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I don't think I ever believed WLS would help so reversible was appealing to me. I was pretty floored when it did work. If I had it all to do over again I'd get as sleeve without a doubt. It's essentially like a band with perfect restriction all the time. No fills, unfills, restriction issues, slips, erosion, port pain, port flips, etc. I wish I would have done as you are and considered the option of a sleeve before surgery. BTW, **after** the initial 30 days of the procedure complications drop dramatically for sleeves over bands. Your risk for problems is much less with sleeves vs. bands, virtually no follow up care, etc.

I had a Breast Reduction and Brachioplasty on 22nd April. To be honest - Although I had NO pain from it (which surprised me) Had I had my legs done also - To be able to lift yourself up might make things complicated - I stupidly lifted a small bag of potatoes and felt a pulling sensation and had to go back to the Hosp to get checked out - And it was only a small bag! I would say to stick to one end of the body at a time - As eventhough it might save time under the knife - It might end up making you have to re-do some things if anything should happen and it is really easy to over-do things... My Dr also says that to do more than a couple of things would be overdoing it) I wanted a Tummy Tuck - Thighs and Bum done - and he told me that would be too much (he is probably very right) Good luck to those about to have something done :-)

I have no idea why I had no hair lloss. I asked my doctor about it since I read on here that so many have it, and he said he didn't realize that would happen, that he never heard of any of his patients saying anything about hair loss and he didn't know what would cause it. Other than anesthetic causes it sometimes, but he said that usually happens right away. I have always taken the Bariatric Advantage chewable iron and multi vitamins. I drink almost a gallon of water a day. Never had any complications of any kind.

It would be super helpful if the ones that DID NOT experience hair loss could provide some insight on why they think they dodged the bullet. Did you have any complications? Did you get the recommended Protein in daily? Did you lose weight fast, slow or gradually? Did you take any supplements? Did you do anything special? I'm sure this information would be appreciated by ALL!

I just had surgery on 12/19 and got both at recommendation of my doctor. I can't offer as much information as the others but my doctor mentioned a study by Duke University that I read up on. It seems to help people lose more in the beginning. It does add a possible extra complication - for a few the stomach part that is folded over (so to speak) gets inadequate blood flow and causes issues which I think are only resolved by more surgery. So just do your research and weigh the risks.

:help: I'm the nurse who developed the list of questions to ask your surgeon and reminded you to post the article on complications. I'm determined to have bariatric surgery and, after extensive research, had decided on a Lapband. I had my initial consultation yesterday at the University of California, San Francisco bariatric surgery center (the only one my insurance will cover in Northern California). Really liked the surgeons but am troubled by the number of Lapbands they've done. They've done hundreds of lap bypasses but very few Lapbands -- about 50 among the 3 of them since they started doing Lapbands a year and a half ago. I remember you posted some time ago that a given surgeon should have done a minimum of 50 Lapbands. So here's my conundrum:confused: : Is it wise to have a Lapband, even though they've done so few? Or do I have a bypass even though I'd prefer not to? Any advice will be appreciated! NancyRN

I agree with Babs - the aftercare is absolutely critical to success. I'm based in the UK and went with a specialised weight loss company. The consultant put the following argument to me: surgeon's simply do a technical job of putting the band in place - so you really want one that has done the job many, many times to reduce the possibility of surgical complications. Supporting the patient afterwards however, is the job of others who are equally expert in their roles. So, the consultant (not the surgeon) conducts my band fills, I have a personal dietician, a dedicated weight loss mentor and access to an 8 week behavioural programme following surgery. Each member of 'my team' is there to offer different types of support -- something the average surgeon is neither qualified or particularly interested in doing.

I'm a teacher, so that was my plan too - I'm still really nervous having to take the week before break off for the actual surgery, but oh well. I want the two weeks - it's not worth it for us to rush back and have complications, right?? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Each of us has his/her own journey. This surgery is a BIG DEAL. There are risks and dangers. If someone feels less than 100% ready to take it on, then he/she shouldn't do it. We see enough leaks and other complications pop up on this board often enough to keep the dangers in mind. Imagine feeling pressured to do a surgery, and then you end up with a complication. Then you're sick AND feeling like it's someone else's fault (for pressuring you). We each need to understand and accept the risks for ourselves in order to be at peace through the difficult parts of the journey. This also applies to the postop lows that we all seem to go through. The moments of "what the heck did I do to myself??" Which would be so much worse if it were, "What the heck did those horrible people sign me up for?? They LIED to me! They said it would be so much better, and now look what mess I'm in!" The most important part of this journey is our taking personal responsibility for our health. Diet and lifestyle have to change.. forever. Huge commitment. Up there with having a child. MORE of a commitment than marriage.

My port flipped and i had it fixed on Tues. 7-08-08. I went in as out patient but, stayed over night. I had general anesthesia and was so sick from it. I was banded in April so the surgeon went in the same suture line for the port as when he put it in. It has been 2 and a half months and that incision was just healing so I am very sore. Iv'e lost 1 day from work. I hope this is the 1 and only complication I will have. I need to go back in 2 weeks to see the surgeon. My doctor keeps telling me this is a "work in progress" he believes in small fills about 9 in 1 year. He wants me to have all the benefits without being sick. He said I should be able to eat almost anything with the band just a lot less. I have lost 30 lbs. since April 16th, 08.

Flew into Puerto Vallarta, beautiful city but didn't see much the 1st day. Was met by Natalia, Dr. Joya's Asst at airport. Taken immediately to the hospital, blood tests done, met Dr., surgeon's assistants and anestesiologist. I was put at ease immediately, all of the doctors were VERY nice and offered to answer any questions I had. Dr. Joya felt my abdomen and said "good, it's very soft, will make surgery very easy". Next, I was Hooked up to IV and started on fluids, this helped with the hunger a tiny bit, was still ravenous though. I had not eaten any food since 12 pm the previous day - that was over 30 hours, NO FOOD, only some sips of water and decaf coffee the next morning before plane took off. Surgery done about 2 hrs later and lasted approximately 45 minutes long. Woke up in recovery room with some mild pain in my abdomen. After recovering there for a while I was wheeled into my room. They told me surgery went well and that my liver was normal size so no complications there. I braced myself for the infamous gas pain that everyone talks about - it never came! The only pain I had was the incision pain. Now, my stomach was VERY bloated from the gas, however, I did not have any gas pain in my shoulder or anywhere. This may have been because I went to the bathroom A LOT before surgery, or, because I did not eat anything for over 24 hours before surgery. The negatives - What I did not like about the care at the hospital was that after I woke up from surgery, I COULD NOT SLEEP. I complained about 5 times to the nurses and they would give me something for pain, but that's not what I needed and that did not help me sleep. They said they would call the Dr. but I don't think they did. They then gave me two pills but the didn't work either. Basically, I was awake from 10 pm and walked the halls until FINALLY I fell asleep for 2 hours at 4 am. This really irritated me because I was sooo tired but could not fall asleep and I really wanted my body to be able to rest after surgery. The night nurses you could tell they were getting irritated as when I rang the buzzer when I tried to go to sleep and couldn't and would ask for something to go to sleep with, they came in looking like they just woke up and would be like "si, si" and then wouldn't come back again until I buzzed them the next hour. I also had a hard time peeing after surgery. That may be perhaps because they put a catheter in after I was asleep?? However, I would just have to sit on the toilet and kind of "push" my pee out. That has lasted through today.... A couple of hours before check out they brought me 2 cups of apple juice and some ice and water. I took slow slips and had no problems keeping anything down. Oh, let me describe the room in the hospital: Beautiful! Had my own private room and bathroom/shower. Hospital bed VERY comfortable. Very cute, stylish and colorful couch and chair in the room. Flat screen tv and remote. Marble floors. The entire hospital was pretty it was called The Cornerstone Hospital in PV. Check out time came and Natalie the Dr's Asst came and gave me all the paperwork, receipts, box for band etc. She drove me to the hotel, speedily checked me in and I was off to my room. (Room was VERY nice) Marble floors, open sliding glass doors and balcony and was right on the beach so I could sit outside and look at the ocean. I included some pictures of the resort and hotel below. View from room: I pretty much slept off and on that day, drank some broth, juice and water, etc. - The next day I woke up and decided to bravely go downtown to buy some souveniers. It was a 10 minute cab ride and yes, I was in a bit of pain when he was bumping over the cobblestoned streets but I made it. I walked around holding my tummy and hobbled along, at one point a stor worker said "Oh, you having a baby?" I just nodded and laughed to myself not bothering to correct him. My stomach was sooo bloated I looked about 5 mo's along and I couldn't blame anyone with the way I was holding my tummy or walking along to think that - too funny, any other time I would have been insulted! Shopped and bought some blankets, windchimes, art, and a good bottle of tequila for my husband. After about an hour I caught a cab and took a nap for 2 hours then woke up and headed for the airport. (I decided to check out a day early because even though the resort was nice, I missed my bed and I missed my AMERICAN TV, lol!). At the airport after getting out of the cab and I asked for a wheelchair as I was wore out and sore and didn't want to drag my luggage around. This turned into be a great idea as I was whisked through customs and immigration and becauase I had a first class ticket back to LAX (TOTALLY WORTH IT ON THE WAY HOME BY THE WAY - IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO UPGRADE TO 1ST CLASS, DO IT, WILL MAKE THE FLIGHT BACK HOME SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE!) All in all, it feels great to have had this done. Have not got on scale yet, will probably wait a few day. At home, feeling sore but good. Body healing, eating jello, broth, juice, popsicles. Oh, I keep getting an uncomfortable painful shooting feeling in my diaphragh area and it lasts for a few seconds every once in a while after I swallow something, then goes away. Hope this helps anyone thinking of going to Mexico, so far, I highly recommend Dr. Joya....

I was banded Nov 27, 2007. The doctor originally was going to put 1 cc in my band based on the idea that the nurses in the operating room put 2 cc's in it after doc closed me up. He said he would check how much the band had before adding more. He stuck me{which felt like I was getting a shot} and found out that the nurses didn't add any to my band. I received 3cc's yesterday and ate my sugar free pudding last night and a soft egg and grits this morning. I feel great, no complications. I have lost 7 pounds in 4 weeks...I am satisfied. Good luck everyone..make today one of your best days...

I considered bypass and discussed the issue with my surgeon who recommended the band. I'm only 25 and want more babies so the band was the one which would allow pregnancy with the least amount of complication. That did it for me!

I was banded in april and I have not had a fill due to infection complications that forced the removal of my port. I have lost 50 #'s so far. Even when I get my port back I don't plan to have a fill unless my hunger is totally out of control. Everyone here talks like hunger is a bad thing and it isn't. It just means our body needs some fuel. Like you I only portion what I should have and I always wait 10 mins if I 'think" I need more. Seldom do I still want any more and am usually glad I didn't eat any more. The few times I have, I ended up with the shoulder pain you hear so much about. I try not to be 'full' only satisfied with my meals. If it has been 3 hours and I am feeling a little hungry I eat a small protien snack (usually protien only) and I am fine. A lot of people wamt the band to do all the work and it can't. You still have to make good food choices most of the time. Can you indulge occasionally, Absolutely but this is where the band helps you eat much lest then you did before. I find I don't have the raging hungry I ha before with just the band and I probably could stuff myself with more but Why would I. We all know going in that you have to make changes so why do this to ourselves. NOt me.

Okay, I haven't even had surgery yet and I'm nervous about moving from the shake stage to soft foods! My surgeon has me on my pre-op diet for 2 more weeks after surgery (shakes and no-cal liquids) then moves me to soft foods. I'm already planning on full liquids/purees for 2 more weeks before I move to soft foods. I'm so worried about slippage by moving through the food stages too fast that I'm actually going AGAINST surgeon's orders with the full liquids/purees. I want to know that if someday, God forbid, I have a complication, it wasn't because of something I did. Just freaks me out!!! He also said 4-6 week lifting restriction of 10lbs. I put 6 weeks on the calendar. I don't want my port to flip!! I think I'm flipping out!! :thumbup:

Hello :tt2: I have some questions for people who have had the LAP-BAND®, I basically am not sure if I want to go through with it and I would like to hear some stories of people who also couldn't decide at first lol. I understand it is not a quick fix, and it is going to take time and effort and what not. I do have some questions though. I have been overweight my entire life. My mom loved food, therefore I love food. She rewarded me with food and we pretty much lived on fast food growing up, therefore I am quite morbidly obese. In Kindergarten, I was 100 pounds, most of the other kids were around 60. Last time I was weighed, probably close to 2 years ago, I was 427. Food is my comfort and I spend any money I get on food... My parents have never said you cannot have this or no we cannot order this in, if they can afford it, or I am willing to pay for it, we get it. That is that. They have tried to mention my weight and doing something about it, but they know it does not phase me and that I ignore it. I actually made effort when I was 16 to go to a nutrionist but after a bad experience, I completely refused to go back to ANY nutritionist. She basically told me fat peopel cannot be succesful, it felt like an interrogation, and that fat people cannot do anything. It was just so rude. Since I was 16, I am 18 now, my mom has been talking about the lap-band® and how I should consider getting it when I turn 18. Lately she has really been bothering me because the class you have to attend is in a few weeks, and I only have until I am 19 (less than a year) to get it done, which is when insurance stops covering me. I have social phobia/social anxiety though, due to being taken out of school 4 years and put into homeschooling with no real human interaction. I was put into homeschooling due to bullying, I have been clinically depressed since 3rd grade, that is when I was diangnosed. I have told my mom several times, i will not go to a class with other people in it, I cannot do it. If you do not know what social phobia/social anxiety disorder is, it is basically fearing human interaction, and you totally believe everyone is looking at you, judging you, saying things about you, point at you behind your back, making fun of you etc.. That is the only way I can explain it. I have only just started going and getting the mail in the past 2 months, and only if nobody is outside their house and I have a hoodie completely covering me, with a long skirt. I only leave my house if I absolutely have to, and at that, it is usually at night time, and I do not go inside anywhere. I always have to have a hoodie on that covers everything and a long skirt,so nobody can see me. I only go in the dentist when I am in terrible pain, I deal with moderate/mild pain otherwise, because I know I will be in a room with just the dentist and I. I have not even gotten my license yet, nor do I have any interest... I seriously start having a panic attack in social situations, I have not had any RL friends in 3 years. Lately I have been having so many pains due to being overweight, and I am sure in a year or 2 I am going to end up having a heart attack. The doctors said at anytime I can have a heart attack. I never mention these pains to anyone though because the social phobia/anxiety, and I will NOT go to the doctor. So, what I am asking is to hear from people or people who have had friends/family get the LAP-BAND® and if it is really something worth doing? The main questions I have are; 1. Is there pain after the surgery? And if so, what kind? How long did it last? 2. How long do you have to stay in the hospital after surgery? 3. Is there a specific diet before/after surgery? 4. Do I have to slim down to a certain weight before I can get it? 5. I know you eat less, a lot less, do you eat more smaller meals or just 3 really small meals? 6. If really small meals, is there enough food for your body to like have energy? :S 7. Should I worry about complications with my weight? 8. How many people die of complications every year? And how many people get the surgery every year? 9. What kinda of diet are you on currently? 10. I cannot stick to diets, will I be told to TRY dieting before the surgery? 11. What happens on the day of the surgery? 12. Side effects? 13. Problems you had? 14. Did you ever consider not getting it because of the extra skin? 15. How steady of a weight loss can one expect? 16. Did family members actions change after you got the surgery? 17. Your worries before you had the surgery? What about after? That is all I can think of but I appreciate any replies! Thanks, sorry for the long post lol.:thumbup:

Well it's 1 am and I'm at the hospital.of course I can't sleep as the abdominal pain is kinda annoying. Nurses gave me some loratabs and all the other pain medicine. The gas pain was gone after a couple hours.I'm feeling uncomfortable but ok. The team was great.i just wanna go home lol. I hope I get afast recovery. I feel bad for the lady right across my room.seEms that she had some complications and her blood pressure is low and a blood transfusion .and she just peed on herself...i feel so bad but blessed that I'm ok and no complications.please pray for her I ve been drinking lots of Water and Ice.not hungry at all..vitals are good. I just want the sore feeling to be gone Thanks for your support and for reading my long post

Are you having complications @@WifeyMaterial? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You said weight but not height/bmi That's a big factor I have Aetna. And less pre complications with my health than you and got qualified! I am 19 days post op. Get excited, you'll get it done. ????

I had surgery in Novemeber of 08. I started by telling just a few friends and co-workers, including my boss, who I had a close relationship with. I told my coworkers (there were a total of 8 of us who worked together) just before I had the surgery, mainly because I knew my eating habits would be so obviously different when I came back to work, and we all ate lunch together as a group. As far as post op complications: if you are having your surgery in Mexico, I assume your insurance did not cover bariatric surgery, so most will not cover any complications that can be directly related to your surgery. Be sure that you have someone lined up at home to follow you post op, whether it is a local bariatric surgeon (you will ususally have to pay a "transfer fee"), a general surgeon, or your primary care doctor. There are lab results that need to be monitored about every 6 months for the first 2 years, then yearly after that, especially if you are having the sleeve or bypass. Be sure you are compliant with your multivitamins, B12, and calcium post op. Best of luck!

That is a personal choice. I'm telling very few people because I've learned that a lot of people view this very negatively. As for insurance, your plan may cover NOTHING, including complications, so you need to be aware and informed on that.

Hi Cheryl! Best of luck on your surgery tomorrow. I am feeling great - better everyday. I didn't go through any complications so far .... but I will tell you that when you first wake up from surgery, it is the toughest part. They will give you painkillers right away, and the first 2 days is second hardest. But I was able to get through it far better than I thought! Anyway, I am very excited for you. I was nervous too - but just remind yourself that the first few days are worth having a new life.

Oh, thanks so much for replying -- I'll be sure to request Dr. Foster for my fills if that's the case! My mom will be visiting for the surgery and after. I'll let her know she can stay with me. I might need my mommy all night, even though I'll be 48 by March 5. I haven't been in the hospital since I got my nose broken in high school... When you left the hospital did you feel you had all the instructions you needed? It seems rather complicated all in all. How soon were you able to drive, and return to work? I'm hoping not to miss more than a week. :eek:

Hello friends, I am still awaiting my psych appt., nutrition, consult with doc, and hope to be banded mid November. OK, I have a totally new fear I am hoping someone can help me with. My insurance does not cover this operation or any complications that may arise. That is scary enough but then... I heard someone say that they had lost 100 pounds and had to pay an enormous fortune in plastic surgery to fix all of the loose skin! I don't have an enormous fortune, In fact I am taking out a loan for surgery! Does anyone know anything about this? K

:confused:I have had trouble from the beginning with my LAP-BAND®, I was filled up to I think almost 4cc's and did lose about 35-40lbs in the first six months or so, my surgery was June 2007. But I started having a lot of problems with acid reflux, pain, vomiting, nausea, so they began unfilling in August of last year. The Dr unfilled a little at a time about .5cc at a time, and I was so disappointed because then I felt hungry, but still had the symptoms. In July/August last year, I started waking up aspirating from acid reflux in the night, which was soooooooo scary. I didn't want to lay down. I called and the Dr wanted to unfill more. He did. We did a Upper GI he didn't think anything was wrong. But then I started developing pains, sharp pains like heart attack pains in upper chest/stomach area seemingly either with empy stomach, like first thing in mornings, or after meals. Very scary, hurt to breath. I also went through a couple bad bronchitis episodes due to the aspiration affecting my lungs and still have wheezing in my lungs. Have gone to respiratory Dr for that, and they haven't given me a good explanation as to why I am having problems with wheezing. They have ruled out asthma. But in Dec the Abd pain got so bad I went to ER and they did a CAT scan. The ER dr called my LAP-BAND® Dr and advised they thought I had a pretty significant band slippage they could see. The stomach has slipped up through the band. The ER dr referred me back to the Lapbad Dr. However I have been more and more discouraged with this Dr for feeling like he just keep blaming me for my lack of results stating I was eating too much sweets, and not exercising enough. I kept telling him I wasn't eating that much, my fiance and now husband even backed me up on that. I am bad at exercise, but I was having so many complications with food it has almost become impossible for me to want to eat. Food wouldn't go down, either too chunky or I think I ate too fast because I waited till I was hungry, and it came back up immediately. So I am sure that added to it all. Anyway, so now in late December my LAP-BAND® Dr decided to totally unfill me to help with pain and reflux. It has helped. He has told me based on the latest CAT that he doesnt' think the slippage is too major, but he gave me the option to have it repaired or removed. I really hated coming to that decision, because the whole two years has been such an ordeal, and full of disappointment. I don't know how much is from the LAP-BAND® slipping, how long ago that happened, and the combination of symptoms not helping me loose the weight. I am basically back to my original weight. Having spent much money and time having the original LAP-BAND® placed, and going to all the Dr appts, having the Upper GI's done, and now CAT scan. Even with insurance, not a cheap endeaver. Now I am trying to decide what to do. My original goal was to loose weight. I am soooooo disappointed to not have any of that happen and to be back to square one, feeling helpless about the situation. I wished it would have worked for me, and I even asked about maybe switching to a full gastric bypass. But he said he wouldn't do that at the same time he removes the band. There is no guarantee that fixing it will work, or I won't run into the same problems in the future again. So I am opting for removal. Any other insight or opinions as to what to do? I almost feel like getting a 2nd oppinion. But here in CO there are not too many Dr's that even know about LAP-BAND® it seems. Plus I don't know if the ins will help pay for removal, or how much that surgery will cost, and time off work. Ugh!!!!!