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I've been sleeved since April 2014 and have lost 73 lbs since my surgery date, and NO diarhea. Not at all. In fact I need to take Fiber if i want to ensure regularity. As for a doc like yours who sounds somewhat behind the times in his research, definitely get another option, or you could be back in a few years with worse complications and having gained more weight (mine crept up year after year anyway). It might be that your excess weight isn't high enough for this (not sure your height or BMI or anything), but it'd be far better to know and be advised by someone who's more up to date on the real life of WLS patients than one who's sounding somewhat reactive from old hype. So glad you're looking at options for a healthier life though!

So I met with surgeon today for last appointment prior to insurance submission. I asked all my questions and we had a good discussion. He said of all the complications the real “thorn in their side” was ulcers. Even as an entire practice rate of ulcers is about 15-20% lifetime. And lifetime use of PPI or at least 4-5 years dropping to the lesser Pepcid etc type drugs forever. I am astonished by this!!! Is this true? Is there a reason it’s so high? I mean my mother in law had open RNY about 25 years ago and is not a model patient. She eats ibuprofen etc like crazy, tons of soda and the like and never an ulcer. Any opinions, suggestions on diet or anything to prevent? I’m not a smoker or alcohol user now but even without that’s the rate. Or, like doc said it is a surgery that creates ulcers based on plumbing. This has me really second guessing even more

I have had the band for 9 years and suffered with it as well... I revised to bypass (my personal choice) 2 months ago and even though I had complication, I love it. I ate chicken today and didn't have horrible "stuck" episode! It was amazing! I wish I have done his so many years ago!

Hmm, it is really complicated and long. First as far as identity and image that isn't just about body image. I spent my entire adult life as a plus sized woman. I shopped in the same stores. I had a certain style. I had a body I was familiar with, and that I did not hate. When I dropped enough weight, suddenly I had to find all new stores to shop in. I went from being an Apple shape to an hourglass. I had to change my style. I used to be able to look at clothes and know if they would work for me. I have to try every single thing on. Even now when my weigh has been fairly stable within 5 pounds for a few months I am still dropping inches and things no longer fit. I was comfortable as a plus sized person and that was part of my identity. Now I am no longer in the plus size club. I am smaller than the average woman in America who is now a size 16 or 18. Not only has the way I think about myself in relation to the rest of the world changed, but how people treat me and react to me has changed a lot also. Women are not as friendly to me as they used to be when I was plus sized. I have always worn a lot of makeup and had big hair. When I used to be in Sephora as a fat girl with a beat face, people talked to me all the time. Normal size, beat face, cheek bones poppin even without highlighter, not as much convo. Men however treat me very differently. I always had men smile and talk to me, but now they really go out of their way to be super polite to me. Some of it has to do with how I dress now, usually dresses (typically bodycon or sheath) and heels. Looking more feminine really gains a lot of reaction from men, especially since most women rarely wear dresses and skirts and that is pretty much all I wear (they last a lot longer and are more forgiving to changing sizes). As far as body image. I read a book that helped me a lot. Spending a lot of time on the internet plus what I do for my career, I am forced to look at what seems like perfect bodies all the time. That isn't really how people look. I use photoshop every day. I know all these images are fake, but I am still a victim of feeling like I don't measure up to those images. About 9 months ago I had a really hard time with my loose skin, but it has gotten better mentally, and physically. The longer I stay in the same size range, the better my skin gets and the better I look. Shapewear and dressing right for your body and personality can fix anything. Watching people whine on skin tight on TLC helps too. I realized they are making their problems worse by having a bad attitude about it. Most of them can't dress to save their lives and that is 90% of the problem. Also I accepted that I earned this body the hard way. Most people will never have the loose skin I have but they will also have never lost as much weight as I have. I wear shorts, sleeveless tops and work out in sports bra and leggings. I earned all these stripes. I think if I didn't like my body before then maybe it would be easier to accept my new body but I didn't hate myself before. If I could be fat and healthy I would probably still be fat. I wasn't a miserable fat person, I was a person with failing health, which was making me miserable. http://a.co/fI9AKK1 I look great in clothes. I look great in clothes even without shapewear now. My boobs look great in a bra and they are fine if I am on my back . Like seriously the number of people that are ever going to see you naked, even if you are dating a lot is really low on a planet of 7 billion. It doesn't matter. Therapists are useless, imo. I looked and tried out a few and all of them are just as dumb as the rest of the general pop. The ones I talked to just assumed that losing weight solves your problems, and their solutions for body image issues were trash. That book helped me think about myself more as a whole person and not a bunch of body parts and remember the real purpose of my body (even if you aren't religious, you can benefit)

I would just go over the facts of it. How you do that is dependent on your kids. My approach was very factual, this is why, these are the risks, etc. We talked about the health reasons, but also touched on the societal/professional realities of being extremely obese, etc and how complicated it all is. As I’ve lost, I’ve continued having open ongoing conversations with them. I’m honest, we talk about things in an “isn’t that interesting?” sort of way. It’s what works for us. Your family might be totally different.

You gotta walk through the door or you will never know what is on the other side. My surgeon gives all his patients a journal - a way to track food, weight loss, exercise, vitamins, etc. On the front it says," As I'm getting smaller, my world is getting bigger." I never really understood it until I lost about 50-60 pounds and could be more mobile and pain free. Now my world can't be big enough! I feel no limits - only by my own mind. I believe I could hike the Grand Canyon now, or ride in the 100 + mile El Tour de Tucson (bike), or hike the 830 mile Arizona Trail, or take flying lessons. Or kayak without swamping the boat, or get on and off the floor with my grandkids, or walk up hills without being winded, or ride my mule, or buy SMALL size tops and size 12 pants. It's an unbelievable world right now for me - a world I would never know without walking through that door, scared as I was (crying in preop, wondering if I should just get up and leave.) Surgery has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is a whole new life!!!!!! A life I never thought I would see again. Yes, there can be complications (I got a blood clot in my leg), and yes, recovery is a bear. But there is a whole new world waiting for you on the other side of that door.

Call the doctor, please. If it's early dehydration, an IV with some liquids will make you feel 1,000 times better very quickly. If it's not dehydration, then your doc can point you in the right direction. If it's late stage dehydration, hopefully they can prevent complications like kidney failure/stones, low blood pressure, or heart damage. I am admittedly a little cautious on this right now. A dear friend of mine was dehydrated (not a WLS patient) for a couple of weeks and died because of the damage to her heart and kidneys. She was 48. I really think you should call the doctor.

The complication insurance will not cover any complications that are taken care of in the US. It is strictly for care provided in the country the policy if issued for. Won't work for me.

My BMI was just under 35 on day or surgery; over 36 when I first saw the bariatric surgeon. I have v significant, multiple comorbidities. I don't know how old you are and I'm always a bit wary of younger people taking out bits of their body that they may find they need later on -especially if there are no health issues right now. But your family history is significant and it's not great that you can only walk a couple of blocks. IMO this surgery - any abdominal surgery - does pose significant risks and shouldn't be entered into lightly. I had a good run with surgery and recovery but I still didn't think it was a walk in the park. Now that I'm sleeved I also realise it is still very possible to not lose or to lose and then regain the weight... this is no magic bullet and you need to work at it long term, have no illusions about that. But having said all that, I am glad I did it and now have real hope for a healthy future and a longer life, after years of feeling completely opposite to that. I'm still adjusting but I don't feel I've 'lost' anything or am deprived. food tastes just the same and I enjoy as much as ever, just in v small quantities. So read up, decide if this is right for you, and if it is embrace it. I'd suggest you read the "complications" and "regrets" posts (along with the good news stories) to get a balanced view. Good luck with it all.

I was banded on 7/27. My surgeon had me do liquids for 1 week. When I went in for my follow -up on my 7th day, he told me he wanted me to get used to my band and get to know it. He told me to experiment but stick to protein, and avoid carbs and only zero calorie liquids. I have been doing exactly what he said. I have lost 24 pounds. I have had no bloating, nausea, gas, nothing. Every surgeon is different. I went with the one who banded a few people I know and they were very successful without any complications. They went on and on about how much individual attention they get from him. I see what they mean. I have never met a doctor who gave me their cell, pager, and personal email. He's not bad on the eyes either...lol

I wish I had an answer for you. I can tell you that I'm glad I stuck with Dr Scott as I think he is really good at what he does and I've had 0 complications. I've also really enjoyed working with Erika (NUT). My experience in Des Peres Hospital during and after surgery was also top notch. Ideally, the whole experience would be great but at the end of the day, I want the best surgeon cutting me open and great care right after surgery more than the other stuff. Keep me posted and hopefully they will turn it around for you.

I agree with everything said by @@BeagleLover I am 9 weeks PostOp and am not hungry. I eat because I know I should to get my Protein and nutrients in. I was also sleeved, which I chose because military bases no longer perform the band because of complications, and I was concerned about the malabsorbtive issues of bypass. I also like to cook and try new things. My sleeve doesn't prevent me from this, it just prevents me from eating more than a few bites

Glad you are asking questions and checking weight loss surgery (WLS) out. This is a great place to get a lot of opinions! Here is one more opinion---I had continual complications with my lap band for 10 yrs and just had a revision to sleeve in jan. Short story of lap-band-I hurt every minute of those 10 yrs. Now for the 1st time in 10 yrs my stomach and belly does not hurt. And that is after major sleeve surgery. I just heard this and wish I had heard it 10 yrs before........when you look at the statistics for complications after 3 months after WLS surgery, the lap-band has the most ongoing complications and problems. Yes, the others sleeve, bypass etc have more in the first 3 months but the band by far has the most after. A foreign body in your belly that can slip, erode, get covered in scar tissue...a port that turns and hurts.....well just had to say that. As for cooking----I never cooked before my sleeve and now I am! I'm always looking for receipts that are healthy and taste good, easy to make, and can be made in small batches. It's still early in my sleeve life but I think cooking will be fun Zakly, I bet as a chief you can cook up an amazing book of receipts for us WLS folks.

I start my Pre Op diet in the morning.. My Doctor has me on 3 protein shakes day and 2 frozen dinners with less than 30 calories and less than 30 Carbs.. I had 3 choices to choose from but decided to go this route.. I hope my Liver shrinks in the 2 weeks so I do not have complication on the 16th of April when I have my surgery..

So I’m scheduled to have my VSG on 8/27. Because I have a fatty liver, I started my pre-op liquid diet on 8/10. For the most part I have followed the diet pretty strict (mine is the true liquid diet) except I substitute an Oikos triple zero for a shake but am still getting 80 grams of protein and staying between 60-85 grams of protein a day and 650-800 calories. When I first looked into bariatric surgery back in January of 2020, my weight was 252 and I’m 5’ 8 1/2. Prior to the diet my weight was 236 (my insurance requires 6 months of nutritional visits and I did lose some weight). Now I’ve dieted off an on for over 15 years and can usually lose 20-30 lbs but it has never stayed off and I revert back to the 250 range which puts me at a BMI above 37. I have fatty liver & sleep apnea and when I made the decision to pursue bariatric surgery it was for my health. Here is my conundrum, in 11 days I have lost 10 pounds which to me is amazing so I’m now at 226lbs and a BMI around 34. Why am I now second guessing having surgery??? I know deep down the reason why I’m doing so well and sticking to the diet is because I’m terrified of having a fatty liver during surgery because of the complications (soft livers tear easily). Have any of you experienced this?

Greetings to everyone, On May 2, 2016, I received my VSG from my Bariatric Surgeon. Fast forward to February 2019, I start getting experiencing abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting that my general GI specialist couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. Diagnostic testing revealed a raw sore in my esophagus, a hiatal hernia, and the medical professionals couldn’t diagnose why I was experiencing abdominal pain in my gut. As time moved on, my aforementioned symptoms got worse and worse where I couldn’t keep down my food and medications. Now jump to March 10, 2021, I have my first surgical consultation with the Bariatric Surgeon that had put in my VSG in 2016. My Bariatric Surgeon recommended a revision from the VSG to RYGB to fix my hiatal hernia and the rest of my digestive symptoms. Dr. Chen has fast tracked my RYGB surgery to Monday, March 22, 2021. I have to admit to everyone that in 2016 when I the VSG, I was fine with it. However, now with the RYGB surgery within 48 hours of this posting in the BariatricPal forum, I’m getting nervous to having this surgery. One of the main reasons why I’m nervous is about having the RYGB surgery is the possibility of complications and after having surgery, and the dumping syndrome that seems to be common with a lot of individuals who get the RYGB surgery. Fortunately for me, while I was recovering from the VSG, I was not subjected to dumping syndrome. Can anybody share with me about your own experiences with getting the RYGB surgery? How was your recovery period? How was it going from a clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet to purée foods, etc. Share your thoughts and feedback. I would greatly appreciate that very much.

I didn't have any complications - but sorry to hear that you did and hope you're on the mend soon...

yes,,,, suggestion.. i would do a preop diet for the liver. you need your fatty liver to decrease to avoid possible complications.. im not sure why no preop diet and i would watch that!!!!! Serioulsly trying to help. Chris

I woke up vomitting. After one of my many boughts I started crying and and said "I'm not allowed to throw up. Is my band gonna be ok?" they assured me I was ok so I went back to sleep. After spending 24 hours in the hospital due to blood pressure complications, I was allowed to go home.

Congratulations on starting your journey. I'll be curious to hear what your primary care physician has to say about lap band. My pcp didn't know much about the procedure but she was supportive in my quest for more information. I went to 2 different bariatric seminars. The first time I actually went to one in support of my sister who was considering gastric bypass. This was about 4 years ago and they were just starting to do lapband at our hospital. After making the decision to pursue it for myself, I went to another seminar where they talked about both surgeries in detail. Based on the surgery itself, the reduced complications and the recovery time, I knew lapband was for me. My BMI was just under 40 but I had high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and high cholesterol/trigs. The cholesterol/trigs are unfortunately just part of my genetic makeup but my blood pressure and blood sugar are now normal. My primary doc kept me on 5mg of blood pressure medicine for kidney protection (based on the prior pre-diabetes diagnosis) which I was bummed about BUT my nurse at my surgeons office agreed completely saying it doesn't hurt anything. I'm a little over a year out and based on my scale this morning, I'm down 50 lbs. I had a great surgeon and he and his staff are awesome. I feel like I'm part of a family there. I'm going to make a suggestion on a book you should buy or check out at your library. It's titled Band Wagon. It's written by a lady who had lapband and it's full of great information that I have found really helpful. I got the book after my surgery but wished I would have had it prior. I've read it several times and go back from time to time and re-read sections over again. It's real basic terminology, what to expect stuff and it's an easy read. She's pretty funny too which made it hard to put down. Check it out and Good Luck!

You sound just like me. I was thinking why not take this $6000 and put it inot a trainer and a Weight Watchers program. To be honest, ecery day my mind wonders there. But then I think about my experience with Quick Weight Loss. Over $2500 on a program, where yes I was loosing weight, but I was always hungry, hated buying their terrinle powder Soups and Protein bars, and not being able to drink aything besides Water Like Tiff said on an another post, I don't want to have to diet forever! I too started this journey looking at the Lap Band. It was all I really knew. I knew nothing of the sleeve 5 months ago. But after reading the horrible stories, looking at the complications thread on Lapband Talk, and talking to people from OH, I knew I couldn't spend $5000 on something that could would cost me more ($100 self pay fills) and could cause me so much pain. So here I am, gettng sleeved in less than a week. Whenever I hear those nagging thought creeping up, I look over at my beautiful daughter (almost 7 months) and realize I am doing this for her. Good Luck on whatever you choose.

Dr. Carroll is my doctor. I was banded in Dec. 2006. I've lost 75 pounds. I should exercise, but I don't. I don't sit of my tail, however, I am up and moving as I am a classroom teacher and our school took part in Let's Go Walking... Anyway, I love Dr. Carroll. He's a great doc... I was a self pay. I've had 3 fills, the last one was last week. As far as going to Mexico, I wouldn't do it personally. I want to have my physican close byso if I have complications. That's just me. Good luck in your decision, whatever it may be...

$17,000 Kane Center in west Chicago suburbs. Includes 1 night stay at hospital and 3 months office visits and fill. After $300 under flora and $150 w/o. Also offer optional insurance (which I bought) for complications (slips, erosion). I bought 2 years for about $1,300.

Having had 4 slips and not filled fast or slow I can honestly say, slips aren't so much fun... you get over them and get on with your life they are a challenge. I think there are so many people who expect to only eat a certain amount, and to find the sweet spot... I don't think there is a perfect amount to eat.. or a sweet spot I think it is a myth. I think eating a reasonable amount, and fills change daily, weekly monthy... I think there are people who fill too fast, vomit too much, eat too many soft calories etc etc... I think there are people who do everything wrong and when they have a complication I am not surprised. I think there are also people who do it all right.. and still have issues and those are the ones I feel for.

I went for my first fill (I was banded may 15, 2007) the Dr couldn't do the fill because He thought the port was tilted-2 days later He tried using fluoroscopy and determined that the port had turned completely over! Now I need a second surgery to turn it back around. He said in all his years He has never seen this happen before. Just curious if there is anyone else out there with the same complication. So far I've lost 21 pounds and other than this couldn't be happier. Tara:rain: It better stop raining on my parade!!!