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I know I felt like you on and off for a a couple weeks before surgery. I was scared and tempted to back out, even at the hospital I was ready to run for the hills. But I didn't and I didn't have any complications with the surgery. I followed my pre op diet to the letter to ensure my best possible condition before surgery. You've obviously researched the gastric bypass surgery, you've taken the courses and you've made the decision to proceed with the surgery. I stopped researching and reading threads about complications when I started to worry, because I knew they would scare me. Also people don't tend to start threads when everything is going well and they have no complications. I think we all go into it with that fear in the back of our minds that we will be one of the ones with complications, not just for WLS but for any surgery and that's natural. In the end it's only a decision you can make for yourself.

Had my sleeve last sept age 56 wish I had did it at age 35 only because of all the fun I missed. Absolutely No complications! Just celebrated my younger hubbys 50th and danced all I wanted which was more that I have in years eating wasn't my priority. Go for it you won't regret it.

So after much consideration I decided I would go ahead and blog my sleeve journey.... I wasn't going to because of keeping up with it but after surgery I find myself on this forum 3 and 4 times a day! So I guess I'll start out with why I decided to even get the sleeve and go from there This first blog will be long!! sorry!! In May this year, I had a meeting with my knee doc who explained to me that if I did not lose at least 60 to 80 lbs in the next year I would have to have a knee replacement because it was simply not holding up to my weight requirements. I cried and complained, went on yet another diet and failed and then ran across an ad for Dr Nicholson's weight loss seminar. I thought yay! I'll get the lap band and get this weight off! Well, I went to the seminar and loved him and all of the information, if you can possibly absorb all of that info in one setting! Anyway, after hearing the info I went home off on my own new journey to find the best option for me because what he was saying about the lap band was definitely going to be a no go. I did not want to deal with the fills and unfills and the possible erosion complication just from the info he was giving me. I started to look at video blogs of people with the lap band and couldn't believe it! There were problems with food getting stuck, vomiting if your food didn't like your band (ex: a piece of lettuce covering your opening), NOPE! the band was def a no go for me.. I did not like the extreme of the RNY or Gastric Bypass but the sleeve seemed like a good fit for me! Low complication rate, quick recovery, back to normal (albeit smaller portions) food after a couple of months and people are keeping the weight off! So I sent off my paperwork to Dr Nicholson's clinic!! Now for the Doom and gloom .. lol My Aetna policy has a weight loss surgery exclusion on my policy, as I am self employed so if I was going to consider going on with the surgery I was going to have to self pay. I contacted several medical financing companies and even my bank but for what I was doing and the associated costs it was just simply not going to happen. As I said before, I am self employed, as is my husband so those are hard circumstances to get financed for a large unsecured loan like I was talking about, approx $14K. Now, you have to know my personality, if I want something, I don't just sit back, I am a go getter and something like financing was not going to hold me back! I researched and dug and found a couple of companies would either 1) finance me or 2) do it for much cheaper. I was thrilled! Until I learned that these surgeries were in Mexico AHHHH!!! Are you kidding me?!?! Surgery in Mexico?!?! Don't they harvest your organs there?!?! I know, I went a bit overboard but I couldn't believe I could afford it so it was at least looking into right? Well, I researched lots of Dr's in Mexico and decided on Dr Jose Rodriguez in Juarez. He operated out Star Medica hospital. I researched his credentials, his staff, the hospital, the area and on and on. I found out that he had been doing these surgeries longer than Dr Nicholson and had a low complication rate. He was out of a company called Belite Weight and they would finance half of the surgery for me as long as I could cover the other half up front! Woo Hoo! So Mexico it was!!! Now for the surgery My surgery was scheduled for June 29th and I was completely prepared. I did the preop diet of Dr Rod's choice, basically the Atkins diet but with 50 carbs a day. I could handle that, as a matter of fact my husband and daughter (21 yrs) went on it with me and we lost weight! I lost 19.2, my husband 30 and my daughter 10.4. I was so stoked to get on with this surgery! I had bought our airline tickets in the early part of June and gotten our birth certificates to cross the border (don't believe the hype, the birth certificates worked just fine, no problems!) finance documents signed, family doc here on board with my journey, and so on and so on. I was prepared! We landed in El Paso and the hospital sent a shuttle for us to take us across the border to the hospital. We crossed the border and Juarez was a pit... a desolate pit. Scary as a matter of fact, sand lots with kids playing in them, people living in conditions I couldn't even fathom! They lived in cinder block houses!! businesses boarded up, people driving like idiots, I freaked completely out! I thought, what the HELL have I gotten myself into?!? Now, please know at this point that my husband and my daughter insisted on going with me so I am not alone but there were 2 other women there who were alone! I couldn't imagine being alone! Well, we finally got to the hospital and man was I relieved!! It was so nice! It was super clean, modern, smelled nice (not hospitally lol) so completely different from the outskirts of Juarez! There was mall across the street, nice restaurants within walking distance, the US Consolates office was 2 blocks away. Couldn't have been more pleased! Anyway, we did a brief stay at the front desk (I was with 4 other patients) to get our arm bands, checked in, pre op, etc. All went well and we headed up to our rooms. I was completely floored! It looked like a spa hotel room with 2 rooms, leather couches, cushy futon with giant pillows and a really nice bathroom. So nice! I was calming down at this point and happy we were in a safe area!! Day of Surgery!! I was so nervous the morning of the surgery! They came in and drew blood and took my vitals and EKG the day before so the day of surgery you don't have much to do or think of except that you are about to embark on a journey of a lifetime! Your choice! The thoughts that went through my mind were... 1) What if I am not one of those people who recovers quickly? 2) What if I die on the operating table? 3) What if I need a blood transfusion? How does that work in Mexico? Do they have the same strict testing as the US? (the answer is yes by the way lol I asked!) 4) What if I don't get to see my grandson ever again? CRAZY questions!! My mind was playing tricks on me and I was doing this surgery electively!! What the crap was wrong with me? doing this in Mexico no less?! My husband was wonderful in calming me down and so I just cried instead of backing out =) When they finally came and got me around 11:30 I was about ready to just back out, call it quits and go back home, stomach in tow! lol They got me down to preop and I was praying (along with my husband :wub: ) that everything would be fine, quick recovery, the whole bit! I remember them giving me something to "relax" me and off I went..... I woke up in recovery and they wheeled me back up to my room quickly so I was with my family. I had a little gas under my shoulder blade and a little pain from the drain site but great other than that! I got up after about and hour and walked walked walked! The gas pain went away after the first day and I never really had any nausea problems so I was a lucky one!! God is good!! My mom and her boyfriend came to the hospital to see me, yep! they drove in my Dallas and came to Juarez for 2 days to spend some time with me! I love my supportive family <3 My whole family and all of my friends were so supportive and good to me the whole time! I love them all!! Anyway, fast forward a couple of days to going home!! Home again, Home again, jiggity jog!! We left for the airport around 9:30 am although our flight wasn't until 1:30pm. We needed to make sure we got across the border in time to catch our flight and had heard horror stories about it taking sometimes 3 hours to get across. Lucky for us, it was the Mexican Election day!! There were only 3 people ahead of us to get through the border so less then 20 min to get across! Woo Hoo! We got to the airport with plenty of time to shop, go through security and time for me to sit down and rest for a while. The flight home was uneventful and once home I was content to take a nap =) Happy to see my kitties (Bella and Momma) and my 12 year old lab Buddy. I have a grandson that is 1 year old and lives with us and seeing him made me melt!! There is nothing better than a grandbaby!! I love him dearly!! Well, after all that, I am home! I work from home so it is nice to be able to work, nap, sip sip, work, sip sip, nap lol I feel like one of the cats! I feel good though! I have walked, done some laundry, cleaned and even cooked a little. I will venture out tomorrow!!! Thanks for reading!!! They will be shorter here on out! PROMISE!! Oh by the way, my weight!!! 6/15/2012 247 lbs 6/29/2012 227 lbs -19.2 lbs 7/1/2012 229 lbs (gotta love the IV fluid and being swollen!0

My hospital stay was overnight. My surgery was at 9:45 in the morning and I was released from the hospital at around 2:00 the next afternoon. No complications at all. I have 5 incisions. Really only one is an actual incision, the other 4 are like "puncture wounds" like Alexandra said.

No one disrespected you so you can drop the feigned indignation. I was calling you out on this statement. "The problem with those who experience failure or complications isn't the failure to comply or keep the band a bit on the loose side. The very concept of the band is flawed" Your link to Allergan doesn't support your statement or your opinion. This thread has turned into another band bashing tirade. I can't let unsubstantiated remarks go unanswered. You can have your opinion but don't present it as facts. Please?

I had MGB surgery on 4/10 and I've lost 25 lbs so far; pretty happy with my progress. I'm not having a lot hunger so I have to remind myself to eat. Tracking all my food with MyFitnessPal keeps me focused. No complications and ready to raise my exercise intensity. Congrats to us all!

I'm sorry you are struggling. It sounds like you are pretty in touch with where everything is coming from...so I only want to address this: There are GREAT benefits to losing weight beyond the number on the scale. It WILL help physically (if not now, then definitely in the future--cuz realistically MO people do not die "perfectly healthy but MO". They die cuz of complications from MO in most cases) and it DOES help emotionally as well as spiritually. But the part I will address cuz I experienced it is the reduction (dramatic) in pain level from my weight of 287 and 325lbs compared to my pain level at 137lbs, right this minute. At 287 and 325lbs I was basically bed ridden. I had so much pain I could not stand for 10 minutes, could not walk for 5 minutes, had to change positions every 30 minutes to an hour. Couldn't sleep longer than an hour or two cuz of waking from pain. Couldn't clean myself (poopin) or shower without sitting down on a shower chair. I couldn't exercise or travel. I was a mass of degenerative disc and joint disease and so much more I won't bore you with. I got cortisone injections into my back and hips every 6-9 months and lived on daily pain meds (opiods) and drank to control the extra pain. I was a terrible hot mess. Every morning I woke in a 5-7 pain level and by evening every day I was at minimum an 8 1/2-10. I cried from the pain most days. Today at 137lbs I ran this morning for 35minutes strait without stopping at 3.5mph pace (slow but moving). It's a personal best. I wake in a 2-4 pain level and it stays pretty consistent. Some days it goes up to a 5, but that isn't every day. I sleep 3-6 hours at a stretch. I exercise every day (either walking, jogging, or core strengthening exercises). I am active, care for myself, the house, cook, and sleep. I don't sit down to shower. My balance is improving...I feel like I'm getting my life back. I don't drink for pain (and rarely drink now). I don't take any pain meds at all. Oh and I no longer cry daily from pain. I have such a great RD. She is part of my care team. I also have several psychs who are helping me. I just wish anyone who needed help could get the kind of help I've had cuz it's been phenomenal and a blessing.

I agree with you that it should not be a winner/loser type of thing. However, I've seen that happen and I think people need to understand what mindset their doctors come from. Its going to be getting you in for surgery. You haven't been far enough out yet. Its only 7 months for you. Wait until you hit the 2 year mark. Or even the 1 year. Its not a secret that there is not a lot of support for many in terms of that support like what you are talking about. Go to long term support groups and that's what you hear about. To be successful, the ones I know aren't in any specific program, they're more attached to the long term type of groups that are more online and the like. Either that or they get revisions. I'm also saying what I said because the surgeon, he stated that my anatomy is normal and there is nothing special about it. I can be treated just like any other patient. If that is true, that would be true for all sleeves. He goes against the ASMBS in that sense. One of the reasons why I say investigate your doctor. Had I known his outlook was this way, I would have thought differently. Its that far end, long term, look that you are looking at, that many people don't ask about. Its the surgery, its the big event. Its not what happens after when I've gotten regain. How many patients and what protocols do you do then. You don't see that advertised. You are right from terms of the persons' point of view, but the surgeon is not graded by the ASMBS for COE's in terms of how many people and how long people stay in a program. They are graded on # of surgeries done. As for satisfaction, again do you see any intro sessions that talk long term satisfaction? How they deal with complications 2 years out or more? No. Its the surgery. Medical ethics. If you allege a HIPAA violation and get your care dropped, and there are laws against retaliation, would you wonder about medical ethics? I sure would want to know if that situation came up. What about you all?

I had my band 6 years and have had off and on good and bad experiences. I lost 70 lbs but have put 25 back on since I had my gallbladder removed. Since June I have had severe heartburn that does not go away. I have had numerous swallow test and was on liquid diet for three week along with the fill completely removed. Nothing has helped and I was told to get it removed is my only hope. I'm scared to go back through this again and pray no complications happen. I trust my doctor but it's that fear again what if I go through this and this isn't the problem. I'm also a little sad for having to remove it and my husband thinks I'm silky because I've been so sick and I should want it out. I do bit also scared I will gain weight back. Wish me luck as I become unban dedicated tomorrow.

I first looked into WLS about 15 years ago. At that time, gastric bypass was the only option from most surgeons, and I was scared away (and talked out of it by my family) due to the potential complications. It was mostly being done as an open procedure; the surgeon I talked to was doing it laparoscopically only for patients with a BMI below 40. When I started looking into it again this year, I was leaning toward the gastric sleeve because it seemed like a less extreme, less scary version of WLS. But when I went to my consultation with the surgeon, he pushed me toward gastric bypass, mainly because I started with a very high BMI (60) and gastric bypass tends to result in slightly more weight loss. The more I have looked into it, the more I became convinced that gastric bypass was the way to go. Maybe it was just confirmation bias since that's what the surgeon thought I should do, but I learned that the complications are actually not that different between sleeve and bypass. They are both done laparoscopically and have relatively quick recoveries. You have to take vitamins either way. Dumping is more common with bypass, but could happen with either. I have never had acid reflux, so I wasn't too concerned about that, but I have seen a lot of people on this forum end up with GERD after having the sleeve, and a lot of people getting revisions from sleeve to bypass. I saw a surgeon on YouTube (Dr. Vuong) say that everyone should get the sleeve because you can always get it revised to bypass if necessary, but to me that's crazy -- I don't want to go through a second surgery! I'm 3.5 weeks out from bypass so the jury's still out on whether it was a good decision, but that was my decision process.

Thank you for your very thought provoking post. I can tell you put a lot of thought and effort into your response. I don't necessarily think my surgeon is a bad surgeon. That's why I haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet to get a new surgeon. Until this last visit, I didn't see him in this light before. And I've really been trying to think of why he was so negative. As I've said before, I think he feels that I push too hard for fills and that he was reluctant to give me a fill and I didn't push for it at all. I was really, truly on the fence as to whether or not I needed one. And I was disappointed in myself in the past for not losing more. But at this particular visit I was quite proud that in a year I lost over 50 lbs. The average weight loss advertised for the bands is 1-2 lbs. a week, so I do fall in the average -- the low end of the average but still average. So I thought he would at least feel I was successful. I don't necessarily think that bypass was a better surgery for me with the exception that the weight loss would have been faster. I chose the band because I wanted a surgery that was reversible if I had complications and I knew it was a slower a weight loss and that it was a tool to use. Do I occasionally get frustrated myself with the rate that I lose? Sure, but I think most of us do at some time or another. I truly, truly think that this particular surgeon just prefers the bypass based on the results over the band and that he does view it as a personal failure. Especially since he told me that he only does 5% of his patients now as band. He obviously encourages bypass over band. As far as my exercise goes, I didn't mean to imply I do all those things every day. After my surgery I started walking and I walked at least 5 times a week 2 miles. In Sept I joined a kickboxing class 2 times a week and I would supplement that with still doing my walking on nice days until November. I then started doing a Kathy Smith kickboxing tape when the weather turned and did that to supplement my classes. In January I joined both a Zumba (2x's a week) and kickboxing (down to 1x a week) and then was doing the Wii I got for Christmas on other days. About a month ago my sciatic nerve started to bother me so I have reduced my workouts but until the last month I consistently exercised at least 5 days a week, and I told the doc that my exercise declined due to my sciatic (which I now have a Physical Therapy appt scheduled soon to start to correct). Exercise, combined with what I thought were still too large portions, yes, at times I felt I needed a fill and maybe that rubbed him the wrong way. I do think that he was having a very bad day because when he didn't believe me about not smoking it just went downhill from there. And it made me feel like he didn't believe me about anything else I was telling him either. I would have loved if he would have said "you can do this Lisa, you're doing great. If you lose the next 40 lbs in the year, that'll be great." Anything to support me and make me feel like I'm a success. But in all honesty, I didn't hire a cheerleader, I hired a surgeon and most doctors just don't have the bed-side manner we crave. Today, I saw a co-worker who has been off work for serious health reasons for 5 months. The first thing she said when she saw me was "You look GREAT!" She wanted to talk about me and not about her own health, which I was thrilled with how good she looked. She validated my success so much. Nearly every day someone says something to me about my weight loss. So I have to remember that my battery gets charged elsewhere and not look to him to recharge it. Maybe I just expected too much. I do appreciate you and everyone on here for your honesty and for your support and helping me feel like a success. I needed that stroking and I think everyone expressed anger at my surgeon out of care for me so I really feel the love on this post from everyone. Thank you.

Funny that I ran across this thread. I just got back from Hawaii. A week before I left, I got a complete unfill. Now, before everyone gets upset, let me explain why. Some of you may have read my story in the lapband complication forum about how I went on vacation to Chicago and after I flew there, I was completely restricted. So restricted, I could not drink Water at all. I spent 2 days trying to find a doctor who could unfill me, much less knew anything about the band. This was very scary for me, for my family and made our vacation very stressful. Needless to say, I had to drive to Wisconsin and found a doctor to unfill me, but he was horrible at the procedure! I was severely dehydrated, I hadn't eaten for 4 days and I lost 6 pounds in 4 days. Thank goodness for insurance because this whole ordeal was almost $4000 in medical bills, I paid $50 co-pay!!!! I didn't eat, so it wasn't something that I ate that made me completely restricted. I've been told sometimes the pressure from flying can do this. So, move ahead 2 months. My son was playing high school football in Hawaii (We live in California). What an opportunity for the whole family to go to Hawaii. I was scared to death that this would happen again, where I would become completely restricted. So, I made the decision to get unfilled. Not so I could enjoy food while in Hawaii, but so I wouldn't experience something again like I did in Chicago. I wasn't willing to risk it again. I am fortunate enough to be able to drive to Mexico and back home in a few hours and I went today 2 weeks after getting unfilled and got my fill back. I feel much better. Being unfilled, I felt like I was missing something, I was constantly thinking about it. Now, did I enjoy food? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes and No. Yes because I had no scary episodes of being completely restricted. No, because I did gain weight and the food wasn't all that great anyhow. Would I unfill for vacation? No, never, not unless I am flying. I don't fly hardly ever, it just so happens I went on two trips this summer. I would never get unfilled for a cruise, for a vacation, etc. just so I could enjoy my food. That isn't the purpose, as I think most have expressed here already.

Hi Carlene, I don't agree with the statement that self pay take better care of their bands. I think its the folks that understand "compliance" and band limitations that are the ones that do the best with their bands. They are the ones that stay on top of their post op care, make sure they do all they can to be successful and understand that the band is just a tool. I do GET what you are trying to say. If you have to finance a band and have a monthly bill coming in like a car payment or you had to scrape the $ together cleaning houses, you MIGHT feel more strongly about being successful, but...... I have lots of friends that have paid for their bands and many of them have not done well due to difficulty getting post op care (if banded outside the states). The band requires lots and lots of post op attention and its the folks that are compliant 80% of the time that do the best. In response to the fill/unfill vacation scenario, Geezer Sue is correct. The more fills and unfills you get, the bigger chance of complications. The folks I see that seem to have steady success are the ones with the least fills/unfills. My problems started with my band when they accidentely emptied it during PS. I can assure you that I no longer have the restriction I once had with far less in my band than I have now. Any surgeon who would unfill a band just so a patient could eat more on vacation is not someone I would want to band me. So if the question was asked during a seminar to flush out a surgeon that might not be the right one for you, then kudos. Personally, I have never had a problem eating anything I want on vacation in smaller amounts. ITs really great to comeback and not have regain. Babs in TX 334/190 ish A lot depends on what a person is willing to commit to the experience, like exercise, eating protein first, not drinking and eating at the same time etc....

Congrats!! I had mine on 8/26 and unfortunately had some complications and so wasn't released until late Friday. Now that I'm home I'm still eh but anxious for each new step! Don't rush and just take your time with feeling better!!! :-)

I woke up today with the same pain. I gave my doctor a call I'm waiting for them to get back. The pain is subsiding but when I move a certain way it truly hurts. I'm thankful for this support group, it sux to feel like your alone with big life changes or complications. I hope you feel better. Post an update please. Stay encouraged.

I have been reading through this thread and debating on whether or not to post my 2 cents... I really for the life of me can not figure out why why why there is all the defensive attitudes flying around regarding Surgeons. Let me first say that I had my surgery with Dr. Almanza @ the Hospital Jerusalem. I so far have not had any complications whatsoever. Nor do I anticipate any either. Dr. Almanza was wonderful and treated me better than any doctor here in California would have. That being said....... I have a daughter and possibly a son that will want this surgery. I would not refer them to this clinic. The fact that this is a lap procedure- doesnt negate the fact that there is still huge potential for some pretty serious risk. Should there have been an emergency with either of us that had our surgeries there where would we have been taken? If any of us needed blood what would have happened? The clinic is not staffed with registered nurses and all of us that had our surgery there know this- I am not bashing the doctor or clinic just stating facts. I guess when you look at it objectively - for me - in my case - I was willing to take the risk at the time with my surgery, but having been there and gone through it..... I would not be willing to have my son or daughter have surgery there. I would pay the extra $3k and have the surgery at a hospital with an ICU, blood bank and registered nurses for after care. I apologize if I have upset anyone with my thoughts and opinions. That is not my intent.

Yeah the procedure to fix the flip went well and fast. I was awake the entire time and fully aware of what was happening to me. I didn't feel any pain or discomfort. I am back on my pain meds and reliving the pain of trying to get up off the couch and getting in and out of bed. I am on solid foods and they gave me a fill of 4cc in my 14cc band. I can still eat normally though like I did without restriction after surgery. I will definitely need another fill. They took out the surgical mesh that was holding my port in place and attached the port to my muscle fascia. They seem to think my port won't go anywhere, and I sure hope that's the case. I don't need anymore setbacks or complications.

Hello, wls comrades. Five years ago today, I entered Onederland after a VSG Dec. 2013. HW: 271. SW: 257.2. Lowest weight: 180.8 (1/23/17). I wanted to get to 175, but my face was getting so thin and I was looking older/wrinkled. My Onederland weight was "197.8" and I smiled so broadly!! Alas, today, I weigh 206...ten pounds heavier than that day, and 27 pounds above my lowest weight. Grrrrrr. I am bummed, as I'm having a hard time getting back under control. I'm mad at myself. Just saying. I'm considering having a re-do...a second VSG later this year...because I don't want to be in that fight again. I'll see how I do between now and July. Keep me in your thoughts/prayers. Although I had NO complications, was done outpatient and did great, I don't want another surgery, but more...I DON'T want to be in that fight again, nor be over 200 pounds. But I'm told that ghrelin returns after 5 years; I'm approaching 6 years, so...'Hello, Heartache... here we go again..." My thought is...if I have another VSG ~205 pounds; lose 50-60 pounds, get to ~140-150. Then if I regain 20 pounds after five years (when i'll be almost 70 y.o.), wth. :-) I won't worry about it then. lol. When I was at 180 pounds, I was a near-size 10, feeling real good, etc.I can 'finish out' around that weight. Just thinking. Any thoughts? I may try that old "Master Cleanse," if I can hang in there the first few days. I'm open to thoughts to get back on the food track. If I can do that and get over the hump, I may be able to lose again. Hmm.

Hi everyone, I'd love to hear from other women who have gotten pregnant after having their band. So I have always been told that I would never have children because of various health issues, I think I even remarked that on a thread that someone else posted that was similar... but well, I'm pregnant! I found out last night, and took a test this morning to confirm it. I don't know what else to say except this is nothing short of a miracle. If anyone wants to share their band baby experience and if you had a lot of complications, or what was easy, what worked, what didn't, please let me know!

I would really appreciate any insight into a problem I am having, which may be urgent. I am almost 5 yrs post banding. I have awakened in the early morning hours (like 5 am) on 3 occasions in the past 6 months with reflux and severe coughing and wheezing spasms, followed a few hours later with high fever (104.3, 104.2, and night before last 103.4) along with hard shaking chills lasting for 3-4 hours, followed by total body aching, severe headache. There is tightness in my chest. Fever left in 24 hrs, and was only about 100 after the chills left and sweating started, although I stayed weak and lethargic for a couple of weeks after the first 2 times. Went to internist first 2 times- blood cultures and urine cultures were neg, and by the time I got there in the afternoon, fever was only 100. Had a chest X-Ray the first time which was normal. White blood cell count was high both times. This time, because it is a holiday (and that means a trip to the ER). I'm wondering if this isn't a band complication. Any experience or advice about what I should do? Thanks!

My stomach was stretched due to complications with the band. It's all about how you use your tool. Don't overeat and don't drink with your food and it won't stretch.

Which physician did you choose? How and why did you choose them? I'm not sure if this is an option for me...I worry because my insurance has an exclusion that specifically outlines they will not cover complications or after care from any non-emergent surgery performed outside the US. But I want to do plenty of research into my other options. My insurance is a self-funded "aetna" plan that is run by a third party administrator. That TPA was intentionally misleading about my requirements. And my worry is if I now jump through this set of hoops they are setting out, what happens when there is another set of hoops. And another. And another. Etc etc etc. So please give me the skinny on how you came to your decision...I am sure I'm not the only one out there whose insurance has this type of exclusion. I just know that I need to do something ASAP. There are so many programs and physicians to choose from, I just don't know where to start.

Would not that be covered by your insurance? A band slippage is a complication that occurred because of the band I'm just saying that because 5 1/2 months out my port flipped. I had to get insurance approval and I got it. I was covered for the day surgery because it was considered a complication from the band. Good luck!

Well I am already three days post op. I continue to do well. I have no hunger. I am able to get in all my fluids and protein. I just set myself up a schedule and sip sip sip all day. I am still tired but not as much as yesterday. I have mild pain when changing position from laying to standing. My big problem is that I have developed an allergy to the surgical glue. My whole tummy is red and inflamed. Some spots are blistered. Ice packs help. I have to call in the am to see if I can take some Benedryl for the itch. Other than that it has been smooth sailing. I am so lucky. Because I was a band to sleeve revision, there was a greater chance for complications. I really thought it would be much worse.

@@fancypants11578 It's all scary - but remember the goal! It's more likely to die from obesity than from surgery! Follow your surgeon's pre-op and post-op instructions and we give ourselves a better chance for no complications! Congrats on the approval!!! I'm scheduled for October 18th and very anxious too! I know this is what I need! Stay strong!