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So my drs. office has TONS of support groups, classes, phone-chat, etc. It is one of the reasons that I picked him. However, right before I was having surgery, I was told that all the support groups were undergoing a radical overhaul, and to 'stay tuned'. So in one of my post-nutrition classes I met a lady. She and I were the only two in the classes so we got chatty and friendly and exchanged email addys. She had the RNY procedure a few days before I had the VSG. I got an email from her yesterday saying "there is a support group tonight, let's go!" And even though I couldn't find it on my calendar from the surgeon's office, I decided 'what the heck' and went. I got there, sat down and then realized....this support group is for lap band people. Whoopsie! But the group was facilitated by my NUT and I do really like her and they didn't ask us to leave or anything. So there was probably 10 people total there and my friend and I were the only non-lap banders. So this is how the breakdown of the room went: * 2 people - Super-happy with the band (and less than 4 months out...one lady had lost 40lbs in 4 months...not too shabby) * 2 people - Completely unfilled due to issues (one lady was headed to the ER after class she was in SO MUCH PAIN...I really worried about her...poor thing she was over 1 year out) * 1 person - Happy with her loss, but unhappy because she could never eat for 10 days after a fill, she was banded in June and spends more than a week after a fill being sick and having to survive on liquids) * 1 person - Didn't say much, but was very obese (not sure when banded) and said she was struggling but didn't elaborate. * 1 person - Was pre-surgery and trying to get a feel for things during post-op life, etc. * 1 person - Struggling with 'getting back on track' just having issues in general. And then there was me (VSG) and my friend (RNY) and I felt SO BAD for the bandsters. They had all sorts of questions about why I choose VSG, and some of them called it "radical" etc. SO there I was saying 'um I didn't get the band because I can't stand to throw up, plus I don't view the band as a long-term solution' ...I wasn't expecting all the questions. I ended it by saying that those were having trouble could consider revising to the VSG. It was all very eye-opening. And every single bandster who had thrown up was blaming THEMSELVES! Truly. "I did it to myself, I ate too fast, too much, too big of a bite, etc." Wow. So I'm glad I went but next time will go by the schedule. Interestingly enough, they don't have a stand-alone sleeve support group...we are lumped into the RNY category. Oh well, it will be interesting to hear all of their stories too. I did ask pre-surgery for them to make a sleeve support group since they are in the process of restructuring, etc. Oh and the reason I put 'real' in quotes is because I truly consider this to be my TRUE support group...love this board!

I was placed on a medication to prevent gallstones for 6 months after my band surgery. There have actually been several studies about bypass and band surgeries and gallstones. Here are links to just a few. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16687027 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1858735 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14578732 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12677265 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11792152

I am not sure where you are in Southern Oregon. Dr. Tersigni's support group meetings are the 2nd tuesday of the month. They are in the basement of the North Bend Medical Center. You have to drive around to the back of the building and you will see a door propped open. They start at 7:00. There are a lot of gastric bypass patients but we are getting more and more lap band people all the time. There are usually at least 3 or 4 lap band people. Robin usually has a topic do discuss which benefits anyone trying to lose weight or maintain their weight loss no matter what surgery you had. You don't have to have had your surgery by him either. Anyone is welcome that wants support.

Severe heartburn is a recognized side effect of VSG. I was forced to revise to bypass to cure my heartburn. I would call your surgeon and see if they can put you on a different PPI. You may need to try different medication combinations to find one that gives you some relief. Also, try to drink something other than plain Water. Plain water gave me horrible heartburn. You need to drink because dehydration won't help you at all. In fact, it will make you feel worse. Good luck!

Im in a similar situation. I have not had surgery yet, as i will have my 2nd consult soon. I have gerd, have had it for years and when the surgeon and I discussed it he said, " well if you get reflux you always can convert to bypass". I was,a bit frustated with that comment and, I said, "No, at 58 years old im only doing this once". He said 1/3 of sleeve patients will still have gerd, and he has been seeing sleeve patients 3 to 4 years out with severe gerd and going the revision route because its very bad and happens daily. Thats why I decided the bypass route. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App 4 years sleeve post op. Had slight heartburn before my sleeve but nothing like this....I had an upper g.i. on Tuesday to find out the Fluid comes right back up and my sleeve has a slight twist in it I had a miscarriage last year and my gerd is now out of control. Submitting for bypass revision Nov 19th. I hope u feel better. I've taken allllll the medicines possible. I even went with natural remedies. Baking soda and apple cider vinegar to help. But it's useless. Im looking forward to relief and losing the last bit I have to hit goal. I still do not regret my sleeve !!!!! Sent from my Z981 using the BariatricPal App

Im in a similar situation. I have not had surgery yet, as i will have my 2nd consult soon. I have gerd, have had it for years and when the surgeon and I discussed it he said, " well if you get reflux you always can convert to bypass". I was,a bit frustated with that comment and, I said, "No, at 58 years old im only doing this once". He said 1/3 of sleeve patients will still have gerd, and he has been seeing sleeve patients 3 to 4 years out with severe gerd and going the revision route because its very bad and happens daily. Thats why I decided the bypass route. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

I am totally doing the same thing.. my band is only at 1.7 right now.. but will i just continue to find more and more ways to eat around it? I always drank alot (not alcohal) and ate crispy junk... I shoulda got the bypass I think

Every weight loss surgical method has its' success and failure stories. No matter what method you choose you can only treat it as a tool and must work very hard to achieve long term success. There is no easy way to lose fat long term. I wouldn't give up my band for anything! And a band doesn't reroute your plumbing so you there's no nutrition absortion component like there is with the bypass. Brad

Yikes. I was bulimic as a teenager, but I'm so scared of slippage that it never occurs to me anymore. If you have to have your band out, don't replace it until you get your mind on track with the program. It's not worth it. BTW, my cousin had RNY bypass and she CAN'T vomit, it's physically impossible. That would be one way to lose weight and fight the bulimia. Extreme, I know, but only an option to consider. Do what's best for you.

I have not lost in almost two months. I went to Dr. Lopez, new to me today. I learned so much. He gave me my second fill. I am now 3ccs. I am so positive now. I could fill the difference within 20 minutes. I am full to the top even though I only drank today. I am on Clear Liquids today, smooth creams tomarrow, and anything I can mush with a fork the 3rd day and then back to normal diet. He also told me NO Protein shakes for banders, only bypass, usually. He told me to get "beach bars or snicker go bar. I was surprised! I have never had the confidence to change doctors before, but because of this support group I knew I needed a fill, and the other doctor could not get me in until April. I am on top of the world again. Thank you everyone for sharing!!!!!:speechles

Ok that's exactly what I was thinking, maybe with bypass but with the sleeve I am still absorbing pills. I was able to continue taking my pills the whole time even the day of surgery (didn't need to I was on the sugar pills). My dr never mentioned that I shouldn't take the pill anymore. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had an open band that needed to be done due to scar tissue from previous gastric bypass 9 yrs ago. Dr. Bhesania in Port Huron also repaired a small hernia. I was cut over 12 inches and had 39 staples. I've been back to work three days and really struggling. Struggling for more protein, tired, hungry and anxious to get my first fill on MLK day. I'm two weeks and two days post-op and started on Cream of Wheat w/skim milk to help get me over this hump along with Slim Fast. I've lost 20 lbs since I've started and hit a bump where I'm not losing now. A little worried... any ideas or encouragement would be really helpful for me. I'm not good at asking for help.

i was confused for a long time about which procedure to have as well. I decided on the Band because it is adjustable. If you need a little extra restriction... you can have it. If you decide you lost enough weight and want to eat normally you can have some taken out of the band or stop getting fills. I had no one in my life who has a band but quite a few who have the gastric bypass but they absorbtion only lasts for 15-18 months and then you could start gaining weight back...like Carnie Wilson from Wilson-Phillips and Randy Jackson from American Idol(He had a band put in over his gastrc bypass)... I wanted to learn to eat right and I am still learning. I am thrilled with my decision and excited that I have lost 44 pounds so far... and counting. It is a difficult decision to make but once I get this weight off, I need to have the band's support to keep it off and I will keep it off. Every pound that goes...Is not coming back. Alot of doctors are putting the band over a gastric bypass when they begin to gain back but I wasn't going to take the risk of getting my insurance to pay again... It was alot of hoops to jump through... to get here. The slower you lose weight, the less loose skin....bonus.:tongue2:

So I was revised 5/27. I’m feeling great... went to bed and awoke with a horrendous bruise on the left side of my belly button ... incision site. Didn’t have a bruise when I went to bed. It’s hard large and painful. Feels like a baseball underneath. All the others are greenish as it’s been over a week. I called the emergency service for my surgeon and his associate called me back. Just said if no fever it’ll be okay. ER if I want but with COVID unsure I wanna go but I had surgery and everything was impeccably clean. Maybe CITYMD. maybe it needs to be drained? 👩🏼‍⚕️

@@beachgal2935 your post made me upset! I too fear having a stroke and not being around for my husband and kids. I worry about heart disease and all the complications that come with diabetes. As I speak, my sugars are out of control even tho my diet has been exceptional and I'm taking all my meds. The dr says sometimes there's no explaination for the rise in blood readings but that doesn't sit well with me. You went thru so much all because of that, you have done really well, I'm happy you're alive and on the mend to show me the valuable lesson. I'm seeing clearly that for the sake of "food" I shouldn't let my health and future grow dim, and that's what will happen. I'm not an obese person, here in Australia we use (kgs) and I'm 80 kgs so while I'm not BAD, I could stand to lose 15-20 more kgs. And it seems that weight is what is keeping me from being well and healthy and being taken off the list for more serious things to go wrong. You know I was put on insulin 5 months ago and for 2 months after I felt normal again, my energy had returned and my hbac1 was looking great! Now my level has started to rise again and I fear this will continue to be a never ending roller coaster. It seems to be that bypass is the answer to getting off the roller coaster......... I feel nervous going into such a life changing move but if I feel good and I get to hang around and be with my kids, then it's a small payoff. I can't thank you enough for writing your story to send to me, it has shifted my thoughts on maybe to definitely for the surgery.

Hate to drink the water because I know the cramps I'm getting are coming from that?

Hi there! Welcome. Stomaphyx and other procedures have poor results. If you have a lot to lose you can look into a revision but If its more like 30-40 lbs it's going to be about your diet. You do not have malabsorption of calories and all that anymore. you will always have malabsorption of Vitamins so you need to keep getting bloodwork checked. Most of us long timers find our Iron tends to tank quite easily many years out. You can't shrink your pouch. You can reduce your carbs focus on Protein and you may feel like you have more sensitivity to your pouch. De-carb. The best way to lose is to use myfitnesspal and track what you are eating. Aim for 40% protein or more in your diet. If you are on Facebook I have a group for long timers. Just message me.

Sometimes I feel the same way. This is very hard. I've been exercising 5-6 times wk for an 1 hr each day. It's not easy gettin' poked w/ a needle, PBing, sliming...trying not to overeat. The list goes on and on but, I chose the band because the downtime is less than bypass and to be honest, I was scared to have surgery and didn't want anymore cutting than necessary. The thing that keeps me going is there are thousands of people who've been successful with the band and I know we can too. Guess we have to work harder.

Sorry this all happened to you. A few things I do not understand, how could you go so long without ANY fluids and not die? You are quite lucky. Also, they sent you home septic? How did you survive that? There are several that have had severe infections. Might want to look up TJWood, he just had surgery last week for the 2nd time to remove pockets of pus from his abdomin. Steve is correct, there was another person here that said her doc told her she was rejecting the band because she was infected. That isn't rejection, that is infection. I feel for you, I lost my band too but for very different reasons. I self paid for the band and then self paid for a revision to a sleeve. That might be a better option for you once you are fully healed and back to the life of the living.

I am 54 and about 60lbs over weight. I was above to have gastic bypass from my insurance. My Dr. thinks gastic bypass is best for me. I am not sure about that! I think I would feel better with the band. I am now reading all information about the band. I have a friend who had the band and it did not work for her. She did not loss weight and was very sick with the band. I know you do not loss weight as fast with the band that you would with the bypass. I am very scared to have the bypass. So now I will be seeing my dr and tell her that I would feel better the band. Has anyone had both surgeries? Please share your experience

Hi M N_thin 0211 No, that wasn't a helpful post and hopefully you are not completely discouraged. For me I could not tolerate the Protein shakes (it didn't matter how it was "doctored" up). I lived off Water and very small amounts a Protein Shakes for the first two/three weeks. I was not a happy camper. Do you like clam chowder? I sipped the liquid and left the chewable parts. Week three I was also nibbling on mozzarella sticks. Ask your doctor if It's ok for you. I'll admit, I didn't ask, during week three I just did it (it was on my approved list). I chewed it so well it was basically evaporating in my mouth. That was really the only thing I could eat (and I have never been a cheese person). My doctor did tell me I could have smoothies. I understand every doctor is different, but my doctor was all for it. I bypassed the pureed stage by drinking smoothies and shakes (i looked up different nutritious smoothies) and occasional mozzarella cheese sticks. I will never find pureed anything appealing . You'll be ok, don't worry you won't fail. It's a stumbling block, goodness knows I have stumbled. Nothing is the same for everyone. Only you know your body and what you can tolerate. Chin up cricket!!! You'll find your groove . Good luck to you, and happy journey.

I am 36, have a family and would like some real life honest experiences about bypass. I have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and I am on metformin, karvizide, and injecting Byetta twice a day for my diabetes. I have had a gastric band for 6 years now and successfully kept off my lost weight since the band was put in. I still have more weight to lose which may be why my diabetes isn't under control, and blood pressure still not stable. Today my specialist and gastric doctor said it would be a very good idea to have the gastric bypass to solve the problem of my diabetes. They said That it would either help a lot or cure it altogether. I am reading bits and pieces about the benefits of losing weight etc, but who of you out there wants to share the side effects?? With the band, a side effect was acid reflux,.......so what bad side effects do I need to consider for the more permanent bypass. The other thing I could consider is putting more fill into my band and putting MORE effort into weight loss, but I just don't know if that will kickstart weight loss again,,,,,,,enough! I have heard examples of people getting diabetes and problems associated with it, then having bypass surgery, they drop all their weight and their diabetes goes into remission! No tablets or injections ever again? I am still in the throws of just considering this surgery so any experiences or relative information would be appreciated!

Hi ShrinkingMeme! Wow your story sounds very similar. I got my band aug 2011. Did very well for the first year. The company I went through, private pay, went bankrupt. Was still doing well the next year. Went from 282 to 210. Meet my husband and put on a couple pounds, lol! Then a year later we we married and then pregnant right away! While pregnant I started to get very bad issues with food being stuck. Just dealt with it for 18 months eating ice cream and whatever I could get done. Back up to 290, my highest weight! Sept last year I had enough and talked to family doctor. He referred me to Ontario bariatric network to have reversion to bypass covered by OHIP. They were able to unfill my band, which can I never had done...no where to go. So finally able to eat again! My surgery is Oct 4 and totally nervous they will only take the band out and then I'll have to wait for bypass. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Shrinkingmeme, That darn Lap Band!! My hubby had his for 13 years,which was in the year of 2000. He did lose 100#'s but he is a Large man. He started out at 520#'s so we had expected a lot more of a loss. When he went in for his fill the nurse damaged his port. First let me say his Dr at the time said he wasn't strong enough for the RNY which was what he wanted and needed. She also used a VANGAURD BAND ( he was the first man in Oregon to get one) it was a BIG lap band. So he never lost any more weight and it came to be that he couldn't eat or drink and hold anything down. The VA sent him to a Dr in Coos Bay Oregon to empty his band. Then he tried to refill it but couldn't. He was scheduled for a revision to the RNY. When they got in there the band had eroded into his liver and he had to much scar tissue to be able to do the RNY. They did remove his band and his Gallbladder. He told him that after he healed for 3 months they could go back in for the RNY. Well he developed abcesses bad He was so sick he almost died. He was sick for 9 months and 3 of them he doesn't even remember!! Fast forward to him trying to get the Dr in Coos Bay to get the RNY well he told us he wouldn't do the surgery because he was such a problem child, but he referred him to OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE they told him they would do it if he got his A1C down below 8. And lose 20#'s. Well I don't know if you are familiar with Diabetes but if his blood sugar is down his weight is up so he just couldn't get it done. So we went to Mexico June 3 when that Dr opened him up his whole right side was solid scar tissue from his band and other surgery so they did the Sleeve on him. He isn't losing his weight easily for sure. He has lost 60#'s now. I had the RNY and lost all of my weight in 6 months which was 124#'s. I think people should be compensated or at least Dr's should have to make it right!!! I have heard that the FDA may be pulling them off the market and there are a lot of Dr's that don't even do them anymore. It makes me so mad that so many people have suffered because of the Lap Band!! Good luck on your Journey's!!

Does anyone wish they had done the gastric bypass instead? I have know people that have had it and they lost more weight and quicker. I had the lap band because it was less sever...but im starting to wonder if i made the right choice.