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Hey sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I had the surgery the day after you posted. Everything went great, no complications! I spent the night in the hospital as a precaution. I'm having a little abdominal pain, but not too bad, every day get better. I can already see myself shrinking!

Re: Lap band vs RNY, I'm going for lap band, don't like the idea of re-routing intestines etc...Both have benefits / drawbacks, a big difference I see is the lap band complications are fewer and generally less serious. The complications from lapband are nuisance problems. Getting food stuck, PB's, sliming, pain from stuck food ...most sound controllable, but sound like many get frustrated due to not making the changes required to work with the band. RNY limits amount, but does not necessarily restrict what foods they eat. Lap banders have trouble with different foods etc... you can read of lot of info on this site and get more details / opinions. Good luck

No I am not working yet, I'll go back on thw 25th. I took 2 weeks off and boy am I glad. Some people say they went back to work after taking a few days but, that in my opinion is not a good idea. I haven't had any complications and wounds look wonderful but this is a major surgery and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

It was the best choice I've made for myself in a very long time. I had my first follow-up appointment today and Dr. M was very impressed with my incisions and my overall progress. He doesn't fill your band until the 2nd week out. He believes in allow your body to heal from surgery to give you every possible chance at being successful.

When is your surgery?

Hi, Heather,

I'm in the process of getting the band, don't know which one I want to get realize or lapband but I wanted to talk to someone who has had a baby with the band. I'm curious to know if it caused any complications, how long did it take you to lose the weight after birth and how much weight you gained, if any. I'm indecisive about the band or the sleeve. Please help.

Thanks! Good Luck to you too! My surgery went well with no complications. I did cheat a little on my pre-op diet. I am so glad that I decided to get the band. I have not cheated on the post -op diet and don't plan to. I am going to follow my doctor's instructions to the letter. After all, I went thru all of this for me and I am worth it. Keep me posted and I will do the same. Sorry for the late reply.

Hey there.. I am sooo happy I got banded. I was more afraid of the risks of not being banded than the risks of being banded... stroke, heart attack, diabetes.. I am down 117.5 pounds and I know that my chances of getting those killer diseases are sooo much less now. Yes there are risks with the band but for me (I haven't had any complications) the risks of not getting done were so much worse. It has been almost 10 months and I honestly would do it again in a heartbeat!! I wouldn't even think twice about it. I am a self pay and feel it was worth every penny I spent. I hope that answers your questions and if it doesn't feel free to contact me anytime! I wish you much luck on your decision. xoxo Allie~

Your right this is a good place to vent. I just know how bad complications can be. I worked in ar Emergency room which is where I met my husband who is a nurse in The ER still . It would just be a shame to do so much positive stuff for yourself and cancel it out for the negative. I'm sure you will do great Good luck!!!!

Could you tell me a little more about your complications and what led to having the band slip?? I had my surgery in September 2007, I am only down 28 pounds. I have had to have the liquid completely removed from my band twice during this time cause of inability to eat. Did you have any similair occurances? I am struggling with my most recent fill and dont know what I need to do.

I must say that I did have every complication you can think of, however I don't mean to sound vain, but I would do it again. I did have it done in Mexico by a very experienced set of doctors. I know about 10 people from my small town that had used this place and they were all successful. My mother-n-law went in 30 minutes before me and had no complications. I lost about 60 pounds during the time I was sick. I am steadily fighting to keep from gaining. I wish I could have it put back in but I am too scared. I went to Mexico to save money, but it has ended up costing me over $100,000 in medical bills. I had it removed here in the U.S., which is where I highly recommend you have anything done. My dad just had the "Sleeve" done and he has lost about 80 pounds and is doing great. No fills or foreign objects. I would recommend that over the lap band.

Good Luck!!

gbaber

3. Top Surgeons is the least expensive place for me, after I researched other surgery centers in my area.

4. This is not brain surgery. The risks of complications are very low. I am more likely to have more health problems if I don't do the surgery.

I researched and really considered all this before surgery.

I chose to have the surgery and I am so glad I did. Dr. Salamitari has been great, the surgery went better than I expected and I have lost 50 lbs since.

My lapband is being taken out tuesday in Michigan due to complications. I will not be having it replaced

Thanks Chellz423 for your honest reply about the SILS procedure. I'm alot older then most of you -- in my early 60s -- so I/m more concerned about complications. Glad to hear you did so well. Keep up the good work. Chris (cat lady)

Hello

I notice you get your fills from Dr. Bishop in Ottawa. Can you tell me if he also does follow up care (ie: if you need an x-ray or barium swallow test, will he order those tests, or does your Surgeon have to request those tests etc?)

Im new to this and just wanted to understand how that would work if any complications arise.

Thank you so much in advance for your help. I have my consult tmrw with Dr. Cobourn and I am from Ottawa.

Thanks

Hello Jachut,

saw your post and wanted to ask how much it costs to have a lapband in Australia. Would the doctor accept a BMI of 31 without other obesity related complications? Thanks

Hi Tiffy. Thank you for all of your informative posts! I am so glad that I found this site. I was pretty set on the lap-band prior to hearing about all of the complications! Congratulations on your WLS journey!

Hey there,

I'm so glad your surgery went well!!! I am about two and a half weeks out and LOVE my sleeve. The whole surgery experience was kind of like getting tortured for a few days...lol.. But it all went great. I had no complications and was back to work in a week. Can't wait to hear an update from you!

Take care,

Nikki

How did you surgery go?! Looking forward to hearing from you.... Im here my last day in Tijuana and head home tomorrow, there were no complication, just 3 days of hard hard work lol I hope youre doing well!!

No dates yet. Surgery one, band removal, should be within the next 2 weeks, I hope. Surgery two, the sleeve, will hopefully be over my Christmas break so I can recover without having to miss work. I really liked that he wanted to do my revision in 2 procedures to lower my risk of leaks/complications. I'll post when I get my dates nailed down.

Anna

No, I realize now that no one means any offense when they speak so highly of the Mexicali hospital, it probably is the best in Mexico. I have no qualms about the surgeon I am going to, and will keep you informed of the quality of care I receive there. I am a tough old broad, have been thru many surgeries and usually surpass all expectations with the recovery so I am expecting nothing less. I feel that all the posts I read have kept me informed as to what can happen, and have my fingers crossed that I can get thru without complications of any sort.

I hope you will be my friend thru-out this as you seem to be closer to my age than most.

I fly down to San Diego on this Sunday. Please stay in touch with me.

Donna

I am going to send this in 2 message since it will only allow 1000 words..

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply but i haven't been on in awhile. I log on when i need modivation and right now i am in another stall so i just logged on for the first in a while.

I loved Dr. Nicholson and his staff. I had my surgery at Forest Park medical center because i was a cash patiant. It's a brand new and a very nice hospital. If your having any complication and need to go to the hospital after surgery you never have to wait there like you would at any other ER rooms (you can even go there if you didnt have your surgery there; they also know Dr. Nicholson very well there). I have only had to return because i was having bad shooting pains in my main incision...and it came out only to be a pulled muscle in my main incision. So listen to the doc and don't over do it or lift anything over 10 pounds.

Hello,

I came across a response you put into the low bmi forum. I'm considering VSG with a low bmi of 31. I was just wondering what your experience has been like? Where did you have the procedure? Did you have any complications being such a low bmi? How fast did the weight come off? Do you have a hard time with not being able to eat?

Any insight you could provide would be SOOO appreciated.

hi. i was reading your post and your story sounds like mine. I had to have a an emergency removal of my band last month. I was only banded abt 7 wks, then i started having troubles. I had a slip and a full obstruction. i went into surgery thinking i was going to have the band repositioned and woke up to find it had to be removed. i was very down at first, but am looking forward now. i was going to be rebanded, but am now considering the sleeve. i have your same concerns, tho, abt the longterm data, etc. but, it seems that complications are so common with the band. i just wanted to see if we could connected maybe share info. thanks in advance, beth in texas

I am going to head up either Mon. or Tues. - sort of depends on what time my surgery is on Tues. They are supposed to call tomorrow with a firm time. I am currently scheduled for 8:00, hope it stays that way, but another friend of mine had this and was moved to 2:00 the day before her procedure. I am at Forest North Medical Center. I think it is good you are at the hospital, in the unlikely event there is a complication. I will say a prayer for you tonight for a speedy recovery and good pharmaceuticals. Post as soon as you feel able. Best Wishes. Hook 'Me![/font][/color]

Want to welcome you aboard, and to let you know that you are not old at all! I believe I have that honor here! We seniors seem to go through this procedure with flying colors, nice to know in advance that the odds are in your favor!

I am 2 1/2 months postop and have lost 35 lbs so far. Feel terrific and with no side effects or complications of any kind.

Feel free to ask away if you have any questions, will be glad to lend an ear and help out any way we can!

Cheers,

Donna

Sorry I took so long to get back to you. My mother inlaw was here for a month in the midst of getting all my preop testing done. All I need now is psych and nutritionist on April 23 thats the soonest i could get in.

If insurance does not approve it ever I still doing self pay but not to Mexico my PCP says I will be able to get better care here if I have it done here if their are complications. I'm looking at Dr Mark Pleatman in Michigan and Abbington right here in Phil area they are about $11,400 but if Im here no air fare or hotel or rental car still working out all the kinks but I have time to get it figured out.

Are you still looking? and have you had any appointments?