Search the Community

Crime happens in every city/country daily, trust me! I'm from the land where my people (Palestinians) fight and get killed each day. I now reside in Houston where there are so many cultures and ethnicities and depending where you go , the samethings are happening here that happen everywhere. Yes their maybe be horror stories but that's everywhere u go. My friend who had it done here in the US had complications and a leak when I who went to the best doctor (just my opinion, dont jump on me) who's done more surgeries than any doctor I know or researched, I know I can always go back to my doctor for follow up and blood work at no charge. Luckily , I'm not too far from where I went and would go back in a heart beat! I dislike when people say they've done research when they didn't! Don't judge others and what they choose. Yeah I could've went to Dallas four hours away instead of my doctor , five hours away but this was my decision. I had the opportunity to meet my doctor in person before surgery also, so before u jump on people, u do ur research. It took me 2 years to save my money and not one regret. Ignorance.

I was banded on the December 28th at Harper Hospital in Detroit with Dr Weiner. I got there on the 27th and they set me and my hubby at their International Housing. It was and old dorm that they turned into housing. It was old but clean. We decided to go to the movies that night to get my mind off of the surgery. I had never had surgery before so I was very scared. We got to the hospital at 530 am and had all preops done then. My surgery was scheduled for 730 am and it was on time. When I got into the OR I started crying because I was so scared. I almost backed out but I figured I came this far why stop now. All went well with the surgery. I stayed overnight and I was nauteous for most of the first day and I even vomited but they gave me meds to help. We went home (drove 5 hours) the next day without complications. I will say that I was very tired to start out the trip and just felt miserable. About halfway home my husband talked me into a popsicle that was not sugarfree. I felt so much better after I ate that. I think my sugars were low or something. I am home now. I slept like a baby last night thanks to the liquid vicodin they gave me. I feel a lot better today. I truly recommend Dr. Weiner and Harper Hospital. they were so attentive. It is a teaching hospital so I had lots of residence come to check on me. So far so good, thank you Jesus!! Jaymie:clap2::clap2::clap2:

I have heard of these cases, but I think they are actually pretty rare. I do work in a hospital and could tell you some similar stories where patients had one thing after the other happen post operatively, but it’s not exclusive to gastric bypass. There are risks to any invasive procedure. I am so sorry you have been through this and I hope you are able to heal and be on the road to good health soon. Hopefully your complications will resolve and you will be done with hospital stays soon, I know it can be depressing and discouraging to be in the hospital so much. Gall bladders commonly do go bad after bypass due to rapid weight loss. Picc line infections are unfortunately too common as the line requires meticulous maintenance practices to remain infection free. The high dextrose content of TPN increases risk of infection there as well. We are here to support you.

I'm praying for you as well! I'm praying for no complications and quick healing for you (and for everyone with upcoming surgery dates), but we have the assurance that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). We know regardless of the outcome, we can have peace knowing that everything is working together for His Glory.

Like pretty much everything else in your life, the holidays are a whole new ballgame after weight loss surgery. Your weight loss surgery diet is strict. It doesn’t include fatty foods and sugary desserts. Going off your weight loss surgery diet can stall weight loss and also cause complications. You could be prone to dumping syndrome if you have the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, and lap-banders can face obstructions and acid reflux with the wrong foods or too much. If you let your guard down for the rest of November and December, you can find yourself slipping off of your diet and feeling pretty unhealthy. But by keeping your eyes open and planning ahead, you can keep yourself on track and get through the holiday season feeling proud of yourself. Watch Carefully to Avoid Extra Calories Calories show up everywhere at this time of year. Sometimes they don’t even seem that bad, but they add up quickly. Have a bite here and a handful there without paying much attention, and you might be disappointed when you weigh in on New Year’s Day. Don’t let calories slip into your diet. First, be aware of the extra calories that are around. They can include any of the following. Lunch or dinner out when a friend or family member comes to town. Chocolate truffles on the secretary’s desk or the break room at work. Cookies from well-meaning friends and family who want you to taste-test their creations. Sweetened, pumpkin-spice coffee instead of calorie-free regular coffee. Food court fare when you’re holiday shopping at the mall. Holiday parties, potlucks, and dinners. Stick to Your Good WLS Habits The first line of defense is to stick to your regular good everyday weight loss surgery habits. Log every bite of food you take to keep from getting in hundreds of extra calories from sneaking in a taste here and there. Even if you have to estimate the calories in some of your food, especially if you eat out or at a party, you can keep more discipline if you log your food. Also, think about your other healthy habits. Keep drinking water between meals. And, protein is still all-important. Make sure you have some at each meal and snack. Focusing on finding lean protein can keep you focused when you’re faced with all kinds of other unhealthy choices. Arm Yourself Against Temptation If you’re starving and you’re face-to-face with a basket of chocolate-covered pretzels, you might opt for the sugary, high-carb snack. Unless that is, you have your own weapon. Keep some high-protein and low-calorie choices with you at all times so you never need to go for the junk food in desperation. We have many health snack options at the BariatricPal Store! Take them with you to work, or in your car, purse, or pocket. You can have them if you’re stuck in traffic or at the mall at mealtimes. Almonds packed in 1-ounce portions. Beef jerky (not fatty beef sticks). Apples Cheese sticks Roasted soybeans or garbanzo beans Tuna pouch Work around Your Cravings You don’t need to deprive yourself completely at holiday time. If there’s a particular taste you want, there’s a good chance you can satisfy your craving with a healthier alternative. For example, you can have lean ham and turkey breast instead of brisket and turkey with the skin on it. Roast green beans with onions, rosemary, and balsamic vinegar instead of having green bean casserole, bake sweet potatoes instead of having candied ones, and puree cauliflower or carrot instead of making mashed potatoes. Use the same strategy for desserts. Go for sugar-free cocoa mix instead of chocolate fudge when you’re craving chocolate. Munch on plain popcorn while your friends are passing around the caramel corn. For breakfast, make high-protein oatmeal pumpkin pancakes instead of regular pumpkin pancakes. Plan for a Few Treats Almost everyone has a few holiday treats that are irresistible. There may be some family recipe that you’ve had at every Christmas for as long as you can remember, or maybe a coworker brings in her cinnamon rolls made from a secret recipe. Whatever it is, you feel as though the holidays are incomplete without it. There’s no reason not to plan for one or two key treats. Just be sure you plan for them and stick to a single serving. Savor it, and concentrate on the flavors and on the memories and feelings it brings up. Then get right back on your regular diet. There are a couple of reasons why some weight loss surgery patients might be better off skipping even the occasional special holiday treat. First, don’t start if you’re not sure you can stop. If you’re not confident that you can stick to a single serving, it’s best not to start eating. Second, some weight loss surgery patients can’t tolerate all kinds of junk food. Fried and doughy foods are risky for lap-band patients, since they can obstruct the band. Gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy patients are at risk for dumping syndrome from eating too much sugar or fat at once. And, no weight loss surgery patient should eat too much, since that can stretch the pouch or sleeve. The holiday season is a happy time, but it’s a struggle if you’re trying to lose weight and get healthy. You can prevent it from sneaking up on you and interfering with your weight loss by staying alert and having a plan.

Sorry for all your complications, but on a positive note it sounds like it was fortuitous that you went in for surgery, as they found a serious problem and fixed it. your intestines grumbling are a good sign, as that is what determines you can go home from the hospital after surgery. It means everything is working. i also had a screwed up throat after, primarily due to the tube and camera that were down my throat during surgery. I lived on cough drops for 3 days after. i don't quite understand your water issue. You first state that you were told to drink water, and then state that you are on a no water rule? What givens with that? Water is your friend, and you should be taking in more than 64oz per day unless you have some very bizarre orders that I have never heard of. keep the faith !

(This is my fathers account, but I also use it to research for him) Amen to that, Orlando_mom... Though I am sorry for your bad experience, I am glad to be reassured that WE weren't being unreasonable and we are not the only ones who have had issues with Dr. Marema and his office. Though the complications with my dad could have happened under the care of any doctor, it was how he handled it.

Yikes, I hope you feel better!! I have heard of band doctors who'll remove a bad gall bladder and install a band 6 weeks later (some doctors just do both at the same time). I imagine that if you have healed well, and have no further complications related to your appendix, that you shouldn't have a problem (I am in no way any kind of medical professional, it's just an educated guess).

I am also to be banded. My surgery is scheduled for February 7th is Richardson, TX by Dr. Marsden. I am excited but at the same time scared of the process, specially of possible complications during and after surgery. I am such an eater, my goodness !!! No wonder I gained 70 lbs in the past few years.... I am now 193 lbs and need to loose 70 lbs, I hope Lap Band works for me, my appetite is so intense, maybe I can have the doctor stich up my mouth too... Just kidding... Everything sounds good for me, from Indian to Brazilian food but it is time to shed the extra weight and feel good about myself. Good luck to all of you having the surgery.

I need some tips on getting my head straight.... I have begun my six months of supervised dieting, and I feel like i am on a journey of last meals....one mexican. one italian, one chinese...one indian...you get the picture.. Things are complicated by the fact that it has been raining for days and also very cold BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I need a lift...or I'll GAIN:embarassed: weight before my surgery.

They give you two hospital gowns - one you can snap/tie in front as a robe on top of the one snapped/tied in the back. I just made sure the back was tied up good and walked without the 2nd hospital gown as a robe. You are right, getting an arm in a robe with the IV in your hand/arm would complicate things. P.S. You can slip your undies back on shortly after surgery once you get up to your hospital room and/or first time you get up to go to the bathroom so that your backside is covered up for the strolling the halls :-)

Just home from the hospital. I had a minor complication from the pain medication - made me have dry heaves! Not fun at all. Dr. Choban in the morning and looked so concerned. She ordered an upper GI Xray (with Barium YUMMIE:sad_smile:) The band was fine. Once we identified it was the pain medication. I was fine too. My husband just made me dinner: chicken broth and jello. Sad thing is; it tastes great and I couldn't eat it all! I am so excited to see how this is going to work. I plan to follow the program to the letter. I just love Dr. Choban; she is so kind and helpful. I couldn't have gotten here without all of you. Thanks.

Penni, I can not put into words how much my heart aches for you and DeLarla. For you two and the other struggling Bandsters and DeBanded Bandsters (because no matter the status of your band, you're Bandsters for life) you have been confronted with issues and responsibilities that no patient deserves. I go out of my way to move forward and not move backward in my life but it ain't always easy. Complication sucks and the attitude of some of the people here who are basically saying "suck it up" just devastated me. I only hope and pray they never walk a mile in the shoes of someone who has been let down or worse, injured by their band journey. But I hope that we can find some sense of brotherhood and sisterhood with Penni and the others who had fought the Band fight? Does the current status of the Band (whether it's currently implanted, currently removed, currently about to be revised or currently sitting still in a box in a hospital warehouse) make a difference on how we receive each others' comments? All those who sit smugly saying "oh if this happens, I'll do this" are just speculating on how they HOPE they will react. The reality may be and probably would be different. Like any technology or procedure, the LapBand will continue to improve as will the techniques used with the LapBand. But realize that those who come along later critising those who are struggling will hopefully be spared an unfortunate lesson in karma. A bit of tolerance and understanding goes a long way. Hopefully all of us will realize we may have more in common with our DeBanded Bandsters than some think. As is said, "There by the grace of God, go I." Happy Band Journeys and DeBanded Bandster Journeys to all, New Sho

Aftercare is HUGE with the lapband. You must prepare for what happens for several years, after banding. You'll need followups, fills and unfills. That doesn't include complications that aren't planned (hopefully none). Go to someone experienced and recommended. Many folks have trouble finding a local doctor for their aftercare. Have that arranged before you choose surgery in Mexico. Unless, you are flying back and forth to Mexico for your aftercare. Just a thought. Shawn

I am now getting concerned that some health issues unrelated to my weight are going to push back my banding date. I have been without a sense of smell for just over 10 weeks. Because of this I can not taste anything. It started after I sprayed Round Up and then came down with a sinus infection. I went to my PCP and he was totally thrown. I have had two rounds of antibiotics and a round of steroids which I really hate because they make me cry....a lot. Now I have gone to an ear nose and throat specialist. He wants to do an MRI on my brain to just rule out a brain tumor. Now honestly I in no way think it is a tumor but he says he can't comfortably say that. So now on top of having some expensive spinal decompression done this month.....totally worth it as I am 100% better I now have to pay out of pocket for an MRI! :cursing: I am due to be banded July 14th. I liked the date as I think it should be lucky but I am beginning to wonder if higher powers are really against me having this done. Money is about to become a very big issue. On the plus side as of this morning I have lost 42 lbs since March 6 and most of that has come since Easter. If there is a possibility I will never taste again I don't really see any reason to be banded but I was so ready to have it done. Sadly though I have absolutely no urge to eat.....even while taking steroids. I actually find the act of eating horribly depressing. I am just at a loss right now and I needed to talk about it I suppose. Everyone around here just acts like I should be thrilled to be losing weight so easily but honestly I would so much rather be able to taste at least a single bite than not anything at all. I can not tell you how many times I have heard....oh I wish that would happen to me so I wouldn't want to eat.

girls when you are looking at these surgeries dont go shopping like you are clothes shopping getting bargains 3 and 4 in 1, look at the surgeons credentials and your risk factors. you dont want to have these big gapping infected wounds with necrotic tissue and months of recovery, just for the sake of saving a few pennies, obese ppl already increase there risk of complication, because of all the adipose tissue, and poor circuation to the areas involved, really look into it. because at the end of the day, your health is the main priority.

Here you go. If you have a few mins, read this. It will help you understand what complication rates really mean, and how they really do look worse than they are. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/20758-anyone-wish-they-had-not-done-their-gastric-sleeve-surgery/page__st__80__p__176256#entry176256

I revised from band to sleeve 6 1/2 weeks ago. So glad I made the decision. My lapband slipped however. I did well with it, losing 104 lbs, within 14 lbs of goal. Had it about 3 1/2 yrs. Vomited almost everyday, causing my slip last year. My dr took an extra 30 minutes digging my band out of my stomach, it had embedded itself. I like the sleeve because I got restriction immediately, instead of waiting for the elusive "sweet spot" which took 3 fills and 4 mths for me. I haven't vomited once. I've only lost 18 lbs but I started at 174 so I knew I would lose slower than someone starting at say, 250. I'm 26 lbs from my goal of 130. You need to check to see if your insurance will pay for it just because it isn't working. My insurance only paid cuz there was a complication. They wouldn't have paid otherwise. I like that there's nothing in my body that can cause future complications. I think the lapband was a fad, like Phen-Fen was in the 90's. My dr still does them to those who insist but doesn't recommend them anymore. Good luck with your decision. There's alot of us on this forum who luv their sleeve. I actually loved my band until it slipped and started causing severe nightime reflux. Then it actually herniated, I was totally unfilled and everything I ate hurt. I'm on soft food now and can eat anything without any pain. Again, good luck!

My experience with maintenance is that you can't just put the brakes on when you want to. Stopping losing weight is a project unto itself. And the way to do that is NOT to drink milkshakes, but to gradually build up to eating more healthy food -- probably more Protein, more veggies / fruits and more whole grains. That will likely mean a greater volume of food. And with our smaller tummies, that takes time to build up to. And regarding whether you're too thin -- I think that's a question for your medical team to assess. That includes an assessment of how "skinny-fat" you are, i.e., your muscle mass. Are you losing too much muscle? If you've lost too much muscle, are you strength training to build that back up? (That will add pounds, but the kind that make you look good.) I would NEVER have imagined at 5'5" and 235 pounds that I'd ever want to stop losing weight. I'm not as light as you (I weighed 143.4 pounds this morning). But I've lost the last 7 pounds during the last 3 months while trying to stop losing weight. It's starting to even out. But boy oh boy is it more complicated than I thought it would be. The point to WLS was to become healthy, not to be the skinniest person in the room. (Maybe that's over the top, but I'll just say it "out loud.")

Did your surgeon give you a meal plan? 13 days out from RNY I was still on full liquids. I started puréed foods in week 4 and remained on puréed foods until week 8. Every surgeon is different, but I would be very concerned that you are pushing too much into your new pouch before it has a chance to heal in the hopes of feeling full. You should not feel hunger at this point at all. You could literally survive for several weeks on nothing but liquids. I know that probably isn't what you want to hear but it is the truth. If your doctor gave you a food plan you must follow it, if he/she didn't. Call them immediately and get one. I would hate to see you have a serious complication because you are pushing too far too fast. Oh, and you do need Protein. Applesauce is not worthless but must be eaten with the right other foods. My puréed diet included a balanced approach which actually included applesauce. Your doctor needs to provide you with specific instructions. Call them a sap.

Look up BLIS. They actually insure your surgeon, so you have to use a surgeon who is part of their program. The good news is that they have a vested interest in only insuring surgeons with a very low complication rate.

I am just wondering, will it be any better with RNY? I hope so... You have had it really rough. With out complications you should be better with RNY. Will I be able to eat fruit, vegetables, and meat? Yes, I do all the time. Will I be able to eat Breakfast and lunch? Yes Or is tight in the morning like the band? Not tight just sometimes cranky. I was fine in the morning after about a month out Will I still feel that full AND starving at the same time feeling?? Not for a while. Early on you don't even want food. I am about 6 month out now and I can get that I am starving feeling. I now have to make sure I don't eat too much or too often.

@@Kindle I'm getting ready for revision lap band to sleeve. (Complications with lap band) I know the games I can play in my head and I really appreciate your tough love. I needed to hear it.

My surgeon is Dr Robin Blackstone at Banner University Hospital in Phoenix. Now I’m being told her schedule is full until next year! She’s the department head which is understandable. A few weeks ago I got a November 4th date for surgery before I knew I was even more complicated. She said they would do their best. I’m worried this may not happen with the political climate if it turns uglier in the bigger cities and we go on complete lockdown.

My therapist and I are working on coping mechanisms that I can use to both distract myself and use to replace the mental things that my brain tries to do to me. It's just nice to know that I'm not alone, ya know? Journaling has been the best thing for me since starting all this... writing down and getting those "demons" personified so I have something to basically wanna punch when I can exercise again lol. I'm also looking into some of those books, @PollyEster They seemed pretty interesting from the previews I read. And @AJ Tylo, it's been great getting out and wandering. I was cooped up in the house so long recovering from my complications and gallbladder surgery that I forgot how nice it is just to pace around a grocery store. That was a great idea. ❤️