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Showing results for 'Complications'.
Found 17,501 results
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New to VSG, Old to WLS
wannabehealthy replied to wannabehealthy's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Wow, thanks for all the replies and to all who read my story. It's been so long and as I started writing, it just all flowed out with ease. I needed to get it off my chest, I've never told my story to anyone except my husband, who has lived it with me. I guess it looks worse on paper than I thought!! I'm really ok, I made it through each time hoping that this would be the last surgery, and this last time was the most disappointing I think, waking up with the doctor saying "sorry". But, we must just dust ourselves off and move forward, what else can we do? On days that I feel great, I forget about all the medical junk and just enjoy the bliss. Deedee-thank your for saying that I have a positive attitude, it doesn't feel that way sometimes. I have total faith in my doctor, she has seen my insides 3 times now and knows her way around! (I left my first doctor, he told me my port wasn't infected and I ran around with an open tunneling wound in my abdomen for 7 months before finding another doctor who knew what they were doing!) Donna- it's so good to hear how happy you are with the sleeve, it gives me hope. I really appreciate your empathy. It touches my heart to know that people really care.:drool5: Tiffykins, I only wish I would have gotten my band out sooner, 7 years was WAY to long to suffer. I just kept wanting to make it work. I know almost for certain that I will have some complication with the operation for the sleeve, I am a poor healer, but I know it will all be worth it! Thinasiwant- thank you for your comments, I look forward to better times, that is for sure! Carolyn-I can't wait to "love my life" as you do! Actually, I do (except for the obesity part). I have 2 great kids and a husband who loves me- poor thing, he's had to endure all of this with me! He's a keeper! :cursing: I also cannot wait to have more energy! I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and have started taking thyroid replacement, so that should help with the energy thing too. Lee-I always had faith that the band would eventually work right, so my only frustration now is the time that I wasted trying to make it work. Hopefully, in a few short months, I will have a new tool that will actually work, the sleeve, and the end of my saga will come and my new life will finally start! I cannot wait to participate in activities with my family instead of sitting in a chair on the sidelines. Thank you so much again, I look forward to growing my new friendships and being of support to others! Kathy :seeya: -
Gastric Bypass recovery
rnyryry replied to Karlnjax's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I went back to school exactly one week after. It was hard, I was very tired and sitting was uncomfortable. I am currently 1.5 weeks out and feel pretty good, I am back to my daily activities. It depends on your pain tolerance and any complications that occurred. I could have done well with 2 full weeks off and been fine. I was clawing the walls during the one week but was still pretty tired after normal tasks like going to the bathroom. My side stitch is still tight so I have to be careful because it can get pretty sore with too much movement. -
45...preop, would you wait?
AGreenEyedWolf replied to MaggieH2's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I'm on the fence. I think on the one hand that you shouldn't be on a cruise that soon post op in case of complications... but on the other hand, doing something like the cruise with so many great, not day-to-day "normal" things to do to take your mind of of your head hunger might be a good thing. I suggest asking your surgeon for his opinion :-) Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App -
45...preop, would you wait?
DeletedMember replied to MaggieH2's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I'll take a contrary position. From my experience, you will probably feel pretty good 8 weeks out, but will have extreme dietary restrictions which could be very difficult to deal with in a captive environment. In addition, there is a very slight chance you could have complications emerge at around that time (e.g. - stricture) and medical care could be dicey depending on where you are. While I am extremely happy with my RNY and would do it again in a heartbeat, in your situation, I would consider postponing the surgery. If you can move it to July from April, what's 3 more months really? Then you can focus on you and your recovery. I took my first extended trip out of the country to an all inclusive about 10 months post-op, and frankly I'm glad I waited that long. Any trip I was taking 8 weeks post-op (frankly even up to about 5-6 months post-op) I was bringing a LOT of my own supplies - Protein drinks, cottage cheese, etc. Now that I'm a year post-op I can usually make so with whatever is available. I may throw some Protein Bars in my bag for emergency use, but other than that I can pretty much roll with it. -
Post-op 1 week today! Questions....
Abry replied to brookiebaby81's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was the same way I lost a lot the first two weeks and yes I was able to drink freely and without any pain or to much restriction! I also thought that maybe my sleeve might be to big! but NO I feel the restiction now on soft foods after a couple of bites and yes my wieght stalled for a week and now it is coming off fast again I love the way I feel I have been so luck to not have complications!! I also felt the need for solids when on liquids but now I have to stop and make my self eat. My energy level is great and I have droped almost 3 pant sizes!! Keep up the good work!!!! -
Just want to interject - "I have only lost 50 some pounds." There's no such thing as ONLY losing 50 lbs, especially when you've fought your way through each and every one of them. I've not had a slip (knocl on wood) but a good friend of mine did. She was part of the original FDA trials and has had additional complications since her slip, but she slipped so severely that she was PBing on her own saliva, just from swallowing. Since she went from a tight size 36 to a loose size 0, and lost any resemblance to healthy, her surgeon urged (and is still urging) her to have the band removed. She refuses, because she's afraid the weight will come back if the band is not there. Unfortunately her case is one where healthy weightloss transgressed into eating disorder and irratitional thinking. :confused: What is happening during your surgery - are they repositioning? Replacing? Removing?
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Able to Eat Almost Anything
jevinity333 replied to Kathy L's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
i too am able to eat what i want. I had the RNY and I haven't experienced any complications. I had a friend who got sleeved two weeks behind me, and she is having trouble drinking anything. She says it hurts. I feel blessed to be able to eat whatever, but it does take me choosing to change my diet for optimal success. I know people who have had the gastric bypass and eat what ever they want. They lost weight, but probably not to the extent they could have. I want a different life, so I will have to make changes, but I do take it as a blessing. I don't want to experience the pain I see my friend going through. Counting my blessings... -
Reaching out here because I'm at my wits end with stomach pain. To make a very long story short, I am having extreme pain in my left side of my abdomen and back every night starting at 5pm and ending in the morning around 6am. This has landed me in urgent care and two ERs and a hospital stay in the past week. I've seen doctor after doctor and no one knows what's wrong. Waiting to see a GI specialist. I was discharged with narcotic pain meds to control it and those don't even work. Totally fine during the day. No problems eating or any other classic lap band complications but my surgeon is not ruling out lap band issues.... Has anyone had this? It's like clock work and I dread every evening. I met with my surgeon today and unfortunately his solution involved going to an ER and hospital that are not on my insurance. Any advice appreciated. The pain is constant, intense and travels throughout my left side. Ruled out OB issues, kidney stones, gallbladder, etc with a CT scan. All bloodwork normal.
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Whatever you decide, PLEASE make sure your insurance company does NOT have a 1 weight loss surgery procedure per LIFETIME, or policy period exclusion. With the recent study out in 2010 showing 1 in 3 band patients need another surgery and it's typically a revision, you'll be stuck with a band. I have appeal letters, and there are SOOOOOOOOOOO many people on obesityhelp.com that had the same rule with their insurance, they appealed it and WON for the sleeve. I had the band because VSG was not available when I had to choose. So, believe me, I do understand in choosing the band, BUT VSG was NOT even offered in my area, along with government ran insurance through the military, I had to tackle 2 hurdles to get VSG. I say do NOT give up, do not settle for the complications that come with the band lifestyle.
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Another fan of Team Illan
maestrita replied to maestrita's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You might. I did have an account, but I left when I had just had enough from people who are emotionally unhealthy. I see that there are still people who like to unload on others here, so I won't frequent this site. I just wanted to share my experience in case someone really needs help. I really needed help, and Dr. Illan and his team really saved me from the complications of a rather severe lap band slip. I am so lucky I found them. -
What do you say when you get THAT question??
MissyC replied to Boo Boo Kitty's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I guess I am opposite of most, it doesn't bother me to tell ppl....WLS. I haven't really had alot of people asking me yet tho..mostly people I work with who know I was gone for 6 weeks anyway, and knew something was up. But telling someone your eating better, making better eating choices is not a lie. (btw...I didn't have complications...I just have a job with heavy lifting so I had to stay off til my wt restriction was done). -
Post-op 1 week today! Questions....
Bob2013 replied to brookiebaby81's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi Brooke, I am 9 days out from surgery, and I too have questions. I haven't lost but 2 lbs since my surgery. Total weight loss of 17.5 lbs. total in 3 weeks (2 weeks pre-op). Kinda concerned that the weight doesn't seem to be coming off as fast as I thought it would. My BMI was at 30 when I had the surgery and my weight was 177. I am walking everyday. I am hoping when I get back to work next week that the weight will begin to fall off. I am only having very liquid foods and protein drinks until next week. Then on to soft puréed foods. No complications as far as drinking anything either. But I am careful about how much over what time period. I too am afraid to not follow the drs. orders. I guess I am just looking for support and would appreciate all offered. Christina With a BMI of 30 your loss is going to be slow. Generally the bigger you are the faster the initial weight loss. -
Anticipation is heavy!!!
LAN2k replied to sickofrollercoaster's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I so understand how you are feeling. It takes courage to have this surgery and even more so outside of the US. I have read testimony after testimony from real people on this message board who have had Dr. Aceves and do not recall ever reading of any dissatisfaction, complaint or complication. He is a highly skilled and experienced surgeon having done many sleeve procedures. That would really help ease my nerves. I'll be thinking of you and keeping close tabs as your date approaches will send up prayers for a very good surgery and recovery. -
I am struggling please help
Smanky replied to Muwins's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You said it's a little over a week. This is super-early days after MAJOR surgery, especially since you had a hital hernia repair as well. I had a hernia repair with mine and felt like I'd been hit by a truck for a solid two weeks. But it comes with the territory, it's gonna hurt and it's gonna take a few weeks to settle. Complications suck, but the difficult early months and boring food restrictions are short lived. Try distracting yourself, and most of all, be patient let your body heal. It's been through the ringer! -
Time off work post-op
angierue replied to angierue's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I know there's always the chance of complications and my week off is based on an easy surgery with no major issues. I have a fairly high pain tolerance so my biggest concern is being weak and fatigued easily. My work days are usually around 9-10 hours long. I can take breaks and have a fridge and microwave available. I might get a small blender to keep up there as well. -
3 days pre-op...getting jittery
AZhiker replied to crashsmash12's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You gotta walk through the door or you will never know what is on the other side. My surgeon gives all his patients a journal - a way to track food, weight loss, exercise, vitamins, etc. On the front it says," As I'm getting smaller, my world is getting bigger." I never really understood it until I lost about 50-60 pounds and could be more mobile and pain free. Now my world can't be big enough! I feel no limits - only by my own mind. I believe I could hike the Grand Canyon now, or ride in the 100 + mile El Tour de Tucson (bike), or hike the 830 mile Arizona Trail, or take flying lessons. Or kayak without swamping the boat, or get on and off the floor with my grandkids, or walk up hills without being winded, or ride my mule, or buy SMALL size tops and size 12 pants. It's an unbelievable world right now for me - a world I would never know without walking through that door, scared as I was (crying in preop, wondering if I should just get up and leave.) Surgery has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is a whole new life!!!!!! A life I never thought I would see again. Yes, there can be complications (I got a blood clot in my leg), and yes, recovery is a bear. But there is a whole new world waiting for you on the other side of that door. -
Please read! Need as much advice as I can get!
jennibells replied to Kat225's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
lapbandtalker- I went in to the ER and they rushed me in for emergency surgery. I knew my band had slipped for a month and we were waiting to see if it would go back on its own but I started having trouble keeping anything down and severe pain. My doctor told me it was a good thing I came in when I did because the band was strangulating my stomache and it could of cut off the blood flow to my stomache completely which would of caused my stomache to die and caused many complications for the rest of my life and possibly death due to unknown infection if I had let it go. I dont think that everybodys case is going to be just like mine but I do believe in signs and fate and it may be a sign that you read my post. I did read somone elses post who had a slipped band the day before I went in and I really think it scared me enough to go in which may have saved my life or at least my stomache. I had the best possible results, I had the band removed, a new one put in and I am doing great with my new band now! I cant imagine life without my band and I am so glad that I have been blessed enough to be able to keep it!!! -
What newbies need to know :-)
abbybeep replied to shyanne's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Awesome list! I'd like to add that, while you shouldn't get carried away with it, looking back, I wish I would have thought about the "what ifs" a little more. Only to make sure that I really understood the ramifications of my decision to have surgery. What if things don't go as planned and I have to have additional surgeries and possible complications for the rest of my life? Am I ready to handle that? Like I said, don't dwell on it, but just consider the possibilities- good and not-so-good. -
Low Bmi Lap Band, Is It All Worth It?
Mayasgram replied to Comet's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Curious you did not tell us your weight if you can lose weight with out Lap Band save the money and do it. I understand that your self esteme and outlook is effected by your body image but judging from a low BMI in appears your not seriously overweight and you have no other complications. It makes me wonder what Dr would just schedule you for surgery so quickly ....just sayin. Lap Band is not for everyone and it is not a walk in the park. Have you had your psyche eval and met with a nutritionist. I am interested to hear what others have to say... -
Want some opinions on pros and cons of lab band. Thinking about having it done
Lanakila replied to tabbaby's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Tabbaby, can you tell us what kinds of things, specifically, you are scared of? Is it the surgery process itself? Are you afraid of complications? Are you afraid of not being able to eat? Let us know so that we can address specific things for you, k? As for me, I cannot think of a SINGLE thing that I regret. It's important that you realize that, for the most part, you will be able to eat anything you do now. You won't be able to eat as much...but you'll still feel full so it doesn't matter. You won't be able to eat as much...so you'll probably choose that protein-packed chicken over that cupcake (probably, but it's ok if you make a poor choice sometimes.) There are terrific counselors that specialize in working with weight loss surgery patients. Hang out here to get first hand perspective, and maybe seek out one of those counselors too. Pop in anytime! :tt2: -
I was sleeved on Tuesday the 5th of July so I am 4 days post op. I'm doing better each day EXCEPT I am having terrible has in my stomach and around where my hiatal hernia was repaired. SO MUCH GAS. Can anyone please shed some light on this I cannot seem to find much about it. Will it cause any complications. When I burp it is like this wierd reverse burp where it feels like I am taking in more air to get the burp out. Please let me know if this is normal. Thank you so much.
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I would like to hear from bandsters who have been banded OVER 5 YEARS?? OVER 10 YEARS?? I read posts from all of you wonderful people, but most of the band dates are very recent. I would like to know what complications?? what successes?? Are you happy with the results??? Are you sorry you did it years ago?? Did you have to be re-banded with a newer lap band model?? I am being banded on Friday March 20, and I am concerned with the LONG TERM consequences. Thank you cc
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Does surgery = Money savings?
amytug replied to megancd's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Depends on what you're paying for the surgery and if you have complications that throw big hospital bills in your lap. mine probably won't pay off for a while. But in the long run, perhaps. Course now I'm buying more food from the health food store instead of lots of ice team and Chinese buffets, so I really think its about the same as before. After these bills are paid, anyway. -
I've been banded for 3years but due to some complication I had to get all my fill out because my stomach was swollen. Now, I tried to do this portion control w/out any restriction and it worked for a while but I've gained a lot of weight back and tomorrow I've decided to go for the 1st fill and don't want to because I'm worried that I won't get to eat anymore (obvioulsy) and since I haven't had a fill in a while how my tummy will react to eat, because I don't want to throw up anymore. HELP!
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FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY have an update on my revision!!
SleeveToBypass2023 posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
So I have been really quiet on here because I was just trying to get rid of the last of the health issues I had going on. Polyps are gone and uterine fibroids are gone. I had an appt with my bariatric surgeon today and we discussed getting the revision now that I have a clean bill of health. Looks like it'll be mid July sometime. BUT...my revision is a little more complicated. Here's what I was told: Normally they leave the bottom part of the stomach when they do the bypass because there might be a need for a feeding tube at some point, or something like that. HOWEVER, with my situation, the part they would normally leave is where all the polyps were. So the surgeon is going to completely remove the bottom part of the stomach (making my stomach about 2oz instead of the 4-5oz it is now) during the bypass surgery. He said that's not ideal, but given my situation, it's the best course of treatment for the GERD, esophagitis, gastritis, and getting me back to being able to work out and live a normal life again (which is really all I want). He said it does present a problem later on if I need a feeding tube or whatever, but that's a big "if", and considering all of my issues right now, it's worth the risk, if I agree. I agreed with him and I'm waiting for the coordinator to call me to schedule the surgery officially. I'm so close to this being over. I can see the finish line FINALLY!!!!!
