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Yes, I was under HEAVY medication anti-depressants for years in my childhood, and I had stopped it abrubtly! I think a lot of my sicknesses are a result of being the Effexor for so many years, and I honestly have a psychatrist who monitors all my medical history and I think he knows what he is doing..the withdrawel was horrible im on Prozac now to help with it. Ambien is to help my sleep but not for long term use Its been about 3 months off of Effexor, so im crossing my fingers if part of my sickness is withdrawel the prozac will help and in time I can feel better, I dont know what these doctors think when they perscribe this My blood sugar was 72! That is beyond low when I got the blood test, my Iron was 22 again low, yet all the doctors say it is normal. My eating patterns are VERY hard to say, ive been sleeping erradically and just eating whenever I eat. My blood work a few months ago showed a Vit D defiency but it seems that is better. I eat a lot, I have not been vomiting unless I overeat Before the surgery I could eat so much, now id say about 15 bites and im prob going to vomit. I get a VERY restricted feeling, that is probably the best way to describe it when I eat meals, but not vomiting unless I eat a large meal. In terms of complications, I really dont know, all these doctors kick me out of there offices and tell me nothing is wrong with me and I need to fix myself, but ive just been very fatigued, sick, stomach pains, etc etc. Another thing was my testosterone was low but that is separate No one told me this! Its just crazy how little guidance I had after this surgery at such a young age. Right now I take iron pills, i take a Multivitamin to Do you know the timing and brands of your vitamins also? It seems like my iron supplement im taking is just not working, my iron is to low (Yet no doctors will awknoledge it) Also yea taking iron and calcium together doesnt work so I dont know how to time that. I think I need to find a conisestency with my vitamins and keep to it. If the reason im so sick is these medications, my doctor put me back on Prozac to help me COMMING Off these medications, I dont know at this point The Ambien like I said I dont really take much, its just to sleep occasionaly becuase I have insomnia a lot.

You will love him! I haven't had Abby complications at all..not even vomiting!! I highly suggest you take a few gas x pills the night before surgery to keep from getting the shoulder gas pain....it makes all of the difference in the world!! Good luck to you!!

Hey! Surgery went well! No real complications! Had quite a bit of nausea and pain for the first couple of days.... Surgery on a Tuesday am and home on Friday afternoon.... Would have went home on Thursday but I was unable to drink much..... Down ten lbs since surgery feeling pretty good! Drinking and getting in as much protein as I can ! 1st fu appointment next Tuesday:)

Thanks for all your replies. I was so nervous going into this and was so glad to have found that others had had the revision with hardly any complications. It's been a year so I hope that I'm perfectly healed on the inside. Nina, yeah, mine was a full slip and also a nighmare. Had to be taken to the ER by ambulance where I was questioned as to why I didn't drive down to where my surgeon was. I can't imagine having to make that 1 hour drive, I was in so much pain and couldn't keep my head off the floor. After 7 hours of crying and carrying on in the ER, I was finally given the surgery to remove the band. They admitted that I wouldn't have made it had this gone on much longer, my stomach was hemorrhaging. I met with the nutritionist yesterday and whispered that she liked the sleeve much better than the band. I hate that the dr's aren't up front about the more complications that come from the band. However, at the time I got that, the sleeve wasn't being offered by my surgeon nor was my insurance covering it. Almost 3 years later, and my insurance changing, my surgeon performs the sleeve, yay! I can't wait to be on the other side, again. Best wishes, Mary

I also was banded on the 4th with no complications. Staying within the program but I want to eat a cow ! :scared2: 3 shakes per day plus one mushie (i.e. cottage cheese, sugar free pudding, scrambled egg). How's the walking going ??????

Ok so I watched this video and read the notes- they still did abdominal incisions!!! I don't get how there could be a lesser chance of complications when you're involving another body system (the reproductive system) on a surgery like this. They're adding a risk of infection in that system as well! Crazy to say the least! {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

I think it is dangerous to expect others to change their habits in order to help me cope with my food issues. That means that when I "fall off the wagon" I get to blame them because they ate in front of me. I was sleeved 8 weeks ago and I never expected anyone - spouse, kids, siblings, co-workers to change anything. I eat out in restaurants daily and those with me order whatever they want with no regard for me. I either take my own food or find something to order off the menu. We even stopped at a Friday's on the way home from the hospital and I prepared unjury after requesting a small glass of water! I went out for drinks with co-workers about 4 weeks post op. As per habit, they order several appetizers including a huge plate of nachos. Someone was thoughtful enough to ask if it bothered me and I truthfully said "no., I am just relieved I don't need to eat it." It was so much food it turned my stomach! I did order an ice tea that evening and nursed it for two hours. I think I only drank about 1/2 cup of it. I have been to McDonalds multiple times (take my own food), Big Boy (1 egg scrambled), Fridays (chicken tortilla Soup, French onion soup), Red Robin (hamb without bun), Wendy's (chili), Red Lobster (shrimp cocktail), Logans (chopped steak), Perkins (cheese omelete) and others. I went to a fancy luncheon at work earlier this week because my boss was getting a big award. They served hot chicken salad in a puff pastry, baby carrots, red skin potatoes, spring mix salad, and lemon cake. I ate about 1/4 cup of the hot chicken mix (yick, but I ate it), 1 bite of lettace, and 1 bite of the lemon cake (its my absolute favorite!). On the way home (it was a long ride), the car stopped at Mc Donalds for Diet Cokes and Fries. I passed and drank my bottled Water. My thinking is that there will ALWAYS be people eating and drinking things that I need to pass up. I need to be strong enough to resist the temptation even when it is right in front of me. Because seriously, it will always be right in front of me. Now, let me say that my family, friend and co-workers have all been tremendously supportive. Only one of my friends mentioned to me a month after surgery that she was really scared for me because another friend of hers had had serious complications after a gastric bypass. She discussed with a 3rd mutual friend that she wanted to try to talk me out of it and the 3rd friend told her not to since I had done my research and my mind was made up. I am glad she didn't say anything before surgery. I have to leave home know to go to a Breakfast meeting that will have a huge spread of food including donuts, Cookies, sweet breads, etc. I am taking my greek yogurt (pineapple) and my own decaf coffee since they only have regular. Stay strong!

I had the Sleeve 6 days ago and I am so HAPPY that I did!! I had no complications and I am able to drink and eat "mushy" food fine. My uncle had the band and he gets sick ALL the time. THey either fill it too much or not enough. I have lost 8 lbs in 7 days. I started at 296 and now down to 276. I lost some before surgery. Good luck!!

Hi everyone! I had lap band November 2011. This worked well for a while. I lost about 80 pounds, until I had complication Nov 2014. I had problems with vomiting everything I would eat, so my previous surgeon ordered an upper GI and esophageal manometry. Both of those tests confirmed I had a prolapse. Long story short, my insurance company made me switch to a different surgeon. I had my band and port removed 8/10/15. My new surgeon said that my band had also slipped and was sitting sideways which was causing me to have the vomiting. He also did an intra-op EGD to look at my esophagus to see if there was any damage from 9 months of vomiting. He said it didn't look too bad,but I needed to continue my Zantac and Prilosec. He said he had to remove the adhesions(scar tissue) from the band. I am not going to lie, the port removal and scar tissue removal is painful! It was supposed to be an outpatient procedure and go home same day, but I ended up staying the night in the hospital due to pain control and I am really glad I did. IV Dilaudid was the only thing that was helping my pain. They eventually switched me to percocets and that seemed to help with the pain. I am attaching a picture of the port site. I am now 4 days post-op band and port removal and I am still taking percocets for pain, but it is improving. I will be revising to Gastric bypass in late October, early November based on my surgeon's recommendations and my history of GERD. My insurance company wouldn't allow me to have the revision done in 1 surgery, so it has to be done this way. I am interested in hearing from those who have had band to bypass and what their experiences were. There were 3 total incisions. 2 small ones which don't bother me at all, and one large painful incision where port was. This larger incision is the mean monster.

You look beautiful in both pictures and your face absolutely does not look hollow or too thin or whatever else may try to tell you. You also make a good point where after weight loss people think it's ok to make comments about your body, but somehow it's unacceptable to give it right back to them. Some people just want to poop on your parade. One of my coworkers had weight loss surgery. Prior to going under, she was very open to people and didn't mind word getting around that she was doing it. By the time she was taking her medical leave, everyone knew why. She had some complications and needed extra time off, but came back to work 6 weeks later and had already lost a significant amount of weight. Again... everyone knew why. But people STILL came up to her concern trolling her with questions about if she had cancer. She played it cool, but I would have gone to HR. Of course, some of it can be people just are not used to seeing you this way, but I feel like under no circumstances is it ok to make negative comments when you are working towards a healthier life. Congrats on your success

@ hubby was with me during the whole process before surgery and after came to "meetings" surgeon, NUT etc one month before WLS i told my entire big family we all live in different states, and we get together for thanksgiving thats where i decided to make the "bold" (for me) decision about telling them my "secret" of the WLS everyone - aunts, uncles, 4 siblings, cousins were happy for me they knew i had struggled most of my life with obesity i've mentioned i always have had "issues" with my mom (she was 81 at the time) like i said - everyone was happy for me!! but in my mothers case ---- she was TOO happy she was ALWAYS critical about my appearance/ "excess" weight her actions when she heard about surgery was more of a RELIEF that she would no longer have a daughter that was the F word (won't say that word) wouldn't feel embarrassed being seen with me NOT over reacting - making a true statement moms excitement had nothing to do with my health (diabetes, high blood pressure etc) never concerned about the act of surgery (possible complications) just happy i wouldn't look so F... kindof lost it for a sec thinking about my past i have talked to a therapist about my situation oh dear guys thanx for not interrupting my rant of course you had no choice LOL btw - don't worry about me seeing a therapits about my "mom" and food issue" issue that i need to deal with back to initial question.... the main reason i chose not to tell many people about WLS was that i didn't want people to keep looking at me to see how much (or how little) weight i was losing didn't want to go there mid way while i was losing i chose to tell a few friends that were supportive other people, what they don't know............. whether you decide to tell lots of people/a few people/no one your choice for you is just that - YOUR choice good luck with your decision and your pending surgery kathy

Fair enough. I am a noob myself. The more I learn, the more I learn I need to learn. Bottom line is I won't ignore these symptoms, since complications scare me more than regaining does.

I originally had a lap band, and now have a sleeve as of earlier this month. I had severe complications with my band and eventually had to have it removed. Toward the end, there wasn't a single day I didn't throw up. I didn't know it at the time, but the lap band has a very high complication rate and many doctors have stopped doing it all together. It's a personally preference, and there is a chance that you will be one of the lucky ones to not have complications with the band, but maybe not. On my way! Thing you might want to consider is that many insurance companies will only pay for one wl surgery per lifetime. Why would you want a surgery that's reversible?

Any problems? Well of course. There have been several studies and I think it is around 5% total complications rate with the band at 5 years. No one can really tell you which surgery is best for you. It really is an individual thing. People can really only tell you how the different surgeries work and what the upside or downside to them might be. In reality the doctor has probably already took these things into consideration, if he has asked you about your eating habits and such. I had lapband because it was the only choice available for me, but if I could have had Gastric Sleeve, I probably would have went that direction. Mainly, because I am self pay regardless, and after the first year I have to pay for aftercare, or god forbid any problems. Since you have Insurance paying for it, you should be able to look at the pros and cons of both and decide which one you like best.

I am one day post op revision all in one surgery. I feel like a million bucks. The first few minutes in recovery is very rough. I was very nauseous and in a LOT of pain. They got all of that under control quickly and it has been smooth sailing since then. I have had a few instances of reflux when burping and that has been my worst "complication" no nausea, very little discomfort ... I felt like a million bucks when they brought my Breakfast of broth, diluted apple juice, ice and Jello. I didn't touch the jello but the rest was amazing. As of right now I'm feeling so confident about my decision and I already feel better with out the port.

This is your own opinion and has no basis in fact. You're still grinding your ax here even though your band failure was surgeon induced. Please provide your proof to document your assertion? I believe that most people who fail with the band do so through lack of compliance. Sure, there may be a few who fall into your little niche but people fail with any WLS and most of it is due to lack of compliance. However, compliance is more crucial with the band. Non compliance can create a multitude of serious complications that you won't see with the other WLS. And there is no doubt that our bodies can reject the band, the port and the eating protocols we have to live with. What % is unknown but it's probably at least 33% of the failures. I think most all recently banded patients are aware of the serious consequences of WLS, all WLS. But there happens to be a segment of this patient population who do not want their guts rearranged. Without the band, thousands of this niche, would continue to yo-yo diet till they die an early death. Thanks Heavens for the band.

The problem I have with the study on re operations and complications is that it doesn't define the criteria or time frame. I personally, in real life, know many bandsters including myself, and the complication and re operation rates over the long haul is much much higher than the article states. While I realize that my social circle does not constitute a scientific study something just does not seem right The word "complications" means different things to different people. While death rates are surely higher for sleeve and bypass I don't believe at all that complication rates are higher. I think that article understates it for all actually. I read a study a few years back that 30% of sleevers develop reflux. Many of them at around the 3 year mark. In my mind that is a complication. I know that over the 5-10 year time frame the band has an even higher complication rate. To me the moral of the story is that WLS is no cake walk and really should not be done unless all other avenues have been exhausted. They all come with risks AND different "odds of success". Any individual can either exceed or fall short of those statistics but the excess weight loss stats do sorta paint the picture. For me what the stats don't really capture is quality of life for some people's (apparently not all). Example, I spent a decade where a few tastes of rice would send me vomiting even though ALL of that decade I was morbidly obese. I hit my lifetime highest weight while banded, never got under 200# , experienced alot of pain and vomiting, poor medical care and I really really developed hatred toward the port. I had a lot of self loathing over the topic because I felt like all my band issues were caused by me. I even saw that in this thread. ..essentially that "compliant" patients don't have issues with the band. I no longer believe that statement. .or to put it another way.. I didn't get to weighing twice what an average male should weigh by being consistently compliant with ANY THING! I needed WLS to learn those skills and the band just did not deliver the promises a and was not an effective tool for me. And it was embarrassing to vomit which while infrequent with no fill still happened! Since my revision to the sleeve I have just felt normal (after about 3-6 months post op) and am so far maintaining a massive weight loss...went from a BMI over 50 to my current of around 23.

I agree with Tracy 200% :lol0: If you advance your diet too soon you can have serious, even life-threatening complications. Follow your surgeon's instructions exactly. Small sip, burp, small sip, burp, etc...that helps reduce the gas pains. If you don't let the burp come up, the next sip will HURT. Walk Walk Walk. Try your best to get in all the recommended fluids so you don't get dehydrated...that's the most important thing the first week or two. You may not reach the goal at first, just try your best. Don't expect to be eating a normal amount of food...you CANNOT fit it in your stomach and will hurt yourself if you try. Yes you may feel weak for a couple of weeks, but just think of this ....you are losing a lot of weight so it is worth it! Be safe, stay positive, post your questions on this forum and we all will do our best to help you!

I reside near Seattle, WA and would love to attend a lap band convention in Las Vegas. I think Las Vegas is a great spot. Vegas is offering terriffic deals for travel. I would be interested in forums regarding diet, cosmetic surgery options, and excercise. I have been banded almost 2 years and did things pretty much on my own post op based on everyhthing I could read or learn. I was self pay and went to Mexico. Just four days ago I went into surgery again for a bad slip. I had complications after the first surgery and had a second the very next day (nothing would go through my band due to scar tissue). I was now rebanded by a Dr. near Seattle, WA. My insurance paid for the proceedure (thank goodness). Speaking of, that could be another good topic for discussion...Banding in mexico vs. the US. There are deffinately pros and cons. Hope this helps and keep us posted. I would deffinately love to be involved. Thanks, Lisa

Tiff, Sorry to hear about your gallbladder. Glad you found out what the problem was...why wasn't he getting your messages? That sucks. Inflammation of the gallbladder is nothing to mess around with, it can result in serious complications if not taken care of right away, if your liver function tests were high...pancreatitis, sepsis can result. Please don't let them put you off. Were you liver function tests normal?

I also live in Wichita but I'm going to Kansas City for my surgery. I won't elaborate with why I say this but I wouldn't let any of the surgeons in that group touch me. Frankly, I'm not surprised this happened. I have seen his patients have a lot of complications post op. It's been worth the 8-10 trips to KC to go where I feel safe. Wishing you the best with whatever your decision is.

My surgeon encouraged me to choose the sleeve over bypass because the previous hernia surgery is less likely to cause complications with the sleeve. And I'd like to eventually be able to take anti-inflammatory meds again. My mom had bypass 14 years ago and she can't take anything much for her arthritis because anti-inflammatory meds burn her stomach. I don't want to be in the same boat when I'm her age.

Hi @@Phoenix40! So last Thursday I went for my Nutrition/Surgeon/Coordinator appointment. I'll describe each appointment below: First you are weighed in and your height is taken Nutrition: The nutritionist is a very nice lady and she will ask you about what type of diet you have been on (I started following the 1200 calorie diet after orientation). You will have to describe what you usually eat for Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Snacks,etc. She also talks about Vitamins and what type you will need post op (this will depend on if you get the sleeve or bypass) and what to expect as far as diet goes in the first weeks after surgery (i.e. liquids, soft foods, etc) She also informed me about the different types of Protein drinks and answered any questions I had. Surgeon: Dr. Hahn was very patient. He went over my BMI, co morbidities, medications, etc to ensure that I would be a good candidate for surgery. He said it would be my choice whether to go for sleeve or bypass as I would be great candidate for either (I don't have acid reflux). We talked about the differences between sleeve and bypass (right off the bat he discouraged from the lap band so we were in agreement about that). He reiterated that regain was possible with either surgery and so is dumping (so it really comes down to the patient being willing to put in the work to not only lose the weight but keep it off). He went into detail about possible complications withe each procedure (ulcers, reactive hypoglycemia, reflux, etc). He then set a weight loss goal for me. Normally they ask the patients to lose 10% of their body weight but Dr. Hahn only requires a 7-8%, of total body weight, loss. For me 7-8% was 19 pounds (I had already lost 9 pounds since orientation and he credited me so I needed to lose 10 pounds to get a surgery date and 5 pounds to get a psych appointment). The only other requirements Dr. Hahn set out for me, besides weight loss, is attending at least one support group, and an EKG (I already finished my bloodwork). Coordinator: She was very pleasant. She informed of what my next steps to surgery are (support group, psych appointment, etc) and that to be sure I call monthly to update them on my weight and progress. Before the psych appointment each patient must fill out a surgery quiz (located in Chapter 9 of the Bariatric binder) and send it in before the appointment. Overrall it was an interesting yet quick appointment. I was told to expect to be there for 3 hours but for me it was more like 2 hours. Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App

I had my VSG on 4/8/2013. I lost @50 pounds and gained back about 20. I have several underlying medical issues which complicate my exercise but overall I am usually good with my food intake. Over the last year, I have developed what I think is acid reflux. It is so bad that I can't lie down and my healthy eating is now becoming more bland carb-focused because that's what I tolerate best. Even drinking a protein shake can be bothersome. I have NEVER experienced this before, not during any of my 3 pregnancies or at my heaviest weight. I am miserable! I have tried over-the-counter acid reducers and eat tums like candy. I finally talked to my PCP about this yesterday, she is sending me to a GI doctor. She mentioned she wasn't sure what my anatomy would be like now. That caused me to wonder if I should actually see a bariatric surgeon? I of course started to google and found that this can happen even so long out of surgery and that sometimes revision can fix it. Honestly, I don't hate this idea as id like to lose more weight but more so I just want to feel better. My BMI is 32.1 and I have the same insurance as I did 9 years ago. I'm clearly jumping ahead of myself but was wondering if anyone has experience with anything like this?

sorry to hear about your complications. I hope you have a speedy recovery and can go home tomorrow.