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I spent 2 nights in the hospital, and when I was released we headed straight home. Once you are off IV fluids and they know there are no complications there isn't really a reason to stay an extra night in a hotel. I think you will be fine.

But the bypass also runs the risk of malnutrition. I'm not certain that the there is an increased percentage of complications of the DS vs the bypass. I think they're pretty comparable. DS has a better long term outcome when it comes to regain. The SIPS is a modified DS having a single anastomoses vs the two anastomoses of the traditional. The SIPS also has a longer common channel that also helps reduce the risk of malnutrition and eases the whole gas/diarrhea issue. SIPS is also known as SADI or LOOP. Again this being a personal decision, you have to go with your gut [emoji173]️ good luck with your decision [emoji4]

The extra risk of malnutrition, the longer procedure, and the increased percentage of complications during and after surgery. What is the difference between sips ds and regular? I've never heard of that.

I am over 4 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I was taking 5 prescription medications prior to surgery (2 for diabetes, 2 for high blood pressure, and 1 for asthma). Now I take none. I took some supplements (vitamins, minerals) prior to surgery. Now I take more. But the cost of the added vitamins is less than the cost of the prescription medicines that I use to take. So I am money ahead. I also had severe acid reflux prior to surgery. That is gone now. I had sleep apnea. I would keep my wife awake at night, all night long because she was a light sleeper, prior to surgery. Several months after surgery, I would find her hovering over my bed at night. I would ask her what she was doing and she said, I was sleeping so silently, that she thought I was dead and she was trying to see if I was still breathing. I had several other conditions as well that went into remission after the surgery. Before you make up your mind about which surgery, it might be good to listen to what your surgeon recommends. Also some insurance companies will pay for one type of surgery but not the other. So it is worth investigating this element. As far as your specific questions: ▪️can you stretch your sleeve/bypass easily? Since I have an issue with portion control, this is a major concern for me. I believe the answer is NO, stretching is a myth. ▪️Is dumping syndrome really helpful or is it not worth it? Helpful ▪️Bypass patients: let's say I can control the Vitamin deficiency issue with supplements and the dumping syndrome issue with cutting out sugar and fats as best I can, do you think it was worth the complications (gallstones, stoma obstruction, etc)? I did not experience complications. Also right after surgery, your body may reject fats and sugars because the part of the stomach that normally processes these has been cut away but as time goes on at about a year, your intestines will realize something is wrong and step up to the plate and your body will again be able to absorb these food types without dumping. I had a major sweet tooth prior to surgery and this contributed to my weight and to my diabetes. So I have to avoid sugars like a plague. I rely on natural no calorie sweeteners (such as stevia) and synthetic sweeteners (such as Splenda) to put the sweetness back into my life.

Susan, I'd like to chime in that I have the same thing: very little restriction. I had my band removed due to complications and got the sleeve on 4/21/14, and I'm shocked at how much I can eat. Since I had my lapband removed immediately, I never attended sleeve classes, but I knew that what I could eat couldn't be right. My first day on solids and I remember thinking that there's no way I should be able to eat so much. My husband, who's attending the classes, explained to me that a pouch can be up to the size of a large banana. I guess I got the big banana. I'm going to follow your post to see how things work out for you! I hope for the best for you!

I could have gone back after two weeks. Some people need a lot longer. You can't predict complications.

Just pulled my Blis insurance cost sheet for Dr. McMahon in Seattle $2233. My understanding is that the insurance company bases it on complication rates per doctor. An ER visit could easily cost that much.

@annelliot Was your experience that bad? did you have complications? everyone i know that is a hear post op can eat pretty much anything they want just less! im sure the first year is tough but i need to change.

I have an aunt that had GB and she eat pretty much whatever she wants. But she had sooooo many problems. Yes, she lost the weight, but now she is gaining back slowing. I decided to go with the band because i wanted to take ownership of my weightloss. I know I have to work with the band. I know I am in control of my destiny. And yes, with all WLS there can be complications. However, with the band, it can simply be reversed, removed...bypass is not! That was my other biggest deciding factor. You can succeed or fail on either. Bypass is a guaranteed, larger weight loss, but long term you can gain it back. I was told by 2 different surgeons that the band is a better tool for long term maintenance. They are 2 very different surgeries and I think you have a lot more thinking and research to do. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

Hiya I'm on day 5 of 14 on pre op liquid diet and it is rough!!! I have not cheated and don't plan on it! I really look at this as a challenge and I have a how bad do I want this attitude! I don't want any complications and it's really training me mentally and physically and socially you find different things to do with yourself you learn your body such as when your hungry and when your just eating I have also come into understanding of eating for nourishment eating used to be my pleasure or a hobby now I just drink my disgusting Protein shakes for nutrients lol you will be fine tho

I am so sorry for all the members who have had complications. When you read those stories it is scary. This surgery can be life saving, life changing and there is a chance of life taking. I am just being honest. We all know there is a chance, mostly very small and you do best by researching and educating yourself. This forum was very important to me when I was researching, as there are so many individuals and experiences. I was at a point in my life where I not only needed to get the weight off, I needed a tool to help me keep it off. I was right on the line for diabetes, had knee issues, high blood pressure, breathing issues and was DONE. I turned 46 the day I was released from my surgery, I have a lot of living left to do and wanted to have quality of life. I searched, read and reached out to a couple folks here on this very site for information which was real life. I spoke with my doctor and for me as I was not a smoker, did not drink much (wine 2-3 times a year) and was willing to forgo carbonation for the rest of my life, I knew surgery was for me and the time was then. My surgery did cause a complication, I ended up with an abscess along to drain line and had another surgery to remove the abscessed tissue before the infection spread. They removed a large chuck of my stomach and I had cell treatment to grow layers of skin for months so I would not have a hole in my tummy area...it worked great. Now, over the past almost 10 months, I have learned new things about myself. I CAN exercise, I CAN leave a plate of food empty, I CAN wear size 12 pants, and I CAN like what and who I see in the mirror. I WILL be healthy, I WILL be around for my grandchildren and to retire with my wonderful husband. I am over 100 lbs down overall, still have 30 to get to my goal. I have really slowed down in my loss but, I am living a very normal and healthy life. Sorry for the length of my post. I am just grateful to my husband for his complete support and dedication to my success (I do feel support is a key component when you are thinking of this surgery), to Alex and his team for putting this site together and to all the members who share their experiences with all of us. Best to you in your personal journey. YES I would do it all over again

:confused:I'm a little worried, Is my cold going to get better and not worse in 3days? I'm a going to die on the table? Should I really be doing this? What if there are complications (I've already paid out 16,000) Can I aford more money? AHGGG I hope that this is "COLD FEET" so to speak. Did anyone else feel this way?

Hi Roni, First, congratulation on making the choice to improve your health! This is NOT an easy journey, but it is one that is SO worth taking. I had RNY on 6/25/2013. I was 48 years old, 5’2” tall and weighed 331 pounds when I first met with the doctors at my Bariatric Clinic. I am now 51 year old and this morning I weighed in at 127 pounds! Now I am working to maintain a loss of over 200 Pounds! This can be done! When I met with my Bariatric team back in January of 2013, I was told that I needed to weigh under 300 pounds in order for my surgeon to perform a laparoscopic procedure – and I REALLY didn’t want to have an open procedure. It was a MAJOR incentive for change. I mapped out changes that I knew I needed to make – and decided that I would make one change every week. This way I wouldn’t feel like I had to change EVERYTHING at once. I think my first change was replacing orange juice at Breakfast with a Protein shake. I am a member of the YMCA and I found a recumbent elliptical machine that I could use for exercise – for 20 minutes 3 times a week! I had SO MUCH knee pain that it was hard for me to walk. Eventually, I gave up my Diet Coke, began using MyFitnessPal.com to document what I eat and drink, stopped drinking with my meals, and increased my Water intake. All of these things (and more) were done slowly, over several months. Did it work? YOU BET!! By time I had surgery I was down 45 pounds. I had a VERY success laparoscopic procedure with no complications. Because I was exercising daily by the time I had surgery, my recovery was quicker and easier than many. I set myself up for success before I ever entered the operating room. YOU CAN TOO! Take it one small step at a time. Those steps really add up. This journey is a marathon, not a sprint! Remember that. As long as you keep moving forward, you are moving! That will get you to your goal. Feel free to write to me if you would like a friend/mentor. Best wishes! Carol

:thumbup: Well I am now out of school for the year! That is a good feeling! I NEED the rest and time to regroup :w00t: My daughter and I are joining the community center and will be lifting some weights and I intend to do a lot more exercise. Right now I still feel kind of tired. Even though I was off yesterday I am tired. School just wears me out. I read an article this week on the Spark that was about how working overtime makes you fat. Studies done, etc.that show it. Well, well what surprise that is! But there is nothing I can do about that! I have tried to evaluate how to make it easier and it just does not happen. Also does not leave me with lots of time to work out, etc. I am exhausted at the end of every day. Can barely get home, make a meal, clean it up, walk about 25 min, grade some stuff then go to bed at midnight. Weekends I catch up. Heavens if I have to get up early on a weekend. We go to church Sat night which I hate but is good for the catching up on sleep. Some Sundays I grade papers ALL DAY LONG. Oh well, BREAK time is here! Yeah! OK now the weight thing. I am going in Monday for my 11months. I think I have gained a couple more pounds. So I have lost maybe 35 lbs total. Have not lost a THING since November. I have to go to an open house for a family member and I have a sister in law who had a roux-en-y right before Christmas--she had lost 70 lbs. Who knows now? It is going to be HARD to look at her and not be upset. This is just not going the way I thought it would. By the time school was out I thought I would be maybe 20 lbs from goal. Well I am nowhere near that and not losing. I am struggling to not gain.... I need to lose about 65 lbs. and it is just not happening. Gosh I would like to lose 5 lbs a month?? I would get there eventually. So tired of this. I read the answer to my blog and have started just this week to eat very high protein with little or no carbs. However, I have fallen down at the end of the day a couple of times this week and had some fruit. It has been hard. Interesting that when I do this I feel really tired no matter what time of day it is and need to shut my eyes and sleep! My head starts to hurt and eyes hurt. Hmmmm.... The two days I ate so much protein I felt invigorated and good. Just ran into trouble on the other two. I did a BIG protein shake this morning adding 26g whey to 2c milk (16g) and the low sugar inst breakfast (5g). That is a whopper 47g for breakfast. I intend on having meat if I have anything else before dinner. There are some carbs there but am trying to do what was suggested to me. I think I will be able to now especially with school out. What I need to see if some RESULTS! If I start losing and I feel a lot better I will be motivated to go on. However, this is just like Atkins diet. I went on that once. Lost 13 lbs first month then like 5 then it stopped. As usual for me. But with the band, maybe this is different. So I go in Monday to weigh (great??) and probably get yelled at again. I have no idea if I will get a fill or not. I am not going to base my life and my outlook on that darn fill and it making a difference. I have done that every month since I started this mess and it has been a severe letdown every single time. What a rollercoaster ride this is! I also am NOT going to let the negativity from those in charge at my doc's office get me down. I will NOT let them do that to me. I am trying as hard as I can. I exercise DAILY with a fast walk at 20-30 minutes, I am drinking more water than ever, I gave up any caffeine, carbonated drinks, bread when eating out(I have NONE!! when I used to limit myself anyway!), and am writing down most of the time too. What else is there to do??????? I SELDOM feel any what I would call restriction. I have just about given up on hoping the the band is going to help me to restrict and stop eating at a very small amount. I do not eat much anyway but I guess it is too much..... I have a friend online who was struggling too. She just got a fill, said she now gets stopped and almost throws up at each meal. Has lost 7 lbs this month! How great! Where oh where is that for me! I told her she would get the throwing up figured out and quit eating at the right point. That will stop. Again I have another friend who had a roux-en-y and she did that but eventually knows exactly how much to eat and has done well. She has less in her band than me. I am so happy for her but man this is HARD to take. I think I have 6 1/2 in my 9 band. How much does it take? How much will they put in? I fear that they will say--hey that is it, we aren't putting any more in, it isn't safe so now it is all up to you. And guess what? I am not getting it done....... I know my doctor is very conservative. They told me this. Which is good, they have had almost no complications with their bands. But gee this is just not doing much for me. I just do not get any help from it, very, very little. Very disappointing after 11months.... Also I am SICK SICK SICK of the way I look! I have this big fat shelf belly that is gradually growing back. UGH, UGH!! I wanted to just look better this summer. UGH. So disappointing. I think my body has been on a diet so so so long it just adjusts to whatever level I am at. All thyroids been checked, are OK, I am not diabetic, had that test. I just suck! Well this is long, it is nice to have time to get it all out. Please don't read this if you want encouragement because it ain't here. This is just a place to POUR it out. I am gearing up now to go in Monday and getting in my ZEN place so I do not get upset when they tell me I am a failure... I just keep repeating "zen, zen, zen....." I will keep trying to exercise, eat lots of protein, not drink diet coke which I still love and MISS after a YEAR of not having it. Like it is doing any good. Maybe the next fill will work.....ha. Do you believe this? I still have that little hope in there that I will finally get this.....later.

I really like the end... "I will still need you in my life". I think people feel like we are leaving them behind. Friends want their fat buddy to laugh with and overeat with. Family are worried about the actual complications and loss of you, but that could happen with obesity. Gym buddies and trainers probably think we won't work out, or it is an easy alternative to working out, but they go hand in hand. Thank you for sharing.

Well, I chickened out of my surgery last week. After 12 months of medical supervised weight loss programs, sleep study test, medical records, psych eval, etc., I was finally approved by my insurance company in August for lap band surgery. I was so excited I couldn't stand it. I followed the liquid Protein diet to a tee and lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks. However, 1 week prior to surgery, I started reading the threads on complications and I totally freaked out!! I canceled my surgery the day before I was scheduled to have it done. Now I'm sitting here thinking that I have made a huge mistake. My approval is good for 12 months and I can get back in next week if I want to have it done, but after reading about vomiting, slipped bands, erosion, PBing, minimal weight loss, I can't help but be scared. I have two small children at home that need their mommy to be around, and honestly if it weren't for them, I would have been on that operating room table without a doubt. I am so scared that something will go wrong. Sorry for the long rant, but I can not make up my mind. Kat

Only you can decide what is right for you. But you have to remember that the few people who do have complications come here for support. There are a vast many others with no problems who do not post. I find however, that reading about complications helps me to behave in a way that often will help prevent complications. A lot of those posts are "don't let this happen to you" warnings. Being banded was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I was more scared of the surgury than the complications. I think I watch to many Discovery Health shows. I was crying uncontrolably and they had to give me something to calm me down. I'm so glad I went through with it. I know how scary it is to have someone that depends on you. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old, and I don't want them to grow up without me. However, they might have to if I didn't get this weight thing under control. I also don't want them growing up without a mom to do fun things with. My son wants to go to Disneyworld. I can't fit in the rides. Try explaining that to a 4 year old.

People come here for support when they have problems. The rest of folks are usually out living their lives and don't post as often. So it seems like there are lots of complications when the incidence of complications is actually low. I don't call PBing a complication exactly. It's more a learning process. A swift punishment, er, reminder when I'm not following the plan. I no longer take meds for diabetes. I no longer test as having osteoporosis. I can cross my legs and see my feet!

Mrgrta, Wow, I almost did the same thing. I didn't even have to go through half of what you did or the time you put forth to do it. I simply (uh yeah?) made up my mind on Sept 3rd and called on Sept 4th and got the ball rolling and I am to be banded in Mexico on the 28th. I started reading this forum like a drug addict. I read everything I could. Then one night I read a horrible thread about one person's bad experience with her band and I freaked! Almost had a total meltdown and I am not that kind of person. It had me almost cancelling my appt, losing my deposit and getting a refund on my plane tickets. What happened next is what this forum is really all about. SUPPORT!!! The responses I got almost immediately were supportive,firm and to the point, and just what I needed at the time. I was and am so grateful for them.They were from newbies as well as being years post banded and it very much helped. To those of you who responded (and you know who you are), if you ever read this thread, thank you very much!!!! I am a stonger person everyday and my decision to go through with my band has even more empowered me. You have to think this through and work you way through it yourself. I sat back, took a deep breath and did some pretty hard thinking. In my mind food is no different than heroin is to a drug addict or nicotine to a smoker. You get the picture. I need help and that is why I am going through with it. I am 51 years young and I figure this is my last shot at being as healthy and I can before God calls me home.Am I scared? Hell yeah, everyone on here will probabaly tell you the same thing. I don't know a single person who LOVES to be put to sleep and have surgery. It's just a necessary step and will be over and done with before we know it. You just have to make the right decision for you. Just find a quiet place and really noodle it out. The best thing is, this forum is not just about the complications. It is about the support no matter what is going on. If you decide to go ahead and I hope you do, you couldn't have a better bunch to have your back afterwards. Best of luck to you no matter what you decide and God bless you good! docsdeb

Agree with Laura about the shot glass. Set a clock by your chair or bedside. Aim for one ounce every 15 minutes while you are awake - either Water or your Protein drink of choice. I used a 1 cup measuring cup like a little pitcher to keep refilling the shot glass. It was a lot easier for me to drink when I broke it down like that instead of facing a big glass of water. I took my pain meds for almost two weeks and I didn't have any complications. It will get better. Lynda

Hi Suzanne! The seminar is in Ashburn Va, and I will jsut cut and paste the info here. It's sponsored by Obesity help (dot) com another GREAT resource. 2008 - Ashburn, VA ObesityHelp Event ObesityHelp Regional Conference Quick Links: Purchase Tickets Topic List Schedule Sponsors 0.5 km0.5 mi Data ©Navteq,TeleAtlas ©2006 Yahoo! Inc. When: May 3, 2008, All day. Where: Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun 44610 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA Hotel Website 1-800-EMBASSY Lodging: Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun 44610 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA Hotel Website 1-800-EMBASSY About the area: The newly built Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun, VA hotel is located only three miles from the Washington Dulles International Airport, near the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Ashburn Ice House, Old Dominion Brewing Company, Dulles Indoor Sportsplex, Dulles Town Center, Washington Redskins Park and the corporate headquarters of AOL, Verizon Business, Airbus and Orbital Sciences. This full-service upscale all-suite hotel is just minutes from the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Reston Town Center and Tysons Corner. Guests of the Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun, VA hotel stay in spacious two-room suites and receive a complimentary cooked-to-order Breakfast and a nightly manager's reception. Wireless and high-speed Internet access is available in all guest suites and public areas of the Embassy Suites hotel (daily surcharge applies). The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to and from the Washington Dulles International Airport. Announcements: HOTEL RESERVATIONS To make your reservations, please call 1-800-EMBASSY and give them the code "OBH". Room rates are $109 per night and prices are valid on the nights of May 2-4. Reservations must be made by April 11th, 2008. For ease, you can CLICK HERE to reserve your room! Event Host Jackie Thodos is a Gastric bypass post-op, ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and co-founder of Obesity Freedom. Since her surgery, she has been very committed to the bariatric community, and helps people succeed everyday in her successful support group in Fredericksburg, VA and beyond. A Motivational speaker, Certified Back on Track facilitator and Life Coach, Jackie has inspired audiences large and small on transforming your life through weight loss surgery. Jackie combines her true passion for coaching fellow weight loss surgery patients with years of event organization and staff development. Her latest book, Idle Hands = Active Mouth: A Grazer's Journey to Weight Loss Success, will be available in early 2009. Jackie lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia with her husband and son, her greatest supporters. For more information on Jackie, visit Bringing Freedom from the Restrictions Associated with Obesity. Schedule: General Schedule for Saturday7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Vendor Setup Time8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Registration and Time to visit with the Vendors8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Opening statements and introductions9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Dr. Mitchel Krieger9:55 AM - 10:40 AM Dr. Andrew Goldberg10:50 AM - 11:35 AM Dr. Denis Halmi & Dr.Daniel Tran11:35 AM - 12:15 PM Break - Visit the Vendors12:15 PM - 1:15 PM lunch & Schedule Update1:30 PM - 2:15 PM Guest Speaker - Heidi Ecker2:25 PM - 3:10 PM Jeremy Gentles, BS, CSCS3:20 PM - 4:05 PM Speaker 4 - TBA4:15 PM - 5:00 PM Closing Statements and Prize Giveaways Speakers / Topics Special Guest Speaker - Heidi Ecker - from ABC's Extreme Makeover "Laugh it Off: Tales of a 100 Pound Weight Loss" -from ABC Extreme Makeover Cast Member Heidi Ecker Join Heidi as she takes you for a speedwalk on her awesome journey as an always-overweight 270 pound 32 year old woman who one day decides to transform her life by eating healthy and exercising and loses over 100 pounds and six feet of fat in less than a year! Heidi will take you on a hilarious review of five a.m. curtain calls at the gym, eating enough eggs to lay one, and being so sore from working out just sitting on the toilet felt like competing in the Iron Man! You won't want to miss this exciting review of how she exchanged Washington's scales of justice for the scales at the gym going from a size 24 to a size 4, a story ABC believed in so much she was then selected for an Extreme Makeover that aired last year. She's launched a website community to bring her vision to others in the battle against obesity. Her website, Heidi Hype - Heidi Ecker, is where America is laughing together and losing together! Dr. Mitchel Krieger, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Krieger is a plastic surgeon specializing in the art of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. He prides himself on the excellent care he and his staff provide their patients. A former military surgeon, Dr. Krieger completed surgical training in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. He brings nearly 20 years worth of experience in treating bariatric patients. Dr. Krieger offers a full range of cosmetic surgery services with an emphasis on plastic surgery for post bariatric weight loss patients. He is a skilled surgeon sensitive to the needs of patients who have lost considerable weight. He is currently co-authoring a new book on plastic surgery following massive weight loss. It is expected to be released this summer. Providing body recontouring surgery options to patients who have recently undergone bariatric procedures, he is able to help people more fully enjoy their new, slimmed-down bodies. His involvement with Fair Oaks Hospital has given Dr. Krieger unique experience to help optimize your surgical results. Adroit in a wide array of available procedures for patients, Dr. Krieger readily consults with patients to bring them the latest techniques suitable to their needs and desires. He looks forward to the opportunity to meet with you. Dr. Krieger's presentation will include: -Mid and Lower Body Recontouring After Weight Loss -Bodylift and Thighlift Surgery -Answers to common questions related to recovery afer plastic surgery Dr. Krieger will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Andrew Goldberg, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Goldberg is an accomplished cosmetic surgeon trained in both aesthetic and complex reconstructive surgical procedures. Washington Checkbook and Northern Virginia magazines along with multiple other groups have consistently listed him as a Top Physician. He is fervent in his belief that plastic surgery can improve one's self-esteem and confidence. He hopes you will give him the opportunity to help you reach your goals. Dr. Goldberg's cosmetic surgery practice covers a broad range - from facelift, breast enhancement, and body contouring to laser and minimally invasive procedures. His colleagues trust of his experience and knowledge are evident by his position as the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at FairOaks Hospital and by his membership on the Board of the Medical Society of Virginia. Dr. Goldberg's Presentation will include: -Breast/Arms/Facial Rejuvenation After Weight Loss -Answers to common questions regarding plastic surgery Dr. Goldberg will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Denis Halmi, Bariatric Surgeon Denis J. Halmi, M.D., F.A.C.S. is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is designated as a Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr. Halmi has performed over 1,500 gastric bypass surgeries and over 150 laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands. He is one of the pioneers in the field of weight loss surgery with more than 15 years of experience in treating overweight patients. He is well known nationally and internationally for his clinical and scientific work; he has contributed numerous research papers in this area. Dr Halmi regularly attends professional meetings as a speaker on the surgical treatment of obesity. Dr. Halmi has special interest in long term weight management after bariatric surgery and in minimally invasive revisional weight loss surgery utilizing the latest technologies. Currently, Dr. Halmi is the Medical Director of the Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center – a multi-specialty medical center dedicated to provide physician supervised services in weight loss, diet education, exercise, behavior modification and plastic and cosmetic surgery. He is also the Medical Director of the Weight Loss Surgery Center at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge, Virginia, a designated Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Halmi will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Daniel Tran, Bariatric Surgeon Daniel D. Tran, MD, FACS Bariatric Surgeon, is a board certified general surgeon who completed his residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. He received subspecialty training in trauma and surgical critical care medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Tran has special interest and expertise in minimally invasive weight loss surgery. Prior to relocating to Virginia, Dr. Tran was the medical director of the Bridgeport-Yale New Haven Health Weight Loss Surgery Center in Connecticut. He has performed over 300 laparoscopic gastric bypasses and over 200 laparoscopic gastric bands. Dr. Tran has special interest in the latest surgical technologies: endoluminal surgery and robotic assisted surgery. Dr. Tran is designated as a Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr Tran is the Director of Bariatric Surgery at the Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center performing a high volume of laparoscopic weight loss surgery procedures. Topics being presented: -Key factors of success in long term weight loss after bariatric surgery -Long term side effects/risks of different weight loss procedures -Latest surgical options if all else fail (weight regain, complications) Jeremy Gentles, Fitness Expert Jeremy Gentles, CSCS, is ObesityHelp's staff health and fitness expert. Jeremy studied Exercise Science at East Tennessee State University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). In his presentation, Jeremy will arm you with the knowledge to safely participate in a self-guided exercise program to assist you in achieving long-term success after weight loss surgery. He'll offer solutions for overcoming a multitude of obstacles that can get in the way of enjoy a full, active life. By helping you understand the why's and how's of exercise, Jeremy will empower you to knock down those obstacles, allowing you to become healthier through exercise. Come explore the benefits of having a healthy focus and learn how to properly and safely implement a weight/resistance training program. It's your journey....Train for it! I know the registration was getting close to being full, i registered for two spots, but am not sure if my friend will be there or not, so once i find out, if you are interested in going I can give you one of my slots.

According to your profile, Is it accurate that you had surgery in 2009 and have lost only 30lbs? And you Dr. does not want to put Fluid back in band right now...how recently was your band slip? I'm not being critical, but to respond to questions, I look for a little background and can only tell from what you have either in your post or on your profile. I've never had a band slip, or any problems or complications...but there are many here who have and will share their experiences... One thing I have read is that the Dr will empty your band untill such time he/she feels it is safe to start adjustments again. What that time frame is I am not sure.

I ended up being in the hospital for 3 nights and 4 days due to some complications but I didn't care what I was wearing. I put my robe on over the hospital gown so I could walk the halls. I brought some lip balm because my lips got very dry. A notebook and pen for writing down notes and information given by medical staff. Due to the meds you may forget a lot of it so its better to write it all down. Your cell phone or Ipad will be great company, and maybe a magazine. Other than that you really don't need much more than your toothbrush and toothpaste, brush, and some lotion for your body. You will be dry from drinking so little. I brought too much stuff to the hospital last time but when I have my revision at the end of the summer I will travel a lot lighter. lol

My surgery weight was 320lbs I had to deal with major complications/ 4mm stricture and ended up with a feeding tube in my old stomach for 3 months. I am fighting to keep my weight at 160lbs now. My surgery date was 2/26/14 a bit over 7months out now. Has anyone out there had to deal with a situation like this?