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Their is good and bad with every surgery. There are also more types of WLS than lap band and bypass. Currently the gastric sleeve has become very popular. if you could find a program in your area that offers a WLS seminar that would be your best place to start. A good seminar walks you through each procedure and the pros and cons of them all. I had the sleeve done and so far have had no problems. I didn't even need pain meds in the hospital. I think it's part what state your were in physically, and part mental attitude. I was completely confident that I was doing the right thing, no nerves or tears going into surgery. I exercised regularly and I followed doctor's orders leading up to surgery. So far I've had no problems.

I had mine done by Dr. Ortiz. It cost me $5,200.00. The sleeve was $4,400.00 and the revision was $800.00. I'm down 25 pounds so far and feel fine.

Thank you so much for that explanation and advice! I really appreciate it, will read up on DOMS (sounds kinky lol.. Sorry couldnt resist) and will revise my supplements after the bloodwork. Definitely not getting discouraged.. I have pea-sized body builder bumps haha! :-D thanks again!

I am a senior citizen with a BMI of 35 plus a couple of health conditions that would benefit from some kind of weight loss surgery, excluding a bypass. I'm in Florida. Anyone considering a doctor in FL for either a lap band or sleeve?

"Gold standard" is a marketing term used in selling a procedure (cynically, it has been said that it applies to the surgeons themselves, as that is where they make the most "gold") and as such is basically meaningless. Here in the States, there are four mainstream procedures that are routinely performed, and approved by the ASMBS and the US insurance industry - lap bands, RNY, VSG and DS. The bands are falling out of favor owing to their high longterm complication rate and low effectiveness, but there is still a lot of marketing push for them by their manufacturers. The RNY has been around for forty years or so, based upon procedures that had been first developed 100 years before to treat gastric cancer and other gastric maladies (Billroth II). It was an improvement over the existing malabsorptive procedures such as the JIB (jejuno ileal bypass) but it still had the longstanding tradeoffs of its basic configuration - bile reflux, marginal ulcers (aka, the "NSAID problem"), dumping syndrome and moderate nutritional deficiencies. Bile reflux has largely been eliminated in the RNY WLS procedure via tailored limb lengths, but the others remain as common side effects and are largely controlled by diet or medication restrictions and supplements. It is overall a very good and mature procedure that works well with tolerable side effects, but it is far from perfect, which is why there is been an ongoing effort in the industry to find a replacement (this is how progress is made.) The duodenal switch (DS) was developed in the mid to late 1980's, which combined a moderate level of malabsorption with a moderate level of restriction (compared to the RNY which is more highly restrictive and minimally malabsorptive) that takes care of the RNY's problems with bile reflux, dumping/reactive hypoglycemia and marginal ulcers. In exchange, it is more technically challenging for the surgeon (which is why most don't offer it) and is a little more fussy on its' supplement regimen. On the plus side, it is more effective in treating diabetes, somewhat more effective on overall average weight loss, and much better at resisting regain. It should certainly be on the radar for anyone in the high BMI ranges and/or with a history of yoyo dieting. The main thing that has held the DS back from being more popular is its complexity, which often doesn't fit in with either surgeon's skill sets or business models (can't do as many procedures in a day.) The VSG came out of the DS as it is the first phase when the DS is done in two steps. Typically the VSG stomach is made smaller, about half the size, than the DS sleeve. It overall yields similar weight loss and regain characteristics to the RNY but without the dumping/reactive hypoglycemia or marginal ulcer predispositions and is also quicker and easier for the surgeon to perform, which is why it has been gaining popularity. The primary downside is the predisposition toward acid reflux owing to the stomach volume being reduced much more than the acid producing potential, to which the body doesn't always adapt. Nothing is perfect, and they all have a place for different circumstances. Getting beyond marketing fluff, hey are all the "gold standard" when used appropriately. The next new thing that is working its way through the industry is the SIPS/SADI (sometimes called the "loop" or simplified DS) that shows some good promise of having effectiveness somewhere between the RNY and the DS, with surgical complexity on the order of the RNY (it is being promoted as being "almost as good as the DS" while being more "accessible" - simpler so more surgeons can do it. It is still usually considered by most insurance to be investigational, and has yet to gain approval by the ASMBS, but there's a good chance that it may become that RNY replacement that the industry has been looking for.

Wow!! You guys are sure good for a ego!!!! To answer all the questions...:smile: Dr Adam is WONDERFUL!!! I had an area on both my breast like extra skin..kinda like a dog tag on my breast instead of hips and they were very obviois in my swimsuit so he did not make me wait the (6 months for revisions) He fixed them with no questions asked...after nursing three kids my breast now look like those of a 16yr old! This man is amazing!!! My tummy speaks for itself in the picture:biggrin:I do have horrible strechmarks on my thighs that mentally hinder my results,but o-well.Like my husband said I am not 21 anymore and have 3 kids to show for those strechmarks:rolleyes: I have a 4cc band and have been filled to 3.4 since last July.I did not touch it during surgery.I do not diet! I just eat smaller portions of whatever I choose.I do try and make better food choices but I am still human and those damn cotton candy blizzards at Dairy Queen are killing me!!! I can't eat bread(I can have a slice of toasted bread) but I will never be able to get a quarter pounder,fries and a coke down!! I do not eat and drink at the same time and I chew very slowly.If I eat to fast I get stuck...and that is not fun.I have not lost much since Christmas.I was 142 then and they took 10lbs off during plastic surgry.I probably could lose more but I am not the best example when it comes to food choices.It is summertime and we are in the boat/beach alot so sometimes lunch is chips and budlight:lol: I try and get to the gym 3-4 times a week and I walk on the treadmill on an incline...trying to tone up my thighs and rear.I usually do about 3miles.I have a 5lb dumbell at home that I do armlifts with almost daily(only a set of 50) I hope this answered most the questions.Thanks again for all the compliments!!!!!

To trll you the truth i'm one of the few on here that was 50/50 on the two surgeries. I actually changed my mind to the bypass , but the coordinatator said it was too late. The one area my Drs. office failed me was allowing me to ask questions and decide with the Dr as opposed to having to know before even seeing him.

I was banded on January 17, 2005. Just one week prior to you. I have lost a total of 40 lbs in those three months. So I would say you are right in the ball park at losing 34lbs. They say about 1 to 2 lbs a week with the band. I say as long as the scale is going down keep up the good work. There are times I don't lose for a week or more then all of a sudden 4 or 5 lbs drop off. Just hang in there and be patient. This does not drop off like gastric bypass patients. As long as a little goes here and there. You are doing great. Keep up the good work. Good luck.

Im with you, my doc also offered bypass and i was to affraid to be that radical so his second option was the sleeve, i too have had two band surgeries and have now gained 40 lbs in 7 months. i hope the sleeve is every thing the band was not. i just want to eat smaller portions and not be hungry all the time, i hate the fills and un fills and the port pain and pb'ing etc. my surgery is scheduled on 11/1, i am so scared but just need to get to healthy weight and get on with my life...

The band made me constantly sick. It was an easy decision as soon as I found out about the sleeve that I wanted that thing out of me as soon as possible and to have revision surgery to the sleeve. The sleeve is everything the band was supposed to be-small portions and no hunger. The band can completely ruin your stomach and esohagus so I wanted it out before it did so much damage that it could not be repaired.

I was sleeved (revised from band) on Oct 20. Down 17lbs but have stalled this week. I was also low bmi to start.

Hi painter88, Thanks for your kind words. They say that the bypass helps to relieve hiatus hernia's and GERD. You can also read my response below to another member. Hope you have a wonderful day

@Mhy12784 - if added muscle is your goal, then no. While it is true that you will need more protein & calories in order to build muscle, that protein will need to be digested first in order to make it available for synthesis. The majority of digestion takes place in the stomach. The intestines is where the digested food and nutrients is then transferred to the blood stream. If the food is washed out of the stomach before it is completely broken down, it will not be absorbed and will mostly pass through the intestines. This is more likely with bypass patients as it is textbook malabsorption. If you truly need more protein and calories in a fast absorbing form, look for a hydrolized protein. To the OP, it is exactly like you stated, a slippery slope. Eventually you can form the habit to drink while eating which will wash the food out of you stomach and you will get hungry sooner. I am almost 3 years out and the only modification I have made to the 30/30 rule originally given to me is that I will drink up until I start eating. After I start, I do not take another drink until 30 minutes after my last bite. I find that while I may at first be dying for a drink, after a few minutes, that desire fades. Only time that is it difficult is when I am eating something that is spicy (e.g. homemade habanero jelly).

MsMaui thank you for posting your story. I think its important for people to know what kind of experiences are out there. Some complications are because of the band, some are exacerbated by the band, and some have nothing to do with the band. It's not clear from your initial post where you were coming from with respect to the above three purposes for posting about complications. it may have been helpful if you included that. I noticed the same thing in your other thread about "Thinking Of Revising to VSG good info". The point of the post was vague and it is natural to think the worst when the poster doesn't clarify. It came across as misleading and possibly deliberate. As far as your problems, that's just awful and I'm sorry you've dealt with it this long. And I'm sorry you're losing your band but it doesn't sound like it is compatible long term with your existing conditions. I hope VSG or whatever you choose is a better solution and this stops being a negativ issue in your life. There's too much great stuff to experience without being hindered by pain or even Internet arguments. Best wishes.

Thank you for understanding the purpose of my post. I'm sorry you're going through this, too. My reflux came on strong after my unfill too. I'd wake up choking on acid, horrible way to exist. In addition to dealing with my motility issues, I've had influenza A and B plus a stomach virus in the last 5 weeks. My immune system is really run down and I think stress and the fact I only can eat properly about half the time aren't helping. Hope you find some answers! Let me know how your doctors appt goes! We have a Failed Bands group on FB, let me know if you want to join. The admin is very knowledgable about revision surgery and the kind of problems we've been having.

I am making my final decision this weekend between Sleeve and Bypass. Those of you post-sleeve, did the weight loss help relieve High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Diabetes, and/or sleep Apnea for any of you? Do any of you experience dumping with your sleeve? Thanks from a newbie,

Well, the insurance says 200 calories a day is not a sufficient amount to do the tasks to required. I get tired after my morning routine of getting my young 4 year old off to school then taking a shower I need to rest after I do all of that. The surgeon said that often with Hiatus Hernia they will perform a bypass on individuals without obesity concerns to correct the issue. They are not doing the surgery so that I can loose more weight they are doing the surgery to try and correct the problem. The major issue with it though and the reason why they went with the sleeve surgery is that I have tremendous amounts of scar tissue which did not allow them to do the Roux-n-y to begin with so they are saying they will try but are not confident they will succeed. I really don't know what the outcome is going to be. I know I want my life back though I'm tired of waiting and putting my life on hold. Thanks for your kind words and support. On a positive note though one of the main reasons I went for this surgery was because of the sever back pain I lived with and I don't have any pain in my back now WOOHOOO. That makes me super happy

The recovery is not necessarily longer for RNY. I've been told it is about the same but it really depends on the individual person. The RNY is a good way to go. The statistics favor RNY for long term success. Even though I really don't have GERD, I'm still doing the bypass because all of my doctors think it will work better for me.

I had my revision from Lap Band to Sleeve 7 weeks ago and have lost 20 pounds...woohoo!!! I lost 30 in the 3 months prior to revision...another woohoo!!! I am officially 100 pounds down from my lifetime high of 260, 11 years ago... the biggest woohoo of all!!! Let's celebrate Broads over 50 getting it under control!!!

My sister-in-law had the gastric bypass over a decade ago and can eat and drink the same things as she did before surgery. The amount she can consume in one sitting is limited and with RNY you also have the added benefit of malabsorption. People do find ways to gain their weight back even with RNY so the psychological conditioning has to be there as well. You will read on this and other support forums that WLS is just a tool and that has to be the mindset going into this. With all that said, I think it's an awesome tool and can help a lot of people from going down the slippery slope of obesity. I'm 51 years old and have always been active (almost hyper LOL) and it got to a point where my body hurt so bad from the weight that I became more sedentary and that snowballed my weight. I admire people that take action at a young age before the damage becomes irreversible.

Hey! I had surgery last Thursday (so it’ll be a week in a few hours, lol). I had gastric bypass and I’m going back tomorrow. I feel great. Of course, I pushed hard to walk every hour as soon as I woke up and have been up and about every day.

To me, the important thing about the sleeve is that the part of the stomach that pumps out all those hungry hormones is removed. With the band, the bypass, the balloon, the stomach remains. I don't know how they stop the hunger pangs. That's why I am having the sleeve surgery. I want control back and feel I will get that with this surgery. Plus, no foreign objects in my body, and the natural openings to and from my stomach are there.

I have too read there's not any long term data, but it can be concluded on your own. They remove a large portion of your stomach. This gives the individual an opportunity at a fresh and jumpstart. It give an opportunity to reset the body while producing drastic results in the beginning. If you choose to avoid being serious with lifestyle changes you will have to start over and go to the last resort of bypass. If you feel that strongly long term results, effects, and possible revision its up to you to make the changes stick and be successful.

Yes insurance companies should be glad to revise band to.......less money for them in the longrun.

I had that same concern worry - as a revision from band patient I really thought about this! What I have to honestly say is that even in 2001 there were "early warning signs" that all was not well with the band. I lived in Europe where the band was already being done alot and while I didn't have any local support, I did belong to a yahoo group. My first clue was that there was a general list and then there was a "secret" list where the veterans posted. Once i hit the one year mark, with very limited success and was permitted in the veterans area I came to realize how many people where having complications and very commonly not losing as much weight as they wanted. As most people do pretty well at first with the band - the complications tend to increase over time, the general forum gave a very narrow view of the band experience. There was also a great deal of shaming on that particular website. I had alot of trouble with vomiting more than I should have but there was a culture of blaming/shaming the patient so I never really got the counseling/advice/help I needed to manage the band better. At that time the stock answer "can't help you if you aren't compliant". I would be thinking "compliant with what? what can I eat that won't get stuck and make me vomit and embarrased?" but instead would keep my mouth shut and try to do better - without really knowing "how to do better" At that time, there was less understanding about managing the right level of fill and lots of people had to travel for fills/unfills at great cost, including me, and so often lived with too tight of bands which led to oh so many problems. Well, in truth, my first first first clue should have been pre-op was when my surgeon had me sign a document acknowledging that the band should be considered temporary and would most likely require removal with risk of significant weight gain. I had put on such rose colored glasses I didn't even remember signing that until I went through my paperwork in preparing for my revision to sleeve. With the sleeve, I was looking for all the bad things - and surely found them (risk of leaks, etc etc) - but so far (will be 4 years in Dec) things have worked out as expected, or really better than expected and I feel like more was understood/ widely known about the sleeve in 2011 than was generally acknowledged about the band in 2001.