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Thanks everyone for all you advise. I too have about 140lbs to lose so it's great to hear from someone in. Similar position. Once I had the band removed the reflux stopped immediately and I've not suffered at all since. I am due to have an endoscope in May to check for a hernia and for my surgeon to check my insides after having previous lap band surgery. I am swaying more and more each day to have the sleeve as I believe that the only complication am likely to have is the reflux reoccurring. However with the bypass I have a huge list of complications that may arise in the short and long term plus the malabsorption. I'm sure I will be filling you all in on my decision soon enough.

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend... All I can say is that I knew someone that died of the same complications and I still went thru with my band. Today is exactly one week since my surgery and I feel great. The Dr. said no lifting for 30 days... but I have been holding my 20 pound baby and doing just fine. I would not tell anybody about it if you are worried about them saying stuff. Only my husband, mom and mother in law know about me and that is only because I needed a little help with the baby. Well, I take it back... some folks at work know about it, but they have had it done. If you want to be healthy and YOU are ready for surgery I think you should do it. That is great that your husband is supportive. Gastric bypass is a completely different story from banding, just as you said. Good Luck and let us know. By the way from what I have read all Dr.'s are different with diets. I was on a low carb (that I didn't follow) before surgery. After surgery I had 48 hours of liquids and now I am on mushies for 4 weeks. No PROBLEM. I am doing EXACTLY as my Dr. says. I have already lost 17 pounds!!! (yep, in 1 week)

On July 21st it will make a whole year since I had my band put in. Lately, I have second guessed my choice to have this band. I have had some many episodes of feeling that stuck feeling and throwing up a slimly substance because things are not going down properly. I have spoke with my doctor about these issues and several different reasons have been given for my episodes. No- I don't eat large bites of food at any given time, and I always take my time while eating. No- this is not happening all of the time, but yes- it's happening more than I would like for it to be happening. I feel like "my" band has a mind of its own. There are certain days I feel super tight and other days things feel just right. My doctor has explained that my band should always feel the same unless it's swollen and irritated by something I have done wrong. Honestly, this band has so many rules and does & don'ts! I do thank God for my weight lost, but it has truly come with a price. I could have never understood this before actually going through a lot of different trials. Having this band is not an easy fix with losing weight. It really takes a lot of discipline and complying with a lot of different rules. On the flip side, my niece has the sleeve and she has none of these issues to deal with. She can only eat a smaller portion of food, but there are not all of the other restrictions Iike band patience do. I can deal with the smaller portions, but sometimes I feel just miserable and wishing my choices was different. I do understand that with any weight lost procedure anything can go wrong, but sometimes I just want to feel normal during meal times. I really don't eat out with my family any more due to the awful things I experience while attempting to eat. (having to leave the table to spite up food that will not go down or have this crazy look on my face because I fee this awful pain in my upper chest area) Then I have days that I have no problems at all. I want to emphasize once more that small portions are not a problem, but to always worry about my meals and if I am going to be able to swallow what I am eat is. It’s the most difficult with my 6 year old son when these things are going on, because he now tell me “Mommie you should have never got that band”! I feel like I've come too far to have every single thing taken out of my band, and honestly I only have 4cc in a 10cc band. My doctor wants to take everything out and for me to start all over again with my fills. I am almost at my 12 month mark and my fills will be no longer covered per my contract. My band is not even half full and in less than 17 days I will be a year banded. There are some things that I have found that really help me not to experience that stuck feeling in my throat/upper chest area. If I drink warm drinks throughout my day things have an easier time going down vs. me not drinking warm drink. I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but if I try to eat real food my day is shot from then on. Therefore, skipping breakfast or having a protein shake works a whole lot better for me. I just want people to be aware that there maybe complications with this band and there is definitely no easy fix for losing weight. Each person has to figure out what works best for them and their band and continue to apply the principles of having a band. (Don’t mix food and drink- eat very, very slowly to prevent things from getting stuck- don't over eat to the point of throw food back up- don't over do the protein because it's bad on the kidneys "I learned that one the hard way"- exercise is your best friend if you want quick weight lost- learn to research things you have questions about or seek information from reliable sources) Following these steps have really helped me to get to the point where I am now with my weight lost. I do realize this is a daily effort to keeping my weight off, but having these tools handy will really make things a lot easier to accomplish your goals.

My doctor told me this is a permanent surgery unless there are complications. I guess you can have it removed one day but why would you if it helps you to control your weight. Helen

First be ready to wait!!!!! He is a super busy doctor with the office and all the tv appearances he will have you waiting forever no matter what time your appointment is, if you are looking for a doctor to be super sweet and hold your hands well he is definately not the one he just gets to the point and before you know it he is outta the room lol but he will answer any questions you have you just have to hold him down Everytime I would go to I would say to my partner "I don't like him" and she would say he is a great doctor you are just use to shappy doctors lol (she is a nurse so I took her advice and stayed). Performance wise he did my surgery good he did check on me a few times while I was in the hospital I haven't had any complications so you are in good hands, being away from NYC made me realize how much I missed that long wait office lol.

Dear All, I am a newbie to this website. I have previously had lap band surgery in 2008 which resulted in extreme pain and discomfort from acid reflex. Eventually my band slipped due to the constant vomiting and was removed in March 2011. Since then I have not suffered at all with acid reflux however all my weight and more has returned. I am now considering further bariatric surgery and I went to see a specialist in Dubai on Monday. I was swaying towards Gastric Bypass as I am 33 years old with no medical issues at all and I wanted the 'Gold Service'. I don't take any medication but weigh in at 147.9kgs (very lucky my weight does not affect my health). My doctor wants me to have the Gastric Sleeve as it is less invasive, less complications down the way and I don't have any illnesses that need to be resolved. I, on the other hand am very worried about the acid reflux (that I experienced with the lap band) returning and eventually having RNY surgery. I want this to (hopefully) be my last bariatric surgery. What would you recommend???

So I know I'm pretty lucky to have had no real complications after my surgery on the 19th but this morning I developed a sharp pain in my upper left abdomen. It's really only if I take a deep breath in but when I do that too deep the pain doubles me over but then goes away. There is no incision there and it is only just barely tender when pushed on. Did anyone else have this or something like it? I thought I maybe drank my Protein shakes too fast but it has persisted through the day. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

While my BMI was a bit lower than yours before my surgery, my diabetes was so out of control my surgeon was really worried about complications. I prepared myself for every complication, convinced that I would have them all. But I had absolutely NO COMPLICATIONS! I didn't even have any pain. I laugh when I tell my surgeon that if I didn't have 5 funny little scars on my tummy, and the inability to eat very much food, I might think the surgery never happened. 'Course the proof is in the 58 lbs lost and diabetes and other co morbidities resolved. My point is that most people have absolutely no complications. The greater risk statistically to your health is actually in the drive to the hospital. You wouldn't let the drive to the hospital deter you from surgery, would you? Then, don't let the small risk of complications deter you either. Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

I would be more concerned about dying myself...lol They asked me what the worst thing that could happen to me with this surgery and I had to reply dying..They felt better knowing I knew there was a slight risk of that happening... I am one of those people who everything did go wrong...And to top it off I almost died....You have to look at this differently...Are you ready for a change in yourself and your health? Do you want to really live and enjoy the time you have left? Write down the things you can't do and see if you think it is worth the possibility of complications? Five months I was in the hospital and 5 months I had nurses attending me at home...Do I regret it? NO!!! I was just existing before my surgery and was unable to stand for 10 minutes without my back giving out...I can put my grand daughter on my knee very close to me and enjoy that time with her..I can cross my legs now and I walk for hours....I am a person who now finds it hard to sit down for too long..I want to live, live and live..... If you are like me and you tried it all..And this is what is left..Don't wait! chose well and go forward....I have!

No, this is not normal. As someone above mentioned, go to the "strictures, anyone" thread under complications and you will see what some of us have experienced. Be careful that you don't let this go on too long and become dehydrated or malnourished. My husband was back in the hospital 2 times for 6 days each during the first 3 weeks b/c he couldn't get any nutrition or fluids to stay down. He was in there so he could be re-hydrated and got nutrition through IV. The rest of the story is on the other thread. Good luck and like I said, don't wait too long.

Each doctor can perform the sleeve differently. With different sizes and capacities for the outcome. And with the varying out come of the "size" or capacity of sleeves out there you will also see varying post op diets. It is best to follow what your doctor has prescribed for the best outcome for your sleeve. It is ok to stay in a lower stage but to rush the other stages has the possibility of leading to a complication.

My doc recommends a 3-month check-up post-op, which includes an upper GI (fluoroscopy) to make sure there are no tiny leaks, strictures, or other structural complications, and blood work. The blood work is pretty basic, he said the only ones that are required would be a CBC (complete blood count) and B12 - just to make sure you are not anemic. My primary care doc added liver enzymes, as rapid weightloss can sometimes result in gallstones. They all came back fine! I asked Dr. Aceves for long-term follow-up advice and he suggested bloodwork once every 6 months - no more fluoros as long as you don't have any symptoms. I think I'm just gonna do it once a year as long as I don't notice any anemia symptoms.

I had my surgery OCt. 18. No complications or problems so far with the band, however, 2 of my incision sites will not heal and are wide open and deep. Luckily I work in the hospital so a PA has been looking in on me and checking my incision weekly for infection and the wound clinic has been keeping them clean and covering them. But its been six wees and they are still not healed and now I am having severe pain. ANyone else had this happen? Any suggestions?

I thought I'd just put my story out there so far. So many times we read about the the surgeries that have complications..... which scared me so bad. I thought I'd give a happy outcome! I started my process in November by going to the group meeting then meeting with my surgeon. I had to go through the 6 months of doctor visits and of course all the health screening tests. I was approved by my insurance company Anthem BCBC in less than a week. Finally I was given my surgery date, 6 weeks out. I felt like that was forever far away.. but time went fast! I was put on two week liquid diet. The first few days were a test for me for sure, but I stuck with it because I knew if I cheated my liver wouldn't shrink as much as possible. I was lucky enough that I had no comorbidities and I wasn't on any medications. My surgery was Thursday the 21st at 8:30 am. I was back to my room by like 2pm. I felt fine, just real groggy and tired. I wasn't really in pain though. I feel like the gas "pain" was like when you eat too much food, and it burns right at your sternum area... all you want to do is poop to relieve that pressure. That is how I felt. The first time I tried to stand up I started dry heaving, so I stayed laying down. ... well sitting up as far up as my hospital bed would let me. I had some pain meds in my IV, then later at night the meds they give to relieve some of the inner swelling to give the gas more room. My nurse told me that the actual pain med narcotic causes constipation so I didn't want to take it. When I would feel the gas move around and get stuck somewhere uncomfortable, I'd move to get it moving... then I felt fine again. Friday I woke up feeling great, in the afternoon at some point the gas really stuck somewhere for probably like 45 min, that was the worst of it for me. I just kept making laps out in the hallway to get it to move. Saturday I was up feeling amazing, I had a bowel movement, drank Water, my first Protein shake, and some Soup. Since I was able to keep it all down I was released to go home. I honestly did not even feel like I had surgery at all. That night I started staying at a clients house with their pets. (I own a pet sitting business). I felt fine. I think the worst thing was having the drain tube removed. I was mostly just sleepy because in the hospital they are taking blood, checking monitors, checking blood sugar.. blood pressure.. ect like every hour so I got NO sleep there!! I did still take this week off of my accounting job to give myself time to get used to drinking what I need when I need. Today is monday, so 4 days post op. I honestly do not even feel like I had a surgery. Obviously I have the bandages over my six incision spots.... but I feel amazing! I think I feel so thankful that my surgeon belonged to a bariatric center of excellence. The nurse told me they have a lot more hoops to jump through, even the hospital rooms had to be special for the patient to heal in... and no sharing of rooms!! whew. I think that would be one of my biggest suggestions... follow your preop diet exact.. and if you don't have a surgeon yet, try to find one that is certified with the bariatric center of excellence. I can't wait to continue on this journey!!

So sorry for your friend. I hope she heals and gains her health back. Lapbands can erode, twist, cause scar tissue and so many complications, she may have had someof those problems. You will never have those pre-existing issues for your surgery. You can ask the surgeon for his complication rate, what type, has he had to do any repairs and under what circumstances, etc. The complication rate is very low, lower than gallbladder surgery. Take a deep breath. Make a calm and informed decision. I wish you well.

I'm very happy for you... just remember things work out a for a reason. Do not even focus on the wieght gain, once you will see your baby in your arms it will be worth every pound gained. I like the names you picked out, but Isabella stands out, that name is very pretty. I'm just curious, though, have you had any other complication with your pregancy because of the band? How soon after the pregancy did you have to get an unfill? I'm just trying to get info for me, since I had been trying to get pregnant for 2 years before the band and just in case and if with this weightloss I might get lucky!

A word of advice: DO NOT PICK UP ANYTHING HEAVY POST-OP. It may seem silly, but I didn't follow that advice when I was at work a week after surgery and picked up a box. I didn't think it was odd, and didn't feel anything. But my weight loss slowed down a year or so later and I got acid reflux. When I switched doctors in 2003, the new doc found that I had a hiatial hernia, which moved the Band and complicated my weight loss. I had a revision done in 2004, and fixed the hernia as well. I didn't mean to scare you, but felt like I had to warn you about the only downside of the Lap Band. That complication was my fault, not the doc or the Band's.

Many people are going to gasp at your comment that it's not uncommon to need a revision or replacement after 7 years, Delooka. But I know what you're saying. For my money, another laparascopic surgery to get a new band and a clean bill of health is a small price to pay, especially if it's being covered by insurance (which my band replacement is). Seriously, even if I had known back then that another surgery would be required four years down the line I STILL would have chosen the band over bypass. These are minor complications, easily dealt with, compared to the risk of major long-term complications with something as drastic as a gastric bypass.

You really shouldn't take anything unless it has been cleared through your surgeon as it might cause complications with the surgery. Perhaps you can gargle with salt water if you are getting a sore throat, get plenty of rest and drink lots of water.

I am just speaking for myself, but my Digestive Disease doctor stated to me that he would not support my decision to have the gastric bypass. He highly recommended the lapband since it is the least invasive and if you have complications it can be reversed. I have only had my band for 2 months, I am walking every day and I still have loose skin, just not as bad as a friend I have that had the bypass surgery, also needs to have plastic surgery. And as Wheetsin says..genetics have a lot to do with that as well..I have stretch marks from having my children and a c-section to boot..so anyone that has had one of those know what I'm talking about! I really think after 2 years of checking into this surgery that the lapband is the way to go! Good luck!

Wanted to post an update for any of you that may be experiencing the same issue. I ended up having to go to the emergency room Christmas night. I called my surgeon and he said that some people have issues with their kidneys getting backed up and their bladder shutting down after surgery. I ended up having to be catheterized for the next seven days and put on additional medication for infection and bladder spazisms. For anyone else who experiences these symptoms, PLEASE go to the hospital immediately in order to avoid having severe complications with your kidneys. I was lucky and caught mine in time.

-Im so fat right now That's why you are having this surgery. You are doing something about your health, be proud that you are not sitting back doing nothing but complaining about it. -I just wish July 11th would hurry up and come It's coming! Get busy take on one more project at home you can finish before the surgery. Give your bathroom a make over, rearrange your living room, paint the guest room, go to a movie, volunteer somewhere, that will help kill some time -How will I make it through the Pre-op? One day at a time. Don't focus on how much longer you have to go, focus on how far you have come, it will be over before you know it. Seriously don't count down until at least the halfway point -Im so fat right now Me too -What if this surgery doesnt work for me? Don't sabotage yourself before you even start! Do you have a good plan in place that sets yourself up for success? Exercise plan is equally as important as food. -What if Im always going to be this size? Your not. Stop thinking like that. Seriously -How did I let it get to this point? Probably the same way as most of us did. By over eating, comfort eating, poor diet and lack of exercise. You can't change the past, it's already done. You can make the future better and you are taking steps to do that. It's ok to reflect on the past and learn from it but don't beat yourself up, move forward! -Im so fat right now Not for long! Woot woot! -I hope I wake up You will. Most people die from complications not on the table.

It never ceases to amaze me when I read some of these comments. I have a family member who had the lap band and gained all their weight back after they had to have it pulled due to massive complications. I myself have the sleeve and I think it's truly what you make of it. Too many people expect a quick fix and think this is a miracle cure. Let's all remember that all of these surgeries except the duodenal switch are just a tool and not the cure. So remember that all and everything worth having takes determination and consistency....and like one of the comments made above stated we all have to try and make it work

first thing you need to do is see your doctor. he may want to do a endoscopy or barium swallow or take out some Fluid. do not ignore this. it is not normal to be getting stuck this often. you can cause some complications unless this is address by your md. but you are likely right in assuming that you are eating incorrectly. it is hard and the way we have to eat doesn't come naturally. right now I would give your band a break and go back to liquids for a few days. you may be swollen from all the stuck issues. call your doctor

I had the two week preop, cheated on day 9 not bc I was hungry bc I'd gotten threw that phase but bc my family went to the mall where my fav meal was. Tried it, was discusting, made me angry but I survived. So, postop day I had complications so for the next 5 day stay in the hospital, no drinking, just iv fluids, on day 6 they let me drink. Day 8 came home for another 2 wk liq. I'm no hungry, physically or mentally but my doc makes me drink the 1 oz med cups 4/hr. So I'm constantly drinking shakes, crystal lite lemon flav, some chicken broth I'd done myself prior to surgery ( low sodium) and jello in the oz cups. Ik I prob didnt help u, bc u do know what ur feeling, but the routine of drinkn that I'm on, keeps my mind settled away from head hunger. I cooked for my family today, was hard smelling it but I did good. I guess smelln it everyday in the hospital helped a lot. God bless and gl and if ur able to walk, take a stroll, read a good book, play spades on ur phone like I Do, lol. And most of all, all u can do is one day at a time, so don't waste it on the next day or the ten other days. Just get threw today.