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I have had absolutely no complications...Knock on wood. People seem to dwell on negative things instead of positive ones. Most people have no issues. Good luck.

I had my surgery Jan. 5. I have had no complications. Just the general gas(shoulder) pains the first day. I get my first fill next week. Can't wait since this last week I have had no restriction.

So, I'm a complicated widow of almost 4 years. I've tried the online dating thing a few times. Once quite recently. Because of my size I hate my full body picture taken. So I don't have many. I actually found one on my phone the other day and sent it to a man I'd been speaking to (texting with) and within hours of receiving the picture, he mysteriously loses his phone we've been texting on and he starts texting from a phone with a number from another state! I had high hopes for this one,too. It took a lot of guts on my part to send him that picture to begin with. Now I'm questioning all the strength I built up to send it in the first place. It's like it's gone. If I can't trust someone to like or even love me for what's inside of me now, then how am I supposed to trust anyone to like or even love me when I'm a skinny Minnie? Had anyone had these feelings or gone through this? Do you know anyone who's had the surgery and then met their one and them not question why now and not then?

Previous surgery before WLS: complicated C-section Surgery type: Lap. At the time, the surgeon gave me no reason to believe he would switch to open surgery. I don't even remember him mentioning it.

I am right there with you on the complications... They seem to be never ending.. I to was banded in 2007 and ive been up and down the scale

I started my journey at 271 pounds, I considered the lap band many years. Then this last year my daughter had bypass and I began to look into it and then came across this forum. After reading here and in other places I had absolutely no doubt this surgery was the one for me. I did not like the slow weight loss, less weight loss and host of complications that come with the lap band and I just felt bypass has the ability for regain and in the long run causes more illness with the nutrient deficiencies. I am now about 3 months post op and I can tell you it is the best thing I have ever done! I am down 76 pounds and I am feeling so much better and off all my meds. I too had been overweight all my life, 47 years worth. I had experienced all the things with kids and amusements parks ect. I was not living! So many many things I have not done because of my weight in life! I will never again go on vacation and NOT truly vacation. I will go swimming, diving, lay on the pool deck on the cruise without feeling self conscious, if I want to zip line I will without worrying about what others see from the ground, I may go para sailing behind a boat and no longer worry about the fat person being pointed at. Simply I will LIVE! You are doing the best thing ever for yourself. I do have one regret though,,,, I regret that I did not have the ability to have this done 20 years ago!

Good luck with your insurance company and on making your decision. I too was concerned about the person I was showing to my child. I wanted to be here to see him grow up and to be healthy and have the energy to keep up with him. I researched the band and the bypass also. I did not like the idea of them rerouting my bowels and I also did not like all the people I read about on the forums that had trouble with the band. There are a lot of people on this board who had the band first and had problems with it. There are many people who then had revisions to the sleeve because of complications. It seemed to me that there were less risks with the sleeve. That was how I reached my decision anyway. Good luck with yours.

I still get a bit nauseous - sleeved 7/24/12(with complications). i cannot drink water still. try one food item at a time.....it is a daily ordeal of trial and error. i promise you - it will get better. and give yourself the rest you need...surgery is hard on our bodies....keep reading the responses.... everyone is super helpful!

If one doctor offers a lower "self-pay rate" than another doctor, does that mean that if you DO use insurance, and insurance only covers partially, then the cheaper self-pay doctor will have more leftover that you have to pay? I guess what my question is is this; Do surgeon's charge the same if you are doing self pay or using your insurance? I am just amazed how complicated they make this whole process.

People with problems tend to congregate for support and advice, even though this forum has several thousand members, they are but a drop in the ocean of the banded population worldwide. You'll read about all sorts of problems here, and its good to be aware of what they are and think about how you will deal with them. For most people who DO have a complication or problem, it is usually that I wont describe as minor, but as solveable. Overfill or inability to find a good comfortable level of restriction is probably the most common - well, to me, you can then settle for slightly LESS than perfect restriction and work a bit harder (like, exercise more) or you can whinge a lot about it and claim the band doesnt work - only you can know which type you'll be. I also think the Protein first diet can have its downfall, for example, I find bread, Pasta and rice as part of my meals WAY more filling and makes me eat much less overall, makes my body feel full for longer. If I eat cottage cheese and fruit for Breakfast, I will be starving in an hour, oatmeal sits with me for much much longer. So I choose to have my band a bit looser to allow more bulky foods to be eaten. That solves a LOT of the problems with excess appetite and overtightness, vomiting and sliming that people experience because I just dont need to be so tight. Some people's bodies just dont seem to want to work with the band, its not "rejected" exactly but it sure causes some problems and some are just not bearable or able to be lived with and bands have to come out. There's been some pretty wild claims made on here lately about how the majority of the time the band causes problems and how the band will not be in anyone's body for the long term, well, those are just claims, not really substantiable and in reality the majority of people do NOT have real complications although I dont think the band is overall the massively successful tool it was supposed to be. Personally, I've had no complications at all in 3 and a bit years and I dont know anyone IRL who's had anyting more than minor overfill issues and reflux (some people do tend to suffer reflux with the band) which can be often be remedied by a simple unfill.

Hello everyone this is probably going to be long but really could use the input. Nov 2019 I had the gastric sleeve done. Since this I have had nothing but troubles. 10 days after surgery I was admitted due to blood in my belly and a hematoma on my spleen. They fixed that and discharged 3 days later. I have not been able to eat much more then let's say a chicken nugget(less then an ounce of anything including liquids) I got dehydrated was admitted again 29 days post op. Stayed for 12 days got a picc line with tpn since I can not eat or drink much. During this stay had endoscopy and they stretched a stricture lower part of stomach to intestines from 15mm to 25ish mm. Went home no change still not able to eat. Had another endoscopy and stretch this time my stomach was twisted and she tried stretching to 30mm but was only able to get to about 28mm. Went home still no change to eating and drinking. On the 16th of January I had another endoscopy stretch. Stomach was twisted again and was barely able to stretch it at all. I aspirated during the procedure. I woke up to them telling me to keep coughing to get it up. They observed me for 3hrs was on 4liters of oxygen at first then 2. I got up to pee with help my oxygen corrected itself. They said there was no need to keep me I only aspirated a tiny amount. They let me go home (2 hr drive home) I was freezing hole way hubby cranked up heat. Took temp when I got home and found I had a fever of 102.6 went to local er where they did xray and ct found I had developed pneumonia and I also had a pulmonary embolism. They felt I should go back to hospital where this happened and I stayed there for 6 days. 5 days of iv antibiotics and heparin for embolism then discharged on lovonox to continue for 6 months to a yr. I still have no change so now its crunch time it has been 3 months since and cant eat or drink much at all. They want to do another stretch which I would need to come off the lovanox which is putting my life at risk. Not to mention I have had it done 3 times and it has not helped. Also if it doesnt work i would need to have the bypass revision which means 2 procedures putting me at risk 2 times) Surgeon says only other option is revision to bypass(unless he sees scar tissue and can fix. But i have to agree to bypass incase there is no scar tissue or it cant be fixed) My family is up in arms it's hard either way. I dont want anymore procedures but I need to get stomach fixed and I need to get back to work. 3 months no pay we cant take this financially anymore. So for me I feel like they need to do the bypass and I hope for the best and have minimal complications. However the rest of family is worried I will have more complications than I have currently. Plus my sister had bypass and has had to have 15 different repairs(this makes them more worried) I could really use some insight on this what would you do? What do you think I should do?

I think that it will become a national epidemic and I think that anyone with a real weight struggle will have the surgery. which I think is great, it helps you loosae weight and help you learn when you are full without starving and little complications and one day they will have it all down with out slippage and stuff..as far as Oprah anyone with a weight problem has to have looked into surgery I think one day she will do it. as far as the rags they usually end up being true! i hate to say that but look at Nick and Jessica, Anna Nicole, and All the pregnant people that said they weren't and just delivered..

I have never had surgery before this so I didn't really know what to expect. It is natural to have some anxiety, but I really surprised myself by being ok until I woke up with this dreaded pain all over my body. My understanding is that there is 1.5% chance of it happening so perhaps I shouldn't have played the lottery before my surgery. I am sure you will be fine. Maybe I've hogged the 1% chance this time and your safe to go have a complication free surgery. The medication that caused the reaction is the paralytic they use for intubation called "succinocholine". You can look up "postoperative myalgia" online and there is some general info. Basically, all of my muscles contracted so much during surgery that they are pretty much useles for a few days until they have time to repair and heal themselves. Kind of like I worked out every muscle in my body nonstop and they are just fatigued to the point of not working at all. I'll keep everyone posted as to how long this lasts. Hopefully not much longer bc I can't stand being in pain or confined to this bed. :/ When is your surgery?

Thank you Sallyjo. It seems I just read and read about all the problems on this board and it kinda scares me. I keep thinking that these problems won't happen to me. PBing scares me to death, mainly because I work in a high profile job and am scared that I will upchuck right in front of my department while I'm giving a meeting or something. So I'm nervous about that. Plus, my DH is against any type of WLS and tells me all the time he will take me fat, he still loves me no matter what I weigh, and if I am pbing, I know I will never hear the end of it from him. The thing my DH doesn't realize is I'm doing this for ME and not him or anyone else. I need to love myself and feel good about myself. I just wanted to know from all the Lap Band guys & gals, even with all the complications they come across, is it worth it. You answered my questions - thank you - I guess I really just need to know that I'm doing the right thing. And I think I am.....

Hi, I'm new here. I decided to be banded after a life of being heavy. I'm at a BMI of 30 now. Any other Canadians here? I'll be paying about $18K for it and it's not covered by insurance I think. Did anyone have it done elsewhere and are happy with the results. I see ads for bands being installed for $4K... Not sure which country this is done in My DH is freaking out and is scared that there may be really bad complications.

i just went to see my PCP and ask for a full panal to get on top of me post op care and she sat there and tried to talk me out of it for an hour. She would come back to it 4 times. she is like my hands are tied of anyhitng goes wrong and you have complications. I said great I will just die then. those are my options. Die a slow fat deathor die a little sooner maybe thinner.. Jesus.

I'm so excited I lost 5 pounds on this pre-op diet I'm so ready!! I pray everyone have a complicated free surgery and a speedy recovery ????????????????????????. See you all on the looser side????????????????????????????

I just had my sleeve on the 13th and heck yes had bad leg pain. The only other pain was the gas they use to expand the abdomen that cause the worst pain I have ever had. I'm going to ask my doc in my appointment this morning what he did to keep me from having gas pain. I'll report back what I find out. It never presented itself. I have no idea how he worked that magic but I do remember a ladies voice with her hand on my shoulder saying "You are going to feel good, Dr Glass was very careful to get out all the gas." while I was in the haze of the recovery room. He told me the first thing he did was perform the sleeve operation and then he went to the umbilical hernia repair. I wonder if the gas was voided during this step somehow. As far as the leg pain.....it cleared up in just a couple days. It was inner thigh region and what I'd classify as heavy soreness. The only cramping or near-cramping that I experienced thus far were both calves. They felt really tight and on the verge of cramping. Again this was something I experienced the first two-three days. The past three days have seen my water intake over 3 times the minimum recommended amount. I think this improved hydration was the key for solving the calf cramps. He told me just prior to being discharged from the hospital that proper hydration and getting my 3 shakes in would solve many, if not all, the complications I may encounter. He was spot on. I really wish there would have been a way that I could have improved my fitness level prior to this surgery. Daily time on the elliptical the month prior to the surgery would have most certainly made the rebound afterwards even easier. I'm trying to rectify that now and not lest rust set in while I sit around. We are blessed with some beautiful weather this week (just cold to this Southern guy). I plan on walking some laps around the neighborhood every day. Now it's all about getting in the best shape I can over the next two weeks so that my return to work goes smooth. I've been getting calls and texts and know it's piling up on me there, but it's just going to have to pile up. I'm very grateful.

I was so worried pre-op that I almost backed out the morning of surgery. I am SO GLAD that I didn't. Best decision I have ever made. Like previous posters, before the sleeve I too could lose some weight but eventually it would slow down, then stop. Frustration sets in and then I would gain everything back plus 10 or more pounds. I was very fortunate in that I didn't have any complications, very minimal pain, very little gas pain and I was able to drink fairly easily right away...I actually thought the surgery may not have worked because I had so little side effects. I do have to say I believe I was VERY mentally prepared for this...which I think made it easier...even on the pre-op diet it was like I had switched a switch and that was it...this was going to be my way of life for the rest of my life...not sure how I got there but probably was just so tired of being overweight and not feeling well because of it. It has been 6 months and I am down about 70 lbs and am about 25 pounds from goal. My self-esteem has sky-rocketed...for the first time I can remember I am not embarrased to have my picture taken and I feel cute again. It took a long time before people even started to notice that I was losing weight (prob about 50 pounds) but now everyone is always complimenting how I look...it feels really nice. I don't ever want to go back to the way I was - and I think this time I will be able to keep it off...thanks to the sleeve! I have not been strict with my choices for the last month and a half and don't plan to be over the holidays...which may be making a BIG mistake...but I would like to just hold my own through December and then start again in January being very conscientious with my food choices and stricter with my exercise routines. Now that is not to say that I am making crazy stupid food choices - just not as strict. I plan on going back to my Protein shakes for lunch and dinner with a sensible dinner for the first week to get back in the swing. I definitely notice the difference in hunger on the days that I have more carbs than I should...be warned One piece of advice I would give is to try the Premier Protein Shakes (I just love the chocolate and add a heaping tablespoon of instant coffee-deelish They aren't quite as sweet as some of the others... I wish you the best of luck...you will just love your sleeve! Take the advice of others and really put the work in during the first 4 - 6 months...had it not been for vacation and then the holidays I would have worked hard the first 6 months instead of the first 4.5 months...but I am not complaining!

I'm a patient of Dr. Liu's. I've been banded since Feb 13. He's an awesome Dr. No complications. You are in the right hands with him and his staff. Charlotte

Chanelle, my heart is going out to you. On doing a cursory search of the academic medical journals on pregnancy after bariatric surgery (because as of yet, I have not found one which encompasses 'surgery whilst pregnant' and I concede the procedures documented do not encompass VSG), I found the following. Go straight to the abstracts/conclusions to get the gist of the research and findings. Sorry to everyone else for the information splat taking up your screens. This is clearly not merely an issue of the fetus being exposed to radiation through an x-ray or the impact of the anesthesia on the fetus during the VSG procedure (which is not to be overlooked and if you'd like me to send you a complete article privately, I can - 'cause it's very long to post here and you'd need to read all of it to get the baseline). It is also about the severe nutritional, Vitamin and mineral deficiencies present in the first weeks after the operation which appear to have a significant impact on the progress of the fetuses growth and development in utero. A point that would need significant evaluation, monitoring and intensive hands-on care. If you would like to ask any questions on the below, please do not hesitate to contact me. Much love x Analgesia, Anaesthesia and Pregnancy A Practical Guide 3rd Edition By Steve Yentis Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London By Surbhi Malhotra St Mary’s Hospital, London Publisher: Cambridge University Press Print Publication Year:2012 Online Publication Date:December 2012 Online ISBN:9781139012966 Paperback ISBN:9781107601598 Book DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139012966 Subjects: Anesthesia, Intensive Care, Pain Management ,Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Chapter 3 Anaesthesia before conception or confirmation of pregnancy Many women will require anaesthesia when they are pregnant and many will be unaware that they are pregnant at the time of the anaesthetic, especially in the first 2–3 months of their pregnancy. The thalidomide catastrophe initiated the licensing arrangements for new drugs and their use in pregnancy; the current cautious stance of the pharmaceutical industry is reflected in the British National Formulary’s statement that no drug is safe beyond all doubt in early pregnancy. The anaesthetist should have a clear knowledge of the time scale of the developing fetus in order to balance the risks and benefits of any drug given to the mother. A teratogen is a substance that causes structural or functional abnormality in a fetus exposed to that substance. Problems/special considerations The possible effect of a drug can be considered against the stage of the developing fetus: Pre-embryonic phase (0–14 days post-conception): The fertilised egg is transported down the Fallopian tube and implantation occurs at around 7 days post-conception. The conceptus is a ball of undifferentiated dividing cells during this time and the effect of Downloaded from Cambridge books Online by IP 129.215.17.188 on Wed Jan 29 01:41:58 GMT 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139012966.004 Cambridge Books Online © Cambridge University Press, 2014 drugs on it appears to be an all-or-none phenomenon. Cell division may be slowed with no lasting effects or the conceptus will die, depending on the severity of the cell damage. Embryonic phase (3–8 weeks post-conception): Differentiation of cells into the organs and tissues occurs during this phase and drugs administered to the mother may cause considerable harm. The type of abnormality that is produced depends on the exact stage of organ and tissue development when the drug is given. Fetal phase (9 weeks to birth): At this stage, most organs are fully formed, although the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and urogenital tract are still developing. Drugs administered during this time may affect the growth of the fetus or the functional development within specific organs. Management options The anaesthetist should always consider the possibility of pregnancy in any woman of child- bearing age who presents for surgery, whether elective or emergency, and should specifically enquire in such cases. If there is doubt, a pregnancy test should be offered. If pregnancy is suspected, the use of nitrous oxide is now generally considered acceptable, despite its effects on methionine synthase and DNA metabolism, as there is little evidence that it is harmful clinically. Similarly, although the volatile agents have been implicated in impairing embryonic development, clinical evidence is lacking. Some drugs cross the placenta and exert their effect on the fetus, e.g. warfarin, which may cause bleeding in the fetus. Key points The possibility of pregnancy should be considered in any woman of childbearing age. No drug is safe beyond all doubt in pregnancy. Further reading Allaert SE, Carlier SP, Weyne LP, et al. First trimester anesthesia exposure and fetal outcome. A review. Acta Anaesthesiol Belg 2007; 58: 119–23. 6 Section 1: Preconception and conception Pregnancy shortly after bariatric surgery. Transliterated Title: Svangerskap like etter fedmeoperasjon. Authors: Skogøy K; kristin.skogoy@nordlandssykehuset.no Laurini R Aasheim ET Source: Tidsskrift For Den Norske Lægeforening: Tidsskrift For Praktisk Medicin, Ny Række [Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen] 2009 Mar 12; Vol. 129 (6), pp. 534-6. Publication Type: Case Reports; English Abstract; Journal Article Language: Norwegian Journal Info: Publisher: Norske Laegeforening Country of Publication: Norway NLM ID: 0413423 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 0807-7096 (Electronic)Linking ISSN: 00292001 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. Subsets: MEDLINE Imprint Name(s): Publication: Oslo : Norske Laegeforening Original Publication: Chistiania : Alb. Cammermeyer, 1880- MeSH Terms: Bariatric Surgery/*adverse effects Pregnancy Complications/*etiology Adult ; Bariatric Surgery/methods ; Duodenum/surgery ; Female ; Fetal Development ; HELLP Syndrome/etiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Obesity, Morbid/metabolism ; Obesity, Morbid/surgery ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/metabolism ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Risk Factors; Time Factors ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Weight Loss Abstract: Bariatric surgery is increasingly used to treat morbidly obese patients. Fertility in women may be enhanced after these procedures, owing to substantial weight loss and possibly a decreased absorption of oral contraceptives. We report a pregnancy that occurred two months after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in a 32-year-old woman. She subsequently developed haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets count (HELLP) syndrome and had a weight loss of 43 kg (from the bariatric procedure) until the infant was delivered preterm by caesarean section (due to low activity). The infant was small in relation to the gestational age, with a weight of less than 50 % of the expected (780 g at 29.6 weeks). Histological examination demonstrated a small placenta with insufficient spiral artery trophoblast infiltration, possibly caused either by severe preeclampsia or by maternal nutritional deficiencies. Severe metabolic aberrations may complicate pregnancies after malabsorptive bariatric surgery. Patient preparations before weight-loss operations should include information on fertility and birth control in the postoperative period. Protocols for monitoring of patients that become pregnant after bariatric surgery are needed. Comments: Comment in: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2009 Mar 12;129(6):536-7. (PMID: 19291887) Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20090317 Date Completed: 20090319 Latest Revision: 20110330 Update Code: 20131125 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.09.34019 PMID: 19291886 Database: MEDLINE with Full Text The risk of adverse pregnancy outcome after bariatric surgery: a nationwide register-based matched cohort study Mette Mandrup Kjær, MD; Jeannet Lauenborg, MD, PhD; Birger Michael Breum, MD; Lisbeth Nilas, DMSc OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome after bariatric surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Nationwide register-based matched cohort study of singleton deliveries after bariatric surgery during 2004-2010. Data were extracted from The Danish National Patient Registry and The Med- ical Birth Register. Each woman with bariatric surgery (exposed) was in- dividually matched with 4 women without bariatric surgery (unexposed) on body mass index, age, parity, and date of delivery. Continuous vari- ables were analyzed with the paired t test and binary outcomes were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: We identied 339 women with a singleton delivery after bari- atric surgery (84.4% gastric bypass). They were matched to 1277 un- exposed women. Infants in the exposed group had shorter mean gesta- tional age (274 vs 278 days; P .001), lower mean birthweight (3312 vs 3585 g; P .001), lower risk of being large for gestational age (ad- justed odds ratio, 0.31; 95% condence interval, 0.15– 0.65), and higher risk of being small for gestational age (SGA) (adjusted odds ratio, 2.29; 95% condence interval, 1.32–3.96) compared with infants in the unexposed group. No statistically signicant difference was found between the groups regarding the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, labor induction, cesarean section, postpartum hemor- rhage, Apgar score less than 7, admission to neonatal intensive care unit or perinatal death. CONCLUSION: Infants born after maternal bariatric surgery have lower birthweight, lower gestational age, 3.3-times lower risk of large for ges- tational age, and 2.3-times higher risk of SGA than infants born by a matched group of women without bariatric surgery. The impact on SGA was even higher in the subgroup with gastric bypass. Key words: adverse pregnancy outcome, bariatric surgery, gastric bypass, pregnancy Pregnancy after bariatric surgery: a current view of maternal, obstetrical and perinatal challenges Ronis Magdaleno Jr • Belmiro Gonc¸ alves Pereira • Elinton Adami Chaim • Egberto Ribeiro Turato Received: 6 May 2011 / Accepted: 14 December 2011 / Published online: 29 December 2011 Ó Springer-Verlag 2011 Abstract With the increase in the number of bariatric surgeries being performed in women of childbearing age, physicians must have concerns regarding the safety of pregnancy after bariatric surgery. The aim of this review is to summarize the literature reporting on maternal, obstet- rical and perinatal implications of pregnancy following BS. Methods English, Spanish and Portuguese-language arti- cles were identied in a PUBMED search from 2005 to February 2011 using the keywords for pregnancy and bariatric surgery or gastric bypass or gastric banding. Results The studies show improved fertility and a reduced risk of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia, macrosomia in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. The incidence of intrauter- ine growth restriction and small for gestational age are increased. No conclusions can be drawn concerning the risk for cesarean delivery and the best surgery- to-conception interval. Deciencies in Iron, Vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin K, folate and Calcium can result in maternal and fetal complications. Conclusions Pregnancy outcome of women who deliv- ered after BS, as compared to obese populations, is better and safer and comparable to the general population. Close supervision before, during and after pregnancy following bariatric surgery and nutrient supplementation adapted to the patient’s individual requirements can prevent nutrition- related complications and improve maternal and fetal health. Keywords Bariatric surgery Pregnancy Pregnancy complications Morbid obesity Weight loss Vitamin A Deficiency in Pregnancy: Perspectives after Bariatric Surgery Cristiane Barbosa Chagas1, 2, Cláudia Saunders3, 4, 5, Silvia Pereira1, 6, 2, Jacqueline Silva7, 2,Carlos Saboya8, 9, 6, 2 and Andréa Ramalho3, 10, 11 (1)Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2)Center for Research on Micronutrients, Josué de Castro Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (3)FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (4)Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (5)Research Group in Maternal and Child Health (GPSMI), Josué de Castro Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6)Clínica Cirúrgica Carlos Saboya, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (7)Human Nutrition, Center for Research on Micronutrients, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (8)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil (9)Brazilian Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, São Paulo, Brazil (10)Social Applied Nutrition Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (11)Instituto de Nutrição Josué de Castro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Edifício dos Institutos Bloco J, 2° andar, sala 26, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Andréa Ramalho Email: aramalho.rj@gmail.com Published online: 12 December 2012 Abstract This study aims to describe the clinical consequences of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. Included are studies on VAD during pregnancy and after bariatric surgery conducted in humans from 1993 to 2011. There are few investigations on the relationship between pregnancy and bariatric surgery and on the damage to the binomial mother–child resulting from VAD in this relationship. The high percentage of VAD in the postoperative period is a cause for concern, especially considering the function of this vitamin in certain biological moments and in moments of intense nutritional demand. This vitamin serum evaluation is recommended during the prenatal period. Keywords Pregnancy Vitamin A Vitamin A deficiency Obesity Bariatric surgery Retinol Beta carotene Night blindness

Ok I went to the hospital for some tests preop and the gave me check in instructions for the surgery day.. clearly on the paper I was given I stated my surgery would be canceled if there was not an adult to pick me up ... and that I should not be alone the first 24 hrs in case of any complications. is there someone from your church or something that can pick you up ???

I haven't gotten a surgery date, but I believe it will be beginning of April. I can't explain how I feel..I'm very optimistic that this is what i HAVE to do.. but I am so scared. -How will I get past the pre-op diet -Will I be ok out of surgery -How much pain will i have to endure (I have 2 children and can't really stay still too long) -Will I adapt to the first month post-op (with liquids and such) -Will I loose weight? -Will I be able to not eat Carbs (like I do now). -Will I be the one with the complications from surgery? I have a phobia of feeling weak, and helpless..I hate that feeling, so I keep thinking, will I feel weak on just liquids and soft foods? Will I be able to handle this? I can't help but think all day and all night...I can't stop obsessing. A part of me is mourning things, like having a good time with a drink in my hand. Going to a family dinner and not being able to enjoy the food as I want to. I'm sad, scared and hesitant, but YET I feel I have no choice but to do this. I'm 275, 5'7 I am 39 years old............... I will be ok right??

I am part of a WLS family - hubby, MIL and I have the band, FIL had gastric bypass. We all did it within 6 months of each other in 2010. I can tell you that in the beginning the weight will fly off with just limited portion sizes and by adjusting the band. Then you have to figure out to eat better food, and exercise. My MIL lost about 50 lbs but honestly is lazy about it and not tracking what she is eating in any way, and not really exercising. She floats in a pool like once a week. She lost 50 lbs and that is a great result considering the effort she puts in. She not psychologivally willing to adjust the band as tight as she should because she is not ready to let go of eating larger amounts. So anyone looking at her 2 years out will say she is not successful, as she has about 80 lbs excess weight. But she is not putting in effort. My husband is the same way except he has adjusted his band as much as possible and he is not willing to change his eating habits or exercise. He lost 120 lbs and has about 80 to go. I had 95 lbs to lose, have lost 76.5. I watch what I eat 80% of the time. I don't track what I eat, I just make good choices most of the time. I work out 4-6 days a week for 45 min or an hour at a shot. I am very pleased with my weight loss. I know it's not coming back. I can maintain it. I have a metabolic disorder and I feel I am beating it now. My FIL lost 140 lbs with bypass in 6 months, he is at goal. Had horrible complications for life that can't be addressed. Seeing him go through that constantly reaffirms my decision to get the band. So if they say lapband only loses 55% of excess weight, it's not that they can't get to goal, it's usually "won't". People are more in control, which often leads to people doin what they want...

Call the hospital. Every one I have been in requires you to sign a form... among the bezillions you sign on admission... that gives the hospital the right to file appeals on your behalf if the insurance denies the claim. Since they covered your surgery, this just has to be a mistake... maybe some paperwork they need or a clerical error. You definitely don't need the extra stress and drama! I'm so sorry to hear you have had complications and hope you will be feeling better and better. Call the folks at the hospital and you just try to relax and heal ???? (((BIG HUGS))