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@@Anna Nim I honestly wish I would had surgery when my child was younger. I would have been a much better parent, because I would have been a more active and happier parent. I say go for it. I will admit I chose the sleeve over RNY because I watched someone have complications (not WLS related) with their intestines and the way they suffered sealed it for me that I never wanted anyone to touch my intestines. The sleeve had the least risk in my opinion which is why I chose it. I was also a fairly health fat person, but when my health started to tank, it tanked fast and terrible. I'm not even sure about the long term damage. I feel like losing weight I have healed it but maybe not. I also had arthritis in one knee. Guess what since I lost weight, it never hurts anymore. I used to be so aware of that knee, all the time. It hurt all the time, it made noises, it ached. I forget it even exists now, no pain. I can kneel at church with ease.

As far as appointments required, that depends on your insurance plus your surgeon. Both will have different requirements. I have Blue Shield of California and I completed at least 1 Primary Care Doctor appointment, I completed 6 nutrition appointments and 1 psych appointment before they would approve me to see the surgeon (not to have surgery, but only to meet the surgeon. The surgeon would not meet me until I completed all their requirements: 1 orientation class, 1 pre-op class, 1 nutrition/exercise class. Then I had my surgeon appointment and from there I had several medical test appointments. All in all, I probably completed 20 task/appointments so that I could have the surgery. By the way these appointments don't stop once you have the surgery. Aftercare is extremely important to your success with banding. I have an appointment with the surgeon monthly, whereupon I receive a fill if needed. Plus, I do monthly blood work and attend support group appointments. And on top of all that, I still go see my nutritionist. You know the saying it "Takes a Village"? I am counting on the village to help me help myself become successful with this Band. As far as recovery time. Everyone is different. I had complications and stayed in the hospital for 2.5 days. I did not feel human until day 7 post op. I went back to my desk job after two-weeks off work. Good luck!

My wife, three neighbors with LapBands and this forum helped me make the decision to get the sleeve. My because for three decades she has seen me yo-yo diet and lose 50-100 several times. Only to gain the weight back plus more and she wanted me to succeed this time. The forum because of all the support and counsel I received when I was battling it out with Aetna for 18 months to get approved. Finally I have four neighbors with the LapBand, one is doing ok, but the other three have had serious complications, and weight gain. Think of this as my wife describes it as a more get it and forget it operation because I wouldn't have to go in constantly for fills. In addition, the complication has been rising and success rate plummeting. My doctor is doing less new LapBands and taking out many as he does sleeves. Yes, it is a bit more dramatic but your chances for success are greater. Good luck to you.

Hello all,I am new here and just finished the siminar. I am awaiting a call to get an appointment with a dietician and surgeon. I was banded in 2009 and lost 25 pounds before I had complications with getting stuck. I went back and forth for months to correct the issues. Now I am tired of worrying everytime I eat if I am going to have problems or not. If I try a piece of meat,even if I chew it well it feels stuck. I can't even eat for a few hours after I wake in the morning for fear of getting stuck. Even if I try cottage cheese or applesauce it gets stuck in the morning. So on to my questions. 1: How long from your first meeting did you get sleeved? 2: Did anyone have their insurance deny the procedure? 3: How has your life improved compared to the band? Thanks for your responses and I hope to come here to share my story once I get sleeved!

I was told by my surgeons office that my medicare will pay 80% of the surgery and medicaid will pick up the 20%. I was so excited and made my initial visit appointment for December 14th. I am excited but nervous. Now that it seems like it is really going to happen I have mixed feelings. I keep going from really happy and excited to scared of what will happen after the surgery. Will everything go right? Will I have complications? This is such a big step. I am ready don't get me wrong. I am just nervous. I was happy to hear I didn't have to come up with the 20% myself and that medicaid will pick it up. What helped your nerves before you went in for surgery?

I had insurance problems for a year before my surgery. When I was finally approved it was like a bolt. I also went from excitement to OMG what am I doing? But I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Even complications with the band are relatively minor and most don't have any. I did, I have a tendency to swell and my stomach pretty much swelled closed right after surgery. I had to have an NG tube inserted for 3 days, but even though I'm not a real fast loser, I am so happy with the band and the weight I have lost so far. Until the band, I had given up all hope. I have been able to stop walking with a cane and my blood pressure is under control. I'm looking forward to the day I am off meds and I no longer have sleep apnea. Can't wait. Best of luck to you and don't worry, it will be fine.

Well... my first complication, 4 weeks post op today. Last night, about 2 hours after dinner, I had massive stomach cramps and the resulting diarrhea! Yuck! I thought it was a one time thing and today, 2 hours after lunch... here goes again! I have only had 2 oz. baked tilapia, and .25 cups steamed broccoli. I read this could be cronic... Suggestions???

I am not here to put fear in anyone else but I learned something this week that is scaring the crap out of me. My husband says to me, "well, if we ever get stranded at least you will outlive us since you can eat so much less"..well, that thought had me thinking of what I know about our organs. I know that if you don't eat, your stomach will shrink and without Water, it will shrink and shrivel up which is why the nutritionists is involved in this process. We need to know what to eat to nourish the obstructed organ and how much water will keep it moist and healthy. So my concern came in when I read a story about a girl who had to have emergency surgery to open her stomach up because while she was sick with the flu, she was unable to eat for a few days and became extremely sick and lethargic. She later learned that her stomach had completely closed up on her since she hadn't eaten and couldn't even hold down liquids. My fear came in when I thought about that earlier discussed "stranded scenario" and I realized, with most of our stomachs already gone, our chances may not be so good in that situation. I may actually be okay if the problem was portioning the remaining food but I realized if there was a lack of food at any time, I would be in serious trouble. I need to make sure to prepare for any snow storms and really keep food on hand at all times. This is pretty scary, please follow your diets people!!! Has anyone experience anything so outrageous??

I haven been on VST in a while because I am really enjoying the new me. I have been very active since my surgery on May 3rd 2013. I have lost a total of 83 lbs and this is the best i have felt in a very long time. I work out an 1 hour usually 3 to 4 times a week. I can really see the changes. I have went down from a 26/28 (some 30's) to wearing a size 18w pants. It used to be ashamed to try on clothes in the stores but, now take my own sweet time in the dressing room. When I was younger, I loved roller coasters. I stopped getting on them because i was too afraid that I would not fit and they would ask to get off. This summer I rode so many rides. I had the time of my life. I thank God that I have not had any complications. I usually do a protein shake in the morning, a lean cuisine for lunch, another protein shake, and a hearty protein for dinner. My appetite seems to go with the weather. Not for sure why. The only bad habit I have is I weigh myself too much and ooh I forgot the chocolate lol. My Dr and nutritionist have been there for the much needed support. My husband got the lap band 2 years ago so it makes it nice that we both can support each other. I have 70 more lbs to loose to be a my idea weight. I am not anxious to reach my goal. I have always told myself that when i got the surgery I would be the creator of my own success. Therefore, Im taking one day at time. Right now, I am just enjoying the new me.

I had a bypass on a Wednesday. I was grocery shopping on Saturday and back to work on Monday. I never took pain medication after leaving the hospital. Barring complications, you should be fine. Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

I just had my lap band surgery on April 16th and, like you, have had no complications and am feeling great. Getting a little tired of the liquid diet. My surgeon keeps his patients on liquids for 4 weeks. How is the pureed phase going? I have lost 19 lbs. and looking forward to finally losing weight and keeping it off. Good Luck!!

Stigma - you have touched on a different topic then the usual "to tell or not to tell" so I am going to be honest even though it is UGLY! ( Not asking for those of you on here to tell me my feelings are wrong and I should change them, they are what they are and I am admitting up front with UGLY I know they are, but feeling have a mind of their own- they are not facts or chosen beliefs that we control) #1 I am EMBARRASSED I felt I needed to and decided to "not do it the right way" and I am taking the "easy way out". #2 I have judged others for years and wondered why they would have WLS and take that giant risk when they could have just changed the way they ate and exercised more. #3 I do not feel like people understand the difference between the different types of WLS and when I say I had the sleeve even with an explanation of what it is, they just lump me in the WLS category with everyone else and I feel I am so different and made an informed decision and was unwilling for years to get the bypass because of the complications. I do not want to be considered "One of them" ( see UGLY judgement on my part once again) #4 FEAR! So many I know who had WLS have gained it all back and I it breaks my heart and I feel so bad for them and can only imagine how difficult it must be. To have taken such a big risk and failed. I fear that will be me and if others do not know I had surgery it will just be another in my long list of diet fails - some how that I know I can handle,but a WLS fail seems bigger and I would feel much more judged/disapproval so I would rather they did not know. #5 I have way to many friends who would be watching me, asking questions wanting explanations of why and how come and asking me to help friends and adding a lot of to-do's to my daily life -when I am taking time to establish a new healthy lifestyle and do not need the stress or burden that would bring. So if they do not know about my surgery, I do not need to be bothered to help, inform, explain or whatever would arise by their inquisitive minds #6 I am loosing about 1 1/2-2 pounds a week which is so normal there is no need to give details. It is the easy way out by not telling them. Except for the tiny bit of guilt when they are all excited and proud of me and just can not believe my will power and ability to eat such a small portion and move on. That tiny bit of guilt ..... for now I can live with.

I've read your post for a while now, and realize you are still on the fence about this. If I could redo today, I'd do the same surgery....But, I'd find a doctor/COE that was approved for plication if possible. Not because the band can't work by itself, but because after reading about it for the last couple of years, I think it will one day be the standard. I think it'll replace the sleeve. I had those same "should I or shouldn't I" questions you are going thru right now. Everything I read about this surgery 4 years ago, as far as serious complications go, holds true today. I'm friends with a person on LoseIT who has been banded over 10 ( TEN ) years...and has had no complications.

My sleeve surgeon just did a gallbladder removal for me a couple weeks ago. I saw him today for follow-up and he chatted a bit about a bariatric surgeon conference he just attended in Sydney, AU. Just as background, my surgeon does mostly sleeves and the occasional bypass. He used to do a ton of bands but now only does the band if the patient insists. He still maintains a lot of bands. He said that the band is way down in Australia and whole areas of the country have no band surgeons anymore. He also said that the re-operation rate (for all types of re-operation) is as high as 40% with the band. He said that the band has a lot of potential points of failure, including that the port can flip, the needle can puncture the band during a fill and cause a leak, or lots of other ways that are not really direct failures of the band. He seems pretty down on the band now but wants to give his existing band patients the highest standard of care. He also confirmed that Allergan has sold the lap band to another company, Apollo Endosurgery. I googled that and found a story in the Wall Street Journal. http://m.asia.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303471004579165961441181356?mobile=y He said that the sleeve is gaining massive popularity because of the low complication rate, high success rate, and that they are starting to feel really confident about the long term prospects of the sleeve, starting to see some patients with more than 10 years sleeved. He said that the sleeve may stretch 3-5% over time but then it stops. He said it is like taking a t-shirt and cutting off a sleeve. You can stretch the sleeve but it will never be nearly as big as the shirt. The bypass is going to be around a long time and is still very well regarded. It is the #1 choice for people with reflux or bowel diseases and it is the best salvage surgery for people who have reflux problems after the sleeve. The DS is very uncommon these days because the sleeve works so well on its own. This is my surgeon's summary to me about the state of bariatric surgery in Australia today from the point of view of the surgeons.

I was the exact same way...couldn't get enough information! Today makes 7 mos. post-op...95 lbs. down and lovin' life! I guess I was fortunate...zero issues/complications. I was fanatical about following doc's orders, however still visited this site daily for post-op info/advice. Before you know it, the surgery will be behind you and you'll be having the time of your life! Good luck!

My WLS journey has been at a Bariatric Center of Excellence in a major Medical Center. The Weight Loss Center here has done thousands of surgeries in the last ten years. The program is discouraging patients from pursuing the lap band procedure because of the risk of complications. In my classes, I met two lap band revision patients that have had multiple issues. After talking with them, I am very comfortable with my decision to do the sleeve.

Support YOURSELF! I read several WLS boards daily and I'm truly amazed at the helplessness and lack of power some of us have. I've been there myself, having dealt with seasonal depression, early childhood abuse and growing up with a mom who had Borderline Personality Disorder. In my 20s depression reared it's ugly head in a big way and the weight gain started. I'd weighed around 150 and at 5'5" that was close to ideal. I finished my 3rd decade weighing about 225, despite getting psychological support. In my 40s after getting up to 260, I sought counseling to deal with unresolved issues with my mom, who had passed away 10 years before. This helped me deal with relationship issues I had on many levels with pretty much everyone in my life, and I dieted my way down to 190. I felt in control and powerful. That was a great feeling. Today I read a post laying out strategies for success in losing weight. It listed a few good ideas and some that were a bit impractical, but the point I got out of it was in order to succeed, we must support ourselves; get the trigger foods out of sight, etc, but I think it missed a key point. It's not about hiding bad foods...it's about keeping healthy foods available in the moment we are being tempted and taking back our power over temptation. This is where I've been missing the boat recently, a technique I know works, but in my blue mood, had forgotten. The strategy I've used is positive affirmation. You visualize how you'll feel, look, walk 20, 30, 40 lb lighter and create an inner dialog of positive statements: I'm enjoying shopping for clothing one size smaller. It feels great to take a walk without my knees hurting so much. This chicken Greek salad tastes so fresh and it's providing my body with nutrients and Protein to support my healthy lifestyle. You create a positive environment within your mind to support your goal of being healthier. You replace the negative inner dialog, you KNOW what I'm talking about, with positive self talk. It's a habit you develop over time, usually about 6 weeks. It's a known fact that thinking positive thoughts while developing a new habit helps in establishing the desired behavior. You focus on the new behaviors, not on overcoming the old behavior. If you find yourself berating, chastising or otherwise having a negative inner dialog, you stop, breathe and replace that dialog with a positive affirmation: I am worthy, I am powerful, I am in control and move on. I did this throughout my band journey, including the 3 month supervised term and especially during the year I was struggling with the complications. In the last few months, I'd let the negative self talk sneak in...the fear of regain, feeling vulnerable, powerless and depressed. I forgot the mantra "If you believe it, you'll see it" and I did...30 lb of regain since September. So go ahead and hide the Cookies, better yet, leave them at the store, but don't forget to visualize yourself 1, 2 or 3 sizes smaller, congratulate yourself for every accomplishment and forgive a misstep. You are worthy, you are powerful, you are in control. Bandarella????

I heard you can only fast if your Good but if u have a health problem you don't have to fast .. Health first u don't want something to happen and leads to more complications

Some of mine were: How many surgeries, complication rate, Laparoscopic to open rate (How many times he has started laparoscopically and had to turn it into a full surgery), mortality rate, recommended vitamins, the weight loss he would expect from me, any recommended readings, websites, educational information etc...

Thanks, we just got home fomr our 2 1/2 days stay at the hospital, no complications, went by really fast. today are at home and dont know what to do with ourselfs, just walking alot and trying to drink lots of Water was in pain yesterday, cried and regretted having the sleeve, but thanks to my sisters and the wonderful staff at the hospital they helped me thru it all and and im happy i got it, im still in some pain but just need my meds. Well i would like to hear how your operation went, keep in touch.

We share the same story as well. Overweight my entire life. I started this journey at 336.6 pounds. Day of surgery I was 325.6 pounds. I have lost a total of 25 pounds in a month (14 since surgery). You will love your sleeve and what a blessing to be doing this with your sister. Good luck with your journey and I pray for a complication-free procedure and that you and your sister recover quickly.

Hi Susan--welcome to LBT! The best advice I can give you at this point, is just start reading!!! Keep a pen and paper handy to jot down questions as they pop into your head, and within a few more threads, you might mark off some of them as they get answered!!! With this, as with any support forum, keep in mind it will seem there are many more complications than there actually are. When you consider that the vast majority of the bandsters are out there not having problems, are not here every day posting---not starting dozens of threads saying "Another problem free day!" Most of the problems people discuss center around learning to eat in new ways, and adjusting to that. I absolutely LOVE my band! My biggest wish is that this had been available to us years ago! As you read up, if you have questions, ask away! If you prefer to PM me, feel free. To do that, just click on my name to the side of this post, and it will drop a list of options, one of them being to send a PM. I look forward to getting to know you! Kat

I was in hell the first week after being banded, and then had complications for a few weeks afterwards. I used to sit in the recliner with my knees up to my chest with a heating pad on my abdomen and a pillow on top of the that. I also had the hernia repaired, and never even knew I had one. The gas was painful, and I couldn't get it out, not from walking, the gas x, or the heating pad. I was miserable I took the serious pain pills at night and I was knocked out for 15 hours!! That was the only serious rest I got. My doc had me on Clear liquids for longer than most, and I couldn't get those down cleanly either, I was a mess. But, it does eventually improve, ever so slowly. Now I am almost 3 months out and would do it all over again.:shades_smile:

I just had my band removed last week with Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. He said that I will be able to come back in 6 months for the VSG revision but said that some have so much damage from the band that a sleeve is impossible without leaking or other complications. So, it is possible to have so much damage of the stomach from the band to not be able to ever have the sleeve without complications. Good to find a doctor that knows what he is doing and only does the VSG when he feels comfortable there will be minimal issues. There is always a risk but good to have a very experienced surgeon to tell you the truth.

VSG has a lower complication and morbidity rate than knee replacement. Are there risks? Of course. There are risks associated with any surgery. There are risks associated with getting in your car and driving to work in the morning. The question you need to ask yourself is whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks.