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There are less complications and easier recovery, Same results, cost less as well

Nope, no regrets. I was one of the vast majority who have no complications and a comparatively easy recovery. That's not to say there aren't challenges -- of learning, adapting, risking, not being perfect and trying again, figuring out perfect isn't required -- just consistency. I think WLS has sparked one of my long life's best personal growth periods. I'm workin' it. P.S. I've lost 100 pounds and maintaining at 135.

I am single and live alone. I had my surgery at 1:00pm on a Wednesday and was released at about 4:30 later that afternoon. I had a friend pick me up at the clinic, and stay overnight. She left my house at 7:00 am the next morning to go to work. An hour later I walked the dog. I did not have any complications other than a hiatal hernia that the doc found and repaired. I felt like crap for the first 48 hours or so, but honestly I have felt worse with the flu. By friday I was at the spa getting a mani and pedi As you say, everyone is different.........based on my experience you will be just fine without someone hanging around and annoying you

If there are no complications your 9 year olds should be able to help you with what you need. My 12 year old son has been able to do a ton for me. :seeya:

PB is productive burping, when you eat too fast, too much, or the wrong thing and it cannot pass through the stoma, or small opening to your lower stomach that is created by the band. It is sort of "mini-vomiting" as you bring up the excess food and mucus in your upper stomach. Gross, but not as bad as real puking. "Trolls" are people who like to get in a message board and post messages that alarm, offend, or frighten the regular users of the board. You can usually tell them because they make the one post and are never heard of again. They like to spread fear and havoc and then stand back and watch the "fun." They show up here just as they do on a lot of other boards. There are contributors who have truly suffered complications with their band, and I'm not talking about them! The band is surgery, and a small percentage of people do have serious complications with it.

Well today I have to go back to work. My job is stressful and my manager is verbally abusive, sh would just say that is the way she is but honestly it's hurtful....she told a new employee that all the employees there are "b*****s". I have been there 12 years and getting close to being able not to have to work there anymore but right now I need the money. I am not a b***h. There is so much favoritism, I work very hard, I know how to do my job and I do not need direction. I am not looking forward to going back I am sure there is going to be so many negative comments and it bothers me personally. I try to live my life as a good person, I do my best to not out down other people. I am not perfect. However, I have struggled with domestic abuse, verbal abuse along with many other issues. My employer is not sympathetic. I am sure no one did any of my work while I was gone, it will all just be expected to be caught up when I return. So I am sure my desk is full. And trying to deal with my new way of living and eating this is going to be a very challenging day/week. I am about in tears, I don't want to go. I have been tired and emotional since my surgery and I just don't know that I am ready for this. I would take more time off but I am only allowed 10 days off without pay, before I left I asked my manager, what if I am unable to come back in two weeks? Maybe due to complications or whatever my doctor says. The ONLY answer I got was I don't know the answer to that it has never happened. I said I would like to know the answer thinking she would ask the doctors I work for but no, I worried about it the entire time I was off. The first week after surgery I had a lot of complications so I wasn't sure I would even be able to go back today which has caused me a lot of stress.

I don't know about "Urban Legends", but I think that everyones experience with the band is different. Some people have complications, some don't. Some folks have a hard time with the band (PB a lot), some don't. I think that it's up to each and every individual. I would hope that folks don't come on here and tell untrue stories, but...we can't be blind to the fact that there are people out there that do such a thing. Good luck!

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

I went to my GP today and she totally discouraged me. Is NOT a fan of weight loss surgery at all. I got the same ol, same ol', "diet and exercise and let's send you to a nutritionist". I didn't even WANT to tell her that I was considering going to Mexico. Good god I can only imagine the lecture I would have gotten. I emailed Dr. Kelly to ask how they handle this. I would obviously have to go back to Dr. Kelly if I had any complications. Anybody else deal with their GP being dead against it? meanwhile another friend of mine who had a bypass said her bariatric team here in the US feels that the sleeve surgery is showing a LOT of promise. I feel so let down.

I completely understand, I'm down 100lbs since surgery 6 months ago, I feel like I don't know who I'm looking at in the mirror anymore, and with all my complications after surgery, the constant pain and everything it feels as if my weightloss is going to continue rapid.. It's worrisome and scary ! Original Weight- 257 pre-op : 240 CURRENT WEIGHT :163lbs GW: 125lbs

Just got home from 2 days in hospital had my sleeve done .. no complications just am REALLY REALLY SORE

Hello everybody! I have just moved my profile over from Lapband Talk to VSGTalk! I am so excited to be here! I had LapBand in Nov, 2009. I started at 297lbs - my highest weight ever. Optifast brought me down to 290 for surgery day. I was not very successful for the first 6 months or so, but once we found the right restriction, weight started dropping. For about a year, I lost steadily. I got remarried, ran my first 5K, got down to 204 pounds... the lowest I've ever been since weighing in at 199 in 8th grade PE! Then the trouble started. After going for a barium swallow for my Crohn's (no complications were occuring, just routine test), the technician thought my band was too tight. Why? Because at 7:30 in the morning, thick, nasty barium wouldn't go through my band fast enough for the test. So he called my LapBand dr and advised I have Fluid removed immediately. So I did. And from that point forward, over the next 6 months, I had fills and unfills because my band was sooooo finicky after messing with it. I began vomiting bile and acid every. single. night. I would wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air and nearly drowning in stomach acid. After about a month, my husband made me go to the doctor. They diagnosed a slip and removed all fluid in March 2012. They waited with hopes it would reposition on its own, but in August 2012 decided to have another surgery to reposition or replace the LapBand. When I woke up from surgery, I was told they had to remove it. The swelling was so bad, they couldn't move the one already there, but had to cut it out and would not attempt to put a new one in. In the meantime, my employer (and insurance) had changed. So it was a fight to get them to approve a VSG. But they did. After nutritionist appointments - again. And more classes - again. And even a visit to the shrink - again. They approved it. I am scheudle for VSG December 4, 2012. I CAN NOT WAIT to start living again. I have gained 60 pounds since the band was deflated and I can't stand the way I feel. Overstuffed in jeans (refuse to buy more). Out of breath at the top of stairs. Aches and pains and exhaustion again. I am so glad to be here and can't wait to get started!

I, too, had to have 6 months supervised diet/exercise before the approval of weight loss surgery for my insurance. The most important thing, it seemed to me, was to have a doctor & insurance clerk who know what they're doing as these aren't easy to get approved. It shouldn't matter if you started in December or not, but basically the insurance company will need 6 documented months of a visit with the doctor regarding supervising your diet & exercise- it's all in the documentation. The dr documents that he/she provided you with information on diet, discussed exercise, made suggestions, etc. Your doctor should also document monthly any obesity related complications- ex. sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, etc. I actually gained like 3 pounds during this period (did really well the first month & after that was off & on....sound familiar?). But at the end, I wrote a letter to be sent with the doctor's information on the supervision that included what I DID DO in that 6 months- i included things like all the books I read on the band, stopping carbonated beverages, beginning a regular exercise program, learning to chew food more thoroughly, started Protein shakes & a Vitamin regimine, etc. Anything you did do in those 6 months to make progress toward diet & exercise or lifestyle changes or toward the band success, you could put in there. My insurance approved my surgery the first time within 20 days. The doctor I saw for this supervision was an internist- not a wls surgeon. You should be able to see any doctor who is willing to do it & document/file for you but it would probably be best if it's the same doctor as with your new plan in 08. My insurance company said that they wanted it to be with the same doctor unless there was some unusual circumstance- to me the switching of insurances would be an unusual circumstance but I'm probably nicer than insurance companies! I had the same fear- what if I lose enough weight where they say you can lose weight without the band. The dr told me, you have a BMI over 50, you're not going to lose enough weight in 6 months to put you out of the morbid obesity category. Wouldn't think the lower BMI's would either- because likely with your diet history they will see- losing the weight is not the bigger issue, it's keeping it off. That 6 months will go by fast & it's good preparation time even if you don't do much dieting. You can emotionally, mentally, physically, and intellectually prepare yourself for the surgery. For me, the 4-5th months were the hardest to get through because the first few months I had other things to distract me (like getting cardio clearance, psy eval, etc for insurance). But after my 6th visit, everything flew by! You'll get there- hang in there! banded 12/20/07 lost: 21 pounds (10 pre op)

Hello Donna! Thanks so much for the positive feedback, I need to hear these success stories (I know the risks and complications, lol). I'm so happy to hear you are pleased with this, congrats on the weight loss so far!

Ok I went to the hospital for some tests preop and the gave me check in instructions for the surgery day.. clearly on the paper I was given I stated my surgery would be canceled if there was not an adult to pick me up ... and that I should not be alone the first 24 hrs in case of any complications. is there someone from your church or something that can pick you up ???

Bessler had me on a liquid diet plus a little crunchy veggies for 2w pre-op. It was HARD but doable. And if that's what it took to lower the risk of surgical complications, well, I can do anything for 2 weeks. But doing the work to think through your emotional component with professional help, and thinking hard about what you'll replace that crutch with, will be key to getting through this and making it stick...

What everyone said above. I healed well and fast after my initial complications in the hospital. I had a stall that lasted forever too. You will feel the restriction like everyone says once you can eat actual food.

I wondered exactly the same thing. I am so glad that I watched the computer screen as I took the leak test. I think everyone should check out the size of their stomach that way. I had a very easy recovery and had absolutely no complications. Now at just 8 weeks out I can eat anything I want. All of the "cautions" they gave us at the pre-op have not caused me any problems at all. This sounds crazy but I seem to lose more weight when I eat a little more than when I don't eat much. Obviously, I certainly don't eat what I used to eat but I am satisfied with much less.

I'm going back to work tomorrow. I am 11 days post op and am definitely ready both physically and mentally Your not really going to know until the time comes but if there are no complications, you should be fine and I say go it. Skip the lifting for awhile though. Good luck with everything

I'm scheduled for surgery on 5-1 and am going back and forth whether to cancel or not every 10 minutes. I come up with the reasons to talk myself into it and then I end up obsessing and come up with even more reasons why I shouldn't. The thought of having a foreign object in my body for the rest of my life is not easy. Not knowing what the band, tube and port are doing in my body at any given second freaks me out. I told the case manager that I'm dealing with at the hospital what I'm feeling and she said, "well maybe the surgery isn't for you". Maybe she's right. I've lost 40 pounds since I started this and wonder if I can just do the rest myself. I've been a fatty for most of my life and for anyone to think that just because I have a band inside me that it's going to keep me from wanting to and eat a pizza or a cheeseburger is crazy. From the beginning the whole logic of having to go on a diet and lose 10 percent of my weight is mind boggling. The first thing I thought was that if I could do that then why would I need this surgery. I know that they want you to lose the weight so that there are fewer chances of complications but I wonder if they also want it to make you think you can do it yourself and then back out of the whole thing. I have an HMO which only charges me minimal co-pay for this surgery so you can see why there may be an incentive to make you think that way. Even more mind boggling is that the people running the program (all skinny of course) give you this minimalist calorie diet and expect you as a fatty your whole life to look at them and just comply without question and ridicule you when you don't follow their diet to a T. Can you see my dilemma? I know I can cancel this thing right up to the moment I lay down on the operating table but I want to be ready a whole lot sooner than that.

Remember your ten pound lifting limit...that means...NO LAUNDRY LOL. Mine was extended an extra six weeks due to complications. I haven't done laundry since August . Heh heh.

Hi, Does anyone know if there is a way to get your insurance to cover your fills? I live in NC and I am planning on going to CO for surgery. I was wondering if anyone self-paid for surgery, but was able to get fills covered.......What is the best way to find out if I can? Should I call the insurance company (UHC) and just ask? Or should I contact the doctor's office first for information? I have contacted a lot of doctors around here about fills and they are all really expensive. I considered flying back and forth to CO, which may be cheaper than get the fills done here. I just think this may get complicated. What it I was overfilled and I had already gone home? I would still end up going to someone local. The best rates that I have found here are $500 for the initial visit and $1,000 for the year or $500 for the initial visit and $300 for each fill....The $1,500 for the 1st yr may be the best option, depending on how many times I think I might have to go for fills. I am just really frustrated and trying to figure out a way to get this done. I am not worried about playing for the surgery, but the aftercare is really adding up. And then I went to my general dr on Thursday and when I was there I asked her whether or not they would be able to take out my stitches there. She basically avoided my question & asked me what kind of surgeon would be ok w/not providing aftercare to their patient. I explained that he does provide aftercare, but I hadn't decided it I was going to do that or just find a dr here. I can't fly back there just to have stitches taken out. Sorry to ramble.....I would really appreciate any info you all can provide. Thanks!!:party:

I am at day 2 at my hospital (surgery 9/25/17). Off of IVs, no port during surgery, no nausea at all. Well, to be honest for 2 seconds I thought I was going to throw up, but it was simply my first post op burp. I have not been hungry, and wasn’t thirsty at all post op. I have no problems getting my fluids in. I have had pain meds each night, because of pain, but, that really is the only time I take them. So far, this as been easy. I have been making my walks, and they were surprised how well I have been taking it. I am so glad I didn’t have any complications.

I had my belly button pierced right up until surgery. I needed to take it out for the procedure. I had some complications after surgery and couldn't get it back in......so........I am going to repierce after I lose some more weight. I loved it before and now, with a smaller body, I will like it even more.

My reasoning for having Lap band surgery is simple... To LIVE! I watched my father die of type II diabetes and obesity, my mother is also obese and has high blood pressure. My view into the crystal ball of my future was pretty un-nerving. The majority of my immediate family is overweight so some extent, and at this point I just want to be an example; you don't have to struggle and suffer in silence. Modern medicine has a more effective way to aid in weight loss for good. My family wasn't too keen on the idea of me getting banded, once I was and they saw that I didn't die or have any complications and that the band was actually helping me get the weight off; they became more supportive. The best reward to date, (yes even better than my own health and new outlook) my mother just got banded this month!!!! I am thrilled that I could help affect her in such a way, and even happier that she will soon be healthier and be able to be around to watch me, and all of her grandkids for a long time to come. -Rachel Highest weight: 343 Pre-op diet: -20 Surgery day: 323 1st fill, 1 month later: 298 Now: 167