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Congratulations...I'm glad you came through without any complications! Welcome to the "other side".

Oh so much to talk about with this..... Sorry, but I'm going to ramble a bit. First off, there are risks and benefits to each of the three surgeries (as background I had a lap-band, miserable with it, prolapsed, lead to emergency removal, and now have a gastric bypass. I'm also a family practice physician assistant. I'm not a bariatric expert, but I've been around this a bit). On average, lap-band patients do not lose as much as the other 2 surgeries. That is why surgeons typically don't recommend lap-band above a certain weight. That said, I know people that have lost 200+ pounds with the lap-band. Average weight loss is just that, an average. For everyone that loses 10%, there's someone that loses 80% of their excess weight. It's impossible to predict where you'll fall in that spectrum. Some of it is how good your surgeon is, some of it is how dedicated you are to lifestyle change, some of it is sheer luck. As far as the band, I won't say don't do it. I will say research your butt off. Again, weight loss tends to not be as much as compared to the other 2 surgeries. I would like to add that, while the band is known for it's reversibility, that is not entirely an accurate statement. My personal story was that my band prolapsed, stomach herniated (and before i get jumped for being a bad band patient, I wasn't a bad band patient....sometime crap just happens). I had an emergency removal and was supposed to revise to gastric bypass, however, once the surgeon got in to remove the band I had so much swelling and inflammation that he was not able to do the revision. They removed my band, sewed me up, sent me home to heal for 6 months, then I had my revision. I know of at least 2 individuals in my area that had band removal and had so much damage that they could not revise to another surgery....while the band is removable, I don't really feel the term reversible is 100% accurate. Another point I'd like to share is 'invasive' truth be told, you're having major surgery. All 3 surgeries are invasive. The sleeve does not have the malabsorption issues or dumping associated with the RNY. However, they are essentially cutting off a large section of your stomach. The RNY does have malabsorption and possibly dumping (most people don't dump, I happen to be in the minority that dump easily, it's really not a huge deal if I watch what I eat). Yes they are making a small pouch in your stomach and bypassing and small portion of your intestine, you are getting some replumbing done with the RNY. That said, RNY is reversible (again, subject to scar tissue and such associated with previous surgeries) IF you need reversal. The vast majority of us will never consider reversal because we need this surgery to maintain a healthy weight.....(reversibility was not a factor in my choosing RNY). I know people that have been hugely successful with all 3 surgeries. I know people that have lost almost nothing with all 3 surgeries. I know people that have had bad complications, hospitalizations, ICU admissions with all 3 surgeries. None of them are magic. None of them work without a commitment from the patient. It is not something to step into lightly..... My advice, research, research, research. Find a surgeon that you trust and listen to what they say and what they suggest. Ultimately you have to make a decision that you are comfortable with and that you can commit to. But know that every day you spend morbidly obese is taking a toll on your body and your health. Most of us just cannot lose an maintain a healthy weight without surgery. Most of us have lost and gained a thousand times. There are some that regret the surgery but the vast majority of us wish we'd done it sooner. The RNY is right for me, I wish i'd done it in the first place. But I'm not you. I wish you the best of luck with the decision and applaud your choice to start considering surgery. If you ever have questions I'm happy to try to help. Best of luck with this decision and congrats on trying I take control of your health. It's a tough choice but at least you're considering it. That's a step in the right direction.

Contact your surgeon and ask him to prescribe something that you can take to replace the Advil. According to my surgeon, when NAISDs such as Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen or any medicines containing NAISDs enter the pouch they sit there for a while, which can cause ulcers in the pouch and erosion of the band into the stomach. So be vigilant in ensuring that you check the ingredients of all over the counter medicines prior to taking them and always remind your primary provider of the restriction as well. 'Cause we defintitely don't want to see you over in the complications or the band removal threads.

I was told I could start taking liquid advil for my hip pain but that I should se my PCP and get swtiched over to celebrex shortly. Apparently, the COX-2 inhibitors have a lower rate of gastrointestinal complications.

So I'm past the first hurdle in getting back my "real" job that I left seven years ago, a job I loved and to which I desperately want to return. I had a conference-call interview with a search committee, and now they've invited me back for a 3D interview with three people. Here's where I need help: How does one negotiate for a salary? I haven't interviewed for a job in eons. Maybe ever? The last time I talked about compensation for a new job, I took what was on offer and left it at that. I was 23 years old. They've said the salary is "negotiable." I know what I need to make, and would love to make more (of course). I know they can afford my floor, and how high they might be willing to go depends, I guess, on how badly they want me. If they can't meet my floor I'd be prepared to decline, though sadly, but as I said I know they can afford it. But I don't want to settle for my floor just because I know they can swing it. I know they can swing more, if they want me. So how does this work in the real world? When and how does the money discussion take place? Before or after they offer me the job? Are they going to bring it up at our meeting next week? Do I ask what they're offering and make a counteroffer? Doesn't a job offer involve a salary offer as well? How does this work?!?!?! To complicate things, this is not a corporate setting, and these people are likely just as naive as I am. I'm trying to prepare, so I can appear confident in this process. I already know I'm their first interview that day (out of 5 candidates, I'm told), and I can't decide if that's good or bad. My experience with the organization makes me, I'd think, uniquely well-qualified for the job, but of course I'm not counting my chickens just yet. Thanks for any war stories or tips in this arena. I really appreciate it!!

So im Ok!! The big scare was my high fever and sore stomach, it scared every one. but after two long days at the hospital and hours of testing I'm Ok. I've been cleared of all complications. and had bad gastritous

Oh dear... sorry to hear that. Hey, 30 lbs is nothing to sneeze at though-- would you have lost that 30 lbs on your own? I'll recommend a really good book -- The Beck Diet Solution. It's cognitive therapy for people trying to lose weight, and will give you some strategies for sticking with it even when discouraged. Good luck getting your meds worked out. And don't get too tight -- that just leads to band complications. You can do this!

Hey KVP glad to offer up answers to your questions: How have you come to the decision lapband is/was right for you? Because I had tried every diet on the planet and continued to lose but gain more after the end of that diet. This procedure did not involve cutting my intestines and sewing them together. (something I wasn't prepared to do) Is anyone disappointed in thier procedure? Not one day since I awoke from the surgery. I awoke with HOPE. I loved the methodical way my doctor answered my questions, how he was not in a rush, how I felt more informed after talking to him (and I hadn't paid him a dime). Does the reward outweigh the risk? In my case I had sleep apnea (you stop breathing in your sleep), diabetes, high blood pressure...I already had risks from being fat. How do you deal with the complications? I have had no complications from my Lap-Band. I did have a complication with certain foods running through me that my MD was not able to resolve. My Lap-Band surgeon suggested a plan of action that worked. I have read several threads with people complaining that the band isn't working for them I will tell you this. If you are looking for a CURE for obesity, the band is not a cure. The band is a tool to help people like me who have a heck of a time with portion control. It restricts food intact but you still must maintain a healthy diet. Listen to yourself. Do what is best for YOU. No one else has to live with the journey of choice but you. Best to you.

Mine emptied it so there wouldn't be any further complications., especially if you had scar tissue or erosions. Plus he wanted to scope me to be sure.

I think you've come to the right place, then! Actually, there are complications with both surgeries, however, the complications with the lapband are several times less in risk than those of the RNY and like you say - you get to keep your intestines and absorption capabilities intact! The band does not force you to lose the weight by itself. You work with it by learning to make better food choices. It helps you by restricting the volume of what you can take in at any given moment. Jessie Ahroni, who is a nurse practitioner, banded and does fills herself, calls it 'the thinking person's' WLS. I like that. RNY doesn't allow you to think, it just allows you to take in, then it dumps it for you, without benefit of nutrients. Not good in my book! I have been banded 15 months and have lost only half of what I really wanted, but I'm very happy with my loss nonetheless. I've also just been re-banded due to what we think was slippage and had a hiatal hernia repaired. I'd do it all again, if it means I get to lose my weight and gain my old self back in the end! Good luck to you on your decision!!

Hello to all- new to this site. I started seriously considering wls about 4 months ago and was looking into the lap-band, went to a seminar from CORI and the Dr was pretty Pro-RNY and sort of pooh-poohed the lap band (he was 1/2 the team who patented the sapala-wood pouch.) After listening to his views I was really hyped up on the RNY proceedure and have put the ball in motion. My problem, as things really started to move along, I have been finding that I am having serious second thoughts about rearranging my intestines. I am 120lbs over my ideal and have issues with sore joints, reflux, back pain and varicous veins, but am overall relatively healthy. My family has a history of diabetis, stroke, cancer, obesity, etc, etc, but overall have great longevity. I lost my first granparent at 27, with 2 more following at 31 and one still living. Both my parents, though both obese have had relatively few issues (knock on wood) My mother had polyps removed 4 years ago and my father had a minor heart attack 5 years ago. I have 2 children, an 8 year old and a 3 year old. They are one of my greatest motivators in wanting this surgery. I need to get myself under control so that I can help them get thier eating patterns straight before adulthood. I want to have the energy where I can run and play and show them there is more to life than xbox and cartoon network. My problem is that the more I research, the more complications I find, up to and including death, and I am having trouble justifying trading a weight problems with minor complications in the here and now with the complications associated with the rny. I have small kids for crying out loud, I am young, I don't want to spend the rest of my life worrying about bowel obstructions. colostomies, or worse. So I am back to the lap-band and feeling some peace of mind, although it seems like more work and a longer wait, I have more peace of mind, which I suppose is just in time as I have my psych evaluation tomorrow. Now I just need to get through that and see how willing CORI is to do the lap-band, or I start all over.

Hi Welcome! You have come to the right place for loads of info on the Lap band. The people here are very kind supportive and knowledgable. I do not think you will regret your decision of the band vs. the bypass. Every surgery has its complications but the complications with the band vs. the bypass are minimal in my book. My uncle had the bypass ans spent the first month after surgery with many complications in the hospital and has lost over 100 pounds in a years time but he has told me his life will never be the same, he told me he has to be near a bathroom wherever he goes which defeats the reason he had the surgery in the first place, he has young children and wanted to be around as they grow up but he says the bypass has made it very hard to be at events for his children like baseball games , school recitals etc.. he wishes he would of known of the band prior to his bypass. He feels sick all the time and has constant stomach pain, vomiting , nausea you name it he has had it...I'm happy to hear you have had 2nd thoughts about the bypass and are considering the band. Good Luck to you. Please keep us posted on your decision and progress

I had lapband in 11/09 and had it deflated in 3/12 then removed in 8/12 due to over a year of complications that resulted in nightly vomiting and finally a slippage. I was successful - lost 90 pounds - but at a huge cost to my health given the complications. When I had it removed (which was actually SUPPOSED to be a replacement but the scar tissue and swelling was so severe once they got in that they had to take it all out), the doctor told me that the LB is no longer seen as a long term surgery, because there are so many complications occurring nowadays. In 12/12, I had VSG. Weight loss has been super slow, which my dr attributes in part to having the LB previously, but it is coming off. Having experienced both, even without the LB complications, I would have done VSG instead because of the pain and "stuck" feeling I got from normal foods - baked chicken, broccoli, spinach, etc - which I eat without concern with the VSG. Of course, everyone's story is different, and some people have the band successfully for life.... but that was my experience and many others I have found since being on VSG Talk.

I love Dr. Shillingford! He did an amazing job on my sleeve...no problems, no complications! He is very caring and reasonably priced for self pay.

Good luck to you, JamieLynn! I have found this site to be a great source of information and support. I was sleeved on July 13th and as of this morning, I am down almost 75 lbs from my first pre-op visit to the surgeon. I lost 15 lbs pre-op and have lost almost 60 since the surgery. I have no regrets and this has been the best decision I've made in a long time. I am a single parent too, having lost my wife to cancer in 2007. Although I was concerned about what would happen to my kids if I should experience any complications from the surgery, I ultimately came to the conclusion that my weight was putting my health at much greater risk that the surgery would. I would encourage you to read as many posts as possible and don't hesitate to ask questions. Again, good luck! Brian:thumbup:

I knew I had gallstones over a year ago, after a bad attack. My doc wouldn't do both at the same time. Their RNY success and lack of complications hinges on spending as little time as possible under anethesia - they said complications rise dramatically combining procedures and being under longer. My RNY was six months ago, my gallbladder comes out in two weeks. At least my deductible is already paid. And surgery should be easier because I weigh SO MUCH less now! :-)

Hello All! Any August sleevers out there? Getting discouraged with this stall. Down 50lbs, the scale hasn't moved in quite awhile. Anyone else have this problem? I have had limited complications, nothing terrible, and can eat anything I want but in small amounts. Trying to stay positive, but it's getting more and more difficult. I know the holidays are coming up, and some food choices have not been the best but come on!! Need words of encouragement and helpful stories of others that may be going through this. Thank you!! Best wishes and Happy Holidays!!

Staples??? Apparently yours was not laparoscopic surgery. Well, hope your healing is without complications. Sounds like so good so far though. Keep posting. Keep visiting and exploring this site. There are wonderful people, ideas, support, critiques, complaints, etc.

I still would need surgery,I was offered loads of things if I lost weight, put even more stress on me. BTW you will be risking complications with your health if you DON'T have this surgery! I suppose you're a guy??

Myori did a good explaination. I had a JP drain (that is just the name for the type, but maybe you can google it for a visual) so I had a hole in my upper stomach, with a tube coming out of it (where the tube was coming out my surgeon had stitched the tube into place) and the tube ran down to a little bulb (about the size the bulb used to squeeze air into a blood pressure cuff). The bulb attached to an adhesive strip on my lower tummy that had a clip on it. So every couple of hours I would unclip the bulb and empty the drain, and then reposition it. I had my drain for 6 days post op. I don't want to scare you, and everyone's experience is totally different, but in my opinion, that was the worst part of surgery. (I had a super-easy recovery with zero complications, so hey, I had to find something to complain about!) Having to live 6 days with the drain and emptying it (yuck). When it was time to come out my surgeon snipped the stitches around the tube, and pulled the tube out. He left that hole open (no glue or stitches) and it finally closed on it's own (last of my scars to heal.) But even though I wasn't a fan of the drain I was glad it was pulling excess Fluid out of my body cavity.

This may not be a complication but, I am curious to see if this has happened to anyone else. I am 7 weeks post-op and yesterday morning I pulled a suture from my port incision. A little history on this incision: I did not have any sutures on the outside of my incision--they are all internal. The incision never healed well. I got a localized infection 3 weeks ago and the incision will close, then crack and drain a little so, this incision has never completely healed. I saw my doctor on Friday and he was not concerned. Last night, I scratched one of my other scars (that has been close for weeks) and, lo and behold, another suture had made it's way to the surface which I removed. So has anyone else had their internal sutures make their way to the surface. I know the body does that with foreign objects so I'm not overly concerned. I am wondering this might by why I am still having problems with my port incision completely healing.

IDK anything on plication but I had read some things on it that were not 'great.' I honestly don't recall what. I did sleeve as I am and was a huge eater. I use food for more things than hunger and I still struggle with that. I'm a work in progress. I wasn't "huge" as most ppl would say "omg you don't need surgery!" but they didn't know how I ate. They didn't know that food really felt like it controlled me. I hate to say that, it sounds pathetic, but I am an addict. It's the only "drug of choice" that you can't 'just quit'... and every day is always going to be something to work at. This tool helps me work it. I didn't do RNY (gastric bypass) as I didn't want to reroute my plumbing and to be honest dumping scares me. I love sweets, or loved them prior to my sleeve, and I was scared I'd do that once and get dumping and want to die. I am the 1% of sleevers that have had complications. I have had pneumonia after my surgery then a leak and revision to my suture line. It was not the most enjoyable experience; however, I don't regret the surgery - most days! I am 90 lbs and counting lost since March. I worry on the long term 'will I be successful' because surgery is a tool, not a magic wand that will 'fix' you. Depression, eating for solace, etc are issues that having this surgery will NOT fix. However, this surgery has made it possible where I go out to eat and after 4 or 5 bites, I am "done" and satisfied. I can eat 700-900 calories a day and be ok with it, where I used to balk at that extreme makeovers show that put everyone on a 1200 calorie restriction diet. Do your research, decide what is best for you. Should you want to know more about sleeve, this is obviously the place to be. But research your options. I do think DO IT! (whatever surgery you decide, especially if you have struggled with weight for your lifetime as I have) I am 38 and I hope that I will be successful for the remainder of whatever my lifetime might be so that diabetes, cancer, heart disease - all of which have killed my family - won't get me. But remember... I AM still a "work in progress"..... it's a tool and every day I still have to push myself to make good choices and not beat myself up when I slip. Part of this journey, for me, is about forgiving myself for things.... I am trying to work on my head issues. Support groups with this surgery has helped! (you might attend a few of whatever surgery you are considering for face to face input as well) Best wishes!

I'm going through the same situation. My mother is very anti surgery and she most recently said that if I go through with it she does not want to know. I'm saddened by this as I would like her to be part if my support system pre- and post- surgery. I know and understand the complications with any surgery but I feel as though losing and gaining 60+ pounds on three separate occasions before the age of 30 has its own complications too!

this article appeared in Slate yesterday. it always strikes me as odd that people find it best bizarre and at worst shameful that there is a surgical cure for obesity and that people are taking advantage of it. anyhoo, happy reading: Radical Reduction The benefits of stomach stapling for teenagers. By Amanda Schaffer Posted Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006, at 7:27 AM ET Last month, the already grim prognosis for heavy kids took a turn for the even worse. A study of more than 100,000 women, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that those who were overweight at age 18 were more likely to die prematurely in middle age. And research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that people who develop type 2 diabetes—a condition associated with obesity—before the age of 20, as opposed to later, are at greater risk of end-stage kidney disease and death before the age of 55. Obesity at any age is associated with health woes like sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, loss of vision, and some types of cancer, in addition to diabetes. But when these conditions appear in the young obese, the long-term ramifications are just scary. How about a radical solution—stomach stapling for teenagers? It may sound crazy and desperate, but several major children's hospitals, including Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Texas Children's Hospital, and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, have started offering obesity surgery in recent years. Nightline recently followed a 16-year-old Texas girl who underwent stomach stapling and lost 129 pounds in six months, down from a starting weight of 368. The worry is that such stories distract from workaday efforts to improve school lunches, promote exercise, and establish good eating habits for kids. Critics also point out that stomach stapling is expensive and can cause serious complications, like intestinal leakage, bowel obstruction, and nutritional deficiencies. But for extremely obese teens—especially those who already have a related health problem—less radical treatment options may not work, or at least not work fast enough. Surgery, by contrast, can not only lead to dramatic weight loss but also improve or reverse conditions like sleep apnea and diabetes. Only a small group of kids should be eligible for the surgery, but for these few, it can be a very good thing. In a stomach-stapling operation (the medical term is gastric bypass), a small pouch is created in the upper portion of the stomach, and the small intestine is rerouted to connect with it. The benefit is that a downsized stomach will hold less food and may release fewer hunger-inducing hormones, causing patients to feel full more quickly and stop eating. To be sure, obesity surgery is a risky proposition. One small study, published earlier this year in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, found that roughly 40 percent of kids who underwent gastric bypass experienced some kind of complication, such as intestinal leakage, dumping syndrome, bowel obstruction, wound infection, or a nutritional deficiency. (A similar complication rate has been found in adults.) Nutritional deficiencies, especially of Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B-1 and vitamin B-12, may occur partly because patients are eating less and partly because the operation bypasses a portion of the digestive tract that efficiently absorbs many Vitamins and minerals. The potential for deficiencies means that patients must adhere to strict guidelines. All patients must eat more lean, high-quality protein; exercise; and take vitamins and minerals for the rest of their lives. Teenage girls must take additional calcium and iron. Critics argue that teens are less likely than adults to follow these rules and are too young to make a decision to undergo major elective surgery. They also argue that the surgery takes on a different social meaning when performed on young people: It seems like giving up and is hard to reconcile with the cherished notion that kids can always grow and change. There's no sense in soft-pedaling these issues. But Thomas Inge, co-founder of the obesity surgery program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, points out that when teens are more than 100 pounds overweight, the chances are vanishingly small that they will shed the necessary pounds on their own and keep them off. Programs that focus on changing diet and behavior may work for younger children whose eating habits and behavioral patterns are less ingrained; for teenagers, though, the results are often disappointing. Inge has developed guidelines to identify the small group of teens he and other doctors think should be eligible for stomach stapling. (Here's a brief summary.) Preliminary data show that surgery can really help these adolescents. In one study, teens who underwent gastric bypass lost an average of 37 percent of their body mass index by the end of the first year. Other research suggests that the procedure can reverse or improve sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. Similar health gains have been noted in adults. But that's not necessarily a reason to delay the surgery. Inge points out that the longer a patient has had diabetes, the harder it may be to reverse the condition. The same may turn out to be true for cardiovascular disease, though the data on this are not well-established. Stomach stapling also seems to get riskier the more obese a patient is. So, an extremely heavy teen who is likely to grow into an even heavier adult might be better off opting for surgery sooner rather than later. A procedure that's less risky than stapling, known as adjustable gastric banding, may also soon make surgery a better option. During this procedure, a flexible silicone band is placed, inside the body, around the upper part of the stomach. At follow-up office visits, the band is progressively tightened (here's how). This appears to suppress appetite (perhaps by stimulating stomach fibers associated with feeling full). Gastric banding seems to cause adults to lose weight more gradually on average than gastric bypass. But it has a lower rate of complications. And it's reversible. In 2001, the Food and Drug Administration approved adjustable gastric banding for people over 18. Now a small number of researchers have received permission from the FDA to study it in teens. At NYU Medical Center, about 100 teens have undergone the procedure. About 5 percent have required a second operation because the band slipped out of position. But according to NYU lead surgeon Christine Ren, that's the most frequent complication. To date, there have been no deaths and no hospital readmissions for acute complications. Patients, who weighed 300 pounds on average before surgery, report a decrease in appetite. And they appear to be losing a lot of weight—an average of 95 pounds in the first year. Ren says that adolescents who undergo gastric banding seem to lose weight faster than adults do, perhaps because of differences in metabolism or because they're more, not less, diligent about following the post-surgery rules. There's a lot we still don't know about stomach surgery and its long-term effects when performed on young people. But for kids whose obesity is likely to be life-shortening, not to mention a source of diminished self-confidence and opportunity, the benefits may well outweigh the risks. It's heartening to have a possible life raft to offer them, however bizarre it seems. sidebar Return to article According to Inge's guidelines, teens should have a body mass index of more than 50 kilograms per meter squared or a BMI of more than 40 kg/m2 along with a major medical condition, like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or pseudotumor cerebri, which can cause progressive loss of vision. For a typical obese teen who has stopped growing, a BMI of 50 corresponds roughly to a weight of 300 pounds for girls and 335 pounds for boys. A BMI of 40 corresponds to 250 pounds for girls and 275 pounds for boys. sidebar Return to article During surgery, the band is connected to a small reservoir placed deep under the skin. At follow-up visits, saline solution is injected through the skin and into the reservoir, which causes the band to inflate and tighten around the stomach. (Think of a blood pressure cuff being tightened around the arm.) Amanda Schaffer is a frequent contributor to Slate.

I had one as well. Doc said it's actually super-common in all people, not just those overweight and that most never get treatment as it doesn't always cause major complications or even symptoms. Mine was small, but having never had either surgery before this one, I couldn't tell you if it added to the discomfort or not, but I will say I never had anything I would call "pain". I would label it as discomfort and nothing more.