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My surgeon allows them. He urged me to consider sleeve vs bypass for this reason. He did say to take with food.

the bariatric program I use says NO NSAIDS forever, for both sleeve and bypass. but my surgeon told me explicitly that they are fine for me. I also have other health care conditions to manage, and the longer I can get by with occasional Advil, the longer I can avoid stronger harsher medications.

Thanks for the info. I am waiting on a call from Dr. Provost office for a second opinion. which I no longer know if it is going to matter. I called my insurance yesterday and they said they do not cover gastric bypass or the removal of my band. I don't know what to do and am quiet concerned. I have been reading how esopheal dilation can turn into cancer and I sure don't want that ugly beast. I started on liquids and am doing okay with that. I actually have several things to consider here. I have PKD and my kidneys are functioning at 37% currently (down 10% in 6 months). when I reach 10% or there abouts I will have to have diaylsis. I also know that being overweight while on dialysis is hard on your overall health. And in the event I am fortunate enough to get a transplant that will put additional weight on me (most probably) which will again be harder on my kidneys and over all health. At this time I feel that it is SO important to get the weight off to avert more possible problems. But now I don't know how I can get anything done. Of course it would be better to get it done sooner than later since my kidneys are where they are right now. so I guess support and contact from the band world will help me through. Frustrated but not giving up, browneyes185, AKA, Sherrie

Im a little confused, is it Bariatric Pal Hospital or Hospital BC? I have heard that it is referenced as both names. If I have acid reflux is it ok to have the Gastric Sleeve or would I need the Gastric Bypass? Thank you Tammy Weller

I recently went through the process with Lovelace Westside and had an overall good experience. There were some annoying points, but for the most part it was just fine. First, Dr. Smith was my surgeon. I went to his seminar and since Dr. Sanchez was going to be unavailable for a month or two that's ok. Smith is based out of Ft. Worth and comes in once or twice a month for surgeries. He has the most experience with somewhere around 1500 completed. He trained Dr. Sanchez and now that she's at the 150 mark she does most of the Albuquerque area surgeries now. For complicated patients with high BMI they both are there just in case. Dr. Smith did an excellent job. I have never had a surgery (and unfortunately I've had more than I would like) with such a low amount of pain and quick recovery. His stitches are extremely well done too, which I appreciated. Overall the process on surgery day was over quickly and just as advertised. The only issue I have was with one of the support staff. Specifically the social worker they have to do the mental health evaluations. She is rude, doesn't know what she's talking about, and makes a lot of threats to you while you're in the office. It's the "if you don't do such and such I'm not going to approve you for surgery" type comments that she makes over and over that get irritating. Waiting for other patients I've heard some more colorful complaining about her. If you just answer her questions and get it over with it's usually painful. Everyone else from the front-office staff, to the dietician, to the post-op care PA are phenomenal to work with. They were very friendly and got every question of mine answered. Be prepared to be told everything about 6-10 times over the course of your "journey" with them. They have you look at a website that has everything, then for the next 3-4 months while you're going through the "journey" they will tell you it again, and again. The process has been working. I've lost about 20 pounds since the surgery and it is very easy. I strongly recommend this process to anyone. One thing to keep in mind is that they are now doing some form of bariatric surgery in Santa Fe at St. Vincent's now. I'm not sure if they do the lapbands or the gastric bypass, though.

So my questions: 1. How will the LAP-BAND® help me lose weight? There is something magical that once you hit your "sweet spot" you can only eat about a cup of food at a sitting - and your body stays satisfied with that - thinking it is full....I find I don't crave sweets or junk food...bread has NO pull at all as my body craves the Protein that it needs to function well. I would've NEVER believed that pre op - as i was a carbaholic! 2. What kind of diet needs to be kept after the LAP-BAND® is installed? Like she said - you first eat your protein - as I found if you aren't getting enough protein your hair will start to fall out...not cool! You will find that once you have eaten your protein you haven't room for much else! But if you want to eat a scoop of frozen yogurt or something as a treat you can, and it is no big deal...you just have to be careful at the "slider" foods that go through the band and don't leave you feeling satisfied. I shoot for more solid protein that will stay with me longer. 3. If I/We/anyone can’t maintain a diet regiment before the LAP-BAND®, how can we expect that it would be any different after the LAP-BAND®? You still have to work on WHY you overeat -or make the choices that you do...it isn't an easy fix, which folks seem to think it is. (common misconsception) If you are prone to turn to food when upset - you still will even with the band, and you can "eat around" the band by overeating with slider type foods that go right through....and thus circumventing the band. So it isn't a cure all - but it helps you control your portions of foods and you can still eat "real food" - it just takes a LOT less to satisfy your body. 4. Are there medications or supplements that need to be taken after the LAP-BAND® is installed? I just take my gummy Vitamin - some docs recommend a Calcium supplement, too.....your doctor will go over what they recommend. It isn't like the gastric bypass, though, where you have to take a lot of things for the rest of your life. (or so I am told by others...) 5. If insurance covers the procedure (I am investigating that with my insurance right now), and there is a problem with the device such as a leaky port, who covers the expense of fixing it? My mom's friend had to have her lapband replaced as it sprung a leak - her insurance covered it...I think typically if they cover putting it in, they would cover anything else that had to be done...but I would definately check with your insurance company. 6. Are there other manufacturing defect problems that can occur with the LAP-BAND®, and if so who absorbs the cost of repair? Haven't heard of anything on this either....... 7. I am noticing the number one side effect of the LAP-BAND® is nausea and vomiting. Is that a temporary problem or an ongoing problem? Can be ongoing depending on what you are trying to eat! If you are sticking to the right types of foods (protein - not breads and things that get stuck) then you won't have any trouble with PB'ing (which reminds me of a baby spitting up -just a burp) - but once you hit your sweet spot and have good restriction you will find that you have to eat slow and chew well ---- or else you can still struggle a lot with the "vomiting". I struggled the first 4 months or so...but then everything became habit and I haven't had any problems for a long time. 8. Is there any restriction on drinking alcohol when you have a LAP-BAND®? Not that I know of - course you wouldn't want to drink too much since it is empty calories.... Good luck! Kim

Hello tell me about yourself? I had bypass myself over 6 months ago and already below my goals.

So, there were a handful of "vets" that I credit toward helping me. Tiffykins was the main one - I was a band to sleeve revision and was so sure I would 1. fail again and 2. have horrible life threatening complications in the process. Tiff did have bad complications but she was one who helped me "believe" that this is possible and worth the risk. I can't begin to thank her in the time she took to answer mine (and a million other scared newbies) questions in a personal way. I am not sure I would have had the courage to believe and try again without her counsel. I try to give that back, but it is exhausting and I am admittedly quite selective. I do tend to focus on the revisionistas because I am telling you, there is not a whole lot more discouraging then failing with a WLS and then steeling yourself to try again... Anyway, I keep telling myself I need to write up everything - the fears, the experiments, the ups and downs, all of it - and put it on a webpage. I think that would help alot of people, but I just can't seem to get around to it...lol... to busy living my thin life! I guess there are also a few things I don't necessarily want to share with the whole freaking world, but are important points in my journey so that is a balancing act.

I had mini gastric bypass on 12/12/16 and I have lost almost 60 since surgery. My surgery weight was 247 lbs. I have had no complications. I think mini gastric bypass will work well for you. Weigh your options, the pros and cons.

I'm 12 days post op gastric bypass and I feel very weak and have joint pain. Is this normal? Part of the process.

I get it. Went for band revision on 10/21/19 to do the sleeve. So until 11/30/20. I still found rare occasions for food sticking. Sleeve wasn't done last year due to scar tissue so that is why I had issues. Sent from my SM-J337V using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm 30. Have two boys 13 and 8. They understood when I got my band. I haven't talked to them about my revision until I get approval.

My port is detached and my surgeon sent in for an approval to have the port revision done. Tricare DENIED the surgery..... They state it is because the FDA has not proven that the surgery is needed to make the initial surgery work... Hmmmmm so I have the lapband placed.. BUT it cant be accessed.... how is it NOT needed....??? :confused2: I have filed an appeal.....The process could take 60 days...I am in a bad place right now... this is TERRIBLE... band placed May 21st....can not use it.... I feel like I am in a bad dream and need to wake up..... Anyone else have this experience.....and can offer advice or outcome?

All I can say is "What next?" One thing I have to say for my life, it's not really dull. Granted I could use a lot less drama with family accidents, DADDY you scared the heck out of me! What happened? Let me give a little background. My dad will be 80 on September 19th. Which also happens to be my youngest sons birthday too... He will be 30. Yes he was born on my dad's 50th birthday. Daddy has always been a proud man. I've seen him work men half his age into the ground. Strong and stubborn. Daddy has already survived a quadruple bypass and a stroke. But on Tuesday of last week he almost left this world. He was trying to pull an attachment off of the tractor when what he hitched to wasn't the best choice. That thing, Ancient Drill Press is what he hooked to. It is somewhere around 500-800 pounds. Now granted he should have known better. But Thank God that he did survive. Nobody was home when the accident happened and he laid pinned under that thing for more than 3 hours! Broken jaw, hole punched in neck, broken ribs, collapsed lung, broken pelvis, cracked backbones, and pneumonia! He's one tough old man, that's for sure. So now you know where I've been for the last week. Hang in there daddy! Now for the good stuff that is ABOUT to happen. How many people here watch on the Outdoor channel on Mondays Fishers ATV World? Anybody? Maybe your husband does if you don't. Anyhow..... they are going to be here next Sunday to film for a future segment on their show at the ATV/OFF Road park that is near here. AND there is going to be only 2 people serving as guides... Our club president and ME! :lol: One thing about it... this should be a first for Mr. Fisher. Bet he's never had an overweight middle aged lady serve as guide! :thumbup: Now as far as my being on TV. Honestly I'd rather not. I mean I'm not pretty and as you know already I'm not small! So I can't see where having a lady looking (and sounding) like me would help his show. Yes, I'm a hillbilly and I sure sound like one. Think Dolly Parton with a deeper voice and larger body!! I'm honored to get to go with them. I mean hey... how many other times has someone like me, woman to boot, had this pleasure? Not many I would think. I'll have lots of photos and some video to share come the first of the week. Should be a blast!

I think you have to be 100% ready for change. If you needed to pause and think about it, that’s great. Surgery is scary and change is scary. I had major doubts the morning of surgery but I told myself that was just anxiety and went through with it. Bypass was the BEST thing I’ve ever done for myself. You have the rest of your life to look forward to.

The band has changed a lot since then. I think the truth is though, the band is a foreign object in the body. It only does so much. So if people are unhappy you have to see why. I had my band done, one incision through the belly button, I ended up with an infection, other than that, I have been golden. The band is a medical device that is put into your body, of course there are chances of complications. Having the Gastric Bypass you can leak and poison your body, the sleeve has complications, etc. I do not recommend doing something like this unless someone has tried EVERY OTHER OPTION.... Honestly, I hope to get down to a good weight, then I would like them to remove all the liquid from the band and give myself six months and see if I can keep it off. To me this is a tool, not the cure all. IF you read lots of posts, you will still gain weight if you make poor dietary choices, or drink alcohol (lots of empty calories) and don't exercise. Many people over restrict and cause trouble for themselves. Some people it just doesn't work for. In the end this is a very personal decision and one that should not be taken lightly. I believe if you have concerns about the media coverage, talk to your doctor. They can tell you the changes that have been made to the band, etc. Good luck, I did it and I don't regret it at all. I am nearly half way to my goal. To me that is amazing. I am in a size 16, haven't been there in 8 years, no matter how much I watched what I ate and exercised. I have medical things that were going on that once I put on the weight it is nearly impossible to take off. I think for me, it was the right decision, maybe not for others.

The right choice is the one that you think is best. Everything has risks. For me, I really didn't want my insides re-routed or taken out, ala bypass and gastric sleeve. The band is not easy, it takes WORK- you have to commit, follow the rules (eating small bites slowly, not drinking with meals or after, eating solid Protein, not "eating around the band" with unhealthy junk). You have to exercise (most people do). You have to watch what you put in your mouth. Good luck in your decision. I am so happy I did it, I've lost over 70 lbs in 6 months. Nicki

Hi everyone. I am currently on the waiting list for gastric bypass but I'm switching to the lap band. I have no medical problem beside being obese. I feel as though getting the gastric bypass would be more for my vanity then anything else. The lap band makes me feel more comfortable like it's going to help me control my eating. And I was wanting to hear from people who have had it. What is it like? Can you feel your port? Does it hurt when they fill the port every month or how ever often they fill it??? Can your husband fill your port? How much weight are people loosing? And how fast are you loosing it? Any complications people have suffered?? I know it's quite a few questions...but I need knowledge!! I'm 22yrs old 5ft and 217lbs. BMI of 42.2 Thanks so much Ashley

I was banded on 12/28/09. Went in for first fill on 2/8/10 and they couldn't get it. Did an Ultrasound and wahlaaaa! My port has flipped *ugh* So now we are waiting for BCBS approval so they can go BACK IN and do a 'port revision'. Joy joy!

I have had two (yes two!) port revision surgeries for a flipped port. Both went without incident and I have been A-ok for the last 2.5 years! So glad to hear that things have been going well with you. Sorry you had the experience in the first place! Good luck on your journey!

I am having the gastric bypass on Monday! I am so excited!! I have been overweight my entire life and have had diabetes and high blood pressure for a few years now. I am only 27 years old and hope to get rid of these health problems and move on with my life! I have never had any kind of surgery before; a little nervous. ..

Hi, What is an omega loop pass and who is your surgeon in Perth? Did you have much success with the sleeve? Simply put an Omega Loop Gastric Bypass (also known as a 'mini' gastric bypass) is a cross between a sleeve and RNY... it's not quite as agressive with the malabsorbtion but does incorportate some. Also its virtually completely reversable... I can't answer the other two parts of your questions lol sorry!

One of the biggest reasons to get the sleeve instead of a bypass is the ability to take NSAIDs the rest of your life. An ulcer is one thing; tons of people get them that don't get wls and they suck either way. But a marginal ulcer or an ulcer in the part of the stomach that can't be scoped is why you can't take them with bypass. If this is the information dr.s are giving their patients...

yean mnpls is about 3.5 hours away but they do reimburse you so that's nice...it's 50.5 cent a mile which comes out to more i paid in gas and then they pay $100 a day for food and lodging...they also pay for drinks and Snacks when you stop at a gas station and that money doesn't actually go into your $100...so pretty much i've been reimbursed more than what it cost me to travel which then took care of pretty much the whole cost of the surgery so really i will end up paying just a couple hundred dollars for the surgery so in a way it's kind of a blessing that it's further away. i don't know that she asked me why lap band over the bypass but if she had i would have told her my reasoning...so whatever your reasoning just be honest. they ask you why weight loss surgery and you just say you've tried other things...dieting...exercise...and you just need an extra tool to push you along and give you some guidance. same thing with the pysch eval...be vague but honest...you'll need to take the mmpi and another short pysch test...they're not bad...just tedious...again answer honestly...it's a statistically based test that compares you to other people just like you. mine came out that i have an addictive personality and that i don't like taking the advise of medical personel...which i found quite interesting and not exactly true but whatever...apparently i passed.

I think that's a point a lot of people forget. The way I found it to be was if you want rapid weight loss go with gastric bypass (you will lose more initially than gastric banding), but if you want long term and body adaptable weight loss go with gastric band (where you choose if it works for you or not, and yes I know that could incite a flame war). One to two lbs a week is a calorie deficiency of 3,700-7,400. If you were eating 2,200 calories a day prior to surgery then reduced yourself to 1,500 calories a day that's a loss of 5.28 lbs/month. So those people who are losing 20 lbs/month are both drastically limiting their calories and working out to expend more calories. Unless you do the same, don't expect those results.