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Showing results for 'Complications'.
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I am currently in the process of visiting all the doctors that are required during this journey. My research and gut tell me the Sleeve is for me. However, my surgeon specializes in RNY but will do the Sleeve if that's what I want. I keep second guessing myself that I might do better with RNY. I just don't like all the complications associated with RNY, especially the long term (3 - 5+ years). This thread has convinced me that the Sleeve is the way to go. I will be successful with the Sleeve! Thanks to all for your invaluable input. Blessings, JoAnne
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6 weeks for this surgery seems very excessive, assuming no complications. I was only scheduled to be out for 4 weeks with my plastics and that was WAY more major surgery.
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Has Anybody Lost A Lot A Weight And Gained Most Of It Back?
Krussell19 replied to ImSoMotivated's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Due to some complications ive lost and gained the same 60 pounds 3 times.. Its so frustrating but ive lost them once again and trying my hardest to keep losing. Added Protein shakes back into my diet as replacement meals and exercising. We all hit a platuea or gain at some point. Just gotta keep going! Giving up is the worst thing you can do i know ive done it a few times -
Banded in october--updates please
altopower replied to delfinajones's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
My bandiversary is 10/29 so it's almost two years. I lost a lot of weight and had plastics in March (panniculectomy and arms) that ended up with some complications. One of those was a serious infection in the port area that ended up with surgery on 8/2. Not emergency but, well, I saw the lapband doc on Monday and he told me we were going to surgery the next day. It was a bigger deal than I'd realized. Fortunately the band itself had not eroded at all and the port was in perfect condition; it was just the pocket around it that was a big mess of infection. My wound was 5.7 cm deep and an inch and a half wide post-op and it's still open a wee bit even after 2 months. I'm now scheduled to get a new port on 11/22 so I can use Thanksgiving holidays to stay home and recover. I've lost a lot of work time this year already and I don't want to aggravate my boss. I started eating poorly after the plastics because I was terrified of having PB's while I was recovering with that big abdominal incision. Ice cream was so tasty and went down so smoothly and it led to other unhealthy choices. I really miss having my band work and am having to really work super hard to get rid of these 15 lbs that went on so fast. It's scary how fast it will come back. Obviously I have not really absorbed the eating changes that I thought I had. Looking forward to seeing how others are doing! -
Banded in october--updates please
jenfromtheburgh replied to delfinajones's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I was banded October 14th. Have lost 25 since surgery with an overall of 52. I had my first fill last week, 3 cc. in Realize Band. I don't feel like I have any restriction yet. I don't feel hungry but feel that I could eat more than I should at a time. I am scheduled in January for my next fill. My recovery went very well and I had no complications. I have started an exercise program within the past few weeks that I am committed to, walking the treadmill 3x or 4x a week. I am very pleased with my progress. I am struggling with "head hunger" especially when I am due for my period. Trying to drink tea or focus on a positive activity so that I don't eat during those times. I am surprised that I have tried various foods (bread, pasta etc) and have had no issues with anything yet. -
New procedure Gastric Sleeve Plication as a Revision for LAP Band
AlienBandit replied to Banding Together's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
For me the band has worked. I would never get the sleeve done because it freaks me out that they would cut out my stomach. the plication is different because they don't cut your stomach they stitch it. here is a video. I have even heard of this being done under your band so you don't need big fills and there is less chance of stomach erosion and your band slipping. Anyways though I have had some complications I have still been really successful with the band and don't regret it. i started with a low BMI so I didn't want a drastic surgery. I'm now 12 pounds from goal. If you work hard, follow your doctors orders, and exercise you can be successful too :blushing: Everyone is different so it is hard to pinpoint why people are not successful sometimes it is their health, sometimes it is their diet, sometimes it is their head hunger, sometimes it is their lack of exercise, etc. If you have a good support system, have a good nutritionist, a good doc and a good mind set and motivation you will succeed. -
My girlfrriend had surg last year and could not be happier, she is the reason I am doing this. Look at the success stories side of LBT, there are far more good that bad experiences. There are complications that are possible with any surgery, but the key is following doctors orders and paying attention to what your body is telling you.
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Considering a LapBand. Would you do it over again?
SoccerMomma73 replied to pmommy's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm just shy of 3 weeks post op so I can't help you out with a lot of this but I can tell you there are already times when I forget I've had it done. I just feel like me. I've only had 1 bad episode of heartburn, about 2:00 a.m. New Years morning after I'd had snacks I shouldn't have as well as sparkling grape juice...so, no more carbonation for me (luckily I've never been a big soda girl so that won't be too hard). I'm struggling with the liquids with meals issue but it IS getting better every day so I figure in a month I won't even think twice about it. I was on liquids (protein shakes) for 2 weeks pre-op then clear liquids 24 hours pre-op and 24 hours post-op followed by 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of soft/mushies, then another month of being cautious (no lettuce, peels, etc, most of the things you mentioned above). Weight loss post op varies a lot. The first week it melted off, then my appetite came back (damn the luck), I've continued 2-3 pounds a week but it's not as easy as I'd like it to be and I'm anxiously awaiting my first fill. I've had no complications at all an would do it again in a heart beat simply because it makes me more aware of what I'm eating...so, even if I don't drop 100 pounds this year I'm fairly certain I'll at least continue a gradual decline....definitely worth it! Good luck with your decision!! -
Iband With Gastric Sleeve Plication
Shellyac replied to dragonfly2009's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
The process of getting restriction with just the band can be difficult. The benefit of the plication is that you get restriction right away, but you don't have to worry about being too tight, it's like you never hit the red zone. But as some of the people who just have plication can tell you, they sometimes feel that they loose that feeling of restriction after time and that is where the band comes in, when you go through the process of getting fills, you will start to feel restriction again but the danger is that you can still become too restricted. In addition to the restriction issues, plication also helps to prevent cheating the band, even if you eat slider foods or haven't started getting fills you only eat a limited amount. It could even be possible to get to goal without a single fill. In addition to the restriction benefits, early studies have shown that plication may help to prevent complications such as slippage and erosion which is a huge benefit on it's own. It's true that this is still an investigational procedure but not many people have an opportunity to get this done and I would encourage you to take the leap, I don't think that you will regret it. Michelle -
Eileen, The important thing to understand is that difficulty swallowing some foods and vomiting (or PB'ing to be more accurate) are not really complications from the surgery. They are a normal part of getting used to having a band around the upper part of your stomach, limiting how much you can eat at one time. Some people never have any of these and some people have instances when they don't chew their food enough or they try a type of food that just doesn't sit well with them. It's not the end of the world when it happens and it's a kind of behavior modification. Believe me when I tell you that after while you'll forget all about these few instances.
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Banded in october--updates please
davighd replied to delfinajones's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I was banded 10-2 and have dropped 45 lbs so far. Had 2 fills and have some restriction but it comes and goes depending on what I eat. I get stuck every now and again but nothing major and rarely the same food twice. I got stuck on the cheese in Lasagna the other day but was fine the day prior. My intake is about 8 oz of food a meal. Biggest problem right now other than food choices is getting the hungries at night for something sweet. I try to substitute fruit but every now and again I treat myself. On the exercise front I do the Pre-Cor Elliptical for about 1/2 hr 3-4 times a week. Overall feel great, had no complication with the surgery, pain or otherwise. As for who I told, pretty much everyone, I wanted the support. Just my dime when you asked for 2 cents. -
Did you have a gastric sleeve leak and if you did what was the reason?
FifiLux replied to KII's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I had one as a complication after sleeve surgery and it was found a month later when I collapsed at home and had to go by ambulance to hospital. The cause was suture failure. My symptoms then were weakness (could barely stand), fever, nausea with vomiting and abdominal pain. It is a rare occurrence so if you are not suffering with any of these I think you don't need to worry, you are just causing yourself unnecessary stress when you are already going through enough to deal with following surgery and coping with food planning etc. I also had other complications post surgery with pancreatitis and abdominal abscesses so basically anything that could go wrong did, I ended up spending three months in hospital over a period of four months. They closed the gastric leak by using clips and mesh via gastroscopy but that failed, twice. I now have a tube coil like thing that was inserted in order to drain fluid and hope that the hole will then have time to heal and close. The only information I was given in advance of the surgery about it was that it could happen but the surgeon did not go into detail and just said she had never had a patient have a leak, guess I am her exception if she will admit it to others in the future. No other details given to me such as cause/effect/symptoms. -
Real Complications Rate, and how to "Stack the Deck"
ouroborous posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
So, I'm about five weeks out from surgery -- May 6th. For reference, I'm a 39 y.o. male, BMI 42 (6'1, wt. 330). My cardiac scans were good, I'm going for an EGD on Thursday due to concerns about GERD and some upper right quadrant pain that could be gall bladder, but is more likely due to my enlarged liver. I have been diagnosed with fatty liver (without scarring, thankfully), but my liver enzymes are normal. My surgeon suspects that my upper right quadrant pain (it is very mild and intermittent) is the enlarged liver pushing against the "capsule" that it sits in. Hopefully with weight loss, this problem will resolve itself. I'm in generally good health otherwise -- I have sleep apnea, as you'd expect for someone who is 120 pounds overweight, but no diabetes or cardiopulminary issues. Aside from some recurrent allergies, sinus infections, I think I'm in decent health (for an obese man). So here's my question. I'm a worrier -- I worry (needlessly, most likely) about post-operative and perioperative complications. I know that my anxiety is normal and not the end of the world, but I'd like to know: 1. What is the real complication rate associated with VSG? I know that general anesthesia always carries risks, but these are generally small. What are the chances of leaks and so on? My doctor (Dr. Robert Landerholm in WA state) has performed "hundreds" of VSG's with "one" leak (due, he said, to patient noncompliance), so I'm hoping that surgeon competency isn't an issue. 2. What can I do now, in the month leading up to surgery, and after surgery, to increase my chances of a successful, complication-free operation? I suspect that with an already-diagnosed fatty liver, the pre-op diet is going to be crucial. I'm also going to start doing cardio work every single day to make sure my heart and lungs and immune system are as strong before the operation as I can make them. Is there anything else I can or should be doing? -
Am I Loosing Fast Enough? (Got The Sleeve At 154#)
Ms.AntiBand replied to vssupermodel's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
When my band was urgently removed, my surgeon said I could get the sleeve surgery as soon as my body was healed. I was 104lbs at the time, but my low weight was only because of medical complications. I would have had my sleeve surgery ASAP, but I can't afford it. I am now becoming obese.. Go figure, huh? So.. Some exbanders do start at a lot lower weight in order to prevent the health problems they so want to avoid going back to -
Do you still enjoy food?
vincereautmori replied to vincereautmori's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
I originally wanted to go with the band, but my surgeon said he'd seen too many complications and revisions, to recommend it. Did you experience problems or just poor results? -
I had my surgery Feb of 2013. At first all was going well, I never felt any restriction, I didn't have any complications. My progress went great at first, until I started back on solid foods. I didn't have problems adjusting to a solid food diet afterwards, and little by little I started eating a bit more, and a bit more. I guess I've pretty much just hit a wall as far as the surgery is concerned. I didn't follow through like I should have, so instead of the usual "surgery failed me" posts, this is my "I failed my surgery" plea for any assistance. I had surgery with Dr. Kim in Colleyville, and after recent contacts from his staff as well as their "awesome" support group leaders, it appears unless I have a revision surgery I'm on my own with getting back on track. I've put on about 30 pounds back, I started at over 400 and I'm sitting around 330 right now, so there was some success, I'd just like to get back on track and get to my overall goal weight of 260. Anyone been in this position before, and what did you do to start things back up? I'm working out, I hike about 10-15 miles a week, and I mountain bike 20-25 miles a week (just started back up). I carry a pretty good amount of muscle mass from my powerlifting days, but have recently retired from competitive lifting so I'm not lifting as heavy weights, or as often.
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I had the plication march 2012 and I'm in hospital now because of nausea, vomiting blood and abdominal pain. Had a few test done and come to find out my stomach has twisted and there's an obstruction. Not sure why or where we are going from here. They are draining my stomach with a nose drain right now. Since Monday they have drained 1700ml so far. Just took an X-ray waiting to hear back from doctor. Been in hospital sine mon 8:30am about 48 hours. Might have to have surgery.
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3 weeks after surgery and I can eat anything
The Candidate replied to raeraeway's topic in Post-op Diets and Questions
I've not had a problem eating anything either, and I'm 12 weeks out. It's great. Zero complications! Give it some more time and keep following the rules. The weight will start coming off and you'll begin to learn your body again. It took me awhile to differentiate between real hunger and head hunger. It gets better though, and the restriction becomes more noticeable as time goes on. You've got to allow yourself adequate time to heal. Keep busy and distract yourself from thoughts of food. Walk as much as you can, or whatever exercise you enjoy. It's too soon to panic. You've got this. Best of luck! -
Weight loss is slow...............getting discouraged!
jennybean replied to buddy567's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey, I am there with you! Look at my stats below. Some days I just want to cry. I know I need to keep getting fills until I get to the green zone and hopefully the magic will happen. I though I would have lost a pile of weight by now. I eat sooooo much less then before. I have to have faith that things will pick up soon!! I truly believe some people are just slower losers and it is not our fault. With the band, weight loss may be slow, but the great thing is we will NOT gain it back faster then you can say "diet"!!! We have to try to keep positive!! p.s. I have had only 4 fills for a total of 2.9 cc in my band. Band was completely emptied after surgery due to complications. It is getting there but everyone is different when it comes to fills and restriction. -
Maimonides Hospital? Danny Sherwinter?NYC
Limomama replied to Journey2BeSleeved_'s topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
My Husband CIBaby and myself were both "Sleeved" by Dr. Sherwinter. I was sleeved on May 7 th 2014. The staff was amazing at helping us coordinate all the testing and helping meet all of our Insurance company Guidelines. Dr Sherwinter is an amazing surgeon. The last visit before Surgery he sat us down for over an hour answering any questions we had and explaining anything we did not understand. I recommend Maimonides Hospital and Staff for Bariatric Surgery and if I had to decide all over again I wouldn't change a thing! We both had zero complications and very very small scars where the instruments were inserted. If you get to read this Thank you Dr Sherwinter for saving my husbands life. I can honestly say That if you truly are looking for help there is no better advocate than yourself. Dr Sherwinter and his office staff have lots of patientents ... You can not honestly expect them to hold each and everyones hand. I did all my research my self with minimal input from the office and surgeons....Because I wanted the surgery.. As far is follow up visits I didn't have any problems schedualing them. Lastly I would do every thing exactly the same... Thank you Dr Sherwinter and your staff for making some thing so hard so easy and for giving me my life back. -
My Gastric Sleeve Nightmare.... I still haven't woken up!
animallover1247 replied to tjones181's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I am very sorry you are going through this as well. I have to ask...do any of your problems have to do with your surgeon? Was your surgeon experienced? Did you research your surgeon to see if any malpractice claims had been filed? The reason I am asking is because i have been researching this for a LOOOOONNNGGG time and I haven't seen anyone to have the wide array of issues you are dealing with. Are the doctors telling you that all of those symptoms are complications from the surgery? Of course some of the symptoms are common like acid reflux and nausea. Dealing with all of this would be very difficult. -
Calling all Tricare Patients!!!!!
armywife4life replied to Autumn2013's topic in Insurance & Financing
see i have tricare overseas, and the tri care lady says that at first it was easy to get the surgery but now not the case here. Im seriously worried. I got a referrel from my PCM to see the surgeon in Frankfurt Germany but first i have to have labs done and a psych test. geesh i wish i were stateside it seems like its alot less complicated to get the procedure done. -
The plan doesn't exist just for weightloss, especially at this early stage. You can easily kill yourself or destroy your new stomach while still losing weight. The plan exists to prevent serious health complications and/or death. The nerves in your stomach have been severed and will not reconnect for quite some time. As such, you simply won't feel when you are full but you very well may be stuffing your stomach to the point of extreme danger. The little keyhole incisions on your abdomen may not look like much and may not hurt much anymore, but I implore you to look at pictures or video of what is done to your stomach during this surgery; there is now a HUGE line of staples holding your fragile, tiny stomach together. Eating solid foods before it's time is just playing with fire, as you're basically rubbing solid food against a giant wound and risking getting pieces of this food stuck in the staples or incision, which can then get infected and kill you. Or maybe you will rip your new stomach open and leak food and other stuff into your abdominal cavity... which can also kill you. You're not only eating solid foods (and one of the most damaging and dense solid foods: meat protein) before you're supposed to, but you're eating to excess because you can't feel that full feeling yet. Seeking that full feeling is what got us here in the first place. That fact is, if you're always going to measure your eating habits by whether you feel full or not, you're quickly going to completely sabotage yourself. It's imperative, now more than ever, to measure exactly how much you will be eating and the exact foods you should be eating and do not exceed that. Also, just for a bit of reference, I'm over a year out (passed up the 13 month mark a week ago) and I can't eat two entire scrambled eggs in one sitting. My advice would be to proceed with extreme caution. You're not only putting your own life and future health at risk, but you're also in danger of becoming one of those scary statistic of failure and/or death after surgery simply via your own habits, which hurts everyone in the end. You've gone through all this work and come this far, why risk failure now? I wish you the best of luck and health moving forward.
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DEAR NEWBIES: THIS IS THE BEST THING I'VE EVER DONE!
parithd13 replied to 2beskinny's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was just banded Monday (4/18) and I feel like I could eat a Buick. I have had no complications at all. I am still on my liquid diet and counting down the minutes until I can actually chew something besides ice. My husband keeps telling me that this is the worst part. I hope he is right! I am loving these message boards too. So much information! -
She had lap band with him around 5 years ago. She had complications and had to have it out in December. I think she's going to have a revision and get the sleeve. I hope so. She lost a lot of weight but she didn't follow the rules.
