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Dear all, First of all, I'm not into any anti-lapband or anything. In fact I was a 250kg fat guy and was actually going for gastric bypass earlier in this March. I was to big and risky for the operation so they put me on very tight diet and managed to drop down to 173kg after 5 weeks. Days before operation day, there was a change in plan when my doc offer me BIB - Bio Centric Intragastric Balloon, for FREE, being their workshop supermodel. This was suppose to help me down another 20kg before I can safely proceed with lap band ops at 150kg. Like others, I was told / read , lap band is 99% risk free. Somehow we can never ignore the 1% fatality rate...... http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/3/asia/15032858&sec=asia <!-- end Breadcrumb--> Thursday August 3, 2006 Weight-loss surgery proves fatal for driver ROSS Tay, 31, and Jade Ma Yu-yu, 23, were just beginning to enjoy life as husband and wife when their marital bliss was tragically cut short. On Monday, the portly tourist bus driver died as a result of complications following gastric lap-band surgery meant to help him lose weight. The procedure involves wrapping an adjustable silicon gastric band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch. This restricts the size of the stomach, so the patient gets the feeling of fullness quickly. The pouch also empties slowly because of the constriction, so it takes longer for the patient to feel hungry again. With doctors supervising the patient’s diet and careful exercise, weight loss is supposed to follow. Tay, who tipped the scales at 176kg at his heaviest and was 160kg at his slimmest, is believed to be the first here to die as a result of such an operation. Ma, a Chinese national, told reporters at her husband’s wake on Monday night that it was his second go at the procedure. The first attempt was in March, before their two-day wedding in Singapore, but it was unsuccessful. He tried again last month but it proved fatal for him. Tay first decided to try the procedure after he learnt from news reports that the number of people going for the surgery had gone up eight times between 2004 and last year. He thought then that he had the answer to his weight problem. Ma said: “He read in several newspapers that the surgery was one of the safest. He wanted to lose weight and be healthy.” When the surgery was first done at Alexandra Hospital, he had to have the band removed after five days because the doctor said it had slipped. Tay checked in for his second surgery on July 13. The operation was to have been done through a “keyhole” – a small incision – but the surgeon had to make a 20cm cut on his belly when he could not locate the top of the stomach. Tay’s condition took a turn for the worse on Friday. He suffered excessive bleeding and his spleen had to be removed. Then his kidneys failed and he had to be put on dialysis, said Ma. Tay lapsed into a coma and died on Monday from complications, including blood poisoning. Police have classified the case as unnatural death. – The Straits Times / Asia News Network

The screen both heart and lung and they seem ok. I was using CPAP while in hospital. Obviously theirs are hugh and very expensive machine, it even had a 14" monitor. You can set it to be a BPAP machine also. Personal CPAP does pump normal air, but hospital CPAP getting air supply from "wall" pipe. They have separate smaller tube supplying controllable O2 to you. Why not getting air from room? Being in hospital, you may get infected with all kind of germs and viruses from other patients. That is why babies are not allowed in hospital ward.

First of all, you are not rude. I don't blame you. After reading other posting I notice 2 things. First, English is my second language, my english is direct, I don't know much about word with double meaning, and maybe I'm poor at chosing the right words. Secondly, I notice most of forumner here are obes, but not many of you here falls into Morbid Obesity like me, worst case of obesity. Morbid obesity cause other body organ to malfunction and they gave different treatment to people like me. That is why I dont walk in - get banded - and go home days later. Posting news about the death of a guy after lapband surgery does not mean anti-lapband. Do google search "lapband surgery death singapore", you should verify the news is true. I don't know posting suchnew is ILLEGAL here coz LAPBANDTALK.COM suppose to be talking about lapband?? I'm not anti-lapband, I'm thinking of getting one done myself early next year after removing BIB balloon from my stomach.

This was what I'm trying to say, I lost 80kg (not pounds) in 5 weeks of water cos i had bad edema/water retention. Imagine going to loo every 15-30 minutes for weeks. After losing 80kgs, physically I still look not much different even it was 1/4 of my original weight, compare to when I was first admitted at 250 kg. However, my body/skin/meat?? became very much softer, my stomach still big but not stretching like a balloon as before. All dark spot (back of neck, chess) on my skin are gone.

I guess you are right, I have more than sleep apnea contributing to my low oxygen saturation level in my arteries. During my stay in hospital, they did all possible test including heart screening, kidney, lung and etc. I had my blood taken twice a day. Everything seem to be normal, however my lung "inhale" capacity lesser than normal coz my stomach pushing my diaframe. Both factor sleep apnea and big fat stomach seem the be the cause on low o2 level. Sorry, "sweating, panting, blueish finger nails, coughing, weezing", actually symptom of low o2 content in blood. Snoring, tired, sleepy are apnaa symptom. Insurance scheme here does stink, obesity not big issue here.

Poeple with sleep apnea wake up at nite gasping for air. Your sleeping quality is so bad you wake up in the morning tired and still sleepy. You fall asleep easily and in worst case, fall asleep while driving. CPAP delivers air into your airway through a specially designed nasal mask. The mask does not breathe for you; the flow of air creates enough pressure when you inhale to keep your airway open. Of couse first few nite it was hell uncomfortable nite. I had my both hand tied to the bed by nurses on duty coz i keep on pulling the mask off my face at nite. I was told later 2 masks broken after being pulled by me. The airtight mask also sound proof. Had to yell all the time.

I was not aware about sleep apnea until my doc told me. I remember he told me untreated sleep apnea a period of time, cause my arterial oxygen saturation level to drop to as low as 30-40 %. Becuase the drop took many years, my body function adapting to low oxygen environment; resulting low metabolism rate; contributing to obesity. When they put me on CPAP, thought O2 at normal flow, but for my body, it higher than usual. That explain why I fell asleep the moment they put on CPAP on me. They told me I was awake next day but I cn't remember anything. I can't even remember been send to ICU on 3rd day. Remember woke up a week later and start mumbling about getting my eye glasses from table top. Only after 3 weeks on CPAP for 24 hours, I was able to bring O2 level to 88-90%. After that change to BPAP only at nite, then when confident enough change to smaller oxygen mask. Week 5,with proper breathing technique manage to get O2 to 97-98% which is norm. Yet everytime I was not on any O2 aids, it drop. Now 2 months after discharge/without O2 aids, I belief my O2 saturation drop again. Sleep apnea syntoms coming back, sweating, panting, blueish finger nail, asthmatic symtom, coughing, weezing. Working on getting myself personal CPAP machine. Expensive ! might have to forget about getting lapband surgeri if I use the money on CPAP machine.

Actually they further chopped him "Doctors operated on him a third time and removed infected tissue and his spleen. Mr Tay then fell into a coma and continued to bleed internally, so he was operated on a fourth time."

Hi Ariel 1) High water content is called "Fluid retention" or "water retention", defined as "An abnormal accumulation of fluid in cells, tissues or body cavities that results in swelling" - this explain why my body had suddenly strenching and getting bigger rapidly. It was actually "swelling" with water. 2) UKM - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia or in english, Malaysia National University. 3) Lapband surgery was done 1 or 2 cases a month. Not many hospital offer this facility. Neighbouring patient died of other causes, both case elderly patients. Scary? yes but only realise them gone in the morning when i saw their bed empty. 4) Weak. Yes, CPAP machine pump extra oxygen to my body. Correct me if i'm wrong, sudden increase in oxygen gave same effect of taking drug. You'll be half awake and dificulties of remembering anything. When I was first woke up, a doctor ask me simple questions but i failed to answer back. Days pass by I regain my memory. Lying down on bed 24 hours for 3 weeks, make my whole body paralyst. I had physiotherapist on frequent visit for physical training.

Hi nancy, The Star here is not a tabloid, indeed this is no 1 nasional newpaper, beating NST (News Strait Times). Anyhow, this thing happen in Singapore and it's real. But like others said, it was not lapband killing the man, it was other factor. But my point is, 99% risk free does not mean you can ignore the fact sh*t happen. Having doubt on the "tabloid" how about this http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/222473/1/.html or google on these "singapore lap band surgery death" Happy slimming.

This will be my final reply to you and your kind. Anymore posting I shall made only and strickly for one who respect and acknowledge others success stories. Below I shall quote how this oz chick TWIST all my facts. BIGGEST TWIST OF ALL, I NEVER SAID I LOST 100KG. YOU FRAKING TWIST FIGURE FROM KG-LB-KG-LB YOU TWISTED YOUR BRAIN. I'VE LOST FROM 250KG - 173KG AFTER 5 WEEK = 77 KG, OF COURSE I ROUND UP TO 80 EASILY SAID. DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Ah haaa....I got it now. You are just one sad little girl who cannot accept the fact that there are other people out there who accomplished more without going thru surgery. Your reply above show how much confused you are. My suggestion is, since you are now very slim and sexy, just log off and start having real life friends and get a life. Referring back to the calory figure above, heck my apple, chicken and fish were genetically altered so that when all mix up in my stomach instead of absorbing to my body as fat, they evolved into a full load of shit. That explained how I lost hugh amount of weight, by shitting every hour.

http://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/www/chapter1_4_3.html Egg, raw, boiled, or poached, 1 large 82 x 1 = 82 Bread, whole wheat, 1 slice 67 x 3 = 201 Chicken drumstick, roasted, w/o skin 76 x 3 = 228 Fish, raw, broiled, poached, 3 1/2 oz. 140 x 2 = 280 total = 791 Apple, medium, 1 apple, 2 3/4 in., 1/3 lb. 80 Lettuce, iceberg, 1 cup, shredded 7 Like I said, less fat, less carbo, but people need Protein, you get protein from chicken/fish. Why need protein, you may not want to grow bigger but cells dies every second and you need protein for cell regeneration.

Thanks, I'll be happy to answer your questions. First of all, I voluntarily admitted myself to hospital to get lap band treatment/surgery. However, later found out I have other issues; 1) sleep apnea - cause my blood oxygen level to drop slowly over the years. 2) High Water content in body cell - kidney not functioning fast enough to process high water intake. For 2) lasix treatment for 1) CPAP treatment - constant pressure air pump something, to forceme breathing with consistent flow of oxygen. Sudden increase in oxygen make me drowsy thus put me sub-contious - this is normal and expected. Admitted to ICU becuase oxygen tube connecting to CPAP machine accidently disconnected for few hours causing me what they call "hard of breathing" - this is not normal and definitely not expected, so they put me on ICU for a day to monitor my condition. I had all done from UKM Hospital, Malaysia. For those who choose not to believe in me, what can I say, nothing for me to loose. It was a very interesting but scary 5 weeks ordeal. Some experinces to share... over the 5 weeks 1) 2 neigbouring patients died. 2) became big baby for 3 weeks - feet to weak to move after 1 week lying down. everything taken care by nurse, and i mean everything. 3) physioteraphy treatment started week 4, started to learn to walk again.

Another side on the story http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/222473/1/.html Man dies after complications from gastric band surgery By Joanne Leow/Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 August 2006 1825 hrs <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="260"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20"> </td> <td align="right" width="240"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td class="update"> <table style="width: 240px; height: 36px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138"> </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" onclick="Prev();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" onclick="Play()" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" height="15" type="image" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " onclick="Next();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td class="update"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> <table style="background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="240"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="100%"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> <td> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top">Related Videos </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#cccccc" valign="top"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top"> Man dies after complications from gastric band surgery</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" background="images/dotline_240.gif" valign="top"></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> SINGAPORE : A 31-year-old man died on Monday following complications after undergoing gastric band surgery. Ross Tay is believed to be the first person in Singapore to have died from such complications. He had the procedure performed at Alexandra Hospital, which is a leading institution for such surgical weight management procedures. Also known as lap band surgery, it is only available to people who are very overweight and who have not responded to changes in diet, exercise regimen and medication. Mr Tay, a martial arts instructor and tour bus driver, weighed 176 kilogrammes and was diabetic. His family told Channel NewsAsia he first went for gastric band surgery in March this year and suffered an allergic reaction to the band. He had it removed days after but was advised to try the procedure again in July. This time, surgeons found too much scar tissue to install the band. When he returned home, he complained that he was feeling unwell and on July 29, was readmitted with a high fever. Doctors operated on him a third time and removed infected tissue and his spleen. Mr Tay then fell into a coma and continued to bleed internally, so he was operated on a fourth time. He died on Monday from complications including blood poisoning. Mr Tay had just got married in March; now, his family members expect the medical bills to come up to some S$20,000. They say they are grateful for the staff who tried to save Mr Tay in the last days of his life, but wonder if his death could have been prevented. Said his brother Melvin Tay, "Public awareness - we just want to let others know this cannot be 100 percent. It was like a very simple operation, we thought; we didn't expect that it would lead to today's stage." Gastric band surgery is a keyhole procedure that involves putting a band around the upper part of the stomach to reduce appetite. It is a measure of last resort, and the Health Ministry only allows it for people with a body mass index over 32. Doctors here say the risks from gastric band surgery are low compared to other weight management surgery like stomach stapling; in fact, the mortality rate is 1 in 2,000, or 0.04 percent. Still, doctors say that as with any surgery there are risks As for this case, Alexandra Hospital says it cannot comment until the coroner's report, which is expected to be out in three to four months. Alexandra Hospital has performed some 300 gastric band surgeries since 2001, with some patients losing up to 70 kilogrammes from the procedure. Patients who opt for this procedure have to go through a six-month preparation period which involves tests and counselling. The Health Promotion Board says the number of obese Singaporeans has increased from 6 percent in 1998 to 6.9 percent in 2004. Of these, 16 percent are at high risk of developing obesity-related diseases. - CNA /ct

In my country, lapband falls under cosmetic. Here not many people aware of this treatment. Lipo is definitely under cosmetic. Thus anything about losing weight is cosmetic, includes tummy thuck. That is why most insurance company does not cover this and general hospital did not perform lap band. They stock to traditional diet and execise. I'm still trying to get reimbursement on my treatment bill based on the fact that this is "life treatening" if not threated.

Sorry for the confusion. here how it goes I have too much Water in my body cell, they gave me LASIX treatment to flush out water Day 1 - admitted at 250 kgs Day 3 - weighted at 235 kgs (in ICU) After 3 weeks - 180kg Week 4 - 177kg Week 5 - Pre BIB Operation 173kg Post BIB operation 175 kg (balloon has 1 kg ++ of water) First 1 week, I was sub-contious (sudden increase in oxygen) on liquid diet (tube intake) Week 2 - awake but still on liquid diet Week 3 - started 800 kal diet. At this level, my weight reduce rapidly becuase all of it water. After week 3 my weight reduction slow down to 0.5 kg daily. Do your maths, last 2 week only lost 7 kilos. But honestly, after discharge I think I gain weight. First 2 week after BIB, I can control my intake, if I took extra i'll vomit out. But after 2 weeks I guess my body evolve and allow extra intake. BIB turn out to be not as effective as lapband. BIB cost as much as lapband. But I took BIB becuase of the free offer. By the way, THE STAR is legit nasional english paper in Malaysia and currently no 1 in Malaysia. They don't twist these kind of stories. However I believe they just don't dive deeper. They could have copied from Singapore newspaper. But they twist politics stories a lot.

Love to share this, remember I was hospitalised so I can't take outside food even i want. First of all, 150lbs are mostly Water. After all water being flush out via medication, however following this diet help me to reduce half kg of FAT a day, at constant rate. Half kg a days = 15 kg / month, if you follow these strickly Breakfast 1 pc wholemeal bread 1 boiled chicken eeg 1 cup tea/coffee - sugarless / calory free sugar lunch 1 pc wholemeal bread 2 pcs grilled fish (no salt) green vege (no salt) Soup (no salt) fruit dinner 1 pc wholemeal bread 3 pcs grilled chicken (no skin no salt) green vege (no salt) soup (no salt) fruit The above diet based on 800 calories /day. Basically high Protein, less fat, less carbohydrate Fruit - avoid banana Fruit -limit 1 pc per-intake I survived 5 weeks. Another patient same ward, survived 4 days.....

I'm quite agree. Sometime choosing the right medical institution could a vital decision making. Thought doctors has their own "ethical" or code of conduct, public and private hospital may have mission statement. Private hospital charge higher and for the sake of making profit they may close one eye on certain fact. I registered myself to a semi private university hospital. Lap band here is half the cost of private hospital. Government/Public hospital don't do these kind of cosmetic surgery. Instead of squeezing money from my pocket, they do a through check on my health condition before performing any surgery. A lady walk in a day after me was put on surgery table next day, but me.... have to wait for 5 weeks. Upon diagnosis, they found out 1) My Water retention too high - 80kgs was easily flush out within 3 weeks cos it was only water. Basically it make my pee pee flush every 15 minutes. 2) Most serious problem, my blood oxygen level damn low. I was told I had sleep apnea and I did not know about it. Never heard of it. Sleep apnea "A group of potentially lethal disorders in which breathing recurrently stops during sleep for long enough to cause measurable blood deoxygenation." Low oxygen level is bad for surgery, I was on CPAP machine for 5 weeks before my oxygen level back to normal. CPAP continuous positive air pressure. A piece of equipment used to aid patients with breathing. Only then they can confirm my surgery date. Unfortunately 2 months without CPAP machine, I think my oxygen level dropping coz I started to get back all sleep apnea symptom. :cry

Lap Band was suppose to be perform using laparoscopic technic, what they call "keyhole" size operation. Most of my weight centering on my belly, in another word I have the characteristic of being a santa clause. I pose a question to my doc, with my big stomach, is "keyhole" operation still possible. He said yes but big chances they may need a bigger cut, no longer keyhole, more like pigeon hole. Thus, like any other operations, you'll be vunerable to infections, excessive bleeding.....etc. They postponed my lap band 2 days before operation date becuase they "JUST REALISED" I was on asprin to dilute my blood. having operation while on asprin medication may resulted in excessive bleeding.

Guess what !! I have a balloon on my stomach. Yes, I had the procedure done on 27 April 2005. I'm 2nd person in Malaysia to have this. Actually I admitted myself to a local hospital for gastrik bypass surgery. Because I'm a morbid obesity, I had 2 other problem to tackle before the surgery, mainly first my blood oxygen level was dangerously low and secondly my Water retention is to high. It only took 3 days to drain out water from my body but it took 4 weeks on 24 hours oxygen pump before my lung functioning at almost normal rate. 4 days before surgery, my doc suggest me BIB. A doctor from Brazil came to Malaysia for a special workshop and need someone to become a model forthe workshop. Apparently I'm the only patient fit enough that time. I took the offer, oh yeah.... it's free baby !!! The procedure took 15 minutes but they woke my up only after 2 hours. As mentioned in the manual booklet, i was vomitting and blurping for 24 hours, and suffering from stomach cramp for 1 week. Now my body get us to this foreign object. When I drink or eat too much, I will feel like vomitting, sometime I do. I will continue to report in once a month, on 1st June I need to report in for sleeping test, as part of my breathing treatment, nothing to do with BIB. Email me if you want to ask anything. I hardly on forum. By the way ... I lost 80 kg @ 160 ouns during my 5 week stay in hospital. Most of it water.