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Hello All, I have had four fills and the last one was way too tight. I lasted two weeks until I had to go back to my doc to take out some fluid. It was pretty bad everything was getting stuck and water was even tough to get down. I asked the dr. what cc's are in my band so i can try and figure out what is good for me. His response was rude...its too complicated for you to figure it out leave it up to me. Well, that was a week ago. I have no restricition and have gained a couple of pds. Is this what your dr.'s told you?

I had 4 weeks of liquids after surgery, so it could be worse than your 2 weeks The reason is because your stomach has been sutured, manipulated, and wounded. If you don't follow your post op diet exactly, you are putting yourself at very high risk for complications such as ripping stitches in your stomach. Your stomach needs time to heal.

I personally went on strike against my scale and threw it out. I only weigh now at the MD's. I had to, because I was determining my success, outlook, how my day would go, EVERYTHING - on the number that device gave me. And I'm more complicated than just a number

Moosictchr, Welcome! Please check out all of the band vs. bypass threads in this forum before you go to see your doc. The lapband is the easiest to recover from (the actual surgery) and doesn't have all of the wierd long-term malabsorption complications of the bypass or RNY. Doctors like fast results, often at the cost of your overall health at times (except for band docs!) so don't be surprised if the consult you are seeking pushes for bypass or RNY. The weight loss with the band is slow. 1-2 lbs/ week. Waiting for the numbers to drop gets boring, but it happens! The slow weight loss is so much healthier for you and leaves less hanging skin and you have less muscle waisting. Not to mention bone loss... Good luck, and I hope you choose the band!

@@Dibaby44 I took your advice and took two weeks off after band removal surgery. I could have used another week (per my doc) but I begged him to release me back under the condition that I do sedentary/light duty work during the first week of my return. I was going stir crazy being home (work-a-holic) and could not imagine staying home one week longer. I was JUST cleared on Friday to start using the treadmill as well, however I am still not able to lift or use other gym machines. As far as symptoms, below is what I experienced prior to removal and I "Red-Texted" what symptoms I still experience 2 weeks later.... nausea, vomiting, migraines, constant low grade fevers, joint pain, gallbladder removal in 2009 (no stones), elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST), enlarged spleen, elevated CRP, "dumping syndrome", inflammation throughout my body especially my stomach, abnormal blood counts and chemistry, unable to pass certain foods from esophagus to stomach, autoimmune disease soon developed (new meds to take), uncomfortable in my own body, weakness/fatigue, acid reflux, back/neck pain, constipation/diarrhea (to name a few). I also have device related complications such as; port pain with and without pressure being applied, infection at the port, unable to stand up straight/reach up/stretch backwards, and always protecting my stomach from the outside world from fear of it being bumped. I will keep everyone posted as time goes on... does anyone know of class action suits at this time?

Well all of these tests are for a reason. They help our doctors eliminate avoidable complications. They have saved a few lives on this forum by discovering potentially serious conditions. A month before my surgery, I went to the ER for really bad pain in my back and abdomen, so much so that I could not stand up straight. I was stuck where I could not lay down or sit or straighten up. At first the doctors thought I would have to have some ruptured discs repaired and I even talked to a spine surgeon. They did a CT scan of my abdomen and found out that I had ischemic colitis. I was in the hospital for eight days. My primary doctor told me later he thought he was going to lose me or I at least would have undergone a colostomy to save my life if the antibiotics had not helped in time. Here is my point: If I had not had the CT for my back, I would not have known that I was about to die in a few days. If that issue had not been revealed before my sleeve surgery, any little nick on my bowels would have spread infection throughout my abdomen. So count your blessings that even if there is an issue, that is one less problem that could have been a complication. I know waiting for surgery day is the hardest part of this process, but be patient. It will come in due time. Just get well first. Hugs from Chicago.

I had GS surgery done in MX in Feb 2017. I've lost 55 lbs and have plateaued/stalled for the last 4 months and I still have lots of fat inches left to lose. I have a lot of food allergies (confirmed by blood work) and the "nutritionist" the Dr connected me with has no idea how to help me and I've been going it alone. I read the posts here about what someone eats on a daily basis and I can't eat over 3/4 of it. Add to my allergies is the complication that the surgery didn't remove my hunger like 99.5 % of patients. I've been hungry since day one. In fact my stomach growls so loud that co-workers can hear it. I'd like someone to brainstorm with, to talk menu plans with, to talk portion sizes with, strategy with, etc. So who do you recommend that I can do an online, remote appointment with? Who are your rock star nutritionists?

Hi, @@mlecompte @shelbys mom and @isda418. I had my surgery on August 11, so exactly three weeks ago. I'm so happy I did it. I've lost just over 15 pounds, an average of 5 lbs a week for now. I expect this average to go down soon, but it's been an encouraging way to start. @@mlecompte, I think at your height/weight you may lose much faster in the beginning than I have. Everyone's body is different of course, and you'll see that all over the forums, but at my starting height and weight I'm THRILLED with this rate of loss in the early weeks, whereas in other parts of the forums you'll see much more dramatic numbers in the beginning. Wherever you start, and whatever rate you lose at first, WOW does it feel exciting and motivating to see a number that is definitively, clearly lower than last week's! And of course it's not even remotely all about the numbers. It's about the very beginnings of feeling like my body is mine again. One thing I didn't really understand or focus on before I had the surgery was how much the beginning of the post-op experience is really in (at least) two phases. I am not a doctor! This is just my experience, and opinion based on that experience. In the first month what you're really doing is allowing that new stomach to HEAL. Yes, you want to be healthy, and you want to walk daily if you possibly can. But to simplify all those post op instructions (I am not a doctor!!!), in the beginning you are: keeping yourself alive and your organs healthy by staying hydrated and getting your vitamins; increasing your chances of keeping muscle mass while losing fat mass by getting your Protein in; moving your body to keep circulation up and, yes, aid in losing fat, and basically letting your sleeve heal so that you won't have complications and so that it will be the tool you need it to be for your long term effective weight loss. The second phase is the one where you are really using the sleeve as a tool for long term nutrition and weight loss. It's not an overnight switch from one mode to the other of course. I just mean that generally, the focus initially is on healing, and if you get frustrated or confused about your surgeon's post op instructions, it might be because some of them have less to do with what you can handle than on what is likely to aid or impede healing. All a long way of saying that in some ways, the struggle changes many times, and for the first time --a different point for everyone, but I'm using one month as a placeholder -- around the time you are basically healed and the sleeve won't be compromised by trying regular, nonpureed foods. I'm not at that stage yet. I'm looking forward to it for social reasons. For example this week we were in a vacation house with friends, and it would have been nice to sit at dinner and have small portions of some of the regular foods cooked each night, or to taste some of the foods this area is known for. On the other hand, it is easy just to keep eating/drinking my fake foods and small portions of cottage cheese and the like. So when I say I feel like I haven't really started "full life" with the sleeve, that's what I'm talking about. I'm not having to make many choices or take many risks....but I'm also not getting to make many choices or take many risks either Anyway, a very long way of saying that even in these first weeks/months this journey changes! I'm so thrilled I took this step -- worth all the pre-op worry, all the (brief) post-op pain, and all the money. It's funny. I HATED seeing these numbers on the scale when I was gaining, just hated them and was so angry at and disappointed in myself. But I sure do love seeing them when I'm on the way down.

awwww, shucks. i am glad you are doing what is right for you and are able to make the decision for yourself. How did you come to the conclusion that it wasn't right for you? I read it earlier...but I don't want to go searching through posts for it. Could you email me? My email ought to be available to the public...on my profile... I am in the medical profession (albeit for animals because I could never work medically with people LOL) and I know all about complications and the like. Daily I educate people about surgical complications and stuff so it's second nature. If i ever get to the surgical point...I wanna stay awake and watch! I know it's not possible but still... I am kinda wanting to do the band because i walk into a room, kneel down to talk about the pet's condition, and the clients get up to offer me their chair!! I'm only 29!! I can handle kneeling down ad getting back up to talk to clients and pet dogs!! *sigh* oy. But that's why I am here. I go on. Off to bed. - krista

Dr Alvarez in Piedras Negras. Great surgeon, great staff and I have had no complications. Www.endobariatric.com. Message me if you have any questions.

Banding is the easiest procedure in bariatrics to do. With that said, there is a learning curve. The sutures can't be too tight, they can't be too loose. The band can't be too high, it can't be too low. The sutures cannot be too many in number, nor too few. Once the learning curve is over things are fine. But complication stats (erosion, slips, etc.) are indeed higher for newbie surgeons. Something as simple as scratching the back of the stomach can possibly cause erosion years down the road. That is the biggest reason I wouldn't personally go to a newbie surgeon. This was my last shot at weight loss and I wasn't going to screw it up. I gave myself every opportunity to do this the right way. It's kinda like crocheting. The first project is probably pretty fugly, not even. But with practice it's just about perfect. Same concept applies to the band. I can't say that I would go to anyone with less than 250 bands myself. If someone didn't have any money at all and having a newbie do it was the only shot they had it might be different. I wouldn't do it, but many would. Another issue is aftercare. Fills are an art, not a skill. Anyone can measure out a cc or two. But to get good restriction without absolute misery is hard to do. The problem with banding is that all the bad stuff usually happens after surgery or after the fills. It's not like a minor complication in OR that you fix right then and there. Our complications often times don't happen (from surgery) until down the road. So you have to weigh money vs. skill. You have to do what is right for you.

Hi! I had me sleeve surgery on the 2nd and am VERY disguraged. I had lost 12lbs during my fasting the week before it. I had a minor complication and was on IV fuilds for 2 days longer than I should have. I came home 20lbs heavier than when I went in. I have lost 98% of the Water weight but thats it. My measurements have not changed much. I have been doing everything I am suppose to be doing. So, when will I actually start losing weight? Christa

Hi sweet I was on that antibiotic 7 days after surgery. I ended up very nauseous and heart palpitations and oral thrush. Keep in mind that it was only 7 days after my surgery and was through a complication post op. As far as having the surgery antibiotics for anyone should be fine. Just read the leaflet in the packet about side effects. Everyone is different and I gather my situation was a little different. Hope your feeling better soon! Sent from my SM-G925I using the BariatricPal App

Saw my surgeon for my pre-op and she confirmed that she does not use a bougie, but uses an endoscope. She showed me the size. Pretty small. She said she uses it because she can look at the stomach at the same time and check for complications. And then can use it for the leak test. She put my mind at ease. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had the sleeve last year and my friend had the Gastric Bypass. Both of us are losing. She ended up back in the hospital with complications and wishes she'd done the sleeve too. It's probably not fair to compare though, I'm 15 years younger and had less to lose.

I told my surgeon that bypass was what I wanted and that's it.They like to do the sleeve because it's easier.I have a lot of weight to lose and the band was the "IT" procedure at the time and it was a failure and messed up my stomach and other organs.I developed Gerd and Esophagus torture.I had the revision to the "Gold Standard" RNY on December 28,2015.I have not dumped once and my acid reflux is gone.I feel great.I take my vitamins and although I am a slow loser because of my PCOS and sluggish thyroid issues I have lost 40 pounds so far....and feel great.I made the right decision .Once the cut out 80% of your stomach.Thats it....By the way my friend had the sleeve and she has complications...vomiting and bad indigestion.Do what you know works.You don't want to have regrets later down the road.

I am 3 months into my 6 month pre-op period. I met with the surgeon on Tuesday because I currently have a lapband I want revised. Given my diabetes (diagnosed 10/1/2015), my severe obstructive sleep apnea and being morbidly obese (361 lbs on Tuesday), I've been focused on gastric bypass (RNY). I thought for sure my doctor would recommend that as well. But I could tell from our meeting that he advocates for the sleeve. He says nearly 90% of the surgeries he'll do this year will be sleeve and that sleeve patients are less likely to have future complications and that their labs are "boring" because they don't have nutrient malabsorption issues like bypass patients. Now I'm torn. He says it's up to me - that he'll do the bypass surgery. But I'm wondering if I'm being a polyanna in thinking I won't be one of the ones that has complications. I just feel like the sleeve is a fad - it's what everyone is doing now. But there are only 5 years of available data whereas bypass has been around for 20+. Anyone else have a similar issue? I'm also concerned because I'm a revision patient. I lost about 30+ lbs with the lapband and have kept it off (which the surgeon says is actually successful!!) and I really don't want to do the sleeve and then find myself losing only a fraction of what I need to lose. Any other revision folks out there?

I chose to revise from band to bypass because 1) I had reflux from the band and that is also a more common complication of the sleeve 2) because I chose the latest/greatest with the band and didn't want to make that mistake again and 3) I liked the added malabsorption component of the bypass. If you are diligent about taking vitamins, you shouldn't have any issues with malnutrition. When I first went to see my dr., it was his nurse who was talking sleeve, sleeve, sleeve. My dr. probably does more sleeves than bypass now too, but I am thrilled to have done the bypass instead.

@"mbrinmn" I am in the Deep South and the cost of living is lower. $13500 takes care of it all. Glad u had a good experience. Ive had a few friends go to Mexico with no probs whatsoever. I'm just worried about being in the 1-2% and having a major complication like a leak. No other surgeon is going to be as motivated to "fix it" like the original surgeon. I guess I'm scared that no one would want to touch me after going out of the country for surgery. There's so much fear of lawsuits in the medical field.

Hi everyone!! I dont know if anyone remembers me or not. I was here 2 years ago, had a lot of doubts and was scared. Backed out of surgery the night before. Here I am now banded one week and so far loving it. Thinking where would I be today if I had just went thru with it the first time. I just Pray that I have no complications because just one week out, still on full liquids and I love my band!!!

I was told to experiment with food but food is hit or miss! I am so over the 3 or 4 bites of food. I feel hungry and can not eat u graze! So over it I need to live on shakes and fruit.

I forgot to mention that I am 5'4 and 323lbs. Although I take oral meds for diabetes I don't have hypertension but my weight and diabetes alone is very scary. I have seen comments about the gastric sleeve vs bypass the main argument is the "rewiring". You guys i just want to get healthy for myself and my kids. I mean they say the bypass has complications but dude so does diabetes. Idk thoughts anyone?

I would post this under lapband complications or postop. You will get more response there.

Hey everybody, first off your stories and tips have provided me with a great deal of comfort over the past few weeks. So thank you so much. It's great to know that there are so many others out there dealing with this all. I was banded on 4/14. That morning I weighed in at 406 lbs. Twelve days later I'm 373 lbs. and (knock-on-wood) complication free. I haven't felt hungry yet but I've been thirsty every second so far. For the first 10 days I couldn't get anywhere near the amount of liquid I was supposed to. I was keeping up with the Vitamins but falling far short of the 48-64 oz. per day goal. It was slowly getting better but it was still tough to get even 30 oz of liquid down. Then, all of a sudden, from day 10 to day 11 it was like a switch was flipped. I can drink 64 oz in a day no problem and have to be careful not to go over because I feel like I can drink more. I'm waiting to hear back from my surgeon still, but the question is is this normal? And if I feel good is it a huge deal if I sip a little more in an hour?

Hello Fellow Sleevers! I am almost four years out from my surgery. I have gained back about 10-15 pounds, depending on what you consider my lowest weight. I am working at taking it off right now. I have never exercised or watched what I ate (oops) but am now starting to realize that maybe I should heed the doctor's advice from 4 years ago. I still feel great and have zero regrets. I have referred several people who have all had the surgery with zero complications and no regrets so you that have not had the surgery yet just wait...you will have a couple of rough spots but it is so worth it. I changed jobs and have been sitting behind a computer A LOT so I think that along with seasonal Reese eggs/Christmas trees/valentine hearts are to blame. After a few years, your realize what you can and cannot eat more of (bread vs. crackers) and you will probably put on a few pounds from your lowest weight but the tool is there and it is much easier to lose. I am just now starting a diet and it will be much easier to diet with the smaller stomach. At the time of my surgery it was private pay only since it was brand new and it was $12,000 and I hear now it has gone up quite a bit. BTW, I was a size 16 and am now a big 6-8 (was a 4-6 and will get there again...). I lost a total of about 75 pounds..just in case anyone is curious. Have a great day! Luck