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green:Any domectic assistant, exotic or regular, will be greeted with open arms! Beaucoup de fun, especially for me! Thank you for the lesson in arabica quality caffe beenos. Marimaiu: I am curious to learn which of the machines would qualify for your definition of a really nice machine? One of those huge copper and brass ones that is complicated but always guarantees a quality espresso? My neighbor in Orlando was from Lebannon and she had her family send coffee from there in a lidded jar that was unlabled that she added hot Water to for an incredibly strong and addictive tiny cup of Joe. It sort of looked like large grains of instant coffee, but it was something quite different in taste and quality. Anybody know what the heck it was?

Thanks peaches, do you know the name of the facility in detroit? Or I'll just google it?! Sorry to hear about your complication; hopefully it will get fixed. Let me know how Monday turns out for you. I assume that the fluoro fill shows up on the xray where saline doesn't....? Are they charging you for that, or the repair? thanks. giselle

I know how you feel. I lay awake for hours just thinking of all the "what ifs". I've never had surgery so I have no idea what's coming. I'm self pay and going to Mexico. I'm worried about the surgery and worried about Mexico. I even keep debating back and forth as to whether or not to take out a life insurance policy. How's that for being a nut job? I thank God for a supportive family and husband. When I really start freaking out I talk to them or spend time reading through the posts here. The before and after pics really help, and believe it or not, the complications thread helps. Some of those threads start out so scary, but so many of the responses are very positive and filled with great advice. It seems like a lot of the time, what starts out as being bad, really is just a minor thing with an easy fix. I have to honestly say though, that for as scared as I am, I am more excited.

Dear JKPenny I had the pleasure of being banded by Doctor Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey Mexico in 2006. Rodriguez had complications during the surgery and kept me on Gas for a total of 4 hours. The banding should have only taken 1 1/2 hours total. I came down with pnuemonia and couldn't leave Monterrey for another 2 days. By the time I got back to Houston I went straight to the emergency room and stayed in the ICU for 4 days. My band never worked. I never felt any restriction during the fills. About 8 months later I had to borrow money, go back to Rodriguez ( which nearly cost me a divorce ), and I was debanded. Very Costly !!! I presume it shows that I'm bitter. I have to accept that. It just goes with the territory. I hope that my experience can save someone else from making a disastrous decision. Started 325 / Currently 326 / Goal 190

"Lowest complication rate in the industry"? Says who? Them? Ask how many patients they have followed up with. Ask them about their record keeping.

This has probably been posted before but it is relevant here and might be new to some. I might just go and add it to the Headhunter thread too, for the benefit of the newbies who are reading that. LAP-BAND: Statistics subframe <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=530 height=60>Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding In 2000 Consecutive Obese Patients: 12-Year Results </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=565 colSpan=2> Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) with the LAP-BAND is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity in Europe, Australia and South America. Since FDA approval in 2001 the LAP-BAND has ranked second among all bariatric procedures performed in the U.S. and, to date, approximately 300,000 LAP-BAND procedures have been performed worldwide. Background: The purpose of this study was to examine 1,791 consecutive laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedures with up to 12 years of follow up. LAGB is widely accepted but its efficacy in the long run is questioned since long term results with a high follow-up rate are not common. Between September 1993 and December 2005, 1,791 consecutive patients (75.1% women, mean age 38.7 years, mean body weight 127.7+ –24 kg, mean body mass index (BMI) 46.2+ –7.7) underwent the LAP-BAND procedure. All operations were performed by ILOST surgeons, Dr. Franco Favretti and Dr. Gianni Segato, part of the multi-disciplinary team that developed the laparoscopic application of the LAP-BAND back in 1993. Results: The ILOST team of surgeons has performed the LAP-BAND procedure on more than 6.000 patients. Dr. Franco Favretti and Dr. Gianni Segato have just published the long term results (more than 12 years) of their own series of 2.000 patients. These results are unparalleled. There are no similar reports in the scientific literature. Results measured over 12 years included mortality, complications, weight loss and resolution/improvement of co-morbidities. Life expectancy was evaluated in an additional study of LAP-BAND vs. medical therapy. Patients were followed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively and yearly thereafter. Band adjustments were performed with barium swallow under fluoroscopy. Zero surgical mortality in the entire series. A mortality rate of 0 in 1,791 consecutive LAP-BAND patients attests to the benign nature of the LAP-BAND surgery. Re-operation rate of less than 5%. Major complications requiring re-operation occurred in 106 (5.9%) patients. These included stomach slippage + pouch dilatation in 70 (3.9%) patients (band removed in 20 patients–1.1%, repositioned in 50 patients–2.8%), erosion in 16 (0.9%) patients (band removed), psychological intolerance in 14 (0.7%) patients (band removed), miscellaneous (HIV, infection, mircroperforation) in 5 (0.27%) patients (band removed) and gastric necrosis in 1 (0.05%) patient (gastrectomy performed). If we exclude the 31 major complications of the learning curve period (first 100 patients), the complication rate is reduced to 4.4%. Unprecedented 12-year follow-up rate of 91% allowed ILOST surgeons to report reliable data. Most common co-morbidities were hypertension (35.6%), osteoarthritis (57.8%), diabetes (22%), dislipidemia (27.1%), sleep apnea (31.4%), depression (21.2%), hyperuricemia (27.1%), gallstones (8.7%) irregular menstrual cycle (4.9%), heart failure (1.4%), sweet eating (22.5%) and binge eating (18.5%). Average weight loss in the entire series of 1,791 patients. Weight loss (kg, BMI, %EWL) for the entire series is represented in Figure 1. At 10 years the average weight was 101.4 ± 27.1 kg (loss of 26.3 kg), the BMI 37.7 ± 9.1 (loss of 8.5 points) and the %EWL was 38.5 ± 27.9. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hi Ada, after what you have been through this will be a piece of cake. You are only in the operating room about 60 min and one night over in the hospital. The incisions are tiny and heal up pretty quickly. It is really important to get up and get moving as soon as possible to prevent complications such as blood clots and pneumonia. They gave me heparin injections to prevent clots and sequentials ( leg booties that massage your legs). They also give you anitbiotics IV to prevent infection. I was back to work in one week and doing well. Everyone is different. I am 58 years old so I'm not a youngster. I am feeling so great and in control of my eating portions for the first time in 50 years. I feel like exercising again which is a major change for me. I just don't see any negatives about this proceedure. You will get a lot of support and advise on this website. Do your research and find your comfort zone. I would recomend this to anyone who has health problems due to obesity. Best Wishes to you on your journey. Becky

I agree. Tiffy and I joined right about the same time, and she was sleeved right after I was. We kind of held each other up while we were waiting for more people to learn about Sleeve Talk. She has so much knowledge and experience with complications, having gone through them herself. She is a wealth of information.

Posts like this will always get a polarized response. The best I can suggest is to follow your plan and don't get so independant. The stages are established through observations on tens of thousands of bariatric patients and what actions cause horrid complications that could have been avoided. Eating food too soon is one of them. Your tummy has been brutalized. Your brain did not get the memo. That is common. Head hunger is a crazy-maker. Please take care of yourself.

Did the insurance company say anything about not covering you for complications (if any) when you choose to go to Mexico rather than wait for the insurance company? I have Aetna and am in the process of being approved. Lots of i's to dot and t's to cross before you are sure of the approval. The co pay is nearly as much as going to Mexico so am very tempted to just do that. The aftercare insurance thing is all that is stopping me.

Thanks. My starting weight was 236. I only lost 5 pre-op. Presurg I was 231, my surg was 1/22/13. Today I'm 196, but I've a lot of stalling, or at least it seems like it. Of course my original starting wt pre-band was 265, I got it in 2009 before the sleeve was approved. I lost about 100lbs in the first yr, but then had complications and had to have all fluid taken out, so of course I gained almost all of it back. Then decided to get the sleeve. Its definitely not a quick fix, but I'm hoping its more of.a sustainable solution.

You went from one extreme to another from being obese to now having and eating disorder. I think professional help is in order. Your not only hurting your ego your hurting everything inside of you whether your band is okay or not. Your ruining your teeth by throwing up so much, your esophagus, your sphincter that controls your food to stay down. Throwing up constantly can have really bad consequences other then slipping your band. I really think (in my opinion) you need to get help very soon before you end up having GI bleeds and other serious complications.

One week after surgery I was very tired and was spending all my thought energy on figuring out what liquid thing I could eat (since I ended up despising the Protein shakes). Who do you have at home to help ? Could you explain what is going on in your personal life to the agency and have the girls come the following week ? You could do it, but it won't be easy. And if you had any post-surgiical complications your spouse would have total responsibility for you and the girls. I don't normally sound like a negative Nelly but this is a very important decision.

7 days after surgery I still had a drain, find out if you will have a drain and for how long. I spent 5 days in the hospital and I know some people came home in one day. I had my drain taken out day 13. I took naps daily for the first 2 weeks. I'm 49 and I have Lupus but I also lost 70 pounds pre-surgery and I had a leg up on the weight loss. I have heard stories of women crying during dinner because they couldn't eat what everyone else is eating. Realize that your eating is going to be seriously different. From clears, full liquid, pureed, soft & regular. If you have been working on behavior modification pre-surgery that will probably be a piece of case for you, but for many people they really get depressed after surgery. Around day 9 it seems everything is much more emotional than before surgery. I would love to be a foster mom, mys on is 22 years old and I think what you are doing is wonderful. With that being said, you will have people say to you, oh yeah, no problem I did this that and the other after surgery. No two people are alike and you have no clue how you are going to be until after surgery. If you go into surgery with the right frame of mind and you are an upbeat and positive person, you will most likely do better, but complications do happen, people respond differently to different things. If these girls have been through a whole lot of stress prior, it could be hard on them, but if you have help for the first week they are there, and you can control your emotions when it comes to food and you don't have food mourning in front of them, you could do it. I think being a foster mom is a wonderful thing, and I wish you the best of luck and I'm not trying to scare you, I want you to be as informed as you can be. Again best of luck and I am looking forward to hearing good news after your surgery.

Did you truly eat six pieces of chicken? How is that even possible? I couldn't eat that much and I am 3 1/2 months post op, I'm not sure people even farther out from surgery could consume that much. As Kindle said you need to be very careful this close to surgery that you don't injure your staple line, the complications from that would be terrible.

Been hovering in this forum for a couple of months, just felt I should join today. I was banded on Jan 30. Had no complications or pain. I'm already on mush/soft foods because the doc said I was doing so good. Lost 32lbs since the pre op diet until today. Feel really good and already have lots more energy.

I was never told not to use a straw, so I have never stopped and have had no complications.

by "second surgery", do you mean you have a second stricture that needs to be stretched? That's not unusual. I had to go in twice to get mine stretched - after that, I was fine - never had problems with them again. About 5% of bypass patients get strictures. The PA at my bariatric clinic said it's the most common complication - and it's an easy fix. They almost never happen once you reach the 3-month-post-op mark, so it's doubtful you'll have one again after you get this one stretched. you'll be able to eat more the further out you get from surgery. It's really just the first few months that you have certain food restrictions and can only eat a tiny amount of food. you should feel a lot better once they stretch out the stricture - and it's unlikely you'll have another one after this.

Here's a high level list of what I talked about with Dr. Michaelson: How long have you been doing the procedure? How many have you done? What is your success rate? Rate of complications, and what sorts of complications? What can I expect from you throughout this process (availability to answer questions, meetings, etc)? What will be expected from me? Are there current or former patients I can speak with? What can I expect it to be like post surgery (time in facility, recovery time at home, diet, etc) assuming nothing unusual about my surgery? He told me to not hesitate to call if more questions came to me, and either he or his staff would do their best to address my concerns.

I only regret not doing it sooner It is the best decision I have made in my entire life. You will love the new you, make sure you follow the program and your surgeon's and nut's recommendations. I feel like I have the best surgeon and nut, but so does everyone else, I do follow their rules and everything has been fantastic. I had no complications, no pain, no nausea, no nothing.. All has been wonderful. Keep us posted on your progress and best wishes on your journey I will keep you in my prayers.

Yes my date is Monday 1/29, starting the diet this Sunday 1/12. I'm having Loop Duodenal Switch. I am also pre-diabetic and have had GERD for a long time. I'm mainly nervous about surgery complications. I'm 68 years old. I think as long as the surgery is successful without any major complication I am strong willed enough to handle most anything after the surgery. As they say, we'll see.

Banded on 03/28/07. No complications. I felt almost completely healed at two weeks out. My Doctor wanted me to remain on Clear Liquids and Protein Shakes for two ADDITIONAL weeks (until one month after surgery). He said this was for weight loss as well as to let adhesions develop around the band. I could lie and say I was following his rules, but at the two-week mark I started on full liquids, then mushies. Never felt a twinge from the band on any of it. Couple days later, I was on solids again, chewing well and feeling great. I've got a valid excuse in that the Protein shakes were making me gag- literally. Seven different brands of powder and can, all nasty. Plus, the only clear liquids that tasted good to drink were sugary fruit juices- I am not a broth/soup person at all. I was genuinely worried that I would "sugar" myself out of losing any weight. I wasn't getting enough protein, felt weak and tired. Now, my doctor and I had already discussed me doing Atkins on the band until I'm done losing. He also put me on Phentermine (appetite suppressant) to speed this whole process and help me through bandster hell. Anyway, I've been doing Atkins with only a couple minor cheating incidents. I get my protein from real meat. I avoid sugar. I feel FREAKING AWESOME. Today is exactly one month out and I'm down almost 50 pounds. I know, I know, should have followed doctor's orders... I know, I know, could have lost more already w/out the food. And yes, I have been exercising a little bit and taking my Vitamins. My portions went from tiny to almost-normal as my body got used to food again, so that I can just about finish a chicken breast, burger patty or can of tuna and I feel very satisfied with that. But even in supposed bandster hell with no fill, I just am not that hungry. I have to force myself to eat, most days. Some of that is the Phentermine working (you can feel it when you're on it), but even without the pills my hunger just isn't like it was. Don't doubt, I already pushed myself once, trying to eat the old way: I overdid it on on chinese spicy beef and the band let me know about it! Just ate too much, felt like I was bloated and it was pressing up UNDER the band? Wierd, but it went away when I took a gas-x tab. Regardless, I am so glad I had this surgery done. I plan on going under 300 pounds next month. I can't wait to get a fill (on 05/10/07)and watch my portion size drop back down again. Oh, one last dark little confession because I am a bad man: In order to avoid stressing the band, I've been drinking with meals to keep it flushed. I don't have restriction ANYWAY, but I wanted to let the adhesions form like the doctor talked about. He said food sitting in the band would push it down, that was the reason for the long liquids period- I tried to get around it my own dunder-headed way. So, it's time to buckle down and stop drinking with my meals. Thanks for reading this novella, please berate me for being pigheaded and breaking the rules. I know I deserve it. *ducks and covers*

It feels like forever since I've been on here to give an update! Last time I posted, I had just gotten my date for the port revision surgery and was about to be heading off for vacation. First of all let me just say vacation was AWESOME. Leaving Massachusetts and heading to Florida for a week was a much needed break! Little things throughout that week helped me to realize that my body is changing for the better, and at 70lbs lost so far the difference is noticeable, even though I don't always perceive it to be. For instance, the last time I was on an airplane was in Feb. 2006, and I remember it being so cramped and uncomfortable and barely being able to get the seatbelt buckled if I managed to buckle it at all. This time, I didn't feel like I was invading the seat next to me, and not only does the seatbelt buckle, but there's a good five or six inches of extra belt leftover after I tighten it. Such a good feeling!:blushing: Later that week came the amusement park rides...I haven't been to an amusement park in probably at least 4 years for fear of not being able to fit on the rides and having to be asked to get off. I've never actually been asked to get off a ride, but the anxiety of thinking that it was a possibility was more than enough to keep me away for all those years! I guess I figured stop going before that happens, because I cannot even fathom how humiliated I would feel if that happened to me in front of everyone waiting in line. So, even though I knew that this time I shouldn't worry I still kind of did...but happily discovered that my fear no longer seemed to be warranted! Needless to say I had a fantastic time and went on just about every ride in the park.:biggrin2: Came home from vacation on May 11th, and then had my follow up surgery to correct my flipped port a few days later, on the 14th. I met with my surgeon the day before and discussed the procedure and I asked the questions I had. I finally remembered to ask what size band I have, and it's a 10cc band. I asked about what the chances were that my port would flip again later down the road, and he said not likely but not impossible. He did say that of the patients he has had to do the revision surgery on, none have had any further complications...hope I continue that tradition! The day of surgery went very well, and was definitely much easier than the initial surgery. I got to the hospital around 1:30pm, and the procedure was scheduled for 3:30pm, although I think they actually got started a little closer to 3:00. I was out of the hospital around 5pm, stopped at the pharmacy to get my Rx filled on the way home, and asleep on the couch due to the Percocet by 6pm. The procedure itself was much easier, and I only had to have local anesthesia with sedation instead of general. Which I was thrilled about because I hated the horrendous sore throat I had before with general. I was sore afterwards, but not nearly as bad as last time since there was just the one incision and it was just below the surface. I'm barely a week postop now, and feel 99% back to normal...just a little soreness if I try to do too much with my ab muscles, and my incision is nearly healed. My surgeon did my first fill while doing the surgery, and I think he put in about 1cc. I notice a little bit of difference as far as restriction, but not much, definitely not as much as I was hoping for. Perhaps next week at my follow up appointment he will do a second fill. We'll see! How is everyone else doing?

I have so many things to be happy about. Here are 10 to start. 1) I have a wonderful, loving, supportive husband who thinks I've ALWAYS been hot. 2) I have great friends and a loving family. 3) I met my Rabbits and Turtles United Challenge goal early (yesterday). 4) I'm finally past the halfway point to my goal weight! 5) I've had no complications with my band. 6) I'm averaging a loss of 2.5 lbs. per week. 7) I'm finally over my nasty cold. 8) I got to sing karaoke last night. 9) My step-son is a great kid. 10) I'm happy to have found LBT.

I think you must remember that the thing is the journey. How well can you follow directions? This is like learning to ride a bike. You fall off and get back on. I don't quite get the 2 weeks of previous behavior? You need to figure out what that was about for you. Why did it take you so long to face it? It is time for a reset. Most of the complications appear to be related to not following the post op diet. Cheating here could be fatal.