Search the Community
Showing results for 'Complications'.
Found 17,501 results
-
yes I have the rings haven't had any problems can eat pretty much anything lots of research about the rings the rate of erosion and complication are very low I'm happy with it I'm down 57# in 4 months
-
Ok I'm a newbie and I just got my date on Thursday. Its july 20th. I have been researching this since January and I'm positive this is the solution 4 me! I have some questions that maybe y'all can help me with. Ok if I want to know more about my surgeon, like how many sleeves he's done and how many leaks or major complications he's had, can I just call his office and ask these questions? I really want to know these things. Will they be truthful? Also how long does this surgery take? I'm using Dr Wade Barker in dallas texas if anybody know of him. Would reeeally appreciate some input.
-
Educating Primary Care Physicians about Lapband
ifyourstomachoffendsyou commented on ifyourstomachoffendsyou's blog entry in Blog 69691
Sunday, August 30, 2009 Educating Primary Care Physicians about Lapband As with all surgeries, lapband can result in complications. The band can slip, infection can occur, some people are so good at eating around the band (using slider food) that they gain weight back, or they never go in for their fills. Some Dr.s don't seem to give very good advice to their patients about sticking to higher density proteins and not turning them into slider food by adding things like gravy to them. Some actually recommend that people "prime the pump" with liquid before they eat. Some Dr.s take forever to give their patients a fill that actually acheives restriction. Not all patients make sure they get the kind of support system they need to achieve success nor do their Dr.s The lapband is a tool not a cure. Other issues need to be dealt with simultaneously. If they're not, the band isn't as successful. So some primary care physicians seem to only be aware of the failures and are unwilling to recommend their patients for the lapband. They also don't distinguish between gastric bypass which is much more drastic and has many more severe complications and the lapband. They confuse the statistics for the two. I think a lot of these Dr.s really don't understand the nature of compulsive overeating. They keep thinking that if their patients just listened to them and followed the diets they hand them and had better nutritional education they'd lose the weight. But time and again, nutritional information and closely supervised diets don't help their patients. Over the years some have prescribed drugs that haven't helped and have actually harmed overweight patients. When I think of the money and time I spent on Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, Tops, OA, Atkins, and some wierd combination of thyroid and speed one Dr. put me on, it makes me angry. I had a Dr. who didn't believe in the band. She thought I could do it myself. I knew I couldn't. I had to go to a new Dr. anyway because of insurance so I tested the next Dr. to see if he recommended the band. With two co-morbidities he took it seriously. He had Dr. friends who did lapband surgery with great success. So he went ahead and recommended me for the surgery which started the year long process of jumping through hoops to get the band. I'm blessed that I had the persistance to get through that year and that I had a cooperative Dr. My insurance company also sent me to a top-of-the-line specialist. Some insurance companies won't cover the surgery at all. Although I have access to a nutritionist at my surgeon's office, I've found even greater support on lapbandtalk, especially on a thread called I'm here to help...This blog has also proved to be an invaluable ally in my recovery. A lady at my church who is in much worse shape than me has not been able to get her primary care physician to recommend the lapband. Meanwhile, the meds she's on for her co-morbidities have made her gain even more weight. People need to explore the risks, the failures, and the successes of lapband surgery before they make a decision. They need to know that its still hard work to lose the weight and keep it off. Their Dr.s should be helping them explore their options and get set up for success if the option for lapband is chosen. I think the primary physicians need to get more educated, not only about lapband surgery, but about compulsive overeating itself. It is an eating disorder, an addiction, with genetic, biological, emotional, psychological, and spiritual componants that all need to be addressed. The band helps relieve the person of enough of the addiction aspect to let them work on the other aspects. I had worked for years on all the other componants with counseling, 12-step meetings for food addiction, 12-step meetings for codependency issues, not to mention prayer and Bible reading and Bible study groups. I'd come to pretty good terms with my ADHD/ADD and still I could not succeed in losing and keeping off the weight. I had a medical condition that needed a medical solution. I hope the woman in my church gets the help she needs. I hope the lapband, if she gets recommended, proves to be the tool she needs like it has for me. She's a precious soul and very much loved and appreciated in my church community. I want her to be around yet for a long time. -
I'm freakin out man...
Richard Foor replied to mamachef's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It is completely natural to be scared at this phase. Most of the possible complications are not likely but they have to list them because it has happened on rare occasions and they don't want to get sued. The most important thing to do is focus on the reasons you are doing this and decide if for you the benefits out weigh the risks, odds are if you are like most of us they most definitely will. Good Luck, enjoy the journey it is rough sometimes but gets better as time goes by. -
Today marks 14 days since my sleeve surgery and I am happy to report I have lost 20 pounds! I started this journey 12 months ago when I was weighed by my doctor's office during a routine check-up and weighed 288. I am 6 feet tall. That was the most I had weighed in my life and I decided it was time to take action. I was referred to a local sleeve surgeon who immediately put me on the South Beach Diet to lose weight pre-op. Because of insurance I was required to wait a certain time and follow certain guidelines. Well, two weeks ago I had the surgery and despite some complications afterward that required a second procedure I am home now resting and recovering. I am pain free and adjusting to my new body. I would like to meet other people here and share experiences. By the way today I weigh 245 pounds!
-
Hi everyone! I'm getting very excited about my upcoming lap-band surgery on 12/19/06! What a Christmas gift I'm giving myself! Believe it or not, the only person I've told about this so far is my orthodontist, because I don't want to hear anyone's negative comments before I have the procedure done. I'm hoping that my teeth will be straight at about the time I've lost all of my weight (I'm only two months in to a 28-month treatment plan). I went out and bought some high protein powdered drink mix, Tums for calcium, and a chewable multivitamin today. I also stocked up on sugar and fat-free Jello and Jello pudding, tomato soup, chicken broth, and sugar-free popsicles. I think I'm just about ready! I'm not especially worried about the surgery, but I'm just hoping I won't have complications and have to stay at the hospital for more than a day. My new year is going to REALLY be a new year!
-
Taking advantage of the first year
Healthy_life2 replied to VeeAurora's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
To me it means your golden year is your best time frame for weight loss. Weight loss surgery restriction is fantastic in your first months. Your surgery restriction will become less over time and weight loss slows down. “Taking advantage” means don’t waste this time frame. Follow your surgeons’ plan/instructions. Log your food, hit your calories and macro goals for the day, hydrate, exercise/activity and make behavior changes for the long term. We cannot control the “luck factor” Sex, age, medical issues, medications, complications, hormones and body physiology. What you can control is “working your plan” Decide how lax or strict you want to work this. Decide what you want out of your first year. -
Scared about complications
Chaparra replied to SuchaPrettyFaceBUT's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I think this forum is great for us all to share out thoughts and concerns about this surgery. I have to say that I wasn't concerned at all about any of the risks. I have read horror stories on here as well, but I've also read many more success stories. When I was at the hospital, everyone (even my doctor) kept commenting on how calm I was. I think my head was on the end result, learning to eat better and being thin again. I think if you follow the doctors instructions to a tee, then you reduce the complications, which is what I did. I was sleeved 02/11/13 and started back at work today. I could have gone back on Friday, but decided to take it off since Monday was a holiday for me. =) I got on the treadmill today and was able to do half the workout that I normally do. Besides following the doctors instructions, don't push yourself beyond your body's limits and I think all will turn out well. -
Do I really have to do two weeks pre op?
SunnyCox replied to Decembersleever's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Call your doctor or coordinator to clear up the confusion. Different doctors have different requirements. Then, ask your questions to the doctor since they know you best. They may tell you that a sensible dinner would be ok for you, and they may have a reason for wanting you to follow a liquid diet for a full two weeks. Ultimately, you want absolutely no complications while you are on the table in the OR. People do slip up on their preop diet. It happens. If it happens to you, don't beat yourself up over it. Get back on track as soon as possible, and be honest with your doctor. -
How much time off work for LapBand?
CathyTamar replied to bayareanan's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I took 10 working days, which wound up equaling (sp?) 16 days off for me with regular days off in the middle. I was going to go back sooner, after the first week. But I had a complication, my body decided it didnt like the dissolvable stitches. So you know how when you heal, it itches? Well, I thought thats all it was at first. Then it got insane! I went in and they gave me a short few days worth dose of prednisone. My job is sitting on the phones all day, so it's not like it's physically strenuous. But mentally... it can be from time to time. 911 calls, you never kow what's on the other end of the line. -
There have been lots of posts that discuss why we chose VSG over other procedures, so you might want to do a little light reading of the site for additional info. However, my reasoning was pretty basic. I decided against the band because I didn't want a foreign object installed in me that had to be tended to constantly (filling and unfilling) and as the years have progressed, more and more people are having complications from their lapband and having it removed/having a revision surgery to another option like sleeve or bypass. I didn't choose bypass because of similar reasons to yours. After doing a lot of research, I could see that the sleeve appeared to be less intrusive to my digestive system (no re-routing of the system, thus malabsorption problems are not typical). While short term complications are slightly higher than the band, long term the fact seems to be that there are less complications. There are other reasons, but these are probably the most obvious ones.
-
What happens to food after you eat it is extremely complicated (taking up most or all of a semester in a university biochemistry course). I'll try not to get too scientific here. I CAN tell you that the main way your body is powered is via aerobic respiration which, through a complicated process, takes glucose (sugar) and oxygen and turns them into energy (ATP), Water, and carbon dioxide (this is why we need to breathe in oxygen and breathe out CO2). Your body can take building blocks from any type of food and use it to make glucose (this happens in the liver), so in a way, the answer to your question is yes. However, unless you are on the Atkins diet or have not had a meal in a day or so, probably most of the glucose in your body comes from carbohydrates in your diet. Your body can take any carbohydrate and break it down more or less directly to glucose. Proteins and fats, on the other hand, must be broken down and then rebuilt into glucose (it is "easier" for your body to use carbs for energy). Plus, your body's cells are constantly growing and dividing and producing hormones, etc., and they need amino acids and fatty acids to do so. Thus the proteins and fats you eat are more likely to be broken down and used for these purposes. These are more or less the theories behind high-Protein, low-carb diets. When your body is carb-depleted, it is forced to use fat and protein for energy. This may cause you to lose weight, but is not the way your body is meant to work and thus can be dangerous. It can lead to a condition called ketosis (which can cause nausea, dehydration, headaches, light-headedness, irritability, bad breath, and kidney problems), and also causes loss of muscle mass. Plus, the high fat and cholesterol content and low-Fiber content of these diets can lead to heart and digestive problems. I know that is probably more than you wanted to know but it seems like most people, when asking questions such as this, would be wondering about the implications of different diets. so everything we eat eventually turns into sugar to fuel the body in one way or another....Look at what a potato can give you as far as nutrients and Vitamins...... My advice is to try everything and eat what suits your makeup and limit the carbs...as they are the ones that your body does not have to work hard at turning into glucose... I eat a little of everything I want....10 months out and 160 lbs. down I think it is working!!
-
Should I have surgery now or wait until after vacation....
Margoboo posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello! I have been approved and I think I have decided to have the LB surgery. I am going on vacation to Mexico with my DH and DS June 9th-15th. The soonest date I can get my LB is May 16th. Is this too close to flying to Mexico?? Will I be completely recovered? What if there are complications? Please give me your suggestions. Margo -
Well, on the 28th I will have surgery!! I start my pre-op liquid-only diet tomorrow night (5 full days). I am really excited and only a little nervous (but more excited than nervous). I'm worried that I am too excited. I've had 2 c-sections (13 & 18 years ago) but never been in any other kind of surgery. I read everything I can about what to expect and do for my new life so I know I'm ready for the "after life". but this 6 week post-op pain and nausea and fatigue are the only things that worry me. I have about 75 Protein powder samples from a bunch of different sources - so i think I'll be okay with that. really really really want to minimize my post-op complication rate and get back to work/life asap. Suggestions? Anyone else just have or are having surgery soon? I'd like a buddy to compare notes and get/give support. thanks for reading my post. I just have so much pent up energy and don't know how to channel it at the moment.
- 13 replies
-
- surgery
- gastric bypass
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
I want to help my friends but i can't
Piplula replied to Butterthebean's topic in WLS Veteran's Forum
I think like everyone else said..people are curious about people who are successful, but do they really want to do what it is necessary..probably not...especially if its going to be remotely difficult. You know..my turning point was the diagnosis of pre-diabetes..why I thought high cholesterol and high blood pressure was "ok"...I can take a pill..but watching family members die from complications of diabetes..was serious for me. So until they have the OMG moment...they won't change..but I bet you are inspiring people to look at themselves and you may just be a catalyst for their own self discovery and change! -
I cut mine to a long angled bob (after it had already started falling out REALLY bad) in October then chopped it into a short bob thing recently just because. (google Chelsea Kane, thats my haircut!) Nioxin puts out a 3 step hair care system I wish started using from the time of the surgery, it stopped it dramatically! Of course 5 months and about 1/3 of my hair later.. better late than never though! (I have to note though, I had a LOT of complications, hence why so much fell out)
-
I had my band for 6 years and converted to the sleeve 3/27. The band was removed and the sleeve done all in one day. I didn't have any band issues, no slips or anything, just chronic gastritis which really didn't bother me. I initially lost 45 pounds with the band but gained it all back plus more. When I converted, post op I had a lot of swelling, which the dr had warned me there could be some complications before hand, and it wound up that I couldn't swallow anything, it even my own saliva. So two days post op went back to or to fix the problem. That's when the swelling was found and because of it my stomach had pushed up through my diaphragm completely cutting off the opening. In the first surgery he had over stitched the staple line to try to prevent the chance of a leak so he had to remove those sutures, put in a bigger bougie, and then he re-stitched not so tightly. He also found a portion of my stomach that had ballooned out somewhere above where the Lapband had been and had to remove that. Needless to say, I was so relieved when I came out and could swallow! There are lots of people on here who converted in one day with no issues. I just wanted to let you know that sometimes complications do occur, which is why some drs won't convert all in one day.
-
10 weeks out and I should know better! Geez.
clk replied to Strangefruit's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It's a long learning process complicated by the fact that certain foods will bother you at certain times and go down easily at different times. I had to re-learn my capacity (with lots of tossing up food) when I got pregnant. I felt like I had more room and sure, I do, but that means ten bites of steak instead of six...not fifteen bites. Certain foods make this harder - if bread, Pasta, rice or flour tortillas are involved they swell once they hit the stomach. For me, I can go from perfectly fine to discomfort in just one small bite. So always watch those foods until you learn your limits. Don't be so hard on yourself. I was a fast eater that took big bites for nearly 30 years prior to surgery. I didn't just unlearn that habit in only a few weeks! You'll get there. I'd say lesson learned but sometimes it takes a while. ~Cheri -
Curious. If you had any complications what were they and was it resolved? How did his team treat you during the recovery?
-
Anybody have complications with Dr. Marema?
NORCALRN replied to Sheba's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
i did not have your doctor - but just to let you know-i had severe complications (recently learning that i really almost died)....surgery in TJ. my kaiser here was great- no issues with taking care of me- surgeries, diagnotstics, outpatient follow up (still have j tube feeding tube).....so i have no concerns with my post op care and i am a nurse so i have high expectations of care even though i do not recall a lot of my time spent in the hospital which is a blessing i am told! so focus on the positive - you are likely not to be the 1%!!!! happy journey! -
2 Days Post Op/newly Sleeved
Eat That Frog replied to newgrandmother's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Newgrandmother...glad to hear you are OK, although it sounds like a rough experience. I think we were sleeved the same day (9/10) and I am feeling a tiny better each day but knw that there can still be some complications. Hopefully being at home and getting a good nights sleep will be a big step. Keep us posted! -
Is it really worth it?
RJ'S/beginning replied to SleeviePete's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I almost died for the sleeve....5 months in the hospital due to complications.....Had everything go wrong that could....Now 10 months later..... Believe me when I tell you I would do it so fast again it would make your head spin!!!!!!!!!! I can cross my legs. I sleep through the night and am up early everyday. I can now tie my own shoes and sit in a regular chair.... My clothes are a lot smaller then i have worn for years....No one recognizes me at all, no matter where I go i have to tell them it is me...Sometimes I don't and that is entertainment for me...... I do not move the seat back in the car if I am driving. I do not need a belt extender. All my rings don't fit...And now I can wear a 16 in. chain around my neck....Was wearing a 22 in. Chain before..... All the little things that keep happening to me were just a dream I thought! It is my turn now to have my chance to get healthy and active and be thin...I am on my way....I am not saying I am perfect...I make mistakes with the sleeve..But I away's see tomorrow as a new day... For me it was worth all the pain, hardship and expense to be where I am today..... Make sure you are ready for this before you jump in.....It is not for the faint of heart! -
Home tomorrow morning they say. A couple minor complications, otherwise in good shape with a hiatal hernia fix up, to. If this is the worst I feel, I,m doing great. Missing my Dad.
-
K so I was sleeved on 9/19 and had actually gained a little weight prior to surgery and started at 262. Yes I know probably not a good idea to gain weight before surgery but I wanted to make sure I ate stuff I knew i would not be able to eat for a while:) anyways I ended up with some complications first with an infection in my drain tract, then an issue with " white foamy vomit" as my surgeon calls it, and dehydration. I have been back to the hospital 3 times since surgery because of dehydration alone. I was also not able to eat any puréed foods. I was put on a puréed diet once I left the hospital. It ended up getting to the point to where I could not drink anything without throwing up. And for whatever reason I felt better ..out of the blue. No more nausea no pain nothing. I have been able to eat only a very tiny amount but at least I am able to get some foods in and my fluid intake has improved. I am not anywhere near where I need to be but it has improved so much. I am hoping it gets better everyday from now. I am supposed to be moved to soft foods starting 10/15 so hopefully I will be able to tolerate it. My weight loss so far has amazed me but I am also sure part of it has to do with the fact that I have not had any foods and hardly any fluids but I went from 262 to 230 as of this morning. That is 32 lbs in2 weeks and 4 days. Just feeling better and wanted everyone to know
-
I just need to get mine removed. I've had more complications with it then success. I also heard the sleeve isn't the best. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.