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Hi, I am having surgery in 8 days but I am sure I can answer a few of your questions... I have not read of anyone dying because of the surgery, I have heard of a few people dying from underlying illnesses, mostly heart problems that were not caught in time. Before the surgery they put you on an adtkins like diet- 2 - 3 weeks before. Now I have heard that some have had no pre- surgery diet. But this is to help shrink the stuff around the liver and make it easier to work around. Right after it will be Clear liquids for up to 2 week so your stomach can heal. You will slowly work you way up to solid food. About a month to 6 weeks later you will most likely be able to eat solid food. You will get full a lot faster, and you can overeat, but then you will just end up throwing up or PBing. You can do serious damage if you do not listen to you stomach when you are full. After about 6 weeks of no weight loss and more critera of no loss of weight you will go in for a "fill" in which the band will be filled with saline to make you have restriction. This might take a few fills to hit what they call the "sweet spot" this is when you can eat very small portions and still lose weight. The band is permant unless there is complications or you wish to remove it. It took me 3 months to complete all of my appointments, sum 30 appointments total..It was stressful, but at the end well worth it. There are so many people on this board and you will get a wide variety of stories and opinions, so here is mine. Also here are the differences (in my opinion) of what the procedures are and why I chose the one I did! I have done some extensive weighing of the options, I found out that once you do the gastric bypass, you can not do anything else. The gastric bypass is a "quick fix" which is you lose the weight quickly. But once your body recovers and 3 or 4 yrs down the road if you have not changed your eating habits you will gain a lot of the weight back. I have read some recent articles in people magazine of people gaining all the weight back plus more 3 to 4 yrs later and they can not have banding or any other surgery. I have heard so many sad stories of complications and deaths that it scared the crap out of me. With the band it is a continuous life time changing procedure. It is reversable, and yet while you are learning to eat right 3 to 4 yrs down the road if you find yourself gaining, you can go in for a fill to get yourself back on track. Yes the weight loss is gradual, but it helps your body adjust as you learn better eating habits. I have heard about complications, but most are relatively minor and can be quickly corrected. I have heard of no deaths that are directly from the surgery. And only 2 that were because of underlying illnesses that were not caught before the procedure. And this is why I chose the procedure... Good luck in what ever decision you make... Baileym Hope this helps! Baileym ____________ June 14th

I'm having revision from lap band to VGS at Mi Doctor hospital in Tijuana on November 19th. My surgeon is Dr. Valenzeula. Anyone else planning surgery around that time? Looking for a surgery buddy.

Funny ... I just asked this,question at the seminar and doc said it can stretch...hmmmm. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App VSG revision due to stretching is a thing and surgeons wouldn't offer it if it didn't happen. For example http://www.revisionalsurgery.com/bariatric-revision-surgery/sleeve-revision-surgery/

I have not told my parents. My mom has been trying to get the bypass surgery. She has had insurance issues. Because, my WLS process was so quick and she has been struggling for so long, I just don't have the heart to tell her. I have not told anyone, other than my sis. And I only told her in case something bad were to happen. She is my emergency contact person. I would suggest telling your mom all your health issues and why it is so important to have this surgery. Their your parents. They will still worry about you and continue to love you. Take it from a mom who has a 24 yeard old girl and a 19 year old son. We worry about you regardless of how old you are. Best regards!

Hello everyone! It has been a journey for me. Thank GOD for this forum. I've been doing research for sometime and this forum helped me make a VERY wise decision. I started out wanting to be banded, but after reading the forum and seeing others who tried the band not having a high rate of success I began looking for the next best thing (Sleeve). I must admit my doctor pushed gastric bypass as the best solution for my weight problem, but my family and I felt that way to go was a little toooo extreme. Let's be honest, I have a 17yr old and two year old twins (boy and girl), so I need all the nutrients and energy possible to keep up with my crew. :wink1: And the gastric bypass was just not the way to go. I went on youtube and listened to the people who did the gastric bypass and their testimonies were not encouraging. The majoirty said if they could do it again they would NOT have the gastric bypass. The problems that followed were more then what they dealt with when they were morbid obese. But, if you on youtube and type in Vertical Sleeve, you will NOT find 1 person who states they REGRET their decision. Actually, they are estatic about the results and NO ONE complained about having nutritional problems. If you are just are questioning if this surgery is right for you just do your research. I'm excited! I know I made the right decision. PRAISE GOD!!!!:thumbup: I pray who ever begins their journey will come out satisfied and successful! Wheatthin

I had a revision from sleeve to mini bypass over two weeks ago and have followed everything to a "t" including daily walks and have lost like 3lbs!!!! When I had my sleeve 7years ago I was prolly 15 lbs down the first two weeks!!! Can someone say something to make me feel better ❤️‍🩹

I had my revision on 6/18 and had the pain on both sides. Left was a little more painful as my port was embedded so took my dr a bit of work to get it out. Overall the pain slowly got better each day and by the time I was 3-4 weeks out I was feeling good. Everyone is different in healing so hopefully you guys bounce back quicker.

I am a 44 yo registered nurse who is a Director of Quality in a small hospital in NWO. I have researched all my options. Orginally I wanted the VSG but now I really feel that the gastric plication is the tool I need to increase my chance of losing weight and keeping it off. I like that it is revisable and is not associated with malabsorption . I made my decision after two years of lurking on weight loss sites and trying various diets, personal training and pills. I would lose 15 and gain 20. I have watched my ability to snorkel and walk on vacation turn into shortness of breath and fatigue. I walk up the stairs to beat of 132 pulse. This has improved with cardio at the gym (120's ) I have beat myself up. Refused to go out with my husbands friends because they are thin and I am embarassed for my husband. Really I have spent my time making other people happy and not myself necessarily. Weight loss will not make me beautiful ( It is what is inside that counts). It will not make me successful as I feel that I am succesful professionally regardless of my weight. Weight loss will increase my energy and my overall health. My fears are complications related to the surgery. I am having my consultation appointment by phone with Dr. Brad Watkins from Cincinnati Weight Loss on Sept 7, 2011. I am 5 ft 3 inches and 216.5 today. This is a 38.4 BMI . So far I dont have high blood pressure or diabetes. I dont want them either. I will keep you posted:)

Surgery revision lapband to gastric bypass on July 16. I'm experiencing the same pain on left side. It also hurts when I urniate, try to sit up and even lift my legs. Anybody have any advice

I had band to sleeve surgery July 11th. I know I'm only 6 days out but I still have to have help getting up and down due to great pain on my left side. Anyone else experience this?

Well, it's been awhile since I posted, almost a year but I've caved and I'm getting the surgery no matter what. I'm getting a loan to pay for it if insurance doesn't cover. However, called my lap band nurse today and told her about my other issue: my port is very visible. As in, while wearing shirts, you can see a 1/2 to 1 inch bump sticking out. Her first question was, "Does it stick out when you lay down?" When I told her it was visible upright she was in shock and asked about the tubing. Well, if I have a big meal, I can almost wrap my fingers around the tube. So she said I'll basically definitely get covered for a port revision and I hope to get a tummy tuck at the same time. They don't have low-profile ports, so they are going to be sewing the port UNDER my muscle this time. Also, still going to try to get insurance to cover for "reconstructive" due to scars and skin left over from a DISEASE, but either way, I need this stomach gone. I've also lost more weight have gone now from 270 to 120. I was at 116 for awhile too but then Christmas happened I'm getting really excited and I'm already antsy. (I made the appointment for the consult TODAY!) March 19th. We'll see how things go. And hopefully insurance moves quickly. How quickly did you guys get denied or approved by your insurance?

I basically became bulimic I threw up everyday and had a hard time with "healthy" food. I just got approved for a revision for January 2014!

my band slipped, had it revised and it slipped about a year afterwards for a 2nd time. i decided to have it removed.

Sounds like you are doing great. My band come out on Wednesday and revising to MGB.

I don't get why this makes you all so upset. Who cares if other's don't give us validation for acheiving weightloss with the band or with bypass surgery. These people are in the same boat as us. They were or are also overweight but have been able to get to their goals without going these routes.. Good for them. They are an inspiration, we are an inspiration. What does it matter? Be thankful that we have the band available to help those who need it like myself. Is the band easy, hell no. You can get the band and bypass and still be a failure and not lose the weight. This is not a miracle cure. We have to do our job and work with this. Those of us that are able to lose the weight being whatever the route we take should be admired. It is a difficult road, no matter which road you take. JMO, hope I don't get anyone upset. Michelle, your date is fast approaching, don't doubt yourself. You have probably been struggling like me for a long time and you wouldn't be doing this if you didn't want it. We are not all alike, some of us, like me, can't do it on our own. Be thankful that this band is here to help you along. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it. I have been banded since Nov. 2004 and don't regret doing it.. but believe me, there is nothing easy about losing weight with the band. This is not the easy way out..

I'm on both sides lol I had VSG, almost no restriction felt on most foods and dump more than most bypassers I've encountered, mostly from random things including proteins but not pastry 😳 & still lost very slowly.I've decided to work with the hand I was dealt, not against it. You can find your sweet spot and accomplish great things. And the grass is always greener where you water it Good luck 💜

A study published in JAMA concludes weight-loss surgery better than diet and exercise in treating type 2 diabetes. In the trial, 61 obese adults with diabetes were randomly assigned to one of two surgical procedures or intensive lifestyle intervention and followed for three years. Forty percent of those who had received a gastric bypass procedure and 29% who received a gastric band were considered in remission from diabetes and no longer needed to take medication after three years. In comparison, no one in the group who received intensive lifestyle intervention resolved their diabetes. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/07/02/weight-loss-surgery-better-than-diet-and-exercise-in-treating-type-2-diabetes/

Just anesthesia . HW 242, SW 236- Bypass 12/20/17 GW#1- 199 [emoji736]. GW#2- 175 CW 195 5’6”

Are we meant to guess why your thinking of changing or.. Is that to follow in another post? I have had a sleeve , feel free to ask specific questions, other than that I am not sure what you are asking sleeve suits some people , bypass suit some people. etc.

Just wanted some feedback from someone reading this, that may have switched from sleeve to bypass is all. Sorry if I wasn't clear. I doubt follow up posts are probably going to be necessary. BTW, I do not have a gerd issue.

From what I understand, bypass is the gold standard for bariatric surgery. To name a few; Gastric bypass patients lose between 60 to 80 percent of excess body weight in the first year. Gastric sleeve patients lose between 50 to 70 percent of excess body weight in two years. Bypassing the intestines produces a malabsorptive aspect (less time for your body to absorb calories since your intestinal tract is shorter) that effectively reduces calorie consumption. Gastric bypass surgery has been around longer. Its results and complications have been studied and its benefits proven. Gastric bypass is more complicated, has a slightly higher overall risk profile but it does produce more weight loss. I appreciate your posts, but seriously I will setup a consult with my surgeon to determine what is best for me. Just thought I would get a head start and receive feedback from individuals who may have decided to a bypass vs. a sleeve is all. -Thanks-

I switched from sleeve to bypass before surgery. I didn't want to deal with GERD. I also wanted to not feel hungry longer, two months out and I haven't had any hunger yet. While watching this board, I saw several revision posts and that factored into my decision. I want to do this right the first time. I was 292 at my highest and 256.8 at time of surgery. I liked the idea of having two mechanisms for weightloss. HW-292 • SW (6/29/17) 256.6 • CW 225.8

Bypass is more dangerous because you work on the bowel. My doctor is almost 100% for the sleeve it's safer. But good luck either way.

I had my revision surgery (band to sleeve) on 8/11/2015. It took about 6 weeks before the large incision stopped hurting. A couple of my incisions are a little tender if I press on them, but at this point, they don't hurt. My surgeon sent me home with something called On-Q, which is a local anesthetic pain pump. This thing was GREAT! It kept my abdomen numb for the first several days. I was discharge on Friday. On Sunday, it was time to remove it. Some may be a bit squeamish about it, but it was very simple. I just had to pull the two catheters out and put a Band-Aid on the incision. Even after the removal of On-Q, I stayed numb for about 2 more days. Sorry for the tangent! Best wishes to you on your journey!

Any August Bypass patient's if so how are you guys doing so far? Sent from my SM-G935T using BariatricPal mobile app