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So, how are you doing? Looks like you are a few days out now. Hopefully, you are feeling good and no complications. Check in when you can.

Ruth I am so happy with my band, words trully can't express. I did not have complications, blood presure, sleep apinia, etc the list is endless, due to Obesity. I thought I had a thyriod problem, They said I was pre diabetis I like many others, choise the band, paid out of pockect, still paying for it and now happily 65 lbs down. Today, I still can NOT eat like I use to. Wishing you the best. Ruth's my middle name.

In my opinion. There is no, I repeat NO complication from the band that is any way form or fashion nearly as bad as those from a bypass can be. I just had a new band placed on Friday, due to slippage and had a hiatal hernia repaired in the process. My intestines are still intact, my body's capability to absorb nutrients is still in working order. I still have my whole stomach and no staple line to break. If I got erosion, I could take the band out and still have all my parts. I could also still decide to do the bypass if I absolutely had to. If I did the bypass first, I would have none of these things and no way to reverse it once it's done. Also, there is supposedly a window of opportunity with the bypass where you can lose weight. Then, the body learns to adapt to the changes and will allow weight to be gained back. With the band, I can have it adjusted and continue to lose or maintain my current weight, without the window limitation. I wish you much luck with your decision! Leatha banded 5/29/03 - Dr. Wetter/San Francisco Slippage repair - 07/16/04 - Dr. Veninga/ Texas 250/190/140??

Hello, I'm new to the boards but I am from Houston! Northwest near Cypress to be exact! Looking forward to meet you all, I am still in the process PRE OP, on Monday I have my last dietitian consultation! I want to be banded asap but I have had some complication choosing doctors that are on Tricare's network. It is being sorted out though, although now the surgery date won't be as close as I thought and wanted to. Nice meeting you all!

I read about a friend's story on another forum I was on at the time. At first I was against this idea for me. 8 months later I changed my mind. I tried a couple of diets in that time and basically ended up bigger than I started. I'm 40, 4'11 or 5' (depending when I measure) and I don't know my weight in pounds, but my BMI is 45 so you can tell I'm not a small girl by any means, just a short one. I immediately took out health insurance and have to wait 12 months before they will pay for the op. That was October. In that time I've changed my mind, come back to banding then questioned if I should have some other surgery. I'm well known in my family for having a fluxuating mind! I am going ahead with the band. Surgery doesn't bother me. I've had my gall bladder out about 7 years ago and it was done through the same procedure as this one, so I know I'll be fine with that. What does concern me is the permanent change other methods make. At least with the band if something goes wrong it can be taken out and I'm basically back where I started. I don't for one minute consider myself not 'normal'. With obesity on the rise and more than 50% of people in my country being at least overweight, hey, I'm the normal one! I'm in the majority. Its just that the entertainment industry shoves skinny people down our through that we feel like lepers. I'm going ahead with the operation. I need the assistance of a little plastic band to help me to know when to stop eating. Fine. Some people need body parts to help them live a normal life. I need this instead. No big deal. If my eating habits have to change, then good, they aren't doing me a world of good now! As for complications, one of the biggest factors for a successful outcome is your state of mind when you go in. Being positive won't stop a complication if its going to happen, but it doesn't cause them either. I plan on being extremely positive about the whole process. Michelle

I'm in Alabama. Banded in November 2008. Was approved yesterday by insurance for revision to Sleeve due to complications with the band. Dr. Miles did my band and will also be doing the revision.

Hi and congrats on taking the steps to a healthier and better you. The sleeve is a wonderful and I absolutely love life post-op. As for your questions, I'll answer honestly and openly as I can. 1) I am a smoker. Smoking inhibits healing, and can cause ulcers. Not only that, it increases your risk of a leak due to hindering healing of the staple line. My surgeon knew my smoking status, but I didn't quit pre-op. Could it have contributed to the fact that I did have a leak, yes, but the biggest issue in my recovery and leak issues was because I had a band first that destroyed my stomach tissue. Smoking also complicates anesthesia recovery. Your abdomen is sore, causes more coughing and I had to use a spirometer to help prevent pneumonia. That really sucked because coughing caused major discomfort. I have quit twice since surgery, and am now trying to quit again. I actually went on Wellbutrin to help with the withdraws of nicotine as the patch, gum and cold turkey make life with me pure hell. 2) I had a huge panel of labs, a chest xray, psych eval, and consult with a nutritionist. Some surgeons require an upper gi and sleep study. 3) I didn't have a drain initially. A lot of surgeons use drains to make sure there is no leak, and some pull it before discharge, some require it stay in for about a week. I only had drains due to the leak repair surgery, and they stayed in for over 2 weeks. 4) I was not catheterized for my revision. I urinated before surgery, and was dry when I came out. 5) hair loss can happen to anyone that goes through surgery. It's a pretty normal occurrence. There is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. It's a combination of anesthesia, surgical stress, and rapid weight loss. I lost hair for about 3 months, and I lost half of my hair. Luckily, I had super thick, coarse hair and no one that didn't know me before never guessed that I had lost all of my hair. The only thing you can do pre-op and during your recovery is to take hair/nail/skin supplements to help with regrowth. Biotin is usually the one most people choose. I didn't do anything to help with regrowth until I started losing. I used Folicure extra care shampoo. I started having new growth pop in while I was still losing. Currently, I look like a chia pet, and have chopped my hair off, layered it and bleached the top to help hide some of the new growth. I kept the back and underneath dark to help give the illusion of depth and volume. Unfortunately, hair loss seems pretty inevitable. There's several patients on this board that got in there Protein and extra protein, and they lost more hair and lost it for a longer period of time than I did, and I didn't get in my protein until I was on soft solids when I could eat chicken and other meat. My main advice is make sure you can handle the mental and emotional aspect of this surgery. It's a huge change, and no matter how much you read or talk to people will you really grasp it all until you go through it. I truly believe going in positive, and upbeat helps. Find strength within yourself, and know that you are doing something absolutely fabulous for yourself and your family. Know that recovery can be difficult, you'll be tested, you'll be exhausted, you might be mad at yourself especially during the post-op diet, but all of that is just temporary. Questions to ask your surgeon: What size bougie do you use to make the sleeve? What are your leak/complication stats? What are your expectations of my weight loss? Do you provide follow up care, labs, access to a nutritionist and psych if needed post-op (especially since you'll be self-pay find out what all is included in that cost)? Do you prescribe an acid reducer such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium to protect the sleeve, how long should I be on it? Post-op diet instructions? Pre-op diet instructions? How many sleeves have you performed? How many bariatric procedures have you performed? How long is the hospital stay? Leak tests, how many and when are they performed? That's all I can think of right now. Best wishes on your consult, and if you need anything ask away. We'll all be here for you through this journey.

I went in on a Friday. Surgery was 50minutes long. Was in recovery for about 1 1/2 hours. Was sent to my room afterwards and left Sunday afternoon. No complications. My dr wants all his patients to be in for 2 nights. Best of luck to you.

You're only 3 days out and you want to eat whole foods? Obviously you can do what you choose but I would say absolutely not. I say this as someone who cheated one time. The night before I started my puree diet I had 2 ounces of baby food fruit because I wanted to taste something. You are 3 days out. Your staples aren't even close to healing. They've only just started and you could very well cause yourself major complications. Drink some broth or sit outside in the sun and talk with your mom to pass the time. Whole foods are going to bring you problems, in my opinion.

A purposeful deviation from you were anticipating, with out without complications, is something that can be taken up with the doctors malpractice insurance. A doctor altering your procedure to unwittingly put you in a study program is unethical, I am willing to guess, not in the bounds of the laws of your state, which makes ANY contract or agreement void.Encourage her to check with a lawyer - and ask for compensation directly relative to anything he or his hospital is getting in regards to the study. In my opinion if he is getting a paper or article publishes - accolades, basically - she should be compensated for a part of her surgery, since he profited.

I am a critical care nurse and see complications very frequently. I have seen horror stories from Mexico but have also seen poor work from American physicians. It can be difficult choosing a physician to provide you with care. Look at as many sites as possible and see how people rate the doctor before you make a decision. I just have to pray that my research has led me to the right physician. Guess I will see on October 25th.

I don't know if there is any correlation between lapbands and autoimmune diseases but I do know that a lapband will not be placed (at least by my surgeon) in a patient who has an existing autoimmune disease. But then I read loads of posts on here by bandsters with MS, Lupus, Crohn's, etc...and was astonished that they had been able to find a surgeon who would band them. I haven't developed an autoimmune disease (yet) but my band is responsible for me developing heart arrythmia, for which I now have to take strong and unpleasant medications for the rest of my life. And, sadly, removal of my band will not "cure" the arrythmia because once the electrical pathways are disturbed (thanks, lapband!), they are there for life. I don't regret (yet) having opted for a lapband, but I am extremely sad about now living life with this high-level lapband complication. My risk of stroke is now increased, not to mention the risk of dying from congestive heart failure or cardiac arrest. That said, staying obese might have brought on heart issues as well. Who knows? Here's what i DO know. Statistics mean nothing because either you do develop complications or you don't. It is black or white. I thought I'd be among the "x" percent who would never have a lapband-related complication. But I'm not. Many of us are not. But to those that are....rock your bands and enjoy their benefits!

I donate platelets monthly for burns and cancer patients. The blood bank excluded me for 6 months after a major surgery, which it considered having 85 percent of my stomach removed to be. I donated for the first time since surgery and felt fine, no complications, and they found the vein a lot easier. I don't know if its different for me because I'm not giving whole blood, but if in doubt, talk to your surgeon.

It may be that we cant donate just before and for a while after surgery. Make sense since if there are complication we wouldnt want our blood volume to be lower. I have never know it to be said that you cant forever. I do not know why that would be.

On June18 2012 I had the sleeve done. I was released the next day and was feeling pretty good. By the 10th day post op, I was not able to keep water down. I went to the Dr. He sent me to the ER. He called down to the ER and told them what tests he wanted ran. Needless to say, I had a leak. I was admitted into the hospital and my Dr. took me into surgery to repair the leak. I woke up in intensive care with a feeding tube. 2 days later I was told I had to go back into surgery because they discovered an abscess. On to surgery I went. I was in the hospital 39 days. I was finally discharged, feeding tubes and all and so happy to go home. I was home for one week. I still could not keep anything down. I was very dehydrated and was in the hospital for 2 more weeks. Over the next month I was in and out of the hospital for dehydration and severe pain. In August I was admitted again for dehydration, pain and nausea. The feeding tube was removed and a picc was placed. I was then put on TPN (total protein & nutrients) feedings. Admitted again in September after my daughters wedding. This time a fistula was found. Another surgery and feeding tubes were placed again along with TPN bags. I was so depressed. I was not getting better, I got worse. I was in the hospital from Sept 13 to December 10th. In the middle of the night I had a hematoma. Throwing up blood. Caused my spleen to enlarge and become infected. Dr felt that stent was necessary. So one was pyt in. On thanksgiving morning I had to have my spleen removed. The stent slipped and had to be replaced. The 2nd stent was horrible and that had to be removed a few days later. I was in the hospital a total if 116 days from end of June to Dec 10 2012. Still unable to eat, nausea 24 hours a day feeding tubes in place. My Dr could not figure iut what to do. He called other Drs. Mayo and other states. I was discharged and losing weight rapidly. In January of this year I was admitted again. Severly dehydrated and still nausea. After 27 days in hospital a 3 strnt was placed. 1week later it had to be removed. In Feb. my Dr called the Cleveland Clinic in Weston FL for a second opionion. On March 1st my husband and I made the 7 hour drive. I met with the Dr there. I was sent down for uppet gi. Funny.... they found the problems immediately. I was scheduled for surgery on the 14th. I had to have the remainder of my stomach removed, my small intestine was cut and pulled up to my esophagus and attached. Plus the inflammed scar tissue had to be removed. It had been a ling 10 month journey. I have lost 94 pounds, and 10 sizes smaller. I am still not able to eat real food. I eat mashed potatoes, yogury, smoothies, applesause, popsicles, cream of wheat. I do test the waters with some soft foods. Somethings stay some don't. Dr. said It could be 6-8 months before I can tolerate food due to all surgeries. I am also battling a stomach and urinary tract infection for the last 5 weeks. Would I do it all over again. Probably not... however... I did it because my husband has a rare cancer ( due to exposure from agent Orange from Vietnam). He lost his leg and is wheelchair bound. I truly wanted to be healthier to care for him. But he is caring for me now. Please take your time. Research, ask questions, follow your heart. Dont ever let anyone make you feel that you are bothering them. Its your life and you are paying for this procedure to be done. I can sue. I've done a lot of soul searching and even tslked to attorneys. The end result.. I want to live. I want to get better. I want to eat again. Good luck to each and everyone who decides to go forward with which ever procedure. God bless and thank you for allowing me to share my journey.

I've gained back almost 40 lbs as well and that's because I never made my goal so I have more than that to lose. I had a baby which accounts for some of it. Due to complications, I was told to increase my calories and Protein intake and I may have taken it too far. I also haven't been able to exercise due to sciatica and knee pain. I was already losing my mind and eating poorly and then these things made it so much easier. I had barely been maintaining my weight with 5 high intensity workouts a week. If I go back to full liquids, how long is best? I'm thinking three weeks at least. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have decided to remove my band, most likely. Something I had so much faith in and spent 2 years trying to get. You can see my other posts on the complications I've had, no one has been able to figure out my pain and I'm ready to try taking it out to see if it fixes the problem. I am trying to be a strong person, but since my pain came back 4 days ago I have become very sad. I have spent a lot of my days crying, and had trouble going to school and work. I am going to pick my head up and move on, but I wanted to talk to other people who have dealt with this and get some advice. I'm devastated and heartbroken, and need to see the light in this somehow. I am normally pretty optimistic, so this is different for me. I am just still in shock that this is happening. I'm dealing with guilt as well, even though this seems to be mostly out of my control and I knew there could be side-effects. Anyone gone through this emotionally?

I had my surgery Feb 8th and had many of the same thoughts and doubts as so many do before surgery... what am I doing to my "perfectly good" stomach? what if it doesn't work? what if I have a complication? But my mom gave me great advice. She said think of yourself having surgery, how do you feel? (I felt hopeful, excited, scared, ready for the future) and then think of yourself not having the surgery , how do you feel? ( I felt hopeless, depressed, stuck) that for me was a turning point. I knew I was ready, I had tried everything else. I am so happy I did! I have difficult moments, but I am losing, have had no real problems and see a new life ahead with a healthy body! Good Luck Diane

Hello: I am considering lapband surgery and wanted to get feedback from ppl who have had this surgery. How has it been? Any complications? Weight loss, etc etc. Thanks, Karen Ross:smile2:

I had Mirena and it was awful. The side effects were not worth it. It did its job as far as pregnancy prevention but totally whacked out my hormones. I started having problems with anxiety and it may have contributed to my losing my vision in my right eye. Optic Neuritis. I recovered most of my vision but not all. I had to have it removed under sedation because they couldn't find it and now my periods are horrendous. Painful and heavy. I'm not a fan and would never recommend it. I do know many use it and love it, but I am not a member of that club. I hope that whatever direction you go in is smooth and works well, minus side effects and complications.

Stalls are something you may as well get used to. They happen periodically for many of us. The weight doesn't just fall off and it doesn't come off in a linear manor. I've let my frustration go and it makes life so much more enjoyable. If you stick to your plan and do your part your body will do its part in the best way for it. Our bodies are very intricate and complicated. And if pounds aren't coming off, you will likely lose inches.

The difference in size from a 32 to a 38 is pretty minimal - we're talking a few millimeters. However, as Chimera says, some studies seem to indicate that there are fewer complications with a slightly larger sleeve, plus there's a bit more to work with should you develop a leak that needs repair. The difference in weight loss appears to be minimal to none.

Have you talked to your Nut or Dr. about this complication? Could be scarring or Acid Reflux

I too am doing the revision from band to sleeve due to complications with the band and honestly i think it depends on the office and MD ur working with and their schedules also. i have BCBS and i started the whole process on 10/03/13 & I literally had everything i needed on my list done and my last test (EGD) on 11/07/13. I just spoke to the patient navigator today & we made an appt for me for the surgical consult on 11/21 which i will then get my date of surgery & she PROMISED me my surgery would be done by 12/31/13! Im SO excited but also SO nervous...i dont like the fact that they make u go through ALL of the pretesting and everything else and THEN AFTER u get ur date is when they go for the approval...but from what she told me, she thinks i'll get approved very quickly with this insurance! Im keeping my fingers crossed Good luck on ur journey and hope the process is also quick for u

Most people have some discomfort after surgery with the lap band, but not enough to be totally miserable all the time. Some have buyers remorse ,but the good news is...you have the lap band and not the Sleeve or RNY or DS and you can always get it removed if you are not happy with how you feel, if you had any other weight loss surgery you would be SOL, and no turning back. Please make sure that you are sipping your liquids very slowly and don't progress your diet no more than what's on your surgeon's dietitian list. Also nausea can mean you are dehydrated, and if you try to sip cold liquids you may not be able to get enough Water down. And most surgeons give their patients anti-nausea medications. Also if you are constantly burping, you may be trying to take gulps, you have to sip very slowly and NOT cold liquids like milkshakes or smoothies, hopefully you did your research on the band before you got it. Sometimes not following your post op diet plan can make things worse and actually cause a complication. Also if you are feeling discomfort while lying down, many use recliners, or sleep on the sofa, sitting up with pillows until the pain subside, and walking, drinking room temp liquids and NOT anything cold, and slowly sipping will make things better. You also need to ask your surgeon for PPi like a Prevacid for any acid issues and other pain meds, if all the above I mentioned does not work, something else is wrong with your band, and if it persists longer than a week, you need to let your surgeon know, -- but it IS NORMAL to feel very sore for about 2-3 weeks post op, your body has been through trauma.