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I sounds to me like you Live in either Windsor or Niagra area, being that close to the states. I read about a bariatric clinic in detroit that does the LAPBand for 11K U.s. dollars, which is cheaper than TLBC in Ontario. 16K Canadian. With the Cdn dollar at 95~ US its a good time to go there speaking money wise only. A good friend of mine got her SUrgery (RNY Bypass) done in Ypsilanti Michigan at the Barix Clinic there... THEY WERE FANTASTIC... but I don't know what they charge for pay as you go Canadians for the LapBand. But while WE were waiting in the patient lounge HALF of all the folks we talked to were from all over Ontario... Just a thought. Good luck to you in what ever you decide. I am going to TLBC,my surg. in July 11th ( booked, paid and in in under 2 wks!) whew!

Hello. I had my rny 2003 and due to my 3rd back surgery and not being able to do much of anything I gained my weight back. I feel so disgusted with myself. I felt so good and now so awful and it won't come off. My doc said she won't do a revision as the pouch is fine even though it's at 5-7cm. I do have a little tail that she's going to cut off during my hernia surgery but that's it. I'm tempted to go to someone else for possible revision.

Hi! I had other major surgeries in the past and I was more awake and mobile with this surgery. I had 2 other procedures along with the gastric bypass but this is what I remembered: 1. The hospital will give you pain medication intravenously and it really did help. However, I was released with Tylenol with codeine and it didn’t help at all. If you need something stronger, talk to your doctor. 2. The nurses will teach you how to roll and sit up in the hospital (and that is still tough for me). I read that you should bring a small pillow for the trip home and keep it with you at home. It helps to minimize tummy pain if you sneeze or cough. Walk as much as possible to relieve tummy gas from the surgery. Ask your doctor if you can take Gas-X to help with relief. I had pain I both shoulders and was told that it was gas. It lasted for about 3 days after the surgery. 3. Prior to the surgery, buy your broth, protein shakes, whey powder, sugar free jello, protein water, & 1 ounce plastic cups to pour your drinks into (when you drink the protein shakes, water, protein water, broth, etc). You will need to sip as much as your tiny stomach will allow - like it’s your job- from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep at night. Drinking liquids became easier for me around day 10. 4. Prior to the surgery, buy what you will need according to your doctor’s diet schedule in case you can’t go anywhere for 2 weeks. Make sure you try everything and like it before your surgery. 5. I bought the pre-made protein shakes so I wouldn’t have to make the shakes when I got home. I also bought the 1 oz cups and some disposable popsicle zip sleeves from Amazon. I put some of my protein water in the popsicle sleeves and made popsicles out of them, which helped a lot. 6. Walk around the house & keep hydrated as much as possible to avoid blood clots & dehydration. 7. When it’s ok to shower, be sure to do it when you are not too tired because it takes a lot out of you and you will need to hydrate after you are done. Some of the steri-strips on your stitches or staples may come off in the shower within 5 to 14 days of surgery. I was told not to worry but every doctor is different. Call your doctor if you have any concerns. Take it easy on yourself and try not to be a hero. Your body needs time to heal. I know it’s a lot but this is what helped me!

Hi, I'm in Pensacola too. I was supposed to have my surgery with Dr. Lord but insurance wouldn't approve. I ended up having bypass in Mexico on June 20th Sent from my BE2028 using BariatricPal mobile app

Y'all need to revise your plans and get back on track

Yes! I had revision from VSG to Gastric Bypass on 12/8/2020

I actually have not, I spoke with my surgeon a couple of weeks back and he said that my reflux is really bad and he suggested at me getting a revision as well. I haven't started the process with insurance or anything but I know that the meds I've been prescribed aren't keeping the reflux away. It calms it sometimes but most of the time I just have to struggle with it. I love my results from surgery though and this is one of my only downsides but I literally have never dealt with Acid Reflux before this.

I still have to take PPI. However, the volume reflux is gone since revision (band to MGB) and I have to take a much lower dose of PPI.

If you can deal with the reflux it is possible it may resolve but it may not. I would try to wait it out rather than going for the bypass right now. However bypass may be in your future. I complained about reflux one week post op. It's now 2 years later and I feel like I cannot take one more second of it

I had surgery in 2005, lost about 30lbs after surgery, and now am 30+ pounds at my highest weight before surgery. Last fill 2006. Never went back because I am ashamed and don't think this is working for me. I am considering converting to full gastric bypass. What should I do call and go in for a fill? Make a consult appt with my surgeon? ( I really don't want to do this) I don't care for my surgeon. I am so discussed with myself. I think I need a heads up. Please advise. Thanks. Michelle

I don't like pain. Surgery is painful, and gastric bypasses are major surgery. If I were in your shoes, I would try to find another surgeon in my area who would be willing to take on another surgeon's patient. If I couldn't find one, I'd go back to my original doctor. You might get a disapproving look. You might not. Explain that you were discouraged and afraid, but now you're ready to do what you can to make the band work for you (but this part applies only if you are really ready). I'm newly banded, but I've done a lot of reading and have learned that fills are fickle things. The first one doesn't usually give restriction to people. I was told to expect four to six fills (or more!) before mine would be where I need it to be. Maybe one fill wasn't enough for you. Don't forget that nutrition is important, too! If your surgeon didn't give you instructions on how to eat after you were banded, do research or call your surgeon's office! There's a wealth of information available in this and other forums. Find a nutritionist who specializes in bariatric surgery. Exercise!! If I did all of this and the band still wasn't helping me, I would consider other surgeries, but not before. Mainly because of the anesthesia, cutting, and recovery time :confused: Really, this is how *I* would approach it. You have to weigh your options and consider what is best for you. Lap-bands don't work for everyone; neither do bypasses. Sometimes it's because, for whatever reason, the particular method was incompatible with the patient's body. Sometimes it's because the patient cheated the system, which is possible with ANY weight loss procedure. You HAVE to follow the rules or you're not going to be successful. You HAVE to go to follow up appointments to make sure you're doing well and things are working as they should. *hugs* I understand feeling out of control and spiraling into a bad place. That's how I got to be 300 pounds. There came a time when I realized that what I was doing wasn't helping me at all. I had to pull myself up by my bootstraps (that was hard), admit to my mistakes (even harder), and decide what to do about the situation. It sucked! But I did it. And you can too. (Sorry for babbling and/or incoherency. I'm tired!)

Hi Everyone This is my first time message so I wasn't sure where to post it, but I figured I would try here. Long story short I was banded at the end of July. I had a lower BMI and have lost 40 pounds so far and am more than half way to my goal. I had to have two revision surgeries due to excessive burping, which has been fixed due to a new band (so thankful!). I had the realize band put in a little over a month ago. These past few days I have been experiencing severe port pain. It is very difficult to bend over and go from sitting to standing or visa versa. If I even move the wrong way a little bit I get a very painful twinge. I know it is common to be uncomfortable with the realize band port in the beginning, I just wanted to know if anyone has had an onset of more severe pain a few weeks after. I did see my surgeon today and he does not seem to be concerned about it. He checked for infection and said that I don't seem to have one, but obviously to come back if I develop any of the symptoms (I already had an infection so I know what to look for). He also said that my body is healing from the three surgeries in a short period of time. I trust him completely and I do think it is my body just getting used to the hooks in the muscle, but was hoping to hear from someone that had a similar experience and has advice as to how to make it feel a little better because it is pretty painful. My other question was to see if anyone had any granulation tissue at the incision site. After the third surgery I had an infection. After it went away I noticed a hard scab on my bellybutton. Once the scab came off I realized that I had what looked like a hard sac of Fluid covering my bellybutton. The doctor put silver nitrate on it and said it was granulation tissue that had pushed out through the incision. He said the silver nitrate only works in 30% of patients and that if it didn't work it would have to be removed. I was so nervous because I did not want to have anymore procedures. Luckily I went back today and it has reduced so much. The doctor put more of the silver nitrate on and said to monitor it, but it should disappear. I just wanted to know if anyone else had granulation tissue at the incision site because I have searched through the threads and haven't really found anyone that has. Sorry for the randomness of the questions. I am in grad school and don't really have anyone else to relate to about this. I just want to be back to myself as soon as possible and really appreciate any advice or helpful info anyone has Thanks!

This is a lot of calories for anyone, and most especially for a sleeve patient, but I do love your honesty about it! Its hard to think you can fit that many calories into your gut post surgery but they do cut sleeves different sizes. Larger sleeves protect you better from strictures forming which has been a terrible problem for me. Aside from re-evaluating your diet and commitment there is another option you can consider. Your surgeon can convert you to gastric bypass. I do hope the best for you. Each of us here understands quite fully the awful food demons and I'm so sorry it has been difficult for you. Keep trying!

@@Margie122 I had my gastric bypass surgery at St. Elizabeth's by Dr. Pecquex--first of all she is fabulous!! Top notch! I had also started out at BIDMC but switched over to St. E's. Because I had a lot of the tests done at BIDMC, I think I was fast tracked at St. E's because they could use those results. I didn't have a sleep study done because I am already using a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. But they did have someone come to my house to make sure it is calibrated properly. Also, because I had started with one program and switched over to St. E's I don't have a good idea how long the process is from beginning to end. I can only tell you that for me it took about 3-4 months. I did have to do some of the tests again but it went pretty quickly. Also, the NUT at Dr. P's office is really great. And there is a good support group too. Best of luck. I forgot to add--Tuft's Insurance is often the reason you have to have a longer wait--their requirements are different than most insurance's requirements. So, if they make you do a long diet plan first, it is the insurance companies requirements, not the hospitals. FYI.

I am 7 weeks out and tested the waters with most things .... I do not dump or slime. I have slimed a couple of times in the earlier weeks if I have eaten too fast but nothing major. I think it's all down to the individual but maybe dumping and sliming is good for keeping you on track!! Prob why bypass patients do so well to begin with!! It will get better though soon I sure

Hi I am new to VST and so thankful for ALL OF YOU! I feel like you've helped me avoid landmines (especially those who have had revision surges - thanks so much for sharing!!) I want to find out everything I can about Gastric Plication Surgery. 1) Where & when did it originate? 2) Approximately how many people have had this surgery worldwide/US? 3) Please tell me your experience if you had it.. 4) Any links to articles I can research? (Found a few, but hungry for more..) 5) Anything about PRE & POST OP diet I would love to know.. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am 34 with BMI of 32, got about 60lbs to lose. My parents are obese and I've been told another 20lbs=diabetes most likely for me. I have tried to eat way less and make my stomach smaller..it is helping, but I am realistic that it definitely isn't the same as surgery. This new procedure sounds perfect and like a decision made much easier! I've been considering WLS for about a month now.. How long does the average person take to think about it and then schedule?

Hi, My name is Patti. I am 53 years old. I am 5'2" and currently weigh 303 lbs. I am so happy I found this site because I feel I am being led to seriously considering the lap band. First and foremost, it seems to be a safer method, much less invasive. That is important to me. Secondly, I will probably have to pay out-of-pocket, and though I could afford the surgery of the bypass, I'm concerned about possible complications which could devastate our finances. I am learning a lot and I've only logged on to this site a day ago. I need all the advice I can get and would really appreciate some feedback from "old pros" of the band. I know it will be a good journey. Patti:decision:

Hi, My name is Patti. I am 53 years old. I am 5'2" and currently weigh 303 lbs. I am so happy I found this site because I feel I am being led to seriously considering the lap band. First and foremost, it seems to be a safer method, much less invasive. That is important to me. Secondly, I will probably have to pay out-of-pocket, and though I could afford the surgery of the bypass, I'm concerned about possible complications which could devastate our finances. I am learning a lot and I've only logged on to this site a day ago. I need all the advice I can get and would really appreciate some feedback from "old pros" of the band. I know it will be a good journey. Patti:decision:

Sometimes I'm disappointed in the band because I still have to be displined... I have to watch that I'm not eating too many foods that good down easy or eating too much junk. There still is a "way" that you need to eat... which is solid lean Protein first before any junk (if any at all)... this will keep you full longer and help the band to work. I never have second guessed my decision to have surgery (I just sometimes wished I'd researched more then the band like DS, or Gastric Bypass) ... I feel surgery (one or the other) was the only way. I have dieted and exercised before and lost but always gained it back.... Also my body was getting more and more resistant to diets. I was tired of the losing battle. Now with surgery I feel it's not a losing battle and that I will suceed in time and not "regain" again. I'm happy with my "fickle" band today though other days I get a bit mad at it because it doesn't "YELL" at me when I eat ice cream but over all I don't believe I would change it. If I ever have an issue and have to have the band removed I will convert to another surgery right away (even if at goal) because I know I don't want to fight that battle again.

This one is unbelievable. I had a gynecological surgery not long ago, and since then the hormones I've been given, totally screw with my T.O.M. and I was anticipating that with my next 'cycle' I would be experiencing some band tightness. I called my regular doc who was out of town for a couple of weeks. So I went to the back-up doc to see if he thought I needed a slight unfill or if I'd be OK. I told him I was not sure I needed one, was hoping I didn't need one but wanted his professional opinion. Keep in mind, the previous month I had the best restriction I've ever had and the single fastest weight loss I've had since my initial banding period. I was so pleased with my good restriction, and my good portion control. I had a good time, drank a bit (well I did go to Vegas :heh: ) and still lost a lot. The backup doc said he'd check how much was in. After checking, he said he thought he should take a teensy bit out. I freaked out and asked that he only do so if he thought it was absolutely necessary. He said he promised he'd only take out .1 or so. (I know it's not exact, but he stressed only .1 or so.) and to not get so uptight. I got upset because he was withdrawing for a long time (I've been doing this fill thing a while, but have NEVER had to have an unfill so this is a huge deal for me.) He questioned my attitude and stressed he was the doc, he knew better, etc. I asked again how much he took out and he said "just about .1 - you'll barely feel a difference." Days later, I called him saying I was ravenous:hungry: around the clock, my food wasn't staying in the pouch long, and I was eating more often than normal. (Not my normal eating pattern at all.) I even told him hat I was concerned a might need a bit of the fill back in because I was afraid of gaining back all I had lost. He dismissed my concern and told me to "Tough it out, and not to expect the band to do the work for me." Uh, yeah. Got that it's a tool - but I actually need my tool to work. I was so despondent over how much I've been eating and I was kicking myself for not being able to be a good band citizen. I've been miserable.:cry Well, when I thankfully got back to my regular doc (who knew I was going to see the backup while he was out of town, and is fine with it ) that I was not losing and was actually gaining, kind of. (Well I lost one pound since he had seen me last before leaving town, but that was up from where I was when I saw the back up doc. Does that make sense? ) So my regular doc agrees I definitely need a fill. He checks how much is in my band, and then pauses, and checks again. He asks me how much I thought was in there. I quote what the doc quotes. Nope, he says, you've got .5 less than when you were in here last. I try to be reasonable. I ask him: "Could a doctor make a mistake and take out that much while trying to remove just .1 ?" He says: "Nope. It's not quite exact, but it's not that in-exact either. Sometimes you try to take out .1 and get .2 but you'd notice getting THIS more out that you intended. Maybe he thought you really needed a significant unfill. And no, he doesn't think it is a leak. I'm so mad/disappointed/hurt, I can barely drive home.:Banane40: So I tell this story to a friend from support group and she tells me she also suspected he did the same thing to her (but never could never prove it.) She said she believes he took more out to 'teach a lesson' against 'relying on the band.' And to make her have to work harder on her own. Sound familiar? I'm so furious. The backup doc's actions are unforgiveable. He could have at least told me or admitted to me that he was giving me a bigger unfill. It was deliberate. Even if there was a medical reason for having it, I should have been told. How dare he play G-D with my dang near $20,000 tool.:Banane59: And after all this time (not to mention how much I've paid for these very costly fills just to get back to the same point) I got a little bit of my restriction back but my regular doc didn't want to take me back up too quickly, so I only got a .4 fill. Basically I'm behind where I was a month ago. I'm moving backwards. :cry I really think the hard part about banding isn't the food, or the occasional PB or sliming incident - it's getting to the right restriction level. And right now, I'm absolutely defeated. I'm just so 'down' At this rate, I'll never get this weight off. I'm having a "Now, exactly why didn't I have a bypass?" type of week. :Banane40: Oh well, I'll keep trying to claw my way back to good restriction. But it's hard.

I've been researching the differences between the bypass and sleeve options and it gets really confusing! My understanding from most studies is that you can achieve comparable weight loss over the first couple of years with either. But, since I have such a long history of losing large amounts of weight and gaining it all back and more, I am really concerned about choosing the one which will give me the best chance of keeping the weight off for the rest of my life. So, from all I have read so far, the biggest difference between the way bypass works and the sleeve is, that although both restrict intake and hunger, the bypass also changes absorption. So - I assume this means that if I get to the point 3-4 years down the road where I can consume 1000 calories a day with either (which several sites suggested is typical), fewer of those calories will actually be absorbed with the bypass than with the sleeve. Is this correct? My biggest fear is that if I go for a long period of time eating less calories - which will happen with both - will there be a time when my body thinks it is in that starvation mode again and switches back to that horrible place of being able to gain weight at a much lower calorie level than normal. For example now, I might normally eat 1400 calories a day, but if I want to lose weight so I might eat 1000 calories/day for a few months. Then if I start eating 1200 calories/day, I gain all that weight back! Is there that same "diet rebound" with WLS in general or not? If not, why? And if so, is there less of that with bypass because your body just doesn't absorb as much ever again?

Hi All... I live in Winthrop, little town seven miles north of Boston. I had Sleeve surgery in May 2012, and had a revision to RNY in March 2014, because of severe reflux. I did not need to lose more than 15 pounds with the revision. I had both surgeries at MA General, and the awesome Dr. Meireles. I went from a size 26 to a size 8 . I've definately had some bumps along the way, would I do sleeve again...in a heartbeat...would I do RNY again, probably not.

As a revision patient who gained the weight back I say the fear is good!!!

I forgot to say that mine was a revision from the band, too!

I'd be happy to be your pal through your journey since we are so similar. I learned a lot along the way and there are things I wish I knew more than I could've talk to somebody about Who was more my age and going through a revision . My private email is and nwhc@live.com if you ever want to communicate privately.