1 1/2 weeks ago and i am still having lots of pain around my stomach and my stomach feels swollen

I have taken two Tylenol in my life and drinking is hardly on the menu. The physician said a Tramadol is much better than Tylenol due to liver failure complications.

I had surgery on a Friday and was back in my office Tuesday. You're smart to get the shopping/wrapping part done early as that's draining on a good day!! Praying your recovery is speedy and free of complications!!

I actually researched for a year before deciding. I researched outcomes and complication rates for both and talked to people I know that have had either VSG or bypass. I decided on sleeve since it doesn't have the malabsorption issues and there are less associated complications and side effects. On my initial visit, the nurse practitioner that works for the program suggested I revisit bypass because I have PCOS and she said my weight loss would be better with bypass because of the malabsorption. (PCOS makes it harder to lose weight). However, I was set against bypass after all my research and when I met with the surgeon, he said I made the right decision especially considering some of the meds I take for asthma and with the fact that I sometimes have to take steroids for my asthma. He says with the malabsorption, my meds would not be as effective. So ultimately, I would say to do some research, decide what you can live with and then discuss it with your surgeon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 5 weeks out and really haven't had any complications -- most food is fine and I haven't had nausea. But, I can empathize with some of your points. My tummy rumbles forever after eating anything! My electricity was out over the weekend -- no TV = quiet house. I sat down and ate and it was just hilarious how loud and active my tummy was. Gurgling, squirting, churning... it's really strange and I guess perfectly normal. I've been out to eat and it feels a little crazy -- I took my boys to Red Robin and they ordered those gigantic gloppy burgers and I ordered a $2 add on patty and only ate about 2/3. About the timing of it all... it is a little challenging. I watch the clock... about 30 minutes before I want to eat, I stop drinking. I look at the clock when I stop eating and wait 30 minutes and then start the drinking again. Basically I'm either eating or drinking all day long. I eat breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack (just before getting in the car to go home), dinner and a night snack. It does get easier as I get further out because I'm getting the routine down. I'm not always precise about the 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after but I'm pretty close. (time to start drinking now -- just finished breakfast). One thing I've learned about in therapy and life is to watch the language we use. In your post you talk about eating "full-sized" meals. We have to readjust what a "normal" meal is. A giant plate of Pasta with sauce and meatballs is NEVER going to be "normal" for WLS patients again. It's what got us overweight in the first place. Americans have a very distorted idea of what a portion should be. Take a look at this graphic: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/portion-sizes-infographic_n_1539804.html Try telling yourself this is your new normal. Try to focus on what is right about the new style of eating instead of wishing you could eat the old way. The way you used to eat is directly related to the weight you were, so this is the new way of eating for your new body. I'm bypass, so I expect dumping if I eat high sugar/fat foods but I have seen on the boards here it can also happen with sleeve patients. However, I actually had a kiddie scoop of sugar free fat free vanilla black cherry ice cream and it was great and I tolerated it well (even though it is going to be a once a month treat if even that much). I think you're still so early on that you're body is still adjusting. I believe you will feel MUCH MORE normal soon. I'm 5 weeks out now (early June surgery) and I can say I do feel "normal" -- I just have to be careful about what size portions I eat and I focus on Protein, protein, protein. The couple of times we've eaten out I always manage to find something to eat (chicken breast, hamburger patty, beans). Best wishes!

All doctors are different, I have an extremely conservative doctor, I had a few complications with surgery but this is what he expects from all his patients. Clears - 1 week - broth, Isopure, decaff tea, sugar-free Popsicles, Sugar-free Jello Full Liquids - 5 full weeks - Protein shakes, Syntrax nectar, unjury unflavored Protein added to Soups, skim milk, Low Fat Creamed Soups, or strained creamed soups like Cream of Asparagus, cream of chicken, broccoli cheddar (strained) Healthy Request Bean & Bacon Soup - completely pureed, then add Water to it, so it's fully liquid, some people are allowed cream of wheat - I wasn't allowed that also anything from the clears section allowed, Sugar-Free pudding, Plain Greek Yogurt - not allowed Cream of Potato (too many carbs) Tomato soup (too acidic) strained vegetable soup, etc. Pureed - 1 week or until you think you can handle soft foods Tuna & ff mayo - (must be very moist), instant mashed potatoes with added Protein powder, poached eggs or runny scrambled eggs, canned chicken pureed with ff mayo, refried Beans with ff sour cream, cooked white fished, pureed add ff tartar sauce, 1% cottage cheese, (once on pureed, watch how much cheese you take in, because constipation is an issue) Soft foods - 1 week, meat that you cook in the crock pot and you can cut with a fork and falls apart, no nuts, no seeds, softly cooked vegetables, tuna, fish, etc. Regular foods - or anything off the other lists. This is all subject to how well you do on each phase. We are not to advance until told to. My surgeon seems to have one of the longest full liquid phases. Pureed foods (tuna & chicken) are not going down too easy on me. I can get it down but only about 1 ounce along with maybe 3 teaspoons of 1% cottage cheese, but then I have a heavy feeling in my chest and stomach, not sure if it's been too dry. Today I went to broth for dinner because I have a migraine and I feel nauseated, due to the headache. I will go back to purees tomorrow and hope for the best.

I had the Lap Band in 2005. While I lost about 80% of my excess weight, my life with the band was very miserable. I had horrible reflux and later found out that I had been living with a slipped band for years. I had gastric sleeve April of last year and am very happy with my decision. No significant complications and I feel great! One thing: when I had my sleeve done, my surgeon said that the procedure took him at least an extra half hour while he sorted through the scar tissue from the band. From what I've read on this form, that is quite common when you see revision from lap band. For me, all that scar tissue and extra work to deal with it made my initial recovery a little different. I saw others talking about feeling great and being up walking right away. I felt like I had been hit by a Mac Truck! I couldn't tolerate the laps around the nurse's station and was lucky to make it about 20 feet down the hall. I stayed an extra night in the hospital and was a little more on track by day 2.

I am 54 years old and had the gastric sleeve just shy of 8 months ago and haven't had one minute's problem or complication. It's been wonderful.

I am finally scheduled for surgery on February 8th. Now that this is really happening, I have all sorts of things going through my mind. I am mostly upbeat and excited about this change in my life. I am thrilled with the prospect of the positive changes in my life. There are some negatives in there and I just thought I'd get some of them down in words so maybe I can put them behind me. Fears: I'm afraid I will die. I'm afraid that I won't be find the right diet for me post-op. I'm afraid I'll have band complications. I'm afraid I will still have intense urges to eat sweets in large quantities. I'm afraid that I won't lose weight very fast and that people will judge me. I'm a religious person and I know that all of these things are things that I need to put in God's hands and trust Him. I guess I should put down my hopes as well. I have hope that I will become a normal-sized person again. I have hope that I will have renewed energy and vitality in my life. I have hope that I'll become a more involved mother and wife and that I will be able to use my new energy to serve and bless others' lives. I have hope that I will feel pretty again. I haven't felt pretty in so long. I have hope that once I have succeeded in this journey that I can help others along as well. Thanks for reading. Any reassurances are welcome.

I think it's outpatient if you don't have complications??

I got the sleeve because I had 2 co-workers get the bypass and they just seem miserable. It just seems most people I have come in contact with was so unhappy after the bypass. While I wanted a change from the constant struggle with my excess weight I did not want to be unhappy. Beside all the medical reasons ...as I am sure you have researched the differences. The bypass is so much more complicated. Many more complications can occur. One big problem is the lack of ability to absorb the Vitamins and nutrients that is needed. The sleeve for me was the best decision ever! My weight loss results are exactly the same as the co-workers. I do not have the troubles they experience. I live a happy normal life. Socially it is easy to adjust ( after the first few months). Over all it comes down to the individual really. The surgeons expectations goes as follows: after the first 2 years bypass patients are expected to lose on average: 60-80% of their excess weight , sleeve patients 50-70% of the excess weight. However, that too is up to the patient. At my 5 month check up I had already lost 40% of my excess weight. I said all that to say..... If you follow the surgeons instructions and get the most out the of the sleeve you can have equal results..... Best wishes on your decision and surgery!

Weight loss surgery and all related complications are a specific exclusion in my health insurance policy. I have this same fear. However, I have heard people who have leaks and such asking their providers to simply not mention the previous surgery for the billing code. Not sure if it will work but it's worth a try I guess.

Travel insurance is different from health insurance. Be sure to check with your insurance because many of them cover NO complications! It is scary. I'm just over 3 weeks out and doing great but that was a big fear of mine cause my insurance won't cover any complications.

Hi I thought I would introduce myself. Im Melinda 41 and live in London uk. I had my Sleeve done on the 8th February 2011 at the Hommerton Hospital In Hackney. I was first referred there by my diabetic doctor 14 momths previous to surgery. Having diabetes that was steadily getting worse, high blood pressure, high cholestrol wls was considered the best option for me. I went to my first appointment thinking of having a gastric band, they soon said no to that, and suggested I have the Gastric Bypass. So my starting weight was 17and a half stone. and at 4ft 11inches my bmi was 44, if i remember rightly. Before surgery I got down to 16 stones. I had complications during my surgery hence why I ended up having a Gastric Sleeve instead of a Bypass, they had a struggle to keep me alive, due to me having pnemonia. My post op period was herrendous, i had to have further surgery, and am still currently having breathing problems. I see the hospital every two weeks, and my doctors once a week. But I am now 6 weeks down the line and am feeling so much better than i did I am nearly me again, minus 33lbs lol... I no longer take blood pressure tablets, its normal for the first time in 16 yrs lol. But I am still due to my surgeons advice only on stage 2 of eating, ie mushy food, and I am still struggling with pain, am off to see my surgeon later today so hoping he can give me some advice. Anyway think ive kinda waffled abit now so will sign off for now.

I am always sad when I hear that people don't get along with their Mom. I was close to mine and am very close to all of my adult children. I know these things are complicated and I am not judging in any way. I only hope that some day the two of you can call a truce. Best of luck on your journey!!!

Hi Talyn here banded 9/18/07. I went to the norfolk surgical group thorugh Sentara. My Doctor was fontana. Bu tI have had dealing with dr Boustani and Dr Wilgomouth, they all rock. YOu might want to check thiem out. They provide extensive support both before and after surgery. I know that on the NN/Hampton side of the Water there is a comparable group. The groups just performed a lap band srugery on teh web via the sentara.com website last month. You really should check this group out. As a nurse I checked out their complication rates/reputation and certifications before I entrusted my fabulous body to them. Trust me you wont be disappointed. If you want to hear more about my surgery, check out my introduction on this site. Hope this helps.:clap2: Norfolk Surgical Group Ltd., General, Thoracic, Colon-Rectal, and Surgical Oncology in Southeastern Virginia Talyn