Search the Community

Due to my new insurance excluding all weight loss surgeries, I am looking for high quality/low(er) cost surgeries, Gastric Bypass or Mini Gastric Bypass. From what you have read, what is everyone's opinions on the differences between Mexico Bariatric Center and the Obesity Control Center? If you had to choose, or do your surgery over again, which would you pick? Thanks!

I understand where your coming from because I was at a Bariatric Support group last night and had to hear numerous people bash the band. You need to realize that this is for you and no one else. Everyone has an opinion its up to you to search within yourself and determine if this is for you. I have been overweight all my life and really had no support for my decision but I went through with it and have no regrets. The good thing about the band is it is reversable and they can take it out, but with the Gastric Bypass that is not an option. I want you to focus on you and your choice and try to close your ears to everyone not supporting you. before classes 06/24/07 316lbs. banded 01/24/08 292lbs. current 06/11/08 251.5

I had my Realize band surgery June 2009. Dr Rodriguez did my revision at Star Medica on 4/27/12. I had a wonderful experience with Dr Rod and his staff. I am just a month out so I haven't been really adventurous yet. However, whatever I eat, it sits comfortably in my stomach, not my throat! I haven't yet slimed or thrown up. So far, I haven't had any acid reflux issues. I didn't really notice but I was eating a lot of soft foods, Soups and sliders with the band. If I had a lunch or dinner date, I would have to scope out the menu in advance just to make sure there was something that I could eat that I wouldn't get stuck on. With the sleeve, it's not an issue. I am adding in veggies and salads back into my diet. Although, I haven't tried any fruits yet. But my goal is to focus on getting to my goal weight before I start adding in more fruits.

I had the same concerns when I started this process, this will be revision surgery for me because the lap band did not work for me....when I was in my psy consult I told her my concerns and she agreed that my concerns were valid and I should seek therapy, so I found a therapist and she has been great...she has already helped me and I've only had 2 sessions with her....when I told my friends who have also had WLS they just told me you can get the same thing reading a book....and I told them, I need someone who will have a verbal exchange with me, and a book cant do that... I would encourage you to seek a therapist...

I had my band in Jan. 2007. I had issues from the start, even though I lost around 45 - 50 pounds. I had my revision done just 2 months ago and all I can say is, WOW!!!!! What a difference! I feel better, eat better and have had zero complications. If any of you have a Facebook page, there's a great page called "Failed Lap-Bands and Realize Bands" and there is so much information about issues with the band and most of the folks on there have had revisions or are in the process of getting one. I would highly recommend it!

Hi everyone! My name is Tonya and I am currently shopping Gastric Balloon procedures. I have looked into the Sleeve and Bypass procedures too and really like them but feel like the Balloon gives me a tool to change my life in a permanent way without permanently altering my body with surgery. Any recommendations on who to trust in Mexico (or who not to trust...)? Costs locally are $7000 (Orbera) and $6,900 (Reshape) cash/credit up front. These prices include nutritional counseling, procedure, removal, and visits with the doctor. Insurance does not cover any costs for weight loss procedures including the sleeve or bypass. I am also just trying to catch up on the forum to see total weight loss and weight loss maintained after the balloon. :o) Thank you!!!!

I had lap band. It slipped and could not go back into place. It eroded and I had to have revision too much scarring. In 2009 I was so scared and elected band. I've not had one complication after bypass and am kicking myself that I didn't do that surgery first. I was miserable w band. Never was restricted if I was too tight I would regurgitate in sleep. Sorry just my story. I went in so often to take fluid in and out regardless of what you do make sure you choose surgeon near by. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Try this, @kharvard15 ... Complete Five-Day Bariatric Reset Diet The Five-Day Pouch Reset is a "reset" diet for people who have had gastric bypass surgery and might be starting to regain weight. Step 1 Drink only liquids for the first two days of the five-day diet. You'll need to drink at least two litres of water in addition to low-carb protein shakes. You can drink as many shakes as you want; the point of the first 48 hours is to take a break from your eating habits. By getting all of the nutritional needs from liquids, you'll be forced to pay attention to how often you were eating, snacking or simply grazing. Remember: The goal during this phase isn't weight loss, but mentally re-setting your habits. You can't make your pouch smaller through changes in diet, but you can learn portion control. Step 2 Eat only protein the next three days. On day three, you'll eat "soft protein" such as eggs and cottage cheese. On day four, you'll eat "ground meats" -- such as meatloaf and hamburger. On day five, you'll eat "solid proteins" such as chicken breast or a piece of fish. Limit condiments, such as salsa or mayonnaise. Foods should be as dry as possible -- which will help you gauge how full you are. You're allowed to eat as much as you'd like and as often as you like, but you must stop eating 15 minutes after you start. Do not sit and eat for longer than 15 minutes at any point during the final stage of the diet. Step 3 Do not drink any liquids 30 minutes before eating or with your meals. Liquids can help push foods more quickly through your pouch, allowing you to eat more than you should. Many facets of the five-day bariatric pouch reset diet are similar to the post-op diet followed right after surgery. Tips Plan ahead because the diet restricts the types of food you can eat. Make sure you have the foods you need on hand. The goal of this diet is to make you conscious of your food choices and stop mindless eating. Warnings According to the National Institutes of Health, "bypass surgery alone is not a solution to losing weight. It can train you to eat less, but you still have to do much of the work. You will need to follow the exercise and eating guidelines that your doctor and dietitian gave you."

I had my band removed and revised to a sleeve done at the same time. I went home the same day at 4 pm. I had an easy recovery. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Sure. There will be little you CAN'T eat. The question is always gonna be "SHOULD" you eat it? I do a lower fat version of low carb. After my bypass surgery, I have a hard time with very fatty meals/foods. Steak does just fine with me. Love it. I can handle about 2oz of sausage if it isn't greasy and about 1oz of salami, but have to be careful with the cheese cuz it not only stops me up, but makes me hurl.

Kari, My insurance changed with my job in July of this year. I had been on Blue Cross of WY and when I called to ask them if they covered it, they said they did cover the bypass, but to submit reasons why I wanted a lapband thru my doc. That claim was denied, but by then, I had new insurance with Beech Street. I called Beech Street several months before I was even a member and asked if they covered weight loss and they said YES. I asked if they had ever covered any lapbands, and they said they had covered several in the last few years. I got approved with MINIMAL hassle! They were awesome. Then, my employer sent out our coverage booklets, and weight loss was listed as "excluded" except with medical necessity to be proven. I had to show a medical history, a medical supervised diet (I had done phenphen about 10 years ago), and had to get a psych eval. That was it. Honestly, that exclusion paragraph would have discouraged me had I not been approved! SO, all this means, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW!!! Go for it. I even had a friend who paid big bucks to BC/BS for 6 months on high risk insurance so she could get a bypass...and they paid if for her after 6 months! SO, there are ways around it, too, without being stuck with the whole cost. I would just call and ask about a coverage claim and see what happens. All information is good information!!! As for your other questions, I had surgery on Tues in CO and I am tired today, but no pain meds needed...just sleeping and taking it easy! It was honestly much easier than I had prepared for. Good luck! Rose

Hi Guys- Sorry. I did start a new thread and I have been so consumed with work I haven't been here in a few weeks. I had revision surgery on my slipped band and I got to keep it- YAY!! I can actually eat now and it is wonderful, but I am keeping tabs on myself since I have gained three pounds. I think I did a number on my metabolism from being on liquids for a month and my body was just crying out for solid food. But I can live with three pounds. I will not get a fill anytime soon- I need to let my system rest and I still feel moderate restriction without one. I am almost 100% 3 weeks after my surgery and I absolutely implore you all to get help IMMEDIATELY if you have the same symptoms I had. And for the record my gall bladder is fine- phew!

The band will have to come out and causes many problems if not right off then eventually. Just had a revision.....I was not told that when I chose the band.

Hello and welcome! I as in the same boat. Had my RNY in 2004. I lost 130 lbs but gained over the last 3 years. Just like you. I didn't follow the guidelines. Drinking soda, beer, wine, eatting whatever I wanted and dri king while I ate. I gained back 80lbs. Luckily I was able to have a revision on 6/28. This time I am following the rules! You can get back on track. It's not too late. I just joined My Fitness Pal. I'm working4shoes.

What you're feeling is perfectly normal. I'm feeling it too. I was banded in 2009, was successful, but this year I went in for a fill and they suggested for me to have a revision to sleeve instead. I think that's the new way doctors are handling band patients these days, regardless whether they are having problems or stalls. They unfilled it and of course, I gained about 20 lbs. while waiting for my revision surgery. I had Dr. Martinez for my band but have since moved, and am going to have my revision on Sept. 2, 2016 with another doctor. I wish it was with Dr. Martinez as I always had faith in his capabilities and judgment... I guess it's just a long way of saying "I'm scared too." *big hugs* You will do just fine, and so will I, let's just keep reminding each other hehe.

I am 6 weeks post op from gastric bypass and have not lost weight in 4 days . Is this normal ?

You're right , I will request to have tests done to find out about the status of my band. If there's any problem at all, I'm sure this Dr. will want the band taken out and so would I. as a matter of fact, one Dr. has already mentioned that he could remove it and I could go with the sleeve or bypass. and thats by going on my complaints. Thnx for your input.

I am so glad you mentioned a second bulging stomach. I am looking toward to the revision also. But I asked my Dr. why was my upper stomach so huge? He turned, looked at me, and said "I DON'T KNOW" and then turned and walked out the door. I look a good 7 months pregnant. Deep down inside I sort of felt that maybe I had made a second upper belly due to the band always being too tight. Nevertheless; My Dr. never requested any tests to be done no matter how much I complained about stomach issues, port issues or throat issues. I blame myself for not completely following the rules but the wrong foods were easier to swallow. You were 16 and I was 55. No matter how young or old, We both made the wrong choice. I will be seeing another Dr. soon, the appointment has been set.

I have done a lot of research, talked to lots of people...and when I found out that it's just as easy to gain back on either one...I chose the sleeve because it was less involved than the bypass and less risk. Any of them you will have to work at it! And your doc can't possibly say he's seen better long term results on the sleeve bcuz it's so new! All I know is you will have to make up your mind to work it cuz either way you go it's not going to work itself! I'm only 4 days post op but work in a hosp and know that the sleeve is the newest phenomenon!

@@reinventingme63 I'm so sorry, I just saw this today. My band removal went without a hitch and I was back up on my feet within a week or so... are you healing or healed now? I've heard of all sorts of reasons for people to have their bands removed, but not issues with the wounds not closing. I can't believe your doc was so callous to just stick his finger in there, ouch! Are you going to have a revision? All of my best thoughts and prayers to you...

Hi Everyone, I go by SnohoGal98296 - I have been visiting and posting for a few months now. At first I was lurking to learn about your experiences and your pre and post surgery successes and failures. I also wanted to learn if you had the same experience as I have and if those experiences helped lead you to weight loss surgery. I did this research to determine if WLS was for me - and through this site, my outside research of specific surgeons and my own family who have made the leap for themselves and are very happy, I have made the decision to get weight loss surgery, specifically the sleeve. I am just in the process of determining which bariatric surgical center at which I will spend my hard earned money. I am self-pay, well employed and well insured, but with a WLS exclusion. As this is a huge investment for me I have closely examined specific reasons why I want this procedure. Below is my list (I apologize in advance for any TMIs :-D): I have tried nearly every diet on the planet - I am 45 years old and first realized I was overweight when I was about 10 years old. Here is a list of diets I have tried over the past 35 years: Lowfat / Nonfat liquid VLC diet (I snuck my Dad's Optifast in the 6th grade) Jenny Craig Weight Watchers Acupuncture Hypnosis Grocery Diet (Lean Cuisine, etc) Starbucks Diet Subway Diet Atkins South Beach Medically Supervised Optifast Medically Supervised High Protein / Low Carb (I was most successful here) Here are my physical observations since my last diet and regain, I don't make this list to complain but to remind me why I need to be proactive for my health, in no particular order: I am 5'6", I started my last diet at 275lbs, I lost around 50lbs. and was feeling pretty darn good about being in the 220's. I thought I could lose more and keep the weight off and did for almost a year, unfortunately the diet was too hard to maintain and I ended up gaining back the 50lbs. plus another 20lbs. Actually I am fluctuating between 295 and 298. At my first surgical consult their scale, fully clothed in the afternoon, said 302lbs. I have finally eclipsed the largest size of my favorite work slacks - Lee "khaki" style slacks. Their largest size is 24W. I wear 24W in other brands but not in Lee anymore. I have been on two business trips since October and on both occasions I had to ask for seat belt extenders, (funnily enough on the USA based airlines but not on the Japan based airline). When I bend over to tie my shoes I feel starved for oxygen, I often need to prop my foot up to reach. I am unable to wear my favorite pair of boots anymore, my calves won't fit anymore - and they are men's boots. I have resorted to fastening my bra before I put it on because my arms don't bend that way anymore. I have a few creases in different areas of my body that get raw and irritated if I get sweaty. I have had to have prescription yeast infection treatments for these areas. Needless to say I hate to sweat now, in fact it makes me itch. I barely fit in my son's car and the seat belt is fully extended when I fasten it. It is close in my car - but I have few inches there yet. Some public restrooms stalls are too small for me, I have to use the handicap stall to have the space to reach, if you know what I mean (sorry TMI). At a recent meeting at work, the chair I was sitting in broke, snapped underneath me with a loud crack and I barely caught myself before tumbling over backwards, and I yelped! My only relief from complete embarrassment? A normal size guy broke his chair too, a short while after mine did. When I go to bed at night, I have to sleep with 2 or more pillows because I can't lay on my back without my own neck flesh choking me, I also need the pillows to sleep on my side due to my body is larger than one pillows width from the mattress surface. I have borderline high blood pressure. I do not have type II diabetes, although my surgical consult reminded it hasn't been tested in a couple of years. Climbing the single flight of stairs at my work, walking between buildings, or trying to keep up with my family while we are on walks causes me to be out of breath. Walking or standing for more than 20 or 30 mins makes my feet and back hurt so badly that I have to sit down. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year was excruciating. Doing normal housework is now a workout. My hips brush the armrests of my office chair, not too small yet, but close. There is a woman at work who had to have facilities order her an XL chair and everyone knows about it. Regarding my family - My husband is truly supportive, he backs me 100%. My 17 year old son wonders why I can't diet and exercise more. My daughter really hasn't weighed in - I believe she supports me. I have a cousin who weighed over 440lbs. when she got the lap band, she got down to 300lbs and all weight loss stopped. After her band failed (i.e. broke internally, she didn't regain very much) she got a revision to RNY and has begun loosing again. Her son just got banded this year and has lost over 150lbs. and just got engaged. I feel comfortable within my own family with this decision. Regarding work - I have told my Boss and she supports my decision but I will only tell my coworkers on a person by person basis. Some will understand and support others just don't need to know. So these are some of the reasons why I have decided to get weight loss surgery, what are some of your reasons?

I had gastric bypass surgery on March 30, 2012. I'm now 5 weeks post op and down 23 pounds. Things have been going ok. The second week post op I was almost rehospitalized due to dehydration and low blood pressure; thankfully I was not. Since then I'm still struggling to get in all my fluids. Eating has been going ok- but like most of you when I eat, I either am eating to fast or not chewing enough and it gets stuck in my stomach and causes a great deal of discomfort/pain. I still am extremely exhausted 99.9% of the time and I'm not sure why or how to get rid of the feeling of being tried all the time. People ask me if I feel good and I truthfully don't know how to answer. Normally, prior to surgery if I lost 23 lbs of course I would feel awesome. After this surgery I feel so lethargic I don't feel good- all I want to do is sleep. Yes my clothes fit better, but in all honesty I would give anything to get my energy back! Anyone else have this same feeling?

Hello everyone this is probably going to be long but really could use the input. Nov 2019 I had the gastric sleeve done. Since this I have had nothing but troubles. 10 days after surgery I was admitted due to blood in my belly and a hematoma on my spleen. They fixed that and discharged 3 days later. I have not been able to eat much more then let's say a chicken nugget(less then an ounce of anything including liquids) I got dehydrated was admitted again 29 days post op. Stayed for 12 days got a picc line with tpn since I can not eat or drink much. During this stay had endoscopy and they stretched a stricture lower part of stomach to intestines from 15mm to 25ish mm. Went home no change still not able to eat. Had another endoscopy and stretch this time my stomach was twisted and she tried stretching to 30mm but was only able to get to about 28mm. Went home still no change to eating and drinking. On the 16th of January I had another endoscopy stretch. Stomach was twisted again and was barely able to stretch it at all. I aspirated during the procedure. I woke up to them telling me to keep coughing to get it up. They observed me for 3hrs was on 4liters of oxygen at first then 2. I got up to pee with help my oxygen corrected itself. They said there was no need to keep me I only aspirated a tiny amount. They let me go home (2 hr drive home) I was freezing hole way hubby cranked up heat. Took temp when I got home and found I had a fever of 102.6 went to local er where they did xray and ct found I had developed pneumonia and I also had a pulmonary embolism. They felt I should go back to hospital where this happened and I stayed there for 6 days. 5 days of iv antibiotics and heparin for embolism then discharged on lovonox to continue for 6 months to a yr. I still have no change so now its crunch time it has been 3 months since and cant eat or drink much at all. They want to do another stretch which I would need to come off the lovanox which is putting my life at risk. Not to mention I have had it done 3 times and it has not helped. Also if it doesnt work i would need to have the bypass revision which means 2 procedures putting me at risk 2 times) Surgeon says only other option is revision to bypass(unless he sees scar tissue and can fix. But i have to agree to bypass incase there is no scar tissue or it cant be fixed) My family is up in arms it's hard either way. I dont want anymore procedures but I need to get stomach fixed and I need to get back to work. 3 months no pay we cant take this financially anymore. So for me I feel like they need to do the bypass and I hope for the best and have minimal complications. However the rest of family is worried I will have more complications than I have currently. Plus my sister had bypass and has had to have 15 different repairs(this makes them more worried) I could really use some insight on this what would you do? What do you think I should do?

We both had 2 different surgeons and hospitals. I love my surgeon. He and his team have been great and trying to fix this. What is difference between bypass and mini bypass? Glad you are doing well!!

I just got my surgery scheduled today - Feb. 10th. Gastric bypass.