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The reason I chose the band over bypass was that the surgery was Laparascopic and they wouldn't have to cut me open. Another reason was that with the band you are only suppose to lose 1 to 2 lbs per week and that is a slow pace I know but at least it will hopefully stay off and I would not have to pay to have my excess fat taken away. I am hoping that it will firm up as I lose. Sixty-one pounds in 4 months is great but really sounds too fast. But good for her. I have only been banded for a month and had my first fill yesterday. I have lost 17 lbs so far but most of that was pre op. My opinion and mine only is I am glad I chose the band over the bypass.

Andrea, the weight loss will definitely be slower with the band. Given that, I do see people gain weight with the bypass. If you can be patient you can take all your weight off with the band. It may take you a couple years.. Good luck with your decision.

I think you have to do what feels best for you. My research says that people do initially lose with faster with the bypass, but longer term studies are currently saying that over time the weight loss is similar. You can gain weight whether you get the bypass or the band. These are just tools to help you not be as hungry - that doesn't matter if you still choose to drink and eat high calorie and high fat tools. I have heard of at least one person who gained weight on the band, but they were choosing to drink milkshakes all the time, and goodness only knows what else. My concern with the bypass is that it is very intrusive and totally changes the way you digest food by reattaching your intestines to a newly created stomach. This is a huge surgery and the possibilities of complications (that could be for a lifetime) are higher than with the band. I think everyone makes a choice that is based on their needs. I have had a number of surgeries over the years and I am glad to choose the least intrusive as my first choice. I guess I am curious as to why your first Dr. was so insistant on the bypass. I am glad you are getting a second opinion. Do what feels best for you.

Your amazing Jachut. Good for you! I can't get over your tight body! We're about the same age & I've had tt/lower body lift/revisions & 2 boob lifts & I still wobble like a huge bag of jello! It's horrible to see me run. I have to for hockey & it's not easy. I'm the same re: good or bad eating...scales stay the same. :w00t:

I had to do full liquids for close to 4 weeks. I got progressed a little sooner though because my blood sugar went insane. I've had the pain under the rib cage as well even 4 months out if I overeat. My mom and aunt who had gastric bypass have the same thing. I think it's fairly common from what I've read and experienced for pain to happen around that area if you do overeat a little bit. Talk to your surgeon, see what they say, but I wouldn't get too worried about it at this point. Good luck!

I had a small hiatal hernia repaired along with my bypass. I never knew the hernia was there before my EGD two months pre op. I don’t believe my recover was any different than anyone else’s but things went smoothly all the way around for me.

I think we look at it as a tool to help us, where those that are not considering WLS surgery just believe that we will eat smaller amounts of whatever we want and everything will be fine. They have no concept of what actually happens. As soon as I am healed from this surgery, I will be having a very serious hip revision surgery. So serious, that my surgeon and his partner cancelled it the day of surgery saying that it needs to be done in a larger hospital with full access to all types of equipment. I had an appointment with the new ortho doc on 1/8 but as my RNY is now 1/4, I rescheduled for 3/1 to schedule the hip revision. I am hoping whatever weight I have lost by the time of that surgery will make it easier on me and the docs. Any surgery is complicated by obesity and I am doing this for my health, not my looks. I am 60-years-old and that simply does not matter anymore! People can say the darndest things, but we KNOW what we are really undertaking. Being thankful for RNYTalk and Obesityhelp for my only outside support! :wub: Blessings! Lynn

Ah ok my bfs mum made me some homemade chicken and veg soup I jus had the juices I didn't know if I was getting protein from that or not, mr aguanobi did mine he was very nice sorry to hear the band wasn't successful hope your getting on better with the bypass can't wait till I'm on purée and soft foods lol xx

I am doing exactly what he said. I am pretty sure this is how he does things for everyone that gets the revision in one surgery. He did say I had a lot of scar tissue too. I am nervous about doing this by myself, LOL. I have no medical background. They trained me yesterday on how to do everything, but I don't want to mess it up. I was able to disconnect from the bag this morning and flush the picc line all by myself. :-) the big challenge comes tonight when I have to hook it all up myself. They sent someone last night to do it and show me how, but tonight I am on my own.

Whoa there...so sorry to offend you. I meant no disrespect, I just know how the differences are and each choice is personal. I based my information on what I know and what I have personally witnessed from my friends that have had both. Clearly I am a fan of the Lap, but I certainly am not against the bypass. On that note, I again apologize and support whatever decision people make. It is THEIR life, THEIR decision, and how THEY choose to live life after surgery is all up to them. Wow, so sorry to all I ticked off. I will be leaving now. Take care all.

Thank you all for the great advice. I went to a seminar today given by one of the dr's and he went through the 3 different approaches. After a couple of hours and talking to several of his patients -- I know that I don't want the gastric bypass. I am not sure, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I like the concept of the lap-band but am a little weary of the fills (hate needles) :-) and the sleeve sounds like a good option too. They all seem to have their risks and their pro's and con's. I am going to go visit the dr and talk to him about it. He did say in the seminar that he leaves the decision to the patient as to what they want to do. He said having the lap band is great for those that are good about making sure they go to their appointments, get their fills, go to support groups, etc. Not that the others don't have to do the same things but the lap-band does require fills as the others don't. I guess I am just going to have to weigh the pro's and con's and figure out what is best. It is such a tough decision. But, believe it or not I felt comforted knowing that the success rate is so high and the risk of complications is so low....

Well, I was going in on the 28th. But, due to a work conflict on my wife's part, we had to bump it a couple of weeks to October 12th. Not a big deal, but I still spent the better part of a couple of hours seeing if I could work out a plan to keep the 28th (drive myself, wait around the lobby for my wife to pick me up a few hours, etc). I did, however, get word from my insurance that I was approved! We were ready to go self pay if need be, but this is better. Last time, when my wife had her bypass, the hospital billed $125K for just it's part (a pre planned procedure with a two day stay and no complications. 800 (x 2) dollar morphine!!!), of which Anthem disallowed 80% or so. I wasn't looking forward to dealing with the hospital on my own without the insurance company to back me up. I know it is all a shell game between providers and insurers, but geez. My wife had an emergency gall bladder removal with an ER visit and a two day stay at a different hospital earlier last year was $35K total. I went to my one insurance required support group meeting last week. Interesting, that of 30+ people in the group, only myself and one other pre-op were going LAP-BAND®®®®. All the others , including all the post op, were sleeve or bypass. One other pre op explained she was fighting with insurance for the sleeve, though she had been approved for LAP-BAND®®®® or bypass. She was very against a foreign object in her body. She felt they all suffer from rejection and infection, no offense to the two of us going LAP-BAND®®®®. Different strokes. Cheers, Erick

<TABLE class=wide cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD> I saw this post on another WL support site and did find it veryinteresting. Some of the things this guy says really DOES make youthink. I know I AM quilty of several of the things he wrote about.Remember, this is NOT me writing the following stuff ... It is justsomething I copied from somewhere else. I hope reading it can helpUS all out.Sherri*****************************************************Enough is enough... the truth about the bandI've been reading a lot of the posts lately, and noticing a fewtrends. </PRE> I thought I might address them. </PRE> Many of you are not going to like it, and I expect to get flamed. Iam not trying to peeve folks off, but I feel it is time for someoneto post a frank discussion on the band. Take my words with a grainof salt. This is not directed at any one person in particular, butat a general trend of threads appearing lately. If you're pissed atme after this… OK, but then again, maybe you'll get something out ofit in between the anger. </PRE> Here it is… </PRE> Quit your whining. </PRE> The band is not a miracle. It does not magically make caloriesdisappear from food. It is a tool you need to work WITH not AGAINST.If you work against it, you'll fail. End of story. </PRE> Let's clear up a few misconceptions about the band. </PRE> The band is not malabsorptive like the gastric bypass. The GB worksby allowing the patient to eat less, and more to the point, toabsorb LESS calories from the food they eat. The band ONLY restrictsthe QUANTITY of food, not the QUALITY. If you continue to eat high-calorie crap, you'll lose nothing… period. What this means is thatyou DO need to change your eating habits. You need to eat healthierfood, and less garbage. Some folks will lose some weight with theband because of the smaller quantities without changing their eatinghabits, but that loss will slow or stall, and WILL NOT BESUSTAINABLEunless they learn new habits. Face it folks, what we eat is what gotus fat in the first place. If you don't wanna change that, then youcan stay fat, and don't complain that you aren't losing. </PRE> Yes, you can have occasional treats. I am not saying that you haveto live a deprived life with no treats ever again, but keep themoccasional, and keep them small. Dessert every day is NOTOCCASIONAL. Once a week, maybe. Start looking at your favorite foodsand look for ways to make them healthier. Maybe use less fat, orhealthier fats, leaner cuts of meat, more veggies etc. Try to treatyourself with healthier foods as well, fruit instead of pie, bakedpretzels instead of fried chips, try those rice cakes you see in thestore. When you do have a treat… have ONE SERVING. Look at thelabel… if it says that 9 rice cakes are 1 serving… count them outand only have 9, not the whole bag! Use the sugar-free versions ofthings, the lower fat versions, and the lower carb versions… eatmore fresh foods, and less from packages. Yes, I know that freshfood is more work… too bad. You wanna get healthy? Then do it right.Kraft in the box might go down fine, but is it the right thing todo? Make the effort to cook healthier. It takes more time, butaren't you worth it? </PRE> RNY and Gastric Bypass patients need to diet too. If you think thatthey lose faster, you are right. In essence from malabsorbtion, theytechnically starve to lose initial weight, and lose a lot… morequickly than we do. SO WHAT?!?!? The human body is an amazing thing.It is smart, and learns to compensate. If the GB/RNY patient doesnot learn new, healthy eating habits, then they WILL GAIN THE WEIGHTBACK. In the long run, we have the advantage, as we do not lose atALL without new habits. We have to learn from the get-go, and in theend… our system willl adjust with us as we lose… not giving oursmart body a chance to get used to the new "arrangement" andcompensating for it. RNY/GB might look like a miracle, but it isn'teither. You still are the one in control, but the complications forit are much worse. I'm not dissing it, it is the right choice forsome, but for those who which to switch, simply because they havenot been doing the band with TRUE lifestyle changes… well… they arefooling themselves. Wisen up, and realize YOU need to change to makeany bariatric surgery a long-term success. </PRE> Head hunger, and stress eating are real. They are some of the thingsthat got us here. If it happens to you… GET HELP. Don't just standthere and say… duh, I don't know how to stop. Get on a program, seea therapist, join a bandster support group. Don't just cry aboutit…, DO SOMETHING. If you know emotional eating is an issue, thenyou have an EMOTIONAL PROBLEM, best dealt withby a therapist. Guesswhat folks, that is part of a whole weight loss program! Some maynot need it, but if these issues plague you, then get the help! Thatleads me to the next one… </PRE> Yes, you DO NEED TO EXERCISE. If you think you don't, then you arebeing foolish. Exercise does not mean a formal program at a gym witha personal trainer (although that is a GREAT IDEA). It means gettingout there and moving… biking, skating, swimming etc. Move… move…move!!! A sedentary life is another of the things that got us here.If you think sustained weight loss will happen without it, then youare again fooling yourself. Don't forget, that other than ahealthier life, the number 2 reason we got this done was to lookbetter. Folks, diet alone will not give you a better bod, exerciseand diet will. </PRE> This is not a liquid diet. Yes you will have periods of being onliquids, before and after surgery, and right after fills, but thisis not meant to be liquids for life. The band works by allowing asmall amount of food to stay in the pouch for a while, keepinghunger away. If all you have are Protein shakes… well frankly, theypass right thru, and give NO sustained satiety. You'll be hungry.Period. If all you can get down are liquids, then you are TOO TIGHT.It will NOT HELP YOUR WEIGHT LOSS TO BE TOO TIGHT! In fact, theopposite is true. If you cannot eat solid foods you will likelygain, because LIQUID CALORIES ARE MORE DENSE. You have GOT TO eatsolid food. </PRE> Low carb does not mean NO carb. Should you restrict carbs… yep. Weeat too many. This does not mean eat only protein. You cannotsurvive on only protein, you need veggies and carbs too… just lessof the carbs than you have been having. For one, try using healthiercarbs… want a potato? Eat a small baked red-skin new potato, withsome butter spray on it… instead of fries. Try Dreamfields low-carbpasta for Sunday spaghetti dinners, try brown rice instead of MinuteRice. Avoid the carbs in packaged foods… Mac and cheese, rice a ronietc. If you want mac and cheese, make it from scratch with lower fatcheese and Dreamfields or whole wheat Pasta. Use wholegrain bread,not Wonderbread. And… eat carbs last. Eat the protein first, thenveggies, then if you have room finish your carbs. Lastly… eliminatethe sugar… get it out period </PRE> Fast food is bad. End of story. Stay away from it… all of it. </PRE> Is a pre-op liquid diet important? You bet your boots it is. No, Iknow not all doctor's ask for it… but that doesn't change the factthat they should be asking for it. First off, it shrinks the liver,making it easier for the surgeon to perform the procedure. Second,it begins the weight loss process. Third, it speeds up recovery byhaving the body have less solid waste in the digestive tract, itwill work less, and not stress the points where the band is attached. </PRE> Is the post-op diet… liquids… mushies then solids important? Seeabove. This is for healing. Yes you can eat solid food sooner, and Iknow that this varies from doctor to doctor, but that doesn't meanit should. The stomach needs time to heal, and even though you CANeat solids earlier doesn't mean you should. Heal properly first. Asmost docs will say, any weight loss during this phase is a bonus.This is not the time for loss but healing. May folks WILL gain whengoing to mushies. Expect it. If you don't, you are one of the luckyfew… not the norm. Most folsk do not see real weight loss forMONTHS. This is how it is, deal with it. </PRE> You WILL NOT LOSE ALL YOUR WEIGHT IN A COUPLE MONTHS. Especiallythose of you with under 75 lbs to lose. Less to lose, the slower itwill be… that's it folks. If you got the band with 60-75 lbs tolose, do NOT expect to lose as much a month as someone who has200lbs to lose. Won't happen. If the doc told you it did, he lied.Most successful band patients lose 75% of their excess weight in theFIRST 2 YEARS… yep… years, not months. Deal with it… you are notgonna lose it by summer for swimsuit season. This is not intended tobe SPEEDY weight loss… if you don't get that, see #3 above. </PRE> It's OK to go to a foreign country to get my band because it is moreaffordable to me… Hmmm this one is debatable, and I will keep myopinion of foreign docs out of it. First off, when it comes tosurgery for my body, I don't want the lowest bidder, even though Iwas also self pay… but let's put that aside. I see too many folksgoing to places like Mexico for this procedure because they say thedoc is a brilliant surgeon… this is only 10% about the actualsurgery folks! It is the pre and aftercare provided that makes itwork. If you do NOT have an aftercare doc set up locally BEFORE yougo to Mexico for the surgery… then you are making a HUGE MISTAKE. Iam getting tired of seeing folks say…" I just got my band lastweekend, anyone know of any docs I can see for fills around here?"Geez?!@?!? What are you thinking? Didn't you have this all set upbeforehand? How could you have such a procedure done to your body… aprocedure that requires constant attention (and it is not just forfills folks!) and not be prepared before you do it? If this is yourplan, then I am confused on what you are doing. Aftercare with theband is not just fills, and you need access to a band doc locallyfor any problems. Sure you can get the procedure done in Mexico, buthave preparations for aftercare BEFORE they cut you open. </PRE> Look at the whole program. This is NOT just a surgical option. I'vesaid it before and I'll say it again, the surgery is only 1 hourlong… the rest of my life will be losing and maintaining myhealthier body. Nutritionists, exercise physiologists,psychologists, dieticians, support groups, a good fill doc… theseare ALL necessary to lose and maintain our health. If you only dealwith some of them… you'll fail. When you scout out docs to do thisprocedure, see how they deal with ALL of these factors…not just arethey a good cutter. Then, after the surgery, follow through with allof these. </PRE> If you don't know… ASK! The doctor, not the web group. Sure, it'sgreat to get support and ideas here, but I am amazed how many peopleare on here soliciting medical advice… ASK YOUR DOC! If he won'tgive you a straight answer… then he's not a good doc, and you needto seek out a better one. I mean COME ON!?!?! Now that we have thatstraightened out… let's say your doc tells you to do something… likestay on liquids for 2 weeks… DO IT. If he is a good doc, then thereis a reason to do what he says. This is NOT about you making yourOWN… UNEDUCATED judgment calls… he's the pro here… do what he says.If you don't understand why… then we go back to… ASK. </PRE> I'm sure I could say more, but I am also sure that I've pissed offhalf the folks who have read this. </PRE> Just had to get it off my chest. It is HARD WORK. Anythingworthwhile is. If you thought it was gonna be easy, then you wereeither lied to, or deluding yourself. </PRE> Work hard… get healthy… have a good life. We are ALL worth the time,effort and yes money, to be better healthier people. </PRE> __________________ Big Paul Banded Nov. 17, 20051st fill 1/3/2006: 3.2cc 2nd fill 2/7/2006: Removed 3.0cc, replaced 4.0cc 3rd fill 3/6/2006: Removed 3.6cc, replaced 4.0cc Unfill 3/14/2006: Removed 4.0cc, replaced 3.2cc 4th fill 4/3/2006: Removed 3.2cc, replaced 3.8cc 371/236/189135 lbs lost! 47 lbs to go! </PRE> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>

Hi everyone. I'm recently new to this site. I came here because I was determined to get the sleeve done and remove my band. Today I scheduled my surgery but decided on the RNY over the Sleeve. My surgeon really feels that I would do better with the RNY over the sleeve - Because I love sweets, and I know how easy it is to eat around my lap band I've decided to go with the RNY as my revision. I feel that I've made a good decision and Hopefully with determination I will be a success story. I owe each of you who post a big Thank you-- I've learned alot about the sleeve and was originally my choice for Revision. Thank you for posting your experiences and your success stories. This is a great forum- I hope it's okay if I continue to come back and visit and post even though I'm not a sleeved person. Your all so inspirational! My surgery date is Aug 3rd!!!

My husband is in the Air Force and I had lost all hope in having Lap Band done. Then I went to my initial consultation. The base apparently has a great bariatric surgeon. We discussed my reasons considering WLS. Thats when he Hit me with " You have three choices Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass, OR Lap Band." He then began to explain that they were getting ready to learn how to do the procedure and that the first few they would be flying in another surgeon to assist. All I could think of was "MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED" As few days later it hit me. No had discussed Tricare coverage. I called the surgery clinic and asked about Tricare's restrictions and how it affected me and my choice of surgery. I was told that since I was having the procedure done by a surgeon at the MTF tricare has no involvement. So Here i go JAnuary 23 is m surgery date. I just keep hoping this isn't going to come back on me in the form of a bill.

Thanks Don! Great news, however, I believe it should read "effective as of Feb 1", as opposed to "effective until Feb 1" which is good. From the manual: V. EFFECTIVE DATES A. Laparoscopic surgical procedure for gastric bypass and gastric stapling (gastroplasty), including vertical banded gastroplasty are covered, effective December 2, 2004. B. Laproscopic adjustable gastric banding is covered, effective February 1, 2007. - END - w00t! Thanks Don!

I called Tricare and the very nice lady who could not give me a definite answer. She told my to have my doctor submit a pre-authorization and see what happens. I could not find a solid answer in the Tricare manual so I did a lot of searching and this is what I came up with. CHANGE 55 6010.54-M JANUARY 30, 2007 SUMMARY OF CHANGES (Continued) CHAPTER 4 (Continued) 5. Section 13.2 (Surgery For Morbid Obesity). 43644, 43842, 43846, and 43848. No change. New CPT procedure codes were within procedure code range. We added the following to Exclusions: laparoscopy, gastric restrictive procedure (CPT procedure codes 43770:cry - 43774) and gastric restrictive procedure (CPT procedure codes 43886 - 43888) is unproven. Added “for gastric bypass procedures” for unlisted codes. 6. Section 20.1 (Nervous System). 61000 - 61860, 61863 - 63048, 63055 - 64999, 95961, 95962, 95970 - 95975, 95978, 95979. Pulmonary ateriovenous malformation (PAVM) was removed from paragraph III.B. because it did not belong in this chapter. New CPT procedure codes 61630, 61635, 61640 - 61642 added to Exclusions. Deleted CPT procedure codes 64561 and 64580 from paragraph IV.J. because they were the wrong codes for this procedure. New CPT procedure code range is 61000 - 61626, 61680 - 61860, 61863 - 63048, 63055 - 64999, 95961, 95962, 95970 - 95975, 95978, 95979. Link to PDF So, now we know more than they do.

no one WLS is better then the next..all WLS require work and a mental change and a def change in eating habits and begin to exercise to make the most of whatever surgery one gets. the plication as my dr told me is my stomach folded into itself and stitched to make a small banana like (sleeve) if you will..it will (and has) helped me eat less and since this is a new procedure and still in early trials, i had to sign waivers on it...my dr did it pro bono for me....i was super morbid obese and the dr wanted me to have the bypass and i said no.....so he offered me this with the band but STRESSED that if didnt follow the lap band rules (eating my allotted amounts, stop eating junk food and begin to (move), no WLS would help me...... most WLS can and will help one lose at the beginning (the pre and post op diets helps with fast mainly all Water weight loss) and its amazing and its a confidence booster......and then when people REALIZE that they cant eat what they use too and just push it and overeat anyhow or not follow the rules, then the surgery isnt working..and 10 or more posts a day on this forum saying what am i doing wrong etc.. get whatever one you want but understand that its not a miracle....it will help you if you help it...i am living proof of that......but i also know/understand if i dont do my part the bypass, the sleeve or the DS or the band or plication wont work..people rush into WLS in my opinion thinking i had surgery and now i will automatically lose 100 pounds in a week..doenst work that way....a total mindset and attitude change is a must for success..esp when one was as large as me when i started..i either did it the right way, or got bigger...i had no other options.

Thanks for replying guys. I have heard "but your're not that big" once, this from a co-worker who had gastric bypass at 500 lbs., but after I told him my real weight (he was shocked) of almost 200 lbs., and the fact I was almost half that weight as a teenager (I have a very small frame that was clearly NOT built to be carrying 200 lbs). However, he totally supports me now and is even going to do my pre-op diet with me to jumpstart his weight loss which has stalled (I'm guessing at around 275). I remind everyone that I have gained 30 lbs in the past year despite working out 5 times a week and that I can wait but why wait until I'm morbidly obese? I've already got the health problems and told my family I want to see my son grow up...that helped them get on board. Shauna

Liquids and mushy foods bypass the band pretty effectively. They sneak past it, and the stomach empties faster. The band is designed to slow the passage of solid food from the upper portion of the stomach. So, you are likely to achieve far greater satisfaction from solid foods. I won't address the calorie issue, except to say that yes--it is a very low calorie diet. Whether this is appropriate for you is something you should discuss with your doctor or nutritionist. Were you told to stick in this range?

Good morning CynthiaK. I watched all of his videos and he gets great reviews!!!! If I were you, I may think of taking a shuttle to the airport and then one home as well. That is if you don't find someone else to take you. My insurance covers the sleeve, but makes me go through a 3 month medically supervised diet program. I started that on Friday, so by early May we will submit my paperwork to BCBS Federal and once we get approval, we will schedual the surgery. We always go to teh beach in early June so I am trying to figure out when to have it, before or after. I feel we are making the right decision. Did you consider the Gastric bypass? I did, but, something about my intestines being re-routed is terrifying to me. I know it is the best in terms of success but, I don't like the possible side effects of the malabsorption..etc.....Do you have any co-morbidities? Well, I think you should go to your party and have some fun! How is the weather in TX? Cold and rainy up here in Nashville. Have a wonderful day!!!!! H

Hello everyone, I am 4 weeks post op bypass and iv had lots of help and advice from a fantastic group on facebook, it's following a low carb high fat diet and it's got lots of tips and recipes and loads of support, if anyone would like to join please let me know we are uk based and very friendly xx Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Im just starting the process. I had my psych eval and nutrition consult today. I have to have a supervised diet for 90 days. So it looks like best case scenario surgery will be in mid to late Jan. A couple of concerns questions I have: 1) my BMI was 38.5 and I haven't got my sleep study results back yet. I am praying I have sleep apnea for the sake of qualifying with insurance! (Not too mention a lot of problems can have potential to improve if we know the source of the problem! 2) sleeve or RYX (am I abbreviating that right?!) I like the lesser invasive thought of the sleeve but hear that makes reflux worse. I have enough already! Plus the results are better with the bypass. Thoughts? Thanks!! Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I had the bypass in November 2014 at that time i wore a size 26 and it was stretched to its limits but I wouldn't get a bigger size i was so ashamed of myself. I will admit I was terrified , I was the last lady down for surgery that day (17) and when I woke in intensive care I felt wonderful, yes I had some discomfort but I knew that I would lose my weight and a big emotional weight lifted off me, I swear it helped me recover faster. I was kicked out of intensive care after 2 hours and sent to a regular ward. I had a few problems initially with my new stomach but it was quickly sorted ( i couldn't drink cold water everything had to be tepid or I was sick) but it was the start of the new me . I am now wearing size 14 and I'm still losing weight although more slowly now , I go out and enjoy myself with friends and even wore a bikini on holiday earlier this month ( key hole surgery ,love it no big scars). So if you are still trying to work out which op to go for my vote is the bypass as once it is done that's it, no more filling and adjusting the band , or worries it may slip. you can't over eat because after eating a small amount you are full. The downside is you do need to have a B12 injection every 12 weeks and to take calcium and vitamin tablets. Well whatever you chose ladies ( and gents) I wish you all the best. Chysalis2butterfly

I agree with the others that this is so unfortunate for you and we all wish you a full recovery. This appears to be the which came first story, the chicken or the egg? Where and when did the infection begin? Our bodies are designed to reject parasitic items and it does appear yours did the same. My only concern with someone who may have gone with another type of WLS is this. If the infection was not a result of the band, what would the infection have done to a bypass or sleeve? Would all the plumbing have to be removed and the patient have to live out their lives with feeding tubes? If I were making a bet on where the problem began, I'd have to go with the band rejection theory? Although, why would it? This is definitely an example of how unique each of our bodies are and how the body reacts to any kind of stimuli.