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Same story here! VSG June 14 with Bhatti GI & North Memorial in MN. Recovery has really been a breeze. I took 1 week off from my desk job for surgery recovery. At almost 8 weeks, 32.5 lbs down. Including a recent 10-day vacation, eating normal foods at restaurants, but small amounts. On vacation we walked 3-6 miles a day. Normally I barely exercise…yeah…I know I need to do better, but I do physical farm work too. No food intolerances, nausea, pain, hair loss, or dumping. I get my 65-90g protein, hydrate, and have my vitamins & probiotic. 900-1200 calories/day. Too often my carbs are too high (>75g). It’s hard to get fiber. The “hardest” part for me and the only deviation from the plan that I have committed (besides erratic levels of exercise) was clear liquids. I was prescribed 3 days CL before surgery (lost 4lbs) plus 2 weeks CL after surgery. 2w after was way too long. I got dizzy and weak because I couldn’t get enough protein. Switching to full liquids was like paradise. Did that a week early with no issues. North Memorial’s diet plan is very conservative. I also got Covid for the first time at 4w post-op. I only had a scratchy throat for 3 days and was tired for a week, but had no problems keeping to the dietary guidelines. Almost zero movement b/c I did strict quarantine for 10d to not spread it. I am surprised I’ve done so well given how crazy it all sounds in retrospect. Major abdominal surgery, FT work, life with 3 kids, Covid, harvest season on the farm, and lengthy travel all in 8 weeks. But it’s been great! I have tons of energy! Fear of complications and lack of insurance coverage kept me from doing this for probably 8+ years. It’s nice to hear positive stories collected in one place. I feel for those of us struggling. I still fear something will crop up. We are fortunate.

I had surgery in October. I'm down 53 lbs from my highest weight. I haven't heard anything about Dr. Eslami. I absolutely love Dr. Shadle, and am very happy I had my surgery with him. I have had NO complications whatsoever. Hello! I live in Citrus Heights as well. I'm getting ready to meet with my surgeon. I'll be having mine done By Dr. Eslami at Methodist in South Sac. I've been trying to find others that are getting ready to get surgery or already had surgery through them as well.

Okay, I need a little help here. I have decided to be banded by Dr. ABkin and started walking again to strengthen by body. After I went for a walk today on a flat road (and I had a tough time doing so, took a lot out of me, big effort and just felt unwell). Afterwards, my blood sugar dipped so badly I broke out into a cold sweat and had to drink a thing of OJ to get myself back to normal. This happened yesterday too. It's scaring me. I was walking fine just last month. 1/2 hour on trails almost every day. I also popped into the Complications Forum and it scared the hell out of me. " 25% will experience complications leading to removal"?! And the posts about esophagus problems that create pain until removal, but it could be a permanent condition then?? Ladies (and gents) I really feel sick, like I'm going to die if I don't do this soon. And I hope I'm healthy enough to make it through the surgery. But reading this stuff scared me! :-(

The band is more dangerous with higher complication rates than the gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. Most lap band patients also end up doing a revision surgery to bypass or sleeve. The success rate is not as good and fewer surgeons are performing this operation.

Hello, I have surgery scheduled for March 12 and I’m thinking of backing out. I had dinner with my family last night and their all against the surgery. I think the only reason I’m scared is going under the knife...I’m not so much worried about the recovery and such just basic surgery. I know the doctors are trained professionals I just am getting anxious as the day nears... The main reason my family is against it is their worried the sleeve is irriversable and I may have complications. They believe that it’s for morbidly obese people and they claim that I’m not but in reality my bmi is over 45 and I’ve been obese my whole adult life. I know they love me but I want this for myself but their opinion matters a lot to me. This is probably too close to surgery but they said they would feel more comfortable if I did the band. Anyone ever do the lap band? I heard the success rate wasn’t as good? I’m probably wrong. Thank you

Just an update everyone. My surgery has been postponed due to insurance approval issues. In a way I’m glad I have more time to think of all my fears. I did more research and concluded lap band is way riskier than the sleeve so I informed my family about the complications and their coming around. Thank you everyone for your kind words they are greatly appreciated!

I went to the hospital and had my scope today. Findings------- everything is fine. There is no trace of the ulcer. No scaring at all. Everything looks good, healthy and pink! I could not stop smiling about that. Then I visited with a woman who has had several complications. Some like me some worse. I hoped that I might encourage her. She was lovely and thanked me over and over again for coming. She seemed very happy that I came. I know that if someone like me had visited me ( one who had experienced many problems and are coming out the other side ) when I was in the hospital that 5.5 months I would not have felt so hopeless. It made me feel so good to be there for her!

I am sorry to hear about your plane experience. That is one of the many reasons I decided to undertake WLS, Weight Loss Surgery. Plane travel for me is further complicated by the fact that I am 6'5 - 6'6. Thus, planes have never been comfortable for me. But, now that I have put on the extra weight..... down right terrifying. I imagine the people looking at me as I walk the procession of shame down the middle isle. Each one of them in turn hoping I am not sitting next to them. Thus far, I have found that most people are pretty pleasant. Huge props to a gay, I hope that is the politically correct term now days, dude who sat next to me on a flight to San Fran a while back. He was one of the nicest people I have ever met. Put the arm rest up and chatted and was so pleasant. No props for the snobby lady on the flight to L.A. who just gave me dirty looks as I leaned into the isle as much as possible. I do not have a surgery date yet but, I hope to get one soon. I am trying to make as many changes now as I can. I have been seeing a psychiatrist, whom I lovingly call my head shrinker. He actually gave me a script for Xanax when I fly because I get so nervous about it that it is unhealthy. Here’s to a better life. May I achieve control over my eating and maintain it for the rest of my life.

This varies from doctor to doctor.. But the standard answer is "follow what your doc says". Mine was solid foods in week 7 post-op, meat in week 8 (including red meat). They suggested softer meats at first but to be honest I had more problems with things like hamburger and got the solid meats down easier. Certain semi-soft foods seem to get stuck at the start of the sleeve, while the more solid items pushed through. The NP said this was not uncommon, and a slight stricture at the opening to the stomach would cause this but that it would loosen up (which it did). 4 months for red meat seems like an awfully long time. Compared to many here the 8 weeks my doc states is even a bit on the long side. I know it's not something you want to jump right into as your stomach needs time to heal. But that's the first I have heard of anything that long... Were there any complications before during or after the surgery or was this a band to sleeve revision? Something that might suggest additional healing time is needed? Or is this his standard guidelines?

I adore Dr. Thomas R Brown from CBSI in Denver. He's like Mr. Bean in a way. Dry humor, smiling eyes. I really felt at ease. He just sort of casually sauntered in and started explaining things. He answered all of my questions like we had been friends for years. No nonsense, no little rays of sunshine, just honest to goodness truth. But sadly, that is as far as the good times roll. I had some complications after surgery. At only 2 1/2 months out, my port stitches came loose and Dr. Brown refused to fix it for free. This should have been covered!!! It was less than 90 days out from surgery and typically any complications (surgical errors) are remedied by the MD at no charge. This was not the case. My new MD even agrees that he should have been responsible and liable to fix the port stitches. I was informed by the billing office at CBSI that since I paid the discounted cash pay price of $9900.00 that no complications would be covered. Yes- I paid cash for this through donations from friends, family and a sizable loan. This complication fix/refusal was NOT in the paperwork I signed. NEVER in any of the contracts did it say that since I was paying the lowest fee, I would be getting the lowest quality of car and the lowest amount of service. I have since transferred care to closer to home. I would NOT recommend going to Dr. Brown as a cash pay patient or if you do, get the additional BLIS insurance for cash pay patients that is advertised on this site. If I would have done that, this would not be an issue. I'm going to have to pay an additional $4000 dollars that I don't have to replace the work that should have been covered under the 90 global. This stinks!!!

lapbandtalker- I went in to the ER and they rushed me in for emergency surgery. I knew my band had slipped for a month and we were waiting to see if it would go back on its own but I started having trouble keeping anything down and severe pain. My doctor told me it was a good thing I came in when I did because the band was strangulating my stomache and it could of cut off the blood flow to my stomache completely which would of caused my stomache to die and caused many complications for the rest of my life and possibly death due to unknown infection if I had let it go. I dont think that everybodys case is going to be just like mine but I do believe in signs and fate and it may be a sign that you read my post. I did read somone elses post who had a slipped band the day before I went in and I really think it scared me enough to go in which may have saved my life or at least my stomache. I had the best possible results, I had the band removed, a new one put in and I am doing great with my new band now! I cant imagine life without my band and I am so glad that I have been blessed enough to be able to keep it!!!

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.

Hmph! These people selling supplements are just seeing dollar signs for their pockets and do not have your best interest in mind. I am so weary of people who are selling anything, especially MLM. I have to wonder if the person posting about the complications is even a WLS patient or relative, or if they are just trolling for potential suckers for their MLM supplement. Because I guarantee they were looking for their "downline" or whatever it is called in the MLM world, when they offered to help you set up a business. Again, just looking to line their own pockets with no regard for your well-being. I've told a few people, almost everyone is completely supportive. Two people were quite vocal that I don't need the surgery because I am not that big, but the numbers don't lie - I qualify. Since they are not selling anything, I think they just care for me. I am actually surprised because while I haven't really told many people, I have had more support and no judgmental attitude at all. Just do what you have decided is best for you and pay no mind to people with ulterior motives!

I'm 3 days post op n no serious complications. Came home yesterday n only real complaint is back pain. Today walking around n sitting on my recliner to ease. So funny, on the day of surgery I almost walked out while getting prepped also. Lol

I had mine on Friday and took one week off but went in the Wednesday after surgery for a few hours for a meeting. Other than being tired no reason you can't get through the day at your desk. Unless you have complications or a really long commute which may tire you out before you get there. I'm surprised people take 4-5 weeks off. Minimal pain. Mostly just discomfort and you're tired. Try not to go back before Tuesday or even Wednesday. Monday definitely too soon. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello again! Something else I was curious about. I have had a very rough time with find a comfortable position to sleep. So far I found if I steal 3 of the pillows, put one behind my back, one for my head and one to use like a body pillow and lay on my left side while slightly tilted towards my back is probably the best, though complicated. I always wake up after a few hours in a lot of pain. Any other suggestions to make it through the night?

Hi Rhonda. It sounds like you are having pre-surgery jitters . The reality is that there are very few complications with the lap-band. Lap band is totally reversable and should you develope a serious complication (which is very rare), the band can be removed and everything goes back to the way it was. The most serious complications that I am aware of is slippage and erosion and again are not very common. There is nothing to worry about. To me the band did the opposite. My kids got their dad back. I am healthier and happier and can play with them a lot more than I could before the band. If I had kept going in the direction I was going before the band, I have no doubts I would not have been around long enough to see them grow up. Lap band and WLS is not for everyone, I understand that. Just know that if you decide its not for you, its not because you are worried about the complications. Good luck and let us know if you have any questions.:huggie:

Today I found out I have a "mild displacement" of my band. I also have a hernia of the Esophageal hiatus as well as dilation of the esophagus.:smile: I have been peeping in and out of LBT but never really participated in any discussions. Now I wish I would have made time to read more post and what to watch for. I didn't realize being too tight can cause these complications, until I read several posting about slippage tonight. My current events ~~~~~~~ I have been too tight since Aug, but pushed through the symptoms (gastric reflux and pain w/ certain foods, PB) - I have a lot of toleration for pain. I Slowed down w/ weight loss so in Nov, I had more fill of .2cc - to bring me to 2.3cc in a 5cc band. In Dec had the .2cc removed to see if it would help the reflux. It did midly, but I gained 10lbs over Christmas (bad food choices, even though there were some mild restrictions & but no exercise ) Jan I had .1cc added back and 4 weeks later .1 added again to bring me back to what he orginally gave me in Nov. I loved it because it restricted me well, but I would have slimming, PB and vomited a couple of times - 4 times in 2 months. I was trying to "tough" it out knowing I would get used to it, but it was difficult to eat and drink. I had a 20lb wt loss in 2 months. Finally about 3 weeks ago I woke up in the night had coffee ground emesis - it tested positive for blood, & I began taking aciphex that day. All symptoms and problems completely stopped, and 6 days later I saw my suregon who removed the .2cc from my band to see if that would help, but also to schedule a GI swallow. Well I had my swallow last week, and today was told I have a slippage w/ dilated esophagus & hiatul hernia. So I have been a little bummed out and really afraid that I will gain some weight back. There is a reason I have this tool, and am not ready to be completly w/ out restriciton, but I have to really try hard to at least maintain and not gain. I am concerned I may need surgery, but because I have a small band(5cc) it could be a good thing to get a new one, that way there is less chance of the same problems. I will f/u with a brrium swallow in 2 weeks to see if there is improvement and then we will go from there. He said my pouch is "genrerous" but not bad and the slippage is mild. The dilation of the esophagus is mostlikely due to being over tight and obstruction and he hopes and thinks w/ time it will shrink down as long as I am not too tight. As for the Hernia there are a couple of options surgery or no surgery, but not all hernias need repair. I have heard from my friend that her father who is a chiropractor reduces these types of hernias, but when I told that to my doctor he gave me that weird look (you know the anti-chiropractor look) but said if I wanted to try he didn't think it would be contraindicated in me just because I am banded. My surgery was paid for by my prior insurance, but now I have another insuance who is not contracted w/ this doctor, and i have been cash paying for the fills. I am wondering if I do need surgery how they will look at this and if they would approve him removing and replacing the band, or if I would have to go to another doctor. They do have him contracted for other general surgeries, but not for barriatric. They are contracted w/ another barriatric surgeon in town, but he does not do lap band and I choose LB for a reason. Today I come to realize I think this is of my own doing and I am upset that I didn't realize it and seek medical attention when I was too tight. I am just 50lbs to goal, and don't want this to stop me! Any support or advice would be welcomed. Thanks for reading I know my long was long.

I got a sleeve. Sleeve Pros... Shorter surgery, fewer complications, statistically. Fewer issues with dumping syndrome Fewer issues with vitamin deficiency, anemia and malnutrition. Does stretch a bit (to me, this is a pro, to others it might be seen as a con....I like the idea of my anatomy returning to something that could pass for its original design eventually.) You won't lose as much weight with sleeve as bypass, though.

Good luck with your decision. I heard that an anchor incision can have more complications. This might be something to research or ask Dr. Lo about.

So happy for you! Glad you are not having any complications. I will be in your shoes 6 days from now when it is my turn. Very anxious but excited too. I wish you much success and looking forward to seeing posts on your journey. All the best, Sue

Yes you should go ahead and quit -- get your oxygen levels and lung function up to par. And it shouldn't be too too hard since you are only a casual smoker. Number one risk with smoking and surgery is blood clots. And of course you want your lungs in the best possible shape for going under anesthesia. And during your healing time, cigarettes can interfere with circulation and keep you from healing properly. It's just too much of a risk to not give up the smoking if you're going to have surgery. I was a half pack a day smoker up until about 4 months before my surgery. 9 months post op, and I have recently started up again a little.....I am being the 'casual' smoker you describe yourself as But please, give yourself every possible chance of having a successful, complication free surgery and recovery. Go ahead and stop ASAP. This is in your power.

I have mine next week. What kind of complications Sent from my HTC Desire 626s using the BariatricPal App

Thanks! What are the other issues I should think about? My goal is to be off diabetic medication. My dad died from diabetes complications. I'm just looking at weight loss as a benefit.

I'm doing the hiatal hernia story too. I plan to tell people I had complications and have a hard time eating then I will Segway into getting a trainer and stuff. I work in a hospital, it's gossip city. I'm usually open and honest but they'll resent me for taking time off for this so I choose to remain private. To each his own. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App