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Ok, I can see it now. Everyone jumps on the "exercise is da bomb" train.. "let's all get out and run a marathon this time next year". The people this board is catering to are almost all newbies. They are newly out of surgery, trying to recover.. they are 100+ pounds overweight (and most of us didn't get that way by walking 5 miles a day). Muscles can grow in weeks. Bone and ligament strength takes a year or more. Lots of people are busy, going to work, maintaining their homes, caring for their families. The surgery comes along and takes months of recuperation, and introduces a completely new lifestyle that they are expected to carry on forever. Do you think that the whole package may be asking just a bit too much? Patients' to do list after leaving the hospital: Care for your wounds, and watch for signs of infection for the next month. Relearn how to drink Relearn how to eat Watch and count every single thing that you are eating and drinking Learn how to shop Learn what complications you may or may not be experiencing to figure out if you should contact someone, or if it's normal. Learn how to poop more, or less. Learn how to feed the cats when you can't pick up more than 10lbs for the next month and a half. Learn how to sleep when the normal position hurts Learn that weight loss doesn't happen nearly as quickly and consistently as was imagined Learn to trust the process Learn that going for a walk leaves you more breathless postop than preop Learn that the vitamins that you have to take will actually make you sick and you have to find some that don't Learn that loose skin has to be contained, or rashes develop Learn what dehydration feels like, and how to prevent it Learn that you're now sensitive to dairy (or other common foods) ... Ok.. you get the point. For some people, all of the above comes naturally and there is no trouble. But, from the questions on this board, those people are few and far between. Adding intense, mandatory exercise on top of all of that might just cause some heads to explode. Dr. V is saying.. hey, let's get control of all these issues.. get calories up a bit and your heads on straight, figure out the early challenges.. and THEN introduce a more rigorous exercise routine. Don't bite off more than you can chew, and don't feel GUILTY about not wanting to bite off more than you can chew. If everyone says, hey, exercise is REQUIRED, NECESSARY, PEER REVIEWED, and you won't be successful without it.. that is putting ANOTHER burden on people that are in a delicate condition, and is possibly a contributing source of much of the emotional turmoil we see on this board. I never said people should sit on the couch for the first year. But I'm saying taking a little walk, or easy yoga, or a swim is going to be just fine.. and to save the harder stuff for later. People that are chomping at the bit and capable and desirous of more intensity.. well, they'll tell themselves that my advice is for all those couch potatoes and not THEM. So they'll ignore it and do what they want. That's fine. Nothing wrong with that. My goal is not to get everyone to hold him/herself back. My goal is to say, hey.. you don't have to kill yourselves. Bite off what you can handle right now, and take on more later when you're ready. And the reality is that people that bite off too much at once do tend to hurt themselves. Slow and progressive advancement can help prevent many of those types of injuries. (And allowing time for weight loss, will also help take some of the pressure off of delicate joints). I'm thrilled that early, intense exercise worked for you, Jess. You are an inspiration! It's just not for everyone.

I had the VSG in Mexico in August of 2015 because my relatively low BMI disqualified from me receiving any coverage from my insurance, and it would have cost a small fortune to have the surgery in California where I reside. My total cost was $4200, which included a hotel stay at the Marriott and local transportation. I had a very positive experience there, no complications, and consider the surgery to be a tremendous success. My reproductive endocrinologist had recommended the surgery to me for my PCOS, and has done the follow-up blood work. I was initially very skeptical about going out of country for the surgery, but after researching it felt confident about the decision. "Medical tourism" has become an increasingly popular option for Americans and Canadians, and many of the facilities and surgeons outside of the US are equal to or even superior, but of course it's imperative to do thorough research before proceeding.

Hey Peeps! So I already knew my insurance excluded the procedure, but had hoped to get on a new plan during open enrollment that would cover. Found out for sure that since we are self employed, no plans in PA offer coverage for individuals or small groups anymore. Major bummer. So, finally accepting if this is going to happen then we are going to pay for it. Hubby is agreeable, thank God. I have been pre-approved for a loan (haven't pulled the trigger yet), but the amount is -right at- the point of the gastric sleeve at my local program, at Reading Health Network (now Tower Health) with Dr. Leon Katz, who I like a lot from the seminar (did not get to one-on-one yet). The problem there is that if there are any complications my insurance probably won't cover it, and I will be pretty strapped already. So do I travel a little and get it done for a package deal that costs less and includes BLIS? And if so, who/where is the best option? Local doc is $16,500 for surgeon/anesthesia/hospital - pre-op tests likely covered by my ins but will have co-pays. No insurance for complications. I have seen package prices quoted between $9-12,000 in TN, GA, VA (I think) and FL. Wondering if there is similar a little closer to me (NJ, DE, MD, WV) that anyone knows of? Or if you have used Dr. Taggar or Dr. Wizman in FL and you went in from out of state, did you have a good experience? Thanks in advance for any advice - just want to put my life/health/money in the best hands possible!

My mom had RNY and had the same symptoms twice several weeks apart and ended up waking up from sleep from pain. She went to ER and her RNY surgeon said it was a serious complication which required another surgery to fix the twisted intestine. I'm not saying yours is the same- but Ide definitely call or go see your surgeon asap. Best of luck love!

You look amazing! I can't imagine what you went through with the complications & additional surgery, but praise the Lord you're recovered! What an inspiration & testimony Thank you for sharing!

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.

Hello everyone, I had mgb on October 6, 2016 and I have lost a significant amount of weight. I have had some complications and its been a rough year. My highest weight was 249 pounds and I am currently 123 pounds and my height is 5'7 1/2. Subsequently,I started out with a lower BMI than most people getting weight loss surgery. Has anyone had to have surgery to make their intestines longer to ascertain better absorption ? I am getting the surgery in two weeks and wanted to see if anyone else has had this experience. Sent from my LG-K430 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my surgery on 9/25 and this post op diet is killing me. I was so excited to get to stage 3 pureed foods, then come to find out that they want a week of bland foods first, Then advanced pureed. I have no complications but they changed there rules in August. Ugh. I can't stomach muscle milk anymore and soup is getting old. I need meat. Any ideas how to dress up ricotta and why is cottage cheese so salty? Anyway just needed to vent, as I am starting to lose my mind.

Best decision ever. Had some complications like nausea and constipation for about 4 months but feeling much better. Left pic was 1 month post op right pic was taken today 10 months post op. Start weight 388 todays weight 259 Keep positive everyone and have faith in yourself. Dont compare yourself to others weight loss. U can do this! Xoxo Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

I'd thought about surgery off and on for years, but I had always concluded it wasn't right for me--too much struggle and management for someone so depressed and too much restriction for someone with a difficult binge eating disorder. Over the last 18 to 24 months, my depression has been improving (finally after decades) and I've had much more drive to live a full life. At the same time, my mobility challenges due to weight and deconditioning and worsening diabetes complications have seriously limited how much I could actually lead a fuller life. I have great fear that they will cut my life very short. I've felt a great deal of dismay over that and little hope. Then in June, I had an amazing opportunity to travel to Hawaii, and it gave me such joy, joy like I hadn't felt in some time. And at the same time sadness -- I wanted to do so much more. I ventured into the ocean at one point and there was a bit of a step down -- not much, and none of the others on the beach seemed to have any problem with it -- but I actually wasn't able to get myself back onto the beach, losing my balance, and kept being knocked over by the surf. A lovely woman came over to help me, for which I was so grateful. But sad...I want to be able to do something as simple as go into the ocean (and get back out). And then I decided to re-look at surgery -- it seemed to me the most effective path for addressing my mobility challenges and diabetes is surgery. I've been down the "natural" weight loss road many times and have lost, 30, 50, 70, 90 pounds in the past just to regain and mire myself further in disordered eating. Surgery provides a much better chance for long-term maintenance of weight loss and just makes more sense -- I do not want to simply repeat the past. I cannot do that to myself again. So I got up my courage and decided to move forward.

First off, I put my throat issue in my original post - you just chose to ignore. Why are you taking the time out of your day to try to make people feel like ****? I'm sick of men like you, thinking you're holier than thou and know EVERYTHING. Cut your damn mansplaining. I was told I should be losing more weight by my doctor but can't due to my complication, so if I want to "complain" about it, I will. I psychically cannot eat or drink the calories I need to in order to lose weight, but I'm sure you know that since you clearly have an MD. How DARE YOU try to tell me what I should feel. My rage levels are just fine, I just refuse to be talked down to by some keyboard warrior. Your comments are unwanted and unnecessary. Stay off threads if you don't like the content and don't want people to call you out on your bullshit.

That's my story. If the band was full, I couldn't eat right. Too loose, it was useless. I had it removed a couple of months ago. It was causing me pain at the port site (in addition to being useless). Maybe it was the "complication" that helped with my approval for VSG. JUST got it a few hours ago. January is my date.

For starters Gallstones are not a complication of any one surgery or even surgery at all they are a complication of obesity. if someone wants to lower the risk of gallstones they should not become obese to begin with. it can become exacerbated by weight loss (of any kind). Weight loss is the goal of weight loss surgery so they will be a risk regardless of surgery choice (about 30% vs. 12% in the general population). Strictures, deficiencies and ulcers can also occur with either surgery. You will be given instructions like no NSAIDs to help avoid conditions that can invite ulcers. Strictures are treatable as are deficiencies (with supplementation) both surgeries are viable options. I chose bypass as I had a history of reflux and could not afford the risk of a second revision and Gerd is the #1 reason for Sleeve to bypass revisions. also my doctor recommended it. Having said that, sleeve was my back up should the band damage have been so bad as to prevent a bypass. I strongly suggest you talk to your surgeon for guidance and for his/her own practice results and complication comparisons. every doctor should be able to provide that. I looked at the comparison between the two and found the complication rates to be negligible between them. eg at most a 1% difference. eg. in his practice RNY vitamin deficiency was 2% RNY vs. 1% sleeve. the only big difference being anemia 10% vs 5%. Dumping syndrome happens for about 30% of patients and if you are lucky enough to get it, it really works as a deterrent. research shows that the size of the pouch is not the determinant of long term weight loss. that people who regain typically have pouches the same size as people who do not regain. it is healthy eating and lifestyle habits that are the greatest determinant in long term success. the surgery buys you a metabolic reset for a period of time and rapid weight loss. that period is ideally used to develop good eating and lifestyle habits so that you can maximize loss and maintain it in the long run.

I had a revision back on June 16th 2017. I went from a VGB that was done in 1994 to a RNY on 6/16/2016 I had managed to keep off all the weight of for 20 years but the last two years it just came up and out of nowhere. But that wasn’t the issue the issue was that I had severe Gerd and major pain where the filter was located at. It had weakened over the years and it was very painful when I would eat or drink anything. That made it impossible for me to keep anything down. So my surgery was done to correct that issue. I’m now down 35 pounds and feeling [emoji817] better. No more pain thank goddess!! Now I’m having issues getting my primary insurance to pay for the sugary as it’s a non covered procedure. My secondary has paid some but I’m now appealing the denial. I hope it gets approved, otherwise I’m stuck paying 174k, as I was in the hospital for a week. Because of the type of surgery and how invasive it was a 3 day stay was minimum but I had complications due to my blood count being so low so I had to stay a little longer. Aka_ET HW-220 Pre-op 194.3 RNY SD June 16th 2017 CW-156 GW-140 HT 5' 3" [emoji120][emoji878][emoji1272] "You may see me struggle but you will never see me quit"

From your other posts it appears that you had gastric bypass surgery around 16 months ago. Your blood needs iron to work efficiently. Otherwise you become anemic. So if you lose blood then you need to replenish the iron. This loss of blood can be caused by many things, such as a severe cut or a bleeding ulcer. Women lose blood during menstruation. Many times, low iron levels can be controlled through iron supplements. Around my 2nd year post-op, my blood work detected my low iron levels. The chemistry of the iron supplement is important. My surgeon directed me to use ferrous sulfate for the best absorption. So I began taking 65mg daily. After a year, my blood work showed I was too high, so they are having me scale back on the iron. It is important to put a 2 hour separation between the vitamins that contain iron and those that contain calcium. So in my case I found that what works best for me is to take the iron supplements just before bedtime. Several years ago, blood began to appear in my mom's stool. She became anemic and was rushed to the hospital and received a blood transfusion. In her case, the cause was she was bleeding internally due to the fact that she was taking Excedrine as a pain reliever. An Extra Strength Excedrine contains 250 milligrams of aspirin (a blood thinner). [that is around 3 times the recommended low dose rate of 81 mg.] She was popping 3 or 4 a day for over 3 years. We reasoned this was causing her to bleed internally. We completely took her off Excedrine and any products containing aspirin and she healed up within a few months and the condition was corrected. According to the internet: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complaints after bariatric surgery, and they are typically associated with inappropriate diet and noncompliance with a gastroplasty diet (ie, eat undisturbed, chew meticulously, never drink with meals, and wait 2 hours before drinking after solid food is consumed). If these symptoms are associated with epigastric pain, significant dehydration, or not explained by dietary indiscretions, an alternative diagnosis must be explored. One of the most common complications causing nausea and vomiting in gastric bypass patients is anastomotic ulcers, with and without stomal stenosis. Ulceration or stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy of the gastric bypass has a reported incidence of 3% to 20%. Although no unifying explanation for the etiology of anastomotic ulcers exists, most experts agree that the pathogenesis is likely multifactorial. These ulcers are thought to be due to a combination of preserved acid secretion in the pouch, tension from the Roux limb, ischemia from the operation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and perhaps Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that little acid is secreted in the gastric bypass pouch; however, staple line dehiscence may lead to excessive acid bathing of the anastomosis. Treatment for both marginal ulcers and stomal ulcers should include avoidance of NSAIDs, antisecretory therapy with proton-pump inhibitors, and/or sucralfate. In addition, H pylori infection should be identified and treated, if present. Aspirin is a NSAID. Other NSAIDs are Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen, Meloxicam, Celecoxib, Indomethacin, Ketorolac, Ketoprofen, Nimesulide, Piroxicam, Etoricoxib, Mefenamic acid, Carprofen, Aspirin/paracetamol/caffeine, Etodolac, Loxoprofen, Nabumetone, Flurbiprofen, Salicylic acid, Aceclofenac, Sulindac, Phenylbutazone, Dexketoprofen, Lornoxicam, Tenoxicam, Diflunisal, Diclofenac/Misoprostol, Flunixin, Benzydamine, Valdecoxib, Oxaprozin, Nepafenac, Etofenamate, Ethenzamide, Naproxen sodium, Dexibuprofen, Diclofenac sodium, Bromfenac, Diclofenac potassium, Fenoprofen, Tolfenamic acid, Tolmetin, Tiaprofenic acid, Lumiracoxib, Phenazone, Salsalate, Felbinac, Hydrocodone/ibuprofen, Fenbufen.

Hi all, I had my surgery on 8/21. As of two weeks ago, I developed a stricture, meaning my esophagus is closing up. Food is not filtering out of my stomach into my intestines because the hole is too small. I've had it stretched once but ever since the procedure last Tuesday, I've felt worse. When I'm not eating or drinking, it feels like my throat is literally closing up, and I sometimes begin to gag randomly. Food has been an issue. I'm supposed to be on solids but can't progress to them as much. Does anyone have any advice as to what I should be doing at this point? My doctor is pretty much unavailable and I've only spoken to the NP there, but she hasn't given a whole lot of direction. My nutritionist canceled on me as well, so I don't have an appointment until November. I'm also going back in November to have my esophagus stretched again with a balloon. I just would love any info that people could give, because it's been pretty miserable the last couple of weeks and I'm not losing as much weight as I should be because the food is staying in my stomach. I'm not getting the protein or water I should be getting or the amount of calories because of how little I can eat/drink without gagging. Thanks for any insight and/or support.

JohnnyCakes - Stop telling women how they should feel. I'm not grateful for this at all - I'm in pain when I eat constantly and my throat is closing up. I dry heave randomly throughout the day. I would trade in that weight loss at this point. My doctor literally told me I could be losing more but am not because of my complication, so kindly shut up.

No, the sleeve isn't more complicated. Either your surgeon misspoke or you misheard. There IS risk of leaks during the first 2 months postop, but bypass also has its own set of risks. The complication rate during and right after surgery are about the same for sleeve and bypass. BUT, the further you get from surgery, the sleeve complications drop significantly lower than those of the bypass. (Pretty sure GERD is left out of this statistic).

I'd question your doctors capability. I have no idea how the sleeve could be more complicated than the bypass. I chose the sleeve basically because I had no GERD issues and I wanted to keep the same biological food processing methods as before my surgery. In my mind this minimizes complications over my lifetime

According to my doctor, the sleeve is actually or more complicated surgery and the recovery time is longer. The possibility of leaks is greater in a sleeve then a gastric bypass. Ultimately it's what you feel comfortable with. I know people who have done both. Some have kept the weight off and others have not. It's about what you feel you can maintain.

Can i ask all of you about excess skin after surgery ? I am thinking of all complications after surgery, and excess skin is the major one ... tell me about your experience Sent from my HTC One M9PLUS using BariatricPal mobile app

I was a self-pay in Northwest Alabama. Cost was $3000 Dr. Fee, $6000 Hospital (overnight stay, out at 10:00 a.m. next morning), and $800 for anesthesia. $9800. No frills, and no special care. Did not include special insurance and any complication would have been extra. I did well and no complaints, both surgery staff and after care was great. This does include well-checks and visits to surgeon for the first year. (1 wk, 1 mth phone check, 3, 6, and 12 month visit.) All bloodwork, or additional tests are separate and average about $300 but, we must do this to keep a check on vitamins and minerals. My main Dr. orders these and faxes a copy to my WLS to add in my records. I live 2 hrs away. My bloodwork and Dr. visits are covered by insurance but the vitamins etc needed are not. I did receive a bill for another lab for $277, apparently for either testing or disposal of the stomach portion removed. My surgery was the sleeve. I wouldn't risk going to Mexico.....too far away if complications occurred. An acquaintance went and has had several major complications in the 3 yrs since having it. No Dr. wants to deal with her issues so she hasn't had a good experience.(Not saying problems wouldn't have occurred anyway but, it has cost her bigtime and health is still a concern on a daily basis.) It cost more locally but your Drs and hospital are near if needed. It's a tradeoff for each individuall

I was a self-pay in Northwest Alabama. Cost was $3000 Dr. Fee, $6000 Hospital (overnight stay, out at 10:00 a.m. next morning), and $800 for anesthesia. $9800. No frills, and no special care. Did not include special insurance and any complication would have been extra. I did well and no complaints, both surgery staff and after care was great. This does include well-checks and visits to surgeon for the first year. (1 wk, 1 mth phone check, 3, 6, and 12 month visit.) All bloodwork, or additional tests are separate and average about $300 but, we must do this to keep a check on vitamins and minerals. My main Dr. orders these and faxes a copy to my WLS to add in my records. I live 2 hrs away. My bloodwork and Dr. visits are covered by insurance but the vitamins etc needed are not. I did receive a bill for another lab for $277, apparently for either testing or disposal of the stomach portion removed. My surgery was the sleeve. I wouldn't risk going to Mexico.....too far away if complications occurred. An acquaintance went and has had several major complications in the 3 yrs since having it. No Dr. wants to deal with her issues so she hasn't had a good experience.(Not saying problems wouldn't have occurred anyway but, it has cost her bigtime and health is still a concern on a daily basis.) It cost more locally but your Drs and hospital are near if needed. It's a tradeoff for each individuall

Hello! I have been researching surgeries for weeks now and I can't seem to choose between a bypass or a sleeve. At first, I figured I'd do the bypass as a one and done, but now, after more research, I'm not so certain. I am a 25yo female who weighs 273 at 5"4' leaving my BMI at 46. I have always been heavy aside from a depression spell that left me at a healthy weight only to gain it all back. I have trouble with portion control and sweets and I often yo-yo diet unintentionally. I have a family history of diabetes and personally am one point away from pre-diabetic and have high triglyceride levels. As I said before, I was all set on the bypass until I learned about the post op complications such as mineral deficiency, ulcers, and stoma obstruction. I feel like the dumping syndrome thing will really help me with my sugary habits as I'm afraid of falling back into bad habits post op, but I also am worried about the complications. The sleeve seems to have less complications, but is also less effective. Some questions I have are: ▪️can you stretch your sleeve/bypass easily? Since I have an issue with portion control, this is a major concern for me. ▪️Is dumping syndrome really helpful or is it not worth it? ▪️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)? ▪️Sleeve Patients: how many of you ended up with GERD? I personally don't have a lot of issues with acid reflux, but I do get it occasionally. thank you for any advice or help you can offer. My consultation is the 20th of this month and I want to be as prepared and educated as I can be. -SillySavy

I freaked out right about then, too. Yes, it's in your head. I'm now a little over 13 months out and 105 pounds down. (I was 271.5 to start, 246.9 at surgery and 166 now -- and I'm four inches shorter than you.) In order Yes, you will be able to eat, but it will be a few weeks. I enjoy eating now, but eat very small portions of just about anything I want. I'm still losing slowly but I'm pretty happy with where I am and maybe want to lose another 10 pounds. Odds are, your doc won't be drunk. Besides, you'll see him right before surgery - if he smells boozy - call it off. And, he's a good surgeon with good success rates, that's why your chose him. Yes, accidents happen, but you'll be fine. Sure, there could be complications, but you could step off the curb and get hit by the bus tomorrow or win the Powerball. Odds are about equal on all of those. It will work. You won't gain it back. You've got this. Craving foods right now is fine -yes, it's in your head. You've got this.