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I just wanted to post my experience so far...I attened a seminar on Wednesday night for Dr. Abkin and Dr. Bertha and let me tell you I was impressed. First off it was held at a local hotel meeting room so there was space for about 100 or so attendees. Now most of the seminar was a repeat for me as I have in the past year been to 2 other info seminars and I have been researching lap band for over a year but none the less I was impressed. Marco the OR nurse the first spoke was very informative and answered all questions. They also had 2 guest speakers that have already had surgery and while I was disappointed that neither had the lap band they were also very informative for those people looking to do gastric bypass. The next person to speak was Josephine who is the insurance whiz. She answered a bunch of questions and gave lots of info regarding which insurances require what and all that good info. And then finally the doctors came up to speak. Dr. Abkin, Dr. Bertha as well as Dr. Garrison are very informative and open to all question and after the "formal" part of the seminar was over they stayed an answered individual questions if you had any. And THEN when you walked out of the main room there were tables set up so you can go ahead and make your consult appointment with one of the surgeons and also make appointments for a nutisionist and a psychiatrist (sp?). You also walk out with the paper work to get your lab work done and a form for your PCP to fill out. They basically have everything right there for you and I couldn't ask for anything more!!!! Everyone involved was more then helpful and willing to answer any question that you may have!! The previous 2 seminars I attended was held in the doctor's waiting room and you were basically sitting on the person next to you as the doctor just stood in front speaking about all the general info. They would tell you what was required as for as other test but I feel you were left to your own to sort it all out. Now I know we are all adults and should be able to handle making out own appointments but with something like this some people dont know where to start. Even though the previous 2 seminars were smaller groups I didnt feel a connection with the doctors I felt more as if I was just another #. That is the main reason why I was looking for another doctor and I am glad I came across Dr. Bertha and Dr. Abkin with a little help for the LBT group - THANKS!!! I have my consult on 10/17 with Dr. Bertha and I can't wait!!!!! I just wanted to share my experience with everyone and maybe help fellow NJ folks with finding a doctor!! :clap2:

Hi All, Well there is definately a difference between my first band surgery and my revision. There is no fill in the band at all and I am STARVING. I've been on Clear liquids up until I had some tomato Soup this evening (same consistency at Slim Fast) and that finally took away the terrible hunger pains I was having. I mean, it was actual PAIN. And it's only been four days since the surgery. I am surprised I am so hungry even though I don't have any fill. Anyone else here had a revision have the same experience? The doctor did mention to me I didn't have to be on the clear liquid phase for as long as normal because I would be hungrier, but this is bad! Hopefully when I add yogurt to my diet tomorrow that will help some. Any thoughts? Mae

When I saw the heading Kaiser Nor Cal, it sparked my interest. I live in the Sac area and was sent to SF Kaiser because I was trying to get them to pay for band removal and revision. This was about 4 years ago. Frankly the doc was a jerk. He told me it was waaaay too dangerous and if I had my band removed and a revision, I would probably end up dead or in a nursing home. Yes! He actually used those words! He offered to remove my band and have me go through the whole new patient process all over again and ..."then we'll see". I was just wondering if anyone here has had Kaiser approve and pay for any type of bariatric revision surgery?

It's a tube that they put through your nose into your stomach if need to suction out the contents of your stomach. It i essential that bypass patient do not have this as it can puncture their pouch. From what I understand it is not a problem with the sleeve because even thought he sleeve is smaller than a regular stomach it's route it the same. I think I got this right.

I've had hypothyroidism for about 8 years now. Take Synthroid everyday. I lost almost 100 lbs. I'm banded now, but I'm gunna revise to sleeve soon (slipped band). It's harder but definitely doable! Good luck!

Hi KTK. My husband and I have had the lap band for 2 years now. We have a friend that had the Gastric Bypass a year and a half ago. She lost her first 100 lbs faster than us, however she has had many complications. We have had absolutely no complications and over time, we have lost more weight. Both surgeries are very effective however there are people that have not been successful with either one. The Lap Band and the Gastic bypass are only tools. You get out them what you put in to it. I chose the Lap band because I felt re arranging my insides was a bit much. The Lap Band is adjustable and reversable and it has worked great for both of us. Feel free to contact me if you think of any questions. I love giving the advise that helped my husband and I. We are both half the size we use to be =-). Good Luck. Once you start see the results, it become an easy life style to adapt to.

I have an appt Friday , so far on my list I have, leak rate and complications , how well do revisions recover , any preventive post op meds like Prilosec needed. Any other questions are welcomed

I haven't had my band to sleeve revision surgery yet, but had to have my band emptied earlier this year due to complications. Good luck to you!

Thanks for your reply and support! It is pretty discouragning to have done all the prelim. stuff and then get denied. Apparently there is a stipulation with my bcbs that you have to have a bmi of at least 50 to qualify for the sleeve. I didnt realize this when I first started this process but I still dont plan to go with the band or bypass. As a result of doing research for my appeal letter, I learned that the vsg was historically performed at the first in a 2-stage bariatric surgery (the 2nd being the roux-en-y or bd switch) for people with a bmi over 50 that are high risk. So my insurance hasnt updated their knowledge on the sleeve and its benefits for lower bmi people. I hope things go smoothly for you. Lisa

I agree with Keisha85 - the doctors are there to help you. They know that food is a struggle for us. If it wasn't none of us would have the surgery, right? I am just on day 2 of my pre-op liquid diet and I know this is going to be hard, but if you give up now then all of your pre-op work will be lost! My sister just had the gastric bypass done and has chosen to look for things to distract her from food - her Nintendo DS, reading, etc. I don't know your exact situation but keeping busy always works for me to help stay away from the food. Lately I've been trying to exercise when I'm bored - like going to the pool or park. Anyway - I hope this helped you some!

Hi everyone its been a minute since I been on here October 17th will make it seven months since I had the gastric bypass. I am down 100lbs my starting weight was 275 here is a before pic and after. I am 175lbs and have 30-40 more lbs I want to loose but I am happy were I am God has really helped me thru this journey its been a long one but I am gone keep pushing I went from a 2xl in shirt to medium and large from a 18-20 to 11-12 ????????????☺

Hello folks, This is my first post, although I've been lurking around since the end of last year when I met a woman at my hair salon who was 8 months post-op from a gastric bypass. I just happened to mention that I've tried all that I could with my weight and felt helpless, then she let me in on her secret. I'm an owner operator travel agent and I'm originally from NY living in the DC area. My family is from Jamaica. I'm married with two lovely girls who will be turning 2 and 5 soon. My husband and his family are all tall and slim. Thankfully our girls look like they've got dad's genes. I have PCOS, but luckily enough, we never had a problem conceiving. Hubby says he has the "rod of correction" -- yeah he's very into himself! I haven't told many people that I'm planning to have surgery this fall. But I have prepared them for my lifestyle change. I started some of the guidance given to me by my nutrionist and I've dropped 20! 248lbs confirmed at my last nutrition appt yesterday. My coworkers have noticed already. They'll be freaked when I really start shrinking. I'm pretty far in my process. Just waiting on the ins required psych eval to be sent to my surgeon's office and we're on to insurance sunmission. I've had a lot of ups and downs in life but I've always prevailed. No matter what I can solve issues and that's why my family nickname is "Champ." The only thing I can say I really failed at was my weight. The last time I was in the 260's I had balloon up 40lbs and was diagnosed shortly thereafter with PCOS at 25; I'm 32 now. I've been fighting this fight a long time and I never felt successful. So bad that I was thankful to be 38 weeks pregnant during my 10 year high school reunion -- hoping they'd figure it was baby weight! I know it was alot for a hello, but I'll be here for while! This is highschoofigure and I approve this message!

I am scheduled for a revision sleeve in June. Has anyone experienced gall bladder problems after being sleeved? I have heard it can be a problem.

I'm 11 days post op gastric bypass. This morning I've been experiencing abdominal flutters on my left side. Very similar to baby flutters during pregnancy. (There is no chance of pregnancy) Has anyone experienced this? In assuming has moving through.

i found a third story different scenario. Thanks for all the replys! I have had problems with the band from the beginning! 2 days after the Surgery I was admitted back into the hospital! I could not even keep my own saliva down. After a week in the hospital I had lost 25 pounds and of course I could not even have a drink of water! All I had was an IV. When they took a picture of the band it was not quite placed where it is normally on most patients but they felt that it could work! For the first 2 months I was on mostly liquids and soft foods. All together I have lost 45 pounds! I have never been able to keep down chicken no matter how many chews I chew. I have vomited almost everyday since I went to solid foods, 3 months after surgery. I don't think I have lost alot of weight because I will eat ice cream many times after I vomit to soothe my throat. At first I thought it was me, maybe I was eating too much or not chewing enough. Then my best friend had the band done it April and she is DOING GREAT!! We can sit down and she will eat more than me, same kind of food, and her band is tighten and mind is completely empty and I will still vomit. So I realized that the band is just not working for me! This had caused me to have bloody ulcers and I am on a double dose of previcid. The Drs have decided that my band needs to come out. I was hoping they just revise it but the Dr says there is no guarantee he could do that! Thats why I have decided on the RNY. I refuse to go back to my old weight. For all you bandsters to be: my Dr says that my case does not happen very often! Like I said before, my bestfriend is doing great and she hasnt vomited once! Best of luck to everyone!!!!!!

I agree with her. I have seen a lot of postings about bypass patients gaining weight back and stretching their new stomachs. I like the fact that I control the fill levels so that will not happen. I love my band and I wouldn't have it any other way. With that being said, you have to realize that the weight loss is slower with the band. I have the feeling that it can be kept off for a longer period of time though.

One of the reasons I chose the band was because of the long-term prospects. At 5 years out, the weight loss between the band and bypass is the same, from what I could find. And with the bypass, you don't have any way to adjust it later if need be. Pouches stretch out, and the body adapts to the malabsorption. With the band, it can be adjusted however your body needs it to be as you go along. That was very appealing to me.

I am now 10 days post op with the sleeve. I FINALLY today saw a drop BELOW my pre-op weight. I think the Weightless tea has helped with the water gain after surgery..I was up by 5lbs post surgery..this morning, I saw 4lb drop which took me 3lbs below pre-op weight. So compared to the newbies, it is slow so far..but I am just happy to see a drop from where I was stuck last few years. Feeling better every day. I am happy I can now drink before going to bed with no worry about choking on fluids while I sleep. I don't have stuck food that I have to bring back up. I am still on full liquids for another 10 days. Seems like Dr Kuri's post op is a bit stricter than some I have seen here with local surgeons..some folks are already on mushy food after week 1. Rather take it slow and safe. Have not been very hungry..only really hungry if I have not eaten all day..will have to see what happens as I heal up and eat more.. I didn't really have a lot of time to research the sleeve since my band removal was unexpected. I just knew I didn't want the band removed with no option to replace it. Kinda scary to think I cut my stomach to a smaller size..but glad I didn't opt for bypass. That seems scarier to me.

That is what I long to be...get my health back and be a happy person. I have to go to the grocery store in a few minutes and I dread it because I know I will get tired just walking around there. I want my health back and I hope the bypass can do it like the surgeon says!

My bypass was the best choice I ever made...128 lbs in 14 months. I’m happy and healthy.

No part of my stomach was removed I didn't get the sleeve I got bypass they leave the remaining stomach in there so it can continue to produce gastric juices for digestion. That's the largest because it's the one he puts his stapler thru that incision. The one where he put in the instrument to hold up my liver looks swell also! My husband works at a surgery center as a biomedical engineer he says the itching in a scar is called "knitting" happens when all the tissues heal & grow back together.

I had my gastric sleeve in March of 2012 with a starting weight of roughly 283 lbs at consultation / start of my journey. The lowest weight I was able to get to was about 185-188 lbs which was in early to mid 2015. Later that year, I developed a wrist injury and eventually needed surgery in 2016, and began around late 2015 to early 2016 putting on weight. From October 2016 to now I've essentially regained all of my weight back. I am contemplating revisional surgery at this time, and looking around for surgeons. I have a consultation with one surgeon set for Nov. 27th with Dr. Alibhai in Irving, Tx. (If anyone has any experience they can share, please do.) My other choice of surgeon would be Dr. Matin who did my mother's Gastric Bypass around 2007. I'm wanting to revise to the DS....but, now I am reading and learning about the SADI DS and I now don't really know which one of these I would like to do. My mom is trying to talk me more into doing the gastric bypass rather than the DS. I understand she's worried, she knew someone who recently passed away who was having complications with her DS....I don't know the specifics, but that is the gist of her reasons for not wanting me to go with the DS. At the same time, I'm 10-11 years out from my Sleeve surgery, so I've also had some thoughts about if I could possibly get a re-sleeve along with the DS. (At this rate, I think I've decided I want the DS, just not certain if I want the traditional DS or the SADI version. If anyone has any experience with Dr Mustafa Alibhai and / or experience with Re-Sleeve + DS / SADI revision, could you please share? I would really like to get back to the 180s at the very least. I felt soo much better at that weight, even though I was still a good 50-70 lbs over weight (I'm 5'3). Thank you!

There are indeed some people that get a leak weeks after surgery, and sometimes there is no easy way to tell why this happens. People who have band to sleeve revisions seem to have issues - perhaps because of tissue erosion from the band that changes the density of the stomach tissue and it has to heal properly. Others no doubt overwhelm the sleeve by eating too much or having carbonated beverages that expand the stomach before it's properly healed. The stages of eating are there for a reason...it makes sense to go err on the side of caution and go easy.

I have seen many murses be banded. Most were surgical nurses. In fact my brother is a nurse and so is his wife. They both were curious and suggested that I not get the surgery but once they clearly understood that getting banded was nothing like a sleeve or Bypass they chilled. Now they even suggest to others to talk to me about gastric banding. Funny how things work huh? As for telling anyone that you are going for banding I suggest that you keep it to yoursef. With the exception of immediate family ect. Matt

You need to maybe have medications changed out for GERD and If that MD not wanting to help with Sleeve or Bypass get somebody’s else., For me Cov19 hit and nothing was open or working and before that I was having major issues with GERD and Sleeve issues and Never Again Use Service with Beverly Hills Physical Group in Los Angeles for Sleeve or Bypass or Plastic Surgery never again very bad place., things got Delayed and I find New Team of MD who know their business and Care., you have to get another team of MD and Education your self and drink water by slip and eat slow and get help asap.,