Matt Z

I'd suggest you consult your surgeon. You could have developed a hiatal hernia or the band could have slipped or worse it could be a sign of band erosion. You really need to talk to your doctor about what's going on to avoid any potentially life threatening situations.

Good luck!

I'd suggest you consult your surgeon. You could have developed a hiatal hernia or the band could have slipped or worse it could be a sign of band erosion. You really need to talk to your doctor about what's going on to avoid any potentially life threatening situations.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone for the responses. Need to research this much more and figure out costs, etc. Thanks again!

The lap band was over hyped and even some of the larger manufacturers are no longer making parts for them. My doctor won't even suggest it any more. As far as the balloon, it's currently under FDA review for a bunch of deaths, google "gastric balloon death". Personally, I'd stay away from either. The Gastric Sleeve might be the best bet for you at this point. I've been banded for 6 years, lost 70 lbs, but then just stopped, and I have a very hard time losing any more. I'm currently in the process of getting my band revised to the bypass.

Good luck!

The lap band was over hyped and even some of the larger manufacturers are no longer making parts for them. My doctor won't even suggest it any more. As far as the balloon, it's currently under FDA review for a bunch of deaths, google "gastric balloon death". Personally, I'd stay away from either. The Gastric Sleeve might be the best bet for you at this point. I've been banded for 6 years, lost 70 lbs, but then just stopped, and I have a very hard time losing any more. I'm currently in the process of getting my band revised to the bypass.

Good luck!

The lap band was over hyped and even some of the larger manufacturers are no longer making parts for them. My doctor won't even suggest it any more. As far as the balloon, it's currently under FDA review for a bunch of deaths, google "gastric balloon death". Personally, I'd stay away from either. The Gastric Sleeve might be the best bet for you at this point. I've been banded for 6 years, lost 70 lbs, but then just stopped, and I have a very hard time losing any more. I'm currently in the process of getting my band revised to the bypass.

Good luck!

The lap band was over hyped and even some of the larger manufacturers are no longer making parts for them. My doctor won't even suggest it any more. As far as the balloon, it's currently under FDA review for a bunch of deaths, google "gastric balloon death". Personally, I'd stay away from either. The Gastric Sleeve might be the best bet for you at this point. I've been banded for 6 years, lost 70 lbs, but then just stopped, and I have a very hard time losing any more. I'm currently in the process of getting my band revised to the bypass.

Good luck!

I found that taking as deep a breath as you can, and then holding it for a moment before exhaling helped with pain and helped clear the bloating / gas build up from the surgery quickly. Might help you out as well!

I found that taking as deep a breath as you can, and then holding it for a moment before exhaling helped with pain and helped clear the bloating / gas build up from the surgery quickly. Might help you out as well!

Hopefully you got this sorted out, but you should NEVER feel bad calling your doc with questions or concerns. That is what they are there for! It's always better to ask and it not be an issue, then not ask and have something horrible happen. Always err on the side of caution.

I can relate to this. I was banded back in Nov of 2011. Whereas I did lose about 60 lbs in total, I only lost 38 or so after the band. I tried my hardest, tracked all intake and expenditures. I just couldn't break 300. I'm currently floating between 300 and like 315. I felt defeated. I felt like a failure. I stopped going to my surgeon for check ups. I just kinda gave up on the band. Recently I decided that I have had enough of the getting stuck on good for you foods and was just done with failing at weight loss. I was nervous, anxious, and a bit scared to step foot in my doctor's office. But with my wife in tow, I did just that. I was relieved to find out that my experience, wasn't abnormal at all. I wasn't a failure. The band was over hyped and typical results were WAY less than promised. My doc told me that some companies have stopped making the band or replacement parts all together. One is in the process of selling their part of the company that does bands altogether. So, please do NOT take all the blame!
I'm currently working towards revision to bypass. I thought about the sleeve, but my doc will not do band to sleeve revision due to scar issue build up under the band being directly in line to where they staple when they sleeve. Scar tissue doesn't heal to scar tissue the same way that healthy tissue heals to healthy tissue. So, if I wanted the band she would refer me to another surgeon in her office, but she wouldn't do it because the increased risks of leaking were just too great for her to justify doing the procedure. That and going from a long term band installation to sleeve will *not* have the same outcome as those going from nothing to sleeve. As I'm already used to the restriction, it won't be as effective. So, I'm going to revise to the bypass.
Just understand, that the band was not the product that it was reported to be. You are not alone in the failure. The band failed you, not the other way around.
Stay strong. Stay positive. Stay focused.

My discharge directions read:
Wear your TED hose until activity is back to normal. Wear your binder for at least 2 weeks. Your binder is for comfort.
So I think what you are talking about is an abdominal support binder. I found wearing it was valuable whenever I coughed to minimize the pain.

When in doubt, talk to the Doc!

I can relate to this. I was banded back in Nov of 2011. Whereas I did lose about 60 lbs in total, I only lost 38 or so after the band. I tried my hardest, tracked all intake and expenditures. I just couldn't break 300. I'm currently floating between 300 and like 315. I felt defeated. I felt like a failure. I stopped going to my surgeon for check ups. I just kinda gave up on the band. Recently I decided that I have had enough of the getting stuck on good for you foods and was just done with failing at weight loss. I was nervous, anxious, and a bit scared to step foot in my doctor's office. But with my wife in tow, I did just that. I was relieved to find out that my experience, wasn't abnormal at all. I wasn't a failure. The band was over hyped and typical results were WAY less than promised. My doc told me that some companies have stopped making the band or replacement parts all together. One is in the process of selling their part of the company that does bands altogether. So, please do NOT take all the blame!
I'm currently working towards revision to bypass. I thought about the sleeve, but my doc will not do band to sleeve revision due to scar issue build up under the band being directly in line to where they staple when they sleeve. Scar tissue doesn't heal to scar tissue the same way that healthy tissue heals to healthy tissue. So, if I wanted the band she would refer me to another surgeon in her office, but she wouldn't do it because the increased risks of leaking were just too great for her to justify doing the procedure. That and going from a long term band installation to sleeve will *not* have the same outcome as those going from nothing to sleeve. As I'm already used to the restriction, it won't be as effective. So, I'm going to revise to the bypass.
Just understand, that the band was not the product that it was reported to be. You are not alone in the failure. The band failed you, not the other way around.
Stay strong. Stay positive. Stay focused.

Same here. I got my band in January 2011. I've had terrible complications for several years and will hopefully be having a revision to RNY in July 2017. I do not recommend lapband to anyone! I'm nervous about the RNY because I am "older" but it has to be done. My BMI is 29.5 now but I still need the revision because of my health problems cannot afford to gain all of my weight back. Best of luck on your surgery. It's got to be more effective and safer than the band.

You can absolutely have dumping with VSG. In fact you can have dumping without any WLS at all. Are RNY more prone, sure. But saying it isn't a potential problem is just incorrect.

Terri, you say you want to lose 120 lbs. VSG reports 50-60 (some 70)% loss of your total overage. RNY is upwards of 80%. Yes there are more potential complications with VSG over RNY. As someone that was banded 5 and a half years ago. I wish I would have went RNY off the bat. The band had all these amazing results reported. But the truth didn't follow the marketing. Sure, I lost 60ish lbs total already. But I'm stuck at around 300-315 lbs. Have been for 4 of the 5 years I've had the band. I'm currently in the progress of revising to RNY. Look at all your factors, how much you have to lose, etc. Understand that restriction alone will ONLY get you so far. That's why the RNY has a greater long term success rate, because of the malabsorption. I figure, I'm almost 40, over 300 lbs. If I don't do something to drop 100+ lbs now, I might not see 50.

You can absolutely have dumping with VSG. In fact you can have dumping without any WLS at all. Are RNY more prone, sure. But saying it isn't a potential problem is just incorrect.

Terri, you say you want to lose 120 lbs. VSG reports 50-60 (some 70)% loss of your total overage. RNY is upwards of 80%. Yes there are more potential complications with VSG over RNY. As someone that was banded 5 and a half years ago. I wish I would have went RNY off the bat. The band had all these amazing results reported. But the truth didn't follow the marketing. Sure, I lost 60ish lbs total already. But I'm stuck at around 300-315 lbs. Have been for 4 of the 5 years I've had the band. I'm currently in the progress of revising to RNY. Look at all your factors, how much you have to lose, etc. Understand that restriction alone will ONLY get you so far. That's why the RNY has a greater long term success rate, because of the malabsorption. I figure, I'm almost 40, over 300 lbs. If I don't do something to drop 100+ lbs now, I might not see 50.

Dr Matthew Weiner, a bariatric surgeon in Michigan, who has very informative videos on YouTube (check them out), says that Gastric Bypass has more durable weight loss long term than Sleeve Gastrectomy. He also talks about how you should have just 1 WLS in your life and not "plan" for a revision from VSG if necessary. But the biggie, imo, is the increased risk for GERD (aka acid reflux) with the VSG; to either develop it for the first time or for it to worsen for someone who already has it. GERD also puts you at increased risk for esophageal cancer, which doesn't have good survival rates. And taking PPIs long term increases your risk for dementia and/or osteoporosis.
I would talk to your surgeon about the actual risks of RNY vs VSG as statements that non-medical people may make that VSG is so much safer may not be accurate. Base your decision on sound data and guidance from professionals so you make the right choice for YOU. Good luck!

Honestly, I wouldn't mention anything about your weight...or being overweight on the first date. Kind of thinking maybe that subject would be best left to another time. Let them know the real you 😊

If you get hard candies, you shouldn't get any dumping at all given the small amount of sugar and the fact that you break down and absorb a good portion of things in your mouth while sucking on the candy.

waaay too early to be worrying. You will lose if you are sticking to your plan. I never got sick or nauseous either. You just had a variety of surgeries and are probably retaining Water with swelling and your body trying to heal. Also you are starting from a pretty low BMI from the start according to your stats. My goal is 10 lbs from your starting weight. I'm only expecting weight loss to be in the 1-3 lb a month rate when i'm down that low.
I find my limit with meat is about 3 oz. with things like sashimi I can do 4. for total quantity i can eat 3/4-1 cup of food at a meal. If you are close to that it sounds pretty normal.
you will lose just be patient, it isn't a race, but a marathon.
Also, don't ignore your pre-op weight loss. it counts, it is weight loss. if you've had a big fast drop, it is normal to slow or plateau afterward

Thank you so much!!! I never thought of it that way. I do plan on adding weights and hitting the gym a little harder for this summer! Hopefully, like u said that should do the trick! Thanks again for the much needed advice!

First. 93 lbs is AMAZING! Whatever you do, DO NOT ignore that amazing feat right there!
Now, a little tip that a LOT of people miss out on. Muscle building. Larger muscles require more energy at rest than small muscles do. Cardio is great, but it's only going to do so much, because those muscles aren't needing anything more (and weighing 93 lbs less means you are working a LOT less to do the same cardio) Try to do some muscle building on your gluts and quads as well as your triceps (which are around 3 times larger than biceps but most people forget to work them out). Add some muscle building to your work out and you should start seeing more fat / weight coming off. Just remember, the larger the muscle, the more fuel it needs. You might see some weight gain due to muscle mass, but as long as you keep up your intake routine, those numbers will start to drop again. Muscle does weigh more than fat as well. But you have done amazing. Don't stress too much!

First. 93 lbs is AMAZING! Whatever you do, DO NOT ignore that amazing feat right there!
Now, a little tip that a LOT of people miss out on. Muscle building. Larger muscles require more energy at rest than small muscles do. Cardio is great, but it's only going to do so much, because those muscles aren't needing anything more (and weighing 93 lbs less means you are working a LOT less to do the same cardio) Try to do some muscle building on your gluts and quads as well as your triceps (which are around 3 times larger than biceps but most people forget to work them out). Add some muscle building to your work out and you should start seeing more fat / weight coming off. Just remember, the larger the muscle, the more fuel it needs. You might see some weight gain due to muscle mass, but as long as you keep up your intake routine, those numbers will start to drop again. Muscle does weigh more than fat as well. But you have done amazing. Don't stress too much!

My surgeon said he (and all of his colleagues) refuse to do lap bands anymore due to the low success rate and constant hassle. He recommended RNY - full gastric bypass - because it's been proven for over 50 years. My surgeon was trained by the surgeon who created this type of surgery so he is biased toward it lol. Anyway, after research, it is best for me anyway due to over all weight loss (60-80% average excess weight loss). Sleevers don't lose as much weight (45-65% average excess weight loss) though there are certainly pros and cons to both. And it's not unheard of to loose all of your excess weight on either option.
Do your research on surgeons and ask a lot of questions!
HW: 328 (02/22/17)
SW: TBD
CW: 292