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The positive thing about ALL of you is you are on here, reaching out, and desire results. I had my surgery on 2.6.17 after complications from a failed lapband done in 2009. My weight was at 232 when I saw doc for the first time and 218 pre-op. I am at 178 right now toward a goal of 165. I, like some of you, have other physical issues that cause chronic pain. I have learned this is not a sprint but a Marathon. Every day I wake up thankful for a new day to reset the way I eat, move and live. First pic is me two weeks ago. Second is me 15 months ago in black and white dress. You've got this.

I'm sorry about the other responses you've gotten. We frequently have people come onto the board, looking to stir up trouble, and sometimes we mix up the honest folk and the troublemakers. It's hard to quite tell what happened to your brother in law, other than it sounds like he got a leak, and these other complications came from that. Leaks are pretty much our worst nightmares, because they ARE so dangerous. There used to be someone that posted here that had leaks. He ended up with a complete gastrectomy (where they simply remove the entire stomach and attach the intestine to the esophagus). He recovered really well, and was able to resume a normal life. There are several different types of weight loss surgeries, so we've been wondering what type your BIL had. Pneumonia can be very dangerous, so I know how worried you must be. (My own father died from it). The best thing you can do right now is try and be upbeat and positive around him. Hopefully he can still appreciate a good joke and smiling faces. Just try and feel out the situation to see what will make him the most comfortable.

My surgeon told me 1/3 of VSG patients will develop issues with acid reflux after surgery. Whether that is full-on GERD, I don't know (although I doubt it). So, you have a 2/3 chance of not having any issues at all. I agree with @OutsideMatchInside, the people who are going to be searching on the internet for help are the ones who have complications. Sort of like vomiting or dumping after RNY - it seems like everyone has that issue but the stats my surgeon gave me disprove that. Many meds have side effects... Tylenol and liver, Advil and heart, etc. But truthfully, being obese is going to reduce your life expectancy far more than taking a PPI long-term. (And that's assuming that stat is true, which sounds a little sensational to me.) So, choose the surgery that you think will be successful, and the one you can live with forever!

It's one nice thing about this board, that we do hear all sorts of stories. The terrible, and the beautiful. Each of us has our own story.. leading up to the surgery, as well as after. I hope your brother in law knew that, as with any surgery, complications were possible. They are relatively infrequent, but ultimately that doesn't matter when it is YOU that is sick (and it sounds like he got the absolute short end of the stick ). I don't know how much you know about the process of weight loss surgery, but this type of surgery is reserved for people that are at least 100lbs overweight, and either are, or are likely to suffer health consequences from their obesity. Surgery is a last resort when diet and exercise haven't produced the desired long-term results. There is usually a 6 month diet, psychological testing, physical testing, nutritional counseling, psychotherapy, etc. It's a BIG deal to meet all the requirements to even qualify for the procedure, so chances are very good that your brother in law knew how big a procedure it was, before going under the knife. Me personally, I was pretty much at the end of my youthful, useful life. My health was on a downhill slope that wasn't going to end well. I HAD to leave the dangerous path I was on, and I was willing to risk my life to do so. I think most everyone that has this surgery would say the same thing. Again, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, and I hope that the doctors can fix him up! As long as there is breath, there is hope.

Which surgery did your brother have? I'm assuming it was the gastric plication since you posted this thread in the gastric plication forum. I am sorry for what happened to your brother. May expedient healing and a swift recovery arrive in his direction as soon as humanly possible. Any surgery entails risks. For most of us who have chosen to undergo weight loss surgery, the risks associated with remaining obese and miserable weren't worth it. Less than 1 percent of those who undergo bariatric surgery suffer from major complications. To place it into perspective, 1 out of 100 people who have weight loss surgery experience major complications. Nonetheless, since people who experience bad outcomes tend to be the most vocal and outspoken, it makes it seem like bariatric surgery is riskier than it really is. After all, few people run to an internet forum to proclaim, "I had an uncomplicated recovery with minimal pain! I lost 100+ pounds and kept it off! I have no regrets and am pleased with the outcome! My life has changed for the better because of weight loss surgery!" The vast majority (read: those who had good outcomes) move on with their lives, whereas the vocal minority blow the risks tremendously out of proportion. It's called negativity bias.

Sadly, it seems tgey send him out before tge stomach heals, he has been to many hospitals, many procedures, much medication. Part of his lung removed from the leak, and draining, more surgeries...etc... I am looking for hope, someone simular, who can share. Can anyone relate? The numbers of complications are increasing everyday. A friend of mine two years out has bleeding and now in the hospital. I hope most refuse to do this surgery. It isn't worth the risk! Blessings

Hello - I had surgery on 6/27/2017. However, I ran into some complications. Damage to vocal cords - still can't talk, see an ENT July 19. Taking antibiotics for ear infection that just came out of the blue. Then when they took took my drainage tube out on July 3rd, the next day my abdominal wounds started getting red. I am now on antibiotics for wound infection. Definitely not what I planned when getting this surgery, but still think in the long run it will be worth it. Weight: 5/1/17 on first appointment: 330 6/1/17 - 321 6/27/17 - Date of surgery - 314 7/6/7 - 308

You can do this!!! I didn't lose much on my 2 week protein drinks. I WAS a diabetic also, insulin resistant and took 100units of Levermire 2 times a day plus 500mg of Metformin. Now I take 0!!! I use to take 12 different medications now I take 5 was 4 but just got started on Paxil for my ANXIETY and somewhat OCD LOL I have never been diganosed with OCD but I know and my family all know I have a small amount of OCD!!! I am 61 years old also. I was 57YO when I had my RNY. It is one of the BEST things I have ever done, it ranks up there with marring my bestie freind my hubby. Also having my children. I did have a few complications easy fix. If you ask me if I would do it again? With everything inside of me YES YES YES!!! Keep us posted on journey. Good Luck

I'm just shy of being two years out. I do not have diarrhea or any other complications, but occasionally do experience nausea when I eat too fast, foods that are too heavy, or too many carbs. I did manage to get down to 145 pounds, but felt unhealthy. My sweet spot is 152 (150 was pushing it). I'm hoovering 156-58 right now and need to lose and stabilize again as I can see bad habits creeping back in. As for regain, that will depend on your habits; what you're eating, how much, and exercise. My husband was sleeved a month before me and was doing great the first 6 months. He was physically active riding his bike and watching what he ate. Then he accepted a new job and we moved out of state. He became less active and his new employer provided a buffet style lunch daily. This did him in. He had put back on 60+ pounds of the 100 pounds lost in 1.5 years. For a long time he blamed it primarily on what I cooked for dinner (the meal we eat together), as I haven;t changed all of our eating habits. But has instead come to realize that he eats too much socially at lunch because he has everything available to him. He doesn't bring his lunch like I do. Plus portion sizes are too big, as opposed to my dessert plate with tiny portions. He's also less physically active due to a longer commute among other reasons. Now he has always been able to consume everything and anything since starting on solids. We joked then that he had the sleeve of steel, where nothing bothered him. His doctor did comment at one point that his sleeve is larger than some of the others, meaning he removed less stomach; but I'm not sure if that's true. He is currently looking at a revision to his sleeve as his is considered to have been a failure.

I met my surgeon this morning and he said to plan on three week if no complications.

In 2012 I paid for my lap band out of pocket 13,000 and it was outpatient and 2 weeks ago I paid for a revision to a sleeve out of my pocket as well. My insurance doesn't cover WLS or any complications of it. While it's frustrating to have to pay, I know the money I will save on weight related medical issues will make up for it in the long run. My total for the revision was around 15,000 in the Salt Lake area. That included a 4 day stay in the hospital.

I never had GERD before surgery. The first 9 months I had issue off and on which could have been prevented if I took my PPI the whole time like I was supposed to. Now the only time it happens it is my fault, eating too much with an underwire bar on. It doesn't happen to everyone or even most people. The percentage of sleevers with GERD is lower than the normal population. It just seems common because it is the one complication that is common, as in there are few complications and this is one. Also it can be self inflicted and a lot of people that are food addicts don't stop after they have surgery. Constantly over eating does not help. Also almost all the information about PPIs is BS. Look at the actual studies. I don't take a PPI regularly now, but if I had to take one for the rest of my life I would have no fear about it. It is better than the alternative.

I think they quoted you and just highlighted in the red to point out your original phasing. I just got the sleeve 6/27 and have too felt horrible, my god so horrible. I had surgery on my spinal cord 6/1 (yes only 3 weeks before) but my company is a government contractor and I had the looming possibility of changing health insurance 6/30, so I had to push through since I was approved by insurance already and had met all my out of pocket maximum for the year so my surgery was 'free' if i did it before any potential converge changes. So my body was already weakened before I ever had this surgery, compounding issues for my recovery by a lot. I was comforted by the knowledge that I have a great suregon which makes every patient be 100% informed, tested, and healthy. Besides reg mental eval, we had to go through pre-op support groups, PT trainings on exercise, prove we were doing the liquid diet seriously, and start a 4 day pre-op in and out cleaning with hybiclens outside and nystatin inside to ward off complications. While she didn't want to do surgery so quick after the spinal, my neurosurgeon convinced her I was safe and healthy enough for the sleeve. My hospital is also one of the centers of bariatric excellence in Maryland with 6 out of only 20 specialized bariatric nurses in the state (which sadly i didn't have one of them otherwise I'm sure post-op would be going much smoother). With all that, I've still had a very hard time. But the severe regret I felt at the beginning post op is slowly fading as my body learns to work my new digestive system. Like others have said, I have an awesome day and then 2 bad ones or even an awesome day and then nausea and diarrhea in the PM (I know not normal but explain next). I was doing great the first 2 days after I was home from hospital (stayed 2 days in hospital but felt like eternity because my 7am-7pm nurse did not treat me well, my surgeon and her PA was pissed). Swallowing hurt and taking medicine was hard but i was tolerating drinks well and getting 50oz fluids a day, 70g protein, 30g carbs. But then I went right back into the ER Sunday due to a spiked 102.6 fever and severe dehydration due to constant overnight diarrhea (I'd say tmi but with this surgery I think nothing is tmi honestly). CT discovered that I had an intestinal infection- Colitis most likely picked up in the hospital. Ever since I can't tolerate any of my protein shakes or bariatric food I've been living off of essentially since my spinal surgery (had to go through front of throat so liquid diet basically started early). I'm not getting enough fluid, protein or carbs and my sleep schedule is completely flipped. By time i get up the DC area heat is too oppressive to risk walking while so weak, it sucks. My suregon is keeping an incredibly close eye, I've already had a CBC and ER recheck Wednesday and will have more blood testing and another recheck next Wednesday which in sure she'll notice bathe dehydration now and lean into me to step it up for my own safety. Anyway, this long reply just to say that I totally understand the fear and pain and regret. It'll get better but it's damn hard to see the sun from the clouds. This is where forums and supports groups come to try and shed hope even if sometimes discouraging when you hear about the lucky ones who had it smooth. I'm down 18 pounds already. This weekend I'm resolved to join a gym. As everyone says, this is not an easy way out, but we will be amazed looking back at how far we came

There are people with all of the surgeries that have lost weight and regained or that got to goal and bounced back a little bit. I'm seven years out in a few days. My initial goal was 135 and I started at 242 but I was heavier than that (286) when I started researching this surgery. My insurance only covered band or bypass and I researched a solid year before choosing to self pay instead, even though I easily would have been covered. I was a slow loser and it took me almost a year and a half to reach my first goal. Two years post op I had a baby. I readjusted my goal to 125 and it took me about 14 months to get to where my body wanted to be which was 118 pounds. I have very easily maintained that for the last 2.5 years. My sleeve still gives me ridiculous restriction. I could eat around it and graze all day, I'm sure. But I eat what I want, stick to sensible food choices most of the time and I easily maintain. In the loss phase, I did shakes for years and protein, protein, protein. Yes, I ate carbs, but watching what I ate was how I lost. Transitioning to normal eating slowly made me successful in maintenance. I do not have nausea, diarrhea, or any real complications. I have acid reflux, which I take a PPI (omeprazole) for, daily. I had lactose intolerance prior to my sleeve and it was initially worse. After a few years it got better. I still don't drink milk or eat ice cream, but I couldn't do that before surgery. I know this is long. I hope it helps. End story: the sleeve works amazingly well, long term, and doesn't stop until you do. Good luck, whatever you decide. Cheri

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about your brother's complications Hope he gets to feeling better soon!

I am 4 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I had severe acid reflux [GERD] prior to surgery. That is why I went with gastric bypass vs. sleeve; because the sleeve will only make this condition worse. I have not had a problem with GERD since surgery. I used a PPI [proton-pump inhibitor] called Prilosec [Omeprazole] to periodically treat this condition prior to surgery. I also was prescribed this drug for the first year after surgery, in order to allow my stomach to heal. But after the year was up, I could tell the this condition was in remission. You indicated that ppi medication reducing life expectancy 25 percent. GERD is a dangerous disease. It can lead to Barrets' esophagus, and many other problems. According to the internet: GERD is most often not a life limiting disease. Approximately 23 million Americans have GERD. The chances of Barret's is pretty small and even then less then 10 percent with Barrets will develop esophageal cancer. An estimated 13,000 people in the US are diagnosed with EC each year, so it is pretty rare. Everyone starts off with a normal lower esophageal sphincter and no reflux. The severity of GERD probably correlates best with the degree of damage to the sphincter, but this is not easy to determine in practice. These are the four stages of GERD: Stage 1 – Mild GERD The majority of adults today have minor damage to their LES [lower esophageal sphincter] and experience mild GERD occasionally. In most cases they either tolerate occasional heartburn or use over-the-counter acid suppressive medications with the onset of symptoms. Because their symptoms are controlled quickly, easily, and inexpensively with these drugs, their quality of life is unaffected. Stage 2 –Moderate GERD Stage 2 GERD is more difficult to control with acid suppressive drugs and reflux is more frequently accompanied by higher intensity symptoms. Damage to the LES is more extensive compared to Stage 1. Many symptoms can be satisfactorily managed long-term with acid suppressive medications. Over-the-counter medications often provide inadequate relief, so prescription strength medications are necessary to manage symptoms. Stage 3 – Severe GERD Stage 3 GERD results in a substantially lower quality of life and is considered to be a very serious problem. Prescription level acid suppressive drugs do not control symptoms to the individual’s satisfaction and regurgitation is frequent. It is also likely that one or more of the complications associated with erosive GERD may be present. Stage 4 – Pre-cancerous condition or reflux induced esophageal cancer Stage 4 is the result of many years of severe reflux. 10-15% of long-term sufferers progress to this very advanced condition. Due to long-term reflux, the lining of the esophagus has been damaged, resulting in cellular changes. Interestingly, these changes may occur in some with only minimal symptoms. Stage 4 involves the development of a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus, or a more severe condition called dysplasia. These conditions are not cancers, but raise the risk of developing actual reflux-induced esophageal cancer. At this stage, typical GERD symptoms may also be accompanied by burning in the throat, chronic cough and hoarseness. Strictures, or a narrowing of the esophagus, can also occur which is characterized by the sensation that food is sticking in the esophagus. This same symptom can also be caused by esophageal cancer. So perhaps it is not the use of PPI that causes the lowered life expectancy but the damage from the disease itself. Anyways from my perspective there is treatment for this condition and that is RNY gastric bypass surgery.

Reschedule. There is no need to add that stress to your life. You are going to have a lot going on...if the discharge is delayed or if you have a complication it sounds like you would be focused on missing the time with your daughter. I hope everything works out and the schedule comes together. For me...i wanted to have surgery after my Suez Canal cruise that was more than a year of planning. Waiting a few extra weeks was worth my mental health and lack of regrets. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello I am planning to have my gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Elias Chousleb at Jackson North Medical Center. And my psychologist is Dr. Cheri Surloff. Could you please share your experiences with me please? How was it? Are you satisfied with the results? How was the stay at Jackson? No regrets? Would you recommend the Doctor? No post-op complications? I am a little bit scared and nervous. Could you tell your stories? Many thanks! Sent from my SM-G925I using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello to everyone (pre/post, band/vsg/rny)! Had my sleeve done in Philadelphia on March 2, 2017. It was done at Temple University Hospital by Dr. Michael Edwards. I've been fortunate enough not to have experienced any problems/complications. It is now 4 months & 4 days after my surgery; I'm happy to say I'm down 50 pounds! I began this journey back in June 2016 and weighed 220 pounds.....today I weigh 170.0 pounds!!! YEA ME!!! (Still have more to lose, but YEA ME!!!!!)[emoji4] [emoji4] Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

I only took 8 (business) days off too. I figured that with two weekend should be enough. I only was off 3 days after my hysterectomy and I'm figuring this may be similar? But I did fill out my short-term disability in case there was any complications. But my doctor told me most people feel pretty good after a week. But everybody's different and have different pain tolerances. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Fantastic news about your husband. Much respect for losing that amount of weight! Switching up your diet can always lead to some complications, but heartburn and gas are definitely better than weight gain. Gas-x and nexium should help those issues.

Hi All, I am considering a revsision from a lap band to a sleeve. I've gained all my 150-lbs. back from my initial weight loss. I realize there is a forum just for band-to-sleeve but I'd like to hear from people who've had their sleeve many years. I am concerned I will gain my weight back just like I always do. And then I'll be with most of my stomach gone. I am also afraid of constant nausea, diarrhea, etc. complications. I know there can always be problems. I worry because this is a no-going-back procedure. I've had problems with my lapband and it is unfilled, but now I have this option of getting it removed and trying something else. With permanent removal of part of my stomach, there's no revision to turn to. I guess bypass would be an option. So scared of that. Any replies appreciated.

You have to be careful. If sleeve is not medically necessary. Insurance company can deny coverage for complications

Yeah I actually checked with the surgeons office again yesterday and they just said no special instructions from him except to continue my normal diet. I feel like I need to keep things light just in case. I really don't want any complications. I guess maybe I'm just being over paranoid.